"Sorry about the leg," Sirius apologized gently as he and Harry helped carry Ron out of the Whomping Willow. "I usually have a sweet disposition as a dog."
"Sweet?Sweet!? You nearly tore my leg off!" Ron exclaimed.
"Sorry, I was aiming for the rat," Sirius grimaced and Grace smiled. "Key word I used wasusually."
"It's true!" Grace nodded, and Ron scoffed.
"Of courseyou'dsay so! He's your dad, isn't he!" Ron huffed as Sirius and Harry helped him to the ground. Grace watched as her dad walked away, staring at the castle. She followed him, ignoring Ron and his injured leg.
"So..." she stared awkwardly. "This whole time, you were Snuffles?"
"I was Snuffles," he nodded, smiling softly at her. "That's the same name as that toy cat, correct?" He asked and she nodded. "You still have it?"
"Yeah," she nodded again, her cheeks turning pink.
"You're wearing the necklace," he said softly, nodding to the gold and amethyst necklace. She smiled and reached up, holding it gently. "Do you like it?"
"I love it," she looked up at him. "Thank you..."
"You're welcome," Sirius said, then silenced. Grace looked at Sirius, noticing the tired but hopeful look in his eyes as he stared at the castle. Then he shifted his eyes and turned to her. "What is it?"
"Can..." She paused and looked away from him, feeling awkward. "Can I have a – a hug?" she whispered nervously as she glanced up at him. Sirius smiled softly and nodded, holding out his arms for her. Grace grinned and wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her face in his chest. When he wrapped his arms around her, she felt the dams break, and she started crying softly. This is what she wanted, what she's always wanted... to be held by her father.
"Shh," he whispered as he held her tighter and rested his chin on her head. "It's alright, love, I'm not going anywhere."
Grace held on for a little longer. She didn't want to let go in fear that if she did, he would disappear again. When she finally got the nerve to pull away, she sniffled and went to wipe her eyes, but he beat her to it. He held her face in his hand so gently that he was afraid she'd break, and he wiped her tears from her cheeks with his thumbs.
"No more tears, little star," he whispered softly, smiling at her and she could see his eyes glossy. "I hated seeing you cry and there was nothing I could do..."
"You were there," she told him, giving him a small smile. "As a dog... and I didn't know, but you were there," she continued, and Sirius smiled at her softly and wiped another tear from her cheek. "You were there for me when... when I didn't feel like I had anyone else." Sirius smiled at her and pulled her close into another hug, and she smiled happily into him as she hugged him back.
She lingered when they pulled away again, leaning into his side as he kept an arm around her. It appeared that they both were scared that if they let go of each other entirely, the other would disappear. Grace leaned forward and saw Harry awkwardly making his way to them, and he gave her a small smile when he came up on Sirius' other side. She noticed that he, too, had the same look on his face that she did, the longing of wanting to know Sirius as they both had a connection to him. But she was thankful that Harry let her have her moment with her father alone.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Sirius sighed, still staring at Hogwarts. "I'll never forget the first time I walked through those doors. It'll be nice to do it again... freely," he said, turning to look at Harry. "That was a noble thing you did back there, both of you... he doesn't deserve it."
"I don't reckon my father would want his two best friends to become killers," Harry shrugged.
"'Specially over a worthless piece of vermin like Pettigrew," Grace spat, and shivered again. She still felt sick; but the soft stroke of her father's hand on her shoulder eased her.
"Besides... dead, the truth dies with him. Alive, like Grace said, you're free," Harry told him and Grace couldn't help but smile. She would have her dad around, like he should've been. She'll have her dadandRemus around, and she never felt happier.
"I don't know if you know, Harry, but... when you were born, James and Lily made me and Helena your godparents," Sirius said a little nervously. Grace frowned. Although she knew her dad was Harry's godfather, she should've realized that her mother would've been his godmother, too.
"I know," Harry nodded.
"And, well, I'll understand if you choose to stay with your aunt and uncle, but, so you know,you could–" Sirius started and Grace's eyes widened at what her dad suggested.
"Come live with you?Allof you?When?" Harry asked, a grin spreading on his face.
"You practically lived with us already over the summer," Grace teased as she glanced over at him with a grin. Harry was glad that it was dark enough that she didn't notice his cheeks turning pink, but he didn't miss the raised eyebrow and a small smirk on Sirius' face.
"As soon as my name is cleared," he answered. "We'll all be a proper family, the way it-"
"GRACE!" Hermione screamed. The three of them turned around to see Hermione pointing to the sky. Grace frowned, as she followed Hermione's finger and her stomach fell in dread.
"No!" Grace shook her head in horror as she ripped away from her dad and ran to Remus. "Remus!" She screamed, feeling her fingers grow cold and weak as they began to tremble in fear. "Did-did you take your potion!?" She asked as she reached him, gripping his blazer. Remus was pale as he stared in horror at the full moon. "Remus please!" She cried. Grace felt herself being pulled from Remus, and she fought to hold onto him but the moment her hands let go of the blazer, her father was in front of her. Remus screamed in agony, and her father held him up.
"Remus, old friend! Did you remember the potion!" He asked desperately. "Please!" Remus struggled, but shook his head. His eyes turning to Grace and she shook her head, crying. She knew he wanted her to leave, not to have her watch him turn. He let out a howl of pain as the transformation began. "Run! All of you! Now!" Sirius shouted.
"Remus! You had to have taken it!" Grace shook her head as she stared in horror, her heart felt like it was being ripped to shreds as she watched him.
"You know the man you truly are, Remus! The flesh is just flesh! This heart is where you truly live!This Heart! Here!" Sirius shouted as he held on desperately to Remus. Grace went to take a step but Sirius glared at her in warning. "Grace, take them andrun! NOW!" All she could do was nod as she walked backward, never taking her eyes off them.
She felt someone grab her hand and pull her close, she smelt Harry's soap. "No!" Harry shouted when he noticed Pettigrew take Remus' wand. Grace glared at him and took her wand out, right when Harry shouted: "Expelliarmus!" and Remus' wand flew out of Pettigrew's hand.
The rat merely grinned evily at them as he waved. Grace glared and pointed her wand at him. "Stupefy!"she shouted, and a red light shot from her wand and hit Pettigrew, and the man fell backward to the ground.
"Nice," Harry whispered, and she felt herself smile in pride. "You've been studying."
"I've got to get a head if I want to try and top Hermione," Grace whispered, shrugging her shoulders. A loud, piercing howl rang and Grace turned around and saw werewolf Remus knock Sirius to the ground. Her heart stopped as she stared at his wolf form. She hoped, it was wishful thinking, but she hoped that his wolfish instincts would recognize her scent. Grace stood in front of Harry and Hermione, keeping her arms out in front of her.
"Professor...?" Hermione asked carefully as she tried to move past Grace, but Grace kept her arm out to block her.
"Hermione," Grace hissed. "Shut. Up."
"There you are-" Snape hissed as he came from the Whomping Willow, and Remus growled at the sight of him. Snape whipped around and pulled Hermione and Harry behind him protectively. "Miss Black, don't befoolish-" He warned her quietly but was cut off by Remus swinging at him. Hermione screamed as the three of them fell to the ground. Grace held her breath as she took a small step back. This gained the werewolf's attention as he turned his head to look at her.
She gulped, her heart beating loudly in her ear as she tried to keep her breathing calm. She needed to becalmand collected when faced with a werewolf. It was something Remus had taught her after that night. If she was still, and calm,mostof the time a werewolf would lose interest if it wasn't already angry. She stared into Remus' gold eyes, keeping her breath slow and steady, but she could feel her hands tremble in fear. The wolf tilted his head as he took a slow step toward her.
"Remus..." she whispered softly. "It's...it's me, Gracie. Your little niffler... you recognize my scent," she continued, taking another slow step backward. Remus growled lowly, his gold eyes narrowing at her, and she felt her heart . Remus went to leap toward her, but then a large black mass jumped in front of her and knocked into Remus, sending the wolf tumbling sideways. Grace's eyes landed on her father's familiar black canine form in fear. She watched her dad growled at Remus as he stood protectively in front of her, ready to attack him again.
The werewolf leaped, and so did Sirius, and Grace screamed in horror as she watched the two of them fight. Grace felt someone pull her and she looked to see it was Harry, who was pale and looked at her worried. "You alright?" he asked, but she shook her head, and turned to watch her father and her uncle fight.
"DAD!"she screamed as she saw Remus knock Sirius to the side and the wolf turned his attention back on her. He growled as he took a step toward her, but then Sirius ran and tugged on the wolf's tail, forcing him to turn around. Sirius barked and ran off in the other direction, then Remus followed. "Dad!" She shouted as she bolted after them.
"Black!"She heard Snape shout.
"Sirius!" She heard Harry shout behind her, and she knew that he also came running.
"Potter, get back here!" Snape shouted but was ignored.
"NO!" Grace screamed as she saw the werewolf attack the black dog and throw him to the ground. The werewolf turned to her and she froze, then a rock flew past her and hit the wolf right in the snout. He turned and Grace took this as a chance to run to the dog. She fell to the ground and stared in horror at the cuts, and the blood that was staining the grass. "Dad..." she whispered as she stroked the dogs head gently and he let out a tired, pained whine. Grace pulled out her wand and muttered a healing charm that she had learned. She thought that it might come in handy knowing a few healing charms if she was roped into doing dangerous things with Harry and Ron.
"Thank you," Her father whispered after he transformed back, but he still looked to be in pain. She stood up, and helped him stand, but he stumbled, putting all his weight on her. Grace struggled to hold him up and she staggered. He groaned as he tried to walk.
"Sorry," she whispered. "I-I don't know a lot of healing charms yet-"
"No," he shook his head, giving her a grateful smile, "this helps, love, don't worry," he assured her as they got closer to the lake. Grace, unable to hold her father's weight anymore, stumbled and Sirius groaned as he fell to the ground.
"Sorry!" She winced and he shook his head as he laid there, keeping his breathing under control. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked at him, he had so man cuts. "I – I'll try the charms again," she nodded as she pointed her wand to a cut on his chest, but her hands were shaking terribly.
"Sirius! Grace!" Harry shouted as he ran toward him.
Grace kept muttering the charm under her breath, as she stared worringly at her father, who closed his eyes. "Dad..." she whispered.
"Sirius!" Harry shouted, making his way to them and falling to the floor on the other side of her father.
"He's really hurt," Grace whispered, feeling the tears swell. She shivered, suddenly feeling cold. She frowned, she shouldn't be cold in June. She saw her own breath as the feelings of dread, fear, and despair overwhelmed her. She slowly turned her head and stared in horror at the masses of Dementors that were flooding toward them.
"NO!" Harry shouted as a Dementor came close to her father.
"GO AWAY!" She screamed, even though she knew it was no use as the Dementor grew close to her. She felt the familiar pull of the Dementor as her heart stopped in her chest. When she felt herself breathe again, another Dementor was getting close to Harry. She looked down at her father as another Dementor came to him. She regretted not joining Harry for those Dementor classes, she should have... she should have because if she did she would be able to help. Grace started crying uncontrollably as she hid her face in her father's chest.
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted as a silver light surrounded them. The light disappeared as another Dementor flew over them. She felt Harry move closer to her, she could feel his body heat and she saw his hand rest on her father's chest near her head. "Expecto Patronum!" He shouted louder, and a larger silver light surrounded them, blocking some of the dementors, but there were still more of them coming.
Harry screamed in agony as the dementors surrounded them, and it was taking all of Grace's strength to try not to let them affect her so much, but she felt that pull of a Dementor as one hovered over her. She let out a scream as memories of four years ago played in her mind.
"No! Get away!" She screamed, trying to lift her arms to hit the Dementor as it continued sucking something from her father. "NO!" she cried, letting the tears fall as she stared helplessly at her father. "DAD! NO!"She cried as a soft, light blue ball escaped from his mouth, and she was sure that her heart had been ripped into pieces. "No!" she sobbed, holding on his tattered clothes tightly. "Don't leave me again!Please!"
"Grace..." Harry whispered breathlessly. "Look..." she forced herself to look from her father to across the lake. She frowned at the sight of a large, silvery-blue stag. All the dementors went still as they turned toward it, and then a pulsing silver light flooded around them and the Dementors started swarming away as the light grew larger. She stared at it in awe as it's beautiful light surrounded them. She felt Harry fall beside her, but she couldn't take her eyes away.
The light faded, and she squinted to see who it was that casted it. Her heart skipped at the familiar silhouette of Harry, but Harry was out beside her. She blinked twice, clearing her eyes free of tears but when she looked again, there was no one there. Her lips trembled as she looked away and then back at her father, and saw the silver ball float back into his mouth. A weight of relief lifted from her chest as she rested her head on her father's, crying.
It was over...
It wasover.
