Black's Lost Daughter//A Harry Potter Love Story (Book Two)

CHAPTER FOUR - EVERY HIGH IN LIFE COMES WITH A LOW

Hope smiled up at Neville as he slumped down next to her in the Great Hall, placing some sausages on his plate. "You're late, potions," Hope told him, nodding at McGonagall who was glaring in his direction. 

"I fell down the stairs while grabbing my homework and then my trousers were dirty so I had to change them," Neville explained causing Hope to burst out laughing. "Stop laughing at me, it was traumatic." 

Hope bit her lower lip, turning away and hiding her face in Harry's shoulder in an attempt to stop laughing. Harry looked down at her before shrugging and turning back to Ron to continue their conversation. 

"Any luck with the animagus thing?" Neville murmured once Hope had calmed down. Hope nodded, looking up at the sky as owls started pouring in. Sophia landed gently in front of her and she took two letters from her mouth. Neville carefully ran a finger down the bird's spine before it flew away, wings spreading as she glided through the air. 

"McGonagall said that theoretically there are no limits to how long one could spend in their animagus form," Hope started explaining, "so it's possible that Pettigrew escaped that night and hid." Hope ripped open one of the letters, scanning over the words from Remus before opening the next one. 

Dear Eliana,

That's alright, darling, I understand. I'm glad you managed to renovate the house, I'd hate for you to be staying somewhere rundown. Remus is staying with you as well? How is he? I hope he's well, please send him my love when you can. 

He did what? The godfather and marauder in me wants to congratulate him and cheer but the father in me says that was a dangerous decision and I'm very happy you weren't involved. He does seem to cause a spec of trouble, doesn't he? So much like his father. 

I told you not to worry about it, Hope, I don't want you to stress yourself out trying to get me out of here. But yes, Pettigrew was a rat, he transformed the day of our fight and ran away. He always was a coward. Whether this works or not, I will get out of here and get to breathe free air again, I promise you. 

I love you so much,

Sirius Black 

Hope handed Neville the letter, pointing out the last paragraph before humming thoughtfully. "So I'm just looking for a man that's been a rat for twelve years, should be a piece of cake?" 

"Scabbers is tweleve years old," Ron spoke, leaning in front of Harry to smile happily at Hope, who frowned at him in incredulous confusion. 

"You've had the same rat for twelve years, I thought they lived for like two," Hope commented, not quite connecting the dots. 

Ron frowned, shrugging slightly and showing Hope his rat. "Percy found him in the garden one afternoon and somehow mum left him stay. He's missing a toe though." 

Hope turned to Neville with wide eyes. "All that was left was his finger," Hope muttered, pressing a kiss to Harry's cheek before jumping up and leaving the room quickly. 

Harry turned to Neville with a questioning glance, "where's she off to in such a hurry?"

"No clue," Neville responded, picking up Hope's letters and shoving them in her bag before slinging it over his shoulder, "probably Transfiguration which is where we should go now. Come on. Let's go." 

--

Hope knocked loudly on Dumbledore's office door, slipping into the room and standing before the Headmaster who stared at her with a small smile. "How can I help you sweetheart?" The nickname made Hope shift awkwardly and uncomfortable smile settling on her face.