The Ice Queen [s.b.]

The Truth Hurts and Heals - 79

June 8th.

Dear Moony,

I'd so appreciate it if you follow my plan tomorrow evening. I've taken care of my things and have created and perfected this plan.

Come to the Shrieking Shack via Whomping Willow when you see Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave.

More information to come.

Love,
Goldie

June 9th.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Scabbers, and Remus are all in the Shrieking Shack.

"How did you all know how to find this place?" Ron asks suspiciously, eyeing his teacher.

Remus sighs, "Very long story, Ron. Might I see your rat?"

"No!"

The door bangs open. Annalee Fawley-Black walks in, Sirius's bomber jacket on and dark, ripped jeans tressing her legs.

Scabbers starts squealing like mad.

"Hello, Harry," she says softly, her voice a ghost as she stares straight through him.

Young Harry whips his wand out. "You killed my parents."

"Not quite, love. Now I've gone to quite the lengths to prepare this for you, so Remus, darling, please tell the girl the rest. I'm awfully sure she's figured  most of it out."

Right on cue, Hermione splutters, "Professor Lupin! You've- you've been helping her! Why? I've kept your secret."

"Oh, now that's unfortunate," Anna muses under her breath, making Remus send her a look.

"He's a werewolf!" Hermione announces.

Remus sighs, still calm. "Definitely the cleverest witch your age."

"Hey!" Anna exclaims, hitting him in the shoulder.

"Annie, you failed out of potions, care of magical creatures, and divination," Remus says exasperatedly. "Yes, yes, I am a werewolf. And I have been helping her, because she's innocent. I can prove it if you give me the rat."

"No," Ron exclaims, holding Scabbers tighter.

Harry, like a broken record, repeats, "You killed my parents."

"No. However, the rat your best friend is holding in his hands did. And personally I am planning on ripping his head clean off, you're welcome to join me."

In that moment, a hoarse voice comes from the entrance.

"Moony?" Sirius asks softly, eyes wide as he looks at Anna.

Anna takes a step back. "Sirius."

"I thought you two didn't know each other!" Harry voices, making them break eye contact.

Anna barks out a laugh. "Know him? I'm married to him, Harry. That's why I went to jail for him, now if you please, the rat."

"Anne," Sirius says, voice coming out a broken whisper. "You-"

Anna walks forward, setting her hand on his cheek. He leans into it, the others watching intensely.

"I know, m'love. I'm sorry," she murmurs.

Before he can get himself to stop, even if he still believes she's a murderer, he wraps her in a tight hug, face buried in her neck.

"Why'd you do it?" he says lowly into her ear.