For The Love of Pranks! I Love You!

The Whole Truth.

The next morning we were allowed back into the common room, but the Fat Lady has been replaced and in her place is a knight so annoying I never want to ask to get in.

But I wake with a mission today, and dress warm since I'm going down to the Shrieking Shack and that bloody thing is always freezing. I head down to the kitchens to get the usual for Dad since I haven't seen him in a while, I'm afraid he's starved..

After Dobby gives me my usual, I head out with a determined step and hope I don't run into anyone. Luckily I make it down to the tree, and through to the Shack without any problem- thankfully. I'm not in the mood to deal with too many questions.

I make it up to the room and can barely contain myself.. "What were you thinking?!" As I open the door to see my father pacing the floor.

"Evelyn dear it isn't what you think-" he explains, meeting me as I come in the room attempting to take the basket from my hands.

"You're lucky I know better! Because what you made it look like, what everyone - including Harry thinks now, is that you're trying to get in the tower to get to Harry! You realize this doesn't help your case?" He sighs as I finish my rant and hand him the basket, which he sits on his lap while running his hands hard over his worn face.

"I know Love.. And I'm thankful you know the truth, but you've got to understand I need to get into the tower-" I cut him off throughly confused.

"Why? Unless you're trying to talk to Harry or something crazy like that..there isn't a reason to be there--" Dad jumps off the bed and starts pacing again while he explains.

"Yes there is! That's what I'm trying to tell you Evelyn. Only because I've known for the last twelve years, there is someone in that tower that threatens your safety and Harry's. That's the only reason I tried to get into the tower. To keep you safe." His pacing increases as he drags his hands through his hair nervously, I trait I've inherited, and I'm still confused.

"Hogwarts is a safe place Dad, you know that as well as I do. I don't know of anyone in that tower that would try to harm us." He stops pacing to look at me, his eyes seemingly haunted by something.

"That's the thing Sweetheart. You've never met this person, well he's not really a person. Only myself, James, and Remus would recognize him, as he is now." I'm listening intently now, as he sits back down and takes a deep breath like whatever he has to say has been weighing on him.

"Did Remus ever fully tell you what happened that night? The night...Harry lost his parents and I...we...lost your mother?" I automatically sense how hard this is for him to talk about, and even I don't really wanna talk about it.

"Umm... I remember bits and pieces of before you guys left the house, but Remus and I didn't really talk about it. I battled depression a couple years ago over the topic so we avoided it..." I hated admitting to my dad that I went through such a dark time, I didn't want him to blame himself. Nor did I want pity, or to seem like I need the attention. He looked at me with such disdain, I can already tell he's blaming himself--I can see it torturing him through his eyes.

"I see... I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself for that night. I know that you're going to tell me it wasn't my fault, but there was things I could've done- confronted Peter without your mother getting in the way. And I'm terribly sorry our decisions twelve years ago, affected you so and I hope you can forgive us. Forgive me." I see the tears start to build in his eyes and I do try to interrupt him, but he carries on and by the end of his speech we're both in tears and I can't help throwing myself into his chest and hugging him tight. He hugs be back just as hard.

"I don't blame you. For one second, I never have. Please don't beat yourself up about it.. I've had Remus and the twins to help me heal, and having you back, Dad helps me even more." I feel him bury his face in my hair kissing the top of my head and mumbling a 'thank you'. We sit like that for a bit until I feel him shift back, taking a deep breath and resuming what we were talking about.

"What I was saying Love, is that our old friend Peter Pettigrew is the reason we are in this mess in the first place. He was the Potter's Secret Keeper and when he told You-Know-Who that led to well, you know. You said you remember being at the house? Well after your mother and I left, we found Pettigrew in a Muggle village right outside of Godric's Hollow. We cornered him, but apparently that was our biggest mistake. Somehow he outsmarted both your mother and I and well he had your mother captive with his wand dangerously close." He paused trying to regain his composure, and I grab onto his hand hoping to comfort him somehow.

"Dad you don't have to tell me it's okay. I trust you." I hear him snuffle and he squeezes my hand before starting again.

"It's alright Baby Girl, you need to know the full story. I tried to stay calm at that point, really I tried. But things were said and well I lost my temper. I threatened the rat and well he took it out on your mum. He...he killed your mum. Right in front of me. And while I was still in shock, he cut off his finger then proceeded to kill the 12 Muggles and ran. That coward ran. He transformed and he ran leaving me to get the blame. Now since you know Remus' secret I'm sure he told you about our nicknames? The Marauders we called ourselves."

"Yeah, he told me about that and once I shifted he gave me my nickname and made me an "honorary Marauder". We chuckled a bit at that, lifting the mood a little before he started talking again, this time with a more determined, yet nostalgic look on his face.

"So you know the rest of our nicknames and well, Peter was Wormtail and well a rat-"

"So he literally turned into a rat and has been in hiding ever since? Wait. Is that who you think is in the tower? Peter Pettigrew is in the castle?" The pieces slowly clicked into place in my head and I saw my dad smirk at me once I figured it all out.

"Smart like your mum, you. But yes. That's exactly who's in the castle. And I believe him to be hanging around in our old dorm." I just let this sink in for a bit. The man that betrayed both mine and Harry's parents, could be hiding not very far from us.. I now understand my dad's panic and he's overprotective stupidness.

"Dad I understand where you're coming from and that you want to protect us, but the grounds are on high alert! You can't just go waltzing into the castle and expect to not cause some sort of uproar!" I almost tell him that Harry already believes me to be aiding my father to get to him, but I don't want to upset him further.

"I know. Trust me I do. It's just so hard to sit here, on the sidelines and wait. I can't do this waiting anymore Evey. It's going to drive me even more crazy."

"I know..just please promise me you won't do any more stupid stunts like that? I don't want to lose you again." I say leaning my head on his shoulder and he wraps his arm around me, he takes a deep breath and I know I've won for now.

"Alright. I promise. As long as you promise to not go looking for trouble? Under any circumstance, please." He says as he pulls away to look at me, so much worry in his eyes I can't help but agree with him.

"Okay. I promise." We smile at each other and I finally realize how late it's gotten, and well the guys might be looking for me...

"I'm sorry Dad, but I think I'm gonna have to head back-"

"No you're totally right. Don't be sorry, we don't need your friends becoming suspicious." We hug on last time, relieved that I now know the truth I make my way back to the school.

I'm going to have to fill Remus in on what I learned, because no doubt he's a bit suspicious as to why Dad wanted into the tower.