A Black And A Weasley.

Part 13

As you can imagine life hasn't been very good for me lately. Almost all of Hogwarts despised me and even some of my friends weren't talking to me as much. Especially Harry, this can be expected though as people believed that Dad was out to kill him. As Fred, George and I came back from Hogsmead we made our way up to Gryffindor Tower but there seemed to be a lot of people crowding up around the portrait of the Fat Lady. That's when we saw it. Massive slash marks across the painting. The Fat Lady was gone. More and more people began to crowd around gathering attention. I then noticed Harry, Ron and Hermione approaching. Dumbledore came bursting through the crowds. He was soon followed by professors McGonagall, Lupin and Snape.

" We need to find her. Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady." Dumbledore asked calmly.

" You'll be lucky!" Cackled the unmistakable voice of Peeves from above.

" What do you mean, Peeves?" Dumbledore asked remaining calm.

" Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful. Poor thing." Peeves told him unremorsefully.

" Did she say who did it?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

" Oh yes Professorhead," Peeves told him." He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in you see." At this point Peeves sent me over a wicked grin. " Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

His words hit me like a knife to the chest. I would have fell backwards down the moving staircase if George hadn't caught me in time. My head spinning, my stomach churning, my heart beating faster than I could ever imagine. People began whispering to each other.

" I bet you helped in your dear daddy!" A seventh year Gryffindor yelled at me.

" She'll end up getting us all killed!" Another said.

" Enough!" Dumbledore shouted. He rarely ever shouted so when he did shout you know you had done something really wrong. As all eyes went to Dumbledore he explained to everyone that the students would be sleeping in the Great Hall so that the rest of the castle could be searched for my Dad. We were all led in purple sleeping bags under the beautiful ceiling of the Great Hall. I was led in between Fred and George, who were both fast asleep a lot like the rest of the students. I just kept my eyes glued to the glittering stars above only closing my eyes when I heard the sounds of a prefects footsteps. Soon enough I heard someone walking towards me. These were different from the young prefects. They sounded more tired and frail. I then felt a presence next to me.

" You should really try and sleep Miss Black." A kind voice spoke. I slowly opened up my eyes. As I gazed up my eyes met with those of Professor Dumbledore.

" I can't. Not knowing he's so close and yet I can't see him." I whispered. Dumbledore gave me a kind, sympathetic smile. He beckoned me to follow him with his hand walking slowly towards the entrance of the Great Hall. I quickly jumped up and threw on my dressing gown and rushed to catch up with him. I was lead silently to Dumbledore's office. As we approached his office door he gestured for me to go in.

" Would you care for a hot chocolate Miss Black?" Dumbledore asked kindly. I gave him a small, shy nod. He smiled and handed over a steaming mug of hot chocolate. I whispered a small thank you. " Now Miss Black, tell me what's troubling you." He asked me kindly.

" I just don't seem to be coping with all the accusations people are throwing around about my father. I don't find it fair how they can do that without knowing anything about him! He didn't do it!" I said my anger slowly rising. I soon realised and calmed down. " I hate that everyone is saying how he's coming for Harry. That he wants Harry dead. What possible reason could he want Harry dead. James and Lily were two of his best friends! He wouldn't be able to live with himself. No one seems to care about my feelings. I haven't been able to see, talk to or hold my own father for twelve years! The main influence of my life taken for something he didn't do!" Dumbledore looked at me with a understanding smile.