Not Alone After All

Chapter XI

Later that month, was the Hogsmade trip. Laurie, being a second year, was not allowed to go, so she made plans to spend the afternoon with her dear Professor Lupin. That is, until she was called by Professor Dumbledore to his office.

As she climbed the stairs and walked to his office, she wondered what she'd done wrong. And nothing came to mind.

As she opened the door, three figures were present, not only one. Professors Snape and Lupin were standing next to his desk.

"Ah, Miss Potter," said Dumbledore. "Please sit," he said, mentioning a chair with a gesture of his arm. Snape flinched as her name was said, like somehow it brought great pain to him. Laurie slowly sat where she was told to.

"Whatever it is you think I did: I didn't do it." She stated. Dumbledore sat at his desk.

" You didn't do anything. We just.. have some news," Dumbledore said.

"Okay, then," she said, awkwardly. Laurie knew something was going on. "What news?"

"It's about your parents." Said Lupin. "Your adoptive parents." Laurie looked at him, and by his face, she​ knew something wrong had happened. "They--"

"They were found dead," said Snape. Laurie's jaw dropped and she gasped. She stared at Lupin, then back at Snape, waiting for them to tell something like 'HAHA ITS A JOKE'. Although, from all she knew, that's the kind of stuff Sirius Black and her father would do, not Severus Snape. When she saw no sign of lie in the mans' face, she started to panic. Again.. it was happening all over again. She felt her heart breaking in a million pieces, and a tear flooding her eye. "They were killed by one of You-Know-Who's followers." Snape continued.

"And you think it was Sirius Black," Laurie said, her voice broke. Snape nodded. Lupin lowered his head.

"Mm" only did Dumbledore. Laurie shook her head, and buried it in her hands, as she silently sobbed. Lupin approached her and placed an arm around her neck.

"Normally, in case of fatality," started Dumbledore. "One parts to live with one's Godparents." Lupin looked suspiciously at Snape, but kept quiet. "But your parents weren't around long enough to reveal them, so you will be staying with your brother." Laurie's head quickly raised from her hands.

"What?" She asked, horrified.

"You brother, Harry," Dumbledore precised.

"Yes, I know, but they're horrible!" She manifested. "They are literally the worst couple of Muggles I've ever encountered!"

"And they're the only family you have left," Dumbledore affirmed. Laurie took a deep breath to calm herself and stop crying.

"Why is it always me?" She whispered. Though he would never admit it, Snape felt great sympathy and pity for the girl.

"With great power," said Dumbledore. "Comes great responsibility."

"But I don't want great power!" She yelled. "I just want to be left alone..." She whispered afterwards.

"You heard the girl," continued Dumbledore. "Professors Lupin and Snape, may I talk to her alone?"

"Uh, yeah. Yes," said Lupin.

"Mmm-hmm," made Snape, as he stared suspiciously at the headmaster. The two professors then walked out the office, leaving the two of them alone.

"Miss. Potter, I truly am sorry for your lost--"

"How did it happen?" She asked, interrupting Dumbledore's speach.

"What--"

"How did they die. My adoptive parents," she repeated.

"A fire was started--"

"You know it wasn't Sirius, don't you? You do know he wouldn't do anything such thing?" She desperately asked. Laurie didn't know why, but she trusted Sirius was a good person. She never actually believed that it was his fault that the Potters -- her parents -- were found by Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore's face softened.

"What do you know about Mr. Black, Miss Potter?" The Headmaster quickly asked.

"Not much," Laurie admited, wiping away a tear from her cheek. "But I know he is not what people say."

"I see. I guess professor Lupin told you about their childhood at Hogwarts." Laurie did know what he meant. He knew about the Marauders and their Animagi forms, but everyone thought he'd betrayed the three others; James Potter, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettegrew.

"Yes," Laurie simply said. Dumbledore nodded.

"And with all that information, you must believe that Sirius Black is completely innocent," Dumbledore guessed. Laurie didn't answer at all. She wasn't sure if Dumbledore would accept her answer. "It's ok. I believe Sirius Black did kill many good people. But your father trusted him blindly. He couldn't be the one to betray your parents."

"Snape believes Remus is helping Sirius to get in the castle," Laurie warned. "But I know Professor Lupin blames Sirius. He wouldn't help him in."

"I know," Dumbledore replied. "I thank you for your loyalty, Laura. It will be very useful someday, you know. It's good to know that you're on our side."

Laurie frowned. What other side could she be on? I mean, Voldemort did come back last year and petrified some kids, but he was gone, now. The diary was destroyed, wasn't it. Unless... Unless there were others like the diary. Somehow, other objects could bring back a version of him. Laurie shook her head to erase that thought from her head.

"Yeah. Our side," she repeated, nodding.

"Harry will be told what happened, you don't have to go through this, now..." Dumbledore started. "I heard you and him have been having private lessons of defense against the dementors."

"Yeah."

"They seem to be going after the two of you more than the others. And the boggarts... Let's just say it is better to be prepared."

They both stayed in silence for a while. Laura staring at nothing and Dumbledore at her, a pensive look upon his face.

"Is there anything.. anything at all.. that you might want to tell me, Laura. This is the time."

There were lots of things she wanted to tell him. How she knew the Marauders and were not only wizards, but also Animagi. Yet, that would help the dementors to find Sirius, for they wouldn't be looking for a man anymore, but for a beast. She wanted to say that yes, she was on their side, but if Sirius turned up, she would switch sides immediately, because she knew that Remus would. And she wanted to tell him how scared she was to have Lupin as a teacher. Yes, Snape seemed like a teacher competent enough to perform a potion every month for him, but Lupin wasn't the responsible type. He was likely to forget things, and Laurie was scared he would forget this, the most important thing, right now. Yet, this was her answer:

"No, sir."

"Are you sure, Laurie?" Dumbledore insisted. Laurie hesitated, but stuck to her initial response.

"Completely sure, Professor." She got up and walked out of the door, leaving the Headmaster​ alone in his office as she headed to the Great Hall.