Anna Black, The Girl Who Lived (Book 6)

4: A Godfather's Promise

Remus sat in a chair in his small living room, flipping through pictures. His heart grew heavy but he felt butterflies at the same time as he looked at the photographs. Many of them included various Marauders, along with one person in particular.

Leah Kendricks.

With her perfect smile, long blonde hair and big blue eyes, it was no wonder she ended up marrying the most popular and attractive and charming guy at school, as she was the most attractive and charming girl. And it was no wonder why she didn't marry Remus.

Remus felt a slight twinge in his heart at the thought. 'Sirius had never deserved her', Remus thought bitterly. He was a player for six and half years and automatically was entitled to her as soon as he decided to settle down? It really wasn't fair. Remus had always been nothing but devoted to her.

He currently held a picture that had the two of them in it. It was from a party in the Gryffindor common room after the Quidditch team had won. She was still dressed in her Quidditch robes - minus the protective gear - and had a butterbeer in hand. She sat next to a lonely, teenage Remus Lupin and said something, causing them both to burst into fits of laughter before she slung an arm around his shoulder and smiled wide. Another showed them kissing at King's Cross along with one with them curled up on the couch together, sleeping. There were many others of them together, as friends or more, and in every one of them, they were happy as hell.

He missed that more than anything.

Some of her last words echoed in his head. Her last request that he hadn't fulfilled.

~

"Remus, I..." Leah trailed off, crossing her arms and looking down as she took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant...and I want you to be the godfather."

Remus remembered how shocked he had felt when Leah had told him the news. She had gotten pregnant not much earlier than this but had a miscarriage early on. The couple was devastated at the time, and knowing this could happen again caused worry to fill his gut.

Leah had suffered so much grief in her short life, he didn't know how much more she could handle.

"Why me?"

"Because, well, you're the most capable and fit to do so-"

"Fit? I'm a werewolf, Leah, I'm not fit in any way shape or form!"

"Listen to me!" she pleaded. He watched her intently as her eyes filled with tears. The woman took a bit to compose herself. "I...look, I'm not trying to be dramatic here but they've been hunting me for years, you know, Voldemort's followers. We've already been told to go into hiding by the Order and it's only a matter of time until they find us. It wouldn't be surprising if I didn't make it-"

The pain of that statement had been nearly too much for poor Remus. He couldn't ever dream of thinking of something happening to Leah. "Don't say that!"

"I already did." She smirked. "And I'll say it again. I probably won't survive this war. I hope to god Sirius does, and that he can take care of this child and he won't be alone...but he worries me sometimes. I need you to step in; you're responsible and kind and would be a great influence."

"I can't-"

"Is it that you don't want to? Because if that's the case then just tell me."

Remus gave a sigh and shook his head, his hazel eyes full of remorse. "No, that's not it...I just don't think I can do it, I'm a monster. Why not James or your siblings or-"

"Because I trust and like you the most. The godmother's Kate, by the way, but that shouldn't be a surprise since she's my best friend. Look...I need you to promise me that you'll care for this child. Please. It's all I ask of you."

"I..." the man trailed off and met her eyes. "I promise."

~

Remus knew now was the time to step up. He had waited long enough. Anna Black needed help.

~=~

Harry, Anna, and Kreacher stood in 12 Grimmauld Place. The house-elf handed the girl a letter. "Who's it from?" asked Harry.