Redemption For A Monster (Marauder fanfic) Book Three

26- Who's son?

By the time August arrived, the temperature had become almost unbarable, since it was one of the hottest summers, in recent history.
However, this wasn't the only thing affecting Sara's mood, as the potion that kept her sane, was beginning to run out.
She had started taking less of it, to make it last longer, however the potion had a reccomended dose for a reason, since it didn't work properly, unless you took enough of it.
This meant that Sara was in a lot of pain, and angry most of the time.
But despite the pain she was in, Sara decided to keep it a secret from Sirius, Remus, and the rest of the Order, as she didn't want to make them worry.

The only thing that made Sara happy, was knowing that Harry was finally safe, despite Voldemort's return.
Dumbledore had people tailing him every day, to make sure that he didn't get into any trouble, which calmed her nerves.
However, Sara's happiness was destroyed on the 2nd of August, when Harry and his cousin were attacked by Dementors, because Mundungus had slacked in his protection duties that day.
The whole Order quickly began planning how to keep Harry safe after this event, and in the end it was decided that Harry would come to stay at Grimmauld Place. But despite all of their protests, neither Sara or Sirius were allowed to be a part of the team that went to fetch him.

On the following evening, while Harry was being rescued, an Order meeting was taking place. But no matter what she did, Sara could not focus, as she knew that Harry would be arriving soon.
When she heard the front door open, she tensed in her seat, preparing to stand up, but the meeting continued, making her wait even longer to see Harry.
As soon as it ended Sara and Sirius jumped to their feet, and headed towards the kitchen door. But before they could leave the room, a woman's screams suddenly echoed through the house.
Sara cringed as Walburga began to screech. The portraits' screams had gotten worse since the Weasleys had arrived, and none of what she was shouting was very pleasant.

Sara followed Sirius out of the room, and towards the portrait in the hall.
"Shut up, you horrible old hag! Shut up!" Shouted Sirius.
Walburga's screams got even louder when she saw Sirius.
"I said shut up!" Continued Sirius, as he and Sara began yanking on the curtains around the portrait, until finally they closed.
"Hello Harry. I see you've met my mother" Sirius panted, as he sweeped some of his hair out of his face, making him look very attractive.
Sara grinned at the sight of Harry, and wrapped him in a quick hug, before stepping back and allowing Sirius to do the same.
"Your mother-" started Harry.
"My dear old mum, yeah. We've been trying to get her down for a month now, but we've had no luck so far" interupted Sirius.

"Lets get into the kitchen, before she starts screaming again" suggested Sara, as she began leading the group down the hall, leaving Sirius to explain to Harry why a picture of his mother was in the house.
Once in the kitchen, Harry said hello to the rest of the guests, while Molly started making dinner.
Sara and Sirius found a quiet corner in the room, so that they could sit with Harry, and catch up.
"Had a good summer so far?" Asked Sirius, as he began to stroke Crookshanks, who had jumped onto his lap.
"No, it's been lousy" admitted Harry glumly.
"Don't know what you're complaining about, myself"
"What!"
"Personally, I'd have welcomed a Dementor attack. A deadly struggle for my soul would have broken up the monotone nicely... You think you've had it bad, at least you've been able to get out and stretch your legs. I've been stuck inside for a month".

"What! No way" gasped Harry.
"I'm afraid so. Neither of us has been allowed to leave the house all month" revealed Sara.
"How come?" Frowned Harry.
"Because the Ministry of Magic is still after me and Sara. And since Wormtail will have told them that I'm an Animagus, there's not much we can do for the Order... or so Dumbledore feels" grumbled Sirius.
"At least you've known what's been going on"
"Oh yeah. Listening to Snape's reports, having to take all his snide hints that he's out there risking his life, while I'm sat in here... he's always asking how the cleaning's going"
"Cleaning?"
"Yeah, cleaning. Trying to make this place habitable. No one's lived here in ten years, and the house-elf hasn't exactly maintained the place since my mothers death".

Once dinner was ready, everyone took their seats around the table, and Tonks spent most of the meal changing her face to entertain the room.
"Nearly time for bed I think" yawned Molly, once dessert had been finished.
"Not just yet Molly... You know, I'm surprised at you Harry. I thought the first thing you'd do when you got here, would be to ask questions about Voldemort" admitted Sirius.
The atmosphere in the room instantly changed, and everyone became very tense at the mention of Voldemort.
"I did! But Ron and Hermione said that we're not allowed to know anything, because we're not in the Order-" started Harry.
"And they're quite right. You're too young" Molly interupted.
"Since when did you have to be in the Order, to ask questions" replied Sirius.
"It's not good for Harry to know these things. You haven't forgotten what you promised Dumbledore, have you?"
"No, and I don't intend on telling Harry any more than he needs to know. But he has a right to know some things-"
"He's not in the Order. He's only 15-"
"And he's dealt with as much as most of the Order. And more than some".

"No one's denying what he's done. But he's still a-" started Molly.
"He's not a child!" Shouted Sirius.
"And he's not an adult either. He is not James, Sirius" she snapped back.
"I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks Molly"
"I'm not sure you are. Sometimes the way you talk about him, it's as though you think that you've got your best friend back!".
Sara wasn't sure who's side she should be on. She wanted to keep Harry out of the action, so that he would be safe. But when Molly brought up James, Sara felt that she'd gone too far.
"Molly! We both care about Harry. And we are perfectly aware that he is not James" Sara shouted.

"And what's wrong with them treating me like dad anyway?" Questioned Harry, who had rejoined the fight.
"What's wrong, Harry, is that you are not your father, no matter how much you look like him. You are still at school and adults responsible for you, should not forget it" replied Molly, glaring at Sirius.
"Meaning that we are irresponsible godparents?" Demanded Sirius.
"Meaning that you have been known to act rashly Sirius. Which is why Dumbledore keeps reminding you to stay at home-"
"Leave my instructions from Dumbledore out of this!"
"Well I believe that Dumbledore has a reason for not wanting Harry to know too much. And speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart-"
"He's not your son!".

"He's as good as. Who else has he got?" Questioned Molly.
"He's got me!" Shouted Sirius.
"And me" added Sara.
"Yes... The thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him, while you've been locked in Azkaban Sirius, and you've been in that sanctuary Sara" reminded Molly.
Sara and Sirius jumped to their feet, and Sara had to ball her fists to stop herself reaching for her wand.
"Molly, you are not the only person at this table, who cares about Harry. Sirius, Sara, sit down" instructed Remus, who began quickly taking control of the situation.
Sara looked at Sirius, and the two sat back down in unison.

"I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this, he's old enough to decide for himself" continued Remus.
"I want to know what's been going on" Harry said at once.
Since Molly couldn't argue with that, Sirius began answering Harry's questions about what Voldemort had been up to all summer.
Sara decided to let Sirius do all the talking, since she was still clenching her fists tightly, to keep her anger at bay.
She hadn't wanted to act like that, but she was finding it harder, by the day, to control her temper, especially when being insulted, even if it was by someone that she actually liked and respected.