Daughter of Black

3.17

I wanted to tell Fred and George everything. Merlin knows I've told them everything. We don't have secrets from each other. Well except that one about how I feel about George. But I think even Fred even knows at this point. I barely slept at all last night. I couldn't. My mind was restless. My dad was out there. He was no longer in Azkaban. He was safe. Well... for the most part. I understood that he was running but I wanted to get out of the orphanage. I was walking the halls absentmindedly, not bothering to watch where I was going. I had missed dinner the night before and breakfast this morning. I was sure the twins were worried, but I didn't know what to tell them. When I looked up, finally snapping myself from my thoughts, I found myself standing in front of Lupin's classroom. I heard the murmurs of two people talking as I entered the classroom, walling up the steps to Lupin's office. I lightly knocked on the door, peering my head through when I heard the quiet 'come in'. I saw Harry and Lupin standing there, boxes and suitcases stacked high. "Hello Bella." I smiled at him, standing next to Harry as I looked around the room.

"Hello?" I looked towards the map and smiled. "You have the map?" Lupin smiled at me and nodded.

"You're the one that gave it to Harry?" I chuckled, nodding.

"The twins and I found it first year." I looked over Lupin, seeing the scratches and bruises that were starting to form on his face and arms.

"I've looked worse, believe me." I nodded, not knowing what to say really. I looked all over the office. It was practically empty. He's leaving.

"You're leaving... were you fired?" I asked him but both the boys shook their heads.

"Resigned, actually." I looked up at Lupin confused. He was the best DADA teacher we had in all these years. "It seems that someone has let slip the nature of my condition." I sighed. We all knew it was Snape. Whatever had happened in their past was still affecting him. Snape just didn't like Lupin. "This time tomorrow, the owls will start arriving. Parents will not want a... someone like me, teaching their children." I looked up at Lupin, sighing.

"My father wouldn't mind." Lupin chuckled, shaking his head at my attempt at a joke. "Surely Dumbledore..." Lupin cut me off, shaking his head as he continued to pack.

"Has already risked enough on my behalf. Besides, people like me, well... let's just say I'm used to this by now." Just as Lupin uses his wand to close more of his suitcases, he looks over at Harry. "Why do you look so miserable Harry?"

"None of it made any difference." Harry told him, sighing. My small smile fell as I looked towards the ground. "Pettigrew escaped." Harry shrugged.

"Didn't make any difference?!" He leaned forward, looking at both of us. "Harry, it made all the difference in the world. You uncovered the truth. You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate. It made a great deal of difference." He looked down, sorting through some more papers. He moved his bag next to another suitcase, looking back at us. "If I am proud of anything, it is of how much you have learned this year. Now since I am no longer your teacher, I feel no guilt whatsoever about giving this back to you." He pointed his wand back at the map. "Mischief Managed." he turned back to us, winking. "So now I'll say goodbye. I feel sure we'll meet again sometime. Until then," He handed the map back to us and my smile grew.

"You were Moony, weren't you?" He smiled at me, but didn't say a word.

"This is for you." He handed me a small envelope. It was addressed to me from someone named Padfoot. I had a strong feeling it was my father. But I didn't open the letter right away, since Harry was here. Both of us watched as Lupin left his office, smiling sadly at us as he left.

🗲☽

    I was sitting in the Great Hall, finally eating, as my fingers danced over the envelope in my pocket. I wanted to read it, but now wasn't the time. Fred and George were talking amongst themselves until Harry walked into the hall. A lot of the boys from the Gryffindor table got up and raced towards Harry, begging him to use it. Whatever it was. When I looked over at Ron, who was using a single crutch to help himself up, I saw a broom. My eyes went wide as I walked over to Ron, the twins following close behind as Harry walked over to Ron on the other side. "Is that what I think it is?" I asked Ron, my eyes wide. The twins sat down next to me, staring at the broom. Ron nodded, smiling.

"Quiet. Let the man through." As Harry walked past Seamus and Neville, he stared at the "wrapped" package on the table. "I didn't mean to open it, Harry. It was badly wrapped. They made me do it." Ron said, pointing at the twins.

"Did not!" They shouted back but I smirked. They totally made him open it. Not that it took much convincing. As Harry took the first layer off, he looked down at the broom, smiling. "It's a Firebolt." The twins said, staring at it. Everyone was crowded around, staring down at the broom.

"It's the fastest broom in the world Harry." I told him as he stared at it in shock.

"For me?" He asked, looking around. Everyone nodded. "Who sent it?" Harry asked. Most people shrugged.

"No one knows." Ron chimed in. Hermione held up a large feather and I smiled wide.

"This came with it." She told him. Harry looked back at me, smiling wide.

    Soon, everyone was running outside as Harry wanted to test it out. Everyone wanted him to test it out. And almost everyone wanted to fly the broom as well. We stood in the courtyard, George's arm around my shoulder as we watched Harry smile around. As soon as Harry mounted the broom, he was off in the air, flying by faster than anyone had ever seen. I could see Draco staring jealousy after Harry as we all cheered him on. When everyone's attention was on Harry, I took the letter out of my robe pocket. As I opened the envelope, there was a simple piece of paper in there.

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My dearest Mira,

Everything has been sorted out at the orphanage. Since I am your father, they are letting you come to live with me.

I can't wait to see you.

With all the love, Padfoot

12 Grimmauld Place