Catch me if you Can

Midnight Visit

Note From Author: Hey Everyone! I apologize for such a long wait for this update! I've been crazy busy with school starting again, that I have barely found any time to sit down to write. Hopefully I'll be able to find more extra time to write, because I know how much you guys love Max's story, just as much as I do.

 Thank you all that has read it and followed it! It means so much to me, I honestly never thought it would get so many reads! Love you guys! ~Rose xx

As February blew into March, I felt as if life was finally back to normal. Henry and I were doing better then ever, and I was getting good grades in all my grades. I was even able to look at Bill Weasley in the eyes in class. I wore the pendant every day, and when Henry asked me who it was from, I lied, and said it was from my mother's. I know it's bad to lie to your boyfriend, but there was burning curiosity inside of me, wanting to know who sent me the pendant. And I wanted to figure it out on my own. I had a gut feeling that if I told Henry, he would tell me to not get myself involved with that. 

--

It was the middle of March, and Poppy and I were in the common room, studying our asses off for the Potions test tomorrow. As my eyes drooped, I glanced up at the time. It was 1am. I yawned, and Poppy's cat, Princess, jumped on my lap, purring. I started petting the back of her ears absentmindedly. 

"I think we're ready for the test"Poppy said, also yawning.

"We should probably get some sleep, so to be more awake for the test"I said between yawns.

"Good idea Ma"

"MAXINE BLACK!!"screamed a sudden voice, and I turned to see the common room door open, and many wizards had their wands alit at me. I only recognized Professor Flitwick, Uncle Lupin and Dumbledore, though they didn't have their wands brandished at me.

"What's going on?"I demanded, getting up, making Princess pounce off my lap, hissing. I quickly grab my wand that was left on the coffee table.

"Where is he?"a man asked in a heavy voice, advancing towards me precautiously. 

"Where's who?"I asked, even more confused.

"I told you guys, you're wasting your time"Uncle Remus said tiredly, bags under his eyes, face flushed from running I assumed. "I know Max, and she wouldn't do anything to put anyone in harm, especially not Harry"

"Harry? Did something happen to him?"I gasped, and I felt a bit wobbly. I heard doors open as some students came to the common room, wondering what the noise was all about. 

"He's ok Max, it's-"Uncle Remus said, but the big auror cut him off. 

"Miss Black, when did you last have contact with your father, Sirius Black?"he demanded. 

"During my last visit to see him in Azkaban. I believe that was June or July of last year"I replied coolly, realising that all eyes were on me. The auror didn't look convinced. 

"What's going on?"a student asked, shaking in her robe. 

"We found evidence that Sirius Black has somehow infiltrated into the castle tonight"the auror explained to the crowd. Many of the students gasped and cried. "and he went to attack the 3rd year boys dormitory in the Gryffindor house. Fortunately nobody was hurt.  Unfortunately, he has escaped, again. We have reason to believe, however, that he might be hiding somewhere here" His last sentence sent everyone into chaos. Students screamed as they started running around, grabbing their wands, and trying to run away from wherever my dad could've been. I started acting panicked, as I shrieked and grabbed Poppy's hand, ready to make a run for it. 

"Silence!"came a loud voice, and Dumbledore presented himself in front of us. All the students stopped dead in their tracks, and stared at him. "Sirius Black is not here. It is quite obvious that Miss Black has done nothing to help Sirius Black tonight. It is also clear that he has left the castle. So I will ask you all to please return to your dormitories." 

Slowly, the crowd dissipated, some students looking at me fearfully as they left to go back to bed, though I knew most of them wouldn't sleep. The auror looked furious at Dumbledore. 

"You had no right to say that"the auror told him. "We don't know if she's a culprit or not. We're going to need to take her to the Ministry for interrogation"

"I do not think that will be necessary"Uncle Lupin protested, and he came to join me, putting a protective arm around me. For the first time tonight, I felt safe again. 

"Well, it's not your opinion that will decide our actions"the auror snapped back. 

"No, but mine does"Dumbledore said calmly. "And I will not let you take her out of my school"

"What do you suggest we do instead then?"the auror asked, trying to sound calm, but I could tell he was livid. 

"I think I will take her to my office, and we can have some tea, and talk about it in a civilized matter"he said pleasantly.

"I like the sound of that way better"I muttered, and much to my surprise, Professor Flitwick chuckled. 

"Alight then, you can follow me Miss. Remus, if you want to come, you may"Dumbledore said. 

"Wait! I must come too, to take notes for the Ministry! You have no right to do this!"the auror said. 

"On the contrary"Dumbledore said, and for the first time tonight, there was an angry glint in his eye. "I have every right to do this Dawlish" The look seemed to have frightened the latter, and he stalked off. I gulped, and followed my headmaster to his office. 

--

"Would you like a lemon drop Miss?"Dumbledore asked once we sat down in front of his desk. 

"Sure"I grabbed one and popped it in my mouth. He made three cups of tea apparate in front of us, and gave one to Uncle Lupin and I, before sipping on his. I was about to start drinking mine when I thought of something. 

"There's no Veritaserum in here is there?"I asked cautiously. Both Dumbledore and Uncle Lupin chuckled. 

"Of course not, I have other ways to make you tell the truth if I must"he said. I laughed nervously, before taking a sip of my tea. 

"Miss Black, I hope you understand what a grave incident happened tonight"Dumbledore started. I nodded as I took another sip of my tea, "and I want you to know, that you're in non trouble. But, if you have anything to do with what happened, you need to tell me. I will not tell the aurors, none of this information will leave this room. Anything you say is safe between Remus, and myself. But we need to know, to keep all of you safe. Especially you and Harry"

I thought about it for a couple seconds. Maybe I could tell them about everything. Maybe that they would believe me, that Pettigrew was actually alive and a rat for 12 years. But a little voice in the back of my head was telling me not to. I can't risk getting dad in trouble. I wouldn't be able to bare seeing him get sent back to Azkaban. He just started to get healthy and happy again.

"Max, I just want you to be safe"Uncle Lupin said, and I nodded, giving him a small reassuring smile. 

"I didn't do anything"I finally said, and said it so well, that I almost made myself believe in my lie. Both Dumbledore and Uncle Remus seem to have accepted my answer without question. Nodding gravely, they both returned to their tea. As I sipped mine, I looked outside at the starry sky, wondering where my dad was now...