The tense and uncomfortable air was broken by Ophelia's slightly angry statement.

"Y- You're my other Dad!" She stared at Lupin who had a painful expression on his face. "All this time I kept wondering about my other parent and it was you all the damn time?!" She spat out, her rage building up once again.

"Uh-oh, this isn't going as expected," Marlene grimaced.

Ron's eyes widened upon seeing the girl burning with fury again, while Harry and Hermione stood still. Too shocked to say or do anything.

"Ophelia- listen to me-" Lupin tried to explain but was cut off by her.

"You listen to me!" She seethed and took a step closer. "Why? Why were you not there for twelve fucking years? Where were you? Why didn't you ever try to make contact? Why didn't you ever come to take me? Did you even care enough to check whether I was alive or not," she snarled.

"No, it's not supposed to happen like this," James groaned.

"Ophelia-" Sirius muttered in a stern but pleading voice and was interrupted by Lupin.

"Of course, I cared about you," Remus whispered sadly. "I still do. Do you think this was- that anything that happened was in my hands?"

"It was you! No one was stopping you, right? Then why not meet your daughter at least once, huh?" She growled, not even pausing to let them explain as she let everything that was weighing her out.

"You don't know about Albus Dumbledore yet," Dorcas growled in anger.

"Just listen to what he has to say," Sirius mumbled as walked closer to his daughter.

"No, Dad!" Ophelia insisted stubbornly. "I understand why you weren't present, but he-" she pointed a finger at Remus angrily. "-He was there the whole time! Then why not make his existence known?!"

Harry watched the interaction happen with a deep frown on his face. He too was surprised beyond belief at the unexpected secret. And couldn't help but feel genuinely bad for the elder girl who was as good as his sister.

He glanced toward his friends to see both of their faces painted with sympathy and sadness. Hermione gestured to Ophelia and the two boys noticed the older girl's eyes were gleaming with emotion.

"Fine!" The grey-eyed girl shouted. "Fine," she now whispered, voice much softer and quiet. "You didn't do anything all these years, but why not tell me anything these past months? You could've told me," she mumbled.

"I wanted to," Lupin blurted out. "It hasn't been easy for me, not at all. I wanted to tell you but I-"

He paused, remembering it was Dumbledore who had suggested to not tell her anything because it just wasn't the right time to do so.

"-I couldn't bring myself to. I'm truly sorry," he finished in a defeated voice.

Ophelia breathed out heavily, her breaths shaking as she stared at the floor. Fists clenched as they trembled ever so slightly, her stance firm but weak at the same time.

Her long caramel-brown hair fell onto her face as she continued to stare downwards, biting her lip hard to prevent any slip of sentiments.

"That girl never gets a break I swear to God," Marlene frowned.

She knew. She knew she should listen to what he had to say, what explanation he has. That was always her main thing, listen to both sides and then decide on the conclusion.

But she was tired... She couldn't handle all of this disarray right now, her emotions were a mess. All that she had been feeling for a few days, whether it be sadness, anger, jealousy, disappointment, stress. Everything was erupting from within herself at this moment.

She was cut off from her thoughts upon being pulled into an embrace. Ophelia wasn't thinking properly and couldn't make out the person who was hugging her.

"Calm down, Lia. It's okay," Harry whispered. "Just hear him once, let's see what he has to say yeah?"

"God job Har," James smiled with encouragement.

She sighed and lifted her arms to wrap around the boy's shoulder while he was holding on to her waist. Though he was shorter than her, she felt comforted a lot by him. Her cheek rested on his head, his soft hair tickling her skin as he buried his face in her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Remus apologized once again when Ophelia was facing him.

"I'll hear what you want to say," she stated somewhat bluntly and he nodded.

"Firstly, I swear on my whole life it wasn't my decision to cut myself off from your life. I would've never chosen that, never," he promised but she just stared unconvincingly. "To tell you the truth, my memory was wiped out after the incident".

"Your memory was wiped out...?" She repeated in disbelief as he nodded.

"R- Remus?" Sirius stammered a little, still not believing that his love was standing right in front of him. "Why don't we tell everything from the start?"

"He actually can't comprehend the fact that Remus is standing right there," Lily laughed.

"I mean I don't blame him, that's Remus freaking Lupin," snorted Dorcas.

Lupin nodded, "You'll all get your answers," he looked at the four students.

"Let me ask one first," Ophelia interjected. "How did you know we were here?"

"The map," he answered and she raised an eyebrow. "The Marauders Map, I was in my office examining it and-"

"You know how to work it?" Harry asked skeptically.

"Obviously," said James with an exaggerated eye roll.

"Of course I do," he answered with slight impatience. "I helped write it, I'm Moony. That was my friends' nickname for me back at school".

"What the-"

"-Hell?" Lily and James suggested, trying to be thoughtful.

"-Fuck?" Marlene, Dorcas and Regulus smirked.

"-Flip?" Ron finished Ophelia's astounding curse with a much more polite word.

"And I'm Padfoot," Sirius added and smirked slightly as his daughter's eyes were wide beyond belief. "Cool isn't it?"

"The important thing is," Lupin cut his husband with a small glare. "I was watching it carefully this evening because I had an idea that you, Ron and Hermione might try and sneak out to visit Hagrid before his Hippogriff was executed. And I was right".

"Oh yikes," Ophelia grimaced. "I forgot about the execution. Oh sorry, do continue," she added to Lupin.

"But what on earth were you doing here, Ophelia? You weren't with those three," The scarred man questioned.

"Chit-chatting with your husband," said Marlene and continued her whistling.

"Oh I was uh- visiting Dad," she grinned sheepishly. "Have been for a couple of months".

"You what-?" He muttered but shook his head, not even wanting to know why and how. "Anyways, you were probably wearing your cloak. I know about it because I have seen James disappear under it a thousand times," said Lupin and looked at Harry, answering the boy's unsaid query.

"Oh, all those adventures, pranks, night outs," James grinned bright-eyed.

"We always used to sneak out towards the kitchens and Hogsmeade. He also vanished quite often with a certain red-head too," Sirius smirked mischievously and Ophelia snickered.

"Yeah, a little too often," Marlene nodded in approval and James Potter blushed.

"Sirius," Remus Lupin groaned, discouraged by everyone interrupting him all the time.

"Sorry Rem," he grinned apologetically but snorted nevertheless due to the girl beside him who was still wheezing.

Shooting the father and daughter another glare, Remus continued, "I saw you leaving Hagrid's and this time you were accompanied by someone else".

"No, we weren't!" Hermione frowned.

"You were probably accompanied by Uncle James' ghost," Ophelia laughed and Harry's lips twitched despite the situation.

"So that's where you were half an hour ago," Dorcas affirmed.

"I thought the map must be malfunctioning or something, how could he be with you?" Lupin muttered and paced around. "Then I saw another dot moving fast towards you three, labelled Sirius Black. I watched as he pulled two of you-"

"One of us!" Ron grumbled.

"No, Ron Two of you. You think I could have a look at the rat?" He asked suddenly.

"What's Scabbers got to do with this?"

"Everything. Can I see him please?"

"Can't you just get straight to the point?!" Regulus muttered, annoyance covering his chiselled features.

"Give it to him, Ron. You'll know the reason soon enough trust me," Ophelia reassured.

Ron hesitated a little, but at her words, he pulled out Scabbers from inside his robes. The rat was thrashing and squealing desperately.

"Lia," the red-head asked weakly. "What's my rat got to do with this?"

"That's not a rat," Sirius croaked making Ophelia who was next to him jump at his raspy voice.

"Are you out of your mind? He's a rat," Ron reasoned and as proof, he waved the small animal violently.

"No, he's not, he's a wizard," Lupin stated quietly.

"By the name of Peter Pettigrew," Ophelia Black revealed, her statement followed by a long silence.

"Once again- DUN DUN DUN!!" James yelled out and the rest cringed.

"You're mental," Ron croaked out.

"Peter Pettigrew's dead!" Harry exclaimed then pointing at Sirius he said, "You killed him!"

"I was going to, but he escaped. Not this time though," Sirius growled and walked towards the rat with hunger in his eyes.

"Woah Woah hold up," Ophelia cautioned as she yanked the man back. "You've still got questions that need answering".

"Alright," he grumbled and pried off her hands that had an iron grip hold on his arm. "Do it quickly, I want to commit the murder that I was imprisoned for".

"Stop acting like an actual mass murderer you git," she groaned loudly. "No one will believe you if you carry on with those unnecessary dramatics".

"Oh hush you, theatrics is always a necessity for Blacks. But hang on, I haven't shown even the slightest of dramatics yet," he frowned making Ophelia facepalm.

"Sure," they all nodded.

"There were witnesses who saw Pettigrew dead. A whole street of them," said Harry as he ended the small banter.

"It wasn't the truth," Sirius said as he paced around, eyes still locked on the withering rat.

"Everyone thought Sirius killed Peter," Lupin muttered. "I believed it myself until I saw the map tonight. Because the Marauders Map never lies. Peter's alive, Harry. Ron's holding him".

"You probably think this is crazy, and I understand. But trust me, Har. Peter Pettigrew is alive," Ophelia nodded.

Harry hesitated, not knowing what to do and what to say. He was almost questioning his sanity after hearing this impossible statement.

But she wouldn't lie... Ophelia Black would never lie to him and if she was so certain, something was going on.

"But Lia that can't be true," Hermione interrupted in a trembling voice.

"Why do you think so?" Ophelia asked.

"Because- Because people would know if Pettigrew was an Animagus. We studied them in class and there have only been seven Animagi this century. I checked the list and Pettigrew's name wasn't there".

"That girl's making old wizards have the brain capacity of a toddler," Dorcas snorted.

"You are right, Hermione," said Lupin. "But the Ministry never knew there used to be three unregistered Animagi running around Hogwarts".

"Not the whole story!" Sirius cried out dramatically and slapped his palm on his face.

"Shut up Sirius," Lupin narrowed his eyes "They deserve the answers and we better tell them before they decide to kill us. Have some patience for merlin's sake".

"Have some patience," the drama queen mocked. "I don't have patience okay? I did my waiting! Twelve years of it! In Azkaban!"

"That's a new catchphrase unlocked," said James.

"Yeah yeah, we know," said Ophelia as she rolled her eyes. "You can wait a little longer".

A loud creak sounded behind them and everyone turned. The bedroom door had opened of its own accord.

Lupin narrowed his eyes after scanning the landing, "No one there".

"It was maybe Aunt Petal's ghost," Ophelia chimed in with a grin. "She's haunting this place to advise Dad to quit being sensational and act sensibly".

"How I wish to do that," Lily sighed. "He certainly needs some knowledge".

"This place is haunted," said Ron with fear plastered onto his face. "I'm out of here".

"Be quiet and listen, Ronald!" Hermione scolded.

"The Shrieking Shack was never haunted," Lupin sighed and pushed his slightly greying hair out of his face. "The screams and howls were made by me. That's where it all starts, with me becoming a werewolf".

"I was a very small boy when I received the bite, back in those days there wasn't a cure. The Wolfsbane Potion that I use now is a recent discovery. When I transform, I'm completely harmless. But before all of this, I became a fully-fledged monster once a month. I wasn't even sure whether I'd be able to come here," he laughed bitterly.

"But then Dumbledore became Headmaster and he told me there were special arrangements made and I could attend just like any other student. The Whomping Willow, that tree was planted for me. And when I was finally at school, I got my three best friends. James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew".

"Oh stop it," James smirked and pretended to blush.

"Might I add, I was clearly more than a friend," Sirius smirked and winked.

"No doubts there, none at all," laughed James. Him naturally knowing everything about their relationship.

Abruptly a loud wolf whistle was heard, done by none other than Ophelia Black who was wiggling her eyebrows and snickering mischievously.

"Right," Lupin cut them off with a slightly flustered face and continued.

"Look at him being all shy," Lily teased and smiled fondly.

"Now my three friends were starting to notice my monthly disappearances and I was running out of believable excuses. And one day, they figured it out and weren't scared of me like I expected them to be. They accepted me," he smiled genuinely and Ophelia couldn't help but feel a little sad.

"They acknowledged me and treated me like a normal person and not some monster. And then they did something to which I was forever thankful. They became Animagi".

"My Dad too?" Harry asked, astounded by this.

"OBVIOUSLY!" James screamed.

"Of course, Harold. You transforming into a stag wasn't the only reason I call you Bambi," his annoying but lovable sister grinned.

Harry smiled in understanding which shortly disappeared into a look of defeat, "You've got innumerable reasons for that nickname haven't you?"

"You bet," she laughed with an evil attitude.

"You can continue Professor," Hermione said loudly.

"Right," said Lupin as he paused for a moment to remember what he said last. "It took them three years to work out how to do it. James and Sirius were the cleverest students, and lucky for them because the Animagus transformations can go wrong".

While he had mentioned the time it took for his friends, Ophelia was smirking proudly as she glanced at Sirius who was huffing and standing with his arms crossed.

"He just can't accept the fact that his daughter's way better than him," Regulus chuckled.

"They sneaked out of the castle every month under the Invisibility Cloak. Peter being the smallest, could slip beneath the tree and freeze it. Under their influence, I was slightly dangerous. Though still wolfish, I was less wild with them," Remus said with a small smile.

"All of the roaming around every month benefited us, and that's how we wrote the Marauder's Map. I'm Moony, Sirius is Padfoot, Peter is Wormtail and James was Prongs".

"Oh, the fun we used to have," Sirius chuckled with a smile, reminiscing about the good old days.

"I bet," Ophelia gleamed, her too wanting to go on such entertaining adventures.

"I sometimes felt guilty that I was in some way betraying Dumbledore," said Lupin with a small grimace. "He was the one who got me in school after all. I tried to convince myself that Sirius had been using some type of dark magic, and his being an animagus had nothing to do with this. So Snape is right about me".

"Snape?" Both Ophelia and Sirius questioned with a harsh glare. "What's he got to do with this?"

"Snape has been suspicious of me from the start of the year, trying to convince Dumbledore that I should not be trusted".

"He seems to have some sort of grudge against you," Harry noticed and frowned slightly.

"Wow you actually noticed," Marlene nodded. "I thought Snape was being subtle enough".

"He was with school with us," answered Lupin. "We were in the same year, and you know, we er- didn't like each other-"

"We detested each other," Sirius corrected.

"He especially disliked James. Jealous I think, of James' talent on the Quidditch Pitch. Anyways, one day Snape saw me crossing the grounds and entering the Whomping Willow. And Sirius erm- thought it will be amusing to tell him that all he had to do was touch the knot of the tree to go inside".

"What the hell, Dad?" Ophelia scowled and Sirius held up his hands at once.

"Hey I did admit my mistake, I'm sorry," he brooded.

"So Snape actually went in?" Ron asked incredulously.

"Yes, he caught a glimpse of me and luckily James pulled him back to safety before something worse happened".

"So that's why Snape doesn't like you," Hermione slowly concluded. "Because he thought you were in on the joke?"

"That's right," sneered a familiar, cold voice from behind Lupin.

"For merlin's sake!" They all cursed loudly as the most uninvited person stepped in.

"Oh just give me a goddamn break!" Ophelia grumbled under her breath as she saw Severus Snape pulling the Invisibility Cloak off himself and pointing his wand directly at Lupin.

"I found this at the base of the Whomping Willow," said the Potions master as he threw the Cloak aside. "I thank you, Potter. And thank you too, Lupin. For if you hadn't forgotten your Potion, I wouldn't have seen that map".

"Vengeance is sweet," Snape smirked, his face glowing triumphantly as he glared at Sirius. "How I'd hoped I'd be the one to catch you-"

"Severus listen-" Lupin attempted to explain but was stopped as the wand was pointed dangerously close to his neck.

"I told Dumbledore again and again that you're helping an old friend into the castle, and now here's the proof".

"He's his husband not an old friend! Get your facts corrected," Dorcas muttered, thoroughly annoyed.

"Brilliant Snape," laughed Sirius as he walked closer, purposefully ignoring his daughter's glare. "Once again you put your keen and penetrating mind to the task and as usual come to the wrong conclusion".

"Exactly," agreed Ophelia. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have some important and unfinished business to attend to. This shack is closed today, it means get lost Snivellus".

"Shut up Black," Snape hissed. "You'll sound a lot better with your mouth closed so do hold your tongue for the sake of others".

"Oh no you don't," Regulus growled, standing up from his seat and staring at the screen with a murderous gaze.

"You little-" Ophelia started in anger but was cut off.

"Severus don't be a fool," said Lupin with annoyance at the comment and shook his head warningly.

"He can't help it," Sirius muttered. "It's a habit by now".

"Sirius be quiet-"

"Be quiet yourself Remus!" He snarled and Lupin just backed off without any other argument, already accepting defeat.

"They'll always be an old married couple," James snorted.

"Look at you two quarrelling like an old married couple," said Snape as he pressed his wand against Sirius' neck.

"Well logically speaking..... They actually are," Ron mumbled making Ophelia snicker as she heard him.

"Why don't you run along and play with your chemistry set?" The Azkaban escapee mocked and smirked as he knew his comment had struck a nerve.

"That was awesome!" The grey-eyed girl cheered and laughed at the taunt but then got back on her feet and grumbled an, "Oh shit," as Snape started threatening.

"Why deny the Dementors? They're so longing to see you. Oh dear, do I detect a flicker of fear, Black?" He jeered and continued backing Sirius against the wall.

But in an instant Sirius Black was ripped out of Snape's grip and in his place stood Ophelia, her wand pressed against his throat as she shielded her Dad.

"Don't provoke me more Snape," she growled indignantly. Once again a strange type of resentment and rage built up inside, urging her to cause injury and harm.

"Hex me," Marlene urged. Hyped up by Dorcas.

But Ophelia failed to notice the Professor's eyes narrowing and a sudden look of concentration washing over his face. Before she was even able to utter anything else, it was as though an invisible force had taken control and she was harshly thrown to the floor and against the wall.

"He's gonna get murdered someday," said Lily with disapproval as she watched.

"SNAPE!" Sirius Black yelled and he lunged forward but was pulled back by Lupin who had his arms wrapped tightly around the other's torso.

"You'll make this much worse Sirius, calm down," Remus whispered and tried to maintain his composure even though he was shaking with rage.

Sirius took a deep breath and shot a murderous glare at Snape before hurrying to check on his little girl.

Harry and Hermione had also rushed over to the elder girl, with Ron glancing worriedly at her fallen figure lying face-first on the floor.

"Lia?" Hermione called out loudly, her voice trembling. "L- Lia?"

Sirius and Remus gently turned her around, after a little more shaking she opened her eyes with a loud and disgruntled groan. "Damn you and your wandless magic you bastard," she cursed and tried to get up, but the pain burned her skin and she fell back down with a grumble.

"Easy there!" Lupin exclaimed and quickly placed his palm under her head before it collided roughly with the hard ground. "Just hold on okay? You've bruised your arm and back quite badly. Just keep steady till I fix it".

"That's worse than my leg," Ron pulled a face and yet didn't take his eyes off.

"Would you like us to match then?" She questioned and cringed at the prickling feeling in her lower back.

"Nope, I'm good".

"You ready?" Lupin questioned. "This might hurt a little".

Ophelia nodded and braced herself. Eyes shut tightly, lips pressed in anticipation and fists clenched together. "That did hurt!" She cried out and winced.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "You can sit up now".

She looked down at herself and saw her right bicep was wrapped with a bandage, the same being done from her chest to the waist to support her sore back.

"Lift your head a little," Sirius instructed and then placed his arm around her shoulder very gently to hoist her to her feet. "Okay now?"

"I'm grand," she nodded and muttered a breathless and tired "thanks" to Lupin who responded with a smile.

"Alright so where were-"

"EXPELLIARMUS!" The three young teenagers suddenly shouted and their stunned audience watched as this time Snape was thrown against the opposite wall, knocked out due to the intensity of the combined spell.

"THAT'S MY BOY! YOU SEE HIM? THAT'S MY FREAKING BOY PISSANTS!" James Potter yelled out.

"What the hell just-?" Lupin gaped and was of course disrupted.

"HOLY MADONNA YOU THREE!" Ophelia laughed out loudly despite her aching body. "Brilliant job! Although I would've loved to do that".

But the attackers were still in shock at their actions. Hermione seemed horrified and shrieked blaringly, "We attacked a teacher! A teacher!"

"So what? Potter here actually killed one in his first year," she shrugged and Remus and Sirius both stared wide-eyed at that.

"And besides," added Ron with a small smirk, all astonishment disappearing. "You were the one who set him on fire".

"You set Severus Snape on fire?" Sirius questioned with astonishment and when Hermione gave a shy nod, he let out a bark of laughter. "You're much more brilliant now".

"Oh she's the best," Ophelia agreed. "Anyway we're losing the audience here so let's move on with our discussion".

"I still don't believe you," said Harry and glanced at Lupin.

"I'm seriously getting bored now," Regulus groaned and dropped back onto the couch.

"Then it's time we offer you some proof," said Sirius pleasantly. "You boy- what's your name-? Ron yeah- give me your rat".

"Oh come off it," said Ron weakly and clutched his pet closer to his chest. "Are you trying to say you broke out of Azkaban just to get your hands on Scabbers? I mean- fine. Let's say Pettigrew can turn into a rat, but there are millions of rats. How's he supposed to know which one's the real?"

Sirius just sighed as he realized he had to do some explaining once again. He reached into the pockets of his tattered robes and pulled out a crumpled newspaper that had the photograph of the Weasleys.

"How did you get this in Azkaban?" Hermione questioned in surprise.

"Cornelius Fudge gave it to him during his visit," answered Ophelia.

"Who told you that?" Sirius asked with a confused frown and furrowed eyebrows.

"I heard Fudge say that himself during a conversation. When we sneaked off to Hogsmeade remember?" She directed it to Harry who quickly nodded.

"So you two did visit Hogsmeade. Illegally," Lupin narrowed his eyes and slightly glared at the two, only receiving innocent smiles in return.

"Not our fault we've got shitheads at home who'll never sign such things," Harry whispered and Hermione smacked him.

"You've got some humor in yourself, Potter," Dorcas sniggered.

"Ronald Weasley, please I request that you hand over that rat," said Ophelia and everyone could sense that she was getting frustrated.

"Here," the redhead mumbled and passed the quivering animal over to Lupin.

"Ready Sirius?" The man questioned as he rolled up his sleeves for... dramatic effects nothing more. "Together?"

"Always," Sirius Black smiled softly as he gazed into those caramel brown eyes that despite not being the colour of the sea, never failed to make him drown in them. A faint blush was coating his cheeks and neck as he scanned Remus' face, eyes examining every tiny detail.

"Oh you love-struck and utterly infatuated fool, this is not the time!" Regulus cried out and glared at his brother.

"Dad! You can stare at him some other day!" Ophelia groaned in exasperation.

He snapped out of his trance and after clearing his throat, nodded towards Remus and together the two shot a spell. A bright flash of blue light was seen and in the place of Scabbers stood a short, pudgy man with greasy skin.

Ron yelled. Hermione shrieked. Harry let his jaw drop in bewilderment. Ophelia simply looked at the man in distaste.

"Well hello Peter," Remus chirped delightfully. "Long time no see eh?"

"R- Remus? S- Sirius?" Peter Pettigrew stuttered in a squeaky voice. "My friends my old friends!" He exclaimed and ran towards the door for escape but was grabbed by Lupin.

"Be quiet and listen you fool," the werewolf growled with a deep sound. "We've got a few matters to discuss-"

"-He's going to kill me, Remus!" Pettigrew whimpered and looked at Sirius. "He's going to kill me just like he killed James and Lily! H- He's got dark powers, taught by He Who Must Not Be Named I believe".

"Look at this wretched git," Dorcas sighed.

Sirius laughed a peal of bitter and dangerous laughter. "Voldemort teach me tricks?" He spat out and smirked as the small man flinched. "What, scared to hear your old master's name?"

"Don't know what you're talking about," Pettigrew muttered. "He's your old master though, isn't he? Spy Sirius Black!"

"How dare you," he growled. "Me? Voldemort's spy? When did I ever try to befriend people who seemed stronger than me just so I could get some pathetic protection? It was always you who liked big friends, like me, James and Remus. It would've been the finest moment of your inadequate life, telling Voldemort that you could hand him the Potters".

"You're mad," Pettigrew denied the accusations once again, though everyone noticed his face covered with sweat and eyes flickering towards the door. "You were the secret keeper, not me".

"Don't you lie when you very well know who it really was," Sirius hissed venomously and Peter backed away in fear. "Lily and James only made you the secret keeper because I suggested it! I thought it was the perfect plan".

And now it appeared as though the other had no counter-argument at all. His mouth opened and closed frequently.

"Erm- Mr Black? Sirius?" Hermione broke the silence and the man in question jumped at being addressed so courteously. "If you don't mind me asking- how did you escape from Azkaban?"

"Thank you!" Pettigrew suddenly exclaimed. "Exactly, precisely what-" All it took was one harsh look from Remus to make him go silent and resume his mutterings.

"He's an Animagus, 'mione. It's much harder for Dementors to sense animal emotions," Ophelia answered making the girl nod in satisfaction.

"I slipped past them as a dog," said Sirius. "I journeyed north and have been living in the forest and the shack ever since. Except when I come to watch Quidditch, you fly as well as your father did Harry," he smiled at the messy-haired boy.

"Believe me," the same man croaked out weakly, his voice tinged with desperation. "I never betrayed James and Lily, I would've died before something like that had happened".

"No Pads! Don't cry," James sobbed loudly and very dramatically.

Harry hesitated, his emerald green eyes flickering around in confusion as he tried to make up his mind, trying to conclude the strange events. He looked at Sirius who was leaning against the wall with his head bowed and then met the hopeful eyes of Ophelia and he knew what to do.

"I believe you," the boy whispered and couldn't help but smile as he saw Sirius immediately lift his head with a beaming face.

"About time," Lily laughed and whooped.

"NO!" Pettigrew screamed and threw himself at the floor.

"No one asked for your opinion you filthy little rodent," Sirius sneered. "And frankly it doesn't even matter anymore as you'll be dead in the next five minutes".

"You wouldn't," he gasped horrified and quickly scrambled over to a disgusted looking Ron. "Haven't I been a good pet? You wouldn't let them kill me will you?"

But Ron still had the same expression, this time added with a hint of revulsion. He couldn't say anything and just looked away.

"Sweet girl, clever girl," Pettigrew went closer to Hermione who looked really uncomfortable and Ophelia stepped in front of her.

"Get away from her," she said sternly and crossed her arms.

"Ophelia! Look at you, you're so beautiful and intelligent and sweet. You won't let them kill me right? Help me?" He smiled creepily but before he was able to take one step forward, Remus Lupin was standing in between, expression holding the outmost fury.

"Yes Remus! Tell that little shit!" Regulus encouraged.

"Not one step closer, Pettigrew. Not one step," he threatened, voice laced with bitterness. His tall figure easily towered over the short man, Remus' usual warm eyes were blazing with anger and his jaw clenched as he continued to glare.

Peter swiftly scrambled back and knelt in front of his last option of survival. "Harry... You look just like your father you know? Just like James. He wouldn't have killed me, he'd show me mercy-"

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO HARRY!" Sirius Black roared as he held the man's collar with a vigorous grip. "HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT JAMES IN FRONT OF HIM?"

"Enough of this," Ophelia muttered as she continued to rub Hermione's shoulder, comforting her as she was still feeling bad from the way he'd looked at her. "Kill him".

Sirius nodded and he and Remus stood shoulder to shoulder, wands pointed at the criminal. "Goodbye, Peter".

Hermione let out a shaky breath and hid her face in Ophelia's shoulder, not wanting to witness something like this.

"NO!" Harry yelled and captured everyone's attention. He went over to the two men with panic in his eyes. "You can't kill him- you can't".

"Bambi. Prongs. Potterneese," Marlene grumbled and threw her hands up in frustration.

"Harry, this piece of vermin is the reason you have no family, he's the reason for my broken family," Sirius argued.

"I- I know, but we'll take him up to the castle, hand him over to the Dementors. Just- please don't kill him," he pleaded.

"Harry!" Pettigrew cried out and fell to his knees. "Thank you- it's- it's so much more than I deserve-"

"Get off!" Harry spat out. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it because I don't think my Dad would've wanted his two best friends to become killers just for you".

"That's all you just bursting through him," said James as he gazed fondly at his wife. His hazel eyes full of love, admiration, and most important of all, respect.

"Very well, I'll tie him up at least," said Lupin.

And after the final task was done, all of them left the Shrieking Shack at last. Remus and Ron chained to Pettigrew, Hermione and Harry walking ahead with their wands lit, Sirius and Ophelia at the end.

"Come on love," he said and wrapped an arm around her shoulder to support her fragile state, being mindful to not hurt her back. "You alright?"

"Tired," she whispered and leaned her head onto his shoulder, back hunched as much as she could with the bandages on and with her wand she controlled Snape's levitating figure out of the tunnel.

"Understandable enough," he chuckled as they got out in the open grounds.

Remus helped Ron to sit down on a small bump in the grass while keeping a close watch on Pettigrew.

"You've got a ridiculously great heart, Potter," Ophelia laughed softly as Harry came to stand next to her. "You're too pure for this world".

"I just did what I thought was the best," he mumbled shyly.

"That was the Lily Evans shining inside of you," Sirius grinned as Harry smiled.

"You know what this means? Turning Pettigrew in?" Sirius asked as he looked ahead at the gorgeous silhouette of Hogwarts.

"You're free," the boy replied.

"Yeah but I uh- I don't know if anyone told you this before- but erm- I'm your Godfather".

"Yeah, I know".

"I'll understand of course if- you choose to stay with your aunt and uncle. But well.. When my name's cleared... I- If you wanted a different home?" Sirius sputtered a little and rubbed the back of his neck.

"That's the life I want for my boy," James gently smiled.

"What come and live with you? Leave the Dursleys?" Harry asked, his voice cracking ever so slightly.

"Yes," Ophelia nodded. "I'll be there too".

"You- You sure?" He inquired uncertainly. "You want me to live with you?"

"Of course I do!"

Harry smiled at that, a giddy and childish smile arising on his face as he nodded his approval. His insides swarming with excitement at the prospect of leaving the Dursleys forever and instead living with his Godfather.

"Love?" Sirius said making her turn to look at him. "Why don't we go and talk to him?" He pointed at Lupin who was sitting on the grass, leaning against the trunk of a tree and appeared to be thinking deeply.

"Oh yay! We're getting some Lupin-Black trio content after twelve whole years," Marlene muttered and whistled a song tune.

"I- Erm- okay," she mumbled and held onto him as they slowly walked over to Lupin who looked a tiny bit startled but pleased to see them.

"Hey," he muttered and stood up, wincing a little as he did so.

"Hey," Sirius replied back and breathed out heavily at the awkwardness that hung around. "We.. want to talk..?"

Ophelia rolled her eyes at his lame response and said, "I'm sorry," directing the statement to Lupin. "I- I shouldn't have shouted at you like that.. I'm really sorry".

But he shook his head, "No. Don't. It's not your fault. You had every right to be angry at me, I'm actually surprised that hasn't continued".

"I was not angry with you," she admitted. "Never angry with you. I was happy in fact, happy that I had another parent who's a nice guy. It's just.. I felt angry at the situation. Y- You already know how everything's back there so I was just furious because if you had come, I wouldn't have been living there. But it's okay now, I'm really happy".

"You sure yeah?" He asked, face still holding a small amount of guilt.

"One hundred percent," she smiled. "You'll- live with us right?" She quickly added and pleadingly looked into his eyes for an answer.

"Of course I will," he reassured. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. I've just got you two back, and am definitely not planning on letting either of you go anytime soon".

Ophelia laughed, a beautiful and genuine sound as she took his arm, pulling him closer and just leaned forward, hugging them both fiercely.

Sirius and Remus were standing side by side, both stunned as their daughter wrapped her left arm around one's side, and her right around the other's, with her head resting on both of their shoulders.

Sirius brushed his fingers around Remus' and before he could think it over, he intertwined their hands, earning a relieved sigh. Then the other arm was wrapped around Ophelia's shoulder, and one placed behind her head as they stayed like that for a few moments.

"That's adorable," Lily laughed and looked amusedly over at James and Regulus who were crying their hearts out.

"LIA!" Hermione's shout was heard, leading to them pulling back to look.

And the thing where Hermione was pointing made Ophelia's heart clench. There it was, amidst the stars. Glowing as dazzling as ever.

She watched as the dark clouds parted and there it was shining vividly. The full moon.

Hello! I'm finally back with another chapter after a really, really long break. My sincere apologies for that. The new year just started and it's taking some time to get used to it after two years of online school. We're all being swarmed by assignments and projects.

So yeah, it's tiring me down a little so updates will be slow. Hopefully y'all can accept this longer chapter as an apology.

Thank you for reading and we're so closed to 2k!!
Love you <33