Hole Behind the Picture

Remus ran a hand through his hair, the first gesture he made which Persephone had not threatened with death.

"This is not good. Listen, the Black family, Persephone, they don't have the greatest reputation in the world. It is rather surprising; especially those two, but I wouldn't put it past them. Not to demean your family, by any means, I knew some of them, but this is a great matter," Remus explained. Persephone rubbed her hair in frustration, not understanding a word he said.

"So, you're saying that my family is noble, but full of incest at the same time? What the fuck..." she murmured. Persephone shook her head. "This is fucked up. You're fucked up. What do you mean, this is a great matter, anyhow?"

Remus sighed. "Regulus is dead, long dead, as I told you before. However, Narcissa is not," he began. Persephone nearly dropped the gun she was holding. "My mum is alive, you mean?" she asked. Remus nodded. Persephone rolled her eyes. "Fuck, man, why didn't you tell me that before? Where does she live? I'll go to her! Fuck, are you daft..." she mumbled off. Remus shook his head.

"I'm afraid, Persephone, that you would not be given a coming home ceremony, by any means at all," he said.

"What do you fucking mean, sure, she'll be confused at first, but she's my fucking mother, of course she'll welcome me," she began. Remus shook his head. "No she won't. Quite the contrary, in fact," he began, stepping towards Persephone. Persephone brought up the gun again, her anger stirred up.

"What do you fucking know about it? Don't tell me my fucking mother doesn't want me back, of course she fucking does, she's my fucking mother!" Persephone yelled. Remus backed up, hands in the air.

"Persephone, calm down, you were all right before, but you have to let me explain..." he said. Persephone shook her head. "No, I won't fucking calm down. You're fucking with my head, telling me this bullshit about how you know everything there is to know. Tell me where she is," she demanded. Remus began to protest.

"Persephone..."

"WHERE IS MY FUCKING MOTHER?"

In the brief silence before Remus could answer, a creak came from downstairs. A door opening.

"Remus, you here?"

* * * * *

Harry Potter opened the door, yawning slightly after turning the handle. It had been a long day at the Ministry, mostly paperwork and such. Moody had told him it was the biggest downside of the job, and in the five years that he had been working as an Auror there, his old professor had been right.

"Remus, you here?" he called out, turning around and closing the door. Ever since Harry had finished his schooling at Hogwarts, he had moved away from Number 9, Privet Drive, and had been living in Grimmauld Place. Someone had to take care of the Headquarters, and since Harry couldn't keep it clean by himself, he had invited Remus to live with him. Remus usually stayed at home, keeping track of the Order's work, while everyone else had a job to worry about.

"Remus?" Harry called out again. Perhaps he was sleeping. He'd been rather sick of late, but Remus never slept in, and he certainly never took naps.

Then, he noticed the extra pair of shoes sitting on the doormat. He looked into the closet, and a worn trench coat was hanging, dripping with water, slightly. Harry pulled out his wand. Remus hadn't said that he was expecting company. Harry quietly stepped into the kitchen, listening, for any sound, any movement. He heard none.

In the kitchen, there were two cups of tea, still emitting a touch of steam.

Then, Harry heard something. Not much, but, being an Auror, he was taught to pay attention to such things. A small creak, coming from upstairs, where, he couldn't pinpoint, especially in such a big home as this. He slowly went to the stairs, walking up as quietly as he could. He could no longer hear a sound, and his muscles began to tense up. He reached the top of the stairs, and encountered no one.

Harry breathed slightly, and continued on his walk.

Then, he heard another creak. Down the hall, in the room with the Black Family Tree. Harry gripped his wand tightly, and walked to the room. He took a deep breath, and rushed into the room.

"STAY BACK OR I'LL FUCKING SHOOT!"

Harry stopped at that line, for a brief moment, wondering if he were back with Dudley watching a cop movie. But the flashback was gone when his mind digested what was happening.

A girl, between fifteen and eighteen years old, stood in the room. She was tall, at least 5'10, and had short, black curly hair. However, the quality Harry noticed the most, was the fact that she was holding a black gun, pointing it directly at Remus' head. Remus didn't look surprised, but he had no wand in his hand.

"Remus?" Harry began. The girl yelled again. "Shut the fuck up and stay back, if you want your fucking friend alive!" Harry pointed his wand at her head.

"And if you want to keep your head, I suggest you put the gun down," he said. The girl glared at him, and cocked the weapon.

"The second you say one more fucking word, I'll blow his fucking brains out," she said without a hint of hesitation on her face. Harry opened his mouth, but Remus spoke first.

"Harry, put your wand down," he said. Harry was about to protest.

"Harry! Put it down!" Remus demanded. Harry sighed, and slowly put his wand down on the ground. Remus nodded. "Good. Now shut up." Remus turned to face the girl.

"Persephone," he began, "I know where your mother is, but I'm afraid that I'm not one of the people who will be able to send you to her." Harry was still in shock. How was Remus so calm, when this girl was pointing a gun straight in his face? And how did he know her name? And what kind of witch would have a gun?

"What do you mean, you're not the person? What is the problem that my mother won't want to see me?" she asked. Remus stood completely still. "Narcissa is married to Lucius Malfoy, a man who now is held in Azkaban for his crimes. The Malfoys are a proud family, and a pureblood family." The girl frowned. "Pureblood?"

Harry was now completely and utterly confused. Who was this girl, that didn't know who the Malfoys were, or what a Pureblood was? And why did she claim to be the daughter of Narcissa Malfoy?

Remus, his hands still in the air, answered. "Wizards who have married wizards. No Muggles in the bloodline," he explained. "Now, you're mother married into a very respectable family, and, although their reputation as Death Eaters precedes them, they have a certain social status. You entering Narcissa's life and claiming to be her daughter could end up messy, in more ways than one." Harry could no longer contain himself.

"Remus, what in God's name is going on?" he demanded. The girl turned to look at him.

"I already told you to shut the fuck up. Don't push me to do something I don't want to do," she said. Remus stared back at the girl.

"Harry, shut up. Persephone, I know this is hard for you to take, but you can't go to your mother's home right now. Please, just cam down, and let me help you. I promise, just please, put the gun away, and I'll help you out," he said, hands still in the air. Harry almost started to protest, when Remus gave him a look. He backed down. The girl continued to hold her gun up.

"Persephone, you know you're stuck here, and one of us has to back down sooner or later. We've already backed down. No one here is going to hurt you. Please, just put down the gun, and we can figure this whole mess out," Remus explained gently. The girl bit her lip, apparently in deep thought. A minute later, she disarmed the weapon, and set it down on the floor. She crossed her arms defensively, and stood.

"So," she said, "what happens now?"