Shown Like the Sun

Chapter 8

There's nothing you can say

To make me change my mind....

--Pink Floyd

***

Sirius lowered his hands, revealing a pale, dark expression--his thin face twisted into a grotesque, murderous glare. Althea, very frightened by his expression, caught her breath as she sat back, the back of her head slamming against the bedpost. Dazed, her head sore, she quickly blinked the blue and white stars out of her eyes.

"Althea," he asked icily, his voice unnaturally calm, "what have you done?"

Althea anxiously whimpered as the back of her head throbbed, sending shooting pains into her forehead. She massaged her forehead, grimacing, as the pain would not subside. She should have promptly told him the truth about Prudence. She should not have let him continue to believe that he would see his daughter, have a relationship with his daughter, and that his daughter would love and accept him. Although she believed she was Muggle-born, Prudence--like every Wizarding child--was frightened of Sirius Black. In Wizarding families, he was the Wizarding Bogeyman that parents told their children about to ensure good behavior: "Eat your vegetables, finish your homework, go to bed, or Sirius Black will get you." She heard it once, in Honeydukes, as she bought sweets for Afina. A young mother scolded her two very unruly children by threatening to set Sirius Black on them. The children quieted immediately, and Althea, hastily left Honeydukes without sweets for Afina.

Althea continued to stare at Sirius--her eyes becoming blurry with tears. How will she tell him that his daughter will only ever know him as a mass murderer and evil man? That, indeed, one day Prudence might use the name of Sirius Black to keep her children in line?

"I hate lies," he warned, his jaw tightening. "Has everything you've said since I've discovered that picture been a lie?"

Althea pressed her back against the bedpost. It was a frightening side to Sirius she had never seen, and she knew she had to be careful with her words. He was never that calm when he was upset. She did not doubt he would kill her. She slid her hand to the pocket of her sundress and her fingertips grasped her wand handle.

"No," she answered nervously, "it wasn't a lie."

"How?" he asked, leaning forward--his dead eyes intently staring into hers. "Is Gran raising our daughter?"

"No," she said quietly, slowly extracting her wand, "Muggles."

Sirius' eyes narrowed. "'Muggles?'" he repeated, his white face within inches of hers.

"Yes," she whispered, pressing the back of her head into the bedpost.

Sirius inhaled a loud, deep breath through his nostrils before he roared, "YOU'RE LETTING MUGGLES RAISE OUR DAUGHTER!"

Sirius' booming voice caused her to jolt upright, and her wand slipped from her fingertips--it sinking back into her pocket. "Yes--please--let me explain," she said and took a deep gulp of air.

"Muggles...Muggles!" he muttered angrily and stood from her bed. "There is nothing to explain!"

"Yes, please," she begged, sitting forward. "Please let me explain to you everything. You have to know the circumstances," she pleaded, her hand touching his forearm.

Sirius shrank his arm away from her.

"Please, I never wanted to give her away, but I had to--you have to understand--"

"Understand?" he remarked bitterly. "You gave our daughter away, what is there to understand?" Sirius shook his head and growled as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I was out there," he said forcefully and thrust his hand toward window, "fighting--almost dying--so our daughter could have a better life!"

"You weren't there!" she blurted out and quickly covered her mouth--her body trembling.

Sirius' eyes widened with rage. "I WAS TRYING TO KILL THE MAN THAT I THOUGHT KILLED YOU!" he roared--his face a violent shade of purple.

Althea remained silent--her eyes traveling with Sirius as picked up her alarm clock and retracted his arm. He thought better of it, and unceremoniously tossed alarm clock onto the bed. The alarm clock bounced away from them and bounced again, settling at the edge of the bed.

Sirius slapped his palm to his face, roughly massaging his cheek as he looked upon Althea. "How many more lies?" he said hoarsely, his face bearing an expression of great disillusionment. "How many?"

"Sirius, my love," she said--her voice quaking as she stood.

She soothingly placed her hands on his upper arms to direct him to her bed, but he shrugged her off. Her arms were awkwardly suspended for a moment, but she let them fall to her sides, as Sirius turned partially away from her--only his profile visible.

"More than anything, I wanted your child--you have to remember. Remember the morning we discovered I was pregnant?" she asked, her stare unwavering as she hoped Sirius' expression would soften...it did not. "I was so unbelievably happy."

"You were afraid," he replied--the words seeming to taste awful on his lips. "You questioned if we were doing the right thing."

"Of course," she agreed, raising her hand to touch his arm, but thought better of it, "but I had you and I loved you--"

Sirius quickly spun to face her. "Are you blaming me?" he asked, placing a hand to his chest. "You gave our daughter away because I wasn't there?"

"No, she was in danger, Sirius, great danger," she answered, moving closer, but Sirius took a step back. "I would've done anything to protect her. I had to--it wasn't safe for her to live with me."

"I don' t believe you," he replied and shook his head. "Blaming me...blaming me!"

Althea hiccupped and started to cry. He doesn't want to know, she thought, feeling the hot tears trickle down her palms. I've betrayed him and that's enough.

"Go ahead and cry," he sneered, and Althea lowered her hands, "everything's about you, isn't it?" Sirius laughed mirthlessly as he looked upon Althea with the utmost disgust.

Althea wiped her cheeks with the heels of her hands. "Please," she began, her voice strained and overcome with tears, "I love her. I didn't want to give her away--I wanted to run away with her, but I didn't have a choice. Please--"

"I'm done," he muttered, smoothing the hair away from his face as he looked from Althea to the rest of the room. "I'm done with you--with everything."

Althea stepped back and caught herself before she fell onto her bed as Sirius walked past.

"What--where are you going?" she asked anxiously, wiping her eyes as she turned to see Sirius at the door.

Sirius sighed heavily as his hand grasped the doorknob. "I'm righting this, Althea," he said, cold and determined, looking at the door, "because you're too cowardly to do so."

"What? No!" she pleaded, rushing forward as Sirius opened the door.

Her fingers clasped Sirius' shirt and she held tightly as he attempted to shake her from him.

"You can't!"

"Don't tell me what to do!" he warned, prying her fingers from his shirt.

Before she could react, he forcefully shut and magically locked the door. No, her mind shouted as she slammed her fist against the door. He can't go after her! She doesn't know--damn it! Althea attempted to manually open the lock, but it refused to turn. Holding her wand against the lock, she muttered an opening charm, but a bright blue light enveloped her--a force striking her abdomen, causing her to fall backward onto the her floor.

"Son of a bitch!" she screamed, slamming her palms against the floor.

She needed to stop him, but the door was locked, and she did not want to spend the time casting different charms to unlock it. She looked toward her window--she would have to transform. Standing, she raised her wand, and as she did so, the window lifted. Taking a deep breath, she transformed and flew out the window.

She soared higher, above the widow's walk, above her home to see Sirius sprinting toward the carriage house. He would use the hippogriff to fly back to England, to find Prudence, and to kidnap her. However, in her present state, she could swoop down and peck the top of his head at best. Not waiting to land, with at least a foot until the ground, Althea transformed--her right foot contacting with the ground at an odd angle. She stumbled and fell--her ankle twisting underneath her. She yelped at the warmth and sharp shot of pain radiating up her leg. Disregarding the throbbing, the feeling of jelly in her ankle with every step, she hastily limped forward, determined to stop Sirius.

"NO!" she shouted as Sirius was within feet of the door. "YOU'LL HURT HER! SIRIUS, NO!"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" he yelled back--he was almost at the door.

Althea hastily extracted her wand from her sundress pocket. "NO!" she shouted and fiercely thrust the tip of her wand toward his back. "LOCOMOTOR MORTIS!"

A jet of light burst from her wand, hitting Sirius in the back. His legs rigid, he attempted to turn as he fell, brandishing his wand.

"Expelliarmus!" she yelled and his wand flew into the shrubbery.

For a moment, Sirius remained on his back, allowing Althea to limp toward him. However, with great strength, Sirius rolled over onto his stomach and started to crawl toward his wand.

"NO!" she screamed, throwing herself atop him.

Althea grabbed his waist and inched herself up his half-petrified-half-wiggling body.

"Fucking bitch!" he growled, rolling onto his back. "Get off me!"

Sirius' hands pressed into her shoulders, and Althea, straddling his waist, fought to push them away.

"I won't let you--I won't--I won't let you hurt her!" she forced out, her hands interlocking with his as they pushed back and forth.

Sirius' fingers tightened around hers; her fingers growing numb. "You aborted the first one, you abandoned second one," he snarled, his arms fully extended, "you aren't fit to be a mother!"

"It's not true!" she shouted, putting all of her weight forward and causing his arms to buckle. "I wanted them, you horrible bastard!"

"Not as horrible as you!" he shouted and developed a maniacal grin. "When I see her, I think I'll tell her that her mother's dead!"

Althea's fingernails purposefully dug into the backs of his hands. "I'll alert the Ministry!"

Sirius laughed loudly, mirthlessly. "They'd chuck you in Azkaban for harboring a fugitive!"

"I'll take that chance!" she replied, looking firmly into his eyes. "I'd do anything to protect her!"

Sirius let out a loud, deliberate laugh. "Even have a dementor suck out my soul?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Althea's grip loosened slightly as she briefly stopped struggling. She would never want a dementor to take his soul. She would do anything to protect him from that fate. He called her bluff.

Sirius chuckled knowingly. "An empty threat."

Enraged at Sirius' smugness, Althea leaned forward, and unblinking, sneered, "I'll kill you myself."

Sirius rolled his eyes, leaned forward, and unblinking, sneered, "Likely."

"What's all this?" Remus asked loudly and with disbelief.

Sirius gave her triumphant smile and Althea narrowed her eyes at him. She stopped struggling as she looked toward Remus. Remus--his shirt incorrectly buttoned, his hair wet, and barefoot--looked at the pair with a mixture of horror and confusion.

"Oh, Moony, help!" Sirius pleaded and Althea quickly turned her head. Sirius fought to hide his smile as he continued, "She's cursed me and now she'll kill me!"

"Don't listen to him!" she warned, looking into Sirius eyes. "He knows about Prudence. He was about to leave and to kidnap her."

"Kidnap?" Sirius yelled--his voice unnaturally high. "She's my daughter!"

"Oh, fuck," Remus muttered, which caused Althea and Sirius to share a look of mild amusement and astonishment that Remus would use such a vulgar word.

Remus stepped off the cobblestone path and onto the gravel path leading to the carriage house. His face was very pale and a trembling hand massaged his jaw. His eyes locked with Althea's and she cowered somewhat. She had betrayed him as well. I should've hidden that photograph with the others, she thought as Remus stopped at their side--his body shading them from the sun. I didn't have time.

"You told him?" Remus asked--his voice strained.

"I didn't, I swear," she answered, Sirius' hands slipping from hers. "He discovered her photograph--the photograph I received today."

Remus shook his head. "She sent you a photograph with your father's book?" he asked incredulously.

Althea nodded.

Immediately, Remus' expression changed--his mind working quickly, determining what to do next. Remus, I need you, she thought, pleading with her eyes, but Remus turned his attention toward Sirius. He ran his fingers through his wet hair as he frowned in thought, and absentmindedly wiped his palm on his trouser leg before he looked to Althea.

"Althea, please stand," Remus demanded quietly, offering his hands to her.

Althea shook her head. "The curse will wear off and he'll leave," she said emphatically. "He will! He'll go after her!"

Sirius laughed spitefully as he rolled his eyes.

Remus, his expression grim, crouched beside them. "Sirius, do I have your word that you won't do anything rash--"

"You might want to rephrase that," she remarked sardonically, "Sirius is incapable of rational thought."

"And you are?" Remus sighed with obvious sarcasm, and Sirius laughed loudly and with exaggeration. He frowned thoughtfully as he rested a hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Sirius, I need your word that you'll listen to Althea. It's very important. After, you can make whatever decision you need to," he explained and she grumbled as Sirius gave a triumphant smirk, "but understand I cannot allow you to have contact with Prudence. I will stop you."

Sirius turned his head and squinted as he looked at Remus. "You knew about Prudence?" he asked--Althea could hear the feeling of betrayal in his voice.

"Do I have your word?" Remus asked as Sirius removed Remus' hand from his shoulder.

"She's my daughter," he answered firmly, turning his head away from the both of them. "My daughter."

"You didn't know she existed before today," Remus replied--matter-of-fact--and paused, something flickered in his eyes. "I understand," he breathed knowingly.

Sirius' expression hardened as he looked off into the bushes.

"Of course," Remus murmured, nodding his head. "Would you like to tell Althea what you said in our only conversation about Prudence," he asked, poking Sirius' shoulder with his index finger, "or would you like me to?"

Sirius swallowed--the muscles in his neck contracted--as his lips remained firmly shut.

"Right," Remus murmured as he gave a curt nod. "Althea, I'd recommend sitting next to me--"

"No, thank you, I'm comfortable where I am."

"God," he muttered, closing his eyes, "I reckon it's best if you do."

"No, just say it, Remus."

Remus reluctantly opened his eyes as Althea intently stared at him, waiting for the details of the conversation. He inhaled a moderate breath, cast a weary look at Sirius, and spoke, "He was somewhat relieved that Prudence had died--"

"What?" she asked with shock, looking at Sirius.

Sirius remained silent and continued to look toward the bushes. How could he think such a horrible thing, she asked herself, feeling the tears well in the corners of her eyes. Relieved that his daughter was dead? Why would he want her back if he thought her better dead? This is out of spite--not out of love for her. He wants to hurt me because I never told him. Althea removed herself from Sirius and groaned--grabbing her leg--as a sharp pain jolted through her throbbing ankle.

"You were happy she died?" she asked, horrified. "Was it all an act--furnishing her nursery, buying her toys--was it? Leave us in Bermuda and forget about us?"

"No," he answered, turning his head to look into her eyes, "that she didn't have to grow up thinking her father was a murderer."

Althea violently bit her bottom lip. I've thought that too, she thought, clutching her shin. That Prudence was better off not knowing about us.... Maybe he will understand, then.

Sirius lifted his eyes to look at Remus. "You have my word.... I'll listen."

"Excellent," Remus replied, standing--his knees popping loudly.

Remus took his wand from his trouser pocket, directed it toward Sirius' legs, and muttered the counter curse. Sirius rotated his ankles and sat up, resting his forearms on his bended knees. Althea looked to her ankle and pulled a face. Her ankle was swollen and red, and a violent purple bruise encompassed the joint. She gingerly placed the tip of her wand against the joint and muttered a Healing Charm--the swelling, redness, and bruise immediately vanished. She carefully flexed her ankle, and satisfied with her result, shyly glanced toward Sirius. He too was looking at her ankle.

"Your ankle," Sirius began, pointing at it, "it's all right, then?"

Althea nodded as Remus offered his hand to her. Althea stood and brushed the dust and gravel from her sundress and legs. Remus held out a hand for Sirius, but Sirius shook his head and stood on his own.

"Your wand's over there, Sirius," she said, indicating with her hand at a row of bushes.

"I know where it is," he replied coolly and bent to retrieve it.

"Do you agree the solarium is a good place to have this talk?" Remus asked her, his index finger stroking the back of her arm.

Althea nodded as Sirius placed his wand in his trouser pocket. "Will you help?"

"Of course," he murmured, resting his hand in the middle of her back. "Come on."

In silence, the three entered her home and Althea nervously thought of the best way to tell Sirius--to be able to convince him. God, please help him understand, she prayed as they entered the solarium. Upon entering, Althea abruptly stopped, her stomach convulsing from her guilt, as the phonograph ominously played, 'You been bad to me woman, but it's coming back home to you....'

"I reckon we don't need this interrupting us," Remus said lightly and, with a quick flick of his wrist, his wand turned off the phonograph. "Shall we sit?"

Althea timidly passed Remus, picked up her sketchbook and placed at her side as she sat on the couch. Her eyes followed Sirius as walked by and sat at the couch underneath the large window. She therapeutically rubbed her hands together as Sirius sat--ashen-faced--his eyes looking toward the floor, and his hands in tight fists in his lap. Althea never felt more frightened. How would they protect Prudence if Sirius did not understand--If he insisted on reclaiming his daughter? Would she be able to do what was needed to protect her? What lengths would she go? Could she forsake the knowledge of Sirius' innocence to protect Prudence? If need be, she would. Althea no longer cared about what little relationship she had with Sirius. Her daughter was more important than any man's love.

Althea heard the couch creak as Remus sat next to her, and felt small comfort when he placed his rough hand on the smooth skin of her back. Her eyes shifted from Sirius to the floor, and she inhaled a deep breath. It was time to tell him something that she had never spoke of since the incident--why she gave Prudence away. Even after twelve years, she did not understand much of it, and had blocked some of it from her mind. It was too painful to relive, to analyze, and to come to a satisfying conclusion--her reason was absurd at best; however, she would try to explain.

"The night I was tortured," she began nervously, and moistened her lips, "I was taken to Gran's.... I didn't know if she--Prudence--would be all right...neither did Madam Doula...some Midwives we were, right.... She had to induce me, but the Misfiring Magic...the Inducing Potion didn't take the first time."

Althea paused and sighed, her body feeling very cold in the warm, bright solarium. She glanced up, but Sirius continued to stare at his fists, now shaking and white.

"The second potion took, and I believe I called you every horrible name I could think of...Remus would agree," she said and Sirius quickly looked at the pair--his expression livid. "I wouldn't let him leave, Sirius. I didn't know where you were, and I needed someone."

Sirius inhaled a loud, angry breath as he narrowed his eyes at the pair. "James and Lily were dead," he said through clenched teeth. "I was looking for Peter."

"And I didn't matter," she muttered bitterly and Sirius quickly stood.

Remus leapt from the couch and placed his hands on Sirius' chests, holding him back. "Sit--down--let--her--finish!" Remus demanded as Sirius struggled against him. "Don't--do--something--you'll--regret!"

Sirius stopped struggling and cast Althea a dark look. "I only regret her," he said, angrily thrusting his hand toward Althea as he gruffly sat down. "I reckon it was good that she chucked our kid to some Muggles.... I wouldn't want her as a mother." Sirius eyed Althea and let out a laugh of contempt. "Death Eaters did the world a favor by making her infertile."

Automatically, Althea leapt from the couch and charged toward Sirius; however, before she could reply, she felt a very strong arm around her chest and a hand tightly clasped over her mouth. Shaking from rage, she struggled against Remus as Sirius rolled his eyes at her.

"I'm tired of this, Althea," he whispered heatedly, his moist breath warming her ear. "Grow up."

Althea narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth at which Remus' hand pressed harder against her lips.

"Don't you even think of biting me," he warned, "or I will bite you, and I sincerely doubt you'd want that."

Althea, defeated, closed her mouth and relaxed. Remus guided her toward the couch and the two sat down. He'll say more hateful things, she thought as Remus' hand returned to her back. Just continue with the explanation and ignore him. You've hurt him and he'll try to hurt you...ignore it.

Althea looked toward Remus and he nodded for her to continue. Scratching her temple, she attempted to remember where she had stopped in the explanation.

"Right," she murmured, furrowing her eyebrows, "it took two doses of the Inducing Potion...."

She looked from Remus to Sirius. Sirius, his arms folded, was staring at her as if the explanation did not matter...as if he had already decided to reclaim Prudence. Althea needed to remember more details--even the most painful of details--in hope to change his decision.

Althea clasped her shaky hands in her lap. "Madam Doula believed Prudence would be okay, but there was that chance--a enormous chance--that Prudence would be stillborn. She didn't want to admit it, but I truly believe that she thought Prudence was dead," she explained, looking to her hands--feeling tears well in the corners of her eyes. "No one wanted to say it--but I knew. At one moment, I believed so as well.... Until I heard her," she continued, wiping her eyes with her fingers.

She looked to Sirius, who had unfolded his arms--his hands slightly trembling.

Althea sighed and looked toward the ceiling as she spoke, "Her cry was so beautiful...so loud too--only her head was out and she and was screaming already." She let out a quiet laugh as she lowered her head, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. "I couldn't stop crying...I was hysterical, really. I wanted to grab her immediately, but Madam Doula wouldn't let me.... She said that I had to finish pushing."

Althea wiped her eyes as she looked to Sirius. Sirius' hand covered his face as he shook. Was it working? Did he see how much she truly loved their daughter? Would he understand, now, why she had to give Prudence to the Parkers? Don't stop, she thought, no matter how painful it is for you. Don't stop!

"She was absolutely gorgeous and perfect and tiny," she continued and smiled sadly. "I knew in that moment, all the fear, the regret, the ill-will of having her vanished--"

"Why d'you get rid of her?" he croaked from underneath his hand.

"That morning, about seven, a man from the Ministry arrived," she answered solemnly--ignoring his question. "I'd fallen asleep--I reckon I had about an hour with her after her birth just after midnight.... I was exhausted.... The man told me what happened, what you were in Azkaban for, and he questioned me about you. I was threatened with Azkaban myself--"

Sirius growled with some unintelligible, but vehement swearwords.

"How the man discovered--I'm not sure, less than ten knew, right--but he asked where Prudence was," she continued and looked to her fingernails--she had broken two of them in the struggle outdoors. "Remus said that she was dead--"

"Dead? He's the one?" Sirius asked--his voice cracking as he looked to Remus.

"No," she said, shaking her head, "Dumbledore...or rather, he followed Dumbledore's orders."

"Dumbledore?" Sirius breathed suspiciously.

Althea nodded slowly as Sirius rubbed his eyes. "As I slept, Dumbledore and Gran had a meeting," she began and Sirius muttered, from behind his hand, a few vulgar words directed at Gran's character. She ignored them, and continued, "He believed there was a very real threat against Prudence, and it was best if the Wizarding world believed her dead.... We had a small funeral, and only Dumbledore, Gran, Remus, and I knew that she was alive.... It was decided I'd go Muggle...just as my father...just as Gran had done--"

"You know about Gran?" Sirius asked, lifting his tear-stained face from his hand.

Althea nodded. "In time, when I'd recovered, I would have left England--maybe to the US or to Canada," she explained and paused, frowning apprehensively. "I'd have gone with Remus, Sirius. We were to raise Prudence."

Sirius remained silent.

"Dumbledore was very opposed to the idea," she said and inhaled a deep breath. "He believed the threat so great that he suggested Prudence live with the Parkers...a Muggle couple. I wouldn't listen--she was my daughter. I was ready to run--"

"Why didn't you?" he snapped, folding his arms.

"Your mother," she answered quietly, "she came to the cottage, looking for Prudence."

Sirius slowly unfolded his arms and sat forward. "My mother?" he asked incredulously, not taking his eyes off Althea.

Althea nodded.

"How?" he asked shortly. "How did she know?"

Althea's eyes widened slightly. Had he forgotten that he sent his mother a letter detailing Althea's pregnancy and photograph of a very pregnant Althea?

"You," she replied cautiously, surprised he would not remember the letter.

"Me?" he asked, and Althea nodded. Sirius leaned back against the couch, his face horrorstruck. "No!"

"You did," she replied sadly. "You obviously don't remember--"

"I swear to God, Althea," he breathed, shaking his head, "I did not tell her.... I wouldn't.... I'd never...."

"Yes, you did," she insisted, leaning forward. "She had a photograph and a letter--"

"What?"

"--that you wrote--"

"I never wrote her," Sirius exclaimed, his eyes opened very wide, "EVER!"

"You did!" she insisted, slamming her fist against the couch. "I saw the letter! I saw the photograph! It was a copy of a photograph I have!"

Sirius raised a trembling hand and smoothed the hair away from his face. "Mate," he said, looking to Remus, "I never wrote her. Please, tell Althea that I would never write to that woman."

Althea looked to Remus as Remus shook his head. "I can't," he replied sadly. "I saw the photograph and letter in your mother's hand."

Sirius leaned forward and rested his face in his hands. "Althea, I've done some right stupid things, but I would never, never write her," he explained in earnest, and lifted his face to look at her. "You have to believe me on this one, love."

Althea shook her head. "How, then?" she asked as Remus' hand stroked her back. "You'd joked about it so many times. Send her a photo and maybe she'd die.... I thought you did it."

"I didn't!"

Upset, Althea stood and ran her fingers through her hair. "Right, I'll show you," she replied and held up her hands for the two to stay. "I'll show you the photograph and maybe you'll remember."

Hastily, Althea walked from the solarium, through the hallway, and into her father's study. She would prove to Sirius that she was not mad. Mrs. Black had a letter--in what she thought to be Sirius' handwriting (did she actually see the handwriting--she couldn't remember)--and a photograph. Standing on a small stool, Althea tapped her wand three times against the top shelf. Immediately, a hidden compartment was revealed and inside a rather large box. Grabbing the box, she hurriedly returned to the solarium as Sirius ardently denied to Remus that he ever had contact with his mother. Heavily sitting on the couch, she flung open the box and fumbled through photographs and mementos of Prudence and her pregnancy. Toward the bottom of the box, Althea let out a small laugh of triumph as she gazed at the photograph.

Holding the photograph, she sat next to Sirius. "Do you remember this photograph?" she asked, presenting him with the photograph.

Sirius held the photograph and shook his head, his eyes unwavering from the photograph.

"Seventh month," she began as the Sirius in the photograph rested his chin on Althea's shoulder, "at the small party in the cottage. I hadn't seen Lily in ages and you had arranged it somehow. I was so grateful.... We wouldn't have had pictures because I had attempted to take a photo and the camera had exploded, remember?"

Sirius nodded slowly as the Althea in the photograph turned her head to kiss the young Sirius.

"Luckily, Peter--" but Althea did not continue.

The feeling of ice water washing over her insides was overwhelming and she instinctively clasped Sirius' forearm. Realizing she had done so, she let go and looked up from the photograph--first to Remus (who sat pale and open-mouthed), and then, to Sirius. Sirius was quiet, his jaw twitched as his narrowed eyes looked at the photograph. Standing, she returned to her seat next to Remus, unable to speak.

Peter. Peter had betrayed her to Mrs. Black. Peter had deprived Prudence of a father, and not good enough, had deprived Prudence of a mother. The hatred and betrayal she felt toward Peter, at that moment, became so overwhelming that she had to close her eyes and lean forward. She rested her face in her cold palms and attempted to breathe deeply as not to faint. Her mind started to question every conversation and every interaction with Peter for some explanation of his betrayal. Had Peter planned it as he took the photograph? How had he known Althea and Prudence had survived? A lucky guess? How did he know, she thought, massaging her upper arms. Did he know we survived and sent this after? It has to be...but how? Why would he want to hurt me? I was so nice to him.

"I know what you're thinking, stop," Remus whispered, soothingly stroking her back. "You didn't matter, Lily didn't matter...no one mattered to Peter. You did nothing to him."

Althea nodded reluctantly--the Dementor's Kiss was still too kind for Peter.

"Finish telling him," Remus whispered. "Now, he'll see the threat--"

"Are we trying to justify it to Sirius, or to ourselves," she interrupted quietly as Sirius continued to stare at the photograph.

Remus did not reply.

Althea awkwardly smoothed out the skirt to her sundress and spoke, "I had no choice, Sirius, after I was presented with the photograph. I had to give her away. Your mother came to take her."

Sirius looked up from the photograph. "My mother?"

Althea nodded. "Your mother came to see her after she received the letter. She wanted to take her."

"'Take her?'" he repeated, his head snapping back. "What would she want with her?"

Althea's eyes shifted to the photograph in his hand. "She wanted to raise her," she answered quietly and looked up as Sirius laughed condescendingly.

"And you believed her?" he remarked, shaking his head as he looked at Althea. "She's an expert liar."

"She would have!" she replied emphatically as Sirius shook his head. "She had it all prepared. She would raise Prudence as her own."

"My mother?" he remarked incredulously and Althea nodded vigorously.

"It's true--"

"My mother raise our daughter?" he said skeptically, pointing to his chest. "Right, she'd chuck her in the Thames before she'd do that."

It is ridiculous, she thought as she saw the pain behind Sirius' laughter. I wouldn't believe it as well if she had not been in the cottage threatening to take Prudence away.... She wanted her, Sirius, how can I make you see that?

"Everything that Althea has said is true," Remus said and Althea felt an upsurge of gratitude. "I witnessed it.... Dumbledore believed as well--"

"Oh, Dumbledore," Sirius replied and rolled his eyes, "well, that changes everything now. I think I proved Dumbledore can be wrong, you know."

Althea turned to Remus. "He's not listening," she said fretfully. "He's already decided, I know it."

Remus' face hardened as he looked at Sirius. "Dumbledore wasn't wrong with the threat," he replied. "Your mother returned the next day to collect Prudence--or Ariadne as she would be known--and take her to live in that awful house you ran away from," he continued and Sirius' expression turned grim. "Prudence had left the evening before to live with the Parkers--"

"They're wonderful--a marvelous couple," Althea interrupted placatingly as Sirius eyed her with repulsion. "Prudence is safe and happy--all I've ever wanted for her.... I would've done anything for her.... I would have died before I let anything happen to her."

"Well, maybe you should've," Sirius muttered, tossing the photograph to the floor.

Althea watched as the photograph gently and unhurriedly settled to the floor, before she asked, "What?"

"You're a coward," he remarked with disgust.

Althea furrowed her eyebrows. "A cow--"

"Yes," he interrupted plainly--his voice louder--and Althea sat, open-mouthed. "You should have never given her away. You should have died for her."

The anger at her decision for Prudence bubbled inside her. How could he compare the two? Lily died saving Harry, and if Althea died, Prudence would have become Ariadne Black, or worse. The thought of Prudence's future if Althea had not made her choice caused her to cringe violently. No, he could not compare the two!

"Like Lily," she snapped.

Sirius' face paled at her remark.

Althea leaned forward. "Is that what you thought happened?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "You spent twelve years thinking I died trying to protect our daughter, and in the end, we both died?" she conjectured and laughed contemptuously as Sirius remained silent. "Sorry I bloody ruined it for you by not dying."

"I would have done anything to keep her."

"Well, you couldn't, could you?" she said sharply and gasped as Sirius quickly stood.

Sirius bit the inside of his cheek and kicked at the photograph. "Fucking bitch," he muttered, running his fingers through his hair. He growled as he tugged on his hair and Althea frowned as she watched him. "AT LEAST I'M NOT A COWARD!" he roared. "LILY DIED FOR HER SON--"

"I'M NOT LILY!" Althea shrieked as she jumped up from the couch and stomped her feet against the floor.

The room went silent--except for the ringing in her ears. Althea endeavored to inhale large breaths as her body shook with rage. Sirius did as well--his breaths were loud and deliberate--his thin chest expanding with great exaggeration at every breath.

"Don't you dare compare our sacrifices," she said, rubbing her forehead with a shaky hand.

"Sacrifices?" he snorted. "You just didn't want my daughter."

"I wanted her!" she yelled, quickly removing her hand from her forehead--it slapping against her thigh. "I didn't give her away willingly, Sirius! Don't you think I regret giving her away?"

"I don't know what to think anymore," he murmured, shaking his head as he roughly rubbed the back of his neck.

Sirius sank heavily into the couch and covered his face with his hands. For a few moments, Althea watched Sirius as he groaned and sighed, slowly starting to rock himself back and forth. She had given his daughter away to Muggles. The repugnant thought caused Althea to shift her gaze outdoors to look at the small, blue birdhouse with the yellow roof that she constructed and painted at ten years of age. She had given his daughter away to Muggles. The thought reentered her mind and Althea shifted her gaze to the green, leafy plants of the solarium that desperately needed watering. She had given his daughter away to Muggles. Wincing at the thought, her eyes jerked from the plants to Sirius and her heart sank. Where was her Sirius--the overconfident, strong, and passionate man? Sirius sniffed loudly and quickly rubbed his eyes. Crying? Sirius' crying unnerved her and she therapeutically massaged her arms. What sat before her was the broken shell of a defeated man.

She picked up the photograph from the floor and placed it in the box. Exhausted, she sat next to Remus--his eyes were closed and his fingertips gently massaged circles into his temples. The three sat in silence--only periodic birdcalls, a sniff, or a sigh broke the quiet. What happens now, she asked herself as she peered into the box next to her. A young Althea threw her head back and laughed as a young Sirius kissed and hugged her newly pregnant abdomen. You promised me that you would do anything to protect us, and I promised Prudence that I would do anything to protect her.... So, what happens now?

"I have to see her," Sirius said hoarsely, lifting his face from his hands.

Althea caught her breath as she saw the sad determination in his eyes

"Wizarding laws are different than Muggle laws," he continued to explain--his voice still hoarse, a large crease appearing between his eyebrows. "She's not Muggle-born."

Althea leaned forward and winced in anticipation of what was to come next. "It'd doesn't matter--"

"I'm her father," he interrupted harshly, giving her a stern look. "I didn't give her away."

Oh God, why must I tell him that he isn't Prudence's father, she thought, and the feeling of her body collapsing upon itself returned. I was ashamed and scared. I wanted our daughter to be happy and without the burden of knowing that Sirius was a murderer. How does one tell a child that? I couldn't let her live with that knowledge and the threat of others knowing the shame.

Althea closed her eyes as she said quietly, "You're not."

She slowly opened her eyes to witness Sirius' reaction. His face unnaturally pale, Sirius' expression altered to disbelief and confusion.

"You're not her father," she continued, tears welling in her eyes as she saw the wounded look on Sirius' face. "She doesn't have a father."

Sirius' mouth attempted to form what Althea thought to be, "How?"

Althea did not wipe away the guilty tears trickling down her cheeks. "I never wrote your name on the birth certificate," she spoke, the words instantly tasting bitter and causing her stomach to retch.

Sirius shook his head. "You're lying," he said, his voice strained.

"No," she said regretfully, taking the folded parchment from the box. "Look," she added, standing.

Sirius' quivering fingers reluctantly took the parchment from her hands. Althea returned to her couch and covered her mouth with her hand as Sirius unfolded the parchment. She forced down the bile rising in her throat as Sirius' eyes scanned the parchment.

"God," he whispered, horrified, as he looked at the parchment, "no!"

Sirius crumpled the parchment in his hand, and in a swift movement, stood and brandished his wand in an attempt to destroy the birth certificate.

"'Father: unknown!'" he yelled and cast a charm meant to ignite the parchment.

The flames licked the parchment, but the parchment refused to ignite.

"It can't be destroyed," she said ruefully as Sirius seemingly ignored her.

"'Father: unknown!' Father: Sirius Black!" he growled and cast another charm to add his name.

"Or altered--it's magically binding," she explained as Sirius growled and threw the balled up parchment across the solarium.

Sirius' hands were tightly clenched into fists and his eyes loathingly looked at the parchment that rested against the skirting board.

"She isn't--"

Sirius quickly turned on his heel and pointed a thin finger at Althea as he bellowed, "DON'T YOU DARE SAY IT!"

Sirius continued to point his index finger at her face, his nostrils flared and his expression wild. "She isn't your daughter," she said ruefully as she looked at the tip of his unsteady finger. "You've never had a daughter and you have no rights to her."

Sirius eyes narrowed as his arm fell--his hand loudly slapping against his thigh. "No rights?" he remarked furiously and shuddered as Althea nodded. "NO RIGHTS!" he roared and thrust his wand toward the opened, white-painted door--the door exploded off its hinges, teetered for a moment, and fell with a loud bang. "SHE'S MY GOD DAMN DAUGHTER!" he shouted and thrust his wand toward a row of potted plants.

The pots exploded, sending shards of pottery and soil at the three. Remus and Althea quickly covered their faces as the small and large shards hit them. Wiping the dirt from her arms and sundress, Althea noticed that Sirius had grabbed the box that contained mementos of Prudence--he was about to destroy them. Frantic, Althea leapt from the couch as Sirius raised his wand at the box.

"NO!" she shrieked, lunging at him and knocking the box from his hand.

The box fell to the floor and the papers, photographs, and other keepsakes scattered across the dirt- and pottery-covered floor. Pushing off Sirius, Althea fell to her knees and scrambled to collect the treasures.

"It's all I have," she wept as tears fell on a paper showcasing Prudence's tiny footprint in pink paint.

"I HAVE NOTHING!" he roared and Althea heard him collapse onto his couch. "How could you do this to me, Althea?" he asked--his voice struggling to be audible--the overwhelming pain apparent.

Althea looked up to Remus as he handed her a photograph that landed on his naked foot. His face bore the strain of the conversation, and she mouthed that he could leave. Remus shook his head.

"How?" Sirius managed to ask.

Althea lowered her head and gazed at the photograph of the young Althea bathing Prudence. The young Althea held Prudence close to her for the picture and kissed her soapy head. "I couldn't write your name.... I was so ashamed--so ashamed that her father murdered..." she said, but could not continue--the lump in her throat unbearably painful. She watched as the young Althea laughed and spat out soap as Prudence's hand clung to Althea's wet shirt. "I couldn't let our daughter know her father was a murderer," she finished uneasily and placed the photograph in the box.

"Coward," Sirius muttered with disgust.

Althea picked up the last photograph and lovingly wiped the dirt away. It was the photograph she most loved--the first photograph of mother and daughter. The young, exhausted Althea held the sleeping baby; Prudence cozily nestled in the blanket Lily made. I have Hogwarts, she thought, feeling the immediate ache of parting with something so treasured. He has nothing.

Sirius eyes followed Althea as she approached, she clutching the photograph to her chest. Carefully, she reached out for his hand and held it in hers. "This is the first photograph," she said, gently placing the worn photograph into his hand. "Keep it."

Sirius looked from her to his hand, and retracted his hand toward him--looking at the photograph. "Enough," he murmured, his eyes bright with tears. "Enough," he repeated and stood, placing the photograph in the breast pocket of his shirt. "Please, stand aside," he said and Althea took a step back.

Althea turned as Sirius walked toward the doorway. "Where are you going?" she asked--her voice slightly panicked as Sirius took a large step over the fallen door.

"I don't care what bloody paper says," he said, looking out into the corridor, "no Muggle will raise my child."