Shown Like the Sun

Chapter 15

Chastity and virtue never brought a woman fame...

--Sue Wilkinson

***

Althea yawned and nestled the side of her face into the crook of his shoulder as Sirius intently read the sport columns in the Daily Prophet. Is this what my life has become, she wondered as a slight breeze rustled the newspaper in his hands. I reckoned we weren't old enough for this yet. Frowning that she could not garner his attention, she rolled onto her back--careful not to stub her toes against the picnic basket at her feet. She looked up at the sky--blocked by the leaves and branches of two large trees--and sighed. The Daily Prophet interrupted their last romantic outing before Gran and Afina would arrive in the evening. What could be so important, she thought as a breezed played upon the leaves, which created a display of shimmering light and shadow below. This is our last chance before that old woman arrives. It's not like we could sneak off to some remote part of this island...it's not that enormous.

Sirius let out a bark-like laugh, which startled her. "I wonder the sort of response he'll have now."

Althea lifted herself onto her elbows. "What?"

Sirius, continuing to chuckle, handed her the folded newspaper. Althea fully sat up and frowned.

"What's this?"

"Oh, read it," he said and pointed to the small advertisement beneath used cauldrons.

"'Lonely Potions Master seeks equally sniveling Mistress in hopes to brew romance. Must enjoy the smell of pickled Erkling, drafty dungeons, and lack of bathing. All requests'," she read and paused. She looked up from the newspaper and wrinkled her nose. "Sirius, this is awful."

Sirius playfully frowned. "Oh, don't defend him."

"No, it's awful," she said and unfolded the newspaper. She smiled wryly as she added, "You've lost your touch."

Sirius' posture stiffened in playful indignance. "I have not. I think it's fantastic," he said and leaned closer. He whispered conspiratorially into her ear, "Imagine all the letters he will receive...maybe there'll be photographs of naked hags again."

Althea gently pushed him away. "Ugh, Sirius, no."

"Oh, come on, sixth year," he reminisced--his lips curving into a large grin. "Who would have known there would've been so many witches that wanted to shampoo his hair?" He tugged at her skirt as he asked, "Do you think he answered any of those?

"I don't want to know if he ever answered any of those. Nor do I want to know if anyone answered the seventh year advertisement about long walks along the beach whilst killing flies."

Sirius' grin turned devilish. "What about the puffskein fetish?"

Althea covered her face with her hands in disgust. "Ugh, I forgot about that one! How did you even think of that one?"

"Moony."

Althea's hands dropped into her lap. "Remus? Remus invented the puffskein fetish?"

"He didn't invent it," he said--he outstretched his legs and reclined upon his elbows. "Someone else did that. No, he read about it."

"Read about it? In a wizard magazine or something?"

"No, an academic journal. Believe me, we were just as surprised when he mentioned puffskein fetish. He discovered it while writing a paper on the yeti. I reckon it was in the same issue. A couple went to St. Pantaleon's after one of them had an allergic reaction to the puffskein--a nasty rash and swelling," he explained--his voice shaking with suppressed laughter. "It was awful. It's such a rare reaction that the Healer asked the man and woman how--"

"Sirius, no," she interrupted and began to laugh. "No more. That is by far the most disturbing--"

"It was in an academic journal!"

"Were you drunk when he told this story?"

"I was not drunk!"

"Did this journal have photographs of naked, large-breasted witches?"

Sirius mockingly gasped. "Are you suggesting that Remus Lupin, Professor Remus Lupin, would dare to look upon pornography?"

"How could he not," she began--pulling at blades of grass, "with the large stash underneath your dormitory bed."

Sirius quickly sat up. "What--what?"

"Come off it--Lily and I found them," she said and teasingly threw the blades of grass at him. "Witches and Muggle girls."

"I will not have my honor questioned by someone who herself had naked photographs taken of her."

Althea leaned forward. "By you--that you destroyed...you did destroy them," she said--her eyes widening. "Sirius, you did destroy them. I told you to destroy them."

Sirius folded his arms. "Just because you tell me to do something, doesn't mean I'll do it." He sighed happily as he looked over her head. "They were such beautiful photographs of you, too. I couldn't destroy such beautiful photographs."

Althea grabbed his shirt. "Where are they now? Where are they? I'm a professor. I can't have naked photographs--

Sirius threw his head back and groaned. "Bloody hell, Morrigan, you really know how to ruin fun," he said and pried her fingers from his shirt. He reached into his pocket. "Here they are--well, one."

Sirius roughly placed the photograph in Althea's hand. Good lord, look at me, she thought as she gazed up on the photograph. I was seventeen...the weekend I ran away from Gran. The Althea in the photograph laughed and covered herself with the white cotton sheet--only her left eye mischievously peered out from underneath it. Suddenly, she flung the sheet away from her--continuing to laugh--reveling in the fact that she was with Sirius and he enjoyed her naked. Quickly, she had realized what a silly mistake it was for her to agree to such photographs, she had insisted that Sirius throw them away, and thought he had, but obviously he had let a few remain.

She looked up from the photograph. "You carried this with you?"

Sirius awkwardly nodded.

She handed Sirius back the photograph. "Why did you keep it?"

He shrugged and looked down at the photograph. "It reminded me of why I had to come home...of what I was fighting for."

"Oh, come off it."

"It brought me back to you, didn't it? After every fight?"

"Stop trying to justify that you looked at photographs of a naked me when we weren't together."

"If I recall, we were together a few times after our breakup. You were very much naked then too," he said and smiled impishly. "I believe you have sketches of me, naked."

"That's art."

"And this isn't?" he asked and showed her the photograph once more. The naked Althea sat up and smiled. "I never showed them to anyone."

"Really?"

"Who would I show them to? Anyway, you kept naked sketches of me. Why didn't you throw those away after our breakup?" he asked as he leaned forward.

Althea opened her mouth to speak, but quickly shut it and frowned.

Sirius smiled. "Right."

"They're not sexual--"

"Neither are those photographs. Look--look," he said and pointed to the photograph, "you've covered yourself and are giggling. It's innocent."

Althea sighed as she opened the Daily Prophet. "Again, stop trying to justify that you enjoyed looking at naked photographs of me for your carnal amusement after our breakup."

Althea hid behind the Prophet and fought a smile as Sirius huffed. "Carnal amusement? This bloody schoolteacher job's gone to your head," he remarked. "What did you use those sketches for?"

"I had forgotten I owned them--"

"Right, wanted to partake in carnal amusements circa 1822."

"Be reasonable."

"We weren't even really broken up, were we? I lost count the number of times I woke up in your bed or you woke up in mine. Never took much to get you in there anyway."

"As if you weren't gagging for it," she muttered, scanning the second page. "You're not on the front page anymore," she said and sighed--hopeful he would take the cue to change the subject. "Not even the second--did you bother to read this?"

"No, it's all the same--I'm dark and dangerous. I did like the article where the mother refused to let her twenty-something daughter out of the house for fear that I would corrupt her."

"You would."

"Did you see the photograph of the daughter? I have my standards, my image and good name to maintain."

"You really enjoy this, don't you?"

"Well some of it. I don't enjoy the dark bits, but I do enjoy the dangerous."

Althea let out a small, knowing laugh. "The Ministry believes you're in Albania now."

"I'm in Bermuda, you waste of print," he said and sighed as he reclined against the blanket. "The Prophet was never much of a read, was it?"

"No," she said and turned the page to read the rest of the article about Sirius. "It's the Witch Weekly of newspapers."

"Indeed."

Althea looked over the newspaper and raised an eyebrow. "Why is it always a woman?"

"A what?"

"A woman," she said and lowered the newspaper. "It's always a woman that sees you."

Sirius placed his hands behind his head and smiled slowly. "Is she--"

"Unfortunately, yes," she said and narrowed her eyes at the young, voluptuous woman who blew kisses and winked in the photograph. "I reckon she wants a contract with some wizard's magazine. She can't even name the town--this search is pathetic."

"One Ministry blunder after another," he said and sighed happily.

Althea returned to the Prophet. Her eyes flickered to the adjacent article--she spotted Sirius' name. Bloody hell, she thought--a knot quickly developed in her stomach. 'Is Your Child Safe?' an article by that awful Skeeter. The knot in her stomach enlarged as she read the inflammatory article about Dumbledore and the lack of security at Hogwarts:

Did the most dangerous and villainous of men, Sirius Black, have help? Sources close in the matter agree that the man, second in command to You-Know-Who, did indeed have inside help. The question concerned parents must ask themselves is, "Who?" Dumbledore's secrecy in the matter is fueling claims that he is protecting the person in question....

"You haven't made a remark about the Prophet in the past ten minutes."

Althea dismissively waved her hand as she continued to read the article.

"Something has your attention," he said and leaned close to her. "So, this is what the Prophet chose to write about?" he remarked--the back of his head blocked her view of the newspaper. "The Wizarding world is in bated breath about my love life?"

She pushed Sirius' head out of the way. "This harpy," she said and the back of her hand slapped against the Prophet, "is petitioning for the documents to be made public.

"What documents?"

"All documents relating to your capture were sealed---"

"And you're afraid if this petition works, she'll discover you," he finished and grabbed the newspaper from her.

"Partly," she said and made a weak attempt to retrieve it.

Sirius pulled the newspaper toward him and frowned as he read.

"I'm afraid she'll discover Prudence...if you read further, you'll discover she's planning to write a book."

"A book?"

Althea nodded as she sat closer to him. "She'll discover it all," she said, trembling slightly. "She could discover that Prudence didn't die."

"I doubt she'd discover that, my love," he said and turned the page. "She'll focus on my family anyway--Muggle hunting, Ministry bribery, and the tragic rise and fall from power."

"You're right," she said and sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I shouldn't let that harpy bother me, but I do worry she'll discover Remus' secret."

"It's still a secret? I would've thought--"

"Dumbledore kept it from some of the staff--well, those that did not already know," she said and screwed her eyes up in thought, "which were quite a few, actually. We thought Hogwarts was to be permanent."

"Unfortunately, many of the children at Hogwarts are well connected...as Remus is rediscovering."

Althea shook her head. "I never thought Snape would stoop so low. I reckon I had forgotten how far Snape would go to ruin someone."

"I've never forgotten," he muttered and sighed. "You think she'd blame Remus for the security breaches, then?"

"Of course. The Wizarding world loves a good, scary werewolf story," she said and noticed a small crease had developed between Sirius' eyebrows. "What?"

"'A source within the Ministry revealed that a young woman was interviewed at the time of Black's arrest--'"

"Bugger!" she muttered and covered her face with her hands.

"'She vanished shortly after the interview. Who was this young woman? Why did she vanish? Did she know too much? Was she murdered?' Who cares?"

"Her insipid readers care," she said, letting her hands drop to her sides. "She's a bloody nuisance."

"Indeed," Sirius agreed and kissed her cheek. "Although, I doubt she's referring to you. Didn't a horde of women come forth to tell their tales of woe?"

"Still," she began, frowning slightly at Sirius' lighthearted response to the situation, "it seems more than coincidence."

Sirius tossed the newspaper onto the grass and, with a point of his wand, bright blue flames consumed it. He thoughtfully looked at Althea as he asked, "Would you like me to scare her?"

"No," she answered, her lips upturned into a smile, "she'd wet herself from excitement at the story."

***

"God, how I missed this," Sirius said and kissed the nape of Althea's neck.

Althea inhaled deeply and smiled. "I reckon you're remembering another woman," she said, reclining against his chest. "I don't believe we ever shared a bath."

"Yes, we did," he replied and wrapped his wet arms around her. "The Prefect Bathroom."

"If I remember, it wasn't very romantic and I wasn't naked."

"I could still see your tits through your soaked blouse," he said, his fingertips faintly tracing small circles onto her stomach. "That counted for something."

Althea laughed quietly as she placed her arms over his. "For a fifteen-year-old boy it counted a great deal," she said and closed her eyes. "A great deal, indeed."

Sirius leaned forward. "This has been a perfect day," he whispered and Althea smiled as his moist breath warmed her ear.

"Mhmm."

"Unfortunately, your Gran will ruin it," he said and reclined against the back of the bathtub. "What time will that old woman arrive?"

Althea frowned slightly. "Nine, I think. Gran is paranoid someone will see her flying on her broom if she arrives earlier."

"She uses a broom?"

Althea opened her eyes and nodded. "Only when it is absolutely necessary."

"Still," he began and she felt him quietly chuckle, "I never thought of her as the sort of woman who--"

Althea laughed lowly. "Don't you dare say it, Sirius."

"What?" he asked with mock innocence, as Althea's laughter grew louder. "I never thought of her as the sort of woman who would allow a stick between her--"

"Althea Rosemary!"

Wide-eyed, Althea gasped and sat up straight--splashing large amounts of bathwater onto the floor. Bloody hell, she thought as she struggled to stand. It isn't nine yet. I'm not dressed! She'll come up here, I know it!

Sirius growled and slammed his hand against the side of the tub. "That bloody old woman!"

"Sirius, please!" she scolded as she gingerly stepped out of her bathtub.

Careful not to slip in the puddles, Althea exited her bathroom and frantically searched her cupboard for an appropriate dress. Where is that blasted dress, she thought as she roughly spread the hangers apart. Too short...a tit will pop out if I wore that...bloody hell, Afina! Didn't you design a dress appropriate for Gran?

"Althea Rosemary!"

"Bloody hell!" she muttered as she tossed a light blue frock onto the floor.

"Bloody insistent, isn't she?" Sirius said, folding his arms as he stood in the doorway.

Althea pulled the purple sundress over her head. "Put some clothes on," she whispered heatedly as she tugged the sundress into place.

"Auntie?"

"Do it now," she commanded, narrowing her eyes.

"Althea Rosemary!"

Sirius defiantly stood in the doorway with his arms folded. "No, I'd rather her see me in all my naked glory. She does have that habit, you know, of barging in when I'm naked. I reckon she likes it."

Althea stepped into her most conservative pair of knickers. "Fine, then," she said, adjusting her sundress. "Stay naked, but transform. You know what that old woman is capable of."

"Unfortunately," he muttered and took Althea in his arms as she attempted to walk by him. "Whatever that old woman says, you look so very beautiful," he said and kissed her cheek.

"Promise me you won't bite her."

"I promise," he said, letting her go. "I might growl at her though."

Althea left her bedroom and hurriedly walked the hallway toward the steps. There, at the bottom of the steps were Gran--the annoyance at waiting apparent--and Afina, who was smiling at her. Althea smiled at Afina and rushed down the steps to greet her.

"I'm so very sorry," Althea said, as she hugged Afina. "I had a swim earlier and I was covered in sand."

Afina pulled away from Althea and inspected her. "I really love that dress on you," she said, her brown eyes continued to take in every detail of Althea. "I really, really do."

"Althea Rosemary."

Althea cringed as she looked at Gran. "Hello, Gran," she said and placed her palm on her abdomen to soothe away that uneasy pang that had developed in her stomach. "A good flight?"

"Yes, of course," she said, still standing quite rigid. "What one would expect from a broom, I suppose."

Althea smiled weakly. "Good, well, I'll charm your trunks upstairs, then--"

"No need, I'll charm them," Gran said, and tapped her wand against her trunk. "Afina will help me."

"Right," Althea breathed and rolled her eyes at Afina.

Afina winked. "You can charm mine, Auntie," she said and looked upstairs. She laughed. "Good God, what is that?"

"What?" Althea turned to see Sirius--transformed--bounding down the stairs toward the trio. "Bloody hell," she murmured.

"I had no idea that you had a dog," Afina said, kneeling to pet Sirius. "At least of all a dog this size."

Sirius barked happily and wagged his tail as Afina cooed and told him what a good dog he was.

"Afina, it'll go to his head," Althea said, unable to suppress a smile.

"Nonsense." With a concerned face, she looked up at Althea and asked, "You didn't name him one of those awful names, did you?"

"No, no," Althea said somewhat awkwardly--feeling her face flush. "I haven't named him yet."

"That is a hideous looking dog," Gran said at which Althea caught her breath.

Althea looked to Sirius who had stopped wagging his tale. Don't you dare bite her, she thought as he started to growl lowly. Sirius stepped between Gran and Althea and continued to growl--Althea placed her hand on his head to remind him of their promise, but she was sure Sirius had forgotten.

"I'm sorry," she said, stroking the top of his head. "He's very protective and loyal."

"More like deranged," Gran said, eyeing the dog warily. "Get him away from me."

"Right. Come on, then," she said to the dog, but he did not move. "Come on."

Reluctantly, Sirius turned toward the staircase and followed Althea into her childhood bedroom. He leapt onto her bed and transformed.

"I've already had enough of her," Sirius said and, with a flick of his wand, he closed the door.

"It will only be for a few days," she said as she levitated the trunk to the foot of the bed. "Thank you, for wearing a shirt and trousers."

Sirius shrugged. "It will take all of my strength not to transform and tell her what an awful old woman she is," he said and bit the inside of his cheek. "Hideous? Deranged? I'll show her what--"

"You will certainly not," she said and the trunk landed with a loud thud. "Please, for my sake, don't do anything."

"Only if you hold her to the same standard, that cold-hearted--"

"Sirius!" she warned, narrowing her eyes. "Don't you dare say or do anything to her. You are a dog and will remain a dog for the next few days, right?"

"Why must my Animagus shape be so damn convenient?"

"Because if it weren't, you couldn't spend your time with me while Gran and Afina are here," she said, slipping her wand into her skirt pocket.

"Auntie?" Afina yelled--her footsteps growing louder and closer to the door.

Althea gasped and frantically motioned for Sirius to transform. Sirius folded his arms and looked darkly at the door.

"Yes, Afina," Althea said loudly, and she prayed Afina did not recognize the anxiousness in her voice. "Do it, transform now," she whispered pleadingly.

Sirius sighed dejectedly and transformed.

Afina entered the room and flung herself onto the bed. "Will you be sleeping in my bed tonight?" she asked the dog as she scratched him behind his ears. "Will you?"

Althea narrowed her eyes at Sirius' wagging tail. "He'll sleep outside," she replied, and both Afina and Sirius turned to look at her. "I reckon Gran wouldn't want him in the house."

"Oh, don't be silly," Afina said, roughly rubbing Sirius' back. "We'll just lock Gran up in her bedroom while she's here."

Sirius barked happily.

Althea leaned against the bedpost. "I wish we could," she muttered and held out her hand for Sirius, but he was too occupied with Afina. "Had enough of Gran?" she asked, folding her arms.

"Oh God, yes," she answered, flinging herself back onto the bed. "At least she approves of Bacchus," she continued, staring up at the crisp white canopy. "Unlike the sort you brought home," she said impersonating Gran.

"Indeed, like Remus," she said and smiled as the impish smirk on Afina's face faded.

"I did not tell her," Afina said, her eyes widening. "She's a bloody Legilimens, I swear to you."

"Oh right," she said and winked.

Afina quickly sat up. "I swear to you, I didn't tell her that you shagged him. I said that you dated him and if she deduced from that, that you slept together," she said and folded her arms, "we'll, it's not my fault."

"According to her letter, it sounded as if Remus and I shagged atop the Head Table for all to see," she teased.

Afina gasped and pointed excitedly at Althea. "What's that?"

Althea stepped back and looked around her. "What?" she said, frowning slightly.

"Around your neck," she replied, leaning forward over Sirius to get a closer look.

Althea blushed furiously as she realized she wore the necklace Sirius gave her. She instinctively brought her hand to the necklace to shield it from Afina. Oh God, now the questions, she thought as Afina with eager curiosity looked upon the necklace. Afina batted Althea's hand away and Althea stood there embarrassingly exposed.

"At least a carat," she said, taking the necklace into her hands. Althea felt increasingly hot. "Who would buy my Auntie this sort of thing?" she wondered aloud and whistled as the diamond caught the sunlight. "Remus didn't buy you this--he's too poor. Leif didn't either. He doesn't have that good taste--in jewelry, Auntie."

Althea let out a shaky breath. "Then who bought it for me?"

"Obviously someone who can afford it," she answered, her eyes fixed on the stone. "You're hemorrhaging men now, aren't you?"

Althea quickly pulled away. "Hemorrhaging men?" she repeated and laughed awkwardly.

Afina reclined onto the bed and rested on her elbows. "It must be the third bloke this summer--"

"Well, when one goes from such a dry spell--"

"More like the bloody Sahara--"

"When one goes from such a dry spell," Althea said, talking over Afina, "it must seem that way."

"Who is he?"

"Actually, I'm not dating anyone," she said over Sirius' barking, and Afina frowned. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I bought this in town."

"A likely story. Oh, shut it, you silly dog!" she said and laughingly rubbed his back. "I have something for you, Auntie. Something you might be interested in."

"Oh yeah? What?"

"It's in my trunk," she said, standing.

Althea sat next to Sirius on the bed and watched as Afina opened her trunk.

"Are you sure it's in there?" Althea teased as Afina continued to mutter and throw her clothing about.

"Yes, I'm very sure," she said and made a noise of triumph. "Here," she said and handed it to Althea.

Althea looked to her hands and noticed it was a pink and lavender colored pamphlet with a smiling witch and baby on the cover. Oh Afina, really, she thought as she read the cover--The Salem Witches Health and Fertility Center. Althea cringed as she opened the pamphlet and looked upon the services offered. 'Offering new and innovative reproductive treatment options, our compassionate and caring staff'--they're always caring and compassionate, aren't they, she thought as she read about the staff ensuring comfort and privacy. 'Board certified Healers and Midwives'...oh look, a fellowship at Nonnatus--my credentials are humble compared to yours, Healer Fox, FASHA, FAAHW, FAMWA, and how could I forget, FAAHM. Good Lord, she's a Muggle physician as well.

"It's Bacchus' mum," Afina said as she stood. "It's her center."

Althea closed the pamphlet and held it in her lap. "I reckon you told her all about me, then?"

Afina nodded.

"Oh Afina," Althea sighed sadly. "I've tried everything--really I have. Healers, Midwives, Muggle physicians--all of them have told me the same: I can't have children."

"It was over five years ago--things change," she said and took the pamphlet from Althea's hands. She opened it to the fourth page. "Look," she said and pointed to the heading, "this center specializes in curses."

She handed the pamphlet back to Althea. Althea read the short description and frowned. Afina's insistence made her uncomfortable.

"I've read this before," she said and closed the pamphlet. "A new treatment, a new promise, and when I'm examined, I'm told what I've been told for almost thirteen years."

A crease developed between Afina's eyebrows. "I know, Auntie, but this works," she said as Althea stood from the bed. "She's treated witches from the war."

"The other places treated them as well," Althea said, tossing the pamphlet on the bed. "Fantastic results--a child within the first month of treatment."

"Auntie," Afina said, grabbing the pamphlet, "she's not like that."

"I'm sure she's not," Althea said and exited the bedroom.

Althea heard Afina's quick steps behind her and rolled her eyes in frustration. I don't want to discuss this anymore, she thought and glanced toward Sirius at her side. He hasn't lived through this. I don't want him to think that this would work--that there is some hope--and then when he realizes it won't....

"Auntie, please! Please, listen!" Afina begged as Althea continued down the hallway. "Just hear what I have to say, please?"

Althea turned to face Afina. "Right," she said and nodded for her to enter Althea's bedroom.

Afina smiled weakly.

Althea sat on her bed. "Say your bit and be done with it," she said and Sirius cuddled next to her.

Afina huffed and placed her hands on her hips. "My bit? My bit?" she said, and she started to pace back and forth at the foot of the bed. "Who took me in when I had no one? You did. Who never judged me--no matter how awful I could be? You. Who encouraged me to pursue fashion? Who has been at every show? You. Who would spend late nights in the cook's kitchen with me as I told her of my silly teenage problems? You. Did I spend the entire night with Gran and a large carton of ice cream after my first broken heart? No, I spent that night with you. Hell, you looked after me after my first hangover."

"You were sick all over Lady Applewood's seventeenth century Persian rug," Althea said, fighting an appreciative smile. "I had to cover for you."

Afina sat at the foot of the bed and looked thoughtfully at Althea. "You're great with children," she said and pushed the pamphlet forward. "You deserve to be a mother."

"Straight away?"

Afina shook her head. "Whenever you want to be," she said and reached out to pet Sirius. "It's horribly wrong someone took that from you. Talk with her--she's a remarkable woman. She won't lie to you, I swear."

Althea sighed and brought her knees to her chest. "I don't think I have the strength to hear it once more," she said and, out of the corner of her eye, saw that Gran had entered the room. She felt a strange sense of relief upon seeing that old woman. "Gran," she said and reclined against her bed.

Althea heard Gran step forward. "Althea Rosemary, we have some business to attend to tomorrow--"

"Brilliant," Althea interrupted and covered her face with her hands.

"They are matters that will require your immediate attention--"

"If they are about Northfield, sell it for all I care."

"We will certainly not sell Northfield. It is your ancestral home," Gran said and sat upon Althea's bed.

Althea lowered her hands. Oh Gran, if only you knew what Sirius and I had done an hour or so before your arrival--I highly doubt you'd want to sit on this bed, she thought with a wicked smile on her face.

"No, it's about Prudence's trust," Gran said with slight apprehension. Althea sat up onto her elbows. "Five million pounds isn't enough?" she remarked with amazement.

"It isn't the money," she said, her expression grim. "They don't want her to have it."

"What?" Althea said, fully straightening up.

Afina gasped and Sirius lifted his head.

"It's not their money, is it?" Althea said angrily. "It's my damn money and I will do with it what I please." She growled and slammed her fist against the mattress. "I started that trust--it was part of the agreement!"

"I know," Gran said. "They're afraid Prudence will not be ready--"

"She'll be twenty-five when she receives it! It's not like she'll be seventeen," Althea said, leaning against the headboard. She let out a little gasp when she realized what the Parkers truly meant. "They don't want to tell her about me."

"Precisely."

Althea let out a hollow laugh. "They want to pay for her schooling as well?"

Gran nodded.

"I don't believe this," Althea said and shook her head. "One year at Hogwarts and they're afraid--"

"Prudence isn't returning to Hogwarts."

Althea leaned forward--her eyes wide. "What? They can't do that!" she yelled and ran her fingers through her hair. She felt small tears starting at the corners of her eyes. "No, no, she's so happy there! What happened? Mrs. Parker--she sent a letter and it said that one day Prudence would know. She sent photographs!"

"I don't know what happened," Gran said, furrowing her brow. "We'll make it right. An agreement was made and they cannot forsake it now."

Althea looked ahead of her. "God, if I did anything," she said and wiped her eyes. Sirius rested his head in her lap and started to whimper.

"Auntie, I'm sure all will come right," Afina said and placed her hand on Althea's shoulder. "She sent photographs?"

Althea nodded. She crawled across her bed to her nightstand. She took the picture frame in her hands and looked upon the happy pair. Neither of us will stay at Hogwarts this year, she thought as Prudence smiled. It's not fair to keep you away. You're so happy there--I promise I will do everything to keep you there.

"Here," Althea said and presented Gran with the picture frame. "In my office."

Gran tightly held the picture frame. "I'll never forgive Dumbledore," she said. Althea thought she saw Gran's eyes glisten with tears. "He took such a beautiful girl away from us."

"I can't see, Gran," Afina said, peering over Gran's shoulder. Gran held the picture frame for Afina to see. "It's uncanny, isn't it?"

Gran nodded. "Very similar to Althea Rosemary at that age," she said, her fingers touching the glass. "How could anyone not see?"

"I kept my distance at Hogwarts--"

"But she found you," Gran interrupted, staring into Althea's eyes.

"Somewhat," Althea replied, uneasy. "When I was pregnant, I didn't tell too many people. Pregnant witches were targets. No one knew outside of our circle...McGonagall didn't know."

"As if she cared to know," Gran muttered, her eyes transfixed on the photograph.

Afina squinted at the photograph. "Who do you think Prudence looks like, Auntie?"

Althea reclaimed the picture frame from a reluctant Gran. "I see a mixture--some days I see more of myself and others I see...." She laughed quietly with surprise as Prudence with a slight smirk stood next to Althea. "George."

"George?" Afina said and grabbed the picture frame. She held the picture frame close to her face and wrinkled her nose. "It's the eyes," she said and handed the picture frame back to Althea.

Althea looked at the photograph once more. "No, it was her smirk--like George's portrait," she said and focused her attention on Prudence's eyes. "No, she has Sirius' eyes. I'm sure of it."

"Please, do not mention that foul boy's name," Gran said, her lips pale.

"He's her father," Althea said, stiffening. "He is an innocent man."

"You're not thinking of taking him back," Gran said, her eyes narrowed at Althea.

"Of course, not," Althea sighed.

I have taken him back, old woman, she thought as Gran sized up Althea's determination. Sirius rested his head and paws on her lap. He's here, in this very room, too.

Afina stretched and reclined against the bed. "I read that he's in Albania now," she said, propping her head upon her bent arm.

Althea grinned. "See, far away from Bermuda or England. He's too busy dodging the Ministry to search for me. He believes I'm dead and I'd like it to remain that way," she said, stroking the top of Sirius' head. "Do you really think he'd want to reunite with me? Imagine, learning that I let him rot in Azkaban."

"True," Afina said.

"Anyway, half the fun of dating Sirius was to annoy Gran," she said and looked down to Sirius. She scratched him behind the ears and fought the bubbling laughter inside her as Sirius happily wagged his tail. "I've moved beyond that stage now."