Part 1 - Chapter 8: Endings

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The school year slowly came to a close. The students had extreme exam stress and so had the teachers. I had tons of rune translations to mark and while it was the distraction I needed, it was also one of the most frustrating jobs – I felt as though some of the students hadn't learned anything all year. Which might be true, because I had neglected my duties more than once.

I remembered being in fifth year, entering Professor Flitwick's office because he wanted to talk about my future. He asked me what I wanted to do after graduating and I hesitated to answer. I knew back then that I loved runes and language, but my dad had always told me to work for the Ministry and get into a powerful position. So, I had hesitated to pursue a career in this field.

"It is your decision, Alia," said Professor Flitwick. "Not your dad's. I have noticed your extraordinary talent with runes. I am sure there are plenty of jobs as a translator, especially for the Ministry. Maybe that is a compromise to suit you and your father. But you still have time, of course. I'm sure you will excel in all classes and have the freedom to choose."

Back then I knew he was right. I wanted to work with runes and books and texts. And I did it right after school, besides Order duties. I just started taking translating jobs, although Sirius said I didn't have to. Most of my family died during the war, later, and I inherited a lot of money just like him. I remember receiving the news of my mum's and dad's death... a few days before James and Lily died. Sometimes I still wondered who I would have become if it wasn't for my dad. In the end, I forgave him. And then donated most of his money except for the bit I needed to buy my flat in London.

"Oh, bloody translations," I exclaimed when I entered Remus's office later that day.

He was sitting behind a stack of papers as well. "I know what you're talking about."

"How did Harry do today? Practical exam, right?" I asked.

Remus smiled. "He has a remarkable talent for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

I sat down and Remus offered me a cup of tea which I gladly took. He asked me how I was, the obvious answer followed, and then he put the papers aside. I knew he wanted to distract me, Remus was good at that.

"What are you going to do during the holidays?" he asked, and I almost smiled at this trivial question. "I thought, maybe we could start spending more time together again."

I remembered my plans of ignoring the world for the upcoming weeks but discarded them. Spending time with Remus might be exactly what I needed. "Sounds perfect. I really just want to get away from all of this..."

"We can do that," he agreed with a smile. "I wouldn't mind a vacation either."

Only later did I realize that maybe he had just proposed this to keep an eye on me. We didn't know what would actually happen instead.

* * *

I knew Sirius was right. I needed to break free from the power my father had over me. And the easiest way was to stop caring what he thought about my grades. Instead, I studied in my own pace, took breaks to spend time with my friends and started enjoying some time off on weekends. And I met Sirius whenever I could. Weirdly enough, I started to get better in classes as well and my concentration was back. I hadn't even realized how draining it had been to care so much about someone else's opinion. Breaking free made me feel like a whole new person.

Maybe I was indeed for Sirius was contagious. He made me do things I wouldn't have done without him. Almost every night on the weekends, we would sneak out of our Common Rooms. I had done that with him before... but not this late and not until almost morning. We'd meet in a somewhat safe room far away from the teachers. Sirius knew some spells to ensure we wouldn't get caught so easily. I wasn't surprised he was an expert in this area.

At first, we would spend most of the time talking and Sirius had a lot of stories to tell, mostly about pranks he and the boys had performed. I didn't have much to say, but I told him about my muggle family and how life abroad was. Sirius was a good listener, too. Whatever I said to him, I felt like he took it seriously and that was a new, very pleasant experience for me. I felt my confidence grow with every second and he seemed to like that.

One night, as we sat there with our backs against the wall, Sirius suddenly jumped up. "I want to show you something, Ally."

He put out his hand for me to take and pulled me to my feet. "Nothing dangerous I hope?"

"No, well, not really. Listen, this is a secret and I trust that you won't tell anyone..." He looked me dead in the eye.

"I don't like where this is going..." I mumbled. "But of course, I'll keep it to myself."

Then, in what was the blink of an eye, it wasn't Sirius standing in front of me, but a big, black and shaggy dog. I was startled but not for long. I knew what he had done. Fascinated, I almost forgot it was Sirius and started patting the dog's head. He nuzzled his face against my palm and I couldn't help the smile on my face. He was soft and perfect.

When Sirius transformed back, I still had my hand on his cheeks and I didn't pull it away for his skin was even softer than the fur.

"You're... you're an Animagus?" I asked in a whisper.

Sirius nodded. "Yes. James and Peter, too. We learned it for Remus to keep him company during full moon nights... I just wanted you to know."

"And you're a dog," I said with a smile, imagining him running around with the boys as a group of animals. They were good friends. Remus deserved it.

Sirius smiled shyly. "Yes, that's Padfoot."

"Wow, this is... this is advanced magic. Barely anyone can do that..." I mumbled, still staring into his face that had been furry just a minute ago.

The whole atmosphere shifted then. Sirius came closer to me, now with a more determined expression. "Alia?"

"Hm?" My heart started to beat really fast at his proximity and I didn't dare say anything more than this. My hand still rested on his cheek and I gently ran my thumb over his skin.

But Sirius didn't answer with words anyway. Instead, he carefully pressed his lips to mine. He held me close and we just kissed for a few seconds before Sirius broke away to look me in the eyes. I was sure I was blushing, but I didn't care, I could only smile and so did he.

Never before had anyone kissed me. But it was everything I had always imagined.

"I like you, Alia," he then said. "I like you a lot."

I broke into grin. "I like you, too, Padfoot."

From then on, our meetings didn't consist of just talking anymore.

* * *

On the last day of exam period, I was just walking to Remus's office when I met Harry, Ron and Hermione in the hallway. The sadness and worry in their eyes made me stop and ask what had happened.

"Buckbeak is to be executed at sundown..." explained Hermione. So, Hagrid apparently lost the trial.

I had heard of the incident at the beginning of the school year. A Hippogriff had attacked a student in Hagrid's Care of Magical Ceatures class. Draco Malfoy, I remembered. I had only superficially observed the happenings, but I hadn't expected the Ministry to act as harshly as to kill a creature for following its instincts. But then again, I didn't trust the Ministry to act just anyway.

"I'm sorry," I said. "Is there nothing we can do?"

Harry shrugged. "It seems as though the decision is final."

"It's so unfair," said Hermione.

"Malfoy is a bloody b..."

"Ron," I interrupted, and he turned red, suppressing his anger. "I'm sorry for Hagrid and you. But you should know that justice doesn't always win, not if we don't make sure it does. I do hope you find a way to save your friend. But sometimes life is unfair, you of all people should know that."

They looked at me with sad faces and then went on their way. I did feel sorry for them, but I knew that Lucius Malfoy had far more power than I or most other people so giving them false hopes seemed pointless. This wasn't about Buckbeak, it was about far more than that.

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