"No." Rubi breathed out in horror, her head slowly inching into Harry's direction, just as every head in the Great Hall snapped towards him. There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Harry as he sat, frozen, in his seat.

Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly. Harry turned to Ron and Hermione.

"I didn't put my name in," Harry said blankly. "You know I didn't." Both of them stared just as blankly back.

At the top table, Professor Dumbledore had straightened up, nodding to Professor McGonagall.

"Harry Potter!" he called again. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

"Go on," Hermione whispered, giving Harry a slight push. Harry got to his feet, trod on the hem of his robes, and stumbled slightly. He set off up the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables.

He finally reached the Headmaster. "Well... through the door, Harry," said Dumbledore. He wasn't smiling.

Harry moved off along the teachers' table. Hagrid was seated right at the end. He did not wink at Harry, or wave, or give any of his usual signs of greeting. He looked completely astonished and stared at Harry as he passed like everyone else. Harry went through the door out of the Great Hall.

Fred watched as the door shut behind Harry and his eyes turned to the girl beside him, who was now staring at the same place he had been seconds before. Although her eyes weren't really seeing as her mind had wandered off, falling into a pothole of thoughts.

Fred gently placed a hand on Rubi's thigh making her jump and finally look away from the door and at Fred. She shook her head.

"This isn't right. Harry can't have. I..." She placed her elbows onto the table, gripping her head.

Fred rubbed a soothing hand up and down her thigh.

"It'll be alright." He whispered. "It'll be alright."

***

When Harry entered the common room later that night, he was wrenched inside the common room by about a dozen pairs of hands, and was facing the whole of Gryffindor House, all of whom were screaming, applauding, and whistling.

"You should've told us you'd entered!" bellowed George; he looked half annoyed, half deeply impressed.

"How did you do it without getting a beard? Brilliant!" roared Lee.

"I didn't," Harry said. "I don't know how-"

But Angelina had now swooped down upon the young Potter; "Oh if it couldn't be me, at least it's a Gryffindor-"

"You'll be able to pay back Diggory for that last Quidditch match, Harry!" shrieked Katie Bell. "We've got food, Harry, come and have some-"

"I'm not hungry, I had enough at the feast-" But nobody wanted to hear that he wasn't hungry; nobody wanted to hear that he hadn't put his name in the goblet; not one single person seemed to have noticed that he wasn't at all in the mood to celebrate...

Lee had unearthed a Gryffindor banner from somewhere, and he insisted on draping it around Harry like a cloak. Harry couldn't get away; whenever he tried to sidle over to the staircase up to the dormitories, the crowd around him closed ranks, forcing another butterbeer on him, stuffing crisps and peanuts into his hands... Everyone wanted to know how he had done it, how he had tricked Dumbledore's Age Line and managed to get his name into the goblet.

Rubi watched her cousin enter from by the fireplace only to be swarmed by fellow Gryffindors. Fred was sitting beside her, a comforting arm wrapped around her shoulders. He knew Rubi was tensed up after the incident in the Great Hall.

When no one seemed to let go of Harry, anger washed over her and she stood up, swiftly rushing to her cousin,

"HOW ABOUT YOU ALL LEAVE HIM ALONE?!" She bellowed, "HE'S TIRED AND NEEDS TO PROCESS WHAT JUST HAPPENED, SO SHOVE OFF YOU TOSSPOTS!" Rubi's words echoed around the tower. No one dared to make a peep after hearing the girl's sudden outburst.

Rubi turned back to Harry, who held an expression of gratitude.

"Thank you."

She nodded before grabbing his hand, and dragging him up to the fourth year boys dormitory.

Once they entered the dormitory, slamming the door behind them, Rubi immediately embraced Harry.

"Oh, Harry," She breathed out, "I'm sorry. What did they say? They can't possibly let you compete!"

"Unfortunately, I have to since it was a binding contract or something." Harry answered out hollowly.

"This is an outrage!" Rubi said in protest of the judges' decision, "I'm writing to mum, she'll figure something out.'

"But-"

Rubi had already rushed out of the room, leaving Harry alone with Ron who was watching the scene bitterly.

***

Fiona Black was outraged. Never had she expected the Headmaster to do something so foolish. How could they let her fourteen year old nephew participate in a dangerous tournament meant for seventeen year olds?

The letter from her daughter that she received in the middle of the night was not one she had expected to be the bearer of bad news. Throwing on a robe over her night clothes, she headed over to the fireplace.

Grabbing some powder, Fiona stepped into the fireplace and called out, "Lupin Cottage!"

Fiona stumbled out into the sitting room of her best friend, Remus Lupin's home. She was fuming.

"Remus!" She called out, "Remus!"

A sudden crashing sound erupted from afar, and a door on the other side of the house flung open. Remus came out, his hair messed up, a wand raised in his hand, and a look of panic on his face. When his green orbs fell upon Fiona, he lowered his wand.

"Fiona," He breathed out in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

"This!" She waved the letter around in her hand, "Look at this, Rem! How could they?"

Remus walked over and gently took the piece of parchment from Fiona's hand, his eyes reading the words etched onto the parchment. His eyes got bigger and bigger with each word, and they were the size of saucers when he looked up at Fiona again.

"How did Harry even get in?"

"I don't know!" She cried out. "I know he couldn't have entered his name but someone else clearly did. The question is, who?"

"Fiona," Remus tried in a calming tone, "Calm down, Dumbledore can't really-"

"Are you kidding me, Remus?" She cut him off, "Dumbledore is one of the judges. Rubina says that the decision was made the judges because the goblet of fire bound him to a magical contract. They can't seriously do this? Oh gosh." Fiona ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "I'm heading off to Hogwarts first thing in the morning. Harry will not be a part of this!"

"Fiona-"

However, the sound of a second door opening cut off the werewolf, who gulped as Fiona turned to peer over. Remus watched as the colour drained from her face.

Out stepped out a large, black, dog. His softly padded feet carried him a few steps closer to them. His pale eyes gleamed at the pair, eyes Fiona knew all too well.

No, no, no...

She looked at Remus, who nodded in confirmation. Fiona gasped, feeling a bit lightheaded all of a sudden and she stumbled right into Remus, who caught her, worry etched onto his face.

The dog stared at her with sad eyes.

"Fiona." Remus said softly, concern and sympathy lacing his voice.

"I... I'll owl you about what D-Dumbledore says."

And she escaped Remus' grip, her mind in a haze as she staggered over to the fireplace.

Fumbling, her hand shakily grabbed some of the powder and weakly called out, "Black Household!"

Remus watched as Fiona disappeared with the emerald flames. With a sigh, his eyes turned from the empty fireplace to the dog who had trotted to stand beside him. He watched as the dog transformed into a man, one of his best friends.

Sirius Black stood staring numbly at the fireplace, his eyes watery.

The sudden shouting had awakened him as he sat up in his bed, his ears straining to listen to what was happening outside of the room. When Sirius heard the familiar voice he had been yearning to hear for ages, he felt a certain sense of euphoria fill him. Oh, how he had missed her voice.

Sirius had rushed out of his bed but right as he went to open the door, he paused. Dread and nervousness had pooled in his stomach. Sirius knew his wife. She had been blinded by a lie all these years, and now that she suddenly knew her husband was innocent all along, Fiona was most likely wallowing in a pool of guilt.

He sighed. For her sake, he decided not to show her his face. He had transformed before opening the door, the action making all sound cease outside the room.

As he stepped out, he felt the breath leave his body. There stood the love of his life, just as he remembered. She was as beautiful as ever. He wanted to talk to her, to embrace her, to feel her again.

But Sirius felt his heart drop as Fiona's face went extremely pale, her eyes wide. Sirius saw her look at Remus before she told him something, and immediately left the cottage.

Remus watched his friend with pity in his eyes, before he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Sirius' eyes snapped from the fireplace to the man beside him.

"Moony, please take me to her." He said, now feeling impatient to explain himself to Fiona after he had glimpsed her. "I-I have to tell her everything. I need to see her- please, Remus."

Remus sighed, his heart aching for his two best friends.

"Pads, I can't. Where Fiona lives, it's specifically given and charmed by Dumbledore, only whoever Fiona wants is allowed to enter her home through the floo network. There are anti-apparition wards in place and it is protected by a Fidelius charm, Fiona herself is the Secret-Keeper." He sighed sadly. "I'm sure she probably won't let me enter there for a while too. She closes off when she's faced with the happenings related to that Hallowe'en."

Sirius sighed defeatedly. He hated himself so much for what he made the woman he loved so dearly go through. A tear rolled down his cheek. Sirius ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so stupid, James and Lily would be alive, Harry would have been raised by his parents, I would have gotten the chance to raise my own daughter and Fona wouldn't have had to suffer any pain, nor you Remus."

He was sobbing, a hand rubbing at his face furiously.

"It's all my fault. I left her that night, even when she told me not to go. I left her and it was the biggest mistake of my life, along with making Peter Secret Keeper." He gasped for air.

Remus' heart shattered into pieces. He hated seeing his friend so broken, knowing he had been stuck with that guilt all those years in Azkaban. Remus pulled Sirius into a hug, the two clinging onto each other as if for dear life.

"It's not your fault, Sirius. You were just trying to do the best for everyone, but how would we have known that Peter switched sides?"

Sirius cried harder, tightening his arms around Remus.

When the two calmed down, they pulled apart.

"I'm heading out tomorrow. I'm going to hide near Hogwarts and keep an eye out." Sirius declared with a finality. Remus didn't say anything but nodded.

"Come on, get some sleep before the morning." Remus beckoned Sirius to his room as he headed to his, the two wishing each other 'good night' before falling into an uneasy sleep.

***

Fiona Black was fuming.

The Headmaster wasn't being reasonable. True to her word, Fiona had flooed into the Headmaster's office, right at the crack of dawn. After bursting into a full speech, Dumbledore still would not agree on taking Harry out of the competition.

"I will not let Harry participate in this tournament and that is final!"

"Miss. Potter." Professor McGonagall said. "There's nothing we can do."

Fiona gritted her teeth, feeling a pang of sadness at being called by a name that hadn't been used in years, "It's Mrs. Black, Professor."

"My apologies, I forgot."

Dumbledore sighed, "Mrs. Black, Harry unfortunately can not be withdrawn-"

"No!" Fiona shouted in protest, "You listen to me Headmaster! I have huge respect for you, after all you helped me out in a very tight spot, but you will need to hear me out!"

She huffed, "You didn't let me see my nephew, let alone raise him! He had no clue that he had other family than those horrible muggles! I wasn't allowed to talk to him, or see him! Now that the truth is out before him, I am back in his life and will pursue my duty as his aunt and godmother! Under no circumstances, will I allow Harry to participate, he has already suffered enough in the past with Voldemort constantly on his tail!"

Dumbledore leaned forth in his seat, while glancing at McGonagall who watched the scene with concern.

"Unfortunately, Harry Potter has been bound by a magical contract. In other words, Mrs. Black, there is no turning back now. Harry will have to participate in the tournament."

"But-"

"Rest assured, Fiona, nothing will happen to him. The rules have been changed to ensure the safety of the champions. There is no need to be worried."

Fiona clenched her jaw but didn't say anything. Without another word, she nodded at the two professors as she stood up, and rushed out through the door.

McGonagall sighed before turning to look at Dumbledore who only nodded at her with twinkling eyes.

Meanwhile, Fiona was rushing through the corridors, although as her eyes absorbed in the more familiar atmosphere, her anger began to subside only to be replaced with nostalgia and sadness.

Oh how wonderful her time at Hogwarts had been.

She had made such an amazing group of friends who became her family. She had learned magic and the best of all, she had discovered love.

Fiona's eyes slightly watered.

Oh, how things have become.

Shaking her head to rid herself of those heart-wrenching thoughts, Fiona headed towards the Great Hall, in order to see if she could find her daughter and nephew.

Fiona took a quick peek in the Great Hall but realized Harry or Rubi weren't there. However, to her luck, she spotted a familiar face headed down the stairs with another boy whom she did not recognize. When they got close to her, Fiona said,

"George. Or is it Fred?"

The redhead looked up to find the source of the voice, and he did a double take when he found Fiona standing by him.

"Ah, Mrs. Black." George said, bowing with a grin playing on his lips, "How may I be of service?"

Fiona cracked a smile at the boy's antics.

"Do you know where Rubi is?"

"She's up in the Gryffindor common room, ma'am." George cheekily replied.

Fiona nodded, "Thank you, George."

George's grin only widened, "If you ever need any help, you know who to look for."

Fiona chuckled, "Of course, thanks. And hey," She said, turning her gaze to the boy beside George, who had been watching the scene with amusement, "I'm Fiona Black, Rubina's mother." She extended a hand.

"Hello, Mrs. Black, I'm Lee Jordan." The boy replied as he gently grasped the older woman's hand, and let it go with a soft shake.

Fiona clucked her tongue in recognition, "Ah, Lee Jordan. It's very nice to finally meet you in person, Rubi speaks highly of you."

Lee cracked a smile, "Aw, does she now?"

Fiona's beautiful smile only deepened with amusement, "She sure does. Now, I'll be off boys, have a good day you two."

"Have a good day, ma'am." George and Lee chorused as Fiona began gracefully ascending up the stairs.

Lee with a shit-eating grin, nudged George in the ribs, "Don't tell me you're crushing on her."

George shoved him, "Aw, a man can dream now, can't he?" He said in a posh voice.

Lee burst out laughing before the pair of friends went into the Great Hall for breakfast

***

Fiona was waiting outside the portrait of the Fat Lady, the latter having brightened upon seeing the familiar face.

"Ah, Potter, how are you m'dear?"

Fiona flashed her teeth at the lady in the portrait, "I'm fine. How are you?"

"Good, good, dear."

Just at that moment, the portrait was pushed open and outside stepped a boy with messy hair and emerald green eyes. Fiona's face melted into concern and love.

"Harry."

The said boy looked around, as he had been staring at the ground, lost in his own thoughts.

"Aunt Fiona!" He said with surprise but euphoria filling him as well, "What are you doing here?"

"Huh, that's a nice way to greet your aunt, straight into the questioning but no hello or hugs."

Harry's cheeks flushed pink at that but he nonetheless rushed forth and into his aunt's arms. Fiona gently embraced him, stroking his hair. Harry felt glad to see an adult figure who felt like a parent to him, as he was still trying to process the announcement of being in the tournament from the day before. He was exhausted.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" Fiona asked as the two pulled apart.

"Horrible." He mumbled out.

Fiona sighed, "I came to convince the headmaster to withdraw you, but apparently there is nothing anyone can do. I left the office raging like a beast." She laughed gently, trying to uplift her nephew's mood slightly.

He pulled an expression of something between a smile and a grimace.

"Hey, can you go and fetch Rubi? I'd like to quickly talk to her, too."

Harry nodded but as he made a move, the portrait swung open and two loud voices carried out.

"You and your beard! Ha! You're old, Weasley!"

"What?! I don't even have it anymore. You wound me, love-"

Out walked Rubina Black and Fred Weasley, the former laughing at the redhead who was scowling but internally enjoying the expression on the girl's face.

The two froze when their eyes landed on Fiona and Harry, the young Potter looking sheepish while Fiona Black something along the lines of a teasing smirk planted on her face.

"Mum!" Rubi said out of surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Fiona let out a humorous laugh, "You and Harry definitely do share similarities. A James Potter thing." She commented, making Harry look down at his shoes as he fought a grin.

"What?"

"Nevermind that," Fiona waved a hand, "Fred, how have you been?"

Fred slightly jumped at being addressed but composed himself before raising a hand to shake with the woman, "I'm good, Mrs. Black. How are you?"

"Mrs. Black?!"

The group of four jumped and turned to look at the lady in the portrait who was now staring at the blonde haired woman with wide eyes.

"Y-you married Sirius Black?!"

Fiona waved around her hands, "Shush, shush, please don't go yelling this out to everyone." Fiona sighed, "Yes, I did eventually marry him."

The Fat Lady gave her a sympathetic smile, "Oh you poor girl. I remember how well the two of you suited one another, it's a shame what happened to Black in the end." She said, shaking her head sadly.

Fiona sadly smiled, "It truly was wonderful, I loved him so much. I-I just wasn't expecting almost everyone I ever held dear to leave me so fast."

The Fat Lady sighed, "I am sorry to hear that, but be well rest assured, your secret is safe with me."

Fiona smiled in gratitude, "Thank you." 

Hello!

So? How was it?! 

I very much loved this chapter, more due to the part where Fiona and Sirius get to see each other after years, even if not properly as Sirius was in his animagus form but it's a start! Chapter 48 is another favorite of mine! ;) (Also someone tell me if you're ever actually able to see the gifs all the way up at the top)

I really liked writing this chapter! I need more couples' moments, haha! ;) 

Have a good day and take care of yourselves! See you in the next one! <33 

Love, 

Serina <33