Harry was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her. He jumped to attention when he heard her foot falls.
"Harry? What are you doing here?" Madison was curious and a little worried.
"Sirius explained everything to me." Harry stared down at his feet, "Madison I'm really sorry, for everything I said and did I'm just really sorry. I was a right foul git to treat you the way I did."
Madison nodded accepting his apology, "You know in your place I might have done the same thing. But I appreciate the apology Harry." Harry was toying with the paper in his hand then unfolded it and held it out for her to see. The headlines read:
False Accusations Led to Innocent Mans Imprisonment
Sirius Black Innocent
A small thrill of joy swept through her, Madison let out a loud laugh and threw her arms around Harry. "He's free, he's finally free. Thank you Potter," she smiled and he handed the paper to him.
"I believe everyone in the whole wizarding world owes your father an apology, including me. You know, he's my godfather." Madison nodded and fell into step with him as they headed into the main part of the castle. "He asked if I would come live with you guys. He says he's thinking of a house in the country. Dumbledore said I have to return to the Dursley's for a month and a half first though then I'll come and join you. But first, is it alright with you, I mean, if I come live with you guys?"
Madison smiled brightly and threw her arm around his shoulders. "I would be honored Potter, you know, I've always wanted a baby brother and now we can be a real family. I'm going to see Lupin, I'll see you later Harry," Madison pulled away from him and gave him a bright smile before running up the stairs to the right.
The door to Lupin's classroom was open and she could hear her fathers and Lupin's voice from inside. She knocked on the door then poked her head into Lupin's office, several large trunks were open.
"Hi," she murmured weakly from the door. Lupin turned to look at her then looked away quickly, but she saw the devastated look on his face first. Sirius, who was leaning against an empty bookshelf, pulled away and went to give his daughter a hug.
"Hi dad, I got the great news from Dumbledore and Harry, he says he's coming to live with us. I can't wait." She wrapped her hands tightly around his. Then she looked over at Lupin out of the corner of her eye, "Hey, umm dad do you mind if I speak to Lupin alone for a moment."
Sirius nodded and leaned forward to plant an affectionate kiss on her forehead before walking out of the small office and into the classroom, closing the door behind him.
"How are you feeling?" Lupin asked with his back still to her. Madison closed the lid of a full trunk and perched on the end of it.
"I feel ok, a little sore in some places. Dad's a little rusty on his healing charms but other than the egg on the back of my head I'm fine." The silence was almost unbearable. "Listen, Lupin. I'm not mad at you and I'm not afraid of you. I understand why you didn't tell me about you being a werewolf but it makes sense once I look back at the time I've known you. It doesn't bother me and if I end up truning furry once a month then at least I know someone who's there for me to help me adjust." She shrugged her shoulders even though she knew he couldn't see her.
Lupin's back stiffened and he turned to face her, "Madison, I could have killed you. I could have killed all of you. I hurt you, I was stupid and I forgot and because of my carelessness you might now be a werewolf," his face was red with the rage he felt at himself. "I can never forgive myself for what I have done to you and I won't even ask for your forgiveness because I know I don't deserve it."
Tears pricked her eyes and tore at her chest at the tortured sound in his voice and before she knew it her arms were wrapped around him. "I love you uncle Lupin. You have helped me, loved me and cared for me more than anyone has done in my whole life. And I trust you. It's not your fault even though you think it is that you turn into a wolf and it's not your fault you forgot. You were worried and scared that something would happen to them and you risked everything to help them. If we had not caught Pettigrew they could have thrown you in prison too. Dumbledore doesn't think I'm going to go wolf but there is still a slim chance I might. I'm an animagus now, I think it's a wolf." She smirked and looked up at him. "So either way I'm a wolf and I don't mind one bit." Lupin smiled and nodded, his chin resting on the top of her head with his arms around her.
She heard him sniffle and moved her head to look into his face, "Is the big bad wolf crying?" she asked in mock horror.
"Shut up," Lupin pushed her laughing, "I can practically hear your father's impatience and I know he listened to every word you said. You're a good kid Maddy, thank you. You are also too much like your father for your own good," Lupin reached out and ruffled her hair much to her disgust.
The next day.
People kept staring at her, she had finished her good byes to her father and he left Hogwarts with promises to come pick her up at Kings Cross after school ended. He told her that the Tonk's were letting him stay with them until he found a suitable house for two teenagers who liked to fly. Madison decided to skip the end of year feast and at the same time avoided the Weasley twins. But in the end they found her at the top of the astronomy tower.
"It's been a wild year," George commented and sat down on her right. Madison was lying on her back staring up at deepening evening sky.
"I hope next year is quieter, it would be nice to have a normal year here."
"Normal, please Black, this is Hogwarts. There is nothing normal about this place. If you wanted normal you should have gone to muggle school," Fred laughed and stretched a finger out to tickle her side. The three of them laid there in peace staring up at the stars.
"Thanks for being my friends guys," Madison murmured, "Most people preferred to avoid me."
"Hey, what are friends for other than to irritate and annoy each other," Fred laughed.
The trip to Kings Cross Station was uneventful and quiet, Madison gave Harry a quick hug good bye before he headed outside to wait for his uncle. Then made her way through the crowd to her father who was standing waiting for her as he promised, free.
This was her fairy tale dream.
Check out Madions to Sister for the continuing story