Learning of Worlds-Private

[HopesWings]

--Timeskip---

Two weeks had passed since Ellie had arrived at the castle. She had quickly adapted to Hogwarts, and she had become a favorite among students and teachers. She still shared her room with Snape, something everyone had agreed to without saying so. She would share breakfast with him before going to McGonagal. McGonagal would give her lessons on various things before sending her back to Snape for lunch. After she finished whatever homework McGonagall had given her, Snape would allow her to roam the castle at her will. Ellie would often spend a class period with each teacher, watching their lessons and learning. She would return to Snape's side just before supper and sit beside him at the staff table during the meal. They would then both retire for the night to Snape's room.

Whatever Dumbledore had wished to discuss with Severus, he had been unable to. Between Black still being on the loose, and spotted near the castle, and the dementors terrorizing everyone, he had not had time to.  Snape was pondering on this thought as he had been patrolling the castle grounds and spotted Lupin entering the secret tunnel under the Whomping Willow. Knowing he was up to something, he had followed, unaware that he too was being followed.

Upon reaching the Shrieking Shake, Snape had hidden himself in the hallway, listening for a minute. Three men, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew, to his shock, it sounded like, were arguing loudly. He could also hear Potter, Granger, and Weasley, the three trouble-makers, shouting from time to time. Black was demanding to know of Pettigrew were "she" was. Pettigrew was swearing he did not know, and Lupin was doing his best to keep Black from killing him. Growing annoyed, Snape revealed himself. Everyone had frozen, but then Black had stepped towards him.

"Severus Snape, always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong,"he growled. Snape had raised his wand, prepared to cast a spell, when-

"Severus, what are you doing? What's going on?"Ellie cried behind him. He glanced back to see her emerging from the shadows, showing herself to everyone else as well.

"No, it can't be!"Black cried, dropping to his knees. He was staring at Ellie. Ellie slowly looked at him, frightful.

"D-don't be scared. I'm,"Siris paused, glancing briefly at Snape before looking back at her. "I'm your father. I'm Siris Black." He reached out one hand to grasp Ellie's shoulder, but she shied away from him and closer to Snape. She gripped his cloak.

"How? And what happened to my mother?"Ellie demanded, her voice shaking.

"Siris-"Lupin began. He was glancing between Snape, Siris, and Pettigrew. His wand was pointed at the latter of the three, keeping him trapped in a corner. The children were across the room, staring at everyone.

"No Remus. She needs to know,"Siris cut him off. He took a deep breath and looked deep into Ellie's eyes, his own filled with honesty. He nor Lupin knew if Snape already knew the truth. Siris did not care; Lupin feared Snape's reaction.

"Lily Eileen, your mother and I married in secret after I had already agreed to pretend to be the Potter's (I forget what it's called//the only one who could tell where they were). We had loved each other for a long time before then, but both of us were afraid to reveal it to anyone else. No one but a few knew of it. Those people were Lily Potter, James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. Somehow though, the Death Eaters received word of our marriage and they went after Sage, your mother, to get to me. She was pregnant with you at the time."Siris paused and closed his eyes as he began to cry. "Sage went into hiding to protect you. After the Potter's were killed, I could never find her. The home where she had been staying had been attacked. I knew the only person who might know where she was, where you were, was Peter Pettigew, the man who had betrayed us. I went after him, and in the process he framed me as the Potters' killer. I was locked away, and no one would believe me."

Lupin rested his gaze on Ellie. The child was shaking, shocked and scared. "It's true, Ellie,"he said gently. "I too thought, like everyone else, that it was Siris who had betrayed the Potters and thus you. I thought both you and your mother were dead."

Siris turned around. "But he knows where she is!"he snarled, pointing a finger at Pettigrew.

"I don't! I wasn't involved with hunting her!"the wimp of a man cried. Siris made to attack him, but Lupin blocked his path. He nodded to Ellie. Siris turned to face her. She was crying. As Siris once more made to comfort her, not in the least bit concerned about Snape, she shied away from him again. She clung to Snape, trusting only him in that moment. Siris looked defeated and broken.