chapter two ; the return of onyx
1994.

TEMPEST THATCHER KNEW THE CORRIDORS OF HOGWARTS LIKE THE BACK OF HER HAND. Though it had been seventeen years since she had roamed the halls, everything looked the same -- as if no one had bothered to touch it in a long time. From the tall, sand-coloured walls to the elegant architecture she had adored in her first year, there was nothing that seemed out of place.

It was disappointing how easily she managed to slip into the castle, though no one suspected a former student in the form of a black cat to be sneaking in. Most children at the school were only familiar with one Animagus -- Professor McGonagall. But, seeing as she was unregistered, there were only three people who knew what she could do -- two of which were dead. But, even at the lack of attention she received, she still kept to the dimly lit walls. Part of her wasn't surprised, as there was no denying the staff and students focus was on keeping an eye out for Sirius Black.

Sirius Black. A name that made her shiver when she spoke it. A name that she once said in a joking, loving tone. The two words once rolled off her tongue, a title she previously had no shame in caring for, as it belonged to a man she loved with all her heart. But now saying it made her feel sick.

A group of students rushed past, chattering quietly about being out after hours, so Tempest curled further into the dark. Her dark fur disappeared in the shadows, her bright yellow eyes the only tell that she was lurking around. Her footsteps were silent as she crawled in the direction of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, dreading the few flights of stairs she'd have to climb.

"Whose cat is that? Look at the scar on its face, the poor thing," Tempest heard someone ask from the top of the stairs, and the woman looked up, seeing two prefects staring down at her with gazes of adoration. Tempest hesitated as she approached them, before meowing softly and letting them pat her on the head to sell the act. The interaction put a damper on her journey, holding her back another five minutes, but soon enough the six years let her carry on. She scampered towards the Dark Arts classroom, completely alone in the empty hallway.

Pushing her paw softly on the wooden door, she was irritated to find it locked. She looked both ways before holding her breath, quickly feeling her body change shape and grow drastically. In the place of the Bombay cat was a tall woman dressed from head to toe in black. Her dark hair hung right at her shoulders, but her defining feature was the pinkish scar that curved from above her left eyebrow to just below her bottom lip.

Tempest reached down to her boot and pulled out her wand, a gorgeous object made of Roman wood with a Dragon heartstring core, comfortable in her hand and surprisingly swishy in flexibility. She pointed the tip at the door and muttered a few words under her breath. "Alohomora."

The door clicked, signalling that it had been unlocked, and the woman standing before it put her wand away and twisted the handle so it opened a crack, before shrinking back into a black cat. She crept in and softly shut the door again with her head, before galloping through the rows of desks to the open office door at the end of the room. She was relieved to have finally made it, and looked around to see the belongings of Remus Lupin -- her best friend.

Something of a sigh left her as she spotted Remus' coat draped over his chair, and she trotted over, jumping up and pulling it down with her claw. She then curled up on the soft, ragged material, her fatigue catching up to her after the long, gruelling journey she had endured.

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"You always were good at sneaking into places," a soft, amused voice woke Tempest with a start. Her head shot up and her wide eyes searched the room, only to see a tall, smiling man on the other side of the desk. Remus Lupin.

Seeing the door was shut behind him, Tempest didn't hesitate in jumping down from the seat, quickly transforming back into her natural state. Her dark eyes were brimmed with tears as she approached her friend, both of them meeting in the middle. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in a close embrace. He accepted it gratefully, thankful to finally be reunited with the woman, as he had grown increasingly lonely over the long time they had been apart, seeing as she was one of the only friends he had left. "Remus!"

"Good morning, Tempest," the professor chuckled, holding her tightly as if she'd leave him. "I'm so glad you came."

"I couldn't leave you to figure this out alone," Tempest assured him, before pulling away and staring at him, smiling widely. It was a strange look on her -- on both of them, as neither had really felt so elated since they were young adults. It was so much easier to laugh back then, back when their hearts were full of love and determination -- but now they were lonely and pained thirty-three year olds who found joy in getting new socks or a Christmas bonus. They were both clearly ageing, Remus more visibly so. His hair looked to be thinning already and the three claw scars across his face didn't make him look any younger; but still, he still held the same charm about him that she knew from their school days. 

"Have you informed Dumbledore of your arrival?" Remus asked as he passed Tempest a cold piece of toast. She shook her head as she bit into the food, savouring it thankfully. She hadn't eaten for almost a day and a half, and she was starved, which was why she ate her toast slowly. "You must tell him you've come, or he'll still be waiting. I thought you were meeting him upon your coming."

"I thought I'd sleep first," the woman shrugged, swallowing her last mouthful. She clapped her hands together to rid of crumbs, before marching towards the door. "I'll go and speak with him now, if that's alright."

"No, that is not alright!" Remus quickly turned and grabbed her by the arm as her fingers brushed the door handle. She glanced back at him with a confused expression. Remus sighed, leaning forward a little and lowering his voice, despite no one else being in the room. "No one but Dumbledore and McGonagall know you're coming. If the students or even other members of the staff find out, what happens when Sirius tries to break in again? What if he hears something and goes after you?"

Sirius. The way Remus spoke the name so freely made a shiver run down her spine. Tempest paused, averting her eyes and focusing on the ground. She pulled away from Remus and ran a hand through her hair. Pursing her lips, she nodded once, before transforming back into a cat. Remus smiled appreciatively, before bending down and picking her up in his arms, opening the door and marching down the stairs. 

Seeing as it was so early in the morning, it was easier for the friends to make their way across the grounds, as all the students and staff were still at breakfast. Remus still remained wary, though it wasn't out of the ordinary seeing as he was a naturally uneasy person. He walked hastily, though still looked around corners for the likes of rogue students and questioning teachers. But, it wasn't long until they reached the large eagle, it being the entrance to Headmaster Dumbledore's office. 

"Sherbert Lemon," Remus said clearly, placing Tempest on her feet as they entered. As the Eagle began turning, Tempest changed back, blinking a few times as her sight got a little worse in her human form. Her friend chuckled softly from next to her, shaking his head. "It's always amazed me how you're able to do that."

Tempest only smirked in response. 

The two friends approached the second door to Dumbledore's office, and Remus knocked twice, before they heard a 'come in!' from the other side. Once they entered, the sight of the bearded headmaster was one of relief and joy, as he had done so much for the pair who proceeded towards him. He looked up from where he sat at his desk, studying a roll of parchment with the large, scrawled word BUCKBEAK at the top. He dropped it at the sight of Tempest, a smile falling on his old face. "Ah, Miss Thatcher, how lovely it is to see you again!"

"Hello, Professor Dumbledore," Tempest greeted him politely, stepping forward while Remus hung back. "Thank you for allowing me to stay here while we search for...."

"Of course!" the eccentric elder exclaimed, walking around his desk and taking her hands in his. "I understand how this affects you, seeing as you and Sirius Black were en-"

"I think what Tempest hopes to do is ensure the safety of her niece, Mr Potter and the rest of the students here," Remus interrupted Dumbledore without hesitation, though he shrunk back at the realisation of what he had done. Tempest faltered slightly at the words of the headmaster, who squeezed her hands apologetically. 

"I'm awfully sorry, my dear," he sighed, and Tempest smiled a little, quick to forgive him. Dumbledore then stepped away and sorted through a pile of notes, before humming softly. "We must figure out your living arrangements for however long you plan to stay. There is a spare living chambers near Minerva's office, so then you are close to her and can spend time working out where Siri-- Black is. Feel free to roam the castle for your research, but since you have had a past relationship with the offender, please ensure that someone accompanies you if you leave the grounds."

"But what if word gets out that she's here?" Remus asked instantly, his voice laced with the concern he held for his friend. Tempest remembered what he had said in warning only ten minutes earlier. "What if he breaks in again to hurt her?"

"If you don't mind me saying, I don't believe he would ever intentionally harm Miss Thatcher," Dumbledore said softly, his eyes holding their usual twinkle. "From what I remember, he was intensely protective over her during your time at school, and I could see that he loved her more than life itself."

"He loved James and Lily too!" Tempest piped up, not being able to resist the tears that threatened to well up in her eyes. She swallowed and clenched her jaw tightly, holding in a wounded scoff. "But he betrayed them. He's a monster, Professor Dumbledore. I loved him with all my heart, but I don't even know if it was real, if he was taunting me in the same way he did with the Potters. Even now, twelve years after they're gone, I'm still known as the traitor's fiancée, the woman whose parents and brother died for the cause, only for her to blindly support the man who would bring terror and hate into both the wizarding and muggle worlds. I don't want to be that woman anymore. It was my past and is my present, but it won't be my future."

Dumbledore and Remus fell silent. Tempest held her hand up to her face, trying to hide the tears, hurt and anger in her face. She thought she was over this, that she had recovered, but there was no moving on from the horrible events that had occurred in her life. Remus stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, and she inhaled sharply, composing herself and clearing her throat. 

"I'll take the extra chambers, if you don't mind, sir," she requested, and Dumbledore nodded, an understanding smile on his face. "During school hours I'll research and figure out how he entered the grounds, and make sure to take extra care in protecting the students. I didn't bring any extra clothing, so I'll go down to Hogsmeade this afternoon and find a more suitable attire."

"I praise your attention to detail," Dumbledore noted as he handed over the key to Tempest's living quarters. "Remus, would you accompany Miss Thatcher to Hogsmeade after classes this afternoon?" 

Remus smiled as he nodded, though Tempest could see how he shifted nervously on his feet. "Of course, Professor."

Dumbledore clapped his hands together eagerly. "Though the circumstances aren't ideal, welcome back to Hogwarts, Miss Thatcher!"

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alRIGHT!! so what i plan to do is switch from the past to the present each chapter because to me, it makes more sense, seeing as it's her reflecting on her time at hogwarts while being plagued with the serious sirius situation (hahaha) in the present 

tell me what you thought of the chapter!! i had a few different versions of it but this was what i was happiest with so heEeERE we are!! hope you enjoyed lol