AAAAHH! So this is it. We have reached the end of A Father. Make sure to check out the continuation of this, set during Goblet of Fire, which will be titled A Threat.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed this story! Please let me know what you think of the end, and stay tuned in for the next story, which should be up later this week :)

Disclaimer: For the last time, I own nothing here.

As the school year comes to a close, Harry and I seem to be the only ones who aren't excited. Harry's going back to the Dursleys. I'm going back to a strange house, with Mum and Mum only. We won't even have Uncle Remus' visits to keep us comfort, since it seems that he doesn't have clearance yet for information on the safe house we'll be stuck in.

A letter from Mum comes in the day after Uncle Remus leaves.

Dear Lizzie,

I wrote this as soon as I heard, but since I've been stationed in Japan it may take a while for this to get to you. The Minister of Magic sent me a report on what happened, and Dumbledore sent me a letter on what really happened. Are you alright? How's your head? Is Harry alright?

Dumbledore also told me about what Harry and his friends did to save Sirius. I hope he's alright. Has he contacted you? I hope he does so before the end of term. Otherwise, we won't be able to write back. Fudge told me about sending us to a safe house. Dumbledore is going to try to push back the date for us to move in, so that we can have a chance to see him at home before we have to leave.

Write back soon.

Love,
Mum.

Our exam results come out on the last day of term. I passed every subject, and despite Snape's growing hatred for me, I managed an Exceed Expectations in Potions. I know I deserved an Outstanding, but I shouldn't push it. I'm lucky to have passed.

As we board the train the next morning, I can't help but looking up to the skies in hopes of getting a letter.

"Lizzie, the others are already on the train," says Fred. George has been going out of his way to keep the others separated from me, so that I can mourn the second loss of my father alone, away from curious eyes.

"Sorry," I say, turning toward the train, "I was just hoping for an owl. If he doesn't write soon, we won't be able to write back."

"How long until they move you to the safe house?" asks Fred.

"Dumbledore has insisted on picking the Aurors in charge of watching us, so he's managed to give us a week until we have to move. He thinks they'll probably start watching us within three or four days, though."

"Well, if you ever need to send him an owl, you can send it from our house. Nobody will be watching you there."

"Thanks."

When we enter the compartment, Lee is talking excitedly about the Quidditch World Cup this summer.

"Ireland will win, for sure."

"No way!" Katie says as I take a seat beside her, "Bulgaria's Seeker is the best in the world."

"One good player doesn't make a team, Katie," argues George.

We spend a good hour arguing over the results of the Cup. Alicia comes by a few minutes later to tell Angelina that Kevin Summers from Hufflepuff has been looking for her. Angelina squeals a bit uncharacteristically and drags Katie away with her.

"What does Kevin Summers have?" asks George, sounding bitter and clearly trying to hide his jealousy.

"More than five OWLs?" I offer, peeking out from the copy of The Quibbler I accepted from a blonde Ravenclaw.

"If you weren't a girl and I wasn't terrified of you, I would be making a very rude hand gesture at you," George scowls.

"Oh, now I'm scared," I laugh, "Honestly, George. Everybody can see you're in love with her."

"I am not—"

"You are," Fred cuts him off, "Now shut up and listen."

"Thank you, Fred," I smile in his direction, "Look, George. All you have to do is tell her. If you tell her right now, I guarantee that she will never take another look at Kevin Summers from Hufflepuff again. She's been waiting ages for you to say something!"

"Really?" asks George, his eyes going wide. This time it's Lee who answers.

"Yes, you git. How thick are you? She's been weak in the knees over you since you were twelve!"

"Well right now she's weak in the knees over Summers," he says sourly, leaning back in his seat.

"Which is why you are going to go find her and tell her how you feel right now!" says Fred, pushing his brother up, "I don't think I'd be able to stand you moping about all summer if you don't."

"And while you're at it," I stand up and grab Lee by the elbow, "You are going to go talk to Katie."

"Katie?" Lee asks, pretending to be shocked.

"Drop the act, Jordan. We all know you're in love with her!" says George, "If I have to do this, so do you."

It takes another five minutes, but we finally get them to leave. I turn back to the magazine, and Fred goes back to poking at some strange object that looks like a bell with feet.

"What's that?" Fred asks suddenly, pointing out the compartment window.

My heart flies and I grin widely as I stand to let in the small, light feathered owl carrying a large envelope. The owl zooms in and lands on the seat beside my discarded magazine.

"It's from my dad," I say in a low voice, recognizing the handwriting immediately from old letters that Mum kept over the years.

"Can I see?" asks Fred. I nod, and he crosses the compartment to read over my shoulder.

Dear Lizzie,

As I figure you and your mother, and perhaps even Remus, will be under heavy surveillance for a while, I thought it best for you to get this letter while you were still on the train.

I imagine Harry must have told you everything that happened after you were knocked out. Are you alright? Hermione said you had a concussion.

Buckbeak and I are in hiding. I won't say where, in case this letter goes astray. I believe the dementors are still searching for me, but they won't find me here. I plan on allowing some muggles to glimpse me soon, far from Hogwarts, so that the security on the castle will be lifted.

I wish that I could have had more time with you, Lizzie. The moment I saw you, I knew who you were, even before Remus said your name. How could I not? How many times had I not seen your mother disarm somebody? How could I mistake that flash of fire in your eyes? When I left you were my baby girl. And the other night I came face to face with a remarkable young woman. I am so proud to call you my daughter. I hope that someday you can be just as proud to call me your father.

I wipe at my eyes quite obviously, not caring if Fred sees me cry.

In the chaos of that night, I never got around to asking about my anonymous gift on Christmas. I hope I didn't scare you. It was a bit of a spur of the moment decision to have Crookshanks order it, because I knew that if you didn't recognize what it was, Remus would. I hope you didn't throw it out, and if you did, don't feel bad about it. I understand completely.

It's getting dark now, and I still need to write a letter to Harry. Please tell your mother that I'm sorry I couldn't go back to her. And tell Remus to stop beating himself up about chasing you or I will find him and beat him up myself. Say hello to your friend (or is he your boyfriend?) Fred for me, since I'm sure you've already told him the truth.

Don't get into trouble (translation: don't get caught), take care of your head because the concussion is still fresh even if Pomphrey did heal it, eat your vegetables, and do all that other stuff that I'm supposed to tell you to do.

I love you, my Rose. You are beautiful and strong and perfect. Never forget that.

Love,
Da Sirius.

"Your boyfriend, eh?" Fred smirks, to which I answer with a smack over the head.

"I need to write him before the others come back," I answer, fumbling in my trunk for a quill, ink, and parchment. As I have already used up most of my supplies, I end up writing half the letter in emerald green and the other half in hot pink. Before I fold it up and send it off with the small owl, I give it a final read.

Dear Dad,

You were right in thinking that we'll be under surveillance. The Ministry is building a team of Aurors whose sole purpose will be to track and find you. Dumbledore is getting closely involved with choosing them. I think he's dragging out the process to give you more time and looking for Aurors who he might convince of the truth some day. Dumbledore managed to keep them off Uncle Remus' tail by convincing everybody that he was trying to save me from you.

As for Mum and I, we're being moved to a safe house in a week. Dumbledore has been able to spare us three or four days before they start watching us and overseeing our moving process. That means we have about three days in which we can keep in contact with you. After that, you can't send us any letters and we won't be able to so much as mention you.

My concussion is fully healed. Except for the occasional headache when I spin around in circles, it's as if nothing happened. I've been trying to convince Uncle Remus that nothing happened, but you know how he is. I'll make sure to send along your message. Harry and Hermione told me everything. It was extremely lucky that Hermione had a Time Turner. The security on the castle has already been lifted, though, so don't bother with being spotted. Just keep hiding, and don't let any muggles see you as anything but a loveable stray.

I also wish we had more time. I wish that Harry and I were on this train heading to the same home, to both you and Mum. Mum always knew the truth about you, and she made sure to tell me just who you were: a hero. You were, and still are my hero and I am proud to call you my dad. I love you so much, and knowing that I can at least write to you is better than anything I could have asked for.

I did figure out that the gift was from you straight away. I won't lie; I immediately sent it to Mum to check for curses. I imagine you were the one who bought Harry the Firebolt? Mum sent the gift back on the same night that I met you, ironically. I didn't get a chance to open it again, however, since at that moment I happened to spot a large black dog moving across the grounds and went running to Uncle Remus. No matter how angry I was at you, though, I couldn't bring myself to throw it out.

I should go, before my other friends come back into the compartment and start asking questions. I promise not to get caught doing things I shouldn't. I promise not to get sent to the Headmaster's office (no promises about McGonagall or Snape's offices, though). I'll take care of my head. Fred is not my boyfriend. And I won't make any promises about the vegetables, mainly sprouts.

With love,
Li Your daughter.

P.S. Fred says hello, and that Padfoot was always his favorite Marauder. He and his twin found the Marauder's Map in their first year! Harry has it now.

I watch the owl fly off until he's just a tiny dot on the horizon. Thirty minutes later the boys return, both unsuccessful and unwilling to try to express their feelings again. Katie and Angelina return later in the afternoon.

I try to participate in the chatter between my friends for the rest of the train ride, but my mind keeps returning to the letter now tucked safely in my pocket. How long will it be before I can receive another letter? How long will it be until I can hug my father?

I keep worrying over the same questions until I'm at the other side of the barrier, back in the muggle world. Mum is standing with Mrs. Weasley, talking lightly and looking tired. I'm sure she hasn't slept right since she heard of the events of that night. She wouldn't be the only one.

"I guess I'll see you in September," Harry shrugs after I've hugged Mum and we've each hugged Mrs. Weasley.

"I wish you could go with us," I sigh, then lower my voice to a whisper, "But the Ministry will start to do everything possible to keep us away from you soon."

"Maybe I'll see you at the World Cup," he smiles wryly.

"Yeah," I smile back, "Take care of yourself, Harry. And write plenty, okay? Just don't include anything about him. I expect the Ministry will be inspecting all our mail."

"I will," he says.

I look him over one last time and realize that his eyes look as sad as I'm sure mine must be. Without thinking, I step forward and throw my arms around his neck, giving in to the urge of hugging the boy that was meant to be like a brother for so many years. He just stands there stiffly at first, but he must realize what it means to me, because a second later he hugs me back, rubbing my shoulder before letting go.

"I won't say goodbye," I say.

"Me neither," he answers.

"Well then, I'll see you soon."

"See you," he smiles again, warmer this time, and I know that we are no longer two strangers. We're becoming friends, and maybe someday we'll be family. Whatever happens, this is just the beginning of a new life for all of us.