A few hours later and Eliza was sneaking around Hogsmeade in her cat form with her new companion.

<Where are we supposed to go?> She asked, shuddering slightly.

Vernon glanced at her over his shoulder and winked, <Trust me. I'm not going to murder you in secrecy> He joked before running across the street.

<I prefer you as Furvus> She mumbled before running after him.

Vernon was very fast and knew how to blend into the shadows. Eliza lost him when he turned a corner towards a dead end. She surveyed the place curiously before she literally got snatched by someone and thrown into a house.

Eliza hissed at whoever was there, confused. A dark figure walked into the light while the witch changed back.

"This is her?" The older man asked doubtfully, her whole appearance not being what he was expecting.

Another figure walked out of the dark, far younger.

"Yes, she is the Gaunt inheritor." Vernon responded, his hands linked behind him, "Her mother found the resurrection stone before she told Albus about it. It's not sure how she found out but I'm guessing it was back when she searched for her father's identity."

"Who's this?" She barely whispered, her throat hurting from hissing.

"Aberforth Dumbledore, brother of Albus Dumbledore. Let's just skip the rest of the story and get down to business. We're here with a mission."

Eliza felt like punching him in the face.

Aberforth Dumbledore was definitely different from Albus Dumbledore but he was a kind man, just very blunt compared to his brother. As Vernon and Aberforth took a seat, Eliza wandered around, her eyes getting drawn to a particular piece of art.

"She let you free, I am impressed." Aberforth seemed to have a constant frown on his face.

"That is not why I came to see you. She's been locked in the Malfoy Manor with Tom," He started, "She knows."

"If he wants her memories, she must trust him." Aberforth mumbled, his eyes grazing over the young woman, "Not that it matters anyway. You-Know-Who's already won the war and everyone who thinks otherwise is torturing themselves."

Vernon narrowed his eyes at the man, "It's not too late as long as Harry Potter lives. Tom wants those memories and I'm pretty sure he will snatch her back with the first opportunity. The best way to stay alive for her right now is to hide in Hogwarts."

Aberforth hummed, still uncertain, "She won't be protected in there. He probably wants her dead so he wouldn't have to worry about another family member in the future. That if she doesn't give him access to her mind."

Vernon snarled, "She will never accept him as family. She's not Ophelia."

Aberforth sighed, "Why don't you hide her somewhere else then? You're sending her on the battlefield, aware that she might die."

Vernon sighed and leaned back against the chair, "I'm going with her. I lived like a cat for long time, I can endure it for a little bit longer."

"You're a fool, Vernon. You caused this in the first place." The elder mumbled, "You were Lillian's Secret Keeper." Aberforth whispered grumpily.

On the other side, Eliza approached the portrait of the young girl and smiled, seeing the resemblance to the former headmaster

"So beautiful," She mumbled, leaning closer.

The girl looked at Eliza with vacant eyes and the witch walked closer, sensing some kind of understanding from the portrait. It was strange but it felt like Eliza was looking at someone who could easily read her.

Vernon glanced at the brunette witch and smiled softly, "They look so much alike but they are so different; all three of them."

"Harry Potter was here. They entered Hogwarts and there are more to come." Aberforth informed Vernon loud enough for Eliza to hear.

The brunette spun around, "Then we have to get there quickly."

Aberforth got up and walked towards the witch, "Are you committed to your family, Miss Gaunt?"

"I'm committed to Remus Lupin, if that's what you ask." She responded curtly.

Vernon laughed in the background at Aberforth's poker face.

The elder man looked at his sister and nodded. The girl in the portrait left for a few minutes and returned with one person Eliza hadn't seen in a very long time.

"Seamus?"

The boy chuckled and hugged her tightly, feeling like hope was finally returning to Hogwarts.

"Harry is already at Hogwarts. We have to move fast or they might catch on." He started, holding her hand tightly as they walked through the tunnel.

Vernon was changed into his animagus form on her shoulder, listening with interest.

She frowned, "Who? Death Eaters?"

"Even worse: the Carrow siblings and the other Slytherins. They torture us when they get the impression we're planning something. Huh, bloody idiots don't even know what we're doing exactly. But now that Harry's back to Hogwarts, it feels like we haven't been surviving for nothing." He spoke with so much assurance that even Vernon was moved.

Eliza squeezed Seamus's hand, "You brave lad,"

It sounded like she was teasing him but she was genuinely proud of her friend.

The tunnel wasn't very long, or at least didn't seem so; they arrived relatively fast in the Room of Requirement.

Everyone from the DA was there and they smiled when they saw Eliza. It was good to have as many people as possible.

She rubbed her eyes and placed the kitten on the ground, "Did he call for someone? Harry, I mean. Did he call the rest?"

Seamus nodded, "Neville used the Galleon to call for reinforcement. Some of them already arrived but we called for the Order as well. They should come any minute now."

And they certainly did. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came first and Remus followed with Kingsley.

Eliza glanced at Vernon and nodded, assuring him that she will keep his identity hidden for now.

"It's time, isn't it? Time to show the bravery of Sirius Black." Eliza started, walking towards her godfather.

Remus chuckled and ruffled her hair fondly.

"I know whatever I say won't change your mind so go with it."

But Eliza didn't laugh or sketch a smile. She wanted to be sure of something important to her.

"Why didn't you tell me that I never saw mom die? Why didn't you tell me the truth?" She asked bluntly.

Remus sighed and grabbed a hand through his hair.

"You were just a baby when Snape brought you to me. I wasn't ready and wasn't informed at all. I woke up with a kid to raise, me, a werewolf. When you first told me your dream, I knew it wasn't you who witnessed the murder but it seemed like your desire to learn magic was coming from that dream alone. It was the reason that drove you to who you are now."

"No one was there when she died. No one knows what happened." Eliza mumbled, staring into Lupin's brown eyes.

He smiled sorrowfully, "You do. She left you her memories."

Eliza's poker face didn't seem to affect the werewolf. As the door to the Room opened, Eliza got shaken to reality by Harry.

"Liz! How did you get here? What is-" He stopped and looked at the rest of the Order.

Kingsley already had a plan and the Order looked prepared to fight. There were going to be groups in every tower and smaller groups at ground level. Remus was one of the ground level heads and Eliza was not ready to leave him alone.

"I can take care of myself. You do that too." He said, squeezing her shoulder in assurance before running out.

"Liz, we have to go into the Great Hall. The rest must know." Harry started. "Snape's gone and-"

Her eyes widened, "He's gone? As in, he ran away?" She asked bewildered.

Harry nodded and urged her to go with the rest. Vernon changed as soon as they walked out of the Room and he looked sour.

"What? Didn't miss Hogwarts?" Eliza asked, getting into the crowd.

"I loved Hogwarts until Tom walked through the doors. I was in my fifth year and disliked him instantly. I wasn't surprised when I heard he killed with cold blood." Vernon explained with regret.

"How did Morfin Gaunt curse you?"

Vernon scoffed before responding, "I wanted to know more about Tom so I visited his uncle in Azkaban. I used Legilimency and figured Tom must have planted those memories inside his head. Morfin didn't take it well but he didn't curse me. Tom did. People just assumed it was Morfin."

"Why?"

Vernon glanced at her from the corner of his eye and sighed, "That's in your mother's memories. I can only tell you that I witnessed a lot in my life and am not proud of how I manipulated the people around me."

Eliza rolled her eyes, "Who did you kill?" She asked once they entered the Great Hall.

"Your grandmother." He whispered but with all the noise around, it looked like she didn't hear.

With Snape gone, everyone realized they were finally free to fight for what they believe in. McGonagall was being quite a good leader and the Order was backing her up. Under age students were kindly shown out of harm while those of age who wanted to fight could stay.

"Always witty, that Minerva." Vernon joked but Eliza couldn't hear him.

She frowned and glanced over her shoulder, feeling like the darkness was crawling towards her from somewhere in the castle. She swallowed in fear and felt her eyes tear up before everything in the hall became grim and the lights dimmed.

Eliza heard Voldemort's voice calling out for Harry and she took a few steps back, grasping her chest as she felt her mouth dry up.

Clouds hovered above Hogwarts and everyone could feel the danger approaching. One girl started to scream and then another and another and Eliza's hands started to tremble in fear, feeling herself panic because she knew how overwhelming Voldemort was.

Sensing the threat, Vernon grabbed her hand, protecting her as if she was his sister but Eliza had already seen the wrath of her relative and she knew it was nothing compared to what he could do.

"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise but this is folly," Voldemort whispered, his voice amplifying through the whole space, sending chills to students who never even imagined how he looked like, moreover sound like, "Give me Harry Potter," The snake begun, "Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. You have until midnight." He finished.

"He doesn't know you escaped," Vernon whispered and squeezed her hand, "You still have a chance if you hide." He continued as one Slytherin approached Harry.

Eliza's eyes darkened as his words echoed in her head, "No," She said firmly, pushing his hand away, "I am afraid and I know this is suicide but I won't do the same mistake as my mother. I am not my mother."

Vernon stared at Eliza before he chuckled and patted her head.

"Good."

Students decided that Harry was worth fighting for and they were ready to sacrifice their lives for a better future; well, except Slytherins who have been kindly shown out for the rest of the time.

"Liz, we-" Remus stopped when he noticed the man standing tall next to her.

"Oh, right. This is Furvus," Eliza mumbled seeing how Dean and Seamus also came over. Even the boys were startled by Vernon's appearance, "He's an animagus," Eliza continued, her eyes catching glimpse of Blaise, "I'll let you get acquainted." She said quickly and moved through the students to get to Blaise.

It was really hard to pass through Slytherins especially with all the spontaneous hits they'd give at the sight of her face; but that didn't matter as long as she could grab Zabini and have a chat. She was a few feet from the Slytherin when she noticed blond hair in the crowd, turning the corner with two boys following closely.

"Draco," She mumbled, her heart skipping a beat.

As the corridors were getting more and more crowded with students running around, preparing themselves mentally and physically, Eliza found herself standing on the Wooden Bridge facing the mass of dark wizards trying to enter the grounds of Hogwarts. Seamus and Neville were placing small bombs around the bridge, in case they would get inside.

"I never thought I'd get the chance to see this as a man."

Vernon came next to Eliza and placed his hands on her shoulder.

"I never thought Remus would recognize me either. He only saw me in pictures with little Ophelia and I was more handsome back then." He added.

Eliza threw the redhead a curious look, "How do you know everyone?"

He shrugged innocently. "I've been around for a very long time. I know stuff." He responded before he stared ahead at the waiting Death Eaters, "Tom will find out soon enough that you're here."

"And how do you know that?"

"Instinct. I know Tom and I know how tight can a blood bond be. Yours is very tight, Eliza. He is your grandfather after all."

"Wait what?!" Seamus screamed, an even more confused Neville standing next to him.

Eliza glared at the green eyed redhead and ran inside the castle. He started it so he might as well give the answers.

As the protection veil was slowly covering the castle, Eliza hurried to her godfather; she found him watching everything unfold with patience.

"Do we stand a chance?" Eliza mumbled, startling her godfather since he didn't hear her approaching.

The werewolf sighed and rubbed his neck, "I hope so. If only Sirius and James could be here, also Lily and Ophelia..."

Eliza's eyes softened at the memory of her father and his best friend and grabbed Remus' hand tightly.

"Don't leave me, Remus." Eliza mumbled, her heart breaking at the thought, "Don't leave me." She repeated squeezing his hand.

Lupin turned to her and wrapped his arms around her, "No matter what happens, don't forget you are loved; you have always been loved. I don't regret getting you or raising you. You are just like my daughter. But Liz, if something does happen, I want you to be family for my son."

"Nothing will happen to you. We will return home unharmed and we will celebrate our victory." Eliza said looking ahead.

Remus smiled softly and remembered the moment Snape brought Eliza to him.

It was a few days after the full moon and Remus Lupin was moving around his house, looking worse than before. He had to be at a meeting in a few hours and could already hear Sirius complaining about him being late. Actually, thinking about his friend, Remus was curious if something happened between him and Ophelia. The two had stubborn personalities and would never back off from an argument; it was really troublesome when the two had a fight. But Ophelia's been gone for a year already and no one knew where she was.

Remus was thinking of sending her a letter when he heard noise outside. He could feel his wolf reflexes creeping up on him, especially since his state was still sensible. Two loud and powerful knocks drew him to the door and with wary moves, he opened it only to be pushed aside and have a person in a dark long cloak enter.

"What are you doing here?" Remus asked, his eyes instinctively narrowing as his hand moved to his wand.

Snape didn't seem to care or bother with anything. Once he turned around, Remus realized why Snape was there in the first place.

"It doesn't please me to be here either but I, unlike you and your lot, know what loyalty means." He sneered, his eyes looking down on the ragged man.

"Where is Ophelia?" Remus asked, though he had a lot more questions.

"Dead. She's been dead for a year and none of you bothered to search for her." Snape accused what used to be Ophelia's most trusted friend. The werewolf Remus Lupin was the first Gryffindor that she told her secret because she knew Remus could somehow understand. But now he was alive and she was dead and it was all just a charade.

That wasn't what Remus was thinking. He was so shocked that he dropped his wand.

"How can that- A year?! But-"

He was hurt and ashamed of himself for not trying harder to reach her. Suddenly, Remus thought of Sirius and the pain intensified. He was not going to take the news well; not at all.

"If it makes you feel better about yourself, she trusts you enough to give her daughter in your care. Not that I approve but that was her final wish." Snape continued, glancing at the baby girl in his arms.

However, even for Remus, it was obvious the child was not a newborn, "Where was she for the past year?"

Snape didn't say anything for a few minutes until the baby raised her arms and blabbered something gibberish.

"That is not important now. Ophelia trusts you with raising her child and keeping her a secret, even from her father."

Remus' eyes widened, "Sirius has every right to meet his daughter! He's been-"

"I do not care how Black has been since he has not been where he was needed a year ago. Now, Eliza will remain hidden for as long as possible. There is an enchantment placed over her mind, a labyrinth made to hide Ophelia's secrets. Don't tell her anything that would break that labyrinth. I will know if you do. I did the enchantment." Snape explained before giving the innocent girl to Remus.

Even for a Death Eater whose dream has always been to join the Dark Lord, Snape couldn't help but feel like he was giving away the last piece he had of his friend. Ophelia was a friend and a protector and Snape will never forget those beautiful green eyes.

"You looked after her for this past year, haven't you? Her eyes remind you of her mother's." Remus mumbled, looking at the baby girl.

The man chuckled, the pain he was feeling in his body numbing at the sight of her eyes. Eliza made another baby noise and looked at Remus before her eyes went to Snape. She smiled and raised her arms for him but he didn't move.

With one last look at Eliza, Snape left and didn't utter a second word about Ophelia's death.

Remus sighed and went upstairs, holding the girl close.

"Eliza Black..."

"Where have they gone?" Eliza mumbled, searching for the three Slytherins. She left her godfather and wanted to see and speak to the blond.

The only place she could think of, especially since it looked like they just vanished, was the Room of Requirement; it was the only place that could hide someone so well.

That was how Eliza found herself staring at an empty wall. Furvus- now Vernon Peverell- wasn't there to lead her on so she had to think of a solution by herself. The witch waited for a few more minutes before she heard a loud explosion. Her head turned towards the stairs but she couldn't see anything strange, only hear noise. Another explosion and she was sure it was the Death Eaters trying to enter Hogwarts, if they didn't already. Eliza was ready to run and help her friends when the doors to the Room opened and the golden trio rushed out with Draco and Goyle.

The blond noticed her suspiciously fast, grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms.

"You're alive," He whispered, holding onto her tightly before grabbing her shoulders and looking into her eyes, "He knows you're gone; Bellatrix barged in your room and found it empty. He killed Mildred."

Eliza froze and felt another death add to her consciousness.

"He wants Harry." She mumbled. "He won't kill me just yet."

Draco shook his head before he shook her lightly, "He doesn't want anyone to know you escaped him. You and Potter are two different cases but believe me, he is very angry with you."

Eliza scoffed, "He wants Harry to kill me because I'm not giving him the memories. He wants the last Gaunt dead."

"But you're not Gaunt, are you? You're Eliza Black." Draco emphasized the name; her name.

That seemed to trigger something into her mind because the face of her father flashed before her eyes.

"I was just Sirius and she was just Ophelia and I was happy with that."

The brunette blinked and glanced at the trio. They were preoccupied with something else and gave the blond the perfect opportunity to pull her after him, not giving her the chance to speak to Harry.

Draco led Eliza into the corridor towards the dungeons.

"I think it's time for you to let it go," Eliza whispered, leaning against the wall, "You're not a Death Eater, Draco. It's time for you to admit it."

Draco fell next to her, playing with his ring as he remembered what happened after she left, "He was so angry. I thought he was going to kill me but he didn't; he killed thousands of house elves and goblins from Gringotts. First is Potter and then it's us." He admitted, lying his head back.

Eliza licked her lips and wandered if she should comfort him in any way. She was very awkward when she had to show her emotions. In the end, she grabbed his arms and opened his palm.

"Here," She snatched the Slytherin ring from her neck and gave it to him, "I want you to have it, as encouragement."

He raised an eyebrow and looked closely at the ring, "For what?"

"For believing in who you are and admitting it to yourself; the rest doesn't matter, Draco."

Eliza was looking up at him with honest eyes. They both knew that circumstances brought them so close to each other and the same circumstances were pulling them away. It was complicated and they both knew it yet in that moment, it felt as both just came to accept it, even if it was hard.

Eliza was not Lillian Gaunt and she was not going to make the same mistake as her family has done for centuries.

Eliza got up quickly when they heard screams and grabbed her wand out of reflex. She was ready to run into the wild but she stopped and looked at her hand before throwing her wand at the blond.

"What's this for?"

"You need one more than I do right now." She said before swaying her fingers, creating little sparks, "Bare hand magic, remember?"

That was all before she ran downstairs, where the battle had already begun.

Saying that it was chaos was an underestimation; it was far more than that, far more than anything she had seen in her life. Those green eyes searched for her friends desperately, defending herself on the way. When Eliza walked into the courtyard, a giant troll eyed her and ran towards her, waving his club above his head.

Eliza narrowed her eyes at him and let him approach enough before she swayed her hand to the right, the troll being thrown to the same side.

Unfortunately, there were so many creatures entering the grounds and no matter how many students were fighting, it looked like they were losing.

"Look what we have here~" The Death Eater had a mask on his face so she had no idea who he was but it didn't even matter.

"Stupefy!" She screamed, pointing her hand at him but the wizard jumped out of the way and snarled at her.

"Crucio!"

Eliza ducked just in time. She ran closer and kicked him in the chin before she whispered, "Avada Kedavra."

"Eliza!" She spun around and realized Vernon was running towards her, his wand pointed at everything, really, "Are you alright?" He asked, firing curses left and right.

Her eyes widened when she noticed Seamus a few feet forward; she pushed Vernon aside and glared at the Snatcher before stunning him. Seamus turned around and yelled thanks before he ran from a giant.

"Where is Remus?" She asked straight away, spinning in circles, searching for the man.

"He's an adult, Eliza! He can take care of himself." He started, firing a curse over her shoulder, killing another Death Eater. "You have to keep away from Death Eaters." He whispered, grabbing her harshly.

"Why are you protecting me? Why are you so loyal?"

Vernon chuckled, "I've been living with you for five years of course I grew fond of you. You taught me to be loyal. You thought me friendship, as well. I didn't vow to anyone to protect you but I did vow to myself to never disappoint you."

She was ready to respond to him when she noticed a Death Eater entering Hogwarts, his eyes set on someone specifically. Eliza knew him and seeing him enter with Bellatrix Lestrange was not good.

"I have to go." She ran without a plan but she had an incredible desire to torture those two Death Eaters.

The green eyed witch was ready to enter Hogwarts when she noticed two men fighting in the far right, through the ruins. Her eyes widened when she recognized one of them as Dolohov and the other-

"Remus!" She screamed, her heart beating faster as she noticed Dolohov firing curse after curse at Remus, hitting him with the cruciatus curse and pushing him on the ground, "REMUS!" She screamed louder, running to him.

Dolohov glanced at Eliza and smirked before he turned to Remus.

"Avada Kedavra!" /"Crucio!" They said at the same time but to different people.

When Eliza got there, Remus was on the ground, looking up with scratches all over his face and clothes ragged. She bit her lip, her eyes already tearing up.

Remus Lupin was dead.

"No!" She cried out, falling next to her godfather, "No, no, no. Not you too!" She cried harder, the tears falling down her cheeks like waterfalls. She grabbed his face and caressed it softly, closing his eyes since that bloody tyrant killed him in spite, "You bloody idiot, you should have done everything to stay alive!" She cried harder, drawing attention from the students around them.

"Black!"

She heard her name but didn't react. She could sense Dolohov crawling to her and she closed her eyes, holding onto Remus's body with everything she got.

Fortunately, he didn't get to kill her because professor Flitwick intervened. Dolohov ran away laughing loudly and it only pissed her off.

It was already too late for Remus.

"Black, you can't mourn at this moment. Fight for him!"

It wasn't a surprise since he was the head of Ravenclaw who was a house full of clear-minded wizards.

"I lost two fathers," She whispered, feeling like everyone she loved died for nothing, "It's my fault. Dolohov did it because he saw me coming."

Flitwick sighed and patted her back awkwardly, "He would have killed him anyway; it's not your fault."

Eliza wiped her cheeks and sat down next to Remus' corpse, swaying back and forth as she hid her face with her hands. So much death, so many fights and for what? For a boy who was so greedy that he was ready to sacrifice everything for his hunger for power.

She calmed down and decided to use every tear, every strike of pain to protect what she had left.

Flitwick was surprised when she stood up, her face blank and eyes mirroring the ones of Voldemort himself. She walked towards the front doors, killing every dark wizard coming at her. Eliza wasn't bothered anymore with control because, as it has been proven, she needed to lose her mind in order to save someone.