Sign it [Lupin's Daughter]

Chapter 16

"What's under a dementor's hood?"

Maddy frowned as she took another sip. In all the books she had read on dementors since the previous November, none had ever answered that question to the fullest extent. There were controversial theories over the topic, but none have ever, and most likely will never, be proven.

"Hmmm... well, the only people who really know are in no condition to tell us. You see, the dementor lowers its hood only to use its last and worst weapon."

"What's that?"

Maddy noticeably flinched, and Harry looked worried about the answer. Dementor's kiss.

"Dementor's Kiss?" Harry asked, vaguely able to translate what Maddy had signed.

Remus nodded, with a slightly twisted smile. "It's what dementors do to those they wish to destroy utterly. I suppose there must be some kind of mouth under there, because they clamp their jaws upon the mouth of the victim and — and suck out his soul."

Harry spit out a bit of butterbeer in surprise, while Maddy put her's down, trying not to do the same.

"What — they kill —?" He asked in disbelief.

Maddy shook her head slowly. Not kill. Worse, much worse.

Harry's face contorted in fear and disgust, as Remus reiterated on his daughter's vague words.

"You can exist without your soul, you know, as long as your brain and heart are still working. But you'll have no sense of self anymore, no memory... anything. There's no chance at all of recovery. You'll just — exist. As an empty shell. And your soul is gone forever...lost."

Remus took another sip, but Maddy was already too sick to her stomach to be able to swallow more. "It's the fate that awaits Sirius Black." Maddy's eyes widened, she hadn't known that. "It was in the Daily Prophet this morning. The Ministry have given the dementors permission to perform it if they find him."

Maddy took a deep breath, deciding what she thought of the situation. For one, she thought that any man to betray his friends deserved a fate worse than death. But then, she thought he should have a chance to plead his case. All the stories show that despite being a prankster, he was quite smart. He probably had a sound, foolproof reason for escaping.

"He deserved it," Harry said, surprising Maddy.

"You think so?" Remus had a light air to his voice, "Do you really think anyone deserves that?"

"Yes," Harry defiantly stated. "For... for some things..."

No one talked, or signed, for the rest of the time until Harry left after thanking the two of them.

Remus looked at Maddy, who was smacking her lips, "I see you like butterbeer." Maddy nodded, but was still thinking too in depth about their early conversation to fully acknowledge him. "What do you think about Sirius Black and the sentence to Dementor's Kiss?"

Maddy put her butterbeer down and shrugged. I think that the Ministry shouldn't jump immediately into giving the Dementor's Kiss. I think they should hold out until they get all the details. According to you and Minnie, Black was fairly smart. I'm sure he has a plan for all of this. From what I heard, pranksters always have a plan. If they hold off, they might get more information on the breakout, and therefore would be able to prevent it in the future.

Remus nodded, "I was thinking along the same lines. That's pretty advanced for a nine-year-old."

I'll be ten in July.

"July is five months away."

It's the thought that counts.

■□~□■

"Professor Lupin! Maddy!" Harry was running towards them as they were leaving the Great Hall, a huge smile plastered on his face. Ron sulked behind him, and Hermione was nowhere to be seen.

"Yes, Harry? Ron?" Remus looked between the opposite moods of the best friends.

"I got my Firebolt back!" Harry said, his voice swelling with pride. "I'm going to try it at practice tonight. I promised Ron he could try it after, I was wondering if Maddy wanted her first lesson, since I'll be out there already."

Yes! Maddy squealed. Remus imagined that if she had a voice, it would be high pitched. Remus nodded when Harry looked at him for confirmation, "What time do you want us out there?"

"About six o'clock, I'd guess. I know it will be dark, but I don't plan on taking Maddy too high up on her first time."

Remus nodded, "We'll meet you at the Quidditch Pitch then." He gave Harry a soft smile, "Thank you, Harry, it means a lot."

"No problem," said Harry, "It's a thank you for helping me with my Patronus. Come on, Ron!" He added to his best friend.

Ron grumbled, and made his way quietly behind a joyful Harry. Maddy wondered what had gotten his knickers in a knot, but quickly dismissed it as she beamed at her father.

"Yes, I can tell you're excited. I still have to grade some papers before tonight, so we have to go to my office." Remus told her, but knew that she'd probably be bouncing off the walls all day.

He made his way to his office, with Maddy skipping merrily behind him.

■□~□■

Let's go! Maddy stood in front of the door, her Nimbus 2000 perched up against the wall next to her. She wore multiple layers to attempt to offset the frigid February air.

"I'm coming, Maddy!" Remus laughed, as he grabbed his coat, and followed Maddy to the pitch.

When they arrived, they passed Oliver Wood, who looked to be leaving practice with an abnormally large smile stretched across his face. "Hello Professor Lupin, Maddy." He said in an overly peppy tone.

"Hello, Mr. Wood. You seem happy today," commented Remus.

"This was one of our best practices so far!" Oliver told them proudly. He, for the first time, saw the Nimbus 2000 in Maddy's hand. "Is that yours?" He asked in shock.

Maddy nodded. "Professor McGonagall gave it to her for Christmas. We're meeting Harry because he promised to teach her to fly."

Oliver's smile broadened, if that was possible, "Harry's an amazing flyer. One of the best on the team. Do you hope to join your house team someday?"

Maddy nodded energetically.

"Well, I hope that you will one day, Maddy. You just need a little practice, that's all."

That seemed to brighten Maddy spirits even more and she signed thank you with her open arm.

"Even though I'd have graduated by that time, I hope to see you on the Pitch soon." And with that Oliver left.

They finished the walk into the pitch to see Ron flying around, his mood completely opposite than it had been that morning. Harry waved them over to where he was standing.

Remus turned to Maddy, "I'll be sitting over there if you need me." Maddy nodded as Remus went over to where he had said, and conjured a chair to sit in, as if he had done it a million times to date.

Maddy jogged to where Harry was standing, and Harry smiled when he saw her.

"Alright, Maddy. Are you ready to fly?"