Disclaimer: Harry Potter completely and entirely belongs to JK Rowling. I merely play with her wonderful creation gratefully.


"Lie low at Lupin's for a while, I will contact you there." Dumbledore's voice was firm and as Sirius' calm face acknowledged the request, Lyra's face became worried.

"Sirius?" She asked, her anxious eyes seeking his.

"I have to Lyra, you understand.. Don't you?"

The sight of Lyra's worried face twisted on his heart but the danger of being caught in his human form were becoming all the more likely the longer he remained in the building and he turned to leave.

"But.. Sirius?" She asked again, only this time it was Dumbledore who answered.

"I'm sorry, Lyra, but he has to go, it is too dangerous for him to remain with you and I need him to do something for me, time is of the essence now." As Sirius prepared to become his animagus form again, Lyra panicked.

"Sirius!" He turned to her, eyes regretful.

"I'm sorry Ly, I really am but I have to go!" Her lip trembling, Lyra nodded.

"Can I have a hug before you go?" Sirius' eyes softened and although Mrs Weasley tried to get to Lyra's side to give her the hug and send Sirius off, he looked at Dumbledore briefly and then quickly moved to his goddaughters side, wrapping her in his embrace and smiling as he felt her return it, burying her head into his neck.

The hug was over all to soon, and he relinquished Lyra reluctantly, kissing her forehead before saying goodbye to the other occupants of the room, turning back into the dog and leaving the hospital wing. It wasn't until after he left that Lyra started to cry, placing her hand over her mouth as the tears ran down her cheeks. Mrs Weasley tried to comfort her but Lyra remained sitting stiffly in the hospital bed before accepting Dreamless Sleep potion and drifting into oblivion once more. It would be several weeks before she saw Sirius again, and so it was the memory of their hug that comforted her through the nights before their reunion.