The ceiling of the Great Hall was swirling above the four long house tables as a mighty storm blew outside. Rain pattered the windows and lightning lit up the night sky as Harry and Ron entered the hall.

"Is it me or has the weather been absolutely crap since we started? Those Dementors I'm telling you." Said Ron shaking his head dry from the downpour they had just been caught in.

Harry took the question as more of a moan on Ron's part so ignoring it, he sat down next to Hermione, his eyes not leaving the rain splattered window opposite him.

"Wet outside is it?" asked Hermione laughing at the sight of the two of them.

"Ha! Funny Hermione, you should tell more jokes honestly" said Ron thumping himself down opposite her. "Where's dinner? I'm starving."

"Soon, I'm sure." She smiled at him. She turned to Harry, "And what's your problem? Hungry like Ron?"

"Oh, nothing, it's nothing" he replied not meeting her gaze as Ron scowled at her.

"Harry!" said Hermione loudly. She looked around and leaned in closer to him, "If you're worrying about..." She mouthed the words Sirius Black, "then you should really speak to Dumbledore."

"It's fine Hermione honestly, I'm just tired" he said back.

"Just drop it Hermione" said Ron, "Harry has enough on his plate what with the Dementors singling him out and all"

"Well, as his friend, I just wanted to help Ronald!"

"Do not call me Rona..."

Harry cut across him, desperate for a change of subject and to avoid another Ron and Hermione argument. "Have you done Hagrid's homework Hermione?" he asked her.

"I have, last week."

"Last week!" exclaimed Ron, "he only give it out last week!"

Hermione gave him a look that said 'And that's exactly why I did it'.

Before Ron could go on, dinner appeared in front of them. Ron stopped everything and grabbed 4 chicken wings, a handful of potatoes and a big goblet of pumpkin juice. Harry grabbed some potatoes himself but his mind was preoccupied, and as Ron and Hermione started to argue again, he couldn't stop thinking about Sirius Black and Mr. Weasley's warning. For all he knew, he did not know any reason why Black would want to kill him. He was a close associate to Voldemort that was well known. Was it for his master? Or something more personal? Harry eyes shot to the weathered window as a dark figure swooped right past it. Suddenly Harry didn't much feel like eating and waited for the others to finish.

The rain continued to fall down heavily as the dark washed over the castle. Harry, Ron and Hermione were sat in the Gryffindor common room in their preferred arm chairs in front of the fire. Harry and Ron were attempting Hagrid's homework from last week. A full sketch and labels of a Unicorn, complete with a table of its different behaviours and moods.

"Please Hermione, just this once, I promise, it will be the last time" pleaded Ron.

"No Ronald, it's important you do your own homework, how will you ever know what's right and what isn't? Tell him I'm right, Harry" she said angrily looking at Harry.

Harry looked at her and then Ron. "Would be helpful though Hermione" Harry replied sheepishly.

"Eurgh! I can't believe you two" she said storming off towards the girl's dormitory, whispering something about boys under her breath.

"She loves us really" said Ron, a wide grin on his face. "You alright Harry? Listen, I didn't mean to say all that at dinner, I was only messing about."

"No, it's fine Ron. In fact, it's got me thinking. Hermione told us that Sirius Black came to Hogwarts, so there must be some record of him here somewhere, don't you think?" Harry said looking at Ron.

"I guess so, but I can't imagine it'd be of any use. Why, what are you thinking?" Ron replied.

"I'm thinking" Harry said "that we find these records. Tonight."

"Tonight Harry!?" said Ron, a little surprised. "Why at night? Can't we just look tomorrow when it's light outside?"

"That's the point though; I'm thinking these files aren't going to be kept in the library for everyone to see. They'll be somewhere safe and locked, and with someone who has all the files" Harry said raising his eyebrows at Ron.

"Filch" said Ron automatically. "Fine, Harry. But let's not tell Hermione, I can't handle any more of her having a go at me."

"Agreed" said Harry. "I'll find Fred and George; they'll know exactly how to help us."

Harry looked out the window into the storm outside and saw a black hooded figure swoop past. Suddenly, Harry didn't feel like doing his homework and waited, excited for tonight's events to unfold.

-AG