Author's Note: Obviously, I do not own Harry Potter or any part of the HP universe. I'm not making any money off of this either.
This story is set in an AU. The main differences being: Sirius did not die, Severus was good friends with Lily Evans, but was not in love with her, and has a daughter from an earlier marriage. Oh, and Remus Lupin has a younger sister.
The first chapter might be a bit slow.
Well, Hello Old Friend
As the cloaked figure walked the path from Hogsmead to Hogwarts, she felt certain that a pair of eyes were watching her...following her. She recognized those eyes. Celeste Lupin paused near a curve glancing around her with her own keen grey brown eyes. They were the type that missed little, even shaggy black dogs following off the edge of the path behind her. "Sirius." She greeted coldly, reaching for the wand inside her cloak. She wasn't surprised to find he was out of Azkaban, nor was she afraid of being stalked by the infamous murderer, the man who betrayed James and Lilly Potter; she was Remus' sister after all. Between her brother telling her the whole story and the letter she received from Albus Dumbledore (in fact, one of the reasons she was currently walking towards Hogwarts at that very moment), she knew exactly why Sirius Black would be interested in observing travelers to Hogwarts.
"Celeste." Sirius returned, once again in his human form. He was still shaggy and slightly unkempt, which was forgivable, being forced to live in the shape of a dog and outside of society would tend to have that affect on a person. "You look good."
"Funny, you look like hell. You need a bath, a shave, a new cloak and a good meal." She remarked, arching any eyebrow in disapproval. Before the man in front of her had time to say a sarcastic retort, she pulled the wand out from beneath the folds of her cloak. "And I think you need this, too." She finished, handing his wand towards him carefully. Wands must be handled very cautiously...much like the muggle inventions of knives, swords and scissors, they could cause much pain if handled the wrong way. "Why didn't you come find me?" She asked as he took the wand. "I would have helped you...after Remus had told me what happened, that is. I'm sorry none of us believed you. I'm sorry I didn't believe you."
"I'm still a wanted criminal." Sirius replied, already in cleaned, repaired robes and clean shaven. "I figured your house would have been one of the first places they would look, given our history. Wasn't it?"
"They asked some questions. Fudge wanted to bring a dementor in to search my house for you." Celeste shrugged. "Dumbledore persuaded him it wouldn't be a good idea."
Sirius nodded, as if that was about what he had figured, walking beside his slightly younger companion. How long had they known each other? Well before Hogwarts, that was certain. She had long since stopped being the little sister of Lupin and an equal in her own right. "So you're going to be the new Professor of Arithmancy now? At least that's what I have heard."
She cut her eyes at him in suspicion. "Yes... I wonder how a dog has such good sources. Dumbledore had an opening, and it is wise to ensure enough of those willing to fight are around in case anything should...well, when something does happen." She paused in her walking for a moment, once again, and looked at Sirius. "What are you planning on? You're in too much danger being out here like this. If anyone should see you..."
With a shrug, Sirius started waking again, leaving Celeste behind him. "I haven't thought about that. But if I leave, I'm too far away from Harry, and he is my god-son." He explained when Celeste caught up with him.
"I know." A comfortable silence descended over the pair as they walked further along the deserted road. When the spires of the school for witchcraft and wizardry began to peak over the trees that surrounded part of the grounds, she glanced over at the man beside her. "You know, none of them don't know that I don't own a big black dog. Inside Hogwarts might the best place for you. Not many of us know you're an Animagus."
The man next to her, didn't answer, but in his place stood a much cleaner shaggy black dog who was watching her carefully. The two walked the rest of the way to the castle doors, which Celeste rapped on loudly, waiting to be brought to Dumbledore.
A house-elf let them in, leading them to Dumbledore's office through one of the shorter, less-known and dustier secret passageways, not seeming at all surprised to see a very pretty young woman and a large, well kept black dog arrive late at night. That sort of thing happened frequently at places like Hogwarts, and this was a high-class house-elf. The elf knocked on the door, and when a quiet voice answered "Enter", left them to it.
Dumbledore smiled when the ill-assorted pair came into his office. "Ah .." He said, standing up from his desk, and crossing to kiss Celeste on the cheek. "It's good to see you here .. I was expecting you, but not quite so soon, though I should have known you wouldn't waste a moment. Welcome Celeste...and welcome Sirius." Fawkes opened a sleepy golden eye from his perch in greeting, then closed it again. "I think it's safe here." He told Sirius over his shoulder, heading over towards a corner of the room closer to the fire where three comfortable, slightly beaten up, old-looking armchairs were grouped. He sat down, and tapped the side-table with his wand, and a steaming pot of tea appeared with three cups, one of which was cracked. He regarded it over the top of his half moon glasses, then instead watched the two for a moment. "I'm still waiting for the answers from Fletcher and Hildergarde, but most are ready to do what is necessary when it is needed. As I said in the letter, I fear the matter is grave. Voldemort is regaining followers and power far faster than I imagined. The sudden disappearance of Professor Vector is also most unsettling. Hogwarts will be safe for a while...a long while or a short while, perhaps, but only for a while. We must find ways of preparing against what is to come. The wizarding world will be torn asunder into three parties: those who will join him, those who will fight him, and those who will do nothing. Sadly, I believe we know which camp the Ministry has chosen. What we have to establish now is what Voldemort's steps will be towards taking control of the Wizarding World. Vengeance, I suspect, will again play a large role in his plans, against those who deserted him, against those who resisted him, and against Harry, of course. Elimination of the Muggle-born, too, I imagine will be paramount on his list. And sooner or later, he will come here." Solemnly, he poured the tea and picked up a cup. "Any thoughts?"
"I think," Celeste began after a silent moment. "As harsh as this may sound, we need to determine where the loyalties of the students are going to lie. I think there is little doubt in any of our minds that Voldemort will be after Harry; so we need to make sure he is as safe as possible in both the Wizarding world and the Muggle world. We would be very foolish indeed to think that every student in Hogwarts will be on our side. We would be putting Harry, and everyone else Voldemort might try to strike against, in grave danger if we didn't accept that. You would know better than I about where the teachers place their allegiance..."
Dumbledore sighed, steepling his fingers before his bearded chin. "I believe the teachers are trustworthy...
Most of them have been here for a decade, and I have known many of them since I was a student here." He ticked them off on long bony fingers. "McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Flitwick, Sinistra, Trelawney, Binns, Sprout, Hooch, and of course Filch, Madam Pomfrey and Madam Pince." His icy blue eyes saddened. "Of course, if history has taught us anything, it would be we may not always be certain we have placed our trust appropriately."
Celeste shared a brief glance with Sirius. Sometimes brief glances say the most.
"The children of notorious and less notorious Death-eater families should be kept under close supervision."He continued. "I've already asked McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Sprout to watch their houses especially carefully, and had a word with the prefects. I shall also announce a lockdown on outings and trips to Hogsmead. It's hard to come to this, they're children, only children, and yet they'll become witches and wizards who will fight. This is an adult's battle they're embroiled in."
Sirius, who had remained silent since their arrival in Dumbledore's office, spoke. "That is why I feel the best place for me to be is here, Professor, near Harry. I let his parents down, I won't let him down. The more people he has around him, willing to do anything to stop Voldemort from getting to him, the better."
Dumbledore nodded at Sirius' comment. "You're right, of course. You're one of the best people to protect him. Shall I ask Hagrid to adopt a large dog I found in the grounds?"
"Actually," Sirius began, after another brief glance with Celeste. "We had already decided that not many wouldn't know Celeste doesn't own a big black dog. I could stay in her office. If that's alright with you, that is. Hagrid's hut might offer more space, but not only would I be further away from Harry, but I'm not sure how Fang would enjoy the company."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very wise, very wise, though I'm told Fang is less prepossessing than his appearance might suggest. It will be easier for you to be inside the castle. You know all the secret passages, and you might prevail upon Harry to lend you some of his...treasures."
"Oh yes...the cloak and the map. I remember when James, Remus and I would put them to use in our Hogwarts days." Sirius smiled, fondly recalling the past. If only he could somehow relive it and have stayed Lily and James' secret keeper, they would still be here...but Voldemort would also still be in power.
"That's still around?" Celeste inquire about the map with a smile. "I remember following all of you around while you were making it!" She almost laughed. It's funny how, even in terribly dark times like they appeared to be heading into, joy was still so crucial, even though it seemed almost inappropriate to laugh at times. There was a pause, during which, she thought about the boy, almost a young man now, she hadn't seen since he was a baby...since before Voldemort slaughtered his father and killed his mother as he tried to get to a baby. "How has Harry been taking it all?" She asked, finally.
Dumbledore paused. "It has been difficult on him. He has never had what you could call a normal life, so he cannot feel the lack, but he dreams of it. He yearns for a family like his friend Ron's, with brothers and sisters; squabbles and magic; a mother and father. I've seen him look at Mrs Weasley, and when he got those Christmas presents... He misses James and Lily." He sighed. "The sooner this trouble is over for him, the better, though I doubt he will ever be able to live anonymously or without the ruckus that will follow him forever as the Boy Who Lived."
"Weasley?" Celeste repeated slowly, trying to place the name. "Bright red hair? I remember a Bill Weasley. He was a couple of years behind me, wasn't he? Really, quite a cutie..." She allowed herself a small grin, which faded when Sirius gave her a stern 'we did not come here for you to reminisce about who you thought was cute when you were in school' look. Arching an eyebrow, icily, in reply, she turned her attention away from Sirius once more. "We all miss Lilly and James. So much has changed since we were students." She added softly. When she looked up at Albus, her eyes had a bright sheen to them, like long repressed tears. "Is there anything else? It has been a long journey. I was hoping to see Harry this evening, but I think sleep is more in order."
He finished his cup and stood. "A good night's rest, and then tomorrow, a tour of the school, and I shall introduce you to Gryffindor house, of course. I think you will find Harry somewhat grown up."
"Thank you, Dumbledore." Celeste said, also finishing her cup and standing. Sirius set his cup down, then transformed back into a dog, looking up patiently at the two humans. "I would imagine he has." smiled Celeste, thinking of the news clippings she had seen about Harry. "He looks just like his father." She remarked as they exited Dumbledore's office and headed into the populated parts of Hogwarts.