A Girl and her Dog

She simply couldn't believe she was doing this, let alone with Sirius Black. It didn't seem right; he was a wanted man, not rightly accused, but wanted all the same. She was in danger just being near him. And they were fools to think that they alone could do a job that was prepared for many, at least many more than two. And Harry wouldn't even be prepared for them, not until much later in the day. Why they had to get him first, and they could not just aparate from the house later, Emmeline didn't really understand why she had agreed to this silly little plan. With their luck, the death eaters would already be there, ready and waiting.

Maybe the truth was that Emmeline missed the danger that she used to feel when she was around Augustus and perhaps she was filled with a silly whim that he would be there, even if he was among fellow death eaters. Deep down, Emmeline had always loved a challenge, always tempted fate, but more than that, she'd done anything when it came to him, even when she could no longer see him, hear him, when his memory danced farther and farther away. But he was back now, he was back. And that was what had most certainly compelled her to be standing there, now.

Number four, Privet Drive, home of the fiendish Dursleys, not that she'd met them before. But Emmeline had heard many things about them. Sirius was beside her in his animagus form, so not to attract unwanted attention. So here they were, a small, child-like woman and a scruffy black dog. Oh yes, the Dursleys would absolutely adore them.

Emmeline shot an angry glance down at Sirius before once more taking in a sweeping glance of the neighborhood. There didn't seem to be any death eaters here, at least not yet, but that didn't mean that they wouldn't show. But first things first…

She was banging on the door, but inside there was no response. The Dursleys had to be there, and if they weren't surely Harry was. So why weren't they answering?

"Sirius, I swear I will kill you if the Death Eaters don't first." She was fuming; they were sitting ducks right now for anyone. They obviously didn't look much like the muggles, sure they looked like a girl and her dog, but the death eaters would know who they were. It wasn't safe, and it looked like they were going to have no luck getting inside. "I told you this would happen. We should go back."

The dog on her left gave a sad whimper and what many would consider a pout. She shook her head, her eyes still burning. "Oh no, you are not going to get me with those eyes!" She grabbed the dog by the scruff of it's back and was about to aparate when she heard something, someone coming closer, she heard the falling of rather heavy footsteps.

Sirius shook free of her grip and his ears lifted, perking up, listening, keen on the sound of the footsteps as well. If it was a muggle, they couldn't aparate in front of them. If it was a death eater, they would have to go quickly, or well, who knew what the consequence may be.

The steps were coming from the back of the house. That meant it was not a death eater, but it could be a wizard. More likely than not though, it would be a muggle, hopefully someone in the family. A man with a purple face came around front, and he seemed to be fuming. Maybe Emmeline should be frightened of this man, magic or not.

Beside her, Sirius the dog started barking at the man. This must be the uncle then. Poor Harry, to have to live with a man who seemed to have a worse temper than she did, it must have been a horrible childhood. He looked furious as he marched towards them; but why didn't he just come to the front door. Men were so damn difficult.

"Make that dog shut up, or I'll do it for you!" Vernon screamed at the top of his lungs. It was good the death eaters weren't here. He'd be the first to go, they didn't have much tolerance for people of such… annoyance. Harry's uncle proceeded to step over his lawn hedges until he was standing above her, most certainly in an attempt, a failed one mind you but an attempt all the same, to intimidate the girl, whom he thought was probably still a school girl, thinking that maybe she'd gotten the wrong house.

Sirius wasn't one to hesitate as Emmeline shot him an equally menacing glare. She softened her eyes and looked up to meet Vernon's, her face adopting a child's innocence. Surely even he couldn't turn away a poor little girl. "I'm sorry, Mister. I was looking for the Dursleys." Emmeline had a lot of practice in acting like a child, she did so often on her way to the Ministry daily; it got her out of some tough spots.

"What do you want?" He snapped, though his features had softened. The two of them had quite a bit more in common than she'd have thought. Vernon let his voice demand respect while his face told her there was not that big a bite behind his bark, at least not in her case. "I've got stuff to do, I don't have all day."

"I'm sorry sir, I just wanted to speak with your son…" Emmeline racked her brain for the boy's name. Damn, why couldn't she remember? Hopefully he wouldn't notice this slip up and he would drop the questions and let them in… well at least let her in, after all, who wants such a mangy mutt in their house? She grinned convincingly, though it was much inspired from the thought of Sirius being a mangy mutt than of what's-his-name's son.

"Dudley? You're here to see my son?" Vernon seemed confused, as if a girl, or woman, as pretty and with such obnoxious dog, as she, could never want anything to do with their son. Poor boy, he must have so many problems too. No, she was not going soft, she was here for Harry. They had to be back by the time the others got there; and they would have Hermione and Ron, and all the other Weasley kids would be there to. It had been planned since the end of last term. There was no time to change anything. They needed to get Harry and get back out.

"But of course, I'm here to see Dudley." Moving along… "Might I step inside for a couple minutes? I won't stay long, I promise." This was taking too long. Sirius promised that if they came they would be in and out in a few minutes. She was beginning to think he was a nut job after all.

"I don't know… now's not really a good…" No, no, no. He had to let them in so they could get in, get Harry, and get out. She dropped her face in disappointment, looking as if she may cry. "Oh, alright. But five minutes and that's it." He grinned at her. Nobody could resist a sad little girl, especially when she was there for their son.

"Oh, thank you." She said grinning and looking tickled pink; this was more difficult than it had to be. The Dursleys knew about magic, but seeing as Sirius thought it better not to be attacked… well they were stuck going the longer, more irritating route. And they could not get in the house soon enough. Thankfully, she didn't have much longer to wait, Vernon took her hand and led her to the door again, this time turning the knob, meaning the door had been unlocked all this time, and leading her the rest of the way in.

A/N : Here's the next chapter =] I hope you like this one... sorry about the way this chapter ended, but if I kept going I'm not sure it ever would have ended... But the next chapter should be up soon. I'd love any reviews you'd like to give me, good or bad.