Chapter 1

Listening to the slight rattling of the glass windows Alice realised the wind had picked up rather suddenly. The room she was sat in was getting dark. There was no light in the room and she hadn't decided to create one either. So because it was starting to get dark outside it started to recreate the darkness inside.

Running her hands through the dogs fur, over his body, she couldn't help but frown. That dog seemed far too thin. Looking down she smiled in amusement, the dog looked far too relaxed. His entire body was spread out onto most of the couch, with the exception of his head which was on Alice's lap and the edge of his paws dangling over the side of the couch.

She still hadn't decided how she was meant to send the damn letter to Dumbledore.

Letting out a sigh she figured it could wait until after dinner, considering the sounds her stomach was making. Patting the dog - who lazily looked up at her - she smiled, gesturing for him to get up. He did so, but let her know what he thought about it with a whine and a low growl.

Chuckling as she made her way to the kitchen she started to look through the cupboards only to find them completely bare. Really, there wasn't one piece of food in this damned house? There wasn't even dog food!

With a sigh she looked down at the dog who was practically sat on her feet. Bending down she scratched behind his ears, something she had already figured out he loved.

"Okay, um, I'm going to head to the shops to get food. Hopefully Black will stay in his room and not realise I'm gone. Don't need Dumbledore berating me if he does something stupid like leave." She spoke. The dog simply tilted his head then barked. Standing up she patted the dogs head before leaving the dusty kitchen. Grabbed her coat she shrugged it on before turning around.

The dog, which she still hadn't named, was sat in the middle of the hallway watching her. Alice have it a soft smile before exiting the house. It was quite late and most shops were shut by now she realised, so she decided to simply stop by her house and grab some of the food there.

For obvious reasons she didn't have dog food but was sure it was okay for him to eat human food for one day. Grabbing some meat she had in her freezer she wrapped it in a towel before putting it in her bag. She then grabbed some gravy, carrots, potatoes, milk, sugar, tea bags and some bread and butter.

Alice then went to her bedroom to grab some spare clothes and a couple of books to read, knowing she would get bored. Once she had everything she left her small flat, locking it behind her before making the trip back to Sirius Blacks hide away in the chilling wind.

By the time she arrived back her hair was all over the place, her cheeks were bitten red and her teeth were chattering. She made her way straight to the kitchen, casting a heating charm over her, not spotting the black dog anywhere. Maybe he was upstairs, she mused.

Grabbing the bag with the food she deposited everything on the counter, putting some of the stuff away. Luckily the fridge was working. Turning on the cooker she placed the meat on to cook before prepping the other food.

She hoped Sirius Black hadn't left whilst she was away. It would be just her luck if he had. It took some time but she had finally finished cooking the food. She wasn't the best cook in the world but she wasn't the worst. It was decent.

Grabbing one of the plates, and a knife and fork, she made her way upstairs. Stopping in front of the room she had previously seen Black in she took a deep breath before knocking.

At first Alice heard nothing and her heart began to race. What if he really had left? Oh, she was going to be in so much trouble! Just as she was about to start hyperventilating she heard shuffling coming from behind the door. Five seconds later the door swung open.

He didn't say anything when he opened the door, he simply looked at her which put the woman on edge. Not knowing what to do she simply held out the plate feeling stupid. He glanced at the plate of food before his gaze fell back on her. He slowly reached out to take it from her.

"Cheers." Was all he said before stepping back into the room and once again the door was shut in her face. Huffing she spun on her heels before heading downstairs to eat her own meal.

It was quite lonely sitting there at the dark wooden table in the kitchen eating. The house was silent, it seemed too silent for Alice. She could admit it freaked her out a little. She was a jumpy person so she didn't see why the headmaster had chosen her for this task. Maybe everyone else was busy and she was the last option?

It seemed like a logical and reasonable conclusion. After she was done eating she placed the plate in the sink before grabbing her other bag and slowly ascending the stairs. She needed to find a room to sleep in.

Alice decided to stick to the floor below the man she was looking after. She wanted to keep the distance and he seemed to want that too. Opening a random door she peeked inside. There didn't seem to be any personal belongings in the room so obviously it was a guest room - well, she hoped.

Deciding to just choose this room she shut the door behind her and placed down her bag by the door. Wrinkling her nose at the state of the room she took out her wand. Dust was covering everything. Cobwebs were hanging from the ceiling and some of the furniture too. The window across the opposite wall had cracks in it and so did the ceiling.

After a few handy spells had been thrown about, the room looked a lot better. Smiling in satisfaction she grabbed her bag and plopped down on the small couch that sat opposite the bed. Rummaging through her bag until she found something to wear to bed she then proceeded to kick off her shoes and strip off her clothes.

Slipping into some shorts and a baggy t-shirt she thought of something. What if he tried to escape during the night? Hmm, maybe she could place a charm on the door to alert her to when he left the house?

Shrugging she decided to do that anyways. Standing in front of the front door she waved her wand, muttering under breath. Once she was satisfied she went back to her borrowed room.

She had decided to fire call Dumbledore tomorrow morning to discuss the situation - she needed to be clued in more and find out exactly what it was he wanted her to do. She couldn't just be left clueless.

Just as she was about to get into bed she heard what she thought was scratching against her door. Slowly making her way forward she slowly opened the door only to see her newest friend sat on the other side.

"Hey there boy." She cooed, bending down to eye level with the dog. "Where did you go? You hungry?" The dog simply stood up and made his way into her room. "I'm going to take that as a no." Standing up she shut the door behind her then made her way back to the bed.

Patting the bed once she was comfortable she motioned for the cute dog to get on the bed. For Alice it seemed like the dog was hesitating. Like it was having some kind of internal battle with ones self.

He moved closer to the bed but did not join her. "You're not going to come up on the bed?" He sat down. "Am I meant to take that as a no?" The dog lowered his head so it was placed on the edge of the bed. Letting out a sigh she turned onto her back. "Well if you change your mind." With that she turned onto her side so her back was facing him and promptly fell asleep.

OoooOoooO

Watching the girl who looked to be half his age sleep wasn't part of the plan. He hadn't thought she would go to bed so soon but she had. Loath he was to admit it he came for hugs. He wanted some hugs god dammit!

Once he knew she was truly asleep he changed back into his human counter part. Running a hand through his hair he grimaced. He should really start brushing his hair more. He had gotten his hair cut due to the fact his hair was down to his elbows and it was becoming a nuisance.

He always used to grow his hair out back when he was younger but that was usually when he was upset. Then he would cut it again when it had gotten too long. But being in Azkaban he didn't have a choice, he had to let it grow out. It was to his shoulders now.

He had been surprised when she had brought him the food. Sure, he knew she was going to cook as he had been there when she said it. But he didn't know if she was going to shout for him and just leave it til he got it. So yes, he was surprised she had walked two flights of stairs to give it to him.

It tasted amazing.

Then again she could have given him some bread an butter and it would have tasted amazing to him. He was still getting used to eating real food again. Sirius didn't really know how to cook so maybe it wasn't such a bad idea having her around.

Giving the sleeping girl one last look he swept from the room. Making his way back to his own room he took a look at the posters that, surprisingly, were still on the wall. Sure he had made sure his parents couldn't take them down - he had done that to piss them off as he had a lot of Muggle posters up but he wouldn't have been surprised to see them blown off the wall.

He wondered why they hadn't been. His parents clearly didn't have a problem when they blasted his name off the family tree.

And yet they hadn't, everything was exactly as he had left them - well, except for the clear ageing signs on them. Looking at everything that was plastered up there he began to feel nostalgic. Rubbing his hands over his face he placed himself on the edge of the bed. He couldn't stop the thoughts of the past plaguing his mind. It was a problem he hadn't quite mastered.

Curling up onto the bed he fisted his hands into his hair. He couldn't keep going like this, he really couldn't. He didn't know if he had the energy to. It was too much. The memories too strong. So strong he wished death would just come and take him but he couldn't allow it. He needed to look after his godson.

He couldn't disappoint and let down James again.

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