The walls of the castle seemed to be closing in on him. He picked up his pace, heart thumping loudly. Dark, everything was so dark…scuffling in the dark.

"Who…who's there?" Sirius croaked hoarsely.

"Jumping at shadows, are we, Black?" sneered a familiar voice.

Sirius leapt backwards, colliding with the wall.

The voice spoke again, causing the man to flinch.

"Black? Answer me!"

Angry, the voice was angry. Sirius slid down the wall, hitting the ground with a thump. His teeth were chattering so hard they felt like they were trying to jump out of his head. The darkness was closer now, his eyelids were closing…

"Severus? Is that you?" Dumbledore's feeble voice called to him.

Severus looked up, interrupted in his silent examination of Black's prone form. Truthfully, he was astounded; the man had practically fainted from pure terror.

"Yes, Headmaster. It appears Black is afraid of the dark," Severus' word held a hint of sarcasm, noted Dumbledore, as well as curiosity.

"I see," said Dumbledore. "Then I trust you can handle the situation, Severus,"

Before he could say another word, the headmaster was gone, leaving a furious Potions Master behind.

Unceremoniously, the animagus was dumped on his bed. He moaned gently, as Severus strode from the room. Pausing at the unexpected sound, Severus turned and lit a torch hanging from the wall. Sirius became silent once more, a soft smile gracing his face.

"Stupid mongrel," muttered Snape, as he left.

Stretching, Sirius stared up at his stony ceiling. "How did I get back here?" he wondered. The last thing he could remember was going to the Great Hall, looking for a book he'd left there during dinner. Suddenly, Sirius bolted upwards, breath catching in his throat. The voice! The shadows! His cheeks burned with sudden realisation; it had been Snape. Snape who had seen him cower, fearful of the dark.

He stared resolutely at his porridge, ignoring Severus gaze. If he'd raised his head even a little, he would have noticed the weird mixture of hatred and concern in those eyes. Sighing, he stood and quickly left the room, unable to handle the tension any longer.

Darkness was falling around him once more, filling him with terror. Sobs escaped his mouth. Taunts, screams and moans filled the room. Sirius threw himself from his bedroom, racing down the dark hallway, tears streaming down his face. He had to escape, it was coming, and it was after him.

"Run, Black, Run. You know you will never escape me,"

"No, No!" shrieked Sirius, colliding with a warm object.

"You again!"

Shocked once more, Severus held the shaking man at arms length. Sirius wasn't looking at him at all; rather he was crying and had his eyes closed tightly.

"Come on, Black, back to your room," he gave him an almost gentle push in the direction of his room.

"No….plllease…" sobbed Sirius, suddenly grabbing the taller man.

Severus froze as Sirius' arms clasped around him.

"Help me Remus…" gasped Sirius, eyes still closed.

Ah. So that was it. The stupid mutt thought he was Lupin.

"I'm NOT your pet werewolf, Black," he pushed the man away from him.

Sirius flinched and crouched against the wall.

Clenching his teeth, Severus grabbed Sirius' shirt collar.

"You're coming with me, Black,"

Two calming draughts later, and Sirius was still hiccupping and slightly hysterical.

"Really, Black," said Severus, exasperated.

"Remus is dead isn't he?" asked Sirius tearfully.

Severus studied him closely for a few moments, before replying.

"No, your pet is away on a mission for Dumbledore. He's scheduled back tomorrow," oddly enough, Severus didn't want to taunt his enemy; it was obvious that Black was lost enough as it was.

"Perhaps you'd like Dumbledore to confirm this?" he managed to keep his voice neutral.

Sirius shook his head, still shaking profusely. His eyes roamed over to the furthest corner of the room, shuddering as he saw the pitch-dark area. Frowning, Severus stood.

"Then you'd better return to your rooms, Black," he once again kept any animosity from creeping into his tone.

To his surprise, Black didn't answer, allowing a single tear to drop from his face before standing. He stared at the dim hallway outside the room.

Severus sighed once more, tossing him a blanket.

"You can stay here then," he said ungraciously.

The door behind his office was pulled open, leaving Sirius alone in the room, to wonder why Snape was being so nice to him.

Huddling on the chair, he once more had to hold in his screams. Snape's candles were burning awfully low, casting weird shapes on the jar covered walls. Eventually, his soft whimpers ceased, as his head dropped down to his knees and he slept. Severus, peering at his unexpected guest through the door, smiled ruefully.

The aroma of coffee greeted Sirius the next morning. He lifted his neck, groaning as his neck protested.

"Here, take it," a cup was pushed into his hands.

"Thanks," he murmured, gratefully taking a sip.

The fire flared suddenly, and Albus' head appeared in the grate.

"Severus, my office, now!" he shouted, soot falling into his beard.

Shrugging the greasy haired man left the room.

"Severus," Dumbledore motioned to the plump chair in front of his desk.

His face was pale behind his already white beard.

"I have something regretful to tell you, Severus, but I do not wish Sirius to find out from me," Dumbledore paused.

"I want you to tell him for me,"

Severus sneered.

"Tell him what, exactly?" he asked snidely.

"That...Remus Lupin will not be returning from his last mission," Dumbledore said sadly.

Surprisingly, Black was still in his office when he returned. He looked up, after studying a jar of caterpillar legs.

"Oh? Back already?" Sirius gave a watery smile. "I was going to leave…but then I spotted these and just had to know what they were and…"

"Sit down Black, there's something I need to tell you,"