My Father Is My Savior Chapter Three

Hogsmeade

"Wake up," said a gruff voice from some where above me.

I rolled over, sunlight hitting my eyes harshly, and I shut them quickly.

"Come on, get up. We need to go soon or by time we get there it will be noon. I don't want many people to see you." Sirius said from somewhere above me.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes. It was a bright day, and it was warm outside. For once I wasn't shivering. Slowly I stood up, and pulled the dirty cloak around my shoulders.

"Here change into this." He handed me a clean set of robes, and I stared at them in disbelief. "I found them. You can't go into town wearing a night gown and my old cloak." He got up, and started towards the opening of the cave, and stopped to look at me. "Oh, and bring the sac with you." He pointed to an old dirty sac next to my moss bed.

I nodded, and he left the cave and around the corner to give me privacy. I changed into the robes quickly, happy to feel the soft, clean fabric next to my skin. They were a dark green reminding me of the Slytherin common room, but they were nothing too special. But they were warm, and though it was summer time, I knew this would be one of the few days that I would feel warm. I walked outside, where I found Sirius all ready in dog-form, sitting looking out over the mountainside.

"Where do we go?" I asked him quietly.

He turned his large shaggy black head to me and barked. Soon I was chasing after him down the rocky mountain side. After many hours it felt, Sirius stopped. It was then that I noticed a note in his teeth. He motioned for me to take it, and slowly I took it out of his mouth.

Go into town, and with the money in your pocket buy some food, and what's left you can spend on what ever you need for the next few weeks. I hope you know what you are getting yourself into.

I looked at him questionably, but he shook his head and barked down the dirt path down the rest of the mountain hill.

I nodded understanding, and walked past him, and quickly down the path. I guessed it was nearing noon, and wondered what the students of Hogwarts would be doing. If I was right today Hogwarts students would be going to one last trip to Hogsmeade, and I felt my stomach do a flip.

The path led me behind a tall building, and when I went around it I found myself in Hogsmeade. I walked quickly past Hogwarts students and down various roads. I passed a pub I normally visited; the Hogshead. As well as other stores I would often stop if this had been a normal trip to Hogsmeade. But I didn't stop until I reached the market.

Around me, people stood behind stalls, trying to sell their fresh fruits and vegetables. I quickly bought some potatoes, and bread. It wasn't much, so I bought some fruits and vegetables. I knew they would not last long, but I figured in the cold cave they had longer to last. When I was finished I doubled back the way I came and entered the old bar, the Hogshead.

The old bartender didn't look up when I entered, like usual, and I quickly made my way to the counter. I was aware that there were other patrons in the bar, and did as best as I could at hiding my face. Walking up to the counter, finally the bartender looked up at me.

"Hello," he greeted gruffly. He knew me from the many times that year when I had entered the pub, ordered two butterbeers and sat down at the table furthest from the door and surrounded myself in my books and homework.

"Hello Alberforth," I greeted kindly as I always did.

He placed the glass he was holding and cloth on the counter and reached below for two clean glasses. I stopped him quickly. "No, I'm not staying. I just came in to ask for three jugs of Gillywater."

He glanced at me suspicious, but turned away, grunting in response, and stepped into the back store room. Uncomfortably I stood, looking around the pub. I glanced at the other patrons, recognizing one woman from the other time I had been in the pub. She didn't even look up at me. Finally glancing at the last table –the one I normally sat at- I nearly shrieked. There sat one man I had not expected.

Severus Snape, the potions professor at Hogwarts, and my Head of house was sitting at the table, his long nose deep inside a copy of today's Daily Prophet, a glass of what looked to be Fire Whiskey next to him. I turned quickly back around to see that Alberforth had returned with two large jugs in hand.

"Only found two back there," he informed me.

"That is all right, I suppose this will do until the next shipment." I said more to myself than Alberforth.

He still looked a little curious, as his blue eyes glanced at me for a moment. He handed the jugs to me, and I slipped them inside the sac along with the food.

"That will be three Galleons," he told me. I paid him the money, shaking it out of the small pouch of money Sirius had given to me. Paying him good bye, I turned to leave.

"Miss Green," a deep voice said.

I fought hard from shrieking in surprise. Instead I managed to just jump high in the air, as Professor Snape stared at me intently with his black beady eyes.

"Professor," I finally said. "You startled me, sorry."

"It appears you have recovered from the stomach flu." He told me, his words seemed to drip with fake interested.

"Yes, erm… I've been feeling much better, thank you. Just needed some sleep and fresh air." I told him, wondering what Dumbledore had said to cover for me.

"See you in class tomorrow." He said, and walked to the door opening it.

"Yes, see you professor." I said as he left the pub, the door slamming behind him. Standing still I gathered my bearing's together, realizing how close I had been to being discovered. I was sure he was wondering why I was ordering three jugs of water, and why I was carrying a large sac with me. But I knew what ever it was that he did think it did not matter. He would never think that I was off in the mountains with a said to be madman.

Hoisting the sac over my shoulder, I left the Hogshead and began to make my way down the street towards Madame Puddifoot's. It was probably one of the last places I wanted to visit as I had heard many stories about the place from my 'friend' Melinda. In truth I really couldn't call her a friend, though we did eat meals together and study together when we could, we didn't really know all that much about each other. But any how, I needed to go into the store. I knew she sold tea, as well as fresh bread and muffins. Things I needed.

I entered the shop, and hid my horror well. Every where there were couples snogging, sitting around round tables. I ignored them and walked over to a small counter that stood in front of a door way that led to the back kitchens. An ageing woman stepped from the door and smiled warmly at me.

"Hello my dear, what can I do for you?" she asked.

Quickly I asked for a box of herbal grey tea, and a dozen fresh made muffins. She happily obliged, and I spent the three minutes it took her to gather every thing up focusing on the frilly décor ahead of me. It was rather frilly, but tackier than anything.

Finally Madame Puddifoot returned with my things, wrapped in brown paper. "There you go dear, that will be one Galleon and a Knut."

I handed her the money quickly, wanting anything else to get out of the tea shop. After saying thank you I exited the tea shop, and headed back to the main road. It was still too early for me to return, so I decided to look for something to do.

It didn't take me long. As I looked around, to my delight, spotted a book store. I entered quickly as I spotted some older Slytherin student heading my way. Slowly I worked my way through the store finding two books I wanted. I paid at the counter, and left.

I didn't have anywhere to go, but when I went past the post office I stopped. Should I write to mum? I thought to myself. She wouldn't worry, as I had been staying with my Grandmother all summer, and I figured that Dumbledore knew where I was, and had taken care of my disappearance. But something made me enter the post office. I walked over to where it said Muggle Mail, and smiled at the post lady.

"And how may I help you?" She asked.

I smiled. "Well I haven't written a letter yet; could I possibly buy some stationary from you and quickly write one?" I asked.

She smiled and nodded. Reaching under the desk she handed me parchment and a quill. "That will cost two sickles, and for a delivery twelve kunts." She told me as I walked over to a desk to write.

I wrote quickly.

Dear Mum,

I know you are expecting me to return home this summer, but I have decided to stay with a friend of mine from school. No need to come see at the Station as she lives just outside of Hogsmeade. I know you miss me, as you said in the last few letters, but I think it is best that I stay where I am. I don't think it is good for me to be around John. You know how I feel about him, and I know you think he is better, but I don't believe he is. It is just better for me to be away.

Maybe I will see you at Christmas time, but I will wait until than. I hope you are happy, and that John is treating you well. I am fine, and I think I passed all of my exams. I will try and write again, soon.

Love,
Monica

I folded the stationary, and walked back to the counter. I gave the lady the letter, and paid for its post. Slowly I left the post office, and decided to head back to the trail.

I passed many students on the way, but none of them seemed to notice me, and I was glad. I paused for a moment by Honeydukes to stare inside. Tens of students were in there laughing, and joking with there friends. I wondered what it would be like to have friends like that. Slowly I turned back on my way, pausing to pick up some old Daily Prophet's on the ground. When I reached the path I found Sirius, still in dog form, waiting. He barked his hello, and we made our way back to the cave, my heart heavier than ever.

A/N: So this chapter is a little strange if you ask me. The writing isn't that good, I think. And the ending sucked! But it was the best I could do, I think. It took a while for me to write this chapter, as I have added a lot more than there was in the last draft. Thank you for reading thus far, and please don't hesitate to review!