Chapter 4

Complete and total darkness surrounded him. What did the sun look like? Sirius didn't think that he even remembered at this point. It had been two weeks since he had found himself locked in Azkaban, fourteen days since he had been thrown into this hellhole. It was amazing that he hadn't lost his mind yet. Was thinking that a sign that he was beginning to?

Sirius pressed himself up against the cold damp wall and pulled his knees into him. The floor was wet underneath of him, he could have moved to a drier spot but he felt the safest when he knew the wall was behind him and he was facing the door. If he was facing the door he could be prepared for whatever was coming his way next. Although there wasn't much he could do about the dementors, he felt more in control if he could know they were coming.

Sirius closed his eyes and tried to focus on what had happened to land him in this situation. Although it was painful to think of, he needed to ground himself in reality rather than give way to the fantasy that would surely drive him mad. James was gone. Lily was gone. Harry… he had survived, he was orphaned. Peter Pettigrew, he was the one who was responsible.

Anger surged through Sirius' veins. Betrayal couldn't even begin to describe what that rat had done to his best friends. He murdered them, his desire for power and respect had murdered the best friends he had ever had. Then to top it all off, Peter escaped. He was off living a free life while Sirius sat in this prison, framed for the murder of those who were dearest to him.

With his eyes closed, he pictured the warm Gryffindor Common Room; the sound of a roaring fire and the laughter of his friends. Sirius would give anything to have a full meal and a shower. How long could he keep this up? How long could he tolerate this torture before he welcomed madness with open arms?

Stop it. Sirius said to himself, shaking his head and pressing his palms over his eyes. You have to keep it together. It is important that you make it out of here. Harry needs you.

A clanking noise came from the door and Sirius opened his eyes quickly. A bowl was shoved into his room and Sirius rushed to his feet and grabbed the bowl and brought it back over to his spot against the wall. In the bowl was a sour smelling stew and a couple pieces of stale bread floating on top of it. He lifted the bowl to his mouth and drank down the soup ravenously. It was practically flavorless, but it was still nourishment. Sirius picked up a piece of stale bread and swirled it around in the stew that was leftover before shoving it into his mouth.

I am not guilty. Sirius said to himself. I need her to know I'm not guilty… if she's still alive, I need her to know I didn't do this. I have to get out of here.

"I think it might take a bit more than robes to be a witch." A smooth voice entered the compartment.

Claire turned her head to look at the compartment door and noticed a young boy of average height. He had dark hair that fell like curtains around his face; the roots of his hair appeared slightly oily. Next to him stood a thin girl with bright green eyes and dark red hair. Both had changed into their Hogwarts robes.

"Magical skill is what makes a witch." The boy stepped into the compartment. Claire noticed that James stood up out of his seat and moved next to Sirius.

"Well," Claire said timidly, "I haven't done much magic before. I'm not really sure how much magical skill I have."

"I'm sure you have plenty." Sirius glanced at the new face in the compartment hesitantly.

"Let's see then." The boy looked at Claire expectantly. The girl standing next to him placed her hands in the pockets of her robes.

Claire glanced at Sirius and pulled her wand out of her pocket. She didn't know of any specific spells, the only magic she had done before had been spontaneous and unimpressive. Sighing she glanced down at her feet.

"I don't know any spells." The disappointment in her voice was obvious.

"Of course you don't," James chimed in, "I grew up in a wizard family and I barely know any. That's why we're all here."

"Not even a simple levitation spell?" The boy glanced at Claire as if he were appraising her worth.

"I have read about them a little…" Claire trailed off while she fiddled with her wand, "I don't know the proper method though."

"Give it a shot." Sirius said, challenging this new presence in the compartment. Claire's eyes opened wide at his suggestion. It was too much pressure to perform magic in a compartment with people she had just met. "I'm sure it will be fine."

Claire took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. Her mind raced as she tried to remember every aspect of the levitation spell she had read about. Did she flick her wand or swish it? Was it both? Did you swish twice? How on earth did you pronounce the spell? She opened her eyes and stared at the copy of Jane Eyre that was sitting on the seat.

Claire lifted her wand and pointed it at the book. She shakily followed through with the motion she thought she remembered from her textbook while saying "Wingardium… Leviosa?" The book rose an inch off of the seat for a moment and then flopped back down on the cushioned seat.

"With a bit of practice," James said smirking at her, "You're going to earn Gryffindor house a few points with that spell." Claire couldn't control the smile on her face, she felt so accomplished.

"Gryffindor?" The boy said with obvious distaste in his voice, "Why on earth would she want to be in Gryffindor? Reading the textbook before school starts and executing a spell on the train to Hogwarts, I think those are more Slytherin qualities. Determination, cunning, resourcefulness. Everyone knows that Gryffindor is just a house filled with hot-headed egomaniacs."

"Watch yourself." Sirius growled at him, stepping forward.

"Slytherin is filled with power-hungry snakes." James glared at him. "Anyone with any moral compass knows to steer clear of anyone who dares call themselves a Slytherin with pride."

Claire stepped in front of Sirius as he advanced on the boy. She turned on her heel and faced the red-headed girl and her companion.

"I think that I will make my own decision on which house is best suited for me." Claire said quickly in the least confrontational way that she could muster, "I also think that it may be best if you left us so Sirius and James can change into their robes."

"Come on Severus." The girl said tugging at his sleeve. He narrowed his eyes at James and Sirius and then followed her down the hallway of the train.

"What a git." James said loudly as the boy walked away.

"Barging in on this compartment uninvited," Sirius paced slightly in the already tiny compartment as he spoke, "Then demanding Claire do magic on the spot to prove herself-"

"Which great job by the way." James chimed in with a smile.

"- She doesn't have to prove herself to anyone." Sirius continued to pace, "Then he insulted you with those comments about Gryffindor. I don't like the look of him. Probably up to his eyeballs in the dark arts."

Claire reached out and placed her hands on Sirius' shoulders to stop him from pacing. Watching him walk back and forth was starting to make her feel some motion sickness.

"It's not worth worrying about." Claire said calmly, trying her best to be the voice of reason.

"You're okay with him just waltzing in here and insulting you?" Sirius asked incredulously.

"No, of course not." Claire shook her head, "It's just not worth getting in trouble over before the school year even begins. Besides, we should be arriving in a moment. You really do need to put your robes on."