Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does. (Why can't she share?)

Sorry for my absence, I have been sick. I apologize. *Bows*

*Ch. Warning! Short! Cliff-hanger!

"Harry, did you hear the Sorting Hat?"

"Everyone heard the Sorting Hat, Hermione," Harry said with an annoyed huff. "And I still have no idea what the Hat meant." Hermione had not left Harry alone since they'd left the Great Hall. All the first-years had been led to their appropriate dorms, and only he and Hermione were left to patrol the corridors. Even though Harry actually did have an idea of what the hat meant, it did not mean he would be telling Hemrione any time soon. The Elf blood within him had given him a magical boost. He was both physically and mentally stronger, though he would not be able to handle many more of Hermione's questions. "Hermione, I'll finish up this corridor. Why don't you head up to the library?"

Hermione looked affronted but nodded. "We'll talk with Ron about it later." She walked off.

Harry removed his glasses and rubbed his throbbing temples. It was only their first day back and he already had a headache. With Hermione gone, maybe he could think about the ominous song of the Sorting Hat. It was odd that the Hat knew so much about events that had yet to happen. Harry was even more worried about how the Hat had known he had grown stronger. He supposed that since the hat was so magically strong it could have simply sinced his growth...

Suddenly Harry heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He flattened himself against the wall in the darkened corridor, gripping his wand tightly in case it was needed. Before he just jumped out he would wait to see who the newcomer was. A few more loud, clumsy steps later and Harry sighed at the sight of a slightly inebriated Hagrid stumbling past him. "Hagrid, what are you doing in th castle?" he asked coming out of hiding.

"Blimey!" Hagrid exclaimed with a hiccup. His big bushy head turned to face Harry. "Ye gave m' qui' thu frigh'!" He smiled after realizing it was Harry. "'Arry!" Harry was immediately pulled into a bone-crushing hug.

"Hello," Harry said once he was finally released. "What are you doing out so late?"

Hagrid chuckled at patted his stomach. "I was gettin' a pepper-up potion fro' Poppy."

"Too much FireWhiskey?" Harry chuckled.

Hagrid blushed but nodded anyway. "Ye know me, 'Arry. Can never refuse Madam Rosemerta."

"I understand," Harry smiled. "Carry on." He waved the half-giant off. He remained still to watch and be sure Hagrid did not fall in his drunken state. Once he was gone Harry continued his patrol. Draco, what are you doing?

Contemplating having a bath... Draco replied after a few seconds. Rid of Granger yet?

Finally, Harry smiled. You know, he started, the Prefect's bathroom is restricted after curfew.

Well then I guess it's a good thing I was going to use the Head Boy's bathroom, isn't it? Draco purred. You can join me after you're done patrolling.

A Slytherin out of his dorms after hours? Harry smirked. I suppose I'll need to put in bed, yeah? Deduct a few House points perhaps...

You can take all the House points you want from me if you don't leave me in this big bathroom all by myself for too long, Draco replied coyly. He had decided that a bath would be quite welcome after their less-than-appealing feast. Harry had given him the password to his private dorm. Being a Head had advantages... Harry smiled in anticipation before hurrying off to finish his rounds. Someone was waiting on him after all...

Draco, however, was not the only blonde waiting for someone. Back at Malfoy Manor, Lucius was pacing nervously in his study. He had not even been able to enjoy the dinner Mimmy had prepared, not even the Black-velvet cookies he loved. Sirius had yet to return. It had been hours since they'd been parted at the station. Auror Smith, Lucius knew, did not have skills sufficient enough to catch up to Sirius, who had had a decent head start in the first place. Sirius was much too crafty to be captured so easily.

Something had to be wrong. It was the only conclusion Lucius could come too. Something had happened and it was not good. He stopped his pacing and readied himself to yell for Iggy and Mimmy, but then, the sound of the front door slamming open drew his full attention.

"Master! Master!" Mimmy yelled from downstairs.

Lucius wasted no time and disappeared from his study with a pop. He landed swiftly in the foyer, his heart falling into his stomach as he did. The sight before him had confirmed his suspicions. Something had happened...

"Sirius!" Lucius asked as dread settled on top of the heart in his stomach as he ran over to the pale, wet, and bloody body of his Animagus. The brunette did not reply.