Stray

Harry felt eyes on him as he leaned over his trunk. What it the Ministry come to take him away - to snap his wand and lock him up? Harry turned, eyes scanning the deserted street and found nothing amiss. He turned back to his trunk only to quickly spin around again. There was something there in the gap between houses. He knew it was there. His wand flew to his hand, "Lumos."

Harry stumbled back at the sheer size of the dog in front of him. It was massive but on closer inspection, malnourished. It looked a lot like Harry thought he himself would look if he could turn into a dog - skinny and underfed with a look in the eyes as if it was just waiting to be kicked.

Harry crouched down, lowering his wand but keeping it in his hand - cornered animals were unpredictable after all. "Hey, buddy. What're you doing out here all alone?" He kept his sights on the dog as reached for his trunk. He thought he might still have some of the treats Mrs. Weasley had sent to help him through the summer. "Aha!" Harry s soft cry was heard as he came out with some cake. He just hoped it wouldn't make the dog sick.

"Here." Harry set the food down on the ground a little ways in front of him figuring the dog wouldn't want to get too close. With a wary look towards Harry, the dog scooted hesitantly closer. Seeing Harry made no more to take the food away or maybe to capture him he pounced on it with gusto.

Harry leaned this way and that trying to see if the dog had a collar but finding none. "A stray then." He said to himself before coming to a decision. "How would you like to come with me?" He asked the dog not really expecting an answer but getting one when a wet tongue scraped across his face. "Yuck!" Harry said as he used his sleeve to wipe the cake-sticky slobber away. "Guess that's a yes then."

The black dog nudged its face into his chest forcibly requesting Harry to pet him but upsetting the precariously balanced Harry.

Harry fell backwards into the road; his hands flying back to catch himself, his wand flashing through the air.

BANG!

Harry rolled out of the way of a huge purple bus.

Before long, Harry and the dog were encased in a seat on their way to living as Wizarding Outcasts.

Though Harry did wonder why the dog kept flinching every time Sirius Black was mentioned.

Fin