Sirius's PoV
I slowly walk through the trees in my dog form. Darkness thick in every direction. One misstep can lead to serious injury or disturbing the other creatures that live in the Forbidden Forest. It's a rather cool night and it will only get colder as it gets closer to winter. I'll need to find somewhere else to stay before then or I'll freeze to death.
With a sigh, I laid down at the base of a tree and tried to fall asleep. It wasn't too long after I closed my eyes that something shocked me awake. I leapt to my paws in an instant, thinking that dementors had found me. That thought quickly left my head as I couldn't feel their effect. I was about to dismiss it as nothing when I heard the same sound that had awoken me. A scream. A human scream, quickly followed by the howls of wolves.
I took off in the direction that the sounds came from, hoping I wouldn't be too late. The wolves that live in the forest are incredibly territorial. Anyone who knows about them would know to stay away from them, especially on a full moon when they're even more volatile. Rumor has it that they're descended from werewolves, and I fully believe it after having met them when I was in sixth year. As much as I would like to avoid any confrontation with them, someone's life is in danger.
Another scream ripped through the air and I could tell I was almost there. The closer I got the more I could make out the sounds of struggling and snarling. I burst into a small clearing and there was just enough light for me to see, and I froze in shock of what I saw. A group of about five wolves surrounding a small figure, a boy, that somehow managed to jump or roll out of the way when one of the wolves lunged at him. However, he seemed to be tiring as his movements got slower. My heart nearly stopped as he wasn't fast enough and one wolf's claws caught the boy's chest and he stumbled back with a scream of pain. Another wolf attacked from behind him and got a hold of his shirt, keeping him from getting away from any more attacks.
The boy gave a strangled scream as the wolf that had a hold of him gave him a sharp shake to stop his struggling. That snapped me out of my shock as the other wolves closed in for the kill. I leapt into the group of wolves with a snarl and they were surprised enough to back up a few steps. Luckily the boy took the opportunity to get out of his trapped shirt and ran into the trees before the wolves recovered completely. Though with him gone they turned their attention to me. I dodged the first wolf's attack and ran after the boy barking a few times to let him know to run faster.
I knew we might be okay if we make it to the edge of the wolf's territory. As long as we stay ahead of them. By some miracle the boy was running in the right direction to get out of the wolf's territory the fastest. Unfortunately the wolves were quickly gaining on us. I could hear the boy's footsteps and ragged breath as I caught up to him. A sharp bark from myself made the boy stumble slightly before he picked up his pace.
The wolves were just about to get us when they slowed down and stopped chasing after us and I knew we must have crossed the border of their territory. I slowed down a bit when the boy stumbled again and had to slow down or fall down. After a couple more minutes he seemed to realize that the wolves stopped their chase and he stopped, bracing himself on a tree as he caught his breath.
He slowly sunk down to the forest floor and curled up next to the tree. I padded closer to him and I noticed that he was shaking terribly, though I couldn't tell if it was from fear, pain, cold, or exhaustion. Probably all of them. I let out a small whine and licked his cheek. He flinched at the contact but relaxed a small bit when he realized I wasn't going to attack.
I waited a few minutes to let him calm down a bit more before trying to get him to move. It wasn't safe for him to stay in the forest. He seemed to realize this too as he tries a few times to stand but he was far too exhausted to even sit up for more than a few seconds. He gave up after a few more tries and curled up back into a ball.
I sat down and thought about my options. It's much too dangerous for him to remain here. I could go get some help for him but then I would be leaving him unprotected for however long it will take to get someone. Or I could transform back to my human self and carry him to Hogwarts. But then I would run the risk of getting caught and taken back to Azkaban before I could get the rat. Help, they might even accuse me of hurting the boy and execute me on sight. Either way, I wouldn't be able to get revenge and protect Harry. Then there are the dementors. There's no telling what they would do to the boy in this state. Or, just let him rest for a little bit longer before trying to move him.
I gave him a small nug to check how he was doing and got no response. His breathing with slightly hitched but otherwise slow and even, indicating that he had fallen asleep. Hmm, maybe a bit of rest would do him good. I'll wake him up in a little bit. And if I am going to have to carry him I'll be needing a small rest too. So I snuggled up to the boy, trying to protect as much of him from the cold as I could.
I listened to the forest around us, alert for anything coming our way. Minutes pass by with only the sounds of the rustling leaves and the two of us breathing. However before I knew it I was waking up to early morning light. I laid there for a moment to enjoy the fact that for the first time in what seems like forever, I didn't have any nightmares. Then I remembered what did happen last night. The boy!
Plenty of curses flew through my head as I berated myself for actually falling asleep. I was only supposed to rest for maybe half an hour and then get the boy to Hogwarts. If something happened to him while I foolishly let myself sleep I would never forgive myself. A small movement behind me brought me out of my inner scolding.
Looking around I saw a pair of sleep clouded green eyes. I was so happy that he was still here and awake that I couldn't help but to act like a dog and lick his face. He seemed a little startled but still greeted me.
"Good morning to you, too," he said softly. I wagged my tail at the pleasant greeting, not even fully remembering when the last time I received one was. "Are you out here by yourself?" There was a hint of sadness to his voice and I tried to distract him by getting him to pet me. That always got my friends to feel better and I was right as I got a small smile from him. Sometimes I love being a dog.
After a few moments the petting stopped as the boy started shivering and I let him have a moment to take in his situation as I looked him over. He wasn't hurt too badly considering he was attacked by a pack of wolves. Yes he was pale and covered in blood and dirt, but overall he didn't look too injured. There were claw marks on his chest, and I noticed some on his hip as well. Also, he was barefoot and was missing his shirt. His muggle jeans could nearly be considered shredded. He was most likely freezing so it will be for the best to get him back to the castle as soon as possible. I nugged him and give a little whine.
"I have to get up, don't I?" He asked and I licked his face in answer. He gave I small smile and a resigned sigh. "Alright, don't suppose you know how to get back to Hogwarts from here, do you?" I gave him a bark of agreement, wagging my tail. So he is a Hogwarts student. At least he's not a random muggle that somehow managed to find his way into a monster infested forest.
He took a moment to get stand up before pulling out his wand. For a moment I felt panic, was he going to curse me? But he just cast a repairing spell to fix his jeans and slipped the wand back into his pocket. We set off into the forest at a slow pace. As we went I noticed that the boy was limping badly, and seemingly from more than just his hip injury. Did I miss something in my assessment of him. He didn't complain though. Just limped behind me as I lead him back to the castle and around the known territories of the forest creatures.
Eventually, we got to a stream and I figured I'd let the boy rest for a few minutes. I was taking a drink when I heard some splashing. Looking up I saw the boy almost kneeling in the water, washing off as much dirt and blood as he could. I went over to stop him as the cold water wouldn't do him a lot of good on this cold morning. Though when I stopped in front of him I was surprised by what I saw. His wounds were healing! And he didn't even have his wand out. In my confusion I let out a small whine.
"It's alright," he said softly and I looked at his face. He had a small smile and I could make out a bit of amusement as he continued to speak. "I'm all healed, see? Water can heal me." He explained but it still didn't clear up my confusion which he could probably tell. "Yeah, it kind of freaked me out when I first found out about it. It comes in handy, though." He petted my head and I couldn't help but lean into the kind touch. It's been far too long since I've had this kind of attention. It was nice.
"You've been alone for a while, now, haven't you?" He added after a minute or so. "I wish I could keep you, but Severus is a bit of a stickler about pets. He almost didn't let me keep my snake, Tia." SNAKE! I couldn't help but think and the thought must have shown on my face as well because he laughed. "Don't worry, Tia is a sweetheart. She'll only bite you if you hurt me. Severus can vouch for that. He's scared to go near her now." Now that had me laughing, just thinking of Snape being afraid of a little snake and the boy smiled. "Come on," he said and stood up, "we need to get going."
We continued on, going a bit faster now that the boy was no longer limping but he still didn't have any shoes. As we go closer I slowed down. Worried dementors might be lurking around. Or maybe a few professors. They must have noticed that one of the students was missing. Though when the edge of the forest came into view I stopped. Through the trees I could see the school standing tall in the sunshine. Should I risk going up to the castle with the boy to make sure that someone finds him and makes sure he'll be alright and risk someone recognizing the dog that used to hang around here when I was a student. Or stay hidden in the trees like a coward. I was pulled from my thoughts as the boy spoke again.
"You alright?" I looked up at him, sad that he had to go. Hmm, I wonder what house he's in. "I could come see you later and bring you something to eat?" That made me think of how long it has been since I have had a real meal. The thought of having Hogwarts food once more made me way my tail but I knew I shouldn't get my hopes up. "Maybe I could sneak you in? I know these two brothers in Gryffindor that would help me."
"Johnathan." I heard someone call out from behind us. I ran to the bushes in a panic. The voice was one I haven't heard in a long time. From the direction we had just come from footsteps came closer. Remus Lupin and Snape came into view. Moony both looked relieved when he saw the boy. "Thank goodness you're alright," Remus said as the two approached the boy, Johnathan, apparently.
"You scared him off," the boy told them. I could see his worried face through the leaves of the bushes.
"Scared who off?" Remy asked sounding tired and concerned. That's when I remembered that last night was the full moon.
"The dog," Johnathan answered, looking at the bushes I disappeared to. "He led me back to the castle."
"Johnathan, are you alright?" Snape demanded and I had to stop myself from attacking the slime ball.
"I'm fine," the boy looked back over to them. "Professor Lupin, you look awful. Are you okay?" It was true, he did look awful. What was that idiot thinking, being up and around this soon after a transformation. "You're a werewolf?" How did he figure that out? "That's how you know what you do about them. Knew what my bite was from."
No. No, no, no, no. He couldn't have been...HE DIDN'T TURN! How could the boy be a werewolf? Though Remus wouldn't be wrong with something like that.
"Yes," Rem replied slowly, his shoulders slumped as if in defeat. "I am a werewolf. I..." He looked as if he wanted to say more but thought better of it. He handed the boy a shredded piece of fabric and walked away, limping, back towards the school. I watched him till he was gone from my sight.
"We don't you to be walking around covered in blood." Snape sneered and when I looked back at the boy I saw that he had a shirt on now and the rest of the dirt and blood had disappeared from his person. "Now let's get you to Madam Pomfrey to check for injuries."
"I'm fine," Johnathan, I think I'll call him Johnny, grumbled and started back towards the school. I crept along not far away to keep him in sight. There was no way I would leave him unprotected with the snake of a man.
"Well the blood on your clothes says otherwise and it was not a request."
"I am not injured. Only cold and hungry. Both of them are easy to fix and don't need me to be cold and hungry in a big, cold room being lectured to by my professors." Johnny snapped back.
"Stop being difficult and do as you're told." Snape growled as he marched up behind the boy. I got ready to attack if he tries to hurt the boy.
"What, 'like the good teenager I am', please, give me a break." I could hear the bitterness in the young boy's voice. We were almost to the edge of the trees. I could see Lupin making his way down the lake shore, slowly approaching our tree.
"Johnathan Potter, do not use that tone with me. Your mother-" I froze at those words. Potter? It can't be.
"My mother is dead." Angry shouting pulled me out of my shock. "She's not here. She's not going to care about what I do. She. Can't. Do. Anything. So leave her out of this." Each word hit me like the Hogwarts express. I'm sorry. It's my fault. I couldn't help but think.
"I only want what will keep you safe." Ha, don't make me laugh, Snape, I thought.
"Safe from what? Sirius Black? Well he's already gotten into the school. The dementors? Harry's in the hospital wing because of them. Myself? I AM NOT A WEREWOLF!" Johnathan yelled and for a moment his hair turned bright red at the ends before he ran to the school, ignoring Severus as he called for him to stop. The man muttered something about stubborn redheads before marching back to the castle as well and I was left alone.
Johnathan's alive! The happy thought kept circling around in my head. One less death to weigh down my conscious. I had thought the absolute worst when I couldn't find him that Halloween night twelve years ago. I'd thought the worst.
Though the question remained of what happened to him and where he's been this whole time? Did Remus find him when I couldn't? Was Lily able to get him out of the house, somewhere safe, before she had been killed? Was he with Snape all this time? There were too many questions and not enough answers.
I paused my frantic circles around the trees, not entirely sure when I had started to pace, and took a deep breath. Through the trees I could see the school and lake. So many good memories of the place. Down by the lake, under the old oak tree that myself and the other Marauders had claimed for our own, sat Remus, my last remaining friend. The years had not been kind to him. He looked as if life had beaten him down in more ways than one. If only I could go down to him. Tell him everything. But he won't believe me. Not without proof of my innocence.
I need the rat. Once I get him this whole mess will be over. My name can be cleared and then Remus and I can fix our friendship. And most importantly, Harry and Johnathan will live with us and it will be just like it was supposed to be. Other than the two boy's parents being dead and it's all my fault.
Misery, that had nothing to do with dementors, descended upon me as I thought about my failure to keep my brother and sister in all but blood safe twelve years ago. I could do nothing but hate myself. It was a long while later when I was pulled somewhat out of my pit of misery by approaching voices. I got up to move further away from them when I heard what they were saying.
"Going to get it trouble." A female voice said. "Besides what could possibly be so important about this dog you met?"
"We're not going into the forest are we?" Another voice, a boy that had an aristocratic sneer to it. "It's forbidden to go in there you know?"
"Of course I know that, Draco. Why else would it be called the 'Forbidden Forest'?" A familiar voice replied with sarcasm practically hanging from every word. "Hopefully he's, close by. I did promise him food. And he's a stray, Pansy. What do you want me to do? Let him starve?"
Was that Johnathan? I thought and crept closer to look. Yes it is, and he was with some other students. They looked like third years as well and there was a prefect as well. They were wearing their uniforms but they were too far away to tell what house they belong to. But there is no mistaking that blonde hair on the boy next to Johnny.
Malfoy.
Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long but you can't rush inspiration. Thought I would do a chapter that answer a couple of the questions that I got in the reviews. Let me know what you think. I'll try to get another chapter up before the new year. Love you all. You're a great audience! Happy Holidays!
~lonie b
