Snape was furious. News of the Fat Lady's narrow escape had spread to the whole castle by now, but that cursed Sirius Black appeared to be long gone. "Go, we must find him! He can't have gone far!" Snape barked at Trelawney and Sprout who were dragging their feet and whispering anxiously to each other. He jogged down the hallway and blasted open each door he passed, hardly stopping to glance into the rooms. Surely Black had left the castle already. He wasn't stupid enough to hang around.

Dumbledore had sent Snape to canvas the ground floor and delegate patrol duties. The headmaster was heading onto the grounds to discuss the sighting with the dementors. How a dolt like Sirius Black had managed to evade the ministry, dementors, and Dumbledore was inconceivable to Snape. Yet, there they were, scrambling after him without a trace to follow. His rage was beginning to boil over when he tripped on something hard and round. A wand? Picking up the slender stick, his eyes were drawn to the nearest doorway that stood ajar. Vanessa Branson's office was in disarray. The chair behind her desk was tipped over on the floor resting in a puddle of...blood. Papers were scattered and a stack of books below the window lay in disarray. The window was wide open.

Remus Lupin staggered through the hall, struggling to carry Professor Branson to the hospital wing in his weakened state. He had managed to stifle the blood that was pouring from her wounds by wrapping his cloak around her unconscious form. What was going on? He had discovered her sitting stunned in her chair. Her face was stuck in an expression of permanent concern. Somehow she was wounded, blood caking the back of her blouse and dripping steadily to the floor. She was also as white as a ghost. "Rennervate!" He had cried and rushed over to support her. "Vanessa, what happened?" He asked urgently. Her eyes were cloudy and unfocused as she uttered, "S-Sirius Black," before collapsing. Could Sirius really have been here, in Hogwarts?

Lupin trudged along the final stretch and knocked at the door impatiently. Madam Pomfrey answered the door with a furtive look across the hall before ushering them in. "Good gracious! What has happened to her?"

Lupin lay Professor Branson on a cot and took a moment to catch his breath. "I don't know. I found her stunned in her office like this. She has lost a lot of blood."

"I can see that. Well the headmaster needs to be informed about this. For now I will administer a blood multiplying potion, and hopefully she will gather enough strength to wake up and offer some answers. Mind you, don't go distressing her with an interrogation in this state, only what is necessary. Dreadful business." Madame Pomfrey exhaled in frustration and hurried over to her supply cupboard. "Pomfrey!" Snape charged in and commanded with an intense energy. "Is Vanessa Branson here-" He stopped short, seeing Vanessa lying motionless by Lupin. "What happened to her? Did her wounds reopen? Is that why she fainted?" Snape knelt by her cot and anxiously removed the blood-drenched cloak and blouse from her back and inspected the angry cuts beneath.

"It was Black. Or at least that's what she said before she passed out. He stunned her, probably to enter the castle undetected. This is how she was when I found her." Lupin gestured to her injuries. "W-were these from when she was attacked...before?" He asked hesitantly.

"She said it was Black? You're certain?" Snape's eyes spoke murder and his tone was venemous. Lupin nodded, but before he could elaborate, Madame Pomfrey cut in, "Out of my way, she needs immediate attention for this awful mess. Now stop dallying and one of you fetch the headmaster at once! He will want to see her."

Vanessa woke up with a huge headache. She wasn't sure how long she had slept, but her whole body felt heavy under the warm layers that topped her cot. The hospital wing? But why...Black! Sirius Black was here in the castle and she needed to tell Dumbledore right away! Only, moving her arms to prop herself up pulled at her stiff back and caused her to feel a stinging pain in the usual places. Had her wounds reopened?

"Professor, you're awake. Good. I must say, you should have informed me about your health condition when you began your post. It is important that I have this information in my records for emergencies. Now then, eat this," Madame Pomfrey handed her a bowl of a porridge-like substance with a stern look. "The headmaster will be with you shortly."

Vanessa noticed the sound of muffled voices in the hallway growing steadily louder. She was grateful for the cinnamon-scented stuff that cooled her stomach pleasantly.

"-attacked a teacher! You should ask the ministry to send aurors to guard the grounds themselves. The castle clearly requires more protective measures against this dangerous felon-"

"Thank you Severus, but I am the headmaster of Hogwarts and it is my opinion that the current protections along with increased teacher vigilance will suffice for now. The time may very well come that we do require further aid from the ministry, and I will take your advice into consideration. Now then, please excuse me as I believe Vanessa is prepared to speak with me."

Despite Dumbledore's attempt to shake off a persistent Snape, he followed him through the door to the hospital wing. Vanessa offered Dumbledore a wane smile and then felt a strike of lightning in her core as she caught Snape's eye. He was staring at her intently with a mixture of strong emotions that she couldn't decipher.

"Vanessa, how are you? I am extremely glad to see that your condition has improved. Please pardon my intrusion on your rest, but I must ask you some questions in the sake of public safety."

"Of course. Ask away."

"Thank you. Firstly, it has been made known to me that you were attacked by Sirius Black while you were working in your office during the Halloween feast, is that correct?"

"Yes, sir." For the first time since waking, Vanessa allowed herself to dwell on the details of what had happened. Of course Dumbledore knew that Black had been in Hogwarts, but what had he done? "Why was Black here? Has he been captured? Did he harm the students? Harry Potter?" She asked anxiously. The thought of that man creeping into the castle and harming one of her students made her sick.

"No Vanessa, unfortunately Sirius Black has evaded capture yet again. However, the only person who has been harmed during his visit is you. Along with a considerably less valuable old painting. Can you remember any details that would help us find him or understand his motives? Did he speak to you? Please walk us through it." Snape drew another chair to sit by Dumbledore at her bedside. Vanessa described the details of the night's events, wincing when she came to the promise Black had made her. Once I clear my name I am coming back for you. What did he mean? As far as she knew, they had never met before. Did he really expect to clear his name, when every wizard in the country was so familiar with the undeniable proof of his crimes? Was his promise a threat? After he killed Harry Potter would he kill her too? But...somehow his tone sounded more like he was wooing her? It made no sense. Maybe he had knocked her on the head after stunning her, for good measure.

"He was hitting on you?" Snape growled, fists curling. Oh right, there had been that part about being 'a sight for sore eyes'.

"I don't know. It all seems confusing to me, I can't make sense of it. I've never even met him."

"Very interesting, indeed," Dumbledore mused. "Black appears to be unwilling to kill an innocent in pursuit of his target. Very unlike his previous criminal acts. Or perhaps he has developed an affection for you. He could have stalked you from a distance. Or recognized you from articles in the Daily Prophet that touted your achievements. Yes I think it may be best that we provide you with an extra security detail, if that is agreeable to you Vanessa."

The thought of being stalked by the ministry's most wanted fugitive gave her goosebumps. "Yes please, sir. That would be much appreciated."

"Very good. Severus would you oblige me in serving your nightly patrol with Ms. Branson here?" Turning to Vanessa, Dumbledore added, "You may not be aware of this, but Severus is very gifted in defense against the dark arts, in addition to his potions talents. He is quite capable for the task."

"I will do it, Albus," Snape turned to Vanessa, "If Black is foolish enough to try coming near you again, he will not find it so easy to escape this time." Snape said as solemnly as an oath.

Vanessa could not quell the butterflies in her stomach and also felt profoundly relieved. She had confidence in Severus Snape. "Thank you, both of you." Dumbledore rose to leave, and Snape placed a reassuring hand on hers, before realizing what he was doing. "The last thing she would want is another man placing his hands on her without approval," he thought to himself, awkwardly retreating after Dumbledore. Vanessa smiled, soaking in the feeling of warmth on her hand where his had been.