Chapter 7: Sirius Problems
"Padfoot," James said "You've been pretending to tie that shoe for three minutes. We're starting to think you aren't pretending and are just slow."
Sirius glared up at James' smirking face and stood. "Fine." Sirius said grumpily. "Oh look! The other one is untied!" he bent again, waving apologetically at Hannah standing at the end of the hall. Remus almost crashed into James as he exited class, looking at them surprised.
"I thought you'd left for lunch. you didn't have to wait. It was just an easy question for Professor Mcgonagoll," he said.
"Trust me, we'd be eating already if it weren't for Sirius' girl issues," Peter said.
Remus looked more confused so James nodded towards the end of the hall. Hannah was tapping her foot impatiently as Sirius untied and retied his shoe. Calamity, Lily, Susan, and Margaret came out of the classroom discussing the class. Just as Remus had, they nearly tripping over and the marauders.
"Why are you standing right in front of the door," snapped Susan stumbling into Peter, who caught her and pushed the strap of her bag back onto her shoulder. "Thanks, Peter," she said in a kinder tone.
Sirius stood suddenly. "Just tying my shoe," he said. He tried to catch Calamity's eye, but she was tucking her Transfiguration book into her new magically expanded bag. He frowned.
"Sirius," called Hannah in an exasperated tone.
"Coming," Sirius said and turned. He waved good bye to his friends and felt a pang of annoyance as Calamity laughed at one of Peter's comments.
"What took so long," asked Hannah. A stray black hair had fallen from it's ponytail and she pushed it behind her ear.
"Had something sticking my laces," Sirius replied nonchalantly. "How were your classes."
Hannah beamed, forgetting his tardiness and kissing him on the cheek as they walked to the Quidditch pitch. "They were fine, I'm still struggling with Professor Slughorn's work load, but I'm getting better." They sat in the stands and Hannah moved under his arm, looking up at him as she spoke. "I was talking to Jasmine and she pointed out that I am thinking too much in potions. It's like cooking, you have to follow the instructions. if it says crushed and if you don't really crush it, then it just won't work. that's helped me a lot."
"Good advice," Sirius said only half listening. He was watching a slow moving cloud cross the sky. The spring had started to ebb into a warming summer and the year was coming to a close. Sirius wondered what everyone would be doing this summer. He'd probably visit James, once James returned from his family trip. Where were they going again? He couldn't recall. And Lily was going home to her muggle village, though he'd read some muggle villages with Hogwarts students had had spells place don them to protect them. He didn't know about Peter or Remus. He really ought to ask.
"Sirius! Are you listening?"
"Got distracted by the cloud there. It's such nice weather," Sirius said. Hannah scowled. "Repeat it, from right after Jasmine's advice on potions."
Hannah sighed and repeated, " I was saying I'm especially nervous because I take my O.W.L.s this year and if I want to be a curse-breaker then I need to do well in Arithmancy and I need to get into N.E.W.T. classes for Defense Against the dark Arts, Potions, Transfiguration, and Charms. I'm so Behind in Ancient Runes and I can't figure out if I should try to get into those N.E.W.T. classes as well or not."
"Can't hurt to try, right," asked Sirius.
"Yes, but it's so difficult. For example, yesterday's lesson covered..."
Sirius began to watch the cloud again, it had slowly started to change shape from a bunny into a dog with its tongue out. Merlin, he wished he could run around in this weather in his animagus form, but the rule was that only Peter could transform on school grounds since he was so easy to hide and explain away. Maybe he would wander around London as a dog this summer, that would be a refreshing break from his family. He could see how the Leaky Cauldron was in that shape. Calamity would be at the Leaky Cauldron, he assumed. After all, Remus said that was were she stayed last time she volunteered at St. Mungo's. Dangerous work being a Healer at St. Mungo's right now, but if anyone could handle it, he would put money on Calamity. Sirius felt a smile tug his lips as he recalled the non-verbal disarming charm she had done to Avery. She had been so sad at being kicked out of the library. His smile widened. Little Nerdling.
"Sirius!"
"Hmm, Ca-" Sirius began. Catching himself he pretended to have a coughing fit to cover his mistake. Hannah looked concerned and patted his back. "What's that Hannah?" He asked.
"Are you alright?"
Sirius nodded.
"Walk me to class?"
He nodded again and they walked back towards the castle, Hannah intertwining her fingers with his. Once they were at the classroom Hannah kissed him gently and smiled at him, looking through her lashes.
"See you," she said.
He waved and headed towards the commonroom. When he entered he saw James and Remus playing wizards chess while Peter reread a letter he was writing home.
"Where have you been," Asked James wiggling his eyebrow. "Hanging around your girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend," Remus said in a gruff voice Sirius assumed was suppose to be his. Peter snickered.
"She's not," Sirius said with a shrug, flopping down lazily on the armchair.
"Right," said James skeptically. "You know, if I recall correctly, you wouldn't shut up about Remus having a girlfriend when he was acting like this."
"Except Remus wasn't snogging his not girlfriend," Peter added.
"Good point, Wormtail," Remus said, moving his Queen to take James' Queen. James made a face.
"I'm never living it down am I," asked Sirius.
"Probably not," said James.
"Calamity certainly hasn't forgotten it," said Peter folding the letter and tucking it into his robes.
"What do you mean," said Sirius lookign confused. "We're friends now."
Remus looked surprised. "No, Sirius, you can't honestly think that."
"I'll prove it," said Sirius. He looked around the commonroom. She wasn't there.
"She's in the library studying," said Remus. "How will you prove it anyway?"
"Come one," Sirius said dragging James away from the board as he was about to make his move.
Remus and Peter followed looking bemused as Sirius explained the episode with Avery.
"Just because she stood up to Avery doesn't mean she's your friend. He insulted her and was disrupting her," pointed out James.
"You're just mad because you should have moved your rook to get checkmate," Sirius retorted.
"Merlin,I knew it," James shouted. He pointed to Remus, "You talked me out of it."
Remus shrugged innocently.
They entered the library and Sirius led them through the bookshelves passed table after table. After five minutes of searching they found a wall of books. Sirius motioned to them to follow and he approached, peaking around the Care of Magical Creatures book. Calamity had her head resting on the table, her eyes closed, hand still holding her quill poised to write. She looked so peaceful. A stay hair fell across her face and her nose twitched trying to get the hair sensation away from it. Sirius reach for the hair to move it away, but as soon as he touched it her eyes snapped open and she sat up.
"What," she asked harshly. Sirius took a step back in surprise.
"Feeling alright," asked Sirius. Calamity looked at her watch, then at her book again, then around the room.
"I've been asleep for ten minutes," she moaned. She looked back at Sirius as if she just recognized him. "Here to get me kicked out again?"
"Wha-" Sirius began but Remus stepped in.
"Sorry to disturb you. Finish up your essay and then go to sleep. You're exhausted."
Calamity rubbed her nose and eyes, leaving a stray bit of ink on the tip of her nose. Sirius felt the urge to brush it off, but resisted as Remus pushed him away.
"Well, that certainly wasn't a friendly greeting," James said.
"But, why," Sirius said. Remus looked exasperated again, but it was Peter who spoke.
"Honestly, Sirius. It was really embarrassing what you did to her. Did you ever even apologize?"
"Of course I'm sorry,"snapped Sirius.
"Did you tell her," asked James.
"Of course!"
Remus gave him a skeptical look.
"I mean," Sirius said running his hand through his hair. "Maybe not directly."
"How about you practice using your words now and meet us back int eh commonroom," James offered.
He nodded to Remus and Peter and they left Sirius standing there looking at Calamity who was putting her final touches on her essay. Sirius couldn't even remember the last time he had said sorry to someone's face. His friends always recognized his peace offerings and accepted them. He watched as Calamity began putting her books away meticulously. He sauntered forward and picked up her Transfigurations book, holding it out to her.
"You're back," she observed taking the book from him. Not he reaction he'd hoped for.
"Yes," he said. He grimaced at his awkward tone. Calamity looked up at him suspiciously.
"Where's your not girlfriend?"
"Have you and Remus been making this joke together?"
"He really isn't my boyfriend," Calamity said putting her quill away, then looked at him cooly, "Still."
"I know," Sirius said quickly. "It's just- he's said the same thing is all."
Calamity stood to leave and Sirius followed her out of the library, trying to look casual but also think of how to say what he wanted to. Blimey Hannah was never this difficult to talk to.
"Can I help you," asked Calamity stopping half way to the Gryffindor Tower.
"No, just going back to the commonroom."
"Are you sure," said Calamity. She almost looked nervous and Sirius felt a guilty nudge. He bet she never felt nervous around Remus. A small voice whispered to him, "Remus never gave her a reason to be nervous."
"Calamity, there is something, actually," said Sirius. he looked over her shoulder at a portrait of an angry lookign witch who was washing a pot and glaring at him for no reason. "I'msorryforbeingagitwiththepranks."
There was a pause and he looked at Calamity. "I didn't catch any of that," she said crossing her arms. He took another deep breathe.
"I'm sorry for being a git with the pranks," he repeated more slowly.
"Oh."
"What do you mean, oh?"
"I mean, that's a surprising thing to say and I didn't expect it."
"Do you forgive me?"
"I haven't thought about it."
Sirius' face dropped into a frown, "you haven't thought about it, at all? You forgave Remus!"
"Remus just defended you, he didn't perofrm a confudus charm on me while I was in class," Calamity said. Her gaze made Sirius nervous, but he continued to meet her eyes.
"What can I do to make it up to you, Calamity," he asked. "I just want-" he stumbled for a moment. What did he want? To eat lunch by the lake? To talk about Herbology as they worked on homework? To be able to wipe that ink from her nose without her looking suspicious?
"You have some ink there," he said pointing to his own face. Calamity's hand went to her nose, rubbing it to get the ink off.
"I just want to be...friends," Sirius said. She had an odd look on her face.
"I appreciate the apology," Calamity said, dropping her gaze to the floor. "But, I just need time to think about it."
"Take all the time you need," Sirius said hurriedly. "Just let me know what you decide, I guess."
He let her move down the hall and she out of sight.
The last few weeks of term flew by faster than Sirius' would have liked, especially because he was starting to see his apology pay off already. In Charms Calamity forgot her quill and he quickly offered her one of his extra ones. She took it reluctantly. He, James, and Remus sat next to them in the library and Calamity seemed unfazed, even as Susan and Margaret threw sideways looks at Lily and Calamity. He even succeeded in convincing Calamity to let him assist in her research and study of human tranfigurations- an especially difficult branch of Transfiguration that was giving her trouble. As they all parted for summer, James called, "Have a good summer Lily, Susan, Margaret, Calamity!" Sirius looked over his shoulder. Lily waved, though she looked as if she was going against her better judgement. Calamity looked up from her book 100 Common Remedies as if surprised by her name. She caught Sirius' gaze.
"Have a good summer Sirius," she said with a smile. "You too James."
"Way to make peace,"James said slapping Sirius' back as the girls disappeared through the barrier."Owl me if you need anything. We'll be bak in July an then you can stay with us."
Sirius waved Regulus over so that they could walk out through the barrier together. No way he was going to see his parents without their golden son. James gave a final wave and disappeared with the Potters.
It only took two hours of being at home before Sirius felt he was being smothered with propaganda. By the end of the first week, Sirius was anxious to get out as often as possible. The whole house smelled like prejudice. Regulus stayed in his room, though owls flew in and out almost every other hour. Sirius knocked on Regulus' door.
"Yes," Regulus asked form within.
"Want to go to the muggle ice cream shop for a cone," offered Sirius. There was a pause.
"Can't right now. I have to meet someone in a bit," Regulus said. Sirius paused. Meet someone?
"Who," asked Sirius.
There was no answer, even after Sirius repeated the question.
Sirius walked out of the house and snuck into the alleyway. With a faint pop he changed into his animagus form, trotting down the street as a large black dog, tongue lulling out. He made his way around the neighborhood- no rush to go or do anything, but excited to be out of the house. A few neighborhood children stopped their games to rush over and rub Sirius' belly. He played catch with them for a bit before the street lamps began to turn on and they had to rush home. Sirius hurried back home, jumping into the alley to change back before going inside. The family was already sitting at the dinner table.
"Sirius, we've been waiting," his father said coldly.
"Kreacher, bring out our first course," called his mother.
Kreacher brought out a soup and placed it in front of them.
"I read today that Bellatrix was spotted in a confrontation between aurors and deatheaters," said his father after taking a sip. His mother looked concerned.
"She has to be careful. Those blood traitors will do anything to lock her up without a fair trial."
Sirius rolled his eyes, biting his tongue. These idiots had no idea what Bellatrix was doing- killing innocent people. She didn't deserve a trial, thought Sirius.
"I reached out to Cygnus and Druella today with my support," agreed his father. "They're very proud of her marriage and dedication. Apparently Rodolphus is very loyal to He WHo Must Not Be Named as well. Both are very important in the inner circle."
"It's good to see children grow into responsible adults," Sirius' mother looked at him with an expression of disdain. "They are truly changing the world for the best."
Sirius ignored her, though he gripped his spoon so tight that his knuckles turned white.
"I have an announcement," Regulus said. They turned to him. "Mother, Father, yesterday I received word that the Dark Lord was interested in my recruitment and today I went to meet with Bellatrix and some of the top members of his inner circle." Regulus seemed to be avoiding Sirius' eyes as he spoke, staring determinedly at his mother and father. "Tomorrow I am to be officially brought into the ranks of the Dark Lord to continue his good work along side him."
Sirius dropped his spoon. It clattered against the bowl, then hit the floor.
"Congratulations Regulus," their mother cooed.
"You're recruited so young," said his father impressed.
"The Dark Lord was impressed with my bloodline and ability," Regulus said. "I am the youngest recruit yet."
"A toast," declared their mother standing with her glass raised. Regulus and their father joined, but Sirius had blood pounding in his ears, his vision was going in and out of focus.
"Sirius," snapped his father coldly. "stand to toast your brother."
"Regulus," Sirius began, still sitting and staring at his shifted uncomfortably under Sirius' glare. "What are you doing?"
"I'm fighting for our way of life," Regulus said determinedly.
"Here, here," agreed his mother.
"Shut up, mother," snapped Sirius. "You're just a puppet- a plaything. You and Bellatrix and all those deatheaters. You think He Who Must Not Be Named cares about you at all?"
"Don't tell your mother to shut up," snapped his father.
"Don't you see he'll kill all of you for nothing?" Sirius was standing without realizing it, but the force was so great that his soup sloshed over the sides of the bowl and his cup fell to the table, liquid moving slowly across the table cloth. "And you'll have to kill others who have done nothing! Haven't you read the newspaper?"
"Regulus is carrying on our name, as he should," snapped their mother, her usual cool expression twisted into a hideous rage. "He understands the need to protect what we love from mudbloods and bloodtraitors."
"From innocent people" yelled Sirius. "Their blood on your hands!"
"Regulus understands the responsibility that comes with the name Black," spat back his mother. "But you are barely even our son. Standing up for the filth of the world."
"Sirius, I have made my choice," Regulus said. "This is what I need to do."
Sirius couldn't recount exactly how it happened. He knew he threw something against the wall and that it shattered as his mother screeched about blood traitors. He knew that he some how managed to get his trunk, broom, and supplies form is room and out of the house. He knew that he heard the screeching continue as he shrunk his broom and trunk to fit into his pocket. There was the sound of a blast from a wand. Then Sirius was running. He wasn't sure to where or for how long, but he was running away from the house and the Blacks and the news that his brother- his little brother- was becoming a deatheater.
The first night Sirius slept for an hour on a park bench before he was awoken by the sound of a muggle police telling him to "Move along." He did, turning one corner then another thinking about where to go. He couldn't go to James' until July and Remus and Peter were likely out of the question. He couldn't put extra strain on Remus' family when the full moon was so close. He couldn't go to the Hogs Head or the Leaky Cauldron without money for a room. In his hurry he had forgotten his money and he had none in his name, wasn't going to ask for some. He looked at his clock. It was three in the morning and he was exhausted. As a human he would be woken up and moved along but... Sirius glanced around to make sure no one was around. He jumped into a side-street. There was a pop and a dog trotted out.
His senses heightened, he could smell something delicious. Sirius felt his stomach growl. He hadn't even finished his soup. He followed the smell for a few blocks and found himself outside of a bakery. He padded the door with his hands, looking for an entrance. Nothing. He let out a whine as another whiff made his stomach growl again. He moved around the front to see if anyone would take pity on his puppy dog eyes. As he turned the corner he let out a yip of excitement.
Calamity looked up at the sound, letting the bakery door close behind her. She was still in the green scrubs from her volunteer night shift, which must have just ended. Ungracefully she was eating the bacon from a bacon egg sandwich with her hands. She looked at the large dog nervously. Sirius sat and let his tongue lull out, his stomach growling loudly.
"Hey there," Calamity said in a gentle voice approaching. "Are you hungry buddy?"
Sirius sniffed her hand. It smelled like bacon. He licked it. Calamity laughed and wiped her hand on her scrubs. She pulled a piece of bacon from her sandwich and held it out, palm open. Sirius grabbed it. It tasted even better than he had imagined. He made a yipping sound again and ran around her legs.
"Alright," she said taking the last piece from the sandwich and breaking it into two. SHe handed one to him and ate the other. "Welp, bye bye," Calamity said turning to walk back to the Leaky Cauldron. Sirius finished his bacon and followed at her heels. She glanced back every so often until two blocks later she stopped and looked at him.
"WHat are you doing? I don't have anymore bacon." He sat down and let his tongue lull out.
"I don't even know if the Leaky Cauldorn allows animals."
He said nothing, just wagging his tail. He had a sort of excitement that only occurred in his dog form.
"I mean, you could be a stray with diseased."
He frowned.
"Okay, no diseases, fine," Calamity conceded. "But I still don't know you. We just met. Go home!"
Sirius sat watching her as she turned and continued on. He waited for her to get to the end of the block, then followed her trail, catching up with her as they turned the corner to the Leaky Cauldron. She looked at him again as he appeared at her heels. He let out a whine and gave her his best puppy dog eyes.
"Fine," she said. "Come on then."
She led him up the Leaky Cauldron stairs to a room with large windows and a large bed. Books were scattered everywhere, especially around the floor where the window's light shone. Sirius leapt on the bed.
"That's my bed," Calamity said. "Down!"
Sirius sat looking at her.
"I'm too tired for this." Calamity said laying down in the bed next to Sirius, who made one circle before curling up next to her. "I've been working for eight hours tonight. If you give me fleas though, it's over. No more friendship."
The next morning Sirius woke up to the smell of a grilled cheese with ham. He rolled over on his back, and for half a second was confused by the fur covering his body. Then he remembered. He rolled onto his stomach peering around the room. Calamity was sitting against the wall reading Sense & Sensibility while sipping teas. There was a bowl of water next to her. Sirius jumped up and lapped the water, sloshing it all over the floor.
"Well,well,well," Calamity said looking up form her book. "Look who woke up."
She nudged a plate of meat toward Sirius. He barked gratefully and began to eat it. When he finished and walked over the her, sitting down and watching her read. The light fell across her in a flattering way, making her eyes sparkle as they zipped across the page, her mouth twitching every so often into a smile or frown. She glanced at him again and Sirius realized he had been watching her for longer than he meant to. He moved under her arm and put his paw on her book, looking at her expectantly.
"You want me to read to you," asked Calamity.
Sirius licked her cheek in response.
"You're a weird dog," Calamity said wiping her cheek. She scratched behind his ears as she read out loud from Sense & Sensibility:
"'I think you will like him," said Elinor, "when you know more of him."
"Like him!" replied her mother with a smile. "I feel no sentiment of approbation inferior to love."
"You may esteem him."
"I have never yet known what it was to separate esteem and love."
Mrs. Dashwood now took pains to get acquainted with him. Her manners were attaching, and soon banished his reserve. She speedily comprehended all his merits; the persuasion of his regard for Elinor perhaps assisted her penetration; but she really felt assured of his worth: and even that quietness of manner, which militated against all her established ideas of what a young man's address ought to be, was no longer uninteresting, when she knew his heart to be warm and his temper affectionate.
No sooner did she perceive any symptom of love in his behaviour to Elinor than she considered their serious attachment as certain, and looked forward to their marriage as rapidly approaching."
Sirius listened to Calamity's voice fluctuating with different characters and emotions, following the words with his own eyes as he lazily sat feeling the satisfying of having his ears scratched. At the end of chapter five she paused and looked at her watch expectantly. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," called Calamity. The door opened revealing a young man Sirius didn't know in green scrubs. His eyes and skin were dark, both wrinkled with the large smile that broke across his face as he spotted Calamity.
"How's you day off been," he asked in a surprisingly deep voice. Sirius could feel Calamity beginning to stand. He tried to put his paw on her leg to stop it. He was so comfortable cuddled against the wall reading from the book that he didn't want it to end. But Calamity didn't notice and stood anyways, bookmarking her page.
"It's been very relaxing. Glad to have it. How was St. Mungos?"
The man made a face. "Let's get ice cream then talk. Who's your friend?"
"Christopher, this is my puppy friend," Calamity motioned from the man to Sirius. This was Christopher? From the letter? Sirius felt his stomach knot uncomfortably. He did not like this handsome healer in training. He let a growl escape and Calamity looked surprised.
"He's normally so friendly," Calamity said. "Maybe he just needs to meet you."
Christopher approached with his hand out. Sirius looked at it and walked away, nose in the air. Jumping on the bed he curled up there, glaring at Christopher.
"Doesn't seem to like me," observed CHristopher. "He's a stray?"
"I think so," Calamity said. "Maybe his last owner was a man who was mean to him."
"Maybe," said Christopher with a shrug. He made his way to the door and Calamity followed. Sirius barked and raised his head up.
"What now," asked Christopher.
"Do you want to join," asked Calamity. Sirius looked from Calamity to Christopher, then back to Calamity. If he went then he could keep an eye on this Christopher and make sure that he didn't try anything. After all, they had dated.
Sirius followed at Calamity's heels to the ice cream shop. Once there he had to wait outside until the two appeared again with ice cream cones. Sirius listened as they discussed the war, St. Mungo's, the upcoming year, the book Calamity was reading, and their lives growing up. Sirius lay down on the floor beneath the table. He felt his stomach knot increasing as he thought about the fact that he had never had a chance to get ice cream with Calamity and talk about such intimacies. He had spent the last few week of school convincing her that he was sorry about the juvenile pranks. Yet, Christopher (who had broken up with her) got all of her attention and stories. As the stomach knot grew so did his annoyance. What did the knot even mean? Why should he care? It was good that Calamity had someone to talk to.
He felt a nudge and looked up to see Calamity peering under the table. She was holding a biscuit out for him. He took it and put it on the ground in front of him, watching it sullenly.
"I think somethings wrong with him," Calamity said now squatting down to look at Sirius. "Maybe it is too hot for him."
"I better go anyway," Christopher said looking at his watch. "You and I have work tomorrow."
Christopher walked them back to their room and hugged Calamity goodbye. Sirius watched the exchange from the bed, still glaring at Christopher until the door shut behind him. Calamity came to the bed and peered at Sirius with a concerned expression.
"What's wrong," she asked and Sirius felt the knot dissipate as he peered into her eyes. He licked her nose and she pulled back with a sound of disgust, though she was smiling.
"You faker," she snapped as Sirius let out a bark laugh.
The time with Calamity followed the same routine: Sirius would follow Calamity to work. As she was there he would either wait or wander around London. Then he and Calamity would go to Diagon Alley for a treat before dinner and finish the night with reading Sense and Sensibility. Then, they would fall asleep in the bed, Calamity's arm draped over Sirius as she fell asleep scratching behind his ears. Calamity even named him: Snuffles. He was not pleased with the name, but supposed it would do. Despite all of this, Sirius still felt that knot every time Christopher and Calamity were together. He knew Christopher was a good guy and he seemed perfectly nice, but every time he came to visit Sirius couldn't hold back the growl that escaped his dog form.
Sirius spotted a calendar as they walked down Diagon alley one evening. It was the last week of June, which meant he could stay with James soon. Sirius felt torn between excitement and disappointment. The next day Sirius and Calamity woke up. Calamity got ready for work and Sirius ruined her makeup by licking her cheek. Calamity made an exasperated sound and pushed him away, handing him some of her breakfast. The walked to St. Mungo's and Calamity looked at her watch as Sirius sat on the curb. His ears twitched. Something wasn't right.
"See you tonight," she said turning to go, but Sirius grabbed her sleeve with his teeth. He couldn't explain it, even to himself, but something was different today. His instincts were picking up and even the air seemed o vibrate in a new way. It was bad. Sirius pulled Calamity's sleeve back.
"I have to go," said Calamity trying to take her sleeve back, but Sirius wouldn't let go. He knew something wasn't right. She couldn't go. Her arm relaxed for a moment and Sirius relaxed his jaw, thinking he had convinced her, but it was a trick. She pulled her sleeve loose and rushed to the hospital, disappearing behind the barrier. Sirius let out a bark, but Calamity was gone.
He looked around concerned. Everything looked as it always did. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary- but he still could feel the air vibrating in a new way. He sat on the curve waiting and watching.
After an hour it happened.
Sirius heard the sound of apparition before the robed deatheaters appeared. They took no time to look around before moving towards St. Mungo's, disappearing through the barrier. Sirius rushed to the alleyway and with a pop the dog was gone and Sirius was in its place. When he rushed back tot he curb, the deatheaters had all disappeared. What should he do?
As if in response to his question he heard screams begin to leak from the building. Sounds of an explosion. Sirius couldn't wait. He whipped out his wand and rushed in.
"Please let Calamity be okay," he thought as he dissolved into the hospital. "Please let her be okay."
On the other side of the barrier Sirius found that St. Mungo's wasn't a hospital- it was a battle ground.
