Chapter 30: March Madness

Sirius couldn't pass up the chance to sneak into the stands for the Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor Quidditch match. He watched the teams come out and mount, then zip up. His eyes scanned the sky first following the quaffle, then searching for the seeker. How long had it been? He felt a thrill of excitement just sitting there. He could remember Prongs zipping about on his broom, passing the quaffle back and forth. He had even been pleased when Regulus played for Slytherin, though of course he never told Reggie that.

Sirius had missed a lot of things in Azkaban- things he had not realized he missed until he got out. But, the longer he was out, the more he felt like his old self and the more he missed things. When he saw Calamity and Remus having tea, he hadn't been able to resist. The longing to talk to her and joke with her that had been dormant for twelve years almost overcame him. It took all of his effort to turn away and rush down the alley out of sight. He had compromised with himself by giving back the book. Then she had gone to Ireland for the project she had mentioned to Moony. It was better that way, Sirius reminded himself. He had a job to do.

His attention was brought back to the match as the chasers zipped overhead. He scanned again for the seekers- the Ravenclaw girl was blocking Harry at every turn. A cheap move, but Sirius supposed ti was a necessary one. His tail wagged as he saw Harry flying the Firebolt he'd purchased. It hadn't been easy either. But, he'd managed as he always did.

There was a commotion in the stands. Sirius looked down. There seemed to be three hooded figures moving across the field. Sirius shrank further back in the stands. He just wanted to see Harry catch that damn snitch. He looked back up. Something white was charging from Harry's wand down towards the dementors. Sirius made a yipping sound despite himself, ducking under the stand and hurrying off.

Back in the forest Sirius transformed into his human form, leaning his forehead against a tree. He could have sworn he had seen a stag, almost identical to Prongs, rush from the wand. Sirius rapt his head against the bark to make sure he wasn't fully insane.

"What am I suppose to do with that, Prongs," he asked the forest.
No one answered so he sat on the floor, leaning his head back and looked into the leaves. He wondered what Moony was thinking when he saw the patronus.
"Harry can make a patronus, mate," Sirius said to the forest again. "At thirteen! I guess he did get Lily's brains!"

Sirius smirked thinking of how Prongs would look offended beyond belief, making a show of his hurt pride for the crowd. Lily, of course, would laugh nudging on the compliment. Calamity would laugh at the exchange, laying her head on Sirius' shoulder to show her affection for the teasing, while Moony would remind them diplomatically that he had taught harry everything he knew. Sirius felt another pang of sadness.

There was a crack of twigs. His eyes scanned the bushes around him. He was ready to leap out of sight, but it was only Crookshanks with something in his mouth. He walked over, fully unaware of Sirius' inner turmoil. He paused and meowed, letting the parchment fall from his mouth onto the ground by Sirius feet. Without warning he leaped onto Sirius' lap and purred. Sirius petted the animal. Maybe he did sense what Sirius was feeling.

"Amazing animal," Sirius said thoughtfully. He picked up the parchment and scanned the paper.

Fiddllewiggles
Suspilious
Rognobbery
Slatherpuds

What could these random words be discussing? Sirius frowned petting Crookshanks as he thought. He stopped, his hand sitting on Crookshank's mid-back. Merlin!

"These aren't," Sirius said. He paused to see Crookshank's eyes were closed. "Crookshanks!"
The cat opened an eye lazily, obviously not pleased that his petting had ended.
"These are the Gryffindor passwords?"
Crookshanks made a meowing of agreement.

This changed everything.

That night, Sirius snuck into the castle, slinking from shadow to shadow as a dog. He figured the portraits had been warned after his last adventure, but no one would pay attention to a dog. Most portraits were asleep anyway, even the knight at the front was agreeable, obviously unperturbed when an adult man stepped from the shadows. Sirius moved up the stairs reading the names on the door as he went. Finally he came to the 3rd floor boys.

For a moment Sirius stared at the door, froze in his memory of when Jame Potter's name was on this door next to Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Petegrew. There was another boy or two, he was sure. They escaped him now.

Sirius pushed the door open. He could hear the heavy breathing and snores as he entered moving softly from bed to bed. There was a black boy sprawled across his blankets as if he had finished an especially active dream, and a chubbier boy next to him, a vague look of Frank and Alice Longbottom across his features, though in the dim light it was hard to tell exactly. Sirius paused at Harry's bed. He was so big now, certainly not the tiny one year old who had zipped about on his toy broom. For a moment, Sirius felt jealousy for Moony who was able to teach the boy when Sirius was in hiding, dodging the dementors.

There was a squeak and Sirius remembered why he'd come. He turned just as a rat's tail disappeared behind the curtains. Sirius' jealousy turned to rage and he lunged forward, knife moving through the curtain. He'd get that lying, cheating, traitorous git! He thrashed madly, fighting the curtains out of the way. He froze suddenly.

The red head's eyes were open and he was staring at Sirius, who was holding the knife over him. Sirius managed to think, "Bloody Hell" before turning tail and running. Just as he exited the portrait hole he heard a scream that would wake the dead.

It took Sirius a week to get over his new failure. He couldn't count on getting into the castle again. By this time Moony would surely remind Dumbledore of all hidden entrances. Sirius spent his two days deep in the forest, mostly lying in thought. Peter had seen him, that much he was sure. He had seen him and turned tail, unintentionally squeaking in fright. Sirius grinned maliciously. Good, he ought to be scared.

"When I get my hands on that little rat," Sirius snarled to Crookshanks. Crookshanks made a sound of approval.
Sirius sighed. His stomach growled. He would have to go to Hogsmeade. In the town he moved quickly from alleyway to alleyway looking for food. He was inside a trashcan pursuing an intriguingly delicious smell when he heard a familiar voice that made him freeze.

"So I had to explain to Snape that there was no way for Harry to have gotten to and from Hogsmeade with the dementors and that the parchment was a gag from Zonkos. Thank goodness his friend Ron rushed in and said the exact same thing. I think Snape nearly exploded on the spot." Moony sounded torn between sympathy and amusement. "So the parchment- the map, I mean- insulted him? I would have loved to hear that," Calamity laughed. Sirius put his paw over his nose to keep himself from whining.

"It's no laughing matter," Moony said sternly, though Sirius could tell he was smiling. "It could aid in Black's capture and the child risks his life to sneak into Hogsmeade for some sight seeing and treats."

"Oh yes, how irresponsible," Calamity teased. "I know Remus John Lupin would NEVER dream of doing such a thing? Now, who did you say MADE the map?"
"Point taken," Moony said. They seemed to have paused in front of the alleyway.
"This is the place I was talking about,"Calamity said.

Sirius shrank even lower in the can. It sounded almost as if they were walking down the alley.

"It's hardly ever noticed which is good because it's such a small place. We can get some food and catch up."
"Yes," Remus agreed. "I want to hear about your time in Ireland. And about that book you found."
Calamity's voice sounded surprised. "Who told you about that?"
"Dumbledore said you owled him."
"I'm sure he knew about it already." Calamity said annoyed. "But, yes, I found a poetry book."
"That you gave to Black."
"Why are you asking if you already know the answer," snapped Calamity. Sirius could hear the door opening. The smell of pastries wafted out of it and down the alley.
"Calamity, you must be a little concerned that he was able to get into the Hogs Head Inn and to your room without being noticed."
"I'll tell you what I'm concerned about," Calamity replied, but whatever she was concerned about Sirius couldn't hear because the door shut behind them.

Sirius waited until the sunset before venturing out of the alleyway. He moved swiftly across the town, passed some dementors, and up to the Shrieking Shack. He could hide there for a bit. He wiggled his way into the boarded up area and found the old broken bed. He crawled into a ball and closed his eyes. In his dreams he could see Harry running towards him and embarrassing him, Moony behind him with an approving smile. Calamity opened the door to their flat and they were family- like they always should have been.

A/N: Don't forget to review!