**Just a few notes. Everything in this story belongs to the clever, magnificent, wonderful J.K. Rowling. (Except for Professor Marzanne Murphy, she's mine.) May we all thank our lucky stars for Ms. Rowling and her wonderful creation, amen.**

The New Resident

Padfoot did not stop running until he reached a spot on the edge of the forest not visible from the castle. He then transformed from Padfoot the dog, into Sirius Black, Harry's godfather. Somewhere between the castle and the forest, the leash had slipped out of Harry's hand. Sirius watched as his godson, Ron, and Hermione trudged up to him, out of breath, hands clutched to their sides.

"You lot are out of shape. Suppose you let yourselves go rotten over the summer," he smiled, and gave them each a hug. Harry noticed Sirius looked considerably more healthy than when they last met last year. Sirius had been on the run for two years now, living on what ever food he could find, even staying in a cave for some time. It was evident he had put on a few pounds since that time. Now, his face instead of sunken, and empty, was handsome, and cheerful.

When he regained his breath Harry shouted, "Sirius are you mad? What are you doing here? Someone could find out who you are!" Harry was thinking of Draco Malfoy when he said this. Malfoy was a Slytherin, also in his fifth year, who would just love to get wind that Harry was associating with the convict Sirius Black. Malfoy just loved to stir up trouble.

"Nice to see you too, Harry," Sirius grinned, but was a bit taken aback. "To answer your questions, no I'm not crazy. Second, I am here under the guise of being Professor Murphy's familiar, in order to serve Dumbledore in what ever way necessary. Lastly, no one will find out who I am, so don't fret." He walked over and rested his hands on Harry's shoulders, "Big things are going to happen this year, and I want to be around to help keep you safe." He moved his hands back to his sides, wandered over to the nearest tree, and then took a seat Indian style. He leaned back against a tree for support and asked, "Now onto happier subjects - what did you lot do over the summer?"

"Summer is not what I would call a happy topic," Harry rolled his eyes, began to replay the memories of the summer in his mind, and explained what happened to his friends. Dudley was put on a diet once again. All the weight he had lost the previous summer, he had gained back during the school year. Of course, lack of food put him in a sour mood, and Harry was subjected to the sound of numerous temper tantrums, and slew of punches from Dudley's pudgy fists. To make things worse, Uncle Vernon refused to let Harry spend the last few weeks of the holiday with the Weasley's. Didn't want them coming through the living room fireplace again to fetch him. So Harry spent most of his summer lonely, feeling guilty, and depressed in his bedroom. Lonely because he had no friends in the muggle world. Guilty because he felt somewhat responsible for the death of Cedric Diggory. Depressed because Voldemort had risen once again, and he was powerless to stop it. The only comfort had been the letters from Hagrid, Ron, and Hermione.

"Well everything at my house was hectic," Ron began, "Dad and Percy have been putting in massive amounts of overtime at the ministry. Mum spent most of her time cooking, and cleaning to keep from crying. Fred, George, Ginny, and I were just kind of drifting in her wake. We wouldn't have had the chance to have any fun anyway, Harry. Everyone is dancing on eggshells because of You-Know-Who." He gave is friend a very sad glance and then stared down at his feet.

"I was supposed to spend the summer with Viktor," Hermione said cheerily. She was making an effort to lighten the mood. "But I decided not to. Not my type, really." Harry smiled as he watched Ron mock Hermione from behind. Hermione noticed Harry's grin and glanced over her shoulder giving Ron a stern look. Then turning back to Sirius she asked, "What have you been doing all summer? Harry told us earlier you hadn't sent any owls."

"Sorry for that, but I was quite busy visiting some old friends. Brought one back with me. Professor Murphy and I were neighbors growing up. She's like my little sister." Harry could hear the melancholy for days past in Sirius' voice. "I was very happy when she decided to take the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. She's very clever, arranging a way for us to spend time together and all. I hope you all like her."

"If you like her that much, I'm sure we will, Sirius," Harry reassured him, "I am very happy to see you, for the record."

"Our hour is up," Hermione warned, "We better start back to the castle." She watched as Harry gave Sirius his hand and helped pull him to his feet. Sirius then transformed back into Padfoot. Harry took the leash in his hand, and the four of them headed back to the castle.

They entered the Great Hall to see that Professor Murphy was already there. She was sitting on a bench at the Ravenclaw table reading what appeared to be a romance novel. Harry assumed this only because the two wizards in the picture were kissing hungrily. Being so engrossed in her novel, she did not realize they were there until they were standing right in front of her. She looked a bit startled, "Oh good gracious, has it been an hour already? Did you have a good walk?" Her hand started stroking Padfoot's shaggy neck.

"Yes, thank you," Harry, Ron, and Hermione answered in unison.

"Excellent," she smiled and bowed her head at them. "Now if you follow me, I'll show you my quarters. That way, you can pick him up and drop him off there." Professor Murphy rose and led them out of the Great Hall, up three flights of stairs, went down a long corridor, and stopped in front of a door to the left. Harry recognized the door on the right as the room where the Sorcerer's Stone had been kept. It was where he first met Lord Voldemort. He let a nervous gulp slide down his throat, and then banished the memory from his mind.

Professor Murphy led them into her quarters and shut the door. The room was bare, with the exception of a four poster bed, a few trunks at the foot, and an already lit fireplace in the corner. Across the room, on the far wall, Harry noticed a staircase that appeared to lead to a loft.

"Well, it's not much now, but I'll fix it up. I put your things upstairs Sirius," she pointed to the staircase. "I already started a fire up there, it should be warm," she shot him a look of annoyance. "For Merlin's sake, will transform already. It is absurd talking to a dog. I've put sound proofing spells on the doors, windows, walls, and fireplaces. No outside can hear what's going on in here, and vice versa." With that, Sirius went from dog to man once again.

"You are to kind, Marzanne, dearest." Sirius walked over and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Don't mention it. Severus says 'hello' by the way," she said, knowing it would push his buttons.

"Hid did not, liar. If he did, he can expect I'll break his greasy, hooked nose," Sirius threatened. "I think I'll turn in for the night. See you three in the morning?" The teenagers nodded, and gave him a wave. Professor Murphy watched him until he was up in the loft, and then turned her attention back to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"I realize it's a bit silly to walk a dog that is actually a human being. But it was the only scheme I could come up with so you could spend time together. It just seemed a little suspicious that three students would visit their teacher at her quarters every night. Don't you agree," inquired Professor Murphy.

"Now that you mention it," said Harry.

"Do we still get our nine knuts a week?" Ron asked. Hermione nudged him sharply in the ribs with her elbow.