The Trouble With Sirius (Part 1)

Harry and Hermione, followed by Ron, went into the library. Harry decided that lots of research needed to be done to find out how the Road of Nowhere came to be, how to find Voldemort, and how to destroy the Road so no one else got hurt. Most of all, they all wanted to find Chessa. Chessa, Harry knew, held innumerable secrets.

Harry and Hermione sat in the library for hours, searching. Ron helped occasionally, but was busy searching for more information about the fairy enslavement.

The hours turned into days and weeks, and very little information was found. Chessa wasn't written about in any book they'd found, and neither was the Road. The friends all searched in books such as The Evils of Lord Voldemort, Great Wizarding Events of the 20th Century, Famous Witches and Wizards, Unknown Information About People You Thought You Knew Everything About But Really Don't, and Horrors of the Dark Arts. Even "Hogwart's, A History" and even an index of current and convicted prisoners of Azkaban gave no leads. They'd gotten innumerable passes to the Restricted Section from Sirius Black, but even the books filled with "dangerous" information didn't help at all.

In mid-April, the children had heard nothing more from anyone and their daily visits to the library dwindled. They were beginning to give up when one day, they went to Defense Against the Dark Arts first thing in the morning, showing up first, to find an empty room, with no teacher.

Sirius was gone.

"Harry! We've got to go to Dumbledore!" Hermione gasped.

Ron ran straight into Hermione's back. He was late, and was just as surprised to find that Black had disappeared.

"He can't have gone like the others…" Ron breathed.

"Well, we can all rest assured that some have returned safely, and I am sure we are all happy about that," an oily voice said from behind the students. Snape was back.

"Professor Snape! You're, you're back!" Hermione squealed.

"Yes, Miss Granger. I'm back. And aren't we happy." It certainly wasn't a question.

"Yes, sir," Hermione squeaked. "B-but… Professor Garney-"

"Is gone." Snape grinned horribly.

"Professor Snape," Harry said quietly but firmly, "We've got to get to Professor Dumbledore."

"He is busy." Snape smirked.

"He's not, either!" Hermione said angrily.

"He is." Snape snarled smartly. "There seem to be some problems with your beloved Professor Black. I haven't got a class first hour, so I'll be teaching this class only."

"Just our luck," Ron muttered under his breath.

Professor Snape pretended not to hear, thought Harry saw his eyes flash with hatred. "Professor Black is in Professor Dumbledore's office."

"Please, Professor Snape, we simply must speak with Sirius-" Hermione began.

"Miss Granger!" Snape interrupted, "Professor Black is a teacher and you shall refer to him such. His name is Professor Black to you."

"Yes, sir." Hermione said quietly again.

"I shall permit you to go to Professor Dumbledore's office, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Weasley, so that you might see just how much trouble your wondrous teacher is in." He laughed terribly.

The three left the room bitterly and proceeded to Professor Dumbledore's office.

They were admitted, and shocked to see what they found. Lying on the table was Sirius -- Petrified.

"Oh, Sirius!" Harry moaned.

"Professor Dumbledore, what happened?" Hermione asked, her voice shaking with fear.

"I'm afraid Professor Black has been Petrified. He was found unconscious in the corridor." Professor Dumbledore was downcast. "He should be all right within a few weeks… Professor Sprout has planted some Mandrakes."

"Please, Professor…" Ron pleaded, "What about Professor Garney?"

The Professor sighed a long, thoughtful sigh. "Professor Garney… left overnight, she went to… to find her sister."

"No!" Ron and Harry gasped. Hermione closed her eyes and swallowed.

"We haven't heard from her…" Professor Dumbledore frowned.

"Oh, Professor, please let us know if you find her!" Ron sighed sadly.

"Of course I will, Ron. But right now-"

"DUMBLEDORE!"

A female ghost floated just behind Harry, her eyes narrowed maliciously.

"Chessa." Professor Dumbledore whispered. His lips were white.