Chapter 17 Start Me Up

Snape and Lupin exchanged incredulous glances.

"Sorry if I missed something." Said Lupin, "But didn't you just say not a moment ago that you DIDN'T know how to find Messrs. Petigrew and Voldemort?"

"Yes." Answered Sirius, "That's right. I did."

"And now you are telling us that you DO know where they are?" Said Snape.

"Yes." Replied Sirius, "Well, I don't know exactly where they are, but I know how to get to where they are."

Snape sat down shaking his head. "Sirius." He began, "This would be much easier if you would start making some sense. I don't suppose you would care to enlighten us as to how you received this revelation?"

"Not at all, if I can do it without making a total fool of myself." Said Sirius. "First, what did I just do?"

"I didn't realize this was going to be a game of twenty questions." Barked Snape, "But, for now, I will humor you. You became your animagus forms."

"Which were..?" Sirius pressed.

"Oh, very well." Groaned Snape wearily, "A dog and an owl."

"Exactly." Said Sirius triumphantly.

"Sorry," Said Lupin, "But what does the dog have to do with..?"

"Forget the dog." Sirius interrupted. "What else was there?"

"An owl." Said Snape, "So?"

"And what do owls do?" Sirius pressed further.

"By the beard of Merlin." Lupin exclaimed as what Sirius was trying to express dawned on him. "Owls are messengers. Owls can find people wherever they are."

Sirius smiled broadly.

Snape looked at Sirius skeptically. "You mean to tell me," He began, "That when you are in the owl form..."

"I have the owl's ability to find people." Sirius finished. "All I have to do is think about the person I wish to find and directions to their location just pop into my head. When I was just in the owl form, I was thinking about Petigrew and Voldemort. When I did that, where they were just sort of came to me."

"How does it happen?" Lupin asked.

"I don't know." Said Sirius. "All I know is that it does."

"Someday." Said Snape, "You must teach me that."

"I have tried, Severus." Sirius replied jokingly.

"So." Interjected Lupin. "What is the plan and when do we go?"

"Can't do much now." Sirius remarked. "It will be light in a few minutes. I suggest we get some rest and then get things together. How about tonight?"

"Done." Said Lupin and held out his hand. "To our quest." He intoned.

Sirius clasped Lupin's outstretched hand and looked at Snape. "How about it, Severus." He inquired. "Are you with us?"

Snape looked from one to the other. "You are both fools." He growled, "To attempt this is not very far removed from insanity. Therefore, you are going to need someone in your midst that knows what they are doing." He put his hand on top of theirs. "Besides." He went on, "I have something of a score of my own to settle with the Deatheaters. Yes, I am with you."

"We are going to need weapons." Said Sirius.

"I must return to Hogwarts." Said Snape. "I have a few things there that might prove useful. I will return this afternoon. Meanwhile, I suggest that you two get some rest."

"Good idea." Yawned Sirius. "It has been a long last few days and it looks as though the next few aren't going to be any better. See you this afternoon, Severus."

Snape got up and went to the door. "I will return presently." He said and left.

Sirius and Lupin looked at each other. "Do you think we can trust him?" Sirius asked.

"What choice do we have?" Lupin responded. "If he is as sincere as I hope he is, his talents could prove very useful. There is no one better with potions and he waves a wand with the best. His Dark Arts skills are also quite underrated. He would be a formidable ally."

"I hope you are right." Sirius responded. "We do need all the help we can get. I'd hate to have to kill him."

"I seriously doubt it would come to that." Said Lupin. "Severus has done much to help me with the Curse of the Werewolf. Why would he do that if he wished us ill? You heard him yourself. This potion is supposed to be the cure. I can't believe anyone who would go to such extraordinary lengths would turn on us."

"You make some good points." Sirius admitted, "But I'm still going to keep my eye on him."

"You have to do what you feel you must, of course." Said Lupin, "But for now, let's get some rest."

"I'm for that." Sirius yawned again. "See you in the morning."

Lupin took Sirius to a small bedroom where he could sleep. But Sirius could not sleep. Maybe it was the anxiousness of their impending journey, or maybe it was just so long since he had a proper night's sleep in a proper bed he had forgotten what it was like. No that wasn't it. He got up and paced the floor. Then he had an idea. He became the dog and then the owl. There it was. Incredibly, whenever he thought of someone, directions to their whereabouts came into his thoughts too. Harry, Ron, Snape, Petigrew, Voldemort, anyone. The thoughts were somewhat overwhelming. It was going to be a challenge to stay focused. Sirius changed back to his human form and lay down. This time he was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

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Sirius awoke to bright sunlight streaming in his window. A soft breeze was blowing and, somewhere, birds were singing. He opened his eyes, sat up and looked out the window. Lupin was in a small paddock tending to two winged creatures one of whom Sirius recognized at once. His heart skipped a beat. So Beaky had made it safely after all. Messages from friends not withstanding, it was good to see his old friend in the feathers once more. Sirius got up and hurried out to the paddock calling to Buckbeak.

At the sound of his name from a familiar voice, Buckbeak's great head swiveled around and the fierce orange eyes found Sirius. He reared slightly and danced in a circle. Then, not able to contain himself, ran toward his master knocking Sirius to the ground.

"Whoa, big guy." Said Sirius as Buckbeak nuzzled him. "I'm glad to see you too."

"Interesting reaction." Chuckled Lupin.

"There is a sort of unwritten rule about Hippogriffs." Sirius laughed trying to get up as Buckbeak knocked him down again. "Don't make them too happy to see you if you can't handle their affections. Okay, boy. Okay." Sirius pleaded as Buckbeak finally let him up.

Looking over to Midnight, Sirius let out a low whistle. "You must be Midnight. I've heard about you. I hear you have some special abilities."

"Oh yes." Said Lupin. "Observe. Absensia."

Midnight vanished.

"How do you like that." Sirius exclaimed. "I've heard of Thestrals but this is the first time I've ever seen one much less ridden one. How do you get him back?"

"Animis." Said Lupin. Midnight reappeared. "He belongs to Reubus Hagrid at Hogwarts. So, I'm sure he would like to have Midnight back in one piece if possible."

"How about someone riding him while he is invisible?" Asked Sirius.

"Invisible as well." Lupin replied.

"Have you ridden him?" Sirius inquired eagerly, "What's it like?"

"Probably somewhat like riding the Hippogriff." Said Lupin, "But when he's invisible, well, as they say in the Colonies 'It's a blast.'"

"No doubt it is." Said a third voice. Severus Snape was walking toward them clutching a leather pouch that was stuffed a full as he could get it.

"Severus." Cried Lupin. "My word, we are coming prepared aren't we?"

"I have brought several potions of my own design that may be of help to us." Said Snape, "As well as some spare wands and a few playthings to make life miserable for one's opponents. I take it these are our transport?"

"These are your transport." Corrected Sirius. "I'll lead us in my owl form since I know the way. Remus, you should probably ride Buckbeak since he has most recently been in your care. Severus, you have the pleasure of riding our Thestral, Midnight."

Snape looked at Midnight in awe. "The pleasure is most definitely mine." He said.

"Okay." Said Sirius lets get this show on the road."

As they were packing their things onto Midnight and Buckbeak, it occurred to Sirius that Snape was acting more than somewhat reserved.

"Severus." He asked. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, yes." Replied Snape. "I do have a concern though."

"Only one?" Sirius joked, "What is it?"

"You realize, of course." Snape remarked, "That we will most likely be facing every forbidden curse known to wizardry."

"Realize it?" Sirius shot back. "My dear Severus. I'm absolutely counting on it."