A/N: Chapter thirty-two for you all and I hope you enjoy it. I'm now very glad of the Latin dictionary my sister bought a while ago. *sighs* I'd love to learn Latin…Thank you to Severitus, who was the first person to send in some fanart. I have it as the wallpaper on my computer!

Chapter Thirty-Two

Sirius didn't know what to do. He knew where Mundungus was, knew how many Death Eaters were in the room with him, but he wasn't sure if he should launch a direct attack now, or wait until night. Eventually he decided to wait, and spent the next few hours avoiding Mundungus' searching mind.

It was later than he had planned, when Sirius attacked. He had forgotten that night was shorter in Russia, and that the sun set later. He crept up to the wall of the cell where Mundungus was being kept, and transformed back into a human. Pulling his wand from his pocket, he placed it against the wall and whispered, "Dirumpere!" The wall literally broke into pieces, and fell into the cell. Sirius stepped through and took out one of the Death Eaters before they had a chance to react. One of the Death Eaters shot off an Avada Kedavra that missed Sirius by only a few centimetres. He took out the one that had cast the spell with a pallidus somnus curse, and turned to the last one, who was fiddling with a small magical device. Sirius realised that he was trying to call for help, and thumped him over the back of the head with his fist. The Death Eater dropped like a stone, and Sirius turned to the middle of the room. Mundungus was tied to a stone bench, and was covered in cuts and welts that leaked blood. He was almost skeletal in form, and his eyes rolled crazily in his head as he tried to focus on Sirius. For a moment Sirius wasn't sure if he'd be able to move him, but the distant sound of feet and voices forced him into action. He undid the straps and spells holding Mundungus to the table and hauled him over his shoulder, ignoring the feeling of blood seeping through his clothes to touch his skin. He stepped over the rubble that had once been the wall of the cell, and began to run. The voices were coming closer and a few spells whizzed past Sirius' head. He cursed and bent down, trying to run closer to the ground. There were a few terrifying seconds when Sirius thought he'd forgotten where the foxhole was, but then he spotted it, hidden under a few bushes. He pulled out his wand and turned it on Mundungus, trying to concentrate on the man instead of the spells coming dangerously close. "Transformare cuniculus," He yelled, concentrating on the form his wished Mundungus and praying that it would work. Mundungus' form stayed the same for a moment, before slowly shrinking and changing into a rabbit. Sirius transformed into his animagus form, picked up the Mundungus-rabbit in his mouth, and crawled into the hole. Within a few moments he was out, and he transfigured Mundungus back into a human. He saw a familiar green light shoot out of the rabbit hole, and reacted in the only way he could think of. He apparated. For an uncomfortable moment he and Mundungus were nothing but thought. He tried to head for Hogwarts then remembered that you couldn't apparate there, and headed for the next best thing. Both men's forms shuddered into existence in a dark room, and Sirius breathed a sigh of relief. The Shrieking Shack. He headed towards the small hole that led towards Hogwarts, transforming Mundungus back into a rabbit again and shifting into his animagus form.

Sirius wasn't sure how long and how far he ran, but he knew that he had reached the Whomping Willow in record time. He raced up the grounds to the doors of Hogwarts and, after transforming Mundungus and himself once again into their human forms, hammered against the door, yelling himself hoarse. After a few moments it opened to reveal Professor McGonagall. She gasped and ushered Sirius in, leading him to the Gargoyle that guarded the passage to Professor Dumbledore's study. She told it the password and guided Sirius up to the top of the stairway. Dumbledore rose from where he had been sitting as they came into the room, eyes filled with both relief and apprehension. Sirius laid Mundungus gently onto one of the overstuffed couches that were in Dumbledore's study. Dumbledore tapped three small orbs that were lying on his desk that began to glow as soon as he touched them, before moving to strip Mundungus of the rag that had once been his shirt.

"Minerva, would you please find me a damp cloth? I believe there are some behind Resmern's picture."

Professor McGonagall lifted the portrait of one of Hogwarts Headmasters to find a small alcove in which a bowl of cool water and several washcloths sat. She picked up one of the cloths and dipped it into the bowl of water, twisted it so that most of the water was squeezed back into the bowl, and handed it to Professor Dumbledore. He used it to clean the blood off of Mundungus' chest, revealing the full extent of his injuries. Just as he was finishing Snape, Flitwick and Madam Pomfrey all stepped out of the fireplace.

"We've got him back," Dumbledore informed them. "Severus, I'll need you to make a strong sleeping potion and a numbing agent, please. Professor Flitwick, you'll have to go with Madam Pomfrey when she takes Mundungus to the Hospital Wing and perform a stabilization charm on him. I'll arrange for someone else to take your classes for tomorrow. Madam Pomfrey, I'm going to need you to work on Mundungus. I'm aware that it's a big ask, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it."

Just then the door of Dumbledore's study flew open to reveal Harry, breathing hard and with dark circles under his eyes. He glanced about and, upon seeing Sirius, ran to him and hugged him tight, burying his face in his shoulder and trying not to burst into tears. Sirius returned the embrace for a moment, before pulling back to look at Harry.

"You haven't been sleeping," He said, pointing to the dark marks around his godson's eyes.

"Neither have you," Harry shot back, jabbing a finger at Sirius. "And you haven't been eating properly either, and you promised."

"I know," Sirius sighed. "I'm sorry." He grinned suddenly. "I suppose I'll just have to spend the next few days recovering…lying around, eating a lot…that kind of thing."

Harry snorted. "Like you don't want to."

"This is just touching," Severus sneered, "But I have two classes to teach tomorrow and two potions to make now. Is there any further reason for me to be here?"

"Not really, Severus. Thank you," Dumbledore said. Snape nodded and left the room.

"What did he mean, classes to teach?" Sirius asked suddenly, remembering how Snape had said before that he was teaching. "Haven't the holidays started?"

Dumbledore nodded. "They have, but a lot the students have stayed behind this year. The Professors have decided to offer tutoring for the children to keep them occupied."

Sirius stared at him. "Who would want to be tutored by Snape?" He asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

"Enough people to give him the largest amount of classes," Dumbledore told him, voice stern. He obviously didn't approve of the ongoing enmity between Sirius and Severus, and was making it clear. "Severus was right, however. Tomorrow is Christmas day and we're sure to be very busy. I think it would be best if you returned to your room and tried to get some sleep, Harry."

Harry nodded, and gave Sirius one more hug before walking to the door. A small choking noise made him turn to see Mundungus lying on the couch. The man's eyes were open and focused on Harry.

"Thank you," He rasped, before lying back again and closing his eyes. Harry blinked back sudden tears and turned to return to his room.