Chapter 2.
Backstory. (September-November 1993)
On the first day of school, Ruth hurried around the cottage, seeing to everything. She took longer than usual getting ready, and when she emerged, she looked nice. She'd let her hair out of its customary ponytail, and was dressed in a matching skirt and blouse, rather than her usual haphazard sweater-skirt combination. Her Doc Martens had been abandoned in favor of some more professional slip-ons. She dumped some sausages on a plate for the dog-for some odd reason, he'd begun to turn his nose up to dog food, and insist on table scraps-cracked the door so he could get outside if he needed to, patted his head, and hurried outside.
The dog watched her until she reached the corner. Then, he turned and padded back into the house. He changed.
It felt good, like stretching a muscle you hadn't used for a long time. Thanks to Ruth, he was clean and better fed than he'd been in a long time, but he definitely was going to need some new robes. In the meantime, Sirius grimaced and pulled on Ruth's bathrobe. It just had to be pink, didn't it?
He was feeling much better. He peered into the small mirror over the bathroom sink. He didn't want to look at his own eyes. He had a terrified look that he couldn't seem to shake. The lingering feeling of Azkaban had faded, but there were moments when he suddenly felt that feeling of isolation and despair sneak up on him again. Being here, in this warm, stable environment with Ruth put him at ease. If he weren't here... well, he imagined the feeling would still be a lot stronger. He imagined that he would still be unable to think straight, or to focus on the moment.
His skin was waxy and pale, and stretched tight over his cheekbones. He was still gaunt, but he had gained a little weight. He was willing to help that along! He stepped into the kitchen, tugged open the pantry, and made a huge sandwich. He sat, eating slowly, savoring every bite.
It was around noon. He paced around the tiny cottage for a moment, impatient with boredom. He was really much healthier. Any day now, he'd need to head to Hogwarts. He had to find Pettigrew. He should probably go now.
For some reason, though, he didn't want to. He felt somehow responsible to Ruth, for her kindness and care. Of course, it wasn't like he could explain things to her. By the way, my name is Sirius. I've been your dog for the last few months. Thanks for all the help, but I have to go avenge my best friend's death and clear my name now. Right.
He managed to pace his way into the bedroom, and his eye landed on Ruth's journal. He bit his lip. He shouldn't. He really shouldn't. No, he really, really shouldn't.
He sat down on the bed and lifted the little book.
The cover was imprinted with "Ruth Murray. Her Journal. Presented on her Graduation day, this, the 15th of June, 1991, by her loving Aunt Eloise." He flicked in a few pages. It was a thin book, and only half full.
"1 September, 1991. Mother and Charley left this morning. I can't believe that the house is going to be torn down, and that I won't see their faces again for so long. Why does Mother have to get married again, anyway? and to an American? V. disappointed. Bought new chair for reading in at church store. Still no job."
He flicked in a few more pages.
"23 September, 1991. Mrs. Cole has broken her leg. As only other person with college education in town, I am filling in. Mother wants to send money, but I refuse. I can make it on my own. Teacher's salary will add to book royalties, and I will be able to buy sausages again. May sell the chicken-beastly little thing keeps me awake."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. He flicked to about halfway through the book.
"18 June, 1992. I miss the children. The factory is definitely closing. Everyone is talking about leaving. Mr. Wordworthy says that they might combine the higher and lower forms into one class each next term. V. unfair, I think."
He skipped to the last entry in the diary.
"28 August, 1993. Dog seems to be doing much better. V. intelligent animal, I think. His injuries are nearly all healed, and he's putting on weight. Who could have gotten rid of such a clever dog? School starts in a few days. I'm glad. Perhaps I'll take Dog for show and tell. Must buy new shoes."
He put the book down. So that was her story. Back from college, and her mother remarries and moves away. In the space of a few years, the town empties out, but she feels responsible and stays. No wonder she had so much time to dedicate to a sick old dog.
Sirius stood and stretched. He felt tired. It was exhausting, this recovering stuff. He took off the bathrobe, replacing it on its peg, and switched back to dog form. He curled up on the bed and fell asleep.
He awoke again when the door opened, and went out to greet Ruth. He wanted to ask her how her day was, how her students were, if she had a good class... but of course, he couldn't. So he wagged his tail, and allowed his head to be patted enthusiastically. She changed clothes, and then they went for a walk. She talked to him about this and that, and he padded along beside her. Then it was home for dinner and a spot of television before bed.
She watched a comedy program, and then the evening news. Sirius's ears perked up when a "Special Alert" came on, and Sirius's own picture flashed onto the screen.
"Authorities warn that the dangerous fugitive Sirius Black is still at large," the announcer piped. "Black is presumed armed and extremely dangerous. Should you see Black, please call this number immediately. All sightings are being thoroughly investigated. Repeat, Black is presumed armed and extremely dangerous. Do not try to apprehend him yourself."
Ruth shook her head. "I heard about that at school. I hope they catch him quickly-it makes people feel uncomfortable, having a man like that loose. We'll just hope we don't see him, eh, Dog?" She scratched Sirius's ears affectionately. He whined sadly.
Ruth headed into her bedroom to change for bed. Sirius, being a gentleman, stayed sitting beside the chair until he heard her crawl into bed. Then he padded into her room and snuggled up in the dog bed.
Their days went on like that for a long time. He spent his days alone, and as himself, and his nights in dog form with Ruth. Sirius felt better and better, and decided that on Halloween, he'd strike out for Hogwarts. He'd put it off for too long.
It was a few days before Halloween, and already snowing. Hogwarts wasn't too far, and by now Harry would be there. He might even be able to see him once he got Pettigrew.
Just thinking about Pettigrew made his heart pound. Twelve years was a long time to be angry. And no one could be angry like Sirius. He'd had a temper before, but now... he hoped Pettigrew was frightened. He hoped Pettigrew was very frightened.
He watched Ruth eat her breakfast and thought out his plan. He could get into Hogsmeade, no problem. The Shrieking Shack should still be empty-it could be his base of operations. And then it was just a matter of sneaking into Hogwarts through the tunnel.
Ruth got up, dressed, and knelt beside Sirius. She scratched his head affectionately. "Be a good boy today, Dog. I'll probably be a bit late tonight, but you'll be okay on your own." Sirius wagged his tail and nuzzled her hand. She smiled. "I'll see you later. Be a good boy, okay?"
She pulled her coat off the rack and pulled it on as she walked out the door. Sirius watched out the window until she reached the corner. He plodded back across the kitchen and sniffed at the sausage and egg she'd left on his plate, and then shook out his fur. He stretched and switched out of dog form.
He felt his muscles shifting, his skin changing, his fur vanishing, and it felt good. When it was done, he stretched again, and scratched his head.
There was a tiny creaking sound from the doorway.
He spun around, horrified.
There, in the doorway, was Ruth, her hand clutching the purse she'd forgotten on the coat rack. Her eyes were two little circles of whites around tiny pupils, she was so surprised.
"What are you?" she whispered.
Backstory. (September-November 1993)
On the first day of school, Ruth hurried around the cottage, seeing to everything. She took longer than usual getting ready, and when she emerged, she looked nice. She'd let her hair out of its customary ponytail, and was dressed in a matching skirt and blouse, rather than her usual haphazard sweater-skirt combination. Her Doc Martens had been abandoned in favor of some more professional slip-ons. She dumped some sausages on a plate for the dog-for some odd reason, he'd begun to turn his nose up to dog food, and insist on table scraps-cracked the door so he could get outside if he needed to, patted his head, and hurried outside.
The dog watched her until she reached the corner. Then, he turned and padded back into the house. He changed.
It felt good, like stretching a muscle you hadn't used for a long time. Thanks to Ruth, he was clean and better fed than he'd been in a long time, but he definitely was going to need some new robes. In the meantime, Sirius grimaced and pulled on Ruth's bathrobe. It just had to be pink, didn't it?
He was feeling much better. He peered into the small mirror over the bathroom sink. He didn't want to look at his own eyes. He had a terrified look that he couldn't seem to shake. The lingering feeling of Azkaban had faded, but there were moments when he suddenly felt that feeling of isolation and despair sneak up on him again. Being here, in this warm, stable environment with Ruth put him at ease. If he weren't here... well, he imagined the feeling would still be a lot stronger. He imagined that he would still be unable to think straight, or to focus on the moment.
His skin was waxy and pale, and stretched tight over his cheekbones. He was still gaunt, but he had gained a little weight. He was willing to help that along! He stepped into the kitchen, tugged open the pantry, and made a huge sandwich. He sat, eating slowly, savoring every bite.
It was around noon. He paced around the tiny cottage for a moment, impatient with boredom. He was really much healthier. Any day now, he'd need to head to Hogwarts. He had to find Pettigrew. He should probably go now.
For some reason, though, he didn't want to. He felt somehow responsible to Ruth, for her kindness and care. Of course, it wasn't like he could explain things to her. By the way, my name is Sirius. I've been your dog for the last few months. Thanks for all the help, but I have to go avenge my best friend's death and clear my name now. Right.
He managed to pace his way into the bedroom, and his eye landed on Ruth's journal. He bit his lip. He shouldn't. He really shouldn't. No, he really, really shouldn't.
He sat down on the bed and lifted the little book.
The cover was imprinted with "Ruth Murray. Her Journal. Presented on her Graduation day, this, the 15th of June, 1991, by her loving Aunt Eloise." He flicked in a few pages. It was a thin book, and only half full.
"1 September, 1991. Mother and Charley left this morning. I can't believe that the house is going to be torn down, and that I won't see their faces again for so long. Why does Mother have to get married again, anyway? and to an American? V. disappointed. Bought new chair for reading in at church store. Still no job."
He flicked in a few more pages.
"23 September, 1991. Mrs. Cole has broken her leg. As only other person with college education in town, I am filling in. Mother wants to send money, but I refuse. I can make it on my own. Teacher's salary will add to book royalties, and I will be able to buy sausages again. May sell the chicken-beastly little thing keeps me awake."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. He flicked to about halfway through the book.
"18 June, 1992. I miss the children. The factory is definitely closing. Everyone is talking about leaving. Mr. Wordworthy says that they might combine the higher and lower forms into one class each next term. V. unfair, I think."
He skipped to the last entry in the diary.
"28 August, 1993. Dog seems to be doing much better. V. intelligent animal, I think. His injuries are nearly all healed, and he's putting on weight. Who could have gotten rid of such a clever dog? School starts in a few days. I'm glad. Perhaps I'll take Dog for show and tell. Must buy new shoes."
He put the book down. So that was her story. Back from college, and her mother remarries and moves away. In the space of a few years, the town empties out, but she feels responsible and stays. No wonder she had so much time to dedicate to a sick old dog.
Sirius stood and stretched. He felt tired. It was exhausting, this recovering stuff. He took off the bathrobe, replacing it on its peg, and switched back to dog form. He curled up on the bed and fell asleep.
He awoke again when the door opened, and went out to greet Ruth. He wanted to ask her how her day was, how her students were, if she had a good class... but of course, he couldn't. So he wagged his tail, and allowed his head to be patted enthusiastically. She changed clothes, and then they went for a walk. She talked to him about this and that, and he padded along beside her. Then it was home for dinner and a spot of television before bed.
She watched a comedy program, and then the evening news. Sirius's ears perked up when a "Special Alert" came on, and Sirius's own picture flashed onto the screen.
"Authorities warn that the dangerous fugitive Sirius Black is still at large," the announcer piped. "Black is presumed armed and extremely dangerous. Should you see Black, please call this number immediately. All sightings are being thoroughly investigated. Repeat, Black is presumed armed and extremely dangerous. Do not try to apprehend him yourself."
Ruth shook her head. "I heard about that at school. I hope they catch him quickly-it makes people feel uncomfortable, having a man like that loose. We'll just hope we don't see him, eh, Dog?" She scratched Sirius's ears affectionately. He whined sadly.
Ruth headed into her bedroom to change for bed. Sirius, being a gentleman, stayed sitting beside the chair until he heard her crawl into bed. Then he padded into her room and snuggled up in the dog bed.
Their days went on like that for a long time. He spent his days alone, and as himself, and his nights in dog form with Ruth. Sirius felt better and better, and decided that on Halloween, he'd strike out for Hogwarts. He'd put it off for too long.
It was a few days before Halloween, and already snowing. Hogwarts wasn't too far, and by now Harry would be there. He might even be able to see him once he got Pettigrew.
Just thinking about Pettigrew made his heart pound. Twelve years was a long time to be angry. And no one could be angry like Sirius. He'd had a temper before, but now... he hoped Pettigrew was frightened. He hoped Pettigrew was very frightened.
He watched Ruth eat her breakfast and thought out his plan. He could get into Hogsmeade, no problem. The Shrieking Shack should still be empty-it could be his base of operations. And then it was just a matter of sneaking into Hogwarts through the tunnel.
Ruth got up, dressed, and knelt beside Sirius. She scratched his head affectionately. "Be a good boy today, Dog. I'll probably be a bit late tonight, but you'll be okay on your own." Sirius wagged his tail and nuzzled her hand. She smiled. "I'll see you later. Be a good boy, okay?"
She pulled her coat off the rack and pulled it on as she walked out the door. Sirius watched out the window until she reached the corner. He plodded back across the kitchen and sniffed at the sausage and egg she'd left on his plate, and then shook out his fur. He stretched and switched out of dog form.
He felt his muscles shifting, his skin changing, his fur vanishing, and it felt good. When it was done, he stretched again, and scratched his head.
There was a tiny creaking sound from the doorway.
He spun around, horrified.
There, in the doorway, was Ruth, her hand clutching the purse she'd forgotten on the coat rack. Her eyes were two little circles of whites around tiny pupils, she was so surprised.
"What are you?" she whispered.