Note: This chapter, and chapters that follow, is partially based on accepted speculation of Order of the Phoenix's plot. It probably will be modified after I read the book. Thanks to the resident Brits at fictionalley.org for explaining to me more about the board of governors.

Chapter 5: Twilight Walk

Harry was reluctant to loan his invisibility cloak again, but when Jack told him about the cryptic note he handed it over. Jack kept his curtains open until everyone was asleep. Then he put on the cloak and walked out of Gryffindor Tower. He took off his shoes as he walked in the castle so his shoes wouldn't echo so loudly in the empty halls. He exited out of the window/door he had discovered the day before. Then he put his sandals back on and headed to the forest.

"Hello?" he called softly. "Hello?"

He spotted a large, black dog stalking along the edge of the forest. Jack remembered that he was supposed to look for a dog, so he went over to the animal. He knelt down, scratched its ears, and petted its back. The dog happily wagged its tail, but then it sniffed questioningly. Jack remembered he still wore the invisibility cloak, and he wasn't sure if the dog could see through it. So he took it off. The dog barked happily. "Will you lead me to you master?" Jack asked gently. The dog answered by running to the trees. Jack followed.

The forest was dark and deep. Jack knew any number of creatures could be lurking here, so he kept his hand on his sword. Once he saw a silhouette of a man. "Excuse me!" Jack called. The man promptly ran away. It might have been a trick of the night, but Jack thought he saw a horse's body on that man. "A centaur?" The dog whimpered, and Jack remembered his quest. He continued to follow.

As he walked on, Jack saw large spider webs, as big as he was, and he thought he caught a glimpse of a unicorn running through the tress. The dog led Jack into the deepest, darkest part of the forest to a secluded clearing. There the dog sat on its haunches and waited. Under the moonlight, Jack gaped at the most spectacular sight.

It looked like a large eagle with white feathers. Jack had never seen a bird this big. He noticed that the bird had the back of a horse. This is the dog's master? Jack was overwhelmed by the creature's majesty and bowed, transfixed on its golden eyes. To his surprise and delight, the creature returned his bow.

Jack opened his mouth to speak to the creature when the dog scampered up in front of him. "Move aside, dog. Let me speak to your master."

The dog bowed its head, almost looking as though it were nodding. Suddenly, it began to change. It grew taller and looked more human. Jack couldn't quite see what the dog was becoming, but things suddenly began to click. Aku had fooled him again! Jack drew his sword and charged with a war cry.

"Expelliarmus!" Jack was blown back with an amazing force, and his sword flew out of his hands. "Lumos," the stranger said. A light appeared, and Jack could see the stranger more clearly. It was a wizard wearing gray robes. He had shoulder-length, messy, dirty, black hair and was pale, gaunt, and rather rugged. In fact, he did not look unlike Jack, except his eyes were filled with a haunting look

"I understand, it must be a reflex," the wizard said in a scratchy voice, "but did you really think I brought you out here to attack you?"

"You work for the Dark One," Jack growled.

"No. Everyone says I do, but that's just a rumor. My name hasn't been cleared yet, but I assure you it's not true."

"Then why do you share his evil power to change shape?"

"Oh! I didn't know that he was . . . I mean, it's not evil. Professors at the school can do it." Jack still didn't look convinced. "Dog's all I do, I swear! I would come to you in this state, but . . . well, I can't." He extended his hand out to Jack. "I'm Harry's godfather. My name is Sirius."

"Sirius," Jack whispered. He ignored the wizard's hand and stood, looking at the sky. "Dog Star," he said to himself. He searched for the brightest star, the star he was taught about from a young age, and he couldn't see it. "You . . . you came from the sky."

The stranger chuckled. "I see you know your astronomy and constellations too. No, I'm just Sirius Black, not the star."

"And what is that?" Jack asked indicating the magnificent creature.

"That's Buckbeak. He's a hippogriff. It was right of you to bow before him like you did. You earned his respect. You can approach him now."

Jack approached the creature and petted its white feathers. The hippogriff looked as though he enjoyed it.

"You see," Sirius said, "Buckbeak and I are both on the run. It's a long story, but it's enough to say that we are charged with crimes of which we are not guilty."

At the sound of that, Jack felt some sympathy. "As am I. Do you have a bounty on your head?"

"Probably. I don't keep up with those things. What about you? Are samurai often running from the law, or is it just you?"

"It is because I stand against--wait. You know that I am a samurai?"

"Well, yes. The sword makes it rather obvious, but Dumbledore has also told me much about you. What eludes me is how a samurai would end up with a name like 'Jack.' I suppose I can't comment. I don't know enough about your culture."

"You said you are Harry's godfather?"

"Yes."

"You are his guardian in place of his parents?"

"Well, not officially. Harry stays with his Muggle aunt and uncle in Surrey. He wants me to take him in once his name is cleared. Until then, it's been a long distance relationship. We write to each other, and sometimes we see each other. He's told me about you too, and to say the least he hasn't been too thrilled with you."

"I know. He does not like me. I think he also is aware that I am . . . mortal."

"Jack, we're all mortal. The Dark Lord can attest to that. But that's not the problem. I know that Harry has nothing against most Muggles, save for his guardians. Most wizards do not mind. What you need to watch out for are those who do mind, because they can be dangerous."

"They are the Scarred Ones?"

"The what? I don't believe I heard of them."

"Never mind." Jack figured that perhaps they had not formed yet. "You must be the friend Harry wrote that letter to last night. Believe me, I thought Harry was in real trouble."

Sirius suddenly spoke in a fierce voice. "Oh, I'm glad you woke him up. Somebody needed to wake him for a long time. Harry has written to me about his dreams. He's been having them since just before the school year began. In the dream, he'd be going about his business when the Dark Lord appears to him and subjects him to the worst curses imaginable. It makes Harry's scar on his forehead hurt. When he started having these dreams, he would wake up at this part, and his scar would be hurting in real life. Of course, it concerned me. This kind of thing happened before. Dumbledore feels it happens when the Dark Lord is near or if he is feeling particularly murderous.

"But the dreams were soon expanded. The Dark Lord tries to kill Harry the same way he tried to kill Harry fourteen years ago. Yet then, a stranger comes between the two of them and beats the Dark Lord away. He touches Harry's scar, and the pain immediately goes away. He whispers promises that together, he and Harry will destroy the Dark Lord forever. For a long time, Harry could not tell who this person was. For a long time, we thought it was Dumbledore. Then Harry saw him more clearly after he met him at the first Quidditch match of the year. It was Undertaker."

"Yes. Can you tell me more about him?"

"I know very little, but I do not trust him." Sirius threw up his arms and said sarcastically, "He's so cool, and he has all the answers. He's almost like an American politician. You need to understand the Board of Governors to see how shady he really is. A governor must have a student in the school to serve, but Undertaker does not have a student. A governor is usually a respected member of the community, but no one knows Undertaker or where he came from. Well, perhaps the Malfoys do. Apparently he had been sent to tutor young Draco over the summer holiday, but they aren't talking."

"Malfoy? I spoke with a boy named Malfoy this afternoon."

"That was probably Draco. His father Lucius used to be a governor as well. He is a strong supporter of the Dark Lord. But back to my point. The Ministry of Magic appointed Undertaker as governor before the school year began. Such an act is unprecedented! It makes no sense. Minister Cornelius Fudge refused to believe that the Dark Lord was back in power. The only thing I can figure is that he was too charmed to pass Undertaker up. Plus, for a governor, Undertaker has too much power, and his regulations don't even make sense! He restricts the school so much. It's all in the name of protection of course, but how is limiting students to one hour to every activity protecting them? He takes away their only chances to be free at the nearby village. I am actually amazed that he still allows Quidditch, but apparently he loves it. He comes to every game. There's a rumor that he somehow has constant surveillance of the castle, and I don't doubt it. Most of the students and teachers hate him."

"What does he look like?"

"I'm sorry, I can't say. I've never seen him face to face. I do have a feeling, however, that he is vindictive and dangerous. You see, Dumbledore had his own plans to defeat the Dark Lord. When the Dark Lord arose to power last spring, Dumbledore to find an elite group of wizards and witches. They were very formidable and are not afraid of the Dark Lord. But ever since Undertaker has come on the scene, they had been attacked one by one. They are completely incapacitated."

"And you are sure that Undertaker is behind it?"

"Yes. One of them was my best friend. He was going out to talk to Undertaker himself. He took all afternoon. I was rather concerned because . . . suffice to say, he wasn't feeling well. I found him back in the main room the next morning, hovering in a column of black lightning. Dumbledore and I both tried to break him out of it. Nothing worked. This happens to be his wand. He said beforehand that I could have it if anything happened to him."

"If they were powerful wizards, couldn't they have avoided these attacks?"

"Well, that's the thing! They should have! It's all a mystery. That's why we both agree that Undertaker is really working for the Dark Lord. I think that is a major part of why Dumbledore called upon you. Don't let on, but I am afraid that he is next. The other reason must be because of Harry. He trusts Undertaker too much. It's come to a point that he trusts Undertaker more than he does Dumbledore. That's just too unbelievable. I've tried to advise him to keep his distance from Undertaker, and do you know what he did? He sent me a Howler!"

"What is that?"

"Oh. It's a magical letter that magnifies the sender's voice a hundred times. Wizards send them when they are really angry. I didn't open it. I allowed it to explode because if I opened it at all I would surely be discovered."

"So, Undertaker is responsible for Harry's dishonorable behavior."

"Best I could tell, yes. Don't you begin to think he is like this all the time. He is a courageous, sharp lad, just like his father. He has changed. Of course, I tell myself I should have expected this. He is 15 after all, and you know how hormones and emotions are at that age. Still, I feel as though there is something beyond that."

Jack bowed his head. "Thank you, Sirius. You have illuminated my course. Now, I shall not be lost."

Sirius laughed. "Nice wit there, my friend. Can you find your way back by yourself?"

"I believe so."

"If you ever need to talk to me again, I'll be here. Just send a message by owl. Anyone can show you how to do that. And you can talk about me to Ron and Hermione. They know the truth. Just make sure you call me Snuffles in public."

"Snuffles?"

"It's a dog pet name. If you really need to, you can bring them with you to me, but make sure you get under the cloak. They're not allowed in the forest, you know. As for Harry, I'll deal with him myself.

Jack bade Sirius goodbye, put on the cloak, and went on his way. When the samurai was out of the clearing, Sirius reached into his pocket and once again read Dumbledore's cryptic instructions:

Snuffles,

You may speak to Jack if you wish, on two conditions:

--Do not mention Voldemort's name, but hide it the way the general wizard public does.

--Do not speak Harry's surname.

Please do not ask me now why I give you these rules, only understand that the samurai would interpret them differently than you would expect.

"But Dumbledore, I want to know!" Sirius thought aloud. "He says I illuminated his path. Buckbeak, I hope it's the right one." Still confused, Sirius transformed into a dog, curled up beside the hippogriff, and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, Jack was getting back into the school. He started heading for the Gryffindor common room, when suddenly he heard a noise. Somebody was moving about. He nearly disregarded it. He had heard about the caretaker from other Gryffindors. Yet he was heading for the stairs, he saw it wasn't Filch or any of the teachers.

It was Draco Malfoy. His two henchmen were not with him; he was completely alone. He was still in his pajamas and slippers. His blond hair was messy. He was walking in a strange stride. He's knees were completely straight, and his steps were on a perfectly even beat. Malfoy's face was emotionless. His eyes were open, but he was clearly not awake. The eyes had a transfixed expression Jack recognized--the same, glazed-over, vacant expression of the teenagers hypnotized by Aku's music. There was no music here, though.

"Malfoy!" Jack whispered loudly, but the boy did not turn, did not even blink. Jack followed him to see where he was going and to try to break him out of the trance. Draco went up one staircase, and the second he got off it began to move. Jack had to "jump good" to get to the next staircase up. Draco flinched when he felt a large "thud" on the staircase, but then he moved on. As soon as he got off that staircase, it moved. It was as though whoever had Draco hypnotized knew that the boy was being followed. Jack "jumped good" again, and followed him down a hall.

Jack was almost close enough to stop Malfoy or whisper his name into his ear when a poltergeist flew in front of him. "Oooh, naughty, naughty ickle student wondering out after hours," he taunted.

"Be gone, spirit of mischief!" Jack hissed.

"Peeves cannot see, but he knows someone is here."

"I said be gone!" Jack nearly yelled.

"Must tell Filch, he must. Must teach student a lesson."

Jack had other ideas. He remembered a chant his si-fu taught him to ward off evil spirits. He, closed his eyes, held his finger out in front of his nose, and moved it down his face in a straight line as he whispered the Chinese incantation. Then he moved it aside in a swift, cutting motion. Peeves turned into a mist and was sucked into a suit of armor.

"Hey!" Peeves yelled. The suit of armor shook and clamored as Peeves yelled unclear words. Jack casually closed the visor and etched onto the suit of armor a holy sign so that Peeves could not get out.

With that taken care of, Jack went back down the hall. Draco was gone. He looked down a couple more corridors and staircases, but Draco was nowhere to be seen. Jack was about to give up and go back to the common room when he had another thought.

"Myrtle!" he called softly as entered the small bathroom.

"Who's there?" she answered softly. Jack took off the cloak. "Oh, Jack!"

"I just came to let you know that you need not worry about Peeves any longer."

"Really? What did you do?"

"Shh!" Jack answered quietly.

"Oh. Well, you won't regret this, I promise." Myrtle giggled. "If I wasn't dead, I'd kiss you."

"You do not need to repay me. Goodnight."

"Sleep tight," she replied.

Jack looked everywhere for Draco on his way up to Gryffindor Tower, but he was nowhere. So Jack just went back to the portrait of the Fat Lady, who was snoozing. "Dragonfl--wings."

"Huh?" the Fat Lady said snapping awake. "What? Well, ok." She opened up the portrait hole. Jack stepped in and went to bed.

He had another dream about being in the mist. Again he could not see anything, but after walking for a while alone he heard a bird singing. A bluebird flew toward Jack on a southeastern wind and lit on his shoulder. Jack tried to stroke its feathers, but it gave a frightened coo and buried its head in his hair. As Jack walked on, he could barely see a woodland creature stalking him and gazing at him with suspicious eyes. Then Jack saw what looked like a harmless green snake binding two people with vines. Jack couldn't see who they were, except that they had red hair. He was afraid that they were Fred and George. He reached down to push away the snake and unbind the people. Suddenly, the snake became a cobra. It hissed, leapt up, and bit Jack on the wrist. Jack screamed and woke up. The sun was just beginning to rise.

Ron opened the curtains of Jack's bed. "What's wrong?"

"Ron. Are your brothers alright?"

"Think so. I haven't seen them."

Jack bolted from the bed and hastily put on his Hogwarts robes. He headed for the common room first to see if they were there, then he would try to find their dorm. Luckily, they were in the common room. "Fred. George. How are you?"

They looked very somber. "Probably not so good," one of them answered.

"Dumbledore woke us up," the other added.

"What for?" Ron asked.

"He won't say," they said together.

Professor McGonagall came down with her hand on the shoulder of a small, red head girl. "Good, Ron, you're awake." Dumbledore came down from the boys' dormitories. "We have all the Weasleys here, Albus."

"Good. I am sorry to wake you boys to pass along some upsetting news, but you are needed at home. We have connected this fireplace to the National Floo Network to get you there quickly. Jack, I want you to come as well."

"Yes sir."

"Just follow their lead. You first, Ginny."

He handed the girl a pot full of powder. Ginny took a handful of the powder, threw it into the lit fireplace, which turned the flames green, stood among the flames, and said, "The Burrow." She disappeared.

Jack watched the other Weasleys do it, then tried it himself. He had to admit, the experience was uncomfortable but not as uncomfortable as time traveling. He fell out of a fireplace at the other end.

The house would have been whimsical and delightful at any other occasion, but it was too quiet. He found Ginny sitting at the base of a grandfather clock, crying. Pictures of Fred, George, Ginny, and Ron were pointed to "home," three more hands of people Jack didn't recognize were pointed to "work." The two oldest pictures were pointed straight toward the top-- "Mortal Peril."

The red haired couple tangled in the cobra's vines wasn't the Weasley twins. They were their parents.