Ok, I finally managed to finish it! Please, don't glare at me because it's so short, I really worked hard on it! *huddles in corner* Please?

Now, a big thanks to Lisande, who betaed this chapter! And a big thanks to everybody, who sent me a review! You folks are wonderful! :)

Lisande: *grins* Thank you! That's very nice! :)

Turelie Telcontar: Thanks for reviewing! Well, sadly this is the end, but I'll try to come up with the new story, soon, promised! Just hang on! (Schöne Grüße aus Zinna zurück! ;) )

mette: Thank you! Sorry, I know I'm too slowly! I'll try to be better next time, all right? Well, not a sequel, but a new story!

Someone Reading: Thanks! And thabks for the curses, I know a few people who would need some! Well, about the Non-Slash thing: I really like Slash, because some people can write great stories and great characterisations and so I don't think that it matters much if those two people are of the same gender. Not that I think other opinions to that matter are stupid, 'course not! Erm … just wanted to say that. The next story is about Sirius and Remus, too, but it won't be slash, I like their friendship very much, too! But for now Sirius get's his well deserved break! ;)

Sally Lupin-Black: Thank you for reviewing! Sorry, there's not really a huddling-and-rocking-like-a-child scene in this, but the new story will have those … after a few twists … anyway, it's going to be a bit different and it's going to have a PLOT, too! Isn't that great?! I'm making a real effort for my readers here! No, seriously, I'd love to see you on the next fic!

Sylvia: Thank you! Yeah, he seems himself again. Didn't want to put him through more, he's done great considering that it's my first fic! And he even got his happy ending! And you're right, he deserves it!

Egwene: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you started to read them! Yeah, that was really cruel. I'm not so sure if she's my favorite author anymore. But for cases like that people invented AU's! And that's what I'm going to take advantage of soon! He lives, and I refuse to even think about it another way! Sorry about the missing Harry-Sirius-part, but I was afraid if I started to write the aftermath too big, I'd never bring it to a proper end. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this anyway. All I wanted was to write something about Sirius in pain! (I'm evil, I know …) and it actually wasn' planned further than the first three chapters. But I hope you still like this ending!

sirius the homocidial maniac: Thanks! *hugs back* Hope you had a good night! :) Don't worry 'bout it, I'm glad that you're still reading this! I took very long again, and I'm really sorry!

karno-L: Thank you! *squirms* Err, no, not really, as your question comes a little late. I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the next story – but there will defenitely be much hurt/comfort!

siriuslovergirl11: Thanks for your review! I hope you like the end, and yes, I'm sure that the next story will be even better!

Ok, now have fun with the last chapter!

Over the Hill

The first few rays of sunlight crept over the dawning sky and coloured the heavy clouds in rose and light blue. It was going to snow soon.

Sirius lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling. Last night Remus had stayed with him late until Madam Pomfrey had had enough and thrown him out of the Hospital Wing. Both men had wisely kept quiet and not tried to argue.

And while the medi-witch had furiously told him that it was irresponsible to let him have so many people around him in this state anyway he'd been able to worm his way around the Dreamless Sleep Potion she'd tried to pour down his throat. Maybe his night would've been easier but he didn't want to run away. Not anymore.

With a small sigh he turned around to watch the rising sun paint twirly patterns across the walls of the Hospital Wing. It was beautiful. After listening for any footsteps from the medi-witch he carefully pushed himself up with his good arm and shakily got to his feet. A wave of dizziness rolled over him and he steadied himself at the nightstand to keep from falling over.

After a few minutes and some deep breaths the giddiness was reduced to a queasy feeling in his stomach and he trusted himself to walk over to one window and take a look at the outside world.

The grounds were covered with a fluffy white blanket, so were the forest and the lake. From here it didn't look cold and deadly at all. The snow glittered and blinked innocently at him as if inviting him to take a good long run over it.

For a moment he just stared at it, then he turned slightly and listened for any sounds that might come from Madam Pomfrey's office. But everything around him stayed quiet and undisturbed. A small smile settled on his lips.

He walked back to the bed, trying not to favour his right leg and surprisingly it didn't hurt in the slightest. For a moment he considered putting on more warming clothes, but Padfoot wouldn't feel the difference anyway. Sirius listened hard for any noises again and the next second the big black dog stood in his place.

Padfoot took the first steps carefully, then tried to stretch the muscles in his back and legs. No pain, not even a slight sting. Satisfied he padded over to the door and nosed it open. The few high windows dimly lighted the hall and still no noise could be heard. Padfoot quickly made his way down the stairs, through a secret tunnel and down another hall until he was standing in the Entrance Hall.

The giant oak front door was more difficult to open, but he refused to change back in his human form and solve the task with only a hospital gown on. If anybody would decide to march into him at that moment he would die from the shame. And after surviving imprisonment by the Dark Lord himself he didn't fancy to find his end in front of a madly laughing Snape or McGonagall.

Finally he was able to nose his way through a small gap between the two-winged door and stepped into bright sunlight. For a while he just stood there and enjoyed the warm rays on his fur then he experimentally took a few steps through the snow. It wasn't as cold as he'd expected and finding that his body was eagerly responding to the fresh air and the long craved exercise he set off in a light canter.

Some small birds picked in the snow a few feet away and chirped cheerily. Padfoot watched for a moment then he ducked and pounced. In wild run he chased after them and enjoyed the slight pull in his body. Light headed and adrenalin-dazed he romped through the snow, not caring that he was by now looking like somebody had powdered him with flour.

From the castle the fading echo of an angry scream sounded through the crispy air. Seemingly the medi-witch had discovered that he'd gone on a little trip. Padfoot stopped and looked over his shoulder to where a small white figure stood at a window and gestured wildly at him. With a doggy grin he set off again to chase some birds and if dogs could he would've been laughing loudly.

THE END

A/N: So, that's how it ends! Did you like it? If yes, please let me know! Wasn't good? Please let me know, too!

Ok, 'First Try' is complete and I can waste all my energy on 'Back to Life'! I'll start to update the new story, when I'm absolutely sure about the plot and the storyline. That'll probably take some time, but I would love to see all of you reading it, too! (It's going to be great, I promise! ;) )

Now, for the next week I'll be in England! And if you're lucky ( and I'm not) I won't be kidnapped by a certain darkhaired man with the habit to turn into a big black dog sometimes, but will come back with some good ideas and another few chapters for 'Back to Life'. I'm not quite sure what I should hope for, but I hope you'll stick with me until then! Bye,

lara