Chapter 4
"I thought we were going to London." Xander whispered.
I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing Sirius' plan.
Sirius led us around, ducking under windows until we reached the far side of the building. He held his hand out and motioned us forward.
"There is a small building about fifty feet away on the other side of this wall. That is our destination." He paused to look around. "I'll go first and make sure it is safe. Wait for my signal then hurry."
We all nodded and watched as he checked the area out once more. What he did next almost made me yip in surprise. He changed into a large black dog and ran across the empty field to the small building.
"Did anyone else just see the large man turn into a dog or was it just bad pepperoni?"
"That was weird." Buffy said quietly.
"He's an animagus." Faith whispered.
The rest of the gang, me included just looked at her.
Faith rolled her eyes. "He can turn himself into a dog."
"Well I guess that comes in handy when you can't find a toilet." Xander quipped.
"Ewww." Buffy wrinkled up her nose.
A small bark sounded in the distance.
"That's our cue," Buffy said as she started a dash to the building.
Xander and I were trailing as close as we could considering that we didn't have Slayer speed in the ole DNA makeup. We rounded the small building and flattened ourselves against the wall until we were sure we weren't spotted.
The black dog whimpered and caught our attention.
"Well, get in then. Sirius, you too."
I almost jumped out of my boots. A shadowed man stood in the doorway of what I guessed was the entrance to the building. He was waving us inside and we followed Sirius through the door. Inside there was a large cozy room with a roaring fire in an overly-sized fireplace. The only light coming from the room was from the fire and it set a very comfy atmosphere.
"Have a seat where you can find one."
I finally got a good look at the man. He wore violet robes similar in cut as Sirius'. His clean cut, blocked face showed his obvious lack of pleasure in seeing us here. Or maybe it was in seeing Sirius.
Buffy, Faith and Xander took a couch. I had taken a seat near the fire, in a wooden rocking chair. Sirius came to sit beside me and I scratched behind his ears, absentmindedly. The large man crooked an eyebrow at the dog.
"Well what do you have to say for yourself Sirius Black?"
The dog barked.
The man laughed. "Cock and bull is it?" He paused. "You're still wanted on this side of the pond. They haven't called off the search yet."
The dog barked twice more.
"London? You sure about that?"
"You understand him?" Buffy interjected.
The large man looked to my friend. "Course I do. You think I'm off my rocker or something."
Buffy's eyebrows raised and I knew that's exactly what she thought.
Sirius barked again and the man answered back. "Course you can use the Floo."
The dog bounded up and padded closer to the man and barked.
"Muggles are they? All right I'll show them."
The large man motioned to us. "Everyone gather 'round. I'll say this once." He held out a bowl full of ashes. "Take a handful and step into the fire." He saw Xander's reaction. "Now don't be scared, boy. It won't burn you."
Faith stepped forward. "I'll show'em. I know how it works." She grabbed a handful of ash and looked down at Sirius. "Where to fur-face?"
The dog barked and the man translated. "He says The Burrow."
"Cool."
"Is that all she's gonna say for the next few days?"
"Yup." I answered.
Faith stepped into the fire, and it was like the big guy said, it wasn't burning her.
Faith threw the ash at her feet. "The Burrow."
Flame erupted and she was gone.
Xander screamed like a girl, again and jumped back. "No way, Jose. Not gettin' me in that thing."
The large man smirked. "Sirius is next." He looked at the black dog. "Take care of yourself old friend."
The man took some ash and threw in into the fireplace at the dog's paws. "The Burrow." Flame erupted and Sirius was gone.
