Dog Star *

by: Raven Mirage

"No animal should ever jump up on the dining room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation." Fran Lebowitz

v
cats, cupcakes, and *gasp* baths!

* * *

Delilah woke the next morning happier than she had felt in a long time, despite the still throbbing wounds. She had won an argument with her Father. He had wanted her to kick the dog outside, but after some choice words, which were agreed never to be repeated again (a/n: use your imagination ^_^), he had allowed him to stay as long as, "you keep the mutt away from me...." That met that he would stay as far away from her as possible when he was with her. God, she loved that dog!

Speaking of the big shaggy furball, he had insisted on sleeping on the floor in her corner on a blanket. (She had insisted upon the blanket. "You are not sleeping on my hardwood floor... I'd feel bad.") Delilah sat up in bed, brushing a hand through her long hair. She yawned lightly and smiled at the peacefully sleeping form. The thought that everything was adorable when it slept occured to her.

She eased gently out of bed and pulled some clothes from her closet before tip-toeing down the hall and to the bathroom. There she dressed quickly and slipped downstairs and out the front door. She proceded to go to the market where she bought some dog food, a water and food dish, and a black studded collar. She admired her purchases and laid them on the counter before the checker. It was a young muggle girl that she had seen hanging around Steven some. Heather, Delilah believed her name was.

"Hi!" Heather cried, noticing it was Delilah. "How's Steve?" Delilah grinned wide. Steven disliked to be called Steve, or Steve-O, or anything of that sort. He prefered just plain Steven, although he would never try and correct anyone who said his name wrong. He was too nice for that - - unless you were Delilah, in which case you deserved what punishment he gave you. Anyone would dislike her nickname for him: "Stevio."

"Oh, he's doing okay I guess. Don't get to see him much anymore. Work and all." Delilah replied as Heather began to ring her things up.

"I see you guys got a dog..." Heather commented on the items. "I always told Steve that he needed to get a dog, man's best friend you know." She beamed as she handed Delilah the bag.

"Actually," Delilah replied, a huge smile creeping on her face at the thought of the sleeping animal, "He's mine."

*

Sirius opened his eyes and for a moment was very confused and then it all came rushing back to him. The night before, Delilah, Jameson, coming back to Delilah's house. Turning human. Idiot.... what were you thinking! Then, with an inward sigh, you were thinking about how you had to rescue the only person in twelve long years who had showed you compassion..... even if she didn't trully know who you are. He did a quick search of the room and found himself alone.

He listened closely to see if he could hear anyone moving around. He didn't. He decided to take a chance and resume human form. He stretched and finally decided to really study his surroundings. You'd think Delilah was a muggle by the way her room was. She had posters of her favorite movies (Star Wars, whatever that was), favorite bands (Garbage who would name their group after trash?, Cher ok, so she's not a band, Linkin Park where's the g?, Evanescence all right, that sounds a tad bit intersting, Weird Sisters, hey! one I've heard of! ), and random art works. She was an art enthusiast.

On her desk sat a strange rectangular object that looked like it might open, and out from it snaked some kind of wire with a weird oval thing with two buttons. He decided to leave it alone. A stack of books sat to the right of the rectangular object. Some were old textbooks from school, some were muggle literature, and others were just random books on the Dark Arts, Defense, Aurors. He wonder vaguely if she was planning on being an auror, or perhaps if she was one (oh lucky me!!) and just kept that kennel job for fun. He couldn't guess at the moment.

On the left hand corner of her desk, in front of a cup filled with quills and muggle pens and pencils, stood multiple pictures. The first was of Delilah and a younger male, she had her arm around him and proceded to pretend to choke him every few seconds. Apparently it had been taken a few years ago because she looked different. She wasn't wearing punk clothes, but just normal robes the colour of blue. Also her hair was not the two-toned streaking, but a red that was even darker than Lily's had been.

Another picture caught his eye. It was because of it's familiarity. It was taken on the Hogwart's grounds; he could see the whomping willow in the background (and a couple Slytherins were trying to prod it with a stick... morons... he thought). It also was taken some years ago. Delilah was with Tyler and a couple others. He noticed that they were all different houses. There were two Ravenclaws. a Hufflepuff, and Tyler and Delilah were both Gryffindors. He smiled sadly, recalling the days he was a student. Everything had been so simple... He and James and Remus and Peter were all content just to get their daily prank done. Little did they know one would betray them all and tear their lives apart.

"When I find you Peter..." Sirius whispered, closing his dark eyes, "when I find you, you'll wish you had died that day."

*

Delilah returned home and dropped by the kitchen to show her mother the collar she bought and drop the dog food and the dish beside the fridge. "Morning." She addressed, before she turned to go.

"Delilah, honey," her mom said, turning away from breakfast for a moment, "come down to eat, and bring that dog with you. I'm sure he's hungry and I haven't seen him yet." Delilah nodded with a smile, knowing her mother was going to love him just as much as she did.

She hopped up the stairs happily singing "Believe," by Cher, under her breath. She threw her door open. "Up you lazy mongral!" She cried, then laughed as she noticed said 'mongral' sitting in the middle of the floor gazing solemnly up at her. "Well never mind then. C'mon. Mom wants to meet you. She also believe you're hungry? Are you?" At the mention of food he wagged his tail and barked once. "Right then, follow me."

Once downstairs again she found her mother had already poured some dog food in the dish and had set a plat of bacon and eggs (Yum!) in Delilah's spot. The blue-eyed girl immediately dropped into her seat and started to tear her first bacon slice apart. She paused as it was half-way to her mouth, sensing eyes on her. She slowly looked over and raised an eyebrow. The dog's gaze was flickering between her and her bacon in yearning. She nodded towards the dog dish. "Your food's over there."

He looked at the bowl, then back at her. She nearly fell out of her seat by the look in his eyes. It was something between disgust and disbelief. He was looking at her as if she had just asked him to eat something poisonous! She turned in her seat and said, "you want me to spoil you, don't you?" He wagged in reply. "You're drastically mistaken, sir." She said. "You're not supposed to give table scrapes to dogs. It's bad for their health later in life." He tilted his head, looking both disappointed and bored. Then he gazed into her eyes puppishly.

"Oh fine. Stop looking at me like that." She bent down and handed him an entire strip of bacon. It was gone in a snap and she giggled. "I think I might name you Vacuum," she cracked, and he glared. "You want another?" She smiled as he jumped up on her knees. She gave him another piece. He looked at her thankfully. A thought suddenly came to her mind. She had been off and on thinking how human-like this dog seemed. She leaned forward, looking into his eyes and whispered, "are you really a dog?"

Seconds later he procedded to lick her face.

"Ick! Jeez! Off! I love you, too, but .... yuck!" He hopped down and curled by her feet, looking a bit too satisfied. "Brat," she poked him with her foot.

Suddenly her mother's voice rang out in horror. "OH MY GOD!" Delilah jumped, and so did the dog, who hit his head on the underside of the kitchen table. He staggered out from underneath it and into Delilah's leg. "Delilah! How could you bring such a filthy animal into this house! Do you know how hard I work to keep this house spotless!? Get him out NOW!"

Delilah winced. Whoa.... "But mom, he's not filthy, I wouldn't go that far. A little dusty perhaps, but- -"

"Then get that dusty dog out of here until he's clean! And to think you slept in the same room with him! You could get fleas!" At that comment both girl and dog looked indignant, but were equally shoved out the back door as her mother moaned, "I thought I raised my oldest child to have more sense than this! Don't come back in here until that dog is clean! I want to hear his fur squeak!" They both exchanged glances and winced as the back door was slammed shut.

*

If he would have been human Sirius would have had the ultimate frown. He and Delilah sat on the step. "Filthy!" She was saying, "you're not dirty! Hn! And fleas! I don't think I've seen you scratch once! Not even in boredom." He bobbed his head in agreeance, ears flopping around. She looked at him funny, her own frown sternly in place. "Anyway," she shook it off, "it's not like we can do anything about it. She is definitely not going to let you back in until you've had a bath." She sighed. "I hate giving my pets baths. I remember one time I tried to bathe Jinxy... boy oh boy did he - -"

Sirius whimped, placing his paws over his head. She glared at him, "fine then. I don't care if you listen to me or not. Stay here." She climbed to her feet. "I'm going to go get the tub and the shampoo." She stood and began to walk away then turned back, analyzing him. Finally she added, "oh yeah, we're going to need the bigger bottle..."

Sirius waited patiently as she vanished around to a shed. This was going to be humiliating. To think he was being forced into having to be bathed! He could see James laughing at him, "haha, Padfoot's a dirty dog! He's gotta have a bath!" Still, he began to formulate a plan, he could still have a little bit of fun before being shoved in a tub full of water and suds. He heard Delilah coming back around the corner, apparently dragging an old washtub with her. Oh... she's going to HATE me after this...

His tail slowly began to wag.

*

Delilah finally lugged the ancient, forsaken washtub out into the center of the yard and went to fetch the hose. She folded it over at the end and turned it on, then procedded to drag it across the yard. As she went to put the hose in she dropped it and the sudden pressure shot water all over her. She sputtered and hurridly tossed the end into the tub, making incoherent curses. She threw a glance over her shoulder at glared at the dog, who seemed to be studying her with the utmost of interest.

"I'm glad you find this funny." She said wryly, yanking her now half-wet hair up into an askew ponytail at the back of her head. "You just wait until it's your turn..." He didn't seem too worried.

Fifteen minutes later she added a little shampoo into the water to let it get sudsy. Five minutes after that, as the tub finally filled, she turned her eyes on her target. "All right you, in." She expected him to listen to her and obey as he had been doing. No such luck. "Dog! Please!" He just sat placidly on the steps, gazing at her through half-lidded eyes. "Don't make me come over there!" Pause. "Fine!" She huffed and started towards him.

Suddenly he took off around the yard. "OH NO YOU DON'T! COME BACK HERE!"

*

Sirius watched as Delilah filled the tub and put in the soap. Inwardly he grinned as she finally turned to him and attempted to get him to come over to her. "Don't make me come over there!" She threatened. He frowned. Okay, mom.... He thought in amusment. "Fine!" She left her post. He launched himself off the steps and began to lap the yard, her screaming behind him the whole way.

Oh yeah, that'll work. Yell at the dog and expect him to listen. Feh... He stopped and turned to face her. She stopped, too, staring him down. Come and get me, Delilah... He thought, giving a playful yip of challenge. (A/N: If you have a dog you probably can picture what he's doing, you know that whole "playful dog" stance...)

"If that's the way you want it... that's the way you'll get it..." Her crimson lips curled into a devious smirk.

*

Thirty Minutes Later

"GOT YOU!" Delilah cried, finally able to grab the dog. Unfortunately the tilt at which she managed it send them both falling straight into the tub. Delilah coughed and brushed her wet hair from her face; it had fallen down during the chase. She gave a groan and leaned against the dog which had ended up partly in her lap and partly on top of her. "Nevermind... you got me."

"Woof!"

"Oh! Bravo!" A voice cried from the back door. Delilah snapped her head up to look in that direction, her eyes widening.

"Steven! How bloody long have you been standing there!?" She regarded her younger brother in surprise. The red-head was laughing, the deep rich sound permeating the air. He was very handsome, and at age 19 Delilah had expected him to go off and get a girlfriend. As she watched him lose all control she thought vaguely, Maybe it's not his looks that turn people off.... maybe it's his personaility. She frowned.

"Long enough to see you make a complete fool out of yourself. I suppose this is the infamous dog that Father's been complaining about." He left the steps and came over to assist.

"Yup. The one and only." Delilah muttered, staring straight into the dog's eyes. In one quick yank Steven had disentangled dog and human. "Thanks." Delilah said as Steven pulled her up from the water. She sighed deeply as she stood dripping wet. "I would like to thank the dog for a wonderful swim." She cracked, once more poking him with her foot. He only gazed up innocently at her. "Suck up."

*

An hour, one and half bottles of shampoo, two wet humans, and a clean dog later Delilah, Steven, and the dog retreated to the inside of the cool house. Thier mother had departed for her mid-day trip to a friend's house. Every sunday at noon her mother would visit a friend two towns over and apparate back at dinner. Delilah's father had gone to the Ministry on business. He didn't work for them, but the company he worked for had been contracted by them to do something. Her father wasn't talking about it - - not like she really cared. So she dropped down on the couch, the dog following suit.

"I guess we got the house all to ourselves." She commented, "well, except for Steven, but he's not going to come out of his room anyway." She frowned. She had no idea what she was going to do. Usually her days were spent at the kennel and on Sundays she would sleep most of the day and then go out with her friends somewhere to "wreck havoc" as her father referred to it to. But today she had gotten up way too early to be perfectly comfortable with that plan. She glanced at the dog, "it's all your fault that I'm bored. If I wouldn't have gotten up to get you your collar and that dog food - - that you didn't eat - - I would be fine." Her stomach rumbled. "You had to make me miss breakfast, too." She pouted.

He just snuffled at her to imply that that was her fault, not his. She huffed, but continued to stroke him anyway. She couldn't stay mad at him for very long. That was disconcerting. She wanted to be angry, even if it was only play, for a little while, but he just wasn't allowing that. "At least you're clean now." She added sharply, glancing down at her drying clothes. She had to admit that that was some stunt he pulled. He almost seemed to anticipate her every move, leading to her eventual defeat. She began to giggle softly. Haha, Delilah. You're a moron, you got beat by a DOG!

*

Easy silence prevaded for several minutes in which Sirius closed his eyes and just concentrated on Delilah's gentle, rhythmic stroking. He had been thinking about things and decided to stick around for a while. He was deeply worried about how Harry was getting on at school, and felt great hatred for the rat who had managed to sneak so close to him, but knew that, for the moment at least, his Godson was safe. He also had a feeling that he might be needed here. Come off it, Sirius, you just want a reason to stay here.

Yet he couldn't convince himself that all those feelings inside he was encountering were all selfish. Sure he scared the living hell out of one very dangerous punk and insured this gril's life the night before, but that was the night before. Jameson also seemed the type to not forget things. He would most likely go after Delilah again soon. Not in the next few days, but a little ways down the road. Sirius had a feeling it wouldn't take very long though. Delilah seemed a very intelligent woman but she would probably push it to the back of her mind and let down her guard. He couldn't leave without making sure she was completely safe. Part of this was his fault anyway.

My God, you're really starting to care about her aren't you? Of course he was, what other reason would he risk so much? Suddenly her melodic voice broke through his thoughts, "hey," she laughed, "you're not falling asleep on me are you?" He opened his eyes and looked at her. Oceanic eyes sparkled with warmth and humour. He had to admit, despite her strangeness, that she was beautiful, unique. He shook that thought away. You've only known her for four days, don't do this.

*

For a moment Delilah could swear she saw sadness deep within those dark eyes, eyes that seemed that they shouldn't belong to an animal. She tried to forget it and forced her mind to the fact she hadn't eaten anything all day, the only food she had picked up she had given to the dog. Then it came to her. Something she had wanted for the past week. She began to smile. "All right, dog. Let's go."

She leapt up from the couch and made her way into the kitchen. The dog followed a tad more slowly. She began to root through the cabinets, pulling out some bowls, a hand mixer, a box of some kind of mix, some milk, eggs, and some other random food items which included sprinkles and frosting. She turned and winked at the dog. "Cupcakes. Perfect for the ailment of hunger and boredom. What do you think?" He seemed to brighten and barked, wagging his tail. She looked at him solemnly, "but of course you can't have any. Dogs can't eat chocolate and that's the only mix I have. Sorry."

He just stared at her, the disappointment looked chillingly ... human.

*

Well, that was great. He had to watch her bake cupcakes and he couldn't have any. Didn't she know the torture she was forcing upon him. I haven't had sweets for twelve years!! There had to be some way around this "No chocolate for dogs" rule. Maybe he could beg his way for one... he was able to weedle his way into getting bacon for breakfast, why should cupcakes be any different?

If not. He'd have to break the rule.

*

Delilah sighed as she shoved the pan in the oven. She rarely had the patience to bake anything. It bothered her to have to follow directions and just the smallest mistake might mess it up. Cupcakes, however were worth it. She could already imagine how they would look and taste. Of course she would have to let them cool a bit, put some icing, make some designs. Basically she would have to de-bore them and make them presentable. Maybe her mother would even venture to try some this time.

She began to clean up after her mess, pulling her wand out and levitating things around to fit her needs. Soon everything was back in it's place and she took a step back to survey her work. Unfortunately somebody was paying attention and she found herself on the floor, legs hanging over over the dog, who looked just as shocked as she felt. She moaned. "... and you had to step behind me at that moment in time."

He whimpered apologetically.

*

They looked absolutely scumptious. Delilah had painted them up prettily, charming them so that each one had frosting of a different colour. Some had normal sprinkles, some had sprinkles that flashed, some had no sprinkles (those she had set aside on a plat, covered, and labeled "For Steven"). Sirius eyed them with something between hunger and lust. His eyes flickered to Delilah hopefully, giving a gentle whine.

"No." She said, looking up from a book she had gotten from upstairs whilst they were baking. "I told you. No chocolate. I'm not assisting suicide." Okay, so she was serious about not giving him any. Plan B: He nicked one off the plate - - and then procedded to run.

*

"Stupid dog! Do you want to die!?" Delilah groaned as she and the dog marched back into the kitchen. She had finally caught him on the landing leading up to the second floor. He had already eaten the contraband and still looked quite smug despite the ten minute lecture she had given. She didn't know why she even bothered to stand there yelling at some huge, shaggy mutt, but it gave her some sort of satisfaction.

She gazed down at him and sighed. "Big dummy. Now I'm going to have to call the vet and ask what I should do. None of my pets have ever been this inconsiderate as to eat chocolate!"

Suddenly Steven appeared in the door, leaning against the door-frame. "Really sis?" Delilah glared at him until he motioned toward the table, "before you give our new dog trouble you should pay attention to our cat." Delilah's eyes widened as she turned back to the table. A mess met her eyes. Most of what she had baked lay scattered - - around a mist-gray and white feline.

Delilah moaned, "JINXY NO!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Woohoo. I'm back. In less than twenty-four hours I have completed the next chapter. And also... it was longer than the rest. You can tell me whether thats good or bad. I got the cupcake idea the other night when my friend was over. (Personal note to Roses: You remember your birthday party when Kia - - that's her lab - - ate the whole cake before we got to your house? Poor Kia!) Also. I said that I would have lots of humour and chaos. I think I failed miserably. You decide.

Plus I did throw in a lof of muggle things here, but her family must keep up a reputation with some muggle neighbors so they have all this. (They also have a phone and a TV) Delilah tends to like muggle things more than she does wizard things. She has a reason for this.

Todays music - - I have to have music when I write : Nine Inch Nails (Pretty Hate Machine Album), The Very Best of Cher (Hums "Dark Lady"), and Lisa Marie Presley (To Whom it May Concern). I have weird music tastes, don't I?

Chapter Four Thank-You's: (I noticed a lot of you liked 4 the best)

Elfmoon87 - - lol yup. Dirty doggie.

L`etoile - - Yes. The relationship will, indeed grow. AND also I *do* already have a way Delilah is going to finally meet Sirius as a man.

Quick Note: For those who want them to go ahead and meet no worries, the next chapter is the last where she's clueless. And for a personal reason, which I will not say now, she might find it a bit easier to believe his innocene. Remember the comment that made Delilah angry about how she should apply to be an auror "again" by her father and all the Auror training books in this chapter. It will tie to that.

xxSilmarilBladexx - - I'd make JK rowling Proud! WOW!

Abraxis - - Yeah, Lenny's one of my favorites,too. And Moony would get a kick out of it. Lol.

Mockingbird - - You know I don't know how Lenny joined the group either. I'll have to figure something out.

Annoriel - - I'll have to look for it ("Blaze of Glory")

HPlova4eva - - Why, thank you *bow*

Jenn&Jess - - Lol. Glad you liked.

Everyone else that my mind couldn't think of to say something to: THANK YOU!

Rave: I love it, too!
Siruis: You're so conceited.
Rave: What about you? Hm?
Sirius: .....
Rave: Thought so.

In the next chapter Delilah finally names the dog, or rather the dog names himself.