Maria quickly entered Dominique's room with Siera and Arina. They stopped suddenly and looked at the pale Remus then they surveyed the bedchamber. The room was in complete disarray. The cream colored sheets were stained with burgundy blood, un- doubtly Dominique's.
Remus passed the note to the three women very hesitantly. He watched as the face of fear washed over them. Siera started to walk around the room not making eye contact with a soul. Tears were now welling up in Arina eyes. Maria just stood there frozen but still maintaining her stab ability. Finally the silence was broken with a few meek words.
"Who has her?" whispered the fear stricken Arina.
Remus rubbed the back of his neck almost not sure as to the answer to the major question. "This letter is from a Death Eater. Only a death Eater would write in blood as to which one though I'm not sure."
"Someone will have to tell Albus about this," Maria stated.
"I'll go. Maria you can look around the room and see if Dominique left anything to help us with her whereabouts. Arina if you could fly around the grounds and look around that would help. And Siera," Remus instructed but Siera interrupted him before he could give the last command.
"I'll come with you to see Albus," she announced.
"Very well then. Is everyone ok?" he asked innocently. The women looked at each of other still without any color.
"No but would you expect us to be?" slowly snapped Arina. Remus tilted his head downward almost embarrassed by the stupidity of his question.
"I'm sorry. Yes it must be awful." They nodded to the sincere comment. "Ok then we must tell Dumbledore." Almost as soon as the words left his lips the women went to their positions. Arina walked out onto the balcony and called her broom. Maria started to check under sheets for any clues. Siera opened the bedroom door for herself and Remus. They quietly but quickly walked towards Dumbledore's office. It was silent for a minute before Remus spoke up.
"I'm sorry that your first night here was not a pleasant one. This is usually the safest place in all of the wizarding world." Siera skeptically laughed at that last remark. Remus once again rubbed the back of his neck. The skin was rubbed raw by his continual massaging. He glanced over at Siera. She was walking very sternly. Everything about her at that moment seemed harsh even the sound of her heels clicking against the stone floors. He knew that she was holding an unhealthy amount of emotions right now. Her head spun around to meet Remus's eyes. He hadn't realized that he was watching her this whole time.
"You are familiar with cameras aren't you Remus?"
"Uh, yes of course," he was caught off guard by this strange question.
"Good. Then you should also be familiar with the expression 'take a picture it last longer'?" Remus started to tern a light shade of pink but Siera wasn't amused by it.
They finally reached Dumbledore's office. Remus gave the password, which seemed to be 'gum drops' and they quickly ran up the stairs to see Albus in his desk chair. His beard was at least a shade whiter than at dinner that night. His glasses did not hide his tired looking eyes.
"I already know," he gently spoke.
"I had a feeling you would," Remus softly chimed. Siera stared at the both men waiting for them to speak but not another word came from their lips.
"Well? What are we going to do?" Siera asked with a hint of frustration in her voice. She didn't understand why they weren't more upset.
Dumbledore sighed and then quietly replied, "We can do nothing. The members of the Order will look for her but we must stay here."
"I don't understand. Why aren't we going to look for her as well?"
"School starts tomorrow," he simply stated.
"Cancel school!" Siera yelled uncontrollably. Remus reached over and placed his hand on Siera's but she quickly jerked away. "No. I will not stay here while one of my best friends is missing!"
Dumbledore nodded in response to this statement. "Miss Scarlet, we cannot cancel school. If we do that then the students are at risk of being hurt at their homes. They are in danger just for the mere fact that they attend my school. We have some of the best witches and wizards here at Hogwarts to protect them." Siera opened her mouth to argue but Dumbledore was quicker," The Order will take care of it and look for her. We will stay here and guard the students."
Siera sighed deeply and then nodded. Remus was hardly noticeable in the room until both Siera and Dumbledore were finished.
"Sir, what do we tell the students? About Dominique?"
"We tell them nothing. Remus would you agree with me, that telling a group of 1st years that their professor has been kidnapped, is a bad idea?" Remus smiled slightly at this. "Very well then. I think you should explain this to Professor Hesaro and Professor La Dai. I will notify the others. Please get some rest, for tomorrow will be an event. Oh Remus. Sirius will be joining us shortly. He is still un-able to be seen in public. He will help us at Hogwarts. Once again get some rest."
Siera and Remus left Dumbledore's office shortly after that.
Back in Dominique's room.
Maria searched every inch of the room. She could find not a single thing. For the first time in her life she felt completely helpless. Maria was one of the smartest witches of her time and yet she still could not help her friend. She carefully sat down on the bed, placing her limp arms on her lap. The tears were patiently waiting to fall from her chocolate brown eyes. The first one gently fell with ease down her face, falling onto her hand. Before anymore could fall, a loud crack was heard. While wiping her eyes, Maria spun around to see Sirius Black. He was waving his hands about, trying to get rid of the smoke surrounding him.
"Bloody hell. This is why I quit apperating a long time ago. It's just so much easier to turn into a dog," he coughed a couple of times before realizing who was looking straight at him. They stared at each other for what seemed like a decade, each one unsure if they were actually looking at the other.
Sirius had changed drastically from his younger self. He had thinned out to the point of being able to see his bones. His face was hollow looking and saddened. The only thing that was exactly the same was his eyes. The sky blue eyes shimmered in the dim lit room. Maria always loved his eyes. They could warm you up like a fire in winter.
Maria had not changed as much as Sirius. She was just as beautiful as the day they met. There was something about her though. She didn't look as happy as she once was. Her light about her had dimmed. She didn't sparkle anymore.
"Maria?" his voice cracking just a bit from the shock. She didn't answer. She was in complete shock. "I'm sorry," Sirius sheepishly stated," you just look like someone I knew a long time ago. I'll leave. I'm sorry." He turned to walk out of the room but Maria finally opened her mouth.
"Sirius!" she yelled. Sirius froze. He knew that was Maria's voice. He pivoted around until he was looking directly into her eyes. "It's me. Maria."
Sirius smiled gently. "I knew it was you. You never change."
"Your wrong, Sirius. I've changed a lot. You just can't see it," she stated coldly. Sirius glared at her in awe.
"I guess I was wrong. The Maria I knew wouldn't greet an old friend like that," he declared.
"An old friend? An old friend? Sirius, the last time we spoke you very clearly stated that you wanted nothing to do with me," she argued. Sirius moved closer to her like an animal on the prowl.
"Darling, don't be this way," he placed his hand on her hip. Maria was disgusted by his actions. What nerve he had to act this way.
"Sirius. I think you lost the privilege to call me darling a long time ago."
"Maria, I think your forgetting how that night went. You walked out on me."
"Only because you rejected me when I told you that I loved you." Sirius closed his mouth and backed away. Maria seemed slightly amused by his behavior.
"Can we not speak about that?" he questioned.
"Fine! What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I'm here to help you and your friends." His voice quickly reclaimed its cocky tone to it as usual.
"How do you know about Dominique?"
"Dumbledore told him." Sirius and Maria jerked their heads to the doorway where Siera and Remus were leaning on the doorframe, smiling. Apparently they had opened the door while Maria and Sirius were fighting.
"Have they always been this cute while fighting?" Siera asked in a teasing manner. Maria sighed deeply and closed her eyes.
"I take it that the Order knows already?" Maria questioned while opening her eyes.
"Yes and they are searching for her as we speak."
"Good. So what are we to do?"
Remus explained what they were not do or rather what they weren't to do. She, as Siera, was a bit confused by the idea of them teaching still but by the time Remus was done she understood perfectly. A few minutes later Arina arrived back with nothing. They then repeated the plan to her as well. When they were finally finished Siera realized that she didn't introduce herself to the dark haired man.
"I'm sorry but I don't think Maria has introduced us yet. My name is Siera Scarlet and this is my friend Arina Hesaro and I presume your Sirius Black," they all extended their hands and shook.
"Yes. That would be me. I hope Moony over here hasn't told you anything unappealing about me," with this Sirius stepped toward Remus and ruffled his hair.
"Moony?" Arina and Siera questioned. Sirius's eyes lit up.
"Oh he hasn't told you yet? Remus here is a were-ouch!" Remus had elbowed Sirius.
"Sorry Sirius. You know how bad my arm jerks on occasion. He calls me Moony because when I was a boy I had a strange fascination with the moon." The two ladies nodded politely. "I think it is time for all of us to get some sleep finally. It wouldn't look very professional if the students look more awake than us." There was a chorus of 'yes your right's.
They all walked out of the room. The ladies went to their separate rooms while the men walked down the stairs to the 3rd floor.
"Have you not told them you're a werewolf?" Sirius stared at his good friend. Remus kept his eyes on the ground.
"No Sirius. I have not told them. I don't think it's wise for me to ruin a friendship with the news of my condition."
"Whatever you think mate. This is your call." Once they reached the 3rd floor they went their own ways to their rooms.
It was nearly three o'clock by the time everyone got to sleep well nearly everyone. Around three thirty Arina quietly tip toed into Siera's room. She gently sat on the bed that had a newly awoken Siera in it. Arina climb under the sheets and got closer to Siera. Siera rolled onto her side so she was facing Arina. Arina was crying. Her cries grew worse until Siera draped Arina in her arms. They rocked back and forth for a moment until both of the grown women were asleep.
No one woke up early the next morning. They had all slept past breakfast and they had barely made lunch. The women threw on their cloaks before heading down stairs. When they arrived they saw Remus and Sirius sitting at the Gryffindor table drinking what looked to be like tea. The women made their way over to the table.
"Sleep well Sirius?" asked an amused Maria. Sirius looked as if he had just woken up from a ten-year comma. His hair was a mess and his unshaven face was yawning uncontrollably. He mumbled something incoherent but Maria took that as a no.
"What about you ladies? Did you get enough?" asked a very awake Remus.
'Oh yes. I slept like a baby," answered Arina.
"I got plenty of sleep," chimed Maria. Remus smiled then looked at Siera whose eyes were closed.
"I did not get enough sleep. I did not sleep like a baby. I'm tired and am a nervous wreck," she complained while matching her yawns to Sirius's.
Remus laughed," We have three hours before the students will arrive." The ladies eyes quickly grew from a dime to a quarter. They walked hurriedly back to their rooms. Before they left Remus did hear something about how they needed to get ready. Remus watched them scurry out of the Great Hall then turned to comment to Sirius but Sirius's head was face down in his plate of eggs.
Arina sat in the now crowed Great Hall. The students were filing in. She looked out to the sea of children and wondered how in the world was she going to teach these kids. Her thoughts stopped as soon as Siera walked behind her and sat next to her at the table.
The professors' table was extremely long. Everyone had more than enough space. There was even enough room for Sirius to sit next to Remus. Remus caught the eye of three sixth years coming into the room. One was a tall lean red haired boy. He had a P on his robe for Prefect. To the left of him was a slightly shorter brunette. Remus smiled at the thought of this once bushy haired little girl who was now growing up to be a lady. Then there was the boy to her left. He was as tall as the red head. His dark hair was getting in his eyes every so often forcing him to push it to the side to reveal the lightning bolt scar. These three students were Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter.
They waved at Sirius and Remus who returned to the gesture. The three sat down shortly after that. Siera leaned into Remus and asked who the three were. He went into great detail as to who they were and what they were like. She laughed when he told her about Ron and smiled when she learned how smart Hermione was and looked amazed when Remus talked about Harry.
After the first years were sorted into their houses, Dumbledore stood up and announced thee new teachers names. When Remus's name was called the room filled with applause for some of the students remembered him as their teacher. Dumbledore continued until he got to the spot of Divination teacher Dominique De Long Cre. He simply said that she was not here yet and that Professor Trelawney would fill in for her until her return. The feast began but did not last long. Most of the students were very tired from the trip and they went to sleep. The Professors were very worn out and thought it might be a good idea to go to sleep at a descent time tonight. They fell asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillows. Everyone was excited about the upcoming day except for one, Arina. She knew something bad would happen soon.
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