Disclaimer: I don't own any of these Characters!! I never will!! Please don't sue I am totally broke!! Ok with that off my back enjoy me hopefully longer than the first four chapters chapter!!

Daine, Numair, and Magic

Sirius slowly returned to himself, regaining his senses even slower. His mouth tasted gritty and his eyes were seemingly glued shut.

A soft soothing voice rose into his foggy mind. The voice was saying something, 'Was it Lily?'

A second voice sounded, seemingly above Sirius's actual person. This one was deeper, more manly, 'James?'

'Wait that is not James…And that is not Lily!'

Sirius's eyes burst open, a snarl sharpening his features as he looked around. An unusually tall, black haired stork like man took a step away from the snarling dog. The girl with dark curly hair (which Sirius suddenly recognized as Daine) stood back abruptly.

Sirius felt his panic and sadness ebb, before realizing it was the girl before him that was doing it.

I won't hurt you, I promise. I'm just trying to help!

Sirius remained silent, keeping his own judgment. "She can understand me, how? What did that muggle-Tait call her? Wild mage? What in hell is a wild mage?!'

As Sirius's thoughts tumbled about, the tall storkman grabbed Sirius and muzzled him with a strip of his own sleeve.

Daine winced, "Must you treat him so rough, Numair, he is a wild animal and knows no better."

The storkman grinned slightly, showing brilliant white teeth. "I am sorry, my love, but I have never seen an animal act this was toward you…It is almost as if he can't hear you."

Daine smiled softly at her husband. "It is not that he can not hear me, he just chooses to ignore me…"

One of Numair's bushy black eyebrows shot up. "Ignore you? There has never been an animal strong enough or clever enough to ignore you, my loved one…Unless you count our daughter…"

"Oh, Numair…. He is just frightened and does not know we are here to help…"

Sirius struggled against Numair's hold, front paws clawing and raking at the makeshift muzzle. Numair fought to regain control over the large beast before letting a cloud of his black magic wash over Sirius's struggling form once more.

The last thing that Sirius heard was Daine's scream, "Numair, No!"

Sirius opened his eyes to find himself still surrounded by the mages back flame, but it was now in the shape of a cage. Sirius tested his paw as he looked around.

'As good as new…Wow, she's good…'

Daine stood several feet away from the cage, a young baby cradled within her arms, cooing softly to the bundle as it slowly drifted off to sleep. Daine returned the sleeping young one to a cradle by the door before returning her full attention to Sirius himself.

She sighed and plopped down before the cage, the voice of her mind drifting toward him.

I'm sorry, my mate, Numair, is not quite as trusting as me when it comes to animals.

Sirius remained silent, crystal like blue eyes locked on Daine as she prodded his mind with her magic softly, like one would do to wake a sleeping dog.

Sirius bared his teeth, replying in a dangerously soft voice, My mind is my own, muggle, stay out of it!

Daine seemed started at his sudden straightforward answer before asking, Muggle? What is a muggle?

Sirius realized he had used the wrong word; she is a mage…not a muggle. Daine tilted her head as Sirius shook his.

It is a term for humans used among my frie-err-pack.

Daine smiled; finally she was able to talk to this new comer. What is your name, pack brother? And what pack do you belong too? I belong to the Long Lake pack.

Sirius thought quickly, 'I do not know if they are truly friends or foes…Padfoot will do nicely for the time being…At least until I can figure out if they can help me home…'

My name is Padfoot and I come from the pack called…The Mauderers…

Daine smiled and slipped a hand between the bars for him to sniff. It is nice to meet you; Padfoot, and I hope to learn more about you and your pack once I get Numair to take you out of this cage…