----

Sirius smiled as he sipped at the cup of water he held in his worn hand. Daniel's tale about the unicorns and centaurs hadn't surprised him in the slightest. He had never doubted that Jack was a truly gifted wizard. "I always knew Jack was more talented than he let on. Then again his grandparents taught him well."

"What do you know about Jack's grandparents?"

"Why do you ask?"

Daniel shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Just curious. He's only mentioned his family a few times, but never anything specific."

The expression on Sirius' face seemed to change as he pondered Daniel's question, and the archeologist wasn't quite sure what to make of it when the older man began to speak. "Jack was raised by the Corrigans. Once his mother remarried he was sent to live with them because his stepfather was concerned about how rapidly Jack's magical abilities were beginning to develop."

"What do you mean?"

"Most wizards start to show their ability around the time they turn ten or eleven. Jack was already starting to do magic by the time was three or four. He barely had any control over it, which is what had his stepfather so concerned. They thought that living with his grandparents would help him be able to control it."

"So both his grandparents were...wizards?"

"Yes, and quite powerful ones at that. The Corrigans had always been a powerful wizarding family..." Sirius voice trailed off and Daniel watched the emotions play on the wizard's face as he sat quietly waiting for him to continue. "Sorry, I guess I got lost for a bit there."

"That's alright. What else do you know about Jack?"

Sirius laughed softly and shook his head. "Honestly, there's always been more about that man that I didn't know, than what I did."

Daniel rolled his eyes and nodded his head knowingly. "He likes to keep people guessing."

"That I have to agree with. He's always been a peculiar chap."

"That's one way to describe him." Daniel cast a glance down at his watch and then back at Sirius. "Do you think he might wake up soon?"

"Probably not, but I'll go up and check on him." Sirius started to stand, but Daniel brought his hand up to stop him.

"No, I'll do it."

Sirius nodded and watched as the younger man made his way up the stairs. Silently he wondered whether it was a good idea for Jack to have come back. He was touched that his friend would risk so much to help him, but the risk Jack and his friend were taking was almost too much.

Jack blinked a few times when he saw Daniel open the door to the room where he was resting, and he lifted his head slightly to get a better look at his friend.

"You look a little better."

"I feel like I was hit with a ton of bricks."

Daniel smirked and shook his head. "More like you crashed a car into some trees."

"Oh yeah. Then we ran through the forest. Sounds like a fabulous afternoon in my opinion." Jack laughed softly at his own humor and Daniel rolled his eyes.

"You should rest some more. Sirius says he healed you as best he could, but you need to rest up some more."

Jack feigned a salute and adjusted the small blanket that was covering him. "Yes, sir. Will do."

Daniel rolled his eyes and turned to leave. He cast a quick glance back at his friend who had already closed his eyes to sleep again, and Daniel couldn't help but wonder just what lay ahead for them. He knew he didn't have the abilities that Jack did, but something inside him told him that things were going to get much worse before they got any better.

----

Sirius was already up and moving about as the sun peeked its way into the rickety old shack. He vigilantly kept watch through a crack in the wooden slats covering the window. A soft purring sound near the window caught his attention and he pulled the slat back a bit so Crookshanks could come inside.

"Good morning, little one. Have you any news?" Sirius ran his wiry hand over Crookshanks' back and the feline purred contentedly. She began to meow and purr loudly as Sirius stroked her fur, and Sirius listened carefully to her.

A creaking of the steps made both Sirius and Crookshanks look up. Jack was easing himself down the steps one at a time, slowly looking around as he did so.

"Morning, Sirius. Where's Daniel?"

"He went in to town for some food."

Jack's eyes went wide at Sirius answer. "He's in Hogsmeade? Alone?"

"Well, I can't very well go with him, and you were still unconscious. He'll be fine. I'm sure of it. He said you'd stopped at Gringott's yesterday, so I gave him a list of things to buy."

"When did he leave?" Jack was already moving towards the door, and Sirius set Crookshanks down and started after him.

"He left a few minutes ago. Now come sit down. You're not fully healed yet. I won't have you going outside and messing up all my work from last night." He steered Jack away from the door and led him to a small wooden chair.

"Thanks for that."

"Not a problem. It's the least I could do, after all you are here to help me." Jack nodded and slowly eased himself into the chair.

"So how bad am I?" He pointed to his ribs that were still aching slightly and Sirius shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm no healer, but I'd say give it a day or so and you'll be fine. I mended those ribs as best I could. I think Madam Pomfrey would be proud." Sirius grinned and Jack rolled his eyes.

"There aren't many like dear old Poppy. "With a sigh Jack leaned back against the chair.

"Too true, my friend. There was almost nothing she couldn't find a cure for."

"Almost nothing." Solemnly Jack nodded remembering how feverishly the healer had worked to try and help him though his dreams, but in the end she had not been able to help him at all.

"Crookshanks tells me that Peter is still missing. She thinks he may be hiding near Hagrid's, but she isn't sure." Sirius' words broke Jack from his thoughts and he looked down and saw the orange feline stalking towards him.

"Good morning to you too, Crookshanks." He reached a hand out to pet the cat, and she jumped into his lap.

"I told you she liked you." Jack smiled at Sirius and the two sat and watched as the sun drifted in the sky above them, and Crookshanks happily purred in her place between the two wizards.

----

Daniel was just coming in sight of the Three Broomsticks as he moved along the dirt path into the little town of Hogsmeade. He pulled his jacket tighter around him as the chilly morning air blew past him. A nice looking woman greeted him as he passed the entrance to the tavern and he smiled at her.

"Mornin' to ya, sir. Can't say as I've seen you here abouts. It's always nice to see a new face." The woman smiled back as she used her wand to change the sign in front of the tavern to read 'open' instead of 'closed.'

"Good Morning. I'm just passing through town actually. Wanted to get a few things before I moved on." Daniel shrugged his shoulders at the woman and she motioned for him to come closer.

"Well, the shops are just opening. If you like you can come inside and grab a pint of butterbeer to warm you up, or whatever your pleasure be."

With a nod, Daniel followed the woman inside and took a seat at the bar. "My name's Daniel."

"I'm Rosmerta, I own this lovely little establishment. Now where did you say you were from?"

Daniel shook his head as she made her way behind the bar. "I didn't. I'm from a lot of places."

"You sound American." Daniel nodded and she put a steaming mug in front of him.

"I am, but I grew up in a lot of different places." He stared at the mug for a moment as the aroma wafted upwards. The scent was unlike anything he'd come across before. Curiously he lifted the mug and brought it to his lips.

"So you're a traveling wizard then."

As he put the mug down he nodded again. "Something like that."

"Well, whereabouts are you headed?"

Daniel was starting to feel anxious at the woman's questions and he pushed the mug away from him. "Nowhere in particular."

The peculiar look Rosmerta gave him at his response to her question didn't escape him and he desperately wanted to make a move for the door.

"Look at me, all nosey and such. Forgive me. I've no right to meddle in such things. You enjoy your butterbeer, and I'll be going about my business."

He breathed a sigh of relief as the woman walked away, and waved her hand to bring the chairs down from the upside down position on the tables. Silently he watched her as he finished up his drink and when she was done she joined him again at the bar.

"How much do I owe you?"

"It's on the house, Daniel. Have a lovely day." She smiled and he reached out to shake her hand.

"Thank you, Rosmerta. It's been a pleasure talking to you."

"The pleasure was all mine, dear." With a nod he rose from his seat and started for the door. The brisk air made him shiver slightly as he stepped outside and he tugged his jacket to him as he moved down the street.

The time seemed to fly by as he went from shop to shop. He was fascinated with everything he saw, from the candy at Honeydukes to the gadgets at Dervish and Banges. He'd even stopped at Zonko's, out of curiosity, and was amazed at all the interesting things they were selling. He could just picture Jack having a blast buying up things for the practical jokes he so loved to pull on everyone.

When he looked down at his watch it was almost noon, and he cursed himself for taking so long in town. Quickly he started out of Zonko's and walked back down the street. He stopped when he noticed several carriages pulling up to the edge of town. A large group of teenagers barreled out of the carriages and began running around the street, while an older woman with spectacles shouted after them.

"Now children, we will meet back here at 5 o'clock. If you are late you'll be walking back to the school." No one seemed to hear her as they rushed passed her, and she shook her head as she started towards the Three Broomsticks.

"Afternoon Professor McGonagall." Rosmerta was just opening the door to let one of her patrons leave when she saw the spectacled professor walking towards her. "Another trip for the students?"

"Yes. It's the last one before exams. I keep telling myself that I won't be the one to chaperone these outings anymore, but here I am." Professor McGonagall sighed and shrugged her shoulders as Rosmerta motioned for her to come inside.

Just as the two women were almost in the door, Rosmerta caught a glimpse of Daniel walking down the street and she called out to him.

"I thought you'd be on your way by now, dear." Rosmerta motioned for Daniel to come inside and he did so with a polite nod to her and to the professor as well.

"I was enjoying the scenery. This is quite a lovely little haven."

"That it is. It'd be better if those blasted dementors weren't patrolling at night." The venom in Rosmerta's voice at the mention of the dementors was clear and Daniel nodded in agreement.

"That's a shame." Daniel sighed and took a seat at the table that Rosmerta had led him and professor McGonagall.

"And who might you be, sir?" Professor McGonagall asked as the three of them sat down.

"Oh slap me silly. I've no manners at all. Minerva McGonagall, this is Daniel. He came into town this morning."

The older woman seemed to size Daniel up and he smiled as he reached a hand towards her. She carefully took the hand and shook it with a gently smile of her own.

"Nice to meet you, Daniel."

"Same here."

Rosmerta excused herself and disappeared to fetch them drinks and returned a few minutes later with three drinks in hand.

"So what are you doing in Hogsmeade?" Minerva asked as Daniel brought his drink to his lips. He slowly took a drink and then set it back down on the table.

"Just passing through."

"Really?" The witch gave him an odd look, and Daniel couldn't help but look away.

"Yes. I'm actually on my way out of town now."

"Daniel's a traveling wizard of sorts." Rosmerta chimed in.

"How lovely for you." The sarcasm in the professor's voice was obvious and Daniel was taken aback by it.

"I'm sorry, but have I done something to offend you?" He asked curiously, hoping the witch would give him some clue as to why she seemed to hostile towards him.

"Not at all." She paused to study his face for moment before continuing. "There's something strangely familiar about you, Daniel."

Daniel gulped and shrank back in his seat, praying his nervousness didn't show too much. "Um...how so?"

"I can't quite place it, but I've seen you before."

Rosmerta shook her head and laughed softly. "Calm down, Minerva. Daniel's an alright fella. You're just tired from having all those children around you."

Reluctantly, Minerva sighed and shook her head. "You could be right."

Feeling the urgent need to get back to the Jack and Sirius, Daniel stood up and both women shook their heads for him to stay.

"I really have to be going. I've spent all morning in town and I have so much more to do today." He shook both women's hands and excused himself once more and took his leave.

As he stepped outside he noticed a red-haired boy following a small lollipop that seemed to be floating in the air. He was going towards the Shrieking Shack and Daniel followed, careful not to make his presence known. When he stopped Daniel ducked behind some trees, curious to see what the boy was doing.