A/N: As I am reading Order of the Pheonix, I have decided to set this story during that period of time for Harry. I believe the few meetings with Umbridge that they have will be found quite... entertaining.

Chapter 3:

Insider's look

Although Harry wished for Diana to come with him to Number 12, Grimmauld Place, he was met with adamant refusal.

"This is my home. If I'm to leave then I want it to be on my own time." Although she was still frightened, she kept her argument until Dumbledore interfered.

"You will stay here, then, but you must let Sirius stay here. I would rather you not be left alone."

Diana agreed to that and saw them off. Then she looked around. "Sirius?"

Sirius padded up. Having taken his dog-like form, he put his paws on her shoulders. She smiled and patted his head.

"I'm glad you stayed," she said softly when he got down again.

Sirius watched her carefully as she went through her nightly routine, preparing for bed and cleaning some of the household clutter at the same time. By the time she went to bed, it was late and the house was clean. She sighed and sat on her bed, her pale nightgown fluttering around her body. Sirius came in silently, sitting by her feet. She smiled at him before laying down, saying her prayers, and falling asleep.

Taking his Human form again, Sirius looked down at her. He sighed softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her head. She shivered, but remained motionless.

"I would that I could have saved you from all this," he said quietly. Noticing that she was still shivering from the cold, he became a dog again and leapt up to lay at her side. She sighed softly and curled up against him, warming slowly. He fell asleep beside her slowly, staying on the alert.

The next morning, Diana woke earlier than Sirius and stood quietly. Donning a thin robe and slippers, she went out to the door just as someone knocked.

"Quietly, Ernie. I have a guest." She smiled at the milkman, one of her friends in her small world.

"'Morning Miss Di. You say ther's a visitor?"

At that moment Sirius padded out to stand at Diana's side. The girl placed a gentle hand on his head, reassuring him.

"This is my guest." She smiled at Ernie, who grinned in return.

"Ah, like that little kitty I took to the Vet some time back?"

"Exactly like that, except this one isn't hurt. He showed up yesterday, saved me from Pa's beating."

Ernie grimaced and looked at Sirius. "My thanks to you then, friend. You saved one of my good friends."

Diana smiled again. "Ernie, I'll be going away until next summer. I'll need milk next Monday, but then I'll be gone. Could you take milk to the neighbor? Mr. Borans still isn't trying to provide for the children. I'll pay for it, if you want."

Ernie shook his head. "Nope. I'll do it and say you did, but you keep your money, Miss Di. I wouldn't take it from you for anything."

Diana grinned. "I knew I could count on you."

The two shook hands, Ernie leaving milk with Diana before heading to the neighbor's house.

Diana walked back inside and shut the door, taking the milk to the Kitchen. "Do you want something to eat?" she asked Sirius.

He transformed back into a person and smiled slightly. "I'm famished, to tell the truth, but you don't have to trouble yourself..."

"It's no trouble. Remember, I offered." She turned and pulled a small thing of bacon from the freezer and put it out to fry, at the same time preparing pancakes.

When Sirius came to stand near her, he noticed the involuntary flinch, but said nothing, merely watched as she deftly handled the kitchen appliances.

It was nothing to her, it seemed, but noticing her skill, he knew it was. There was nothing she seemed to notice after a while but the food before her. After a while he moved away, waiting the next ten minutes until she called for him.

"The food's ready, if you want." She immediately retreated into the kitchen again, waiting on the other side of the counter as she came in, sat down, and took a bite.

"This is good!" he said approvingly.

He noticed the flash of disbelief on her face. "Really?" she asked finally.

"Yes really." He stood and came over to her side again. "Diana? What is it?"

"It's nothing," she said quickly, turning her head away to hide the slightly fearful/disbelieving expression she wore. He just put a finger to her chin and made her look at him.

"You can tell me," he said quietly.

She sighed finally. "My father always used to say that I was a bad cook. He'd punish me if I cooked something he didn't like. I fell into a short routine, but that didn't stop him..." She shivered. "His friends were worse."

His protective instincts roused, he put his hand down. "Did they hurt you?"

She bit her lip, then nodded slightly. "One of them is supposed to come play cards today. He's one of the worst."

Sirius looked at her quietly. "I'm still here, you know. Nothing will happen."

She smiled. "You're like the father I never had," she said softly before looking away, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"I'd like to be your father," Sirius said quietly. "If you'd let me."

She looked up at him, her eyes wide. "You'd do that for me?"

"Any of us would," he countered.

"Do what?" asked a voice. It was Harry, come to check on Diana.

"Be her family," said Sirius as Diana looked up.

"That's right," Harry said. "Any of us."

Diana looked up and smiled again. "Thank you so much."

"No," said Harry. "Thank you." He came forward and squeezed her hand gently. She gave a very swift flinch before smiling and squeezing back.

And so the plans are set in motion...