Chapter 17:
It was lunchtime when Remus found me again, saying that the black dog was spotted even closer. "Remus, I know what you must think, but I just don't believe that Black would come here. He knows how well protected and spelled this place is. He would have to be a fool to come back here and I still don't think he would harm James and Lily's son." "Think what you want, but Harry must be protected and he must not find out about Sirius and their connection."
"You mean the fact that he is Harry's godfather? Does that mean I shouldn't be telling him that I'm his godmother?" Remus sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder, I noticed a new scar, probably from his turning last month. "Phoebe, don't think of it like that. Lily chose you with James. No one could think that Sirius would betray us." I pushed his hand off shaking my head. "I just refuse to believe he would turn on James…they were best friends, they would never hurt each other." I walked away, leaving my lunch behind. When I turned the corner I sank against the wall and stared out into the yard, seeing students eating and laughing like nothing was wrong.
Oh what I would give to go back to those days, carefree and young, reckless and mischievous. "Would you really turn against us?" I breathed to myself, beginning to doubt myself. I closed my eyes and leaned back, head lifted toward the roof. "Missing me?" I jumped and looked around, pulling out my wand. I was alone, there was no one around at all. "Hello?" I called, but it seemed I was truly by myself in the space. "I'm driving myself insane." I went back to my classroom, waiting for the next class to begin.
The first month went well, even a few new students joined after hearing what I was teaching. I was trying to show a student how to properly flick his wand to lift the water from the cup, when the door opened and a student rushed in. "The Fat Lady is gone! Her picture is tore to shreds." the students began to move to follow after her, but I motioned for them to remain sitting. "Stay here, continue to practice. I will check in on this and will return." I closed the door and vaulted upstairs, not waiting for them to move as I leapt and grabbed, pulling myself up. I found a few professors already there and Headmaster appeared with a crowd of students.
The Ghost Peeves informed everyone that the Fat Lady was running from the creature that tore her portrait up. "Nasty temper he's got. That Sirius Black." I inhaled sharply, he was here, in the castle. Dumbledore quickly told the teachers to herd the students into the great hall, where it was prepared for them all to stay the night. I was sent with Remus to search part of the castle for Black. "Do you still think he isn't here for Harry?" his tone was sharp, but I heard his own saddness, Black was his friend too. "There is no telling what he might have been searching for. We need to find him and find out, though." I told him to go one way, he was hesitate but did what I asked.
I turned the corner and looked around, sensing the air and movements, I was alone. "Where are you?" I breathed out, maybe he would show himself to me. I walked out into a courtyard, exposing myself to anyone nearby, maybe if he saw I meant no harm, he would reveal himself to me. "Sirius?" I heard movement behind me and whipped around. I sighed and saw Snape sneering at me. "You seemed to be disappointed. Did you want to take him down yourself? Think you could handle a Death-eater?" "Severus, you have no idea what I can handle. Worry about finding Black and protecting our students." I walked around the man, not bothering to giving him another thought or moment of my time.
There was no sign of Black in the castle, but we were told to guard Harry when we could and keep our eyes open for any types of changes around the castle, anything small or big. I was watching Harry practice his training with the team, waiting to talk to him afterward. He avoided me and I tried again and again, but he seemed to be getting good at it. "Hey Harry, come here real quick." "Professor, we need to get to the match." "Mr. Wood, I am aware, however I need Potter to walk with me in private. We must talk. Now run along." Harry sighed and fell in step beside me.
"What is it Professor?" "I understand you have realized that Black is after you. Teachers are always around, making it difficult to have time to yourself and your friends. I understand." "What does this have to do with you needed to talk to me?" "Harry, I will protect you from Black. I was not there for your parents, but I will be there for you. Take this." I handed the charm to him and he looked at it closely. "It's just a chain. What's it do?" "I enchanted it, when you are in danger, it will heat this one up," I paused, lifting my wrist to show the matching chain. "How will it know I'm in danger?" "It will sense your fear and heart rate and body temperature, along with your emotions. It isn't really appropriate for the school, so it will be our secret."
"I just don't want anything to happen to you, I won't make another mistake. Please just always keep this on." he nodded and slipped it on his wrist, telling me bye and I wished him luck in the match. I didn't go watch, I was going to search again for Black, just in case. I made my way to the castle and began, unsure if he would come back so soon. I was taking a break and staring into the dark sky, watching the lightning flash over and over. The game must be hard enough with this type of weather. My wrist began to heat up, I snapped my head up in time to hear. "Professor!" I turned and saw crowds of people heading straight for us and I saw Harry in his team Captain's arms.
I vaulted over the gap and fell in step beside them as we continued to the Nurse ward. "What happened Wood?" I shot at him, my eyes darting around for signs of someone still after Harry. "Dementors invaded the game! Attacked Harry for no reason! Dumbledore saved him and repelled the Dementors away with a spell." I shhed him as we entered the Nurse and placed Harry on a bed. "I'm going to be right back, let me know when he wakes." they nodded and I darted out of the room, sighing deeply and shaking my head. I thought Sirius had gotten to him, had finished my father's job….and I wasn't there to protect Harry.