Disclaimer: I do not own the character Sirius Black, he was created by J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 2

At the sound of the girl's voice, Sirius froze, and swore inside his mind.

"Wh-what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Sirius stared at her, unsure what to do, but still naturally suspicious of the girl's intentions. The girl walked over to him, an expression of concern on her face. She was tall and thin, and very pale, with dark wavy hair pulled back into a braid. Her hazel eyes were filled with worry, and as she came close to him, she kneeled down beside him.

"I heard a cry, and it sounded like something had happened…I'm not sure if you can understand me, but…"

Sirius laughed inwardly at this remark. If you only knew, he thought. He wasn't sure whether the girl was a witch or a Muggle, but either way he knew that he would be recognized if he was to show her his human form, since he had appeared in both the magical and the Muggle news. The girl took his injured paw and examined it.

"Oh, that looks horribly painful…If only I had my wand…."

So she was a witch, noticed Sirius, and a wandless one at that. He felt a stab of pity for the girl, for he had never in his life lived without a wand, and he could only imagine how difficult it must be for a witch or wizard to be without one. On the bright side, it meant that the girl was much less of a threat, since she had no magical means of attacking him. But how do I know if she's telling the truth? wondered Sirius, his paranoia increasing.

The girl sighed, looking downcast, when all of a sudden her entire face lit up.

"There's water over there!" She ran over to the shallow pool of water at the back of the cave, then looked back at Sirius. "Come on!"

Sirius, even though he was still not sure what to think of the girl, walked over to her, still struggling to walk with only three paws. He sat down at the edge of the water, and the girl took his paw and washed the blood off. The water was cold, but it was refreshing to have it run over his paw, and once the girl had stopped washing it, he was relieved to notice he had stopped bleeding.

"I hope that's better…sorry I can't do anything more…" She looked completely disappointed in herself that there was nothing more she could do. Impulsively, before his logic and sense could take over, he grabbed the sleeve of the girl's black sweater and pulled on it, walking toward his hiding spot where his wand was carefully hidden. Pulling it out, he picked it up with his teeth and dropped it in the girl's hand.

"Is-is this YOUR wand?" she asked tentatively.

Sirius nodded.

The girl gasped. "Are you…are you magical, then?"

Sirius nodded again.

The girl looked at him, and asked "Is this your true form?"

Sirius shook his head.

"Why are you in this form? Has someone hexed you?"

Again, Sirius shook his head.

"Then why are you like this? Have you chosen to be like this?"

Sirius nodded.

"Why?" the girl pressed.

Sirius gave no answer. He knew that he could easily transform back into a human, but he was highly afraid of recognition, and it would be too difficult for him to explain it to her while still remaining in dog form. The girl seemed to realize this, and sighing softly, she took Sirius' paw in one hand and his wand in the other, pointing the wand at his paw.

"Episkey," she said, and at once his paw was healed. Sirius was grateful for this, and his impulse was to change into his human form and give the girl his utmost gratitude. He knew, however, that this was not safe, so he had to settle for a soft nuzzle, which the girl kindly excepted.

"I'm sorry for intruding in your cave," the girl said. "I- well, if I tell you why I'm here, would you promise not to betray me, no matter what happens?"

Sirius nodded. As if I even could, he thought.

The girl sat down in Sirius' hiding spot. "Would you like to sit in my lap?" she asked him. Surprised, but not annoyed, Sirius obliged, and curled up on top of the girl's thin legs as she began to tell her story.