Chapter 26: Hello, Sirius
HP-BTVS-HP-BTVS
The next morning after everyone had had a good night's sleep, Xander decided to address the residents of the school. "I'm sure all of you know by now that there were Dementors on the train yesterday. The man that came during dinner was Cornelius Fudge, your Minister. He was the one who ordered the train searched. I let him know what a stupid idea that was."
Many people tittered.
"Why did he do that?" a confused Hufflepuff asked.
"You all know Sirius Black has escaped prison, right?" there was much nodding. "Fudge told me that he was heard talking about coming here," that caused a few screams from the younger years, "but he forgets I'm here. I will protect you all from anything that tries to harm you."
The students calmed down at that. They all knew that Xander was a scary man when he wanted to be.
"Even Draco Malfoy?" Harry questioned, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yes, even Malfoy Jr.," was the quick comeback.
"Oi!" the boy in question said, standing up as if to protest loudly. Daphne Greengrass tugged him down, not wanting to see the boy embarrass himself first thing in the morning. It was frustrating how Gryffindorish the boy was,
"You're the best," Harry said, giving his father a cute smile.
"Shut it, brat," Xander said, not really meaning it. "Now that that is out of the way, we have two new staff members. Ally Ainsley and Robert Jones. They are therapists. If you have problems, go see them. What you tell them will be confidential, bar anything that is harmful to you or others." He pointed to a buxom female blonde and a tall male redhead. They both stood and bowed, then sat back down.
"What's a therapist," a Ravenclaw asked, confusion on his face.
"Someone you can talk your problems over with. Say there is tension in your home, or you're being bullied here at school. They will discuss it with you on how to relieve, or solve your problem," Xander answered, smiling at a few of the kids he knew that were having issues, like Blaise, who was the reason they were here in the first place.
"Oh," a great deal of people said, nodding their head as if to say 'that's a good idea'.
"I'd like to remind everyone that doing magic in the halls is forbidden," the yellow-eyed man said, glaring at a few of the troublemakers, like the Weasley twins. "There are just too many people that can get caught in your spells. There are classrooms and such to practice your magic. Just let your Head of House know. If you are caught without permission, you will get detention."
There were a few that turned to their friends and started talking about doing just that. They were always looking for somewhere they could practice, and had used the classrooms before, but now they were given permission.
"We have a new janitor to help out old Filch. You won't be seeing much of him but, he's just as grouchy as Argus, so don't get caught by him," Xander stated, turning to watch Dumbledore fume on the way to his chair.
He didn't see the two that had got caught last night exchange glances. Both blushed and turned back to the front. They had already told their friends about the good-looking man that was roaming the halls.
"There are so many banned items," Xander said, turning back to the students, "that I'm starting from scratch. If it's dark, you better not bring it here. That can lead to expulsion. I'm not kidding either. This is my house, you are guest here, act like it. I'm sure most of your parents have taught you how.
"Joke items are no longer banned, until someone gets hurt or you ruin property. If you use a joke item that causes property damage, you will be paying for the replacement. If you destroy an heirloom than you will be in a heap of trouble. So just don't. If someone gets hurt, punishment will be decided on how much said person is injured. From points to expulsion.
"Those who get to go to Hogsmeade, you can still go, but I wouldn't put it past Fudge to keep the Dementors outside the wards, so you will need to stay in town. No sneaking off. Professor Lupin is willing to teach the Patronus Charm. Get with him for a timetable. Remember he is a busy man, and his time is just as valuable as yours.
"Enough of that, let's eat," he finished with a wave of his hand and breakfast appeared. Xander took his usual seat next to Joyce. "So, how was that?" he asked her, reaching for food.
"Not bad, but I think you've pissed off Dumbledore," was her answer, she simply sipped on a cup of tea. Being the embodiment of Hogwarts meant no need for food, but she did enjoy sipping on beverages.
"Too bad for him," Sal said from her other side.
"He's still bent out of shape about Spike," Xander said, leaning forward a bit to see Dumbledore's face. It was in his grandfather mask, but Xander could see the anger in his eyes. "What are we going to do about him anyway?"
"He hasn't really done anything wrong. He does his work, just like any administrator and is following the rules. So, we'll just let him be for now," Joyce said, patting Xander's arm. She set her cup down and looked out to the student body. They were all talking and laughing. She remembered back when the school first opened, there were only around twenty kids, to see it filled up like this was heartwarming. Though she knew that the last two wars had diminished the population. Still, they had come so far.
"It's different from our day," Sal said as if reading her thoughts.
"Yes, yes, it is."
And with that the rest of the day progressed smoothly.
Hpbtvshpbtvs
Early the next morning, Xander woke Luna up. "Come on, sweetie, get up," he said, gently shaking her awake.
"I don't wanna," she mumbled, turning away from him.
"Don't you want to meet your new teacher?" he asked, shaking her shoulder again.
"He knows we're going to be late," she grumbled, but swung her blanket off. She must be wearing one of Hermione's gowns, because it had Mickey Mouse on it. Xander was pretty sure the magicals didn't know Mickey Mouse.
"Get dressed, sweetie, Firenze is waiting," Xander said, giving her a gentle nudge to the bathroom.
"I'm going, I'm going," she said still grouchy.
Hermione grumbled at them and then turned over to return to sleep. She didn't have to get up for an hour. She didn't see why Luna had to get up this early for a class that defied logic. No one can see the future. She wondered if Luna would tell her about the centaur when she got back. That was her last thought when sleep took her.
It took Luna five minutes to be presentable in her warm clothes. Showers were had at night for the girls. Morning for the boys. It was easier since there was only one bathroom for the four of them.
Xander took another five to brush her hair, which had been braided for sleep. So, it was nice and wavy. However, Luna knew from experience that it would be flat as a board in an hour. Still, it was pretty like this, and she knew that with magic, if she really wanted, it could stay this way. But she preferred her hair straight, like her mums.
"Why so early?" she whinged as she dragged her feet down the hall, eating the banana Xander had given her. She would join the rest of the school for breakfast.
"Firenze says this is the perfect time, because you can still see the sky," her new father explained, his hand on her upper back, guiding her to the main doors.
"But, I don't use the stars, the nargles tell me," she whinged some more, tossing the peel in a near by bin. She heard the sound of a house elf come and take care of it.
"Take it up with Firenze," he muttered, he didn't like being up this early either. It was only going on five in the morning. They walked towards Hagrid's hut, where the centaur was waiting.
"Good morning," the horseman said, lifting a hand in greeting. His feet stomped a bit, like he was impatient, but his face was serene. He was a rugged man on top and a dark brown horse on the bottom. His beard matched his tail, which was lighter than his coat.
Xander and Luna lifted theirs in reply.
"Young Luna, did you know that Venus is dim for you?" Firenze said, looking at where said planet was in the sky.
"Yes, the nargles told me," she said, nodding her head in agreement with his assessment. She may not use astronomy, but she knew what the stars meant.
"And you will just follow this path?" he wondered, peering down at her, like she was a small child. Which she was.
"It is the only way," Luna said, looking off into the distance.
"What are you talking about?" Xander demanded, he didn't like the sound of any of this, at all. It sounded like someone was going to die, and that was very prophecy like. He hated prophecies. He ate them for breakfast.
"Nothing to worry about, at least, not for a few more years, Xander Daddy," the little girl said, patting his arm. She wasn't going to tell.
"Firenze?" Xander questioned the centaur.
"The future is ever flowing. The stars only tell what can happen. I will teach your filly, she will see that some things can be changed," Firenze said, putting his hand on Luna's back and guiding her to the pumpkin patch behind the hut.
Xander watched them for a while, there seemed to be a debate that was getting heated, until Luna sighed and started debating something else. Their psychic mumbo-jumbo was annoying. Still, better than Trelawny. He then sighed and went inside when they started speaking in riddles again.
Before the door closed, he noted the white-blond hair. At least Spike was there. Wait, what is he thinking? Dammit, he did not just think good things about Spike. Then he sighed to himself, the vampire would watch out for what he thought of as his, and he liked Luna.
Hpbtvshpbtvs
A month went by, and they were now into October. Only a few had met Spike, and there were tales of a Malfoy ghost haunting the halls. Only this one was wearing things no Malfoy would. A large leather duster jacket, with muggle clothes. Plain t-shirts and jeans, with combat boots. Nothing any Malfoy would be caught dead in. Oh, the irony.
It was funny to Joyce and Xander, but Spike hated it. He was getting cozy with the Malfoys and thought Sr. and Jr. were berks. He did like Narcissa though.
Speaking of Jr. that poor boy was being questioned daily on the man who roamed the halls at night. Many girls were wondering who he was and if they were related. He had already written his father, but the man said, that he knew of no one that would wear such unfitting clothing or speak in such a way as the man was reported to talk. The two did not make the connection with Narcissa's new friend. Who was just too refined to be mistaken for a guttersnipe.
Xander, however, was more concerned that he had heard no news on Black. He was talking to Minerva about it, one day at lunch, when the Weasley twins came up to him.
"Xander, we have something that might help you," George said, holding out a piece of parchment. Xander knew which was which by a single freckle.
"We were going to give it to Harry, but he said to give it to you," Fred said, making a 'take it' motion.
"What am I looking at?" Xander asked, opening it up and looking at… nothing.
"You need the password, which we will tell you, if you come with us," the twins said, turning and walking away. They stopped at the doors of the Great Hall.
"Should I?" Xander asked McGonagall.
"Yes," Joyce answered for her as she appeared next to him, all but bouncing on her feet.
"You know what this is, right?" the yellow-eyed man said, holding up the blank parchment.
"It's something Harry's dad and his friends made," she stated, still bouncing.
"Fine," Xander sighed, getting up and joining the twins.
They walked to an empty classroom, Xander chased out the people in the portraits hanging there. "Okay, no one is listening, what is this?" he said, holding up the blank parchment.
"It's a map of the whole school," Fred said, smiling wickedly, like he just ate the canary.
"It'll tell you where everyone is," George said, his smile matched his brothers.
"The Marauder's Map," they said together, their smiles getting brighter.
"You mean Remus made this map?" Xander asked, remembering the werewolf mentioning his friends during the summer.
"Professor Lupin is a Marauder?" the twins exclaimed, their eyes lighting up.
"That's what his group of friends called themselves," Xander confirmed, still looking at the blank parchment. "How do you work this?" he asked again.
"Tap your wand…"
"I don't use a wand," the adult said, holding up an empty hand.
"Use your finger then," George snarked.
"Okay, wiseass," Xander said, tapping the parchment with his finger.
"Say 'I solemnly swear I'm up to no good'," Fred said, watching the map carefully.
Xander did that and the map filled up. The whole school was laid out before him, with little dots that had names over them. Since it was lunch, the Great Hall was filled, but there were stray names here and there. Dumbledore was in his office, Minerva was just leaving the Hall, and Joyce's name was spread out over the top of the map, encompassing the whole building.
"We never saw Mrs. Summers' name before you came," Fred said, pointing to the name.
"Now it's always over the school," George added, nodding with his brother.
"This is a handy tool," Xander said, skimming over everyone's name, mostly paying attention to places that were out of bounds for students. He ignored the dorms, that felt like a violation of privacy to him. "I wonder if I can copy it. I'll ask Remus."
"If you can, can we have one back?" Fred asked, his eyes pleading, George's the same.
"I don't see why not, but don't do anything I'll have to expel you for," the Head of Security warned, wagging his finger at them.
They took on a look of innocence, which didn't fool Xander for a moment. With that he left the room to hunt down Remus, which was easy since the man was still eating.
"Hey, Remus, can you copy 'the map'?" Xander asked, hopefully not giving too much away to prying ears.
"Probably, if I had the original," the werewolf said, picking up what Xander was talking about right away.
"Drop by my place later and we'll talk about it," the alpha said, with a small wink.
"Sure," was the succinct answer.
Remus did come by that night, and they talked about the duplication of the map and making one work for Spike and Argus. Remus said it could be done and took the original with him. He never even asked how Xander had found it.
Three days later, Xander had a copy and so did the caretakers. Spike was glad he didn't have to wander the halls at night, just watch the telly and peek at the map during commercials. Argus was upset that his nightly walking was interrupted, so he ignored the map and did what he always did. Mrs. Norris didn't care.
Everyone agreed with Xander and ignored the dorms. They felt that they only had to look where the most trouble would be caused and left the dorms to the Heads. Xander was still debating on whether they needed a map with him, Spike and Filch taking care of after-hour misconducts.
Hpbtvshpbtvs
It was Halloween night and Xander was on high alert. It seemed something always happened on this night. Especially to Harry. He declined going to the feast and he and Spike were watching their maps. Spike taking the northern part of the castle and Xander the southern.
Right when he was going to take a break, there was a dot that appeared on the map. Its label was Sirius Black.
"Got him," Xander said, following the dot on the map and plotting out the best way to intercept him.
"Where?" Spike asked, so Xander leaned over and pointed the dot out on Spike's map. "I'll follow him. I want to see where he's going," the vampire said, looking for an okay.
"Just keep him away from the kids," was the answer.
Taking that as permission, Spike left at top speed, which was quite fast.
Xander watched Spike's dot move through the castle as he got up to follow. Spike got there in under two minutes. There he seemed to pause, and Xander wondered why. Black was right in front of him. He hurried along and when he got to an interception point, he stood in the shadows to watch.
He was very confused when a large black dog padded on by. Then he looked at the map and saw the dog was Sirius Black. The dog was headed straight for the Gryffindor common room. That didn't make sense, since everyone knew Harry stayed with Xander.
"Black, stop," Xander said firmly. He wasn't going to let the man go further. "Change back or I'm going to change you back," he ordered, pointing a finger at the man/dog.
Sirius tried to take off but was tackled by Spike. The vampire was much stronger than the dog, no matter how big Black was.
"Give it up, yeah. You can't escape me," Spike snarled, holding the dog in a half Nelson.
The dog growled, and thrashed, but he was held good and tight. Finally, he gave up and changed, which made Spike go for the full Nelson. "I have to get the rat," Sirius pleaded, still standing still in the vampire's hold.
"Harry?" Xander asked, not understanding the rat reference.
"No, Pettigrew the traitor," the dogman said, snarling like he was still a dog.
"Pettigrew is dead," Xander said, nodding to Spike to let up, but not let go. So Spike released the neck and held one arm.
Sirius tried to make a break for it, but the grip on his arm was almost enough to break a bone, so he stopped. "Peter is a rat Animagus, he is posing as a pet in the Weasley family. I saw his picture in the paper," the escaped criminal said, using his free arm to get said paper clipping.
"I know this rat," Spike said, peering at the picture. "It's often running around the place. I recognize the missing toe. Fat lazy thing. I thought it weird since the only other rats around are rounded up for the owls, but the house elves leave this one alone," he finished off.
"Pity," Sirius said, with a dreamy look, like he was envisioning the rat's demise via owl.
"You're saying Ron's pet is a man?" Xander asked, already heading for the Gryffindor's dorm. He looked on the map and sure enough, there was a man named Peter Pettigrew in the third-year's dorm. Now he wished he had kept an eye on the dorms. He folded the map and put it away. He knew what he was looking for.
"Yes," Sirius said as he was pulled along by Spike.
"Well damn," the yellow-eyed man said, coming to the Fat Lady's portrait. He gave the password and hurried up to the third-year's dorm. There on a bed, sleeping, was the rat in question. He shot a stunning spell at it then picked it up by its tail. He was glad all the kids were still at the feast. "Joyce," he called to the air.
"Yes?" she asked when she popped in. "Why do you have a rat?"
"According to Black this is no rat," was the explanation.
"Huh, I wonder why it never pinged the wards," she said, following Xander as he exited the dorms and went to the 'house'. "What are you going to do with him?" she asked, mentally going into the wards to find out why she didn't know.
"Turn him back," Xander said, just as Spike brought in Sirius.
Sirius tried to lunge for the rat, but he was still held firmly in place.
Xander put the rat on the couch and then waved his hand. The rat turned into a man. An ugly man that had many rat-like features.
"Well, I'll be buggered," Spike said, letting Black go, but staying by the door to prevent escape.
"Joyce, can you call Amelia? She'll want to see this," Xander said, tying up the unconscious man. "You, Black, sit over there, or I'll tie you up too," he ordered to the man whose eyes had never left the rat.
They waited in silence for a good five minutes, until Amelia came.