Chapter 3
Sirius awoke to the smell of spring blossoms and upon opening his eyes he say a circlet of them blocking his vision. Pulling off the lopsided crown he turned to his side.
There Gwynne lay, closely snug against him, her delicate hand rested on his chest. Warmth radiated off of her body and when she moved away Sirius felt as if a part of him had gone with her.
Unfamiliar strings pulled on his hear as her eyes fluttered; adjusting to the light. A blush of embarrassment crept to her cheeks as she instantly withdrew from the cot.
He missed her warmth already and as she knelt to gather the flower trinkets he gathered his thoughts from the previous night.
Memories of it flashed in his minds eye like a slideshow, Dueling, falling, the pain, the woman, no the goddess, Merlin, why was he thinking like this?
Then he remembered as they weaved the flower wreathes he told her of his family, his days in Hogwarts but choosing to leave out most of the more recent negative memories. But she listened with such intensity and compassion that it truly moved him.
Sirius unfortunately could only think of five other people in the world who had such consideration for him. Considering this, he missed them all, James, Lily, Remus, Dumbledore and of course Harry.
He realized then he knew nothing about her, but Merlin, he wanted to know!
"I'm a bloody idiot." Sirius heard Gwynne grumble as she placed the flower filled basket on the small wooden table.
He could tell she was slightly uncomfortable about the comfortable position they woke up in. He knew that for once he hadn't done it on purpose; neither had she of course, or did she?
Sirius's heart soared at the very idea but he should the impossible daydream out of his mind and she began to move about the room.
She returned to sit beside him and he sat up noticing a cloth wrapped bundle in her hands.
"I've nearly forgotten, you must be starving, I don't eat often so I don't have much, and I'm just so forgetful." She babbled.
Sirius thankfully took the bundle she handed him but before he could eat the bread inside it he broke off half and offered it to her.
"Oh, no I'm not hungry" she said, waving her hand faintly in a means to push it away.
His gaze turned to one of seriousness. (( pun intended?))
She looks as if she rarely eats and here I am taking the little food she has, he thought; he would only feel better if she ate as well.
She complied, soon enough, and nibbled at the somewhat stale bread.
When Gwynne finished she stood and ventured to the opposite corner of the room; to a trunk hidden is shadows.
She pulled out a frayed old cloak and then a large moth eaten coverlet. After setting them on the bed by Sirius's feet he swung his legs over the edge of the bed; disregarding his discomfort.
Gwynne peeked outside by opening the door slightly, "It's almost dawn," she said closing the door and picking up the frayed coverlet, "so when it is light, we'll leave, we can make it to Hogsmeade before nightfall, I hope."
She swung the tattered blanket around her shoulders like a cloak and helped Sirius to stand.
He thanked her and put on the extra cloak as she wrapped up the remaining bread in the basket with the garlands.
"Oh, I nearly forgot again," she cried and picked up his wand from the table; handing it to Sirius, "I suppose this is yours?" she asked.
He nodded; taking it from her and setting it in his shabby pocket.
"Can we not just apparate?" Sirius inquired.
"This place won't allow it, I've attempted, many times." She replied.
As they ventured out into the foggy surroundings, Sirius turned around to see that he had been in a small worn down shack.
"So what are the dangers out here that you spoke of last night?" he asked as they strode through the woodland.
"Spirits, well malicious ones, I'm not sure if Ill be any good at explaining but, you understand how I've been stuck in this place?"
Sirius blinked and slowly nodded.
"They can still hurt us, but we're much safer in the daylight when they feel vulnerable for some reason."
While saying this they came upon a small dirt trail. The road seemed endless and Sirius could tell then and there that it was going to be a long day.
Before they knew it, the sky had begun to darken on schedule. Gwynne gave Sirius a nervous glance and he gave her a quick look of his own.
"We'll be fine." His eyes told her. Sirius felt dreadfully unpleasant; Hogsmeade was nowhere in sight and he knew they should have reached the village by dusk.
I'm slowing us down, Sirius thought irately.
Very abruptly the breeze picked up and soon a rough wind encircled them. Whispers surrounded them, chanting such atrocious words.
Sirius grabbed Gwynne's free arm and pulled her behind him swiftly. They ran off the dirt road towards the forest in front of them.
Gwynne noticed a hollow trunk of a tree and shoved the basket into Sirius hands.
"Go!" she screamed, pointing to the hollow tree.
Sirius ran towards it thinking she was behind him but heard her agonizing scream and turned around to help. But Gwynne was gone, or rather, was a fox.
The graceful creature ran at Sirius, nudging his legs with her head, pushing him towards the hollow. He dropped the basket and morphed into his animagus.
The fox was limping; her white paw was matted with blood.
She looked up to see a shaggy black dog begin to prod her, urging her towards the tree.
She hobbled to safety and the black dog followed. The fox lay in the hollow while the dog stood, guarding the entrance, ready to pounce.
When the sense of danger lessened the dog laid beside the fox; nuzzling it sweetly in comfort.