{{{Back in black and just you wait, Riley will be rockin'est American bad ass ever!!!}}}

*For disclaimer see previous chapters!*

*~*A/N: I'm back! Woo hoo! ANDDD I've got a new boyfriend who's sooo sweet and he's a hot Marine! Hell yeah! Men in uniforms! Purr! Who's an American girl or what? LoL, I know it's been quite a while since I have last posted, please forgive me, my ever faithful readers! You guys are my inspiration! I'd also like to throw out a special thank you to Brittany, Alisa, Steph, and Joe whom eagerly listened to me tell this tale in class and encouraged me to begin yet again another chapter. I have a lot of thanks to establish: Annoriel (I'm sorry I made you wait so long! I really hope you enjoy this chapter!), Bowie's Leper Messiah (Hey, sweetie! I'm sorry it took me so long! E-mail me soon, I haven't heard from you in foreva!!! And this time I've got a Marine! Purrrr…), Blackcandy (My week has been up for quite some time, lol. Oops… Sorry!), Catzway22 (Thanks! It was sad!), Ainsley Sloan (You totally rock! omg! You're so sweet!), Mya Dawning (Thank you for your kind words!), Jena Jinn (Thanks so much!), Bob the Invincible Elf (I'm updating, yay!), Sam8 (I thought it was a cute touch?), Lizzie10 (I'm back and rockin' this story! Thanks!), & Alisa (Thanks for reading, buddy! Keep reading or I'll get you in Drama, lol! MmMmMm…who likes her Marine, Bri does!) Thanks for all the reviews guys! I luv ya all! I promise and swear to update very soon! ONNNN with the story! *~*

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"Sirius!" Harry shouted, dashing after his godfather, breathing heavily, trying to keep up.

Sirius!"

Sirius finally turned around when he had reached the door to his rooms and removed the wards with the swish of his wand. Harry stopped dead in his tracks, looking into Sirius' eyes, so full of pain and confused emotion.

"I just want to be alone now, Harry."

And with that, Sirius closed the loudly to his room with a dull thud, leaving a very confused Harry Potter by himself.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It seemed, as the days followed afterwards, that neither Sirius nor Riley wanted to speak about what had passed between them that day. Sirius would just change the subject immediately whenever asked by his godson and Riley just wouldn't speak at all. Muggle Studies and Defense Against the Dark Arts became increasingly awkward for Harry and Hermione. Riley had shrunk inside herself, not speaking to anyone and becoming quite the recluse. Even Severus looked quite more frustrated in Potions, apparently not communicating well with Riley either. He assigned them mass amounts of homework and many more zeros on papers. But it was one day in Muggle Studies that Harry noticed a big difference in Riley.

"Hermione?"

Harry whispered, as quills scratched across rolls of parchment during class, completing yet another silent assignment.

Hermione didn't peer up, but continued writing her essay with a hissed, "Yes?"

"Hermione."

Harry muttered with a serious undertone, finally catching her eye. Hermione gazed at Harry and quickly noticed the concern and urgency in his eyes. Harry gave Riley, who was currently reading a book solemnly and standing, a sidelong glance, noting his subject of speech.

"Is it me, or does Riley seem really thin lately?" Harry asked with concern written all over his face.

Hermione peaked over at Riley and nodded firmly.

"Too thin."

Hermione quirked her brow momentarily, "Have you seen her at any meals in the Great Hall?"

Harry frowned immediately, "I was just thinking about that too. I haven't seen her at all."

Hermione bit her lower lip in worry, "I was worried that you hadn't seen her either."

Harry ran a hand nervously through his dark ruffled hair, "So what should we do?" he pondered in a whisper.

Hermione stared at her hands for a moment and fixed her eyes in concentration. "We tell someone who can do something." She concluded. Harry peered up at Hermione in puzzlement, his vivid green eyes clearly showing a confused expression.

"Why can't we do something?"

Hermione shook her head, "We can't, she won't listen to us. No matter how hard we try. We need to get someone who knows her better than we do. Someone who she would trust with her life."

"Dumbledore?" Harry hissed in confusion. Hermione shook her head again with frustration planted upon her face and features. She set down her quill gently, after crossing a 't' and ending with a period on her parchment.

"No. Snape."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After much persuasion from Hermione, Harry soon found himself later that afternoon in front of Snape's open door. He brought his fist to the black door and gently rapped thrice, feeling anything but calm. The infuriated scratching of a quill ceased momentarily for a low, baritone voice to convoke.

"Come in."

Harry clenched his fists tightly before he drifted in, quietly as he could, keeping his anger and hatred for Snape below the surface. If Riley trusted Snape than maybe he was alright… Harry shook these thoughts out of his head, he'd believe Snape was trustworthy when hell froze over. Snape did not even attempt to glance up at Harry until his footsteps' echoes vanished from the dark dungeon walls.

"What is it, Potter?" Snape muttered in a distinctively bored resonance, "I'm very busy." Harry winced, feeling the blood of his cheeks rise up in anger. "Well, what is it, Potter? I don't have all day." Snape grumbled, throwing his quill down on his desk.

Harry stumbled over words briefly and finally uttered, "It's about Riley."

Snape's eyebrow rose in curiosity and wonder, "What about, Professor Brannigan?" Snape's voice oozed with contempt, but Harry could still see the interest noted on his face.

"I'm worried about her."

Harry stared hard and tall at Snape, concern written all over his face, Snape could read him like a book. His expression provoked apprehension in Snape's heart and distress for his friend clouded his usual countenance.

"Why is that, Potter?"

Harry paused, startled by the caring statement offered by his loathed professor. "She's not eating, or at least I don't think she is—she's really thin—" Harry continued to ramble when Snape stopped him, by raising an open hand towards him, signaling silence. He rubbed his temples in thought and he stood up slowly.

"I'll go speak with her." And with that, Snape left the room as his black robes dramatically billowed behind him in his wake.

*~* A/N: So what did you think? Please review! *~*