Disclamer: I don't own anything HP.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Hospital Ward
(Six days before Christmas Eve)

My head was throbbing, my eyelids felt so heavy I couldn't lift them. My whole body ached and was too tired to even move. I could tell I'd been moved, I was in an unusually comfortable, warm bed. I strained my ears, and I heard two people talking.

"How are they all Poppy?"

"Well Headmaster, none of the them were bitten, but this one took a pretty nasty beating."

"What about the other three, are they alright?"

Well Sir, This one here has been through the mill. Five broken bones and he's bleeding out of everywhere. The girl is out cold, she lost a lot of blood, but she'll wake soon I expect. As for Mr. Black, he's going to be fine. I don't know where he's gone off to though."

When I heard Sirius's name, everything came back to me. The attack, the spell, the willow, the shrieking shack. Everything. James, Remus, Sirius, my shoulder, all that blood everywhere. I shot open my eyes and looked around. Madam Pomfrey was standing at the foot of my bed with Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. They seemed to notice my awakening, and turned to look at me.

"Ah, Ms. Evans, pleased to see you're awake," smiled the headmaster warmly, "We were very worried."

"T-thank you," I stammered, glancing at the two beds across from mine. James was propped up in one, looking terrible. His face was bruised, and his arm was in a cast. He had a wrap around his head, and around his waist. The other bed, I guessed was Remus. I couldn't see his face from under all the blankets. Neither of them were moving.

"Headmaster, where is Sirius?" I asked.

He looked at me very concerned, "First, Ms. Evans, we must address the reason of your stay here. Tell me, how did you find out about young Mr. Lupin and the Shrieking Shack?"

As I relayed to him everything from that previous night, I began to feel guilt. As wrong as it was for Sirius and James to be with Remus on a full moon, I couldn't help feeling that this was all my fault. As if he had read my mind, the headmaster spoke again.

"You must understand Lily, that if what you say is true, then none of this is your fault. You must know that."

"I know." I whispered quietly, "Please Sir, where is Sirius? Is he alright?"

"Yes my dear, apart from a few cuts and bruises, he should be just fine--physically anyway." That last part he said was quieter than the first, and he had a sad look in his eyes.

"Please, where is he?"

Dumbledore took a deep breath, "Mr. Black in his dorm room, he won't come out."

It took a long time for me to convince Madam Pomfrey that I was perfectly capable of leaving my bed. After about an hour, and some coaxing from the headmaster, she finally gave me a clean bill of health. I walked through the halls, feeling the eerie silence. It was strange that Hogwarts was so quiet, even if the entire school was gone. It seemed as if the very walls were dripping with grief.

As I walked into the common room, I could instantly smell alcohol. I knew exactly where it was coming from, Sirius Black. I climbed the boy's stair, and down the hallway to the marauders dorm room. It was locked.

"Sirius," I asked uncertainly, "Are you in there?"

That was a silly question, of course he was in there, the question was, would he come out?

"Sirius, I'm coming in." I said, jiggling the doorknob one more time.

"Alohamora."

>>sry. i havent updates sooner, you know with thanksgiving and all. i hope you like the story so far...

hey i posted a one-shot story called Finding Harry can yiou guys please check it out and see how ya like it?

thanx