--The usual standard disclaimers and warnings apply.

Italics indicate Flashback

Thanks to all of those that review. It's greatly appreciated.

--Sorry for the lateness as well. My teachers are trying to kill me. It's a conspiracy so that they won't have to work anymore because all their students will be dead. I've figured it out! They won't get away with it!

Chapter 6

Thoughts of a Bored Dog…

By: EIW

Sirius Black had always been partial towards Hippogriffs.

They were majestic and regal, they could fly, and best of all if they didn't like someone they simply killed them. Sirius often wished that he could just kill people that pissed him off. Life would be so much simpler if that was the way the world worked.

Sirius was currently perched at the edge of the woods watching the large winged creature lounge about in the Gamekeeper's pumpkin patch, sniffing and staring in Animagus's general direction every once in a while. Never for too long though, it seemed to sense that he was no threat.

Sirius was content to just sit there and think about all the happenings as of late. Nothing much was going on. After the whole password incident, Sirius had decided that he shouldn't try that again anytime soon. Dumbledore would've increased security and although he knew he could probably get by, he didn't want to risk it.

Especially, since Remus was there. Moony was bound to know something was going on. He had been one of the smartest in their year by far. The werewolf wasn't one to be kept in the dark. He'd figure it out eventually, if he hadn't already.

Sirius had been wandering about in the forest when he'd smelt Harry's scent and rushed over here to keep watch.

Harry and his friends had just entered the half-giant's shabby hut a few moments ago. Well, he hadn't been sure it was Harry at first, but that cloak…

That cloak said it all.

The number of times he and James disappeared under it.

"Sirius," James whispered harshly, "Wake up!"

"Come on, Padfoot. Move your arse!" He said, shaking his friend who was still lying in bed cocooned by his Gryffindor red sheets. Sirius blinked a couple of times before he realized what was happening.

He and James were supposed to go and prank the Slytherins tonight, but he must've fallen asleep. Struggling to untangle himself from his sheets, Sirius groaned and rolled out of bed onto the hard floor. James snickered and helped to pull him up. Grinning in thanks, Sirius grabbed his hastily discarded shirt and shrugged it on and trying to button it with his slowly functioning fingers. Sirius plopped onto his bed as he pulled his shoes on quickly and readjusted his small ponytail.

James held out his hand towards Sirius and hauled his sleepy comrade up.

Sirius smiled widely at James and said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "You ready to go prank those nasty Slytherins?"

James grinned back, "Always."

With that James threw his Invisibility Cloak over Sirius's head and slipped under. Once they were under the cloak, Sirius had to remember to keep his hands to himself. James's hot breath would brush up against his ear whenever he whispered to him, causing the nerves in his brain to pop with every heated whisper.

Sirius's hands would twitch with excitement whenever they got too close to James's tanned skin. The hair on Sirius's arms was upright and he had to keep whipping the palms of his hands on his pants. They were sweating pretty regularly tonight. James had that effect on him.

All of the sudden James grabbed his wrist and Sirius found it difficult to concentrate.

Well, more difficult that usual.

"Professor McGonagall," James whispered urgently and pointed towards the little dot on the map. Glancing up slightly, James must have realized something was wrong.

"Padfoot, are you alright? Your face is all white."

"Yeah, James I'm fine." Sirius said stumbling on his words. "Just don't want to get caught. It's the Quidditch finals this weekend, you know. We can't lose to the snakes this year." Sirius lied while smiling slightly, trying to sell it with his eyes. Meanwhile, his body was going into overdrive from the close proximity of James and himself.

Laughing softly James quietly said, "Don't worry, Paddy. I won't let anything happen to ya." The last part was said with a wink.

Sirius's legs buckled.

James grinned and looked down at the map again. Watching as the Transfiguration professor's dot went back into her classroom.

"Clear," James said, walking purposefully towards the entrance of the Slytherin common room with his hand still gripping Sirius's wrist, a fact that was not lost on the other boy. Smiling to himself, Sirius followed James obediently. His skin tingling and prickling all the way, he silently prayed that he had enough control to not lean over and kiss the life out of his best friend.

After they'd sufficiently vandalized the Snake common room, James and Sirius slowly made their way through the castle corridors. Giggling and whispering frantically to each other, they boys clutched their sides from the pain of having to repress their laughter. Shoulders bumped together and hands brushed against one another and this only served to elevate the high that Sirius was feeling from the prank.

"Oh Merlin, they are going to be raging tomorrow!" James said breathlessly.

"I know! I wish we could be there when they wake up. It's going to be priceless." Sirius smiled jumping up slightly and swinging his arm around James's shoulders. Sirius's eyes were glowing bright and James was staring at him with an odd look.

"What?" Sirius questioned suddenly confused at the expression on James's face.

James shook his head lightly and said, "Nothing, mate."

A comfortable silence settled upon them as they wandered back to the dorms.

James leaned into Sirius's arm as they made their way through the portrait hole. Sirius had felt complete that night. It was a feeling that he got anytime that James let him touch him. It was scary sometimes though, to feel that much for another human being.

"Thanks for going with me, Siri." James said patting Sirius on the back affectionately as they got to the door of their dorm.

"Anytime," Sirius quietly answered as he climbed into bed. Rolling his shoulders back, Sirius could still feel the warmth from where James's hand had been.

Sirius stared into the distance remembering the way that James's skin felt on his. It was an intoxicating feeling, one that he missed every moment of his life. He often wondered what it would have been life if he had just grabbed James and…

Well, he'd never know now. No use wallowing in self-pity. He had revenge to extract. It would be sweet and after that maybe he'd finally be able to see James again. After all, even if he managed to kill Peter he'd still be a criminal. He still wouldn't be free, and he still wouldn't have James. So, there really was no point.

A shriek from the hut startled him out of his musings. His black ears lifted up to get a better listen, but nothing else could be heard. It was probably nothing, Sirius assured himself.

Then he spotted a shimmer coming across the walkway towards the hut. Staring at it as it got closer, Sirius realized what or rather who it was.

Lucius Malfoy and Walden MacNair. He'd recognize that head of hair anywhere.

Merlin, Lucius looked old. That hair never changed though, almost white blond hair that always caught the light. It was ridiculously pretentious hair, perfectly suitable for a ridiculously pretentious man.

Some things never change, Sirius thought to himself rolling his eyes.

Then he noticed the axe in MacNair's hands.

Oh.

That's right. The hippogriff had nipped at Lucius's little poncy child. The poor creature didn't do anything wrong. It just didn't want that Death Eater scum near it. No one could knock it for that.

By the back door, Sirius noticed the movements of the grass.

Good boy, Harry. Sirius thought proudly.

The boy wasn't stupid. He knew what was going on. As they ran away from the hut, Sirius caught a scent in the wind.

Peter.

With that thought Sirius ran after their trail. His lungs were burning from the lack of air. His breath wasn't coming as easily as it should, but he was too caught up to notice much. He willed his legs to go faster and each stride he took was wider than the one before. His mouth was dry from his anxiety.

He had to catch that rat.

He had to save Harry.

Eventually he caught up with them, conveniently right near the Willow. Thank heavens for that. It would make this much easier.

He skid into their line of sight and growled at the rat in the ginger boy's hands. Peter was squirming and Sirius didn't have time. He dove at the boy and grabbed his leg. In the background he could hear Harry and the girl yelling. Then he felt the boy twist the wrong way and heard his leg break. Sighing with irritation, Sirius tried to pull the boy more gently down the passage.

Couldn't the boy just stay still, he thought angrily to himself. Making his way towards the Shrieking Shack, Sirius prayed that Harry wasn't brave enough to come after them or maybe he wasn't smart enough to figure the tree out. He didn't want to do it like this, but he couldn't risk it.

Peter was too close.

A/N: Thanks for reading and please review! It makes me update quicker.