A/N: Merlin. It's been a while! I'm so, so sorry I haven't managed to update until now... things have been manic in the real world. I am still really interested in continuing this fic, so hang in there and I'll keep writing. If you favourite and/or follow, you'll get notified when I update! *wink wink*

Anyway, here it is - enjoy!


Minerva McGonagall glanced up at the clock. She was sitting at her desk at the front of her classroom, watching over her Sixth year Transfiguration students - whom, only being a year away from their N.E.W.T.s, were hard at work on a practice theory paper.
Ah, how she wished every other class were as calm and focused as this one!

The ancient clock in the wall read 8:55. Minerva stood, causing several heads to rise. "I'm afraid I am needed elsewhere at the moment. I won't be too long, but for now, as Prefect, Miss Wilkinson will be responsible for any issues. Please continue with
your test papers."

The students lowered their heads immediately and got back to work. As Minerva set out along the corridor, she wondered what the Headmaster was wanting to speak about. As far as she was aware, none of the unruly Gryffindors had caused too much trouble
recently - although knowing some of the mischievous student's minds, she could never be too sure - so the middle-aged Professor really had no idea what she was being called for. It must be quite urgent, though, as she had been awakened by the chirping
of Fawkes outside her window very late last night. Minerva hadn't had a chance to speak with Dumbledore during breakfast, so she was beginning to feel very curious.

As she neared Dumbledore's office and headed up the spiral staircase, Minerva heard the grand clock tower chime, far away - 9:00 am. The professor smiled a little to herself. Perfectly punctual as always.

"Password?" Croaked the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's study.

"Pumpkin pasty."

The gargoyle sprang aside, allowing McGonagall to walk forwards. She straightened her hat, and rapped sharply on the door.

There was a pause, before she heard the old man's voice. "Come in."

Minerva twisted the handle and gently pushed open the door. Albus was sitting at his desk, and smiled up at her. "Minerva! Thankyou for taking the time to speak with me... Please, have a seat." He gestured to the chair opposite himself.

Minerva sat. "Why have you called me here, Albus?" She asked. "Is it one of my students again?"

Albus nodded, and Minerva sighed. "It's not Potter and Black again, is it? I've only had them in a weeks detention already."

Albus tilted his head to the side slightly before replying. "I'm afraid it is, actually... Mr Black. Although he's not in trouble this time."

Minerva frowned. She was fond of the boy, but knew he could be very devious, always pulling some sort of prank. "Is everything alright?" She asked.

"Well, last week, I spoke with Mrs Potter over the floo network." replied Albus. "Sirius was staying over at the Potter's household for part of the Summer, I believe, and Euphemia just wanted to notify me that young Mr Black might not be overly happy
at his own home."

"How so?" Asked Minerva. She got along with the Potters quite well, and knew that Euphemia was a very caring mother. However, she had only met Mr and Mrs Black once, and had only spoken very briefly to them.

"Well, Euphemia mentioned that she had overheard James and Sirius speaking several times about life at Grimauld Place - which is where the Blacks live. She said she'd heard Sirius talk rather scathingly about his parents, and how glad he was to be away
from them."

"Well, perhaps they'd just had an argument previously or something. We shouldn't jump to any conclusions, Albus." Interjected Minerva.

"Of course not, Minerva, of course we shouldn't. But, you know, as Headmaster, I felt the need to check on Sirius anyways, just to see what's going on. I spoke to him a few days ago."

"And? How did he seem?"

Albus paused, considering. "He didn't mention anything bad, really. He said that Walburga and Orion are often very busy so don't spend a lot of time with him, but he didn't seem overly bothered."

Minerva nodded, thinking.

"I did ask about Regulus, his brother. I'm sure you noticed he was sorted into Slytherin?"

McGonagall nodded. She had to admit, she had been a little surprised when the youngest member of the Black family had gone and sat in the wave of Green and Silver. She couldn't help but notice him hanging around with the older Slytherins in the corridors,
and for a moment it always confused her before she realised it was indeed Regulus - the two Black children looked so similar.

"Yes, I noticed that - I suppose he takes after his parents. They were Slytherins, weren't they?"

Albus nodded. "So I asked Sirius how he felt about the placement of his brother, and - well, I was surprised to hear the two haven't spoken since mid-August."

The shock was evident as it spread across Minerva's face. From her experiences with Regulus, she could tell that, despite having a little more dignity compared to Sirius, the first year could be lively and chatty - much like his older brother. The fact
that neither Black brother had spoken for months was puzzling to say the least.

Silence filled the headmaster's office as both of it's inhabitants sat, thinking. After a long pause, Minerva looked back up at Dumbledore.

"I'll look into it, shall I? Clearly something's going on here that we're unaware of," she said. "But... I'm not sure. Perhaps it would be best... if we didn't push it for now. Mr Black can be very secretive, and I don't want him to completely block us
out, Albus."

The elderly man smiled grimly, and nodded. "Yes, I think that would be best, Minerva. Thankyou for your input." He gestured towards the door, dismissing her. "I'll let you get back to your students."

The Transfiguration professor nodded, arose from her chair, and left briskly without looking back.


Hogwarts was busy. Practically bursting with life. The sun was shining unexpectedly so, after a drizzly Autumn, the students were happily wandering around, enjoying the afternoon. A group of Hufflepuff first years were crowded by the lake, giggling when
the giant squid would occasionally pop up. The Ravenclaw and Slytherin fifth years had formed some sort of mutual friendship through their study groups, and were sitting together on the grassy field sharing notes - although it was clear to see the
difference between the two houses. One hand, you had the Ravenclaws, surrounded by books and papers, working slowly but steadily through piles and piles of work in an orderly fashion. On the other hand, there were the Slytherins - scattered about
all over the place, sprawled under the patches of shade, laughing as they quizzed each other.

Not far from there, watching them, sat three boys - James, Peter and Remus. They, like everyone else, were overjoyed at the bright and warm afternoon, and had decided to relax under a shady oak tree. Much to Remus' annoyance, James and Peter had decided
to take a break from their studying. James had allowed Peter to mess around with an old snitch they'd found in the first year, much to Peter's delight. The small boy was laughing in pleasure as the golden object fluttered around him, just out of his
reach. James watched on, amused, but he was distracted - there hadn't been any sign of Sirius all afternoon.

"Where in Godric's damn Hollow could he be?" Asked James for the hundredth time. It was a Saturday, so the students had only had lessons in the morning - but as soon as lunch was over, Sirius had scarpered without an explanation.

"Oh, give it a rest, would you, James?" Replied Remus. He flicked through A Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2in a frustrated manner, before chucking the book on the grass and groaning. Peter looked up in surprise, and chuckled.

"Woah, Rem! What's up?" He asked, amused.

"I just - I can't - UGHH!" Moaned the mousy haired boy, ignoring the glances he was receiving from the fifth years nearby. "Why is everything so difficult?" He mumbled to no one in particular.

"Hey, come on now," replied James, "Your life isn't the WORST - I mean, look who you're sitting with! Possibly the most brilliant and handsome man in all of Hogwarts!" He puffed out his chest smugly, before grinning as Remus laughed weakly.

"But seriously, guys - Siriusly - where is he?" Asked James again. He picked at some grass, before making up his mind. He stood up abruptly. "I'm going to find him." He declared.

"This isn't some sort of quest, James," sighed Peter. "I'm sure he's fine. Probably detention or something."

But James wasn't there to hear it. He'd already strode off, leaving a bemused Peter and Remus behind.


A/N: Woo! Finally finished this chapter :)) just a reminder I'm typing on my phone, so feel free to let me know in the reviews of any typos and I'll fix them up ASAP.

Just wanted to let you guys know that, as this is set in the Marauder's second year, the four haven't found out about Remus' "furry little problem" yet, and therefore haven't transferred to animagi before - which is why I'm referring to the boys by their names, rather than Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot or Prongs.

Ayyy McGonagall in this chappie! Hope you enjoyed! Next one will be up ASAP

-Number12GrimauldPlace x