As Lovers Go

Chapter 5 - Home

Sirius panted as he quickly escaped the clutches of the beast chasing him. Never again will he feed on fallen meat without bearing in mind that he isn't the only capable animal in the forest. His legs swiftly carried him out, nonetheless. However, what he'd seen next made him even more fearful. Sirius had gone too far. He'd stumbled onto the tracks of the Hogwarts Express. Surely, as an unlisted Animagus, students couldn't possibly know of his dog form, but one could never be too careful. What if Harry saw him? His blessed heart would want to help him. No, Sirius decided against it, he couldn't have it. He couldn't add danger to an already danger-prone Harry Potter. Sirius's hind legs backed him toward bushes as he surveyed the area carefully. It appeared as if all students had left the train and were now on their way to the castle. Sirius let out a slightly deep breath; well, that was a relief, he thought to himself still standing in front of the Hogwarts Express. As he continued to stare at its , a sense of awe and longing filled up in him. The least magical object of Hogwarts probably instilled the most magic into its students. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt if he hurried inside for a bit. Just a quick look and then he'd be out.

This would be the adventurous Padfoot inside Sirius kicking in. After all, what harm could it bring? It would only take seconds.

Trotting bravely but wearily onto the Hogwarts Express, Sirius couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt hit the bottom of his stomach. He knew he wasn't supposed to be there, but alas curiosity had gotten the better of him. Dumbledore agreed to give him time in the forest, yes, until a plan was concocted to safely get him away from anything that would land him back into the wretched Azkaban Prison; however, there was a certain "catch" to this agreement. Sirius was not to interfere or engage in or with anything magical once on Hogwarts grounds. This, of course, was done with both the students' cardiac safety (surely the sight of a notorious murderer would be anything but delightful to the heart) and Sirius's freedom in mind. Him trespassing on the Hogwarts Express, however, regardless of how far down the list it may be, would be considered part of the "catch" Dumbledore warned against. Not so much to say as Sirius didn't heed Dumbledore's word, but this was Sirius Black, best friend to James Potter. The two well-known for concocting pranks and plans, and going on secretive adventures with Lupin and, at the time, Pettigrew. Surely, with the years, this would have worn off of any ordinary human being. As proved from both his Hogwarts years and recently, Sirius Black was anything but ordinary.

Compartment after compartment Sirius went, peeping into one after the other. Memories of happier, less grim times swam about in his head. He envisioned James and himself jinxing a game of Exploding Snap so that it exploded whenever a Slytherin came within playing distance, regardless if the card was right or wrong. Lupin was there, of course, warning the two that they would get into trouble while hiding his smile as the Slytherin's faces contorted into nasty looks. Pettigrew was there as well, shrinking away whenever Slytherins twice his size (which was really normal height) passed nearby. Sirius heaved a great sigh. Those were the days, weren't they, Padfoot, he asked himself as he continued on very slowly, but very wearily all the same. He'd often remembered these days as he sat upon the forest floor many a night. This reminiscing, however, only brought one of two things which stirred up rapidly inside of him. Determination, to end this war and clear his name. And the other … loss. Never would he have guessed that he would lose so much after Hogwarts. The very things he took for granted, his word, his freedom, his best friend … all of them were gone within a matter of years.

Just as Sirius was about to clear all thoughts from his head, he'd stumbled across an occupied compartment. Perhaps it was the only one. As he peered in, however, he'd recognized the face almost immediately. It was her! The girl! He'd found her once more. What was she doing here, though? Had someone Stunned her? Jinxed her, maybe? Or, as he heard her emit a sharp intake of breath to indicate she was finally stirring, sleeping … just sleeping. Sirius looked from side to side so as to make sure no wondering eyes wandered upon him as he shifted into human form. Silently he slid into the compartment. His ultimate goal was to wake her, but as he stood before the girl he had become fascinated with over these few months, he paused. What was so special about her, he wondered. How could she invoke such feelings into him? Of course, they weren't strong feelings such as love, but nonetheless, Sirius had never experienced such admiration for a being since … well, he couldn't remember the last time he'd ever -

Her eyes were beginning to flutter. Sirius immediately shifted into dog form. Debating on whether or not it was a good idea to stay, he quickly made his decision. Before she could wake, he had scampered away. No, he couldn't stay behind just to watch her wake. She'd ask too many questions, dream of too many answers, and if she was bright enough, stumble across the right one. Ultimately that would lead to both Dumbledore's forceful resignation as headmaster and Sirius being forced back into Azkaban prison. He couldn't. He just couldn't. He would see her again, under less questionable circumstances, he was sure. Then, perhaps, answers will provide themselves.

Iliana woke with a bit of a fright. Had she really slept that long? Had she missed the feast already? She quickly gathered her things, sliding through the opened compartment door. Strange, she thought as she passed it. She could've sworn it was left closed. Nevertheless, she jogged down the path toward the castle. As she had reached, however, she was relieved to see the Sorting Hat ceremony had only just ended. The students had now commenced on devouring everything on their plates and all sent up from the kitchens. Iliana surreptitiously slid into a seat small enough for her to fit in at the Hufflepuff table. Iliana loaded some food onto her plate. As she had, however, she could not help but overhear the discussion of two Hufflepuffs sitting next to her. "Do you think he'll do it," one asked excitedly to the other.

"Diggory? Are you joking? I'm sure," the other exclaimed. If Iliana had found the courage and voice, she would've asked to what Cedric Diggory was to be attempting; as she stole a glance at Diggory beaming his charming smile at two ladies of Hufflepuff, however, she was afraid she didn't exactly want to know. Suddenly, the noisy and chattering room had come to an abrupt silence. As Iliana turned her direction to the head table, where the members of staff, namely the professors were situated, Headmaster Dumbledore had risen from his seat and approached his owl podium. With his arms extended and his voice booming, Dumbledore welcomed the incoming students and the returning students all the same. The silence quickly faltered, however, as he continued in stating that the inter-house Quidditch championship would be cancelled this year. Many voiced their objections, and Dumbledore allowed it all.

In a moment though, he silenced them once more. Just as he'd opened his mouth to speak once more, a man with an iron-like leg limped through the Great Hall. It was the strangest sight anyone had ever seen. His dark green cloak dripped with rainwater that pounded down on the castle grounds. His real eye stared straight ahead, while one, not his own it seemed, strapped to his face swirled around the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore immediately introduced this character as Alastor Moody, the new Defence Against The Dark Arts.

The Great Hall was eerily quiet as they looked up at this strange and slightly frightening being. Iliana could feel her heart pounding against her chest. Great, she thought to herself. Not only was she expected to survive a year of trying not to become any more invisible than she already was, but she was to survive Defence Against The Dark Arts with the monstrous being standing beside Professor Dumbledore. "As I was saying, we are to have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year," Dumbledore continued, and immediately the room filled with gasps and exhilarated conversations. Dumbledore waited until the enthusiastic chattering hushed themselves to whispers before continuing. He proceeded in relaying the rules of the Tournament, and the fact that the castle will no longer, for this year, belong to just the Hogwarts students but students from sister and brother wizarding schools - Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.

"I feel the need, however, to mention one minor requirement for the Tournament as of this year," he paused. "Each student entering his name into the Goblet of Fire must be of age 17." At this, the room lost it. Several shouts emanated from each table. The Weasley Twins were especially heard protesting against this. Iliana couldn't help but half-smile at everyone's sudden disapproval to being disallowed the chance to engage in dangerous and life-threatening challenges. Dumbledore silenced the room immediately, ensuring everyone that this year, if goes as planned, will be an exciting and a riveting experience for all. At this, he dismissed them, and the room roared to life once more. The excitement had almost doubled in the hallways, and several groups bonded together, discussing the recent news.

Iliana hugged her napsack closer to her as she watched the crowd disperse into several groups and cliques. Again, she was alone navigating her way through these cliques, and just desperately anxious to get to her bunk in the common room. She weaved her way around corners and through the crowds, finally travelling down beside the kitchens where a small amount of Hufflepuffs were gathered. She waited anxiously in the back, hoping one of them would quickly recall the pass code to get into the common room. She had already known it, of course; however there was a matter of stepping in front of the group and showcasing her memory skills that was the problem. Iliana shuddered at the idea that all eyes would be on her, but thought of the bit of praise she may get. Perhaps she truly would be welcomed. Taking one step forward, Iliana quickly jumped out of the way as the Head Prefect of the house burst through the crowd. "Honestly, no wonder we're a laughing stock. We can't even remember our own pass code! And that's because it doesn't change," the prefect commented, pushing past students and tapping the barrels precisely and with correct tempo.

Iliana sighed. He was right, of course. The Hufflepuff house was always labelled "the other" house. It was as if Hufflepuffs were paid little to no attention, and when they were, they would always somehow seem to be outshone by other houses. Slytherins made it a habit at purposefully knocking into Hufflepuff students and sneering, stating the infamous line of, "Sorry, didn't see you there. Then again, you are Hufflepuff." A throat cleared in front of her, and Iliana drew her eyes up to the tall blonde boy standing before her. "Well, aren't you going in," he asked, a bit of an attitude about him. Iliana's cheeks blushed a light pink before she proceeded inside. The warmness of the cabin had returned, and so did the bee-coloured carpet, the wooden walls and furniture, and the earthy scent that filled the room two months ago, this was it. Iliana was home. She was finally home.