Chapter IX - Searching

The trio made their way to the ground floor quietly, careful not to wake the sleeping portrait of Sirius' mother, just past the door to the dining room and into a pair of large doors that squeaked quietly from the lack of recent use. Inside was a room much larger than Sirius' room, with several armchairs scattered about and shelves that extended almost onto the ceiling. Books were set precisely in the shelves, as though someone had taken care to arrange them neatly many years ago. They held over a decade and a half of dust, and cobwebs blanketed those that were topmost and crept along the ceiling like a spreading disease.

"Well," Rosemary said, looking around. "Let's all start in the same spot in case there are any jinxes on these books."

Sirius nodded. "I wouldn't put it past my parents to own jinxed books- or to jinx them."

They walked to the lefthand side of the room, looking at the covers that Kreature had failed to reach and properly clean. The titles were faded and many of them were peeling from the covers. Remus wiped the dust from a book with Curse in the title and picked it off the shelf.

"Be careful," Rosemary warned, and he opened the book. To their surprise, nothing happened. Remus turned to the title page, which was turned yellow and crisp with age, and then to the table of contents.

"Anything?" Sirius asked, peering over into the book.

"We won't know for sure until we read it," Remus answered. "We might as well start the search."

Sirius and Rosemary each grabbed a book from the shelf nearby the one Remus had, and then each took a seat in a less-than-clean armchair. It was quiet for a while as each opened their chosen book and began to scan. And then, there was a creak at the door. They all froze and looked up.

A siamese cat slipped through the door, her bright blue eyes shining against the dark mask of her face. She looked up at Sirius and lifted her tail, walking in as though she owned the house and the library in it. Sirius looked shocked.

"Kilala," Rosemary said, excitement clear in her voice. The cat walked to her, looking content.

"That thing's still alive?" Sirius asked. Kilala leaped into Rosemary's lap.

"Lauren would kill you if she wasn't," she said, stroking the cat's chin.

"She couldn't blame me if the cat died while I was in Azkaban."

Rosemary and Remus both stared his way.

"...Right. She'd find a way."

Rosemary grinned. "And if she does wind up dead or missing anytime after today I'm totally telling Lauren it's your fault when she gets back. Find anything yet?"

"No," Sirius said. Remus shook his head.

"Well... I think I smell dinner. We should eat and come back." She lifted the cat into her arms, who struggled a little before hanging limply and lashing her tail. Remus, too, got to his feet, setting his book open on a small table beside his chair.

"Are you coming, Sirius?"

Sirius' eyes had dropped to the book in his hands again. "No, I'll be out later."

Remus and Rosemary looked at each other briefly. "We'll bring you something," she said.

The pair left Sirius in the library, Kilala in tow as they headed for the dining room. The cat struggled a little more before leaping from her arms, looking a little ruffled as she walked away. They entered the dining room to see that it was still empty, so they began to set the table.

"Well," she said as she grabbed a few plates from the cabinet. "I think he may start being a little more sociable, or at least a little less grouchy. Now he's got something to do."

Remus nodded, setting napkins at each seat in turn. "And we may actually find something yet."

She set the plates on the table and turned for more. "Let's hope so. I don't like leaving her under the watchful eyes of Snape either. Especially considering how much he hates us."

"And how much the feeling's returned."

"Sirius really doesn't trust him, you know."

"Sirius has never trusted him. Remember sixth year?"

"Mhm. That was pretty stupid of Sirius, but... you know... Snape had it coming."

He shrugged a little and went for the silverware. "Maybe he did."

"I'm not saying I approve of it... Just that it was sort of to be expected, eventually. And now Snape's the only one with information." She set another plate down with a clatter. "I'll just be glad when this is all over."

"Won't we all?"

She sighed. "Yes." There was a sudden silence in the room as they finished setting the table and she took a seat. She looked briefly as though she was going to say something, searching for the words as she watched for him to sit as well, but he didn't.

"I'm going to see if Molly needs any help."

"Right. I'll... go check on Sirius." She rose to her feet again and walked out the door after him.

Within the next couple of days the Weasely children, Harry, and Hermione took their trip to Diagon Alley and Rosemary packed her things. There was very little time for anyone to search the library before the Hogwarts Express was scheduled to arrive at King's Cross station.

The commotion in the house at that time was incredible. All four Weasley children, Hermione, Harry, and Rosemary were all getting their things ready for the trip. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, as well as the entire guard were also bustling about. Sirius' mother was bellowing from her portrait.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Sirius, Dumbledore said no!"

Mrs. Weasley's scolding went unheard through the din as Sirius walked to Harry's side, determined to see off his godson in his Animagus form if he couldn't do so any other way. They exited the house, leaving the screaming portrait behind, to meet Tonks on the corner. Rosemary grinned over at Sirius from her position near the rear of the procession and lowered her voice out of Mrs. Weasley's earshot.

"You just had to come, didn't you?"

The dog glanced back her way with a pant as he trotted at Harry's side, as if to say, 'of course? What else did you expect?'

"You're going to keep an eye on him while we're gone, right?"

She glanced over at Remus, who laughed slightly and muttered back, "He'll be a good dog."

They arrived at the station shortly after that. Each walked onto the platform in turn, and the train was already there, puffing away. As Tonks hugged Hermione and Ginny, saying her goodbyes, Moody ran the others through the precautions they were expected to take. Mrs. Weasley scolded Sirius again for jumping up as if to say goodbye to Harry and pushed the boy off toward the train, which was quickly boarding all of its passengers.

"I'll see you at the next meeting," Rosemary said, careful to keep her voice quiet amongst the people rushing around them. "Tell Padfoot I said good luck, Remus." With that she gave the dog a quick pat on the head and headed off to the train after the others. "I'll write!"