1.

Remus was lying flat on his back and staring up at the ceiling. Despite knowing he should go to sleep he was too worked up even to try. Something didn't feel right. James' point that Sirius got excited about returning to Hogwarts months before was startlingly accurate, and Remus was sure his friend wouldn't have missed the train if he could help it.

At the feast he'd searched frantically for Sirius' younger brother, and seen him sitting in his place at the Slytherin table. His heart had sunk. While looking around he had noticed Dumbledore's eyes flicker over to their table with a curious gaze, which as far as he was concerned pretty much ruled out the possibility that Sirius' absence was permitted. He had advised James to wait until tomorrow before running to Dumbledore with their fears, but if Dumbledore was already aware Sirius was missing then surely there would be no harm in going before then.

Still deep in thought, he climbed out of bed and headed past Sirius' empty cubicle to James'. He put a hand on the sleeping boy's shoulder and gently shook him until his eyes sprang open.

"Fuck, Moony, you scared me."

"Sorry." Remus took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I was thinking... Maybe we should go to Dumbledore now."

"About Sirius? What time is it?"

"Half twelve. And, yeah. I just... I'm worried."

"Okay." James pushed himself upright in bed. "Shall we wake Peter?"

Instinctively Remus looked towards the cubicle the other side of James' and could just about hear a quiet snore. "He's out of it."

"We'll leave him to his beauty sleep then."

James climbed out of bed, and fished through his still packed trunk, eventually pulling out a thick brown cloak and throwing it over his head. "Get under."

They walked side by side through the common room and clambered awkwardly through the portrait, careful not to let the cloak slip and reveal an apparently isolated body part. As they approached the statue guarding Dumbledore's office James tensed.

"How do we get through?"

"I know the password. Dumbledore wrote to me, asked to see me within the first few days." Remus swallowed. "Werewolf stuff."

"Right. Everything okay with that?"

"As okay as it can be." Remus grabbed James' wrist and guided him to the correct part of the statue. "Gobstopper."

The statue slid to one side revealing a winding staircase. Remus led the way, being accustomed to the passage. Once he had heard the door slide back into place, he confidently stepped out from under the cloak, and continued up the stairs. At the top, he waited for James, who was dawdling, taking in every photo that adorned the walls. When they were both perched on the top step he gave three sharp raps against the door.

From within a voice replied. "Enter."

Remus pushed the door open, and the boys stumbled into the office together.

"Mr Lupin. Mr Potter." Dumbledore gave a sharp nod. "Shouldn't you be in bed at this hour?"

"Well, yes," Remus reluctantly admitted.

"Then what is it that so urgently requires my attention?"

"Sirius is missing," James blurted out.

"I did notice Mr Black absence throughout the sorting and the feast," Dumbledore said. "And neither of you have any idea of his whereabouts?"

"No," Remus replied. "He hasn't been in touch with us for a few weeks."

"And that's unusual?"

"Yes."

"Take a seat," Dumbledore says, dragging two armchairs across the room with a swish of his wand.

Both the boys sat, feeling uncomfortable as Dumbledore paced in front of them.

"I'm sure you're both aware," Dumbledore began, "of the nature of the things the majority of the Black household value."

"We've heard," James replied, sounding grim.

"Then I'm sure you know that your friend's differing opinions have landed him in trouble with his family. Through the stories of a few trusted companions I have learnt about the way Walburga Black talks about her eldest son, and I must admit it concerned me. So, I did what I do for any of my students with unusual backgrounds." Dumbledore nods toward Remus. "I kept an eye on both him and his family." Dumbledore stroked his beard, appearing to be in deep thought. "And it was through doing this I came across something else. The Black family seem to be aware that one of their son's dearest friends... is a werewolf."

"What!" James rose from the chair. "He swore he'd never tell."

Remus put a hand on his arm. "Wait, listen."

"Thank you, Mr Lupin," Dumbledore said. "You must take into consideration that there are ways of forcing information from someone against their will. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Remus replied quietly.

"Like what?"

"Various things." Remus turned to James. "Veritaserum, that's the truth potion, Legilimency, the Imperius curse-"

"What, and Sirius-"

"Nothing's certain," Dumbledore interrupted. "There may be a perfectly innocent reason for your friend's late arrival."

"Like what?" James retorted, then felt his cheeks flush. "Erm, sorry Professor."

Dumbledore ignored his apology. "That's what we're going to find out."

"We?"

"Yes, Mr Lupin. That's as long as you and Mr Potter feel up to a late night excursion."

"To get Sirius?"

"Yes."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Definitely," James finished, with a ruffle of his hair and a grin.

"Excellent. Then go and get dressed and meet me in the entrance hall as quickly as possible. Try not to wake your other roommate." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Oh, and stay under that cloak. I'd rather not have to make excuses to Mr Filch if it can be avoided."

James looked panic stricken. "You... you know about the cloak."

"Of course I do, Mr Potter. I did teach your father."

After a hasty change of clothes made difficult by trying to remain silent, they arrived in the entrance hall. Dumbledore had his back to them, so James coughed to alert him. He turned, and beckoned for them to follow him out of the front door. Once safely outside, they removed the cloak.

Dumbledore turned to them. "I have to warn you that as we have little idea of what lies ahead of us we need to go carefully and, if such a situation arises, not let our emotions get the better of us."

"You think it's something bad, don't you?" Remus said cautiously.

"I can only speculate." Dumbledore led them into a gap among the bushes and turned to them, looking serious. "Both of you grip my arm tightly. We're going to apparate."

"In the Hogwarts grounds?"

"I have my privileges. You may want to take a deep breath first."

Remus sucked in a large quantity of air, and was relieved he did so when he felt a sensation that squeezed all his limbs together and obstructed his lungs. It only lasted a split second before he could see again. They were on a dimly lit street and James was gasping, apparently not having followed Dumbledore's advice.

Dumbledore pointed to the end house. "Just down the road."

The three of them walked down the road in silence, both the boys feeling slightly queasy, perhaps less of a result of their first apparation, and more to do with their nerves over what they were about to find. Dumbledore paused between two houses, and after a moment the two buildings moved to each side, allowing room for another house in the middle.

Dumbledore knocked on the door, and quietly whistled a tune as he waited. When he was certain he was getting no response he knocked again. Just when he was considering trying for the third time, the door was wrenched open by a tall woman with angry eyes. Her feathery hair hung round her face just like Sirius' and she had the same full lower lip. However when she'd had the chance to take in who was at her front door, her face soured and any similarities to Sirius vanished.

"What do you want?" She asked rudely, clearly wanting to show her displeasure, but not brave enough to shut Dumbledore out.

"I noticed only one of your sons returned to school today."

"So? Is that a crime?"

"No," Dumbledore mused. "But not allowing your children something they want, something that is good for them, teeters on the edge of that."

"He's sixteen, it's still my choice."

"Perhaps I could talk to you about that. May we come in?"

Sirius' mother looked past Dumbledore for the first time and scowled. "Who are you?"

"We're Sirius' friends," James replied.

She glared at James for a few seconds but her eyes soon drifted to Remus. When she took in his scruffy hair and holey jumper her expression grew even more unpleasant. "No."

"Then I'm afraid we'll have to force our way in," said Dumbledore politely as he drew his wand.

"Fine, come in," she replied, angrily. "But I'm taking your wands first."

"If you must," Dumbledore said with a smile.

They handed their wands over as they entered and gathered awkwardly in the hallway. The walls were cream and would be pleasant enough but for the mass of silver framed portraits hung all over the walls, their inhabitants watching them suspiciously.

"Can we see Sirius?" Dumbledore asked

"He's asleep."

"I'm sure he won't mind being woken up for a visit from his friends." Dumbledore shrugged. "Why don't you two head upstairs and see if you can find him."

Remus and James quickly ran up the stairs. There were four doors on this floor, but none of them felt right, so they turned and headed up the next flight. At the second landing they were sure where to go. While all the doors were made of a dark oak, one was covered in a red and gold wall hanging. It wouldn't, however, open.

They looked at each other. "On three?"

They counted, and barged into the door with their shoulders. Much to their surprise it opened. Despite it being a bedroom, the room was bare. At the far end Sirius lay slumped on the floor, with his head facing away so it was impossible to tell whether it was conscious, unconscious or indeed alive.

For a moment both boys stood in shock, and over their shoulder a green light lit up the room as a curse hit Sirius' body. He writhed on the ground, his limbs twitching and thumping against the floor. He shrieked, and although his voice was hoarse the screams still sent shivers down their spines.

Without being able to resort to magic, Dumbledore knocked the wand out of her hand. She immediately swept it back up of the floor but it was enough to break the spell.

Remus and James bolted across the room. Remus grabbed the shivering body and pulled Sirius' head onto his lap, frantically stroking his sweaty and matted hair, while James dived onto the floor by Sirius' side, putting one hand on his waist, and the other intertwining his fingers through Sirius'. Sirius wretched. Nothing came up but his shakes grew more violent.

Sirius' mother threw one aggressive look at Dumbledore and directed her wand at Sirius. James noticed her actions and dropped Sirius' hand, diving in front of him just in time to be hit by the spell. He fell heavily and awkwardly on the floor next to Sirius.

Dumbledore firmly forced her wand out of her hand. "That's enough!" he said, his voice cold and furious. He pointed her own wand at her, and without muttering an incantation managed to hit her with a body binding curse. She hit the floor and lay still.

Dumbledore strode across the room and knelt down beside the three boys. He registered what Sirius' feeble tapping of his knuckles against Remus' leg meant, and hastily held two fingers against James' neck searching for a pulse.

"He's okay. Just a stunning spell, though no doubt one of your mother's severe ones." Dumbledore summoned their wands, selected his own, and passed the rest to Remus. "Sirius, I'm going to have to knock you out for a while I'm afraid, while we get you back to safety."

From the floor, Sirius made a noise which sounded vaguely like an agreement.

Dumbledore pointed his wand, and Sirius' eyes closed and his body fell still. "Can you carry him?"

"I... yes," Remus replied, certain that even if he wouldn't usually be able to manage he would today.

"Excellent. I'll take Mr Potter."

Remus watched Dumbledore scoop James into his arms, and used the same technique with Sirius. He couldn't be sure if it was just the adrenaline running through his veins, but Sirius felt much lighter than the times he had been squashed under him when the latter had thrown himself at him in a wrestling match. He wondered what on earth had happened to his friend.