I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANYTHING AFFILIATED WITH IT. I ONLY OWN DEVYN AND HER PARENTS.

Chapter 19

As the colder days came rolling in, Devyn (not for the first time) wanted to try and get out of the castle at night and transform into Snow. She just wanted to run.

Tonight wasn't a full moon, so Devyn would not have to be worried about Moony making an appearance…

The only thing she would have to be worried about was getting out the castle. And the Dementors. However, she figured, once she was Snow, the Dementors wouldn't be able to detect her as well. She had done a bit of reading up on those wretched creatures, and she now knew that they were blind, and instead relied on their sense of smell and their ability to sense emotions to find their way around.

One would be foolish, however, to think that because they couldn't see, they weren't intelligent. In fact, they were even more intelligent without their sight, because then they wouldn't be fooled by appearances. It was like Dumbledore had said at the beginning of the year: they will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one that gets in their way.

Dementors were, by nature, exceedingly cruel and unfeeling. It was fitting, perhaps, that creatures that fed off of emotions had none of their own. Fate's way of sticking it to those horrid things.

Devyn knew she would have to be very, very careful to avoid the Dementors, but if she was quiet enough and cautious enough, the Dementors would never have to know that she was outside with them.

Her wish to run around outside under the light of the quarter moon was, admittedly, foolish, but she wanted to be irresponsible, just for one night. She was always thinking, always the careful one…just for once she wanted to let go and have a bit of fun.

And so that night, it was with great caution that Devyn quietly snuck out of the Gryffindor Common Room and made her way to the most secluded exit out of the castle she knew. She was smart enough to know that it would be in her best interest to use the shortcuts. The teachers would be patrolling the main corridors, looking for rule-breakers, but evidently they wouldn't think to search the shortcuts.

Why this was, Devyn did not know. Nor did she care, to be honest. If she met McGonagall or Snape, it was over. Even worse, if she met Moony in the hallways, she would have let him down, and that would deal a serious blow to the trust he had placed in her.

No, it was better for everyone that she stayed away from the main corridors. She crept through the shortcut hallways as Snow, using her enhanced senses to keep herself wary of any approaching people. Her vision was a great help as of this moment because the encroaching winter's nights were darker than dark, so much so that the shadows seemed to be closing in on her every second.

It was not a pleasant feeling, although she guessed the creeping shadows had more to do with the Dementors than anything else. She moved silently through the secretive corridors, glad that her paws made no sound when they came into contact with the stone floors. She wondered why this was; surely her claws would have clicked when they hit the floor?

Never mind, she thought. It doesn't matter. Stay focused.

She crept through, making her way to her target exit, and when she finally reached it and slipped past the Dementors that were standing guard, she breathed easier. It was lucky that the Dementors were looking for a human target…now that she was Snow, all white fur, green eyes, and canine musculature, the Dementors would look right past her, so to speak.

Once she was far away from any of their creepy guards, she let loose and started running around, frolicking even. She was just so happy to be outside. It was cold, yes, but her fur kept her warm. She ran as fast as she could, rolled around in the frosty grass, and did whatever else occurred to her fancy.

Once she had had her fill of running around, she lay down in the grass and rested her head on her paws. She had gotten bigger as of late, stronger, faster, and more muscular. It was strange, considering the last time she had really transformed was to show Neville that she was an Animagus, but that she wasn't dangerous – at least, not to him – and then she had been much smaller and much less in control of her own abilities.

But time had passed, and she had gotten older…it was only natural that she would have changed, even if it was only a little bit.

She was just lying on the grass, looking up at the bright quarter moon, when she heard something behind her and froze. It sounded like…a paw…crunching on the grass. The animal that the paw belonged was neither as graceful nor as cautious as Devyn, but that couldn't be held against him or her. It was entirely possible that it was a baby, still unsure of its steps.

No, she thought, that's not a baby. The steps were much too heavy to be that of a baby's.

Devyn's spine straightened, and she stood up to face whatever was behind her. The fur on her back stood on end and she growled lowly but clearly when she laid eyes on the creature. He was bigger than her, but not by much. He was thin, bony…but looked very fast. Devyn guessed, however, if she had to take him on in a fight, she could do it. She knew she was much stronger than him, judging by the way his skin moved along his skeletal frame.

The creature, whose fur was as black as the night itself, returned her growl, but Devyn guessed this was only to show that he was not inferior to her and that he would not be bullied into slinking away.

As she growled again, and started circling the creature, who watched her with calculating yellow eyes, she wondered if it would be possibly to communicate with the animal who stood before her.

Can't hurt, she thought. Getting herself into Snow's state of mind, she allowed the essence of the wolf to take over her mind and she became Snow through and through.

Who are you? she asked the creature, never stopping her circular motions.

Stop moving around me, and I'll tell you, the creature replied.

Pausing only to marvel at the fact she had communicated with him, she replied, Fat chance of that happening. It would be better for you to just tell me.

I'm not about to reveal my identity to someone who clearly is a threat. I'm not that stupid.

If you were as smart as you seem to think you are, you would have stayed away from me. Now who the hell are you?

The dark creature before her wore an expression that looked almost like a smirk, and it irritated Snow to no end.

The only reason I even came anywhere near you is because I was curious. It's not often one sees a white wolf on the Hogwarts grounds. I must admit…you're quite stunning. Your eyes…beautiful…but you seemed familiar to me somehow.

And how would that be? I've never seen you before in my life.

The black dog, for that was what Devyn guessed he was, as ragged as he looked, inclined his head, understanding the logic in her statement. He wasn't unintelligent, that much was obvious.

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest.

Look, I'm not interested in how you think you know me. I just want to know who the hell you are.

You tell me your name, I'll tell you mine. Deal?

Fine. You first.

Snow knew he was trying to play games with her, and she wasn't going to cave under his wit.

Well, you certainly aren't going to make this easy, are you?

Give me one good reason why I should make it easy. I don't know you. I don't owe you anything. I don't have any reason to make this easy. Now tell me your name.

Fine. It's Padfoot. You can call me Padfoot.

Snow froze her circling of the dog named Padfoot. She knew that name. She knew it. McGonagall had spoken to her once, what seemed like a million years ago, in her room at the orphanage.

"James was Prongs, Sirius was Padfoot, Peter was Wormtail, and Remus was Moony."

And your name? Padfoot asked.

Snow. My name is Snow. And I know who you are. Who you really are…Sirius Black.

Padfoot stopped smirking and his facial features froze and morphed into a fearful, shocked expression.

H-How…how do you know that? How do you know who I really am? Who told you?

Wouldn't you like to know?

Padfoot growled menacingly and Snow heard his voice enter her mind. She had to admit, he was slightly frightening, but she refused to bow under him. She stood her ground stubbornly.

Listen up, Snow. You will tell me how you know my real name, and you will tell me now.

Or what?

Or you'll regret it.

Oooh, I'm shaking with fear. Please, look at yourself. Do you really think I couldn't outrun you? Do you really think I couldn't fight you and win? Let's be honest here, Black. You're formidable, certainly. Insane, yes. But am I scared of you? Not one bit. I know why you're here…you want Harry.

You know Harry?

I don't see how that is of any importance, but yes, I do. And you will not get him. Do you understand? You've already made his life a living hell. Don't make it any worse.

What? What do you mean? I've made his life a living hell? How?

Are you really that stupid? Everyone seems to think that you're out to murder Harry, and because of that, there are Dementors at every entrance, here to protect not only the school and its students, but Harry as well. From you.

I'm not -!

You're not what? Out to murder Harry? Please…everyone knows you are. Killing him won't bring Voldemort back you know.

Hold it! Hold it right there. I don't want to murder Harry! I'm trying to protect him! And I certainly don't want Voldemort back! He killed my best friends! Because of him, I've lost everyone I ever cared about! James, Lily, Michael, Victoria…and Remus. Remus thinks I'm a murderer and a traitor.

He thinks that because you are! And don't you dare speak his name. You don't have the right to say Moony's name! Nor my parents' names!

What?

In that instant, Devyn knew the jig was up. Black was exceedingly smart. He would figure out who she really was.

What do you mean…your parents? Who…? Michael and Victoria? They only had one child…a girl…named Devyn…but she died in the explosion…

Devyn stared at him, silent. It would only be a matter of seconds before he found out who she was. No point in running away now. And Devyn had a feeling that there was more to Black than what met the eye. If he had truly been after Harry, he would have just killed her when she told him she knew who he really was. Instead, he had asked how she knew, and tried to convince her that he wasn't after Harry.

If he was a murderer, and wanted Harry dead, why wouldn't he have just killed Devyn in order to keep her quiet? It wasn't a secret that Black was loose on the grounds of Hogwarts. But where had he been hiding?

Black raised his yellow eyes to hers and they widened when the realization hit him.

Devyn? Is that you? But you're supposed to be dead! I thought…Bellatrix and Dolohov…they killed you and your parents. James and Lily told me! They told us all that you were dead!

Sorry to disappoint, Black, but as you can see I'm not dead. And don't bother asking me how I survived because I'm not going to tell you. I don't care that you know I'm alive. Stay away from me, and stay away from Harry. Are we clear?

Please, don't tell anyone you saw me. Please? They can't know…

Black, everyone knows that you're loose on the grounds somewhere. I don't know where you're hiding, so even if I did tell anyone, I wouldn't know how to find you. Tell you what…I'll make a deal with the devil, shall we say. You stay away from Harry, me, and my friends, and Moony, and no one ever has to know that I saw you tonight. Do we have a deal?

Yes, okay, but listen! There are things you don't understand, Devyn. Things I'm still trying to work out, and I've had twelve years to think it over! I don't expect you to believe me, but try…try to have faith in me. I'm not trying to kill Harry. I've never wanted Harry dead. I am trying to protect him.

Protect him from what?

Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew. He's alive. He's the one you should be worried about, not me. He's the one who wants Harry dead, not me!

Devyn unleashed a laugh that sounded much more like a bark, and scoffed. How stupid do you think I am? Pettigrew's dead. You killed him. Now look, I don't want you to explain why you need me to believe you're here to protect Harry. You're a liar and a traitor. All I want is for you to stay away from the people I love. You've done enough damage already. Keep your distance, and our deal remains intact. It's as simple as that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go back inside. If you try to follow me, I will rip your throat out, Black. Make no mistake; I will kill you if I have to.

And with that, Devyn walked away from Black, leaving him there with a stunned expression on his face. Once Devyn was sure she was far enough away, she ran back to the castle as fast as she could, her heart racing a mile a minute. She didn't stop until she reached the entrance to the castle that she had used before. She snuck past the Dementors once again without a hitch and made her way back to the Gryffindor Common Room.

She transformed back into her human form and uttered the password quietly that would allow her into the Gryffindor Common Room. Thankfully, Sir Cadogan was slumped against his pony, fast asleep; her being allowed into the Common Room was not dependent on Sir Cadagon's consciousness.

As she quickly changed into her pajamas and climbed into her extremely comfortable bed, she mulled over what had just happened. She had just come face to face with Sirius Black, the man who had broken out of Azkaban with the sole purpose of killing Harry, one of her best friends and brothers in all but blood.

But once again, the pieces of the puzzle didn't fit. She knew she should tell Dumbledore she saw Black, but what good would it do? After tonight, Black probably wouldn't be seen again, and even though she had his scent, Devyn was not good enough at tracking to be able to follow him.

So for now, as much as she hated this, she would keep her mouth shut. There was something in the way Black was begging her to believe him that gave her pause. He hadn't sounded like the crazed killer everyone thought he was. He sounded like a desperate man begging for someone he had known a lifetime ago to have some faith in him; begging for a chance to make things right.

Devyn had promised Harry last year that she wouldn't keep things like this from him (and Ron, Hermione, and Neville) anymore, but her gut was telling her to just hold onto this secret for a little while longer.

Now, at least, she knew how he was able to escape. He was an Animagus, like her. He had slipped past the Dementors the same way she had; by using his Animagus form.

Some of her questions were answered, but she was having a crisis here. Either she could take the easy and smart option and tell Dumbledore what she had seen that night…but that would lead to questions as to why she was out there in the first place, and she couldn't let anyone know about Snow, not just yet…

Or she could take the hard but right option and keep quiet about Black. She was never one to believe what everyone told her, and if her interaction with Black tonight was anything to go by, he was not what everyone thought he was.

For one thing, why hadn't he just killed her when he realized she knew who he really was? That's what a killer would have done, right?

And why, if he was a Death Eater, was he so happily surprised to learn that she was alive? If he was a Death Eater, shouldn't he have been angry that his comrades failed in their mission to destroy her family in its entirety?

And why, if he was a Dark wizard, did he seem so heartbroken when he mentioned that Voldemort had taken everyone he cared about? If he was an uncaring, coldhearted killer and traitor – a Death Eater – why would he have been so against Voldemort? Death Eaters were his followers…and if Black was one of them…his entire personality and disposition was completely off. None of this made sense.

She was more inclined to follow the evidence that she saw for herself, than go along with what everyone else was determinedly telling her; people say that werewolves were dangerous, bloodthirsty beasts (and while some of them were), she knew for a fact that Moony busted that stereotype; people said that Purebloods were supposedly better than Muggleborns (and everyone else), but that was a load of tosh – Hermione was a Muggleborn and she was a most talented witch. Whether someone was a Pureblood, Half Blood, or Muggleborn had no bearing on their magical talent whatsoever.

People told her that Parselmouths were inherently evil because being a Parselmouth was a Dark trait, but she knew for a fact that her father had been born a Parselmouth and he had busted that stereotype faster than people could even finish spreading the rumor about his being a Dark wizard.

And something inside her was telling her that what people were saying about Black…wasn't necessarily entirely true. Perhaps they believed he was evil and insane and out to put Harry in an early grave…but that didn't mean he actually was…

Why, Devyn thought grumpily as she rolled over and curled up in a ball, trying desperately to go to sleep. Why can't my life ever be simple? Why?