Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Bailey and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

A Dog's Purpose Is Strange Magic 3 Chapter 17

During the night, while all the boys were sleeping in their beds, Bailey tried to smoke Scabbers out of hiding to where she could grab him, but he seemed to catch on to what she was up to. Scabbers stayed as close to Ron as possible making sure that if she went to grab him then she'd wake him up in the attempt.

Bailey couldn't risk another blow up like with what they had in the common room, so she's forced to give it a rest.

The bad mood that Ron had been in yesterday evening followed him all the way into the next day. He wouldn't give Hermione a break. Even when Hermione cautiously ventured to inquire how Scabbers was after yesterday's escapades he continued to stonewall her. He reported that Scabbers was hiding underneath Ron's bed, refusing to leave Gryffindor Tower with him.

Smart rat.

He knows of the team-up between Bailey and Crookshanks by now, but not the reasons behind it. It's still more than enough to send his anxiety through the roof. Scabbers isn't going to risk stepping out into the open where either one can easily snatch him.

At least up in the boy's 3rd-year dorm room, there's a relative illusion of safety.

By the time Transfiguration came around Hermione and Ron were glaring daggers of hatred and loathing at each other.

It's after Transfiguration when the rest of the class is departing that Harry gathers his courage to ask Professor McGonagall for permission to go to Hogsmeade with the rest of his yearmates.

Turns out Harry didn't really need to bring the subject up himself. Professor McGonagall already opened the door by asking the Gryffindor students to hand in their Hogsmeade permission forms if they hadn't already done so.

Harry stood as the last in line, under the guise of handing one in, and only when the rest of the class disappeared, he nervously approached Professor McGonagall.

Bailey was with Whisper, playing a small game of tug of war with a toy she had when she saw Harry heading up to the desk. Noticing Harry briefly glance her way, Bailey wags her tail in gentle encouragement for him to continue.

Bailey knew he could do this.

Not looking up from her papers, Professor McGonagall said "Yes, Potter?"

Sucking in a deep breath, swallowing deeply, Harry ventured "Professor, my aunt and uncle…forgot to sign my form. Do you think it would be all right…I mean, will it be okay if I…if I go to Hogsmeade?"

Looking over her square spectacles at him, shuffling her papers, Professor McGonagall said "I'm afraid not, Potter. You heard what I said to the rest of the class. No form, no visiting the village. That's the rule."

"But, Professor, my aunt, and uncle, you know, they're Muggles, they don't really understand about Hogsmeade forms and stuff. As the Head of Gryffindor House, if you said I could go-."

"But I don't say so," said Professor McGonagall, standing up and piling her papers neatly into a drawer, the expression on his face firm yet sympathetic to his plight. "The form clearly states that the parent or guardian must give permission. No one else is acceptable. I'm sorry, Potter, but that's my final word. You'd better hurry or you'll be late for your next lesson."

Harry goes to say something else but appears to think better of it. Harry heads for the door, waving a hand for Bailey to follow. Dropping the toy and giving a farewell lick on Whisper's forehead, she obeys.

Harry's mood had soured greatly up until they reached Halloween. Not even Quidditch practice could cheer him up. It certainly didn't help that he was constantly about everyone's excited chatter about what they were going to do, see, and buy when they headed down there.

Percy's response to Harry's dilemma made Bailey come close to wanting to bite him.

"They made a fuss about Hogsmeade, but I assure you, Harry, it's not all it's cracked up to be," he said, seriously. "Alright, the sweetshop's rather good, and Zonko's Joke Shop's frankly dangerous, and yes, the Shrieking Shack's always worth a visit, but really, Harry, apart from that, you're not missing anything."

Percy's lack of understanding was infuriating.

But Bailey had other things to focus on other than her boy and Hogsmeade.

Scabbers is getting more and more elusive and whenever he does leave the boy's dorm, he's in a place where none of them can get to him without causing a scene and unwanted questions to be asked.

The stray dog, who has now identified himself as Sirius Black after transforming in front of her and the pack, is getting restless and more impatient each time they come to him without Scabbers. Initially, Bailey had wanted to attack him with the others to protect the school until Sirius explained to them exactly why he was there and the wrong that had been done to him. It made Bailey want to get Scabbers even more now.

At this point, the more time that passes, Bailey's concern increases tenfold. His frustration is understandable but dangerous. If he does something rash, it could throw this entire operation in jeopardy, and this would never work.

They need to follow the original plan.

On Halloween morning, Harry awoke with the rest and went down to breakfast, feeling thoroughly depressed. Bailey could easily sense this despite his attempts to hide it.

Ron and Hermione promised to bring him lots of stuff from Hogsmeade to enjoy as if he'd traveled there with them.

Still, Harry accompanied them down to the entrance hall with the rest. Filch was standing inside the front doors, checking off names against a long list, peering suspiciously into every face, and making sure that no one was sneaking out with the throng.

If Harry had wanted to try it wouldn't have been successful.

Malfoy made sure of that.

"Staying here, Potter," shouted Malfoy, standing in line with Crabbe and Goyle. "Scared of passing the dementors?"

It's been months since the incident and Malfoy still isn't letting up on that.

That brought Harry's mood down even more.

For a little while, not really knowing what to do with himself, Harry wanders around the halls with Bailey. Harry soon decides to head down to Hagrid's to hang out with the pups and might as well let Bailey spend some quality time with her kids. Something that she appreciates greatly.

As soon as the pair reach Hagrid's they receive a surprise.

They're not the only ones visiting the pups today.

Much to their bafflement it is Professor Lupin.

Who is currently surrounded by most of her children, except Whisper since she went down to Hogsmeade with Professor McGonagall and was petting every single one of them he could reach.

"Professor Lupin," said Harry in shock.

"Ah, Harry, hello," said Lupin, rubbing Ranger's ears and scratching Charmer on the belly as she lay on her back, tongue lolling out of her mouth quite goofily.

Bailey immediately goes over to greet her brood and say hello to Lupin herself. Lupin grins when she licks his hand and then goes to sit between Bold and Bounder. Bold didn't waste time in pushing his mother's buttons, nipping at her ear and she gave him a shove from her paw into the dirt in light beratement. He ends up accidentally rolling into Friendly and they get into a bit of a playful tussle.

Dreamer approaches Harry, wagging her tail and standing up on her hind legs to nuzzle his face.

Rubbing Dreamer's neck, sitting down, Harry asked "What are you doing here, Sir?"

"Well, when I was here at Hogwarts there never used to be any dogs. So, when I learned that there was a whole pack of them here now, I just had to come see for myself. And quite a warm and welcoming lot they are, too. Are they your dog's siblings or are they, her offspring?"

"They're her pups," answered Harry.

"Ah, thought as much," said Lupin, smiling. "They have her look about them. What are their names."

Pointing to each one, Harry said "Bounder, Ranger, Friendly, Bold, Dreamer, and Charmer. There's a 7th, Whisper, but she's with Professor McGonagall right now."

"And their sire," said Lupin.

"If you stick around long enough then you might meet their dad. He's a lone wolf that lives in the forest," informed Harry. "He doesn't come up to strangers, but if you prove to not be a threat toward him then he might stick around at a distance."

"I'll bear that in mind," said Lupin. "By the way, where are Ron and Hermione?"

"Hogsmeade," said Harry.

"Ah," said Lupin. "Why don't you come with me to my office? I've just taken a delivery of grindylow for our next lesson."

"A what," asked Harry.

"A water demon," elaborated Lupin. "We shouldn't have much difficulty with him, not after the kappas. The trick is to break his grip. You'll notice that by the abnormally long fingers that are strong and very brittle that they have."

Shrugging his shoulders, Harry said "Sure. Why not?"

After saying a brief goodbye to the pups, they then head back inside the Castle. Much to Bailey's astoundment, Bounder accompanies them choosing to leave his siblings behind. His other is astonished when he takes up a familiar position that Bailey usually takes beside Harry and Whisper takes when she's walking with Professor McGonagall.

Bounder nudges his head underneath Lupin's hand, and the man pets his head fondly as they walk.

Noticing this, Harry said "Sir, how long have you gone down to visit the pups?"

"A couple of times since the year started. I find it quite relaxing and what someone needs after a long day of teaching," said Lupin.

This is news to Bailey. Not once has she even seen him down at the pen with her litter. He must've gone during times when she wasn't there. The realization leaves her flabbergasted since none of them ever mentioned this to her.

"Bounder seems to have taken a liking to you," said Harry, equally as dumbfounded as her. "He's Bailey's firstborn son. Whisper is the firstborn daughter."

"I see," said Lupin, opening the door leading into his office.

Inside stands a large tank of water containing the grindylow. It's just as ugly and disagreeable as Lupin had described.

The grindylow bared its green teeth at them and then buried itself in a tangle of weeds in a corner.

"Cut of tea," said Professor Lupin, looking around for his kettle. "I was just thinking of making one after being outside."

"All right," said Harry, awkwardly.

"Sit down," invited Lupin, eyes twinkling. "I've only got teabags, I'm afraid. But I daresay you've had enough of tea leaves."

"How did you know about that," asked Harry.

Passing Harry a mug of tea and some biscuits for the dogs to share, Lupin said "Professor McGonagall told me. You're not worried, are you?"

"No," said Harry quickly.

Catching the slight look of worry on his face, Lupin said "Anything worrying you, Harry?"

"No," lied Harry, but then corrected himself. "Yes. You know that day we fought the boggart?"

"Yes," said Lupin slowly.

"Well, something strange happened. I did think of Bailey, at first, but another image had come to mind. I remembered those dementors and how they made me feel."

"I see," said Lupin, thoughtfully. "Well, well…I'm impressed. That suggests one of the things that you fear most of all is…fear. Very wise, Harry."

That seems to render Harry temporarily speechless.

"Thanks," said Harry, uncertainly. "Professor Lupin, you know the dementors-."

A sudden knock on the door interrupts the conversation.

"Come in," called Lupin.

The door opened and in came Snape. He was carrying a goblet, which was smoking faintly, and stopped at the sight of Harry, his black eyes narrowing.

Harry's guard is up instantly, but Bailey is pleased to see him. Rising from her position beside her son, Bailey goes over with a smile on her muzzle and tail wagging. Bounder stays where he is, licking up the leftover crumbs from the biscuits.

Snape sneers at Bailey, ignoring her even as Bailey walks around him, wanting his attention. He barely even acknowledges Bounder.

"Ah, Severus," said Lupin, smiling. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"

Snape set down the smoking goblet, his eyes wandering between Harry and Lupin.

"I was just showing Harry my grindylow," said Lupin, pleasantly, pointing at the tank.

"Fascinating," said Snape, without really looking at it. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."

"Yes, yes, I will," said Lupin, nodding.

"I made an entire cauldronful," said Snape. "If you need more."

"I should probably take some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus."

"Noy at all," said Snape, backing out of the room, unsmiling and watchful.

Bailey whines, ears drooping when he once again leaves without petting her.

Harry looks curiously at the goblet as does Bounder. He stands on his back legs to get a sniff of it on the desk.

Smiling, Lupin said "Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me. I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex." He picked up the goblet and sniffed it. He takes a sip and shudders. "Pity sugar makes it useless. The taste really is beyond vulgar."

"Why-," began Harry, warily.

"I've been feeling a bit off-color," said Lupin. "This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape. There aren't many wizards who are up to making it."

"Professor Snape's very interested in the Dark Arts," blurted Harry.

Looking mildly interested in a mild gulp of potion, Lupin said "Really?"

"Some people reckon he'd do anything to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job," said Harry.

Bailey lightly nipped his pantleg for that one.

Draining the goblet and pulling a face, Lupin said "Disgusting. Well, Harry, I'd better get back to work. I'll see you at the feast later."

"Right," said Harry, putting down the empty teacup, not taking his eyes off the smoking goblet until they were out of there.

Bailey never gave it a second thought.

Later, the 1st Hogsmeade trip of the year was done, and everyone was in the Great Hall fully enjoying the Halloween feast and talking about their day down in the village.

Ron and Hermione had kept their word, bringing Harry a ton of treats and souvenirs.

The pups were even there having fun in the festivities. Bold and Ranger tried to jump at the candle-filled pumpkins hovering in the air much to the amusement of their audience. Running around chasing the ghosts that were putting on entertainment for everyone and accepting food from anyone who'd offer it. Bailey would be surprised if they were hungry at all the next day judging by how much they ate this night.

When the feast was over Harry, Ron, and Hermione merged with the crowd heading up to Gryffindor Tower. Whisper had gone off with McGonagall and the rest of them wanted to have further fun with everyone.

Something strange happened.

At the end of the corridor ending with the portrait of the Fat Lady, it is jammed with students instead of a moving line through the hole.

"Why isn't anyone going in," said Ron, curiously. Bailey, Bounder, Ranger, Friendly, Bold, Charmer, and Dreamer had no idea. They can't see through the sea of legs around them so they're clueless.

Pushing through the crowd, Percy said "Let me through, please. What's the holdup here? You can't all have forgotten the password. Excuse me, I'm Head Boy-." Percy abruptly cuts off. His voice now takes on an uncharacteristically alarmed sharp tone even for him. "Someone please get Professor Dumbledore. Quickly."

"What's going on," said Ginny, standing on tiptoe.

A moment later, Professor Dumbledore was there, sweeping toward the portrait. The Gryffindors squeezed together to let him through and that's when everyone got a clear view of the portrait.

The Fat Lady had vanished from her portrait, which had been slashed so viciously that strips of canvas littered the floor. Great chunks of it had been torn away completely, leaving no room for her.

"We need to find her," said Dumbledore. "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to round up the ghosts. Have them search every painting in the castle until they find the Fat Lady."

"You'll be lucky," said a cackling voice.

Peeves, the Poltergeist.

"What do you mean, Peeves," said Dumbledore, calmly.

"Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful," he said, happily. "Poor thing."

"Did she say who did it," said Dumbledore, quietly.

"Oh yes, Professorhead," said Peeves, gleefully. "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see. Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

Bailey inwardly curses.

What the hell did Sirius do?

Boy, was he going to get a chewing out as soon as Bailey got her paws on him.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Dumbledore immediately orders all the students from their respective Houses and return to the Great Hall. The Ghosts and Professors do a sweep of the school as the students congregate there for their safety.

All the students would be sleeping there for the night under heavy guard. Dumbledore had moved the long tables to stand against the walls and with another wave of his wand, the floor was then covered with hundreds of comfortable sleeping bags.

There's no need for the pups to head back down to their pen. Instead, they stay there to guard and provide a distraction from the student's worries.

Naturally, as the eldest ones, Whisper, Bounder, and Ranger position themselves dutifully by the doors to keep watch on who comes in and out alongside the prefects and Head Boy and Head Girl after Dumbledore leaves to join the search.

Dreamer gravitated over to the younger Ravenclaws and settled curled up in the middle of them with numerous hands on her back.

Friendly did something crazy. He tried to join the Slytherins until they chased him away. Friendly, eventually, resigned himself to lie down in between Fred and George although he kept glancing in the Slytherin's direction. Focused on a particular male blonde.

It's no surprise that Bold made himself right at home with the Gryffindor 1st years. He was having a lot of fun with them, jumping around and getting them to laugh and licking their worries and fear away in order to raise their spirits.

But Charmer is the funniest of all. Roaring laughter erupted from the Hufflepuffs when Charmer caused a huge scene as she somehow squeezed herself into Cedric Diggory's sleeping back while he was still in it. His friends joked that he had a new girlfriend, but Cedric Diggory didn't seem to mind. In fact, the 6th year was grinning as be scooted in the sleeping bag to make more room for her. He seemed very honored that Charmer chose to sleep beside him.

Bailey smiles from across the room. Her daughter really seems to like this boy.

Baileys got a gut feeling, recalling how Whisper has bonded to McGonagall and how attached Bounder seems to be getting to Lupin.

Perhaps Charmer has found her own boy to love.

Soon enough Percy shuts the fun down and tells everyone to go to sleep.

Ron, Harry, and Hermione positioned their sleeping bags in a secluded corner so they could converse where few could hear them. And they weren't the only ones talking. Almost everyone from all the houses was exchanging theories on what Sirius Black was doing there and how he got in. It gets Percy angry, so he shouts for everyone to go to sleep.

The candles all went out seconds afterward. The only light was from the ghosts, the stars from the enchanted ceiling and the moonlight from the high glass windows. It gave the semblance that they were sleeping outside making it more soothing and relaxing.

At about three in the morning when many students had fallen asleep, Harry was still awake with Bailey. Ron and Hermione are in the same state. Too much weighing heavily on their minds.

At that time Dumbledore returns. He approaches Percy who is patrolling nearby the four.

"Any sign of him, Professor," asked Percy in a whisper.

Shaking his head, Dumbledore said "No. All well here?"

"Everything under control, Sir."

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow."

"And the Fat Lady, sir?"

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently, she refused to let Black in without the password, so he attacked her. She's still very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her."

The door of the hall creaked open again and Bailey raised her head from where she had been lying on Harry's side to find Snape entering the Great Hall.

Bailey lightly woofed, wagging her tail, but did not rise.

"Headmaster? The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons. Nothing there either," reported Snape.

"What about the Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery," questioned Dumbledore.

"All searched…," said Snape.

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger," sighed Dumbledore.

"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor," asked Snape.

"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next," said Dumbledore.

Anger crossing his face, Snape said "You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before the start of term?"

With a warning tinge to his eyes and voice, Dumbledore said "I do, Severus."

"It seems almost impossible that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed-,' said Snape.

Cutting him off, Dumbledore said "I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it. Now, I must go down to the dementors. I said I would inform them when our search was complete."

"Didn't they want to help, Sir," said Percy.

Coldly, Dumbledore said "Oh yes. But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am headmaster."

Dumbledore then left the hall, walking quickly and quietly. Snape follows the headmaster out with an expression of deep resentment on his face.

Snape does have the right idea. Sirius Black does have someone helping him, just now the type he's thinking about.

Authors Note:

What do you guys think should happen further on?

I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.

So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.

I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.