<<<Sirius Black>>>
October 31, 1993
I knew exactly which day it was when I entered the looming castle. It wasn't the pumpkins sitting on the floor against the walls or the bats flying overhead. The cobwebs covering portraits and doors did not remind me. Not even the skeleton suits of armor told me it was Halloween. I was reminded instead by the hollow, guilty feeling in my heart. It was the anniversary of their murders- because of me.
As I roamed the corridors of Hogwarts for the first time in nearly fifteen years, I saw memories from my years there. The broom closet where Lexi and I hid from Filch during our first year made me sigh. A small shred of happiness tugged at my heart when I passed a portrait that Remus would always sit under and complete his studies. I trotted past the tapestry we once covered in blue fake flames during my fifth year. Overwhelming guilt and misery overcame all fond memories when I passed anything that reminded me of James Potter.
Twelve years. Twelve years ago, he was alive and well. But James Potter was gone because of a mistake I made- putting my faith in the rat. Until my last breath, I would be guilty of making the decision that killed my best friend.
And that rat, I was there to find him, to finish what should have been done years ago. He was there, at Hogwarts. Filled with anger rather than mourning, my paws quivered with anticipation as I neared the Gryffindor tower.
Although it had been years since I roamed the corridors of Hogwarts, everything looked the same. I smirked when the Fat Lady came into view. Hiding behind a suit of armor, I transformed out of my Animagus dog form and lazily walked up to the familiar portrait.
Her habits hadn't changed. The Fat Lady was stuffing her face with sweets from a large silver tray. Her brown hair was still piled atop her head and her rosy cheeks were bright red, like she drank too much during the Halloween festivities. As soon as she noticed my approach, the tray of food fell out of her hands and she gasped, recoiling into the corner of her frame.
"S-S-Sirius Black!" the Fat Lady cried. I gave her my award-winning smile, but I had a feeling after my years in Azkaban, the smile looked more like a snarl. My reputation as a murderer preceded me.
"You look lovely as always," I offered. "Haven't aged one day."
"I would hope not! But you- You look awful! Filthy! Frail!"
I frowned at her comment. Truthfully, after being malnourished and depressed for years, I did not look anything like the man I was when I left Hogwarts. I took a step closer to the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Stay away from me, you murderer!" yelped the Fat Lady. "I'll scream!"
"Do it," I offered. "Most people are at Hogsmeade. No one will hear you!"
Despite my explanation, the Fat Lady began to wail and holler. Other portraits glowered at her. No one came to her aide. Finally, she quit, when she realized the yelling would not improve her opera voice. Within the safety of her frame, the Fat Lady shook with fear, I realized I could use her emotions to my advantage.
"So you've heard of what I've done, haven't you?" I growled, narrowing my eyes at her.
"Who hasn't?" she replied. "You're a terrible man, Sirius Black! A terrible wizard!"
"So you know of how dangerous I am, what I could do to you?"
Very slowly, I picked at a piece of flaking gold paint on her frame. The Fat Lady wailed in horror.
"No, please! I'm begging you!"
"Then let me in the tower!" I commanded.
"NEVER. My duty is to this castle! No one enters the tower without the password!"
"If I say the password, you are obliged to let me in?"
The Fat Lady's jowls quavered as she was speechless. I knew she was magically bound to the frame and the password. She could not deny me if I guessed the password.
"Flobberworm! Agrippa!"
"No!"
"Venomous tentacula! Fanged Geranium! Centaur! Chocolate frog!"
"NO."
"Phoenix! Albus Dumbledore! Manticore!"
"NO! NO, NO, NO!"
The Fat Lady became even redder in the face as she yelled at me. I took a deep breath, ready to fire back more potential passwords.
"What be the commotion my prying ears hear?"
With an annoyed sigh, I stopped my yelling and turned to find the noise attracted Peeves to the Gryffindor tower. The poltergeist leaned against a suit of armor and I couldn't help but notice he purposely pushed it over, causing a loud noise and a mess of metal arms and legs.
"Peeves," I grumbled. "Now is not a good time!"
"Sirius Black!" Peeves gasped. "Never before have I seen such a notorious villain in the flesh! BEGONE, EVIL WIZARD!"
Peeves made a piece of the suit of armor come flying at my head. I ducked and it hit another suit of armor, making more of a mess. I knew it wouldn't be long before the commotion attracted attention to the corridor.
"PEEVES!" I hissed. "Remember when I helped you turn Filch's robes pink? Can't you leave, for the sake of a friend?"
Peeves picked up a metal dagger from the ground but started to ponder my request. The dagger spun on the tips of his fingers.
"Pink robes..." Peeves repeated. "You were such a help... The look on Filch's face was unforgettable... But I thought I said I wanted the robes to be LAVENDER!"
I cursed as Peeves threw the dagger at me, calling me names as he messed around. With an angry sigh, I picked up the dagger and brandished it, ignoring Peeves' taunts.
"Let me in," I growled to the Fat Lady. "This is my last warning."
She seemed to take on a new brave face. The Fat Lady leaned towards me. Peeves egged her on.
"I will never let you in," she decided. "You are a coward, Sirius Black! You killed two of the bravest Gryffindors to live! You are a disgrace to this House! You were never worthy to befriend James and Lily Potter!"
Anger coursed through my veins. Something seemed to snap inside me after my time in Azkaban. Maybe it was the grief, maybe it was the fact that I was no closer to the rat than I was a month ago. But my emotions took hold of my body and I slashed the Fat Lady's portrait while she wailed. With each stroke of the dagger, I seemed to enjoy my rage as Peeves cackled with me. When I stood back and saw the seven slashes through her painting.
Trying to slow my breathing, I took a step back from the painting. The Fat Lady was nowhere to be found, but her portrait hung in shreds.
"Uh oh, McGonagall will not be happy to see that!" Peeves scolded. "SIRIUS BLACK IN THE GRYFFINDOR TOWER! SIRIUS BLACK IN THE GRYFFINDOR TOWER!"
Peeves disappeared around the corner screaming bloody murder. Heart hammering, I turned into my Animagus form and started running towards an exit. I knew it was only a matter of minutes before Peeves blabbed to the whole school about my visit.
My paws slipped on rugs as I ran, and I managed to avoid all contact with any students or professors. Suddenly, my thoughts of getting out of the castle without being spotted were interrupted by a shocked voice.
"Oh my Merlin, SNUFFLES?!"
I stopped dead in my tracks. It wasn't the sound of the absurd name that made me stop. The voice was too familiar, sounding exactly like the love of my life.
As if in a trance, I sat on my haunches and listened to the thud of footsteps approaching. My heart beat out of my chest as the young, black-haired witch knelt before me, two of her friends following. Lexi had the same loving smile, same porcelain features. She tucked a piece of her wavy hair behind her ear and regarded me with concern. Her gentle yet mischievous expression reminded me of carefree happiness. It was as if my wife had gone back in time, back to her third year at Hogwarts.
"Fred, George, look at this guy!" Lexi cooed. The girl put her hands on my ears and started to pet me. Only her eyes were different- silvery grey, not blue. They were the same eyes I saw when I looked in the mirror. My head was reeling. After twelve years, I was staring at none other than my daughter, Cassiopeia.
"Big dog," one of the red-headed boys to my right whistled.
"I hope he belongs to someone at Hogwarts. Why didn't we ever think of that, Fred? Bring the most obnoxious pet we could find to school!" the other red-headed boy replied. I could hardly tell the two wizards apart. Bags of fireworks and other materials I recognized as potential pranks filled their arms.
My head throbbed again. The red hair was unmistakable. The two boys were Fred and George Weasley- the twins Lexi used to babysit.
Cassie softly stroked my black fur. She looked concerned at my thin stature and the tangles in my hair. Very gently, she cupped my snout in her hands and stared in my eyes. I felt my heart break a little. My daughter grew in to such a beautiful young woman- and I was never there to see it. I seemed to forget I was supposed to be fleeing the castle as she stared at me.
"Good boy," Cassie whispered. My tail thumped on the ground. She stood and turned to her two companions. "He looks just like my dog, Snuffles! Only his eyes are the wrong color. Poor thing is malnourished. Do you think we can sneak into the kitchens tonight and get him some food?"
Fred and George looked excited by the idea of breaking into the kitchens, as if they were happy Cassie found an excuse to do it. One of the twins, George, I think, opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by McGonagall rushing past in a neighboring corridor, heading towards the Gryffindor tower. A group of concerned Gryffindors followed her, whispering.
"Lee!" one of the twins called. One of the Gryffindor boys parted from the group and approached.
"What's going on?" Cassie asked, concern lacing her voice.
"Something's happened to the Fat Lady! Something bad, from what McGonagall has said!" Lee revealed. My heart thumped. I needed to get out of the castle, fast.
"Isn't this awesome? I've been dying to do something to the Fat Lady for years!" Fred exclaimed. "We should go see what all the commotion is about."
The Weasley twins stood at Lee's side and looked to Cassie expectantly. My daughter's hands were still in my fur as she patted my neck. I wondered if she could feel my racing, nervous heartbeat. I wanted to flee, just in case another professor appeared and saw me, as a strange dog. However, I was held frozen in Cassie's curious and concerned gaze.
In a split decision, I jumped, placing my paws on Cassie's shoulders. She looked startled but smiled when I lightly licked her cheek. The gesture made my heart long for her, and as soon as it started, it was over, and I bolted for an exit. Cassie called after me but didn't follow as her friends dragged her towards the Gryffindor tower.
Once I made it to the Hogwarts grounds, I fell to the dirt in a tired, panting heap. Yet, my body was wired with adrenaline. I finally saw Cassie again. It felt like a dream, and I wanted nothing more than to see her again, and actually hold her in my arms, my sweet, perfect daughter.
A loud hissing sound halted my daydream. Two yellow eyes were staring at me. I let out a low growl, but the ginger cat did not seem fazed by the warning. The ugly cat approached me and let out sort of knowing growl. The cat waved its bottlebrush tail, seemingly looking right through my Animagus disguise.
With sudden realization, I found I recognized the cat. The cat belonged to Hermione Granger. I often watched it prowl around after the young witch or behind none other than Harry Potter or Ron Weasley-
A large grin plastered my face as I regarded Hermione's cat. The intelligent creature seemed to understand as I stared at it.
The cat was my new link to the rat.