THE LOST DOG ' s. black

[5] differences

    "I WILL never forget the look on her face!" I laughed, the sound echoing softly against the cold stone walls of Hogwarts. Sirius and I wandered through the empty corridors, the castle unusually quiet under the cover of night. We expertly dodged Filch and Mrs. Norris, who were prowling the halls like hawks hunting for prey. The thrill of our mischief coursed through me, almost drowning out the anxiety of the impending school year.

"Ah, the satisfaction running through my veins," Sirius said, running a hand through his unruly hair, the moonlight catching the glint of his silver eyes. He looked almost ethereal, illuminated by the soft glow, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else.

Our playful banter abruptly halted when the echo of loud footsteps approached. Sirius swiftly ducked under the Invisibility Cloak, a practiced maneuver that had become second nature to him.

"Eloise!" I turned, startled to see Hermione Granger rushing toward me, her brow furrowed in concern.

"Hermione! Don't worry, no one took house points off of me—" I began, but she cut me off, grabbing my wrist tightly.

"Never mind that! McGonagall needs to see you in her office. Now." Her voice trembled slightly as her eyes darted nervously down the hallway, a look of urgency etched into her features.

"What? Why? What's going on?" I asked, my heart racing as anxiety crept into my voice. Did they find out about our prank?

"I don’t know, but it seems urgent," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument.

As we walked, I subtly glanced over my shoulder, where I could feel Sirius trailing just behind us, hidden under the cloak. A strange comfort washed over me knowing he was there, but I couldn’t shake off the gnawing dread in my stomach.

"I haven't caused any trouble, have I?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as our footsteps echoed through the hall.

"I don't think so," Hermione replied, her face pale.

When we finally reached McGonagall’s office, I hesitated at the door before Hermione opened it. Inside, I found Harry seated in a chair, looking distraught. His normally bright green eyes were clouded with distress, and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead.

“Harry?” I approached him slowly, concern flooding my veins. “What’s happened?”

“I had a nightmare,” he said, his voice strained as he looked up at me, his expression haunted.

“What do you mean? What nightmare?” I pressed, my heart pounding in my chest.

Harry hesitated, clearly shaken. “I saw your dad. He was attacked… with Arthur Weasley. In the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department. By Nagini.”

The air thickened around me, and my stomach plummeted. “But… but my dad works at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement…” I stammered, unable to comprehend the implications. I hadn’t heard from him in a month, and the thought of him in danger twisted my insides.

"It seems like your father's presence there was merely a coincidence… Arthur Weasley was there with him," Professor McGonagall spoke up, her voice somber.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat. “Nagini? Who… who is that?”

“Nagini is Voldemort’s snake,” Harry explained, his voice grave. “She’s dangerous, and if she’s after your dad, it means he’s in serious trouble.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “But he… shouldn’t be in danger! What would he want from my dad?"

"It could've been merely a coincidence..." McGonagall continued, her tone soothing yet heavy with concern. "Your father is being sent to St. Mungo's. I will have the authority to give you permission to see him."