Secrets, Lies and the Daily Prophet (Alt. Fifth Year Fic)

Chapter Two: Arabella Remembers Sirius as a Young Wizard

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Sirius gave Arabella a smile. "Well, Dumbledore suggested that I take over your responsibilities here while you teach at Hogwarts. He thinks that this would be a good place for me to hide."

Arabella tried unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh. "Not looking like that. Oh, we need to do a bit of work to change your appearance. After all, you're still a wanted fugitive." She shook her head. "I can't believe that Dumbledore didn't try to help you get rid of the convict-on-the-run look. Honestly, you look like you just escaped from Azkaban two days ago instead of two years ago."

Sirius gave a sheepish grin. "Well, most of the time I didn't appear in my human form, but in my Animagus form."

"That won't do you any good in this neighbourhood. Look, why don't I get dinner going and you can take a nice long, hot bath. When you get out, I'll cut your hair. Come and follow me."

Arabella crossed to the fireplace and closed the flue and then waved her wand to disconnect it from the network. She took Sirius down a hallway into a tiled bathroom with a bathtub that had a shower attachment. She brought out some large fluffy towels and handed him a razor and shaving cream.

"Everyone remembers you from your youth as clean shaven with longish hair. Now your wanted photos show you with a beard and long wild hair. Why don't you shave and leave a moustache? I'll give you a good haircut before dinner. Then we'll work on other ways to change your appearance to help you walk with ease in both the Muggle and the Wizarding World."

Sirius gave her a big smile. "Thanks Bella." He paused then said softly, "Could you do me a favour?"

Arabella returned his smile. "What's that?"

"Resume your true form for me. I'd like to see my old friend and not your disguise."

Arabella nodded. "All right. Just for you. And I'll see if I can find any clothes for you. We need to burn these robes. Oh and before you step in the bath, could you please place five drops of this under your tongue?"

She handed him a small bottle with a green liquid inside. Sirius looked at the bottle quizzically.

"What is this?"

Arabella gave a small smile. "It's to rid yourself of ticks and fleas. I give this to all of my cats. If you've been living as a dog for awhile now, I'm safe in thinking you may have picked up a few fleas. I don't let the cats bring them in this house and I'm not letting you do it either. Have a nice bath."

Arabella closed the bathroom door. She could hear the bath filling with water. She then started to imagine Sirius disrobing. She shook her head and started felt the heat of a blush form on her cheeks. How long had it been? How long since she had been held tenderly? How long had it been since she was kissed and made love to? Far too long. It had been fifteen years since Robert's death. Since Robert's murder she quickly corrected herself.

She opened her closet door and looked at the far end. Here were the few things of her late husband that she had kept. She took out a white shirt, black pants and a simple black robe. She didn't have any undergarments for Sirius, but right now - that probably wouldn't matter. She doubted that when he was in Azkaban that they would replace any worn out clothes. Instead she assumed that the robes he was wearing were the same ones he had been arrested in. Had he worn any undergarments then, surely they would have been thrown away years ago.