Wolfbite (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 12: It's Time

Chapter 12: It's Time

We won the Quidditch Cup for the second year in a row. I was surprised James's head didn't inflate to the point where he was floating on the ceiling. I can't really blame his giddiness, though. Rose kissed me on the cheek today in congratulations. I don't think my face will return to its normal color for weeks.

**

Leo's question was answered minutes later. A rapid knock came at Remus's door and Padfoot ran to hide under the desk. Leo quickly wiped the Map, stuffing it in his pocket as Remus answered the door to reveal McGonagall, who was quite pale. She was in the midst of telling Remus that Sirius had broken into Gryffindor tower and Leo was missing when she spotted the boy sitting at the Defense professor's desk, looking like he had just woken up.

She gave a sigh of relief at seeing he was all right before instructing him to remain there while she and the rest of the professors searched the castle for Black. Leo gave a tired salute as she left, Remus following suit after giving Leo's shoulder a small squeeze. A minute after he left, Leo locked the door, took out the Map, and opened it. He examined it for a moment.

"It's safe to come out now," he whispered.

Padfoot peeked his head out from under the desk before he turned back into his human form and sat in Remus's chair. He tried propping his feet on Remy's desk but stopped when Leo threw a nearby book at him in irritation.

"What did you do?" Leo hissed.

"Paid your old friend Ronnie a visit -"

"You what?"

Leo was pleased to see that Sirius shrank somewhat in his chair.

"Well, I, er..." he stammered for a moment. "I didn't like what he said to you, so I thought some good old-fashioned revenge was in order. I sliced up his hangings – just wanted to scare him a bit. Didn't think he'd scream as loud as girl when you catch them in the shower."

Leo snorted at this comparison despite himself, not really wanting to know how Sirius knew this. He wasn't sure how he felt about his uncle's recent foray into the castle. On one hand, it was incredibly reckless and stupid – he could have gotten caught! On the other, he was touched by how much his uncle cared about him that he was willing to risk a cell in Azkaban just to make him feel better.

"Uncle Siri?"

"Hmm?"

"You're a git," Leo then gave a small smile. "But thanks."

Sirius grinned in response.

**

Leo wasn't able to sneak Padfoot out until dawn. On his way back he started to see signs of tighter security; Flitwick could be seen teaching the front doors to recognize a large picture of Sirius; Filch was suddenly bustling up and down the corridors, boarding up everything from tiny cracks in the walls to mouse holes. Sir Cadogan had been fired. His portrait had been taken back to its lonely landing on the seventh floor, and the Fat Lady was back. She had been expertly restored, but was still extremely nervous, and had agreed to return to her job only on the condition that she was given extra protection. A bunch of surly security trolls had been hired to guard her. They paced the corridor in a menacing group, talking in grunts and comparing the size of their clubs.

Ron had become an instant celebrity, much to Leo's growing irritation. He constantly regaled the common room with the tale of how Sirius Black had almost murdered him in his sleep. The first time Leo had heard this, he had merely rolled his eyes and turned back to his Runes essay. By around the third telling of the story, he gathered his things and departed the tower, seeking refuge with Draco.