The Forgotten Prophecy [Book 2]

IX. Sirius Black

        I enter into the Gryffindor Common room. "Hey Ellie," Dean greets me. I smile and wave back at him. I make my way towards the stairs to the dormitories. Hopefully no one is in Fred and George's room. I turn around to make sure no one is watching and quickly run up the stairs leading to the boys' dormitories. The hallway is empty as I make my way down to Fred and George's room. I knock on the door and listen. No one answers. I slowly open the door as I enter in. The room is empty. Okay, so far so good. I rush over to Fred and George's bed. Should be in the pillowcase. I look through one of the pillows but find nothing. I go to the other bed and search through the pillows. Aha! Found it. I take the map and put it inside my robe. I open the door carefully, making sure the coast is clear. I walk out, closing the door behind me. 

"Ellie?" Fiddlesticks. I turn around and see Ron. "Ron!" I say, smiling sheepishly. He looks at the room I came out of and back at me. "What are you doing?" "Uh," I hesitate trying to think of something to say. "I uh was coming to get something of mine," I say. "Oh, well did you get it?" He asks, examining my empty hands. "Uh, no. I guess Fred and George have it with them," I say. Ron nods. "Well, you should get going before Percy catches you here," he says. I nod and begin to walk to the stairs. "Hey, Ellie," Ron calls. I turn back to him. "I'm sorry about what happened at dinner. We didn't mean to offend you," Ron says. "It's okay, Ron. I know it's going to take time for you to trust Uncle Severus," I say. "I don't think I'm ever going to trust him, Ellie. But you care about him, and you're my friend.. so it was wrong of me--er- us to accuse him," Ron says. I smile at him and pull him in for a hug. "Just give him a chance," I whisper. Ron sighs as we let go. "I'll try. Now you get going before Percy comes up," Ron says. "Goodnight, Ronald," I say, walking towards the stairs. "Goodnight, Ellie." 

I walk into my dormitory, finding it empty. I pull out the map and scan for Nathan. Most students are heading back to their dormitories after dinner. I see Alexander and Allison standing outside in the courtyard alone. Hmm, wonder what they're up to? I shake my head and continue scanning. I see Nathan's name. There he is! He stands alone on the first floor. "Mischief managed," I say tapping the map. The contents fade as I put the map into my robe. I rush out the door only to run into Lavender. "Ellie! Where you off to?" She asks curiously. "Uh, Professor Snape's office," I lie to her. "Right now? Well, you better get back before curfew. We don't need to be losing anymore house points," Lavender says. She steps aside letting me leave. I nod and head down the stairs and out of the common room. I rush down to first floor of the castle. There are a few students still walking around, but no sign of Nathan. You got to be kidding me. 

I go into a corner and make sure no one is watching. I pull out the map. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," I say, tapping the map. The Marauder's Map reappears. I examine the map looking for Nathan's name again. He's going to the Ravenclaw Tower? Did he seriously forget about taking his potion? I groan as I close the map and put it into my robe. I run down the corridor and to the stairs. I rush past the students. I slowly come to a stop as I reach the fifth floor. "Why is this school so big?" I ask aloud, trying to catch my breath. I pull out the map. How am I supposed to get in if Nathan goes into his common room? I search for Nathan in the Ravenclaw common room, but he's not there. I open the map up more, scanning the whole area for Nathan. Finally, I see him. Would you look at that? I ran for nothing. I sigh as I sit down on the stairs. I watch as Nathan enters into Uncle Severus' office. At least he remembered. 

I continue to watch the map. Most students are back in their dormitories. I look up at the clock. Twenty minutes before curfew. I get up beginning to close the map when something catches my eye. Sirius Black. I blink my eyes a couple times to make sure I'm not seeing things. I look down at the map. His name is still there. He's really there. Right there outside the Gryffindor common room... Harry! I fold the map and quickly start running down the stairs. I stop as I reach the third floor. I pull out the map. I frantically search the Gryffindor area. "Where did he go?" I ask myself, scanning for Sirius Black. I continue to walk, examining the map for him. I hear commotion as I approach the Gryffindor common room. Quickly putting the map away, I approach the crowd standing outside the Fat Lady portrait.