Broken Child

Escape Into the Night

By Lady FoxFire

Dec 31, 2001

Edited Sept 14, 2003

Closing and locking every door behind him, Sirius cautiously led the way for his godson, glancing back at the prone form in concern every few seconds. Once they were on the pathway, Black turned back to the house. "Soon." He growled at the darkened building. "I'll be back soon to deal with you. Soon."

Quickly, Sirius led Harry through neighborhood, staying as far away as they could so from any house with lights on so they could go by unnoticed. Once they were far enough away from Privet Drive, Sirius led Harry's body into the shadows of a large oak.

"I'm sorry it took us so long to get you someplace safe," Sirius explained as he reached out and touched Harry's head gently. "I had to get us away from all the protection wards and anti-apparition spells surrounding you neighborhood first."

Sirius barely could hear Harry whimper under his touch. With a sigh his hand dropped to his side. "We're going to Hogwarts, now. They'll be able to help you there. Madam Pomfrey will make you better. I promise. You'll be all better soon."

With that, Sirius pulled out his wand and said a few words, before the two disappeared from sight.

~*~

The early morning sunlight was just beginning to creep into the Great Hall as Professor Snape sat alone at the head table eating his breakfast.

Every so often he would glance up and glare at the handful of cheery students as they wolfed down their breakfast in the Great Hall while endlessly chatting. "I hate mornings," he grumbled to himself as he pushed around his cold uneaten food with his fork.

The sound of barking echoed down the halls. Snape looked up from his plate just as a huge black hound burst into the hall, barking and howling madly.

Many of students seized their wands as they watched the Grim-like beast race past them towards the head table. Skidding to a halt next to Snape, the dog took hold of Snape's robe with its teeth and tried to tug the professor out of his seat.

"Let go!" Snape snapped angrily at the animal as he yanked the fabric from the dog's unrelenting jaws.

The dog let out a yip at the man, before turning and taking a few steps away from him. Looking back, the hound saw Snape remain sitting in his chair and returned to the Potion Master. The animal whimpered and whined at Snape's feet, before turning around again and taking a few steps towards the door, only to stop and look once again at the Potion Master.

'Black?' Snape mouthed the words in surprise. Black seeing this yips once again, and then turned and ran towards the door with Snape at his feet.

Snape swept past the wide-eyed students as he followed the hound. He stopped and turned on the students who were attempting to follow him. "You will stay here and inform the Headmaster or Professor McGonagall as soon as they arrive," Snape ordered.

The hound led Snape to the ancient oak doors of Hogwarts, where it whimpered as the animal scratched the door begging to be left out. Snape glared down at Black, "This had better be important," he snipped in his snotty superior voice as he opened the doors.

Sirius slipped through as soon as they were ajar. He padded a few feet away from the door and turned back toward Snape who stood in the doorway. Sirius pawed the ground and barked at Severus to follow.

"Alright, I'm coming!" Snape called in reply as he pulled the door shut behind him. The dog turned and ran for a clump of trees near the path at lead to Hogsmeade. "Stupid mutt," Snape grumbled as he followed is former foe.

~*~

At the clump of trees Sirius whimpers and whines for Snape to hurry up. "What do you want, Black?" Snape snapped as he glared venomously at the hound.

In an instant Sirius was back into his human form. "Severus! You've got to help me! They hurt him badly." Everything came rushing out as Black gripped Snape arms in desperation.

Prying Black's hands off of him in disgust. "What are you talking about?" Snape snarled.

"It's Harry!" Black exclaimed as he grabbed Snape and pulled over to an ancient pine tree. Taking out his wand, Black called Harry's body from the hiding place among the limbs of the tree.

"Sweet Merlin," Severus whispered in astonishment as he laid his eyes upon the boy.