A flow of whispers ring throughout the crowd.

"Sirius Black?

"How did he get in?"

"How did he get out with no one seeing him?"

"He must have had help."

I stand still. What do I do? Should I tell someone what I saw? But it would be too late now, he's already gone, it would be no use.

"Everyone," Dumbledore calls out. "Please make your way to the Great Hall, you will be joined shortly by the other students."

Following Dumbledore's orders, all the Gryffindor's make their way down the marble staircases back to the Great Hall. I can't find Harry, Ron, Hermione, Bonnie or Amy, so I just follow the crowds.

I manage to find the others once we get to the Great Hall and I tell them what happened. I had to tell someone.

"You have to tell Professor Dumbledore," Hermione says straight away. "He'll want to know about this."

"I know," I say, my voice slightly shaking. "But what use will it be? He's already gone."

"I'm surprised that he didn't do anything to Sarah," Harry says, mirroring my own thoughts. "I mean, Sarah was alone, he had a knife, she didn't have her wand out; a perfect chance. Not that I want you dead, Sarah," he adds hastily. "I'm just saying."

"I thought the same thing," I say.

"You said he turned into a black dog," Bonnie says. "Doesn't that make him an Animagus, or something?"

Hermione gasps. "That means he would be on the Animagus registration list!"

"What's that?" Ron asks.

"It's a list of registered Animagi," Hermione explains. "He should be on there, all Animagi need to be registered."

"Hang on," I say. "If he was registered, wouldn't the Ministry be looking for a huge black dog? I mean, he could be an unregistered Animagi."

"That's true..." Hermione says.

At that moment the doors open and the rest of the school come in, looking extremely confused.

"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," Professor Dumbledore tells us all, as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick close all doors into the Hall. "I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the Prefects to stand guard over by the entrances to the Hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbances should be reported to me immediately," he adds to Percy, who, I might add looks immensely proud of himself for seeming important. "Send word with one of the ghosts."

Dumbledore pauses, about to leave the Hall, and says, "oh, yes, you'll be needing..."

And with one casual wave of his hand, the long tables fly to the edges of the Hall and stand themselves against the walls; with another wave, the floor is covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags.

"Sleep well," Professor Dumbledore says, about to close the door before I stop him. I need to tell him what I saw. What if Black lingered?

"Professor!" I call out, running through the students toward him. The Hall tenses as I stop in front of him.

"Yes, Miss Potter?"

"Erm, I know something that might help you," I say.

Dumbledore just looks at me, his blue eyes glinting in the light. Dumbledore ushers me off to the corner of the Hall, and everyone starts talking madly.

"What is it?" He asks, looking at me with a serious look.

"I saw him," I say quickly. "I-I was going up to the Tower before the feast ended and he was there, slashing at the Fat Lady's portrait. He saw me, transformed into a huge dog and left."

Dumbledore just looks at me calmly. "Are you sure that it was Sirius Black?"

"Positive, sir."

He nods slowly. "Thank you, Sarah," he says, and he moves off, closing the doors behind him.

"Everyone into their sleeping bags!" Percy shouts. "Come on now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

I sigh, a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, before I make my way back to the others, who have set their sleeping bags in a secluded corner with just a few other students. I set up my own purple sleeping bag next to Amy and listen to everyone talking.

They are all asking each other the same question: "How did he get in?"

"Maybe he knows how to Apparate," a Ravenclaw a few feet away says. "Just appear out of thin air, you know."

"Disguised himself, probably," a Hufflepuff fifth year says. Someone's on the right track.

"He could have flown in," Dean suggests.

"Honesty, are Sarah and I the only ones who have bothered to read Hogwarts A History?" Hermione says crossly.

"Probably," Amy says. "Why?"

"Because this castle's protected by more than walls, you know," I say. "There are all sorts of enchantments on it, to stop people entering by stealth. You can't just Apparate in here."

"And I'd like to see the disguise that could fool those Dementor's," Hermione says, looking over at me. Good, the other students don't have to know what I saw. "They're guarding every single entrance to the grounds. They'd have seen him fly in, too. And Filch knows all the passageways, they'll have them covered..."

"The lights are going out now!" Percy shouts to us all. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

Everyone grumbles as I hear the rustling of sleeping bags. Every candle in the Hall goes out, with the only light coming from the ghosts who are talking seriously with the Prefects.

After all of today's events, I simply slide into my sleeping bag and close my eyes, sleep coming to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wake up again at about three in the morning, to see many students asleep, except for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Amy. Bonnie is fast asleep. They're just laying there, eyes wide open, watching the doors, obviously hoping for some kind of news.

I am about to close my eyes again, before the doors open, and Professor Dumbledore walks in. I see him stand there, watching the students closely. I keep and eye out for Percy who is now prowling around, telling people off for talking, and quickly pretend to sleep before he stops in front of us, and I hear Dumbledore's footsteps grow closer.

"Any sign of him, Professor?" Percy asks in a whisper.

"No. All well here?"

"Everything is under control, sir."

"Good. There is no point in moving them now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back tomorrow."

"And the Fat Lady?"

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black through so he attacked. She is still very distressed, but once she had calmed down I will have Mr Filch restore her."

I hear the door open once again, and another set of footsteps approach.

"Headmaster?" It's Snape. "The whole third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there, either."

"What about the Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?"

"All searched..."

"Very well. I didn't expect Black to linger."

"Have you any theories on how he got in, Professor?" Snape asks.

"Many, Severus, all as unlikely as the last."

I open my eyes a fraction, just to see what's happening. Dumbledore is standing with his back to us, Percy is standing to the side of him, rapt with attention and Snape is across from Dumbledore looking quite angry.

"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before-ah-the start of the term?" Snape says, hardly moving his lips, blocking Percy from the conversation.

"I do, Severus," Dumbledore says.

"It seems-almost impossible-that Black could have had entered the school without inside help. I did raise my suspicions when you appointed-"

"I do not believe that anyone inside of this castles walls would help Black enter it," Dumbledore, his voice clear that the case is closed.

I want to glare at Snape for making accusations toward my Dad, but I don't want to be caught.

"I must go down to the Dementors," Dumbledore says. "I said I would inform them when I search was complete."

"Didn't they want to help, sir?" Percy asks.

"Oh, yes," Dumbledore says coldly. "But I'm afraid no Dementor will up enter upon this threshold whilst I am Headmaster."

With Percy looking quite abashed, Dumbledore leaves the Hall. Snape watches him with an expression of resentment before he, too, leaves.

I glance over at Amy who looks confused as all hell. I slightly shake my head and fall back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The school has talked of nothing but Sirius Black for the next few days. Each theory made up getting wilder and wilder by the minute. Hannah Abbot even came up with the idea that Black could turn into a flowering shrub. Well, at least she was right about him turning into something.

The Fat Lady's ripped canvas has been replaced by none other than Sir Cadogan and his fat grey pony. When I first heard that he was replacing her I wanted to scream. He's annoying, and I think everyone else feels the same. Sir Cadogan spends half of his time challenging people to duels, and the other half coming up with the most ridiculous passwords which he changes at least twice a day.

We can't even get someone else to replace Sir Cadogan because all the other paintings are frightened of what happened to the Fat Lady. I hope she calms down soon or so help me.

But Sir Cadogan is only the least of my worries. Harry and I are now being closely watched. Teachers find any excuse to walk along the corridors with us and Percy-probably acting on his mother's orders-has been tailing us everywhere like a pompous guard dog. I'm thirteen, why can't I be independent! I can look after myself.

Professor McGonagall even tried to stop Harry and I training for Quidditch, which I was never letting her go through with. She ended up letting us continue to practice as long as Madam Hooch oversees our training sessions.

The worst thing of all, is I still don't know who this 'Padfoot' person is. I got another letter yesterday from them saying,

Sarah,

I wish I could tell you who I am, but I cannot tell you just yet. I hope you are doing well at Hogwarts and that you are getting good grades. I wonder if you have developed a liking for Quidditch like you father, he was an exceptional Quidditch player. The same goes for your brother. I truly hope you are okay.

-Padfoot

I'm really worried about who this could be. It has to be someone who was friends with my parents. I showed Dad the letter, since he made me promise to tell him if I got any more letters, and he had the same look as he did for the first one; a look of knowing. I will bet my broomstick that he knows who this Padfoot person is, but he might be dangerous like Dad said. I'm not going to give up finding out who this is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The weather is worsening steadily as the first Quidditch match draws nearer. Undaunted, we, the Gryffindor Quidditch team, are training harder than ever, under the eye of Madam Hooch. Then, at our final training session before Saturday's game, Wood gives us some bad news.

"We're not playing Slytherin," he tells us very angrily. "Flint's just been to see me. We're playing Hufflepuff instead."

"Why?" We all chorus just as angrily. We've been training hard expecting to be against Slytherin, and now we are playing a gains tan entirely different team. I won't be surprised if Malfoy has something to do with this.

"Flint's excuse is that their Seeker's arm is still injured, as well as a broken nose," Wood says. "But it's obvious why they're doing it. Don't want to play in this weather. Think it'll damage their chances..."

"There is nothing wrong with Malfoy's arm!" Harry says furiously. "He's faking it!"

"Well, I may be the reason behind his nose..." I say grudgingly.

Wood just glares at me. "I know that, Harry, but we can't prove it," Wood says bitterly. "And we've been practicing all those moves expecting to be playing Slytherin, but instead it's Hufflepuff, and their style is quite different. They've also got a new Seeker, Cedric Diggory-"

Angelina, Katie and I all giggle. Cedric Diggory is a sixth-year Hufflepuff who is very good looking. He's tall, has soft brunette hair and a charming smile that could sweep you off your feet. As good looking as he is, I'm not really attracted.

"What?" Wood asks, frowning at the three of us.

"He's that tall, good-looking one, isn't he?" Angelina says.

"Strong and silent," Katie adds, looking at us and we burst into giggles again.

"He's only silent because he's too thick to string two words together," Fred says impatiently. "I don't know why you're so worried, Oliver, Hufflepuff are a pushover. Last time we played them Sarah caught the snitch in about five minutes, remember?"

"We were playing in entirely different conditions, then!" Wood shouts. "Diggory's put a very strong side together! He's an excellent Seeker! We can't just slack off! We have to stay focused and ready for this match! Slytherin are trying to wrong-foot us! We must win!"

"Oliver," I say. "Calm down, we won't slack off."

"We're taking Hufflepuff very seriously. Seriously." Fred adds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the Friday afternoon, before the match, the wind is howling and the rain is falling harder than ever. It's so dark, that the halls and classrooms have been lit with extra torches and lanterns. Malfoy and the Slytherin Quidditch team are looking very smug at their 'success' in not playing tomorrow. I'll prove them wrong by winning, I swear.

Wood keeps pestering me in the halls on the way to classes, giving me tips.

"Olivier," I say the third time he does this. "I'm late for class!"

I race as quickly as I can to the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom, hoping Dad's substitute(he's sick with his, wolfy-problem) will let me off.

Turns out his substitute is Snape. Great.

"Sorry I'm late Professor," I say, panting, as I enter the classroom.

"This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, that'll be ten points from Gryffindor. Sit." Snape says, glaring as I walk slowly over to a desk where Bonnie is sitting alone.

"Why does he have to substitute for Dad?" I ask her, angrily pulling my notebook out of my bag.

"I dunno, I hoped it would be someone like, McGonagall or something."

"Really? McGongall teaching Defence? Think again-"

"Miss Potter, do you have something to share with the class?" Snape sneers, glaring at me.

I stare at him.

"Well?"

"No, sir," I say.

"That'll be another five points from Gryffindor. If you interrupt me again it'll be fifty."

I glare back at him.

Git.

"As I was saying before Potter interrupted, Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far-"

"Please, sir, we've done Boggarts, Red Caps, Kappas and Grindylows," Hermione says quickly, with her hand in the air. "And we're just about to start-"

"Be quiet," Snape snaps at her coldly. "I did not ask for this information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organisation."

I clench my fists. How dare he call Dad slack, when Snape can't even explain how to make a simple potion to us.

"Lupin is hardly over-taxing you - I would expect first-years to be able to deal with Red Caps and Grindylows. Today we shall discuss-"

I watch as Snape flicks through the textbook right to the back to the stuff we haven't studied yet.

"-werewolves."

I stare at him. Werewolves? I wonder what...I see, he's trying to get us to figure out what is happening with Dad. The prat, he just wants Dad fired.

"But, sir," Hermione says, unable to restrain herself. "We're not supposed to do werewolves yet, we're due to start Hinkypunks-"

"Miss Granger," Snape says in a deadly calm voice. "I was under the impression that I was taking this lesson, not you. And I am telling you to turn to page three hundred and ninety-four," he glances around the room when no one moves. "All of you! Now!"

I sigh angrily as I bend down and get my textbook out of my bag. I silently turn to page three hundred and ninety-four like we were instructed.

"Which of you can tell me how to distinguish a werewolf from a true wolf?" Snape asks.

Everyone sits, motionless, while Hermione, Bonnie and I raise our hands. I glance at Bonnie. Of course we know.

"Anyone?" Snape says, ignoring our raised hands. His familiar, twisted smile plastered on his face. "Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between-"

"We told you," Amy says suddenly. "We haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on-"

"Silence!" Snape snarls. "Well, well, well, I never thought I'd meet a third-year class who wouldn't even recognise a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a note to Professor Dumbledore on how far behind you all are..."

"Professor," I say, anger pulsing through me. "Clearly at least three of us know, why don't you just ask us without making out that we know nothing."

"Another fifty points from Gryffindor, Miss Potter," Snape says glaring. "Also, detention."

I glare at Snape. I've done too much glaring this lesson, the effect is almost wearing off.

"You asked us a question and they knew the answer! Why ask if you don't want to be told?" Ron says loudly.

Ron has gone too far. He's surely going to get detention as well. Or probably a hundred points taken off him.

"Detention, Weasley," Snape says silkily, his face very close to Ron's. "And if I ever hear you criticise the way I teach again, you will be very sorry indeed."

"Did you just threaten him, Professor?" I say, unable to contain myself.

"Potter!" Snape shouts. "Hold your tongue! Detention for a month, no exceptions!"

I start to shake with anger. He can't just do that! I get why I've got detentions, but he should not be allowed to threaten students. Someone has to say something about him!

For the rest of the lesson, we take notes on werewolves-even though I don't need to know anything more-silently from the textbook. Snape prowls up and down the desks, going through the work we've done with Dad.

"Very poorly explained...that is incorrect, the Kappa is more commonly found in Mongolia...Professor Lupin gave it an eight out of ten? I wouldn't have given it a three..."

When the bell goes at last, Snape holds us back. What does he want now?

"You will each write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways you recognise and kill werewolves. I want two rolls of parchment on the subject, and it is to be handed into me by Monday morning. Potter, Weasley, stay behind, we need to arrange your detentions."

As the rest of the class leaves the classroom in a hurry, Ron and I make our way over to Snape, who has a cruel smile on his face.

"Mr Weasley, you will spend you detention up in the Hospital Wing cleaning out bedpans-"

That's not too bad, at least that's easy, he could do it with magic. I wonder what my detentions will be...

"-without magic," Snape adds with a cold smile.

Ron glares daggers at Snape. Poor Ron, cleaning out bed pans is one thing, but without magic...that's a whole other story.

"Now, Miss Potter..." Snape says, smirking. "You will spend your detentions with me, cleaning get out my cupboards. Both in my office and public storeroom. Come to my office at eight-thirty tomorrow evening to start. Mr Weasley, be at the Hospital Wing at eight o'clock. You are dismissed."

Clenching my fists, Ron and I leave the classroom. Harry, Hermione, Bonnie and Amy are all waiting outside for us.

"Whoa, Sarah," Amy says. "What did he do? You look like you could kill someone."

"If that person is Snape, then you're correct," I say through gritted teeth.

"Do you know what that-" (Ron calls Snape something that makes Hermione say "Ron!") "- is making me do? I've got to scrub bedpans in the Hospital Wing. Without magic!" He says, about as angrily as I feel right now.

"I have to clean out the cupboards in his office and the public storeroom!" I say. "That is not going to take me a month! That's going to take two years! Have you seen that storeroom? I can't even imagine what his office is like."

"It's not that tidy, to be honest..." Harry says.

"Ugh!" I say, clenching my fists even harder so that my knuckles turn white. "If only Black had hidden in Snape's office, then he could've finished him off for us!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N

I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING FOR OVER A MONTH GUYS!

Ok, so if you are following me, I sent out some updates saying how I was in exams and it make take a few weeks to update. I've finished me exams, and I only just found time to actually write(I've also been a tad bit busy). So, here's the update.

I'm so happy with this chapter actually, it's shorter so I hope you guys like that. I got a few comments about the length *cough* Prettylittlekisses *cough* but I hope this is better.

Hopefully I will be back to normal with updating(even though I'm pretty bad anyway, I'll try harder to get the chapters out quicker) so expect another chapter like next week or so.

Peace out guys, love ya!

~Elise