Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor do I make any money off of this. (and right now I could use the money.)

Bad Author Notes: I’m not a cruel person. I’m just evil.

Unfortunately do to time restraints and a 5-yr. old my posting will be irregular. I will try to post as soon as a chapter is finish. And yes I will finish this series.



Return to Hogwarts

By Lady FoxFire

Jan 1, 2001



The Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry buzzed with gossip about the huge black dog and Professor Snapes’ strange behavior.

"Do you think that was Snuffles?" Ron asked, around a mouthful of food.

Just before Hermione was able to answer, and chew him out about his revolting manners, Professor Snape came in marching at swift pace. All eyes turned and followed him as he marched up to the head table and whispered something into Professor Dumbledore's ear.

With a grim nod, Dumbledore stood and faced his students. "Attention please," Dumbledore said, as he looked at those assembled in the hall. "Due to an emergency, I need all students to return to their towers immediately."

The Great Hall was as silent as a tomb as echoes of Dumbledore's words faded; suddenly the room erupted into noise as everyone began to gather their stuff and move to their towers. The question on everyone's tongue was ‘what was the emergency?’

"I bet it concern...."

"...Potter wasn't...."

"Maybe it's that mad man."

"...Black or it's about You Know..."

Hermione and Ron fought through the river of students flowing out the door as they made their way to the head table. "Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione said when they reached the headmaster.

Dumbledore turn and looked sadly down at the two children. Laying a hand upon each of their shoulders, he gently turned them around. "Not now. Once I have any news, I'll tell you," he said kindly as he shooed them toward their tower.

"Professor McGonagall," the headmaster said as he watched Weasley and Granger join the other students as the crowd of children flowed out of the hall. "Make sure those two are in the Gryffindor tower tonight, then join me at the hospital wing."

"I understand, sir." McGonagall said with a nod. "But couldn't you tell us what this emergency is?"

Dumbledore shocked his head sadly. "Not yet, Minerva. For the safety of all in this school, I have to find out how bad it is." With that, Dumbledore walked out of the Great Hall.

*****

Dumbledore opened the courtyard door to the Hogwarts grounds and waited. Within a few minutes a huge black hound bounded across the open grass with a grimy white form floating closely behind. The hound came to stop just a few feet from the headmaster. The dog looked up anxiously at the old wizard, a strangely human expression of worry in its eyes.

"Welcome back, Sirius." Dumbledore said, as he moved so that the huge black dog and floating body of Harry Potter could enter. "But I wish it was under better circumstances."

Dumbledore looked down at the boy’s sleeping face. The purpling bruises stood out lividly against his pale skin. “If I had known, I would have taken him out of that house long ago.” Dumbledore said more to himself as they walked down the empty halls towards the hospital wing. “But all the owls he had sent gave the impression that things were fine. I should have checked on him.”