The Serpent's Thirst

Crookshanks waddled past them, carrying one of his offspring by the scruff of its fluffy neck. Harry noticed that the kitten was Buster. He

The Gryffindor common room seemed much bigger and grander when there weren't as many people in it. The furnishings were a rich red, the gold trimmings glittered magnificently in the firelight. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand harder as she reached the opposite wall. There

"How ... how the ... why didn't?" Harry was in shock. "How didn't I know about this?"

Hermione giggled. "Hold your socks tight Harry. I only found out about this place yesterday, when I happened to see a seventh year walking out of this secret door with his girlfriend."

Harry nodded with a cheeky grin on his face. "Okay ... just wanted to keep it to yourself for future purposes. Right, then?" Harry winked.

"Like this occasion ... Honestly!" Hermione turned around, her hair tumbling over her shoulder so quickly that it hit Harry in the face.

Hermione held her wand out when the door opened. "Lumos," she whispered into the darkness. She walked through, pulling Harry in after her by his collar

Where the light of her wand tip didn't penetrate, the room lay in darkness. Harry turned around and closed the door. As soon as it had

"We just have to blow the light out for the door to reappear," Hermione whispered seeing the astonished look on Harry's face. He nodded, following her up a narrow flight

After several minutes of climbing, they finally reached a landing. Harry huffed, a twinge of pain rippled in his chest, and he had to stop. Hermione spun around, helping him up the last few steps.

Hermione slid across the cold ground and stopped by the open arched window, grasping the corners of the windowsill. Harry watched as the wind lifted her hair back, showing her entire face. The soft red glow of dawn light painted her face. Hermione closed her eyes, her head held high. She breathed the crisp, cold air, enjoying feeling the tranquillity of the moment.

Harry stood still in the darkness, content just to watch her be in her peaceful presence. He realised

Hermione's eyes flew open. He saw her gracefully outstretch her hand to welcome him. Moving towards her, Harry brushed up against her on his way to the window.

Hermione welcomed him. She

The large red sun peeped silently over the mountains, surrounding the second largest wizarding town in Britain. It was wonderful to be in Hermione's arms to have witnessed such a beautiful scene.

It was the world, they knew, brightening for a new day.

***

Sirius ran his fingers through his hair, scowling. The bright morning sunshine was not helping him wake up. His morning cup of coffee was also failing. The happy chirping of the sparrows outside the window only made him feel groggier and very irritated. If the birds kept up their annoyance, he would have no choice but to throw something at the tree outside the window.

He should have never stayed up so late reading The Magical Predicaments of the Imprisonment of Innocent Wizards. Tonks had given him the book. He had become deeply immersed in the detailed stories and studies, because there had been so many things in the book which he could sympathise.

Hearing a muffled knock from the front door of Black Manor, all the way across the house.. The scurry of little feet told him that Epona, the young house-elf, was answering the knock. Sirius heard the click of the door and a well-known voice asking for him. He recognised Remus Lupin's voice, and Sirius stood up intending to meet his best friend midway.

"Ahh, Moony ... nice to see you. How are you?" Sirius smiled, clapping Remus on the shoulder.

"I'm good. How about you Wuffle-Fluffes?"

"Shut your gob," Sirius warned. "Next time I hear that nickname - either from you or Harry - I might transfigure you into a bloody toad."

"Talking like a typical fairytale witch. Lovely touch! I think this new home life is changing you for the worse," Remus laughed, not troubling to hide his sarcasm.

Sirius scoffed, because his mind was so completely boggled from his late night that he couldn't seem to think of a brilliant comeback. He gave up, waving his hand and walking into the kitchen. Remus followed his best friend.

Sirius sat down and sighed heavily. "So. What did you want to talk about?" he said, Epona carrying tea and biscuits to Remus' side. Her tongue poked out while she carefully placed the tray on the table.

"Dumbledore sent me," Remus answered before taking a sip of his tea.

Sirius' mood changed instantly and placed his hands on the table, leaning forward a little in worry. "Is Harry all right? Dumbledore would've sent me a mess-"

"Harry's fine," Remus said calmly, and Sirius relaxed. "This has nothing to do with Harry or Voldemort ... how is Harry, by the way?" he asked.

Sirius avoided looking directly at his best friend. "He's having a lot of nightmares, different scenes - especially the Cottage over the summer."

"That's to be expected. He's been through a lot. It'll take a while for him to heal."

"He'll never heal, not until everything is over," Sirius said slowly. "So, what did you want to tell me?"

"Dumbledore wants me to persuade you to take up the Defence Against the Dark Arts position."

Sirius tensed up quickly. Fully absorbing Remus' words. He cringed, making his face resemble an ugly pug. "Absolutely not!" he spat.

"Hmm, I knew it ... I told Dumbledore that you would reject it." Remus shook his head, then drained the tea. "Think about it Sirius. No one wants it. They don't want to-"

"So you ask the last resort?"

"You were never the last resort, you idiot! We knew that you would never take up the position in the first place, with Harry sick and with your new house," Remus answered, then mischievously added. "Don't worry about it, Sirius. Stage fright is entirely normal, you know."

"WHAT?" Sirius burst out. "Are you saying that I'm scared to teach?"

Remus shrugged, fighting back a grin, and the house-elf covered her mouth to disguise a fit of giggles. "Face the facts, Sirius. You were never really good at standing in front of a class and yelling out a curse or whatnot. Except in the presence of girls!" He smiled. Sirius looked annoyed and muttered under his breath.

Remus continued. "You'll be near Harry, Sirius. Think about it

"I'll think about it," Sirius answered reluctantly.

***

Harry stopped in the very middle of the hospital wing, running his fingers through his wild hair. The sterile smell of the quiet room lingered in his nostrils and he pondered where Madam Pomfrey was. Every bed was empty as his eyes moved around the wing.

"Potter."

Harry's heart skipped a beat and pain immediately engulfed him. He cringed, rubbing his chest vigorously. "Madam Pomfrey?" he croaked. Her voice had startled him.

Harry saw Madam Pomfrey stare with a straight, unwelcoming face, with her arms crossed. She

"I'm sorry if I scared you," Madam Pomfrey

"How long will this check-up take?" Harry questioned as

"As long as it needs to take," Madam Pomfrey replied, lifting up a clean white cloth and dabbling it in a green potion.

Harry lay down, feeling the cold tickle his bare flesh. He was comfortable. He was staring upward when he caught sight of Madam Pomfrey leaning over him with the cloth and green bottle in her hands.

"Here ... breathe this in." Madam Pomfrey placed the cloth over his mouth. Harry looked at it with bulging eyes, questions forming in his mind. "It'll take the pain away, Potter," she answered, removing the dressings over his wounds.

Harry gently pressed the cloth over his mouth and nose and breathed in onion-scented air. He winced in the initial seconds as Madam Pomfrey set to work, but after another few breaths through the onion-smelling cloth, he felt no pain whatsoever. Harry lifted his head, watching her apply an orange paste to

"Is it much better?" he asked, his voice muffled by the cloth.

Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Nearly all healed ... two more days and hopefully I will never have to see you again!"

Harry marvelled at the intricately detailed ceiling as the matron reapplied the dressings, when he heard footsteps. He turned his head to see Hermione approaching,

"Miss Granger, as you can see, I am dealing with a patient. Please wait outside the screen," the matron said in deep displeasure.

Hermione wasn't thwarted by the sinister look on the matron's face. The huge smile remained on her face, adding to Harry's impatience.

"What? Hermione tell me," Harry pleaded.

"You never guess - Oh my goodness! I'm so happy! You're going to be so happy!"

"Miss Granger! Did you not hear me?"

Hermione opened her mouth to tell Harry her news when Madam Pomfrey angrily steered Hermione out of his sight. Harry lay back down. Deprived of the news, he lay impatiently on the bed until the matron had finished.

After the nurse finished her work, Hermione ran back by his side and helped him dress. She trembled happily, unable to control herself any longer. "Ron nearly choked on his lunch when we found out."

"I knew I shouldn't have missed out on lunch. Tell me, is it the new Defence Professor?" he urged as Hermione helped him button his shirt.

"Yeah! And I'm the new teacher," someone else answered the question. It was a familiar voice to Harry and he gasped.

"Si-Sirius ..." Harry stuttered. He was overwhelmed by the news and saw Ron standing beside Sirius, holding his briefcase for him, grinning broadly. Harry hopped off the bed and hugged his godfather. "That's great news," he chortled. He was enormously glad to see him.

"Come on, I told Dumbledore that you three would show me to my office." Sirius' chest swelled with pride. He looked up at Madam Pomfrey. "How is he?"

"Better. Oh and try not to run or do any strenuous activity Potter. You are not to play Quidditch for a couple of weeks still," she warned. Madam Pomfrey waved her hand in dismissal and left them in peace.

Harry, Ron and Hermione showed Sirius the way to his office. The Sunday afternoon was cool but pleasant. Outside of the castle, many students were visiting the lake and chatting, while others were having a go at Quidditch on the pitch. Still, others were sitting down under trees reading books or finishing up on their homework.

They entered Sirius' office and sleeping quarters. The room was bare of belongings, except for the furniture the school provided. Harry spotted Sirius' trunk lying neatly before them.

Hermione stood beside Harry and Ron, beaming. She wanted to stay with them and chat with Sirius, but suddenly remembered

"All right. I'll see you then, Hermione." Sirius, Ron and Harry

"So ... Harry, Ron, how are things?" Sirius slowly asked in a more serious tone, throwing his cloak over an armchair. Harry smiled weakly, glancing quickly

"Oh, fine, fine. Getting along," Ron said, scratching his fiery head. Harry nodded, walking around the room. Ron had let go of Hermione and their former relationship, but it would take a while for him to completely accept the situation.

Sirius opened his trunk and began pulling things out, handing them over to Harry so he could help get things organised. "I'm happy that you three have patched up. There would be nothing worse than losing the friendship you three have. Never ever, think otherwise ... have you got

They both bowed their heads, nodding. Sirius sighed. Harry understood what Sirius had suffered. Sirius had lost three very close friends in his lifetime: Harry's mum and dad; Lily and James, and his father's friend, Peter. Three wonderful friends had been taken from godfather, because the Dark Lord had slithered in between them.

As Sirius handed some textbooks over to Harry, he gazed at Harry. The emotion of loss evident in Sirius' eyes. "Er, Sirius, everything all right?" Harry asked

Sirius

Ron raised his eyebrows. "Sirius, er, sir," he corrected himself, wincing. He wasn't sure if he should call Sirius,

"Thanks Ron. Took a little bit of nudging from Remus to get me to take the job. But

"Yes!" Harry and Ron chorused.

Harry and Ron sat themselves down in armchairs

"She's like her brother isn't she?" Sirius asked bitterly.

"Very much. Worse, maybe," Ron said darkly, tapping his fingers on the plush arms of the red seat. He frowned at Harry. "She's already taken off fifty points from Gryffindor because of Harry."

Sirius shook his head, giving Harry a sympathetic look. "What did you do?"

"Just being Harry Potter, I guess," Harry replied gloomily. Truthfully, he thought that she might resent him, might feel

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door and it creaked open. The three of them rose from their seats to welcome Professor Snape. Sirius had a distinct scowl on his face, but Harry and Ron tried to keep their faces straight, hoping that she had not heard anything they had said about her. Harry had the impression that if Sirius had transfigured into a dog just then, he would probably be barking and growling at her, nearly in attack mode.

"Ahhh ... good afternoon, Morganna," Sirius said, smoothly hiding whatever emotions he was feeling, as though he was afraid they might lash out at her.

So that's her name, Harry thought.

Tension gripped them all, and Harry found himself shivering at in

"The same to you, Sirius." She gave a tiny nod, her hands behind her back, displaying her exquisite robes of black with silver. Embroidered

"I- I think we better go, Sirius. I have that thing with Dumbledore in half an hour," Harry spoke at last. He didn't utter a word about Occlumency unless he was alone with his friends. He felt an uncomfortable lump in his throat as he said those words, remembering Occlumency lessons with the Potions Mistress' brother.

Harry walked over towards the door, Ron right behind, desperate to leave the situation before it exploded in their faces.

"No, no stay

"No thank you, I won't be here for long," she coolly replied.

Sirius raised his eyebrows in question, and she moved towards him. Professor Snape was a dominating woman. Her aura filled the entire room with an eerie foreboding. Still, somehow she was very feminine in the way she moved. It was

"I want to deliver a message," Professor Snape stated gravely. She was tantalising Sirius the way her eyelashes swooped down and up, and the way her blue eyes trailed over Sirius' figure. Harry gulped in foreboding because he didn't like what he was seeing.

"What is it?" Sirius finally asked. Ron and Harry watched in silence, holding in their breath.

The Potions Mistress raised her head, so that their eyes met. She was nearly as tall as Sirius was. Breathing in deeply with a lazy expression on her face, Professor Snape pulled her hand back. With the sound of rushing wind, her hand went up and --

SMACK!

Professor Snape's hand lashed Sirius' cheek. He stumbled back, placing his cool hand over his face, standing against the bookcase in shock. Sirius panted, and Harry saw the Potions Mistress sneer in

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?" Sirius shouted.

Ron and Harry were stunned, still as stone statues, staring open-mouthed at Sirius and Professor Snape.

"I've always wanted to do that," the Potions Mistress said sweetly, as if there was nothing wrong with what she had done. She brushed back her sleek black hair and continued. "That, Black, was for nearly killing my brother when he was at school,

Sirius looked angry. Harry guessed Sirius even felt