"Can't wait to get back," Harry said.

"Ditto mate," Ron replied. His eyes were glued to the car window.

Hermione smiled "Can't believe it's third year already. Oh, there'll be so much to learn, and our new classes and everything!"

"Calm down," Ron said, batting a hand at her. "You're making me nervous Hermione. And anyway," he turned away from the window, "How're you honestly gonna handle all those new classes? You've got about a million of 'em!"

"Not a million Ron , and I'll be fine. It's just…"

As the two of them bickered, Harry glanced behind Ron's back and looked through the window. Finally, after that dreadful summer, he was going back to Hogwarts for his third year. Excitement leapt about in his chest at the thought. He was going home.

He continued to stare out the window as his two friends continued to bicker. Once tired of looking at the identical-looking streets and cars, Harry looked round the rest of the ministry vehicle. Fred and George were at the other end, while Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat in front beside the driver. Harry tried to turn in his seat to look at the ministry car driving behind, but couldn't turn far enough without undoing the buckle. He'd just have to wait till when they got out.

After what felt like forever, they finally made it to King's Cross. The driver parked in the lot, then got out to remove their stuff from the trunk. Harry, Hermione, and half the Weasley family got out, as the other half and Lupin exited the car parked next to theirs.

"Right on time," said Lupin, examining his watch. He smiled at Harry, who grinned back at his godfather. They'd only met two years ago, at the hut the Dursley had rented when their house had been attacked by a hundred letters, but in that short space of time, Lupin had become almost a surrogate father to him. And (though he'd never asked), he was sure that Lupin felt the same.

"C'mon, we better get moving," barked Mr. Weasley. "It's just fifteen minutes before the train leaves."

The drivers took the luggage and went inside to get trolleys. The rest of the party walked a bit more slowly to the entrance. As they walked, Ron and Hermione still arguing, Harry glanced at the grassy circular area in front of the station. There was a stone statue on it, a great hunk of granite in the shape of a dog. And between its paws, was a large, shaggy black dog. This sight wasn't a surprise to Harry, who'd seen the dog there the other times he had ventured through King's Cross. But now, with Ron and Hermione babbling like a pair of budgies and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arguing and Fred, George and Ginny ganging up on Percy, he fancied a break from the group and walked towards the animal.

"Harry!" cried Mrs. Weasley, "Hurry up! We haven't much time until the train leaves. And that dog's probably laden with disease."

"Don't worry," Harry called after her. "I won't be long. And I won't touch it."

"Well alright. But don't dawdle."

Everyone made their way into the station except for Lupin, who moved towards Harry and the dog.

It was quite a sad sight, Harry thought, that dog. Its thick black fur was dull and matted, and streaked liberally with grey. Though quite large, Harry spotted rib and hip bones straining against its skin with each breath. When it yawned, the few teeth it had, all yellow and rotten, stood out strongly against its dark body. Harry backed up as the dog made to stand, but its legs wobbled and fell back down. It didn't try getting up again, instead glaring at them with milky-blue eyes. Could it even see them?

Apparently it could, or at least its sense of smell was stronger than its eyes. Its snout twitched in Harry's direction, then moved lamely towards Lupin. After getting their scents, it groaned and closed its eyes.

"Poor guy," Harry said.

"Yes," said Lupin quietly. He held his hand it the dog's nose. Its nostrils bulged and it breathed in Lupin's scent a few times. Harry was quite surprised to hear the feeble thump of its tail. Once it was completely still again, Lupin removed his hand. He got to his feet.

"C'mon Harry," he said. "We don't want to be late."

Standing up as well, Harry followed him into the station.

A few hours later, Sirius woke up top pain in his stomach. His stomach was always paining him now, growling and twisting in anticipation of food that rarely came his way. Fewer people seemed to leave him any. Maybe they were anticipating what he was, that no food would save him from what would come.

Sirius yawned and looked around. He didn't seem much; cataracts had long ago taken most of his vision. He sighed. His body ached, he couldn't move; everything was fading. It was just a matter of tike before…

He licked his lips. Though barely able to see them, he'd smelled two people, both of whom smelled somewhat familiar. The younger boy—Sirius wasn't sure, but somehow he knew that boy. But from where? His scent reminded him of James's, somehow…

And the older one, his scent. Familiar, but again, how? Someone he knew from awhile ago, someone he didn't expect to scent ever again. Who?

Sirius yawned and closed his eyes. All this thinking was too much for him

Hey guys, so so sorry this is late again. I'll try to get the last chapter up soon. Sorry this wasn't much after such a long wait.