A Wonder

“H-help!” She screamed and he rushed toward her. She took equal rushed steps backwards but didn’t calculate for the wide open archways. Her final step was to far and her back hit the railing to hard. She flipped backward over the rail and was just to slow to grab it again. 

A cold hand grabbed her wrist tightly as she dangled over the side. Sirius looked at her, genuine concern covered his face. He pulled hard and she clamored back over the railing.

As soon as she was over she crawled away from him. 

“W-why did you… I—“ 

“are you hurt?” He asked.

“No.. no but why, why did you…” she was so confused. “What are you doing here?!” 

“I wanted.. wanted to see you.” He said.

“Liar! You’re here to hurt Harry aren’t you! Here to kill him!”

“No!” He yelled back and she flinched. “I— you wouldn’t understand! I’m not going to hurt Harry I’m looking… for someone else.” 

“You expect me to believe that! You broke into his dorm! You stabbed the fat lady! You’re a murder!” She yelled. 

“I’m not.” He said simply and something in his tone made her hesitate. “It wasn’t me, I would never… James and Lily were my best friends…”

She didn’t say anything.

“I would never have let them get hurt… I didn’t even know where they were I… I never would have… left you behind Ryleigh.” He said and she stiffened.

“You’re a lair. My mother told me! She told me you were dangerous and a murder and everyone knows you killed all those people!” She shouted. “Help!!!” She screamed again, this time to fast for him to stop her. 

Sirius shook his head and transformed once again into the dog before running down the stairs and disappearing.

She left her things behind and ran full speed toward Snapes office. 

When she got there she barged right in without knocking, she was out of breathe and panting hard in the doorway when Snape and Dumbledore both turned to look at her. 

“I—“ she panted.

“What is the meaning of this Ms Walsh.” He said harshly and Dumbledore silenced him.

“You told— me that— I should— come to you if he … ever came to me …” she said. 

Snapes eyes widened and he walked over to her, leaving Dumbledore confused behind them. 

“Sit.” The man said and she followed him to a chair.

“Who are you referring to Ms Walsh?” Dumbledore asked and she looked at him.

“Sirius Black sir. He was here, in the Astronomy tower.” Both men stood guarded. 

“What did he do? What did he say?” 

“He… he said he isn’t going to hurt Harry… he said he was looking for someone else… he…” her face paled then. 

“He’s an animagus. A black dog.” She said. 

Dumbledore nodded, “explains how he was able to get around undetected.” The two men nodded together.

“Where did he go?” Snape asked.

“I don’t.. I don’t know he just ran off.” She said.

“Severus, tell Filch to search the grounds, I’m fairly certain we needn’t alarm the other students. Ms Walsh, thank you for alerting us.” Dumbledore said and took his leave. 

“Are you hurt at all?” Snape asked. 

“No…” she said back and he nodded, standing and following Dumbledore out. 

She was left alone and stayed that way for a few moments before she took a deep breath and wondering back to Gryffindor tower. 

When she entered Ginny was sitting in the common room reading a book by the fire. 

“Hey” she said as Ryleigh walked in and sat beside her. 

“Hi”

“Where you been? Up in the tower?” She asked without looking up. 

“Can you come with me to get my things?” Ryleigh asked quietly and Ginny looked up at her. 

She looked upset no doubt and she was holding her wrist as it was beginning to ache where he’d grabbed her to stop her falling. 

“What happened?” Ginny asked. 

“Um..” Ryleigh said, “I don’t think they want anyone to know…” she said.

Ginny sat up straight and left the book on the couch. 

“Where are your things?” She asked instead of pressing for more information.

“The astronomy tower…” 

“Do you want me to get them for you? You can stay here I don’t mind…” 

“No- no you shouldn’t go alone..” Ryleigh said and followed Ginny to standing. 

“Alright” said the red head, she took Ryleigh’s arm in her own and led them out past the fat lady and down the halls.

“So you said they don’t want you to say anything.” Ginny said quietly as they walked. “Who’s they?”

“Dumbledore and Snape.”

“Okay so thethey.”

Ryleigh laughed but it was cold and detached. 

“Remember when we were going everywhere together?” Ryleigh asked quietly after a few moments of silence.

“Yeah” Ginny said back.

“Let’s go back to that…” Ryleigh asked.

“Sounds good. No problem. You know if you did wanna talk about it i won’t tell anyone.”

“I know… and I will. I’m just… confused right now…” 

The rest of the walk was silent between them. They made it to the top of the tower and Ryleigh gathered her things, while Ginny looked around to make sure she hadn’t left anything. 

“Sirius came up here.” Ryleigh said and Ginny stopped, turned to face Ryleigh and listened. 

“He didn’t do anything though.. he just… rambled… about how he wasn’t trying to hurt Harry and how he wouldn’t have left me… but he— he did leave me. And he is trying to hurt Harry so…” 

“Maybe… maybe he thinks he isn’t but… I don’t know, actions speak louder than words.” Ginny said. 

“Yeah…” Ryleigh whispered, “let’s get out of here.” 

Xx

“In your third year each student will take two elective courses in addition to your core studies. You have to choice between the following,” McGonagall said as the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students sat in transfiguration. “Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Muggle Studies, and Study of Ancient Runes.”

Then she began walking about the class handing each student a parchment.

“If you would please write which two classes you’d like to take on this parchment and then hand them up to the front for collection before you leave.” 

Ginny slid her chair closer to Ryleigh and Luna  with a loud scrape across the floor much to McGonagalls displeasure.

“I’m thinking divination” Luna said. 

Ginny groaned, “it’s all nonsense.” 

“Says you.” Luna said back happily, writing in her flowing scrawl ‘Divination’ and ‘Care of Magical Creatures’

“I think Care of Magical Creatures does sound good though.” Ginny agreed and wrote the same. “What about you Ryleigh? I asked Hermione and she suggested Arithmancy.”

“Professor McGonagall?” Luna asked.

“Yes dear?” Said the Professor as she approached the group.

“Can we take three electives?”

“So long as they don’t overlap and you feel you can handle the course load.”

Luna nodded and added ‘study of ancient runes’ to her list. 

“Oh Ms Walsh, I’d like to speak with you for a moment.” McGonagall said and Ryleigh nodded, standing and walking with the Professor over to her desk. 

“Professor Snape has offered a potions work study in place of an elective for you if you were to be interested. Similar to what you did this year with him however, and I quote, ‘More consistent and regimented’.” 

Ryleigh raised her eyebrows, “just me?”

“Professor Snape has seen some skill within you Ms. Walsh. I suggest you don’t waste such an opportunity.”

Ryleigh nodded, “of course. Yes. I- I would love it Professor.”

“You will still need to choose another elective and hand in your parchment.” 

Ryleigh thanked her and made her way back to her friends.

“What did she want?” Ginny asked.

“Snape offered me a work study sort of thing?” 

Luna smiled wide, “congratulations!” She said and hugged the dark haired girl. 

Ginny smiled though less enthused, “that’s really cool Ry.” 

“What do you think then? Care of magical creatures?” She asked and they nodded. 

Xx

She begrudgingly attended the final quidditch match of the year with Ginny and Luna, both who were clad in Gryffindor team accessories. They cheered loudly and Ryleigh had to admit she let herself get invested by halfway through the match. 

Gryffindor won and the crowd boomed with excitement. 

A few short weeks later exams had begun and she hadn’t seen Sirius again. 

She felt confident about her transfiguration exam, and even more so after she received a smirk from McGonagall on the way out. 

Her charms exam was simple enough but she wasn’t sure about the last question. 

Herbology she was confident in if for no other reason than they were potions ingredients. 

History of magic on the other hand never could keep her attention and she was feeling less than stellar about that exam by the end of the week. 

Despite her affection for the astronomy tower in itself she was not as adept at astronomy as a subject and thus was less sure of her grade for that class. 

Defense against the dark arts seemed to be a natural subject for her as well and she left her final exam with confidence.

After the class she and Ginny went to meet Luna as she exited her Herbology exam, and as they had talked about they stayed together.

“Astronomy tower?” Ryleigh asked and the other two girls nodded. 

They made their way up as the sun was beginning to set a soft blue light left over in the air as the moon had yet to emerge. 

“How do you think you did in defense?” Ryleigh asked them and Ginny smiled.

“Pretty good, though Lupin was being odd.” Ryleigh agreed he had seemed nervous and eager to be finished. 

“I heard they’re going to execute Buckbeak today…” Luna said and they looked to her. 

“Who’s buckbeak?” Ryleigh asked quietly like she should know but didn’t. 

“That hippogryph that hurt Draco in the beginning of the year.”

“Oh…” Ryleigh said, “poor Hagrid.” 

Luna nodded and looked out onto the grounds she could see Hermione Ron and Harry out by Hagrid a hut, and she seemed to also be able to see Harry and Hermione behind the hut, hiding. 

“oh look, there are two Harry’s…” she said softly and Ginny and Ryleigh looked at each other worried. They stood and moved to Lunas side. 

“He’s gone now it’s just the one.” Luna explained. 

Ryleigh could see Harry and Hermione chasing after Ron who was getting very close to the whomping willow. Then from the brush she could see the black dog emerge. 

“It’s him!” She shouted and the other two girls jumped. 

She didn’t wait to explain anything further she just turned and ran down the steps. She stopped at the first Professor she could find,  Snape who was walking quickly down the hall.

“Professor! I saw him, he’s out by the whomping willow with Harry Ron and Hermione!” He snapped his head in her direction and was about to respond when Ginny and Luna came running after her. 

“He’s taken Ron! Into a hole under the tree!” Ginny said frantically. 

“Stay in the castle. All of you.” He said sternly and then turned to run down the hall. 

Ryleigh bit her lip harshly but knew better then to defy the order. She took Ginny and Lunas hand and led them back up to the tower where at least they could watch.

When they arrived they could see Professor Lupin climb down into the hole. 

“How’d he know?” Ginny asked and the other girls shrugged. 

A few moments of silence before Snape emerged and followed them all into the hole. 

What felt like an eternity passed as they waited. Then finally they could see Ron being helped out of the hole by… Sirius? 

“What?” Ryleigh asked not expecting a response. Harry and Hermione sat tending to the red haired boy before Harry made his way over to Sirius and began speaking with him. 

“What in the bloody hell is going on!?” She asked.

“Maybe he was telling the truth to you Ry…” Luna suggested.

They continued to watch. As Lupin came out with a man they didn’t recognize. 

“Where’s Snape?” She asked.

But then the moon came around the corner of the mountain and Lupin stared up at it. 

Sirius made it way to the Professor, speaking to him but it dod nothing as they watched him transformed before their eyes into a literal werewolf.

“What on earth goes on at this school!” She shouted. 

He moved to attack them but Sirius jumped in the way, fighting he threw the black dog away and Ryleigh gasped. He was approaching the kids then, just as Snape stepped out and began to move toward Harry, until he turned around and spread his arms protectively in front of the trio. 

“Oh my god…” they seemed to whisper together absolutely transfixed on the situation. 

Sirius was back, and Harry ran after them. Snape held Hermione back. Something happened then but the three girls couldn’t have told anyone what it was that caused the werewolf ran off, Harry running then after Sirius.

“Do you think they’re okay?” Ginny asked.

“Should we tell someone?” Ryleigh asked.

They all stared at each other for a long time. 

“Do you… think maybe he was telling the truth?” Ryleigh asked and Luna smiled softly at her.

“I think so.” The blonde said.

“I think it would be worth listening to him at least.” Ginny said.

Xx

They decided it would be best to mind their business on the subject and let the professors deal with whatever it was that was going on. 

Ginny and Ryleigh had walked Luna back to her common room and then made their way back to Gryffindor tower where they were sat when Harry and Hermione entered. The two were covered in dirt and scrapes, they looked tired but absolutely thrilled. 

“What the hells gone on?” Ginny shouted as soon as they entered. 

Hermione shushed her even though everyone else had gone to bed long ago.

“Come on Ginny, I’ll tell you.” Ginny looked to Ryleigh then Hermione and Harry.

“Harry needs to talk with Ryleigh.” Hermione explained.

Ryleigh was oddly nervous. Two years of school together and she’d really only had a few conversations with Harry, not to mention that her gut told her this would be a heavy topic. 

Ginny and Hermione walked up the steps toward the girls dorms leaving Harry and Ryleigh alone. 

“You look pretty rough, are you hurt?” She asked and he laughed.

“No, I’m not. Ron got bit on the leg by Sirius Black but he’ll be okay.”

“Yea.. he’s an animagus…” she said awkwardly.

“He asked me to give you this.” He said and handed her a slightly crumbled piece of paper. 

“Why would I want anything from him?” She asked but took the paper anyway. 

“He told me that he was your father, and that he’s sorry he couldn’t talk to you again before he had to leave.”

“Well where did he go? What even went on down there?” She asked.  

“Sirius isn’t a murder Ryleigh, he was a good friend to my parents and he was framed… by Ron’s rat weirdly.”

“Ron’s rat??” 

“It’s complicated, the point is though that Sirius is innocent and we helped him escape. He wanted to talk to you before he went but… there wasn’t time.” Harry sighed, “he… he said that once his life was more stable, once the ministry knew him to be innocent that he would reach out to both of us… and I wanted you to know that if you need anything… I know I’m always neck deep in whatever the trouble is but… I don’t know, Sirius is my godfather, he’s your father… if you need anything I’m around.” 

“Um… thanks?” She said. He nodded and stood to leave. 

She looked at the paper in her hands and turned it over. 

‘To Ryleigh’ was written in messy handwriting on the outside of the paper.

She unfolded it carefully and began to read. 

‘Dear Ryleigh, I’ve got to be quick as I’m about to leave but I have a few things I need to say. 

I’m sorry if I’ve scared you. I wanted to see you, I want to know you, but maybe you were better off not having me around. I want you to know that I love you, that when I could be I was there for you. I remember when you were born and that beautiful first year of your life. You are the reason I couldn’t give myself up. The reason I had to keep fighting… I love you Ryleigh and I will do my best to get back to you.

Love, Sirius’

She closed her eyes and held the paper tightly. 

Xx

The next morning she showed her friends the letter. 

“I told you he had kind eyes.” Luna said.

“You know you guys have the same terrible handwriting.” Said Ginny and Ryleigh scoffed at her. 

They made their way to the great hall where they could see a group of kids gathered around Harry and a new broomstick. Ginny ran over to see it as well. 

As soon as Harry picked up the broom began running outside with it the group all followed him. Hermione hesitating only a moment to hand Ryleigh a small package that came with Harry’s.

“This one had an R on it.” She said softly then jogged after the group. 

Ryleigh and Luna both sat down at the one empty table and she opened the small box, inside was a metal necklace, it had a small rectangular piece at the center which had her name carved into it ‘Ryleigh Sloane’ and on the back in the bottom corner it just sad ‘S.O.B’ 

“Ha!” She laughed out loud and Luna looked at her confused.

“SOB? Son of a bitch? She explained, his initials are literally son of a bitch.”