CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
HURT & CONFUSED

     SEREN SAT ON THE GRASSY HILL FOR FIVE MINUTES until she came to her senses and realised she needed to return to the castle. She was utterly stupid to think she could help Remus in this state. Sirius was long gone and she heard howls on the other side of the forest. Seren was nervous but she knew that she had to get out of there.

Seren attempted to stand but whimpered as she tried. She stayed on the ground for a moment, gathering her strength. She felt helpless. The young girl couldn't help Remus and now she couldn't even save herself. She built up enough courage to stand up and she let out a deep breath as most of her weight rested on one leg.

It took Seren awhile but she managed to drag herself to the Hospital Wing long before dawn once she was certain that Remus wouldn't suddenly appear.

She had heard a werewolf howl and a dog bark loudly in the distance. 

That was when she knew she should be safe. 

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      SEREN GROANED AS SHE TOSSED in the uncomfortable hospital bed ripping the covers off. She gasped as her eyes landed on the dark figure at the end of her bed. She sat up slowly, not taking her eyes off of it, she had no clue who it could be— especially so early in the morning.

The figure moved closer and Seren let out a shaky breath; the moonlight in the room revealed Sirius Black. His hair was tousled, most of it hanging in his face but she could see how tired he looked as his eyes were downcast on her bed.

Seren didn't speak as he walked up to her. She could speak because she knew she would start crying after the events of the night. He stood above her and they both stayed quiet for a few moments. Each took the other in, Seren noticed how he had scratches across his face and his clothes were ruffled. He looked down and saw her anxious expression.

"I'm so bloody sorry," Sirius whispered quietly, looking down at the girl. It wasn't as if anyone else was in the wing with them, he just couldn't bear to speak up. His face contorted with guilt and he desperately wished to reach for the girl and hold her close after the traumatising night. A few hours had passed and Seren was in trouble with the Headmaster for being out at night off grounds. When Seren had reached the gates, the Headmaster had scolded her. 

"I-I've wanted to tell you but Remus wouldn't let me." Sirius told her the truth– she deserved to know, especially after her traumatising night.

"Why wouldn't he let you?" Seren whispered, clutching her blanket tightly. She had been required to spend the night but was healed completely. "Why didn't he trust me?"

A tear fell down the young girls cheek and Sirius stepped forward to wipe it away. Seren sniffled and looked up in surprise as Sirius didn't budge from her side, his hand still cradling her cheek.

"I'm sorry," Sirius whispered again with a frown, wiping the tear away from her face. His hand fell from her face, his warm hand felt good upon her face. "If I hadn't heard you and come to—"

"You saved my life—" Seren told him in awe, she wanted to reach forward and grasped his fallen hand. "I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything." Sirius said bitterly, his eyes full of shame. "I've been too much of an asshole to deserve anything."

"Fine." Seren was surprised with Sirius. First, he wasn't joking around. Second of all, it seemed like he cared for her. "But I want to apologise for being so rude to you after you tried fixing your mistakes. I want to be closer with you and Remus and I just pushed you away." Sirius stayed quiet and Seren let her fingers grasp onto his hand that had cradled her cheek. Her warm fingers intertwined with his. She felt strange with Sirius— something had changed between them, for the better. 

Seren knew that they weren't friends but she wanted to be. The young Gryfindor had wanted to be friends with the rowdy boys, she felt like she was missing out on adventures. 

"Have you found him yet?" She changed the topic to her brother, praying he was okay. They had sat in silence for a while, hands still intertwined. 

"It's an hour until dawn, James is waiting for him." Sirius told her, Seren should've known that the others were also involved.

Seren buried her head into her hands, sighing in frustration. "I was just sick of being useless! I came to Hogwarts to help Remus with this secret. And I've been here two years and haven't helped at all."

"Hey, it's okay," Sirius told her, sitting on her bed so he could look her in the eyes. "We've been helping ever since second year. By the time you came to Hogwarts, Remus didn't want you to be upset– or hurt."

Seren sighed but gave Sirius a small smile. "You're an Animagus." It was the first time she said it out loud and Sirius sheepishly grinned, scratching his head.

"Yeah," he replied. 

"You're a... dog?" Seren asked. Sirius nodded in confirmation, a small twinkle to his eyes. Seren sat up straighter, her grip on Sirius' hand tightening as she made up her mind. It was the perfect answer to Seren's problems. She felt helpless that she couldn't help brother, but maybe she could.

"Help me become an animagus."

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I AM BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!!!