"Don't be so worried, it's only a job." Your gleaming, freshly polished shoes pressed firmly into the blanket of snow. Two crisp trails forged themselves through the country path as you mentioned how the snow masked the usual scent of the forest to Sirius, you tried your best to distract yourself from the impending doom of a first day at a new job. "I don't normally pay attention, I guess my normal trots through here involve me escaping from trouble."

"You've never just strolled through here?" Sirius shook his head as his eyes tracked a lone squirrel dancing from bare tree branch to branch.

"You know I'm not going to be able to come with you every time you walk to work?" He asked, tightly gripping your arm as your feet slid and skated against the compacted snow, all the time as a dog must have given Sirius good footing as he walked with ease, not giving a second though to the patches of unseen ice.

"I know, I just wanted you to come with me in case I got lost." Your walk took you down the right side of a fork, deep under the coverage of trees which draped the path in the darkness of early winter hours. "I'm not a big fan of this." Your eyes darted from shadow to shadow, your arm entwined with Sirius' grew tighter and your other hand hovered closely over your partly exposed wand.

"Whilst I am by your side, no thing or body will hurt you." He stopped momentarily, the fine bristles of his moustache tickling your cold forehead as his lips pressed against your skin.

"You aren't the rebellious, tough youngster that you used to be. Don't go getting yourself injured thinking you can fight off thugs."

"I could take 'em!" Sirius let go of your hand, you grounded yourself as your feet waltzed. You tried your best to hide it but he could clearly see you smirking. "No, seriously, just because I'm getting on a bit. Magic or not I'd like to seem them try!"

"Calm down, calm down." You wrapped your fingers around his and urged him to continue walking, which he did reluctantly after you told him off for possibly making you late. "Don't have a heart attack about it, grandpa."

Your hands left his and carefully ran, or stumbled, down the path. You looked back at Sirius, a hunter's smirk on his face as he gave you a few seconds head start before chasing you.

~*~

Written by Aaron.