Sirius Black felt like he was about to die.
Although it was summer, he had just swum the North Sea.
Cold and hungry, he only survived thanks to a lucky encounter with a school of fish—two of which mistook him for a corpse and ended up in a dog's mouth instead. Had that not happened, he likely wouldn't have made it to shore.
He had used human memory to navigate, so he had gone off course.
Upon making landfall, Sirius realized he hadn't arrived in Scotland but rather on a large island, with the faint outlines of other islands visible in the distance.
Using his sharp instincts, he made a logical deduction—
This must be the Hebrides.
Why was he so certain?
Because he sensed a strong web of Muggle-Repelling Charms—and saw a black dragon soaring in the sky.
The large black dog shook himself dry, flinging sea water in every direction.
He remembered coming to the Hebrides once with James, just to procure some fresh dragon blood. They'd had a bit of a skirmish with some McFusty youths over it.
Thinking about the past, Sirius couldn't help but smirk. Stealing from the McFusty family? No guilt there!
But since when did the McFustys become so wealthy?
When Sirius paddled to the main island where the castle was located, he found that the muddy roads had been paved with glossy white stones, and ornamental trees now lined both sides.
Approaching the castle, he was even more stunned.
The black dragon crest of the McFusty family was gone. It had been replaced by a new emblem, one he didn't recognize.
More importantly, the castle had clearly been renovated. Gone was the gloomy, decrepit look of old—it looked vibrant, freshly restored.
"Why is there a big black dog here?"
"So skinny... did it swim from another island?"
"Our Muggle-Repelling Charms also repel normal animals without magical creature ancestry. This one must be special to have gotten in."
"Should we catch it? Maybe the Count would be interested."
"The Earl does like dog meat, doesn't he?"
"How many times have I told you—it's Count, not Boss!"
"Ah, right! Sorry, I'll remember. Still, didn't you enjoy the last pot of dog stew?"
"Because it was delicious! I must say, the Earl's tastes are strange but... convincing."
"Stop talking. That dog's running. Stupefy!"
Sirius yelped and bolted.
He'd just realized something crucial: the McFusty family had sold their ancestral home to a Count—
And this Count liked to eat dog meat!
If he didn't flee now, he'd end up in a stew!
Spells flew past him as Sirius dodged frantically.
"Impedimenta!"
Suddenly the air around him thickened, his movements slowed.
He hadn't expected mere castle attendants to have this level of skill. These weren't ordinary servants—why work for a Count?
He transformed back into human form. Though he didn't have a wand, he could manage basic wandless magic.
He only had one shot.
"Langlock!"
"Stupefy!"
One servant was silenced, the other blocked his spell.
Still, it bought him time. As one attendant dispelled the curse from the other, Sirius turned back into a dog and darted into the bushes.
"It was a man—an Animagus! We have to report this to the Count. An Animagus infiltrating the island? Not good."
"Right. We're not ready to go public yet."
…
Sirius fled the main island.
Luckily, most of the nearby islands were still inhabited by Muggles. He managed to steal clothes and food.
Without a wand, he couldn't Apparate. His wandless casting wasn't even as good as Dana Emrys's when he was seven.
But this wasn't Azkaban.
He found a boat, pleaded with the sailors using pitiful puppy eyes and a wagging tail, and got a free ride to the Scottish mainland.
He had to walk from the north of Britain all the way to London.
Because that's where his ancestral home was—
And Gringotts.
And Harry.
It was a harsh journey. He couldn't risk being seen, couldn't risk being recognized. He traveled by night, taking cover during the day.
But he arrived in early August.
Finally, Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
Home.
He nearly wept.
But something was off—
The lights were on.
Shadows moved behind the windows.
Since when was the Black ancestral home a public gathering spot?
He moved closer, intending to sneak in—
Then he heard voices.
"These new recruits aren't great, but the Count will still meet them personally."
"He's so kind. Even if we're not strong, he treats us equally."
"Without him, I'd have died in North Africa."
Count. The Earl. Again.
Could it be the same one from the Hebrides?
Sirius hesitated.
Too many people. No wand. He'd be captured and handed to the Ministry before he could speak.
His home—
Gone.
He turned to flee—
Only for a spell to strike him.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
He fell, paralyzed.
Not again. Not like this.
He was either going to be stewed—or kissed by a Dementor.
But then—
A familiar voice broke through the night:
"Long time no see, Mr. Black."
Dana Emrys had arrived.
End of the Chapter.