Sirius growled deep in his throat stepping between Harry and the practice dummy AKA Snape. Just because Snape didn't have a wand didn't mean Sirius was pleased with…. Wait what the hell was that in his hand? Why did the practice dummy have a wand?
"Get in." Snape snapped as the first years filed slowly in. Sirius barred his teeth and blocked Harry and Draco from going in. No way in hell was his godson going in the same room as a Death Eater. Apparently Dumbledore had fallen even lower then Sirius had previously thought. Snape eyed the black dog coldly. "Potter control that beast or I will have it exterminated on the ground that it's rabid."
Harry glared back and Sirius felt the crackle of magic and he threw the scumbag a smug look. He was gonna love watching Harry turn Snivellus into the world's greasiest cannonball. He sent a metal sorry to all the cannonballs in the world. Even they didn't deserve to be compared to Snape.
But before Harry could do anything entertaining Draco had grabbed his arm and used the other to hook Sirius's collar and haul the pair of them into the room muttering an apology under his breath. Sirius was choked as the collar put pressure on his windpipe. As Draco released him inside the classroom Sirius spent several moments coughing and gagging trying to get rid of the feeling of his throat being crushed. When he managed to look up he saw that Draco had steered Harry to a table and sat him down so he was sitting between him and Hermione. Growling under his breath Sirius slunk under the table where he had a clear view of everything but was out of the way looking for the teacher. Snape stalked to the front of the room looking like he hated every child sitting in the room. That's when it became apparent Snape was a teacher. Why was a Death Eater teaching children for God's sake? Hell why didn't Dumbledore just start killing the children that looked like they might turn out decent now and then brand the ones that seemed to be slimy dark little gits with the Dark Mark ? Make it easier for old Voldy if he ever came back to power.
He wanted to grab the pup and drag him home (or Hava's he wasn't too picky on who the house actually belonged to) and start teaching Harry himself. But as much as it worried him to allow Harry to be within the same continent much less the same room as a Death Eater he couldn't bring himself to get up and drag Harry out of Hogwarts. Already he saw the difference in Harry. The boy looked healthier like the ancient magic the school held was soaking into him and strengthening his weakened magical core. Plus Harry had already gained a friend in Draco and Sirius couldn't leave a little boy to be converted into total scum. He'd failed Regulas and he would not make the same mistakes. So many of these pups could be saved from a horrible life as a Death Eater if he shielded them from the obvious recruiter in front of him. But he wouldn't have Harry in danger. He would have to find a way to get rid of Snape. But that would take time and for now all he could do was lie with his head on his paws beside Harry and try to guard him.
"Now who would like to tell me what a beazor is?" Snape sneered looking over the assembled students. Hermione's hand shot up while Harry slunk lower in his seat. Sirius cocked his head to the side confused. Why wasn't Harry answering? He knew the pup had been reading his school books all summer.
Snivellus swept his eyes over his students until he saw Harry who was for his part doing his best to be invisible. "Let's see what our new celebrity can do. Potter!"
Harry threw a frantic glance at Sirius who tensed ready to pounce. But before he could do anything Draco leapt to Harry's aid. "Professor I never understood why beazor is considered a stone. Isn't it just a ball of grass and dirt that builds up in the goat's stomach?"
Snape thew the blond Gryffindor a murderous glare and Harry took his chance. "A beazor is actually not a stone but it's called such because the ball of grass and dirt becomes nearly as hard as a rock. And to answer your question Professor a beazor is taken from the stomach of a goat and is used to create many antidotes. Also if you shove a whole one down a person's throat it will cure all but the worse poisons."
Sirius was pretty sure the potion's master was going to rip Draco's head off for his not so subtle hint. But instead he snapped at his students to begin their potions and stormed back to his desk.
As soon as he was out of hearing rage Draco ducked his head and whispered to Harry. "Knew you would get it with a little help."
He nodded. "Yeah I think I read too much. My head feels like it's gonna explode when I try and pull apart all the things I learned."
Well Prongslet I did tell you that books were bad for you. So if your head does explode don't come whining to me about how you should have let me set them on fire.
Sirius noted that Hermione was shooting Draco and Harry curious looks as the boys worked on their potion together. Though that could easily be blamed on a overly helpful dog that was helpfully dumping ingredients in as Draco stirred and Harry cut things into little tiny pieces. It was a simple potion to cure boils but Sirius happened to know that the potions was not to be ingested and instead the boils were intended to be soaked in the stuff and some pretty interesting things happened when someone drank the stuff. Grinning as only a Marauder could Sirius waited until no one was looking and snagged a flagon to fill with the liquid before placing it carefully in his backpack. He waited impatiently for the class to be over and was thrilled that lunch was next thanks to double potions. After settling the boys down at the Gryffindor table Sirius disappeared for a moment before popping back up in his usual spot between the pups.
"How come Snape didn't take points from you Draco?" Neville asked as he sat down opposite the trio. "He took five from Dean for asking Seamus if he put in the salamander blood but did nothing to you for all but yelling the answer to Harry's question."
Draco shifted uncomfortably but was saved from answering as a scream was heard from the teacher's table. Dumbledore was sitting in his chair hand clutching a goblet of pumpkin juice. Only problem was that his face had turned purple with orange spots that were currently sprouting large amounts of neon green hair. As the students watched the hair began to grow longer and longer until it looked like a neon green version of Cousin It from the Adam's Family. As the students erupted into laughs Sirius sniggered pleased with himself as Dumbles waved his wand to fix his face.
Draco wiped the tears from his eyes while Harry to a swing of pumpkin juice to still his hiccups. "Padfoot did you do that?" Draco asked breathlessly and Sirius dipped his head a dogish grin still on his face as Dumbledore surveyed his students warily.
You know I thought Dumbles was all powerful. Practically God and he doesn't even know he has an illegal Animagus running around right under his obscenely long nose. Gotta say I'm not impressed.
Sirius snorted and turned his attention farther down the table and nudged Harry and Draco so the boys were starring excitedly in the same direction as he was. Snape was talking to a man wearing a turban and paying absolutely no attention to his food. As his fork scooped up a spoonful on white rice from his plate Sirius sat up attentively and watched as the silver instrument full of white bits slowly traveled to Snape's mouth. As the little white bits touched his tongue Snape's eyes widened and he leapt to his face spitting and gagging. All eyes went to his plate where a large pile of wiggling white maggots was mixed in with his rice. Harry fell off the bench clutching at his sides while Draco hid his face in his arms hitting the table with his fist he was laughing so hard. Their reactions were the norm around the hall as people rolled around on the floor and attempted to breath as Snape began to hex his plate all the while still spitting. The two red headed Gryffindor twins Sirius had noticed earlier ran up to the table and raised their wands shouting "Scourgify!" Frothy pink bubbles filled Snape's mouth and the Death Eater wheeled on the twins which smiled innocently . "Sorry sir we thought you would want to clean out your mouth after those vile creatures were in there."
Sirius joined Harry on the floor struggling to breath he was laughing so hard. He decided that he was going to adopt the red heads. Or at least learn their names. It took Dumbledore a good fifteen minutes to calm Snape down and by then the students had managed to stop giggling but many were hiccupping. Harry's face was bright red and he held his sides gingerly. "Paddy a little warning next time. I think I cracked a rib."
Next time you will be helping me. By Christmas I expect you to be a halfway decent Marauder. And by this time next year I shall be sending you out on solo pranks.
Since the bell had rung five minutes previously the pups wolfed down their shepherd's pie and Sirius noted that no one was touching the rice for some reason. He gobbled up his serving before turning his attention to the rest of the food. Since he had been starving all through Potions he began to lift rolls, chicken breast, assorted sandwiches, and anything else he could reach into the bowl of rice (he wasn't stupid enough to put maggots in food Harry might eat) and when the boys moved to walk to Defense Against the Dark Arts he snagged the bowl between his teeth and carried it with him. Harry shook his head and Sirius gave him innocent eyes. Draco leaned over and snagged a roll looked at it and seemed to think better since he tossed it back in. "Padfoot you're drooling in the bowl." He complained and Sirius gave his best duh look.
I am not sharing my snack. If I was I would have offered. So I am gonna make sure my drool is all over this food so you won't eat it. If you were hungry you should have eaten the bacon I offered you this morning.
As they entered the classroom Sirius gagged. It smelled horrible like someone had stuffed the whole room with garlic. His stomach turned and he dropped his bowl feeling nauseous. Harry knelt beside him concern evident in his eyes. "Paddy what's wrong?"
Stinks in here. Can't breathe. Dog nose.
"It's the smell in here. His nose is very sensitive since he's a canine. Professor Quirrell is terrified of vampires." Hermione explained as she hurried up. She waved her wand in a complex gesture and a cool breeze blew in front of his face and Sirius gulped down the fresh air. "There that will filter the air in front of him so he can breathe."
"Thanks Hermione." Harry smiled at him and she nodded shly before going back to her table.
Giving him a quick hug Harry took a seat towards the front of the room and Draco flopped down next to him. It took Sirius a moment to get his dish on the desk and he settled himself down in the chair and began to gnaw on a pork chop. A few of the Gryffindors ruffled his ears as they passed until the teacher entered and yelped at the sight of Sirius.
What? Is there something on my face? Sirius tried peering down his muzzle and only succeeded in making himself cross-eyed
"Gggrrriimmmm." The teacher stammered and dove behind his desk and Sirius was seriously starting to wonder about Dumbles teachers. The guy teaching children to defend themselves against the Dark Arts was cowering in the corner because he saw a big black dog. Yeah….Hogwarts was really going downhill.
"Sir I don't think Padfoot is a Grim. Harry has had him for a month and I was with him part of the summer and we're both still breathing." Draco explained and he turned to Harry rolling his eyes. Harry looked confused and he mouthed "Tell me later."
The Professor blushed and readjusted his turban and Sirius was pleased with his air filter since the class gagged as he walked by. Timidly and jumping whenever someone so much as sneezed Quirrell began his lecture and within two minutes Sirius was back to eating completely ignoring what the man was saying. After his food was done which took about ten minutes he dozed not seeing how this moron could harm his Prongslet.
Sirius was pretty sure he was never more happy to climb into bed beside Harry that night. Supper had been uneventful and after the boys had done their homework with Sirius only stealing their textbooks three times. Harry was snuggled against him like always and as he drifted off Sirius thought he heard noise from Draco's bunk but thought nothing of it.
It was in that eerie silence right before dawn when Sirius awoke. Harry whimpered in his sleep and Sirius nuzzled his face tiredly. At his touch Harry opened his eyes and Sirius smiled and turned human. "Nightmare?" He whispered Harry shook his head. A moment later the bed curtain was pulled back and Sirius nearly jumped out of his skin as Draco climbed onto the bed so he could sit at Harry's feet. "Finally he's been muttering all night. I was wondering how long until he woke you up. Can we start Animagus training?"
Sirius shook his head. "No, I need to think on how I'm gonna teach you. But since we're all up did anyone hear what Dumbles said at the welcome speech?"
Draco and Harry shook their heads and Sirius sighed annoyed. How was he supposed to turn them into mini Marauders if they didn't even pay attention. "The headmaster said that the third floor corridor was off limits."
"Let me guess you want to go explore it?" Draco asked.
"No Drakey he wants us to sit around knitting stockings." Harry snapped and for the first time Sirius noticed his godson was tense and seemed on edge. Yeah he was so having nightmares. Sirius decided to grill him later curiosity over the corridor taking shape.
Harry jumped from bed and began to pull on clothes he looked over his shoulder and seemed surprised to see Sirius and Draco just staring at him. "Well are we gonna check it out or what?"