That dog had seemed familiar from somewhere, he mused as he
walked to his room.
As he passed by Striders door, he heard talking from within. Well, she obviously had her share of psychological issues she was more in need of medication than anyone he knew so it was no surprise if she talked to herself. However, at the sound of a male voice, he did stop and threw open the door. Strider and Lupin. How appropriate.
Learn to knock! Lyria bellowed. Sirius Padfoot got off the sofa; hed hardly had time to transform. Casually, he wandered over to Snape.
The murderer wasnt enough of a challenge for you, Strider? Youve moved on to the werewolf now?
Lyria got to her feet, not bothering to check for her wand, but Remus stopped her by gently placing a hand on her shoulder and gesturing toward Snapes feet while he tried to suppress his grin.
Snape managed a sneer as she burst into laughter. He looked down to find he was suddenly standing in a puddle the dog. Her damned dog had used his shoes for a toilet! He glared at it. It stared at him with pale blue eyes. Furious, he kicked it as hard as he could manage in the side.
The dog nipped at his ankle, and he lost his balance and found himself now sitting in the puddle. Splendid. Could the day get any better? He got to his feet and swept out of the room in an attempt to preserve the little dignity remaining to him as Strider fell onto her sofa in hysterics.
Remus at least waited until Snape had left before he too began to laugh. Perhaps you can get her to compose herself. Ill leave you two be. He left the room still chuckling.
Sirius pushed the door closed with his muzzle before transforming back and sitting on the couch, at which point he promptly began to tickle Lyria.
She shoved him away playfully. Stop that, I dont need any help from you. She smiled at him. Hows your side?
Surprisingly sore. He kicks pretty hard, he must have been angry.
Well you only made him look like a complete idiot, I cant imagine why.
Ah, well, hes always been a bit unstable. Sirius smiled at her a bit.
Its kind of strange, keeping you as a pet, do you know that?
You mean I dont make a splendid little puppy?
She snorted. Theres nothing little about you, you could probably walk me if you really wanted to.
I know I could, but yet I follow you around and endure that damn collar like a good puppy.
And in exchange I play the part of the doting dog owner and pet you and scratch your belly and let you eat my gingersnaps and really anything else you choose to eat.
I only ate your gingersnaps once!
Thats because you ate the whole box! Lyria said with a grin. I also let you shove me around with that wet nose of yours and endure all sorts of awful behavior because you insist you have to act like a real dog while I *know* youre laughing at me.
And you let me sleep in your bed. Though not in dog form, which would look horribly bad for you if someone came to get you in the middle of the night.
You refuse to sleep on the floor and Im *not* sleeping next to you when youve got dog breath. She paused. And if you wanted to act like a real dog, then you should eat dog food, dont you think?
No, I dont think thats a very good idea, actually. I imagine itd be bad for my teeth At the sound of footsteps, he transformed back into his dog form and licked her face.
She laughed. Stop it, thats disgusting. She scratched behind his ear.
The door flew open again. Its *him,* isnt it? Snape demanded.
Who? Whats the matter with you now? Lyria demanded.
Snape was staring at the dog. Sirius Black I might have known you wouldnt be willing to leave well enough alone and keep your nose out of places it doesnt belong.
He transformed back. I dont think its really your place to decide whats my business and what isnt, he retorted.
Then tell me, what business does a murderer have at a school?
Id like to know what business you have in my room at this time of night, Lyria demanded of Snape. People might start talking, and Im sure you would like that about as much as youd like people talking about you and Sirius.
Snape looked them over and then swept out of the room once more.
Looks like he changed. Do you reckon he showered?
No, probably not, Lyria replied. Come on I want tea and then Im going to bed.
Am I coming too?
Are you going to be a good dog?
Never.
Then come along.
Sirius transformed and followed her. Truthfully, she was right it was weird posing as her pet. It was Lyria, who he had teased through four years of school who he had tried to ignore for a year who he had fallen for somewhere during sixth year and planned to propose to before but she didnt know that, and she didnt have to know that. Itd been a passing idea even then, nevermind now, after everything. Besides, there seemed to be something between her and Remus. Even *Snape* had thought so.
Or had Snape just been trying to bait her? Wouldnt Remus have said something if he and Lyria were a couple?
It was all too confusing, especially in his current form. Just too complicated. Hed be best off to just keep eating her gingersnaps and forget about it.