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Hello there! Very cool opening chapter! I like the way you expanded on how Sirius was able to stay sane in Azkaban and retain his focus on escaping someday. 13 years is a long time to prepare, and it's a good thing it worked out for him! Tailing that dementor was a smart move. I liked his interactions with the Minister - how different they were eight years apart. He's able to make a sort of game of it closer to the beginning of his sentence, but by the end is just like... you dont with that newspaper? LOL I think that rings true - everything, every bit of fun, must fade eventually there. I thought you did a great job with your descriptions, too, especially with Sirius observing the Weasley family photo and with Sirius' cold swim to freedom. I wasn't expecting him to hit his head, though! If I didn't already know he somehow makes it, I'd be very worried about him drowning! Anyway, a solid foundation here, well done!
Author's Response:Thanks so much!
Haha, Tail-ing the Dementor?? get it? Dog Tail... Anyway, yes, I reread PoA when Fudge is talking to the others in the 3 broomsticks about his last visit to Azkaban and Fudge said how Sirius almost seemed bored. I think when he looked at the paper, anything about going to another country would have appealed to him since he's been in the same place for so long and the twins would have looked a lot like Gideon and Fabian Prewett. Anything prankster-like would have caught his eye too. Ginny would have looked like Lily etc...
I can't see his escape being any kind of easy! It had to have been a close call. He was taking a huge risk, but had to if he was ever going to leave. He had the drive after seeing the paper. If he had tried it without really knowing what he was going to do next, I don't think he'd have made it.
I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Hope you continue :)
Thanks, Heather
Good old Mrs Figg! Of course she spotted Padfoot for who he really is right away. Good thing Bathilda gave her the heads up. Kind of her to give him the heads up before the Obliviators got there to deal with Aunt Marge, too. Very cool take on the inflatable Aunt episode.
The exchange with the authorities was a nice beat to keep the flow moving, and of course Padfoot would react to the smell of food again - I suspect Sirius never quite felt full again after his time in Azkaban. Slick call telling the authorities about the Knight Bus, too - they'd have found out it stopped, probably, and if they went looking for Sirius, well, we know how confused Stan can get, right? Sirius returned all the favors very politely by taking care to diapparate somewhere off her property - very thoughtful for such a grumpy old dog, eh?
Another fun chapter that really fits well into canon. Thanks again!
George
Author's Response:Yes! I enjoyed adding Mrs. Figg, we all know she gets added to the story in book 5 but it's clear she's been there all along right?
"All old people know each other don't you know that?" -Bumi from Avatar last air bender LOL
It didn't occur to me just how close Sirius could get to being caught again until I realized that he was there the same night they came to get Aunt Marge and they would have checked the area. Considering Mrs. Figg didn't have to give him a place to hide for a minute, it was the least he could do to leave a few blocks away right?
Glad you enjoyed this, I hope to keep up the story more often and will try to remember to post in the New Chapter section when I do :)
Thanks so much!
-Heather
Hey, Heather, I figured I might as well continue on with this, just to find out who fished Sirius out of the sea! I should have known - a fisherman, of course. I like how you handled Sirius' competing thoughts/emotions reacting to conversations while in Padfoot form. I also thought the origin of his Snuffles nickname was funny and appropriate. Sirius' pangs of conscience when he bailed on the fisherman's family (especially the boy) were surely in character, too.
His interaction with Bathilda was clearly the object of the chapter, and I like the character you developed for her very much. She reminded me of a sort of combination of McGonagall and Neville's Gran, with a couple of new twists to keep her interesting and make her advice more palatable to Sirius. This is really going to make me pay attention to it, isn't it? Well done on this chapter!
George
Author's Response:Great! I'm so happy you did!
Yes, being the nerd I am, I also looked into if the area (Hull) would be an area for fishing lol... Maybe I'm too detailed for my own good.
I really liked inventing where the name snuffles came from, I thought it was sweet.
Bathilda was a great potential side character here, yes, she gives off those vibes, including a Dumbledore-like one since she was friends with him from the beginning, it would make sense she knew some inside information or at least could glean it. I'm so glad you're enjoying all the nuances I've put an effort into including. I hope you continue to :)
Thanks so much!
-Heather
Hi Heather,
This prologue is a nifty expansion of the sketchy story we get from canon. Nice job distinguishing between Sirius' thoughts and Padfoot's. I also enjoyed your vision of the details of Azkaban - not just the physical details of the building, but the feel of the place, the pervasive misery of the inmates, and the details of Sirius' planning all fit together believeably. You gave us a cliffhanger, though, with that driftwood! You got to pull him out of the North Sea, kiddo! Thanks for a fun start to this story.
George
Author's Response:LOL I didn't realize you hadn't started from the beginning. Yes, I thought it'd be interesting to distinguish his dog self from his human self because he ends up needing to be a dog so often, I could see him start to become more doglike because of it. Perhaps if he was in there without the thoughts of Peter and being innocent, he may have just become a dog if he didn't have human thoughts to sustain him.
Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed all the details that make it believable, I really like doing that with my stories and it's nice when it's appreciated. He will obviously get to the mainland somehow won't he? lol
Thanks so much for the review!
Heather
Hi, Heather. Another review for your delightful story about Sirius Black in his role as Padfoot the Dog. I don't recall ever having read a story like this one, so I am glad you are continuing it, and I crown you the Queen of Sirius as Padfoot.
Things that put a particular smile on my face:
Padfoot's meet-up with Toby, the little dog. Padfoot trying to remember how to act like a genuine dog, exchanging sniffs with Toby. A good detail you add: Toby, the genuine dog, being able to tell that Sirius is not a real dog. And later in the chapter Crookshanks the cat can discern that neither Padfoot not Wormtail are real animals.
This is an example of something I like, namely, that you are adding another "fact" to the Potterverse, i.e. that real animals can recognize when something that appears to be an animal is really just a transfigured peerson. I do that in my WIP, Crofter/Snake; I have invented the "fact" that when something metallic, such as a candlestick, is transfigured into something else metallic, such as an electric drill, the resultant item is warm at first, like a new tool freshly off the blacksmith's anvil. This has happened twice in C/S so far. So ypu have two instances of a real animal (Toby, Crookshanks) unmasking a fake animal (Sirius, Pettigrew) to show that this is not a one-time fluke but an established principle. That's cool :)
You put lots of exciting, well-written action into the episode in the Shrieking Shack and afterwards. I was glad that Padfoot found a usable shelter in Hagrid's sheds.
And all the section about how Padfoot established a friendship with Crookshanks and was able to order a new broom for Harry was just wonderful. I approve of telepathic communication between animals (including a fake animal).
The brief scene where Padfoot scares Draco and his companions by pretending to be the Grim was just perfect. Really clever.
I enjoyed this chapter very much. Thank you for continuing this story. Padfoot the Dog is great!
Vicki
Author's Response:Hi! I'm so happy to get another review from you, they're just the best :)
So, the book actually mentions how Crookshanks knew Sirius wasn't a dog and Peter wasn't a rat and that's why it was so hard to earn Crookshanks trust and why he was so focused on Peter. Though, I really liked the idea that any real animal would know the difference between them and an Animagus. Your detail about metal transfiguration turning hot like it's being forged is really clever!
Writing Sirius scaring Malfoy was a chef's kiss moment for me, I only recently thought of it too LOL
When I first published the story on here I think, someone wanted to read it from the very start of his escape not just from after he flees Hogwarts when I originally started it. Without that review, I wouldn't have known the joy of writing Sirius as Padfoot and I'm so happy I have; including readers enjoying Padfoot too. :)
So glad you're enjoying this, I'll try updating again soon.
Heather
It took me a few days to catch up with everything and get to this story, so sorry about that. Just wanted to say I'm enjoying your vignettes from Sirius' "on the run" perspective of canon events. I think you made a wise choice to focus on the beats from the original where Sirius had an interest, even when he wasn't always part of the canon scene. Your solution to how he could learn about Harry's situation through Crookshanks or others works really well and keeps the reader (well, this reader anyway) attentive as you move things along. I also loved some of your little "drop-ins", like Peter's fear reaction during the first chase sequence!
I"m looking forward to more from this story when you post the next installment.
George
Author's Response:That's fine, you didn't have to :) I'm glad you're liking these scenes from his time on the run. Originally, I started at the very end of Harry's 3rd year and it just focused on where he went that summer. I always wondered where the tropical birds came from that Sirius sent for Harry's birthday that summer.
Anyway, I'll catch up to that point and chapters will come quicker with what I've already written. But yeah, I'm enjoying the connection Sirius and Crookshanks have and the quick appearances of Peter too. I'll try and update soon :) Thanks for the review!
-Heather
*snowball*
Mahaha, Gringotts basically being like a Swiss bank is so perfect. They don't care who you are or why you're storing money there or what you're using it for -- they just want your business and keep their mouths shut about everything else. Definitely makes sense.
Poor Peter, but I really enjoyed the image of Padfoot and Crookshanks chasing him nonstop. Guy must be tired.
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:I am such a nerd, but I just couldn't figure out how the heck Sirius was able to get money from the bank! Then, after Hogwarts Legacy and remembering how the Goblins are in the series, I found myself asking, why would they care as long as you have a password of some kind that's sent in? I am so happy you appreciated that detail!! Like, you have no idea, my nerdy heart is so happy lol
Yes, Peter is getting put through his paces! He has to be since he's described that way. Thanks for the snowball!
-Heather
*snowball attack*
Hi Heather! Ooh this crucial night from Sirius's POV! I'm sure it must have been a challenge to write as you said, because really what must have been going on in Sirius's mind to think he could get into Gryffindor Tower that way? You do a good job showing his combination of exhaustion, desperation, and just plain not thinking straight from all that he's been through. And the fact that he really nas very little to lose. Probably only his devotion to Harry's safety that makes him take any precautions at all.
I enjoyed your take on how the knife came into play with Sirius and the Fat Lady! Also the horrible irony of him accidentally killing the deliveryman in Hogsmeade. I can't remember, is that part canon, that a villager died that night? Because if not, it's a brilliant addition because it would really heighten everyone else's belief that Sirius is a dangerous madman.
Great job, Heather!
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:Oooo I wasn't expecting a review on this story! I'm so glad you did with a new chapter in the queue!
Yes, he's so exhausted and desperate... Harry is really his most important thought, but it grapples with how much he feels like he NEEDS to kill Peter, so it does make him desperate enough to do almost anything. I'm glad you enjoyed my take on how the knife and the Fat Lady happened. Peeves is such a jerk.
Poor delivery guy... No, it's not canon, but I'm beyond thrilled that you think it could have been!! :D And yes, Sirius is quite mad... just because he hides it better than most doesn't mean he's not! He was in Azkaban for 12 years!
I hope to see more reviews from you as I get on in the story because I do have a lot written, it just needs filling out. I hope to finish the story next year :)
Thanks!
Heather
Again Heather, your scene setting is wholly immersive! I loved that you also incorporated the superstition of The Grim into this chapter and because it is Halloween, people are more likely to believe in it. And then that plays into how easily Sirius can access the castle. But man, the details with the acid pops and Callum's untimely death. It really plays into the superstition that follows The Grim. I think you did a fabulous job weaving those elements together to create a bit of a tragic end for Callum.
And Sirius' desperation to save Harry is palpable. I felt it. And then his later desperation to eat anything as a means of survival. And ironically it's candy and that end line is the best bit of dark humor, really.
Another excellent chapter, Heather! I really like your interpretation of canon events in this and how it would relate to Sirius Black on the run. This is such an intriguing story and I look forward to more!
<3 Courtney
~* 75 rising through the ranks *~
Author's Response:I'm so glad you liked this one too. It was so hard! LOL... I thought emphasizing the Dementors and the Grim were important for a good Halloween story, but then that he was also eating the candy at the end brought it all together in a dark way. I'm not big on horror, but the thought of acid pops has always disgusted me in a dangerous way and I had to do something with it with poor Callum. I REALLY want to get the next chapter out, I've just been blocked and working on different things. I'll let you know when the next is up though, I SO appreciate how much you're enjoying the details, I'm so happy it doesn't bog down the story but helps it move along. I'm actually really proud of it :) Thanks again!
-Heather
Heather! I wanted to return to this story now that I caught up on your other one! I really love how you describe the canon events of PoA with Harry seeing Sirius in the Dursley neighborhood. Your description is just done in purposefully revealing way. And what I mean by that is that you draw our eye to various points and we're slowly engulfed by all senses as to how The Knight Bus sounds and the visuals with Harry falling back and the noise his wand makes when it hits the pavement. I just loved all of it!
And Sirius' momentary confusion about Harry being James really establishes this moment and we can recognize it then and it's just a cool progression. His longing to be reunited with Harry in this moment was aptly felt, but alas, he knows it isn't possible.
Omgawsh and Mrs Figg finds him?! Heather this is just so cool! I really loved your inclusion of her in this chapter and how we see more of her acting as a watchful eye that looks after Harry at a distance. You really give a great depth to her character in this moment.
This chapter really immerses us in all senses. I'm still thinking about the cat playing with the egg and how it progressively becomes more hairy. Any pet owner can relate to that LOL.
Another great installment to this story!
<3 Courtney
~* 74 rising through the ranks *~
Author's Response:HI!
I'm so sorry I didn't respond earlier but I want you to know how much I appreciate your review, that you notice all these details makes me soo happy. I loved including Mrs. Figg because, of course, we see that she knows more in HP5, it makes sense to me :) I'm really trying hard to think out the next chapter after halloween, it is sooo tricky!! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
-Heather
Hi, Heather! I am beating myself over the head for failing to notice, for so many months, that you had posted another chapter of this wonderful story.
Sirius Black, the haggard survivor of twelve years in Azkaban, the desperate escapee, bent on revenge against the person who caused the deaths of James and Lily, is such a more interesting character than Sirius Black the young prankster or girl-attracting lover. This portrayal of Sirius has real meat on its bones.
You say that you worked hard on this chapter, and it shows. The pace is non-stop, even in the opening paragraph when Callum is merely arriving at Honeydukes to drop off an early morning delivery. As I said in a previous review, you seem to see things, details, that other authors don't see. You are not just viewing your character from a distance, you are the character, seeing and feeling things that only Sirius himself would see and feel. It's almost like a first-person point of view, only using "he" instead of "I."
Your imagination really comes into play in this chapter -- the acid pops concoction, simmering overnight on the stove, but seriously dangerous if it gets on someone's skin... (Have you noticed how many environmental hazards are taken for granted in the wizarding world? Where's their version of OSHA?) Sirius's desperate trip through the passageway into the school, his frantic attempts to get to the Gryffindor tower without being discovered, your wonderful description of his encounter with the fat lady at the door of the Gryffindor common room, explaining to us exactly what did happen in those fateful moments, his frustration at not being able to get in, the just-at-the-absolutely-wrong-moment appearance of Peeves, who gave away Sirius's identity to the fat lady and scotched any chance of his being able to persuade her to let him in...
I stand in awe of your ability to write these scenes with all their detail that shows Sirius's state of mind, without having to say "Sirius was angry, or frustrated, or frightened, or confused."
And the pace keeps up until lthe very end of the chapter. His heart pounding (until the adrenaline wears off), the dementors threatening the sweets store (I love that line "Expecto Patronem! And stay out, you soul-sucking demons!"), Sirius frantically gathering sweets from the store, just to have something, anything, to eat, the unexpected sight of a dementor's face pressed up against the glass, and finally his ravenous eating of the sweets without waiting to transfigure them into something more nutritious or duplicate them to increase his store of food. It makes you wonder what kind of slop he had to eat at Azkaban for twelve years.
I hope you continue this story because it is something special. You have nailed Sirius at this moment in his life from your very first chapter. What a treat it is to read it.
Vicki
Author's Response:Oh my goodness your reviews never fail to make me blush with all your compliments! I'm currently transitioning from one laptop to another but I certainly will keep writing! Also I feel bad I didn't get Christmas up in time but I needed to remember what happened in the books after Halloween. I'll work on it soon though, it's just a complex time for Sirius and want to get it right. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter, it really was hard!
Thanks again so so much!
Heather
Hi Heather, here for part 2 of our swap!
Hah, I love that you included in your author note the line from POA about him having a sweet disposition as a dog (and, as he went on to say, that James had suggested more than once that he stay that way!) He does indeed get on very well as a dog and knows how to play it up -- and it is adorable but also very sad the longer it goes on. To think of Sirius having to live as a literal animal to avoid going back to prison, and to get where he needs to go -- to eat cat food, to have to navigate something as typically simple as stairs, to hide under a bed, and to even have to remain in dog form even around Mrs Figg who knows who he is -- it all must feel so degrading.
It was sweet and heartbreaking to learn that what he'd hoped was to be able to befriend Harry while in animagus form and hope Harry might take him in -- at least emotionally if not physically able to bring him into the house -- as the other little boy did. :(
I imagine Sirius knew what sort of person Petunia was -- because there was reference to him having visited with James -- but probably no clue what Harry's really been enduring the past 12 years. Can't imagine what Sirius might have done if he HAD been able to spend any significant amount of time around Harry and learned what his life was like.
Also so sad when at first Sirius -- of course -- mistook Harry for James. :(
This was a really bittersweet chapter and feels really true to the Sirius who just had to go to Little Whinging to try to get a glimpse of Harry because even though he hasn't seen Harry in over a decade he just loves him that much.
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:Thanks so much for the review, I'm glad you enjoyed it despite it being bittersweet. I promise, there will be more sweet after I get to the point he escapes from Hogwarts. I'm glad I'm being true to how Sirius' character, it's always hard especially when their story is complicated, but yes, he truly loves Harry. I'm glad that came across well too.
Thanks for the swap, I'm normally not this late responding to reviews, but it's been busy :) I'll try and update soon.
-Heather
Hello and happy holidays! Just dropping by with a little arctic review for you :)
Becoming an animagus was so crucial to s many things Sirius did in his life, but none more so than being able to escape from Azkaban and survive on the mainland. Without a wand, he'd have been effectively powerless as a wizard and would definitely have run the risk of being identified and re-captured (and then probably Kissed). The plotline in this chapter is definitely plausible, and I love the thought of Sirius finding a nice kid to feed and love him at least for now. The introduction of the name 'Snuffles' gives us a bit of history/a reason for the nickname that Sirius chose for himself when living in the cave near Hogwarts in Harry's fourth year; that wasn't explained at all in the books at all, was it? I always thought it was a bit of an odd name for Sirius to have given himself, lol!
Yeah, the thought of being neutered would make Sirius run for the hills, haha! But I felt a bit sad for Jimmy, because he would have woken up and found 'his' dog suddenly gone and be left not knowing what had happened to Snuffles :(
Of all the cities in the UK, Sirius ends up in...Hull. Hull has been consistently voted one of the worst cities to live in in Britain, haha! It's a pretty grim place in lots of ways (very flat and boring landscape and a high crime rate, for starters) but it was made famous when one of the world's longest suspension bridges (the Humber Bridge) was built there. The Humber Bridge is still the longest in the UK.
It's quite a journey for Sirius, from Hull to Godric's Hollow. What in particular drove him to visit there? Was it just his memories of the Potter family, or was it something else? It was a risky strategy to steal and wand and money and hope the wand worked for him. Fortunately, he was able to get by for long enough before stopping at Lily and James's grave. I wonder how long Bathilda was watching him for before she approached him and how did she know it was Sirius and HOW did she know that he is an animagus?...I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!! (I hope that we might find out in subsequent chapters if you can't say why just yet... ;) )
You've created an interesting backstory for Peter...I'm looking forward to reading more and seeing where this story goes!
Meera <3
Author's Response:I had always wondered where the name Snuffles came from! It's so cute, why did Sirius come up with it?? I didn't know about Hull's dodgy history... Does it still work with the little family? Or should it be somewhere else? PM me if you think I should change it. I think he had to go to see the Potters. He was too heartbroken to think about going anywhere else. With Bathilda know he was animagus, could have been a couple things, Lily might have mentioned it by accident, visiting with Harry like she would sometimes. Or, like she said, her normal powers seemed to fade, but she can still recognize others magic. Maybe there's something she can "see" about him. OR she'd seen him transform when he didn't think anyone was looking. I don't know if I'll get the chance to go back and add this so I figured I'd just say it here :) Yes! The backstory for Peter, someday I'm going to write a story with him but for now, I'll focus on Sirius :) I'm glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for the review!
-Heather
Hi Heather!
omg the amount of "awww" but also humor involved in that whole section about Sirius staying with the family for a few days. I love that that's how he came by the name Snuffles! And yes, it totally makes sense that Sirius's pride would really struggle at having to lick humans' hands and play fetch and just be a lovable dog to make sure they don't take him to the pound, oof. Like, how the mighty are fallen. Poor Sirius. Even though it was a good recovery period for him and affection is affection in the end.
If I follow Bathilda's and Sirius's comments correctly, sounds like Bathilda is saying Peter was blackmailed, and the reason Sirius isn't buying it is he just figures weak Peter gave in to what he'd thought was the winning side. Each of them has a credible theory. Blackmail was probably par for the course where Voldemort was concerned, with anyone who wasn't a staunch, fanatical follower. I wonder, if it turned out Peter really was blackmailed, and Sirius found out for a fact, whether that would actually have any effect on how Sirius feels about what Peter did. Some people are understanding about things like that as an explanation, while others are not, particularly if they're more black and white in their thinking about morality or could easily think "if someone was going to die either way it shouldn't have been via you actively betraying them" -- and I think loyalty and honor are really important to Sirius. So I'm interested to see if he ends up experiencing any internal conflict over avenging James and Lily.
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:I had always wondered how he thought of the name Snuffles and this was a great opportunity to find out! I really wanted to keep him with the family longer, it was so sweet, but of course, he was on a mission... I'm glad you're open to the theory of what happened to Peter, and yes, it might not make a difference in how Sirius feels about the situation. If the end of POA was any indication, Sirius was willing to die for his friends and didn't seem to have anyone else on his mind that he wanted to live for. If Peter was getting blackmailed to protect his mother, and he was an only child, of course he'd want to protect her and himself if she really didn't have anyone else but him. It's something Sirius couldn't really understand about family. Thank you so much for the lovely review!! -Heather
Hi, sorry for the late review for our swap! It ended up being harder than expected to focus on writing the review from my phone and once I was back home I needed some decompression time, but I'm here now!
I can definitely see some similarities in the way you and I have both written how Sirius deals with Azkaban, though I think I have more details on that in my Christmas story than the one you read. I didn't think about how much harder it would be to shift in the dementor's influence though.
I think some parts could do with a bit more show than tell but overall I think you managed to get across the feelings he's going through and the atmosphere fairly well!
After seeing the paper and plotting his escape, I'm curious how you'll go from here when Sirius wakes up again.
Thank you for the swap, and sorry again for the wait!
~Kat
Author's Response:You're probably right, I'd like to work on more show than tell, it can be so tricky doing that and moving the story along! You have a Christmas story? I literally just edited one! Lol! I'm about to post it. He's not in Azkaban though. It's about Harry's first Christmas :)
Anyway, thanks for the swap and the cc. See you aroung the forums!
Hi, there! Tagging you from Review Tag!
This is definitely the way that Sirius would have survived his years in Azkaban. I've read other stories that advance the idea that he dealt with the Dementors by transforming into his dog form, but this is the first time I've seen an author acknowledge that this would have been difficult with the Dementors around. After all, becoming an Animagus takes lots of hard work and study. The Dementors certainly would have interfered with that. It's a small thing, but it shows your attention to detail and realism.
There's a lot of realism in this chapter. Gritty little details, like scratching lines into the wall to track the passage of time. Also the way that Sirius goads the other prisoners into mocking Bellatrix. That is something he would absolutely do. Just finding ways to stay sane and even eke a tiny bit of joy out of life. The way he terrifies the Minister by laughing in his face was another really nice touch. It was utterly absurd that people would fear Sirius above all else, given the company he was keeping. But then again, what did they really know?
As time passes, his approach evolves. Mastering the transformation gives him focus. It helps him maintain his sense of purpose.
“Are you done with that paper Minister? I do miss the crossword.” -- There was something sort of hilarious about that line. The implied gentility in the miserable hell that is Azkaban. He slid it through the bars almost as if it were dirty now that Sirius wanted it. Well, alright, at least I'm seeing gentility. The Minister seems to see anything but.
Sirius has plainly kept his wits about him. He's able to surmise a lot from one picture, unraveling the particulars of the Weasleys and their life. Love the little prank that Fred and George play on Percy, as well as how Sirius can see Fabian and Gideon in their antics. But then he sees Peter and it's as though everything comes together for him in an instant. Purpose, focus, action. Since he saw the article, it had taken a hold of him in a way that he hadn't felt since his first days there. This. He knows what he needs to do.
I'm excited to read more of this. You've done a really nice job with writing it!
Cheers,
-Dan
Author's Response:Okay, I can't help but getting really excited about this review, because to me, you're kinda fanfic royalty, I've seen you on HPFF at least ten years ago (not to age either one of us) but ack!! I'm so excited you like this! Also gets me nervous and hope you like the rest of it, but it sounds like you will, so I'll try and calm down now lol...
Fangirl aside, I'm glad you're enjoying all the details, the crossword part is actually a bit that Fudge talks about in HP 3 when he's discussing Black with McGonnagal, Flitwick, Hagrid and Madam Rosemerta. I've also read a book series called the Midnight Queen by Sylvia Izzo Hunter, she writes about shape shifting too and has definitely reinforced my theory that it gets only harder to do in dire circumstances.
I'm excited for You to read more of this! Thanks so much!
-Heather
Back for more tag! Ok, so I REALLY like this idea of Sirius being sort of anxious about tranforming back into his human form when he's doing things like sleeping. It's such a small detail, but I thought it was a really clever idea to point. Because yeah, what makes someone stay in Animagus form when they aren't hardcore concentrating on it all the time?
And of course, some sailor would take pity on a dog swimming in the middle of the sea...I mean I would. But what a cool way to explore him being rescued and brought to Godric's Hollow. And I love that Sirius is remembering happier memories now that he appears to be outside of Azkaban. It's also amazing that we see that reflected a little bit in his canine behavior. The way you write him as still himself but in an animal's body is realistic and I'm really enjoying it!
The way he bounds with this family in such a short while is reminiscent of the way dog's love their humans unconditionally. And while he's not a proper dog, we get this sense that he was starved for affection for many years and this is his way of sort of reclaiming it.
Peter being blackmailed into the taste makes sense. I have seen other interpretations where he was threatened and/or tortured, but either way. He's just an ordinary fellow in my eyes who is doing whatever he needs to do to survive in a high pressure time where you don't know who you can trust. So I accept any theories that portray him in such a light, really.
Ooh I liked the way you explored Bathilda's involvement in this. And the concept of magical powers diminishing over time is really neat! I mean, it logically makes sense, but I never thought of this, and I love that you took this story there.
Another great installment for this story!
<3 Courtney
Author's Response:I literally feel myself blush a bit because I'm so happy and almost shy about the fact you like this so much. It's very consistant of how I think about it and I'm just happy my readers are enjoying it as much as I have writing it and my points of view on different theories are being so well recieved! I thought it'd be interesting to see that Bathilda knows more about his journey than we knew. The letters from Lily to Bathilda really stuck with me and made me wonder just how much she knew. If she was friends with Dumbledore's family and was a dear friend of the Potters, she probably knows a lot. She's a magical historian isn't she? This chapter is really bittersweet when he finds the family that took him in and had to leave and then goes to Godric's Hollow and sees his friends graves and then Bathilda tells him her theory and it completely threatens the idea of revenge for James and Lily's death. He couldn't accept that after all this time...
Anyway, so glad you enjoyed it!
-Heather
Hey yo! Back for some tag!
I really thought your exploration about Sirius' psychology while in Azkaban was a unique way to approach this part of his life. I don't think I've read any stories like this, but I liked how you show small parts of Sirius trying to retain his humanity by puller "darker," sort of pranks. It felt very Sirius while under the influence of dementors and being in isolation.
He's always had the capacity to go there growing up a Black, but in here, it's almost like it is amplified whereas before he might have tried to suppress it.
I also like how you described him, as a dog, noticing Peter in the Daily Prophet photo. Your descriptions there were very vivid and spot on.
And the escape itself was really thought out. The moment where he realizes he might die on the first part of his journey, but he also might die if he stays put. So it makes sense that he feels that this is better than just remaining in place. And we sort of get that he's already struggling to stay in place as a means of showing the dementors and Minister that he's docile like the rest of the prisoners.
Anyway, this was a great character study piece! I really liked you exploring this part of Sirius' life and I look forward to more!
<3 Courtney
Author's Response:Thank you for such a detailed review! I'm so proud of the fact everyone seems to agree this is a very unique story.
You are right! Growing up a Black, he definitely has a capacity for going Dark, but his friends taught him to channel that energy towards different things. Here, he is completely alone. It's really hard just sticking with one character, a lot of times I go back and forth between chapters, but, at least for a while, I'll be inside his head for the time being. Perhaps because we all know when Sirius is going to leave the story, people avoid writing about the last years of his life, but to me, they've always been the most thought provoking years for a story!
Thanks again for the great review, I can't wait to read your reactions to more!
-Heather
Hey, Heather, hi! Here for our swap!
Okay, I have to say it, I'm a bit disappointed in Sirius... I realize that the death of Callum was more of an accident and that Sirius had been waiting for a chance to get into Honeydukes for ages and that revealing himself would be dangerous etc... but I'm still quite shocked that he didn't do anything to try to save him... and it makes me so sad that this man had to die just because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time... but anyway... :/
I'm quickly back to feeling sorry for him, though... poor Sirius, he's just so exhausted and starved and nothing seems to just go smooth for him... although it was a bit silly of him to hope to be able to enter the Gryffindor CR without the password... Trust Peeves to appear there (with knives, no less...) and make it all worse! Can't really blame Sirius for destroying the Fat Lady's canvas in frustration (at least she wasn't inside in that moment... or I would be angry at him again... :P)
Wait, was Halloween also a full moon? (Was it in canon? I can't remember that detail...) Anyway, interesting that he heard Remus... Does he know that his old friend is currently a Professor at Hogwarts? Did he recognize the howl? I wonder how that made him feel...
And the Dementors... they are truly awful creatures, aren't they? I'm not surprised Sirius is terrified by them, especially after twelve years of Azkaban... :/
Interesting chapter! Looking forward to more! :D
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Okay, I understand, but I thought it was kinda self explanitory when the acid got to Callum. Sirius had no chance to try and save him and it wasn't really his fault, Callum fell. It could have happened to anyone. Also, it was Halloween and I had to open with something scary. I thought it was good to introduce Callum, someone who wasn't superstitious about the Grim and then died almost as if he'd seen one. I thought it was Ironic and that's why I did it. And yes, Sirius was VERY malnourished. Even if he could try and save Callum it might not have worked because he could barely focus enough on easy spells, and who knows if Callum would turn him in or not??
I don't remember Remus being mentioned at all during the Halloween scare at Hogwarts, that's why I added his wolf form in his office. He'd taken his potion so he wasn't a threat to the kids. He did recognize the howl and wanted to check but couldn't because he needed to get out. As I said, this is the first try I had to do something intentionally Halloween themed. We can't like Sirius all the time, he is a criminal, after all he Wanted to kill Peter.
Anyway, thanks for the review! I'll get to yours soon.
Heather
hello hellou i'm here from the review tag on the forums!!
i love stories about sirius black and i'm super intrigued by this one since it's not something i often see, a story about sirius after hogwarts, even after he gets imprisoned and i think that's super cool!
i really liked how you managed to show us different "extremes" of sirius' mental state while in azkaban, how at first he counted the years and days and everything, and how he tried to focus on transforming and how he even managed to (fake??? hysterically??) laugh just to get in the minister's face and scare him because there was nothing else left for him to do, all the while he kept raging about peter - and then when bellatrix got imprisoned, the mention of how he'd sometimes yell and heckle her, i felt like that truly showed us how far gone he is/was.
and i love that even with all that, even with the dementors and his super bleak situation, he still managed to continue focusing on his animagus form and just like....patiently wait for an opportunity, it's just this super massive show of willpower and it's not difficult to imagine him doing it with the way you've written him.
and then that scene with fudge and the newspaper and how sirius must've looked completely sane from the other side made me grin which may be a lil weird but because we're in sirius' head, imagining how he must look like to the minister and ask for the paper and even comment on the crossword is kinda funny in a morbid way heh :P
but damn, it's really no wonder he noticed peter - after so much time they spent together in their animagus forms, i loved the line how he could pick him out of a lineup of rats, it worked great and again made me laugh a little - i love that you've managed to sneak in some of sirius' wry humour in this!
looking forward ot reading more!
kris
Author's Response:Thanks so much for the review!
LOL A lot of people have loved that "lineup of rats" phrase. It seemed very appropriate and to be honest, didn't even really think much of it when I wrote it.
I agree, I haven't heard of anyone doing a story of Sirius during and after prison. They all seem to be about him before James and Lily died.... Ooooh my gosh, I just realized! My last chapter is on Halloween in Harry's third year and I didn't connect Sirius and Halloween being when his best friends died! I might have to go back and edit to include that... Sorry, um, anyway, yes, I love the idea that he heckles Bellatrix and freaks out the Minister. Really, it's the only form of entertainment he could possibly have had.
I hope to read more on your thoughts again!
-Heather
Oohh I love a Halloween chapter! Especially for Sirius, who is already kind of mysterious.
I hope Callum isn’t too scared! Sirius scares people as both himself and his dog form :/ Oh my gosh! Callum dies?? This really is a dark chapter for poor Sirius. But he is single-minded about going to see Harry.
Ah of course Peeves knows Sirius, I’m sure they were well-acquainted during him time in Hogwarts…oh my gosh evil Peeves!!! I am so angry, and the poor Fat Lady. Ugh I hate reading it from his point of view, knowing how close he was to Peter! And you need sustenance, Sirius!! I hope he gets some relief from all this running, soon.
Another great chapter! Hope to read more soon
Catherine
Author's Response:I know! I'm so not used to writing things like that, but it was Halloween and I needed to. I wish I could give him a break, but I don't see it happening too soon! I really wanted Sirius to get some food from the kitchens but I feel like the House Elves would see through any spell he had on himself, the next best thing was raiding Honeydukes. I thought the Dementor at the window was creepy too.
Thanks a lot!
Heather
Hi Heather, good to catch you in the tag!
Oh, how heart-wrenching it is to read about the bus scene from Sirius’ perspective </3 He seems so hopeful at seeing Harry, but it is just underlined with that sadness that it’s not James and that he can’t actually talk to Harry.
This has got to be Mrs. Figg!!! I think I am recalling her name correctly. How awesome to bring her into the story. Lol I love Sirius and his new cat friends :) This little nomadic life reminds me of those dog movies where they go on journeys, it’s so cute, but also sad.
I like the addition of putting his wand into his arm. It’s definitely a good thought, as he is rarely in one place for a long time at those moment. And who is this cat? I feel like it will crop up again in the future! Good job losing the tail (get it, get it??) Sirius!!
Great chapter developing his story here, Heather
Catherine
Author's Response:Thanks!
Speaking of cats, I'm up with mine this morning... oh, kitten years... I'll be able to go back to sleep soon, hopefully, I also slept on my arm wrong, so that hurts too. Anyway, yes, it's Mrs. Figg! I like to think that she has a lot more involved in Harry's life than he knows. I also thought it was clever to have the wand dissappear into his arm. I had always wondered about that. I don't see the Marauders turning Animagus and then not having their wand. Also, what about McGonnagal in the beginning of the first book? You can't tell me she didn't have her wand or else how did she get to Little Whinging? I suppose maybe Flooing through Mrs. Figg's house, but I doubt it.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
-Heather
Tag! :D
I like how you went into the extreme mental exertion of Sirius staying sane in Azkaban; it almost involved a sort of meditation -- and how even thinking about hopeful things like getting out could turn dangerous if he started thinking about worst case scenarios and started spiraling.
I had got a little lost in the middle of the chapter at first -- right after he runs to the bars and laughs at the Minister, in the very next paragraph he's looking "back at the picture" but I think that's the first mention of the picture at all? And then it becomes apparent he's suddenly a dog looking at the newspaper article, but I'm wondering if maybe some bits accidentally got cut out between the laughing part and looking at the newspaper because it wasn't totally clear how we got there. <3
I very much enjoy the darkly humorous image of Sirius just yelling at Bellatrix to shut the hell up and getting the other prisoners in on it. Makes sense that Bellatrix is totally Extra even for a place like Azkaban. :P
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:Oh my gosh you're right!! There's a whole section missing! I don't know how that happened! O.O
...
I'm glad you enjoyed the rest of it, and you're right, it is a sort of meditation. It's odd how, in some ways he's found balance and in another he's very nearly flirting with crazy like the rest of them. The minute I thought of him goading Bellatrix and the prisoners joining in.. Love it!
Thanks for pointing this out! I'm surprised no one else has, but maybe because it was your first time reading it? A few others have, so they might have not paid as much attention. I don't know.
I will rectify this at once!
Hello! Here for review tag :) I know I reviewed the second chapter of this story aaaaaages ago, but I never got around to reviewing the first one, so let's remedy that!
It's amazing anyone ever stayed sane in Azkaban, let alone managed to break out of it (and we know in canon that happened several times, right?). I love your description of how night was different to day i.e. not much; how monotonic and mundane the prisoners' lives must have been. Livened only by screams and additions of new inmates. Ugh.
Poor Sirius. I felt his frustration at being held captive and then his anger on seeing Peter in the paper and how that fuelled the desire to escape. Being reminded of the switch with the Prewett twins that ultimately resulted in their deaths must have been painful to relive; not that Sirius should feel responsible; this was war, after all, and people were going to fall.
Sirius must have known how difficult the journey ahead would be, but his instincts to protect Harry from Peter and to seek revenge must have been so strong. Worth risking his life for. I loved your descriptive writing here; really made me feel the bleakness of the situation, but with the chance of escape, there's always a little hope.
Thank you for the great read! I'll be back soon :)
Pins x
Author's Response:aw, thanks so much for coming back to review this one! I'm glad you liked the reference to the Prewett twins, I always thought they would inspire the Marauders. I hope to get a new chapter for this out soon!
Thanks again!
Hi Heather, back for chapter 2!
I love how you write Sirius’ experiences as a dog. He definitely had to live as a dog far longer than I have really considered! Obviously, he is on the run as human, and this is the best disguise. I like Jimmy and his family so far, they seem like good people. It’s just sad to consider that Sirius once again has to perform to fit in :((((
But he does really seem to love his new family either way, appreciating what they can do for him. The rumination on James and Lily is tugging at my heart :( I am glad he can look back fondly, and we know that he’ll never forget them.
I feel bad that he has to leave but it makes sense. At least he has some orientation of where he is, and can get a wand and some more food. It’s so hard to read his regret and pain at the events of James and Lily’s deaths, but only because you write that so well.
I really do like your theory! I have also personally thought that Peter was blackmailed into it. I think the difference is, Sirius or Remus would go to the Order for protection. Peter was too frightened to dare going against the threats of the Death Eaters. That doesn’t make him better or worse, it’s just who he is. And Sirius is going to have a hard time accepting that.
Thanks for another great chapter, Heather!
Catherine
Author's Response:I'm glad you liked my theory! It's something I've been kicking around for a while and thought this would be a good place to introduce it. Sirius can't forgive that kind of cowardice, or at least, what he believes cowardice is. Peter would think of it as brave to try and handle it himself and protect his mother (there may be a few tweeks in the timeline I have to make, but I can see it as canon.) It's always bothered me that they would become friends with someone who would betray them entirely. I just can't believe that Peter would be in Gryffindor if he'd do that. I know JKR wanted to write at least one "bad" person for each house so it's not entirely Slytherin, but for me, "bad" in Gryffindor would be someone like Cormac McClaggon. Anyway, back to topic, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I've been having fun with Dog Sirius. It's adorable.
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