"Mia, we can't," Sirius said, taking hold of her wrist as though he could stop her
should she try to make a run for it. "I need to contact Moody. When the sun rises, we'll set
up a rescue team to go and retrieve him."
He had the look of an Auror on his face, something she previously had seen in
Harry, and it pissed her off.
"What if the wolf pack finds him first? What if they all transform back in the
morning and drag him away before the Aurors get there? He's injured. They've already hurt
him, Sirius, and he's managed to get away, but that can't last. I know where he is, and I'm
going there now, with or without you."
"Fuck," Sirius growled and reached for his wand, flicking it forward and silently
casting a Patronus. The silvery image of Padfoot emerged from the wand and turned to
look at Sirius, waiting for instructions. "Lily, tell James that Prongs needs to meet us in the
orchards behind the manor. Put up the usual monthly wards." He then added,
"Do not follow him," to make sure that Lily would be protected. With a swish of his wand,
the Patronus disappeared through the nearest window.
"I know what I'm doing," Mia promised. "Shift the very second that we land."
She gripped Sirius's hand tightly and closed her eyes.
Destination. Determination. Deliberation.
When they Apparated into Whinfell Forest, Sirius shifted down into Padfoot
instantly, turning on his paws to search quickly for the little fox who was running in the
opposite direction. He spun around to follow her in the dark of the early morning. Looking
up, he could see the brilliant colours painted across the sky as dawn began to approach,
though the full moon still hung against the backdrop of the slowly lightening horizon.
The scent of blood filled his nostrils, and he sped to where, lying between two trees
fitting the description Mia had previously given him, there was a bleeding and unconscious
Moony.
Mia nuzzled against Moony's face. Slowly, his eyes opened—the gold in their depths
was pale and did not sparkle in the moonlight like it normally did. His sandy fur was filthy,
matted with dirt and dried blood.