Double Dog Dare! -- Episode 29
Frances, 30 September 2002

Sirius Black had never liked Severus Snape, that much was true. He had baited the man in the past and fully intended to do the same in the future. But standing at the bottom of those steps and seeing Snape in the clutches of the Dementor potion, Sirius had to bite back a whimper. He had been that man just a few days before, enduring the agonies that dwelled at the bottom of his soul. Though he didn't care for Severus Snape, he had to stop this torment.

Transforming into his dog form, he padded quietly toward the writhing pair on the other side of the basement. His simple canine thought patterns did not telegraph to Janet the way his bruised human ones would have and he was at her side in a moment. He averted his eyes from the horrified expression on Snape's face as he returned to his upright body and grabbed Janet round the neck with his bare hands. Pulling her up, he shook her violently before dropping her to the floor and ending her resistance with a kick.

"Bloody hell!" Snape cried out.

"Wha'?"

"Oh, great. That's just great," the potionsmaster fumed as he got to his feet, pulling the tatters of his robe about him. "Look what you've done."

Confusion and indignation showed on Sirius' face. "I saved your bloody ass - again - that's what I've done." He peered at the angry man. "How did you shrug off the Dementor potion like that?"

"Because I never drank the bloody potion, dolt. Some of us are more skilled at self-preservation than others."

In quick anger, Sirius pointed his wand at Snape but the man waved his arm and the wand flew across the basement to land in a puddle of green muck.

"Do grow up," Snape drawled at him. "You've totally ruined my plans. Didn't Fidelis relate them to you?"

As if on cue, the tiny dog sprang down the steps and cheerfully greeted his master. He scooped the spaniel up and briefly buried his face in the soft fluff of the ears. This action seemed to calm him and he looked at Sirius with his eyes glittering blackly.

"We need to salvage this somehow," Snape said, and he turned to pace. "I was this close to finding the map and locating Voldemort's current stronghold. Now, you've ruined it."

"I came to help, you ungratefulƒ"

"Why would you assume I needed your help? Why couldn't you follow orders?"

Sirius sneered. "It was Viviane's idea. You could rot for all I care."

"Of course. And where is she? She's not the type to play shrinking violet"

"If you're really interested, you can look for her. I wash my hands of the both of you."

Sirius turned to go but then crossed the basement to retrieve his wand. Bending down low, he noticed one of Snape's buttons nearby and reached for it. He had an undeniable urge to wing the small, solid object at the git's greasy head.

The instant he touched it, he felt a familiar tug in the pit of his stomach.