**A Refuge from the Storm**

Shivering from the cold snow and wind, Harriet knocked on the enormous doors, but they opened all by themselves. She cautiously walked into a large, dark foyer that led to a dimly lit hallway. "H-hello? Is anyone there?", Harriet shivered as she called into the darkness. If she had listened hard enough, Harriet would've heard faint voices coming from two figures in the hallway near her. "The poor little girl must've lost her way in the woods!", whispered a male voice with a French accent. This was Sirius Black, a servant in the castle that had been turned into a big, furry, black dog. "Keep quiet, Black! Maybe she'll just leave!", hissed a second male voice that was deep and silky. It was Severus Snape, another servant that had been turned into a sleek, black panther. Harriet could've sworn she heard those voices, but it could've been her imagination. "F-forgive me, I don't mean to intrude or t-trespass, but I've lost my horse, and I-I need sh-shelter from the storm for the night.", she called out. Sirius spoke to Severus again. "Oh, c'mon, Snape, have a heart! She obviously needs help!" The stern panther tried to cover the dog's mouth with his paw, but Sirius bit down hard on it, making Severus yelp in pain. To Harriet, Sirius said, "Of course, Mademoiselle! No need to worry, you are welcome here!" Harriet jumped in surprise, grabbing a lit candlestick from a table. "Who said that?", she trembled. Sirius bounded up to her from behind. "Over here!" Harriet turned around, but she didn't see the dog, as he was too low to the ground for the candle's light. "Where? I can't see you!", she said. Sirius chuckled with amusement. "Right here! Look down at your feet!" Harriet did as she was told, and saw the huge dog grinning up at her. "Bonjour!", he said. The girl let out a short scream, stumbling back, falling over and dropping the candle, making the small flame go out. She stared in awe and shock as the dog gave her a lopsided grin. "You...you can talk!", she finally said. At that moment, Severus the panther came into view. "Well of course, it's all he ever does around here!", he huffed. To Sirius, he said, "And now you've done it this time, Black! She cannot stay here!" Sirius glared at the strict panther. "You know, I'm surprised at you, Sev. After ten years of being isolated in this dump of a castle, you want to kick out the first guest we've got?!" They were about to argue further, but Severus noticed Harriet still staring at the two in shock. He turned to glare at the poor girl. "Don't you know it's rude to stare, you insolent brat?!", the panther snapped. Harriet shook herself of her shock and said meekly, "I-I beg your pardon, sir. I've just never seen animals that....that.....heehhhh.....ehhhh....ehhhh...ATCHOO!" Her apology was interrupted, however, by a large sneeze, a testament to her cold she had caught outside. "You poor little child, you're soaked to the bone! Come sit and warm yourself by the fire.", Sirius spoke kindly, ignoring Severus' protests and leading Harriet to the living room where a roaring fire was burning. Harriet smiled. "Th-Thank you, sir." "Now, now, no need for that. My name is Sirius Black! That sourpuss panther there is Severus Snape. He may seem like a killjoy, but he means well.", he said. Harriet giggled as she was gently sat down in a comfy armchair and wrapped in a warm blanket by a kind-looking brown and grey wolf named Remus Lupin. "Oh, my, what service!", she beamed. "Thank you, miss.", Remus responded, smiling. Severus had given up on trying to kick their guest out. After all, she did need help, but there was still the problem of what Prince Neville would think when he found out. A motherly female weasel named Molly Weasley with red fur and a warm smile came up to Harriet with a tray of tea and biscuits. "Here you are, dearie! My chamomile tea should help with that cold of yours in no time!", she said. Harriet thanked her and sipped from a pretty teacup, already starting to feel better. Perhaps there was hope for her after all..