"If you are not up to speaking to the Headmaster, Potter, you need only say and I will escort you back to your common room," she assured him gently - he felt eternally grateful to her, but refused the offer, instead hobbling after her up to the headmaster's office, Sirius a constant supporting presence at his side. Dumbledore rose to his feet to greet him as he stepped over the threshold - drawing him out a chair and thanking Minerva, but firmly sending her away. The second they were alone, Sirius transformed, and it was like seeing him for the first time all over again.