Pomona returned to the common area of the Hufflepuff girls' dormitory. After the holidays began, there was no one here.
"Padfoot!" she shouted.
"Woof!" A response rang out from the tropical jungle, and then a large black dog came running out from beneath layers upon layers of leaves.
Pomona looked at his tail. It was not wagging.
"What's wrong with you? Not happy to see me?" Pomona asked.
"How much longer do I have to stay here?" Sirius snapped after changing back into human form.
"I know you're anxious to go out and find Wormtail, but you know the situation." Pomona spoke calmly. "People are looking for you everywhere."
"The Dementors have already gone back," Sirius said.
"Don't forget about the Aurors."
"Oh, come on. What can they even do?" Sirius complained.
"You were the one who asked me to find you somewhere to hide." Pomona was growing annoyed as well. "It's only been one night, and you already want to leave?"
The school after the holidays was indeed a good place to hide. Besides, Harry, who had the Marauder's Map, had gone back to Petunia's place. With defensive magic and Albus Dumbledore here as well, it was certainly safer than hiding outside and constantly evading pursuit.
Yet Sirius looked miserable. He still wanted to search for Peter Pettigrew while avoiding the Ministry of Magic's investigation, which was clearly impossible.
"How about taking a bath?" Pomona suggested.
"I'm not in the mood," Sirius said irritably, scratching at his neck without thinking.
Pomona immediately thought of Chizpurfles, flea-like parasites, and suddenly could no longer bring herself to look directly at him.
"I have a question," Pomona said.
"What question?"
"Phineas Black—your great-grandfather—did he usually go home after work?" Pomona asked.
"Why are you asking that?" Sirius asked.
"I just saw Albus.