Lily had simply been walking past the alley, out getting air and a sense of perspective, when she heard the whimper. Stopping, she peered down the alley, then hastened her steps when she saw the dark form, obviously concerned for whatever was down there. It was barely halfway into the alley when she realized what she was looking at down there.
A dog. And not just any dog, but one she would know anywhere, no contest. That relief – she'd told them that Sirius would come, of course he would if they were all there – was countered by the heartwrenching sounds he was making and she dashed the rest of the length of the alley, dropping down next to the dog. Without thought, she buried her fingers in his thick fur, dropping her head to his, red hair pooling around him.
"Shh shh, what's the matter, eh?" she soothed, not even thinking for a moment that this dog was any other than Sirius. "Little confused there, mate? I don't blame you, this place is beyond mad."