31 Days of Fic: Fifteen
This is short, because I was working on DWYS for most of the evening. day 15 - two conversations, one with mild violence
May 15, 1976:
"Stop brooding, you great git," James says, smacking Sirius on the back of the head. "He's fine."
"What?" Sirius asks blankly, and gets a suspicious look in return.
"What's gotten into you, then?" James asks. "And don't say nothing; you've been as grim as a bloody Dementor all day long. If it's not Remus, what is it?"
"It's nothing," Sirius says.
James thumps him.
"Leave off!" Sirius protests. "I'm trying to think, all right?"
"Must be dire, then," James says, and leaves him to his own devices. Sirius can't help but feel a little bit glad that Remus is still in the Hospital Wing, because if Remus were here, he'd get the truth by dint of sheer persistence, and Sirius doesn't want him anywhere near that box in the Forest. He doesn't want any of them anywhere near it, and as he can't go to Dumbledore without getting put in detention for the remainder of his natural life, he's feeling a bit trapped. For once, he wishes that he weren't at such odds with his family. They would at least be able to tell him if whatever is in the box is worth taking the detentions for.
The idea that strikes him then is sheer genius, and he nearly falls out of his chair in his mad scramble for the portrait hole. It will mean sarcastic, nasty comments, but at least the old bastard won't be able to hex him.
There is a seldom used corridor on the fourth floor with a portrait of Winifred the Fair that's been helpful on more than one occasion. After the requisite compliments (on his part) and giggling (on hers), she agrees to take a message to one of the portraits in the Headmaster's office. Five minutes later, she returns with Phineas Nigellus himself in tow, looking more intrigued than cross - at least until he catches sight of Sirius.
"You!" he snaps. "What do you want?"
Sirius resists the urge to set the frame alight. It's not Phineas' portrait, after all.
"I need an answer," he says. "I found something on Hogwarts grounds that I think might be dangerous."
"Then report it to that blathering idiot who currently occupies my office!" Phineas says crossly. "What can I do about it?"
"You can tell me if it's dangerous, for starters."
"Sorry, can't help." Phineas starts to turn and walk out of the portrait.
"You'll be sorry," Sirius warns, and that stops him.
"What could you possibly do to me?" he asks scornfully.
"If you don't at least try to tell me what I want to know," Sirius tells him calmly, "I'll tell Sir Cadogan that there's a secret entrance to a dragon's lair somewhere in your portrait. And I'll tell Lucinda the Lusty that you said she was a looker. And that's just for starters."
Phineas looks vaguely impressed. "That would be...uncomfortable," he admits. "Fine. Ask your questions, then."
( day fourteen)*(day sixteen)
Author's Notes: again, i really have nothing to say. flying home tomorrow, thank god.
May 15, 1976:
"Stop brooding, you great git," James says, smacking Sirius on the back of the head. "He's fine."
"What?" Sirius asks blankly, and gets a suspicious look in return.
"What's gotten into you, then?" James asks. "And don't say nothing; you've been as grim as a bloody Dementor all day long. If it's not Remus, what is it?"
"It's nothing," Sirius says.
James thumps him.
"Leave off!" Sirius protests. "I'm trying to think, all right?"
"Must be dire, then," James says, and leaves him to his own devices. Sirius can't help but feel a little bit glad that Remus is still in the Hospital Wing, because if Remus were here, he'd get the truth by dint of sheer persistence, and Sirius doesn't want him anywhere near that box in the Forest. He doesn't want any of them anywhere near it, and as he can't go to Dumbledore without getting put in detention for the remainder of his natural life, he's feeling a bit trapped. For once, he wishes that he weren't at such odds with his family. They would at least be able to tell him if whatever is in the box is worth taking the detentions for.
The idea that strikes him then is sheer genius, and he nearly falls out of his chair in his mad scramble for the portrait hole. It will mean sarcastic, nasty comments, but at least the old bastard won't be able to hex him.
There is a seldom used corridor on the fourth floor with a portrait of Winifred the Fair that's been helpful on more than one occasion. After the requisite compliments (on his part) and giggling (on hers), she agrees to take a message to one of the portraits in the Headmaster's office. Five minutes later, she returns with Phineas Nigellus himself in tow, looking more intrigued than cross - at least until he catches sight of Sirius.
"You!" he snaps. "What do you want?"
Sirius resists the urge to set the frame alight. It's not Phineas' portrait, after all.
"I need an answer," he says. "I found something on Hogwarts grounds that I think might be dangerous."
"Then report it to that blathering idiot who currently occupies my office!" Phineas says crossly. "What can I do about it?"
"You can tell me if it's dangerous, for starters."
"Sorry, can't help." Phineas starts to turn and walk out of the portrait.
"You'll be sorry," Sirius warns, and that stops him.
"What could you possibly do to me?" he asks scornfully.
"If you don't at least try to tell me what I want to know," Sirius tells him calmly, "I'll tell Sir Cadogan that there's a secret entrance to a dragon's lair somewhere in your portrait. And I'll tell Lucinda the Lusty that you said she was a looker. And that's just for starters."
Phineas looks vaguely impressed. "That would be...uncomfortable," he admits. "Fine. Ask your questions, then."
( day fourteen)*(day sixteen)
Author's Notes: again, i really have nothing to say. flying home tomorrow, thank god.