June 8th: Patronus to Minerva

[shacklebolting]

Kingsley left Sirius asleep in the bedroom. He still thought it would be wiser if only Minerva knew of Sirius's return. He could understand Sirius wanted to tell his godson and friend, but that was Minerva's decision

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[black_returned]

He could hear voices. Strange how it always sounded like his mother's voice, a low monotone of bitterness and anger, malice and hatred.

Sirius rolled over and pulled the pillow over his head.

His mother kept on, a voice in the darkness, in the cold, that cut through him like a knife. Always, it brought out the worst in him, all his anger and defiance, knowing that he was never good enough for her, not a proper Black, before he'd cast it all aside and been proud to be everything that she hated.

Murderer. Traitor.

No! He wasn't those things, he hadn't killed James and Lily, hadn't betrayed them, although it always felt like he had; he'd been so stupid to trust Peter and it was his fault. Yes, your fault they're dead, yours. The voices grew louder, more insistent, and all the warmth leached out of his bones and he could smell it, that rank sweet smell of death and decay overlaid by salt. Azkaban.

"No!" He wasn't guilty, it wasn't him, but despair reached cold hands for him--

[shacklebolting]

The shout brought Kingsley into the bedroom at once. Shoo hissed as he passed, but he ignored the grumbling; while he hadn't yet managed to evict the former occupant's cat, they'd come to an understanding that the bedroom belonged to Kingsley.

Sirius was thrashing on the bed. Wary of taking an elbow to the chin, Kingsley called out a few times, but Sirius didn't wake. Finally Kingsley sat on the edge of the bed and caught Sirius's arm. "Sirius? You're all right, it's just a dream." He brushed the sweaty hair back from Sirius's brow, concerned.

[black_returned]

--and hands, hands reaching for him. He hit out--

Sirius woke with a start, rolling himself into Remus' arms, all warmth and quiet concern. Comfort. He needed--

Reaching up, he nuzzled along a solid jaw, finding lips that opened under his, firm, full lips that tasted of warmth, of life. His hands moved over a broad back, sleek skin and he opened his eyes.

[shacklebolting]

A hot mouth captured his own, which went slack with surprise. Sirius had to be alseep still. Kingsley should stop him before he woke up... but his mouth felt so good and it had been so long...

All the restless feelings he'd been battling this last year coiled around the kiss. This was more than just stress from a long assignment that took him away from the wizarding world so much, more than losing Tonks as his partner, more than the never-ending drama his family loaded on him. A man was kissing him, and he liked it.

I haven't brushed my teeth today, he thought, and that jarred him back to sense. He pulled away, and saw that Sirius was watching him.

"I," he said, and licked his lips. He had no idea what else to say.

[tartan_robes]

June 8

Minerva Flooed immediately to Kingsley's flat. Stepping from the cold flames, she greeted Kingsley. "Good morning. You called?"

Please, God, not another emergency...

[shacklebolting]

"Minerva, thank you for coming so quickly. I..." He suddenly realized Sirius was lounging naked in his bed, and reached behind the door, groping for his houserobe. He threw it in the general direction of the bed, and hoped Sirius would take the hint.

"Something rather unusual happened at the Ministry last night." He couldn't help the smile that spread over his lips. "If you'll pardon the pun... look what the cat dragged in."

Be dressed, he ordered Sirius silently.

[black_returned]

Shit, the floo! Tossed in amongst the blankets as Kings abruptly left the bed, Sirius realised that it wouldn't be unwarded but god only knew who it would be. He rolled off quietly and heard Kings' voice. Minerva! He stepped forward eagerly and saw the robe flying towards him, reminding him that he was still naked. Wrapping it around himself, he walked through the door.

"Hullo, Minerva." She looked tired, but so very, very good after all the terrible things he'd heard over the past day.

[tartan_robes]

There was no mistaking him. She'd known that face since he was eleven years old. His name escaped her lips in a shocked near-whisper. "Sirius Black!"

She swallowed around a rather substantial lump in her throat, and forced something resembling her normal voice to come out. "Kingsley...how did...where did you find him? When? I trust you've had him more than an hour, to test for Polyjuice..."