Disclaimer: World of HP belongs to JK Rowling. Part of the "Snakes and Ladders Challenge" and "The If You Dare Challenge".
Prompt: Displeased (#146)
Namesake
"What are you looking at?"
Al jumped at the sound of the deep, dark and cold voice that suddenly stirred in the silent office of the Headmistress.
For a moment, he looked around the room, as if uncertain who the voice was addressing before turning back to the portrait high overhead. He stared with eyes widely peeled open at the man depicted in the frame, with dark eyes scowling down at him.
"Are you... do you... me?" he stuttered incomprehensibly, pointing to himself.
A sneer that was completely unkind spread across sallow cheeks.
"Your verbal prowess is astounding. I see your genes transcend simply your appearance," the man replied sardonically before sweeping over Al with ill-disguised disapproval.
"I'm sorry... do I... have we met?" Albus stated, still having a hard time thinking clearly under such scrutiny. It was a bit odd, to have a conversation with a portrait, even if he'd been going to Hogwarts now for about three years.
"No. But there's no need to ask who you are. Messy mop of black hair, green eyes... and that vacant expression. You must be another Potter brat. I'm surprised it's taken you this long to be sent to the Headmistress. That other one was here a mere three weeks after he started," the portrait stated in dark tones of disdain.
"You mean James?" Al asked, his brow furrowing slightly. He was uncertain which Headmaster he was presently speaking to. But... he had a inkling of whom it may be as he stared at the lanky hair that hung like dripped ink around the man's narrow face.
An impatient huff met his statement.
"How sickeningly sentimental," the dark man stated before narrowing his gaze on Albus. "And what are you... Sirius?"
"No... James is Sirius. Or rather, James Sirius," Albus replied calmly, not the least bit disturbed by the man's standoffish behavior or blatant disapproval. But then, unlike James and Lily, Albus had been blessed with an infinite amount of patience. "I'm Al. Albus Severus."
Silence met his statement, as the man suddenly froze, arms crossed over his chest. His mouth seemed to twitch as the look on his face hardened.
The portrait directly behind the Headmistress' chair started to chuckle, drawing green eyes to it. There was no need to guess which Headmaster this was. After all, his long silvery hair and beard, made him impossible to confuse for anyone else. And he was possibly one of the wizards who most often appeared on a Chocolate Frog card.
"Isn't that nice, Severus? And just look, our namesake is a Slytherin. Just like you were," the portrait of Albus Dumbledore stated, his eyes somehow twinkling in spite of the fact it was oil on canvas.
Al turned and looked at the man in black robes, now looking angry and somehow... petulant as he was trying very hard to act as if he had no in what was occurring.
Al couldn't help his lips twitching in a smile of amusement. He could hardly deny that he was curious about his namesake, particularly towards the dark-haired man, the bravest man his father had ever known. And considering whom the praise had come from, that was truly saying something.
Unfortunately, before he could allow his curiosity a voice, Professor McGonagall was back.
~END~
Review please.