Won't lie this chapter is NOT how I imagined it when I first thought up this idea...but eh I still kinda like it. *sighs* Why do all of my favorite charaters end up dying? Anyone ever have this happen to them?
Sirius sighed as he walked inside one of the ministry's many elevators. He honestly hated these things, he always got the ones that ended up either full of people or when he got on were packed full. And despite his very well natured and almost bombproof personality tiny cramped places always made it hard for him to breath.
But luck was on his side today as he stepped out of the elevator and onto the floor which held the Department of Mysteries. He gave himself a moment to take deep breath before walking forward. It was honestly a worthless hope that no one would be down this wing. It really was, as Sirius kept his head down he could still hear the whispers, 'what does Black's boy want? He's never down here? Look at what the cat's dragged in!'
His head honestly couldn't hang any lower as he reached his father's section. Head of Department of Mysteries, it was written in gold on the front door, and underneath the title was his father's poetic signature. It was one of the things Sirius had been jealous of since a child. His father always had beautiful penmanship, and it had for a long while been something Sirius tried to achieve, which he still hadn't mastered.
"You can't go in there," came a all to happy voice. Sirius gave a inward groan and rubbed his temples with his fingers. "I can go see my father when ever I want Hank," Sirius grumbled turning to face the blond man that was his fathers secretary.
"Aww look, it's the oldest disinherited boy coming to kiss his daddy's feet." His voice reminded him of Peeves, though Sirius would much rather be faced with Peeves any day over five minutes with Hank. The man had had it out for him since he was a child.
Hank was three years his senior, and all through school, Hank had been the only boy who dare crossed him. Hank had also been a Hufflepuff but of pure blood he always ruled the roost, or so he claimed. Typically Sirius would have just hexed him back into his mothers womb. But today he didn't even feel like dealing with him.
"Is he in?"
"When is your alcoholic father not at work, then again who could blame him with kids like his and a wife like his." Hank chuckled, he was doing his best to rile Sirius up today. And he just might do it. "How about you keep your tongue tied, my father could have you fired and replaced before you ass even got out of your seat." Sirius barked, clenching his jaw.
"I want to see your dad try,"
"Is that a challange." Orion Black's loud voice echoed off the white walls of the Department, causing Hank to lose color in his face, "because if it is, dear boy I can easily make good on it. Your father might not be pleased but Jacob will get over his son's stupidity. And next time you bad mouth me you'll be licking my shoes." Orion gave Sirius a nod to come inside. "Get out of my sight Westwood, before I make it permanent."
Sirius couldn't have picked a day were his father was in a good mood, could he? So much for his good luck…
"Yes sir!" was the last thing Sirius heard Hank say before his father's office door sealed shut. "Now tell me Sirius, what do I owe the pleasure of you coming to visit me?" Orion sat down in his large chair, a fire was slowly dwindling behind him in a marble fireplace. The walls were colored green, which shouldn't surprise Sirius. The office had held most of the Black family, and all but he had been in Slytherin.
"Well…I just wanted to come see you," Sirius stood till his father waved his wand pointing to a empty chair. Only then did Sirius sit, he could see it written on his father's face he was neither in a good mood or even in a well rested mood. "Sirius, I won't tolerate lies." Orion's eyes which normally when Sirius was around held light, now were stone cold. Sirius wondered just what had happened this morning for his father to be so cold.
His father had changed so much since Sirius had last seen him, his eyes seemed so dull. His voice was rough most likely from the alcohol he was drinking. It was no secret Orion Black was a drinker, typically though it had no bad effects on his behavior so it wasn't much of a issue. But it sounded much rougher than normal, probably due to stress he drank more.
"Are you even sober?" Sirius blurted out before he could even attempt to stop himself. Orion gave him a look before chuckling, "yes son I am." Orion leaned forward, "now tell me why are you here? It's not very often you travel down here. It's not like you take a great pleasure walking down here."
"A son can't come see his father?"
"Sirius you and I know very well you'd rather I come to you. For the simple fact…well we know the situation." Sirius nodded, "So tell me the truth."
Sirius was going behind his brother's back. It was in the middle of August, they had a week before they went to the states. And Sirius couldn't bare to leave his father without knowing. "I've heard…rumors." Orion's face instantly morphed weither it was interest or not Sirius wasn't sure. "Go on," Orion leaned back in his chair and looked his son over. Sirius didn't like the look.
"Well…" how exactly did one tell their father that the darkest wizard of the twentieth century wanted them dead?
"Well what?"
"Voldemort wants you dead…" Sirius spit it out like it was a fireball, and instantly felt regret as he watched his father's face shift into one that was made of stone. Before he quickly began to laugh, Sirius didn't know which one made him feel worse, the stone face or his father's loud laughter. "I'M SERIOUS!"
"I know you are," his father laughed even harder holding his stomach. There were times in Sirius' life were he really hated his name. "I mean I know your serious about him wanting me dead." Orion chuckled as he wiped his eyes. "I've known for…what four months now? I know what he wants too." Sirius starred at him wide eyed. "Sirius, son do you honestly think I wouldn't know?"
"And…your ok with it?"
"Only a fool would be ok with Voldemort on your heels, then again if he kills me…what am I gonna do about it." Orion took to his feet and walked over to a few photo's on the wall. "Your Grandfather would have slapped my silly if he knew what his son thought about the whole Pureblood thing now." Sirius couldn't help but chuckle, causing Orion to turn from his place.
"About time," Sirius chuckled leaning back in his chair. "How long have I been telling you, it's a load of bullshit."
"Sirius," Orion sighed and shook his head. "Yes, yes rub it in, go ahead. I know you need to get it out of your system." And it was like opening a flood gate of laughter, and I told you so's. Honestly it was rather childish, but Sirius couldn't hold it in. "Are you finished?" Sirius nodded grinning ear to ear.
"Where did you learn about Voldemort's plans for me, by the way." Orion sat back down looking Sirius over. "I can honestly tell you I probably won't believe you when you tell me, but go for it."
"Regulus told me," Sirius gave his honest answer, causing his father's eyes to turn as big as saucers. "Your kidding," Orion's voice cracked, that only meant trouble. Sirius shook his head, this was going to be awkward.
Indeed it was for a few cold minutes to two Black's sat in silence, neither saying a word. Until eventually Orion cleared his throat. "That um…why did he tell you?"
"He knows who has to kill you," Sirius sighed. This was the part he knew his father wouldn't be able to hear, which became his signal to leave. "Look Dad…I really just came down to-"
"Sit." it was a command. Sirius without hesitation sat back down, his father was not a man to anger. Only stupid fools crossed Orion Black, and typically they didn't live to tell the tale.
"Father, I can'-"
"Who Sirius, don't give me this confidential brother bullshit, you two are not four anymore." Orion was leaning forward, the aura of the room had changed from a friendly chat, well as friendly as you can be when talking about your father's plotted demise. To a dark and secretive chat. With a flick of his wand Sirius heard the bolt on the door click, along with a few other locks around the room click shut. And with another wave Sirius felt the familiar tightness of a silencing charm.
"Sirius, tell me." Sirius shook his head, his father didn't need to hear it was Regulus who needed to kill him. "Please." Sirius sighed, there was no way he was beating his father. He felt his resolve crumble at his feet, and with a few failed attempts at trying to get his words out he stopped and took a deep breath.
"Dad…it's…it's," There was a knock at the door and Sirius sighed a deep breath of relief. "I'M BUSY!" Orion's booming voice echoed throughout the tiny room. The knocking then cested and desisted and Orion turned his attention back to Sirius. Well at least Sirius thought that he was out of the clear. Orion quirked an eyebrow, Sirius took his cue to continue.
"It's Regulus…" Sirius felt his whole chest cave in. Could hear his heart near explode. But what really took the life from his body was his father's blank stare as he leaned back in his chair. Sirius could only imagine the things running around in his head. His son, his baby was the one who had to carry the heavy job of killing his father.
"My Regulus," his father whispered, his voice so distant and empty. Sirius felt his whole body shake with fear, he was waiting for his father to explode. But it never came instead Orion hung his head, hiding it with his hands and shuttered.
The dog inside of Sirius began to whine, his father was in the dog's eyes still his master. And no dog Sirius had ever come in contact with ever liked for their masters to be upset. Sirius walked over and wrapped his arms around his father's broad shoulders and rested his head on his shoulder. "Shhh dad," Sirius tried to comfort him. But really there was nothing he could do. Orion for all of Regulus' life had fought for him, in silence he had begged Walburga to leave him out of the death eaters to stop force feeding it down his throat before he just did it to shut her up.
And Regulus did eventually do just that. And now it was Orion who was going to pay the price.
After a while Orion breathed normally and raised his head, Sirius knew the look that was given to him and he turned to the cabinet behind him pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey and a shot glass and handed it to his father.
After he took a few drinks he sat the bottle down and starred ahead, the light in his father's grey eyes had died. "Sirius…" he started but his mind was too far away.
"Yea?" Sirius looked at him, his heart was breaking. He couldn't take seeing the once proud and strong Orion Black crumble like a cracker. Nothing in Sirius' whole life had made his father ever seen like a weak man, but then again to what child does their father ever seem weak? "Is there anything you can do?"
"Remus and I are going to attempt to hide him."
"Good…good boy," Orion's distance started to fade as he looked at Sirius. "Keep his safe…for me."
"Don't I always?" Sirius smiled and rubbed his father's back. He watched as his father closed his eyes and breathed. "Sirius…I'm sorry."
"Don't, your not dying I'll see you for forever because you don't have the guts to really die on me." Sirius chuckled. He felt his father grab his hand and squeeze. Sirius gave him a smile. He should expect his father to scare him after learning what he did. But it didn't help that this scaring wasn't screaming and shouting. It was fear and pain.
"I love you, you know that right."
"Most of the time," Sirius chuckled. "And I you?"
"It's been hard to remember the past few years, but I do know." Orion smiled nodding his head on a drawing that still lingered on his desk. Sirius shook his head laughing. It had been a picture of the family Sirius had drawn when he was around four. It was a normal thing for a child to do. Other than Walburga was a bat and was fluttering constantly around their heads screeching.
"Ya know, she wanted to throw that drawing away when she saw it."
"Only because she's a bat" Sirius laughed, picking the drawing up. "I can even remember drawing that. Reg scribbled in the grass and sky." Sirius gave a bittersweet smile. Orion sighed the same smile on his face. "Yea…once you two were as thick as thieves."
"It'll be that way again. Let me get him away from here. You'll see."
"Keep him safe." Orion whispered his voice was heavy. "You don't know how bad this war is going to get." Sirius nodded. "When do you three leave?"
"End of August, I promised him that much time. No idea why he wanted it but I guess he did." Orion nodded, "too much like me." He chuckled, "I wouldn't want to run off on the spot either."
It was soon after Sirius slipped from his father's office and headed back to his own department, though deep down inside he didn't have any good feelings. Something was wrong in the world, he just didn't know what. Despite warning his father, and letting him know that he was going to hide his brother. Something was a eschew, something was going to go very wrong.