Chapter 1: Detention
A new year had begun. A new year full of mischief for some of her students. A new year full of holding detention again besides regular classes.
Sirius Black and James Potter, probably the most popular two mischief-makers of their time, had awaited McGonagall in front of the Great Hall as she had instructed them. Now, her two students walked closely behind her, surprisingly still.
With a frown, Minerva McGonagall turned around and eyed them.
«I suppose you two will never stop. »
She had hoped with the grade, would come matureness.
Always pulling pranks on the Slytherin house. Many times, mocking one student in particular: Severus Snape.
Minerva had some understanding for her students, but pranks were not only redundant and bad for the common good. Pranks were not permitted at all.
Sirius Black gave her a charming smile.
«I suppose it isn't in our blood. »
«And Professor, wouldn't it be extremely boring without any pranks from us? », added James Potter.
McGonagall crossed her arms.
«You will be having detention separately. Potter, you come with me. Black, Professor Slughorn awaits you in his office. » She paused.
«Dearest Prongs, don't have too much fun without me», said Sirius and bowed.
«Mr. Black. »
«Yes, professor. »
She viewed her student sternly and with one last glance at his friend, Black left.
«Professor? »
«Yes, Mr. Potter? »
«Nice change, if I may say that. »
McGonagall smiled. «Thank you, Mr. Potter. »
The nearer he got to the dungeons the more Sirius was reminded of his parents' house again, like every time he came here for potions lessons. He took a deep breath and fetched a little mirror. His two-way mirror. He had found it while evading his mother last summer.
He had given the equivalent to James. He put his hand in his bag.
Sirius put on a smile and knocked at the door. «Ah, Sirius Black. Come in.» Slughorn said and stepped aside.
«When Minerva asked if I could have an eye on you during this detention, I agreed implicitly. »
Professor Slughorn viewed him lovingly. Sirius never fully understood, why Slughorn was so dotty about him. Probably because of his surname. He silently inhaled sharply and would have given anything to leave the dungeons behind but unfortunately, he was here for detention.
His gaze wandered around.
«Take a seat, please. »
He sat down next to Slughorn.
«I had hoped, you may help me with this. » Slughorn handed him a paper.
Sirius mustered it. Amazing. Looked like he would have the delight with the ingredients register.
«It appears immense, but for someone with your abilities it will be done in no time. »
Slughorn smiled.
Sirius mustered the list.
«I am here at the desk, should you need me. »
«Got it», he said slowly.
«Professor. »
Then he walked over to the shelves filled with all manner of ingredients needed for potions' class.
«Amazing. This will take me all night», he mumbled, but was not heard by Slughorn.
«Hope you have a merrier time, dear Prongs. »
James was instructed to help Madame Pince sorting returned books to their obliged place. He mistook it for a joke, but all his hopes for a peaceful seat writing down lines vanished when he looked at Professor McGonagall. Negotiating wouldn't have helped, and well, now he was bending over a pile of books, trying to figure out their place of belonging. He inspected the back of the book. Amazing. The title was beyond recognition. He took a look at the loan list.
Evans.
He nearly let the book drop, but caught it in time. Madame Pince would have had him for damaging her beloved books.
He flipped through the pages, hoping to find a title inside. His search was not successful. If only...
James fetched his two-way mirror.
«Prongs on Padfoot. Mate, you there», he whispered. It lighted up and he was eye to eye with... an eye?
«I feel so... observed. »
«Eye of... I don't want to know of what», Sirius stated, while putting the jar aside.
«Dearest Prongs, have I ever told you of how I love sorting ingredients. »
James laughed.
Then he saw his friend's face, smirking at him. «How is your detention going? »
James held the book in front of the mirror.
«I am blinded by this much of wisdom. Take it away, I beg you», joked Sirius.
«I know, mate. I fear I have turned to a bookworm when we meet again. »
«Please not. Prongs. Be strong. Wait, I'll search for a cure to bring with me», Sirius answered.
James laid the book down.
«No, seriously Sirius. I need your help. Any chance you know this book by its cover? »
He only saw black. Sirius must have stored the mirror in his pockets.
«Don't tell me the connection has blacked out. »
«I may be called Black, but not even a Black would black you out, dearest Prongs», Sirius replied and smiled at him again.
«Can you blind me with its wisdom one more time? I'll be strong. »
«Mr. Padfoot, it'll be my pleasure. »
Sirius regarded it, but shook his head.
«No, sorry. It could be some history of magic or something like that, but no, unfortunately, I am as lost as you are. »
James let the mirror drop to his other hand.
«Don't let me down, Prongs. »
«Quite the reverse, Mr. Padfoot», he said, while putting the mirror in one of his pockets. «You'll be present. She won´t be happy about me talking to her. »
«Mate, I believe in your abilities. »
James was right. Madame Pince first had ignored him, then had viewed him very strictly, before she told him where to put the book, with a frown on her face.
But he managed and Sirius had to return to his "more or less good sorting" of the ingredients on his list. «I am not even halfway through», he mumbled.
«Then you better hurry, mate. »
He shook his head and smiled.
«D... »
Slughorn checked on him and he paused.
«Daisy», he said instead, ticking off the ingredient on the list.
When Slughorn looked away, Sirius lifted his mirror again.
«Daisy? »
«Yes, Daisy. »
«Do I…»
«Unluckily luckily you're not here, mate, otherwise-»
«You would never...»
Sirius smiled.
«I would never ever. »
«Why-»
«I had to pretend I am working», he replied.
«You and work. »
«I am unofficially officially working, yes. »
«As you say. »
Sirius let the list drop.
«Prongs. »
«Yes. »
«Shouldn't you be at work either? »
«Got it. My attention is unwanted», James smirked and the mirror turned black.
«He always takes things too seriously», he mumbled and viewed his list again, when the door opened.
Sirius lifted his head and frowned.
«Professor. » Regulus.
«Ah, Mr. Black. As accurate as my pocket watch. »
Then Regulus spotted him.
«Yes, he is here for detention», meant Slughorn.
Sirius and Regulus bandied looks.
«When does-»
«Now. »
He handed Slughorn the list and left without another word.
The door slammed shut.
Sirius locked his chamber. «I am a Gryffindor and it's good. It's good I am in Gryffindor. They just don't understand», he mumbled. Regulus would be sorted into Slytherin. Slytherin is the only house for a Black. They, the Blacks were purebloods, a very noble family. Regulus.
The perfect son. And he, a traitor.
But he was only a boy of eleven years that day and did not understand why his family called him a blood traitor.