Quidditch - Round Five

Wigtown Wanderers - Captain: Dishonesty (character used: James Potter)

Also written for Hogwarts Forum

Assignment 9 - Archaeology - 10 - Write about an unexpected discovery

AN: I like to consider the idea that with Sirius' upbringing, he could have chosen Social Worker as a career choice, since we don't know canonly what he did.

So Sirius is a social worker and James is a lawyer.

Tell me why

Warnings for: Off-screen unspecified assault relating to a crime case, off-screen murder and implied violence.

Sirius fiddles with his clipboard as he waits impatiently for the report he's requested.

"Come here often?" a voice says from behind him, and suddenly Sirius' day is a lot better. He turns, his gaze falling on familiar hazel eyes and messy hair that he's come to adore.

"Too often." Sirius moves closer to James, leaning in for a kiss - merely a brush of lips, because there's no space for public displays of affection in the Ministry file room, "but my day is looking up immensely."

"I'm afraid I'll have to let you down," James murmurs. "I'm just dropping something off." He waves his own file.

"Oh. The case is finished?" Sirius asks. "Did he…"

"Got off," James says, his smile fading. "We've so much evidence. So, so much. But the law doesn't protect Muggle victims enough, and part of their defense is… if the victim doesn't remember what happened, was a crime really committed?"

Sirius wraps his arms around James.

It's the law that has failed these victims, not James. But James can't understand that.

"I became a lawyer to help people," James murmurs.

"You're doing everything you can," Sirius assures him. "We both deal with monsters, James. But we're limited in what we can do."

"Tell me your social work is going better," James asks quietly.

Sirius sighs. "My next case is an overly religious family with a child showing magical abilities. I think the person that made the original call mentioned an exorcism, and…" he trails off.

"Fuck," James whispers.

"The amount of paperwork," Sirius mutters. "First I need to apply for permission to reveal the child's magical status before school age. Hopefully that'll get the parents to realise that his magic is not the 'devil's work'. Failing that, they'll be obliviated, we'll remove the boy, and find him a new home. There's paperwork with each step, and waiting for higher-ups to sign off. If only I could help him now."

"Don't worry, Sirius. Everything will work out for the best."

Dark hair peeks out from under the covers, and a man snores softly.

His partner slips out of the bed, quietly making his way down to the office. Once there, he removes the bottom desk drawer and sets it aside. He takes out the file underneath it.

There are copies of reports that they've brought home, and he reaches for one at the very back.

"Murderer," he whispers to himself. "Killed his whole family, set the house on fire and got away with it, the smug bastard."

Anger flares inside of him, and he reads every word. He memorises the name and the address of the person acquitted of this crime. There's not a single doubt in his mind that this man is guilty.

The file is returned but he keeps the report. He sneaks through the house, taking the invisibility cloak with him as he leaves.

It's better that his partner never knows.

"You keep yawning," James comments. "Are you okay?"

"Just tired," Sirius comments, staring into the mirror. "Bags under my eyes. I look a mess."

"You look as gorgeous as you always do," James insists, chuckling. He leans in, his lips brushing Sirius' jaw. "Amazingly gorgeous."

"You're just saying that because you have to."

"Maybe, but it's also true," James informs him. "Come on, let's eat and get to work. If you spend any more time making yourself look good, I'll be doubly-worried that someone will try to steal you away."

Sirius laughs. "That'll never happen. Though, maybe a fry-up will wake me up a little?"

"Are you hinting that you want me to cook for you?"

Sirius just grins at him, and James rolls his eyes good-naturedly. "Go on then."

Sirius follows James to the kitchen and notices the owl tapping on the window. Immediately he goes to pay the bird and get the paper, whilst James makes a start on food.

He unrolls it, eyes drifting over the front.

"Aaron Klodian," he says, putting the paper flat. "James, remember that case we worked on together a while back?"

"Hmmm?" James asks, glancing around from where he's cooking. "That name rings a bell, yeah."

"A wizard with a Muggle wife. Their son was a Squib," Sirius reminds him.

James nods. "He claimed it was accidental magic. That his son had gotten his powers late and set fire to the house."

"They're talking about that here. Saying that he tragically lost his family. They think that he ended his own life, but that's bullshit because we both know he was guilty." Sirius' eyes move to James'. "Whatever happened to him, I hope he suffered."

"One less monster in the world," James tells him. "I'd call that a reason to celebrate."

Sirius nods. "A great start to the day."

He's not sloppy or careless. He has reasons for getting inside, and when they realise why he's there, it's too late. It's unfortunate how quickly it goes, because he'd love to make it last hours.

These monsters don't deserve a quick death. They deserve to feel pain and suffering until their bodies give up. Until their throats are raw from the screaming. Until there's not enough blood left in their bodies to sustain them.

The amount of pain they all deserve would take days to deliver, but he's only got a few hours. If he's gone too long, it'll be noticed.

He's quiet as he arrives home, putting the cloak away. He washes thoroughly, and he uses magic to dry himself.

He slips into bed and snuggles closer to his partner, a smile on his lips.

The world is a little bit safer now. A little bit better.

"It's a bit scary," Sirius admits quietly as he sets the paper down.

James turns from where he's cooking breakfast. "What's wrong?" he checks. "Is it your mum again?" There's a flash of anger in James' eyes at the mention of her. "Is that why you were out of bed last night? I heard you get up, but thought you'd come back if you needed me."

"I wanted you to get your rest," Sirius admits.

"Your happiness is worth a sleepless night," James reminds him quietly. "You know that, right?"

Sirius nods once more. "Yeah, I do. But… I want to think that the world is getting better. I feel happy every time I read about one of these deaths. What kind of person does that make me?"

James ponders the question as he turns back to the food. There's silence until the food is placed on the table.

"I suppose there's a relief that these people won't hurt anyone else again," James finally says. "It doesn't make you a bad person. You're a good person who wants these people to pay for what they've done. And we know what they're capable of - if they can hurt one innocent person, what's stopping them from hurting another?"

Sirius sighs. "I think I need some time off work," he says quietly. "But these kids - these families, they need me. If I take a break, I can't ensure someone worthwhile will keep on top of my work-load. I want to be the sort of person I wish would've come to my home when I was younger. I can't fail these kids."

"Maybe you could take two days off and we just have a long weekend?" James suggests softly. "We'll find time for a proper holiday, but…"

Sirius smiles. "How do you understand me so well?" he asks. "How am I lucky enough to have you?"

"I'm the lucky one," James insists.

"But I'm messed up. You wouldn't believe the thoughts I have sometimes," Sirius admits, his voice quiet. "James, you really wouldn't want to be around me if… if you knew."

"There is nothing you can say that'd make me leave you," James promises him. "With what you see on a day-to-day basis as a social worker, it's bound to affect you. But I'm here to try and counter that, okay? To try and offer lightness."

"If only it were that easy," Sirius murmurs.

Blood trickles from the blade, running down the handle, over his gloves. He can't help but watch the motion.

It's funny. Purebloods are so convinced their blood is better, but when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter. Pureblood, half-blood, Muggleborn, Muggle, Squib. All the blood looks the same.

It drops to the floor at his feet, and he looks at the man lying on the ground. He's clinging to life, but that won't last much longer.

He grabs a chair. He's going to sit and watch the light leave the man's eyes. No act of mercy to put him out of his misery, because this monster on the floor never showed compassion to his victims.

So why should he?

"I got up last night," Sirius says quietly. "I looked for you."

James meets Sirius' gaze through the mirror as he brushes his teeth.

"It's… James, it's not the first time. Is there… something you're not telling me?"

James turns his attention back to his own reflection. He spits into the sink and rinses his mouth before turning and wiping his lips.

"I know where your thoughts are going," James says gently. "And I swear to you that I never have and never will cheat on you."

Sirius still hesitates. "What keeps you out at night?"

"Work," James says. "Research. I want you to sleep and rest, because I know the emotional exhaustion you've been facing at work, so I take it elsewhere. I didn't mean to add to your worries."

Sirius' shoulders droop at the mention and he hesitates.

"I've never been happier in my life," James assures him. "You're my world and there's no reason to feel scared or to feel worried, or to be insecure, because my heart is yours, and I'll protect you with my life."

He leans in for a kiss and Sirius tastes his minty toothpaste. There's an intensity to James' kiss that he's been feeling every so often, something different about it.

And whilst James has sworn that he's not cheating, that he's only working, Sirius can't find it in himself to believe him. Because there's something going on.

He knows when James is lying. Maybe James isn't cheating, but he's certainly not working either. And it hurts that James would so easily be dishonest with him.

Sirius waits in the armchair. A move he once saw in a Muggle film, it seems fitting for this moment. James snuck out - again - and Sirius' brain has concocted too many scenarios about what could be happening.

Sirius has always wondered how someone as pure as James would ever want to spend his life with him.

An hour slowly creeps into two, and suddenly the door is thrown open. Sirius jumps in shock. He had expected James to sneak back in quietly, with lipstick marks, perhaps? Shirt buttoned wrong? Something.

What he didn't expect was for James to stumble in, the front of his shirt stained in blood that's spreading by the second.

James' hand comes up to the wall and as he moves it away, there's blood staining the pale grey paint, and that spurs Sirius into getting up and rushing forward.

"Why are you awake?" James demands. His glasses are missing, and he looks wild, panicked. "You're supposed to be asleep."

"Who hurt you?" Sirius demands. His fingers fumble with the buttons and, in his urgency, he drops his wand. Sirius grabs the shirt and pulls hard. Several buttons pop off and fall onto the carpet. "I'll kill them, who did this? We need to go to St. Mungo's, and—"

"No!" James shouts. "We can't. Sirius, if I go there, they'll know… suspect…" His eyes move around the room, and suddenly they're back on Sirius and his hands grab Sirius' wrists urgently. "Please just go back to bed."

Sirius pulls his hands away. "Have you… did someone… stab you?"

"An accident at work," James tries. He offers a smile, which is weak in comparison to his usual one. "I was only 'lightly' stabbed."

"Stop lying to me," Sirius demands. "You've been sneaking out for weeks. Tell me the truth."

James grabs at his hands again. "If I tell you, you'll leave me," he says. "I swore I'm not cheating - that's the truth, can we leave it at that? Can… can we... Sirius, please. I'm begging you."

"Tell me," Sirius repeats.

James' hands drop in defeat, and Sirius grabs his wand back up and summons the first-aid kit from the kitchen. James is just standing there, shaking, so Sirius does the best he can.

He shakily heals the wound, aware of James' blood on his wrists and hands, and maybe even on his clothes at this point. It's on the floor. "You've lost quite a bit of blood. If you don't tell me, I'm leaving."

James leans against the doorframe, pale and weak. "You know what I do," he admits quietly. "The newspapers. You read about it."

"You… what?" Sirius is lost. What about the papers?

"Aaron Klodian," James mutters. "Joseph Adams, James Clifton, to name a few."

"Those are… they died. They were…" Sirius takes a step back. "Are you saying that you… James, you didn't do that. You don't have that in you."

James' lips curve into a smile again. This is one Sirius has never seen before, but it fits the wild man that's standing in front of him.

"I told you that I want to make the world a better place, a safer one," he says gently. "It's never going to be that with these people in the world. Maybe I'm no better than they are, but at least my victims deserve it." He moves away from the doorframe, swaying a little as he pulls out his wand and tosses it down. "If you want to report me, I won't stop you. I'd never hurt you, I'd never let harm come to you. I won't hold it against you."

Sirius looks at the wand, before his gaze turns to James. "That thought hasn't crossed my mind, even once," he admits quietly. "James, you… you hurt people. What happened tonight?"

"I got cocky," James admits. "Hopefully he bleeds out, otherwise…"

"He was alive when you left? Did he see your face?"

James nods. "He was expecting me, I suppose. Or expecting someone to come for him. I still managed to get the upper hand, but…"

"Where is he now?" Sirius demands. "James, what is the address?"

James withdraws a sheet of paper and Sirius strides over and takes it.

"Clean up, and rest," he orders. "I've got to protect you, so I'll sort this out, okay? We'll… we need to talk about this."

"Are you going to the Aurors?" James asks quietly.

Sirius lowers his gaze. "I don't know," he admits. "I'm so lost right now."

James nods. "Whatever you decide, I'll be here."

"Oh, the social worker," the man says. He's got no wand that Sirius can see, and there's no Floo in the room. Just a man trying hard to do wandless magic to heal himself.

Blood coats the floor, and Sirius wonders how much of that is James'.

"Yes, the social worker," Sirius mutters. He looks at the man and feels disgust at the sight of him. "You're going to die soon."

"Go on then, call St. Mungo's," the man says. "Get me all better."

Sirius hesitates. He doesn't know too much about this man. From what he remembers, it was a sealed case but he remembers the name - David Jeffries - because of how upset James was afterwards. The 'obliviate' is waiting on the tip of his tongue, but... he needs to know why.

He pulls the paper from his pocket. The blood has dried onto it, but he can read the information, and when his eyes take in the words, Sirius feels physically sick. If he saves this man, he's condemning others.

Jeffries got away with everything because his victims were Muggles. All but one, and that woman is dead. James' angry writing screams at him from the paper. What justice will any of these women get? What will people suffer from this man in the future?

With a strange sense of calmness, he puts the paper away, before noticing the chair facing the body. "Did he sit here?" Sirius asks.

"Yes. What… What are you doing? Call for help!" Jeffries demands, but Sirius ignores him. He walks over to the chair, and sits down.

He watches in silence.

Now he understands.

Sirius waits at the dining table until James gets up the next morning. He's still pale and weak, but looks relieved that Sirius is there.

"I thought I'd be in Azkaban by now," James admits. "What happened to Jeffries?"

Sirius stares at a file on the table. "Dead," he mutters. He's been considering this all night, and knows what he needs to do.

"You went there and I'd already… I'm sorry you had to see that. I never wanted…"

"Actually, he was alive when I got there. He won't be found for a while," Sirius says. "But I understand why you do it."

"Where do we go from here?" James asks, sitting down. "Can you forgive me for lying?"

Sirius nods. "You made a promise once. We'd be equals and I'd always come first. I haven't felt like that for months, because I thought you were cheating. Even with this knowledge, I don't feel… equal to you."

"Are you leaving me?" James asks quietly. "I wouldn't blame you. There's something wrong with me, something dark and…"

"No. I'm not leaving you, I love all of you, light and darkness. You've always accepted mine, and I'm accepting yours. What I want, James, is to learn."

"Learn?" James repeats.

Sirius slides the file over to James. "This is that new case - the worst I've ever seen. James, teach me. Let's do this together."

Slowly, as realisation dawns, James starts to smile once more.

End

3000 words