CW: discussion of media, running late, trains
:SEVENTY-FIVE:
"Look at these people!" Sirius yelled, slapping the Daily Prophet on the table. "Sheep flocking to the nearest powerful person on the stage like moths to a light source!"
"Careful, love," Remus replied calmly, putting some pancakes onto his plate. "This powerful person is actually doing something good this time."
The entire front page was devoted to Lucius' new reforms, praising him in so many adjectives that Sirius was nauseated. Though he wanted these changes to happen and was excited by the prospect of not hiding anymore, he wasn't pleased by the person delivering these changes.
It didn't help that Harry's interview was coming up after the second task was over. Lucius said he didn't want the story competing with the Triwizard Tournament, but Sirius thought it was just to torment him longer. He hated the idea of his little boy going into a situation with reporters - he knew how fickle the media could be.
"Come on," Remus nudged him gently. "We're going to be seeing Harry soon, so cheer up! And the Second Task will be going on as well - I'm even a little excited now."
Sirius had been comically dismayed when Harry had indeed gone with a friend to the Yule Ball. Luna had gone home to her father, which Sirius said was a variable he couldn't possibly have planned for in advance. Apparently Hermione and Ron had gotten into a row though, something Harry detailed out in his next letter and Sirius read thoroughly. It had blown over, but it had been the only good bit of gossip since the Malfoy dinner fiasco.
"I do hope Hagrid's alright though." Remus murmured, sipping his coffee. "I still don't know how that Skeeter woman found out about his heritage."
"I don't know how she's still getting on the grounds!" Sirius retorted angrily. "Didn't Dumbledore have her banned after she tried to interview Harry?"
Remus nodded thoughtfully. "We ought to visit him when we get there, before everything gets busy."
"I think we also ought to get something for Hermione." Sirius added. "Taking all that heat off Hagrid the way she did - masterfully done."
"She shouldn't have had to, though." Remus fumed. "And Skeeter's muggle rhetoric, how can people read that rubbish?"
"She's just mad she couldn't get any direct quotes from Harry. I bet you a hundred galleons that's why she even interviewed Hagrid to begin with - trying to dig up things about Harry."
They didn't have any clear libel case on her for the bit she'd said about Harry in the article disparaging Hermione for dating Krum and 'leading Harry on', though they knew it wasn't at all true. Harry had even offered to add a defense for Hermione into his interview, but Hermione had immediately shut him down. She apparently wanted to handle Skeeter by herself as a matter of personal pride.
"Well," Remus took another drink from his coffee. "I think we ought to go out for the day. Clear our heads of all this nonsense."
"Sounds like a plan to me. You coming, Kreacher?"
Kreacher shook his head, bat-like ears flapping with the motion. "Miss Petunia has given me a book. You two go, I will stay."
After seeing how much Kreacher enjoyed puzzles, Petunia had taken it upon herself to give Kreacher more activities to do when he wasn't cleaning or cooking. She'd taken books from Dudley's childhood, other mind games he'd played growing up, and given them to Kreacher as gifts. He'd had a hard time accepting them, but had then gotten hooked on one of the book series. Any spare time he had, Kreacher would sit quietly and read the stories to himself.
"Alright, then." Remus stretched. "We'll be back later."
Sirius and Remus went out, spending the rest of the day window-shopping and looking for the perfect gift for Hermione. They found a nice vintage book she'd like, along with another series for Kreacher to read.
"It's really amazing, watching Kreacher grow." Remus said over lunch.
"Yeah." Sirius chuckled. "My mum would be turning over in her grave, seeing how happy he is."
"We've collected quite the band of misfits, haven't we?" Remus said thoughtfully.
"You mean you have collected misfits!" Sirius laughed. "I include myself in this troop of yours. You're a modern-day hero, really."
Remus knew his tone was joking, but he could also hear the sincerity underneath the humor. He smiled, reaching out to hold Sirius' hand.
"I'm a misfit too, love."
Sirius gazed back at him, smiling softly. "Alright then, we'll be misfits together."
They returned to the house after that, giving Kreacher his series and then packaging up Hermione's present so they would be ready to leave first thing in the morning.
"Sirius!" Remus yelled. "We slept in!"
"Wha?" Sirius blinked drowsily.
"Get up!"
Remus practically shoved him out of the bed, then ran around the room putting clothes on. He loathed being late, and missing the train would be disastrous. They didn't need the hassle of getting a portkey figured out, if Mr. Weasley was right when he said how busy the Ministry had become since the death of Mr. Crouch.
"It'll be alright, love." Sirius mumbled, pulling on a pair of pants while trying to wake up properly. "We've packed everything already, and we can apparate to the station instead of driving to save time."
"Yes, but it's still going to be cutting it close." Remus fretted, leaving the room to brush his teeth and run a brush through his hair.
Sirius groaned, getting up to find a shirt. "Oh, I'm going to take a nap the minute we get on the train."
He ran his fingers through his curls, walking out of the room to put on shoes and say goodbye to Kreacher.
"Sirs are late." Kreacher said knowingly, peeking over the cover of his book.
"Yes, yes," Sirius waved him off. "Coffee?"
"In the pot." Kreacher snapped his fingers, levitating the coffee, milk, and sugar into a to-go mug. "One for Remus?"
"No, thank you, Kreacher." Remus hurried out. "I'll have something later. You come straight to us if anything happens, alright?"
Kreacher nodded, waving them off as they hurried out of the flat.
"Hurry, hurry!" Remus pulled Sirius along to the alley where they normally apparated.
They managed to get there right on time to board, which was lucky for both of them. Sirius plopped down in the compartment seat, putting up his feet and relaxing. Before Remus knew it, Sirius had fallen back asleep.
Remus smiled fondly at Sirius, then looked out the window to enjoy the scenery. He didn't know how Sirius could sleep after their rushed exit from the flat, or with all they had to look forward to when they arrived at Hogwarts. Remus couldn't wait to hold Harry again and hear about all of his adventures. There hadn't been many letters from him lately as his coursework picked up.
He pulled out a novel, using it to entertain himself while Sirius slept. By the time they'd gotten to Hogsmeade, Sirius was well-rested and Remus had finished one of the novels he'd brought along. They unloaded their luggage and got off the train to the station. Snow had fallen all morning, so they had to track their way through it to reach Hagrid's hut.
They'd agreed to visit him first, as classes were still going on inside the castle. Hagrid's hut looked so pretty in the wintry landscape, icicles hanging from the roof and windows outlined with frost. Sirius knocked on the door, and was then promptly tackled by Fang the boarhound. Not that he minded really - Sirius had a natural affection for dogs of all shapes and sizes.
"Sorry 'bou that!" Hagrid laughed, coming out to get Fang off of Sirius. "How was yer trip?"
"It was fine, thanks." Remus smiled, walking inside to warm up. "How have you been, Hagrid?"
Hagrid shrugged. "Been better, if 'm honest. Tea?"
"Please," Sirius beamed, following in after Remus. "And I'm sorry about that Skeeter business, Hagrid. She's a right piece of work."
Hagrid nodded gruffly. "Can't stand wha she wrote 'bou our Hermione. That girl's got more brains than half the Ministry!"
"It's true." Sirius smirked wryly. "But we've got her a nice present, to help cheer her up."
Remus explained about the book they'd purchased, which made Hagrid nod approvingly.
"Ya should've seen her face." Hagrid shook his bushy head, pouring them large mugs of tea. "Skeeter ough' to be scared, setting our Hermione off like that."
They talked to Hagrid for a while longer, until it was time to head in for dinner up at the school. Hagrid went along first, as his large mass made a pretty decent-sized path for them to walk in. He had to sit up front with the teachers, so he gave them one last nod before heading off. They waited outside the Great Hall, unsurprised to see Harry practically running to greet them.
"I'm so glad to see you!" Harry was practically buzzing with energy. "And there's so much to tell you - come on!"
Notes:
This chapter absolutely refused to write itself for ages, so apologies for that. Next chapter will be the second task, as we had some set up to do first.
Happy Reading!