'Sirius!'
Sirius kept on walking, towards the Great Hall. James was close on his heels, shouting his name at the top of his voice, making everyone stare. But Sirius didn't care. Sirius didn't care about anything this morning. As far as he was concerned, from now on, the only reason he was at Hogwarts was to learn how to be a wizard, so he get a job and get away from all the people he knew as soon as possible.
'Sirius! Stop it, c'mon, at least let me know you're not gone deaf!' James darted in front of his friend, and began walking backwards, waving his hands in front of Sirius' face. Sirius stared grimly at a point somewhere over James' shoulder, and sped up, so James had to get out of the way.
Sirius sat down at the end of the Gryffindor table nearest to the staff. James sat down beside him, but he pretended not to notice. Four days had gone by, and Sirius had refused to speak to James at all. In fact, he spoke as little as possible to anyone.
'Pleeeeeease!' James lowered his voice to a whisper, not wanting the teachers to hear, 'I'm sorry Sirius. I was mad at you, but I know I shouldn't've said that stuff. C'mon can't you forget about it?'
Sirius shot James a withering look, then continued to butter his toast. James groaned, and banged his head off the table.
'What's up?' Remus asked interestedly, sitting down opposite Sirius and stealing a sausage from his plate.
James looked at Sirius, expecting him to answer. 'Oh', he said after a few seconds, looking taken aback. 'So...you're still not talking to anyone?'
'Why? Would that make you feel better?' Sirius said, not looking at either of the boys.
'N...no', James seemed uncertain as to what to say, 'is...this because of what I said?'
'Yes', Sirius answered shortly, 'if nobody wants to talk to me, I'm not going to inflict my company on them. Go eat with your little friend Peter. I'm sure he'll be delighted.'
'Hey! What have I done?' Remus exclaimed indignantly. remus, who had spent a few days in the hospital wing, had no idea what was happening.
'Nothing', Sirius replied coldly, 'I just don't want to keep forcing you to pretend you get on with me.'
Remus wrinkled his nose, and looked at James, completely nonplussed. 'You're one of my mates', he answered simply, still looking puzzled, 'I'm not pretending to get on with you. James, what did you say to him?'
James didn't reply. He sighed heavily, and glanced sideways at Sirius, who ignored him.
'Be like that then', he said loudly, pushing back his chair rather violently, and marching out of the Great Hall.
'Ooh, has ickle Sirius had a row with his big-headed friend?' Bellatrix crowed from the next table.
Sirius couldn't control himself. Bellatrix's taunt was the final straw. He pulled out his wand, shook Remus' restraining hand off, and aimed a Boiling Jinx at his cousin's bowl of porridge. The grey, gluey substance began to steam and huge bubbles appeared on its surface, bursting seconds later, creating showers of hot liquid. Bellatrix leapt out of her seat screeching, as one bubble burst all over her face. Sirius did not make the slightest attempt to hide his wand, as Professor Grappenhall stormed down to him from the staff table.
'You odious excuse for a wizard!' She said coldly, 'detention, and twenty points from Gryffindor. Malfoy, escort Miss Black to the hospital wing, she'll need some curing after the burns her cousin has inflicted on her.
'I hope it hurts!' Sirius bellowed after Bellatrix and Malfoy, anger preventing him from thinking clearly, 'I hope it REALLY REALLY HURTS!'
'Another twenty points from Gryffindor, Mr Black', Grappenhall continued silkily, 'now, run along to Professor MacGonagall's office, and tell her what you did. She hasn't arrived for breakfast yet.'
'No, I won't!' Sirius glared furiously at the teacher, and barely prevented himself from aiming a curse at her, 'everyone just thinks they can tell me what to do, and say whatever they damn well want! Well not anymore!'
The whole school was staring at him. Sirius knew Professor Dumbledore was gazing at him steadily, willing him to glance over. But he wouldn't. Instead, he took pleasure in kicking over his chair, onto Professor Grappenhall's foot, and running out of the hall.
'Stop that boy!' Screamed the teacher. The whole school burst into an uproar. Half the Slytherins leapt up and made to race after Sirius, while the other three houses gasped, laughed or remained speechless over the behaviour of what was now thought to have been an insane first year.
'Silence!'
Professor Dumbledore was standing now, his hand raised, calling for silence. The noise subsided, and everybody turned to gaze at the headmaster. Only two people stood up, and raised their hands timidly, asking for permission to speak. Dumbledore knew what they wanted before they even said it.
'Yes.' He said calmly and kindly, nodding at the two seventh year Gryffindors. 'Thank you, Molly and Arthur. See to Mr Black. Everyone else, return to your breakfast. And Molly! Tell Mr Black he doesn't have to see Professor MacGonagall. That will be all.'
Another round of shocked whispers followed this, as Molly and Arthur left the room. 'Did you hear that?' Peter Pettigrew hissed at anyone who would listen, 'Dumbledore just undermined Grappenhall-in front of everyone!'
Sirius was sitting next to the lake, his arms wrapped around his knees, chewing the sleeve of his robes. He had no intention of returning to the castle for Defence Against the Dark Arts. His wild temper had subsided by now, but it was still hovering very close to the surface. He found a quill in his pocket, and stabbed it viciously into the bark of the tree beside him.
'Shouldn't be damaging the tree like that, y'know. It's school property.'
Sirius stood up hurriedly and turned to face the speaker. He found himself looking at Molly Cauldwell and Arthur Weasley, the Gryffindor prefects. Arthur was smiling rather nervously, while Molly wore a disapproving frown.
'Whatever you're going to say, just don't.' Sirius said sharply, turning away again, 'I don't want to stay here anymore.'
'What did James say to you?' Molly asked, somewhat more gently than Sirius had thought she would.
Sirius was surprised. 'How did you know this had anything to do with James?'
Molly sighed impatiently. 'I'm not stupid, Black', she replied, 'I saw him marching out of breakfast this morning. And then Bellatrix said something about him being full of himself, and...'
'You went nuts', Arthur finished, grinning. Molly poked him savagely in the ribs, and his grin faded. 'Of course', he continued, a twinkle still in his eye, 'it was very wrong of you to do what you did to Miss Black. Even if she is a nosy, irritating, sneering cow with a voice like a foghorn.'
Molly rolled her eyes. 'Anyway, Sirius, Professor Dumbledore says you needn't go to Professor MacGonagall, so I don't think you're in any serious trouble.'
Sirius was stunned. 'How'd I get off so lightly?' He asked, puzzled.
Arthur shrugged. 'I s'pose Dumbledore must like ya. Just be thankful he let you off. MacGonagall would've gone berserk! But seriously, Sirius, you know the Slytherins will all be after your blood for this. You've got to control that temper of yours!'
Sirius was feeling calmer already. Just knowing that Professor Dumbledore was on his side made his heart feel lighter. Then he remembered James, and scowled.
'Nobody wants me here anyway', he mumbled, 'I might be better off at home.'
Molly gave a derisive snort. 'At home?' She cried, 'your home, y'mean? Sirius, no offence, but nobody would be better off in your home than at Hogwarts. Whatever James said, just get over it, and make up. I'm sure he didn't mean it.'
'You didn't hear what he said', Sirius muttered darkly.
In the end, he gave in, and followed Molly and Arthur back to the castle. They brought him right up to Professor Grappenhall's classroom, to ensure he wouldn't run away again.
'You'll have to face her some time', Molly whispered sensibly, 'may as well get it over with.'
'Yeah right', Sirius breathed, and walked into the classroom.
Professor Grappenhall spun around, and glared at him. 'Well, Mr Black', she fumed, 'I'm delighted to see that you've joined us. What have you got to say about your disgraceful behaviour this morning.'
'I'm sorry I knocked the chair over', Sirius answered sullenly.
'And?' Professor Grappenhall growled.
'And I'm sorry I yelled at you.'
'AND?'
Sirius shrugged. Everyone was staring at him. Snape had a look of delight on his face. 'I'm not sorry for what I did to Bellatrix, if that's what you want me to say.'
There was a sharp intake of breath around the classroom. Sirius licked his lips nervously. She couldn't make him feel worse than he already did, so he had nothing to fear.
'You can't make me be sorry', he added quickly, before the teacher could speak, 'it's not against the ruls not to be sorry for hurting someone. And I'm already being punished for what I did. My whole house is.'
'Still', Grappenhall retorted, 'another two weeks of detention won't do you any harm. Teach you to respect your elders and superiors. Bellatrix and I are both older and superior to you. Actually, three weeks. An extra one for your refusal to apologise, because, Mr Black, like it or not, I have the power to punish you for that.'
'That's not fair!' James stood up suddenly, looking defiant, 'you can't do that to him! The only reason...I mean...he would never have done that if...three weeks! Professor, you can't do that!'
There was a murmur of assent from the other Gryffindors, and angry hisses from the Slytherins. Sirius ignored everyone, except James. He met his friend's eye for the first time in several days. James' expression was so anxious and upset that Sirius couldn't keep it up any longer.
'Sit down James', he said quietly, 'she can do whatever she wants and she knows it. Thanks.'
He smiled gratefully, and James grinned, delighted.
'At least one of you has some sense', Grappenhall commented stiffly, 'Potter, you can have a week's worth of detentions for your remarks. Take a seat, Black, and open your book to page sixty nine.'
'Thanks, James', Sirius whispered, taking a seat next to James.
'No problem. What are friends for?' James smiled and gave Sirius the thumb's up.
Sirius and James never fought over anything again.
Sirius kept on walking, towards the Great Hall. James was close on his heels, shouting his name at the top of his voice, making everyone stare. But Sirius didn't care. Sirius didn't care about anything this morning. As far as he was concerned, from now on, the only reason he was at Hogwarts was to learn how to be a wizard, so he get a job and get away from all the people he knew as soon as possible.
'Sirius! Stop it, c'mon, at least let me know you're not gone deaf!' James darted in front of his friend, and began walking backwards, waving his hands in front of Sirius' face. Sirius stared grimly at a point somewhere over James' shoulder, and sped up, so James had to get out of the way.
Sirius sat down at the end of the Gryffindor table nearest to the staff. James sat down beside him, but he pretended not to notice. Four days had gone by, and Sirius had refused to speak to James at all. In fact, he spoke as little as possible to anyone.
'Pleeeeeease!' James lowered his voice to a whisper, not wanting the teachers to hear, 'I'm sorry Sirius. I was mad at you, but I know I shouldn't've said that stuff. C'mon can't you forget about it?'
Sirius shot James a withering look, then continued to butter his toast. James groaned, and banged his head off the table.
'What's up?' Remus asked interestedly, sitting down opposite Sirius and stealing a sausage from his plate.
James looked at Sirius, expecting him to answer. 'Oh', he said after a few seconds, looking taken aback. 'So...you're still not talking to anyone?'
'Why? Would that make you feel better?' Sirius said, not looking at either of the boys.
'N...no', James seemed uncertain as to what to say, 'is...this because of what I said?'
'Yes', Sirius answered shortly, 'if nobody wants to talk to me, I'm not going to inflict my company on them. Go eat with your little friend Peter. I'm sure he'll be delighted.'
'Hey! What have I done?' Remus exclaimed indignantly. remus, who had spent a few days in the hospital wing, had no idea what was happening.
'Nothing', Sirius replied coldly, 'I just don't want to keep forcing you to pretend you get on with me.'
Remus wrinkled his nose, and looked at James, completely nonplussed. 'You're one of my mates', he answered simply, still looking puzzled, 'I'm not pretending to get on with you. James, what did you say to him?'
James didn't reply. He sighed heavily, and glanced sideways at Sirius, who ignored him.
'Be like that then', he said loudly, pushing back his chair rather violently, and marching out of the Great Hall.
'Ooh, has ickle Sirius had a row with his big-headed friend?' Bellatrix crowed from the next table.
Sirius couldn't control himself. Bellatrix's taunt was the final straw. He pulled out his wand, shook Remus' restraining hand off, and aimed a Boiling Jinx at his cousin's bowl of porridge. The grey, gluey substance began to steam and huge bubbles appeared on its surface, bursting seconds later, creating showers of hot liquid. Bellatrix leapt out of her seat screeching, as one bubble burst all over her face. Sirius did not make the slightest attempt to hide his wand, as Professor Grappenhall stormed down to him from the staff table.
'You odious excuse for a wizard!' She said coldly, 'detention, and twenty points from Gryffindor. Malfoy, escort Miss Black to the hospital wing, she'll need some curing after the burns her cousin has inflicted on her.
'I hope it hurts!' Sirius bellowed after Bellatrix and Malfoy, anger preventing him from thinking clearly, 'I hope it REALLY REALLY HURTS!'
'Another twenty points from Gryffindor, Mr Black', Grappenhall continued silkily, 'now, run along to Professor MacGonagall's office, and tell her what you did. She hasn't arrived for breakfast yet.'
'No, I won't!' Sirius glared furiously at the teacher, and barely prevented himself from aiming a curse at her, 'everyone just thinks they can tell me what to do, and say whatever they damn well want! Well not anymore!'
The whole school was staring at him. Sirius knew Professor Dumbledore was gazing at him steadily, willing him to glance over. But he wouldn't. Instead, he took pleasure in kicking over his chair, onto Professor Grappenhall's foot, and running out of the hall.
'Stop that boy!' Screamed the teacher. The whole school burst into an uproar. Half the Slytherins leapt up and made to race after Sirius, while the other three houses gasped, laughed or remained speechless over the behaviour of what was now thought to have been an insane first year.
'Silence!'
Professor Dumbledore was standing now, his hand raised, calling for silence. The noise subsided, and everybody turned to gaze at the headmaster. Only two people stood up, and raised their hands timidly, asking for permission to speak. Dumbledore knew what they wanted before they even said it.
'Yes.' He said calmly and kindly, nodding at the two seventh year Gryffindors. 'Thank you, Molly and Arthur. See to Mr Black. Everyone else, return to your breakfast. And Molly! Tell Mr Black he doesn't have to see Professor MacGonagall. That will be all.'
Another round of shocked whispers followed this, as Molly and Arthur left the room. 'Did you hear that?' Peter Pettigrew hissed at anyone who would listen, 'Dumbledore just undermined Grappenhall-in front of everyone!'
Sirius was sitting next to the lake, his arms wrapped around his knees, chewing the sleeve of his robes. He had no intention of returning to the castle for Defence Against the Dark Arts. His wild temper had subsided by now, but it was still hovering very close to the surface. He found a quill in his pocket, and stabbed it viciously into the bark of the tree beside him.
'Shouldn't be damaging the tree like that, y'know. It's school property.'
Sirius stood up hurriedly and turned to face the speaker. He found himself looking at Molly Cauldwell and Arthur Weasley, the Gryffindor prefects. Arthur was smiling rather nervously, while Molly wore a disapproving frown.
'Whatever you're going to say, just don't.' Sirius said sharply, turning away again, 'I don't want to stay here anymore.'
'What did James say to you?' Molly asked, somewhat more gently than Sirius had thought she would.
Sirius was surprised. 'How did you know this had anything to do with James?'
Molly sighed impatiently. 'I'm not stupid, Black', she replied, 'I saw him marching out of breakfast this morning. And then Bellatrix said something about him being full of himself, and...'
'You went nuts', Arthur finished, grinning. Molly poked him savagely in the ribs, and his grin faded. 'Of course', he continued, a twinkle still in his eye, 'it was very wrong of you to do what you did to Miss Black. Even if she is a nosy, irritating, sneering cow with a voice like a foghorn.'
Molly rolled her eyes. 'Anyway, Sirius, Professor Dumbledore says you needn't go to Professor MacGonagall, so I don't think you're in any serious trouble.'
Sirius was stunned. 'How'd I get off so lightly?' He asked, puzzled.
Arthur shrugged. 'I s'pose Dumbledore must like ya. Just be thankful he let you off. MacGonagall would've gone berserk! But seriously, Sirius, you know the Slytherins will all be after your blood for this. You've got to control that temper of yours!'
Sirius was feeling calmer already. Just knowing that Professor Dumbledore was on his side made his heart feel lighter. Then he remembered James, and scowled.
'Nobody wants me here anyway', he mumbled, 'I might be better off at home.'
Molly gave a derisive snort. 'At home?' She cried, 'your home, y'mean? Sirius, no offence, but nobody would be better off in your home than at Hogwarts. Whatever James said, just get over it, and make up. I'm sure he didn't mean it.'
'You didn't hear what he said', Sirius muttered darkly.
In the end, he gave in, and followed Molly and Arthur back to the castle. They brought him right up to Professor Grappenhall's classroom, to ensure he wouldn't run away again.
'You'll have to face her some time', Molly whispered sensibly, 'may as well get it over with.'
'Yeah right', Sirius breathed, and walked into the classroom.
Professor Grappenhall spun around, and glared at him. 'Well, Mr Black', she fumed, 'I'm delighted to see that you've joined us. What have you got to say about your disgraceful behaviour this morning.'
'I'm sorry I knocked the chair over', Sirius answered sullenly.
'And?' Professor Grappenhall growled.
'And I'm sorry I yelled at you.'
'AND?'
Sirius shrugged. Everyone was staring at him. Snape had a look of delight on his face. 'I'm not sorry for what I did to Bellatrix, if that's what you want me to say.'
There was a sharp intake of breath around the classroom. Sirius licked his lips nervously. She couldn't make him feel worse than he already did, so he had nothing to fear.
'You can't make me be sorry', he added quickly, before the teacher could speak, 'it's not against the ruls not to be sorry for hurting someone. And I'm already being punished for what I did. My whole house is.'
'Still', Grappenhall retorted, 'another two weeks of detention won't do you any harm. Teach you to respect your elders and superiors. Bellatrix and I are both older and superior to you. Actually, three weeks. An extra one for your refusal to apologise, because, Mr Black, like it or not, I have the power to punish you for that.'
'That's not fair!' James stood up suddenly, looking defiant, 'you can't do that to him! The only reason...I mean...he would never have done that if...three weeks! Professor, you can't do that!'
There was a murmur of assent from the other Gryffindors, and angry hisses from the Slytherins. Sirius ignored everyone, except James. He met his friend's eye for the first time in several days. James' expression was so anxious and upset that Sirius couldn't keep it up any longer.
'Sit down James', he said quietly, 'she can do whatever she wants and she knows it. Thanks.'
He smiled gratefully, and James grinned, delighted.
'At least one of you has some sense', Grappenhall commented stiffly, 'Potter, you can have a week's worth of detentions for your remarks. Take a seat, Black, and open your book to page sixty nine.'
'Thanks, James', Sirius whispered, taking a seat next to James.
'No problem. What are friends for?' James smiled and gave Sirius the thumb's up.
Sirius and James never fought over anything again.