Chapter 13: Padfoot and Snivellus
Padfoot's Story
Disclaimer: If you really care, go read a disclaimer from some other Chapter.
Woa. Chapter 13. Isn't that supposed to be unlucky? Does it mean no one will read this Chapter? Or that no one will review? Or that everyone will review, but I'll only get flames? Or will it . . .Ok, I'll stop now. Sorry about that.
I'm really getting towards the end of the story here. My ultimate goal is to get 100 reviews on this story by the time it's finished-- but of course, that is up to you, the reader, and not to me. I hope you like the next Chapter in my beloved Sirius's life. (Yes, that's right, he's mine!)
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Sirius sprang up furiously.
"I knew this would happen," he yelled at Moody, whose mouth sagged.
"Don't act like it's my fault, Black," he said warningly. "Just come downstairs. Snape wants to talk to all of us."
"Snape is here?!" And in a rage, he Disapparated with a small pop. Moody shook his head in disbelief.
"Innocent mass-murderers never fail to surprise me," he muttered and turned heavily on his wooden leg to descend the stairs.
Sirius materialized in the kitchen, smack in the middle of a group consisting of Remus, Tonks, Kingsley, and Snape. They were all talking in hushed, urgent voices. They also showed no signs of surprise when Sirius appeared between them.
"Where's Harry?" he snarled, stabbing a finger in Snape's chest.
Snape surveyed him coolly. "As I was explaining a moment before, Umbridge was holding
Potter, Granger, the two Weasleys, and Longbottom captive in her office."
The others all looked at Sirius apprehensively. Snape's gaze was fixed on Sirius's face. Sirius said in a voice of forced calm that clearly showed he thought it was entirely Snape's fault, "Go on."
"She wanted me to give her a new supply of Veritaserum to interrogate Potter. She had asked me once before, but obviously never realized the potion I gave her was fake. The idiot used the entire thing in one go. She thinks she knows more about the potion then I do. Just because she works at the Ministry." He gave a hollow laugh.
"She asked you for a supply of Veritaserum to interrogate my godson?"
"Yes. Presumably to get him to tell her where you're hiding. It was really a waste of her time--"
"How dare she lay a hand on Harry!" Sirius exploded. "I am not going to let her get away with that, it's against the law--"
"I think you'll find, Black," Snape said quietly, and his eyes flashed, "That there is absolutely nothing you can do about it." Sirius crossed his arms across his chest. He was breathing hard through his nose.
"As I was saying," Snape continued, "I told her she had used the last of my stock. She became angry and put me on probation-- not that it makes any difference anyway-- and as I turned to leave Potter yelled at me. He sounded desperate."
"What did he say?" Sirius asked quietly.
"That 'they've got Padfoot at the place that it's hidden.' He meant that the Death Eaters had taken you to the Department of Mysteries. He's been seeing the place in his dreams--he knows the weapon's there. But he doesn't know it's the prophecy. I left the office immediately to check that you were here safely. Tonks answered." Sirius turned to look at Tonks, who nodded.
"Well, you were here, so I told him," she said meekly. "I didn't know it was important."
"Then I learned that Granger had told Umbridge some cock-and-bull story to lure her into the forest," said Snape. "She took Potter with her. They still haven't come back. And because your godson fancies himself the valiant little hero, I think all of you should go to the Department of Mysteries to make sure he hasn't gone to rescue someone who isn't there, as the Dark Lord obviously intended him to do."
Sirius had transformed into the bear-like black dog and was already preparing to Disapparate when Snape spoke again. "Except you, Black."
The dog turned around and walked right up to Snape, growling so loudly he woke up his mother's portrait. Screams of "BEASTS! PIGS! CREATURES OF DIRT!" were heard from upstairs and everyone ran off to shut her up, leaving Sirius and Snape alone.
"You are to stay here and tell Dumbledore what has happened," said Snape, and Sirius heard him clearly even though he had not raised his voice.
The dog stood on his hind legs and barked in Snape's face before realizing Snape couldn't understand him (which was just as well, seeing as Snape wouldn't have appreciated many of the colorful words coming out of Sirius's mouth) then transformed back into a man and bellowed, "I will not stay here while Harry is in danger of being killed!"
Something in Snape's eyes was glinting in the dim light. Both he and Sirius had drawn themselves up to their tallest height, daring the other to back down. Sirius was taller by almost half a foot. Snape didn't step back.
"Dumbledore doesn't want you leaving headquarters," said Snape, and his voice was taunting. Suddenly it was if they were both back at school-- young boys who wanted nothing more than to curse the other into oblivion. Snape's lip curled. "You might get hurt."
Sirius was trembling, but the room wasn't cold.
"And what do you," he said, "Plan to do while I'm sitting around waiting for Dumbledore to arrive from wherever it is he's been hiding out?"
"I will be searching the forest." Snape replied smoothly. His hand was resting casually over the pocket his wand was in. "It is quite possible that Potter is too stupid to know that thestrals are very good at navigating to the location the rider wishes to fly to."
It was causing Sirius every ounce of willpower he had not to attack Snape. Somewhere above them Sirius's mother had stopped screaming.
"None of this would have happened if you hadn't stopped giving Harry Occlumency lessons," Sirius said stiffly, but Snape heard the words quiver with rage. He smirked.
"Stay at home like a good little boy," he said mockingly, and before Sirius had pulled out his wand he had disappeared.
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Sirius bounded up the stairs three at a time, his wand still in his hand. He had given Kreacher, who had been tending the fire in the corner, the task of telling Dumbledore what had happened. Luckily he had remembered to forbid him to give the information to anyone else. Now Sirius was running flat out. He had to catch the others before they left for the Ministry.
Finally he pulled open the door and found them huddling in a circle, all touching an umbrella from the umbrella stand. He didn't have to guess what it was.
"Wait!" he yelled in a strangled voice. They all looked up. He hurried over to them.
"What are you doing?" Tonks asked. "I thought Snape told you to wait for Dumbledore."
"Don't be stupid, I'm coming!" snapped Sirius. Tonks narrowed her eyes but didn't reply.
"Are you sure you should come, Padfoot?" Remus asked. He sounded worried. "You're still internationally known as guilty man."
"I think you've known me long enough to answer that yourself, Moony." Remus nodded and looked away.
"Okay," Kingsley said in his deep voice. "On the count of three, then? One-- two--three--"
There was a bright flash of light, and they were gone.
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Sort of short, but at least I finally updated, right? And sorry for those of you who know it takes "authority" (in the humble words of Fudge and Umbridge) to authorize a Portkey, I figured I couldn't make it as dramatic if they were just all going to Apparate.
And now I'm actually gonna reply to my reviewers!
death2roy: Hey, your story isn't lame! I thought it was really sweet. And I'm sorry for reminding you of Sirius (he was my fave character as well) but him dying is actually why I wrote the story. You'll have to stick around to see how it ends ;D~
Mowgui: Wow, have you been following this from the beginning? Anyway, thanks, I'm glad you like the story! Sorry I haven't been updating as much as usual. As much as I hate to say it and as much as I know you're not going to believe it, I've been really busy with school. Your review kind of woke me up. Thanks~
BlackLupin: Hello. We're pretty well acquainted through this site, aren't we? I'm glad you like my Sirius fic, since I've been following yours. *Evil grin* if you're nice maybe I'll do you a favor and actually kill ol' Voldie off (haha). Remember to keep updating I Can See You~
legolasgurl247: Hi purbs! I'm glad you like the story (it must have been good if you read all 12 chapters like that lol) especially since you came into it so late. Hurry up and post your fic, I want to be the first reviewer! ~
MarianofSherwoodForest: Hola emmy! Glad you liked it. Are you still gonna write your Robin Hood fic? And congrats on finally getting your braces off!~
Intricate One: Well, I'm glad I surprised my faithful readers! Thanks for staying with me throughout the story; it's been very encouraging. Please update your story, you said you would soon (with a cherry on top?) ~
shadows13: Thanks! Hope you like the Chapter ~
MarauderGurl: hey I like the start of your fic! Keep going! And you'll have to wait and see if I let my beloved Siri die ~
The next Chapter will be the climax of the story! So keep an eye out for it!
~*Padfoot-dreamer*~