Part Four: Silence is Golden
'Walk with dignity, for it is your first, last and best defense.'
Sirius walked to the library barely maintaining his calm. He clutched his bag in his hands wishing that he dared to yell at his roommates. 'Or slaughter them.' He thought wryly. 'Though mother always said it was hard to get blood out of bed linens. So maybe I was right not to do it in the Dorm room.' He sighed and leaned against a wall. 'But damn are they annoying!'
Sirius had thought that James, Peter and himself were at a truce. An uneasy truce perhaps, but a truce nonetheless. Only this morning the three of them had ganged up on Remus to ship the sickly boy off to the infirmary.
'Maybe I should have been more suspicious of their motivations.' He mused.
'Everyone wants something from you, you just have to make the decisions that bring you the most in return.' His mother's voice rang in his head.
'Yeah, but I'm pretty sure she didn't have an edict from her family not to make friends with any of her house mates.' He thought angrily. He took a deep breath and took a moment to be glad there was no one else about.
'Losing ones temper is letting the other person know he has won.'
'Well, I didn't really lose my temper at the two of them. I just left.'
Once the three had gotten Remus, the peacemaker, safely into Madam Pomfrey's care, James and Peter had set about making the loudest racket Sirius had ever heard. From music spells to exploding snap, the first year boy's dorm was not a place that allowed study.
"So its off to the library where dwell the books." He murmured.
"Talking to yourself?" Sirius was grabbed from behind and spun around to face Lucius Malfoy. "Christ Black. All it takes is a batty old hat putting you into the Loony Bin and you end up as crazy as the rest of them. Where is your Slytherin pride?"
"Tossed away when the Sorting hat failed to place him in Slytherin no doubt." Narcissa Black joined Lucius standing over Sirius.
"Narci...?" Sirius pleaded.
"I don't think it is proper for Gryffindors to address Slytherin Prefects with such familiarity." Lucius drawled drawing out his wand.
"And I wasn't aware that Prefects were supposed to make a habit of terrorizing the first years." The Head Girl, a Gryffindor who had been passing by, glared at the two Slytherins.
"I was having a chat with my cousin." Narcissa said coldly. "Surely that is allowed Ann."
"Of course it is." The Head Girl smiled with out warmth. "However I am to remind you that the Prefects meeting is starting soon."
"We'll be there." Lucius attempted to dismiss Ann.
"Actually Lucius." The blond girl smiled him maliciously. "If you can be spared I would like to talk to you for a moment about the number of Gryffindor detentions."
Lucius looked at Narcissa who gave him a nod. "I can always spare time for you." He fell into step with the Head Girl.
"You boy." Narcissa hissed as the other two moved away. "Are going to be an example to all Slytherins. We'll talk about you and your failure for years."
"You do know that I am to be resorted at the beginning of next year." Sirius met her eyes.
"Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor." Narcissa sniffed. "I doubt they'll let you come back."
Sirius was struck by an odd pang at that. It wasn't that he was happy here. 'Far from it in fact.' He acknowledged wryly. 'But, for the first time I'm free of the expectations that plague the purebloods life. I can be me, I don't have to put up with the constant criticism that comes with being friends with the rest of them.'
Narcissa was still looking at him as if expecting a response.
"This is all still a year away." Sirius dismissed the conversation.
"True," Narcissa agreed. "Until then, we'll be watching you." She followed the path that Lucius and the Head Girl had taken only moments ago.
Sirius shrank to the floor and caught his breath again. He was beginning to think that throwing himself off the astronomy tower would be better than meeting any more of his family.
When Sirius finally made it to the Library nearly every seat was taken. The only table with free seats also seated the first year Slytherins. Sirius hesitated for a few moments before taking a seat as far away from the group as he could.
He glanced down the table once and almost caught Severus's eyes upon him. The unknown first year, who was sitting next to Severus again, was also looking at him. The look in her eyes was nothing but cold.
"So Severus," The unknown Slytherin's voice carried down the table. "Tell us about your family home. I hear that the gardens include a nice Greek temple."
Sirius snorted drawing a few more looks his way.
Severus raised his eyebrow. "Snape Manor is nice enough, not up to the standards of Malfoy Manor is any way though."
Don't sell your home short now. Sirius thought.
"I heard that Black Manor was larger than Snape Manor." Sharlene Avery sneered looking straight at Sirius.
Not that you've been to either. Sirius lifted his eyes and met Snape's. Snape rolled his eyes to show that he had a similar thought but quickly averted them. Interesting. Sirius mentally raised his eyebrows. Does that mean he is going to honor his promise?
"Black Manor?" The unknown said. "Isn't there a Sirius Black in our year?"
"My family was never close to the Blacks." Evelyn Norton cast a glance in Sirius's direction. "But Severus, I remember you mentioning Sirius a time or two."
"Sirius Black," Severus tilted his head thoughtfully. "Why yes, he is indeed in our year. But one could hardly expect the scions of Slytherin to talk with a measly Gryffindor. Justina, I suggest you forget your desire for social climbing when it comes to the Blacks."
Sirius's head came up.
"And what of you Severus?" The newly named Justina simpered. "Evelyn seemed to imply that you were friends with this Sirius."
"If I were to imply that you were friends with Lily Evans, who is a Gryffindor Mudblood, would that make it true?" Severus countered. "There is more in heaven and earth than is dreamt of in your philosophy."
"Oh!" Justina exclaimed. "That was a good phrase."
Sirius gave a snort and wished that he dared look at Severus again.
"It's Shakespeare," Severus's voice dripped disdain.
"Wasn't he a Muggle?" Evelyn sounded shocked.
"The purebloods have always maintained a good relationship with the Muggle royalty." Impetua Malfoy looked down at the other girl. "Shakespeare was a favorite of the first Queen Elizabeth."
'If one wants to live the life, then one must live the History.'
"It is sad though," Impetua continued. "That the once proud house of Black has fallen to this." She cast her hand in Sirius's direction. "To have the house heir a Gryffindor."
"Don't you think you've gone a little to far?" Sirius spoke up. "A house may rise and fall on the actions of one man. But we are still young."
"Still time for you to do more damage?" Severus asked.
"Still time to repair damage done." Sirius shot back.
"Forgive and Forget?" Severus raised his eyebrow. "We wizards have long memories."
"Which makes for long grudges." Sirius's eyes flashed. "Unless you take steps to prevent it."
"You," Severus raised a finger to point straight at the other boy. "Are a Gryffindor."
Sirius recoiled from the table knocking his chair over in the process. He didn't even grab his unopened bag as he dashed out of the library in a headlong rush to anywhere else.
Sirius ended up running until he had nearly reached the Forbidden Forest. He collapsed in a heap about mere meters away from the edge.
"Eh?" He heard from far above him. "What's this?"
Sirius glanced up to see Hagird standing above him.
"Blimey! It's young Mr. Black." The large man said kneeling down to the boy. "Now what're ye doin' down here Mr. Black? I never pegged you as one to roam."
Sirius collected himself, he glanced up hoping that there would be no reprimand.
"What'ave ya gott'n yourself into?" Hagrid had a worried expression. "Not many kids your age come down 'ere. 'Specially not in their first week. Wos it a dare? 'Cos I know that James Potter hasn't been all that nice to ya."
"It's nothing of the sort." Sirius told him. The barrage of words and concerns that the groundskeeper had were throwing him off balance. "I just needed to get out of the castle."
Hagrid beamed at him. "Well that's the Forbidden Forest behind you. You don't want ta go in there. My hut's not far from here, do you fancy a spot of tea?"
Sirius blanched inwardly. His mother only invited him to tea when she wanted to give him a lecture.
'Maybe Hagrid is different.' The contrary voice in his mind said.
'Hagrid's different all right.' His cynical side kicked in. 'Eight feet different.'
"Um... No thanks?" Sirius stared at the ground. "I have homework."
'Which is in my bag. Which is in the library.'
"Meybe you can drop in later." Hagrid smiled. "And bring your friends along too."
Sirius nodded and headed back to the School. His shoulders were slouched, and he wasn't paying attention so he was surprised when he ran into someone and was sent tumbling over the ground.
"You forgot this in the Library."
Sirius head snapped up. "Thank you." He took the bag.
"I'm sorry."
"So am I." Sirius said quietly. "I didn't know this would happen."
"I know." Severus sat down next to him. "I don't blame you really."
"I know." Sirius replied. "If the situation were the opposite and you were the one in Gryffindor, I don't know that I would act any different from you."
"Why wonder?" Severus said calmly. "What is done, is done."
"Is our friendship going to survive this?" Sirius asked.
"I gave my word." Severus smiled. "And the word of a Snape is worth much."
Sirius grinned.
"But I'm not so sure about the word of a Black." Severus continued solemnly. "What about you caving in to the anti-Slytherin sentiments that run rampant in Gryffindor?"
"You're right." Sirius sighed. "It's practically a reenactment of Romeo and Juliet."
"I trust that we won't actually have to kill ourselves." Severus raised his eyebrow.
"That can be debated for when we're found out." Sirius grinned again.
"It's almost dinner time." Severus got to his feet. "Care to walk ten feet apart in the same direction?"
Sirius smiled and shouldered his bag. "Only ten feet? I might still contaminate you at that distance."
Severus laughed for the first time in Sirius hearing since they got to Hogwarts.
End Notes:
- I almost wanted to end this chapter at the sentence where Severus says "Here is your bag." But I didn't.
- This is the first time I've attempted to write Hagrid. I don't like his accent, its too easy to mess up.
- Please Review.
