'POTTER! DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY PRESS UPS!'
James, panting and perspiring, shoved his glasses firmly onto the bridge of his nose and reluctantly dropped to to the floor and proceeded to do twenty push-ups.
'Anyone else feel like slowing down to a walk?' Roared Moody, glaring around at his recruits, who were still doing laps of the course he had made for them. 'Five more laps and then I'll let you take a rest. Potter, get up and start running again.'
James jumped up and joined in once more, falling into line behind Sirius, who hissed 'one hundred laps? I hope this isn't going to be a daily thing!'
It was Saturday morning, and the Hit Wizard recruits had arrived at the Ministry of Magic to find that Alastor Moody had created a running track the size of a quidditch pitch in one of the lower chambers. He had straight away ordered them to do one hundred laps of the pitch, and anyone who stopped running would have to do twenty press-ups.
'All right, that's enough!' He shouted, and every single one of them dropped onto the ground with exhaustion.
'Torture', wheezed Remus, who wasn't incredibly fit, 'pure...utter...torture!'
'That man...evil', panted Sirius.
Moody strode down the line of red-faced witches and wizards. 'Well done', he praised with a growl, 'first time nobody's dropped out. I've a stronger bunch here than I thought. Right everyone, on your feet, wands out! I want to see some duelling. Now, let me see....Black and Potter, Lupin and Dunraven, Johnson and Byrne...' Moody moved on down the line, splitting them into pairs. Sirius and James glanced at each other and grinned. 'We haven't duelled in ages, have we?' James remarked, a glint of mischief in his eye, 'I s'pose I should apologise now for any limbs that may accidentally be ripped off your body.'
'And I should say sorry for the tail I'll be giving you', Sirius grinned.
The pairs duelled for almost half an hour, and by that time, Sirius and James were both thoroughly shaken; both men were excellent wizards and neither had shown any mercy. When Moody called a halt to the exercise, they set about lifting the curses and hexes they had placed on each other.
'It's almost one', James commented, shrinking Sirius' ears back to normal size, 'hadn't you better go?'
'Oh yeah!' Sirius has completely forgotten about lunch with his family. He hurried over to Alastor Moody.
'Mr. Moody, sir, I was wondering if I could possibly skip lessons this afternoon, I, er, have an appointment to see a Healer 'bout a pulled muscle.' Somehow, Sirius didn't think that his real reason for missing class would go down well with Moody.
'Yes Black, off you trot', Moody replied, watching Remus dodge a Stunner with ease.
Sirius couldn't believe his luck. 'Thank you sir!' He called over his shoulder, as he jogged out of the room.
'Oh and Black!' Moody shouted. Sirius stopped in his tracks and turned expectantly to his teacher.
'Don't bother with the lies next time, eh? I'm not a fool, and neither are you. Let's both respect each other's intelligence, what d'you say?'Moody growled, although the corners of his mouth were twitching.
'Yessir, sorry sir', Sirius mumbled, before turning again, and hurrying out of the room.
Sirius knocked sharply on the door of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, and it was opened almost immediately.
'Regulus', Sirius greeted his brother stiffly.
'Sirius', Regulus replied equally coldly. Sirius was surprised to see how different his brother looked now; his hair was longer, and there was a shadow of a beard on his chin. He was only just sixteen, but looked older. He was also taller, and more muscular. A lot can change in four years, Sirius thought.
'Come in', Regulus continued, stepping back to allow his brother to pass. Sirius stepped inside and looked around the hallway; the huge portrait of his mother still hung on the wall.
'So, you've come crawling back, have you?' She screeched, catching sight of her eldest son, 'come creeping back to your family when they don't need you anymore?'
'Shut up, you old hag', Sirius said, fixing the portrait with a look.
'C'mon, everyone's in the kitchen', Regulus informed him, descending the stairs to the kitchen. Sirius trailed after him, wondering why he was doing this.
The large kitchen table was surrounded by members of the Black family; Sirius' mother, his father, Bellatrix, Narcissa, Araminta, Elladora, Lucius Malfoy-
'What's he doing here?' Sirius shouted furiously, 'he's not even in the family!'
'Dear Lucius has been like a son to me', replied his mother maliciously, 'and Narcissa and he will soon be married.'
Sirius stared at his cousin Narcissa. 'You're MARRYING this revolting piece of Skrewt slime?' He asked incredulously.
Narcissa wrapped her arms around Lucius, who stared at Sirius, a look of triumph on his face. 'Lucius is wonderful', Narcissa retorted, 'just perfect!'
Sirius let out a snort of derision and was about to respond, but his mother held up her hand for him to stop. 'I did not invite you here so you could insult your family', she said coldly, 'sit down, Sirius.'
Sirius sat abruptly, and inched his chair away from Aunt Elladora, who was leering at him unpleasantly. 'What d'you want Mother? Father?'
'We have a proposition for you', his father explained. He would have been quite handsome, if his face was not twisted with bitterness and hatred of those whom he would call 'Mudbloods'. 'Now, your mother didn't want to include you in this, but I said it was only fair to invite you, at least'.
'Oh thanks', Sirius muttered sarcastically, 'what's this great offer you have for me then?'
'You have no doubt heard by now of Lord Voldemort', his mother continued, a hint of pride in her voice.
Sirius searched the corners of his mind. 'Oh', he said, suddenly remembering, 'it's that dark wizard, isn't it? He's planning to take over the world or something like that.'
There was a murmur of anger around the table. 'Do not speak of the Dark Lord in this way!' Bellatrix said shrilly, 'it's disrespectful!'
Sirius rolled his eyes. His mother continued.
'The Dark Lord has been gathering followers to him for some time now', she informed Sirius, 'and we have heard what he has to say. He is against Mudbloods and half-breeds, and desires to cleanse our world of these vermin.'
Sirius arced an eyebrow. If his mother was trying to persuade him that Voldemort was good, an attack on his closest friends was probably not the best way to go.
'Hear me out, Sirius', said his mother, seeing the look on his face, 'where has supporting the inclusion of such people ever got you? Living alone, with only the money your mad uncle left you, no job, no prospects, no power...you're a Black, and as such, you deserve better. I will not see one of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black consorting with filth and living in squalor. I am offering you a chance to support Lord Voldemort. He has assured us that if you should join him, he would make you a great lieutenant in his army, and reward you with whatever you want when he takes over. He has heard of you, Sirius. Your talents as a wizard have not escaped him. His supporters know you are strong, and he wants you on his side. You were always a bright boy, Sirius. The Potter boy is arrogant and stupid. He will never be powerful or famous. Here is your chance to shine, my boy! Do not turn it down!'
Sirius stared at his mother in total amazement. Did she honestly believe that he would agree to all this?
'You must be gone senile, Mother', he replied, 'this egomaniac who calls himself "Lord"-why should I follow him and his mad ideas? If Albus Dumbledore thinks 'half-breeds' and 'Mudbloods', as you so politely call them, are good enough, then I do too. My two best friends are definitely not pure blood, and it's never bothered me, and all the gold in the world won't make me turn against the people who are my REAL family.'
'Why you little-!' Bellatrix began to shriek, but Regulus cut her off.
'Please Mother', he said eagerly, 'let me talk to Sirius about this alone?'
His mother considered this, then nodded. 'All right Regulus, go upstairs to the hall and discuss it.'
Regulus nodded happily, and leapt to his feet. Sirius followed him, shooting glares at Lucius and Bellatrix as he left.
In the hallway, Regulus turned to him, his eyes shining. 'Please Sirius, think about what they're saying he begged, 'I've heard Voldemort speak-he's amazing! Full of charisma, and power and-'
'Hot air?' Sirius suggested moodily.
Regulus sighed. 'Come on Sirius! As soon as I'm old enough, I'm going to join him-he wants people to be of age before they start working for him properly. I'd be so much happier with you there too! Think about it! What did Dumbledore ever do for you? You got punished constantly, and most of the teachers were too hard on you.'
'That's because I never lived up to my full potential', Sirius argued harshly, 'I was always clowning around, acting the fool. I deserved everything I got and more.'
'I've always admired you Sirius', regulus admitted, 'even though we're so different. You're really strong and smart and a great wizard, and you're a leader. Voldemort'll give you a top job! I'm sure he'd leave James alone if you asked him to!'
Sirius laughed. 'Regulus, you idiot, you think you can walk up to a man like this Voldemort character and say "Please your lordship, I know you abominate all people who aren't pure blood, but it'd be great if you could leave this one guy alive! I studied dark wizards at school, Regulus, people like him don't win power by making compromises. And it's not just James. There's Remus, and Kingsley, and Frank, and Alice and Lily and dozens of others!'
Regulus' smile faded. 'You'll regret this Sirius', he said angrily, 'all those witches and wizards who've been disappearing-they've been joining Voldemort! He's got a load of supporters. He'll win, and he'll most likely kill you, adn then you'll be sorry you dishonoured him.'
'If I'm dead I doubt I'll be sorry about much, Regulus', Sirius replied coldly, 'now if you'll excuse me, I'm missing a lesson where I could learn how to squash annoying little twerps who give their allegiance to mad dark wizards. I'll see myself out.'
The door opened as Sirius approached it-such was his fury that he had lost control of his magic. You've got a great new son in Lucius, Mother!' He roared over his shoulder as he left, 'He'll stab you in the back the moment he thinks it'll earn him some profit!' And he marched out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
He stopped at the gate, breathing hard. So, his family were well and truly immersed in dark magic. And this Lord Voldemort was stronger than everyone had thought. He would have to tell someone about this.
Sirius could not bear to stay there any longer. With one last look back at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, he disapparated, vowing never to enter it again.
James, panting and perspiring, shoved his glasses firmly onto the bridge of his nose and reluctantly dropped to to the floor and proceeded to do twenty push-ups.
'Anyone else feel like slowing down to a walk?' Roared Moody, glaring around at his recruits, who were still doing laps of the course he had made for them. 'Five more laps and then I'll let you take a rest. Potter, get up and start running again.'
James jumped up and joined in once more, falling into line behind Sirius, who hissed 'one hundred laps? I hope this isn't going to be a daily thing!'
It was Saturday morning, and the Hit Wizard recruits had arrived at the Ministry of Magic to find that Alastor Moody had created a running track the size of a quidditch pitch in one of the lower chambers. He had straight away ordered them to do one hundred laps of the pitch, and anyone who stopped running would have to do twenty press-ups.
'All right, that's enough!' He shouted, and every single one of them dropped onto the ground with exhaustion.
'Torture', wheezed Remus, who wasn't incredibly fit, 'pure...utter...torture!'
'That man...evil', panted Sirius.
Moody strode down the line of red-faced witches and wizards. 'Well done', he praised with a growl, 'first time nobody's dropped out. I've a stronger bunch here than I thought. Right everyone, on your feet, wands out! I want to see some duelling. Now, let me see....Black and Potter, Lupin and Dunraven, Johnson and Byrne...' Moody moved on down the line, splitting them into pairs. Sirius and James glanced at each other and grinned. 'We haven't duelled in ages, have we?' James remarked, a glint of mischief in his eye, 'I s'pose I should apologise now for any limbs that may accidentally be ripped off your body.'
'And I should say sorry for the tail I'll be giving you', Sirius grinned.
The pairs duelled for almost half an hour, and by that time, Sirius and James were both thoroughly shaken; both men were excellent wizards and neither had shown any mercy. When Moody called a halt to the exercise, they set about lifting the curses and hexes they had placed on each other.
'It's almost one', James commented, shrinking Sirius' ears back to normal size, 'hadn't you better go?'
'Oh yeah!' Sirius has completely forgotten about lunch with his family. He hurried over to Alastor Moody.
'Mr. Moody, sir, I was wondering if I could possibly skip lessons this afternoon, I, er, have an appointment to see a Healer 'bout a pulled muscle.' Somehow, Sirius didn't think that his real reason for missing class would go down well with Moody.
'Yes Black, off you trot', Moody replied, watching Remus dodge a Stunner with ease.
Sirius couldn't believe his luck. 'Thank you sir!' He called over his shoulder, as he jogged out of the room.
'Oh and Black!' Moody shouted. Sirius stopped in his tracks and turned expectantly to his teacher.
'Don't bother with the lies next time, eh? I'm not a fool, and neither are you. Let's both respect each other's intelligence, what d'you say?'Moody growled, although the corners of his mouth were twitching.
'Yessir, sorry sir', Sirius mumbled, before turning again, and hurrying out of the room.
Sirius knocked sharply on the door of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, and it was opened almost immediately.
'Regulus', Sirius greeted his brother stiffly.
'Sirius', Regulus replied equally coldly. Sirius was surprised to see how different his brother looked now; his hair was longer, and there was a shadow of a beard on his chin. He was only just sixteen, but looked older. He was also taller, and more muscular. A lot can change in four years, Sirius thought.
'Come in', Regulus continued, stepping back to allow his brother to pass. Sirius stepped inside and looked around the hallway; the huge portrait of his mother still hung on the wall.
'So, you've come crawling back, have you?' She screeched, catching sight of her eldest son, 'come creeping back to your family when they don't need you anymore?'
'Shut up, you old hag', Sirius said, fixing the portrait with a look.
'C'mon, everyone's in the kitchen', Regulus informed him, descending the stairs to the kitchen. Sirius trailed after him, wondering why he was doing this.
The large kitchen table was surrounded by members of the Black family; Sirius' mother, his father, Bellatrix, Narcissa, Araminta, Elladora, Lucius Malfoy-
'What's he doing here?' Sirius shouted furiously, 'he's not even in the family!'
'Dear Lucius has been like a son to me', replied his mother maliciously, 'and Narcissa and he will soon be married.'
Sirius stared at his cousin Narcissa. 'You're MARRYING this revolting piece of Skrewt slime?' He asked incredulously.
Narcissa wrapped her arms around Lucius, who stared at Sirius, a look of triumph on his face. 'Lucius is wonderful', Narcissa retorted, 'just perfect!'
Sirius let out a snort of derision and was about to respond, but his mother held up her hand for him to stop. 'I did not invite you here so you could insult your family', she said coldly, 'sit down, Sirius.'
Sirius sat abruptly, and inched his chair away from Aunt Elladora, who was leering at him unpleasantly. 'What d'you want Mother? Father?'
'We have a proposition for you', his father explained. He would have been quite handsome, if his face was not twisted with bitterness and hatred of those whom he would call 'Mudbloods'. 'Now, your mother didn't want to include you in this, but I said it was only fair to invite you, at least'.
'Oh thanks', Sirius muttered sarcastically, 'what's this great offer you have for me then?'
'You have no doubt heard by now of Lord Voldemort', his mother continued, a hint of pride in her voice.
Sirius searched the corners of his mind. 'Oh', he said, suddenly remembering, 'it's that dark wizard, isn't it? He's planning to take over the world or something like that.'
There was a murmur of anger around the table. 'Do not speak of the Dark Lord in this way!' Bellatrix said shrilly, 'it's disrespectful!'
Sirius rolled his eyes. His mother continued.
'The Dark Lord has been gathering followers to him for some time now', she informed Sirius, 'and we have heard what he has to say. He is against Mudbloods and half-breeds, and desires to cleanse our world of these vermin.'
Sirius arced an eyebrow. If his mother was trying to persuade him that Voldemort was good, an attack on his closest friends was probably not the best way to go.
'Hear me out, Sirius', said his mother, seeing the look on his face, 'where has supporting the inclusion of such people ever got you? Living alone, with only the money your mad uncle left you, no job, no prospects, no power...you're a Black, and as such, you deserve better. I will not see one of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black consorting with filth and living in squalor. I am offering you a chance to support Lord Voldemort. He has assured us that if you should join him, he would make you a great lieutenant in his army, and reward you with whatever you want when he takes over. He has heard of you, Sirius. Your talents as a wizard have not escaped him. His supporters know you are strong, and he wants you on his side. You were always a bright boy, Sirius. The Potter boy is arrogant and stupid. He will never be powerful or famous. Here is your chance to shine, my boy! Do not turn it down!'
Sirius stared at his mother in total amazement. Did she honestly believe that he would agree to all this?
'You must be gone senile, Mother', he replied, 'this egomaniac who calls himself "Lord"-why should I follow him and his mad ideas? If Albus Dumbledore thinks 'half-breeds' and 'Mudbloods', as you so politely call them, are good enough, then I do too. My two best friends are definitely not pure blood, and it's never bothered me, and all the gold in the world won't make me turn against the people who are my REAL family.'
'Why you little-!' Bellatrix began to shriek, but Regulus cut her off.
'Please Mother', he said eagerly, 'let me talk to Sirius about this alone?'
His mother considered this, then nodded. 'All right Regulus, go upstairs to the hall and discuss it.'
Regulus nodded happily, and leapt to his feet. Sirius followed him, shooting glares at Lucius and Bellatrix as he left.
In the hallway, Regulus turned to him, his eyes shining. 'Please Sirius, think about what they're saying he begged, 'I've heard Voldemort speak-he's amazing! Full of charisma, and power and-'
'Hot air?' Sirius suggested moodily.
Regulus sighed. 'Come on Sirius! As soon as I'm old enough, I'm going to join him-he wants people to be of age before they start working for him properly. I'd be so much happier with you there too! Think about it! What did Dumbledore ever do for you? You got punished constantly, and most of the teachers were too hard on you.'
'That's because I never lived up to my full potential', Sirius argued harshly, 'I was always clowning around, acting the fool. I deserved everything I got and more.'
'I've always admired you Sirius', regulus admitted, 'even though we're so different. You're really strong and smart and a great wizard, and you're a leader. Voldemort'll give you a top job! I'm sure he'd leave James alone if you asked him to!'
Sirius laughed. 'Regulus, you idiot, you think you can walk up to a man like this Voldemort character and say "Please your lordship, I know you abominate all people who aren't pure blood, but it'd be great if you could leave this one guy alive! I studied dark wizards at school, Regulus, people like him don't win power by making compromises. And it's not just James. There's Remus, and Kingsley, and Frank, and Alice and Lily and dozens of others!'
Regulus' smile faded. 'You'll regret this Sirius', he said angrily, 'all those witches and wizards who've been disappearing-they've been joining Voldemort! He's got a load of supporters. He'll win, and he'll most likely kill you, adn then you'll be sorry you dishonoured him.'
'If I'm dead I doubt I'll be sorry about much, Regulus', Sirius replied coldly, 'now if you'll excuse me, I'm missing a lesson where I could learn how to squash annoying little twerps who give their allegiance to mad dark wizards. I'll see myself out.'
The door opened as Sirius approached it-such was his fury that he had lost control of his magic. You've got a great new son in Lucius, Mother!' He roared over his shoulder as he left, 'He'll stab you in the back the moment he thinks it'll earn him some profit!' And he marched out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
He stopped at the gate, breathing hard. So, his family were well and truly immersed in dark magic. And this Lord Voldemort was stronger than everyone had thought. He would have to tell someone about this.
Sirius could not bear to stay there any longer. With one last look back at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, he disapparated, vowing never to enter it again.