"Feigned"
by Ohnann
Disclaimer: They belong to J.K. Rowling.
"I really, really hate you."
James met his opponent's gaze and held it; didn't blink, barely breathed.
"You are a lying, deceiving, thick little prat, and I hate you." The words were some of the strongest Sirius had in his vocabulary, and they were designed to sting.
Sirius's father was behind him, holding his oldest son's narrow shoulders in a firm grip. He didn't want his son to associate with decent folk like his fellow Gryffindors, and James had decided to humour the older Black. After all, he'd shown up on their doorstep without warning Sirius.
"I hope you won't send me yet another owl as soon as you're out of here; I can't make out the words anyway."
The smooth length of the door was hard and cool against James's back. He wanted nothing else than to wrench Mr Black's claw-like fingers off his son and haul Sirius out into the blazing sunshine, away from the dark, stuffy little hall and his parents' methodical oppression.
"I care for my mother, father and brother. You ruined our cosy Sunday breakfast together by coming here, and if you ever do it again, you'll be sorry."
A satisfied smile played on Mr Black's lips, eerie and soulless. James had a hard time keeping his own expression straight, but he managed. Mr Black had chosen to stand behind his son, after ordering him to get rid of the intruder, and fix James with a dark stare; he couldn't see Sirius's face, something Sirius took immense advantage of.
"You are an ugly little git, you're bad at quidditch and I sincerely hope you'll be mauled by a hippogriff." Through the entire monologue Sirius had raised his eyebrows, poked his tongue out and batted his eyes, all in an effort to neutralize the meaning of his words.
They'd lost eye contact during a particularly vigorous flutter of eyelids on Sirius's part; James sought Sirius's gaze again and caught it, vivid and amiable.
A small smile, completely unlike his father's, tugged at the corners of Sirius's mouth. When he spoke again, it was with a warmth that Mr Black seemed oblivious to. He only heard the words themselves.
"I really, truly, sincerely hate you with all my heart."
There was a warm glow in Sirius's eyes, and James knew exactly how to interpret his words.
"I know when I'm not welcome," James grinned cheekily at Mr Black, opened the door and stepped out on the sunlit stairs outside. "Don't expect that owl, Sirius. I hate you too!"
Fin