He sat curled, knees to chest, planning. It wouldn't be difficult. Not the way he saw it, at least. Oh, so convenient. Why hadn't he thought of it before? Was he afraid?
No. He was foolish. Hopeful. For twelve years, he had been so delusional as to think that they would come to his aid. That they somehow were different from the rest of the world. That they believed him when he told them he was innocent.
But he had hoped in vain. They had abandoned him, too. Just like everyone else. Even Remus, as must as it killed him to admit – or even think about – it, had forsaken him.
And the only others who would be able to prove that he didn't do it – didn't betray anyone – were dead. They had died because of his suggestion. Because of him. No. Because of that rat.
"He's at Hogwarts," he muttered repeatedly. He could feel it. The treasonous little rat was at Hogwarts. With his godson, no doubt. Sirius growled, dog-like, at the thought of that. Not once did he think of how foolish he was to be so protective of a boy he barely knew, who barely knew him. A boy who he hadn't even seen for twelve years.
But that never crossed his mind. All he could think about was his plan. Would it work? He found that he wasn't sure. But he must try.
Revenge was everything, after all. It was all he had left, now. No friends, no accursed family, no precious godson. Just revenge, bitter one his tongue like the taste of dark cocoa.
Sirius scowled, an expression he was accustomed to, nowadays, no longer the jovial young man of his past. The prisoner drew in a breath. He had to do it. Harry's life might depend on it.
"He's at Hogwarts," he groaned again, with resolve, now. The single driving force of his life was that green-eyes, jet-haired godson of his, the essence of Lily and James personified. The last shred of who he used to be could be in danger. Had to be, what with Wormtail so near to him.
And his, Sirius', job – for it was his and his alone – was to protect the boy.
Maybe, just maybe, if he kept Harry safe, it would somehow make up for getting Lily and James killed. Maybe, then, everything would be okay; maybe Remus wouldn't hate him; and maybe they could pick up where they left off.
Sirius sighed shakily, nodding to himself. This was it. Now or never. "C'mon, Padfoot... don't chicken out, now..."
Effortlessly, he slipped into the majestic form of that great, shaggy, black dog.
Now all that was left to do was wait. Sit and scratch and wait until the door opened.
Finally, he was going to do it. Sirius Black was going to escape from Azkaban.
(end.)
Uhm... yeah. That's it. "Asperities" is all done. Because I thought of this in Chem. Today and couldn't pass it up. I think I'll be writing a lot of random one-shots, now.
So, tell me what you think.