The Storm Breaks

By some miraculous stroke of luck, it seemed that Sirius' attack on Snape had gone unnoticed by the teachers. Snape, for some reason, had told Madame Pomfrey that he had sustained his injuries because Peeves had pushed him down the stairs. As all Peeves did was cackle when questioned, no one doubted this story.

Late that night, huddled in armchairs by the common room fire, Sirius filled the other Marauders in on the whole story behind the morning's events. James, Remus and Peter listened wide-eyed while he recounted what he'd seen.

"That bloody bastard." began James angrily, savagely impaling a large pink marshmallow with the poker.

Sirius opened his mouth to agree, but got no further, because at that moment, Rigella stormed through the portrait hole. He hadn't seen her since that morning. There was a look on her face like nothing Sirius had ever seen before- flat, trembling suppressed rage. She was furious.

She spoke, voice flat and low, calm despite her anger. Quiet like the calm before the storm.

"You had better have a good explanation for this."

She didn't say his name, but they all knew who she was talking to. Sirius felt his throat tighten.

"Look, the bastard had it coming." He ran his hand through his hair. He wasn't stupid enough to try pretending not to know what she was talking about. Rumour spread fast, and Snape would no doubt have told her. Stupid git, he thought.

"Lose the arrogance, Sirius," Rigella snapped angrily. "I am giving you one chance to explain your actions before I lose control of my temper! Now do you or do you not have a good reason for attacking Severus?"

Suddenly Sirius realised that although he did have a reason, it was not one he could explain to Rigella, and he didn't think she would accept it as good enough, anyway, especially considering how angry she was.

"Look it wasn't my fault, he practically lives to provoke me-"

"Oh, yeah, Sirius, it wasn't your fault!" she snarled, her face contorted in fury. "You didn't mean to attack him, someone magically made you do it! Don't you dare give me that innocent crap, Sirius Black! You knew fully well what you were doing! You just can't understand that people can have friends other than you! I have never met anyone so arrogant and self-assured!"

"What are you saying?!" Sirius didn't understand why he was suddenly so angry. He was on his feet before he realised it. "That you'd rather be with Snape than me?"

"Is that so impossible to believe?"

"He's a sleazy little worm! Ever wondered why he has no friends?!"

"If he's a worm, what does that make you? As far as I can see, he doesn't go around beating up people because they looked at one of his friends! I suppose you feel like some great big hero, after your pathetic little show of pointlessly immature violence this morning! Did you honestly think I wouldn't find out? I'm not stupid, Sirius! At least one of you can see that!"

And with tears in her furious blue eyes, Rigella turned and ran up the girls' staircase.

Sirius turned away from the others, hiding his face with his hands.

*****

He went to bed without a word, drawing the curtains closed. For once, he didn't want to talk.

That night, on opposite sides of the Gryffindor tower, two students were crying themselves to sleep.

*****

Ok, sorry it took so long only to be pathetically short. it looked longer in Word.

I don't own JK's stuff.

Um. I think that's it! Don't worry, it'll reach its point soon, I just have to get through this tricky little business with Snape.

Luv you all,

Rigel.