MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
by The Goblet
Chapter 4
The next morning, Minerva was busy in her office organising last minute tasks for the Mid-Summer ball. She saw her sister walking by the open door and called to her, "Arabella, have you confirmed the music for this evening?"
Arabella Figg was Minerva's older sister and, although a squib, thoroughly enjoyed attending and coordinating the Mid-Summer Ball. She stepped into the office, her face beaming with delight. "Yes, yes, that was all organised weeks ago." She was excited and made no move to hide it.
"Minerva, I have heard the strangest news."
"Strange news? Does that mean good news?"
"It appears good, but one is never entirely sure in these matters."
Minerva raised her eyebrow; her sister was positively floating. "Well, out with it then, don't keep me waiting in suspense!"
Arabella smiled. "Last night one of the house-elves was tidying up the staffroom when he overhead young Sirius confess to Remus that he loved none other than your friend Severus! Sirius is planning to approach him tonight at the ball. He plans to woo him!"
Minerva was horror-struck. Only yesterday she had learnt that Remus and Severus had been long-term lovers. And now it was revealed that Sirius loved Severus as well. She couldn't believe it. The enmity between the two men was almost as bad as the feud between James and Lily.
"You trust the house-elf who told you?" she asked, mindful of the fact that house-elves often misinterpreted conversations.
"Completely. Would you like me to summon him so that you can question him yourself?"
"No, that isn't necessary. But I will not consider this rumour to be true until Sirius makes his move."
Minerva sat wordlessly in her chair. What about Remus? How was he taking it: one of his best friends declaring his infatuation for his lover? Had he acknowledged Severus as his lover? If he hadn't, would he? Would he give him up without a fight?
But more importantly: what about Severus? Minerva had come to love him as a son, snarkiness and all. He had to be told. This would surely trouble Severus, especially if Sirius was sincere. How would he tell Black that he wasn't interested without starting a fight, or outing Remus? And what if Sirius was not sincere? What if it was another malicious prank?
What if Severus was also keen on Sirius? Minerva dismissed this thought immediately. After everything that Lily had told her yesterday, she was certain that Severus loved Remus and only Remus.
"I will speak with Severus, so that he may be prepared if Sirius does approach him," she said gravely.
Feedback very welcome!
