Lies
By Neurotica
Four
Sirius awoke suddenly as the smell of breakfast invaded his nostrils. No, invaded wasn't the correct word; more like pleased, enticed his senses. He slowly opened his eyes and looked to his right. The spot that had been occupied when he had closed his eyes was now empty, and lacking of its usual warmth. Hestia must have woken up early.
Grinning stupidly at the memory of the night before, Sirius got out of bed and pulled a pair of pajama pants over himself and left the room. He followed the smell of bacon, eggs, and fresh coffee to the kitchen. He had expected to see Hestia sitting at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in her hand, reading the newspaper. What he did find was somebody indeed with a cup of coffee and the Daily Prophet covering their face, but he was slightly disappointed and confused to find it wasn't Hestia.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he said to the person.
Remus slowly lowered his newspaper and gazed at Sirius standing in the door frame as he sipped his coffee. He placed the mug on the table and looked around. "Well, last I checked, I live here," he said simply.
Sirius raised an eyebrow and crossed the room to sit across from his friend. "Well, no kidding. I meant what are you doing here now?"
"Having my morning coffee and reading the paper. Oh, and by the way, Hestia said she had to go into work early; something about a splinching involving some couple kissing in Diagon Alley."
Sirius winced at the mental image. "Okay, let's try this again," he began in the tone Remus often used with him: as if he were speaking to a five-year-old. "Why are you here, and not at Hogwarts teaching little kiddies how to get rid of Hinkypunks or something? You know, the teacher thing..."
"Because I am no longer employed at Hogwarts," Remus said casually, sipping his coffee in bliss.
"What?" Sirius yelled. "Why the hell not? Dumbledore didn't sack you?"
"No, nothing like that; I resigned yesterday."
Sirius' mouth dropped open. "You..."
"Resigned, yes."
"Why? You love teaching!" Sirius cried in confusion.
"I do," Remus agreed.
"Then why did you resign? The term's not even over yet."
Remus sighed, sat his coffee mug on the table, closed his paper, and looked at Sirius. "I had a bit of a problem on the full moon."
"What kind of problem?" Sirius asked concerned, looking over Remus as if he were expecting to see his werewolf tail hadn't gone away.
"Well, you know how I told you I have to take the Wolfsbane three days in advance to the full moon, and if I miss a dose, it's useless?" Remus asked hesitantly.
"Yeah..." Sirius said slowly.
"I didn't get my last dose," Remus said simply.
"Why?" Sirius nearly growled, already knowing who was to blame.
Tiredly, Remus dove into the events two nights ago with Snape. By the time he had finished, Sirius was out of his seat, pacing angrily.
"And he just smashed your potion?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Did you hex him?"
"No."
"Want me to?"
Remus chuckled at Sirius' protectiveness. "No, it's okay, Sirius."
"No it is not bloody okay! He had no right to smash your potion! No matter what kind of argument he and you had," Sirius yelled, stopping to stare at Remus.
Remus rubbed his eyes. He had expected Sirius to react like this, but it didn't make the end result any better. "It's over and done with. Yes, I loved teaching. Yes, I loved being at Hogwarts again. Yes, I loved spending every day with Harry. But there's nothing you or I can do about it now."
"What'd Dumbledore say?"
"He wasn't too happy, but he understood my reasoning."
Sirius shook his head and sat back down. "I don't get you, Moony," he said, burying his head in his hands.
"What don't you get, Sirius?"
"How you just let Snape get away with that, how you don't even seem to care."
"I care, Sirius. Believe me, I do. Teaching was the best job I ever had, but just like all of the other jobs I've had in my life, this was inevitable. Not to mention the whole school knows by now; Snape told the Slytherins before breakfast yesterday," Remus said with a sigh.
"Bastard," Sirius growled.
"I agree."
"What'd Harry say? I assume he found out about all this."
"He found out I had resigned from Hagrid of all people, but I didn't tell him what happened. I don't need him getting into deeper trouble with Snape," Remus replied, refilling his coffee cup.
"What'd he say?"
"He wasn't too happy, either; begged me not to go. Told me none of the others care that I'm a werewolf. Dean Thomas said it made me 'cooler'," Remus said flatly.
"There you go! They don't care! And you're cool," Sirius said, smiling.
Remus didn't return the smile. "No, they might not, but their parents surely will. That's not the point anyway. I nearly escaped from the classroom. I could have attacked another teacher, or a student—"
"Or Snape. That wouldn't be too bad."
"Sirius," Remus warned.
"Sorry," Sirius said, hiding his grin in his own coffee cup. "So what're you going to do now that you're unemployed again?"
Remus sighed. "I don't know. I'll look for something new, I suppose. But I think I may just wait until Harry's back at school again; there's no way I'm leaving him here with the Weasley boys over everyday."
"Can't say I blame you there. We'd end up coming home and finding the place reduced to dust." Sirius laughed. Remus grimaced at the thought. "You know I could probably get you a job at the Ministry if you wanted."
"As what? A test subject?"
"No, idiot, whatever you want to do."
"Sirius, I think you're forgetting the Ministry's stand on employing dark creatures," Remus said.
"But the dementors—"
"There you go comparing werewolves to dementors again."
"Not what I meant. Look, Bones knows you, she likes you, she told me. If you want a job, I'm sure she'd give you one in a heartbeat."
Remus smiled. "Thank you, Sirius, but I'm going to have to decline your offer. I'll find my own work."
"You sure?" Sirius asked, unconvinced.
"I'm sure."
Sirius sighed in defeat. "All right."
Remus grinned suddenly, his eyes sparkling. "So late night last night?" he asked innocently.
"Shut up, Moony."
Less than a week later, Sirius and Remus stood outside the barrier to Platform 9 ¾ waiting for Harry's arrival.
"This is the best time of the year for me." Sirius smiled as the students emerged in small numbers to meet their families. He looked over to Remus who looked a bit downcast. "What?" he said. Sirius looked around them and noticed many parents sending looks of disgust and loathing to Remus. "Ignore them, mate," Sirius muttered.
"Now I know how you felt after your release," Remus muttered back.
"Welcome to the club... Hey, look, it's Molly!" Sirius pointed at the redhead fighting her way through the crowd.
"Afternoon, boys," Molly greeted them as she approached.
"Hello, Molly. Where's Arthur?" Remus asked, giving the woman a hug. If the Weasleys hadn't known about his condition for years already, Remus would have worried about their reactions.
"Oh, he's stuck at work. Some poor Muggle's been attacked by a charmed toaster again. How are you? I was very sorry to hear about your resignation. All of the children can't stop talking about your lessons. I don't think Fred and George ever achieved such good marks before you began at Hogwarts."
Remus smiled. Before he could say anything, a group of redheads caught his attention as they emerged through the crowd. In the very middle were a head of black untidy hair and a head of brown bushy hair.
Molly moved to greet her children while Sirius and Remus waited for Harry.
"Hey," Harry said, smiling as he drew nearer.
"Hey, Harry," Sirius said, hugging his godson as if he hadn't seen the boy in months.
Remus hugged him next and ruffled his hair, much to Harry's irritation. Remus grinned. The trio bid farewell to the Weasleys and Grangers and walked to the awaiting Ministry car in the parking lot.
"How was the rest of your term?" Remus asked as he helped Sirius put Harry's trunk in the back of the car.
"Boring," Harry replied. "Since we had an open period," he glared at Remus, "we spent most of it outside while Fred and George harassed the squid."
"Any more issues with Snape?" Sirius asked as they situated themselves in the car.
"No, he's been ignoring me, actually," Harry said. "Not that I'm complaining or anything."
"So what should we do tonight?" Remus asked as the car jumped ahead of a queue at the light.
"I say we order in for dinner and find a good movie on the tellyvizzy," Sirius said.
"Television," Remus and Harry corrected automatically. Even after eight years, Sirius still couldn't get it right. Remus suspected he did it on purpose.
"Whatever."
The three of them walked into the cottage and Harry sighed happily. "Home sweet home," he said, dragging his trunk in the door.
Sirius smiled. "Go put your things in your room and let Hedwig out. We'll get dinner situated."
Harry headed down the hallway while Remus went to the living room. Sirius, however, remained leaning against the door frame of the open door. Remus raised an eyebrow at him, but went to the living room.
"Three," he muttered. "Two... One..."
There was a loud bang, then—
"SIRIUS!"
Remus jumped from the sofa, wand out, and ran full force to Harry's bedroom. Again, Sirius stayed where he was. He couldn't move even if he had wanted to; he was doubled over laughing. A few moments later, Remus led Harry back to the hallway. Sirius looked up long enough to take a good look at his godson and continued laughing even harder.
Harry was covered, from head to toe, in baking flour, giving the visual of a badly clichéd ghost. Sirius had setup his room to blast him the moment he entered.
Just wait until he opens the closet, the Auror thought, quite pleased to see it had worked.
Harry shook his head, flour flying in all directions, and looked at Remus. He had hoped Remus would clean the mess, but it seemed Remus was having trouble breathing. He was very red, and it seemed Harry's beloved surrogate godfather had cracked a few ribs trying not to laugh at Harry. He'd lost the battle long ago.
"Okay, once you two have finished..." Harry said, trying not to laugh himself at the obvious immaturity of his guardians.
Eventually, Sirius and Remus calmed themselves enough to use a cleaning charm on Harry. Sirius ruffled his hair and threw an arm around his shoulder. "Ah, I missed you, kid." he said, wiping his eyes and heading for the kitchen.
"Yeah, yeah," Harry muttered, smiling and following him.
The next morning, Sirius Flooed into the Atrium of the Ministry and started towards the elevators to take him to Auror Headquarters. Just as he approached an awaiting group of witches and wizards, however, he turned sharply and tried to go into the other direction.
It was too late.
"Sirius!" said a bubbly voice.
Sirius closed his eyes tight and groaned inwardly. He turned back to the voice and faked a smile. "Hello, Bertha."
Bertha Jorkins practically ran to catch up to him. "How are you, Sirius? I haven't seen you in so long!"
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "I see you everyday, Bertha. We just talked last week when I was speaking with Ludo."
"Oh, right," Bertha said, batting her eyelashes. "Well, anyway, how are you?"
"Just fine, Bertha," Sirius said dully, hoping to get away from the woman; she was just a tad too close. Sirius took a step back. "Are you going to the Cup?" he asked to be friendly. He didn't like to be rude if he could help it.
"Oh, no," Bertha replied happily. "No, I'm going on holiday to visit a few cousins in Albania."
"Sounds lovely," Sirius said. "Listen, Bertha, as wonderful as it is catching up with you, I've got to meet with Kingsley."
"Oh, okay," Bertha said, looking slightly putout. "Well, I'll see you when I get back. Maybe we can catch up over dinner sometime?" she added hopefully.
Fat chance, Sirius thought. "Sounds great. Bye, Bertha." Before she could finish what would undoubtedly be a long-winded goodbye, Sirius was pushing the two button and waving through the grilles of the lift as they shut. He leaned against the wall of the lift and rolled his eyes. Even though she had been a few years older than Sirius, Bertha Jorkins had always shown a strange, unnerving interest in him.
The lift grilles opened, and Sirius started down the corridor.
"Mornin', Black," said a voice the moment Sirius stepped into Auror Headquarters.
"Good morning, Dawlish. Anything interesting today?" Sirius asked, approaching the Auror.
"Not really. Barty Crouch is still running around, trying to get in on the Malfoy case," Dawlish said.
"Is he now? Does he not realize the Department of Magical Cooperation has nothing to do with Malfoy?"
"Obviously not. But I think he's smart enough not to try and snoop around while you or Shacklebolt are here." Dawlish chuckled.
"Yeah," Sirius said, a bit irritated at the fact Barty Crouch was still employed at the Ministry at all. "Okay, I'll speak with Bones about him. Have you had any word about—"
"Sirius!" called a deep voice on the other side of Headquarters.
Sirius turned to face Kingsley as he approached. "Morning, sunshine!" he said cheerfully.
Kingsley raised an eyebrow. "Right. Anyway, we need to finalize everything for the Auror graduation tomorrow."
Sirius grimaced. "Paperwork?"
Kingsley laughed. "No, Sirius, no paperwork. It's okay," he said consolingly.
"Thank Merlin," Sirius said with exaggerated relief.
"This is our leader, Shacklebolt. What kind of leader can't handle paperwork?" Dawlish teased.
"I can handle paperwork. I'd just prefer fighting a Death Eater any day," Sirius said.
"Really?" Dawlish asked.
"Wouldn't you?"
"Depends on the Death Eater," Kingsley said.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Back to work. Come on, Kingsley."
"Hey, Remus," Harry said as he walked through the kitchen after a morning of flying.
"Hey, Harry," Remus said distractedly, concentrating on his book. "What time did you go out this morning?"
"Early. Sirius wasn't even up yet," Harry replied, grabbing a Butterbeer from the refrigerator.
"Mmm," Remus said, turning a page in his book. He heard Harry sit next to him and he glanced up quickly as Harry scratched his head, and then continued with his book. As the visual image connected with his brain, Remus did a double take. "What happened to you?" he demanded, looking at Harry's bloody t-shirt sleeve.
"Fell." Harry shrugged.
Remus moved the t-shirt out of the way and got a good look at the injury: it was a deep gash running from his elbow to his shoulder. "There's no way you did this falling," he said, looking at Harry slightly accusatory.
"Well, a tree got in my way. Remus, it's okay. Honestly," Harry insisted. Remus ignored him and crossed the kitchen to the sink to retrieve a wet towel to clean Harry's arm.
"Ow!" Harry cried as the towel made contact.
"It's fine, huh?" Remus muttered. "Just stay still." He grabbed his wand and tapped it against Harry's arm, muttering a healing charm. Instantly, the gash closed and disappeared, leaving no evidence it had ever been there at all.
"See, it's fine," Harry said, moving his arm around for emphasis.
Remus rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You shouldn't be flying out in the clearing alone."
"Why? I've been doing it for years!" Harry said.
"I know, but..." Remus trailed off, looking worried.
"What? You think Malfoy and Voldemort are going to come and get me?" Harry grinned.
"It's not funny," Remus said firmly.
Harry's grin faded. "I'm fine out there. All the wards and stuff you and Sirius put up... there's no way they can get through."
They got through at Hogwarts, Remus thought darkly. "Look, just do me a favor, okay? Stay close to the house when you're flying alone. Humor me, okay?"
Harry sighed. "Okay."
"Thank you."
"So what's for dinner?" Harry asked, looking around the kitchen.
Remus raised an eyebrow. "It's not even lunchtime, yet."
"Oh, well, what's for lunch?"
"What ever you decide to get off your bony butt and make." Remus grinned. "Who do I look like? Molly Weasley?"
Harry laughed. "No, but you worry about as much as she does."
"Get used to it," Remus said, ruffling Harry's hair.
Sirius stood at the back of the Auror training classroom next to Kingsley as Minister Bone congratulated those who would qualify in a day's time.
"Good bunch this year," Kingsley commented, looking around the room.
"Yeah," Sirius agreed.
Bones finished with her speech and gestured for Sirius to come to the front.
"Afternoon," he said to the group. The Aurors-in-Training returned the sentiment. "For the past three years, you've all gone through what you consider to be hell and back. Tomorrow, you finally receive your Auror's licenses." A cheer sounded through the room. Sirius grinned. "And after that you get to be in on the action. I've been watching this group since day one, and I have to say you lot are the best looking group of new Aurors I've seen in years. So congratulations, and welcome aboard."
Sirius dismissed the group and they all scrambled to the door. One, however, stayed. Her hair was spiked and purple today. Under her black Ministry robes, she wore a t-shirt that bore the legend: Screeming Banshees—a loud wizard rock band Harry had recently begun to enjoy. And her black cargo pants were strategically ripped in various spots.
Sirius grinned. "Nymphy!"
"Call me that again and suffer a slow, painful death, Black," Tonks said. Sirius might have felt a little more threatened had she not tripped on her way up to him and fell flat on her face. Sirius stopped laughing long enough to help his cousin up.
"Wotcher," she said with a grin. "Thanks."
Sirius chuckled. "Excited about tomorrow?"
"Are you kidding? I can't wait to get this training crap done and get into the real stuff," she said enthusiastically.
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Right now, training is more exciting. Trust me on that. So how're your parents taking all this?"
"Not bad. Mum was a bit frantic at first, but Dad calmed her down. Now she can't wait for me to have my license. Seems to think I'll move out after that. They'll be at the ceremony tomorrow," Tonks said.
"Frantic, eh? Doesn't your mummy know I wouldn't let anything happen to her little Nymphy?" Sirius grinned, pinching Tonks' cheek.
Tonks slapped his hand away and glared playfully. "Keep it up..."
"Respect your superiors, Tonks," Sirius warned, his lips twitching. "Listen, I was going to ask your parents tomorrow if the three of you wanted to come over to the cottage for a little party after the ceremony. What do you think?"
"Sounds good. Food?" Tonks asked.
"Of course! What kind of party of mine would it be without food?" Sirius grinned again.
"All right. Well, I've gotta get going; Mum's expecting me home. See you tomorrow!"
"Bye, Tonks."
Tonks turned to leave. Sirius winced as she miscalculated the distance between the doorframe and open door; her knee would undoubtedly bruise later. "I'm okay!" she called as she left the room limping.
Sirius shook his head, smiled, and began to gather his things to go home.
