Disclaimer: I don't own anything that resembles something written in the Harry Potter books.
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. (It seems like everyone's fanfictions start off with this, lol) I had four tests in one week, so I've been busy. Well here's the next chapter, hope you all enjoy it.
The civil words Sirius and James had exchanged were completely forgotten after their first detention. Sirius didn't understand why they had even had the conversation. It was rather a stupid one and why had Potter been so interested in wandless magic all of a sudden. Potter hated him, so why was he interested about his opinion on the subject. It didn't make sense and it didn't matter because from then on they served their detention in silence. Silence was golden, but it also gave Sirius time to think about his life and what it had become. It caused him to remember what a failure he was while cleaning up messes to only go back to a tower full of students, who wouldn't care if he disappeared. And then to see Potter being greeted by his friends, to see them joking around only served to underlie the mess his life had become.
Half the time he was almost tempted to goad Potter into an argument to take his mind off his life. But they had settled into a routine that got the job done quickly with as little words exchanged as possible. And at this point he didn't want to be the one to break their silent pact.
Potter may have ignored him inside and outside of detention, but that didn't stop him from glaring at Sirius every time their eyes met or throwing dirty looks when they passed each other in the hallway. Sirius would walk into the common room to see Potter whispering and an eerie silence would wash over the room as soon as he stepped in. The particular group of people Potter had been talking to would all pick up their heads and look at him. Sirius wasn't sure if he was being paranoid, but he had a feeling Potter was saying things behind his back and spreading rumors about the Black family. Even though Potter never said anything to his face anymore, this in a way was worse.
One day, Sirius was having a particularly awful day. He had been late to Potions because his cousin Bellatrix had blocked his way with her followers. Like usual they began taunting him and calling him a 'blood-traitor'. The insults were quickly getting old. Professor York rounded on him the minute he stepped in. Everyone in school was quickly learning that it was best to stay on her good side.
"Mr. Black. What time does this class start?"
"11:30," he answered quietly.
"And what time is it now?"
"11:40," he said sourly.
"I do not tolerate lateness."
"Sorry…but it wasn't my fault, my cousin you see…"
"I don't want to hear excuses. I have a job to do and I can't to it properly if I have students coming in when they feel like it. You have now interrupted my lesson. You will serve detention tomorrow night."
"I already have detention."
"Ah, that's right, you and Potter."
Potter glowered at the Professor.
"Very well, what time does your other detention start?"
"Seven o'clock."
"You can serve my detention at six then."
Sirius felt his temper rise, but he forced himself to nod and sit down, like a good boy.
He stayed angry for the rest of class and ended up adding too much unicorn powder causing his potion to boil over. Professor York strode over, cleaned his mess with a flick of her wand, and told him to write a foot explaining what he had done wrong. Great! Now he had two detentions, an extra assignment, he was still in Gryffindor, the Slytherin's hated him, and his family found him a disgrace.
Professor York had Sirius grind frog bones into a powder for close to 45 minutes. He was exhausted and then he had to go clean up another mess for Professor McGonagall. Today they had to shine all the trophies in the trophy case. Potter didn't even glance at him, but set to work at the opposite end of the case, as far from Sirius as possible.
After about 15 minutes of silence, Sirius couldn't stand it anymore. He threw down his rag while casting a furious look at Potter. Potter felt his gaze and looked unsurely up at him. Sirius decided he was sick of the silence between them. He hated not having anyone to talk to, knowing he was disliked from all sides. He would rather be home where at least he had Regulus to play with.
"This is all your fault!" Sirius spat satisfied it was enough to get a respond out of Potter.
"My fault? You were the one who punched me!"
"You wanted a fight, Potter. You wouldn't back down."
"I never back down. And it's your own fault; all this is your own fault, if you had just been put where you belong, along with the rest of your family."
"I'm sorry Potter! I'm so sorry for ruining your perfect life by being sorted into your house. Because obviously I told the Sorting Hat to place me into Gryffindor, not only to make my family practically disown me, but just to annoy you."
Potter looked rather startled by his words, but now that Sirius had started he couldn't stop.
"I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be different and I didn't ask that stupid Hat to place in Gryffindor. So I'd appreciate if you would back off. Leave me alone."
"I have been leaving you alone."
"You've been telling tales to all the Gryffindors. You've been getting everyone to ignore me and hate me even more than they do now!"
"I have not."
"I'm not stupid. You're always whispering when I'm around. And for your information, I don't know any dark curses, though right now I wish I did, a three-headed dog does not guard my basement, and I do not snore, Pettigrew does."
Potter looked away from him and began polishing the trophies as if he found it the most interesting thing he'd ever done. Sirius did feel better and maybe he had finally gotten through to Potter. Maybe things would now improve.
James stared down at the trophy he was polishing feeling not only angry, but confused. What had Black been yelling about? Black shouldn't talk. Black hadn't been civil to anyone. And how could he be civil toward Black when he was the enemy? Everyday he spent in Gryffindor he was learning things that he could tell the Slytherins next year; things that potentially could give Slytherin an advantage over Gryffindor. Off course Remus told him he was being paranoid and that there was no way Black was a Slytherin spy. The Slytherins despised him too much. James supposed that was true, but when Black was resorted next year, he could use that as leverage to get the Slytherins on his side. It made perfect sense to him.
And even though Black may think that the Gryffindors hated him now more than ever, he was more wrong then right. It wasn't as though they liked him or anything, but everyone's interest in Black had risen ever since the fight. James didn't really want to talk about Black, but everyone kept asking him. Just because he shared a dorm room with Black, didn't mean he knew him better then anyone else. Everyone wanted to know what he was like and what he did. But Black spent as little time as possible near James, so he may have had to make a few things up.
Their fascination in Black made absolutely no sense to James. Since when did Black stop being their enemy? Since when had he become suddenly so interesting? He hadn't made up anything about Black that was that unbelievable. Was it really that farfetched to believe that the Blacks had a guard dog and James had been positive the snores had come from Black's drawn curtains and not Peter's.
Then one day three giggly third year girls had asked him what color pajamas Black wore. James had said green. From what he had seen, most of Black's possessions were that color and this response had only sent them giggling some more. Then to his horror they began whispering to him about how adorable they found him and the fact he was a rebel made him more appealing. A second later Black walked in. This filled the room with silence and they all looked up watching him stalk off. Once Black was out of sight, the three girls erupted into laughter again.
And this hadn't been the only time girls had come up to him to tell him they found Black attractive with his sweeping black hair and intense dark eyes. All the while they talked James attempted to flatten his own unkempt hair.
The next day James noticed Remus was absent from all classes. James tried stopping by the infirmary to see if Remus was there and to offer some form of entertainment. The nurse had shooed him off refusing to check to see if Remus was indeed there. The next morning a very tired, sick looking Remus sat in the common room reading a textbook. James made a straight beeline toward him.
"Where were you yesterday?"
Remus paled even more, "Err – visiting my mother. She's really sick."
James's expression softened, "I'm sorry. Is she feeling better?"
"No actually…she has one of those diseases, no cure…you know."
"That's terrible." James noticed with these words that Remus visibly relaxed.
"Professor Dumbledore is allowing me to visit her every so often. So that's where I was, you see."
"Are you ok?"
"It's hard, but she's been like that ever since I can remember," Remus paused then smiled while motioning to the work in front of him, "I do need to get this work done, I'm way behind."
"You've only missed one day."
"Yea, but I missed the day we had Potions and Transfiguration. Plus Professor York gave us that huge reading assignment."
"You can copy my notes if you'd like."
"That would be great. Thanks, James."
Sirius wondered if Gryffindor had decided to collectively shun him. Everywhere he went there was whispering and girls constantly giggled near him. Sirius had to stop himself on a few occasions from standing in the middle of the common room and to just start yelling to see if anyone would actually say anything to him. Sirius did admit he had asked everyone to leave him alone, but this was excessive. He did exist and he was part of their house and even though he didn't show it, it really bothered him that no one seemed to care. The worst part was the realization that Potter's previous words had some truth in them.
He had received another letter from his mother and this time his father had signed it too. Apparently they were thrilled that he had punched Potter and had showed that boy from that "cocky meddlesome family a lesson". Though in the same letter, he was instructed to stay on Dumbledore good side because they were actively pursuing a way to get around the no switching house rule. Sirius was actually surprised that her mother seemed so calm about it. He half expected her to send a Howler to Dumbledore. A letter from his folks wouldn't be complete without being reminded of what a failure he was and the shame he had brought on the family.
After detention the next week, he saw Andromeda approaching him. Potter and Sirius were walking back together from a tiring night of mopping the Great Hall, with Potter a few feet behind him.
"Hey Sirius, can I talk to you?" she asked casually, but he could tell from the glint in her eye that it was going to be of serious nature.
"Sure, but I can't for long, I have a lot of homework to do."
Potter apparently had stopped and was looking at the two of them. "See you," he muttered dryly picking up on the fact that they were waiting for him to leave. The only reason they walked back in such close proximity was to get back to the comfort of the Tower as soon as possible.
"Is that Potter?" she asked carefully.
"Yes."
"The one you punched?"
"I believe so."
"It's all over the school…but I didn't believe it at first. It didn't sound like you at all."
"Well you should have heard what he said. I had my reasons."
"I'm sure I could guess exactly what he said. You have to understand that certain people have been taught prejudices against our family. They are told that all Blacks practice Dark magic, become Dark wizards, and are generally evil. Sadly for the most part they are right, but Uncle Alphard isn't like that and I'm not and I don't think you are either."
"Even if I'm not my mother will make sure I turn out just like all Blacks."
"She can try, but you must be true to yourself, Sirius. You are being given a chance, just like me, to make something out of yourself, to be respected out of something other then fear. Being placed in Ravenclaw was and still is the best thing that ever happened to me. You would hate it in Slytherin. It would be just like home, with formality all the time and hierarchy with simple things as to where you sit in the Great hall."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Off course."
"Is everything we learned wrong? You know, like about purity of blood."
"I can't decide that for you, but I can tell you through my years here I have learned that whether you are pure blood, half blood or muggle born, it is no indication of the type of person you are or will become."
"I was afraid of that…But the Gryffindors, they hate and I know it's because I'm a Black!"
"No, I don't think they hate you. They just don't trust you."
"I don't see the difference. And I don't care, I'll just last the year and I'll be resorted."
"Trust me Sirius; you won't enjoy being in Slytherin."
"At least I'd be respected."
"You'll be respected in you own house, though it might take some time. You have to work at it too and show them that you are a Gryffindor. From what I've seen Gryffindors are really into house loyalty. Allow them to get to know you, see you as a friend, not a Black. Maybe you could try for instance sitting with them at breakfast."
Sirius looked at her as if she was nuts and not hiding the sarcasm in his voice, "Is that all?"
"It isn't going to be easy. Life is never easy. I didn't have the easiest time at first, though I did have an advantage over you, since I refrained from punching my roommate. And punching of all people, Potter, they are a very well liked family. Look please try to be friendly and don't isolate yourself."
"Was this talk supposed to make me feel better?"
"Sorry…just trying to get you see the truth. Just please try my advice."
"I really need to go. Curfew is soon for first years."
"Good luck, Sirius."
Sirius gave her a half-hearted smile. All this advice he was getting was only confusing him more. Then again advice was easier to give then to actually act upon.
James entered the common room and was greeted by a handful of students. James sat down next to Remus. He was busy completing his homework. Peter was also trying to do his homework and James noticed that he kept stealing glances at what Remus was writing and then scribbling the bits he caught on his own sheet.
"How was your detention?" Remus asked cheerfully. Remus had already told him he had deserved the detention, so James had given up complaining to him.
"Loads of fun."
"So are you and Sirius on better terms yet?"
"Not really. I have resisted the urge to hex him, so you should be proud."
Remus grinned, "Never been prouder in my life.
"You do know realize Peter is copying off you?" James said casually drumming his finger on the table.
"Oh, I know."
Peter flushed, "I didn't mean to…I just don't understand any of this…Potions is so complicated…"
"I don't care Peter, but instead of copying just ask me to help you or you'll never learn."
Now that they had two and a half weeks monotonous cleaning for detention done, McGonagall threw them a curve ball. Black and James entered for once a clean classroom. It was spotless and in the middle of the room stood a small table with two sheets of paper and two quills.
"Come in, come in," McGonagall had a faint smile on her lips. They entered cautiously and looked warily at each other, "Well sit down."
"You will have to come up with twenty things you both agree with. The quills will only write if you both are in agreement, they have been enchanted. I am giving you two hours, which should be more than enough time. Complete it quicker and you may leave early. I couldn't find a portrait willing to watch over you two again, so I will check on you periodically."
As soon as McGonagall left, Black muttered, "Has she gone nuts?"
James ignored his comment and picked up the quill and twirled it in his fingers. It then hit him that the usual silence wouldn't work in this instance. They were being forced not only to converse, but actually agree on things.
James sighed. He could either sit here in silence for two hours and face the wrath of McGonagall for not completing the assignment, which was a rather daunting idea or communicate with Black.
He chose the latter. James did not want to make his Head of House any angrier. "Let's just get this done, Black. Let's see, I'm sure we could agree that your family is a bunch of gits."
Black without missing a beat replied, "And we can agree that you come from a long line of idiots."
Needless to say, the quills would not write either sentence. This caused another glaring match between the two of them.
After a good 15 minutes of silence, sighing, and staring contests, Black declared, "It's a test!"
"Huh?"
"This is a test. Professor McGonagall is seeing if all these detentions are working. You know if we are starting to respect each other. And I have a feeling if we don't come up with twenty things, it means her strategy has failed and who knows maybe we'll have to go through another three weeks of detention."
James gaped at him. That couldn't possibly be right. Friends disagreed on things all the time. Just because they shared similar ideas was so indication they would be on the road to friendship. But the again what Black said made more sense then he wanted to admit. "You may actually have a point. I guess we have to do this…or she might lock us up in a dungeon with no food, light or water until we hug or something."
Black gave him a look. "There has to be something…umm so what's your favorite color?"
"Red and gold."
"Figures."
"And yours I bet is black." What had he been thinking? This would never work. Neither of their prides would allow them to agree on anything, but Black surprised him.
"No, blue," Sirius added smugly.
"Well I like blue too," James said grudgingly, "Let's try to write 'blue is a nice color'."
They both apprehensively started writing and their faces broke into grins as the ink magically appeared on both their sheets.
"Brillant!" Black exclaimed, "We'll show them…I bet they expect us to keep arguing. If we just stay on safe subjects…"
"I guess, don't get to excited just yet."
They sat in silence for another five minutes. Just because they both like blue, come to think of it, it was the most common favorite color there was, didn't mean they would have anything else in common. It would make this too easy. What could possibly be another safe subject?
James finally had it. Food! Everyone liked food, "So, um so do you like ice cream?"
"Off course. What's your favorite flavor? I like chocolate and vanilla," Black asked.
"I like both flavors. Hey can we count that as two? We both like ice cream and that we like the same flavor?"
In less than an hour the list was complete. Once they weren't scared of asking each other about things they liked or disliked, it was a lot easier. James didn't like to admit it, but he had more in common with Black then he would have ever thought. Such as their love of Quidditch, making mischief, similar taste in sweets, wanting to learn how to transfigure people (well their enemies) into objects and animals, how boring History of Magic was and that Lily Evans had to be the most annoying girl in their year (but they kept that one to themselves). They did argue for a good five minutes about whether the Chudley Cannons or the Wimbourne Wasps would be the better team this year.
McGonagall didn't look as surprised as James would have expected. Maybe the fact that she thought they'd think it was a test, was actually the actual trick. She praised them, told them that transfiguring people was not something you do as a joke, and reminded them that they only had three more detentions to go. She hoped that they had learned a valuable lesson from this experience.
They walked back to the common room this time side by side. Almost three weeks of detention had formed a bond between them. Now they had to decide where this bond would lead them.
"So you really never have been to a Quidditch game before?" James asked incredulously. It was something he found hard to imagine. He swore his very first memory was when he was two years old and he had been taken to his first match. Though his parents told him there was no way he could have remembered that particular day.
"No. My parents find that not only a waste of time, but money. They could buy more books for me to memorize with my father's hard earned money."
"Your parents sound terrible."
"I'd rather not discuss it," Black growled. James knew Black's family was sensitive subject, but he couldn't help but be curious.
They finally reached the picture of the Fat Lady. Black stopped in front of it and then just kept walking right past it.
"Aren't you coming in?"
"I-I forgot, I need to look up something in the library."
James shrugged and went in alone. As always he joined Remus and Peter who were busy again doing homework. James sat down with a smile.
"Detention went well?' Remus asked noticing his friend's change of mood. James never returned looking happy.
"We didn't--" He stopped his sentence in the middle because Black had returned. There was no way he could have returned that quickly from the library, which only meant one thing.
"I can't believe it…"
"Believe what?" Remus and Peter both asked.
"Nothing." So Black didn't want to be seen associating with him. Would it really ruin his image if he was seen walking in with James? It had been stupid of him to think Black would change just because they had a few things in common.
Apparently Remus had caught on that James had been referring to Black, "You should invite him to do homework with us one time."
"You ask him."
"Sirius knows I don't have a problem with him. He'll only join us, if he thinks you are okay with it."
"Well that's his problem and I'm not stopping either of you from hanging out with him. So don't blame me for this all. I'm going to bed," James got up abruptly, but was intercepted by Frederick who informed him that their cousin just had a baby girl.
Ten minutes later, James climbed up the steps to their room. Black was sitting on his bed, holding an opened package of some sort and the contents had clearly upset him.
"Uh, sorry," James said quickly feeling as if he was intruding though he had every right to be in this room.
Without a word, without even giving James a glance, as if he was invisible, Black threw what was in his hand in the box. Black proceeded to put the box in his trunk, lock it and went toward their bathroom. A few moments later James heard water running.
James looked around the room helplessly, hoping it might just give him some advice. This was a magical castle, maybe the walls could think. He decided to write to his parents. They hadn't heard from his since he had explained why he had three weeks of detention.
Dear Mum and Dad,
Hogwarts is great! Still wish I could try out for the team, I know Mum thinks I'm too young and will get hurt, but I'll be turning twelve soon. I have been staying out of trouble and my three-week sentence is almost over. I haven't told you this before but Sirius Black is one of my roommates. He was also the one I got into the fight with. I believe he is the first Black in history to be sorted into Gryffindor and he sure isn't happy about it. I hope you understand why he got me so angry. You've always told me to stay away from Dark families, but it's hard when one sleeps in the same room as you. I don't know what to do. I'm tired and I have some work to get done.
Love,
James
A/N: Please read and review! I love hearing what you guys think
ESP: I didn't mean to make the transformation so blatantly from friend to enemy, but I realize that it sort of came out that way. Anyway they aren't friends just yet. Thanks for your review.
Ronja: Yes that's exactly what I'm trying to do, build up James and Sirius's friendship…
Kiki: Thanks, glad you enjoy it
Elves of Moon: Yes it was strange to have them talk, but it has to happen eventually ;-)
Celebrean: hehe, I'm glad you were happy they finally exchanged some civil words
RedRaspberry: Thanks, I'm happy you like it and keep reading to see how their friendship will evolve
Noir: You didn't anger me, James is the best flyer of the group, but that day all they were doing was learning the basics of flying. Thanks for your review.
Irish QT: Thanks!
Thowra: Thanks, sorry it took so long to update.
A/N: And in case you got so caught up in reading my responses to the reviews, I'm reminding you one more time to review.