Author's Note: This is my take on the Whomping Willow Prank and the aftermath. Enjoy!
Falling Star
Chapter 1 – Chain Reaction
Named after the brightest star in the sky, Sirius Black, heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, was always destined for greatness. But even the brightest of stars may one day fall.
Falling from grace should have not been in the boy's cards, but destiny had other plans. This would be the year. The year of secrets betrayed. The year of lines crossed. The year family loyalty would be defined, once and for all.
Fifteen-year-old Sirius entered Hogwarts expecting a year like any other. There was the usual pressure from his family as heir to excel. Over the summer his parents reminded Sirius daily what a disappointment he was. In turn, in true rebellious fashion, Sirius had spent the summer flouting his differences from the Black family legacy – his favorite act had been covering the walls in his room with Gryffindor colors and Muggle posters. When Sirius parted with his parents, they were equally relieved to be rid of the other until next summer.
The O.W.L.s they were to take later that year did not faze Sirius either. He was naturally clever enough to receive above average marks, and if he decided to apply himself, he could actually surpass the Black's exceedingly high expectations for their eldest son.
The Black family might have held Sirius in disdain, but at Hogwarts Sirius was popular and well-liked. Sirius, and his best friend, James Potter were considered the height of cool by their peers. It would be an understatement to say James and Sirius let popularity get to their heads. Neither boy had grown up in an environment that cultivated modesty. James was an indulged only child of elderly parents, and Sirius brought up to believe the Blacks were practically royalty, so it was not unexpected that they got carried away. There was not a student in the school that did not know who they were, and the they included Sirius's two other good mates, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Remus had been appointed prefect over the summer. No one envied the position he was in. How would he juggle between being a prefect and close friends with two biggest trouble makers in the school? Only time would tell.
Despite their popularity, the boys mainly hung out among themselves, keeping membership to their inner circle highly exclusive. The need for such exclusivity centered on Remus's secret; he was a werewolf. After witnessing how painful Remus's transformations were, the boys came up with a plan to join their friend as Animagi in their second year. Two weeks into their fifth year– three years after they'd first decided on the endeavor- Sirius, James, and Peter successfully transformed into animals at will. High on their success, they'd fashioned nicknames for each other. Sirius who turned into a dog was nicknamed Padfoot; James as a stag was called Prongs, and Peter, Wormtail, as he transformed into a rat. Lastly, Remus was referred to Moony.
The first few months of fifth year passed very quickly. The boys attended classes, pulled pranks, and explored the Hogwarts grounds as animals on full moon nights with a werewolf in tow. There were high and low points for them all, and through it all they had each other – no longer just friends, but brothers. They threw a party in the common room after James scored the winning goal in Gryffindors' first Quidditch match, listened quietly as Sirius ranted and raved after an altercation with younger brother, Regulus, and tutored Peter for hours so that he wouldn't fail Transfiguration.
On the surface Sirius's life at Hogwarts was perfect. And most of the time Sirius fully immersed himself in that role – carefree, brash, the center of attention. He ignored his family problems. He forgot about blood loyalty and destiny. While easier than facing the problem head on, pretending did nothing to solve his problems. When pretending was impossible and he felt overwhelmed, he'd become unpredictable and distant. James dealt with him best when he was stuck in these moods.
As December approached it was getting more and more difficult to pretend. How could he continue to ignore family responsibility? He was the heir and once he turned sixteen his parents would begin expecting he step into his role fully. There was also pressure from various family members to pledge his support to pureblood movement, also known as The Cause. Bellatrix took the less subtle approach of threatening the life of his friends if he didn't toe the line. While Lucius Malfoy owled him articles about the price blood traitors paid for daring to speak out against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. So far Sirius had managed to avoid making any declarations for or against any causes; understanding the danger he'd place himself once he made the choice.
Sirius spent nights tossing and turning trying to think of the best way to deal with this all. The different paths he could take would go round and round in his head until Sirius felt like he would scream. He needed an outlet and found getting into trouble the best one. He'd be disruptive in class or forget to complete a homework assignment. He'd hex a student in the hallway or pull a prank. There was a thrill in it that never failed to make him feel better. The chance of getting caught made him feel alive. It helped him forget.
By December the teachers were so exasperated with his detention accumulation, they'd begun assigning him three detentions for an infraction that only warranted one. Yet, it did nothing to stem his reckless behavior. It was an unhealthy, unsustainable way to live, and the only question that remained was when Sirius would reach his breaking point.
The event that started it all occurred on a Wednesday, ten days before Christmas break. It was early evening; the Great Hall was almost empty with just a spattering of students. The ceiling reflected the clear, crisp sky outside, stars twinkling. Most of the plates and silverware had been cleared with a few half-empty dessert platters scattered about.
Sirius Black, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew were part of the groups of students still lounging about. The missing fourth person in their group, Remus Lupin, was in the Hospital Wing. He'd been feeling ill all day as a consequence of the full moon that very night.
"Don't you have to meet Professor Keenan?" Peter asked as he reached for another cookie.
"Oh – right," Sirius stated glancing at the time. His black hair fell into his eyes with casual elegance; just a bit longer in length than his mother approved. James raised his eyebrows; he'd been unaware of this recent development.
"What does he want with you again?" Peter said, taking a large gulp of pumpkin juice.
"Who knows? Probably discuss why I feel the need to continue breaking the rules. Usual teacher's stuff...should be riveting." Sirius jumped to his feet, unconcerned. Peter frowned; he was never as cavalier about that sort of thing. "See you later."
Sirius was a bit down the hall from the Great Hall entrance when he heard James calling. "Hey! Padfoot! Wait up!"
"Yes?"
"Look – try not to get detention tonight-" James ran a hand through his messy dark hair. He could never get it lie flat. He was the same height as Sirius, brown eyes instead of blue-grey.
"Me? Get detention?" Sirius asked sarcastically. "I would never. You must have me mistaken for someone else."
"I'm not joking. Professor Keenan has been throwing you into detention a lot...but don't forget what tonight is – if we want to join-" James stopped mid-sentence as Sirius bristled.
Severus Snape had followed James out of the Great Hall unnoticed, and he was now approaching the duo. The bad blood between them had started the first time they met on the Hogwarts Express and had escalated through the years. This year Snape had made a habit of following them around hoping to uncover one of their secrets.
Sirius and James shared a worried glance. How much had Snape overheard? Every month it felt as Snape was getting a little closer to the truth. Sirius didn't think he knew anything concrete yet, and they needed to keep it that way.
"Got a problem, Snivellus?" James called out.
"Just walking by. I didn't realize that was a crime," Snape answered nastily.
"Maybe you wouldn't be so bloody interested in our lives if you actually had friends to speak of," Sirius said.
Three Hufflepufff girls leaving the Great Hall heard Sirius's comment and tittered. Snape was rather unpopular. Snape turned a deep red. "I am friends with one witch that refuses to give you the time of day."
Snape had been speaking directly to James, and he now looked ready to launch a spell at Snape. Sirius put a hand on James's shoulder. "Remember, Prongs. Tonight," Sirius mumbled under his breath. James had grown smitten with Lily Evans this year, but she didn't seem particularly taken with his romantic interest. It was certainly a sore spot for James.
Snape smirked. "Tonight? Having your monthly meeting after curfew again, are you?"
James and Sirius shared another uneasy glance. Sirius's mind flashed to a confrontation they'd had with Snape last month around the full moon. Funny thing for a wizard to be sick so often. At the time they'd brushed aside his words, but each month Snape was growing more brazen with his snooping.
"Problem here?" an authoritative voice asked. It was, Thomas Finn, Head Boy from Ravenclaw.
Sirius rolled his eyes. This wasn't the first time this year they'd had a run-in with the Head Boy. The power had gotten a bit to his head, and Finn was known to throw students in detention without any real cause. James, aware of this as well, launched into an answer that would minimize the chance of that happening this evening.
Sirius didn't bother to listen, keeping an eye on Snape. While Finn was preoccupied hearing James out, Snape had taken the opportunity to skulk away. Whatever James had said did the trick as the Head Boy told them to stop loitering, and then went on his way.
"Snape's becoming a problem," Sirius said quietly.
"He's only guessing," James said. "We'll be more careful from now on. It will be fine. I'll see you when you get back."
With that James turned back towards the Great Hall, not allowing for any further discussion on the matter. Sirius continued on to Keenan's office alone, pondering for the first time what the Professor wanted out of this meeting. He was hardly a model student. He'd clashed with Professor Keenan since the first week of classes. After losing points for rudely answering a question that first day and then earning detention in the next class for misuse of magic (he'd cursed Snape while Keenan's back had been turned; and the Slytherin prefect had seen and snitched); Professor Keenan had kept a close eye on Sirius.
Professor Keenan was a young teacher, around twenty-three years of age. He was tall, dark, and good-looking. In his first few months of teaching, he'd easily become a favorite among the students. Sirius did not share this sentiment. His mates thought he was paranoid, but Sirius was convinced Keenan had a particular interest in him. None of his friends ever found themselves in conversation with Keenan about family and responsibility. At first Sirius suspected his teacher knew his family and was keeping tabs on Sirius for them. After uncovering Keenan was Muggleborn, he had put the thought to rest. His parents might associate with a Half-blood to reign him in, but not a Mudblood.
Sirius headed up the stairs towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. He turned the corner and the figure down the corridor caused him to come to a full stop. A haughty looking woman in a long winter cloak lined with fur, stood where he was headed. There was something familiar about her stance. The woman was angry and impatient.
"Sirius!"
The voice caused all the hairs on his arm to rise. "M-m-mother?" Sirius approached her cautiously.
"Your teacher demanded to speak with me and doesn't even have the courtesy to be on time!"
Sirius gaped at her. Professor Keenan had called his mother here?
"Mrs. Black," a cordial voice said from behind Sirius, "terribly sorry to keep you waiting. Ran into two students hexing each other." Professor Keenan paused. "I sometimes feel like I discipline more than I teach, and I believe Sirius knows something about that."
The unease that started at the sight of his mother only increased, and he almost considered running.
"Let's speak in my office, shall we?" Professor Keenan opened the door. Sirius could feel his mother's angry eyes upon him. As Sirius walked past him, Professor Keenan gave him a smile and a pat on the shoulder that did not reassure him in the least. Sirius noticed Keenan's office was tidier than usual. The papers on his desk were all neatly stacked in piles. The bookshelves fee of dust and organized.
"Please sit."
"I'd rather not," his mother stated sharply. "Can we do this quickly? I have a full day of errands to complete."
"Mrs. Black, I would hope you care enough about your son's well-being to give me a few moments of your time." Keenan gestured to the seats again.
Sirius's mother stared Keenan down as if deciding if she would take anything he said seriously. She then perched herself on the seat, her back as stiff as a rod.
"I am fully committed to my son's future," Mrs. Black said darkly with no trace of motherly affection in her tone.
Professor Keenan did not speak immediately. Sirius felt his chest tightening as he waited breathlessly for the next shoe to drop. "I am concerned about Sirius. As I stated in the letter, Sirius has a lot of potential. He's clever and bright. He's top of his year in my class."
"He's hardly exceeding his father and my expectations with his marks," Mrs. Black countered coldly. Sirius was never praised for acceptable grades by his parents; one needed to go above and beyond for that.
"There's always room for improvement," Professor Keenan answered lightly.
"If this isn't about his grades, then why am I here?"
"Sirius's behavior has become a problem. He's acting out. He's reckless, uncontrollable." Keenan looked suddenly at him and Sirius shrunk back in his seat. "In the past month he's been in detention more nights than not."
"I am aware. I receive the letters of his transgressions." Sirius sat frozen in his seat not sure if interrupting would help or make things worse. "Discipline is what he needs."
"Such problematic behavior is rarely without cause. Discipline on its own will not work. The better course of action is to get to the root of the problem. It is no secret that Sirius has chosen a different path than expected of him, and his actions have caused a strain on your relationship."
Sirius heart was now racing and he could feel his face heating up in embarrassment.
"How dare you!" Mrs. Black shouted; the color of her face mirroring Sirius's.
"Mrs. Black, please, if you let me continue-"
"So, he's fed you some sob story about his sorting, has he? Sirius is a spoiled, ungrateful brat. Brought up in a life of privilege, and he's out of my sight for less than twenty-four hours, and he chooses Gryffindor, breaking generations of tradition in spite." Mrs. Black's stared straight at Sirius. "We both know you'd have done well in Slytherin."
"Mrs. Black, this is exactly what I was speaking about," Keenan interrupted. "Is it not time to let that go? Sirius's sorting happened, years ago-"
"Perhaps I could have let that go, but it hardly stopped there. Gryffindor was the perfect fuel for his rebellion. Every holiday break after that there was more arguing and more backtalk. I hardly recognized my own son! Detention after detention for hexing students, clogging the toilets, flooding the Great Hall – and always with that Potter! I tried to discipline him while he was in my possession, but then he was whisked straight back into the environment that started it all. That sort of behavior would have never been tolerated in Slytherin. It would have long been taken care of." Mrs. Black's eyes swept Keenan's office contemptuously. Her eyes found the motionless picture of Keenan and his brother. "You're a Muggleborn, aren't you?"
"I am," Keenan answered cautiously.
Mrs. Black turned to Sirius and her gaze was so intense it was as if an icy shower had just doused him. "A mudblood, Sirius? Was that the plan? Find a sympathetic ear in a mudblood that can hardly understand matters of blood and family?"
"No! I never –" Sirius managed, but his mother had already dismissed him. She had resumed her fierce gaze on Keenan.
"I ask you do not use such language in my office," Keenan stated forcefully. "I do not need centuries of magical blood in my veins to understand family expectations and the fallout for those who do not meet them."
"And you have overstepped." Mrs. Black stood; a tall and imposing figure. "The audacity you have shown – demanding I come here, then lecturing and judging my decisions about something you know so little." Mrs. Black then smiled grimly, glancing down at Sirius, still frozen to his seat. "And yet you are still at a loss of how to control, Sirius, are you not?"
Professor Keenan got to his feet as well. "Mrs. Black, I meant no-"
"Bring back the old punishments."
"Sorry?" Keenan asked cautiously.
"Whips and chains. A night hanging from his ankles will do him good! That's how discipline used to work at Hogwarts before the Muggle-lover Dumbledore took over. Students feared repercussions. None of these soft consequences – lines and scrubbing floors. I give you permission to use any of these methods." Mrs. Black started toward the door, and then turned back. "Be sure he's returned with no permanent damage; he may still be of use to the family."
The door behind Mrs. Black clicked closed. A deafening silence engulfed the room as Professor Keenan and Sirius regarded each other warily.
"Mr. Black, perhaps-"
A rush of emotion engulfed Sirius and he shouted, "Are you mad?"
Keenan was trying to reassure him, but Sirius was hardly listening. He couldn't breathe properly; the air coming in and out much too quickly. His mother was livid, and he knew she would not let this go.
Sirius's desperation grew and he threw his arms up in the air. "Are you mental? Calling my mother in! You've only made things worse!"
"Please, Sirius-"
The use of his first name by his teacher only aggravated him more. Sirius felt trapped; the walls of the office closing in on him as the seconds ticked by. "You've made things worse! Do you understand?!"
"I only wanted-"
"Let it alone!" Sirius yelled and he could no longer stand to even look at his Professor. He was out the door, slamming it shut behind him. He could hear Keenan still calling for him having reverted back to using his last name.
Sirius tore through the hallways. Who did Keenan think he was? And why was his mother suddenly on about whips and chains? Corporal punishment was rare in the Black household. Punishments usually included long, harsh lectures, lines, recitation and the revoking of the precious few privileges Sirius and Regulus received. Sirius was controlled during the summer by having limited freedom. He couldn't rebel if he wasn't given the chance to do so.
He continued walking until he reached an empty hallway. He stopped. His breathing was erratic and he leaned his forehead on the cool stone wall and banged his fist in frustration. He'd pay for this. His mother would find a way through his brother, and if that didn't work, she'd stew on it until summer. His mother did not forget things easily. Talking to an outsider about any family issue was a rule one did not break; and Keenan had made it sound as if they spoke weekly.
"Are you crying?"
Sirius whipped around and his mood darkened as Snivellus stepped out of the shadows. He was shaken and upset, but not crying.
"Are you following me?" Sirius asked coolly, struggling to regain his composure. His pulse was still too fast, and he still felt breathless and out of sorts.
"What are you crying about?" Snape asked mockingly, ignoring Sirus's question. "Surely by now you've grown used to the idea that you'll always be second best to your little brother?"
Sirius was usually up to verbally sparring with Snape, but not today. He wanted to wallow in solitude, so he didn't take the bait. "Leave me alone. Stop following us, and get a life."
"If you prefer I could go bother Lupin."
Sirius snapped to attention; immediately on guard. He had been ready to leave. He would have left if Snape hadn't said the next few words.
"Lupin's out sick again."
The nagging feeling from earlier had returned. "Yea. So?"
"I've been noticing a rather peculiar pattern in his absences..."
"The only peculiar thing is you," Sirius growled.
Snape ignored the insult. "Specifically, a lunar pattern."
"You have no idea what you are talking about."
"We both know that's not true."
"Remus is ill. He's in the Hospital Wing; there's no conspiracy." Sirius sounded far calmer than he felt. His mind was racing with worry. Snape was just guessing – grabbing at straws to form connections – right? But if he wasn't...if Snape was getting closer to the truth, they needed to do something.
"What's under the Whomping Willow?"
Sirius, who had been turning to leave, stopped dead in his tracks.
Snape was staring at him with a great intensity. "A lair? A tunnel? Is that where you meet him?" He moved a step closer to Sirius with each word.
A funny feeling erupted in Sirius's stomach. They were usually careful when talking about their full moon outings, but sometimes, despite Remus's protests, they said too much. They'd laugh about it later; confident no one was clever enough to catch on. Snape was not only clever enough, but he had the motivation. That was evident enough by Snape connecting Remus's absences and the Whomping Willow. Earlier James had said they'd be more careful, but Sirius had a terrible feeling it was already too late. He needed to find James.
"You don't know what you are talking about," Sirius repeated as off handedly as he possibly could. He could tell he had failed miserably by the way Snape's smirk grew.
"I will catch you. I will. Maybe even tonight. Some star gazing, a moonlight stroll, and who knows what I might uncover."
Sirius clenched his fists. "You are delusional."
"Right like Potter and you weren't just talking about meeting Lupin earlier outside the Great Hall?" Snape paused dramatically. Sirius grabbed his wand pointing it right at his enemy. Snape laughed. "Thought so. I can only imagine whatever illegal activities you lot are up to would get you expelled faster than you can blink."
"Who is going to listen to anything a greasy git like you says!" Sirius stepped forward his wand still trained on Snape.
"I found out Lupin's secret. It will only be a matter of time before I find out yours. One slip up…one misstep…if not this month, then next one…every full moon so it seems..." Snape stepped toward Sirius – toward the wand.
"Why don't I make finding you proof easier?" Sirius asked. The words were out of his mouth before there meaning registered in his brain. For the first time during their conversation, Snape looked uncertain. "If you aren't too much of a coward to follow through with my instructions – that is." Sirius lowered his wand. "There's a large knot on the Whomping Willow tree."
Snape's eyes narrowed. "And?"
"Find a long stick, press the knot, and the tree will freeze. You can figure it out from there."
Snape snorted. "The last thing I'm going to do is poke a tree that doesn't like to be poked. Thanks, but no thanks."
Sirius shrugged, finally feeling an upper hand in the conversation. "Good idea. Too dangerous for someone with such limited magical ability." Snape looked unamused. His dark eyes still tracking Sirius carefully. Sirius pocketed his wand, holding his hands out as if he was offering peace or surrender. "Do it tonight. If you are brave enough."
With one last meaningful look at Snape, Sirius turned and walked in the opposite direction. Snape was a highly suspicious person, so there was a high probability he would not take the bait. Letting him stew with the information would give them more time to deal with him later. And if he did choose to go down the tunnel, the howling and darkness would turn him around, tail between his legs, before he ever reached Remus. And they'd know that despite all his big talk and arsenal of Dark Magic – underneath all the bravado - Snape was a coward. Snape would think twice about sticking his nose in their business again.