Recap:
Remus gets a mysterious letter from someone named Fenrir Greyback. Him and Sirius are in a little bit of a tense scenario. Harry likes bubbles.
Gah I'm awful. I am an awful, awful author because I have kept you waiting for so long. I don't really have any excuse other than I've finally gotten a laptop of my own working (I hate writing on other peoples computers). Fear not, I have not given up on this story!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. For more detail, feel free to read disclaimer in Chapter 1.
September 16, 2009
Sirius Black was late. And he wasn't just Sirius late; he was really, really late. The minute he stepped through the floo he knew he was in big trouble. He waited in the lift, bouncing up and down on his toes, breath held, hoping that he hadn't missed the meeting. His arms swung back and forth meeting in a series of rhythmic, loud claps in front of his body. As the floors slid by on the screen he absently wondered if the lift had always taken this long or if that was a recent development by the ministry to slow down already late workers. He wouldn't put it past them; especially since they hired that obnoxious little toad in the pink. There was something about that woman that set Sirius's teeth on edge. It probably had something to do with her high pitched twitter at the misfortune of others, but Sirius couldn't be sure.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the bell sounded that signalled the arrival on floor 37. The instant the door clanged open Sirius was off like a shot towards the boardroom. As he rushed by the people lingering in the hallway, and working at their desks stopped, perfectly silent, to watch him run by. The silence only added to the tension in his body, egging him to walk faster, nearly breaking into a run. Although it would be faster, a run would hardly be considered proper in this setting. There were some things that all the rebelling in the world couldn't beat out of a Black.
Sirius stopped suddenly, just outside the boardroom. He adjusted his tie, loosening it from its current noose like state and ensured his hair was appropriately contained in its leather tie. Pausing for just a moment to collect his breath he grasped the doorknob firmly in his hand and pushed the door open confidently. Empty. His breath came out in one big woosh, a quiet sound in the large room, forming itself vaguely into a curse word of some design. He brought his hands up towards his face and rubbed his eyes roughly, his hands then sliding back behind his head where they clasped together. He made a small frustrated sound in the back of his throat before turning around and nearly ploughing over a small but severe looking woman. He instinctively reached out an arm to steady her, not missing the flash of disproval that crossed her steely eyes. He inwardly cringed and stepped back, mumbling a hasty apology under his breath, and looking at his feet.
"I see you have finally decided to grace us with your presence Mr. Black."
Sirius's mouth twitched slightly downwards at the use of his last name.
"I assume you have a good reason for your tardiness?"
Sirius stood silent and strong, refusing to back down from her challenge.
"No?" the small woman laughed humourlessly through a scowl. "No. Of course you don't."
She turned around, gesturing to all the people gathered in what they believed to be an inconspicuous grouping in the corridor, who had obviously gathered for the purpose of being privy to office gossip.
"You see Mr. Black; all these people are here on time, every morning, because they do not believe themselves to be more important than everyone else. You on the other hand, have an inability to be anywhere on time, and an utter disrespect for both the rules and authority."
By this point, everyone in the corridor began to titter quietly, looking at each other uneasily. For as much as they enjoyed watching someone getting in trouble, everyone loved Sirius Black around the office. He was nice to all of the secretaries, brought coffee and doughnuts in for his partners and colleagues and was a damn hard working Auror, sometimes staying long into the night to work on a case that had him particularly engaged. Sirius shifted uneasily rubbing the back of his neck.
"I had intended on actually being early this morning ma'am, but Remus needed help-"
The witch scoffed and straightened her spine, attempting to look down her nose at a man whose shoulders she didn't even reach.
"That is enough Mr. Black. I have no desire to hear about what exactly this 'Remus' fellow needed help with this morning."
Sirius blushed and opened his mouth to correct her, before she waved him down with a glare.
"I have absolutely no desire to know anything about your personal life, although I unfortunately am victim to being assaulted with it every morning while I read my paper. You are not to let your life interfere with your work and that is final, I don't care if a herd of centaurs were to kidnap your little friend, you would be expected to be at the meetings on time."
Her last two words were punctuated with a near growl before she turned and stalked away. Sirius sighed. He was used to prejudice about his sexuality, but he was more used to it being displayed quietly, through pointed fingers and quiet whispers, not publically in front of all his peers. He rolled his eyes briefly and shrugged off her comments, letting them roll off like water down his back. He turned on his heel and gave a brief glare at the people gazing open mouthed in the hallway which softened slightly when he saw the sheepish apologetic looks on their faces. He smiled slightly before retreating to his office and closing the door quietly behind him.
He leaned heavily against the door, letting his head fall back with a heavy thud. Already today he had missed a crucial weekly meeting and been chewed out rather publically by his boss. All this and it wasn't even noon. He groaned quietly and pushed off the door and towards his desk. Falling down into his chair he shook his head and blew his breath out loudly. This was going to be a long day.