For the Hogwarts Forum

Roald Dahl Event (Sweet rappers: Write a rap. Please. Someone do this. I'll love you forever.)

Word Count: 486

"I wanted to try something out," Sirius announces. "Take my music career in a different direction and try vocals."

Remus sets the drumsticks down, brows raised. He, James, and Peter exchange glances, and Sirius can practically hear the silent conversation they have among themselves.

"Mate," James says, stepping away from the microphone. He closes the distance between them, an awkward smile on his lips. "Look, mate, don't take this wrong way, okay? You're a brilliant guitarist. One of the best I've ever heard. But you can't carry a tune in a bucket."

Sirius snorts, rolling his eyes. He already knows this, of course. He isn't delusional enough to believe his singing sounds like anything other than a couple of dogs dying. "Get with the times, mate," he laughs. "It's not all about rock and roll anymore. There's this genre taking the world by storm. They call it hip hop, and I can flow."

"Sirius, love," Remus says gently, "I don't think-"

"Give me a beat."

More blank expressions. Sirius resists the urge to roll his eyes. They can't help their musical ignorance, but it's hardly fair to him. After all, he's spent weeks listening to album after album, experimenting with styles, trying to find his voice. Sirius shrugs. "Okay. No beat, then."

He steps up to James mic, trying to ignore the way his heart pounds. Practicing in front of the mirror is one thing. Actually performing it now? Even among friends, it's terrifying. But his friends wait for him, wearing patient, if confused, smiles.

"Yo, I'm Sirius Black, in the place to be.

I'm tellin' you, y'all don't want it with me.

They call me the Black Stallion

Fight so hard, like a one man battalion.

I am the S-I

R-I

U-S

Yes

I dress to impress.

Got my friends and my boy by my side.

Chocolate lover fills my heart with pride.

Then there's Peter with a heart of gold

And James, the boldest of the bold

We make music 'cause it's our life.

Don't mess with the flow or you'll get my knife."

He steps back, unsure how to take the stunned silence. At last, Peter claps his hands, the others following suit.

"That was… unexpected," James says. "We could work it into the show."

Remus moves away from the drum set, an amused smile on his lips. "Chocolate lover?" he chuckles. "You couldn't have come up with anything else for me?"

Sirius wraps his arms around his boyfriend, kissing his neck. "Don't worry. I have a particularly dirty verse for when we're alone. It's amazing how many things rhyme with ass."

James clears his throat. "Right. Well. Back to practice, guys. We have a gig at the Hog's Head this weekend, and if we're adding the rap, we have to get things perfect."

Reluctantly, Sirius pulls away from Remus and returns to his guitar. He's never been more excited for a show.