* REBEL WITH A CAUSE !

“I’m sorry, was that supposed to be an insult?” She looked at him with an amused look on her face, baffled by how bad that attempt was. “I mean — I’m NOT, and even if I were, that’d be just a … weak attempt at bothering me.” Bellatrix shook her head, almost disappointed; she had expected better. Being disappointed with Sirius was nothing new, though.

“Why should something that’s my job be foreign to me, Sirius? I invest in good causes daily, it’s what I DO. Bothering you is just another small way for me to do society a favour.” Her lips were curled in a similar smirk, red lips wide. “Oh, I wasn’t threatening you, dear cousin — I was merely stating the truth. See, I am perfectly safe walking around, but the likes of you? A famous blood traitor and general nuisance like you? Come across the wrong people … who knows what could happen?” Her voice feigned worry, her hand grabbing at her heart for a second before she returned to her smirk. If you asked her, Sirius should be afraid of her, but she didn’t mind the fact that he underestimated her. It’d bite him in the arse later on, she was sure of it. “I’m running errands, doing some shopping, normal people things. I do those.”

“I’m sure your little club of miscreants is just itching to put me in a shallow grave.” He replied, entirely unbothered by her veiled threat, her feigned concern. He’d had ticks that had bothered him more than Bella ever could.

Then he almost choked when she did her little bit on doing ‘normal people things’. Right. Because normal people had to assert that they were normal. “I’m sure you’re being very ‘normal’, Bella. Now go be ‘normal’ somewhere else. I’ve smelled enough inbred arrogance when I still lived at home. You’re fouling up the air. And tell your mom that I miss Sunday tea. Always great fun to sit around like you’re at a funeral. Bye, sweet cousin.” He then closed his eyes once more, put his arms up behind his head and leant back. “Hope to see you and your friends later.”

SIRIUS. Her eyes had fallen on her disgraced cousin a while ago, and while Bellatrix would usually avoid conversation with him, she was feeling confrontational that day. Mood swings were norm for her now; she hadn’t felt in control of her emotions and desires in a long time. Trying to figure them out was like trying to solve a paradoxical riddle. There was no right answer, and it was bloody useless to spend your time on. And so she didn’t waste her energy on trying to figure out why she felt a certain way one moment and another way another. She just gave into impulse in stead. “Hm, I think I’ll stay,” she said, feeling a hint of excitement at the fact that Sirius had – most likely – not recognised her when he had addressed her. “Because, you know, being an inconvenience to the world’s inconveniences is what I DO for fun. It’s my way of giving back.” Bellatrix paused for a second. “Are you sure, by the way, that it’s safe for you to just … sit out and about so carelessly? These are DARK times, after all.”

“What are you doing out in the sun, Bella? I thought you were allergic?” He replied without even opening his eyes. He wouldn’t give her the time of day, it seemed. It was something he had learned very quickly was the fastest way to get his family to piss right the hell off. Indulging none of their little jabs at his expense. It used to infuriate his mother. Good times, those.

“Right, giving back. Thought that concept was foreign to you. Good to know you’ve grown, Bella. Good to know.” He then popped one eye open just to look her over. A sarcastic smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Bloody hell. I didn’t think you could get any paler. But there you are, white as a sheet of paper. Anyhow. I feel perfectly safe. See, in order for something to be threatening you need to be scared of it. You’re about as scary as wet parchment and I don’t see any of your pals around.” He then opened both his eyes, looked around him dramatically and then closed his eyes again, but not before putting his hands behind his head and sticking out his elbows. “What’re you doing here, anyway? Sun’s already out. Don’t need your sparkling personality to brighten up people’s days, I reckon.”

One thing about Sirius Black that she felt a good number of people overlooked was how smart he was. Even with what he didn’t remember, he still remembered and she knew that she could have a decent conversation with him where she actually learned something new from their interaction. It was refreshing. She really didn’t know much about vehicles & automobiles the like but it didn’t mean the information couldn’t be potentially important in the future. Nevertheless, it was interesting to hear as she carefully INSPECTED what he had pulled out. “Listen, I don’t know much about vehicles and the such, but a self filling tank sounds wicked. The pirates may have done better if they’d had self shooting & reloading canons or something like that.”

Leaning back she looked around them, why was she there? “Well, I was taking a walk and I just got …. DISTRACTED. I dunno, as dead as they are, the streets are pretty fascinating when they’re like this. I did a bit of shopping but mostly did some eating. I’ve got some ice cream in my purse if you’d like. And you?”

He chuckled and nodded as she spoke. “I’m good, really. Not really hungry. But I could go for a cupper. And to be honest, I was just sitting, looking around, doing a bit of facemapping. Checking the scenery, and who’ll show their face on days like these. And I just didn’t feel like going home yet. Sun’s nice out and James and Lily could do with a bit of privacy I reckoned. She’s been nagging me about getting my own place but I’d probably end up going from place to place. Don’t really feel like setting up in some cramped apartment and working my life away.” He then grinned a sheepish grin at her and slowly got up from his ass, pulling his little bag along. “If you’re not busy, I can do with a cappuccino or something. My shout.”

IT WAS OUT OF character for her, but Cas couldn’t help but beam at Sirius’s response, as soon as the passer-by was out of sight. “You play that role very well,” she said, playing at suspicion. “I thought it was only right to give you the opportunity again, you’re so practiced at it.” Not that Cas thought Sirius would ever actually cheat – he’d have to actually have a committed partner to get to that point. “After all, you get to snog people all the time; how often do you get to invoke the dreaded concept of ‘Emma’s’ mum.”

Still, she couldn’t maintain her good humour for long; their moment had lifted her mood, but the memory of the reason for it soon pulled her back down to earth. It was always too easy to laugh and forget, and Cas did it less and less lately, because the guilt that came afterwards was too difficult to deal with. They could make a joke out of their predicament; the muggleborn they were smuggling to safety in the countryside could not. In their safehouse, she sat afraid, waiting for their rescue. Frustrated, Cas attempted to run her hand through her hair, before realising it was tied back and letting her hand drop lamely to her side, frowning. “I’ll find a way to get to you, even if I have to go through Potter.” She hesitated, before giving him an awkward pat on his shoulder; hugs were never her style, and for some reason they were especially not when it came to Sirius. “See you then, Black.”

Sirius pouted at her gleeful indictment of his character. “As if you’d know...” He mumbled, looking like a child. “And I do not! James does it too. Like I put my tongue in any available mouth. Pah! I am a man of character, thank you very much.” He then turned and leant against the wall, slightly away from her, as if to put emphasis on the fact that his precious feelings had been hurt. It was mostly play, with a little bit of seriousness.

“I’ll be there. Just... Be well prepared, ya’know? It’s proper war, even if it’s happening under the surface. We’re fighting real folks out to kill us, to kill our friends. And it’s going to be a real fuckin’ slog before we win. If we win. We don’t need dead heroes, you know? We need alive ones. And it’d be a shame if you’d die and I wouldn’t be able to look at your ass when you walk off anymore. And don’t ask James. I’d feel much better if him and Lily were at home.”

He let out a bark of laughter, head shaking. “If you stay in my light too long though, you’ll burn, and I’d hate to be the cause behind your skin getting all wrinkly and red. Dunno if I could live with that on my conscience.” Peter shrugged, then, digging a bottle of lukewarm coke from his bag ( he’d bought it in muggle London a few hours prior ). “Running errands,” he said, putting the bottle at his lips and taking a sip. “Not for myself, ‘f course, I’m not that put together yet. For my mum. Am still a mama’s boy, after all.” He let the rest of Sirius’ words hang in the air for a moment, not particularly feeling like discussing the current, rather shit state of things. “Yeah, ‘tis pretty depressing,” he mumbled eventually, fiddling with the bottle for a moment. “Doesn’t help, either, to just stay home, if y’ask me. They can kill you anywhere, if they feel like it. My mum still needs her damn potion ingredients, so y’know, I’m gonna keep coming back for them until they close the shops.”

“Mum’s little trooper, ey? Can’t say I commiserate, but at least it keeps you out and about. I know how much you’d love stewing away in that nest you call a room.” He smirked and then grabbed his bag, getting up. “I’ve been thinking that we haven’t hung out enough lately. Been missing your radiance in my life, Petey-boy. We should head out to town this weekend or something. Find a pub, chat up some birds, drink some. You know, good times. I’ll mooch some pounds off Lily. That’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for you.”

“If Lils leaves me; I’d have an open spot in the bed and lonely nights.” James mused before he placed the cold can of muggle beer on the counter that he had been nursing his swollen eye with. “Hell yes. Extra cheese with mayo and ham.” Smiling, he popped open the can before pointing to the fridge. “Got some more if you want some. Got them from London when I went with Lily the other day. Also.” He pulled up his bag before pulling out a motorcycle magazine. Plopping it in front of Sirius before taking a swig of the beer.

“Before you get any funny ideas, remember I’ve got fleas, right?” He said with a wide grin, before dramatically scratching his right arm. “Ah, tiny buggers.” He then reached for the breadbag and pulled out two more slices and starting loading them with so much cheese, mayo and ham that he could’ve given a giant acute diabetes. When he turned to spot the magazine he leaned over and snatched it, real quick like. “You’re a doll.” He muttered, as sweetly as he could manage without wanting to drown himself in the sink. “Also, I’m good on the beer. I’ve actually got errands to run today, shockingly. I tried enchanting the new parts I got but I just can’t hack it. So I’m taking them down to Nancy’s old shop to have her do it. Anything you need from the Alley?”

“WELL, i’ve already done my shopping, thank merlin. i can’t imagine having to drag you through every single store, it sounds like a nightmare.”alice teased, though an affectionate smile remained on her lips. “coffee sounds brilliant. my shout, okay?”

“Was kinda hoping it would be, I’m out for the week, to be honest. Lily cut my pocketpounds.” He made a face like some kind of petulant child and then chuckled. “Cruel woman, that.” Then, he reached out, extending his arm for her to take. “Anyhow, how’s your homelife? Haven’t seen much of you, which is a shame. You’re like a shot of Irish coffee, sorely missed by yours truly when you’re not around.”

Easily, Emmeline went to sit next to Sirius, surveying the area around them as she listened to him. Some people hated having a mind that went a million miles a minute, Emmeline had learned to THRIVE in the chaos of it – mastering the art of being able to do two things at one. “I can do both, take the piss and sit down, thank you. You’ve lived quite a life though, haven’t you? You almost sound like a pirate. A magical pirate,” she remarked, though it wasn’t criticism it was intrigue. Sirius seemed to live a life that she’d only read about in the stories she cherished, that she grew up on. Emmeline had never been afforded the luxury of adventure – or did she just never allow herself it? It didn’t matter, there was a war, the world had changed, they did live in different times – her insatiable thirst for curiosity would have to wait for another day, possibly even, another life.

“That makes me want a kebab now. What have you had enchanted? I really find that work so interesting, Charms was one of my FAVORITE subjects in school.”

“Sounds groovy, being a pirate. Though from what I remember of History, which isn’t a whole lot, they didn’t do that well in the end. And I’m pretty keen on living a long time. Too much to do.” He said with a smirk, before reaching to his bag and pulling out the metal parts. “Engine parts for my new roadster. Got her off some bloke up in Stoke, was pretty pumped to get rid of it. Shame, really, the thing will run, she just needs some tender loving and a gentle hand. But I wanted some things on her for convenience. Like a Mufflated Muffler and a self-filling tank. So I got that done. Poor Nancy didn’t even know what I was really asking her to do.” He then laughed and put the bag back on the floor.

His hand went through his hair and just as he did that, the sun poured down, warming up his face. “What’re you doing here? Seems like the streets are dead as a doornail and these aren’t exactly booming days in Diagon Alley? Doing some thrill-shopping?”

The nickname ‘Macsie’ was probably Mary’s favorite Mary MacDonald nickname, something she’d never even heard of before she’d met Sirius. It was a sign to her that Sirius was someone she actually wanted to associate with, grateful that still after graduation they ran in the same circles. It wasn’t as if they really had a chance to not see each other, both of them being in the Order, Mary being best friends & roommates with Peter. “Listen, you know it’s a hobby of mine to hang out and indulge TRASH, Peter’s my roommate and my ex is a real piece of garbage. Might as well try every place on the map, I would’ve been a food critic in another life, I’ll tell you that!” Mary went to grab his arm, but before she started to get up, she looked down at Sirius’ shoe with a feigned look of interest. “Though…. your shoe … it’s looking real real fit right now. Like, Warren Beatty meets Freddie Mercury. A little of that Donna Summer shine. I think I’ve developed a foot fetish.”

“You’re coming on a little strong there. You scared him. He’s not interested anymore. He likes his women gentle, and you look like you might eat the rubber right off him.” He chuckled and then pulled her up by her arm, grin on his face. “I’ll let Petey know you said that. I’m sure he’ll love you after that. C’mon.”

He then went on a stroll down the street, looking around the city with weary eyes, his uncaptured hand wrapped around his canvas bag, slung over his shoulder. “Been listening to Muggle tunes, have you? Now there’s a smart girl. I tuned into that Banshee station the other day and almost died of boredom. You’d think in a time like this there’d be tonnes of people clamouring for some beats and shouting. But they’re just playing dead tunes now. Like we’re in the bloody forties. No wonder everything’s so bloody depressing.”

“ME?” CAS QUESTIONED innocently. “One for a last stand? Never.” Her face twisted a little bit; she was unsure if she had found her own comment funny or not, given how known she was for her recklessness. Moody had to pull her up constantly; there was no use, as he said, in getting their best fighters killed on the first endeavor, but she had never been good at pulling away from a fight. She shrugged, shuffling a little on her feet. “You’re right, though. I won’t hold you to any fireball theatrics, I promise.” As for herself – well, she made no promises. “We’re meeting at Liverpool Street, but I’ll owl you the details, I think. This makes me nervous.”

That much was evident. She didn’t like being in the open like this, but she liked setting all their plans to parchment even less. Cas resisted the urge to look over her shoulder with great difficulty, but at his comment she wasn’t sure whether to laugh or hit him. “Snog you?” she hissed. “Why does it always have to be snogging with you?” Thinking quickly, she lurched out of the doorway, a hand rubbing at her face, as if in tears. Raising her voice, she yelled, in the manner of offended girlfriends everywhere, “you always do this! First Kitty, and then Jane – I don’t know why I ever take you back! Everyone tells me I could do better…” The passer-by, clearly alarmed by this show of feminine wrath, gave her a wide berth as he crossed the street.

If he even was phased, he did a good job of not showing it. But he did do a good job of looking the part of an entirely caught-off-guard boyfriend. “Have you been talking to your mum again, Emma? I bloody told you before that Jane’s just a mate. And I only went out with Kitty cause Remmie went. Fucking hell. But if you want to do better, please fucking do. I’m done feeling like a bogeyman all the time!”

After the passerby was out of earshot Sirius’ expression dropped, but there was still a tug of a smirk at the right corner of his mouth. “You’re no fun, you know that? Making me look like some cheat. I feel wounded.” He then turned to look over her shoulder again and snapped his fingers and looked disappointed. “Well, that’s a shame. Street’s empty now. Liverpool Street. But I’m not going to be sticking around, so it might be a bit of trouble for your owl to find me. I’ll be there.” 

A SMALL SMILE flickered across Cas’s face. “I guess I am the lackey,” she said, with a faint shrug, “especially mid-training – but it’s not like they’d let us do any of the useful fighting anyway.” She wrinkled her nose. The Ministry’s inability to accept the reality of the war drove her mad daily. Then she pushed it aside, as she often did, and stood with him. “Unlike most people, I don’t want to hear about your arse, Black,” she said. Then she cast her eyes about. “And as for an alley – a nook will do.”

She let the way down the narrow street; a few people passed them, but truthfully, they could have had the conversation right out in the open; everything was quieter, now, and people hurried about their business with their heads hung low. No one wanted to linger to eavesdrop. Despite knowing this, Cas’s paranoia wouldn’t let her rest until she found an easily defensible doorway to duck into. “Huh,” she said, quietly, reading the sign. “An astrology shop. Muggles are so weird.” Then, brushing a strand of hair impatiently out of her eyes, she said, “the package is due to be moved tonight, and we want you there.”

Sirius followed, nonchalantly strolling down the street until they ducked into the doorway. When she demanded he join them on their latest endeavour, Sirius sighed and pulled his tattooed hand through his hair. It took him a while to reply, and he did so only after reluctantly pulling his tongue over his lower lip. “Fine. Where?” His eyes shifted past her face and over her shoulder, looking down the street, just to make certain. Sure, he was as laidback as a comatose snail, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t exceptionally aware of the precariousness of their situation. Especially right here, in the open. “One condition. I’m not doing any of that last stand shit. If we get lit up, we’re bailing. I’m not about to lose more friends to Youknowwho’s army of pureblood goons.” Then he nodded his head, whilst still looking past her. “Someone’s coming. You better pretend to be snogging me, just to be sure.” The slightest twitch of the right corner of his lips betrayed his cynical amusement. “We look mighty suspicious in this doorway.”

SHUFFLING A LITTLE uncomfortably, Dorcas eventually stepped to the side, letting the rays of sunlight fall on Sirius’s face. She hated being called out, and it made her even grouchier than usual, so it was with some bitterness that she snapped back, “I’m doing less than I’d like to and you know it, Black, so don’t act like I’m some pro-Ministry sheep, it’s beneath you.” Finally, biting her lip, she joined him on the pavement, stretching her legs out in front of her. The awkwardness nibbled at her before she heaved a great sigh. “I was actually here to grab you, anyway. Is there somewhere where no one will hear us?”

“Oh, joy. I get to talk to the lackey.” Sirius said with a snicker, before shrugging. “I’m kidding, Meadowes. Bloody hell. Do they kill your sense of humour when you sign up for Auror-school?” Then he stretched his arms up and yawned. “Well, you did come at an opportune time. My ass was getting numb.” And in a quick show of remarkable agility, he pulled himself up onto his feet, though he groaned quite heavily as he got up. “Plenty of nooks here, and I don’t see anyone around. So if you’ve got your eye on an alley, I’m happy to oblige. But I told James I wasn’t going to get involved in whatever latest dare they’ve got planned. Enough brave blood on cold stone already.” He then snatched his canvas bag off the road and swung it over his shoulder, pointing ahead. “Lead the way.”

CAS ROLLED HER eyes hugely and determinedly did not move. The sun behind her blocked her out into a silhouette, and she was glad to have her back to it; she hadn’t at all planned for the inclement and unpredictable British weather, and didn’t have a pair of sunglasses on her. Some Auror, she thought, her mouth twisting into half a smile, always prepared my arse. Then she consciously made her face straight, in case Sirius for some reason thought she was finding him amusing.  “This may shock you,” she said, sarcastically, “but I’m actually not here simply to make your day easier. I know you assume everyone is, but I have places to be.”

“Well, I’m not stopping you from going to the places you need to be. I’d rather you did go to your places, since, you know. You’re in my bloody sun.” He uttered, completely unphased by her cold demeanour and actually rather amused at her sharpness. “No one is making you take up my entire field of view, Meadowes. You’re entirely free to move your arse out of view. I won’t stop you. I was simply enjoying a beautiful day in Diagon Alley.” His eyes then opened a little to look at her silhouette in the light. “I can only imagine what important business a Ministry agent could be up to. Don’t let me keep you. I’m about to get a cupper anyway.” Sarcasm dripped from every word that he spoke, like honey, except spicier.

ALICE’S lips tilted downwards, though her eyes continued to sparkle with happiness. “i tried tanning once. it did not end well and i’m not particularly keen to try it again.” alice responded with a sigh. “you really don’t know how lucky you are, sirius. you’re gonna have to look after me until i can find some decent shade.”

Again he smirked and slowly, with a dramatic amount of groaning, he got up from his seat. “Can’t I ever just sit in peace? Ah, well.” He then grasped his canvas bag tight and swung it over his shoulder. His free hand went through his hair to get the long black forest out of his face. “I could go for a coffee or something stronger. Unless you insist I keep you company while you shop. Fair warning though, I’m a horrid shopping partner. And if you ask if something looks good I’m always going to say yes, even if you look like a deceased kobold.” He then gave her a devilish smile and extended his arm to her, for her to grab. “Your pick, I’ve got nothing else going on.”