stairway to heaven

Sirius leaned into her, and whispered with a small grin “Why should I waste time going to some Hogwart’s finest club when that time could be better spent at Hogsmeade…err I mean with the Beauxbatons” 

“Something you and Ms. McKinnon would like to share with the class, Mr. Black?” 

“Nothing professor, just showing Marlene a better way to grind the Occamy eggshell” Sirius replied in his most sincere tone, drawing a clap from the Professor “always the astute presence in the classroom, Mr. Black”

As the professor turned his back to demonstrate the sequence of spells, Sirius leaned against Marlene again, whispering “Now you know how I’m THAT lucky”. 

        “I swear if you mention them once more I’m gonna rip yo-” Hearing the Professor’s voice, she looked up at him, interrupting her threat to Sirius in favor of getting out of trouble early on. “Sirius is just so considerate, Professor, on top of being such a dedicated student, wouldn’t you think?” Matter of fact was, despite Marlene doing great in his classes, Professor Slughorn looked at her as though he didn’t really understood what she was doing there: something she didn’t really mind, but there was no way in Hell she wasn’t going to use her speaking time in his class to promote Sirius even more; Anything that would send Sirius more into the spotlight to be a tremendously desired member of Slughorn’s little “excellence” club meant hours of amusement for her. 

Sirius shrugged, whispering back “The man doesn’t have a wandering eye for the transfer students, can’t fault him for sticking with the best”. 

2 hours in, everyone had left the classroom, save for Sirius and a handful. Sirius hadn’t stuck behind by choice though, more so on the urging of the Professor. “Mr. Black, are you sure you don’t have time on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for a little tea and discussion? Perhaps I could ask Mr. Potter to come if that’d persuade you.”

 Sirius gave him a blank stare at the mention of Mr. Potter “With all due respect sir, I think Marlene and the others vastly overestimate my abilities. I’m just a regular seventh-year who..” Slughorn cut him short “Nonsense, my dear boy. I expect you to join us”. Sirius saw he couldn’t steer his mind away at that moment; he’d just have to talk his way out of it next time. 

Sirius smiled at her shout but kept it to himself. It was typical Marlene to have the last word and to shout such things even with a packed Great Hall around her. Sirius turned a dimly lit corridor until he arrived at the Potions classroom, apparently just short of tardy. Snape was sat at the front of the class, and the boy gave him a dead stare that Sirius felt continue even as he walked past his desk and onto the back of the room. 

Professor Slughorn had inscribed the words ‘Felix Felicis’ on the board but presently was too busy brewing a bubbling green liquid in a cauldron to the side of the classroom. Sirius glanced at the empty seat next to him and shrugged, turning the old, worn out pages, causing some of the settled dust to blow in his face and draw a short cough. He changed his demeanor to a serious one immediately as Professor Slughorn’s voice boomed out “Everyone, today’s a very special class. Felix Felicis.” and the professor peered at the crowd of seventh years expecting recognition of it.

        “Late again, Ms Mckinnon?” She heard Professor Slughorn calling her out and making her entrance a lot less smooth than she would’ve wanted it to be in the first place but… oh well. “Yeah, I hope I’m not pregnant, though.” Some laughter accompanied by what could only be described as the Professor’s disapproving look followed Marlene to her seat next to Sirius. Taking a seat she pulled out her book and some parchment. So… Felix Felicis. 

Sirius leaned into her, and whispered with a small grin “Why should I waste time going to some Hogwart’s finest club when that time could be better spent at Hogsmeade...err I mean with the Beauxbatons” 

“Something you and Ms. McKinnon would like to share with the class, Mr. Black?” 

“Nothing professor, just showing Marlene a better way to grind the Occamy eggshell” Sirius replied in his most sincere tone, drawing a clap from the Professor “always the astute presence in the classroom, Mr. Black”

Sirius took another bite as he listened, going back to his nod routine. He laughed, mouthing out “Ouch” accompanied by his best impression of a hurt face, which quickly turned into a grin. “You know what. I think I will do just that. I hear the Beauxbatons girls are a lot more appreciative when it comes to these matters anyway” He reached for the glass with his orange juice, taking a gulp as his lips still pursed into a grin “So now that we’ve covered all the bases of a married couple’s breakfast squabble, why don’t I see your cheerful self again in Potions class” He sat his glass down with a small thud on the table and gathered his books to take off. As he left, he shouted over his shoulder “The pony tail doesn’t really suit you by the way”.

@puddlns

Sirius looked at Marlene as she went about her tirade, nodding “uh huh” every so often. He was always one to humor his way out of any situation. “So, let me get this straight. I tell you I had a good time at Zonko’s with this transfer student and you jump to the conclusion that I’m bragging about getting in her pants. Did you also hear that I was there with James and that she only wanted our suggestion on what to buy for the party her house was throwing. Too hard to believe?” He shrugged and set down the page of the Daily Prophet that he had been busy with before Marlene had joined him in the Great Hall. He grabbed some toast from a nearby plate, taking a bite. “You know” he said taking a bite. He wagged his index finger a bit as he was about to make another point but was impeded by the toast for the moment. “You know I caught word from Remus you were pretty keen on the incoming students as well” finishing with a smug smile about him.

       “Sirius, please. I am in no mood to hear about the parade of endless sexual encounters that you have experienced up and down the castle, with only your quidditch uniform between your hot flesh and the cold rock floorings!“