The Angle Of Music.
Sirius often looked back on that night. The freedom he felt when he was left in the care of the bustling opera, but also the longing for…something. He had convinced himself it was longing for his brother or guilt for leaving him behind. But in truth, he really want his Walagba to turn around and ask him to change his mind. But he pushed that thought out of his mind a long time ago. After everything they’d done, he wasn't going to miss them.
He thought about that night as he sat on the chapel floor. The same chapel James had brought him to. He had never really been religious, but sometimes he hid away and talked to the walls. He didn't need someone to talk to, he just needed to get the words out.
Though sometimes, deep in the night, when the wind stopped blowing, or the theatre was too busy drinking and shouting to come find him, the air would sing.
It was the angle. The angle of music.
His cousin, Andromeda (or Andy depending on what your opinion on her was), had told him about it. Just before she died.
It wasn't long after Sirius had joined the opera when she came to see him. She had been watching one of the newest shows and saw him in his ridiculous costume, running across the stage.
How she knew it was Sirius still confused him, Because he only had a small role where he ran across the stage twice.
But she knew. And she found him backstage after the show.
Sirius had always loved Andy, so he was jumping for joy when she found him.
“Hows my little black lab?” She said as she embraced him. The Black lab had been a running joke between the two for as long has he could remember. She used to call him “The black sheep.” before the family discovered Sirius’ allergies to wool. So she changed it to “Black lab”.
“Fine now.” Sirius answered. “It's much better here. You don't have to worry about which spoon to use.”
Andy patted his head and smiled. Sirius was now eye to eye with her and he could see the twinkle in her eyes.
“I'm glad you're better. It's about time you got to escape them.” Andy whispered.
Sirius felt a wash of relfie. “You're not here to take me back?”
“No. I know you're better off here.” She smiled.
Sirius nodded, letting a moment of silence hang in the area. He took in a silent deep breath before speaking. “I could always come with you. Like you said before?”
Andy's eyes saddened and she took a hold of Sirius’ hands. “I'm sorry little lab. Things have gotten a little more complicated recently. It's not safe for you to be with me right now.”
Sirius’ heart sank. “But… If baby Nora is the issue I can help take care of her. I took care of Regulus when he was a baby.” That was a lie. Walagba didn't let Sirius near Regulus when he was little. She claimed she didn't want her back up heir getting damaged.
Andy let out a sigh. “Sirius, I think you're old enough for me not to sugar coat everything.” Her eyes started to water, but she blinked the tears away. “Your parents are doing everything they can to get you back. You just haven't seen it because you’ve been here. They came to my flat and threatened me. And Nora. It's only a matter of time before they come back, or they start watching the house. If they find you there…” She let the indication hang in the air. “You're safe here. Around people and your friends.”
Sirius’ eyes began to water, and a tear slipped out.
Andy wiped it away and pulled Sirius into her arms. He let out a quiet sob and wrapped his arms around Andy.
He’d never been much of a crier. And he’d grown up hearing emotions equal weakness.
But in the thundering opera house, in his ridiculous costume, in the arms of his closest relative, possibly the only one that didn't hate him at the moment, he couldn't help it. And suddenly he was a little boy again, crying to his cousin about how Walagba smashed up one of his toys for not going to piano lessons.
“I know. I'm sorry.” Andy whispered.
She pulled him away from her arms and wiped his tears. “I know it doesn't seem fair. But I promise, you will like it here. I saw you on that stage, you were having the time of your life. And when the smoke clears you can come find me.”
Sirius nodded. He didn't want her to leave him here, but he knew why she had to. “Can you come back? To visit?”
She smiled. “Of course. And when I'm not here, I'll send protection with you.”
"What kind of protection?" Sirius asked, almost sarcastically.
The gears behind Andy's eyes began to turn. "An Angle."
“What kind of Angle? Because I don't think Angles would like to see what goes on after the curtain closes.” Sirius laughed.
Andy laughed. “I'll end the angle of Music. So that whEn you dance, the angle will be with youR steps and help with finding the mUsic.”
Sirius smiled. A genuine one, and hugged Andy tight. She didn't let go until he was ready. And when he pulled back she gave him one last smile.
“I'll see you next show little Black lab.” Andy whispered. “Maybe by the next show you’ll be the star.”
**********************
Andy and her husband, Ted, died five years later after an attack. Two years before they could see Sirius in the spotlight. Nobody would say it, but the streets knew that the attack was not random. And anybody who knew anything about the Black Family, knew they had something to do with it.
Their daughter, eight years old at the time of the attack, was sent to live with her fathers side of the family. Sirius hadn't seen her sense the last show he attended. She’d be ten years old now, and Sirius didn't know where she was.
But Andy had kept good on her promise. She had sent the Angel of music when she wasn't there. Before her death, the angel made rare appearances. But he became more loud and meaningful after Andy's death. In the night, when Sirius lay awake, he heard the Angle singing. Sirius’ sung with the Angle, his voice growing louder and stronger.
He really had the Angle to thank for his success.
And had Sirius sat in the Chapel, he could hear a soft melody in the walls. He held his breath to hear it louder and he didn't move in fear of it leaving.
All this effort was derailed though by James bursting in. He looked giddy, a wide smile on his face, and sat down next to Sirius.
“She was here.” He said.
Sirius rolled his eyes. Her was some red head girl, Lily Evans, who visited the theatre often to write about it for some school paper. She seemed middle class and her parents owned a book shop of some sorts. Her sister was sometimes seen with her, who usually looked sour. James had been trying to get this Lily girl's attention since Sirius met him. But she was usually accompanied by a boy, Severus Snape. (or Snivellus)
Both James and Sirius hated him and his greasy mop on top of his head. When Sirius ran away Snivilis tried to spread word around the opera about Sirius' parents. About why some random boy has shown up and was suddenly friends with James Potter.
And when Lily Evans had caught the eye of James Potter, war started. James would try to get Evans' attention when she was at the opera and Snivallius would try to discredit him or draw her away.
Sirius couldn't truly understand why Evans was in acquaintance with the greasy mop. When she wasn't looking he was laughing at her, calling her nasty names, or looking as if he wanted nothing to do with her.
But the boys just assumed it had something to do with how long they knew each other. Or maybe she would feel guilty if she cut the mop off. So James simply continued to pursue her. He tried tricks, flowers, and private tours of the opera. And at first she showed no interest. But over the years she'd been coming to the opera, whether with family, the greasy mop, or as of recently for her writing, she grew more tolerable of James.
James giggled, straining his head toward the ceiling.
“And did she see you?” Sirius indulged.
“Yes…. Yes she did. The greasy rat was with her. Though she seemed irritated by him.”
Sirius shrugged. “Maybe she realizes how awful he is. Between the face, the nose, the attitude. The hair…”
“I hate his hair. It shines in even the dimmest light.” James snickered.
Sirius thought the joke was amusing, but he didn't want to talk about Lily Evans. So he let silence speak for him.
James, thankfully painfully aware of details, quote on. “You did quite a job tonight. The whole crowd was cheering for you.”
Sirius smiled. “Thank you. I'm glad you could dance underneath my voice.”
James laughed, a quick but loud burst. “I do wish to know, how did you manage such a voice. I've only ever heard you sing to yourself quietly at night. And in the bath. But I don't remember whispering in sleep is considered a voice lesson. Who is your great teacher?”
The sweet melody rang in the walls again quietly, as though to push Sirius forward. “Andy once spoke of an angel, I used to dream it would appear. But now as I sing I can sense her, and I know for certain, she's here.”
James scuffed. “The angle again?”
“Here in this room, my room, she calls me softly. Somewhere as though she's hiding. Somehow I've sensed she's always with me, a hidden and disguised genius.”
James turned to him, for once fully Sirius. “Sirius you must have been dreaming, these are stories that just can't come true.”
Sirius returned the eye roll, adding a snicker. James above all was most likely to believe in fairy tales. He had been chasing the same girl for years, that's delusion.
“Sirius, you're talking in riddles, and it's not like you.” James continued.
Sirius ignored him and stood up. He raised his hands and called out. “Angle of Music! Guide and Guardian!” He was partly doing it to annoy James, calling out to what he believed was an invisible force. But a part of him really did want to call out to the melody in the walls.
“You're going to get Madam in here.” James shouted over him, hitting Sirius’ leg.
So Sirius shouted louder, voice echoing . “Grant me your guidance!!”
James growned, pulling his head back, and shouted. “Who is this angel!Who?!”
Sirius smiled. “The angle of music!”
“Hide no longer!” James returned, climbing to his feet.
“Secret and strange angles!” They shouted in sync, hands raised, eyes wide, and chests out.
Their shouting was met with a loud and hollow bang. It echoed through the chapel all around them, a deep bellow, as though it came from inside the walls. And at the end of the hollow below a small melody, just quite enough that only Sirius heard it, echoed down Sirius’ spine. A moment filled with laughter, interrupted by mystery.
“He’s with me. Even now.” Sirius whispered, almost frightened.
Sirius felt a small brush against his hands. “Your hands?” James asked.
“All around us.”
“Sirius?”
“It frightens me..” Sirius breathed.
James took hold of Sirius’ hand and led him out of the Chapel. Sirius hardly noticed. His mind was too focused on trying to find the melody in the walls, quietly echoing in him. Down his spine, around his head, wrapping around his ribs. Beating his heart faster and faster. His mouth filled his mouth with a sweet taste and his ears long for more.
But the daze ended when madam Elfie came around the corner.
“James! Are you a dancer?” She shouted.
James raised his and Sirius’ hands in victory. “Tonight I am the closest friend to the world's new star!”
“Well, close accountants still have to practice. Now go! Before you miss your cues!”
James dropped Sirius’ hand and patted him on the back, a silent assurance, and pranced away.
Madam Elfie turned back to Sirius and pulled out an envelope. “For you. From a mysterious admirer.” She smirked, seemingly aware of what it contained.
“Thank you Madam.” Sirius spoke, taking the mysterious gift.
Madam Elfie patted his shoulder and kissed his cheek, then left to teach her students.
Sirius recognized the red seal, a burning candle, but couldn't figure out why. Inside the envelope was a thick, rich piece of paper.
“The rabbit will always hop back to a jumping foot.”
-The Red Rabbit.
Mary.
After all these years.
A thick red lip mark stained the bottom of the paper, her signature sign off.
Sirius laughed quickly. She really had come all this way.
While Sirius was busy rushing towards his new dressing room, letters cluched tightly, a figure watched from above.
And the figure could feel it. The puppeteer was losing control of his strings.