Dear Old Shiz
Shiz University, Land of Oz
“Oh! Mommy-Popsicle look at this!” Sirius cheered, rushing to the front of the boat he was sailing on. He pointed ahead at the large university palace clearing into the distance. Sirius’s parents, Walburga and Orion, laughed at their son’s excited nature. Sirius squealed in happiness as he leaped from the helm of their boat. “Now Sirius darling, don't go about ruining those new shoes I bought you!” Walburga tutted, pointing to her only son. Sirius simply twirled in response, smiling brightly at the school enclosing closer and closer.
Another boat pulled up to the Shiz docks. The oldest child, a boy, stepped off first. He admired the large building ahead, having never seen a building so grand before. Sirius jumped off his boat next, making quick work to kiss his parents farewell before running off with his friends. “Oh goodness! Look at this place!” Sirius marveled, clasping his hands together in excitement. “It is indeed!” his friend Frank agreed. “Very grand!” his other friend Mary giggled. As Sirius remained fixated on the large palace school, his friends turned around to examine the other students. However, their sights instantly landed on a sight most unusual. “OH GOD-!” Mary shrieked, dropping her books in alarm.
Sirius simply huffed, rolling his eyes as he leaned down to scoop his best friend’s books off the ground. “Now Mary, that is quite a rude way to-AH!” Sirius shrieked, dropping the books right back onto the floor. Ahead of him stood a boy, dressed in all black. His hair curled neatly upon the top of his head. His eyes shone bright grey in the afternoon sun.
His skin…well…his skin a bright, glowing, ugly shade of-!
“You’re green!” Sirius gasped, placing a hand on his heart. The younger boy’s eyes widened as he looked down at his hands. Their watermelon-colored tone with matching emerald nails. The students around him began whispering and muttering in disgust and confusion. “I…I am!” the boy marveled curiously. Sirius huffed, shaking his head sadly. “Oh you poor poor thing!” he tutted sadly. The younger boy simply crossed his arms, glaring at Sirius as he approached. Sirius smiled softly at the younger boy, holding both of his hands to his chest. “What’s your name, poor creature?” he asked. The other boy scoffed, rolling his eyes in disgust. “Regulus Black!” the boy huffed, stepping back from Sirius. Sirius couldn’t help but wonder about the boy’s last name.
As it was also Sirius’s last name.
“I’m just going to get this over with! No, I am not seasick!” Regulus began. He turned to face the crowd of students around him. “Nope, I didn’t eat grass as a child-and yes I have always been and will remain this color of green!” the boy explained. The crowd of students continued to murmur uneasily, many backing away from the disgusting young boy. “Oh well…Regulus, my name is Sirius, and…as a soon-to-be sorcerer studying here at Shiz, I promise that once I manage my skills I will happily turn you back-or-well…into a perfectly normal color!” Sirius suggested helpfully. Regulus scoffed yet again, reaching out and shoving Sirius away from him.
“Oh, Oz-Hey?! I was being helpful!” Sirius gasped, stumbling back on his heels. His friends quickly jumped to hold him upright. “You’re a priss is what you are!” Regulus snapped back aggressively. The crowd seemed to collectively gasp at the nickname. Sirius slapped a hand to his heart once more. “You…take…that…back!” Sirius hissed. Regulus simply chuckled, holding open his arms. “Make me, Princess!” he encouraged. Sirius huffed, stomping his foot angrily as he shoved his purse into Mary’s hands. “No-No, Sirius no!” Frank objected, holding the smaller boy back. Regulus cackled loudly, waving his arms at Sirius tauntingly.
Before Sirius could leap, however, another voice interjected their conversation. “REGULUS!” an older man called. Regulus’s smug mood then dropped, instead becoming full of annoyance as a man, presumably his father, came pushing through the crowd. He pushed in front of him a young blonde girl in a wheelchair. Sirius huffed in frustration as he pulled himself and his purse from his friend’s grasp. “I don’t get it-I was trying to be helpful!” Sirius huffed in frustration. “You were-you were very helpful!” Mary agreed, ushering Sirius ahead of the crowd and away from the green boy behind them.
“You're not already making a fool of yourself here are you?!” The older man barked angrily. Regulus frowned, tucking his hands behind his back. “Sorry Father…it won’t happen again…” he muttered quietly. Mr. Black huffed, turning to face the blonde girl in her wheelchair. “Regulus, stop making a spectacle of yourself!” he snapped back at the older child once more. “Yes father” Regulus replied plainly. Mr. Black sighed, kneeling before the younger daughter. “My darling Narcissa…I have something for you!” Mr. Black exclaimed. He grabbed one of Narcissa’s smaller boxes and held it out to her. “Oh father, you shouldn’t have!” the sweet girl objected. Regulus couldn’t help but roll his eyes in annoyance.
Inside the box was a pair of sparkling silver slippers. Narcissa gasped, a bright smile appearing on her face. “Compliments of the future governor of munchkin land!” Mr. Black added egotistically. “Oh Father, they're beautiful! Thank you!” Narcissa cheered, admiring the sparkling shoes once more. Mr. Black nodded, placing a soft kiss on Narcissa's head as he stood. Regulus took a slight step back to move out of his way. “May all new students make their way to the courtyard!” an announcement rang from the loudspeakers. “Oh! That’s my cue!” Narcissa cheered, setting the shoe box safely in her lap. Mr. Black made his way to help push the girl’s wheelchair, but Regulus stepped to her aid. “Don’t help her!” he instructed firmly.
His father simply glared at his eldest for a moment before letting Narcissa go. She muttered a soft ‘thank you’ before wheeling away with the rest of the students. The crowd of students clamored into the courtyard excitedly. Off to the side stood a tall woman, in emerald shining robes. Her hair twisted upward into an elegant bun. “Oh my Oz-there she is! Madam McGonagall!” Sirius gasped, pressing his hands to his friend’s chest. The two others began muttering excitedly as Sirius skipped ahead to speak to the Headmistress. “Uh-Hello! Madam McGonagall!” Sirius called, waving at the taller woman. The woman turned her head only slightly to acknowledge the boy. “Hello Madam I-I am Sirius Black! Of the Upper Uplands! I’m here to-!” Sirius began nervously. “Is this about room assignments?” McGonagall asked. Sirius went quiet for a moment, before promptly flipping his hair proudly.
“Uhm, no, Madam I’ve already been assigned a private suite-thank you for asking! This is actually about your Sorcerer Seminare! I am to be participating this year-if you recall my essay that I submitted! ‘Magic Wands, Need They Have A Point’!” Sirius exclaimed happily, clasping his hands together. McGonagall hummed, turning to face the short boy fully. Sirius took an anxious step back from the intimidating woman. “Yes well…I do not teach my sorcery seminar every semester…unless someone very special were to come along!” McGonagall objected. She began to walk away, heading to where the rest of the professors were standing at the front of the courtyard. Sirius was quick to trail behind her. “Yes well that’s exactly why I came to speak with you, Madam, you see I-!” Sirius continued on, but was cut off.
When Madam McGonagall set her eyes on Narcissa instead. And her older brother, trailing solemnly behind. Sirius scoffed in disgust, placing his hand on his chest. His best friends appeared beside him once again, all glaring at the green eyesore in front of them. “I don’t think she even read my essay! I worked very hard on that! Hardest I’ve ever worked on anything!” Sirius vented frustratingly. “Oh yes, you did-I read it! It was amazing!” Frank agreed. “Ugh, shut up, you don’t count!” Sirius demanded, smacking his shoulder angrily.
“You must be Miss Narcissa Black…a pleasure dearest!” McGonagall introduced, extending her hand for Narcissa. The young girl shook it ecstatically. “Yes, Madam I am, I’m so so thankful to you for accepting me here!” Narcissa exclaimed. “Well, it’s my honor, dear girl! And I must say what a tragically beautiful face you have!” McGonagall admired. Narcissa blushed up sheepishly, covering her pink nose in embarrassment. McGonagall's eyes then fell on Regulus, his sight making her snort out in astonishment. “Oh, dear Oz…and-and you must be?” McGonagall questioned. Not extending her hand to Regulus.
Regulus waved awkwardly, forcing a smile for the Headmistress. “I’m Regulus Black…the older child…I’m beautifully tragic!” Regulus remarked, nodding his head slightly. “Indeed…I-I don’t recall seeing your name on our call sheets-!” McGonagall recalled, glancing back at the nearest room assignment post. “Oh no no I’m not a student here! My father just sent me after Narcissa to make sure she gets in alright!” Regulus objected. Narcissa then huffed in frustration, rolling her bright blue eyes. “I told you I don’t need help, Reggie!” she whined annoyingly. “But you-!” Regulus tried. “Well! Thank you for your help Mr. Regulus but I think I can take over from here!” McGonagall suggested.
Suddenly McGonagall had stepped in Regulus’s way, taking Narcissa’s wheelchair from him. “Wait-Wait, hold on!” Regulus called, following behind the tall woman. “She’s in good hands my dear, carry on!” McGonagall remarked back at him. “No! Stop!” Regulus shouted after her. Narcissa glanced back at her brother nervously, clutching the shoe box in her lap tightly. “Everyone be on your way!” McGonagall announced to the other students around. She continued to push Narcissa towards the school’s open doors. “STOP!” Regulus screamed, raising his hands defensively.
Narcissa let out a loud screech as her wheelchair was hoisted twenty feet into the air. The benches and lampposts around Regulus began to fall over and sway. “Oh dear goodness!” Sirius shrieked, running backward from the scene. Many students followed suit, ducking behind objects and each other to hide. McGonagall stared at Regulus with widened eyes as he used his hands to lower his sister once more. Narcissa gasped once her wheels touched the ground, making Regulus frown. “Oh Cissa…I’m-I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to-!” Regulus began, approaching his sister once more. But McGonagall cut him off, placing a firm hand on his chest. Regulus stumbled back in fright, staring wide-eyed at the terrifying woman.
“How…remarkable…” McGonagall whispered. Regulus froze suddenly, his hands getting taken into McGonagall’s softly. “You are incredibly talented Mr. Black…why didn’t you state so before?!” McGonagall laughed in disbelief. “Oh-Well-I-I uhm-!” Regulus stammered in shock. “I must find a place for you at once!” McGonagall called out. Regulus gasped, shaking his head as he pulled away from the Headmistress. “Who would be so kind as to offer up space for Mr. Black?! Hm?!” McGonagall announced, scanning the sea of students around her.
Sirius then stepped up, raising his hand once more. “Uh, excuse me! Madam, can I just interrupt-?!” Sirius wondered, approaching the three women confidently. McGonagall sighed, smiling sweetly at Sirius as he approached. “Oh, thank you my dear-you’re too kind!” McGonagall cheered, taking Sirius’s left hand. “Oh, it’s nothing-wait what?” Sirius replied in confusion. McGonagall took Regulus’s right hand next, placing Sirius’s upon it. “Regulus, you may room with Mr. Sirius!” McGonagall instructed. Sirius let out a loud shriek as he ripped his hand away from Regulus. “Oh no! No No No-!” Regulus instantly objected, turning back to McGonagall. Sirius then fainted, dramatically falling into Frank’s arms. Mary started fanning him worryingly.
“Madam McGonagall, my father will never agree to this!” Regulus called, chasing after the Headmistress as she made her way back towards the castle. “I shall write to him at once, do not fret my dear!” McGonagall assured, waving a dismissive hand at Regulus. “But Madam I can’t-!” Regulus tried again. McGonagall turned around once more, facing the whole courtyard of students. “STUDENTS! Do take this afternoon to find yourself at home!” she announced, smiling smugly at the crowd of students. Sirius suddenly woke up at the Headmistress’s voice, fighting his way out of Frank’s arms and tossing his hair to fix it perfectly. The Headmistress then faced Regulus solely once more. He stared nervously back at her. “You and I shall start private lessons as soon as possible” she directed. “Private?!” Regulus gasped, placing a hand on his chest.
“Indeed! And if you make yourself some good…I predict even the Wizard himself would take notice of you!” McGonagall assumed, placing her hand under Regulus's chin. Lifting it proudly. “The wizard…” Regulus marveled quietly. McGonagall hummed once before dropping her hand and taking another step back into the castle doors. “Welcome to Shiz, my dear” she congratulated before vanishing into the corridors. When she had disappeared, Regulus turned around once again, facing the rest of the courtyard. However, for once, he didn’t take into account the staring eyes and disgusted faces. He smiled proudly, holding his hands close to his stomach.
The wizard. Know him, acknowledge him as a witch! That has been Regulus’s dream since before he knew what dreams were.
He began to laugh quietly to himself as he made his way back over to his sister. Only he was blocked off by another person. A boy only slightly taller than him, dressed in a frilly, pink, dress. “Hm…congratulations…roomie!” Sirius spat out reluctantly. His two best friends stared at him as well, rude and angry glints in their piercing eyes. Regulus frowned as well, glaring back at the bubblegum princess. “Thank you…roomie!” Regulus hissed back, before shoving Sirius out of his way yet again. Sirius gasped in shock, wiping off the spot of his coat where Regulus had touched it. He then held out his hand, allowing Mary to drop a few droplets of cleaning sanitizer onto his palm. “That little broccoli is going to be sorry! I’ve never felt this way before! I-I can’t describe it!” Sirius scoffed, rubbing his hands together in disgust.
“Anger?”
“Disgust?”
“Disappointment?”
“No! Well, yes, those all could explain my current mood!” Sirius remarked, shrugging his shoulders smugly. Mary nodded, crossing her arms as she glared ahead. Where Regulus had begun strolling Narcissa in the direction of her dormitory. “No this feeling is something different…it’s…it’s…” Sirius tried, racking his brain for the right word. “Oh my, all this thinking is making me dizzy! And-And I didn't-I didn't get my way, oh! I need to lie down!” Sirius cried dramatically, collapsing backward onto the nearest bench. His two friends quickly clamored around him to make sure he was alright.
“You’re too good for us, Siri! I’d never let myself room with such an ugly thing!” Frank scoffed. “He would disrupt my beauty sleep-with her loathsome color he probably glows in the dark-!” Mary winched uncomfortably. Sirius suddenly gasped, sitting upright once again. “That’s the word!” he cheered, holding open his arms. He stood up on the bench, turning in the direction of Regulus and Narcissa. Glaring at them before they vanished into the dormitory hallway.
“Loathing…” Sirius growled.