The Lucky Ones (xoxo)

Chapter 8

Sirius Black

Interview Transcript: Professor McGonagall and Sirius Black

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[Beginning of Interview Transcript]

Sirius: I did it. I broke into the school.

McGonagall: After all your family has been through this year, I'm surprised to learn that you're behind something like this.

Sirius: I know, I know, and I apologise.

McGonagall: From what I can see, you always seem to be toeing the line between mediocrity and greatness, Sirius. Your grades are average at best, almost as if you're not committed to school or your future.

Sirius: Look, can we just move on to the punishment part of this meeting, please?

McGonagall: Certainly. But I'm curious. Can you please describe how you broke into the school?

Sirius: I can do better. I can show you.

 [He pulls out the key and places it on her desk.]

McGonagall: And how did you get access to this key? You're not on the swim team? Not a janitor, right?

Sirius: No?

McGonagall: And where's the key chain?

Sirius: Keychain?

McGonagall: Do you remember its colour? Size? What it's made of? Anything at all? 

[Sirius is silent.]

McGonagall: Who are you trying to protect?

 [He doesn't respond.]

McGonagall: I'll find out anyway. Thank you for returning this key. And Sirius?

Sirius: Yes?

McGonagall: Do not ever even consider lying to me again. Got it?

Sirius: Yes, Minnie.

[End of Interview Transcript]

As Sirius mulled over his disappointment at not being able to protect Pandora as he had hoped, memories of his family flooded his mind. Pandora and Regulus were the only real family he had left, a fact that weighed heavily on him. He thought of Andromeda, his cousin who had chosen her own path, fleeing from the confines of their family to marry a man her parents would never approve of in a shotgun wedding. It was Andy who had protected him as a child, but she was a mother now, with a child of her own and Sirius no longer needed protection. It was his turn to be the protector.

Thoughts turned to Peter, a figure Sirius had never quite trusted. There was an unsettling air about him, an aura of deception that Sirius couldn't shake. And now, with Peter's attention seemingly fixated on Regulus, Sirius's apprehension only grew. He knew that whatever was on that tape, he needed to ensure it didn't fall into the wrong hands.

James, ever the optimist, remained oblivious to Sirius's concerns. To him, Peter was just another friend, someone to be trusted without question. But Sirius could see through the façade, recognizing the desperate yearning in Peter's eyes to be part of their world. It wasn't genuine; it was slimy. It reminded him of a rat, scurrying about in the shadows, seeking to mimic those around it without understanding the true essence of their being. 

In a town where everyone's secrets were laid bare on a public gossip site, knowledge held incredible power, akin to an arsenal of weapons. Whether it was a carefully guarded secret or a carefully planted piece of misinformation, the ability to control the flow of information held unparalleled influence. In this city, where vulnerability was exploited and trust was a commodity, possessing the right information could mean the difference between wielding influence and becoming a casualty of the relentless rumour mill. With Peter holding the tape containing potentially damaging footage, Sirius knew he had to act swiftly to protect Regulus. Sirius knew he had to use the only thing more valuable to someone like Peter than information: money. With a wad of cash in hand, Sirius prepared to make his move, knowing that in a game of secrets and deception, sometimes the most effective weapon was a well-placed bribe.

As he approached Peter at the front of their school, he couldn't help but feel a surge of determination coursing through him.

"What's that? Your stripper money?" Peter quipped, his tone laced with sarcasm as he glanced at the cash in Sirius's hand.

Ignoring the jab, Sirius held out the money for Peter to see. "10,000 dollars cash for the tape," he stated plainly, his voice firm.

Peter's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You think I'd take your money?" he replied, his tone incredulous.

Sirius met his gaze. "Yes, I do," he affirmed. "I know people like you, Peter. You act like you don't care about money, but the truth is, money's important to everyone."

Peter's expression darkened, a hint of disdain creeping into his features. "And I thought Regulus was manipulative…" he muttered.

Sirius's jaw clenched, but he held his ground. "Where do you think he learned that?" he retorted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I know that, although this may be pocket change to me, this money could make a real difference in your life."

Reluctantly, Peter handed over the tape, his eyes burning with resentment. "You're sick," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sirius accepted the tape with a nod, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. "And you're welcome," he replied, his tone unapologetic as he pocketed the tape and turned to leave.

As the room fell into a hushed silence, Sirius's heart sank as Professor McGonagall's stern voice echoed through the assembly hall. He sat in the midst of his peers, his stomach churning with apprehension.

"Settle down, please," Professor McGonagall commanded, cutting through the tension like a knife. Sirius's eyes flicked to the front of the room, where their formidable headmistress stood, an air of authority around her.

"Two days ago, I talked about consequences for your dishonourable actions, and obviously, you didn’t believe me," Professor McGonagall continued, her voice unwavering. "But someone came forward today and claimed responsibility. For a crime he did not commit."

Sirius's heart skipped a beat as he realised what was happening.

"And although I appreciate his self-sacrifice, I don’t condone dishonesty," Professor McGonagall stated, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "It's time you all know how serious I am."

Sirius's breath caught in his throat as he braced himself. He knew what was coming next, but hearing the words spoken aloud still felt like a punch to the gut.

"Sirius Black is suspended for the next week. This will go on his permanent record," Professor McGonagall announced, her words ringing in Sirius's ears like a death knell. "Effective immediately. Mr. Black, you know where to find the exit."

As Sirius made his way to the exit, his footsteps echoing in the heavy silence of the assembly hall, Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the air like a whip.

"Until one of you comes forward," Professor McGonagall continued, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with steely determination, "we'll keep going until every last one of you has walked out that door."

Regulus Black

As the students filed out of the assembly hall, Regulus felt James's concerned gaze linger on him. Sensing the need for a private conversation, he gestured towards a secluded bench in the courtyard.

"Let's sit down and talk," Regulus suggested, his voice calm despite the weight of their conversation.

James nodded, silently following Regulus as they made their way to the bench. They sat down, shielded from the prying eyes and ears of their peers. This gave them the privacy they needed to discuss the situation at hand.

"Reg, what are we gonna do?" James's voice was full of worry as he turned to face his friend.

Regulus took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before responding. "James, it's okay," he reassured him, his tone gentle yet firm.

James shook his head, unable to shake off his concerns. "No, it's not," he insisted, his voice tinged with frustration. "Pete's going to get expelled or suspended. His whole future is riding on this school, and if he gets kicked out, it'll be my fault."

Regulus furrowed his brows "Why are you so desperate to defend him," he said as his eyes narrowed. Regulus knew he looked angry, but really he was hurt. 

“I’m not ‘desperate’, he didn’t mean to record your conversion reg. You heard him. It was an accident,”

Regulus couldn’t help but scoff, “And you believe that?”

James paused for a moment, “Well, you weren’t exactly talking in private, Reg. Accidents happen but is whatever you said on that tape worth ruining his life for?” Regulus’ eyes couldn’t help but soften at James. As much as it was annoying at times, James’ ability to see the good in people, even when there isn't any, was endearing. Still, he didn’t know how to tell James that this tape could ruin his life. If his mother found out that her last remaining heir was… involved with a man. It wouldn’t end well for him. But that was his issue to deal with, he just had to figure out how to get Peter to give him the footage. 

James frowned, furrowing his brows in confusion. "If you know who did it, then why don't you just give them up?" he pressed, his voice filled with frustration.

Regulus hesitated, knowing that he couldn't keep the truth from James any longer. "Because it was me," he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

James's eyes widened in shock, his mouth falling open in disbelief. "Why didn't you tell me right away?" he demanded.

Regulus met James's gaze, his own eyes filled with remorse. "I didn't want you to know, because I didn't want you to have to choose between protecting me and protecting Peter. Not that he deserves your protection after that little stunt he pulled at Pandora’s, " he explained, his voice heavy with guilt.

James fell silent, processing Regulus's words as they sat together on the bench. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice softer this time. "So how'd you even get in?" he asked, curiously.

Regulus sighed, shifting uncomfortably on the bench as he met James's gaze. "I have a key," he confessed, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the admission. James's eyes widened in surprise, a pang of longing flickering in their depths before he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. "You have a key to the pool?" he exclaimed, his voice slightly strained.

Regulus nodded, his discomfort mirrored in the hesitant tilt of his head. "The end of freshman year, I kind of dated the swim captain. He gave me a key so that we could, y'know, meet up," he explained as he could feel his cheeks heat, he trailed as he noticed the subtle tension in James's posture.

Sensing James's unease, Regulus bit his lip nervously, wishing he could take back his words and erase the awkwardness between them. But James held up a hand, cutting him off before he could dwell on it further. "Enough said," James replied, his voice thick with a mixture of resignation and longing. "Saturday night, what happened then?"

"Well, Barty, Ev, Dora, and I ran out of places to go, and Barty knew I still had a key," Regulus explained, his voice tinged with regret. "Before I knew it, we were all there, and I thought it would just be us four, but everyone got on their phone and more people started showing up, and... I just never thought anyone would get hurt."

James listened intently, "Well, you can still tell McGonagall the truth. I think she'll respect the honesty," he suggested, trying to offer some reassurance.

Regulus shook his head, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "Like she respected Sirius's," he countered, his tone heavy with bitterness.

James frowned, "No, Sirius lied," he argued, his voice firm. "And besides, you're Regulus Black."

Regulus's expression hardened, his gaze meeting James's with steely resolve. "No, you don't get it, James," he replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "It was a miracle that I was able to get back into Hogwarts. Every other private school in New York is full. I would’ve had to leave town, and I can't lose Sirius again. Or you."

"So we really are damned if we do and screwed if we don't," he murmured, the realisation sinking in.

Before they could dwell on that any longer, the PA system crackled to life, summoning James to McGonagall's office.

James exchanged a worried glance with Regulus before rising from the bench but Sirius took his spot almost immediately. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small cassette tape, holding it up for Regulus to see.

Regulus's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the familiar object. "Is that...?" he began, his voice trailing off in disbelief.

"The tape from Peter's documentary? Yes," Sirius confirmed, hi v s tone matter-of-fact.

Regulus couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity mixed with apprehension. "How the hell did you get it?" he asked, his brow furrowing.

"Mother always said that money talks," Sirius replied with a smirk, "I just had to figure out how loud it needed to get before Peter was forced to listen."

Regulus nodded, impressed despite himself. "And how loud was that?" he inquired, unable to hide his curiosity.

"10,000$," Sirius admitted, his smirk widening into a grin.

Regulus felt a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach as he glanced at the tape on the table. The contents of the tape held more than just casual party footage; they hinted at his complicated and fraught relationship with James. The thought of Sirius discovering this past, especially when they had only recently begun to mend their strained relationship, made Regulus's pulse quicken. They were still navigating the fragile terrain of rebuilding trust, and the last thing Regulus wanted was to jeopardise that. The prospect of exposing his vulnerable past to Sirius, and the potential fallout from it, filled him with a deep-seated dread.

"Did you watch it? Is that why you wanted it that bad?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

"No, my dear brother. I wanted it because you needed it," Sirius replied, sliding the tape across the table to Regulus.

Regulus's eyes widened in surprise at the gesture. "You're giving it to me," he wonders, a mixture of gratitude and disbelief washing over him.

"Yes, and don't get me wrong. I want to know what's on it," Sirius admitted, "but I want you to tell me because you want to, not because Pete stumbled upon a conversation he wasn't supposed to hear. Plus, I can't have someone black mailing my brother."

Regulus couldn't help but smile at Sirius's playful jab. "Are you serious? Black mail?" he retorted, unable to resist the pun.

Sirius chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm always Sirius," he quipped.

Regulus rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hide the grin spreading on his face. "I walked right into that," he admitted with a chuckle.

"Seriously though, Reg, you'll talk to me when you're ready, yes?" Sirius asked, his tone softening as he met Regulus's gaze.

Regulus nodded, feeling a swell of gratitude towards his brother. "Thank you, Sirius," he replied sincerely. Sirius grinned.

Expression turning sombre again, Regulus reminded him,  "Now go, you're suspended. You can't be on school grounds.”

Sirius chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah, yeah. I'll see you later, Reggie."

"See you," Regulus replied as Sirius turned to leave, his footsteps echoing as he disappeared from view.

Sirius Black

As Sirius made his way out of the school grounds, footsteps heavy with the weight of his suspension. He unexpectedly ran into Pandora, who was waiting outside the gate.

"Pandora?" Sirius exclaimed in surprise, his brow furrowing at her frustrated expression.

Pandora crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing as she met Sirius's gaze. "Sirius Black, what were you thinking?" she demanded, clearly exasperated with him.

Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to gather his thoughts. "I saw you hiding the key in your room," he admitted, his tone sombre. "I thought you were trying to protect yourself, so I decided to take the fall for you. You’re Family, Dora,"

Pandora's expression softened at Sirius's confession, a mixture of gratitude and concern flickering in her eyes. "Sirius, I wasn't hiding the key for myself," she explained gently. "I was doing it to protect someone else."

Sirius' face scrunched up in confusion and he narrowed his eyes. "Someone else?" he asked, disbelieving.

Pandora nodded, her gaze unwavering as she met Sirius's gaze. "Thank you for trying to protect me," she said sincerely, "but you need to think before you act, Sirius. Your bravery is admirable, but this self-sacrificing bullshit is only gonna keep getting you into trouble."

Sirius felt a pang of guilt wash over him at Pandora's words. He hadn't considered the consequences of his actions, only wanting to protect his cousin at any cost. "I'm sorry, Pandora," he apologised, his voice tinged with regret. "I didn't mean to cause more trouble."

Pandora reached out and squeezed Sirius's hand, offering him a small smile. "It's okay, Sirius," she reassured him. "Just remember to think before you act next time. I don't want to see you get hurt because of your bravery."

Sirius nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Pandora for her words of wisdom. "Thanks, Pandora," he said earnestly, 

With a final nod, Pandora turned and began to walk away, leaving Sirius to contemplate her advice. As he headed home, Sirius couldn't help but appreciate friends like Pandora, who always had his best interests at heart, even when he didn't realise it himself.