Chapter Text
Sirius
It started like it always did.
A slur, a bumped shoulder, a rude gesture, a nickname, a shove - who could even tell how it started? Who cared?
It was like a spark to an inferno. Immediately hot and enticing.
Nothing felt like it. Nothing came close. It burnt so brightly. Wrapping Sirius up in bright flames.
One minute there were spells cast, spells blocked and then wands were dropped to the third floor grimy carpet.
Their bodies swiftly followed.
Attacking fiercely, rolling around, blood spurting, growling in each other's ears, teeth clenched, fists finding flesh.
Then the piercing Scottish shriek of an exasperated Professor. One who was able to produce spells so sharp and precise that the pair separated, flying apart at a devastating speed.
Snivellus was plastered against the opposite wall, struggling to move. His chest rising and falling as blood trickled down his nose. His lank hair mussed up, his school uniform ripped, showing glimpses of pale skin.
Sirius looked to the left. James, Peter and Remus were standing to the side, frowning.
At him.
In that way they stared at him. The abject curiosity and the concern, undeniable.
Because he took it too far.
It’s not like he had wanted to take it that far, he had been certain they’d all been fighting. But all noise had evaporated, all his senses had been centred on one thing.
Snape.
Similarly, Avery, Mulciber and Rosier were way back down the corridor, behind McGonagall, keeping out of the line of fire.
Had they all stopped fighting? Has it just been him and Snape in the end?
“… and I am absolutely at my wits end with the pair of you! You’re to follow me this instant!” the Professor barked at both Snivellus and himself.
The tight spell dropped and Sirius kept his head down. Not wanting to see Pete’s nervous glances or James’ superior glare. Or even Remus’s disappointment.
Sirius fell into step with Snape.
Not on purpose. They both had the same gait. Even though Sirius was the taller of the two. He had a bigger frame too. Not that it mattered. Snivellus was a wiry fucker, and he fought like the very devil himself.
It was a fair match. Sirius never knew if he’d win or not. He could beat Mulciber with a hand behind his back. Rosier was about as tough as a wet lettuce. Avery could get a few hits in, but he never really tried against Sirius. Terrified Walburga would find out, fucking coward.
Snape was the threat. The big-nosed twat.
McGonagall opened the door and ushered them both inside her office, Sirius didn’t dare look at her but he knew that her lips would be pursed and there’d be fire in her eyes.
He’d seen Minnie go up against his mother. She was as tough as old boots. Morgana herself would think twice before cursing his Head of House.
At her direction, they sat in the chairs placed in front of her neat desk.
She glared at them, but both he and Snape had their heads down. To be honest, Sirius was trying to come down off the high. His fingers kept jerking, spasming. He cracked his neck and winced with the movement. His ribs were killing him.
Moments later Horace Slughorn bumbled through the door. Taking a look at the boys, his mouth turned downwards in a sad grimace.
“Not again, lads …”
Snape’s shoulders hunched.
“Horace, I really am at my wits end. This is the fourth time this term I’ve had to separate them. They are simply trying to kill each other …”
Sirius looked up with quiet astonishment. Minnie had never spoken this honestly before.
Slughorn rounded the desk and leaned against the back wall, shaking his head. “And detention just doesn't seem to be working at all.”
Sirius took the quickest glance at Snape to see he was similarly staring, eyebrows raised.
It was worrying. They wouldn’t think about expelling them, would they?
“Well, there’s only one thing for it. We’ve tried to do this our way …” McGonagall said, sitting in her chair with an exasperated sigh.
“Indeed, we really have. You’ve had a dirge of detentions, you’ve been told repeatedly to be more respectful with each other, to be kinder … to even stay far away from each other,” Slughorn exclaimed disappointedly.
“Poor Madam Pomfrey has patched you both up, time and time again!” Minnie said, picking up the conversation.
“So, with that in mind - we’re going to appeal to your base natures,” Slughorn said firmly, eyeing the pair of them.
Sirius frowned. Umm, what?
McGongall took her steely glare to Snape. “Severus, it’s my understanding you wish to apprentice with Madam Boise at the Potioneering Institute this summer? And you require a reference in order to achieve this?”
“Yes, Professor,” he answered hoarsely.
Sirius was smug for a moment. That would be the strangling he had enacted halfway through the fight.
“And Mr Black, it’s my understanding you wish to play Quidditch this year for your last chance at the cup? And, perhaps, to be scouted by a professional team?”
Sirius felt cold all of a sudden. “Yes, Professor.”
Slughorn folded his arms over his ample stomach. “Well, lads, then we are at an impasse. You see, we want you both to stop fighting. We want you to act like the young adults you are supposed to be. This is NEWTs year, it’s setting up your whole future. You are on the cusp of some serious decisions and yet, neither of you can keep a cool head in each other's company.”
Minie picked up the conversation. “Apart - you are the best of your houses.” Her eyes roamed Sirius, lips thinning. “You can be charming, courageous, and kind.”
Kind! Feeling embarrassed, Sirius stared at her in horror. Saying he was kind in front of Snape. What was she thinking?
But her gaze had already been drawn to Snape. “You can be effortlessly intelligent, strategic and loyal.”
Ha! Loyal, what a nerd.
Snape glanced across at Sirius, a blush warming his cheeks.
“Together, however, you become repulsively spiteful, childlike and to be frank, ridiculous and embarrassing."
Sirius's eyes snapped to Minnie’s, that was a bit much!
“So, here is our plan. Severus will tutor Sirius in potions, arithmancy and transfiguration - And, his grade must reach an E …”
“An E?” Snape groused in shock.
“What?” Sirius barked simultaneously.
The professors waited.
“An E is impossible. He’s ridiculously behind … it can't be done!” Snape continued.
“Tutored! By him?” Sirius hiked a thumb toward Snape. “We’ll kill each other!”
Slughorn gave a sad smile. “I’m afraid, lads, if you aren’t able to complete the task, you both will miss out on what you want …”
~
Severus
It was utter horseshit.
And just so fucking typical that because Black was a complete moron, and incapable of revising or at least paying attention in lessons, Severus had to sort that out as well.
He had left McGonagall's office astounded. Totally shocked at their decision. He walked to the infirmary in a daze. Mainly because he had been ordered to, he wouldn’t have bothered, if he’d been in his right mind. But Slughorn had frog marched the both of them down and Pomfrey had been waiting. Curtly asked them to sit still so she could fix Severus' nose, give him a soothing potion for his throat and heal the grazes on his knuckles.
The only brightside was that he seemed to have accidentally broken one of the barbarian’s ribs. Ha! Points for the skinny guy. It almost made up for the shamble they had been thrown into.
He barely slept. Especially with the constant piss-take and irritation from his housemates who barraged him with questions that he didn’t answer.
No idea when Minerva had got ‘loyal’ from - he was loyal to none but himself. Only person he could trust. The others were just … minions.
After dinner he headed to a classroom on the fifth floor, checking the parchment again to see that it was the right number. Of course Black would be late so it mattered not how he entered.
Severus took a deep breath and then pushed on the door. It was a small room, cluttered in one corner but had a desk, a blackboard and potions equipment with storage shelves ready to be used.
Surprised, Severus nearly reared back as he realised Black was sitting at the desk, grimacing at the books.
Fuck, he was early. Earlier than Severus, who was five minutes early.
“How long have you been here?” Severus asked.
Black didn’t even bother looking at him, he just turned the page of Advanced Potions and sat back nonchalantly in his chair. Fantastic.
Severus walked over to the desk, placed his satchel on the floor and took the other chair, opposite Black, closest to the board.
He had tutored students on and off since fourth year, so this was nothing new.
Academics had snapped into place, early on for Severus. He understood magic. The linguistics of it, spoke to him. It came naturally, like breathing.
Realising that most students didn’t get it as easily had first concerned him and later made him feel incredibly smug. Morons.
Lily had been the only other person to match him.
The less said about that, the better.
“Right, we’ll get started with potions then …” he began, using his wand to write up a method on the board. Purposely not adding the title.
“Right, we’ll start with potions, then …” Black mimicked, curling his lip at Severus. “Fuck off, you smarmy bastard. And don’t try to trick me either!” His eyes flicked up to the board. “Tell me what this potion is, Black. Bet you don’t know!”
Sirius rolled his eyes. His temper flaring. “Merlin, what a fantastic start! Black acting like a baby … I’m so fucking surprised. Can’t even have two minutes without you taking the piss.”
“What about you! ‘How long have you been here?’” Black spat, leaning forward, teeth bared. “I’m never fucking late.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, it was an observation! I wasn’t trying to lambast your ability to tell the time … although, let’s face it, it’s probably in question,” Severus pointed at the clock. “What number is the big hand pointed at?”
“FUCK YOU!” Sirius roared, getting to his feet, grabbing Severus by the throat.
Suddenly heavy winds rushed around the classroom … loud and harsh, whipping their clothes and hair about - visions became apparent in the mini tornado that surrounded them, images of Black laughing whilst playing quidditch and a proud Severus shaking hands with Madam Boise herself trickled away like sand.
The boys stopped and stared open-mouthed.
The winds died down and Severus sat heavily in his seat when Black released him.
“Well, that was dramatic,” Black murmured, his finger waggling in his ear. He threw himself into his chair.
Severus swallowed to pop his own ears.
He sighed for the millionth time.
Looking up at the board, he changed tack. “This is the method for a hair growing potion. It’s part of the NEWT exam. The reason they choose it is because a third of the way down you have to extract ten ounces of bovine bone essence from the cauldron. Why?”
“Fuck knows? Cos it makes you moo?”
Severus rolled his eyes. “Think about it, Black. Why would you need to take out the bone for a hair growing potion?”
“Because …” Black shrugged, His jaw tight in a grimace. Those eyebrows slashed into a frown. His nostrils flared. “Just fucking tell me.”
Rubbing his face, he groaned. “Right, what is hair made of?”
Black sucked his teeth and shook his head. “This is stupid. It’s never going to work. They screwed us over. I won’t get an E, so you can just forget about Madam Boobs or whatever her name is.”
Severus threw the book at Black’s head. With cat-like reflexes he batted it away. Jesus
“Look, you fucking dense twat. I want that apprenticeship! I worked my arse off for it. And you, and your fucking inability to listen, or take any information in, won’t stop me.”
Black was glaring at him. Heat so intense in his eyes, Severus nearly reared back.
“You throw something at me again, I’m going to crush your bigger-than-average skull …”
Annoyingly, Severus touched his head. “It’s not bigger than average.”
“Pssshh, it’s huge compared to your body. Look at your big beak as well.”
Severus felt the flush and was more irritated with himself than Black.
Sirius Black was handsome. He was stupidly attractive. He had the natural arrogance that came with it too. Eyes like silver, long eyelashes, long thick black hair that he tied up haphazardly. Over six feet tall, broad shoulders, perfect teeth and a nice smile.
Being handsome was one thing, having a fucking brain was more important.
Looks faded.
“Your thoughts are noted. And ignored. Shall we try again? Maybe your normal sized head will be able to dig up one right answer … put your back into it this time, Black.”
Black visibly ground his teeth.
“Hair,” Severus repeated, gesturing to the blackboard. “What is hair made of?”
Black was looking at his hand. “Same thing as your nails?”
“Well, well … correct. Keratin to be precise.” Severus folded his arms over his chest. “Guess what? Hair and bone have something in common, they share the same molecular mechanisms and nutritional needs.”
“They what?” Black was frowning. This was where having a muggle upbringing helped. Science and magic were intertwined, the fact the magical world refuted this was ridiculous.
“Their essence is fed and nourished by similar things,” Severus explained, waving his thoughts away.
“So having too much bone would cause a problem with the brew?” Black asked.
Severus double-took. He hadn’t expected that. “Yes, exactly. The bone essence can only stay in the brew for precisely seventeen minutes - then it must be extracted. Otherwise, you’ll end up looking like Cousin It.”
Black raised a half smile and nodded. “From the Adams Family? James loves that shit.”
Okay, this was weird.
Severus watched Black warily. “Let me see you brew it.”
Black threw his head back and stared up at the ceiling, his strong throat showing the lump of his Adam's apple. He seemed to be whispering the repeated phrase ‘for quidditch’, under his breath.
“Umm?” Severus frowned at Black.
Suddenly Black got up and walked over to the cauldron. “Let’s get this show on the road,” he exclaimed, shaking out his hair and retying it.
~