The Heart of Black - A Harry Potter Story

Chapter 4 - Mudblood

"I don't know what I was so worried about, this mornings been great." said Skylar as she, Sirius, James, Remus, Peter and Lily made their way outside for break.

"We did tell you it would be fine." pointed out Sirius. They made their way over to a shady corner. The sun was surprisingly warm and in their long black robes the friends were sweating like pigs. Sirius sat down at the base of a pillar and closed his eyes, Sky wouldn't be surprised if he was trying to go to sleep. Remus was rummaging around in his bag and produced a rather large book and leant against the wall, with his nose stuck in it. James and Peter amused themselves by picking pieces of grass from between the cobble stones. Sky and Lily beacame engrossed in a conversation about Muggle celebrities.

A good five minutes had passed when the peace was finally disrupted. A gang of Slytherins, including Severus Snape, were huddled together in a corner, muttering rapidly, occasionally glancing over at the group of Gryffindors. Sirius opened one eye lazily to see what was going on. Snape was pushed from the crowd, his greasy hair flopping into his face. He approached Lily and Sky, he didn't look at all happy. He kept glancing nervously over at Sirius and James. Snape stopped in front of the girls and just stood there looking at his feet. Lily and Sky exchanged looks then Lily said "Is something the matter Sev?". He shook his head. He turned to head back to the gang. Then, without any warning, he spun around, wand outsretched.

"Tarantagrellegra!" he shouted. All of a sudden Sky's legs were out off control. They seemed to be dancing of their own accord. She yelped in fear. This, of course, caught Sirius' attention . Both his eyes snapped open. He took a second to take in the scene, then he jumped to his feet and grabbed his wand.

"Expelliarmus!" he roared. Snape's wand flew out of his hand and into Sirius's outstreched one. "What they hell do you think you're doing!" he shouted, advancing on Severus. Snape backed away slightly.

"I-I was just having a bit of fun." he stammered, apparently terrified of Sirius.

"You call this FUN!" bellowed Sirius at the top his lungs.

"Oh," said Snape, his confidence growing, "first you're Sorted into Gryffindor and now you're sticking up for a Mudblood! Mummy's not going to be very happy is she?". Sirius stopped dead in his tracks. The whole courtyard was watching now. Sirius's face was livid with anger, his fists balled up threateningly. Sky glanced round. Remus, James and Peter had stopped what they were doing and were glaring at Snape. Lily looked appalled. Sky, however, had no idea what was going on.

"What did you call her?" breathed Sirius, narrowing his eyes at Snape, gritting his teeth.

"I called her a Mudblood." repeated Snape, but he didn't sound so confident now. Sirius lurched at him, his hands closing in around Severus' neck. Lily screamed and darted forward. Sky tried to follow but her legs were still dancing madly. She looked over at Remus, pleading for help. He nodded, pulled out his wand and muttered something under his breath. Sky's legs stopped dancing and she rushed forward to try and help Lily, who was screaming at the top of her lungs at Sirius.

"Let go of him Sirius!" she shrieked. Sirius ignored her. He raised his fist and went to punch Snape. But suddenly a soft hand seized his wrist. He snapped his head around, only to find himself staring into a pair of fiery blue eyes. It was Skylar.

"Let go Sirius." she still had a kind expression on her face but her voice was firm. Reluctantly, Sirius released his grip on Snape's neck, who fell to the floor and ran away. In a fit of rage, Sirius lobbed Snape's wand at him, hitting him in the back of his head. Sirius was breathing heavily, his jaw clenched.

"What is wrong with you," gasped Sky, "you could get into serious trouble for that!?". She had let go of Sirius's wrist and was looking into his grey eyes. They seemed to be burning with rage, no longer the kind eyes she had seen on the Hogwarts Express.

"What was I meant to do?" he growled. "He called you a Mudblood.". Sky was completely confused but judging by Sirius' reaction and the look on the other boys faces, Mudblood must have meant something really bad.

"A what?" she said.

"A Mudblood." said Sirus, calming down now. "It means dirty blood. Its a serious insult used on Muggle-borns. Most people have the decency not to use it. But obviously that kind of scum thinks otherwise.".

"He is not scum Sirius." said Lily. She had gone bright red like her hair, she looked extremely angry. "Just because he insulted your friend once does not mean he's scum."

"So now your sticking up for him!? I thought Sky was meant to be your best friend!" said Sirius, his voice rising again.

"Yeah, well, she has you doesn't she? And who has Severus got?" Lily retorted, surpressed rage surging through her voice.

"Snivelly has his gang of pathetic Slytherins!".

"You're such a git!" screamed Lily and she stormed off. Sirius looked shocked but shrugged.

"C'mon, we'd better head to lessons." he said turning on his heel towards the Herbology greenhouses.

"You know there was no need for all of that." muttered Sky, as she jogged to catch up with him. He shrugged again.

"He messed with the wrong person." he growled.