fatal love

chapter 75

Sirius was exhausted that evening. But he knew if he didn't go and find Dumbledore, then Dumbledore would come and find him. So, after putting it off as long as possible, when the sun was already setting, he said goodbye to the other boys, claiming he had a detention for a missed assignment. They all bought it, given it was a very believable excuse, knowing him, and waved him off easily.

He got more and more tense as he walked through the castle, until his fists were clenched as he went up the winding staircase to the Headmaster's Office. He used to be excited to go and see Dumbledore, it had been a way to do some good, and get back at Walburga. But it increasingly felt dirty, and transactional.

He wasn't an idiot, he knew Dumbledore was using him. But he figured that Dumbledore was using him for a good reason, and if Dumbledore needed help, then Sirius couldn't say no. He was trapped in the House of Black either way.

He knocked this time, only opening the door when Dumbledore called to come in.

"Hey," Sirius said, unsure.

"Mr Black," Dumbledore smiled, "I'm glad you're here."

Sirius nodded uncomfortably, sitting down on the other side of the large desk. "I have some stuff to tell you," he said.

Dumbledore's eyes glimmered through his half-moon spectacles. "That is excellent to hear, Sirius. I hope you had a good Christmas, regardless of your family."

"The usual," Sirius shrugged. "It was fine."

"I hope they aren't mistreating you, Sirius," Dumbledore said in a gentle tone.

Sirius snorted. "Nothing you could do if they were, right?"

Dumbledore bowed his head. "I fear not. You can tell me anything, though, and I will do whatever I can to ease your suffering. You are only a child, Sirius."

Dumbledore kept saying his name, and it made Sirius feel weird. "Well, they aren't," he said brashly, looking his headmaster right in the eyes. "They can't do anything now they can't Imperio me."

"Of course," Dumbledore nodded. "An extraordinary display of talent, if I do say so myself."

"Yeah, maybe. Do you want to know what I heard?"

"Please, tell me."

"Well, there was some stuff but I don't know how useful it'll be. The Selwyns are getting cold feet, Orion had to go and speak to the Head of the Parkinson family about something important, but I don't know what. The Rosiers mentioned a mutual friend in the DoM, I think that meant the Department of Mysteries. And one of the Carrows had a contact in Bulgaria. I dunno anything beyond that, but it sounded like they were all talking about the war. People were being careful about their words though."

Dumbledore was listening intently, and nodded when Sirius stopped. "That is all very useful, Sirius," he said. "I will look into all of that."

"Okay."

"I must ask, did you happen to find out anything about what we talked about before you went home?"

"It's Barty Crouch," Sirius said. "Junior. He hears stuff when he's at home, and tells the Slytherins. They all tell their parents. I don't think he even realises all the information he's giving away."

"Ah," Dumbledore sighed. "That is... unexpected. Though perhaps it shouldn't be. Voldemort is not above unsavoury tactics, and that includes using schoolchildren."

Sirius grimaced, and Dumbledore seemed to realise what he'd just said.

"Can I ask how you found this out?" Dumbledore asked quickly.