Paid In Blood - Revised

Chapter 12

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN, YOUNG MAN?"

Harry recognised the voice immediately. Sitting at the staff table was a clean and sharp-dressed Sirius Black, his hair shorter and his beard neatly trimmed. Seated next him was Remus Lupin, who was also looking quite sharp, especially when compared to the tattered robes he had worn during his year as their DADA professor.

The silence in the Great Hall was deafening. Having seen a memory of him just hours before, Daphne easily recognised the man who shouted as Sirius Black, who had just risen from his seat.

"I guess you're a free man, then?" asked Harry, looking at the man in surprise. "That was unusually fast."

"Obviously. Given the evidence supplied by your parents' will, the DMLE and the Ministry had no choice but to declare me an innocent man," Sirius replied jovially, oblivious to the perturbed look Dumbledore was giving him.

"I've been a free man since nine o'clock yesterday evening, but don't try changing the subject. Where have you been? Imagine my disappointment when I arrived at Hogwarts around noon, intending to give you the good news in person, only to find that you were nowhere to be found? On top of that, a young lady who you've been spending time with lately was also missing," Sirius said, a hint of amusement beneath his concern.

"So, tell us, where exactly have you been all day?"

Harry just glared at the man. He was incensed that his godfather thought it was a good idea to confront him like this, and in front of the entire school, no less. He clearly hadn't listened to a thing Harry had told him. However, it wouldn't do to settle things here in front of everyone, so he hid the bulk of his anger behind his mask for the time being.

"You intended to give me the good news around noon today, four hours after the paper normally gets delivered?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow. Sirius looked slightly embarrassed. A guilty expression passed across his face, and Lupin looked like he was trying to hold back laughter.

"You got drunk celebrating last night, didn't you? And you were too hungover this morning to actually get your ass out of bed on time," Harry accused.

Sirius actually blushed, and nervous laughter sprang up around the hall.

"Don't try to change the subject," Sirius attempted, and Harry actually shook his head.

"Glad to see you still have your priorities straight," Harry replied in a cold, sarcastic tone that made the hall fall silent, even if they didn't understand his meaning.

Sirius was stunned. The only other instance Harry could be referring to was that night, when he prioritised going after the rat above taking care of Harry. He may have gotten a little carried away last night, but this was a completely different situation. Wasn't it?

"Now, if you're done, I'm going to have dinner with my friends. If you still want to talk to me, we can do it afterwards," Harry said in the same tone, still glaring at Sirius.

"For now, though, I'm fine, as you can see. I am happy you're free, even if you couldn't be bothered to send me a message, like you promised. You do remember me asking you to call for Dobby if you needed to reach me, don't you? If not, then I assume you do still remember how owls work?"

Harry was obviously struggling to hold on to his temper. Daphne grabbed Harry by the arm and squeezed it, attempting to calm him. Fortunately, it worked, and some of the tension left Harry.

Sirius silently sat back down in his chair. He definitely wasn't feeling as happy or as proud as he had moments before, and now he was trying to figure out what he'd said that could have angered his godson so much.