To Build a Home - SIRIUS BLACK

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟓

HEAT OF THE MOMENT
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MARCH, 1977; Five years ago.

The Gryffindor common room was decorated in red and gold banners that had been hung on all walls. The armchairs and sofas had been pushed to the sides to allow an open space in the middle of the room. On a table, drinks of all colours and scents were being served, and plastic cups were scattered around the room. Music was blasting at full volume and students were celebrating the recent quidditch victory against Ravenclaw.

Perched against a wall was Sirius Black, watching the entire scene with a cocky smile plastered on his face. Next to him, Frank Longbottom kept him company.

"Maggie Potter. You like her." The Longbottom boy began.

Sirius took a moment to look at his friend, incredulous, then shook his head while he laughed. "What are you even saying, mate? I think you had a little too much of this." He signalled at the drink in his Frank's hand.

"You like her." His friend restated, confidence rang in every word he said. "Clearly you do because why else would you throw the bludger at that Ravenclaw bloke's head after we had just finished scoring? And I know from Alice that he was the boy Maggie Potter was seeing last semester."

Sirius sobered up at this, bringing butter beer to his lips. "As I explained before, it was an accident." The grey eyes wizard concluded after getting a small sip of his drink.

"Black, anyone with a set of eyes knows that you are possibly the best beater we have at this school," Frank hit Sirius's chest lightly. "You, out of all people, don't have accidents. You had been aiming at him all game long."

Sirius looked at the boy intently, his lips pursed. Then, he shrugged, "I don't know what to tell you, mate. I didn't notice the game had finished."

His friend, realizing that there was no way Sirius would ever admit anything he didn't want to, shook his head in bewilderment and patted his back. "If you say so... I'm gonna look for my girl."

The grey-eyed wizard watched Frank disappear into the masses of people gathered around the common room. Some where dancing, others were playing alcoholic games, and the air smelled of youth and victory.

Sirius, after just being interrogated, did not feel a bit victorious. He took a big gulp from his drink. Was it that obvious? If Frank Longbottom, who was just a friendly face had noticed, how long would it take for James or his two other best friends to find out? And then, what?

Just as he was about to finish his drink, his head deep in thought, he noticed the small figure of Maggie Potter nearing him. He downed the rest of the liquid he had left and gritted his teeth before smirking at the brunette girl who had suddenly stopped right in front of him.

"Hello, Margaret." His voice was low and playful.

"Black, what do you think you are doing?" Maggie Potter basically spatted at him. Her arms were crossed and her brows furrowed. Sirius smiled internally when he noticed she had also scrunched up her freckled nose, a weird habit she had whenever she was uncomfortable.

"I believe you mean to say, congratulations champion." Sirius responded.

"You haven't won anything yet." She argued back, her tone sharp as knives. It was true, Gryffindor still had to play against Hufflepuff. "So let me ask again. What the hell do you think you are doing?"

"Oh, cursing now are we?" Sirius teased. "when did little Madge learn to say those words? What would your mother think?"

"Don't talk about my mother." He noticed how she stood straighter, her face grew sour by the second. Maggie did not appreciate Sirius using James' nickname to mock her. She tried again, "so?"