When Black Met Blue (Marauder Fanfic)

chapter 41 *Edited*

"Good luck,’ Sirius muttered as he, James, Lily, Remus, Orla and Peter stopped outside Professor McGonagall’s office.

‘Thanks,’ James said, nodding. He and Lily both looked exceptionally nervous. ‘Remember to stay calm. She can’t expel you-’

‘Is that so, Mr Potter?’ Professor McGonagall asked crisply, opening her office door. Everyone stared at her. ‘I believe you have somewhere to be?’ James and Lily nodded and fled, headed for Dumbledore’s office. Sirius watched them go, hoping they’d be all right. Something was up, but who was to say expulsion wasn’t it? James had already promised to gouge out his eyes and recruit a big, shaggy, black dog to help him see in the event of Sirius’ expulsion, but they both hoped it wouldn’t come to that. James because it meant limited time with his best friend, and Sirius because he knew James would actually gauge his eyes out. ‘Mr Pettigrew, I’ll start with you.’

Looking terrified, Peter shuffled into the office. As soon as the door closed, Sirius looked at Remus and Orla and alll three dropped to the ground, trying to listen under the door. ‘W-was there something wrong with my homework, Professor?’ Peter asked.

‘I- hold on one moment, please.’ The door opened and the three Marauders tumbled through it and onto McGonagall’s feet. She did not look impressed. ‘If you’re hoping to convince me of your maturity, you’re doing a very poor job!’ she said, nostrils flaring. 

‘Sorry,’ Remus muttered. Sirius and Orla nodded.

‘And so you should be! If Mr Pettigrew feels inclined to share the outcome of our meeting with you, then that is his business,’ she said, conjuring a bench in the hallway. ‘Until then, you are both to sit here, and not move until I call you!’

‘Yes, Professor,’ Sirius said, perching on the seat. The office door slammed and the only noise they heard was that of McGonagall putting up Eavesdropping Wards before all noises inside the office quietened. ‘Do you think we’re really expelled?’ Orla asked.

‘I don’t know,’ Remus said miserably. ‘I agree with Lily, that something’s up but beyond that...’

‘Right,’ Sirius said, scuffing his shoes along the ground. In that moment he was strongly reminded of the last time he had sat in the corridor; it had been in fifth year, before his careers meeting, though he had been with James and not Remus. He’d been far less nervous then; he and James had been creating lucrative occupations that would scare McGonagall before they actually confessed their desire to be Aurors. He distracted himself with memories, and for that reason he wasn’t entirely sure how long passed before the door opened again.

‘Mr Lupin.’

‘Where’s Peter?’ Sirius asked, glancing into the empty office.

‘Mr Pettigrew is currently writing lines in the Transfiguration classroom,’ she said, ushering Remus inside. She closed the door with a click and then opened it a second later, an exasperated expression on her face. Sirius, who was half-way off the seat sat down very quickly. ‘You are not to distract or disturb him in any way, do I make myself clear?’ Sirius nodded. McGonagall turned away and then sighed, turning around again. ‘In fact, I think it’s best if you don’t move at all.’ She waved her wand. ‘I will know if you do.’ She closed the door.

Sirius tried to get up and found he couldn’t; his jeans had been stuck to the seat. ‘Finite Incantatum,’ he muttered, waving his wand. He could still feel himself stuck. He tried several other charms to no avail, considered and rejected the idea of taking his jeans off, and so, eventually, sat there. The door opened. Remus wasn’t there. ‘Where’s he gone?’ Sirius demanded.

McGonagall waved her wand. ‘Home,’ she said, indicating the fireplace. Sirius' stomach sank. ‘I believe I told you to stay still.’ Sirius could have been imagining it, but he swore her lips twitched.

‘I haven’t moved,’ Sirius said proudly, pushing his misery away; there would be time for that later.

‘Only because you were unable to remove the charm,’ she said curtly.

‘How-?’

"Miss Blue" called Miss Mcgonagal. Orla followed her in leaving Sirius alone stuck to a chair but before the door closed she turned round and gave him a reasuring smile.