GOOD DOG || Sirius Black

(Thirty One: Philophobia)

Philophobia: Fear of emotional attatchment

{===}

"You know, when I said 'astronomy lessons' that was intended as a euphemism for 'plans for undominating the world domination plans', right?"

Alex raised her eyebrows at the telescope set up in the Astronomy Tower, the one that Sirius Black must have spend at least half an hour lugging up the stairs, judging by the relatively new-looking scratches on the metal and the smug expression on his face. 

His infuriating grin widened, tipping backwards in his chair precariously. He had neglected to provide any seating arrangements for his pupil, which, Alex thought bitterly, seemed like a rather large oversight on Sirius' part. She plopped unceremoniously to the floor, cloak forming a pool around her as she glared up at her prophecy buddy and leaned against the stone.

"Appearances, Fawley." Sirius goaded, "It's all about appearances."

Alex rolled her eyes, "Appearances to who?"

"Your Slytherin brother." Sirius said instantly, "My Slytherin brother, Nott, Snape, Professor Mordred."

"My brother is not a Death Eater." Alex snapped instantly.

Sirius shrugged, "Neither is mine. Not yet. Still wouldn't trust him with anything more serious than the cheat codes to my Sims game."

"Yeah, well that's different." Alex picked at the edges of her cloak.

Sirius' chest swelled, "How dare you. My Sims span several generations and at least four different ways to spell the name 'Sean'- I'm still not sure which one is correct. At this point, I'm not sure if I haven't created sentient life in my computer by accident."

"I was talking about your brother. Of course you can't trust him." Alex corrected with an enduring smile, "Your family are Death Eaters."

Sirius tipped his chair back again, "So are yours."

"What?" Alex snapped her head up, "My parents aren't with... him."

"Sure they are." Sirius said casually, as if it were nothing, as if it didn't redefine Alex's whole view of good and bad, or throw her entire childhood into question.

"But..." She scrunched up her face, "Logan's stayed over at my place loads and he's a muggle born. They've always been fine with it."

Sirius shrugged again, "Appearances, Fawley. It's all about-"

"Appearances, yeah, I get it." Alex snapped, now aggressively tearing at the loose thread she had found her cloak's hem.

Sirius sat forwards, "Look, not every Death Eater family has the privilege of being obvious in their values. Some have to be a bit covert with the whole cartoon-villain deal, or none of their villainy would ever get done. Being evil is, as it turns out, extremely inefficient in the current political climate."

"Meanwhile subtlety is something you know endless amounts about." Alex responded sharply, without fully knowing how to stop herself. Being prickly, being defensive, putting up a wall to block her own emotional responses, was addictive.

"That's different." Sirius still didn't seem moved by any of this, "We're the good guys. Subtlety's overrated for us."

"I seem to remember you telling me not to take all my lessons from movies." Alex pointed out.

Sirius' grin widened, "Unless they're superhero movies. Did I miss that part? 'Never take lessons from movies, unless they're superhero movies'. I'm pretty sure that's what I said."