LEGACY
Title: Legacy
Author: Vaughn
Rating: PG-13, will go up in future installments
Summary: Sirius is his own worst enemy. Most Sirius' POV, was a pre-slash one shot, but encouragement and an insistent muse have changed my mind. First attempt with this pairing, so feedback/concrit greatly appreciated.
It never failed. Each and every time Sirius realised that he had made a costly mistake, the same eight words would sound off in his head.
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.
The voice was not always his own.
Sirius was a bit unsettled by it. He could deal with himself saying 'Hey, idiot! Look what you’ve done this time!', but it was rather disconcerting to hear it from other people. On many occasions, the voice belonged to his dearly departed mother. The woman enjoyed belittling him so much in life that he was not surprised to find that even death could not shut her up. It cut him the most when it came from the voice of a friend. Remus, James, Lily...hell, even Peter had chimed in once or twice in his life. Always with same sodding sentence.
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.
To make matters worse, Sirus had loathed the family ‘motto’ since he was a child. He couldn't exactly dispute the word 'ancient.' The idea that the House of Black was in any way, shape, or form 'noble' was another matter entirely to the bitter Animagus. He understood one aspect of the meaning behind it. He knew better than anyone that the Black family fortune was vast. To most, this explained the nobility part to some satisfaction. Wealth and nobility generally go hand in hand. Maybe he was just the flip side of the coin in addition to being the black sheep. Nobility brought images of honour and valor to Sirius' mind. Not exactly a fitting description of a family primarily composed of cowardly and dishonest elitists.
Musing over his thoughts with a cup of coffee in a battered mug, he didn't even hear the footsteps cautiously approaching the kitchen.
"You almost look thoughtful, Black. Unfortunately for you, thought is an elusive concept."
Sirius nearly jumped at the sound. He glanced up to see Snape hovering over the kitchen table, keeping his distance.
Stay cool, Sirius. Don't say a word. Don't give him the satisfaction...
"Is there a problem, Black? Do I have to bark for you to understand?"
He knew Snape was baiting him on purpose. Perceiving that Sirius was struggling to keep his self control, Snape leaned in until his face was merely inches away.
Ebony eyes sent in a pale face glittered at Sirius' own. He could see the lips were not set in their customary sneer. It almost seemed as if they were slightly pouty. Sirius could feel the tension vibrating between them.
I could kiss him right now. Just lean in and damn the consequences. Just...
"What the devil is wrong with you, mongrel? Are you deaf now, in addition to your numerous defects?"
Do it, Sirius, come on. Snape will probably hex you into next week, but maybe...
Sirius stared straight into those dark eyes. Searching for some sign, any sign, that something other than hatred lingered there.
"I have lost patience with this childish game of yours, Black. I was sent to inform you that the Headmaster wishes to speak with you as soon as possible. Perhaps you will finally be able to do something for the Order instead of wallowing in your own self pity while the others make useful contributions to the cause."
“I don't feel sorry for myself, Snape. If anyone deserves pity, it's you."
"Really? How did you arrive at that brilliant observation?"
“You hold grudges like some people wear war medals. Why are you still dwelling on what happened twenty years ago?"
“Who are you to tell me anything, Black?! You still believe that you did nothing wrong. You have never cared about consequences or responsibility for your actions. You never will.”
Listen to me for once in your wretched life, Severus. I could have killed you and ruined Remus' life. I only wanted you to pay attention to me. I didn't know why before. Merlin help me, I do now.
Try as he might, Sirius could not force his thoughts past his lips. Snape mistook his long silence for agreement. The Potions Master turned and hissed one final sentence as he swept toward the door.
"You will never grow up, will you Black?"
Sirius winced as the door slammed shut. The noise jarred the ever lovely picture of his mum out of her current daze.
"Filthy traitors in this house! Mudblood lovers here, in the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black!"
A piercing wail from the kitchen startled the portrait back into silence.