The Hidden Life

ÿþTitle: The Hidden Life Author: mtranc3 Rating: R Spoilers: All six books Summary: Sirius, Lucius, and the secret between. Pairings: Lucius Malfoy/Sirius Black, James Potter/Sirius Black, James Potter/Lily Evans, Severus Snape/Sirius Black Warnings: Slash, Unbeta'd Author's notes: One of my favourite pairings in HP fandom is Lucius/Sirius, one that is unfortunately not very popular, so at the lack of related fic I've decided to write Sirius/Lucius myself, to satiate my cravings. It's kind of experimental, because I've only written (and mostly read) Harry/Draco, and I don't really know how exactly it will proceed, but I thought I'd give this partially formed plot-bunny a chance. Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, no profit is being made. Chapter 9: Up to no good 26th January 1976 "Will you watch where you're going, you pillock?" It was the third time that day James had bumped on Sirius' back. Sirius rubbed his shoulder and James gave him a sheepish grin, but he looked distracted. In fact he had been absent-minded for the better part of the day. Peter spotted them and waved, and they joined him and Remus on the table. Sirius was about to start tucking in, when Dumbledore stood up, demanding the attention of the student body. "I have an announcement to make; we have the pleasure of hosting today Lucius Malfoy, a former student and recently made Governor of Hogwarts." Some students clapped, but most of looked eager to get back to their lunch. Dumbledore's eyes glimmered with their usual twinkle. "Mr. Malfoy is the youngest Governor ever to be elected, and he was kind enough to make a generous donation to the school, replacing our old Quidditch equipment, with what I am told is the latest models. 'Nimbus 1001' if I am not mistaken?" he said he an inquiring look at Lucius Malfoy who nodded curtly. The response of the students was more enthusiastic this time, with wild cheers and cat-calls. Lucius offered a tight-lipped smile in the general direction of the students, and then settled in his seat between Dumbledore and McGonagall. The Gryffindor table, like the rest of the school, was caught in a heated discussion, speculating the outcome of future matches. The addition of the fastest brooms in the word would no doubt change many things in the school's Quidditch Cup. "'Nimbus1001!'" James said merrily. "The Slytherins won't stand a chance, I'll definitely break the record this time!" Everyone laughed, and James said in a lower voice, so only Sirius could hear: "I'll ask her out tonight, right after Care of Magical Creatures..." It was like a rock had fallen in the pit of Sirius' stomach, and for a moment he felt his lungs being constricted. He squizzed James' shoulder, hoping the gesture would express his agreement, support, or whatever he was supposed to be feeling. James nodded and turned to his meal. His face was vibrant with the kind of determination that it showed when he was playing Quidditch and he was going after the Snitch. Only now, the snitch was Lily Evans, and if Sirius read the situation correctly, she was just waiting to be caught. Remus quirked an eyebrow from the other side of the table, but Sirius reasoned that he couldn't have possibly heard with all the seething around the table. Sirius wasn't aware that his face had turned ashen, and the fact that Remus had an exceptional hearing, due to his werewolf transformation, was simply escaping him at the moment. ---- James entered the common room in a fury of billowing robes and bounced on the sofa next to Sirius. "She said yes! I didn't really thought she would, but then again, I am the most handsome bloke in the school. Well maybe after our Sirius here, but the new look really doesn't flatter you mate" he gave him a cheeky grin and Sirius flipped him the 'V' sign and turned to his book. Peter gave James the thumbs up and Remus patted him on the back. "Lily is a great girl, not to mention a brilliant witch. You do realize how lucky you are, don't you?" he said in a mock-serious voice, and broke into a smile. The portrait hole then opened and Lily walked in. She stopped for a moment when she saw them and gave a friendly wave. Remus and Peter waved back and James' toothy smile was almost blinding in its brightness. Sirius was the last to turn and nod, and then Lily was gone, up to the girls' dormitories. James settled back on the couch sighing. Sirius put down his book and stretched. "I'm going for a walk, I've been sitting here all evening and I need to stretch my legs." "I'll come with you," Remus said "I needed a break from Arithmancy anyway." Remus made to stand up but Sirius shook his head "Cheers mate, but I'm going as Padfoot, you won't be able to keep up..." he said with a wink. But Remus knew better, so he didn't press the matter. James seemed oblivious to the whole exchange, staring at the fames in the fireplace with a morose look on his face. But when the portrait hole closed after Sirius' exit, he let his features settle in a worrisome frown. ---- Sirius took out the Marauder's Map, it was his turn for safekeeping it that week and it was just as well, because he wouldn't have wanted to ask James for it. He vaguely wondered if he'd ever be able to speak to James normally again, but of course he would. Sirius had that strange ability to take everything that had gone wrong in his life, bottle them up and then hide them away from view, pretending they never happened. He'd do exactly the same thing this time. He tapped the map lightly with his wand and whispered "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good.'" The school's layout materialised in front of his eyes and Sirius looked for the South Tower; an empty room up there was one of his favourite spots. The area around it was empty and Filch was thankfully in the other side of the school, so he wouldn't run into trouble. An unfamiliar sight caught his eye; the name 'Lucius Malfoy' was hovering outside Dumbledore's office. What's that git still doing here? Dumbledore's office was only a floor down to his left, but quite far away from the South Tower. So Sirius had no idea why he had tapped the map closed, and set off to that direction. ---- He met up with Malfoy at the top of the staircase; it had begun to shift right when Sirius climbed the last step, so he jumped a little, landing right in front of Malfoy. Lucius gave him an amused smirk. "If it isn't the bane of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black." "And thank Merlin for that. I was getting tired of the whole torturing puppies at the dinner parties." Sirius deapanned. Lucius smiled "Touché... Help me find a way out of his castle, won't you, I long for the comfort of my home." "You haven't forgotten how to move around Hogwarts already, have you?" Sirius said rolling his eyes and at Lucius' lack of response, he gestured him; "Well come on then, I don't have all night." They fell in step, the silence not exactly awkward, but not exactly comforting either. "Shouldn't you be in your dormitory, isn't it long past curfew?" Sirius raised an eyebrow that said 'Please, I'm not a first-year' and Lucius chuckled, "Always the rebel, Black." "And you Malfoy, always the conniving bastard. Cheers for the brooms by the way, good way to buy yourself into the school's administration." If Lucius was insulted by this, he never showed it. Instead, he shook his head and patted Sirius lightly on the shoulder. "How little you know of politics Black..." "It's that what you call the eugenics strategy of that madman?" "Dear me, where did that come from? You shouldn't be talking about things you don't know anything about, should you Black. Why, you're still a child..." "I'll be of age next year!" Sirius protested hotly. "One" Lucius continued, raising his voice a little, "that should know not to get mouthy when --" "You know what?" Sirius cut in. "You can find your way out by yourself, we wouldn't want you to be trusting a wayward child now, would we?" "Black spare me the witticisms..." "Piss of Lucius, and you can stick your high and mighty attitude up your arse!" Sirius tuned on his heel and begun walking down the opposite direction. "Black... Black!" Lucius called after him. When Sirius refused to acknowledge him and turn around, Lucius took after Sirius in a swirl of billowing robes. "Black! You will answer when you're spoken to, you ill-mannered brat!" He caught up with Sirius and spun him around by the shoulder, his hand lingering there. "What the fuck do you want Malfoy? Go back to the comfort of your home, I've had a bloody awful day to have to deal with you on top of everything..." "Black." Lucius said again, and Sirius saw a flicker of uncertainty cross Lucius features, but it was difficult to tell in the waning light of the corridors. "You have a somewhat skewed perception of me. No matter. I find you amusing, interesting even, I always have, but now I understand we could never hold a serious conversation, what with your boyish attitude..." Sirius felt blushing despite himself. He knew what he was doing; taking out all of his frustration at the events of the evening on Lucius. Not that cared for the arrogant bastard, but Sirius didn't like the idea of misplacing his emotions like that. Then another thought stroke him. "Amusing, or...?" Lucius dropped his hand immediately. "Or?" he asked. "I don't know, you tell me." "Black, I do not have time for your idiotic--" "Do you have time for something else then? Sirius asked quickly, moving closer. A feral look went over Lucius' eyes and this time Sirius was sure he saw it, before it morphed back into the mask of controlled superiority that Lucius usually wore. "It depends on what you're offering." "It depends on what your asking for." Sirius felt the familiar jolt of adrenaline shoot though his body. The prospect of having one off seemed definitely inviting, no matter that it was Malfoy, or maybe especially because it was Malfoy. Lucius was the furthest possible alternative from James, and Sirius wanted to hurt James back, even indirectly, even if James would never know. But Lucius pretended to miss the innuendo. "Why, the quickest way out naturally." "Right." Sirius said and didn't allow himself to feel disappointment. In fact, he should be feeling relief, because upon examination Sirius realised that it would have been a very bad, not to mention wrong idea. Whatever had gotten in to him? "Follow the corridor, you'll find another staircase, then it's only a short walk to the front doors." Lucius nodded and tipped his hat, but the electric atmosphere around them remained. "Good night, Black." ---- Almost a week later, Lucius had come back to the school, and when Sirius found him he didn't even bring up an excuse. In fact they barely talked while Sirius led them to the empty classroom in the South Tower and Lucius had pushed him against the wall, and had done unbelievable things to Sirius body with his long fingers, until Sirius came and came and came, almost losing his mind in the process. Lucius had smirked afterwards and Sirius was too exhausted to worry about him not wearing glasses, or having fine, soft hair, instead of messy, thick one. TBC