Iuga Sortis II

Two

He was driving him insane.

"I rue the day I gave you that potion," he muttered as he rubbed his temples.

"You and me both, Snivellus. Better that hell than this one with you . . ."

"Say the word, Black, and I'll send you back!"

"Word."

"Too damn bad. Far be it for me to do you a favor."

"Typical Slytherin, going back on your promises."

"Need I remind you a 'typical Slytherin' saved your pathetic life?!"

"I didn't ask for it back!"

"Neither did I!"

"So why did you do it?"

"If you'd stop to think about someone other than yourself, you'd realize your godson is necessary to help vanquish the threat to the wizarding world. In turn, you need to be there for guidance. What a bright idea that turned out to be."

"I'll bet you can't wait to tell your Dark Lord I've returned from the dead."

"Seems you two have that in common."

"Don't you ever compare me to your boss."

"Don't flatter yourself. I wouldn't dare insult Dumbledore like that."

Sirius growled.

"Down, boy."

"I just bet you wish I would on you."

Snape's face mirrored his disgust. "I'm surprised you haven't found some poor, unfortunate bitch to rut."

"Your mother wasn't available."

"Hmm. Yours was busy, too?"

"She's dead, you prick."

"Bored her to death, did you?"

"Go to hell."

"Will you give me a tour?"

"If I were able, I'd give you a nice big bite in the a--"

"Good morning Severus, Sirius!"

Dumbledore walked in very cheery, the trademark twinkle in his eye brighter than usual.

"Good morning, Headmaster," the men muttered.

"Today is such a glorious day, isn't it?"

"Wouldn't know. There are no windows in this hellhole," Sirius said as he looked pointedly at Snape.

"May I return him to his former hellhole, then, Headmaster?"

"You know he cannot return to his mother's house, Severus; it is too dangerous," Dumbledore said with a wink.

Sirius gave a bark of laughter, and even Snape couldn't dampen a smirk.

"If the house is so bad, why is that headquarters?"

"Ironically enough, it is the safest place as of right now." Dumbledore formed a soft smile. "Did you know it's Harry's sixteenth birthday?"

"Has it really been that long?" Sirius said in an awed voice. "I still remember the day Lil told James she was pregnant. Prongs fainted dead away."

"Yes. Harry has grown to a remarkable young man, hasn't he?"

"Remarkable indeed, for rushing into situations blindly and foolishly. Just like his father."

"His father saved your life!"

"No thanks to you!"

"Boys! Please calm yourselves. You'd think you'd be over this by now."

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks, Headmaster," Severus cracked.

"You greasy sonofa--"

"Wonderful woman who, as I recall, made you cookies every time you visited Snape Manor, right, Sirius?" Dumbledore interrupted.

He grunted his agreement.

"Now, if we are all done attacking each other's character, I say we sit down and have a nice spot of tea."

As Dumbledore poured it, the two men scowled at each other.

"Here you are Severus, Sirius . . ."

"Why do you always say his name first, Professor?"

Severus rolled his eyes. "Of all the petty, childish things to come from your mouth . . ."

"I just want to know why the Professor calls the name of a Death Eater before mine, is all."

"Perhaps because this 'Death Eater' has more worth in his little toe than you have in your entire body . . ."

"Gentlemen! Let us at least pretend we've finished school . . ." Dumbledore pleaded before they started arguing again.

"Yes, Headmaster."

"Oh and, Severus, I hear Nia is coming soon, and spending time with Caleb, no less?"

He nodded to affirm the statement. "Yes. Apparently Jamilah forced the two to have a conversation, and it was agreed she'd spend time with them until term begins."

"Who is Nia? And what does she have to do with the Johnsons?" Sirius asked.

"Nia is Caleb's biological daughter," Severus said shortly.

"Biological? Why can't you just say daughter?"

Severus sipped from his teacup to avoid answering more questions.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Ah . . . yes. Later in the week, I daresay. Though in my old age, my mind slips sometimes . . ."

"How does Little One feel about this?"

Dumbledore shrugged. "She's doing it, which counts for much."

"Not as though Jamilah gave her much of a choice . . ."

Dumbledore laughed heartily. "Right you are, my boy. Once Jamilah gets something in her mind, there's no stopping her."

"Who are these people?" Sirius asked exasperatedly.

"Do you remember Malika Roberts, Sirius?"

A lecherous grin formed on his face. "Remember? How could anyone forget?! She had legs that went on for days and smooth cocoa brown skin and an a--"

"That. Is. My. Wife you are talking about!" Severus snarled.

Sirius sputtered before gathering his wits about him. "WIFE?"

"Yes. Wife."

"And why aren't you in Azkaban for using an Unforgivable?"

"Why aren't you back in Azkaban for being alive?"

"Oh, come off it, Snivellus! The only way a woman would marry you is if you used Imperius on her!"

"This spoken from a bachelor . . ."

"I'm a bachelor by choice!"

"And because you're a convicted felon who's supposed to be dead!"

Sirius rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Malika Roberts. She and Lily were every boy's wet dream back in school. Potter got Lily, and I was to get Roberts . . ."

"And then you woke up."

There was a steel edge to Sirius's voice now. "Where is Malika now, hmm? Why isn't she here with you, her 'husband'?"

Snape gripped the armrests of his chair tightly, and his jaw clenched with tension. "She died, Black. Happy?"

He chuckled shortly. "Your ugly mug caused her to go into cardiac arrest, did it?"

"No more so than your 'bright' decision to make Pettigrew the Potters' secret keeper . . ."

"Both of you! Quiet! Now!" Dumbledore seethed.

Both men slouched in their respective seats.

"Never in all my years have I heard such callous remarks! You are both adults, and you're acting like five year olds! You are on the same side, like it or not, and you are to work together cordially! If I ever hear another slanderous thing coming from your mouth, you'll know exactly why Voldemort fears me so, IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!"

They nodded, too ashamed and embarrassed to make a vocal reply. The three sipped their tea quietly, only the clinking of china interrupting the silence.

Sirius Black . . .

Snape's ears perked up at the name. "Did anyone hear that?"

There was silence for a moment before--

Sirius Black . . . please . . .

Sirius put down his tea hurriedly and fumbled through his robes.

"Ha! Found it!" He pulled out what appeared to be a mirror.

"Harry?!" he asked. His face turned ashen, and he quickly shoved the mirror back into his robes.

"Did he see you?" Snape asked quietly.

Sirius looked at him then at Dumbledore. "No . . . Ginny did."

~~~~~~~~~

"So! What do you think?"

Angelina looked around the shop in wonder. There were Belching Chocolate Frogs, eggs flying with wings, a spider plant that actually looked like a spider, and a host of other weird and insane products in the Weasleys Wizard Wheezes shop.

She raised an eyebrow at the Handcuffs with a Perpetually Missing Key on display.

"Uh, it's certainly an . . . eclectic shop . . ."

"You hear that, Fred! She said it was eclectic!" George called proudly.

"Of course it is, love!" Fred answered from the supply closet. "But, ah, what does eclectic mean?"

Angelina chuckled and rolled her eyes. "You two are a piece of work, you know that?"

"Good work or bad work?" George asked.

Angelina sniggered. "Eclectic work."

"Angel, love, don't use words we don't know the meaning of," Fred said as he walked into the main area. He went to her and kissed her briefly on the lips.

"That effectively cuts off ninety-five percent of the English language, then."

The twins scowled, and she giggled.

"You're lucky I love you, Angel," Fred muttered as he crossed his arms in front of him.

"That I am, love, that I am," she murmured and brought his lips to hers again. Both forgot about the third person in the room until he none too subtly cleared his throat.

"Sorry," Angelina said shyly.

"Far be it for me to keep my brother from getting some; I just don't want to see it!" George teased.

Fred glared at him before he turned his attention back to Angelina. "I'm ready to go now."

"Great! We'll Apparate to my house, and I'll drive us there."

"Where are you two going?"

"Going to the airport to pick up my sister."

"And why does this require Fred?"

"Moral support."

"Ah. You're so whipped, mate!"

"You were whipped first, brother dear."

"Are we done now?" Angelina asked them.

"Yes, love."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Let's go, Fred. I don't want to be late picking her up."

They said their goodbyes to George and Apparated from the shop to her house.

"Where are your parents?"

"They're out running errands. They want everything to be perfect when Nia arrives."

"And why am I here again? Moral support? You're a Gryffindor, Angelina!"

"You don't want to be with me?" she pouted. She rarely did that, but she knew Fred couldn't resist it either.

"Oi, Angel! Don't do this! Don't pout! I can never deny you anything when you do that!" he moaned.

"This is what I know, love. Now be a sport and come with me."

"I'd gladly 'come' with you. Just wish you'd give me five minutes to--"

"FRED!"

"Bygones, love."

"Insufferable git," she muttered but couldn't help but smile as she felt his lips at her neck. "Fred!" she said again, but her body belied her tone as she leaned against him.

"You taste so good, love. My sweet, dark chocolate Angel . . ."

"And you, my bland, ole vanilla Prankster, must let me go so we can leave! We're tight on time as it is!"

"Bah! I can't believe you called me bland!" he exclaimed as he got in the car. "Dad would love this, by the way. You should give him a ride in it sometime . . ."

"I will, at that," Angelina promised and revved up the vehicle.

They drove to the airport speaking of anything and nothing at all, just happy to be in each other's company.

After what felt like forever to find a parking spot, Angelina and Fred walked inside to where Nia's gate was supposed to be.

"The last time I was in an airport was the summer before my fifth year when we went to visit Bill in Egypt. We were right out of place then--all of us wearing our robes and mispronouncing things. I'm glad you reminded me before we left the car, love."

"Anything for you, dear." She looked at the monitor for arrivals and found the flight number.

"1857, she's at Gate Fifty."

Fred groaned. "That's twenty gates from here!"

"Better walk fast, then. The plane's already landed!"

They hurried through the airport, laughing as they had close run-ins with other travelers in the terminals. By the time they reached Gate Fifty, they were both out of breath and panting; Fred was flushed from exertion.

"Do . . . you . . . .see her?" he ground out.

Angelina swallowed hard as she rose from her crouched position. "Not yet . . ." she drew out. She rested a hand on his shoulder to lift herself a bit. "Oh! There! I see her!"

Angelina left Fred's side and walked quickly towards her sister. "Nia! Nia!"

Nia had not changed much at all since the end of term. In fact, it looked to Angelina like she gained more weight.

"Angie!" Nia exclaimed and ran toward her. The sisters embraced happily. "It's so great to see you!"

"Putting on a few pounds there, I see," she teased.

Nia scowled at her. "Not everyone can be as svelte as you, sister," she said. "Those stupid pills I take for my . . . ahem . . . cramps increase my appetite, which means I eat more and I gain weight."

"More exercise, then."

"Shut it."

"I am such a lucky guy--I get the presence of the two Johnson sisters!" Fred said as they walked towards him. Angelina saw Nia wince, and she grew sad.

She's still not used to hearing that, she mused.

"Hello, I'm Nia." She held out a hand, and Fred kissed it.

"I am Fred Weasley, very nice to make your acquaintance."

"Making moves on my sister in my presence? I didn't know you'd be so bold!" Angelina teased.

"I cannot help it if you sisters are so charming and beautiful! A Weasley appreciates the finer things in life," he smirked. Angelina rolled her eyes and linked her arm through his.

"You sounded just like Draco right then."

Fred gaped at Nia, and Angelina suppressed a giggle.

"You dare compare me to that Ferret?!"

"Weasels and ferrets are cousins, so to speak."

Angelina laughed outright then, and Fred glared at her.

"Be glad you're my Angel's sister, Nia."

"Be glad you're my sister's boyfriend, Fred." The two smiled at each other, and Angelina knew a friendship had been made.

"I knew I was going to like you when you first hit Draco that day," Fred told Nia.

"When was this? I've hit Draco loads of times--you're gonna have to be more specific."

"Oh, I love you now." Fred grinned. "But this particular time was when Angel sent you the first owl."

"Oh yes, I remember you were sitting next to her; I think you thought I was motioning to you."

"Did you now?" Angelina asked amusedly.

Fred turned red from embarrassment. "You know how potent the Weasley charm is! Far be it for me to assume your lovely sister fell under the spell."

"I think it's limited to one person per family," Nia quipped.

"Good thing it is, no?" Fred winked at Angelina. Nia grinned.

Angelina rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "How was your flight, Nia?"

She sighed loudly. "LONG! There was this baby sitting behind me who wouldn't shut up from the moment we left Charlotte. It was awful. I couldn't go to sleep, and I've been antsy ever since I got on the flight. I hate flying."

"That's horrible, NiNi, I'm sorry . . ."

She shrugged. "Not much can be done about it now. Oh! The Olympics were in Atlanta this year! I didn't get a chance to go, though, but it's wild to know they were only a coupla hours away from me!"

"What are the Olympics?"

"It's a Muggle event where athletes around the world compete for medals--gold, silver, and bronze," Angelina replied.

"Ah. I see. Something such as the Quidditch World Cup, no?" Fred asked.

"It's similar to that . . ."

"I'm going to get my luggage now," Nia announced, and she walked ahead of them.

"I wonder why she was antsy," Angelina muttered aloud.

"You heard her--there was a brat on the plane with her, and she hates to fly. I'd be antsy too."

Angelina frowned and shook her head. "No . . . there's something else going on here . . ."

"There goes your overactive imagination, love. You've been hanging around Moody too much."

Angelina sucked her teeth and nudged him with her elbow. "I've done no such thing. Besides, that's one of the things you love about me--my imagination."

Fred smiled at her, and her stomach squeezed pleasurably. "That it is, love. But there are other things about you I love more. Why don't we ditch your sister so I can show you properly?"

Angelina glared at him. "Why don't I 'ditch' you instead, Frederick?"

He jerked at the sound of his full name and placed his hands at his heart. "Oi, Angel! You wound me so!"

"Be lucky I didn't mention your middle name!" All the color drained from his face, and she giggled. "Don't worry, love! I'm not that evil . . . yet . . ." She kissed the pout from his face, and his hands cradled her cheeks. Very quickly the kiss grew passionate, and the hustle and bustle of the airport drifted away.

"Hem hem."

Both jerked away from each other quickly, Fred wiping his mouth and Angelina putting her hands to her cheeks.

"Bloody hell!" Fred gasped. "You sounded just like Umbridge!"

Nia was doubled over in laughter, her voice clicking with the force of her giggles. She couldn't get any words out, so she held her hand out, signaling to give her a minute.

"Laugh it up, NiNi, because this will be the last time you'll laugh for a while," Angelina said angrily.

"Ooh!" Nia got out before she succumbed to her mirth again. She shook her head in apology as she leaned against her luggage for support.

"So . . . you were saying?" Fred asked, looking pointedly at Nia.

She gave a loud snort and continued to laugh.

Angelina crinkled her nose in distaste. "Brilliant idea it was, Fred. Let's ditch the sis."

They began to walk away, hearing Nia half laugh, half plead for them to stop.