Once More with Phoenix

Once More with Phoenix

Scene 6

Rest in Peace

Sirius Black is sitting at the table in the basement kitchen of number twelve, Grimmauld Place, a flagon in his hand. Albus Dumbledore enters.

SIRIUS

The meeting ends and he appears... Come to serenade me?

DUMBLEDORE

If you'd moved yourself to come upstairs to the meeting you would know that I have not.

SIRIUS

I've been avoiding people lately. Not that it's hard, being stuck in this house all of the time. Never was very fond of musicals. I mean--Mundungus Fletcher making like Celestina Warbeck? That one'll stay with you. I remain immune, happy to say.

He lifts his flagon toward Dumbledore.

SIRIUS, cont'd

Drink?

DUMBLEDORE
(peering into Sirius's flagon and wrinkling his nose)

A world of no.

SIRIUS

So, any idea yet what's causing this?

DUMBLEDORE

Actually, I was wondering whether you might have heard anything...

SIRIUS

Oh, so that's all. You've just come to pump me for information I couldn't possibly have unless I've left the house. Nice try, but I haven't disobeyed your orders again, if that's what you're really on about. No more trips to Kings Cross disguised as a dog. Or are you worried that the others are keeping things from you? Afraid one of them will pull a Pettigrew?

DUMBLEDORE

Not the members of the Order, no...

SIRIUS

Well, don't want to bore you with the small talk...

Sirius walks to the door leading to the kitchen stairs and opens it, gesturing with his hands as though to usher Dumbledore through.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

Haven't left the house. Don't know a thing. See you the next time you come to visit the really important people.

DUMBLEDORE

You're in a mood, Sirius. What's wrong?

SIRIUS
(tersely)

It's nothing. Glad you could stop by.

He points at the door again, raising his eyebrows in a broad hint. Dumbledore still does not move toward the door.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

It's nothing.

Dumbledore looks unconvinced as Sirius starts to sing.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

I died
So many years ago.
James and Lily trusted me;
Wish they hadn't, though.
I told them he would keep their secret--

Sirius holds his head in his hands in grief.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

How was I to know? Mmm-mmm.

Sirius turns and points at Dumbledore accusingly.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

You're scared;
You don't know what I'll do.
But I'm not some hot-headed kid
Attacking You-Know-Who.
You need my help but won't admit
That what I say is true.
(spoken) That's great.

Sirius throws his hands up in disgust and walks away from Dumbledore, toward the fire. Dumbledore listens with his arms crossed, one eyebrow raised as Sirius continues to sing.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

But you won't let me play.
I think you think my love for Harry
Just gets in the way.
I've helped before; I'll help again--
How much more can I say?
Don't make me rest in peace!

Sirius throws himself onto the long table and crosses his arms over his chest as though a corpse in a coffin.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

I won't rest in peace
I won't fall down dead
I won't put my paws up in the air
With some granite at my head

Sirius leaps up onto the table, shaking his fists.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

I made it out of Azkaban
And I'm shackled here instead.
Don't make me rest in peace!

He leaps down from the table and goes to his knees in front of Dumbledore, who gestures to him to rise.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

You know,
You got a willing slave
But you keep me cooped up in here,
In case I misbehave.

He rises and points to a high window.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

I should be out there helping Harry,
Not deep in a grave!
Don't make me rest in peace.

I know I should go,
But you keep me here like a man possessed

He points accusingly at Dumbledore again.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

Just because you're you, you think you know best
And it hurts me more than you've ever guessed.
I'm a damn good spy--put me to the test!
But I can see you're unimpressed,
You just want me...

He stands before the fire, his arms out in a cruciform position.

SIRIUS, cont'd.

To go rest in peace
To just fall down dead
You'd be thrilled--my paws up in the air,
And some granite at my head!
I made it out of Azkaban
But I'm shackled here instead.
Don't make me rest in peace.
I shall not ever rest in peace!

Dumbledore shakes his head sadly and leaves up the stairs; Sirius goes to the door and calls up to him.

SIRIUS, cont'd.
(speaking)

So, you're not staying to tea, then?

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