Until We Meet Again (Sirius x OFC)

Part 2 - Chapter 26: Bad Colleagues and Fireplace Talks

I would lie if I said I'd had a good feeling for this schoolyear. As soon as I found myself at Hogwarts, I actually had the worst feeling. As if there was something odd here... something evil.

It turned out I wasn't that wrong about it. When I entered the Great Hall before the feast, I found out that we had a new colleague, replacing Alastor Moody as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. In fact, it was one of the most despicable women I ever had the misfortune of knowing. Dolores Umbridge. Dumbledore hadn't given me a heads-up as apparently the only one. The other staff members didn't seem surprised to see her, but I could tell that no one was very fond of Umbridge.

I knew her from the days when I worked as a translator for the Ministry but that was shortly after I had left Hogwarts. Now Umbridge was working closely under Cornelius Fudge and to have her of all people here was a very bad sign. To me it appeared that Dumbledore didn't have much say in that decision. The Ministry wanted one of their people be here, and it wasn't hard to see why.

And to make things worse, Umbridge had taken my seat so that I had to sit next to Severus of all people. We greeted each other politely, but I knew the evening would be long. Luckily, I still had Minerva to my other side, so I could talk to her.

After the Sorting and the following feast, Professor Dumbledore held his usual speech. The odd thing was that as he had introduced the new teachers, Professor Umbridge stood up, "hem-hemming" him. Confused, Dumbledore turned to her and as she made clear she wanted to give a speech on her own, he let her talk.

I could only close my eyes and suppress the anger at her disrespect. The whole Hall was confused and restless.

And the speech that followed was most disturbing. It made quite clear that I had been right – the Ministry indeed wanted to have their say about matters in Hogwarts. And before long, they would take over.

Minerva and I exchanged a knowing glance, when my eyes caught Severus's, I did notice that he didn't seem to like Umbridge either, which was a relief for me. I still didn't know how to act around him but having a common enemy usually helped.

After the feast, when I was back in my own room. I made myself at home as best as I could. Then I sat down at the desk and wrote a letter to Sirius, telling him I was okay and that he probably had to expect a lot of angry ramblings about my new favorite colleague. I couldn't be specific and needed to make sure the letter wasn't suspicious, but he would get what I mean. He always would.

Maybe we could talk soon.

* * *

In fact, the day I got to talk to Sirius would come sooner than anticipated. Since it was always risky, I didn't want to talk to him over the flea network all too often but it was still safer than by letter. Sirius hadn't given me a heads up, so when his head appeared in the fire while I was sitting at my desk Friday evening, I jumped.

"Bloody hell," I exclaimed. "Sirius, you scared me!"

I went closer to the fire, just in time to see him chuckling. "I missed you, baby."

"I missed you, too." Then it hit me. "Is this safe, anyway?"

"I expect it's safer than your letter."

I pouted. "I coded it quite well I think."

"You did," Sirius said with a smile. "But reading cryptic messages is by no means the same as seeing your face."

I too smiled at that. He was still as charming as ever and just to see his face, even if it wasn't for real, was wonderful to me. "So, how's it going for you? Anyone bothering you at home?"

He sighed, a grim expression now on his face. "There's no one here who could. Nothing's happening. Everyone's busy. I'll probably be alone with Kreacher all weekend."

"I'm sorry," I said. "I know that sucks."

"It's okay. How was your first week?"

"Well, it was most unpleasant. Umbridge is a bitch."

Sirius laughed. "Ah, that much I concluded from your letter. You should hear Remus, he hates her with a passion."

"I think she knows our background. All week she's been watching me with that distasteful look on her face." I sighed. "And she even asked me if I wanted to have tea with her – probably to ask me questions – but luckily, I had an appointment with Dumbledore and couldn't. She's only ever wearing pink and it doesn't even suit her. Her arrogant face alone makes me so angry..."

"I've never heard you talk this badly about anyone before." Sirius grinned, or at least his face in the flames did. "I quite like it."

"Sorry, but it's only been a week and I'm already fed up with her," I groaned and closed my eyes for a moment. "I really wish you could hug me right now. Long and tight."

"I would like that, too, my sweet darling," Sirius said softly. "Don't you think there's a way we could meet up sometime? I've been thinking about it, also with Harry."

"I can't see a safe way. People are already suspicious. If they see me with anyone, they might think it's you in disguise, really. And now with Umbridge on my tail..."

Sirius sighed. "I see."

"I'm sorry, really."

"Has Harry been talking to you?" he then asked, not so subtly changing the subject.

I furrowed my brow. "No, did something happen?"

"I think he's a bit worried. I might talk to him this weekend, too."

"But how? I don't think the common room is safe."

"I'll find a way."

"Sirius..."

"Come on, at least give me that."

I heard the accusation in his voice... that I too was too hard on him. But what was I to do? Nothing would change the fact that the Ministry would feed him the Dementors if they found him.

"Okay, but be careful..." I said. "I can't lose you, Sirius."

I could tell he was rolling his eyes. "You know you're exaggerating. I won't even leave the house. You know, once you weren't this blinded by fear."

The conversation was pointless, I knew that, he had his own views on things like that and he was a true Gryffindor – no risk was scary enough.

"Blinded by fear?" I repeated, and we were silent for a few heartbeats.

"Let's not argue now," Sirius then said. "I will take care, but you shouldn't worry too much."

I wanted to argue, I really wanted to because he had no idea how much it hurt me that he had said that. I would always worry about him, he was the love of my life. How could I not worry? Didn't he see how dangerous the situation could become in the blink of an eye?

But I said none of that. Arguing now that we were so far apart was stupid because what if indeed something happened? What if our last conversation was an argument?

"Okay, I'll try," I replied. "I should go to bed now, it's late."

"Can we talk again soon?" he asked.

I smiled. "Of course."

"Good. I love you."

"I love you."

Then his face was gone, and I was staring into the flames of my fireplace that now meant nothing, my eyes filled with silent tears.