rosie_rues: (Default)
rosie_rues ([personal profile] rosie_rues) wrote2006-02-05 04:29 pm
Entry tags:

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Title: And if King Edward be as true and just
Rating: PG for language
Disclaimer: They're not mine. I'm just borrowing them because I like them.
Wordcount: 1453
Prompt: Antisthenes says that in a certain faraway land the cold is so intense that words freeze as soon as they are uttered, and after some time then thaw and become audible, so that words spoken in winter go unheard until the next summer.

~ Plutarch, Moralia
Notes: A lead, and a kiss. Still going. Title from Richard III.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26



Sirius hated reports. Dry, dreary, long-winded scratchings about things so horrible they should never touch paper. He’d been reading them all morning, and he’d started to forget what words like blood and burn and laceration actually meant. They were turning grey in his mind, fitting themselves into boxes to be ticked off.

There was nothing but silence to trap their real meaning in. Ted had made them put up a silencing charm while they worked, blocking them in and the rest of the office out. Sirius hated silence. It made him think of snow and bitterness and crouching on the landing with Reggie, straining to hear in the pitch of a distant voice whether it was safe to go downstairs.

Remus hadn’t spoken a word to him all day.

He was sitting at the other desk, frowning over a pile of reports, making occasional, conscientious notes.

Sirius stared at him and thought, I’m sorry. I love you. I didn’t mean to fuck up.

But Remus wouldn’t hear him. Why did he have to say these things out loud. Why couldn’t Remus just read his mind?

“Brooding won’t get those reports analysed.”

Sirius sighed and turned back to reading the accounts from Hester Entwhistle’s neighbours. They were beautifully scripted, bland and careful. Maybe he should go and annoy Prongs – find out whether the Obliviators archived their handwritten notes.

“Alice wants to speak to you,” Remus said, without looking up.

Sirius glanced up. Alice Longbottom was hanging over the top of the partition, miming banging on the spell. Sirius scrambled onto his desk and stuck his head out of the top of the spell.

The noise of the office swept over him and he shook his head, Padfoot-style.

“Under silencio, already?” Alice asked. “Somebody’s going up in the world.”

“Hit my head on the ceiling soon. Want something?”

“Talk to you, gorgeous. One moment.”

He felt her silencing spell sigh around him, though she did not speak. Intrigued, he raised an eyebrow.

“Right,” Alice said and then blew out. “Damn. See, what I reckon is that the two of you are working on something to do with the Order, and with Radcliffe.”

Sirius felt his eyes narrow.

“Don’t have to tell me, anything, gorgeous. Either Ted’s gone as paranoid as Moody or you’re working on something he doesn’t trust us with. That means the Order.”

“And why wouldn’t he trust you on that?” Sirius asked softly.

Alice smiled and patted his cheek. “Think through both sides, Black, before you make any decisions. Ted – I’ve known him as long as I’ve known Frank, longer maybe, but he’s got odd ideas still. He still thinks of politics like a Muggle. He thinks it’s about laws and justice and democracy. You can’t apply laws to magic. It’s too unruly.”

“Andromeda agrees with him.”

Alice snorted. “Andie’s Pureblood to the bone, however much they’ve disowned her. You lot might make your own rules but once you’ve made them you stick to them. Honour, courtesy, blood. Just another set of rules. Andie chose the law.”

Sirius tossed his head. “I’ve never kept a rule in my life.”

“Yeah?” Alice said amicably. “So why are you making Lupin so miserable?”

It hadn’t been a rule. It was a principle - Don’t hurt Remus. He scowled at her. “I’m not going to. Not any more.”

“Told him that?”

“Not yet.”

“Why not?”

“Can’t get the words right.”

Alice thwapped his cheek. “Just get down there and grovel, gorgeous. And remember what I said.”

“Yes, Professor. Whatever you say.” He was about to slither down when he thought better of it. He could trade a risk for a risk. “So, what did you think of Radcliffe then?”

“Alan?” She shrugged, resting her elbows on the partition. “Nice man. Didn’t talk much – not to us anyway. He and Jack tended to stick together.”

“Jack Yarwood?”

She nodded. “They were cousins. Even at school they were inseperable. Looked alike, too. No problem telling them apart once you got close, though. Alan was a moody bastard, and Jack was as cheerful as cheerful gets. Lovely bloke.”

“And Alan wasn’t?”

She frowned. “Once you knew him, yeah. Made you work for it, though. Kept himself to himself a bit.”

“Hmm,” Sirius said, letting things settle. “Cheers, Alice.”

He slid down through the spells and off his desk. “Did you hear that?”

“Not through silencio,” Remus said, not looking up. He was still staring at the same report, frowning slightly.

Sirius leant over him, thumbing through the box file. “What’s wrong?”

“Thinking. Could you move your leg? I can’t read through your thigh.”

Sirius plucked out the folders he was looking for and sat on Remus’ lap. “Better?”

“You’re still stopping me from working,” Remus said primly, but his eyes were crinkled in that way which meant amusement. “What do you want?”

You, Sirius thought and didn’t feel guilty about it. Savouring the mood, he pulled the photographs of Radcliffe and Yarwood off their files and presented them to Remus. “Which did we see?”

“Bugger,” Remus muttered. “I couldn’t say. Who’s the cheerful one?”

“Jack Yarwood.”

Remus smiled at him across the sheaf of papers. “No wonder you look so pleased with yourself. Shall we go through the Yarwood reports again?”

I’ve been sitting on your lap for the last few minutes and you think that’s what I’m looking pleased about. Daft bugger. “Reckon so. Opens it up a bit, doesn’t it?”

“Worth bringing Prongs in? He dealt with the Muggle survivors.”

“Moony, you are a genius. Shame we can’t get Wormtail involved.”

“Mmm,” Remus said, frowning again. “Isn’t the scene still sealed off? We should be able to get in there for another look.”

“Talk to Ted,” Sirius said.

“I can’t,” Remus said. “Some prat is trying to cut off circulation to my thighs.”

“Outrageous.”

“Utterly.” He was smiling again, and Sirius gave in to temptation. He leant forward and kissed the corner of that smile, very lightly.

Remus didn’t scold, so he leant it again and kissed him properly, nudging his lips apart. He could taste ink on his lips, and the garlicky aftertaste of the peculiar stir fry the canteen had served at lunch time.

It was a shock when his tongue brushed over Sirius’ lips, and Sirius shivered and brought his hands up to cup his face, holding him there as he hitched his way forward along Remus’ lap.

He felt the papers flop against his chest as Remus dropped them and, a moment later, Remus’ fingers twining through his hair. Sirius opened his eyes to see Remus had closed his, his lashes lying against his cheek. Sirius could see the creases on his eyelids, and the fragile blood vessels beneath the skin. How could he look so frail and be so strong?

Then he closed his eyes, pushing away worry, and gave himself up to the feel of the kiss.

“Ahem.”

Remus jerked backwards, his face flooding with colour. Sirius turned his head to grin at Ted, who was leaning against the doorway.

“Made any progress?” he asked.

Sirius smirked, and then jumped as Remus’ dug his fingernails into his thigh.

“Jack Yarwood,” Remus said. “We’re not sure which we saw, now we’ve looked at both files. Did we ever get the bodies identified?”

Ted whistled. “Of course. You never met them. I can’t believe that Jack- hell, I can’t believe it of either of them. And no, they were burnt beyond identification.”

“So Yarwood could have survived?” Sirius asked.

In the same moment, Remus said, “He was Muggleborn, Yarwood, wasn’t he? Wouldn’t there be dental records?”

“Yes, he was,” Ted said. “And, yes, there would be. Sirius, get on to St Mungos and see if they’ve got anyone who can interpret them. Remus, talk to Muggle Relations. See if you can get a copy of the records.”

“Anything else?” Sirius asked.

“Not unless you want to give me a loan. You just lost me another thirty galleons.”

“Haven’t you learnt not to bet against Meda yet?” Sirius stood up reluctantly. “St Mungos, it is, then. Oh, yeah, I was going to ask – can I drag James Potter in on this? He was Obliviator on the Yarwood case.”

Ted thought about for a moment, then shrugged. “Fine. If he can be discreet.”

“He can,” Remus said quietly, standing up. “I’m going down to Level Three to talk to Muggle Relations. Shall I send James up?”

Ted nodded at him. “Do. And could you both make a little more effort towards doing some work while you’re here, please.”

“Sorry,” Remus muttered, slithering out.

“My fault,” Sirius said. “It always is.”

“I have no doubt of it,” Ted said wryly. “Now do some work, Sirius.”

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[identity profile] scoured.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
This was an incredibly satisfying chapter. I love that when they finally manage to work things out, it's so understated (compared to all of their not working things out).
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I think this is how it should be - understated and comfortable. They were friends first. They've still got some talking to do, of course, but things are drawing to a close.

Thanks for the comment :)

[identity profile] unamaga.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Yum! There is plot and kissage and daft buggers and I am a happy camper, yes I am.
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you :) I'm glad you liked it.

[identity profile] futurestarlette.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I had expected this installment to be full of angst, and well, it's not. Darling boys. I love how Ted is so easygoing when he finds them. :) I so adore your Ted Tonks. And also your Alice.
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I expected it to be angsty when I started writing it but it refused to go that way.

I've really enjoyed writing Ted and Alice and the others this month. Once I've finished the series I hoping to have a chance to write about them a bit more.

Thanks for the comment :)

[identity profile] nekare.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
*purs*

I love the way you manage to include this wonderful happy moments amidst the plot, which is turning so tricky and wonderful and just woah over all. :)

Loved the chapter!
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't resist the little fluffy moments.

I'm having fun with the plot now. Nearly there. :)

Thanks for the comment.

[identity profile] evaleva.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I WILL NEVER NOT ADORE THIS.

Meaning, wonderful job as always. And my little sister and cousin, bored and watching me read this, both proceeded to make fun of me when I meeped, "Eeeee! *claps hands* Kissy!"
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
*laughs* I'm glad you're enjoying it. We're nearly at the end.

Thanks for the comment :)

[identity profile] fangses.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Ahahahaha...Ted should know by now that Remus isn't a person to be betting against. Or Andromeda, for that matter. They're all daft buggers, o' course, but it's starting to work out. I'm also looking forward to seeing how the plot turns out! Yay plot! Am I correct in suspecting this will end with the joining of the Order?

...don't answer that. I'll wait.
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-02-05 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I think he was betting on whether Sirius could hold out until the end of the month. Silly boy. :)

We're almost there so I should be finished by the end of the week, touch wood.

Thanks for the comment. :)

[identity profile] molsymo.livejournal.com 2006-03-10 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
your stories on scarvesnhats and blanketforts make me so happy... i do hope you find time to continue. the springtime one is approaching soon as well, are you going to do a story for that? oh please oh please oh please.

seriously, i love your storylines. i was thrilled a find an actual, interesting plot in your submissions. and i love your peter - i love that he's the first in the Order, i love that he's been slightly clouded by revenge, i love that he's not a completely bumbling idiot. there's so little to work on with peter in the books and i don't think people give pete the credit he deserves. he was a marauder, after all - i refuse to believe that he was always spineless. for the first time ever, your peter is my favourite character in the story.

not that the others aren't fantastic. potter is hilariously wimpy with proposing to lily, remus is simply adorable and wicked, and sirius is wonderfully tormented and proud and loyal. i love the minor characters - especially alice and andie and nym. great great great all around.

on a more serious note, i saw in one of your posts that you're a diabetic. juvenile, i presume? diabetes mellitus sufferers unite! i was 7 when i was diagnosed, and 17 years later i'm still trying not to muck it up. the thought of me not making it to 60 scares me into good behaviour every day.

back to the story - give us some more!
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-03-25 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks for the comment.

I won't be doing [livejournal.com profile] wellymuck, sadly. I'm going to pushing my luck to finish the last one before it starts.

I'm always fascinated by Peter. I really do think his story is more powerful when he is truly one of them. If you look at his behaviour in the books, he far from a bumbling fool.

I love fleshing out minor characters - I want to make a bit of time to write some Ted/Andromeda soon.

I've been diabetic since I was 14 months old. My control is inconsistent - I've just come out of phase where I was so busy and so stressed I lost it completely so I'm really trying hard to get it right again. I hope I haven't done any permanent damage. Oddly, it's one of the reasons I love Remus so much. My diabetes isn't going to turn me into a ravening monster, but I understand the extra wariness needed to live with an illness in the background. So, yeah, hurrah for us ^_^

Thanks for the comment :)

[identity profile] mizzmarvel.livejournal.com 2006-03-24 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I came over here via a rec on [livejournal.com profile] shacking_up. It's really a lovely series - I read and enjoyed your previous one over the course of yesterday also - and i do hope you finish it soon. No pressure, though - I absolutely know how it is to just not be able to write sometimes.
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-03-25 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I got recced? *is flabbergasted*

Thank you for the comment. I've just managed to get started again, after a few weeks where life was just to hectic to have any spare writing time. I'm now making a concerted effort to finish the series before the end of the month.

:)

[identity profile] mizzmarvel.livejournal.com 2006-03-26 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
You well deserve being recc'd! I'm glad you were, or else I wouldn't have found this.

Also, would you mind much is I friended you? I think we have a friend or two in common, and I'd like to keep an eye on what you're updating with.
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-03-26 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course I don't mind :) I don't know if I'm going to updating very much for a few months, though.
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[identity profile] rosemaryandrue.livejournal.com 2006-04-01 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you :)

[identity profile] marauder-s-mad.livejournal.com 2007-08-28 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Alice is so smart...You've got a thing to understand the way a "Pureblood-educated" mind works ! Your ideas about it are all original and accurate !
Also...It seems that a lot of people are speculating about Remus and Sirius ;)
The inquiry seems to speed up, I'm very curious to know what is behind all this...
ext_114030: i'll chase you. to the sun and the moon and back again. i won't stop. (Default)

[identity profile] roterhimmel.livejournal.com 2008-07-25 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Awwwwwwwwwww. <3.