Alkari

"Christmas Decorations", Part 2.

alkari — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:07:07 GMT

He hurtled up the three flights of stairs, slammed the door of his room behind him and kicked a small stool out of the way. Pure blood rights – how would anyone know whether a person was Muggle-born or a half-blood just by looking at them? Being pure-blood didn’t make you any better at magic as far as Sirius could see; Muggle-born Evans was one of the brightest students in their year. Even old Sluggy thought she was clever – and he was Head of Slytherin. Whereas pure-blood Torvil Yarrow was so dumb he’d taken three weeks to learn the way from the Hufflepuff common room to the Great Hall. Why couldn’t they just take people as they were? Why did bloodlines matter so much?

Sirius sighed. There’d be hell to pay now. Just as well he’d already eaten heaps, because clearly he wasn’t going to get any pudding. He’d be lucky to get any supper either. Maybe they wouldn’t eat all the mince tarts, and he could sneak downstairs and grab some later tonight. He tossed his handful of plunder onto the bed and examined it – three toffees, four chocolates and a walnut in its shell. They might have to last until breakfast, so he carefully put them into his bedside drawer and flopped onto the bed.

The worst thing was missing out on his presents. As children, he and Regulus had been allowed to open presents from their parents and each other before breakfast. Because Regulus wasn’t at school, he was still allowed to open his, but Mum had decreed that Sirius was now old enough to wait for the afternoon formalities. Which wasn’t really fair: Bella, Cissy and Dromeda were much older, and they were still allowed to open their presents early.

Feeling more miserable that he’d like to admit, Sirius crossed to his trunk in search of something to read. He felt suddenly guilty when he saw the little present which Ted Tonks had asked him to give Andromeda on Christmas Day – maybe he’d have to owl it to her. Underneath it was a bundle of red and gold. Sirius pulled it out.

James, Remus and Peter had clubbed together to buy him a proper Gryffindor banner for Christmas. The colours glowed richly under the room’s chandelier, and Sirius spread it across his trunk.

That was what this room needed! Colour, lots of colour. He stared around at the pale silvery wallpaper and the green curtains and bedspread. Red and gold were much better, and they were Christmas colours too.

He managed to levitate the banner to the wall above his bed but it was too big to fit properly behind the bedposts. It would have to go on the far wall, though at least he could then see it from his bed. He rather liked the idea of Gryffindor’s lion watching him as he slept, guarding against Slytherin serpents. So he rummaged in his trunk for Spellotape.

It wasn’t the best thing for fixing a large banner to the wall, Sirius discovered, after wrestling with tape and banner for some time. It wasn’t strong enough, and the minute he got one end fixed and started on the other, the first bit would collapse again. He’d need some nails or pins, or a few good sticking charms. But you didn’t learn those until at least second year.

He scoured the room for nails of any kind, but only came up with two small pins, and a loose nail which he pulled from the bottom of his bookshelf. Not much, but maybe he could use them with the Spellotape.

Using his heaviest boot as a hammer, and muffling the sound as best he could with an old shirt, he was just starting on the first pin when there was a soft knock at the door. “Sirius? You in there?”

Andromeda! He dropped the banner and bounded over. She slipped inside and gave him a quick hug.

“You silly boy!” she scolded him in her best older-cousin manner. “Why did you have to argue with them? Your Mum’s furious. And you’ve ruined the tablecloth.”

“She’s got plenty of others. What’s happening?”

“There was a fine old row. Aunty M said you were perfectly sweet to her until they started talking about you being in Slytherin – told Grandma she was silly to bring it all up again. That made Grandad angry, so they all started yelling. Then Regulus started crying and Aunt Cassie suddenly said she wanted a cup of tea and it was time for ‘the children’ to open their presents.”

“They still fighting?” A long family argument meant his parents would definitely take it out on him later.

“No. Uncle Alphard’s got them calmed down and they’re all sitting around opening presents and fussing over Regulus. Bella and Cissy have just gone home – Mum decided they could visit the Malfoys after all.” She looked around the room, and caught sight of the banner. “Sirius! What on earth d’you think you’re doing? If you put it up, they’ll rip it down the minute they see it.”

“Not if someone works a Permanent Sticking Charm.” The solution to his problem was standing right there.

“What sort of someone would do that?”

“Someone who likes a Muggle-born called Ted Tonks. Who gave me a present to give you on Christmas Day.” They stared at each other. “Please, Dromeda? Please, please? It was a Christmas present from James and the others.”

She regarded him for a long moment, then sighed and smiled ruefully. “OK, deal. We’ll both get killed you know – but it is Christmas. Only you’ll have to learn the charm yourself in future.” She pointed her wand at the banner, which immediately spread out and fixed itself majestically across the wall. “Now, you disgraceful little Gryffindor – anything else you want me to put up?”

Sirius shook his head, and was just standing back to admire the effect when they heard someone calling Andromeda from downstairs.

“Quick!” Sirius dived for his trunk and handed over the little blue-wrapped package with its gold ribbon. Andromeda hugged him again, producing a gift of her own.

“Be careful with yours. I’m in the loo if they’re looking for me. Eaten too much.” She winked, and vanished.

Her present was beyond cool. He swallowed, placing it reverently on the bed. The nondescript wooden box contained a model of a Muggle motorbike – a wonderful little black and silver bike labelled “Vincent Black Shadow”. Where had Dromeda got this? Gently he removed the bike and turned it over, marvelling at the detail. It even had a polished wooden stand. He thought of putting it in pride of place on the chest of drawers, but remembered the likely reaction when his parents saw the banner. If they saw a motorbike too …

Display would have to wait until he got back to school: gently he re-packed it and placed the box in his trunk. Then he stretched out on his bed, hands clasped behind his head, and stared across at the golden lion.

With any luck, Uncle Alphard would find a way to visit him later, and might even sneak up some pudding. His parents would certainly punish him. He might not get any presents, might not even be allowed to visit James for New Year. But it didn’t matter.

Sirius Black had a Gryffindor banner on his bedroom wall and a Black Shadow model in his trunk. It was a very good Christmas after all.

_______

A little Christmas fic ...

alkari — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:51:37 GMT

Everyone seems to have been infected by the writing bug. Poor fernwithy even let herself in for months and months of writing by opening up a session for requests, so I hope her inspiration doesn't run dry!

I was re-reading DH with its description of Sirius' room in No 12. Clearly the Black family didn't worry about use of under-age magic, because he was only 16 when he left home - and 'someone' worked those permanent sticking charms! But just when did our young rebel start putting up those posters? And so -

Sirius wandered downstairs, tugging morosely at the collar of his best blue robes and wishing his parents didn’t insist that everyone dressed up for Christmas. It was only family, after all.

He’d briefly considered pinning a little Gryffindor badge above his silver-embroidered initials, but quickly thought the better of it. His parents would not only confiscate the badge, they’d banish him to his room, and a hungry Sirius had no intention of missing out on Christmas dinner. Kreacher was a nasty little piece of work, but he would make sure the meal was perfect for his beloved master and mistress.

His parents and Regulus were already in the drawing room. The clock struck twelve, and soon the fireplace was glowing green with a succession of arrivals. Paternal grandparents Arcturus and Melania (‘Granny M’); great aunt Cassiopea, looking even vaguer than usual; his other grandparents, Pollux and Irma, with effusive greetings for their daughter Walburga – “you do such credit to the family, dear!” Last to emerge were Uncle Cygnus and Aunt Druella, with his three cousins.

“Disgraceful little brat!” hissed Bellatrix as she passed him. Sirius tried to kick her, but a smiling Andromeda grabbed his elbow, causing him to miss his target.

“Merry Christmas, Sirius.” She kissed him on both cheeks and lowered her voice. “Don’t start a fight with Bella, you idiot. She’s in a bad mood.”

“So’m I when I see her,” he muttered, then in a louder voice, “Merry Christmas, Dromeda.”

“And please be nice to Cissy, for once. She’d been invited to the Malfoys for dinner, but Mum made her come with us.”

“Dunno why she’d want to go there.” But Sirius took the hint and greeted his youngest cousin with a polite bow and a compliment about her pale pink robes in what he hoped was a creditable show of Christmas goodwill. It earned him a surprised kiss from Cissy and an approving smile from her mother, hovering just within earshot.

“You are becoming quite the young gentleman, Sirius,” she remarked loudly. “Really, Orion, I’m sure you exaggerate his behaviour at times. Good breeding and a proper upbringing will always tell, you know, even if he may have been put into the wrong House.”

Sirius managed to keep a straight face: any sort of approval from Aunt Druella was an unexpected bonus. Just as well he hadn’t worn that badge.

“Quite so. Merry Christmas, my dear. You’re looking wonderful.” Orion Black handed Druella a glass of wine, giving his elder son a warning look.

“Luckily, Minerva McGonagall also believes in proper discipline.” Behind Orion, Uncle Alphard winked at Sirius, who grinned back. He hadn’t seen his favourite uncle arrive: at least there’d be one adult he could talk to.

Sirius had long ago discovered that the wisest thing to do at family gatherings was to keep moving, although as a child this invariably resulted in exasperated shouts to “Stop running, Sirius!” or “Sit down this minute.” As he grew older, the need to evade various relatives or make a timely escape from the scene of a crime had sharpened his eyes, ears and reflexes, so that - as Hogwarts professors were now discovering - he had a surprising ability to disappear without apparent effort. These days his parents expected him to ‘make himself useful’ at social events, which was often tedious but at least enabled him to move around. Today he took care to be seen carrying drinks and plates of little delicacies, slipping from person to person and answering if spoken to, but disappearing before he could be questioned in detail. His academic results were beyond reproach, but there was the small matter of his detentions …

Dinners were more difficult. There was no easy escape at table. The best he could hope for was to be seated away from his parents and Bellatrix, and have someone reasonably tolerable to talk to. Today was looking up, as Mum had placed him between Granny M, who usually became quite merry after her second glass of wine, and Aunt Cassie, who was partly deaf anyway.

“Remember – don’t argue whatever they say,” Andromeda had murmured as they made their way to the dining room. “Just listen and try to keep your mouth shut!” Sirius grunted. He already knew what they’d be talking about: pure-blood rights, slackness in the Ministry and Voldemort’s ideas and rising power. Last year this would have become merely boring, even though he’d already started to question those beliefs, but several months at Hogwarts in the company of James and his classmates had broadened his perspectives considerably.

Kreacher had indeed excelled himself. An enormous roast goose with gravy and all the trimmings, a giant glazed ham, bacon, sausages, lots of roast potatoes, heaped dishes of vegetables, wine for the adults, butterbeer or juice for Cissy, Regulus and himself – even nit-picky Grandmother Irma was moved to comment approvingly. Breakfast had been hours and hours ago, so Sirius had no trouble keeping his mouth shut by filling it with food. He ate steadily and had second helpings of everything while listening to snatches of table-talk – Bellatrix passionate in her devotion to Voldemort and the pure-blood cause, his parents and their denunciation of the ‘soft’ Ministry, Grandfather Cygnus on the need to reform the Wizengamot and change laws that favoured Muggles and Muggle-borns.

Apart from this, all was going well. Granny M asked about his music lessons with Professor Lieder, whom she remembered from school. This was a perfectly safe topic, so Sirius happily answered her questions between mouthfuls and even confided that he was saving up for a guitar. Granny approved, though he was a little disappointed she hadn’t heard of groups such as Dragonfighter or the Nundu Noise. Aunt Cassie seemed to have her deaf ear on his side, and didn’t say very much. He was just congratulating himself on his behaviour when there was a momentary lull in conversation, into which Grandma Irma’s voice came loudly from the far end of the table.

“That may be so Orion, but I still cannot see why he should not be transferred into Slytherin. It is quite appalling that a Black son should be in any other House.”

In the sudden hush, Sirius heard a log shift slightly in the fireplace. He took a deep breath.

“It seems that the Sorting Hat had other ideas for Sirius.” Uncle Alphard sounded cheerful and unperturbed.

Grandma was not to be diverted. “I do not see why a dirty old piece of rag like that should be allowed to decide where our pure-blood children should reside.”

“Mother, the family has discussed this many times before, and the decision’s been made. So let’s talk about other things. It’s Christmas Day and we’re enjoying a delicious dinne,” answered Alphard patiently.

“That doesn’t mean the Sorting Hat can’t make mistakes,” said Pollux, ignoring Alphard. Obviously this matter had not been laid to rest in their household.

“Why was the Hat right when it put you into Slytherin, but wrong when it put me into Gryffindor?” Sirius muttered crossly, which his father unfortunately overheard.

“That’s enough, Sirius!” Orion turned to his father in law. “You know how we tried to have him moved to Slytherin. But that old fool Dumbledore insisted that the Sorting Hat was correct, and he strongly advised us to abide by its decision.”

“Dumbledore was a Gryffindor. You wouldn’t expect anything else from him,” said Bellatrix scornfully.

“He said that he would ask Sirius. Who told him that he wanted to remain in Gryffindor.” Walburga’s tone was ominous.

Sirius glared at his mother. They’d sent two Howlers to him in the first week of term, made several visits to the Headmaster, and written to other staff members, all to no avail. Surely Mum and Dad would have given up on this by now.

“But why didn’t you want to be in Slytherin with your cousins, dear? It’s so much nicer for all the family to be together. And there’d be little Regulus there soon, too.” Aunt Cassie turned to gaze at Sirius in genuine puzzlement.

There was nothing for it now. “I like it in Gryffindor, Aunt Cassie. I have friends there.” Along the table, he saw Andromeda roll her eyes despairingly.

“A den of filthy Mudbloods and half-breeds!” retorted Bellatrix.

“My best friend’s a pure-blood.” Sirius felt his temper rising.

“And just who is that? I hope he’s not from one of those lower families.” Irma peered at her grandson.

“James POTTER.”

There was another silence while this information was digested. The Blacks may have had nothing to do with their distant relatives for many years, but there was no disputing the fact that the Potters were an old and eminent family, just as wealthy and just as pure-blood as any Black.

“But what about the others in your dormitory? The Lupin boy is not a pure-blood, I know. And that other little creature who follows you around – he’s hardly the type we would want to associate with.” Cissy changed the attack, smiling prettily at her parents.

“I don’t choose my friends on their breeding!”

“Perhaps it would be better if you did.”

“Narcissa is quite right,” proclaimed Uncle Cygnus. “You are still only young, Sirius, and you should be guided by your parents in these matters, as we have guided our daughters. You must understand that Mudbloods are quite unsuitable as associates for our family.”

“How would YOU know what they’re like? There’s nothing wrong with Muggle-borns, only you never speak to them.”

“Sirius, that is enough!” His mother slammed her hand on the table. “You will apologise to your uncle for such rudeness.”

“I won’t apologise. I’m not sorry for what I said – it’s the truth. The smartest girl in our year is Muggle-born. Even Professor Slughorn likes her.”

“You will apologise this minute. And then go to your room.”

“No. I won’t say I’m sorry when I’m not.” Sirius was on his feet.

Orion Black rose ominously, hand raised, and Sirius slipped behind Aunt Cassie’s chair, assessing the best route to the door, which unfortunately lay beyond his father. Who would undoubtedly box his ears as he went past. Escape called for diversionary tactics …

Sirius lunged forward over his aunt’s shoulder, sweeping his hand along the table to tip over a jug of juice and seize a handful of chocolates from a silver dish. The jug rolled into a rack of candles and there were shrieks as flames leapt into the table decorations. Orion turned briefly; Sirius ducked around his father and ran.

(To be continued)

Sneak peek at Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

alkari — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 13:13:59 GMT



"Sneak peek at Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" on Google Video
From HPANA.com

It worked!

alkari — Tue, 29 Jun 2004 17:51:40 GMT

Happiness indeed. Mind you, I now have to work out where I saved the blasted client and put in a shortcut to it, but at least it works!!

alkari — Tue, 29 Jun 2004 17:44:32 GMT

Well, here I am back at home. I have just downloaded some client software to make my LJ life a little easier - I hope! - so will test this out and see if it works. As I am a techie klutz, there is every chance that it wont ...

Yes - THE Movie!!

alkari — Fri, 04 Jun 2004 20:16:08 GMT

"Mustache? What mustache?" That was one of my reactions after seeing the movie. Because - despite all the debate it has generated, THAT mustache on Remus Lupin mattered not a single bit. In fact, after that first brief glimpse of him in the harsh light of the train as he rose to fight off the Dementor, none of us - Mincot, Pelirroja, Gryffinjack and me - even noticed the feature at all. It was just there, a part of him, seamlessly integrated into an excellent whole.

I really, really liked the movie. Apart from two small quibbles (related) I thought it was an excellent adaptation of the book, given the time constraints of a movie.

What did I like? [Unknown LJ tag]

1. The whole look and feel of the movie. Far more real, and more believably in Scotland. I thought the production values were much tighter, with much more focus on the shifting moods, and the pervasive sense of danger.

2. Thewlis as Lupin. Perfect!!! Not that I'd ever had any doubts whatsoever, after seeing him in [I]Seven Years in Tibet. [/I] He was everything that canon Remus was, and then some. LOVED his clothes, especially that battered cardigan and dreadful tie, and the air of genteel poverty about him. His relationship with Harry was perfect, and so was his playing of the Shack scene and his moments with Sirius.

3. Oldman as Sirius. Limited screen time, but again, an excellent jhob. And his dry sense of humour, so evident in Book 5, came out beautifully. There is much talk of Cuaron accidentally foreshadowing in this movie things that are important in the next books. When Sirius said goodbye to Harry (lovely scene) and told him that the people we loved neverleave us, that they arein our hearts *DD's line in the book, but perfect here in this context), I wondered if this may foretell some future communication with Sirius, or the fact that Sirius will somehow give Harry strength in the way James has done previously.

4. THe kids can now act. Well certainly Dan, Rupert and the Phelps boys can - they have really grown up and into their roles. Dan was excellent, and much more believable in his anger in the beginning at the Dursleys'. Fred and George - great! the way they seamlessly completed each other's sentences and were REAL twins. Alas, however, Emma Watson is still rather stiff and forced, and she is too conscious of 'what' she is doing and how important her scenes are. Dan and Rupert are far more natural.

5. The new cast members at Hogwarts. I'm afraid I never DID particularly like Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and Michael Gambon was far more how I had always imagined himfrom the books. I can see Gambon's DD as having a core of steel - alas, Harris was too ill when filming COS to give me any sense of power and strength. Gambon also gives me a better feeling of the dry, twinkling humour that book DD has.

Little things I loved:-
* The subtle emphasis on time throughout the movie, especially the person reading "A Brife History of Time" in the Leaky Cauldron at the beginning.

* Lupin's walking stick and slight limp as he left at the end.

* Harry's line about Professor Lupin having a rough night.

* Sirius' remark about Padfoot having fleas!! ROTFL at the Great Fanfic Moment - I wonder has Cuaron read Katinka's "Interwobven"?!!!

* Interaction of Snape, Sirius and Remus in the Shack - loved Sirius' reference to Snape's chemistry set.

* Buckbeak. MUCH better than I thought he would be.

The only two things I didn't like were:-
1. The lack of an explanation of MWPP, with a lot of the background information in the Shack. I suspect that muich of this has ended up on the cutting room floor, but it is a shame - for the sake of 5-10 minutes more, the movie could have been made completely satisfying.

2. The fact that they STILL treat Ron as a buffoon and give some of hisbest lines tyo Hermionein some stupid search for "girlpower". GRRRR`- Hermione is strongenough in herself without needing to take the special Ron line in the Shack about "If you want to kill Harry, you willhave tokillus too!". That was always a line that showed Ron's utter loyalty and frinedship, and the transposition has demeaned his character.

Yes, there were major story

Another arrival

alkari — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 18:54:19 GMT

Well, Allemande was successfully rescued from the downtown Atlanta bus terminal and yes, she too does exist and is just as I imagined her from the boards. Yes she IS tall but not in Hagrid's league. Our conversation has so far ranged over the geography of Atlanta, to language and the adoption of English terms in French and German, to Beethoven, Mozart and Tom Lehrer ...

The three of us had a great meal at a vegetarian Indian restaurant and have just taken Mincot's dog for a short walk. I have been healthy all day, so will feel no pain when I relapse over the next few days.

AROOOOOOO! Looking forward to the insanity of arrivals tomorrow - Pelirroja and Gryffinjack, the terrible twins.

HOWLanta is real!

alkari — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 10:29:13 GMT

Well, here I am, somewhere in the greater metro Atlanta area, sitting wth Mincot - who has just set up this LJ for me. Hello to all my online friends who have LJs and whom Mincot has just added to my list. It will be nice to keep in touch other than by email or YM.

Yes, she exists. No, she is not so far a mad axe murderer. Yes, she is an insane HP fan - yes, she howls. And she has books in every room. This is reassuring! Actually, she is wonderful and just like I imagined her - we knew each other at once and have been talking ever since we met (apart from when we finally got to bed about 2am).

We are about to go and cut out some cloaks to wear at our HOWLanta ceremony. pelirroja_ljc is bringing werewolf cupcakes and gryffinjack is bringing witches' hats, all of which will be worn over our HOWLanta polo shirts, whilst eating Tim Tam biscuits and raising the famous Remus flag. Have decided that Tim Tams should be major Aussie export. Amazingly, they and my carefully wrapped present for Mincot survived the trip here and the "delicate" airline cargo handling - bubblewrap is wonderful.

Will add more later, depending on state of sobriety and ability to type whilst laughing ... we meet allemande later this evening.