[They don't reply, not verbally. Instead, they step aside to make way for a tall man, a man with imposing features, a handsome face, a tumble of dark elegant hair. Rings on his fingers. Edgeworth knows who this is at once; he recognizes him from Sirius' memories, a man both cold and distant. He spares Edgeworth a brief glance, contemptuous and dismissive; it's a strange thing, to meet his eyes, knowing all he knows.
Straighten up, is what he says to his son. His manner is imperious. And then, a moment later: Is it true?]
[The moment that he sees his father--it's like being called to attention. His shoulders go back, his spine straightens--he picks that point, in the distance, a fixed spot on the wall. Eyes up and forward but not meeting his father's gaze, never going that far. It's like he's shrugged on a coat, altering everything--gone is his slouch, his sneer. And he doesn't look at Edgeworth, or at the Aurors--they might as well have gone from the room. His focus is on his father, only his father.
But what he has to tell him is no easy thing. There's just a beat, of silence, and then:]
[Edgeworth watches that transformation, and he despises it. There's a certain degree of irony - he's spent years snarling and barking at Sirius-Black-the-arrogant-Slytherin for his lack of dignity, for his poor comportment, for his loudness, his lack of respect; the sight of the boy tipping back in his chair with lazy arrogance, year after year, had filled Edgeworth with such anger. A week ago, seeing Sirius soldier-stiff, staring at the wall like a soldier, disciplined as a soldier, would have given Edgeworth such satisfaction. Now...it just makes him feel ill.
And the cold expression of hatred that Orion Black wears makes him feel ill as well. How different this man is from Gregory Edgeworth. From what Miles remembers of his father, this man would be like Dad in stature, in age, in general appearance; and yet there would have been no true resemblance between them. For Dad never would have worn that expression of contempt; he never would have twitched his shoulders in that officious, angry way. He never would have gazed upon his son with dislike.
And that's why Edgeworth steps forth as soon as Sirius stops talking. Because he wants to unsettle this man - and, more, because he wants Sirius to stop looking so proper.]
Mr. Black, I think what is true quite depends on what you have heard. If you have been made to understand that Voldemort has been slain, then, indeed, that is true. Beyond that, you should be more specific.
[Edgeworth's voice breaks in, abruptly, to that silence, and it's surprising enough that Sirius looks around. A second later and he remembers himself, looks back forward--but he needn't have worried, because his father is staring at Edgeworth with narrow and singular dislike.
He doesn't answer. He just stares at him, long after he's stopped speaking, just long enough so that it feels uncomfortable.
Are you presuming to speak to me? he asks, and his voice is like silk, but the undercurrent of disgust is so strong beneath it.]
[There was a time when Edgeworth's default attitudes towards adults was unfailingly polite. There's still a part of him that flinches away from being offensive to those who are older than he is, but he grew up a Gryffindor and he grew up having to defend himself daily from taunts about his heritage; his reluctance and deference have, over the years, been covered up by a sheen of brash defensiveness.
And so Edgeworth's response to that question is to lift his chin, and meet Orion Black's eyes directly. And his response - to this man who looks at him like he's dirt, who looks at Sirius, his son, like he's dirt - is openly rude.]
Given that I prefaced my comments with your name, I think we can assume so.
[Sirius doesn't flinch. He should, maybe, on Edgeworth's behalf. No one has ever gotten anywhere with Orion Black, speaking to him like that. He doesn't even get angry. He just looks at people, patient and cold, and they impale themselves on their own spears.
Funny. Orion smiles, the barest lifting of his lips. He has the same gray eyes as Sirius, but flintier. I addressed my son. And I know you are not my son. You are nothing of mine.
But he cocks his head, just a little, his gaze sliding down Edgeworth, taking in the sight of him. Miles Edgeworth. Correct?]
[It would under normal circumstances be hard not to quail under that look, but for the love of God, not three hours prior Edgeworth was challenging Lord Voldemort to a duel, so he can rather withstand the contemptuous gaze of Orion Black. It...does, admittedly, make him suddenly self-conscious of his dusty hair, his battered trainers, his Muggle clothing underneath his open robe - but he doesn't flinch.
He does look over to Sirius, though, for just a moment. The sight of him still standing stiff and silent and respectful feeds the fire of anger towards this miserable man, and it leads him to answer with more of that curt disrespect. It's an unabashedly Gryffindor sort of thing to do - but he wants to provoke the man, bring him to anger, demonstrate to Sirius that he's...not that cold, inhuman figure in the Black manor's parlor.]
Correct. Miles Edgeworth, who killed Lord Voldemort. And you're Orion Black, who cowtowed to him, correct?
[Sirius turns at that, he can't help it, and he does not try and correct himself this time. There's something in him that thinks you bloody idiot Miles Edgeworth, and there's something in him, still, that marks that as an insult--which is stupid, like his father would give a damn. If Sirius went for Edgeworth for blackening their name, his father would disapprove.
Orion doesn't so much as move. Indeed, his smile flicks into place again--not that his face is any warmer for it.
An interesting understanding of the situation, he says, coolly, but I'm afraid your information is rather bad, Miles Edgeworth. I never associated with the wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort. Indeed, I have never-- 'cowtowed' to anyone. I wouldn't know where to start. Perhaps you could demonstrate for us.
He turns away from Edgeworth, dismissive, though he's still speaking to him as he reaches into the interior of his robes. I would, however, be interested to know how you came to be in the position to murder another wizard. My sources provide better information than yours, I think--but there's nothing like hearing it from the hippogriff's mouth, as the saying goes.]
[Edgeworth can't help but flinch at murder. No matter how much he's pretending at being proud and defiant and ferocious, that death - that death at his hands, God - is something he can't be proud of. At least the man's back is turned, but Sirius is looking at him; he meets Sirius' eyes guiltily, either over the way he's speaking to Sirius' father or over his demonstrated weakness.
What would Sirius want him to say? To tell the truth, or to lie? To defend his position in his family, or to sever it? God, Edgeworth wants the latter. Edgeworth wants to lash out and cut the ties between Sirius and this miserable, cold, rotten man -
But it's not his place. But nor is he going to lie. So.]
I would like to know, sir, what authority you have to question me. Are you assigned to this case?
[Sirius' dad's expression is contemptuous when he looks at Edgeworth again. Blacks deal with Black business. That is our prerogative.]
[Orion Black knows the Aurors, even if Sirius doesn't. That's how he got in here, by knowing people and having enough gold at his disposal to take care of everything. All those Order of Merlins, in the glass cases at Grimmauld Place--they were all earned just like that, by gold and power and knowledge.
Sirius sees the look on Edgeworth's face, even if his father does not. Murder. Silently, he tries to tell Edgeworth: don't be so careless again, because if Orion sees, then he'll press, he spots weakness better than any hunting hound, and he knows how to use it. And all the while he's thinking: why warn Edgeworth. What does it batter. Black business, that's Sirius' as well, and he turns to his father, finally.]
I'll answer your questions, Father. I saw all of it. And I've already gotten Edgeworth's word that he's not going to claim responsibility for what happened. The Ministry can have their victory.
[That's not exactly what they said, and it was never really agreed upon. But it doesn't matter. It's something, anyways.]
[Edgeworth starts to protest that, but then closes his mouth on it. Again, he'd known what he was going to say to the Ministry, to the Aurors alone, but the appearance of Orion Black has complicated things. He'd wanted to tell the truth; that had been what he'd decided; but if he tells the truth in full, there's no question that he'll get Sirius disowned. It's not his right.
Besides, what's the worst thing that might happen? That Orion Black ends up misinformed? No; any man who could transform Sirius' infuriatingly drawling accent into something so proper, so grammar-school, deserves to be kept in the dark.
And when Sirius speaks, all of Orion's attention focuses on him again. There's nothing of approval in his face. There's nothing of affection. Just cold regard.
[He ignores Edgeworth completely. He doesn't so much as spare him a glance, though he can feel him there--though he wants, absurdly, to look at him. But he doesn't Instead,he lifts his chin a little, his focus all n his father.]
He followed me to the party. I knew he was there when I was about halfway--I thought I could catch him in a trap, but I lost him in the crowd when I arrived. Voldemort was there, with Bellatrix, and her husband, and a few others--we spoke, and Edgeworth revealed himself then. He was going to duel Voldemort.
[His mouth tightens a little. He's not forgotten the ridiculousness of that suggestion, the mocking laughter.]
It was shameful. To Voldemort. [A bold statement, but honour is prized very highly.] It doesn't matter if he's muggle-born, dueling him was beneath Voldemort. He'd have brought shame on his name, except it's an invented name.
[It's a plausible version of the story. It's a version that saves face for Sirius. It's a version that keeps Sirius from humiliation, from being disowned.
It's also a version that twists in Edgeworth like a knife. Sirius doesn't think any of what he's saying. Miles knows that, and he knows that Sirius has a perfectly good reason for telling this lie. Yet at the same time, it hurts to hear it, hurts to hear him speaking so clipped and proper about muggle-borns (not mudblood, though; that's something). He wishes he would stop.
But Orion's expression is turning less cold - not by much, just a bit. He asks: And he won against him? A mudblood? I don't think that's likely.]
[This is where it could get bloody dangerous, because--he can't sympathise. He can't look over at Edgeworth and he can't sound as if he's even thought with any sympathy. Because he's never forgotten that meeting at Hogwarts, first year--his father still in his traveling cloak, he'd not even taken off his gloves, and Sirius had never felt so scrutinised, so examined, for something he had done wrong. One misstep, and that's where you are, like something being dissected.
He lifts his chin a little.]
He was set to lose. It was pathetic. [That goes both ways, pathetic on Voldemort's part and Edgeworth's as well--] And then he brought the ceiling down.
[Let it stand alone. He looks back at his father, evenly, and doesn't offer any feeling on that statement. Let it stand alone, and if his father reads it as cheating then he will say so, cast his judgement--if he thinks it at all clever, he'll call it a mudblood trick anyways.]
[It was pathetic. It was, wasn't it? He'd only won through trickery; in the actual fight, the dual, he'd been as overwhelmed as a fly in a hurricane. He hadn't even been able to stay on his feet, let alone fight back; it was only because of Sirius' help that he had won. Only because of his help that he had survived.
He closes his eyes. If there is anything good to come of this whole affair - beyond Voldemort no longer leading his armies to slaughter innocents; he has to keep that in mind, has to remind himself of that, lest the charge of murder overwhelm him and cripple his conscience - it is that the two of them worked together. It ought to be a powerful symbol: the Muggle-born and the scion of the house Black, the mudblood and the pureblood, working together to put a stop to this tyranny. With the two of them together, it would be impossible to forge the easy narrative - of the pureblood turning on his leader out of jealousy and ambition, of the spiteful member of the underclass turning into a cowardly assassin. With them united, it's something less grotesque.
(Or maybe he just doesn't want to hear all of that from someone he's come to respect.)
Mudblood trickery, then, is Orion's assessment; he turns a contemptuous eye on Miles a moment later, lip curling. He looks so very much like his son, but with familiar features twisted in a way they ought not be, that it makes Edgeworth angry. Edgeworth looks down at his feet, jaw clenched, posture stiff.
[It seems, for a moment, that they will be in the clear with this, that everything will work out, safely, with all parties preserved, more or less. But it could never be that easy, and so when Orion turns back to look at him, Sirius jerks his chin up again. He was quick enough to tear his gaze away from Edgeworth, at least, so that goes unnoticed--and quick enough to marshal his expression, to stop himself from looking at all sympathetic. He knows Edgeworth's look well enough. He's done well, holding his own, but Orion Black isn't a force met lightly.
And he's reminded of that, now, under his father's scrutiny--not that he'd ever really forgotten. Sirius looks back at him, as steadily as he can.]
A Shield Charm. [The truth, finally.] I tried to intervene but wasn't able.
[And his father will not ask who it was that saved the muggles--because it was the muggle-born, that's obvious. It would never have been Sirius. He does not look over at Edgeworth but stares forward, resolute.]
[Orion's face is unreadable, impassive. Edgeworth doesn't know whether he's believing it. It seems...perhaps, perhaps he is; and that's good for Sirius.
Perhaps. Edgeworth cannot shake the feeling that it's worse for him. That it would be better if his father did cut all ties - but that's not his place to think, never his place.
Sirius' father is quiet a moment as he studies him. A moment, and then he asks: And how is it that the mudblood was able to follow you?
That's...a bad question, indicates a bad train of thought; Edgeworth steps in with an answer.]
I took the letter of invitation from amongst his things. [Not a lie.] And I read it through.
[Which is a bit too quick. It sounds just a little bit like a defense.]
[Even with his father's attention off of him, Sirius's stomach still feels cold. Orion looks back at Edgeworth, slowly, the same way you'd look at a very stupid child, with an expression that's nearly a patient smile.
Of course. It's low, and unimpressed, but with a touch of amusement. And that was easy, I suppose, to do. Because my son is careless, and lax with his possessions... --and here Sirius nearly flinches, at the cold disapproval that creeps into his father's tone--or maybe he only imagines it, because Orion finishes, silkily, Or because of your own particular brand of cunning? Tell me, how was it that you had access to his things? Is inspection of a Slytherin dormitory in a Gryffindor prefect's list of duties?]
[That's stupid. That's a phenomenally stupid thing to say, he knows - God, it could not be more stupid. But it's an involuntary response, a quick and angry response - but he just cannot stand the way Sirius looks in that moment, the way he seems to have been dealt a blow, and it's that even more than the man's tone that makes Edgeworth speak up in his defense.
And - God, stupid. The last thing he needs is to reveal their alliance. The last thing he needs is to reveal his weakness - his strange affection for Sirius Black. It can only hurt them both, and yet it comes unbidden from his mouth.
He can't stop to brood over it. He has to move on, has to - distract him, somehow, from that idiotic thing - And so he talks, quickly, recklessly - (and how did Orion know he was a prefect - how much does the man know about him; he'd assumed he was a non-entity, that he'd only known his name because he'd been told it by the Aurors - ) ]
He had it on him. I stole it from him. And I will admit that freely, and am prepared to face the consequences for it.
[There's two somethings that twist in Sirius' chest--the first is a seizing of something very like fear, but not for himself--for Edgeworth, stupid enough to speak up. Doesn't he know who this is, and it isn't empty boasting to say that Orion Black is powerful, has powerful friends, can do quite a lot with his resources--and maybe some of that can be chalked up to Sirius' position, subordinate to his father, but even so, talking to him like that is idiotic. And why should Edgeworth care? And speaking up, that's going to be noticed--is noticed, obviously, from the way that Orion's eyebrows raise he is not too impressed, and does he know, does he suspect--
But the second thing that twists in Sirius is something so absurdly close to gratefulness that he has to ignore it. Because acknowledging it would mean confronting it, and he can't afford-- that. Any part of that. His jaw sets, resolutely; his eyes narrow--
But Orion Black is still looking at Edgeworth, coolly, still with those raised eyebrows, patient to the last. There is no crime in stealing a bit of parchment, he says, eventually, with a note of something so close to amusement. Or are you asking for a consequence? Or a reward.
A bribe, more than a reward. But he doesn't say that. He only smiles, at Edgeworth, slowly.]
[Orion's smile is met with a deep scowl, deepening as the man's smile broadens. Which is likewise stupid. Sirius had talked earlier, hadn't he, about how the Ministry would be a threat unless Miles simply accepted a reward. Edgeworth still isn't buying that, not completely, but there's no question who taught Sirius that principle. If he responded to Orion, yes, I'll take a reward, then the man will think he's done with, and no more trouble will come to him. If he thinks Edgeworth is a loose end - ]
I didn't do what I did from fear of consequence or desire of reward. All I care for is that justice is served, and if I see consequences for that, then so be it.
[And he adds, trying to cover up for his earlier defense of Sirius - ]
And it must be noted that you speaking like that to your son is a form of injustice in and of itself. I might not see eye-to-eye with him on many matters, but there is no question that he is an individual of singular courage and considerable magical skill.
[The compliment is dry and would be innocuous enough. And Sirius hates the way that it adds to that feeling of-- what, exactly, is it, it goes beyond gratefulness into a sort of warmth that he tries to tamp down, but can't quite manage. Like he and Edgeworth could ever really be friends, like those words--singular courage and considerable magical skill--could mean anything, really, to him. Coming from a mudblood. Coming from someone who just demonstrated courage beyond what Sirius was accustomed to--selfless, foolhardy and selfless--
Orion's smile chills, more. Is that possible? It was chilly before, but now there is nothing in it that reaches his eyes. It is a smile that is dark, and a little dead, and Sirius looks away from his father, quickly, and he still holds his tongue, feeling like a child, feeling stupid and small and useless and weak, like nothing that Edgeworth said.
Justice, Orion comments, coolly. A cold reward. No, but you require no reward. A cheap man is not always a safe man, Miles Edgeworth. But I will not waste my breath on you.
And he turns away, dismissive of the room, even if he isn't done quite yet:
My son is of no concern to you. Icy politeness, even now. Orion Black could poison you and smile in your face. His involvement with you ends here.
And Sirius knows better than to protest. He knows better than to shrink back, the way he might have when he was a child, climbing the stairs to his room, as if that would solve anything, as if he could hide.]
[All the threats Miles has heard this evening, up to this one, have just filled him with an angry sort of defiance. When he saw the harm coming to those muggles, he stood forth and tried to protect them. When he knew his own life was in danger, he simply fought harder. This last threat, this most minor threat, though - his reaction to this is different. His involvement with you ends twists in him, icy and horrifying, because -
He and Sirius might not be friends now. They might never be. But that doesn't mean that Edgeworth doesn't need him. Sirius went through that with him. He saw all that as well. And the thought of bearing that alone, without Sirius beside him - without Sirius to talk it over with, with Sirius standing stiff-backed and proper and pretending like his father wanted that it never happened -
How utterly devastating is that thought. How terrible the notion that he might not see Sirius again. He might not be his friend, but he's something deeper by far. He's the boy who saved his life. He's the boy who saved those muggles. He's the boy Miles knows better than any other.
And so there's something miserable and terrified bubbling up in Edgeworth's chest when he asks:]
What, is he to be pulled out of Hogwarts, then? Because I'll have to be involved with him as a Prefect if he's still in school.
[It's better if Edgeworth is focused on his father, and vice-versa, because the look that Sirius gives him is far too open. Only for a moment, easily missed--but in that moment, there's hope and confusion and anger and irritation, that he won't let this drop, that he won't just let this end, because it has to end. Either on Orion Black's terms or some other, because Sirius has dared enough, to help; he's stepped outside of the circle of his family name and he does not want to be there. He can't be there. He's tied to his father, to his family, and he's done enough to betray them, even if it might have been for their own good. No more.
Stop. The word is there. He bites it back.
Orion's face is a cool mask. Not a hair out of place, not an extra blink of his eye. He glances back at Edgeworth, a glance that he clearly intends to be his last.
You will not be. The words are slow and measured and cannot be misinterpreted. This is a threat, but it is so much more, too. You will keep yourself removed, prefect or no. And I will see to it that it happens this way. It is in your best interest. I will not risk corruption, and I do not greet the threat of it lightly. Whatever your interest in my son-- and that word is so loaded Sirius feels the instinct to flinch, again, as if Orion could know, somehow, that he helped Edgeworth, that he has more of a stake in this than he can say-- I suggest you forget it. And we will forget you. You do not want to be remembered by me, Miles Edgeworth.
And Orion looks to Sirius, then, expectantly. But what he expects, Sirius can't say, doesn't know--is he meant to agree with his father, to join him, to sneer at Edgeworth, say something cutting--he feels clumsy and stupid, suddenly, like a child, and he looks at Edgeworth with an expression he knows ought to be sharper. At best he can manage dispassionate.]
[I think the Sorting Hat made a mistake, Edgeworth had been saying just some few minutes before, but in this moment there's no doubt just how Gryffindor he is. His arms are crossed, his mouth twisted into a scowl, his stance aggressive; his chin is lifted, and his voice is strident. His eyes are fixed right on Orion's face, ready to meet his gaze with a glare if the man turns to look at him.
It's more fear than anger. Because Edgeworth knows how much damage Orion can do - not to him, because there's really never been much for Edgeworth to lose, even now, but to Sirius. But he'd caught just a flash of that expression on Sirius' face, and he's not -
He's not going to let that go. He's not going to let go of that strange, grateful look. He's not going to let Sirius just be taken away from him.]
Because a prefect does what the Headmaster directs him to, not what you do. And the Head of his House. Are you the head of Gryffindor, Lord Black? Because if not, then I don't think you have any say in whom I do or do not associate with.
And it's remarkable that you think to speak of corruption -
[He goes on recklessly, heedlessly, before the man can interrupt.]
Given that there's rather more of it coming from you than from me. Unless you're going to claim that you legitimately have a right to interrogate suspects before the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?
[And at that, he directs his glare at the Aurors. One looks a bit shamefaced; the other, older, doesn't even react.]
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carisma_sensei
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Date: 2013-11-11 09:52 pm (UTC)Straighten up, is what he says to his son. His manner is imperious. And then, a moment later: Is it true?]
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Date: 2013-11-12 12:14 am (UTC)But what he has to tell him is no easy thing. There's just a beat, of silence, and then:]
It's true. Sir.
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Date: 2013-11-12 12:54 am (UTC)And the cold expression of hatred that Orion Black wears makes him feel ill as well. How different this man is from Gregory Edgeworth. From what Miles remembers of his father, this man would be like Dad in stature, in age, in general appearance; and yet there would have been no true resemblance between them. For Dad never would have worn that expression of contempt; he never would have twitched his shoulders in that officious, angry way. He never would have gazed upon his son with dislike.
And that's why Edgeworth steps forth as soon as Sirius stops talking. Because he wants to unsettle this man - and, more, because he wants Sirius to stop looking so proper.]
Mr. Black, I think what is true quite depends on what you have heard. If you have been made to understand that Voldemort has been slain, then, indeed, that is true. Beyond that, you should be more specific.
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Date: 2013-11-12 12:20 pm (UTC)He doesn't answer. He just stares at him, long after he's stopped speaking, just long enough so that it feels uncomfortable.
Are you presuming to speak to me? he asks, and his voice is like silk, but the undercurrent of disgust is so strong beneath it.]
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Date: 2013-11-12 01:09 pm (UTC)And so Edgeworth's response to that question is to lift his chin, and meet Orion Black's eyes directly. And his response - to this man who looks at him like he's dirt, who looks at Sirius, his son, like he's dirt - is openly rude.]
Given that I prefaced my comments with your name, I think we can assume so.
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Date: 2013-11-12 06:29 pm (UTC)Funny. Orion smiles, the barest lifting of his lips. He has the same gray eyes as Sirius, but flintier. I addressed my son. And I know you are not my son. You are nothing of mine.
But he cocks his head, just a little, his gaze sliding down Edgeworth, taking in the sight of him. Miles Edgeworth. Correct?]
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Date: 2013-11-12 11:01 pm (UTC)He does look over to Sirius, though, for just a moment. The sight of him still standing stiff and silent and respectful feeds the fire of anger towards this miserable man, and it leads him to answer with more of that curt disrespect. It's an unabashedly Gryffindor sort of thing to do - but he wants to provoke the man, bring him to anger, demonstrate to Sirius that he's...not that cold, inhuman figure in the Black manor's parlor.]
Correct. Miles Edgeworth, who killed Lord Voldemort. And you're Orion Black, who cowtowed to him, correct?
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Date: 2013-11-13 03:39 pm (UTC)Orion doesn't so much as move. Indeed, his smile flicks into place again--not that his face is any warmer for it.
An interesting understanding of the situation, he says, coolly, but I'm afraid your information is rather bad, Miles Edgeworth. I never associated with the wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort. Indeed, I have never-- 'cowtowed' to anyone. I wouldn't know where to start. Perhaps you could demonstrate for us.
He turns away from Edgeworth, dismissive, though he's still speaking to him as he reaches into the interior of his robes. I would, however, be interested to know how you came to be in the position to murder another wizard. My sources provide better information than yours, I think--but there's nothing like hearing it from the hippogriff's mouth, as the saying goes.]
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Date: 2013-11-13 06:35 pm (UTC)What would Sirius want him to say? To tell the truth, or to lie? To defend his position in his family, or to sever it? God, Edgeworth wants the latter. Edgeworth wants to lash out and cut the ties between Sirius and this miserable, cold, rotten man -
But it's not his place. But nor is he going to lie. So.]
I would like to know, sir, what authority you have to question me. Are you assigned to this case?
[Sirius' dad's expression is contemptuous when he looks at Edgeworth again. Blacks deal with Black business. That is our prerogative.]
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Date: 2013-11-13 07:49 pm (UTC)Sirius sees the look on Edgeworth's face, even if his father does not. Murder. Silently, he tries to tell Edgeworth: don't be so careless again, because if Orion sees, then he'll press, he spots weakness better than any hunting hound, and he knows how to use it. And all the while he's thinking: why warn Edgeworth. What does it batter. Black business, that's Sirius' as well, and he turns to his father, finally.]
I'll answer your questions, Father. I saw all of it. And I've already gotten Edgeworth's word that he's not going to claim responsibility for what happened. The Ministry can have their victory.
[That's not exactly what they said, and it was never really agreed upon. But it doesn't matter. It's something, anyways.]
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Date: 2013-11-13 11:45 pm (UTC)[Edgeworth starts to protest that, but then closes his mouth on it. Again, he'd known what he was going to say to the Ministry, to the Aurors alone, but the appearance of Orion Black has complicated things. He'd wanted to tell the truth; that had been what he'd decided; but if he tells the truth in full, there's no question that he'll get Sirius disowned. It's not his right.
Besides, what's the worst thing that might happen? That Orion Black ends up misinformed? No; any man who could transform Sirius' infuriatingly drawling accent into something so proper, so grammar-school, deserves to be kept in the dark.
And when Sirius speaks, all of Orion's attention focuses on him again. There's nothing of approval in his face. There's nothing of affection. Just cold regard.
Then speak. Tell me what happened.]
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Date: 2013-11-14 12:37 pm (UTC)He followed me to the party. I knew he was there when I was about halfway--I thought I could catch him in a trap, but I lost him in the crowd when I arrived. Voldemort was there, with Bellatrix, and her husband, and a few others--we spoke, and Edgeworth revealed himself then. He was going to duel Voldemort.
[His mouth tightens a little. He's not forgotten the ridiculousness of that suggestion, the mocking laughter.]
It was shameful. To Voldemort. [A bold statement, but honour is prized very highly.] It doesn't matter if he's muggle-born, dueling him was beneath Voldemort. He'd have brought shame on his name, except it's an invented name.
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Date: 2013-11-14 03:45 pm (UTC)It's also a version that twists in Edgeworth like a knife. Sirius doesn't think any of what he's saying. Miles knows that, and he knows that Sirius has a perfectly good reason for telling this lie. Yet at the same time, it hurts to hear it, hurts to hear him speaking so clipped and proper about muggle-borns (not mudblood, though; that's something). He wishes he would stop.
But Orion's expression is turning less cold - not by much, just a bit. He asks: And he won against him? A mudblood? I don't think that's likely.]
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Date: 2013-11-14 08:11 pm (UTC)He lifts his chin a little.]
He was set to lose. It was pathetic. [That goes both ways, pathetic on Voldemort's part and Edgeworth's as well--] And then he brought the ceiling down.
[Let it stand alone. He looks back at his father, evenly, and doesn't offer any feeling on that statement. Let it stand alone, and if his father reads it as cheating then he will say so, cast his judgement--if he thinks it at all clever, he'll call it a mudblood trick anyways.]
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Date: 2013-11-14 08:42 pm (UTC)He closes his eyes. If there is anything good to come of this whole affair - beyond Voldemort no longer leading his armies to slaughter innocents; he has to keep that in mind, has to remind himself of that, lest the charge of murder overwhelm him and cripple his conscience - it is that the two of them worked together. It ought to be a powerful symbol: the Muggle-born and the scion of the house Black, the mudblood and the pureblood, working together to put a stop to this tyranny. With the two of them together, it would be impossible to forge the easy narrative - of the pureblood turning on his leader out of jealousy and ambition, of the spiteful member of the underclass turning into a cowardly assassin. With them united, it's something less grotesque.
(Or maybe he just doesn't want to hear all of that from someone he's come to respect.)
Mudblood trickery, then, is Orion's assessment; he turns a contemptuous eye on Miles a moment later, lip curling. He looks so very much like his son, but with familiar features twisted in a way they ought not be, that it makes Edgeworth angry. Edgeworth looks down at his feet, jaw clenched, posture stiff.
Orion speaks to his son again.
And how did you survive?]
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Date: 2013-11-15 07:54 am (UTC)And he's reminded of that, now, under his father's scrutiny--not that he'd ever really forgotten. Sirius looks back at him, as steadily as he can.]
A Shield Charm. [The truth, finally.] I tried to intervene but wasn't able.
[And his father will not ask who it was that saved the muggles--because it was the muggle-born, that's obvious. It would never have been Sirius. He does not look over at Edgeworth but stares forward, resolute.]
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Date: 2013-11-15 03:48 pm (UTC)Perhaps. Edgeworth cannot shake the feeling that it's worse for him. That it would be better if his father did cut all ties - but that's not his place to think, never his place.
Sirius' father is quiet a moment as he studies him. A moment, and then he asks: And how is it that the mudblood was able to follow you?
That's...a bad question, indicates a bad train of thought; Edgeworth steps in with an answer.]
I took the letter of invitation from amongst his things. [Not a lie.] And I read it through.
[Which is a bit too quick. It sounds just a little bit like a defense.]
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Date: 2013-11-15 08:02 pm (UTC)Of course. It's low, and unimpressed, but with a touch of amusement. And that was easy, I suppose, to do. Because my son is careless, and lax with his possessions... --and here Sirius nearly flinches, at the cold disapproval that creeps into his father's tone--or maybe he only imagines it, because Orion finishes, silkily, Or because of your own particular brand of cunning? Tell me, how was it that you had access to his things? Is inspection of a Slytherin dormitory in a Gryffindor prefect's list of duties?]
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Date: 2013-11-15 08:39 pm (UTC)[That's stupid. That's a phenomenally stupid thing to say, he knows - God, it could not be more stupid. But it's an involuntary response, a quick and angry response - but he just cannot stand the way Sirius looks in that moment, the way he seems to have been dealt a blow, and it's that even more than the man's tone that makes Edgeworth speak up in his defense.
And - God, stupid. The last thing he needs is to reveal their alliance. The last thing he needs is to reveal his weakness - his strange affection for Sirius Black. It can only hurt them both, and yet it comes unbidden from his mouth.
He can't stop to brood over it. He has to move on, has to - distract him, somehow, from that idiotic thing - And so he talks, quickly, recklessly - (and how did Orion know he was a prefect - how much does the man know about him; he'd assumed he was a non-entity, that he'd only known his name because he'd been told it by the Aurors - ) ]
He had it on him. I stole it from him. And I will admit that freely, and am prepared to face the consequences for it.
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Date: 2013-11-22 06:39 am (UTC)But the second thing that twists in Sirius is something so absurdly close to gratefulness that he has to ignore it. Because acknowledging it would mean confronting it, and he can't afford-- that. Any part of that. His jaw sets, resolutely; his eyes narrow--
But Orion Black is still looking at Edgeworth, coolly, still with those raised eyebrows, patient to the last. There is no crime in stealing a bit of parchment, he says, eventually, with a note of something so close to amusement. Or are you asking for a consequence? Or a reward.
A bribe, more than a reward. But he doesn't say that. He only smiles, at Edgeworth, slowly.]
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Date: 2013-11-24 05:35 pm (UTC)[Orion's smile is met with a deep scowl, deepening as the man's smile broadens. Which is likewise stupid. Sirius had talked earlier, hadn't he, about how the Ministry would be a threat unless Miles simply accepted a reward. Edgeworth still isn't buying that, not completely, but there's no question who taught Sirius that principle. If he responded to Orion, yes, I'll take a reward, then the man will think he's done with, and no more trouble will come to him. If he thinks Edgeworth is a loose end - ]
I didn't do what I did from fear of consequence or desire of reward. All I care for is that justice is served, and if I see consequences for that, then so be it.
[And he adds, trying to cover up for his earlier defense of Sirius - ]
And it must be noted that you speaking like that to your son is a form of injustice in and of itself. I might not see eye-to-eye with him on many matters, but there is no question that he is an individual of singular courage and considerable magical skill.
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Date: 2013-11-25 12:37 pm (UTC)Orion's smile chills, more. Is that possible? It was chilly before, but now there is nothing in it that reaches his eyes. It is a smile that is dark, and a little dead, and Sirius looks away from his father, quickly, and he still holds his tongue, feeling like a child, feeling stupid and small and useless and weak, like nothing that Edgeworth said.
Justice, Orion comments, coolly. A cold reward. No, but you require no reward. A cheap man is not always a safe man, Miles Edgeworth. But I will not waste my breath on you.
And he turns away, dismissive of the room, even if he isn't done quite yet:
My son is of no concern to you. Icy politeness, even now. Orion Black could poison you and smile in your face. His involvement with you ends here.
And Sirius knows better than to protest. He knows better than to shrink back, the way he might have when he was a child, climbing the stairs to his room, as if that would solve anything, as if he could hide.]
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Date: 2013-11-25 02:36 pm (UTC)He and Sirius might not be friends now. They might never be. But that doesn't mean that Edgeworth doesn't need him. Sirius went through that with him. He saw all that as well. And the thought of bearing that alone, without Sirius beside him - without Sirius to talk it over with, with Sirius standing stiff-backed and proper and pretending like his father wanted that it never happened -
How utterly devastating is that thought. How terrible the notion that he might not see Sirius again. He might not be his friend, but he's something deeper by far. He's the boy who saved his life. He's the boy who saved those muggles. He's the boy Miles knows better than any other.
And so there's something miserable and terrified bubbling up in Edgeworth's chest when he asks:]
What, is he to be pulled out of Hogwarts, then? Because I'll have to be involved with him as a Prefect if he's still in school.
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Date: 2013-11-25 08:27 pm (UTC)Stop. The word is there. He bites it back.
Orion's face is a cool mask. Not a hair out of place, not an extra blink of his eye. He glances back at Edgeworth, a glance that he clearly intends to be his last.
You will not be. The words are slow and measured and cannot be misinterpreted. This is a threat, but it is so much more, too. You will keep yourself removed, prefect or no. And I will see to it that it happens this way. It is in your best interest. I will not risk corruption, and I do not greet the threat of it lightly. Whatever your interest in my son-- and that word is so loaded Sirius feels the instinct to flinch, again, as if Orion could know, somehow, that he helped Edgeworth, that he has more of a stake in this than he can say-- I suggest you forget it. And we will forget you. You do not want to be remembered by me, Miles Edgeworth.
And Orion looks to Sirius, then, expectantly. But what he expects, Sirius can't say, doesn't know--is he meant to agree with his father, to join him, to sneer at Edgeworth, say something cutting--he feels clumsy and stupid, suddenly, like a child, and he looks at Edgeworth with an expression he knows ought to be sharper. At best he can manage dispassionate.]
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Date: 2013-11-25 09:19 pm (UTC)[I think the Sorting Hat made a mistake, Edgeworth had been saying just some few minutes before, but in this moment there's no doubt just how Gryffindor he is. His arms are crossed, his mouth twisted into a scowl, his stance aggressive; his chin is lifted, and his voice is strident. His eyes are fixed right on Orion's face, ready to meet his gaze with a glare if the man turns to look at him.
It's more fear than anger. Because Edgeworth knows how much damage Orion can do - not to him, because there's really never been much for Edgeworth to lose, even now, but to Sirius. But he'd caught just a flash of that expression on Sirius' face, and he's not -
He's not going to let that go. He's not going to let go of that strange, grateful look. He's not going to let Sirius just be taken away from him.]
Because a prefect does what the Headmaster directs him to, not what you do. And the Head of his House. Are you the head of Gryffindor, Lord Black? Because if not, then I don't think you have any say in whom I do or do not associate with.
And it's remarkable that you think to speak of corruption -
[He goes on recklessly, heedlessly, before the man can interrupt.]
Given that there's rather more of it coming from you than from me. Unless you're going to claim that you legitimately have a right to interrogate suspects before the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?
[And at that, he directs his glare at the Aurors. One looks a bit shamefaced; the other, older, doesn't even react.]
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