"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 367: Douglas: I'm Worried About You, Sirius
Douglas rolled his eyes. He'd almost forgotten—this wolf had once been part of the Marauders, too. Hardly the type to play by the rules, and his tongue was as sharp as ever.
He gave the two men another long look, suspicion in his voice. "You two didn't go running to Snape just because the students turned you down, did you?"
Sirius pulled a face, as if deeply offended by the suggestion. "How could you think so little of me? I'm the Administrative Director now, you know. I can't just go picking fights with a Head of House—that'd ruin Hogwarts' harmonious atmosphere!"
He straightened up, adopting a mock-righteous tone. "Personally, I'm a huge supporter of Professor Holmes' groundbreaking approach to potion-making. As Administrative Director, it's my duty to consider the quality of education at Hogwarts. Everything I do is for the good of the school…"
Douglas sipped his water, watching the performance with open amusement. "So?"
Sirius winked, flashing a sheepish grin. "So… I went through proper channels and sent Victoria—my Slytherin-born assistant from the admin office—to have a friendly chat with Professor Snape. See if we could borrow a few top sixth- and seventh-years… in your name, of course."
Douglas set his glass down, fingers drumming the desk, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "In my name? I half-expected you to go yourself. No wonder the old bat was in such a good mood—he actually let you walk away in one piece."
Sirius slapped his thigh, indignant. "Nonsense! Even if we did come to blows, two Snivelluses wouldn't be a match for me."
Seeing Douglas's look, he rushed to explain. "Think about it—Snape's always had… well, opinions about your potions skills. But you're the one who improved the Wolfsbane Potion, aren't you? If he knew you were personally asking for students, he'd probably take it as a challenge. Might even get so worked up he sends the whole advanced Potions class over—just to prove a point. Ha!"
He broke into laughter, clearly enjoying the thought of Snape's face turning the color of sour milk.
Lupin gave a discreet cough, reminding Sirius to rein it in.
Sirius's excitement dimmed only a little. "Hey, you never know—what if, just maybe, old Snivellus finally comes around? Even if he refuses, at least he'll know just how much the students admire Professor Holmes these days. Let him stew over the fact that his precious pupils are all eager to learn from you… heh!"
He rubbed his hands together, looking for all the world like a fox that had just raided the henhouse. Then he puffed out his chest, trying to look more responsible.
"But don't worry, Doug. I'm still the Administrative Director. Victoria was just testing the waters. If there's any real friction, I'll step in and smooth things over. After all, we can't have anything threatening Hogwarts unity. It's all about… you know, fostering a vibrant academic atmosphere and encouraging friendly exchanges between professors!"
He sneaked a glance at Douglas, clearly waiting for a reaction.
Douglas simply smiled, lips curling in amusement. "So let me get this straight: you used my name, sent one of Snape's own to ask him for his most prized students, to brew the potion he despises most?"
Seeing Douglas wasn't angry, Sirius grinned and tossed his hair with pride. "What do you think? Pretty clever, eh? That's what I call strategy! I risked a duel with Snivellus for you, mate!
But listen, Doug—this was my idea, but if, just if…"
He leaned in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, all traces of administrative dignity gone. "If Snivellus really blows his top, you'll have to cover for me. I don't want this getting all the way to Albus."
Douglas looked at Sirius, torn between exasperation and amusement. At least he'd bothered to give a heads-up, even if it was after the fact.
Truth be told, Douglas had considered recruiting the advanced Potions students himself, but figured Snape would never let his best pupils waste time brewing medicinal cuisine. That's why he'd handed the matter to Lupin instead. Sirius, as it turned out, had just stumbled right into his abandoned plan.
"All right, I appreciate your… good intentions. I'll talk to the Professor myself."
He paused, tone turning playful. "But next time you're planning a show like this, give me a heads-up. Otherwise, if I don't play along with your improv, I might ruin your act."
Sirius's eyes lit up instantly—he knew the matter was settled, and Douglas wasn't actually angry.
He slouched back into his usual, irreverent posture, grinning ear to ear. "Absolutely! Doug, you can count on me—next time there's something this fun, you'll be the first to know! I promise, it'll be a show worth watching!"
No sooner had he finished than something seemed to occur to him.
"Oh, right—Harry told me he's planning to take the Charon Detective Society to fix up the old house over the summer… So, I was wondering, you got anything that could block the Ministry's Trace…?"
He winked at Douglas, the meaning clear as day.
Douglas couldn't help but laugh—so this was Sirius's real motive.
He leaned back in his chair, voice calm and even. "Godric's Hollow isn't just a matter of a little disrepair, you know."
Sirius jumped in, his cocky expression fading for a moment before returning, as if that piece of history no longer weighed quite so heavily on him.
"I know—there's still Dark Magic residue… But Harry insists, and honestly, I think letting him rebuild his home with his own hands means more to him than anyone realizes."
Douglas held his gaze, then said quietly, "I'm worried about you. Are you sure you're up for this?"
Sirius fell silent.
Lupin's eyes were full of concern as he looked at his old friend.
After a moment, Sirius answered, voice steady and sincere. "I can do it."
What Harry was rebuilding wasn't just the house Voldemort had destroyed—it was the family he'd lost, and the chasm Sirius had never quite managed to cross.
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