Professor McGonagall: Dark Conspirator
by Rainsong
Summary: When James and Sirius suspect Prof. McGonagall of passing information to Voldemort, they decide to do a bit of investigating of their own. MWPP, of course.
A/N: Well, I'm trying my hand at writing flat-out MWPP fiction. Takes place in 6th year. Not much of an Author's Note, really. Please Read & Review, and in case you're wondering, I'm flame-retardant.
~~~~
Sirius drummed his fingers on the wooden desk, staring blankly out the window during his afternoon Transfiguration lesson. Professor McGonagall was droning on about something that had to do with the complications of becoming an Animagus. When the lesson had started, James and Sirius were both cracking jokes and answering every question with ease. But after about the first fifteen minutes, the joke grew stale and boredom ensued.
James seemed to be sleeping, though he had artfully positioned his head so that it looked as though he was reading from the textbook. Every now and then, he recieved a sharp poke from Lily, and jolted back into consciousness. But even that only lasted so long; soon his glasses had drooped down to the tip of his nose, and he was again sound asleep.
"I want a foot of parchment on what goes into the process of becoming an Animagus, due Monday. Good day." Professor McGonagall said. She stood up, straightened her papers, and left the classroom hurriedly.
The students began to rise slowly, stretching and yawning, and move out the door. Soon Sirius, Remus, Lily and Peter were the only ones left standing in the room, as James was still snoozing soundly. Sirius bent down, positioned himself right next to James's ear, and shouted loudy.
"POTTER! ON THE FIELD, NOW!"
James sat up abruptly, blinking and grabbing for a nonexistent broomstick. Sirius stood up, looking quite satisfied. When James had come to his senses, he glared angrily at Sirius.
"You know, normal people usually tap, not shout." James said, gathering his books.
"Prongs, I was merely testing your reflexes. Chasers need to fine-tune their nervous system, especially when you've got Lestrange as a Beater for Slytherin." Sirius said matter-of-factly as they walked out of the room. "And haven't we had the discussion about 'normal people' and me before?"
"Yes, Padfoot, and I have no desire to have it again. Let me rephrase the statement. Even the weirdest of people tap. Some may throw fruit, but even that would have been more acceptable."
Sirius grinned, looking satisfied with that answer.
"You're just lucky McGonagall wasn't in here to hear that. She's always had a problem with Padfoot shouting." Remus said.
"Or just talking in general."
"Or breathing."
"Hello? When did I leave the building?" Sirius said, waving at everyone.
"A long time ago, Padfoot. A very long time ago." James said. Everyone chuckled except for Sirius, who continued to contest his insanity all the way down the corridor.
"Speaking of McGonagall, where'd she hurry off to so quickly?" Peter asked as the conversation veered away from Sirius.
"Dunno. Maybe she had a meeting or something. Well, we've got to get going." James said, gesturing down the hall. "We've got Divination."
Remus, Lily, and Peter nodded, and walked off towards Arithmancy class, leaving James and Sirius alone in the hallway. They began to turn to walk up the staircase to class when they heard a voice coming from a deserted classroom to their left.
"Its been getting darker and darker lately. What do you think it means?"
The two looked at each other, and hurried towards the door, peeking through the small window. They had a limited field of vision, but could clearly see Professor McGonagall and Professor Grendel, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor McGonagall had the left arm of her robes raised, and was showing something to Professor Grendel, who examined it closely.
"I don't know. I haven't heard of anything going around lately." Professor Grendel replied.
"Well, tell me if you hear anything. Or if you have any idea what it is." Professor McGonagall replied. She put her robe back down and began to walk towards the door. Scrambling, Sirius and James hid behind a large statue on the other side of the corridor, watching as the two professors exited and went their seperate ways. When the coast was clear, they stood up, both looking shocked.
"D-Do you think that was..what I think that was?" Sirius asked weakly.
"Couldn't be. I mean, its McGonagall. She couldn't have the Mark..she couldn't be a Death Eater." James said, though he looked just as shaken.
"But she was talking to Grendel! That guy's got more Dark objects than Knockturn Alley, and somehow I doubt they're all teaching tools." Sirius said, looking nervously around the corner to make sure no one else was overhearing their conversation.
"But Dumbledore wouldn't have hired him if he knew that he was a Death Eater. And anyway, McGonagall is Dumbledore's closest confidante. He'd know if she were on the other side. I'm sure there's a logical explanation for this." James said.
"Thats what you said when they found '101 Ways to Torture a Muggle' in Professor Scantmayer's office." Sirius said, referring to last year's ill- fated Dark Arts teacher.
James scowled at Sirius. "Look, why don't we wait until after Divination. We can talk to the others at dinner and get their opinion. Until then, we do nothing." he said. Sirius pondered this for a minute, nodded, and they continued on to Divination.
*
Later that evening, they were seated in the Great Hall for dinner. The moment everyone was settled, James and Sirius both burst out the entire story of Professor McGonagall. When they had finished their recollection, there was silence from all three of the listeners. But it was soon broken by Lily, who began to laugh.
"Honestly! Professor McGonagall?" Lily said between giggles. "I mean, you two have gone off on some wild conspiracy theories before, but McGonagall?"
"Look, I have to agree with Lily on this one. She could have been showing Grendel anything." Remus said as he started on his mashed potatoes.
Sirius and James, both looking utterly offended that no one would take them seriously, continued eating without another word. After watching them for a moment, Lily set down her fork.
"Stop it, both of you. Especially you, James. I expect this behavior from Sirius." Lily added.
As Sirius opened his mouth to protest, a silence came over the hall. They all turned to see Professor Grendel standing up, clearing his throat. His frizzy red hair was shooting up in every direction, and his dark brown eyes looked apprehensive.
"In Professor Dumbledore's absence, I have a message to deliver to you all. As you may know, he is doing business in Norway, and will not be back until Tuesday." Grendel began. "Professor McGonagall received a rather urgent owl and needed to leave immediately. Therefore, her classes will be free periods for all students. I suggest you use your time well." he added. Stepping away from the front of the room, Grendel disappeared into the hallway.
Sirius turned back to Lily, and, speaking as though he had made some great revelation, said "I told you so!"
~~~~~
A/N: End of Chapter One! Wahoo..next chapter should be up tomorrow, with any luck. I'm struggling to keep this one interesting and funny, as I am not a very talented writer, so bear with me. In the meantime, read some of Trinity Day's fiction. (Shameless plug for my favorite author! Oh well..we all have our idols.)
by Rainsong
Summary: When James and Sirius suspect Prof. McGonagall of passing information to Voldemort, they decide to do a bit of investigating of their own. MWPP, of course.
A/N: Well, I'm trying my hand at writing flat-out MWPP fiction. Takes place in 6th year. Not much of an Author's Note, really. Please Read & Review, and in case you're wondering, I'm flame-retardant.
~~~~
Sirius drummed his fingers on the wooden desk, staring blankly out the window during his afternoon Transfiguration lesson. Professor McGonagall was droning on about something that had to do with the complications of becoming an Animagus. When the lesson had started, James and Sirius were both cracking jokes and answering every question with ease. But after about the first fifteen minutes, the joke grew stale and boredom ensued.
James seemed to be sleeping, though he had artfully positioned his head so that it looked as though he was reading from the textbook. Every now and then, he recieved a sharp poke from Lily, and jolted back into consciousness. But even that only lasted so long; soon his glasses had drooped down to the tip of his nose, and he was again sound asleep.
"I want a foot of parchment on what goes into the process of becoming an Animagus, due Monday. Good day." Professor McGonagall said. She stood up, straightened her papers, and left the classroom hurriedly.
The students began to rise slowly, stretching and yawning, and move out the door. Soon Sirius, Remus, Lily and Peter were the only ones left standing in the room, as James was still snoozing soundly. Sirius bent down, positioned himself right next to James's ear, and shouted loudy.
"POTTER! ON THE FIELD, NOW!"
James sat up abruptly, blinking and grabbing for a nonexistent broomstick. Sirius stood up, looking quite satisfied. When James had come to his senses, he glared angrily at Sirius.
"You know, normal people usually tap, not shout." James said, gathering his books.
"Prongs, I was merely testing your reflexes. Chasers need to fine-tune their nervous system, especially when you've got Lestrange as a Beater for Slytherin." Sirius said matter-of-factly as they walked out of the room. "And haven't we had the discussion about 'normal people' and me before?"
"Yes, Padfoot, and I have no desire to have it again. Let me rephrase the statement. Even the weirdest of people tap. Some may throw fruit, but even that would have been more acceptable."
Sirius grinned, looking satisfied with that answer.
"You're just lucky McGonagall wasn't in here to hear that. She's always had a problem with Padfoot shouting." Remus said.
"Or just talking in general."
"Or breathing."
"Hello? When did I leave the building?" Sirius said, waving at everyone.
"A long time ago, Padfoot. A very long time ago." James said. Everyone chuckled except for Sirius, who continued to contest his insanity all the way down the corridor.
"Speaking of McGonagall, where'd she hurry off to so quickly?" Peter asked as the conversation veered away from Sirius.
"Dunno. Maybe she had a meeting or something. Well, we've got to get going." James said, gesturing down the hall. "We've got Divination."
Remus, Lily, and Peter nodded, and walked off towards Arithmancy class, leaving James and Sirius alone in the hallway. They began to turn to walk up the staircase to class when they heard a voice coming from a deserted classroom to their left.
"Its been getting darker and darker lately. What do you think it means?"
The two looked at each other, and hurried towards the door, peeking through the small window. They had a limited field of vision, but could clearly see Professor McGonagall and Professor Grendel, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor McGonagall had the left arm of her robes raised, and was showing something to Professor Grendel, who examined it closely.
"I don't know. I haven't heard of anything going around lately." Professor Grendel replied.
"Well, tell me if you hear anything. Or if you have any idea what it is." Professor McGonagall replied. She put her robe back down and began to walk towards the door. Scrambling, Sirius and James hid behind a large statue on the other side of the corridor, watching as the two professors exited and went their seperate ways. When the coast was clear, they stood up, both looking shocked.
"D-Do you think that was..what I think that was?" Sirius asked weakly.
"Couldn't be. I mean, its McGonagall. She couldn't have the Mark..she couldn't be a Death Eater." James said, though he looked just as shaken.
"But she was talking to Grendel! That guy's got more Dark objects than Knockturn Alley, and somehow I doubt they're all teaching tools." Sirius said, looking nervously around the corner to make sure no one else was overhearing their conversation.
"But Dumbledore wouldn't have hired him if he knew that he was a Death Eater. And anyway, McGonagall is Dumbledore's closest confidante. He'd know if she were on the other side. I'm sure there's a logical explanation for this." James said.
"Thats what you said when they found '101 Ways to Torture a Muggle' in Professor Scantmayer's office." Sirius said, referring to last year's ill- fated Dark Arts teacher.
James scowled at Sirius. "Look, why don't we wait until after Divination. We can talk to the others at dinner and get their opinion. Until then, we do nothing." he said. Sirius pondered this for a minute, nodded, and they continued on to Divination.
*
Later that evening, they were seated in the Great Hall for dinner. The moment everyone was settled, James and Sirius both burst out the entire story of Professor McGonagall. When they had finished their recollection, there was silence from all three of the listeners. But it was soon broken by Lily, who began to laugh.
"Honestly! Professor McGonagall?" Lily said between giggles. "I mean, you two have gone off on some wild conspiracy theories before, but McGonagall?"
"Look, I have to agree with Lily on this one. She could have been showing Grendel anything." Remus said as he started on his mashed potatoes.
Sirius and James, both looking utterly offended that no one would take them seriously, continued eating without another word. After watching them for a moment, Lily set down her fork.
"Stop it, both of you. Especially you, James. I expect this behavior from Sirius." Lily added.
As Sirius opened his mouth to protest, a silence came over the hall. They all turned to see Professor Grendel standing up, clearing his throat. His frizzy red hair was shooting up in every direction, and his dark brown eyes looked apprehensive.
"In Professor Dumbledore's absence, I have a message to deliver to you all. As you may know, he is doing business in Norway, and will not be back until Tuesday." Grendel began. "Professor McGonagall received a rather urgent owl and needed to leave immediately. Therefore, her classes will be free periods for all students. I suggest you use your time well." he added. Stepping away from the front of the room, Grendel disappeared into the hallway.
Sirius turned back to Lily, and, speaking as though he had made some great revelation, said "I told you so!"
~~~~~
A/N: End of Chapter One! Wahoo..next chapter should be up tomorrow, with any luck. I'm struggling to keep this one interesting and funny, as I am not a very talented writer, so bear with me. In the meantime, read some of Trinity Day's fiction. (Shameless plug for my favorite author! Oh well..we all have our idols.)