Project Time-Delayed Eggs

The tension was high in the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld Place that evening. Molly Weasley watched carefully as people doled out their dinner. There had been three attempts of sabotage in a fortnight alone. In a way she hoped it was the innocent joke of one of her twins, because that meant it wasn’t due to one of the adults; who really should know better and they would be more likely to have a dangerous result. Severus Snape had been staying at Number 12 for a while. And Molly knew that he was in someway connected to the spiking of the food. Whether as victim or instigator, she wasn’t yet sure. But she’d find out. Oh yes, you could bet your broomstick on it; Molly Weasley would find out.

*

Sirius let his thin strew dribble of his fork and land with a splat back in his plate. “If you don’t like it – don’t eat it.” Molly snapped. “Go eat rats instead.” Sirius sighed and looked to his left, where Remus was sat. They shared a look. No one had time or freedom to go to buy more food.

*

Silence reined after those few words.

*

Who ever said the war was getting them down was a liar.

*

Fred and George ate their stew carefully. They had meticulously avoided any traces of egg in their food for the past month. They weren’t exactly sure if stew involved egg, but they weren’t risking it. There had been many interesting incidents so far – and the twins weren’t inclined to join in.

*

So far, Snape had gone sentimental whenever he saw Harry, and kept trying to have nostalgic conversations about Lily Evans’ virtues with him. Harry had told him exactly where to go. Harry had received a very long detention for when the school year started again. Ron and Hermione had got off together, to which Harry had snapped it had taken them long enough, Molly had reprimanded Ron for not deserving her, and Hermione had slapped Ron. Molly had apperated to Bill and Fleur’s cottage and cut Bill’s hair whilst he was asleep. Remus had released Buckbeak at half one in the morning, and the Hippogriff hadn’t been seen since. The twins were excited as to what this mealtime would bring.

*

Half way through the meal, Remus made another brave stab at conversation. “You know,” he said, prodding at a shrived slice of carrot, “this taste’s different to last night’s.” Fred and George sniggered.

“Its called re-heating leftovers.” Molly replied coolly.

“No, not that.” Remus tried to placate her. “It’s like there’s something new in it.”

“Or something died.” Ron muttered.

*

Abruptly, Sirius dropped his fork onto the table with a clatter.

“Oh don’t you start again.” Molly exclaimed.

But Sirius just stared at his fork in wonder. “I didn’t mean to drop that.” He said quietly.

“Need help feeding yourself Black?” Snape quipped.

Sirius didn’t retaliate. He slowly put one hand on his chest and his eyes went wide. “What – you-!” He hissed suddenly, rounding on Snape. “You put something in my food! I can’t breathe!” Everyone stopped eating and stared at the pair, watching.

*

“Hmm, taste’s like… Ephedra.” Remus observed in the silence.

“What?” Harry asked immediately, his eyes still on Sirius, his breaths now rasping and shaky.

“Erm, Ephedra, it’s a herb, used to be used in medicine, now it’s used in alchemy. It’s also Joint-Pine, Jointfir, Yellow Hemp or Sea Grape. No? Don’t know any of those?”

“Jointfir!” Sirius gasped. “Jointfir! You put Jointfir in my food!”

“I’ll get your medicine.” Remus said reassuringly, taking out his wand.

*

“But it’s poisonous!” Sirius continued. Snape didn’t reply, but smiled an oily smile. Sirius slumped backwards in his chair, struggling for breath. Everyone else just sat and watched in an immoveable shock.

“Jointfir acts as a neurotoxin.” Remus explained. “It paralyses you. Stops you breathing.” Then, seeing all the horrified looks and glances towards people’s own food, he added; “Oh, but only to Sirius – he’s allergic. The rest of you are fine. No effects at all. Now, where did we put the medicine?” He said to himself vaguely. Sirius’ hand stopped clutching at his throat and lay still on his chest.

*

Harry made a sudden movement as if to get up, but Arthur forced him down again. The teenagers all looked very frightened, Remus noticed. The adults, meanwhile, were just waiting for Remus to remember where they’d put Sirius’ gigantic box of remedies for his innumerable allergies when they moved into Number Twelve. “Oh yeah-” And with that, a small vial of potion appeared with a pop in front of Remus. He uncapped it and tipped it down Sirius’ throat, then hurriedly conjured a bucket.

*

A few tense seconds passed, then suddenly Sirius pitched forward and threw up noisily in the bucket; effectively getting rid of the allergen.

*

“Now what makes you think it was me?” Snape asked silkily, now the drama had passed.

“Because you know I’m allergic and you could get hold of Jointfir. Besides,” Sirius continued breathlessly, “your last attempt failed.” His eyes narrowed spitefully.

“Which I wouldn’t have been forced to undertake if you hadn’t tried to poison me first, Black!” Snape cried.

“You know what Sniviulls?” Sirius asked, suddenly loosing patience. “You've made your bed. So lie in it.” With that he up ended the sick bucket all over him.