Sirius might be of age now, but he was still evidently more a boy than a man: he had smiled for no reason as he came in. Children smiled too much. It was a mark of stupidity.
Fortunately, any sense of that Sirius evaporated by the time he had stepped over. “Sirius,” Phineas greeted in turn, “sit.” He waved him to a chair opposite his desk, as if he habitually did this for any student. (He did not – other students had the luxury of standing until dismissed.)
But Sirius was already proving diligent with his new responsibilities. This was a hopeful sign. He considered the question, and answered indulgently. The tediousness of scheduling could wait today. First – “Confiscations, shall we?”
Fortunately, any sense of that Sirius evaporated by the time he had stepped over. “Sirius,” Phineas greeted in turn, “sit.” He waved him to a chair opposite his desk, as if he habitually did this for any student. (He did not – other students had the luxury of standing until dismissed.)
But Sirius was already proving diligent with his new responsibilities. This was a hopeful sign. He considered the question, and answered indulgently. The tediousness of scheduling could wait today. First – “Confiscations, shall we?”
