“You’re mad,” declared Sirius as he dodged a flying chair.

“Way to state the obvious, you prat!” shouted Marlene McKinnon. “Did you think I wouldn’t be when you told Potter that he might as well bench me because I’m not agreeable enough to be a team player?”

Black scratched his head, wondering when McKinnon was going to stop snarling in what she thought was English but sounded a lot like demented gargling.

“I meant…you’re mad,” explained Sirius slowly with a brow perched high on his forehead and his mouth twisted indignantly at Marlene’s obtuseness. “As in…YOU’RE COMPLETELY BONKERS!”

In a swift movement the girl arched her arm and a study table was moving towards Sirius Black at an alarming speed. Sirius’ eyes widened and he managed to procure his wand out in time to cast a silent Protego charm in front of him.

The table bounced off his invisible shield and instead tumbled in the direction of the curious and shocked bystanders. Outraged yells filled the common room and Sirius couldn’t tell who was glaring at him or Marlene McKinnon anymore. Surely, their anger was misplaced. He was not to blame. He was Sirius Black. He was never at fault.