the_debt_of_time

The portly wizard gasped. "You don't say? I thought you weren't a school governor
anymore."
"Official position or not, I am a humble parent concerned for the welfare of the
future generations of our world."
Sirius felt blood rush to his head at the sight of the Death Eater. The actual Death
Eater walking around wearing fine, clean robes, looking well-fed and... and...
fucking free. Lucius Malfoy was a free man. Standing there all smug with his coin purse just
hanging out of his robes like—Wait...
Padfoot's eyes widened at the sight of the small, yet obviously heavy pouch, and he
inwardly grinned. Without thinking, he rushed forward. With no small amount of joy, he
leapt on top of Lucius Malfoy, knocking him to the ground. He used his back legs to kick
Malfoy's serpent-headed cane away from reach just as his teeth clamped down on the purse.
"Get off me, you wretched beast!" Malfoy shouted, struggling against Padfoot's not-
insubstantial weight. "Someone kill this bloody thing!"
Padfoot jumped away and darted off as quickly as possible, ducking behind several
large buildings just in time for Malfoy to reach his cane—and, therefore, wand—and begin
shooting hexes off into the distance, completely unaware that he had just been robbed.
Making his way back up to the Forbidden Forest long before the students were to
return to the castle, Padfoot settled himself inside the small campsite he had created for
himself. He shifted briefly into his human form to open up Malfoy's coin purse and count
how much money he now had. Though he knew he could not go into any Wizarding
shopping district for food, there was still a chance that he could Apparate into a Muggle
town to make a few quick purchases, except, he realised too late, that he would need to
exchange the Galleons for Muggle currency. There was no way he could make it through
Gringotts without Aurors being called in. Cursing himself under his breath, he wondered
if he could just steal what he needed. It was dangerous, of course, and considering his
appearance, he would draw immediate attention, but it had to be better than living off of
scraps that his kneazle friend brought him every few days.
"No." Sirius sighed and threw the coins back into the pouch. He knew he could not
risk being seen. Not yet. Not while Wormtail still lived and was much too close to Harry for
Sirius's liking. Six feet under would be much more preferable.