Chapter Eight

Once the couples had arrived at the restaurant, Larissa strutted towards their table in her normal evening wear; not showing the slightest disdain for being the only single woman at the table, or the fact that she was a tad late. Her dress stopped above her silky white knees and the neckline showed off the woman's tantalizing cleavage – every man in the room, regardless of the company they were keeping, had their eyes glues to the raven haired temptress.

"Sorry I'm late darlings," she said, kissing Sirius on the cheek before sitting beside him. "Takes a while to get this ole gal dolled up for a night out." She immediately grabbed her gold pill case from her purse and popped two of the small white disks to calm her nerves.

"You look stunning as usual," Sirius whispered. "Now that we are all here, may I introduce everyone to my friend Jasmine."

Seated beside Sirius was a dark-skinned woman dressed in a gorgeous purple to-the-floor dress. Her curly brown hair was flowing down her back as she held up a hand and gave a polite smile to the group of friends surrounding her.

"Jasmine, this is my sister Larissa, my best mate Remus and his wife Nymphadora." Jasmine leaned forward in her chair to get a look at Larissa and flashed her brilliant smile.

"I have heard a lot about you," she said, with her slightly French accent.

"All bad I hope," Larissa said with a wink.

Their drinks were ordered and Larissa let out a small "hmph" when she realized there was a place set beside her.

"Are we expecting someone else?" She asked her brother. Sirius finished his drink and nodded his head in the direction of the front lobby. Handing his coat to the maitre'd, was a tall, handsome man dressed all in black to match his silky, shoulder-length hair. Sirius waved the man over, and Remus turned to see who was joining them.

"Severus! How in Merlin's name did Sirius get you out of that dungeon you call an office?" he said, with a laugh, standing and giving the man a firm handshake.

"He said there would be two gorgeous women who I should meet tonight – how could I resist?" Severus answered, staring at Larissa as he let the last words slip from his mouth. "Glad to see he did not disappoint."

Larissa grinned and stood to shake his hand as well. "Larissa Black," she said, offering him her hand. Severus took her delicate fingers and placed a kiss on the back of her ivory palm.

"I know"

He then went to Tonks and kissed her cheek for a greeting, and showed Jasmine the same gentlemanly greeting he had to Larissa, before sitting down next to her.

Their meal was ordered shortly after, and the evening was spent laughing at the stories they shared about their times at Hogwarts. They said a toast to their lost friends, and drank to bright future ahead.

The ladies excused themselves when the meal was finished, walking off to the bathroom together to gossip about the boys. Tonks, after hearing the stories about Hogwarts and the history of Larissa and Sirius' friendship, had become better acquainted with the vampire and walked arm-in-arm with her. Remus beamed as they left the table.

"Nympho has taken a liking to my sis huh? Even though she had one too many martinis..." Sirius asked the table.

"Deservedly so, the woman is enchanting," Severus stated, sipping his brandy. "I can't believe it has taken this long for me to finally meet her."

"Well we wouldn't have introduced you when we were in school Sev," Remus said, with a sympathetic look on his face. Knowing how badly the two men felt about how they treated him in school, Severus tried to change the subject to something lighter, when a hand grazed across his shoulder blades as it passed behind him. Immediately getting goosebumps, Severus smiled as Larissa sat herself beside him, pretending as if their little exchange never happened. Jasmine and Tonks came shortly after, looking refreshed.

The bill was a challenge in itself; everyone wanted to pay the whole slew, but no one was allowing anyone else to pay. When they finally agreed to pay by couple, Sirius looked at Severus and winked.

"Since this is your first date with my sister, you are picking up the tab," Larissa's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as she glanced up at the gorgeous man who entertained her all evening.

"Well I'd be honoured," he said, not breaking eye contact with her deep red eyes. Her smile made his heart skip a beat as they rose to exit the restaurant. Larissa mentioned to Remus that she was going to stand outside for a quick cig before she drove them home.

When she stepped outside, she bumped square into a younger man with almost platinum blond hair, as she was searching for her lighter.

"Sorry sweetie, I lose everything in this damn purse," she said, holding his arm apologetically.

"S'alright Larissa," the man laughed as he took out his own lighter. "Here." Looking up at the man, she realized she was talking to her nephew Draco and blushed.

"Who are you here with?" he asked, looking into the restaurant, but his answer came walking out the door next.