Well, this chapter is at least updated in a shorter time gap than the last one. I'm happy with where this story is going. This is one of my favorite fan fictions that I've been writing (my lack of time on it doesn't count). Starts waving a banner "Death to dial-up" – oh wait – that was my outside voice.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter world. That belongs to the amazing J.K. Rowling. I only own Aeris, and her parents, and siblings (besides Remus).
Chapter 14- Aeris' Plan, Part Two
"Dare I ask what the hell is that?" Snape asked, mainly to himself.
Picking up the box, Aeris commented, "Oh, it's nothing. Nothing at all."
"Then why does it look like a ball and chain?"
"I've had a hard time finding the right guy. But don't worry, mother won't hurt you. Dad might, but not mum. She might interrogate you underneath heavy lighting, but nothing dangerous."
"Oh goody," Severus drawled, then walking over to the door, stated, "Well, Miss Director, shall we prepare for our greatest show of all time?"
"Yes, but hold on a second," Aeris turned to her parents owl. Resealing the box with her wand, she then shoved it at the bird, and hissed, "Take this back to my parents, and I do not want to see that ever again."
The owl hooted indignantly, but took the parcel, and took off. Aeris turned, and headed towards the door, and left, letting Severus follow behind. Down the stairs, across the close to empty bar, and out the front door, leaving with a jingle of the bell. They walked side-by-side, about half a foot from each other, not even daring to touch.
Looking around, Aeris grabbed Severus' robe sleeve, and led him down the sidewalk, until they stood underneath a sign shaped like robe, with the phrase "Gladrags Wizardwear" carved into it. The two entered the clothing store, leaving the semi-cold streets for what would seem like hours.
Gladrags was a designer clothing shop, which had decent prices, considering that it was right near a school, it made a pretty decent profit with the student factor. The walls were lined with the latest models, and with all colors imaginable, creating a rainbow of cloth. The front half held the enchanted clothing, like fat-sucking robes, waist-trimming robes, and height-enhancing robes for adults and teens. For children, there were dancing animals, clothing that let parents know if the youngest ages had had an accident, non-tearing, easy washing, and magical clasps that wouldn't come undone until the parents say so. In the back of the store was the extras of last years line of clothing, all items marked half-price.
An enchanted mannequin came over to them, dressed in a sea green robe, which every now and then, a printed fish would swim across. With the permanent forced smile, the mannequin stated, "Hello, my name is Jennifer, and I will be your help for your shopping experience, is their anything I can get you?"
"Yes," Aeris replied, "We're looking for an ensemble that would say to parents that "I'm right for your eligible daughter", do you have anything like that?"
"Hmm, well, let me see," Jennifer stated, as she started to walk around Severus, measuring him up, "Yes, I think I have something. Is there any preferential color?"
Before Severus could answer, Aeris interjected, "Anything but black."
"Alright then, let's see what all there is," Jennifer replied, giving off a forced smile, then told Severus, "Now, I don't think we have to get anything enchanted for you, you're tall and thin enough, we just have to find you're color."
Severus scowled, long enough so that Aeris had to nudge him with her elbow to get him to move. Together, the two followed the mannequin around the outer ring of the sea of clothing. Jennifer would stop a few times, look at Severus, then would continue on her way, while Aeris was looking at colors, and Severus was looking at the material.
"Alright, I think I have something," Jennifer commented, grabbing a few robes, and stacking them in Snape's arms, "Now, go into the back, and try them on."
"And be sure to come out and show us," Aeris continued, as she sat down in a nearby chair.
Snape rolled his head, and grudgingly walked into a dressing room. It was a spacious room, with three mirrors angled just so that the person can examine themselves all around. Severus striped off his normal, black over-robe, revealing his black work clothes, and part of his pulsating Dark Mark. He removed his shirt, and lifted up the first set of robes. It was a navy-blue shirt, trimmed with silver thread, and a matching, full-length robe. Slipping them on, he looked at himself. He didn't really like the silver embroidery. That, and it didn't seem that navy was his color.
"Why are you doing this to yourself?" the reflection in the central mirror asked Severus.
"It's because he's trying to impress that female outside," the reflection to the left commented.
"Straighten out the collar lad," the right-side reflection announced, "You're not a slob, so don't look like one."
Severus did as he was told, and looked at himself for awhile in the mirrors. He realized that he had been pale for the longest time, and everyone thought it was normal for him, but it wasn't. He pulled up his right sleeve, and started to rub on his forearm. After a while, it began to turn red, but after a moment, it faded, leaving a faint patch of tan, and a permanent bruise. That was given to him when he was five-years-old, and his dad had told him to be quiet when Severus was crying. If Severus didn't have his powder, everyone would see the bruises of his past.
"Well," the reflection the center mirror stated, "You might as well get this over with now lad."
Sighing, Severus dropped his sleeve, opened the dressing room door, and stepped into the rest of the store, where Aeris and the mannequin waited. Aeris cocked her head to the side, with her lips pursed together. Smirking, Aeris commented, "Well, turn around, we have to have a complete view of you."
Suppressing a moan, Severus slowly turned about twice, then looked at Aeris impatiently. Aeris waited a few moments, still taking in the outfit. Finally, she said, "No, I don't think that will work."
"Thank God," Snape muttered under his breath.
"Well, get back in there Severus," Aeris stated, indicating the dressing room, "We'll be here all day until we find an outfit that works."
Snape rolled his head again, suppressing his hatred of looking for cloths in a place where students went regularly. Then a faint smirk spread across his thin lips when he realized that if there were any students in Hogsmeade, they would be severely punished for leaving school grounds on none Hogsmeade weekends.
"Severus," Aeris broke through his thoughts, "We didn't grab the self-changing robes. So get back in there."
"Tut tut Lupin, remember, I can still walk out of this operation of yours. Don't rush me," Severus commented in a snobbish tone, then walked back into the stall.
The next outfit was a forest-green and black button up dress shirt, with a matching robe. Looking at himself in the mirror, he whispered under his breath, "This is something that Minerva would wear."
"We're waiting Severus," Aeris called from outside the stall.
"I'm not wearing this," Snape responded.
"Let's see it."
"I feel like a certain Transfiguration professor."
"It can't be that bad."
"I just need a hat with falcon feathers sticking out of it."
"Just open the door, and take a step out."
"No."
"Are you decent?"
"Of course I am," Snape responded, not realizing the last question.
"Alohomora," Aeris called from outside.
The door of the fitting room stall suddenly swung open. Aeris took a step inside, and looked at the outfit. She started to snicker after a few seconds. Finally, while choking back laughing outright, she commented, "You're right, you do look like a Transfiguration Professor," then just fell apart laughing.
Snape stood there and scowled, thinking of possible hexes, while Aeris was catching her breath. Strangely though, he wanted to laugh too. It's not that he thought his appearance looked humorous. It was just that Aeris' laugh was getting to him. After a few more seconds, Aeris was able to stand up again, brushed herself off, then told Severus, "Ahem, well, next outfit," then closed the stall.
Severus refused to wear the next outfit outright. It was a sky blue tee-shirt with a black shooting arrow across it, and the words underneath it stating Appleby Arrows. For one thing, he hated that Quidditch team, and for another, he didn't like the color sky blue.
"That's it, I refuse to be apart of this any longer," Severus snarled from the stall.
"Come on Severus, you've only tried on three shirts," Aeris responded.
"I will not try on another shirt and that's it."
"You promised you would help."
"I don't believe promise was anywhere in our conversation. I recall that I agreed to help, but nothing about promising."
Aeris mumbled something underneath her breath so that Severus couldn't hear. He was torn between asking Aeris to repeat herself, and just leaving it. He couldn't do anything now, since she had most likely plastered herself on the other side of the door. Feeling that he had nothing to lose, Snape called out, "Would you care to repeat that Lupin?"
"I said that you're just as impossible as Sirius," Aeris responded.
She knew that she had struck a chord by the long, delayed silence.
:So Bahamut: Aeris asked mentally:What do think he's trying to figure out:
:Well: Bahamut replied:I think that he's between sticking to his stubbornness, or being different than his long hated, living rival Sirius Black.:
:What do you think he'll decide:
:Hmm, I don't know, but I think we'll find out in about five… four… three… two… one…:
"Alright," Severus sighed from behind the stall, "But one more shirt and robe."
"Right, just wait a second," Aeris replied, then took off.
She thought that she had seen the perfect style for Severus, along with the perfect color for him. She stopped in the front right corner, and grabbed what she was looking for. It was a collared, button-up shirt in a shade of blue that was slightly paler than regular blue. It had a matching robe made of lighter material, and had a very plain look, not gaudy to outshine anyone, but a very down – to – Earth style. Smiling, Aeris headed back to the stall, and tossed it over the door, calling out, "Incoming."
:Do you think this will work: Aeris asked her Guardian Force.
:If it doesn't than you're losing your touch: Bahamut replied.
:That's not comforting.:
:Sorry, it was supposed to be.:
:I'm sure.:
The lock of the stall door clicked, and slowly opened. Severus stepped out of the stall slowly, and turned, letting Aeris take in the view.
"So, what do you think?" Severus asked, in a way that made Aeris think that he meant it.
Grinning, Aeris replied, "I think we hit the bullseye."
"Good, now, can I please get back into my normal cloths?"
"Yes you can."
"Thank you," Severus replied, taking a few steps back, then closing the door, and clicking the lock again.
"Will you be needing anything else?" Jennifer asked, her forced, permanent smile annoying Aeris.
Aeris paused for a few seconds, then replied, "Yes, do you happen to have a complete set of Gilderoy Lockhart's Body Care Set in stock."
"I believe we do, let me go check," the mannequin stated, then shuffled awkwardly away.
The door to the dressing room clicked again, and out stepped Severus in his normal, black clothing. He had the chosen shirt and robe tucked under his arm. Jennifer returned, holding onto a purple and gold box. Severus eyed the box, then turned to Aeris, and stated, "That had better be for you."
"Of course it isn't," Aeris chuckled, while taking the box. Then she handed it to Snape, waved her hand, and commented, "Now, I just have to find something."
"Might I suggest the waist-trimming robes madame?" Jennifer asked.
Aeris turned toward the mannequin, gold eyes flashing dangerously. Slowly, she started towards the mannequin, like a lioness coming upon its prey. Right as soon as she stood in front of Jennifer, Aeris pulled out her wand, and hissed, "Watch it, I can quickly turn you back into melted plastic pieces if I wanted to."
"I mean," Jennifer started, "Feel free to look around."
"Thank you."
Aeris went down the sides of the store, looking at the ladies section. She looked at a few of the patterns, such as dragons flying across a pale blue robe, or random shapes of various colors changing every few seconds (that just made her feel sick). Finally, she grabbed a dress robe that she thought would make her look good, and compliment Severus' shirt. So, Aeris sprinted back to the dressing rooms, and closed the door, leaving Severus and Jennifer confused.
Aeris removed the too-big, black robe, and stripped off her outfit from the day before, then slipped on the dress robe. It was a forest green, strapless cocktail dress that had two separate pieces of material for sleeves, which had multiple printed lights gracefully floating across the material, like fairies in a thick forest, and a matching forest green robe that had normal gold glitter sprinkled across it. She looked in the mirrors, and placed her hands on her waist.
"Don't listen to that mannequin," her reflection on the left told Aeris.
"Although you could lose a little weight," the central mirror's reflection commented, "Remember, you've had more food at Hogwarts than during your other jobs."
"Oh hush you," the third reflection stated to the central reflection, then told Aeris, "You look fine. Now, go out and show them."
"I don't think so," Aeris responded.
"What? Why not?" all three reflections asked.
"I'm going to let it be a surprise for everyone," she commented, as an impish smirk spread across her lips.
So, Aeris stripped off the dress robe, and put on her previous outfit. Then she stepped out of the dressing room, took Lockhart's Body Care Set, and Severus' robe, and told Jennifer, "We'll take these."
"Alright," the mannequin replied, taking the items, "Let me ring these up for you."
Aeris looked at Severus with a slight smirk. She stroked her hand up and down his arm.
"Severus," Aeris started, sounding as disgustingly sweet as possible, "I left my wallet in my other robes, do you think you can cover for me?"
Rolling his eyes, Snape replied, "Well seeing as how it would do us no good if the items were not purchased."
"Thank you."
After they (by they, meaning Severus) paid for their goods, the two made their ways up to Hogwarts, side-by-side. Past the grounds and up the front steps, they paused right before they reached the doors.
"Well," Snape started, "Are you going to keep everything with you, or are you going to split it up?"
"I'll keep everything with me," Aeris replied, grabbing the bag, "I'm guessing you don't want to look at anything a different color other than black. Can't say I blame you though."
"You don't?" Snape asked, wondering what brought that on.
"Nope, black is very flattering for the figure," Aeris giggled, as she pushed open the front door, and entered the school.
Following behind her, Severus replied, "You're one to talk Lupin."
The rest of the week went by with minimal incidents, except with the attempts on lighting Umbridge's robes on fire.
Aeris sat in her room, brushing her hair, and looking out of her window overlooking the grounds. She had already dressed in her gown, and had applied Lockhart's Conceal-All Powder on her left arm to cover up her Dark Mark. She saw two shaded figures heading up the walk, one on two legs and one on four. Aeris smiled as she set her brush down and headed over to her dresser.
"Are you almost ready Severus?" Aeris called to the closed bathroom door.
"How am I supposed to put this on?" came the reply.
"The clothes or the makeup?"
"No, the hair tie."
While putting on silver, dangly earrings, Aeris headed over to the door, and asked, "You mean for how many years that you've been working over flames and dangerous chemicals, you don't know how to tie your hair back?"
A pause was all that Aeris needed for an answer. Without a second thought, Aeris opened her bathroom door to help Severus. He was holding onto a blue ribbon, and trying to keep his hair in one place, all at the same time. His hair had been washed, using Lockhart's Shiny Shampoo and Calming Conditioner (guaranteed to get rid of years of hidden dirt), and had been combed back.
Smiling, Aeris grabbed the ribbon, and stood behind Severus to tie it into a drooping bow. Severus looked at himself in the mirror, and groaned, "God, I look like a dark haired Lucius. I will not have my hair back like that twit."
"Would you prefer to look like a hippie?" Aeris retorted, "Because I'm sure that my parents would love to have you walk in like a Sirius clone with me."
"Well, would it be better to set them off on an interrogation of possible Death Eater comrades?"
"Good point. Leave it down then."
"Thank you." Severus sighed.
"You're welcome. Now, could you help me with this zipper, it's just out of my reach."
Severus turned around to see that Aeris had her back towards him, with her hair lifted up. He could see that the zipper was stuck at the middle of her back, letting the fabric up above fall, revealing her prominent shoulder blades, and her thin neck. It almost made him wish that the student's beliefs of him being a vampire were actually true. Carefully he clasped the handle of the zipper, and slowly pulled upwards. When it was secure, Aeris turned to face him, and smiled in gratitude.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!" Sirius Black's voice howled from the doorway.
"I believe what Sirius is trying to say," Remus Lupin commented from next to the man, "Is that this is an awkward scene to walk in on."
"YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRANSLATE FOR ME MOONY!"
"Well," Aeris stated calmly, "If you didn't have a sick mind interrupting your normal senses Sirius, you would have realized that Severus was helping me with my zipper."
"Besides," Snape asked coldly, "What are you doing here in the first place Black?"
"For your information, Aeris asked me to help you two."
Severus then turned to Aeris and asked, "Did you plan on telling me your entire plan eventually Lupin?"
"Yes," Aeris replied sweetly, "I planned on telling you now. To make you look more family oriented, I asked Sirius to come play faithful pet."
Sirius cringed at the last part, and told his friend, "You know I hate it when you word things like that."
"Will you get your mind out of the gutter Black?" Severus questioned, "I'd rather not lose my lunch right now."
"What was that Snivillus!" Sirius roared, shaking his fist at the Potions Master.
"Resorting to violence yet again Black, how quaint," Severus sneered.
Before Sirius could retort, Aeris launched herself forward, grabbing a handful of his hair, and pulling forward. Sirius howled in pain, swiping at his friend, trying to get her off of him. Tired of his childishness, Aeris sighed, and suddenly, kneed Sirius in his more sensitive, resulting in a whimper as he fell to the floor.
Aeris released Sirius' hair, and swept out of the room, leaving an injured Sirius, a bewildered Severus, and a brother who was trying very hard not to laugh at his friends expense.
"Well Padfoot," Remus gasped, "I haven't seen anybody do that to you in a while. All of those years of traveling must have made her more aggressive."
"Moony," Sirius whispered, "Do me a favor?"
"What's that?"
"SHUT UP!"
Peeking around the corner, Aeris asked sweetly, "Coming everyone?"
Quickly, they all shuffled out of the bathroom. Sirius changed into his dog form when they reached the door, and they left for the Lupin's family house.
Getting past the gates of Hogwarts, Severus, Remus, and Aeris all pulled out their wands, and cast "Lumos". The result was a loud bang, causing them all to go flying back, as the Night Bus came to a screeching halt in front.
"God," Aeris gasped, "No matter how many times I used this after Hogwarts, it still knocks me out of my skin."
"Let me just try to start my heart again," Remus commented, pounding on his chest for a moment.
"I always figured that people must be insane to use this," Severus commented, "Now I get to test my theory."
Stan stood next to the door, his hand extending out for bus fair. Aeris, Remus and Severus reached into their wallets to pull out the correct amount. Sirius just trotted onto the Night Bus, since pets have free admittance.
They only occupied one bed, Severus and Aeris on one side, Remus on the other, and Sirius lying in the middle. With another loud bang, the Night Bus was off again, causing everyone to hang onto the bed or the poles as they slid across the floor. To keep her balance on the bed, Aeris leaned into Severus. Sirius, noticing this, immediately rolled into Severus, causing him to slide off the bed, and Aeris landing on top of Sirius' dog body, not that he did mind.
With a sharp u-turn, the bed did a one-eighty. Remus, noticing Severus on the floor, reached out his hand to help him up onto the bed again, Severus shooting Sirius a dark look.
Suddenly, the Night Bus came to a screeching halt, causing the passengers to fall on top of each other. Stan looked at them, and commented, "This is yer guy's stop right?"
Looking out the window, Aeris saw the small house that was all-too-familiar to her. Nodding, she replied, "Yeah, this is our stop."
Everyone stood up and began to dust themselves off as they exited. Chuckling, Aeris asked, "So, Severus, how was your Night Bus experience?" while she adjusted her robe.
"Well, I can tell why little kids love this type of stuff, and why adults prefer to apparate everywhere. It's not as hard on the stomach." Severus replied, trying hard to keep down his lunch.
"We can get you a Stomach-Easing Draught when we get inside," Aeris commented sweetly, starting up the walk.
The house was two stories, painted an off-white with light blue trim. The grass was trimmed, while the hedges were tamed. Aeris was in the lead, with Sirius trotting happily along behind her, while Remus and Severus took up the back.
"There are some things that you should know about our family," Remus started.
"Besides the fact that your father is an ex-Auror, and your mother can get just about anything out of anybody?" Severus asked, "I should think that that would scare off any type of human."
"Well, you should also be aware that Aeris is the youngest, so there is a lot more protection towards her than the other siblings. Also, we have two other siblings, a sister, Casey, and a brother Adam."
"What does that have to do with me?" Severus asked, growing impatient.
"Casey is married and has two children, twins, five-year-olds. I know that you aren't partial to children, but try to show some interest. Casey will talk about them to no end, and I'd eat my robe if she's not thinking about having any more children." Remus stated.
"And your brother?"
Sighing, Remus continued, "Adam is single, and has recently come out of the closet. Really, it does explain a lot about his behavior from the past."
"Well, I'll be sure to protect myself," Severus commented sarcastically.
"That's not what you should be worried about. You know well enough that werewolves are banned against marriage and mating, so that means no grandchildren from me. Adam isn't interested in girls, so that would make just about any idea of children shot down. That leaves Casey and Aeris to keep our family alive. Casey has already settled down, which is good in our mother's eyes. Aeris however-"
"Has not," Severus interjected, realizing that this would be more awkward and uncomfortable than he had hoped.
"Exactly," Remus replied, "So, you may be getting more personal questions than you have bargained for."
"What are you telling him Remus?" Aeris asked, now standing in front of the door.
"Just some words of advice Aeris," Remus replied.
"Advice? Just like your advice to Sirius when he first met the family?"
"Something along those lines," Remus answered, moving to his position in front of Aeris.
Looking at Severus, Aeris asked, "Are you alright? You look paler than usual, if that's possible."
"How long did you say we were going to be here?" Severus asked, tugging on his collar.
"Jeez, we haven't even stepped through the door and you already want to leave. Sirius at least got to the salad before he ran for it." Aeris scoffed.
"Well, apparently Black didn't know what he was getting into," Severus replied coolly.
"But Sirius came back today."
Suddenly, Sirius changed back into his normal self, and commented, "That's right, and at least I have enough feelings for Aeris to do this for her rather than fear of her wrath."
Before Severus could reply though, Aeris interjected, "Alright, in three seconds we are going to go in, and that means no arguing, and Sirius, for once, don't cause attention to yourself like changing back into your human form in front of my parents. It's bad enough that they think you're a murdering convict, but it'll make it worse if you appear in their living room."
"But-" Sirius started, but Remus had already rung the doorbell. Quickly Sirius changed into his dog form again, and waited patiently for the storm that was about to come up.
And end Chapter.
Yes, I know that cliffhangers are the devil.