The longer Dumbledore thought about it the more he realized that the usual act he graced every student that had ever walked the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was not working. He sat at the heads table watching two Slytherin boys he knew well but not well enough. Severus Snape was a boy who dealt with plenty of horrors that Muggles can bring to someone of a young age and a Death Eater, Draco Gaunt was a man who came to him in the most strenuous circumstances. Dumbledore offered them schooling at Hogwarts sensing great understanding, power and justice of what it takes for the greater good to win.
He believed that with that given that they would come to him for advice and assistance like many students did. They did not say a word of there past nor their lives before they ended up at Hogwarts only ward weak spot that the wards had, he used himself for many years. Hermione Granger was a name that he found himself knowing that even if she kept quiet about her family that it was in fact a muggle name. She was a brilliant witch with immense practical knowledge that kept her and Lily Evans neck in neck. Dumbledore also found it a bit off that she would date Sirius Black, even if he had proven by getting sorted into Gryffindor that he wasn't like his family it still was a very 'opposites attract' sort of relationship. He expected for Hermione to come to him but she stayed silent even if a few weeks ago she looked troubled and in need of concealing.
He leaned back in his chair and stared at the enigma of Rowena Gaunt, Draco's twin who didn't look anything like the male Gaunt for good reason being Draco wasn't a Gaunt but a Malfoy. She was someone who he had an odd respect for and could sense the same power and odd twinge that he had only felt with one other student Madeline Riddle. Dumbledore smiled slightly at the young girl who would visit often bringing all sorts of candy and would talk of all subjects. The Hat had told him of their future selfs so he wouldn't be surprised but it was still very much a mystery, He underestimated Rowena. His mouth tilled just slightly to the side almost like a frown, he was still slightly confused if Rowena's intentions where pure or like her uncles. She spent equal time with Death eaters, also having a son of a Death Eater as a 'brother', And then Gryffindors who Dumbledore was thinking of having join his order.
She was also a very well trained Werewolf, She knew how to use her senses and keep in control for the full moon. He wondered who taught her so much control? That question was for later on. He removed his gaze from the young Malfoy boy and turned his attention to the table who had brought up many proud lions, It was almost empty except for a few students around. He wondered if Mister Lupin knew of his wolfs call to Rowena, Knowing how he acted when she was going threw a moon fever he knew. He was at a cross roads, To let them do what they will or to talk to them.
He raised from his chair and walked out of the Great Hall, He will see how he feels after the lovely Potter Christmas Party. He did miss Dorea's chocolate Mouse.
Rowena was shoved into a room with a hair dresser, Makeup artist and someone to help get her and Hermione into there gowns. It was an odd feeling to have all these people dotting over you while Dorea nit picked with love and a kind smile "You girls will look wonderful." She stated happily since she was already dressed and she looked stunning in a delicate Red dress. "Thank you." Hermione said as she watched with an amused look as Rowena seemed to look tortured by all the girly things. "Tell me" Dorea said as she sat next to Hermione who turned her head as the make up artist made a noise of distain of her moving her head. "How are you and Sirius doing?" She asked hushed as Hermione smiled.
"Very well, Its better then before." She said Dorea nodded "I heard of a rumor that you loved both Rowena's brother and Sirius." Hermione's cheek if they were not already had a light blush on her cheeks then it would have really shown "I chose Sirius, Draco and I have to much history." She sighed biting her lip and her hands wringing nervously now. "No need to fret over it my dear, I was blessed to love Charlus even if I was betrothed to him. Alas my niece from down the line had to choose between what her mother taught her and what her heart wanted.". Hermione frowned "Who was that?" she asked confused "Andromeda." Hermione was lucky for at that moment Lily walked into the room and Dorea turned her icy eyes to Lily.
Hermione's eyes watered a bit at the thought of what Andromeda must have went threw to have Tonks, Rowena was in hell or at least her version on hell. She had been told by her father when she was very young about the social functions that the Pureblood society puts on. When she was five and still oblivious to some of the horrors she was interacted and wanting to have her own experience to be dressed and painted with fine makeups and have a party with dancing and fine dresses. Now that her childhood dreams had become real and she had grown up and discovered the party's where a way that many people who had the same warped idea's spread the sickness.
It was a pretty scene as they stood on the top looking over the people who where gathered together "Now, Charlus and I go first. Hermione you will go down with Sirius, hunny you and Lily and Rowena...Ah there you are Remus." Rowena's heart halted and started over all at the same time as she watched Remus climb up the stairs "Hello, Mrs Potter." He said smiling and then it fell once he caught sight of Rowena. Remus let his eyes go over her form that was wrapped in the vibrant silk, the dress was low scoop in the back showing off her thin back, the scoop in the front wasn't too low but you could see the cleavage as she stood there letting her long dress twirl around her feet covering her sliver heels.
"Remus." She said softly, Dorea smiled knowingly as she caught both of their eyes turning gold and then back to their natural colors. "You look..." Sirius laughed swinging an arm over Remus "Dashing, Drop dead beautiful, Like thousand shining stars?" Sirius helped Remus rolled his eyes and knocked Sirius off of his shoulder and swept into a low bow in front of Rowena "Can I have this pleasure my dear to escort you down?" He asked his sandy brown hair swung into his eyes which bore into her green eyes. "You may." She said softly like a whispy wind, She smiled one of her rare true smiles as he linked her arm into his "Now we wait our turn." He said in her ear his hot breath hitting her ear.
"I.." Rowena halted her voice getting caught in her throat "You look nice." She covered nodding towards his golden robes, He kissed her cheek as Dorea and Charlus walked down and with a wand towards her throat she spoke loud and clear into the parlor "Tonight is a grand night, Christmas and New years to celebrate in one. Like every year before and after.." Dorea's eyes sparkled "Hopefully." She added with a wink making all of the guests laugh "We will honor the people who couldn't be with us for many reasons and the recent deaths. These are dark times that is upon us we are drawn tighter together as a community. Remember that it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more then our abilities." She said Sirius pulled Hermione close kissing her head as he whispered "You look bewitching Kitten." Hermione smiled and looked up at Sirius who kissed her softly.
"Let me introduce my family, My Son James and his girlfriend Lily." James looked at Lily who wore a prettying blue dress that was modest but not overly so, Her long red hair cascading down her back like a flaming waterfall. "Shall we?" James asked Lily scoffed "Go on James." She stated teasing as she yanked him down the first step receiving chuckles from the crowd. "Sirius Black and Hermione Granger."Sirius ignored the whispers about his mother and leaned Hermione over and kissed her on the mouth before pulling her back up and smirking.
"He's so full of himself." Remus nodded at Rowena's statement about Sirius "Thats' Padfoot for you." He said just as Dorea spoke again "Remus Lupin and Rowena Gaunt." A tingle of nervous pride swelled in her heart as they walked towards the steps. They stood in front of the crowd in the parlor and they shared a look before Rowena had her childhood moment of pretending to be a pureblood lady. They walked down elegantly and took the spot next to Sirius who grinned "Stunning." Remus kissed Rowena's cheek "Yes she is." Rowena couldn't help the giggle. Hermione smirked "Lets us enjoy the evening" Stated Dorea smiling as they where the first ones into the Potter's Ball room.
"Is that the Malfoys?" Hermione whispered Rowena barley turned her head to see four blond heads, Two definitely was Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy but the others where not so familiar "That's Lucius' Mother and her boy toy." Sirius stated smirking as he handed Hermione a flute of Elf Champagne "His father died of Dragon pox didn't he?" Rowena asked Sirius nodded "That Woman is Narcissa Black now Malfoy." Rowena's stomach curled at the young woman who only looked a few years older than herself. She looked so lovely as she walked around proud and happy as she looked at Lucius like he was her earth "Their in love?" Hermione wondered just as Rowena was.
"Show unlike her sister over there." Sirius pointed at Bellatrix Lestrange sharing a talk with a women with dark blonde hair "Narcissa loves to put on a show." Sirius said Hermione's stared at Bellatrix enough for the woman to turn and Hermione sharply turned her head to face Rowena who smiled "She's one of his followers too, Oh look here my dear cousin comes." Sirius stated tensed as he poised a hand on Hermione's hip as Rowena turned to face her "Hello Lady Lestrange is it?" Rowena asked Bellatrix halted and seemed to remember that she wasn't in her own party nor house "Yes, It is." She stated "You are?" She asked "No one of concern just I heard so much about you from the other people in my house." Rowena stated giving Sirius and opening to loop Hermione into a dance and away from Bellatrix's sharp hands.
"You're a Slytherin?" She stated eyeing Rowena's gown "Yes, I'm afraid green washes me out so terribly. Besides its christmas...I love your dress." Rowena said she had to be very careful when talking to Bellatrix, Show that she was a Slytherin but not so much that Bellatrix told her master of her. For her to forget the girl at the Potter Christmas party and remember her when she show back up to take her revenge "Thanks, Why do you bother yourself with traitors then?" Bellatrix asked not letting Rowena off so easily. "You know the saying Keep your friends close but your enemies closer." Rowena countered raising an eyebrow narrowing her green eyes on Bella's darker ones.
"Yes, smart I suppose." She stated then she gave a very tense smile "Have a wonderful night." She stated before walking off letting Rowena breath "You alright?" Remus asked Rowena nodded "Only thing is that Hermione owe's me." She stated winking Remus smirked and kissed Rowena on the cheek. "I couldn't help but notice that you were talking to my sister, I'm Narcissa Malfoy." Rowena looked away from Remus to a very beautiful woman with long loopy blond hair with bright sharp blue eyes "How lovely to meet you." Rowena said with a soft smile. Remus noticed for some odd reason Rowena's sent changed dramatically when a man who had lighter blond hair touched Narcissa's shoulders "Cissy love Rab is wondering were you scampered off too. Hello I'm Lucius Malfoy." he looked at Rowena his eyes moving over her.
"I know who you are Mr. Malfoy, Your...name is very predominate were I lived." She stated tightly her green eyes flashed as she slipped into his mind caught what she wanted to know and slipped out before he could shake his head from the probing feeling. His face drawn thin as he looked down at Narcissa who smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Narcissa come." He stated the woman nodded and fallowed her husband even if she wanted to know about this woman before her "Yes Lucius." She said ignoring his tightening fingers. "Are you okay?" Remus asked Rowena seemed to be tossing something around before she leaned close almost like a lover whispering a lovers secret as her hand blocked her mouth from being seen by the many Death eaters in the room.
"Now that man is a Death Eater." She whispered Remus tensed and looked at her his light blue eyes alarmed "Here?" He hissed "Yes, It's how its done in this society. You converse with everyone no matter what they may do behind closed doors." Rowena said softly so low that only another Werewolf could hear and there wasn't any except for her and Remus. "But the Potters.." Rowena smiled "Is doing Dumbledore a favor, That old man knows more then he lets on about his students Remus never forget that." She said just as the man in question walked up his eyes behind his speticals sparkling "Ah, Mister Lupin and Miss Gaunt." Rowena smiled as Remus looked at the Headmaster oddly before smiling "Hello Professor." He said as Dumbledore smiled.
"Glad that you are being introduced to such colorful characters. Miss Gaunt can I have a word?"He asked Rowena looked at Remus "I'm going to check on Lily." He said walking away leaving Professor Dumbledore to escort Rowena out of the ball room and up the stairs half way up. "I wanted to see how you and Miss Granger was adjusting?" He asked Rowena knew that was more then just that question and she had to cover a smirk that threatened to rise, The old man was fishing for any leads "Very well, We are forever in your debit to allow us to stay at your school and learn. My brother is very excited to be back in the Charms room." She said "Why isn't Mister Gaunt here?" He asked wondering why the brother was at his school but his sister was with her friend "He needs help in Potions and since Severus isn't going home he decided that him and Severus could study without being bothered." She replied
"Miss Gaunt is there anything you want to tell me?"He asked looking over his half-moon speticuls, Rowena met his gaze and closed her mind off tightly even her thoughts weren't heard in his mind which told him more then what she said "No, Professor." She said feinted innocents. He nodded "Shall we go back to the party?"He asked Rowena nodded and walked down missing Hermione being snagged by Dumbledore as she walked out of her room "Miss Granger." Hermione twisted around her heart pounding as she reflexively threw out a throwback jinx "Oh..Forgive me Professor." She sad wide eyed as he blocked it with a simple wave of his hand. "I should have made a noise, I was wondering how you are doing?" Hermione tensed "Very good, I never knew public education could be so interesting. Especially the social interaction between houses is it always so divided?"She asked switching topics.
"I am afraid yes, Tell me why isn't young Gaunt here with his twin?" Hermione relaxed a bit "He needed help with Potions and Severus was able to help him now."She replied "Is there something I should know?" He asked Hermione looked over at Lily who was rushing towards them with tears streaking down her face and a jewel shining on her ring finger "Nothing, Excuse me." Hermione rushed off to ask Lily what was wrong leaving Dumbledore standing there looking at the spot she once stood his mind working threw something.
"Essence of Wormwood is used in what?" Severus quizzed Draco making the pale blond groan "I don't know! A Anti- fungal?"He asked Severus raised an eyebrow "And I let you pass?" He asked "I must be growing soft, no, It is used in the relaxant that is used in Saint Mungo's" Draco frowned and looked down at Severus's book that he had threw under neath the blonds face after he had wrote Rowena. They had been studying for hours now and it felt like Draco was growing stupid with every second. He had a stray thought which made him smirk a very familiar Malfoyish one 'Now I know how Weasley must feel being around smart people.'.
"Hello boys, just checking on you! I see you are hard at work!" Draco gave Severus a look that he returned as they turned to face Professor Slughorn "Yes, hard at work indeed." Severus remarked Slughorn smiled and ran his thumb and index finger over his walrus like mustache and laughed "My exams are going to be less hard than what this boy is running you threw, you can be assured of that." He stated Severus's dark eye twitched and now Draco could understand why the older Professor Snape hated Slughorn with a passion. "It is best in my opinion to be aware of all things." Severus stated Slughorn nodded "That is why I hope to find someone like you to teach next year, you see boys I'm taking a break to...sort out a few things." Slughorn said.
Draco and Severus nodded and Slughorn walked out of the empty common room leaving Draco to Severus's even more sharper wit then usual "He's running away." Draco said Severus raised a eyebrow "Thats oblivious but from what?"he asked "A memory that Rowena has... when the Dark Lord was in school he asked Professor Slughorn about Horcruxs and how to make one." Severus tensed "And the old fool told him?"he asked Draco grimly nodded. "They are studding for my exams the poor chap letting Severus teach him my art." Slughorn stated sipping wine that Professor Dumbledore had provided and his fragrant company "I believe Severus will be your predecessor." Dumbledore said Slughorn raised a eyebrow and ran a hand down his cheek.
"He isn't who I would choose since he lacks...tack." Dumbledore nodded "I have a feeling he will do a wonderful job."