"Hello there, Miss."
Cassi spun around. Standing before her was a young man in black, like so many other young men. But his dark hair was smoothed back, and gray eyes sparkled from under his silver mask.
"Regulus."
It wasn't a question, it was undoubtedly him. The gray eyes were just like Sirius', but he wasn't quite as tall as Sirius.
"Care to dance, Cassi?"
Cassi grinned. This would really throw Sirius off the trail. She agreed, and Regulus swept her out onto the dance floor. They danced to a waltz, noting that only purebloods were dancing. Halfbloods and Muggleborns weren't exactly drilled on the proper way to execute a waltz.
Cassi noticed Lily standing against the wall, flirting with a dark ahired boy in a red mask that she assumed was James. She caught a glimpse of a girl who might have been Marlzy talking to a boy that looked like Remus, maybe. She saw a girl, undoubtedly Jade Huxley, and a boy who was probably Peter. She saw no trace of Sirius.
"Reg, do you know what your brother was wearing?"
"Yes, I do. I assume you know what Drea was planning to wear?"
"Yes, I do."
"So, the way I see it, we both know something the other wants to know. Barter?"
Cassi shook her head.
"You have to find your own fiancée. I'm not telling. But I'll give you a clue. You won't expect it."
The dance ended. Cassi curtsied, and Regulus bowed.
"What's the clue?"
"That its unexpected."
"Ah."
Regulus walked away, a confused look on his face. Cassi glanced towards the door. She could see Drea, her black taffeta dress swishing, and her black mask glittering under the lights. She gave her sister a half smile, which was returned by an impish grin.
"May I have this dance?"
She was startled by a boy with black dress robes and a red mask.
"James."
The boy, definitely James, grinned.
"You got it. How'd you guess? My radiating charm?"
"No, I could smell your arrogance."
James pouted.
"Not really. I saw you talking to Lily, and I assumed she'd only talk to you with that look on her face."
The dance had started, and Cassi and James twirled in the familiar steps. Often, Cassi forgot that James was just as much a pureblood as she was, or Sirius, which explained why he could dance.
"What look, exactly, was Lily wearing?"
Cassi smirked. Poor boy.
"Like she wanted to jump you."
James gulped.
"In a bad way?"
"Not at all."
He sighed with relief. Cassi continued.
"James, you definitely know what Sirius is wearing. Won't you tell me?"
"Nope. I promised I wouldn't tell."
Cassi pouted and grumped, but James wouldn't give in. the dance ended, and the next song was not exactly a waltz. The entire school, fourth year and above, was suddenly on the dance floor. Cassi slid between the people, trying to find someone she knew.
"Cassi?"
It was a question. She turned her head. A boy stood there, golden mask complementing his dark blue robes. Dark hair fell over the edge of his mask.
"Sirius?"
The boy grinned.
"You got it right!"
Cassi smiled.
"You found me! I didn't think you could."
"I will always be able to find you."
"I'm sure you can."
Cassi smiled, and Sirius smiled back.
It was almost midnight when they left the Great Hall, laughing.
"I can't believe Lily actually did that! The butterbeer must have gone to her head!"
Sirius laughed deeply.
"I know, it was ridiculous."
They had stopped by a window. The Forbidden Forest was spread out in front of them. Sirius smiled.
"Cassi, don't you think this would be an excellent night to go out on the roof?"
Cassi grinned in reply.
The wind that swept across the roof was cold, but Sirius had wrapped them in his cloak, and Cassi was pressed against his side. She smiled.
"It's beautiful."
And it was. The full moon reflected across the lake, lighting up the grounds like a new dawn, here at midnight. The clock chimed out midnight. On the twelfth strike, Sirius turned to Cassi.
"Cassi, I have a question for you."
Cassi nodded. Sirius took a deep breath. He looked at his feet, at their entwined hands, at the lake, everywhere but her face. Finally he stared straight up at the moon.
"Sirius, just ask."
Sirius took another deep breath. He took his hand back from her and plunged it into his pocket.
"I was going to wait for the springtime, but this is just too perfect."
He took one last deep breath, and took his hand out of his pocket.
"Cassieopia Alistar Sinclaire, will you marry me?"
He opened his fist, and in the palm of his hand, there rested a diamond ring. Cassi's hands flew to her mouth.
"S-S-Sirius, you're serious?"
"I have never been more serious in my entire life."
Cassi took a deep breath of her own.
"Yes."
Sirius looked up at her.
"Yes?"
"Yes, I will marry you. I love you."
Sirius gave her a smile that outshone the moon.