The Power of Love
Chapter Four
By Alicia Jennings
~
*Two weeks after Annelise's arrival*
"Paralee...Paralee...Wake up...Wakey wakey..."
Annelise groaned. "Hermione...it's..." She looked at her watch, which she had forgotten to take off. "CRAP! It's half an hour 'till breakfast! Go 'way, so I can get dressed."
"Good morning to you, too," Hermione retorted. "I came to tell you that Dumbledore cancelled classes for the day...McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape had some sort of workshop to go to, and he couldn't find replacements."
"Oh."
"But I would get dressed if I were you. We're gonna go out and have a snow fight. Wanna come?"
"No, thanks," replied Annie. "I've, er, got some work to do." *Like go see Professor Black,* she thought.
Hermione eyed her suspiciously. "Like what? Can I help you?"
"UM, no, uh, not really...." Annelise laughed nervously.
"Okay...well, I'm off. See ya." Hermione left the dorm.
Annie got up and pulled robes over her head. Then, after brushing her hair and putting on her makeup, she left Gryffindor Tower and headed for the Great Hall. But all she found in the Great Hall were empty tables.
"Great, I've missed breakfast..." She settled herself to take the long walk back to Gryffindor Tower. As she walked, she sang.
"That's the power of love, that's what keeps us strong...that's the power of love, it will be 'till we're-"
"Nice voice," someone interrupted. Annie looked up, startled.
Professor Black stood leaning against a wall, arms folded over his chest.
"Uh...sorry, sir. I didn't see you standing there."
"What are you sorry about?"
"I dunno."
"Well, I dunno either. But since we've met up, would you accompany me to the kitchens? I seemed to have missed breakfast in all the excitement." He smiled at her, and Annie felt like melting. *No, stop it!* she told herself mentally.
"Of course I'll go. I missed breakfast too." The two began walking down to the kitchens.
"So...Annie..." Black started, and Annie realized she hadn't been called by her real name in a while. With that voice of yours, you could really go far in life."
"You really think so?"
"I know so." They suddenly stopped walking, and turned to face each other. Before Annie could even think, they were kissing. Then the two drew apart.
"Um..."
Black looked as startled as she. "I'm sorry, Annie....I really didn't think about what I was doing...That is so unlike me-"
Annelise cut him off. "It's okay. I actually, well..."
"Liked it?" Professor Black's face looked even more startled still.
"Well...yeah..." She smiled at him. "Professor-"
"I think we're on terms to where you can call me Sirius."
"Sirius....do you know how much trouble I could be in for what we just did? How much you could get in trouble, too? My father..."
"Who has to know?" After he said that, Annie thought about it. It was true, really; they had been alone in the hall. Then Sirius sighed.
"You're right....you're seventeen. I'm thirty-eight."
"Actually, I'm sixteen. My birthday's not 'till next week." Annelise smiled apolegetically. "Friday, to be exact. I was born on Christmas Day."
Sirius laid a hand on her shoulder. "Your first Christmas-and birthday-without your mum is going to be hard. Why don't you come with me to Hogsmeade? I know some secret passages."
She took his hand. "That sounds great."
Sirius continued holding her hand until they reached the portrait of the fruit bowl. "Well! Here we are-" They dropped their hands, and Sirius passed his hand over a green pear. Annie watched in amazement as it turned into a door handle. Sirius siezed it, and pulled. Noises came from within.
"Hurry with soup, Winky! Lunch is soon!"
"I is hurrying, Dobby. I is hurrying as fast as I can hurry!" The door opened all the way, and revealed a large kitchen full of little house-elves.
Sirius smiled. "After you, Annie."
Annelise stepped in the room. Immediately, all the elves turned to her. One who was wearing a large assortment of badges on a tea cozy, which was on his head, hurried towards her.
"Welcome, Miss! I is Dobby. Can I help you, Miss?" Then the little elf saw Sirius come through the portrait. "Professor Black, sir! It is a pleasure to see you again, sir!"
Sirius chuckled slightly. "It's nice to see you too, Dobby. Could you get me and Paralee here some breakfast? I'm afraid we missed the big one in the Great Hall."
"Yes sir, most certainly, sir. Right away, sir." Three elves scurried away, and when they returned, they had an assortment of items: a pitcher of milk, two glasses, a tray of cinnamon rolls, and two oranges.
"Here you are, sir, miss. Go and eat. Goodbye, sir and miss!" Dobby pushed them out the door.
Sirius turned to Annelise. "They love people coming down, but don't like them staying long. Could you help me? This stuff's a little heavy..."
"Oh! I'm sorry..." She took the pitcher and cups from his arms. "Better?"
"Much. I know a tower where we can eat...c'mon." They set off, Annie thinking, *This is gonna get me in trouble...but it feels so right....*
~
Annelise returned to Gryffindor Tower at one o' clock in the afternoon, to find Harry, Hermione, and Ron sitting at the fire.
"PARA!" shouted Ron.
"We've been looking all over!"
"Where have you been?"
Annie sat down beside Ron. "I've just been around the castle. What've you guys been doing?" It wasn't a lie; she HAD been around the castle. She didn't have to mention that she and the DADA professor had kissed.
~
Draco Malfoy lay in his bed, a grin on his face. Now he could use that stupid Paralee...or the whole school would know what she did on days off.
~
*At breakfast the next day...*
Dumbledore stood, clapping his hands together. "Children! There is yet another announcement today." The whole Hall feel silent. "We will be hosting a Christmas Ball on Christmas Day at 6 o' clock in the evening. It is open to all who wish to come, first through seventh year. You may wear what you want AS LONG as it is APPROPRIATE," he added, and the look on Lavender's face fell. "Professor McGonagall will also be taking names to get seats on the Hogwarts Express, if you wish to go home for the holidays. There will be tryouts for who gets to provide the music."
Annie sighed. There was no way she could go see Gabby, her father would never allow it. "Thank you," said Dumbledore, and he sat. Annie and the other three continued eating.
"Who're you going with?" Annelise asked Hermione.
"Duh!"
"Oh, Harry, of course. Ron, what about you?"
"Dunno. Probably Lavender. What about you?"
"No clue..."
"Uh-oh," said Hermione. "Here comes Malfoy."
Ron rolled his eyes, and Harry didn't do anything. Malfoy stopped at the four's seats.
"Jensen. I need to speak to you. Alone."
"Whatever it is can be said in front of my friends," she snapped.
Draco beat one fist into his other hand. "I want you to go to the ball with me."
"Sorry, but no." Annie and Draco had slowly become enemies over the past two weeks, you really don't want to know why.
"Too bad. You're coming anyway."
"Now wait just a minute!" Harry exploded. "Para can go with whomever she wants!"
"Well, the guy she wants is a little too old!" said Draco, a nasty sneer on his face. Annie blanched, and tried to cover.
"I don't have the slightest clue of what you're talking about, Malfoy. I'd appreciate it if you would leave me so I could eat my breakfast in peace."
"But your breakfast won't be as good as the one yesterday...since you were in different company...by a man you kissed..."
Annie threw caution to the wind. "How did you know?" she whispered.
"I spied on you and Professor Black all day, Paralee Jensen." Harry, Hermione, and Ron stared at Annie. Draco continued. "You kissed him, had breakfast and lunch together...talked about going to Hogsmeade on Christmas Day."
"You-"
"Not a word, Jensen," Draco whispered. "Or I shout. Come to the ball, or face the whole school and have them know what you've done on your days off."
She swallowed. "All right. I'll go. But I'm not promising you anything. I'm not even promising to slow dance with you!"
"Fine. I'll see you then." Draco left. Harry, Hermione, and Ron kept on staring at Annie, who pushed her plate back and sighed. "Since there's no classes until this afternoon....let me explain...."
And that's exactly what Annie did. All morning, she was telling them of her mother, sister, and Sirius, and how she was intertwined with Harry's past too by their godparents. She even went so far as to tell them her real name. When she was done, she began crying...it was just so good to get it out, to have no secrets.
"So...um...Annie, I guess..." said Harry. "Now that we know about you and my godfather..."
Ron sniggered. "If they get married, Harry...then Annie's your step-godmother. Or something like that."
Hermione rolled her eyes, and Annie laughed. Then she remembered her promise to Malfoy.
"How can I get out of going with Malfoy?" Annie asked. "There is NO WAY I am going with that...that..."
"I know!" Hermione exclaimed. "You said you can sing, right?"
Annie knitted her brows together in confusion, and Hermione explained. "Dumbledore said there would be tryouts for who would provide music."
Slowly, Annie drew all the facts together. "I'VE GOT IT! I can get Celestina's - my cousin's - band! And I can sing with them! They know me, so it won't be a problem..."
"That's great!" said Ron.
"Superb," added Harry.
"We gotta go tell Sirius," Hermione told them.
~
Sirius gave a low moan after the four students told him what happened.
"Guys," he said, "It's a great plan to get Annie out of the date. But how can we get Draco not to spill it out?"
Hermione drew her wand. "I, Hermione Granger, am the youngest witch to master the Memory Charm. We get Malfoy alone sometime without those dunderheads, Crabbe and Goyle. Then, I do my little charm, and he doesn't have the slightest clue of what's going on."
"Brilliant! Bloody brilliant!" Sirius hugged Hermione, then Annelise. "Now, then, Annie. When can we get Celestina's band in?"
Thinking for a moment, Annie replied. "Sometime next week, most likely. Let me write them a letter..."
-
Dear Celeste and crew,
Hey! I haven't written in a while. I'm living with my father now, Severus Snape, who teaches at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm going to try out to sing at our Christmas Ball, but I need a band. Interested?
W/B soon! Very soon!
-Annelise
P.S.-I am going by the name Paralee Cordelia Jensen. MAKE SURE THE BAND CALLS ME THAT!
-
"There, that's done," she said, sealing the letter. "I guess this ruins our plan for Hogsmeade, Sirius...Harry, could you send this with Hedwig? I don't have an owl."
"Sure. Now, we better get to classes....Magical Creatures in ten minutes!"
~
A/N-Sorry I haven't posted in a while! I told you about leaving the disk out at Dad's house and all of that... Guess what? I nearly ruined my computer today. I was trying to re-install the drivers and accidentally got the comp stuck in DOS. And I don't know any of the prompts! So, I called Dad, and he got me out of it...*phew*. I was afraid that I was gonna lose all my stories, and that wouldn't have been good at ALL! Oh, and I am also now an official member of METMA! Woohoo! Well, I gotta go...I might post the next part to the story tonight, if I get a LOT of reviews...Ahem*hint*Ahem!
Love from the insane author, Alicia
Sirius: Why are you making me fall in love with Annelise?
Alicia: Because.
Sirius: Because why?
Alicia: Because I SAID SO! Now, people, review.
Sirius: Bye!
Chapter Four
By Alicia Jennings
~
*Two weeks after Annelise's arrival*
"Paralee...Paralee...Wake up...Wakey wakey..."
Annelise groaned. "Hermione...it's..." She looked at her watch, which she had forgotten to take off. "CRAP! It's half an hour 'till breakfast! Go 'way, so I can get dressed."
"Good morning to you, too," Hermione retorted. "I came to tell you that Dumbledore cancelled classes for the day...McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape had some sort of workshop to go to, and he couldn't find replacements."
"Oh."
"But I would get dressed if I were you. We're gonna go out and have a snow fight. Wanna come?"
"No, thanks," replied Annie. "I've, er, got some work to do." *Like go see Professor Black,* she thought.
Hermione eyed her suspiciously. "Like what? Can I help you?"
"UM, no, uh, not really...." Annelise laughed nervously.
"Okay...well, I'm off. See ya." Hermione left the dorm.
Annie got up and pulled robes over her head. Then, after brushing her hair and putting on her makeup, she left Gryffindor Tower and headed for the Great Hall. But all she found in the Great Hall were empty tables.
"Great, I've missed breakfast..." She settled herself to take the long walk back to Gryffindor Tower. As she walked, she sang.
"That's the power of love, that's what keeps us strong...that's the power of love, it will be 'till we're-"
"Nice voice," someone interrupted. Annie looked up, startled.
Professor Black stood leaning against a wall, arms folded over his chest.
"Uh...sorry, sir. I didn't see you standing there."
"What are you sorry about?"
"I dunno."
"Well, I dunno either. But since we've met up, would you accompany me to the kitchens? I seemed to have missed breakfast in all the excitement." He smiled at her, and Annie felt like melting. *No, stop it!* she told herself mentally.
"Of course I'll go. I missed breakfast too." The two began walking down to the kitchens.
"So...Annie..." Black started, and Annie realized she hadn't been called by her real name in a while. With that voice of yours, you could really go far in life."
"You really think so?"
"I know so." They suddenly stopped walking, and turned to face each other. Before Annie could even think, they were kissing. Then the two drew apart.
"Um..."
Black looked as startled as she. "I'm sorry, Annie....I really didn't think about what I was doing...That is so unlike me-"
Annelise cut him off. "It's okay. I actually, well..."
"Liked it?" Professor Black's face looked even more startled still.
"Well...yeah..." She smiled at him. "Professor-"
"I think we're on terms to where you can call me Sirius."
"Sirius....do you know how much trouble I could be in for what we just did? How much you could get in trouble, too? My father..."
"Who has to know?" After he said that, Annie thought about it. It was true, really; they had been alone in the hall. Then Sirius sighed.
"You're right....you're seventeen. I'm thirty-eight."
"Actually, I'm sixteen. My birthday's not 'till next week." Annelise smiled apolegetically. "Friday, to be exact. I was born on Christmas Day."
Sirius laid a hand on her shoulder. "Your first Christmas-and birthday-without your mum is going to be hard. Why don't you come with me to Hogsmeade? I know some secret passages."
She took his hand. "That sounds great."
Sirius continued holding her hand until they reached the portrait of the fruit bowl. "Well! Here we are-" They dropped their hands, and Sirius passed his hand over a green pear. Annie watched in amazement as it turned into a door handle. Sirius siezed it, and pulled. Noises came from within.
"Hurry with soup, Winky! Lunch is soon!"
"I is hurrying, Dobby. I is hurrying as fast as I can hurry!" The door opened all the way, and revealed a large kitchen full of little house-elves.
Sirius smiled. "After you, Annie."
Annelise stepped in the room. Immediately, all the elves turned to her. One who was wearing a large assortment of badges on a tea cozy, which was on his head, hurried towards her.
"Welcome, Miss! I is Dobby. Can I help you, Miss?" Then the little elf saw Sirius come through the portrait. "Professor Black, sir! It is a pleasure to see you again, sir!"
Sirius chuckled slightly. "It's nice to see you too, Dobby. Could you get me and Paralee here some breakfast? I'm afraid we missed the big one in the Great Hall."
"Yes sir, most certainly, sir. Right away, sir." Three elves scurried away, and when they returned, they had an assortment of items: a pitcher of milk, two glasses, a tray of cinnamon rolls, and two oranges.
"Here you are, sir, miss. Go and eat. Goodbye, sir and miss!" Dobby pushed them out the door.
Sirius turned to Annelise. "They love people coming down, but don't like them staying long. Could you help me? This stuff's a little heavy..."
"Oh! I'm sorry..." She took the pitcher and cups from his arms. "Better?"
"Much. I know a tower where we can eat...c'mon." They set off, Annie thinking, *This is gonna get me in trouble...but it feels so right....*
~
Annelise returned to Gryffindor Tower at one o' clock in the afternoon, to find Harry, Hermione, and Ron sitting at the fire.
"PARA!" shouted Ron.
"We've been looking all over!"
"Where have you been?"
Annie sat down beside Ron. "I've just been around the castle. What've you guys been doing?" It wasn't a lie; she HAD been around the castle. She didn't have to mention that she and the DADA professor had kissed.
~
Draco Malfoy lay in his bed, a grin on his face. Now he could use that stupid Paralee...or the whole school would know what she did on days off.
~
*At breakfast the next day...*
Dumbledore stood, clapping his hands together. "Children! There is yet another announcement today." The whole Hall feel silent. "We will be hosting a Christmas Ball on Christmas Day at 6 o' clock in the evening. It is open to all who wish to come, first through seventh year. You may wear what you want AS LONG as it is APPROPRIATE," he added, and the look on Lavender's face fell. "Professor McGonagall will also be taking names to get seats on the Hogwarts Express, if you wish to go home for the holidays. There will be tryouts for who gets to provide the music."
Annie sighed. There was no way she could go see Gabby, her father would never allow it. "Thank you," said Dumbledore, and he sat. Annie and the other three continued eating.
"Who're you going with?" Annelise asked Hermione.
"Duh!"
"Oh, Harry, of course. Ron, what about you?"
"Dunno. Probably Lavender. What about you?"
"No clue..."
"Uh-oh," said Hermione. "Here comes Malfoy."
Ron rolled his eyes, and Harry didn't do anything. Malfoy stopped at the four's seats.
"Jensen. I need to speak to you. Alone."
"Whatever it is can be said in front of my friends," she snapped.
Draco beat one fist into his other hand. "I want you to go to the ball with me."
"Sorry, but no." Annie and Draco had slowly become enemies over the past two weeks, you really don't want to know why.
"Too bad. You're coming anyway."
"Now wait just a minute!" Harry exploded. "Para can go with whomever she wants!"
"Well, the guy she wants is a little too old!" said Draco, a nasty sneer on his face. Annie blanched, and tried to cover.
"I don't have the slightest clue of what you're talking about, Malfoy. I'd appreciate it if you would leave me so I could eat my breakfast in peace."
"But your breakfast won't be as good as the one yesterday...since you were in different company...by a man you kissed..."
Annie threw caution to the wind. "How did you know?" she whispered.
"I spied on you and Professor Black all day, Paralee Jensen." Harry, Hermione, and Ron stared at Annie. Draco continued. "You kissed him, had breakfast and lunch together...talked about going to Hogsmeade on Christmas Day."
"You-"
"Not a word, Jensen," Draco whispered. "Or I shout. Come to the ball, or face the whole school and have them know what you've done on your days off."
She swallowed. "All right. I'll go. But I'm not promising you anything. I'm not even promising to slow dance with you!"
"Fine. I'll see you then." Draco left. Harry, Hermione, and Ron kept on staring at Annie, who pushed her plate back and sighed. "Since there's no classes until this afternoon....let me explain...."
And that's exactly what Annie did. All morning, she was telling them of her mother, sister, and Sirius, and how she was intertwined with Harry's past too by their godparents. She even went so far as to tell them her real name. When she was done, she began crying...it was just so good to get it out, to have no secrets.
"So...um...Annie, I guess..." said Harry. "Now that we know about you and my godfather..."
Ron sniggered. "If they get married, Harry...then Annie's your step-godmother. Or something like that."
Hermione rolled her eyes, and Annie laughed. Then she remembered her promise to Malfoy.
"How can I get out of going with Malfoy?" Annie asked. "There is NO WAY I am going with that...that..."
"I know!" Hermione exclaimed. "You said you can sing, right?"
Annie knitted her brows together in confusion, and Hermione explained. "Dumbledore said there would be tryouts for who would provide music."
Slowly, Annie drew all the facts together. "I'VE GOT IT! I can get Celestina's - my cousin's - band! And I can sing with them! They know me, so it won't be a problem..."
"That's great!" said Ron.
"Superb," added Harry.
"We gotta go tell Sirius," Hermione told them.
~
Sirius gave a low moan after the four students told him what happened.
"Guys," he said, "It's a great plan to get Annie out of the date. But how can we get Draco not to spill it out?"
Hermione drew her wand. "I, Hermione Granger, am the youngest witch to master the Memory Charm. We get Malfoy alone sometime without those dunderheads, Crabbe and Goyle. Then, I do my little charm, and he doesn't have the slightest clue of what's going on."
"Brilliant! Bloody brilliant!" Sirius hugged Hermione, then Annelise. "Now, then, Annie. When can we get Celestina's band in?"
Thinking for a moment, Annie replied. "Sometime next week, most likely. Let me write them a letter..."
-
Dear Celeste and crew,
Hey! I haven't written in a while. I'm living with my father now, Severus Snape, who teaches at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm going to try out to sing at our Christmas Ball, but I need a band. Interested?
W/B soon! Very soon!
-Annelise
P.S.-I am going by the name Paralee Cordelia Jensen. MAKE SURE THE BAND CALLS ME THAT!
-
"There, that's done," she said, sealing the letter. "I guess this ruins our plan for Hogsmeade, Sirius...Harry, could you send this with Hedwig? I don't have an owl."
"Sure. Now, we better get to classes....Magical Creatures in ten minutes!"
~
A/N-Sorry I haven't posted in a while! I told you about leaving the disk out at Dad's house and all of that... Guess what? I nearly ruined my computer today. I was trying to re-install the drivers and accidentally got the comp stuck in DOS. And I don't know any of the prompts! So, I called Dad, and he got me out of it...*phew*. I was afraid that I was gonna lose all my stories, and that wouldn't have been good at ALL! Oh, and I am also now an official member of METMA! Woohoo! Well, I gotta go...I might post the next part to the story tonight, if I get a LOT of reviews...Ahem*hint*Ahem!
Love from the insane author, Alicia
Sirius: Why are you making me fall in love with Annelise?
Alicia: Because.
Sirius: Because why?
Alicia: Because I SAID SO! Now, people, review.
Sirius: Bye!
