The Moonlight Noon Chateau

The Moonlight Noon Chateau

By Hippy Gypsy

Disclaimer: Yep! You guessed it! JK Rowling owns the Harry Potter characters, and I own the Moonlight Noon characters. [Sammy: What about me?] Yes! You too Sammy! [Sammy: Wahoo!] I'm going to have to use a tranquilizer on him… As I was saying (before I was so rudely interrupted), [Sammy squeals in the background] the song "Elephant Love Medley" belongs to the movie, Moulin Rouge. I changed a couple of the lyrics so it would fit, because Carlotta's a waitress, not a courtesan. Okay? So don't flame me about the lyrics, because I don't take kindly to it. But beware…Snape's going to sing. You may think it's funny, you may think it's sweet, or you may just think I'm insane. I'm telling you right now…I HAVE WRITTEN WORSE! For example, read one of my newest fics, "Shoulder Angels". Fans of Disney's the Emperor's New Groove will love that one methinks. Well, curtains going up!

Chapter 7: Rooftop Love Songs

Severus woke up extremely late the next day. When he walked out into the main room of the Moonlight Noon, he found no one but Dumbledore, Antonio, and Oliver. "Where is everyone?" he asked yawning.

Oliver was stacking wine glasses behind the bar. "Sunday's day off," he puffed. "The whole gang's gone out for the day. We're closed tonight."

"That's nice," said Severus. "Where are Hagrid and Sybill?"

"Went out to see the city," said Dumbledore with a smile. "They've never seen Paris."

"And Minerva?"

"Went to visit an old friend."

Severus thought a moment, then decided to take a chance. "Carlotta?"

"With Minerva," said Antonio. "Her great-aunt is Minerva's old friend."

Severus nodded. "So I'm stuck here."

The can-can dancer, Little Rock suddenly came down the stairs all in a fuss. She looked quite different from the night before. She wore long robes of deep rose and her dark hair was pulled back into a French braid instead of all up in feathers. "It figures!" she said. "I get all the way to the shops and I forget my bag!"

"Poor Rachel," Oliver chuckled.

"Mademoiselle Rachel, would you be kind enough to let Severus join you today?" said Dumbledore.

"Oh no, that's okay," said Severus with another yawn.

"Oh I don't mind," she replied. "Everyone's meeting at the café in a bit. You're welcome to join us Severus. The more the merrier!"

"Are you sure?"

"Quite. Monsieur Hagrid and Madame Trelawney are meeting us there, and Madame McGonagall and Carlotta said they'd probably end up there too."

That did it for Severus. "In that case, how can I say no?"

Little Rock smiled. "Good. I'll be able to buy you a brandy and thank you for being my dance partner last night."

She disappeared to her room for a few moments, but when she returned, they were off in a carriage to tour Paris.

"Thank you for inviting me Little Rock," Severus said.

Rachel gave him a look. "Call me Rachel. Nobody really uses their Moonlight Noon names out in the city like that."

"Very well. Thank you Rachel."

She smiled. "You're welcome."

"Out of curiosity, what is Carlotta's Moonlight Noon name?"

"She doesn't have one. She hasn't performed the Marmalade."

"She hasn't?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.

"No. She says she has a terrible voice, but she really doesn't. I've heard her secretly once or twice. It's really quite beautiful. She's just got stage fright I guess."

"I guess."

Everyone had enjoyed the experience at the café that day, but later at night they all gathered back up at the Moonlight Noon. Evan sat at the piano trying to pick up a new tune. The girls sat laughing and joking. Sammy stood on the stage pretending to shout orders at Antonio, instead of vise versa (he was quite a character). Oliver sat discussing old times with Minerva, and everyone else listened. Carlotta was in their company the whole day through, but at some point, she had escaped Severus's watchful eyes. But it seemed to be no mystery as to where she had gotten to. "Probably went to the roof," said Sammy in an off hand way. "She likes to go up there and think."

And sure enough, there she was once Severus had slipped away himself. She looked radiant tonight against the lights of he city and the Moonlight Noon sign. Her dark hair was ruffled in the breeze and her dress was the deepest of blues. Severus quietly shut the door to the stairwell behind him, but the click attracted Carlotta's attention. She looked up.

"Monsieur Severus…you followed me again," she said a little too politely.

Severus smiled. "I was hoping I could hear you sing again."

Carlotta looked back out over the city. "I'm afraid that will be impossible."

Severus's heart dropped a bit, but he wasn't going to give up without a fight. "Why is that?"

She wouldn't answer him.

He thought along moment, but decided Oh the hell with it. "You are a stubborn girl Carlotta."

She spun around in shock. "What?!"

"You're very stubborn."

She was very taken aback. "How dare you!"

"How dare me?" said Severus. "How dare you! You bump into me and snap at me at our first meeting, I ask you kindly to sing for me and you constantly refuse-"

Carlotta crossed her arms and gave him the most horrid of looks.

"And," Severus continued, "You refuse to let go of my heart!"

That was the last thing Carlotta expected. "What?" she asked softly.

Severus stopped and took a step closer towards her. "Carlotta," he whispered with caution. "It's been just one day, and I have never had this feeling because of a woman before…I love you."

She stared at him for the longest moment blushing. "Love? Love?! You love me? How on earth can you love me?"

Severus smiled. "I know it seems ridiculous, but I am Carlotta…I'm serious."

She shrugged him off. "Loves ridiculous, especially with us, at least this quick…what do you know about love anyways?"

Severus smiled and went into a craze. "Love is a many splendered thing! Love lifts us up where we belong! All you need is love!"

Carlotta sighed and said, "Don't start this." But he began to sing out into the night.

Severus

All you need is love!

"You don't really love me."

Severus

All you need is love!

"And my love's not for free."

He walked over and gently touched her cheek.

Severus

All you need is love…

Carlotta sighed. It wasn't going to be easy.

Carlotta

Love is just a game

But Severus won't listen and he jumped up again.

Severus

I was made for loving you baby

And you were made for loving me

Carlotta

The only way of loving me baby

Is be the one you have to be

He began to plead.

Severus

Just one night

Give me just one night

Carlotta

There's no way

Cause I won't stay

Severus

In the name of love

One night in the name of love

Carlotta

You crazy fool

I won't give into you

Severus stopped and took her hands into his. He looked into her deep violet eyes.

Severus

Don't leave me this way

I can't survive

Without you sweet love

Oh baby

Don't leave me this way

Carlotta couldn't get it. Was he being serious? Did he actually love her after knowing her for just one day? Had she really stolen his heart? She had no way of knowing. She had never been in love before, and no one had ever confessed to being in love with her. She turned away from Severus slowly.

Carlotta

You think that people

Would've had enough

Of silly love songs

Severus

I look around

And I see it

Isn't so…no

Carlotta

Some people want

To fill the world

With silly love songs

Severus

Well what's wrong with that?

I'd like to know

Cause here I go…

Severus let her go and he suddenly jumped up onto the edge of the roof. He held onto one of the bars that held the Moonlight Noon sign and began to sing into the night.

Severus

AGAIN!

Carlotta screamed. "Severus! Get down! You'll hurt yourself up there!" But he didn't listen.

Severus

Love lifts us up

Where we belong!

"Severus!" She began to walk towards him, and he held out his hand to her.

Severus

Where eagles fly

Over mountains high!

She took his hand and he pulled her up. She gasped with delight. They were looking over the beauty of the city, and Severus slipped his arm around her so she wouldn't fall.

Carlotta

Love makes us act

Like we are fools!

She smiled at him.

Carlotta

Throw our lives away

For one happy day!

Severus

We could be heroes

Just for one day!

Carlotta suddenly jumped down back onto the roof. She felt like she was crazy! She couldn't fall for him! It wouldn't be like she would think. She turned back to him with a worried look.

Carlotta

You…

You will be mean

Severus smiled. "No I won't."

Carlotta

And I…

She stopped. "I'll drink Oliver's brandy all the time!" She turned away from him. But Severus saw it all a different way.

Severus

We should be lovers!

Carlotta spun around shocked, although she was smiling.

Carlotta

We can't do that!

Severus

We should be lovers

And that's a fact!

He jumped down and walked towards her. Amazingly, she smiled and let him take her into his arms.

Carlotta

Though nothing

Will keep us together

Severus

We could still try

Both

Just for one day

We could be heroes

Forever and ever

We could be heroes

Forever and ever

We could be heroes…

Severus touched her face ever so gently.

Severus

Just because

I…

Will always love

You…

Carlotta

I…

Both

Will always love…

Carlotta went silent and Severus whispered.

Severus

You…

With that, Carlotta gave in. She finally knew what it felt like to be in love. She looked into his eyes and smiled.

Carlotta

How wonderful

Life is

Both

Now you're in

The world

Only the moon was there to see them that night. They looked into each other's eyes and shared their first kiss as lovers.

Note from Hippy Gypsy: I tried. How does it sound with Snape Boy singing? Like I said, I tried. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!! NO FLAMES!!