The Moonlight Noon Chateau

By Hippy Gypsy

Disclaimer:  All Harry Potter characters are the property of JK Rowling.  [Sammy: {sobs} I wish I were a Harry Potter character!]  Sammy, you're a Moonlight Noon Chateau character!  That's even better…somewhat.  [Sammy: No it's not!]  Oh really?  Why not?  [Sammy: {sobs some more} That means I'm your property!!]  [scowls]  Ya know Sammy boy, you are really treading on thin ice here!  [Sammy: {suddenly smiles} Hehehe…I know!]  Back to the story!  Anyways, JK Rowling owns Harry Potter, I own the Moonlight Noon Chateau.  I don't think there's music this chapter, but "Complainte de la Butte" is the property of Moulin Rouge.  So is Spectacular! Spectacular!  So on with the show!

Chapter 12: Forbidden Roses

            After changing into her gown for the night, Carlotta stepped out of the dressing room into the cool, quiet tranquillness of backstage.  She sighed deeply and took in the moment.  She had done it!  Never in her whole career at the Moonlight Noon Chateau did she ever think that she'd perform the Marmalade and actually pass the test.  But here she was.  A success.  She smiled to herself.  She couldn't remember being so happy in so long.

            "Carlotta?" came a voice.

            She turned and smiled as Severus came towards her.  There was no help for it.  She threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply.  When she finally decided she needed air, she looked up at his face and whispered, "The roses were gorgeous.  Thank you."

            She leaned in to kiss him again, but Severus answered, "Carlotta, I didn't send them."

            Carlotta looked up at him and blinked.  "What?  You're joking.  Of coursed you did."  She smiled playfully at him.

            "No I didn't Carlotta.  In all seriousness, I didn't."

            The shine that had been in Carlotta's eyes suddenly disappeared.  "But the note…the-the note with them…it said…"

            "What did it say?"

            "It..it said 'For my angel, I am eternally yours.'  Who else would say that to me but you?"  Carlotta looked worried.

            "Who said what?" came Minerva's voice.  She had just stepped out of the dressing room, her top hat pinned in her hair and new crème colored dress robes around her.  Her eyebrow was raised.

            Carlotta turned to her.  "Severus didn't send me the roses."

            "What?"

            "Is she alright?  What's all this about?"  Antonio Safrin came from behind the curtain.  He gripped his cane tightly, as if he were ready to use it as a weapon if anything suddenly decided to attack him or anyone.

            Carlotta sighed.  "I'm fine.  But I'm a bit confused and nervous."  Severus held her hands and she looked from him to Antonio.

            Antonio looked at her.  "Sweet Pea, do you want us to search for who sent them?  We may be able to find out."

            Carlotta looked to Minerva, but she shrugged her shoulders.  "It's up to you Sweet Pea.  Your call."

            She thought a moment, then looked up at Severus and Antonio.  "Leave it until tomorrow.  This seems a bit strange, but…well, hell.  It's my big night!  I want to enjoy it, thank you very much!"  She smiled again and the light came back into her eyes.

            Antonio smiled back.  "That's my girl!"  He offered Carlotta his arm and escorted her back to the main room.  But Severus watched her leave and pondered for a moment in silence.  Minerva touched his shoulder.

            "Are you okay?"

            "This doesn't seem right," he whispered back.  "She's my angel."

            Minerva looked seriously at him.  "Leave it for the morrow," she said.  "Don't poke a sleeping dragon in the eye."

            Heading her words, Severus offered her his arm and they went to join the festivities.

            "Trump!!" Sammy yelled, slamming his cards on the table. 

Evan jumped up with a triumphant howl.  "Ha!  I knew you had the right cards!  The jackpot's ours!"

Oliver slammed his cards down, face up and scowled at Minerva, who had been his partner.  "Dammit!!  That was my last fifty until payday!"

"Well, I'd lend ya ten Oliver," said Sammy with a wink.  "But I've got to save up now of course.  That ring on Rachel's finger still has a payment or two to go."

The Marmalade night had been a huge success, despite the fact that everyone kept watchful eyes on Voldemort and the Death Eaters, but they had left early in the evening leaving everyone free to enjoy the night without worry.  Carlotta had seemed to forgotten all about the mysterious roses from the moment she stepped from behind the curtain into the light.  She was greeted with huge applause, and she couldn't help but smile.  She kept to Severus's side the whole night, and he had no objection. 

The night went on with wine, dinner, and dancing.  At one point, Sammy took the stage and called for everyone's attention.  He called for Evan to play the piano, and Sammy sang a new song, which the two had written especially for Little Rock.  Sammy called it, "Complainte de la Butte."  At the end, he approached Rachel, who was blushing terribly behind her feathered boa, but Sammy got down on one knee and held her hand.  He produced a small diamond ring and asked her, "Will you marry me?" 

Rachel still blushed but she smiled sweetly through tears and answered, "Yes."  Sammy howled so loud with triumph he could be heard over all the applause.

After losing the last of what money he had left to Sammy in a continuous game of Spears and Daggers, Oliver proceeded to drink wine merrily into the night.  In his attempt, he tried to take Minerva with him. 

"Want another glass Min?" he asked happily.

"Hell no," Minerva replied getting up from her seat.  "I think I'll call it a night."

Oliver winked at everyone and replied, "Oh come on.  One small glass…"

Minerva rolled her eyes and sighed.  "Fine, but just fill the glass up to the line.  That's it."

"Fine."  Oliver took out a new wine bottle and proceeded to fill the glass to the top.

"Oliver!  I told you to the line!"

He sniggered back and said, "You didn't say which line."

Severus, Carlotta, Sammy, Devine, and Sybill all burst into laughter just as Dumbledore came over to join the group.  "What's going on here?" he asked eyeing the wine bottle.

"Oliver's trying to get me drunk!" Minerva protested.

"Minerva," Sammy said trying to hold back his laughter, "You've been on the go for the past hour."

"Fine.  He's trying to get me even more drunk."

"That's more like it!"

Minerva downed her glass quickly and turned to everyone.  "I believe this Diva's had a bit too much thanks to one bartender who shall remain nameless…mainly that one."  She pointed to Oliver and everyone busted up laughing as he took a bow.  "So therefore I leave you.  I shall be the one at breakfast tomorrow morning bitching about one hell of a hangover.  Goodnight."  She turned to head upstairs and everyone applauded after her.

Oliver kept chuckling to himself.  "I should really go to bed too, but I'm afraid if I go by myself I'll do something really stupid."  His words were partly slurred.

"Oliver," said Sammy beginning to laugh himself, "You've been stupid the whole night."

"Oh really?  Am I drunk?"

"Yes."

"Are you drunk?"

Sammy fayed thinking really hard for a moment and replied, "Yes, yes I am.  Although I think everyone's a bit loaded tonight to tell you the truth."

"Ah.  Well then, I shall retire now."  Oliver put his towel in the back and bowed out for the night.  "I leave you to yourselves, which is reason enough for leaving."  With that, he disapparated.

Eventually, the crowds dispersed and everyone made it to bed.  Severus himself didn't go until about 3:15 in the morning, but that had been after spending an hour on the roof with Carlotta, watching the stars through partially blurred eyes.  But as he sat in the window seat, he found himself completely awake and alert.  The night had been too perfect.  He closed his eyes and smiled to himself at the memory of Carlotta and her victory with the Marmalade.  But his reverie was interrupted as a tapping came from the window.

He opened it and let in a little white owl that bore a note in it's tiny beak.  He tore open the seal that still had fresh soft wax on it, and found that it contained Carlotta's handwriting.  "I need to see you right away," it said.  Severus raised an eyebrow, but took heed of the note.  He picked up the little owl and carried it down the hall to Carlotta's room.  He softly knocked on the door and it instantly cracked open.  Carlotta's eyes peeked out from behind it.  "Good," she sighed.  "Calliope found you."  She let him into her room and shut the door behind her with a sigh.  "I'm glad you came.  I don't know what's wrong with me," she explained quickly.  "I'm nervous all of a sudden, and…and I have this feeling I'm being watched-I don't know what's gotten into me, but…I…just didn't want to be alone…I'm frightened Severus."

Severus looked across her room and noted that the mysterious roses were in a glass vase on her dresser.  He watched as Calliope the owl lightly floated to her perch in the corner.  All was silent.  "I'll stay with you tonight.  Don't worry Sweet Pea."

Carlotta gave him a half smile.  "Sweet Pea?  What happened to Angel?"

"I figured that could be retired for one night," he replied with a smile.

Carlotta sighed and walked over to her bed and sat down.  Scattered around her were three books.  Curious, Severus picked them up.  They were all by Victor Hugo…Notre Dame de Paris, Les Miserables, and Hernani.  "Like Hugo do you?

Carlotta's head had fallen onto her pillow and she yawned deeply.  "Very much so.  Antonio got me attached to him when I first met him..."

Severus paged through Notre Dame de Paris for a few moments.  "So which one's your favorite?" he asked looking up.  But Carlotta didn't answer.  She had fallen asleep, mouth partially open.  Severus smiled.  She truly did resemble an angel as she slept.  He carefully leaned over and kissed her forehead and whispered, "Sleep well, Sweat Pea…I love you my angel."  Carlotta hummed softly in her sleep.  Severus decided on Notre Dame de Paris and walked over and sat in the window seat.  In the pale candlelight, he watched over his love and read well into the early morning.

Severus and Carlotta made their way down to breakfast together the next day and found both Oliver and Minerva sitting at the bar.  Minerva had a towel full of ice to her forehead and she was staring daggers at the Moonlight Noon's bartender.  "I…am never…drinking…with you…again," she said with deep breaths.

Carlotta and Severus exchanged a look and tried to hide their laughter, but Minerva spoke up, "I heard that."

"Sorry," they replied and joined everyone.

Breakfast that morning took a long time.  Everyone was still exhausted from the eventful night before and the conversations began to pick up from where they left off.  Rachel was particularly cheerful and showed off her ring.  Sammy simply sat back and grinned like a complete idiot.  By about 11:30, Minerva had come out of her hangover enough to enjoy the morning.

At noon exactly however, right when the grandfather clock in the Chateau's lobby was sounding the hour, the main doors opened and Voldemort made his way down the steps, with Malfoy and Pettigrew in tow.  Everyone, whether hung or sober, was suddenly alert.  Voldemort gave a nasty smile as he made his way to what was his office.  "Morning all," he said smoothly.  "Lovely day."

"Indeed," replied Antonio and Dumbledore with less than pleased looks. 

But Voldemort didn't pay them attention at all.  As he made it to the door, he turned and looked straight at Carlotta.  "Ah yes, Sweet Pea, I'd like to see you in my office if you have a moment." 

Carlotta nearly chocked on her bacon, but stood up like lighting.  Severus took her hand and whispered, "You don't have to-"

But she replied, "I'll be fine.  Don't worry."  She rose and followed Voldemort into the back with Malfoy and Pettigrew. 

Voldemort took a seat behind his desk and motioned Carlotta to sit.  "I'm fine, Sir, thank you," she replied and remained standing.  Malfoy and Pettigrew each stood at her side.

"I must say you really did impress me last night my dear Carlotta," he went on.  "You truly do have a beautiful voice.  You do belong on stage.  Your beauty truly struck me.  It's a shame about poor Severus though."

Carlotta's misgivings about this meeting increased.  "Poor Severus?  What…what do you mean by that?"

"Well, you didn't think after you caught my eye that I'd actually let him keep you do you?…My angel?"

Carlotta gasped and tried to take a step back, but Malfoy grabbed her arm and held her on the spot.  "Oh God!  You sent me the roses!"

Voldemort came around from behind his desk and said, "But of course!  Who else would?  Now, I believe having you as an addition to the Death Eaters would be-"

"NEVER!" she screamed and slapped the half man across the face.  Pettigrew grabbed her other arm and shoved her and she could feel Malfoy shoving the tip of his wand into her back.  She trembled in fear.

"It only takes two words," he sneered into her ear.

Voldemort touched his cheek and whispered sharply, "Leave us."  Malfoy and Pettigrew left shutting the door softly behind them, and Carlotta cowered against it.  Her lip trembled and she shook all over.  Voldemort walked up to her and grabbed her by the throat.  "I shall tell you this once," he said so softly it was almost inaudible.  "So listen carefully.  As much as you love that poor excuse for a man out there, from this day forward, you…are…mine."  Carlotta shook her head, but his grip tightened.  "Now, next week, the Moonlight Noon is performing Spectacular! Spectacular! and you shall be playing the part of the courtesan, not the Prima Donna.  And after it's performance that night, you shall join me.  Understood?"

"No…"

Voldemort's grip tightened once more and he whispered, "Do it, or you'll wish you were never born…or worse yet, Severus will."  With that he leaned forward and kissed Carlotta coldly on her cheek.  He then let her go and walked back behind his desk.  Carlotta gasped and ran out the door and straight up the stairs.  About two moments later, Antonio boldly walked in, slamming the door behind him.

"What are you doing?" he sneered into the dark lord's face.

"It's nothing but business Antonio.  Nothing at all," Voldemort replied casually.

"Bull shit!"

Voldemort focused his red eyes on Antonio.  "You watch your words Safrin…I own you…if I leave, the Moonlight Noon Chateau closes and you lose everything…I own you, I own your club…and I own Carlotta."

"You stay away from her-"

"I've already made arrangements for us Antonio, so I don't think it's up to you to decide the matter.  She'll be performing Spectacular! Spectacular! a week from now, so I suggest that you go out there and inform you employs that they have work to do."

"I have Dumbledore here-"

"And that doesn't mean a damn to me."

Antonio straightened, sneered, and headed for the door.  But as he opened it, Voldemort spoke up.  "Oh…and Antonio, for your own good, and let Carlotta know also…if I see that boy near her again…I'll have him killed."

Note from the author:  I'm so proud of myself!  I completed this chapter pretty quick for being so busy lately! J  But anyways…DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA!!!  So will Severus and Carlotta die?  Will Antonio lose the Moonlight Noon Chateau?  Will Minerva ever recover from her hangover? [Minerva passes out behind the bar and Oliver cracks up]  Oh well.  Anyways…stay tunedREAD AND REVIEW!!!!!!!