Ehrich belongs to Drew.
Sophia belongs to...Katie? Electra? Someone.
Suspendo Oobiesbay belongs to me, and come from a joke ("Wow, with that dress, her breasts must be held up by magic!").
------------------------
Jupiter bounded into the dorm topless (having removed her shirt on the stairs) and bouncing freely. She ran to her trunk and unloaded her outfit. She quickly wriggled out of her skirt and socks (she doesn't wear underwear because she doesn't believe in it) and then donned her gown. It was black at the bottom, fading into dark blue, fading into purple, which faded into red at the top. It was completely strapless and had a slit in her cleavage which went all the way down to her pierced navel, so that her favorite glow-in-the-dark stud could show through.
She pointed her wand at her breasts and muttered, "Suspendo Oobiesbay," and her breasts felt less as if they would pop out at any moment.
Then Jupiter put on her long violet detached sleeves with the points at the ends.
She grabbed a hairbrush and started to brush out some tangles. She flipped her hair over into her face and brushed the other side, then flipped it back and brushed it some more. She put a green headband on, to keep her long hair from her face, and arranged her bangs neatly.
She sighed, put on some quick eyeliner, re-applied her vanity charm that kept her lips a pale blue, and then surveyed the overall image in her full-length mirror.
"Fab!" she said, and spun around, enjoying the way the soft, slowing satin embraced her thin legs.
Then she grabbed her shrinking purse, enclosed it somewhere in her dress, and ran back to the common room.
Lacci had been sitting on a bed behind Jupiter as she was getting ready. "Good luck!!" she called, and then rolled over sleepily and fell off the bed.
Ehrich, standing over at Raksha's bed, looked over towards Lacci and yelled, "Hey, do you know how Jupiter used that charm to make her boobs stay up? Do you know any that'll make mine somewhat bigger? I don't have enough to fill out my dress!". He pouted and turned back to Raksha.
Lacci climbed back up on her bed. She didn't know how to do magic at all. She had once turned someone into a lobster moth...
She took out her wand and pointed it at Ehrich.
"Uuuhhmmm.." she said sleepily. She racked her brain for spells. "Engorgio? Suspendo Oobiesbay." Lacci wondered if she needed to do another one. "Uuuhh... Grandi Occhi." Without bothering to see the effect, she fell back onto the floor and began sleeping.
Jupiter ran back into the room, she'd forgotten her shoes.
"AAAACK! EHRICH!!" she screamed at Ehrich, who was gigantically tall with large eyes and his shirt was clinging very tightly to his chest.
"Reducio!" she yelled, and Ehrich returned to normal size. "I'm afraid you just have to wait for your eyes to shrink back to normal size. They're cute though! How did this happen?"
"I asked Lacci to give me boobs..." he said sheepishly.
"Haha, never ask Lacci to do magic. All though I have to say, that despite the side effects, your breasts are really nice! But you're missing something...Cambi i capelli!" Jupiter said, pointing her wand at Ehrich's head. Suddenly it was in a bun with pink flowers sticking out of it.
"Lovely! And now, my love, I must flee!" she said, smooching Ehrich on the cheek and running off.
***
Severus looked into his mirror briefly, scrutinizing himself for the very first time. He'd never been so apprehensive about his looks before, much less a social event. He'd never been to one worth getting ready for, not even back when he was a student at Hogwarts. Of course, there had never been anyone there worth preparing for.
He sorted through his things, and picked out a simple pair of black dress robes, a long sleeved, button-up shirt with loose sleeves and a wide collar, and a pair of dress boots. That ought to be good. That was what one wore to balls, wasn't it? He wasn't one for fashion, so it would have to do in any respect. Severus cast the doubts lingering in his mind. He ought to be at least half-way confident..
He removed his normal robes and donned the other ones. He looked at himself in the full-length mirror. Heaving a labored sigh, he turned away. It would do, it would have to do. He looked respectable enough, anyway. Rolling his eyes he walked toward the door, yet before opening it he caught a glimpse of himself in the glass.
Should he do something with his hair? He looked back at the mirror, pondering it for a moment. Eventually, he decided. He brushed his hair quickly, wondering why on earth he cared about what he should do with his hair in the first place. Then he pulled out a string from his desk, and tied it back. That should be sufficient. With that, he was out the door, towards the Ballroom. Tonight would either be feast or famine, yet he had no time to ponder about it and waste more time.
***
Percy strolled in through the ballroom doors, head held high and carrying an air of importance, as befitting a ministry wizard. His pompous air, however, was somewhat disturbed by the people who kept pushing him aside as they rushed from the dance floor to the drinks table and back.
Percy muttered and straightened his glasses. He hadn't figured out exactly why he was here yet. He suspected it had something to do with his colleagues wanting to keep an eye on Lucius Malfoy, and of course, he could hardly let them down, could he?
A rather hard shove from a burly seventh year nearly sent Percy stumbling to the floor. He regained his balance and muttered disdainfully under his breath. Oh well, it could be worse, he thought. At least Fred and George haven't shown up yet.
A girl with black and blue hair and a very interesting satin gown flowed up to him.
"Hello, you don't look like you go here. However, you do look like a Weasley. And from the important air just emanating from you," she giggled, "I think it's probably befitting to say that you're Percy," she smirked and continued, "My name, however, is Jupiter Vrij, I'm friends with Fred and George," she extended a thin hand with scars on it.
Percy straightened up, his chest puffing out with pride. The poor boy had completely missed any trace of sarcasm.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Vrij." he said, shaking her hand and giving a disapproving glance at the scars on her hand. "I trust this evening finds you well?"
As he spoke he glanced nervously at her dress, which didn't look as though it could conceal any dung bombs. In fact, to Percy's somewhat conservative tastes, it looked like it was having trouble concealing Jupiter, never mind any sort of Zonko's merchandise. Still, you could never be too careful with someone who admitted to be friends with Fred and George.
Jupiter noted his looks of disgust at her hand with disappointment.
"Please forgive the appearance of my hands, I encountered a bit of...unpleasantness a while ago, and it hasn't healed quite properly yet," she said, futilely hoping it would help.
"Other than that I am fine. I've been having to deal with some of my more errant peers... As I'm sure you know, I'm in charge of student relations, a sort of student president, if you will, and there were a lot of hitches in pulling off this ball. For example, I had to rid the whole ballroom of timed dung bombs and exploding candy that Fred and George put down. As much as I love them...They have a tendency for too much ill-placed mischief. And then Ron spiked the punch!" Jupiter gave an exasperated sigh and put her hand on her forehead.
Then she remembered about the scars and hid her hands behind her back.
Percy paled as Jupiter told of his brother's antic's. He let out a soft groan.
"I apologize for all the trouble, they've caused you, Miss." He noted how quickly she hid her hands, and shook his head slightly and gave a reassuring smile.
"And don't worry about your hands. I well remember exactly what this school can be like." his smile faded a bit, "although I had hoped it would have improved somewhat while I was away."
Looking up, he noticed Lucius. He gave a small wave to the other man, then caught glimpse of the girl on his arm and quickly turned back to Jupiter. Of all the things... Lucius, a married man, fraternizing with a student. How would that look to the rest of the school? Percy shook his head in disbelief. Sometimes Lucius really made his life difficult.
A girl came in, muttering, "I think my date died..." The she spied Percy and squealed, "Ooh! Hey there, sweetheart."
"Well, luckily your brothers don't seem to be doing much of anything now," she said, knocking on wood. She was also very relieved at the comment about Hogwarts.
Just then, Lucius and Pandora walked in.
My god! She actually did it! Jupiter thought in amazement, but then turned her attention back to Percy. She had just opened her mouth to say something when they were apprehended by a girl. Jupiter shot her a glance with daggers in, and silently willed the girl to go away.
The girl grinned, clueless to Jupiter malignant stare, "Hi there!"
Jupiter fumed internally. She wouldn't let her anger at the girl for intruding on her "Percy time" show, but she kept imagining herself kicking Sophia into a broom closet and locking the door, then smiling winningly at Percy and continuing their conversation while Sophia banged on the closet door in vain.
Their interrupter made matters worse by grabbing Percy's arm and giggling.
Ah, thought Jupiter.
She raised an eyebrow and looked at the girl, who smiled at her. Then she turned her gaze on Percy.
"A...friend...of yours?" she asked heavily, giving Percy a look that clearly said "I don't believe someone as utterly superior as you should hang around with such riff-raff!" She had an image of herself ripping Sophia from Percy's arm and throwing her into the punch She pushed it away, reluctantly.
"Hmm..." the girl poked at the voiceless Percy, "I think he's paralyzed with fear. Oh no no, we don't know each other. I'm just picking random males!"
Percy looked bemusedly from one girl to the other.
"Can I help you, Miss...?" he asked Sophia, tactfully removing his arm from her grip and giving her a somewhat disdainful look.
"Sophia!" she squeaked, purposely avoiding her last name. She hastily grabbed Percy's arm back, giggling evilly, just to make him more nervous.
Jupiter cleared her throat pointedly.
"Well, Miss Sophia, If you haven't much else of importance to say to myself and Mr. Weasley here, I'm sure there are other boys who would be quite glad to be clung to. I'm afraid, though, that Mr. Weasley is a bit above being clung to. He is, after all, an important man employed by the Ministry of Magic, and not just some little schoolboy to be trifled with!" said Jupiter in a very sincere tone of voice, purposely feeding Percy's ego, in the hopes that he would help her push away the newcomer.
Sophia looked Percy up and down. "I don't know, he doesn't look that intimidating. And I'm having too much fun to leave. I wouldn't mind getting to know a big, important person."
Percy frowned at Sophia, the girl was beginning to irritate him.
"I'm afraid, Miss, I was engaged in a somewhat private conversation. If you don't mind..." he removed his arm once again from her grip.
"Oh, it didn't look like you were getting into anything deep before. I don't have much of anyone to talk to, and I didn't think some nice gentleman wouldn't mind being kind enough to take me in for a little."
Jupiter smirked triumphantly at Percy's disdain for Sophia, and turned her smug gaze on her.
"Yes, please, go away," she said, frowning again and mentally pushing the girl away with great force.
"Oh, you don't need to get jealous over him!" Sophia protested, with an evil grin, "What happened to that teacher you're always with?"
"Excuse me, I was hardly getting jealous," she lied convincingly, "You were merely intruding upon a conversation that does not concern you in the least. And I'm afraid that Professor Snape isn't here at the moment, as you may have noticed," she turned back to Percy, "The Professor has kindly agreed to help me organize the field trip," she said smoothly, giving him a smile.
Then she focused an icy stare on Sophia, "Miss, please. Go away. Why don't you go bother a Malfoy?"
"I just find it strange how you get possessive over this one when you already have one. You have a thing for older men?"
Jupiter's eyebrow quirked in surprise.
"I'm sorry, are you implying that Professor Snape and I are romantically involved with one another? Or that Mr Weasley and I are? You are quite mistaken, miss. I'm afraid it doesn't do good to assume things, especially things so ridiculous. Myself, be involved with a teacher? Exactly how immoral do you believe me to be, Miss...whatever your name is! I refuse to be insulted by you any longer," she said angrily, then she turned to Percy, "If you would like to stay here with this immature young girl, you're free to, but I prefer to be near people who don't speak such rubbish!"
She turned her back and walked to the other side of the room in a dignified manner, hoping Percy would follow her.
Percy shot an annoyed glare at Sophia, and then followed Jupiter across the hall.
"Are you ok? She didn't offend you too badly, I hope...?" he asked, his concern outweighing his irritation.
"An 'immoral' Slytherin doesn't sound that shocking to me!" Sophia muttered, walking away.
"No, I'm all right," she grumbled, inspecting her fingernails. The she sighed and straightened up, "Forgive my momentary loss of temper...I hate it when people listen to ridiculous rumors...I've received nothing but hell from students about Severus and I. Of course, we're friends, we connect on a mental level, but nothing more than that. Rumors make me so angry...I hate it when people don't tell the truth," she said. This was not entirely true. She loved it when people lied, and she caught them.
"It would be best not to worry about it," Percy said warmly, giving Jupiter a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "There'll always be rumors. It's best to just to rise above it and remember you're better than their childish stories."
Percy gave her another smile, remembering briefly his time at Hogwarts. Thankfully he hadn't been deemed 'interesting' enough to be gossiped about.
Jupiter took a deep breath and exhaled, releasing the last of her negative tension.
"Thank you, Percy," she said, giving him a dazzling smile, "You're a dear."
There was a slight pause. "Oh my, I've completely forgotten what I was going to say!" she said, looking rather disgrumpled.
"Oh, well...So what brings you to Hogwarts anyway?"
Percy smiled, glad that Jupiter had cheered up.
"I've been asked to accompany Mr. Malfoy," he nodded in Lucius' direction, "Not completely sure why, but it's probably something important. I think there have been one or two problems."
Percy frowned. While there was most likely a good explanation for him coming to Hogwarts, it would have been nice if he knew what it was.
"Oh!" Jupiter cried, completely ignoring Percy's discomfort at his lack of knowledge, "It's probably about that horrid Hall of Shadow..." she said, and nodded affirmatively.
"It's positively awful, and doesn't seem to have any purpose at all except to scare and injure people..."
Percy arched his eyebrow, intrigued.
"The Hall of Shadow?" he asked, "can't say it remember it...."
He bit his lip as he tried to recall, but his memory remained blank. He wondered briefly how Jupiter knew about it, but then he remembered the scars on her hands and decided it would be best not to ask, even if he wasn't right.
Jupiter began to mess with her hair, which smelled stronger of mint than usual.
"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter too much," she said softly, in a sort of contented tone, looking at her hair.
She seemed to notice herself drifting off into la la land, and straightened up a little.
"So, Percy, how's the Ministry treating you?" she tilted her head to one side inquisitively, "I'm so sorry about Mr. Crouch," she added.
Percy stiffened slightly at the mention of Mr. Crouch
"I'm sorry as well," he quickly changed the subject, "but the ministry's been pretty good. It's hard work, but it's good to know I'm doing something useful. Helping people and such. It's been very busy recently though, which can be very tiring, but I'm sure I can manage."
Percy gave a small smile. It was nice to be able to talk about work without one of his brothers constantly piping up with amusing comments.
"That's very good of you. I don't think anyone could possibly do your job quite as well as you do," she grinned, but then a flash of black across the room caught her eye and her heart jumped.
"Oh dearest Percy, it's been positively fascinating and I look forward to talking to you again in the future but I have to go attend to something, you understand," she said sweetly. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Percy on the cheek and then ran off.
***
Severus stepped into the hall, glancing about in minor disdain. The amount of open affection was a bit too much for the conservative professor. He rolled his eyes and walked further into the hall, scanning it for the only reason he was here. He couldn't see the girl anywhere and his expression visibly lowered.
He retreated to a wall, glaring at the happy students with dark onyx eyes. He didn't feel comfortable merely standing mindlessly, it was an odd sensation to wish to be a part of the celebration. It was usual for him to feel left out, but thoughts of Jupiter only ostracized him ever the more.
Jupiter crept up on Snape as quietly as she could, trying to stay hidden, which wasn't a hard thing to do in the crush of students.
She walked up so that she was right beside him. Luckily, he was still searching the crowd, presumably for her. Suddenly, she grabbed him and shouted "GOTCHA!"
Severus turned quickly toward the source of the yell, startled, his eyes were widened. They remained wide, as he realized what Jupiter was wearing. He allowed himself one glance down at her licentious apparel, then quickly returned to her face. He had to shove the inappropriate thoughts roughly out of his mind, as he focused upon her glittering cobalt eyes.
"Hello Jupiter, you look quite…lovely," He said, stumbling over his last words. He couldn't voice what he was thinking due to the public atmosphere. Even if they were in a more appropriate setting, he would still most likely refrain.
Jupiter smiled at him.
"Why thank you, Professor Snape," she said in an "apt student" voice.
She was in a very comfortable mood and leaned her torso forward and pointed at her navel jewelry, which was glowing.
"Do you like it? It's new. I got it four days ago," she smiled, admiring it.
Severus looked down quickly enough to catch a mere glimpse of the navel ring, before quickly returning his gaze.
"Lovely," He stated briefly. He had to keep himself in line tonight. He was a professor, he was supposed to be an example. He wasn't supposed to engage in the self-indulgent acts about him. Yet, one glance at the vixen before him sent his primordial sense in gear, battling his weary conscience.
"Are you enjoying yourself so far?" He asked nonchalantly, attempting to turn the discussion away from Jupiter's body.
Jupiter sensed Snape's...discomfort and smiled to herself. But she decided to leave him be for now, and began talking in a very conversational, matter-of-fact tone of voice.
"Well, it's been interesting, thus far," she said, "I had a nice talk with Percy over there," she pointed at the red-haired boy with the horn-rimmed glasses, "He's a cutie. Absolutely adorable. Of course, it wasn't a very good conversation, because we got interrupted by some extremely rude girl who made a few comments pertaining to you and I, which I dispelled, rather nicely, I thought. Lucius Malfoy is here, escorted by an ecstatic Pandora Vetinari. They're being stalked by Lucius's rather whiny son, who seems bent on blackmailing them somehow. Lacci and Oliver have broken up because they came in earlier with their hair and clothes all mussed and big grins on their faces. Lavinia hit Ehrich for kissing Freddie, his owl's here, by the way, cute little thing, and they ran outside. And then you came in, looking quite nice, I might add. I love your hair. And thus far, that is everything of interest to me," she finished with a smirk, knowing that she'd successfully talked his ear off, and waited for it all to sink in.
Severus stared at some non-existing object for the whole period Jupiter was speaking. It seemed he had missed quite a lot, not to his dismay however. She was a lot more social than he.
"Ah, it seems you've spoken to half the school," Severus stated sarcastically, a weedy smirk spreading across his face.
"You may return to your 'rounds' if you wish. I'll be making sure the other student's don't have too much fun, anyway," He replied, rolling his eyes. How he hated getting into the children's frivolous activities. He did, however, quite enjoy their surprised expressions when he caught them.
Jupiter smiled. This was the cold, sarcastic Snape she knew and loved. She mentally gave a dreamy sigh.
"Thanks much, but I think I'll stay here and bother you for a while, do you mind?" she smiled and gently poked him in the side, hiding her hand so that no one could tell.
Severus raised a raven-colored eyebrow, as Jupiter poked him playfully in the ribs.
"Of course not, perhaps I can let the little dolts enjoy themselves a bit longer. They should be thanking you," Snape said, sending an awry glance at the door toward the courtyard. He knew very well what was going on in the bushes outside the Ball Room, yet strangely, for once, it didn't bother him all too much. It might have been the fact that he desperately wanted to pull Jupiter off toward one himself...but that was a whole other story all together. He liked to think he was just growing softer with time.
Jupiter giggled cutely, and seemed to reach a decision. She hopped out in front of Snape, bouncing madly. He noticed this and coughed a little, glad for her suspending spell.
Then she looked at Snape's face.
"Yes, yes, I definitely like the hair," she remarked, and then gestured to the dance floor, "Let's dance."
Snape froze, remembering the last time he tried to dance. And why in bloody hell was she bouncing about. He groaned and glanced up at the ceiling, inwardly damning his dark thoughts.
"Er...well, perhaps, you could find a more able companion," Severus replied quickly, trying to wheedle himself out of the situation. The last thing he needed was Jupiter pressing herself against him.
Jupiter gave Snape a playful smirk.
"Oh come now. Me, find someone else to dance with, and pass up on my change of being envied by every Slytherin and Ravenclaw girl...and some boys, in Hogwarts? Come on," she coaxed, pulling on his sleeve gently.
He definitely was growing soft, a year ago he would have scoffed at the enchanting girl before him and told her to go off and bother Potter. Yet, her eyes begged him silently to stop being a git and lighten up. He sighed and rolled his eyes. It was only one dance.
"Very well," He replied quietly, following the girl out onto the dance floor. What a wonderful way to look like an idiot.
Jupiter smiled dazzlingly at Severus and pulled him out onto the dance floor after her. She looked over at Kirley and winked. She'd discussed this with him beforehand.
It was a simple piece, with only cello and piano. Slow, haunting, but pretty. Jupiter didn't know what it was called, but had successfully hummed the two harmonies to the band earlier that day.
Jupiter wrapped her slender gloved arms around Snape's neck and leaned into him. She had a knack for fitting perfectly into someone's arms.
Severus closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the feel of Jupiter in his arms. Yet, he opened them within moments reverting his content expression to his usually glare, sure to not look too happy.
He was really at a loss for words, some of the things running through his mind were better for a private conversation between the two. So, he merely smirked lightly.
"It seems you were quite prepared," He stated, motioning his head toward the band.
Jupiter smiled.
"Of course. I had to talk to Kirley while we were setting up. I also got Lacci a sort of early birthday present, because everyone knows how infatuated with him she is..." she smiled slightly and resisted the very strong urge to lean into him and...She coughed at herself mentally, cutting off her train of thought. She instead looked into Severus's eyes and wished she had something to say to him, just so that she could whisper it in his ear.
She settled for just smiling suggestively at him, her eyes saying things that she didn't think even Lacci would say out loud.
Severus diverted his eyes from the evil seductress for a moment, attempting to regain his composure. He was a professor dancing with a student, that was all at the moment, nothing more. But, why in bloody hell did she have look at him like that. His previous thoughts came barging back into his head, and Severus was helpless to stop it.
"Er...how are you?" Snape said moronically. He rolled his eyes at himself instantly afterward. There goes the professor approach. Now, you sound like a babbling prat.
Jupiter's face broke into a full smiled. She was a tease, and she knew it. Severus seemed to be noticing it, too. Jupiter decided to turn down the heat for now. After all, she'd promised dances to a lot of people, she couldn't just run off with Snape and not come back.
"I'm fine," she laughed, "Are you all right?" she asked, and gave him a sort of laughingly concerned look.
"I'm fine," He muttered, pleased that she didn't seem set on pulling him into the bushes anymore. His tense muscles calmed, as they continued dancing, even though he still felt foolish. He had no clue what to say, perhaps there wasn't anything really to say.
He was scanning the room, when he noticed Professor Ubel running out at a frantic pace. This raised his curiosity, as his eyes narrowed on that spot. He could only hope this had nothing to do with the Hall of Shadows. It had given the students enough grief already.
"What are you looking at, Severus?" asked Jupiter, noting his unhappy expression.
Severus returns his focus to Jupiter, shaking his head slightly.
"Something's wrong," He stated briefly, his eyes retracing their previous trail toward the doorway. He should go check it out, just to make sure it was something Ubel couldn't handle by herself. He didn't want anyone getting harmed on the night of the ball. He detached himself from Jupiter's grip.
"I should check it out, though it may just be a prank. Of course, it could be anything," He told her quickly, every now and then his eyes darted toward the doorway. She wasn't back yet, something was definitely awry.
"Come or stay if you wish," He said, rushing away from her toward the gaping doorway. He would check the common rooms first, he saw them run down the dungeon stairs. It would be most logical.
Jupiter glanced around, she had promised a few more people dances...but...this was more interesting. She nodded and ran off after Severus.
Sophia belongs to...Katie? Electra? Someone.
Suspendo Oobiesbay belongs to me, and come from a joke ("Wow, with that dress, her breasts must be held up by magic!").
------------------------
Jupiter bounded into the dorm topless (having removed her shirt on the stairs) and bouncing freely. She ran to her trunk and unloaded her outfit. She quickly wriggled out of her skirt and socks (she doesn't wear underwear because she doesn't believe in it) and then donned her gown. It was black at the bottom, fading into dark blue, fading into purple, which faded into red at the top. It was completely strapless and had a slit in her cleavage which went all the way down to her pierced navel, so that her favorite glow-in-the-dark stud could show through.
She pointed her wand at her breasts and muttered, "Suspendo Oobiesbay," and her breasts felt less as if they would pop out at any moment.
Then Jupiter put on her long violet detached sleeves with the points at the ends.
She grabbed a hairbrush and started to brush out some tangles. She flipped her hair over into her face and brushed the other side, then flipped it back and brushed it some more. She put a green headband on, to keep her long hair from her face, and arranged her bangs neatly.
She sighed, put on some quick eyeliner, re-applied her vanity charm that kept her lips a pale blue, and then surveyed the overall image in her full-length mirror.
"Fab!" she said, and spun around, enjoying the way the soft, slowing satin embraced her thin legs.
Then she grabbed her shrinking purse, enclosed it somewhere in her dress, and ran back to the common room.
Lacci had been sitting on a bed behind Jupiter as she was getting ready. "Good luck!!" she called, and then rolled over sleepily and fell off the bed.
Ehrich, standing over at Raksha's bed, looked over towards Lacci and yelled, "Hey, do you know how Jupiter used that charm to make her boobs stay up? Do you know any that'll make mine somewhat bigger? I don't have enough to fill out my dress!". He pouted and turned back to Raksha.
Lacci climbed back up on her bed. She didn't know how to do magic at all. She had once turned someone into a lobster moth...
She took out her wand and pointed it at Ehrich.
"Uuuhhmmm.." she said sleepily. She racked her brain for spells. "Engorgio? Suspendo Oobiesbay." Lacci wondered if she needed to do another one. "Uuuhh... Grandi Occhi." Without bothering to see the effect, she fell back onto the floor and began sleeping.
Jupiter ran back into the room, she'd forgotten her shoes.
"AAAACK! EHRICH!!" she screamed at Ehrich, who was gigantically tall with large eyes and his shirt was clinging very tightly to his chest.
"Reducio!" she yelled, and Ehrich returned to normal size. "I'm afraid you just have to wait for your eyes to shrink back to normal size. They're cute though! How did this happen?"
"I asked Lacci to give me boobs..." he said sheepishly.
"Haha, never ask Lacci to do magic. All though I have to say, that despite the side effects, your breasts are really nice! But you're missing something...Cambi i capelli!" Jupiter said, pointing her wand at Ehrich's head. Suddenly it was in a bun with pink flowers sticking out of it.
"Lovely! And now, my love, I must flee!" she said, smooching Ehrich on the cheek and running off.
***
Severus looked into his mirror briefly, scrutinizing himself for the very first time. He'd never been so apprehensive about his looks before, much less a social event. He'd never been to one worth getting ready for, not even back when he was a student at Hogwarts. Of course, there had never been anyone there worth preparing for.
He sorted through his things, and picked out a simple pair of black dress robes, a long sleeved, button-up shirt with loose sleeves and a wide collar, and a pair of dress boots. That ought to be good. That was what one wore to balls, wasn't it? He wasn't one for fashion, so it would have to do in any respect. Severus cast the doubts lingering in his mind. He ought to be at least half-way confident..
He removed his normal robes and donned the other ones. He looked at himself in the full-length mirror. Heaving a labored sigh, he turned away. It would do, it would have to do. He looked respectable enough, anyway. Rolling his eyes he walked toward the door, yet before opening it he caught a glimpse of himself in the glass.
Should he do something with his hair? He looked back at the mirror, pondering it for a moment. Eventually, he decided. He brushed his hair quickly, wondering why on earth he cared about what he should do with his hair in the first place. Then he pulled out a string from his desk, and tied it back. That should be sufficient. With that, he was out the door, towards the Ballroom. Tonight would either be feast or famine, yet he had no time to ponder about it and waste more time.
***
Percy strolled in through the ballroom doors, head held high and carrying an air of importance, as befitting a ministry wizard. His pompous air, however, was somewhat disturbed by the people who kept pushing him aside as they rushed from the dance floor to the drinks table and back.
Percy muttered and straightened his glasses. He hadn't figured out exactly why he was here yet. He suspected it had something to do with his colleagues wanting to keep an eye on Lucius Malfoy, and of course, he could hardly let them down, could he?
A rather hard shove from a burly seventh year nearly sent Percy stumbling to the floor. He regained his balance and muttered disdainfully under his breath. Oh well, it could be worse, he thought. At least Fred and George haven't shown up yet.
A girl with black and blue hair and a very interesting satin gown flowed up to him.
"Hello, you don't look like you go here. However, you do look like a Weasley. And from the important air just emanating from you," she giggled, "I think it's probably befitting to say that you're Percy," she smirked and continued, "My name, however, is Jupiter Vrij, I'm friends with Fred and George," she extended a thin hand with scars on it.
Percy straightened up, his chest puffing out with pride. The poor boy had completely missed any trace of sarcasm.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Vrij." he said, shaking her hand and giving a disapproving glance at the scars on her hand. "I trust this evening finds you well?"
As he spoke he glanced nervously at her dress, which didn't look as though it could conceal any dung bombs. In fact, to Percy's somewhat conservative tastes, it looked like it was having trouble concealing Jupiter, never mind any sort of Zonko's merchandise. Still, you could never be too careful with someone who admitted to be friends with Fred and George.
Jupiter noted his looks of disgust at her hand with disappointment.
"Please forgive the appearance of my hands, I encountered a bit of...unpleasantness a while ago, and it hasn't healed quite properly yet," she said, futilely hoping it would help.
"Other than that I am fine. I've been having to deal with some of my more errant peers... As I'm sure you know, I'm in charge of student relations, a sort of student president, if you will, and there were a lot of hitches in pulling off this ball. For example, I had to rid the whole ballroom of timed dung bombs and exploding candy that Fred and George put down. As much as I love them...They have a tendency for too much ill-placed mischief. And then Ron spiked the punch!" Jupiter gave an exasperated sigh and put her hand on her forehead.
Then she remembered about the scars and hid her hands behind her back.
Percy paled as Jupiter told of his brother's antic's. He let out a soft groan.
"I apologize for all the trouble, they've caused you, Miss." He noted how quickly she hid her hands, and shook his head slightly and gave a reassuring smile.
"And don't worry about your hands. I well remember exactly what this school can be like." his smile faded a bit, "although I had hoped it would have improved somewhat while I was away."
Looking up, he noticed Lucius. He gave a small wave to the other man, then caught glimpse of the girl on his arm and quickly turned back to Jupiter. Of all the things... Lucius, a married man, fraternizing with a student. How would that look to the rest of the school? Percy shook his head in disbelief. Sometimes Lucius really made his life difficult.
A girl came in, muttering, "I think my date died..." The she spied Percy and squealed, "Ooh! Hey there, sweetheart."
"Well, luckily your brothers don't seem to be doing much of anything now," she said, knocking on wood. She was also very relieved at the comment about Hogwarts.
Just then, Lucius and Pandora walked in.
My god! She actually did it! Jupiter thought in amazement, but then turned her attention back to Percy. She had just opened her mouth to say something when they were apprehended by a girl. Jupiter shot her a glance with daggers in, and silently willed the girl to go away.
The girl grinned, clueless to Jupiter malignant stare, "Hi there!"
Jupiter fumed internally. She wouldn't let her anger at the girl for intruding on her "Percy time" show, but she kept imagining herself kicking Sophia into a broom closet and locking the door, then smiling winningly at Percy and continuing their conversation while Sophia banged on the closet door in vain.
Their interrupter made matters worse by grabbing Percy's arm and giggling.
Ah, thought Jupiter.
She raised an eyebrow and looked at the girl, who smiled at her. Then she turned her gaze on Percy.
"A...friend...of yours?" she asked heavily, giving Percy a look that clearly said "I don't believe someone as utterly superior as you should hang around with such riff-raff!" She had an image of herself ripping Sophia from Percy's arm and throwing her into the punch She pushed it away, reluctantly.
"Hmm..." the girl poked at the voiceless Percy, "I think he's paralyzed with fear. Oh no no, we don't know each other. I'm just picking random males!"
Percy looked bemusedly from one girl to the other.
"Can I help you, Miss...?" he asked Sophia, tactfully removing his arm from her grip and giving her a somewhat disdainful look.
"Sophia!" she squeaked, purposely avoiding her last name. She hastily grabbed Percy's arm back, giggling evilly, just to make him more nervous.
Jupiter cleared her throat pointedly.
"Well, Miss Sophia, If you haven't much else of importance to say to myself and Mr. Weasley here, I'm sure there are other boys who would be quite glad to be clung to. I'm afraid, though, that Mr. Weasley is a bit above being clung to. He is, after all, an important man employed by the Ministry of Magic, and not just some little schoolboy to be trifled with!" said Jupiter in a very sincere tone of voice, purposely feeding Percy's ego, in the hopes that he would help her push away the newcomer.
Sophia looked Percy up and down. "I don't know, he doesn't look that intimidating. And I'm having too much fun to leave. I wouldn't mind getting to know a big, important person."
Percy frowned at Sophia, the girl was beginning to irritate him.
"I'm afraid, Miss, I was engaged in a somewhat private conversation. If you don't mind..." he removed his arm once again from her grip.
"Oh, it didn't look like you were getting into anything deep before. I don't have much of anyone to talk to, and I didn't think some nice gentleman wouldn't mind being kind enough to take me in for a little."
Jupiter smirked triumphantly at Percy's disdain for Sophia, and turned her smug gaze on her.
"Yes, please, go away," she said, frowning again and mentally pushing the girl away with great force.
"Oh, you don't need to get jealous over him!" Sophia protested, with an evil grin, "What happened to that teacher you're always with?"
"Excuse me, I was hardly getting jealous," she lied convincingly, "You were merely intruding upon a conversation that does not concern you in the least. And I'm afraid that Professor Snape isn't here at the moment, as you may have noticed," she turned back to Percy, "The Professor has kindly agreed to help me organize the field trip," she said smoothly, giving him a smile.
Then she focused an icy stare on Sophia, "Miss, please. Go away. Why don't you go bother a Malfoy?"
"I just find it strange how you get possessive over this one when you already have one. You have a thing for older men?"
Jupiter's eyebrow quirked in surprise.
"I'm sorry, are you implying that Professor Snape and I are romantically involved with one another? Or that Mr Weasley and I are? You are quite mistaken, miss. I'm afraid it doesn't do good to assume things, especially things so ridiculous. Myself, be involved with a teacher? Exactly how immoral do you believe me to be, Miss...whatever your name is! I refuse to be insulted by you any longer," she said angrily, then she turned to Percy, "If you would like to stay here with this immature young girl, you're free to, but I prefer to be near people who don't speak such rubbish!"
She turned her back and walked to the other side of the room in a dignified manner, hoping Percy would follow her.
Percy shot an annoyed glare at Sophia, and then followed Jupiter across the hall.
"Are you ok? She didn't offend you too badly, I hope...?" he asked, his concern outweighing his irritation.
"An 'immoral' Slytherin doesn't sound that shocking to me!" Sophia muttered, walking away.
"No, I'm all right," she grumbled, inspecting her fingernails. The she sighed and straightened up, "Forgive my momentary loss of temper...I hate it when people listen to ridiculous rumors...I've received nothing but hell from students about Severus and I. Of course, we're friends, we connect on a mental level, but nothing more than that. Rumors make me so angry...I hate it when people don't tell the truth," she said. This was not entirely true. She loved it when people lied, and she caught them.
"It would be best not to worry about it," Percy said warmly, giving Jupiter a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "There'll always be rumors. It's best to just to rise above it and remember you're better than their childish stories."
Percy gave her another smile, remembering briefly his time at Hogwarts. Thankfully he hadn't been deemed 'interesting' enough to be gossiped about.
Jupiter took a deep breath and exhaled, releasing the last of her negative tension.
"Thank you, Percy," she said, giving him a dazzling smile, "You're a dear."
There was a slight pause. "Oh my, I've completely forgotten what I was going to say!" she said, looking rather disgrumpled.
"Oh, well...So what brings you to Hogwarts anyway?"
Percy smiled, glad that Jupiter had cheered up.
"I've been asked to accompany Mr. Malfoy," he nodded in Lucius' direction, "Not completely sure why, but it's probably something important. I think there have been one or two problems."
Percy frowned. While there was most likely a good explanation for him coming to Hogwarts, it would have been nice if he knew what it was.
"Oh!" Jupiter cried, completely ignoring Percy's discomfort at his lack of knowledge, "It's probably about that horrid Hall of Shadow..." she said, and nodded affirmatively.
"It's positively awful, and doesn't seem to have any purpose at all except to scare and injure people..."
Percy arched his eyebrow, intrigued.
"The Hall of Shadow?" he asked, "can't say it remember it...."
He bit his lip as he tried to recall, but his memory remained blank. He wondered briefly how Jupiter knew about it, but then he remembered the scars on her hands and decided it would be best not to ask, even if he wasn't right.
Jupiter began to mess with her hair, which smelled stronger of mint than usual.
"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter too much," she said softly, in a sort of contented tone, looking at her hair.
She seemed to notice herself drifting off into la la land, and straightened up a little.
"So, Percy, how's the Ministry treating you?" she tilted her head to one side inquisitively, "I'm so sorry about Mr. Crouch," she added.
Percy stiffened slightly at the mention of Mr. Crouch
"I'm sorry as well," he quickly changed the subject, "but the ministry's been pretty good. It's hard work, but it's good to know I'm doing something useful. Helping people and such. It's been very busy recently though, which can be very tiring, but I'm sure I can manage."
Percy gave a small smile. It was nice to be able to talk about work without one of his brothers constantly piping up with amusing comments.
"That's very good of you. I don't think anyone could possibly do your job quite as well as you do," she grinned, but then a flash of black across the room caught her eye and her heart jumped.
"Oh dearest Percy, it's been positively fascinating and I look forward to talking to you again in the future but I have to go attend to something, you understand," she said sweetly. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Percy on the cheek and then ran off.
***
Severus stepped into the hall, glancing about in minor disdain. The amount of open affection was a bit too much for the conservative professor. He rolled his eyes and walked further into the hall, scanning it for the only reason he was here. He couldn't see the girl anywhere and his expression visibly lowered.
He retreated to a wall, glaring at the happy students with dark onyx eyes. He didn't feel comfortable merely standing mindlessly, it was an odd sensation to wish to be a part of the celebration. It was usual for him to feel left out, but thoughts of Jupiter only ostracized him ever the more.
Jupiter crept up on Snape as quietly as she could, trying to stay hidden, which wasn't a hard thing to do in the crush of students.
She walked up so that she was right beside him. Luckily, he was still searching the crowd, presumably for her. Suddenly, she grabbed him and shouted "GOTCHA!"
Severus turned quickly toward the source of the yell, startled, his eyes were widened. They remained wide, as he realized what Jupiter was wearing. He allowed himself one glance down at her licentious apparel, then quickly returned to her face. He had to shove the inappropriate thoughts roughly out of his mind, as he focused upon her glittering cobalt eyes.
"Hello Jupiter, you look quite…lovely," He said, stumbling over his last words. He couldn't voice what he was thinking due to the public atmosphere. Even if they were in a more appropriate setting, he would still most likely refrain.
Jupiter smiled at him.
"Why thank you, Professor Snape," she said in an "apt student" voice.
She was in a very comfortable mood and leaned her torso forward and pointed at her navel jewelry, which was glowing.
"Do you like it? It's new. I got it four days ago," she smiled, admiring it.
Severus looked down quickly enough to catch a mere glimpse of the navel ring, before quickly returning his gaze.
"Lovely," He stated briefly. He had to keep himself in line tonight. He was a professor, he was supposed to be an example. He wasn't supposed to engage in the self-indulgent acts about him. Yet, one glance at the vixen before him sent his primordial sense in gear, battling his weary conscience.
"Are you enjoying yourself so far?" He asked nonchalantly, attempting to turn the discussion away from Jupiter's body.
Jupiter sensed Snape's...discomfort and smiled to herself. But she decided to leave him be for now, and began talking in a very conversational, matter-of-fact tone of voice.
"Well, it's been interesting, thus far," she said, "I had a nice talk with Percy over there," she pointed at the red-haired boy with the horn-rimmed glasses, "He's a cutie. Absolutely adorable. Of course, it wasn't a very good conversation, because we got interrupted by some extremely rude girl who made a few comments pertaining to you and I, which I dispelled, rather nicely, I thought. Lucius Malfoy is here, escorted by an ecstatic Pandora Vetinari. They're being stalked by Lucius's rather whiny son, who seems bent on blackmailing them somehow. Lacci and Oliver have broken up because they came in earlier with their hair and clothes all mussed and big grins on their faces. Lavinia hit Ehrich for kissing Freddie, his owl's here, by the way, cute little thing, and they ran outside. And then you came in, looking quite nice, I might add. I love your hair. And thus far, that is everything of interest to me," she finished with a smirk, knowing that she'd successfully talked his ear off, and waited for it all to sink in.
Severus stared at some non-existing object for the whole period Jupiter was speaking. It seemed he had missed quite a lot, not to his dismay however. She was a lot more social than he.
"Ah, it seems you've spoken to half the school," Severus stated sarcastically, a weedy smirk spreading across his face.
"You may return to your 'rounds' if you wish. I'll be making sure the other student's don't have too much fun, anyway," He replied, rolling his eyes. How he hated getting into the children's frivolous activities. He did, however, quite enjoy their surprised expressions when he caught them.
Jupiter smiled. This was the cold, sarcastic Snape she knew and loved. She mentally gave a dreamy sigh.
"Thanks much, but I think I'll stay here and bother you for a while, do you mind?" she smiled and gently poked him in the side, hiding her hand so that no one could tell.
Severus raised a raven-colored eyebrow, as Jupiter poked him playfully in the ribs.
"Of course not, perhaps I can let the little dolts enjoy themselves a bit longer. They should be thanking you," Snape said, sending an awry glance at the door toward the courtyard. He knew very well what was going on in the bushes outside the Ball Room, yet strangely, for once, it didn't bother him all too much. It might have been the fact that he desperately wanted to pull Jupiter off toward one himself...but that was a whole other story all together. He liked to think he was just growing softer with time.
Jupiter giggled cutely, and seemed to reach a decision. She hopped out in front of Snape, bouncing madly. He noticed this and coughed a little, glad for her suspending spell.
Then she looked at Snape's face.
"Yes, yes, I definitely like the hair," she remarked, and then gestured to the dance floor, "Let's dance."
Snape froze, remembering the last time he tried to dance. And why in bloody hell was she bouncing about. He groaned and glanced up at the ceiling, inwardly damning his dark thoughts.
"Er...well, perhaps, you could find a more able companion," Severus replied quickly, trying to wheedle himself out of the situation. The last thing he needed was Jupiter pressing herself against him.
Jupiter gave Snape a playful smirk.
"Oh come now. Me, find someone else to dance with, and pass up on my change of being envied by every Slytherin and Ravenclaw girl...and some boys, in Hogwarts? Come on," she coaxed, pulling on his sleeve gently.
He definitely was growing soft, a year ago he would have scoffed at the enchanting girl before him and told her to go off and bother Potter. Yet, her eyes begged him silently to stop being a git and lighten up. He sighed and rolled his eyes. It was only one dance.
"Very well," He replied quietly, following the girl out onto the dance floor. What a wonderful way to look like an idiot.
Jupiter smiled dazzlingly at Severus and pulled him out onto the dance floor after her. She looked over at Kirley and winked. She'd discussed this with him beforehand.
It was a simple piece, with only cello and piano. Slow, haunting, but pretty. Jupiter didn't know what it was called, but had successfully hummed the two harmonies to the band earlier that day.
Jupiter wrapped her slender gloved arms around Snape's neck and leaned into him. She had a knack for fitting perfectly into someone's arms.
Severus closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the feel of Jupiter in his arms. Yet, he opened them within moments reverting his content expression to his usually glare, sure to not look too happy.
He was really at a loss for words, some of the things running through his mind were better for a private conversation between the two. So, he merely smirked lightly.
"It seems you were quite prepared," He stated, motioning his head toward the band.
Jupiter smiled.
"Of course. I had to talk to Kirley while we were setting up. I also got Lacci a sort of early birthday present, because everyone knows how infatuated with him she is..." she smiled slightly and resisted the very strong urge to lean into him and...She coughed at herself mentally, cutting off her train of thought. She instead looked into Severus's eyes and wished she had something to say to him, just so that she could whisper it in his ear.
She settled for just smiling suggestively at him, her eyes saying things that she didn't think even Lacci would say out loud.
Severus diverted his eyes from the evil seductress for a moment, attempting to regain his composure. He was a professor dancing with a student, that was all at the moment, nothing more. But, why in bloody hell did she have look at him like that. His previous thoughts came barging back into his head, and Severus was helpless to stop it.
"Er...how are you?" Snape said moronically. He rolled his eyes at himself instantly afterward. There goes the professor approach. Now, you sound like a babbling prat.
Jupiter's face broke into a full smiled. She was a tease, and she knew it. Severus seemed to be noticing it, too. Jupiter decided to turn down the heat for now. After all, she'd promised dances to a lot of people, she couldn't just run off with Snape and not come back.
"I'm fine," she laughed, "Are you all right?" she asked, and gave him a sort of laughingly concerned look.
"I'm fine," He muttered, pleased that she didn't seem set on pulling him into the bushes anymore. His tense muscles calmed, as they continued dancing, even though he still felt foolish. He had no clue what to say, perhaps there wasn't anything really to say.
He was scanning the room, when he noticed Professor Ubel running out at a frantic pace. This raised his curiosity, as his eyes narrowed on that spot. He could only hope this had nothing to do with the Hall of Shadows. It had given the students enough grief already.
"What are you looking at, Severus?" asked Jupiter, noting his unhappy expression.
Severus returns his focus to Jupiter, shaking his head slightly.
"Something's wrong," He stated briefly, his eyes retracing their previous trail toward the doorway. He should go check it out, just to make sure it was something Ubel couldn't handle by herself. He didn't want anyone getting harmed on the night of the ball. He detached himself from Jupiter's grip.
"I should check it out, though it may just be a prank. Of course, it could be anything," He told her quickly, every now and then his eyes darted toward the doorway. She wasn't back yet, something was definitely awry.
"Come or stay if you wish," He said, rushing away from her toward the gaping doorway. He would check the common rooms first, he saw them run down the dungeon stairs. It would be most logical.
Jupiter glanced around, she had promised a few more people dances...but...this was more interesting. She nodded and ran off after Severus.
