Chapter 42 In Which They Feast
"Quills down everybody and pass your exam parchments forward." Ron placed the final period and dotted his last I before putting his quill down and handing his parchment to Hermione who in turn handed it to Harry and so on. He sighed and grinned at Hermione in relief. Testing was over. Just a few more days and they were home free for the summer.
***
The feast on the last day of school was a grand celebration. The ceiling was alight with fireworks, the food was beyond sublime and there was music. The reason for this celebration? The upcoming wedding of Professor Flitwick and Madame Pince, (Or, as the student body believed, the fact that they would have a DADA professor for more than one year). Also, as everybody was pleased to note, the graduating class was the largest it's been in fifty years, since the first rise of Voldemort.
The usual tables had been moved and were replaced by smaller tables that sat six. For the most part, the tables were house oriented, but not always. There are always a few exceptions.
Ron, being a gentleman for once, pulled out the chair for Hermione. Draco, being Draco, smirked as he pulled out the chair for Harry, bowing. Harry stuck out his tongue at him, but sat anyway. Ginny plopped down next to Hermione with Neville, who was eyeing Draco warily. Draco smiled at him, a real smile, and Neville returned it timidly.
At the table next to theirs Methos and Severus were already sitting, sipping their drinks. A few moments later Percy and Oliver joined them with Remus and his faithful companion. Both Methos and Severus looked up at the same time to see Cassandra standing there, looking nervous.
She was dresses Modestly (for her) in dress robes that looked more like a dress then robes, in a deep crimson, brining a nice color to her skin. Around her neck was a pewter chain and on it was a ruby in a star-shaped setting. Her long dark hair was down and hung in chocolate rings down her back. Severus was the first to notice her white-knuckled grip on her handbag.
"Oh, stop fretting, you silly woman. We're all friends here, even you. Sit down." Methos nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Please sit down before Sprout tries to." Cassandra smiled and sat down. "She is a wonderful woman, bug if she asks me one more question about being gay, I will not be responsible for my actions." Methos growled.
"She got to you too?" Remus asked, stroking Snuffles head. Methos and Severus nodded.
"She corners me at almost every meal," Methos said, "I've considered not going at all, but I can't do that."
"Why not?" asked Oliver.
"Because the last time I did that, he," he jerked his thumb at Severus, "wouldn't leave me alone until I went." Severus grinned.
"You're too skinny as it is." Methos rolled his eyes.
"You're one to talk.besides, it's not as if it's going to kill me." Severus just sighed and shook his head. Percy looked back and forth between Methos and Cassandra confused.
"Wait a moment. A few days ago you were at each other's throats. What happened?"
"Oh," said Cassandra, "we came to an understanding."
FLASHBACK after the meeting in Dumbledore's office
Cassandra looked around and saw Methos and Severus go off in one direction and followed. She waited until they were in an empty hallway to announce her presence. She opened her mouth to speak-
"Why are you following us Cassandra?" Methos turned to look into Cassandra's startled visage. Severus looked over as well and raised an eyebrow.
"Well.I need to talk to you.both of you." Methos stared at her, then nodded.
"Come on, then. My rooms are closer."
***
Methos held open the door for the other two as they entered the room. Severus went immediately for the drinks while Cassandra stood, lost in the middle of the room. Methos noticed.
"Don't just sit stand there. Sit down. Relax a bit. You'll come to no harm here. You want a drink?"
"No, thank you." She said, sitting on the plush couch. Severus handed Methos his drink then sat on the arm of Methos' chair across from the witch.
"First and foremost, I want to apologize," Cassandra started. "I went over the line with my comments and I'm sorry. I didn't give you a chance." Methos shook his head.
"Don't apologize, Cassandra. It doesn't suit you. I know very well that I'm still atoning for my sins and I most likely deserved every cutting comment and biting remark. Severus on the other hand."
"Accepts the apology, though it's unnecessary."
"See.I told you." Cassandra gave a small (really small) smile at that.
"I still feel terrible."
"Ah, yes. That would be guilt. That's something we Slytherins are immune to." Said Severus. Methos snorted.
"Every Slytherin except for me." Severus placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Methos gave him a wan smile and covered his lover's hand with his own. Methos closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath and when he opened them, they contained none of the harsher emotions they held mere moments before. He didn't, however, let go of his lover's hand. Cassandra noticed this. Another human motion to further distance the Methos sitting in front of her with the Horseman he was so long ago.
"I don't expect you to forgive me, anytime soon," he said conversationally, "but I do hope than now we can at least work together without killing each other." Cassandra nodded.
"Yes.I do believe we can." She smiled at him, and he smiled back. The mood was lifted higher by a comment from Severus.
"Finally." Methos laughed and Cassandra's smile grew. The focus now shifted to Severus.
"I see you've joined our merry little cult." Severus nodded and Methos smirked.
"So it's a cult now?" She looked over at him.
"What else could it be? A bunch of people blindly following three rules which will ultimately end with out destruction all for some mythical thing which probably doesn't exist." Methos nodded.
"That does make sense. It's a good thing I don't take any part in the game, well, no more than I have to, to survive. I'm not particularly fond of cults."
"I've done the cult thing. I don't really want to do it again." Severus complained.
"Sorry." He sighed.
"Me too." Cassandra looked at him thoughtfully.
"Have you cast any spells yet?" Severus shook his head.
"No. Why?"
"Well, a wand is a focusing tool. Nothing more and nothing less. The magic you perform comes from an inner power source. By being made immortal, your inner power source has been amplified. The magic you feel you need to put into any spell will be at least double what you actually need. If my theory's correct, you may need to re-learn how to cast spells. It will happen every time you take a quickening, but it gets easier the more you do it. I think this is the biggest adjustment you will have to make."
"You think? You don't know?" Cassandra shook her head.
"No.all the Immortals I know of learned magic after they became Immortal."
"Can all Immortals be wizards?"
"No," Methos answered, "The basic core of the power source has to be magical, just like in mortals. The only difference is that Immortal wizards are neither half-bloods, pure-bloods, nor muggle-born. We are foundlings, and only foundlings, and therefore are above such politics. In fact," he grinned, "we can be any with the right documentation.I have been." Severus smiled, and then frowned.
"My wand will still work for me, though, right? I mean, I'm no longer the same wizard."
"You're personality and power levels have changed, nothing more. The core "magical you" is still the same. But do try a spell. I want to know how much you power is increased." Severus nodded and raised his wand.
"lumos."
Instead of the small flare of bright light, it was as if a sun had gone supernova, and they all hurried to cover their eyes, turning away from the brightness. With a mutter the light went out and they all blinked in the sudden darkness.
"Well." said Methos, "I guess that answers that question."
END FLASHBACK
All eyes suddenly turned to the front of the hall where Dumbledore had risen and was preparing to make his end of the year speech.
"It is time once again to award the House Cup. Before I do, however, I believe I have some commendations.
"For facing the enemy with bravery and valor and unsurpassed courage above and beyond the call of duty, I present this Medal of Honor to Remus Jonathan Lupin, Adam Pierson, Severus Snape, Percival Alexander Weasley, Oliver Thomas Wood, and of course, our dear Snuffles." Each person stood as their name was called with varying degrees of embarrassment, as a medal appeared on their chests (or, in Snuffle's case, collar).
"For not giving in to her fears and facing them with eventual poise and dignity, I award this Medal of Bravery to our dear Cassandra." She stood, blushing, as the medal appeared in front of her, hovered uncertainly above her breast, and then pinned itself to her collar.
"For the best use I've ever seen of a treacle cake, I present this award to Hagrid. Good show." Hagrid, his face already flushed from his drink, stood as the medal was pinned to him, turning an even deeper shade before sitting again.
"And last, but not least. I congratulate Professor Flitwick and Madame Pince on their upcoming marriage. I wish the best to you both." Everyone then cheered when he finally,
"The House Cup this year goes to Gryffindor." McGonagall smirked at a glaring Severus and Methos laughed.
"Let's Eat!" And the feast began.
TBC.
Almost there.just one more chapter. :_ ( sniff Oh, well.
After this epic novel is completed I will be working on updating some of my other stories. The Chiaroscuros, definitely, but probably not SDHS. I have no place to go with it and I'll probably take it off FF.net. leave it on my homepage. But enough talk here.onto the final chapter!!!
"Quills down everybody and pass your exam parchments forward." Ron placed the final period and dotted his last I before putting his quill down and handing his parchment to Hermione who in turn handed it to Harry and so on. He sighed and grinned at Hermione in relief. Testing was over. Just a few more days and they were home free for the summer.
***
The feast on the last day of school was a grand celebration. The ceiling was alight with fireworks, the food was beyond sublime and there was music. The reason for this celebration? The upcoming wedding of Professor Flitwick and Madame Pince, (Or, as the student body believed, the fact that they would have a DADA professor for more than one year). Also, as everybody was pleased to note, the graduating class was the largest it's been in fifty years, since the first rise of Voldemort.
The usual tables had been moved and were replaced by smaller tables that sat six. For the most part, the tables were house oriented, but not always. There are always a few exceptions.
Ron, being a gentleman for once, pulled out the chair for Hermione. Draco, being Draco, smirked as he pulled out the chair for Harry, bowing. Harry stuck out his tongue at him, but sat anyway. Ginny plopped down next to Hermione with Neville, who was eyeing Draco warily. Draco smiled at him, a real smile, and Neville returned it timidly.
At the table next to theirs Methos and Severus were already sitting, sipping their drinks. A few moments later Percy and Oliver joined them with Remus and his faithful companion. Both Methos and Severus looked up at the same time to see Cassandra standing there, looking nervous.
She was dresses Modestly (for her) in dress robes that looked more like a dress then robes, in a deep crimson, brining a nice color to her skin. Around her neck was a pewter chain and on it was a ruby in a star-shaped setting. Her long dark hair was down and hung in chocolate rings down her back. Severus was the first to notice her white-knuckled grip on her handbag.
"Oh, stop fretting, you silly woman. We're all friends here, even you. Sit down." Methos nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Please sit down before Sprout tries to." Cassandra smiled and sat down. "She is a wonderful woman, bug if she asks me one more question about being gay, I will not be responsible for my actions." Methos growled.
"She got to you too?" Remus asked, stroking Snuffles head. Methos and Severus nodded.
"She corners me at almost every meal," Methos said, "I've considered not going at all, but I can't do that."
"Why not?" asked Oliver.
"Because the last time I did that, he," he jerked his thumb at Severus, "wouldn't leave me alone until I went." Severus grinned.
"You're too skinny as it is." Methos rolled his eyes.
"You're one to talk.besides, it's not as if it's going to kill me." Severus just sighed and shook his head. Percy looked back and forth between Methos and Cassandra confused.
"Wait a moment. A few days ago you were at each other's throats. What happened?"
"Oh," said Cassandra, "we came to an understanding."
FLASHBACK after the meeting in Dumbledore's office
Cassandra looked around and saw Methos and Severus go off in one direction and followed. She waited until they were in an empty hallway to announce her presence. She opened her mouth to speak-
"Why are you following us Cassandra?" Methos turned to look into Cassandra's startled visage. Severus looked over as well and raised an eyebrow.
"Well.I need to talk to you.both of you." Methos stared at her, then nodded.
"Come on, then. My rooms are closer."
***
Methos held open the door for the other two as they entered the room. Severus went immediately for the drinks while Cassandra stood, lost in the middle of the room. Methos noticed.
"Don't just sit stand there. Sit down. Relax a bit. You'll come to no harm here. You want a drink?"
"No, thank you." She said, sitting on the plush couch. Severus handed Methos his drink then sat on the arm of Methos' chair across from the witch.
"First and foremost, I want to apologize," Cassandra started. "I went over the line with my comments and I'm sorry. I didn't give you a chance." Methos shook his head.
"Don't apologize, Cassandra. It doesn't suit you. I know very well that I'm still atoning for my sins and I most likely deserved every cutting comment and biting remark. Severus on the other hand."
"Accepts the apology, though it's unnecessary."
"See.I told you." Cassandra gave a small (really small) smile at that.
"I still feel terrible."
"Ah, yes. That would be guilt. That's something we Slytherins are immune to." Said Severus. Methos snorted.
"Every Slytherin except for me." Severus placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Methos gave him a wan smile and covered his lover's hand with his own. Methos closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath and when he opened them, they contained none of the harsher emotions they held mere moments before. He didn't, however, let go of his lover's hand. Cassandra noticed this. Another human motion to further distance the Methos sitting in front of her with the Horseman he was so long ago.
"I don't expect you to forgive me, anytime soon," he said conversationally, "but I do hope than now we can at least work together without killing each other." Cassandra nodded.
"Yes.I do believe we can." She smiled at him, and he smiled back. The mood was lifted higher by a comment from Severus.
"Finally." Methos laughed and Cassandra's smile grew. The focus now shifted to Severus.
"I see you've joined our merry little cult." Severus nodded and Methos smirked.
"So it's a cult now?" She looked over at him.
"What else could it be? A bunch of people blindly following three rules which will ultimately end with out destruction all for some mythical thing which probably doesn't exist." Methos nodded.
"That does make sense. It's a good thing I don't take any part in the game, well, no more than I have to, to survive. I'm not particularly fond of cults."
"I've done the cult thing. I don't really want to do it again." Severus complained.
"Sorry." He sighed.
"Me too." Cassandra looked at him thoughtfully.
"Have you cast any spells yet?" Severus shook his head.
"No. Why?"
"Well, a wand is a focusing tool. Nothing more and nothing less. The magic you perform comes from an inner power source. By being made immortal, your inner power source has been amplified. The magic you feel you need to put into any spell will be at least double what you actually need. If my theory's correct, you may need to re-learn how to cast spells. It will happen every time you take a quickening, but it gets easier the more you do it. I think this is the biggest adjustment you will have to make."
"You think? You don't know?" Cassandra shook her head.
"No.all the Immortals I know of learned magic after they became Immortal."
"Can all Immortals be wizards?"
"No," Methos answered, "The basic core of the power source has to be magical, just like in mortals. The only difference is that Immortal wizards are neither half-bloods, pure-bloods, nor muggle-born. We are foundlings, and only foundlings, and therefore are above such politics. In fact," he grinned, "we can be any with the right documentation.I have been." Severus smiled, and then frowned.
"My wand will still work for me, though, right? I mean, I'm no longer the same wizard."
"You're personality and power levels have changed, nothing more. The core "magical you" is still the same. But do try a spell. I want to know how much you power is increased." Severus nodded and raised his wand.
"lumos."
Instead of the small flare of bright light, it was as if a sun had gone supernova, and they all hurried to cover their eyes, turning away from the brightness. With a mutter the light went out and they all blinked in the sudden darkness.
"Well." said Methos, "I guess that answers that question."
END FLASHBACK
All eyes suddenly turned to the front of the hall where Dumbledore had risen and was preparing to make his end of the year speech.
"It is time once again to award the House Cup. Before I do, however, I believe I have some commendations.
"For facing the enemy with bravery and valor and unsurpassed courage above and beyond the call of duty, I present this Medal of Honor to Remus Jonathan Lupin, Adam Pierson, Severus Snape, Percival Alexander Weasley, Oliver Thomas Wood, and of course, our dear Snuffles." Each person stood as their name was called with varying degrees of embarrassment, as a medal appeared on their chests (or, in Snuffle's case, collar).
"For not giving in to her fears and facing them with eventual poise and dignity, I award this Medal of Bravery to our dear Cassandra." She stood, blushing, as the medal appeared in front of her, hovered uncertainly above her breast, and then pinned itself to her collar.
"For the best use I've ever seen of a treacle cake, I present this award to Hagrid. Good show." Hagrid, his face already flushed from his drink, stood as the medal was pinned to him, turning an even deeper shade before sitting again.
"And last, but not least. I congratulate Professor Flitwick and Madame Pince on their upcoming marriage. I wish the best to you both." Everyone then cheered when he finally,
"The House Cup this year goes to Gryffindor." McGonagall smirked at a glaring Severus and Methos laughed.
"Let's Eat!" And the feast began.
TBC.
Almost there.just one more chapter. :_ ( sniff Oh, well.
After this epic novel is completed I will be working on updating some of my other stories. The Chiaroscuros, definitely, but probably not SDHS. I have no place to go with it and I'll probably take it off FF.net. leave it on my homepage. But enough talk here.onto the final chapter!!!