Last updated on January 14, 2003
Except for Mariannah who is obviously my own creation, all the other characters here belong to J.K. Rowling.
This chapter was revised! :-) Please check out the news on "Author's Notes & News updated every now and then" (which is usually the last chapter of this story).
I'd like to thank the Harry Potter Lexicon () for all the invaluable resource, which helped me make this fan-fic. I'd also like to thank John Williams for creating such an excellent score for the Harry Potter movies. They were fuel for my imagination as well. Finally, thanks to all the other song artists and fan-fic authors. Without them, this story wouldn't materialize at all.
The Dance
"I want to go!"
"No!" said James and Severus in unison. The two enemies looked at each other and shuddered. It felt really strange for the two to start agreeing on something for the first time.
"Mariannah, dearest," said James as he held his sister's shoulders. "Be reasonable! It's only for the fifth to seventh years."
"But I am a fifth year student!" Mariannah was defiant as usual. "Yes, I know that," explained James. "But you're eight years old! Surely you don't want to be the only kid in the ball?"
Halloween was nearing. The teachers have decided to do something special for a change and hold a Grand Halloween Ball for the fifth to seventh years. Earlier, Severus was shocked when Mariannah asked him what would be best for her to wear to the ball. After making a futile attempt to explain to Mariannah that she's not supposed to go, Severus decided to go over to James. She's his sister after all! he thought.
James could now see the tears welling up in his sister's eyes. "Oh no," said James. "You're not going to do that to me this time. I absolutely refuse to let you attend that ball. Trust me... you'll be so out of place! Now if you were actually fifteen years old or even look fifteen, I could reconsider."
"Really?" the little girl sniffed. "Yes," James said. Mariannah stopped crying and stared at her brother. It made James feel uneasy. Why do I get the feeling I just gave my kid sister a drastic idea?
Everyone was having such a wonderful time at the ball. It wasn't everyday that the teachers would allow them to stay up as late as they wanted. There was dancing, drinks and food everywhere. Peter, Remus and Sirius were thinking of ways to try to get past Professor McGonagall and spike the punch. Lily Evans and James were in the middle of the grand hall dancing the night away. Severus in the meantime was tucked away in the corner with a small group of Slytherin girls tittering on his right. He was staring at James dancing with Lily, thoroughly jealous at his enemy's luck. Severus crossed his arms in front of him and looked towards Peter, Remus and Sirius. Thinking of trouble again as usual, he thought. Then the music stopped. He noticed everyone was staring at him.
No, not him. The door next to him. It had opened to reveal a lovely young lady in royal green dress robes with a silver cobra head emblazoned at the back. She surveyed the hall until her gaze settled on Severus. Severus felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He had never seen anyone so beautiful. Red lips, ebony black hair that fell softly around her face and on her shoulders, porcelain white skin. And those eyes... Wait a minute! I know those eyes! Severus stared at her in astonishment. It can't be! James was now running towards the girl. "Mariannah! What did you do?"
Everyone in the room was now mumbling. The Slytherin girls next to Severus were now whispering, wondering if she made an aging potion. The Headmaster stood up and asked everyone in the hall to be quiet. He then called for Mariannah to come forward.
She walked with an air of confidence. Every step seemed sure and calculated, yet swift and soundless. Her rich robes billowed behind her. She smiled at Peter, Remus and Sirius as she passed them. The boys had been staring at her with their mouth open. Lily had to come and poke the boys to their senses. Mariannah went up to Professor Dumbledore. She curtsied and smiled at the headmaster. James was immediately by her side, eager to find out what had happened.
"Hello, Mariannah," said the headmaster.
"Hello, sir," said Mariannah, her voice silky and unnerving. James noticed that her voice was more mature now.
"What did you do to yourself? Did you make an aging potion, my dear?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"I didn't do anything headmaster," she coolly said. "I was in my quarters, thinking, wishing I could be fifteen so I can join the ball. I was contemplating on making an Aging Potion, but didn't know how I can get the ingredients. Suddenly, I felt something warm. There was a flash of light. The next thing I knew, I'm fifteen. Or at least, I look fifteen." Her eyes were staring at Professor Dumbledore's, piercing, as if searching for something. Professor Dumbledore looked at her, and then realized that the next words she was saying wasn't being said at all. I know what you're thinking. I'm the Gryffindor Guardian.
Professor Dumbledore nodded. "I see," he simply said. The Headmaster then looked at the puzzled James. "It's alright, son," assured Professor Dumbledore. "No harm done. Mariannah, meet me in my office first thing tomorrow morning. There is something important we must discuss. But for now..." The old wizard was now addressing the hall. "Let us continue with our merry making! Music!" He clapped and the music started again. Mariannah curtsied again, looked at her brother, then at the hall and proceeded to make a beeline towards Severus.
Severus was now looking at her with awe. When he realized Mariannah was coming nearer, he composed himself. Mariannah was now in front of him and held out her hand to him. "Would you like to dance?"
"Come on," said a Slytherin girl. "Why would a kid like you want to dance with him?"
"Well," Mariannah said calmly, her voice cold and cutting. "I don't see you asking him to dance. Why don't you ask him now?" Mariannah stared down at the girl. The girl was big and could easily overpower Mariannah, but somehow the Slytherin felt that it would be better to leave this changed girl alone. "In that case," continued Mariannah. She face Severus and smiled. "Dance with me, please?" Her voice was warmer now. Friendly. Severus didn't know what made him change his mind, but he got up from his seat. He noticed that despite her older appearance Mariannah was still smaller than him. Her forehead only reaching his chin. Severus took her hand and led her to the middle of the dancefloor.
Mariannah was deep in her books when Severus entered her office. "Mariannah, it's time for lunch."
"Oh is it already?" Mariannah said, looking at the clock. "My, I didn't notice. I've been so absorbed with the past teaching material of the former instructors. Did Lockhart really use this book?" she said holding up Lockhart's Voyages with Vampires like a moldy old sandwich. She gave Severus a questionable look. Severus snapped his head to the side and grunted his disapproval of the book and it's author. "Eww. I'll take that as a yes," said Mariannah, promptly throwing the book into the garbage bin.
"Alright then, let's go." Mariannah got up from her chair and started towards Severus. It was then that Severus noticed what she was wearing. "I remember that dress," he said, his voice warmer than usual. She was wearing the royal green dress robes she wore when they first danced. Severus offered his arm to Mariannah again as before. Mariannah took his arm and they started for the door.
"I'm glad you still remember," said Mariannah with a smile.
"How could I forget," said Severus, giving a small smile. "It was the most wonderful day of my life."
Professor Dumbledore eyed Mariannah while she danced with Severus. Transfiguration. Telepathy. The old wizard sat back on his chair. Yes, he thought. She's the one.
To be continued...