Disclaimer: Joanne Kathleen Rowling owns everything that has anything to do with the original Harry Potter, so obviously, I don't own Harry and Co. Wish I owned Sirius though.
A/N:
Thank you to all those who took time to review. If you want to give me some constructive criticism and or suggestions please do so. A friend told me this fic is still a bit plot less, so here in Chapter five I'll try to really make the plot obvious. *GaG-this is not easy….*
So please, bear with me…
(And yes, Adonna, I still like Konzen a mite bit more than Sanzo, even though they are one person. And don't you dare insult Hakkai's sash again-it's so cool! I don't see what's wrong with it!!! Hehehe)
Chapter Five: The Good news, the Bad News
Dinner at Hogwarts was fabulous, as usual. Trays of salads, fruits, soups and pastries were lined up on all four house tables, the students simply helping themselves to more than one serving.
The chatter was cut short, however, when Dumbledore stood up, his eyes once more merry, his green-blue robes overflowing at the sleeves. "It's good to see such healthy children feasting, isn't it?" He asked, beaming at all four house tables. "And, speaking of feasts; there has been talk within the faculty, and myself, about our upcoming Christmas celebration." He gave them another smile, as a number of students started to talk excitedly.
"Your teachers and I have come up with the idea of a Christmas ball a week from now, before the real Christmas, when half of the school is sure to go home for the holidays. I want you all in the best of spirits, and each house will be allowed to help decorate the Great Hall with any spell you'd like-in the realm of decency, of course."
There was great cheering from the entire student body, and James Potter, sitting as usual beside Sirius, found himself grinning at his friends, then at a smiling Evans, whose full attention was focused on Dumbledore.
"This," He heard Sirius tell Remus, "Is going to be sweet." He looked up dreamily at the starry school ceiling, and started to wave a hand up dramatically, one arm around Remus. "I got a whole list of babes whom I just know are after yours truly."
"They're after you, Sirius," James told him, "Because you owe them money, not because they want to dance with you." Half the Gryffindor table burst into laughter, James himself grinning wickedly at his best friend, who had a faked look of annoyance on his face.
When Sirius looked away, however, James took a peak at the corner of his eye. Lily was finishing up her meal, while talking to a giggling seventh-year Molly, and a smiling Arthur. If he planned on having fun at this ball, he had to make sure he had the right moves…
***@***
Minerva McGonagall tapped her foot impatiently, as she waited for the gargoyle blocking the way to Albus' office step away after she had given him the password, 'Gummsie-wummsies.'
She sighed. With all the passwords the man used anyone would think he was a boy going for a night of trick or treating instead of a very old and respected Headmaster. She entered his office, which was warm and full of all kinds of magical instruments. The Headmaster himself was busy, taking a look at the baroque shelf next to his desk, which was filled from top to bottom of thick volumes and journals.
"Ah, Minerva…" Albus smiled as she entered, and gestured towards a comfortable looking chair, not in front of his desk, but one that was positioned around the small coffee table near a window. "Good evening, Albus," She said as she sat herself down, clutching the new copy of The Evening Prophet rather tightly.
"Albus," She said, her lips a thin line. "You-you have heard, haven't you?" The Headmaster nodded grimly, as he waved his wand and a tray of tea arrived. "I have, Minerva, I have." The Transfiguration professor took a sip of tea, hoping it would calm her down
"But have you seen this?" She offered the newspaper to him, and could only agree with his reaction as the man's genuine blue eyes were filled with agony, then, for a mere moment, anger.
The picture showed a part of Diagon Alley, which was clearly in the state of pandemonium. Two store windows were broken, the glass scattered on the ground, and smoke filled almost the whole place. A couple of wizards and witches gathered around grimly, obviously part of the Ministry. The caption above the picture read, in big bold letters:
Small Blow Up In Diagon Alley: Culprit Still Unknown
***@***
Sirius thumped his head repeatedly on the hardbound book on the table. It was later that evening, and the fire on the common room fireplace projected a somewhat calm and solemn aura about.
"Er, Sirius, what in the world are you doing?"
Sirius looked up, and rolled his eyes at James, then continued to bump his head on the book. "I'm planning a manned mission to Mars, isn't it obvious?" he snapped. James raised an eyebrow, with a look of amusement on his face. "Come now, Sirius, really--what's the matter? Did you lose something? Stomach problem? Or did the house elves forget to wash your underwear again?"
His best friend narrowed his eyes as James sat down beside him. "Very amusing." He cocked his head to where a couple of Gryffindor girls sat, talking. "Grace turned me down for the ball; said Mikolas Patil had already asked to go with her right after dinner. Then I asked Rachelle Parcs, but she said she was planning on going with Finnigan."
"But didn't you sort of say you had a long list of girls and all?" James asked. "I mean I know you were exaggerating, but don't you have about, let's say, I don't know; five more crushes?"
"Seven," Sirius corrected him, "But those two were on the top of my list! I mean the others are equally fine, but I was expecting at least Rachelle to go with me if not Grace, mind you." James shook his head, still amused at his friend's 'problem.'
"Well at least you have the courage to actually go ahead and ask the girls you like to go with you to the dance…" He muttered. It was Sirius' turn to be amused. "Don't tell me you're chickening out on Evans, James." James just smiled. "I never said anything like that, Padfoot."
Padfoot shook his head. "Think about it this way, Prongs-you've got one extreme girl on your list, and I'm sure you won't take any of the other girls I'll suggest, so you'd better ask Lily out on this dance." He gave James a mischievous grin, stood up, and headed for the boy's dormitory.
James shook his head. He knew asking Lily would be a real challenge. It also was a weird consolation his friends were willing to help, since they all would have different suggestions to offer. Remus was not really into girls, or even romance, but usually ended up with a girl for any ball; Peter didn't even bother for girls, as he knew his dancing was as bad as his grades, and Sirius, well, his taste was just a little too strong compared to James'.
He considered writing to his own father way back home, but thought it was way too childish to do so for so little a matter. James sighed. "I wish I could ask someone for help…but who? Who in the world could possibly do so, anyway?"
***@***
"Severus!!!"
Lucius Malfoy's voice almost made Snape fall from his position, sitting comfortably on his favorite armchair in the Slytherin common room. The dim lighting, however, still allowed him to see Malfoy's overly-excited gray-blue eyes twinkling malevolently, as he licked his lips, holding a copy of The Evening Prophet as he walked towards Severus.
"What is it?" Severus asked, not nearly as excited nor interested. It had been a long day, and Dumbledore's announcement of a Christmas ball didn't exactly edify him. He was never one for dancing, and had no plans of asking any girl to come along with him.
Lucius looked around carefully, making sure that none of the other Slytherins were watching. "You just won't believe it, Severus, you just won't believe it," Snape rolled his eyes, as Lucius continued to grin in that crazy-looking way.
"Believe what, for heaven's sake? Because if you're talking about how you've lost your mind, then hell you, I believe it." Whatever it was, he decided, must have been really great, as instead of answering back sarcastically, Lucius simply let out a cold smile. "I was talking about this…"
He handed Snape the newspaper, and his pitch black eyes carefully examined the news which had made the front page. "They don't know who did it?" Lucius shook his head. "No…but I know who did."
Severus' eyes widened, feeling excitement fill his body. He looked back at the article. "It says here the Ministry of Magic was unable to identify what dark curse was used to cause the mayhem…" Dark curses…he had always taken a secret liking to those, somehow.
"Of course not!" Malfoy burst into fits of cold laughter. "Those fools! All they know are pretty little charms to make daisies grow!" Severus looked suspiciously at his friend. "And you really know who's behind all this?"
Malfoy smirked. "Of course-plus, the curse that was used…" "Snape folded the newspaper, keeping his eyes on Lucius. "Oh yeah? Well then start talking, Malfoy…"
A/N:
Ooooohhh, bad boys, very bad boys-now go to MY room!!! *Hehe, yeah right…*
How was it? I'd really like to thank all those people who reviewed my story, and I hope that you keep on reading. I haven't read HP in a long time, and the only book I own is the second one, so if I messed up some facts, please try to understand?
I think I finally left a clue to my real plot, and a picture of the evil side of things, so Princess, if you're reading this, I hope my work was at the least satisfactory. Thank you so much for being a good critic to me, I appreciate it.
And before I forget, ak_kawaii, have mercy and keep You-Know-Who away from moi-and no, I ain't referring to Voldielocks! Oh, and by the way…
"The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.
This twice blest: It blesseth him that gives,
And him that takes…"
The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare
Portia, 4:1:190-193
Why'd I put it there? Coz I felt like it, of course! Not to mention I'm a freak! Happy honeymoon with Gollum, A.K. ! I miss Y_ar O_e Se_ti_n O_e!!! I miss you guys so much!!!
