Chapter 11
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They sat across from one another. Neither one was blinking. The moments passed by and still there was no sign of movement between the two. Suddenly, a burst of giggles escaped one and then the other followed with a roar of laughter.
"One day I'm going to beat you!"
"I don't understand why we play this game. The results are always the same. Just admit it!"
"Never!"
"Let's look at the statistics. Out of the last fifteen staring contests I have always emerged the victor." Remus looked smug about his last victory.
"Let's do it again. This time I'll show you!" Cassiopeia hated losing. Sure, it was a silly staring contest, but that was not the point. She could not let this man think he was better than her.
"Seriously Cassi, don't you have something better to do?" It wasn't that Remus didn't like participating in frivolous games. He simply felt that with the gala being that evening they should be getting ready.
Cassi glanced at the clock on the wall. The time was one o'clock and they needed to leave for the event at five thirty. Her sudden smile caught Remus off guard. It was a little too mischievous for his tastes.
"We still have some time. I just have to get my hair fixed. Hey! Why don't you drive me to the salon?" Her innocent expression was mighty suspicious.
"Okay. Just remember, I'm not used to driving your left-wheeled American cars."
"Well then I'll drive. You should just come and keep me company. Perhaps we can continue our contest there while my hair is being fixed." The joyous, hopeful look in her eyes melted Remus' resolve to say 'no.'
He ran his fingers through his long hair nervously. 'As long as she doesn't have any intention of cutting my hair it should be okay.'
That mischievous expression on Cassi's face continued to persist. In his gut, he had a feeling that he may return to the apartment a bit altered. He sighed. Perhaps it would be for the better?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes, it's for 1:45 under Cassio---"
"Cassiopeia! Come in, come in! It's so good to see you. Tonight must be the annual gala. I love working with your hair. It's so rich and luxurious. You have been using that conditioner that I suggested last time you were in?" The chipper voice of Rachel burst onto the scene. Before Cassi could finish her name she was pulled across the room towards Rachel's work station.
"Yes, I have been using it. Thank you for suggesting it."
Rachel was too busy working with her hair to pay much attention. The stylist seemed obsessed with Cassi's hair almost to a scary point of obsession. However she did notice the man that accompanied her patient.
"Say, honey, who's that man? Is he your new beau? I heard about what happened to that astronaut of yours. That's some funny business, uh-huh."
The gentle tugging of her hair was distracting. Cassiopeia looked across the room towards Remus and flashed him a disarming smile. "That's Remus. He's my escort for this evening. I was wondering if we could do something about his hair."
"Hmm. It's rather long and if conditioned properly it would be silky and full of luster. We could give him a bit of a trim. Men never seem to know how to care for their hair."
After half an hour of simply playing with Cassiopeia's hair, Rachel fashioned it in an exotic twist. Cassiopeia stood with an angelic grace and approached Remus, who was busy reading a Harley Davidson magazine. He looked up and was pleasantly surprised by the beauty before him. He wanted to say something witty, but nothing would come out.
"What do you think?" Cassi fashioned her new do for him. He smiled. "It's great." Then he returned to his magazine, it was a safer subject.
"I want you to meet Rachel." The stylist in question had appeared on her right side. The look she was giving Remus disturbed him greatly.
What he did not expect was the other two women appearing out of nowhere and latching onto his arms. Rachel led her henchmen and victim to the chair of doom. The frightened expression on Remus' face was priceless. He looked around in panic for help.
All he found was Cassiopeia with a wicked grin on her face. As he was strapped into the chair to be worked on, all he could do was stare at her. She stared right back. Then he blinked. Then she laughed.
"Ha! I won!"
"Don't worry dear, I won't hurt you." Rachel then began her work upon his hair.
Forty minutes had passed. Remus stood in his new found freedom. He was afraid to look in the mirror. Cassiopeia reached for him and forced him to look at his reflection. He was pleasantly surprised by the image before him.
The years that he seemed to acquire under the stress of his adult life seemed to have been reduced. His silver highlighted blond hair was now a radiant blond. The little trim provided him with a more suave look.
"I guess it's alright. Let's go now." He was determined not to let that woman think she had won. Sure, his hair made him look better. Yes, he would concede that she beat him in a staring contest, finally. But he was not going to give her the satisfaction!
"Fine." She looked said in a huffy pout. They paid Rachel and then went back to the apartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They had just stepped food in the door when the phone rang. Gwen was home and answered it.
"Cassi? Is that you?" Gwen stepped outside of the kitchen to meet her roommate at the door. "Phone for you, I think it's Gabriel."
"Hello?"
"Cassiopeia! I have been calling you for the past hour." Gabriel sounded excited and annoyed at the same time.
"Yeah, I was getting my hair fixed. Did you try my cell phone?"
"Yes."
Cassi looked within her purse at the software that failed to notify her. "Oops, I forgot to turn it on," she sheepishly replied.
"It doesn't matter. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sending a limo to pick Remus and you up. It should be there around five twenty."
"A limo! Seriously? Why a limo?"
"Why not? I have the money. Besides, it's not like you aren't going to be the center of a lot of attention. Your studies are the best research project I'm funding. Besides, I wanted to tell you this before hand, because I want you to be prepared."
"Prepared? What is it? Did you hear something new about Luther?"
"No, its nothing like that. Next month you'll be done with your graduate studies and will be looking for a job. It may have been obvious to you. But just in case, I wanted to let you know that tonight I'll be extending an invitation for you to join our corporation." You could almost feel his smile through the telephone.
"Really? I had hoped that would happen but I didn't want to be let down if it didn't. This is great!" Cassi was practically jumping up and down in excitement.
Remus and Gwen shared an amused look at her actions. Sirius walked into the room and plopped his self down on the floor near his master's feet.
"I have one more thing to ask. Is it okay if Sirius comes to the gala with us tonight?"
"You want to bring your dog? I know you are fond of him, but really. There's something odd about that mongrel." A moment of silence passed. The gears in his head could practically be heard turning. "Okay, but make sure he doesn't make a mess in the limo. I'll see you this evening."
"Thank you Gabriel! And don't worry, Sirius is well trained he won't make a mess." Sirius gave an indignant snort at the implications while Remus fought for all he was worth to contain his humor.
After the phone conversation, Gwen was the first to speak. "You know, I could watch Sirius for you. I imagine you two would like to spend this evening alone."
The look on Sirius' face was beyond words. He was absolutely mortified. He would be able to show Cassi his human form at sunrise. No way did he want to be stuck with her psycho Wicca-wanna-be roommate.
"Thanks for the offer Gwen. But I would feel better if he went with us. There may be some dangerous people at this event. Remus can't protect me all by himself!"
"Oh please, like you need protection."
"Maybe not, but I think he would be upset if we left him here."
"Cassi, you realize he's a dog right?" Gwen was seriously concerned about her roommate. She kept acting like the mutt was human.
"I know he's a dog. He's just.....sensitive."
Remus couldn't control himself now. The laugher came off him in waves. Next thing he knew he was rolling on the floor completely consumed by his mirth. The woman and dog stared at him in silence.
"Remus, are you okay?" Cassi was rather confused by his humor. Her comment wasn't exactly funny. At least she didn't think it was. She noticed that the longer she knew Remus the more easily his laughter came.
"No, no, I'm fine. It's just..hahahhaha, no this is too funny!" After five more minutes of unceasing laughter Remus finally composed himself. "I'm fine now." His eyes betrayed him. It was obvious that more laughter was ready to erupt like extrusive lava from a volcano.
"Okay, well just don't hurt yourself there. I'm not sure your sides can handle so much pressure. I'm going to get dressed now. I'll see you guys in a bit."
Finally, five twenty rolled around and the promised limo arrived. Remus and Cassi approached the limo with Sirius trailing behind. The driver waited outside to open the door for them. He looked at them confused when he noticed the dog.
"Oh, this is Sirius. He's coming too." Remus answered in his most solemn voice.
"You can't be serious? You want to put a dog into my limo! My precious limo?"
"I thought it was Gabriel's limo. And yes, he's going to be in your precious limo."
After many appalled looks from the limo driver the three climbed into the lush seats of the back. Remus and Sirius kept watch over Cassi throughout the ride. Both were enchanted.
"You look nice." Cassi complemented Remus. He gave a curt nod.
"You're not so bad yourself." He tried to speak in his most non-chalant tone. He received laughter from his companion along with an annoyed low growl from his friend that only his ears could register.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lucius Malfoy hated associating with muggles. Werewolf muggles were even worse. He trusted no one, but he trusted even less those that could transform into a beast that could rip him to shreds before he could mutter 'abra cadabra.' But when Voldemort tells him to jump. He asks 'how high?'
He reflected upon his last conversation with his leader.
'But I do not understand why you are offering your services to the American mongrels.' He dared to question Voldemort.
'You are too foolish to understand. I will try to put it simply for you. I am Lord Voldemort. If I wish something to be so, it better be done just that way.'
'Of course. Forgive me.'
Still he did not understand what could be so important in allying with these mindless brutes. He respected their power, but would have preferred to had done so at a distance. All he knew was that something big was going to happen at this gala. Some cataclysmic event that could mark the turning of the tides in this on going sixteen year war he had been involved in.
The question was, what was so important about this gala. It wasn't as if anyone important, other than himself, would be there.
He finished straightening his neck tie and glanced once more into the mirror to admire is reflection. He would be attending the gala with his wife's sister, Bellatrix. This mission must have been important for Voldemort to send his most loyal followers to accomplish.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm afraid I couldn't talk any sense into him. He went anyway. He completely disregarded my warnings."
"He is a grown man. I'm don't approve of his decision. But the decision was his and the muggle's decision to make. Did you find out the reason Voldemort is helping the werewolves?" Moody asked.
Snape released a frustrated sigh. "No. All I can think is it is for power. But who knows, perhaps there was another prophesy related to the girl or something. Or maybe there's another element that Remus is conveniently leaving out. Unless we know all the details we can only guess at the motive."
"Perhaps we should pay a visit to this little shindig. What do you think, Tonks? Would you be my date?"
Tonks merely laughed at Moody. "I'm afraid you may stick out a little too much Alastor. But it may be a good idea to have members of the order there, just in case something transpires."
"I agree. Normally I would trust Remus' decisions but ever since Black's demise I feel that he has lost some of his rationale."
"Besides! Think of how much fun can be had at the gala!" Tonks began to change her hair color to various shades deciding on which would be the best for a night on the town.
"Let's call a meeting with the other order members. You and the least obvious wizard would be best to attend. You must blend in. I can't go because my allegiance would be questioned and as you so eloquently put it, Moody would be too obvious."
"Sounds like a plan."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC
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They sat across from one another. Neither one was blinking. The moments passed by and still there was no sign of movement between the two. Suddenly, a burst of giggles escaped one and then the other followed with a roar of laughter.
"One day I'm going to beat you!"
"I don't understand why we play this game. The results are always the same. Just admit it!"
"Never!"
"Let's look at the statistics. Out of the last fifteen staring contests I have always emerged the victor." Remus looked smug about his last victory.
"Let's do it again. This time I'll show you!" Cassiopeia hated losing. Sure, it was a silly staring contest, but that was not the point. She could not let this man think he was better than her.
"Seriously Cassi, don't you have something better to do?" It wasn't that Remus didn't like participating in frivolous games. He simply felt that with the gala being that evening they should be getting ready.
Cassi glanced at the clock on the wall. The time was one o'clock and they needed to leave for the event at five thirty. Her sudden smile caught Remus off guard. It was a little too mischievous for his tastes.
"We still have some time. I just have to get my hair fixed. Hey! Why don't you drive me to the salon?" Her innocent expression was mighty suspicious.
"Okay. Just remember, I'm not used to driving your left-wheeled American cars."
"Well then I'll drive. You should just come and keep me company. Perhaps we can continue our contest there while my hair is being fixed." The joyous, hopeful look in her eyes melted Remus' resolve to say 'no.'
He ran his fingers through his long hair nervously. 'As long as she doesn't have any intention of cutting my hair it should be okay.'
That mischievous expression on Cassi's face continued to persist. In his gut, he had a feeling that he may return to the apartment a bit altered. He sighed. Perhaps it would be for the better?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes, it's for 1:45 under Cassio---"
"Cassiopeia! Come in, come in! It's so good to see you. Tonight must be the annual gala. I love working with your hair. It's so rich and luxurious. You have been using that conditioner that I suggested last time you were in?" The chipper voice of Rachel burst onto the scene. Before Cassi could finish her name she was pulled across the room towards Rachel's work station.
"Yes, I have been using it. Thank you for suggesting it."
Rachel was too busy working with her hair to pay much attention. The stylist seemed obsessed with Cassi's hair almost to a scary point of obsession. However she did notice the man that accompanied her patient.
"Say, honey, who's that man? Is he your new beau? I heard about what happened to that astronaut of yours. That's some funny business, uh-huh."
The gentle tugging of her hair was distracting. Cassiopeia looked across the room towards Remus and flashed him a disarming smile. "That's Remus. He's my escort for this evening. I was wondering if we could do something about his hair."
"Hmm. It's rather long and if conditioned properly it would be silky and full of luster. We could give him a bit of a trim. Men never seem to know how to care for their hair."
After half an hour of simply playing with Cassiopeia's hair, Rachel fashioned it in an exotic twist. Cassiopeia stood with an angelic grace and approached Remus, who was busy reading a Harley Davidson magazine. He looked up and was pleasantly surprised by the beauty before him. He wanted to say something witty, but nothing would come out.
"What do you think?" Cassi fashioned her new do for him. He smiled. "It's great." Then he returned to his magazine, it was a safer subject.
"I want you to meet Rachel." The stylist in question had appeared on her right side. The look she was giving Remus disturbed him greatly.
What he did not expect was the other two women appearing out of nowhere and latching onto his arms. Rachel led her henchmen and victim to the chair of doom. The frightened expression on Remus' face was priceless. He looked around in panic for help.
All he found was Cassiopeia with a wicked grin on her face. As he was strapped into the chair to be worked on, all he could do was stare at her. She stared right back. Then he blinked. Then she laughed.
"Ha! I won!"
"Don't worry dear, I won't hurt you." Rachel then began her work upon his hair.
Forty minutes had passed. Remus stood in his new found freedom. He was afraid to look in the mirror. Cassiopeia reached for him and forced him to look at his reflection. He was pleasantly surprised by the image before him.
The years that he seemed to acquire under the stress of his adult life seemed to have been reduced. His silver highlighted blond hair was now a radiant blond. The little trim provided him with a more suave look.
"I guess it's alright. Let's go now." He was determined not to let that woman think she had won. Sure, his hair made him look better. Yes, he would concede that she beat him in a staring contest, finally. But he was not going to give her the satisfaction!
"Fine." She looked said in a huffy pout. They paid Rachel and then went back to the apartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They had just stepped food in the door when the phone rang. Gwen was home and answered it.
"Cassi? Is that you?" Gwen stepped outside of the kitchen to meet her roommate at the door. "Phone for you, I think it's Gabriel."
"Hello?"
"Cassiopeia! I have been calling you for the past hour." Gabriel sounded excited and annoyed at the same time.
"Yeah, I was getting my hair fixed. Did you try my cell phone?"
"Yes."
Cassi looked within her purse at the software that failed to notify her. "Oops, I forgot to turn it on," she sheepishly replied.
"It doesn't matter. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sending a limo to pick Remus and you up. It should be there around five twenty."
"A limo! Seriously? Why a limo?"
"Why not? I have the money. Besides, it's not like you aren't going to be the center of a lot of attention. Your studies are the best research project I'm funding. Besides, I wanted to tell you this before hand, because I want you to be prepared."
"Prepared? What is it? Did you hear something new about Luther?"
"No, its nothing like that. Next month you'll be done with your graduate studies and will be looking for a job. It may have been obvious to you. But just in case, I wanted to let you know that tonight I'll be extending an invitation for you to join our corporation." You could almost feel his smile through the telephone.
"Really? I had hoped that would happen but I didn't want to be let down if it didn't. This is great!" Cassi was practically jumping up and down in excitement.
Remus and Gwen shared an amused look at her actions. Sirius walked into the room and plopped his self down on the floor near his master's feet.
"I have one more thing to ask. Is it okay if Sirius comes to the gala with us tonight?"
"You want to bring your dog? I know you are fond of him, but really. There's something odd about that mongrel." A moment of silence passed. The gears in his head could practically be heard turning. "Okay, but make sure he doesn't make a mess in the limo. I'll see you this evening."
"Thank you Gabriel! And don't worry, Sirius is well trained he won't make a mess." Sirius gave an indignant snort at the implications while Remus fought for all he was worth to contain his humor.
After the phone conversation, Gwen was the first to speak. "You know, I could watch Sirius for you. I imagine you two would like to spend this evening alone."
The look on Sirius' face was beyond words. He was absolutely mortified. He would be able to show Cassi his human form at sunrise. No way did he want to be stuck with her psycho Wicca-wanna-be roommate.
"Thanks for the offer Gwen. But I would feel better if he went with us. There may be some dangerous people at this event. Remus can't protect me all by himself!"
"Oh please, like you need protection."
"Maybe not, but I think he would be upset if we left him here."
"Cassi, you realize he's a dog right?" Gwen was seriously concerned about her roommate. She kept acting like the mutt was human.
"I know he's a dog. He's just.....sensitive."
Remus couldn't control himself now. The laugher came off him in waves. Next thing he knew he was rolling on the floor completely consumed by his mirth. The woman and dog stared at him in silence.
"Remus, are you okay?" Cassi was rather confused by his humor. Her comment wasn't exactly funny. At least she didn't think it was. She noticed that the longer she knew Remus the more easily his laughter came.
"No, no, I'm fine. It's just..hahahhaha, no this is too funny!" After five more minutes of unceasing laughter Remus finally composed himself. "I'm fine now." His eyes betrayed him. It was obvious that more laughter was ready to erupt like extrusive lava from a volcano.
"Okay, well just don't hurt yourself there. I'm not sure your sides can handle so much pressure. I'm going to get dressed now. I'll see you guys in a bit."
Finally, five twenty rolled around and the promised limo arrived. Remus and Cassi approached the limo with Sirius trailing behind. The driver waited outside to open the door for them. He looked at them confused when he noticed the dog.
"Oh, this is Sirius. He's coming too." Remus answered in his most solemn voice.
"You can't be serious? You want to put a dog into my limo! My precious limo?"
"I thought it was Gabriel's limo. And yes, he's going to be in your precious limo."
After many appalled looks from the limo driver the three climbed into the lush seats of the back. Remus and Sirius kept watch over Cassi throughout the ride. Both were enchanted.
"You look nice." Cassi complemented Remus. He gave a curt nod.
"You're not so bad yourself." He tried to speak in his most non-chalant tone. He received laughter from his companion along with an annoyed low growl from his friend that only his ears could register.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lucius Malfoy hated associating with muggles. Werewolf muggles were even worse. He trusted no one, but he trusted even less those that could transform into a beast that could rip him to shreds before he could mutter 'abra cadabra.' But when Voldemort tells him to jump. He asks 'how high?'
He reflected upon his last conversation with his leader.
'But I do not understand why you are offering your services to the American mongrels.' He dared to question Voldemort.
'You are too foolish to understand. I will try to put it simply for you. I am Lord Voldemort. If I wish something to be so, it better be done just that way.'
'Of course. Forgive me.'
Still he did not understand what could be so important in allying with these mindless brutes. He respected their power, but would have preferred to had done so at a distance. All he knew was that something big was going to happen at this gala. Some cataclysmic event that could mark the turning of the tides in this on going sixteen year war he had been involved in.
The question was, what was so important about this gala. It wasn't as if anyone important, other than himself, would be there.
He finished straightening his neck tie and glanced once more into the mirror to admire is reflection. He would be attending the gala with his wife's sister, Bellatrix. This mission must have been important for Voldemort to send his most loyal followers to accomplish.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm afraid I couldn't talk any sense into him. He went anyway. He completely disregarded my warnings."
"He is a grown man. I'm don't approve of his decision. But the decision was his and the muggle's decision to make. Did you find out the reason Voldemort is helping the werewolves?" Moody asked.
Snape released a frustrated sigh. "No. All I can think is it is for power. But who knows, perhaps there was another prophesy related to the girl or something. Or maybe there's another element that Remus is conveniently leaving out. Unless we know all the details we can only guess at the motive."
"Perhaps we should pay a visit to this little shindig. What do you think, Tonks? Would you be my date?"
Tonks merely laughed at Moody. "I'm afraid you may stick out a little too much Alastor. But it may be a good idea to have members of the order there, just in case something transpires."
"I agree. Normally I would trust Remus' decisions but ever since Black's demise I feel that he has lost some of his rationale."
"Besides! Think of how much fun can be had at the gala!" Tonks began to change her hair color to various shades deciding on which would be the best for a night on the town.
"Let's call a meeting with the other order members. You and the least obvious wizard would be best to attend. You must blend in. I can't go because my allegiance would be questioned and as you so eloquently put it, Moody would be too obvious."
"Sounds like a plan."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC