Sirius, along with the rest of the gents in the Gryffindor house, waited downstairs in the commons. Some paced around, others just sat in wait on their girls. They seemed to becoming down in pairs, in true girl fashion. He was the first to just sit down on the couch and wait, his robe unbuttoned. Remus sat beside him while James stood above them. Peter paced around next to them, fiddling with his black robe. Occasionally, footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs as half the guys jumped up hoping it was their date. They were all ready to go have some fun, but unfortunately most had to wait.
Remus and Sirius talked about the upcoming match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, with James randomly putting in the words, but not taking his eyes away from the stairs. He finally gave up and fell into a chair next to the others. Peter's date finally meandered on down with her friends. She walked over to Peter, who insisted on waiting with his friends. She sighed but understood.
Devon came down first, her light blue robe was a nice-looking match for Remus' smoky blue. She grinned at James and Sirius. "You are in for a bit of a wait, Lily had a slight crisis she needed help with, so hurry up and wait." Without an answer she pulled Remus towards the door. She wasn't interested in waiting for her friends. They would be along soon enough.
Peter shrugged as he and Angie followed Remus and Devon out. Sirius and James exchanged glances. After a few more minutes Lily and Ava came walking down laughing together. Sirius and James grinned at each other, hearing them before they saw them. Devon had been messing with them, silly wench. As soon as the saw the two girls, they stopped grinning, and just seemed to stare.
Lily blushed furiously as James looked her up and down. She buttoned up her green robe as she took the last few steps down. Ava already had hers on. Ava, on the other hand, just smiled at Sirius as she walked over. He matched her brilliant smile with his own. He didn't know what to say, so he simply nodded as his confirmation to her that she looked presentable. They headed out the door and down to the ball.
"You look beautiful, by the way," Sirius mentioned in her ear. She gave him a shy smile.
Sirius didn't bother to button his robe, he didn't like the way they hung in the way and made him feel cluttered. He did like the color though, it was such a deep midnight blue it was almost black. He commented Ava on the color of hers, how the green reminded him of the forest.
"Thanks, but it's Lily's." She smiled anyway. "Now she has an Emerald green and a Forest green. I like it though, earthy and woodsy looking." She looked behind her to see James closing his dark gray robe. He had handed Lily a small gift.
"Let's walk a bit faster and give them some time alone," She said speeding up as they left the two alone in the hallway. Sirius and Ava wandered into the hall, which had been done over for the ball. The ceiling reflected the snow just starting to fall outside. The two found other couples to talk to and the night began.
Ava, not one for small talk, managed to do quite well. A fourth year girl named Dawn came up to ask Sirius to dance. Although a tad young, Sirius considered her almost like a little sister, he gave Ava a pat on the arm telling her he'd be back and went to dance. Ava wandered over to where the teacher's tables usually sat and ogled at the huge Christmas tree. She had never seen one so big before.
She felt a hard thrust as someone walked by her. She whipped around only to see the silver robe with blood red piping almost out sight. Bellatrix. Ava stood up thanking the fifth year that had caught her accidentally and kept her from falling into and knocking over the monstrous sized tree. All he asked in return was a dance, laughing she obliged.
She walked out to the very crowded dance floor to see Sirius now dancing with seventh year Ravenclaw named Camille. Ava noticed the forced smile on his face. Catching her eye, his smile turned to a real one as he rolled his eyes at Camille. After the song, she thanked Christopher for the dance. Amused, she watched as Sirius tried to make his way back over to her, frequently getting stopped and drug back out to the dance floor. She knew that's why she was his date, to save him from some of these girls, but it was just too funny to watch.
After his last begging look, she finally went a grabbed him away from a Hufflepuff named Hilary, who did seem a put out at having a skimped turn with him. Ava laughed at the look the girl seemed to be trying to hold back as she pulled Sirius out to the garden.
"Finally!" Sirius nudged her with a small push, than pulling her back to him to keep warm. "I didn't think you would ever rescue me. Some date."
She laughed. Sirius loved the way she laughed. He watched as the moonlight danced across her hair. He took a second look back at it. It looked different. Ava noticed his looks. "Yeah, Lily highlighted it. Not too impressed with it myself, but whatever. It'll wash out."
He rolled his eyes at her silliness. He looked up at the moonlight, catching an eyeful of snow. He shook his head. The snow, undisturbed by his less-than-amusemed glares, continued to fall lightly around them. "Aren't you cold yet?"
"No, I like it."
"Ah, yes," he remembered her telling him how she liked the winter. "Miss your car?"
"Sometimes," she shrugged, his arm still tightly around her, keeping them both slightly warmer. "There will be others."
They continued to talk about random things. Eventually discussing the upcoming game with Hufflepuff. Sirius had an idea, "ever thought about suping up a broom?"
She gave him a look, unsure what to think. "Hadn't ever occurred to me. That's an idea though. Not that we need it against Hufflepuff though."
"Yeah, but Ravenclaw might be a different story. They have that new Seeker."
They discussed it more as they headed back in. The two found Lily and James and Sirius mentioned to him what the same thing he had said to her. Ava and James talked at some length about the idea and spells and mechanics. Lily got bored and took Sirius by the arm to go dance.
"So?" Lily asked him as they danced. "What's going on with you two?"
Sirius just brushed her off. "We're just friends."
Lily just gave him a 'mm-hmm' and left it at that. When they wandered back over to the two experimentalists two songs later, they were still discussing quidditch but had moved on to strategies and the different houses' particular styles. Lily grabbed the two turning them to look at her.
"Shut up about it already, we're all bored." Ava and James looked at each other, unaffected as if to say 'we're not bored'. But both simply shrugged.
"Okay, Lils, you danced with my date," She said over her shoulder as she pulled James to the dance floor.
James laughed as he went along with her. Sirius smiled as he watched the two goof off together. Remus came up from behind him, than followed by Peter, both without their dates. Lily claimed some reason to leave the three and headed off to find female companionship. The boys just talked randomly, Remus claiming he needed a break from Devon. Peter agreed that Angie was a bit much considering she had monopolized his time and ears from the minute they had left the commons.
James came back without Ava, who seemed to be caught up by Lily and the other girls. Peter noticed that Angie had brushed off the same guy to dance that had just asked her elder companions. Snickering he hit Sirius on the shoulder. "Guess you were left out that for a reason. Showed them, eh?"
Remus shot Peter a look, then bumping him hard with his elbow as he turned to look at the girls. Peter missed the hint. Sirius however didn't. "What? Left out of…?"
"The bet?" Peter supplied. Remus groaned as he slapped his hand up the backside of Peter's head. He grunted as he rubbed his head. "Hey!"
"The cluster of prats that make up the rest of the year, plus those of the disreputable sixth year decided that one of them should have Ava as a date." Remus ignored Peter. "But, they, knowing that we were friends with the new innocent, decided to keep this from our ears."
Sirius was quiet for a minute. Of course he was mad, but what was he supposed to do about it? Look like an even bigger git than they were by making a big deal out of it? How many times had he and the others made the same kind of games over the new transfers in the past? However, he did want them to know that this girl was out of their league. The only reason he had her as a date was because it had been her idea. Not that he minded of course.
Remus watched his friend for a second. He knew that look. He could almost see the wheels turning in Sirius head. He was up to no good. Remus shrugged-maybe he needed help. He had met with his dancing quota for the night, and could have some fun now, a different kind. "So what's it going to be?"
Sirius turned to see Remus grinning at him, James and Peter looking sideways at him as well. They all loved Ava, the same as they all loved Lily in their own ways, but this was just an excuse to have some fun. Sirius let a wicked grin spread across his face. "Let's take a walk boys."
Across the room, Lily tapped Ava on the shoulder. She pointed across the room as they watched the marauders head out from the ball into the hallway looking particularly suspicious as they did so. They both laughed at the troublemakers.
Outside, Sirius waited until all the other students had either gone inside or left the range within earshot of the pranksters. He looked at James, "Go get you invisibility cloak." James left.
He turned to Remus. "I want you to go in a somehow dance with Marcus' date, Ana I think it is? He's our target. That little shit's the one were going to use as an example. He has been ogling them all night. "He referred to Isobel and Ava. "Won't get to far away from her. But every time something or someone has prevented him from talking to her. This time it won't." He lips curved in a sinister smile.
"Wormtail," he said as he turned to the hesitant boy. "You are going to visit our friend in a fur form. I'm going pick you up and drop you down his shirt. Just scramble out and he'll throw a big commotion. After that just hurry under my robe, I'll be right there behind him, from where I dropped you."
"Prongs," he said as he took the cloak from him. "Moony is going to take Marcus' date for a spin. He'll either be alone or with his mates, obviously. So either way, go up to him looking for me, mentioning something about being done dancing with Altair and whatever else to get him going to look for her or Isobel. He will if he thinks I'm not around. Just head on off and find a good seat then."
Sirius and Peter walked off to the bathroom while Remus and James waited for them to get back. They stretched their muscles, ready for a good prank. Talking randomly as people walked by until they both felt a tap on their shoulders and headed back inside. Remus headed to find Ana, and James waited for a few minutes.
After he saw Remus dancing out on the floor with Ana for sometime, he headed over to Marcus and two of his friends. He set his hand on Marcus shoulder friendly-like, "Have you mates seen Black?"
"Which one?" Marcus friends laughed. James could hear a grinding behind him. James cringed mentally for Marcus-he was in for it now.
"Altair's date? She's such a fireball on the dance floor." He gave them a suggestive grin. "I needed a break and was going to hand her back to Sirius." James was glad Ava wasn't around to hear him refer to her like she was a pair of shoes he was borrowing.
"I think he went that way," a flunkie pointed across the room, opposite of the door or even near Lily and her friends. James bid his thanks and went to find someone to talk to at that end, but getting into position to watch the show.
Sirius had Peter sitting on his shoulder in rat form. He just wanted to deck Marcus right there. Not only for what his moronic comrade had said, but for what he was saying about Ava right then too. He waited patiently, although it was truly hard, until Marcus said he was going after her.
"Now that Black's in a closet somewhere with some hussy," Marcus sniggered. "That leaves this bird free. See you in the morning boys."
Sirius stalked behind him until he got to Ava, Isobel, and Lily. The prat didn't even have the chance to talk. As soon as he opened his mouth, Sirius tripped him as he reached up and grabbed Wormtail and dropped him on Marcus. His hands covered the entire time.
Marcus eyes got huge as he started to dance around and fall back on to the ground frequently. The curious stares grew as his voice did. Wormtail was out within a minute and under the cloak so fast no one had even noticed, as was the whole point. It just made Marcus look like an idiot to be flaying about with no cause or reason. Sirius watched smugly for a bit as people started to crowd around, Marcus still hopping about. He left when a professor came up to set a hand on the boy, asking him if he was okay.
"Something," Marcus' voice outrageously high, "was in my robes!"
The professor felt his forehead and mumbled something about the infirmary, and escorted him out. Ava and Lily stared at each other with odd expressions on their faces, not understanding anything that had just gone on. Isobel laughed and was holding onto William for support. The crowd dispersed as the finale of the ball was coming to a close.
James walked over and asked Lily for the last dance. Remus took Angie, Peter's date and led her on to the floor. Isobel and William abandoned Ava alone apologetically, not wanting to miss the last song either. Ava saw Peter walk in from the hall and take another girl, a wallflower to dance. Ava looked around and saw no sign of Sirius. Busy I guess, she thought.
She looked around, not wanting to skip the very last song, but not a single guy would even look at her. Feeling odd she left. Overall it had been a fun night, but it was quickly drawing to a close. She opened the huge door leading out to the hallway, where she saw Sirius on the other side.
"I figured you were busy," She smiled at him. She made a move to go past him but he stopped her and took her hand. He shut the door behind her and looked around the empty hall. Everyone was inside for the last dance.
He imagined she would have headed out before now, skipping the last song. No matter though because she was here now he told himself. Hearing the muted music, he held his arms up to slow dance with her, waiting to see if she would take them. She did.
They danced slowly together not saying anything at all. It was almost romantic the way they were completely alone, she thought. But they were just friends she told herself.
She smelled so nice, he noticed, her hair, her skin. She looked good everyday, but sometimes it was nice to see something different. He held her close as he quietly sang some of the lyrics in her ears, softly as not to upset her head from his shoulder. It was almost sweet he thought. But they were just friends he corrected himself.
They continued to dance past the ending of the song. Both heard the ending comments of the band and professors. Sirius didn't want to be run over by students as they headed back to the houses, he doubted she would like that either. "Want to walk?"
She smiled at him, a yes implied. They walked along quietly for sometime. Feeling a strange sensation in her stomach she took for nervousness at the silence, Ava spoke randomly. "You should have seen Marcus. He walked over to talk to us, and for some reason freaked out. It was like someone hexed him-"
She broke off as a grin spread across her face-she saw the apparent interest in Sirius face as he acted like he hadn't known about the incident. She laughed and fell against him. She appreciated not having to dance with Marcus all night. He made her feel funny, and not in the good way she told Sirius. He laughed in appreciation of her appreciation.
They stayed out quite late wandering around the empty castle, ducking into the shadows when a professor came by. Finally they found themselves back at the common room. It was rare to see it empty. But the barrenness of the room mixed with the dark night and some reflection of the snow made it a striking sight. Ava wandered over to her favorite window watching the snow falling, removing herself out of Lily's robe. The simple black dress looked marvelous. Similarly to the snow, the light reflected off her skin visible though her open back dress.
Sirius watched her, playing with a box inside his pockets. She was striking, stunning, dazzling, all the above. He walked up to her, looking out the window with her.
"It so peaceful." She whispered. Her voice soft and silky. "It's perfect."
He watched her instead of the snow falling harder. She didn't seem to notice. "Thank you for a wonderful Christmas, I haven't ever had one so pleasant." He told her truthfully.
She looked at him blushing. "Thank you as well. I have to say the same."
He pulled the box out of his pocket and reached out to take her hand. He placed the box in it. She looked down to see a black box with the name Magistrate's, a magnificent jewelry shop for Hogsmeade, written in a curvy script in gold foil. She looked back up at him. "You don't need to give me a Christmas gift."
"You are my date," He said. She shook her head slightly. He held his hand with hers pressing her fingers to the box. "You are my friend."
She smiled and opened the box. She set it down on a near end table as she pulled out a simple silver choker. Her voice fled her. She held it up; it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She looked at Sirius, her brows together. "Sirius," she paused. He loved the way she drew out his name in her own way. "Thank you doesn't seem enough." She paused again, biting her lip. "I don't know what to say. It's so elegant."
She let him pull it out of her hands. "It's simple, but so are you. You don't need extra glitz and accessories to fancy you." He held it up as he showed her the clasp on it. It was, instead of a simple link, a star. "I always loved the name," he referred to her surname Altair.
"And," he grinned sheepishly, "well, and you'll always remember who it came from." He liked the fact that their names had a connection. He had her turn around so he could put the necklace on for her from behind. He turned it so the star hung right at her collarbone. She touched unconsciously.
"I could never forget you," she said quietly. Looking at his eyes in the reflection of the panes. She turned to look at him, a question in her eyes. "But you were with me the whole time at the last Hogsmeade weekend." She remembered it all very distinctly because that was the weekend of her magical creatures project. "We were hardly even in the village."
He shrugged. "I have my ways." She gave him a doubtful look. "Yes, there's receipt, want to see it?" he played. She laughed and turned back to look at her reflection in the window. He watched her a bit more. He enjoyed the fact that she truly loved it.
"Magistrate's deals primarily in magical jewelry, but I insisted they unmagick it. And why they asked. I told them that this girl," he leaned his head against hers, "you, have your own magic."
She didn't know what to say. She had never had anyone, met anyone this nice, kind, considerate, sweet before. How would she thank him? She hadn't even gotten him anything. "I-I don't have anything for you."
She turned to look at him. Her face was so sad but still beautiful. He knew it sounded trite, but didn't care. The truth escaped from his lips. "You're smile is enough."
That did get her to smile, though. She titled her head to one side, looking at him suspiciously. "That was saccharine ((cheesy/ sugary, etc.)). You can do better." She playfully nudged him.
"I don't have to," he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Happy Christmas, Ava."
:: How sweet was that? My favorite line of the whole chapter is 'He watched her instead of the snow falling harder'. When I first wrote it I just meant that the snow was falling harder. But after rereading it so many times, it can be taken in a different light. YAY! We're getting there people hang on!!