When the couples first entered the Great Hall, they were taken aback by how Lily, James and the prefects had transformed it. The hall tables were gone, replaced with smaller round tables scattered around the room. On each table, which seated six, was a vase with three everlasting roses (transfigured by James). Overhead, Dumbledore had enchanted the ceiling to reflect the evening sky. Stars sparkled brightly above them, setting the mood. At the end of the Great Hall was a stage, presumably for The Hags. In front of the stage was a large dance floor. At the other end of the Great Hall, the staff table was replaced by a large table with refreshments. The teachers had put charms on the refreshments to avoid them being spiked, as the Marauders found out early on when Sirius tried to pour Fire Whisky in the punch only to have it spat back out, all over his robes. Dumbledore chuckled quietly from across the room, obviously having anticipated this moment.
The first hour went relatively smoothly. All couples danced to The Hags and even the teachers seemed to be having a good time. Dumbledore danced with anyone willing, hopping around and looking quite sprightly for his age.
Myra found herself conversing easily with Sirius despite her earlier fears that her tongue would tie up and leave her speechless.
"I like your dress," Sirius said, standing with her near the refreshment table, pointing to the navy blue ensemble.
"Thank you. Lily made it for me, actually, as a Christmas present. It's charmed to make the stars sparkle. She said she was going to actually make them move into constellations but ran out of time."
"I see one constellation," Sirius said and traced a finger down Myra's stomach, leaving a tingling sensation.
"Which one is that?" she asked, looking down.
"Canis Major... That –"he pointed to the brightest star, "is Sirius." He grinned at her. She smiled back, knowing that Lily had enchanted that constellation on purpose just for her.
"Care to dance?" he asked, motioning towards the dance floor. Myra nodded and took his hand shyly.
Across the room, Remus watched as Sirius took Myra onto the dance floor. He felt an uneasy feeling in his stomach every time he saw Myra and Sirius together and desperately wished he could make it go away.
"Hey," Emily said softly. She placed her hand on his cheek and turned his head gently towards her own. "Eyes here."
"I'm sorry, I..," Remus started.
"Don't apologise, just make it better," Emily replied simply. She took his hand and lead him on the dance floor. Remus tried desperately to keep his eyes on his own date and not on his best friend's but he felt his gaze drifting in their direction.
"What do I need to do to keep your attention?" Emily asked playfully.
"It's not you – "
"I know," Emily replied with a confidence that reminded him of Sirius. "I know you have other things on your mind, but I wish I could somehow make you forget about those."
Remus didn't reply, but instead focused his attention on her blue eyes.
"Why didn't you ask her?" Emily asked him suddenly.
"What?"
"Why didn't you ask Myra to Winter Formal?" she asked again.
Remus felt colour rising in his face. "It's complicated."
"What's so complicated about a boy liking a girl?" Emily asked, tilting her head coyly.
Remus just stared at her. How could she talk about his deep feelings for Myra in such a flippant manner? On the other hand, she had a point. Why was he making everything so complicated? He felt his gaze flicker over to Myra and Sirius again, as if trying to see what was so complicated.
"You know," Emily was saying, and he turned his attention back to her. "I think I have a way to keep your attention."
"What's that?" Remus started to say but was interrupted by the sensation of Emily's lips against his. His eyes widened before closing and surrendering himself to the sensation. He felt himself kissing back and wondered briefly what he was doing. This wasn't the girl he had wanted to kiss earlier. On the other hand, this did feel quite nice... He broke away finally and looked down at Emily, confusion written all over his face.
"You looked like you could use that," she shrugged. He smiled at her, suddenly overcome with gratefulness for her company.
"Thank you," he said softly. "You've been wonderful about this whole thing."
"Don't mention it," she said, suddenly shy. "You know, I've liked you since fifth year."
"Really," Remus replied mildly, trying to think back to fifth year.
Emily nodded, "I saw right through James and Sirius and their charades, but you were different – "she paused, "You wouldn't stop them, but you never outright supported them either."
"I wish I had stopped them sometimes," Remus said quietly, thinking back to James humiliating Snape countless times while Remus looked on, unable to speak up.
"You can't change the past," Emily said, and Remus got the impression that she was convincing herself as much as him.
"So, you've liked me since fifth year and never said anything?" Remus asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. He tried to look into her eyes, tried to read her expression, but her expression remained the same, constant amusement.
"I'm saying something now," she smiled. "I'm not always this forward, you know. I meant to get to know you last year, but things got complicated."
"What's so complicated about a girl liking a boy?" Remus asked innocently, smiling.
She grinned at him. "You're right, there's nothing complicated about it. That's what I realized. I'm tired of watching you across the room when you don't even know I exist. So, now you know."
"Now I know," Remus repeated softly. He vaguely realized that he hadn't looked over at Myra and Sirius for the past ten minutes and congratulated himself mentally. The song had ended, he realized abruptly, and he lead Emily off the dance floor. He looked across the room and met Myra's eyes. She smiled at him, and he returned the smile. He saw her say something to Sirius and then started to walk towards him, oblivious of the other couples on the dance floor. Remus started, and his thoughts raced frantically. Outwardly, though, he was the same composed Remus Lupin that everyone had grown accustomed to.
"Having a good time?" Myra asked when she had arrived in front of him.
Remus nodded. "You?"
"Yeah, they're really good," she said, motioning to the stage where The Hags had started playing again, a lively number.
"I'm going to go dance," Emily said quickly and flashed him a forgiving smile before leaving him alone with Myra.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Myra said quickly, blushing, "I didn't mean to.."
"Oh, no. We're not together in that sense," Remus immediately replied.
"Oh, okay. I was just afraid she thought I was trying to steal you away," Myra said with a small laugh.
Remus didn't say anything. He wished she would steal him away, even if just for a moment. As if reading his thoughts, she motioned towards the door. "Would you like to get some air?"
He nodded and they walked out the door together. Myra threw a look back towards Sirius but he was busy talking to James about something. Scheming, no doubt. The cold air enveloped them quickly and Myra shivered involuntarily.
"Here," Remus said and gave her his cloak which he had grabbed on the way out from where it had been draped over his chair. She thanked him before pulling it around her, the wool hugging her bare skin.
"Sirius is treating you well, I hope?" Remus asked, glancing towards her as they strolled through the snow-covered gardens.
Myra laughed. "Of course! Everyone seems to be just waiting for him to... I don't know. Treat me badly, I suppose, but he really has been a gentleman. I promise."
"He just... "Remus scoffed his foot on the pavement, considering the best way to say what he was trying to say. "He sometimes has a habit of... not really using girls, but – "He paused, "Forgetting about them, I suppose."
"No need to worry, Remus. I have not been forgotten for the time being. I'm sure I will be, as soon as formal is over, but I will worry about that when the time comes. For now I am just having a good time."
Remus felt a wave of guilt for not leaving well enough alone. He just didn't want to see Myra end up like Sandra, or the many other countless girls. She stood out for him, sparkled like the stars on her dress. He couldn't stand it if Padfoot didn't see her the same way.
"Emily treating you well?" Myra asked suddenly out of the silence.
Remus considered the question. "Yes, she's quite wonderful."
Myra grinned. "She's something else, isn't she? I sometimes wonder if she shouldn't have been sorted into Gryffindor."
Remus nodded in agreement. She did seem to have this confidence about her, this disregard for reason that reminded him of his Marauder friends.
"She's liked me since fifth year," Remus said distractedly, still trying to believe what she had told him earlier.
"I know," Myra nodded.
Remus looked over sharply. "You know?"
"I share a room with her," Myra laughed at his reaction. "I remember her being very un-Ravenclaw, swooning over you in fifth year. The rest of us teased her, pushed her to talk to you, but she wouldn't. For all her bravery, she wouldn't talk to you. You, who are so very easy to talk to."
Myra hooked her arm through his and leaned against him
"You are too," he replied, leaning his head against hers. They walked like that until they reached the castle again.
"Your cloak," she said as she took off with some reluctance the wool cloak.
"Thank you," he nodded. "Do you have time for a dance before you get back to Padfoot?"
"I think so."
"Good."
He lead her on to the dance floor, his nerves suddenly soothed. He held her closer than he had intended but she didn't seem to mind. As he breathed, he breathed in her scent; Lilac and something else... Cinnamon, he realized. He looked down at her and was startled to see her green eyes looking up into his own. She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes slightly.
"I'm lucky," she whispered.
"Why's that?"
"To have you. You're a good friend, Remus."
Friend. That word pained him a little. Still, if all he would ever be was a friend, was that so bad? His emotions were mixed and he wondered briefly how Emily could possibly call this simple.
"I'm happy to be your friend," he said honestly. "You're – "He struggled to find a word to describe Myra. "Quite amazing."
She raised her eyebrows up at him. "Only quite amazing?" she teased.
He smiled back. "Yes, only quite amazing."
"Well, you're completely amazing," she replied easily. He gave a bit of a laugh and shook his head slightly. A realization dawned on him.
"Myra?"
"Yes, Remus?"
"Have you been drinking?"
She giggled. "No."
"Are you lying to me?"
Another giggle. "Yes."
He sighed, which prompted another giggle from Myra.
"Remus?"
"Yes, Myra?"
"Do you want some?"
"No, thank you. I'm fine," Remus replied mildly.
"But it tastes like cinnamon," Myra insisted.
"I know what it tastes like, Myra," he said patiently, remembering the countless times the Marauders had drank the Fire whisky that Sirius seemed to conjure out of thin air.
"Oh. Oh, right." She grinned up at him and he couldn't help but smile back. If nothing else, she was endearing.
"Remus?" she said, a bit more serious.
He looked down at her again patiently.
"I like Sirius. I like him a lot."
"I know," Remus replied and smiled, sadness hinted at in his eyes.
"But, I love you. I love you like I love Lily." Her eyes searched his, begging him to understand. She wanted him to understand how much he meant to her, even if it was only platonic. Perhaps more so because it was platonic love.
"I love you too," he replied after a moment. He turned his head away from her all knowing gaze and found himself looking at Sirius, who was in turn looking at them, a blank expression on his face.
"I know," Myra whispered. She rested her head on his shoulder for the remainder of the song. When it was over, she gave him a smile and walked back to Sirius who gave her a small questioning look. She didn't say anything but took the refreshment he offered.
Myra wandered into the washroom while Sirius danced with another girl. She had settled herself in a stall when she heard the clicking of heels. Female voices echoed throughout the public washroom.
"I know, I just can't believe it," one girl was saying.
"Sirius Black with a mudblood? What is the world coming to?" another voice replied.
"She's not even that pretty," a third voice conceded. "I don't know what she's doing with him."
"Probably a love potion," the first voice giggled.
"I wouldn't be surprised."
"Well, she better be careful, if she knows what's good for her. I'm not saying that I would outright hex her, but I know some purebloods that would be dying to get their hands on a girl like that. She's trying to poison the Black line."
"Oh, calm down," one girl said with a sigh, "They're only going to formal together, it's not like they're getting married."
"Well, not yet," the previous voice retorted, "But, if things get serious, I'm going straight to his mother. She'll knock some sense into him."
The other girls giggled, sharing some inside joke that Myra didn't understand. She felt hot tears on her face and brushed them away in annoyance. Why couldn't she be stronger? Why wasn't she brave enough to face them? She heard the closing of a door as the girls left. She opened the door to her stall and peered out. The bathroom was empty. She adjusted her makeup and wiped her eyes, making sure all redness was gone before going back out to join Sirius.
The band took a break from the stage and other music was played instead from a charmed record player that was enchanted to fill the room with sound. Suddenly there was a hissing sound and everyone looked around, anxious to find the source. Someone pointed up and all heads were directed to the tiny flashes of light that were zooming around the ceiling, then exploding.
"What are those?" Myra whispered in awe at the beautiful lights.
"On-fire-flies," Sirius responded easily with a grin.
She glanced at him suspiciously but he just shrugged. The tiny fireflies continued to fly around and explode, much to the delight of the crowd below. Dumbledore glanced at James and Sirius through his half-moon glasses but didn't say anything.
Remus had strolled over to Sirius and Myra and was glancing up in amusement.
"Zinko's?" he asked.
"No, we made them," Sirius replied.
"Where in Merlin's name do you find time?" Remus exclaimed.
Sirius shrugged. "Usually between one and three in the morning. Best time for not getting caught."
James had joined them and was grinning at Sirius who grinned back. Lily looked less than amused.
"What if they explode on someone?" she was asking James.
"They won't," he replied casually. "We tested them, Lil. Calm down."
"Fine," she sighed, "I guess they are kind of pretty in a firefly sort of way."
James gave her waist a squeeze and kissed the top of her head. The remaining fireflies exploded lazily and the crowd went back to dancing, drinking, talking or in some couples case, making out.
"Where's Wormtail?" Sirius suddenly asked, looking around. "I hope he didn't miss this."
"He's over there." Remus motioned towards a table where Peter was talking with Virginia. Actually, she was doing most of the talking and he was just nodding. James smiled at his friend before taking Lily's hand and leading her outside for some air.
The band took the stage again for three last songs. Remus went to find Emily while Sirius slipped his hand around Myra's waist and led her out on the dance floor.
"Are you having a good time?" he asked.
"Yes, it's been a lot of fun. Thanks for asking me," she added. She considered mentioning what she had overheard in the bathroom, but thought better of it.
"I'm glad I did. You know, you should be a teacher," he said suddenly.
"Why's that?"
"I've never heard anyone make potions sound interesting before."
Myra blushed slightly, aware of her enthusiasm towards her subject of interest. "I hope I wasn't boring you..."
"Not at all," he said. "I just didn't realize there was so much to them."
She smiled. "Well, maybe if you came to class more often..."
He laughed and nodded. "You may have a point there."
They danced in silence for a moment before Sirius spoke again. "We should do this again sometime."
"I don't think there's another formal coming up," Myra answered, misunderstanding him.
"No, I meant this. You and me."
"Oh," she said softly.
"Unless you don't want to," he said quickly.
She smiled. "Of course I do. I was just taken aback."
"Ah, I see. Are you always taken aback when you get asked out?" he teased.
"It's a rare occurrence," she admitted.
"Lucky for me."
"Perhaps after Christmas then," Myra said, "We could – er - do this again."
"I would like that," Sirius replied. Myra couldn't help herself from blushing, but she was grateful that the giggles that she felt in her head didn't come out her mouth.
The night came to an end too soon. Remus walked Emily to Ravenclaw, her hand around his arm.
"Thanks for tonight," he said.
"Thank you," she replied.
He gave her a hug, her arms wrapped around his neck. She unwrapped them somewhat reluctantly and looked up at him. His arms were still loosely around her waist, he realized. She stood on her toes (not easy in the shoes she was wearing), so they were nose and nose. She paused, giving him a chance to pull away. When he didn't, she kissed him lightly on the lips. She lowered herself to normal height and took a step back, meaning to walk away. As she took a step back though, he took a step forward and soon they were very close again. This time, it was he that reached her height by bending his neck slightly. His lips met hers and they kissed again, this time a little more intense, filled with need. She pulled away, her hand on his chest lightly.
"Goodnight," she smiled and gave the Ravenclaw password ("Wisdom begins in wonder").
Remus watched her disappear from sight before turning around and heading back to Gryffindor tower. He puzzled over his actions a little before reminding himself that he was thinking too much. He shook his head a little, as if to put the sight of bright blue eyes from his head. When he reached the dorm, Peter was already there but James and Sirius were still absent.
"Seen Padfoot?" Remus asked.
Peter shook his head. "You know Padfoot."
Remus frowned slightly. He did indeed know Padfoot. He went to bed, knowing that his friend wouldn't be in for at least another hour. His thoughts drifted briefly to Myra and jealously ran through body like blood. He tossed and turned before finally falling into a deep sleep. So deep that he didn't hear Sirius enter an hour later, or James the hour after that.