HARRY POTTER AND THE BREATH OF LIFE
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other known character from the Harry Potter series. I do own the plot and a few characters.
To everyone who reads and to Laterose in particular: I know that the title has Harry Potter and the summary also has Harry Potter in it but until now there has been no Harry Potter in the story. But I can assure you he will show up. On chapter 17 to be exact Harry will make his first appearance. Maybe I'll end up changing the title if you suggest and consider that it would be better. That way I'll think of a new one. But Harry will have an important role on my story. Just be a little patient. It's all I ask. Bear with me here. I would also like to make clear that the most important character is Sirius Black, but as many of you may know he isn't exactly around anymore. So there. That's why the story isn't called "Sirius Black and the Breath of Life".
Now on with my story.
Chapter 9 – The Marauders sixth year - The Valentines Day Special Ball
On the first day of classes after the Christmas holidays Dumbledore announced that on the 14th February there was going to be a Ball open to every couple in school, from first to seventh year. Thankfully he had neglected to announce the creators of the Ball. At least in Iris's idea that had been a good thing.
The "Hogwarts' Most Beautiful Couple" – has they were so sweetly called - were avidly working on their plans to the Ball. They had come up with a game but they still had to make sure it would work has they wanted it. Of course the game was a secret and not even James's torture methods had made Sirius spill. Day after day the couple would meet in a classroom and study the possibilities. And day after day their friends would try to spy on them. Always with catastrophic results. One time, James and Remus decided to enter the classroom under the invisibility cloak. When they reached the door they were splattered with a stinking liquid that also happened to be burning hot. After fifteen attempts they gave up. They were, after all, dealing with the mastermind behind their pranks.
A week before the 14th was a full moon. (A/N: I don't care if it isn't. for me it is. ;-Þ) Remus was felling cranky and his senses were very sensitive. Sirius took a brake from planning the Ball to plan with the Marauders their next adventure under the full moon. Sirius hadn't told Iris about him being an Animagus and Remus a werewolf. Iris, on the other hand, kept working on the game. But her sister and Lily interrupted her.
" Hello, sis. Where's Sirius?" asked Sarah.
" Out with his friends. He is entitled to spend time with them. I'm not restraining him." Iris answered smiling.
" Good. This way we can talk normally."
" Ok. What is it?"
" I know it was two months ago but we've been wondering what happened on the Yule Ball between you and Sirius." Said Lily.
" Have you gone mental? Why are you asking me this now? And, can't you see I'm busy?"
" Relax. Now, answer me or I'll tell mum."
" You wouldn't."
" Try me. Sis."
" All right. I don't usually succumb to blackmail, but if you put it like that, fine. Nothing happened. He gave me a ring. That's all."
" So you made it official with a ring?" asked Lily.
" Pretty much. Why are you so interested?"
" Because…well…you know…. because."
" That was so refreshing. I mean, for a moment there I thought you weren't going to explain yourself. I'm relieved that you did." Iris said, sarcastically.
" Very funny. So, what's this game about?" said Sarah.
" I knew it. It was just an excuse to learn about the game. You guys are amazing. Really, don't you have better things to do?"
" Actually no. Remus isn't here." Said Sarah pouting.
" Yeah and James isn't either." Said Lily also pouting.
" How pathetic. Sirius isn't here as well and you don't see me pouting because of that. And I always thought you hated James, Lily."
" Well, I still do. He isn't here for me to…hum…upset him. Yeah, that's it." She said blushing and not sounding the least bit convincing.
" God, you need a life. Now get lost. Both of you."
That was the first and last attempt from the girls to find out about the game. After that the 14th arrived and there was no need to ask. They were going to find out soon.
==============================
Remus wasn't felling very well on the eve of the Ball. Sarah ran to the dungeons and quickly made a potion for him. On the next morning he was sharp again.
" Wow! That was brilliant. Were did you learn that?" he asked at breakfast.
" Well, let's just say that I'll do anything to make you fell better." She answered.
They kissed at the sound of "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, how cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuttttttttttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."
The 14th was on a Friday so they had classes before the Ball. (A/N: I don't care if that's not right either. Just live with it.) After the final class of the day – Transfiguration – Sirius ran to his dorm. His friends didn't join him because there was plenty of time to get ready. But he had a job. He had to do things right. He couldn't afford to mess up. He had a sheet of parchment in front of him. Its content was very important. He did the procedure very slowly, reading the same line several times. Everything had to be done with extreme caution. One wrong move and terrible things could happen. But Sirius Black was known for being meticulous and cautious about everything he did. And it wouldn't be different this time.
When his friends arrived at the dorm he was done. He carefully placed the object he had been modifying inside a box then picked the sheet of parchment and threw it in his trunk.
" Is it time already?" he asked when Remus approached his bed.
" Yep. You have in here for over an hour." Remus answered him.
Taking his friends lead Sirius started changing.
For the Valentines Ball it wasn't necessary the use of dress robes. Students were free to use whatever they wanted. So the Marauders that were going to the Ball – Peter didn't have a girlfriend so he wasn't going. Well not that Lily was James's girlfriend but he was going anyway. – decided to dress similar. Remus was wearing white pants with black shoes, a grey shirt and a black tie. James was wearing black pants with black shoes, a grey shirt with a dark green tie. And Sirius was wearing black pants with black shoes, a blue shirt and a black tie. They all looked sharp. Suddenly James sunk in his bed and placed his hands on his face.
" Are you all right, Prongs?" asked Sirius concerned.
" Does this mean anything? I mean its Valentine. It's supposed to be for couples. Real couples. And Lily, and me we are not a couple, right? So why did she accept coming with me?" he answered in one breath.
" Take a deep breath, Prongs. Now I'm sure Lily has realised that you are now a mature person. She accepted your invitation because you behaved during the Yule Ball. She likes you. I'm sure." Said Remus.
" Am I mental? Is this a dream? It is, right? Its all a dream and I'm
gonna wake up and realise that we aren't having a Ball and that Lily still
despises me."
" First: You were always mental. Second: it's not a dream, Prongs. Now let's go
downstairs. We don't want to keep the ladies waiting." Said Sirius.
James nodded and left with Remus. Sirius placed the box in his pocket and left after his friends. Down in the common room Peter was sitting in his favourite chair reading a book.
" Poor Wormtail. The Ravenclaw girl wasn't good enough for you?" teased Sirius.
" No. She was…."
" Too good for you. I got it. Well better luck next time Wormtail." Sirius
cutted Peter's phrase.
Peter pouted and continued reading his book as if he hadn't been interrupted. Under his breath he whispered "Meanie." Sirius heard and smiled. Soon the girls appeared in the common room. Iris had transfigurated her navy blue dress robe into a navy blue muggle dress. Her hair was loose and reached her shoulders. She looked at Sirius from the stairs. He grinned. Behind her came Sarah. She had done the same as her sister, transfigurating her dark red dress robe into a muggle dress. This time she had her hair caught in a ponytail. She beamed at Remus and he smiled at her. Lily was the last to appear. She was wearing a black skirt with a dark green top covered with a grey shawl. Once again Lily and James were wearing similar clothes. Her red hair hanged loosely on her back. She opened her mouth and eyed James with distinct perplexity. This was becoming a habit. A strange habit.
After the kisses, they waved goodbye to Peter and left for the Great Hall. Iris and Sirius entered without their friends to make sure everything was in order. Those who weren't going to the ball had already eaten so the Great Hall was only for the couples. At half past nine the doors were opened. The students looked in awe at their surroundings. The floor was covered with rose petals. The small tables were there to substitute the big house tables. Each had a heart candle in the middle. Floating in the ceiling were little hearts with messages on them. The house-elfs were there again, dressed as cupids with little arrows on their backs. A smell of roses and jasmine filled the air.
On the teachers' table were Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout. The other seats were empty. Each couple took a seat and then the doors were closed. This was the cue for Dumbledore to get up.
" Welcome, Hogwarts couples, to our first Valentines Day Special Ball. After the feast, there will be dancing. And after that we will have a little game that will be played outside. We thank Merlin for the wonderful weather. Now let's eat."
And just like in the Yule Ball the menus popped up in front of each student. They all made their requests and started eating.
When everyone was full Dumbledore got up again.
" Now I'll ask Mr Black and Miss Renata to start the dance."
Out of nowhere music started playing. Sirius got up and gave his hand to Iris. She took it and they both started to dance. Soon Remus and Sarah joined in, followed closely by James and Lily and later by many other couples. Even the four professors joined the dance.
After fifteen minutes of dancing Dumbledore announced that they should go outside. Silently everyone made their way to the front stairs. There Dumbledore, Sirius and Iris took the lead and the couples followed. They went to a place where usually Professor Kettleburn kept his bigger creatures. When they reached it everyone – except Dumbledore, Sirius and Iris – gasped. In front of them was a small maze. Or at least it seemed small. Dumbledore raised his hands and spoke clearly.
" Now, inside this maze there are many things. Don't worry there are no beasts or anything capable of harming you. It's a game. I'll leave Sirius to explain."
Sirius walked forward and cleared his throat.
" As Professor Dumbledore said, inside this maze there are many things. Most of them are small gifts. Others…aren't. Now, hum, its one couple at a time with one minute of difference between entering couples. The first couple to discover a gift and exit the maze will receive a special present. I guess that's all. Remember, only the first couple to find a gift and exit the maze will win. Some things aren't gifts. Bear that in mind. So Professor McGonagall, if you would start."
Professor McGonagall nodded and the couples formed a line. They all seemed excited. One by one they made their way inside. The outside fooled very well. The maze was enormous.
After making sure that every couple had entered the maze Sirius pulled Iris away from the location. Hiding behind a bush he took his box from his pocket.
" Another jewel, love? Don't you think it's too much?" she said.
He placed a finger in his mouth and shushed Iris. He turned the box so that the opening part was facing her. He bit his lip and said.
" Iris, you gave me your heart. It's time for me to pay back."
Slowly he opened the box. Inside was a pendant. It was a black string with a blue rock surrounded by a whirled metal hanging from the string. Iris looked at it. She didn't really understand. How did that pay her heart?
" Iris, I'm giving you my soul. I did a magic I found in a book. It's supposed to transfer a bit of a person's soul into an object. This is the object and it has a bit of my soul in it. And I'm giving it to you."
Iris eyed him deeply. He was being serious. (No pun intended)
" Are you serious?"
" Of course I am. You know my name." He said smiling.
" I'm not joking here." She was serious. " Why?" she asked almost losing
her voice.
" Because I love you. And I don't think it's fair that I have your heart and
you have nothing from me. Even the ring isn't mine. Now you have something from
me."
She shook her head in disbelief. He finally
gave up from expecting her to take the pendant and took it out himself. Then slowly
he placed it around her neck. She felt she was holding the most valuable jewel
in the world. And now she knew she had the best boyfriend in the world. They kissed
deeply and broke off when they heard a cry of joy. They quickly made their way
back to where the maze was. Soon they saw that James and Lily were jumping
holding in their hands a bunch of flowers. They had been the first to come out
of the maze. Suddenly the maze disappeared and before their eyes appeared the
other couples, some empty handed, others with a gift and others with a small
prank. All of them watched as Lily and James approached Dumbledore with their
gift. The Headmaster applauded and everyone else followed his lead.
" Congratulations, Mr Potter and Miss Evans. Now, your award."
Professor Flitwick appeared holding in his hands a cake. Behind him came Professor Sprout with a box. They gave them to James and Lily. The box contained chocolates. The cake had "Happy Valentine." written in red letters and was full of little hearts.
" To those couples who found a gift you are free to keep them. Those who are empty handed, complain to Mr Black and Miss Renata. Those of you who found pranks, I suggest you use them:" said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes. " Now let's go back inside and finish our lovely evening."
Lily and James beamed at Iris and Sirius. The four of them joined Remus and Sarah and went inside. In the marble staircase Dumbledore send them all to bed.
Another successful night. Everyone congratulated Iris and Sirius as they made their way to their common rooms. They smiled at everyone.
Another night that would stay in their memories forever.
Finished. Another biggie. Damn.
Lucky for you, my mother feed my dog Reaper so he doesn't want to eat you. But I still don't have ten reviews. And Sirius doesn't like it.
Sirius: She is right. Where are my reviews? You know you have to review. Pleaaaaaaaaassssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeee???????!!!!!?????
SiriusSara: I'm sure we'll get to them soon. There is no need for you to beg. But I have to. Pleaaaaaaaaassssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeee review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Soon there will be love making. Yes, sex. No, lovemaking is more correct. Sex is too…not romantic. But will talk in the next chapter. Which will be a small one.
