"There's no way I can go through with this!"
"Sire, you can do this! We all have faith in you."
It was about an hour and a half until the big dinner and Severus was in the middle of a full fledged panic attack. James and Remus were in the dungeons, helping their Master prepare for the meal. And trying to calm him down as well.
"Sire, just take a deep breath," Remus said. "And as much as I will regret this later on, I'm turning you over to James for some lessons. Merlin help us all."
James stepped forward, smiling happily. "Don't you worry a thing, Remus," he said. "Though I doubt you could stop." James approached Severus, who was now wisely cowering in the corner.
"Tonight is the night, sire," James began. "So, to ensure that we are all happy and human in the morning, please pay attention to the following points. One, be a gentleman."
"I know that, idiot!" Severus said through clenched teeth. "Why do you think she asked me for a dinner tonight?"
"Number two," James continued, annoyed with the interruption, "compliment her. Say she looks beautiful—"
"She always looks beautiful."
"Say the candlelight enhances that beauty."
"It doesn't need enhancement."
"WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP INTERRUPTING ME!" James screamed out.
"Wow, James, temper, temper. Remember?" Severus teased. James just stood there sputtering nonsensical syllables.
Remus approached Severus. "Just remember to be yourself, and just say whatever is in your heart. Then trust fate to do the rest," he advised. "Now you finish getting ready and I'll go check on Kristin."
Severus finished dressing, wearing a green jacket with silver trim and black breeches. His black mane was neatly combed and pulled back into a ponytail, held by a green ribbon, the fashion of the time. He opened his jewelry box, remembering a time when he would sneak into his father's study and try on his kingly rings. That was when they actually still fitted. He closed the box with a sigh, as Remus entered the room.
"Your lady, awaits you, sire," the clock said, bowing. Severus stood up and walked down the stairs as Remus ran across to signal Harmony to get Kristin. So, Severus stood, breathing in and out, in and out...
And then he stopped breathing. Kristin came out in a stunning green dress. It was the one with the velvet bodice and flowing taffeta skirt. Severus smiled when he saw that Madame Femme Gras had left Kristin's hair down, curling over her shoulders. And in her own true style, green stripes decorated her hair.
She seemed to have to prevent herself from running down the stairs. She took each step deliberately and finally met him at the bottom. He bowed, she curtsied and then Severus took Kristin's hand in his paw. He led her into the grand dining room, meticulously set up for their dinner. With one graceful swoop, her chair was pulled out and pushed in as soon as she sat down.
Every so often, Kristin would have to remind herself to either eat or breath. This was all so sudden. Two weeks ago, she couldn't stand the man sitting across from her. Now, she was willingly eating dinner with him. And also, lately, every time she saw him, Kristin's stomach would begin to jump all around. The two sat in a comfortable silence, enjoying the other's presence and the delicious meal.
After eating, the two sat there staring the other down. Music played in the background and Kristin came up with a good idea. "Well, here I am in a fairy-tale dress eating a fairy-tale feast. In every other fairy tale, now would be the part where we would dance," she said, slyly.
She watched as Severus began to panic and squirm. "Oh no," he stuttered. "I don't dance." But James and Remus gave their master a nudge and Severus was soon extending his hand towards Kristin.
He led her out on to the dance floor, where Kristin learned he hadn't been trying to get out of dancing. "You really can't dance, can you?" she asked. He hung his head in shame. "Oh, that's nothing! I can show you easily." Kristin placed his paw on her waist and took the other one in her own hand. "I'll lead for a little while. When you feel comfortable, just take over. I'll follow you," she said.
Kristin led for a while, but then she felt Severus gain confidence. He soon took over and Kristin didn't worry about a thing. As the lights dimmed around her—Merlin, James did know how to be romantic!—she leaned in a rested her head on his chest. She liked the spot she chose, since her head seemed to rest on both the smooth fabric of his shirt and his warm fur. Unfortunately, it had to come to an end as the music died away. Kristin didn't want to pull away, but he did.
She was still a little dazed from the dance, but she was sure she was pouting. However, Severus grabbed Kristin's hand and asked, "You said you would follow me out on the dance floor. How about now?"
She smiled and replied, "Anywhere, anytime." Severus smiled and led her to the balcony right outside the castle.
Severus brought her to the balcony's rail and helped her sit down. He stepped off to the side for a bit, just thinking. He was not as nervous as before. Kristin's statement about promising to follow him anytime, anywhere had given him reassurance. He took a deep breath and remembered what Remus had told him: Just say whatever is in your heart. Trust fate to do the rest.
So, trusting in fate and in Remus, Severus sat down next to Kristin. "Kristin, are you happy here?" he asked her.
"Yes," she said, smiling, "I am happy here. The servants are wonderful—they are the friends I never really had. This castle is like a place from one of my books—or dreams..."
"What about me? Are you happy here with me?" Severus asked, now nervous of her answer.
Kristin placed her hand on his paw. "And I'm happy here with you," she comforted. But then she became pensive and sad.
"What? What's the matter?" he asked, now concerned about her.
"Nothing," she replied. "It's just...I was wondering about my father. I don't know if he's home, if he's all right...I just wish I could see him again."
Severus watched her and finally decided on something. "There is a way," he said, grabbing her hand. He led her to the dungeon, to show her his magical mirror. No one else had ever used it before, but if it made Kristin happy, she would be the first. The two burst in to his room, and he strode across the room to his beside to pick up the mirror.
Kristin couldn't believe she was standing this far into the dungeons. She was actually in Severus' bedroom—she wouldn't even dare go in here no matter how tempting. But she wondered how she could see her father in here.
That's when Severus' approached her with a hand mirror. He placed it in her hand, and she ran her fingers along the ornate design. The mirror seemed to be made of pearls with red roses along the mirror edges, vines trailing along the handle. "It's beautiful," she breathed. "But how's it going to help me?"
"It's a magic mirror," Severus told her. "It will show you whatever you want—just ask it."
Kristin held up the mirror. "Show me my father, please," she said. An eerie green glow—like the one that enveloped Severus' enchanted rose—surrounded the mirror. In the screen Kristin could see Arthur out in the Forbidden Forest. The winter was turning rougher and rougher; her father was falling ill again and unprepared for the trip. "No, he's sick—I think he might die!" she cried.
Severus looked at her. "Then go to him," he said, a quiver in his voice. "I release you. Though, you haven't been a prisoner here for a while. Go!" As he said this, he gave her a little push.
Kristin remained standing there, quite in shock. She stammered out a thank you and handed the mirror back to Severus. He in turn gave it back to her, telling her to use it when she missed him. Kristin looked down and realized she missed him already. But her father needed her. She turned and hiked up her skirt, running out of the room. She turned to Severus and said, "I know I haven't been a prisoner in this castle. I had other reasons for staying." With that, she was gone.
James, Remus, Mrs. Weasley, Lily and Billy saw the woman leave their master's quarters. Without bothering to read her expression, they rushed into the room. "Splendid!" Remus said. "Simply splendid!"
"It went well, didn't it?" James asked. "My advice must've helped."
"Yeah—if he didn't follow it," Lily stated. "I'm sure he impressed her
Severus was leaning against his flower's container, stroking. "I let her go," he said, melancholy.
"Yes, yes, of course," Remus said, absentmindedly. Then his master's words sunk in. "You WHAT?" he shouted, while all the other servants stared.
"But, but, why?" James asked, with an air of depression. "Why?" Lily reached over and comforted her depressed beau.
"I had to," Severus said, turning around. He gave Mrs. Weasley a look she could read instantly. She gasped and said—
"After all these years! He's finally learned to love," she said, in a proud motherly way.
James suddenly regained hope. "That's it then! That should be enough to break the spell!"
Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "She needs to love him back, I'm afraid. And I highly doubt she said the words."
"Maybe she's still here!" James said, like a one holding onto a wild goose during a chase. "We could go and get her. You could profess your love to her and she can say she returns the feelings and we could become human again!"
At that point, Harmony came into the room. "Well, Kristin just left to look for her father. I hope she finds him soon. She was really concerned." At this, James let out an unearthly howl. Lily led him out of the room. "What'd I say?" Harmony asked. Remus shushed her and took her out of the room.
Mrs. Weasley sent Billy out of the room and turned to Severus. "I'm proud of you. You did the right thing letting Kristin go to her father," she said.
"Yeah, but now we will never be human again and I may never see her either," he said. "I don't know which one depresses me more. If you don't mind, Mrs. Weasley, I think I'd rather be left alone now."
Mrs. Weasley nodded and said, "I understand. I'll leave you now." With that, she left the room.
Severus stood there, staring out the window, hoping for a last glance of Kristin. He really hoped he had done the right thing for everyone involved. Maybe he would be happy—as soon as his heart stopped breaking.
