Star waited all that day in anticipation, wishing she could fast forward time. She wandered about the common room and corridors aimlessly most of the day. While the four girls were sitting underneath their favorite tree, Laelai grabbed Star's robes and pulled her to the ground.
"Sit down for the love of Merlin. You'll end up making another lake if you keep pacing like that," Laelai said, half-amused at her joke.
Monica laughed and pulled a loose strand of Star's curly brown hair as she examined it. "You're going to be as white as your owl if you keep stressing about this. Look, I can already see a white hair!"
Star playfully glared at Monica as she pulled her hair out of the Asian's slender hands.
Laelai rolled her eyes as she sighed, "I can't believe you're getting so worried about a guy."
Wren smiled. "But he's not just some hobo you find on the streets. This guy's got wings!"
"You should've seen him Laelai!" Monica exclaimed. "He's hot!"
Star lightly pulled on Monica's hair, as she had taken to braiding the Asian's dark hair.
"Excuse me, but you have Harry, Mrs. Potter," Star retorted.
With this, Monica blushed furiously. "We're not going out."
"YET," the three other girls replied in unison.
Monica blushed yet again, but she looked joyous at the thought.
"Seems like we all have our guys," Wren said, but then cast a glance over at Laelai. "Except Laelai."
Star giggled. "What are you talking about? She can have Draco."
Laelai made a face and shook her head. "Excuse me, but who does he keep asking out?" Her blue eyes focused upon Star.
The other brunette woman stuck out her tongue in disgust. "It's not like I him to. Besides, he hasn't actually asked me out," Star replied, not sure why she had actually tried to defend Draco.
"Yes, you have Brian," Monica stated, dramatically making a dreamy sigh. "Speaking of which, what are you wearing on your date?"
Star's emerald eyes widened and she bolted back to the castle, leaving her friends to laugh.
Adding the finishing touches to her make up, Star took a deep breath. She had searched through her trust for a good hour, looking for the perfect outfit. Finally, she had decided on a grey corset, a darker grey long skirt, and a pair of black boots. As a finishing touch, she wore a black choker about her neck. Star once again examined her reflection as some distant clock struck quarter till 10.
Quietly sneaking through the empty castle, she walked out into the crisp night. It was a bit cooler than she had expected, but she knew that she would soon adjust. As she neared the lake's bank, Star spotted a dark figure standing, gazing out over the dark water. When she reached the shadow, it turned and revealed itself to be Brian. He smiled and pulled her into an embrace. Star smiled to herself, feeling so safe in his arms. He pulled away and smiled warmly at her.
"I'm glad you could come out here."
"I wouldn't miss a meeting with you for anything," Star replied.
Brian laughed and took hold of one of her hands. Her heart fluttered, but Star fought to act calm and cool.
"I'm sorry we didn't have much time to talk back in Dumbledore's office," he apologized as Star smiled gently at him. "But you know how adults are. They always want to get business done first," Brian laughed.
Star's curiosity was suddenly sparked and before she could stop herself, asked, "What were you guys talking about anyway?"
He let out a sigh. "It's too complicated to tell you tonight. I'll explain it to you some other night. But right now, I just want to spend time with you."
Star's cheeks flushed a bright pink, but she was thankful that it was dark. Brian once again pulled her into an embrace. To Star, this was like heaven on earth. Her heart skipped and she was so happy that she felt as if tears would stream from her eyes.
Slowly, Brian pulled away and looked at her. Star felt a pain of panic in her stomach. Why did he pull away? Had she done something wrong?
But Brian smiled warmly at her. "Miss Moonsong, you expect to meet me out in the cold with no jacket?"
Star looked down to see herself shivering. She let out a laugh, thinking it rather daft of her to have thought that she would adjust to the cold.
Brian slipped off his own jacket and draped it over Star's shoulders. It was many sizes larger than Star to make room for his wings. She smiled gently as him and wrapped herself in the warm leather jacket. She couldn't put any exact words on the scent, but in her mind the jacket smelt like flight and freedom. A whooshing sound like sails filling with wind broke Star from her thought.
Brian grinned at her, his wings now unfolded. "I hate wearing that harness."
Star laughed and Brian ran a hand over one of his wings.
"Would you like to see them?"
Star was a bit hesitant, but she walked forward to Brian. He stretched out one wing in front of her. Star ran a hand over the snowy wing. It felt exactly like the feather he had sent her; soft and yet strong. He stretched out the wing a bit farther and it wrapped itself around Star, pushing her toward him. Brian pulled Star to him, putting his arm around her waist. As he brushed back a loose strand of Star's curly hair, his softly blue eyes shimmered in the darkness. And with that, Brian bent slowly toward Star, his lips meeting with hers. A bolt of excitement shot through Star's entire body. Her eyes slowly closed as all thoughts vanished from her mind. The only thought that surfaced through the bliss was that she was kissing the man whom she loved.
With that thought burning in her mind, Brian slowly pulled away. Reluctantly, Star did the same. She opened her eyes to see Brian's blue ones. He smiled and took her into one last embrace.
"I better get you back to the castle," he said softly. Star could hear in his voice that he was also reluctant in ending the night.
He took her hand and started to walk back to the castle. When they reached the grand double doors, Brian kissed Star's cheek softly.
"Thank you again for coming Star. I hope we can have another meeting like this soon," said Brian as he took Star's hand in his and gently kissed it.
With one great flap of his powerful wings, he was in the air. Star smiled and waved good-bye to him as she slipped into the castle. Once inside, she walked back to the Slytherin common room, feeling as if she were gliding on clouds.