Sirius had never brought a girl to a Hogwarts dance since 5th year. His friends were not sure whether it was because he knew he would have no problems finding someone to dance with him or because the last schoolmate he dated received a faceful of Bototuber pus from a jealous rival. Whichever it was, he certainly enjoyed himself in every dance since then, partnering at least 10 different girls.
The dance was in full swing when Alice came up to Remus and Peter who were sipping punch by the sidelines.
"I wish Frank were here," she sighed. Her fiance had graduated two years ago and was now a full-fledged Auror.
"You don't seem to have trouble finding a partner," Remus observed.
"It's not the same," Alice replied. She held out a hand to Peter. "C'mon, Peter, you haven't danced with me yet."
Peter looked both startled and gratified. He took the hand she held out. "S..sure."
They waltzed to the centre of the dance floor, both keeping in time easily to teh music.
"Remus doesn't dance much, does he?" Alice remarked, glancing at Remus who was now conversing with Professor Dumbledore.
"He says he is not very good," Peter said. "But I think its because one of the girls he took to a dance last year stalked him. Wouldn't leave him alone for a minute."
Alice vaguely recalled a Ravenclaw prefect who stuck Remus like glue in 6th year, much to the amusement of other prefects. "You mean Lorna Hewitt? How did he get rid of her anyway?"
"Sirius and James caught her going through his bag one day and put a spell on it to make it bite," Peter said. "The next time she could hold a wand, she hexed Remus' ears off. But he says its a small price to pay since she left him alone after that."
Alice laughed softly as they twirled past James and Lily. "What about you? You don't socialise much either."
"No one wants to date me. Unless they think its a way to get to Sirius or James," Peter said petulantly. "Everyone thinks I am too short and fat."
"That's not true," Alice said on automatic reflex.
"It is," he insisted. "I overheard two girls I asked to a dance say so."
"Well..." Alice looked down at him. He was a good two inches shorter than her. Still, she knew that if a girl was not attracted to Peter, it was not solely because of his looks. "I really don't think...I mean, look at Remus. He is pretty average looking but someone still liked him enough to stalk him."
"Remus is a prefect," Peter said stiffly. "Everyone likes prefects."
Alice strove to be tactful. "Er..I don't think thats quite the reason. Anyway, no one really knows you except for your Marauders," – and how much, she reflected, did they actually bothered to get to know him – "Its difficult for people to see past appearance if you show nothing else." And what people do see is a hanger-on to James and Sirius.
Peter looked disbelieving. "Yeah..ok." He glanced away – and his mouth fell open in shock. "Is that Remus with Bellatrix? How did that happen?"
Remus himself could not answer that question. One minute, he was talking to Dumbledore and the next, he met Bellatrix's eyes and excused himself.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked. What did I just say? part of his mind reeled dazedly, which the rest moved in a foggy haze.
Bellatrix kept an amused gaze on trained on him. "Certainly."
They moved past a gaping Sirius to the dance floor – something's not right – Remus' mind warned. 'Fight it...fight..' The fog cleared.
"Did you put a Mesmerizing Spell on me?" he asked suspiciously.
"I though you would figure it out," she replied. "Didn't take you long to overcome it...I really should practice."
"I'd be very grateful if you do not practise on me," Remus said drily.
Bellatrix lefted her heavy lidded eyes to meet his. She really was a beautiful girl much in the manner of Sirius. "How else can I get you to dance with me? I can't leave Hogwarts without at least one dance with you...heavens, keep time to the music.." Remus trod on her foot. She winced. "For goodness' sake, I'll steer."
"Sorry about that. As you can see, its not much of a privilege dancing with me," Remus commented.
Bellatrix gave a throaty chuckle. "I have always fancied you a bit, didn't you know?"
"I am most flattered." Remus did not believe her at all. He was sure that it was either a big joke or an elaborate Slytherin plot "What did Rodophus have to say to that?" He cast a surreptitious glance for Rodolphus Lestrange who was said to be extremely possessive of his girlfriend.
"You needn't worry. He's out for some air. We have time," she said, her feet keeping in to with the music with as much grace as her dramatic good looks.
"Very reassuring," he murmured as her tried to keep up with her without tripping over his own feet.
Outside, in a secluded spot by the rosebushes, Rodolphus kept glowering back at the lights of the Great Hall, annoying Severus tremendously.
"He can't even dance," the big man scowled.
"Rodolphus, control yourself," Severus snapped at him. "We all agreed that Bella was to distract him. This is the safest time to finalize plans before school ends." Right in the middle of a dance.
"I don't see why we have to use him," Rodolphus said. "Any other werewolf would do just as well. And Bella had always had a bit of a –thing- for him?"
"Severus would agree with you," Rose Wilkes said. "He has a –thing- for pretty little Revera Lupin, don't you?"
"We are wasting time," Severus said, not considering the remark worthy of acknowledgement. Rosie could be as flighty as some of the Hufflepuffs. "And I wouldn't worry about Bella, Roddy. Do you honestly think she would throw you over for a werewolf? And how do you propose we get another werewolf, anyway? Stand outside St. Mungo's and hope that someone comes in with a werewolf bite? Check Ministry records and track them down? We are quite lucky I found out he's one." The exact circumstances of his discovery – he suppressed rising anger at Sirius Black – he never revealed to anyone.
"Let's get on with this," he continued irritably. "We have a rough idea of his summer plans – it wouldn't be difficult to track him if he drops out of sight. I have drawn up a timetable, for surveillance duty – all of you are to sign this. If you lapse in your duty, your right arm will automatically fall off. I assure you, that can be quite painful," He handed around the parchment. "These mirrors are linked to one another," he held them up. "To be used at any time we need to contact each other."
"And how long is this surveillance going to last?" Frederick Nott asked, with a curl of his lip. "We should get Lupin now– keep him until the Dark Lord wants him."
"The Dark Lord has made his plans," Severus said curtly. "Mr. Malfoy tells me that the timing must be exactly right. When he says so, we act and not a second before." His eyes darkened. "Consequences of failure..." He broke off when his watch flashed warningly, a signal to indicate that someone was within hearing distance. "Go quickly." The other melted into the night.
Before he could leave, the blast ripping apart the rose bushes startled him. Not an idiotic couple looking for privacy then. Sirius Black stared at him.
"D'you mind, Black?" he began sarcastically.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I don't have to answer to you, do I?" Both their hands drifted to their wands. "A duel after Dumbledore's talk on unity would diminish his over-inflated opinion of you."
"Padfoot?" Remus came up to behind Sirius. He took in the tense pair. "What is going on here? McGonagall's about to give out our testimonials."
Severus merely gave a final glare and left. No one stopped him.
"What was that all about?" he asked, puzzled.
"I came out for some air. Thought I heard someone mention your name. But there's only old Snivellus there, so I guess I must be wrong." Sirius' brow furrowed.
"I hope so. Snape's mumbling my name to himself in the dark is not something I want to contemplate," Remus said. Just then, an owl hooted. A black rimmed envelope fell at Sirius' feet.
"Who's this from?" Sirius said, surprised. He picked it up and opened it. "Lumos" A light appeared at the tip of his wand, enabling him to read.
"Padfoot?" Remus asked, as his friend's face changed. Sirius looked up.
"My uncle Alphard is dead," he said.
END OF PART 1.
Author's note: This story will go on; just that the end of Hogwarts marks and epoch to the tale. Thanks to all reviewers especially Lilykins for writing down her favourite parts.