Disclaimer: I wish I was the genius, JK Rowling, but I'm not and, therefore, own none if her characters. Chevious, Feathin, and Eiez belong to my friends and I. Molly Jameson is the future Mrs. Weasley. Mr. and Ares Alucard, Anya Dellone, the potions master, and the story itself belong to me. The song "Just Enough" belongs to Hoku. I don't own Middleton. It is an actual town in England. Me, being the freak I am, looked up a site that listed of the towns and counties. Middleton is located in either Suffolk or Essex (it's kinda hard to tell from the map).
Chev's A/N: Chev's A/N: YAY ME! I WROTE A SOMEWHAT GOOD SUMMARY! Moving right along, this is the redone version of my HP fic "Just Enough". I thought the first version sucked really bad so I decided to redo it. In this one Chevious doesn't sound like a slut. Anywayz! The ----(4 dashes) around Italics show where the parts of the lyrics to "Just Enough" by Hoku begin and end. Other Italics are thoughts. As usual, please Read and review. Sorry the formatting is a bit screwed up. I'm trying to work with it.
E's A/N: YO DAWGS! Haha, j/p. Eiez here, I just want to say that this is a kick ass story and please review! THANKS!
Pronounciations:
Eiez: Eee-ez
E: Ee
Feathin:Feeth-in
Feath- Feeth
Chevious: Chee-vee-us
Chev: Cheeev
Ares: Air-ees
Alucard: Al-oo-card
Just Enough----
It was nearly 9 o'clock when I thought about you
Are you with someone else----
Chevious Nogard sat atop her four poster bed peering around the dormitory, unable to sleep. Her best friends, Feathin Potter and Eiez Adkins, slept soundly on either side of her. Molly Jameson snored loudly on the bed across from Feathin. Lily Evans had her face buried beneath her pillow next to Molly.
Feathin.... You awake? Chevious whispered across her longtime friend's mind. She didn't stir. Chevious turned to face the back of Eiez's head. Eiez...you up? She didn't move a muscle or even think a response.
She eased back onto her pillow. Her mind was reeling with thought of a boy with cinnamon brown hair and gorgeous, tired hazel eyes. Butterflies fluttered through her stomach. Her heart soared just at the thought of him. Remus, she thought absently. As soon as she realized what she had thought, she nearly kicked herself. What were you thinking?! Get a grip Chev! He's one of your best friends! How could you be so head over heels for this guy?! Plus, he's with that scrawny little Ravenclaw, Anya Dellone. Why would he want to dump her for you?!
Chevious tossed and turned for another hour, trying to fall into a deep slumber. It was all to no avail. Remus continued to monopolize her thoughts.
----
It was almost 10 o'clock when I thought I'd doSomething to free myself
----
She glanced over at her magic powered alarm clock. It was almost 10 o'clock. She hadn't realized how early it still was. Everyone must have been pretty tired. They were usually the last ones out of the common room. Maybe there were still some people down there.
Chevious flung open the hangings of her bed and slipped on her cow print slippers. She pulled her terry cloth robe on over her pajamas. Stealthily, she slipped out of the room without waking anyone. She wondered down the spiral staircase to find it deserted. Chevious sighed and plopped herself down in one of the fluffy armchairs. She stared silently at the diminishing flames in the hearth.
----
And then about 12 o'clock
I'm driving down you block
I see a light shining underneath your door
----
The ancient grandfather clock chimed loudly startling a once sleeping Chevious. She gazed up at it. It was midnight. She had finally fallen asleep in the armchair. She straightened up and stretched. Her back ached from sleeping in an odd position.
She looked down and noticed that she had been covered with a blanket and a piece of parchment had fallen from her lap onto the floor. She reached down and grasped it with her index and middle fingers. She raised it to eye level to read. To Chevious Nogard. That was all the outside had written on it. She unfolded the delicate paper. Inside, in red ink, the message written said:
Chevious,
You looked cold so I took the liberty of covering you up when I came down earlier. Hope you don't mind. Anyway, I need to talk to you. I'll meet you in the Common Room around one o'clock. If your still sleeping, don't worry, I won't disturb you. It isn't so important that it can't wait. See you then.
Remus
Chevious' heart became lighter than air. How considerate of him to think of my 'beauty sleep' before his problems! She slipped the note into the pocket of her robe and headed for the stairs. She paused at the top. She stared at the door the lead to the boys' dormitories. She hesitated slightly before strolling toward it.
The door creaked open and a narrow stairwell rose into the dark abyss above her. She tiptoed upward. The cold stone gave of no sound of her footfalls upon it. She ascended higher and higher until she came upon a door with a sign reading SEVENTH YEARS adorning it. A dim light shown beneath the door. She started to reach for the knob, but lost her nerve once her fingertips brushed up against the cool metal. She quickly recoiled her extended arm and mentally slapped herself. What was I thinking?! This was insane! I shouldn't have come up here! She reluctantly returned to the Common Room to wait for Remus.
----
I'm home about 1 o'clock
And you finally call me up I guess I was hoping for just a little more----
The clock chimed once behind her. Chevious was once again seated in the fluffy armchair. She looked up at it. One o'clock. He should be here any minute. She could already feel the butterflies rising in her stomach.
Suddenly two hands clamped down over her eyes. She jumped slightly, the immediately knew who it was.
"Guess who," a deep voice uttered into her ear. She could feel his hot breath lingering on her neck.
"Ummm......is it that sexy Sirius Black?!" she joked.
"Sexy huh?!" the voice chuckled and the hands were taken away from her eyes. Remus stood before her. His hair was a bit messy, but his weary eyes seemed to be smiling back at her. "I'll be sure to let him know. That awe to inflate his ego a little more."
Chevious giggle. Remus took a seat on the couch next to her chair. She swallowed hard and rose. She took a seat near him on the couch. He looked at her for a moment before he turned his gaze to the fire.
"Anya dumped me," Remus murmured dejectedly, completely changing his impression of happiness to rejection.
"What?!" Chevious' mouth dropped slightly. "Why did she do that?"
"She said she was sick of 'pity dating' me and had found someone worth her time." He buried his face in his hands.
"That's terrible! What a bitch!"
"Am I really THAT pitiful?!"
"What do you mean pitiful?!"
"You know what I mean! Am I really that bad of a person?! Do I look so terrible that people pity me?!"
"REMUS JEREMIAH LUPIN!" Chevious pratically shouted jumping up off the couch. Remus' head snapped up to look at her. "WHO GAVE YOU THE IDEA YOU WERE A BAD PERSON OR BAD LOOKING?!"
"Well, it was kind of implied when she said she was pity dating me."
"Hey, cut yourself some slack! She's stupid for dropping you! I know a couple girls dying to date you!" Yeah! Me....Myself....and I, just to name a few.
"You think so, Chev?"
"Sure! Forget her!"
"Thanks, Chev."
Before she could stop him, he embraced her. She then found her arms sliding comfortably around his waist. Her head rested on his broad shoulder. She closed her eyes and wished that they could stay like this forever. As she began to slide gently into his mind, he began to pull away. She lost her concentration and slammed back into her own head. He stared at her with those beautiful eyes of his and she wanted to melt.
"You don't know how much that helped. Thank you."
"Don't worry, Rem. I'll always be here for you."
"I know."
----
You give me
Just Enough
To keep me hanging on
'Til I'm ready to move on
And then you find a way to make your play
And then I stay
----
"So, he and wittle Anya broke up?!" Eiez repeated as she loaded her bagel with blueberry cream cheese.
"Yeah. He was really upset and asked me if he was pitiful," Chevious added.
"Say what?!" Feathin said, making bits of half-chewed toast fly in every direction.
"She said she was sick of 'pity dating' and had found someone worth her time."
"You're kidding me!" Eiez exclaimed, while she wiped flecks of regurgitated toast off her face.
"Nope."
"She is SO cursed!" Feathin proclaimed, standing up and leaving, wand in hand.
"I'd better stop her from doing anything TOO bad!" Eiez said as she went off to find Feathin.
Chevious smiled. They would all do anything for Remus, or any of their friends for that matter. Anya was in for a rude awakening when Feathin got to her, especially if Feathin convinced Eiez to help her.
"What was that all about?" Sirius and James sat down across from her.
"Oh nothing. Eiez and Feathin are just going to take care of Anya."
"He told us this morning," James added. "He said you really did make him feel better."
"Great!" Chevious replied.
"OH! Before I forget," Sirius said. "Remus said he wanted to talk to you."
"Again?" she said skeptically, he heart starting to rise into the air.
"Yeah, I guess. He's in the Common Room."
"Thanks."
Chevious stood and made her way back to the Common Room.
-------------
"Hey, Chevious," Remus said as she took a seat beside him on the couch.
"Hey," Chevious replied as calmly as she could. It was very difficult for her to do this when he was so close. "You wanted to talk to me."
"Oh, yeah. I did." He seemed a bit distant. "I just wanted to say I like..." Chevious' breath caught in her throat. "I like...having you around....and....I wanted to thank you for being such a good friend, I guess..."
"Oh....." Her heart dropped. "Your welcome....I guess."
Without warning, he embraced her as he had early that morning. As they did before, her arms unconsciously encircled his trim waist. She settled her head on his shoulder.
A silent tear skated down her cheek. I guess I was hoping for a little more than a hug, Chevious couldn't help but think as Remus held her in his arms. He slowly began to draw back.
Just as suddenly as the hug, his soft lips brushed her cheek. Chevious was a bit surprised. Her heart began to soar again. The now familiar butterflies fluttered furiously through her stomach. He pulled away and stared at her with those beautiful hazel eyes that always made her melt like an ice cube in august.
"Thanks for being there for me, Chev. You don't know how much it means to me."
He leaned in once more. Her body ached with anticipation as he drew nearer. She could feel the heat radiating off his body.
"Hey, Chevious! Remus!"
Remus jolted back in surprise. They both turned to see had called out their names. Eiez, Feathin, and Lily were walking to toward them. Lily plopped herself down between Chevious and Remus, much to Chevious' dismay. Eiez and Feathin sat down beside their friend.
"What's up?" Eiez asked in a perky voice, a huge suggestive smile crossing her lips.
"Nothing," Remus and Chevious proclaimed in unison.
"Uh huh," Eiez said skeptically, her left eyebrow beginning to twitch.
"Look, I gotta go," Remus exclaimed. "I'll see you guys later."
He stood and made a hasty exit.
"What's with him?!" Lily asked, motioning her thumb in the direction in which he had disappeared.
"How should I know?" Chevious sighed.
"Right....." Eiez said. "Chev, can we talk to you?!"
Eiez and Feathin grabbed Chevious and headed for the stairs.
"Guys! Wait up!" Lily exclaimed, running after them.
"No offense, Lily, but me and Feathin wanna get the details alone."
"Oh..." Lily sighed, looking hurt. "Well.....I'll see you guys later then."
Lily disappeared into the crowded Common Room. Eiez and Feathin led Chevious up the spiral staircase and into their own dormitory. After a quick check for eavesdroppers, they all sat in the middle of the room.
"So spill it, girl! What the hell did we just interrupt?!" Eiez asked anxiously. Feathin nodded in agreement, not bothering to hide her own interest.
"Nothing!"
"Liar!" Feathin exclaimed. "It's SO obvious that we walked in on something. Remus left like he was gonna be killed if he didn't leave."
"It's nothing to serious." She stood and straightened her robes. "He just tried to kiss me. That's all."
Her friends' faces remained blank, seeming to try to comprehend what they had just been told. Chevious took that opportunity to leave.
----
Just Enough
To give me hope
That you will fall in love with me
Just Enough
Just Enough, baby
----
Chevious sat silently taking notes during Divination. Professor Trelawney was mistily rambling about how to read the future in a crystal ball. Eiez snored softly beside her. She glanced at her friend. 'And she wonders why she does so bad in Divination,' Chevious couldn't help but think as she continued to scribble notes in her notebook.
"Now, my dears," Trelawney instructed. "We're going to look into the mystic orbs and see what lies beyond your minds eye."
Chevious nudged Eiez hard in the ribs. Eiez jumped. She knocked Chevious' crystal ball off the table, causing it to shatter.
"AHHHH! DON'T LET THE HUGE EVIL PINK BUNNIES GET ME!" Eiez exclaimed rather loudly.
Trelawney frowned at her. "I'm glad you know enough about the beyond that you don't feel the need to remain alert in my class. Please see me afterward, Miss Adkins."
Eiez sigh miserably and stared at the blue mist swirling within the glass orb.
"I just can't do this! I suck at divination!" she huffed.
"It's really not that hard," Chevious explained.
"Sure, it's not hard for a seer! Divination is practically in your blood! But, as for the rest of this, it's friggin difficult!"
Chevious ignored Eiez's ramblings and concentrated on her crystal ball. A fuzzy picture formed before her eyes.
Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed at her forehead. Her head slammed back against the back of the chair. Blurbs of scenes flashed before her eyes. A bat. A snake. Remus and herself; they were happy. Herself…..
.........sleeping……
……no……
……not sleeping…..
………dead……..
-------------
Chevious lay awake in the hospital wing, staring at the ceiling. Trelawney had sent her down there because she believed it was some sort of cursed seizure. Plus, she had hit her head pretty hard.
She was attempting to sort through what she had seen in her premonition. She often saw bits of the future, but she was never really able to sort everything until it happened. The bat couldn't have been just a bat. Why would she see an ordinary bat? The same goes for the snake. Remus and herself happy together suited her just fine. That image had been really clear. The next image had struck her as odd. Why would herself dead? She didn't seem old at all in the premonition. So, this event couldn't be to far away. She had appeared to be injured as well, probably from a fall of some kind. She also looked like she was on a beach or somewhere with a lot of sand.
Madam Pomfrey scuttled into the room. She had a thermometer in her hand. She shoved it into Chevious' mouth, grabbed her wrist, and began to take her pulse.
"You seem to be alright now, Miss Nogard," she reported. "You're exempt from taking the rest of your classes today. I want you to go right back to your dormitory and lay down. Don't want you hurting yourself again."
"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey," Chevious replied.
She stood. Madam Pomfrey handed her a note and she left.
Chevious walked slowly down the corridor, trying to avoid the inquisition from her friends. She wasn't really paying attention and ran into someone. She fell to the floor with a thud. The other person remained standing.
"I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going," Chevious apologized.
"Tiz all right," the person said in a thick French accent. "I wazn't reely watching ezar."
She looked up. Ares Alucard stood over her. He was an exchange student from Beauxbatons. His platinum blonde hair looked white in the beams of afternoon sunlight. His deep pale blue eyes seemed to see right through her. He had a gold hoop earring glared in the light. He was hot, but she found him a bit creepy.
He offered her a pale hand. She took it and, with help, stood back up.
"Are you all right?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Chevious answered. "Sorry 'bout that, Aries."
"It tiz all right."
"Anywayz, I guess I'd better get back to class now."
"I'll walk you back."
"No!"
He looked at her funny.
"I mean, no thanks. I can find my own way back."
She turned around and began walking as fast as she could down the hall without seeming eager to get away.
"I'll zee you lay-tor then," he exclaimed.
As soon as she turned the corner, Chevious stopped to make sure she heard him leave. Nothing. She peered around the corner. The corridor was empty. That seemed odd, especially because she hadn't even heard him leave.
Chevious turned and ran back to the Common Room, thoroughly freaked out.
That evening, Eiez, Feathin, Feathin's brother James, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew all sat around the fire playing Exploding Snap Remus sat beside Chevious, listening intently as she tried to explain to him how to do his homework for Arithmancy. As soon as they figured it out, Chevious and Remus sat in silence. Occasionally, she caught him glancing up at her. Of course, he caught her too.
Somewhere around 11:00, the Common Room had emptied except for her and her friends.
"Well, its getting late," Sirius proclaimed with a loud yawn. "We better hit the sack. We all have classes in the morning."
"I think you're just sick of losing, Sirius," James joked.
"I WAS NOT LOSING!"
"Whatever. You coming, Remus?"
"Umm," Remus exclaimed, flicking an almost unnoticeable glance in Chevious' direction. "I don't think so. I have a bit more to do."
"How 'bout you, Chev?" Eiez asked
"No. I still have some homework and studying to do. I'll come up soon," Chevious replied
"You all make me sick! All you do is homework and study!" Sirius exclaimed. "I'm outta here! It may be contagious! G'night."
"Night," they said in unison.
Everyone else disappeared up the stairs. They were alone in silence. The quiet was almost unbearable. Neither of them said anything. The only thing that could be heard was the scratching of quills on parchment and the turning of pages.
I wonder what he's thinking.....
She gently eased into his mind, weaving through his concentration on homework. She came upon a single thought that made her slam back into her body in surprise. Sweet bliss washed over her. She smiled slightly. Chevious closed her books and gathered her things.
"Done already?" he asked, a hint of surprise and sadness in his voice.
"Yeah, I need some sleep, so I'm just gonna go to bed." She headed toward the stairwell.
"Oh..... All right, then. I'll see you tomorrow"
"Yeah.....Good night."
She backed up against the wall, out of sight. She closed her eyes with pure ecstasy. A smile caressed her lips.
I love you too, Remus.
----
Will you come and see me today
Well I don't know
That's part of the mystery
----
Chevious sat in the back of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Quirrel was talking about identification of and defense against vampires. For the first time in all her years at Hogwarts, she was ignoring everything Professor Quirrel was saying. She was too busy subconsciously doodling on her notebook. It was almost covered in random thoughts and pictures by this time, including a terrible drawing of what appeared to be Remus.
She glanced up once in a while to make it look like she was taking notes or to glance at Remus who sat one seat diagonally in front of her. Thoughts of him floated aimlessly through her head. How could she be so head over heels for him?! She had never felt this way before.
The bell sounded. Rustling papers and footsteps of departing students filled the room, breaking her trance. She gathered her own things and left.
The corridor was already packed with students heading back to their Common Rooms to drop their things off before dinner. The busy gossip that filled the hall drowned everything out. She walked slowly, oblivious to what was going on around her. Remus was all she could think about.
She returned to her dorm and dropped all of her stuff off. She walked leisurely toward the Great Hall. The corridor was pretty much empty, except for a few Slytherin girls near the end. They seemed to be talking to chatting and gazing in her general direction. They frowned and whispered as she neared them.
"What's the hurry?" said one of them, blocking her path.
"No hurry," Chevious replied, trying to sop the nervousness creeping into her voice. "My friends are just waiting for me."
"Well, they can wait. We'd like to have a little chat with you."
"Really," she answered, becoming a bit scared now. She couldn't take on all of them at once, even if she had brought her wand. "About what?"
"Ares."
"What about him?"
"We want you to back off."
"What?"
"Aries is mine, and I plan to keep it that way."
"What makes you think I even like Ares?!"
"All he does is talk about the great Chevious Nogard. He's head over heels for you and I don't appreciate being knocked off my pedestal by a friggin MUDBLOOD!"
She furiously fought back tears of anger and sadness. She couldn't let them see her weakness.
"You're not a pureblood. You shouldn't be able to study among the likes of us. You're a worthless muggleborn who only deserves to live around filthy, disgusting muggles like your father."
Chevious' fists clinched tightly at her side. If she did something about this she'd be the one in trouble. She knew that would just cause more friction between the Gryffindor and Slytherin houses. It was bad enough already. She didn't need to make it worse. She was helpless.
"So, forget about Aries so he can forget about you and everything will be as it should. He doesn't deserve something as disgraceful the magic as a mudblood!"
"Whatever. I don't need to stay here and take this shit."
She turned to leave, almost expecting them to stop her.
"Get out of my sight, Mudblood, before I get really mad."
Chevious turned and walked back toward the Common Room. Once she was out of the sight of the girls, she took off in a full sprint. She reached the Fat Lady without a single encounter with anyone.
"Password, dear?" the Fat Lady asked.
"Zazooum Rakatum," she managed to choke out through her tears.
The Portrait swung open and Chevious bolted into the Common Room. She ran passed Remus, nearly knocking him over.
"Chevious?" he said in surprise.
She flew up the stairs and into her dormitory. She slammed the door and threw herself onto her bed. Tears flowed from her eyes in rivers.
A knock on the door startled her. She wiped the tears away from her eyes.
"GO AWAY!" she screeched.
"Chevious?" Remus' voice was muffled by the large wood door. "Chevious? Are you all right?"
"I'M FINE! GO AWAY!" She laid back down on her bed to cry again.
"Chevious!"
"I SAID GO AWAY!"
Despite her yelling, she heard the door creep open behind her. Remus strode across the room and sat down beside his friend. He wiped away the tears on her cheek. She looked up at him. Her eyes were red and puffy from the crying.
"I thought I told you to leave me alone," Chevious hissed, though internally flattered that her had been so concerned.
"I've always been terrible at listening," Remus replied. "What happened?"
"Nothing. I'm fine," she replied, sitting up.
"So, a tough girl like you is crying over nothing?"
"That's right."
"Liar. Now, what really happened?"
"I'd rather not talk about it right now."
"All right. I'll be in the Common Room if you wanna talk."
He began to get up. Chevious reached over and gripped his wrist tightly, never wanting to let go. He looked down at her with his tired eyes.
"Please stay."
"Always."
He sat back down beside her. Chevious told him everything hat had happened. He remained silent, listening intently. When she had finished, he hugged her. The sweet bliss of his touch sent chills down her spine. He pulled back and cupped his hand around her cheek, wiping away the tears running from her eyes.
"You gonna be okay?" he asked sympathetically.
"I guess. I just can't stand it when a comment is made about my dad. He is the sweetest, funniest, most hard working man you'll ever meet."
"I understand."
He hugged her again. When he pulled back, he stood and offered her his hand.
"Shall we go down to dinner?'
"I guess."
"I'm sure the others will have perfect ideas for pay back."
She took his hand and headed down to dinner.
-------------
"NOGARD! POTTERS! BLACK! ADKINS!" Kettleburn boomed as he crossed the Common Room to where they were sitting. Chevious and Sirius had been playing a game of wizard's chess while the others watched.
"Yes, Professor?" Eiez asked. The others stared curiously.
"I suppose that it's safe to assume that you were the ones who flooded the Slytherin Common Room?"
"Now what makes you say that?" James asked innocently.
"THIS!" Kettleburn answered holding up a piece of parchment that read:
Hope you enjoy your new swimming pool, you slimy gits!
Sincerely,
Your friendly neighborhood Gryffindors
"I told you we shouldn't have put that up!" Feathin exclaimed before yelping as Eiez elbowed her in the ribs.
"FEATHIN!" Eiez hissed as Feathin massaged her side.
"I rest my case," Kettleburn proclaimed. "Someone MUST pay for this! Therefore, I have assigned you all detention during the Hogsmeade visit Saturday."
"WHAT?!" they all shouted.
"That's not fair!" Eiez whined.
"No one ever said life was fair, Miss Adkins! It wasn't fair that the Slytherins had to sleep in the Great Hall while their things were being dried, was it?!" He cleared his throat. "You all will report to the Entrance Hall at 8:00 that morning."
Kettleburn made a hasty exit. They returned the game. Sirius ended up losing to Chevious AGAIN before they all said their goodnights and went up to bed.
----
Will you come and tell you love me or let me go
I guess we'll have to see
----
The week went by very slowly as the detention loomed ever closer. Chevious had been quite depressed all week. Eiez and Feathin had been looking forward to visiting Zonko's with James and Sirius, so she would have had Remus all to herself. She had planned to go up to the Shrieking Shack where she and Remus could be alone. She had planned to tell him how she had felt, and, hopefully, had the same affection returned. But now that she had to serve detention, Chevious had lost her nerve to do it because she wanted to do it while no one was around.
Saturday arrived and everyone was excited about the Hogsmeade trip. Well, everyone except Chevious, Eiez, Feathin, James, and Sirius considering they weren't going. It had snowed the night before, making them even more miserable. The group sat in anguish while finishing their breakfast.
"Well, well...what have we here?!" came the loathing voice of Lucious Malfoy who was accompanied by his greasy haired friend, Severus Snape.
"Eat slugs," Feathin mumbled, staring at her plate.
"Tsk, tsk. So sorry you have to miss Zonko's sale," gloated Malfoy.
"SALE?!" they all yelled.
"Oh yes. Zonko's is giving everything away at 90 off."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
"Yes, but to bad you'll have to miss the trip. Well, we'd better get going before Zonko's is sold out. Tutaloo!" They turned and walked out of the hall to join everyone else.
"7:50, C'mon guys. Let's go," said Eiez, checking her watch. They went out into the Entrance Hall to wait. They watched the 1st and 2nd years go outside and start a snowball fight.
"This sucks! We should be out there having fun or at Zonko's!" said Feathin.
"Chill! Let's just get this over with so we can go all right," replied Chevious.
Just then, Professor Kettleburn came out of the Great Hall carrying mops, brooms, dust rags, and....A VACCUM!?!?!?!?!
"All right all. Let's go!" he chirped, giving them all something to carry. "Your detention is to clean all the common rooms without magic."
He led them to the Hufflepuff common room. Once inside he turned to them.
"All right, Mr. Potter...you will mop the floor. Eiez and Chevious will dust. Mr. Black will vacuum. Feathin will sweep. Now, I'll be back in a few hours to check on you. You are to make the beds, clean up all the rooms including bathrooms, and start a fire the fireplace. I'll be back in a few hours. If the common room and dorms are spotless you will move on to the next common room. See you then!" he said.
Kettleburn left them to do their jobs. Feathin and James started on the bathrooms and the rest of them started on the 1st year dorms.
-------------
Chevious burst into the bathroom. James and Feathin were leaning against a wall chatting. She ran up to them. She stopped to take a breath. Chevious tapped her friend on the shoulder.
"Feathin," she panted.
"Just a sec, Chev!"
"But Feathin!" she whined.
"Hold on!"
"But Feathin!"
"WHAT?!?!"
"Sirius got his robes stuck in the vacuum!"
"Okay, we'll take care of it in a minute."
"But Feathin!!"
"WHAT?!"
"He's still wearing them!" Feathin's jaw dropped and her eyes grew very wide.
"WHAT?!?!?!"
They ran up to the 3rd year boys' dorm and, sure enough, Sirius was wrestling the vacuum to get his robes out of it. Eiez was to busy laughing to help him. Feathin rolled her eyes. She walked over to the outlet and pulled out the plug.
"Did you try turning it off Sirius?"
"Oh!" Sirius exclaimed with a cheesy smile. "Oops!"
-------------
"I'm whipped!" said Sirius, plopping down into one of the common room armchairs that night. "And we didn't even get to go out in the snow!"
"Stop complaining!" yelled James.
Everyone sat by the fire. Remus come in and joined them.
"Here! I got these for you guys," he said as he handed each of them a bag. "Go on! Open it!"
"OH WOW!! Thanks Rem!" said Eiez.
The bag contained bag of stuff from Zonko's, a bag of sweets form Honeydukes, and a small butterbeer.
"You're the best, Moony," said Sirius. Eiez nudged him in the ribs.
"Moony?!" said Chevious, a little confused.
"I'm really tired too!" Feathin exclaimed, stretching. "Good night all!"
Feathin disappeared up the staircase.
"Me too!" Eiez interjected. She vanished in the same manner that Feathin had.
"Goodnight," Sirius yawned.
"You coming, Remus?" James asked.
"In a minute," Remus replied with a weary smile.
"Suit yourself," Sirius sighed. "Night."
"Night," Chevious replied.
"G'night," Remus said.
Sirius and James made their way up the steps. An awkward silence settled between Remus and Chevious. She could easily tell he wanted to say something important, but couldn't find the words. He just sat beside her, not even glancing up at her as he usually did when they were alone or when no one seemed to be looking.
Curiosity taking hold, Chevious eased slowly into his head. She came across a sealed off portion of his thoughts. No matter how hard she tried, Chevious couldn't break through the mental barrier. She eased back into her own body quite perplexed. What was he trying so hard to hide from her?
"Chevious….I…" he began.
"Yeah?
"I need to tell you something."
"What?"
"I'm…"
"Hey, Chevious." Lily Evans was behind them. "You going up?"
"In a sec. I was talking to Remus."
"Want me to wait for you?"
"Go on, Chev," Remus ordered. "I'm gonna head up too."
"Oh.....ok........night, Rem."
"Night."
----
You're unpredictable
And that keeps me interested
But I'd rather have you right here instead
----
Chevious awoke with a start. Cold sweat covered her skin. She had had another nightmare, but what had it been? Since her dreams usually came true, it was important for her to attempt to remember. She concentrated. She had been alone…..crying…….then……a small pinching sensation on her neck…..and then…a shrill pain had pulsed through her body.
She shivered, finally realizing the balcony door was open. She got up and strode over to the doorway. She stepped on to the cold stone balcony, letting the cool breeze toss her untidy hair. Her bare feet grew numb very quickly, but something had caught her attention. She leaned over the rail. A black dog was prowling across the grounds. Her left eyebrow raised skeptically.
She went back into her room and looked around. Everyone was asleep. She grabbed her cloak and ran out of the castle, being careful enough not to be seen. She crept across the grass in the direction she had seen the dog go.
She spotted him next to the Whomping Willow, which had been a new edition to the school her first year. The dog raced between the its thrashing branches and touched a spot with its paw. The tree froze. A passage opened beneath it. The dog waited and then slid down the hole. The tree sprung back to life.
Chevious looked around for something to throw at the knot the dog had touched. By her foot sat a rock. She picked it up and chucked it at the knot as if it were a Quaffle. Direct hit! Being a chaser had its advantages. She quickly slid down the small hole, landing hard on the dirt floor.
She felt her way along the narrow passageway. It ended abruptly with a set of steps that Chevious nearly tripped over. She climbed them cautiously.
"Ouch!" She hissed.
She had hit her head on a trapdoor. She pushed it up slightly, just enough to peer inside. Sirius now stood in the middle of the room. Where did he come from? Remus appeared out of thin air before her very eyes.
"Thanks for coming out here with me tonight, Padfoot," Remus said, sitting down on a ratty looking thing that looked as if it used to be an armchair. It was now reduced to a wooden frame with some fabric on it; there was a bit of stuffing left in it, but most of it was strewn all over the hard, scratched up wood floor.
"No problem, Moony," Sirius replied.
"You'd better transform now. The moon's coming out."
"Right."
Her eyes grew to the size of saucers as Sirius transforms into the shaggy black beast she had followed here. He sat very still for a moment. He barked a few times. Then silence again.
An ear-shattering yelp of pain made her jump. Remus doubled over, falling to his knees. His robes disappeared beneath a growing mass of fur. Her eyes grew even wider, if that was possible. Remus was a werewolf! His nose became longer, growing into a snout. His ears perked up, becoming more wolf-like. The half transformed Remus turned his beady yellow eyes on the trapdoor.
"SIRIUS!" He growled.
The dog turned its gaze to the trapdoor. He yelped in surprise. She had been holding the door a quarter of the way open; just enough for Remus to get out through. Chevious tried desperately to shut the trapdoor, but the ancient hinges were frozen in place and wouldn't budge. The dog leaped in between Remus and the door. He growled viciously, dark hair standing on end.
Remus, now fully transformed, leaped at the trapdoor. Chevious jumped backward, tumbling down a few steps. The trapdoor remained stationary. She could see the shaggy, black dog to fight the wolf back from the opening. To her horror, she saw Remus beat Sirius off of him.
Chevious stood slowly, not quite comprehending what was going on. The wolf's beady eyes were gazing at her from just inside the room. She began to back up slowly. One thought broke through the fear. Run! Chevious turned quickly and took off down the passage, stumbling a few times, nearly falling once or twice.
She burst up through the hole at the base of the Whomping Willow. The icy night air hit her face with brute force. This didn't stop her. She knew she was dead if she stopped running. Footfalls behind her quickened, coming near with every step.
She tripped. Her face hit the dirt, jarring her body. She rolled over, pushing her self backward. The wolf was almost on her. There was no escaping. She screamed. No one seemed to have heard her. Not a single light appeared in the castle windows. Not that it would have mattered. They would never have made it to her in time.
It leaped at her, bearing its teeth, ready to shred her body into tiny pieces. Chevious automatically raised her arms before her face and slammed her eyelids shut, expecting excruciating pain. It never came. She heard Remus yelp.
She lowered her arms to see a magnificent stag poised to attack only a few feet away. His antlers were lowered as if to change at any moment. Remus was getting up off the ground. The stag had thrown him to the side as if he were nothing. The werewolf bounded off into the night.
The stag raised his head. It twisted its head around to face her. As suddenly as it had appeared, The stag changed shape. It was James. His exhausted face frowned at her.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT HERE?"
"I should ask you the same question," she huffed, finding her voice in an instant.
"YOU WERE ALMOST KILLED!" he shouted.
His usually bright eyes were hard. His expression was unchanging.
"Don't you think I realized that, or do you think I was running away from him just for kicks?!'
The dog appeared at James' side, promptly changing back into his human form. Sirius appeared as if he had been thrown into a shredder. Cuts and deep bruises covered his white skin. His breathing came in gasps. His eyes were identical to those of James, hard and furious.
"How did you get into the Shrieking Shack?" he asked sternly.
"Is that where we were?" Chevious replied.
"Answer the question!" James ordered.
"I followed Sirius," she answered.
"How did you get passed the Whomping Willow?" Sirius questioned.
"I saw Sirius press the knot. I just threw a rock at it and went down the hole after him. Why didn't any of you tell me Remus was....a.....a......"
"Werewolf?" Sirius finished. Chevious nodded. "He wouldn't let us say anything. I suppose he was waiting for the right moment to tell you."
"Do Eiez and Feathin know?" Their silence answered her question. "They do, don't they?"
"Yeah. They figured it out. They weren't stupid enough to follow us," James answered.
"Are you calling me stupid?!"
"Umm.....yeah, kinda," Sirius replied.
Chevious clinched her fist tightly at her sides. Anger raged in her. Her mind was ready to launch a mental attack on them.
"C'mon, Chev," James said. "I'll give you a ride back up to the castle."
James morphed into his animal form. He lowered himself to the ground, allowing for her to mount. Chevious stood her ground, unmoving, still building up mental power. They have a point I guess. What kind of an idiot follows a random, possibly diseased, dog? You are stupid for not picking up on it in the first place! Why else would he get sick every month?! Chevious allowed the power she had built up to slip away. She reluctantly clambered onto the stag's strong back. James trotted magnificently back up to the castle.
-------------
"Remus?" Chevious said as he entered the Common Room later that week. It was his first day back after the full moon. Chevious had been waiting for him.
"Yeah, Chev?" He looked more exhausted and sickly then usual. She almost forgot all about her anger. Almost.
"Can I talk to you?"
"Sure," he replied, sitting down on the couch beside her. Eiez and Feathin glanced up curiously.
"Alone," she added.
Eiez and Feathin moved out of Chevious' sight, though still in ear shot.
"So, what's up?"
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Come again?!" Eiez and Feathin pretended to howl behind Chevious. Remus saw them and got the point. "Oh....."
"Did you think I was a complete idiot?!"
"No.....not at all.......I just......"
"You just what?!" Anger was rising in her again.
"I just didn't think you'd still be my friend if you knew, ok! I was afraid you'd never talk to me again, let alone even look at me the same way!"
"Did you honestly think I wouldn't find out?!"
"Well, I hoped you wouldn't," he muttered.
"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!"
"Chevious, I'm sorry, okay! I tried to tell you last week after your detention, but….."
"BUT WHAT?! I couldn't be trusted enough?! Is that it?!"
"Look, I screwed up! Curse me for being afraid you'd walk out of my life forever!"
Chevious was silent for a moment, trying to decide if she was truly mad at him or frustrated with her own stupidity. She rose from her place on the couch. Remus looked up at her, fear in his eyes.
"Well, I guess you made your own fear came true! Goodbye, Remus. Consider our friendship over."
Chevious turned, striding briskly toward the Portrait Hole. Tears were beginning to flow down her cheeks.
"Chevious!" Remus called after her.
"Just leave her alone for a while," Feathin suggested. "Give her some time to cool off. I know she didn't mean anything she said."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
Meanwhile, Chevious had found an empty classroom. She sat alone in a dark corner, back to the door. Tears were streaming from her eyes as she sobbed. She had done it again. She had pushed him away, but this time it was for good. She had gone a bit overboard this time. She had let her temper and frustration take over.
"He'll never forgive me," she whispered, mentally scolding herself.
Chevious cringed as the large wooden door creaked open behind her. She didn't even bother to see who had come in.
"Go away, please," she exclaimed. "I wish to be alone."
The person only drew nearer. The person knelt down beside, and rested their large, icy hands on her shoulders. She tried to say something, but her voice caught in her throat. She didn't make a sound. Her body seized up. She was helpless.
"Do not vorry," the person assured her in a thick French accent. He pushed her hair away from her neck, exposing the semi tanned flesh. "Zizz weel be all o-vare in a moment."
A sharp pinching sensation pierced her neck. At first she felt nothing, then, a searing pain surged from her neck to the rest of her body. Her body began to lose feeling. Remus, I'm sorry. The classroom around her began to spin. Then……darkness.
----
You give me
Just Enough
To keep me holding on
Till I'm ready to move on
Then you find a way
To make your play
And then I stay
----
"Well, Poppy?" Dumbledore began. "What is your diagnosis?"
"I'm afraid it's a….."
"A what?"
"A vampire bite."
"How is she?"
"She's lost a lot of blood, but she's still alive. Lucky for her Mr. Lupin found her in time. Even so, I'm afraid it would take a miracle for her to survive the night. I've done all I can. All that we able to do now is wait and hope for the best."
Remus listened miserably from the other side of the curtain. He gently gripped Chevious' colorless hand. He gazed at the IV that was pumping blood back into her body. Her breathing was shallow, but it was there. He wasn't going to give up on her. Not yet.
"I'd better get him. Visiting hours are over."
Remus tightened his grip slightly as he watched Madam Pomfrey's silhouette reach for the curtain. He wasn't going to leave her here all alone. She needed him now, more than she ever had.
"Leave him, Poppy," Dumbledore said. "He seems quite upset over the matter. Allow him to stay with her."
"All right, he can stay. I'll get a blanket for him. He mustn't catch cold."
Madam Pomfrey scurried off in the direction of her office. Dumbledore parted the curtains and took a place beside Remus' chair.
"Thank you, Professor."
"You are very welcome, Remus. I'm sure that you overheard what was being said."
"Yes, sir, and this whole thing is all my fault."
"How so? Are you implying that you are a vampire as well as a werewolf?"
"No, no. Nothing like that." Remus sighed. A lonely tear trickled down his cheek. "We got into a fight. She got upset and ran off on her own. I found her in the Transfiguration classroom like this."
"Remus," Dumbledore began, placing a comforting hand on the boy's hunched shoulder. "This is hardly your fault. If it wasn't her, it would probably be someone else lying in that bed, who could possibly even be dead. There was no way you could have prevented…."
"She was upset because I didn't tell her I'm a werewolf," Remus interrupted. He lowered his head, eyes closed. More tears streaked his pare skin, staining the white covers. "She…..She got mad because she thought that I didn't trust her enough to confide in her. We fought, and she stormed out of the Common Room."
"I see."
Madam Pomfrey appeared beside Dumbledore with a warm, fuzzy blue blanket for Remus. She draped it over him.
"Thank you," Remus replied.
"You're welcome, dear. Come, Headmaster. I'll show you out."
"Thank you, Poppy. Good night, Mr. Lupin."
"Goodnight, Professor."
The pair disappeared from view. Remus turned his attention back to the pale, half dead body that lay atop the hospital bed.
"Chevious, I'm so sorry," he confessed. "This is all my fault. If I had just told you, this wouldn't have happened. I can't even imagine a world without you in it. You're all I think about most of the time. The truth is........Chevee......I love you....."
"Mr. Lupin?"
Madam Pomfrey peered in through the curtains. She was now sporting a white terrycloth robe, blue bunny slippers, and her usual nurse's hat.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey?"
"It's late. Go to sleep."
"All right. G'night."
"Goodnight."
She didn't leave. She stood there until she was sure he was fast asleep. Then, she too went to bed.
-------------
Remus awoke with a start. He bolted upright from the strange position he had fallen asleep in. He stared around frantically. Chevious was gone. Her bed was very untidy and she was nowhere to be found. Remus began to panic. Fear ran rampant through his thoughts. Had the vampire come back for her? Had she died during the night and been taken away without his knowledge? Had she....?
The curtains slid open. Remus whirled around so fast he nearly fell over. Relief washed over him. There she stood Chevious. A few rebel strands of hair were escaping from her twin braids. Her pallid flesh made her beautiful green eyes stand out more than usual. One hand dragged the IV along at her side. The usual smile brightened her tired complexion.
"Chevious!"
Remus threw his arms around his surprised friend. She didn't return it at first, too surprised by spontaneous hug. Her unoccupied arm wrapped around his thin waist.
"Wow!" She exclaimed. "I should go to the bathroom more often!"
"I'm SO glad you're okay!"
"Of course I'm okay! I just went to the bathroom."
Chevious sat down on hospital bed. It was eerie how close the color of her skin was to the sheets.
"Did you get a good look at the vampire?"
"What vampire?"
"You don't remember?!"
"Remember what?!"
"Why your here."
"I have no clue how I got here. The last thing I remember us fighting, and then a severe urge to pee. So, naturally, I got up to go to the bathroom."
"WHOA! Too much information!"
"Sorry. Anyway, why am I here?"
"You were attacked by a vampire after our fight. I found you in the Transfiguration classroom. Madam Pomfrey didn't think you would make it through the night."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Were you here all night?"
Remus blushed slightly. "I was worried about you. Plus, I figured it would make up for our fight."
She smiled. The room seemed to light up in Remus' eyes.
"Chevious, I....."
He allowed himself to lean in. Chevious waited, no objection escaped her lips. Her eyes simply drifted shut.
Without warning, the curtains began to slide open. They both jumped back in surprise. Madam Pomfrey was wheeling in a cart carrying new bags of blood. Her old face brightened when she saw that her patient had roused.
"I'm glad to see you are awake, Miss Nogard," she said. She changed the bag quickly and turned to leave all the while muttering, "A miracle. It's a miracle."
Meanwhile, else where, hooded figure stared at the scene unfolding in his crystal ball. A deep groan escaped his unseen lips.
"She vill be mine."
----
Just Enough
To give me hope
That you will fall in love with me
Just Enough
Just Enough, baby
----
"Chevious! Your Alive!" yelled Feathin, tackling her friend to the floor.
"It's nice to see you too, Feathin. Could you do me a favor?"
"Sure! Anything!"
"Get off."
"Oh! Sorry!"
Feathin helped Chevious up.
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
"Well, you're just in time for breakfast," Eiez announced.
They made their way down to the Great Hall. It was already filled with people who were eating, chatting, and laughing quite loudly. They took their usual seats by the others.
Loud screeching echoed off the enormous walls. Hundreds of owls flooded into the room. A large snow white bird with hits of gold round her neck and tips of her wings landed in front of Chevious. It was her owl Psyche. A letter was bound to one leg and a newspaper to the other. She handed the paper to Eiez who promptly opened it and began to read. Chevious untied the letter and the owl flew back to the Owlery.
She tore open the letter. It was from her father. It was addressed to her and Eiez, since she had lived with them since their 2nd year. Before that she had lived in an orphanage. Now she was like Chevious' sister. The letter to them read:
Dear girls,
I believe it would be wonderful to have your friend staying with us for Christmas.
I already sent an owl to his parents to let them know he would be in good hands over the holidays. See you at the Kings Cross in a week.
Much Love,
Dad
"Hey, Ei," Chevious said. Eiez peered at her over the paper. "What is this all about?"
Eiez folded up the paper and removed the parchment from between Chevious' extended index and middle fingers. She read over it. A smile broke across her face.
"Hey, Rem!"
Remus turned to her. He was munching on a piece on semi burnt toast.
"Pops says you can stay with us over the holidays."
"Great. Thanks."
"What is going on?" Chevious asked, bewildered.
"Remus' parents had to go on a business trip, and, since all of us were going home for the holidays, I invited Remus to stay with us."
"Oh, okay."
"YES!" Feathin shouted. She jumped around happily holding a letter from her parents. The all eyed her strangely. "Mom and Balin are planning to take me, Sirius, and James with them to Spain on holiday!"
Chevious remembered when Feathin's parents split. She took it pretty hard. About a year later, her mom got remarried to James' dad.
"Sounds like fun," Peter replied.
"Yeah! I can't wait to go!"
"Ditto. When do we leave?" James asked.
"Says here they'll be here in three days to pick us up."
"YES! Only a few more days of classes! This break can't get any better!" Sirius exclaimed excitedly.
"How 'bout the rest of you?"
"I have to go stay with my grandmother," Peter sighed. "My parents are taking 'the kid free weekend they always wanted' in Ireland."
"What about you, Lil'?"
"I have to brave the break alone with Petunia at Aunt Violet's place."
"I feel sorry for you," Feathin exclaimed. "You sister has to be the worst muggle of them all!"
Chevious eyed her loathingly. "Not that their all TERRIBLE!" she added quickly.
"I wouldn't doubt that she is," Lily joked.
-------------
Chevious scanned the crowds of Platforms 9 and 10 for her father. Remus sat on his ice cold trolley fidgeting with the zipper of his jacket. Eiez was sitting on her trunk reading some romance story she had picked up in Hogsmeade on one of their not exactly authorized trips. Psyche chattered loudly in her cage. The muggles on the platform eyed them suspiciously.
"Where is he?!" Eiez asked, annoyed by the fact Mr. Nogard was late.
"There he is!" Chevious announced, pointing at a short, balding man striding toward them.
The man was at most 5'2". The little hair he had was dark brown. His blue eyes were hidden behind a pair of wire framed reading glasses. He was a bit on the plump side, but he wasn't exactly fat. He wore a beige suit and a red tie that had golden snitches on it. He was often asked about it at work, but he always told them it was one of the balls used to play a game his daughters had learned at school and nothing more.
"DAD!" Chevious shouted as she threw her arms around him in welcome.
"Hey," Mr. Nogard replied, returning her hug.
"Hi, Pops," Eiez chirped, giving him a hug as well.
Mr. Nogard's eye twitched slightly. Eiez loved to call him Pops. He got so annoyed by it that it was hilarious because he'd never say anything to her about it.
"This must be Remus," he said, extending his hand to him. "I'm Chevious' father."
"I figured." They shook hands. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Nogard."
"Now then, shall we go?"
Chevious, Eiez, and Remus followed Mr. Nogard with their trolleys. They stopped behind an old station wagon. They tossed everything in the back and climbed into the car. The group drove for hours until they reached a cozy two story cottage outside of Middleton. It was painted white with light blue shutters. A large garden surrounded it, though no flowers were in bloom since it was obviously December. A narrow, curving sidewalk led up to the large white door.
The group lugged their luggage inside and dropped it in the foyer. Mr. Nogard turned to them.
"Well, why don't you both show Remus around. I'll take care of the trunks."
"Are you sure, Dad?" Chevious asked. "That can wait. We should help you."
"It's fine. Go on."
"I'll stay and help Pops out. You go ahead and show him the place."
"All right…..If you say so. C'mon, Remus."
Remus followed Chevious down a narrow hallway. The walls were lined with pictures. Remus stopped and looked up at a few. There was one he recognized not to high up. Chevious and Eiez had brought a few rolls of film and a camera with them after the holiday break two years ago. They had taken pictures of all of them so that Mr. and Mrs. Nogard could see who they had made friends with. This particular picture was of all of them making faces at the camera. He chuckled. Others included baby Chevious playing in the sand at some beach, two family portraits (one with and one without Eiez. The one without was taken when Chevious was about 7 it looked like), and one of the day Eiez moved in; the photo showed Eiez and Chevious lugging her things from the car.
"Remus, are you coming?" Chevious stared at him from the end of the hall.
"Yeah."
He strolled down to meet her. They were standing at one end of a small peach painted room. A tiny, circular table sat in the middle of it. Five shabby looking chairs sat around it.
"As you can see, this is the kitchen. Its pretty much every person for themselves when it comes to meals, except on Christmas Day or on the rare occasion Eiez decides to cook."
She turned and moved on to the adjacent room. A large entertainment center sat in front of a large, dilapidated, shell colored couch. A large video collection sat on the left side of the entertainment center while a large music collection sat on the right side. A large window ran the length of the only other available wall. The forest green plush carpet didn't really match the bluish-off white walls too well. In fact, nothing in the room matched even remotely.
"This is our family room. It is, by far, the ugliest room the house, but Eiez and I hang out in here most the time. You can do pretty much anything ya want to in here." I have a pretty good idea of what I wanna do in here, Remus couldn't help but think.
After he mentally slapped himself, he followed Chevious back into the kitchen. They crossed it and entered another hallway. Only three rooms branched off of this hall. They didn't really enter any of them. One was a classy, old fashioned dining room. It was very plain, containing only an enormous table with numerous chairs around it and a china cabinet. Some photographs adored the light, flowered wallpaper along with some wall lamps. Another was to living room. It contained a large beige sofa with gigantic pillows, two matching armchairs sitting catty-cornered next to each other facing the couch, and an oval shaped mahogany coffee table. The final room was just a bathroom.
They wandered to the end of the corridor and entered the foyer once again. The traveled up a somewhat wide, two flight, carpeted staircase. At the top was a large hallway that ran the length of the house. The staircase was set in the very center of one of the enclosing walls. Chevious spun around to face him.
"Down that way," she began, gesturing to her right (for those that aren't the brightest crayon in the box, that's Remus' left), "Is my room, Eiez's room, and my dad's office." Remus peered down the hall. A large rectangular window looking out over the countryside away from town adorned the dead end wall. "And down there, is Dad's room, the bathroom, and your room." She gestured to her left.
Chevious started down the hall to her left. "Shall we?" she asked over her shoulder.
At the very end of the hall Chevious opened an off white door. Inside the room, a queen sized bed sat up against the left hand wall. Sunlight streamed in from the rather large window across from where they was standing. His trunk sat beneath it.
"This is your room. The bathroom is the just down the hall."
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Letting me stay with you for Christmas."
He stepped closer to her. His eyes stared into hers, causing her heart to beat rapidly in her chest.
"Not a problem. Anything to help a friend out."
He stopped his advance. "Yeah…anything for….a friend." He sat down his bed and stared at her for a moment before looking out the window, trying to hide his rejected expression.
-------------
8:00 a.m., December 23, two days before Christmas. Chevious lay sleeping soundly in her full size plush bed. The purple fuzzy sheets creased under the weight of her body as she rolled onto her stomach, burying her face in her feather pillow. Small rays of winter sunlight snuck through her blinds and highlighted her deep blue walls. A tiny black kitten named Jezella curled up on a cushy round chair filled with pillows. Such a peaceful December morning….little did she know what was about to happen.
Remus tiptoed down the long hall of the upper floor of Chevious' home. He walked quietly past the bathroom, but stopped a moment to listen. Running water echoed off the walls and through the small crack in the door. Knowing Chevious wouldn't be up so soon, he assumed it was Eiez, and carried on to Chevious' room. He tentatively reached out for the brass door knob on a brightly colored purple and midnight blue door. Slowly, he pushed the door open and winced as it made a creaking noise so loud he thought the plaster would fall from the ceiling. Remus had just awoken himself, and was feeling the chilly air quite well considering he was only in his boxers. They were quite adorable actually. Tiny strands of Christmas lights that actually blinked decorated the black silky fabric. They had been a gift form his mother the year before. Remus was almost embarrassed about them, but then again, after being friends with Sirius, nothing could embarrass him anymore. He grinned as he saw a mass of beautiful flesh covered in fuzzy purple blankets. He quietly tiptoed over the squeaky floor boards and sat down on the edge of Chevious' bed. A few strands of chestnut brown hair had escaped her ponytail and fell into her face. Remus smiled, and brushed the strands away from her face. Chevious stirred and rolled over to face Remus. Upon feeling an intense stare, Chevious awoke.
"Remus?" she said groggily.
"Wake up sleepy head." Remus grinned.
Chevious sat up, stretched, and yawned quite loudly. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Oh…well…" Remus blushed; he didn't very well want to say he couldn't wait to see her. "I was thirsty."
Chevious looked a little down. "Oh."
They sat in silence for what seemed like forever, both gazing at each other, and then looking away again.
"Remus, I…" Chevious began.
"Chevee, I have to tell you…" Remus began at the same time.
They both grinned. "Ladies first," Remus said.
"Well, Remus, I just wanted to tell you that…it means a lot to have you here for Christmas. And…I love you." There. She had said it. No going back now. "I've loved you ever since I talked to you before getting on the train my first day at Hogwarts. I loved seeing you everyday. Even when you looked tired and downtrodden all I wanted to do was reach out to you and make it all go away. When I saw you transform into a werewolf…I wasn't appalled. I felt your pain as you howled away into the night, and I wanted nothing more than to pull you close and stop your pain. I guess I just wanted to tell you that you mean an awful lot to me…and it took me a while to realize this, but I love you, Remus," Chevious blurted out in one burst of emotion that she had been holding back for so many years.
Remus just sat there, awestruck, not uttering a word.
Chevious mistook his silence for the answer no. She looked down at her fuzzy comforter. "I'm sorry. I just shouldn't have said anything. I knew you didn't feel the same…" Tears clouded her vision, and a lonely tear drop flattened a patch of purple fuzz.
Remus saw the lone tear escape. He reached out his hand and lifted Chevious' head so that her eyes met his. Tears were flowing steadily down her cheeks now. "You," Remus began, "have no idea how long I have been waiting to hear that."
Chevious' eyes instantly brightened. A smile sprang across her face like the sun rising on a gloomy day. Remus used his thumb to wipe a tear off her cheek. "I guess what I'm trying to say, Chevee, is that I love you too." She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Remus was the first to pull away. He gazed into her eyes. His head slowly drifted forward. Their lips were millimeters apart when Chevious' door burst open. Remus dove under her bed in one swift movement. At Chevious' door stood Eiez. Her long, curly, red hair sopping wet and her short form wrapped in a fluffy light yellow towel. She was mad as a hornet. And a wet hornet at that.
"WHERE IS MY PINK BUNNY UNDERWEAR?!" she bellowed. For such a small person, she could make an awful amount of noise.
The look on Chevious' face went from shocked to annoyed. "How many times must we go over this?! I DON'T HAVE YOUR PINK BUNNY UNDERWEAR!"
Eiez didn't seem convinced. "I KNOW YOU TOOK THEM! YOU'VE BEEN EYEING THEM UP EVER SINCE SIRIUS GAVE THEM TO ME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY! AND I KNOW THAT YOU WANTED CHANGE THE MESSAGE ON THERE TO SAY 'LOVE REMUS' INSTEAD OF 'LOVE SIRIUS'!"
Chevious was at a loss for words. Eiez was speaking of the adorable knickers Sirius had gotten her for Valentine's Day. They were pink with fluffy bunnies that were enchanted to hop around. There were sparkly red words on the front that read 'Love Sirius.' She had to admit they were cute, and Eiez loved them to death. She wanted to wear them today on account that Sirius was coming to visit. In a flash, Eiez had rushed over to Chevious dresser and began to throw open drawers. She pulled open Chevious' knickers drawer and began tossing brightly colored pieces of fabric all over the room. From under the bed, Remus watched. He was seeing too much of Eiez that he never wanted to see. A pretty pair of red lace undies flew from Eiez's hand and landed right smack on Remus' nose. He blushed a beautiful crimson color. Remus plucked the lacy thing off his nose. On the front, kind of down low, was one word, 'Remus.' There was a tiny silhouette of a curvy girl on it who strutted around and blew kisses every now and then. Remus grinned like a madman (a habit he had picked from Sirius, no doubt) and laughed silently to himself. Eiez continued her ranting for a few more minutes. She raided every nook in Chevious' room, until she gave one last glare and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Chevious laughed.
"You can come out now!" Chevious called.
Remus clambered out from under her bed. He had a smug grin on his face. On his index finger he twirled the pair of lacy, red undies. Chevious' mouth dropped to the floor and she turned redder than Eiez's hair.
"AHHH! Where did you get those?!"
"they landed on my nose." Remus grinned. "So, what' the deal with this?" Remus asked while pointing to the sparkly black 'Remus' on them.
"Well, Eiez and I were bored one weekend over summer break and we decided to have a Little fun with Mom's enchanted sewing machine. We each made knickers that were enchanted to say our deepest desires. In the end, Eiez's ended up saying 'Sirius' and mine….well….you can read…" Chevious trailed off.
"I see…" grinned Remus. He sauntered over to Chevious. He cupped her cheek in his hand. "Maybe you wouldn't mind modeling them for me sometime," he said suggestively.
-------------
The doorbell broke through the air that was thick with the smells of roasting turkey and baking rolls. Chevious and Eiez listen from their positions cooking in the kitchens as to who had arrived. The voices were muffled by the people already chattering in the living room.
"I'll go see who's here," Eiez proclaimed. She cleaned off her hands, removed her apron and disappeared down the corridor.
Without warning, a pair of arms encircled her waist. Chevious glanced up from the mashed potatoes she was making to see Remus standing behind her. A small smile danced across her lips. He rested her chin on her shoulder.
"Hey," she cooed.
"Hey," he replied.
"Who's here?"
"Sirius and Peter."
"Lemme guess. Eiez is saying hi."
"Yeah, in a way."
"I see. Are you in here to help."
"Hell no! I can't cook worth crap."
Chevious laughed. He pulled her closer to him. She felt is lips brush against her neck. The sweet sensation of his touch made her knees weak. They rocked slightly from side to side.
Someone cleared their throat behind them. Eiez was leaning against the doorframe. Her left eyebrow twitched slightly. A smile spread slowly across her face.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Remus pulled reluctantly away from her. They glanced at each other. Eiez just stared at the pair silently waiting for either of them to answer.
"Well, ummmm….I'd better go say hi to Sirius and Peter," Remus exclaimed. He brushed past Eiez. He gazed back at Chevious for a moment. Then, he made his way down the hall toward the living room.
"Well?" Eiez asked.
"Well what?" Chevious replied, turning back to the potatoes she had left forgotten on the stove.
"What was that?" Eiez asked, taking her place beside her. She began stirring the gravy and doing varies other things around the kitchen.
"What was what?"
"Oh, don't play dumb with me? I'm better at it! I saw you and Remus getting a little friendly."
"Well…."
"Girls!" Mr. Nogard called.
"Yeah, Pops?!" Eiez replied.
"Come out here and say hello!"
"Be right there, Dad!" Chevious yelled back.
"We'll finish this later," Eiez stated.
-------------
New Years Eve, 11:55 p.m.
Remus lounged on the couch in the family room. Chevious was snuggled up next to him. His arm was draped around her shoulders. Eiez was finishing off a batch of chocolate chip cookies she had baking. Sirius lay sprawled on the floor. James and Lily cuddled up on the floor by the window. Peter twiddled his thumbs. Feathin was helping, or at least attempting to help, Eiez with the cookies. The New Years Celebration was being broadcasted via satellite. Everyone's eyes were glued to the tele.
"The year 1979 is almost upon us, ladies and gentlemen," the announcer declared. "There is only five more minutes left of 1978."
"Where has the time gone?" Eiez sighed as she and Feathin appeared with the cookies.
"Yeah," Feathin agreed. "Seems like just yesterday we were first years."
Like vultures, everyone grabbed at least 3 cookies and devoured them.
"It's hard to believe we're graduating in June," James added.
"YES!" Sirius exclaimed. "Almost free!"
"Oh can it, Sirius!" Lily scolded. "Graduation is supposed to be a sad time."
"Only Sirius could be happy about graduation," Peter laughed.
"Yeah," Remus joked, "He practically has his own drawer in Filch's 'rule violators' cabinet along with a wanted poster."
"With a very unattractive picture, I might add," Sirius jested, making a super-modelish pose and batting his eyes. Everyone laughed.
"This is it ladies and gentlemen! Only one minute left in 1978!" the television announced.
The friends silenced as the crowd on TV counted the seconds.
.....Thirty seconds....
Remus looked down at Chevious. A sweet smile lingered on his lips. 'I love you,' he mouthed.
.....Fifteen seconds....
His head drifted forward.
.....Five.....
Chevious' heart pumped vigorously in her chest.
....Three...
Her eyelids slid shut.
.....Two....
Every cell in her body hummed with anticipation.
.....One....
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone shouted.
Remus' lips were on hers in a passionate kiss. Sweet ecstasy coursed through her veins. His hand caressed her neck, pushing her hair back. Shivers danced up and down her spine. Time seemed to stop all around them.
Reluctantly, Chevious and Remus pulled back, allowing the moment to slip away. All around them, their friends stared on with smug and relieved expression. Applause broke out. The pair could do nothing but blush and smile at everyone, as well as each other.
-------------
"Curze 'im!"
The cloaked figure pushed his crystal ball off the table on which it had been sitting. The glass orb was catapulted into the cold stone wall, shattering it into a million pieces. His slammed a pale fist down on the ancient table.
The figure rose. He sauntered out onto the adjoining balcony. He pulled back his hood. A blast a white blonde hair emerged. His boyish complexion was as white as the snow upon the ground. His piercing, icy blue eyes stared out into the cold night. A gold earring gleamed in the light from the torches that adorned the doorway.
"She will be mine...."