Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, events and/or places that are recognized as being written and created by J.K. Rowling. J.K. Rowling owns all the characters and places from the Harry Potter books including the ones used in this story.
A/N: Ok, so I guess I've disgusted a lot of people with my Clea and Snape snog fest, heehee. Every good story needs twists, right!? But, don't worry I promise there will be no more kissing scenes for the Potions Master in this story; and for those few that liked them, I'm sorry, lol.
Anyways thanks again for reveiwing (freakin-person: hilarious once again! and Jelli-baby: you gave me ideas when you mentioned a love potion! I should have thought of that!! :D)
One more thing: the Ravenclaw student in this story is not canon, I made her up. And the part with Trewlaney refers to the part in HP&tPoA when she mentions, at the Christmas dinner, that she offered to crystal gaze for Remus.
&&
"All right, if I can have a volunteer?"
Clea stood in front of her class of fourth year Ravenclaws. The students, all though paying attention and vaguely showing interest, were antsy and twitchy. It was the second last day before the end of the first term; even Clea felt ready for a break.
The days dragged on since the weekend of Remus's transformation. Clea seemed to feel every second as it passed her by.
She decided that acting normal was the only way to deal with her feelings. Sadness, anger, embarrassment, confusion; they all took turns reining over her mind. The one thing she knew is that she loved Remus, and it was time to stop playing games.
"Maggie, thank you," Clea said, pointing at the bobbing head of dirty blonde hair in the third row of seats. "Now, Maggie," Clea continued when the young girl made her way up to the front. "You're going to help me cast a rune and read its meaning."
Clea picked up a soft velvet bag that was filled with small stones; rune symbols sketched and painted onto the top of each one.
"To start off, Maggie, I want you to think of a question."
"About anything?" Maggie asked quietly; she blushed as her eyes shifted over to a brunette boy in the back row.
Clea caught the path of Maggie's eyes and laughed softly. "You can ask a question about anything in the world, and the runes will shed light on the answer. They won't give a clear yes or no, but a path you should take." Clea smiled and bent down closer to Maggie's ear; "and don't worry, no one will hear what you're asking."
Maggie giggled and closed her eyes. "I've got it," she exclaimed.
"Good," Clea said. "Now picture your question clearly in your mind. Visualize every little detail about it, and when you're absolutely ready reach your hand into the bag and choose a rune."
Maggie's fellow students sat up, laughing and whispering about what, or who, she was thinking about.
Clea stood next to the young girl, patiently holding open the small pouch. As she pursed her lips, motioning for her students to quite down, she couldn't help but also laugh at the intensity on Maggie's face.
The Ravenclaw was still standing there, eyes squashed closed, after a minute. Clea felt regret in telling her to choose a rune when she was ready and not after thirty seconds. Clea shifted her weight to her left side, and tried to mentally make Maggie stop visualizing.
The set of windows closest to Clea's desk suddenly burst open and a small, but plump, cream colored owl flew in. Clutched in its beak was a letter, which it dropped gracefully onto the desk, before it whipped around and flew back out.
Clea leaned closer to her desk and strained her eyes to read the writing. She only took in the first word, but by the hand writing alone, she immediately knew who the letter was from.
To: Cleopatra Black, care of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and From: Andromeda Tonks were written in elegant cursive on the front of the envelope. Clea felt her heart leap up, and she was barley able to contain her overwhelming excitement.
Clea felt a hand start to grope her arm, and she straightened back up to find Maggie ready to choose her rune.
Once Maggie's fingers found a suitable rune, she picked it out of the bag and placed it on the desk in front of her.
"Can you tell me what rune that is?" Clea asked, immediately resuming her role of educator. Maggie stared at the small stone. "It's Mannaz," Clea stated; her impatience for class to end growing steadily.
"Does anyone know what Mannaz means?"
A few hands rose, and Clea picked the first one her eyes caught. "It means Mankind, or self," said a small, button-nosed boy.
"Correct," Clea said, trying to nonchalantly peak at her wrist watch. "Mannaz represents Mankind, and can symbolize forward planning. Now, Maggie this stone was cast for you reversed. Interpret it for me."
Maggie swallowed loudly. "Um," she said in a small voice, her finger pulling at a stray strand of hair around her ear.
Clea looked over at the letter on her desk, at her wrist watch and back to the letter. "Allow me, Maggie," Clea blurted out. "Don't worry about not knowing, it's tough," she added, feeling horrible.
"A personal interpretation of Mannaz means that Destiny is waiting for you to make your move, but first you must understand yourself to grab it. Because this stone was reversed, the meaning actually pertains to the person that the caster had in mind."
"In other words," Clea added, smiling mischievously, and motioning for Maggie to take her seat. "If I were wondering whether someone liked me, then this stone would tell me that they did, but that I need to wait for them to figure out they do; and wait for them to come find me." Clea winked subtly at Maggie, who started giggling and whispering to the girl next to her.
Clea walked over to her desk and picked up her letter. "There is still fifteen minutes left, but because this is our last class before break, I'll let you leave a little early. You're homework is to repeat the exercise we just did and write up your interpretation of the stone you choose. Have a happy break!"
The students practically squealed unanimously, and rose from their seats, making their way out of the classroom. Clea stood by her desk, shifting the letter back and forth between her hands. Once the last student exited her room, Clea swung around to her desk chair, and ripped the envelope open.
She pulled out the small piece of parchment and smiled as she read it.
Cleopatra. How are you, dear? It has been too long since we've last spoken, and I miss talking to you greatly. I am writing you in hope that you will for once accept my offer to have Christmas dinner with Ted and me. I have invited you every year since your mother died, and this year you have no excuse not to come! Please owl me back with a big yes. A 'no' will not be accepted this time! Love, your cousin, Andromeda.
Clea laughed and re-read Andromeda's letter. Andromeda was the only family member Clea liked to, or wanted to, stay in contact with. The two sent letters back and forth weekly for awhile, right after Sirius was arrested. Slowly, though, Clea got sick of talking about Sirius and the letter exchange dwindled down to Andromeda's yearly Christmas invite, and Clea's yearly promise to try to come; which would always end up with Clea not wanting to leave Paris.
This year, Clea had no reason not to go. She wasn't in Paris anymore, she wasn't depressed and anti-holiday; and she also dearly missed her cousin.
Clea grabbed a spare piece of parchment and wrote in grand, giant print the word 'yes'. She added, 'see you in a couple days' at the bottom.
Running up to her office, Clea picked Caesar out of his cage, and tied the letter to his leg, before releasing him out the window.
Christmas with Andromeda was just what she needed, only one other thing would make this Christmas complete.
&&
Clea walked around the corridor and into the Entrance Hall. She halted in her tracks, as she saw the silhouette of Professor Trelawney trying to pull a reluctant Remus up the stairs.
"Come, come! You must let me crystal gaze your future. I'm feeling the air of the psyche surrounding you."
Remus shook his head and pulled his hand away from the Divination professor. "Really, you don't need to. I'd rather not know my future," Remus stated, politely.
"Professor Lupin! It is crucial that you become aware of future obstacles!"
"Like that step behind you Remus! Watch out!" Clea shouted, laughing. Remus whipped around at the sound of her voice, and tripped as his foot missed the bottom step on the staircase.
Remus laughed and sprang over to Clea. "Save me," he whispered, grabbing her hand.
"Professor Patra," Trelawney called. "It is rare that I descend into the castle. I see something troubling you; do you need me to read your fortune as well? Your aura is telling me that your love life is hazy."
"Wow," Clea mouthed. She let go of Remus's hand, and walked forward towards Trelawney. "Can you tell me when my love life will pick up for the better?"
"Yes," Trelawney exclaimed. "But first," Trelawney reached down and grabbed Remus's hand, which was itching its way back over to Clea. "I must crystal gaze for Professor Lupin, here."
Clea burst into loud waves of laughter, watching Trelawney once again try to pull Remus up the stairs.
Remus yanked his hand out of Trelawney's clutches and used it to re-grab Clea's. "Excuse us, Professor," Remus called over his shoulder, as he ran around the corner; a giggling Clea trailing behind him.
"Thank you for showing up," Remus panted, pulling Clea into a tight embrace.
Clea giggled into Remus's shoulder, and pulled back. "You should have gone with her. You might have found out something interesting," Clea said, raising an eyebrow.
Remus shook his head. "I'd rather find out my future the old fashion way; by living it." Remus started walking off towards his office, and Clea quickly followed suit.
"I wouldn't have minded finding out about my hazy love life."
Opening the door of his office to let Clea in, Remus smiled softly. "That will become clear soon. I can see it," Remus laughed.
Clea faced him and shot him a look of pure annoyance. "I hope that means something, Professor Lupin," Clea spat out, winking softly.
Remus walked over to Clea and kissed her swiftly on the forehead. He looked her in the eye and shrugged. "It depends, I suppose, on how long you can keep you lips off of Severus."
"Remus!" Clea screamed, screwing her face up in a disgusted look. "I haven't kissed him for…about three weeks."
"I'm sorry," Remus said, laughing.
"No, I'm sorry," Clea whispered. She hopped onto Remus's desk, swinging her legs back and forth.
"All we ever do it seems is apologize," Remus sighed, sitting down next to Clea.
"You have no reason to apologize; it's just in your nature to apologize for everything you do. I, on the other hand, have done nothing good since term started and should be groveling at your feet for forgiveness."
Remus's legs kicked his desk as a response. Clea felt something brush against her back three times, before she felt Remus drape his arm around her shoulders.
"What are you doing for Christmas, Remus?" Clea asked, moving closer to him.
"Well…"
"Because," Clea cut in, not liking Remus's apprehensive 'well'; "Andromeda invited me to her house and I would really love it if you came too. So we can spend Christmas and New Years together."
Remus made to remove his arm from Clea, but instead, he tightened his hold on her. "I would love to go Clea, but…it's a full moon that weekend. I'm staying here."
Clea sighed, and grabbed Remus's hand. "Remus, it'll be ok. I'm sure Andromeda wouldn't mind…I mean, with the Wolfsbane, you're no harm to anyone."
Remus got up from his desk and ran his fingers though his hair. "Clea, please understand. I don't want to be a burden. It'll be better if I just stay here, and no mistakes will be made."
The want to argue with Remus made Clea also spring off the desk; but she immediately felt tired of arguing. Remus is very cautious of who finds out about his transformations, and Clea knew that nothing would make him go with her.
"Ok, Remus," Clea said, genuinely smiling. She spun around and grabbed a sheet from the pile of blank parchments on Remus's desk, and his quill. "I'll write down Andromeda's address. I don't expect you to come, but…New Years Eve is a week after the full moon; if you're feeling up to it." Clea turned back around. "I would love to be able to kiss this face at midnight," she said, reaching up and stroking Remus's cheek.
&&
Clea packed her bags and was ready to leave for her cousin's house on Saturday morning.
She stopped on her way past Remus's office to say Good-Bye to him, but he wasn't there. Clea entered the empty office with the intention of leaving Remus a lengthy note. Half way to his desk, she decided not to; she didn't want to make him think she was mad or upset with him for not promising to come and see her.
In the Entrance Hall, Clea dropped her bags at the door, and peered outside. Dumbledore had arranged for a carriage to come pick her up. Clea didn't see one outside. She sat down on her largest suitcase to wait.
"Professor Patra, are you leaving for break?" Hermione called out to her, as she came bounding down the staircase from Gryffindor tower.
"Hello, Hermione," Clea said, standing up. "Yes, I'm going to spend Christmas with my cousin. You're staying here?"
Hermione nodded her head. "To keep Harry company," she said, softly.
"That's nice of you, Hermione." Clea looked past Hermione, hoping to see Harry close behind her. "Where is Harry this morning?" she asked, trying to sound indifferent and not anxious to wish him a Happy Christmas.
"He's, um, sleeping in," Hermione said. "Well, have a Happy Christmas, Professor."
"Happy Christmas, Hermione," Clea said, smiling. "And Hermione, don't start my homework until the very last second, ok?"
Hermione blushed, as she started walking backwards towards the Great Hall. "I've all ready finished it," she squeaked.
Clea laughed. "Enjoy your break," she said, waving as Hermione turned around.
"Where are you going?"
Clea's laughter ended immediately, as she registered whose voice uttered those words. Spinning around on her heels, Clea found she almost collided nose to chin with Snape.
"I'm spending the break with my cousin," she said, stepping back. "Are you going anywhere?"
"No, I'll be here," Snape said, also stepping back from Clea. "I thought you would be staying here also."
"I was, but…it'll be nice to get away for a little while."
"Away from me?" Snape said, sourly.
"Perhaps," Clea spat out. "Look, Severus; I don't know what has been going on between us, but it has to stop. It's not fair to anyone, and…I'm sorry for leading you on."
Snape pursed his lips. "You haven't been leading me on," he answered, a wicked grin trying desperately to blast through his usual grimace. "You know there is something here. You're just scared."
Clea rolled her eyes. "I don't want to ever talk about this again, ok? It just needs to stop. We can only be friends." Clea leaned back to look outside, and saw her carriage and its invisible driver waiting for her.
"Have a Happy Christmas, Severus," Clea said, smiling and hoping that Snape didn't hate her.
Snape reached down and picked up Clea's suitcase. He walked out the door, and Clea followed sighing deeply and rolling her eyes.
"Thank you, Severus; but I can handle it," she shouted, but Snape had all ready neatly placed Clea's bag into the carriage.
Snape turned around and stared at Clea. "Happy Christmas," he said, starting to walk away from her.
Clea's eyes never left Snape's. "I don't know what it is about you," Clea said loudly to him. He stopped next to her, fixing her with the most intense glare Clea had ever experienced. Snape leaned towards her, but Clea stepped away. "Thank you," she whispered, getting into her carriage.
Snape turned and went back inside, as Clea felt herself being whisked down the path away from the castle.
The carriage ride, a train and an apparition later, and Clea found herself standing outside the large oak door of the Tonks's home.
Clea's finger prodded the little button next to the door frame, a mix of excitement and nervousness. The door flew open moments later.
"Cleopatra! How's my second favorite cousin?" Andromeda squealed, pulling Clea into the tighest of hugs.
