Don't think I've totally lost it, but I did get the new Jennifer Lopez album (not like I paid for it. Working for a radio station can have its advantages). I hate to say it, but its good solid pop, and there is a song that fits this fic PERFECTLY! I'm going to try to incorporate the lyrics as I go along.
I know, I was really shocked too
Chapter 11
You can find me in the club, indeed.
While my outfit may look great on the dance floor, it really wasn't the best at sitting in the back of a limo.
Truthfully, it wasn't that bad. The skirt was short, but it was blue jean with bleach spots all over it and the hemline looked as though someone took a rusty pair of scissors to it. I really liked them. The top, while something I wouldn't have picked on my own, was pretty nice too. The tie-behind-the-neck-sequined tank covered my front very well (it didn't expose my gut, which I liked) and it left my back mostly bare (I liked that as well). When this was all over, I would have to go out as myself wearing one or both of these pieces.
No, the clothes were basically ok; it was the shoes that were the problem.
Six-inch heels. SIX FREAKING INCHES! Granted, they were Manolo Blahnik's. The sales lady had just raved about them and said that these were the latest from the "MB" line (as if I was to know EXACTLY what she was talking about. Of course, Jennifer would know, but I just smiled and nodded. I was expecting some sort of cookware, when she shows up with these monsters).
As "sexy" as I may have looked, however, I was outshined.
Oh boy, was I outshined.
Its strange, I never thought that I would fall for the whole "make-over-the-guy-and-start-swooning" thing. It's so cliché. Besides, no one can really change THAT much.
But….wow….
Let me try to explain using a pretty simple example. When I was little, we lived in a suburb of London that was a pretty even mix of muggle and wizard. Our neighbor was an older couple by the name of Hector and Roberta Sanchez. They had lived most of their lives in Spain and had moved to London to be closer to their many grandchildren, who invaded their tiny home on the weekends. They were nice enough people asked no questions about the sometimes "strange" goings on at my parent's house. All in all, good neighbors. The most interesting thing about our neighbors was their ability to coax magic out of the earth. Hector was a horticulturist expert who could give Sprout a run for her money. All times of the year, I would watch him work in his garden. My mother, who usually had no interest in the ways of muggles, was fascinated by Hectors abilities. She would constantly ask question and try to duplicate the wonders of the Sanchez garden in our own (she has gotten pretty good at it, by the way). Getting back to the point, Mr. Sanchez would bring in seedlings that I couldn't believe would grow into anything. Droopy, yellowish and not healthy looking, Mr. Sanchez would always tell me that I shouldn't "judge a book by its cover". "These will be the most beautiful flowers, Nymphadora, they just need a little bit of attention. If I were to leave them like this, they would remain as they are. Flowers are like people. Sometimes they need a little help to achieve their full potential. A little pruning, fertilizer and water and you just watch. In a few weeks these will be the most beautiful flowers in my garden."
Mr. Sanchez would have been proud of the house elves.
I entered the room expecting to see elf parts dripping from the walls. Instead, I saw Albus talking to a large Chinese screen.
" Well, Severus? What do you think?"
I heard a small sigh
"Albus, I must say, this could be much worse. At LEAST you got the colors right"
Then a figure swooshed out from behind the screen and I lost my balance and landed right on my rear.
Taking the sight in from the bottom, this is what I saw. Black on black trainers with very dark and very distressed jeans. A black belt encircled a trim waist and was slightly covered by a close fitting (but not too close fitting) green tee shirt. A black blazer covered the shirt and was finished by a dark green pocket square. A very nice ensemble, but that was not the most shocking. The most shocking (in a good way) feature the crème de la crème that top off this fashion statement.
I saw a man. A man of clear complexion who looked rested and calm. The wrinkles had been smoothed; the sallow color had been replaced with an average skin tone. The dark circles that had threatened to swallow his dark eyes were no longer the most prominent feature. The dark eyes shone out like polished obsidian. The hair that had once looked like it had been used to mop a garage floor, was clean and cut into a non-obtrusive style that complimented the thin features of the face. A very stylish and modern look, but not too stylish, giving the subject a devil-may-care-party-guy vibe.
The eyebrows raised and the lips smiled (the ability to sneer properly had been washed and sanded away, but Severus didn't know that).
"Well, not EXACTLY the reaction I was going for, Ms. Tonks. I can see from you shocked expression that you either approve greatly or are too horrified to speak. If you don't mind, could you please remove yourself from the floor so I can see what I'm going to be battling against on the dance floor."
He offered me a hand, again with the same smile.
"Sev, the sneer is gone. So are the yellow teeth and the dark circles. You are going to have to try much harder too look mean and menacing. That smile looks less satanic and more sexy…"
I wasn't actually looking at him during this little speech. The dust a Grimmald place has more hold than your average inter-stellar face sucker. I was trying to extract a well-placed strip that had lodged itself on the hem of the skirt, plus I was expecting a diatribe of insults after using the word sexy.
I heard nothing.
Looking up, I saw a very relaxed potions master enjoy the view that my stance was affording him.
"Why thank you, Ms. Tonks. You look quite fetching yourself."
I shot a glance at Albus, who chuckled
"You two can fawn over your new looks in the limo. Severus. Tonks. Remember your instructions and the special additions I have given to both of you (what?). Keep your eyes and ears open, but do have a good time. Be safe, above all, and I do mean safe in ALL things (Albus got two pairs of very confused eyebrows raised at that one). Goodbye and good luck."
I looked up at my escort.
"Well, Severus. Offer me your arm. I'm pretending to be a proper lady so you pretend to be a gentleman and give me an escort to the car."
Snape lowered his head and whispered in my ear.
"My dear, you may not wish me to be such a gentleman at the end of the evening."
Yikes. Did Albus give him Spanish fly while I wasn't looking?
We were in a large SUV speeding to one of the swankiest clubs in London, China White. This was a members only club, but we had been presented with cards and ID's to match our new selves.
In every battle, its good to have a good entrance and exit strategy.
"Severus, there will no doubt be reports and photogs stalking the entrance. According to our instructions, we are engaged at in a "clandestine affair". We don't stop for pictures or to answer questions. Briskly move into the club and head straight for the VIP section…"
A small chuckle was heard from the dark shadows of the truck.
"Nymphadora, it would probably be best if we call each other by our "stage names" so we don't make any mistakes in front of the public. By the way "Jenny" (ugg) the entire club will be full of the upper class of London. Its safe to assume they will be armed with the camera's and phones that take pictures. We were told to put on a show…"
He moved from out of the shadows and settled beside me. Wrapping an arm around my bare shoulder, he whispered.
"…Don't you think we should practice so we don't look like bumbling teenagers?"
I was certainly hoping he ignored the goosebumps and the squeak in my voice.
"Have you sunglasses ready, BRODY. We are almost there."
I thought I heard him whisper something about a "close-up" and "Mister Deville", but I couldn't be sure.
