Chapter 23 - The End before the Beginning (Part One)

The golden clock in the Gryffindor common room, which sat proudly on the mantelpiece above the fireplace, softly chimed nine o'clock to the Marauders who were waiting patiently for their dates. The June's sun was surprisingly still high in the purple sky giving a truly magical feeling to the evening and extra warmth to an unexpected windy night.

Sirius looked amused at his best friend, James who was once again running an agitated hand through his unruly hair as Lily had not descended from the girls' bedrooms. As he continued to gaze, Padfoot admitted to himself that the Marauders were a bunch of handsome gits. James was fitted in black robes with grey stitching detail on his collar and cuffs which showed off his slender form gained from the several hours of Quidditch practice a week and matched his hair colour. It scared Sirius to notice how Prongs at this moment resembled Mr Potter, strong and serious, though the mischief in James' hazel eyes brought Sirius from his wandering.

Sirius snorted unintentionally loudly. I'm sounding like one of those girls who describe the fashion in Witch Weekly!

Remus' lifted his eyebrows as if asking "What's wrong with you?"

Sirius grinned and shook his head at Lupin. He was glad that the full moon wasn't for another week as Remus was looking forward to his date. Black could tell that Remus had taken special time looking good for Anne. Moony had opted for pale silver which complimented his stormy blue grey eyes and light brown hair. The way the dress robes bellowed out added extra bulk to his slim figure, taking away the usual ill complexion for once.

"What can they be doing?" asked James thoroughly exasperated.

"Don't worry Prongs", said Sirius flashing a smile, "Lily is not climbing out the window because she changed her mind…it's a ten floors drop."

"Thank you, Sirius," laughed James, "your support always bounces me back into looking at the positives in life."

"No problem," he winked.

With the exception of James' pacing, the room fell into an easy silence. Sirius glanced over at Peter who was struggling not to drown in his chocolate coloured robes. Like everything else in the clothing department, Wormtail's mother had sent his robes and as usual order them two sizes too big. James and Remus had tried to spell them shorter but nothing had worked. Sirius secretly thought that Peter's mum was doing it on purpose for some abnormal reason.

"Oh Merlin!" muttered James which got Sirius' attention. As he turned round to face the staircase, Sirius was greeted with a very beautiful Lily who was smiling widely at James reaction. It was a comical expression on Prong's face with his eyes popping out their sockets as they travelled the full length of her sparkling forest green robes. Sirius had to admit with Evan's red, rebellious hair curled nicely and flowing down her back with her dress hugging her petite but curved body, made it easy to see why James fell in love with her three years beforehand.

But his rambled thoughts were interrupted when Raine came into his viewing. He knew his mouth was gapping in surprise and he just identify the chuckles from his fellow Marauders laughing at him, but Raine was…was…gorgeous. Her brown hair was shining sleek with the front pulled back by snowdrop gems, making it cascade down her back. The midnight blue of her dress brought out her doe-like eyes. He loved the dress: it fitted her like a glove, the knee-length split at one of the sides in her robe showed off her legs as she made his way to him. To his pleasure, the dress robe had a low back which reminded him of the green one he had caught her in.

When Rain came to stand in front of him with a shy smile, all he could do was return it with a huge grin and often his arm. As she accepted his strong arm, he pulled her closer to him as the rest of the group made their way to the portrait.

In his low husky voice Sirius claimed, "You look dazzling…enough for me to consider taking you anywhere but the Ball and show how much you I love you…right now." He was rewarded with a faint blush on Raine's cheeks as she gazed into his dark, intense eyes.

Flashing him an impish smile, she replied, "Well, maybe this will be your lucky night to prove your statement." She laughed as Sirius looked shocked.

Was she just saying what I think she's saying! She better not tease me because in that attire, I think I will break my promise to be the gentleman.

"Now, love", he said reproaching her teasing, "don't be cruel. This heart can only take so much". To add the dramatic mood, Sirius placed both hands over his chest and sighed heavily.

"Who said I was joking!" Raine winked at him seductively and kissed his lips in a lingering embrace, enjoying every moment at being the instigator.

Sirius' body was feeling all tingling inside at Raine's show of affection. The beaming smile on his face, which light up his handsome features, would not disappear. "Let's get this party on its way, shall we?"

Raine nodded her head vigorously as she and Sirius headed to the Great Hall where the Ball was being held. Tonight, she mused, is going to be the greatest night of my life!

Zelda was frustrated, annoyed but mostly bored out of her mind as she threw another heavy book on Defence Against the Dark Arts to the opposite side of her dorm. Lying on her stomach on her bed, Zel noted that she was only seventh year not attending her Graduation Ball.

It's just a boring ball she tried to convinced herself, Hogwarts have them every year. Who am I kidding? I want to go to my Ball. I mean, when is a girl like me, ever going to show kind, serious, thoughtful and all round nice guy, Remus Lupin who I truly am! Face facts Zelda, you are doomed spinster. After tonight you will buy a cat and fluffy slippers so you can slip into the role easily.

At least before she was condemned to stay in her bedroom, Zelda had apologised for her unusual behaviour to Raine and said it was the NEWTS getting to her. It had worked as Raine forgave her and then went on trying to persuade Zel to come to her own Ball. After enduring an hour of pestering from her friend, Zelda once again lied and said the real reason for her not being able to attend was because seeing of Remus with his beautiful date, Anne. Raine finally accepted it as an answer and promised not to tell a soul. With that Zelda left the Great Hall with the Marauders looking puzzled at her behaviour and Raine's reluctance to give an explanation.

Snape's revelation in the broom cupboard about her, Zelda MacGregor, being the next target of Voldemort and that he had sent the Avenging Angel to kidnap her was scaring her out of her mind. Natural, the first thought was to inform Professor Dumbledore, but when she voiced this to Snape, he convinced her that without proof, no teacher would ever suppose that a manic would directly attack Hogwarts. So their thought up plan was for Zelda to miss the ball and stay holed up in the Raveclaw tower for the rest of night because no one outside Ravenclaws would know the password.

Zelda still shivered at the thought of the Avenging Angel; she was angry but most of all scared out of her wits.

He killed my whole family for our special magical abilities. Doesn't that show him that there are some pure bloods that would die before joining Voldemort? Why me? If he thinks that because I'm a girl that I'm weak then he's got anything coming! I would never join Voldemort…never! I rather go the way my family went! I wish they were alive and here with me- to laugh and tell me that I'm a silly goose. Maybe I should of told Sirius, but I couldn't I didn't want the Marauders' pity and see sorrow in their eyes for the rest of my life.

All this musing was done with sadness in her heart which did not change her outlook on the up and coming events of the night. Although she had to admit that Severus was taking a large risk on his behalf, she could feel that it was also for his own benefit too. Everyone knew that in this day and age any hint of dark magic being used in Hogwarts would automatically be connected to Slytherin House. Suspicious would fall particularly on the seventh years and anyone caught with the Dark mark burned onto their arm would be thrown directly into Azkaban prison.

All this negativity brought the urge of having some comfort food and for ten minutes, Zelda debated of she should risk going down to the kitchen after promising Snape that she would in no circumstance leave the tower until tomorrow. But her stomach gave out a huge rumble which made up her mind for her. There is no way that the Avenging Angle is stupid enough to try and kidnap me when I'm still in the school… and he would have to pass a full hall of teachers and seventh years unnoticed…very unlikely to work!

Although she had argued her way to go to the school's kitchen, Zel still jumped at moving shadows and her skin crawled at any slight noise. Not able to stand it longer, Zelda gave up trying to go quietly and stealthily and broke into a run for the last few corridors. Only when she was greeted friendly by the elves did Zel realised that she was holding her breath.

Sirius believed he was the happiest (and hottest) person in the world as he held his absolutely gorgeous girlfriend in his strong arms as they softly moved to the slow music. Of course being the flirty Black, he was born too, he had been told off by Raine several times about his hands positioning and to a certain extent he knew that he did it to tease her as well as loving the feeling of her squirm against him. However, every time Raine looked up into his handsome face and gave that special smile, which he considered to be reserved for him, his whole body comes out in goose-bumps.

Again his hands were moving circular downwards on Raine's bare back with deliberate slowly. This action was playing havoc with Raine's emotions and her mind. She should really tell him off again but it felt too good to stop as the warm flame in her abdomen began to grow and leave her breathless. Since her body and mind seem to be against her, her body moved closer to Black if that was even possible in their current position.

Sirius flashed Raine a devilish grin at her highlighting his dark intense eyes which was her biggest weakness. Of course, the rest of his muscular figure was not a put off. Raine was still amazed that she had one, found a boyfriend who loved her and secondly that it happened to be the deemed sex god of Hogwarts.

Sirius lowered his mouth to Raine's ear enjoying the sensation of Raine's reaction as his lips lightly brushing against her earlobe. "I think we should sit down, especially now since the music has stopped."

Raine glanced around her as Sirius mentioned there was no music and true to his word, many of the couples and group of students were heading off to their seating to give their feet a rest.

"I never noticed", Raine informed Sirius as he kindly weaved them through the crowds to their table which was on the opposite side of the Great Hall.

"Well with me as your partner, why would you?" Sirius replied cheekily as Raine tried to give a mock glare but failed miserable and laughed instead.

"Who would indeed?"

Their sitting arrangement at the table was quite easy, although Raine had a her own seat, not once during the night did she had the time to use it as Sirius always managed to coax her into sitting on his knees with teasing kisses and holding her in a tight embrace.

To Sirius surprise, Raine and himself was the only couple at their table which they sharing with the other Marauders. Perching his chin on Raine's shoulder he quickly scanned the hall for the rest of the pack. It was easy to spot James with that mop of a hair and saw that Head duties were getting in the way of enjoyment for James and Lily. They were in deep discussion with the Headmaster at the teachers' table.

Sirius noted that Remus and his date were at the refreshment area and was scanning the crowd like Black had done seconds ago. It was only when Moony met Sirius' eyes that he indicated with wild hand gestures if Raine and Black wanted drinks. Black nodded enthusiastically and beamed at his old friend.

The sharp pain that Raine received in her shoulder, from Sirius' communication with Lupin brought her back to reality. She was off dreaming and worrying a tad about the event that she hoped would happen after the Ball with Sirius.

"Black", she murmured softly, "your chin is lovely but not when it is digging into my shoulder."

"Sorry love," Sirius said apologetic. "I'll kiss it better." He gave her a sly wink and turned his full attention to her bare neck. He gently slid the strap of her dress to the edge of her shoulder and lightly began to nuzzled her soft skin. He registers her gasp at such a daring display of affection and felt himself smiling against her neck at her reaction.

"I …I think it's…better…now," Raine spluttered out between Sirius' lips doing torturous things to her shoulder blades, "thank…you."

With a final kiss, Sirius replaced the strap and fixed Raine's hair at the back and contented himself to snuggle with her. "Glad to be of service," he whispered.

The happy couple was a peaceful silence with one another as they flirted their eyes instead of talking. Raine was in total bliss just leaning back into Sirius' embrace and having him murmur the occasional words about certain people on the dance floor.

Nevertheless when Sirius' arms tighten considerable, she knew that something was wrong and opened her eyes slowly to see surprisingly Severus Snape standing in front of them.

"What do you want Snape," commanded Sirius who was trying not to reach for his want and blast the slime ball into eternity.

"Actually nothing from you Black," Severus replied with the same cold tone. "I came here to ask Raine for a dance since I won't see her after tonight."

Sirius was about to jump in and tell Snivellus to shove it but he stopped himself as Black remembered the strange friendship that Raine had with him. Unconsciously, Sirius tightened hiss hold on Raine's waist.

Raine's mind was racing. She knew how Sirius felt about Snape and vice versa but this was her dear old friend Severus. She turned slightly to catch Sirius' eyes and silently begged him to accept her choice. Although there was a growing scowls on his gorgeous face, Sirius dropped his arms from her waist and gestured a shooing motion to her.

She beamed at him and quickly gave him a small kiss on his cheek, whispering, "I love you." And with that, she grabbed Severus hand and quickly dissolved into the dancing crowd before Black could change his mind and register the fact that she had said those three, powerful words.

Sirius was mopping now. With his arms crossed and a thundered-struck face glaring out to the dance floor, even the Black fan club did not take the chance to venture to the handsome, young man who was without his girlfriend.

Why him? Why did she have to be friends with that …with Snivellus! If there are not back in ten minutes then I'm off to look for them. I can't trust that sneaky wee slimy…I wish James was here and I wish I hadn't promised not to prank!

His stormy dark eyes travelled the dancing group in the middle of the hall and after seeing Raine being held by Snape, Black looked at the floor next to him as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

Then he noticed it. A crumbled piece of paper laying two metres from his chair. Curious Sirius bent forward and seized the scrap and, being the nosy Marauder, he straightens it out to read it.

After reading the subsequent note, Sirius paled. His heart went into overdrive and his body broke out into a cold sweat. The message was simply enough to understand and understand it Black did.

It read as clear as day.

Snape

Bring her to the Forbidden Forest at 12.00pm. DO NOT be late or there will be consequences. Follow the plan. Do not fail the Dark Lord.

Avenging Angel.

Sirius was having a panic attack, nothing that he had ever experienced before. His Raine was in danger and he had simply given her away to that monster. Standing up with great urgency, Sirius looked for Raine in the crowds but could not see her. Damn it! Where is she?

Sirius hurried to the doors but was stopped by James who had noticed the agitation on his face. "What's the matter Padfoot?"

"Raine," said Sirius, "I can't seem to find her and read this!"

James had a job pulling out the paper from his friend's strong clutch. At once Prongs understood. "Well they can't be that far and it's another hour until midnight so I will inform the other guys and let's spilt up and search the castle. Ok?"

Sirius nodded his head and could not express his gratitude to his friend. "Tell me if you find her."

"Will do."

James disappeared into the throng of students while Sirius headed outside the Great Hall to pursue Snape and stop him.

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Oky doky I was suppose to finish the story in this chapter but I have changed the ending so many times that I can't decide! I hate my own head at the moment- why can't it decide and stick with it! Anyway I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter and as usual I ask for your time to review it. Could you please inform me if it is not clear who the Avenging Angel is after. I wanted a little bit of mystery but it could all go pear shaped if none of you understand my quirkness. Next chapter will be up soon. I thank you all for your comments- they make me stronger!