Devil's Night Ball
As October started, and the weather turned colder, the school geared up for
the Quidditch season. Lenore and Maia had plans to join the cheering squad
for Ravenclaw. They thought that it would be fun, as they both liked to
dance, and were far better at it, than at Quidditch.
During the first week of October, Dumbledore announced that he was trying something new. A dance would be held on Devil's Night, October 30th. Students 4th year and up were invited. The dress was to be formal, and yes that meant that there would be weekend trips to Hogsmead.
With Snape's help Lenore had improved in potion greatly. She was still dangerous, and had to be closely watched, but was making fewer mistakes. She had only blown one cauldron to pieces since they started. Although at least half of her potions were wrong, the destruction seemed to be contained.
Snape decided that she was definitely one of the most excitable people he'd ever met. He always remembered to put silence charms on the doors, for she would squeal in delight when it was right, and well he didn't want the explosion heard should things go wrong. She would always give him a hug when the potion worked. Sometimes, when she considered it one of the more difficult ones, she'd kiss his cheek. She always quickly apologised. She'd mumble something about being from a family that was very warm and *huggy*. He accepted the apology, in truth he liked it.
Severus realized that he really did fancy her. He found that she could make him smile, even on the bad days. That around her, he would make jokes, that the trauma from his home life, his father, was able to be forgotten. He could have intelligent conversations with her, without having to dumb his ideas down. Snape had debated with himself since the beginning of October, whether to ask her or not. They had kept it secret that he had been tutoring her.
During their session on Oct 27th, Lenore got particularly excited when the potion that had blown up in her face that day worked. She hugged Severus and kissed his cheek. "Eri, you're the best. You're a genius." She praised him.
He blushed slightly, unused to positive feedback of any kind. Especially from a beautiful, intelligent girl. "I didn't do anything. It was your potion. Your work."
"No really. It wasn't." She smiled. "You've been so much help. Thank you." She hugged him again. Snape decide that if there was a time to ask, this was it. He took a deep breath.
"Lenore, would you like to go to the ball with me?" He asked. She let go suddenly and the look on her face, was one of shock.
"Oh, Eri! I'm sorry, I already said that I'd go with someone else." She replied. She truly did sound sorry, but he didn't really notice. He nodded.
"I should have known. Sorry." He mumbled. He was crushed. He wanted to ask who, and hex the boy. How dare anyone else ask her out?
"Oh please don't be mad." She said kindly. "I would, but I already promised. I'll save you a dance."
He shook his head. "That wouldn't be right. Go and have fun."
"Eri? You okay?" She asked. He had turned away from her, and started to shuffle threw some papers.
"Fine. It was just a thought. No big deal." He replied, getting his feelings under control. Meaning that he pushed them into a ball and dropped them into the pit of his stomach. "We'd best get cleaned up. You did a really good job tonight."
"I couldn't've with out you." She stated. "Hey, have you noticed I haven't actually destroyed a caldron with you? Are you enchanting them?"
"No, I'm not." Severus replied. -But you're enchanting me.-
Snape thought over who had asked her to the ball. He puzzled over that for the next few days. He found that he couldn't even concentrate on watching the first Quidditch game of the season (Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff). He was so out of sorts that when one of the Gryffindor catchers was knocked off his broom by a bludger, he didn't cheer.
The Ball (Saturday) Lenore and Maia, headed out of the Ravenclaw common room fully expecting to meet up with their dates in the entry hall. Maia wore a violet coloured gown, that matched her eyes perfectly. Maia, who had a talent for doing hair, wore her hair pulled up into a French bun, with baby's breath and violet accents. Lenore wore a sapphire blue gown, with a pendant to match, (Ravenclaw colour). Her hair had been done by Maia, (as had many of the Ravenclaw girls, however Maia had only put flowers in her own and Lenore's) who'd pulled it back into a roll with some curls hanging lose at the back and along the side of her face to soften the look and make it look playful. Lenore had an Iris, and a red rose bud with golden tipped pedals.
"Good evening ladies. You look . . . wow! Wonderful! Might I escort you to the Hall?" Sirius Black stood there offering his arm to Lenore. She blushed. "And of course, Maia, might I escort you to the entry hall to wait for your gentleman?"
"Certainly." Lenore replied taking his arm. "You look rather nice when all cleaned up."
"Since when do you have manner, Mr. Black?" Maia giggled. As she accepted his other arm. "Thank you for the complement."
"I have manner, I just like to save them for specially occasions." Sirius teased back. He was wearing burgundy dress-robes that had black rune- stitching along the hems of the sleeves and foot. His hair, which normally hung shaggy had been tamed and pulled back.
He led them to the entry hall. Since the Marauders always entered as a group, the other three were waiting for Sirius. Maia detached herself from Sirius and moved to wait for her date, a 6th year Hufflepuff boy. Lenore felt nervous being brought to stand with the group, who were easily the most popular in the school.
Remus had a lovely 6th year Ravenclaw girl, Lenore knew to be Tori. Peter was escorting a 5th year Hufflepuff girl. James was of course taking Lily. Lily by far out shone all the other girls there, in her gold satin gown and ruby jewellery. Sirius joined them and did introductions. Lenore smiled shyly.
"I love your hair. Who did it?" Lily asked admiring the style. Lenore looked over to Maia, who was just meeting with her date.
"Maia. It's her hobby." Lenore replied.
"I'll have to beg her to do mine next time we have one of these things." Lily stated.
"Why?" James replied and kissed her neck. "You're always stunning."
"Yeah, right." Lily laughed.
"Now that we're all here. Shall we go in?" James asked. They agreed and headed in. Lenore was taken back the hall looked great. The normal pumpkins and candles that were present at this time of year had been replaced by suspended flamed and cobwebs that looked more like gossamer netting which sparkled by the light.
Before the night was over, Lenore couldn't help but notice that Silva, the Hufflepuff and Tori, the Ravenclaw looked to have agreed to come with Peter and Remus (respectively) to be seen with this group. While Lenore acknowledged that was part of her reason also, but she had been flattered that Sirius had asked her. Len thought him amusing (obviously), cute and charming (in his way).
Lenore had danced nearly every dance. She loved to dance. A few times she and Maia had danced without the boys, Lily decided that it looked like fun and joined them. Lenore found that after she relaxed a bit, she had a good time with them. She would have liked Maia to join her, but otherwise she was enjoying the evening immensely. She left with Sirius around 11, she teased that her Cinderella spell would expire if she wasn't in bed by midnight. He laughed, but agreed to take her back to her common room.
!*!*!*!*!*!*!*! Severus decided not to go. He didn't want to see her. He didn't want to know. Or worse, the school knowing that he had a weakness. It was best to stay away, let them think him anti-social. That he was used to.
However, his curiosity won out and he headed to the great hall at about 11. Most of the Slytherins had yet to return so he knew that the ball was still going on. He heard Lenore's voice in the hall.
"It was fun. Thanks for bringing me." She told her date. Severus moved closer. He had to know who it was she spoke to. He saw her first, from his hiding place. She wore, a sapphire blue gown, it was perfect and hugged all the right places to make her look radiant. Her hair, was up, with soft curls beside her face.
Severus cringed when he finally took his eyes from Lenore to see something he dreaded. Sirius Black! He held her hand, as they spoke. Severus felt betrayed. He likely could have been happy for her if it was anyone but one of the Marauders. Why him, why Sirius Black? He retreated to the Slytherin common room. He went straight to his dorm, and to bed. -Why?- He thought. -She's so much better than him.- !*!*!*!*!*!*!
Sirius leaned in to kiss her. Lenore kissed him back. He pulled her close, deepening the way he kissed her. His hands started to move over her then. Now, Lenore wasn't by any means prudish. She was as passionate, as most Ravenclaw were. She didn't have problems with public displays of affection/passion (outright fornication was a bit much in her mind though). However, Sirius' attention started to make her feel uncomfortable. His lips and hands started to be more familiar that she believed the situation allowed for.
She started to pull away. However he was stronger than she was, and wouldn't let her budge. She then tried to push him away, hoping that he would get the message. That didn't work. She was finally able to break the kiss. "Sirius, please let go."
He didn't reply, he kept kissing and nibbling her ear. He then started to work his way down her neck. Lenore started to worry now. "Sirius! STOP!!!" She ordered. She felt herself beginning to panic. He didn't seem to notice at first. Lenore began shaking, then he moved back.
"Lenore?" He looked at her. Her eyes were wide with fright. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you? Are you alright?"
"Sirius Black, let me go now!" Len insisted. He instantly let go of her. He looked worried. "I'm leaving now. I'm heading back to my dorm, and I do NOT want you to follow me. Good night." Lenore turned to head toward the Ravenclaw common room. Once she had put some distance between them she turned back. "Thank you for bringing me tonight. The ball was lovely." Then left him in the hall.
Sirius shook his head. What had come over him? He'd never felt like that before.
During the first week of October, Dumbledore announced that he was trying something new. A dance would be held on Devil's Night, October 30th. Students 4th year and up were invited. The dress was to be formal, and yes that meant that there would be weekend trips to Hogsmead.
With Snape's help Lenore had improved in potion greatly. She was still dangerous, and had to be closely watched, but was making fewer mistakes. She had only blown one cauldron to pieces since they started. Although at least half of her potions were wrong, the destruction seemed to be contained.
Snape decided that she was definitely one of the most excitable people he'd ever met. He always remembered to put silence charms on the doors, for she would squeal in delight when it was right, and well he didn't want the explosion heard should things go wrong. She would always give him a hug when the potion worked. Sometimes, when she considered it one of the more difficult ones, she'd kiss his cheek. She always quickly apologised. She'd mumble something about being from a family that was very warm and *huggy*. He accepted the apology, in truth he liked it.
Severus realized that he really did fancy her. He found that she could make him smile, even on the bad days. That around her, he would make jokes, that the trauma from his home life, his father, was able to be forgotten. He could have intelligent conversations with her, without having to dumb his ideas down. Snape had debated with himself since the beginning of October, whether to ask her or not. They had kept it secret that he had been tutoring her.
During their session on Oct 27th, Lenore got particularly excited when the potion that had blown up in her face that day worked. She hugged Severus and kissed his cheek. "Eri, you're the best. You're a genius." She praised him.
He blushed slightly, unused to positive feedback of any kind. Especially from a beautiful, intelligent girl. "I didn't do anything. It was your potion. Your work."
"No really. It wasn't." She smiled. "You've been so much help. Thank you." She hugged him again. Snape decide that if there was a time to ask, this was it. He took a deep breath.
"Lenore, would you like to go to the ball with me?" He asked. She let go suddenly and the look on her face, was one of shock.
"Oh, Eri! I'm sorry, I already said that I'd go with someone else." She replied. She truly did sound sorry, but he didn't really notice. He nodded.
"I should have known. Sorry." He mumbled. He was crushed. He wanted to ask who, and hex the boy. How dare anyone else ask her out?
"Oh please don't be mad." She said kindly. "I would, but I already promised. I'll save you a dance."
He shook his head. "That wouldn't be right. Go and have fun."
"Eri? You okay?" She asked. He had turned away from her, and started to shuffle threw some papers.
"Fine. It was just a thought. No big deal." He replied, getting his feelings under control. Meaning that he pushed them into a ball and dropped them into the pit of his stomach. "We'd best get cleaned up. You did a really good job tonight."
"I couldn't've with out you." She stated. "Hey, have you noticed I haven't actually destroyed a caldron with you? Are you enchanting them?"
"No, I'm not." Severus replied. -But you're enchanting me.-
Snape thought over who had asked her to the ball. He puzzled over that for the next few days. He found that he couldn't even concentrate on watching the first Quidditch game of the season (Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff). He was so out of sorts that when one of the Gryffindor catchers was knocked off his broom by a bludger, he didn't cheer.
The Ball (Saturday) Lenore and Maia, headed out of the Ravenclaw common room fully expecting to meet up with their dates in the entry hall. Maia wore a violet coloured gown, that matched her eyes perfectly. Maia, who had a talent for doing hair, wore her hair pulled up into a French bun, with baby's breath and violet accents. Lenore wore a sapphire blue gown, with a pendant to match, (Ravenclaw colour). Her hair had been done by Maia, (as had many of the Ravenclaw girls, however Maia had only put flowers in her own and Lenore's) who'd pulled it back into a roll with some curls hanging lose at the back and along the side of her face to soften the look and make it look playful. Lenore had an Iris, and a red rose bud with golden tipped pedals.
"Good evening ladies. You look . . . wow! Wonderful! Might I escort you to the Hall?" Sirius Black stood there offering his arm to Lenore. She blushed. "And of course, Maia, might I escort you to the entry hall to wait for your gentleman?"
"Certainly." Lenore replied taking his arm. "You look rather nice when all cleaned up."
"Since when do you have manner, Mr. Black?" Maia giggled. As she accepted his other arm. "Thank you for the complement."
"I have manner, I just like to save them for specially occasions." Sirius teased back. He was wearing burgundy dress-robes that had black rune- stitching along the hems of the sleeves and foot. His hair, which normally hung shaggy had been tamed and pulled back.
He led them to the entry hall. Since the Marauders always entered as a group, the other three were waiting for Sirius. Maia detached herself from Sirius and moved to wait for her date, a 6th year Hufflepuff boy. Lenore felt nervous being brought to stand with the group, who were easily the most popular in the school.
Remus had a lovely 6th year Ravenclaw girl, Lenore knew to be Tori. Peter was escorting a 5th year Hufflepuff girl. James was of course taking Lily. Lily by far out shone all the other girls there, in her gold satin gown and ruby jewellery. Sirius joined them and did introductions. Lenore smiled shyly.
"I love your hair. Who did it?" Lily asked admiring the style. Lenore looked over to Maia, who was just meeting with her date.
"Maia. It's her hobby." Lenore replied.
"I'll have to beg her to do mine next time we have one of these things." Lily stated.
"Why?" James replied and kissed her neck. "You're always stunning."
"Yeah, right." Lily laughed.
"Now that we're all here. Shall we go in?" James asked. They agreed and headed in. Lenore was taken back the hall looked great. The normal pumpkins and candles that were present at this time of year had been replaced by suspended flamed and cobwebs that looked more like gossamer netting which sparkled by the light.
Before the night was over, Lenore couldn't help but notice that Silva, the Hufflepuff and Tori, the Ravenclaw looked to have agreed to come with Peter and Remus (respectively) to be seen with this group. While Lenore acknowledged that was part of her reason also, but she had been flattered that Sirius had asked her. Len thought him amusing (obviously), cute and charming (in his way).
Lenore had danced nearly every dance. She loved to dance. A few times she and Maia had danced without the boys, Lily decided that it looked like fun and joined them. Lenore found that after she relaxed a bit, she had a good time with them. She would have liked Maia to join her, but otherwise she was enjoying the evening immensely. She left with Sirius around 11, she teased that her Cinderella spell would expire if she wasn't in bed by midnight. He laughed, but agreed to take her back to her common room.
!*!*!*!*!*!*!*! Severus decided not to go. He didn't want to see her. He didn't want to know. Or worse, the school knowing that he had a weakness. It was best to stay away, let them think him anti-social. That he was used to.
However, his curiosity won out and he headed to the great hall at about 11. Most of the Slytherins had yet to return so he knew that the ball was still going on. He heard Lenore's voice in the hall.
"It was fun. Thanks for bringing me." She told her date. Severus moved closer. He had to know who it was she spoke to. He saw her first, from his hiding place. She wore, a sapphire blue gown, it was perfect and hugged all the right places to make her look radiant. Her hair, was up, with soft curls beside her face.
Severus cringed when he finally took his eyes from Lenore to see something he dreaded. Sirius Black! He held her hand, as they spoke. Severus felt betrayed. He likely could have been happy for her if it was anyone but one of the Marauders. Why him, why Sirius Black? He retreated to the Slytherin common room. He went straight to his dorm, and to bed. -Why?- He thought. -She's so much better than him.- !*!*!*!*!*!*!
Sirius leaned in to kiss her. Lenore kissed him back. He pulled her close, deepening the way he kissed her. His hands started to move over her then. Now, Lenore wasn't by any means prudish. She was as passionate, as most Ravenclaw were. She didn't have problems with public displays of affection/passion (outright fornication was a bit much in her mind though). However, Sirius' attention started to make her feel uncomfortable. His lips and hands started to be more familiar that she believed the situation allowed for.
She started to pull away. However he was stronger than she was, and wouldn't let her budge. She then tried to push him away, hoping that he would get the message. That didn't work. She was finally able to break the kiss. "Sirius, please let go."
He didn't reply, he kept kissing and nibbling her ear. He then started to work his way down her neck. Lenore started to worry now. "Sirius! STOP!!!" She ordered. She felt herself beginning to panic. He didn't seem to notice at first. Lenore began shaking, then he moved back.
"Lenore?" He looked at her. Her eyes were wide with fright. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you? Are you alright?"
"Sirius Black, let me go now!" Len insisted. He instantly let go of her. He looked worried. "I'm leaving now. I'm heading back to my dorm, and I do NOT want you to follow me. Good night." Lenore turned to head toward the Ravenclaw common room. Once she had put some distance between them she turned back. "Thank you for bringing me tonight. The ball was lovely." Then left him in the hall.
Sirius shook his head. What had come over him? He'd never felt like that before.