Finals
Lenore spent the night beside her brother. Sebastian, even in his sleep
refused to let go of her hand. He had been given a Dreamless Sleep potion,
which should have taken him all consciousness, yet he was still aware of
Len's presence.
Len watched the sunrise. She wondered if Dumbledore would let her miss her classes. She doubted it. She was surprised when she saw Maia, come in to the medical ward carrying breakfast, enough for the three of them. Maia came over and gave Len a hug.
"How is he?" She whispered. Bas' eyes were closed, and Maia didn't know if he was awake or not. Len shrugged, knowing that Bas was actually awake.
"I'm fine. Really." Bas replied, a small smiled creep onto his lips. "How'd you know I was here?"
"I was told by Prof. Vector last night. I got the heads up so I didn't worry where Len was." Maia took in Len's dress finally. She was going to bug her about it later, a little too pretty for 'not a date'.
"Miss Crestwing, perhaps you can convince Miss Nightshade to let her brother rest and go to class." M. Pomfrey said approaching the three of them. Len smiled, Bas opened his eyes, and Maia giggled.
"You just want him to yourself." Len accused. Bas couldn't help but smile.
"You know very well that your brother needs his rest. As he's under my care, he'll get it." Poppy bristled protectively. "Now, you two have classes to get to. Shoe!!!"
They laughed at this. Bas hugged Len. "Maia, promise to take good care of her okay? I want my baby sister back in one piece."
"I'll do my best. But we do have potions this morning, so she might be joining you soon." Maia teased. Len groaned. Bas laughed.
"Please Len, don't on my account." Bas replied. "I'm sure you'll be allowed to visit, don't resort to anything drastic." Poppy escorted the giggling girls out. Then she insisted that Sebastian get some sleep.
The two headed off to the dungeon. Len realized that she hadn't changed. "Shit!" She replied. "I need to get my school clothes."
"You'll be late!" Maia replied. "By the way isn't that a little much for a study session?"
"Maia, not now." Len said as she turned and ran through the halls toward their dorm. Maia shrugged debating a moment on following Len or not. She decided that it was better to stay close to her, as they had always been partners in crime/potions/mayhem (wait wasn't that the same thing?). Len having the best luck in the world, ran into Malfoy, and fell backward. Maia stopped just behind her, helped Len to her feet.
"What keep you out all night?" Malfoy taunted. "Did your boyfriend not let you get any sleep?" Snape made no move nor comment a step behind him. Crabe and Goyle effectively blocking the path of escape.
Len scowled at him. "Look I don't really have time to argue right now. Can I just apologies for running into you and we hold the argument until after class?" Len dusted herself off. "Otherwise we'll all be late."
"You think so?" Malfoy taunted.
"Sod off, Malfoy!" Came Black's voice from behind the Slytherins. Turning to see, the Marauders and Lily standing there wands ready.
"I'd suggest, you let them pass. Or this could end really messy." James threatened.
Maia and Len worked their way around the Slytherins. Careful to stay out of reach and out of Line-o-Fire. They smiled at their friends.
"This isn't over, whore!" Malfoy hissed at her. Len waved, as she headed away.
"Thanks guy." She replied.
"Len, why are you, again heading in the wrong way?" Sirius asked her.
"I . . . it's a long story. But I need to change into my uniform and get to class. I'll fill you in later okay?" Len replied.
"Len, you're a witch remember?" James replied shaking his head. "As nice as that looks, why don't you just transfig it to look like your school robes?"
Len looked at him stunned a moment. "I hadn't thought of that." She giggled. "I'm just a little stressed." She pulled her wand from her boot, and changed her clothes into the school uniform.
"I liked the other outfit better, but maybe later?" Sirius suggested hopefully. This caused the group to laugh. "Great boots!"
"Let's get you to class, before you're late." Remus smiled, offering Maia his arm. She blushed and accepted. Len rolled her eyes, Maia playing bashful just was wrong, it so didn't work for the girl, but then again, Remus was buying it.
"You know that Malfoy's not done, Right?" Lily asked the Ravenclaw girls. They headed to a rather odd suit of armour. The girls nodded.
"So Len, why where you wearing that?" James teased. Lily poked him in the ribs. Ignoring Lily's behaviour. "Saw someone special last night?"
"Actually, yes I did." Len replied, following them to the secret passage. She noted Sirius' look of disappointment. "I'll introduce you after class at lunch, alright?" Len smiled. Maia tried to hide her giggle behind her hand. "How do you know about all of these?"
The boy's looked at each other. "Secret!" they said together. Then James piped up, "Marauder's secret. Not even Lily knows about them all. It helps quick getaways." They laughed. "Ladies, I believe this is your stop." James pressed a spot on the wall and a door slide open.
"Thanks!" Len smiled at them. "For everything."
"Yeah!" Maia relied. "Guess I know now why you're never late."
"Ahhh, 'til later beautiful!" Remus smiled kissing Maia's hand. Len giggled, as she ducked out on the tunnel. Maia blushed, as she headed out to class.
-Maia, I've never seen any guy make you blush before.- Len wrote on her review.
-Shut up! You have so.- Maia wrote back.
-Who?- Len had a look of confusion cross her face.
Maia looked bashful a moment. -You can't laugh!-
-Promise, no laugh.-
Maia then wrote that symbol used for Sebastian (talon*). Len almost choked, her eyes opened wide.
-M*, really?-
-L*, he's totally hot.- Maia defended. -So how was your date?-
-What date?- Len replied defensively.
-Since when do you dress all fancy for a Walk?-
-I just felt like it!- Len was starting to get agitated. -Besides, I wanted to wear my new boots.-
-What ever!!!- Maia shook her head, and smirked. She glanced up at Snape who was looking over at them. He quickly looked away. -Did SS like?-
-Maia!!!- It was rare that they every put someone's proper name down. Len looked as if she was about to have a hissy fit. -Please, drop it!-
-Fine. Did you notice that *paw* commented on your boots?-
Len smiled, and blushed slightly. -I noticed. Think he's fuming about my comment?-
-Definitely! You think that was wise?- Maia looked busy at work as Dumbledore roamed the isle beside them. Once he passed. -What if he finds out?-
-I was going to tell them about talon*.- Len looked at Dumbledore a moment. -I think that *tinkle* is on to us.-
Maia concentrated for a minute than cast a quick glance at Dumbledore. -I think that you're right!-
The two were quiet, and didn't write for the rest of the class. As they left, they felt especially self-conscience walking by him. His eye's twinkled as they walked by, which made them hurry to be out of site.
"No one can read it right?" Maia demanded. Once clear, Len nodded.
"Absolutely no one." Len replied. "However, he IS Dumbledore." They burst out into giggles. A sure sign that girls were up to something.
"How nice of you to wait for us." Malfoy's drawl came from behind them. Len and Maia turned to look at them. Malfoy, Crabe, Goyle and a much less enthusiastic Snape stood there. Len figured that Snape, would likely help them, or at least try to stay out of it.
"Look, I really didn't mean to run into you." Len replied. She would have added that *he creeped her out*, and that she'd *rather kiss a slimy-skert, than touch him*, but didn't think that would help the situation. "I don't suppose that you would accept an apology and leave it at that, huh?"
He sneered at them. "No." He stated flatly. "Not good enough."
"Look, what will a big fight get you? Hurt, maybe. In trouble, probably. Definitely, dirt and late for class. Is that what you really want?" Len tried to talk her way out of this. Knowing that Malfoy, wasn't stupid, and appealing to his reason may work. Besides, logic was her favourite weapon, and she knew that in a battle of pure force she and Maia would lose.
"Oh, I think that I should get more than an apology." Malfoy replied, a smirk crept on his lips. This very smirk had been known to make many girls swoon, it made Len want to vomit.
"Do you normally bring this much muscle along, for . . . more than an apology?" Maia replied. She stood beside Len, knowing that Malfoy was still mad about her cancelling their date.
He cast a vicious, yet sexy smile to her. "Not always!"
"Malfoy, this is getting us nowhere." Len replied. "I didn't mean any offence." Len was tried and in no mood for this little ego trip of his.
"Anxious to be somewhere?" Malfoy taunted. "Want to see your lover?"
"Lover, are you on something?" Len replied hastily. "We're f*cking 15. You might be like that but I'm not. Despite all the Ravenclaw sayings, I'm not that easy." Len shook her head, and rolled her eyes. "Pa-lease!"
"Right! Whatever!" Malfoy countered. "Then why where you all slutted up this morning?"
"None of your business." Len yelled. She was really tired of this. "You want more than an apology? You really do. 'Cause, if you want me to--" Len looked as if she might hurl on him. "I promise you, that I'll vomit. I'd rather take a curse than have to touch you in any fashion. In fact, I'm likely going to burn my shirt. The fact that I have to wear it until lunch disgusts me beyond belief."
*So much for diplomacy.* Len thought. She watched his reaction carefully. Malfoy looked a cross between laughter and furry. He surprised her and laughed. He motioned his gang to follow as he brushed past the two girls.
"What just happened?" Maia asked. The two headed for their class.
"Not sure." Len admitted. "We'll have to keep a watch for them."
"I thought that he might be slightly unbalanced." Maia shrugged.
They were greeted by the Marauders as they left class for lunch. Maia and Len looked confused for a moment. "Weren't you on the other side of the school?"
"Yes, yes." Sirius waved dismissively. "Spill!"
"Pardon me?" Len asked shocked.
"You said that you'd tell us at lunch. Well it's lunch so spill." Sirius demanded.
"He's been like this all morning." Remus rolled his eye as he addressed Maia.
"Fine." Lenore huffed. "You'll have to follow me to our dorm though. I really need to change. Malfoy coodies." They nodded in understanding, and followed her to the Ravenclaw dorms. "Look, I . . . ummm . . ."
"Oh Len. Spit it out!" Maia insisted. "She kind of rescued her brother last night. He's the someone special."
"Kind of, rescued?" Lupin asked.
"Why the outfit?" Sirius asked not convinced.
"I felt like dressing up. I haven't in a while. It's a girl thing." Len shrugged. "Yeah, I ummm . . . showed Prof Dumbledore and Mr. Moody where to find him. I insisted on going too. I spent the night in the hospital with him." Len replied. She suddenly felt tired. "Look, I'll be right back. I'm going to change." Len ducked into the dorm. Maia stayed outside with the boys.
"You knew?" James asked. Maia shrugged.
"Sort of. I was told that Len was in the hospital, sitting with Sebastian last night." Maia admitted. "Likely because I would have started to search for her by midnight. I just found out that she'd gone with them to get him."
"Where did you think she disappeared to?" Remus asked.
"Len likes to take walks to clear her head when studying." Maia replied, it was true, sort of. "I told her, that I'd come looking for her, if she wasn't back by midnight."
"I get lost once. One time! And you people just won't let me forget it." Len returned to the hall. She still wore her boots, but in her school clothes (for real).
"No, we won't. We're going to keep bring it up." Sirius teased. "And we're going to bug you ad-nauseum."
"At least until, someone else does something, equally stupid." Remus joked.
"What can we say?" James teased. "We're easy to amuse. So do we get to meet this brother of yours?"
Len smile at the mention of her brother. "Fine. Come on. He's either sleeping or driving M. Pomfrey crazy by now anyway. She'll welcome the change."
"Ahhh, are we planning on eating sometime?" Sirius asked. The girls giggled, and the Marauders just shook their heads.
"We'll grab something on the way." James assured him. They headed back to the hospital, with a quick stop by the kitchen to pick up lunch.
Len went in first. Madame Pomfrey was arguing with Moody, and Bas was lying in bed looking very amused. He waved her over, neither adult seemed to notice her.
"He's fine. You should release him." Moody insisted.
"I don't tell you how to do your job. Don't tell me how to do mine." Poppy retorted. "He's not fine."
"I know the boy's kin 'o yours, but you can't caudle him." Moody commented. "He should get back to his training."
Bas rolled his eyes. He mouthed to Len *Over an hour.* A huge smile crossed his face. Len felt like laughing. He smiled, shaking his head. "Can't you two take this else where? I seem to have a visitor."
Both adults looked over to him surprised. Well Poppy was surprised that Len was there. Moody was more surprised that Sebastian had spoken to him like that. "If the boy is well enough to risk his life like that, than he's well enough to be released." Moody insisted.
"Actually, it just proves that he needs much more rest." Poppy countered. "As he's obviously not in his right mind."
"I'll give you that one." Moody chuckled. "Perhaps we could continue this over lunch?"
"That sounds great." Len smiled. "I'll stay here and make sure that Bas is alright, while you both eat. Don't worry I won't tire him out, and I promise to get you if anything happens."
"And how you going to do that girlie?" Moody asked.
"Well, I'll send Maia. She's waiting outside." Len smiled sweetly. Pomfrey chuckled.
"Alright. You promise?"
"I swear." Len replied sounding very serious. Bas didn't believe it for a moment. "You think that I risked my hide to get him back, only for him to get tired and sick?"
"I 'upose not." Moody replied. Len thought that she saw a smiled curl his lips. They left, and Len hugged Bas.
"You up to meeting some of my friends?" Len asked softly.
"Depends?" Bas replied cautiously. "They aren't a bunch of giggling, swooning girls?"
"No!" Len replied indignantly. "Did you just infer that Maia and I are flacky?"
"I would never do that." Bas replied sarcastically. Len laughed. "Alright. Send in the clowns." Len turned to look at him, and laughed at how very appropriate that was.
"Oh, and we brought lunch." Len replied, showing her friends in. "That is if Sirius hasn't eaten it all."
"Not yet, but he's trying." James teased, as he came in. Followed by the rest. Lily's mouth dropped seeing Sebastian lying there.
"Maia you weren't kidding." Lily whispered. Lily shook her head. *I love James. I love James. I love James* she thought. *But Merlin is he gorgeous!!!*
"This is my older brother Sebastian." Len introduced. "Bas, meet James, Sirius, Peter and Remus, better known as the Marauders." Bas smiled, he'd heard of this lot, both from Len, and some of his friends still at the school. "This is Lily, and you know Maia."
"Len, if aunt Poppy comes back, you're going to get it." Bas laughed. Most of her friends looked shocked.
"Aunt Poppy?" Lily asked first, looking at Lenore. Len was blushing furiously.
"My aunt, not Len's." Sebastian smiled. "She's my mother's sister. My mother was the first wife."
"Really?" James looked scandalized. "Wizarding marriages like never break."
Bas shrugged. "That's why my mom wasn't too upset by it. Only true love can break a marriage vow in the wizarding world." He hugged Len. "Besides Len's mother really isn't so bad."
They spoke as they ate lunch. Sebastian was very please and they found that they liked him almost immediately. It was also quiet apparent the not only did Len adore him, but he adored her equally.
"Look, you lot better head off to class. I'd hate for you to get into trouble on my account. Aunt Poppy should be back soon. That is if she and Moody are still both alive." He shook his head. "I've never seen to more stubborn people."
"That's because you've never seen Dad and you arguing." Len replied.
"Now, Squirt, I wouldn't start if I were you. You can be pretty stubborn yourself." Bas teased. Len shrugged than nodded in agreement. Len remained behind after the others left, having promised to watch over him in her absence. Once alone, he asked, "So which one is he?"
"Pardon?" Len looked confused.
"Which one, is the one who's been crushing on you all year?" Bas asked again.
"Ohhh, Sirius." Len replied looking suddenly shy.
"Hmmm. . ." Bas looked in the direction they'd left. "And how do you feel about him?"
"Bas!!!" Len looked appalled. "I'm not having this conversation with you." He gave her that I'm-not-finished look. "Fine, I like him, but . . . I don't know."
"That's better." Bas replied. "Why? I bet you're causing all the boys to go crazy."
"Not really." Len shook her head. "It seems that Sirius has threatened to hex any guy who asks me out." Bas laughed.
"Has it worked?" Len nodded *yes*, he laughed harder. "How do you feel about that?"
"Part of me thinks it's sweet. Part of me is enraged, as if he has any right to lay claim on me!" Len admitted. Bas hugged her. "But how much of this did you already know?"
He smiled enigmatically. "It's my right as your big brother to keep tabs on you." He insisted. "So I here that you have a problem with potions?"
"Hell, the whole world, knows that?" Len huffed.
"At least the country does." Bas teased. "Why are you having suck trouble?"
"I don't know why, but I just can't seem to get it right. Hell I wouldn't have made it this far if I hadn't had a brilliant tutor." Len shook her head.
"I heard that you found a tutor who actually seemed to help." Bas smiled at her. "But I haven't heard who."
"And you won't." Len replied. "Part of the deal was that it remains a secret. I tell, I lose my tutor. You can understand." Bas nodded in agreement.
"So, you're getting extra lessons to prepare?" He asked.
"Actually, Dumbledore made me a deal. So I don't have to do the final." Len smiled. Bas smiled delighted at her, and hugged her. He then proceeded to yawned. "Alright. You rest. Merlin I don't need Auntie Poppy yelling at me." Just then Moody, Pomfrey and Dumbledore walked in. "Perfect timing. I need to head to class, and it looks like he could use a rest."
"Sure through me to the wolves." Sebastian teased. "Have a good afternoon Squirt." Sebastian was allowed to stay until the end of classes. Between visiting with her brother, studying, Len was getting pretty tired.
While sitting her Astronomy exam, she fell asleep. Fortunately for her, it was one of the classes that she found easy and was able to finish the exam in the twenty minute that remained after she was woken up.
Both Bas and Maia nagged her to get more sleep. After the Marauders heard about her little nap, they started to nag too.
"Why are you all against me?" Len groaned. "I'll be fine. I just have three more days. Then I'll have the whole summer to able to get sleep as much as I what."
"We bug because we care." Sirius assured her. Len shrugged and rolled her eyes.
"At least they've forgotten about me getting lost." Len mumbled. Maia started to laugh having heard what Len had just said.
"Len, you are just so amusing this year." Maia insisted. "But really, all the hard classes are over."
"You just say that because you did Arithmecy today." Len countered.
"Very true. Since when have you had trouble with any of your classes? Well other than Potions." Maia teased. "You wouldn't be studying so hard to impress a certain big brother would you?"
Len cast Maia a vicious look. Bas started to laugh. "Len don't put your self out on my account." He insisted. "Whatever you normally do seem to work just fine."
"Well thanks." Len replied. "I'll keep that in mind."
Lenore and Maia were sitting their, Muggle Studies exam. Both had taken the class to see the different perspective, and for an easy class. They were so BORED! They both finished in like 20 minutes. Their professor let them go, so as not to have them disturbing the rest of the students.
Once they were clear of the room. "I'm so not taking that again." Len replied stretching.
"Hell no. I could teach that class better." Maia replied. "You think he's ever even been in a Muggle house?"
Len laughed, "Probably not."
"It's been great having your brother around." Maia smiled.
"Please don't tell me that you fancy him." Len shook her head.
"SSHHH!!!!!" One of the professors called from a room and slammed the door. Len and Maia had to try and quiet their giggles as they headed off. Knowing that they would receive the same reaction from their housemates, they went to Len's secret room.
"Maia what's the deal with you and Remus anyway?" Len asked as they entered the staircases. Maia looked at Len and smiled.
"What do you mean?" Maia asked innocently.
"The innocent thing just doesn't work for you. Do tell? You like him." Len replied.
Maia laughed. "Yes. Who wouldn't he's totally do-able."
Len laughed, and nodded in agreement. "True, so why haven't you dated yet?"
"He hasn't asked." Maia sighed. "Merlin, what do I have to do to get that boys attention. A strip tease?"
"Maia, you'd have his attention." Len assured her. "I think he's just a little shy."
"Shy??? Shy!! Are we talking about the same guy who asked out both the Corso twins, for the same night, and who managed to convince them to go. The same guy who walked right up to Narcissa Martin and kissed her right in front of her boyfriend." Maia replied. They were at the door on the room. "Remus Lupin is anything but shy!" Maia paused and turned to look at Len holding the door slightly ajar. "Having said all that, I'd so . . . if he asked me." They started to laugh. That is until they saw the Marauders in there.
Remus looked to be blushing horribly, while the others were laughing. Len began to laugh so hard that she fell to the floor. Maia went red, then purple because she'd stopped breathing. Len noticed first.
"Maia, breathing is important." Len replied, threw a fit of giggles. "Breath. Passing out on him is not a good way to get his attention." Len collapsed into another fit of laughter. Maia recovered, taking a deep breath. She moved over to where Lupin sat, sitting beside him, she turned to Len.
"You realise that we could have as easily been talking about your love-life as we came in." Maia replied. Len stopped laughing immediately.
"You wouldn't!!!" Len implored. Maia gave her a try me look. "Okay, no more jokes."
"I hope that we're not bound by that." James chuckled. "You should have seen your face."
"What are you guys doing here anyway?" Len asked, trying not to laugh. She was fighting a losing battle on that front. Her only chance was to change the topic.
"Not talking about our love lives." Sirius assured her and laughed. Remus was still in shock having been the topic of the girls' conversation. "But ladies, feel free to continue. What were you saying?"
"Sirius!" Remus growled. "I doubt that you'd find it as amusing if it was you. Wait never mind, you would." He started to chuckle.
"I think you might have his attention now." Len teased. Maia looked like she was debating laughing or yelling. A small smile crept onto her lips.
Sirius squeezed beside Maia. "So, do tell. Who does Len like?" Len's eye grew like saucers. Maia started to laugh and cast an evil look toward Len.
"Don't! I swear I'll curse you." Len implored. "Maia I'm you friend, don't."
"Well we were--" Len had dove over to clasp her hand over Maia's mouth. Which coessentially had her half laying on Sirius.
"Maia, don't you dare!" Len ordered. Sirius casually wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her hand from Maia.
"Is that any way to treat your friend?" He asked.
"Oh, yeah! We do this all the time." Len insisted.
"Oh yeah!" Maia agreed. "Insults. Pillow Fights. Sock wars. Pretty standard."
This really got the boys attention. "You serious?" Peter asked, looking like he was having a strange hallucination. The girls looked at each other and nodded.
"Now, would you answer my question?" Len replied. "Why are you guys in here?"
"It's a nice quiet place to think, normally." Remus replied.
"You can't lie Remus. Go take some lessons from a Slitherin." Len replied. "Truth please? And shouldn't you be in class?"
"Hey!" Remus sounded insulted. Maia leaned over and kissed his check.
"It's true. You don't lie well." Maia told him. "But you do the quiet- mysterious type so well." Maia smiled, he began to blush again.
"We. . . we were just studying." Sirius replied. Len was still wrapped in his arms, and he was having trouble thinking.
"Really?" Len didn't sound convinced. She decided to take advantage of her position. She shifted her weight, and turned to look at Sirius, with beautiful flirty eyes. "What were you studying?"
The Marauders knew that Sirius was weak when it came to pretty girls, especially Lenore. However, because of their current mood they were not at all helpful. Remus burst out laughing. James started to shake his head, chuckling about being played. Peter, well he still looked dazed, as if dreaming about something.
"Ummm . . .Transfig." Sirius replied, in a dreamy state.
Now Len was nowhere near the flirt that Maia was, but she managed. She pouted her lips. She seemed to suddenly find a curl by his ear fascinating, and started to twirl it around her finger. Len realized that Sirius' hair for being all wild was actually soft. "What about it?"
"Animagus." Sirius replied before he could stop himself. The Marauders look at him shocked. Len pulled back.
"Sirius!!!" they shouted.
"Do you know how dangerous that is?" Len replied.
"Not to mention, slightly illegal." Maia threw at them. Looking incredulously at them.
"Guy, you could have helped." Sirius defended. Still looking shaken by the encounter.
"Look, don't worry. We're being careful." James insisted. "Really."
"Really? What about Remus?" Len looked at them. "Remember what happened for the misfired Transfig?"
"Yeah, hard to forget." Peter grumbled.
"Don't worry. I'm not trying to." Remus tried to calm them down.
"Yeah, Remus is our safeguard." James jumped in.
"He learned the counter charm. So if we get stuck, he can get us back to normal." Sirius assured them.
"Why?" Maia asked. "It's terribly dangerous. Why would you bother?"
They looked at each other. Then Remus jumped in, "It's because of me." His voice was very quiet. "Because of . . ." He found that he could not say it, even though they knew. "I can be around animals, just not people. So . . ."
"As good friends, we wanted to help." Sirius replied.
"You two, please don't tell." James implored them. "I don't think that the Professors would understand."
Maia and Len nodded. "Of course, not." Len replied, she knew magic she wasn't supposed to. Hell her brother was an unregistered animagus.
"I won't say a word." Maia assured them.
"Good." James replied. He gave into his temptation then. "You said that you'd so. . . So what?" Maia's eyes went wide, Len again descended into a fit of laughter.
That night, Len found that all the fastidious academic freaks, otherwise known as her house mates, where just boring the heck out of her. Even Bas had been drawn into their web of studying. He was aiding some of his friends in their review. Len decided to go for a walk. Maia who was just as bored decided to join Len for a walk.
Len knew that walking be the dark forest, was a little too risky. Instead they decided to head toward the Quidditch pitch, walking through the gardens. Len refused to talk about her social life anywhere but their dorm room, for obvious reasons. However, Maia didn't like *no* as an answer.
"Come on Len. Share?" Maia whined.
"No!" Len smiled. "For the like thousandth time, I'm not telling. So, has he asked you yet?" Maia scowled at her. They headed to sit on the pitch.
"No!" She pouted. "He has to know that I'd say yes now. Why won't he ask?"
"Because you're a Ravenclaw?" Len knew it to be Snape's voice. Snape was just landing. "It's well known that Ravenclaw never date during finals. He probably doesn't want to upset your study schedule." He looked at them. "Sorry I was just . . . ummm leaving."
"Don't on account of us." Len replied.
"We just needed some air. Study freaks, are very touchy." Maia giggled. "I really want to thank you."
Snape looked at Maia confused for a second. "Pardon?"
"I figure that Len may have killed me or been expelled without your help, so thanks." Maia smiled. Snape tucked some of his hair behind his ear nervously. Maia looked again. "I think that you should pull your hair back. Looks better."
"Maia! You flirt." Len shook her head. "Sorry, Maia likes to perpetuate the Ravenclaw myth."
Snape realized that they were actually willing to talk with him. "Is it true that you fell asleep in one of your finals?"
"Yeah." Len blushed. "How embarrassing! Now everyone is bugging me to get more sleep. I keep telling them that I'll get plenty of rest, once I'm done."
"So what do you have planed for the summer?" He asked.
"Assuming my folks don't kill me. I was planning in catching up with my siblings. Doing some fun reading. Nothing special. You?" Len asked pleasantly.
"Nothing special. How many siblings do you have?" Severus was shocked. Most Wizarding families had one or two children, rarely more.
"Well there's Sebastian, he's the oldest." Len smiled. "Then I have a younger brother Edward, he's 8, Rebeca is 5, and my baby sister Susan is a year old."
"Wow!" He thought about that for a second. "Why such an age gap?"
"Well, Bas was from dad's first marriage. Then I was born shortly after my folks were married." Len paused and looked at him. "My mom was really young you see, so I guess that she wanted to wait before have more kids. I really miss them. I really miss Bas when he's away. I'm so worried that something will happen to him."
"Why'd he decide to become an auror anyway?" Severus asked.
"I'm not really sure. I know that he and dad argued about it for almost two years." Len replied. "He could have been on the national Quidditch team. Did you know that?"
"No I didn't." Snape smiled. "What about the others? Any signs of magical talent in them yet?"
"Not yet. Dad's hoping, mom's hoping they aren't. I think that the whole magic thing still creeps her out a bit." Len smiled. "That's why she's so glad that Maia's my best friend."
"But Maia is a pureblood witch aren't you?" He asked carefully, not really following why Len's mother would like that.
Maia smiled. "Yes thanks. Glad that you noticed."
"But Maia grew up in a Muggle community, so she understands." Len replied, feeling as if she would laugh.
"So your mom's not comfortable with the witch thing?" He replied cautiously.
"Not really." Len replied looking at him. "Personally I think that it has something to do with her feeling insecure. Because well she can't help with my homework, she doesn't understand when I talk about classes. She kind of feels left out."
"I guess that would be hard." He replied. "But then, I have very little understanding on the Muggle world."
"I didn't notice that you took Muggle studies." Len commented. "Not that that would really have helped. It was a joke really. I'm so not taking it again."
"Why did you in the first place?" He inquired. He noted that Maia was getting restless beside them. Perhaps he should leave them.
"Perspective." Len shrugged. "Why were you out here flying?"
"I . . . ummm . . . was hoping to make my house team next year." He admitted.
"Really?" Maia jumped in. "I didn't know that you played."
"Most don't." Severus replied looking at her. "But our seeker is graduating, and well that's my favourite position. So I thought I'd get some practise. Seeing as how, I needed a study break anyway."
"Well good luck!" Maia encouraged.
"I hope that doesn't mean that you won't have time for me next year." Len smiled warmly. "To tutor I mean."
"We'll see." He smiled at her. "Ladies, I had best return to my studies."
"Oh really why?" Len teased.
"I'm not entirely certain this isn't some clever Ravenclaw plot to distract me, so that I lose top honours." He teased back.
"Would we do that?" Len tried to look mischievous. Maia joined her. "Who us?"
"Good night ladies." He replied as he headed back to the school.
"You're right Len, he's not half bad when he's not around Malfoy." Maia replied, knowing full well that Severus was still within hearing distance. However if he heard her, he gave no sign as he just kept walking.
"Maia!" Len looked at the retreating form. "Don't do that."
"You like him." Maia insisted.
"He's nice, when not around Malfoy." Len admitted.
"No, you Fancy, like him." Maia returned.
"Maia!"
"You were so flirting with him." Maia insisted.
"I was not!" Len insisted. "I don't flirt."
"Sirius?" Maia insisted. Len gave her a sideways glance.
"Different. That was for information." Len replied sarcastically.
"Right? And you were sitting on his lap because???" Maia inquired.
"Would you believe that it was comfortable?" Len tried.
"Not when you phrase it like that." Maia laughed.
"Go back to obsessing over your . . . boy." Len shook her head. She had intended to say something more like *were-wolf* but wasn't entirely sure that they were alone.
"Ohhh!" Maia pouted. "But bugging you is so much fun. You know, He doesn't have bad eyes." Len looked at Maia.
"Which one?" Len asked confused. It could be in reference to Sirius, Severus, Remus, or for that matter any other boy that had popped into Maia's head.
"Snape. When you can see them that is." Maia commented.
"I noticed. They're so dark that one could like fall in." Len replied. Maia smiled. "Remus has nice eyes. The crystal-blue around the new moon."
"Ohhh yeah!" Maia agreed. "Even the green, aqua colour is kind of nice."
"Maia, for the love of Gandalf, just ask the boy out." Len pleaded. "You've got to stop obsessing. By Mistra this is getting ridiculous."
"You're one to talk! Miss oh-poor-me-who-to-choose." Maia replied. "Please. Just pick one. Or better yet try them both, see which you like better."
"MAIA!" Lenore yelled. "Vixen!"
"Thank you!" Maia stated proudly.
Len found that she couldn't sleep that night. Maia seemed to place rotten nagging questions in her mind. All confused and jumbled her thoughts were disjointed not allowing for her to sleep. Len gave up and headed down to the common room. The Ravenclaw common room, looked rather like a library or study. Bookshelves lined the walls, few pictures were up. The lighting and chairs were situated for reading or writing. There were discussion areas set of to the side. Len entered to find Bas was sitting there by the fire reading.
"What are you doing up?" Len asked. Rubbing her head, which had begun to throb.
"I could ask you the same." He retorted. "You need you r rest."
"So do you. Auntie Poppy'll kill me if you get sick." Len protested.
"Relax, no one really wants to kill you." He told her. "I take it that you can't sleep either?" Len shook her head *no*. "Sorry that your walk didn't help."
"I'd be fine, I think, if Maia stopped trying to set me up on a date." Len replied, taking a seat across from him. "You never told me what happened?"
"No, I didn't." He replied looking into the fire. "Len, you really don't want to know."
"I do, or I wouldn't have asked." Len replied. "Bas, you've always been so careful not to let anyone else know. Then you literally drop out of the sky. That's just not like you."
"I should have gone pro. I should have let dad bully me into becoming a Quidditch star." He shook his head. Len looked shocked. Like most, Len had believed that it was their father that had argued in favour of Bas becoming an Auror. "It's true. He thought that it would be too dangerous for me to become an Auror. Said that it was best left to foolish Gryffindors. That I should pick something safer."
"Oh!" Len replied still slightly shocked. "Why the sudden change of heart? I've never known you to back down before."
"I don't normally get myself killed." He looked at her. "Squirt, I was so scared that I'd never see you, or the little ones again. I think that dad was right. I seem to have too much of my mother in me." He looked away. "I haven't finished training yet and I've already nearly got myself killed, twice."
"Hey, I'm not even an auror-in-training and I've nearly had Mr. Moody blow me to bits like three or four times." Len replied. Bas laughed at her. "What happened?"
"I went back for one of the fallen." Bas replied. "They keep telling me that it's a bad habit I have. Anyway, I got him out, but got a nice hole in my side protecting him, while he escaped." Bas looked at her. She watched him intently. "My survival instinct just took over." He saw when the light hit her. He watched as the meaning sank in. "Len?"
"You did what you had to." Len comforted him, hugging him.
"I . . . I think that the Aurors were betrayed." He whispered. "That's why Moody brought me here. That's why I was allowed to stay. He thinks that whoever it is, wants me out of the way. However by Merlin I don't know why. How they managed to sneak anyone in there is beyond me. I've never seen so many paranoid people in my life."
"I noticed that Mr. Moody was a little . . . high strung." Len replied.
"A little??!! Hades he's certifiable." Bas replied. "That's why he's such a good Auror. He thinks that it's treason, or something, to show affection. He seriously believes that someone is always watching him. Don't get me wrong, I respect him, but he scolds me for keeping a picture of you. He nearly cursed me because he saw me hug you. I really don't want to turn into that."
"You won't." Len assured him. "You're too sweet. Besides, I won't let you ignore me."
"Good." He hugged her again. "I need you, I'd miss you to much."
"Ahhh! This is starting to give me a toothache." Len teased. "Want to go raid the kitchen?" Bas laughed shaking his head.
"You could get into trouble." He warned.
"Only if I get caught." Len smiled at him. "With you to cover for me, what are the odds?"
"Wait, I just remembered I'm supposed to uphold the law. I guess that would extend to the rules of the school." Bas told her.
"Not until, after, you finish your training." Len smiled at him. "Besides, I'm sure that you've broken more rules and laws than I ever will."
Bas looked thoughtful then nodded. "Yeah! Please don't try. Dad already thinks that I'm a bad influence on you."
"But it's true." Len insisted.
He laughed. "But you weren't supposed to notice."
The next day in Transfig, Len and Maia were bored. They had had enough. Len just really wanted to be sitting outside with Bas, singing to the radio, not stuck in another final.
-M*, I'm sooo bored!- Len wrote on her final paper. She wasn't sure if Maia would notice, it took about a minute before Maia replied.
-Me too. I could do this in my sleep!- Maia wrote back on her paper. -Looks like you are. You got to start getting more sleep.-
-Thanks!- Len glanced up to see that McGonagall was paying them no attention. -It's your fault this time.-
-Really! How?-
-You, you gave me nightmares.-
-Nightmares?- Maia cast her a quick curious glance.
-Yeah! The *paw*, SS triangle.- Len replied. -Okay, maybe not nightmares. But I still couldn't sleep.-
-Hey, I'd take that dream!-
-M*!- Len had to bit her knuckle not to laugh. -Vixen! What would *wolf say?-
This time it was Maia who had to bit her lip not to laugh. -Maybe he could join in?-
Len fell forward hitting her head against the desk, in an attempt not to laugh at this. Which unfortunately drew too much attention.
"Miss Nightshade?" McGonagall asked sternly. Len looked up at her thinking *straight face, straight face*.
"Sorry, Professor." Len replied. "I was trying to knock the information lose. I promise to be more discrete about it." Maia looked as if she were going to break into hysterics. Len knew if Maia did that she would also. It was only because Professor McGonagall prowled around them that they managed not to. After about 20 minutes, she moved to another area.
-I thought we were busted for sure.- Len wrote. -Think that she bought it?-
-No.- Maia replied. -Do you actually think that she intended anyone to finish this thing?-
-No. Won't she be surprised.- Len replied both she and Maia were on the second last page. -Hope it doesn't wreck the grading curve for the others.-
-You know, we could cheat really easy this way.- Maia commented.
-But why would we need to cheat?- Len looked confused.
-Oh, we don't. It's just nice to know that we could.- Again, both girls looked like they were going to laugh. Len, buried her head in her arm on the desk. Maia gnawed on her finger, closing her eyes.
After class the two girls ran out of the room. They burst out laughing once in the hall. Most people just shook their heads dismissing it as exam stress. After all that was their final, final exam. Len and Maia had to lean on each other for support they were laughing so hard.
The Marauders and Lily came up to them. "Have you two lost it?" Lily asked. They shook their heads *no*. They were laughing to hard to speak.
"Why do I feel that we missed a great joke?" Sirius asked James, who shrugged.
"Do we get to know what's so funny?" Remus asked. The girls again shook *no*, still not able to form a sentence.
"Too much studying makes you strange." James replied. "I think you two need some air." The two girls were still laughing, feeding off each other. They would almost stop then look at each other and start again. "Sirius, give me a hand I think we should take them outside, before someone decides to commit them to the insanity ward of St. Mungo's."
Maia and Len didn't protest as they were manoeuvred out into the court yard, for lunch. Once they were seated outside, and were somewhat calmed down Sirius, James, and Peter headed in to get food for everyone.
"What was that about?" Lily asked carefully. Not really wanting to start them on another giggle fit. Len and Maia looked at each other.
"Just something stupid." Maia replied. "I think that we're overstressed."
"Remus, did you really make a bet with Maia?" Len demanded.
"Pardon?" A little confused by the sudden change of topic.
"Maia told me I had to go out with Sirius before holidays. Her reasoning was that you two made a bet, on us." Len replied. She now had to dodge Maia, who looked to be trying to shut her up. Maia was red, and probably stunned speechless. Len looked to be taking advantage of the situation. "Maia told me that you bet her that if Sirius and I went out before the end of school, you'd visit her during the summer."
It was Lily's turn to burst out laughing. Remus when red, Maia started to beat Lenore with a text book. Then other three, with Bas close behind returned to see this.
"It seems to be contagious." Bas replied dryly.
"Owh . . . so I was wondering, owh . . . which were . . . owh . . . you hoping . . . owh . . . for?" Len asked as Maia continued to beat her with the book. Maia continued to beat Len, but looked to Remus for a response.
"Ummm. . . what's going on?" James asked a hysterical Lily.
"Remus . . . Bet. . . Maia . . ." Lily managed to get out. "Sirius . . . date . . . Len."
James looked confused trying to understand. Peter started to laugh. "What?"
"Remus and Maia must have had a bet going on whether or not Sirius and Len would be dating by the end of the year." Peter said. Sirius looked incredulous at Remus, who rolled his eyes, and somehow managed to go a deeper red.
James started to chuckle. "So why is Maia beating Len with a book?"
"She ow . . . got mad ow . . . that I told . . .ow . . . Remus . . .Ow . . .That I knew." Len replied, she was laughing between being hit. "Little . . . Ow . . . Help . . . Ow." Bas, went to grab Maia gentle, and pulled her out of reach of Lenore.
"Len! I can't believe you!" Maia huffed looking extremely put out. "I mean how would you like it if I went around telling everyone, how you said that Sirius was a fabulous kisser?" Len's jaw dropped open. The rest of the crowd was silent for a second. "There, now we're even." The others burst out laughing.
"Oh no we're not." Len launched herself at Maia. Somehow, Maia managed to break free of Bas' hold and start to run. Len chased after her. This only made the laugh harder.
After about five minutes. James, an only child, asked "Should we maybe stop them?"
"Nah! Let them wear them selves out." Bas replied sobering. "This is normal. They'll likely collapse and laugh."
"This is normal?" James didn't sound convinced. Perhaps it had something to do with the death threats he heard coming from the two girls.
"Oh sure." Lily replied hugging James.
"Yeah, they don't mean it." Sirius agreed. "They just need to yell, shout and insult each other."
"It's part of any healthy sibling relationship." Bas replied. "Maia and Len are as close as sisters. Maybe closer than some."
"If you guys say so." James replied. He turned to look at the two girls. Len had apparently caught Maia by now. Len and Maia were wrestling. "That's normal?"
Bas looked over his shoulder at them. "Yeah." He looked completely unworried by this display.
"Watch the hair!" one of the girls called. This of course caused laughter threw out the group.
Five more minutes brought the girls laughing hugging each other back to the group. Most of whom were laughing also. They sat on either side on Bas. "So, Remus I don't believe that I ever heard the answer to Len's question." Maia smiled.
"You were busy." He replied as he took a drink.
The girls looked at each other. "You can't lie." They said in unison.
"You might as well tell them. They will just bug you until you do." Bas informed him.
"I really though that Sirius would have asked Len out by now." Remus shook his head.
"Ohhh, sure try to take the attention off you." Sirius replied. "Like I'm going to ask her out, with her older brother sitting here? Right! I'm not that stupid."
Remus shrugged. "It was worth a shot."
"Oh for the love of Mistra!" Len huffed. "Just ask already! Look it's not that hard."
They looked at Len. She rolled her eyes. "Damn, you all. Gryffindors! Why can't you act like normal hormonally-overdosed teenagers like the rest of the world. Lily and James managed, somehow." Bas was cracking up laughing. Maia started to giggle, trying to imagine these Gryffindors being less reserved.
"Ummm. . . .Len I think that Maia must have hit you too hard." Sirius replied.
"Yeah, we have a . . . reputation for being more . . . uhhh . . . playful than either of you." Remus replied. "And I'm not talking about pranks."
Len rolled her eyed. She started muttering and stood to leave. "I'm going to my room. Where you can no long cause me a headache, you evil, evil people. That includes you to Maia. Stay!" Len headed off.
Half way to the Ravenclaw dorm, she realized that people were still studying, so they would be too uptight to allow her to relax. The Library was also too full of people studying to be enjoyable. While most of those who'd finished had gone outside to enjoy the sun and nice weather, it left few places to relax.
Len felt the weight of not sleeping and all the exercise catch up with her. She yawned. She pondered for only a moment before continuing on her way. She hoped that she would get to sleep before someone asked her for help. However, Murphy just kept picking her. Out of the thousands of students in the school, he chose her to use as his model.
Malfoy, coming from the Great Hall spotted her. Of course followed closely by his goon squad, he called after her. "Now what would you be doing inside, alone? Have a little falling out with your girlfriend?"
"Why? Looking to nail leftover Malfoy?" Len replied. "Even distraught, Maia has better standards. Like you could even handle her." Len turned to leave. Goyle stopped her with a beefy hand on her shoulder. "Ewww Gross! Hands off.!"
"Why don't you stay and play with us?" Malfoy sneered moving closer.
"1, I have standards. I don't like to play with . . ." She looked between Crabe and Goyle. "Proto humans. 2, I despise you Malfoy. If we were the last two living entities on the planet, I rather talk to rocks than you. 3, I'm really very tired, can't we insult each other later? I promise I'll dream up some good tortures, just for you." Len replied, she looked Malfoy directly in the eyes. This was somewhat difficult because he was taller than she was.
"Did you just say that you'd dream of me? Torture too? Kinky!" He replied. Len rolled her eyes. She felt like she would hurl.
"You're revolting." Len replied. "Let me go."
"Is that the best you can come up with?" Malfoy sneered.
"Actually yes. I told you I was tired." Len replied defensively. She really didn't have the energy for this.
"That's sad." He taunted.
"Sorry. I know that you get your perverted kicks out of being insulted." Len yawned. Malfoy reached out and grabbed Lenore. "Ouch!"
"Let go of my sister!" Bas ordered from behind Malfoy. Malfoy jumped releasing Len, in fact Crabe and Goyle jumped too. "I do believe that she asked you to leave her be." Len rushed over to her brother. He had a cold look in his eyes. It caused the Slitherin boys to shrink back. Even Malfoy, who had never shrunk in fear from anyone, felt a desire to be else where. "Leave now!" The boys hurried to be out of sight.
"Wow, that was great." Len smiled at him. "Can you teach me that stare?"
"We'll see." He smiled at her. "But you'd have to promise to only use it for good."
"Rats!" Len replied.
They were headed home a week later. The Marauders insisted that they sit together, despite it being slightly crowed. Sirius offered his lap to Len, which from the look Bas gave him may very well have meant his life, if Len hadn't laughed and sat on the floor. It was rather uneventful. Until the tearful good-byes.
"Promise to owl me?" Lily insisted. Len turned into a little hug fiend hugging everyone. Lily. Sirius. Maia (even though bas was taking her home). Sirius. Remus. Sirius. James. Sirius. Peter.
Bas looked at Sirius as he tried to move to get another hug. The two made eye contact. Bas gave him a warning look. Sirius shrugged. Bas waited to make sure that they were all picked up and then hustled the girls off home.
Len watched the sunrise. She wondered if Dumbledore would let her miss her classes. She doubted it. She was surprised when she saw Maia, come in to the medical ward carrying breakfast, enough for the three of them. Maia came over and gave Len a hug.
"How is he?" She whispered. Bas' eyes were closed, and Maia didn't know if he was awake or not. Len shrugged, knowing that Bas was actually awake.
"I'm fine. Really." Bas replied, a small smiled creep onto his lips. "How'd you know I was here?"
"I was told by Prof. Vector last night. I got the heads up so I didn't worry where Len was." Maia took in Len's dress finally. She was going to bug her about it later, a little too pretty for 'not a date'.
"Miss Crestwing, perhaps you can convince Miss Nightshade to let her brother rest and go to class." M. Pomfrey said approaching the three of them. Len smiled, Bas opened his eyes, and Maia giggled.
"You just want him to yourself." Len accused. Bas couldn't help but smile.
"You know very well that your brother needs his rest. As he's under my care, he'll get it." Poppy bristled protectively. "Now, you two have classes to get to. Shoe!!!"
They laughed at this. Bas hugged Len. "Maia, promise to take good care of her okay? I want my baby sister back in one piece."
"I'll do my best. But we do have potions this morning, so she might be joining you soon." Maia teased. Len groaned. Bas laughed.
"Please Len, don't on my account." Bas replied. "I'm sure you'll be allowed to visit, don't resort to anything drastic." Poppy escorted the giggling girls out. Then she insisted that Sebastian get some sleep.
The two headed off to the dungeon. Len realized that she hadn't changed. "Shit!" She replied. "I need to get my school clothes."
"You'll be late!" Maia replied. "By the way isn't that a little much for a study session?"
"Maia, not now." Len said as she turned and ran through the halls toward their dorm. Maia shrugged debating a moment on following Len or not. She decided that it was better to stay close to her, as they had always been partners in crime/potions/mayhem (wait wasn't that the same thing?). Len having the best luck in the world, ran into Malfoy, and fell backward. Maia stopped just behind her, helped Len to her feet.
"What keep you out all night?" Malfoy taunted. "Did your boyfriend not let you get any sleep?" Snape made no move nor comment a step behind him. Crabe and Goyle effectively blocking the path of escape.
Len scowled at him. "Look I don't really have time to argue right now. Can I just apologies for running into you and we hold the argument until after class?" Len dusted herself off. "Otherwise we'll all be late."
"You think so?" Malfoy taunted.
"Sod off, Malfoy!" Came Black's voice from behind the Slytherins. Turning to see, the Marauders and Lily standing there wands ready.
"I'd suggest, you let them pass. Or this could end really messy." James threatened.
Maia and Len worked their way around the Slytherins. Careful to stay out of reach and out of Line-o-Fire. They smiled at their friends.
"This isn't over, whore!" Malfoy hissed at her. Len waved, as she headed away.
"Thanks guy." She replied.
"Len, why are you, again heading in the wrong way?" Sirius asked her.
"I . . . it's a long story. But I need to change into my uniform and get to class. I'll fill you in later okay?" Len replied.
"Len, you're a witch remember?" James replied shaking his head. "As nice as that looks, why don't you just transfig it to look like your school robes?"
Len looked at him stunned a moment. "I hadn't thought of that." She giggled. "I'm just a little stressed." She pulled her wand from her boot, and changed her clothes into the school uniform.
"I liked the other outfit better, but maybe later?" Sirius suggested hopefully. This caused the group to laugh. "Great boots!"
"Let's get you to class, before you're late." Remus smiled, offering Maia his arm. She blushed and accepted. Len rolled her eyes, Maia playing bashful just was wrong, it so didn't work for the girl, but then again, Remus was buying it.
"You know that Malfoy's not done, Right?" Lily asked the Ravenclaw girls. They headed to a rather odd suit of armour. The girls nodded.
"So Len, why where you wearing that?" James teased. Lily poked him in the ribs. Ignoring Lily's behaviour. "Saw someone special last night?"
"Actually, yes I did." Len replied, following them to the secret passage. She noted Sirius' look of disappointment. "I'll introduce you after class at lunch, alright?" Len smiled. Maia tried to hide her giggle behind her hand. "How do you know about all of these?"
The boy's looked at each other. "Secret!" they said together. Then James piped up, "Marauder's secret. Not even Lily knows about them all. It helps quick getaways." They laughed. "Ladies, I believe this is your stop." James pressed a spot on the wall and a door slide open.
"Thanks!" Len smiled at them. "For everything."
"Yeah!" Maia relied. "Guess I know now why you're never late."
"Ahhh, 'til later beautiful!" Remus smiled kissing Maia's hand. Len giggled, as she ducked out on the tunnel. Maia blushed, as she headed out to class.
-Maia, I've never seen any guy make you blush before.- Len wrote on her review.
-Shut up! You have so.- Maia wrote back.
-Who?- Len had a look of confusion cross her face.
Maia looked bashful a moment. -You can't laugh!-
-Promise, no laugh.-
Maia then wrote that symbol used for Sebastian (talon*). Len almost choked, her eyes opened wide.
-M*, really?-
-L*, he's totally hot.- Maia defended. -So how was your date?-
-What date?- Len replied defensively.
-Since when do you dress all fancy for a Walk?-
-I just felt like it!- Len was starting to get agitated. -Besides, I wanted to wear my new boots.-
-What ever!!!- Maia shook her head, and smirked. She glanced up at Snape who was looking over at them. He quickly looked away. -Did SS like?-
-Maia!!!- It was rare that they every put someone's proper name down. Len looked as if she was about to have a hissy fit. -Please, drop it!-
-Fine. Did you notice that *paw* commented on your boots?-
Len smiled, and blushed slightly. -I noticed. Think he's fuming about my comment?-
-Definitely! You think that was wise?- Maia looked busy at work as Dumbledore roamed the isle beside them. Once he passed. -What if he finds out?-
-I was going to tell them about talon*.- Len looked at Dumbledore a moment. -I think that *tinkle* is on to us.-
Maia concentrated for a minute than cast a quick glance at Dumbledore. -I think that you're right!-
The two were quiet, and didn't write for the rest of the class. As they left, they felt especially self-conscience walking by him. His eye's twinkled as they walked by, which made them hurry to be out of site.
"No one can read it right?" Maia demanded. Once clear, Len nodded.
"Absolutely no one." Len replied. "However, he IS Dumbledore." They burst out into giggles. A sure sign that girls were up to something.
"How nice of you to wait for us." Malfoy's drawl came from behind them. Len and Maia turned to look at them. Malfoy, Crabe, Goyle and a much less enthusiastic Snape stood there. Len figured that Snape, would likely help them, or at least try to stay out of it.
"Look, I really didn't mean to run into you." Len replied. She would have added that *he creeped her out*, and that she'd *rather kiss a slimy-skert, than touch him*, but didn't think that would help the situation. "I don't suppose that you would accept an apology and leave it at that, huh?"
He sneered at them. "No." He stated flatly. "Not good enough."
"Look, what will a big fight get you? Hurt, maybe. In trouble, probably. Definitely, dirt and late for class. Is that what you really want?" Len tried to talk her way out of this. Knowing that Malfoy, wasn't stupid, and appealing to his reason may work. Besides, logic was her favourite weapon, and she knew that in a battle of pure force she and Maia would lose.
"Oh, I think that I should get more than an apology." Malfoy replied, a smirk crept on his lips. This very smirk had been known to make many girls swoon, it made Len want to vomit.
"Do you normally bring this much muscle along, for . . . more than an apology?" Maia replied. She stood beside Len, knowing that Malfoy was still mad about her cancelling their date.
He cast a vicious, yet sexy smile to her. "Not always!"
"Malfoy, this is getting us nowhere." Len replied. "I didn't mean any offence." Len was tried and in no mood for this little ego trip of his.
"Anxious to be somewhere?" Malfoy taunted. "Want to see your lover?"
"Lover, are you on something?" Len replied hastily. "We're f*cking 15. You might be like that but I'm not. Despite all the Ravenclaw sayings, I'm not that easy." Len shook her head, and rolled her eyes. "Pa-lease!"
"Right! Whatever!" Malfoy countered. "Then why where you all slutted up this morning?"
"None of your business." Len yelled. She was really tired of this. "You want more than an apology? You really do. 'Cause, if you want me to--" Len looked as if she might hurl on him. "I promise you, that I'll vomit. I'd rather take a curse than have to touch you in any fashion. In fact, I'm likely going to burn my shirt. The fact that I have to wear it until lunch disgusts me beyond belief."
*So much for diplomacy.* Len thought. She watched his reaction carefully. Malfoy looked a cross between laughter and furry. He surprised her and laughed. He motioned his gang to follow as he brushed past the two girls.
"What just happened?" Maia asked. The two headed for their class.
"Not sure." Len admitted. "We'll have to keep a watch for them."
"I thought that he might be slightly unbalanced." Maia shrugged.
They were greeted by the Marauders as they left class for lunch. Maia and Len looked confused for a moment. "Weren't you on the other side of the school?"
"Yes, yes." Sirius waved dismissively. "Spill!"
"Pardon me?" Len asked shocked.
"You said that you'd tell us at lunch. Well it's lunch so spill." Sirius demanded.
"He's been like this all morning." Remus rolled his eye as he addressed Maia.
"Fine." Lenore huffed. "You'll have to follow me to our dorm though. I really need to change. Malfoy coodies." They nodded in understanding, and followed her to the Ravenclaw dorms. "Look, I . . . ummm . . ."
"Oh Len. Spit it out!" Maia insisted. "She kind of rescued her brother last night. He's the someone special."
"Kind of, rescued?" Lupin asked.
"Why the outfit?" Sirius asked not convinced.
"I felt like dressing up. I haven't in a while. It's a girl thing." Len shrugged. "Yeah, I ummm . . . showed Prof Dumbledore and Mr. Moody where to find him. I insisted on going too. I spent the night in the hospital with him." Len replied. She suddenly felt tired. "Look, I'll be right back. I'm going to change." Len ducked into the dorm. Maia stayed outside with the boys.
"You knew?" James asked. Maia shrugged.
"Sort of. I was told that Len was in the hospital, sitting with Sebastian last night." Maia admitted. "Likely because I would have started to search for her by midnight. I just found out that she'd gone with them to get him."
"Where did you think she disappeared to?" Remus asked.
"Len likes to take walks to clear her head when studying." Maia replied, it was true, sort of. "I told her, that I'd come looking for her, if she wasn't back by midnight."
"I get lost once. One time! And you people just won't let me forget it." Len returned to the hall. She still wore her boots, but in her school clothes (for real).
"No, we won't. We're going to keep bring it up." Sirius teased. "And we're going to bug you ad-nauseum."
"At least until, someone else does something, equally stupid." Remus joked.
"What can we say?" James teased. "We're easy to amuse. So do we get to meet this brother of yours?"
Len smile at the mention of her brother. "Fine. Come on. He's either sleeping or driving M. Pomfrey crazy by now anyway. She'll welcome the change."
"Ahhh, are we planning on eating sometime?" Sirius asked. The girls giggled, and the Marauders just shook their heads.
"We'll grab something on the way." James assured him. They headed back to the hospital, with a quick stop by the kitchen to pick up lunch.
Len went in first. Madame Pomfrey was arguing with Moody, and Bas was lying in bed looking very amused. He waved her over, neither adult seemed to notice her.
"He's fine. You should release him." Moody insisted.
"I don't tell you how to do your job. Don't tell me how to do mine." Poppy retorted. "He's not fine."
"I know the boy's kin 'o yours, but you can't caudle him." Moody commented. "He should get back to his training."
Bas rolled his eyes. He mouthed to Len *Over an hour.* A huge smile crossed his face. Len felt like laughing. He smiled, shaking his head. "Can't you two take this else where? I seem to have a visitor."
Both adults looked over to him surprised. Well Poppy was surprised that Len was there. Moody was more surprised that Sebastian had spoken to him like that. "If the boy is well enough to risk his life like that, than he's well enough to be released." Moody insisted.
"Actually, it just proves that he needs much more rest." Poppy countered. "As he's obviously not in his right mind."
"I'll give you that one." Moody chuckled. "Perhaps we could continue this over lunch?"
"That sounds great." Len smiled. "I'll stay here and make sure that Bas is alright, while you both eat. Don't worry I won't tire him out, and I promise to get you if anything happens."
"And how you going to do that girlie?" Moody asked.
"Well, I'll send Maia. She's waiting outside." Len smiled sweetly. Pomfrey chuckled.
"Alright. You promise?"
"I swear." Len replied sounding very serious. Bas didn't believe it for a moment. "You think that I risked my hide to get him back, only for him to get tired and sick?"
"I 'upose not." Moody replied. Len thought that she saw a smiled curl his lips. They left, and Len hugged Bas.
"You up to meeting some of my friends?" Len asked softly.
"Depends?" Bas replied cautiously. "They aren't a bunch of giggling, swooning girls?"
"No!" Len replied indignantly. "Did you just infer that Maia and I are flacky?"
"I would never do that." Bas replied sarcastically. Len laughed. "Alright. Send in the clowns." Len turned to look at him, and laughed at how very appropriate that was.
"Oh, and we brought lunch." Len replied, showing her friends in. "That is if Sirius hasn't eaten it all."
"Not yet, but he's trying." James teased, as he came in. Followed by the rest. Lily's mouth dropped seeing Sebastian lying there.
"Maia you weren't kidding." Lily whispered. Lily shook her head. *I love James. I love James. I love James* she thought. *But Merlin is he gorgeous!!!*
"This is my older brother Sebastian." Len introduced. "Bas, meet James, Sirius, Peter and Remus, better known as the Marauders." Bas smiled, he'd heard of this lot, both from Len, and some of his friends still at the school. "This is Lily, and you know Maia."
"Len, if aunt Poppy comes back, you're going to get it." Bas laughed. Most of her friends looked shocked.
"Aunt Poppy?" Lily asked first, looking at Lenore. Len was blushing furiously.
"My aunt, not Len's." Sebastian smiled. "She's my mother's sister. My mother was the first wife."
"Really?" James looked scandalized. "Wizarding marriages like never break."
Bas shrugged. "That's why my mom wasn't too upset by it. Only true love can break a marriage vow in the wizarding world." He hugged Len. "Besides Len's mother really isn't so bad."
They spoke as they ate lunch. Sebastian was very please and they found that they liked him almost immediately. It was also quiet apparent the not only did Len adore him, but he adored her equally.
"Look, you lot better head off to class. I'd hate for you to get into trouble on my account. Aunt Poppy should be back soon. That is if she and Moody are still both alive." He shook his head. "I've never seen to more stubborn people."
"That's because you've never seen Dad and you arguing." Len replied.
"Now, Squirt, I wouldn't start if I were you. You can be pretty stubborn yourself." Bas teased. Len shrugged than nodded in agreement. Len remained behind after the others left, having promised to watch over him in her absence. Once alone, he asked, "So which one is he?"
"Pardon?" Len looked confused.
"Which one, is the one who's been crushing on you all year?" Bas asked again.
"Ohhh, Sirius." Len replied looking suddenly shy.
"Hmmm. . ." Bas looked in the direction they'd left. "And how do you feel about him?"
"Bas!!!" Len looked appalled. "I'm not having this conversation with you." He gave her that I'm-not-finished look. "Fine, I like him, but . . . I don't know."
"That's better." Bas replied. "Why? I bet you're causing all the boys to go crazy."
"Not really." Len shook her head. "It seems that Sirius has threatened to hex any guy who asks me out." Bas laughed.
"Has it worked?" Len nodded *yes*, he laughed harder. "How do you feel about that?"
"Part of me thinks it's sweet. Part of me is enraged, as if he has any right to lay claim on me!" Len admitted. Bas hugged her. "But how much of this did you already know?"
He smiled enigmatically. "It's my right as your big brother to keep tabs on you." He insisted. "So I here that you have a problem with potions?"
"Hell, the whole world, knows that?" Len huffed.
"At least the country does." Bas teased. "Why are you having suck trouble?"
"I don't know why, but I just can't seem to get it right. Hell I wouldn't have made it this far if I hadn't had a brilliant tutor." Len shook her head.
"I heard that you found a tutor who actually seemed to help." Bas smiled at her. "But I haven't heard who."
"And you won't." Len replied. "Part of the deal was that it remains a secret. I tell, I lose my tutor. You can understand." Bas nodded in agreement.
"So, you're getting extra lessons to prepare?" He asked.
"Actually, Dumbledore made me a deal. So I don't have to do the final." Len smiled. Bas smiled delighted at her, and hugged her. He then proceeded to yawned. "Alright. You rest. Merlin I don't need Auntie Poppy yelling at me." Just then Moody, Pomfrey and Dumbledore walked in. "Perfect timing. I need to head to class, and it looks like he could use a rest."
"Sure through me to the wolves." Sebastian teased. "Have a good afternoon Squirt." Sebastian was allowed to stay until the end of classes. Between visiting with her brother, studying, Len was getting pretty tired.
While sitting her Astronomy exam, she fell asleep. Fortunately for her, it was one of the classes that she found easy and was able to finish the exam in the twenty minute that remained after she was woken up.
Both Bas and Maia nagged her to get more sleep. After the Marauders heard about her little nap, they started to nag too.
"Why are you all against me?" Len groaned. "I'll be fine. I just have three more days. Then I'll have the whole summer to able to get sleep as much as I what."
"We bug because we care." Sirius assured her. Len shrugged and rolled her eyes.
"At least they've forgotten about me getting lost." Len mumbled. Maia started to laugh having heard what Len had just said.
"Len, you are just so amusing this year." Maia insisted. "But really, all the hard classes are over."
"You just say that because you did Arithmecy today." Len countered.
"Very true. Since when have you had trouble with any of your classes? Well other than Potions." Maia teased. "You wouldn't be studying so hard to impress a certain big brother would you?"
Len cast Maia a vicious look. Bas started to laugh. "Len don't put your self out on my account." He insisted. "Whatever you normally do seem to work just fine."
"Well thanks." Len replied. "I'll keep that in mind."
Lenore and Maia were sitting their, Muggle Studies exam. Both had taken the class to see the different perspective, and for an easy class. They were so BORED! They both finished in like 20 minutes. Their professor let them go, so as not to have them disturbing the rest of the students.
Once they were clear of the room. "I'm so not taking that again." Len replied stretching.
"Hell no. I could teach that class better." Maia replied. "You think he's ever even been in a Muggle house?"
Len laughed, "Probably not."
"It's been great having your brother around." Maia smiled.
"Please don't tell me that you fancy him." Len shook her head.
"SSHHH!!!!!" One of the professors called from a room and slammed the door. Len and Maia had to try and quiet their giggles as they headed off. Knowing that they would receive the same reaction from their housemates, they went to Len's secret room.
"Maia what's the deal with you and Remus anyway?" Len asked as they entered the staircases. Maia looked at Len and smiled.
"What do you mean?" Maia asked innocently.
"The innocent thing just doesn't work for you. Do tell? You like him." Len replied.
Maia laughed. "Yes. Who wouldn't he's totally do-able."
Len laughed, and nodded in agreement. "True, so why haven't you dated yet?"
"He hasn't asked." Maia sighed. "Merlin, what do I have to do to get that boys attention. A strip tease?"
"Maia, you'd have his attention." Len assured her. "I think he's just a little shy."
"Shy??? Shy!! Are we talking about the same guy who asked out both the Corso twins, for the same night, and who managed to convince them to go. The same guy who walked right up to Narcissa Martin and kissed her right in front of her boyfriend." Maia replied. They were at the door on the room. "Remus Lupin is anything but shy!" Maia paused and turned to look at Len holding the door slightly ajar. "Having said all that, I'd so . . . if he asked me." They started to laugh. That is until they saw the Marauders in there.
Remus looked to be blushing horribly, while the others were laughing. Len began to laugh so hard that she fell to the floor. Maia went red, then purple because she'd stopped breathing. Len noticed first.
"Maia, breathing is important." Len replied, threw a fit of giggles. "Breath. Passing out on him is not a good way to get his attention." Len collapsed into another fit of laughter. Maia recovered, taking a deep breath. She moved over to where Lupin sat, sitting beside him, she turned to Len.
"You realise that we could have as easily been talking about your love-life as we came in." Maia replied. Len stopped laughing immediately.
"You wouldn't!!!" Len implored. Maia gave her a try me look. "Okay, no more jokes."
"I hope that we're not bound by that." James chuckled. "You should have seen your face."
"What are you guys doing here anyway?" Len asked, trying not to laugh. She was fighting a losing battle on that front. Her only chance was to change the topic.
"Not talking about our love lives." Sirius assured her and laughed. Remus was still in shock having been the topic of the girls' conversation. "But ladies, feel free to continue. What were you saying?"
"Sirius!" Remus growled. "I doubt that you'd find it as amusing if it was you. Wait never mind, you would." He started to chuckle.
"I think you might have his attention now." Len teased. Maia looked like she was debating laughing or yelling. A small smile crept onto her lips.
Sirius squeezed beside Maia. "So, do tell. Who does Len like?" Len's eye grew like saucers. Maia started to laugh and cast an evil look toward Len.
"Don't! I swear I'll curse you." Len implored. "Maia I'm you friend, don't."
"Well we were--" Len had dove over to clasp her hand over Maia's mouth. Which coessentially had her half laying on Sirius.
"Maia, don't you dare!" Len ordered. Sirius casually wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her hand from Maia.
"Is that any way to treat your friend?" He asked.
"Oh, yeah! We do this all the time." Len insisted.
"Oh yeah!" Maia agreed. "Insults. Pillow Fights. Sock wars. Pretty standard."
This really got the boys attention. "You serious?" Peter asked, looking like he was having a strange hallucination. The girls looked at each other and nodded.
"Now, would you answer my question?" Len replied. "Why are you guys in here?"
"It's a nice quiet place to think, normally." Remus replied.
"You can't lie Remus. Go take some lessons from a Slitherin." Len replied. "Truth please? And shouldn't you be in class?"
"Hey!" Remus sounded insulted. Maia leaned over and kissed his check.
"It's true. You don't lie well." Maia told him. "But you do the quiet- mysterious type so well." Maia smiled, he began to blush again.
"We. . . we were just studying." Sirius replied. Len was still wrapped in his arms, and he was having trouble thinking.
"Really?" Len didn't sound convinced. She decided to take advantage of her position. She shifted her weight, and turned to look at Sirius, with beautiful flirty eyes. "What were you studying?"
The Marauders knew that Sirius was weak when it came to pretty girls, especially Lenore. However, because of their current mood they were not at all helpful. Remus burst out laughing. James started to shake his head, chuckling about being played. Peter, well he still looked dazed, as if dreaming about something.
"Ummm . . .Transfig." Sirius replied, in a dreamy state.
Now Len was nowhere near the flirt that Maia was, but she managed. She pouted her lips. She seemed to suddenly find a curl by his ear fascinating, and started to twirl it around her finger. Len realized that Sirius' hair for being all wild was actually soft. "What about it?"
"Animagus." Sirius replied before he could stop himself. The Marauders look at him shocked. Len pulled back.
"Sirius!!!" they shouted.
"Do you know how dangerous that is?" Len replied.
"Not to mention, slightly illegal." Maia threw at them. Looking incredulously at them.
"Guy, you could have helped." Sirius defended. Still looking shaken by the encounter.
"Look, don't worry. We're being careful." James insisted. "Really."
"Really? What about Remus?" Len looked at them. "Remember what happened for the misfired Transfig?"
"Yeah, hard to forget." Peter grumbled.
"Don't worry. I'm not trying to." Remus tried to calm them down.
"Yeah, Remus is our safeguard." James jumped in.
"He learned the counter charm. So if we get stuck, he can get us back to normal." Sirius assured them.
"Why?" Maia asked. "It's terribly dangerous. Why would you bother?"
They looked at each other. Then Remus jumped in, "It's because of me." His voice was very quiet. "Because of . . ." He found that he could not say it, even though they knew. "I can be around animals, just not people. So . . ."
"As good friends, we wanted to help." Sirius replied.
"You two, please don't tell." James implored them. "I don't think that the Professors would understand."
Maia and Len nodded. "Of course, not." Len replied, she knew magic she wasn't supposed to. Hell her brother was an unregistered animagus.
"I won't say a word." Maia assured them.
"Good." James replied. He gave into his temptation then. "You said that you'd so. . . So what?" Maia's eyes went wide, Len again descended into a fit of laughter.
That night, Len found that all the fastidious academic freaks, otherwise known as her house mates, where just boring the heck out of her. Even Bas had been drawn into their web of studying. He was aiding some of his friends in their review. Len decided to go for a walk. Maia who was just as bored decided to join Len for a walk.
Len knew that walking be the dark forest, was a little too risky. Instead they decided to head toward the Quidditch pitch, walking through the gardens. Len refused to talk about her social life anywhere but their dorm room, for obvious reasons. However, Maia didn't like *no* as an answer.
"Come on Len. Share?" Maia whined.
"No!" Len smiled. "For the like thousandth time, I'm not telling. So, has he asked you yet?" Maia scowled at her. They headed to sit on the pitch.
"No!" She pouted. "He has to know that I'd say yes now. Why won't he ask?"
"Because you're a Ravenclaw?" Len knew it to be Snape's voice. Snape was just landing. "It's well known that Ravenclaw never date during finals. He probably doesn't want to upset your study schedule." He looked at them. "Sorry I was just . . . ummm leaving."
"Don't on account of us." Len replied.
"We just needed some air. Study freaks, are very touchy." Maia giggled. "I really want to thank you."
Snape looked at Maia confused for a second. "Pardon?"
"I figure that Len may have killed me or been expelled without your help, so thanks." Maia smiled. Snape tucked some of his hair behind his ear nervously. Maia looked again. "I think that you should pull your hair back. Looks better."
"Maia! You flirt." Len shook her head. "Sorry, Maia likes to perpetuate the Ravenclaw myth."
Snape realized that they were actually willing to talk with him. "Is it true that you fell asleep in one of your finals?"
"Yeah." Len blushed. "How embarrassing! Now everyone is bugging me to get more sleep. I keep telling them that I'll get plenty of rest, once I'm done."
"So what do you have planed for the summer?" He asked.
"Assuming my folks don't kill me. I was planning in catching up with my siblings. Doing some fun reading. Nothing special. You?" Len asked pleasantly.
"Nothing special. How many siblings do you have?" Severus was shocked. Most Wizarding families had one or two children, rarely more.
"Well there's Sebastian, he's the oldest." Len smiled. "Then I have a younger brother Edward, he's 8, Rebeca is 5, and my baby sister Susan is a year old."
"Wow!" He thought about that for a second. "Why such an age gap?"
"Well, Bas was from dad's first marriage. Then I was born shortly after my folks were married." Len paused and looked at him. "My mom was really young you see, so I guess that she wanted to wait before have more kids. I really miss them. I really miss Bas when he's away. I'm so worried that something will happen to him."
"Why'd he decide to become an auror anyway?" Severus asked.
"I'm not really sure. I know that he and dad argued about it for almost two years." Len replied. "He could have been on the national Quidditch team. Did you know that?"
"No I didn't." Snape smiled. "What about the others? Any signs of magical talent in them yet?"
"Not yet. Dad's hoping, mom's hoping they aren't. I think that the whole magic thing still creeps her out a bit." Len smiled. "That's why she's so glad that Maia's my best friend."
"But Maia is a pureblood witch aren't you?" He asked carefully, not really following why Len's mother would like that.
Maia smiled. "Yes thanks. Glad that you noticed."
"But Maia grew up in a Muggle community, so she understands." Len replied, feeling as if she would laugh.
"So your mom's not comfortable with the witch thing?" He replied cautiously.
"Not really." Len replied looking at him. "Personally I think that it has something to do with her feeling insecure. Because well she can't help with my homework, she doesn't understand when I talk about classes. She kind of feels left out."
"I guess that would be hard." He replied. "But then, I have very little understanding on the Muggle world."
"I didn't notice that you took Muggle studies." Len commented. "Not that that would really have helped. It was a joke really. I'm so not taking it again."
"Why did you in the first place?" He inquired. He noted that Maia was getting restless beside them. Perhaps he should leave them.
"Perspective." Len shrugged. "Why were you out here flying?"
"I . . . ummm . . . was hoping to make my house team next year." He admitted.
"Really?" Maia jumped in. "I didn't know that you played."
"Most don't." Severus replied looking at her. "But our seeker is graduating, and well that's my favourite position. So I thought I'd get some practise. Seeing as how, I needed a study break anyway."
"Well good luck!" Maia encouraged.
"I hope that doesn't mean that you won't have time for me next year." Len smiled warmly. "To tutor I mean."
"We'll see." He smiled at her. "Ladies, I had best return to my studies."
"Oh really why?" Len teased.
"I'm not entirely certain this isn't some clever Ravenclaw plot to distract me, so that I lose top honours." He teased back.
"Would we do that?" Len tried to look mischievous. Maia joined her. "Who us?"
"Good night ladies." He replied as he headed back to the school.
"You're right Len, he's not half bad when he's not around Malfoy." Maia replied, knowing full well that Severus was still within hearing distance. However if he heard her, he gave no sign as he just kept walking.
"Maia!" Len looked at the retreating form. "Don't do that."
"You like him." Maia insisted.
"He's nice, when not around Malfoy." Len admitted.
"No, you Fancy, like him." Maia returned.
"Maia!"
"You were so flirting with him." Maia insisted.
"I was not!" Len insisted. "I don't flirt."
"Sirius?" Maia insisted. Len gave her a sideways glance.
"Different. That was for information." Len replied sarcastically.
"Right? And you were sitting on his lap because???" Maia inquired.
"Would you believe that it was comfortable?" Len tried.
"Not when you phrase it like that." Maia laughed.
"Go back to obsessing over your . . . boy." Len shook her head. She had intended to say something more like *were-wolf* but wasn't entirely sure that they were alone.
"Ohhh!" Maia pouted. "But bugging you is so much fun. You know, He doesn't have bad eyes." Len looked at Maia.
"Which one?" Len asked confused. It could be in reference to Sirius, Severus, Remus, or for that matter any other boy that had popped into Maia's head.
"Snape. When you can see them that is." Maia commented.
"I noticed. They're so dark that one could like fall in." Len replied. Maia smiled. "Remus has nice eyes. The crystal-blue around the new moon."
"Ohhh yeah!" Maia agreed. "Even the green, aqua colour is kind of nice."
"Maia, for the love of Gandalf, just ask the boy out." Len pleaded. "You've got to stop obsessing. By Mistra this is getting ridiculous."
"You're one to talk! Miss oh-poor-me-who-to-choose." Maia replied. "Please. Just pick one. Or better yet try them both, see which you like better."
"MAIA!" Lenore yelled. "Vixen!"
"Thank you!" Maia stated proudly.
Len found that she couldn't sleep that night. Maia seemed to place rotten nagging questions in her mind. All confused and jumbled her thoughts were disjointed not allowing for her to sleep. Len gave up and headed down to the common room. The Ravenclaw common room, looked rather like a library or study. Bookshelves lined the walls, few pictures were up. The lighting and chairs were situated for reading or writing. There were discussion areas set of to the side. Len entered to find Bas was sitting there by the fire reading.
"What are you doing up?" Len asked. Rubbing her head, which had begun to throb.
"I could ask you the same." He retorted. "You need you r rest."
"So do you. Auntie Poppy'll kill me if you get sick." Len protested.
"Relax, no one really wants to kill you." He told her. "I take it that you can't sleep either?" Len shook her head *no*. "Sorry that your walk didn't help."
"I'd be fine, I think, if Maia stopped trying to set me up on a date." Len replied, taking a seat across from him. "You never told me what happened?"
"No, I didn't." He replied looking into the fire. "Len, you really don't want to know."
"I do, or I wouldn't have asked." Len replied. "Bas, you've always been so careful not to let anyone else know. Then you literally drop out of the sky. That's just not like you."
"I should have gone pro. I should have let dad bully me into becoming a Quidditch star." He shook his head. Len looked shocked. Like most, Len had believed that it was their father that had argued in favour of Bas becoming an Auror. "It's true. He thought that it would be too dangerous for me to become an Auror. Said that it was best left to foolish Gryffindors. That I should pick something safer."
"Oh!" Len replied still slightly shocked. "Why the sudden change of heart? I've never known you to back down before."
"I don't normally get myself killed." He looked at her. "Squirt, I was so scared that I'd never see you, or the little ones again. I think that dad was right. I seem to have too much of my mother in me." He looked away. "I haven't finished training yet and I've already nearly got myself killed, twice."
"Hey, I'm not even an auror-in-training and I've nearly had Mr. Moody blow me to bits like three or four times." Len replied. Bas laughed at her. "What happened?"
"I went back for one of the fallen." Bas replied. "They keep telling me that it's a bad habit I have. Anyway, I got him out, but got a nice hole in my side protecting him, while he escaped." Bas looked at her. She watched him intently. "My survival instinct just took over." He saw when the light hit her. He watched as the meaning sank in. "Len?"
"You did what you had to." Len comforted him, hugging him.
"I . . . I think that the Aurors were betrayed." He whispered. "That's why Moody brought me here. That's why I was allowed to stay. He thinks that whoever it is, wants me out of the way. However by Merlin I don't know why. How they managed to sneak anyone in there is beyond me. I've never seen so many paranoid people in my life."
"I noticed that Mr. Moody was a little . . . high strung." Len replied.
"A little??!! Hades he's certifiable." Bas replied. "That's why he's such a good Auror. He thinks that it's treason, or something, to show affection. He seriously believes that someone is always watching him. Don't get me wrong, I respect him, but he scolds me for keeping a picture of you. He nearly cursed me because he saw me hug you. I really don't want to turn into that."
"You won't." Len assured him. "You're too sweet. Besides, I won't let you ignore me."
"Good." He hugged her again. "I need you, I'd miss you to much."
"Ahhh! This is starting to give me a toothache." Len teased. "Want to go raid the kitchen?" Bas laughed shaking his head.
"You could get into trouble." He warned.
"Only if I get caught." Len smiled at him. "With you to cover for me, what are the odds?"
"Wait, I just remembered I'm supposed to uphold the law. I guess that would extend to the rules of the school." Bas told her.
"Not until, after, you finish your training." Len smiled at him. "Besides, I'm sure that you've broken more rules and laws than I ever will."
Bas looked thoughtful then nodded. "Yeah! Please don't try. Dad already thinks that I'm a bad influence on you."
"But it's true." Len insisted.
He laughed. "But you weren't supposed to notice."
The next day in Transfig, Len and Maia were bored. They had had enough. Len just really wanted to be sitting outside with Bas, singing to the radio, not stuck in another final.
-M*, I'm sooo bored!- Len wrote on her final paper. She wasn't sure if Maia would notice, it took about a minute before Maia replied.
-Me too. I could do this in my sleep!- Maia wrote back on her paper. -Looks like you are. You got to start getting more sleep.-
-Thanks!- Len glanced up to see that McGonagall was paying them no attention. -It's your fault this time.-
-Really! How?-
-You, you gave me nightmares.-
-Nightmares?- Maia cast her a quick curious glance.
-Yeah! The *paw*, SS triangle.- Len replied. -Okay, maybe not nightmares. But I still couldn't sleep.-
-Hey, I'd take that dream!-
-M*!- Len had to bit her knuckle not to laugh. -Vixen! What would *wolf say?-
This time it was Maia who had to bit her lip not to laugh. -Maybe he could join in?-
Len fell forward hitting her head against the desk, in an attempt not to laugh at this. Which unfortunately drew too much attention.
"Miss Nightshade?" McGonagall asked sternly. Len looked up at her thinking *straight face, straight face*.
"Sorry, Professor." Len replied. "I was trying to knock the information lose. I promise to be more discrete about it." Maia looked as if she were going to break into hysterics. Len knew if Maia did that she would also. It was only because Professor McGonagall prowled around them that they managed not to. After about 20 minutes, she moved to another area.
-I thought we were busted for sure.- Len wrote. -Think that she bought it?-
-No.- Maia replied. -Do you actually think that she intended anyone to finish this thing?-
-No. Won't she be surprised.- Len replied both she and Maia were on the second last page. -Hope it doesn't wreck the grading curve for the others.-
-You know, we could cheat really easy this way.- Maia commented.
-But why would we need to cheat?- Len looked confused.
-Oh, we don't. It's just nice to know that we could.- Again, both girls looked like they were going to laugh. Len, buried her head in her arm on the desk. Maia gnawed on her finger, closing her eyes.
After class the two girls ran out of the room. They burst out laughing once in the hall. Most people just shook their heads dismissing it as exam stress. After all that was their final, final exam. Len and Maia had to lean on each other for support they were laughing so hard.
The Marauders and Lily came up to them. "Have you two lost it?" Lily asked. They shook their heads *no*. They were laughing to hard to speak.
"Why do I feel that we missed a great joke?" Sirius asked James, who shrugged.
"Do we get to know what's so funny?" Remus asked. The girls again shook *no*, still not able to form a sentence.
"Too much studying makes you strange." James replied. "I think you two need some air." The two girls were still laughing, feeding off each other. They would almost stop then look at each other and start again. "Sirius, give me a hand I think we should take them outside, before someone decides to commit them to the insanity ward of St. Mungo's."
Maia and Len didn't protest as they were manoeuvred out into the court yard, for lunch. Once they were seated outside, and were somewhat calmed down Sirius, James, and Peter headed in to get food for everyone.
"What was that about?" Lily asked carefully. Not really wanting to start them on another giggle fit. Len and Maia looked at each other.
"Just something stupid." Maia replied. "I think that we're overstressed."
"Remus, did you really make a bet with Maia?" Len demanded.
"Pardon?" A little confused by the sudden change of topic.
"Maia told me I had to go out with Sirius before holidays. Her reasoning was that you two made a bet, on us." Len replied. She now had to dodge Maia, who looked to be trying to shut her up. Maia was red, and probably stunned speechless. Len looked to be taking advantage of the situation. "Maia told me that you bet her that if Sirius and I went out before the end of school, you'd visit her during the summer."
It was Lily's turn to burst out laughing. Remus when red, Maia started to beat Lenore with a text book. Then other three, with Bas close behind returned to see this.
"It seems to be contagious." Bas replied dryly.
"Owh . . . so I was wondering, owh . . . which were . . . owh . . . you hoping . . . owh . . . for?" Len asked as Maia continued to beat her with the book. Maia continued to beat Len, but looked to Remus for a response.
"Ummm. . . what's going on?" James asked a hysterical Lily.
"Remus . . . Bet. . . Maia . . ." Lily managed to get out. "Sirius . . . date . . . Len."
James looked confused trying to understand. Peter started to laugh. "What?"
"Remus and Maia must have had a bet going on whether or not Sirius and Len would be dating by the end of the year." Peter said. Sirius looked incredulous at Remus, who rolled his eyes, and somehow managed to go a deeper red.
James started to chuckle. "So why is Maia beating Len with a book?"
"She ow . . . got mad ow . . . that I told . . .ow . . . Remus . . .Ow . . .That I knew." Len replied, she was laughing between being hit. "Little . . . Ow . . . Help . . . Ow." Bas, went to grab Maia gentle, and pulled her out of reach of Lenore.
"Len! I can't believe you!" Maia huffed looking extremely put out. "I mean how would you like it if I went around telling everyone, how you said that Sirius was a fabulous kisser?" Len's jaw dropped open. The rest of the crowd was silent for a second. "There, now we're even." The others burst out laughing.
"Oh no we're not." Len launched herself at Maia. Somehow, Maia managed to break free of Bas' hold and start to run. Len chased after her. This only made the laugh harder.
After about five minutes. James, an only child, asked "Should we maybe stop them?"
"Nah! Let them wear them selves out." Bas replied sobering. "This is normal. They'll likely collapse and laugh."
"This is normal?" James didn't sound convinced. Perhaps it had something to do with the death threats he heard coming from the two girls.
"Oh sure." Lily replied hugging James.
"Yeah, they don't mean it." Sirius agreed. "They just need to yell, shout and insult each other."
"It's part of any healthy sibling relationship." Bas replied. "Maia and Len are as close as sisters. Maybe closer than some."
"If you guys say so." James replied. He turned to look at the two girls. Len had apparently caught Maia by now. Len and Maia were wrestling. "That's normal?"
Bas looked over his shoulder at them. "Yeah." He looked completely unworried by this display.
"Watch the hair!" one of the girls called. This of course caused laughter threw out the group.
Five more minutes brought the girls laughing hugging each other back to the group. Most of whom were laughing also. They sat on either side on Bas. "So, Remus I don't believe that I ever heard the answer to Len's question." Maia smiled.
"You were busy." He replied as he took a drink.
The girls looked at each other. "You can't lie." They said in unison.
"You might as well tell them. They will just bug you until you do." Bas informed him.
"I really though that Sirius would have asked Len out by now." Remus shook his head.
"Ohhh, sure try to take the attention off you." Sirius replied. "Like I'm going to ask her out, with her older brother sitting here? Right! I'm not that stupid."
Remus shrugged. "It was worth a shot."
"Oh for the love of Mistra!" Len huffed. "Just ask already! Look it's not that hard."
They looked at Len. She rolled her eyes. "Damn, you all. Gryffindors! Why can't you act like normal hormonally-overdosed teenagers like the rest of the world. Lily and James managed, somehow." Bas was cracking up laughing. Maia started to giggle, trying to imagine these Gryffindors being less reserved.
"Ummm. . . .Len I think that Maia must have hit you too hard." Sirius replied.
"Yeah, we have a . . . reputation for being more . . . uhhh . . . playful than either of you." Remus replied. "And I'm not talking about pranks."
Len rolled her eyed. She started muttering and stood to leave. "I'm going to my room. Where you can no long cause me a headache, you evil, evil people. That includes you to Maia. Stay!" Len headed off.
Half way to the Ravenclaw dorm, she realized that people were still studying, so they would be too uptight to allow her to relax. The Library was also too full of people studying to be enjoyable. While most of those who'd finished had gone outside to enjoy the sun and nice weather, it left few places to relax.
Len felt the weight of not sleeping and all the exercise catch up with her. She yawned. She pondered for only a moment before continuing on her way. She hoped that she would get to sleep before someone asked her for help. However, Murphy just kept picking her. Out of the thousands of students in the school, he chose her to use as his model.
Malfoy, coming from the Great Hall spotted her. Of course followed closely by his goon squad, he called after her. "Now what would you be doing inside, alone? Have a little falling out with your girlfriend?"
"Why? Looking to nail leftover Malfoy?" Len replied. "Even distraught, Maia has better standards. Like you could even handle her." Len turned to leave. Goyle stopped her with a beefy hand on her shoulder. "Ewww Gross! Hands off.!"
"Why don't you stay and play with us?" Malfoy sneered moving closer.
"1, I have standards. I don't like to play with . . ." She looked between Crabe and Goyle. "Proto humans. 2, I despise you Malfoy. If we were the last two living entities on the planet, I rather talk to rocks than you. 3, I'm really very tired, can't we insult each other later? I promise I'll dream up some good tortures, just for you." Len replied, she looked Malfoy directly in the eyes. This was somewhat difficult because he was taller than she was.
"Did you just say that you'd dream of me? Torture too? Kinky!" He replied. Len rolled her eyes. She felt like she would hurl.
"You're revolting." Len replied. "Let me go."
"Is that the best you can come up with?" Malfoy sneered.
"Actually yes. I told you I was tired." Len replied defensively. She really didn't have the energy for this.
"That's sad." He taunted.
"Sorry. I know that you get your perverted kicks out of being insulted." Len yawned. Malfoy reached out and grabbed Lenore. "Ouch!"
"Let go of my sister!" Bas ordered from behind Malfoy. Malfoy jumped releasing Len, in fact Crabe and Goyle jumped too. "I do believe that she asked you to leave her be." Len rushed over to her brother. He had a cold look in his eyes. It caused the Slitherin boys to shrink back. Even Malfoy, who had never shrunk in fear from anyone, felt a desire to be else where. "Leave now!" The boys hurried to be out of sight.
"Wow, that was great." Len smiled at him. "Can you teach me that stare?"
"We'll see." He smiled at her. "But you'd have to promise to only use it for good."
"Rats!" Len replied.
They were headed home a week later. The Marauders insisted that they sit together, despite it being slightly crowed. Sirius offered his lap to Len, which from the look Bas gave him may very well have meant his life, if Len hadn't laughed and sat on the floor. It was rather uneventful. Until the tearful good-byes.
"Promise to owl me?" Lily insisted. Len turned into a little hug fiend hugging everyone. Lily. Sirius. Maia (even though bas was taking her home). Sirius. Remus. Sirius. James. Sirius. Peter.
Bas looked at Sirius as he tried to move to get another hug. The two made eye contact. Bas gave him a warning look. Sirius shrugged. Bas waited to make sure that they were all picked up and then hustled the girls off home.