Chapter 14 – Of Mysteries and Makeshift Mayhem
Albus Dumbledore was looking at the three boys, his eyes aflame. All traces of his usual friendliness had vanished, and he was looking very stern. James couldn't even bring himself to look his headmaster in the eye.
"Mr. Snape ran into me in the hallway," the elder spoke, "And told me a very interesting story, boys. I'm going to ask you to accompany me to my office. All of you."
Peter had raised his hand timidly, but lowered it once Dumbledore acknowledged him. He was shaking very visibly head to foot, but it wasn't anything compared to how Sirius felt.
He, Sirius, had willingly told Snape about how to break into the tree and get into the tunnel without warning him about Remus. The dark-brown haired boy's eyes widened in shock, and a deep chill spread throughout his entire body. James kept glancing guiltily from Snape to Sirius, but the four boys had no other alternative but to follow the old man back to his office.
"Cribbage's Wizarding Crackers." Dumbledore ordered a statue all the men halted at. For a moment, James thought the old Headmaster was going a bit mad, and then the statue jumped back out of its place and he saw it rotating slightly, as if unscrewing something from the ground. He then found out that there were stairs that were going along slowly in a circle as the statue continued to move. Dumbledore climbed on, and Severus was right behind him. Peter followed suit, then James (dragging his feet) who had to literally yank the hollow Sirius onto the winding staircase.
By the time they were all settled down in uncomfortable chairs in Dumbledore's office, they didn't even have time to marvel the sights. Dumbledore sat down opposite him, behind his desk, and began questioning right away.
"What happened?"
Of course, his question was addressed to Severus. In an instant, the Slytherin took no time of how he was "innocently" just sitting in the Entrance Hall, and how Sirius appeared and told him about the Willow. From James' point of view, the story sounded three times as awful than it seemed when it actually occurred.
"I have to say, that I am mildly infuriated at the four of you!" Dumbledore spoke clearly, after hearing Severus' tell the story. "So many broken rules… romping around after dark, going out onto the grounds, tampering with school property and exposure to a fully grown werewolf!"
As each crime was repeated, Sirius winced while still keeping his eyes focused on the ground. James kept looking from Dumbledore to his best friend, and Peter was shaking uncontrollably. Severus' face showed no emotion, despite the situation.
"I – Mr. Black." Dumbledore announced, and Sirius jumped slightly in place as if he had been electrocuted.
"Y-Yes professor?" Sirius responded in a voice perhaps two octaves higher than what he usual spoke.
"Is it true that it was you who told Severus how to break into the Whomping Willow?"
"Yes sir." Sirius answered, quite dismally.
"And is it true that you told him to go down and walk in the tunnel?"
"Yes sir."
"And did you know that Remus Lupin, a full-grown werewolf, would be waiting at the other end of the tunnel the whole time?"
Sirius' throat went raw. "Yes. Yes sir."
Dumbledore sighed, and rose to his feet, stroking his mighty gray beard. He looked at all four of the boys, and began murmuring quietly to himself as he was deciding their punishment. Five minutes later, he turned back around.
"If I were to do things correctly, then from this circumstance Mr. Black, you should be expelled."
James and Sirius looked at each other, and Sirius rocketed upwards and his hands balled into fists at his sides. His eyes were wide, and his breathing uneven and shallow.
"Expelled? As in never to come back?"
"I'm afraid so, yes," Dumbledore said grimly, though James noticed a look in his eyes. "But right now, it isn't the case. I won't expel you, Mr. Black. Please, do me a favor and sit back down. I'm not done talking to you all, yet."
Severus' hope faded once Dumbledore declared that he wasn't going to be expelling Sirius Black anytime soon. A dark look crossed his facial features. 'Ruddy Gryffindors' he thought bitterly, 'Now if it was I who taunted him into the tunnel, I would be expelled in an instant.'
Severus zapped back to reality just in time to hear Dumbledore's punishments.
"-And seventy-five points will be taken from the Slytherin House. And, I'm afraid, you also get a week's worth of detention."
"What?" Severus gasped, "And what punishment do the Gryffindors get?"
"You would've known if you were listening. I took one-hundred-and-fifty points from Gryffindor House, and they all have a week's worth of detention also." Dumbledore repeated.
Severus glowered for a moment, then got to his feet to leave. Dumbledore waved his head sadly.
"I cannot let you leave quite yet," he whispered, "But you three Gryffindors can go back to your common rooms. If I catch you again out after dark I'm afraid you'll have to be suspended."
The three Gryffindor young men got up hurriedly and left quickly. As soon as the door shut, Dumbledore turned back to Severus, who was sitting with a skeptical look on his face.
"I'm afraid you cannot tell anyone of tonight's events," Dumbledore stated clearly. "It wouldn't be good for Remus Lupin to have everyone find out that he's a werewolf."
Severus opened his mouth to object, but couldn't find any words. He closed his mouth angrily and folded his arms. He wasn't going to say a word to anyone… besides Regulus, that is….
"And from a promise that I had with Mr. Lupin… I am supposed to protect his secret at all costs. I know his friends won't tell of his lycanthropy, but you… as their rival…"
"So basically you're trying to tell me that if I don't keep this quiet, they'll hex me?" Severus repeated, rolling his eyes, "They're probably going to hex me for listening to Black, anyway."
"That I doubt. They wouldn't want any more trouble on their tabs right now." Dumbledore added earnestly, "But Severus, what I am trying to say is… if you don't willingly keep Remus' secret quiet – I'm sorry but I would have to… modify your memory to keep the rest of the school from knowing."
Severus' jaw dropped. All this trouble just to protect the secret of some bloody Gryffindor! It wasn't right! It was unjust and unfair! How many other secrets did Dumbledore keep from the rest of the school?
Severus sat and thought long and hard. Of course, it would be murder not to spoil a secret as great as this… but he didn't want his memory modified. What if the spell accidentally took away more of his memories than it was supposed to? Finally, he decided, getting to his feet once more.
"I'll keep quiet about it, and I swear not to say anything to anyone." Severus promised dryly, looking Dumbledore in the face. "I give you my word."
Dumbledore nodded, "You are a great man. One day I'm sure Remus shall pay you back for your kindness. You are dismissed."
Severus nodded once, and exited the Headmaster's office in thought. He had barely crossed the hallway, when someone grabbed him into the shadows.
"You keep your fat lip shut about Remus." Someone murmured.
"Because if you don't…"
"I know, consequences." Severus added. His face portrayed himself as uninterested once he looked into the dark faces of James Potter and Sirius Black. "I already gave my word to Dumbledore."
With those words, the two Gryffindor boys let go of the front of Severus' robes. They glowered at the tall Slytherin as he left, and they parted their separate ways. And despite the predicament that had occurred just an hour or so – no one spoke a word to each other as they walked back to their dorms.
-x-
The next day was a clear one. There were scarcely any clouds, and the sky was a nice, azure blue. The Great Hall was bustling with happy students, oblivious to what went on between the Marauders and Severus the other night. Everyone was just chattering quietly at breakfast… except for some.
She was feeling guilty about all she had said (or for better words… hadn't said) to him. He was trying to make things better again between them… and she kept ignoring him. She was… no, she had to apologize. She got up from her own table, and began heading over towards the Gryffindor table.
Peter Pettigrew was sitting with Lily Evans and telling her of the events the night before. Lily was listening attentively, her eyes wide and a look of astonish on her face. Neither one noticed when she stood opposite them the on the other side of their table.
"And he saved him?" Lily asked Peter, her eyebrows rising.
"Yes!" Peter repeated dramatically, though they were both speaking no louder than a whisper. "James saved Snape!"
"Are you sure that we're talking about the same James Potter?" Lily asked incredulously, "The one that doesn't care for no one but himself?"
"Don't make him out to be such a bad guy, Lily. James is all right, and yes, I tell you… he saved Snape! He pulled him back away from Remus-"
At the mention of his name, she seized her chance.
"Excuse me," she cut in politely.
They both looked over and glowered at the girl, questioningly. "Do we… know you?" asked Lily, squinting at her.
"Uhm, no I'm afraid not. My name is Alanze Daniels – I'm a… well I was a friend of Remus. I noticed he's always around you both… and I came over to ask if you've seen him lately."
Both Lily and Peter exchanged dark looks. Lily nodded once to him, then turn around to talk to Alanze.
"He's been ill," she said quietly, "I'll tell him that you asked for him."
"Is it bad?" Alanze asked fearfully.
"Is what bad, sorry?" answered the redhead, cocking an eyebrow at the younger Ravenclaw.
"You said Remus was ill. I asked was his illness bad." Alanze elaborated, bored. "Have you misunderstood me?"
Lily took her tone as hostile, and her eyes narrowed dangerously, "I told you Remus isn't here. He's sick, and there's nothing else to the story."
"I just thought that you're always around him… are you his girlfriend?" Alanze asked, looking slightly abashed, "I'm sorry… did I offend you?"
Lily's left eyebrow rose so quick it was alarming. She yanked the goblet that she was drinking from away from her lips and slammed it down on the table with an angry clatter. She turned to Peter, almost fuming now.
"Can you believe that she's the fifteenth person who've asked me if I was Remus' girlfriend?" Lily exclaimed loudly, and many people began giving them curious looks.
"Look, child…" the older Gryffindor girl started off agitated.
Alanze blushed. "Don't call me a child – I'm only two years younger than you."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Look. Listen. Remus and I… we're friends. I'm always around him because we're in the same common room! Have you thought of that?"
"N…No." replied the Ravenclaw girl weakly.
"Obviously," Lily continued, "And… I'm always Peter, James and Sirius too, for that matter! We're always nearby, because… they're my friends!"
At that moment James and Sirius sat to the left of Peter, gazing at the scene fondly.
"Alright… Lily's yelling at someone!" Sirius cheered gleefully, "And she'll be in trouble for once instead of me!"
"Shut your mouth, Sirius, I'm making a point." Lily snapped, waving her index finger at him and James, who had said nothing.
"Isn't that Alanze?" the bespectacled boy asked his best friend.
"Yeah, I wonder what she's getting told off for…" Sirius replied, and then trailed off to listen to whatever Lily was telling Alanze.
"…And I can't believe that so many people think that he's my boyfriend just because we're in the same year and have the exact same classes and we're in the exact same common room…"
"…Ah, she's talking about another Remus case. I'll sit this one out," murmured Sirius, reaching to go get some cereal.
"Aye to that," whispered James, reaching for the bacon. "I'm trying to keep my tally sheet cleared so she'll go to the dance with me."
Despite the boys, Lily was still lecturing Alanze. The younger girl had her head and eyes down to the ground, and it looked like Lily was punishing a dog after a bad deed.
"…And last but not least, to claim we go out just because we're always nearby is like saying you and Severus Snape are a couple!"
A lot of Gryffindors listening nearby hushed at the sound of the Slytherins name. A few Hufflepuffs nearby turned around to listen. Alanze's eyes darted up quickly, and she gave Lily a look of utmost irritation. Lily noticed the look on her face, and smirked. She crossed her arms and shifted slightly, to make her point.
"See? That's not a right thing to claim, now, is it?"
"No." Alanze growled, narrowing her eyes. "But you've made your point, mother. May I go?" she added sarcastically.
Lily's jaw dropped, and she purpled. Sirius snorted so hard with a mouthful of cereal and milk, that some of it came leaking out of his nose. A few younger girls sitting opposite him shrieked, and backed away as a laughing James pounded his friend on the back.
"Why you ill-mannered little wench…" Lily growled herself, rising to her feet slowly. But Alanze ignored her, and turned on heel and marched herself back to the Ravenclaw table.
"I can't believe her!" Lily said to Peter quite incredulously, as she sat back down. She looked around at the table, as if they were all witnesses to a great crime and had refused to admit what they saw. Peter giggled and nodded, trying to calm himself so that Lily wouldn't turn on him to.
"All I try to do is right the girl's wrong and she's getting huffy over a comment that I made about her and Snape! Well, bloody good! I hope she knows how I feel now, too!" the redhead was talking aloud quite angrily to no one in particular. She soon realized, however, that people were ignoring her so she buried her face in her Magical Herbs and Fungi book, simply fuming.
"I can't believe that just happened," Sirius said incredulously; wiping his nose with a large, damp tissue.
"What? The fact that Alanze just shut Lily up, or the fact that there were corn flakes dripping out of your nostrils?" James asked, grinning.
"Well… both," his best friend replied, his mischievous grin echoing that of his friend's, "But Alanze shutting Lily up was definitely the show stopper."
"I can hear you, you know." Lily tutted loudly from the right of Peter. James and Sirius exchanged grins of mock-horror and then James leapt up from his place at the table.
"I think I'll go visit Remus now." He added with a grin, and then bolted away from the table and Lily before he provoked her anymore.
"And I shall accompany you!" Sirius yelled, scurrying quickly out of the Great Hall behind his best friend while grinning like a madman.
"People these days," huffed Lily.
-x-
"Did anyone get the ranking on that hurricane that just hit me?" Remus moaned loudly, as Madam Jaccobs fussed over him for not taking his pepper-up potion. She was in charge of the ward today, and Remus was the only charge at the time.
"MOONY!"
The two voices lit up Remus' face as he looked over in the direction of the entrance. Sirius and James stumbled in, both of who were looking quite flushed from running.
"Hey, what's the rush?" Remus questioned, as they sat down on either side of the cot. He yawned deeply, and rearranged himself on his pillows.
"Lily just got into a row with your Alanze," Sirius teased, nudging Remus gently with his elbows.
Remus' eyes widened, "A row? What for? Why?"
"She asked Lily the infamous question." James reported, rolling his eyes. From his manner, Remus didn't even have to ask any more questions.
"And I expect Lily blew up in her face? As she always does to whomever asks her the question?" Remus said weakly, squinting in the light streaming in from the windows. As usual, he was very pale and shaky from the transformation of the night before.
"Yes, and Alanze seemed as if she was going to cry – but she just took the fact that you were… 'ill' and left, leaving Lily affronted." James joked, grinning, but after a moment he and Sirius exchanged quite solemn looks. Within moments, they had explained what happened last night and how Remus could've bit James or Severus. Remus was ashamed, and somewhat angered at Sirius – why would he have told Snape willingly?
"And what makes us so sure that Snape will keep his promise?" Remus grumbled, running a shaky hand through his hair.
"He gave his word to Dumbledore," repeated James solidly, "And…"
He and Sirius exchanged wicked smirks as they looked back at Remus.
"We jinxed him, just to make sure. He hasn't exactly forgotten about it - he thinks it's a big dream. And if he decides to tell someone… all the hair on his body will turn a nasty colour until he gets someone to take the curse off of him."
"All the hair on his body?" Remus repeated, his smirk joining that of his friends. "What colour?"
"Vivid purple," admitted Sirius, sending Remus into a fit of laughter. The boys continued to talk, up until classes were bound to start and James and Sirius knew they had to go.
"Hogsmeade Trip, again… after the Quidditch Game on Saturday. That way, it'll be about six days before Christmas Eve and we can get our costumes for the Ball. Are you going, Remus?"
Remus looked up at them. "I thought about it."
"Well, you better get to asking… time's almost up, mate. It's the 16th already!" James added in amazement.
"Says the boy whom didn't get a straight answer from his own date yet," remarked Sirius, "I'm taking Ariana shopping – I'm just hoping she doesn't pick pink. Just the thought of it gives me the shudders."
James rolled his eyes, and got up from his chair, "Well, just make sure you ask – and if not… just go stag. You know, alone. I'm pretty sure there'll be lots of girls there to dance with. And it's a masquerade! They don't even have to know who you are!"
Remus smirked, an idea forming into his brain. "Perhaps that's the case. I'll talk to you all later when I get out of here. I have some asking to do."
It was rather quiet as usual once James and Sirius left, but Remus was secretly going over things in his head. He knew whom he wanted to ask, but he just didn't know how or if he had the courage.
She was walking, of course… with five or six people. There were always a numerous amount of people surrounding her everywhere where she went… she was just that popular. How he was going to get a chance to talk to her apart from all the other people?
He followed her little group for a few minutes, and they decided to stray into the Gryffindor Common Room. He watched as all the boys left, and she sat with just two other girls. It was getting late by now, and the way that they just sat in the armchairs and kept blabbering was beginning to annoy Remus. Hadn't they run out of things to talk about, yet? He scanned the near-empty common room and saw his fellow Marauders playing exploding snap and a very wary Lily Evans sitting somewhat nearby them. She looked busy, and buried deep in her Charms text… until Remus saw her glance up at his three friends and bite the end of her quill. Was she nervous about accepting James' offer to the Ball? Or was it something else…
Finally, after about ten minutes the two girls that were accompanying Mackenzie got up, stretching and yawning. Remus seized his opportunity and got to his feet and hurried over to her. From all the time that he was watching them, he had planned his routine to be someone casual… and perfect. It had to be.
"Hello," he said lightly, slipping behind her armchair and draping his upper body and arms over it. She looked up interestedly, and smiled when she spotted it was Remus.
"Hay there," she greeted him in her unusual accent. "How are ya, Remus?"
"I'm-I'm good." Remus told her, grinning a bit too. "What've you been up to?"
"My friends and I were just chatting about things. You know, about the Ball and costumes and things that girls only twitter about." Mackenzie reported, with a sigh. "Are you going to the Ball?"
Remus felt his face heat up in colour. "I… I've been thinking about it. How about you?"
"Well, I'm going." Mackenzie told him, "This Slytherin 7th year asked me to go with him a week ago. We're going to go together as peasants. What've you been planning to go as?"
Remus felt his face get hot again. She was already going… and with someone else? After all, what did he expect? He knew that all the pretty girls would immediately be asked to attend the dance with boys his age, but he didn't know it would happen so quickly.
"You know, I think I'm not planning to go anymore. I just changed my mind." Remus grumbled to her, his good mood changing to sour. "See you around."
He headed upstairs just as soon as the deck of exploding snap cards exploded all over Peter's face.
"Hel…Hello," said a quiet voice approaching the remaining marauders. The three looked about and their eyes rested on one of Mackenzie's friends, the Deirdre girl. She was looking incredibly nervous and wringing her hands.
"I have something to ask one of you," she started softly, "So its better that I just come out and say it."
Sirius cringed. He thought she would be one of the many girls who didn't know he had a girlfriend and would ask him out… but was completely surprised by the outcome of her choice.
"Peter, d'you want to go to the Ball with me?"
Peter dropped the hand that was just dealt to him and it exploded again in his face. His jaw had slackened, as if he hadn't believed someone one day would actually ask him out to a dance.
"Sure! SURE!" Peter said, hopping to his feet. "I'll walk you to the dorm steps!" he added, following her with a large smile plastered upon his face.
James and Sirius however exchanged astonished looks.
"Well, I'll be damned." Sirius joked, picking up his deck and putting it away. "That's bad news, mate, if he's getting a date before you and Moony."
"I've asked Lily but I still have yet to wait for an answer." James rolled his eyes, sighing and going to the staircases. Lily, who had been working nearby, seized the opportunity and rushed to go meet him. Sirius stayed back a bit, leaving his friend with some privacy.
"Hey Potter,"
"Hello Lily."
There was a very awkward pause.
"Peter told me what happened between you four. About… Remus and how Sirius told Snape to enter in the tree and all." Lily started off slowly.
"Yeah? Well, it wasn't much I could do – I just didn't want Remus to devour Snape. I couldn't just let him face what he didn't know about and didn't expect."
"I know, and I think it was very noble that you saved Severus Snape." Lily said grandly, smiling at him. James began to blush – he hadn't remembered a time that she smiled directly at him and she looked very attractive when she did so.
"Yeah, I guess it was a good thing to do. No one ended up expelled… or hurt for the matter," James joked smoothly, crossing his arms. "Thanks for thinking I was noble, helping Snape. I'd help anyone if I knew they were in trouble."
"I know, you're a good person." Lily told him, "Which is why I'm deciding to throw away our past differences and gladly go to the Ball with you."
James looked at her, gripped her shoulders suddenly, then whooped and punched the air. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" he cheered, taking her hands in his. "I mean, Lily…. You won't be sorry, I promise."
Lily watched the happy young man's merriment and couldn't help smiling again. "All this fuss over me? I have to ask why, James Potter. You know…. I've gotten ten other invites to this Ball and accepted none beside yours?"
James looked at her, as if he was shocked that she'd ask such a question. "Because you are beautiful and very intelligent. I've always liked you – perhaps you were caught behind my shield of me being an arrogant jerk and just never noticed."
Lily blushed and smiled softly, biting her lip in reply. She smiled and released her hands from James', still blushing and looking around shyly.
"Well… goodnight James." She bid him, smiling gently and going over towards the girl's staircases.
"G'night," James bid her, watching her as she went up the steps. When she got to the part where the stairs branched off into a hallway, she turned and waved at him… then left for good.
And James went rocketing up the boys' dorms stairs, in pure hysteria, Sirius walking behind him, and shaking his head sadly but happy for his hyper friend.
-x-
A few days later during dinner, everyone was eating fine and undisturbed until a rather large owl bustled in from the window near the ceiling. It looked grand as it fluttered its great wings and swooped lower, studying the hall. A few teachers looked uncertain to each other as the owl found who it was looking for and headed in the direction of the Ravenclaw Table. It landed right in front of Alanze, missing her plate by centimeters, and held out its leg for her to receive her mail.
"Wow, do I owe you anything?" the spectacled girl questioned, untying the owl's letter and letting it drop onto her lap. The owl shook its head shortly, but took a piece of what looked to seem like a French fried potato – and took off rather hastily.
"Who's daft enough to send you mail this late, 'Ze?" asked a dark-complexioned girl to Alanze's left. She had made friends in Ravenclaw, despite whatever Remus and Severus thought.
"I have no idea," Alanze said, looking at the letter inquiringly. "Look at the flourishes!"
There was her name on the parchment envelope with a lot of rather handsome curls and blemishes. Just the thought of such a note was making the heat rise up in Alanze's own dark-complexioned cheeks.
"Well… open it!" said another girl sitting across from Alanze.
"Yeah!" chimed the same girl as before.
"Please calm down Beth," Alanze teased the girl across the table, "And you too Anna…" she turned to the girl to her left, "The letter is mine, after all."
She opened it finally, wondering what was inside. She saw a few words in a different language… they seemed to look like they were grouped in a poem-like fashion. Alanze stared at them for a few moments, but then realized that she couldn't understand whatever it meant and went down to the parts written in English. The letter read as followed:
' Acceptez les mystères de la vie
Embrassez l'obscurité
Honorez votre beauté
Permettez à l'amour de se developer.
Alanze –
I have noticed that you have not yet obtained a date to the Ball.
I have been wondering if you would like to attend with me as your escort.
If you are interested, simply send me back a response with an owl.
Write to the alias I have given you.
The owls will know whom I am and they will be able to find me.
-Mystère'
"You have a mystery admirer!" Anna cried out, her eyes widening in shock, as if Alanze didn't deserve to have one and she did. "And he's sent you a mystery invitation to the Ball!"
"How romantic," Beth whispered with a sad sigh, poking her pasta with her fork.
"Are you going to accept?" inquired the nosy Anna.
"Of course not," Alanze said, still staring at the language. "It could be a prank."
Beth's jaw dropped. "Who would do something that mean? I don't think it's a prank – half the letter is in another language! Who would go through all that trouble just to break some poor girl's heart?"
"You'd be surprised nowadays what men do," Alanze added bitterly, glaring at the letter. She was glaring at the letter, as if it were the root of all her problems. "It's not in Italian, I can tell you that."
"D'you know Italian?" asked Anna, raising her eyebrow, "You don't look it."
"No, I don't know Italian." Alanze snapped back, "Severus does," she added softly.
"Oh the dreaded Severus." Beth murmured, "Why do you bother with that bloke anyway? I still say reply to the letter."
"And I still say its codswallop. What language is this anyway?" grumbled Alanze quite unsure on what to do about the situation.
Anna leaned over Alanze's shoulder to examine the letter further. "Looks like French to me. Look at the alias… it looks like mystery but it's got the fancy characters and is probably pronounced miss-tayre-ray or something of the sort."
"French," Alanze repeated disbelievingly, pouting.
"So what're you going to do about the letter?" Beth finally asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I'm going to pocket it and worry about it later," told Alanze to her friends, as she folded the letter and envelope and slid them into her pants pocket.
"Aww!" crooned her friends in disappointment.
-x-
Sitting in the Slytherin Common Room was one of Severus' favorite pastimes. No one made any noise; they were all quite suspicious of each other – so the quiet room was perfect for reading conditions. He was by the fire, reading Dark Wizardry Over the Ages for the fifth time when he had a slight interruption.
"Are you actually attending this… Ball… thing?"
Severus looked up from his book skeptically, and smirked at his friend. "Why do you ask?"
"Alison pleaded me to take her." Regulus told him monotonously, sitting down on the stiff chair across from him. "Are you taking your Ravenclaw?"
Severus gave him a look that he couldn't quite understand himself. "She said no."
Regulus chuckled. "So I take that as you aren't going to attend this shenanigan at all?"
"Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of other girls who I'd like to go with. I'm just saying it would make things a bit easier for what I planned to do if she had agreed to come along with me." Severus stated, point blank.
Lucius grinned his sarcastic smile, "I never would have thought that you, 'Honest Boy' Severus would be capable of courting a girl with ulterior motives."
"Don't flatter yourself, Regulus, I've never been truly honest." Severus told his friend, grinning madly. "After all, I am a Slytherin."
Regulus nodded in agreement, pulling out his own book, "And so we are."
-x-
Two days before the Hogsmeade visit, Alanze lay in her four-poster looking at the mysterious letter. She tried a few spells to see if it was a hoax, and found nothing wrong with it. She rolled onto her belly, staring at the empty parchment, a bottle of ink, and a quill. Silently, she picked up her quill and dunked it, and shifted herself so that she could write a response.
' I will be glad to go with you. Write back and tell me any ideas of themes and/or costumes that you may have for the Ball. Please hurry, Hogsmeade is in two days and I have no money to pay for a dress and a mask. I will have to try my hardest to find funds and then go buy everything that I need.
-Alanze'
She borrowed Beth's young owl and sent it off out the window. Surprisingly, nearly ten minutes later she had a quick response to her letter. Beth giggled and crowded around Alanze's shoulder as she opened up her scroll to read it.
'Alanze,
I will owl you ten galleons on the day of the Hogsmeade visit. It should be enough to pay for all that you need for the dance. I have picked out a mask for you; however, I hope you do not mind. It is enclosed so you know what colours we'll be wearing to the Ball. Until then,
-Mystère'
"He's paying for EVERYTHING?" Beth repeated, breathlessly. "Wow. Look… Zeus came back with another package!"
Both girls raced to the tiny glossy owl, and immediately tore off the lumpy package. They ripped the brown paper off and stood in awe as they stared at the mask.
It was a typical masquerade mask, and its colours were gold, green, and purple. There was a large purple feather on top of it, but Alanze didn't mind it. There were gold and green strands on either side of the mask. Beth was stricken by it, and quite jealous… but Alanze thought it was beautiful.
"What theme would this go along with?" asked Alanze, to her friend as she took the mask gingerly and hid it in her drawer. She locked it silently with her wand so those who were jealous wouldn't get any ideas.
"That American… holiday, I guess," Beth told her, "Ask Dawn… I think her father's American or something. It's something weird though – they stole it from Italy… it's called like Mardi Gras or something."
"I've heard of that!" Alanze said excitedly, an anxious smile on her face.
It was crazy, really… going to a dance with a young man she had never met before.
She got up out of bed, heading down towards lunch when she heard someone call her name.
"Hello Severus."
"What're you looking so smug about?" Severus asked, catching up to Alanze and noticing the smile on her face.
"I haven't seen you in a week and you greet me by asking why I'm cheerful?" the girl said skeptically, raising her eyebrow at him.
"Hello." Severus started again, his usual smirk appearing on his face. "You're still off about this dance then, are you?"
"Well, now… I've got a secret admirer, see. He's been sending me all sorts of notes and he's already brought me a mask and he's sending money for a dress!" admired Alanze.
"Right. And you don't know this person… am I correct?" Severus said, crossing his arms and cocking his eyebrow at Alanze. "How could you know that they're just… targeting you for foul game?"
Alanze crossed her own arms. "Why do you suddenly care so much? Is it because I said no to you?"
"Perhaps."
"Or is it that you're afraid you couldn't get another date." Alanze taunted.
"I could so! I could have any girl that I wanted to be my date!" Severus said, drawing a lot of attention to the petty argument between him and Alanze.
"Lets see you then. Ask the next girl you see out to the Ball." Alanze dared, sticking her nose in the air.
With blood pumping in his ears, Severus turned around and scanned the Entrance Hall. Luckily, the first girl he saw was a Slytherin. She was a bit taller than Alanze, but she still looked young. Severus swallowed his pride, and approached her.
"Hello, my name's Severus… and yours is…?" he introduced himself.
"I know, you're Severus Snape. Hello, my name is Symphonie. Symphonie Zabini." The dark-haired girl grinned, and blushed… wiping her bangs out of her eyes.
"Symphonie. The 5th year?" Severus questioned, stroking stubble on his chin quite thoughtfully. "I thought so. I have a question to ask you."
Symphonie's books tumbled out of her hands. She looked flabbergasted, and then ducked to pick them up hurriedly. Severus helped her, and noticed that she carried around some books from a popular Muggle author that he also liked…
"You read Poe?" he asked in disbelief, handing the book back to her.
"Poe? Of… of course I do. Edgar Allen Poe is the greatest. Domo." She thanked him, blushing again. "I would've never guessed a person like you would read Poe."
Severus grinned. He had found common ground between the girl and he noticed that Alanze by now had left the scene. He smiled, winning his battle and turned back towards Symphonie.
"May I have the honor of being your escort to the Ball on Christmas?" Severus asked her, actually glad that he met someone with at least something in common with his interests.
Symphonie blushed, "Sure. I'll be glad to. Mind accompanying me to Hogsmeade on Saturday so I can pick the proper mask and outfit?"
"I'd be delighted," Severus admitted, bowing slightly. The girl really must've taken aback by his slight bow, for she bowed back. A quizzical look crossed Severus' facial features, and the girl laughed slightly with a hand behind her head.
"Japanese customs." Symphonie explained, "It is polite to bow back when someone bows at you."
"Ah," Severus said, smiling slightly. "Mind if I walk you to dinner?"
"Where's to walk? We're here already- we've just got to go inside."
"And so we do." Severus walked the rest of the length of the floor and opened the door and presented the Great Hall to Symphonie. "After you?"
"Domo," Symphonie replied, smiling slightly as she dipped her head to him and scrambled quickly inside the Great Hall.
'Perhaps there is still yet another twist to my plans' Severus thought, a wicked smile appearing on his lips.
-x-
Christmas Eve was a nerve-wrecking day. People were very hype at the upcoming ball in a few hours, and last minute plans were being made.
"Moony, are you sure you're not going, mate?" Sirius asked, twirling around in his dress robes. He was wearing a shady red sort-of colour and was currently trying to figure out the best way to style his hair with his wand.
"I'm sure, and what would I consider going in? I'm too poor; I can't afford dress robes." Remus admitted, watching his three friends prepare themselves.
"Padfoot if you leave your hair down I'll never speak to you again. Tie it up, or something, mate!" growled James to his best friend as he shoved him aside and took his place in the full-length mirror. "Tell me what you think about me."
James was wearing his typical black school robes, but he charmed the edges of it silver. He was modeling himself in the mirror and even attempted to style his hair (it flopped back into its normal disheveled self in about three seconds after he tried). James put on his mask, and smiled at himself in the mirror. He looked back over to Remus, who gave him the thumbs up. Sirius joined in his friend's parading and put on his own mask. Remus also gave him a thumb up, even though he did think they both looked highly ridiculous.
Peter came out of the smoggy bathroom, filling the whole room with fumes of some foreign cologne. James and Sirius choked back suppressed laughs as Peter went to survey his own self in the mirror. Remus thought he didn't look too happy as the mousy boy too put on his mask. But then again… Remus had to admit he wouldn't be the most delightful berry in the bunch if he were forced to wear the colour pink in public.
"I guess we've better go and meet our girls." James said, puffing his chest out proudly. "Are you sure you won't reconsider going tonight, Remus?"
"Nah, you guys go and have fun. I'm sure I'll hear about it later." Remus insisted, wincing slightly and going to the door of the dorm. "Start some chaos for me?"
James and Sirius exchanged mischievous grins.
"Of course, Moony. Padfoot and I are bound to start trouble. Everyone's wearing masks! No one will even know that it's us!" gloated James, leading the three down the steps. He and Sirius laughed quite joyfully, and Remus shook his head and sat back on his bed… quietly thinking.
Deirdre nearly ambushed Peter as he walked down the staircase last. They were wearing matching colours of a bright, infantile pink and she was looking quite subconscious about how she was looking. James and Sirius changed surprised looks; the girl wasn't as pudgy as she turned out to be and cleaned up nicely.
"I'm going to meet up with Ariana in the Entrance Hall. I'll save you and Lily some chairs at a table with us, okay?" called Sirius over the chatter and colourful masks and dresses in the Gryffindor Common Room towards James. The poor shaken boy sat in an armchair, staring at the spiral staircase towards the girls' dormitories. Sirius could tell he was nervous; James kept taking a few glances at the girl's staircase, then towards the fire… then he would rumple his hair for no apparent reason. But, he somewhat heard Sirius speaking to him, and nodded through his temporary blankness.
"O-okay Padfoot," he added, a voice an octave higher than it's normal. Sirius rolled his eyes and sighed as he left the common room.
James didn't have to wait for long. Shortly after Sirius left, a lot of the common room members began to clap in a mild way, a lot of the boys remarking about someone coming down the stairs. James' eyes strayed onto the stairs, wondering who it was… when someone magnificent walked out. It took him a lot of reality pinches to his arm to realize that it was actually Lily walking down the steps. Maybe the reason that James hadn't noticed her was because of her dark, feathery mask. The speechless young man ran to Lily's side at once.
Lily had let her hair half in a knot in the back of her hair, and half cascading down neatly over her shoulders. Her dress did not have any straps to it; and James couldn't help but stair at her bare shoulders and how her figure clung to the dress and held it up. The dress itself was black and white with celestial and floral designs in the front. She was also wearing black gloves to her elbows. Lily was looking very nervous and smiling very widely as she scanned over James in his matching attire.
"Hello," Lily greeted, beaming and biting her lip nervously. "Well… are you going to stand there and goggle at me… or are we going to attend a Ball?"
"Op… Option two," James said, winking at Lily behind his mask, and offering her his arm. "Ready to go milady?"
Lily giggled and took his arm without complaint. Then, without another word they happily headed towards the Great Hall.
-x-
"Severus, you're late."
"Only if you set your standards by being early."
Severus had come from the boy's dorms, perhaps five minutes after the supposed time that the Ball actually begun. He hadn't placed on his mask yet, and neither did Symphonie. She was frowning at him as if he were an impudent child, her tongue in her cheek and through narrowed eyes. Severus sighed slightly.
"I'm sorry. I'm ready to go. Here, see…" the young man jogged the length of the Common Room towards the exit in his silky black robes. He opened the entrance, and smiled weakly at Symphonie. "After you?"
She couldn't help but to laugh a bit at his efforts. She smiled, and pulled up her dress so she could walk up the stairs and exited with him.
"Don't forget to pull on your mask." Symphonie reminded him, with a smirk. "How would the rest of the school react to Severus Snape actually attending a social event?"
Severus' upper lip curled at her. "I agree." Was all he said, securely slipping his mask over his eyes. "How do I look?"
"Ridiculous. How about me?" joked Symphonie pulling her mask carefully over her face and her precious waves of hair. Severus noticed her ginger care, and thought he should at least comment to the girl.
"Your hair looks nice. And… so does your dress. It's awfully nice on you." Severus admitted. Symphonie was a nice-looking girl, and she smiled and blushed a bit to his compliments.
"Thanks. Now what about the mask?" asked the younger girl, wincing slightly.
"It's okay," Severus lied through his teeth. Actually, she could've done without the mask – with it on, Severus thought she looked like a giant, fluffy spider… but he wasn't going to admit that to her, however.
The Entrance Hall was slightly packed with people meeting up with their escorts or dates from other common rooms. Symphonie took Severus' arm and he led her into the Great Hall… eying the scenario weirdly. Why he had agreed to come to this dance again?
-x-
Alanze checked and re-checked herself in the dorm's full-length mirror. One of the other girls, Sara, had also been invited to the Ball and she was helping Alanze get ready. Since Sara had already put on her robes and mask (both of which were a funky-looking orange) she was attempting to do something with Alanze's dark mess of hair.
"You mean to tell me… you have all this hair and haven't done anything with it? You might as well just cut it short like mine!" scolded Sara; wrinkling her nose as she maneuvered Alanze's hair into an elegant French twist in the back of her head. Sara's hair was cut so short it wasn't even an inch's length down her neck from her hairline. Alanze looked at her and swallowed; the day she cut her hair would be the day another world war would be taking place.
"Well hurry. I have to meet Jon from Hufflepuff in the Entrance Hall and if you're walking with me, then…"
"Okay, alright… let me…" muttered Alanze, throwing her mask over her face and checking herself in the mirror one last time. She thought that she looked pretty and mysterious, and she picked up her simple dress and followed Sara out of the Ravenclaw Common Room.
By the time they reached the Entrance Hall, only a few people were still sitting about, waiting for dates from other common rooms. Sara bid farewell, and dashed off with her date Jon and they both ran into the Great Hall to the pulsing Renaissance-sounding music. Alanze sat, sighing on a nearby windowsill. It was a tad bit chilly, but Alanze paid the weather no mind as she surveyed the rest of the people in the hall. There were three boys, all of whom were looking insecure and looking around self-consciously, and one girl who seemed to be crying. Alanze hoped that she wouldn't be disappointed… what if she was right and this mystery deal ended up being untrue?
Alanze sat until nearly she was the only one waiting for a date in the hall. She checked her watch and noticed the time as nearly eight forty-five at night. She blanched at the sight; she should've known better than to listen to some… prank lure her into this dance. Who could be so cruel? She got up off the windowsill and began to lift up her dress to run, when she froze. Someone had called her name.
"Alanze?"
She looked over in the strange on comer's direction. Her heart began to flit nervously again once she realized the person that had called her was wearing a mask identical to her own. She hadn't been stood up, after all!
"Hello."
"What took you so long?" Alanze snapped, crossing her arms. Despite the situation, she couldn't help but being angry. "You made me think that you were standing me up!"
"No," the masked man replied with a light chuckle, "I was just double checking that no one would recognize me."
"What's with all the secrecy?" asked the younger girl politely, walking over to him and reaching up for his mask, "Can I at least see who you are?"
"No!" scolded the boy, backing away from Alanze and shaking his head. "It's part of the Masquerade to be secretive."
Alanze looked at him, and put her hands on her hips. "Can I call you a name? I only know you by your penname, Mystère."
"Then that is what you can call me." Answered the mysterious man, smiling gently at her. "May I say that you look excellent in that dress, Alanze?"
Alanze purpled and pulled her sash closer about her body. "Thank you."
"Shall we go in?" asked Mystère, smiling slightly and offering his arm to Alanze.
"Of… of course!" Alanze agreed, taking his arm. She quickly searched her brain to make sure that his voice wasn't someone familiar, and she found out that it wasn't. She smiled to herself as she rested her head slightly on his upper arm as they walked into a crowd of already dancing teens. He smelled good…
"Your chair, milady?" offered the charming Mystère, pulling a chair out for Alanze. They found a remote table in an area where not a lot of people chose to go to. Alanze beamed as she sat down and Mystère sat down opposite her.
"I guess, we just order what we want…" configured Alanze, scratching the side of her face. The mask made her itchy… but she didn't want to seem foolish for fiddling with it.
After about fifteen minutes of talking and eating, Mystère got to his feet again and offered his arm out to Alanze.
"Ready to dance, milady?" he questioned, as if he were truly enjoying the Renaissance theme.
"Sure, but you know you can call me by my first name? Alanze… as I'm sure you know. A lot of people call me by nicknames, also. 'Lan and 'Lanze are a few of the more common ones… though my friends have a habit of calling me 'Ze."
"No, I'll just call you Alanze. Let's dance."
An upbeat Renaissance song began to play, and a few of the teachers were passing along a basket of finger cymbals to the students to clang along with the band. Alanze and Mystère both snagged a pair, and Alanze picked up a side of her dress and was twirling along to the music. She had no idea how to dance, but she tried… and she was truly happy as Mystère took her by the arm and let her twirl along under his arm. They were tapping the finger cymbals up to the point where the song stopped. Alanze smiled shyly up at Mystère, and decided to question him.
"What common room are you from?"
"It does not matter… just know that like you I am from this very school." Mystère answered simply.
"How old are you?"
"Older than you." Mystère answered innocently.
"Your hair looks lighter than it actually is. What colour is it?"
"Never you mind. Dance with me?" asked Mystère softly, lacing the fingers of his right hand in the fingers of Alanze's left. The band struck up a slow song, and a lot of people headed off the dance floor. Alanze blushed deeply and avoided Mystère's eyes as her hand interlaced with his began to shake softly.
"I don't want to…" she whispered softly.
"Why not?" Mystère protested. "This is a nice sounding song!"
"Because… oh because I can't." Alanze whined, pouting up at him through her mask. "This is my first dance… and I never learned how to… to… waltz or whatever this is."
Mystère laughed at her. "Oh, this isn't a waltz. It's whatever we want it to be. Let's keep things simple… and I'll be honest. I don't know how to dance either."
"You jest!" Alanze said, her jaw dropping. She noticed that they were the only ones not moving now.
"I do no such thing, Alanze." Mystère replied with a gentle chuckle. "You know, since this isn't a waltz… I guess we really wouldn't dance the old fashioned way."
Alanze looked at him puzzled, and opened her mouth to speak when he withdrew his fingers from hers. Suddenly, with the warmth of his hand gone… she wished that it would soon return. She quickly got her wish when Mystère lightly wrapped his arms about her waste and locked his hands together in the small of her back. Alanze looked half-alarmed, and half-puzzled as Mystère gently pulled her slightly close towards him. Her eyes darted nervously around the Hall and she noticed a few other couples dancing in a way that she had never seen before. The male had his arms around the female's waist, and the female had her arms wrapped around the male's neck. Is that what Mystère expected her to do?
Alanze raised her arms weakly, and got caught up in Mystère's cologne. She inhaled a lung's capacity of how the young man smelled, and rested her head weakly on his left shoulder. Her arms were in the middle of his chest… they never made it around his neck. At this weird position, Mystère seemed to tense up but he never stopped swaying gently with Alanze in his arms. At once point… Alanze didn't remember… but she removed her mask and was just staring dreamily up at her masked wonder and around the hall. This was nice, and definitely something that she could get used to.
Nearby, Severus was dancing with Symphonie. She looked happy, but awkward and after a while they broke off and went to sat down at their table. Symphonie had ordered a drink and was sipping it with a small smile to herself as Severus looked about the hall. And that's when he saw her… swaying gently in the arms of some masked… stranger. He couldn't help it – his anger began to flare in such a manor that he just wanted to storm over to where she was and unmask this uninvited person. He didn't know why he was so angry towards Alanze, it was a free country and it was her decision on attending the Ball with whomever she so chose…
"Severus?"
Symphonie's voice brought Severus out of a pocket of suppressed anger that he couldn't explain. He felt it all edge away once he looked deep into the face of Symphonie, who had removed her mask also.
"Dance with me?" she questioned, as another upbeat song began to play. Severus secretly wanted to hex the man on the bagpipes… that instrument was extremely annoying… but he danced all the like, trying to get Alanze out of his mind.
The night ended with one last slow dance. Alanze and Mystère clapped along with numerous others as Dumbledore gave his speech and the Ball ended. Mystère led Alanze outside towards the grounds, following a few more students as they fluttered about a maze with fairy lights that some of the teachers had set up. It was very breezy outside, but not very cold. Alanze walked slowly behind Mystère as he held her hand and the navigated the maze.
"Where are we going?" giggled Alanze as Mystère pulled her beyond a whole bunch of budding passageways.
"Towards the center. You see, from the sky you get a full aerial view of the whole of the maze… and I think I remember where we'd have to go," Mystère told her with a great smile on his face. Nearly three minutes later, they branched off a few times and undoubtedly ended up in the center of the maze.
There was a large bench there, and a group of fairies were fluttering about the hedges. There was also a small, flowing fountain of some type of magical plant that shot water from its middle and splashed it back to its small pool. Alanze headed towards the fountain to squat and let its unusually warm water run back and forth over her hands. She looked over at Mystère and watched him squat and join her, all the while rummaging for something in his pockets. Alanze watched him very questioningly as he pulled out two bronze Knuts and rubbed them back and forth between his thumb and his forefinger.
"Legends say that if you put Wizarding Money in a Wizarding Fountain and make a wish… then it may come true." Mystère told her, pulling her hand towards him and depositing one of the Knuts in her hand. "Make a wish."
Alanze smiled softly, and closed her eyes, murmuring to herself. She opened her eyes, and got a glance of Mystère with his eyes closed and murmuring, and shortly after he opened his eyes too.
"Lets throw them in on the count of three. One… two…"
Alanze threw her coin in along with Mystère on the count of three, and they both looked at each other and smiled.
"What'd you wish for?" questioned Alanze, rubbing glitter off her nose.
"More time with you." Mystère whispered, "And you?"
"Well… for two things. The first was for you to take off your mask." Alanze teased.
"And the second?"
"It's a secret, I'm afraid… I can't tell."
Mystère sat on the bench, smirking and rolling his eyes. "I guess that's fair."
Alanze joined him on the bench. They sat next to each other, watching the fairies zoom about them and the wind blow the leaves on the hedges in silence. Neither knew what to say. A strong bout of wind made Alanze's sash nearly blow away, and they both grabbed at it – their hands touching in the darkness. Alanze felt herself blushing again as she looked up at her admirer.
"Please…" she begged quietly, "Just take off the mask. If you prefer to stay hidden… just banish the fairies so I can't make out your face."
Mystère sighed impatiently and took his wand out of his pocket. He said a slow spell that made all the fairies about the two disappear. There was no light, except for the crescent moon and no sound except for the distant chirpings of crickets. Once he was sure it was dark enough, Mystère removed his mask. Alanze was staring at him intently, trying to see if the young man was anyone he knew. She couldn't make out any distinct facial features – but knew he had a lengthy amount of hair. Alanze weakly raised her fingers towards his face and traced the outline of it… she felt Mystère close his eyes and lean into her cupped hand. She felt him gently kiss her fingers, and she felt a feeling deep in her stomach. What was that feeling? What did it mean? And why, of all times, did it appear when she was with a person she barely even knew?
"Why won't you tell me who you are?" Alanze questioned sadly, as Mystère cupped over her hands with his.
"In time I will… but not right now. Things aren't ready enough for me to tell you who I am." Mystère replied softly.
"Will I see you again after this?"
"I will make sure that you do, and that's a promise." Mystère gave his word with a smile.
"Good, because… I have feelings for you. Weird feelings. And I don't want them to stop. They feel nice." Alanze admitted.
Mystère didn't respond. The only answer Alanze received was his lips pressing softly onto her own. She didn't remember much after that, but she found his fingers running gently through her hair and she knew her arms were wrapped tightly about his neck. She didn't want to have to leave him… she didn't want to let him go… he was her first kiss…
Her first real kiss, anyway. She hadn't really considered the one she and Remus shared on the Hogwarts Express so many years ago a true kiss…
But as all good things come, sometimes they have to end. She briefly remembered Mystère walking with her, hand-in-hand, back towards Hogwarts. Neither cared what time it was. Being a gentleman, Mystère held open the door for her and she went inside, moving hopefully towards the torchlight so she could see Mystère's face. Wisely, Mystère placed his mask back on before he continued walking with Alanze back to the Ravenclaw common room. They arrived there nearly ten minutes later. Alanze didn't want to leave him, and had a hard time letting go of his hand.
"If you mustn't show your face… please just… keep in contact with me," the younger girl begged, looking up into the face of her mystery. "Please?"
"I swear it. I would never break off contact with you… you're too special." Mystère teased, kissing her hand one last time. "But for now, we have to say goodbye."
Alanze couldn't remember breaking contact with his hands or the silent tears of this unknown man rolling down her cheeks. She couldn't bear it. She said bye and ran to the guardian of the common room, said the password, and ducked inside where she abruptly burst into tears.
-x-
Sitting in the Slytherin Common Room, Severus had just wished Symphonie a good night. He was brooding about the dance and how he saw Alanze so happy with the other man… why did he suddenly feel so strongly about what he felt was good for her? And why…
"Severus."
Severus jumped at the voice. It was Regulus, the only one that talked to him on a first-name basis. The handsome young man was still wearing his silver dress robes that matched his black and silver mask and he was looking down at Severus with an utmost repulsion.
"You care for the Ravenclaw." The younger boy greeted as usual, folding his arms and sitting down next to Severus. It was always a statement, not a question.
"Reg, drop that subject." Severus protested, glaring into the fire.
"Did you kiss your date g'night?" questioned Regulus, smirking. "You took out that fifth year. Nice choice… tell her she could be prettier if she did her makeup better, though."
Severus scoffed. "Yes, I did kiss her – keep your ruddy nose out of my business, though."
"So why… after a great night are you still disheartened?" Regulus questioned, running a hand down his lengthy amount of hair.
"I'm not – I'm just sitting. Not illegal is it?"
"I still say you care for the Ravenclaw."
"I do not!" launched the younger boy, his eyes aflame. "And I really wish you'd stop pressing the subject!"
"Then why do you keep thinking of her?" Regulus thought quietly. "Because I know you are."
"For the sake of the mission." Severus told him once more, getting up and not believing the words his own self, "That's all, mate. For the sake of the mission."
-x-
Christmas was the next morning. Remus awoke to see a small pile of presents at the end of his bed. Some were from folks of the family and the rest was from school friends. Sirius and James were having a duel with two rather long fireworks, and Peter had divulged himself in a book about defending yourself. Remus scattered to his pile of presents and tore the paper from them.
Sirius and James had both saved up to get him a reasonable Quidditch quality broomstick. It was nothing fancy, just a Nimbus 1000… a broom that had come out about ten years before but was the most recent in the line. Nearly all of Hogwarts' Quidditch players had Nimbus 1000's. Remus looked towards his two friends in awe.
"What'd I do to deserve this?" he questioned, grinning ear to ear.
"Nothing." Sirius answered, blinking.
"Yeah," James responded too, grinning at his mates. "But Padfoot and I finally decided that you need to get your feet off the ground. So we helped you out a bit."
Remus rolled his eyes, and he and his friends launched into a debate about how he too should join the Quidditch Team (they needed another Chaser). Remus got over the shock of his broomstick and opened his parents' gifts. He was just about to head towards breakfast when a small, unmarked parcel caught his eye.
He eyed it wearily before proceeding to rip the paper off of it. A small cylinder-like object rolled out of the paper and clinkered to the floor. Remus made a grab for it as it almost rolled under his four-poster. He noticed it looked somewhat like a kaleidoscope as he examined it in his hands. He found an opening to which he assumed he was supposed to place his eye in… and he found the nearest light source (which happened to be the window) and peered inside of the cylinder.
A gasp brought Remus back to his senses, and he pulled the object away from his eye. While looking towards the window, Remus saw what looked like the shape of the moon and the actual name and day of the current stage that it was in. He gasped, quite surprised and thought for a while before he actually figured out it was a lunarscope. In admiration, he searched again for any signs of a card or a note from whomever had sent it… but found nothing, until a tiny fleck on the smallest shred of paper caught his eye. It looked as if it had been scribbled out but Remus could read the small text. He felt a tad bit guilty as he let it fall from his hands and as he tossed the lunarscope gently back on his four-poster among his pillows.
The note read in a scribble: 'From Alanze'.
-x-
Alanze sat up later than the rest of her dorm mates. She was not expecting presents for Christmas, for she never received any in all the years after she had run away from her house. She put on her slippers and saw two boxed packages. She paused and surveyed the room before she opened them.
The first was from Severus, and it consisted of a box of chocolate frogs and two volumes of a series called 'Self-Defensive Spellwork and Ways to Maneuver Your Wand'. Alanze flipped through the series gazing fondly at the pictures before finally placing them in her bedside nightstand. She then turned to the second box and shredded its wrapping paper and looked at its giant box. She flew open the flaps, and inside of it was… another box. Perplexed, Alanze reached inside and threw open the flaps to the smaller box to see only another box inside it. She kept digging through the many volumes of boxes until finally she reached the smallest one in the center. It was rectangular-shaped and the box itself was white with pink stripes about it. Her hands shook slightly as she placed it on the edge of her trunk and took the lid off. She gasped audibly once the package was open.
It was a silver necklace. It had toggles and a heart shaped pendant about the middle. It was beautiful. The there was a note visibly under her present, and she reached for that after staring for a few minutes at the necklace. It read:
'Dear Alanze
I told you I would not forget about the special time we had. Take this as a token of my affection. Happy Christmas.
Mystère'
Alanze beamed at the note and the necklace and flew to the mirror to place it on herself. She fiddled around with the peg before finally getting it to lock and have it gleam about her neck. It was perfect… it was beautiful… it was… lovely.
Alanze went to clean up the boxes and wrapping paper she had strewn all over the floor after staring avidly at herself in the mirror. She was just on her way to breakfast, when unbeknownst to her the necklace on her neck started to behave in a very strange way…
It faintly glowed a light-green colour, and was humming slightly. The necklace was not a normal one at all… it was charmed.
Alanze would never know what hit her.
The French on Alanze's first note:
Accept mysteries of life
Embrace the darkness
Honor your beauty
Allow love to develop.