"Why'd I agree to help Jade with the blood lilies?" Hastings whined to Odessa. "Now I'm in ugly, dirty clothes with my hair in a stupid ponytail and all of my make-up'll be gone within fifteen minutes."

Odessa laughed, "It's not that bad Hastings. You could have to chaperone the students."

"I'd rather do that, Hastings said. "Then I would have a reason to zap them with my wand."

"Why'd Jade want you to go with her anyway?"

"It's in the middle of the forest and I'm the DADA teacher."

"I could go in your stead," Odessa offered. "Sirius will be busy zapping students. Not like I'm going to be having a whole lot of fun."

"Thanks Odessa, but no. I remember your defense techniques. Wasn't hiding under the desk one of them?"

"Shut up! I was never that bad."

Hastings looked at her.

"Okay, so I hid a few times. But it was always in a closet. I wasn't stupid enough to think that a desk would protect me. Well, strike that. I did try to transfigure the desk into a dog to protect me. Only half worked. Poor thing had a desk for a head. Didn't know where to go. But I'm better now."

"Please Odessa, I don't want your life on my hands. I'll go."

"Okay, but don't forget I offered."

"I won't. Now you better get down there."

"How do I look?" Odessa asked, twirling so that her turquoise dress robes flared out and then settled softly around her legs."

"Beautiful, as always."

"Yeah right. I'm beginning to think you just say that to make me feel better."

"Believe what you want. But I can guarantee that Sirius will think you look perfect."

Odessa smiled dreamily, "Gotta love a man who's blind to the truth of how you look. Have fun with Jade."

"Tons." Hastings said, wrinkling her nose. Odessa waved and disappeared. Hastings took another look in the mirror. She didn't know whether she should pray that Gabe showed up or that he didn't. "You don't like him anyway, remember?" She said to herself as she made her way out. Passing the Great Hall she peered in and saw the students staring at each other awkwardly, no one willing to be the first to dance. Laughing, she stepped outside and met Professor Greene at Greenhouse two.

"Thanks for helping me Hastings, I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome. It's not like I had a date to the dance." Hastings said, glancing back at the school.

"I'm surprised to hear it. Well, Gabe Lupin didn't either and he offered to come help. He should be here in a moment."

Hastings felt her heart flutter, "Did he? That was nice."

"I thought so." Jade gathered up her trowl and a box full of pots to place the lilies in.

"Here, let me carry that," a deep voice said from the darkness. Gabe stepped out of the shadows and took the box from Professor Greene."

"Thank you Gabe, I appreciate that. Do we have everything? Good. Let's go." The three of them headed into the forest with Hastings in the middle.

"So what's the lily used for?" Gabe asked. "I know it's deadly if it's consumed. And it causes welts or boils if used on the skin."

"It's used mostly in the dark arts," Hastings replied. "It can be used for mind control, although it's not as effective as the Imperius Curse. It's a bit less noticeable though, especially to the person being affected. If mixed correctly, it can be used for torture. It's not a very pleasant plant overall."

"Then why are we picking it?" Gabe asked. Hastings shrugged.

"For my seventh year NEWT students to study," Professor Greene called over her shoulder. "It's good for them to be able to recognize it. It is deadly in large doses, but in small doses it won't kill someone. After they're done studying it I'll destroy them. But I think it's important for students to be able to recognize it, and books aren't always the most helpful. Oh, here we are." Professor Greene pointed to a clearing up ahead. Hastings looked up but there were only trees overhead. She heard some rustling in the bushes and the howl of a few creatures. She checked the moon, it was only half full.

Odessa giggled as Sirius spun her around, "Aren't you supposed to be chaperoning?"

"I am. I'm showing them how to treat a lady." Sirius dipped her, "and a lovely one at that."

Odessa beamed at him, "You're too sweet. I'm just glad this dance is finally taking off. I thought the students were going to spend the whole night staring at each other."

"I know. It was getting frightfully boring. But now," Sirius glanced around, "it's about perfect. And in another hour I'll have to start really chaperoning."

The music stopped and Sirius led Odessa to a table. "I'm going to make a quick round. Wait here for me?" Sirius kissed her hand and left. Odessa smiled and looked around the room. It was fun to watch the guys trying to get up enough nerve to ask a certain girl to dance. She wondered how many had come with partners.

"All alone?" O'Reilly sat down at her table.

"No." Odessa said. "I'm waiting for Sirius.

"Are you and that young man back together again? I thought you had better taste Miss Grace."

"I have great taste, thank you very much," Odessa said as a new song started.

"Well then, may I have this dance?" O'Reilly asked.
"What?" Odessa was sure she had misheard him.

"May I have this dance?"

"Why would you want to dance with someone as incompetent as me?"

"Because you're beautiful. Come, we can talk about potions and your students."

"I'd rather not." Odessa replied.

O'Reilly sneered, "I see. You're all moral now."

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"I know why you and Sirius broke up several months ago. Don't pretend to be all innocent to me Odessa Grace. I know you better than that."

Odessa blushed, "If I were you, I wouldn't presume anything. Excuse me please." She stood up abruptly and headed towards the bathroom, avoiding Moaning Myrtle's. The conversation about Sirius had not gone well and Myrtle was rather upset with Odessa. "I hope things are going better for Hastings." She said into the mirror as she studied her make-up. "Of course, lately, things always go better for Hastings at dances than with me, even when she's not there." Odessa glanced at her watch, "I hope she can stop by and see Gabe. Thinking of, I haven't seen him tonight." A toilet flushed and Odessa jumped,

"Were you speaking to me? A sixth year who Odessa didn't know asked.

"Um, no. Just to my reflection." Odessa grinned, embarrassed.

"Oh," the sixth year, washing her hands. "Well, I hope you enjoy the conversation."

"Thanks," Odessa said to the retreating back. "Where's Hastings when I need her?" Odessa glanced at her watch again and made her way back into the Great Hall. She didn't want Sirius to wonder what happened to her.