IT'S CHANGED (SNILY)
CHAPTER 15 Pesky Rumors

Pretend. That is the thing he had to do now. He wasn't bad at it; however, it had never been so planned before. He had to make things up and spread rumors. That would bring dementors in the school, so, that they'll be able to destroy the Horcrux. The plan to do so was interesting and made him gleeful.

He was sitting in his dormitory, the newspaper thrown casually on his bed. He was occasionally nodding or making a one-word comment over whatever chatters his dormmates were indulged in about the Triwizard Tournament. He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes on the topic. He was absolutely against the entire thing.

He casually grabbed the Daily Prophet from his bed and turned to first page. No one paid any heed to him, he spoke nevertheless.

"Herbert Wilkes has broken out from Azkaban. You-Know-Who suspected behind the break of his follower" He read. "Obviously. Do they not know how to make an article?"

The Dark Lord's name and the attention to him. Right.

"Wilkes broke from Azkaban too?" Avery stepped closer peering into the newspaper.

"And it's in the newspapers too?" Mulciber rounded and sat on Severus' bed, next to him.

Rosier snatched the paper from his hands to get a better look and Severus only smirked.

Afroze pasted an uninterested look, but even a blind could tell that he was highly focused on what they were talking about.

Just then the several knocks came to the window. Afroze opened it and four owls zoomed in bringing the same newspapers. They gave the owls knuts and took the newspapers from their legs, allowing them to fly out again.

"The Evening Prophet" Afroze said.

"Wilkes actually did break from Azkaban" Rosier spoke in astonishment.

Severus sneered. "So, did you think I was lying?"

"No, Severus!" Mulciber assured hastily. Trust him to go with emotions, Severus smirked internally. "Just making sure"

Severus hummed. "Poor Potter" he sighed, showing his proper mocking distress.

Avery frowned. "Potter? What has he to do with this?"

Severus laughed, mockingly. "Don't your father tell you anything, Terrance?"

"What?" Avery took the offence. "What do you know and I don't?"

Severus laughed again, shaking his head. "Who helped the Aurors to catch Wilkes?"

"Who did?" Avery frowned.

Severus raised his eyebrows, mocking him, but it was Mulciber who answered.

"Charles Potter" his eyebrows vanishing in the hairline.

Realization dawned to them.

"Wilkes wants to kill Potter?" Afroze almost shouted. And if he believes it, Severus' work was half done, he smirked.

"Isn't that obvious?" he said scornfully.

"He could have better done that in the vacations, why now?" Mulciber asked, innocently, Severus never understood him being a part of the Muggle slaughter.

He at least had prepared for this question.

"Who is the castle?" he asked, letting them get their own answer.

"Dumbledore. And that is why it is unsafe for him to be here and it makes Alvin's point totally valid" Rosier said, giving a side glance to Severus.

"Haven't you heard that keep your friends close and enemies closer? The very same theory. Who is going to suspect him hiding under Dumbledore?" he answered casually.

"And killing Potter" Afroze stated.

Severus nodded.

They all remained shocked while Severus had planted the seed, efficiently. Selene would be so proud of him. He laid his head on the pillow, smirking. He hated some of the other parts of the script though.

*Page Break*

Pretend. That is all she had to do. She took a deep breath, keeping a hand on the knob of the Portrait hole that she was standing out of. Just a little not so subtle, Gryffindor way. It was easy. With that she opened the door, took another deep breath and…

"POTTER!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. "POTTER. Where is he?" she stopped, keeping her hands on the knees.

The entire common room looked at her in alarm, she flushed but kept her face looking as if dripping with worry. Mary walked to her, anxious and kept a hand on her shoulder.

"What happened, Lily?"

"Where is Potter?" she panted. Obviously, acting. She had to show as if she had been running, only sprinkling water on the face doesn't work.

"Why do you need him?" Mary's tone turning more and more desperate.

"I need to tell him that-"

"You were searching for me, Lily?" James walked down the spiral staircase, with his charming smile and running a hand through his hair.

Lily wanted to roll her eyes but she remained in the act and ran to him anxiously and took his hands into hers, looking him straight in the eyes.

"What, Lily?" he asked frowning, though his eyes started blazing with passion as soon as Lily touched him.

"You are fine" she showed her mock-relief.

"Of course, I am" he brushed the hair from her face in a swift move of his hand. Lily almost flinched, she hadn't practiced for this. She left his hands and straightened, still keeping the look on her face. "Why would I not be?" he asked.

"Because-" she made a choking noise and then pretended to compose herself. "Wilkes broke from Azkaban this early morning, it's all over the papers"

"Oh… I don't read the papers, you, see?" he stated, rubbing the back of his neck.

Sirius zoomed down from the staircase. "Yeah… it is all over the papers" he agreed and chucked the paper on James.

James rolled his eyes over the headlines and then threw it on Sirius' face again.

He shrugged. "This happens every day. What am I to do with this?" James made a face.

Lily gave a worried huff. She shook his shoulders. "Potter! Don't you remember who helped the Aurors to catch Wilkes?"

His eyes grew larger. "Dad" he breathed.

Sirius patted his back. "Yeah, mate. Now, we'll have to watch your back ever more often" he said mournfully.

"But, why will he come somewhere where Dumbledore is? He'll be caught again so easily" James tried to argue to the situation.

Mary came and grabbed on one of his arms. "You don't think he will be here?"

"No" he shook his head.

"And that means nobody is going to check for him here, thinking just like you thought" she looked almost in tears of worry, her finger nails were digging in James' flesh. "Doesn't that make Hogwarts the safest place for him to be and kill you?"

Lily stood, smug. She didn't give all the answers, but they got them. Mary looked sick with worry while Sirius, ready to pounce on the first person who comes in his way. Good. And as much as James to hide his own anxiousness of someone coming to kill him, but it was evident in his eyes.

"Fuck… a murderer, also a Death-Eater is behind me" James whispered.

"Don't worry, mate. We have the map" Sirius whispered the last part.

Lily's work was done. "Take care, Potter. Hope you are alive till the morning. Good night"

She smirked, leaving them to worry. And with the entire hearing their conversation, though remaining exceptionally quiet for the time being, the news isn't going to take much time to spread.

*Page Break*

"It will soon spread in the entire school. It's just the morning now" he said. "You must know the power of rumors, Lily" he winked at her name.

Her breath froze in her chest. Her face went red as red as her hair. She looked away on the table. Why would he wink like that? Was he even aware what that was doing to her? She would go totally insane like this.

Just then the classroom door burst open, revealing an enormously fat man with walrus mustache and a bald head. He smiled pleasantly to the class.

"So, very welcome to the first Newts class, students. I knew you will all make it till here" he laughed, making his big belly wobble with him.

He walked to stand behind his desk, where many cauldrons filled with potions were kept in a line.

"Now, here are some of the potions I have prepared. Would someone know which potion is this?" he pointed towards the one that looked like plain water boiling in the cauldron.

Only one hand shot up.

"Yes, Mr. Snape"

"That's Veritaserum, Sir, forces a person to speak the truth and it looks -as we see- just like plain water" Severus gave.

"Marvelous, my boy. The next one?" he pointed towards the slow-bubbling, mud-like liquid.

Two hands shot up.

"Mr. Black, this time"

"That's Polyjuice potion, Sir" Sirius said as if he had tasted something foul. "It changes a person's appearance into the one whose hair or finger nail is added to the potion"

"Very good, that's correct. Now the third one, it's an interesting one?"

Two hands shot up.

"Miss Evans, please?"

"That's Amortentia, professor. The strongest love potion. It smells differently to all according to what attracts us the most" Lily answered.

Slughorn smiled proudly. "Terrific, Miss Evans. Now I may ask all of you to come here and smell by yourself"

Lily walked to the desk first. She leaned a bit to smell and with a jolt came back to catch a sharp breath.

"That's the most bitter coffee smell I have ever smelled" she kept a hand on her forehead to steady herself. "And there is old parchment and…" she blushed smelling the very similar smell, she encountered only a few days ago, hugging a certain person.

Slughorn laughed, while Lily went to her seat, red.

Remus walked to the front of the class. He didn't even reach the potion properly before which a hand flew to his mouth and he staggered back.

"Mr. Lupin?" Slughorn asked, frowning.

"That's the smells of hefty dung bombs and something similar to animal saliva" he explained returning back to his seat.

Sirius walked ahead. "Chocolate, so evident. I smell it every day, Remus roams around with it…" he trailed off, realizing he had said more than enough once more. He silently went to his seat again, though Remus had to bury his nose in a book to hide the blush creeping up his neck.

Charm swaggered forward. "Hmm. Mandarin and Grapefruit. I never knew I was attracted to fruits so much" she rolled her eyes and went back.

Austin plucked his nose in the potion. "Oh…" he blushed. "Umm… well, it's vanilla and fresh grass and err… sweat" flushing he sat back, ignoring others.

Marlene dipped her head. "Pumpkin juice and wool and well… lemon cake" her face flushed, like mostly everyone's and she went to her chair, avoiding all the knowing glances.

James walked forward confidently, winking at Lily, making her roll her eyes. "Hmm… that's strawberry Chapstick and mint and lavender… yeah, that is what I smell. I can smell it an entire day" he smiled; eyes closed.

"But I'll have to ask you to return to your seat Mr. Potter" Slughorn said chuckling. He walked back.

Mary came forward. "Broomstick handle and fresh air and cinnamon…" she blushed deep realizing whose smell it was and avoiding James' narrowed gaze fixed on her. They met in the vacations a lot of times… as friends of course, and she was waiting for James to take the hint for her wanting more.

Next some giggly Gryffindor girls made their way forward and said something incoherent. Some of the Ravenclaws remained stoic while smelling, they obviously smelled it for academics, not determining something. Then the Slytherins.

Severus was sure he saw Mulciber's face turn red by smelling but like Avery and Rosier he said that he smelt nothing. Afroze, though did smell something reminiscent to the forest.

"Who remains? Ah… Mr. Snape" Slughorn called him.

He gingerly sped in the front. He wasn't even able to take the first sniff before which he began coughing violently, his eyes teared and his nose went running.

He moved back, rubbing his chest. "The entire sack full of spices" his voice was rough by coughing. "And…" he flushed deeply. "Female pheromones" he mumbled and rounded to his table.

At least he still loved her. Lily smiled happily.

Slughorn smiled. "The last one? Who knows what this is?" he pointed towards a small vial of liquid that looked like molten gold.

No hands went up, they frowned at the small vial.

"It is called Felix Felicis or Liquid Luck. It will make the drinker lucky for the period of time, during which everything they attempt will be successful" he completed and the eyes of the students grew hungry.

Slughorn gave a chuckle. "All of you are given the chance to win it. But only one does at the end" he got another cauldron full of a potion. "This is…?"

"The Draught of Living Death" Severus prompted. He very well knew about this potion. He had already made some amends to the actual textbook recipe too.

Slughorn nodded, pleased. "Yes, Mr. Snape. The one who makes the most accurate Draught of Living Death which makes the person look like a dead body while they are still breathing, will earn Liquid Luck as an award"

Adrenaline ran through the veins of students. One will get that, and that one could be them. They took lit the fires below their cauldrons right after Slughorn motioned them to begin.

"You are doing it wrong, Sev. This is not how the textbook says" Lily pointed out.

Severus crushed the Sopophorous bean with a silver dagger, then looked at Lily. "Then perhaps, I am wrong, Lily" he answered dryly.

"You have made a new recipe again?" she whispered.

He nodded and continued to work with the tiring of the potion.

"The last one you did was a failure, if you remember. You are taking a risk again, what if you don't get the Liquid Luck just because of some stupid experimentation" she argued.

"Time will tell, Lily" he winked stealing her heart again. The flutters he sent in her stomach were nothing she had ever experienced.

Everyone brewed for another hour, some exploded cauldrons and some melted them but at last Slughorn announced "Times up, students" beaming, when all had to stop.

"Now the one who have already melted their cauldrons or exploded them, I am afraid are out from achieving the prize" he said disappointedly.

He came to Lily's potion before which nothing had looked suitable to him.

"Miss Evans!" he patted her back, proudly. "Oh… I knew it would be you to get it only if the last student hasn't made it correctly…"

He slid a little to peek into Severus' potion that was kept next to Lily's. Slughorn met his gaze and patted his back too, looking astonished and proud.

"Why, Severus, I knew you were good but this accurate and brilliant" he shook his head. "In many years of my teaching, this is the first potion that has been made totally correct and in the very first try"

"Thank you, sir" Severus croaked from between the embarrassment of everyone staring at him with big eyes.

Slughorn turned to Lily. "I am sorry, Miss Evans, Mr. Snape get it this time" he brought the vial of Felix Felicis and gave it to Severus.

Severus held it gingerly and gave an awkward smile. The class clapped, though reluctantly.

"Hold it properly, Snape. Your slimy, slippery hands might drop it" Sirius grumbled making some of their classmates to snicker.

"Thank you for the advice, Black. Only if you would have taken it yourself and not slipped Moondew more than required in the potion, it wouldn't have exploded" Severus smirked when some laughed at Black.

Sirius gave his charming smile to the class to escape his humiliation.

Severus heard Lupin whispering. "How did he know you slipped more Moondew in your potion?"

"He couldn't have an extra eye or something, could he?" Potter whispered back, frowning.

"Nah… it was a lucky guess" Black said casually.

"Does only holding the potion makes you lucky?" Lupin asked the stupidest question.

"Obviously, not, Moony" Black huffed. "As I said a lucky guess"

Severus turned to the front and found himself inches away from Lily. She instantly backed down, flushing. But then leaned to his ear. "Well, time told, Sev" she whispered, smiling. "I hope it has more words"

"Thank you… but time having more words?"

"Yeah" she breathed. "As you said and now, I do, that time will tell" she winked, sending flutters to Severus' stomach. He half smiled and half chuckled, shaking his head. Lily could be right crazy sometimes.

*Page Break*

One of his hands were running up and down her waist, very close to losing control and slip downwards. His other hand cupping her breasts. She was moaning under the pleasure, grabbing on his hips tightly with one of her hands and the other in his dark and short hair.

Their lips working clumsily but perfectly in a way they liked over each other's. He probed his tongue on her lips, asking for permission. She readily opened her lips apart and the tongues met each other's. A current they had never experienced before ran from the tips of their tongues to their groins. They groaned.

She shifted in his lap; her legs either side of him to better kiss him. She gasped, through the kiss, when she felt his erection between her legs. She rocked herself, thrusting herself in him, from the layers of clothing. His hand went under her knickers, holding onto her hips.

"Ahh… Austin…" She moaned. "Move forward… I need you…" she spoke between his passionate but gentle kisses.

He compiled to her, rocking himself against her to feel the hotness above him. He could feel the wetness of her seeping through many layers of clothing beneath them.

They grinded against each other with more intensity while kissing each other violently.

"Faster, Austin…" she croaked. He did.

She was close to her orgasm and he was not far behind. A freezing tingle ran through out her body starting from her clit to vagina to the legs and then everywhere. She moaned loudly, clenching her eyelids tightly shut.

He laid his head on her shoulder and muffled a groan. He cummed in his pants, though it felt disgusting later but the intense feeling of pleasure was worth it.

"Scorgify" he mumbled on his pants before kissing her again.

They kissed each other until they had to fall apart to gasp for breath.

They laughed looking at each other's flushed faces.

He cupped her face and leaned in enough so that his forehead was touching hers.

"I love you, Marlene" he breathed.

"I love you too, Austin" the sincerity shone in both of their statements.

Austin kissed her one last time before they heard someone yell. They turned to the direction from where they heard the yell, then to each other. Marlene got off from his lap and they got up from the alcove they were hiding in. They stepped forward in the corridor, it was totally empty, no one to be seen. The second floor. Nobody ever came in that corner of the castle and that is why Austin and Marlene decided to roll down till here.

But they were certain, they had heard a yell. Then why couldn't they see anyone now? Footsteps? Anything?

They walked through the corridor silently, holding to each other's hands.

THAD!

They jumped, listening to the sudden noise of something banged on the floor. Their hold tightened instinctively. They kept the next very careful step. Sweat was beading on their necks and foreheads. They paused listening to a highly displeased voice…

"You ruined it" a screech of a woman. They followed the voice. An empty classroom.

"I? Only if you would have-" a desperate male voice.

"Don't play this pity card on me! It was your temper-"

"My temper? You could have come back with me" the voice wanted understanding but in a very obscene way.

"After what I had done? You expected me to come back to her?" there was a disbelief and remorse in the female voice.

"She was your mother. Why wouldn't she-"

"Forgive me? Perhaps, losing it had made her lose her senses too. Sent you there to get me" the voice sneered.

"You could have at least compiled-"

"It's over now" the voice gave her dismissal. "You ended it, there is no need to bicker on it, anyways"

Austin stood ahead of Marlene, holding her hand behind himself. He leaned on the door of the classroom just enough to peek in. A bench was thrown to the ground and his eyes widened. Two silvery figures were floating in the air. Both having a dark spot on their chest, from where a dark silvery liquid seemed to flow out.

Bloody Baron and the Grey Lady!

The Baron grabbed on the Grey Lady's hand when she turned to go.

"We could have been together if you would have lost the lust to get that diadem" he said, choking.

Diadem? Austin's breath froze at the sight of her rage flashing on her face. She rounded Baron and looked at him straight in the eye.

"You have no right to say anything now, Baron!" She hissed. "It was you who killed us both" she stuck a finger out in warning. "It was you who was obsessed more than anything. I at least didn't murder anyone in the quest"

He didn't loosen the grip. "But you didn't establish anything either. Your mother-"

"Don't bring her in this!" She yelled. "Yes, I made mistakes!" she threw her hands in the air in frustration, freeing them from the Baron's grip. "You would never understand my remorse" her voice dropped to a whisper. "I am all most responsible for her death"

Baron inched closer. "You are not. She died of illness. She wanted to see you but my anger got us down"

The Grey Lady looked at him again and gave a mirthless chuckle. "Now! Now, you see what you had done, Baron" she hissed. "Though I must thank you for ending my pointless life that was growing just under the crime of stealing the diadem from my mother, who was too kind to acknowledge it" her eyes leaked ghostly tears.

"You were already so beautiful and intelligent. You never needed it" he tried to comfort.

She laughed again and it was hollow once more. "It's ruined now. I hid it there in a tree in the forest of Albania. But a boy got that out from me" she said through clenched teeth, angry on herself.

The Baron frowned. "So, now he is the owner of that thing?" he asked.

"Yes, it was another mistake I did to sabotage the revered object. He cursed it and now is doing the same with the entire world" she floated round the place and came to the same where she was initially.

"Who?"

She glared. "One of your students. Charming and compassionate. Never would anyone be able to tell that he would something so vile"

"And you haven't seen him since he asked you about it?" Baron still trying to comfort in his own odd way.

"No, I saw him once more. He came here to mock me for the diadem. He came here to hide it after years of getting out from Hogwarts, excuse- looking for a job, Defense Against the Dark Arts" she chuckled at her own foolery. "Only if I hadn't-" she flicked her head and her eyes grew wider when she saw Austin peeking from the door. "Who are you?" she screamed angrily.

"RUN!" Austin shouted, tightening his hold on Marlene's hand and jerking her with himself. They raced to the lower staircase without even looking back and ignoring the shout of the Lady.

They panted. "What was that?" Marlene asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing important" he dismissed and lifted his left hand to see the time on his watch. "I had to meet someone, now, Marlene. I am sorry, I have to go. Love you" he kissed her one last time and ran down to the library, leaving her perplexed.

*Page Break*

Severus, Selene and Lily sat under Muffliato in the library, viewing the seen that ran before them with high amusement.

Lupin had a hold on Potter's hand and was looking around the place, under the tables and behind the selves. Black had his wand poised on whomever attacked them, ready to shoot a spell any moment. And Pettigrew was meekly roaming around with them, seeming to be scared out of his wits if only a person calls his name. Potter tried to break through from Lupin's hold, but it only tightened.

"Remus! Leave me!" he said in a strained whisper, still twisting and twirling his wrist to get it lose from Lupin's vice-like hold. "I never knew you were so strong" he huffed.

"We need to check, James" Lupin replied calmly.

"But why would he come here in the library? Wouldn't he want to do it somewhere noisy?" Potter asked, arguing with Lupin. Severus had to admit he had a point. He was waiting for what Lupin would say to this.

"Here, he would Silencio you, kill you and nobody would ever know" Lupin reasoned.

"Yes, but if I keep my wand to hex him and Moony searches and places properly and Peter, well… Peter comes with us to help, you'll be safe" Black spoke casually as if nothing was serious, though the worried lines on his face were a different story.

"Fine. All of you gang up against me" Potter tried to cross his arms though one danged down because Lupin hadn't lost the grip yet.

"What will we do if you get killed, Prongs?" Sirius whined.

"I don't know" Potter practically yelled. "I am going to my dormitory and sit there my whole life because WILKES IS BEHIND ME!" he turned to leave but a strong hand pulled him to look straight in the Amber eyes. "Moony" he said weakly.

Potter must have seen the flash of Lupin's beastly self. "You will sit here with us. Understood?" Lupin asked in a dangerously soft voice. Potter nodded vigorously. "Good. Even the lavatory is out of bounds for you unless one of us is with you. Clear?"

"Y-Yeah M-Moony" Potter stammered and followed Lupin to a bench in the corner.

Severus and Selene burst into a fit of laughter. It was crazily hilarious. Fortunate they were to sit there have the show. Potter's face after Lupin mutely yelled at him. Hilarious. Who knew Lupin could be so… so… intimidating? Severus had seen his other form that was certainly present to scare one out of their wits. But the human one seemed mostly quiet and patient.

As soon as their laughter subsided, Lily began laughing violently. Both Selene and Severus gave her questioning glances.

"What?" he asked.

She continued laughing, holding her stomach. "Y-You…HAHAHAAA… You…"

He gave an exasperated huff. "Clearly, Lily"

She took deep breaths to try stop laughing and pointed a finger to Severus.

"You snort while you laugh" she chortled again.

He turned red. "So?"

"That's so bloody hilarious, Severus!" she pulled his cheek. "And cute" she added.

He reddened further and shook his head to rid himself of embarrassment. "And you scrunch your nose while you laugh" he said defensively.

"Whatever, Sev" she waved a hand in the air. "I are just making it up because I said you snort"

He cleared his throat to get some time to make a good reason. "Yeah… I never mentioned it because I thought you'll feel embarrassed"

"HA! HA! Sev is just making it" She leaned on his face while singing it as a song.

Severus could feel her warm breath on his face and the red hair touching his chest. He could have made the move, but he didn't. He sat up straighter and straightened her by his hands on her shoulder.

"Ask Selene then" he said confidently. They turned to Selene whose eyes were dancing with amusement.

"So, Selene, tell me if Severus snorts or I scrunch up my nose?" Lily asked keeping hands on her hips.

Selene merely smiled. "I'll have to take your side in this, Lily" she quirked her lips. "Severus does snorts"

Severus gave a mock-offended look. "Yeah. Girls team. Fine. Let Shane and Austin come, they'll take my side" he crossed his arms.

"You lose, Sev" Lily sat beside him, resting her arms on the table and looking at him.

"Severus!" a shout came. They turned their heads to see who it was. Charm was standing away from the table, her hands on her ears, pressed forcedly.

The Muffliato. "Oh…" he waved his wand to lift the spell and let her come and set on the table.

Charm huffed. "The stupid spell" she muttered.

"Ah… and I thought you said it was a genius invention, Charm" Selene said innocently.

Charm looked at Severus with her mouth agape then clapped it shut. She turned to Selene. "Yeah, I said it but only when I am on the table" she said moodily.

"I understand that, Charm" Selene nodded innocently, though smirking.

"So, Charm do you think Lily scrunches her nose in when she laughs?" Severus asked her instantly.

That caught her off- guard. "Scrunches her nose?" she examined Lily. "Yeah, perhaps" she wasn't sure what was going on.

Severus banged his hand on the table. "I have a supporter too" he stuck his tongue out at Lily. She looked amused; he had done this after many years.

"Why are you all doing?" Charm asked before Lily could reply.

"Oh… just checking that Sev snorts while laughing or I scrunch my nose" she shrugged while Charm raised an eyebrow. "I don't know why he denies it. He looks adorable" she winked at him.

"Oh?" Charm frowned. "Do you think scrunching nose is adorable too?" she asked Severus.

He ran his hands on his robes to flatten them, unnecessarily. "A little" he mumbled and blushed, looking in his lap.

Lily cupped her ears to get to hear better. "What? I didn't hear that. Sorry I don't speak mumblese like you do"

Severus glared at her and she suppressed a grin. "Nothing"

"Oh? I thought I heard something else. But I believe you" she waved her hands.

"What are you all doing?" a cheery voice met their ears. Shane was dropping his books on the table beside Selene, knocking her ink pot down in the process.

"Shane!" Selene hissed. She lifted the vessel before swatting his bum. He gasped followed by the other gasps.

Selene flushed after realizing what she just did. She cleared her throat and mumbled a quick "Scorgify" on the table.

Shane rubbed his bums. "Do you think I am hot with those bums that you couldn't resist to touch me?" he smirked and winked together.

"Absolutely not!" Selene answered too quickly, going back to her work. The others were trying to not burst out laughing. They all cowed with one glower from Selene. They had forgotten she could do that too.

"Well, I believed otherwise" Shane sat on the chair in an exaggerated display of the hips. "Anyways" he turned to the others. "What was going on?"

"You mean before your very interesting display of… self-confidence, simp" Charm emphasized.

"Don't call me a simp, Charm" Shane spoke in a mock-offended voice. "Don't you remember I asked Lily out so easily"

"Ah… I hope you would have asked someone else" she side-glanced Selene.

"Who, precisely?" Selene asked with a glower.

Charm opened her mouth but was the word died on her lips due to the high voice of some footsteps.

Madam Pince hissed in disapproval. It was Austin running towards them. He stopped to give a quick apology before heading towards the table they were sitting at.

"What happened, Austin?" Lily asked, worriedly.

He panted. "I need to tell you all something" he said between breaths.

"What?" they asked. He told.