Chapter 5 - Preparations for Jealousy

"There really is no need for another of those. And for what? To give the children another reason to misbehave?"

"Really Severus," McGonagall said looking away from him and at the rest of the teachers, "Any one else share Professor Snape's opinion?"

The rest of the table sat there quietly except for Madam Hooch who also thought there was no need for such festivities. "I agree Minerva, there is no reason to get all the children all dressed up for just one evening. Plus you cant expect them all to want to go to the ball with their fellow classmates."

"No, I agree on that" McGonagall said nodding, "That is why I am making it open for the students to bring one outside friend or guest. Our school rules will apply to them. If they don't comply then they will be asked to leave."

"Looks like it will be another night of searching the coaches, eh Severus?" Remus said with a small smile.

Severus slowly turned his head to his fellow professor, "bloody kids… they will never learn. If I feel there is need to worry about that then yes."

"Well then so it shall be. I need you all to begin decorating soon. I had Moonberry go out and get the decorations a while ago. You can find them in the storage room. Meeting adjourned."

Severus got up and walked out of the teachers conference room. He could not believe they would be holding another ball because Miss Granger told the headmistress of what a good idea it would be. Last year's ball he had spent opening carriage doors to discover which couples had snuck away and taking their prospective points. He detested the idea of getting all dressed up for nothing. Of course he never dressed up much. He would probably just wear the same outfit as usual. Of course last year he wore one of his similar looking but nicer coats. He would probably not even bother this time. There was no real reason to get all formal this year, it was after-all, just for fun not a real Yule Ball.

"Severus!" Alexandria shouted running up to him. "Aren't you excited?

"Hardly…"

"Oh… well you will have to help Remus and I decorate. It will be fun! Wont it Remus?"

"Yes, with you around, how could it not be?"

Alexandria smiled and turned back to Severus, he had hardly noticed Remus come up behind them. "No, while everyone else is busy getting these silly things set up I will be the one keeping order in this castle. Now if you don't mind, I will be off." He said walking up the right side of the staircase. He watched out of the corner of his eye as Remus and Alexandria raced up the left side. "No running!" he shouted. They both stopped and looked at him. Alexandria continued up rather quickly. Remus looked at Severus wide-eyed and pointed.

"It was her!"

Severus ran up the other side to see if he could meet her on a certain floor. As soon as she saw him she shrieked and ran into the nearest room. He almost laughed out to himself. She had run right into his office. He slowly walked over and opened the door. There was no other way out of that office that anyone knew of except for him. He looked around and saw her looking all around herself. The office was still full of potion things. The room was actually nothing but shelves and vials. The only other things were 3 chairs and a desk. "Looking for somewhere to run?"

She turned to him, "No actually, this place is amazing… Just look at all the writing above every archway over the windows. Why doesn't my office look like this?"

He sat down in his main chair by the desk. "Ms. Moonberry, please have a seat."

She ignored him and walked around reading some of the labels on certain vials. He noticed she took extra interest in all of the red, purple and black potions. "Did you make all of these?"

"Yes, now have a seat!" he said getting rather impatient. "I will not ask you again."

"You call that asking?" she laughed, "I call it demanding."

"Ms. Moonberry you have caused me enough trouble as it is. Do not make me anymore angry with you! I do not appreciate having to continuously tell you things over and over. I think you are indeed a good teacher but if I get angry enough I will have to terminate you."

She looked at him with a frown, "Well then…" she raised a black vial, "what does this do?"

Alexandria had openly defied his wishes and this infuriated him. He stood up and was about to walk over to her but she walked over to him first, "Ms. Moonbe…"

"Shut up!" she said placing the vial on his desk, "You sit down and don't raise your voice at me," she said pushing him back rather hard causing him to lose his footing and fall into the chair. He was about to stand again but she held out her hand. A force stronger than he was seemed to hold him back. "Severus, I don't know why you get angry so easily, but I do too and I will not have people order me around. I don't take orders very well when people are rude. You want me to do something, you ask nicely. You tell me to do something, you tell me nicely. Understand?"

He was infuriated that she was giving him rules. Why... after McGonagall he had most priority as to how this school should be run. "No. I said this was my depeartment and your job is in my hands. Do you understand?"

A look of anger came over her and then a smile. "I understand that, but it does not mean you have to be an ass about it."

He stood up as soon as she put her hand down. "Ms. Moonberry, have a seat please, we need to discuss your position."

"I wont discuss anything with you till you calm down."

"I am not going to calm down!" he yelled feeling angrier than before.

Alexandria smiled at him and pushed him back slowly. He sat down as she walked around him. Her hands began to run up the back of his head. He could feel her fingernails. A sudden want to close his eyes came over him but he knew he had to stay awake. He had to take her hands off of him but his arms would not lift. "Stop trying Severus. Just relax." a small whisper came to his ear. He felt her move to the left side of him and sit on the chair just slightly by his leg. It was a wide chair but not wide enough for two people. His eyes had shut and he could only feel her hands now. Her hands were on his chest, occasionally raising to wipe his hair from his face as it constantly fell forward. Never had such a calm come over him. He knew some sort of magic was involved but he could not be positive at the moment. Suddenly he felt a soft, hot pair of lips touch his cheek first on the left then on the right. "Now Severus, we can talk." Her breath hit his lips hard which allowed him to picture her just an inch away.

"No, we cannot talk now. You have some sort of magic over me and it isn't letting me think straight." he said finally lifting one of his arms. It felt like lifting lead, it was so heavy. He was not sure what to do with his arm once he had it up but it felt good to know he had one of his limbs back. Slowly he began to lift his eyelids. He saw her back away from his face and smile at him. Without thinking he lifted his hand and touched her face. He had never touched her before and now he wished he had. Her skin was so soft he was not even sure, in his state, if he was touching her at all. Alexandria's head leaned into his touch. Severus! Stop! She's a professor! You cant stand her… There is some sort of spell on you. Yes there is some sort of spell on me, but LOOK at her. Her lips were as red as ever, her skin warm and soft. Her light brown eyes seemed to be begging for him. He took her glasses off her face. She was even more stunning up close without them. At the moment he was not sure she could be anymore beautiful than he was seeing her. A small smile came over her as she closed her eyes and put a hand over the one he had on her face. Of the next few moments, he would never be sure as to what possessed him. His hand slid to the back of her head and pulled her forward gently until her lips were an inch from his. For a minute he sat there running his hand through her dark hair and staring back and forth, from her lips to her eyes back to her lips. He leaned forward and felt them burn on his. He took them in savagely and again when she pressed herself against him. Severus felt her hands grip his robes. He opened his eyes just barely to watch her as she turned her head only to kiss him again. Her hands were moving up to the back of his neck wanting to pull him closer. He could feel her now sitting on his lap. When did that happen? His hand was also on her hip which led him to believe he had pulled her on there. He put his other arm around her and pulled her to him tightly. Her heart was pounding as was his. Slowly turned and put one leg on each side of him. He could feel her hips straddle him and her lips leave his face down his neck and back up. As he went to give into her kiss he noticed the vial that had been placed on the table. The black liquid was swirling and he could see the sparkling fumes coming out the top. Oh no…

"Stop…" he whispered taking hold of her shoulders. He pushed her back gently and he could see her lips swollen and more red than ever. They looked ready to drip of blood. An aching for her came over him but he knew better. "Stop… the cork… there is supposed to be a cork on this vial."

"So?" she asked lightly sucking his neck.

"Stop… We are, both, not in our right minds. This fume, from this vial, has us… well... like this. Where was the cork when you picked it up?"

"It didn't have one. What is it?" Alexandria said looking at the vial in his hand.

"Its a potion to highten your attraction to someone. Even the fumes cause the senses to increase."

Severus opened a desk drawer and pulled out a cork. When the bottle was closed, Alexandria and Severus both felt light headed. "What's happening Severus? My head…" Moonberry said putting both her hands on her head. "It throbs."

"You're coming off the high from the fumes. In a moment you will be fine. Next time don't touch anything." he said rather sternly trying to hide the pain he too felt in his head.

Alexandria shook her head and pressed it between her hands. "Make it stop…" her body collapsed on his as she continued to hold her head. He looked down at her while he sat there baring the pain a bit less dramatic than her. His arms lay on the armrests of the chair and he was leaning back, waiting. A few more moments and it would all be gone. He watched as she squirmed and turned around on his lap and then he grabbed her arm.

"Don't move…" He said seeming a bit uneasy.

"It hurts though." She moaned and threw her head against his chest as her back arched. "Severus…" she groaned as he tried to keep her still. She laid on him with her back to him now. He was holding her down to his chest as she seemed to be filled with more pain than he was.

"Did you drink it?" he asked.

"No, I just smelled it. Before I asked what it was…"

"Well no wonder your pain is worst. The reason its in here and not in the potions room is because I haven't perfected it to not have drawbacks."

He pulled out his wand unable to take her squirming on him anymore. Just as he went to cast a spell to make her feel better she froze and turned to look at him. He glared and stood up letting her fall to the floor. He fixed his robes and pulled them to cover him completely. He walked over to a certain shelf and pulled out a small vial. She watched him from the floor and then pulled herself onto his chair. If she had not been in so much pain she would have said something. Though, she was not sure what she would have said…

"Take this and go." he said handing her the small vial.

"What is it?" she asked looking at the green liquid.

"It will remove your headache. Now go and Moonberry… If I hear about anything that happened here from anyone else… Anyone else at all… I will look for a replacement for your position."

Alexandria nodded and walked to the door. "Oh and Severus… I am…" she stopped and looked him in the eyes. A small smile came over her face and a very apperant flush to her cheeks. "Well I guess what I'm trying to say is…" She glanced down at his now robe covered body. "Well, sorry about that." She winked and disappeared behind the door.

He felt a blush creep over his cheeks and he slammed the door behind her. All the bottles shook. This would have never happened if she would have sat still like I asked her to. Bloody woman. And yet a part of him still wanted to have her leaning against him. He sat and the only thing he could think of was the way their lips could not get enough of each other. He had not noticed till then that his lips were burning. Her kisses regardless of where they were placed burned. It did not hurt in the least but he could always feel where she had kissed him exactly. Her lips seemed to hold a fire of their own. If I don't stop thinking about this I wont be able to walk out of this room to go on my patrol. He put the vial with the black liquid in a hidden shelf and then walked out.

Severus had avoided Moonberry at all costs during the week and now McGonagall needed him to keep an eye on the decorating going on in the grand ballroom of the castle. He had tried to refuse her but then she said he was the only one who could take her place and he could not help but agree with her. Hell if he knew anything about decorating. The house he lived in was plain and the furniture in it was there when he moved in. The grand ballroom was an extremely large room and as soon as he walked in he saw a bunch of tables with tablecloth thrown over them. They were red and green. It was obviously going to be a christmas theme. Red, green and gold covered mostly everything. The dance floor was large and enchanted to look like a frozen lake.

"I'm so sorry Remus… this is not quite how I had thought it would go…" He heard Alexandria's voice. He turned and saw Remus entangled and hanging by ribbon from another doorway.

"What in Merlin's name is going on here?" Severus asked rather frustrated already.

Remus smiled, "Well hullo Severus. Alexandria and I were just trying to get some of these ribbons up. Unfortunately, it did not go how we had planned it…"

"No… it didn't." Alexandria said waving her wand and detangling Remus. With a few swishes of her wrist the ribbons were up properly and Remus was on the floor.

Remus grabbed her wand from her, "Remember sweetie, we are doing this without magic."

"Remus… we did all of this… well except for the dance floor, without magic. Cant we just finish up?" she begged trying to take back her wand.

"No. Tell her Severus. Tell her she can't use it."

Alexandria looked at Severus angrily. Her lips were pouting and he was sure she didn't even realize it. "I don't care how you guys do it but just as long as it doesn't get messed up."She rolled her eyes at him and grabbed the wand from Remus while he was listening to Severus. Her wand pointed at Severus and then Remus.

"HA! In your face Remus!" she said laughing. Remus ran over to her and picked her up in both his arms. "Hey! Put me down! Remus!" she screamed.

Severus watched as he ran out the other door that led to the courtyard, he followed. When he reached it he saw Remus standing over the fountain.

"Say you're sorry Alexandria. Say it!"

"Never! And if you drop me…"

Severus closed his eyes as he heard her hit the water. He knew he should have said something but for some reason he felt as if he was intruding. He opened his eyes to see Remus kneeling beside her as she sat dripping wet. She splashed some water on him but he removed his scarf and wiped a few drops from her face anyway. She smiled at him and he kissed her forehead. A sudden feeling came over Severus, it stabbed him unexpectedly, as he watched Alexandria throw her arms around Remus. Now he felt even worst. Quickly he turned and left them. Almost to the hall he heard Remus's voice.

"Severus, really… you should join us for a while. Help with the decorations. Alexandria and I would be happy to have you here."

Severus turned and watched as Professor Lupin wrap his arm around Alexandria's waist tightly. She was dripping wet. He waved his hand a dried her off. "No Professors. I must be on my way. Everything seems to be going well enough in here."

"Suit yourself. Hopefully you will come and help tomorrow."

Severus sneered and walked out. Sure enough though, he returned to look at the progress. Trees had been put up and the teacher's long table was also done. Remus was sitting on the floor with Alexandria and they seemed to be putting together a beaded chain for the trees. Severus sat and watched a bit of the progress. I hate the way he keeps looking at her as if he hasn't seen enough of her in this last week. He seems to be so obviously enamoured by her. Monnberry doesn't really seem to… wait, Severus… why are you thinking about this? It may be a good thing if they fall in love with one another because you can think about other things more important than her coming in to bother you all the time. He stopped and watched as Remus had stood and held out his hand for her. She seemed rather shy for a moment and even looked away before turning to Remus with a smile and taking his hand. Remus led her to the middle of the enchanted dance floor and took a bow before her. Severus sat not sure he wanted to be so obvious in watching them. She curtsied and Lupin took her hands not really knowing what to do with them. Severus shook his head as Alexandria seemed to lead and Remus tripped here and there. Still, together they laughed… Severus was about to walk over to them when Lupin lifted Alexandria by her waist high into the air and turned in circles with her. Her arms flew out and threw her head back. A smile so bright took her that even Lupin seemed surprised with the look on her face. Severus sat back down without a noise. Lupin put Alexandria down. Neither noticed his presence.

"Alexandria…"

"Remus… lets finish up yes? We will have less to do tomorrow. This ball is coming so soon. Its only two more weeks before Christmas…"

"Yes, just two more. Why don't you tell him?"

"Remus, I cant. I don't want to talk about it… Oh my… the time. Its time for class. Lets go!" she said throwing her professor's robe over her navy dress.

Alexandria ran down the room. Remus followed and grabbed her arm before she could push open the door. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek lightly. A look of shock came over her and she turned and walked out. Remus shook his head to himself and walked out after her. The moment he walked out, the room went dark and Severus sat there thinking to himself. His thoughts were about the kisses he and Alexandria had shared and how much he had actually enjoyed them without the potion. They soon shifted on Narcissa's offer to go with him and leave her husband. Yet thoughts of Moonberry here and there told him he should decline the offer. That is nonsense. Why would I choose Moonberry over Narcissa? Narcissa is all I've ever wanted. Those kisses should have been hers not Alexandria's. At least I know of the way that Narcissa feels for me, but I've always really known anyway. Get to your class Severus.

The next few days seemed to be more dull than usual. Alexandria had not come to bother him once. He would walk by her class during 6th period to see what they were up to. Small explosions still happened here and there, most of which were her fault. She had gotten into the habit of having the kids try to create their own potions. They were not nearly as bad as before though… Today as he walked by he noticed music playing and he looked in and saw Alexandria and Mcgonagall review with the children as to how one would dance to a waltz. He watched and noticed that most of the kids had forgotten the dance.

"Professor Snape perhaps you should help us out here." Minerva said calling out to him.

"I would love to, unfortunately I have to prepare the exams for my next class. Otherwise I would…" he said turning quickly.

"I know you are lying to me Severus…" Minerva said raising her voice to him. "Just for a little while Severus. Some of these young ladies could use a partner. He glared at the headmistress and looked at the young girls. The only one who walked over to him was Hermione as he was sure she was eager to learn to dance and excel in it as in every other subject. He sighed as she cleared her throat for him to take a position. He took her hand and put his other arm on her upper side right under her other arm. He fidgeted through most of it. Hermione rolled her eyes at him and at Ron who seemed to be making fun of her with Seamus. He stopped and grabbed the red haired boy from his seat dragging him over to Hermione.

"There Mr. Weasley I want to see you out do me because if you don't after all that snickering I will take fifty points from your house."

"Fifty! But professor we weren't laughing at you…"

"I… don't… care…" he said turning sharply and went on to pair the rest of the boys and girls. When his work was finished every kid had a partner. Even if two of the ladies involved were Alexandria and Minerva. He watched and shouted at a few boys here and there. Ron seemed rather upset when the professor kept picking on him, seeing as how he had not done so and thats why he had paired him with Hermione.

"You know professor, you're not half bad." Alexandria said as she danced around him with Neville. Mr. Longbottom was actually better than any other boy in the room.

"I agree except when you take this pose…" Neville added as he held Moonberry in a semi-dip. "Your foot here was all wrong. And your arms should be held higher…"

Snape tossed him a look of death that Mr. Longbottom seemed to forget what it was he had been talking about and lead Alexandria to the other side of the room. She laughed and he could swear he heard her tell Neville what a good job he had done in remembering the position. He raised and eyebrow and walked out. Stupid and pointless thing dancing… Who enjoys the waltz anyway? The positions are not as easy to hold as everyone seems to think until they have been forced to do them. Ugh, I'm surprised Remus is not present for this. Then again the man cant dance anyway.

"Severus!" Alexandria shouted to him as he was walking down the corridor that would soon take him to the moving staircase. Classes had ended a few minutes before and he would have suspected Remus to be with her by now. "Severus, I wanna apologize."

"For…?"

"To be honest… I guess I was sort of avoiding you. I didn't want to. I just… well… I felt a little ackward after kissing you like I did. I hope you really do forgive me for it. I didn't know thats what the potion was. Anyway, here is your vial that you gave me the cure in. I didn't use it… I don't really know why either… but thank you."

He could not help but stand there looking at her for a moment. There was no explaining his urge to take her. All of her. To press her against the wall and ravage her utterly and completely. He tried to shake the thoughts but they would not leave him. He sighed and focused on her eyes again. She's not wearing her glasses… Why? I wonder… A smile came over her as she tucked her hair behind her ear. He could sense her nervousness but no words came to him at the moment. Looking down, he noticed the necklace charm on her neck. It was the same one she had been wearing the evening he had kissed her. The little charm sat on her collarbone out of center. He noticed her chest as she breathed small, slow breaths. His desire grew stronger with each passing moment. As Severus reasoned with himself, he came to the conclusion that he had nothing to lose if he kissed her again (except for his pride). As he stepped forward he was interrupted by the sound of Remus's voice.

"Alexandria! I've been looking for you. We need to finish the trees today… we are behind schedule."

"Oh yes… um… well I better be off then," she said looking at Severus.

"Off with you then. The both of you."

The Christmas ball was almost there. The children seemed rather excited about it this year. Severus had not thought they had enjoyed it that much. Much to his surprise, he was wrong. Snow was falling outside lightly and most of the halls had been decorated as well. He had been to the ballroom few times in the last few weeks. And saw Alexandria but twice. Once when he was patrolling the hallway and she just happened to be helping Remus in on a full moon and the other when she had accidentally blown up a potion. The days were boring at first and then easier to deal with. He found himself thinking less and less of her too.

"Severus?" a low voice came behind him.

He turned quickly and saw Narcissa standing in his office. Her bruises and cuts had cleared up and there were no further signs of abuse. "You're back… so soon?"

"Its been more than a couple of weeks since you last saw me. Tell me you've made up your mind. Tell me you will take me away. I cant take living with Lucius anymore… "

Severus had hardly thought of the offer but decided that Alexandria did not feel for him and she had Remus to watch over her now. "Narcissa…"

"No! I wont let you not take me! I will dispose of her if I must… You are mine Severus. You always have been. It is your love that kept me going all these long years. Tell me now you have chosen me!"

"Narcissa. Stop. I have a few things to say. One, you will not harm her if its the last thing I see done. Two, I have never been yours. Lucius made you his before I could and since you are his… he is yours. And three, I will take you if you are certain you can leave Lucius and Draco behind." No, I cant take her. I still have to face them both. Draco will never respect me again and Lucius will make our lives impossible. What possessed me to say yes. I should have said no. Now what?

"Severus I was wondering…" Alexandria started walking into his office. She seemed to freeze at the sight of Narcissa who seemed to look down on her. "I… never mind… I'll leave you two for now…"

"You better." Narcissa said walking over to Severus. She stood by his side and took his hand in hers. "From now on you will leave us alone. You see, this time he chose me. Not you. Me. Understand?"

Alexandria turned and looked at him in shock. "Professor, you cant be serious… What about Draco? What will he think of you taking his mother from his family? It will surely disgrace the Malfoys, not that I care much, but he is a child. Disgrace will come to him too. You must be mad to accept her."

"Silence!" Narcissa said raising her wand. "Draco is a young man, he knows his father and I cannot stand each other. He will come to terms with it."

"Yes, perhaps he knows of your awful marriage but does he know that the man you ruined his name for is his trusted professor?" she then turned to glare at Severus, "Surely you must know how much he looks up to you? He sees you as the man who will teach him so much. You think Lucius is around often enough to show him half of the things he learns from you? Severus you are a handsome, intelligent man. You have to know that you cant do this. What do I have to say to convince you otherwise? Please don't do this. Think of the consequences this will have on those around you. What would Dumbledore think if he knew you were doing this? He has so much faith in you. So many people here trust you. Severus?"

"I said SILENCE!" Narcissa said stepping toward the young sorceress.

"No. I wont let you ruin his life the way you have ruined yours!" Alexandria shouted pointing her wand at Mrs. Malfoy.

"Stop! I will not have this happen again. Lower your wands!" Severus said standing between the two. "Both of you!"

Alexandria waited until after Narcissa had lowered her wand before putting hers down as well. Severus stood with his back turned to her and facing the other woman. For a moment they only stared at one another. Narcissa shook her head. "No Severus, you already said you would. You cannot go back on your word now. I told you I wont let you! I wont go back to him. I'm yours now. Yours! Let us leave this place…" she walked over to him and grabbed hold of his robes. "I beg you Severus… don't do this to me."

"I must. She is right. If we go on like this we have not just doomed both our lives, but the lives around us. I need to stay here. Too many people are relying on me. Your son… Think of your son woman."

"He has his father… he was never mine. Lucius took him from me the moment he was born. I am just a trophy for him to show to everyone. I have no son. He could careless what happens to me."

"But not me! Narcissa understand. We have no living if I do not have this job. We have nothing if we leave and go into hiding to avoid troubles from everyone else. I will not lose the trust of others (a sense of pride came over him at this word cause surely Alexandria ha meant herself as well as Dumbledore) for you now. Its all I have…"

"No Severus, you have my love…"

Alexandria stepped up beside him. "Love? If you loved him at all you would have stayed with him all those years ago!"

"What would you know? You don't know about the pressures to marry from your family! You don't know what its like to not have a choice…"

"Yes… I know I always have a choice. I would have rather died than seen the man I loved pained because I married another man. Thats love!"

"Well perhaps you are braver than I am." Narcissa sneered.

"No… just smarter."

"That is enough!" Severus shouted. "No more! Go! Now!" he shouted at Narcissa. "I don't wish to see you anymore. Enough problems have arisen on your account."

She glared at the man she swore she loved. "You will pay…" the door slammed loudly behind her as she left. A quiet came over the room.

"Did you need something Ms. Moonberry?"

"Well, um… I sort of need some help with the ballroom. You see yesterday was a full moon and Remus is rather tired. We have not finished any of the centerpieces. The ball is tomorrow Severus. I need help. I want it to be a surprise for everyone who sees it. Well, except for you cause you've seen it… Say you'll help me."

"Very well, I will be down later. Now leave me and again… not… a… word…"

"Severus… I didn't mean to…"

"Leave me!"

When Severus arrived in the ballroom he was rather surprised with the look of it. The tables were all set in china and the Christmas colors were amazing. The professors' long table was the only table in gold table cloth the rest were green and red. The trees had been adorned and candles were flickering. He knew they were enchanted to last longer than a normal candle would have. The ribbon and wreaths hanging from walls completed the Christmas look but it was the giant crystal chandalier that hung over the middle of the dance floor that made the whole setup grand. Alexandria was no where to be found. A letter hovered over the dance floor so he could clearly see it upon coming in. He looked at it.

Dearest Severus,

I have almost completely finished everything, so all you have to do is the table centerpieces. I don't have many decorations yet so you will probably have to improvise with some magic. Surprise me. I hope its not too much trouble. Thank you so much for doing this. I will see it tomorrow at the ball. Magically yours,

Alexandria

Severus sighed and stashed the note in his pocket. Immediately, he took out his wand and began casting spells here and there. The moment she mentioned he could use magic the once dreaded decorating turned into a piece of cake.