Brave Hearts Never Fear Death
It was fifteen till the ball and everyone in Gryffindor were either waiting down in the common room (which were the boys waiting impatiently for their dates) or still trying to hurriedly finish up themselves (which were mostly girls, panicking about how they looked).
The Marauders were among those in the common room waiting for their dates. Sirius was checking himself in the mirror on the wall and it was occasionally giving him helpful hints. "Not bad, not bad." He said, smiling cheekily at his reflection.
He wore robes of stormy grey and looked positively handsome. His date seemed to think so too because when she descended down the stairs of the girl's dormitories, she had a huge smile on her face. "Sirius," She squealed. "You look so great!"
Sirius gave her a flirtatious smile and embraced her in his arms. "Well thank you, Petra, and you look absolutely marvelous yourself." Petra was wearing satin dress robes of light blue.
Peter snorted. "That had to be the gayest thing I've ever heard."
"And you have to be the gayest thing I've ever seen." Sirius retorted back, earning a few laughs from Remus and James.
Peter was wearing robes of chocolate brown silk and looked better than he did most days. His date, a pretty blonde girl wearing a violent shade of pink, matched him perfectly.
"Hey, c'mon, no fighting, no fighting." Remus chuckled. He was currently wearing silk robes of charcoal that had thin pin stripes of red. His gold Prefect badge was pinned to his chest and his whitened smile broadened when he saw his date, a tall and lean curly haired brunette with light bronze skin walk to him in dress robes of lacy gold.
"Wow Remus, you and Kharis match quite well. Sort of Gryffindor colors, rock on." James laughed.
Kharisma glared at him. "Shut it James, no one asked what you thought of us."
James looked taken aback. "Um, sorry? It was a joke Kharisma, damn."
Kharis rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
Remus muttered to James. "I don't think she's forgiven you about the whole Lily thing." He exchanged a look of apology with a tinge of you-should-have-listened-to me with him.
"So Kharis, who's Lily going with?" James asked. He had run into Snape four times today and no matter how many times he jinxed, cursed and outright embarrassed him, Snape wouldn't budge about the whole ball thing. He finally gave up around 7 to get ready for the ball. He was wearing robes of dark blue and tried but failed to manage his messy but undeniably gorgeous black hair.
"You'll see," Kharis grinned wickedly. "You'll just love it."
James rolled his eyes and waited for his own date to appear. Kharis' words weren't exactly comforting; actually they had him start to side with his idea that the slimy git had indeed went along and asked his beautiful Lily.
"Hi James," A small voice said behind him. Turning around, he saw his date. A girl by the name of Kadie who had dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes like him and was definitely very pretty in the pale purple robes she was wearing.
"Hi Kadie, you look nice." James said kind of peeking over her looking for the one he'd really been waiting for.
"Well is everyone ready?" Kadie asked.
Nooo… James thought. But everyone else had started shuffling to the portrait door.
Upon entering the Great Hall, everyone seemed to be in awe. The air was warm and breezy and the ceiling was clear and the almost full moon shone bright. Little lights hung around the Great Hall to give the summer night effect and everything was covered in shades of blue, gold, red and green. The hall seemed to sparkle and a band was playing upon where the teachers usually ate.
The music was slightly loud and everyone seemed to be in full conversations with each other, occasionally stopping to greet more friends.
"Remus, this is great!" James exclaimed.
Remus nodded and said, "Yeah, I guess I can say that the prefects and I put on an awesome ball."
The hall started to get crowded with more people and James was searching everywhere for signs of Lily and Snape. Nott, Avery, Crabbe, Goyle and some other Slytherins that were friends with Snape seemed to be hanging out with their dates near the Slytherin table that was backed up against the wall for punch and food but no Snape.
"Where is Lily?" James muttered to himself.
"Please don't tell me you're going to talk about Lily this whole night, jeez." Kadie said with a frown on her face. James looked down at her, almost forgot that she was his date and smiled.
"No, of course not."
"Good, then let's dance." Kadie led him to the dance floor where Sirius was currently getting down and dirty with his date and they danced rhythmically to the beat.
The Marauders and Kharis danced for a good fifteen minutes when James heard Kharis squeal, "Lily! I thought you had forgotten about the dance! You're twenty minutes late missy!"
James snapped his head to the side and nearly choked. Lily was simply ravishing in her royal purple satin dress robes. Her hair was up in elegant curls and her emerald eyes seemed to sparkle and stand out from the purple of her robes.
"Wow, Lily! You look beautiful!" Kadie complimented. The two girls exchanged bright smiles.
"Thanks Kadie! So do you!"
"So who you here with?" James cut in.
Kharis and the Marauders groaned. Lily just ignored him.
James looked over her shoulder for Snape but realized that he wasn't there.
"My date is actually getting drinks right now so I decided I'd come over and talk for a bit." Lily said, particularly to Kharis and Remus.
James frowned. "Hey, who you here with?" His eyes still searching for signs of Snape.
"And," Lily talked over him. "I wanted to congratulate Remus on a job well done." She smiled and Remus smiled back.
"And to you." He replied with a nod of his head.
"Lily, I brought you something to drink." A male voice was heard.
"Oh thank you!"
James turned and wasn't sure if he felt relieved that Lily hadn't gone with Snape, or furious because it was someone he wasn't exactly on friendly terms with. A seventh year in fact, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain who James hated, not so much as Snape and the Slytherins, but still despised.
His name was Kyler Hawkins and all the girls seemed to swoon over him because he was asked to join the Appleby Arrows professional Quidditch team. He had dark brown hair with natural chestnut highlights and sea green eyes and tan skin. He was taller than James, but James had more the athletic build while Kyler had more of the leaner build.
"James." Kyler said.
"Kyler." James replied. And they shook hands, secretly trying to squeeze the others to a pulp.
"Well Kyler and I are going to go dance, so I'll catch up with you guys later." Lily said, letting herself get lead away by her date. James watched as Kyler wrapped his arms around her and pick up a comfortable rhythm.
Jerk.
"Hey James, why don't you try and apologize?" Sirius said, during a break with the guys. They had been dancing for over 4½ hours and James just couldn't stop staring at the red headed beauty. "Look, you're really starting to look pathetic, and I'm not sure I can be seen hanging with someone like that. Either you resolve your little problem or we can't be friends."
"Oh shut up Padfoot." James said irritably as Sirius chuckled, downing his cup of water.
"Hey Prongs, I thought you said that Snape was going with Lily?" Peter asked, helping himself to some watermelon.
James frowned at Kyler and Lily but his mind was on Snape. "Yeah, well that's what I thought. I mean it seemed pretty obvious."
"Ha ha look at Moony get down with Kharis! Poor guy, he was probably forced!" Sirius said bursting up in laughter, pointing at the embarrassed Remus who was trying to catch up with Kharis' dancing. "Haha, this is going to be serious blackmail that is!"
"I can't believe OWLs are on Monday that almost ruins this whole dance." Peter said, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Shut it Wormtail, I don't want to think about the testing next week. Jeez you ruin all the fun don't you?" Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Well soooorrrry." Peter said with a bit of sarcastic attitude.
"Hey, listen. It's like an hour till the dance ends and Snape didn't even show up. I wonder why?" James questioned curiously.
Sirius held out his hand and checked off each finger. "I can give you five good reasons he didn't show. One, he's a slimy sleaze ball. Two, he's dirty and greasy. Three, he's a Slytherin that knows he doesn't belong. As for the others that showed up here, they're just idiots. Four, he's greasy, did I already say greasy? Well whatever, he's greasy. And five, he probably didn't have a date. He's better off alone and we're better off without him here slimin' the place up."
Peter laughed but James knitted his eyebrows.
"No, there's something else."
"Pff, what else could there be?"
"Well, I overheard him talking to Lestrange about someone wanting to talk to him about important business and I can only think that if it has something to do with Snivillus then it has something to do with the dark arts." James said quietly.
"Oh come off it James, Snape is too much of a coward to join up with anything like that." Sirius said disbelievingly.
"Padfoot, you didn't hear it like I heard it, okay?" James heated up at once. If there was one thing that bugged him beyond all else was when someone second guessed his opinion on Snape.
"Yeah, yeah okay. But I still think that you just don't like Snape so you want to believe that he's really into that kind of stuff."
"But you don't like him either." Peter called on him.
Sirius looked at Peter and nodded. "True, I don't like that slimy git, but that doesn't mean I think he's getting into the dark arts like James does. I think Snape is just a grease ball and nothing more. He's too chicken to get into that kind of stuff."
James rolled his eyes. If no one was going to believe him that Snape was up to something then he wasn't going to stick around and get criticized by it. There was something definitely up with that kid and it would be him to figure it out. Who misses the end of the year ball for just a talk? No, it had to be more that just that, it had to be something that would interest Snape and what interested Snape was the dark arts.
"I'm going to try and talk to Lily." James said, walking away.
"Good plan, mate. I'll pick your pieces off the ground when she's finished with you." Sirius and Peter laughed and James gave them the finger.
James made his way around the dancing crowd, occasionally avoiding some of the girls that were quite obsessed with him, maneuvered around the Slytherins who were chatting interestedly about an older boy by the name of Lucius Malfoy who had graduated two years before and something about a task he was assigned. That rich git probably bought his way into the ministry…James thought nastily. He kept up his mission searching for Lily while keeping an eye out for Kadie who probably was wondering where he was right now.
"Oh Kyler, that's great, are you excited?" Lily asked.
"Yeah it's something I never thought it'd happen in a million years, I even got full scholarships and everything." Kyler said with a look in his eye that said he was proud of himself and proud that Lily Evans was complimenting him.
"Hey Kyler, I was wondering if I could steal you for a moment. Sorry my dear, it'll only take a minute. I do hope you don't mind?" Professor Slughorn asked, walking up and taking Kyler Hawkins by the arm. "I wanted to show him to a friend of mine that is associated with the Appleby Arrows. Of course, when you have time I would like to maybe have a small interview with you on your ideas of the Ministry with another friend of mine who has a connection with the head of the Department of Mysteries."
Lily nodded. "No that's fine; I'm a bit tired so I think I'll sit for a while. I don't mind really and that interview sounds nice, Professor, thank you."
"Okay, just a tidbit then." Professor Slughorn and Kyler walked off.
"Lily?" James had waited until she was alone.
Lily turned around at her name being called and when she saw that it was James, she rolled her eyes and walked in the other direction towards the food and drinks. James walked right after her.
"Lily, please wait up, let's talk."
"I'm sorry," She said casually still walking away from him. "I believe I have nothing to say to you at the moment, Potter."
James sighed but reached out and stopped her. "Lily, I'm so sorry, can't you ever forgive me?"
She glared. "Not right now I can't."
"Why not, you know what I said wasn't true. Plus they weren't even that bad but still," He thought it may be best to revise that sentence since her eyes flashed with anger. "I know I did something terrible and I promise to never do it again."
Lily glanced around the room and noticed that Kyler had escaped from Slughorn and was searching for her. Another thing was that the ball was going to be ending in less than ten minutes and she certainly didn't want to end it arguing with James.
Shaking her head she put her foot down. "I'm sorry James, but I'm just not ready to forgive you. Not only did you hurt me, but you hurt other people as well."
"Like who? I never hurt anyone!" James defended himself, trying to think of anyone he intentionally ever hurt.
Lily looked him straight in the eye and sighed. "You may not notice because of your huge ego or your outrageously high self esteem but your arrogance seems to forget about the people you think are beneath you."
"Like who? I don't think like that! I would never!" What was she getting at?
"Hmm, let's see," She said clearly irritated. "Didn't you just hex Aubrey Bertram?"
"Yeah but that prat deserved-"
"And how about the girls you flirt constantly with and then when they get an ounce of hope of being with you, you turn them down?"
"I don't do that-!"
"And what about the Slytherins,"
"Oh come on, it's just those Slytherins! You're Gryffindor blood, you should know," James growled.
"Should I?" Lily asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because I remember Gryffindors being brave and courageous not jerkish or self pompous towards those of non-Gryffindor blood, last I heard it was those Slytherins who dwelled on only pure blood and I being a, what do they call it, mudblood couldn't possibly understand the importance of certain kinds of vital blood as I have none most would say."
James spluttered and stuttered. "I, that's not what I meant, you are not, no wait-"
"So James, if we're going to talk about the significance of blood and what's better and what's not, then I think it's safe to say that we are no different than those Slytherins."
"Wait, that came out wrong, I didn't think,"
"Of course not, you don't ever think! You only say whatever comes out of your conceited mouth. You are a lot of talk, Mr. Potter, and no show." Lily crossed her arms.
James looked at her not sure of what to say. But she took over for him.
"And what is it with Severus Snape, huh? Why do you feel like you have to curse him every time you see him? Do you like when you attract a crowd full of stupid idiots who get a crack out of cruel embarrassment?"
James frowned. "Of course not, but Snape gets what's coming for him."
Lily rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Severus deserves nothing more than you do. He doesn't deserve the harsh treatment you and the other Marauders give him and he absolutely doesn't deserve the kind of shy personality he has to stand by and let you torture him. And you don't deserve the wide attraction as you so ungratefully take and you definitely don't deserve the chance to talk with me again."
James was furious.
"Maybe I'll take a leaf out of your book, Potter, and I'll take the overconfident high road and belittle you to me. Goodnight." Lily gave him one last glare and walked away towards Kyler who led her out of the Great Doors as the dance had ended.
It was a lightly dimmed room covered in medals and certificates of honor from the Ministry of Magic for things like 'Admirable Donation to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries' or 'Honorable bequest to the School Board Governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry' and even 'Worthy contributions to the Ministry of Magic.'
A boy of sixteen who had black hair that was slightly greasy and was very pasty was sitting before a man who looked no older than twenty years old that had white-blonde hair with prominent blue eyes and had a pale complexion.
None said anything but rather looked at each other for a few minutes.
"Tea?" The blonde haired man finally asked.
"No," The boy said clearly then a little quietly finished, "Thank you."
"Biscuit?"
The boy merely shook his head; his eyes glanced back and forth between the room around him and the man sitting before him.
"Never mind, Dobby, leave." The man ordered a scared and raggedly looking house-elf. It went scampering out of the room in haste, not to anger his master. "Well, Severus, since you don't want anything refreshing, I shall get down to business then."
Snape nodded.
"The Dark Lord has appointed me the honorable duty of finding someone worthy of rounding him up supporters, as you may know we are called Death Eaters, and I have had very select candidates and among the few is you."
Snape's eyes rounded, from fear or greed, the man could not tell for he wasn't paying attention to the look on Snape's face. He continued talking as if the matter were great news that needed to be finished.
"And so I have come to realize that since you have exceeded in potions and dark arts, and I am right to presume Lestrange was correct when he said that you have already accomplished Occlumency and Legimency," He saw Snape cast a quick glance at him. "That maybe perhaps you are the accurate choice for the Dark Lord's undertaking."
"And what does he exactly need from me, Lucius?" Snape asked in a hushed voice.
Lucius Malfoy cackled softly. "He needs you of course to be a spy. He wants you to keep an eye on Dumbledore for him all while rounding up any one with the ability to perform well as a Death Eater. We need more support than just a few men. Anyone who seems weak and needs help, you snatch them up promising greater and better things will come of them if they join. But make sure it's all hush hush and make sure not to let anyone who might ruin us find out about our doings. Or else you'll pay dearly for it."
"And if I don't oblige? What if I decline right now?" Snape asked with no hint of actually doing it, but a mere curiosity.
"Well then, I'd have to kill you, right now." Malfoy said moving his hand to rest on his pocket where his wand resided. Snape looked at Malfoy with no fear nor with any pride for being asked such a daring and responsible role from the darkest wizard of the time, he merely just stared.
"Another thing, I have heard from certain resources that you are quite friendly with someone the Dark Lord wouldn't approve of. A mudblood as I so disgracefully admit."
Snape continued to stare at Malfoy with a bored expression. Malfoy took it as a sign of truth so he continued his warning. "The Dark Lord tolerates no such beings and will never tolerate those who stoop to the lowest level of acknowledging them as equals. I would reconsider where your loyalties and friendships lie if you value your life."
Snape's head was down and he was twisting his hands in his lap. "I understand, but you have to know this and so does the Dark Lord, she is smart."
Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Do you care for this woman who is dirt veined?"
"No." Snape said instantly, but he didn't look up to face Malfoy with confidence. "I mean, she may be that of disgraceful blood but she is not like them, she's different."
"As I said, the Dark Lord does not tolerate such dirtied beings; his plan is to rid the wizarding world of such."
Snape flashed his eyes upon Malfoy. "She has valuable traits, she is intelligent and I believe that she could help the Dark Lord as a spy also as everyone seems to love her."
Malfoy sighed. "It isn't wise to bother the Dark Lord with such nonsense. No mudblood alive is worth anything. Like I said, if you value your life," he looked at Snape's young face; it was still kind of innocent. "And perhaps hers, I'd no longer continue your friendship. Your task is to round up as many supporters as possible and keep watch over Dumbledore. If you succeed you will have a place with us as a Death Eater and you will achieve greatness and beyond."
Snape continued to look at the man before him before sighing of complete exhaustion.
"So, does the Dark Lord have a faithful servant out of you, Severus Tobias Snape?" Malfoy asked, getting up from his seat. Snape got up as well and draped his cloak over himself.
"But of course."
VVVVVVVVVVVVV
-Well a very intelligent reviewer told me that I should update my story for myself and not to worry about reviews…well you're right…kinda. I like reviews because they make me feel like people enjoy the story. I enjoy the story, but that's not quite enough because I do write the story also for the reviews…people who like to read them. I've had like almost 400 hits to the story and only 6 reviews. I know it can get better.
-anyway, that's okay cause I'm still going to continue the story…I just want more reviews. If you LIKE the story….just review…that's all I'm asking. It puts a smile on my face.
VVV Times are tragic and pain is real, deceit is easy to conceal. But keep in mind, a tale is told, of two young lovers with Hearts of Gold. A power, in which no evil can embrace, runs through the veins in those they face. Two young lovers so strong and bold, bear no evil with Hearts of Gold. A thought so chilling is hard to find, but it's the next great adventure to the well organized mind. Courage so true till their very last breath, these Brave Hearts will Never Fear Death. VVV