Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Warning: SiRem slash
A/N: HERE IS MY HALLOWEEN TREAT!!! AN EXTRA LONG CHAPTER FROM ME TO YOU!!! ENJOY!!!
RRs:
2Padfoot00Moony7: Hogwarts is cult like? Quick! Bring me the Kool-Aid! I've never read Eragon, but I watched the movie and I have the soundtrack. I know, I'm a loser who doesn't read. Sorry. Here is your update! Sadly, I have no ideas for the next chap yet.
Polymnia Glamour: yay! Cuteness! Thank you.
WrathOfSweeney: thank you for seeing PHotO as soon as I wrote 'point of no return'. You're rockin'! I changed it because yes, I did want to make it more dramatic. The whole "I must kill Sirius" thought. I like it.
Essenze: YAY! You bought it! I just found out that number four is out there, I just have never found 2-3 and it SUCKS! Go ahead and wibble. I enjoy wibbles.
Realdarkangel: YES NO POWER CUT! I will bask in your happiness. I understand. Chinese really is that good.
ErikaJean: Remus in a dress.. you'll just have to wait and find out. (yea)
RL4SBnotNT: sad thing is, it took a while for me to decipher your name. For the life of me I could not figure out who NT was. I felt really stupid. And THANK YOU for sticking with this story even though you thought it was a bit weird. It's people like you that keep this story alive.
Mokubahv: Very cool. I'm definitely giving you more. wink
Wilfred Humbug: YOU ROCK HARD! Your extreme ego strokes kept me going even when I wanted to just trash this story. If you have any ideas for the next chapter GIVE THEM TO ME!!! I have nothing right now. And it sucks ass.
I Am His Princess
Chapter 4Monday night found Remus and Sirius waiting with the other House Princes and Princesses for Professor Rorret to arrive.
"Maybe she forgot." Offered Obsidian.
"She been doing this for a few years, she wouldn't forget." Malfoy explained with almost no trace of arrogance in his voice. Perhaps that was because Evyn was standing in between the two.
They waited in silence for a few more minutes before the door behind them opened. The eight boys turned around to see Rorret looking in at them. "Well come on then. We're supposed to meet in The Great Hall." She ducked out and none of the boys moved. She popped back in, a light scowl faintly etched in her features. "I haven't got all day. Get a move on."
Evyn was the first to escort his Princess out of the room. Matthew was second, taking Josh's arm. Lucius made sure that he and Severus got in front of Sirius and Remus. Sirius closed the classroom door before he took a hold of Remus' arm and escorted him behind the Slytherins.
Once they arrived at the Great Hall they were surprised to see a stranger standing admiring the clear starry night that the high ceiling portrayed. He was rather tall, Remus estimated him to be at least six-foot. As he turned to Trea, Remus noticed that his hair was a very dark brown with almost bleach blond locks scattered throughout. His eyes were a slate gray with a hint of blue.
"Princes and Princesses I would like to introduce you to Raev Cohas." Rorret said as Raev gave a slight bow to the eight boys who were looking at each other hoping to figure out what to do. Eventually they all figured out to bow in return.
Rorret continued. "We will be giving you a demonstration so you can all see what level we expect you to perform at. Please, sit."
They did as they were told, Sirius conjured a soft cushion for Remus to sit on.
Trea and Raev went to the center of the Hall and took their positions. His right hand at her waist, her left hand on his shoulder, and their other hands entwined. They began.
He stepped forward with his left foot as she moved her right foot back. They did a few more steps before Remus realized they were performing a waltz. It was very open. They would release a set of hands, only to have Raev twirl her back into him. Her robes would be thrown from her body, just to return and wrap the two lovers back as one.
Remus was able to see the story they were weaving. She was the Goddess of the river Ocean; he was Apollo, God of the Sun. He was trying to reach her, but each time he came close, he would be pulled away so he could rise into the sky. The Goddess also tries to reach Apollo, but the closest they ever get is at dusk and dawn. These fleeting times are not long enough for the two lovers. So Apollo takes the Goddess and throws her into the sky, where it turns a beautiful blue. And the two lovers remain together.
Trea and Raev ended, much to the disappointment of the small audience.
"Alright, Princes go with Raev and go to the other half of the Hall. Princesses, stay here with me. You all will be getting a bit of a crash course tonight before we send you off on your own each night before the Ball. Now, off you get." She waved her hands at the group and they separated as she had just told them.
For the next two hours, the Princes practiced away form their Princesses, learning how to lead them across the floor and not hit anyone else. Meanwhile, the Princesses learned what signs to be looking for from the Princes hands, and what to do when they got these signs.
For the last hour, the Princes and Princesses were put back together to see what they had learned. Evyn and Obsidian were easily the most skilled pair. Remus couldn't even see the signals between the two. Obsidian only tripped once, and Evyn was there to keep him from falling. They then slipped right back into their steps.
Josh and Matthew were for the most part successful. The only problem was that Matthew was being a little too forceful in directing Josh.
Lucius knew what he was doing, Severus on the other hand, had never danced before and did not have enough confidence to follow Lucius' directions.
Remus thought that he and Sirius did a fairly good job. Sirius, as a pureblood, had been taught proper ballroom dancing and was able to make up for Remus' inexperience most of the time.
Remus hissed as he hit the floor for the fourth time, the most of any of the Princesses. Sirius was beginning to get worried.
"Do you want to take a little break?" He asked looking down at his Princess.
Remus huffed and growled a little bit, glaring at the floor. "Not until I get this step."
That was the one Sirius couldn't fault Remus for, his determination. He would keep on stumbling and falling until he got what he wanted. Sirius extended his hand with a grin. "Alright then, one more time." Remus took the hand and was pulled to his feet.
The eight boys gathered together once more in front of Rorret before going their dorms.
"From now on you all will be expected to practice separately in these designated classrooms. Gryffindor: Room 264, Hufflepuff: Room 137, Ravenclaw: Room 396, and Slytherin is in Room 423. If any of you have questions, Raev will be staying with me until the end of October and you can come and get our help. And with that, I bid you all a good night."
The boys thanked her then left the Hall. They were all too tired to make conversation so they walked and departed in silence.
Arriving at the Pink Lady, Sirius gave the password, "Ruby Sword," and led Remus into the Common Room. Both boys were exhausted, but neither felt like climbing the stairs to go to bed. After a half an hour of relaxing in warm silence Remus gave a suggestion.
"What if we just stay down here? The couches are soft enough."
Sirius lifted his gaze so it was level with Remus'. "But that would be so uncivilized. The Princess should never be forced to sleep in anything but a bed." He smirked.
Remus closed his eyes then arched his back while sitting in his chair in response. "Come on Sirius. Stay down here with me. I don't want to climb all of those stairs." When he opened his eyes Sirius was leaning over him with his hands resting on either armrest of Remus' chair.
"Very well then, I guess I'll have to carry you." Sirius sly grin gave little warning to the actions that he would take.
Remus gave a rather unsophisticated yelp as Sirius picked him and slung him over one shoulder. He started pounding lightly on Sirius' back as Sirius began climbing the stairs. Remus gave up about half way up and decided to just go limp. Sirius felt the dead weight on his back and smiled to himself. He had his Princess.
Sirius gently laid Remus on the bed. Remus then rolled onto his side facing away from Sirius, who straightened himself. "Come on Remus. You have to get changed." A muffled protest was all that Sirius got in return. "If you don't move, I'll be forced to change you."
Remus turned to face him and gave a more articulate answer. "You're my Prince. You were chosen to attend to my every need. Since I'm just too tired to do it on my own, I guess you'll just have to change me."
A slightly closed look appeared on Sirius features, accompanied with a soft smile. "Very well," he knelled on the floor before Remus, "I will attend to my Princess as she has commanded." He gently grabbed Remus' bare left foot and gave the top a light kiss before standing and walking over to Remus' wardrobe. He returned holding Remus' nightclothes elegantly draped over his right arm.
Sirius laid them on the bed next to Remus, who at this point was watching his Prince while leaning back on his elbows. Sirius kept his gaze down as he began to unbutton his Princess' shirt. As he pulled it over Remus' shoulders with one hand, he pushed Remus' lower back towards him from behind so he could get the shirt off of his arms.
Once he had succeeded he lowered Remus back onto the bed while pulling the shirt away and laying it over a chair, where a house elf would be sure to find it. He turned back to Remus only to find him splayed out on the bed, his chest rising and falling with every sleeping breath he took.
Sirius couldn't bring himself to wake the boy so he began to undo the Princess' belt with the barest of touches. Once undone, Sirius pulled the belt from its loops. This required him to lift Remus' hips, which he did by placing one hand at the small of Remus' back and lifting while the other pulled the belt through. Still holding up his Princess, Sirius undid his pants and slid those off as well. He finally set down Remus' hips and also draped his belt and pants over the chair.
He picked up the lower half of Remus' set of nightclothes and knelt down by his feet once again and started putting on the clothing. The dark maroon contrasted beautifully with the Princess' pale skin. Sirius was able to pull the loose pants up to the place where Remus' leg met with the bed. Sirius took his earlier stance of lifting up his Princess' lower half. He was pleased with himself for not waking Remus. When he set Remus back down, he was rewarded with a soft sigh that escaped his Princess' light pink lips.
Sirius knew he had to finish his task before he could go to bed, but he could feel the exhaustion snaking its way into his mind and weighing down his body, slowing his movements. He picked up Remus' nightshirt and proceeded to put it on him. He started by putting Remus' hands through the sleeves. As he pushed Remus up to pull it over his shoulders, Remus' arms brought themselves across the back of Sirius' neck. Sirius was finding it more and more difficult to finish his task with the combined effort of his fatigue and the warmth of the body he was holding.
Sirius set down his Princess and began to button the shirt. Once he was satisfied with his work he pulled back the covers so he could more easily put the Princess to bed. As he lifted Remus from the bed, the smaller boy leaned into the larger body. Sirius set Remus down gently and pulled the covers over the sleeping boy. He was about to stand up and go to bed when a pair of pale arms found their place around his neck, their fingers intertwining at the base of his neck. Sirius looked down at the barely open eyes of his Princess.
"Please," he whispered, "stay with me."
Despite every fiber of his being ringing with the desire to stay, Sirius knew better and he forced himself to take a hold of Remus' hands. He slowly separated them from his being and set them by the body they belonged to. He looked down at his precious charge.
"Trust me, my Princess, you do not want me to stay. Who knows what I would do." He bent down and gave the already sleeping boy a feather kiss on his forehead. "Good night, my Remus."
The next few days were a whirlwind of preparation. Every night the Gryffindor pair worked on their dance and homework, while spare periods of the day were used on making the costumes. Sirius and Remus were eternally grateful for the Court.
The Court consisted of sixteen boys and one Lord. Each Prince or Princess was assigned two of the boys of the Court. Those two boys were responsible for completing the costume of the Prince or Princess. The Lord was in charge of the Court and had to make sure everything was going as planned. Dumbledore delighted in giving titles to every possible person connected to the House Princes and Princesses.
Remus and Sirius met with the Lord on the Wednesday after Rorret's and Cohas' dance on Monday, during one of their free periods.
"How may we help you?"
The Gryffindor pair was bowed into a classroom that looked fairly similar to Madam Malkin's. Different colors and textures of cloth hung from the ceiling and walls, full-length mirrors stood against each wall, and stools littered the floor. It was a strangely inviting and cheerful atmosphere.
A red haired sixth year bounded over to them and bowed when he was by the pair. "It is an honor to have the Gryffindor Prince and Princess coming to us this day. My name is Sean. What can I do for you?" He spoke with a very faint Irish accent.
Sirius and Remus were looking at each other, not exactly sure what to do. "Well," Remus said, as the sixth year stood upright again. "We are doing Phantom of the Opera for the Ball and have done these sketches for the costumes we would like." Remus handed the parchment to Sean. He looked the sketches over.
"Very nice, very nice, I really like this one. Do you have any colors in mind?"
"Well, the Phantom, Sirius, is very black and white, but the inside of his cape is a blood scarlet. Christine, me, is dressed in a sort of Spanish inspired dress. A significant portion of the skirt is in varying shades of red and is draped with lace. The top part is more of a faded antique colored white, also with complementary lace." Remus pointed to the different parts of the sketches as he explained each factor.
Sean nodded at Remus explanation. "I like it. Would you both be willing to be measured today? It would make it much easier to finish your costumes on time."
The two boys nodded at his request and spent the rest of the hour disrobing and having every part of their body measured in every direction. Sirius was far more used to this than Remus, who was more than a little self-conscious. When it was all over and done they went to their dorm room and then to their next class.
Disaster struck the Gryffindors a week and a half before the Ball. Remus had been walking down to the dungeons for their Potions lesson when the previous class was walking up the stairs. They were all Slytherins. Sirius had been too slow to get in between Remus and the other students. One of them lashed out with his foot and struck Remus in the left ankle.
Remus collapsed with a cry of pain and was stopped from rolling down the rest of the stairs by Sirius. He grabbed his Princess' robes and held them tight. Sirius was about to stand up and punch the offender when a fellow Gryffindor did it for him. Sirius turned around to find his friend James Potter yelling at the boy.
"How dare you hurt the House Princess! You better hope nothing happens to Snape!"
The Slytherin boy touched his abused cheek and ran up the rest of the stairs. James bent down to assist Sirius in lifting Remus off the ground. "Here, you better get him to Madame Pomfrey. It would be terrible if Gryffindor was unable to participate in the Halloween Ball."
Sirius nodded his thanks before departing and, half dragging half carrying, took his charge to the nurse. When he arrived Pomfrey went into a tizzy upon seeing Remus injured. She asked what had happened and Sirius told her all he could while he sat Remus down in a chair.
Madame Pomfrey lifted the hurt ankle and inspected it. Once the inspection was complete she collected some strips of cloth and began wrapping them around swollen ankle. "Well, it's not broken. It looks like it was just dislocated or sprained. Keep it wrapped, cold, and unstressed and Remus should heal in a two or three weeks."
Sirius looked aghast. "Two or three weeks?!? We have to dance on Halloween and that doesn't include all of the practices we have to do before then!"
Madame Pomfrey wore a worried and apologetic face. "I am sorry Mr. Black, but Remus should avoid being on his feet as much as possible. That means absolutely no dancing."
Sirius was about to go into a tirade when Remus reached out and took his hand. "It's ok Siri. We'll be fine. I'm a fast healer." He gave a little smile to his Prince, who strained to return it and chose instead to look away.
He spoke in a spiteful tone. "I guess we'll have to get our revenge on Snape."
Remus tightened his grip on Sirius' hand and no smile graced his face for Sirius when the older boy looked back at his Princess. "You will not hurt Severus. If I find out that you, or any other boy did, I will personally remove ourselves from the Ball." Sirius scowled realizing that Remus had made sure that Sirius could not go to James for help.
He eventually dropped his foul look and sighed in defeat. "Very well, I promise on my honor not to hurt Snivellus." He glanced up to find Remus glaring and changed his wording a bit. "Not to hurt Severus."
Remus nodded in approval. "Very good. Now help me get down from here so we can go to class."
Madame Pomfrey shook her head. "Absolutely not. Remus, you must return to your Gryffindor Tower and Sirius can fetch your assignments for the rest of the day. I want you to stay up there until dinner and walk as little as possible. I then want you to see me before you go to bed so I can rewrap your ankle."
Sirius agreed for Remus as he picked up his crippled Princess and carried him over his shoulder and out the door. They had only been walking for a few moments when Sirius caught the worried and anxious tone of Remus voice over his shoulder.
"What are we going to do? The Ball is in a week and half and there's a good chance we won't be ready, or even able to dance." Tears pricked the corners of his eyes.
Sirius finally set Remus down on a flight of unmoving stairs and sat down next to him. "Don't worry little Princess. Like you said, we'll be fine." The disbelieving glare on Remus' face prompted Sirius to expand. "Besides, if worst comes to worst, I could just tape your feet to mine and we could fake it. Rorret might kill us, but who cares?"
This got a slight smile from the smaller boy's lips, who then sighed. "Very well. If that's the case then I suppose we ought to keep a stash of tape ready." They both laughed at this and Sirius picked up Remus. Though this time in a much more dignified fashion. As they continued their way back to the Tower Remus' hands crawled up around Sirius' neck and he turned into the warm toned chest of his Prince.
Remus had his hands full. Between classes, his dress, and dealing with a very agitated Sirius, who had to dance by himself, at nighttime dance practices, it was hard not to see the stress that Remus was just barely keeping in check. Despite Sirius' promise, Severus Snape had multiple near hexings each day. Lucius had his hands full protecting Severus and took his anger out on anyone who got too close.
It was the night before the Halloween Ball and all of the House Princes and Princesses meet in the Great Hall for a dress rehearsal. Their costumes were completed and everyone was properly dressed except for Sirius and Remus, who would be watching. Remus loved how their costumes had come out and it broke his heart that they wouldn't be able to wear them. The Court hadn't even bothered to count how many times he had apologized to them.
All of the prepared Houses would perform in costume and with the music needed. Slytherin was chosen to go first. Their theme was Dark and Light. "A classic." Rorret had said. "Never can go too wrong with it, but after a few years you wish they could be a bit more original."
Lucius stood next to Severus in the opening position, waiting for the music to begin. Lucius was very hard to miss with his white blonde hair tied back in a silver ribbon and crisp white tux. His cummerbund and tie were also silver. He stood tall and wore his outfit with confidence.
Severus on the other hand had been having trouble not playing with his wig in his nervousness. Multiple times he was told to stop playing with it. His floor length black dress was accented by dark green velvet snakes wrapping around his waist and fanning out to the dress bottom with a long slit that went up his leg.
Standing in front of Lucius now, it was hard to see the scared, anxious boy Remus first met. All that was shown was a strong, confidant woman, staring fiercely into the eyes of her dancer.
They began; the music seemed to be coming from the walls themselves. They did a quickstep around the Great Hall. Never letting go of the other. Alone they looked foolish, but with one another they were perfect. When they finished, the other Houses applauded and Ravenclaw was sent up.
Evyn did not look at all pleased. He and Obsidian, who was becoming known as Princess Diana, had chosen Angels and Demons. There was a rumor going around that Slytherin had stolen their idea, but there wasn't much that could be done.
He too took his place across form his Princess, but on the other side of the Hall. Remus couldn't wait to see the performance that would stem from this very interesting opening. Evyn was dressed as a demon in black and deep blue, and Obsidian was his opposite wearing a white, flowing gown with pale bronze ribbons holding the dress close to his torso. His black hair was covered with a wig that matched the bronze of his dress.
The music began and the Ravenclaws leapt into action. Their dance was entrancing. They were unable to see each other half the time and yet they moved as one body. The dance was so active. Remus now saw why Obsidian needed such a free dress. He kicked out his legs and performed acrobatics that would make a ballerina jealous. It was impossible not to see him as an angel with all the time he spent of the ground. Evyn, on the other hand, stayed on the ground. But his dance was just as elegant and smooth. The story was set: all that was left was for the thread to be woven.
The Angel brought joy and light to all who laid eyes upon her. The Demon grew angry, and jealous. He watched her day after day until the darkness became so great in his heart that he decided to steal her away. He captured her, and no matter how much she tried to get away, he would pull her right back down to earth. They both danced dangerous circles around the other. The Angel saw how the Demon's jealous of her twisted the Demon and accepted her fate as his prisoner. She gave up her wings to sate the bitterness of the Demon.
Remus hadn't realized he had started crying 'til Sirius wiped a tear off of his cheek. The applause that followed was easily louder than the Slytherins'. Lucius looked livid. Hufflepuff was last.
Josh and Matthew took a similar starting position to how Lucius and Severus began. Josh was dressed in an elegant pale yellow gown. Matthew wore a complementary dark blue suit with a white frilly shirt. Remus knew what it was right away: Beauty and the Beast, another famous French story. Remus saw how Josh was looking at Matthew and just couldn't hold it in anymore. He and Sirius would never get that.
They had been unable to do anything remotely close to the other. He remembered asking Sirius to stay with him and waking up the next morning to a cold, empty bed. Remus wasn't exactly sure when had fallen in love with his Prince, but all he was that Sirius meant more than anything he could ever have. He stood up unsteadily and started walking out of the Great Hall
Remus had already gotten a branching hallway when Sirius noticed him missing. Sirius raced out of the Hall searching for his Princess. Remus collapsed with a cry when his ankle crumpled underneath him. He pulled his knees to his body and hugged them. His cries originated from more than just his physical pain. It had all finally caught up with him. He snapped. He just couldn't bear the weight anymore.
Sirius found him curled up and shaking slightly.
"Remus?" He laid a hand on his shoulder but got no response from the smaller boy. "Remus?" Nothing. Sirius tried a final time. "O' Princess, My Princess."
Remus looked up; his cheeks wet and mouth gasping for breath. Sirius could feel his chest constrict with guilt. He knelt on the ground and took Remus into his arms. "Oh, my Princess," he began to rock back and forth gently. "My Remus, why do you cry?"
Remus refused to look at Sirius, but answered him. "I'll never get that, that will never be me."
Sirius was confused and prayed Remus would continue.
"I am so sorry Sirius. I couldn't protect myself so I got hurt, and now I will never have that. I don't deserve it." Remus sniffled.
Sirius now knew what he was talking about. Sirius knew he had been a selfish brat, not worthy of Remus' apologies. He had gotten so angry and frustrated with himself and had taken it on Remus when he wasn't ignoring his charge. He needed to make things right. "But Remus," he took Remus hand in his own and kissed each of the fingers, "you deserve everything you want, and more." He took Remus' chin in the other hand and brought the Princess' face to his own.
Their meeting lips quivered and he felt Remus shudder as he exhaled. He moved both of his hands to Remus' head and refused himself from touching anywhere else. For now, his soft golden brown locks would suffice. Remus' own pale hands shyly explored Sirius' own features. The supple pads of his fingers caressed behind Sirius' ear and then moved to his hair and neck. The black locks slipped like water through Remus' fingers. His other hand began to stroke the back of Sirius' neck in little, light circles.
Sirius was the first to reign in his emotions and pull away. He knew if he stayed in Remus' warmth any longer he would become permanently hooked. As he released Remus' lips he felt him sigh. Ardor hazel eyes opened and stared into his. Sirius chilled his own eye slightly so he could drag Remus back into reality, but tried to do so gently.
"You know we have to back." It was not a question. Remus gave another sigh and leaned into Sirius' chest, holding him closely.
"Just a little longer. I don't want to leave just yet."
Sirius tried to look Remus in the eye so he more easily bring him out of it, but Remus had closed his eyes as well as turn away from Sirius' face. They sat together for a little bit longer, listening to the music that wafted out of the Great Hall. When it ended Sirius knew he had to break this enchantment.
He stood, forcing Remus to let go of him and sit back on his own legs. Sirius took Remus' hands into his own and helped the Princess to his feet. Once Remus was upright Sirius picked him up. Remus protested.
"Put me down! I'm fine!"
Sirius glared down at the little Princess and his voice was icy compared to the heat the two had shared moments before. "You are not fine. You probably set your healing back another week with your little stunt. You can piss and moan as much as you want, but I am not going to put you down." His words effectively quieted Remus, who felt guilt wrecking his body as he lay in his Prince's arms.
Sirius carried him to his room and set him on the bed. He changed Remus as he did weeks before, but it was not encased in the intimacy it once was. Remus felt like he and Sirius had taken one step forward and then two steps back. As Sirius stood up to leave, Remus' hand shot out to grab his.
"Please, stay with me." It was the same plea he had made that night.
Sirius stood looking down at his Princess. He was torn, but he had to keep to his duties. He pulled his hand from Remus'. "Good night Remus." He turned and left the room shutting it behind him, putting a solid barrier in between him and Remus.
Remus pulled his hand into his chest and began to shiver. He was wrong. He and Sirius had not taken two steps back; they had gone back beyond the first square. He lay back on the bed, still curled up and shivering. His ankle was throbbing from the abuse it had suffered, but he paid it no mind. The only pain he felt was the constricting agony in his chest.
It was the morning of the Halloween Ball and all of Hogwarts was a twitter. Any conflicts or scuffles between the Houses were forgotten in the beautiful prospect of shortened classes and the Ball that evening. As much as the boys wanted to invite girls from other schools, Dumbledore forbade it so no focus would be lost from the main event. The House Princes and Princesses.
Sirius went down early to get food for both himself and Remus. After what happened last night he didn't want Remus moving anywhere out side of his bed. No one who saw Sirius thought it weird for him to be alone. It was well known that Remus had been attacked. And the particular Slytherin boy responsible had been at the receiving end of many curses and hexes.
Remus was sitting up in his bed staring down at his folded hands when Sirius entered bearing breakfast for the two of them. He didn't look up when Sirius placed the food in front of him.
Sirius placed his own food on Remus' desk and stood by the bed, hands held behind him as he waited for Remus to eat first. That was one of the rules for the Princes: never eat before your Princess. He waited for a few minutes, but Remus never began. He just sat there staring at something Sirius couldn't, or wouldn't see.
"If you're trying to make me die from starvation, I'm sorry to inform you that you would die first."
His little joke was not taken well as Remus' eyes narrowed. But for whatever reason, he picked up his fork and began to consume the fair meal Sirius had gotten for him.
Remus stayed in bed for the rest of the day as Sirius went to all of their classes alone and picked up any and all assignments. He got Remus his lunch as well. And just as few words were exchanged between the two, but Remus seemed a little perkier. Sirius couldn't be sure, but it was nice to be optimistic.
A light dinner was served at three o'clock so the students would not be full for the feast later that night. Sirius again brought food to Remus' room only to see one of the Court boys standing at the door with two bulky packages in his arms. He turned when he heard Sirius approaching.
"Excuse me, but the Gryffindor Princess owled the Lord requesting that the costumes be brought up." He didn't need to say that he didn't enter. It was also against the rules to enter the Princess' room without the Prince's permission and accompaniment.
Sirius sighed lightly. He didn't really understand why Remus would want the costumes they would unable to wear. But what did it matter, if it made Remus happy Sirius wasn't about to say no. "Very well. Come in."
He opened the door to find Remus lying in the bed, facing away from the door. The deep breaths told the two others of his slumber. Sirius didn't want to wake him in the presence of company so he told the Court boy to set the packages on the desk. The boy did as was requested and bowed himself out the door and closed it.
"Is he gone?" Remus' voice startled Sirius who nodded then, realizing Remus couldn't see him, vocalized his answer.
"Yes. He left."
"Good." Remus' voice held a certain exuberance Sirius couldn't ever recall. He pushed himself to a sitting position in the bed and patted the area in front of his crossed legs. "Bring them here. Bring them here! I want to see them." He was bouncing up and down like a child asking for his present.
Sirius went over to the desk and picked up the packages and then walked over and set them on the bed in front of Remus. His curiosity finally got to him. "Why did you want these?"
"Well," Remus answered as he tore into the top package, "what would the school think if Gryffindor didn't at least make an appearance? We had these outfits made, why not enjoy them."
He gasped as he held up the Phantom's suit. The jacket was a resounding black and had a white napkin in the breast pocket. He set down the top and pulled out the pants. The braid down the sides was a very pointed rose and thorn braid. The Court also made the mask and the cloak. The satin inside felt like water running under his fingers. He shoved it at Sirius.
"Here! Put it on!"
Sirius looked at the clothes in his hand. "No."
Remus' face fell. "Why not?'
A smirk stretched its way into his mouth. "Because, it would ruin the surprise for tonight."
Remus beamed. "Fine then," he said playfully, "if you won't let me see yours then I won't let you see mine."
"Very well." Sirius smiled as he bowed. "I guess I'll see you tonight then." He left with the grin still plastered on his face. Halloween wasn't all bad.
It was six-thirty and the Ball began at seven. Sirius went up to Remus' room to help him put on the dress but he froze as he opened the door.
Remus was standing facing a mirror and trying to tie the corseted back. The dress was amazing, even better then Sirius thought it would be. The faded white top was accented with bits of torn black lace. The wig Remus wore matched his hair color perfectly and cascaded down his back. Thin golden hoop earrings swung as Remus turned his head to Sirius and broke out into a smile.
"You like it?" Remus gave a little twirl and the maroon skirt flew from his body. He looked stunning. "I never thought I would like wearing a dress, but it's nice. And with this wig on, it really looks like I'm am girl. What do you think?"
Sirius couldn't answer. His mouth was hanging open slightly and his eyes were wide. His thoughts finally got organized and he addressed the most pressing matter. "You shouldn't be walking!"
Remus gave him a little grin. "Come here." Remus sat on the bed and lifted the dress so his left leg was exposed. The ankle was wrapped, but looked far less swollen and sore. "I charmed it a little bit. I also made it so I won't feel pain. Do you know what this means?"
He was talking so quickly Sirius had to catch up. "But you're still injured. Not feeling pain will just make you hurt it more."
Remus deflated slightly because Sirius was not sharing in his excitement. "It's ok. It's just for tonight. It means we can dance! We can compete! Isn't that great?"
Sirius was still concerned, but he didn't want to put a damper on the evening. He sighed in submission. "Very well. We will dance to night." Remus' face lit up. "However, I want your word that you will not get out of bed until you are fully healed."
Remus knew he had to meet Sirius half way, so he nodded to the condition. He stood up and walked back over to the mirror. "Since that's settled, can you help me do my hair?"
Sirius went to stand behind Remus. "How do you want it?"
Remus stared at Sirius from the mirror. "I want it pulled back from my face with these red ribbons and free flowing in back. And I want the rose to be placed on this side of my head."
Sirius nodded in understanding and put his hands around Remus neck. He then pulled them to the sides, taking the hair in his fingers as he did so. He made sure to keep his touch light.
Shivers went down Remus' back, but he focused on what he had to do. After he wrapped the ribbon around his head a few times, he tied it and Sirius let down his hair and helped him put in the rose. It was very impressive.
"Oh! I almost forgot." Remus jumped and strode over to his desk. "I need to give you this." He picked up something white and carried it ever to Sirius and placed it in his hands. It was a white mask. "Here, let me help you put it on." Remus took it back from Sirius and tied it around his head for him. The black thread fit in perfectly with his hair. It looked as thought the mask was held on by nothing more than the Phantom's will. Sirius gave a little smirk.
"Ready to go Christine?"
Remus started and blushed faintly. He couldn't look Sirius in the face so he nodded silently to the floor.
The Princes and Princesses would perform and then all of the students would eat. Since Gryffindor was not participating, the order of the performers was Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and then Ravenclaw. The eight boys were sitting up with teachers while the other students filed in. Once everyone was inside the Great Hall, the doors closed and the lights dimmed. Severus was led away by Lucius and the two took their places in the middle of the empty floor.
Their dance was very similar to how they had it for the dress rehearsal. They added a little extra here and there, but it wasn't anything impressive. The pair got a healthy applause at the end of their performance.
Joshua and Matthew were next. Their dance a slow and very sweet interpretation of the French tale of Beauty and the Beast.
Remus was getting more and more nervous. He was going to break the rules and he was getting scared that he couldn't do it. Just because he didn't feel the pain didn't mean the injury wasn't there. Sirius was right. He shouldn't do this. He had probably set his healing back yet another week already. Who knew what dancing would do to it. He and Sirius had never performed the whole thing together. His hands began to shake. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to relax. He was startled when he felt a warm hand cover his. He looked up to see Sirius smiling down at him. HE let out his breath and turned his attention Evyn and Obsidian.
The Ravenclaws' dance was easily the best. Obsidian spent even more time in the air doing increasingly difficult acrobatics. The pair ended with a small explosion and the two flew out of the smoke in the form of a black bird and a white dove. They interwove with each other in the air and soared over the crowd's head then they landed up with the other Princes and Princesses.
Remus was beginning to have problems breathing again. Sirius took his hand and whispered into his ear.
"Ready to show those birds up?"
Remus looked over at Sirius with a glare, but he had no choice. He had pressured Sirius into doing it so he had to do it too. Sirius stood up and assisted Remus in rising as well. They walked to the center of the floor and Sirius turned to face the audience.
"Gentlemen, I, Sirius Black, would like present to you Remus Lupin, the Gryffindor House Princess."
The boys all applauded and hooted. Remus smiled lightly and curtsied. Sirius continued.
"As you know, Remus was injured, but has made an extraordinary recovery. He is able to perform night, so we will do so. Please, enjoy."
With that, Sirius turned to Remus and took his position. He gave a predatory grin down at Remus. "Ready?" Remus returned the smile nodded.
The music began, coming from the walls themselves. The Phantom led Christine around the floor. Each movement of her body was orchestrated by the Phantom. Every turn, every arch, was executed under the Phantom's hands. The two seemed so close and yet so far from each other.
The music rose and fell accordingly with each movement of the pair. When they finally separated Christine felt free to move on her own. She melded with the origins of her dress and moved in the flowing Spanish style that came to her. She thought herself free from the Phantom, but knew that she would always be chained to him. And she dreaded the day when he would come for her.
The Phantom waited for the perfect moment to take back his Christine. When he saw his opportunity, he took her hand and brought her back into himself. They danced around each other again and she tried to get away. He would not have that. He came to her and wrapped himself around her and brought their faces closer. And then the music ended. They were frozen together.
Their faces were so close. Their lips almost touching. They would have been sharing air. If only either of them had been breathing.