Dreams and Desires
Disclaimer: The characters belonging to the mistress of Rowling doth not belong to thine own creation, but that of the Lady. Thou hast been in weeping sorrow from whenst I have recieveth no reviews inscribed from thy readers. Hark! Thou hast struck my heart with a dagger, and I am weak. I have sadly lost thine vision for thus, the chapter to come forth in the numeral of eight. So if the romantic tale pleaseth thee, please review…eth!
Oh, and just to clarify, NO, there was no sexual intercourse or anything near that in the previous date from Chapter 6.
Chapter 7
Violet's Visit
Sirius's face went from frightened to plain shocked to just nervous as he watched the scene unfold in awkward silence. For a whole five horrible seconds, visions flashed through his mind of all the consequences of getting caught with a student in his quarters in his clothing in the morning. Then to his astonishment, the girl in his arms ran to their intruder and embraced her with a loud exclamation of "Violet!" Ah, so this must be her friend from the Ministry. She's awfully young to be working there; she can't be much older than Grace. He closed the door for privacy against other "visitors". For a minute, he silently watched the two girls exchange quick updates and a few curious glances in his direction.
Once it seemed Violet was satisfied with Grace's information, she walked deliberately over to Sirius and reached out to shake his hand. She looked at him straight in the eyes in a way that warned instant caution of her capabilities, even at her height of a little over five feet.
"So, Miss Velocity I assume?" She nodded. "Ah, then you would be my godson's girlfriend also?"
"Why yes I am, professor, may I call you Sirius? Right, it seems we both have reason to evaluate one another." Stunned at the young girl's direct speech and piercing look, Sirius failed to comprehend her meaning.
"And why is that, Miss Velocity?"
"Oh, call me Violet, please. We both have reason to evaluate because I am dating your only godson and you are dating my best friend. Grace is more like a sister to me, and I am the closest thing to real family that she has. Also, just so you know if you hurt her in any way I will track you down and hex you back to the day you were born." Sirius turned his gaze to Grace, expecting her to appear offended, but she looked calm and even pleased at Violet's protective statement. I suspect she may have even admitted her desire for family ties to Violet at some point.
"I suppose you have a point, Violet. Won't you come in and join us? I would be delighted to have you evaluate me further." Sirius smirked at Grace, and she couldn't hold back her chuckle. Soon the three were enjoying good laughs and pleased speculations on one another. The girls must truly be close, they barely ever finish sentences! Leaving me extremely confused. Well, that is the burden of being a man. At least I only have to deal with one set of thoughts or emotions at a time.
"So, Violet, what are you doing here anyways? Are you here on a mission from the Ministry?"
"Other than checking up on my best friend, my dashing boyfriend, and his elusive godfather, I do also have an assignment from the Ministry. I'm here to do my duty in receiving first-hand recommendations from all the Hogwarts professors on the potential of the 7th years that plan to enter the Ministry, which is quite a majority this year. After the war, we must be especially careful in selecting employees, so the Minister thought we should go straight to those who know the applicants best, their instructors of 7 years. Of course, it seems you, Professor Black, take the job of getting to know your students very seriously."
He rolled his eyes, and they all burst out laughing. Violet resigned herself to her professional face again and turned to Grace.
"Now dear, I know it's nerve-wracking, but either you or I should probably tell Harry soon, seeing as how I shall be taking you all on a fabulous double date this week."
"Oh my goodness, really? Vi, I have no idea how you always get permission to do all these things, but I'm so glad you do!"
"Well it's not all me, Dumbledore just loves you. I barely say your name and he waves off whatever question I ask, saying he trusts us completely."
"I feel a little guilty in that case." Violet raised an eyebrow. "…but not too guilty to turn it down of course." Violet smiled in return.
Now, what exactly are we going to be doing on this—" Sirius began.
"Tut tut, Sirius." Violet shook her head at him. Grace patted him affectionately on the shoulder.
"Don't worry dear, she never tells anyone what she has planned. It's always wonderful though." Violet grinned approvingly at her best friend.
"I'd best be off then. I suggest you plan out your recommendation for Harry, professor. Enjoy the last part of your weekend together you two. Grace, I'll cover for you." Before either of them could thank her, she was gone. How does she do that without Apparating? Interesting woman, I'm just glad mine is a whole different brand of crazy. Good luck to Harry.
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Luckily, Violet was at Hogwarts in time for the next installment of musical progress in the form of another concert and the offering of musical magic lessons for classes the next year. Grace was to sing again Monday night at Dumbledore's insistence. The students looked up at the headmaster expectantly after dinner. They were all granted a shocking treat as Snape proceeded to perform a dramatic and intense sonata on the violin. Grace would certainly never think the same of her snarky professor. The unbelieving stares from almost every person in the room were absolutely priceless.
This week, Grace had chosen to sing her favorite jazz tune, "Love is here to Stay", with Sirius improvising a piano accompaniment. (Unfortunately, this caused an even higher level of attraction to Sirius from many of the girls in her year, and she was forced to listen to their lude comments for weeks.) Hoping no one would recognize the reason behind the passion in her voice, she sang with light and easy conviction. Violet beamed with pride at the girl from the High table, and her friends were overjoyed by the entertainment. Grace and Sirius were simply lost in the magical pleasures of the music. Such easily attained joy, when one has love to sing about.
In the midst of the applause, a dismal thunderstorm struck outside, clearly shown on the ceiling of the Great Hall. The students hurried back to their dormitories. Sirius took advantage of the chaotic environment to pull Grace into a hidden alcove behind a large suit of armor. She gasped, but smiled when she felt his now familiar but fiery lips on hers. She was still in her black cocktail dress with lilac sequins across the halter straps, and Sirius slid tender, eager hands across her bare shoulders. Unfortunately, the moment had to be short. He bade her sweet dreams, and sent her off to Gryffindor tower, heading the other direction, pondering what he would dream that night himself. He was sure his dreams would be much more than sweet at the very least.
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Having Violet visit Hogwarts was like having a fairy godmother around for a week. She held power and authority with any situation or person. She was also creative and excelled in power as well as genius. The night after Grace's performance, she surprised them all (as usual) with a magically projected movie in the Room of Requirement for the whole gang. The Golden Trio, Grace, Luna, Draco, Blaise, and even Neville were extremely diverted at the silly romantic comedy that hadn't even been released to the public in theaters yet.
The day after that, Grace entered Violet's visiting suite to find that she had practically transformed the rooms into several clothing and accessory boutiques. It was time for their semiannual shopping trip which the two girls had taken traditionally since their first meeting.
"I couldn't get you out of here because of upcoming tests before Christmas, so I just brought the stores to us." Violet explained. Goodness, I love my BAMF best friend.
Overall the week had been incredible, despite the forced indifference between Sirius and Grace at school. It was certainly difficult, but luckily, Grace was an experienced performer. She acted her part perfectly, and all Sirius had to do was ignore her. However, this was obviously a near impossible task for him since everything good in his life seemed to suddenly revolve on the young woman's axis. Acting as if she barely existed was like standing on his hands all day long. Sirius eagerly looked forward to the double date at the end of the week that Violet was arranging. Thank goodness for that intimidating woman.
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Unfortunately for him, Sirius had claimed the duty of telling Harry about his relationship with Grace the night before the date. His Gryffindor courage would not allow him to take the coward's way out and let Violet bear the news.
Sirius prepared himself for the responses and reactions of his beloved godson. He valued their strong brotherly, sometimes father-son, relationship, and he refused to consider the possibility that this new development in his life might damage it. Harry poked his head in the door, hair perfectly messy like his father, eyes radiantly green like his mother.
"Hey Sirius, you busy?"
"Not for you, Harry. Come on in, let's talk." Harry took a seat, still sweaty from the evening's Quidditch practice.
"Sirius, you've got that nervous look about you. What's wrong? Did something happen to Lupin or somebody?"
"No, no Harry. Nothing's awry, I have news, but I hope it is of good nature. However, it may be shocking to you." Harry propped himself forward to listen intently.
"Go on."
"Take this in stride, and keep an open mind, okay? Has Violet told you of what we are doing tomorrow night?"
"Yeah, she said you were going on a double date with us. Explains why you've been so chipper the past few weeks. Personally, I couldn't be happier for you. It's been sad watching you mope about since the "curtain" incident. This is the happiest I've seen you in years. Now, tell me mate, who's the lucky lady?"
"Well, that's the interesting bit, Harry…" Sirius took a patient breath to hold his composure "…it's Grace." Harry's face twitched into confusion.
"Grace who?"
"Grace Wentworth"
The following silence was deafening and tense. Harry was the first to break it, angrily that is. "B-but how? When? She's my age! I can't believe this. I can't believe you! How could you date one of my friends? Granted, we aren't close, but still, she's my girlfriend's best friend! This is insane, Sirius. I don't want to talk about it anymore, I have to leave."
"No, Harry, please hear me out—" But the boy was already out the door. Sirius stood and sagged into the wall, resting his heavy head in one arm. He breathed slowly, fighting back restrained tears. He could not lose Harry's respect over this. He would fix it, but how? Sirius reached into the bottom drawer of his desk for his flask and took a deep swig of its contents. I should have thought the negative effects would kick in soon. Hopefully he will come around after he has some time to think about it. I hope. Please, let him forgive me…
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Grace was worried, she had heard from Sirius that Harry hadn't taken the news well at all. Violet assured her that she would take care of it, but for how long? Harry's attitude could be changed by Violet's bullying and persuasion, but his feelings and opinions could not. Violet arrived as Grace was drying her hair, her head flung upside down and only a bra and jeans on. Then, Grace readied herself in dark skinny jeans, a lilac top with silver sequins, and silver pumps. She gave Violet an approving whistle. Violet had on black charcoal jeans, black ballerina flats, a purple headband to hold back her raven black hair from her ebony face, and a purple v-neck sweater that dropped low to reveal some shocking cleavage.
The girls made their way down to the lake. The boys were there, well dressed, laundered, and waiting. The two were glancing back to each other one at a time then staring away before the other noticed. Like dopey first years, Grace thought.
"Good evening, boys." Violet's voice rang clear through the silence. The silence continued.
"Alrighty then, shall we, Vi?" Grace asked hurriedly.
"Yes, follow me dearhearts." She showed them to a dinky row boat anchored at the edge of the lake. Grace recognized it to be one of the boats the first-years rode in to their first sight of the Hogwarts castle.
They all hopped in, trusting Violet, but each wondering what the heck was going on. Violet was a woman of surprise and luxury, so why were they traveling across the perilous lake in an old row boat? She stopped the magically rowing oars in the center of the wide inky lake and turned to Grace.
"Grace dear, would you be so kind as to sing the mermaid song that I taught you last year?"
"Uh, sure…" Grace responded hesitantly. Grace pulled out her wand to cast the pitch pipe spell she had found in Sirius's book, Magic of Musicians, and sang the lyric melody of the mermaids into the warm night air. Shockingly enough, Grace remembered the song perfectly as it was quite a haunting refrain. Sirius was captured by Grace's singing once again, as if it was a spell itself. Then Grace suddenly shrieked, and Sirius grabbed onto her in anxiety for her safety. Then he looked out into the water to see what had caused the fright in her eyes. He himself gasped as he realized that their boat was completely surrounded by what appeared to be an entire colony of mermaids.
Grace, Sirius, and Harry gaped alike, mouths open, eyes wide in contained terror. Violet laughed at their expressions and leaned over to whisper something in a strange tongue to the mermaid with a crown of shells. She winked at Grace, grinning wide. Oh dear, she's about to do something epic and shocking, like always. Well she certainly must keep poor Harry on his toes. I guess no one can honestly say that she isn't his match. The mermaids began singing their haunting anthem with an eerie timbre, only to be heard by them in the soft undertones reverberating through the water. Grace wished for a moment that she could be under the water with them to actually hear the incredible sounds that ensued below. The mermaid's song grew to a climax of piercing harmonies, and the water rippled and shook as a circle of land began to appear through the water under them. In a few minutes, they were planted on the shallow shore of a small island in the middle of the lake.
The mermaids swam away as quickly as they had come, their tails lapping above the surface as they retreated to their aquatic kingdom. Grace turned back to the sandy mound of land to see Violet had already decorated it.
"Uh…Vi?" Grace spoke cautiously.
"Yes, dearheart?"
"How did—I mean…did I just randomly call a bunch of mermaids to create an island for us?"
"Well honestly, you didn't expect us to spend our date in a dingy old row boat did you? Besides, they didn't create the island, they simply raised it above the water." Violet smiled innocently, and waved her hand as if it were a normal occurrence.
"You are way too amazing sometimes. You never cease to advert my expectations, Vi."
Sirius found his voice at last and inquired, "Violet, how did you persuade the mermaids to do your bidding? They aren't exactly bribable creatures."
"Well, you see, during Umbridge's reign over Hogwarts, she tried to exterminate the mermaids as a "safety violation", but I kept the issue swamped under legal paperwork until she finally got sacked. Since then, the royal mermaid family has expressed a desire to pay me back."
Then Harry piped in, "You know, honey, I never thought I would quote Ron but I just have to say it. You are a bit scary sometimes. Brilliant…but scary."
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The four sat down at a regular wooden picnic table on one side of the small room-sized island. As they took in their surroundings, glorious food appeared as magically on their plates as it did in the Great Hall. Brilliant stars shined unrelenting in the dark night sky, and colored oriental lanterns hovered in the air just above their heads. One beautiful tree grew in the sand with traits of a willow and palm tree. The atmosphere was enchanting, the lake and sky surrounding the couples in an expanse of deep black, but the air was tense and uncomfortable.
Harry continued to pout and sulk like the pubescent boy he would always partly be, and thusly Violet sent him scolding glares. Grace felt absolutely horrible for the ill will she had inadvertently caused between the two men, but that was surely nothing compared to what Sirius was feeling.
"So…" Violet began bravely as they ate, "Harry, don't you think Grace and Sirius make a cute couple?" She batted her eyelashes at Harry. He only grunted in reply. "I said—" her eyes flashing darker, "aren't they a cute cou-ple?" Harry looked up at them for the first time that night. Grace looked down at her plate guiltily, not wanting to see his contempt.
"I guess." Harry muttered, shrugging his shoulders, looking just like a moody child who thinks his grounding is undeserved. Sirius squeezed Grace's hand, in comfort to her as well as encouragement to himself. He went straight to the point.
"Harry, I think we—"
"Stop, I don't want to hear it, Sirius. Do what you want to do." Harry scowled. The pain hidden behind Sirius's involuntary flinch and the remorse behind Grace's innocent amber eyes did not go unnoticed. This took Violet to the edge. She was fed up with her "heroic" boyfriend's immaturity. Just because she loved him didn't mean she wouldn't take him down a couple notches when necessary. She gritted her teeth and smiled at him.
"Harry dear, could I talk to you for a second?" The dangerous flare to her voice sent icy shivers through all at the table. As upset as he was at Harry's stubborn disdain, Sirius felt sorry for the boy right then. Harry had a right to be angry, but he needed to open his eyes a little wider and grow up. And Violet was about to kick that into him, poor boy. The look of fear in Harry's eyes said that he would likely favor another deathly duel with Lord Voldemort himself than face the wrath of his stormy black beauty. Violet cast a silencing charm to shield the corner of the small isle, but the protective spells on the island must have affected it because Grace and Sirius heard much of her tirade (both to their embarrassment and slight entertainment).
"Harry James Potter! After all that man has done for you…suffering thirteen years in Azkaban…your only real family in this world…can't you see he deserves love as much as anyone…how would you feel if your godson had just…when's the last time you got your bloody haircut??...I swear, you're impossible!"
"But Vi—"
"Shush it, Harry! I'm not finished! Oh, and not to mention that your long-distance girlfriend is only here to visit for one week and…can't even muster up a good attitude…moping like some incompetent pre-teen…can't believe you would even think to…why, you're acting like Ron…you go back over there and suck it up…butt-faced miscreant…take it like a man!...accept it and be the loving godson you should be and be nice to my best friend, or you will find yourself in a whole new heap of trouble…an army of Deatheaters will seem like a bed of pansies when I get through with you, young man!"
Harry trudged back to Sirius and Grace who were now sitting on blankets with their toes in the sand. Thoughtful and kind of beat down, Harry sat in silence while the other three talked for half an hour. Violet shunned and ignored him the best she could (which was more than most people). Quietly, without lifting his verdant eyes, Harry asked, "Sirius, can we talk for a minute?"
"Of course, Harry." Sirius answered with a sigh. They went behind the single tree, avoiding the looks from the girls. Harry started to perform a silencing charm, but Sirius stopped him, telling him it wouldn't help much. Harry's cheeks flushed a hint of red, realizing Sirius and Grace must have heard most of Violet's scolding rant to him. Harry swallowed, and finally looked up at his godfather.
"Sirius, I'm sorry. It will definitely take getting used to, but I do want you to be happy, and she seems to be capable of that. I suppose, in the larger view of things, age is but a number…albeit hers is a much lower number than yours, but that's not important in you really do love her."
"First of all, I am only 36, not exactly at death's door just yet. But besides that, thank you, Harry. I do love her, but I want you to always be honest with me and tell me if you feel uncomfortable."
"…well, right now for one." Harry shifted awkwardly, then gave an arrogant smirk worthy of his father to show he was joking. Sirius bust into a full laugh, breaking the tension.
"Hug it out, mate." The brother-like men embraced with strong arms patting each other's backs once before pulling back.
"Let's join our ladies, shall we?" Harry said with a grin. They went back to the girls. Violet didn't move a bit when Harry sat down beside her, but merely said, "It's about time you came to your senses." He tried to put his arm around her, but she whispered to him, "You're forgetting one more thing, honey."
"Oh, right. Grace?" She peeked around Violet to look at him with hopeful eyes. "I'm really sorry for being such a prat." She smiled at his sincerity.
"Thanks Harry, don't worry about it. I can understand why you would be upset."
With that, the night settled into the romantic, friendly affair it was originally meant to be. The couples split after they rowed back to the castle and watched the mermaids' island sink back into the black waters. After a little private time, the girls were each escorted back to Violet's suite where the two best friends talked and gossiped late into the night.
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Elsewhere in the castle, someone recalled the unexpected couple he had earlier sighted. A solemnity hung in his light blue eyes, his mouth a grim line. Should he follow duty and in turn, betray love? For now, I shall let the raindrops fall where they may. When the time comes, I shall intercede.
A/N: muahaha, another beautiful cliffy. Hope you all enjoyed the longer chapter. At this point, I really have run out of inspiration and ideas. Plz plz message me or review with any ideas you may have, I love all comments and suggestions! Love as always to violetkitty02!