A/N: Okay, yes I lost track of time and didn't update by the end of the week, and even being an avid writer of fanfic and experiencing this pain too many times to count didn't give me the kick in the direction of a keyboard. Here it is and I will update at another point this week. Cross my heart. OH AND THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS! Love and cookies too all :)
In other news I'm taking part in NaNoWriMo, so wish me luck - I will not be doing a fanfic, but a comedy - I seem far too good at writing angst so this will be a real test. However, do not worry - I am not ready to let this story go unfinished - there are somethings that can't change, 1) Remus becoming Harry's teacher, 2) Tonks marrying Remus.
Enjoy!
"Who are you going to the Christmas Soirée with?" Lily flicks her auburn hair over her shoulder and fixes her vivid eyes on Severus.
"Is that an invitation, Sev?" He pauses. Tonks watches quietly, pretending to pour over a fashion magazine.
"Has Potter asked you?" Lily pauses.
"Yes."
"And what did you say," he murmurs. A blond twirls an expensive looking silver embroidered cloak round her body before blowing a kiss at the oblivious reader.
"No of course." There was no certainty in the statement.
Severus' eyes narrow and he turns the page of his Advanced Potions Textbook, clenching his quill within a cluster of white fingers.
"Did Black ask you?" At the mention of the miscreant's name, Lily laughs, breaking the ice.
"Of course not! And anyway I know Tonks has got her eye on him."
Tonks blushes as the greasy haired boy turns to question her.
"Why on earth would you be attracted to him?"
The words catch in her throat and for a moment she looks like she is going to throw up. Then too late her thoughts catch on His face and she lets out an inaudible garble of words.
"Becausehe'skindtome –" She shuts her mouth shut and watches Sev nervously. He doesn't buy into her newfound confidence and neither does she attempt to hold it up around him. He raises an eyebrow and curls his lip under before deciding it isn't worth a response, so instead he turns to Lily.
"Potter's friendsare either desperately searching for an idol to worship or egocentric bastards themselves," he sneers.
Lily is on her feet, flaming hair sticking to her flustered cheeks as she glares at her friend, enraged.
"Severus Snape, I don't think you're in any position to comment on their behaviour when you're just a hypocritical idoliser as well! At least they don't meddle with what's not meant to be meddled with – "
"And what is that supposed to mean Evans?"
"You know full well! I saw what was in that book. 'Half Blood Prince'? What's that even meant to mean?"
His face drains of all colour and he quickly spits an enraged response in defence.
"Keep your filthy mudblood hands off my possessions!"
A flash of red and the pair are sprawled on the floor, her nails clawing at any bit of flesh she can reach.
"You greasy, slimy git!"
"Get off of me!"
"I hate you Severus Snape!"
"Lily, get off me you troll!"
The argument continues as Tonks blocks it out. The pair of them always seem to be at each other's throats. Her eyes fix on a clump of hair Severus had yanked out in an attempt to restrain her, very slowly she reaches out and picks it up, twisting it between her fingers: the perfect colour for the perfect beauty. It is of course a possibility, she could do it on a whim. She knows the features of her idol back to front, draw her from memory if she had been gifted with such a talent. Her hand closes over the lock and she slips it carefully into her pocket before rolling up the magazine and walking off in the direction of the quidditch pitch.
"Hello."
Remus turns to find his tail sitting next to him staring blankly at the two figures soaring round the Quidditch posts.
"Erm hello..."
"It's Tonks."
"I knew that –"
"No you didn't, but in the end does it really matter?" They sit in silence both staring at the boys bantering in the sky; his fingers picking at the edge of a page to a book and hers curled round the flaming hair.
He clears his throat nervously before speaking again.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
"Yes."
"Oh." Pause.
"Who –"
"I've been waiting for the right time to ask someone to the Soirée."
"Oh."
"Yes."
"Well who are you taking or I mean asking?"
"Who are you taking?"
"I haven't decided yet."
One of the figures does a back flip, landing perfectly with his feet on the broom. There's yet another silence.
"I... I'm sorry – I know we've been in the same class for five years, but I don't think I know –"
"I'm Tonks, a Hufflepuff and that is all people ever need to know." Her identity shouldn't ever be revealed to him – let him believe all the connotations that walk hand in hand with that weakling badger. She is merely a person who has neither succeeded nor excelled in anything of any consequence. Target of much gossip and cruelty, but somehow ignored to the point of bitter isolation. Clumsy at birth, subject to her mother's taunts and loveless comments. Clay that refused to be moulded into the leadership role, the fierce warrior, the Gryffindor her mother wanted of her. She is nothing.
"Moony – who's the friend?" Sirius Black hurdles over the benches and plonks himself right between the pair eying up the girl with electric blue hair tumbling down over her shoulders, just brushing at her curving chest. Instantly a smile curves on her red lips and she flutters her eyelashes blowing a kiss – a reflection of the advert in her copy of Witches Weekly.
"The name's Tonks," she laughs. He winks at her before ruffling Remus' hair. James Potter isn't far behind, leaning the broom across his broad shoulders.
"Have I met you before?"
"Probably here and there," she chuckles. Remus lowers his eyes back into his book and becomes immersed in it again.
Sirius Black interrupts, curling his hand low over her waist. "Well turn up a bit more, yeah?" He pauses, sensing an opportunity. "Actually, how about I see you next Saturday night, yeah?"
"Hm, maybe," she titters, "See you around Black." She leaves, striding over the benches blowing a kiss over her shoulder.
He whistles quietly before settling himself on the bench above them, lying on his back. James, settles himself on the bench above, drawing a snitch out of his pocket.
"So I was thinking I should give Evan's another try?"
"I think you've met a dead end there, James."
"I still don't see what she sees in that slime ball."
"Well maybe he's not that bad?" The two pause and raise their eyebrows at their friend.
"Are you sure you're feeling well?" Sirius smirks, elbowing him gently.
"Yeah, you do look a bit under the weather..." James snorts.
"When was the last full moon?"
"Actually, that's a very, verygood point –"
"Oh shuttit you two."
"Yeah, alright book worm, I mean pup."
"Don't want to be molting from the stress..." Remus rolls his eyes and smacks the book over Sirius's head.
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