Mistress of the Moon
The old man refused to face me as everything around me seemed to subtly disappear. I resisted the urge to break, to through around wildly. He didn't know what it was like, the pressure, the frustration. He didn't have to spend his future destined to be with a snotty little brat that could hardly out shine the first years in height.
"Sir, you don't know what your saying. I can't ask her to come with me. She will refuse to take me with her, I know she will… not to mention the fact that she will take coming with me all the more sourly." I begged as I walked up and his head slightly turned towards me, a great compromise set deep in his eyes. Some things even Dumbledore couldn't do, and this I believe was one of those few.
"Mr. Wood, I fear you underestimate the strength I hold over some. You worry not Oliver, I will have this problem fixed." he smiled as I took a confused step back and joined my mother as we both looked with confusion towards him.
Turning back to his desk, Professor Dumbledore pulled out a quill and paper and scribbled a quick note onto the parchment, summoning up a small white owl and handing him the letter. "Take this to Miss McKenzie please, I believe she is at lunch presently." he smiled warmly at the bird as it flew from the window with the sealed letter in its clutches.
Sitting behind his desk, he took out from behind a small box and opened them, peering inside curiously and then taking out a small yellow sweet I had seen many times before. "Lemon drop?" he asked as my mother and I both shook our heads.
"I don't believe it will take very long for her to arrive." he smiled as he placed the closed box back on his desk and looked up to my mother. "So Mrs. Wood, I take it you have some plans over the holidays?" he asked, as if it were a regular social gathering.
"Oh, yes Professor. We have an annual Christmas party, and I think it will be just wonderful if Alexis would agree to come along. It would be wonderful to see her in one of my many fine gowns. You see I've wanted to meet a girl of Oliver's for so long but he's so caught up in Quidditch he hardly ever takes the time. Just like his father I tell you. I had to practically ask the man out by myself four or five times just to get his attention." mother smiled once again as I slouched further into the seat.
Suddenly, a loud trudging of footsteps caught my attention as a muffled and highly annoyed voice pounded up the stairs. "Who would want you, you're short." she mimicked a voice in a high pitchy voice. "I'll show you short you little brat. I'll knock you so far down into the ground, hell will spit you back out just so I can have another round you good for nothing, pompous, shallow, air headed monster." I couldn't help but try and stifle laughter as Dumbledore smiled in response.
"You may come in Miss McKenzie." he smiled as she paused at the door before letting herself in. Obviously oblivious to the fact she was so vocal trudging up the stairs.
"Good afternoon Professor." she said as she closed the door behind her, taking few steps in and nodding a head in his direction. Subtly, she looked from Dumbledore, to me, then to my mother, and back to Dumbledore, her face scrunching when her eyes landed on me.
"Have a run in with another student I presume? Don't worry Alexis, you won't be short forever. Besides, whatever you have lost in height you surely gain in looks." my mother offered her a small smile as the purple eyed girl turned to my mother and tried her best not to protest. There was nothing she liked about being short, that much was easy to tell.
"Ah Miss McKenzie. As it seems, due to your attachment, you will have to spend your holidays accompanied by Mr. Wood. You have two choices, either you will go with him to his residence, or he will travel to yours. It is a choice between the both of you." Dumbledore smiled reasuringly as I watched Alexis' mouth gape open and drop, clear shock and confusion bright in her eyes.
"With all due respect sir, I do not wish to spend my holidays with Mr. Wood. And in my family, our traditions and customs would think it improper for a boy to accompany the likes of a young woman in such close proximity." she challenged, her eyes widening at the thought of being stuck with me.
"Ah but there is always room for improvement." Dumbledore smiled, but changed tactics when he saw those previous had not worked.
"Alexis perhaps we had better contact your parents and make the arrangement with them. For your safety we would demand that you two remain together at all times."
"No!" she suddenly bounded forward, her eyes widened with fear and her stance rigid with worry. Confusion eloped me as I thought of why she might be concerned at such a simple action. Something from within urged me to find the worry, to stop it for the fright in her eyes was tormenting. But pushing it down, I looked back to Dumbledore as he leant forward in his chair expectantly.
"I will go to the Wood residence, should they will to have me." she stated in a much softer and quiet tone of voice. Beside me I heard mum squeal with giddiness, it had been a long time since I had taken in a girl to our home.
"I'm assuming you will be the one to tell them?" he pressed as Alexis nodded her head solemnly and excused herself to write her parents. But watching her go, I saw as her head was held low, as if defeated and her strides were slightly more worn by chance.
"Mrs. Wood, I believe that concludes today's meeting. I wish you the best of the holiday. Oliver, if I could see you for a few minutes." seeing my mother off, I watched as she apparated from the room back home again to ready the guest room for Alexis. Sighing, I turned to see Dumbledore's keen eyes on me ever so closely.
"Oliver I trust that you know very little of this girl." he mused as I nodded my head.
"Basically just her name and age sir. I know she is highly athletic and very good in class, but other then that… nothing." nodding his head, he leant forward once again and looked around as if to reassure himself no one else was in earshot range.
"The Weasley's are working on their newest product, I suggest you ask about testing it over the holidays. I assure you it will open up your eyes a little more." he smiled as he excused me with a smile and a wish for the best of luck over the holidays.
Confused, I headed towards the Great hall. Why would I want the Weasley's newest product, I had never had anything to do with them before. Nonetheless, sitting beside one of the twins, I looked around and scooted closer. "Hey, I heard you guys got a new product, care to share a little?" I asked as they shared a smirk between the two before turning back to me.
"What… our dearest goody two shoes captain wants some of our Lolly Luck? Now why would he want something like that?" one asked the other as they shared a grin and turned back to me.
"What's Lolly Luck?" I asked confused as they stifled a chuckle and leant in closer.
"Lolly Luck is our newest creation." one started.
"-Mix it with some alcohol…"
"- and hand it to the person your targeting. Make sure they drink to that last drop,"
"- and you'll have a full hour of fun ahead of you."
Their banter crossed back and forth, causing a slight headache as they went on.
"For a full hour you'll be able to ask them anything..."
"- about anyone,"
"- anywhere,"
"- and they'll give you the answer."
"Well then why is it called Lolly Luck?" I asked confused, if it only made them speak the truth then why would they give it such a name.
"Well… you see. While it takes place in that hour, because you've mixed it with alcohol, it will be as if their intoxicated. By the time they wake after the hour, they will have a fully difficult time remembering anything over the hour… so you're off the hook." they smiled devilishly as I contemplated the product. It seemed full proof.
"How much?" I asked as they turned to me, a newly found grin on their faces.
"Well, because we can't fully reassure you, and you'd be the first to test it out. We'll let you off the hook."
"-But with a small catch." the other smiled as my full blown grin turned suddenly on me.
"What now?" I asked solemnly.
"Cancel the Quidditch practice tomorrow… we got ourselves a date and can't afford to be tardy." they smiled willingly as they new cancelling a practice was something I'd only do if in dire need, and it felt as if these were one of those times.
"Fine. But I want it by the end of the day." I concluded as I got up from the table without eating and headed towards transfiguration.
We were leaving fro the holidays on Sunday, so Saturday was our last practice before the holidays and regardless what happened I wanted us in tiptop shape. But you couldn't out weasel the Weasley twins so I was out of luck for the time being.
Heading towards my last class of the day, I stepped into the room to see Professor McGonagall watching the last of her students come barrelling in before we ran out of time. Transfiguration had to be one of my worst classes, and yet I wasn't doing all too bad for the time being.
Taking my seat beside Alexis, I sighed as Professor began her long speech, one I knew would take up at least half of the period. Taking a piece of parchment and a quill out, I scribbled on it quickly before sliding casually towards McKenzie and placing the quill in the middle of the table.
Sliding the paper back, I looked down to her neat hand writing and found myself looking at an answer I wasn't expecting.
Why'd did you cave so early about coming to my house?
-OW
That's none of your business, just because I'm supposed to be your mistress, it doesn't mean to need to know everything about me.
Well I thought you of all people would be the last to agree to accompany me to my residence.
-OW
Oh yes, I can't wait! I hate dresses and Scottish accents. This'll be a blast!
Looking down to the paper, I couldn't help but smirk, this was not something I wanted to get worked up about… so I decided to humour her instead.
I resent that. Besides… I'm not all to keen on Irish gypsies. I hear their frisky and flirtatious, just in it for the money. Plus I hear their exotic dancers, and not very good ones at that.
-OW
You better watch your mouth Wood. Besides, I don't need money, I'm perfectly well off by myself.
What, mommy and daddy spoil the only child?
-OW
Snickering, I looked at the paper and couldn't help but inwardly smile at myself. I had talked to her through pen and paper more then I had out loud. And the only thing was, this seemed to be all the more amusing. Confused, I watched as this time it took her twice as long to respond to my last argument.
No, mommy and daddy were killed in the first war by Bellatrix Lastrange. My older brother died after racing into the war after them, hungry for revenge. I live with my aunt and uncle, my inheritance is plentiful though, so don't worry… I'm not after your money. Besides, I hear Scots don't wear underwear under their kilts, disgusting.
A wave of guilt watched over me as I turned from the paper and looked at her face. Her eyes, though refusing to look at me, were hard and fierce, her expression mutual and unfazed. A fresh feeling of sickness flushed through my stomach as I felt the after affect my words must have had.
"Now children, your three assignments today will be to turn your textbooks into a quill, an ink bottle, and a cat. Hurry along and assess your partners' work when he or she is finished." McGonagall's shrill voice cut me from my starring as I crumpled up the piece of paper and tossed it into a pocket in my robe.
Within minutes, Alexis had succeeded in turning her book into a quill and an ink bottle, now she watched and waited as I tried again and again to change them. Desperate to tarnish the heavy silence, I spoke aloud. "Why d'you think Scots don't wear underwear under their kilts? Been searching up my family history there McKenzie?" I joked as she shook her head in annoyance.
"Actually, my mother and her family were pureblood Scots, they prided themselves on their heritage. Besides, my father would prance around in a kilt and humour her when they were first married. For though he was from a pureblood Irish family, they prided themselves on their ways of celebrating. After winning so many battles and overthrowing so many thrones, I suppose as we made many allies and enemies, time after time they got use to celebrating." she sighed as if it were nothing. "Besides, how'd you know all Irish are gypsies? Been looking up my family tree Wood? I never thought you had it in you to go snooping around."
"Just remember McKenzie, what's mine is yours… your secrets will eventually be mine, and mine yours. It runs both ways." I smiled as I completed in turning my textbook into a quill and an ink bottle. I was caught up now.
Quickly turning her book into a cat, she picked it up and walked it over to Professor McGonagall, asking if she could have the rest of the period off as she felt slightly ill. Seeing as she had completed the task, the Professor granted her the simple request and dismissed her from the room.
Quickly following suit, I ran after and caught up rapidly as I found her still in the halls. Racing up behind I grabbed a hold of her arm and pulled her to a stop, forcing her to stop walking and look at me.
"Wow, I never thought you were the Damsel in Distress type. Why run out so fast?" I asked as she smirked and looked me in the eye.
"Why do you care?" she hissed violently as her expression challenged that of my own.
It was true, why did I care? Maybe it was the fact that mother and father had raised me with respect, to always treat ladies with respect. Yes, that was it. "It's just how my mom and dad raised me, to be gentlemanly and chivalrous. To help out the Damsel." I smirked as she scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Let's get one thing straight here Wood…" she spat, spinning me around and pinning me against the cold, hard stone. "I don't care who you are, I've been through this all before and it will blow over. So why don't you get it through your thick skull and leave me alone!" she called out, the glint of anger sent within her eyes fresh and volatile as I couldn't help but wonder how this would look, me pinned against wall by a shrimp of a child.
In an instant, she took a step back, her gaze still heated with anger and fury as she turned on her heel and walked away.
Watching her saunter away, I couldn't help but try and ignore the sudden feeling of disappointment as she left. Shaking my head I quickly discarded the feeling and turned to catch up with her. "I think you just don't like the feeling of me knowing all of your secrets. It scares you." I smiled as she stopped dead in her tracks and turned on me.
"You don't know me Wood. And you never will." she stated calmly as she turned and walked the other way, leaving me to wait in the hallway. Stopping dead in her tracks after a few steps. "Besides, I don't know the meaning of the word fear." she spat aloud.
Great, in another twenty-four hours, I would officially be spending my holidays with Miss Pity down there.
And so the countdown begins.