"Kain wake up! We're late!" Remus stood over the girl. "Damn it!" Kain jumped from her bed and began to get dressed in a hurried fashion. She dipped into the bathroom for the morning routine then grabbed her trunk and Stella. The train was going to leave in fifteen minutes. "Alright go to the back yard." Sirius told her. He pulled out his wand and shrunk her trunk. Kain pocketed it. "Stella I hate this and I'm sorry but it the only way."
She took Sirius and they apparated. "You have five minutes. Hurry." He pushed her out of the alleyway and told her to go. Kain ran Stella was in her cage for the bumpy ride. Kain made it through the portal just in time. The train was just starting to leave Kain jumped onto it catching it just in time. "That it the very last time we will even have to catch this train to start school. Lets find the others you can stay with me." Kain found the others and got into the carriage with them.
"Where were you? We looked everywhere till about ten minutes before the train started." Raoul said. "We had a late start at my house. Sirius had to apparate for me to get here. I barely made it." Kain leaned forward and kissed Arrum who sat across from her. "This is the year for the big game you two ready?" Gareth asked. "I am." Kain smiled. She was not going to be dying her here green and silver.
"I'm not. They're going to kill us I know it." Arrum said. "We're going to win and when we do Snape is gonna have red and gold hair for a month. I can't wait." She smiled. "Wait you made a bet with Snape?" Bill asked. "Sure did. Last summer when made the bet. We lose I dye my hair green and silver they lose Snape's going red and gold. McGonagall is going to color her hair but only for the day." She explained.
"I can't wait for November." Alanna chirped. She had grown to like Quidditch a great deal. She would never play but she enjoyed watching the players wiz past on their brooms. The rest of the ride was spent laughing a telling jokes sharing stories from the summer.
~.o0o~o0o~o0o.~
Being that it was N.E.W.T year the seventh years would have to take extra care of their classes. Just because you were on the Quidditch team didn't mean you could get extra time for homework or essays. Few students on the team were having a bit of trouble and were receiving detentions. Arrum and Kain made it look Easy. Many nights the group could be found in the library or common room writing essays or studying. Kain wasn't taking Potions this year because she had finished over the summer. Snape had even told her she could take the test then but she declined till it was the years end when she could take it with others.
There were apprenticeships going around that year. Gareth was trying his hand at transfiguration. If McGonagall felt he did well enough and passed everything with flying colors when she retired he would take over the job. Like that would ever happen she loves teaching. The big game was coming and the closer the day got the more Snape reminded her about it so sure they would win.
They'd just have to wait. McGonagall head of Gryffindor house even seemed to smile every now and again, as the day grew close. The other heads of the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses were nothing but smiles.
The only down time they had was weekends if they were writing essays or doing make up work for classes. Kain regardless of the moon would force herself to class the next day. Halloween was the only day they could sit down and relax after a long week of studying. Laughing and eating whatever candy and other sweets were set out.
"Three weeks from now you'll be on your brooms and winning us the cup. You will win won't you?" Raoul asked. "I don't know. We'll see. We all know that Kain has no intention of losing to the Slytherin. We lost to Hufflepuff last year. That's a sad defeat." Arrum said.
"Well we'll be winning this year." Kain said. "Gryffindor lions." Jenna smiled.
~.o0o.o0o.o0o.~
The day of the game the entire school was present for the event. All teams were dressed and given a pep talk about to game to go out and do the best they can without getting hurt but also while having fun. "And Kain this year if you get knocked off your broom and you break something don't get back in the air." The team captain side. "I'll be sure to get right back in." She smiled. They all went out into the field.
The first half of the game was going to pick the first two teams to play so they put out two sets of balls for the teams to use. Whatever teams catch the snitch will play the final. The game got started. It was far more challenging for the teams now that they had four players wising about for two golden snitch and four bludgers trying to kill everyone with 12 chasers flying about. It was rather hard to keep up with it all but still very exciting.
After three hours the first snitch had been caught by a Slytherin. Now that it had been caught the team was given a break and was told to sit out since they had already reached their goal. It was between Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Many of the players had been replaced thanks to the Slytherin team. Gryffindor had done very well in keeping most of their original players. Poppy was having a field day and many people knew it.
The others sat in the stands worried about their friends who had managed top stay in the game as long as they had. Arrum had almost been knock out of the game a while back but thanks to some quick broom work had made it out alive. The was no need to worry about Kain she could handle herself just fine. But they still felt a pang of worry.
After another hour Gryffindor was victorious. The was a break between the two games so the players could get cuts looked at by Poppy and a little bit to eat. They were on their way back to the pitch when Kain saw Snape. "Ready to color your hair silver and green?" He asked, as she got closer.
"Ready to color yours red and gold?" She threw back. They hoped they would win. Everyone was back in the pitch the two teams were ready. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had gone back to their respective locations to watch. Chasers flew about passing the quaffle this way and that losing it to the other team.
Somewhere around the grounds or in the clouds that had formed for a rain that was going to come the two seekers had lost sight of the snitch. They sat on their brooms waiting for some sight of the thing. "Lets both catch it and both teams can win. I'm sick of the fighting our two houses share on the field. Your teams mates are brutal." One said. "I was going to say something along that line. We could share the cup this year. I'm really doing this because I over heard someone say something about Professor Snape coloring his hair."
"Now this I have to see. Let's do it." They shook on it. (A/N: hey I can make them do whatever I want them to this is my plot)
An hour later they had the snitch by the wings each holding a wing. "It's a tie! GRYFFINDOR AND SLYTHERIN WIN!" It was odd to hear this. Everyone sat a bit bewildered about the whole thing. Dumbledore had a smile on his face and that annoying twinkle in his eyes.
"This is just weird." One of the other players said. "You said it." another answered. That night in the great hall Dumbledore stood at his podium in front of the students and teachers. "Where's Kain she's gonna miss this." dawn looked around the table. "Snape's missing too." Raoul pointed to the empty chair at the teacher's table. "It appears there was a bet placed about the game today. The bet was between a teacher and student on which teams would win. Seeing as it was a tied game it changed a little." Dumbledore said.
The doors to the great hall opened and in walked in Snape and Kain each sporting very colorful hair. Their hair was streaked with red, gold, silver and green. Everyone in the great hall clapped at the sight. Both people looked less then pleased seeing as they were now wearing the enemy's colors.
Everyone had already gotten over the shock of McGonagall's hair for the day. "This is a good day. A very good day." the boys laughed. "Shut up." Kain hissed at them taking a swat at Arrum. "I think you look great." He said before placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Your lying. I know you are because you're a terrible liar and your eyes turn a brighter blue. Your lucky I love you, you silly git." She returned the kiss. "So are you really going to be stuck like that for the Winter Solstice?" Jenna asked.
"It's the only night I get out of it. I'll have my hair back on New Years eve." She said. "Good."
The following Monday everyone was back to work on essays and homework. Dawn was on an apprenticeship with Madam Pomphrey. That would be a good thing if Kain was going to become a teacher at the school. It snowed but they had no time to play in it.
"I have two essays and a pile of make up work for DADA and I have to help Madam Pomphrey tonight. This is getting hard." dawn said. "It'll be over before we know it. We have the Solstice coming up and then we get to go home for the holidays. Kain gets her hair color back." Raoul started laughing. "I heard that Tenner." Kain said not looking away from her book.
~.o0o~o0o~o0o.~
The day before the Solstice The girls went looking for dresses. Kain had brought with her a simple sundress that Ginny had given her to transfigure into the dress she wanted. She thought about going with purple for the night but instead choose a lighter green dress with another gold belt around her hips. The hem, and ends of the sleeves were also colored gold.
The night was filled with dancing, laughs and a walk in the snow it fall. The boys had looked very dashing in their suits. "I'm not giving you your gift till we get ready to get off the train." Alanna said. "Come on. I'll give you yours." He said. "Nope."
"So I'll see you all at the New year's party right? Moony and Padfoot really want you all to come. Your parents are welcome to come." Kain said. "My parents are already going to my uncles they promised to come visit." Jenna said. "Okay. Raoul what about you?" Kain asked the boy. "Mine are coming. They just need the address and we'll port key over." he said.
"Good Remus will be happy. Gareth you already said your parents couldn't make it because your mum wasn't feeling well. Is she doing any better?"
"Little. She might make it to the party. Whatever hit her, hit her hard." He had been concerned about his mother since he got the letter two days ago. Arrum spoke next. "My mum wants me to invite you, Remus, Harry and Sirius to dinner the day after Christmas. Professor Snape is welcome to come too. They want to meet you and your parents. Don't worry I told them about your parents." He said stopping the question before it could be asked.
"Good." The train began to slow down. "We'll I'll see what I can do about dinner. Let me know when. I'll talk to the others about it tonight." She said. "Perfect. Merry Christmas. Here's your gift try not to open it till Christmas okay." They had a quick snog and he left to find his aunt.
She had slipped his gift into his truck when he had left the carriage for a few minutes to find some one. "I'll owl in a day or two. Other then that see you At the party." She hugged Dawn, Jenna and Alanna. "Kain! Cub!" Remus called out to her. He hadn't been sure if it was she because her hair was a in different colors but As always they were happy to see each other.
When they got home Sirius and Harry hadn't come home from work yet. Severus was already in his room setting up for the stay. When Sirius and Harry got home they starred at Kain and Severus for five minutes before the two reminded them of the bet that had been placed. Dinner was set on the table to eat. "Okay Arrum's parents invited us for dinner. They want to meet you before the Party New years. Sev your welcome to come too if you want." The dark haired man shook his head no. "I'll decline visiting one student at their home is good enough for me."
"Come off it. Your family I'm only a student when we're at school. Oh and I'm wearing my hair color for the dinner." Kain said. Snape grunted.
~.o0o.o0o.o0o.~
The gift that Kain had given Arrum was perfect for him. A picture frame with a picture of them in it. Arrum had given Kain a necklace with a little heart on it. As corny as he thought it had been he gave it to her any way. Kain wore it proudly.
~.o0o~o0o~o0o.~
It was the night of the dinner Arrum was nervous in his own way while Kain was nervous in hers. Harry and Severus had both declined going to the dinner and would stay back at the house. It would be just the three. Two werewolves and an animagus. "Okay I can do this." Kain muttered to herself. Sirius knocked on the door. It was opened a moment later by a house elf. "Ms. Lupin-Black and company must follow Nana." They followed the little house elf into a large sitting room. There sat a man who looked like Arrum and a woman who she guessed was his mother. Arrum sat in a armchair on the far side of the room.
"Kain." He got up to hug her. "Mr. Lupin. Mr. Black." He said before turning to his parents. "Mum, Dad this is Kain Lupin-Black. Her adopted fathers Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. These are my parents my father Dimitri and my mother Artemis."
"Pleased to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Wynterwood. You have a lovely home." Kain broke the small silence. "Thank you dear. But please call me Artemis. Welcome all of you." She said. Dimitri Wynterwood had gotten up and shaken hands with Sirius and Remus. He made a comment about Remus' name about if it was coming from the legend of the twins Romulus and Remus.
"Artemis the name is that of a goddess is it not?" Kain asked. Artemis smiled and nodded. "Kain my son tells me you've been playing Quidditch since your second year is this right?" Dimitri asked. Kain nodded. "Says your a beater. I played a year myself when I was in school but after taking one to the chest left the sport alone."
"Unfortunately Kain doesn't know when to quit. Last year she got a broken leg during the game ignored it and got back on her broom and into the air." Arrum said. "That was gutsy move. You could have been hurt much worse. But then I guess they don't call you Kain the wolf for nothing." Artemis smiled. They continued dinner with conversation. There were a few laughs and much smiling from all the parents.
Arrum had told his parents about Sirius so they wouldn't mention anything about his stay in the Azkaban. They didn't seem to notice anything unusual about Kain or Arrum. The men were in a conversation about something. "Kain lets take a walk and let them talk." Artemis said. The two left the men to their conversation.
"I can tell my son loves you very much. He was at one point worried you would kill him. Or in some way maim him. I punched my husband in the nose and broke it." They laughed. "I was like you. Cause when my son told us about you I figured you weren't ready to fall in love. You didn't want to get hurt did you?" Artemis asked.
"No I didn't want to be hurt. I mean what boy in his right mind wants a girl who could very well kick his bum?" Kain asked jokingly. "Obviously Arrum and Dimitri. Strangely enough it was a fight with another student that had drawn Dimitri in. He was persistent, Even chased me down a hall once. Guess that's where Arrum gets it from."
"I'm sure he did. He chased me twice. But couldn't keep up. Did he tell you I beat him in a broom race?" Kain asked. "He mentioned it. Said you made your own broom. I'd like to see it I love brooms." Kain nodded. "You two are happy and that's all I care about. You make an adorable couple. Come on lets get back in." the two headed back in to find the men still talking. Arrum got up to hung Kain in the doorway. "Wait. Look up." Remus pointed up. There hung the mistletoe. "Oh boy." Kain muttered. Arrum kissed her with a little dip then Remus and Sirius attacked her with kisses to the cheek.
"Well It's getting late and time we got going. "Thank you for having us. Pleasure meeting you both." They shook hands or hugged. "We'll see you at the New years party then Sirius said. Mr. and Mrs. Wynterwood nodded. "See you in a few days." Arrum said he and Kain sharing one final kiss.
~.o0o.o0o.o0o.~
It was the new years party and everyone started to show up. Music was playing and a few couples were dancing. The doorbell rang. "I got this one." Harry said as he got up to get it. "Kain come here." He called her into the hall. There stood Dimitri, Artemis and Arrum Wynterwood. "You made it." She said hugging Arrum. "Of course we did we were going to miss it." Dimitri spoke. "Please come in out of the cold. Everyone is in the living room or kitchen. Drinks and snakes are on the table in the kitchen." she said.
"Thank you Kain. Remus." Dimitri went into the living room to talk to the blonde man. "I'm going to go mingle with the others." Artemis said walking into the living room. "Arrum you made it. Bout time you got here. Kain was starting to look lonely sitting by herself." Bill came over with Dawn. Alanna saw the four and got Jenna, Gareth and Raoul. "Hey you made it. So tell us how'd dinner at your parents go?" Raoul asked.
"It went great. Our parents got along really well. Artemis and Dimitri are very nice." Kain told them. The group sat on the stairs talking for the most part. "Aw look at the happy couples." Fred and George teased. "Hi Gred, hi Forge." Gareth waved. "What are their names?" Raoul looked between the twins and his friend. "The twins Fred and George. So much alike they gave themselves the nicknames Gred and Forge." Kain explained. "Midnight isn't far bout ten minutes or so." Fred said before disappearing with his twin.
"Lets go outside under stars." Jenna said, "I like that idea." Alanna said getting up. They put on coats and hats. The boys got finished faster and went out. "Wait before we go out if I should howl out of sheer happiness and welcoming in the new year please howl with me. I can't help it if I let one loose." she whispered to them. "They nodded. "Come on midnight is on the way." They went outside the snow under their boots. The cold air tickled their noses and made their breath seeable.
"New years resolution."
"To love you and treat you like the amazing woman you are. Also to graduate with all Es if possible. Yours?"
"To love you in return and to become a potions master." She smiled. They could hear the others in the house counting down.
"Three."
"Two." They inched closer.
"One." A Happy New Year rang out and everyone kissed.
Inside "Where are the children?" Molly asked looking around for the couples. Fred and George smiled. "What do you know?" She asked. "They're outside no need to have our heads." The mothers of said children went to the kicthen to look out the windows. Artemis opened one and called out to them. "Are my ears playing tricks on me or do I hear wedding bells?" they felt their faces go red with embarrassment. Sirius stood in the door to the yard. "Don't you all make the cutest couples?" He said.
Kain picked up snow for a snowball and threw it at the man catching him in the face. The others laughed. "Oh your in for it." Sirius came out the door grabbing snow to throw back. All the teens were throwing snow at each other. "Sirius sometimes I wonder if I married a full grown man or a man child!" Remus called. "You can get it too love." He said. "You wouldn't dare." everyone was watching and listening. "Remus this is me we're talking about." Remus came out side and stepped in front of the taller man. Jenna snuck up behind him and put down the back of his shirt.
"Oh you pups are in for it." They were back to running around the area. "Looks like fun dear." Dawn's mother said to her husband. "Shall we?" They proceed to go outside to play in the snow. The others followed for fun too. Snow was everywhere. Down backs and fronts. In hair and boots. When the snow finally stopped flying everyone was in a fit of giggles. Arrum wrapped Kain in a hug. "I love you." He said kissing her. "I love you too."
"Happy new year."