Welcome back!
I completely forgot how bonkers this chapter was until I went back and re-read it. Honestly, though? Top 5 for me. I hope y'all enjoy it, too.
Thanks for all of your lovely reviews!
Chapter Twenty
A Midsummer Night's…Orgy?
I knew we were in for it when Sirius arrived at the dressing room wearing a fairy costume.
Lily—the ever-vigilant stage manager—nearly snapped her clipboard in half when she saw him, swathed in silver tulle that barely covered his goods and wearing wings that were far too small for him.
"Sirius," she bit out. "What. On Earth. Are you doing?"
I watched, speechless, as he plucked at his costume, nonchalant. "Vivian has the stomach flu. I'm just covering her part for her. Spiderweb, right?"
Lily's eye twitched. "Cobweb."
"Oh, yeah. That one." Sirius smiled at her, smug. "What's wrong, Lils? There's nothing to worry about. Flitwick just told me to stand there and look pretty."
"Professor Flitwick suggested this? And he's all rightwith it?"
Sirius shrugged. "Guess so. Have you seen the glitter anywhere?"
Lily just walked away without a word.
Sirius stared after her, frowning, before he spotted me sitting at one of the makeshift vanities we'd set up in the rehearsals classroom. "Oh! Hey, Pipes. Like the costume?"
He came over to where I was, still holding a makeup brush and gaping at him. He turned around. "Can you see my ass? Vivian isn't really my size, so the dress is kind of short."
I choked. "Sirius, what the hell?"
"No?" He bent over, shaking his bum. "What about now?"
"Oh, my God." I shoved him away. "Stop it. What are you doing?"
"Saving this play from total embarrassment." He plucked the makeup brush from my hand and applied some blush to his cheeks. "There can't only be three fairies, can there?"
"There definitely can." I snatched the brush back and continued with my own blush. "Cough up; I know Flitwick didn't ask you."
He frowned at me in the mirror. "Can I not volunteer to help out my mates on their big night?"
I raised my eyebrows at him. "So, you volunteered to make yourself a laughingstock?"
He sighed. "James bet me fifty Galleons that I wouldn't do it. I couldn't very well let him win, could I?" His face lit up. "And we haven't pulled a single prank this year. Gotta make sure Hogwarts remembers me after I'm gone."
I rolled my eyes and twisted a tube of lipstick. "Trust me, Sirius—no one's gonna forget you anytime soon."
"Not after tonight, they won't." He ruffled my curls and ignored my angry curses. "I'm off to find that glitter. What do the Muggles say? Break a leg?"
"Thanks," I said drily. "You, too."
He smirked, but before he left, he swooped down and put his lips to my ear. "You look ravishing, by the way. Remus might actually have a stroke when he sees you."
My face burned when he pulled away. I spun around to curse him out some more, but he was already gone.
Grumbling to myself, I turned back to the mirror and continued applying my makeup, trying to forget Sirius's comment and the chills that had gone down my spine when he'd been so close. Ugh. Stupid, bloody hormones and stupid, bloody handsome Sirius Black. The bloke knew just how beautiful he was and always used it to his advantage. Stupid, bloody asshole.
But maybe he was right. I did look pretty good. Mary had kindly offered to do my hair, and the curls had been twisted elegantly at the base of my neck, with a few stray ones framing my face. A tiara nested atop my head, glittering when it caught the light, just like the fairy wings I wore—white and gold, shaped like a butterfly's. The sleeveless top and skirt were white too, fashioned to be more Ancient Greek than medieval, as were the golden sandals and gauntlets I wore. Flitwick—despite all his absences—had outdone himself in the costume department. All of us looked like we'd just stepped out of Fairyland.
I finished my makeup and vacated the vanity, needing to move. We were a half-hour out from showtime, and my nerves were starting to get to me. I shook out my arms as I began to pace, my thoughts racing.
What if I forgot my lines? What if I tripped and fell off the stage? What if I accidentally flashed the audience or something? All those poor kids having a sexual awakening at once if they saw my boobs…oh, man, that would be bad—
"Just watching you is making me feel sick."
I whirled at the sound of Remus's voice and whapped him across the face with one of my wings. He swore and stumbled back, reaching for his nose.
"Remus, I'm so sorry!" I grabbed him by the elbows. "I didn't mean to—these bloody wings, they're so big—"
He laughed. "Piper, it's okay." He took his hand off his nose. The tip was red, but there was no blood. "See? Not even a scratch."
My shoulders sagged. "Oh, thank God. Could you imagine if I'd injured one of the leads on opening night? Just my luck, I suppose—but I'm glad you're all right."
He grinned. "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry." His eyes traveled from my tiara to my sandals. Did I imagine his throat bobbing when he swallowed? "You look…amazing. Er, you make a great Titania, I mean. Not that you don't look good otherwise! I was just saying that, uh, you've really come into your character—"
I sighed. "Watching you struggle is killing me. Even if it is kind of cute."
He stared, his cheeks pink. I mentally slapped my forehead. "You think I'm…cute?"
Oh, Merlin. Me and my fat mouth. The way he was staring at me…I couldn't tell if it was disgust or something else.
Now it was my turn to blush. "Er, I just meant…the, uh, uh…"
Fuck, he was still staring. And now he just looked confused. And a little weirded out. Shit.
"Water?"
I almost sobbed in relief when the Fortescue kid walked up to us, holding two goblets in his hands. He was dressed in his changeling costume, his black hair slicked back with a few leaves artfully pinned in place. Mary's work.
I paid no heed to the fact that it was the little demon himself offering me water. I took the goblet from him and caught a whiff of cinnamon and musk before I chugged, grateful for his timely interruption.
After casting me another confused look, Remus took the second goblet and nodded to the kid. "Thanks, Sammy. Good luck tonight."
He smiled up at Remus. "Good luck." When Remus turned away, drinking his own water, he turned back to me with the same shit-eating grin he'd worn that day in Fortescue's. "Break a leg."
I slowly lowered the now-empty goblet. "What did you do?"
His grin widened. "I don't know what you're talking about."
I bent down so I was eye-level with him. "I know you're up to something. You've given me hell since the day I met you. What. Did. You. Do?"
Remus looked back and forth between us with a frown. "Er, Pipes? What are you on about? He's just a kid."
"She's just nervous." The kid—Sammy, whatever—looked up to Remus earnestly. "Don't worry, Remus. You'll both be brilliant tonight."
Remus smiled in the face of the Devil. "Thanks, Sammy. You'll be great, too. I'll see you backstage, all right?"
Sammy nodded and walked away, but not before shooting me another look that promised torment when Remus turned back to me.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
I shook my head. The scents of cinnamon and musk were stronger now. Headier. I sniffed the goblet suspiciously while Remus watched, bewildered.
"Do you smell it?" I demanded.
He blinked. "Smell what?"
"The…cinnamon. Only it's not entirely cinnamon. It's…spicier. Like it's been left out in the woods or something."
"What the bloody hell are you on about?"
I glared after Sammy. "That kid's had it out for me ever since we met in Fortescue's this summer. I know he did something."
Remus gently took the goblet from me like it was a poisonous snake. Or maybe he thought I was the poisonous snake.
"I think your nerves are getting to you, Piper. I know what the stage jitters are."
I wanted to protest—I know Sammy did something, or was going to do something—but Remus put his hands on my shoulders, and all thoughts of Sammy and his nefarious plans were gone when I met his eyes. Oh. They were very green tonight. Very green and very…pretty…
"Breathe with me," he was saying. I had to force myself to listen to him, lost in those forest-green eyes. "Deep breath in. Hold for ten seconds. And out. Try it with me."
We both inhaled deeply. That cinnamon and musk scent hit me again, full force. I would've staggered back if Remus hadn't been holding me. A strange look crossed his face as we held our breath, silently counting to ten. Huh. I wonder what that was all about. We exhaled at the same time, our breath coming out in a rush. And then I realized how close we were.
His Lysander costume was a toga much like the one he wore on Halloween, but trimmed with gold. It showed off his arms and legs nicely, and I found myself staring. Godric, he was fit. And the warmth of his hands seeping into my shoulders… His lips so tantalizingly close…
I leaned into him. Or maybe he was guiding me, his hands still on me, his fingers wrapping around my arms now—
Lily whistled and the trance was broken. Remus and I jumped apart like lightning had just sparked through us. My heart hammered in my chest as Lily stalked up to us, brandishing her clipboard like a whip.
"Oi!" she said, snapping her fingers. "Didn't you two hear me? I said everyone needs to get backstage now. Fifteen to curtain!"
"Right." Remus nodded, looking dazed. "We're right behind you, Lils."
"Yeah." My voice came out in a squeak. I cringed. "Lead the way."
She eyed us with her signature critical look, the responsible Head Girl in her shining through, before she nodded briskly and stalked away, snapping at the First Years to get going.
Remus shook his head. "Lily's right. We should go."
I nodded. "Yeah," I repeated, still slightly confused. What had just happened?
I followed him into the corridor with the rest of the MAC, everyone decked out in their costumes. We looked like a bunch of teenaged Dionysus worshippers or something as we trooped to the Great Hall, the babble of dozens of students leaking through the doors.
Lily and Professor Flitwick led us through a side passage I hadn't even known about. The drone from the Hall was still there but muted by the stone around us. In the tight space, I could hear my fellow actors reciting their lines under their breath or whispering a quick prayer to Merlin. I bumped against Remus by accident and muttered an apology, but he only smiled at me sideways and took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
I squeezed back, just to make sure it was real. He squeezed again, confirming my thoughts. And then we continued on like that down the passageway, holding hands and squeezing back and forth as a joke. By the time we reached backstage, I was smiling, my apprehension gone as he squeezed a pattern that I then tried to replicate in turn. I was halfway through when Professor Flitwick cleared his throat, getting our attention.
"I'm very proud of all your hard work and team effort this term," he squeaked. "Good luck all, and as the Muggles say—break a leg!"
He disappeared through the heavy black drapes behind him, and there was applause from the audience as he took centerstage and began his opening remarks.
Remus squeezed my hand one more time before letting go.
"I enter on the other side," he said. "I've gotta get over there. But you'll be brilliant, Pipes."
I mustered a smile. "You will, too. And after tonight, let's get outrageously drunk and pretend like it never happened, yeah?"
He laughed. "I'm game. See you after the show."
Before he could walk away, I did something impulsive. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
"Break a leg," I whispered in his ear. Then I pulled away and winked.
He stared at me like he'd never seen me before. "Piper—"
"What are you still doing here?" Lily shrieked, swooping down on him. "Remus, you're supposed to enter from the right! Shoo!"
Remus grimaced, apologetic, as he was herded away by the fiery redhead. My heart was doing double-time as he disappeared, and not just from pre-show jitters.
James and Sirius sidled up to me just then, flanking either side.
"Well, hello there, smitten kitten," James purred. He nudged me with his elbow and poked me with one of the leaves sticking out from his costume. I didn't have the heart to tell him that he looked more like a tree than Robin Goodfellow. "Giving our other furry friend a sneak peek of what he can expect later tonight?"
I pushed him. "Sod off, Potter. It was just a friendly peck. Nothing more."
"And I'm sure a friendly peck is what Remus is planning to give you," said Sirius. He grinned suggestively. "A friendly peck with his—"
"I got it, thanks." I glared at the two boys while they snickered. "Is there anything else you two dorks have to say, or was that it?"
"Yeah, I have a question," James said. "What's up with Doc and Diana?"
"What?" I followed James's gaze to a few feet away. Caradoc Dearborn was Oberon—my wicked husband for the play—and Diana Cresswell was Hermia. They should've been entering the stage on opposite sides, but they were standing close together and just staring dreamily into the other's eyes. "What the fuck?"
"They just started doing it a few minutes ago," Sirius said, watching them with mild disgust.
"Don't they hate each other, though? They broke up, like, forever ago. I've never seen them act so…"
"Disgustingly love-stricken?" James supplied. "Nauseatingly infatuated? Horrendously sappy? Wretchedly—"
"Shut up, James," Sirius and I said at the same time. We made a face at each other before I turned back to James. "I agree, though. That's odd."
James snorted. "It's like they're under Amortentia or something."
I scoffed. "Yeah, right. As if—"
I choked on my next words. No. It couldn't be. But the water—and the Fortescue kid—oh, no—
"Er, Piper?" Sirius tapped on my shoulder. "You good?"
The scent—it was Remus. But the reason why it was so strong…and my sudden urge to snog him…
That couldn't mean anything. I always wanted to snog him. And maybe his cologne was a little too strong tonight. After all, we were going to be on a stage under bright lights. It would get hot. That doesn't mean that the water was laced with Amortentia. Where would the kid even get it from?
And then I saw Regulus Black's smirking face in the courtyard from last week. "I look forward to seeing you in the play. Something tells me it's going to be…interesting."
Archie had once gotten a contraband potion from Black. It was why I'd risked flashing Filch so he wouldn't get into trouble over it. But Black…he had to have known about the potion. Even if he wasn't the one who'd given it to the Fortescue kid, he still knew. That son of a bitch—
Across from us, Diana whispered something in Doc's ear that made him chuckle as he groped her backside. But if they'd drunk the potion, and I had, then so did…
No. He had to be fine. Remus hadn't acted like Doc and Diana were currently. And we had a whole play before us. The potion would wear off by the time we saw each other again. Or so I hoped. Because the tingling in my fingers and toes, my urge to move…it wasn't just nerves. It was desire. I desired Remus, and the potion was going to make sure I got what I desired, one way or another.
I whirled on Sirius and James. "You have to stay with me. You have to keep an eye on me."
They traded a glance. James's brows furrowed. "What?"
"Doc and Diana." I lowered my voice. "I think there was Amortentia in the water. That's why they're acting so lovey-dovey again all of a sudden. And I think that I may have drunk some, too."
Sirius cocked his head. "So, you want us to watch you and make sure you don't do anything stupid in case you did?"
I nodded. "Please." I seized his arm. "Promise me. This play means so much to Remus. And if I wreck it by doing something stupid, I won't be able to forgive myself. Please."
They traded another glance. Finally, they nodded.
"We got your back, Pipes," James said, clapping my shoulder.
"And your front." Sirius winked. "I'll even tie you up if I have to."
"Not even gonna reply to the innuendo in that statement." I clasped their hands. "But thank you."
"Anytime." James grinned. "Now, let's get this show started."
The play was going off without a hitch, and I was terrified.
I hadn't fucked up a single line or scene, and I hadn't embarrassed myself by throwing myself at Remus, even if the effects of the Amortentia were growing stronger by the minute. I guess it helped that we didn't really have to be onstage at the same time as each other. Out of sight, out of mind. At least, that's what I kept telling myself as I sweated backstage and clung to either Sirius or James to keep myself from hunting down Remus. I didn't even know how this was happening—how the Amortentia was coursing through my veins, but I was totally aware of it. From all I knew about the potion, it was pretty much undetectable until it wore off. Maybe it was just a bad batch or something. All I knew was that I really, really wanted to snog Remus.
"Can you relax?" Sirius said, wincing as he pulled his arm from my grasp. "Your nails are going to give me scars if you don't quit digging them in like that."
I shot him a dirty look. "Sorry that I'm under a love potion right now. I'll be sure not to inconvenience you any further."
He rolled his eyes. Out on the stage was Remus, but I refused to look in that direction. I probably should've been paying more attention, considering I had no idea where we were at in the play, but I had other things to worry about.
"Are you sure you're even on Amortentia?" Sirius said. "I thought it was supposed to make you all goofy and drunk in love or whatnot. But you're still being a right pain in the arse."
"Forgive me if I don't exactly trust your brother," I snapped.
I'd already explained my theory to him, but he seemed skeptical. "Why would Regulus agree to something so stupid? I mean, a love potion all for a dumb Muggle play? What would he gain from it? And why would he target you specifically?"
I hadn't been able to answer any of those questions myself, but my gut knew it was Regulus that had supplied the potion. It all added up somehow. I just couldn't figure out how yet.
"Just hold my hand," I said.
"No way; you're all sweaty." He wrinkled his nose at me.
"So help me God or Merlin himself, stop being a baby and just do it—"
"Fuck," Sirius said, swatting my hand away. "That's our cue. Do you remember your lines?"
"For what scene?"
"I think it's right before you go to sleep and Oberon puts the spell on you."
"Shit. Yes. Let's go."
I swept out on stage, trying to maintain an air of etherealness despite my racing heart and clammy palms. My fairies trailed out behind me; I couldn't remember any of their names in that moment, despite Sirius. The audience laughed and whistled at Sirius as he drifted about in his fairy costume; for good measure, he twirled, his skirts flying up. I swear someone in the audience hit the floor. Good. At least that put less pressure on me.
I took a deep breath and recited my lines.
"'Come, now a roundel and a fairy song; then, for the third part of a minute, hence; some to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds, some war with rere-mice for their leathern wings, to make my small elves coats, and some keep back the clamorous owl that nightly hoots and wonders at our quaint spirits. Sing me now asleep; then to your offices and let me rest.'"
I laid down in a copse of the fake foliage and put my hands on my stomach as my fairy train began to sing. I watched Sirius through a slit in my eyes as he pranced around, obviously not having any idea what his lines were as the other fairies sang theirs. The audience giggled at Sirius, and I thought that if all else failed with this play, at least he would be remembered.
One of the fairies spoke. "'Hence, away! Now all is well. One aloof stand sentinel.'"
I heard the fairies depart, keeping my eyes closed. Okay, this was nice. Slow, deep breaths. The lights above me dimmed and footsteps approached. I cracked open my eyes and frowned in confusion when I saw James—not Doc—creeping toward me.
When he knelt down beside me, I whispered from the corner of my mouth, "Where's Doc? This is Oberon's scene, not Puck's."
James leaned over me with the prop flower used as the love potion. Ugh. I was already sick of those things.
"He's a little ah, stiff below the belt, if you know what I mean," he whispered back. "Apparently the Amortentia is making itself quite known."
"Do you even know the lines?"
"We're about to find out."
I refrained from groaning aloud as James raised his voice.
"Upon your…waking…true love will prevail, whether it be cat, bear, or…quail!"
He leaned down and wiped my eyelids with the "potion." "How was that?"
"At least you made it rhyme."
"How are you doing?"
"I wish I was dead."
He subtly patted my cheek. "That's the spirit."
He whisked away. The lights above me shifted, focusing on someone else who'd just entered the scene. My heart dropped down to my toes when I heard Remus's voice from somewhere in front of me.
"'Fair love, you faint with wandering in the wood; and to speak troth, I have forgot our way. We'll rest us, Hermia, if you think it good, and tarry for the comfort of the day.'"
Diana Cresswell said her lines to Remus, though her words sounded oddly dazed. She made it through her part and then Remus spoke again. A burning sensation had started in my gut, making my entire body tingle. It took all my focus to keep my eyes shut and my breathing steady.
They finished their scene and went to sleep somewhere off to my left. I shifted slightly and opened my eyes to find Remus already staring at me, his pupils dilated and his breathing ragged, his chest heaving unevenly. James came out and recited his lines, but I couldn't focus on anything other than Remus.
I was reminded of the night in the Hospital Wing, when a vestige of the wolf inside him had come out; had scented me. I wondered now if that part of him was always there, just under the surface; if he could smell me now and all the hormones and emotions crashing through my bloodstream. It would explain why he looked so panicked in that moment, his gaze frozen on my face. I was unraveling, the Amortentia taking over. I tried desperately to spool the threads of my sanity back to me, but every time I got close, the threads would unravel again.
With monumental effort, I wrenched my head away from him, fixing my eyes on the ceiling and the bright lights. They seared my vision, causing tears to spring up, but the pain was a welcome distraction from the roiling in my gut. I could do this. I could get through this play without flinging myself at Remus and making an utter fool out of myself. I had to. This play was so important to him. I couldn't ruin it.
I shut my eyes again and prayed to whoever was listening.
Doc and Diana broke first.
I was backstage, sweating and trembling from the force of keeping myself still, clutching Sirius and downing copious amounts of water to flush my system, when they threw themselves at each other with the force of charging hippogriffs.
At first, I thought they were fighting; there were too many flailing limbs and grunts to discern what was happening. It took all of about three seconds for everyone to realize—they were snogging.
Sirius looked like Christmas had come early. "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me."
I watched in horror as Doc and Diana's tongues battled to see which one could be stuck down the other's throat the farthest. Everyone stared, stunned, as two of the leads attempted to rip each other's costumes off. Leo Alvarez—our Theseus—shielded a First Year's eyes from the graphic display of affection.
Lily descended upon the scene like an avenging angel.
"What are you two doing?" she whisper-shrieked. "Get yourselves together and stop acting like animals!"
Doc and Diana were too absorbed in each other to hear her. Lily stamped her foot, brandishing her clipboard, but Sirius held her back.
"Wait a minute, Lils," he said. "This is just starting to get good."
My fingernails dug into Sirius's bicep. "Please don't let that happen to me."
He patted my hand. "As much as I would love to witness your pornographic passion with Remus, I like you too much to let you embarrass yourself like these idiots."
Lily wrestled away from him. "This has gone on long enough!" She stalked to Doc and Diana, who fortunately were having too much trouble with their costumes to get them off. "You two! Enough! Thaddeus, separate them!"
Thaddeus Meyers looked disgusted at the prospect of touching them, but the muscular Hufflepuff managed to wedge himself between them and block them off from each other. They struggled against his broad chest and back, fighting to get close again, until Thaddeus picked up Doc by the armpits and carried him away, out of sight.
I couldn't watch anymore. I dragged Sirius away from everyone and sat down on a crate, shaking. I felt like I was going to puke.
"I can't do this," I said. "Sirius, I can't go out there and risk losing myself like that. I'm barely hanging on as is."
"You and Remus won't even be onstage with each other anymore," he pointed out. "Just focus on the stupid play and you'll be good."
I shook my head, cradling my hands to my chest. "Sirius, I can't even remember my lines anymore. You have to help me. Please."
"Pipes, I can't do anything until the potion leaves your system. I'm sorry."
My breath became shallow. "I can't finish. I can't."
He watched me hyperventilate, worry etched in his face. He looked back to the scuffling group backstage before turning to me again.
"Give me your costume," he said.
I gaped at him. "What?"
"Give me your costume," he repeated. "I'm finishing this play out as Titanic."
"Titania," I said, baffled. "Sirius, what? You can't! You don't even know my lines!"
"Lily has a copy of the script; I saw it on her clipboard," he said. "I'll follow the cues and improvise."
"Lily—Flitwick—Remus—Sirius, they'll kill you."
"As the Muggles say," he said, already tugging off his fairy costume, "the show must go on, right?"
"This is insane," I said as he stripped. "You're—not wearing any underwear!" I gasped when he took off the dress. "Sirius Black, put your clothes back on!"
He put his hands on his hips, unbothered that he was completely naked, his bits hanging out for anyone to see were they to look back here. I doubted he was self-conscious about it, though—not with a body like his. And not with a piece that big, holy shit—
I shook my head quickly to dislodge that thought. I held up my hands and studiously ignored the penis just a few feet away. "Sirius, I am begging you, please put your clothes on."
"Give me yours and I will," he said, tossing his hair out of his eyes.
"What the hell am I going to wear?"
"My costume. Duh." He rolled his eyes.
"Jesus Christ, fine. As long as you'll put that thing away again."
I stood up and removed my wings. He winked at me as I shed my costume.
"Funny; you seemed eager to see it on Halloween."
I blushed. "That was a one-time thing and you know it."
"Of course, of course." He politely averted his eyes as I undressed fully, though I'd had the sense to at least wear panties under my skirt, unlike someone else who happened to be standing right in front of me. "But it got you to stop thinking about Remus, didn't it?"
I threw my costume at him instead of replying, though he was right. He'd taken my mind off Remus and the Amortentia, if only for a few minutes.
When we were fully clothed again, I grabbed his hand and held him back before he could take off.
"Thank you, Sirius," I said. I squeezed his hand. "You're a good mate."
"I'm just giving the people what they want," he said, winking. But he kissed the back of my hand for good measure. "You're welcome, Pipes. Now, stay back here and try not to cause any trouble, all right? Time for me to make my debut as a leading lady."
He whisked away, leaving me alone backstage.
It took all of three seconds before I realized what kind of monster I had just unleashed upon the Hogwarts student body and staff.
What had I done?
"I cannot believe you did this!"
Lily seethed at me backstage, her eyes crackling with green lightning. Sirius had slipped by her onstage and now pretended to be in love with Peter, who was playing Nick Bottom. There'd been a huge gasp from the audience when he appeared in full Fairy Queen regalia, though luckily, all the actors had taken it in stride, even if Peter looked ready to strangle his friend. Sirius botched the lines completely, of course, but at least he understood the gist of the story, even if he wasn't speaking in iambic pentameter.
"I'm sorry, Lily," I said, and meant it. "I just couldn't finish feeling so ill."
It was true, in a way; though the shakes had subsided, I still felt lightheaded and nauseous. Fortunately, Remus was nowhere to be found, or else I might've been in real trouble.
She huffed. "I knew we should've gotten you an understudy, but Flitwick refused…" She grumbled under her breath, muttering some unflattering things about the Charms professor. Then she sighed. "Oh, well. As long as there isn't a fire, I reckon we can get through this without too much carnage."
I nudged her with my elbow. "C'mon; don't act like it isn't wonderful, seeing Sirius bloody Black embarrassing himself so thoroughly in front of the entire school."
"You have a point." She sighed, disappointed. "I don't think he has an ounce of shame in his body, though; he's always been completely unflappable."
"Pure-blood arrogance," I scoffed, and we shared a grin.
"You do look rough, Piper," she said, concern touching her features. "Are you sure you don't want to lay down?"
I grimaced. Being left alone wasn't a smart move. "I'll be fine, Lily. Don't worry."
She looked like she was about to say more, but before she could speak, the doors to the Great Hall burst open behind the audience.
And then the screaming started.
Lily and I exchanged an alarmed glance before we tugged back the curtains blocking us from the Hall, the others who were backstage running up behind us to see what was going on. I wondered if Sirius had stripped off his clothes again, but what we saw was infinitely worse.
A group of masked and hooded figures wearing black robes had stormed into the Hall, their wands drawn. One of them fired off a bolt of purple that shattered against the enchanted ceiling and showered the crowd with sparks, causing more screams.
"DEATH TO MUDBLOODS!" the attackers shouted in unison. "DOWN WITH THE MINISTRY! UNDER THE ORDER OF THE DARK LORD!"
A flash of silver caught my eye. Professor Dumbledore swept to the middle aisle in a fury of violet robes, his silver hair and beard glinting in the light. He drew his wand.
"Seal the doors!" he ordered, his voice thundering through the Hall. "Teachers, defend your students!"
One of the figures in the front spoke, their voice distorted from the mask they wore. "You cannot stop us, old man. We are too many and too powerful. The time of the Mudbloods is finished, and all those who oppose us and the Dark Lord."
Before Dumbledore could finish waving his wand, explosions sounded throughout the Hall. Plumes of smoke rose from the floor where the figures had been, but the attackers were gone.
"Back to your dormitories," Dumbledore said, and I shivered at the fury in his voice. "All of you. Go!"
There was a mad dash to the doors of the Hall. I shared a petrified glance with Lily before I looked to the stage and saw Remus standing there, shielding Katie Stiefel behind his back. I ran toward him, not even thinking of the Amortentia—I just needed to know if he was safe, if he was okay.
"Remus!" I called.
He turned at my voice, his eyes widening, just as a dark figure appeared behind him and Katie, their wand pointed directly at Remus.
Katie screamed, tearing Remus's attention away from me and toward their attacker. He shoved Katie out of the way, into the arms of James and Sirius as they charged the attacker, but they were too far away.
Remus stood, empty-handed, and I realized with a shot of horror that he was wandless. He had nothing to defend himself with.
The dark figure's wand fired off a jet of red light.
"NO!"
I jumped, barreling into Remus's side and sending both of us toppling to the ground. The spell whizzed over our bodies and hit the forest backdrop, setting the scenery on the stage ablaze. I whirled around, but the attacker was gone in another cloud of nauseating gray smoke.
I looked down and met Remus's stunned gaze, my body still shielding his.
"Piper," he rasped. "Why—"
"Piper! Remus!"
Lily, James, and Sirius careened to our sides, their faces ashen.
"Oh, my God," Lily said. "Oh, my God, are you okay?"
Remus still hadn't taken his eyes off my face. I stared at him, my arms quivering, but not from the Amortentia. I was far too sober now after everything that had just happened.
"We're fine," he said, dazed. "We're…fine."
I was so relieved I could've kissed him right there, but I forced myself to look at Lily with a wan smile.
"So," I said, "what was that earlier about a fire?"
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