Sly conspiracy
Sev stayed in the Common Room for a while chatting with people, including Audrey.
"How about Percival, Audrey? Tomorrow we have training."
"Buf... I try to talk to him at the entrance and exit of classes as you told me and he doesn't pay much attention to me," she answered.
"Oh… then tomorrow you will train together again."
"He won't want to."
"I'll put you," he said.
"Really, Prince?"
"Of course."
"Until he pays attention to me… do you want to be with me again?" Audrey asked.
Sev thought, Wow, of course I do, but we've been together less than a week ago, I don't want her to get hung up on me, otherwise she's not going to get enough with the Rave. And besides, I don't feel like it today. I've been with Lily this morning and I prefer to go to sleep early remembering everything we've done.
And we should go to my bedroom, today people are going to bed later. No. Not today, and not tomorrow either. We'll be when I take her to learn Occlumency, in my clearing in the Forest, maybe late next week or the next, depending on how I have my schedule.
"Okay, but not yet. I'll let you know," Sev replied.
"Ugh, Prince... don't play difficult, come on…"
He smirked. Wow… How she talks to me and looks at me, she just can't wait. Better, that way it will be spectacular when we'llbe together. "We'll be, Audrey, but today I want to go to bed early, and tomorrow too. We have training."
"Ugh, Prince... you're always studying or training. Don't you ever enjoy?"
"Of course. I haven't studied all day today, I've been reading and then I ran away."
"Yeah. I've already noticed, and also yesterday. If the malefics catch you, they will screw us all."
"They won't catch me, Jack accompanies me and I hide in a safe place," he explained.
"And what are you doing?"
"Ah… my secrets."
"You like to play mysterious," she said.
"I'm mysterious." I'm curious about Audrey's Celtic horoscope, I'm going for the book. "Will you wait for me a moment?"
"Sure, Prince.
He went to his bedroom and picked up the Druid lunar calendar book.
"When is your birthday?" Sev asked.
"June twenty-fifth."
Ugh… she's still fourteen, I'm a cradle robber. Just after the solstice. Great, in time to give her a little gift before the end of the year. He searched for her tree. The Apple tree. Love. Wow, it hits her, it does…
Sev handed her the open book. "Look, it's the horoscope of the ancient Druids. You are entitled to a sacred tree and some characteristics."
"Wow, how interesting." She began to read, "It says that Merlin taught under an apple tree."
"Wow…" he exclaimed astonished. "The greatest wizard of all time."
Audrey continued reading. She got to the features. "Seductive person and with a lot of charisma, she has a great attraction."
"Totally true."
"A pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, she lives day to day without much concern."
"I think it's right," he agreed.
"Yes, I think so too." She continued, "So sensitive that she is always in love, she wants to love and be loved."
"Of course, your main characteristic is love."
"Which is yours?"
"I'll read you mine later," Sev said.
"You're already playing mysterious," amused.
"It's just that I am, I've already told you," smiling.
"Well, I continue. She is faithful companion and very tender," Audrey read.
"Well, the faithful thing doesn't get you right, the tender thing, yes."
She smiled knowingly, he returned it. She continued, "Very generous."
"That too."
"With scientific talent, to which is added her great imagination. I think that too. I'm good at Astronomy."
"Well, then you'll be good at Arithmancy, too. How were you doing in math at Muggle school?" he asked.
"Well, I liked them. I was one of the few children who did well."
"Like me."
"She lives up to date, she is funny and seductive," she continued.
"On the target."
"Faithful and affectionate if she are really interested in the relationship. Well, I think I would be, with you I would be."
She looks at me and smiles charmingly, and a little wistfully, Sev thought. I believe her, but I have to get the idea out of her head. "Brilliant. Then you will also be with Percival when he pays attention to you."
She went on, "Very generous with her friends."
"Yes, I think you are."
"In general good health. Excesses affect her."
I'll take the opportunity to educate her a little. "We are all affected by excesses. That is why you have to know how to moderate yourself in every way," Sev advised.
"She can succeed, if she sets her mind to it, as a scientist, writer or philosopher."
"That means you have talent but you don't exploit it. You have to work more."
"This week I have studied a lot, it has been very good for me to break up with Roger," Audrey said.
I'll discourage her from paying so much attention of relationships at this point in the term, especially with me. "Of course, especially if you were not comfortable, boyfriends are a distraction. I'm also doing very well not seeing mine and that's why I don't want to be with you very often either."
"What a pity, Prince… with how well we did it…"
Ugh… I'm a loudmouth. She was entertained and I have brought up the subject again. "Yeah. But there are more important things, like talking now and getting to know each other better."
Audrey turned the page.
"That's the next one, it isn't about you anymore," he said. "Bring it, I'll read you mine." He turned to her, facing the book so she wouldn't see his notations. Sev turned to his page and read. "Extraordinary good taste."
"Well yes. Your girlfriend is gorgeous."
"You too. And the boyfriend that I have looked for you. I love everything beautiful."
"Sure."
"I have a lot of dignity, I am sober and sophisticated," he continued.
"What does sober and sophisticated mean?"
"Sober, I don't like excesses, and sophisticated, I like special things, out of the ordinary."
"Oh…"
"Like you. I continue. Of fragile health," Sev read. "Before yes, now not so much, I take better care of myself. Temperamental and demanding."
"What is temperamental?"
"That I have a lot of genius."
"Yeah."
"I take great care of those closest to me," he went on.
"Yes, that's true. You already take care of me since you know me."
"Very ambitious, hardworking and resourceful."
"It hits you, it does," Audrey agreed.
Because I'm only reading what hits me right. I have jumped stubborn, selfish and modest. "I have talent and a fascinating intelligence."
"How true."
Let's see the next one, you'll see how she takes the opportunity to say something more to me, Sev thought."Unsatisfied lover."
"Because you want to, I'd fix that right away," mischievous and determined.
Sev laughed. "I know that, Audrey. Don't repeat it to me anymore, otherwise in the end I'm going to fall and I don't want to."
"Ugh, Prince... come on..." laughing too. "We get into your bed and nobody finds out with that Muffliato."
She's dying of desire... Sev laughed wickedly but continued, "I have many friends and enemies."
"Indeed."
"I am very reliable, reserved and loyal to my friends."
"Well yes."
"That's it," he concluded.
"It gets all right, Prince."
Sev laughed. Because I've skipped everything that doesn't hit me.
"You haven't told me your main characteristic," she said.
"Yes, I have told you several times. Remember."
"You're already playing mysterious," laughing.
"Hot, hot," him too.
"Yes, hot is how you make me," laughing.
He too. Look how funny she is. I love it, I have a great time with her, she doesn't stop flirting with me. At this rate I'm going to fall, luckily we're not on the couch, otherwise she would have already accosted me.
"My main characteristic is…" Sev began.
"Tell me!"
"The mistery."
"Oh!"
"I was telling you from the beginning," he said.
"And what is your girlfriend's?"
Great, she takes an interest in Lily. She's not jealous of her. "The Fidelity. And she is, not like you." He laughed.
"You are not faithful either," reproachful.
"I'm not. But I'm loyal, I don't cheat on her. If she comes to training tomorrow you're going to meet her."
"Is she coming?" Audrey asked expectant.
"Surely, the whole Gryff House is there, it would be strange if she didn't. She is also preparing Defense."
"And she already knows that you've been with me?"
"Yes of course," Sev replied. "This morning we have been with the old man and two other Gryff friends."
"Whoa, Prince, then don't introduce her to me," afraid. "It's going to make me very ashamed."
She's not ashamed to flirt with me, and she's to meet Lily. He laughed. "Why? She's glad I was with you and she's looking forward to meeting you."
"She's going to get angry."
"Nah, Audrey, she's going to like you great, she's very open and generous. I make you fight together to break the ice, she's going to teach you a lot, she has an advanced sixth grade level."
"How awesome, Prince. If she is in fifth year," she was amazed.
Sev thought, She admires her. And rightly so, Lily has done it in six months. Sev turned serious. "Sure, but she is in danger for being with me. She has had to learn out of necessity." And I take this opportunity to notify her as well. "And you will also run danger it if it is discovered that we are together, that's why we shouldn't take a risk at home either. When we'll are, we'll do it in a safe place."
"Where?"
I can't tell her yet. "You will see."
"You're already playing mysterious."
"Of course, you know, my main feature."
. . . . . . . . .
The next day they went to train. Sev thought, And yes, as expected, the Gryffs have come, and since they are fifth years I have them in my group. But in front of so many people, even though I know they are reliable, I have to pretend, treat them like everyone else.
How happy Lily is, proud of me and herself. I still have even. Although the three of them have come, there is one less Huffle, the better. I'll put Remus with Anthony, they have a similar level and we have agreed that he is going to teach him a few interesting spells from the quartet, so that tonight we'll plan the revenge. Ha! With his own spells. I hope no one bothers Remus, otherwise I'm going to have to defend him to everyone, which I don't care at all.
Lily and Cecile together. They never fight one against the other, always the two against Remus, so they'll face a fair duel. I am not going to put the three of them to teach.
When he organized Sev went with the fourth-years. He interrupted Audrey and Percival's couples fighting and switched them. He winked at Audrey. Today I have crossed the line and given myself too much. It doesn't matter.
He took the opportunity to discuss a certain matter with Genevre. And now what do I do? I want to train too, I know who against, against Alice and Frank. I can not wait.
He went with them. They have odds too, Alice fights three of the weaks and Frank fights two, what machines. I should have warned them, now they are going to have to reorganize.
Sev interrupted their fights. "I'm dying to fight one of you. A fair duel one against one."
"Sure, Prince," Alice said. "Delighted. Who do you want to start with?"
How polite they are, they seem to be in their twenties and not seventeen. Grown up. "I don't mind. With one until the break and with the other after."
"Then you start, Alice, I'll rearrange," Frank said.
"Brilliant."
They fought. Sev was thinking, Wow… what a joy, she's magnificent. I have to work hard to be at her level and she doesn't seem in any bind at all. She surpasses me.
They continued until the break. When they finished they hugged. Creating bonds with my summer escort. I have to take them to the fir tree on Monday, so that Albus can begin instructing them in Occlumency as soon as possible. I'm going to discuss it with both of them now, to give them time to think from today to tomorrow what time of day they want to go, Genevre has already told me that she doesn't care.
"You will see," Sev began. "In order that you may escort me in the summer in complete safety, Profesor Dumbledore has proposed that we give you extra instruction." It's a lie, I proposed it to him.
"Wow, really?" Alice asked, visibly astonished.
"Yes, you will love it. He knows branches of magic that we don't learn in school. We plan to instruct all warriors in them eventually, and we have decided that you will be the first."
"What a great honor, Prince," this was Frank.
"No honor. It was because you offered to escort me in the summer last week, you've earned it," Sev said. "The fact is that we must follow a whole process prior to the really useful teachings, because it is dangerous that it is known that we use that type of magic, it is very powerful. We have to save it for war or extreme situations."
"Sure," Alice said. "And what should we do?"
"First, learn Occlumency. Dumbledore is going to teach you."
"Buah… but isn't that very difficult?"
"Not if you have the talent," Sev reassured them.
"I don't think I have it."
"No problem. I do have it and there is a way to transmit it, it is also a magic not taught at school, Druid Magic. Powers are acquired through rituals in sacred places and one of them is ancient trees, like some that grow in the Forest."
"Wow, how interesting," she said.
"The fact is that on Monday I'm going to take you both and Genevre to perform a ritual in one of those trees. It's almost an hour away, so to have enough time, we'll use the Time Turner during school hours."
"Wooow…"
"You feel like it, don't you?" Sev asked.
"Of course."
"It's worth it." They're going to be amazed when they make the spherical shield. "The question is if you prefer in the morning or in the afternoon and before or after classes. We need at least three hours."
"What do you say, Alice?" Frank asked.
Sev thought, He always lets her speak and consults everything, but it is not out of shyness, but out of respect. What harmony, it shows that they have been together for a long time and have a very close relationship and complete trust.
"Better first thing in the morning, right?" she answered. "To be fresher. And it will be a joy to walk through the newly dawned Forest."
"Okay," Frank said.
Good. The same thing I wanted, to start the week off right, Sev thought. "Brilliant. So we meet here Monday after breakfast to use the Time-Turner without being seen."
"Great."
"Do not come in uniform, put on comfortable clothes to walk."
"Of course."
They chatted until ten past eleven about the individual ritual so they could prepare it. Then Sev went to where the Gryffs rested and motioned for Lily to follow him. She did a few steps behind. He went directly to the group of fourth-year girls, the Slys had joined the Raves. Well, we're starting to mingle, great, but Audrey is with her friends despite having fought against Percival, it seems to me that she's going to have a hard time hooking him up. Better for me, that way I have her at my disposal at least until the summer.
He went to her, made her get up and move away from her group. Lily waited some distance away.
"Lily is waiting for you," Sev said pointing at her. "She wants to meet you and then fight with you. Chat for the time that remains until you start again."
"I'm dying of shame, Prince," Audrey replied.
"To flirt with me you have no shame. You have to be brave to everything. Come, chat with her," laughing authoritatively.
"I don't want to, Prince."
How cute. She's afraid of her, she thinks Lily's going to give her a scolding for being with me.
"Who commands here?" he asked raising his voice, and in confidence, "The other night you called me Commander." And again authoritative. "Who is the Commander?"
"You are."
With a face and voice of sorrow. Sev laughed. "Well, to do what I command," authoritative again, and in a low voice, "For other things you don't cut a hair." And ordering again, "Come on, chat with Lily."
Sev left. Audrey didn't move, it was Lily who approached her. She held out her hand and they shook hands. "Hi Audrey, how are you?"
"Hi, Lily."
Lily thought, Poor girl, she's afraid of me. She thinks I'm going to tell her off for being with Sev. The truth is that she is a little small for him. "Sev has told me that you want to be a warrior."
"Sev?"
"Yes, Prince. But that's his last name, his name is Severus, Sev for short."
"Ah, well! I didn't know. How many names does he have, doesn't he?" the younger girl asked.
Well, the scare is over now, Lily thought. Now she is more interested in knowing about him, but I want her to tell me about herself. We have to give her a hand. "Yes, each person calls him different. His Gryff friends call him Sev. How about you doing? He has told me that you almost have OWL level while you are still in fourth grade."
"Yes, I have been training for more than a year."
"Wow, I have much less time. I started in October and I didn't even know how to disarm." Appreciating her effort so early versus mine so late.
"And you're already in the sixth advanced," Audrey appraised.
Wow, Sev told her that too, they talk about me. "Of course honey. I have spent many hours, I am in danger."
"Yes, he already explained it to me."
Let her tell me about herself. "How about home?" the older girl asked.
"Great, people study and train a lot. We Slys have become responsible, incredible."
"Yeah, he already told me. How glad I am, because you are worth a lot. The best House." Appreciating her.
"Oh! A Gryff saying that," Audrey was surprised.
"That's what I think. Sev told me that it was you who started banging the table, and it was you all who kicked the malefics out of the school. You have solved my life, I could not be here if they continued."
"You don't know what burden it was to live with them."
"I can imagine," Lily said.
"And Prince has had to put up with them for almost five years."
How cute, defending him, if she only knew… And she can't wait to talk about him. Well, that's because all his fear of me has passed. "Well yes, he had very bad luck with his year. Of six boys there were four evil and one good."
"Of course, that's why he joined them," said the Sly girl.
"That is, because he was small and he didn't realize where he was getting into."
They continued to chat until it was time to start, and then they wrestled together.
Sev, meanwhile, took the opportunity to appoint Genevre for Monday now that he had already done it with Frank and Alice, and explain the ritual to her as well.
Then he returned with his group. Now I have odd. I'll put Remus against two. Not the two weakest, otherwise he will beat them, two medium ones. No one has complained that he is here. Good. I'll put Cecile with Anthony, they will love to spend some time together.
When he finished organizing, he went back to Frank, who was already waiting for him. I wonder if he'll be better than Alice, before she was the one fighting three and he was fighting two. How curious I am. They fought. Well no, what I thought. By little, but I beat him, she is better. So that later they say 'the weaker sex'. Ha! The best warrior in the school is a witch. Take that!
They finished at quarter past twelve so that those who wanted to could come home, and they went to have lunch. Great, the warriors no longer change their clothes to come to the Great Hall, only the little ones and the Huffles who don't train wear uniforms. Color. We have already destroyed a school rule, to wear uniforms, in a week. Now that is quite a feat.
Great, the whole weekend Time-Turning off, I can't believe it. That afternoon he did his homework and studied. After dinner Sev settled in his corner to wait for the revenge planning meeting, with his Muggle Science book and dictionary.
All the Sly warriors of the contingent, twenty-five, will meet at ten o'clock. People are starting to go to train in the big room also in the afternoons and evenings, why do it in empty classrooms when they can do it there, now that there is good light until late, and they usually find many Gryffs there. No more enemy Houses, we are the two Houses with the best spirit to be warriors.
When they began to arrive just before curfew, they rearranged the furniture in the Common Room, chairs, armchairs, and couches, arranging them in a circle. Some had escaped back to Hogsmeade and brought back a plentiful supply of Butterbeer. When they were all installed they began the assembly.
Sev spoke, "All right, all right... Silence, please. Let's see. I'll tell you what we thought." He told them of Cecile's plan. "But only that is very unfunny. We have to do more to them."
"Of course."
"They have a whole repertoire and a traitor in their ranks, who told us this morning." Now it would be time for someone to talk about Remus. But no, they don't. Better. "Anthony, it's your turn."
Anthony explained to everyone the spells Remus had taught him. They tried them on each other, Sev tried them all but they didn't do anything to him. I've had enough for all these years.
When they finished, he continued, "Very good. Strategies. Twenty-five of us can't go for them at the same time, so if we all want to stay at ease, we'll have to take turns. I already tell you that I will be present at all times."
"Sure, Prince, of course, it's your revenge."
"Very good. They are three." Now they will talk about Remus.
"Aren't they four?"
"No. I have told you before that they have a traitor in their ranks," Sev repeated.
"Ah yeah sure. The one with the scars was training this morning."
He thought, Remus. The one with the scars he made to himself when he hadn't gone out on run yet and he harmed himself when he transformed. Ugh… I'm already about to cry. "That one! Don't even touch that one!" authoritarian and angry. "He is my best friend!"
"What are you saying Prince? Are you crazy? Is a Gryff attacking you your best friend?"
"What you're hearing! If anyone touches his hair, he will deal with me!"
"And with me," said Jack, threatening.
"And with me," Deborah said, she too.
"And with me," Anthony said.
"On Thursday only the other three attacked me," Sev continued. "I'm not going to take revenge for all the past, I would spend my whole life taking revenge. It has become clear?"
"Of course, Prince, whatever you say."
"Very well, let me continue. I was saying there are three. Actually, two and a quarter, because the rat doesn't even know how to disarm, so groups of five are enough to surround them. We'll start the four fifth-years with someone else, so we follow them out of the exam, surreptitiously surround them, and when they realize they're trapped and draw their wands, we disarm them. That's the first move."
They organized six groups of four, since Sev was going to be present all the time, and they chose six spells to perform, divided them up and agreed on the order in which they would carry them out.
"The last group, Levicorpus and drop the trousers," Sev said.
"And not the underpants?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, it's not a bad idea. Of course, the underpants too."
"And if we have disarmed them, how will they go down?"
"They won't go down, they stay there, the old man will rescue them" Sev answered. "I'll teach him the counterspell when he looks for me to explain, in exchange for him not punishing us."
"How is he going to punish all of Sly?"
"Yes, that's what I say."
They continued talking and drinking until twelve. How nice. Savoring my revenge already and sharing it with my loyal snakes.
Sev went up to his bedroom. If in the end today Lauren had met Jack, I have failed my schedule. But what am I going to do? I deserved something like that. I've enjoyed it even more than the party, except for Audrey, of course.
Come to think of it, Audrey. I want to sleep with her. Just sleep. Warmth. I'll go back to the Common Room to see if she's still there. He went down. Thereshe is, and Jack and Anthony have no plans to go upstairs yet, they're chatting animatedly and drinking.
He moved closer to her. "Come here a minute." They went to a corner. He conjured the Muffliato. "I'm going to make you a proposal."
"Tell me."
"If you sleep with me today, just sleep, I promise that next week I'll be with you."
"Okay."
"Then go up to my room as soon as you can, on the sly. My bed is the one by the window," he said.
"Brilliant…"
He went up to his room and undressed. He set his alarm clock for half past seven. To give us time to pamper ourselves before she leaves tomorrow. He got into bed in his usual posture.
Five minutes later Audrey arrived, she got in on the other side, closed the curtain and Sev did the Muffliato. She undressed, got into bed, hugged him from behind and gave him tender kisses.
Human skin... there is nothing better. He fell asleep five minutes later.