AN: So, it's been a few years haha. Oopsie!
I've written everything ages ago. So I really shouldn't been taking so long in updating this stuff especially as I'm only changing tinsy bits here and there... shame on me!
I'm truly trying to add some more description to everything as conversations are more my forte.
I hope I will add chapter 20 a bit quicker... and thanks for sticking with me all this time :)
CHAPTER 19
Nancy started to dance even closer to Legolas, letting her hands travel his body loosely. "So you want to go outside, or something?" she whispered seductively in his ear. He could feel her hot breath washing over him as her tongue practically licked the side of his face.
"Can we not stay inside? I am rather enjoying the music." He tried meekly, pulling his body backwards so he could escape her groping hands.
"Whatever you say, handsome." She smiled smugly, now letting her eyes roam his body instead of her fingertips.
Aragorn's eyes were dark and unreadable as he stared at the dancing couple. He leaned against a high table, a drink in one hand the other balled in a fist.
He hated the fact that HE couldn't dance with his lover, while some silly little girl could.
And they were dancing close too, which the Elf didn't seem to mind at all!
What if Legolas started to like this girl so much, that he would stay here with her in this totally different world? Or even worse! What if he would take her back home! After all his father would never approve with him being involved with a man, even if that man was he, King Elessar.
He was about to look away when something disturbing or more like a shocking event occurred before his very eyes.
The girl was leaning in once more and before he knew it that little wench was kissing his lover! HIS!
Or was it the other way around? Was Legolas kissing the girl?
He didn't even want to think about it nor was he able to watch the scene displayed before him any longer. He swirled around on his heels and made a beeline for the nearest exit.
The girl's kiss totally took Legolas by surprise. But as soon as he realized what he was doing and who he was doing it with, he tried to push her away immediately.
True it was quite a different kiss compared to those which he shared with Aragorn, but that didn't mean that he was immensely enjoying himself. No not at all, because he didn't feel anything. It was only the fact that he felt something touching his lips, what made him aware that the girl was kissing him. When he had finally put everything in perspective and realized exactly what he was doing, he pushed her away even harder this time, succeeding in separating her from himself now. He looked at her still a little dazed.
What had he done? Or rather what had she done?
I should have seen it coming! He scolded himself.
He looked around in search of Aragorn. As soon as he spotted him, he knew that he had witnessed the entire event, well at least the kissing part that is.
"Estel wait! Please let me explain!" He yelled, but either Aragorn didn't hear him or decided to ignore him, because he didn't turn around or halt his steps.
Legolas followed him outside as quickly as he could. His elven heritage giving him the extra speed to catch up with other. Dark clouds had formed in the night's sky and the forbidden forrest lay ominous ahead. Even the air seemed curiously stale for this time of year. But these things were lost on the pair of them. When they were both running through the grass, he called him again:
"Melamin, please wait!"
Aragorn stubbornly ran on, until finally Legolas made him stop by jumping in front of him and grabbing his shoulders hard.
"Aragorn listen to me." Legolas begged of him, his eyes pleading. "She took me by surprise, trust me."
Aragorn finally looked at him. His eyes seemed midnight black, his face contorted in anger: "Trust you? How can I possible trust you when you do something like that?"
"But you have got to believe me. Please love, I would never ever do something like that intentionally to you." The Elf told him, almost breaking down in tears. His hands grabbed the front of Aragorn's vest, urging the man to see the truth in all this madness.
Aragorn looked at him closely, doubt showing in his eyes. He was about to say something, when he saw Legolas paling considerably, while he stared at something behind the Man.
"Legolas what is the matter?"
The Prince had started to shake a little now, unconsciously pulling Aragorn closer.
"I do not know. There is a foul presence nearby and it is moving towards us. I believe it are those Dementors, Albus warned us about." His lower lip trembled and he could already feel his strength weakening slightly.
"Come let us warn the others." Aragorn said urgently, grabbing the Elf's hand and dragging him along.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* In the meanwhile inside Hogwarts…
I miss you – Bryan McKnight
When Severus finished singing and playing the song, he received a thundering applaud from the crowd. Gods, this is really tiring, he thought, getting up from behind the piano to get some water. When he walked across the stage, Dumbledore suddenly appeared, put an arm around his shoulders and dragged him to the middle of the stage, while whispering in his ear:
"This is for your own good. You promised Voldemort you would do something to give your image a boost, but this isn't helping. So…
Ladies and Gentleman, please give a warm applaud to the man, who is one of the main reasons why this party could take place tonight. He has helped the students with their performances by writing their lyrics and music and giving them the strength to go on." Albus began. "I'm sure everyone of you wonders who this person is. It is no one other then our very own Professor Snape!"
Severus who had been too overtaken by surprise to interrupt Albus in time felt a wave of anger crash over him. In the moment that followed Severus seemed to float above the floor. His robes were fluttering around him like there was this small hurricane blowing and he was in its eye.
Energy crackled around him and it looked like he was about to burst at any minute.
After half a minute he somehow got a hold of himself and slowly the power surging around him started to fade away, leaving him trembling and as white as a ghost on the podium, while a few stray tears streamed down his cheeks. He brushed them away quickly with both hands, closing his eyes briefly as he did so. He had never been so terrified, ashamed, hurt, angry, upset, disgusted and many other things in his life. There were so many emotions running through him that he just didn't know on which one to react.
How could Albus have done this to me? He knows how difficult it was for me to open up like this and sharing these private lyrics and feelings with everyone. I especially begged him not to tell that I had anything to do with the performances. I wouldn't have done it otherwise. Even if Voldemort would have threatened to kill me if I didn't obey his orders, I still wouldn't.
I would want to be dead anyway if anyone heard and saw me like this and now… now they have.
Severus could only stare at Albus, still not completely grasping everything he had just heard. He shook his head in confusion, wondering what he had ever done wrong to the man to deserve this as he felt his world crumble around him. He took the only option in which he would keep the almost non-existent dignity he had left and walked off the stage, not once looking back.
After a few minutes the silence that had spread amongst the students when Albus had revealed the pianist' true identity, slowly disappeared as soft whispering could be heard amongst the crowd.
Severus stormed towards the dungeons, knowing that it would be the only place where he could hide for now.
"Severus! Severus, wait please!" A voice almost begged.
"Severus!" Remus grabbed him by his arm, forcing him to stop. "Ow, bloody hell!" he exclaimed suddenly, quickly removing his own hand as if burned.
"What's wrong?" Snape asked a hint of concern in his voice, finally coming to a halt and turning around.
"When I touched you, I got this electric shock, or something." Remus muttered, examining his right hand to see if there were any marks.
"Then don't." Came Severus' curt response.
"Don't what?" Remus asked confused, looking up from his hand towards Severus' robed arm. Still intend on finding out what had caused the strong sensation.
"Touch me."
"But I like…. Uh….oh." Remus blurted the first few words out, before realizing exactly what he was saying.
"You like what Lupin?" Severus asked, cocking one eyebrow as he did so. He had finally calmed down a little again. Remus always had, had this relaxing effect on him.
"I uh, well uh never mind, it's nothing important. I already forgot what I wanted to say actually." Remus lied. His cheeks turned a lovely shade of red as his eyes were still fixated on Snape's sleave.
"If there are two words that I hate the most when put next to each other, then they are: Never Mind. I wish they were just banded out of our vocabulary. Just say it, will you. It can never be as bad as what Albus said, so…" The potionmaster said frustrated, waving his arms to emphasize his words.
"Well…" His hand travelled the length of Severus' arm. "I uhh.."
"Oww." Severus grabbed his arm, where Remus' hand had just been.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Snape said through clenched teeth. "Just go away alright."
Remus paled. Had this been his doing? Had his touch caused Severus so much pain?
"Severus, I'm sorry. I- I didn't mean to hurt you." He stammered, trying to regain hold of the beautiful moment that had just happened before. It was not often that Severus took the time to talk to him and he cherished those few occasions that he had.
"I need to see Dumbledore." Snape hissed, pushing Remus aside and walking away briskly.
Oh, my. I'm going to get fired. Am I cursed after all? If I can't even touch the one I love, what in the hell am I doing here then? Lupin thought miserable. He hated the fact that he was a werewolf so much sometimes. He didn't understand why it had happened to him. If this has some higher purpose or something, then it better be a damned good one! He sighed out loud, not knowing what to do. I think I'd better grab my things and leave yet another place, which I called home.
As he strolled towards his room, he started to change his mind. I can't leave now. The students won't have a DADA teacher and God knows they'll be needing those lessons in the future. I'd better wait, maybe Albus will let me stay for a while longer. I really hope he'll let this slip. As long I don't touch anyone I should be fine, right?
Remus really felt like crying. Why oh why couldn't he touch Severus? He had been in love with the man for so long and although he knew he hardly stood a chance, he just couldn't stop hoping. But now? Well, even hoping hadn't much use any longer, now did it?
He slumped against the wall behind him, deciding to drop the matter for now. He would just have to wait for Albus' judgement. Besides the ball hadn't ended yet and if he didn't want to draw any attention to himself, he'd better get a happy mask perfect in place, because if someone was to ask him if something was wrong he would surely crumble.
Legolas and Aragorn stormed into the Great Hall.
Dumbledore, who immediately sensed that something was amiss, approached them quickly.
"Albus, there are Dark Creatures outside. I believe they are what you call Dementors." Legolas immediately explained. His face still too pale for even an Elf.
"Really?" Albus stroked his beard in thought. "Hmm Severus already warned me for an attack, but I never expected that it would be THIS soon." The old wizard sighed. "Well we'd better act quickly then." He said, swiftly walking towards the stage.
"Good evening everyone, could I have your attention please? I'm sorry to interrupt you once again, but there are some urgent matters at hand here. I don't want any of you to panic or to walk away when you feel the need, so.. just wait for the instructions that will be given to you and follow them precisely, alright?" he said in a calming tone of voice, looking at all the curious faces.
"Now.. Voldemort and his followers are standing outside Hogwarts at this exact moment and they are planning to attack the school." Many people gasped out loud, even for most of the teachers this came as quite a shock.
"I want all the students, except the sixth and seventh years to follow Professor McGonagall. She will take you to a secured location and will try to get you all home." He continued, oozing calmness and hoping this would transfer towards the children.
The next few minutes were filled with confusion, teary goodbyes and hasty farewells as the younger students did as they were told. When they had all disappeared Albus redirected his attention to the remaining students. His face was grim, but filled with sheer determination and faith.
"What I am going to ask of you, is quite dangerous, so I want you to think about it very carefully. When you feel you are not up to it, or simply don't want to, just say so. Trust me, no one will think any less of you. I really want you to understand that." Albus started.
"I think you all understand that 23 teachers don't stand a chance against Voldemort and his parties. This is why I am asking for your help. Do realize that there is a real possibility that you might get injured, or worse…
You will get a minute to think it over, the ones who decide not to fight, may follow Professor Trelawney." He glanced over the crowd and saw some Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws looking very unsure of what to do, while talking quietly amongst each other.
Suddenly Severus stormed onto the stage. "I've got to go." He whispered.
"I know, they are waiting outside."
The Potions master was taken aback by this a little, but quickly composed himself again and he started in his steps. "I see, I will meet you outside then." He said with a nod.
"Be careful Severus, make sure they don't notice anything." Albus implored him, briefly letting his right hand rest on the man's shoulder.
"I think it's too late for that." with that he swiftly sprinted off the stage and towards the Forbidden Forest.
When Dumbledore motioned that the one minute was up, everyone bravely stood their ground. Albus looked at all of them with proud shining in his eyes.
"Well I think it's time to face our destiny." He said with a sad smile, drawing his wand and moving towards the edge of the stage.
"The ones who don't have their wand with them: now is the time to get them quickly." Most of the students summoned their wands with a simple: Accio. While others run as fast as they good to fetch theirs.
When all the students were getting their wands, each member of The Fellowship collected their own weapons.
Gimli only having a tiny rubber sword with him, realized he had to find something that would actually hurt his victims. The Dwarf quickly looked around in search of anything useable as a potential weapon. He was quite pleased with himself when he spotted an armour, which was holding an axe in its hands.
Walking towards it briskly, he started to pull and push at it as hard as he could, but it just wouldn't let go.
"Well you worthless piece of iron!" he exclaimed, pulling on it even harder. "Let go of that damned axe right now!" he spoke furiously. Without any warning it suddenly DID let go. Gimli who was using all his strength to get the axe free from the armour's iron grip, tumbled backwards, totally surprised. He looked from the axe in his hands to the armour in front of him. "Huh, thank you." He muttered, before swiftly going inside the Great Hall again, while stroking his sore behind.
After a few minutes everyone was ready to face their impending destiny. Whether it be defeat or victory at least Voldemort would know that he would not regain power without a fight.
"Does everyone have his or hers wand? Remember to stay as far away from the Dementors as possible and when you do come too close, try to think happy thoughts. As for the Death Eaters, if you really have no other option you are allowed to kill them, but do think of all the other alternatives first." Dumbledore urged them. He nodded towards the crowd in front of him. "Let's show those monsters what we are made of!"