Purpose

~ Chapter 49: A Gown, A Portrait & A Dance ~

Winter

Soft snow continued to descend over the castle of Hogwarts, dotting the remaining greenery around it, giving the place an ancient look, like that of a very colorful yet melancholy painting. The surface of the lake was solidly frozen and two wolves were running on it, skidding and landing on their rumps occasionally as they were chased playfully by a group of owls in the soft, hazy light of an early winter morning.

Charlie, Percy, Aberforth and the McNoels had healed nicely to the relief of everyone and had already gone back to resume their responsibilities. Hogwarts had already started their lessons again and the Headmaster had withdrawn his decision of cancelling the exams. Ginny had cried for two nights straight when she found out from Fenix that she had to sit for her OWLs after all.

It was Dumbledore’s subtle revenge when at least eighteen percent of those living in Hogwarts had found out what McGonagall had said to him, not verbally of course. It was the night when the Headmaster had fallen asleep that the twins had crept back into the hospital wing to investigate. They had silently used a Revealing Charm and faint silver phrases had slowly materialized over the Headmaster’s bed. The written words were:

Thank you for trying to distract me Albus, but I am in my worst of moods and I have no time to put up with your outrageous behavior. The first issue I’d really like to address is this ‘Headmistress’ idea. For the last time, I am denying this offer and I will remain as the Transfigurations teacher and Head of Gryffindor House until Mr. Black is ready to take my place and I’m ready for retirement. Second issue: Stop being a blockhead. Even if Hogwarts need a new principal, you should at least get someone younger than I. Three: Stop acting like a man in your prime and continuously getting yourself into more mischief. I’m just too fond of you to lose you to an ex-student who can’t see through the grayness of life. And you’re lucky that I am doing this rather the more embarrassing alternatives.

And then faded orange words replaced the silver. And what if this spell hadn’t been invented Minerva?

Words in silver slowly appeared but it was very faint and the Weasley twins had a bit of trouble trying to discern the message. Then I guess I have to let you know of my great disapproval in a more physical approach.

And the twins had run like crazy, back to Harry and his friends after they had made sure that they had wiped out their own trace of magic. But, Dumbledore is still the greatest magician and obviously he was aware of the twins’ mischief.

The students were also given the green sign that they could all sleep in their own dormitories once more but Harry’s company occasionally barged into Sirius/Remus/Fenix/Snape’s quarters to camp and they refused to budge. The activities that resulted from the infrequent camps differed. Compared to the other three, the Potions Master was truly on the studious side and made the students (and the three teachers) study whatever he conjured up for them.

If they went into Fenix’s, they would have a general campfire gathering, cracking lame jokes, singing. The Fire Master was mystified when Harry confessed that he quite liked the lyrics of some of the Linkin Park’s songs and she asked in a curious tone as to why he hadn’t tuned to the radio and Sirius explained to her that Harry’s caretakers saw no reason why the boy should listen to the radio or TV. Fenix had blinked her eyes and found it incomprehensible that a teenager like Harry had not been given the freedom of a normal teenage kid and she scoffed at Harry when the green-eyed boy mildly pointed out that he was anything but normal. But the real entertainment absolutely came from the two Masters of different disciplines. Fenix would all of a sudden rattled off an insult to Snape (Harry noted that most of her remarks smacked a dead center at the Potions Master’s prominent nose) and fencing would begin between the two and ended up in creating hexes on each other.

If they happened to go into Sirius’s, major wizarding chess tournaments would take place and Snape delighted at having beaten Fenix four out of five games and ended up flinging more hexes at a very mad Fire Master. However, they got themselves a surprise when they decided it was certainly the werewolf’s turn to host them. Fenix and the students had found that it was very difficult for them to sleep, fearing that they would dream of flying heads with entrails dangling from it. Remus absolutely loved the way that they had reacted to his ghost stories that he had collected over the years. The stories that scared them most were the ones that came from Asia and the werewolf actually took the effort to create sound and visual effects to complement his story telling. Fenix was absolutely terrified one night, refusing to go into a dark bathroom after one of her partner’s chilling tales of a bathroom that was haunted by a newborn child.

Once, the females had been totally engrossed in Remus’s storytelling that Snape (he had felt extremely vexed when Fenix flaunted off a sketch of a Potions Master who was wearing nothing on his upper body and she shamelessly showed off his shoulders and chest to everyone, including her partner, on the second last Friday of November) actually conjured three big fat cockroaches that quickly zoomed into the bedroom and targeted the three females.

Their yells had been so loud that the people from the Astronomy Tower actually heard their frightened, horrified squeals and... several more explosions erupted. That incident with the cockroaches had not worn off and the Potions Master frequently teased Fenix of her childish fear. Those were the bright incidents that filled their souls ever since snow fell from the heavens to touch the earth.

The dark side of things was of the sudden disappearances of Voldemort and his lot. The Elementals had one day found that they were no longer able to spy or track the Dark Lord down. Harry had humbly volunteered to open himself up to trace Voldemort. Three men and one woman looked at him as though he had grown another head and Snape gave him one of his typical greasy, sly, feigned sweet smiles.

"You really want the extra Advanced Potions tutorial that badly, Potter?"

Harry had sighed and did not offer any more help. The two weeks of detention he had served with his oathbrother was more than enough to make him determined not to ever offer to be an assistant to the Potions Master. Draco however seemed to enjoy in dissecting the rats to get their spleen out and removing their small black eyes from their sockets.

Over the course of days ever since classes had resumed, Snape and Draco had become quite inseparable. If the Slytherin wasn’t with Fenix discussing about magical theories, or if he wasn’t hanging out in the company of his friends, he was closeted with his godfather, learning more about the essence of Potions making.

The wolves on the lake halted and stared at the sky above them, and decided that it was time for them to stop playing and get themselves into the warmth of a lazy, calm and protected castle.

**********

Friday, 7^th December. Three in the afternoon.

Draco was hastily keeping his materials back into his school bag and knocked down his cauldron accidentally. The youth swore as he quickly straightened his cauldron back onto its stand. Fortunately for him, his cauldron was devoid of any potions. He was late; he had promised Harry that he would be released from his godfather’s grasp at two-thirty but he was already thirty minutes late.

"BLAST IT!" he screamed as he tripped on a chair. Snape looked up from his scroll, his face clearly showing his annoyance although he felt a little amused over his godson’s use of words. That was one of Fenix’s most commonly uttered phrases when she’s angered or exasperated other than ‘Bloody hell’, ‘Damnation’, ‘Dear Phoebus’ and certainly not forgetting ‘You damn, stupid, idiotic Black-haired grizzly!’. Of course, that’s exclusively for her oathbrother and the Potions Master’s lips involuntarily curled into a sneer.

: Why are you in such a hurry? : Snape asked his godson. : There’s no Quidditch practice today. :

: I know that, : Draco answered in an irritated mindvoice, cursed at his clumsiness again and was gone from the classroom in a flash.

I wonder why he is excited over a small thing, Snape thought to himself.

"A small thing?" a silvery, airy voice emerged from behind him. "Then who was it who kept criticizing, ‘Black, you’re making her look like a witch from Knockturn Alley, Fenix is no old hag’ and bla bla bla?" Aelwyn the Sylph asked him archly.

Snape sighed then scowled furiously at Sirius who had let himself into the classroom without a prior knock. "I don’t suppose it will occur to you that I might be still in the middle of my work that can be a health hazard to one that is unprepared?" he asked the handsome Black in a dangerous tone.

"Save your smart comments, Snivellus," Sirius replied abruptly. "I am in no mood to play and we only have less than five days to complete that portrait." Snape raised an eyebrow at the Black’s anxiousness.

The Potions Master made a small sound and began to stack his papers neatly on his desk before standing up and pushed his chair in quietly. The Black was waiting impatiently outside the classroom and Snape took a moment to lock the door. The two wizards then walked quickly toward one of the dungeon that was in fact, the dungeon where Harry and Draco had their conversation on the night that they had nearly lost the Fire Master.

Snape tapped his wand against the door and upon hearing a click, they quickly disappeared into its dark interior. Sirius hastily conjured up huge, bright candles and it lit the cave in brilliant golden shades. Huge scrolls of white paper were scattered all over the room and the Potions Master stared about him in distaste before his eyes rested angrily at Sirius’s head. Snape began collecting the rejected scrolls and placed them in a corner of the room although he knew that Sirius would scatter another bunch of rejects later. The Black was already working on a huge, fresh piece of drawing paper and the Potions Master left the drawing to him and he went over to his own work area and began shaving the wooden frame.

**********

Making sure that he was unseen by the others, Draco quickly opened the door and went in.

"You’re late," his oathbrother said in a distracted voice. The Slytherin just snorted and dropped his bag on the couch and took off his school robe. While the corridors had been chilly, the Room of Requirement was heated to comfortable warmth. He took a moment to stare at a gilded glass and stared at his hair in disappointment. Pale, and blond roots were more than visible now. He sighed and went over to his oathbrother who was deftly using the simple sewing machine.

"Okay." Draco took a deep breath as he watched Harry skillfully sew the two pieces of fabric together. "One: How on earth did you manage to get thing working?" he asked as he looked over Harry’s shoulder in wonder. "And two: Why did you the white silk over the blue?"

Harry waited until he had finished with the blouse before he handed the article to the Slytherin. "The machine needed a little magic to get a boost up and everything went smoothly from there. Though I had to read that book," he was staring at a brown hardcovered book, "to learn about what I had to do when I come to the edge of the fabric." He watched the Slytherin thoughtfully, finally noticing that his oathbrother’s blond hair was coming back. "As to your second question, I rather like the contrast and I think she’ll look good in it," he answered the Slytherin.

"But you know that the white part can get rather translucent and I don’t think her partner would like her to show it off all that much," Draco said doubtfully as he checked every inch of the blouse and was making sure that Harry had made perfect holes on the back to let the piece of lace through. He suddenly peered into the interior of the blouse and unexpectedly blushed. "Green-Eyes," he addressed his oathbrother in an uncertain voice. "What is this?"

Harry tilted his head and looked inquisitively at his oathbrother before he looked to what that had captured the Draco’s fascination. Harry made a soft noise of impatience. "You perfectly know what that is," he said in an annoyed tone. "You were the one who designed the low neckline so that she would show off her shoulders. You can’t really expect her to go braless now, do you?"

"Harry!" his oathbrother exclaimed, his face flushing painfully with embarrassment at the green-eyed youth’s casual use of terms.

"Let me see that," someone else said and a pair of hand pulled the blouse and began to examine it. "How remarkable," the werewolf’s soft hazel eyes twinkled gently with amusement. "I don’t recall telling her size to you."

Harry managed to keep his impassive expression but Draco was clearly flustered and Remus looked at him quizzically. "Grow up kid," the werewolf said lightly. "The day that you have to deal with this particular kind of stuff isn’t too far off," he continued in a rather smug tone.

"Bloody hell..." Draco grabbed the blouse and he headed off to the comfortable oversized couch and began his embroidering. Remus snorted with laughter before he stared piercingly at the green-eyed Gryffindor.

"I have a favor to ask you," he said quietly.

"Oh?" Harry gave him a curious look. "What?"

"Don’t make the skirt too long that she’ll trip on it."

Harry gave him a sidelong glance as he picked the parts of an un-sewn skirt. "I guess that’s fair since you were the one who had purchased the bolts of cloth." He smiled at the werewolf. "Don’t worry Professor."

**********

A look at the clock told her that it was seventy minutes before dinner. She stared at the piece of floating silver with sheer concentration and began to shape it. When she was satisfied that it was shaped perfectly, she began cooling the metal so that she could start on her engraving.

The Fire Master paused for a moment to grab a towel to wipe the sweat of her face and took off her shirt. I certainly had forgotten how hot it can be when I take part in this. She tested the strength of the silver and found it was able to cope with the stress she was about to inflict on it without being broken to several pieces. She conjured up a fine-tipped chisel and let her imagination carry her away as she slowly cast an image onto the half-finished bracelet. I hope it would be the last time that I have to repeat the procedure. It had taken her longer than a week to get a perfect-sized bracelet and she was now praying that she won’t mess it up as she carves.

**********

Sunday, 9^th November. Early afternoon.

Fenix sighed and gave Remus a light kiss on the arm that was holding her. She gave a small yawn and turned so that she was able to look directly into his eyes.

: What are you looking at? : he asked her softly.

: You. : She smiled as her partner chuckled. Thank goodness that I have finished that bracelet. Well... not quite finished, I guess. I still have to cast that spell on it. She flinched when her partner trailed his finger lightly at her side. : Stop that! That tickles! :

The werewolf gave her a warm laugh as he hugged her, nuzzling at her neck. She purred in contentment and sighed dreamily when he loosened his hold on her.

: I wonder what my oathbrother is up to, : she commented and stared at the bedroom ceiling. "He has rarely barged in on us this week. Not that I have a complaint or anything," she added hastily when the werewolf gave her a steady gaze. But so are the kids and Sev too, for that matter. Something fishy is definitely up.

**********

Down at the sub-level.

Snape stood before the five feet tall sketch and saw that he couldn’t find anything to criticize, not even the Black’s usage of the plethora of colors. Although I think that the background is too colorful for my taste but I love the way Black had painted her hair. He was still looking at the way the black hair seemed to move under the flickering of the huge candles over their heads.

"So, how is it?" Sirius asked eagerly, trying not to show his anxiousness.

The Potions Master ignored the Black for a moment to choose his words carefully and decided on simple terms. "It’s fine."

"Only ‘fine’?" Harry’s godfather looked belligerently and Snape made a sound so thick with irritation.

"Then what on Merlin’s world were you expecting me to say, Black?" Snape hissed. "Pile you massively with extravagant compliments. Prostrate myself to you for your goddamn brilliant handiwork?"

"Why don’t you do that?" Sirius taunted the Potions Master with an arrogant sneer. The Black was too shocked to react when Snape grabbed him by his collar and slammed the stunned wizard against the wall. He realized he had made the wrong move, and the Potions Master’s anger, annoyance, self-disgust began to insert themselves into Sirius’s mind as Snape’s mindvoice echoed loudly.

: I didn’t know that she could look splendid in green! Although it doesn’t match her eyes, her black hair highlighted the fact. And you were kind enough to paint her with a warm smile that reached her eyes! : The Potions Master switched to speak his thoughts verbally and continued for about fifteen minutes until he ran out of words to say. He gave Sirius one last disgusted look before he turned and began to place the sketch onto its frame.

Sirius took a deep breath and straightened his shirt and stared at the glossy black cloak shrouded on Snape’s shoulders in mild shock, trying to regain his composure after he was subjected to the Potions Master’s sudden tirade.

"You did quite well yourself," Sirius commented in a small voice and Snape pretended that he hadn’t heard the Black.

**********

In the Room of Requirement.

Draco groaned and straightened his back but the ache on his shoulders and back remained. "Green-Eyes, I really need that massage now!"

Harry let out a string of curses as he accidentally pricked his finger deeply, completely startled by his oathbrother’s sudden words. "Be patient!" he snapped and returned to his embroidery.

The Slytherin glowered as he looked at the Gryffindor, who was bent over the gown’s hem and was making the final touch-up stitches. Harry’s messy black hair was back and Draco decided it was definitely time for his oathbrother to get a haircut from Fenix and Aldren. The Slytherin clenched his jaws tightly and tried to concentrate on his own stitching but gave when his backache intensified.

Harry gave him an unfriendly look and finished off the Slytherin’s half-done work. Draco quickly made use of the couch and lied down, willing his muscles to relax. He realized that he had dozed off when his oathbrother shook him awake and showed off their finished product.

The green-eyed youth stared at the gown intensely and to Draco’s amazement, the gown began to inflate, looking as though someone was wearing it and twirled. "I have to admit it now, Green-Eyes, that your idea of using that white silk on the chest was a brilliant idea," the Slytherin said grudgingly and Harry put on a look that signified, ‘I told you it would work.’.

"And I am glad you decided not to stitch mini-phoenixes all about the sleeves, but what is this?" Harry asked his oathbrother, staring curiously at the spirals and knots weaving about each other.

"I have absolutely no idea," Draco conceded and Harry stared at him.

"But then how did they all turn out uniform?"

"As I have said Green-Eyes, I don’t have any idea of how it happened that way."

Harry was still staring at him in disbelief but scowled when the Slytherin spoke up in a commanding voice, "About that massage. Why don’t you give me one now?" Harry gazed at him icily, his expression hostile. "Hey, a deal is a deal and you’ve got it all down in writing. I did help you out with your Potions on Wednesday," he pointed out and sniggered when Harry swore creatively.

**********

Tuesday, 11^th December. Early evening.

It had taken the werewolf a bit of heavy-duty planning to free himself from Snape and Fenix’s attention and he was on his way up to the seventh floor to meet the youngsters. Fighting against his instinct (he was doing some ridiculous stuff like sneaking and god help him if Moody happen to see him acting queerly), he crept along the corridor silently until he came to a dark brown door and rapped on it. It immediately swung open and the werewolf was pulled into the room.

"Why had you taken so long to come up here?" Harry asked him rudely. Remus gave him a faintly amused look and went to where Draco was holding up the gown for him.

Who would have thought the two would be able to accomplish something like this without even the help of magic? And they did something that was best left to the girls. He smiled faintly and couldn’t stop fantasizing on how his partner would look with the gown on her small body.

"Thank you," the werewolf said softly and the youths grinned widely, feeling pleased that the D.A.D.A. professor had found the gown to his taste. He left the two to wrap the gift up and to present the gift to the Fire Master.

**********

Eleven p.m.

Harry slipped on his Invisibility Cloak as he crawled out of the common room and waved at Ron who gave him a thumbs-up sign as the portrait swung close. He went down the staircases as quietly as possible and finally reached the portrait that Draco had shown him three days earlier. "Demeanor," he whispered and the portrait opened very slowly and Harry went through. Harry had to go directly to the front of the portrait that led to the Slytherin common room then swore softly when he saw the shadow of a cat enlarged by a bright lamp that was approaching the area when he was.

Having no way of escaping from the two prowling patrollers, Harry used his gift of Illusion to mask his presence and snuffed his scent from the environment. Harry held his breath. The minutes slowly trickled by and let out a sigh of relief when Mrs. Norris and Filch strode past him without a backward glance.

: Drake, : he called out to the Slytherin.

Ten minutes later, the oathbrothers were slowly sneaking up to the Fire Master’s office. When they turned into a corner that would lead them to the row of quarters, one handsome, violet-eyed elf blocked their way.

: Bloody hell... : the Slytherin said in a mindvoice tinged with resignation as Aldren stared at them coldly.

: Might one ask if the school rules about loitering out after nine had been suspended while I’m sleeping? : Aldren asked the oathbrothers archly.

: Yes, it has been suspended, : Draco answered in a dry tone, well aware that the elves rarely sleep unless they feel like it. Like Dumbledore and Moody, the elves seemed capable of looking through any disguises.

: No manners, this one, : the elf shook his head reproachfully at the Slytherin. : She is still awake by the way, : Aldren informed them and continued to make his rounds.

: That guy scared me, : Draco looked back at Aldren before looking into his oathbrother’s eyes.

: Well, let’s get to her quickly before someone higher up discover us, : Harry responded nervously. Draco nodded and his green-eyed counterpart sent a thought to Fenix and the door was opened. She stood and stared the vacant corridor. Her right arm darted out and she poked Draco at his side. Harry began to hit his oathbrother on his head repeatedly for yelling aloud and the Slytherin was trying to pacify the green-eyed Gryffindor with apologies.

: What in hell are you two doing out here? : Fenix asked dangerously.

: We wanted to see and say something before everyone else does, : Draco answered easily as he emerged from the protection of the cloak and ushered the mystified Fire Master back into her office.

Harry closed the door behind him and threw the cloak onto an unoccupied chair. "What? Your partner isn’t here with you?" he remarked slyly and laughed when Fenix gave him a sour look.

"Careful Harry. I am a teacher and I was a Slytherin. I might decide to knock off some points."

"That’s a great idea!" Draco said brightly as he thought about the prospect of Slytherin winning the House Cup for the first time ever since The Boy Who Lived had been enrolled into Hogwarts. Fenix stared sternly at the Slytherin.

"Watch it Drake, or I’ll recruit Sirius to give you detention and make you do more pushups," she said and the Slytherin blanched, remembering how painful his shoulders and biceps had felt after the two weeks of detention given by Dumbledore.

"Ah... no thanks Fenix," he responded in a timid voice.

"Here. Open this." Harry held the package and she accepted it, looking suspiciously at them.

A note fell out as she carefully opened the wrapping and was about to read it when Harry stopped her, saying that she needed to see what’s inside the package first and she gave in to the youth’s wish.

It looks like a scarf, Fenix mused then frowned as she lifted the article from its paper wrappings. But a scarf doesn’t have stitches and bra-pads. She stared stupidly at the gift in shock as it unfolded to reveal a solid blue-white gown. She alternated her stunned eyes between the gown and the two boys who were smiling tenderly at her.

: Happy birthday, Fenix, : said both of the oathbrothers.

The Fire Master felt horribly stunned. Did they make a gown just for my birthday? A voice screamed inside her head loudly.

Draco chuckled and remarked, "She doesn’t seem capable to handle the truth that we had made it for her, Green-Eyes."

Harry was grinning widely at her and she wordlessly went to the two taller boys to give them a hug. They stayed in that threefold bear-hug for several minutes before she pulled herself gently away from them.

She looked up at them wonderingly, and they saw that her face was streaked with tears ad Harry calmly brushed the remaining tears away from her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.

The Slytherin was struck by the similarity of her cadence and the werewolf’s and he decided that the two were meant for each other like a mating pair of macaws.

: Wolves, : his oathbrother corrected.

"Go and put it on," Draco urged her and handed her the forgotten note.

**********

Fenix had resisted all efforts of her Elementals’ help that time round and she braided half of her hair on her own although she did need a little help from Aelwyn to lace the back for her. She read the note again. Be down at the lake by midnight. That brief note was of her partner’s handwriting. The feeling of impatience coming from the oathbrothers made her sigh and she went out of her bedroom to pose for the makers.

"Perfect..." Draco’s silver eyes watched her dreamily.

"More than perfect..." Harry agreed and he yelped when the door opened without warning.

"Harry!" Sirius’s eyes widened and scowled then stood awestruck as he stared at his oathsister.

"Isn’t it nice? They made it for me," Fenix answered and smiled warmly at Snape who was looking a little crestfallen.

"It seems that the two of them had beaten us to it," the Potions Master almost whined and Fenix couldn’t help but peered at the object he was hiding behind his back.

"You guys have been absent so you could make me presents?" she asked them with a voice that was solidified with incredulity.

: The two of you had better get back to your own beds before I decide to give you more detention, : Snape said suggestively and at his somber look, the oathbrothers dashed out of the room and Harry had to turn back and get the cloak and disappeared off from the office, knowing that they had to back out before they get into more arguments with their godfathers.

"Happy birthday, little sister," Sirius said as he kissed her lightly on the cheek while Snape kissed her on her forehead. She hugged them individually and looked at the wrapped, rectangular object with open curiosity. Sirius signaled to the Potions Master and with a tiny bit of magic, the silky covering slowly vanished to reveal a Fenix dressed in dark green evening gown and the Fire Master stared at it breathlessly. The next thing to catch her eyes was the stark beauty of the wooden frame itself and Snape glowed when he saw her silver eyes lighted up, picking the tiny twisting of the carvings.

"I don’t think I can handle more birthday gifts," she said nervously. She was clearly at a loss for words. "Maybe I shouldn’t go down to see Remus."

"Fenix, since when have you become a coward?" Sirius asked, and Fenix felt his mirth. She turned a helpless look at him and he laughed heartily. He pulled her and squeezed the breath out of her as he embraced her. She was then pushed to Snape and he took his turn to hold the woman in his arms and couldn’t resist giving another kiss on her forehead.

She poked him at his side and fumed and Snape smirked because he was aware that she knew that he had kissed her on the forehead on purpose. "Yes, Fenix. I am trying to make a point of your lack of height." She stuck her tongue at him.

"Lazy guy."She gave a disdainful sniff.

"Maybe you ought to go to your partner before he gets a chance to sulk," Snape suggested.

"My partner does not sulk!" Fenix replied scathingly and he snickered, indicating with an eyebrow that he knew that the werewolf had sulked when he found out that she had sketched a half-naked Potions Master.

**********

This is really freaky, she thought as she looked about the castle grounds and swiftly headed for the lake. The near full moon reflected hazily upon the frozen lake, fractioning the moonlight and the sight was just too beautiful for her to find the words to describe the phenomenon.

Even in the distance, she was able to make out the werewolf’s unmoving form. A breeze began to blow gently and she stared in appreciation, watching her partner’s long brown cloak as it moved with the wind.

This is freaky. Am I so excited that I don’t feel the cold? She watched her partner turn his head slightly to watch her approach. His face was solemn and once again, as she stood slightly six inches away from him, she was trapped in the depths of his hazel brown eyes.

He did not speak. Whatever that he had been practicing in his mind was totally erased as their eyes locked. Maybe... Maybe words wouldn’t matter to us tonight.

**********

: Absolutely cloying, : Snape ‘muttered’. Sirius snorted and waited for the two by the lake to move. Or something.

**********

Remus found enough power to snap himself out of the mesmerizing effects of her silver eyes. He took a step forward and his arms moved on their own to cup her chin. Tilting her face so that the moonlight shone directly on her silver eyes, he leaned down and closing his eyes, he kissed her.

**********

"They’re hopelessly in love," Sirius observed clinically, struggling not to chuckle and trying not to feel murderous at the same time and peculiarly, the Potions Master was in a similar condition to the Black.

**********

He slowly caressed her lips with the tip of his tongue and smiled when she shivered at the treatment. His hands were on her waist now and pulled her closer. Fenix wasn’t aware that both of them were swaying gently with a soft rhythm that was slowly making itself heard.

**********

: What in Merlin’s world... : Snape frowned as the two hidden wizards tried to pinpoint the source of melody and Sirius poked him gently before pointing his chin to their left. Snape flushed when they saw that they had been discovered by the elves.

Cadriel gave them a sly wink as he blew a note on his flute. Mineif was smiling gently as he tapped on a pair of small drums and Jaheera was totally lost in fingering her guitar strings. The two ‘spies’ turned back to watch the pair.

**********

"Remus," Fenix spoke up when she finally heard Elven music playing in the air. "I have to warn you that I don’t know how to dance."

Her partner laughed lightly and Fenix had to remind herself not to drool as she watched the werewolf’s body as it moved in time with the Elven Lord’s drumbeats.

**********

"I can’t believe my eyes," Sirius muttered under his breath and Snape looked quizzically at him. "Are you blind, Snivellus?" the Black jeered. "Can’t you see that the werewolf is seducing her?"

"What?" Snape looked carefully again at the dancing pair. He had to agree that the way the D.A.D.A. professor was moving was a bit on the sensual side but the Potions Master was unable to connect sensuality with the werewolf himself. "Remus... Seducing?" he asked rather doubtfully.

***********

: Use your imagination to move lover, : her partner advised. : This isn’t too different from your sword practices after all. :

: Imagination? : Fenix asked wearily, forcing her thoughts not to stray but the way Remus was dancing was really making her breathless. I certainly have to give him the credit. I did not imagine him to be a suave dancer. Oh dear Phoebus! My knees are growing so weak! She blushed as she thought helplessly about how good her partner looked to her.

‘Two can play the game,’ an insidious voice spoke up.

Then she found that her inner voice was right. So he wants me to be hungry... She thought slyly. Yes. Two can absolutely play the game, and she gave the werewolf a slow, provocative smile.

**********

Jaheera gazed suspiciously at the males of her kind. It seems rather obvious to me that they’re not letting her make her own moves. Conspiracies, conspiracies. I may be a neuter, but I am still a female. Oh well, I know Mineif is going to be put off with me later on, and possibly the werewolf too but there’s no way I’m going to leave this a one-sided affair. The Elven warrior smiled and waited for the right moment to start a new tune and the two males would absolutely have no choice but to follow her tempo. And hopefully I can maintain my dominance for a while, she thought to herself.

**********

She acted by instinct and let go of her partner. She struck a pose, challenging the werewolf with a superior look. Remus looked a little surprised and was showing a face portraying, ‘All right, this wasn’t in the plan’.

Distinct guitar notes struck solidly and the area fell into a hushed silence. Complicated fingerings steadily build up and Fenix used her imagination and first moved both her feet to the tempo. When the music picked up the pace she started to sway her hips and circled the werewolf seductively. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile when she saw his eyes flared and was staring at her waist and hips in fascination. She was slowly beginning to enjoy the feeling of power that coursed through her body and the wide-eyed admiration of her partner seemed to sparkle it into an inferno.

**********

"Moony’s got that one coming," Sirius chuckled nastily and nearly strangled Snape when he saw that his eyes were glazed over. : That’s it Snivellus! I am not going to tolerate you at my oathsib! :

: Fair is fair, Black! : Snape shot back angrily.

: You filthy Slytherins don’t understand the concept of fair! : Sirius snarled.

: Whatever. Might I remind you that the woman dancing out there had ogled me more than once? She even sketched me for Merlin’s sake! : Snape sounded scandalized to Sirius.

**********

Remus could not take his eyes off the Fire Master. The way that the lower part of her gown was unnerving him in more ways than one. I can’t leave it like this but how do I get the both of us to an equal footing? If I just stand her and continue to watch her, sooner or later I’m going to go out of control.

He belatedly noticed that Fenix had stopped moving and was slowly taking deep breaths. He was aware that she was scrutinizing him from head to toe and he blushed when she licked her lips and gave him a significant look.

The music began again and he beckoned her to come to him. She did and pressed herself close to him. I can’t help but wonder if the elves had been eavesdropping on my thoughts.

: What did you think of my dance? : Her mindvoice caressed his mind gently and he was getting intensely wild for her.

: Beautiful, but please, : he looked worriedly at her. : Take pity on me. Don’t do it too often or you’ll wear me out. :

: You mean this? : She firmly took his hands and pressed it on her hips and she swayed against him. He groaned and felt that it was time for them to finish their current dance and start a new one in a more private area.

**********

"Moony’s losing it," Sirius smirked.

"Losing what?" Snape asked in confusion.

"His desire you virg--" Sirius tried to stop himself but the word came out of his mouth and he paled. The Potions Master stared wordlessly at the Black before he snorted and reentered the castle on his own.

**********