Fog, Ice and the Green Earth

The last notes rolled into silence in the Great Hall. Huge lantern-carved pumpkins glowed in the corners of the room and live bats decorated the ceiling. Corrina stilled the harp strings and sat with eyes lowered, listening for the hush that follows true music, the stillness that is the highest accolade.

When the applause died away, Hugo Weasley stepped forward.

"Legend has it that our last song has been played in the Faerie King's court itself. We hope you enjoy it"

With her head held high on her graceful neck, Nadine joined him on stage.

"The water is wide, I cannot get o'er

And neither have I wings to fly."

It had seemed natural for Hugo to join the trio of girls last year; he was Lily's cousin after all, and the sound of his guitar harmonized with Corrina's raven-headed lap harp.

His tenor mingled with Nadine's soaring voice in their a cappella duet.

"Give me a boat, that will carry two,

And both shall row, my love and I."

The two singers' eyes met with a bemused expression, as they stepped back and barrel-chested Rory MacCrimmon stepped forward. His Scottish burr filled the hall.

"O, love be bonnie, an' love be bright,

A little time while it is new!"

He was uncommonly large and burly for a fifteen year old, and somehow one did not expect a Muggle-born Hufflepuff to have such . . . a pugnacious presence, Corrina mused.

"But when 'tis auld it waxeth cauld,

And fades awa' like morning dew."

It had been something of a surprise when Rory had demanded an audition in the month just past. They were all in their fifth year, and the thought of OWLs had been the centre of their concern until...

"The bagpipes? The BAGPIPES? How can bagpipes possibly work?" Nadine was outraged. "Who ever heard of BAGPIPES in a group?"

"Me, for one, an' me parents for two more," said Rory, the high colour in his cheeks giving the lie to his calm tone.

Nadine sputtered a while longer, finally allowing Hugo to persuade her to give his friend a chance. The bushy-haired Ravenclaw could coax Nadine into doing almost anything, eventually.

Corrina watched the House tables as Lily joined Rory.

"Give me a boat, that will carry two,

And both shall row, my love and I.

And both shall row, my love and I."

As all four voices rose in the final stanza, Corrina found herself locked eye to eye with Scorpius.

*********************************************************************

It was cold at the top of the Astronomy Tower. The moon shone gibbous in the sky.

The five friends had sneaked up to the tower on Corrina's insistence. Bottles of butterbeer, empty and full, told of the celebration of their performance. But rather than join in the chatter, Corrina sat quietly apart, watching and reflective.

It's a good thing that Hugo and Nadine are in different Houses.

The two had turned into the kind of couple that finished each other's sentences, and were at great pains to explain to the world at large just how wonderful the other was. The saving grace for their friends was that they could not be together all the time.

Rory and Lily, on the other hand, were prickly and combative, constantly competitive. But of late, Lily seemed to look upon him with a kindlier eye.

Surely two people that strike sparks like flint and steel will not be able to resist each other for long.

Corrina felt isolated, alone in the world. She turned her head to watch Zwarthart prowling the top of the tower with Lily's tabby cat, hunting for only they knew what. At a slight noise, the tabby turned, arched her back, and hissed.

The door to the tower had opened, and Scorpius stood there, his wand lit and his expression grim.

"What are you lot doing up here? It's off limits and you know that as well as I do."

"Oh don't be such a Head Boy! We were going to sing down the moon tonight!" Corrina called from her perch.

"You will be doing no such thing. You'll be getting yourselves back to your Houses and you'll be doing it right now."

Rory's eyes started to narrow, ready to retort. But Lily grabbed his arm.

"Not now, you idiot! Let's go!"

Grumbling, Rory allowed himself to be dragged off, while a contrite Nadine and an apologetic Hugo followed.

"And what about you? Think you're above the rules?" asked Scorpius as he extinguished his wand with a quiet "Nox".

"Well, from up here, perhaps I am."

Corrina had stood up on the battlement. The breeze tugged at her robes and tangled her dark hair. She balanced precariously for a moment looking down at Scorpius' upturned face.

"Get down from there! What if you fall? It's not like you can fly!"

Scorpius was exasperated and a little afraid. Corrina looked half wild, as if she might do any foolish thing that came into her mind.

"Can't I? Perhaps I should try!"

As she jumped down the rising wind knocked her off balance and she stumbled against him. Flushing, she turned back to the battlements to hide her discomfort and gazed at the night sky.

It was cold and clear and the stars looked close enough to grasp. The wind rushed through the forest leaves, tearing down the last bit of autumn splendour. From far off came a lonely and wild sound.

"It is Samhain, and tonight the Wild Hunt rides." Corrina's eyes glittered in the light of the setting moon as she cut a sideways glance at the pale shadow that had joined her.

I only hear geese.

"They say..." Corrina's voice was soft. "They say that tonight the King of the Fair Folk leads his fey huntsman and their fell hounds across the skies, to gather up the lost souls and take them back to Faerie. Do you think I should go with them?"

"No, I think you should stay here. . . " he whispered and slipped his arm around her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

She leaned her head against him with a sigh and put her arm around his waist, her smile faintly surprised.

********************************************************************

When Corrina finally opened the door to the dormitory, Nadine was ready to pounce.

"Muffliato!" With a quick swish of her wand, Nadine made sure their conversation would be private.

"Well? Well? What HAPPENED?"

Corrina blushed. She would have preferred to get quietly into bed and keep her feelings to herself, but Nadine was not to be denied.

"Nothing, really."

"Don't give me that! I got back here an hour ago. Something happened, I know it did. You wouldn't have that look on your face if nothing had happened!"

"He put his arm around me."

"And? AND?"

"And then we talked for a bit."

"AND?"

"And he kissed me." Corrina blushed furiously.

Nadine threw herself back on her bed in rapture.

"I knew it, I knew it. You two were meant for each other, anyone can see that! It's like when Hugo and I. . . ."

"I don't know that anyone has ever said that." Corrina cut her off quickly. The last thing she needed was yet another recitation of the sterling qualities of Hugo Weasley.

'Hmm, that's just because they haven't said it to you. I've heard it plenty of times." Nadine smirked. "Just wait 'til Pucey finds out, she's been after Scorpius since day one!"

And with that final thought the two girls curled up in their beds, Corrina replaying the memories of the evening in her mind until she fell asleep smiling.

********************************************************************

Winter had a gentle hand that year. It was cold only to the degree that curling up together before a cosy fire was necessary. Snow fell softly, leaving the castle and forest gently blanketed, transforming the familiar into something new and beautiful.

It seemed that the season held its breath, while love slowly took root, waiting for the warmth of spring to grow and flower.

The news that the pure-blooded Head Boy was involved with a girl whose family was completely unknown spread through the school at the speed of an excited whisper. Depending on their background students were either titillated or horrified. It was a nine-day wonder, and then accepted and forgotten, with one notable exception.

"Don't mind Pucey," said Scorpius reassuringly, his arm around Corrina's shoulders as they walked in the April sunshine to the lake to skip rocks and tickle the giant squid's tentacles. "She is all talk. Just jealous. Harmless, really."

"I suppose so," replied Corrina, a frown creasing her brow. "But she has a wicked tongue. And she enjoys using it. She practically had Nadine in tears the other day."

"Nadine needs to stop worrying so much about what other people think and stand up for herself. I know you have her under your wing, but she needs to fly on her own."

"This from the heights of your knowledge as a seventh year, I suppose?" Corrina teased.

"I'm Head Boy, too, don't forget that. It counts."

"Yes, it does, just don't be too big-headed about it!" Corrina laughed and hugged him tight.

********************************************************************

Corrina rubbed her eyes and yawned. As Scorpius' NEWTs and her OWLs drew nearer, they seemed to be spending what little time they had together across a library table, studying.

Idly she flicked her wand and whispered, "Expecto Patronum!" The silvery form circled her head and few into the stacks of books, narrowly missing Audrey Pucey's glaring face.

"Have you told your parents? That you want to be an Auror?"

"Yes." Scorpius frowned. "My father didn't seem to like the idea. But it's exciting, not like living off the family gold at the Manor. Although, it's not like there is anything very organised to fight against. The glory days are gone, I suppose."

Corrina looked away. She had heard the rumours, that Draco Malfoy had been a Death Eater. That Scorpius's grandfather had hosted the Dark Lord. Scorpius was clever and ambitious. Perhaps becoming an Auror would wash out some of the taint that had stained the family line.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt you to study a little harder," Scorpius said acerbically. "OWLs have a written portion, not just a practical one."

Corrina had just opened her mouth to reply when Madam Pince, furious at the flagrant use of magic in the library, swooped down, Pucey smirking behind her.

Well, at least I have an excuse to go down to the Forest. I'd much rather do that than study Potions anyway. . . .

This time the thestrals' meadow had another visitor. Fox sat on a boulder, smiling slyly.

"Studying hard, I see . . . ."

"Oh, its just exams. I don't care about exams, much. What difference does it make what I learn here, anyhow?"

"What difference . . . ? Did you ever wonder why the Black King went to all the trouble to get you a wand and send you to this . . . this . . . ridiculous school for wizards?"

Fox regarded her thoughtfully. It was not an expression she was used to seeing on his pointed face.

"Raven, you are already very strong, and you will grow even stronger as you learn more. You know that the Darkness is growing; you have felt it."

"Yes, I have; crossing between the worlds; the heavy mist and despair, as if all happiness had been drained out of me. . . ." Shivering, she ran her fingers over her wand, thinking of the Patronus charm that she had learned, of the happy memory that produced the silver bird.

"Not so long ago the wizarding world battled Darkness. Our turn is coming, and soon. It will take all we have to defend against it. And just like the Black King, you belong with us and not with this world."

Fox read her surprise.

"Oh yes, the Black King is a mortal, or at least he was. He has been in Faerie long enough to start changing into - what is it? Something "rich and strange", as the poet says. . . ."

I belong here. Not in Faerie.

"If the Darkness wins in Faerie it will be felt in the mortal world, too. It will affect everything you hold dear here. Remember that, Raven, when it comes time to make your choice."

"I have a choice?"

"Of course, you do."

I belong here. Not in Faerie. Here. Don't I?

**************************

Warm sunlight sparkled on the distant lake. NEWTs were over, and so were OWLs, and they had just a little time left before Scorpius would be graduating from Hogwarts.

"I would never have thought you would work so hard for your Potions OWL, Corrina," said Scorpius. "I thought you hated it."

"Well, I guess you must have inspired me."

And the knowledge could be useful, no matter what. . . .

"You have certainly been more studious this spring. You're really getting serious about this. You're top of the class, now, and that's saying something with that Weasley boy around. Even if he is in your music group, you must admit he is a self-righteous prig sometimes. Always wants to be tops, too. . . . "

Corrina reflected on the group. Music was magic. But for some reason the wizards didn't seem to realise that.

Perhaps that wasn't so bad or there would be an OWL for that too!

"The next couple of years are going to be hard," said Scorpius seriously. "I'll be training; at least, I hope I will be. I should be able to get away some weekends and see you in Hogsmeade, though."

I belong here, not in Faerie. Here. But I don't have to choose yet; I don't have to think about it for at least two years. . . .

"And I am not going to think of it now," she muttered to herself, as she leaned her head against his shoulder and let the sun warm her pale face.