The Marauders

*~Chapter 3~*

~~Notes and Kneazles~~

Kira-

Hi. Typical- here I am, writing to you, and I don't know what to write. How are things going for you? Anything exciting happen lately? Who am I trying to kid? I don't know why I'm even bothering to write this. Chances are I'll loose my nerve and never give this to you. Or, I will but will melt my cauldron again waiting to see your reaction. And with THEM in the class... Results would be disastrous. I won't go off on that subject though. I don't want to anger you.

Come to think of it, what did I want? Oh yes, I wanted to ask you something. They say it's difficult to say in person, but no one ever said it was hard in a note. So here goes: Will you go to the Winter Ball with me?

I know you think I'm a slime ball and would rather eat sludge, but at least consider it. Write soon.

Severus Snape

~*******~

"Are you gonna write back?" Lily asked, flopping down in her seat. They were the first in the tower.

"No, I'll just talk to him tomorrow, maybe... or Thursday. I don't know- Lily, what am I going to say? I mean, I want to go with Sirius, but he hasn't even shown an interest in going. I hope he doesn't think that going to this dance with me will change our friendship... will it?" Kira responded, leaning against the desk.

"Most likely not. It's just a dance after all," Lily assured her. She rummaged in her bag for a piece of Everlast Toffee. She found two and tossed one to Kira, "Besides, you two have been friends since second year. If something as trivial as a dance can break up a friendship, then it really isn't worth it."

"I hope you're right. Hey, what did you get out of Enna? Anything?" Kira inquired, taking her seat next to Lily.

"Nothing. She just said she wasn't feeling well. Bollocks, in my opinion. Something tells me that it has everything to do with Remus," mused Lily as she played with the toffee wrapper.

"I have that same feeling. And I want to know who the bloody hell Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs are! That's going to bother me all day now."

Slowly the tower filled with students. Sirius and James showed up with a few minutes to spare. After a moment, Kira leaned towards Sirius, who sat in front of her, and tapped his shoulder.

"Where's Remus and Enna?" she asked in a hoarse whisper?

Sirius turned around to face her, his nose barely an inch from hers. She backed up, startled. Her cheeks were tinted pink for the second time that day.

What the hell is wrong with me? She thought again, Just the other day we were cuddling on a chair, and now I blush whenever he comes close!

"Remus left his bag in the Common Room, apparently. I haven't seen Enna since we left breakfast," Sirius whispered back. He turned around and took a few long, deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

Maybe I should just ask her. Get it over with now. He turned and opened his mouth to say something, but his voice failed him. Kira raised an eyebrow.

Shit, he's gunna ask me... Oh, Merlin, just ask so I can say yes!

The door to the tower opened and Remus shuffled in. His books fell out of his bag as he slumped into his seat. Sirius turned his attention to his friend, leaving Kira to silently cuss at him.

Class began moments later. Enna still hadn't arrived.

"Do you think she'll be late?" Kira whispered to Lily as they pulled out their books.

"I don't know. If she doesn't show, I'll give her my notes. Yours frankly suck. No offense, of course," Lily whispered back with a small smile.

Kira's nose wrinkled into a mocking sneer and she muttered, "Ligare!" She flicked her wand at Lily's skirt, inwardly grinning.

Open your books to Chapter 5- Lunar Cycles," Professor Rizia instructed.

The class took notes as Professor Rizia lectured on the phases of the moon. Fifteen minutes passed; half an hour; forty-five minutes and still not sign of Enna.

Kira frowned, worried about her friend.

"Your assignment, which well be due tomorrow, is to label each phase of the moon on these charts--," Professor Rizia flicked her wand and the stack of papers at her desk began to distribute themselves to the students, "-- and I want one 30 centimeter roll of parchment on the cause of the shift in phases. You may have the last fifteen minutes of class to talk or to get started on the assignments."

She stressed the last statement with a note of pleading in her voice. Lily immediately began filling in her chart, glancing through her notes periodically. Sirius and James started whispering secretively and glancing at Professor Rizia.

Her greying mouse brown hair was pulled back into a sloppy bun, and her thin face looked pale as the moon itself. She was short and twiggy and her robes wouldn't have fit one of the smaller first years.

Kira guessed that Sirius and Remus were up to no good and they had a promise to keep, so she jabbed Sirius in the back with her quill and glared at him when he turned around. He sighed and shook his head at James.

When the bell rang, everyone jumped up and rushed to the door-- except for Lily. Kira watched, impressed at how well the binding spell had worked. Lily's skirt was stuck fast to the chair.

"Ms. Evans, are you planning on staying through the next class as well?" Professor Rizia asked irritated.

"No, Professor. It's my skirt... it's glued to the--"

RRRRIIIIPPP!!! James and Sirius stopped in the doorway and turned to see what had happened.

Kira had to sit down she was laughing so hard. Lily stood beet red and glowering at Kira. The back of her skirt was still on the chair and her purple thong underwear was clearly exposed.

Sirius snickered, but James elbowed him in the ribs and muttered "Reparo," his cheeks ruby. Her skirt again in one piece, Lily choked out a thank-you and left with James.

"What happened to no mischief?" Sirius asked as he and Kira walked to Double Herbology in Greenhouse 2.

"That was directed at you three. I never said that I was going to behave. Besides- she deserved it."

I frigid gust of winter air penetrated their winter cloaks as they stepped onto the grounds. A spontaneous urge made Sirius throw is arm around Kira's shoulders as they trudged through the powdery, glistening snow.

"You're a girl after me own heart. Sweet and innocent on the outside, mischievous and conniving within," Sirius said, shocked at his own boldness.

Kira could only smile and blush, thankful for the extra warmth.

~%*******%~

Enna sat on her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest, thinking of Remus.

He's all that I ever think of anymore. I don't know how dwelling on him is supposed to help me get over him.

Her thoughts wandered to breakfast and the events afterward.

~%*******%~

That Morning...

She had waited for the Great Hall's inhabitants to dwindle before she left. On the way out she passed James, Sirius, and Remus, her steps quickening involuntarily. Sirius jogged to catch her up.

"Enna, hold up. I've got a quick question," he said, falling in step next to her.

She prayed that he wouldn't ask her about Remus. Whether it was the expression on her face or just dumb luck, his question had nothing to do with him. In fact, it had nothing to do with Enna either.

"Does Kira have a date for the Ball yet?" he asked.

"Not that I know of," she answered, nearly laughing with relief.

"Thanks," he said and turned back to his mates.

Enna's mind was in a cloud and she didn't bother with where she was going. Her feet led her past the Astronomy Tower and on to the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Password dear," she said as Enna absently tried to open the portrait on her own.

"Oh, uh... kneazle."

The portrait swung forward and Enna clambered into the deserted Common Room. Her feet instinctively brought her up the dormitory steps, past the fourth and fifth year doors, to her own dormitory.

You should go to class a small voice warned her.

But I'm too confused. There's no point in going if I won't be able to concentrate. She decided to go the Common Room and think by the fire.

Enna's robes made a soft swishing sound as she descended the stairs. Still wrapped in her thoughts she failed to hear the rustling sounds from the Common Room as Remus rummaged for his bag.

She stopped dead when she saw him.

"Aha- gotcha!" Remus exclaimed, reaching between an old worn armchair and a coffee table marked with water rings and scratches. He stood and checked to make sure his astronomy book was in the bag.

Enna, frozen on the stairs, struggled to sort through the jumble of thoughts clamoring in her head.

Say something-do something-go back upstairs-don't move-don't speak... These thoughts and more ceased when Remus looked up.

Misty tawny eyes met clouded chocolate ones. Each was startled to meet the other's gaze, and neither was able to look away. Instead they tried to read what the other was thinking.

Enna knew that Remus could keep his emotions hidden when he wanted to. You could tell when he was hiding, because his eyes became misty and he adopted an indifferent attitude. Now, however, his eyes seemed to clear. They pleaded, longing for her acceptance. The amber pools drew her in, made her feel the pain she was causing him. She felt her own eyes fill with tears and prayed that they would not spill.

Remus couldn't help it- the mask he always wore over his feelings melted as he stared into the warm chocolate depths of Enna's eyes. Her gaze made him want to tell her everything- from the day he was bitten to that very moment. He searched for some inkling of understanding. He willed her to see how he ached without her. He knew he had gotten something through when he saw her beautiful russet eyes tear up.

A ginger fur ball came hurtling out of nowhere, hissing and spitting. Kira's tiny kitten, Crookshanks, skidded around Enna's legs, coughing and spitting at a dark shape in the window at the far wall. Remus turned to see what it was and Enna took flight, silently dashing up the stairs to throw herself onto her bed and let the tears flow.

"Enna--!" Remus said when he turned and saw she had gone, "That was your fault, cat." He said sharply. Crookshanks flicked his tail arrogantly at him and scrambled up the steps after Enna, dodging Remus's kick.

Remus turned back to the window and recognized the snowman like shape of an owl at the narrow window. He walked over and cautiously opened it. An eagle owl hop skipped onto the sill. An icy winter breeze ruffled his feathers. He pecked at the black ribbon tied around his foot and held it out impatiently for Remus to untie. Remus undid the ribbon and unrolled the small scroll. The owl showed what he thought of the Gryffindor Common Room, leaving a small pile of droppings on the sill before he soared out of sight.

"Probably a Slytherin owl... but why would anyone send an owl here?" he muttered to himself.

The name at the top of the parchment wasn't his and he made to set it down. However, the name at the bottom caught his eye and he decided to read.

Kira-

I'm still waiting for your response. Please let me know, in person, if you would go to the Winter Ball with me. I'm anxious to hear from you.

Severus Snape

Remus folded the paper and decided to show Sirius later. He aught to know that he was right- and that he'd better ask Kira to the Ball soon, or he'll have to watch as Snivellus dances with her.

~%*******%~

No one in the history of flirting could out-flirt Sirius Black. But for some reason, he couldn't even bring himself to give Kira one of his most winning smiles. The Greenhouse was unseasonably tropical, so he reluctantly removed his arm from around Kira's shoulders. At first she had been stiff and uncomfortable, but as they walked she had snuggled more comfortably into his arms. He knew he would have to ask her to the dance soon, but he didn't know when the right time was.

"Today we will be pruning these mangora shrubs," Professor Sprout waved a gloved hand at rows of potted shrubs.

Each plant had what looked like fluffy orange rabbit tails hanging from the branches. The bark was an ashen grey color, with a smooth, soft texture.

"Everyone one would kindly take a pair of clippers and stand near one of the mangoras," Professor Sprout instructed, taking a pair herself. The plump woman tucked a few loose strands of dark brown hair back behind her ears.

Sirius chose the shrub next to Kira. Its branches were tangled and stretching beyond the boundaries of its pot. Sirius groaned inwardly. This is going to be fun trying to prune...

Kira's mangora was just as tangled, but didn't sprawl as Sirius's did. She silently passed Sirius a pair of clippers and took one for herself. They silently began clipping off the sprawling branches.

"Now, be extremely careful not to clip off the fruit. The mangoras are young and if you are exposed to the aroma of the fruit for more than a few moments, it will have you in a daze for weeks. Does anyone know what the mature fruit is used for?" Professor Sprout asked. Kira clipped one last branch, barely nicking on of the fruits. She shrugged it off, not noticing the small wisp of colored smoke that seemed to be traveling toward her.

A few students tentatively raised their hands, Kira included.

"Miss Lenya?"

"It is used to put people into a trance," Kira answered, her voice quivering a bit. Sirius wondered what was making her so nervous. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the edge of the table.

"Correct. Now can anyone explain how this is done?" Professor Sprout asked.

"Kira, what's wrong?" Sirius whispered urgently as Professor Sprout continued to ask the students questions, awarding points to those with the best answers.

"I think I need to sit down. I'm feeling weak," she said, looking around for a chair.

"Accio garden stool!" Sirius muttered and a chipped green garden stool drifted inconspicuously towards them.

"Thank you," Kira said as she sank slowly onto the chair.

Her world swam before her eyes, turning dark. Sirius caught her just before she slumped off the stool.

~%*******%~

Enna wandered into the hospital wing carrying a bag filled to the brim with Bertie Bott's Beans. She was meaning to go check up on Peter, who was suffering, once again, from his own clumsiness. "Now is the perfect time, since I've got nothing better to do besides mope over Remus," Enna thought miserably to herself. She walked into the room, heading straight for Peter's usual spot in the corner, when she was stopped by the rustling sound of bed sheets, coming from the other side of the room.

All thought of Peter left her mind as she approached the closed curtains. She lifted her hand to pull them apart and peek inside. The sight that met her, made her chocolate-brown eyes widen. Severus Snape was leaning over the figure of a girl, leaning over close enough to kiss her.

~%*******%~

Kira awoke in the hospital wing.

It must've been the fruit... but I didn't think it would react that fast!

A dark shape was hovering over her, near enough that she could feel the gentle warmth of his breath on her cheeks. She sat up suddenly, and her visitor backed up just as suddenly, blushing profusely.

"I'm s-s-sorry, Kira," a low voice stuttered.

"Severus?" Kira asked, astounded. "What are you doing here?"

"I j-just came to s-see how you were d-doing." The Slytherin said, unable to stop his constant stuttering. "When I h-heard about the a-accident in the greenhouse, I w-wanted to m-make s-sure you were a-alright."

Kira opened her mouth to say something but words wouldn't come. Instead she sighed. "Thank you, Severus, for caring." But why does it have to be Severus who cares and not Sirius? Kira thought.

XIX