Beware The Billowy Cape of Doom

BEWARE THE BILLOWY CAPE OF DOOM- Chapter 3- Angel of Music.

The next time any of the Mauraders got to speck to Krystall was when an owl delivered a letter to the Gryffindor table instead of the Ravenclaw one. It was Remus who delivered the wrongly delivered owl post to the rightful owner.
“I think this is yours!!,” he stuttered as he handed the letter over.
“Oh, thanks Remus. That owl of my uncle’s is really old now. No wonder he messes up deliveries!”
“Oh, I thought those people on the platform were your parents.”
“Unfortunately, they’re not. My parents… well I’m not sure I know who they are. I was brought up by my aunt and uncle, so I’ve only ever really known them from what they have told me about them. My parents were quite young when I was born, so who knows if I will ever see them,” Krystall said, as she read the letter.
“Anything good in there?,” inquired Remus.
“Oh, yes!,” beamed Krystall, as she got up from her seat at the Ravenclaw table and headed over towards the Entrance Hall. Krystall read her letter with relish and couldn’t wait to tell Severus. ‘God bless Aunt Mabel,’ she thought as her mind turned to how the next few weeks would pan out. ‘I can’t believe she’s managed to get hold of tickets for this!,’ Krystall thought to herself, over and over every day, joyfully and so excited as to what was waiting in the wings. The next Potions lesson was a loud and messy one, perfect for Krystall to talk to Severus about the letter.
“What did it say?,” Severus shouted over the din. Krystall shook her head and slid the letter across the desk to him. As he read it, a grin like the one Krystall had on her own face when she first read the letter started to play on his usually calm, still face.
“Is this for real??,” he asked once they were finished for the lesson and walking out of the classroom.
“I think so. Aunt Mabel has never lied to me before, so why should she start now?,” debated Krystall, taking back the letter and putting it carefully into her bag.
“It says you can bring two extra people. If I’m the first- hopefully- then who is the second?,” Severus asked cheekily.
“You may not like my answer Sev,” replied Krystall.
“Oh no….. not Lupin!!”
“As a matter of fact, YES, Remus was and is my second choice. You and Remus are the only people here at Hogwarts that know my family history- or lack of it I should really say.”
“Oh, you’ve told him then.”
“Well he asked the morning I received this letter. It seemed only fair to answer a valid question with a candid answer.”
“And if I don’t like the idea…?”
“If you don’t like it, then don’t worry about being all nicey nicey with me from now on or ever again Severus Snape,” shouted Krystall as they mounted the Grand staircase. She soon finished ranting and was heading towards the Arithmancy part of the castle, leaving Severus to head back down the stairs, jumping over the trick step, to his own houses’ common room for his free period. The letter had said that the performance was during the Christmas holidays, so he decided he had only a few weeks to make up with her and accept that Lupin was going to be there also. During the next Potions lesson Severus had decided to take his chance to apologise, but found his friend had joined her fellow Ravenclaws on the opposite side of the dungeon instead of her usual seat next to his. All lesson he watched her and wished he hadn’t agued with her over Lupin. He tried to catch up with her after the lesson, but was pushed back by her Ravenclaw friends, which is when he gave it up for a bad cause and walked away in the opposite direction. Before he knew it, Krystall was running to catch up with HIM – and soon ran straight into him as he stopped to allow Professor Flitwick through a doorway.
“Mind how fast you run in the corridors Miss Calvet-Blott!”
“Sorry Professor, I won’t run again unless I really, desperately have to- like in a life or death situation Sir!,” extaduated Kyrstall, laughing with her own Head of House. Once Professor Flitwick was out of ear shot, Severus turned to her and asked,
“Why were you running in the first place?”
“I came to say …… sorry ….. for shouting at you last week.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about in class, but you sat with the rest of the Ravenclaws.”
“I know, but Kiki was adamant I sit with her for a change!,” Krystall explained, face now radiant, now that she and her friend were once more on speaking terms.
“Well, all I wanted to say was if you really want Lupin to come with us too, then that’s fine with me. I’ll somehow manage to keep my tongue from lashing out at him,” laughed Severus.
“Just be relieved that Aunt Mabel only said two extras!! I would have had to invite all of the Mauraders too if she hadn’t put a limit on how many!,” grinned Kyrstall.
“Now that would have been a nightmare!,” laughed Severus, as they both entered the Transfiguration lesson. Professor McGonagall wasn’t there yet, so Kyrstall had time to inform Remus about the invite for Christmas at her aunt and uncle’s place, and the performance- if he wanted to go too, with herself and Severus. He agreed, as he really didn’t have any problems with Severus personally. It was his friends James Potter and Sirius Black that had the problem.
“Do you think you will be able to stand spending 3 weeks with ‘Snivellus’?,” joked James, as they were strolling around the lake, tossing in toast crusts and watching the Giant Squid raise a tentacle and scoop it down below the water to its mouth.
“I’m doing it for Krystall,” Remus said quietly.
“Oh Loony, are you loved up?,” teased Sirius.
“She’s a fantastic girl, don’t get me wrong, but the fact that she hangs about and talks to slimy Snape……” jeers James, silently shaking his head. Pettigrew had remained silent until now and added,
“She is pretty.”
“Oh, my , god…. Even Wormtail here has noticed the delectable Miss Calvet-Blott!! I think there might be a battle on her hands soon Prongs, Loony old pal!!,” Sirius stated. James nodded in agreement.
“Just watch out for ‘Snivellus’ making a move on your girl Loony,” warned Sirius, half joking, half serious.
“Now, now Padfoot. Krystall isn’t ‘ my girl’ as you so kindly put it. She’s just a friend,” Remus explained to his friends and even more to his-self . Both boys were really looking forward to the Christmas holidays more than usual and more than anyone else in the entire school. The main reason being that Remus usually went home, or to James’ with the rest of their gang, and Severus spent his holidays mainly still in the castle. This would be a very nice change for him. The holidays were soon on them and along with the three friends, half the school was also leaving to spend Christmas with their own families. Even though there was half as many travelling on the train it was still quite packed as many people had a compartment to themselves, like the three friends had done, all because Krystall had insisted on it, mainly so the boys could spend some time to get along. They were going to be spending 3 weeks together, 24/7 for Pete’s sake. The train journey seemed to fly and they were soon off loading and wheeling they trunks through the barrier that lead them on to the platform in Kings Cross Station, London. Waiting for them was a tall and bulky looking fellow, who beamed as he caught sight of Kyrstall, who in turn sprinted with her trolley to him and was enveloped into a mighty hug.
“Hey sweetheart,” her uncle greeted her as he hug her tight. They pulled apart and then realised that Remus and Severus were left standing just behind them.
“Uncle, these are my friends, Severus and Remus. And before you ask, no, none of them are my boyfriend,” laughed Krystall. Her uncle, who introduced his self as Frank, laughed too, as they made their way to the car park outside the station. He led them to a dark, sleek looking 4x4 car and started to load the trunks into the boot. When the boys moved to help, he shook his head and said.
“No, just get in the car lads. You’re on holiday now and guests of myself and my wife, Mabel. Go on, get in!” The boys looked at each other, wary of the car and unsure about travelling in it.
“It’s ok. Uncle’s an excellent driver. He works as a stunt driver for the movies, oh and the Ministry of Magic, but I’m not allowed to know what he does and why!” The boys pondered on this and just let it be, as Krystall had done, whilst clambering into the rear seats of the rather comfy car.
The journey in the comfy car was passing without advent and about 2 hours after setting off from the station, Krystall turned round in her front seat so she could face the two lads in the back.
“Oh just to let you know, you will be sharing a room at Blott Bungalow- that’s my aunt and uncle’s place,” she said with some glee. The two boys looked at each other, distain burning in their eyes, and then back at Krystall who spoke again, but in a hushed whisper,
“They’re quite old fashioned, that’s all.” The rest of the ride in the car was spent in silence and once at the house, Krystall shoved the two unwilling boys up the pathway to the front door, where they were greeted by Aunt Mabel, a woman of the same statue of Krystall but with salt and pepper hair tied loosely into a ponytail that trailed down her back.
“Hello my dear, have a good term at school?,” she asked as she peeked her niece on the cheek and gave her arm a squeeze.
“Have you told these fine boys that..”
“They are sharing a room, yes I have aunt,” Krytsall said with a smile, and then motioned for the boys to follow her. Once they reached the room to be shared, she turned round and smiled before speaking.
“I asked Aunt Mabel to put a piece of chalk on the bedside table, just in case you wanted to draw a line down the middle of the room or something, if you’re both really bothered about sharing a room that much!” The smile on Krytsall’s face turned to a mischievous grin.
“I’ll leave you two to get used to this room, and I’ll come get you when dinner is ready. See you later!” She then turned once more and headed out the room, only to disappear down the stairs. Severus walked over to the table and picked up the piece of chalk, fondling it in his hand, almost weighing up in his mind what to do. His thoughts were interrupted by Remus saying something.
“I’m happy to stick to my side of the room if you really want to mark territories Severus,” he said as he sat down on the nearest bed to him and the door. They waited in silence whilst their belongings were brought up to them by Uncle Frank, and it was only after he had gone that Severus made any movement on to start drawing a line. Over the course of a couple of hours, Severus painstakingly worked on drawing a thick white line down the centre of the two beds.
“I can’t believe that you actually drew a line!! I didn’t think you would REALLY do it!,” Krystall said in astonishment at the pristine white line. Severus was still on the floor, at her feet, knelt down when she entered the room and stood there. He hadn’t noticed her come in. ‘God, how long was she stood there for? Was she watching me draw the line?’ Severus thought. ‘Nar, don’t be stupid Severus, She’s only just walked in,’ he reasoned with his own mind.
“Oh well, time to wash up. Dinner is almost ready. Just follow the scent with your noses and you’ll soon find the kitchen,” Krystall called as she once again disappeared down the stairs. Dinner was simply divine and the holidays went along this route for the duration and seemed to pass fluidly. The three friends were getting just fine after the initial shock of having to share had warn off the boys and were soon enjoying themselves, perhaps a little too much. The middle week weekend was the one where they would get to see the performance, which they had been told lots about. It was the musical version of The Phantom of the Opera. Krystall and Severus were feverously waiting to see it, whereas Remus was just glad it wasn’t a full moon, or anytime near one! Krystall still didn’t know about Remus and his aversion to full moons, but she soon would. It was Friday night and the small group of five were crowded around the small fireplace in the front room of Blott Bungalow, waiting for their turn to use the Floo Powder. They all used the Floo Network to travel to The Leaky Cauldron, which was just round the corner from the theatre. The queue was long and they soon found their way to the front, handed the bouncer with the list of names the tickets, who in turn marked their names off the list and let them in by moving the velvet rope and soon replaced it as people in the queue behind them tried to follow them. They were shown to their seats and waited for the performance to begin. Krystall was extremely fidgety and couldn’t relax until it started. They all sat there mesmerised by the spectacle that was the performance on the stage until the interval, which was when everyone used the time to use the facilities and refresh themselves or just to stretch aching legs and get more refreshments. The second half was even more fantastic than the first. At the end, Krystall along with everyone else in the theatre was on her feet clapping wildly and shouting at the top of her voice. On the way home all Krystall could do was sing the songs from the musical and this really impressed the two boys very much. When they were back at Blott Bungalow, the boys went to their shared room and were soon discussing how much Krystall was like and would be such a great Christine.
“Her voice is incredible!!,” Remus mussed, gazing out of the window, looking at the half moon- begging it silently not to change anymore till he was back at Hogwarts.
“Yes, she would make an excellent Christine. But who would want to get involved in such a task at school?,” asked Severus, head once stuck into the book Krystall had leant him. He still hadn’t given it back, and he didn’t want to because Krystall had gone out of her way to get it for him to read. The next week was the one when they would head back to Hogwarts at the end of it and it was also a full moon. Because of the full moon, Remus had to return before the end of the week, but made the excuse that his two friends, Sirius and James were very ill with a deadly illness. Krystall found this quite strange and soon pieced the strange disappearances of Remus Lupin together. His constant and obsessive compulsion with the moon, the way he became ill, and iller as each full moon drew nearer. How he shunned people away when it was extremely close to a full moon.
‘OMG, he’s a werewolf!!,’ she suddenly thought. Her mind was in a whirl and she went to Severus to ease her troubled mind, but it turned out to be the wrong decision for her to make.
“I’m surprised you hadn’t noticed before now!,” he sneered in glee.
“You knew!!”
“I was made to promise not to tell a soul by Dumbledore.”
“So it’s ok to let me know now I’ve guessed for myself, is it?,” Krystall spat venomously.
“He’s more dangerous than you think when in his werewolf form. He nearly killed me, if it wasn’t for Potter acting heroically and getting his pals out of trouble,” Severus added sardonically.
“I bet it was Sirius that set you up, wasn’t it?,” asked Krystall.
“Who else!” Krystall had now calmed down from her initial shock of Severus hiding a secret about her other friend from her.
“You still my friend?,” she asked tensely.
“I know you have your heart in the right place Sev, but please try to take other people’s feelings into consideration next time you gloat.” Severus casted his eyes downwards and remained silent until Krystall spoke again.
“Both you and Remus are my friends, so you’ll just have to deal with the fact that you have to share me with others.”
“I understand,” Severus said, before he turned and walked out of the room and out of the house to the paddock behind the house. He found his-self under a very large sycamore tree, not much smaller in size than his favourite outdoor seating place at Hogwarts, and instantly felt more at ease than earlier in that tiny room with Krystall. He stayed under that tree until he was called back in, so that they could be sent back to school that night. Krystall’s aunt and uncle had been given permission to use the Floo Network to send the two pupils back, via the Three Broomsticks and would be met on the other side by an escort. Their belongings would be sent on separately later to them and would be at Hogwarts before they even got there. Before they did travel, Severus made quite polite and formal thank yous to Krystall’s aunt and uncle for both his-self and the absent Lupin, then took a pinch of Floo Powder and entered the fireplace. As he turned to see for one final time the happy home if the incredible Calvel-Blott’s, he witnessed a tender scene. Krystall was hugging her aunt and uncle in turn, tears welling in her eyes. How Severus wished he was brave enough to step back out of the fireplace, invelope her in his arms and wipe away the tears that were now rolling down her face. He mentally shook his-self and threw the Floo Powder onto the magical fire, then shouting “The Three Broomsticks,” and in a flash he was whizzing passed hundreds of fireplaces, wishing he had never agreed to accept the invite. Feelings were on tenterhooks for weeks after Christmas between the three theatre pals, but there was something was to soon put all of that to the back of their minds.