8
Montague was called up to Dumbledore's office the next day. There were whispers that he had gotten in massive trouble, but each student had their own version of what his punishment was. Some people said he just had a few days of detention, while others spoke about him being outright expelled. These rumours were fuelled when he didn't attend morning classes at all, but he turned up at lunchtime, and the general disappointed mutter was now that he had to help Filch clean up the castle in preparation for the Tasks.
Callisto was just relieved it was over, even if strange stuff like Fleur Delacour talking to her happened. "You are 'is cousin?" She asked, blinking her big blue eyes. "Zee boy 'e was talking about?"
"Um. Yes."
"Eet is disgusting," she said in distaste. "Thengs like that, zey make me angry. I am glad 'e got in trouble."
She glared darkly at Montague, and Callisto wished her good luck for the first task that Saturday before she left.
She received a letter from Narcissa the day after. Draco had clearly told her what had happened.
Oh Callisto, I'm so sorry. I hope that horrible boy was punished, or Dumbledore will be hearing from me.
Draco has told me you've made friends with some girls, and I couldn't tell you how delighted I am.
Be happy, my darling.
Love from Mother, xxxxxxxxxxx
She had even kissed the parchment, leaving a big red lipstick print.
Sarafina raised her eyebrows. "Is that from your mother?"
"Yes," Callisto said, blushing as she quickly folded the letter. Her mother was always affectionate, especially because her own had never been. Callisto didn't know her grandmother very well, but stiff visits had spoken the truth. "She....she's affectionate like that."
"I think it's sweet," Louisa said unexpectedly.
Callisto was finding that was warming to them both, even if they had been bossy at first. She was delighted she had friends, though, even if she had to be awkward about the bathroom situation and such things. Adele had asked if she was a camel, since she never had to use the bathroom, and she'd blushed bright red.
It was raining against the windows of the library, the drops tapping against the glass. It was evening, but the library was still full of people, mostly girls as Viktor Krum was lurking around the Potions section.
There were some boys over by the window, Jaron Travers and some others, both Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Callisto got on with her homework, but couldn't help but glance at him, and saw to her surprise that he was glancing back, a little smile on his lips. Was he laughing at her? Suddenly panicked, she looked back down at her History of Magic notes, cheeks warm. It was only a few minutes later that she dared to look up again. He was busy talking to his friends, but must have felt her gaze, because he gave that crooked smile to her again. Callisto chided herself for the butterflies that erupted in her stomach, and got on with her work, but soon somebody stopped in front of the desk. Jaron.
"Hey," he said, smiling. "I know this is weird, but l - I noticed you staring at me. I hope you weren't too unnerved by me."
"Oh!" She said. "Oh no, not at all."
She was wary, putting down her quill. "I mean....I wondered why."
He ran his hands through his hair. "Merlin, this is so awkward, I'm being totally awkward, aren't I? I mean - oh wow, this is embarrassing -"
Callisto laughed, her wariness gone. It seemed unreal that Jaron Travers - the Jaron Travers - was actually talking to her, and not only that, but he was getting flustered. "It's not awkward. Go on."
"I think you're really cute."
Callisto's face felt like the sun. "You....you do? Seriously?"
"Seriously. I've seen you around, reading and doing your homework - it's only now I've got the courage to actually talk to you. I've probably blown it."
"No, you haven't," she said, smiling, her stomach doing backflips. "I promise."
She couldn't wait to tell her friends, and they stared at her in utter shock.
"Are you making this up?" Sarafina asked at last.
"No! He really did say it, and we're going to sit together at the first task."
"You lucky bitch," Adele breathed. "You've only been here five minutes and you've already bagged the best looking guy in school."
The day of the first task dawned wet. Callisto wrapped her Slytherin scarf around her neck and put on her winter cloak, standing with her friends by the stands, watching for Jaron. When he finally came, he was surrounded by friends, including Montague. The sight of him made her stomach squeeze, but they melted away as Jaron grinned at her.
"I promise I'll be less creepy today," he said, and she laughed.
They sat together away from her friends, and her stomach was twisting horribly. She was still wondering if this was some horrible practical joke - but then, nobody knew who she was, Jaron had never bullied her, and anyway, Montague was far away somewhere in the stands. Nevertheless, her palms were clammy.
"Since we got off on the wrong foot, we should probably do all the introductions now. Hi, I'm Jaron Travers," he offered her his hand.
She laughed, shaking it. "I know. I'm Callisto Black."
"Where do you come from then, Callisto Black?"
"Coventry," she said, picking where she knew some cousins lived.
"Coventry! Isn't that where Lady Godiva rode naked?"
"What?!"
"It's true! Lady Godiva, she was protesting taxes or something, so she jumped on a horse naked and rode through Coventry."
Callisto giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "Is that true?"
"Look it up if you don't believe me. Honest to Merlin."
They looked up as there was commotion below. One small rumour among the students had been right. It was dragons. The first one was massive, covered in leathery scales the colour of rust. It was beautiful. Callisto, an animal lover, winced at the muzzle.
"They have to," Jaron said, as if reading her mind. "In case there's an accident."
They took it off and crept away as the dragon, calmer now, settled on her eggs, the golden one glinting in the dull November sun.
Cedric Diggory was first, transfiguring a rock into a dog, which almost worked - the crowd roared in sympathy as he was burned, but he had still got the egg.
"It's pretty interesting, isn't it?" Callisto said, leaning her arms on the edges of the stands as Fleur Delacour walked out into the arena.
"It's interesting, but I'm just waiting for Potter to get killed. He probably hasn't a clue what to do," Jaron ran his fingers through his hair.
Callisto jumped as Fleur's skirt caught fire, but she put it out easily and got the egg.
"You're related to that Orson, aren't you?" Jaron asked curiously. "The gay one?"
Callisto twitched. "My cousin."
"Oh yeah, sorry. Bit shitty, what Montague did. I can't stand him sometimes."
"Neither can I," she said quietly, as Harry came out into the arena.
The entire school was buzzing about the task that evening. Most of the girls were sighing over Cedric Diggory, but she heard some of the first years praising Harry too, though most of them were badmouthing him. Some of the Slytherins were even designing POTTER STINKS badges, including her brother.
Callisto shook her head at Draco but she knew he wouldn't listen. Harry was a personal grievance of his she'd never understood.
November was passing quickly, and it was announced to excitement that there would be a Yule Ball on Christmas Day. Callisto's stomach dropped as she heard those words, especially when Snape mentioned them with partner and dance.
Things had been going good with Jaron, who'd she'd been spending more time with. He'd even kissed her, a short little lip brush goodnight that made his friends wolf whistle from the stairs. But it had been her first ever kiss, and meant the world, especially when her friends begged her to rely the story.
"You mean we'll have to have partners, Sir?" One of the boys asked.
"Obviously. Professor Dumbledore tells me the ball is traditional, and supposed to be a fun filled night," venom practically dripped from his voice.
"So that means absolutely no acting up, no hanky panky-"
Several students burst into laughter at this, but Snape glared at them and they desisted. "And remember that you are representing the school. Fourth years up are allowed to attend, and you may ask a younger student or a student from another school if you wish."
Every word he spoke sent Callisto deeper into personal hell. She couldn't dance. She hated crowds. She hated loud music and socialising and the alcohol and cigarettes that would almost certainly be passed around.
"But what if we can't dance, Sir?" She said, desperately searching for something good.
"I will have to teach you," he said, and flicked his wand so desks and bags shot out of the way. The students sat in shock, watching him with wide eyes, but he snapped, "Well?"
There was the hurried scraping of chairs as they all got up.
"Pair up."
She hoped Jaron would ask her for the actual dance, but for now, Louisa and Callisto quickly paired up, as did everyone else, and only three people were left without a partner, two boys and a heavyset girl.
"What's wrong with Miss Perkins, Mr Hayes?"
"Nothing Sir," he mumbled, and quickly grabbed her hands. The last boy looked smug, but Snape's next sentence wiped the grin from his face. "You can partner me, Gibbons."
"Aw but Sir -"
"Silence."
Callisto was trying very hard not to laugh, and Louisa was visibly almost choking.
To everyone's surprise, Snape proved a strangely good dancer, spinning poor Gibbons around until he was bright red in the face. Then the teacher walked around the room, commenting on the students.
"Don't toss her, Bulstrode, she isn't a sack of potatoes!" He snapped, watching a wheezing Charles. "Are you having an asthma attack? No? Continue then!"
"Spin, Miss Booth, spin! Miss Black, put some power into it!"
"I never thought Snape would like dancing so much," Callisto murmured as she spun Louisa again.
"It's kind of scary," Louisa said breathlessly. They were just doing the same thing again, praying Snape wouldn't notice, a sort of shuffle - shuffle - spin routine.
"Do you think he does this in his spare time?"
Callisto thought of Snape twirling and spinning around his office and resisted the urge to shudder.
"Perhaps he does it with Dumbledore," she said, as Louisa spun again. "A very romantic waltz. Perhaps he wears a lovely black evening gown."
Louisa gagged. "Please don't."
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