Adam paced the ground of his father's mansion under the moonlight. Octavius was getting out of control. In the past week they had hunted down and killed three suspected Death Eaters and in doing so they'd lost one of their own. Lexie had gotten caught and for fear of being discovered Octavius had blasted her with a memory charm erasing her memories for the last five years. Adam had thought it a bit cruel. She would not have spoken, he was sure of it. No one had ever been more loyal than Lexie. Still, no one went against Octavius Black. But the boy was growing increasingly reckless and he had made it readily apparent that he did not value them any more than he did the Death Eaters he was killing.

He walked through the gardens and watched the stars in the sky. Adam was not a religious person but he was given to believing and practicing some tenets of different religions and now all he could think to do was question the universe for an answer. Octavius was clearly mad crazed with desires of revenge. Adam had only joined because all of his friends had decided to follow along, they'd thought it would all be harmless fun but people were dead and now Lexie was captured. Things had progressed too far. And now Octavius wanted to go after Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy. The boy was mad. One was an important Hogwarts Professor and the other a pillar of the wizarding community. You did not just strike out against people in power. Not without expecting some repercussions.

Besides which this whole Chocolate Paris Lover's Day Ball seemed a bit too, convenient. Professor Snape and Lucius Malfoy and his family would be in attendance? The rumor was going around that Sirius Black would make an appearance as well. However, there was still a lot of rumor about what part he had played in the death of Peter Pettigrew and whether he was truly a Death Eater or not.

Adam sighed. Life was too complicated. It was just a game, it had all started as a game and now they were plotting assassinations at an important social event. He had to get out of this somehow. There had to be someone he could turn to, but to whom?

♥

Ginny and Luna were sitting on the old creaky porch swing in the backyard that hung between the two willow trees overlooking the little lake at the burrow. They sat in silence watching the moon glistening over the water and the fireflies floating about.

"It's a beautiful night," Ginny said.

"I'm looking for snraggleluffs," Luna replied.

Ginny turned to her friend and smiled. Luna was wearing a pair of antennas on her head that glowed brightly every time a moth or a firefly flew near. Bathed in the light from the different creatures she looked resplendent and Ginny wondered that Draco was not smitten with her or that her friend did not have a lot of boys tripping over themselves trying to ask her out.

"I don't know about the dress Ottery sent me," Luna said by way of starting a conversation, sensing that perhaps Ginny wanted to talk. "I think I'm going to make some modifications to it."

"It's Vera Wang, Luna," Ginny said.

"Our dresses have names?" Luna asked. "I would have liked to have been able to pick the name of my dress. But I guess the person who made it should have the honor."

"No, Luna. The designer is Vera Wang. Haven't you read Witch Vogue? She's one of the best muggle designers."

"Oh," Luna said. "Designers of what?"

Ginny laughed at that and didn't think to pursue it. From inside the house Ginny could hear Ron complaining to mum about the dress robes she thought he should wear. Old ones that had been passed down from old Uncle Albert. Uncle Albert had a love of frilly things and perpetually believed that the present day was actually the middle of Victorian England.

♥

Two tankards and four bottles of firewhiskey later, one of them smashed over Teddy's head, and Freddie was back out on the street and making his way to the cafe where he was supposed to meet Madison. It was late night and the place was closed. He stood outside cursing up a storm both at his foul luck and Teddy's idea of a good time.

As he was turning to leave though a white cloaked figure stood in front of him.

"Who are ..."

Before he could finish his sentence he was falling back stunned.

♥

And if you're thinking you want a stranger there's one coming home ...

First off I'd like to give out a thanks and a shout out to my friend Obi Wan K'Lari for her siggy. I'm seriously, seriously flattered, honored, floored, and all manner of blushing it was one of the sweetest things ever. I didn't ask her to do it but she did it out of the kindness of her own heart ... and that's sweetness you can't buy. Thank you Lari!

Replies:

Connie: I'm glad you liked it ... but do you think it's breakneck enough *glares at Kellybear* I'll get you a neck brace dear hold on ...

But seriously, Thank you for staying with this story. I know it gets crazy and IT IS a romantic comedy but I guess it's been a bit light on the romance ... so ... I'll see what I can do. I was going to wait until the ball but ... *plots next post*

*Flower*: Hehehe I'm glad you liked that line Thea, I was wondering if y'all would think it was corny or something but ... well, she didn't like it and there's gonna be heck to pay before they can get their love off of the rocks

Psych ... yeah, no. I don't envy you having to write papers. I remember when I was in Uni I used to escape to fanfiction while I was supposed to be writing my school papers I miss those days but not the papers


KellyBear: So you want romance? *takes you in his arms dips you back* Jealous, am I? Yes, I suppose I am — even though I know you've been faithful to me all along. How do I know? Because I know Ashley Wilkes and his honorable breed. They're gentlemen! That's more than I can say for you or for me. We're not gentlemen, and we have no honor, have we? It's not that easy, Kellybear. You've turned me out while you chased Ashley Wilkes, while you dreamed of Ashley Wilkes. This is one night you're not turning me out. [suddenly, Ottery fiercely kisses her and then carries her protesting up a long flight of stairs to the bedroom, two steps at a time]. like that.