The Other Side: A Harry Potter FanFiction

Chapter XXIV

"Two more steps to the right," Sirius directed.

            Cedric, his wand held high and pointed at a floating table in the center of the room, moved his wand just a bit, the table following. "How's that?"

            "Depends," Sirius replied, "Do you want to melt during dinner?"

            Cedric rolled his eyes. "How far to the left?"

            "Two steps."

            Cedric looked at him quizzically. He was leaning against the doorframe of the drawing room, holding his bottle of Firewhiskey. "That's exactly where it was before."

            "I know that," Sirius said, "I just enjoy watching that vein pop out of your head when you get frustrated. You know, the one on your forehead."

            Cedric bit his lip and moved the table back where it was.

            "Oh look," Sirius said, "There it is..." He cocked his head and stared at Cedric's forehead wonderingly.

            Cedric looked away and placed the table down carefully. "You could take this a bit more seriously."

            "If you want me to take something seriously just ask me to leave," he said, taking a sip of his whiskey.

            "Good idea," Cedric said, stowing his wand inside his jacket pocket, "Get out, then, will you?"

            Sirius put a hand to his heart in mock shock. "I can't believe you just said that to me."

            Cedric ignored him and stepped over to the couches. A set of wax candles sat on the cushions, waiting to be lit.

            He took a few and brought them back to the table, carefully placing them in the center. He put his fingers above them, and they lit simultaneously. Then he pulled his wand out again and whispered, "Wingardium Leviosa."

            The candles began to float just above the table, just as Sirius said, "Ah, there you are."

            Cedric looked over to see Sirius looking back out the doorway. "You look lovely, Lana."

            "Thanks," Lana said as she appeared beside him.

            Her bangs were tied around her head in braids like a crown, the rest of her hair falling in curls around her bare shoulders. The teal dress she wore was strapless with a skirt that ended above her knees in front and below in back. Her fingernails were painted black, and her high-heeled sandals revealed her toenails painted the same way.

            She lifted her blue eyes to his. "Hi, Cedric."

            It took him a moment to realize she'd spoken to him. He shook his head a bit and greeted, "Hey."

            There was a moment of silence in which Cedric stared at Lana and Lana stared at Cedric, and Sirius stared between the two of them. Finally, Sirius murmured, "I'll just leave you kids alone now." He stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

            "Would you like to sit down?" Cedric asked.

            Lana looked at him quizzically. "There aren't any chairs."

            "Oh, right," he muttered, reaching to take out his wand and realizing he already had it. He cleared his throat, trying to hide his red cheeks, and pointed the wand at a set of chairs. "Accio chairs."