Paint the Sky with Stars
--by Egon Starcollector
Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it isn't mine.
The first Saturday in December was a Hogsmeade Saturday again. Stacy wasn't quite planning to go--she wasn't sure she could go with Justin, and she hated to intrude in Hermione's group all the time--but the Monday before, Colin Creevey surprised her by asking her to be his partner.
"Um, sure." She saw no reason why not; she and Colin were friendly enough. And she really didn't like the thought of sitting at Hogwarts, alone except for first- and second-years.
Friday evening, there were carriage rides. Stacy and Justin somehow managed to get a carriage to themselves. He helped her in and tucked blankets around the two of them.
As the carriage started to move, Justin wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She smiled and leaned against him. "Isn't it a lovely evening?" he asked softly.
"Mmm...yes it is." The sun was just setting in soft pastels, casting blue shadows over the snow that blanketed the Hogwarts grounds.
"Care to meet me for a butterbeer tomorrow? Um, you are going to Hogsmeade, aren't you?"
"Of course I'll meet you! Yes, I'm going; I'm partnered with Colin Creevey." Stacy suddenly felt Justin's grip tighten rather painfully. "Ow! What?"
"Oh honey I'm sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you."
"What's wrong?"
"You're partners with Colin...."
"Yeah, and...? He's a decent guy."
"I think he fancies you."
"Oh, don't be so jealous. Personally, I think he's got his eye on this girl his age in Ravenclaw...Malcom Braddock's sister, I think she is. And besides--even if he did like me, I love YOU," she finished, poking his nose.
"That's another thing I wanted to ask you about...."
"Um, what?" Stacy felt a sudden wave of panic.
"Do you...do you think this could be serious?"
Stacy's head spun. That question could only mean one of two things: either he wanted to get serious or he wanted to break up with her--and she wasn't ready for either option! "Um...I guess I hadn't thought about it...we haven't been together that long...."
"I know, but...Stacy, you mean so much to me...." He cupped her face with his free hand and looked into her eyes. Stacy's heart fluttered. Those eyes could make her melt any day--and the way he was looking at her only made it worse. "I know I'm rushing things again...I'm sorry." He rested his forehead gently against hers. "I try too hard and fall too fast...and I fell so fast for you it isn't even funny. I try to tell myself we're only kids...we haven't known each other that long...you might go back to Michigan and I might never see you again...but then I see you smile and logic flies out the window."
Stacy blushed. She wasn't about to admit it, but he tended to have the same effect on her. "Justin...I don't even know yet if I'm going to stay in the wizarding world after I graduate. I care about you a lot...but can't we take this one day at a time?"
"Yes, yes, you're right...I'm sorry. What do you mean...you might not stay in the wizarding world?"
"I honestly don't know right now...I'm confused. It still feels a little odd that I'm magical. I could probably make a decent living with my music in the Muggle world. To be honest, being a witch isn't that important to me. It's nice and all, but...I'm a Christian first, then a musician. Magic comes in third. I don't know...maybe that makes me abnormal or something, but that's how I feel. I really don't know what I want to do with my life yet."
"You know...I think most Muggleborns go through the same thing. I could probably get a job as an astronomer with some Muggle museum...your cousin Hermione could probably get any job she wanted. I think, for myself, that I'd like to stay in the wizarding world...Dumbledore has already mentioned that Hogwarts would love to have me teach Astronomy. But still...it's odd to think of it. What do we tell our families? It's not like they can go around blabbing the truth, but how do they explain where we went? Some days I think it must be easier to be a pureblood."
"I'm starting to agree with you."
"But if you return to the Muggle world...and I stay here...oh Stacy...."
"Shh. Don't think about that yet. I haven't made up my mind either way. Let's just enjoy what we have now. We've got plenty of time to worry about the future." She kissed him tenderly.
He put both arms around her and pulled her close. "There's something...that I need to confess."
"Oh?"
"That day by the lake...the reason I lost control...well, I'd been having these dreams all night...we were in this big bed with a white canopy and white-on-white embroidered coverlet, and...well...it made me realize...how much I want...I want...to...give myself to you."
Stacy barely heard the last part...a big bed with a white canopy and white- on-white embroidered coverlet? "Oh my Lord...."
"Oh no...I'm sorry...Stacy, I didn't mean to offend you...."
"No no no! That's not it at all...Justin...you won't believe this.... Was it a brass bed with crystal finials at the top of the posts and crystals in the head and footboards?"
"Yes...how did you know?"
"Justin...the same night...I had the same dream...."
"Oh my Lord...."
The next day dawned sunny, clear, and cold. Stacy showered quickly and pulled on warm clothes--not to mention her long underwear!--under her winter robes before she went down to breakfast.
The house elves had made fried eggs in toast, which Stacy loved. She was munching contentedly on her second helping when Ron came bounding up to the table. "All right! Toad in a hole!"
"Huh?"
"These! Y'know, toad in a hole!" he said, scooping pieces of toast onto his plate.
The egg turned to Muggle Silly Putty in Stacy's mouth. "Oh...is that what you call it...?" Sometimes Stacy wondered if British people deliberately gave their food disgusting names to scare away outsiders. After all, the Brits were the people who gave a pudding a name that made it sound like it needed to see a urologist. Good people, bad food names.
She met Colin in the Great Hall and they headed for the carriages. He chattered on about his fascination with photography; Stacy nodded politely and pretended to listen. Truth be told, she was thinking about Justin and the talk they'd had the night before. It was too soon for them to be serious about each other, even if it felt right. And just what did it mean that they were sharing dreams, anyway?
"So, do you have any hobbies?"
"Hm? Ah, I'm a musician." Stacy hoped it wasn't obvious he'd caught her off-guard.
"Really? What do you play?"
"I play guitar and sing...I write a lot of songs, too."
"That's fascinating! I've no ear for music myself, but I admire those who do. Beauty, brains, and talent...that's a rare combination, you know."
Stacy blushed and mumbled a thank-you. Ack...she hoped he was just being nice. No way could he be hitting on her! Didn't the whole school know she was with Justin? And she was so sure Colin liked that Braddock girl...! But suddenly she was feeling very, very nervous....
He helped her out of the carriage when they reached Hogsmeade, and it seemed to Stacy that he held on to her hand just a bit too long. Her stomach clenched. Nah, she had to be imagining things.
In the bookstore, she nearly collided with Draco Malfoy; he was, for once, alone. "Oh I'm sorry...I wasn't looking where I was going."
"My fault, really; mind was a bit occupied." Did he just apologize? "I notice they have a new selection of Muggle books...could you suggest any good ones?"
"Sure! I didn't even know they had Muggle books here."
"They just got them. Apparently Dimity wants her students to be exposed to more Muggle literature."
"Makes sense. Now let's see here...." She scanned the shelves, trying to weigh her personal preferences with what little she knew of Malfoy. "Hm. What does your reading taste run to?"
"I'm not sure I'd know. Father and Mother aren't avid readers, so there aren't many books in the house that aren't spellbooks."
"In that case, then...." She picked a few books off the shelves. "This is a good one: 'Wuthering Heights.' It's a really spooky love story; I'm sure you're not into romances, but I know a couple of people who get nightmares from it. 'Little House in the Big Woods' might be a good idea; I see after Christmas we'll be studying American pioneers. There's a whole series of these books if you want to read more. Anything by Charles Dickens is good. Oh wait, here are a couple related to the era we're studying now. Ellery Queen wrote mystery novels; a lot of his are set around the time of World War II. And this one's actually a true story, 'Schindler's List.' Oskar Schindler was a German Muggle businessman--and a member of the Nazi party -- who helped rescue several Jewish people during the war."
He made his selections, paid for them, and actually thanked her as he went out the door. Colin came bustling up to her indignantly. "Were you just talking to Draco Malfoy?"
"Yeah."
"Do you have any idea how he treats Muggleborns like us?"
"Of course I do, but I'm his tutor. He was clueless about what to read. Cool it, will ya? I don't like him either, but I feel like I have a responsibility here."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. Do you know, you're actually rather fetching when you're angry?"
"Suckup." He'd better have meant that facetiously....
Next they went to Honeydukes. Stacy still had plenty of fudge left, but she wanted some variety. She picked out some chocolate rocks, some white chocolate cappucino flavored jellybeans, and some peppermints that made you whistle like a bird.
She noticed Dean Thomas and Hannah Abbott hand-in-hand near the licorice wands--and Padma Patil glaring sullenly at them from behind the chocolate frogs. Padma looked like she'd been crying.
Stacy sat next to Padma in Defense Against the Dark Arts; while they got along, she really didn't know her all that well. Still, Padma looked like she needed someone to talk to.
"Hey Padma," Stacy said, walking over to her.
Padma started. "Oh um, hello. Stacy, right?"
"Yeah. Listen, I know it's none of my business, but...are you okay?"
Padma sighed. "Not really. Dean just broke up with me yesterday and already he's getting cozy with Hannah. That lying, cheating...." She broke down crying and pounded her fist on the wooden column next to the candy case.
"Shhh...let it out. Go ahead, let it out," Stacy cooed, rubbing Padma's shoulder. "I know just how you feel; go ahead and vent."
"Dean and I were together over a year. He was the first guy I ever kissed; I've never been as outgoing as Parvati. But lately he kept making excuses for why he couldn't go for walks or study with me. I guess I know what he was doing," she sniffed, wiping at her eyes.
"The scumbag."
"He thought it was great that I want to be a mediwitch. I guess he decided he likes the artsy type better. Hannah's one of the best artists in school, maybe even better than that nasty Blaise Zabini."
"I'd hardly call that a reason to break somebody's heart."
"I didn't think so either." She sighed again and took a deep, shaky breath. "You know...you and Justin really make a cute couple."
"Thanks."
"Yeah...Justin's a good guy, for a Hufflepuff. I'm glad to see him happy. He's so in love with you it makes me envious. You two are every bit as cute as Harry Potter and your cousin."
"You're gonna make my head swell at this rate," Stacy chuckled. "And then how am I supposed to fit through the portrait-hole?" Padma giggled at that. "See? You can still laugh. Now come on girl, chin up. You see, Justin proved to me that not every guy is a skunk. Last year, I sounded a lot like you. My boyfriend cheated on me with my best friend. But then I came here and met Justin. I bet there's a guy out there who likes smart girls who want to be mediwitches, and he'll make you forget all about Dean Thomas. Now smile or I won't get off my soapbox."
Padma was genuinely laughing by this point. "You're very funny--and very kind to listen to me."
"Hey, no problem. Any time you need to talk, just let me know. After all, what are we here for if not to help each other?"
Padma smiled at her. "Thank you."
As Stacy walked out of Honeydukes, she saw Draco Malfoy staring at Dean and Hannah with a tortured expression. Uh-oh...maybe Padma wasn't the only one whose heart had been broken that day.
Stacy had a little trouble ditching Colin, who seemed to have it in his head that she shouldn't go to the Three Broomsticks with someone else if she was his partner. One of his friends distracted him, however, so she managed to slip away.
Justin was already there. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."
"I'd never stand you up. I just had to get away from Colin first."
"I knew it! He fancies you."
"Down boy...he's just uptight about what being partners means. So, are you having fun?"
"Sort of. Ernie was crying on my shoulder all morning. He and Susan Bones had another fight. Really, some days I wonder why they stay together. They can't get along, but they can hardly stand to be away from each other. It's ridiculous! And since I'm friends with both of them, I keep getting caught in the middle."
"That's not fair."
"Tell me about it! What do I look like, a Muggle therapist?"
"No...actually, you look like that actor Elijah Wood."
"I do not! Everyone says that, but I can't see it at all."
Stacy thought maybe she should change the subject; she hadn't imagined that would bother him. "I've had kind of an odd morning. First I had to help Malfoy pick out some Muggle novels to read, then I had to comfort Padma Patil. Seems she just found out her boyfriend had been cheating on her. Boy, do I know how that feels."
"What? Stacy, do you think...?"
"No, no! Randy...a guy I dated at my old school."
"He CHEATED on you?" Justin's face contorted with anger. Stacy jumped away in shock.
"Yeah...with my best friend. I wouldn't sleep with him, so he slept with her instead."
Justin's eyes were a dark and dangerous shade of blue. "Why that...no wonder you were so hurt." He pulled her into his arms. "Stacy, I promise I will never do that to you. After all...Hufflepuffs are loyal."
Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it isn't mine.
The first Saturday in December was a Hogsmeade Saturday again. Stacy wasn't quite planning to go--she wasn't sure she could go with Justin, and she hated to intrude in Hermione's group all the time--but the Monday before, Colin Creevey surprised her by asking her to be his partner.
"Um, sure." She saw no reason why not; she and Colin were friendly enough. And she really didn't like the thought of sitting at Hogwarts, alone except for first- and second-years.
Friday evening, there were carriage rides. Stacy and Justin somehow managed to get a carriage to themselves. He helped her in and tucked blankets around the two of them.
As the carriage started to move, Justin wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She smiled and leaned against him. "Isn't it a lovely evening?" he asked softly.
"Mmm...yes it is." The sun was just setting in soft pastels, casting blue shadows over the snow that blanketed the Hogwarts grounds.
"Care to meet me for a butterbeer tomorrow? Um, you are going to Hogsmeade, aren't you?"
"Of course I'll meet you! Yes, I'm going; I'm partnered with Colin Creevey." Stacy suddenly felt Justin's grip tighten rather painfully. "Ow! What?"
"Oh honey I'm sorry...I didn't mean to hurt you."
"What's wrong?"
"You're partners with Colin...."
"Yeah, and...? He's a decent guy."
"I think he fancies you."
"Oh, don't be so jealous. Personally, I think he's got his eye on this girl his age in Ravenclaw...Malcom Braddock's sister, I think she is. And besides--even if he did like me, I love YOU," she finished, poking his nose.
"That's another thing I wanted to ask you about...."
"Um, what?" Stacy felt a sudden wave of panic.
"Do you...do you think this could be serious?"
Stacy's head spun. That question could only mean one of two things: either he wanted to get serious or he wanted to break up with her--and she wasn't ready for either option! "Um...I guess I hadn't thought about it...we haven't been together that long...."
"I know, but...Stacy, you mean so much to me...." He cupped her face with his free hand and looked into her eyes. Stacy's heart fluttered. Those eyes could make her melt any day--and the way he was looking at her only made it worse. "I know I'm rushing things again...I'm sorry." He rested his forehead gently against hers. "I try too hard and fall too fast...and I fell so fast for you it isn't even funny. I try to tell myself we're only kids...we haven't known each other that long...you might go back to Michigan and I might never see you again...but then I see you smile and logic flies out the window."
Stacy blushed. She wasn't about to admit it, but he tended to have the same effect on her. "Justin...I don't even know yet if I'm going to stay in the wizarding world after I graduate. I care about you a lot...but can't we take this one day at a time?"
"Yes, yes, you're right...I'm sorry. What do you mean...you might not stay in the wizarding world?"
"I honestly don't know right now...I'm confused. It still feels a little odd that I'm magical. I could probably make a decent living with my music in the Muggle world. To be honest, being a witch isn't that important to me. It's nice and all, but...I'm a Christian first, then a musician. Magic comes in third. I don't know...maybe that makes me abnormal or something, but that's how I feel. I really don't know what I want to do with my life yet."
"You know...I think most Muggleborns go through the same thing. I could probably get a job as an astronomer with some Muggle museum...your cousin Hermione could probably get any job she wanted. I think, for myself, that I'd like to stay in the wizarding world...Dumbledore has already mentioned that Hogwarts would love to have me teach Astronomy. But still...it's odd to think of it. What do we tell our families? It's not like they can go around blabbing the truth, but how do they explain where we went? Some days I think it must be easier to be a pureblood."
"I'm starting to agree with you."
"But if you return to the Muggle world...and I stay here...oh Stacy...."
"Shh. Don't think about that yet. I haven't made up my mind either way. Let's just enjoy what we have now. We've got plenty of time to worry about the future." She kissed him tenderly.
He put both arms around her and pulled her close. "There's something...that I need to confess."
"Oh?"
"That day by the lake...the reason I lost control...well, I'd been having these dreams all night...we were in this big bed with a white canopy and white-on-white embroidered coverlet, and...well...it made me realize...how much I want...I want...to...give myself to you."
Stacy barely heard the last part...a big bed with a white canopy and white- on-white embroidered coverlet? "Oh my Lord...."
"Oh no...I'm sorry...Stacy, I didn't mean to offend you...."
"No no no! That's not it at all...Justin...you won't believe this.... Was it a brass bed with crystal finials at the top of the posts and crystals in the head and footboards?"
"Yes...how did you know?"
"Justin...the same night...I had the same dream...."
"Oh my Lord...."
The next day dawned sunny, clear, and cold. Stacy showered quickly and pulled on warm clothes--not to mention her long underwear!--under her winter robes before she went down to breakfast.
The house elves had made fried eggs in toast, which Stacy loved. She was munching contentedly on her second helping when Ron came bounding up to the table. "All right! Toad in a hole!"
"Huh?"
"These! Y'know, toad in a hole!" he said, scooping pieces of toast onto his plate.
The egg turned to Muggle Silly Putty in Stacy's mouth. "Oh...is that what you call it...?" Sometimes Stacy wondered if British people deliberately gave their food disgusting names to scare away outsiders. After all, the Brits were the people who gave a pudding a name that made it sound like it needed to see a urologist. Good people, bad food names.
She met Colin in the Great Hall and they headed for the carriages. He chattered on about his fascination with photography; Stacy nodded politely and pretended to listen. Truth be told, she was thinking about Justin and the talk they'd had the night before. It was too soon for them to be serious about each other, even if it felt right. And just what did it mean that they were sharing dreams, anyway?
"So, do you have any hobbies?"
"Hm? Ah, I'm a musician." Stacy hoped it wasn't obvious he'd caught her off-guard.
"Really? What do you play?"
"I play guitar and sing...I write a lot of songs, too."
"That's fascinating! I've no ear for music myself, but I admire those who do. Beauty, brains, and talent...that's a rare combination, you know."
Stacy blushed and mumbled a thank-you. Ack...she hoped he was just being nice. No way could he be hitting on her! Didn't the whole school know she was with Justin? And she was so sure Colin liked that Braddock girl...! But suddenly she was feeling very, very nervous....
He helped her out of the carriage when they reached Hogsmeade, and it seemed to Stacy that he held on to her hand just a bit too long. Her stomach clenched. Nah, she had to be imagining things.
In the bookstore, she nearly collided with Draco Malfoy; he was, for once, alone. "Oh I'm sorry...I wasn't looking where I was going."
"My fault, really; mind was a bit occupied." Did he just apologize? "I notice they have a new selection of Muggle books...could you suggest any good ones?"
"Sure! I didn't even know they had Muggle books here."
"They just got them. Apparently Dimity wants her students to be exposed to more Muggle literature."
"Makes sense. Now let's see here...." She scanned the shelves, trying to weigh her personal preferences with what little she knew of Malfoy. "Hm. What does your reading taste run to?"
"I'm not sure I'd know. Father and Mother aren't avid readers, so there aren't many books in the house that aren't spellbooks."
"In that case, then...." She picked a few books off the shelves. "This is a good one: 'Wuthering Heights.' It's a really spooky love story; I'm sure you're not into romances, but I know a couple of people who get nightmares from it. 'Little House in the Big Woods' might be a good idea; I see after Christmas we'll be studying American pioneers. There's a whole series of these books if you want to read more. Anything by Charles Dickens is good. Oh wait, here are a couple related to the era we're studying now. Ellery Queen wrote mystery novels; a lot of his are set around the time of World War II. And this one's actually a true story, 'Schindler's List.' Oskar Schindler was a German Muggle businessman--and a member of the Nazi party -- who helped rescue several Jewish people during the war."
He made his selections, paid for them, and actually thanked her as he went out the door. Colin came bustling up to her indignantly. "Were you just talking to Draco Malfoy?"
"Yeah."
"Do you have any idea how he treats Muggleborns like us?"
"Of course I do, but I'm his tutor. He was clueless about what to read. Cool it, will ya? I don't like him either, but I feel like I have a responsibility here."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. Do you know, you're actually rather fetching when you're angry?"
"Suckup." He'd better have meant that facetiously....
Next they went to Honeydukes. Stacy still had plenty of fudge left, but she wanted some variety. She picked out some chocolate rocks, some white chocolate cappucino flavored jellybeans, and some peppermints that made you whistle like a bird.
She noticed Dean Thomas and Hannah Abbott hand-in-hand near the licorice wands--and Padma Patil glaring sullenly at them from behind the chocolate frogs. Padma looked like she'd been crying.
Stacy sat next to Padma in Defense Against the Dark Arts; while they got along, she really didn't know her all that well. Still, Padma looked like she needed someone to talk to.
"Hey Padma," Stacy said, walking over to her.
Padma started. "Oh um, hello. Stacy, right?"
"Yeah. Listen, I know it's none of my business, but...are you okay?"
Padma sighed. "Not really. Dean just broke up with me yesterday and already he's getting cozy with Hannah. That lying, cheating...." She broke down crying and pounded her fist on the wooden column next to the candy case.
"Shhh...let it out. Go ahead, let it out," Stacy cooed, rubbing Padma's shoulder. "I know just how you feel; go ahead and vent."
"Dean and I were together over a year. He was the first guy I ever kissed; I've never been as outgoing as Parvati. But lately he kept making excuses for why he couldn't go for walks or study with me. I guess I know what he was doing," she sniffed, wiping at her eyes.
"The scumbag."
"He thought it was great that I want to be a mediwitch. I guess he decided he likes the artsy type better. Hannah's one of the best artists in school, maybe even better than that nasty Blaise Zabini."
"I'd hardly call that a reason to break somebody's heart."
"I didn't think so either." She sighed again and took a deep, shaky breath. "You know...you and Justin really make a cute couple."
"Thanks."
"Yeah...Justin's a good guy, for a Hufflepuff. I'm glad to see him happy. He's so in love with you it makes me envious. You two are every bit as cute as Harry Potter and your cousin."
"You're gonna make my head swell at this rate," Stacy chuckled. "And then how am I supposed to fit through the portrait-hole?" Padma giggled at that. "See? You can still laugh. Now come on girl, chin up. You see, Justin proved to me that not every guy is a skunk. Last year, I sounded a lot like you. My boyfriend cheated on me with my best friend. But then I came here and met Justin. I bet there's a guy out there who likes smart girls who want to be mediwitches, and he'll make you forget all about Dean Thomas. Now smile or I won't get off my soapbox."
Padma was genuinely laughing by this point. "You're very funny--and very kind to listen to me."
"Hey, no problem. Any time you need to talk, just let me know. After all, what are we here for if not to help each other?"
Padma smiled at her. "Thank you."
As Stacy walked out of Honeydukes, she saw Draco Malfoy staring at Dean and Hannah with a tortured expression. Uh-oh...maybe Padma wasn't the only one whose heart had been broken that day.
Stacy had a little trouble ditching Colin, who seemed to have it in his head that she shouldn't go to the Three Broomsticks with someone else if she was his partner. One of his friends distracted him, however, so she managed to slip away.
Justin was already there. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."
"I'd never stand you up. I just had to get away from Colin first."
"I knew it! He fancies you."
"Down boy...he's just uptight about what being partners means. So, are you having fun?"
"Sort of. Ernie was crying on my shoulder all morning. He and Susan Bones had another fight. Really, some days I wonder why they stay together. They can't get along, but they can hardly stand to be away from each other. It's ridiculous! And since I'm friends with both of them, I keep getting caught in the middle."
"That's not fair."
"Tell me about it! What do I look like, a Muggle therapist?"
"No...actually, you look like that actor Elijah Wood."
"I do not! Everyone says that, but I can't see it at all."
Stacy thought maybe she should change the subject; she hadn't imagined that would bother him. "I've had kind of an odd morning. First I had to help Malfoy pick out some Muggle novels to read, then I had to comfort Padma Patil. Seems she just found out her boyfriend had been cheating on her. Boy, do I know how that feels."
"What? Stacy, do you think...?"
"No, no! Randy...a guy I dated at my old school."
"He CHEATED on you?" Justin's face contorted with anger. Stacy jumped away in shock.
"Yeah...with my best friend. I wouldn't sleep with him, so he slept with her instead."
Justin's eyes were a dark and dangerous shade of blue. "Why that...no wonder you were so hurt." He pulled her into his arms. "Stacy, I promise I will never do that to you. After all...Hufflepuffs are loyal."