A pleasant evening.

[dana]

Dana sighed and sat down on the main stair-case. It was after curfew and she had just finished her rounds as a prefect, but she didn’t feel like returning to her common room. Her fifth year in Hogwarts was ending – luckily that meant OWLs were done as well. Dana didn’t have anything against studying, but that didn’t mean she liked tests. No one liked tests. Even the professors had tons of work to correct after tests. Dana had to admit with a grin that maybe Granger would like tests, but she brushed the thought off unconcernedly.

Looking around the dark hall Dana thought about summer and home. She missed home and would be to return there. Even touring with her grand-parents would be nice and staying with Kris. But in some odd way Dana would probably miss the old, cold, squeaky and sometimes even a bit scary castle. But the Hogwarts castle never did get boring. Dana grinned – maybe Dumbledore wouldn’t mind visiting the school when she was grown-up. Hogwarts was always something stable. Just like Dumbledore seemed to be with her lemon drops.

Hearing a soft humming Dana came to her attention once again as her eyes fell onto the familiar figure who was calmly walking towards the center of the hall. He was looking straight at Dana, making the girl grin: “You do know it’s after curfew and you are still wondering outside of your common room? As a prefect I should dock points and escort you back to the common room.”
Kris was one always stable point in Dana’s life as well. Very often grouchy and moody, but Dana didn’t mind. That was just who Kris was. And she loved him none the less – Kris was like a brother. Maybe he would work for even a twin.


((Please don't reply to this thread. My two sweeties get to meet so rarely and you practically never see how they interact among themselves, so this is for them only!))

[kris]

Kris was wondering around the Hogwarts castle. He just couldn’t sleep today. Actually Kris always needed just around 4-6 hours of sleep every 24 hours. It was enough for his organism. Something Kris was grateful for. He liked the Hogwarts castle much more when it was empty like during the nights. No irritating muggle-borns and half-bloods running around and none of those ickle little firsties. Kris knew how to stay out of the way of the prefects as well. Really wasn’t that hard really – they only patrolled the bigger hallways but there were probably countless secret ways around the castle. Kris knew a few and that was enough to get around easily.

Stopping near the dark hall near the main staircase Kris eyed the figure sitting there. Dana was most probably reminiscing once again. She did it every time a school-year in Hogwarts ended. Kris sometimes suspected that she would be visiting the school after graduation as well.
Stepping forward and not bothering to take cover or to hid the voice of his walking, Kris walked to towards the center of the hall, starting to hum one of his favorite lullabies in Italian.

Hearing Dana’s words Kris smiled and stopped once he had reached the center of the hall: “You, my dear, have already finished your patrol for tonight. Besides blood is thicker than water – you would never turn me out. And you hate the dungeons. You wouldn’t be going back through them alone after escorting me to my common room.”
Kris searched Dana with his eyes for a couple more moments: “I think I’m starting to have a vision here. I think they are divine powers. You were just thinking how much you’re going to miss Hogwarts.”

[dana]

Dana pushed herself off the stairs and started walking towards Kris. Most prefects – as well as the professors – should be in their beds already, but there was still no need to shout over the hall. Besides Kris would be fun to talk to. Due to studying a lot they hadn’t had proper conversations about absolutely nothing for so long. Besides the lullaby he was humming soothed Dana’s nerves and mind. Kris’s singing always had that effect on her. On some other people and animals as well.
Not commenting on not liking coming back from the dungeons alone at this time of night as it was true, Dana grinned at Kris’s sudden display of ‘divine powers’. He had always been able to read her without any problems. Sometimes understand her feelings even before Dana herself had sorted them out.

“Aren’t you? You go swimming in the ocean and spend days and weeks in the woods around your manor, but you miss the thrill that you get from Hogwarts. You won’t be caught in the woods around your forest and they aren’t as dangerous either. And you’ll miss your vixen,” Dana countered Kris’s words. He didn’t care much for the people in the school, nor the classes, but Dana knew how much Kris adored the Forbidden Forest and it’s inhabitants. Dana herself had joined Kris sometimes when he just move over the Hogwarts grounds and there were some pretty amazing places there.

Deciding she didn’t just want to stand in the middle of the hall, Dana stepped forward and placed one of her shoulders on her cousin’s shoulder while letting him take hold of the other hand: “You are going to miss it just as much as I will. Maybe even more.”

[kris]

Kris smirked and took hold of Dana’s arm, slipping the other one on her back. Pulling her along Kris moved gracefully over the smooth floor, doing the sometimes difficult twirls of an old waltz gracefully and without problems. Dana moved confidently with her – they had danced together for too many years for stumbling – they could almost feel their partners next step, before they did it. Kris looked down at Dana thinking over her words. The words had hit home much closer than Kris would like to admit. Since it was Dana, he didn’t hid it either.

“I will miss the forest. I thought about maybe taking the vixen with me, but I’m not sure about it. She needs to learn to be much more independent. She’s just too trusting right now. Who knows when she’ll dance in front of some hunter like that. And the thestrals – they’ll miss me even less than the vixen, but I will want to go flying with them,” Kris twirled Dana out for a moment before bringing her back with a smile, “I was thinking about maybe sneaking into the Forest form it’s other side during summer. It shouldn’t be too hard. Besides I can always pull the ‘little lost kid’ face, when I stumble onto someone.” Kris winked slyly at Dana – he was tall and looked old enough so no one actually believed he would be a lost kid.

“But we aren’t out of it yet. Do tell me – why did you come to sit here on stairs here. Why not choose a bit more comfortable place, like some classroom, or the kitchens or the Room of Requirement?” Kris asked curiously, dipping Dana before they both moved on in the dance once again.

[dana]

Dana thought about Kris’s answer as he pulled her into a dance. They danced often lately – on the quidditch pitch a few days ago, now here in the entrance hall in the middle of the night. Actually it was probably around 11 PM, which wasn’t the middle of the night, but still. The point remained. At least they looked good together and could both dance well.
“Yes, sneaking is certainly a way. I’m not sure the best way, but it would suit you. Some spy-like creature. Add sunglasses and a bit Bondish charm,” Dana laughed, “No one in the forest would take your something you are not. Poor little lost boy, scared out of his mind. I can almost see it in my mind.”

Dana let herself be dipped and smiled back as Kris pulled her up and into the next position with ease: “I’m not sure why I came here. I just came here. Besides I wouldn’t have received your company had I gone to some other place. Besides I had half a mind of going to the kitchens.” The clock chimed deep in the castle and Dana looked up. It was 11, like she had guessed. Usually her sense of time was more or less alright. Unless Dana was too immersed in some book she liked. Then she could ignore most things – even younger years practicing hexes right next to her.

“But we should get out of here. Who knows when Filch and that cat of his decide to come here. Or some professor – you never know when Snape decides to go harvesting some rare plant that only grows today,” twirling out of the dance position Dana reached out her hand and placed it securely into the nook of Kris’s arm, “Let’s go to the kitchens and get some hot chocolate to drink. Maybe you would make pancakes – no one is up to come in and see you cooking at this time. Will you, please?” Dana said with a flash of a smile as she started towards the direction of the kitchens, “And while you make the cakes we can talk normally. Haven’t had too much time to converse with you lately.”

[kris]

The huge clock of Hogwarts chimed 11 and Kris stopped dancing calmly as Dana twirled out of his arms. Kris didn’t say it out loud, but Dana had a point. Kris didn’t fancy being got here by some professor. Even when he could use a lemon drop. Kris smirked at the thought that had flickered through his mind and let Dana place her arm into the nook of his elbow.

“And why, pray tell, should I make you pancakes?” Kris inquired politely with a raise of his eye-brow, “I’m fairly certain you are capable of making pancakes yourself.”
Kris knew how to cook. Most people wouldn’t guess it looking at his behavior and the so-called ‘bad boy’ appearance. He had always been a trouble-maker and just as often he had been sent to the kitchen to think through his action. Kris had picked up cooking fairly quickly from Marie – a professional cook, who could have worked in five-star restaurants. Kris could most certainly cook and despite the fact he cooked very rarely, he could cook well.

“And since when do you take a cup of hot chocolate before well done coffee or espresso?” Kris asked curiously. Dana and Kris drank coffee most of the time in a day. Kris dwelled over the fact, that maybe they were already addicted to coffee, but brushed the thought as not-important aside.

[dana]

Dana grinned and pointed out the window they were passing: “Look, it’s raining. Today is a perfect evening to curl up in front of a fire with some good music for the back-ground, drink some good chocolate and watch how you make pancakes. And because we both know that you are a better cook than I am, you get to make the pancakes. You can cook something else as well, if you want. The menu is completely up to you.” Dana smiled and shivered lightly. She was only wearing a knee-length skirt, heels and a think silk-blouse and it was not enough to protect her from the cold the thick stone walls of the castle seemed to breath out. Shivering Dana quickened her pace – the kitchens would be warm. They always were.

“Besides I don’t drink coffee at 11 in the night,” Dana added over her shoulder as she walked in front of Kris and tickled the pear that seemed to go into hysterics before finally turning into a doorknob. Chuckling softly – a pear laughing to tears was always an amusing sight – Dana opened the door and entered, being greeted by house-elves immediately.
It took a little time to convince the house-elves to retreat from this part of the kitchen, so they could cook for themselves, but Dana managed to get them to agree to it.

Flashing Kris a proud smile for it Dana walked to one of the couches in the part the looked like a modern muggle-kitchen. Muggle-cooks would probably be in heaven upon seeing just a kitchen with all these utensils. With a content sigh Dana pushed off her heeled shoes and curled up on the couch.
“I really do like kitchens. Kitchen is the heart of the house in home and I love the kitchens here as well. They always smell like home,” Dana stated with one more shiver, while waiting for the warmth of the kitchen to over-whelm her finally.

[kris]

Kris smiled. Dana’s logic was sometimes lost for Kris, but even he had to admit that enjoying one in front of a fire sounded like a rather nice idea today. How rain connected with him making pancakes – now that was a totally different matter. Making a few pancakes for Dana to eat would be a big problem and she was correct about the fact that no one would see him cook. Besides Dana, but she knew Kris could cook anyway. Kris didn’t really advertise the fact he could cook – didn’t hid it, but it wasn’t an everyday topic.

Kris noticed Dana’s shiver as they entered the kitchen and Dana convince the house-elves to give them some room. And she succeeded with a surprisingly short time. Pulling off his black cashmere sweater Kris threw it to Dana – he liked the cold, besides he still had a T-shirt on and a pair of jeans – black naturally.
“Don’t catch a cold. Summer is too close for it and I know I would have to knock you out and forcefully drag you to the Hospital Wing and even thought I would be HELPING YOU, I have no doubts you would get revenge in some completely weird way,” Kris stated as he tossed the sweater to Dana.

“Now lets, see, what they have here,” Kris murmured turning the oven on and turning a towel around his waist, attaching it to his jeans as a make-shift apron. Kris didn’t see any reason to ruin his jeans. Picking out the things he needed, Kris started the hot chocolate into making as he started to pick out things he needed for pancakes. “I thought you were supposed to handle the back-ground music,” Kris threw over his shoulders as he emerged from the refrigerator with milk and some eggs. Pulling out a yellow bowl to mix the batter in, Kris turned and made sure his hair was safely pulled back, “And if we want pancakes, then pancakes we are going to get. The hot chocolate will take about 10 minutes to make.”

[dana]

Dana caught the sweater Kris threw her happily. Kris always wore the best and this sweater was not an exception. Slipping the cashmere sweater over her head, Dana felt contently as warmth started spreading in her body. The sweater was too big for her, coming to her mid-thighs, but that was just what Dana liked it. It was warm and cozy. Turning the sleeves up enough so that she could hold a mug without any problems Dana beamed with joy: “You are making the hot chocolate? Have I ever told you that you are the best brother one could hope for. If not, then I just told you now. Note that I’m looking pass the occasion when you broke off MY date in Hogsmeade because yours was boring. I still haven’t forgiven you for that.”

Dana grinned and curled up in the sweater: “What jam do they have here? Straw-berry? Or raspberry – raspberry would work too.” Dana pulled out her wand and thought for a moment. Deciding upon what kind of music she wanted Dana waved her wand and a couple of moments later music filled the kitchen.
Looking at Kris Dana started giggling, that turned into full laughter a moment later.
“You should see yourself, right now!” Dana gasped out finally when she could control herself again, “Do you have any idea how much Huffles and Gryffies would pay to see a picture of a Slytherin cooking with a towel around his waist? You are looking very...foxy... though, I have to admit.”

Dana laughed at Kris: “Thanks, I needed a laugh right now. Don’t you have a bit too many eggs and milk and flour for just a couple of pancakes?” Dana asked with a grin – the white towel with the flourishingly written word ‘Hogwarts’ on it really received one of a kind look on Kris.

[kris]

“No, you haven’t told me I’m great in the last 24 hours. So I’ll take the statement as a fact. Maybe you could sign a paper proving you said it? That way I could always show you that you actually think that,” Kris asked with an almost hopeful face as he stirred the chocolate absent-mindedly, “As for that date? I’m fairly certain he was just thinking about how to snog you. Trust me, he didn’t deserve you. And you’ll have to be satisfied with honey.”

Hearing Dana fall into fits of laughter Kris glanced amusedly over his shoulder, but gave Dana time to laugh. With the studying for OWLs she had done lately she probably hadn’t laughed too much lately. And even when the joke was on Kris’s expense – Dana was allowed to laugh, anyone else besides her and Mary would already be supporting a good hex. Instead of doing that Kris just turned to the oven checking the chocolate. Once the drink would be ready, he would start on the batter.
Hearing Dana calming down, Kris grinned upon hearing her words. The smile was still hovering over his lips as he turned to look at Dana.
“Sell a picture of me? Why I should leave you without the pancakes for that. Besides there wouldn’t be a rich enough person in the school to buy a picture of such ‘foxy’ looking me,” Kris tossed his hair playfully back.

Taking two white mugs from a cupboard after looking for them for a moment, Kris filled them with the hot chocolate and dropped some chocolate sprinkles onto one of the mugs, before handing that mug to Dana.
“And since I’m already cooking, I might as well do it properly. You get to do the frosting on the cake later,” Kris stated as he took a sip of his own hot chocolate, before starting the batter.

[dana]

“I happened to enjoy that date, thank you very much! And it is NOT nice to send dogs to tear up my date just because you think he might want to snog me! Besides he looked good enough, so maybe I would have wanted the same?” Dana spluttered out indignantly, before smirking, “Since you are such an over-protective brother for me, then I almost feel sorry for my daughter one day. She is going to have an extremely neurotic uncle. And honey will be fine enough, since I can’t really force you to make jam right now, can I?”

Kris’s answer to Dana’s burst of laughter was more or less expected as well. Easy-going, even a bit flirting and not at all offensive. With just the right touch of arrogance to make it cocky, but pleasantly so. “Yes, of course – girls would cry of happiness when they would be given the chance to own a picture of you,” Dana answered with a sly wink and a grin. She was warm, she had a good drink s she accepted the mug Kris handed her gratefully, and she was feeling good. What more could one want from life?

Chocking on her chocolate Dana glanced up: “You are making a cake? With frosting? You really are taking this seriously, aren’t you? I’m not complaining in any way, but – wow.” Dana stared at Kris as he broke egg-shells with what looked like carelessness, but not a piece of the shell fell into the bowl, “I’m speechless. I adore you. Be my personal cook forever?”

[kris]

“Your daughter?” Kris added some more flower to the pancake batter and brushing a strand of hair back looked up to Dana as he mixed the batter, leaning the bowl on his hip, “You aren’t having a child. I’m locking you away in a cave or the cellar of my mansion and you will not meet any guys. They aren’t worth you, so I will make sure they won’t reach you. See – no daughter coming along.”
Grinning maliciously towards Dana, Kris turned his attention back to the batter, brushing over his cheek with the back of his right arm, accidentally smudging some flour on it, even though he himself didn’t realize it.

“I know you adore. Who wouldn’t. And yes, you already told me I’m a perfect brother about 10 minutes ago. Or less,” Kris muttered turning around and lifting the batter for the first pancake on the pan, “And I’m too expensive to be your cook for the ends of time. But you can count on me to always beat up some guy who upsets you and then make you pancakes for comfort.” Kris paused thoughtfully for a moment, “That won’t be happening though as I’m locking you up. Well, at least you know the point and that’s what counts.”

[dana]

“But I have to have a daughter! It’s a family tradition that I have to have a daughter. You can spoil her,” Dana mock-pouted but a moment later a grin broke out. Kris was a sweet-heart sometimes. Locking her up could be taken offensively, but Dana knew it was said just because Kris cared. Who would have thought it – the mean, bullying Slytherin cooking pancakes as if he did it every day with flour smudged on his face. Right now Dana really missed her camera.

“Why so violent. I don’t beat up the girls you date, do I?” Dana paused for a moment. She had sent cookies with some arsenic in them to a girl that had cheated on Kris. Kris hadn’t been bothered – well, his ego was slightly touched, but that was too big anyhow. There wasn’t enough arsenic in the cookies to kill, but the girl had felt very lousy, “DON’T remind me of that Melinda or Melissa or whatever her name was. She deserved it. Seeing anyone interesting I should scare off lately? Or have you met some interesting people?”