5 Rings and Things

Friday came and went and finally Saturday was here and that meant it was time to go to the Black Manor. Crimson was nervous but also excited, she always loved staying with the Black's, Andromeda made her feel so welcome. She took a shower and put on a nice dark green dress and some black pumps, she put her hair half up half down in a clip and also added some light make up. She dressed up because she needed to keep up with her pureblood status and stay in the Black's good standings. After one final look in her mirror she grabbed her trunk and Ember in her carrier. She walk to the fire place located right in front of her bed and flooed to the Black Manor.

Immediately she was embrace in a gentle but also firm hug. She smelt the expensive cologne and coffee and knew it was Lucas.

"Im glad you made it, you had me slightly worried that you had forgotten I almost came to your manor."

"Im alright, I just took my time getting ready to impress your mother."

"My raven, you always do too much she loves you already you don't need to always dress like this."

"Its no bother I sincerely enjoy it."

Lucas gave her a curt not and took Ember and her trunk to a guest room close to his. Crimson stayed in the parlor looking around admiring the beauty of the decor. She noticed something seemed off, it seemed darker than usual but not uncomfortable yet not comfortable either.

"Ah my darling Crimson"

The smooth and comforting voice of Andromeda Black flew through the air cutting Crimson's thoughts short.

"You look absolutely petrifying"

"As do you Mrs. Black"

"You know you may call me Andromeda, we are practically family, now come have a seat lets chat and catch up."

Crimson gave a small smile to the woman and took a seat opposite of her making sure to keep up her posture.

"So let me hear all of the new news you have."

"In all honesty not much is new, I met a distant cousin with my parents the other day and other than that I have just been anticipating the new term starting Tuesday."

"Wonderful, I must ask do you know what is taking place at the school this year?"

"I do not, have you any idea?"

"Yes actually, although I must not speak of it, I am going to let you in on the events but, I haven't told Lucas because it is not safe for him nor you but, I know you can handle the news better than him."

"Yes of course, he always has been that way."

Both slightly chuckled at the comment.

"Crimson my dear dear girl, this year Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament, but unlike other years where one victor from each school competes there will be two. They must be eighteen years of age or older to compete. I know that if I told Lucas this he would get a big head and want to show everyone that a Slytherin can be good for once. I love my son but he can't do the task that are being set up. I won't share what these tasks are but they are incredibly dangerous."

Crimson took every word and let it soak in. She wanted to compete, she didn't know why but she felt that she had to.

"Now I want you to compete, or at least put your name in. Bring pride to all purebloods and bring pride to your family. Your father always said he wanted you to compete if you got the chance, so do this for him Crimson."

"He never told me."

"This was the one thing he was private about and always told your mother and that he would tell you once the time was right."

Crimson thought for a moment, maybe this was what her parents were hiding from her. They knew something she didn't and she was going to figure out what it is.

" Crimson this is what you were born for."

Those words in particular hit her deep, she looked deep into Andromeda's eyes and knew she was telling the truth.

"Well thats enough of that, I suppose its time to go shopping now. Yes?"

She noticed that Lucas had come back into the parlor and was smiling and her and his mother.

"Yes, to Diagon alley we go."

Crimson flooed first and landed quite harshly onto the cobble stone of the alley. A few seconds later Andromeda and Lucas followed. Crimson first went to a new book shop that opened and found a few novels to her liking. They then went to the quidditch store and both her and Lucas purchased the new Nimbus model for the upcoming season. Lucas then took his mother somewhere while Crimson went to a dresses for all occasions store and found a particularly gorgeous dress. The dress was a floor length Ravenclaw blue evening gown. The train was a foot long and the material kept the dress flowing beautifully, the bodice was adorned with a deep-v neckline with diamonds lining it. The sleeves were the same silk material as the rest of the dress and draped all the way down to the train. She looked at the tag and was shocked to see it was only one-hundred galleons and it was in her size. She swiftly took the dress and purchased it deciding that it was a perfect fit for her necklace and earrings.

Leaving the shop she saw Lucas and Andromeda waiting by the Weasleys shop. They all headed inside, Crimson was in awe of the shop every time she entered it. She browsed around and decided she didn't need anything.

"Hey Crimson lovely seeing you"

"Hello Fred, George, nice seeing you, the shop is looking lovely as ever."

"Thanks, see anything you need?"

"Not today unfortunately, now I would love to stay and chat but the Slytherrats are waiting for me."

Crimson grinned and gave the twins a wink, turning and leaving the chuckling twins seeing a quite amused Lucas.

"Slytherrats huh?"

"Best I could come up with."

"Quite clever actually I commend you on that."

She smiled slightly at Lucas.

After a quick butter beer the three decided to go back to the manor and get ready for a long day tomorrow. As Crimson was packing the last of her shopping in her trunk she heard a soft knock at the door.

"Come in"

Lucas opened the door smiling at her. He was wearing a rather nice black button up and black slacks, his hair combed neatly and his shoes shined.

"Come with me for a walk?"

"Of course and might I add you look quite handsome."

"Thank you love"

The two walked through the garden arm in arm. The night was clear and crisp as it was almost September, the stars were shining particularly bright tonight. The two stopped at their favorite bench in the ivory garden. Crimson took a seat as well as Lucas. The two sat in a comfortable silence for a while before Lucas spoke up.

"Crimson can we speak for a moment its rather important."

"Of course Luke"

"So I just wanted to say thank you for being my best friend and the love of my life, these past two years have been nothing but absolute euphoria. My raven you have brought out the best in me and I wanted to ask you something."

Lucas got of the bench and down onto one knee. Crimson looked at him in complete shock, this night was going to end terribly.

" Crimson Rose I would like to know if you would do me the honor of marrying me?"

Lucas opened a small black velvet box to revel a silver ring set wit one small Sapphire surrounded by a few smaller diamonds. Lucas' face was glowing and he was smiling and actual smile something Crimson hasn't seen since they were young.

"Lucas, its gorgeous but Im sorry I can't. "

Crimson closed the box and pulled Lucas up off of his knee. He sat on the bench next to her and looked at her confused.

"Lucas I want more than anything to love you fearfully but, I love you as more of a friend. We haven't even had our first fight yet, we haven't even finished school yet. We are both so young and have so much more growing to do."

Lucas' face softened and he stared right into Crimsons blue eyes.

"Oh my raven, why didn't you tell me this sooner? We could've worked this out?"

Crimson was surprised at how well Lucas was taking this.

"Luke right now we are in two different places, I hope that one day we find our way back to each other but for now I think its best if we go our separate ways and grow up."

Crimson shed a single tear and looked into Lucas' light green eyes. Lucas got up and took her hand. He kissed her hand gently and then left her there with the ring next to her.

Crimson sat there for what seemed like hours. She eventually got up and went to the guest room she was put in, gathered all of her things and headed to the parlor.

"You did the right thing darling."

Andromeda sat in her seat from earlier looking at the empty fire place.

"I was the same with my husband before he passed. You saved him from a life time of heart ache."

Crimson gave Andromeda a curt nod before stepping next to the fireplace.

"Oh before you leave, take this he wants you to have it as a symbol of an everlasting friendship."

Crimson took the box with the ring inside.

"I can't you should keep it. It would look much better on you."

"Crimson please take it."

With that said Crimson stepped into the fire place and place her things next to her, putting the ring into her coat pocket and grabbed a handful of floo powder.

"Valkenrie Manor"

Then she was gone, not knowing what the future held.