The very next evening, following the troll incident, everything seemed to return to normal. The professors and Mane Six successfully returned the troll to the mountains from whence it came from and fortunately the damage it caused could easily be fixed with magic. Afterward, the students returned to classes the next day and life went on as it did before. All this, however, was not on the mind of one Gallus Griffon tonight. All that was on his mind that day which both elated and terrified him at the time…
His date with Silverstream.
Currently, Gallus was in the boys dormitory with Sandbar, Spike, Harry, Ron, Dean, and Seamus. The young Griffon stood dressed in a rather regal black jacket over a white button-up shirt with a purple bow tie to top it off. The feathers on his head had been style to make him resemble a ‘very major model of a modern proper gentleman’…
<>
… Really?
Just roll with it!
<>
The only thing that he seemed unable to fix was the very nerves stemming within his core.
“Oh man!” He hyperventilated. “This is happening! I mean it’s really happening! What do I do?! What do I say?!”
For the past half-hour, while the boys prepped him for tonight, Gallus freaked out over this one date. The more worried he grew, the more stressed (if not scared) he seemed to get.
“Dude, you’ve hung out with Silverstream hundreds of times,” Sandbar spoke up. “Just act like it’s one of those times. You’ll be fine.”
“Yeah… except it’s not like one of those times,” Gallus shot back. “This is an actual date!”
“Come on now mate,” Ron encouraged. “Ne need to be nervous. You risked your life for her and Hermione against a troll just the other day. This date should be nothing compared to that.”
Not that Gallus didn’t appreciate Ron’s attempt to make him feel better, sadly it wasn’t really having the desired effect.
“Ron’s right, Gallus,” Harry agreed. “It’s pretty clear you care enough about her that you’d be willing to risk your own life for her.”
“And if that’s the case, there’s no need to fret about it,” Spike chipped in.
Gallus turned his head out toward the dorm window, releasing a sigh as he stared across the starry night sky.
“I just… really want this to go well,” He said honestly. “I’ve never been on a date before, and if anything goes wrong—”
A hoof upon his shoulder stopped him midway. Gallus turned around and saw Sandbar standing next to him.
“Don’t worry buddy. If it makes you feel better, I’d bet Silverstream’s been freaking out about this date as much as you are?”
“You think?” Gallus chuckled. “Knowing how excited she is about everything, I bet she hardly worries.”
<>
“I just can’t stop worrying about this date!” Silverstream gasped.
The hippogriff was currently in the girls’ dorm with Hermione, the Mane Six, Smolder, Ocellus, and Yona. She was dressed in a beautiful teal dress Rarity spent the whole night designing for this momentous occasion. The dress had a lacy neckline, two slightly puffy sleeves on her forelegs, a yellow sash tied around the middle, and the skirt of the dress lined with a string of magnificent pink pearls. She was by every single definition of the word… absolutely stunning.
At this moment, Rarity just made some last minute adjustments to the dress as Silverstream tried to stay still.
“Believe me darling, I know exactly how you feel,” Rarity reassured. “When Erik and I were getting married, I was a complete bundle of nerves!”
“I don’t think that’s helping much Rarity,” Twilight pointed out.
The Princess of Friendship approached her young student, smiling with assurance.
“There’s nothing to worry about Silverstream. We’ve arranged the perfect date for you and Gallus tonight.”
“Really?” Silverstream asked. “What did you guys set up?”
“Sorry, can’t tell you that,” Rainbow smirked mischievously.
Suddenly Pinkie popped out from nowhere with her usual big cheeky smile.
“It would spoil the surprise!” She said excitedly. “And you know how I love big surprises! And besides, explaining to you about your date is like ‘explaining the joke’. If we have to explain the date, there might not be a date… there are rules and provisos besides and furthermore…”
“I’m just glad to see you’re feeling better Pinkie,” Fluttershy smiled warmly.
“Oh sure! I’ve never been better. Just the same old Pinkamena Diane Pie…”
Then out of the blue, Pinkie eyes started tearing up and tears trickled down her cheeks as she sobbed lightly.
“Are you alright Pinkie?” Applejack asked concerned.
Pinkie nodded her head as she turned toward Silverstream, crying further.
“I’m just so happy for our little Silverstream!” She cried. “Our little hippogriff, all grown up, going on her first real date…”
Pinkie reached into her mane, pulled out a big box of tissues, and blew her nose comically into one. The whole time, Rarity shook her head.
“Honestly, she’s acting just the way mother did when…”
Rarity’s words cut off as her eyes widened in realization. She mentally kicked herself for not seeing it sooner. The ‘one’ question she asked herself, over ‘why’ Pinkie hadn’t told them yet. Or maybe… even ‘she’ didn’t know herself.
“When your mother what?”
Twilight’s question shook Rarity back to reality, the marshmallow unicorn noticed everyone watching her in anticipation.
“Oh um… just when… mother was sick is all,” She shrugged, stammering. “Pinkie darling, perhaps you should go see Madame Pomfrey first thing in the morning.”
“Okie-dokie-lokie!” Pinkie giggled. “I like her… she seems nice!”
Twilight leaned over toward Rarity.
“What’s going on Rarity?” She whispered.
“I’ll tell you later,” Rarity whispered back.
After another moment, just as Rarity finished her alterations, Silverstream turned around to admire herself in the mirror. She was taken aback by how beautiful she looked in the dress, her smile increased, and a tear escaped her eye.
“Oh you looks absolutely stunning Silver dear!” Rarity marveled, smiling.
“You really do look beautiful,” Twilight agreed.
“Oh, thank you!” Silverstream cried, wiping a tear away. “Thank you all so much!”
“Now then, I do believe it is time to meet your gentleman caller,” Rarity smiled.
<>
Anxiously waiting down the Gryffindor common room, Gallus stood in anticipation for his date to arrive. He still felt incredibly nervous, yet it was too late to back out now. He really wanted to ensure this night went smoothly because he really liked Silverstream and hoped that she in turn felt the same.
The sound of the door to the girls’ dorm opening caused Gallus to look up. Before his eyes, Silverstream climbed down the stairs to the common room. A huge red blush replaced his usual blue face as he admired how beautiful Silverstream appeared. Likewise, Silver’s face blushed brightly red the moment she noticed how dashing Gallus looked. The young hippogriff approached the Griffin, as they both nervously tried to look at one another.
“You look, um—really lovely,” Gallus said sheepishly.
“Same to you!” Silverstream replied, correcting herself. “I mean you look handsome! Totally what I meant to say, eh-heh!”
Gallus chuckled, before taking some deep breathes and regained his composure. He turned back toward Silverstream, showing more confidence than before.
“Shall we then?”
He offered her an arm, which she took gratefully with a smile.
“We shall!”
The two young students worked their way out of the common room, moving onward towards their date.
<>
Gallus and Silverstream walked through the halls, across the Hogwarts corridors toward the castle courtyard. Normally students were not permitted to be out of bed after hours, a major school rule. Fortunately, Twilight spoke with Professor Dumbledore about it, and the wizard graciously allowed the two students ‘special permission’ to be out just for this special night.
Finally, after much walking, the two finally made it the school courtyard where a romantic dinner for two had already been set (Courtesy of Rarity). Once Silverstream saw the beautiful setting, a squeal of delight escaped.
“Oh my gosh!” She squealed. “Gallus, did you help Professor Rarity set this up?”
“Um—well you see—I don’t really…” Gallus stumbled, nervously.
But his stumbling was cut short when Silver threw her arms around him once more, kissing his cheek. Gallus smiled like a giddy fool, turning back toward the castle.
“Thanks Professor Rarity,” He whispered.
“What was that Gallus?”
“Uh nothing! Let’s sit…”
The two quickly sat in their seats, proceeding to enjoy a marvelous dinner under the stars. As they ate, Silverstream decided to strike up some conversation.
“I have a question for you Gallus,” Silverstream stated.
“Oh yeah?” Gallus smirked. “And what would that be?”
"What made you want to ask me out all of a sudden?”
Gallus’ face blushed a bit, as he turned away for a moment hoping she wouldn’t notice. Finally, after calming himself, he looked back toward the curious hippogriff.
“Can I be honest with you?” He asked seriously.
“You know you can tell me anything,” Silverstream responded, smiling.
“Well, the truth is… I’ve really wanted to ask you out for a really long time,” Gallus confessed. “I mean we’ve been friends for Celestia knows how many years and we’ve been on tons of adventures together. Deep down, I’ve always hoped we could potentially be more than just BFFs.”
The whole time, as Silverstream listened to Gallus’ confession, she couldn’t believe all this emerged from his mouth. Of course, she knew he always thought of her as his best friend. But never did she know he’d ever felt this way about someone like her. It honestly made her heart leap and her eyes water a bit.
“Do you really mean that?” Silverstream asked tearfully.
Gallus nodded in agreement, as he reached across the table and grasped her talons in his own. The two sat there for what felt like the longest time, staring into each other’s eyes and clutching each other’s talons. After a few moments, Gallus realized they were running late for the next stage of their date.
“Oh hey, we should probably get going,” He spoke.
“Where?” Silverstream asked.
“Trust me, I think you’ll like this.”
Gallus lead Silverstream from the courtyard and they proceed through the corridoes once more. Until at last, they found themselves at the steps leading down to the boathouse where they first arrived in Hogwarts. Proceeding down the lengthy stairs, emerging into the boathouse, their eyes see a single rowboat waiting for them. Gallus stepped down beside the boat, offering Silverstream his talon.
“Your chariot awaits my lady,” He said, in a fake accent.
Silverstream giggled at his silliness, but she took his talon all the same.
“Why thank you kindly good sir,” She joked.
Gallus helped Silverstream into the boat, as he proceeded to step in behind her. Gallus pulled out his wand, pointed forward, and propelled the boat slowly out along the Black Lake. The boat glided sneakily along the dark waters until it eventually came to a stop just out in the middle of the lake. From there they could see the glowing lights of Hogwarts.
“It really is beautiful, isn’t it?” Silverstream asked amazed.
Gallus turned to look at her, noting how her complexion literally glowed under the moon’s light. Her radiance shined through the evening, lighting the entire lake. Gallus smiled as he looked at the absolute beauty beside him.
“You certainly are…”
Silverstream giggled cutely, as she heard him say this. The two were enjoying each other’s company on this wonderful date, unaware of a great shadow swimming beneath them. Completely unnoticed, a mysterious created quietly rose from the surface… a giant squid, the inhabitant of the Black Lake itself. Out from the water, two tentacles emerged looking as if to attack the students… only to procure a violin and played a soft romantic melody.
https://m.
Meanwhile, high up in his office, Professor Dumbledore watched the stars in the heavens above. Looking down upon the lake, he noticed the two young students sharing a magnificent date together. The old wizard smiled fondly as two figures, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, walked alongside their old friend and smiled down at the scene.
“Oh, to be young… and in love,” Dumbledore admired.
“It is quite a wonderful feeling,” Luna nodded. “Is it not sister?”
Though Celestia was very happy for Gallus and Silverstream, she herself wasn’t too happy. As she turned away from the scene, she forced herself to smile before her old friend and sister.
“Oh yes… yes indeed.”
She quickly turned to walk away, but not quick enough as Luna followed behind her. A single wing wrapped itself on Celestia’s back. When she turned to face her little sister again, it saddened Luna to see her big sister in tears.
“Tia, what’s wrong?” Luna asked concerned.
Celestia quickly wiped her tears, trying to keep a straight face.
“I’m—I’m—I’m fine Luna,” Celestia sobbed. “Really I—”
“Please stop trying to hide your obvious pain sister,” Luna begged. “I know it hurts you greatly to see others in such romantic bliss. Why deny it any longer?”
Celestia finally broke down in hysterics, clinging tightly to her sister… and just cried. Luna rubbed her hoof along her sister’s back, trying to comfort her to no avail. Dumbledore shook his head, not in disappointment for his dear friend… but pity.
“You still think of him quite often, don’t you?” He asked knowingly.
“… Every day of my life,” Celestia whimpered.
“Why torture yourself Tia?” Luna asked.
“It’s been… thousands of years… and I can’t bear the thought… to live without him.”
Celestia turned toward Dumbledore, her eyes pleading, to which the old man nodded slowly. Drawing out his wand, walking slowly toward Celestia, he placed the end of it to her head and drew out a strange glowing strand from her head. He waved his hand, as a secret compartment of his office opened, revealing his most secret possession…
The Penseive
A device of his own making enabled to reflect upon memories of anyone so long as they retained their memory. Dumblebore drew the memory strand taken from Celestia and allowed it to fall upon the magical pool. Celestia and Luna walked up alongside him, as they all looked toward the replaying memories.
<>
Within the memories stood a much younger Celestia, during a time when she first became an alicorn princess. Back then, she was smaller… her mane yet to attain the rainbow effect that it had. Only a silky pink mane sat upon her head. The memory of a time back when the allice first came to be, when she and Luna attended Hogwarts together. She had been sorted into Hufflepuff, while Luna sorted to Ravenclaw.
The memory transitioned to Celestia walking down the Hogwarts halls when she suddenly bumped into someone. When she looked up, toward whom she ran into, she was taken aback. A young dark grey Pegasus stallion, with a coat of dark great, along with an ocean blue mane and tail, stood before her. He too had teal blue eyes, which perfectly matched his shooting star cutie mark. His name… was Cosmic Galaxy…
The memory next showed Celestia and Cosmic Galaxy, inside the Hogwarts Astronomy Tower. He played a guitar for her, as they gazed up toward the constellations within the night sky. Cosmic turned toward Celestia, and she to him.
“You will always be my shining star…” He said.
The two then leaned in, sharing a loving kiss filled with passion and desire.
The final transition showed Celestia and Cosmic Galaxy at the altar in Canterlot City. The room filled with members of the three tribes of Equestria, as Princess Platinum officiated the ceremony. Among the crowd, Celestia’s parents, and a little filly version of Luna, sat and shed tears of joy. The memory ended with Celestia and Cosmic sealing their marriage with a kiss, an eruption of applause in the background…
<>
By the memory’s end, Celestia cried further as Luna continued to comfort her. Dumbledore sent the Penseive back into its hiding place, looking back at his friends.
“I cannot even begin to imagine the pain you must have felt since losing him,” Albus said solemnly.
“A pain that’s not left me for the last few thousand years,” Celestia sniffed.
“I know how much you loved him sister,” Luna said sadly. “I miss him too… I remember having such an amazing time playing with him when I was a filly. Aside from Albus, he was the elder brother figure I never had.”
Celestia nodded, wiping the tears away from her eyes.
“Oh goodness, look at me,” She croaked. “Here I am feeling sorrow over my past and I’m ruining Gallus and Silverstream’s date. I should return to Equestria; there is still far too much to do.”
“Tia, please don’t…”
“I shall speak to you later Luna.”
Celestia then encased her body in a blinding white light; when it dissipated, she was gone. Luna sighed sadly, shaking her head as she turned toward Dumbledore.
“She’s been hurting so much since the death of her love. No matter how hard I try, I can never ease her pain…”
“Give her time my friend,” Dumbledore advised. “Time eventually heals all wounds; even the deepest cut.”
Dumbledore pulled out his wand again, as he walked to the office window. Pushing it open, he aimed at the sky. A bolt of red magic flew into the air and all of the sudden, the sky was ablaze with colorful fireworks. A little added atmosphere for Gallus and Silverstream, who took noticed of the exploding colors in the sky.
<>
Late in the evening, soon as their date officially ended, Gallus and Silverstream made their way back to the Gryffindor common room. Silverstream wore Gallus’ jacket over her shoulders, having grown cold throughout the night and Gallus kindly offered it for her to stay warm. The two walked back into the common room, climbing the stairs, and stopping just short of the doors to their respective dormitories. They both looked at each other, smiling in pure bliss.
“I really had an amazing time tonight, Gallus,” Silverstream declared happily.
“So did I Silver,” Gallus nodded.
“We should really do this again sometime.”
“You mean… hanging out as friends?”
A sly smile formed on her face, as Silverstream batted her eyelashes.
“Nope!” She said simply.
Silverstream closed her eyes, as she leaned in. Gallus closed his eyes as well, in anticipation, until finally their beaks met one another for their first kiss. It lingered for a while, before Silverstream finally drew back and the two stared each other in the eye.
“Goodnight Gallus,” Silverstream whispered.
Silverstream handed Gallus’ jacket back before turning around toward her dorm. When she opened the door, she turned to send one last smile to Gallus before shutting the door behind her. Gallus stood there, staring at the closed door with wide eyes. When his senses finally came back to him, he released a giddy laugh…
“YES!!!” Gallus shouted quietly.
The griffon danced down the steps, hopped back into the common room, and broke out in a goofy river dance in the center. He stomped his talons, twisted across the carpet, and rolled his head back as his inner most feelings escaped. Finally, he sighed and fell back onto one of the lounge chairs of the common room, a smile on his face as he gazed toward the fireplace. True, it had been a rocky journey up to this point. But the moment it finally came, everything was completely worth it.
“Best… night… ever!” Gallus declared silently.
