New Year's Ball
Kryptonite
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" I can't believe how many people stayed for the break this year." Ron was slumped down on the house table, which was still firmly in place since only a few students had left for the winter break.
" I know, we've never had this many people here." Harry was in a similar position, nose perilously close to the butter dish.
" Oh cheer up. It's not the end of the world. So we have to share the common room." Hermione as always was the voice of reason for the trio. Of course those words just made the boys groan louder.
" You'll never guess what Dumbledore's proposing considering everyone's staying at the castle for the holidays!" Ginny exclaimed rushing in. Her freckled face was excited to say the least but she didn't have a chance to tell them her good news as Dumbledore beat her to the chase.
" Students settle down, settle down." Dumbledore smiled, " Ah that's better. Now as some of you may know in light of the fact that most of our students have opted to stay at Hogwarts this break I have agreed to host a ball for New Year's eve." The statement caused many students to whisper excitedly.
" Everyone will be allowed to attend," Professor McGonagall said, taking over for Dumbledore. " The ball will start at six-thirty with a feast and then will continue until two in the morning where everyone will then return to their common rooms."
It was Professor Dumbledore's turn again, " We will be hiring a live DJ to play wizard and muggle music alike."
" What no band?" Neville whispered down the table as Dumbledore's news of a DJ instead of a band like the last ball shocked the entire hall.
" Who would ever want to listen to muggle music?" Draco Malfoy's voice sneered out.
Ginny straightened up and answered, " People with taste Malfoy. Something you wouldn't know about." The whole hall burst out laughing at the overly obvious insult to the Slytherin Prince. Draco sat down, glowering across the hall. Ginny smirked back before turning her attention back to Professor Dumbledore.
" Yes, yes. We had a few complaints the last ball and we have decided that a DJ would be better. A larger selection of music, no doubt." The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes seemed to get brighter if it was possible.
" One more thing." Dumbledore said, suddenly remembering something. " The dance will be costumed. Carry on." He smiled, settling back down into his huge throne-like chair, letting the students whisper and shriek among themselves. Dumbledore watched with amusement as pointed looks flew between couples, some secret and others a very obvious occurrence.
" So Albus," Minerva spoke, clearing her throat. " Where did the costume idea come from?" She asked pleasantly, still trying to make up her mind as to whether it was a good idea.
" Simply a way for certain couples to come together without being pushed apart." Minerva let out a small 'ah' of understanding at his words.
" What are you going as, Albus?" His twinkling eyes were turned on her as the words hung in the air.
" But that would ruin the surprise." Just as Minerva resigned herself to not knowing Albus spoke again, " But if you really want to know come to my office after dinner tonight and you can help me pick it out." Albus and Minerva shared a secretive smile that was being echoed by other pairs all over the room.
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" What's everyone going as?" Hermione questioned later that night as the entire tower hung around the common room. She got a few weak mutters here and there with the occasional excited sounding whisper from Parvati and Lavender.
" I think everyone wants to keep it a secret," Ron was sitting upside down in one of the numerous armchairs, flipping through a magazine. Hermione annoyed at Ron's 'you should have already known that but you didn't' tone, glared quickly at him before turning back to her list of ideas.
" Then I guess it's a safe bet to assume you'll be going as a Chudley Canons player," She spoke calmly, flipping another page in her book. Ron's magazine flopped to the ground as he stared in shock at Hermione.
" How did you know?" He whined, reaching for his magazine. Harry entered the conversation after coming back from a last minute trip to the library.
" Possibly because you're absolutely obsessed with the Canons?" He mentioned cheerfully.
" I take it you have your costume idea already?" Hermione said, noting his cheery voice.
" Yep, but I was wondering if you'd help me conjure it up. It's a tricky spell."
" Of course Harry." Hermione turned her attention back to the book in front of her, trying to think of what she wanted to wear. Obviously the students would be conjuring their costumes but Ginny slunk back up the stairs at the revelation that Hermione would be helping Harry with his.
" Oh bugger." She muttered, having hoped that the trio would be in the library. " 'Course I should have known Ron would have his already." Ginny tiptoed back into her own room, flopping down onto the bed as she thought about who she wanted to go as. Or better yet, with.
Sitting up she started scribbling questions and ideas down on a sheet of paper, rolled it up and then headed down to the common room. " Ron can I borrow Pig?" She asked, speaking loudly to get his attention.
" Eh? What for?" He asked, face turning red as he tried to lever himself up to see his sister, not that it wasn't already red from all the blood rushing to his head for the first time ever.
" I want to ask mum to send me one of my old costumes."
" Oh Ginny you don't have to do that!" Hermione exclaimed, hurt. " We'll get you a nice new one." Ginny kept her smile firmly in place.
" That's okay Hermione. I really like this one and I have a good idea what adjustments I can make with it."
" Alright then," Hermione was really disappointed that she couldn't help Ginny the way she wanted to. In other words she was disappointed that she wasn't being listened to.
" Fine, take him. Just remember to give him an owl treat!" Ron called after her as Ginny skipped out the portrait hole. Running down the hall, down a thing of steps and down another hall she came to the steps that would take her to the Owlery.
" So do you have any ideas or do I have to be the creative genius again?" She asked the shadow in the shadows. Just as the boy stepped forward, Ginny stepped closer pushing him back into the darkened corridor. " I'll take that as a yes." Ginny grinned as she stretched up, pecking him on the lips.
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" So Hermione what are you going as?" Hermione looked at Ron questioningly. " Well, it's just that Harry's already told me that he's going as black smith and I'm going as a Chudley canon that just leaves you."
Hermione smiled slightly, " What about your sister?" At Ron's look Hermione just rolled her eyes.
" What? I mean, she only has one costume at home that still fits and it's just a dorky looking vacuum thing."
" Well thanks for the support Ron." Ginny muttered, grabbing an apple from over his head.
" Well, it's true!" He insisted as his sister whacked him upside the head.
" What I'm interested in Hermione is who you're going with." Ginny asked conspiratorially.
" Who are you going with?" The girl shot back, not even looking at the person she was planning on going with. The two had talked about it the night before, having already decided on their costumes. " Just as I thought," Hermione said when Ginny didn't say anything.
" So who are you boys going with? You'll end up with someone by the end of the night anyway." Ginny turned to her brother, sending Hermione a curious look.
" What do you mean?" Ron asked, his normal look of confusion firmly planted.
Ginny started giggling uncontrollably. " That's right, you don't read any of the announcements, do you?" She continued to giggle as Ron's face got redder.
" Why should I?" Ginny took a couple of deep breaths, trying to get back under control.
" Dumbledore's casting a spell that at the stroke of midnight will pull you to your soul mate, or at least the person you're most compatible with." Ginny shrugged, doing her best not to peek at the horror-stricken look on Ron's face. Harry clapped him on the back, trying to stifle his own laughter.
" Just think how bad it would be if you ended up with Millicent Bulstrode." Ron turned his icy glare on his best friend.
" Let's just pray you don't end up with Professor Trelawny." That comment stopped Harry's laughing in a heartbeat as he straightened up, eyes wide.
" You don't think it's possible, do you?" Harry asked in a panic.
" Anything's possible mate. Bad luck, that would be." Ron was grinning as he tried to comfort his friend, ending up scaring him more. Ginny shook her head, eyes turning on accident to the Slytherin table. She watched for a moment as Pansy literally draped her ugly self all over the blonde. Rolling her eyes Ginny turned quickly back to her brother and his friends.
^-^-^-^
" Albus is this really necessary? The children can make out in their common rooms. Why torture the teachers with their disgusting physical displays and bad music?" Snape asked, trying hard to act like his normal, evil, fun-hating self.
" Can you honestly tell me Severus that there isn't someone who will be at this event that you want to be with on New Year's?" Albus cocked an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling as always, and a crooked grin firmly in place.
" Yes." Severus narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin even higher, trying to look down his nose at the head of Hogwarts. It didn't work, to say the least.
" Severus, go get some sleep. I'll see you at the ball. And remember, you can be masked as long as I don't find you down in your dungeons between six-thirty and two." Growling, Severus turned to leave, robes billowing as always. " Oh and Severus as soon as you leave the dungeons the doors will lock and not open until two."
Repressing a scream of frustration, Severus went to leave and almost knocked Minerva over in his haste to leave. Severus grinned, happy now that his 'opinion' had been heard and he could go with the minimum of grumbling.
" Oh my, what was that about?"
" Just Severus being Severus. What can I help you with my dear?" Albus didn't even notice until after the endearment slipped off his tongue that he had said it.
" Um, my costume. You made a suggestion based off of yours?"
" Yes?" Albus asked, seating himself at his desk.
" Does that mean you want to go with me?" She asked quickly, trying to cut to the chase. Albus looked up shocked. For once in his life the old man was speechless.
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" Ginny if you let me see your costume I can help with make-up and stuff." Hermione said beseechingly, trying to get the littlest Weasley to tell her what her costume was.
" Sorry Hermione, I have everything covered. But thanks for the offer." Ginny smiled warmly at the girl, trying to get her to leave her alone. Everyone in the tower was keeping their costumes a secret. In fact, the only people who did know their costumes were the people they were going with, if they were going with anyone.
" Come on Ginny you only have two days left until New Year's how can you have everything ready? I mean, we only had six days to prepare for it!" The Head girl was shocked, having wanted the younger girl to come to her for help.
" I'm fine Hermione. I memorized a few spells that will take care of my appearance, my costume is hidden away in my room, neatly pressed and waiting to be put on. I'm fine."
" Well…" Hermione pursed her lips. " Okay then." She swallowed, turning to go back to her own room. Her costume had been done since she and her date had worked out what they were going to be and she was getting nervous.
" Sorry." Ginny apologized as she watched the girl walk down the short hall to her own private room. Being a seventh year and a Head girl did have its advantages.
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