The Dream
The entire prefect board was gathered in Dumbledore's office talking quietly amongst themselves. Suddenly the door burst open and Ron came rushing into the room panting.
Sorry Professor I was working and lost track of the time"
"Not to worry," said Dumbledore in a bright voice "I quite understand, but to try to be in time in he future wont you?"
"Yes of course sir" muttered Ron as he took the last empty seat by the fire.
"Alright, now that we are all here, I am sure you are all wandering why I have called this meeting so soon after our last one" said Dumbledore rising from his leather chair to address the gathered students. "Well Hermione and Ernie have come to me with a proposal, but maybe I should let them explain" he finished as he nodded to Hermione and Ernie who rose from their seats as he sat down.
"Hi everyone we're pleased you could all make it" Hermione said smiling around at the group.
"Ok the reason we are here is because Hermione and I have come up with the idea of having Christmas Ball, which, if successful, Dumbledore has agreed to try and make an annual event."
"Which I am sure you all agree would be excellent" Hermione added
"So we just wanted to see what the rest of you thought, see if had any ideas for what we could possibly do." Ernie finished.
The room was silent for a minute before Emily Williams a 5th year from Hufflepuff spoke up.
"I love the idea, I've always thought we needed something like this." At this several others murmured their agreement.
"Okay then" said Hermione brightly. "Does anyone have any suggestions as to how it should be organised?"
"I think we should have a theme" someone called out.
"What about a band?"
"I'll do the decorations"
Suggestions were flying from all directions faster then Hermione could write them down.
"Slow down please everyone, one at a time. Now, I agree that we need a theme so lets start there. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
"What about fancy dress" a boy from the back called out.
"Or muggle dress" called another.
"I like the muggle dress idea," said Hermione turning to look at Ernie then Dumbledore. "Does anyone have a better idea?" She looked expectantly around the room but all were quiet. After a minute Dumbledore clapped his hands and said,
"Wonderful, Muggle dress it is then and as for a band, shall I see if I can arrange for the Weird Sisters to come out again?" There was a murmur of excited agreement at this last suggestion.
"OK then that settled ... Umm ... I think we may as well stick with the usual Christmas menu I don't see any need to change it." Said Hermione looking at Dumbledore who was nodding in agreement.
The discussion went on for quiet a while and when Hermione believed that all points had been covered she said,
"Well if no one has anything to add I think we can call it a night."
"Hey Ron, wait for me," Hermione called running down the hall after her friend.
"Oh, hi Hermione,"
"Are you alright Ron? You were very quiet during all that." Asked Hermione quietly once she was walking beside him.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" said Ron, a little too quickly for Hermione's liking, and when she looked at him again he was blushing slightly. At the next corner Ron said that he had things to do and hurried off leaving Hermione to walk back to Gryffindor tower alone.
As she walked through the portrait hole she spotted Harry sitting at one of the tables playing wizard chess with Dean. She slowly weaved her way through the tables occupied by chattering students, and flopped down in an empty armchair next to their table. Sighing she laid her head back, looked up at the ceiling and closed her eyes.
"Hey babe, how did the meeting go?" asked Harry not looking at her. "Is everything alright? He finished once he looked round and saw the look on her face.
"Oh its nothing really I'm just worried about Ron that's all" she said sighing again and turning to look at him.
"Don't stress too much alright it'll all sort itself out in the end." He said giving her a smile, which made her melt inside. "So how did the meeting go anyway?"
"Really good! Dumbledore Okayed our idea for a Christmas Ball and even said that he would try and get the Weird Sisters for us again."
"Really?! That's great Hermione, it's going to mean extra work for you though"
"Yeah, I know, but it'll be worth it!"
"Well seeing as you're the one organising it, I really don't see how it could be anything but brilliant!" as he said this he got up and walked over to her and taking her hands in his he pulled her up into a hug. Hermione giggled
"You're so sweet"
"Heh, thanks" he said blushing slightly and running a hand through his already messy hair. Hermione giggled then leant in and kissed him.
"Oh Harry, I just remembered, my parents wanted to know if you would like to come to our place for Christmas this year?"
"Really? I'd love to go"
"I think they want to get to know you a little better since I told them we were going out."
"Oh umm...ok" said Harry with a slightly worried expression on his face. Hermione noticed this and laughed.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure they don't go over board, I promise! Okay?"
"Okay, I trust you, I know you'll protect me." He joked. Hermione giggled before kissing him. Just then they heard the portrait hole open and turned around to see who it was.
"Oh there's Ron, I need to talk to him" said Hermione rushed over to him. She caught him halfway across the common room, and Harry watched them have a hurried and what looked like 'heated' discussion.
"JUST LAY OFF HERMIONE! IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GET OFF MY BACK!" yelled Ron before he stalked up the stairs to his dormitory. Harry, who had come over when Ron had started to shout, was about to go after him when he felt a hand on his arm.
"Just leave him, it's not worth it."
"What was that about anyway?" Hermione sighed.
"He's been skiving off on his prefect duties, Dumbledore says that if he does it again he is going to lose his badge."
"Well it doesn't look like he even cares about it to me." Said Harry looking towards the spiral staircase.
"Oh well" said Hermione as she sighed again. "It's his problem now. I think I'm going to get an early night" she said. "I want to get to the library before class tomorrow.
"Okay" he said giving another kiss and a tight hug "I'll see you in the morning."
"If you get up early enough!" she giggled jokingly as she gave him one last kiss before heading up to her dormitory.
"Hey, I'm not that bad am I?" he called after her. Hermione just turned around and grinned at him cheekily before hurrying up the stairs. Shaking his head and muttering to himself, Harry rejoined Dean at their table.
It wasn't long before Dean too decided to head up to bed.
"Night Harry," he called as he disappeared up the spiral staircase. Sighing Harry leant back in his chair looking at his watch. 'Only 10:15' he thought to himself 'Hmm may as well get some of that homework out of the way."
It was nearly 2 in the morning, and Harry's eyes were itching with tiredness, before he finally packed his things away and made his way up to bed. Ron hadn't turned up until after midnight, and when he had he took one look at Harry, opened his mouth as if to say something then shook his head and hurried up the their dormitory before Harry had a chance to say anything.
When he entered the room he could hear the soft breathing of the four sleeping boys with which he shared his dorm. As quietly as possible he made his way over to his bed and got changed before slipping down between the warm sheets and pulling the curtains closed around his bed. It was a while before Harry fell into a restless sleep.
He found himself in a darkened room. The only source of light was a roaring fire. He was pacing the room waiting impatiently for the news to arrive. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" he called as he stopped pacing and placed his long, white, almost skeletal hand on the chair that occupied the space in front of the fire. The door opened slowly and a cloaked figure entered the room, closing the door behind him.
"What news?" Harry found himself asking the figure.
"They have agreed to join you Master, and are waiting for further instructions."
"Excellent! You have done well. We are now only waiting for news from Bellatrix. Very well, tell them to be prepared we will be moving as soon as I hear from Bella. Now go!"
"Yes My Lord" and bowing slightly the figure left the room
Voldemort now turned to look into the flickering flames.
Not too long now my sweet" he muttered as he heard Nagini stirring in the corner "Everything is going to plan, soon we shall know!"
Harry woke with a start; sweat dripping from his forehead and scar stinging. Panting he sat up and pulling his curtains open, he slowly made his way over to the small table under the window and poured himself a glass of water. It had been a8 months since he had last dreamt that he was Voldemort. 'Why now?' hr thought 'What is he planning? Who has joined him? What is Bellatrix doing that is so important?' sighing and rubbing his scar he silently made his way across the room and slipped out onto the spiral staircase and made his way down to the common room. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he was startled to see a figure curled up on the lounge in front of the fore reading a book. Smiling, he slowly made his way over, and after giving her a kiss on the top of the head as he leant over her he whispered,
"What are you doing up so early? Is there something wrong?" Hermione jumped at his touch, dropping her book, but relaxed at the sound of his soothing voice.
"Harry, don't do that, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" she said in mock anger as he sat down beside her.
"Sorry" he said guiltily as he placed a hand around her waist and pulled her closer.
"So is everything alright? Or do you like getting up at 4 in the morning?" Hermione groaned.
"Not if I can help it!" she said as she laid her head on his shoulder. "Peeves decided it would be great to play a joke on someone. Unfortunately that someone was me and involved him blowing on my ear and waking me up. And once I'm awake I find it very difficult to get back to sleep again so I thought I may as well come down and read some of my book.
"Damn Peeves! He did that to me a few years ago the night before a Quidditch match."
"So what are 'you' doing up? I know for a fact that you don't make it a habit to get up at this time of the morning,"
Harry sighed again and turning away from her he looked into the flickering flames remembering the dream. He knew how she would react if he told her, but knew that it would be worse if he lied to her.
"Bad dream" he muttered eventually.
"What about?"
He turned back and found her face only inches from his.
"Voldemort," he said as he looked away again. "It was another of those dreams I was having back in 5th year" he heard a sharp intake of breath as Hermione sat up.
"What happened?" she asked after a short pause.
"One of his Death Eaters told him that their mission had been successful and that someone had agreed to join him. Then he said that he only needed to hear from Bellatrix before could put him plans into action. Then I woke up."
Harry you have to tell Dumbledore. This might be important to the members of the order."
"Yeah, I know, but it is so early Mione, it would mean waking him up. I'm sure it can wait until morning."
"Okay, but you have to promise me that you will go see him first thing, alright?"
"Promise!"
Harry, who even after going to bed at 2, found that he was unable to sleep so stayed with Hermione for the rest of the morning.
Four hours later Harry found himself standing in front of the stone gargoyle attempting to decipher the new password that would allow him entrance to the Headmasters office.
"Sugar quill? Lemon Drops? No he's already used that one, Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans?"
"Chocolate Drops" said an amused voice behind him. Turning around he saw the aging Professor smiling at him. "They truly are delightful, now what can I do for you this morning Harry?"
"Umm... I was wondering if I could have a word Professor?"
"Certainly, up you come then." Harry followed Dumbledore up the moving spirall staircase, into his office.
"Take a seat Harry," said Dumbledore indicating one of the comfy chairs in front of his desk. "So, Harry, what is it you wished to speak to me about?"
"I had another of those dreams where I became Voldemort last night."
"Oh really, is this the first one since you were in your O.W.L.S?"
"Yes sir"
"Sorry to interrupt, please continue."
"He was in a room with a chair and a rug in front of an open fire, and there was a table to one side of the room. One of his Death Eaters came in, I don't know who. He said that they have agreed to join him, and were waiting for more instructions."
Do you know who they were talking about Harry?"
"No sir"
"Oh well, please continue"
Voldemort then said that they were just waiting for news from Bellatrix before they could put their plan into action, and that everything was going to plan. Then he said that soon he would know. I don't know what he was talking about though, he didn't mention that part." Dumbledore sighed, stood up, and started pacing behind his desk. "What's he planning sir?"
"I don't know Harry, that's the problem."
