"Here's the thing about North Carolina," I laid in the pile of fallen leaves, "When the leaves change, they actually stay on the trees for a long time, probably about a month or so. It is so much prettier that way."
"I'd like to go to North Carolina," Lunic lay next to me, wings flopped out on the ground sunning them. Clouds passed by every now and then, interrupting the sun bathing. But for the most part, the October day was actually fairly nice. "You've told me so much about it, would seem wrong not to take a little visit."
"I'm right there with you, Lunic," Harry agreed, having decided to join Lunic and I for our free period, which he did rather often.
Ever since that night with Draco, things had settled into a semi normal routine. I'd go to class, study, and hang out with my friends. Repeat. Throw in some home sickness and regret for kicking Draco out of my life and that was the past month and a half. I had gotten a few owls from my friends back home. They sounded like they missed me, but were busy with their own lives. Just like I was busy creating my new one. As much as I loved hearing from them, it was heart breaking to know what was going on at The Academy without me. It reminded me of how much I missed everything.
"So how cliché is that Halloween Ball they're throwing?" Lunic laughed, changing the subject. "I mean, it will just be one big costume party."
"I'm looking forward to it," I grinned at him, "I like dressing up."
"Plus it is kind of like a spirit lifter," Harry mentioned. "These times are just so dark, everyone is on edge. There needs to be something that reminds us that there is a light in the darkness."
"That is very poetic, Harry," Lunic nodded, "And a very good point."
"What are you going as, Dante?" Harry asked, rolling on his stomach to look at me.
"That's for you to find out," In reality, I hadn't found a costume yet. And I only had two more days to look. This would be interesting. "Speaking of that, it's lunch time. We should probably get going."
"And tomorrow you're going to Hogsmeade so I'll see you Sunday." Lunic stood and began walking us back to the path. "And you'll tell me all the details of the dance."
"Oh yes, there will be ton's of details," I rolled my eyes. Yes, school dances are fun and all, I love dancing and socializing (now that I'm actually social). But I liked to at least seem cool and uninterested.
Harry and I walked silently back toward the castle, until about half way up the path when Harry stopped suddenly. I kept walking, completely oblivious until he called my name.
"Why'd you stop?"
"Will you be my date to the dance?" he asked, still ten feet away from me.
"Seriously?" Honestly I hadn't expected this. I knew he liked me but we were going with a big group of Griffindors, and yes, some of them had dates, but there were those of us who were going stag. Never had I thought that someone would ask me. You'd think that the new girl from a different country would get more attention, but you're wrong.
"Well, um, yes," he kicked at a rock on the ground and I realized how the "seriously" must have sounded to him. Oops.
"Sure, Harry," I walked back down to him, smiling. "I'll go to the dance with you."
"Great!" He smiled from ear to ear and took my hand. For some reason, I figured he had it in his head that we were now a couple.
Boy, was he mistaken.
"I still cannot believe that was the outfit you chose," Hermoine yelled at me through the bathroom door Saturday night as I slipped on my costume. "Its not really you, is it? I didn't think you were that…"
"Innocent?" I laughed, zipping up the back of the dress. "I'm not, really. But it was just too perfect to pass up."
Two minutes later I was back out with Hermoine, who was dressed as a pirate wench. She didn't look at all trashy, though, which was good. We had picked out our costumes at Hogsmeade the day before. As I picked through the racks at the Halloween specialty store, I came upon the most beautiful Angel outfit I had ever seen. I dyed the tips of the wings blue, just because I loved the way Lunic's looked. Hermoine on the other hand wanted to coordinate with her boy toy. Pirates, great coordination.
Hermoine looked at me and smirked, "Harry is going to die when he sees you like that."
"Like what?" I looked down at myself. I didn't think I looked all that different, other than my hair straight and my make up a little more theatrical. But the dress was really pretty. It was white, long and flowing, but strapless and tight around my chest. Must have made my boobs look big.
"Looking so gorgeous," Hermoine linked arms with me, "Lets go, they're waiting for us."
Down in the common room, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Neville were waiting for us. Ron automatically ran to Hermoine and took her from me. They really did look like a Pirate pair, which was cute and all if you liked when cute couples matched. Personally I thought it was odd. As much as I loved cute couples, obnoxious ones got on my nerves. They were being obnoxious.
"Wow, Dante," Harry looked me up and down, "You look great."
"Thank you," I took in his costume. He was dressed as a knight in shining armor. That was rather fitting if I do say so myself. Considering, as I had found out, he was the Chosen One to kill Voldemort. Or he was trying to be ironic. I couldn't decide and wasn't going to ask.
"Shall we go, then?" Neville asked. Now that I thought about it, him and Ginny were the only stag ones now. I felt a little bad about it, but soon got over it as we walked down into the Great Hall.
Everyone was dressed up, most looked so different I couldn't recognize them. The Hall itself was decked out in spider webs and jack-o-lanterns. Delicious sweets lined the tables off to the sides of the dance floor, and huge punch bowls held many different colored drinks. Music played loudly over the dim light of the dance floor, but was drowned out around the tables due to all the people talking. Time passed in a whirl of bright color costumes and candy corn as we went from group to group and on to the dance floor and back to social stuff. I lost track of how many people I talked to and how many songs I said I loved as the DJ even played songs popular in the States.
But time slowed suddenly, as I pulled myself from the dancing to get myself a cup of punch. So many flavors to choose from though, and as I pondered I did not notice someone sneaking up behind me. "The green is the best, if I do say so myself," a deep voice whispered in my ear.
I turned and saw the Phantom of the Opera. Great costume choice, I loved the play and the movie. It was probably my favorite.
"Thank you for the suggestion." I grabbed a cup and poured some of the green punch into it. I took a sip and realized that he was right, it was delicious.
"You like it?" He smirked at me, running his fingers through his black hair.
"Love it," I gazed at him, "Who are you?"
"The Phantom," he bowed, letting his cape fall over his shoulders, "And you are my Angel of Music."
"I ain't going to sing for you," I giggled, stepping toward him. Something about him seemed familiar but there weren't any features I recognized with the mask on. I didn't know many people with chocolate brown eyes that also had a taste for the Opera. "Who are you really?"
"I'll tell you if you dance with me," he reached out his hand for me to take.
"I'm sorry," I stared at his open hand longingly. I was attracted to the mystery of the whole thing, but there was the simple fact that Harry was on the dance floor waiting for me. "I'm here with a date."
"Yes, I noticed," he dropped his hand. "I knew it was foolish to ask anyways, but I thought maybe one dance would not hurt your knight."
"Maybe you should sword fight him," I said, trying to keep a straight face as I referenced the movie.
His laugh filled the space around us, "You are quite the funny one. First your outfit, then this."
"My outfit?" I interrupted, glaring at him. "It's not supposed to be funny."
"I didn't mean it like that," he assured, "I just think it is ironic. You're named for a story about Hell and yet you're dressed as an Angel." "I'm a walking contradiction," I could see where he had gotten the idea now. My parents had in fact named me for the main character in their favorite story, The Divine Comedy. When I was growing up, I did not get to hear bed time stories of princesses in far away lands, I heard Dante's Inferno over and over again. I had it memorized.
"Yes," he stepped closer to me, four inches from my face. "But you are quite the beautiful contradiction."
My cheeks grew hot and I backed away from him. "I'm going to go get some air."
"May I join you?" he held out his arm for me to take. I did, and we walked out into area outside the great hall that led to the rest of the castle. People were milling around, sitting on the stairwell or making out in shadowy corners.
"Can I have a hint as to who you are?" I asked after about two minutes of us standing silently against a far wall.
"You know who I am," he winked at me.
"That ain't a real hint," I punched his shoulder lightly, "I want something with substance, something I can actually work with."
"Fine," he looked up at the ceiling and pondered for a moment. I hoped his brain didn't explode. "Actually no, because it would be too easy for you to figure out who I am. You're too smart."
"Damn," I pouted, "You are too, because I thought I had you there."
"I'm on to you, Dante Saint-Evans." he snickered. "Now, I will ask you again, will you dance with me a least once. You won't regret it, I promise."
"I can't, really," I insisted. "Harry would not appreciate that all too much."
"Harry Potter won't have to see."
Suddenly he took me in his arms and began to sway with me around the room. The people around the room stared at us, but didn't say a word. He twirled me around, over and over again in a giant circle. If I hadn't been so lost in the moment I probably would've gotten dizzy. If only "Music of the Night" was playing at that moment, because then it would've been perfect.
When he finally put me back down, I was out of breath. "Wow," I breathed, staring at him. "You are kind of fascinating."
"You're very beautiful," he stared at me as well, just as shocked as I was for some reason. "Come with me, there is something I'd like to show you."
He took my hand and we ran through the castle, hallways empty of any people or professors. But I was not afraid, because with this mystery man holding my hand I felt safe for some reason. I couldn't explain it.
"The Room of Requirement," I said as we stopped in front of the very familiar wall.
"So you know it," he gazed at the wall and a black door appeared, with gold trim lacing around figures that I recognized from the set of the movie version of Phantom. "I bet you've never seen it look like this."
He pushed open the door and inside was an almost exact replica of the Phantom's room in the underground of the Opera Populaire. The piano and the covered mirrors, red roses and candelabras everywhere. Even the black swan bed with the curtains around it.
"This is amazing," I gasped, twirling around the room. "I can't believe it."
"I knew you would have this reaction." He stood proudly to the side as I walked around the room I had only ever known as having sand and blue walls. "Especially on a night as mysterious as this."
"Yes, it is fitting," I agreed, turning back to him. "And you and I sort of fit the theme." He looked confused, so I explained. "It seems you have been watching me from afar, just like the Phantom. Otherwise how would you know my name. Or you were hiding in plain sight, but that wouldn't be as fun. And on a night where so much is going on, you pull me away, thrusting me into a world of enchantment that I have never known. Just like the Phantom had with Christine." I looked down at my dress, "Also helps that we are dressed for the part."
"I had not thought of that," He leaned on the piano, "Would you like me to play something for you?"
"I would enjoy that." He bowed again and sat himself at the piano. Then he laughed. "Actually, I can't play piano to save my life." He reached to the side of the instrument and brought out an acoustic guitar and strummed it. "This I can play for you. But only if you sing with me."
"What song?" I asked, feeling butterflies rise in my stomach. As much as I loved singing, I hadn't really ever gotten over my fear of singing in front of people. Someone had once told me I was not very good, and I had believed them. They gave me quite the complex.
"You'll know it when you hear it," He twisted some of the tuning keys and began playing. I knew instantly what song it was. I'll Be by Edwin McCain. Didn't quite fit the theme of our night so far, but it was a great song.
Without knowing what I was doing, I began to sing. He looked up from his strumming and joined me, our voices blending ever so perfectly. My heart swelled with whatever emotion I had been feeling since I met this guy, and I couldn't place what it was. He seemed to be the perfect match for me, more than anyone ever had been. Same taste in the mysterious, romantic, and musical. Even had the same humor as me. Yet I had no clue who he was, only adding to my attraction.
When he set his guitar down, he looked back at me. "You are amazing, Dante."
"You're not too bad yourself," I replied, taking my eyes off him and focusing on a vase of red roses. The petals were soft as I touched them, and their smell filled the room, combining with the scent of burning candles.
"I never thought I could feel like this," He stood up in front of me and ran his fingers across my cheek, "You truly have stolen my heart."
His hand grasped my neck and he pulled me to him, kissing me. Chills went down my spine as his kiss turned more passionate, his lips warm and moist. I felt light headed, but in a spectacular way. I wrapped my arms around him and he pressed against me. When he pulled away from me, his eyes sparkled with happiness.
"Wow." "I know," I put my head against his chest and listened to his racing heart. "That was the best kiss I have ever had."
"I could say the same thing," he whispered, running his fingers through my hair.
We stayed like that for what seemed like ages, pressed against each other silently. His heart slowed, and he kept his hand on the crook between my neck and shoulder, the nerves under my skin more sensitive to his touch than anywhere else. It was then that I realized how exhausted I was. It had to be almost one in the morning, and I had been dancing all night along with other sorted activities during the day. No wonder it had all caught up to me.
"Would you like to sit down?" he asked me, tilting my chin up to face him.
"That would be lovely," I let him lead me to the bed, where I sat and pulled my wings and shoes off.
"We should probably head back to our dorms soon," he murmured, joining me on the bed.
"I don't want anyone worrying about you."
"I don't want this night to end though," I bit my lip, knowing Hermoine was either freaking out about me or too busy with Ron to notice my absence. Harry on the other hand, would worry. But I truly didn't want to leave such a miraculous place. Nothing would compare ever again to it.
"Then we won't let it end," he gave me a smile, which turned into a laugh as I yawned. "Should I get you some caffeine?"
"No," I yawned again, feeling my eye lids growing heavy. "I'll just lie down." I stretched out on the silky, cool sheets.
He laid across from me and gazed into my eyes. "I'll keep you safe until the morning, Dante."
"I trust you," I took his hand and closed my eyes, letting go of everything except the grip I had on him. For some reason, I felt like never letting go.
Morning came almost too quickly, and the sound of someone strumming on a guitar woke me from my slumber. My eyes opened slowly and my Phantom was sitting in the candle light, playing a soft song, completely focused on the strings of his guitar. I moved slowly to a sitting position and got up. Bare feet made my steps silent as I approached him.
When he looked up, I was right in front of him. "Good morning," he smiled, setting his instrument down. "Would you like some breakfast? I had the liberty of going and getting you some." He pulled a plate from on top of the piano and handed it to me.
"Well aren't you sweet," I bit into a piece of bacon and surveyed the other items on the plate. Toast, eggs, bacon, and a few pieces of fruit. Good choices, but they still weren't grits.
"I also sent notes to your friends," he chuckled, "This really is like Phantom of the Opera."
"Very much so," I agreed, and sat down on his lap. We shared the food, every now and then sharing a kiss. The one problem I had with this, was I still did not know who he was.
"So," he wrapped his arms around me once we were done eating. "What are you plans for the day, my dear?"
"Oh, so you're not going to keep me here forever so you can hear me sing whenever you want?" I joked.
"No," he sighed, "As much as I'd like to do that, I can't. We both have lives outside of these four walls."
"Too right you are," I looked into his eyes and noticed that something was off. The chocolate brown color they had been last night had changed. Now, they were a grey color. Suddenly, I knew exactly who he was, and that made my blood boil.
"You look mad," Draco's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"You should've kept your contacts in," I spat, and threw his mask off his face. All that was left of his disguise was the black hair. I stood up and backed away from him. "How could you do this to me, Draco?"
"Dante, listen," he stood up and tried to keep me calm. "I didn't think there was any other way you would talk to me. But then when I saw you I knew that I didn't need you as a friend, I needed you as mine."
"I don't belong to anyone!" I screamed. "You could never own me!"
"I didn't mean it like that," he kept his voice even and stayed where he was. He must've known that I could easily grab one of the candelabras and beat him with it. "I meant that I needed to be able to love you. Dante, I love you. I'd do anything to prove that."
"There is nothing you can do," I ran to the bed and grabbed my shoes and wings. "I don't want you to do anything to prove it. I will never trust you."
"You trusted me last night."
"That was different!" I cried, "I didn't know who you were! My emotions were compromised."
"You felt something for me!" He argued, "I knew it! Look, I was being myself then. That was all me. And you felt something. That proves that we can be together."
"No, it doesn't." I shook my head. Anger was giving way to confusion and sadness, maybe even heartbreak. "Look at what you've become, Draco. A dark wizard. I could never be with someone like that."
"I'd change for you, give it all up. Just for you," He placed a hand on my shoulder and stepped close to me. "Please, let me do anything for you."
"Please leave me alone," I pushed him away and was out the door before he could say anything else. I ran to Griffindor, but stopped before I rounded the corner and was in front of the painting. If Hermonie or Harry saw me like this, they'd want to kill Draco. I needed to take control of myself, and think of what to tell them.
Once I was sure I didn't look like I had just gone through an emotional paper shredder, I stepped into the common room, where Neville and Harry were sitting by the fire playing wizard's chess.
"And where have you been all night?" Harry didn't look up at me. Oh, he was mad. Very. Mad.
"I had an interesting run in with the Phantom of the Opera," I laughed, trying to make it all a joke. Harry wasn't buying it.
"I got this note," he held it up, "Says I'd never have a chance to date you. Signed the Opera Ghost." Finally, he looked up at me. His eyes were filled with anger and also sadness. I felt horrible. "Doesn't help that you ditched me, Dante."
"I'm sorry," I took the note from his hand and tossed it in the fire. "And you shouldn't listen to silly notes. It was all a joke."
"So I still have a chance?" a hint of a smile crossed his face, but he kept it stern.
"Yes," I bent down and kissed the top of his head, "And I'll make up for my ditching, I promise."
Without another word, I went up to the dorm and showered. It took every bit of my mental power to keep from breaking down. The only thing I wanted to do was let it all out, and I already knew who I could talk to without being judged.
"Goodness," Lunic stared at me, his jaw a little slacked. "That is the most romantic thing I have ever heard. And you're wasting your time with Harry why?"
"I'm not wasting my time," I countered, reaching over and closing his mouth. "I told you about Draco. He turned into something that I could never forgive him for. No matter what he does, I will never love him."
"It sounds like you already do," Lunic whispered, giving me a knowing glance. Pegs were known to be able to see deep within their friends' souls, and clearly he was reading into mine. Not that I minded, but I did not like what he was seeing.
"Well then I have to start falling out of love with him," I frowned. That was going to be slightly tough.
"Dante, listen to me," Lunic pressed his forehead against mine, "Draco said he'd do anything for you. Even risk his life and leave Voldemort. That has to mean something. I'm just a simple Arion here but maybe you should give him a chance."
"No," I ran my fingers through his mane. "I can't."
"Yes you can, Dante," Lunic sighed. "You just have to get over what he's done. And let him do anything for you."
"You're the only one I can talk to about this," I confided, "None of the others would understand. And you're telling me to follow my heart and not my mind."
"That is what you should always do," he chuckled, "No matter what your mind says."