Chapter Four

When the sun rose, Ron woke with it in a much better mood. He realized he didn't even listen to her last sentence. He felt bad about it too. He had actually felt bad as soon as he closed the door but his stubbornness kept him from going back in there. He made it worse when he practically whacked Hermoine with his words. He could see the hurt in her eyes. That was a bad night. Never had he felt so terrible about bursting out in anger like that before. This time was different though, it was two girls he really liked and really wanted to be closer to.

He got dressed and headed to the great hall. It was still early when he arrived and only Professor Flitwick was there.

"Good morning Mr. Weasley" he said walking by.

"Good morning Professor" Ron sighed.

"Is there something bothering you?" Professor Flitwick asked noticing the sadness in Ron's face.

His face urged Ron to tell him what was going on.

"It's difficult to explain Professor" Ron started. "I don't know where to begin"

"A wise man once told me that the beginning was the best place to start Mr. Weasley"

Ron proceeded to tell Professor Flitwick who in turn listened patiently. He told him about the fight with Harry and how they made up, about the deal with Millicent that he was calling off. How he felt for Hermoine and Cadance and that he was confused about it all.

"I'm so lost Professor. This was supposed to be the best year. I mean, we're sixteen, it's supposed to be a great time but everything is so bungled up" Ron confessed. "What do you think?"

"To be quite frank, I'm not full fledged on the idea of Gryffindors hating Slytherins and vice versa so my thoughts on that are you should go for it if you want it but remember your studies come first. As for Millicent, I think you're doing the right thing calling it off like this. Come clean to your friends, it'll be hard but it's the right thing"

"Thank you Professor" Ron said

"You are welcome and should you ever need advice just ask. Your teachers are there to help not to make fun"

"Yes"

Professor Flitwick got out of his chair and wandered off. When he moved, Ron could see Cadance sitting alone at the Slytherin table. He got up and wandered over. She was still in her pajamas with braids in her hair. Her pajamas were pink silk with blue bubbles all over them. The top was long sleeved button up but only one button was done up.

"Hey Cadance"

She looked up. "Oh, it's you. What do you want?"

"To apologize"

"Forget it. It's not like it was anything meaningful, I mean you're a Gryffindor and I'm a Slytherin. It's not like we're friends"

"Look, I really feel awful about the things I said and did. I was a huge jerk"

"Congratulations, you made your point. Do you feel better now?"

"Are you all right?"

"No I'm not all right! Does it look like I'm all right? I've been sitting here for at least an hour by myself. I'm not dressed, I haven't slept since yesterday night, my boyfriend is a possessive, selfish jerk but he's the only person I've got in this place! Do you need me to continue because I can?"

"No that's fine, I get it" Ron replied walking away slowly.

"Ron, wait" she called. "I'm sorry for that. You didn't need to hear it"

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Just listening is enough. No one ever listens to me. Thank you"

"Your welcome. Can I get some help with our Potions homework?"

"Sure. Have a seat"

Ron sat next to her and was handed some parchment and a quill. They spent the next hour laughing and talking and doing homework. Ron's eyes kept straying down to where her shirt was unbuttoned and he could glimpse her bare breast when she moved. He longed to touch her to be closer to her and feel her heart beating against his chest. He brushed his hand across her arm to dip the quill in the inkpot. A spark was felt but ignored. Student voices were heard coming into the Great Hall.

"I suppose I should go. Wouldn't want to chance it being Malfoy"

Cadance nodded.

"Thanks for your help"

"Your welcome" she said as Ron walked away.

Cadance quickly got up and chased after Ron. She planted a quick kiss on his lips and went back to her seat. Wow, Ron thought. His smile faded though when Malfoy came in. Ron watched him sit beside Cadance. He turned away and went to the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry and Hermoine were awake when he returned.

"Morning" they said.

"Morning" Ron smiled. "I have some news for you. I didn't tell you yesterday night because I was too upset"

"What is it?"

"There's this ball of green glowing light in an empty classroom. When I went to get my charms books that I never got Cadance dragged me in there to show. I don't know what it is but I think you guys should check it out."

"Tonight. Do you remember where if it is?"

"No"

"So we asked Cadance to show us. Ron can do it, he seems to be able to talk to her" Hermoine said.

"Ya…sure" Ron said.

"I'm sorry about last night love," Malfoy said holding her hand in his and pressing it to his lips. "I know I was rude and hurt you. I didn't mean to" he kissed each of her fingers. "Forgive me?"

Cadance laughed. "You're really strange"

"Oh ya?" he questioned and began to tickle her until she fell out of her chair.

Students entering the great hall seemed to think it was odd to see them fooling around like children.

"Draco, stop it please" Cadance begged.

"Fine" he stood up pulling her to him. He kissed her. "You taste funny"

"Haven't brushed my teeth of eaten yet" she replied.

"Makes sense"

Harry stood outside with Ron and Hermoine waiting for Hagrid and the other students. He had been thinking of asking Belana out but he didn't have the courage. He was too nervous whenever she came around. He felt weak in the knees as he saw her coming towards them. His face was becoming pale and he felt sick. Was this what it felt like to really like someone? He sat down.

"Are you all right?" Hermoine asked.

"Just tired" he lied and could tell she didn't believe him.

"Hi guys!" Belana smiled brightly.

Her smile was amazing. Wide and even with averagely white teeth. Her lips were as red as rubies and inciting. He wondered what it would be like to kiss them.

"Hey Belana" Ron replied. "What's new?"

"I was sent to drag Harry's butt to Professor Dumbledore's" she said still smiling.

Harry stood up and followed Belana towards the castle.

"Do you want to know what he wants?"

"Uhh…y-ya sure"

"Are you nervous around me?"

"What?" No"

"Then kiss me"

Harry stared at her wide-eyed. "Are you serious?"

"Yes" she nodded.

Harry slowly moved towards her feeling really nervous. Impatiently, Belana grabbed his collar and forced her lips on his. She allowed it to last long enough for Harry to relax. When she felt the tension leave his body, she pushed him away.

"Dumbledore doesn't want to see you" she told him and marched away.

Harry stood shocked. She had taken him completely off guard. She had been forceful and he liked it. Her lips were soft and tasted of cherry. Her kisses made him feel like he was in the clouds. Like no one could ever harm him again.

He heard giggling and noticed a group of girls from Hufflepuff. They had witnessed what happened and Harry knew it would be around the school shortly. Embarrassed, he walked back to Hermoine and Ron.

"That was fast," Ron stated. "What'd he want?"

"Tell you later" Harry said as Hagrid came over to the group.

Through the lesson, Harry couldn't concentrate. His attention kept wandering to Belana and that kiss. Hagrid and that strange creature with him was a thing of present uselessness. She had made an impression on him that not even his last crush had made. Nobody told him this would happen and he didn't have parents to talk to about it. Maybe if he wrote the Dursley's? No, they'd just make fun of him. The Weasley's? He didn't want to bother them. He took out his quill and began writing to someone. He wasn't quite sure but he needed some answers.

"What are you writing?" Hermoine asked.

"A letter"

"Oh."

The evening approached slowly. Ron, Harry and Hermoine were getting ready to meet Cadance to see whatever it was they had to see.

"Ron" her voice rang out. "Ron are you there?"

"Shh…" Ron covered her mouth. "We don't want to be caught"
She turned around and glanced at Harry and Hermoine. She felt uncomfortable around them.
"This way" she motioned.
Quietly, the group walked down the dark corridors. It was empty and their footsteps echoed. The corridors were drafty with the unexpected cold chills blowing at them. Harry, Hermoine and Ron were dressed for it but Cadance was only in her sleeveless black shirt and jeans. Ron walked close to her.
"Are you cold?" he asked noting her shiver.
"A little" she replied.
"Want my sweater?"
"No, it's fine"
"You sure"
"Yes, besides, if Draco saw me in your sweater he would have a fit"
"You win" Ron laughed.

Cadance stopped at the door to a classroom that rarely got used. She placed her hand on the handle. It began to freeze over. She jerked her hand back.
"Whoa!" she exclaimed.
"Bloody hell" Ron whispered. "It wasn't that bad before"
Harry began to feel the pain in his forehead. The same pain he had when Voldemort was nearby in his first year. "It's Voldemort, it has to be"
"How can a wizard be a blob of green light?" Cadance questioned.
"It's not him himself, but it's his magic that created this" Harry replied.
"Whatever you say,"
"You don't believe me do you?"
"Not really. How can it be his doing…. he's dead"
"No he's not" Harry insisted. "He killed Cedric, he's the one behind this and all the other things the past years"
"Suuure…" Cadance said and turned to Ron. "You have some messed friends"
She walked away.

"Nice crush" Hermoine sighed. "She's a real sweetheart,"
"Well at least she keeps me informed about her feelings better than the other one I like" Ron said angrily. He stormed off leaving Hermoine almost in tears.
"That hurt Harry" Hermoine said quietly. "I truly thought he was over me"
"I guess not" Harry replied. "But I thought he was too"
The sound of footsteps and voices of teachers could be heard coming towards them. Harry and Hermoine ran in the opposite direction and hid in another open classroom.
"It's gotten much worse" Professor McGonnagul voice said. "The door has frozen over. It won't be long before this thing freezes the entire school. We'll have to send the students home"
"If it happens. I sense there is a power somewhere in this school far greater than whatever this green light is. A power hidden waiting for it's time to come and stop this" Professor Dumbledore informed. "But of course, if this situation gets worse, we must send the students home"
The teachers walked away saving Harry and Hermoine from being caught roaming the hallways. The rushed back to Gryffindor Common Room and plopped into some chairs by the fireside and Neville.

"Ron back yet?" Hermoine asked Neville who was half-asleep.
"No" Neville replied. "Ain't seen nim"
"Go to bed Neville" Harry instructed. "You make no sense. See you in the morning Hermoine"
Harry led Neville up the stairs and into he Boy's Dormitory. He tucked the sleepy kid into his bed and went to his own. He saw a figure in the bed next to him. Good, he thought, Ron was here.
"I didn't mean what I said to Hermoine" Ron's voice quivered.
"I know you didn't"
"I'm just so confused…
"And angry" Harry finished. "Because she doesn't want you and you can't have Cadance"
"That's it exactly" Ron sighed. "Can I die now?"
"Very funny. Something will happen that will make everything turn out all right and for the best"
"But when the time comes…will it be the girl I want?"
"We'll find out when it happens Ron. Goodnight"
"Goodnight Harry"