Chapter Title: Halloween Ball and the Curse
Harry adjusted his tunic and small wooden sword in his belt and looked around. Draco, of course, hadn't worn the Tinkerbell costume but everyone else had there's on. He scanned the crowd, seeing trolls, fairies (none so special as Tinkerbell), a few Lost Boys, and far too many vampires than was normal. Hermione looked adorable in her Wendy outfit, book in hand. Ron was still grumbling about being dressed up as a sort of teddy bear but Ginny truly rocked out the fox costume. Dean walked around happily in his nightshirt, top hat, and umbrella; happy to explain. Seamus followed him about in a nightshirt and slippers, dragging a teddy bear around. The Slytherins watched with some amusement, all having read the story.
"Really," Hermione grinned, sipping her pumpkin juice, "I think this may have gotten out of hand." Harry spotted Draco and Blaise then, dressed as pirates which irritated him a little bit, considering who they'd said Hook was. However, Daphne Greengrass seemed more than pleased to wear the costume he'd gotten Draco, it was beautiful. "We could redo the movie with the people here." Hermione mused.
However, Harry was entirely focused on the two Slytherins. Blaise had just approached Draco, flicking his light blue bandanna back over his shoulder and whispering darkly. Daphne, perched beside Draco on the table at his other side and, upon hearing whatever Blaise said, hoped off and shooed Crabbe and Goyle away before listening more intently. Her eyes widened perceptibly and she nodded, setting her drink down.
"You seeing this, 'Mione?" Harry asked. She hummed, showing she did. Draco began to scowl until he looked positively enraged. Nearly slamming down his drink, he swept back his dark gray pirate coat and tipped his hat back before crossing his arms.
"Care to dance, Harry?" Hermione asked as a slow dance sort of song struck up. He nodded, getting the idea and pulled her out onto the dance floor, beginning the dance. They grinned and moved their mouths in a parody of whispering but rarely said anything, it was just an act to listen.
"Are you sure you read it correctly?" Daphne asked Blaise, "the code can be rather hard to grasp sometimes."
"I did not misinterpret it." Blaise growled, "I know what I read."
"I cannot believe he would do this." Daphne argued, "it's probably just a rumor, nonsense."
"I could never think he would," Draco snarled, teeth barred, "but damnit, I'm worried now. Even if it is a rumor, it could get him killed. It's like shouting 'muggle' in front of Aunt Bela and pointing someone out."
"Agreed, amico." Blaise sighed, "Daphne, I want you to write back. Confirm this nonsense and see how far up it goes."
"It's just a silly rumor!" she argued.
"It's not a blasted rumor," Draco snarled, "it may be a rumor, or started out that way but this is the curse. It's the bloody curse, I tell you. Someone is going to die."
"It cannot be!" Blaise gasped, "Amico, bite your tongue! The curse has not affected us yet, perhaps it will not."
"So you wish me to just stand by while someone I care for gets harmed over a damned tryst one of my ancestors had? I should think not!" Draco then swept by not twelve feet from them, ripping the bandanna from his neck angrily.
"No, Daphne, stay." Blaise growled, "truly stay. If it is indeed the curse, you may be struck down as well."
"I'll contact Marcus." She said and Blaise swept out after Draco, looking determined. Hermione and Harry waited a reasonable amount of time so as not to be suspicious before dragging Ron away from Cho and hurrying to the Headmaster's office to tell him what they'd heard. Without more information, there was nothing he could do about neither the conversation or the potion.
"So, what now?" Ron asked as they left, pushing his teddy bear hood back off his face.
"We wait," Harry said darkly, "something will happen and maybe we can put it together then."
