Chapter 9 Halloween Ball

When Harry woke up Saturday morning, his head was again racing at the events of the previous day. Everything had happened so fast that he barely had time to take it in. The thought of being the only one able to defeat Voldermort keep him up most the night, so regardless of how nice of a day it was, Harry couldn't help but feel down.

"Well Ron, If we want to get anything to eat we better head down now." He said pulling his best friend out of his four posters. "Anyway, I am sure Cho, and Hermione are waiting." Ten minutes later the two were dressed, and headed toward the great hall when Ron finally spoke up.

"Harry, thanks again for allowing me to be part of this. It means a lot." 'Ron, your like a brother to me, who else would I feel more comfortable watching my back." After a moment of silence the two just smiled at each other, and made they're way to breakfast.

When they entered there remembered what day it was, and regardless of how little sleep Harry got, the excitement of the Halloween Ball was in the air. Everyone was invited this year, first years included, so every table was a clutter with costumes, and excited students.

When Ron, and Harry finally made their way to their normal spots, they noticed Cho, and Hermione weren't there. "Where are the girls?" Ron asked looking at Harry with a disappointed face. Harry smiled, and pointed to the head table, where a group of students were all gathered around Hermione.

"Oh great, looks like were alone today." Ron said punching Harry in the arm. "Look at the bright side Ron, at least we didn't get stuck helping." Looking back up at the group of Prefect's, Harry had the distinct feeling he spoke to soon. "Ron, If we run we may be able to get out of here."

He said turning back to his friend. Ron grabbed a few pieces of toast, and the two headed for the front doors. "Ronald" "Harry", "Arthur Weasley" "Potter." Cho finished, "You two don't think your getting out of decorating that easily do you." Ron blushed while Harry just laughed.

"Ron, what were you thinking." Harry said jokingly, as the two turned to face there dates. "Me, you're the one who said run." "Well, if you didn't waste time grabbing toast, we would have made it." Ron just laughed, and He and Harry quickly made up the distance between Cho, and Hermione.

The four prefects, Harry, and Ron spent the majority of the day decorating the great hall. The first thing that Harry and Ron were asked to do was levitate colored black, and orange lights, and outline each window, each pillar, and each roof support. Then they were commanded by Hermione to carve a pumpkin, and use the duplicating spell to create one hundred additional ones.

Once they were done they replaced the floating candles with floating carved pumpkins, and Harry remembering his prediction during his exams created small vampire caps to drape around them. When they were done, they sat down and admired their work.

"Great job you two" Hermione said coming up behind them. "If you want you can head up to Gryffindor Tower, lunch is being served in the common rooms." Turning around and walking away Ron stood up and walked over to her. Hermione, what time do you want me to pick you up tonight?"

"6:00" "Ok, I well see you then." He said turning back to Harry, only when he did he notice Harry had disappeared only to reappear engaged in a conversation with Cho." "So, do you have your costume ready." He asked Cho walking up to her.

"I sure do, I am planning on going to get dressed as soon as I finish removing the four house tables, and creating smaller ones for couples, and creating a dance floor that is levitated 10 feet above everyone in the back."

"Well, let me help. You start with the tables, I have a great Idea about the dance floor." With that Harry pulled out his wand, and started transfiguring four chairs into ten-foot Vampire pillars. Each of them were unique in character, and were carved out of wood. When he was done he levitated each of them to an adjacent corner of the hall, and went to work on the floor.

"Hermione, Cho, Ron. I will need your help with this." He said spinning his wand in his fingers. When the four of them walked over to him he explained his ideas. "Ok, the whole Idea is that the students underneath the dance floor can't see it, kind of like the ceiling is enchanted to show the night sky. My goal is that the students wont know the floor is above them when they look up. On the other hand I want the dance floor to be made of glass. When the students on top are looking down, I want them to be able to see everyone and their costumes. You know, kind of like they are dancing on air."

"Harry, that is a brilliant idea, I know a spell that will turn wood into glass, do you know how to create the floor itself." Ron said getting excited. "Ron, no need for that." Cho said raising her wand. Everyone watched in awe as a white liquid slowly crept out of her wand, stretching the length of the hall landing on Harry's transfigured statues.

Cho then muttered a few more words, and started twirling her wand. Within another minute she had created a staircase leading up to the platform at each corner, and when it was done they all walked to the one closest. Just as Harry had wanted when they were on top of the now ten-foot dance floor, you could see right through it to the tables below. It was as if they were walking on air.

"What are we standing on?" Hermione asked looking utterly delighted at the effects of the floor." "Glass. Paper thin, but with a unbreakable spell." "When will we learn to do this?" she asked obviously now excited at the thought of learning more spells.

"I found this spell out in a charms book when I was helping Cedric prepare for the Tournament. We were trying to find a spell to create a glass bubble over his head. I came across this one by mistake." Ron and Hermione looked thunderstruck at Cedric's name. Unlike Harry they did not know how Cho felt about his death, and they did not want to push the subject. Harry noticing how uncomfortable they got, and quickly changed the subject.

"Well, were almost done, do any of you have Idea's on the charm for the underside of this floor?" They all looked at each other. This charm was well beyond there knowledge, so instead Hermione sent the Hufflepuff Prefect Stephanie Hansen to get Professor Flitwick. When he arrived he was very happy at the numerous Charms being used to create such a magnificent site, and once he understood the reason he was summoned to help, he got to work.

"Children, this will take me about two hours to complete, so why don't you go get dressed." Once outside the Hall, Hermione placed a locking spell on the door that would only let people out, thanked everyone for their help and turned back to her friends.

"We should head up now, only 2 hours until the dance, we need to get ready." "So," Harry said breaking a moment of silence. "Are you going to tell us what you are going as, or are we just going to have to wait?"

"What, the famous Harry Potter worried we will embarrass him." Cho said obviously trying to do just that. "Embarrass. I can't believe I forgot about that. Ron, follow me, if we hurry, we can make it to the dungeons, and back to the tower in time to change." Just then the light clicked on for Ron.

"Harry, lets just put the charm on the doors to the great Hall. That way those Slytherin idiots won't think anything is up until it is way to late." "Brilliant. 6:00 o'clock then." He said to Cho.

"Don't go getting yourself into trouble now." Hermione said. Just like Ron her and Cho had caught on to what Harry had forgotten.

Ron and Harry said their goodbyes, and ran back down to the common room. "Ron, lets not mess this up, make sure that we give all the names. Fifteen minutes later a very tired Harry, and Ron made there way up to the dorm. When they were about to walk past Professor McGonagalls office Harry stopped.

"Ron, I am going to see if McGonagall can help me with my costume. If you want you can wait. If not I will meet you in the common room." Ron of course wanted to wait, and Harry knocked on the door. When Professor McGonagall saw who were there, she immediately thought something had happened

"What is it, what happened?" she blurted out, looking very tired. "It's nothing" Harry said trying to calm her down. "I was just hopping you could help me with a small transfiguration." Professor McGonagall smiled, and asked the two to come in. Once in the office Harry and Ron sat down.

"Professor" Harry started. " I am going to the dance as Frankenstein. I know how to charm my skin green, but was hoping you could help enlarge my body, and add bolts to my neck. I am pretty sure I can handle the color, and possible the enlargement spell, but I drew a blank when it came to the bolts. Professor McGonagall smiled.

"Harry, if it is Frankenstein you want, then Frankenstein you are. With a wave of her wand, and a transfiguration incantation Harry was transformed. Ron's jaw just dropped as Harry grew two feet taller, and at least 2 feet wider. When electrical bolts shot out of his neck Ron fell out of his chair, only to get back up rather quickly.

"Now about your hair. Frankenstein's hair was short, and flat to his head. That may take some work." Within a few more minutes Harry was done. "There, that should do it." McGonagall said pocketing her wand. When the dance is over, just point your wand at yourself, and say "Frankstoforus Reparo." This will reverse the effects of my spells.

Gathering up his things Harry smiled, and said his thanks. On his way out of Professor McGonagalls office, he had to bend down in order to avoid hitting his head on the door.

"Harry, you look great, although I don't think your cloths are going to fit." "I can make them bigger, but lets get to the common room, the ones I am wearing now are about to split, and can't afford to ruin another pair of robes."

They both started to laugh, and quickened their steps to the common room. When they finally arrived, and entered their tower, Harry heard shouts of horror come from a few 1st years.

It seems that Professor McGonagall had done quiet the job on Harry, and he looked more like the real Frankenstein than he ever could have imagined. Once in his dorm, Harry walked straight over to the mirror, "Wow, I really look well green" he said pinching his skin, and pocking at the bolts which were shooting electric shocks between each other. "Better get dressed." He said pulling out the bag holding his, and Ron's outfits.

Harry tossed Ron his Firefighter costume, and pulled out his ragged old suite, and huge black boots. Once changed, Harry turned to face Ron, and could tell that he was disappointed in the difference between the two.

"Ron, do you mind if I make a modification to your hair?" "Not if it improves my costume." "Cheer up, Incantium Inflamera Protectium. Well Ron what do you think." "What do you mean, what did you do?"

"Go look in the mirror." Harry said as Ron walked to the nearby bed, looking into the mirror. "Harry, my hair is on fire, put it out, put it out." Ron shouted jumping up and down, and patting his hair frantically "Ron calm down. It is just a spell. Anyway, it adds character." Harry answered as Ron calmed down.

Thinking about it, Ron started laughing. His hair was now really "flaming red," but it did look rather cool. Reaching up he touch it expecting it to be hot, but noticed instead that it was in fact just slightly warm. "Well, what do you think, do you want me to remove the spell or not." "No leave it on, I kind of like it."

When Harry, and Ron were finally satisfied with their costumes, it was close to 6:00. "Ron, if we want to be on time to pick up our dates we need to leave now." Ron looked at his watch, and after grabbing his fireman's jacket, he and Harry burst out of their dorms, and ran to the common room.

When they entered the first thing they noticed were Fred and George. By the looks of it they were dressed as medieval knights, and they were sitting on what looked to be miniature horses.

"Well it beats walking." Ron said fighting there way through the crowd of now very strangely dressed students. "Ron, some of these guys have no idea what a muggle costume should be. Look, is Seamus dressed as a blast ended shrewt." Ron and Harry just shook there heads as they climbed out of the portrait hole, and quickly ran the four flights of stairs to the Prefects bathroom.

Reaching the last Hall, Harry could here the voices of two other boys, coming from it. They were shouting at each other, and Harry wanted to know what was going on. Rounded the last corner, he recognized Ross Train from Hufflepuff, and Draco Malfoy from Slytherin standing in front of the prefect bathroom. The two were arguing about quidditch, and surprisingly enough, Malfoy seemed to be winning the argument.

"What do you two want?" Harry said verbally put off at the fact they were there. "Wouldn't you like to know Potter, it just so happens we are waiting for our dates." Before Harry could respond, the door to the bathroom opened, and Harry thought it best to curve his tongue.

Patricia Evans was the first to come out dressed as a wench she walked over to an overly pleased Malfoy. Taking her hand, the two made there way rather quickly past the others. Ross's date Stephanie was the next to come out, and Harry and Ron fought off the urge to laugh at the sight.

It seems Ross was the Hufflepuff suckered into dressing up as Andy, and Stephanie was a rather Pretty Raggedy Ann. "Well Ron, you must admit, your costume is much better than that." Harry said as He and Ron stood watching the two walk down the hall.

Just then they heard a girl clear her thought from behind. When they turned around, both of there jaws fell to the ground.

"Hermione, you look great." Harry said. Like Ron, she dressed in a firefighters outfight. Only she had managed to shrink the slacks, suspenders, and boots to where they where a comfortable fit, but instead of having a jacket like Ron, she opted for a rather tight white shirt under her suspenders.

Harry watched as Ron's eyes about popped out of his head, and had to elbow his friend to get him to close his mouth. "Ron, knock it off, you will embarrass her." Ron quickly shook his head, and hurried up to her, but Harry had to smile. Hermione looked rather pretty, and in fact the outfit did her good.

"You look terrific." Ron said taking her hand. "So do you. However what did you do to your hair. That isn't real fire is it." She asked "You better believe it, but I put a protection spell on it to freeze the burning effect." Harry said looking behind Hermione for Cho. Hermione just smiled, and ran her hand through Ron's hair, and turned to also wait.

"She was helping me with my outfit, she'll be right out." Just like announced. When Hermione had finished talking, Cho walked out. She was absolutely stunning. Harry just smiled as she twirled for him. She wanted him to see the entirety of her outfit, which in turn rendered Harry speechless.

When he finally had the nerves to talk he reached out his awfully large green hand, and took her rather small, and petite one. "Well, wife, shale we." Cho just laughed, and turned to start walking with him.

"Wow Harry, you really got into this didn't you." She said looking at the now 7 foot tall Harry. "Me, look at you." Cho had managed to totally transform herself into Frankenstein's wife. She was wearing a floor length black dress that was spaghetti strapped, and had a slit from floor to thigh. She styled her hair straight up, and created two white lightning streaks in it. Topped with dark makeup, and high heals, and bolts of her own

She defiantly looked the part. Once the two couples were done complimenting each other on their costumes, they made there way down to the great Hall.

"Hermione, since you were placed in charge of this dance, will you please do the honor of leading the rest of the student body in?" Dumbledore said looking quiet pleased at the results of the decorations. Hermione smiled widely, and taking Ron's arm in hers, she led the rest of the student body in.

The second Harry walked into the room, he noticed professor Flitwick standing under the dance floor looking very tired. But as they made there way up to the prefect table, Harry noticed that Professor Flitwick had performed whatever charm was needed.

"Wow, you can't even tell its there. How cool." Stephanie Hansen said from behind Ron. "Tell what's there" Ross asked, obviously oblivious to the floor only four feet above him. "Well Ross, unlike Harry, and Ron, you and Malfoy over there were to busy this morning to help decorate. So just wait and see."

Harry started laughing at this. He didn't realize earlier that in fact it was just Ron, and He who stayed to help there dates. Stephanie, and Patricia were alone. "Malfoy, Bar maid" Harry said under his breath "What was that Harry" Cho said obviously missing what Harry just did. Harry however said nothing, and kept walking.

When they were just a few feet from their table, it was evident to Cho what happened. The entire hall were laughing, and pointing fingers. It seems that the invisible transformation charm Harry, and Ron placed on the doors to the great hall worked perfectly, and Malfoy, Crabb, and Goyle; who were in the middle of a play swordfight, were now dressed as bar maids, and were play sword fighting in very revealing dresses, and instead of swords, were holding scarves.

"Ah, looks like our friend Colin Creevey came prepared I see." Harry said pointing to a mummy taking pictures of the scene. Turning around, and making the rest of their way to their seats. Harry watched as Dumbledore took his.

Once everyone was settled in there respective seats, Dumbledore stood up and opened the dance. Conjuring up small a stage directly above the teacher's table, about 15 feet high, the band "The Warlocks" begun to play.

"You know what, this is a muggle song" Hermione said listening to them play monster mash. Oh wait. They changed it a little." "Muggle song" Ron said not knowing that Muggles listened to music such as this. "Ya Ron, we have songs we sing around the holidays that reflect the seasons." "Oh, well bring some ready to sing when you come to visit us during Christmas."

"What do you mean visit you, are you two not staying at Hogwarts this year?" " No, Mom wants a old fashioned Christmas since all her boys will be home. Harry included." He said pointing at Harry.

"You know Ron, I have never really had a old fashioned Christmas, the Dursley's thought that spending the day locked up under the stairs with fruit cake was "good enough for that Freak." He said imitating Petunia. "It will be nice to see that change." "Harry," Cho cut in. "I'm so sorry. You don't talk much of your life away from Hogwarts."

"It's okay, I don't really talk about the Dursley's all that much. I figure most things are better off not said." "So, the famous Harry Potter has never enjoyed a Christmas with his family. So sad." Malfoy spat. The group of four had completely forgotten that they were sharing a table with Malfoy, Train, and the other two prefects.

"Malfoy, I would shut that trap of yours if you know what is good for you." Ron shouted. He had gotten even more upset than Harry at Malfoys lack of respect, and was on the verge of starting a wizarding duel. "Ron, its okay. Malfoy, I have only one thing to say to you." "Oh ya, what's that Potter?"

"Pink Flamingo." Turning to Cho, and taking her hand, Harry stood up. "Shall we dance?" Cho holding off laughter at the site of Malfoy now in pink tights, and a pink feather bird outfit, stood up, and along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, made there way to the closest stairs leading to the invisible dance floor.

Everyone in the Great Hall watched with curiosity as the two couples got up from their chairs. It had not occurred to anybody that there was a dance floor above them, so when Harry and his friends disappeared up a staircase, the students dancing rather uncomfortable in between tables let out a gasp, and quickly joined them.

"Wow this is amazing" came the voices of couples as they started gathering on the dance floor. It wasn't long before almost everyone in the Hall had gathered, and were now dancing. "Harry, are you guys floating" came the voice of Dean. He and Ginny were standing on the top stair, and hadn't moved an inch from that spot.

"Dean, there is a glass floor. It is there you just can't see it. Trust me, and come on out." Ginny immediately walked out, but it took some persuasion, and Harry physically pulling Dean of the stairs for him to move.

"You see, nothing to worry about." Dean still a little uneasy about not seeing a floor under his feet took Ginny's arm, and started dancing. It wasn't long though before he got comfortable with the fact, and started dancing like a wild man.

After quiet some time Ron asked if he and Harry could switch partners. Hermione wanted to talk to Harry, but had not gotten the chance to since He and Cho had been practically glued to each other all night. When Harry spun Cho to Ron, Ron immediately grabbed her hand, and sent Hermione a twirling over. Once Harry had Hermione in his arms, she went straight into what was bugging her.

"Harry, you and Ron can't leave Hogwarts this Christmas. This is the first year I have been able to convince my parents to stay, and they have made plans to visit my Aunt in America. If you leave, I will be stuck here all alone." "Why didn't you tell Ron this? He would have understood. Who knows, maybe you can stay with us."

"Harry, I can't stay there. Not the entire holiday. I guess I can ask Dumbledore if I can visit." "Why don't you stay with me." Cho said. Even though she was dancing with Ron, she was still close enough to Harry that she picked up on the conversation." "Are you serious. Do you mean you wouldn't mind." "Mind what." Ron wasn't quiet in the conversation. "Hermione is going to spend Christmas break with me. Its settled then." She said turning back to Hermione. Hermione let out a cheerful squeal, and quickly hugged Cho. Cho returned the friendly hug, and once she could breath again, turned back to Harry.

"Harry, I think those three have figured out your little prank." She said, pointing to an advancing Malfoy Crabb and Goyle, Harry couldn't help but laugh. The three were advancing on him dressed in tights, and the fact that their faces were as pink as their outfits only made it funnier.

"I was wondering why everyone was cracking jokes at us POTTER, FIX THIS NOW." "Malfoy you Turkey, I have no Idea what you want fixed." Keeping a straight face, Harry turned the three Slytherin outfits from pink flamingos to turkeys. By now everyone was watching intently as to what Malfoy would do, and were laughing hysterically at their new outfits. Malfoy infuriated at the fact everyone, was laughing at him pulled out his wand, and sent curse after curse at Harry.

"Accio Wand" Harry shouted slamming the floor. Malfoy had hit him with two blasting hexes, and Harry wanted his wand. "You bleed easily Potter, What to scared to fight back." Regaining his feet, Harry stood up, and turned to face Malfoy.

"You're going to pay for attacking me without my wand." He stated, stepping up to Malfoy. Just then Harry's wand landed in his hand, and he immediately wasted no time. Pointing his wand at Malfoy Harry yelled "Transfortuem ". Next thing Malfoy knew he was flying in the air, only to come crashing to the floor on the opposite side of the Hall.

"Harry, that's enough, lets not ruin the dance." Cho said stepping in front of the now fuming Frankenstein. Like she had just whipped his mind of all his anger, Harry visually relaxed. "I could have done much worse you know" He said lowering his wand, and pulling Cho into him." "I know Harry, I know."

Hermione let out a long sigh, in fact as soon as Harry relaxed; the entire student body seemed to relax. "Wow Harry, your kind of creepy when you're mad." She said shacking of the sense of fear she had just gotten. "Sorry about that." "Its okay, just remind me never to cross you when your mad." Hermione finished turning back to Ron

Harry, who had turned to the silent band and students, quickly apologized for the outburst and urged them to continue on. Holding out a hand to Cho, Harry was just about to start dancing again when he heard Ron shout "Stupefy." It seems Malfoy held more anger toward Harry then earlier thought, and once he was able to shack off the effects of being thrown 30 feet across the room, he stood up and was once again making his way toward Harry.

Unlike Harry, Hermione, and Cho, Ron expected Malfoy to attack again, and sent a stunning spell his way the second he stood up. "Harry, lets remove the transformation charm, I want to enjoy the rest of this dance, and it will be hard when we have to keep warding off Malfoy's attacks." Ron said after the well aimed spell struck Malfoy.

Harry nodded, and pointed his wand in the direction of the Slytherins. "Obliviate" he said followed by "inevitable reparo." returning them to their original costumes. Once he was able to get the band to start playing again he turned to his friends. "Lets go for a walk. I need to cool down a little." They all agreed, and lead by Harry walked to the stairs closest to the door. Once outside Harry lit the end of his wand.

"Wow, it's quiet dark out here." Cho said. "Ya, cold to." Hermione finished. Like on queue, Ron, and Harry took off their jackets and placed them over the shoulders of their dates. "Wow Hermione, you have trained these two well." Cho said pleased at the fact Harry was behaving like a perfect gentlemen.

"To be honest Cho, I can't take the credit for this. I always knew deep down, and I mean very deep down they had it in ." Before she finished, she caught site of Harry face, and arm. She noticed blood running down his arm, and immediately turned him in the direction of the Hospital wing.

"No need for that Hermione." He said wiping up as much blood off his face, and arm as possible. "Cho, can you give it a shot?" "Harry, I have never done this before. I don't even know where to start." She begun looking worriedly at Harry. "I have a idea, let me see your hand." Taking Cho's hand in his. Ron and Hermione watched anxiously as Harry place Cho's hand over the cut on his check.

Nothing happened. Cho along with everyone else let out the breath they were holding, and looked at each other with bewildered eyes. It wasn't until they looked at Harry that they noticed his eyes closed, and the look on his face of deep concentration. When Harry decided to give up, and open his eyes he quickly noticed that something had in fact changed, and broke his contact with Cho.

Reaching out Harry attempted to raise Cho's head. When he was successful he looked her in the eyes, only to notice they were glazed over in white, and she looked as if she had gone under some sort of trance. When she didn't respond to his questions, or him shacking her, Harry turned to Ron and Hermione for assistance.

"What do I do?" he asked looking to his friends for direction, but when they didn't answer he turned back to Cho. Placing one hand on each of Cho's temples, Harry again closed his eyes, this time concentrating on Cho's thoughts. The next thing he was able to remember was waking up lying on the grass with Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and everyone else he cared about standing above him.

Letting out a sigh of relief seeing Cho, Harry looked around at the other. "Wow, what a rush." He said standing up. "I never thought learning information would be so energizing." Hermione, who was well beyond hysteria, spoke first. "What do you mean what a rush? We thought you two were dead." "Dead, what would give you that idea?" "Hermione," Cho spoke up. "Allow me to explain.

Turning to Harry, Cho pulled up the sleeve of his shirt bringing into clear sight Harry's very bloody, very bruised arm. Placing her hand ever so gently over the deep cut, Cho looked Harry in the eyes.

"Lets see if I understood it right." Everyone watched as the blood on Harry's arm seemed to be absorbed by Cho's hand. When Harry's arm looked as if nothing had happened. Cho removed her glowing hand, to show she had in fact healed Harry's wound.

"See, we have been learning the art of the healing touch. When we first tried nothing happened. It wasn't until Harry closed his eyes, and entered my mind that He, was able to pull the information I needed to heal him. I felt this happen, and somehow knew what I needed to do to learn the art myself. I allowed my mind to go into a trance, and was in the process of learning the knowledge of my family, when Harry reentered to join me.

Together we learned all we can about my family, and about healing. It really was a energizing feeling." "Can you warn us next time." Ron pleaded. "Sorry about that Ron, how long have I been out." Harry asked. "Thirty minutes or so," "Really, well at least I didn't wake up in the hospital wing." This comment effectively eased the tension of the group, and together they made there way back into the school.

When they entered it was just in time for one last dance. "Cho, would you so kindly join me in the middle" he said leading Cho to the center of the floor.