Chapter Ten
When the holidays ended, everyone returned to Hogwarts more relaxed and happier. Belana and Harry filled Ron and Hermoine in on what the found out in the library book. Lavender and Pavarti were trying harder than before to make Belana like them but they couldn't figure out why she didn't. Colin Creevey was trying to get photographs of all the students in Hogwarts for his memory book and Belana and Hermoine were ready to pose like supermodels whenever he said the word.
January passed by very quickly with no surprises and soon enough it was February and everyone was making a fuss about Valentine's Day. Everyone who didn't have someone looked on in disgust as everyone made the hugest deal about another stupid day of the year. That's how Hermoine felt until someone sent her a single red rose and a piece of poetry attached to it. The poem was this: "There's something about you that makes me blush. Something inside me wants to burst. Everytime I hear your name or see you walking by I feel this warmth grow inside. I've tried to hid but now it's time for you to know."
She felt her insides melt as she read over the words. It wasn't the greatest but that didn't matter. And then she tried to imagine who it might have been that sent her this. She looked at Ron who was writing something down. He looked up and smiled at her then went back to writing. Maybe it was he after all he did like her that she knew. He didn't blush though whenever her name was mentioned or when he saw her.
"Hey Hermy!" Belana called.
"Someone sent me a rose," Hermoine told her.
"But it's not V-day yet"
"I know"
"Who sent it?"
"I don't know" Hermoine sighed. "What's Ron doing?"
"I don't know, working on something for Cadance I think"
"Why?"
"Possibly because she's his new obsession"
"Oh"
"You didn't think he'd be stuck on you forever did you?"
"No, but I just thought—never mind"
"Don't worry. It's not like you like him anyways right?"
"Well…"
"Don't you dare tell me you're starting to like him now that's he's starting to get over you"
"I don't know"
"Hermoine, be careful"
"I will"
The days moved on and on and each day something different was sent to Hermoine. It seemed she had a secret admirer and he wanted her to meet him at the dance the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was planning. She had agreed sub-consciously because she was curious but she wanted back up in case he turned out to be someone creepy. All the rest of the girls were busily choosing an outfit for the dance but she was planning.
"Ron, are you going with anyone?" Hermoine asked him.
"Nope but I want to keep myself available in case Cadance isn't with Draco"
"Would you save me if this guy is creepy"
"How will I know?"
"I'll do this" she made a bird with her hands.
Ron laughed. "Ok"
"Thanks" she hugged him. "Are you two going?"
"Maybe after" Harry said. "We haven't decided"
"But you know who will be there…alone" Belana nudged Ron who smiled. "Her and Draco had a fight late last night according to one of the second year Slytherins in my Potions class"
"Now you're taking second year classes?"
"Yup, passed all my first year classes"
"Awesome!" Hermoine gave her a high five.
"Well, enough of this talk, let's go find you something hot to wear" Belana dragged Hermoine out of the common room and up to the dormitory.
Cadance didn't want to go see her mother. She wanted Ron. She wanted to be held in his arms where she felt save. Throughout the month she had stolen a few kisses in the darkness from him but she wanted more. She wanted to yell from a rooftop that he was hers and nobody else's but she was scared. Her mother opened her office door and let Cadance come in.
"You've been avoiding me dear"
"Yes, so what?"
"Why?"
"Because you're a lair"
"What are you talking about?" Professor Trelawney questioned.
"My father. You lied to me and I don't want to talk to you"
"How do you know?"
"Learn how to hide these things better next time" Cadance threw the paper at her mother. "Why couldn't you just tell me? I wouldn't have cared either way…god, I might have been a better student and not put him through so much shit if I had known" her mother said nothing. "He didn't want me did he?"
"No, not really. He never meant for it to happen, but I wanted you. Don't ever think for a second I didn't want you. I never regretted having you and I never will not now that I've seen what an incredible person you've become"
"Does he know I know?"
"He knows I'm going to tell you"
"What do I say to him? Hey dad where have you been all my life?"
"He doesn't expect anything from you"
"He still regrets it doesn't he? He hates me and it tortures him to see me because I remind him of his biggest mistake"
"Something like that, but you weren't a mistake darling"
"That's real comforting…will he ever?"
"What?"
"Accept me? Love me?"
"I want him to. I want us to be a family…finally"
"Should I talk to him?"
"Maybe"
"But what am I supposed to say? I'm only sixteen you're supposed to be my guide through life"
"The best advice I can give you is to do what you know is right"
Cadance sighed. "Mom, I'm in love with Ron Weasley. I didn't think it was anything at first and even when Grans told me I was I didn't believe her but I know it's true. I don't know what to do about it"
"Follow your heart"
"I'm sorry for avoiding you and I'm sorry for being the worst daughter in the world"
"You're the best daughter in the world. So we argue and don't get along, I wouldn't trade you for any other daughter out there"
"I love you mom"
"I love you Cadance, now go to that dance and save that boy a dance"
Cadance left her mom's office and ran into Professor Snape a little ways down the hallway.
"Uhh…hi" she said staring down at the floor.
"Hi" he replied.
The stood in silence for a few minutes.
"I have to go. Goyle and Crabe are dragging me to the dance thing"
"Have fun"
"Ya"
Once everyone was out of Gryffindor Tower Harry took Belana up to the Boy's dormitory. The look upon her face was priceless when she saw the little table with a vase of flowers and their dinner set out on Ron's trunk. It was all arranged by Dobby the house elf at Harry's request and he did a marvelous job.
"Harry, it's beautiful" Belana exclaimed hugging him. "I'm not really one for big and gushy but thank you"
"I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure what to do for Valentine's Day but I wanted to do something extra nice for you"
"You have a good start"
"You hungry?"
"Yup"
"Sorry about the awkwardness of the seating but I wanted us to be alone"
"I love it"
They sat down to plates of ham, potatoes and broccoli covered with cheese sauce and pumpkin juice. They talked and ate and talked about random things like school and his encounters with Voldemort and Ron seeming to be jealous of him. Belana could understand better than Harry what Ron felt and she helped him to see it clearly.
After they ate their semi-formal dinner they cleaned up and Harry slipped his arm around her waist. Gentle flowing music began to play and he danced with her gracefully around the room.
"Where did you learn this?" she asked.
"After my complete embarrassment at the Yule Ball fourth year, I decided to get dance lessons, Ron and I both did"
"Did you have partners?"
"Nope, we had to dance together, taking turns being the man"
"That is something I'd love to see Harry" Belana laughed. "I think we should go to the dance just so you and Ron can show off you're hot dancing skills for everyone. It'd be the perfect ending to this perfect night"
Harry kissed her. "Let's not and say we did"
Belana kissed him back. "Please"
"Later" Harry kissed her again but deeper.
He brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her with such power it made her entire body quiver. He was in control today and there was nothing she could or wanted to do about it unless things got out of hand. His mouth was hot with passion and she met his urges. They were like two warriors caught in a fierce battle against each other, like Romeo and Juliet saying goodbye a thousand times with passion before he got caught by her parents or her nurse. His hands moved over her body, embracing her and holding her close to his. Nothing would ever measure up to what he felt when she was with him. It was like a tornado of emotions that whipped around inside his head and he loved the feeling.
There was nothing she could do and nothing she wanted to do to stop his attacks. They weren't really attacks they were exhilarating. They brought on new adrenaline each time his lips pressed against hers or another part of her body. He roamed kisses down her neck and she silently moan in delight.
The Great hall was done up in lots of red, white and pink decorations. Little hearts were hanging from the ceiling and streamers ran across the corners and met in the center. The lights shone in romantic colours and danced around the couples in the room.
Hermoine stood in the doorway. She watched people as they danced and walked around the room but none came up to her. Perhaps her admirer chickened out and if he had, no boy in this school was worthy to have her. She didn't want to sound conceited but she couldn't imagine herself in a relationship with some guy who is chicken to tell her who he is. She was made the fool this time and it'd always come back to her.
From the side of the hall she could see Neville, Seamus and Dean dragging someone somewhere. They were coming her direction but she could only see his/her feet. They were pretty nice shoes though. She had to admit whoever they were dragging had good taste in footwear. Well that's a new thing to be checking out…footwear, but man those are nice shoes…wonder where the person got them. It was a guy. He straightened out his clothes and walked towards her.
"Hi Hermoine" he said.
"Hi Justin" she replied.
"Do you want to dance with me?"
"Uhh…ok" she smiled happily.
He took her hand and brought her onto the floor. "I'm not really good at this"
"That doesn't matter neither am I"
"Ok good"
They danced around the room with Ron watching from the sides. He smiled to himself. Justin was good for Hermoine and now Ron could take leave of this dull dance. He started towards the door just in time to see Harry and Belana come in. Great another couple to ruin his night. It sucked being barred from the one you should be with. Dammit Malfoy! To his disdain, Belana grabbed him by the hand and dragged him and Harry onto the dance floor and stood up with the band and grabbed their microphone.
"Hey everyone. I wanted to point out that not everyone here is a crappy dancer and that Ron and Harry should grace us with a dance. Show us what you guys can do"
"What?" Ron said quizzically.
"You be the girl"
"No you be the girl. I'm always the girl"
"You'll get respect if you do it"
"Fine"
"Good man" Harry patted Ron's back and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
"Ok" Ron replied awkwardly.
Harry placed his hand on Ron's waist and took his other hand in Ron's. Ron placed his hand at Harry's shoulder and they spun around the room in a three-step waltz. It was a basic box step but they added their own special moves in place. They were perfectly in step with one another and neither faltered to miss a step.
They looked so funny being the only two in a crowded room dancing. Girls sighed as they passed by and Belana knew she'd be beating them off. A lot of girls liked a guy who could dance and here were two perfect examples only one single. It was a race to see who'd get him first. She would admit they were attractive and seeing two guys adorable to the max dancing was just Awww….
"Ya!" Belana clapped. "Thanks guys"
"You're welcome" Ron and Harry bowed.
The hall burst out in applause and the dance continued.
Cadance was dancing with Crabe and Goyle but she soon fibbed about being tired and left the dance. Ron who was waited patiently by the door left soon after her. He went out and saw her turn down a hallway. He followed her quietly down the corridor and watched her motion for him to follow her into a room.
"Cadance" he called softly.
"Shush" she whispered. "Nobody can hear or see us"
Ron shut his mouth and entered the room. There was a table in the middle of it with chains attached to it. Candles surrounded the chains in the form of a body. Jars sat upon the mantel over a fireplace and a cage hung from the ceiling.
"What's going on?" Ron asked.
"Shush" she replied. "Lay on the table, I have a surprise for you"
She stood still feeling weird. Something really wrong was going on nearby and it involved her. It was a strange eerie feeling that she could tell nobody else felt. She ran out of the dance in time to see Ron at the end of a corridor. She ran after him and caught his form enter a room slowly.
"Ron!"
He could hear her voice from behind him but that was silly, she was right in front of him.
"Ron!"
He turned around and saw her running towards him. That's odd but she was just in front of him. He looked and saw no one. Where did she go?
"Cadance?" he questioned.
He looked around the room then back at the running figure. She was still there but where did the other one go? He looked around the room again and instead of seeing nothing, he saw a hideous creature. This thing was as tall as Cadance with green dripping slime over its body. It had one eye and claws instead of slender fingers. It had a hunched over back and black talons.
"Ahh!" Ron screamed and ran towards the door only to find it gone.
He banged against the wall with his fists as the creature moved in closer. The stench was awful, like sewers spitting up. The darkness was cold and the pain was scorching. The creature clawed at his back trying to get him away from the walls but he continued to bang.
All Cadance could hear were the screams of her beloved Ron. She couldn't get in to help him. She could hear things crashing but was powerless. She leaned up against the wall where Ron was last seen and banged it with her fist. The wall began to move and the door was back. Cadance grasped the handle and pushed it open. She fell into the room knocking Ron and the creature over. She got up and grabbed two candles off the table and threw them at the creature. Everything began to spin but she ran to Ron's arms and held him. The room vanished and they were in the middle of the Great Hall, with everyone looking at them.
"Well, that's enough for one night" Professor Dumbledore's voice rang out. "Cadance, Ron, I'd like to see you both in my office immediately"