Chapter Nine:
Yule Ball
With winter, came cold. Abella absolutely hated the cold, and wanted nothing more than to stay in her dorm room, covered in her four blankets, but no she had to go to class. Abella sat in Divination, pouting. She had been warm, but ended up not only being drug outside for Care of Magical Creatures, but almost got burnt by one of Hagrid's Skrewts, which she had accidentally stupefied. Abella listened to Professor Trelawney talk about seeing death, as Abella stifled a laugh.
She couldn't help but find it funny, the way she explained some visions. Abella's visions never looked the way Trelawney explained them, but to each its own she guessed. When class was over she gathered her things and made to leave. Trelawney looked at her with a smile.
"You have a gift for divination I see, like your mother. "She smiled wider as she stared at the young girl. "And a gift for potions like your father." Abella stared at the older woman like she was crazy.
"My father never liked potions, he was absolutely horrible." Abella watched as Trelawney's grin grew wider.
"Oh darling, I don't mean Mickel." She shook her head as Abella assumed she meant Arthur.
"Arthur isn't very good at it either, but if you say so." Abella shook her head as she walked off, her professor's words swirling around inside of her head.
Abella made her way to the dungeons, to help Professor Snape with organizing the potion's class, but when she neared his office she heard talking.
"Severus, I think you should speak to her." Dumbledore's voice was barely above a whisper.
"I will not Dumbledore. There is a place and time for everything, and I will not put my student in danger, just because it pains me to see her every day." Snape sounded tired.
"As you wish Severus, but it is my suggestion, now Miss Weasley has just arrived so I'll leave you two. "Dumbledore opened the door and smiled at Abella before walking down the corridor.
Abella walked inside, and placed her things on Professor Snape's desk. "Mr. Dursley will not be joining us today, him and Fred and George seem to have gotten into a load of trouble with Filch." Snape continued to remove bat spleens as Abella laughed.
As Abella cleaned the cauldrons that the classes had left, she had a small vision. In her mind Abella saw a flash of blood, and Professor Snape dropping a scalpel.
"Professor, you may want to be careful." Abella said without turning to look at him. Snape ignored her, before accidentally slicing his hand.
Abella sighed before grabbing a potion bottle off of the shelf, and a rag. She smiled as she walked over to her Professor. She cleaned the wound, before putting a few drops of potion on it. It automatically began to close. Snape stared up at her amazed.
"You're a seer like your mother." The first smile Abella had ever seen from Snape appeared.
"I always forget you knew my mother." Abella smiled as Snape nodded.
"We went to school together, we were good friends, almost as close as her and McGonagall." Abella's eyes widened with understanding.
"Wait a minute you're Sev, my mother referred to you in some of her journals that Mrs. Weasley gave me, although a bunch of them are missing, mainly the ones before my birth." Abella sighed slightly. "So you knew my father as well, tell me, was he good at potions? Or Arthur Weasley? Since you were good I figured you would know."
"Mickel? He was horrible at potions, and so was Arthur." Snape watched as confusion spread over Abella's face. "Why would you ask Miss Weasley?"
"Professor Trelawney told me I was good at potions, like my father, but Arthur and my dad were horrible, so I don't understand." Abella sighed again before going to finish cleaning.
"Abella, why don't you leave early today?" Snape continued what he had been doing as Abella grabbed her things. She quickly told him goodbye before heading to her dorm. She was a little confused by the exchange to say the least.
Abella sat in George and Fred's room, with Fred, George, and Paul, as they finished writing their letter.
"Why does it have to be a ball?" Abella moaned as he hung off of George's bed.
"Because it will be funny to see you trying to act ladylike, and struggle to find a date" Fred smirked as Abella threw George's pillow at him.
"Oh shut up you git. "Abella growled before sliding off of George's bed and into the floor. Suddenly George, Fred, and Paul stood up, to head downstairs. Abella jumped up, chasing after them.
When they reached the common room Abella saw Ron, Harry, and Hermione sitting in the common room. Abella let out a loud laugh when she saw Ron's singed eyebrows.
"Nice look Ron... go well with your dress robes that will." Fred, Paul, and George sat down at the table with Harry, Ron, and Hermione as Abella plopped down on the couch.
"Ron can we borrow Pigwidgeon?" George asked.
"No, he's off delivering a letter," Ron said. "Why?"
"Because George needs a date for the ball. "Abella called from the couch.
"Because we want to send a letter, you stupid great prat." George said as he threw a book at Abella.
"Who d'you keep writing to, eh?"Asked Ron.
"Nose out Ron, or I'll burn that for you too. "Fred said as he waved his wand threateningly, before it flew out of his hand, as a result of Abella being bored. "...so...you two got dates for the ball yet?"
"Nope."Ron said.
"Well you better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be taken. "Fred said.
"Who are you going with then? "Ron said curiously.
"Angelina. "Fred said, no embarrassment whatsoever.
"What?" Ron said. "You've already asked her?"
"Good point..."Said Fred, before turning his head to yell across the common room. Oi! Angelina!"
Abella laughed as she watched Fred mouth to Angelina about going to the ball with him. After a moment she walked to her room, not realizing George was behind her. When she turned around she jumped slightly.
"Oh hey George." She smiled as he shut the door and looked at her nervously.
"So I was wondering if you wanted to go to the ball with me?" George smiled as Abella shook her head.
"Georgie, I don't even really want to go to the ball. Why don't you ask another girl?" George's smile fell as he stared at her.
"Really?"
"Yeah, go ask someone who's not your sister so you can enjoy yourself."
"But, I don't want you to be just my sister Bella. Don't you understand?" George stepped closer to her as Abella registered his words.
"Georgie, I'm sorry you're my brother, always have been always will be. Can't we just go back downstairs and ignore what is going on?"
"Don't you understand I've been in love with you for years!?" Abella sighed as George stormed out of the room slamming the door.
She plopped down on her bed, tears falling down her face, when she heard footsteps. She glanced up and saw Paul smiling at her from the doorway.
"Trouble in paradise eh Bells?" He sat next to her and patted her back as she nodded.
"George apparently likes me as more than a sister, but I see him as my brother, and that's it." Abella wiped her eyes as Paul nodded.
"There's someone you like isn't there?" Paul watched as Abella looked at him wide eyed.
"No." Paul smirked as she shook her head.
"Maybe you just haven't realized it yet." He laughed as he walked out of the room.
On Christmas day Abella seemed to be in a better mood. The group, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Fred, George, Paul, Ginny, and Abella, along with Alicia, much to Abella's annoyance, were all gathered around in the common room, opening presents. Abella almost cried when she opened a package that had her name changing papers approved, along with a necklace that belonged to her mother.
"Oh look at Abella's presents. "George growled, before Alicia put her hand on George's cheek to command his attention.
"Ignore her Georgie-Poo."
Abella huffed before gathering all of her unopened presents and walking towards the stairs.
"Aura where are you going? "Fred whined as Abella disappeared.
"To a room with better company, my own." Abella called before slamming her door.
Abella sat on her bed and began unwrapping her presents. She received a knitted scarf from Mrs. Weasley, a dragon scale from Charlie, spell books from Bill, and a new cauldron from Fred. Abella smiled as she looked at the presents, along with her box of treats from Mrs. Weasley.
That night, before the ball Abella was getting ready in her room. Abella looked in the mirror with a small sigh. Her hair was pinned up, in a messy formal style. Her dress was floor length, and strapless, the top was a solid silky green and the bottom was multi colored green tulle. She had put on black eye shadow, and pink lipstick, she looked so much like the pictures of her mother. Her hand grasped the small heart necklace that she had received this morning. Abella slipped on her stilettos, before walking downstairs.
Abella walked to the ball, alone. She didn't want to go with anyone. Abella walked down the stairs, not noticing the looks people were giving her. She didn't think she looked that wonderful, but whatever. Abella smiled as she sat down at the table with her friends, sitting between Fred and Ron.
"Wow, may I say you look stunning Abella. "Fred whispered into Abella's ear, causing her to giggle. "All the boys are sure to be dancing with you. Just ignore George and have fun" Fred winked at her, causing her to blush, before she turned to her menu. George, who had been watching the exchange glared at his brother, wondering what on earth he had been whispering to her about.
When everyone had finished eating, the band began to play. Abella watched as Alicia giggled and drug George to the dance floor. Fred leaned over to whisper to Angelina who laughed. Suddenly Fred grabbed Abella's hand and led her to the dance floor, he stopped when they were in George's eye sight. Abella listened to the fast paced song, before allowing Fred to guide her into dancing. After a few moments he began playfully spinning her, before bringing her in close to his body.
His eyes met George's over the top of Abella's head, and he winked at his brother. He knew he would probably pay for that later, but he didn't care, he just needed to realize what a prat he was being. Abella saw Ron sitting down, and his date leave.
"I'm going to go force Ron to dance, you go dance with Angelina." Abella laughed before walking over to Ron.
"Ronald, staring at her is not going to make her come over here. Come dance with me, laugh, and have fun." He shook his head and Abella sighed. "I know how to use the imperius curse, so either get up and dance, or I'll make you." Ron looked up at her sweet smile before huffing.
Abella led Ron out onto the dance floor, he slowly began to loosen up as Abella made him dance. Abella glanced up, and met George's eyes, she stuck her tongue out at him before dancing more with Ron. After a few songs Ron went to sit down, saying he felt stood to the side, watching her friends have fun. She noticed Paul, and Kyrie dancing closer than 'friends' should be dancing, and her smile grew.
"Miss Weasley, are you enjoying yourself?" Abella turned around to see Professor Snape, looking at the students, avoiding looking at Abella.
"Oh yes, it's a lot of fun. "She smiled at the crowd.
"You look like your mother, she would be proud." Snape whispered before walking off.
After another three songs, with Abella just standing there, one of the Durmstrang students asked her to dance. She smiled and accepted and they made their way to the dance floor, Abella danced a few songs, before she noticed George and Alicia snogging in a corner. Abella's color drained as she told her partner she was tired, and began making her way to the door. She loved her brother, but seeing him with Alicia made her stomach turn.
As she was walking back to her common room she passed a darkened alcove. An arm reached out and wrapped around her waist, tugging her inside. She went to yell, but huffed when she saw Draco Malfoy standing in front of her.
"Seriously Malfoy? After our last encounter you decide to be alone with me? You do realize I want to curse you into next week right?" She growled as she began to back away.
"Please, don't leave. I want to apologize. I shouldn't have hit you." He glanced down as Abella stared at him surprised.
"I really do think you should leave Hogwarts though. I can't begin to explain why, but you shouldn't be anywhere near here." He sighed before looking at her dress.
"You clean up pretty well though." Abella rolled her eyes as she leaned against the wall.
"Could say the same for you, but still, putting dress robes on a snake doesn't change the fact that it's a snake. Go to bed Draco." Abella laughed and turned on her heel before walking back to her common room.