A/N: If you don't like the pairing, that's okay. I don't mind flames, but the pairing won't change. Don't worry though; the pairing stuff will be minimal.

Disclaimer: I don't own TT or HP.


Chapter 11: Dances with Daemons

Harry blushed a deep crimson. "Raven," he said so quietly it was barely audible.

Hermione smiled wide and Ron laughed. Dick, on the other hand, grew pale. "That might not be the best idea."

Harry turned to Dick. "Why?" he asked.

"Well, right now, Raven isn't really interested in guys," Dick answered.

"Oh," Harry said sadly. His eyes then grew wide, and he repeated, "Oh! I, uh, I didn't know she was a lesbian."

"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Ron. "I never guessed!"

"What?" Dick asked confused. Then he understood and let out a loud laugh. "No, you misunderstand. She just had…problems with her last boyfriend."

"What happened?" Hermione asked, concerned.

"He tried to kill us," Dick replied bluntly.

"What!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione exclaimed in unison.

"It all happened a long time ago, but Raven still a little wary when it comes to relationships."

"Oh." Harry looked down, disappointed.

Dick decided to help Harry. "Listen, if you really want to ask her, go ahead. I don't know what she'll say, so don't get your hopes up."

Harry spirits lifted slightly, and he smiled for the rest of the meal.


The next morning Harry was already up when Raven came in at five. "Morning, Raven," Harry said cheerfully.

"Morning," Raven answered, slightly suspicious at his perky attitude.

About fifteen minutes later, Harry and Raven were on their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. "Um, Raven," he said as beads of sweat began to form on his red face.

"Yeah?"

"You've heard about the Yule Ball, right?"

"Of course. Severus is angry about teachers taking the time to prepare for the ball, but it will be good for the students. If they are in a better mood, they won't get sick as easily." Raven talked about the students as if she were one of the teachers, Harry noticed. It wasn't really that odd once he thought about it. She spent most of her time with the teachers; she even called them by their first names! Of course she thought like a teacher now.

Harry broke off his thought to get back to what he originally was trying to say. "Well…it should be fun. I mean, they won't have a band this year, but that's okay. Last time we had the Weird Sisters." Great, now he was blabbering.

Raven turned to him with an amused look on her face. "Weird Sisters? As in 'Double, double, toil and trouble'?"

Harry had no idea what she was talking about. "Um…"

Raven could tell by the look on his face that he obviously was not referring to what she thought. "Never mind."

Harry mentally hit himself. Now she thinks I'm stupid, he thought. He decided to cut to the chase. "Will you go to the ball with me?" Harry stopped and winced as if ready for a slap. After no slap or words came, Harry opened his eyes to see Raven looking at him with a sad expression. Oh, no, he thought, someone's already asked her. "Who are you going with?" he asked, sounding defeated.

Raven now appeared confused. "No one. Harry, I'm not going."

Harry looked at her, surprised. "Why?"

"I have too much work to do. There are some teachers who can't really help in the dungeons, the hospital wing, or the greenhouses, and they're the ones who are putting together the ball. I can help. I can help a lot. I don't have time to get ready and go to a ball." Raven looked apologetic for disappointing Harry. "I'm sorry, Harry, but I'm sure someone else will go with you." Raven then turned and began walking again, leaving Harry in the hall.

"Maybe I don't want to go with anyone else," he mumbled under his breath before running to catch up with her.


For the rest of the day in the hospital wing, Harry was kept extremely busy. After the showers (which included an extra room where a professor put a spell on Harry so that he would not be able to contract anything including the disease), Harry was put to work administering medicines. Then he had to change the bedpans (which he decided was the worst job a person could have), and then he had to give the patients food, and it went on and on like this for the entire day. Harry was not thinking about his work, though. Instead, he was forming a plan.

Just before dinner time, Raven told him he could go. Harry went back through the showers where the same professor took off the spell from the morning (which had made his skin very itchy).

In the Great Hall, Harry gathered Ron, Hermione, Dick, Kori, Gar, and Vic at the empty part of the Gryffindor table where he quickly told them of his idea.

"Okay," he began, "this morning I asked Raven if she would go to the ball with me-"

"You asked Raven!" Gar exclaimed. "I'm surprised you're still alive!" Vic glared at Gar which quickly shut him up.

Harry continued, "Well, she did say no. She said she wasn't going at all."

"She's going to work instead." Dick guessed.

"Yeah," Harry said, surprised.

"We had guessed that friend Raven would work instead of going to the Ball of Yule."

"She should go, though!" Harry insisted. "She works too hard!"

"I have to agree with Harry," Hermione said. Both Ron and Harry looked at her strangely. Hermione was the queen of overworking. "She hardly gets any sleep."

"She hates parties," Gar told them.

"Yeah," Vic added, "she wouldn't like if she went anyway."

"Then we shouldn't go either." Everyone looked at Harry strangely.

"Um, Harry," Ron asked, "how would that help?"

"We should throw her a party, a small party that she'll like."

Gar smiled, and a slight gleam appeared in Vic's eyes. Dick considered the idea before saying, "That's actually a pretty good idea."

"Oh, yes!" Kori jumped out of her seat and clapped her hands. "We will have a celebration of Raven!"

"Quiet!" Harry hissed. Kori guiltily sat back down. "We want to keep this quiet, just us."

"Oh, but Harry, can we have Hagrid come, as well?" Hermione asked. He nodded.

"We could get the house elves all kind of special dishes," Ron suggested.

"The what now?" And so the conversation continued until the group had completely mapped out an idea for Raven's party.


The days before Christmas passed quickly. Everyday, Harry would work with Raven in either the hospital wing or in the dungeons. Raven would have him leave early for the students' dinner, so after dinner, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the Titans would work on Raven's party before she returned to the Gryffindor common room.

Soon Christmas Eve rolled around and with it, Raven's party. Harry went in the morning with Raven to the dungeons while Ron, Hermione, the Titans, and Hagrid began preparing the large classroom which Professor McGonagall had allowed them the use of. Thankfully, the rest of the students were too preoccupied with getting ready for the Yule Ball that they did not notice Hagrid carrying large plates of food and other items into the classroom.

Thanks to the Titans knowledge of Raven, they were able to decorate in such a way that would please her: many candles provided light for the large room. A dark blue tablecloth was used on the table which held tea and different kinds of goodies. Purple streamers festooned the walls and windows. Ten squishy armchairs had been brought in by Hagrid and dyed blue by Hermione. All of this was topped off with a roaring blue fire in the hearth which threw an eerie light into the room. It was perfect.


Even though dinner was to be provided late at the Yule Ball, Raven still insisted that Harry leave early. He didn't mind though; he ran straight to the empty classroom to see how the decorations were coming.

Raven was incredibly tired as she left the dungeons. She was ready to plop into bed and never get up. She stopped for a moment as she passed the Great Hall on her way to the Gryffindor common room. She stood at the doors and listened to laughter and gaiety emanating from the room. Despite the fact that she hated parties, Raven secretly wished she was in there in an elegant dress, maybe even having fun. Raven sighed and continued on her way. On the stairs, though, she met Hagrid.

"Hey, Raven!" he called and began to walk beside her.

"Hi, Hagrid," she replied.

"Ya know what, Raven? I got sometin' to show ya!"

Raven cringed. "Can't this wait until morning, Hagrid?" she asked, wishing that he would leave her alone.

"Nope," he answered, his face positively glowing.

Raven sighed once again and resigned herself to following Hagrid.

Hagrid led Raven to a classroom that she knew was empty. She became very suspicious now. Harry had told her of his love for dangerous beasts, and Raven thought that maybe he had a new baby dragon hidden behind this door.

Hagrid practically bounced with excitement as he opened the door and watched Raven's stunned expression as Vic said, "Surprise, Raven."

"Wh-what is this?" she asked.

Harry walked toward her as she and Hagrid walked through the door. "It's a party for you," Harry answered.

"But…why?"

Now Kori flew up to Raven and crushed her with a monstrous hug. "Because, friend Raven, you have been most helpful to the sick students of Hogwarts."

"We thought you needed a reward."

Tears welled up in Raven's eyes as she said, "Thank you."

"Well," Hagrid interrupted, "I think it's time to eat." Hagrid guided everyone over to the buffet table where they immediately began to stuff there faces.

After they had finished eating, the group stood sat in the many chairs brought in by Hagrid. Harry walked up to Raven. "Um, Raven, can I talk to you?" Raven nodded and stood. She followed him to a corner of the room, far away from where Dick and Kori were kissing. "So do you like the party?" he asked.

"Yes, it's wonderful. Thank you."

Harry blushed with the compliment. "Well, I-" Harry was cut off unexpectedly as Raven leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Unknown to Harry and Raven, though, Hagrid, Ron, and Hermione were watching. Hagrid smiled. "Ah, young love!"

Ron grinned at Hermione. Hermione looked at him suspiciously. "Ron, what are you thinking?" Ron only smiled before kissing Hermione square on the lips.

Raven pulled away. Harry was blushing furiously. "Thank you so much," she said simply before returning to the party, leaving Harry in the corner.

Harry leaned back against the wall and touched his lips lightly. She had actually kissed him.

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall ran in, disregarding Dick and Kori making out in the corner, Ron and Hermione's bright faces, and Hagrid's laughter. "Raven, Hagrid," she said catching her breath. Her face was wet with tears. "Dean is…dead!"


Next chapter: Archaic Incantations