Please note that I do not own Dungeons and Dragons,their relevant editions, Pathfinder or Harry Potter. Dungeons and Dragons are owned by Wizards of the Coasts, Pathfinder is owned by Paizo and Harry Potter and its franchises are owned by JK Rowling. The following story is just for my enjoyment and hopefully yours as well.

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Chapter 10: The Belle of the Ball

Despite repeated *knockings* Ira still wasn't replying to Hermione. She felt frustrated that he wasn't answering and decided that the issue was best discussed later. Besides she could always work it out with her fellow apprentices on the study of several divination spells. To Hermione, she felt so far behind. It wasn't the same, learning arcane magic. Whereas the study of sorcery –the magic Ira deemed what her people could do- required only knowledge of the trigger word and the proper movement, arcane magic while in some ways similar was very different in terms of the sheer depth of knowledge that one had to know in order to do arcane magic.

It was a challenge but one Hermione relished. She was beginning to think of her sorcery more as an impediment as arcane wizardry was much more rewarding. True, it was easier performing sorcery but the arcane held a seductive pull in the way you had to uncover the secret words and movements and sometimes material components in order to work the magic.

Hermione sighed and gave herself a smile. She would master arcane magic not only because she wanted to but also to prove that she was truly one of the best. While her people's sorcery relied on will and emotion arcane wizardry relied only on one's intelligence. Wizardry made things fair in her opinion. If she wasn't good at it that meant she wasn't trying and no one could simply get better grades than her just because they had a 'knack' for working spells.

She looked herself over again in the mirror, her dress a simple thing that she had bought. It cost a good amount of money and it wasn't like what some of the other girls were wearing but she would make do. Besides, she smiled to herself, I'll just get a little help. Luna entered at the same moment, into the dormroom dressed very peculiarly with purple, pink and other assortment of colours wrapped around her. Hermione smiled as it really was Luna's style.

You look beautiful, Luna sent to her and Hermione smiled, You look fantastic as well Luna. But I think I'll spruce myself up a bit, and she cast Disguise Self. The dress she wore became a shimmering golden dress of rich and certainly expensive design. She felt the spell energy drain just a bit and took a breath. Even after some time she still wasn't used to that. The rush of energy flowering and dying in an instant made her giddy with excitement.

She turned to Luna, What about now? and she gave Lovegood a mental smile. Luna nodded, Suits you and you work the spell quite effortlessly. Though you should learn to keep the movements to yourself. My tutors said that would be wise, especially if confronted with enemies who don't know your true strength.

Hermione nodded, My tutors taught me the same, and while she was afraid of them at first, she wasn't scared now. The dead things that served her Master were just ghosts just like the ones roaming Hogwarts, come on I think we should go already. Luna nodded and they left together.

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Having a date like Krum would draw everyone's attention and Ron knew that was expected. Many of the girls –even a few of the guys- found the Durmstrang wizard very good looking. So it must have been in Krum's mind that if he were the most handsome guy in school he would need to get the most beautiful as well. As the sounds of merriment, laughter and occasional shouts of joy rang through the enchanted Great Hall, Ron felt like emptying his gut right there and then.

He hated to see someone like Krum taking advantage of Hermione or anyone taking advantage of her for that matter. Of course in truth no one could take advantage of her because Hermione was Hermione and that was that. Ron stood by the punch bowl and filled his glass with another round of cranberry juice. He felt someone grip his shoulders and his brothers were there.

"Ooo, but that Krum can make any girl swoon eh?" said George. Fred nodded, "Aye that he can! Poor old Ron, how unlucky for you eh? Better luck next time" The twins laughed and Ron tried to escape their hold on him. "Well before we go and find our dates, I think we should give our little brother something, don't you think Fred?" said George with a wink. Fred nodded, returning the wink, "Aye I think that we should. Here," he handed Ron a flask like the one Father used to drink his whiskey.

Ron took it and looked a question at them but George smiled, "Nothing to worry about little brother. It's only a small bit of liquor. Not much to drive you drunk! We're not cruel you know!" Fred nodded, "That we aren't! Can you imagine if Mother found out we got Ron drunk?! She would skin us alive and feed it back to us!" The twins laughed, clapped Ron's back and left to go do something mischievous or whatever it was they did.

Ron took a look at the flask and uncapped it, taking a swig. It felt bittersweet and Ron grimaced at the sharp tang it made in his throat. He didn't like it but kept downing it anyway because Hermione was laughing at something Krum said.

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Help me! sent Hermione through the link to Harry. She had already tried to talk to Draco but he was too engrossed with some of the Slytherin girls, boasting about something while Luna and Neville were just sitting together, sipping juice. Harry felt sorry for Hermione as she kept sending to him, Couldn't you get me out please? Apparently Krum wasn't that very good a conversationalist since he made everything that came out of his mouth about it him and the only thing she could think of was laugh as other girls crowded around her and laughed as well.

Krum has more admirers than I thought, sent Harry. The girls all but smothered him and Hermione looked very uncomfortable. Harry gave her a mental quiz, Did you cast a spell on yourself? Harry saw the impossibility of colours and definition given to her dress and his knowledge of the arcane and spellwork deduced it to be illusion. Hermione gave him a mental wink, Glad you noticed! Please get me out of here!

Harry gave Padma Patil –a pity date since Padma was only accompanying him to show her sister off- an excuse and made his way to Hermione. When he reached her it was like trying to fight off a pack of wild hyenas but he managed to wrest Hermione from the vicious crowd.

Hermione smiled at him, Thanks! I thought I was going to suffocate and die in there! Wouldn't that have been something to put on my gravestone?! Hermione Granger, killed by pack of girls! Harry smiled, At least you could give good last words like 'I fought the good fight' or something like that.

She laughed and then the tempo of the music playing changed. Before it was something upbeat and catchy but now it was slow and enchanting.

Harry stuttered and Draco sent to him, Ask her to dance, dunce or are you just going to stare at her like a gargoyle?! Harry turned to see Draco give a wink at him and continue to chat up the various girls flocking around him. Not as much as Krum had but a significant number at the very least.

"Would you like to dance?" Harry asked with his own voice. Hermione stared a while and then gave him a slow smile, "I don't think I have any better thing to do, so yeah let's dance" They held hands and went on the floor slowly starting their dance, enjoying the slow movements. Harry's hands felt sweaty in the proper positions while Hermione just gave him a nervous chuckle, So awkward. Guess they never prepare you for this part huh?

Harry gave her a small smile, I don't think anyone can be prepared for this. They just smiled and danced together, enjoying each other's slow movements and the song ended. When it did they looked at each other and gave off nervous chuckles. The music became upbeat again and Harry sent, How about another one? We don't have to hold each other or anything?

Hermione gave him a smirk, You're on Chosen One! And for your information, I am a very good dancer, and they both smiled as they held each other again without intending to and danced to the beat.

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Luna and Neville walked together enjoying each other's mental thoughts. Luna sent, You're quite the interesting man, Neville. I'll admit, knowing you this way has given me a lot more perspective on you and your life.

Neville blushed through the link, Well you're quite interesting too. I mean, you're very interesting but not in a bad way like weird or anything! No, you're super interesting and very not-weird! Neville winced, I'm an idiot.

Luna gave a mental laugh, Not really but if you are I suppose an idiot and a freak look good together. They both gave off small smiles and continued to walk together when they heard a rowdy shout.

"Oy, look its Longbottom and he's with the Loony! Hey, you two!" Nevilled turned and saw one of the bullies from Slytherin with two of his goons. He could remember some of them quite well but these three were new or maybe they were always there but he didn't notice them because he always kept his eyes and ears shut when they made fun of him.

They came forward, with bottles in their hands, beer or wine possibly and they jeered at him and Luna. Luna gave them a small smile, "Is anything the matter? Do you need help?"

One of them laughed and for moment he looked like a weasel, "Help?! You need help the both of you! Loony and Longbottom, oh I think I have a new bestseller right here! Heck, I could be the next Gilderoy Lockhart!"

The other two laughed as well and clapped their thighs. Neville stood a little taller, "Well, if you want to write, go ahead," and he pulled Luna with him to walk away and the three cornered them. One of them –looking like a monkey- pushed Neville, who fell back slightly but managed to control himself.

Monkey face said, "You're not going anywhere Bottom! Hey, I just think I found a new name for him!" The other two laughed and the third one –who looked like a rat- guffawed, "Hey since we're having such a great time, call him bum-fun!" Now all three laughed like there was no tomorrow and Neville felt his face turn cherry red.

Luna looked at Neville and smiled, Don't worry. I got you. Together now, she quickly sent Neville a quick plan and the boy's heart raced a little faster, Are you sure? It could be dangerous and we could get caught! Luna gave a mental shrug, Maybe but then again maybe not.

Neville nodded and he quickly cast Enlarge Person –something that he used occasionally but never in this situation- on himself. He became twice as large while Luna cast Glimpse of Fear. The spell rocked through Rat face and he looked like he saw something horrible. He fell back and the other two eyes bulged when they saw a much bigger Neville. He pushed them both to the floor and Luna cast the spell again on both. They immediately shouted and started to fall back.

Neville became his normal size again and he grabbed Luna's hand. They ran through the hallway together, making whooping sounds and laughing. When they came to a corridor they took long breaths and were too excited. Do you think those three will tell on us? sent Neville. Luna gave him another mental shrug, Maybe but I don't think so. They were drunk I think and nobody will believe the two of us could do something like that. We weren't even holding wands! Neville started to laugh and Luna did as well. Luna looked at him and then gave him a peck on the cheek. Neville was startled and looked at her. After what felt like an eternity both kissed on the lips as the sounds from the Great Hall played on

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Harry handed Hermione her drink, You're something you know that! I can't believe you can do the limbo, I have never seen someone actually do that successfully before! Hermione gave a smirk, Told you! I can be quite the dancing wizard when I want to be. Both laughed at the joke she made and Harry felt his face flush, You want to go outside? The air here is making me feel stuffy.

Hermione nodded and they left their drinks behind as they walked together in the torch-lit hallway. They both sat down on the stone railing and Hermione inspected her dress which became its normal look while she was doing the limbo, Pity the spell couldn't last a while longer. It was nice being beautiful if only for a little while.

Harry gave her a mental smile, That's ridiculous! You're the most beautiful here in Hogwarts! Better than those Beauxbatons by far! Then he mentally *eeped* as Hermione gave him a questioning look, Really? You think I'm that beautiful? Why would that be?

Harry coughed, I mean that you're really pretty and you shouldn't blame yourself! I mean we only mastered 1st valences and we haven't even gotten to 2nd valences. When we do the spell will last longer, you'll see, and he gave Hermione a nervous smile.

Hermione came a little closer to Harry, I don't think that's what you meant and besides I know that I can only maintain the spell for a little over ten minutes, she came just a little closer and gave Harry a honest mental tone, Do you think I'm beautiful Harry?

Harry nodded and even though he felt like facing a dragon he replied with a sure, Yes. Hermione gave him a big smile and she came just a little closer. Harry could have pulled back but something pulled him closer. And both kissed, just a very light feather touch. Harry pulled back and coughed, "I think I left some work undone. I'll see you tomorrow!" and he left in a hurry.

Hermione just laughed and called out, "Ok but don't rush on my account!" Harry shot back, "Wouldn't dream of it," and he didn't know what possessed him to shout back, "beautiful!" Hermione smiled to herself and felt like the nervous little girl who was told for the first time that she had magic. She smiled to herself and felt someone watching her, "Who's there?"

Ron appeared from the shadows, swaying to her and he looked like he had some sort of hex on him. Hermione stared, "Ron?!" and then realization hit as Ron could have been watching, "What did you see Ron and why do you look like you ate a flobberworm?"

Ron spoke with a slur, proof he was drunk –even if it was watered down scotch- and not in his right mind, "I saw everything! You and-and Harry over there, kissing! How could you Hermione, I like you, really like…like you…you know!"

Hermione stood up and slightly back, "No, Ron I don't! If you really liked me why didn't you ask me to be your date instead of dithering and letting Krum be the one? Bloody hell, you could have asked me when I was swarmed by those girls!" a lie really since Ron was probably unaware and she used the mental link to call out to Harry.

"Shut up! You-you don't know what it's like being a boy in a ball! It sucks and you have to do things you don't want to do!" Ron slurred, "especially since no one appreciates it! Like you! You…you," and then Ron's eyes perked up, "you slut!"

Hermione clasped her mouth shut, "I know you're drunk Ron so I won't hold it against you. But I insist you take those words back!" Ron gave her a drunken smile, "Nope! You're a slut and always have been! Krum, Harry, bloody hell why not just give it to me now huh?!" and he advanced on her, with his hands fumbling with his pants. Hermione felt disgusted and angry, casting True Strike. She felt the magic suffuse her with extreme precision and when Ron came forwards, gave him a kick in the groin.

The magically precise blow caused Ron to double over, puking on her dress and falling to the ground, making gurgling sounds. Hermione felt embarrassed and frustrated, the good memories she made tainted with very bad ones. She cast a cleaning cantrip and her dress became unsoiled and she walked away leaving Ron on the floor moaning, "Please-please I didn't mean…sorry…so sorry" But there was no one to hear those words.

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Harry felt like a little boy all over again, afraid and excited at the simple things in life. Of course he hadn't had a very good childhood but the point of the matter was that he felt like his heart was going to burst. He had never had such feelings for Hermione and maybe in some way he never would have if it weren't for the mental link.

Without it he would never have understood every snippet of emotion and every nuance of her feelings. When she smiled, Harry felt her sadness and when she cried he could feel her joy. He walked with a spring in his step, no direction really, just wanting to skip along and then was struck by a shouted, "Stupefy!"

He fell forwards and was struck again. Moody quickly came forward, his mind feeling dull and numb as the Imperius Curse was weighing down on him. He could fight it but Voldemort's personal touch made the spell very difficult to overcome. Moody removed a pin and pricked the unconscious Harry, filling a small vial with blood. Moody pocketed the vial and lifted Harry, as he was necessary for the second task. As for the vial, Barty Jr was adamant about it. Something about Voldemort but the Imperius Curse made the thought muddled as Moody walked on.

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