Chapter 53: The Final Dance
Emily stepped out into the brisk spring air, escaping the crowd of people who had been hovering around her all night. She was thankful for a moment of peace and silence. Too many ministry officials had been interested in meeting the granddaughter of the Dark Lord who had been acquitted of the high charges against her; students of all houses who had once been afraid of her now greeted her as a friend. Cameras and reporters had continued to surround her and Draco all evening wanting an exclusive interview about the new "it" couple. All of its chaos had made her go dizzy.
She sighed deeply as she gazed out into the darkness of the night, taking a deep breath, allowing her mind to clear from all that had happened. A piece of hair blew across her face as the cool breeze swept over the balcony. She felt like the breeze that blew, cold and hard. It was what had become of her, unmoved. She had tried so desperately to deny the truth in order to save those she loved from harm, but the real person that had ended up suffering was herself. She had tried desperately to do it on her own, convincing herself over and over that it simply was the way it had to be.
Another breeze swept over her, making her shiver in its cold sting. She rubbed her bare arms with her hands, yet to her surprise a heavy material fell across them suddenly. A crimson cloak had been placed carefully around her shoulders.
"I thought you might need it, especially on a night like this." His soft voice came from behind her, his warm breath against her neck. Emily felt her cheeks flush at his sudden presence. She hadn't expected him to speak to her tonight.
"I'm alright." She lied turning around to face him. She couldn't help but notice that his eyes seemed even brighter tonight without his glasses.
"I could see you shivering from inside." His eyes found hers. Their intensity made her heart quicken, it took her a moment before she found her voice again.
"Thank you." She muttered softly, her voice shaking. Emily didn't know whether it was from the cold or because after all this time, he was suddenly so close.
"You're welcome." Harry brushed a piece of her hair away from her face, his fingers were warm against her cold skin. The sudden heat rushed over her. She closed her eyes, she had forgotten how good it felt. Emily snapped out of her thoughts, trying to regain control.
"Ginny looks beautiful." Emily stated as she moved her head away from his delicate touch.
"She does." His eyes never left hers, as if he was trying to read her mind. Yet, they darted away suddenly as he took a step back. "Malfo…Draco looks the part."
"He does, doesn't he?" Emily agreed.
"You both seem...close." Harry spoke as if searching for the right words.
"He's been a good friend to me the last couple of weeks." Emily spoke honestly. "It's been hard to navigate the curse since...everything. Without him or Hermione, I don't know if I would have...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned it." Emily glanced up only to see a bemused smirk on his face, as if he found what she said humorous. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing." Harry breathed deeper. "You just only see what you want to see that's all."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Her tone more agitated. Harry only smiled wider, a hearty laugh filling the open terrace.
"I didn't mean it like that. I only meant that Hermione and Draco weren't the only ones who have been looking out for you, Em."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah." He spoke, as he leaned his body against the stone balcony.
"And who else?" She asked somewhat intrigued by what he might say.
"I thought it was obvious." Harry looked back at her his eyes darkening as he glanced over her face. "Me." Emily blushed underneath his continued stare. "I've kept my distance, I admit, but never so much that you weren't taken care of. Those first few days after things ended, I avoided you entirely and because of it you weakened more severely. It was obvious, maybe not everyone. After that I began testing it, seeing how many people had to be between us, how many feet away I could be. I found a rhythm after a while. I could sit four desks away in class, six or so people away in the Great Hall, but only ten or so feet in larger crowds. When there was no one around like late night in the common room, or after our trainings, or if you were with Hermione and until recently, Draco, I left you alone. I knew it wasn't ideal for you and there were moments were I could see that you were in pain, but it was something, if only just a little. "
Silence filled the space between. Emily tried to process what Harry had just told her. He, despite the pain that she had caused him, had, in his own quiet way, never stopped protecting her.
"Thank you, Harry." She spoke genuinely, her eyes catching his once more. "You didn't have to do that given everything that has happened between us, but I am grateful that you did."
"You're welcome." He smiled again and his eyes brightened.
"You're not wearing your glasses?" Emily commented.
"Hermione's idea. I think she figured Godric Gryffindor wouldn't have worn glasses." Harry joked, a slight smile forming across his face. "I feel sort of ridiculous without them, with all of this," Harry motioned towards his attire "but you know Professor McGonogall insisted I look the part."
"You do certainly look the part. A true and loyal Gryffindor." She smiled. "What about me? Do I look the part?" She asked with a laugh, opening the crimson cloak to reveal her gown.
"Never." He said quickly. "You do not have the heart of a Slytherin."
"I am the heir."
"But you are not a Slytherin. You chose Gryffindor."
"I cannot change my past. You of all people should know that."
"You can change who you will be." His eyes caught hers once more.
Another moment of silence passed between them. She tore her eyes from his, pulling the warm cloak tighter against her shivering body. Her heart felt heavy, as if something weighed it down. There were so many questions that ran through her mind. Why was he here with her? What did he want? She had so much to tell him, so much to explain. Yet, the words seemed to be stuck in her throat. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. For some unexplainable reason, she felt ashamed, unworthy of saying the things that she so desperately wanted to. Her heart filled with pain at all the things that she had let go unsaid. She could feel her heart pound, as if it was urging her on, even now. She glanced out over the dark grounds before closing her eyes allowing her emotions to settle. Finally she let her eyes meet his once more.
"Do you remember that night when you almost kissed me?" Emily saw his face wince at the mention of it.
"Which night? There were several." Harry laughed to himself and yet stopped after a moment suddenly going silent. "How could I forget?" His voice wavered a sudden shame filling him.
"In that moment, every part of me wanted it to happen." A smile suddenly spread across his lips, the boyish grin that she had not seen in months. "That was what terrified me, Harry. I felt so helpless, like I had no control. I was scared of myself, of what I needed, of how much I wanted it, how much I wanted you. I was afraid of just how connected you and I had become to each other."
"Em—"
"Please, just let me finish." Emily heard the desperation within her own voice. Harry simply nodded. "I lied to myself, Harry. I forced myself and convinced myself that by breaking things off, by simply letting it all go that it would make everything easier for you. Easier for you to move on, to have someone else who could truly be there for you, forever—"
"Emily—"
"No, you don't want to face it Harry! My life is so uncertain compared to what yours will be. Once I turn seventeen it is just a matter of time, with Voldemort on the move, who knows how long—" Emily stopped as Harry gave a frustrated sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Why must you always talk about it!?" It was now Harry's voice that rose with desperation.
"So that you realize just why I cannot be what you need."
"You are all that I need, you are all that I want. When will you realize that!?" Harry grasped her arms with his strong hands, turning her to face him; his emerald eyes caught the light from the grand windows of the Great Hall. Emily had no reply. "I have always understood your curse, I have always kept the prophecy in the forefront of my mind, Em. I get it! What I don't understand is why you are so desperate to fight me. To take what little time we might have together. It's not just you who he's after. Both of our lives will be on the line in this war."
"Harry."
"All I know, Em, is that I have tried to convince myself these last months that if this is what you truly wanted then…then I would have to accept it. That it was the best thing for you…and me, that we were doing the right thing. That risking both of our lives was too much to bear. I tried to rid myself of you, to free myself from this hold that you have over me. Yet, your presence always remained. I realized just how much I need you…that I…" Harry stopped, taking her shaking hand in his, warmth flooded through the both of them. He tilted her chin so that her startled eyes found his. "You need me to."
"Harry…" She tried to fight her heart. Yet she was tired, tired of fighting him. Tired of fighting the truth of it all: that she desperately needed him.
"Let me in. Let me into your heart again." Emily felt a tear run down her cheek at his words.
"You never left it." Emily spoke purely. Harry's exhaled, as if he had been holding his breath this whole time. He gently rubbed his thumb over her tears wiping them away. It was as if in this simple act he was healing her.
"I have always loved you, you must know that." His deep voice whispered as he placed his forehead on hers, breathing her in.
"I hoped." She replied.
Her heart that had been broken by the darkness suddenly felt whole. She wrapped her arms around his neck, needing to be as close to him as she could: Harry tightened his grasp around her waist. The two of them simply stayed like that, breathing the other in, taking in the feeling of being with each other again.
"We were wrong by the way." Emily mumbled into his chest.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked as he pulled gently away to see her face.
"The mirror in the abandoned classroom—"
"The Mirror of Erised?"
"You said it's magic was gone, lost over time, we were wrong." Emily could feel herself smile as Harry's expression became more confused. "I mentioned the mirror to Professor Lupin and he said that the mirror shows the deepest desire of our hearts."
"The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is." Harry mumbled more to himself than to her. "Dumbledore said that to me the first time I found it. It was in my first year during the Christmas holidays, I looked into it and saw my parents standing there with me."
"That's why you expected me to see something?" Emily spoke finally putting all the pieces together. "But all I saw was the two of us as we were."
"As did I." Harry took a breath closing his eyes as he rested his forehead against hers. Emily felt him tighten his hold around her body. "Is that what changed your mind about us?" Emily opened her eyes and saw only his piercing emerald eyes staring back at her.
"Yes and no." She took a deep breath unsure as to what to say or where to start. "Lupin showed me an old portrait of my mum. He found it among my father's possessions. It was seeing her I think that made me remember something that I had forgotten long ago."
"Which is what?" Harry asked his eyes searching hers for the truth.
"Love is not meant to be easy, yet it is worth fighting for."
"So is that what we are doing from now on, fighting?" Harry had a bemused smile on his face.
"I think we have been fighting for each other this whole time. Fighting against all odds and all reason that tells us we are up against an un-bearable force, that all hope is lost. My curse has told me my whole life that love is impossible, and yet here you are, Harry, willing to risk everything to be with me because of love. So yes, we are fighting, and I promise to fight. I will never give up on us again." Emily words echoed over the balcony. The strength of her conviction stirred within the both of them. "All this time I have been denying my heart the only thing it desires." Emily placed her hand on Harry's cheek forcing him to look into her eyes. "You."
She felt his touch loosen from around her and she dropped her hand from his cheek not understanding why. Grasping underneath the high shirt collar he pulled out the black leather cord, there dangling on it were two rings. Carefully undoing the clasp from around his neck, he took off the gold wedding band that had been his mother's.
"This is yours." Harry spoke as he slipped it onto Emily's hand. Emily looked down at it. Feeling a sense of wholeness wash over her as it rested once again on her finger. "I will never give up on us either, Em. I love you. Now and always." He said simply staring into her eyes, his boyish grin once again spreading across his face.
His arms quickly found themselves around her waist again. Emily did not know how long they stood there locked in each other's embrace. Emily only knew that it would never be long enough.
"So this is how you represent Gryffindor, Potter, by moving in on my date?"
"Draco!" Emily said surprised as she tentatively untangled herself from Harry's arms.
"Don't." He held up a hand as he walked towards her. "At least one of us got what we hoped for." He gave them both a broken smile.
"Work things out with her, Draco." Harry encouraged. "Trust me on this one." He said glancing from Draco to Emily. He wrapped his arm around her waist once more, not wanting to let her go just yet.
"Yeah, um, I think that Dumbledore is about to speak, so the representatives have to go take our places up front."
"Oh, right." Emily stepped out of Harry's all too warm embrace to give him his cloak. Grabbing Draco's extended arm, they both headed back indoors, after all she still was the representative for Slytherin. "I will see you in there." She smiled at Harry just before entering the hall again.
Draco had been right; Dumbledore eyed them as if to motion them to hurry to their places. They moved towards the front of the room, and took their respective seats upon the large thrones that had been placed to represent each of the houses.
"Thank you!" Dumbledore extended his hands. "Thank you all, members of the ministry, students, faculty for coming tonight to celebrate Hogwarts and its Founders. Without whom, our world would not have its brightest and most talented witches and wizards. This school was founded in the hope that we all may be united, no matter what bloodlines. These times are filled with darkness, yet if we stand firm together I know that we can overcome anything." A large cheer erupted throughout the audience, and it wasn't until Dumbledore raised his hands that it quieted down. "Some of you may already have met our representatives throughout tonight, but it is now my honor to officially announce those who were chosen to represent the four houses. Representing, the house of Helga Hufflepuff, Ms. Hannah Abbott and Mr. Michael Corner, for the house of Rowena Ravenclaw Ms. Cho Chang and Mr. Zacharias Smith. Representing the house of Salazar Slytherin Ms. Emily Black and Mr. Draco Malfoy. And last representing the house of Godric Gryffindor, Ms. Ginny Weasley and Mr. Harry Potter." All eight representatives stood as the applause filled the Great Hall, each person cheering for their own house and for Hogwarts. "Thank you." Dumbledore began once more. "Now, it is custom for the representatives to take the floor for the final dance of the evening."
Dumbledore nodded to the band, and then back to the representatives. The men of the houses at his nod stood and extended their hands to their partners, all except Draco. Upon noticing Emily's smile and feeling her gentle hand squeeze his in encouragement, he apprehensively moved to stand in front of Ginny. He took her ivory hand in his, seeing her radiant smile and speechless nod of the head, he led her down the steps to the dance floor with the other couples. Both Ginny and Draco glancing back to see Harry extend his hand to Emily.
The whole room erupted into a roar of whispers and the rapid flashing of cameras.
"I think the whole room didn't expect that." Harry whispered into her ear as they both made their way slowly down the wooden steps.
Emily agreed with a simple smile. She rested her head upon his shoulder. She didn't mind, she thought, for she got to be in the arms of the one person whom she had wanted to dance with all night.
As they reached the marbled dance floor, Harry took his place in front of her, his strong hand held her lower back, pulling her close to him, his other held her hand, which molded into his. Emily had never felt more secure than she did in this moment. The two simply becoming one as they swept across the dance floor. Their eyes locking onto one another. Emily could feel their hearts beat in the same rhythm.
They truly were one. The inscription on the ancient ruins book floated into her mind: Unus pectus pectoris, unus mens mentis, duo spiritus, unus iter itineris. How could she have not realized this before! She had heard her mother describe this a long time ago, 'one head, one heart, two spirits, one journey'. It was the mark of true, pure love. Emily smiled as she envisioned her mother's portrait.
"What?" Harry asked upon seeing her smile. "Am I that bad?"
Emily put her hand to his chest, as they slowly stopped dancing. The other couples continuing to dance around them, the music played on, yet all eyes seemed to be on the two of them, but all she saw was Harry.
"Can you feel that? Our hearts beating in the same rhythm." Emily asked placing his warm hand above her own scar, above her heart.
"I have always felt it, from the first moment I met you." His eyes sought hers.
Emily was captivated, enraptured with his love for her. She felt her breath tighten in her throat, her cheeks redden, her mouth became dry at the fullness of it. She suddenly realized that a single tear had escaped her brown eyes. Harry mouth twisted into a gentle smile. He gently reached up, his thumb wiping it away. Holding her face in his hand, he bent his head towards her cheek and kissing where her tear had just laid.
Emily gave a soft gasp at the feeling of Harry's lips on her skin. She tightened her grip on his chest, as she too felt his other hand on her back pulling her closer to him. She was becoming light-headed at his touch, at the familiar smell of him. Both Harry and Emily stood there, totally enraptured with the other, the feeling of each other's touch, the immensity of their love for the other person. Her body felt as it were on fire, she closed her eyes taking it all in as his lips traveled from her cheek, to her forehead, to her other cheek, to the corner of her mouth.
Emily did not pull away even as she felt Harry's lips finally touch her own, she rather savored the intoxicating feeling of it. Harry's lips were not rough but smooth, moving over hers with such tender care. Emily felt as if her heart was beating out of her chest, her breath becoming shallow. As his lips suddenly became more intense against hers, she felt as if something in her slowly had begun to slip away. The darkness that she had held within her, the protection that it had once served, slowly seemed to break and yet she felt as if her heart was filling with more love than she ever thought was possible.
Emily opened her eyes suddenly as she felt Harry pulling away. Harry, realizing what he had done had a look of guilt and horror upon his face. Emily just smiled, placing her hands around the back of his neck, pulling his face back to hers, tangling her fingers within his already untidy black hair, as if letting him know that it was all right, that she didn't want him to stop. This time neither one of them held anything back, all the heartache, all the waiting and yearning, all the love that they shared found itself in that moment when their lips eagerly meet once again.
They finally broke apart, upon hearing the gasps and murmurs from the room of onlookers, as well as the need for air. Yet the crowd hadn't gasped just at their unexpected kiss, they were staring at Emily's dress. For it was no longer black but a brilliant crimson. A simple heart shaped neckline, an empire waist that was trimmed with delicate gold thread, had replaced the emerald bodice. Her train no longer flowed with black silk but gold satin. Her silver necklace was gone. Emily touched the beautiful material; it was even more breathtaking than the other.
"I told you that you didn't have the heart of a Slytherin." Harry whispered. "You belong in Gryffindor. You belong with me. Now and always." He smiled that boyish way, which always made her knees go weak, Harry pulled her tightly to him again seeking to pick up where they left off.
Emily smiled up at him, her heart feeling complete. Harry bent his head towards hers once more, but instinctively stopped. He grimaced, his hand suddenly pressing against his forehead, a cry escaping his mouth. Emily clutched her chest; she felt the same searing pain seize her heart. Something was wrong.
"Emily?" Harry's voice echoed over her. The pain etched across his face, his eyes searching hers.
"Harry?" She gasped. Fear gripped her heart again, images from her nightmares flashed across her mind.
The curse was taking its effect, she was sure of it. This was the consequence for what had just passed between them. Yet, upon seeing a black circle of smoke suddenly forming, Emily took a step back from the center of the room. A voice from the dark spoke. A sinister voice that she knew too well, it was her grandfather, it was Voldemort. He had finally come for her.
