Trigger warning: Violence, Sexual Assault

~ December 16th, 1994 ~

There were a grand total of three students going home for the Holidays. It seemed everyone was thrilled to be staying at Hogwarts for the Yule Ball.

Severus had waited until the weekend before the Ball to call all the Slytherin to the Great Hall for a "Special Meeting".

Wonderful.

Garnet and Adrian walked into the Great Hall, all tables were stacked on one side of the room, the benches still setting around the room, and an ancient looking record player in the corner.

"Seems as though this is where we part ways, m'lady." Adrian chuckled.

She looked around, he was right. The girls were all sitting on one side, while the boys were sitting on the other. Garnet rolled her eyes and waved bye to Adrian.

As the last few students were taking their seats, Snape swooshed in, slamming the doors behind him.

"Christmas Day, as you all know, Hogwarts will be holding the Triwizard Tournaments traditional Yule Ball." Snape said in his bland drawl. "Whether you plan to go or not is none of my concern, however I refuse to let any of you make Slytherin look like fools because you don't know how to dance."

He waved his wand and a low music began playing from the victrola.

"I know two of you already know how to waltz." Severus looked towards one of the boys, then turned his gaze to Garnet.

Her eyes went wide, cheeks blushed.

"We don't have all day," he narrowed his eyes at her.

Sighing, Garnet stood and walked to the center of the room, and waited for whichever boy it was that she was about to dance with.

Girls behind her were giggling.

Garnet watched as Draco stood with a sigh and strutted towards her.

"Go figure," Garnet muttered to herself.

Draco, however, heard her and smirked. "The life of privilege has it's perks, I suppose." He whispered.

"It's been a while," she whispered, "no fancy moves, please."

"Afraid I'll sweep you off your feet, Prince?" Draco gave her a cocky smirk.

Garnet rolled her eyes, "You wish."

Draco bowed at the waist to her.

Garnet sighed and curtsied.

"As you can see, courtesies should be followed." Snape explained, sounding bored.

Draco put his hand on her waist and took her other hand in his. Garnet put her free hand on his shoulder. He began leading her around the room.

At one point Draco surprised Garnet by spinning her, catching her off guard, she almost tripped.

Draco chuckled as blush spread across her face.

"You embarrass entirely too easily." he whispered to her.

Garnet narrowed her eyes at him. She barely heard Snape as he narrated what they were doing, then instructed the rest to partner up and begin practicing.

"So, your Weasel and you got your outfits all picked out for the dance?" Draco asked in a smart tone.

Garnet blushed again, "I haven't picked anything out, he hasn't asked me to go yet." she tried to play it off as no big deal, but the shock on Draco's face showed her he wouldn't let it go.

"He's your boyfriend, of course you're going." he said.

Garnet shook her head, "I don't assume anything, Malfoy. Maybe he's not interested in going. If he wants to go, he'll ask me to go."

It took a moment for Garnet to realize they were no longer dancing, just standing there.

"You have got to be joking." he retorted. "If I had known I wouldn't have said yes to Parkinson, I would have asked you."

"I wouldn't have said yes to you anyways." Garnet pulled away from Draco. "Thank you for the dance. I'm out." She walked away from him.

"Miss Prince, the lesson is not over." Snape said over the music as she headed towards the door.

"Then give me detention. I am done." she shoved open the doors and headed for anywhere but there.

She made her way quickly to the girls loo and closed the door to a stall, and just sat with her head in her hands. She lost track of how long she was actually sitting there.

To say she was upset was an understatement. George hadn't even hinted at wanting to go to the dance, and she's say yes in a heart beat, but she was old fashioned, she wasn't going to ask him. And she wasn't going to just assume they were going just because they were a couple.

Garnet got real quiet when she heard a couple girls come in to the lavatory giggling.

"So Fred asked you to the dance?" a voice that Garnet recognized as Katie Bell asked.

"Yes. I'm excited." she heard Angelina gushing.

Garnet heard the water in the sink run.

"Do you suppose George would go with me?" the color drained from Garnet's face when she heard Alicia ask.

"Don't be daft," Katie said, "George has a girlfriend, he's head over heels for her. They'll be going together."

Garnet just held her breath.

"Are you certain? I had heard from a Fourth year Ravenclaw, that heard from a Seventh year Hufflepuff, that the green haired Slytherin was overheard saying George hadn't asked her to the ball." She could hear the giddiness in Alicia's voice. "And she had no intention of planning to go if he didn't ask her to."

"Fabulous," Garnet thought to herself.

Once the girls finally left, Garnet left the stall, looked herself in the mirror, wiped the tears away, squared her shoulders, and headed for lunch.

George and Fred were already seated with Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville.

George waved at Garnet as she entered, expecting her to come sit with him. He was confused when he realized she looked sad, then she nodded his way and went to sit at the Slytherin table.

He watched her sit by herself. George stared at her, hoping she'd look up and he could get an idea what was up, but she didn't.

"What do you suppose the matter is with Garnet?" George turned to the group.

Hermione rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Go on, out with it." Fred chuckled.

Hermione just shook her head.

Then Alicia Spinnet approached.

"Hello George," She smiled and sat down beside him, where Garnet should be.

Adrian came in the Great Hall, and spotted George and Garnet sitting separate. He raced over to George as quickly as he could.

"I'm sorry, Alicia, I've already got..." George was cut off when Adrian grabbed him by the arm and yanked him towards the door.

"Bloody hell, Pucey, trying to rip my arm out the socket?" George rubbed his shoulder.

"Have you or have you not asked your girlfriend if she'd go to the Yule Ball with you?" Adrian gave him a stern look.

George was so confused.

"She's my girlfriend, I thought we'd go together." George said.

Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh my lord, why are boys so dense."

"What is the problem, Pucey?" George asked, then watched as a few Durmstrang students came in to the Great Hall.

George recognized the one from the Infirmary on Halloween.

And he was heading Garnet's direction.

"Well word has spread that you did not ask your girlfriend to the Yule Ball, and she has made it known that she wasn't asked. She didn't assume you were going, she thought you'd ask her, as it's the proper way to go about it." Adrian said in a rush, "And now apparently there are a few fellas that are going to take the opportunity to ask her."

George looked at Garnet. The Durmstrang had seated themselves across from Garnet at the table. The one named Filip was watching her intently.

George's heart stopped. Why didn't he think sometimes? He just assumed they'd go. No wonder Garnet didn't join Hermione and Ginny when they went dress shopping.

"Excuse me..." George walked away from Pucey and straight for Garnet, who was in a conversation with the Durmstrang guys now.

He stood behind her, earning glares from Slytherin. Filip made eye contact with him and stopped talking, making Garnet notice George.

"Garnet, may I have a word with you?" George asked.

Garnet knew. She just knew. Word had gotten back to him that she said she didn't have a date, and now he wanted to make it right.

But she wasn't going to let him have it that easy.

"George, I'm in the middle of a conversation at the moment. Can it wait?" she turned back to Filip.

George scratched the back of his neck and looked at Pucey, who gave him a look that screamed "Just do it!"

George got down on one knee so he was eye level with Garnet. Filip raised his brows at George, and Garnet turned back towards him, surprised to see him on his knee.

George took her hand in his, then brushed his thumb over her cheek.

"Garnet Prince, will you do me the honor of going to the Yule Ball with me?" he asked.

Pink spread across Garnets cheeks. She bit her lip as he nervously waited for her to answer.

She smiled at him, "Of course, George, I'd love to go to the Ball."

Grinning, he leaned in and kissed her. They heard Fred whistling from the Gryffindor table.

He broke the kiss then smiled at her. "Alright then, I'll let you get back to your conversation now." He stood and nodded, knowingly, to Filip before walking away.

Adrian was smiling when George walked around the table.

"Thanks for the heads up, mate." George smiled. "How do you always seem to know what's going on in this school?"

Adrian chuckled, "I'm always at the right place at the right time." he shrugged.

George nodded, then curiosity got the better of him. "Do you know who else was planning to ask her?"

Adrian gave him a look, "Weasley, I don't really want to start a lot of drama. You know your girlfriend is on lots of guys radar." he crossed his arms, "But if you're asking about a specific person, no, he wasn't going to ask her, he already asked Cho Chang."

George nodded, relieved.

"Who are you going with, Pucey?" George smiled.

"Oh me? No, I'm going stag." Adrian shrugged. "The person I would love to go with has a date. So I'm going to go and have fun with my friends."

"Ah, care to tell me who she is?" the red head wagged his eyebrows at the Slytherin.

Adrian smiled and shook his head. "Not your girlfriend, don't worry."

George laughed as he waved bye and sat back down with his brother.

~December 17th, 1994~

Garnet woke the next morning, excited. She was taking Hermione and Ginny to Hogsmeade today to get their help finding a dress for the Yule Ball.

"You're going to have a heck of a time finding something that works with your green hair." Ginny mentioned when Hermione had pulled out a fifth dress for Garnet to try on.

Garnet looked in the mirror. Her hair had gotten longer again, almost to her shoulders, but the green was fading and her roots were showing.

"Yeah...I need to do something with it." Garnet sighed. "I don't suppose they carry hair dye in any of these shops?" she looked at her friends who shook their heads. "Alright, magic it is..." then she got an idea.

"Ooooh, I really like this one!" Ginny pulled out a silver dress and handed it to Garnet.

Garnet slipped it on and came out of the fitting room.

Hermione and Ginny's jaws both dropped.

"Does it look okay?" Garnet turned and looked at herself in the triple mirror.

"I don't care what color your hair is, you could be bald for that matter, that is the dress for you." Hermione grinned.

"You think so?" Garnet did like the way it looked, and felt.

Ginny was nodding enthusiastically.

Garnet turned to the Witch that was waiting to help her, "I'll take this one."

The woman smiled at her, and proceeded to tack the hem.

Garnet, Hermione and Ginny were walking through Hogsmeade, heading for Honeydukes, when they passed a store with some pretty jewelry in it.

"Oh look at that." Ginny looked at a pretty rose gold necklace.

"That's lovely." Garnet watched Ginny eyeing it. "Do you have anything to wear with your dress the night of the Ball?"

Ginny shook her head. "Mum already spent way more than she should have on my dress." Garnet hated seeing her deflated like that. She put her arm around her, and they walked on to Honeydukes.

It was just before dinner when Garnet knocked on her Godfather's office door.

"Come in," he called with his usual drawl.

Garnet opened the door and shut it quickly. Snape stood from his desk and greeted her with a quick hug.

"Is everything alright Garnet?" Severus asked. They had been on much better terms since their chat a while ago. He was still earning her trust back, but he was getting there.

"I've come for my detention assignment," she looked at the ground.

Snape shook his head, "You know I'm not going to follow through with that threat. Obviously something was bothering you."

Garnet just nodded.

"You're not going to tell me what it was?" he raised a brow.

Garnet shook her head.

Snape sighed, "Very well, what else can I do for you my dear?" he leaned against his desk.

Garnet fidgeted with her hands. She hated asking Severus for favors. He'd do almost anything for her, she knew this, but still.

"I need a little help changing my hair." she muttered.

Snape smirked, "I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear your."

Garnet sighed, "I want to change my hair before the Ball, but hair dye is apparently too Muggle to be sold in Hogsmeade."

Severus chuckled uncharacteristically. "I can help you."

"Really? You don't mind?" Garnet looked at him smiling.

"Of course not. What color are you aiming for now? Blue? Orange?" he grinned at her.

Garnet smacked him on the arm, "Not funny. I'd like to go dark. Like a burgundy color I've seen in magazines."

Severus raised a brow. "Burgundy?"

Garnet nodded.

"Alright. How soon do you wish to do this?" he asked.

Garnet thought about it for a moment, "Do you think a few hours before the Ball? So I can surprise everyone?" she smiled.

Snape shrugged, "If that's what you want."

"Thank you Severus!" Garnet hugged him again and waved as she left his office.

She smiled as she walked down the dungeon corridor.

"Wow, you sure get around, don't you?"

Garnet stopped in her tracks and turned to see Flint leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.

"What are you prattling on about, Flint?" Garnet didn't like his tone.

"Weasel one and two, Diggory, Pucey, Potter, Malfoy and now the Professor. You're a right trollop, aren't ya?" Flint grinned evilly.

Reacting without thinking, Garnet slapped Flint across the face. "How dare you. You don't know me. I'm no trollop." she narrowed his eyes at him.

Anger flashed across Flints face, he grabbed her arm and slammed her against the concrete wall.

Garnet groaned as pain spread across the back of her head.

Flint grabbed her wrists and held them tight on either side of her head.

"So the Blood Traitors, both Triwizard Champions, two of our own House and our Head of House," he sneered, "but you won't give me the time of day."

Garnet was seeing stars, her head hurt so bad, she barely registered what Flint was saying to her.

"Maybe I'll just take what I want." He grinned and leaned his face towards her.

Garnet turned her face away but that didn't stop him. She felt his hot breath on her neck before he attacked it.

"Stop..." she croaked, her eyes brimmed with tears, she couldn't find her voice, and her head was pounding.

Flint pulled her wrists up and held both with one hand as his other slid down to her breast.

"No!" she cried and tried to wrench free, but his grip was strong.

Flint pulled his head back and smirked. "No, it's my turn." his hand slid from her breast, traveled down her waist and across her stomach.

Garnet braced herself, cringing with the thought of what he was going to do.

One moment his weight was on her, the next she fell to the hard floor.

"You disgusting son of a bitch!" she heard Adrian growl, standing over Flint who was now on the ground holding his eye.

He reached for his wand, but Garnet quickly held out her hand towards it.

"Accio wand! " she said and his wand flew to her.

Adrian pointed his wand at Flint, "Petrificus totalus!" and Flint froze.

Adrian dropped down beside Garnet, who was shaking, head pounding, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed.

"Garnet," he shook, "Hun, tell me what you need me to do."

She pointed down the hall, "Get S-severus..." her vision was blurring. She knew she was going to blackout.

"Severus... you mean Snape?" Adrian was confused.

"Please..." Garnet held tight to Flint's wand.

Adrian nodded and ran down the hall. Garnet watched him go. She turned back to Flint, who stared at her in his frozen state.

"You think what Adrian did was bad, wait until my Godfather Severus gets ahold of you." she glared at him.

Fear flashed in Flints eyes.

Garnet finally gave in to the pain and fell over unconscious.