Hello all. This is a lyric chapter. It will appear during the ball. Took me forever to figure how this chapter would go, then I heard 'Lost' by Maroon 5, and a light flickered lol. Please listen to the song as you read this chapter to get the feel for it. I do not own any rights to the song nor anything related to Harry Potter, nor the character of Garrett. Just love mixing things up. By the way, you can find the links to Hermione's and Emerald's Ball dresses in my profile. Any mistakes are my own. Enjoy.
"So stupid, so so stupid!" Emerald grumbled to herself as she made her way to Defense class. She didn't see someone come down the hall also, not paying attention.
"Oomph!" both said as they collided and fell to the floor.
"Sorry!" they both said in unison.
They looked up, "Cedric!" "Emerald!"
"I'm so sorry Cedric, I wasn't looking." She apologized.
"Emerald please, was my fault, I was caught up reading." He held his hand up to help her up and they hugged.
"Believe me I know, term is ending and I still feel like I'm catching up." She smiled as she got her things in order.
"Ha yes, you heading to Defense?" he asked.
"Yes you?"
"Charms." Just then the bell rang.
"Crap!" they both said. They kissed each other and ran in opposite directions.
Emerald just made it before Professor Moody slammed the door. She sighed as she took out her book. Although she answered questions when asked her mind was not in class. It was elsewhere. Specifically thinking about an amber eyed vampire. "Seriously what's wrong with me," she whispered to herself.
"What's not wrong with you sis?" Draco whispered back at her smirking. She shook her head and nudged him in the arm. "Shut up."
"Now, as I understand it," Moody began, "there is a ball day after tomorrow. Even though we do not have class until next week, I expect the essays I gave you to be well polished. There will be no excuse not to have it, or that it is terribly written. Whomever has the best essay will win 50 points for their house. Class dismissed!" Moody yelled and went back to his office.
"Well that was stirring. Glad that's done," Draco huffed as he put his stuff into his bags. That was the last class of the day so the students went back to their dorms to wait for dinner.
"Why were you almost late Ems? You're usually one of the first ones in class." Pansy asked as they sat down in the common room.
"Got side tracked again?" asked Daphne.
"Sigh, yeah. I'm going on a walk. I'll meet you guys at dinner." She said as she got up and made her way to the portrait.
"Want me to come with?" Draco asked.
"No, I'm good, thanks." She smiled and made her way out of the portrait.
"I hope she's ok. This flightiness is not like her at all." Pansy remarked.
"She just has a lot on her mind. I'm sure she's fine. Anyway the ball is tomorrow. I need help with stuff." Said Daphne.
While the girls talked about the ball, the boys decided to play chess.
Once Emerald got outside she took in a deep breath. She continued to walk down towards the lake. Since it was close to dinner time, no one was out. Which was perfect, she liked her space. She sat down near the water's edge and relaxed. She closed her eyes and started to breath deeper. She focused her magic near her core. As she breathed more and looked at her magic center, something was off. Near her core, where it always shined green there was a pulsing dark purple mass. She centered on that and found it strange.
'This isn't me. This is something else. Is this why my eyes are changing?" She asked herself.
"Emerald? Emerald, come back to me." a voice said. She concentrated to let herself go back.
"Emerald?"
She centered herself again, and opened her eyes. Hermione was sitting next to her.
"Mione."
"Ems, you ok?"
"Yeah, yeah. I just need some air."
"It's cold, come on. Dinner is starting." Hermione stood up and brought Emerald up with her. They started heading back.
"Look, I know you may not want to talk, but the others are worried about you. I'm worried about you. You're not acting like yourself. Please, tell me if something's wrong." Hermione pleaded. Emerald stayed quiet.
"Ok, I'll propose this..."
"I can't marry you Mione, as much as I would love to," Emerald smirked.
"Oh haha, I love you most, anyway, I'll be in the library, at midnight doing some research. If you would like to talk, I'll be there." With that the girls walked up to the castle and went to dinner.
Emerald was lying in bed. Eyes wide open. She thought about what Hermione had said. Although she didn't want to say anything about what's been going on with her. She needed help. No one, not even Draco could understand or help her. But Hermione, she felt safe.
"Damn it all to hell," she whispered. She got out of bed careful not to make any noise to disturb her friend's sleep. Although no one would hear anything except Pansy's snoring.
She made her way down to the common room and out of the portrait who just gave her a look but shrugged. Emerald made sure not to be seen. Even though she constantly looked around, she felt eyes on her.
Finally making it to the library, she took one last look around and went in. Knowing Hermione would be in the restricted section at the back, she continued on.
Back at the front of the library, amber eyes looked on. "Sneaky little human," he smirked and walked away.
Emerald found Hermione at the way back of the section, surrounded by books. She just smirked to herself and shook her head. 'Ever the bookworm.'
"Mione," she sighed.
Hermione looked up and smiled, "Ems, have a seat." She gestured towards the chair next to her.
Emerald took the seat, "what are you researching?"
"Sigh, Harry's been having bad dreams, some about 'You Know Who", and others about a person in a purple robe. I'm trying to see if it's cohesive or separate."
Emerald felt a spark of panic, but let it go for now. "Do you want help?"
Sighing, Hermione closed the book she was reading and turned to look at Emerald. "I want to help you. Talk to me. Whatever we say here, stays. I've put charms up, no one hears or sees us. Know you can say whatever to me, it will not leave here."
Emerald just stared Hermione right in the eyes, she sighed. Knowing Hermione spoke the truth. She then relayed all that happened she met Garrett. The feelings, the magic, Cedric. What happened at the lake in the forest. After she was done, she felt relieved but also nervous. Hermione hadn't said anything while she talked. Just looked at her and nodded for her to continue where she paused.
"He's a vampire…" Hermione stated more than a question. Emerald nodded her head.
"Well, that I was not expecting, hmmm."
Emerald was shocked to say the least, "I just spilled the beans to all of this, and THAT is what shocks you?"
"Well, didn't vampire shock you at first?"
Emerald tried to say something but couldn't argue and just nodded.
"Your feelings however, are odd. Do you like Professor Garrett?"
"That's the thing, I don't know." Emerald was really confused.
"Do you love Cedric?"
"That I know I do."
"Compare those feelings, how do you feel?" Hermione asked patiently. She looked on while Emerald thought.
"I love Cedric, but the feelings I may have for Garrett are different. When I'm with Cedric, everything is easy. No pressure. We know where we stand, at least I think we do."
"Describe your feelings with Garrett."
Emerald pondered for a moment, she thought how she felt when they first saw each other, their meetings, their talks, the ice skating. "Like I'm going to bust."
Hermione formed an "O" with her mouth. "Might want to elaborate on that."
"There's intense heat, like from within. It just comes out of nowhere Mione. I have this sensation that my magic just wants to go to him. When I looked at him at the lake, when we were skating, I felt like my magic was hurting, to try to get to him. I couldn't breathe."
"Wow. I see how you are just talking about it, that's intense." Why didn't you say something before, clearly this isn't normal?"
"I didn't know how…."
Hermione just put her hand on Emerald's and squeezed it. "We'll figure something out. But until then, try and limit your time with Garrett. For your safety if anything."
"Thanks Mione."
Hermione bent over and kissed Emerald on the head and smiled.
"Now, about the ball."
Emerald was confused, "What about it?"
"Malfoy."
"Oh," Emerald couldn't help the smirk that appeared on her face.
The day that everyone was waiting for, arrived. Bit by bit the hall was being decorated throughout the day. It was Christmas Eve. The ghosts were floating through the halls seeing carols and Peeves of course was pranking everyone that was unfortunate to come by him. Of all the days that came and went, Emerald was beyond nervous for this day. Something wasn't sitting right with her. She had slept a deep sleep like she had never before. Pansy said it was because she hadn't slept decently in a while and her body just gave out. But Emerald knew it was something else. She shook herself and decided to go down to breakfast with everyone. Determined to push all aside and be in the moment with her friends. Luckily word hadn't gotten around that Draco was taking Hermione to the ball. Slytherins knew how to keep their secrets and apparently Hermione knew well enough not to mention anything.
"Stop fidgeting Ems. I'm almost done." Daphne said as she put the last finishing touches on Emerald's hair.
"I can't help it," Emerald sighs.
"Em, it's all going to be ok, it's just a ball." Pansy said smiling.
"Ahhh, my hair!" came a cry from the girl's bathroom.
"Hermione?" asked Emerald. Hermione came storming out of the bathroom with her hair more of a frizz ball than ever.
"Oh Merlin," said Pansy and Daphne at the same time.
"Someone help; I can't get it to calm down!" Hermione said frantically.
"Ok, first you have to calm down. Second, we've got this. All girls on deck!" Daphne said. After fifteen minutes, Hermione's hair was curled and done in an up do and coming down over one shoulder.
"I don't know how to thank you. The girls in Gryffindor just look at me with pity when it comes to my hair, they rarely help me." Hermione said as she put her shoes on.
"Granger, don't worry. You're part of the group, seriously, you should think about switching houses." Pansy said waving her off as she too put on her shoes.
"Ok girls, last check, everyone got everything, it's almost time." Daphne said. As the girls were ready to leave the dorm, they turned to both Hermione and Emerald. "You both will be the most beautiful girls there." Daphne smiled at them, they both blushed. Pansy just nodded her head, as she couldn't admit it out loud, because she's Pansy.
There was yelling and cheering and a sense of excitement as they entered the hall. Of course being in Slytherin, the girls were given a wide berth as they came from the hall that housed the dorms. Leading were Pansy and Daphne and they went over to their dates. Hermione and Emerald hung around the corner nervous as they both hated dresses.
"Where are they?" asked an obviously nervous but excited Draco. Daphne and Pansy giggled.
"They're coming."
"Okay, Emerald, I'll go first, wish me luck with the prick." Hermione sighed and left around the corner. Emerald giggled.
Immediately everyone hushed. They whispered and wondered who that was. As Hermione went to Draco she noticed how he couldn't take his eyes of her, or her him. She curtsied and a sense of pride came over Draco.
"You clean up well Malfoy," Hermione grinned.
"Not so bad yourself Granger, I might actually make it through the evening," he replied bowing.
Emerald smiled as she heard the exchange. She decided to round the corner and everyone was also in awe of her as well. She looked at Cedric standing next to Draco and Harry and he looked handsome. She ignored everyone else and curtsied in front of Cedric.
"I do love nothing in the world so well as you—is not that strange?" Cedric said as he bowed and kissed Emerald's hand.
All she heard was giggling in the background.
"Well my good sir, I believe you've read too much Shakespeare." She smirked. He seemed surprised.
"You know Shakespeare?"
She giggled, "I do have a best friend that is muggleborn. She made me read that stuff."
He laughed as well.
"Ladies and Gentlemen?" came Professor McGonagall's voice. Everyone stopped talking and looked to her.
"The champions and their dates will be the first to dance. Please stay behind, all other guests please go ahead into the Great Hall. We will be starting shortly.
"The girls hugged Emerald and made their way with their dates."
"Hopefully Diggory doesn't have two left feet," Draco huffed as he hugged his sister.
"Draco!" Emerald yelled and he was gone.
"Ready?" Cedric asked as he held out his hand.
"No, but let's do this." She replied.
"Let's." he agreed and led her over where the line started. She noticed it was Fleur with her date in front. Then her and Cedric. Krum with his date next then Harry and Luna in the back. She smiled and waved at Harry and Luna, glad that they're each other's dates.
As the doors opened there was a fanfare as the couples walked to the center of the dance floor. A few people waved to her and she nodded to them. Once they got to the middle of the dance floor. The orchestra started and they started the traditional dance. Cedric was a wonderful partner, so she didn't have to worry about 'two left feet'. 'Stupid Draco' she thought. As Cedric spun her around, she decided to take a glance around the room. It was beautiful, in her black dress she really stood out against all the silver. She felt someone staring at her and looked towards the staff table, there he was. Amber eyes staring at her. He looked rather dashing in his dress robes. But he looked otherworldly too, guess that fits with him being a vampire. She shook her head and put her attention on Cedric who just grinned at her.
After a few dances she decided to take a break. Cedric excused himself as he went to talk to his friends outside to get some air. He asked her to come but she said she was ok sitting at their table.
"So, having fun?" asked Hermione as she came and sat with her, Draco sitting next to her.
"Actually yes. You?" Emerald asked looking between her and Draco.
"Malfoy isn't that bad of a partner. I must say, I'm impressed."
"What are you going on about Granger? I must say I'm wounded!" Draco said as he touched his hand to his chest feigning hurt.
Everyone started laughing as Harry and Luna made their way over. As they talked, someone walked up to the table. Emerald didn't have to see who walked up, her heart beat got faster.
"Good Evening All, I trust everyone is enjoying their selves?" asked Garrett.
"Of course Professor, and yourself?" asked Hermione.
"I'm not too fond of ball's I must say. But this one is not too bad."
"Excellent, that's good to hear." She replied.
"Ahem, Ms. Malfoy, if you're not too tired, may I have this dance?"
'Had no connection, no faith or direction, no'
'Searching and searching for someone to save my soul (ooh)'
"Um, sure. Ok." Emerald replied. She looked at Hermione panicking, but there was nothing she could do. So she just took a deep breath and walked with him the floor. Her friends and her brother were just starring at them. Draco and Hermione grabbed each other's hand under the table, neither really realizing it.
'Ooh, I was swept up in a wave, swept up in a wave'
'Ooh, then I heard you say my name'
'Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah'
Garrett bowed and Emerald curtsied. He took her hand and her waist and they started gliding along the floor.
'Lost I was lost, I was lost 'til you loved me'
'Now I'm found, now I'm found, now I'm found'
Yeah, you took me to a place, it was safe, it was sound'
'Lost, I was lost, now I'm found'
'Lost, I was lost, I was lost 'til you loved me'
'Now I'm found, now I'm found, now I'm found'
'Yeah, you took me to a place, it was safe, it was sound'
'Lost, I was lost, now I'm found'
"You look beautiful Emerald." He whispered.
She blushed as he turned her around. "Thank you. You look really nice as well."
He chuckled.
"The amber in your suit brings out the amber in your eyes." She whispered.
He just looked down at her as she kept her eyes on his chest. 'I must not look into his eyes' she thought.
'I was so broken, my heart was an empty space'
'Life was a joke 'til the moment I saw your face'
'Saw your face, saw your face'
His face turned hard and he swept her up into a turn again.
'Ooh, I was swept up in a wave, swept up in a wave'
'Ooh, then I heard you say my name'
'Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah'
Startled by the sudden move she looked in his eyes, she was lost.
'Lost I was lost, I was lost 'til you loved me'
'Now I'm found, now I'm found, now I'm found'
'Yeah, you took me to a place, it was safe, it was sound'
"Lost, I was lost, now I'm found'
'Lost, I was lost, I was lost 'til you loved me'
'Now I'm found, now I'm found, now I'm found'
'Yeah, you took me to a place, it was safe, it was sound'
'Lost, I was lost, now I'm found'
As Emerald and Garrett danced. Her friends just looked at them. All speechless. In Hermione's mind, she had a sense she was missing something, but couldn't put her finger on it. It was like magic just encompassed those two. No one could enter that bubble if their life depended on it. She looked at Draco who had a look of confusion on his face, rightly so. Harry as well, Daphne and Pansy along with Blaise and Theo looked shocked. Luna on the other hand, just smiled, like she expected this. Hermione put it aside to aske Luna later about all of this. She went back to look at the couple then noticed not too far off at the door, Cedric stood. Watching the whole event, crestfallen. Hermione's heart went out to him.
'Ooh-ooh-ooh, again (Again)'
'Ooh-ooh-ooh, again, yeah (Again)'
"Ooh-ooh-ooh, again (Again)'
'Ooh-ooh-ooh, again, yeah (Again)'
'Ooh, I was swept up in a wave, swept up in wave'
'Ooh, I was fadin' when you came'
'Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah'
As the music started slowing down towards the end, Emerald and Garrett were still lost in each other's eyes. Emerald heart was beating so fast, she thought it'd pop right out of her chest.
"Emerald, let go." He whispered.
"I…. I don't know how," she responded.
'Lost, I was lost, I was lost 'til you loved me (I was lost, lost)'
'Now I'm found, now I'm found, now I'm found (Now I'm found, found, found)'
'Yeah, you took me to a place, it was safe, it was sound (Yeah, yeah, yeah)'
'Lost, I was lost, now I'm found (Oh yeah)'
"You will, when the time is right pet." He said.
He turned her once again and the music stopped. He bowed and kissed her hand again.
'Lost, I was lost, I was lost 'til you loved me (I was lost, lost)'
'Now I'm found, now I'm found, now I'm found (Now I'm found, found found)'
'Yeah, you took me to a place, it was safe, it was sound (Ooh, yeah, yeah)'
"Thank you for the dance," he bowed again and walked away. She stared as his person got lost in the mix of people. The back of her hand burned like her heart and magic did in that same moment.
'Lost, I was lost, now I'm found'
Part 2 to come soon. Hope you enjoyed this.