Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Harry Potter franchise and am making no money from this piece of work.

A.N. Wow, that was much more of a break than I intended, things just get so distracting these days, but here we are, another chapter, enjoy.

Someone's P.O.V

I was stalking behind Dumbledore and Leanora they were speaking hushed tones forcing me to keep close to them and risk giving myself away, but this had to be done.

"What happened with the culprits?" Leanora asked the Headmaster, slightly concerned.

"Any and every trace of what they have done has been erased from their minds," the Headmaster replied, "Somehow, whoever was issuing them their orders must have found out and got to them."

"What are we going to do with them then?"

"What can we do?" The Headmaster asked, "They are just children who were seduced by the dark side of magic, and they're no longer a threat to the other students."

"You can't be serious Albus, if they turned once they'll turn again, you and I both know this. The perpetrators must be told what they did and rehabilitated."

"How can they be rehabilitated when they don't even know what they did!?"

I smirked at the arguing pair before turning off and heading in another direction, satisfied that I'd gotten to our failed experiment quick enough. My joy was short-lived, however, as the dark thought that I needed to report back entered my mind.

Pansy

I sat on the train with Ginny leaning on my shoulder, she was sound asleep, and I couldn't help but smile at her cute sleeping face. But I was terrified, I was going to be meeting Ginny's parents, and what's worse is I'm going to be meeting them as Ginny's girlfriend. Ginny's not even sure they will take it well, but she wants to go through with this anyway. I loved her courageous side, but it could land her in some very hot water, and not just her, me too.

"No, don't leave…" the redhead started to mumble and tremble lightly in her sleep, I tightened my hold on her, and she stilled immediately.

"I'm not going on anywhere," I whispered, and kissed the top of her head. I decided to ignore the fears running through my mind and just settled into the chair and tried to get a little sleep.

Hours passed by before I felt someone shaking me awake, my eyes fluttered open slowly, and I was graced by a sight I'd never get tired of, the face of my redheaded goddess. She smiled at me, and I smiled back before pressing a soft lingering kiss to her lips.

"Good nap I take it?" She asked with a wink.

"It was okay, but the wake up was better," as I spoke I felt what she actually meant as I had pitched a tent in my pants.

Ginny's face went red at my words, but she smirked either way, "I'm glad," was all she said before standing from the seat and stretching. "But anyway, we've arrived at the Platform, my father will be waiting for us so we'd better head out."

I looked down at my crotch before looking back at her, "He can wait a couple of minutes… Right?"

"I'm sure that'll be okay," she said leaning in and kissing me softly.

"That's not helping," I mumbled as she pulled away. She smirked at me but kept her distance for a few minutes while my boner settled down.

Once ready we grabbed our luggage and headed off the train, Ginny waved at an adult in the distance, I could tell almost immediately it was her father as he had red hair just like her. As we approached him Ginny grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together, I watched Arthur look down at our entwined hands with a smile.

My face was burning by the time we reached him, but he didn't say anything about it. I watched on as the two redheads greeted each other with a hug and a kiss on the cheek before they turned their attention to me.

"Dad, this is Pansy Parkinson," Ginny introduced, "And Pansy, this is my dad, Arthur."

"It's nice to meet you," the older red-head extended his hand to me.

I grasped his hand firmly, wanting to make a good first impression, "It is nice to meet you too, Sir."

"Firm grip for a young lady, I like you already," Arthur complemented causing me to smile at a job accomplished.

"Thank you, Sir."

"And please, don't call me Sir, you're a friend of my daughter so just call me Arthur."

"Yes Arthur," I smiled at him.

"Now let's go, don't want to keep your mother waiting too long," Arthur said turning around.

As we walked behind Arthur Ginny laced our fingers together once again and leaned into me, "He likes you already, maybe it won't be so bad telling him," she whispered to me.

"Maybe," I whispered back a little unsure, "It's one thing to like your daughter's friend, it's another to like your daughters… girlfriend."

"I know, but I'm still hopeful."

We settled into a comfortable silence as we followed Arthur back to his car. He stopped and stood proudly next to a very beat up, blue, Ford Anglia. "This is our ride to the Burrow," he said with a proud smile.

I looked at it with indifference although on the inside I was very skeptical on whether the old thing would even start, let alone get us to his house. I looked to Ginny, and upon seeing she had a smirk on her face, I was instantly suspicious that something was going on, but I kept my mouth shut, I didn't want to seem rude.

After loading up the boot with our luggage we hopped into the car, I wanted to sit in the back with Ginny, but she practically forced me into the front seat, claiming it would have the best view. Still not knowing what she was on about I reluctantly took the passenger seat and buckled myself in. The old car sputtered to life, and Arthur slowly pulled out of its parking spot. I wasn't sure whether he was moving the car slowly on purpose or if it was because the old thing just couldn't handle the strain of all the weight.

We made our way slowly out of the city and into the country, I watched out the window as the traffic thinned out until we were the only car in a visible range. As I noticed this, the car started to make some strange sounds, and I instinctually gripped my seatbelt tightly as my head whipped to the front of the car. Glancing back at Ginny I saw that she had a smirk on her face which allowed me to relax a little, but I was still a scared of what was going to happen. I smiled back at her before turning back to the front of the car and looked out the windscreen.

Slowly the view out the window started to change the road disappeared, and the sky came into view, at first, I thought I was imagining things but now that I know I'm not my grip on the seatbelt tightened. My breaths started coming faster and deeper, and I glared back at Ginny for not warning me about the flying car, as I did she instantly started laughing at me. Her beautiful laugh caused me to smile before I turned back to the front of the car once again, already having forgiven her. The flight was fairly uneventful with only minor turbulence.

"Alright Pansy, I indulged my child by not warning you with the take-off, but seriously, the landings can get very rough so prepare yourself," Arthur warned.

I smiled at him appreciatively, "Thank you, Arthur."

As we started to descend a shoddy looking house came directly into view, it looked as though it was designed and built by a bunch of drunk old men that had never built a thing in their lives. Of course, I wasn't going to say that out loud, but I couldn't help thinking it.

I started to shake a little as the car started to jump around, I felt a hand on my shoulder and instantly knew it was Ginny, I closed my eyes and reveled in the comfort she gave me. But the comfort didn't last long as a rough bump caused me to hit my head against the window hard. I groaned in pain, holding my hand against the hurt part of my head.

"Sorry about that Pansy, but we're down now, that last bump was us hitting the ground," Arthur said with an apologetic smile on his face.

I sighed in relief and smiled back at Arthur, "Please tell me we're not going to be flying back to school like that."

"We won't be," Ginny replied, "I wouldn't want to scare you off," she teased me.

I smiled at her but didn't respond, I didn't want to clue her father in until we'd spoken to both him and her mother. We pulled up to the house, and it looked as though a soft wind could blow the whole thing down if I wasn't part of the magical world I wouldn't go anywhere near the thing.

Hermione

I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror of my dorm room, my frizzy hair was a mess after five attempts to put it up. My make-up looked as though a nine-year-old had gotten hold of their mother's makeup and just went to town on my face thanks to my nervously shaking hand. My only redeeming feature right now was the long pink dress my mother sent me. It made me smile when I looked at it, and I couldn't wait to show Fleur.

Returning to the matter at hand I got up from my seat in front of the mirror to retrieve my hair brush which I had ditched at the far wall after my last attempt. I groaned as I sat back down and started to brush my hair once again.

"Hey Hermione, what are you doing?" Emily sang as she walked into the dorm room. She was already ready for the ball, as I should be considering it started in an hour, but she looked amazing nonetheless. Her blonde hair fixed in a loose braid down the side of her head with a light green dress that seemed to make her dark green eyes pop. As she looked me over her facial expression turned from happy to one of complete shock. "I see…"

I was embarrassed, but I threw it aside, I needed help, "Yeah, can you please help me? I'm too nervous, and I'm not doing anything right."

"Of course, I will," she smiled at me.

I jumped up and wrapped her in a hug, "Thank you! That's an amazing help."

"It's no problem, what're friends for if not to help each other," she pushed me away and back into my seat. "Now sit down so I can get to work."

The next forty-five minutes consisted of me sitting patiently while Emily used both magical and non-magical means to fix my appearance. The transformation was long and arduous, but Emily seemed to really love doing it, and I couldn't help but wonder whether or not she should be attending beauty school or something. Especially since once she was finished, I was basically a different person.

My usually frizzy hair was now smooth and curled, not a misplaced hair in sight. The makeup was mostly light and subtle, soft blue eye shadow was offset by a bold black eyeliner. A light pink blush was carefully applied to my cheeks, and a light red lipstick covered my lips. I smiled at myself in the mirror, marveling at the image I saw smiling back at me.

My eyes filled with tears as I looked at myself and thought about how it would feel standing in the middle of the dance floor with Fleur and the other Champions. All thoughts of embarrassment completely out of my mind even with hundreds of eyes watching us.

"Please don't let those tears fall, Hermione," Emily said, snapping me out of my reverie, "I don't want to be late."

I laughed lightly before focussing on keeping the happy tears in my eyes, "I'm just so excited," I sighed, "It's gonna be so good," I said, letting a little informality slip through with my excitement.

"Speaking of which, you'd best get dressed before you're late, you are the date of a Champion, after all." I stood up quickly upon realizing she was right and immediately started undressing, "I'll just… uhh… be off then," Emily said a little awkwardly before rushing out of the room.

I knew I'd be a little awkward the next time I saw her but right now I didn't care, I was going to be late if I didn't move my ass. Ripping off my clothes as quickly as I could while being ever mindful of my hair and makeup, before throwing on my dress and shoes and running as quickly as I could in high heels towards the Great Hall.

As I reached the last staircase that led straight to the Great Hall, I waited around the corner for a few moments to catch my breath. As I stood there, I started to become a little more worried about dancing in front of everyone. Dancing with another girl in front of hundreds of students who still whisper to each other whenever they see us together. Of course, I have no idea what they are saying to each other, but I can't believe it's very good, especially considering the only people who say things to my face are Malfoy and his cronies.

Don't be afraid, I told myself, who cares what everyone else thinks, all that matters is that I'll be there, with Fleur. "Fleur," I whispered to myself and couldn't stop the smile that came to my face even if I wanted too.

I moved from the wall I'd leaned against and, with my head held high, started my decent down the stairs. I was ready, ready to be seen with her properly, ready to shout to the school that we were a couple in the biggest way we could without having sex in front of everyone, a school ball.

But what I wasn't prepared for, was the sight standing by the main doors. Fleur stood, leaning against the wall shaking ever so slightly with unshed tears in her eyes. Her mouth moved slowly as if she were muttering, but from where I stood on the staircase I couldn't hear her. But even with all this, I couldn't see how absolutely stunning she looked.

Her hair was done in just a simple ponytail, and her dress was a simple powder blue, spaghetti strap dress. The upper-half hugging her torso while the V-neck went low but revealed nothing of her cleavage, leaving everything to the imagination. While the bottom flowed outwards, giving free range of movement while hiding a little something that hid beneath her dress.

But her face was what blew me away, her already pristine face seemed to have been made flawless, her eyes seemed to shine as a dark eyeliner outlined them, and a dark blue eyeshadow applied carefully over each eyelid. Her lips covered with a light pink lip gloss, her trembling lips…

Throwing the thoughts of her beauty out of my mind I dashed down the stairs to greet my date.

Fleur

I paced back and forth outside the Great Hall, Hermione was cutting it close, and the thought of entering the dance floor without a partner was an embarrassing one, to say the least. Looking back and forth in each direction again I sighed in frustration before leaning against the wall with my arms crossed.

"Your date missing?" a young Asian woman asked, her voice sounding concerned.

"Yes, she is," I replied through gritted teeth as I glanced at her, she seemed confused at first before realization shone through her features.

"Oh, you're Fleur, right?"

I looked at her a little skeptically, a little shocked that she didn't recognize me, one of the Triwizard Champions, "Yeah."

"Sorry, you just look different when you're not taking on a dragon."

My heart rate sped up at the reminder of my encounter with the not so common Common Welsh Green, but I smiled at the girl nonetheless, "Thanks, I guess."

An uncomfortable silence overwhelmed us and, unable to stand it, the girl drifted back to, who I guess is her date, Cedric. I would've been more receptive, at least receptive enough to ask her name, had my thoughts not been occupied by Hermione's absence. I just hope the girl doesn't take my rudeness to heart.

As I lean against the wall worrying, I force myself to think about something else and, ironically, I end up thinking about getting ready for the Ball itself.

"Fleur what are you doing?!" Gabrielle yelled at me as I started on my makeup.

"What do you mean?" I ask, genuinely confused by what she was asking, "I'm getting ready for the Ball."

"Exactly, you're getting ready, and you haven't even bathed yet…"

My face heated as I realized my sister was right, I was so excited I'd forgotten the first step, cleaning, "Shit," I muttered rising from my chair. I placed my hand on my sister's shoulder and smiled down at her, "What would I do without you?"

She grinned up at me sweetly, "Well for one, you'd stink for the ball tonight."

"Smartass," I laughed before entering the bathroom that was connected to my room. As I showered, I couldn't help but think about what Hermione was going to look like tonight. I had no idea what she was actually going to look like, but that didn't stop my mind from wandering. Which inevitably caused my shower to double in length as I had some new business to take care of.

"Sis, what took so long?" Gabrielle asked as I stepped out of the shower.

I averted my gaze from her, "Just daydreaming is all," I replied sheepishly, I knew she'd never be able to figure out what I was really doing, but it was embarrassing nonetheless.

"Really? Because it sounded like you were in pain."

"It was nothing, okay?" I knew I shouldn't have done it, but I couldn't resist, it had been far too long since the amazing time I spent with Hermione on the beach.

"Okay," Gabrielle said, although I could see in her eyes she was still worried.

Dammit, that's not what I needed to be thinking of either, I sighed once again as I came out of my thoughts. I opened my eyes and was surprised to see pink fabric in front of me. As my eyes moved upwards a smile graced my worried features before I lunged at the beautiful girl in front of me, wrapping her in a tight hug.

"It's good to see you too," Hermione giggled to me.

As her arms came around me, I quickly pushed her away, "What took you so long? I was so worried you'd decided not to come…"

Hermione pulled me towards her and spoke softly in my ear as I buried my head in her shoulder, "I'm sorry I took so long. I really am, but I just couldn't tame my hair."

Despite my worries I couldn't help but laugh as I pictured her trying in vain to get her hair under control, "But then how did it turn out so beautiful?" I asked as I ran my hand over her now silky-smooth hair.

She looked a little embarrassed but was quick to try to hide it from me, "I didn't. Unfortunately, I'm not great with self-styling, but luckily, my fairy godmother came along in all her glory and transformed me into the Princess you see now."

I smiled at her story, "And who is this fairy that saved the day?"

"Just a young fairy named Emily."

"I guess I'll have to thank that young fairy, later on, tonight," I was staring into Hermione's eyes, waiting for her to crack first but she stubbornly wouldn't budge, and I could feel myself that I was about to start laughing. As I did, I heard Hermione start at the same time, no longer able to hold back we hugged again through our fit of laughter.

"Ahem!" A very fake throat clearing from behind us broke our jovial banter, "If you girls are finished, we'd like to kick off this Ball," Professor McGonagall scolded us lightly before reaching for the doors.

Ginny

Sitting at the dinner table I held Pansy's hand underneath the table, running my thumb along the side of her hand. We'd finished eating a few minutes ago, and after I told my mother and father I wanted to talk with them, I'd suddenly lost my resolve. They were sitting there expectantly, staring at me and I could only imagine what was running through their minds.

"Ginny?" my mother prompted lovingly, "What is it, sweetie?"

"I'm sure whatever it is it'll be fine," my father added.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" my Pansy asked in a whisper.

I nodded my response and looked up with resolve, staring into my parents' eyes, "Mum, dad, I need to introduce you to someone," I paused, needing to build myself up a little more. "This is Pansy… my girlfriend."

My mother gasped as she heard my proclamation and started muttering under her breath, while my father just sat there, staring. I couldn't help but think back to when Hermione told me she was gay, and that she was scared what people were going to think of her. Of course I told her the Wizarding world was more open than the Muggle world, but of course, there were always going to be unaccepting people. And as I sat here under the scrutiny of my parents, I just hoped they would be able to accept that this is what I wanted in life, that Pansy was what I wanted in life.

"I-I," my mother found her voice before my father, but she was still having trouble forming a sentence, "I- Okay." She breathed in deeply before letting it out, "I'm not going to say that I'm thrilled to hear this because this is definitely what I wanted for you. But with that said, I'm not going to stand in your way."

I smiled at this, I may not really have her blessing, but at least she was accepting that I wanted to be with Pansy, but as I looked to my father my heart sank. He looked furious, not only at Pansy and myself but also at my mother, his wife, for accepting what I'd chosen.

"Are you serious!" He yelled spittle flying from his mouth, and instantly I cowered under his intense glare. My father believed in old school discipline, the physical kind, he'd hit my brothers on multiple occasions, but he'd never raised a hand to me, he'd never had a reason too. I guess now he did.

He jumped up from his chair yelling at the two of us, "You are both girls! You shouldn't be with each other but with a man! A man that will take care of you!" He advanced on us, I knew he'd never hit Pansy, but he had no aversion to hitting his own children, so long as it was in the name of discipline.

As he reached my side he grabbed my arm and yanked me out of my chair, I looked up at him with an intense fear burning my gut. He'd never laid a hand on me, and now he was going to just because of who I was, I was terrified and disgusted with his reasons, but I couldn't bring myself to move, to defend myself.

As he raised his hand I closed my eyes, I closed them so tight that the tears that freely ran down my face were almost trapped behind my eyelids. I waited for the hit to come but a few moments later I felt the hand that gripped my shoulder jerk off of me before a loud crash reverberated through the house. Slowly I opened my eyes and saw my father in a heap on the floor.

I breathed out a sigh of relief as I turned to thank my mother, but when I glanced at her, she was still seated, stunned as she gaped at Pansy. Slowly I turned around completely so I could face Pansy and saw her standing there, her face contorted in rage as she glared at my now drooling father. I stared at her in awe, she had protected me, that I sort of expected, but the amazing part was that she'd just used magic, without speaking.

"H-How did you?" My mother asked.

At the sound of her voice, Pansy dropped her arm, releasing her wand as she did so, letting it drop to the floor. Her once enraged features immediately changed to worry as she looked at me, ignoring my mother she lifted the sleeve of my shirt to inspect my bruising arm.

"Are you okay?" She asked, voice full of concern. I nodded my head, still too in awe by what she'd just done, not even Hermione could do that, "Good," she smiled at me, causing me to smile back at her.

My mother rose from her seat and rushed to my dad, checking him over and making sure he'd be okay, "I'm sorry," Pansy directed to my mother.

"Get out," my mother said, now over her shock and just angry at Pansy for now, "You are to leave this house in the morning, but as of right now get out of my sight."

I pulled Pansy with me, leading her up to my room, "I really am sorry," she told me after I closed my door.

"I know sweetie, but you don't need to be, you were defending me," I soothed her, although my mind was more focused on what we were going to do because if Pansy was leaving, I was going with her.

"I guess I'll need to head back to Hogwarts I guess."

I smiled, "Sounds like a plan to me, but there is one thing we need to do first."

"We?" my Pansy asked confused, "You aren't going to stay here?"

"Nah, I only came back to see my aunt, and that's the thing we need to do first, I'm just glad that her release was moved to tomorrow. Otherwise, tonight may have gone much worse."

Pansy smiled at me before leaning in to kiss me, "Sounds like a plan," she said as she pulled away, "I love you, Ginny."

"I love you too," I replied with a smile.