Donovan made announcements, and everyone was moving, and music began to play, the ball started. They followed Sirius moved to go to the sides by the tables, so it cleared the dance.
Raya and Donovan had stepped down from the steps; Donovan held Raya's gloved hand. Raya made a sweeping motion, and many stepped onto the dance floor to begin. Sol whispered something into Ron's ear, and Hermione found herself locking eyes with Ron.
Ron was flushed as he pulled on white gloves and walked over. "Hermione, would you like to dance for the start of the ball?" he asked.
Hermione had to physically keep her jaw from dropping, her hand really flew up to her mouth. "I don't know how to dance," she whispered, horribly embarrassed, and she realized her horrible oversight.
"Don't worry, I do," he said, he offered a hand, and she let him have it. "It's a waltz, so" he shrugged, and the music began once Sol picked someone. "Sorry if this is embarrassing," he said. Placing a hand on the dip of her waist, he took her hand.
"Hand on my shoulder," he said as she floundered where to put her other hand.
"I didn't realize your brothers knew how to dance," she said.
"Oh, they don't know the first thing," he said as he slowly turned her. "Sol had to teach me how. I'm still not the best, but it's been fun," he admitted.
"Sol taught you?" she asked.
Ron laughed, his incredible eyes crinkling a bit, "he was my partner; now I know what it's like being dipped," he said.
"Are you going to dip me?" she asked.
"Do you want me to be?" he asked, the waltz wasn't so tricky with Ron in the lead. She only looked at her feet a couple times.
"Yes," she said and hid a smile at his expression, looking dumbfounded. "I'm pretty sure it's every girl's dream to be dipped in a dance just once," she said. She gasped as she was spun, and tightened her grip on Ron as she was suddenly looking at the ceiling. She laughed as she was righted.
"How was that?" Ron asked.
"Fun," she admitted, her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. "So what's it been like here?" she asked.
"So far, it's been good. Lately, it's been better," Ron replied, "I mean with you and Harry here," he added. She nodded, oh that made sense, obviously, he wasn't talking about her specifically.
xxx
Donovan was pleased to see how well Ron was doing, it seems that Sol being a guiding force, was helpful to him. He'd come a long way, much further with language than he'd truthfully expected.
"Your Majesties, if I may have your attention," Donovan turned his attention to a man that he had never expected to see. Igor Karkaroff stood in a dark coat, Raya kept her face passive.
"You may," Raya said though she did not look as if she wished to give any attention to the man.
"Perhaps a place we may not be overheard," Karkaroff replied gruffly. Donavan turned to Raya, who simply nodded, although her eyes narrowed. Donovan sensed that this conversation would not be one they liked.
Raya led Karoff to a room closest to the hall and bade Karkaroff to sit on a chair. She did not offer to find him a drink, which was telling of her unpleasant feelings toward the man.
She sat after he did, and Donovan remained standing near the door. His wife had never required his help in matters before when she was perfectly capable.
"The Dark Lord is close to regaining his strength," Karkaroff said. "Soon, he will be fully back, and his loyal followers will line up to return to his side," he said.
"What are you doing here, Karkaroff?" Raya asked, her lips pursed.
"When he has gained his strength, he and his followers will aim to bring as many creatures into his disposal as he can" Karkaroff.
Raya's glowed, and she bared her fangs with fury, "you dare to come here to recruit our kingdom to that filthy man's cause?" She stood up, and Donovan waited with bated breath.
"I am warning you. You may not agree, but that does not mean there are not those in your midst who would follow the Dark Lord due to the attractive deals he may offer," Kararoff responded with. He rose out of the seat, attempting to loom over his wife.
"Only fools would take that deal, he is a purist, he would subjugate us if had his war won," Raya responded.
"Then pick your side and choose wisely, neutrality may have worked in the last war, but this one will not allow it," Karkaroff replied.
"We have chosen," Raya said, and despite her height being that off several heads shorter, she had more presence. "The Prince we have chosen as my heir is closest to one Harry Potter. Our choice is made," she said.
Karkaroff sighed, "your decision sides with a child. It is the wrong one."
xxx
She'd been dancing with Ron for a good few songs and was on cloud 9 when Sol, unfortunately, cut in. "I'll take this dance and Ron, go find someone to network with. Not that I can blame you want to spend time with her," Sol said.
Ron flushed, then let go of her hand and turned around to go find another partner. "Sorry, but he's got other priorities, but I'm sure you understand that perfectly," Sol said. She told herself it was petty to be upset with Sol for this. Just because she understood, didn't mean she wasn't annoyed.
"Mm," she said, unable to hide a frown.
"You are as bad a liar as Ron is," Sol said.
"My God, you are so like a Slytherin," she said as the sharp realizing hit her. Sol smiled like a cat who'd just caught a fat rat.
"You British wizards and houses. Although I have never been to Hogwarts, I'm aware of the way you attribute actions with your school's houses," he rolled his eyes.
"Does it bother you?" Hermione asked, feeling strange at the boy's hand on her waist when before it had been Ron's.
"No, you can call me a Slytherin if you want. In the end, Ron will have to learn some of their attributes," Sol replied, they turned together, and she reluctantly had to admit that Sol was much more graceful then Ron.
"He's already like that, we can see it. It's hard to tell what he's thinking, sometimes," Hermione said. Then she realized that she could be asking Sol about the stuff that she couldn't find in textbooks.
"Can I ask you some questions about vampires?" she asked. No need to toe around it.
Sol raised a clean eyebrow, "go on," he said.
"Firstly, do you feel craving for blood," she asked, "I'm asking because I can't ask Ron without him getting offended or-"
"Yes," Sol replied immediately, "if the person smells particularly good or even if I am physically attracted to them. It's instinctual, I will want to sink my teeth into them. I have dreams about them even, about biting them," he explained.
Hermione's eyes widened a little "oh," she said, her voice wavering a little.
"You don't need to worry about me. By the way, you're not interesting to me in the least," he said.
"Thanks," Hermione said flatly, a little offended.
Sol laughed, "I'm gay," he said.
"Oh," Hermione lightened up, then her mind immediately went to those moments of Sol whispering in Ron's ear. She shook her head, "next, what happens when you bite someone?" she asked.
"We ask for consent like with sex, and then will bite their neck or shoulder or forearm. Although it's not uncommon for our partners to ask for the hip. It can be sexual," Sol said.
She flushed "what?" she asked.
Sol gave an incredulous look, "he really hasn't said?" he asked.
"No, he won't say a word, and it's not as if- just no," she said.
"It's sexual, people don't just decide to let a vampire bite them for the hell of it. It's not a donation occurrence, usually, but more people keep coming back because it's intoxicating. The bite translates pain into pleasure," he said.
Her heart seized, and suddenly those stupid sexy vampire novels didn't seem so ridiculous. "So it feels good?" she asked. She swallowed and forced down the intruding image of Ron biting her neck.
"Almost better than sex. At least that's what people tell me. But don't worry about it, Ron's terrified of biting anyone," he explained.
Hermione had suspected that, but to hear Sol's voice, it had her guiltily relaxing. "Is… um, sex isn't like mandatory?" she asked.
"We're 14, of course not. I haven't" Sol finally looked her age as his cheeks flushed. "I just said it feels good like sex, besides I haven't exactly found anyone I like, like that," he said.
"Oh, sorry. I never meant to imply that you..."
"It's okay," Sol shrugged.
xxx
Harry suddenly wished he had taken Sirius up on the offers to show him how to dance. If only to save himself the embarrassment of being laughed at by the girl he was dancing with. She was older than him and pretty with her brunette hair in a ponytail.
She had actually asked him to dance, introducing herself as Hattie Lameh in American English. "I was wondering something?" Harry asked, after managing not to step on her foot for at least 30 seconds.
"What?" she asked.
"Yes?" Hattie asked.
"Are you a vampire?" Harry asked; he'd been a little scared to ask because he wasn't sure if it was rude or not.
"Yes, I'm a little older than you think I am," she replied, "25," she said.
"I see, well, I figured since your eyes, not they look bad. They are pretty," Harry hastened to remedy his awkward statement, and she smiled at him.
"You are sweet," she said, looking a little sad then. "Most human wizards would take several steps away from me when they were sure of what I am?
"Well, I'm starting to get that you are misunderstood," Harry asked, "Were you born a vampire?"
"No, I almost died when I was 17 because of an incurable illness. I was offered a way to live, so I took it, and my sister followed me because she couldn't stand to think of us living apart. She became a vampire with me."
"Hm," Harry thought, he wondered if Fred and George Weasley would do the same if faced with that. Then he hoped they never would. At that thought, he fell forward, someone bumped him.
Hattie caught him effortlessly as if he was only a few pounds, taking him into her chest. He flushed hotly "are you alright?" she asked, grabbing each side of his head in her hands and forcing him to look into her violet irises.
"Fine," his voice hitched, then he wrenched his head to look at who could have bumped into him. It was that man again, the one Sirius had pointed out, Karkaroff. He threw open the doors to the castle and left. "That's odd," he said.
"Something is not right," Hattie said and let go of him to walk towards the door, and he followed.
"Why do you say that?" Harry asked, and she opened the door of the castle. No one was there, the bridge was empty.
"No wolves, they are guards. They patrol and are meant to stay at the entrances. This is wrong," Hattie said, her violet eyes glowing brightly in the dark as she looked around, trying to spot a wolf.
Harry's stomach felt tense and turned towards the door. "We need to tell Donovan, I mean, the Patriarch," he said. And then something grey and quick sped towards them.
Hattie grabbed him and forced him onto the ground, a big explosion went off over their heads. It caused a long echo in the snowy mountain air. For a moment, he worried it would cause an avalanche.
The large doors were in splinters, and smoke was everywhere. Hattie quickly got off of him and looked towards the doors. Harry's eyes widened at the large wound on Hattie's right shoulder and back. She had protected him "your back," he said.
Hattie winced, "I will live, you would not fare as well. Maybe you should move away from here," she said. "You are important."
"No way, my best mates are in there and my godfather," Harry said.
"Fine, if you won't run, then take out your wand. Your school rules aren't important at the moment," Hattie said, then tore her dress to make it reach her knee rather than her whole leg. She left on her black ribbon heels. "I hate to ask this, but could I have a bit of blood?" she asked.
Harry blinked then looked to her shoulder "sure, what do I do?" he asked.
She took his arm, which had a cut he hadn't even noticed, was bleeding at his forearm. She licked his arm, sending his neck hairs on end. The cut sealed miraculously. Then the wound on her shoulder and back seemed to clot instantly. "Better," she sighed, "ready?" she asked.
He nodded, taking out his wand.
xxx
Ron cursed every fiber of his damned coat that didn't contain a wand pocket. Years of running into trouble with one Harry bloody Potter should have taught him that he attracted trouble.
So he did not have a wand in this gathering of prominent political figures. The figures, including Harry, were in grave danger now, and from what, Ron could only guess from the hoods they wore.
"We have enemies in this castle, escape if you can! I have lifted the wards," Donovan's voice boomed like a sonorous charm. Ron watched as many wizards apparated away, and he forced the anger down that most of them left without taking anyone with them.
His heart hammered as he looked desperately for Harry or Hermione. Hell, he'd take Sirius, that would be a start. Ron dodged spells as he looked for his friends, but the smoke concealing the hall and the smell of it was clogging both his senses.
Actually, the smoke was worse than he'd realized, he felt as if someone had sucked his energy. His vision doubled, and he almost closed his eyes. But a cloth was put over his mouth and nose. He struggled before they were talking in his ear. "Shh, it's helping. This smoke is bad for vampires, this will help."
His vision cleared, and he realized he was looking at Mr. Okajima. "Ah, back with us, good, I know a bad situation when I see it. I dislike cowards, so I stayed," he said.
Ron took the cloth off "thanks," he said, with his senses back, he stood up to block a table flying at them. He didn't have to; however, a girl did it instead. She kicked the table hard enough that it splintered in 2 halves and fell to the ground.
"Prince, you should escape while you can" the girl who had kicked the table was none other but Zoey Lemeh, or at least he thought it was Zoey. It could have been Hattie, he wasn't sure. She wore black tights and boots with a red gown, which was currently tied at her waist to leave her legs free. Her short blonde hair was wild from all the commotion.
"I can't go while everyone else is here," Ron said.
"If you are so stubborn, I may be able to help with this smoke," Mr. Okajima said, out of his robes, he pulled out two people shaped pieces of paper. He tossed them and mutters some words in Japanese.
Ron gasped as two identical creatures emerged from the paper. It was a sizeable fox-like creature with white fur and colorful markings on the snout and nine tails. "Kitsune?" Ron asked.
Mr. Okajima nodded, "they can use foxfire and purify the smoke. I would go find them soon," he said.
Ron nodded, standing, keeping the cloth to his face "Zoey, protect Mr. Okajima," he said.
"But your highness-"
"That is an order," Ron replied, then thought, "please."
"Alright," Zoey said straightening, "yes sir," she said.
Ron shook off how weird it felt to have her call him, sir when she was older than him. He ran to find his friends, and the kitsune pair ran after him on light feet.
xxx
Hermione felt the explosion all the way to her feet. She was forced onto the ground as smoke and debris flew everywhere. Sol hovered over and held out his hand behind him, creating some sort of shield.
"How are you doing that?" she asked, her heart jackhammering at her ribcage.
"A wand is only necessary for aim; a magical conductor is all even if it's a powerful one," Sol replied. He stood while keeping his shield up. He pulled her up, "let's go," he said.
"We need to find Ron and Harry," she said, pulling out her wand, she wouldn't be caught unawares this time. Sol opened his mouth to retort, but he began coughing at the smoke. He dropped their shield as his eyes grew hazy. "Sol?" she shook him.
He was uneasy on his feet, she put an arm around his shoulder. "Stop inhaling; it must be the smoke," she said, then wished she knew any spell that would help. "Enervate!" she said, and he grew slightly more aware, but it didn't last.
She took off her mother's fur and placed it over Sol so he wouldn't inhale the smoke. Just at the wrong time, a figure stepped from the smoke. She held tightly to Sol and held her wand duel ready.
The figure aimed several curses which she dispelled, then they got broader. "Protego," she said, then pointed a few of her own, but she was running out of defensive spells. And she could barely react to just block them.
She was out of her depth, and she had no idea when they might just use the killing curse. But then her worries were cut short as someone flew out of the smoke with a long, bare leg kicked the figure in the chin. The hooded figure fell but suddenly apparated away.
The girl had a scarf tied over her mouth and nose, she flicked her curly ponytail behind her. "Hermione!" she beamed as saw Harry followed the girl, frowning as the man left.
"Oh, Harry! I was so worried," she said. The girl stepped forward and took Sol.
"I can take the Prince," she said, Hermione nodded feeling much more balanced now that she wasn't taking his weight.
"No time to explain, but this is Hattie Lameh, she um well she's a friend," Harry said, and Hattie's eyes squinted. Hermione suspected she was smiling under her mask.
"Pleasure, I'm Hermione Granger. Where do we go from here?" she asked, "if only we could disperse this smoke,"
"It may hard, it's a special kind of smoke created with Vampire's Fall. It's a plant that's poisonous to us," Hattie said.
"Will it kill you?" Harry asked sharply.
"Not unless it's ingested, but the smoke is already a problem" Harry and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. One less thing to worry about. "Hermione, do you any spells to help?" Harry asked.
"No, I've wracked my brain, but I don't have anything that could help," she frowned.
"Well, if we can't get rid of the smoke, maybe we can try to see above it," Hattie said, then set Sol gently on the ground. She crouched low and then jumped. Hermione's eyes widened with awe as she jumped about 7 feet in the air.
She grabbed a rotating snowflake, she looked around then jumped down, somehow not breaking her ankle in her heels. "I found where most of the action is happening, there's a big spot where there's no smoke. That way," she pointed to her right.
They both nodded.
xxx
Ron found himself at the base of the throne, where several cloaked figures were fighting with his mentor, the queen, and Sirius. Queen Raya was holding her own even without any magic, dodging the man's spells and getting in close to aim some hard punches.
Somehow though, the man had some sort of training like her. Even at close capacity where a wand is mostly useless, he parried her punches. Donovan was at a distance with his opponent, dispelling hexes with his hand then flinging it back at them.
Sirius was the only one traditionally dueling with a very tall figure. Sirius knocked his opponent out first then came around with "stupefy" at Donovan's opponent. They shook hands.
Ron was so engrossed in the fight, he didn't notice someone creeping up until the Kitsune growling. He turned around, watching a figure aim a curse at him. Ron ducked and swept his leg long and hard at the man's knees. He wobbled, so Ron stood and slammed both of his palms at the man's ears.
The man immediately fell back. Ron jumped back as more figures piled through the smoke. He held up his fist then dropped them when Harry, Hermione, and Zoey Lameh holding Sol came through.
"Heel" Ron told the Kitsune who continued to growl, they calmed then puffed out a few fireballs to clear more smoke. "Merlin, I am so glad to see you all."
"Us too," Harry said.
One of Kitsune went up to Hattie holding Sol, the Kitsune puffed a tiny ball of fire. Sol glowed with blue healing fire and opened his eyes. "Hattie?" he asked, and she smiled.
"Welcome back, Prince Sol," she said, setting him down now that he was awake.
"Harry, thank Merlin," Sirius's voice boomed loud. Then he had to focus on the figure which stood up, they circled around each other. Then when it seemed like he would attack, he simply grabbed his friend and apparated.
Ron bared his fangs unconsciously "cowards," he said, the Kitsune at his left and right growled in agreement. Then as if Raya felt his rage and gained more strength from it, her opponent sailed through the air.
Ron placed his foot on the man's chest, so stop him moving even as he coughed. "Expelliarmus," he said, and the man's wand flew out of his hand. With no time to think about the wandless magic, he made his demands.
"Talk unless you want to make a lovely snack," he said, eyes aglow.
