Disclaimer: I'm sure you know that Harry Potter belongs to Ms. Rowling.

Chapter Seven - The Christmas Dance

Professor Snape and Terry sat down in the shadows and started talking. The trio strained their ears to listen carefully. They caught a few words like 'my father?' 'if you tell me who your mother is' 'her name is' 'never knew your father' 'don't know more of him' 'there might be something though You-Know-Who spoke of' 'you?' 'yes boy and I think your father the one' 'what do you mean?' 'if you can find' Here, Terry was nodding with his hands clasped around Snape (who seems to be trying to pull his hands free, looking disgusted).

"Thank you, Severus," Terry was saying. Harry motioned to his friends as Prof. Snape left for Hogwarts and then they quickly headed towards Terry.

"Ah Terry, you are here already," Ron said brightly, "we didn't see you till you stood up to bid Professor Snape goodbye!"

Terry forced a smile and then said, "Well, now that we are all together here, let me buy us all some butterbeer and we'll talk about a few things, alright? But mind you, I can only stay for a moment. I have some business left undone back at the school." His face was strained and he looked rather tired, seeming much older than the Terry usually seen.

He hurried to Madam Rosemerta while Harry turned to his friends whispering, "From what we just heard, it sounds like as if Snape wants to find out who Terry's father is. After all, he was a death eater himself and he must have thought that he could find out, you know, asking about Terry's family and stuff."

"You mean, he suspects Terry's father as the killer of Samantha?" asked Ron a little shakily.

"Oh Ron," Hermione laid a hand on his shoulder, "don't worry. The culprit will be caught soon and then you will be able to get back together with Samantha."

"Hermione, I don't really want to get back with her," said Ron, "because I don't care for her that way. I care for her as a friend. Anyway, I don't think Snape will get anywhere. That professor of a slimeball is always up to something, but never succeeding, except catching students like us."

"Well, you know," said Harry, "Snape could be doing something right. Everything's so connected to Terry right now, so I don't think it would be such a surprise if it was his father doing all the dirty work. But what amazes me is that Snape doesn't recognize Terry's mother. Voldemort must have thought to keep a few of his men in silent contact, you know, not making them public at all doing anything, just waiting as some kind of backup maybe. Terry's dad probably doesn't even have a death eater sign -."

He was broke off as Terry came back cherrily with a tray of butterbeers. They drank the warming drinks silently. Harry was the first to put down his tankard, then Terry. Harry and Terry looked at each other for a moment, as if each trying to suck information of the other from just staring. "Who do you think is doing this, Terry?"

"Wha-? Oh," Terry frowned and said, "Well no one knows, but my theory is that Samantha did all this and now she's ran away."

BANG!

Ron had slammed his fist down making all the empty tankards and everyone jump, "Rubbish!"

The pub had fell silent and everyone turned to look. Terry shifted in his seat nervously and Ron muttered a small 'sorry'. "No, it's alright, Ron," said Terry quietly, "after all, you are entitled to your opinions freely, but I ask you to respect my opinions too."

"Alright," Ron was now turning and looking at the floor.

There was a tense moment of unbreakable silence, but then Hermione said suddenly, "You know what, Harry? Ron? Let's go back to the school. Goodbye Terry." Hermione dragged both of her friends outside and towards the castle. Terry was watching them leave and then thought better than to follow, but to look for Cho. Someone friendly and cheerful was the ideal person he needed right now. Then he turned his head to Harry again. Terry knew that Harry liked Cho, but he stilled kept his hand on her. He didn't love her anymore than a friend and vice versa, and that is why they broke up in the first place. But he also knew that she never tries to play hard to get, and then felt the need to step in just so he can see if Cho truly loved Harry and if Harry truly loved Cho. However, Terry was a possessive man and would not let go once he got something. Besides, I needed a date to the dance, thought Terry unsympathetically.

The Christmas dance came soon enough and everyone was excited. The dance floor and ceiling were finally finished, the professors and volunteering prefects having done a spetacular job on them. The dance floor had different colored spots charmed to make the person dancing on the spot doing a specific dance. For example, standing on a green spot might make you tap dance, and a blue spot could be the place for an electruc slide, while the orange gives you the taste of ballet. The ceiling was actually falling real snow! The only difference is that if it fell on the floor, it would melt, but it would stay if it landed on a person or a christmas tree, and etc.

Hermione wore a muggle evening gown as many girls had decided to do. It was a sparkling crimson strapless, and her hair was tied into a loose french twist looking absolutely wonderful. Victor kissed her on the cheek before leading her to the dance floor (the rainbow color part which had not been charmed, thankfully, in the center, but they had to go through hip hop and salsa before getting there). Harry groaned as Cho entered hand-in-hands with Terry, but he could not tear his eyes away if he tried. She was in a short paste purple dress with spagetti straps. Harry tried not to look at her legs or Terry's hand around her waist. He looked around at the round tables and then up at the teachers table. Sirius.

Harry seized elbowed Ron and waved at Sirius who was looking at him all smiles. Harry and Ron waved back, but unsure of whether they should go up to the teacher's desk. The trouble was saved as Sirius came down himself. Sirius gave Harry a warming hug and said merrily, "How you doing, my boy?"

Harry grinned and said, "Great!"

"Come on, let's sit down and you tell me all about what's been happening," Sirius said.

Harry explained all about Terry and Samantha and what their theories were as Sirius listening silently. Finally, Harry asked, "So, what do you think?"

"I think you better watch up for yourself Harry," said Sirius, "and before I tell you of any theories I might have, I need you to tell me about Mr. Ackins."

Harry was dumbfounded and his jaws dropped, "What do you mean?"

"You see, I know that he came this year and stuff, right?" said Sirius, "because he's my neighbor. Not very nice though -."

"Not very nice?" exclaimed Ron, "he's a merry man and very nice!"

"Ron," said Sirius frowning, "the point is, he always wanted to find his daughter and her name happened to be Samantha."

"But Samantha's last name is Collins," said Ron.

"Yes yes, don't interrupt me," said Sirius, "Mrs. Hiera Collins was Ackins's second wife and she left before the baby was born. Left with another man, Collins, and so Samantha was named Collins."

"She never told me that!" Ron's eyes widened, "but I knew it was Mrs. Collins's second marriage."

"Stop interrupting me, Ron," said Sirius with a sigh, "if you want to hear this at all."

"Sorry," said Ron, "please go on."

"Hiera Collins was the only woman Ackins ever loved," said Sirius, "his first wife was a load of tosh, or as I've heard from Ackins, but since Ackins isn't very nice, I would think the first wife the opposite you know. Anyway, I was going through a bunch of Ackins's things while he was away at Hogwarts with the quidditch team kids." He suppressed a slight smile here, "and according to some of his files, he had a son from the first wife, but they left him or something. However, I don't think he cares much about the son. In fact, I think he hates him. Whatever the problem he has, he is however determined to get Samantha."

Ron breathed and said in a whisper, "Mr. Ackins is Samantha's dad?"

"Yup," said Sirius.

"And so it was Mr. Ackins who was doing all this stuff? Just to steal Samantha?" Harry continued.

"Yes," nodded Sirius, "now, come on, you too. Enjoy the dance, I think I see a pretty lady."

Harry and Ron snorted into their plates and then looked back up seeing Sirius bowing to the blonde professional, Mary, probably asking her to dance. Seeing that they have all the information now and all they need is to prove it, the two decided to enjoy the dance. "Alright, we better ask a girl to dance," said Harry.

"What, both of us with one girl?" asked Ron.

"Yeah, and my mom's a Niffler," said Harry.

"Really? Can I borrow her to dig up some treasure?" asked Ron.

"Ok, that's enough," said Harry and Ron burst into peals of laughter.

They did however agree to dance at least once with a girl this dance, and set off to look for a partner. Harry walked around the hall and laughed out loud when he saw Malfoy dancing crazily across a charmed dance floor block with a furious and red face. "You'll make a good funky chicken, Malfoy!" Harry threw at him and the people around him laughed.

He walked a little further and saw Nevielle begging a girl to dance with him, but apparently, she didn't look very willing as she nursed her toes, probably stepped on frequently by him.

Harry searched the room and saw Ron. Apparently, he wasn't having so much luck either. Harry thought about asking Parvati to dance, but then she probably wouldn't want to due to what happened at the Yule Ball in their 4th year. Then he saw Lavender, but she was with Dean Thomas. Further, he saw Seamus twirling a girl around on the dance floor. Suddenly he felt very lonely, but then he realized that it was Cho who was dancing with Terry, but some other girl.

Harry went up the marble steps hoping Ron didn't see him, but just as he was halfway up, only his legs in sight to the Great Hall, someone tapped him on the shoulders. He turned and before he knew what was going on, someone cupped his face in her hands and pressed her lips against his drinking in a long passionate kiss. Harry was so bewildered, but didn't open his eyes (who wants to look at a forehead when it's less than an inch away from your eyes?), but returned the kiss surprisingly. Then he looked to reality and pulled away quickly.

~*~*~

Oooh, I wonder who it is