JKR owns the people and places...I own Karista and the dream
Chapter 19: A love less ordinary
"Okay, you know what? I am starting to think that this robe was a mistake," muttered Karista angrily as she slipped it on over her black dress.
"It's beautiful," murmured Hermione, stopping dead in her tracks to stare at the dress robe. It was a shimmering gold, not too bright, not too dull, and it was enough to make any boy faint.
"Then maybe I should make my hair a tad darker, otherwise I would look like I took a bath in a tub of gold," she said, tugging on the ribbon in front of her robe. She then picked up her wand and muttered some words, which magically made her hair slightly darker than it was. She then parted her hair into eight sections and twisted them, making a cornrow-like effect to the top of her head, where she tied it into a pony tail. Karista then started defining the individual ringlets that had fallen at the base of her neck. Pointing her wand at her ponytail, she muttered a few more careful words that made her ponytail a mess of curls, which she defined with some more axle grease.
"Well?" she asked, turning to Hermione, who was charming her hair to stay while she slathered her hair into a neat bun. When she turned around, her jaw dropped.
"Harry is going to be so…wow!" replied Hermione, not being able to surpress her smile.
"I still have one more thing to do, though," added Karista, as with a wave of her wand, a jet of sparkles shot out from her wand onto her hair. "Well, how does it look now?"
"Perfect," replied Hermione, awestruck by Karista's appearance.
"Are you ready? Good, let's go or we are going to be late."
***
Harry and Ron stood at the door to the girl's dormitories, glancing up at the clock every few seconds. They were both fidgeting nervously, as now they were going to be in the company of some of the most respective men in the ministry. Suddenly, the door opened and Hermione entered the common room, wearing a look of happiness, yet obviously nervous. He didn't recognize the robes as the ones she wore last year. They were a dark purple, with tiny flecks of gold all along the fabric. Ron was positively stars truck as he took Hermione's hand and kissed it. She blushed furiously, as she turned to Harry.
"Oh, when you see her, don't scream," Hermione added, glancing up the stairwell.
Harry directed his attention away from Hermione to notice a golden glow coming down the staircase. At first he thought it was a light from the dormitory until he realized it was moving. He gripped the chair next to him as a marvelous site met his eyes. Karista was standing before him, in a beautiful golden-silk robe, her hair done up in curls and sparkling merrily in the light. She was blushing like Hermione as Harry held out his arm for her to take. Harry just couldn't take his eyes off of her. A sharp pain hit the back of his calve as he turned to see Hermione mouthing complement her. He turned to look into Karisa's violet eyes, which were also twinkling. She had a wide smile on her face as they walked through the corridor.
"Karista, you look…amazing," harry murmured. "Just gorgeous."
"I clean up nicely, don't I?" She asked, a smile glinting on her face.
"I didn't-," Harry muttered, but Karista put up her hand.
"I was kidding, Harry," she chuckled.
They soon entered the great hall, where Pansy Parkinson and Malfoy, along with all the professors were waiting. Malfoy, who merely glanced up the stairs, did a double take. He was just staring at Karista. Her beauty seemed to be magnified to dynamic proportions as she approached. Professor McGonagall and Snape both stared at Harry and Karista. Dumbledore had a strange smile on his face, as he pushed to doors open and they all walked outside.
***
Out in the crisp air, they saw a beautiful canopy, covered with winter flowers and fairies, who were dancing playfully across the top. Underneath this canopy was one long table. Silver plates were set all along it, along with more lights, that seemed to hover in mid air. Karista and Harry sat down in the middle, followed by at least 20 more wizards, including Ron and Hermione. A babble of talk broke out, as different wizards and witches turned to each other. They were all with looks of happiness on their faces, except for Lucius Malfoy and his wife, Narcissa. She was in conversation with an elderly witch next to her, yet Lucius was whispering hurriedly to the wizard who Harry immediately recognized as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.
"So Harry," Karista giggled in his ear, as Harry realized he had been staring into space. "How is your tea project going?"
Harry immediately smiled.
"This is actually kinda boring," he said quietly. "I think we shouldn've come."
"Harry, look at the bright side," she said, a slight quiver in her voice, as she was about to burst out laughing. "We get to speak to batty old wizards, who can't even magic their dentures to stay."
Just when Karista had said that, Harry had taken a drink. The water sprayed out of his mouth into his hand, as they both shook with silent laughter. At the end of the table where Dumbledore was sitting, a small clinking noise sounded. Everyone down the table looked up to see Dumbledore beginning to rise from his seat.
"Witches and Wizards, esteemed comrades, I welcome you here. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves?" Dumbledore said, with a wide smile. Everyone down the table murmured their approval, and he continued, " This year, being an…er…strange year so far, I find it lucky that once again we can all meet together, under the circumstances…" Harry glanced down the table at Lucius Malfoy, who had an evil smirk on his face.
"I hope you all enjoy this wonderful meal, and afterwards, we will commence with musical entertainment. Dig in!" he said triumphantly, hastily sitting down and digging in to the roasted chicken that had just appeared in front of him. There was silence from the table, other than the occasional talk or laughter. After everyone had finished eating, Music started to play in the distance. Everyone slowly started to rise form the table. It's now or never, Potter Harry thought to himself as he stood up, then bowed to Karista.
"May I have this dance, Madame?" he said, sounding a little too stiffly.
"Of course, my dear, of course," Karista murmured, scooting back her chair and standing.
Ron and Hermione, as well as Pansy and Malfoy headed towards the dance floor. Harry looked over his shoulder, and listened as Malfoy started whispering to his father.
"…That girl with Potter?" he asked with a sneer on his face.
"Yeah, isn't she beautiful?" Malfoy said, star stuck.
"Why would you let Potter date her? Get her Draco, I suspect she may be important."
Harry's face turned red with anger. Karista noticed, and pinched his cheek.
"Ow!" harry yelped, turning even redder because people were staring. "What was that-," he started, yet once again Karista held up her hand to stop him.
"Relax. You are really tense Harry. Why are you so angry?" Karista said in his ear.
"Malfoy, the toadstool. His father thinks you should be with his son."
Karista stifled a laugh as they danced around the floor.
"You know, if you looked at him in the right light, he does look a bit like a toad," she muttered, again shaking with silent giggles.
Harry, joining in her lead by laughing, tilted his head back and looked at the stars. The next song was of a quicker pace. Karista and Harry started dancing faster, like many of the other witches and wizards were also. Karista let out a laugh as they joined hands and started spinning each other. Soon enough, the song changed to a slow tune, and many of the witches and wizards left the floor, tired and sweaty. Only a few older witches who had sat down at the fast song got up to dance, while Karista and Harry stayed. Ron and Hermione went to get something to drink while Malfoy and Pansy went to sit with Lucius.
"Harry, this is the most fun I've had in a while," She murmured as the song played.
"I know. I can honestly say this is the first dance with a girl that I enjoyed."
She started blushing furiously as she looked up to the sky.
"They are bright tonight," she said, adjusting her hand on Harry's arm.
Harry looked up also. When he looked back, he saw the piercing violet eyes that he had dreamed about over and over, when he realized…
"I've had a dream about this moment before," harry realized, smiling. "You looked exactly like this, and we were doing everything that we are now."
"And what happened in the dream?" Karista asked, grasping his arm a little firmer. By this time, most of the eyes were on them, as they were some of the only ones dancing.
"Well," Harry said, not knowing whether to go on. "I let go of this hand, wrapped it around you, and…"
"And?" Karista asked, a grin upon her face.
"We kissed," Harry said, immediately blushing after he had said it.
Suddenly, Harry let go of her hand and wrapped it around her waist. He pulled her in tighter. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked into his eyes, and understood why she liked him.
"I love you, Karista," he murmured, as they leaned in closer.
"I love you, Harry Potter," she said, as they closed their eyes and kissed.
In the distance, Harry heard a whoop and a gasp. He knew it was Ron and Hermione. They released their lips from each other, and slowly opened their eyes. He looked over at Ron and Hermione, who were both sitting their, astonished, yet giddy faces on, smiling mischievously. Dumbledore and McGonagall were sitting, wide-eyed and smiling. Snape wasn't smiling, but he had a strange look on his face. Harry assumed Snape might have been kinda happy for him. But when Harry looked for Malfoy, he didn't see him there. Pansy was looking quite upset though. He knew immediately where he probably went. As the song sped up, more witches and wizards came onto the floor. Cornelius Fudge approached Harry.
"You old dog you!" Fudge replied, clasping Harry hard on the back with a wide smile on his face.
"A regular ladies man, if I do say so myself," said Dumbledore, sweeping by with McGonagall on his arm, who winked at Harry.
Karista and Harry stayed on the floor until the evening ended, with no site of Malfoy at all. They were laughing hysterically as they headed back up to the castle.
"I can't believe you two," Hermione squealed.
"Yeah…you shoulda seen Malfoy. He looked ready kill!" Ron said, roaring with laughter.
Karista couldn't help but blush. It was such a good feeling to be embraced in Harry's arms. She knew that when he said he loved her, he meant it. Harry could only manage a weak smile, partially because his brain was in override. He kissed a girl. And, she kissed him back. It was a strange, yet good feeling. He then chuckled to himself. Ron and Hermione probably thought Harry and Karista did it on purpose, to make Malfoy jealous, yet that wasn't the case. He really had 'feelings' for her.
They went to their separate dormitories. Once into bed, Hermione just had to ask.
"So, how does it feel making Malfoy jealous?" Hermione muttered sleepily.
Karista hadn't thought of that. Maybe she had to find out because she knew that Harry and Malfoy loathed each other.
Chapter 19: A love less ordinary
"Okay, you know what? I am starting to think that this robe was a mistake," muttered Karista angrily as she slipped it on over her black dress.
"It's beautiful," murmured Hermione, stopping dead in her tracks to stare at the dress robe. It was a shimmering gold, not too bright, not too dull, and it was enough to make any boy faint.
"Then maybe I should make my hair a tad darker, otherwise I would look like I took a bath in a tub of gold," she said, tugging on the ribbon in front of her robe. She then picked up her wand and muttered some words, which magically made her hair slightly darker than it was. She then parted her hair into eight sections and twisted them, making a cornrow-like effect to the top of her head, where she tied it into a pony tail. Karista then started defining the individual ringlets that had fallen at the base of her neck. Pointing her wand at her ponytail, she muttered a few more careful words that made her ponytail a mess of curls, which she defined with some more axle grease.
"Well?" she asked, turning to Hermione, who was charming her hair to stay while she slathered her hair into a neat bun. When she turned around, her jaw dropped.
"Harry is going to be so…wow!" replied Hermione, not being able to surpress her smile.
"I still have one more thing to do, though," added Karista, as with a wave of her wand, a jet of sparkles shot out from her wand onto her hair. "Well, how does it look now?"
"Perfect," replied Hermione, awestruck by Karista's appearance.
"Are you ready? Good, let's go or we are going to be late."
***
Harry and Ron stood at the door to the girl's dormitories, glancing up at the clock every few seconds. They were both fidgeting nervously, as now they were going to be in the company of some of the most respective men in the ministry. Suddenly, the door opened and Hermione entered the common room, wearing a look of happiness, yet obviously nervous. He didn't recognize the robes as the ones she wore last year. They were a dark purple, with tiny flecks of gold all along the fabric. Ron was positively stars truck as he took Hermione's hand and kissed it. She blushed furiously, as she turned to Harry.
"Oh, when you see her, don't scream," Hermione added, glancing up the stairwell.
Harry directed his attention away from Hermione to notice a golden glow coming down the staircase. At first he thought it was a light from the dormitory until he realized it was moving. He gripped the chair next to him as a marvelous site met his eyes. Karista was standing before him, in a beautiful golden-silk robe, her hair done up in curls and sparkling merrily in the light. She was blushing like Hermione as Harry held out his arm for her to take. Harry just couldn't take his eyes off of her. A sharp pain hit the back of his calve as he turned to see Hermione mouthing complement her. He turned to look into Karisa's violet eyes, which were also twinkling. She had a wide smile on her face as they walked through the corridor.
"Karista, you look…amazing," harry murmured. "Just gorgeous."
"I clean up nicely, don't I?" She asked, a smile glinting on her face.
"I didn't-," Harry muttered, but Karista put up her hand.
"I was kidding, Harry," she chuckled.
They soon entered the great hall, where Pansy Parkinson and Malfoy, along with all the professors were waiting. Malfoy, who merely glanced up the stairs, did a double take. He was just staring at Karista. Her beauty seemed to be magnified to dynamic proportions as she approached. Professor McGonagall and Snape both stared at Harry and Karista. Dumbledore had a strange smile on his face, as he pushed to doors open and they all walked outside.
***
Out in the crisp air, they saw a beautiful canopy, covered with winter flowers and fairies, who were dancing playfully across the top. Underneath this canopy was one long table. Silver plates were set all along it, along with more lights, that seemed to hover in mid air. Karista and Harry sat down in the middle, followed by at least 20 more wizards, including Ron and Hermione. A babble of talk broke out, as different wizards and witches turned to each other. They were all with looks of happiness on their faces, except for Lucius Malfoy and his wife, Narcissa. She was in conversation with an elderly witch next to her, yet Lucius was whispering hurriedly to the wizard who Harry immediately recognized as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.
"So Harry," Karista giggled in his ear, as Harry realized he had been staring into space. "How is your tea project going?"
Harry immediately smiled.
"This is actually kinda boring," he said quietly. "I think we shouldn've come."
"Harry, look at the bright side," she said, a slight quiver in her voice, as she was about to burst out laughing. "We get to speak to batty old wizards, who can't even magic their dentures to stay."
Just when Karista had said that, Harry had taken a drink. The water sprayed out of his mouth into his hand, as they both shook with silent laughter. At the end of the table where Dumbledore was sitting, a small clinking noise sounded. Everyone down the table looked up to see Dumbledore beginning to rise from his seat.
"Witches and Wizards, esteemed comrades, I welcome you here. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves?" Dumbledore said, with a wide smile. Everyone down the table murmured their approval, and he continued, " This year, being an…er…strange year so far, I find it lucky that once again we can all meet together, under the circumstances…" Harry glanced down the table at Lucius Malfoy, who had an evil smirk on his face.
"I hope you all enjoy this wonderful meal, and afterwards, we will commence with musical entertainment. Dig in!" he said triumphantly, hastily sitting down and digging in to the roasted chicken that had just appeared in front of him. There was silence from the table, other than the occasional talk or laughter. After everyone had finished eating, Music started to play in the distance. Everyone slowly started to rise form the table. It's now or never, Potter Harry thought to himself as he stood up, then bowed to Karista.
"May I have this dance, Madame?" he said, sounding a little too stiffly.
"Of course, my dear, of course," Karista murmured, scooting back her chair and standing.
Ron and Hermione, as well as Pansy and Malfoy headed towards the dance floor. Harry looked over his shoulder, and listened as Malfoy started whispering to his father.
"…That girl with Potter?" he asked with a sneer on his face.
"Yeah, isn't she beautiful?" Malfoy said, star stuck.
"Why would you let Potter date her? Get her Draco, I suspect she may be important."
Harry's face turned red with anger. Karista noticed, and pinched his cheek.
"Ow!" harry yelped, turning even redder because people were staring. "What was that-," he started, yet once again Karista held up her hand to stop him.
"Relax. You are really tense Harry. Why are you so angry?" Karista said in his ear.
"Malfoy, the toadstool. His father thinks you should be with his son."
Karista stifled a laugh as they danced around the floor.
"You know, if you looked at him in the right light, he does look a bit like a toad," she muttered, again shaking with silent giggles.
Harry, joining in her lead by laughing, tilted his head back and looked at the stars. The next song was of a quicker pace. Karista and Harry started dancing faster, like many of the other witches and wizards were also. Karista let out a laugh as they joined hands and started spinning each other. Soon enough, the song changed to a slow tune, and many of the witches and wizards left the floor, tired and sweaty. Only a few older witches who had sat down at the fast song got up to dance, while Karista and Harry stayed. Ron and Hermione went to get something to drink while Malfoy and Pansy went to sit with Lucius.
"Harry, this is the most fun I've had in a while," She murmured as the song played.
"I know. I can honestly say this is the first dance with a girl that I enjoyed."
She started blushing furiously as she looked up to the sky.
"They are bright tonight," she said, adjusting her hand on Harry's arm.
Harry looked up also. When he looked back, he saw the piercing violet eyes that he had dreamed about over and over, when he realized…
"I've had a dream about this moment before," harry realized, smiling. "You looked exactly like this, and we were doing everything that we are now."
"And what happened in the dream?" Karista asked, grasping his arm a little firmer. By this time, most of the eyes were on them, as they were some of the only ones dancing.
"Well," Harry said, not knowing whether to go on. "I let go of this hand, wrapped it around you, and…"
"And?" Karista asked, a grin upon her face.
"We kissed," Harry said, immediately blushing after he had said it.
Suddenly, Harry let go of her hand and wrapped it around her waist. He pulled her in tighter. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked into his eyes, and understood why she liked him.
"I love you, Karista," he murmured, as they leaned in closer.
"I love you, Harry Potter," she said, as they closed their eyes and kissed.
In the distance, Harry heard a whoop and a gasp. He knew it was Ron and Hermione. They released their lips from each other, and slowly opened their eyes. He looked over at Ron and Hermione, who were both sitting their, astonished, yet giddy faces on, smiling mischievously. Dumbledore and McGonagall were sitting, wide-eyed and smiling. Snape wasn't smiling, but he had a strange look on his face. Harry assumed Snape might have been kinda happy for him. But when Harry looked for Malfoy, he didn't see him there. Pansy was looking quite upset though. He knew immediately where he probably went. As the song sped up, more witches and wizards came onto the floor. Cornelius Fudge approached Harry.
"You old dog you!" Fudge replied, clasping Harry hard on the back with a wide smile on his face.
"A regular ladies man, if I do say so myself," said Dumbledore, sweeping by with McGonagall on his arm, who winked at Harry.
Karista and Harry stayed on the floor until the evening ended, with no site of Malfoy at all. They were laughing hysterically as they headed back up to the castle.
"I can't believe you two," Hermione squealed.
"Yeah…you shoulda seen Malfoy. He looked ready kill!" Ron said, roaring with laughter.
Karista couldn't help but blush. It was such a good feeling to be embraced in Harry's arms. She knew that when he said he loved her, he meant it. Harry could only manage a weak smile, partially because his brain was in override. He kissed a girl. And, she kissed him back. It was a strange, yet good feeling. He then chuckled to himself. Ron and Hermione probably thought Harry and Karista did it on purpose, to make Malfoy jealous, yet that wasn't the case. He really had 'feelings' for her.
They went to their separate dormitories. Once into bed, Hermione just had to ask.
"So, how does it feel making Malfoy jealous?" Hermione muttered sleepily.
Karista hadn't thought of that. Maybe she had to find out because she knew that Harry and Malfoy loathed each other.