Here we go! Part 9! Three parts in one day! Rejoice! Alright... now the romance stuff is actually gonna start... sorry it took so incredably long... Anyway... my mind is so drained right now, so it might be a few days before part 10... but im trying.... till then! Please remember to review!
Lauren
It was Halloween morning and the entire school was just buzzing with excitement. The 5th year girls of Chanide had risen earlier then anyone else, expecially Hermione and Lizzy. The two girls were trying to make the finishing touches on their costumes before heading off to breakfast.
When their work was done to their satisfaction, They went down the the common room to meet up with the other three girls who had gone theri to talk, as not to disturb Hermione and Lizzy. They all advanced down to the hall together, dicussing the evening's plan.
Heather was particualiry interested on who everyone was going to the Halloween ball with. Hermione said Harry naturally, because of their Costuming arangements. Kate was set on asking Chris, and Michelle had her mind set on Jason. Everyone knew who Lizzy wanted to go with, but they also knew she was far to chicken to ask him. Heather, who hated the fact that the women always outnumbered the men in the hanide house, expressed her desire to ask Justin Finch-Fletchly, one of the Hogwarts exchange students who was presently in the house of Sainon, which was most often called the Pony house, as it's house crest bore a small black stallion.
Heather though, soon found out that Justin was to go with Padma Patil, and they heard it strait from Padma's mouth. She was following the 5 girls down the hallway for quite some time. Hermione instantly though, beleived she had forced Justin to be her 'date' only because he was so timid, and the fact that Padma was so high maintanence that no other boy would have her.
At breakfast, all the arrangements were made for that night as well as dancing partners. Heather ended up being asked by Eddie Hurst, which wasn't so bad... afterall he was an older man, and not bad looking either.
Lizzy and Steve were the onlyones still single for that night. Lizzy was too scared to ask him, and Steve seemed oblivious to her affections.
Afterwards, everyone headed to their classes. Hermione, Harry, Jason, Kate and Heather all had Care of Magical Creatures together, while the rest of the group headed to herbology.
Outside in the Crispt October Air, the five were greeted by Professor Peasley, a woman of about fourty, whose appearence was always dirty and rumpled from her activities outdoors.
"Class, today I have some very excitin' news for ya'll!" The excitied chatter of the students died down as their instructer spoke. "Early this mornin' one of our mares gave birth to a bouncin' baby foal. So for today's class we will be heading to the barn to welcome the newest member of the Salem family."
Harry had not previously known about any stable. But from what Peasley had said, it must've housed some sort of horses.
"This," said Peasley, pointing to a large blank building hidden behind the school, "Is the stable were we house our Champion Gainons. For some of you, this may be your first visit here," she winked at Harry and Hermione, "And hopefully over the course of the year, it will not be your last."
Harry turned to Hermione and asked her what a Gainon was exactlly. She informed him that it was a very fast type of winged horse.
The class entered the dark stables, which magically lighted up on their entrance. Professor Peasley led them to the very back stall, were a small ash colored mare stood with her young foal. The Professor instructed all of them about how quiet they needed to be around the gainons, and one by oen, she let the students pet the young foal.
"Every year at Christmas, we have a great race against the Luna Academy out west. This year it is to be held here once again, and as 5th years, you will now be allowed to participate in the races. More I will tell you more about that when the time comes. Right now I wish all of you to take out a quill and parhment and copy down some notes."
She rambled on about the history of this particular type of winger horse, and spoke about the type of care it needed, it's habits etc. She also told the class about how they would all be given a chance to ride Indy, the older black stallion to the pen on their left, later that week.
"Now before I excuse you from class," said Peasley and she led the class out of the stables, "it is our job to name is the new foal. Any suggestions?"
It was Kate who thought of the name Spook, to go along with the Halloween birth, and it was accepted by the entire class.
Next the Entire group of Chanide 5th years had DADA, in which they had a discussion about Werewolves. Harry and hermione knew about that topic only too well. And they took delight in informing their class that at Hogwarts, a werewolf by the name of Remus Lupin had instructed them in this very subject during their third year. Hermione also added that he was back there teaching after a one year hiatus. Something that Harry had not yet heard about. Apparently Ron was more detailed in Hermione's letters then he was in Harry's.
After DADA was lunch and after lunch was absolutely nothing. Because the administration had cancelled all afternoon and night classes, releiving Hermione of going to Numerology and Astrology.
Trick-or-treating did not start till past six PM, so everyone has sveral hours to do what they pleased. Harry and the other Quidditch playing 5th years deceided to take some time to practice, and hermione and the rest of the girls went to the feild to watch.
Michelle noted that the team didn't look half bad this year. And they were all very surprised to see that Lizzy was actually a decent player, scoring seven times on Eddie, who, along with Marrianne, deceided to join in with the practice.
After what seemed like quite a long time, Hermione realized it was past five, and that they should really be getting ready. While she packed up her things from the bleachers, she noticed Lizzy coming towards her, brrom in hand and grinning from ear to ear.
"I have a date for tonight!" She exclaimed, and before Hermione could ask who, the entire story was reveiled. "It was right after Steve scored his fifth goal. He flew up next to me and asked is I was going to the dance with anyone, and I said no, and he asked me if i wanted to go with him cause he dind't have a date either. Do you beleive it?" She was so happy, Hermione was afraid she'd hurt herself.
When they returned to their dorm room, They each did a last minute costume check before taking the pieces of paper in ahdn and heading downstaris to meet the guys and Eddie who was coming because of Heather. When they reached the pathway to the town, each of them transformed into their costumes. Harry and Hermione's turned out perfectlly, and Lizzy's was just as good.
Entering the town, the joined up with the rest of the town children going door to door in search of sugary muggle candy.
By eight, their bags were completely full, and their arms sore from the weight. Kates finger too was quite swollen, as she was always the one to ring the doorbell.
The group headed back up the pathway, changing out of their costume in order to save them for the dance back at the school.
When they entered the hall, now back in costume again, they took a table near the front of the room that was decorated with pumpkins and bats and ribbons of orange and black. In the place were the teachers usually ate, there was band set up. Hermione read their sign which said "Jack Dragon and the Moonlight Crew" They weren't half bad either. All around the room were various activities going on. I one corner was the judging of the Costumes, in one was a pumpkin carving competitions, there was also bobbing for apples, and the ever popular dunking booth were you could dunk your least favorite teacher in a pile of orange slime.
Harry, Hermione and Lizzy deceided to add Steve to their group for the costume competition, as he was dressed as a king. Was it coincidental? Lizzy thought not. After they registered at the booth, they met up with the rest of their group.
After about an hour of dancing, talking and eating, It was time for the Pumpkin carving competition. Kate showed a desire to enter, and the rest of them cheered her on as she was forced to use simple muggle tools in order to complete the task.
She ended up receiving second place, loosing to none other then Padma Patil... and that just didn't seem fair.
For another hour there was dancing and laughter. Harry and Hermione hadn't had this much fun in a long time, not since early 4th year... before all the tragedy struck. As she with Harry, Hermione's thoughts kept going back to Ron, and all the problems that went on between them at last years Yule ball. Back then Hermione often thought she liked Ron as more then a friend... but those feeling faded long ago. Now at the Salem Academy, she felt her feelings go toward the very boy who held her in his arms. But she still couldn't help thinking about Ron, and what he was doing at that very moment in time.
Her reflections were soon washed away by the announcement of the costume contest winners.
Headmistress Cornet stood at the front of the room, even though she was covered in the orange slime from the dunking booth, she still commanded respect form her students. After rambling of numberous names for the single and duo categories, she came at last to the groups.
"This years third place winners and the recipients of 15 galleons... From Sainon, Amanda O'Connor, Kelly Neil and Sasha Green as the Gypsy Pirates!" There was a loud applause as three 6th years girls came forward to claim their prize trophy's. "In seocnd place, and the winner of 50 Galleons... From Fimshuck, Daniel Jones, Kevin Dean, Luke Dawson and William Wood as the Cowboy Posse!" The four boys came forwards, almost tripping up the stairs. Hermione was crossing her fingers so tightly that her knuckles grew white. She worked so hard on her costume.. and she desperatly wanted to win.
"And for the Grand prize and a hefty sum of 100 galleons.... Camelot! This group of fifth year Chanides included Elizabeth Brandon, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Steven Shepherd." Lizzy went into absolute hysterics. She dragged the other three up onto the stage nearly tearing her costume in the process. Hermione stood in the lights almost in tears.
"Harry we won! We won!" she shreiked, and before she knew what was going on, she found herself kissing Harry Potter in front of the entire school. Camera's went off in every direction, and when she realized what she had just done, she drew away blushing and wanting to escape.
Hermione could not beleive what had just happened.
To be continued.