CHAPTER TWELVE- Ghosts and the Costume Dance (Jasmine's point
of view)
I looked up as a hawk cry sounded across the common room Sunday evening, causing everyone to look over.
"Toby!" I said happily. My red-tailed hawk, who I used instead of an owl, screeched and landed on my arm with a letter attached to his leg. I recognized the handwriting right away, ofcourse.
Toby nestled close to me as I read the letter.
Dear Jazzy,
How's Hogwarts and your new brother? Can you get me his autograph? Ha, ha I really don't care. Are you coming to visit for Christmas? Will I ever see you again? Ha, ha I don't really care. Oh wait no. ha, ha sorry I'm in a weird mood today. I'm in a weird mood most the days. I figure you want to stay there for Christmas. But when's the next time I can see you? Hey maybe I can visit you for Christmas. Oh boy Hogwarts would never be the same. Ha, ha. Life is so boring without you here. I need you Jazzy! Come back! Ha, ha. Yeah right. Just joking please don't hurt me. Maybe I can come visit for Christmas, though. Hmm. well, send a letter back ASAP! And the answers to next weeks test. Ha, ha. Sorry. Least with you gone I have a sporting chance in school. Ha, ha. Well better go before the Dementor finds me. Ha, ha.
Matthew
I grinned and reread the letter a few minutes before finding my ink, quill and dusky blue stationary and writing my reply.
Dear Matthew,
Ha, ha to you too. Hogwarts is great. Its pretty cool and I made friends right away. My brother is awesome. Harry is a normal kid like you or me. Oh wait, we're not normal are we? Ha, ha but you know what I mean. If you really want I'll ask him about the autograph thing. Guess what? I have a godfather. He is so cool and get this. A werewolf. Yes a werewolf!!! Neat, huh? Never thought I'd have a werewolf godfather. He's substituting for the Potions teacher right now. The Potions teacher, Professor Snape, is a bit mean but oh well. Tell the Dementor I said hi.
The Dementor was what we called the head of my old boarding school house, Professor D. Martin. He sucked the happiness out of anyone. Ugh! If he was a Muggle he'd probably be a good lawyer.
The teachers are pretty neat here. Professor McGonagall is the head of my new house, Gryffindor, and Deputy headmistress. She teaches Transfiguration and is pretty strict. Professor Flitwick is Charms teacher, head of Ravenclaw and so adorable. He's tiny with great shocks of white hair. Professor Sprout is NOTHING like our old Herbology teacher thank goodness. She's also head of Hufflepuff. Snape is head of Slytherin. Then there's Professor Sinistra, she teaches Astronomy and isn't as paranoid as Professor Jacobson, thank goodness for that. Professor Binns teaches History of Magic. He is sooooo boring and get this. A ghost. Yeah he fainted when Harry and I walked into History my first History class. Apparently he thought we were our parents or something. Let's see. then there is Hagrid. Harry says he isn't really a Professor but he teaches Care Of Magical Creatures. Harry says he's a half-giant but he is so nice. The students are all right. I get a lot of stares from the boys. Ooh! Guess what! There is someone here named Draco!!!! Awesome, huh? I talk to him now and then. Not often. But we talked a lot the other day on the way to the first Quidditch game which might I add my brother won. We talked about the legend of the Dragon Constellation. Okay my hand is hurting big time so I better get going. Yeah maybe you can come to Hogwarts for Christmas.
Jasmine
I waited for the letter to dry then put it in an envelope and sent Toby on his way. I gathered my stuff and headed up to my dorm. Since I was a Fifth year I shared with the other Fifth years. No one else was there. Good, I wanted a bit of peace. I put my stuff up and stretched out on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
After a while I felt the presence of someone else. Looking over I saw a ghost standing there. Not a normal ghost. This one looked like a normal human but faded. He had long floppy red hair and a sullen look on his otherwise handsome face. "Oh hello." I said.
The ghost looked around in confusion. Then back at me. "Me?" He asked.
"Yes. You. The red-headed ghost." I said and his eyes got wide.
"You can see me?" He asked.
"Ofcourse I can. I haven't seen you around before."
"You can see me." He repeated.
"Yes. I can see you." I replied.
"How?!" He asked, still shocked.
"I'm special." I said.
"Are you a Despirabisee?" He asked.
"I prefer 'girl who can see anything dead' but yes, Despirabisee is another word for it." I said.
"Wow. A Despirabisee." He whispered, staring at me.
"I haven't seen you around. Come to think of it I haven't many ghosts like you around." I said.
"Not many come here. But a Despirabisee." He said.
"We have established that." I muttered.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Jasmine Potter." I said.
"I'm Jason Weasley." He said.
"Any relation to Ron Weasley?" I asked in surprise.
"I dunno, maybe. What does he look like?" Jason asked.
"Well." I said slowly and blinked. "Almost exactly like you but solid and more life in his eyes."
"Ha, ha. Make fun of the transparent ones." He muttered.
"Sorry!" I apologized.
"Yeah I think I've seen that kid around. There's others aren't there?"
'Yeah. Ginny, Fred and George." I said.
"They might be one of my brothers kids." Jason said with a shrug.
"Who's your brothers?" I asked.
"Too many. Well, were too many." Jason said, shaking his head.
"How long ago did you die?" I asked.
"I dunno. Years." He said with a shrug.
"How did you die?" I asked.
"Evil wizard." Jason said, scowling at this.
"Voldemort?" I asked slowly.
"Yeah that was his name." Jason said, scowling even more.
"How old were you?" I asked.
"17." Jason said and floated over to my bed and sat down.
"I'm sorry. Voldemort killed my parents." I said.
With this Jason frowned. "You related to Lily Potter?" He asked.
"She was my mother. Why?' I asked.
"Her ghost sometimes comes by now and then."
"It does?" I asked.
"Yeah. Next time I see her I'll tell her about you." Jason said with a shrug.
I felt shocked. I should of been expecting something like this, though. I mean. being a Despirabisee. meeting my dead parents. "All right." I said slowly.
"By the way, find out if this 'Ron' is related to me. Ask him who his dad is. All right? I wanna know." Jason said.
"Okay." I said slowly.
"Gotta go. Important ghost business. The fun never stops when your dead. Ha, ha." Jason said sardonically as he floated off.
I sat back in my bed trying to recover my senses.
***
Harry noticed an incredible difference in his sister on Monday. She was very, very quiet and subdued. At lunch he asked her if she was all right.
"I'm fine." She said, staring down at her food. Then up at Harry. "What is Ron's dads name?"
"Uh, Arthur. Why?" Harry asked.
"Just curious." Jasmine muttered and left the table.
***
"Arthur, huh?" Jason asked as he and Jasmine were up in her dorms.
"Yeah." Jasmine said and watched a haunted look get into Jason's eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Arthur. Yeah he was uh. a uh brother." Jason muttered, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Arthur. Yeah."
"Anything else?" Jasmine asked.
"What else is there?" Jason asked.
"Well by the tone in your voice it sounds like he was more then a brother, or less. Not just a brother." Jasmine said as she brushed her hair.
"Okay fine you win. Yeah he was more then a brother." Jason heaved a big sigh and settled down on Lavender's bed. "He was my twin."
"Oh." Jasmine set her brush down. "I'm sorry."
"Not your fault. Voldemort's fault." Jason said with a shrug.
Jasmine watched him from in the mirror as he tossed his hair back and sighed. "The summer Arthur and I turned seventeen. We went to visit our friends house."
"You don't need to tell me this." Jasmine said.
"I want to." Jason said with another shrug. "The day we were going to leave, Arthur left a few hours before because he wanted to stop by his girlfriends house."
"That's when the attack came?" Jasmine asked.
"Yep. The entire house was locked by magic, trapping us in. Being idiots we didn't know what was going on. Then Voldemort appeared and killed us all. Me, Robert, Charles, and Donald. Our three best friends. Robert's little sisters Caroline and Jennifer. Robert's parents. Even the little doggie." With this Jason sighed heavily and shook his head. "Arthur wanted to kill himself because he felt it was his fault I was dead. Probably would of if it wasn't for his girlfriend, Molly. I think he still feels guilty."
"I am so sorry, Jason." Jasmine said quietly, turning to look at his faded appearance.
"So am I. But being sorry can't change anything." Jason said. He ran his fingers through his tousled hair and Jasmine realized how much like Ron he looked like. Or rather how much Ron looked like him. "I'm just glad Arthur got a chance to live. Know what he does now?"
"Works at the Ministry of Magic. That's all I know." Jasmine said.
"Well at least he has four kids."
"He has more then that. Harry told me. Seven." Jasmine said and Jason smiled.
"Figures that rascal." Jason said with a laugh.
"I have a question."
"Shoot." Jason said.
"Have you seen. you know. her?" Jasmine didn't feel like saying 'mum'.
"Not yet but I'll tell her to come here."
"And. my. dad?" Jasmine asked.
Jason frowned. 'What does he look like then?"
"Like my brother Harry." Jasmine said.
"Uh. yeah he's usually with Lily."
"Okay thank you." Jasmine said and returned to brushing her hair. When she was finished, Jason was gone.
***
"Something wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I'm worried about Jasmine she's seemed very odd today and yesterday." Harry said at dinner Tuesday. "Don't ask me." Ron said when Harry looked at him.
"I'm just worried. I don't want anything happening to her, you know?" Harry asked.
"Harry ofcourse we understand. You just found a sister you never knew you had and now you're worried about her." Amy said quietly.
"Right." Harry mumbled.
'Where is she now?" Peggy asked.
"When she's not in class or eating quickly, she's in her dorm." Harry said.
"Want me to talk to her?" Hermione asked.
"No. I think I should."
"But you're not allowed on the girls side." Hermione said.
"And you weren't allowed on the boys side but you've been up there." Harry pointed out and Hermione blushed slightly. Harry grabbed a sandwich and went to the common room, up the girls side and stopped at the girls Fifth year door.
He could hear Jasmine's soft voice talking to someone. Frowning, he knocked on the door. "Who is it?' Jasmine called.
"Room service." Harry said. Jasmine opened the door and Harry held out the sandwich. "You never came down to dinner."
"Oh I guess I was too busy." Jasmine said. 'Hey you're not supposed to be up here."
"So?" Harry asked and came in. The room was empty, no one to talk to. "Jasmine."
"Yeah?" She asked, eating the sandwich.
"What's made you so quiet these past couple of days?" Harry asked.
"Oh. I've just been. thinking." Jasmine said quietly, eyes darting towards a bed. Harry automatically looked over. Empty.
"Jasmine what's going on. I can sense something is upsetting you."
"Nothing is upsetting me." Jasmine snapped.
"Yes there is! Now I-I'm your brother and demanded you tell me!" Harry said.
"No." Jasmine said, her brown eyes flashing with defiance.
Harry leapt up and glared at her, his green eyes flashing with anger. "Yes!"
"No!" "Yes!" "No!" "Yes!" "No!"
"Jasmine Potter you tell me right now or I'll. I'll."
"You'll what?!" Jasmine demanded.
Something brotherly inside of Harry rose up and he leapt at Jasmine. The two crashed into a bed and began fighting. "Tell me!"
"No!" "Yes!" "No!" "Jasmine!" "Harry!" The fight went on for quite a few minutes until Jasmine cried out she'd tell. The two slowly stood up, a bit shaken from the fight but otherwise fine.
"Now, what is it?" Harry asked.
Jasmine scowled as she brushed herself off. "He's my brother I should tell him anyway!" Jasmine snapped at something. Harry looked around in confusion then looked back at Jasmine. "Have you ever read about Despirabisees?" Jasmine asked.
"No." Harry said slowly.
"Well I'm one." Jasmine said.
"What does that mean?" Harry asked.
"It means I have the ability to see anything dead." Jasmine said, scowling even more.
"Oh." Harry said quietly.
"So far I haven't seen anything really. Just the regular ghosts, you know. Nearly Headless Nick and them. But the other night I found another one." Jasmine said and pointed at something Harry couldn't see.
"Uh." Harry said slowly.
"His name is Jason and he says that." Jasmine trailed off.
"That what?" Harry asked.
"I shouldn't tell you." Jasmine said quietly.
"Tell me." Harry demanded.
"Don't get mad okay?" Jasmine said.
"Promise."
"He says mum and dad sometimes come by." Jasmine said.
Harry sat down. Hard. "Wh. what?"
"That mum and dad sometime come around here. Which means I'd be able to see and talk to them."
Harry didn't know what to feel for quite a few minutes. Then immediately felt jealously. Why could she see and hear them and not him? It wasn't fair! "Oh." Was all he said.
"I didn't want to tell you cause you might get mad that I could and you couldn't." Jasmine said quickly.
"I guess." Harry muttered and looked around again. "Who's this Jason person?"
"Actually Jason spirit. He's a dead relative of Ron's." Jasmine said and Harry looked back at Jasmine.
"A dead relative of Ron's." He said.
"Yeah. Well, sort of. I mean, he died before Ron was born." Jasmine said. "Shut up, Jason." She suddenly snapped at thin air.
Harry was beginning to get extremely creeped out and Jasmine sensed this. "I've had this ability for. quite a few years now. When I was 7 my great- grandfather. I mean, in my adopted family, died and I was still seeing him." Jasmine said.
'Uh-huh." Harry mumbled, still feeling creeped out.
"Stop that, Jason." Jasmine said.
"Uh."
"Harry please don't get all weird like all my ex-friends did." Jasmine begged.
"Er, ex-friends?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. Between talking to things they can't see, skipping a year, and getting a lot of the boys attention almost every single girl back home shunned me." Jasmine explained.
"Oh." Harry said.
"Jason give me a minute." Jasmine said and turned back to Harry. "And the boys. either they ignored me, bullied me or liked me. All except Matthew, my only true friend who stuck with me the entire ti- Jason! I said one moment! Matthew stuck with me the entire time. He even helped me find out who I was." Jasmine said and then turned to thin air. "Now, what do you want?... okay fine! Harry, Jason wants to know what Arthur does for a living."
"Um. he works for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts in the Ministry of Magic." Harry said.
"Jason says that sounds like something Arthur would do. What?.. Harry, Jason wants to know whatever happened to Arthur's girlfriend, Molly Quinn." Jasmine said.
"Uh. I dunno. Arthur's married to a Molly." Harry said, feeling extremely weirded out.
"Short? Plump?" Jasmine asked.
"Uh. yeah." Harry said slowly.
"Jason says that her. Now leave us alone a few minutes, Jason." Jasmine said. A few minutes later Jasmine turned back to Harry, smiling. "Okay Jason is gone."
"So uh. talking to dead people that other people can't see is. normal for you?" Harry asked.
"Pretty much. Not just dead people. We can see anything dead." Jasmine said.
"Even if they died from something like the Avada Kedavra curse?" Harry asked.
"Ofcourse. That's how Jason was killed." Jasmine said.
"Ah." Harry said quietly. They stood there in an awkward silence.
"I know you must feel really weird about this Harry-"
"Weird? My newfound little sister is seeing dead things no one else can. What's weird about that?" Harry asked more bitterly then he meant.
"Well how did you feel in your Second year? When you could hear voices no one else could?" Jasmine demanded, on the brink of tears.
"Uh." Harry never thought of that. Jasmine sniffled slightly then pushed past him. "Jasmine! I'm sorry!" Harry said.
"I need to be alone." Jasmine said, running out of sight.
Harry groaned and began banging his head against the wall. "Some brother you are, Harry." He said, thinking the room was empty.
"You're a good brother." Said a voice he never heard. Sighing, Harry left the girls dorm.
***
Draco looked up as he saw Jasmine nearly flying across the lawns. She ran down to the lake and huddled up down there.
Pausing for a moment, Draco got his stuff and went down to find her crying underneath a huge oak tree. "Uh. Jasmine?" Draco asked quietly.
Jasmine looked up and quickly wiped away her tears. "Hullo Draco." She said.
"You okay?" Draco asked, sitting down near her.
"Fine. Harry just upset me." Jasmine said, shaking her head.
Draco immediately felt like hurting Potter very much for making Jasmine cry. "He's a jerk anyway." Draco said.
Jasmine looked up. "Don't you know?"
"Know. what?" Draco asked slowly.
"Harry's my brother."
Draco was shocked. Shocked. "Your. brother?" He said slowly.
"Yeah. long story." Jasmine said.
"You can tell me." Draco said, inching closer.
Jasmine took a deep breath and told all she learned (Leaving out Sirius Black and a few other details that others shouldn't know). Draco listened, watching her as she talked.
"Oh." He said when she was done."
"And. Harry just. I'll be okay and Harry and I will make up." Jasmine assured him.
"Oh." Draco said again. "You want me to go?"
"No." Jasmine said.
"You." Draco began and took a deep breath. "you do know that Pot. er, your brother and I are mortal enemies. Bitter rivals. Hate each other." He said.
"Harry might of mentioned something." Jasmine said with a smile. Actually he had mentioned everything when he had told her about his years at Hogwarts.
"And yet you still talk to me. Are you really sincere or are you just doing it to be mean to your brother?" Draco asked.
"Neither really. You're nice."
And with this Draco snorted. "Nice? Me? Wow, that's something I thought I'd never hear."
"You are. You have it inside you." Jasmine said, hand on his shoulder.
Draco was silent a moment then quickly stood up. "I better go." He got his things and quickly left, wondering what would happen if someone came by and saw that scene. 'Lets just hope no one did.' he thought bitterly to himself as he went into the castle.
***
Before the evening was over, Harry and Jasmine had made up though he still seem weirded out big time. And Jasmine didn't blame him. She was a bit weirded out because of her ability, too. And she made Harry promise not to tell anyone and he promised. So the two happily said good night and went to their different dorms.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
"Peggy? Is something wrong?" Ron asked me Wednesday at breakfast.
"Everything. Is. Perfectly. Fine." I moaned each word after each time I banged my head against the table.
"Peggy's upset." Amy said.
"Observant." Hermione muttered and looked at me. "Is it because of the poster?"
"Ofcourse." I said.
"What poster?" Harry asked.
"The poster outside the Great Hall." Hermione said.
"What poster?" Ron asked.
"Oh honestly." I groaned and dragged them outside the Great Hall. There was a large poster pinned up beside the door. It was orange with bold black letters:
HALLOWEEN COSTUME DANCE
SATURDAY THE 28TH, 6pm-12am
FOURTH YEARS AND UP
Then there was a large black cat that walked around, meowing and swishing its tail.
"A costume dance." Harry said.
"Ding-ding." I moaned, shaking my head.
"Oh great. Another dance." Ron groaned.
"Yep. And once again I won't get asked. Oh well." I said and went back into the Great Hall.
"Good morning." Jasmine giggled as she appeared a few minutes later.
"What's so good about it?" I snapped, head on the table.
"And why are you so giggly?" Harry asked.
"Dance." Jasmine giggled.
"That's why I'm so miserable." I said, shaking my head.
"Why?" Jasmine asked.
"Peggy thinks she won't get asked." Amy said for me.
"How come?" Jasmine asked me.
"I'm ugly." I said, head still down on the table. "but oh well. I'll have my own party. Just me, myself, and I."
"Oh come off it. You'll get asked." Jasmine said.
"I wasn't asked to the Fall Ball, I won't be asked to the Costume Dance." I said.
"Why don't you ask someone?" Hermione asked.
"And be turned down? I don't think so." I said, shaking my head. "Besides, there's only three boys in this entire school I'd ask to the dance. One would say no, the second would already have a date, and the third would have too many girls around him to notice." I said, grinning at Harry who scowled.
"I don't see any girls around me."
"I do." Amy said. "Me, Peggy, Jasmine and Hermione."
"Oh shut up." Harry said as Ron snickered.
"Who're the other two boys?" Hermione asked.
"Donnie. He'd already have the date." I said.
"And the other?" Amy asked.
"Ron." I said.
"You'd think I'd turn you down if you asked me?" Ron asked.
"Yes." I said.
"I-well-that-just ask me and see!" Ron sputtered.
"Fine, will you go to the costume dance with me?" I asked.
"I uh. sure." Ron said. I knew he was just saying that to prove he wouldn't say no.
"And are you going to keep that promise?" I asked.
"Ofcourse." Ron said stubbornly.
"Okay good then. Thank you." I said and returned to eating breakfast.
***
Later that day, Harry was once more surrounded by hordes of girls. Talking, giggling and being totally annoying. Harry didn't have much peace till dinner, when the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs sat at their own table, and none of the Gryffindor girls could sit close because of his friends.
"And so the fun begins." Ron snickered.
"Shut up unless you want my fist in your mouth." Harry growled.
"Harry," Harry looked up as Cho walked over. He felt butterflies in his stomach. "hi." She said, sitting down.
"Hi Cho." Harry said, trying to ignore Ron's snickers.
"I was wondering. if you'd. you know, like to go to the Costume Dance with me?" She asked.
"I uh. the uh. dance?"
"Yes. The dance." She said.
"I uh. uh. uh." Harry felt himself going red. "uh. dance uh. sure." He finally said.
"Great. Thanks. See you." She smiled and left.
"Harry likes Cho." Harry heard Ron saying. Harry turned quickly.
"I do not! Well, not in that way!" He insisted.
"Yeah, sure, Har. We believe you." Ron snickered.
***
The next week went by rather quickly and soon it was a few days before the costume dance. Amy had been asked by a Ravenclaw, Hermione had been asked by Brian again, and Jasmine had been asked by too many guys to count. But she hadn't agreed. Not yet. She didn't care if it meant she had to go to the dance alone, she wanted to be asked by a certain guy.
"He'll ask you." Jason assured her. Jason had gotten to be around Jasmine a lot. But Jasmine didn't mind.
"No he won't." Jasmine said as they sat in the library Tuesday night.
"Yes he will." Jason assured her then looked smug as the boy in question appeared. "Heeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrre he cooooooooooommes Miiisteer Ammeeeeeeerrrriiiicccaaaa."
"Shh." Jasmine hissed under her breath, not even asking where on earth he had learned that. "Hi Draco." She said as he sat down.
"Hi Jasmine. I saw you sitting here alone and thought I'd. uh. join you." Draco said.
Jasmine tried not to scowl as Jason floated behind Draco and made faces. "Uh, thanks. I needed some mature company." She said and Jason stuck his tongue out at her.
"Uh. right." Draco muttered. They sat there in silence for a few minutes. 'What are you uh. studying?"
"Potions. You know, Snape is pouring it on thick." Jasmine said. A while ago Snape had returned, and Remus had left.
"Yeah." Draco said hesitantly. "hey. Jasmine."
"Yes?" She asked.
"You know about the uh. costume dance."
"HA-HA!" Jason said triumphantly.
Jasmine ignored him, something she sometimes felt she should of done when he first appeared. "Yes." She said.
"I was uh. wondering. if uh. you, er, had a. uh. date." He finally got out.
"I've been asked." Jasmine said, setting her quill down.
"Have you, uh, agreed?" He asked, staring hard at his hands with his gray eyes.
"No, not yet." Jasmine said.
"Cause I was wondering. if uh. you know. you uh. might. kind of. maybe. if you want. sort of. maybe. perhaps. go. with. me?" Draco finally got out.
"I'd love to." Jasmine said and he looked up.
"You would?"
"Ofcourse." Jasmine said.
"Great. Uh. thanks. I mean uh. yeah. See you uh later and uh better not tell your uh brother." Draco said, backing away, knocking a chair over. He got pink tints in his cheeks as he quickly set it up straight and ran off.
"I am good." Jason said.
"Oh shut up." Jasmine said but she was smiling as well.
*** (Ron's point of view)
I dunno why I had agreed to go with Peggy but oh well. It was better then nothing. I was waiting for her in the Common Room. Harry had already left to meet Cho somewhere. I paced around, checking my watch. The feast would of already started by now.
"We're coming!" I heard Amy's voice.
"No we aren't! Amy let go quit. pushing!" Peggy shrieked as Amy pushed her down the stairs.
No. It couldn't of been Peggy. Amy was grinning as she saw my reaction. "Like it?" She asked. I stared at Peggy in amazement. She was wearing black shoes, tight black leggings, a tight, low-scoop sleeveless top, long black gloves with fake claws painted on them, a fake tail, and a headband with black cat ears in it. Her hair was down and in curls. And she didn't have her glasses on. Her nose was painted black with a few black whiskers.
I stared at her, not knowing what to say. She was. very, very, very pretty. She wasn't gorgeous. Amy was gorgeous. But compared to her normal self Peggy was. yowza.
"Ron?" Peggy asked, squinting.
"Uh. yeah." I got out from my dry throat.
"Sorry I just can't see one foot without my glasses." Peggy said, frowning slightly.
"You look. amazing." I breathed.
"Okay that is it! I can't see anything!" Peggy disappeared up the stairs and after a few crashes, she returned with her glasses on. She wasn't as yowza as she was before but. "You look good." She said.
"Uh. thanks." I muttered. I was wearing black slacks, a black turtleneck, a fake tail and fake ears. We had decided to go as black cats. I also had my nose painted and whiskers. They looked a bit better then Peggy's but that was because Dean, who was a great artist, painted mine.
Amy left to meet her date.
Peggy walked over, blushing slightly. "Let's uh. go." She muttered.
"Yeah, let's go." I echoed and we headed to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was decorated with black and orange crepe paper with fake bats flying about, floating jack-o'-lanterns, and a stormy sky. I wasn't sure if it was real or not.
The dancing had already started but Peggy and I sat down with Harry and Cho to eat. Harry was dressed as a pirate and Cho was wearing a costume I guessed was from the older times from her homeland.
"Hi guys. Nice costumes." Harry said.
"Thanks." I mumbled.
"Hi Rob and Penny." Cho said.
"Ron and Peggy." I corrected.
"Lets go dance." Cho said, pulling Harry out onto the dance floor.
After Peggy and I ate, we sat there for a few minutes. "Want to uh, dance?" She asked.
"Sure." I muttered and we went out onto the dance floor. "Hi Jasmine." I said, spotting her.
She was wearing an off-the shoulder white blouse, full black skirt and other things. "What are you supposed to be?"
"I'm a girl from his time." She said, nodding at her date.
"And uh." I looked at her date. He was dressed all in black and almost every single feature was hidden so I had no idea who he was.
"Zorro." Jasmine said.
"Ah yes." I said. Peggy and I continued out and began dancing. I stared down into her face which seemed to alight with happiness. I had never seen her so happy before.
"Hello." I looked over at the voice. It was Fred and George and Frederika and Georgette. Or was it?
"Uh." I said.
"Like our costumes?" George asked.
"I feel like throwing up now." I said, looking at them. Frederika and Georgette were wearing suits, hats and one had a mustache and the other had a beard. Fred and George, however, were wearing dresses. George was even wearing a bow in his hair and Fred had long silk gloves on. "I am now going to have nightmares the rest of my life."
"Fresh!" Fred exclaimed, slapping me.
"Let's go, ladies." Georgette said in a deep voice and the four went off.
"Well. that was. interesting." Peggy said, eyes still wide with shock.
"No." I said, shaking my head. "That was my brothers."
*** (Draco's point of view)
I never felt happier as I danced with Jasmine. She had helped me with my costume. Something to completely cover every feature. Pansy Parkinson thought I was sick in the hospital. She said she wouldn't go to the dance but I saw her dancing with that idiot, Vorin Nott.
"Zorro?" Jasmine asked. I turned back to look into her face. She had promised not to call me by my first name.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I'm glad you invited me to this dance." She whispered.
I felt my heart seize up. "I'm glad I asked you." I replied.
"Its the reason I turned the others offers down." She admitted.
"What would you of done if I hadn't of asked you?" I asked.
"Gone alone." She said with a shrug.
I was surprised and flattered. "Wow." I muttered.
"As I said. I'm glad you asked me." She repeated.
I smiled and stared at her as we danced and felt I could get no happier.
***
Ron and Peggy walked back to the Common Room a little before midnight. "You seem troubled." Peggy said.
"I'm just thinking." Ron answered.
"Uh-huh." Peggy said skeptically.
"Okay well. its just. usually."
"Usually what?" Peggy asked.
"The past years here at school, things always seem to happen. Usually something before now and then something on Halloween." Ron said.
"Oh. What kind of things?"
"Three-headed dogs. Trolls. Petrified cats. Escaped murderers. Triwizard tournament." Ron said.
"Ah." Peggy said.
"I'm just worried something else will come up." Ron continued with a slight shrug.
'Well, maybe nothing." Peggy said as they reached the painting of the Fat Lady.
"Ice Mice." Ron said and the portrait opened. "Something will come up. Something always does. And now with You-Know-Who's return." Ron trailed off and didn't want to think about it.
"I had fun tonight." Peggy said.
"So did I." Ron said.
"Night, Ron." Peggy said with a smile.
"Night. Peggy." Ron said, wondering what she was wait- no. She couldn't be waiting for a goodnight kiss could she?! The two stood there for a few minutes.
"Well?" She asked. Oh god she was waiting for a goodnight kiss. 'Might as well get this over with'. Ron thought and leaned over and kissed her cheek. Peggy looked surprised. "What was that for?" She asked.
"Isn't that what you were waiting for?" Ron asked.
"No. I was waiting for you to let go of my hand." Peggy said. Ron looked down and realized he was still holding her hand. Ron quickly let go.
"Oh. yeah." Ron said, feeling his face go completely red.
"But I, uh, appreciate the kiss anyway. I uh, guess."
"Night." Ron said and ran up to his dorm feeling like a total idiot.
*** (Nagini's point of view)
I woke up with a start. Shaking and trembling, I slithered over to the huge water bowl and slowly drank.
"Nagini?" I looked up at Kereen.
"What." I said rather then asked.
"You seem worried. What is it?" She asked.
"Kereen one of the worst things has happened. This is bad. Really bad. I need you to take a message to the boy." I said.
"Okay, Nagini."
"Tell him that the Dementors are no longer at Azkaban. Tell him all the prisoners are free. Tell him Azkaban is completely empty. Nothing is there." I said.
"Okay Nagini." Kereen whispered and slithered off. I went back to my bed and tried to get back to sleep but couldn't.
I looked up as a hawk cry sounded across the common room Sunday evening, causing everyone to look over.
"Toby!" I said happily. My red-tailed hawk, who I used instead of an owl, screeched and landed on my arm with a letter attached to his leg. I recognized the handwriting right away, ofcourse.
Toby nestled close to me as I read the letter.
Dear Jazzy,
How's Hogwarts and your new brother? Can you get me his autograph? Ha, ha I really don't care. Are you coming to visit for Christmas? Will I ever see you again? Ha, ha I don't really care. Oh wait no. ha, ha sorry I'm in a weird mood today. I'm in a weird mood most the days. I figure you want to stay there for Christmas. But when's the next time I can see you? Hey maybe I can visit you for Christmas. Oh boy Hogwarts would never be the same. Ha, ha. Life is so boring without you here. I need you Jazzy! Come back! Ha, ha. Yeah right. Just joking please don't hurt me. Maybe I can come visit for Christmas, though. Hmm. well, send a letter back ASAP! And the answers to next weeks test. Ha, ha. Sorry. Least with you gone I have a sporting chance in school. Ha, ha. Well better go before the Dementor finds me. Ha, ha.
Matthew
I grinned and reread the letter a few minutes before finding my ink, quill and dusky blue stationary and writing my reply.
Dear Matthew,
Ha, ha to you too. Hogwarts is great. Its pretty cool and I made friends right away. My brother is awesome. Harry is a normal kid like you or me. Oh wait, we're not normal are we? Ha, ha but you know what I mean. If you really want I'll ask him about the autograph thing. Guess what? I have a godfather. He is so cool and get this. A werewolf. Yes a werewolf!!! Neat, huh? Never thought I'd have a werewolf godfather. He's substituting for the Potions teacher right now. The Potions teacher, Professor Snape, is a bit mean but oh well. Tell the Dementor I said hi.
The Dementor was what we called the head of my old boarding school house, Professor D. Martin. He sucked the happiness out of anyone. Ugh! If he was a Muggle he'd probably be a good lawyer.
The teachers are pretty neat here. Professor McGonagall is the head of my new house, Gryffindor, and Deputy headmistress. She teaches Transfiguration and is pretty strict. Professor Flitwick is Charms teacher, head of Ravenclaw and so adorable. He's tiny with great shocks of white hair. Professor Sprout is NOTHING like our old Herbology teacher thank goodness. She's also head of Hufflepuff. Snape is head of Slytherin. Then there's Professor Sinistra, she teaches Astronomy and isn't as paranoid as Professor Jacobson, thank goodness for that. Professor Binns teaches History of Magic. He is sooooo boring and get this. A ghost. Yeah he fainted when Harry and I walked into History my first History class. Apparently he thought we were our parents or something. Let's see. then there is Hagrid. Harry says he isn't really a Professor but he teaches Care Of Magical Creatures. Harry says he's a half-giant but he is so nice. The students are all right. I get a lot of stares from the boys. Ooh! Guess what! There is someone here named Draco!!!! Awesome, huh? I talk to him now and then. Not often. But we talked a lot the other day on the way to the first Quidditch game which might I add my brother won. We talked about the legend of the Dragon Constellation. Okay my hand is hurting big time so I better get going. Yeah maybe you can come to Hogwarts for Christmas.
Jasmine
I waited for the letter to dry then put it in an envelope and sent Toby on his way. I gathered my stuff and headed up to my dorm. Since I was a Fifth year I shared with the other Fifth years. No one else was there. Good, I wanted a bit of peace. I put my stuff up and stretched out on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
After a while I felt the presence of someone else. Looking over I saw a ghost standing there. Not a normal ghost. This one looked like a normal human but faded. He had long floppy red hair and a sullen look on his otherwise handsome face. "Oh hello." I said.
The ghost looked around in confusion. Then back at me. "Me?" He asked.
"Yes. You. The red-headed ghost." I said and his eyes got wide.
"You can see me?" He asked.
"Ofcourse I can. I haven't seen you around before."
"You can see me." He repeated.
"Yes. I can see you." I replied.
"How?!" He asked, still shocked.
"I'm special." I said.
"Are you a Despirabisee?" He asked.
"I prefer 'girl who can see anything dead' but yes, Despirabisee is another word for it." I said.
"Wow. A Despirabisee." He whispered, staring at me.
"I haven't seen you around. Come to think of it I haven't many ghosts like you around." I said.
"Not many come here. But a Despirabisee." He said.
"We have established that." I muttered.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Jasmine Potter." I said.
"I'm Jason Weasley." He said.
"Any relation to Ron Weasley?" I asked in surprise.
"I dunno, maybe. What does he look like?" Jason asked.
"Well." I said slowly and blinked. "Almost exactly like you but solid and more life in his eyes."
"Ha, ha. Make fun of the transparent ones." He muttered.
"Sorry!" I apologized.
"Yeah I think I've seen that kid around. There's others aren't there?"
'Yeah. Ginny, Fred and George." I said.
"They might be one of my brothers kids." Jason said with a shrug.
"Who's your brothers?" I asked.
"Too many. Well, were too many." Jason said, shaking his head.
"How long ago did you die?" I asked.
"I dunno. Years." He said with a shrug.
"How did you die?" I asked.
"Evil wizard." Jason said, scowling at this.
"Voldemort?" I asked slowly.
"Yeah that was his name." Jason said, scowling even more.
"How old were you?" I asked.
"17." Jason said and floated over to my bed and sat down.
"I'm sorry. Voldemort killed my parents." I said.
With this Jason frowned. "You related to Lily Potter?" He asked.
"She was my mother. Why?' I asked.
"Her ghost sometimes comes by now and then."
"It does?" I asked.
"Yeah. Next time I see her I'll tell her about you." Jason said with a shrug.
I felt shocked. I should of been expecting something like this, though. I mean. being a Despirabisee. meeting my dead parents. "All right." I said slowly.
"By the way, find out if this 'Ron' is related to me. Ask him who his dad is. All right? I wanna know." Jason said.
"Okay." I said slowly.
"Gotta go. Important ghost business. The fun never stops when your dead. Ha, ha." Jason said sardonically as he floated off.
I sat back in my bed trying to recover my senses.
***
Harry noticed an incredible difference in his sister on Monday. She was very, very quiet and subdued. At lunch he asked her if she was all right.
"I'm fine." She said, staring down at her food. Then up at Harry. "What is Ron's dads name?"
"Uh, Arthur. Why?" Harry asked.
"Just curious." Jasmine muttered and left the table.
***
"Arthur, huh?" Jason asked as he and Jasmine were up in her dorms.
"Yeah." Jasmine said and watched a haunted look get into Jason's eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Arthur. Yeah he was uh. a uh brother." Jason muttered, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Arthur. Yeah."
"Anything else?" Jasmine asked.
"What else is there?" Jason asked.
"Well by the tone in your voice it sounds like he was more then a brother, or less. Not just a brother." Jasmine said as she brushed her hair.
"Okay fine you win. Yeah he was more then a brother." Jason heaved a big sigh and settled down on Lavender's bed. "He was my twin."
"Oh." Jasmine set her brush down. "I'm sorry."
"Not your fault. Voldemort's fault." Jason said with a shrug.
Jasmine watched him from in the mirror as he tossed his hair back and sighed. "The summer Arthur and I turned seventeen. We went to visit our friends house."
"You don't need to tell me this." Jasmine said.
"I want to." Jason said with another shrug. "The day we were going to leave, Arthur left a few hours before because he wanted to stop by his girlfriends house."
"That's when the attack came?" Jasmine asked.
"Yep. The entire house was locked by magic, trapping us in. Being idiots we didn't know what was going on. Then Voldemort appeared and killed us all. Me, Robert, Charles, and Donald. Our three best friends. Robert's little sisters Caroline and Jennifer. Robert's parents. Even the little doggie." With this Jason sighed heavily and shook his head. "Arthur wanted to kill himself because he felt it was his fault I was dead. Probably would of if it wasn't for his girlfriend, Molly. I think he still feels guilty."
"I am so sorry, Jason." Jasmine said quietly, turning to look at his faded appearance.
"So am I. But being sorry can't change anything." Jason said. He ran his fingers through his tousled hair and Jasmine realized how much like Ron he looked like. Or rather how much Ron looked like him. "I'm just glad Arthur got a chance to live. Know what he does now?"
"Works at the Ministry of Magic. That's all I know." Jasmine said.
"Well at least he has four kids."
"He has more then that. Harry told me. Seven." Jasmine said and Jason smiled.
"Figures that rascal." Jason said with a laugh.
"I have a question."
"Shoot." Jason said.
"Have you seen. you know. her?" Jasmine didn't feel like saying 'mum'.
"Not yet but I'll tell her to come here."
"And. my. dad?" Jasmine asked.
Jason frowned. 'What does he look like then?"
"Like my brother Harry." Jasmine said.
"Uh. yeah he's usually with Lily."
"Okay thank you." Jasmine said and returned to brushing her hair. When she was finished, Jason was gone.
***
"Something wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I'm worried about Jasmine she's seemed very odd today and yesterday." Harry said at dinner Tuesday. "Don't ask me." Ron said when Harry looked at him.
"I'm just worried. I don't want anything happening to her, you know?" Harry asked.
"Harry ofcourse we understand. You just found a sister you never knew you had and now you're worried about her." Amy said quietly.
"Right." Harry mumbled.
'Where is she now?" Peggy asked.
"When she's not in class or eating quickly, she's in her dorm." Harry said.
"Want me to talk to her?" Hermione asked.
"No. I think I should."
"But you're not allowed on the girls side." Hermione said.
"And you weren't allowed on the boys side but you've been up there." Harry pointed out and Hermione blushed slightly. Harry grabbed a sandwich and went to the common room, up the girls side and stopped at the girls Fifth year door.
He could hear Jasmine's soft voice talking to someone. Frowning, he knocked on the door. "Who is it?' Jasmine called.
"Room service." Harry said. Jasmine opened the door and Harry held out the sandwich. "You never came down to dinner."
"Oh I guess I was too busy." Jasmine said. 'Hey you're not supposed to be up here."
"So?" Harry asked and came in. The room was empty, no one to talk to. "Jasmine."
"Yeah?" She asked, eating the sandwich.
"What's made you so quiet these past couple of days?" Harry asked.
"Oh. I've just been. thinking." Jasmine said quietly, eyes darting towards a bed. Harry automatically looked over. Empty.
"Jasmine what's going on. I can sense something is upsetting you."
"Nothing is upsetting me." Jasmine snapped.
"Yes there is! Now I-I'm your brother and demanded you tell me!" Harry said.
"No." Jasmine said, her brown eyes flashing with defiance.
Harry leapt up and glared at her, his green eyes flashing with anger. "Yes!"
"No!" "Yes!" "No!" "Yes!" "No!"
"Jasmine Potter you tell me right now or I'll. I'll."
"You'll what?!" Jasmine demanded.
Something brotherly inside of Harry rose up and he leapt at Jasmine. The two crashed into a bed and began fighting. "Tell me!"
"No!" "Yes!" "No!" "Jasmine!" "Harry!" The fight went on for quite a few minutes until Jasmine cried out she'd tell. The two slowly stood up, a bit shaken from the fight but otherwise fine.
"Now, what is it?" Harry asked.
Jasmine scowled as she brushed herself off. "He's my brother I should tell him anyway!" Jasmine snapped at something. Harry looked around in confusion then looked back at Jasmine. "Have you ever read about Despirabisees?" Jasmine asked.
"No." Harry said slowly.
"Well I'm one." Jasmine said.
"What does that mean?" Harry asked.
"It means I have the ability to see anything dead." Jasmine said, scowling even more.
"Oh." Harry said quietly.
"So far I haven't seen anything really. Just the regular ghosts, you know. Nearly Headless Nick and them. But the other night I found another one." Jasmine said and pointed at something Harry couldn't see.
"Uh." Harry said slowly.
"His name is Jason and he says that." Jasmine trailed off.
"That what?" Harry asked.
"I shouldn't tell you." Jasmine said quietly.
"Tell me." Harry demanded.
"Don't get mad okay?" Jasmine said.
"Promise."
"He says mum and dad sometimes come by." Jasmine said.
Harry sat down. Hard. "Wh. what?"
"That mum and dad sometime come around here. Which means I'd be able to see and talk to them."
Harry didn't know what to feel for quite a few minutes. Then immediately felt jealously. Why could she see and hear them and not him? It wasn't fair! "Oh." Was all he said.
"I didn't want to tell you cause you might get mad that I could and you couldn't." Jasmine said quickly.
"I guess." Harry muttered and looked around again. "Who's this Jason person?"
"Actually Jason spirit. He's a dead relative of Ron's." Jasmine said and Harry looked back at Jasmine.
"A dead relative of Ron's." He said.
"Yeah. Well, sort of. I mean, he died before Ron was born." Jasmine said. "Shut up, Jason." She suddenly snapped at thin air.
Harry was beginning to get extremely creeped out and Jasmine sensed this. "I've had this ability for. quite a few years now. When I was 7 my great- grandfather. I mean, in my adopted family, died and I was still seeing him." Jasmine said.
'Uh-huh." Harry mumbled, still feeling creeped out.
"Stop that, Jason." Jasmine said.
"Uh."
"Harry please don't get all weird like all my ex-friends did." Jasmine begged.
"Er, ex-friends?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. Between talking to things they can't see, skipping a year, and getting a lot of the boys attention almost every single girl back home shunned me." Jasmine explained.
"Oh." Harry said.
"Jason give me a minute." Jasmine said and turned back to Harry. "And the boys. either they ignored me, bullied me or liked me. All except Matthew, my only true friend who stuck with me the entire ti- Jason! I said one moment! Matthew stuck with me the entire time. He even helped me find out who I was." Jasmine said and then turned to thin air. "Now, what do you want?... okay fine! Harry, Jason wants to know what Arthur does for a living."
"Um. he works for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts in the Ministry of Magic." Harry said.
"Jason says that sounds like something Arthur would do. What?.. Harry, Jason wants to know whatever happened to Arthur's girlfriend, Molly Quinn." Jasmine said.
"Uh. I dunno. Arthur's married to a Molly." Harry said, feeling extremely weirded out.
"Short? Plump?" Jasmine asked.
"Uh. yeah." Harry said slowly.
"Jason says that her. Now leave us alone a few minutes, Jason." Jasmine said. A few minutes later Jasmine turned back to Harry, smiling. "Okay Jason is gone."
"So uh. talking to dead people that other people can't see is. normal for you?" Harry asked.
"Pretty much. Not just dead people. We can see anything dead." Jasmine said.
"Even if they died from something like the Avada Kedavra curse?" Harry asked.
"Ofcourse. That's how Jason was killed." Jasmine said.
"Ah." Harry said quietly. They stood there in an awkward silence.
"I know you must feel really weird about this Harry-"
"Weird? My newfound little sister is seeing dead things no one else can. What's weird about that?" Harry asked more bitterly then he meant.
"Well how did you feel in your Second year? When you could hear voices no one else could?" Jasmine demanded, on the brink of tears.
"Uh." Harry never thought of that. Jasmine sniffled slightly then pushed past him. "Jasmine! I'm sorry!" Harry said.
"I need to be alone." Jasmine said, running out of sight.
Harry groaned and began banging his head against the wall. "Some brother you are, Harry." He said, thinking the room was empty.
"You're a good brother." Said a voice he never heard. Sighing, Harry left the girls dorm.
***
Draco looked up as he saw Jasmine nearly flying across the lawns. She ran down to the lake and huddled up down there.
Pausing for a moment, Draco got his stuff and went down to find her crying underneath a huge oak tree. "Uh. Jasmine?" Draco asked quietly.
Jasmine looked up and quickly wiped away her tears. "Hullo Draco." She said.
"You okay?" Draco asked, sitting down near her.
"Fine. Harry just upset me." Jasmine said, shaking her head.
Draco immediately felt like hurting Potter very much for making Jasmine cry. "He's a jerk anyway." Draco said.
Jasmine looked up. "Don't you know?"
"Know. what?" Draco asked slowly.
"Harry's my brother."
Draco was shocked. Shocked. "Your. brother?" He said slowly.
"Yeah. long story." Jasmine said.
"You can tell me." Draco said, inching closer.
Jasmine took a deep breath and told all she learned (Leaving out Sirius Black and a few other details that others shouldn't know). Draco listened, watching her as she talked.
"Oh." He said when she was done."
"And. Harry just. I'll be okay and Harry and I will make up." Jasmine assured him.
"Oh." Draco said again. "You want me to go?"
"No." Jasmine said.
"You." Draco began and took a deep breath. "you do know that Pot. er, your brother and I are mortal enemies. Bitter rivals. Hate each other." He said.
"Harry might of mentioned something." Jasmine said with a smile. Actually he had mentioned everything when he had told her about his years at Hogwarts.
"And yet you still talk to me. Are you really sincere or are you just doing it to be mean to your brother?" Draco asked.
"Neither really. You're nice."
And with this Draco snorted. "Nice? Me? Wow, that's something I thought I'd never hear."
"You are. You have it inside you." Jasmine said, hand on his shoulder.
Draco was silent a moment then quickly stood up. "I better go." He got his things and quickly left, wondering what would happen if someone came by and saw that scene. 'Lets just hope no one did.' he thought bitterly to himself as he went into the castle.
***
Before the evening was over, Harry and Jasmine had made up though he still seem weirded out big time. And Jasmine didn't blame him. She was a bit weirded out because of her ability, too. And she made Harry promise not to tell anyone and he promised. So the two happily said good night and went to their different dorms.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
"Peggy? Is something wrong?" Ron asked me Wednesday at breakfast.
"Everything. Is. Perfectly. Fine." I moaned each word after each time I banged my head against the table.
"Peggy's upset." Amy said.
"Observant." Hermione muttered and looked at me. "Is it because of the poster?"
"Ofcourse." I said.
"What poster?" Harry asked.
"The poster outside the Great Hall." Hermione said.
"What poster?" Ron asked.
"Oh honestly." I groaned and dragged them outside the Great Hall. There was a large poster pinned up beside the door. It was orange with bold black letters:
HALLOWEEN COSTUME DANCE
SATURDAY THE 28TH, 6pm-12am
FOURTH YEARS AND UP
Then there was a large black cat that walked around, meowing and swishing its tail.
"A costume dance." Harry said.
"Ding-ding." I moaned, shaking my head.
"Oh great. Another dance." Ron groaned.
"Yep. And once again I won't get asked. Oh well." I said and went back into the Great Hall.
"Good morning." Jasmine giggled as she appeared a few minutes later.
"What's so good about it?" I snapped, head on the table.
"And why are you so giggly?" Harry asked.
"Dance." Jasmine giggled.
"That's why I'm so miserable." I said, shaking my head.
"Why?" Jasmine asked.
"Peggy thinks she won't get asked." Amy said for me.
"How come?" Jasmine asked me.
"I'm ugly." I said, head still down on the table. "but oh well. I'll have my own party. Just me, myself, and I."
"Oh come off it. You'll get asked." Jasmine said.
"I wasn't asked to the Fall Ball, I won't be asked to the Costume Dance." I said.
"Why don't you ask someone?" Hermione asked.
"And be turned down? I don't think so." I said, shaking my head. "Besides, there's only three boys in this entire school I'd ask to the dance. One would say no, the second would already have a date, and the third would have too many girls around him to notice." I said, grinning at Harry who scowled.
"I don't see any girls around me."
"I do." Amy said. "Me, Peggy, Jasmine and Hermione."
"Oh shut up." Harry said as Ron snickered.
"Who're the other two boys?" Hermione asked.
"Donnie. He'd already have the date." I said.
"And the other?" Amy asked.
"Ron." I said.
"You'd think I'd turn you down if you asked me?" Ron asked.
"Yes." I said.
"I-well-that-just ask me and see!" Ron sputtered.
"Fine, will you go to the costume dance with me?" I asked.
"I uh. sure." Ron said. I knew he was just saying that to prove he wouldn't say no.
"And are you going to keep that promise?" I asked.
"Ofcourse." Ron said stubbornly.
"Okay good then. Thank you." I said and returned to eating breakfast.
***
Later that day, Harry was once more surrounded by hordes of girls. Talking, giggling and being totally annoying. Harry didn't have much peace till dinner, when the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs sat at their own table, and none of the Gryffindor girls could sit close because of his friends.
"And so the fun begins." Ron snickered.
"Shut up unless you want my fist in your mouth." Harry growled.
"Harry," Harry looked up as Cho walked over. He felt butterflies in his stomach. "hi." She said, sitting down.
"Hi Cho." Harry said, trying to ignore Ron's snickers.
"I was wondering. if you'd. you know, like to go to the Costume Dance with me?" She asked.
"I uh. the uh. dance?"
"Yes. The dance." She said.
"I uh. uh. uh." Harry felt himself going red. "uh. dance uh. sure." He finally said.
"Great. Thanks. See you." She smiled and left.
"Harry likes Cho." Harry heard Ron saying. Harry turned quickly.
"I do not! Well, not in that way!" He insisted.
"Yeah, sure, Har. We believe you." Ron snickered.
***
The next week went by rather quickly and soon it was a few days before the costume dance. Amy had been asked by a Ravenclaw, Hermione had been asked by Brian again, and Jasmine had been asked by too many guys to count. But she hadn't agreed. Not yet. She didn't care if it meant she had to go to the dance alone, she wanted to be asked by a certain guy.
"He'll ask you." Jason assured her. Jason had gotten to be around Jasmine a lot. But Jasmine didn't mind.
"No he won't." Jasmine said as they sat in the library Tuesday night.
"Yes he will." Jason assured her then looked smug as the boy in question appeared. "Heeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrre he cooooooooooommes Miiisteer Ammeeeeeeerrrriiiicccaaaa."
"Shh." Jasmine hissed under her breath, not even asking where on earth he had learned that. "Hi Draco." She said as he sat down.
"Hi Jasmine. I saw you sitting here alone and thought I'd. uh. join you." Draco said.
Jasmine tried not to scowl as Jason floated behind Draco and made faces. "Uh, thanks. I needed some mature company." She said and Jason stuck his tongue out at her.
"Uh. right." Draco muttered. They sat there in silence for a few minutes. 'What are you uh. studying?"
"Potions. You know, Snape is pouring it on thick." Jasmine said. A while ago Snape had returned, and Remus had left.
"Yeah." Draco said hesitantly. "hey. Jasmine."
"Yes?" She asked.
"You know about the uh. costume dance."
"HA-HA!" Jason said triumphantly.
Jasmine ignored him, something she sometimes felt she should of done when he first appeared. "Yes." She said.
"I was uh. wondering. if uh. you, er, had a. uh. date." He finally got out.
"I've been asked." Jasmine said, setting her quill down.
"Have you, uh, agreed?" He asked, staring hard at his hands with his gray eyes.
"No, not yet." Jasmine said.
"Cause I was wondering. if uh. you know. you uh. might. kind of. maybe. if you want. sort of. maybe. perhaps. go. with. me?" Draco finally got out.
"I'd love to." Jasmine said and he looked up.
"You would?"
"Ofcourse." Jasmine said.
"Great. Uh. thanks. I mean uh. yeah. See you uh later and uh better not tell your uh brother." Draco said, backing away, knocking a chair over. He got pink tints in his cheeks as he quickly set it up straight and ran off.
"I am good." Jason said.
"Oh shut up." Jasmine said but she was smiling as well.
*** (Ron's point of view)
I dunno why I had agreed to go with Peggy but oh well. It was better then nothing. I was waiting for her in the Common Room. Harry had already left to meet Cho somewhere. I paced around, checking my watch. The feast would of already started by now.
"We're coming!" I heard Amy's voice.
"No we aren't! Amy let go quit. pushing!" Peggy shrieked as Amy pushed her down the stairs.
No. It couldn't of been Peggy. Amy was grinning as she saw my reaction. "Like it?" She asked. I stared at Peggy in amazement. She was wearing black shoes, tight black leggings, a tight, low-scoop sleeveless top, long black gloves with fake claws painted on them, a fake tail, and a headband with black cat ears in it. Her hair was down and in curls. And she didn't have her glasses on. Her nose was painted black with a few black whiskers.
I stared at her, not knowing what to say. She was. very, very, very pretty. She wasn't gorgeous. Amy was gorgeous. But compared to her normal self Peggy was. yowza.
"Ron?" Peggy asked, squinting.
"Uh. yeah." I got out from my dry throat.
"Sorry I just can't see one foot without my glasses." Peggy said, frowning slightly.
"You look. amazing." I breathed.
"Okay that is it! I can't see anything!" Peggy disappeared up the stairs and after a few crashes, she returned with her glasses on. She wasn't as yowza as she was before but. "You look good." She said.
"Uh. thanks." I muttered. I was wearing black slacks, a black turtleneck, a fake tail and fake ears. We had decided to go as black cats. I also had my nose painted and whiskers. They looked a bit better then Peggy's but that was because Dean, who was a great artist, painted mine.
Amy left to meet her date.
Peggy walked over, blushing slightly. "Let's uh. go." She muttered.
"Yeah, let's go." I echoed and we headed to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was decorated with black and orange crepe paper with fake bats flying about, floating jack-o'-lanterns, and a stormy sky. I wasn't sure if it was real or not.
The dancing had already started but Peggy and I sat down with Harry and Cho to eat. Harry was dressed as a pirate and Cho was wearing a costume I guessed was from the older times from her homeland.
"Hi guys. Nice costumes." Harry said.
"Thanks." I mumbled.
"Hi Rob and Penny." Cho said.
"Ron and Peggy." I corrected.
"Lets go dance." Cho said, pulling Harry out onto the dance floor.
After Peggy and I ate, we sat there for a few minutes. "Want to uh, dance?" She asked.
"Sure." I muttered and we went out onto the dance floor. "Hi Jasmine." I said, spotting her.
She was wearing an off-the shoulder white blouse, full black skirt and other things. "What are you supposed to be?"
"I'm a girl from his time." She said, nodding at her date.
"And uh." I looked at her date. He was dressed all in black and almost every single feature was hidden so I had no idea who he was.
"Zorro." Jasmine said.
"Ah yes." I said. Peggy and I continued out and began dancing. I stared down into her face which seemed to alight with happiness. I had never seen her so happy before.
"Hello." I looked over at the voice. It was Fred and George and Frederika and Georgette. Or was it?
"Uh." I said.
"Like our costumes?" George asked.
"I feel like throwing up now." I said, looking at them. Frederika and Georgette were wearing suits, hats and one had a mustache and the other had a beard. Fred and George, however, were wearing dresses. George was even wearing a bow in his hair and Fred had long silk gloves on. "I am now going to have nightmares the rest of my life."
"Fresh!" Fred exclaimed, slapping me.
"Let's go, ladies." Georgette said in a deep voice and the four went off.
"Well. that was. interesting." Peggy said, eyes still wide with shock.
"No." I said, shaking my head. "That was my brothers."
*** (Draco's point of view)
I never felt happier as I danced with Jasmine. She had helped me with my costume. Something to completely cover every feature. Pansy Parkinson thought I was sick in the hospital. She said she wouldn't go to the dance but I saw her dancing with that idiot, Vorin Nott.
"Zorro?" Jasmine asked. I turned back to look into her face. She had promised not to call me by my first name.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I'm glad you invited me to this dance." She whispered.
I felt my heart seize up. "I'm glad I asked you." I replied.
"Its the reason I turned the others offers down." She admitted.
"What would you of done if I hadn't of asked you?" I asked.
"Gone alone." She said with a shrug.
I was surprised and flattered. "Wow." I muttered.
"As I said. I'm glad you asked me." She repeated.
I smiled and stared at her as we danced and felt I could get no happier.
***
Ron and Peggy walked back to the Common Room a little before midnight. "You seem troubled." Peggy said.
"I'm just thinking." Ron answered.
"Uh-huh." Peggy said skeptically.
"Okay well. its just. usually."
"Usually what?" Peggy asked.
"The past years here at school, things always seem to happen. Usually something before now and then something on Halloween." Ron said.
"Oh. What kind of things?"
"Three-headed dogs. Trolls. Petrified cats. Escaped murderers. Triwizard tournament." Ron said.
"Ah." Peggy said.
"I'm just worried something else will come up." Ron continued with a slight shrug.
'Well, maybe nothing." Peggy said as they reached the painting of the Fat Lady.
"Ice Mice." Ron said and the portrait opened. "Something will come up. Something always does. And now with You-Know-Who's return." Ron trailed off and didn't want to think about it.
"I had fun tonight." Peggy said.
"So did I." Ron said.
"Night, Ron." Peggy said with a smile.
"Night. Peggy." Ron said, wondering what she was wait- no. She couldn't be waiting for a goodnight kiss could she?! The two stood there for a few minutes.
"Well?" She asked. Oh god she was waiting for a goodnight kiss. 'Might as well get this over with'. Ron thought and leaned over and kissed her cheek. Peggy looked surprised. "What was that for?" She asked.
"Isn't that what you were waiting for?" Ron asked.
"No. I was waiting for you to let go of my hand." Peggy said. Ron looked down and realized he was still holding her hand. Ron quickly let go.
"Oh. yeah." Ron said, feeling his face go completely red.
"But I, uh, appreciate the kiss anyway. I uh, guess."
"Night." Ron said and ran up to his dorm feeling like a total idiot.
*** (Nagini's point of view)
I woke up with a start. Shaking and trembling, I slithered over to the huge water bowl and slowly drank.
"Nagini?" I looked up at Kereen.
"What." I said rather then asked.
"You seem worried. What is it?" She asked.
"Kereen one of the worst things has happened. This is bad. Really bad. I need you to take a message to the boy." I said.
"Okay, Nagini."
"Tell him that the Dementors are no longer at Azkaban. Tell him all the prisoners are free. Tell him Azkaban is completely empty. Nothing is there." I said.
"Okay Nagini." Kereen whispered and slithered off. I went back to my bed and tried to get back to sleep but couldn't.