CHAPTER 8
"You know, she could be working for You Know Who", Ron said.
"No way, Dumbledore wouldn't let that happen again", Hermione said concerned.
"What about Quirrel?", Ron asked.
"Well that was at the start and besides Dumbledore isn't that stupid", Hermione snapped.
"It happened before why not now", Ron snapped back.
"Cool it you two", Harry said sternly, "We don't know who it is, and right now I wouldn't mind finding out. I don't like the idea that whoever she was talking to, wants me".
"It could be spies and she could just not realise that", Hermione said.
"You're just saying that because she's nice to you", Ron said angrily.
"I'm not the one who was staring at her during class", Hermione retorted, making Harry laugh.
"I wasn't staring at her", Ron replied angrily. Behind them there was the sound of a faint thud.
Harry spun around and whispered, "Quiet you two. Did you just hear that noise?"
"What noise?", Ron asked calming down.
"Over there", Harry said running off down an empty corridor. They turned a corner and Harry stopped.
"What?", Ron asked catching up.
"That", Harry said pointing to a body lying on the floor. All three bent down and examined the body carefully.
"Oh my, that's Karkaroff!", Hermione exclaimed.
"What is he doing here?", Ron asked.
"And why is he dead?", Hermione put in.
"Looks like he was killed by the Avada Kedarva curse", Harry said examining the dead body of Karkaroff.
"How do you know?", Hermione asked looking sick.
"I was the one who brought Cedric back", Harry said. "Besides, do you see the scared look on his face. Probably knew what was going to happen". Suddenly Hermione got up and walked a few steps away. She sat down against the wall and hugged her knees, looking very white.
"You ok Hermione?", Ron asked walking up to her and sitting down beside her.
"He looks so horrible. Its my first dead body", Hermione managed to say. Ron wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"It'll be ok Hermione", Ron assured her. "Its my first dead body too".
"Not mine", Harry said gravely. He got up and walked over to Hermione. "Are you ok?"
Hermione nodded her head and Harry said, "Could you go up to Dumbledore's office and tell him about this? Ron you had better go with her". Ron helped a shaky Hermione up and they made their way to Dumbledore's office.
It took another hour or so before Harry, Ron and Hermione were allowed to go back to their common room, and when they arrived, they were bombarded with questions on what had happened. But being too tired Harry, Ron and Hermione went straight up to bed.
Harry woke up in the middle of the night, and after fifteen minutes of trying to go back to bed, he realised he couldn't go back to sleep. He slowly got up and made his way down to the common room, but stopped halfway there when he heard Ron and Hermione talking.
"Are you felling better now Hermione?", Ron asked concerned. He was sitting beside her on a couch facing the fire. Hermione was beside him and had drawn her knees up to her chin again.
"I'm a bit better now, that dead body of Karkaroff gave me nightmares. He looks so scared and cold", Hermione said shivering. Noticing this Ron put his arm around her shoulder and drew her nearer.
"Don't worry Hermione. Me and Harry are always here for you", Ron said soothingly. Hermione leaned her head on Ron's shoulder and closed her eyes. Harry thought it was better if he just left them. Quietly turning around he crept back up to his dormitory and went to bed. He smiled to himself as he thought of Ron and Hermione, before falling asleep again.
"Hello Harry", Hermione said brightly as she sat down beside him in the Great Hall the next morning.
"Are you feeling better?", Harry asked as he saw Ron sit down beside Hermione.
"Yeah much better", Hermione replied and Harry saw Ron smiling. Harry grinned to himself and suddenly his face turned very serious.
"What is it Harry?", Hermione asked seeing his grave face.
"Have any of you noticed that Hedwig hasn't been around in months?", Harry said.
"Yeah, I was wondering where she was", Ron said.
"When was the last time you saw her?", Hermione asked.
"When I sent her to deliver a note to Dumbledore", Harry said.
"How long ago was that?", Ron asked.
"On my birthday", Harry replied worried.
"Don't worry, she'll come back", Hermione said. "She probably got lost or something".
"But Hedwig doesn't get lost", Harry replied. "I hope she isn't injured".
"Don't worry Harry, besides does anybody remember what day it is?", Hermione asked with her eyes twinkling.
"Yeah Halloween", Ron said. "Isn't that ball on tonight?", Ron asked.
"Yeah", Hermione said grinning.
"Hey Ronnikins", Fred and George said walking up to them. "We got a little something for you up in the common room". Ron got up confused and followed Fred and George. George winked to Harry and Harry grinned.
Ron returned ten minutes later with a huge grin on his face. "Guess what Fred and George just gave me?", Ron said grinning broadly.
"What?", Hermione asked.
"Fred and George gave me a dress robe, they got from the earnings from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes", Ron replied.
"That's great", Hermione said. "Oh my, look at the time. We had better hurry up or we will be late for Potions", Hermione said rushing out of the Great Hall.
"She worries way too much about school", Ron said shaking his head.
"I know", Harry replied.
Harry and Ron were sitting in the common room that evening, waiting for Hermione to get changed.
"Where is she?", Ron asked impatiently.
"Getting changed, you know how girls are", Harry replied. Just as Harry said that, Hermione emerged out of the girls' dormitories and made her way down to the common room. As soon as Ron saw Hermione he gaped. Hermione was wearing a sapphire blue gown, sweeping down to the floor. Her hair was up in a bun and she had put some bluebells in her hair.
"You look nice Hermione", Harry said grinning as Ron was still gaping at Hermione. Harry quickly elbowed Ron in the stomach and whispered, "Don't stand there like a dummy".
"Huh?", Ron replied snapping out of his daze and quickly walking up to Hermione. "You look amazing Hermione". Hermione giggled and Ron blushed a deep shade of scarlet. He held out his arm for her, which she took and led her out of the common room. Harry followed behind grinning furiously. They made their way down to the Great Hall, and waited outside for the doors to open. Finally, the doors opened and everybody crowded into the room. The Great Hall was decorated with thousands of floating pumpkins and bats were circling the air, making screechy noises. Hermione gasped as she entered the hall and Harry had to agree, it was more magnificent than ever. They quickly found an empty table and sat down.
Dumbledore got up when everyone had sat down and addressed the students, "Welcome to the Halloween Ball. As you may have noticed there is no Halloween feast, it will instead be replaced by a supper during the ball. Now everyone please welcome back the Weird Sisters as tonight's entertainment. They have just finished touring Switzerland, and were gracious enough to accept playing here tonight", Dumbledore said as the students started clapping. The Weird Sisters got on stage and started playing.
"Harry sat for a few minutes just watching everyone dance, when a slow song came on and Hermione pulled Ron out on the dance floor, and disappeared into the crowd. Harry sat mournfully, watching Hermione and Ron dancing, when Cho caught his eye, dancing with a fellow sixth year. Harry's heart pummelled.
Seeing Harry's sad face, Hermione asked, "What's wrong Harry?".
"Oh nothing", Harry replied, and then Ron came over and sat down beside Harry.
"Harry what is it?", Ron asked confused.
"Nothing", Harry replied melancholic, still staring at Cho.
Seeing, who Harry was looking at, Ron said quickly, "Hermione could you leave us alone for a bit", and seeing Hermione's annoyed face, added quickly, "Guys stuff!", before Hermione walked off to find Ginny.
"Is it Cho?", Ron asked.
"Yeah", Harry replied in an offhand tone.
"Listen Harry, don't do what I did last Christmas, don't leave it until last minute", Ron said.
"What?", Harry asked.
"Just go and ask her if she would dance with you. I done that to Hermione, and look who my date is", Ron replied.
"But I can't, she's dancing with someone", Harry said depressed.
"Just cut in and ask if she would dance with you".
"What now?"
"Yes now", Ron replied giving Harry a push. Harry slowly got up and walked out onto the dance floor. He made his way over to Cho, waited a few seconds before waling up to her and asking;
"Cho, would you like to dance with me?" Cho turned around and looked at Harry, with surprise and confusion written all over her face.
"Oh Harry", Cho said surprised.
"Its ok Cho, I just wanted to ask", Harry replied melancholic.
"No wait Harry", Cho replied quickly as Harry started walking away. "I hope you don't mind Daniel, but I need to talk to Harry anyway", Cho said before the boy called Daniel disappeared. Harry walked up to Cho and cautiously put his hands around her lower back, daring not to hold her too close. Cho followed suit and placed her arms loosely around Harry's neck. Harry was standing dancing with Cho, he couldn't believe it. She was only inches from his face, smiling at him.
"I just wanted to say thank you Harry for bringing back Cedric's body back last year. That was very noble of you", Cho said. Harry lowered his head and stared at the floor. So she still liked Cedric, he knew it all along. At least he had tried.
"But that is behind us all", Cho added quickly, noticing Harry's mood change, "Well done in the Quidditch match. You played very well".
"It was had keeping up with you", Harry replied becoming happier. Cho smiled.
"Obviously not that hard", Cho joked.
"I'm really sorry about Cedric you know. I know you liked him very much", Harry said.
"Yeah I did", Cho replied uncomfortably. "I have to go now Harry. It was nice talking to you", Cho said letting go of Harry's neck. She disappeared into the crowd before Harry could utter a word. Harry walked back to his table, in total confusion.
"What's wrong Harry?", Ron asked as Harry sat down beside him.
"Nothing", Harry replied confused.
"Well did you dance with her?", Ron asked smiling.
"Yeah, but she had to go back to her friends", Harry replied.
By the time the Ball ended it was one o clock in the morning. Professor Mc Gonagall was just ushering the students out of the Great Hall, when Harry saw Cho again. She looked over to Harry, smiled and waved. Harry waved back over enthusiastically, and when he realised what he did, he quickly pulled down his arm and followed Ron and Hermione up to the Gryffindor tower.
"You know, she could be working for You Know Who", Ron said.
"No way, Dumbledore wouldn't let that happen again", Hermione said concerned.
"What about Quirrel?", Ron asked.
"Well that was at the start and besides Dumbledore isn't that stupid", Hermione snapped.
"It happened before why not now", Ron snapped back.
"Cool it you two", Harry said sternly, "We don't know who it is, and right now I wouldn't mind finding out. I don't like the idea that whoever she was talking to, wants me".
"It could be spies and she could just not realise that", Hermione said.
"You're just saying that because she's nice to you", Ron said angrily.
"I'm not the one who was staring at her during class", Hermione retorted, making Harry laugh.
"I wasn't staring at her", Ron replied angrily. Behind them there was the sound of a faint thud.
Harry spun around and whispered, "Quiet you two. Did you just hear that noise?"
"What noise?", Ron asked calming down.
"Over there", Harry said running off down an empty corridor. They turned a corner and Harry stopped.
"What?", Ron asked catching up.
"That", Harry said pointing to a body lying on the floor. All three bent down and examined the body carefully.
"Oh my, that's Karkaroff!", Hermione exclaimed.
"What is he doing here?", Ron asked.
"And why is he dead?", Hermione put in.
"Looks like he was killed by the Avada Kedarva curse", Harry said examining the dead body of Karkaroff.
"How do you know?", Hermione asked looking sick.
"I was the one who brought Cedric back", Harry said. "Besides, do you see the scared look on his face. Probably knew what was going to happen". Suddenly Hermione got up and walked a few steps away. She sat down against the wall and hugged her knees, looking very white.
"You ok Hermione?", Ron asked walking up to her and sitting down beside her.
"He looks so horrible. Its my first dead body", Hermione managed to say. Ron wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"It'll be ok Hermione", Ron assured her. "Its my first dead body too".
"Not mine", Harry said gravely. He got up and walked over to Hermione. "Are you ok?"
Hermione nodded her head and Harry said, "Could you go up to Dumbledore's office and tell him about this? Ron you had better go with her". Ron helped a shaky Hermione up and they made their way to Dumbledore's office.
It took another hour or so before Harry, Ron and Hermione were allowed to go back to their common room, and when they arrived, they were bombarded with questions on what had happened. But being too tired Harry, Ron and Hermione went straight up to bed.
Harry woke up in the middle of the night, and after fifteen minutes of trying to go back to bed, he realised he couldn't go back to sleep. He slowly got up and made his way down to the common room, but stopped halfway there when he heard Ron and Hermione talking.
"Are you felling better now Hermione?", Ron asked concerned. He was sitting beside her on a couch facing the fire. Hermione was beside him and had drawn her knees up to her chin again.
"I'm a bit better now, that dead body of Karkaroff gave me nightmares. He looks so scared and cold", Hermione said shivering. Noticing this Ron put his arm around her shoulder and drew her nearer.
"Don't worry Hermione. Me and Harry are always here for you", Ron said soothingly. Hermione leaned her head on Ron's shoulder and closed her eyes. Harry thought it was better if he just left them. Quietly turning around he crept back up to his dormitory and went to bed. He smiled to himself as he thought of Ron and Hermione, before falling asleep again.
"Hello Harry", Hermione said brightly as she sat down beside him in the Great Hall the next morning.
"Are you feeling better?", Harry asked as he saw Ron sit down beside Hermione.
"Yeah much better", Hermione replied and Harry saw Ron smiling. Harry grinned to himself and suddenly his face turned very serious.
"What is it Harry?", Hermione asked seeing his grave face.
"Have any of you noticed that Hedwig hasn't been around in months?", Harry said.
"Yeah, I was wondering where she was", Ron said.
"When was the last time you saw her?", Hermione asked.
"When I sent her to deliver a note to Dumbledore", Harry said.
"How long ago was that?", Ron asked.
"On my birthday", Harry replied worried.
"Don't worry, she'll come back", Hermione said. "She probably got lost or something".
"But Hedwig doesn't get lost", Harry replied. "I hope she isn't injured".
"Don't worry Harry, besides does anybody remember what day it is?", Hermione asked with her eyes twinkling.
"Yeah Halloween", Ron said. "Isn't that ball on tonight?", Ron asked.
"Yeah", Hermione said grinning.
"Hey Ronnikins", Fred and George said walking up to them. "We got a little something for you up in the common room". Ron got up confused and followed Fred and George. George winked to Harry and Harry grinned.
Ron returned ten minutes later with a huge grin on his face. "Guess what Fred and George just gave me?", Ron said grinning broadly.
"What?", Hermione asked.
"Fred and George gave me a dress robe, they got from the earnings from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes", Ron replied.
"That's great", Hermione said. "Oh my, look at the time. We had better hurry up or we will be late for Potions", Hermione said rushing out of the Great Hall.
"She worries way too much about school", Ron said shaking his head.
"I know", Harry replied.
Harry and Ron were sitting in the common room that evening, waiting for Hermione to get changed.
"Where is she?", Ron asked impatiently.
"Getting changed, you know how girls are", Harry replied. Just as Harry said that, Hermione emerged out of the girls' dormitories and made her way down to the common room. As soon as Ron saw Hermione he gaped. Hermione was wearing a sapphire blue gown, sweeping down to the floor. Her hair was up in a bun and she had put some bluebells in her hair.
"You look nice Hermione", Harry said grinning as Ron was still gaping at Hermione. Harry quickly elbowed Ron in the stomach and whispered, "Don't stand there like a dummy".
"Huh?", Ron replied snapping out of his daze and quickly walking up to Hermione. "You look amazing Hermione". Hermione giggled and Ron blushed a deep shade of scarlet. He held out his arm for her, which she took and led her out of the common room. Harry followed behind grinning furiously. They made their way down to the Great Hall, and waited outside for the doors to open. Finally, the doors opened and everybody crowded into the room. The Great Hall was decorated with thousands of floating pumpkins and bats were circling the air, making screechy noises. Hermione gasped as she entered the hall and Harry had to agree, it was more magnificent than ever. They quickly found an empty table and sat down.
Dumbledore got up when everyone had sat down and addressed the students, "Welcome to the Halloween Ball. As you may have noticed there is no Halloween feast, it will instead be replaced by a supper during the ball. Now everyone please welcome back the Weird Sisters as tonight's entertainment. They have just finished touring Switzerland, and were gracious enough to accept playing here tonight", Dumbledore said as the students started clapping. The Weird Sisters got on stage and started playing.
"Harry sat for a few minutes just watching everyone dance, when a slow song came on and Hermione pulled Ron out on the dance floor, and disappeared into the crowd. Harry sat mournfully, watching Hermione and Ron dancing, when Cho caught his eye, dancing with a fellow sixth year. Harry's heart pummelled.
Seeing Harry's sad face, Hermione asked, "What's wrong Harry?".
"Oh nothing", Harry replied, and then Ron came over and sat down beside Harry.
"Harry what is it?", Ron asked confused.
"Nothing", Harry replied melancholic, still staring at Cho.
Seeing, who Harry was looking at, Ron said quickly, "Hermione could you leave us alone for a bit", and seeing Hermione's annoyed face, added quickly, "Guys stuff!", before Hermione walked off to find Ginny.
"Is it Cho?", Ron asked.
"Yeah", Harry replied in an offhand tone.
"Listen Harry, don't do what I did last Christmas, don't leave it until last minute", Ron said.
"What?", Harry asked.
"Just go and ask her if she would dance with you. I done that to Hermione, and look who my date is", Ron replied.
"But I can't, she's dancing with someone", Harry said depressed.
"Just cut in and ask if she would dance with you".
"What now?"
"Yes now", Ron replied giving Harry a push. Harry slowly got up and walked out onto the dance floor. He made his way over to Cho, waited a few seconds before waling up to her and asking;
"Cho, would you like to dance with me?" Cho turned around and looked at Harry, with surprise and confusion written all over her face.
"Oh Harry", Cho said surprised.
"Its ok Cho, I just wanted to ask", Harry replied melancholic.
"No wait Harry", Cho replied quickly as Harry started walking away. "I hope you don't mind Daniel, but I need to talk to Harry anyway", Cho said before the boy called Daniel disappeared. Harry walked up to Cho and cautiously put his hands around her lower back, daring not to hold her too close. Cho followed suit and placed her arms loosely around Harry's neck. Harry was standing dancing with Cho, he couldn't believe it. She was only inches from his face, smiling at him.
"I just wanted to say thank you Harry for bringing back Cedric's body back last year. That was very noble of you", Cho said. Harry lowered his head and stared at the floor. So she still liked Cedric, he knew it all along. At least he had tried.
"But that is behind us all", Cho added quickly, noticing Harry's mood change, "Well done in the Quidditch match. You played very well".
"It was had keeping up with you", Harry replied becoming happier. Cho smiled.
"Obviously not that hard", Cho joked.
"I'm really sorry about Cedric you know. I know you liked him very much", Harry said.
"Yeah I did", Cho replied uncomfortably. "I have to go now Harry. It was nice talking to you", Cho said letting go of Harry's neck. She disappeared into the crowd before Harry could utter a word. Harry walked back to his table, in total confusion.
"What's wrong Harry?", Ron asked as Harry sat down beside him.
"Nothing", Harry replied confused.
"Well did you dance with her?", Ron asked smiling.
"Yeah, but she had to go back to her friends", Harry replied.
By the time the Ball ended it was one o clock in the morning. Professor Mc Gonagall was just ushering the students out of the Great Hall, when Harry saw Cho again. She looked over to Harry, smiled and waved. Harry waved back over enthusiastically, and when he realised what he did, he quickly pulled down his arm and followed Ron and Hermione up to the Gryffindor tower.