Harry Potter & the Dark Lord – Chapter 9
Disclaimer: My name is not J.K. Rowling. I did not create Harry Potter. I did not create Hogwarts. I did not create Ginny Weasley. I did not create Ronald Weasley. I did not create Hermione Granger…I think you get the picture.
A/N: I would like to take a moment to thank all the people who have so generously given their time to review this piece of fan fiction. You are the ones that get me through the dark times (:: wipes tear from her eye::). It means so much to me to read your kind words of encouragement. Okay, time for a group hug!!!! Sorry, it's late and I'm a bit spacey from lack of sleep. But, I promised you the Masquerade Ball, and I always keep my promises. So, read and enjoy (and review, of course J)
As Harry did not have to put a costume on, he was the first one down in the Gryffindor common room that night. He waited anxiously, looking forward to the feast ahead. Harry's stomach was rumbling, as he had missed lunch with all the activity earlier in the day. Ginny was the first to make it down after Harry; she seemed to practically float into the room. Harry drew in a sharp breath as he took in the sight before him, totally spellbound. Ginny's hair was pulled gently away from her face, falling down her back with delicate wildflowers entwined in the soft red curls. A glistening crown rested lightly on her head. She had a set of shimmering wings flapping gently on her back – Harry thought she must have enchanted them somehow – and her dress seemed to float about her in wispy transparent layers. At least they appeared transparent, but Harry couldn't actually see through them. The most amazing thing was her skin. Ginny's normal creamy skin seemed to be glowing, as if there were a candle inside of her. A faint halo of light surrounded her.
"Er, Harry, are you all right?" Ginny asked, as Harry hadn't moved a muscle since she walked in. He shook himself out of his trance and managed a weak smile. "So…do you like it?" Ginny asked.
Harry shook his head up and down slowly, "You're…enthralling." Bedazzling, amazing, bewitching – more descriptions of how Ginny looked to him flashed through Harry's mind.
"Well, that's a bit more than I was shooting for, but I guess that's good." Ginny laughed softly. They were interrupted as Hermione and Ron made it down at the same time. Ron, grinning ear to ear, was wearing his Chudley Cannon robes and carrying his new broomstick, a Firebolt, just like Harry's. His brothers had given it to him for his birthday, along with a new set of dress robes. Harry was glad to see Fred and George had kept their promise to him when he gave them his winnings from the Triwizard Tournament. Hermione had cast a spell on Ron's normal quidditch robes to match the Chudley Cannons' colors and design.
"Nice costumes!!" Harry said approvingly. Hermione had her hair slicked back the way she did it at the Yule Ball last year, and was wearing shimmery golden robes, with fluffy white wings attached. Like Ginny, the wings were enchanted to flutter. To heighten the Golden Snitch effect, Hermione's hair and skin were shimmering with a golden glow. She smiled at Harry and walked over to Ron's side.
"So, I guess we'll find out tonight if you're just as good a seeker as a keeper," she said with a half-smile. Ron turned red as he figured out what she said, and Harry and Ginny were struggling to control their laughter. Harry looked at Hermione admiringly – she definitely knew how to push Ron's buttons, he thought. Soon Neville came down the stairs, dressed in an outfit that reminded Harry of the Robinhood stories he read in Muggle school as a child. Like Ginny, Neville was wearing a crown and had wings on his back, but both were much larger and sturdier looking.
As they were all ready to leave, Ginny prepared to do the Transperencia spell on Harry. "Just stand still, I don't think it hurts or anything," Ginny said. Harry backed away. She didn't think it would hurt?
"Stop fidgeting!" Ginny ordered. Harry stood at attention and Ginny muttered some incantation under her breath while walking around Harry and moving her wand in a strange pattern. Harry felt a peculiar tingling sensation pass through him. He looked down at his hands and saw that they seemed to be fading. After a minute, he could see right through them, just like the ghosts that roamed Hogwarts' corridors. Harry looked up at Ginny in shock. She and Hermione looked pleased, although Neville seemed scared to go near Harry. Ron was staring at Harry in envy.
"Well, I've got to get down there now. The Prefects must be at the feast early to make sure everything runs smoothly," Hermione broke in.
"So, shall we go?" Ginny asked. Harry nodded, with an amazed expression, still staring at his now see-through hands, and they all headed for the Entrance Hall. Cho was already there, wearing what looked like a tiger skin wrapped around her body. It was very short and form fitting, causing Ron and Neville to gape with their eyes as wide as saucers. Hermione and Ginny simultaneously frowned and elbowed their respective dates. Cho walked up to Harry with a small tiger print wrap in her hand. Apparently, that was supposed to be Harry's costume.
"What did you do to yourself?" Cho asked in disbelief. She looked at Harry for a second and then sighed, "I guess the Tarzan costume is out now. Oh well, a ghost isn't the worst costume you could've chosen."
Harry was relieved that she was taking it so well. Before they could head into the Great Hall, Cho suddenly grinned, "You know, if you're a ghost, you should be flying!!" Before anyone could say a word, Cho shouted "Wingardium Leviosa!" and Harry shot up into the air, panicked. Cho looked absolutely delighted and guided Harry into the Great Hall with her wand. Harry could hear Ron sniggering below him and forgot his fear for a moment as he tried to figure out a way to get back at him. Soon, though, they heard shouts, and a group of first years ran out of the Great Hall in terror.
"What's that about?" Ron wondered. Fred came up to them with Angelina Johnson on his arm, both dressed as what Harry guessed were vampires. Fred looked particularly dashing dressed as a nineteenth century English lord, but with real fangs dripping with blood (Angelina had bloody tooth marks on her neck) and deathly pale skin. He had also somehow managed to make his eyes glow red, which made Harry slightly uncomfortable.
"What did you guys do to all those first years? They ran out screaming as soon as they saw you." Glancing at Ron in his bright orange robes, Fred added "Oh, never mind."
Hermione grabbed Ron's arm to prevent him from attacking his older brother. Trying to change the topic, she asked after George.
"Oh, he and Alicia Spinnet decided to get some air before dinner," Fred winked at Angelina as he said this. "I think we'll join them." Angelina hid a small grin and led Fred out.
"Weasley, Granger!!!! Where's Potter??" Everyone spun around at Professor McGonagall's alarmed voice. As she spotted Harry hovering next to Cho, she muttered a few words and Harry floated back to the ground. Harry was quite pleased to feel solid ground beneath him, and stared at it fondly, but his head snapped back up at McGonagall's sharp voice. "And who's brilliant idea was it to have Harry floating around the Great Hall, petrifying all the first years?? They practically scared me to death, ranting about how Harry Potter was dead and his ghost was floating in the Great Hall!"
Both Ginny and Cho turned red. Cho looked away, but Ginny spoke up with a strong voice, "It wasn't Harry's fault, Professor McGonagall. I suggested he come as a ghost. I'm very sorry. I didn't think…"
Professor McGonagall's face was still angry, but Harry could have sworn he saw a smile try to break free from the corners of her lips. She looked at everyone's scared faces and said sternly, "Very well Potter, move along. You can keep your costume, but do try to stick to the ground. I don't want to spend my night peeling frightened children off my robes." With that, McGonagall left to comfort the still terrified first years.
"That was close. Thanks a lot Ginny," Harry said earnestly. Ginny smiled a bit at this and turned to follow Neville to the table. Harry dug into his dinner, rather relieved to discover that while he was transparent, no one could see his insides as he ate. Just last year, he thought, he would have found that rather funny and quite enjoyed making the girls wince in disgust. Harry suddenly felt as if he had walked through ice, looking up to see Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, float through him.
"It's true!! It's true!!! I heard a rumor that Harry Potter had decided to come as a ghost, and I just had to see for myself!! Was it I, Harry? Did I inspire you?" Nearly Headless Nick was bouncing up and down in midair, anxiously awaiting Harry's answer.
"Er, yeah, I've always wanted to be just like you Nick," Harry lied. "Happy Deathday, by the way." Harry, Ron and Hermione had been invited to Nick's 500th deathday party in their second year, missing the Halloween feast to mingle among ghosts and enjoy the smells of rotten food – it was the only way a ghost even had a chance of almost tasting it.
"You remembered!" Nearly Headless Nick beamed to high heavens and floated away, brimming with joy and talking to himself about how he couldn't wait to tell the others. Harry didn't mind Nick – he had helped them out of sticky situations in the past. It was the least he could do to make it up to him. Soon, all the dishes cleared and the tables moved themselves to the walls, emptying a large space that began to fill with couples dancing. Harry felt Cho take his hand and immediately drop it. He turned to look at her in surprise and she smiled shyly.
"Sorry, I forgot about the tingle." Seeing Harry's puzzled look, she added, "You're under the Transperencia spell, aren't you? If someone else touches you they feel a weird tingle. It's not bad, it just took me by surprise is all." She smiled and took Harry's hand again, leading him to the dance floor. Harry was feeling very uncomfortable at this point, so he was glad a fast song was playing.
After dancing a while, Harry left Cho with her friends and went to get her some punch. He found Ron and Hermione sitting nervously side by side, not looking at each other. Harry drank some punch himself as he was dying of thirst – Cho really liked to dance – and brought a couple of glasses to his friends. Ron and Hermione seemed grateful for the distraction, so Harry sat to join them.
"Why aren't you dancing?" Harry asked. Hermione, her cheeks slightly pink underneath the golden glow, just raised her eyebrows and tilted her head toward Ron. Ron noticed this and acted shocked.
"What, you actually want to dance??" he asked incredulously. "I didn't think you were into that."
Hermione's temper flared, "Why wouldn't I want to dance? Just because I study doesn't mean I don't like to have fun! Remember, I am a girl!" Hermione turned her back to Ron. Harry couldn't believe they were fighting again after what he had seen last week. He didn't think he could handle them going back to their squabbling.
"I'll dance with you if you like Hermione," Harry offered. "Cho will probably be chatting with her friends for a while, she won't miss me." Hermione smiled and stood up to take the hand he offered, but Harry's words had the exact effect he had hoped for.
"Hey, Hermione's my date!" Ron jumped up and stood between Harry and Hermione. "If she wants to dance, then she'll dance with me!!"
Turning to Hermione, he gave an extravagant bow and held his arm out, "Shall we, my Golden Snitch?" Hermione took his arm, giggling, and they headed to the dance floor, Firebolt in tow. Harry thought his sides would split as he held in his laughter. He watched Ron and Hermione start dancing a very bad waltz (although the music playing was decidedly not waltz-like). They were clearly enjoying themselves, though, laughing at their exaggerated movements and talking animatedly. Harry watched until the dance ended and saw Ron again give Hermione a deep bow, which she answered with a curtsey. Ron then started using his broom as a limbo stick, and a crowd of students joined in. Harry smirked as he saw Ron scowl deeply when Krum joined the group and took Hermione away for a dance. Still smiling, Harry decided he should find Cho again. As he searched for Cho, Harry felt a peculiar pain in his chest as he saw Ginny drift by with Neville. Neville was twirling her around so her dress floated about her. Harry didn't know how long he stood there watching Ginny, but he was soon interrupted by a tap on his shoulder.
"Hey, are you ready to dance some more?" It was Cho. Harry dragged his eyes away from Ginny and walked onto the dance floor with Cho. His eyes soon flew back to Ginny, though, and he watched her smiling and laughing with Neville. Justin Finch-Fletchley found Ginny after a while, and asked Neville if he could cut in. Neville politely stepped aside and danced with Justin's date, a pretty blonde fifth year Hufflepuff that Harry recognized from Herbology, Hannah Abbott. Harry felt his insides twist as Justin and Ginny began dancing. He saw Justin place a hand on Ginny's back and pull her a little closer. Boy, his timing was perfect, he thought. All those years Ginny had a crush on him and now that she liked someone else, he can't stop thinking about her. Harry felt his chest tighten and tried to push the jealous thoughts out of his mind. Jealous? Why should he be jealous? It was Ginny's choice who she liked, and if it was Justin…well, Harry didn't really want to think about that right now. He was so absorbed in watching Ginny and Justin that he nearly jumped out of his skin when Viktor Krum spoke to him.
"Huh" Harry said stupidly.
Krum repeated, "I asked if you would mind switching partners for this dance." Harry looked up and saw Fleur standing beside Krum, smiling at Harry. Cho grinned as she started dancing with Krum, and Fleur took Harry's hand – she shivered slightly as she felt a tingle. Fleur was dressed as a Cygnus, a beautiful, powerfully magical, swan-like creature that had once been very widespread in Europe but was now thought to be extinct. The Cygnus was believed to be the ancestor of the Veela. Fleur and Harry danced in silence for a few minutes.
"You like zee red-'aired girl, don't you? I don't blame you, she eez very beautiful. She zeems to be glowing from within, doesn't she?" Fleur said this almost to herself, and broke into a broad smile at Harry's taken-aback expression. "Oh, come on, 'Arry!! I am a woman. I can tell zees things. It eez very obvious how you look at 'er."
Harry hoped his blushing was hidden by his being translucent, and tried to recover, "I, er, I wasn't…I mean she's Ron's…" Harry stumbled over his words. "I was only looking at her 'cause I was trying to find Ron and I thought he might be with her." It was the first complete sentence he could come up with.
"If you say so 'Arry," Fleur did not look like she believed a word he had said. "But I 'ope you realize with everything that is 'appening, you shouldn't take time for granted."
Harry glanced over at Ginny, who was still dancing with Justin. At that moment, a slow song began, and to Harry's amazement and horror – he couldn't decide which he felt more – Fleur steered him towards Ginny. She asked Ginny if she would mind it if she stole her partner for a bit, and Justin was reacting to Fleur the way Ron usually did, standing there open-mouthed and grinning. Fleur smiled at Justin and took his hand, leaving Harry alone with Ginny. Harry and Ginny looked at each other awkwardly for a moment.
"So, er, would you like to dance," Harry asked, again praying his flushed cheeks were hidden by the spell. Ginny nodded and stepped a little closer to Harry. Harry also inched closer and raised his arm. He stood there for a few seconds, hands hovering just above Ginny's skin as he tried to figure out where to put them. Finally, he settled on putting one hand on her shoulder and took her hand with his other. Ginny looked up at him and they danced wordlessly, just staring into each other's eyes. Harry could feel his pulse quicken and the tightness in his chest expand to his throat so couldn't speak momentarily. Harry felt Ginny shivering beneath his touch – probably the tingle, he thought – and apologized. "Er, sorry about that. It's the spell I guess."
Ginny just shook her head slowly and inched closer. "No," she whispered, "that only lasts for a second." Ginny's cheeks seemed to glow pink, and Harry noticed she still had an aura of light about her. He stepped a little closer, his heart beating madly. His hand moved off Ginny's shoulder and slid down her back, through her soft curls. He stopped when his hand reached her wings, still fluttering lightly, giving off a gentle breeze. Harry leaned his head against hers and closed his eyes, noticing how the smell of her hair made him feel safe and warm inside. Suddenly, he fell forward, knocking heads with Ginny. Harry turned around to see what had hit him in the back, rubbing his head. Standing behind him with sheepish grins on their faces were Fred and George.
"Er, sorry Harry," George said grinning, trying to hide what looked like an armful of sticks behind his back. Harry noticed a large branch on the floor beside him.
"See, I told you the Transperencia spell doesn't make him pervious," Fred said to George. He then turned to Harry, "George here thought it would be funny to go as the Whomping Willow." Harry now noticed that George's outfit looked suspiciously like a tree trunk and that he had leaves all over his head. Fred continued, "He's been trying to hit people with branches all night!"
Ron and Hermione had heard the commotion and walked over. Fred and George smiled knowingly at each other as they saw the two approach, not quite holding hands but with the tips of their fingers touching. The twins were dragged away as Alicia and Angelina came back to reclaim their dates. Harry sighed. He could still feel Ginny's soft skin beneath his fingers, still smell the delicate aroma of her hair. Hermione came up to Harry and grabbed his hand, "Come on, I owe you a dance."
Ron looked at Ginny and twisted his face in disgust, "I'm not dancing with my sister!" Ginny narrowed her eyes and made a face at him. Ron's problem was soon solved, though, as Fleur appeared, with Neville in tow. Apparently Hannah had returned to Justin, leaving Neville to enjoy Fleur's charms. Ron's eyes went wide with fear and he gulped hard. Before he could say anything, Fleur had taken his arm and started to dance with him. Despite the age difference, Ron was still a lot taller than Fleur, Harry thought as he looked over at his best friend. He noticed that Hermione had stiffened when Fleur and Ron began dancing, and was sneaking glances at them out of the corner of her eye. Harry was quite impressed with Ron. He had recovered from his initial speechlessness and was actually having a conversation with Fleur, although he still seemed somewhat edgy. When the song ended, Hermione rushed over to Ron and announced she was tired of dancing and wanted some air. Harry joined them as they headed outside, figuring it was better than watching Ginny and Neville dance.
Ron was still glowing from his dance with Fleur, looking triumphant, and Hermione glared at him as she went to pour herself a glass of punch before she headed out. As Ron and Harry left the Great Hall, Ron leaned over and whispered to Harry, "Did you see? Did you notice me dancing with Fleur? I was able to act normal. I spoke in complete sentences and everything!! Hermione'll be so glad." Harry tried to look politely puzzled, as he wasn't supposed to know about Ron and Hermione's discussion about Fleur, but Ron didn't seem to notice. Hermione returned with three glasses of punch, still looking peeved. They kept walking until they found an empty bench, as a lot of students had also found their way outside. They all sat drinking quietly for a while, enjoying the cool night.
"Excited about your dance with Fleur?" Hermione asked nonchalantly. Ron frowned, as he had noticed the angry glint in Hermione's eyes.
"What did I do now? I thought you'd be pleased! I wasn't drooling," Ron looked thoroughly confused, as Harry watched in amusement.
"Why would I be pleased that you were dancing with Fleur?" Hermione asked loudly, her voice squeaking. Harry wondered how Ron was going to get out of this one.
Ron was totally exasperated by this point. "I didn't get all speechless, did I? I treated her like any other person!! Isn't that what you wanted? 'Cause if it wasn't, then maybe you'd better spell it out for me, because I don't think I'll ever figure out what it takes to make you happy!!" Ron had stood up and was shouting, attracting a few stares as people walked by.
Hermione stood up and shouted back, her face red with anger. "Don't try to pretend you were dancing with Fleur to make me happy! Honestly!!! You know what I want?? I just want you to tell the truth for once!!! Just once!!! Do you think you can do that?"
"The truth?" Ron sputtered, "You want the truth?? Fine, I'll tell you the truth. I DON'T LIKE FLEUR, I LIKE YOU!!! AND I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN YOU DANCE WITH KRUM, TALK TO KRUM, OR EVEN THINK ABOUT KRUM!!! THERE, ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!!!" Ron's face had gone beet red, as if he couldn't believe what he had just shouted. Harry sat still on the bench, forgotten, equally astounded and impressed at his best friend's daring.
The anger had disappeared from Hermione's face. She was just staring at Ron in total astonishment, as if that were the last thing in the world she had expected him to say. She took a deep breath and said softly, "I'm happy now."
Ron's fear turned to wonder as he and Hermione looked at each other for a moment. Harry was about to figure out how to sneak away without being noticed when all of a sudden, he felt a sharp burning pain in his scar. He collapsed to the floor, clutching his head, and Ron and Hermione fell to their knees beside him, trying to help. A moment later, Dumbledore's amplified voice echoed over the school grounds.
"Attention all students! You must return to your common rooms at once! I repeat, return to your common rooms at once and wait for the heads of your houses. Prefects, if you would make sure all the students make it to their rooms in a calm and orderly manner. Again, return to your common rooms at once!"
A/N: So, how was it?? OK, how many of you thought Ron was going to say, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!" I hope I haven't become that predictable. Anyway, I trust there was enough romance in this chapter for you. Thanks again to all who read this, and especially to those who reviewed. (Oh, and the Yankees won!!!)