A/N Arwen Evenstar- You have given me a stroke of genius! You are going to
be in my story. You won't his GF in the end but you'll be it for the
majority of the time! I edited the first chapter and you're in it!
Salazar- er, thnx. I know it was horrible writing. I WAS HALF ASLEEP. Besides I'm editing it! So thanx for being nice but you obviously read the whole thing and if you did then why did you? If it is as bad as you say, the logical way of looking at is DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!
Margarita Mocha (who didn't review)- Review me! I'll go do you. Anyways, I hope Steph is feeling alright. Y said she was. I WENT SHOPPING! With Y so it was fun. And yesterday I got to spend four hours in a bookstore reading books that don't belong to me! Merry Xmas Faye! *whisper* thongs*
Christmas In Hogwarts*~~
Part Two*~~
Ginny sighed as she leaned against the wall of the sixth year girl dormitories. "Go as friends.." She groaned. "Why FRIENDS?!" she screamed hitting her head against the wall with a loud smack.
"Ginny?" asked Pavarti revealing herself from the place behind her bed.
"I." Ginny was a bright red.
"Okay, Ginny, something's on your mind. I want to know!"
"Harry just asked me to the ball-" but Pavarti cut her off.
"FINALLY!"
"No, just as friends," Ginny said gloomily. "I'd talk to Hermione but she's going out with Ron. She'd tell him in trying to help me. Ron would tease me about having a 'crush'! But I think I'm in love Pavarti!"
"No duh. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out! I believe that Harry is I love wit you too."
"Pavarti, Harry is head over heals about Cho Chang! It is so obvious!"
"Look, Ginny, maybe Harry was just afraid to ask you as, you know, a girlfriend. You can never tell with a guy! Seamus asked me to go to the masquerade with him as a friend. Now we're going out!"
"Was he one of your BEST FRINEDS?! Or your older brother's BEST FRIEND?! Would your older brother KILL HIM?!" Ginny started sobbing.
"Ginny!"
"I can never be with Harry. First off it would put his friendship with Ron in danger. Second his friendship with my other brothers.
Third, OUR friendship would be in danger. Forth he sees me as a baby girl. Fifth, and last, he only likes me as a FRIEND!" Ginny was now crying uncontrollably.
"Don't be so sure Gin," said Hemrione's voice. The next moment she and Lavender were next to Pavarti and Ginny on the ground. Hermione hugged her.
"P-pleas d-don't t-tell R-Ron.'
"Now, why the hell would I do that?" asked Hermione, confused.
"T-to help me!"
"Yeah, right! Ron I a freak of nature! He would flip on you and then go kill Harry!"
"Because Harry doesn't love me or like me in that way!"
"No, Ginny," Hermione said soothingly. "Because he doesn't THINK that Harry likes you in that way! I've been Harry's friend for years. He looks at you the way he USED to look at Cho Chang. Over the summer it happened. Now he doesn't have that look when he sees Cho."
"Hermione," Ginny said softly. Her face was rd but she had stopped crying.
"She's right. Just let this thing play itself out!" Lavender said with a comforting air.
"We have practice," Pavarti said pulling Ginny up. The four trooped into the practice room. Harry avoided Ginny's eyes. He was trying to avoid Ron as well. Something felt strange.
"Alright guys," said Madam Viler walking in. She was the perfect ballerina. She had long legs, skinny body, and long black hair pulled into a bun. She wore a black leotard with pink tights and a green wrap.
Madam Viler was a very interesting person. She had two muggle degrees, one in business law and one doctor's degree. She had permits for magical medical practice, teaching, dancing, and reporting.
She had traveled the world in both magical and muggle ways. Madam was native to France but spoke fluent French, English, Japanese, Chinese (there's difference), German, and Italian.
"Boys please go to the left side, ladies to the right. We're doing duet warm-ups. Those who never dance with a partner, sit." Two people sat. One boy, one girl. The girl was Emily. She danced the role of a snobby child named Petunia (hehehehehehehe) who was later the Sour Drop.
The boy was Damien. He danced the part of a shy boy who later was the Whip Cream Boy. Neither danced with a partner because of their personalities. "Damien, Emily, in the end of the production, or rather near the end, the two of you will dance together. Now up!" They obeyed Madam's words.
Ginny stood across from Harry. They avoided eye contact and focused hard on their moves as Madam turned on music. (I'm listening to Coyote Ugly CD but they have soft music)
Ginny leapt into the air. Harry caught her with ease as he spun neatly. Draco and Arwen were in front of them. Draco was pretty good on his feet. Arwen was excellent. This was why she had the important role of Music Box Doll.
Hermione and Ron were in the front of the room dancing as well as Harry and Ginny. "Something's up with Harry," Ron stated as she leapt and he caught her.
"Something's up with Ginny," Hermione said as she did a handstand off of him. "Big deal. Besides just let Harry talk to you."
"You know what's going on," Ron accused.
"Harry will tell you."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then he doesn't. Ron please, just leave this be. It'll work itself out!"
"You know too much, Hermione," Ron said grumpily. He grabbed her foot as she swung it up. With ease she pushed her other foot off of the ground andflipped while his hand remained firmly on her foot.
"Very good!" Madam Viler said as the music ended. "Perfect synchronization! Excellent!" She clapped her hands. They all were flushed by now. "Take a break and get a drink. Harry, Ginny, hurry, I want to work on your dance!"
The two walked out into the corridor where they ahd left their water. The room was in the dungeons so they were kept cool. Harry leaned against the bricks a Ginny sat next to him.
"Harry," Ginny began.
"Hmm?"
"Have you told Ron you're taking me to the ball?"
"No." Harry said, looking at his knees.
"Why not?"
"I haven't had the chance."
"Well don't tell him Harry."
"Why not, Gin?" Harry asked curiously.
"I. I just want it to be a surprise. to everyone."
"Hermione knows," Harry said calmly. "And so do Lavender and Pavarti." His heart was beating fast. Why was she being so mysterious?
Did she wasn't it to be a surprise because she was excited and wanted to impress people. Or was she embarrassed?
"How... do you know that?"
"I can do that. You know, just tell that people know things. I really don't know why."
"Oh, well I just sort of..." Ginny was a bright red. She couldn't tell Harry she wanted to be more than friends!
"Sort of what? Gin, you can tell me!"
'He's looking at me like his friend, not someone he's in love with,' Ginny thought grimly. However she was wrong. "I was just-"
Madam Viler poked her head into the corridor. Ginny turned pink. Harry whipped around to see her. "Come on," she said in her usual rolling voice.
"Uh, yeah," Ginny said hopping up. She grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him up. The two walked back in. Malfoy looked up from talking with Arwen. He grinned maliciously.
"Now," Madam Viler said, her back to Malfoy, "Let's take it from the top of duet."
Harry nodded as Ginny turned. She sat in the right lower corner on a small brown stool. Harry nodded to her as the counts began from Madam's mouth. On the fifth count he whirled over and kissed her hand. She giggled.
His heart was pounding. This wasn't an act for him. He only wished he was forced to kiss her lips more than once in the production. Ginny on the other hand was trying to keep a blush out of her face.
She felt herself being pulled up. It took a moment for her to register why. Just in time she was ready. She curtsied. Harry bowed. He held his hand out with a flourish.
Ginny accepted it and they turned as if doing a formal dance. Then the two did begin a formal waltz. But in at five counts the music had changed and Ginny spun with ease.
Madam was frowning now. They were doing fine acting and their moves were perfect but no life seemed to be in their dancing. "Stop," she said.
"What is it, Madam?" asked Ginny as she had Harry stopped.
"I have an idea. Alright, dancers for the party, practice hike I get some things. Malfoy sit our and be a spectator." She swept out of the room. Harry sat down and Malfoy moved over by him.
"Nice girl you've got yourself," he drawled.
"Ginny's one of my best friends Malfoy. Don't you have a stick to shove up your ass r something?"
"Watch it Potter,' he hissed.
"Watch what?"
"Her ass," he said turning to watch Ginny fly across the stage with the other girls. "Almost as fine as Arwen's."
"Malfoy, I suggest you keep your eyes off of Ginny's ass, perv," Harry replied in a bored tone. "Or I might just tell some people you like a witch with a muggle for a mother."
"You." Draco hissed.
"Your daddy wouldn't be so pleased," Harry continued. He was enjoying taunting Malfoy, the pervert. "I mean he was in Voldemort's inner circle. He does have this thing against half-muggles."
"You."
"YOU really should stop repeating yourself. But did you know that Voldemort himself was half muggle? His father was muggle. That's where he got his firs name. Tom Marvalo Riddle, it was his father's. I should know; Pettigrew tied me to his grave."
"You can't tell him!"
"They CAN get mail in Azkaban, Malfoy."
"How would you know, Potty?"
"I'm sorry, no body with the name Potty seems to be in this room."
"Potter." he hissed, trying to sound menacing.
"OH, you know, Peter Pettigrew. I felt inclined to send him a Howler. So did Remus and Sirius. Bella and Aimee were pretty pissed as well. Now we send him the paper. Something to do with when they were at school."
"You-Know-Who is out there somewhere. No one ever killed him. I'll find him Potter," he hissed softly.
"You hiss too much," Harry commented airily. "And I wouldn't be so sure of that." The music ended and Ginny, Ron, and Hermione walked over. Malfoy got up to go talk with Arwen.
"What was that git saying?" asked Ron, glaring at Malfoy.
"Nothing," Harry said hotly. His eyes were burning.
"If it was nothing, you wouldn't have that look in your eyes," Ron snapped. "Cough it up!"
"Look, I'll tell you later," Harry said, agitatedly.
"Ooooooooooooh," Hermione said slickly, "he hurt his male ego!"
"I'll pretend you didn't say that and I didn't hear it," Harry said loftily.
"Whatever," Hermione said shrugging. Then she leaned close to Ginny, "I believe we have some 'secret matters' to discuss with Lavender and Pavarti later, ourselves."
"Hermione!" Ginny moaned. The guys watched intently.
"No putting it off!" Hermione scolded slapping her arm lightly. She kissed Ron and stood with Ginny. The two went to practice the addition of a dance with the two of them and a drummer.
Later that night the fire danced on Harry's face as he stared blankly at it. He was thinking about Ginny's request. 'What had it meant?!' he thought furiously. He tugged at his hair. He yelped quietly, pulling it harder than he had meant.
"Harry, you okay?" asked Ron, eyebrows furrowed. "You've been acting weird for like. ever. I mean it happened back at my house."
"Uh. yeah," Harry said. He had obviously been tuning on out.
"Okay, now I KNOW something's up. I may be annoying but you never tune me out!"
"Maybe I do and you just don't have the sense to see it."
"Hardy har har," Ron said huffily. He opened his mouth to continue speaking when they heard yells from the corridor. "What the hell?!"
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!" came a female voice. It was soaked in anger and PMS.
"HELP ME!!" said a male voice, much louder. "JELLY SLUGS!" The portrait swung open and George Weasley came in.
"GEORGE WEASLEY, GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!" screamed Angelina Johnson, following him in. Her face was red and her eyes a blaze. She slammed the portrait behind her.
"It was FRED'S IDEA!"
"RAT'S ASS IT WAS!"
"Rat's ass what?" asked Ginny walking over, calmly. You could say Yamani-smooth (Tamora Pierce, I just was reading the Protector of the Small books)
"YOUR STUPID BROTHER IS HARRASSING ME!
"I AM NOT!" George yelled back.
"THEN WHAT THE HELL WOULD YOU CALL SNEAKING UP BEHIND ME NAD GRABBING MY CHEST!" Ginny turned to glare at her brother with these words.
The two had returned to Hogwarts with Fred and Katie Bell. According to Dumbledore, who had announced their arrival the day before, they were here to help with The Nutcracker (if you could call it that with all of the changes).
They had disappeared since that dinner and just now were found.
"GEORGE WEASLEY!" Ginny shrieked.
"You are so dead," Ron commented from his chair, looking at the three,
"Gee, thanks for the update, Ron," George snapped. Everyone in the common room was watching the scene.
"No problem," Ron said smugly.
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded from the chessboard she and Ginny had been using a few moments ago.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"HELLO!" Angelina screamed.
"Look, ask that boyfriend of yours. We call it a joke!" George retorted.
"I GUESS THAT MEANS YOU WOULDN'T MIND FRED GRABBING AICIA'S BOOBS!" It was common knowledge that Fred was dating Angelina and George- Alicia.
"Actually, we had a game of drink and dare last night. That's why we had hangover and missed rehearsal. We each dared each other the same thing. They should be arriving any mom-"
"FREDRICK WEALSEY!" Alicia's clear voice bellowed from the top of the girl's tower. "GET OUT!"
In a flash Fred Weasley was lying on the floor next to his twin, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Alicia Spinnet, former chaser of Gryffindor quidditch team along with Angelina and Katie Bell, stood on the girl dormitory stairs, glaring at him.
"YOU ARE A PERVERT!" The twins quickly walked to their girlfriend and tried to explain, calm them, and not get beaten to death all at the same time.
"That's what you get!" Harry teased as he and Ron helped the twins up from the floor once Ginny and Hermione had gotten the fuming girls back up to their dormitory.
"I can't wait until G-" but Fred was cut off by a sharp elbow in his ribs from George.
"What?" asked Harry with narrowed eyes.
"Nothing," the twins said in unison.
"Oh, it's definitely something!" Harry said glaring now.
"Just leave it," Ron said and pulled his friend up their dormitory steps.
They sat on their four-poster beds with the rest of the guys in their dormitory. The conversation trailed from many things. It eventually got to the Winter Dance. "I'm going with Lavender," Dean said proudly.
"Oh, that was a HUGE surprise," Seamus said sarcastically.
"HEY!"
"You have been going out since fourth year!"
"End of fourth year," Dean corrected stoutly.
"You are such an idiot," Seamus said, shaking his head.
"And I suppose you are going with someone?"
"Yes, Pavarti Patil!" Seamus said. "Seeing as we've been going out since summer," he added slickly
"Our man Harry got her for the Yule Ball though," Ron said slapping Harry's back.
"Who you going with?" asked Neville dumbly. He slapped himself in the head the next moment. He wasn't as stupid as he used to be but he still took a while to have thing register.
"Well, seeing as you asked," Ron said after they all snickered and Neville shrugged it off, "I'm taking Hermione."
"Congratulations on taking your GIRLDFRIEND!" Dean said. Ron threw his pillow at Dean. Dean threw it back in retaliation.
"Neville," Seamus said, ignoring his friends, "are you taking anyone?" Neville turned bright pink.
"As a matter of fact. I am."
"Who?" asked Ron and Dean in shocked unison, stopping their passing of throwing pillows.
"Daisy C-Cane. You know the transfer from Bobatons. She's a Hufflepuff fifth year."
"Oh, I know her!" Ron said, eyes wide. "She's pretty. I know, she's the piano player for The Nutcracker. She was talking with Harry."
"Speaking of the silent man," Dean said turning to their friend. Harry had been silent the whole conversation of the Dance. "Who are you going with?
"Yeah, even I've got a date!" Neville exclaimed. The boys laughed. Minus Harry that was.
"I." Harry fell silent, remembering Ginny's odd request. "I'm going with. someone."
"You'd better ask 'someone' soon," Ron warned.
"Look, I have a date. She just wants. okay, this'll sound weird but she wants to keep it a secret." Harry's voice was agitated.
"Sure," Seamus said. The other boys broke down laughing. Harry rolled his eyes. Suddenly a large pure black feathered owl flew in and dropped a letter on his lap. It flew off to the menagerie.
"What the." Neville fell silent. Harry opened the letter when he saw Sirius's familiar handwriting.
'Harry,
God, you need a nickname. Perhaps Lightning. No offense, your scar is very important. Anyways, I wanted to tell you that Remus is sending new dress robes for the ball. We also are sending a muggle suit. Hope you and Gin have a good time!
Padfoot*~^*~^'
"Harry what is that?" asked Seamus curiously.
"Nothing."
"A letter from the 'mystery date'?" teased Dean.
"Oh shut-up," Harry snapped. He put the letter with his others in the bedside cabinet. Then he pulled out an album. It had photos o his parents. The boys looked at it curiously (Ron knew what it was and moved over to see).
"Which one are you looking for?" Ron asked watching the pages flip.
"The one of them with Padfoot and Moony, before a Ball with their dates. My mum was my dad's."
"So it's after their fifth year," Ron commented. The other boys were looking at it too.
"Who are those people?" asked Neville.
"My parents and their friends." Harry stopped at a picture of young Remus, Sirius, Arabella Figg, Kayla Parker, Lily Evans/Potter, and James Potter. They wore special robes.
"Least Peter's not in it," Ron commented. The boys were staring at the young Remus.
"T-that's." Dean was lost for words.
"Professor Lupin?" supplied Ron grinning.
"What the hell is going on?" asked Seamus flabbergasted. Neville seemed too shocked to speak.
"Professor Remus J. Lupin was one of my parents' best friends," Harry said as Ron was in gails of uncontrollable laughter.
"Who is that guy?" asked Neville pointing to the young and handsome once playboy Sirius Black.
"That," Rons aid dramatically, "is Sirius Lee Black!"
"Y-your parents were friends with a murderer?" Neville stuttered.
"I guess. in a way they were best friends with three," Harry said slowly.
"What do you mean?" asked Ron. Now he was confused.
"Shrieking Shack?" Harry asked. Ron slapped his head. "Then the sewers, well they were before that but.."
"Padfoot on November 1st and then him and Moony that one night," Ron said slowly. "Wormtail because. he was with.."
"Exactly," Harry said. "It was because he served Lord Voldemort, if you can call the bastard a 'Lord'."
"I'm utterly baffled," Dean muttered.
"You know after The War that the Sirius Black was cleared by vouches and evidence that Peter Pettigrew was living?" asked Ron.
"Everyone knows that!" Neville said.
"Yeah, big deal. He's got a lot of power. Maybe he corrupted something," Seamus said. Ron and Harry burst out laughing.
"What?" asked the three boys together.
"N-nothing," Ron sniggered.
"Sirius Black is my godfather. I live with him, his wife, Remus- Professor Lupin, and his wife. Aimee and Bella- their wives- tease them all of the time about their records here at school," Harry said punching Ron lightly.
"Did you know Lupin has the fifth highest record for detentions?!" Ron said laughing.
"WHAT?!" Now all of the boys were laughing.
"Oh, gee thanks," said an agitated voice from the door. They sat up to see a black dog at the feet of Remus Lupin and two women.
"P-professor," Neville stuttered.
The dog at his feet gave a tormenting bark. "Shut it, Padfoot," Remus said. "Harry! I'm here to give you this!"
"I thought you were sending it here," Harry said, sitting up and taking the bag which he knew contained his clothes.
"We decided not to," Bella said.
"The ladies wanted to see you," Lupin said mocking a petty female voice.
"We hexed you fine in school and we can still hex you!" Bella snapped, blushing.
"Yes, we could hex a certain part off of you and then you would be a girl!" Aimee said smugly grabbing her friend's hand and dragging her to the girl dormitories.
"We'd better stop them before they hurt themselves," Remu9s said and he left with the dog.
The boys stared after him. "Weird." Harry said. Ron shrugged.
"They popped up over the summer," he said.
It was a few moments before any sound was heard. There was a shriek from the girls' dormitories. The five boys rushed out.
A/N I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY! First I couldn't get on FF. Then I had to have my computer shut off for days. Plz forgive me! Review too plz! Thanx, **Crystal*Tears**
PS I'm a co-author w/ my friend as Oswald Loves Perfume (I think. Faye Faye I have to meet my g' parents tomorrow sorry!)
Salazar- er, thnx. I know it was horrible writing. I WAS HALF ASLEEP. Besides I'm editing it! So thanx for being nice but you obviously read the whole thing and if you did then why did you? If it is as bad as you say, the logical way of looking at is DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!
Margarita Mocha (who didn't review)- Review me! I'll go do you. Anyways, I hope Steph is feeling alright. Y said she was. I WENT SHOPPING! With Y so it was fun. And yesterday I got to spend four hours in a bookstore reading books that don't belong to me! Merry Xmas Faye! *whisper* thongs*
Christmas In Hogwarts*~~
Part Two*~~
Ginny sighed as she leaned against the wall of the sixth year girl dormitories. "Go as friends.." She groaned. "Why FRIENDS?!" she screamed hitting her head against the wall with a loud smack.
"Ginny?" asked Pavarti revealing herself from the place behind her bed.
"I." Ginny was a bright red.
"Okay, Ginny, something's on your mind. I want to know!"
"Harry just asked me to the ball-" but Pavarti cut her off.
"FINALLY!"
"No, just as friends," Ginny said gloomily. "I'd talk to Hermione but she's going out with Ron. She'd tell him in trying to help me. Ron would tease me about having a 'crush'! But I think I'm in love Pavarti!"
"No duh. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out! I believe that Harry is I love wit you too."
"Pavarti, Harry is head over heals about Cho Chang! It is so obvious!"
"Look, Ginny, maybe Harry was just afraid to ask you as, you know, a girlfriend. You can never tell with a guy! Seamus asked me to go to the masquerade with him as a friend. Now we're going out!"
"Was he one of your BEST FRINEDS?! Or your older brother's BEST FRIEND?! Would your older brother KILL HIM?!" Ginny started sobbing.
"Ginny!"
"I can never be with Harry. First off it would put his friendship with Ron in danger. Second his friendship with my other brothers.
Third, OUR friendship would be in danger. Forth he sees me as a baby girl. Fifth, and last, he only likes me as a FRIEND!" Ginny was now crying uncontrollably.
"Don't be so sure Gin," said Hemrione's voice. The next moment she and Lavender were next to Pavarti and Ginny on the ground. Hermione hugged her.
"P-pleas d-don't t-tell R-Ron.'
"Now, why the hell would I do that?" asked Hermione, confused.
"T-to help me!"
"Yeah, right! Ron I a freak of nature! He would flip on you and then go kill Harry!"
"Because Harry doesn't love me or like me in that way!"
"No, Ginny," Hermione said soothingly. "Because he doesn't THINK that Harry likes you in that way! I've been Harry's friend for years. He looks at you the way he USED to look at Cho Chang. Over the summer it happened. Now he doesn't have that look when he sees Cho."
"Hermione," Ginny said softly. Her face was rd but she had stopped crying.
"She's right. Just let this thing play itself out!" Lavender said with a comforting air.
"We have practice," Pavarti said pulling Ginny up. The four trooped into the practice room. Harry avoided Ginny's eyes. He was trying to avoid Ron as well. Something felt strange.
"Alright guys," said Madam Viler walking in. She was the perfect ballerina. She had long legs, skinny body, and long black hair pulled into a bun. She wore a black leotard with pink tights and a green wrap.
Madam Viler was a very interesting person. She had two muggle degrees, one in business law and one doctor's degree. She had permits for magical medical practice, teaching, dancing, and reporting.
She had traveled the world in both magical and muggle ways. Madam was native to France but spoke fluent French, English, Japanese, Chinese (there's difference), German, and Italian.
"Boys please go to the left side, ladies to the right. We're doing duet warm-ups. Those who never dance with a partner, sit." Two people sat. One boy, one girl. The girl was Emily. She danced the role of a snobby child named Petunia (hehehehehehehe) who was later the Sour Drop.
The boy was Damien. He danced the part of a shy boy who later was the Whip Cream Boy. Neither danced with a partner because of their personalities. "Damien, Emily, in the end of the production, or rather near the end, the two of you will dance together. Now up!" They obeyed Madam's words.
Ginny stood across from Harry. They avoided eye contact and focused hard on their moves as Madam turned on music. (I'm listening to Coyote Ugly CD but they have soft music)
Ginny leapt into the air. Harry caught her with ease as he spun neatly. Draco and Arwen were in front of them. Draco was pretty good on his feet. Arwen was excellent. This was why she had the important role of Music Box Doll.
Hermione and Ron were in the front of the room dancing as well as Harry and Ginny. "Something's up with Harry," Ron stated as she leapt and he caught her.
"Something's up with Ginny," Hermione said as she did a handstand off of him. "Big deal. Besides just let Harry talk to you."
"You know what's going on," Ron accused.
"Harry will tell you."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then he doesn't. Ron please, just leave this be. It'll work itself out!"
"You know too much, Hermione," Ron said grumpily. He grabbed her foot as she swung it up. With ease she pushed her other foot off of the ground andflipped while his hand remained firmly on her foot.
"Very good!" Madam Viler said as the music ended. "Perfect synchronization! Excellent!" She clapped her hands. They all were flushed by now. "Take a break and get a drink. Harry, Ginny, hurry, I want to work on your dance!"
The two walked out into the corridor where they ahd left their water. The room was in the dungeons so they were kept cool. Harry leaned against the bricks a Ginny sat next to him.
"Harry," Ginny began.
"Hmm?"
"Have you told Ron you're taking me to the ball?"
"No." Harry said, looking at his knees.
"Why not?"
"I haven't had the chance."
"Well don't tell him Harry."
"Why not, Gin?" Harry asked curiously.
"I. I just want it to be a surprise. to everyone."
"Hermione knows," Harry said calmly. "And so do Lavender and Pavarti." His heart was beating fast. Why was she being so mysterious?
Did she wasn't it to be a surprise because she was excited and wanted to impress people. Or was she embarrassed?
"How... do you know that?"
"I can do that. You know, just tell that people know things. I really don't know why."
"Oh, well I just sort of..." Ginny was a bright red. She couldn't tell Harry she wanted to be more than friends!
"Sort of what? Gin, you can tell me!"
'He's looking at me like his friend, not someone he's in love with,' Ginny thought grimly. However she was wrong. "I was just-"
Madam Viler poked her head into the corridor. Ginny turned pink. Harry whipped around to see her. "Come on," she said in her usual rolling voice.
"Uh, yeah," Ginny said hopping up. She grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him up. The two walked back in. Malfoy looked up from talking with Arwen. He grinned maliciously.
"Now," Madam Viler said, her back to Malfoy, "Let's take it from the top of duet."
Harry nodded as Ginny turned. She sat in the right lower corner on a small brown stool. Harry nodded to her as the counts began from Madam's mouth. On the fifth count he whirled over and kissed her hand. She giggled.
His heart was pounding. This wasn't an act for him. He only wished he was forced to kiss her lips more than once in the production. Ginny on the other hand was trying to keep a blush out of her face.
She felt herself being pulled up. It took a moment for her to register why. Just in time she was ready. She curtsied. Harry bowed. He held his hand out with a flourish.
Ginny accepted it and they turned as if doing a formal dance. Then the two did begin a formal waltz. But in at five counts the music had changed and Ginny spun with ease.
Madam was frowning now. They were doing fine acting and their moves were perfect but no life seemed to be in their dancing. "Stop," she said.
"What is it, Madam?" asked Ginny as she had Harry stopped.
"I have an idea. Alright, dancers for the party, practice hike I get some things. Malfoy sit our and be a spectator." She swept out of the room. Harry sat down and Malfoy moved over by him.
"Nice girl you've got yourself," he drawled.
"Ginny's one of my best friends Malfoy. Don't you have a stick to shove up your ass r something?"
"Watch it Potter,' he hissed.
"Watch what?"
"Her ass," he said turning to watch Ginny fly across the stage with the other girls. "Almost as fine as Arwen's."
"Malfoy, I suggest you keep your eyes off of Ginny's ass, perv," Harry replied in a bored tone. "Or I might just tell some people you like a witch with a muggle for a mother."
"You." Draco hissed.
"Your daddy wouldn't be so pleased," Harry continued. He was enjoying taunting Malfoy, the pervert. "I mean he was in Voldemort's inner circle. He does have this thing against half-muggles."
"You."
"YOU really should stop repeating yourself. But did you know that Voldemort himself was half muggle? His father was muggle. That's where he got his firs name. Tom Marvalo Riddle, it was his father's. I should know; Pettigrew tied me to his grave."
"You can't tell him!"
"They CAN get mail in Azkaban, Malfoy."
"How would you know, Potty?"
"I'm sorry, no body with the name Potty seems to be in this room."
"Potter." he hissed, trying to sound menacing.
"OH, you know, Peter Pettigrew. I felt inclined to send him a Howler. So did Remus and Sirius. Bella and Aimee were pretty pissed as well. Now we send him the paper. Something to do with when they were at school."
"You-Know-Who is out there somewhere. No one ever killed him. I'll find him Potter," he hissed softly.
"You hiss too much," Harry commented airily. "And I wouldn't be so sure of that." The music ended and Ginny, Ron, and Hermione walked over. Malfoy got up to go talk with Arwen.
"What was that git saying?" asked Ron, glaring at Malfoy.
"Nothing," Harry said hotly. His eyes were burning.
"If it was nothing, you wouldn't have that look in your eyes," Ron snapped. "Cough it up!"
"Look, I'll tell you later," Harry said, agitatedly.
"Ooooooooooooh," Hermione said slickly, "he hurt his male ego!"
"I'll pretend you didn't say that and I didn't hear it," Harry said loftily.
"Whatever," Hermione said shrugging. Then she leaned close to Ginny, "I believe we have some 'secret matters' to discuss with Lavender and Pavarti later, ourselves."
"Hermione!" Ginny moaned. The guys watched intently.
"No putting it off!" Hermione scolded slapping her arm lightly. She kissed Ron and stood with Ginny. The two went to practice the addition of a dance with the two of them and a drummer.
Later that night the fire danced on Harry's face as he stared blankly at it. He was thinking about Ginny's request. 'What had it meant?!' he thought furiously. He tugged at his hair. He yelped quietly, pulling it harder than he had meant.
"Harry, you okay?" asked Ron, eyebrows furrowed. "You've been acting weird for like. ever. I mean it happened back at my house."
"Uh. yeah," Harry said. He had obviously been tuning on out.
"Okay, now I KNOW something's up. I may be annoying but you never tune me out!"
"Maybe I do and you just don't have the sense to see it."
"Hardy har har," Ron said huffily. He opened his mouth to continue speaking when they heard yells from the corridor. "What the hell?!"
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU BASTARD!" came a female voice. It was soaked in anger and PMS.
"HELP ME!!" said a male voice, much louder. "JELLY SLUGS!" The portrait swung open and George Weasley came in.
"GEORGE WEASLEY, GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!" screamed Angelina Johnson, following him in. Her face was red and her eyes a blaze. She slammed the portrait behind her.
"It was FRED'S IDEA!"
"RAT'S ASS IT WAS!"
"Rat's ass what?" asked Ginny walking over, calmly. You could say Yamani-smooth (Tamora Pierce, I just was reading the Protector of the Small books)
"YOUR STUPID BROTHER IS HARRASSING ME!
"I AM NOT!" George yelled back.
"THEN WHAT THE HELL WOULD YOU CALL SNEAKING UP BEHIND ME NAD GRABBING MY CHEST!" Ginny turned to glare at her brother with these words.
The two had returned to Hogwarts with Fred and Katie Bell. According to Dumbledore, who had announced their arrival the day before, they were here to help with The Nutcracker (if you could call it that with all of the changes).
They had disappeared since that dinner and just now were found.
"GEORGE WEASLEY!" Ginny shrieked.
"You are so dead," Ron commented from his chair, looking at the three,
"Gee, thanks for the update, Ron," George snapped. Everyone in the common room was watching the scene.
"No problem," Ron said smugly.
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded from the chessboard she and Ginny had been using a few moments ago.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"HELLO!" Angelina screamed.
"Look, ask that boyfriend of yours. We call it a joke!" George retorted.
"I GUESS THAT MEANS YOU WOULDN'T MIND FRED GRABBING AICIA'S BOOBS!" It was common knowledge that Fred was dating Angelina and George- Alicia.
"Actually, we had a game of drink and dare last night. That's why we had hangover and missed rehearsal. We each dared each other the same thing. They should be arriving any mom-"
"FREDRICK WEALSEY!" Alicia's clear voice bellowed from the top of the girl's tower. "GET OUT!"
In a flash Fred Weasley was lying on the floor next to his twin, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Alicia Spinnet, former chaser of Gryffindor quidditch team along with Angelina and Katie Bell, stood on the girl dormitory stairs, glaring at him.
"YOU ARE A PERVERT!" The twins quickly walked to their girlfriend and tried to explain, calm them, and not get beaten to death all at the same time.
"That's what you get!" Harry teased as he and Ron helped the twins up from the floor once Ginny and Hermione had gotten the fuming girls back up to their dormitory.
"I can't wait until G-" but Fred was cut off by a sharp elbow in his ribs from George.
"What?" asked Harry with narrowed eyes.
"Nothing," the twins said in unison.
"Oh, it's definitely something!" Harry said glaring now.
"Just leave it," Ron said and pulled his friend up their dormitory steps.
They sat on their four-poster beds with the rest of the guys in their dormitory. The conversation trailed from many things. It eventually got to the Winter Dance. "I'm going with Lavender," Dean said proudly.
"Oh, that was a HUGE surprise," Seamus said sarcastically.
"HEY!"
"You have been going out since fourth year!"
"End of fourth year," Dean corrected stoutly.
"You are such an idiot," Seamus said, shaking his head.
"And I suppose you are going with someone?"
"Yes, Pavarti Patil!" Seamus said. "Seeing as we've been going out since summer," he added slickly
"Our man Harry got her for the Yule Ball though," Ron said slapping Harry's back.
"Who you going with?" asked Neville dumbly. He slapped himself in the head the next moment. He wasn't as stupid as he used to be but he still took a while to have thing register.
"Well, seeing as you asked," Ron said after they all snickered and Neville shrugged it off, "I'm taking Hermione."
"Congratulations on taking your GIRLDFRIEND!" Dean said. Ron threw his pillow at Dean. Dean threw it back in retaliation.
"Neville," Seamus said, ignoring his friends, "are you taking anyone?" Neville turned bright pink.
"As a matter of fact. I am."
"Who?" asked Ron and Dean in shocked unison, stopping their passing of throwing pillows.
"Daisy C-Cane. You know the transfer from Bobatons. She's a Hufflepuff fifth year."
"Oh, I know her!" Ron said, eyes wide. "She's pretty. I know, she's the piano player for The Nutcracker. She was talking with Harry."
"Speaking of the silent man," Dean said turning to their friend. Harry had been silent the whole conversation of the Dance. "Who are you going with?
"Yeah, even I've got a date!" Neville exclaimed. The boys laughed. Minus Harry that was.
"I." Harry fell silent, remembering Ginny's odd request. "I'm going with. someone."
"You'd better ask 'someone' soon," Ron warned.
"Look, I have a date. She just wants. okay, this'll sound weird but she wants to keep it a secret." Harry's voice was agitated.
"Sure," Seamus said. The other boys broke down laughing. Harry rolled his eyes. Suddenly a large pure black feathered owl flew in and dropped a letter on his lap. It flew off to the menagerie.
"What the." Neville fell silent. Harry opened the letter when he saw Sirius's familiar handwriting.
'Harry,
God, you need a nickname. Perhaps Lightning. No offense, your scar is very important. Anyways, I wanted to tell you that Remus is sending new dress robes for the ball. We also are sending a muggle suit. Hope you and Gin have a good time!
Padfoot*~^*~^'
"Harry what is that?" asked Seamus curiously.
"Nothing."
"A letter from the 'mystery date'?" teased Dean.
"Oh shut-up," Harry snapped. He put the letter with his others in the bedside cabinet. Then he pulled out an album. It had photos o his parents. The boys looked at it curiously (Ron knew what it was and moved over to see).
"Which one are you looking for?" Ron asked watching the pages flip.
"The one of them with Padfoot and Moony, before a Ball with their dates. My mum was my dad's."
"So it's after their fifth year," Ron commented. The other boys were looking at it too.
"Who are those people?" asked Neville.
"My parents and their friends." Harry stopped at a picture of young Remus, Sirius, Arabella Figg, Kayla Parker, Lily Evans/Potter, and James Potter. They wore special robes.
"Least Peter's not in it," Ron commented. The boys were staring at the young Remus.
"T-that's." Dean was lost for words.
"Professor Lupin?" supplied Ron grinning.
"What the hell is going on?" asked Seamus flabbergasted. Neville seemed too shocked to speak.
"Professor Remus J. Lupin was one of my parents' best friends," Harry said as Ron was in gails of uncontrollable laughter.
"Who is that guy?" asked Neville pointing to the young and handsome once playboy Sirius Black.
"That," Rons aid dramatically, "is Sirius Lee Black!"
"Y-your parents were friends with a murderer?" Neville stuttered.
"I guess. in a way they were best friends with three," Harry said slowly.
"What do you mean?" asked Ron. Now he was confused.
"Shrieking Shack?" Harry asked. Ron slapped his head. "Then the sewers, well they were before that but.."
"Padfoot on November 1st and then him and Moony that one night," Ron said slowly. "Wormtail because. he was with.."
"Exactly," Harry said. "It was because he served Lord Voldemort, if you can call the bastard a 'Lord'."
"I'm utterly baffled," Dean muttered.
"You know after The War that the Sirius Black was cleared by vouches and evidence that Peter Pettigrew was living?" asked Ron.
"Everyone knows that!" Neville said.
"Yeah, big deal. He's got a lot of power. Maybe he corrupted something," Seamus said. Ron and Harry burst out laughing.
"What?" asked the three boys together.
"N-nothing," Ron sniggered.
"Sirius Black is my godfather. I live with him, his wife, Remus- Professor Lupin, and his wife. Aimee and Bella- their wives- tease them all of the time about their records here at school," Harry said punching Ron lightly.
"Did you know Lupin has the fifth highest record for detentions?!" Ron said laughing.
"WHAT?!" Now all of the boys were laughing.
"Oh, gee thanks," said an agitated voice from the door. They sat up to see a black dog at the feet of Remus Lupin and two women.
"P-professor," Neville stuttered.
The dog at his feet gave a tormenting bark. "Shut it, Padfoot," Remus said. "Harry! I'm here to give you this!"
"I thought you were sending it here," Harry said, sitting up and taking the bag which he knew contained his clothes.
"We decided not to," Bella said.
"The ladies wanted to see you," Lupin said mocking a petty female voice.
"We hexed you fine in school and we can still hex you!" Bella snapped, blushing.
"Yes, we could hex a certain part off of you and then you would be a girl!" Aimee said smugly grabbing her friend's hand and dragging her to the girl dormitories.
"We'd better stop them before they hurt themselves," Remu9s said and he left with the dog.
The boys stared after him. "Weird." Harry said. Ron shrugged.
"They popped up over the summer," he said.
It was a few moments before any sound was heard. There was a shriek from the girls' dormitories. The five boys rushed out.
A/N I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY! First I couldn't get on FF. Then I had to have my computer shut off for days. Plz forgive me! Review too plz! Thanx, **Crystal*Tears**
PS I'm a co-author w/ my friend as Oswald Loves Perfume (I think. Faye Faye I have to meet my g' parents tomorrow sorry!)
