Chapter 15

The Christmas Dance was approaching quickly. The Great Hall was decorated in the usual merry colors of Christmas. The Christmas tree was also put up and decorated. When Harry and Catherine went down for breakfast, they saw Ron and Hermione looking rather very smitten with each other. Catherine had a big grin on her face.

" I told you. See it all worked out." Said Catherine.

" So, are you two officially going out now?" asked Catherine.

" Well I guess so." Said Ron very shyly. Hermione nodded.

" So Hermione, did you get a dress for the Christmas dance yet? My nanny sent me mine but if you haven't I'll go and pick it out with you on the next Hogsmeade trip. It's two days before the Christmas dance. Plenty of time." Asked Catherine.

" Well I guess I should get a new dress. The one that I wore to the Yule ball got really short and wont fit me anymore." Replied Hermione.

"Ok." Said Catherine.

Time just seem to have flown by. Classes were almost impossible to concentrate on.

" Ok, off to Hogsmeade for some serious shopping." Said Catherine excitedly and she dragged Hermione into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasion. Harry and Ron went to their usual joke shops. Then at a jewelry store display, he saw these most stunning gold necklace that carried a single ring.

" It's a couple's necklace. Heck, I would get Hermione one too but with my budget and everything." Said Ron.

Harry went inside the shop. He purchased the necklace. (Which was ten galleons and for one galleon more, they engraved 'Harry & Catherine' on it. He couldn't wait to see Catherine's face when she opened the present. The four of them met up with each other in Three Broomsticks and drank butterbeer together.

" Hey wha are ya doin' here?" greeted Hagrid.

" Hagrid!" said Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"Back from, well I'm not suppose ter tell ya." Said Hagrid gruffly. " And who is this?"

" Oh I'm sorry. My name is Catherine Kim." Said Catherine.

" My girlfriend." Added Harry.

"Are ya? Haha. Well good boy. And if he causes ya any trouble you come ter me and I'll get 'em straight." Said Hagrid. They all chuckled. " Well, best be on my way. See ya at the dance."

" Bye Hagrid." They said.

It was Christmas morning when they woke up to see powdery snow all over the grounds. Harry opened his presents. The usual from Mrs. Weasley, baked goods and minced pies. Ron had given him a gift bag from Weasley's Wheezes. Which consisted of joke stuff he had never seen before. Hermione gave him a book of the History of Quidditch. And lastly, Catherine's present. It was a familiar little case. He opened the case. It was the exact necklace. Except the engraving said, My heart to you always, - Catherine. Ron got himself loads of gift as well. The door to the Boy's Dormitory opened. Catherine rushed in.

" Oh. Sorry Dean and Seamus." Said Catherine quickly and apologetically after seeing their shocked faces of seeing Catherine dressed in her bath robes and rushing into the boys' dormitory. She flung herself on Harry and gave him sweet little kisses.

" Harry! Thank you. It's really beautiful." Harry felt himself go really red.

" It was nothing. You got me the same necklace too." Said Harry.

" Well put mines on me." Said Catherine and pulling up her hair exposing her bare neck to him to put on the necklace.

" Thank you, Harry." And she put Harry's necklace on him as well. " Get dressed and let's go down for breakfast. Then she looked at Ron. "Hermione is waiting for you downstairs. As a Prefect, she didn't think it was appropriate to come up here." Then she hurried out.

The Great Hall was decorated with red and green sparkles, hollies and mistletoes. After they had breakfast. Catherine and Harry went out to the grounds for a walk. The grounds looked so beautiful all covered in snow. They went to the lake.

" It's so beautiful." Said Catherine in awe and Harry put her arms around her. Harry wanted to ask her about her dark magic powers. Did she even know about them? And if so, he didn't want her to start worrying.

" Catherine, you know that when I'm with you, I get so happy. Like I don't have a care in the world. And. and. well. I think I may. be. in love with you Catherine. You don't have to reply to that if you're not ready-" He avoided her eyes. Did he say too much? Catherine held up Harry's face. She stared into his emerald green eyes. She smiled and hugged him. He understood. They continued their walk.

A couple of hours later, Catherine went up to get ready for the dance. Catherine suggested that they meet in front of the Great Hall. Harry and Ron had a snow fight before they headed upstairs to get ready.

When they were ready, Harry and Ron went down to wait for their dates to arrive. Hermione ran down the stairs and hugged Ron. Hermione wore a pale pink colored dress. Harry saw Catherine on the stairs. She looked stunning. She wore a black dress, which went down to the floor. It was a very silky dress. It had bits of glitter on it so that it glittered as Catherine was moving. She also had her hair loosely curled. She slowly climbed down the stairs. Harry saw that she was wearing his necklace. He was wearing his as well. Everyone had their eyes fixed on her. As Catherine walked down the stairs all she could think about was Harry. They stared most tenderly at each other.

" You look great Catherine." Said Ron as he escorted Hermione into the Great Hall.

" You are so beautiful." Said Harry in awe.

Catherine just smiled and walked as Harry led her into the Great Hall. There were little round tables with candles. The refreshment table was by the corner. The staff all sat in their usual seats at the high table. Dumbledore stood up. He wore a red and green velvety dressrobes.

" Let the Christmas Dance begin." The instruments started to play by themselves. Ron and Hermione were already on the dance floor.

" Shall we?" asked Harry, bowing slightly holding out his hand.

Catherine giggled and followed him to the floor. Harry had practiced dancing, so he was a bit confident about what he was doing. Harry held Catherine's hand and placed his other hand around her waist. They started dancing.

" Harry. I didn't know you could dance the waltz!" said Catherine in surprise. Encouraged by this, he went for a little dip. (Which Catherine magnificently and expertly handled.)

People around them were looking at the couple. They cleared the area and made a circle around the two to allowed Harry and Catherine to dance. And Harry and Catherine did dance. They danced almost mindlessly staring at each other feeling happier than they had ever been.

After a while, other students came into the circle and danced along with Harry and Catherine. Soon the whole crowd started to dance. Harry and Catherine took this opportunity to sneak outside to the grounds. They were lit with candles here and there. Catherine felt really chilly and shivered a bit. Harry noticed and place his arms around her. As they were walking drowned in their conversation, someone attacked Harry.

Harry felt to the floor.

" Harry!" screamed Catherine. The attacker was Malfoy.

" Good evening Catherine." He said.

She tried to get to Harry. Malfoy held her back.

" What is the matter with you, Malfoy!" shouted Catherine trying to get free from Malfoy's grasp.

" Nothing's the matter with me, Catherine. Now I do recall you owe me a dance." Said Malfoy as he took hold of Catherine more tightly and he drew her right into his arms.

They were almost nose to nose. Catherine tried to back away but Malfoy's grip was too strong. He started to dance with Catherine.

" Aw. Why the angry face?" asked Malfoy. He leaned his face to kiss Catherine.

Harry was stirring up. He looked over at Catherine and Malfoy. Malfoy was trying to kiss her!

" Get off!" screamed Catherine and she held out her hand. Jet red light came out from her hands and Malfoy was sent into the air and crashed down near a tree.

Harry ran to Catherine's side.

" Are you alright?" asked Harry urgently. " How did you do that? With your hands.?"

The look of fear was on Catherine's face. She was backing away, shaking her head disbelievingly. She was scared of herself. Harry held her tightly.

" It's ok. I don't care how you did that. You don't have to be scared."

Harry held her with such reassurance, Catherine did not try to walk away. She just started to cry.

" No, no, Catherine. Don't cry. Come on, your going to ruin your make-up." Said Harry.

Catherine stared at Harry and started to laugh.

" Harry," said Catherine.

"Yea?"

" I think I'm in love with you too."

And they kissed like they've never kissed before. They headed up to the Gryffindor room. They settled themselves by the fire and cuddled together. They didn't talk for a while. But they understood each other on how they were feeling more than words ever could.