CHAPTER 21
THE MASQUERADE
''So what did Dumbledore say about the dream then?'' Ron asked anxiously.
''He said that he was prepared for this to happen, and that it was only a matter of time before Voldemort found out it was me that found out about the counter curse.'' Harry explained, to Ron, Hermione and Ginny, who had all gathered in HGinny's arry and room to hear the news.
''But it wasn't you it was me.'' Ginny protested angrily.
''Yes Gin, but the less people who know about that the better, you'll only be in more danger if he finds out it was you. He's going to come after me sooner or later, and now its just sooner rather than later.'' Harry said as he held Ginnys hand tightly.
''Aren't you afraid Harry?'' Hermione asked unbelievingly.
''Not really Dumbledore says theres no way that Voldemort or his Death Eaters will be able to get into Hogwarts so I should be fine.'' Harry said hopefully. ''There are loads of wards around the school to stop things like this happening.''
''But, theres supposed to be a Death Eater here at Hogwarts already, remember the person who attacked Neville and the others.'' Hermione argued.
''Dumbledore said that they wouldn't be as stupid to attack me right under his nose.''
''Harry, the person attacked Neville and the others under his nose, and didn't get caught. What makes you think that this will be any different?'' Hermione persisted, not able to believe that Harry was being so narrow minded after all that he had been through the previous years.
''Because when they were attacked they were alone, and I am not going to be alone am I? You can all be like my personal body guards.''
''Honestly Harry, do you really think we will be able to do anything, and what if he lures you out like last time.'' Ginny said impatiently.
''That is why Dumbledore has suggested that I start up Occlumency lessons again, with Proffessor Golding.'' Harry ssaid, pleased that he wasn't going to have to spend anymore time alone in the dungeons with Snape.
''Well at least thats something.'' Hermione sighed defeated.
''Yeah and I'll get a chance to ask her about Sirius.'' Harry stated happily.
''What about Sirius?'' Ron asked confused.
''Oh I didn't tell you did I, well when I went to see her about more spells for the DA, she gave me my mothers scrapbook from their last year at school and it had pictures of Proffessor Golding and Sirius together in it.'' Harry said as he passed the book from the side of his bed to Ron and Hermione who studied it thoughtfully.
''Wow, I never would've guessed. Did she say anything to you about it?'' Ron asked.
''No, I'm going to ask her about it when my Occlumency lessons start up after the exams.'' Harry said cheerfully, hoping to hear more stories about the Marauders time at Hogwarts. ''So are you all ready for the Masquerade?'' Harry asked changing the subject, he sensed that Hermione was about to launch into full lecture mode.
''Yeah, at least I'm not going as Dobby's much larger brother.'' Ron sighed, although he smiled at Hermione and winked.
''So what are you going as?'' Harry asked curiously.
''We are going as Danny and Sandy from Grease.'' Hermione said brightly. ''You know the film we watched at my house.
''Oh yeah I remember, well its better than a house elf.'' Harry said to Ron. ''Me and Gin are going as a devil and an angel.'' Harry added happily, he had had a lot of fun making his costume with Ginny and he thought it looked quite good on him, even if he did say so himself.
''I know.'' Hermione said. ''Ginny told me, I can't wait, it's going to be so much fun.''
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The night of the Masquerade finally came around and as it was a Saturday night, Harry and Ron hadn't seen Hermione and Ginny for most of the day, as they had inssisted that they needed to get ready. Harry spent the day with Ron, discussing what they could possibly be doing that would require so much time. Ron had come up with several possibilities, that Harry found highly unlikely, but he laughed along all the same.
Harry stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom, dressed in his costume that consisted of a pair of black jeans, a tight red T-shirt and a long black cape, with red lining on the inside. He had charmed a pair of horns on to his head, and messed his usually messsy jet black hair up even more than it usually was. To finish the effect, he used a simple charm to change the colour of his eyes from a bright vivid green to deep, blood red. He turned round and inpsected his costume, with the mirror paying him compliments. ''You look very handsome dear.'' and ''Nice horns.''
Meanwhile in the next room Ron was also standing in front of his mirror, checking out how he looked in a pair of tight black jeans and a tight black T-shirt. He had used liberal amounts of hair gel on his hair to get it the way that Danny wore his in Grease. His hair he had changed from red, to black to complete his look. The tight T-shirt that he wore, showed off nicely his long muscular arms, and his well defined chest. His mirror was a bit more complimentry than Harry's however saying things that made Ron blush a deep crimson, before he turned and walked over to the common room to meet his date, Hermione Granger.
Hermione and Ginny, were getting ready in the sixth year girls dormitory, along with Parvati and Lavender. They had all spent most of the day together gossiping and giving themselves mini makeovers. After spending half an hour more on their costumes Parvati and Lavender both left the common room to meet their Ravenclaw boyfriends in the Entrance Hall. Hermione had just finished curling her hair, even more than it usually was, to complete her new look. She was wearing very, tight black trousers with a tight black tube top and her curly brown hair had been dyed blonde temporarily. Her gold earings swung from her ears as she turned around to admire the costume, she slicked on some strawberry lipgloss and descended down the stairs into the common room were Ron was waiting for her.
He looked up and saw her gliding down the stairs in ease, even though the shoes she was wearing had heels that were taller than any Ron had ever seen before. He walked over to her and stood before her, unable to speak, he didn't know what he was going to say, all reasonable thoughts had left his mind as he looked Hermione up and down appreciatively.
''You look great Ron.'' Hermione said, breaking the silence that had fallen over them as they stared open mouthed at each other.
''You too Mione, you look unbelievable.'' Ron whispered hoarsly, finding that somewhere on the short walk from the fireplace to the stairs he had lost his voice and was now finding it incredibly hard to speak normally. Hermione grinned at him and grabbed his hand in hers, pulling him out of the portrait hole. Leaving Harry standing alone in the common room, but he wasn't alone for long.
Ginny was walking slowly down the girls staircase, the white dress she was wearing swaying as it moved with the pendulum motion of her hips. Her dress had silver thread embroidered through it that sparkled in the dancing firelight. A bright glowing halo had been conjured above her head and was emitting a soft white glow that lit up Ginny's soft, smooth hair that hung lose down her back. She smiled at Harry with her freshly glossed lips, as he walked over to her and kissed her hand.
''My angel you look beautiful.'' Harry whispered as he pulled up from her hand and kissed her softly on the lips. ''Cherry lipgloss too, my favourite.'' He said as he smiled and pulled her closer to him for a more passionate embrace. At the very moment Ginny was really getting into the kiss there was two bright flashes of light and two loud clicking sounds. She blinked to try and make the balls of light that were dancing around in front of her eyes disappear, when she had regained her vision she turned around and saw Colin smiling before her.
''What was that Col?'' Ginny asked half amused, half annoyed at her best friend for interrupting her when she was kissing Harry.
''My new Polaroid Wizard camera.'' Colin explained as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. ''It takes wizard pictures instantly. Here you go.'' He said as he handed Ginny and Harry a picture each of themselves kissing passionately. Ginny smiled as she looked at herself kissing Harry it looked so natural and she could see that Harry was smiling as he kissed her. It was useful to look at yourself kissing from another persons point of view Ginny thought as she vanished the photo to her room with a simple spell. ''Come on then, we'd better go.'' Colin said hurridely as he grabbed his friend Dana's arm and pulled her out of the common room.
Harry smiled at Ginny and took her hand in his and lead the way down to the Entrance Hall. When Harry got there he scanned the room for Danny and Sandy, but he couldn't see them anywhere although he did see, Draco and Pansy, dressed up as a Muggle Doctor and Nurse, Neville and Luna dresssed as a Policeman and a Thief. Colin Creevy and his friend Dana dressed as a cowboy and a cowgirl. There were also girls dressed up as the Weird Sisters, boys dressed as Vampires and Spiders and pirates. As Harry was looking around trying to pick out his friends the whole Entrance Hall filled with laughter as Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan walked down the stairs, with linked arms. They were both dressed up in flowery womens dresses, with curly blonde wigs and very bright red lipstick. Just as Harry was complinenting their dress sense, the doors to the Great Hall opened, and just as there was at the Yule ball, all of the house tables had been replaced by lots of smaller round tables. The hall was decorated with Gold and Silver streamers and ballons. There were flowers strewn across each of the small tables and at the side of the Hall was a buffet table, with drinks. The ceiling was starry and cloudless, and there were hundreds of floating candles above all of the tables. The girls gasped as the boys just looked on in amazement, then the music started and couples began to take to the dance floor, while others lingered around the punch bowl.
As Harry and Ginny danced, he saw that even some of the teachers had dressed up for the occasion, Dumbledore had on the uniform of a Muggle soldier, camaflouge and all. Mcgonagall was dressed up in what looked like a Victorian maids dress, and Snape who had as usual made no effort to participate in the evening, just wore his usual plain black school robes. Harry looked around at all of the couples dancing on the floor and saw to his amusement that Malfoy was having problems with Pansy Parkinson, who was trying to get closer to him than he would've liked. He also noticed another couple who seemed to be older than the rest of the students. Proffessor Golding was dressed as an Egyptian Princess, and was covered in gold jewellry, her black hair shining underneath a golden crown, and she was dancing with a man dressed as a werewolf a man that Harry recognised as Remus Lupin. He was whispering excitedly to Proffessor Golding, who was smiling excitedly, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
''Harry what are you looking at?'' Ginny said, noticing that Harry's focus was elsewhere, she turned and looked in the direction that Harry was looking in and saw Proffessor Golding. ''Oh not you as well.'' Ginny sighed, remembering Ron and Hermiones argument caused by Ron lusting over the teacher.
''No, not her, I'm looking at the man she's dancing with.'' Harry stated impatiently. ''Do you recognise him?'' He asked Ginny, looking in to her bright green eyes.
''No, why do you?'' She asked, puzzled.
''Yeah, it's Lupin, he came dressed as a werewolf.'' Harry said smiling at the irony.
''Oh yeah, that was brave of him, well at least he's not ashamed of it anymore.'' Ginny said absently as Harry twirled her around.
''Angel, do mind if I go and talk to him for a second, I promise I'll be right back.'' Harry asked pleadingly.
''Yeah sure, I promised Colin I'd have a dance with him anyway.'' Ginny said as she wandered through the crowd in search of a cowboy and girl. Harry walked slowly over to Lupin, dodging several couples who were dancing wildly on the dancefloor, and avoiding Dean and Seamus who had hitched up their dresses and were doing a sort of jig in the middle of the floor. As he got closer to the pair of teachers, neither were aware of his presence and he caught brief parts of their converstaion.
''.......I don't know how he did it, but he did........''
'' Has he woken up yet?....''
''No............he's still unconcious...........has been for months''
''Will he pull through?........''
''...............I don't know.......''
''Oh Harry.'' Proffessor Golding said suddenly as she saw Harry out of the corner of her eye. ''Great costume.''
''Yeah thanks, you too.'' Harry replied, his mind reeling from the conversation he had overheard between the two old friends, who was unconcious? Was it the mystery attacker? Had Lupin caught him?
''Hey Harry.'' Lupin said affectionately. ''Having fun?''
''Yeah, loads thanks. How about you two?''
''Yeah loads, who are you here with Harry?'' Lupin asked curiously, scanning the room to ssee if anyone looked like they were waiting for Harry.
''Ginny, we've been going out for a few months now.'' Harry answered proudly.
''Oh I'm glad to hear she doesn't think your gay anymore.'' Lupin said earning a questionning glance from Proffessor Golding and a grin from Harry. ''Well if you don't mind Harry I have a beautiful woman to dance with as I'm sure you do.'' He said as he waltzed off with Proffessor Golding.
Harry wandered around the Great Hall searching for Ginny, he finally found her sitting at a table with Ron and Hermione, he decided not to say anything about the conversation he had heard between Proffessor Golding and Lupin, it was probably nothing anyway Harry told himself as he took as seat next to Ginny. They could have been talking about anyone, and although he repeatedly told himself this, it did nothing to settle the foreboding feeling in the pit of his stomach. He sat at the table with his friends for a while, when a slow song came on, one that he wanted to dance with Ginny to, as he had asked requested the song especially for her.
''Come on Lovekitty, lets dance.'' Harry said grinning wickedly at Ginny.
''Sure Snugglebunny I'd love to.'' she replied laughing and the both walked away laughing, leaving Ron and Hermione sitting there totally shocked and embarassed.
Harry lead Ginny on to the dance floor where a slow song had just started, he held Ginny closley to him and she rested her head on his shoulder as the sstarted to turn in time with the music.
*'I'lll be your dream
I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
Harry held Ginny closer in his arms, thinking how true the words to the song were for him, he'd be whatever Ginny needed him to be for her. He smelt the scent of lavender in Ginny's soft shiny hair, that never ceased to amaze him and sighed contently.
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly Madly Deeply do
I will be strong I will be faithful
Because I'm counting on a new beginning
A reason for living
A deeper meaning yeah.
I wanna stand with you on a mountain
I wanna bathe with you in the sea
I wanna stay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me.*
''This is our song Ginny my angel.'' Harry whispered to her softly as she looked up into his eyes. ''Everytime you hear it, I want you to remember how much I love you and how I always want to be with you.'' he finished softly, as she leaned up and kissed him, they stayed that way until the end of the song, not breaking away from each others embrace until the song had ended.
Meanwhile Ron and Hermione sat quietly at one of the small candlelit tables, watching the couples dancing happily, and laughing at Dean and Seamus who had started slow dancing with each as well.
''Those two better watch out, before long everyone will think they're both gay and they'll never be able to get a girl.'' Ron said as he laughed with Hermione at the expense of hiss fellow Gryffindors and team members.
''What like you and Harry? Remember when me and Gin caught you two talking to each other saying how much you loved each other? What was all that about?'' Hermione asked giggling at the memory.
''Oh God, I thought you'd forgotten about all that. Harry and me were just well...... he was pretending to be and I was pretending to be Ginny and we were just saying what we wanted you two to say to us.'' Ron explained sheepishly, a dark blush creeping across his face.
''Oh so that's what all that was about, I was a bit worried that you actually were gay.'' Hermione said seriously. ''Imagine that we would have never have gotten together.''
''Mione, why would I want Harry when I could have the most beautiful girl in the world?'' Ron whispered to Hermione as her gazed deeply into her deep brown eyes.
''Do you mean that?'' she whispered back.
''You know I do. I love you.''
''I love you too Ron.''
''Now I'm not very good at this but do you think that you would......will you dance with me Mione?'' Ron asked shyly as he extended his hand forward for Hermione.
''I would love to.'' she answered happily, as they walked out on to the dancefloor, where Ron held Hermione close to him, her head resting against his chest as they danced slowly to the music. She wrapped her arms around his neck, while he placed his tightly around her waist, so that everypart of their bodies were touching. Ron smiled happily as he breathed in the scent of Hermione's hair. She was perfect.
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After the Masquerade had finished and everybody in the castle had long ssince gone to bed, Destiny Golding and Remus Lupin, were still wide awake, whispering to each other in the empty Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.
''Is there anything I can do to help.'' Destiny asked anxiously.
''No, nothing now, not until he wakes up.'' Lupin stated grimly. ''If he ever does.''
''I want to see him.'' she insisted, her face set like stone, a look of grim determination on her face.
''Lets go then.'' Lupin said, resigning to the fact that she wouldn't change her mind, he remembered the same stubborn streak from her time at Hogwarts, the smae streak she shared with Sirius.
With a flash of green light from the fireplace, the two figures from the Dark Arts classroom vanished into the green flames, leaving behind, small green embers in the dying flames.
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Ginny sat in the Great Hall at a small desk, staring down at the paper in front of her. Defence Against the Dark Arts, one of her best subjects. She looked around at all of the fifth year students sitting in the Great Hall, sweltering in the heat of a surprisingly hot day in May. The OWL's had started and Ginny Weasley was experiencing her first exam, she was thankful that it was subject that she was actually good at, for her first one, that way she'd be more relaxed going into the next one that day which was Transfiguration. The practical part of the Defence Against the Drak Arts exam would be held on another day, but for now it was the theory part of the exam. Ginny looked down once again at the question in front of her. 'Name the five types of defence shields that can be conjured and put them in order of strenght the weakest first.' Ginny knew the answer to this question, it was easy, but for some reason she just couldn't seem to concentrate, some reason that had messy black hair, green eyes and glasses.
Harry's Magical Maintenence class was also in the Great Hall with them, as there were only nine students in the class. Harry was staring intently at his exam paper, his brow furrowed in concentration, and Ginny just couldn't stop staring at him, he looked up from his paper as though he felt Ginny's gaze penetrating him, their eyes met and he flashed her a smile before returning to his work. Her mother's image flashed before her eyes and she imagined the telling off she'd get if she failed one of her best subject's, so she put her quill to parchment and began scribbling away.
After the exam ended Ginny waited around in the Entrance Hall for Harry and Ron with Hermione who had just returned from her Arithmancy exam that had been held in the Arithmancy classroom.
''How'd it go Herm?'' Ginny asked as Hermione approached her.
''Oh it was good, I think I did well. How about yours?'' Hermione replied.
''It was ok, I couldn't concentrate too well, Harry was in there.'' Ginny said sheepishly.
''At least, he'll only be in one of your exams, Ron's in most of mine, but I try to forget about him.'' Hermione stated, as the doors to the Great Hall opened once again and the nine Magical Maintenence sstudents exited the Hall. Harry and Ron walked straight over to Hermione and Ginny, where Ron kissed Hermione on the cheek briefly and Harry kissed Ginny very briefly on the lips.
''That was easy.'' Ron said happily as he pulled Hermione closer to him for a proper kiss.
''Speak for yourself.'' Harry said miserably, ''For some reason I couldn't seem to concentrate properly.'' he said raising his eyebrows at Ginny who smiled back. Ron just looked over at them and rolled his eyes.
''Well I'm off to the Library I have some last minute revision for Charms to do.'' Ginny admitted as she started walking to the Library.
''What've we got next Ron?'' Harry asked half-heartedly.
''Potions.'' came the miserable reply from Ron.
''Great, well we'd better go and study too.'' Harry said as he half-dragged Ron to the Library, to try and catch up with Hermione and Ginny who had rushed off ahead.
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The exams passed in a blur of last minute studying and parchment for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, who were all relieved when they had sat their last exam and could properly relax for the first time in weeks. There was a trip to Hogsmeade planned for the fifth years and above to celebrate the end of the exams. The younger years still weren't allowed to go because the culprits of the attack at the beginning of the year still hadn't been caught.
As Harry and Ginny strolled hand in hand into the village of Hogsmeade, followed by Ron and Hermione who had hung back a bit, for more privacy. Harry realised, that he could quite happily spend every day for the rest of his life holding hands with Ginny Weasley. They all went to the Three Broomstsicks and had a few butterbeers, to relax, and chatted for a few hours before heading back up to the castle in the evening ready for dinner.
''I better go and arrange my Occlumency lessons with Proffessor Golding soon.'' Harry said as he pushed his plate away from him after finishing his dinner.
''Yeah, I think you should go sooner rather than later though.'' Hermione said.
''Actually I think I'll go now, I just saw her leave. I'll meet you three back at the rooms.''
''Ok then, see you later babe.'' Ginny called as Harry walked out of the hall, blowing a kiss to her.
Harry walked, the familiar steps to his Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, in silence and upon reaching the room, found that the door saw slightly ajar. leaning closer to the door Harry could hear the voice of Proffessor Golding talking excitedly to a man, with a calm voice, the voice of Proffessor Lupin.
''.......So he's woken up?........''
''....Yeah, only took him a few months.......''
''.....Now we'll get some answers........''
''........Are we going to tell anyone....''
''No......not yet, not until we're sure....''
''....I understand.......''
Harry heard footsteps approaching the door, so he pulled away quickly and ran, he didn't stop running until he reached the rooms. What were they talking about? Was it the same man as last time? Did this have anything to do with the order? Did Dumbledore know? Harry's mind spun with a million unanswered questions, whatever it was had to be good right?, they sounded so excited when they spoke. They must've caught the attacker and knocked him out and only now he's coming around. Yes, Harry thought, that'll be it. He decided to say nothing to Hermione, Ron or Ginny, they'd only worry.
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Over the next couple of week Harry noticed that all of the leon had gotten a lot easier, and that a lot less homework was given out. Nick's lessons however had gone from doing the absolute minimum level of work to doing absolutely no work at all. It was in one Magical Maintenance lesson that Harry found himself dozing of slightly as Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville were having a particularly uninteresting conversation about the exams.
The bell to signify the end of class souned suddenly and shocked Harry out of his nap so suddenly that he jumped out of his chair and fell on to the floor.
''Harry would you mind staying behind to see me please?'' Nick asked as Harry picked himself up off the floor, scowling at Ron who was laughing uncontrollably.
''Yeah sure.'' Harry replied. ''I'll meet you later.'' he added to Ron in a surly voice.
Ron left the classroom along with all of the other seven boys that attended the class, leaving Harry alone with Nick.
''So what did you want to see me about Nick?'' Harry asked confidantly.
''Oh, I'll get to that in a minute, here hold this for me please.'' Nick siad as he handed Harry a blank piece of parchment. Harry took hold of one end of the parchment and Nick kept hold of the other they stayed this way for about a minute, Harry was starting to get supicious, and just as he was about to let the parchment go and walk out of the classsroom, he felt the familiar tugging sensation, like a hook pulling him forward from behind his navel.
(A.N - Who on earth are Destiny and Remus talking about? Sorry to leave you on a bit of a cliffy, but it's more fun this way isn't it???? I promise I'll update soon, I want to try and get this story finished before the 23rd, because I'm going away for a week. What do you think? Hahero01 - I know when I'm there I can't wait to get out, but then in the holidays it is so boring I want to go back, but I know when I'm back I'll be desperate to get out again, coz I'll have less time for fanfic coz I'm starting in Year 12.)
P.S The song Harry and Ginny were dancing to was Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden.
THE MASQUERADE
''So what did Dumbledore say about the dream then?'' Ron asked anxiously.
''He said that he was prepared for this to happen, and that it was only a matter of time before Voldemort found out it was me that found out about the counter curse.'' Harry explained, to Ron, Hermione and Ginny, who had all gathered in HGinny's arry and room to hear the news.
''But it wasn't you it was me.'' Ginny protested angrily.
''Yes Gin, but the less people who know about that the better, you'll only be in more danger if he finds out it was you. He's going to come after me sooner or later, and now its just sooner rather than later.'' Harry said as he held Ginnys hand tightly.
''Aren't you afraid Harry?'' Hermione asked unbelievingly.
''Not really Dumbledore says theres no way that Voldemort or his Death Eaters will be able to get into Hogwarts so I should be fine.'' Harry said hopefully. ''There are loads of wards around the school to stop things like this happening.''
''But, theres supposed to be a Death Eater here at Hogwarts already, remember the person who attacked Neville and the others.'' Hermione argued.
''Dumbledore said that they wouldn't be as stupid to attack me right under his nose.''
''Harry, the person attacked Neville and the others under his nose, and didn't get caught. What makes you think that this will be any different?'' Hermione persisted, not able to believe that Harry was being so narrow minded after all that he had been through the previous years.
''Because when they were attacked they were alone, and I am not going to be alone am I? You can all be like my personal body guards.''
''Honestly Harry, do you really think we will be able to do anything, and what if he lures you out like last time.'' Ginny said impatiently.
''That is why Dumbledore has suggested that I start up Occlumency lessons again, with Proffessor Golding.'' Harry ssaid, pleased that he wasn't going to have to spend anymore time alone in the dungeons with Snape.
''Well at least thats something.'' Hermione sighed defeated.
''Yeah and I'll get a chance to ask her about Sirius.'' Harry stated happily.
''What about Sirius?'' Ron asked confused.
''Oh I didn't tell you did I, well when I went to see her about more spells for the DA, she gave me my mothers scrapbook from their last year at school and it had pictures of Proffessor Golding and Sirius together in it.'' Harry said as he passed the book from the side of his bed to Ron and Hermione who studied it thoughtfully.
''Wow, I never would've guessed. Did she say anything to you about it?'' Ron asked.
''No, I'm going to ask her about it when my Occlumency lessons start up after the exams.'' Harry said cheerfully, hoping to hear more stories about the Marauders time at Hogwarts. ''So are you all ready for the Masquerade?'' Harry asked changing the subject, he sensed that Hermione was about to launch into full lecture mode.
''Yeah, at least I'm not going as Dobby's much larger brother.'' Ron sighed, although he smiled at Hermione and winked.
''So what are you going as?'' Harry asked curiously.
''We are going as Danny and Sandy from Grease.'' Hermione said brightly. ''You know the film we watched at my house.
''Oh yeah I remember, well its better than a house elf.'' Harry said to Ron. ''Me and Gin are going as a devil and an angel.'' Harry added happily, he had had a lot of fun making his costume with Ginny and he thought it looked quite good on him, even if he did say so himself.
''I know.'' Hermione said. ''Ginny told me, I can't wait, it's going to be so much fun.''
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The night of the Masquerade finally came around and as it was a Saturday night, Harry and Ron hadn't seen Hermione and Ginny for most of the day, as they had inssisted that they needed to get ready. Harry spent the day with Ron, discussing what they could possibly be doing that would require so much time. Ron had come up with several possibilities, that Harry found highly unlikely, but he laughed along all the same.
Harry stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom, dressed in his costume that consisted of a pair of black jeans, a tight red T-shirt and a long black cape, with red lining on the inside. He had charmed a pair of horns on to his head, and messed his usually messsy jet black hair up even more than it usually was. To finish the effect, he used a simple charm to change the colour of his eyes from a bright vivid green to deep, blood red. He turned round and inpsected his costume, with the mirror paying him compliments. ''You look very handsome dear.'' and ''Nice horns.''
Meanwhile in the next room Ron was also standing in front of his mirror, checking out how he looked in a pair of tight black jeans and a tight black T-shirt. He had used liberal amounts of hair gel on his hair to get it the way that Danny wore his in Grease. His hair he had changed from red, to black to complete his look. The tight T-shirt that he wore, showed off nicely his long muscular arms, and his well defined chest. His mirror was a bit more complimentry than Harry's however saying things that made Ron blush a deep crimson, before he turned and walked over to the common room to meet his date, Hermione Granger.
Hermione and Ginny, were getting ready in the sixth year girls dormitory, along with Parvati and Lavender. They had all spent most of the day together gossiping and giving themselves mini makeovers. After spending half an hour more on their costumes Parvati and Lavender both left the common room to meet their Ravenclaw boyfriends in the Entrance Hall. Hermione had just finished curling her hair, even more than it usually was, to complete her new look. She was wearing very, tight black trousers with a tight black tube top and her curly brown hair had been dyed blonde temporarily. Her gold earings swung from her ears as she turned around to admire the costume, she slicked on some strawberry lipgloss and descended down the stairs into the common room were Ron was waiting for her.
He looked up and saw her gliding down the stairs in ease, even though the shoes she was wearing had heels that were taller than any Ron had ever seen before. He walked over to her and stood before her, unable to speak, he didn't know what he was going to say, all reasonable thoughts had left his mind as he looked Hermione up and down appreciatively.
''You look great Ron.'' Hermione said, breaking the silence that had fallen over them as they stared open mouthed at each other.
''You too Mione, you look unbelievable.'' Ron whispered hoarsly, finding that somewhere on the short walk from the fireplace to the stairs he had lost his voice and was now finding it incredibly hard to speak normally. Hermione grinned at him and grabbed his hand in hers, pulling him out of the portrait hole. Leaving Harry standing alone in the common room, but he wasn't alone for long.
Ginny was walking slowly down the girls staircase, the white dress she was wearing swaying as it moved with the pendulum motion of her hips. Her dress had silver thread embroidered through it that sparkled in the dancing firelight. A bright glowing halo had been conjured above her head and was emitting a soft white glow that lit up Ginny's soft, smooth hair that hung lose down her back. She smiled at Harry with her freshly glossed lips, as he walked over to her and kissed her hand.
''My angel you look beautiful.'' Harry whispered as he pulled up from her hand and kissed her softly on the lips. ''Cherry lipgloss too, my favourite.'' He said as he smiled and pulled her closer to him for a more passionate embrace. At the very moment Ginny was really getting into the kiss there was two bright flashes of light and two loud clicking sounds. She blinked to try and make the balls of light that were dancing around in front of her eyes disappear, when she had regained her vision she turned around and saw Colin smiling before her.
''What was that Col?'' Ginny asked half amused, half annoyed at her best friend for interrupting her when she was kissing Harry.
''My new Polaroid Wizard camera.'' Colin explained as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. ''It takes wizard pictures instantly. Here you go.'' He said as he handed Ginny and Harry a picture each of themselves kissing passionately. Ginny smiled as she looked at herself kissing Harry it looked so natural and she could see that Harry was smiling as he kissed her. It was useful to look at yourself kissing from another persons point of view Ginny thought as she vanished the photo to her room with a simple spell. ''Come on then, we'd better go.'' Colin said hurridely as he grabbed his friend Dana's arm and pulled her out of the common room.
Harry smiled at Ginny and took her hand in his and lead the way down to the Entrance Hall. When Harry got there he scanned the room for Danny and Sandy, but he couldn't see them anywhere although he did see, Draco and Pansy, dressed up as a Muggle Doctor and Nurse, Neville and Luna dresssed as a Policeman and a Thief. Colin Creevy and his friend Dana dressed as a cowboy and a cowgirl. There were also girls dressed up as the Weird Sisters, boys dressed as Vampires and Spiders and pirates. As Harry was looking around trying to pick out his friends the whole Entrance Hall filled with laughter as Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan walked down the stairs, with linked arms. They were both dressed up in flowery womens dresses, with curly blonde wigs and very bright red lipstick. Just as Harry was complinenting their dress sense, the doors to the Great Hall opened, and just as there was at the Yule ball, all of the house tables had been replaced by lots of smaller round tables. The hall was decorated with Gold and Silver streamers and ballons. There were flowers strewn across each of the small tables and at the side of the Hall was a buffet table, with drinks. The ceiling was starry and cloudless, and there were hundreds of floating candles above all of the tables. The girls gasped as the boys just looked on in amazement, then the music started and couples began to take to the dance floor, while others lingered around the punch bowl.
As Harry and Ginny danced, he saw that even some of the teachers had dressed up for the occasion, Dumbledore had on the uniform of a Muggle soldier, camaflouge and all. Mcgonagall was dressed up in what looked like a Victorian maids dress, and Snape who had as usual made no effort to participate in the evening, just wore his usual plain black school robes. Harry looked around at all of the couples dancing on the floor and saw to his amusement that Malfoy was having problems with Pansy Parkinson, who was trying to get closer to him than he would've liked. He also noticed another couple who seemed to be older than the rest of the students. Proffessor Golding was dressed as an Egyptian Princess, and was covered in gold jewellry, her black hair shining underneath a golden crown, and she was dancing with a man dressed as a werewolf a man that Harry recognised as Remus Lupin. He was whispering excitedly to Proffessor Golding, who was smiling excitedly, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
''Harry what are you looking at?'' Ginny said, noticing that Harry's focus was elsewhere, she turned and looked in the direction that Harry was looking in and saw Proffessor Golding. ''Oh not you as well.'' Ginny sighed, remembering Ron and Hermiones argument caused by Ron lusting over the teacher.
''No, not her, I'm looking at the man she's dancing with.'' Harry stated impatiently. ''Do you recognise him?'' He asked Ginny, looking in to her bright green eyes.
''No, why do you?'' She asked, puzzled.
''Yeah, it's Lupin, he came dressed as a werewolf.'' Harry said smiling at the irony.
''Oh yeah, that was brave of him, well at least he's not ashamed of it anymore.'' Ginny said absently as Harry twirled her around.
''Angel, do mind if I go and talk to him for a second, I promise I'll be right back.'' Harry asked pleadingly.
''Yeah sure, I promised Colin I'd have a dance with him anyway.'' Ginny said as she wandered through the crowd in search of a cowboy and girl. Harry walked slowly over to Lupin, dodging several couples who were dancing wildly on the dancefloor, and avoiding Dean and Seamus who had hitched up their dresses and were doing a sort of jig in the middle of the floor. As he got closer to the pair of teachers, neither were aware of his presence and he caught brief parts of their converstaion.
''.......I don't know how he did it, but he did........''
'' Has he woken up yet?....''
''No............he's still unconcious...........has been for months''
''Will he pull through?........''
''...............I don't know.......''
''Oh Harry.'' Proffessor Golding said suddenly as she saw Harry out of the corner of her eye. ''Great costume.''
''Yeah thanks, you too.'' Harry replied, his mind reeling from the conversation he had overheard between the two old friends, who was unconcious? Was it the mystery attacker? Had Lupin caught him?
''Hey Harry.'' Lupin said affectionately. ''Having fun?''
''Yeah, loads thanks. How about you two?''
''Yeah loads, who are you here with Harry?'' Lupin asked curiously, scanning the room to ssee if anyone looked like they were waiting for Harry.
''Ginny, we've been going out for a few months now.'' Harry answered proudly.
''Oh I'm glad to hear she doesn't think your gay anymore.'' Lupin said earning a questionning glance from Proffessor Golding and a grin from Harry. ''Well if you don't mind Harry I have a beautiful woman to dance with as I'm sure you do.'' He said as he waltzed off with Proffessor Golding.
Harry wandered around the Great Hall searching for Ginny, he finally found her sitting at a table with Ron and Hermione, he decided not to say anything about the conversation he had heard between Proffessor Golding and Lupin, it was probably nothing anyway Harry told himself as he took as seat next to Ginny. They could have been talking about anyone, and although he repeatedly told himself this, it did nothing to settle the foreboding feeling in the pit of his stomach. He sat at the table with his friends for a while, when a slow song came on, one that he wanted to dance with Ginny to, as he had asked requested the song especially for her.
''Come on Lovekitty, lets dance.'' Harry said grinning wickedly at Ginny.
''Sure Snugglebunny I'd love to.'' she replied laughing and the both walked away laughing, leaving Ron and Hermione sitting there totally shocked and embarassed.
Harry lead Ginny on to the dance floor where a slow song had just started, he held Ginny closley to him and she rested her head on his shoulder as the sstarted to turn in time with the music.
*'I'lll be your dream
I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope
I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
Harry held Ginny closer in his arms, thinking how true the words to the song were for him, he'd be whatever Ginny needed him to be for her. He smelt the scent of lavender in Ginny's soft shiny hair, that never ceased to amaze him and sighed contently.
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly Madly Deeply do
I will be strong I will be faithful
Because I'm counting on a new beginning
A reason for living
A deeper meaning yeah.
I wanna stand with you on a mountain
I wanna bathe with you in the sea
I wanna stay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me.*
''This is our song Ginny my angel.'' Harry whispered to her softly as she looked up into his eyes. ''Everytime you hear it, I want you to remember how much I love you and how I always want to be with you.'' he finished softly, as she leaned up and kissed him, they stayed that way until the end of the song, not breaking away from each others embrace until the song had ended.
Meanwhile Ron and Hermione sat quietly at one of the small candlelit tables, watching the couples dancing happily, and laughing at Dean and Seamus who had started slow dancing with each as well.
''Those two better watch out, before long everyone will think they're both gay and they'll never be able to get a girl.'' Ron said as he laughed with Hermione at the expense of hiss fellow Gryffindors and team members.
''What like you and Harry? Remember when me and Gin caught you two talking to each other saying how much you loved each other? What was all that about?'' Hermione asked giggling at the memory.
''Oh God, I thought you'd forgotten about all that. Harry and me were just well...... he was pretending to be and I was pretending to be Ginny and we were just saying what we wanted you two to say to us.'' Ron explained sheepishly, a dark blush creeping across his face.
''Oh so that's what all that was about, I was a bit worried that you actually were gay.'' Hermione said seriously. ''Imagine that we would have never have gotten together.''
''Mione, why would I want Harry when I could have the most beautiful girl in the world?'' Ron whispered to Hermione as her gazed deeply into her deep brown eyes.
''Do you mean that?'' she whispered back.
''You know I do. I love you.''
''I love you too Ron.''
''Now I'm not very good at this but do you think that you would......will you dance with me Mione?'' Ron asked shyly as he extended his hand forward for Hermione.
''I would love to.'' she answered happily, as they walked out on to the dancefloor, where Ron held Hermione close to him, her head resting against his chest as they danced slowly to the music. She wrapped her arms around his neck, while he placed his tightly around her waist, so that everypart of their bodies were touching. Ron smiled happily as he breathed in the scent of Hermione's hair. She was perfect.
**************************************************************
After the Masquerade had finished and everybody in the castle had long ssince gone to bed, Destiny Golding and Remus Lupin, were still wide awake, whispering to each other in the empty Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.
''Is there anything I can do to help.'' Destiny asked anxiously.
''No, nothing now, not until he wakes up.'' Lupin stated grimly. ''If he ever does.''
''I want to see him.'' she insisted, her face set like stone, a look of grim determination on her face.
''Lets go then.'' Lupin said, resigning to the fact that she wouldn't change her mind, he remembered the same stubborn streak from her time at Hogwarts, the smae streak she shared with Sirius.
With a flash of green light from the fireplace, the two figures from the Dark Arts classroom vanished into the green flames, leaving behind, small green embers in the dying flames.
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Ginny sat in the Great Hall at a small desk, staring down at the paper in front of her. Defence Against the Dark Arts, one of her best subjects. She looked around at all of the fifth year students sitting in the Great Hall, sweltering in the heat of a surprisingly hot day in May. The OWL's had started and Ginny Weasley was experiencing her first exam, she was thankful that it was subject that she was actually good at, for her first one, that way she'd be more relaxed going into the next one that day which was Transfiguration. The practical part of the Defence Against the Drak Arts exam would be held on another day, but for now it was the theory part of the exam. Ginny looked down once again at the question in front of her. 'Name the five types of defence shields that can be conjured and put them in order of strenght the weakest first.' Ginny knew the answer to this question, it was easy, but for some reason she just couldn't seem to concentrate, some reason that had messy black hair, green eyes and glasses.
Harry's Magical Maintenence class was also in the Great Hall with them, as there were only nine students in the class. Harry was staring intently at his exam paper, his brow furrowed in concentration, and Ginny just couldn't stop staring at him, he looked up from his paper as though he felt Ginny's gaze penetrating him, their eyes met and he flashed her a smile before returning to his work. Her mother's image flashed before her eyes and she imagined the telling off she'd get if she failed one of her best subject's, so she put her quill to parchment and began scribbling away.
After the exam ended Ginny waited around in the Entrance Hall for Harry and Ron with Hermione who had just returned from her Arithmancy exam that had been held in the Arithmancy classroom.
''How'd it go Herm?'' Ginny asked as Hermione approached her.
''Oh it was good, I think I did well. How about yours?'' Hermione replied.
''It was ok, I couldn't concentrate too well, Harry was in there.'' Ginny said sheepishly.
''At least, he'll only be in one of your exams, Ron's in most of mine, but I try to forget about him.'' Hermione stated, as the doors to the Great Hall opened once again and the nine Magical Maintenence sstudents exited the Hall. Harry and Ron walked straight over to Hermione and Ginny, where Ron kissed Hermione on the cheek briefly and Harry kissed Ginny very briefly on the lips.
''That was easy.'' Ron said happily as he pulled Hermione closer to him for a proper kiss.
''Speak for yourself.'' Harry said miserably, ''For some reason I couldn't seem to concentrate properly.'' he said raising his eyebrows at Ginny who smiled back. Ron just looked over at them and rolled his eyes.
''Well I'm off to the Library I have some last minute revision for Charms to do.'' Ginny admitted as she started walking to the Library.
''What've we got next Ron?'' Harry asked half-heartedly.
''Potions.'' came the miserable reply from Ron.
''Great, well we'd better go and study too.'' Harry said as he half-dragged Ron to the Library, to try and catch up with Hermione and Ginny who had rushed off ahead.
*****************************************************************
The exams passed in a blur of last minute studying and parchment for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, who were all relieved when they had sat their last exam and could properly relax for the first time in weeks. There was a trip to Hogsmeade planned for the fifth years and above to celebrate the end of the exams. The younger years still weren't allowed to go because the culprits of the attack at the beginning of the year still hadn't been caught.
As Harry and Ginny strolled hand in hand into the village of Hogsmeade, followed by Ron and Hermione who had hung back a bit, for more privacy. Harry realised, that he could quite happily spend every day for the rest of his life holding hands with Ginny Weasley. They all went to the Three Broomstsicks and had a few butterbeers, to relax, and chatted for a few hours before heading back up to the castle in the evening ready for dinner.
''I better go and arrange my Occlumency lessons with Proffessor Golding soon.'' Harry said as he pushed his plate away from him after finishing his dinner.
''Yeah, I think you should go sooner rather than later though.'' Hermione said.
''Actually I think I'll go now, I just saw her leave. I'll meet you three back at the rooms.''
''Ok then, see you later babe.'' Ginny called as Harry walked out of the hall, blowing a kiss to her.
Harry walked, the familiar steps to his Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, in silence and upon reaching the room, found that the door saw slightly ajar. leaning closer to the door Harry could hear the voice of Proffessor Golding talking excitedly to a man, with a calm voice, the voice of Proffessor Lupin.
''.......So he's woken up?........''
''....Yeah, only took him a few months.......''
''.....Now we'll get some answers........''
''........Are we going to tell anyone....''
''No......not yet, not until we're sure....''
''....I understand.......''
Harry heard footsteps approaching the door, so he pulled away quickly and ran, he didn't stop running until he reached the rooms. What were they talking about? Was it the same man as last time? Did this have anything to do with the order? Did Dumbledore know? Harry's mind spun with a million unanswered questions, whatever it was had to be good right?, they sounded so excited when they spoke. They must've caught the attacker and knocked him out and only now he's coming around. Yes, Harry thought, that'll be it. He decided to say nothing to Hermione, Ron or Ginny, they'd only worry.
*******************************************************************
Over the next couple of week Harry noticed that all of the leon had gotten a lot easier, and that a lot less homework was given out. Nick's lessons however had gone from doing the absolute minimum level of work to doing absolutely no work at all. It was in one Magical Maintenance lesson that Harry found himself dozing of slightly as Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville were having a particularly uninteresting conversation about the exams.
The bell to signify the end of class souned suddenly and shocked Harry out of his nap so suddenly that he jumped out of his chair and fell on to the floor.
''Harry would you mind staying behind to see me please?'' Nick asked as Harry picked himself up off the floor, scowling at Ron who was laughing uncontrollably.
''Yeah sure.'' Harry replied. ''I'll meet you later.'' he added to Ron in a surly voice.
Ron left the classroom along with all of the other seven boys that attended the class, leaving Harry alone with Nick.
''So what did you want to see me about Nick?'' Harry asked confidantly.
''Oh, I'll get to that in a minute, here hold this for me please.'' Nick siad as he handed Harry a blank piece of parchment. Harry took hold of one end of the parchment and Nick kept hold of the other they stayed this way for about a minute, Harry was starting to get supicious, and just as he was about to let the parchment go and walk out of the classsroom, he felt the familiar tugging sensation, like a hook pulling him forward from behind his navel.
(A.N - Who on earth are Destiny and Remus talking about? Sorry to leave you on a bit of a cliffy, but it's more fun this way isn't it???? I promise I'll update soon, I want to try and get this story finished before the 23rd, because I'm going away for a week. What do you think? Hahero01 - I know when I'm there I can't wait to get out, but then in the holidays it is so boring I want to go back, but I know when I'm back I'll be desperate to get out again, coz I'll have less time for fanfic coz I'm starting in Year 12.)
P.S The song Harry and Ginny were dancing to was Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden.
