Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 30 – The Yule Ball
Dawn, Shannon, Hermione, and Ginny were up early in the morning, even though they had been playing truth or dare until only a few short hours earlier. They wanted to see Harry come to breakfast in his pajamas, after Buffy had stolen all of his clothes as part of a dare Shannon had given her the night before. The adults were awakened by the teens moving around the Scooby common room. The adults had hoped to see the results of Buffy's dare at breakfast, but were too tired to do anything more than head back to their own rooms and their own beds.
The Gryffindor girls entered the Great Hall to find the Harry, Ron, Andrew, and Charlie already at the Gryffindor table eating breakfast. Harry was wearing a pair of white and blue striped pajamas and making every effort to ignore the comments coming from the other students about his attire. Draco Malfoy, who could not resist making very loud comments to Harry at regular intervals from the moment he had entered the Great Hall, ceased his comments after seeing the annoyed look on Dawn's face.
Shannon slid next to Harry at the table, a plate full of pancakes appearing in front of her. "Nice outfit, Harry," she commented before taking a bite of her breakfast. Dawn, Hermione, and Ginny couldn't control their giggling. Ron, Andrew, and Charlie were snickering as well.
Harry took a deep breath and turned toward Shannon. "Thank you. May I ask, when you are planning to return my clothing, or would you like me to accompany you tonight in my pajamas?"
Shannon cracked a grin. "You can have them back after breakfast."
Harry nodded. "Would you mind telling me what I did to deserve this?"
"You dragged Dawn and I into your argument with Malfoy," Shannon replied.
"He started it, and you didn't take his clothes," Harry grumbled.
"I didn't have the password for Slytherin and didn't know where his room was anyway. Besides you shouldn't be trying to blame him. You should be apologizing to Dawn and I, especially if you want your clothes back." Shannon's voice was cold, but she was smiling broadly. Harry apologized to the two girls, while every one else continued laughing.
After breakfast, Shannon returned Harry's clothes. The four Gryffindor girls then went back to bed to make up for lost sleep from the previous night.
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Willow walked into Buffy's room, while she was getting ready for the Yule Ball. Willow was already dressed in her light green dress robes. Buffy still sat in a bathrobe, while she put the finishing touches on her hair and makeup. "You know getting all dressed up is a whole lot more fun, when you have someone that you want to impress," complained Willow.
"Uh huh," replied Buffy as she brushed some blush across her cheeks.
"Am I missing something, Buff? Do you suddenly have someone that you want to impress?" Willow asked.
"Maybe," replied Buffy as she brushed gloss over her lips.
"Maybe? Maybe who? Come on you have to tell your best friend if there is a potential boyfriend," begged Willow.
Buffy walked over to her bed, where she had lain out her dress robes. As she was changing into them, she spoke. "I wouldn't exactly say potential boyfriend. I just kind of liked what I saw when I met Ron's brother last night. I'm just hoping I can get a dance out of him."
Buffy finished dressing and turned back toward Willow. Buffy was wearing dark fuschia robes. "Well you look great, and he would have to be blind not to want to dance with you," said Willow.
"I don't know. I think it is hard for anyone to not look like a tent in these things," Buffy replied.
Willow looked at her watch. "We should get down to the common room. Xander, Anya, Faith, and Robin promised to wait for us."
"What about the others?" asked Buffy.
"Giles, Wesley, and Cat begged off chaperoning tonight. Giles is spending the evening reading in his room, and Wesley and Cat took the Hogwarts Express with the younger students this morning. They said something about going to London for the weekend."
"So do you think Wes and Cat together or what?" Buffy asked, as she and Willow walked down to the Scooby common room. "I know Cat said last night that they are just friends, but just friends do not exactly go away for a romantic weekend in London."
"My guess would be yes, but who knows with those two. They are both so intensely private," replied Willow.
"In direct contrast to those two," added Buffy indicating Faith and Robin, who were kissing on one of the couches in the common room, while Xander was uncomfortably pulling at his robes and Anya was checking her lipstick in the mirror of a small compact.
Xander looked up, when his friends entered the room. "I hate these things. I feel like an idiot wearing a robe."
"Well I think it makes you look very handsome," said Anya. "I always thought that wizarding robes made men look very distinguished." Xander smiled at the compliment.
Buffy walked over to Faith and Robin and flicked Faith in the head. "Ow, B., what the hell was that for?"
"Just making sure you were getting enough air there," replied Buffy. "Are you two ready to go?"
Faith and Robin stood. "Well, let's get a move on then," said Faith, leading everyone out of the common room.
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Just before the Yule Ball was due to start, Dawn, Shannon, and Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room wearing their dress robes. Harry and Ron were waiting patiently for their dates.
"You look beautiful," Harry said to Shannon.
"You look nice too," she replied.
Ron didn't say anything to Hermione. He was just staring at her with his mouth hanging open. Hermione was feeling self-conscious. The only other time that Ron had openly stared at her like this was when she accidentally turned herself into a half-cat after drinking polyjuice potion back in their second year. Shannon noticed Hermione's discomfort. "Hey, Ron, didn't your mother ever tell you that it's rude to stare."
Shannon's comment jarred Ron from his thoughts. "Mione, I have never seen you look so beautiful," he said in a near whisper.
Hermione blushed and thanked him for the compliment. "Now that is the kind of thing every girl wants to hear," Shannon added.
"Where are Andrew and Charlie?" Dawn asked.
"Ginny collected Andrew a few minutes before you girls came down. They went down to the Great Hall with some other fifth year girls. Charlie is still upstairs getting ready," Harry answered.
"I'm surprised he wants to go to a school dance with his younger brother and his friends," commented Dawn.
"I think he is hoping to dance with your sister," Harry explained.
"So are we ready to get going?" Shannon asked her friends.
"What about Dawn? Are you meeting Malfoy in the Great Hall?" asked Harry.
"No, he should be here to pick me up any minute. He said something about a gentleman always escorting a lady," replied Dawn.
Before any of her friends could respond, they heard a knock coming from outside the portrait hole. Dawn opened the portrait to see Draco standing before her, flowers in hand. She thought that he looked very handsome in his emerald green and silver robes, understanding why some of the students refer to him as the "Slytherin Prince."
Dawn stood back allowing Draco to step into the common room. He handed her the flowers, which Shannon took from her and ran to put in some water in their room. "You look amazing. That emerald green is a fabulous color on you," Draco said to Dawn.
"You look pretty incredible in that emerald green yourself," Dawn replied before placing a light kiss on Draco's lips.
Harry was about to make a snide comment, but was stopped when Shannon returned to the common room and laced her arm through his. Ron was still too busy staring at Hermione to notice Draco and Dawn.
"Let's go," said Shannon, and the three couples left the Gryffindor common room.
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The first dance of the Yule Ball was opened by the head boy and head girl, who were both Ravenclaws. Ron placed his arm around Hermione's shoulders. "That will be you next year," he said.
"I hope so," she replied.
"I am going to hate watching you dance with someone else," said Ron.
"Especially since it is highly likely that she will be dancing with me," commented Draco.
Ron shot Draco a nasty look. Dawn diffused the situation before the two boys could get in an argument. "So, Ron," she said, "I guess that means you will have to dance with me, when everyone else joins in."
Ron bowed dramatically toward Dawn. "It would be my pleasure, Miss Summers." The gesture elicited laughs from all of the teens.
When the second song began, Draco took Dawn's hand and led her onto the dance floor. She had been looking forward to dancing with him again ever since Halloween. She loved how confident he was leading her around the dance floor, and she couldn't help but giggle whenever he would spin her. "Are you having fun?" Draco asked her.
"I can't imagine wanting to be anywhere else but here dancing with you," Dawn replied.
Harry and Ron had convinced Shannon and Hermione that they should eat first and dance later. The girls had agreed, knowing that both boys were uncomfortable with their dancing ability. The four teens were now sitting at one of the tables to the side of the dance floor with their food. Shannon and Hermione couldn't help watching Dawn and Draco as they danced. Both girls secretly wished that their boyfriends could dance like that.
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When the Scoobies arrived at the Great Hall, Faith and Robin immediately walked onto the dance floor. Xander suggested to Anya, Buffy, and Willow that they get something to eat.
Xander, Anya, and Willow talked animatedly, as they ate. They noticed that Buffy was distracted. She wasn't touching her food. Instead, she was looking around the room. "What's up with her?" Xander asked Willow.
"I think she is looking for someone that she met last night," Willow replied. Anya nodded her head knowingly.
"Who is there to meet? We have been here for the past four months. Haven't we already met everyone that we are going to?" questioned Xander.
Before Willow or Anya could reply, they noticed a tall, fairly muscular man with red hair walking toward their table. "I think that is who she was looking for," commented Anya.
Charlie Weasley had entered the Great Hall and immediately searched for Buffy. He had only seen her for a few minutes the night before, but he found himself thinking about her all day. He was pleasantly surprised to see her smiling at him from across the room. He quickly cut across the dance floor to get to the table where she was sitting with the other Scoobies.
Buffy looked up into Charlie's eyes. "So I guess I wasn't dreaming last night," he mused.
"Do the women in your dreams regularly steal boy's clothes?" she asked.
"Trust me, when I tell you that I have had dreams that were weirder than that," he replied.
"Such as?" Buffy asked.
"Well I once dreamed about a guy offering people cheese," Charlie replied with a laugh. He was so focused on Buffy, that he did not notice the shared looks by her friends.
Xander looked at Anya and Willow in confusion. "Xander, why don't you dance with me, and I will explain it to you," Anya suggested. Xander nodded, as she led him to the dance floor. Willow made an excuse about talking to some of the professors before excusing herself as well, leaving Buffy and Charlie alone at the table.
"So how is it that a woman as young and pretty as you is teaching at Hogwarts? When I went here, none of the professors could ever have been mistaken for young or attractive."
Buffy smiled at Charlie as she spoke. "I teach Fighting Techniques with those two over there," she said, pointing to Faith and Robin out on the dance floor. "Let's just say that I have a lot of experience in the subject." Charlie looked a little confused, so Buffy continued. "Didn't Ron tell you that I am the Slayer, or now one of the Slayers. It's kind of weird getting used to not being the only one or one of the only two."
"You are the Slayer? Somehow I thought you would be. . ."
"Bigger?" Buffy interjected.
"Something like that," Charlie replied.
"So Ginny was telling me last night that you work with dragons. What is that like?" Buffy asked.
Charlie told her a little about his work. "Have you ever seen a dragon?" he asked.
"Once, but it came out of a different dimension. I don't know what ever happened to it. I was kind of busy at the time saving the world."
Charlie laughed. "And, when you say saving the world, you really mean it, don't you?"
"That's my destiny," she said.
The two sat in an awkward silence for a few moments, watching everyone on the dance floor. "Would you like to dance?" Charlie asked.
"I thought you would never ask," said Buffy, as she and Charlie stood. They walked out onto the dance floor. He took her hand in his, placing his other hand at her waist as they began to move together to the music.
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Dawn and Draco hadn't stopped dancing for more than a few minutes at a time all evening. As she glanced at her friends, swaying slowly to the music, Dawn felt almost guilty for having a partner who was such a strong lead. "Draco," she asked, "would it be ok if we switched partners for a couple of songs. I know both Shannon and Hermione would love to get a chance to dance with you."
"And I am sure that Potter and Weasley will want to kill me if I even think about dancing with their girlfriends," Draco replied.
"Not if they are busy dancing with me," she suggested.
Draco shook his head. "Dawn, I know that you want all of us to get along. We have all made the effort to remain civil to each other, but the famous trio and I will never be friends." Dawn pouted. "You know I would do anything for you," Draco added, "but you also know that you will be miserable if a fight breaks out, especially over something like dancing."
"I guess," said Dawn. "I just wish that there wasn't all this tension between you. It's hard enough taking abuse from everyone else in Gryffindor and Slytherin."
"I know," agreed Draco as he pulled Dawn more tightly into his arms. The two teens danced together for every song for the remainder of the evening.
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When the Yule Ball came to an end, neither Buffy nor Charlie wanted to part company. Buffy suggested that they get their cloaks and take a walk around the grounds. Charlie was only too happy to accept the invitation.
Buffy enjoyed herself immensely, as she walked along the edge of the quidditch pitch with Charlie Weasley. He was entertaining her with stories about his days as a student at Hogwarts. "Of course, back then I always went home to the Burrow for Christmas," he commented.
"I got the impression from Ron that he always stays at Hogwarts during the holidays," said Buffy.
"He stays to keep Harry company. The poor kid has a rotten home life with his aunt and uncle."
"Harry has mentioned that he thinks of Hogwarts as home," she added.
"I guess it is for him," Charlie mused.
"It kind of is for us too. I mean, it isn't like we have any other home, not anymore," commented Buffy.
"If my crazy family has taught me anything, it is that home isn't a place. It is being with the people who love you."
"Your crazy family seems very wise," said Buffy. "And for me, home is here with my sister and my friends. Willow, Xander, and Giles have always been like family to me. Anya, Faith, and Robin are fast becoming the same."
"So, you are right where you belong, home for the holidays," Charlie replied.
Buffy smiled. He was right. She just had one question. "Charlie, not that I am not loving having you here, but why aren't you with the rest of your family for Christmas?" she asked.
Charlie laughed. "I value my life. For that reason alone, I decided that it was best to be as far away from my mother as possible, when she discovers that George is gay and Bill eloped. It may take some time, but she will accept that George is gay. However, my mother is not the kind of woman who will be accepting of not being invited to the wedding of her first child to be married. Not to mention, she will be mad at me because I knew about it and didn't say anything."
"Well, whatever the reason, I am glad that you came to Hogwarts for Christmas," said Buffy.
"I am too," Charlie agreed. He took Buffy's hand in his, as they continued to walk and talk.
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Draco accompanied Dawn and her friends back to Gryffindor tower. When they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady, Draco spoke. "Would it be ok if I came in with you for awhile?"
Dawn was still upset about the conversation they had earlier on the dance floor. She knew that Draco was right about never being friends with the other Gryffindors, but it annoyed her that he was not even willing to try. She had pushed her annoyance out of her mind, while they danced, but now it was all she could focus on. Her reply came across angrier than she actually felt. "Why bother," she said. "You don't like my friends, and they don't like you. Maybe you should just go back to your own house."
Draco was taken aback. Dawn had never spoken to him in anger, not even when they first met and he made her cry. He was not sure what to do. He wanted to fix things, but did not know how to do so. Draco steadied his emotions, gave Dawn a quick kiss on the cheek, and walked purposefully away. His mind was reeling, as he walked to the Slytherin common room.
Dawn stormed past her friends and ran up the stairs to her room. She pulled off her dress robes, put on her pajamas, and crawled into bed. She had not meant to be so harsh with Draco. The stress of the situation had just gotten to her.
Dawn spent nearly an hour, trying to fall asleep. However, she was too upset about how she left things with Draco to sleep. Dawn slipped out of bed and down to the common room, where her friends were participating in an after party with most of the other Gryffindors. She purposely strode over to Harry and pulled him aside. "Can I please borrow your invisibility cloak?" she asked.
"Is everything ok?" he asked.
"I can't explain now, but please can I borrow it?"
Harry nodded his consent and ran up to his room to retrieve the invisibility cloak. He returned to the common room and handed it to Dawn. She slipped out of the portrait hole. Looking around the corridor to make sure that no one could see her, Dawn slipped on the cloak and set off to the dungeon.
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Draco could not sleep. He could not understand what had set Dawn off, and he still was not sure how to fix it. Fortunately, Crabbe and Goyle, not having secured dates for the Yule ball, had left the previous morning with the younger students. He was in no mood to deal with their usual inane questions.
Draco was jarred from his thoughts, when the door to his room appeared to open on its own accord. The door closed, and Dawn appeared out of thin air, dropping the invisibility cloak on the floor. "What are you doing here?" Draco asked. "Not that I am not happy to see you."
"I couldn't sleep," replied Dawn. "And, I was hoping that we could talk."
"Dawn, I am so sorry for upsetting you," said Draco. He still did not know what he did wrong, but was sure that apologizing was the best strategy.
"I am the one who should be apologizing," Dawn replied. "The stress of balancing my relationship with you and my relationship with my friends just got to me. I'm so sorry." Dawn was still standing near the door, wearing only her pajamas and shivering slightly.
Draco threw back his covers and beckoned Dawn to join him in bed. Without a second thought, Dawn slid beside Draco, as he placed the covers over her. They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment, before leaning in for a kiss. Draco wrapped his arms around Dawn, pulling her tight against his body. Each kiss became more intense, more passionate.
Draco pulled away from her kisses, looking into her eyes. He didn't want to stop kissing her, but knew that if he didn't stop now, he wouldn't be able to stop later. Dawn was concerned by Draco's abrupt halt to their kissing. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"I don't want this to go too far," he answered. "Well, I want it to, but not now."
Dawn nodded her head, thinking about what some of the women at their slumber party had told her. Before Dawn could analyze the situation further, Draco pulled her back into his arms. "Just let me hold you tonight." Dawn nodded before snuggling against Draco. The two fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.