Chapter Eight
March and April went by feverishly fast. Harry did not show up at any Auror meetings after his fight with Millie, and school was not the best anymore, since N.E.W.T.s were coming up.
Panicking, Millie finished reading her Auror books she had to complete by next week, and groaned as her stack of homework suddenly came into full view. Besides fifth year as the most toughest grade to take tests for, seventh came in next.
Fortunally for Millie, she didn't have as much time to sulk into her bed and think about Harry, but when there was time, she could only think about what she had said wrong. Every morning she would read the Daily Prophet, praying Harry didn't show up, written about him being sent to Azkaban again because of Malfoy. Luckily, no news about Hogwarts showed up, except the occasional He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named confirmation specialist, Professor Dumbledore.
Jaime and her friends stopped teasing her, probably afraid they would be jinxed again by Millie, for she and never made eye contact with the girls anymore.
But Professor Laundry settled into the girls dormitory one day, where Millie was contemplating how to start her homework ("I can finish my essay on Dragon Blood, or work on my House-Elf Statistic Chart"), sitting at a small table in the small end corner of the large common room.
The Professor cleared her throat and Millie whipped her head to stare at it's direction. For a split second, she thought she saw Harry, with his sparkling shimmering eyes bowing down at her, but clicked back when she noticed that Professor Laundry also had green eyes and glasses. Millie silently made a face to herself.
I need to stop thinking about him.
But exactly as the thought finished, her left hand started to tickle. Yet, it was her left hand's ring finger, which held the ruby encrusted diamond Harry gave her.
The feeling never happened before, the ring finger was growing hotter and hotter and more ticklish into her skin. She started frantically scratching and laughing quietly, hoping not to cause a distraction. Nobody glanced at her funny-feeling hand, but it soon stopped, and Millie grabbed her wrist, hoping her pulse was still working.
There was nothing she could do about the ring. It was permanently sealed onto her finger and will forever be there.
What does this mean? she asked herself, rubbing the ring itself. But no other solution came to mind but to grab the diary. Millie wasn't listening to Professor Laundry but tried to look like she was paying attention, when really searching in her bag for the diary.
Alas, she pulled it out, and flipped to a clean page. Again, no writing was written from Harry, and Millie felt a great disappointment. She was use to seeing blank pages, for Harry was right, he probably wouldn't read what she wrote, but Millie curiously wondered sometimes if he would ever to think to write to her.
Closing her book, another dreadful idea came into her mind.
He might be dating someone else...
A rush of jealousy swept over her, recalling the moment Harry had his first kiss with Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw Quidditch Seeker, and later going on a date with her to Hogsmead. From Harry's point of view, Cho always liked him. Millie thought quickly if they were going out again...
No...he can't...he promised...no!
Tears started welling up in her eyes, knowing to stop thinking about Harry was to listen to Professor Laundry's important talk.
Laundry ended the talk with a date: May 21st.
There was a squeal of excited cheers and cries. Millie watched curiously as girls started hugging each other, crying on each other's shoulders. She spotted Fannie and demanded to know what was up.
Fannie, wiping tears of joy off her cheek, grinned broadly.
"There's going to be a spring fling dance! The boys at Saint Patrick's will be joining us!"
Girls nearby who heard the news from Fannie started screaming loudly and waving their hands in the air of excitement. The whole dormitory went crazy that night, not one girl went to bed , except for poor depressed Millie, who impatiently had to hear the numerous amounts of pathetic conversations of boys.
Thrusting her pillow over her head, wondering why Saint Mumbus was going to have their first boy-girl dance, brought a sudden sadness to Millie's mind.
They're doing this because they know I don't have Harry anymore....
And quietly fell asleep.
If Millie could count the days in which shopping in downtown London was acceptable after school, there would be too many to calculate. Almost every day, the headmistress would allow classes to be cut short in order to go shopping for ball gowns and accessories. Every day, Millie sadly would hear the laughter and feel the excitement from her fellow peers, as the days quickly drew on by and the Spring Fling was in five days.
The first of the news arrived at dinner on Monday evening. There was a humongous crowd of girls by a wall, all who were chatting loudly and snatching what looked like pictures off the wall. Millie squinted her eyes to see what it was they were taking, and eventually found her way through the crowd, into the scene.
There plastered on the Dining Hall's large wall, was about fifty pictures of teenage boys, smiling down at the girls. Each imprinted with a name, the guy in the picture would simply yell "Take me to the dance!" and hands would fly in the air, for one lucky girl would snatch the picture and literally drool over it.
Millie studied each of them closely, trying to see all of them before they got picked off the wall. There was no part of Millie that wanted to take a picture of a boy, for a lonely hole was burning inside her, a hole Harry had created for her.
Feeling completely separated from the world, Millie didn't bother eating dinner, but looked at the ground the whole time as she made way for her bedroom. On the way to her room, a poster was plastered on the door, with big, bolded letters.
All girls are mandatory to be at the dance and must insist on dancing. Saint Patrick's boys will enter the grounds at seven o'clock, accompany by
Headmaster Patrick III.
Millie frowned greatly, knowing she couldn't skip the dance, which rang a bell inside her that she couldn't study her N.E.W.T.s. Now she had to go. Forgetting about the order from her headmistress, she grunted to her bed and plopped onto it, not caring her clothes were still on.
Avery was perched on her windowsill the next morning, softly hooting to herself. Millie realized she had a letter and was surprised to see Lupin's signature on the back of the parchment. Forgetting she had family in the Order, Millie gleefully opened it.
Sudden news Millie. Dumbledore and I will be at Transylvania to discuss matters with Draco Malfoy. Auror classes are cancelled this entire month for you and Harry. Hope all is well, good luck with N.E.W.T.s and write back if you need any help.
-Remus Lupin-
Millie grunted, her last drop of hope has vanished in her own heart. It wasn't an apologetic letter from Harry, or a letter Lupin wrote that said anything concerning Harry- it didn't even seem like Harry cared about her anymore!
Nothing seemed to matter. Millie hasn't heard from Harry in two months and it was driving her insanely crazy. It was almost as though Harry started a new life, and didn't include her. Maybe he was a new man, maybe he had a new love.
He doesn't have a new love.
The small voice in her head was driving her even more mad.
I really miss him.
And her ring tickled again, this time more powerful. Millie's stomach gave a lurch as sudden happiness rang inside her. The tickling sensation was making her giggle, but she couldn't help scratching and trying to claw off the ring. The red ruby was glowing very brightly, and such a question rang through her mind.
Why is this happening?
But suddenly Fannie ran through the room and jumped on her bed. Screaming in shock, Millie asked what's wrong. Fannie simply smiled.
"We're going shopping! My mum is going to take us after fourth block!"
"Okay...fine," growled Millie, throwing her covers at Fannie's face. "But I'm not dancing with anybody."
Fannie's smile widened even more. "You're not going with Harry Potter?"
Millie jumped at his name and tried to look calm, quickly thinking of an answer.
"Er...he's really busy with Quidditch this time of year."
But Fannie didn't look satisfied. "You two mates parted eh?"
"No!" screamed Millie. Fannie winked at her and walked out of the room. Millie could not help but feel extremely interrogated. How did she know?
When fourth block ended, Millie met Fannie and her Aunt Sally at the Dining Hall. Being quite surprised seeing other mothers and parents taking her kids shopping made Millie feel even more depressed.
"Alright Mill?" asked Aunt Sally. Millie couldn't help but put on a fake smirk on her face.
Downtown London was very exciting for both girls, and it certainly took away thinking about Harry for a few minutes. Millie curiously watched Fannie try gowns of gowns, each mix matching skirts and pretty blouses. Twirling around in a silky blue dress, Fannie shrieked that it was the perfect gown for her. It was great news for Millie for she sat pretty much the whole time at stores, trying to look happy watching her selfish cousin model beautiful dresses. Aunt Sally noticed the mood.
"Time to get a dress Millie," she said kindly, grabbing her hand. "How about black?"
Millie shook her head watching Aunt Sally introduce the gowns to her, but none fit her appeal. She needed something colorful, something vibrant for her skin. And just then, her aunt picked out the most beautiful gown she has ever seen.
A long light pink dress was held in Millie's soft hands. The halter top had sparkles around it's edges and down the sides. Giving a soft cry of amazement, Millie picked out matching high-heeled shoes and remembered she hasn't felt so...girly in such a long time. The last time she wore a dress and pretty shoes was at her uncles wedding when she was twelve. Since then, Millie was afraid she could never fall in love with dressing up again.
"I absolutely love it!" cried Millie, putting on the dress and modeling it in front of the Muggle store. "Amazing!"
Aunt Sally applauded, looking happy it fit perfectly well on the petite body while Fannie started snorting in disgust.
"Professor Jacudy will never let you wear that!" she shouted, rising to her feet. "We are not allowed to wear such...revealing dresses!"
Millie stared at her cousin in disbelief, and Aunt Sally gasped.
"Fannie dear, it's just a dress! It's a one-time only ball at Sain Mum-"
"No! Remember mother? Remember what Jacudy told you?"
Aunt Sally frowned and her eyes twitched. "Yes, I do. Millie dear," she said, turning towards her dumbstruck niece. "I'm sorry, but you cannot buy that dress."
Flinging her arms in all directions, Millie started yelling loudly. The whole store turned to her direction to see what the fuss is about.
"FINE! But I'll still buy this, I just won't...wear it!"
"Alright then Millie. You buy that pink dress and I will buy another dress...which is suitable for the headmistress."
Millie grunted that whole day.
The Spring Fling flung so suddenly at Saint Mumbus, Millie had only three hours to get ready for the dance. Her whole dormitory was flying in all directions; girls were passing each other make-up, and were doing hair styles for each other, and with a flick of a wand, hair would twirl itself into one. Millie only got back from her last class that evening to pushing her way into the bathroom. What seemed right was to work on her makeup and hair first, before the dress.
Even the bathroom was extremely crowded, for all mirrors were fogged up from the steams of showers, and blocked by anxious sixth and seven years. Growling to herself, Millie ran over to her bed to make sure nobody vandalized her personal space too. No one did, but some girl was sitting on it, which Millie shouted to move from. Taking in a rude gesture, Millie closed her bed blinds and sat huffing at herself with her arms crossed.
Listening to the agonizing excited crowd for about twenty minutes, Millie decided to give it another go to do her make up in the bathroom. Only one mirror was un occupied, and she rushed at it. Spilling her contents of cosmetics in the sink, Millie set right to work.
It seemed like a sudden thrill to be dressing up and getting ready for a big night, for Millie never experienced something like this before. But what was an ultimate low down was realizing she didn't have a date. The thought interrupted her as she shooed away the naughty fourth years who were showing off their picture's dates (whom they took off the wall before).
Millie got dressed into a plain green gown her aunt picked for her, and tried to fix her bust line, which was too big for the chest. Fannie noticed the new dress and commented that she wasn't sure the headmistress would allow it to be under knee length. Millie snarled behind her cousins back and continued with her hair, flicking her wand so the hair started curling itself. Once it was perfectly smooth with bouncy light curls, Millie added jewelry and finished it off with the brilliant diamond necklace Harry gave her for her seventeenth birthday. It took her a while to debate whether she should wear it, but she didn't have any other necklaces, so it was no choice.
Some girls happily commented on the diamond necklace, and others gawked and wondered if she stole it.
"I'm not a thief," said Millie, walking back to her bed. She waited until everybody wasn't paying attention at her side then bent down and pulled out a long cardboard box, the box that held the pink gown. Smiling, Millie touched it and petted it smoothly, daydreaming wearing the dress and twirling around in her heels with Harry...
Her ring tickled slightly but stopped.
It was a half hour before the ball would start when Professor Jacudy's voice rang through the school's intercom.
"All girls must report to the Dining Hall immediately, to greet our guests."
Millie jerked her head away from the dress and felt a huge stampede run across the room and out the door. All the girls were screaming softly to one another, some grabbing their friends arms and tugging them along. One girl looked so nervous, it was though she was about to puke. Perfume waded through the air, and Millie caught a pretty lilac scent that she was actually wearing herself.
Fannie came into view and grabbed Millie's arm. Standing up from the ground, she followed her cousin downstairs.
Greeted in the Dining Hall was Professor Jacudy and the staff, all who were dressed up greatly. From the headmistress wide frame, she wore a black dress, but still showed the many rolls from her stomach. Professor Laundry also wore a black dress, though it was longer and had a V-shaped top. But her wacky Herbology teacher was wearing a surprising yellow dress with flashed words like "Fancy Me."
The Professor and her staff ran to the girls and ordered them to stand in a long line across the hall, so every boy can see and pick out their mates. Millie was scooted at the far right end of the line, in between no one else but Jaime Parkinson and Elizabeth Adler. Both girls were snickering once Millie pulled into their view and Jaime commented that her dress reminder her of a frog.
"Ribbit ribbit!" cried Elizabeth in laughter.
But everybody hushed down when Professor Jacudy started talking.
"The boys and men will arrive at Saint Mumbus in about five minutes. Girls who have pictures of their dancers must hold them up for the guys can distinguish who you are. I will be walking along, making sure every girl is wearing appropriate clothing."
The Professor stopped in her tracks and looked at a girl in fifth year.
"We need to make that top a bit higher," she growled from her small tight mouth. "It's showing your cleavage. THERE'S NO SEDUCING BOYS!" she bellowed and almost every girl jumped. Millie put her head down, knowing her cousin was right about the pink dress.
Jacudy cleared her throat again and continued.
"I require everyone to dance, if not, then you may leave...but ONLY after one hour of the dance has past."
There was no noise, but Millie made a silent one. She never wanted to go to the dance in the first place.
"Once the gentleman arrive, you must all act calm and act like you've been to many dazzling dances! If not, it will make them nervous and you may not dance with them. So remember, act cool, this is Saint Mumbus first dance. Any questions?"
A hand shot up in the distance.
"Professor, why are we actually having a dance! We never had one!"
Millie recognized her as Holly Trudger, one of Jaime's fellow supporters, wearing a purple fluffy dress.
Jacudy looked down at the small girl and smiled a pitiful smile.
"Because," she began. "The headmaster is my brother. He gets easily bored with his school since it's quite small in Ireland. So he decided to contact me and he asked if his school could maybe set up an activity together. It is also a good way to keep in touch with Professor Laundry, who is engaged to Patrick."
A small mummer rang around the Dining Hall and Millie couldn't feel even more depressed. So now her Defense Against Dark Arts teacher was engaged? She must be happy!
Just then, the doors swung open and in walked (what must have been) a large light bearded Headmaster Patrick III, and his fellow student boys, all who were soaked from head to toe. Boys of all shapes and sizes wearing comfortable fitting suites walked in slowly to the dimly lighted room. The Professor noticed how wet they were when she and the staff put a drying spell on the men. They soon clapped their hands, music played, and colorful lights were dancing around the room.
There was a soft squeal of excitement from the girls, but Millie simply groaned, wanting to be anywhere but here. She was not looking for a new love, and never wanted to. And a dance wasn't the right thing to do to forget about Harry.
Elizabeth surprisingly grabbed hold on Millie's hand and tightened it, her face blushing uncontrollably red. She was repeating "Oh my goodness" over and over as the boys started approaching girls, looking scared but excited also. Just then a handsome sixth year greeted Jaime and asked her to dance. Elizabeth, still grasping onto Millie's numb arm, was screaming in delight for her friend. Millie felt extremely uncomfortable to be screamed in her ear from a girl she dislikes.
Soon, the line of girls started fading away until a plump third year boy asked Elizabeth to dance. Looking slightly disappointed, Elizabeth grabbed the boy's hand and gave a whimper at Millie. Millie looked shocked to actually see a weak side of Elizabeth.
It was about ten minutes later when the music was booming from an invisible DJ, and Millie and five other girls were standing alone. Millie turned her head to listen to Professor Jacudy talking to her brother when the song quieted down.
"The weather is terrible Jacob, I'm so sorry you and the boys got wet."
Patrick III chuckled at his fat sister. "It's alright, it's hard walking up that slippery grass I must say!"
Millie didn't want to hear any rubbish about the weather and left the line. She didn't know if she was allowed to walk past the line, but she decided to walk around and see who's dancing with who.
Her cousin was dancing with a cute fourth year, Jaime was still dancing with the sixth year, who was know nibbling on her ear. Jaime caught Millie watching and gave her a mean wink. Millie didn't care anymore what people did to her.
Forgetting about the dance, she walked over to the gigantic food table, which had to be prepared by the headmistress, for every sweet from Honeydukes, in downtown Hogsmead, was shown; along with tea, butterbear, and cheese.
Grabbing a piece of a chocolate covered cherry, a handsome seventh year boy tapped her on the shoulder.
He had blonde hair which was spiky and his nose was rather large. He did have a fantastic build, as his muscles were clearly showing through the sweaty white shirt.
"Hello, I'm David," he greeted himself to Millie.
Not even shaking his hand, she turned her back to him.
"No I don't want to dance."
The boy put his head in front of hers and she stepped back.
"Please? I really fancy you and that dress. Just one?"
Millie couldn't think of another excuse, and felt sorry she didn't go along with it.
"Oh, alright."
Feeling angry she was dancing with a boy she didn't even know or liked, she followed him to the dance floor. David gently held onto her and danced slowly with her.
Not knowing much of dancing, Millie went along with it, and accidently stepped on his foot. She didn't even make eye contact with him the entire dance, and walked away quickly before he could ask for another.
She stood by the food table again, trying to act like she was deciding between a croissant or a muffin when she knew she was playing too long. She turned around and bumped into the headmistress.
"You-are-not-dancing!" she shrieked. Millie could smell the alcohol on her breath.
"I danced once!" said Millie, putting her fist on the table and the other on her hip. She was angry now, angry she even had to go to the dance.
Professor Jacudy rolled her eyes and started talking to herself. But then she ran back to the food table and grabbed a butterbeer. Tapping her drink, Millie realized her headmistress turned the drink into rum.
Slurping loudly and swallowing the whole lot of the jug, Millie watched in disgust with her mouth open. Jacudy wiped the beer off her face and pointed a fat finger at Millie.
"If you're not dancing, you need to LEAVE!" she shouted.
"Sure!" cried Millie, actually feeling a bit relieved. "Goodbye Professor! Don't get too drunk!"
And she ran away, away from the happiness of the Hall, with two different genders who were physically being with each other, maybe emotionally liking each other.
She crossed the tapestries on the walls and entered her dormitory, which was very quiet and quite pleasant for her sake. Make-up was everywhere on the carpet, and wands were lighting themselves up. Millie took a short time cleaning the room when she walked over to her bed.
Remembering the pink dress she bought, Millie opened up the box under her bed and held the dress up in front of her face. The music was clearly heard, as though someone turned on a loud radio. Millie softly hummed to it.
But a fantastic idea greeted her mind. Millie grabbed her dress and shoes and ran into the bathroom where she got dressed. She later came out and walked to her bed elegantly, as though she was a princess arriving at the ball. She closed her eyes and started to softly hum to the music greatly heard in the room. Millie glided in room, swinging her arms like a delicate ballerina. She opened her eyes and laughed as Avery and some of the girl's owls were hooting at her in cheers. But again she lightly closed her eyes and swung back and forth, not caring if her hair was covering her face as she swayed it. The music quickly turned into a slow, romantic ballad. Holding out her arms in dancing position, she again slowly swayed back and forth in a rhythmic motion, then flying her arms in the air and twirling in circles.
"You look so beautiful," said a deep male voice.
Millie opened her eyes and slowly turned around, afraid one of Saint Patrick's boys has been spying on her, trying to get a good look.
But she instead gasped and held her hand onto her chest.
Harry Potter was leaning against the door with his hands in his pockets. He was wearing a handsome black dress robe which imprinted his initials HJP on the upper left corner of the shirt. His hair was still messy, but it was shiny as though he tried slick it back.
Millie didn't know what to think. Either Harry was extremely good looking, or she just couldn't move.
But then a terrible anger rose inside her.
He broke up with me. He was the one who yelled at me and told me he wasn't going to read the diary anymore. It was his fault he is making me depressed, all his fault!
Harry looked at Millie's wide hurtful eyes and frowned. He slowly walked towards her, looking cautiously for any bad signs and stopped once he was a foot away from her. Millie still had her hand on her chest and put it down slowly, not taking in any hard breaths. She then snapped at him.
"What are you doing here?"
Harry seemed to know what was coming and held out his hands in an apology.
"There's a lot of explaining to do Millie."
Millie looked at Harry's green eyes. They were sparkling with pure passion. Quickly, he put his hands in his pocket and looked at Avery, but then turned his attention back to Millie.
"I just want to have one dance with you. One dance with you Millie, that's all I want..."
He held out his hand, looking very serious. His eyes pleaded with his request and didn't blink once at his gaze. Millie thought Harry reminded her of a sad puppy.
Not understanding why he was here, Millie took his hand selfishly, not even caring for him, but regretted once he pulled her tightly at him. She felt instant warmth, a warmth of pure love.
A different feeling swept inside her, this time, a feeling of completeness. The hole that was burned inside her heart before now sealed itself beautifully. Millie felt so happy to be in his arms, she softly cried. It was seconds later when she heard Harry's cries. The music across the hall was loud enough to cover up the sobs as the two teens held each other in their arms.
Harry slowly pulled away from her and looked at the wall, embarrassed to be seen crying. Millie, on the other hand was crying so loudly, she had to bury her face in his shirt to keep making the noise.
"I'm...so...sorry," she heard Harry choke, and tightened his grip around her body. "There's so much...to tell you."
Millie again couldn't have words come out of her mouth and was afraid to say something that could cause another emotional breakdown. She only sobbed harder.
They danced for another song silently, both enjoying the comfort of being with one another.
It was when Millie calmed down that she pulled Harry away from her. She noticed his eyes were bloodshot.
"Listen, you can't be hanging around here...we need to talk, let's walk down the halls."
Harry smiled softy. "Okay."
Holding hands, Millie guided Harry down the steps and through the halls. She let go his hand and touched her necklace.
"Why are you here," she asked, noticing her voice sounded loud and strong. She didn't bother to look at Harry.
It took a while for Harry to say something, when he simply cleared his throat.
"Hermione found out about the dance in the Daily Prophet. And er...she knew I got mad at you, which made her and Ron mad...but erm..." he continued. "So they begged me to go to the dance and apologize and I didn't want to."
"You didn't want to?" repeated Millie harshly. She couldn't look at Harry, a deep burning was swelling up in her stomach again.
"Okay, listen to me," Harry abruptly stopped and turned to Millie. "I was possessed by Voldemort that night. Somehow I got really angry and it was because Voldemort was angry and he must have seen you through me so he got even more angrier and somehow I yelled and hurt you and..."
They turned around to hear footsteps behind him. Jaime Parkinson and the seventh year boy were holding hands and giggling, apparently heading up to the dormitories. Harry gave them a funny look.
"Right, so I find myself in the carriage. And I was asking myself how did I get here when I realized that I yelled at you for something and I remember seeing you cry. But then something told me that I wasn't 'going to bother reading the diary' and I got scared because I didn't know what you were thinking about." He looked horror struck to watch Millie's face get even sadder. "But you see? I haven't done anything because I was too afraid to talk to you. That's why I stopped going to Auror classes, because I hardly remember the bad things I said to you."
Millie stopped. "Have you started taking Occlumency?"
Harry stopped too. "Yes, and I'm glad."
"Okay, let me test you out. Do you remember me saying something about Draco Malfoy?"
A shadow flickered into Harry's eyes, but he blinked and frowned.
"Yes." He didn't sound threatening.
"That was the reason you were mad Harry, because of my experience with Draco."
Harry closed his eyes. "Please don't ever mention that to me again," he said in a disgusted tone. "But anyways, so I told Ron and Hermione, and Hermione didn't talk to me since...who knows how long. Ron simply acted different, and I caught them writing letters to you one day but I ripped them apart. They got mad, and now they are both not talking to me. I mean on top of that, I was getting pressure from homework, and trying not to get to close to Malfoy," he snarled and turned away, closing his eyes. He then turned back his heel and looked at Millie with deepest concern. "But... you will not believe how much I thought about you Millie, how hard I tried to pry you out of my mind...it was crazy."
Something clicked in Millie's head.
"Did you by any chance, get a tickling sensation from the ring?"
Harry opened his eyes, not believing the question.
"Yes! Did you get it too?"
Millie smiled for once, a happy smile.
"Yeah...what does that mean?"
"I dunno, curious huh?"
"Yeah..." smiled Millie again. "It happened last Saturday, I was thinking about you and it tickled."
But Harry whipped his head so fast at Millie that she heard a crick.
"That must mean..." he began. "That whenever we think of each other at the same time...it must show some connection... that's why it tickles!"
Millie started laughing. "You're right! Let's try it!"
Harry nodded and closed his eyes. Millie squinted her eyes in concentration.
I love Harry!
And her ring started tickling her even more violently, and the same with Harry, whom they both found each other laughing hysterically on the ground seconds later.
Harry had the last laugh and looked at Millie. They were both leaning against the wall, with Harry cross legged, and Millie with her legs straight out. Harry pulled her closer to him.
"So...to continue on. I decided I had to make the move, and it was really hard because a part of me had to see you, and the other was terrified to face you again. So I told Dumbledore about the dance. He agreed I could go and sent Professor Jacudy a letter about my arrival. So here I am."
He opened his arms and Millie leaned in for the hug. After a depression evening, she wanted to sleep, sleep in Harry's warm arms.
Suddenly, footsteps were charging beyond the corridor. Millie looked up from Harry's chest and saw a stampede of people running towards them, many shouting something. She got scared and pulled Harry up with him, both who were wondering what the racket was about. Seconds later, girls were screaming Harry's name, and some even shouted threatening remarks at Millie as they got closer.
Screaming in fright, Millie felt Harry's hand jerk her arm away from the closing crowd, and they bolted for it. Running at high speed, Harry was not letting go of Millie's arm, for her feet were in pain because of the pink high heeled shoes. Harry noticed her limping and put a vanishing spell at her shoes (which made Millie whine) but jogged faster away from the crowd.
It was nearly a whole block around the school when Millie found a secret passage behind a tapestry of a gymnast. Ordering the Olympian to open the door, Millie found her usual hiding spot.
She Issued Harry into her secret study room so quickly, that not one girl saw him disappear behind it. He fell to the ground in shock. The lights flickered on and both found themselves in a small room; it contained a wooden desk, quills, and parchment. Harry noticed the room and smiled, commenting it was like the Room Of Requirement back at Hogwarts.
Helping her mate up, Millie wound up a chairs from her wand, and both sat down. The thunder of the crowd whizzed by extremely fast, with girls and boys of all ages screaming their name.
"Just over that corner!"
"Do you think we missed them?"
"Harry Potter! At this school? This is my lucky day!"
Harry laughed at the comments, but one stopped him.
"I'm going to kill Millie, she brought him here you know."
Millie didn't dare to look at Harry, for she knew he probably looked very concern. She then felt a hand on her leg.
"I wish they would stop that, it's really terrible," Harry snarled quickly, his eyes scrunched together. "Those bloody-"
"Harry, that's enough, you know I get those threats," began Millie. She looked at him and noticed he had a smile on his face. "Why are you smiling?"
Silence filled the room, but Millie still stared at Harry's happy expression. He then blinked.
"Well, we got a room to ourselves! We can talk about anything now!"
Millie laughed. "Alright...you start."
Harry talked for a long time, practically about everything. But Millie found it shocking that he still wouldn't eat because of her, and he sometimes wouldn't go to bed. Harry dropped his head as he mumbled that Madame Pomfrey had to take him to the hospital wig because he was so sick one day.
Millie told him about her side of the story, and when she was done, the intercom buzzed from Professor Jacudy's voice.
"Saint Patrick's students and other guests invited to the Ball must leave immediately! It is over...goodbye!"
But Millie heard only half of it, when she sprang onto Harry's lap and kissed him. The time seemed to past quickly for another second ringing came through the school. Millie let go of Harry's lips.
"Will Stag and Venice please report to outside grounds," boomed Tonks voice quickly, as though trying not to bring attention. Harry simply looked confused when both his and Millie's eyes widened.
"That's us!" cried Harry. "Dammit, what time is it?"
But Harry already flicked his wand and a clock flew into the air. It read 1:24am.
"Bliminy!" screamed Millie and threw herself off him. "C'mon, we have to get you outside."
Grabbing her hand and opening the door, the coast was clear and not a sign of a human body was seen. Millie found a shortcut to the outside grounds and led Harry safely to his gold and red striped horse. The horse growled in laziness.
"Sorry Grim," whispered Harry in the horse's ear. "Got a bit preoccupied." Millie gasped, noticing Professor Jacudy's large body was walking in the background. The headmistress seemed to be wobbling though.
"Is...that...Harry P-p-otter?" rang Jacudy's voice. Millie didn't bother to look in her direction but threw Harry into the carriage which he laughed about.
"Don't get too rough!" he joked and got another punch on his arm.
Millie also stepped inside the carriage and heaved in a large kiss from Harry, this time his fingers tracing the back spine of her skin, which made her shiver in delight.
Pulling back from him, Harry simply replied "You can write in your diary now." And gave his last smirk and goodbye.
"Please be safe!" called Millie as the carriage door closed and soon took off. She could faintly see Harry's wave when a hand clamped onto her shoulder. It was Professor Jacudy, but she was ultimately drunk.
For a minute the headmistress looked like she was going to say something, but instead vomited over her clothes.
Trying not to look disgusted, Millie ran inside, leaving Jacudy bending down in the distance, spewing old cabbage.
It was the most pleasant evening Millie has ever experienced on a Saturday morning. She laid on her bed to absorb the reality. Her own dormitory was sprawled with girls in dresses and smothered with make-up, all who were either passed out drunk, or snoring loudly on the floor. Checking her clock, it was 9:00am, and surprisingly, there was no intercom voice screaming the girls need to wake-up, for the school seemed to be in a sleep mode. Laughing quietly to herself, Millie had a slight pang of revenge, looking at Jaime and Elizabeth's friends. She was, of course, in the worst bedroom ever, for the most snottiest of girls were laying on the floor conked out.
Though getting second thoughts, she decided to write to Harry in her diary. A leap of happiness gave in her as she read Harry's latest passage.
How are you? I put a charm on my diary so that after you finish writing, it'll vibrate and I'll know when you just wrote. If you want to use the charm it's "Alohavaro." Ron and Hermione are talking to me again! And I'm letting them write to you...haha. Anyways, we are going to be with Hagrid this evening, he needs setting up with a new species he just bred called Crockerfish. Sounds interesting huh?
Anyways, I love you.
~Harry
Millie looked up and saw that Jaime had shifted positions and now laid her arm on top of Katie Janis's chest. Giggling loudly, not one girl woke up from Millie's noise. A sudden idea clicked in her head.
Harry, I'm going to write to Fred and George, to see if I can get some...well...some of those Permanent Nasty Markers that's widely popular now. Jaime and the girls are passed out from last night, and I want to get my revenge!
Did your charm work?
Love you...xoxoxo
Mill*
Millie cast her charm on her diary real quick (which turned into a pink color and then faded away) and quickly wrote to Fred and George about her plan. Thrusting the letter onto Avery, she realized her owl can fly ten times faster than a regular one.
"Please give this to Fred and George Weasly! They're shop is in Diagon Alley!"
And without a sound of fear, Avery leaped out of the window and vanished within seconds in the air.
A soft gurgle noise came from Amanda Petute, but stopped. Millie jumped off her bed to brush her teeth, and when she came back, her diary was trembling violently.
Good plan, I like how you think. I suggest a drooling charm on Jaime, I know you don't like her. And I know Fred and George will give you the BEST stuff to use on them!
Wrote Harry as she flipped inside the book.
Anyways, Hagrid says hello, he was wondering why Fang was sniffing my bag and barking weirdly, I guess it works! But please write back, me and Ron are going to play Quidditch now. He's getting better every time.
But then a different style of writing appeared in the diary.
Hello Millie! It's Hermione, hope you were surprised when Harry came by, because I know I sure was! Ron bought me a charm bracelet and he's taking me out to dinner at Hogsmead! It's kind of awkward right now, but I know him too much to know he still likes me. Okay, Harry is trying to grab the book out of my hand, he needs to calm down about you. Cheers!
I don't have to calm down, began Harry. Well, write back. Bye.
And just as she finished reading the entry, Avery zoomed into the room, flew around Millie and dropped a very large package onto her lap. Booming with excitement, Millie gladly opened it and found what looked like dozens of different candies, markers, and instruments. A small note from the twins were found.
Glad to hear from you Millie! Our shop is going amazingly well, and we are very shocked to know that you...want revenge on your dear old friends. Actually, we heard about the mean stuff those girls do to you, and this is perfect to know you want help from US! Here is an assortment of bubby busters, farting warties, drooling oolies, and just as you want, the nasty comment marker charms. Enjoy! And no charge required!
Grabbing the drooling oolies first, which consisted of a brush and powder, similar to makeup, and was read to sweep over the victim's mouth. Millie ran over to Jaime first and brushed it carefully, actually adding three more coats then it was suppose to have.
Intense drool gushed out of Jaime's mouth and onto poor Katie's dress. Laughing silently, Millie brushed it on every girl who was close to someone else, hoping their drool can be shared with others.
Once that was done, Millie took some cursing markers and applied them to Jaime, first. Jaime was going to be Millie's tester. With one swipe on the forehead, a huge curse very unappropriated was written across it. Millie used the colorful makers on the rest of the room who wasn't being drowned in drool.
Also using sticking charms, the room started to shaken, being woken up. Millie noticed the change and ran to her bed and hiding the contents under her bed. Second thoughts made her vanish it, although, she still kept the drooling oobies brush and cursing marker under Avery's cage.
She ran into her bed, throwing the covers on, pretending she was waking up too. But to prove she wasn't the creator of the mess, she scribbled a curse on her cheek and woke up, trying to look alarmed too.
Millie had a great morning that Saturday.
March and April went by feverishly fast. Harry did not show up at any Auror meetings after his fight with Millie, and school was not the best anymore, since N.E.W.T.s were coming up.
Panicking, Millie finished reading her Auror books she had to complete by next week, and groaned as her stack of homework suddenly came into full view. Besides fifth year as the most toughest grade to take tests for, seventh came in next.
Fortunally for Millie, she didn't have as much time to sulk into her bed and think about Harry, but when there was time, she could only think about what she had said wrong. Every morning she would read the Daily Prophet, praying Harry didn't show up, written about him being sent to Azkaban again because of Malfoy. Luckily, no news about Hogwarts showed up, except the occasional He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named confirmation specialist, Professor Dumbledore.
Jaime and her friends stopped teasing her, probably afraid they would be jinxed again by Millie, for she and never made eye contact with the girls anymore.
But Professor Laundry settled into the girls dormitory one day, where Millie was contemplating how to start her homework ("I can finish my essay on Dragon Blood, or work on my House-Elf Statistic Chart"), sitting at a small table in the small end corner of the large common room.
The Professor cleared her throat and Millie whipped her head to stare at it's direction. For a split second, she thought she saw Harry, with his sparkling shimmering eyes bowing down at her, but clicked back when she noticed that Professor Laundry also had green eyes and glasses. Millie silently made a face to herself.
I need to stop thinking about him.
But exactly as the thought finished, her left hand started to tickle. Yet, it was her left hand's ring finger, which held the ruby encrusted diamond Harry gave her.
The feeling never happened before, the ring finger was growing hotter and hotter and more ticklish into her skin. She started frantically scratching and laughing quietly, hoping not to cause a distraction. Nobody glanced at her funny-feeling hand, but it soon stopped, and Millie grabbed her wrist, hoping her pulse was still working.
There was nothing she could do about the ring. It was permanently sealed onto her finger and will forever be there.
What does this mean? she asked herself, rubbing the ring itself. But no other solution came to mind but to grab the diary. Millie wasn't listening to Professor Laundry but tried to look like she was paying attention, when really searching in her bag for the diary.
Alas, she pulled it out, and flipped to a clean page. Again, no writing was written from Harry, and Millie felt a great disappointment. She was use to seeing blank pages, for Harry was right, he probably wouldn't read what she wrote, but Millie curiously wondered sometimes if he would ever to think to write to her.
Closing her book, another dreadful idea came into her mind.
He might be dating someone else...
A rush of jealousy swept over her, recalling the moment Harry had his first kiss with Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw Quidditch Seeker, and later going on a date with her to Hogsmead. From Harry's point of view, Cho always liked him. Millie thought quickly if they were going out again...
No...he can't...he promised...no!
Tears started welling up in her eyes, knowing to stop thinking about Harry was to listen to Professor Laundry's important talk.
Laundry ended the talk with a date: May 21st.
There was a squeal of excited cheers and cries. Millie watched curiously as girls started hugging each other, crying on each other's shoulders. She spotted Fannie and demanded to know what was up.
Fannie, wiping tears of joy off her cheek, grinned broadly.
"There's going to be a spring fling dance! The boys at Saint Patrick's will be joining us!"
Girls nearby who heard the news from Fannie started screaming loudly and waving their hands in the air of excitement. The whole dormitory went crazy that night, not one girl went to bed , except for poor depressed Millie, who impatiently had to hear the numerous amounts of pathetic conversations of boys.
Thrusting her pillow over her head, wondering why Saint Mumbus was going to have their first boy-girl dance, brought a sudden sadness to Millie's mind.
They're doing this because they know I don't have Harry anymore....
And quietly fell asleep.
If Millie could count the days in which shopping in downtown London was acceptable after school, there would be too many to calculate. Almost every day, the headmistress would allow classes to be cut short in order to go shopping for ball gowns and accessories. Every day, Millie sadly would hear the laughter and feel the excitement from her fellow peers, as the days quickly drew on by and the Spring Fling was in five days.
The first of the news arrived at dinner on Monday evening. There was a humongous crowd of girls by a wall, all who were chatting loudly and snatching what looked like pictures off the wall. Millie squinted her eyes to see what it was they were taking, and eventually found her way through the crowd, into the scene.
There plastered on the Dining Hall's large wall, was about fifty pictures of teenage boys, smiling down at the girls. Each imprinted with a name, the guy in the picture would simply yell "Take me to the dance!" and hands would fly in the air, for one lucky girl would snatch the picture and literally drool over it.
Millie studied each of them closely, trying to see all of them before they got picked off the wall. There was no part of Millie that wanted to take a picture of a boy, for a lonely hole was burning inside her, a hole Harry had created for her.
Feeling completely separated from the world, Millie didn't bother eating dinner, but looked at the ground the whole time as she made way for her bedroom. On the way to her room, a poster was plastered on the door, with big, bolded letters.
All girls are mandatory to be at the dance and must insist on dancing. Saint Patrick's boys will enter the grounds at seven o'clock, accompany by
Headmaster Patrick III.
Millie frowned greatly, knowing she couldn't skip the dance, which rang a bell inside her that she couldn't study her N.E.W.T.s. Now she had to go. Forgetting about the order from her headmistress, she grunted to her bed and plopped onto it, not caring her clothes were still on.
Avery was perched on her windowsill the next morning, softly hooting to herself. Millie realized she had a letter and was surprised to see Lupin's signature on the back of the parchment. Forgetting she had family in the Order, Millie gleefully opened it.
Sudden news Millie. Dumbledore and I will be at Transylvania to discuss matters with Draco Malfoy. Auror classes are cancelled this entire month for you and Harry. Hope all is well, good luck with N.E.W.T.s and write back if you need any help.
-Remus Lupin-
Millie grunted, her last drop of hope has vanished in her own heart. It wasn't an apologetic letter from Harry, or a letter Lupin wrote that said anything concerning Harry- it didn't even seem like Harry cared about her anymore!
Nothing seemed to matter. Millie hasn't heard from Harry in two months and it was driving her insanely crazy. It was almost as though Harry started a new life, and didn't include her. Maybe he was a new man, maybe he had a new love.
He doesn't have a new love.
The small voice in her head was driving her even more mad.
I really miss him.
And her ring tickled again, this time more powerful. Millie's stomach gave a lurch as sudden happiness rang inside her. The tickling sensation was making her giggle, but she couldn't help scratching and trying to claw off the ring. The red ruby was glowing very brightly, and such a question rang through her mind.
Why is this happening?
But suddenly Fannie ran through the room and jumped on her bed. Screaming in shock, Millie asked what's wrong. Fannie simply smiled.
"We're going shopping! My mum is going to take us after fourth block!"
"Okay...fine," growled Millie, throwing her covers at Fannie's face. "But I'm not dancing with anybody."
Fannie's smile widened even more. "You're not going with Harry Potter?"
Millie jumped at his name and tried to look calm, quickly thinking of an answer.
"Er...he's really busy with Quidditch this time of year."
But Fannie didn't look satisfied. "You two mates parted eh?"
"No!" screamed Millie. Fannie winked at her and walked out of the room. Millie could not help but feel extremely interrogated. How did she know?
When fourth block ended, Millie met Fannie and her Aunt Sally at the Dining Hall. Being quite surprised seeing other mothers and parents taking her kids shopping made Millie feel even more depressed.
"Alright Mill?" asked Aunt Sally. Millie couldn't help but put on a fake smirk on her face.
Downtown London was very exciting for both girls, and it certainly took away thinking about Harry for a few minutes. Millie curiously watched Fannie try gowns of gowns, each mix matching skirts and pretty blouses. Twirling around in a silky blue dress, Fannie shrieked that it was the perfect gown for her. It was great news for Millie for she sat pretty much the whole time at stores, trying to look happy watching her selfish cousin model beautiful dresses. Aunt Sally noticed the mood.
"Time to get a dress Millie," she said kindly, grabbing her hand. "How about black?"
Millie shook her head watching Aunt Sally introduce the gowns to her, but none fit her appeal. She needed something colorful, something vibrant for her skin. And just then, her aunt picked out the most beautiful gown she has ever seen.
A long light pink dress was held in Millie's soft hands. The halter top had sparkles around it's edges and down the sides. Giving a soft cry of amazement, Millie picked out matching high-heeled shoes and remembered she hasn't felt so...girly in such a long time. The last time she wore a dress and pretty shoes was at her uncles wedding when she was twelve. Since then, Millie was afraid she could never fall in love with dressing up again.
"I absolutely love it!" cried Millie, putting on the dress and modeling it in front of the Muggle store. "Amazing!"
Aunt Sally applauded, looking happy it fit perfectly well on the petite body while Fannie started snorting in disgust.
"Professor Jacudy will never let you wear that!" she shouted, rising to her feet. "We are not allowed to wear such...revealing dresses!"
Millie stared at her cousin in disbelief, and Aunt Sally gasped.
"Fannie dear, it's just a dress! It's a one-time only ball at Sain Mum-"
"No! Remember mother? Remember what Jacudy told you?"
Aunt Sally frowned and her eyes twitched. "Yes, I do. Millie dear," she said, turning towards her dumbstruck niece. "I'm sorry, but you cannot buy that dress."
Flinging her arms in all directions, Millie started yelling loudly. The whole store turned to her direction to see what the fuss is about.
"FINE! But I'll still buy this, I just won't...wear it!"
"Alright then Millie. You buy that pink dress and I will buy another dress...which is suitable for the headmistress."
Millie grunted that whole day.
The Spring Fling flung so suddenly at Saint Mumbus, Millie had only three hours to get ready for the dance. Her whole dormitory was flying in all directions; girls were passing each other make-up, and were doing hair styles for each other, and with a flick of a wand, hair would twirl itself into one. Millie only got back from her last class that evening to pushing her way into the bathroom. What seemed right was to work on her makeup and hair first, before the dress.
Even the bathroom was extremely crowded, for all mirrors were fogged up from the steams of showers, and blocked by anxious sixth and seven years. Growling to herself, Millie ran over to her bed to make sure nobody vandalized her personal space too. No one did, but some girl was sitting on it, which Millie shouted to move from. Taking in a rude gesture, Millie closed her bed blinds and sat huffing at herself with her arms crossed.
Listening to the agonizing excited crowd for about twenty minutes, Millie decided to give it another go to do her make up in the bathroom. Only one mirror was un occupied, and she rushed at it. Spilling her contents of cosmetics in the sink, Millie set right to work.
It seemed like a sudden thrill to be dressing up and getting ready for a big night, for Millie never experienced something like this before. But what was an ultimate low down was realizing she didn't have a date. The thought interrupted her as she shooed away the naughty fourth years who were showing off their picture's dates (whom they took off the wall before).
Millie got dressed into a plain green gown her aunt picked for her, and tried to fix her bust line, which was too big for the chest. Fannie noticed the new dress and commented that she wasn't sure the headmistress would allow it to be under knee length. Millie snarled behind her cousins back and continued with her hair, flicking her wand so the hair started curling itself. Once it was perfectly smooth with bouncy light curls, Millie added jewelry and finished it off with the brilliant diamond necklace Harry gave her for her seventeenth birthday. It took her a while to debate whether she should wear it, but she didn't have any other necklaces, so it was no choice.
Some girls happily commented on the diamond necklace, and others gawked and wondered if she stole it.
"I'm not a thief," said Millie, walking back to her bed. She waited until everybody wasn't paying attention at her side then bent down and pulled out a long cardboard box, the box that held the pink gown. Smiling, Millie touched it and petted it smoothly, daydreaming wearing the dress and twirling around in her heels with Harry...
Her ring tickled slightly but stopped.
It was a half hour before the ball would start when Professor Jacudy's voice rang through the school's intercom.
"All girls must report to the Dining Hall immediately, to greet our guests."
Millie jerked her head away from the dress and felt a huge stampede run across the room and out the door. All the girls were screaming softly to one another, some grabbing their friends arms and tugging them along. One girl looked so nervous, it was though she was about to puke. Perfume waded through the air, and Millie caught a pretty lilac scent that she was actually wearing herself.
Fannie came into view and grabbed Millie's arm. Standing up from the ground, she followed her cousin downstairs.
Greeted in the Dining Hall was Professor Jacudy and the staff, all who were dressed up greatly. From the headmistress wide frame, she wore a black dress, but still showed the many rolls from her stomach. Professor Laundry also wore a black dress, though it was longer and had a V-shaped top. But her wacky Herbology teacher was wearing a surprising yellow dress with flashed words like "Fancy Me."
The Professor and her staff ran to the girls and ordered them to stand in a long line across the hall, so every boy can see and pick out their mates. Millie was scooted at the far right end of the line, in between no one else but Jaime Parkinson and Elizabeth Adler. Both girls were snickering once Millie pulled into their view and Jaime commented that her dress reminder her of a frog.
"Ribbit ribbit!" cried Elizabeth in laughter.
But everybody hushed down when Professor Jacudy started talking.
"The boys and men will arrive at Saint Mumbus in about five minutes. Girls who have pictures of their dancers must hold them up for the guys can distinguish who you are. I will be walking along, making sure every girl is wearing appropriate clothing."
The Professor stopped in her tracks and looked at a girl in fifth year.
"We need to make that top a bit higher," she growled from her small tight mouth. "It's showing your cleavage. THERE'S NO SEDUCING BOYS!" she bellowed and almost every girl jumped. Millie put her head down, knowing her cousin was right about the pink dress.
Jacudy cleared her throat again and continued.
"I require everyone to dance, if not, then you may leave...but ONLY after one hour of the dance has past."
There was no noise, but Millie made a silent one. She never wanted to go to the dance in the first place.
"Once the gentleman arrive, you must all act calm and act like you've been to many dazzling dances! If not, it will make them nervous and you may not dance with them. So remember, act cool, this is Saint Mumbus first dance. Any questions?"
A hand shot up in the distance.
"Professor, why are we actually having a dance! We never had one!"
Millie recognized her as Holly Trudger, one of Jaime's fellow supporters, wearing a purple fluffy dress.
Jacudy looked down at the small girl and smiled a pitiful smile.
"Because," she began. "The headmaster is my brother. He gets easily bored with his school since it's quite small in Ireland. So he decided to contact me and he asked if his school could maybe set up an activity together. It is also a good way to keep in touch with Professor Laundry, who is engaged to Patrick."
A small mummer rang around the Dining Hall and Millie couldn't feel even more depressed. So now her Defense Against Dark Arts teacher was engaged? She must be happy!
Just then, the doors swung open and in walked (what must have been) a large light bearded Headmaster Patrick III, and his fellow student boys, all who were soaked from head to toe. Boys of all shapes and sizes wearing comfortable fitting suites walked in slowly to the dimly lighted room. The Professor noticed how wet they were when she and the staff put a drying spell on the men. They soon clapped their hands, music played, and colorful lights were dancing around the room.
There was a soft squeal of excitement from the girls, but Millie simply groaned, wanting to be anywhere but here. She was not looking for a new love, and never wanted to. And a dance wasn't the right thing to do to forget about Harry.
Elizabeth surprisingly grabbed hold on Millie's hand and tightened it, her face blushing uncontrollably red. She was repeating "Oh my goodness" over and over as the boys started approaching girls, looking scared but excited also. Just then a handsome sixth year greeted Jaime and asked her to dance. Elizabeth, still grasping onto Millie's numb arm, was screaming in delight for her friend. Millie felt extremely uncomfortable to be screamed in her ear from a girl she dislikes.
Soon, the line of girls started fading away until a plump third year boy asked Elizabeth to dance. Looking slightly disappointed, Elizabeth grabbed the boy's hand and gave a whimper at Millie. Millie looked shocked to actually see a weak side of Elizabeth.
It was about ten minutes later when the music was booming from an invisible DJ, and Millie and five other girls were standing alone. Millie turned her head to listen to Professor Jacudy talking to her brother when the song quieted down.
"The weather is terrible Jacob, I'm so sorry you and the boys got wet."
Patrick III chuckled at his fat sister. "It's alright, it's hard walking up that slippery grass I must say!"
Millie didn't want to hear any rubbish about the weather and left the line. She didn't know if she was allowed to walk past the line, but she decided to walk around and see who's dancing with who.
Her cousin was dancing with a cute fourth year, Jaime was still dancing with the sixth year, who was know nibbling on her ear. Jaime caught Millie watching and gave her a mean wink. Millie didn't care anymore what people did to her.
Forgetting about the dance, she walked over to the gigantic food table, which had to be prepared by the headmistress, for every sweet from Honeydukes, in downtown Hogsmead, was shown; along with tea, butterbear, and cheese.
Grabbing a piece of a chocolate covered cherry, a handsome seventh year boy tapped her on the shoulder.
He had blonde hair which was spiky and his nose was rather large. He did have a fantastic build, as his muscles were clearly showing through the sweaty white shirt.
"Hello, I'm David," he greeted himself to Millie.
Not even shaking his hand, she turned her back to him.
"No I don't want to dance."
The boy put his head in front of hers and she stepped back.
"Please? I really fancy you and that dress. Just one?"
Millie couldn't think of another excuse, and felt sorry she didn't go along with it.
"Oh, alright."
Feeling angry she was dancing with a boy she didn't even know or liked, she followed him to the dance floor. David gently held onto her and danced slowly with her.
Not knowing much of dancing, Millie went along with it, and accidently stepped on his foot. She didn't even make eye contact with him the entire dance, and walked away quickly before he could ask for another.
She stood by the food table again, trying to act like she was deciding between a croissant or a muffin when she knew she was playing too long. She turned around and bumped into the headmistress.
"You-are-not-dancing!" she shrieked. Millie could smell the alcohol on her breath.
"I danced once!" said Millie, putting her fist on the table and the other on her hip. She was angry now, angry she even had to go to the dance.
Professor Jacudy rolled her eyes and started talking to herself. But then she ran back to the food table and grabbed a butterbeer. Tapping her drink, Millie realized her headmistress turned the drink into rum.
Slurping loudly and swallowing the whole lot of the jug, Millie watched in disgust with her mouth open. Jacudy wiped the beer off her face and pointed a fat finger at Millie.
"If you're not dancing, you need to LEAVE!" she shouted.
"Sure!" cried Millie, actually feeling a bit relieved. "Goodbye Professor! Don't get too drunk!"
And she ran away, away from the happiness of the Hall, with two different genders who were physically being with each other, maybe emotionally liking each other.
She crossed the tapestries on the walls and entered her dormitory, which was very quiet and quite pleasant for her sake. Make-up was everywhere on the carpet, and wands were lighting themselves up. Millie took a short time cleaning the room when she walked over to her bed.
Remembering the pink dress she bought, Millie opened up the box under her bed and held the dress up in front of her face. The music was clearly heard, as though someone turned on a loud radio. Millie softly hummed to it.
But a fantastic idea greeted her mind. Millie grabbed her dress and shoes and ran into the bathroom where she got dressed. She later came out and walked to her bed elegantly, as though she was a princess arriving at the ball. She closed her eyes and started to softly hum to the music greatly heard in the room. Millie glided in room, swinging her arms like a delicate ballerina. She opened her eyes and laughed as Avery and some of the girl's owls were hooting at her in cheers. But again she lightly closed her eyes and swung back and forth, not caring if her hair was covering her face as she swayed it. The music quickly turned into a slow, romantic ballad. Holding out her arms in dancing position, she again slowly swayed back and forth in a rhythmic motion, then flying her arms in the air and twirling in circles.
"You look so beautiful," said a deep male voice.
Millie opened her eyes and slowly turned around, afraid one of Saint Patrick's boys has been spying on her, trying to get a good look.
But she instead gasped and held her hand onto her chest.
Harry Potter was leaning against the door with his hands in his pockets. He was wearing a handsome black dress robe which imprinted his initials HJP on the upper left corner of the shirt. His hair was still messy, but it was shiny as though he tried slick it back.
Millie didn't know what to think. Either Harry was extremely good looking, or she just couldn't move.
But then a terrible anger rose inside her.
He broke up with me. He was the one who yelled at me and told me he wasn't going to read the diary anymore. It was his fault he is making me depressed, all his fault!
Harry looked at Millie's wide hurtful eyes and frowned. He slowly walked towards her, looking cautiously for any bad signs and stopped once he was a foot away from her. Millie still had her hand on her chest and put it down slowly, not taking in any hard breaths. She then snapped at him.
"What are you doing here?"
Harry seemed to know what was coming and held out his hands in an apology.
"There's a lot of explaining to do Millie."
Millie looked at Harry's green eyes. They were sparkling with pure passion. Quickly, he put his hands in his pocket and looked at Avery, but then turned his attention back to Millie.
"I just want to have one dance with you. One dance with you Millie, that's all I want..."
He held out his hand, looking very serious. His eyes pleaded with his request and didn't blink once at his gaze. Millie thought Harry reminded her of a sad puppy.
Not understanding why he was here, Millie took his hand selfishly, not even caring for him, but regretted once he pulled her tightly at him. She felt instant warmth, a warmth of pure love.
A different feeling swept inside her, this time, a feeling of completeness. The hole that was burned inside her heart before now sealed itself beautifully. Millie felt so happy to be in his arms, she softly cried. It was seconds later when she heard Harry's cries. The music across the hall was loud enough to cover up the sobs as the two teens held each other in their arms.
Harry slowly pulled away from her and looked at the wall, embarrassed to be seen crying. Millie, on the other hand was crying so loudly, she had to bury her face in his shirt to keep making the noise.
"I'm...so...sorry," she heard Harry choke, and tightened his grip around her body. "There's so much...to tell you."
Millie again couldn't have words come out of her mouth and was afraid to say something that could cause another emotional breakdown. She only sobbed harder.
They danced for another song silently, both enjoying the comfort of being with one another.
It was when Millie calmed down that she pulled Harry away from her. She noticed his eyes were bloodshot.
"Listen, you can't be hanging around here...we need to talk, let's walk down the halls."
Harry smiled softy. "Okay."
Holding hands, Millie guided Harry down the steps and through the halls. She let go his hand and touched her necklace.
"Why are you here," she asked, noticing her voice sounded loud and strong. She didn't bother to look at Harry.
It took a while for Harry to say something, when he simply cleared his throat.
"Hermione found out about the dance in the Daily Prophet. And er...she knew I got mad at you, which made her and Ron mad...but erm..." he continued. "So they begged me to go to the dance and apologize and I didn't want to."
"You didn't want to?" repeated Millie harshly. She couldn't look at Harry, a deep burning was swelling up in her stomach again.
"Okay, listen to me," Harry abruptly stopped and turned to Millie. "I was possessed by Voldemort that night. Somehow I got really angry and it was because Voldemort was angry and he must have seen you through me so he got even more angrier and somehow I yelled and hurt you and..."
They turned around to hear footsteps behind him. Jaime Parkinson and the seventh year boy were holding hands and giggling, apparently heading up to the dormitories. Harry gave them a funny look.
"Right, so I find myself in the carriage. And I was asking myself how did I get here when I realized that I yelled at you for something and I remember seeing you cry. But then something told me that I wasn't 'going to bother reading the diary' and I got scared because I didn't know what you were thinking about." He looked horror struck to watch Millie's face get even sadder. "But you see? I haven't done anything because I was too afraid to talk to you. That's why I stopped going to Auror classes, because I hardly remember the bad things I said to you."
Millie stopped. "Have you started taking Occlumency?"
Harry stopped too. "Yes, and I'm glad."
"Okay, let me test you out. Do you remember me saying something about Draco Malfoy?"
A shadow flickered into Harry's eyes, but he blinked and frowned.
"Yes." He didn't sound threatening.
"That was the reason you were mad Harry, because of my experience with Draco."
Harry closed his eyes. "Please don't ever mention that to me again," he said in a disgusted tone. "But anyways, so I told Ron and Hermione, and Hermione didn't talk to me since...who knows how long. Ron simply acted different, and I caught them writing letters to you one day but I ripped them apart. They got mad, and now they are both not talking to me. I mean on top of that, I was getting pressure from homework, and trying not to get to close to Malfoy," he snarled and turned away, closing his eyes. He then turned back his heel and looked at Millie with deepest concern. "But... you will not believe how much I thought about you Millie, how hard I tried to pry you out of my mind...it was crazy."
Something clicked in Millie's head.
"Did you by any chance, get a tickling sensation from the ring?"
Harry opened his eyes, not believing the question.
"Yes! Did you get it too?"
Millie smiled for once, a happy smile.
"Yeah...what does that mean?"
"I dunno, curious huh?"
"Yeah..." smiled Millie again. "It happened last Saturday, I was thinking about you and it tickled."
But Harry whipped his head so fast at Millie that she heard a crick.
"That must mean..." he began. "That whenever we think of each other at the same time...it must show some connection... that's why it tickles!"
Millie started laughing. "You're right! Let's try it!"
Harry nodded and closed his eyes. Millie squinted her eyes in concentration.
I love Harry!
And her ring started tickling her even more violently, and the same with Harry, whom they both found each other laughing hysterically on the ground seconds later.
Harry had the last laugh and looked at Millie. They were both leaning against the wall, with Harry cross legged, and Millie with her legs straight out. Harry pulled her closer to him.
"So...to continue on. I decided I had to make the move, and it was really hard because a part of me had to see you, and the other was terrified to face you again. So I told Dumbledore about the dance. He agreed I could go and sent Professor Jacudy a letter about my arrival. So here I am."
He opened his arms and Millie leaned in for the hug. After a depression evening, she wanted to sleep, sleep in Harry's warm arms.
Suddenly, footsteps were charging beyond the corridor. Millie looked up from Harry's chest and saw a stampede of people running towards them, many shouting something. She got scared and pulled Harry up with him, both who were wondering what the racket was about. Seconds later, girls were screaming Harry's name, and some even shouted threatening remarks at Millie as they got closer.
Screaming in fright, Millie felt Harry's hand jerk her arm away from the closing crowd, and they bolted for it. Running at high speed, Harry was not letting go of Millie's arm, for her feet were in pain because of the pink high heeled shoes. Harry noticed her limping and put a vanishing spell at her shoes (which made Millie whine) but jogged faster away from the crowd.
It was nearly a whole block around the school when Millie found a secret passage behind a tapestry of a gymnast. Ordering the Olympian to open the door, Millie found her usual hiding spot.
She Issued Harry into her secret study room so quickly, that not one girl saw him disappear behind it. He fell to the ground in shock. The lights flickered on and both found themselves in a small room; it contained a wooden desk, quills, and parchment. Harry noticed the room and smiled, commenting it was like the Room Of Requirement back at Hogwarts.
Helping her mate up, Millie wound up a chairs from her wand, and both sat down. The thunder of the crowd whizzed by extremely fast, with girls and boys of all ages screaming their name.
"Just over that corner!"
"Do you think we missed them?"
"Harry Potter! At this school? This is my lucky day!"
Harry laughed at the comments, but one stopped him.
"I'm going to kill Millie, she brought him here you know."
Millie didn't dare to look at Harry, for she knew he probably looked very concern. She then felt a hand on her leg.
"I wish they would stop that, it's really terrible," Harry snarled quickly, his eyes scrunched together. "Those bloody-"
"Harry, that's enough, you know I get those threats," began Millie. She looked at him and noticed he had a smile on his face. "Why are you smiling?"
Silence filled the room, but Millie still stared at Harry's happy expression. He then blinked.
"Well, we got a room to ourselves! We can talk about anything now!"
Millie laughed. "Alright...you start."
Harry talked for a long time, practically about everything. But Millie found it shocking that he still wouldn't eat because of her, and he sometimes wouldn't go to bed. Harry dropped his head as he mumbled that Madame Pomfrey had to take him to the hospital wig because he was so sick one day.
Millie told him about her side of the story, and when she was done, the intercom buzzed from Professor Jacudy's voice.
"Saint Patrick's students and other guests invited to the Ball must leave immediately! It is over...goodbye!"
But Millie heard only half of it, when she sprang onto Harry's lap and kissed him. The time seemed to past quickly for another second ringing came through the school. Millie let go of Harry's lips.
"Will Stag and Venice please report to outside grounds," boomed Tonks voice quickly, as though trying not to bring attention. Harry simply looked confused when both his and Millie's eyes widened.
"That's us!" cried Harry. "Dammit, what time is it?"
But Harry already flicked his wand and a clock flew into the air. It read 1:24am.
"Bliminy!" screamed Millie and threw herself off him. "C'mon, we have to get you outside."
Grabbing her hand and opening the door, the coast was clear and not a sign of a human body was seen. Millie found a shortcut to the outside grounds and led Harry safely to his gold and red striped horse. The horse growled in laziness.
"Sorry Grim," whispered Harry in the horse's ear. "Got a bit preoccupied." Millie gasped, noticing Professor Jacudy's large body was walking in the background. The headmistress seemed to be wobbling though.
"Is...that...Harry P-p-otter?" rang Jacudy's voice. Millie didn't bother to look in her direction but threw Harry into the carriage which he laughed about.
"Don't get too rough!" he joked and got another punch on his arm.
Millie also stepped inside the carriage and heaved in a large kiss from Harry, this time his fingers tracing the back spine of her skin, which made her shiver in delight.
Pulling back from him, Harry simply replied "You can write in your diary now." And gave his last smirk and goodbye.
"Please be safe!" called Millie as the carriage door closed and soon took off. She could faintly see Harry's wave when a hand clamped onto her shoulder. It was Professor Jacudy, but she was ultimately drunk.
For a minute the headmistress looked like she was going to say something, but instead vomited over her clothes.
Trying not to look disgusted, Millie ran inside, leaving Jacudy bending down in the distance, spewing old cabbage.
It was the most pleasant evening Millie has ever experienced on a Saturday morning. She laid on her bed to absorb the reality. Her own dormitory was sprawled with girls in dresses and smothered with make-up, all who were either passed out drunk, or snoring loudly on the floor. Checking her clock, it was 9:00am, and surprisingly, there was no intercom voice screaming the girls need to wake-up, for the school seemed to be in a sleep mode. Laughing quietly to herself, Millie had a slight pang of revenge, looking at Jaime and Elizabeth's friends. She was, of course, in the worst bedroom ever, for the most snottiest of girls were laying on the floor conked out.
Though getting second thoughts, she decided to write to Harry in her diary. A leap of happiness gave in her as she read Harry's latest passage.
How are you? I put a charm on my diary so that after you finish writing, it'll vibrate and I'll know when you just wrote. If you want to use the charm it's "Alohavaro." Ron and Hermione are talking to me again! And I'm letting them write to you...haha. Anyways, we are going to be with Hagrid this evening, he needs setting up with a new species he just bred called Crockerfish. Sounds interesting huh?
Anyways, I love you.
~Harry
Millie looked up and saw that Jaime had shifted positions and now laid her arm on top of Katie Janis's chest. Giggling loudly, not one girl woke up from Millie's noise. A sudden idea clicked in her head.
Harry, I'm going to write to Fred and George, to see if I can get some...well...some of those Permanent Nasty Markers that's widely popular now. Jaime and the girls are passed out from last night, and I want to get my revenge!
Did your charm work?
Love you...xoxoxo
Mill*
Millie cast her charm on her diary real quick (which turned into a pink color and then faded away) and quickly wrote to Fred and George about her plan. Thrusting the letter onto Avery, she realized her owl can fly ten times faster than a regular one.
"Please give this to Fred and George Weasly! They're shop is in Diagon Alley!"
And without a sound of fear, Avery leaped out of the window and vanished within seconds in the air.
A soft gurgle noise came from Amanda Petute, but stopped. Millie jumped off her bed to brush her teeth, and when she came back, her diary was trembling violently.
Good plan, I like how you think. I suggest a drooling charm on Jaime, I know you don't like her. And I know Fred and George will give you the BEST stuff to use on them!
Wrote Harry as she flipped inside the book.
Anyways, Hagrid says hello, he was wondering why Fang was sniffing my bag and barking weirdly, I guess it works! But please write back, me and Ron are going to play Quidditch now. He's getting better every time.
But then a different style of writing appeared in the diary.
Hello Millie! It's Hermione, hope you were surprised when Harry came by, because I know I sure was! Ron bought me a charm bracelet and he's taking me out to dinner at Hogsmead! It's kind of awkward right now, but I know him too much to know he still likes me. Okay, Harry is trying to grab the book out of my hand, he needs to calm down about you. Cheers!
I don't have to calm down, began Harry. Well, write back. Bye.
And just as she finished reading the entry, Avery zoomed into the room, flew around Millie and dropped a very large package onto her lap. Booming with excitement, Millie gladly opened it and found what looked like dozens of different candies, markers, and instruments. A small note from the twins were found.
Glad to hear from you Millie! Our shop is going amazingly well, and we are very shocked to know that you...want revenge on your dear old friends. Actually, we heard about the mean stuff those girls do to you, and this is perfect to know you want help from US! Here is an assortment of bubby busters, farting warties, drooling oolies, and just as you want, the nasty comment marker charms. Enjoy! And no charge required!
Grabbing the drooling oolies first, which consisted of a brush and powder, similar to makeup, and was read to sweep over the victim's mouth. Millie ran over to Jaime first and brushed it carefully, actually adding three more coats then it was suppose to have.
Intense drool gushed out of Jaime's mouth and onto poor Katie's dress. Laughing silently, Millie brushed it on every girl who was close to someone else, hoping their drool can be shared with others.
Once that was done, Millie took some cursing markers and applied them to Jaime, first. Jaime was going to be Millie's tester. With one swipe on the forehead, a huge curse very unappropriated was written across it. Millie used the colorful makers on the rest of the room who wasn't being drowned in drool.
Also using sticking charms, the room started to shaken, being woken up. Millie noticed the change and ran to her bed and hiding the contents under her bed. Second thoughts made her vanish it, although, she still kept the drooling oobies brush and cursing marker under Avery's cage.
She ran into her bed, throwing the covers on, pretending she was waking up too. But to prove she wasn't the creator of the mess, she scribbled a curse on her cheek and woke up, trying to look alarmed too.
Millie had a great morning that Saturday.