DISCLAIMER: I am not the owner of any of the characters that appear in this story. They're are JKR's property and WB's too. So please don't sue me ok?
RATING: PG-13
PAIRINGS: H/D R/Herm G/N
A/N: Hope you like this chapter. The Ball is very near!!! I recommend you to download "Goodnight" by Evanescence, that appears in this chapter.
Please review after reading! I really appreciate the comments (good or not so good) J
Once again, thanks to my loyal betas, who are working on making this fic more readable. *gggg*
Well and here it comes!
^^-----^^ used when inner voice speaks.
Harry and his friends had a fantastic dinner that night. The house elfs had definitely put a lot of effort in all the dishes. Delicious recipes from all over the world were hovering in the air waiting for Dumbledore's orders. The headmaster was smiling while he looked at the awed faces of his students. He had always cared for them, and he loved seeing them so happy.
He couldn't stop himself from looking at his favourite trio. He knew he shouldn't have favourites, but those three were special, as once the Marauders and Lily had been. Hermione was chatting with Ginny Weasley, who was trying to catch her boyfriend's attention. Ron and Harry were clearly in the middle of a heated quidditch conversation, but Weasley's eyes were torn between staring lovingly at Hermione and looking at the food waiting to be eaten.
His eyes twinkled merrily. It was announcement's time. He stood up and began to talk:
"Dear students, as you must have seen by now, we have a rather "peculiar" dinner tonight. The reason of this sudden change of menu is the upcoming Ball that is going to be celebrated tomorrow. The student body has decided to show you which dishes will be included in the event so that you can choose which ones you'd like to have."
People used Dumbledore's pause to talk to each other.
"May I have your attention, please?" it was Professor McGonagall this time. She swished her wand and a small piece of parchment appeared next to each student.
"You'll have to write down three of the dishes you'll taste tonight. We'll made public which ones were the most voted tomorrow morning. And please, only write three, or your vote won't be valid." she looked directly at Ron, who reddened considerably.
"And now I have two more words for you," said the Headmaster.
"Tuck in!"
And with a wave of his hand, the dishes were magically served to each student. The four houses were marvelled at this. Hogwarts and Dumbledore never ceased to amaze them. Only one person was muttering in a low voice. It was Hermione who, while tasting a mouth-watering Tartifflette, complained about the poor elfs who were slaves of their desires and needs.
That dinner would be remembered as one of the longest of the year. The Hall emptied slowly until there were only two people. One of them was trying to eat as much as possible, while the other paced nervously near his friend. Harry had called Ron more than three times by then, but the red-head was oblivious to all his remarks.
Finally, an angry Severus Snape got a reaction from him. He was there to escort Harry to his detention.
**I had totally forgotten this.** thought Harry, suddenly feeling exhausted.
And he was anguished for a good reason. Snape's punishment was one of the most exhausting he had ever received. Labelling each one of the bottles that were inside the Potion's cupboards. He counted more than two hundred before getting too tired to waste time in that.
After two long hours, the Potion's master appeared in the room to dismiss Harry.
The Gryffindor had countless problems to return to his dorm. His lack of enthusiasm for one. He was feeling very sad and lonely, and is detention had left him totally worn out. He couldn't bear the thought of happy couples dancing around him in the Ball. He shouldn't have said that to Cho.
^^But she deserved it^^ said the voice inside his head, who had popped out unexpectingly.
"I know, but I wouldn't be alone now." Harry answered comfortably.
He had got used to the voice by now, eventhough he could not understand half of the things it said.
The common room was empty except for his two best friends, who were trying to hid that they had been busy before Harry entered the room.
The first one in asking how he was feeling was Hermione. Always mothering him. But he had to admit that he loved that about her.
"So how was it Harry? Did Snape gave you a hard time?" asked the witch visibly concerned.
"How can Snape act any other way?" Ron butted in.
Hermione glared half-heartedly at her boyfriend and gestured Harry to go on.
"Well he was a cruel bastard like always." said the raven-haired boy matter of factly.
Hermione scowled at Harry's words but refrained from using harsher methods.
The two boys decided to go to sleep. The next day would be a hard but exciting one. All their dorm mates were sleeping soundly. Neville wore a wide smile on his face and was repeating his girlfriend's name like a mantra. Ron looked weirdly at the boy.
"Do you think that he can be dangerous?" asked the Weasley to his friend.
Harry only chuckled and shoved him playfully. Both boys put on their pyjamas and went to the beds.
A few minutes passed and Harry could not sleep. He tried to count unicorns, but it didn't work. That's why he stood up silently and approached the big window that was on the entrance of the dorm.
Goodnight, sleep tight
No more tears
He sat on the windowsill and looked at the landscape. There were no stars in the sky, and a mysterious mist covered the castle's grounds. He was lost in the black emptiness of the sky when he heard a loud tap on the glass panels.
He turned his head to the right and there he stood whiter as ever, Hedwig, his snowy owl.
Goodnight morning, I'll be here
And when we say goodnight,
Dry your eyes
He opened the window carefully, trying not to wake up the others and extended his arm. The owl dropped a black envelope on Harry's lap and, after receiving a caring caress from his owner, flew back to the Owlery.
Harry stared at the envelope for a very long time before deciding to open it. His name was neatly written at the back, silver ink glowing even if there was no light. He touched the letters as if he could discover who wrote them doing so.
Nothing, only words.
Harry.
Not Potter, only Harry.
He tore it open and fished a piece of silver parchment from inside.
At first, he saw no words. But then, they began to appear, as written by an invisible hand.
Dear Harry,
I'd love to go with you to the Ball.
If you don't have a partner yet and you accept my offer, please meet me outside the Great Hall at 10:00 pm.
I will understand your answer.
Always yours.
The Gryffindor was very surprised. He re-read it again and again, until every single word was printed in his mind.
Dear Hary...
Always yours.
"Who can this be?" he whispered to the night.
He sat on his bed again. He had no idea. But something told him to follow his instincts. And what were those instincts telling him?
Accept.
Harry sat asleep at the edge of his four poster bed. Letter clutched in his hand, a smile on his face.
And if someone had looked at the sky, they'd had seen the moon shinning behind the clouds that were disappearing slowly and the wind whispering sweet nothings to the night.
Because we said goodnight,
And now goodbye
We said goodnight
And now goodbye
Goodnight, sleep tight
No more tears
Goodnight morning, I'll be here
And when we say goodnight,
Dry your eyes
Because we said goodnight,
And now goodbye
We said goodnight
And now goodbye
Goodnight by Evanescence.
TO BE CONTINUED...