Chapter 9 ~ Ain't It Funny?
"Ain't it funny, baby that you want me, when you had me, love is crazy.
Now, I can smile and say,
Ain't that funny (ain't it funny), baby that you want me, when you had me, love is crazy.
Now I'm glad I can smile and say: Ain't that funny?"
- "Ain't It Funny" by Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule
Oliver grinned at her cheekily. She returned the smile, but was absolutely stunned – completely shocked. She looked around at the other students; Harry and Ron were smiling (Hermione supposed they knew about that all along), Neville Longbottom dropped his paper bag and had his mouth wide open (but she suspected it was because Snape was yelling at him for breaking all the goblets and spilling the juice), and Dean Thomas stood next to Parvati Patil. She supposed he thought it was Hermione, because he was absolutely stunned as well. She looked up at Professors – Hagrid was laughing and pointing (she supposed he was drunk) as he danced with Professor McGonagull who was laughing flirtatiously. Dumbledore's eyes were tinkling, but he was just looking among the crowd, taking no notice of Hermione and Oliver. Malfoy began to laugh, but at moment the music started again. She thought it was pretty funny – she had mistaken Oliver for Dean. But it was extremely funny, because Oliver was just smiling.
"May I have another dance?" Oliver asked, bowing.
She smiled. He didn't seem angry or disappointed that he was dancing and spending the whole night with her. He seemed amused. "All right," she answered, as he took her arms and placed them around his neck. She grinned, but all the while she thought, "I can't fall in love with a professor…I can't fall in love with a professor…"
They danced for a long time; how long they didn't know. They didn't seem exhausted this time; The Weird Sisters went into slow love songs, some with lively tunes, but it was more relaxing. Oliver kept looking into Hermione's eyes, and Hermione felt that he was really gazing into her soul, knowing her thoughts and feelings. But he didn't say anything; he just smiled and continued to dance. But, suddenly, the dance was stopped abruptly as tiny Professor Flitwick and Professor Musetta came running through the crowd and ran up to Professor Dumbledore, who was amusing himself by trying to unstuck some lemon drops.
"HEADMASTER!" squeaked Professor Flitwick.
"Yes?" Professor Dumbledore asked, alert and armed.
"A second-year child wandered off in the castle, and now…" Professor Musetta began. But, it appeared as though she had something stuck in her throat, for she didn't continue.
"Lead me," Professor Dumbledore ordered as he stood up. He looked up at the students and professors who seemed to have heard the conversation. "Continue – it will be all right!" The students and professors resumed their merry dance (excluding Neville who was crying and cleaning up the mess and Professor Snape, who merely pouted and looked on).
"I wonder what's going on?" Hermione said.
"Probably nothing," Oliver finally spoke. She looked at him, startled; she didn't seem to realise that she said that out loud. "The second-year is probably lost or something."
But Oliver didn't seem to be right, for 20 minutes later, Dumbledore appeared, very angry and upset, and told them that unfortunately the dance was over. "Head Girl and Boy and professors, please come over here," Dumbledore commanded. "Students go back to your common rooms. Prefects – I expect you to lead them."
Hermione and Oliver rushed over to Professor Dumbledore, the other professors and Seamus Finnigan not far behind. Professor Musetta and Professor Flitwick already stood next to Dumbledore, very upset and disturbed.
"What happened?" Oliver asked immediately. "What's going on with-"
Dumbledore put up a hand to stop him. "I will explain it very soon – we must go to somewhere safe first."
"Where's Professor Snape?" Professor Sprout, the Herbology teacher, asked.
"He will be all right…" Dumbledore began. But right after, Professor Sprout began to speak again, wanting more than just an assurance that he would be okay. "I will explain it all later – do not worry. Come, let us go to Hagrid's Hut. Is that all right, Hagrid?"
"Yeh, it's all righ' Dumbledore sir," Hagrid told him. "Jus' gotta tidy it up a bit."
The group headed down to Hagrid's Hut. Hermione seemed very worried; something very dangerous was going on, she could sense it. Oliver was standing by her side. "Being a protector again," Hermione thought. Finally, they reached the door and all of the professors with Hermione and Seamus headed inside to the cramped cabin.
Fang immediately ran up to them and pranced onto Professor Dumbledore, who smiled, and petted Fang behind the ears. "Sorry 'bout that Professor Dumbledore sir," Hagrid apologized.
"Quite all right, Hagrid," Dumbledore said. He turned around facing all of the people gathered. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions. But first, I will ask for you to let me explain."
The group nodded their heads, and Dumbledore continued. "A terrible tragedy has occurred just at this moment. Professor Flitwick and Professor Musetta know far more than I will ever know, so I will ask them to explain."
Professor Flitwick stood on top of Hagrid's table so everyone could see him and squeaked, "Professor Musetta and I were discussing ways to disarm a merman, who are armed with spears. We were walking throughout the halls, and heard a terrible shriek."
"We ran immediately, to the girls washroom where Moaning Myrtle dwells," Professor Musetta continued. "She said that the young girl wanted to come here and make friends with Myrtle…"
Hermione smirked. Nobody liked Moaning Myrtle because she was a sorrowful mess, but a second-year wanted to make friends with her. Professor Musetta looked at her, but continued again, "She said that she agreed to be friends but at that moment they heard a terrible hissing noise, and the young girl departed. She was just outside the door when she was knocked over. She wasn't petrified, however – not even dead. When we arrived, the girl sat on the floor, rocking to and fro, grabbing her arm in pain.
"We told her to remove her hand from her left arm, but she refused, saying it hurt too much," Professor Musetta explained. "We told her everything would be all right, and in the end, she removed her hand. Engraved on the bottom side of her arm…was…the Dark Mark."
Hagrid gasped, as many others did, including Hermione, Oliver, and Seamus. Professor McGonagull put her hand over her mouth, trying to catch her breath as though she had been running a marathon. "But, Dumbledore – does that mean the Chamber of Secrets has been opened again?"
"Don't worry, Minerva – the Chamber of Secrets has been destroyed," Dumbledore assured her, his face now old, his lines and wrinkles showing. "The girl told us – before she collapsed – that there was a man with a cloak and mask, and that he was speaking very oddly."
"But, Professor Dumbledore," Hermione began. Everyone looked at her, astonished that she spoke out, but she saw Dumbledore's nod and continued. "Why didn't the man underneath the cloak finish the child off. The child was obviously not as strong as a full-grown man – why did he just leave the Dark Mark on the child's arm?"
"A wise question, Miss Granger," Dumbledore complimented. Hermione flushed, but he took no notice and continued. "You remember what happened in your fifth year, don't you Hermione and Seamus?" They both nodded. "It appears Voldemort is trying to do that again." The group around him flinched – no one liked hearing his name. Dumbledore continued, "But no he has no support from the Dementors, or the Giants. He's trying to make his own team. He's reassembling the Death Eaters, but he needs more. I don't know exactly how or when or what, but I know the why."
Hermione nodded again, but wasn't too sure what he meant. Why was Voldemort making his own team?
"Where's Professor Snape?" Professor Binns, the history teacher, asked.
"He went off to look for Harry," Dumbledore replied.
"But, why?" Seamus asked. "Harry's okay, isn't he!"
"We're not entirely sure of that Mr Finnigan," Dumbledore told him. "Every time Voldemort's near or is filled with an immense about of anger, Harry's scar is filled with pain. Harry might be fine, but then again, he may not."
"Professor Dumbledore," Oliver spoke up. "How could anyone get inside of the castle who's on You-Know-Who's side? I've heard many people saying that Hogwarts is the safest place to be. That You-Know-Who fears you, Professor Dumbledore. Why would he want to come in here now with his Death Eaters?"
"He seems that he fears me no longer," Dumbledore said. "With the Giants and the Dementors controlled by him under the Imperious curse, and along with his Death Eaters, he was unstoppable. But yet, he was stopped again. He seems now he's going for brute force, and we won't know what to do until we now enough. For now, we must keep our students safe. Hagrid, may you please get Filch? And Harry, please?"
"What if Harry isn't all righ' Professor Dumbledore?" Hagrid asked uneasily.
"Then…go up to the Gryffindor Common Room," Professor Dumbledore instructed. "Tell the Fat Lady that you must go in because I have instructed in. Go up to the boys dormitories and talk with Ron and ask him to give a piece of parchment – a map."
If Hagrid had no idea what he was talking about, he didn't show it. He simply nodded and left his hut, Fang bolting out after him.
The professors, Hermione, and Seamus stood there in silence for a few minutes. The only sounds that were heard were the constant winds thrashing against the windows, howling and whistling. During that time, Hermione stood beside Oliver, lost in her thoughts. But Oliver broke the silence. "What happened 2 years ago?" Oliver asked. "I know that You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters put the Dementors and the Giants under the Imperious curse and that they were killing Muggles all over England…but how were they finally stopped?"
Hermione cleared her throat. It was a disturbing story, one that she didn't like telling. "You-Know-Who wanted to take over Hogwarts. After that, nothing could stand in his way. He could destroy the world. Dumbledore was ready, however. He got all of the Professors, and they stood outside of Hogwarts. There are only about 30 professors in all, they were amazingly outnumbered. I myself wondered why Dumbledore thought of such a preposterous plan. But it worked. You-Know-Who came to the school a few days before the end of term. He had collected the most dangerous creatures alive – Chimaeras, Dragons, you name it – all under the Imperious curse. Controlled. I was standing with them as well as a Prefect. Harry was also a Prefect in Year 5, but didn't become Head Boy. Ron was in the hospital – got into a very bad accident during Quidditch – poor boy was knocked into a coma. Anyways, Dumbledore told us of something to help creatures and people to regain their formal selves, and turn on the person who had put the Imperious curse. It was very hard to do. I myself thought I couldn't do it – Harry taught me. You-Know-Who was screaming, "Prepare to die Dumbledore. You, your professors, and your precious students will all be blown into oblivion." But we struck first. We did the anti-curse on all of the creatures gathered, except the Death Eaters, since they weren't under the Imperious curse, and the creatures all turned on Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Nearly tore them apart. They all tried to apparate; but you can't on Hogwarts grounds. They escaped, barely alive, but now You-Know-Who is back yet again; I hope we can finally rid of him this time."
"You fought very bravely during that time, Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore said, who stood, listening to her explanation. "You and Mr Potter did very well during that time, even when you were nearly facing death again Voldemort and his Death Eaters." Hermione flinched at the sound of 'Voldemort', but nodded.
"It was rather funny to see Voldemort run off, nearly killed," Dumbledore said. "But now we may be facing the darkest times ever."
"Dumbledore, may I ask a question?" Oliver said
"You have just done so, but I will allow one more," Dumbledore replied, smiling amusingly but returning to his slight frown almost immediately.
"Well, why didn't you kill You-Know-Who during that time?" Oliver asked. "Then the darkest times would be over, and we wouldn't be sitting here, wondering what You-Know-Who has planned for us this time."
"It would take incredible magic to destroy him," Dumbledore explained. "Even the Death curse that he placed on Harry that backfired did not destroy him. I thought that the Dragons, the Chimaeras, the Giants, and the Dementors would be enough. Obviously, I was wrong. This time, I hope that we will finally get rid of him for good."
Hagrid bustled into the door, followed closely by Filch. Harry was not there. "You were righ' Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid said. "Harry is unconscious. Ron said 'e was rollin' aroun' on the ground in pain. He's now in the infirmary. But I got the map."
"Thank you Hagrid," Dumbledore said, taking the torn parchment out of his hand. He tapped the map and said, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Suddenly, lines began to form, making a map. The professors watched, astonished, but Hermione felt like yawning. She had watched Harry use the Marauders' Map several times before.
"Now," Dumbledore said. "Here is our course of action. Listen carefully, or else these could very well be our last year seeing Hogwarts – or our friends."
********************************************************
Oh no! Did I just put a cliffhanger? Somewhat. You can only find out about "the plan" if you read Chapter 10! Bwahaha! I am evil…no I'm not! : ) As you can see, I finished Chapter 9 somewhat quickly because (thank you teachers) I had no homework tonight. Praise the Lord! I answered all of my reviewers at the end of Chapter 8, so please read that. Many of you thought that I was already finished Chapter 8, but I just put the beginning because I was really bored and felt I should put that so you can see what it's like. But, thankfully, I got Jenni a.k.a KAOS to right…Here's my thanks:
KAOS - Thanks for the little mistake! *lol* I know you were joking. Yeah, that was all your idea – with a twist. You didn't say that it should be a masquerade ball. I put that it was. Ha, ha! Hope you like this chapter!
hunny – Did you realise you put your review on there 4 times?! 'Cause you did! *lol* You should watch out when you're pushing that "send review" button! KAOS a.k.a. Jenni did come up with the idea for the dance, I just changed it a little by making the masquerade. Check the other reviews for the suggestion! Thanks for the compliments!
"Ain't it funny, baby that you want me, when you had me, love is crazy.
Now, I can smile and say,
Ain't that funny (ain't it funny), baby that you want me, when you had me, love is crazy.
Now I'm glad I can smile and say: Ain't that funny?"
- "Ain't It Funny" by Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule
Oliver grinned at her cheekily. She returned the smile, but was absolutely stunned – completely shocked. She looked around at the other students; Harry and Ron were smiling (Hermione supposed they knew about that all along), Neville Longbottom dropped his paper bag and had his mouth wide open (but she suspected it was because Snape was yelling at him for breaking all the goblets and spilling the juice), and Dean Thomas stood next to Parvati Patil. She supposed he thought it was Hermione, because he was absolutely stunned as well. She looked up at Professors – Hagrid was laughing and pointing (she supposed he was drunk) as he danced with Professor McGonagull who was laughing flirtatiously. Dumbledore's eyes were tinkling, but he was just looking among the crowd, taking no notice of Hermione and Oliver. Malfoy began to laugh, but at moment the music started again. She thought it was pretty funny – she had mistaken Oliver for Dean. But it was extremely funny, because Oliver was just smiling.
"May I have another dance?" Oliver asked, bowing.
She smiled. He didn't seem angry or disappointed that he was dancing and spending the whole night with her. He seemed amused. "All right," she answered, as he took her arms and placed them around his neck. She grinned, but all the while she thought, "I can't fall in love with a professor…I can't fall in love with a professor…"
They danced for a long time; how long they didn't know. They didn't seem exhausted this time; The Weird Sisters went into slow love songs, some with lively tunes, but it was more relaxing. Oliver kept looking into Hermione's eyes, and Hermione felt that he was really gazing into her soul, knowing her thoughts and feelings. But he didn't say anything; he just smiled and continued to dance. But, suddenly, the dance was stopped abruptly as tiny Professor Flitwick and Professor Musetta came running through the crowd and ran up to Professor Dumbledore, who was amusing himself by trying to unstuck some lemon drops.
"HEADMASTER!" squeaked Professor Flitwick.
"Yes?" Professor Dumbledore asked, alert and armed.
"A second-year child wandered off in the castle, and now…" Professor Musetta began. But, it appeared as though she had something stuck in her throat, for she didn't continue.
"Lead me," Professor Dumbledore ordered as he stood up. He looked up at the students and professors who seemed to have heard the conversation. "Continue – it will be all right!" The students and professors resumed their merry dance (excluding Neville who was crying and cleaning up the mess and Professor Snape, who merely pouted and looked on).
"I wonder what's going on?" Hermione said.
"Probably nothing," Oliver finally spoke. She looked at him, startled; she didn't seem to realise that she said that out loud. "The second-year is probably lost or something."
But Oliver didn't seem to be right, for 20 minutes later, Dumbledore appeared, very angry and upset, and told them that unfortunately the dance was over. "Head Girl and Boy and professors, please come over here," Dumbledore commanded. "Students go back to your common rooms. Prefects – I expect you to lead them."
Hermione and Oliver rushed over to Professor Dumbledore, the other professors and Seamus Finnigan not far behind. Professor Musetta and Professor Flitwick already stood next to Dumbledore, very upset and disturbed.
"What happened?" Oliver asked immediately. "What's going on with-"
Dumbledore put up a hand to stop him. "I will explain it very soon – we must go to somewhere safe first."
"Where's Professor Snape?" Professor Sprout, the Herbology teacher, asked.
"He will be all right…" Dumbledore began. But right after, Professor Sprout began to speak again, wanting more than just an assurance that he would be okay. "I will explain it all later – do not worry. Come, let us go to Hagrid's Hut. Is that all right, Hagrid?"
"Yeh, it's all righ' Dumbledore sir," Hagrid told him. "Jus' gotta tidy it up a bit."
The group headed down to Hagrid's Hut. Hermione seemed very worried; something very dangerous was going on, she could sense it. Oliver was standing by her side. "Being a protector again," Hermione thought. Finally, they reached the door and all of the professors with Hermione and Seamus headed inside to the cramped cabin.
Fang immediately ran up to them and pranced onto Professor Dumbledore, who smiled, and petted Fang behind the ears. "Sorry 'bout that Professor Dumbledore sir," Hagrid apologized.
"Quite all right, Hagrid," Dumbledore said. He turned around facing all of the people gathered. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions. But first, I will ask for you to let me explain."
The group nodded their heads, and Dumbledore continued. "A terrible tragedy has occurred just at this moment. Professor Flitwick and Professor Musetta know far more than I will ever know, so I will ask them to explain."
Professor Flitwick stood on top of Hagrid's table so everyone could see him and squeaked, "Professor Musetta and I were discussing ways to disarm a merman, who are armed with spears. We were walking throughout the halls, and heard a terrible shriek."
"We ran immediately, to the girls washroom where Moaning Myrtle dwells," Professor Musetta continued. "She said that the young girl wanted to come here and make friends with Myrtle…"
Hermione smirked. Nobody liked Moaning Myrtle because she was a sorrowful mess, but a second-year wanted to make friends with her. Professor Musetta looked at her, but continued again, "She said that she agreed to be friends but at that moment they heard a terrible hissing noise, and the young girl departed. She was just outside the door when she was knocked over. She wasn't petrified, however – not even dead. When we arrived, the girl sat on the floor, rocking to and fro, grabbing her arm in pain.
"We told her to remove her hand from her left arm, but she refused, saying it hurt too much," Professor Musetta explained. "We told her everything would be all right, and in the end, she removed her hand. Engraved on the bottom side of her arm…was…the Dark Mark."
Hagrid gasped, as many others did, including Hermione, Oliver, and Seamus. Professor McGonagull put her hand over her mouth, trying to catch her breath as though she had been running a marathon. "But, Dumbledore – does that mean the Chamber of Secrets has been opened again?"
"Don't worry, Minerva – the Chamber of Secrets has been destroyed," Dumbledore assured her, his face now old, his lines and wrinkles showing. "The girl told us – before she collapsed – that there was a man with a cloak and mask, and that he was speaking very oddly."
"But, Professor Dumbledore," Hermione began. Everyone looked at her, astonished that she spoke out, but she saw Dumbledore's nod and continued. "Why didn't the man underneath the cloak finish the child off. The child was obviously not as strong as a full-grown man – why did he just leave the Dark Mark on the child's arm?"
"A wise question, Miss Granger," Dumbledore complimented. Hermione flushed, but he took no notice and continued. "You remember what happened in your fifth year, don't you Hermione and Seamus?" They both nodded. "It appears Voldemort is trying to do that again." The group around him flinched – no one liked hearing his name. Dumbledore continued, "But no he has no support from the Dementors, or the Giants. He's trying to make his own team. He's reassembling the Death Eaters, but he needs more. I don't know exactly how or when or what, but I know the why."
Hermione nodded again, but wasn't too sure what he meant. Why was Voldemort making his own team?
"Where's Professor Snape?" Professor Binns, the history teacher, asked.
"He went off to look for Harry," Dumbledore replied.
"But, why?" Seamus asked. "Harry's okay, isn't he!"
"We're not entirely sure of that Mr Finnigan," Dumbledore told him. "Every time Voldemort's near or is filled with an immense about of anger, Harry's scar is filled with pain. Harry might be fine, but then again, he may not."
"Professor Dumbledore," Oliver spoke up. "How could anyone get inside of the castle who's on You-Know-Who's side? I've heard many people saying that Hogwarts is the safest place to be. That You-Know-Who fears you, Professor Dumbledore. Why would he want to come in here now with his Death Eaters?"
"He seems that he fears me no longer," Dumbledore said. "With the Giants and the Dementors controlled by him under the Imperious curse, and along with his Death Eaters, he was unstoppable. But yet, he was stopped again. He seems now he's going for brute force, and we won't know what to do until we now enough. For now, we must keep our students safe. Hagrid, may you please get Filch? And Harry, please?"
"What if Harry isn't all righ' Professor Dumbledore?" Hagrid asked uneasily.
"Then…go up to the Gryffindor Common Room," Professor Dumbledore instructed. "Tell the Fat Lady that you must go in because I have instructed in. Go up to the boys dormitories and talk with Ron and ask him to give a piece of parchment – a map."
If Hagrid had no idea what he was talking about, he didn't show it. He simply nodded and left his hut, Fang bolting out after him.
The professors, Hermione, and Seamus stood there in silence for a few minutes. The only sounds that were heard were the constant winds thrashing against the windows, howling and whistling. During that time, Hermione stood beside Oliver, lost in her thoughts. But Oliver broke the silence. "What happened 2 years ago?" Oliver asked. "I know that You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters put the Dementors and the Giants under the Imperious curse and that they were killing Muggles all over England…but how were they finally stopped?"
Hermione cleared her throat. It was a disturbing story, one that she didn't like telling. "You-Know-Who wanted to take over Hogwarts. After that, nothing could stand in his way. He could destroy the world. Dumbledore was ready, however. He got all of the Professors, and they stood outside of Hogwarts. There are only about 30 professors in all, they were amazingly outnumbered. I myself wondered why Dumbledore thought of such a preposterous plan. But it worked. You-Know-Who came to the school a few days before the end of term. He had collected the most dangerous creatures alive – Chimaeras, Dragons, you name it – all under the Imperious curse. Controlled. I was standing with them as well as a Prefect. Harry was also a Prefect in Year 5, but didn't become Head Boy. Ron was in the hospital – got into a very bad accident during Quidditch – poor boy was knocked into a coma. Anyways, Dumbledore told us of something to help creatures and people to regain their formal selves, and turn on the person who had put the Imperious curse. It was very hard to do. I myself thought I couldn't do it – Harry taught me. You-Know-Who was screaming, "Prepare to die Dumbledore. You, your professors, and your precious students will all be blown into oblivion." But we struck first. We did the anti-curse on all of the creatures gathered, except the Death Eaters, since they weren't under the Imperious curse, and the creatures all turned on Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Nearly tore them apart. They all tried to apparate; but you can't on Hogwarts grounds. They escaped, barely alive, but now You-Know-Who is back yet again; I hope we can finally rid of him this time."
"You fought very bravely during that time, Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore said, who stood, listening to her explanation. "You and Mr Potter did very well during that time, even when you were nearly facing death again Voldemort and his Death Eaters." Hermione flinched at the sound of 'Voldemort', but nodded.
"It was rather funny to see Voldemort run off, nearly killed," Dumbledore said. "But now we may be facing the darkest times ever."
"Dumbledore, may I ask a question?" Oliver said
"You have just done so, but I will allow one more," Dumbledore replied, smiling amusingly but returning to his slight frown almost immediately.
"Well, why didn't you kill You-Know-Who during that time?" Oliver asked. "Then the darkest times would be over, and we wouldn't be sitting here, wondering what You-Know-Who has planned for us this time."
"It would take incredible magic to destroy him," Dumbledore explained. "Even the Death curse that he placed on Harry that backfired did not destroy him. I thought that the Dragons, the Chimaeras, the Giants, and the Dementors would be enough. Obviously, I was wrong. This time, I hope that we will finally get rid of him for good."
Hagrid bustled into the door, followed closely by Filch. Harry was not there. "You were righ' Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid said. "Harry is unconscious. Ron said 'e was rollin' aroun' on the ground in pain. He's now in the infirmary. But I got the map."
"Thank you Hagrid," Dumbledore said, taking the torn parchment out of his hand. He tapped the map and said, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Suddenly, lines began to form, making a map. The professors watched, astonished, but Hermione felt like yawning. She had watched Harry use the Marauders' Map several times before.
"Now," Dumbledore said. "Here is our course of action. Listen carefully, or else these could very well be our last year seeing Hogwarts – or our friends."
********************************************************
Oh no! Did I just put a cliffhanger? Somewhat. You can only find out about "the plan" if you read Chapter 10! Bwahaha! I am evil…no I'm not! : ) As you can see, I finished Chapter 9 somewhat quickly because (thank you teachers) I had no homework tonight. Praise the Lord! I answered all of my reviewers at the end of Chapter 8, so please read that. Many of you thought that I was already finished Chapter 8, but I just put the beginning because I was really bored and felt I should put that so you can see what it's like. But, thankfully, I got Jenni a.k.a KAOS to right…Here's my thanks:
KAOS - Thanks for the little mistake! *lol* I know you were joking. Yeah, that was all your idea – with a twist. You didn't say that it should be a masquerade ball. I put that it was. Ha, ha! Hope you like this chapter!
hunny – Did you realise you put your review on there 4 times?! 'Cause you did! *lol* You should watch out when you're pushing that "send review" button! KAOS a.k.a. Jenni did come up with the idea for the dance, I just changed it a little by making the masquerade. Check the other reviews for the suggestion! Thanks for the compliments!