Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story except for my original ones and my plot. I also do not own the song(s) used in this chapter. Thank you.

Okay, the romance begins!!!!!

Chapter 12: The Halloween Ball

Monday morning rolled around, but everyone still discussed the Quidditch game as if it just happened yesterday. All right, so maybe it just took place two days ago, but sometimes, people tend to forget what exactly happen. But the game was good, so everyone still wanted to discuss it.

That night, at dinner, Dumbledore rose up and a sudden hush filled the hall.

"I have an important announcement to make." Dumbledore said, pausing to look at the students. "This year, Hogwarts will be holding a Halloween Ball in place of the cancelled Yule Ball, which was supposedly to take place on Christmas. The ball will be a casual dress occasion. Everyone is invited to bring a date, or dress up as a monster and such." Dumbledore paused again, for the hall was soon filled with exciting chattering. When the students realized Dumbledore had stopped, they silenced themselves. "The ball will take place on Halloween night, October 31st, Friday. I do hope all of you will be able to join us in this spectacular celebration of the Halloween season." Dumbledore sat down and then the chattering began again immediately.

"A ball, huh?" Jesabelle said, looking at the others. "Sounds like fun."

Harry caught a twinkle in his cousin's eye and already knew she was up to something.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Besides the Quidditch game, everyone was also talking about the Halloween Ball.

Harry and Jesabelle were walking along the lake on a Thursday afternoon, the day before the dance.

"Why don't you ask Ginny?" Jesabelle asked Harry, who seemed deep in thought.

"I'm just afraid I'll be rejected Jesabelle, you know that." Harry said. "I don't want to take anymore risks for as long as I can. Risks only lead me to loss."

Jesabelle sighed and hugged Harry tightly, knowing he was feeling depressed about death yet again.

"All right then Harry, if you won't take action, I will." Jesabelle said, releasing him from the hug, giving him a small squeeze on his arm with her right hand, winked at him and walked to the castle to devise her "master plan".

Harry cracked a smile, Jesabelle and Ginny were the only ones who knew how to make him smile when he was feeling a little mellow, and he just silently hoped that they wouldn't be taken away from him, as so many other people important to him have been.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The night of the Halloween Ball arrived and Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna descended down the stairs. Jesabelle said she was feeling a bit under the weather and reassured them that she would come down later. Harry had insisted that she just stay in bed and rest, and Jesabelle resentfully agreed.

Harry was dressed in blue baggy pants a tight, blue shirt. Hey, it wasn't Halloween style, but at least it kept Ginny busy staring at him for a while.

Hermione wore a black skirt, and an orange half sleeved blouse. Ron was wearing blue pants and a red long sleeved shirt.

Neville was wearing cream colored shorts, and was also wearing an orange shirt, with the print saying "Chudley Cannons" in the middle.

Luna was wearing a denim skirt that came about an inch above her knees and a white t-shirt.

When they walked into the Great Hall, they were met with the usual Halloween decorations. Floating pumpkins, live bats, the ghosts floating around, and enchanted skeletons coming up to you at random and giving you a casual hello and walking away.

Ron and Hermione decided to hit the dance floor as Harry and the other went to find a table.

They were surprisingly playing American songs, since it somehow managed to get through to the wizarding world. They heard the song "Get Busy" by Sean Paul come on and everyone walked onto the dance floor, finding a partner and dancing to the beat.

When the song ended, Harry realized Ginny was around and asked Neville, who was the closest to him if he knew where she was.

"She said she needed a bathroom break." Neville yelled over the music. Harry nodded to show his thanks and walked over to the refreshment table, looking around for a sign of Ginny's hair or face.

Ron and Hermione walked by, laughing and having a great time. Harry smiled at them, they looked really happy. He felt a slight pang of jealousy hit him as he watched them but dismissed it.

After about ten minutes of watching out for Ginny, Harry decided to walk back to the table, surprised to see Jesabelle, decked out in dark blue flares, a black, long-sleeved button up blouse, an orange tie, and black converse sneakers, sitting at the table.

She smiled up at him and signaled him to the table.

Harry walked over to see that Jesabelle was a lot paler than usual and had big bags sagging under her eyes. Her wavy hair hung loosely around her, making her look like some sort of ghost.

"You look tired." Harry said, sitting next to her.

"I'm fine Harry. I only look like this because I was aiming for the vampire/ghost effect. What do you think?" Jesabelle said.

"Creative." Harry said. "Hey, have you-"

"Seen Ginny? Yes, I have Harry." Jesabelle said.

"Where is she?" Harry asked.

"She's in the gardens, alone." Jesabelle said.

"What is she doing there?" Harry asked.

"Rethinking her emotions, in a good way." Jesabelle said.

"Maybe I should go and keep her company." Harry said getting up.

"No, not yet." Jesabelle said, pushing Harry down. "Just wait."

"This is another one of your plans, isn't it?" Harry asked, sitting back down.

"Yes, it sure is." Jesabelle said. "Now, when they play the next slow song, I want you to go out there and say whatever it is you want to say to her."

"What if I get rejected?" Harry asked.

"Don't worry about that Harry, trust me on this one." Jesabelle said. "I'll stand by at good distance to give you your privacy and to make sure that no one intervenes."

"How will you do that?" Harry asked.

"I have my ways. Just wait for the slow song." Jesabelle said.

"I really have to repay you for this." Harry said.

"You don't have to, really. It is my pleasure." Jesabelle said.

Just then, the song, "If You're Not the One" by Daniel Bedingfield came on.

"Go." Jesabelle said as Harry slowly got up. "Be the Harry she loves, nothing more, nothing less. Love her Harry, and cherish her tonight and forever."

Harry nodded and exited the Great Hall. Jesabelle followed about a minute later.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ginny was sitting in a bench in a secluded part of the gardens. There were pumpkins within the bushes nearby sending creepy, but fascinating shadows upon the ground.

She was wearing a sleeve-less spaghetti strapped orange dress that came just a little bit below her knees. Her hair hung in curls an inch below her shoulders.

Ginny was only thinking about one thing, and that was Harry. She still loved Harry, no matter how hard she tried, she just could not let go of him. He was the one thing that kept her sane for so long. Sure, Ron was always there. But she didn't need a brother; she already had more than enough of that. No, she needed someone who would love her and help her create children and such. Sure, it was a farfetched dream of hers to picture herself with Harry, but it was the one thing she had left.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry looked at her from behind the tree. The garden was dim. The only light that came to this part of the garden was the moonlight, and it shone upon Ginny's form like a spotlight would shine upon a superstar.

Harry had loved Ginny since his fourth year. He had just begun to be infatuated with Cho so he could silence those feelings. He never really knew for sure if she still loved him; she was very good at hiding, if there was anything to hide at all. He would always dream about her and thought about how much he wanted to hold her, and make her his forever.

He finally stepped out from behind the tree and walked over to Ginny, trying to be as silent as possible; the last thing he wanted was to startle her or scare her away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jesabelle stepped from behind a bush and walked over to scrutinize the area in which Harry and Ginny were to finally pour themselves out.

This garden was the definition of seclusion and loneliness, only moon light shone upon the only stone bench that was there, shielded by a few trees. She knew Ginny loved this place, she knew that Ginny only came here when her emotions were in a jumble.

In the back of her mind, Jesabelle had a bad feeling that things would not turn out the way she would hope, but she knew that it would. She knew that they loved each other, they were just too afraid to see it. Ever since she had found out, she made it her life's mission to bring them together. And now, she was at the peak of her mission, the last battle she would have to fight in this war of love and bringing two who love each other together.

She ducked behind a bush and watched them, setting her plan into action.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hello Ginny." Harry said softly, a foot behind Ginny, making her jump.

"Oh, good evening Harry." Ginny said.

The slow song found its way to the secluded area, and the two could hear the song's words as clearly as if it was playing right next to them, even though they were far away from the ball.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?

If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?

If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call

If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I love this song." Ginny said.

"Would like to dance with me then?" Harry asked.

Ginny blushed a bit but took Harry's hand and he led her to the middle of the small garden and bringing her close to him, loving the smell of her around him.

Ginny felt Harry pull her into his arms and sighed silently, placing her head across his chest.

"I know this might seem a bit late and all but I wanted to tell you something." Harry said, becoming breathless.

Ginny looked at him questioningly and said with great difficulty, "I have something to tell you as well. But you go first."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I never know what the future brings

But I know you are here with me now

We'll make it through

And I hope you are the one I share my life with

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Listen Ginny, I-I-I" Harry stammered.

"Yes Harry?" Ginny asked, looking straight into his emerald green eyes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jesabelle had muttered a spell and an invisible force field surrounded the area, blocking out all the sound that came from the inside, but ensuring that those inside the force field would hear the noises coming from outside.

Dobby popped up from behind her and walked over to her, carrying a small lantern, full of small fairies that were glowing in every possible color, from blue, to red, to green, to gold.

Jesabelle smiled at him and watched the couple dancing under the moon light.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I love you." Harry whispered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand

If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?

Ginny gasped.

"I'm sorry." Harry said, slowly pulling away from her, not looking at her face.

Ginny grabbed his chin and made him look into her eyes and kissed him.

Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Ginny felt his warmth around her ran her hand through his untidy hair.

They pulled away, flushed.

"I love you too Harry." Ginny said softly and laid her head on his chest again.

Harry's eyes widened. She said it. She loved him. He sighed and pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair and pulling her towards him to take her mouth into another kiss.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We'll make it through

And I hope you are the one I share my life with

And I wish that you could be the one I die with

And I pray in you're the one I build my home with

I hope I love you all my life

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Release the fairies near the tree and let them fly around." Jesabelle said to Dobby who nodded. Suddenly, she began to gasp for air and clutched her right again, grimacing in unmistakable pain.

"Is Madame Potter all right?" Dobby asked, concernedly.

"I'm all right, go and do what I asked you, I have to leave; you know what to do later." Jesabelle said, getting up from behind her hiding place, still grimacing and crept along the bushes, being careful not to be seen.

She made her way through the front doors and across the Great Hall hoping that no one had seen her.

But someone had seen her. Blake Marshall was just about to head towards the exit of the Great Hall, when he saw Jesabelle hurry past. He grinned and silently followed after her.

Someone had also seen Jesabelle and had also seen Blake Marshall leave. Draco Malfoy had been watching Marshall like a hawk all night, as if daring him to try and touch Jesabelle. Later on, he had lost track of Jesabelle, but decided to keep his eyes on Marshall. When he saw him leave, he got up from the table at which he was sitting at and quietly stole after him, knowing what he had thought up in his mind.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jesabelle walked down the corridor, clutching her head with both hands. She kept hearing voices, voices she could not recognize or understand. Plus, the pain in her right arm made things worse.

She was a strong person, but, when it came to this, she was almost powerless. This was the first time this has happened in the while, and she was determined to gain back her strength. She was always weak and disorientated when it left her.

She leaned against the wall, breathing heavily, and sank down to the floor, still clutching her head. Two minutes later, the voice and the pain subsided, leaving her dazed and a bit dizzy, her sight sort of foggy, despite how much light shone through the corridor.

Before she knew what was happening, she was picked up by strong arms and brought into an empty classroom, which was just a step away.

She felt the mysterious person sit her in an empty chair and close the door behind him. Her sight soon began to return and she did not like what she saw before. She saw Blake Marshall standing over her, a grin playing across his face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco Malfoy had been following Blake for the past three minutes, but then lost him around a corridor; he cursed silently to himself and looked around for any sight of him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Blake picked her up and pinned her against the wall, pressing his lips against hers, Jesabelle struggled, and he was still much stronger than her physically. She searched for her wand and found that she must have left it in the corridor. Jesabelle kept her lips shut firmly and with all her might tried to push him away, but it didn't work.

Blake pulled away and smirked at her saying, "Just one kiss Jesabelle, that's all I want."

"Bloody hell that's all you want." Jesabelle said, spitting at him.

Blake got angry and slapped her hand with his left hand, making her fall heavily on the ground. Seeing his opportunity, Blake got down on top of and held her arms above her head.

"Now, you are going to give me what I want." Blake said.

"Or what?" Jesabelle asked sarcastically, the fall made her hit her head to hard and she was beginning to black out, she struggled to stay awake.

"Or I will make you feel so much pain." Blake said, a sinister look in his eye.

"Like I haven't' felt pain before." Jesabelle said, receiving another slap from Blake.

"Now don't use that tone with me." Blake said.

Jesabelle felt blood in her mouth but she didn't really care, all she cared about at the moment was how she was going to get out of the mess she was in right now. Blake was using his weight to keep Jesabelle down, and Jesabelle was still so weak from what happened earlier. She struggled in vain to get free from Blake's grasp.

Blake began kissing her neck, licking her skin, making her shiver with disgust.

"Help!" Jesabelle tried screaming, only hearing a whisper come out her mouth.

"No one can hear you scream." Blake said, as he used one hand to hold her hands up above her head, and another to remove her tie and her blouse.

Jesabelle's senses kicked in and began to squirm, screaming for help. Blake hit her again, proceeding to take his shirt off.

"Help!" Jesabelle screamed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Malfoy picked up Jesabelle's wand from the ground and then heard her screams coming from the classroom. Without hesitation, he pocketed Jesabelle's wand and walked over the door, trying to open it, when he found it was locked, he took out his wand and blasted the wall into cinders.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Blake almost had all of Jesabelle's buttons off when Malfoy burst in, his eyes splashed with fury. He didn't care about wands. He picked Blake up from the back and threw punched him.

Jesabelle realized what was going on and crawled to a corner, clutching her tie in her right hand, crying.

Blake hit Draco in the stomach. Draco hit back by using all his strength and punched him, making him hit the wall and fall on his face, unconscious.

Draco walked to Jesabelle and tried to touch her. She recoiled, afraid of him.

"It's me Jesabelle, its Draco." Draco whispered. "I'm here."

Jesabelle looked up at him as he lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the room, repairing the door and walking towards the Head dorms, leaving Blake's bleeding body behind.

There! I hope you all like it! Please read and review! ^-^