Ch. 8 The Yule Ball
A/N: Ok it's been awhile since I've updated. Sorry. I've been on Spring Break though…I know it isn't spring yet yadda yadda yadda. So on we go…..
The day before the Yule Ball finally arrived. Hermione and Harry both had both returned to the 7th year dormitories to prepare. In the girls dorm dress robes hung carefully from the posts of each bed, with two hanging from Jessi's because that's where Hermione's were as well. Parvati and Lavender kept repeating that they could not believe that Jessi had turned Andrew down in favor of going to the Ball as friends with Ron.
"Jessi…don't let them bother you" Hermione said as she handed her a bottle of Sleekeasy's Hair Potion.
"They aren't bothering me" Jessi said calmly as she once again tried unsuccessfully to get her curly hair to lie flat.
"Jess….why don't you just leave your hair curly" suggested Lavender.
"It wouldn't look right with my robes" Jessi answered as she gestured to her robes. They were navy blue and looked rather plain.
"She's right" Parvati said nodding.
Hermione glanced at her friend cautiously. She knew Jessi didn't want to go to the Ball but was unsure why. She watched inconspicuously as everyone returned to getting ready. She couldn't help but notice that even though her best friend smiled at the right time and laughed in the right places her smiles never reached her eyes. When the other to girls finally left she turned to Jessi. "Ok Jessi…What's wrong…and don't say nothing I know you better than that" she said quietly.
"He told me he loved me" Jessi said in a low whisper as she turned to face Hermione, her eyes filled with tears.
"Who…Andrew?"
"No….Prof…Remus, we had this horrible yelling match, and he told me he loved me and I just….left" she said through tears.
"Oh...Jessi" Hermione moved to her friends side and held her while she cried.
When her tears subsided Jessi smiled slightly and wiped her eyes. "Thank you…I guess I just needed someone to listen."
"What are best friends for " Hermione said softly.
"Well we should get you dressed so you can go down…I have to re-do all my make-up so…." she gestured to the lilac colored robes on the end of the bed.
"Right" Hermione said as she slipped them on over her head.
"Wow….you look really good." Jessi stated simply. Hermione looked radiant, her soft purple robes were low-cut and clung slightly to her curves. Her usually wavy brown hair had been straightened and fell down her back in soft layers, tiny braids and strands of lilac ribbons holding in out of her face.
"Thanks, I'll tell the boys you'll be down in a minute" Hermione said as she left the room.
Jessi turned to face her mirror contemplating her reflection. She'd finally managed to get her hair to lie flat and it was pulled back in a tight bun. She wore little to no make-up and once she'd put donned her dress robes she thought she looked eerily like she was dressed up as Professor McGonagall. She made a split second decision and set to work. When she was finished she smiled at her reflection and headed for the Common Room.
Harry and Hermione waited patiently, while Ron kept looking at his watch asking what was taking so long. Hermione was about to go back upstairs when she heard the tinkle of breaking glass as a 3rd year dropped the crystal ball he'd been using. She turned to face the stairs and her eyes grew wide. The whole Common Room seemed to stand still as Jessi entered the room. Harry sucked in a quick breath and Ron went slack jawed.
"Wow…Jessi I mean Wow" Ron said as he stepped forward to take her hand.
"Jessi...what?…how?" Hermione asked
"You didn't see it I looked like McGonagall so I did a little charming and changed" Jessi stated as if it was obvious. Her were now sleeveless and laced up the back, the bodice was fitted and the skirt was made of hundreds of what looked to be long gossamer flower petals. They were a pale sage green with delicate pink roses at the waist. Her hair fell in it's natural curls to her shoulders held back loosely by ribbons that matched her dress.
"Jessi you look beautiful" Harry said breaking the silence.
"Excuse me" a small 1st year boy said "Are you a fairy princess?"
"For tonight" Jessi answered smiling at him.
They all made their way to the Great Hall and were amazed at the transformation. The ceiling was covered in the clear starry sky, while large trees resided in each corner of the room shimmering with white light. Professor Flitwick had charmed fairies to float slowly around the room for extra light. The large room was in a word breathtaking. The four friends stood taking in the serene beauty until Ron spotted Ginny dancing with Tyrone Marshall.
"What does she thinks she's doing" Ron muttered.
"She's being 16 Ron….don't ruin tonight for her" Jessi answered him softly.
"Alright Alright" he smiled at her "Jessi…would you like to dance?"
"Sure…as long as you don't step on my toes" she smirked at him.
"I promise…oh and Jess…thanks for coming with me"
"I'm happy to be here with you Ron…now about that dance"
"Right…" Ron lead her on to the dance floor.
They danced and laughed commenting on the music. They changed partners every so often. Jessi also danced with Harry, Andrew, Terry Boot, and Justin Finch-Fletchley. While Ron danced with Hermione, Mandy Brocklehurst, Padma Patil and Hannah Abbott. Half-way through the band took a break and the students gathered at round tables spread throughout the room. They all talked amiably but Jessi couldn't help but glance toward where Remus stood talking to Professor Vector. She hadn't spoken to him since November , when he'd told her he loved her. She drifted into her own thoughts only to be startled out of them again by Ron asking her if she wanted to dance.
"Hmm…what was that Ron" she said looking away from Lupin to Ron.
"I asked if you wanted to dance" he said
"Well…actually I think you should dance with her" she gestured towards Olivia who was coming toward them.
"Are you sure you don't mind" Ron said grinning.
"I'm sure Ron"
"You're the best Jessi" he said over his shoulder as he jogged over to Olivia.
Remus watched Jessi as she smiled and shook her head when Ron ran off. He'd noticed her the moment she'd entered the room, he'd nearly dropped his goblet when he saw her. He knew she was beautiful but she was dazzling tonight. He made his way over to where she was sitting and sat across from her. "Hi"
"Hi" she softly, looking up at him.
"Look…about the other night….."
"Don't just don't say it….don't say that you didn't mean it or that you're sorry" she whispered softly.
"Alright we won't talk about it" he smiled weakly.
"Oh great just what I need now…a Malfoy encounter" she gestured to the blonde Slytherin coming their way.
"Well then, I guess your just going to have to dance with me" he said extending a hand.
"What?" she looked at him quizzically
"It's either dance with me or….with him" he said quietly.
"I'd dance with you Even if it wasn't to get away from him you know" she said taking his hand.
He lead her out onto the dance floor, resting a hand on her waist taking and taking her right hand in his. He held her closer than was probably proper but he didn't care. As the first strains of the song began he smiled down at her and breathed deeply.
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the night and the empty skies my love
To the night and the empty skies
Jessi lifted her head slowly and gazed at him. She remembered the first time she had met him, on the Hogwart's Express when she was 13. Even then she knew she loved him.
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth turn in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command my love
That was there at my command.
She had to look away from his eyes. The singer's soulful voice engulfed them. The words spoke her feelings nearly perfectly. She remembered with perfect clarity the night he had kissed outside Gryffindor Tower. She trembled slightly as he drew her closer to him.
The first time ever I lay with you
And felt your heart beat close to mine
I thought our joy would fill the earth
And would last 'till the end of time my love
And would last 'till the end of time
She started to relax a bit and she rest her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and let the music wash over her. She smiled softly at the memory of her so called detention. When she'd managed to end up in his lap laughing her head off.
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the night and the empty skies my love
To the night and the empty skies
When the last strains of the music died away and the singer stepped away from the microphone, Jessi looked up at Remus. Her eyes were wide with emotion. She took a shaky breath and stepped away from him.
"Umm…Jessi...I think we need to talk" he said quietly as he lead her back to the table.
"I agree…do you think we can get out of here?" she ask him not meeting his eyes.
"Yes…..but not together….to obvious…..meet me in my office in a half hour" he sad lowly, smiling at her.
"A half hour it is then" she looked up at him and smiled.
She sat at the table and watched absentmindedly as he left the Great Hall. She finally took the time to look around the room. She saw her friends and their respective boyfriends or girlfriends dancing and laughing, but she noticed Ron and Olivia were conspicuously absent. As she glanced up at the large clock suspended at one end of the Hall Draco Malfoy moved into her line of vision.
"Ah Jessi, you don't have to pine any longer I am here" Draco said kissing the back of her hand.
"Go Away Ferret " she snapped, pulling her hand away quickly.
"Now Jessi, I think you might want to dance with me and hear what I have to say" Draco said his voice dropping to a low tone.
"I care about what you have to say why?"
"This might persuade you" he said as he handed a small velvet box.
Jessi looked up at him with an eyebrow raised, but opened the box anyway. She was slightly confused for a moment before she realized what she was holding. "A memory box?……Malfoy why did you just give me a memory box?" she asked skeptically.
"Oh I thought you might enjoy it" he said cruelly "Memoria" he muttered under his breath.
Jessi watched as the small screen in the box began to play. She knew her jaw dropped when she saw what it held. The first scene was on the Hogwarts Express when she'd fallen into his lap. The second the first kiss they'd shared outside the Gryffindor Common Room. The third was when they'd been in the Defense classroom, and the final memory scene was when Remus had told her he loved her in his office. She snapped the box shut and looked up at him shocked.
"You didn't actually think I'd lose to a werewolf did you" Draco said with a sneer.
"So you're going to blackmail me?" she asked warily. "And how did you get those?"
"That's the idea…..You either agree to help me bring down Potter or I take that to Dumbledore…or maybe the Ministry…I doubt they'd look kindly on a student sleeping with a Professor" Malfoy smiled evilly "And I've had people spying on you and Lupin all year….the train incident I saw by accident…after that I knew something was up"
"First off I'm not sleeping with him and secondly what does this have to do with Harry" she spoke her tone even and direct.
"With those memories who'd believe you…and I want Potter brought down…this kills to birds with one stone" Draco he smirked
"Two Birds?" she questioned
"Yes two….I get you and Potter will finally fall"
"First Harry beat Voldemort what makes you think anything you do will defeat him…and secondly…I don't belong to you or anyone else"
"Well then I suppose I'll take the original copy of that memory box to Dumbledore" he said as he turned and began to walk towards Dumbledore.
"Draco….wait" she called after him.
"Yes" he turned.
"I won't help you hurt Harry…or anyone else I love…but anything else….it's yours" she said dejectedly.
"Well…..We'll work something out…first order of business…outside of classes if you ever see Lupin again the deal is off and people are going to see that" he said quietly.
All Jessi could do was nod numbly. What had she just gotten herself into? She was at a complete loss for words. She knew she needed to see Remus and explain to him, but She also knew Malfoy could do serious damage with that Memory Box. She slumped back against her chair as Draco walked away. She sat silently through the rest of the ball. She didn't even notice when time passed for her to go and meet with Remus. When the ball ended Hermione came over and looked at her concernedly.
"Jess…..are you ok?" Hermione asked.
"No…I'm not…I need to talk to you" she said looking up at her friend her eyes filled with tears.
"Ok…come on let's go back to my room" Hermione said gently
"You and Harry didn't have plans?" Jessi asked slowly
"They can wait…Harry and I have our whole lives" Hermione said as the two left the Great Hall. When the reached the Head's Common Room , Hermione popped her head into Harry's room and said something to him before coming back out. They sat down on a couch in front of the fireplace. "Ok…what's up?"
Jessi related the whole story. She told her best friend everything from the first time she and Remus had kissed through to the confrontation with Malfoy. Halfway through the conversation Harry came out and sat in a chair across from them, He was seething with anger when Jessi finished.
"We have to do something he can't black mail you Jess" Harry stated angrily.
"But what…he's got spies everywhere." Jessi said.
"We'll think of something Jess…for tonight you should probably owl Remus and tell him why you didn't show" Hermione said calmly.
"Hermione you're a genius" Jessi said hopping up and pacing.
"Thanks…wait what did I say" Hermione asked confused.
"To send and owl I have to go to the Owlery right?" Jessi asked but didn't wait for an answer "What if the person her saw leave the Owlery wasn't me though?"
"How would you pull that off though" Harry said.
"If you lend me your invisibility cloak and Hermione does me a huge favor…it might work" Jessi said stopping pacing and turning to face them. She proceeded to tell them her plan and when she was done she watched for there reactions.
"Jessi….that's bloody brilliant" Harry stated
"I don't know Jessi" Hermione said "What if he doesn't fall for it"
"He will…..he thinks Harry lost the his Invisibility cloak last year, remember" Jessi said
"I did….but he doesn't know I got a new one" Harry said his eye lighting up mischievously.
"Ok…I'm in" Hermione said.
"Good….let's get this show on the road then." Jessi said moving to Hermione's desk to write her letter to Remus.
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