Chapter Eleven: The Spring Ball
Harry didn't want to think about his dream and didn't tell anyone about it, but it was still haunting his thoughts in the last couple of weeks. Cho had been released from the hospital wing a week after her Bludger accident, and she and Harry had been seen together often. They would take long walks around the lake talking about things. Harry really like to go on walks with Cho, because she took his mind off of everything that had been going on in the last year, and she always seemed to know just what to do to make him smile.
Classes weren't going to bad as well. Snape seemed to stop yelling at the Gryffindors, in fact, he seemed to have stopped yelled at anyone, and was much too worried about other matters. Harry didn't mind it much, but he could help but think why Snape was distracted. I must have been something about the night with the Werewolf, but he wasn't sure (it was Snape). Another person who was acting strangely was Jamie Bower.
Harry would see her walking down the corridors, but she was never alone. Malfoy was always near her as if he wanted to keep his cousin on a very tight leash. She would walk just behind him with her head bowed and a defeated look on her face. One day Harry was walking to his Care of Magical Creators class when he saw Jamie and Malfoy arguing in an empty classroom. Harry stopped to listen in on the argument.
"But Draco I don't want..."
"I don't care what you want and neither does the rest of the family. You are going on the families Spring holiday and that is final." Said Malfoy is a savage tone. "When we get there your fate will be decided. There in no point in running back to your little friend."
"But Draco..."
"No buts. This is for your own good, Jamie." Harry was shocked to hear that, because Malfoy seemed to have a worried tone in his voice. Harry looked into the classroom. Jamie was sitting in one of the chairs and Malfoy was standing over her, but not in any way Harry would have thought. Malfoy had his hand on her shoulder and looked worried for his cousin. "Jamie." Malfoy said softy. "You know I am right. There is no other way, not with our family. We have to act like we were always told to act." Jamie closed her eyes and nodded her head. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she stood to face Malfoy. She reached up and hugged her cousin.
"I know your right, but I am scared Draco." She said softly.
"I know so am I." Said Malfoy. They started for the door and Harry moved quickly away and hid around the corner as he watched Malfoy and Jamie leave the classroom as if nothing had happened. Harry just stood there in shock of what he heard even after the two cousins disappeared down the corridor.
"Did I just hear what I think I heard?" he thought to himself. "Draco Malfoy said that he was scared, but of what." Harry thought he knew what they were talking about. 'I heard Uncle Lucius tell my father that Voldemort was going to do some 'recruiting' over the year and that at the spring holiday they will be initiated into the Death Eater ranks.' Jamie's words echoed in his head, and he debated weather or not to go talk to Dumbledore about this, but something else Jamie had told him came to mind. 'If I go and talk to Dumbledore about the things that I really know... I don't want to think about it.' Harry didn't want to get her into any more trouble than she already was, but he didn't want her to become a Death Eater either.
Harry suddenly ran down the corridors. He wanted to speak with Jamie. He ran the way he saw Jamie and Malfoy went. It seemed to take forever to find Jamie, as she was just about to walk into her classroom. Harry grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down the corridor into an empty room. Harry shut the door behind them and placed a locking enchantment on the door, so that no one could come in.
"Harry what is the meaning of all this?" Jamie demanded. "You are making me late for my next class and you are suppose to be in class as..."
"Jamie I know about your families Spring holiday." Said Harry quickly. Jamie looked at him shocked. She reached out for something to steady herself with, and tears came to her eyes.
"How did you find out?"
"Well I have this nasty little habit of listening in on other peoples conversations, especially when they feel that they have to hid in an empty classroom." Said Harry. Jamie looked at him. She was speechless. "Jamie, I was going to tell Dumbledore, but I wanted to talk to you about it first. Tell me that this isn't what I think it is. Tell me you aren't going to see Voldemort over your spring break." Harry said but the look on her face told him otherwise.
"My father and uncle are making me Harry. According to them I am apart of the Malfoy family, no matter what my last name is, and I must be apart of the great Malfoy tradition." Jamie said as she sat down in a seat next to her. "But I don't want to die, and that is what will happen if I don't go."
"We need to go to Dumbledore and tell him..."
"No we can't. Harry I will be fine, and you know that even if... it happens I won't do anything to hurt anyone." She said "Please don't tell anyone about this, not even your friends."
"But I have to tell someone..."
"Harry, Please!" she was on the verge of crying. Harry thought about it. He had to tell someone about this, but if he did Jamie could get hurt, and he didn't want that. Harry stood there a long time thinking about it as Jamie stared at him pleadingly.
"Okay I won't tell anyone for now, but if anything happens to any of the students here or any of my friends and family, I am going to have to tell someone." Said Harry reluctantly. "Do you understand me?" Jamie nodded her head. "And Jamie. You know you can always come to me if you need help." Jamie nodded and stood up and went to leave, but stopped at the door.
"Harry I just wanted to say thank you for all that you have done for me, and goodbye, because I don't know what will happen." Harry stayed in the classroom for along time thinking before he finally left. When he entered the corridor he realized that he had totally missed his Care of Magical Creators class, and that he was going to be late for his next class, Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Harry rushed to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom just before class started. He took his usual seat next to Ron. All the Gryffindors were staring at him, because he wasn't in his last class. Harry looked at Ron and Hermione with a half smiled. Hermione was about to open her mouth to yell at Harry when Professor Smith came into the classroom and started talking the moment she stepped through the door.
"Today we are going to review all the things that we have gone over so far this year, before you go off on your spring holidays tomorrow. After you come back from your spring holiday we will review the things that you have been taught over the past four years." Said Professor Smith. She started the review, but Harry wasn't listening because Ron kept poking him in the ribs to get his attention.
Harry looked over at his friend, who mouthed, 'Where were you?' Harry smiled at Ron.
"I will tell you later." Harry whisper. He looked at Hermione, who was staring at him with an odd expression. "What Hermione?" Harry questioned. Hermione pointed at Harry's hand, which was writing something on a piece of parchment in front of him, with a furious speed. He had to pull his hand away from the parchment in order to stop writing. Harry looked down at the piece of parchment and he stared in shock. Just like before the piece of parchment was almost completely covered with the word 'beware', except for the very bottom where something else was written. Harry read it quickly.
Beware... Beware the dark one, the spy, and the one of fire.
Harry suddenly realized that the room had gotten silent. We he looked up from the parchment and noticed that Professor Smith was staring straight at him. Her cold eyes seemed to look right throw him as Harry met her stare, but the moment he did Professor Smith broke off. She looked dizzy, but didn't let that bother her as she continued with the class. When it ended Harry quickly pack up his things and left the room before Professor Smith could ask him to stay. Harry made it all the way to the Gryffindor common room before Ron and Hermione caught up with him.
"Harry what was that all about?" asked Ron as the three of them sat down into the over stuffed chairs where they usually sat.
"I don't know." Said Harry as he pulled out the piece of parchment with the warning, and showed it to Hermione and Ron.
"But Harry why does this only happen in Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" asked Hermione.
"I was hoping you could tell me that Hermione, because I have absolutely no idea why any of it is happening." Said Harry.
"Beware the dark one, the spy and the one of fire." Hermione read the warning out loud. "I wonder what it means." Said Hermione then she got up and headed for the portrait hole. "If anyone needs me I will be in the..."
"Library." Both Ron and Harry said in unison. Hermione looked at her a little anger, but then turned and disappeared throw the portrait hole.
"Harry where were you during Care of Magical Creators, Hermione and I had to make up an excuse to Hagrid, but I don't think he really believed it." Ron looked at Harry with questioning eyes.
"Oh yeah, that. Well I can't really tell you where I was." Said Harry and he stood up to go up to his room, but stopped dead in his tracks when Ron spoke again.
"What do you mean you can't tell me where you were, Harry? You can always tell me everything and suddenly you can tell me things."
"Ron I made a promise that I would tell anyone where I was or what I did." Said Harry.
"Oh I get it you and Cho found a broom closet somewhere, didn't you." Said Ron with a devilish grin on his face.
"Hey Ron you guessed it." Harry said quickly and Ron couldn't tell weather Harry was being sarcastic or not. Harry quickly climbed the stair to his room and rushed through the door before Ron could ask him another question. He sat in his room thinking about things until he finally went down to dinner.
The day of the spring ball was a very busy day, it was also the day of the second and last visit to Hogsmeade for the students, that year. Ron, Harry and Hermione all got up early that morning and eat breakfast together. When they had their full of breakfast they left for Hogsmeade. On the trip down to Hogsmeade Hermione told the two boys about what she found out about the warning.
"I looked around the library, but I couldn't find anything one any of the three that were mentioned. Except in one book there was a ever small reference to the one of fire, although it wasn't very helpful." Said Hermione as the finally got to Hogsmeade. The first place they went was the Three Broomsticks for some Butterbeer. When they entered the small pub they looked around for seats, and found that Ginny was already there and had saved them seats in their usual spot. They laughed and joked while drinking their Butterbeer and soon they started to head back to Hogwarts to get ready for the Spring ball. Later Harry would remember that day sitting in the pub with his friends as the last day of laughter and happiness that they had before the coming of the storm, which at that moment was gathering on the horizon.
The Gryffindor common room was bursting with activity while everyone rushed to and fro to get ready for the Spring ball. Harry and Ron dressed quickly and were the first people ready and waiting in the common room, watch people as they rushed around. Ron was waiting for Hermione to come down from getting herself ready as Harry waited from the time to come when he was suppose to meet Cho in front of the doors to the Great Hall they discussed what new tactics they were going to have on the up coming Gryffindor-Slytherin game for the final Quidditch match.
Hermione came down the stairs from the dorms and walked over to Ron and Harry. Harry was the first to notice Hermione and when he saw her his jaw dropped, which made Ron turn around to see her. Ron suddenly looked pale as he looked at her. Standing there speechless she giggle at the two boys. She was wearing a form-fitting strapless blue dress, with a slit up her right leg that cam up to mid thigh. Her hair was swept up into a French twist with wisps of hair delicately framing her face. She looked so much better than she did at the Yule ball the year before.
"Ron?" said Hermione trying to get his attention. He had gone quite pale and she was getting worried about him. "Ron are you alright?" Ron looked up into her eyes and smiled.
"You are so beautiful." He said quickly, and before he realized what he said or what was happening, Hermione pulled him close to her and kissed him. Harry sat there shocked. When he suddenly realized that he was staring at the couple, he shook his head and walked to the portrait hole.
"I'll meet you two at the entrance to the Great Hall." He called back to them, and without breaking the kiss off; Ron waved his hand at his Ron. Harry laughed and walked down to where he was supposed to meet up with Cho. He stood at the entrance to the Great Hall for what seemed to be forever watching couples as they walked into the Hall, laughing and talking quickly. He suddenly noticed a familiar face in the crowd. It was Ginny, her fiery red hair lit up her face. She had her hair down and it delicately fell down to her shoulders. Her dress was red with golden trimming and fit her from perfectly, it was the first time Harry realized that she was growing into a very beautiful woman. He smiled at her as she noticed that he was standing there watching people going into the Great Hall. Ginny waved at him and he waved back. The boy who was with her (a sixth year Ravenclaw, named Jonathan) turned to look who she was waving at and in seeing Harry waving back to her, he hurried her into the Hall. Harry had to laugh at that.
"What does he think I am going to steal Ginny away from him?" he said to himself with a little laugh. Harry looked down at his hands think about Ginny and how she was more like a little sister to him, and he could never think of her any other way. He stood there for a long time staring at his hand that he didn't notice the person sneaking up behind him, before it was to late. Suddenly everything went dark.
"Guess who?" came Cho's voice. Harry smiled.
"Oh Susan my love." Said Harry jokingly. Cho took her hands away from his eyes, and punched him lightly on the arm. "Ow, what was that for?" he smiled at her.
"That was not funny." She said and took a step away from Harry so that he could see her fully, Harry was speechless, she was so beautiful. She had her hair up in a loose braid, which made her neck look longer that it did usually. She was wearing a beautiful light blue mini dress, which came up to just above her mid-thigh. Harry smiled at her as she did a little spin for him, so that he could see every detail of her.
"Why my dear you are completely stunning." Said Harry and took her hand to kiss it. He stared into her eyes as he bent down to her hand and only broke eye contact when he kissed her hand. Cho giggled and pulled him up so that she could look into his emerald eyes. They were leaning in to kiss each other when someone coughed next to them. They turned to see Ron and Hermione smiling at them.
"Come on you two." Ron said with a smile. Harry and Cho reluctantly follow Ron and Hermione into the Great Hall. When Harry first stepped into the Hall then first thing he looked at was the enchanted ceiling, which showed that it was a clear night outside. Harry stared up at all the stars for a moment thinking about how small he really was in the whole picture, but after a long moment he left Cho pull on his arm, to bring him back to reality. Harry looked down at her and smiled as she looked up and saw the stars.
"I always like to look at the stars. They seem... comforting to be." Said Cho as she pointed out some constellations that she knew of. Harry listened closely to her astronomy lesson. After a while Harry slowly became aware of the music that was play and looked over to see people dancing. Harry's eye was caught by Ginny's red hair as she danced across the floor with her date they were both talking and laughing. Harry smiled at the couple. Cho must have seen him looking over at the couple on the dance floor, because she suddenly turned to him and asked if he wanted to dance. Harry started to get nervous.
"Well I really can't dance all that well." Said Harry, but Cho just smiled at him.
"I know, I've seen you, but don't worry. I am a very good dancer." She whispered to him as they stepped onto the dance floor. Cho was indeed a very good dancer; in fact she made it look as if Harry could actually dance. This was the time that Harry was having fun dancing. They dance for a long time before taking a break. When they stopped they found Ron and Hermione standing by one of the windows of the Great Hall looking out over the grounds. Harry and Cho decided to see what they were up to, since it was Ron and Hermione who had interrupted their moment before.
"What's going on over here?" Harry said as they walked up to the couple. Ron smiled at Harry and pointed down at a courtyard just outside the Great Hall. Harry looked down and saw a very interesting sight. There in the courtyard sitting on one of the benches talking together were Cassandra and Professor Snape. They looked as if they were having a good time.
"Now that is interesting." Said Harry. "How long have you guys been watching them?"
"For about a half an hour, but you missed the best part, Harry." Said Hermione and before she could answer Harry heard a loud burst of laughter and when he looked down he saw that both Cassandra and Snape were laughing. Harry raised an eyebrow in interest. "That was what I was talking about it is the third time, since we have been here. Honestly I didn't think Snape could laugh, but there you go."
"Harry isn't that your cousin?" asked Cho, and Harry nodded. "That is just gross, your cousin and Snape together." Harry suddenly got an image in his head that he wish never would have been there, and by the look of Ron's and Hermione's faces so did they. "What he's like ten, fifteen years older than her."
"It is closer to ten, but I really don't want to think about it." Said Harry. They were about to turn back to the dance floor when Harry noticed an unnatural silence had fallen in the courtyard. He turned back to the window quickly to see Cassandra staring hard off into the woods. She had a serious look on her face, and fear in her eyes.
"What's the matter?" He heard Snape said, but Cassandra just stared off into the woods.
"He is here." She said and Snape stood quickly staring into the woods at the same spot.
"Are you sure?" he asked her and she nodded at him. Harry felt a suddenly pain go through his scar and he cried out in pain. Cassandra and Snape heard him and looked up at the window where the students were standing. They exchanged serious looks at each other and ran off towards the forest quickly, but Harry could see this; his scar was hurting him really bad. Cho helped him stand, but she was talking quickly with Ron and Hermione, but he couldn't hear them. The next thing he was aware of was being walked out of the Great Hall towards the hospital wing, but before they made it to the hospital wing something happened.
His scar suddenly stopped hurting him. He straightened up and looked at his friends. "It's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore." He said with a smiled, but they were still pulling him towards the hospital wing. When they walked through the door Madam Pomfrey rushed towards them and helped Harry to sit on a bed.
"I am fine now honestly." Said Harry but they won't listen to him. Then a few moments later another surge of pain ripped through his scar, sending him back onto the bed grabbing at his scar and crying out in pain. Darkness surrounded Harry and he past out from the pain.
It was dark in the hospital wing when Harry woke. His sight was blurred telling him that someone had taken off his glasses. He reach out to the nightstand and picked them on. When he put them on he looked around the hospital wing and noticed that there was a group of Professors standing at the end of the hospital wing.
"Are you sure she will be alright?" Snape asked at Harry notice that Cassandra was laying in a bed in front of the Professors, she was very pale.
"Yes Professor she will be alright just a minor curse." Said Madam Pomfrey.
"Severus, are you sure that it was him?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes sir I am sure that it was the Dark Lord. He was in the Forbidden forest just as she said." Snape said.
"I believe that it was with Cassandra feeling his presence and Mr. Potters pain in his scar, but I want to know is why he would come that close to the grounds." Asked Dumbledore.
"He said that he would leave the school along if I would just give him Harry. He said that within the next few months there will be an attack on the school if he doesn't get Harry." Said Cassandra in a weak voice.
"I see." Said Dumbledore. "So he told you that all he wanted was Harry, and that he wouldn't harm the school, interesting. Minvera, Severus will you please accompany me to my office, so that Cassandra can get some rest." The Professor walked down the hospital wing and out into the corridor. Harry watched them go. When they left Harry sat up in bed and thought about what he heard. There would be an attack against the school and many people will get hurt or possibly die, but he could stop it. All he would have to do it to let Voldemort take him. He could save so many lives. Harry leave back to sleep thinking about this.
The next couple month was filled with anxious moments for Harry. No one knew about what Voldemort had asked Cassandra and Snape in the forbidden forest the night of the spring ball. Harry didn't tell anyone not even Ron or Hermione about what he over heard and none of the Professors say anything to any of the students. Harry became silent over the last month and his friends started to really worry about him. He started getting jumpy about every sudden noise. The storm clouds that had been gathering on the horizon and were slowly clouding the skies overhead, suddenly they broke and the storm began to rage.
Harry didn't want to think about his dream and didn't tell anyone about it, but it was still haunting his thoughts in the last couple of weeks. Cho had been released from the hospital wing a week after her Bludger accident, and she and Harry had been seen together often. They would take long walks around the lake talking about things. Harry really like to go on walks with Cho, because she took his mind off of everything that had been going on in the last year, and she always seemed to know just what to do to make him smile.
Classes weren't going to bad as well. Snape seemed to stop yelling at the Gryffindors, in fact, he seemed to have stopped yelled at anyone, and was much too worried about other matters. Harry didn't mind it much, but he could help but think why Snape was distracted. I must have been something about the night with the Werewolf, but he wasn't sure (it was Snape). Another person who was acting strangely was Jamie Bower.
Harry would see her walking down the corridors, but she was never alone. Malfoy was always near her as if he wanted to keep his cousin on a very tight leash. She would walk just behind him with her head bowed and a defeated look on her face. One day Harry was walking to his Care of Magical Creators class when he saw Jamie and Malfoy arguing in an empty classroom. Harry stopped to listen in on the argument.
"But Draco I don't want..."
"I don't care what you want and neither does the rest of the family. You are going on the families Spring holiday and that is final." Said Malfoy is a savage tone. "When we get there your fate will be decided. There in no point in running back to your little friend."
"But Draco..."
"No buts. This is for your own good, Jamie." Harry was shocked to hear that, because Malfoy seemed to have a worried tone in his voice. Harry looked into the classroom. Jamie was sitting in one of the chairs and Malfoy was standing over her, but not in any way Harry would have thought. Malfoy had his hand on her shoulder and looked worried for his cousin. "Jamie." Malfoy said softy. "You know I am right. There is no other way, not with our family. We have to act like we were always told to act." Jamie closed her eyes and nodded her head. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she stood to face Malfoy. She reached up and hugged her cousin.
"I know your right, but I am scared Draco." She said softly.
"I know so am I." Said Malfoy. They started for the door and Harry moved quickly away and hid around the corner as he watched Malfoy and Jamie leave the classroom as if nothing had happened. Harry just stood there in shock of what he heard even after the two cousins disappeared down the corridor.
"Did I just hear what I think I heard?" he thought to himself. "Draco Malfoy said that he was scared, but of what." Harry thought he knew what they were talking about. 'I heard Uncle Lucius tell my father that Voldemort was going to do some 'recruiting' over the year and that at the spring holiday they will be initiated into the Death Eater ranks.' Jamie's words echoed in his head, and he debated weather or not to go talk to Dumbledore about this, but something else Jamie had told him came to mind. 'If I go and talk to Dumbledore about the things that I really know... I don't want to think about it.' Harry didn't want to get her into any more trouble than she already was, but he didn't want her to become a Death Eater either.
Harry suddenly ran down the corridors. He wanted to speak with Jamie. He ran the way he saw Jamie and Malfoy went. It seemed to take forever to find Jamie, as she was just about to walk into her classroom. Harry grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down the corridor into an empty room. Harry shut the door behind them and placed a locking enchantment on the door, so that no one could come in.
"Harry what is the meaning of all this?" Jamie demanded. "You are making me late for my next class and you are suppose to be in class as..."
"Jamie I know about your families Spring holiday." Said Harry quickly. Jamie looked at him shocked. She reached out for something to steady herself with, and tears came to her eyes.
"How did you find out?"
"Well I have this nasty little habit of listening in on other peoples conversations, especially when they feel that they have to hid in an empty classroom." Said Harry. Jamie looked at him. She was speechless. "Jamie, I was going to tell Dumbledore, but I wanted to talk to you about it first. Tell me that this isn't what I think it is. Tell me you aren't going to see Voldemort over your spring break." Harry said but the look on her face told him otherwise.
"My father and uncle are making me Harry. According to them I am apart of the Malfoy family, no matter what my last name is, and I must be apart of the great Malfoy tradition." Jamie said as she sat down in a seat next to her. "But I don't want to die, and that is what will happen if I don't go."
"We need to go to Dumbledore and tell him..."
"No we can't. Harry I will be fine, and you know that even if... it happens I won't do anything to hurt anyone." She said "Please don't tell anyone about this, not even your friends."
"But I have to tell someone..."
"Harry, Please!" she was on the verge of crying. Harry thought about it. He had to tell someone about this, but if he did Jamie could get hurt, and he didn't want that. Harry stood there a long time thinking about it as Jamie stared at him pleadingly.
"Okay I won't tell anyone for now, but if anything happens to any of the students here or any of my friends and family, I am going to have to tell someone." Said Harry reluctantly. "Do you understand me?" Jamie nodded her head. "And Jamie. You know you can always come to me if you need help." Jamie nodded and stood up and went to leave, but stopped at the door.
"Harry I just wanted to say thank you for all that you have done for me, and goodbye, because I don't know what will happen." Harry stayed in the classroom for along time thinking before he finally left. When he entered the corridor he realized that he had totally missed his Care of Magical Creators class, and that he was going to be late for his next class, Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Harry rushed to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom just before class started. He took his usual seat next to Ron. All the Gryffindors were staring at him, because he wasn't in his last class. Harry looked at Ron and Hermione with a half smiled. Hermione was about to open her mouth to yell at Harry when Professor Smith came into the classroom and started talking the moment she stepped through the door.
"Today we are going to review all the things that we have gone over so far this year, before you go off on your spring holidays tomorrow. After you come back from your spring holiday we will review the things that you have been taught over the past four years." Said Professor Smith. She started the review, but Harry wasn't listening because Ron kept poking him in the ribs to get his attention.
Harry looked over at his friend, who mouthed, 'Where were you?' Harry smiled at Ron.
"I will tell you later." Harry whisper. He looked at Hermione, who was staring at him with an odd expression. "What Hermione?" Harry questioned. Hermione pointed at Harry's hand, which was writing something on a piece of parchment in front of him, with a furious speed. He had to pull his hand away from the parchment in order to stop writing. Harry looked down at the piece of parchment and he stared in shock. Just like before the piece of parchment was almost completely covered with the word 'beware', except for the very bottom where something else was written. Harry read it quickly.
Beware... Beware the dark one, the spy, and the one of fire.
Harry suddenly realized that the room had gotten silent. We he looked up from the parchment and noticed that Professor Smith was staring straight at him. Her cold eyes seemed to look right throw him as Harry met her stare, but the moment he did Professor Smith broke off. She looked dizzy, but didn't let that bother her as she continued with the class. When it ended Harry quickly pack up his things and left the room before Professor Smith could ask him to stay. Harry made it all the way to the Gryffindor common room before Ron and Hermione caught up with him.
"Harry what was that all about?" asked Ron as the three of them sat down into the over stuffed chairs where they usually sat.
"I don't know." Said Harry as he pulled out the piece of parchment with the warning, and showed it to Hermione and Ron.
"But Harry why does this only happen in Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" asked Hermione.
"I was hoping you could tell me that Hermione, because I have absolutely no idea why any of it is happening." Said Harry.
"Beware the dark one, the spy and the one of fire." Hermione read the warning out loud. "I wonder what it means." Said Hermione then she got up and headed for the portrait hole. "If anyone needs me I will be in the..."
"Library." Both Ron and Harry said in unison. Hermione looked at her a little anger, but then turned and disappeared throw the portrait hole.
"Harry where were you during Care of Magical Creators, Hermione and I had to make up an excuse to Hagrid, but I don't think he really believed it." Ron looked at Harry with questioning eyes.
"Oh yeah, that. Well I can't really tell you where I was." Said Harry and he stood up to go up to his room, but stopped dead in his tracks when Ron spoke again.
"What do you mean you can't tell me where you were, Harry? You can always tell me everything and suddenly you can tell me things."
"Ron I made a promise that I would tell anyone where I was or what I did." Said Harry.
"Oh I get it you and Cho found a broom closet somewhere, didn't you." Said Ron with a devilish grin on his face.
"Hey Ron you guessed it." Harry said quickly and Ron couldn't tell weather Harry was being sarcastic or not. Harry quickly climbed the stair to his room and rushed through the door before Ron could ask him another question. He sat in his room thinking about things until he finally went down to dinner.
The day of the spring ball was a very busy day, it was also the day of the second and last visit to Hogsmeade for the students, that year. Ron, Harry and Hermione all got up early that morning and eat breakfast together. When they had their full of breakfast they left for Hogsmeade. On the trip down to Hogsmeade Hermione told the two boys about what she found out about the warning.
"I looked around the library, but I couldn't find anything one any of the three that were mentioned. Except in one book there was a ever small reference to the one of fire, although it wasn't very helpful." Said Hermione as the finally got to Hogsmeade. The first place they went was the Three Broomsticks for some Butterbeer. When they entered the small pub they looked around for seats, and found that Ginny was already there and had saved them seats in their usual spot. They laughed and joked while drinking their Butterbeer and soon they started to head back to Hogwarts to get ready for the Spring ball. Later Harry would remember that day sitting in the pub with his friends as the last day of laughter and happiness that they had before the coming of the storm, which at that moment was gathering on the horizon.
The Gryffindor common room was bursting with activity while everyone rushed to and fro to get ready for the Spring ball. Harry and Ron dressed quickly and were the first people ready and waiting in the common room, watch people as they rushed around. Ron was waiting for Hermione to come down from getting herself ready as Harry waited from the time to come when he was suppose to meet Cho in front of the doors to the Great Hall they discussed what new tactics they were going to have on the up coming Gryffindor-Slytherin game for the final Quidditch match.
Hermione came down the stairs from the dorms and walked over to Ron and Harry. Harry was the first to notice Hermione and when he saw her his jaw dropped, which made Ron turn around to see her. Ron suddenly looked pale as he looked at her. Standing there speechless she giggle at the two boys. She was wearing a form-fitting strapless blue dress, with a slit up her right leg that cam up to mid thigh. Her hair was swept up into a French twist with wisps of hair delicately framing her face. She looked so much better than she did at the Yule ball the year before.
"Ron?" said Hermione trying to get his attention. He had gone quite pale and she was getting worried about him. "Ron are you alright?" Ron looked up into her eyes and smiled.
"You are so beautiful." He said quickly, and before he realized what he said or what was happening, Hermione pulled him close to her and kissed him. Harry sat there shocked. When he suddenly realized that he was staring at the couple, he shook his head and walked to the portrait hole.
"I'll meet you two at the entrance to the Great Hall." He called back to them, and without breaking the kiss off; Ron waved his hand at his Ron. Harry laughed and walked down to where he was supposed to meet up with Cho. He stood at the entrance to the Great Hall for what seemed to be forever watching couples as they walked into the Hall, laughing and talking quickly. He suddenly noticed a familiar face in the crowd. It was Ginny, her fiery red hair lit up her face. She had her hair down and it delicately fell down to her shoulders. Her dress was red with golden trimming and fit her from perfectly, it was the first time Harry realized that she was growing into a very beautiful woman. He smiled at her as she noticed that he was standing there watching people going into the Great Hall. Ginny waved at him and he waved back. The boy who was with her (a sixth year Ravenclaw, named Jonathan) turned to look who she was waving at and in seeing Harry waving back to her, he hurried her into the Hall. Harry had to laugh at that.
"What does he think I am going to steal Ginny away from him?" he said to himself with a little laugh. Harry looked down at his hands think about Ginny and how she was more like a little sister to him, and he could never think of her any other way. He stood there for a long time staring at his hand that he didn't notice the person sneaking up behind him, before it was to late. Suddenly everything went dark.
"Guess who?" came Cho's voice. Harry smiled.
"Oh Susan my love." Said Harry jokingly. Cho took her hands away from his eyes, and punched him lightly on the arm. "Ow, what was that for?" he smiled at her.
"That was not funny." She said and took a step away from Harry so that he could see her fully, Harry was speechless, she was so beautiful. She had her hair up in a loose braid, which made her neck look longer that it did usually. She was wearing a beautiful light blue mini dress, which came up to just above her mid-thigh. Harry smiled at her as she did a little spin for him, so that he could see every detail of her.
"Why my dear you are completely stunning." Said Harry and took her hand to kiss it. He stared into her eyes as he bent down to her hand and only broke eye contact when he kissed her hand. Cho giggled and pulled him up so that she could look into his emerald eyes. They were leaning in to kiss each other when someone coughed next to them. They turned to see Ron and Hermione smiling at them.
"Come on you two." Ron said with a smile. Harry and Cho reluctantly follow Ron and Hermione into the Great Hall. When Harry first stepped into the Hall then first thing he looked at was the enchanted ceiling, which showed that it was a clear night outside. Harry stared up at all the stars for a moment thinking about how small he really was in the whole picture, but after a long moment he left Cho pull on his arm, to bring him back to reality. Harry looked down at her and smiled as she looked up and saw the stars.
"I always like to look at the stars. They seem... comforting to be." Said Cho as she pointed out some constellations that she knew of. Harry listened closely to her astronomy lesson. After a while Harry slowly became aware of the music that was play and looked over to see people dancing. Harry's eye was caught by Ginny's red hair as she danced across the floor with her date they were both talking and laughing. Harry smiled at the couple. Cho must have seen him looking over at the couple on the dance floor, because she suddenly turned to him and asked if he wanted to dance. Harry started to get nervous.
"Well I really can't dance all that well." Said Harry, but Cho just smiled at him.
"I know, I've seen you, but don't worry. I am a very good dancer." She whispered to him as they stepped onto the dance floor. Cho was indeed a very good dancer; in fact she made it look as if Harry could actually dance. This was the time that Harry was having fun dancing. They dance for a long time before taking a break. When they stopped they found Ron and Hermione standing by one of the windows of the Great Hall looking out over the grounds. Harry and Cho decided to see what they were up to, since it was Ron and Hermione who had interrupted their moment before.
"What's going on over here?" Harry said as they walked up to the couple. Ron smiled at Harry and pointed down at a courtyard just outside the Great Hall. Harry looked down and saw a very interesting sight. There in the courtyard sitting on one of the benches talking together were Cassandra and Professor Snape. They looked as if they were having a good time.
"Now that is interesting." Said Harry. "How long have you guys been watching them?"
"For about a half an hour, but you missed the best part, Harry." Said Hermione and before she could answer Harry heard a loud burst of laughter and when he looked down he saw that both Cassandra and Snape were laughing. Harry raised an eyebrow in interest. "That was what I was talking about it is the third time, since we have been here. Honestly I didn't think Snape could laugh, but there you go."
"Harry isn't that your cousin?" asked Cho, and Harry nodded. "That is just gross, your cousin and Snape together." Harry suddenly got an image in his head that he wish never would have been there, and by the look of Ron's and Hermione's faces so did they. "What he's like ten, fifteen years older than her."
"It is closer to ten, but I really don't want to think about it." Said Harry. They were about to turn back to the dance floor when Harry noticed an unnatural silence had fallen in the courtyard. He turned back to the window quickly to see Cassandra staring hard off into the woods. She had a serious look on her face, and fear in her eyes.
"What's the matter?" He heard Snape said, but Cassandra just stared off into the woods.
"He is here." She said and Snape stood quickly staring into the woods at the same spot.
"Are you sure?" he asked her and she nodded at him. Harry felt a suddenly pain go through his scar and he cried out in pain. Cassandra and Snape heard him and looked up at the window where the students were standing. They exchanged serious looks at each other and ran off towards the forest quickly, but Harry could see this; his scar was hurting him really bad. Cho helped him stand, but she was talking quickly with Ron and Hermione, but he couldn't hear them. The next thing he was aware of was being walked out of the Great Hall towards the hospital wing, but before they made it to the hospital wing something happened.
His scar suddenly stopped hurting him. He straightened up and looked at his friends. "It's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore." He said with a smiled, but they were still pulling him towards the hospital wing. When they walked through the door Madam Pomfrey rushed towards them and helped Harry to sit on a bed.
"I am fine now honestly." Said Harry but they won't listen to him. Then a few moments later another surge of pain ripped through his scar, sending him back onto the bed grabbing at his scar and crying out in pain. Darkness surrounded Harry and he past out from the pain.
It was dark in the hospital wing when Harry woke. His sight was blurred telling him that someone had taken off his glasses. He reach out to the nightstand and picked them on. When he put them on he looked around the hospital wing and noticed that there was a group of Professors standing at the end of the hospital wing.
"Are you sure she will be alright?" Snape asked at Harry notice that Cassandra was laying in a bed in front of the Professors, she was very pale.
"Yes Professor she will be alright just a minor curse." Said Madam Pomfrey.
"Severus, are you sure that it was him?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes sir I am sure that it was the Dark Lord. He was in the Forbidden forest just as she said." Snape said.
"I believe that it was with Cassandra feeling his presence and Mr. Potters pain in his scar, but I want to know is why he would come that close to the grounds." Asked Dumbledore.
"He said that he would leave the school along if I would just give him Harry. He said that within the next few months there will be an attack on the school if he doesn't get Harry." Said Cassandra in a weak voice.
"I see." Said Dumbledore. "So he told you that all he wanted was Harry, and that he wouldn't harm the school, interesting. Minvera, Severus will you please accompany me to my office, so that Cassandra can get some rest." The Professor walked down the hospital wing and out into the corridor. Harry watched them go. When they left Harry sat up in bed and thought about what he heard. There would be an attack against the school and many people will get hurt or possibly die, but he could stop it. All he would have to do it to let Voldemort take him. He could save so many lives. Harry leave back to sleep thinking about this.
The next couple month was filled with anxious moments for Harry. No one knew about what Voldemort had asked Cassandra and Snape in the forbidden forest the night of the spring ball. Harry didn't tell anyone not even Ron or Hermione about what he over heard and none of the Professors say anything to any of the students. Harry became silent over the last month and his friends started to really worry about him. He started getting jumpy about every sudden noise. The storm clouds that had been gathering on the horizon and were slowly clouding the skies overhead, suddenly they broke and the storm began to rage.