***Thanks everyone who helped me with this chapter! And if you need music for any of the songs in here, just IM me and I can send them to you.***       

It seemed like hours had past until Lavender and Kirsten finally came out of Professor McGonagall's classroom. They were about the only ones in the hallway with a smile still on their face. Angelina Johnson stuck her head out the door a few minutes after the two girls had left. "Okay, we're ready for the next act." Gemna gave the nervous Emilia a hug and left with Harry into the transfiguration room.

Professor McGonagall, Richard Van Horn, Michael Sparks, Vanessa Dennly, and Megan Huntrell were sitting at a table in the front of the class with clipboards, while the rest of the room had been cleared for floor space. Angelina stood on the side with her clipboard and announced, "Harry Potter and Gemna Rodemlovt will be performing an original dance to Figured You Out by Nickelback." She leaned against the wall and took out a quill as the couple approached the center of the floor.

Harry gave Gemna a quick kiss for good luck and took his starting pose. Gemna flicked her wrist and the music began.

I like your pants around your feet
I like the dirt that's on your knees
And I like the way you still say please
While you're looking up at me
You're like my favorite damn disease

And I love the places that we go
And I love the people that you know
And I love the way you can't say no
Too many long lines in a row
I love the powder on your nose

Ooooh
And now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
And now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out

I like the freckles on your chest
And I like the way you like me best
And I like the way you're not impressed,
While you put me to the test
I like the wine stains on your dress

And I love the way you pass the check
And I love the good times that you wreck
And I love your lack of self respect
While you're passed out on the deck
I love my hands around your neck

And now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
And now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out

I love your pants around your feet
And I love the dirt that's on your knees
And I like the way you still say please
While you're looking up at me
You're like my favorite damn disease

And I hate the places that we go
And I hate the people that you know
And I hate the way you can't say no
Too many long lines in a row
I hate the powder on your nose

And now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
And now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out

They perfectly synchronized every step, either opposing each other or joining them. Turns, twists, spins, kicks, each at exactly the right time. In the middle of the second chorus, Gemna made some peculiar motions with her hands (mimicked by Harry so not to be as noticeable) and the lighting changed. It began to flash to the beat, Gemna and Harry glowing changing colors. The students in behind the table were wide-eyed and speechless as there was a blast of light and the song concluded.

Harry and Gemna returned to a normal standing position and took a simple bow and curtsy. Everyone, even Professor McGonagall, gave them a standing ovation. "Fantastic, Mr. Potter and Miss Rodemlovt! Absolutely wonderful! I think it's safe to say you two will be a hit at the party."

"You mean we made the cut?" Harry asked excitedly.

"Absolutely Harry!" Rich smiled. "Those skulls were a nice touch.

"I personally liked the whole lighting thing," Megan smiled.

Vanessa and Michael both agreed that the song was a favorite and Angelina told them they'd probably have the best act there. "You should have seen some of the other acts. Somebody even tried juggling……..that is so American." They all laughed.

"America's pretty nice actually. They got quite a few issues, but it's pretty cool there," Gemna told them as she headed to the door.

"Would you ever live there?" Rich asked.

"I'd rather live with trolls," she giggled. As her and Harry were walking back to Gryffindor, Angelina ushered Emilia in with Draco calming her down.

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"Come on, Gin! I want to see if they got it!" Hermione yelled, dragging Ginny down the stairs.

"Hermione, it will still be there in two minutes. Can't I just…………."

"No! I gotta see it!" They finally reached the bottom of the stair case and ran to the crowd of people at the wall. They squeezed through everyone and scanned the paper. "Come on, come on…………..they did it!"

Hermione and Ginny escaped the pack of people and were jumping excitedly up and down just as the rest of the gang approached. "What's going on?" Harry asked them.

Ginny hugged Gemna happily. "They posted the list for the party acts, and you and Emilia made the cut!"

"We did?" Emilia said shocked, eyes growing wide. "Sweet! I gotta go find Draco!" Emilia, Maria and Dean ran out the portrait opening together.

"You know what this means though, right?" Gemna said looking at her boyfriend. "We're going to have to practice every night and make costumes and do homework and do the levitation classes."

Harry kissed Gemna's soft cheek. "Don't worry, Love. We'll get it all done. Hermione, do you think you can do a small favor for us?"

"Of course, Harry. What do you need?" she smiled.

"Do you think you can make up a schedule for us and Emilia, so we can be sure to fit everything in?" Harry asked politely.

She took a quill out of her pocket. "Sure! I'll start on it right now. Ron and Courtney, can you guys come with me? Oh, Seamus, you can come, too." They smiled and ran off to the boys' dorm. Michelle and Colin took advantage of that time to sneak off to a dark corner.

"Shania, what's wrong?" Gemna said, noticing her face full of tears. She wrapped her arm around her and, with Harry, accompanied her to a chair.

"N-nothing's wrong. D-don't worry about it," she sobbed.

"Honey, I know a sad face when I see one," Gemna smiled as she wiped away the tears. "Tell me what's going on."

After a few moments of silence, she answered, "Erik and I broke up."

Gemna's eye's lit up. "Really? That's all? Relax girl, everything's going to be okay. I already know the perfect guy for you."

"R-really? Y-you do? Who?" She asked anxiously.

"You'll see, you'll see. Just get all the girls together in our room tonight and I'll make sure you get a guy."

Harry looked quizzically at his girlfriend, but shook it away quickly. "Aw, thanks Gemna. I don't know what I'd do without you," Shania said, hugging her. "Well, I think I'm going to go work on the potions homework we got yesterday. I need every minute I can get on it. See you tonight!"

After Shania had gone, Gemna turned to Harry. "I think we should practice that dance. Just once today at least. Then we need to practice the new spell from professor Courtlynn. I think I understand it pretty well, but I don't want to risk one of us turning into a pile of dust instead of a floating cloud," she giggled. The two of them headed up to the dorm.
______________

Hermione met them at the doorway with Ron, Seamus and Courtney laughing together by the window. "All done," she said, handing them a piece of parchment. "I'm going to leave this one on Emilia's bed, and then we got to make our costumes. I heard they're giving out awards for the best ones."

Harry put the schedule in his pocket. "Thanks. Gem and I are going to practice a little bit now, and we'll do the costumes after. We also need to practice that Clethroin Spell for Monday. Besides, the party's a week from Thursday. We still have time to get a costume together. You don't need to rush."

"We know," Ron smirked, taking Hermione's hand. "We just need to………work on our skills."

"Skills? What sk-" but before Harry could finish his question, Ron and Hermione were gone.

They looked over at the couple across the room that had finally stopped laughing. "Yeah," Courtney said, "I think we're gonna leave, too. Maybe go watch Hufflepuff practice Quidditch or something. Catch you later." She kissed Gemna's cheek and walked with Seamus out of the building.

Harry closed the door and adjusted the lighting as Gemna did a little furniture rearranging. "I have an idea," she said as he turned around. "I know you're going to think this is crazy and a bit kinky, but I think you should lose the robes, and I should get rid of this dress."

Harry smiled and felt an uncontrollable agreement between his legs. "Gem, that indeed does sound a bit different, and rather fun, actually. But why?"

She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a long, passionate kiss. "I just think it'll make it easier for us to move. Besides, these outfits are too loose compared to what we'll be dancing in. We need to get used to doing it differently."

"Well, if you insist," he chuckled. Harry pulled his clothes off, leaving him only in his boxers, and Gemna removed the dress, standing before him in black lace lingerie.

Harry stared at her blankly. Her soft white skin……..her long brown hair……….her hazel eyes…………her divinely red lips…………..just what was under that thin tantalizing piece of fabric………………."Harry?" Gemna laughed. "Come on, we don't have all day. Well, we do, but let's just do it now anyway."

They stepped together and Gemna started the song. It started with a few punches and kicks, then turning to splits and turns. Reach up, rock hips, spin, lean forward, down, side, arch and kick, everything perfectly. Then grabbing hands and working together to complete some of the most amazing steps.

When hey had finished running through the song a few times, Gemna slumped down on Harry's bed and he shortly joined her. They kissed a little bit, but stopped from lack of breath. "I can't believe how well I'm getting this," Harry said softly.

"I'm not surprised. You're a seeker. You have great reflexes by nature," Gemna replied, looking his gorgeous body over. "But see how the lack of clothing helped? Imagine how exhausted you would have been dancing in that stuff."

"Uch, I don't want to," he laughed. He ran his hands down her sides, lingering at her breasts. "Mmm, Gem, I love the feel of your skin beneath mine. It makes me……..hungry."

Gemna giggled. "Hungry? Dare I ask what for?"

"Nah, not like that. Seriously, I'm really hungry right now. Want to go get some lunch before we work on the homework?"

"Sure. We might want to put some clothes on, though," she laughed. They got dressed and joined the others in the Great Hall for lunch.

______________

"So how'd your practicing go?" Courtney asked, Seamus nibbling on her neck.

Gemna sat down with Harry's arm around her. "I think we're ready for next Thursday. All we need are the costumes."

Emilia spun her spoon around in her apple sauce. "I can't believe they're making us have class that day. It's so unfair."

"Don't worry," Gemna smiled. "I have a feeling that day will be very fun."

"Whatever," Maria laughed from Dean's nibbling on her ear. "Either way, we still got the party. I can't wait to see your dance, and hear you sing, too, Emilia. I'm sure you'll do great."

Michelle agreed, concentrating on the construction of her butter knife. "Yeah, you're a great writer."

"That's what Draco keeps telling me," Emilia answered. "I just hope everyone else thinks so. I can't believe I got him to sing with me! He's been practicing how to mimic the Muggle electric guitar so he can copy some of the music, as well."

"Nice," Neville said in approval, Ginny clinging to him like a sock out of the laundry.

When they were all done eating, Harry and Gemna went to an empty corridor to practice the Clethroin Spell.

______________

Harry took out his wand and Gemna walked a few meters away. "Okay, this spell causes a charging opponent to go through you. I'll let you go first. Ready?"

He nodded. "Go for it." Gemna took a breath and ran at Harry. His mind went blank and his eyes widened. Milliseconds later, he and Gemna fell to the ground. "That could have gone better," he coughed, sitting up.

Gemna slid off. "Sorry, Love. I thought you'd cast the spell."

"Don't worry about it, Precious. We'll just try again." Harry helped Gemna to her feet. She took her place across from him and ran again. This time, he was ready. "Celtai!" Gemna ran straight through him and stopped dead behind him. "Hey, it worked! But how do you get solid again?" he questioned, realizing his girlfriend resembled Nearly Headless Nick.

She smiled. "It'll take about three minutes or so. Normally, that is. I looked up a quick change back charm. Starete!" Gemna twirled her finger at herself and she returned to normal.

"You're back to normal?" Harry smiled, a little unsure. Gemna walked up to him and slipped her tongue between his lips for a moment. "I felt that. Guess you are okay," he laughed. "Come on; go back to your spot. It's your turn, Miss Perfect."

______________

The day had passed by fast, but everyone managed to complete their homework and costume-making. The girls had disappeared into the dorm shortly after dinner and the boys deeply missed them. About an hour past midnight, Ron and Harry decided they just had to see their girls. They snuck down stairs to the common room, in hopes of catching Crookshanks at an opportunity to fetch Hermione for them. As they past the fireplace, Shania came through the portrait hole. "Shania!" Ron yelled in a lowed whisper. "What are you doing up this late?"

But she didn't turn around. Something seemed different about her. "Shania, are you okay?" Harry questioned. Still no response as she began walking up the stairs. As she was turning the corner, Harry noticed something. "Ron, look!" He pointed to a thin blue and orange misty line following the center of her back. "What was that all about?"

"I don't know," Ron said, now wide awake, "but I'm getting tired of us being sucked into these mysterious things. Why can't Dean have noticed it? Or Rich? Or Margarita or someone else? It's always gotta be us, doesn't it?"

"Well, at least we're getting a start on it early. I wonder what demon has been sent to kill me this time…….."

______________

"And I swear, there was this green mist and all and it was……"

"Ron, calm down. Just take a seat and we'll talk about it later," Hermione said with a kiss, forcing Ron to sit down for breakfast.

He sighed and grabbed some pancakes. After everyone else had arrived, Shania walked over with a pale boy who looked to be a third year, with blue eyes and light brown hair. "Hey guy's, this is Seth. He's a sixth year Ravenclaw. He asked me out this morning."

Ginny jumped up and hugged Shania. "Aw, that's great! I'm glad you found someone so fast. If you don't mind me asking, have you seen Erik? Not that I care, I just haven't noticed him around since you two broke up."

Gemna cleared her throat. "I think the important thing is that she's moved on."

Everyone else agreed and made room for her and Seth at the table.

______________

"'arry! Nice of you ter drop in!" Hagrid opened the door to Harry, Ron, Gemna, and Hermione as they all filed in. "So how ya been? I never get to talk to ya in class anymer."

"Gemna and I are going out now," Harry said happily as he held her hand.

"Hermione and I, too," Ron smiled.

"Really?" Hagrid grinned. "That's great! Ya'll make such cute couples. And how'd yer classes goin'?"

"We're all doing pretty well," Hermione said. "Harry's and Ron's grades are up this year and Gemna has made a lot of friends."

"That's nice. So yer gettin' along well with everyone? Fantastic. I knew you'd fit right in. I know yer doin' great in my class, the lot of ya. You do some amazing work, Gem."

"Thank you, Hagrid. What will you be doing for Halloween?"

"Just sittin' here with Fang. Nothin' special."

"Aw, why don't you come to our Halloween party?" Ron suggested.

"Please, Hagrid?" Hermione begged. "It's going to be fun. Harry and Gemna are performing a dance and Emilia and Draco are doing a song together."

"Well, I'll certainly try ta be ther by the time ya'll perform," he smiled.

______________

Gemna waved to the others as they walked out the portrait hole, running up the stairs the moment they were gone. She locked the door with a charm and closed the window. Then she reached under her bed, pulling out Essence of Self once again. A wave of the hand and she sat down in her usual armchair. Once she rid the room completely of light, she opened the book. Within moments, the black shadowy figure appeared. "Hello, nice to see you again," it said with a hideous grin.

"I've done what you wanted. Things are set up for the plan, just as you………asked," Gemna said, looking down at the book.

"Then why such despair in you, Child? It is a joyous time. Soon you will have powers beyond your wildest dreams."

"My dreams do not consist of power hunger. I want Harry. He's the only one in my dreams."

"Love brings fear. Fear brings weakness. Weakness will make you lose. And I don't lose," it said harshly.

"But Harry………………"

"You will not disrespect me, Gemna! You do as I say and that is all. Or there will be a terrible price."

"There's already a terrible price!" At this, the creature outstretched a sharp boney hand and smacked Gemna out of the chair. Though her blood was dripping onto the floor, she didn't shed a tear. "You're a beast! A monster!" she hissed in parseltongue.

The dark figure lowered itself down to Gemna. "Aren't you glad we share the same blood?"

______________

Once everything was over, Gemna vanished the chair an unlocked the door. Putting the book under her mattress, Gemna returned the lights and cast a charm to heal the cuts on her face and whipped the blood from the floor. She headed down to the Quidditch field to watch Harry practice.

"Go Harry!" Gemna yelled, running up next to Hermione, Ginny and Neville. "Come on Ron! Watch out for the bludger! You can do it!"

Ginny, who had been screaming and clapping her hands, leaned over to Gemna. "Hey, what took you so long?"

"Sorry, I had to send an owl to my father. Yeah Harry!" Gemna had just spotted the snitch about the time Harry did.

Everyone was cheering as Angelina kept looking back and forth to a timer. The moment Harry grabbed it, she blew her whistle and they all landed. "Great job, Harry! Only took you five minutes that time! You're amazing!"

"I could've told you that," Gemna said, walking over and kissing Harry's cheek.

"You did great, too," Hermione said to Ron.

"I think that's all the practice we need for today. Remember, we got a game against Hufflepuff next Tuesday, so be ready!" Angelina packed up the stuff and headed to the building.

"You six should get a room," Andrew chuckled to the three snogging couples. A few minutes later, they headed back to change clothes and go have dinner.

______________

After dinner, Gemna, Hermione, and Ginny decided to take a walk and spend some girl time together. "It's so nice to give my tongue a rest," Hermione giggled. "Who would've thought Ron and I would be so passionate to each other?"

"I would," Gemna and Ginny laughed together.

"You and Neville are so cute together," Hermione continued. "He's not who I would have first thought of to date you, but he seems to be working out pretty good."

Ginny smiled. "Yeah, he treats me great. He calls me his princess." They all sighed happily together. "He's so sweet. How are you and Harry doing?"

Gemna giggled. "He's very sweet, too. I think he's perfect. He's romantic and smart and sweet and caring and he's gonna look so fucking hot in his costume." They all laughed together. "What are you guys going to be?"

"Neville and I are going to be a prince and princess," answered Ginny.

"And Ron and I are going to be Romeo and Juliet," Hermione told them. "What about you and Harry?"

She smirked and replied, "We're gonna keep that a secret until the party. Oh, how's that Muggle Studies class going, Hermione? The Odyssey is a great book. I've read it a few times." The talk went on from there until they retired to their dorms and fell sound asleep.