Chapter Five: The Dance Arrives

While Eveline was up in her tower thinking about Harry, Dumbledore and the professors had begun decorating for the evening's events. Dumbledore reoriented the sky in the great hall to have a close view of Saturn and the stars around it, he also organized Snape, MacGonagal and Flitwick to hover slightly metallic bobbles of each teen's favorite color in the air. Dumbledore arranged Rons orange and Hermiones navy blue bobbles to predominantly decorate the right side of the room, in an homage to Ginny mauve bobbles divided the hall, the right side was predominantly decorated by purple bobbles for Eveline and dark forest green bobbles for Harry. The bobbles were various sizes and they looked like bubbles blown out of colored soap, only frosted with gold, silver or bronze. Dumbledore also asked professors Sprout and Hagrid to move ambrosia trees into the room. The trees were formed into two perfect lines on either side of the table where the guests would eat and the staff table remained where it always had been. The teachers commended Dumbledore because he was able to get so many ambrosia trees. " They're a terribly rare tree, and once nightfall comes the underside of their leaves will glow with tiny pinpoints of light. They glow because for some reason ambrosia trees are a storehouse of a lot of magical and other energies, but their leaves and fruit, which is also gorgeous, can't be ingested by humans…it's a puzzle why they exist and who, if anyone, profits from their power and not just their beauty." remarked Sprout, Dumbledore simply said " It's not a puzzle at all, beauty for beauty's sake" but the twinkle in his eye lead the more astute to believe he knew more (and of course, he did!).

Meanwhile Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny joined the rest of the Weasleys on the lawn of the shool. Fred, George, Bill and Charlie organized an informal game of quidditch…Fred and George were keepers (Charlie and Bill must've split them up so their craftyness wouldn't interfere in game play while they were usually always working together) while Bill and Charlie occaisionally smacked into each other trying to get the ball and then score. Mr. Weasley was talking to Hermione (probably about muggle inventions) with Ginny listening and Mrs. Weasley was scurrying around everyone hugging them, saying hello or trying to make them eat.

" Hey, Harry! Ron! Come and be keepers so we can whollop our brothers with the bludgers" Shouted Fred, or George, Harry couldn't tell since they were so high.

"Stop trying to kill your brothers George!" shouted Mrs. Weasley. She then squealed with delight and scooped Harry up in her arms.

" Harry, dear! I've missed you over the summer, were the Dursleys all right?"

" Yeah mate, how was that?" asked Ron.

" They shouted at me, but nothing really happened. They didn't have any dinners or anything so I didn't end up blowing anyone up. They actually talked to me less than usual…" Harry actually hadn't realized that during his stay, but he realized he'd finally had a near tranquil say with the Dursleys.

" That sounds fine Harry, dear." She then surveyed the psuedo picnic she spotted Ginny. " Ginny! Have some potato salad please! You didn't have lunch and you must be about ready to faint!"

An annoyed Ginny called back " Mom! We're just going to go into the castle in half an hour and have a whole feast anyway! And I'm fine! Really!" Mrs. Weasley simply hustled over and Harry and Ron laughed.

" Come on Ron, let's play " suggested Harry after inclining his head towards the quidditch game, but, oddly enough since Ron loved quidditch, he shook his head.

" We need to discuss the new girl"

" What do you mean? Discuss what?"

"Well, I could go on forever on her splendid tits forever but…"

"Ron! She's so shy! If she knew or even suspected people were talking about her like that I bet she'd just die."

"Good thing she doesn't know then, mate." Ron said with a grin. "Anyway, I think we should set up some ground rules about dating her"

"Oh really, with your enlightened attitude that probably means she gets to chose which day of the week she goes out with you and which days she goes out with me, you prat."

"No, I just mean since I dig her and she's so obviously your type as well I think it should be a the best man wins type thing. No hard feelings if I get her and if you ever actually make a move I won't hold it against you. I also think if either finds out that she fancies one of us the other should help break the ice, since I can tell she's going to be a tough little nut to crack ."

Harry was surprised to hear Ron talk like this. Sure, he and Harry had been preoccupied by certain aspects of female anatomy since about third year, but Ron was actually quite shy and bumbling around pretty girls. Ron was now acting like he had a battle plan and could actually suavely pull it off.

"Remember Fleur, Ron?" said Harry, trying to make his point. Only, Ron didn't get it.

"Yeah…I do." He said, dazing off. " Why? You want to talk about her assets, eh?"

"No! I just meant that you're certainly acting very confident for a boy who trips over his own bloody tongue around pretty women."

"Oh, I've improved myself over the summer. By god as my witness, this will be the year of Ron!"

Harry burst out laughing. " Oh, you are so deluded."

"Well, we'll see. Anyway, so you really don't have an opinion about her, you know, chest?"

"Oh Ron, shut up. I actually only got a really good look at her face. She has a nice shape I suppose. But the face is what I really concentrated on." Harry immediately wished he had lied because as a teenage boy he was almost obligated to thoroughly check out each and every girl he saw, or at least other boys felt obligated to do so. Harry didn't really get it and as a result a lot of guys thought Harry was a bit odd.

"Well, they're not too big, but they're a nice size since she seems thin and she's short." Said Ron matter of factly.

"She's not a farm animal, you know, I don't know why you always talk about girls like they're a goat and you're judging them for a fair."

Not getting the muggle reference Ron just shrugged his shoulders and said "You're just jealous because you didn't get a really good look."

All the Weasleys had filed in now after Snape had so kindly announced that the decorations were ready. Dumbledore watched with happy pride as this family and adopted extended family bustled around and looked absolutely amazed. It reminded him of the look on the face of the younger version of themselves when they took their first step into Hogwarts. He pulled himself out of his reverie and realized he had to get Eveline out of her room. This will have to be done with tact. I think I may have to deceive her to actually get her out of her room and push her down the stairs into the good time. I think she's afraid of relaxing because she thinks it will unleash the panther, but Remus will soon teach her that relaxation is the key. With that he moved to the front of the room and announced "I will be back shortly, lovely guests, so for now enjoy the hors devours the house elves have brought and when I return the party will commence!" At this point in the evening Professor Binns and nearly headless Nick, the popular Gryffindor ghost came to enjoy the party. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were discussing the fact that they wouldn't be riding on the Hogwarts express this year. Dumbledore ventured up the steps.

In her tower Eveline was trying to think of something to talk about with the other kids at the party. I would just talk about magic since all my life I've been reading about it and been taught it…but these kids have had formal training and they must know so much more. I don't know how long I could talk about music. They seem nice…it's just so unnerving because they're all such good friends with each other and I don't have any friends. At that point Eveline was very upset. Even though all these years she told herself people were boring or not worth the pain they caused she realized what she'd missed out on by having even one real friend. Just then Dumbledore came in and she felt slightly better.

"Eveline, if you make these 2 years you have at Hogwarts count you can learn, do some real good and become just as close to a few people as they've been to other people. Friendship doesn't only depend on time, it depends on trust and the goodness in the heart of the person…now, we've decorated the great hall with rare and beautiful trees. You love herbology and I see your parchment is finally done, come on down to have a bite and look at the trees."

"All right Dumbledore. I'm sorry I was moody, I just want you to know I really do appreciate everything you've ever done for me and I love you."

Dumbledore felt himself tear. " Oh child I know." With that he enfolded Eveline in a comforting embrace that made her feel almost like a small child again. With parents and toys and no worries anymore. " Now let's get down there and have fun. Have I told you about the seventeenth birthday party tradition in the wizarding world?", very skeptically Eveline said she hadn't. I have a bad feeling about this. There's probably going to be a party down there and I'm in my pajamas. "Well, the tradition is for the parents to gather all the teenagers they care for and all of them have a fabulous time at some point in the year in honor of the birthday since it's a right of passage in the wizarding world, of course, you'll be getting your presents later." Eveline's eyes widened, they were almost at the end of the stairs…Harry walked by and glanced at her in her pajamas, obviously surprised. She felt tears of nervousness and embarrassment sting her eyes.

"Dumbledore! Please stop pushing me down the stairs! I can't do this! I'm not even dressed."

"Well I can fix that." He pointed his wand at her and said "Vestas!" and she was dressed in a black cotton tank top with buttons for show down to her cleavage, her flowing purple skirt and her embroidered dress robes. Dumbledore pointed his wand again and half her hair was put in a loose but elegant bun and the other half was left flowing down her back. Dumbledore also put cut glass along the top of her head and ornamenting the bun.

"You look beautiful now, Eveline." Said Dumbledore with a huge, proud smile.

"I don't know what to say to them, Dumbledore." She said, the tears still there "They're already so close to each other and I can't talk to them about magic because they've actually been in school these years and I'm just an amateur compared to them."

At this point Dumbledore gently grasped her shoulder, wiped her almost falling tears and looked seriously into her eyes before saying "Ev, my dear, you were doing magic while these children were playing with balls and dolls, you are a knowledgeable witch and you're also a very sweet girl. I think you should go in there and knock them dead."

And so Eveline did.

Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione were all talking about how they'd miss the Hogwarts express in the years to come.

"The witch with the snack cart is the best, in my opinion." Said Ron.

"Clearly, the classy wood, leather and brass interior is the best part. Traveling in comfort and style is wonderful…plus, sound proof compartments." Said Hermione.

"Well, all wizarding trains are like that, but not all the snack carts are that brilliant, 'Mione." Retorted Ron.

"But when you're older I don't think you'll only want to eat chocolate frogs and candy…once you get older you learn the value of a healthy meal." Said Ginny.

"I wouldn't count on that, Gin. Your brother has a sweet tooth that'll stick around till it rots out and needs to be pulled!" joked Harry. After the laughter subsided Harry realized that Eveline wasn't in the great hall even though the party was partly for her. " I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be back." Lied Harry. He was really going to look for Eveline. He found her in one second. She was in her pajamas, which was a lavender tank top and black shorts, Harry felt like he couldn't breathe. I can't stare at her though, especially since Dumbledore is there. I should just hide, hey, I wonder why Dumbledore seems to be pushing her down the stairs. Harry crossed the bottom of the stairs and hid most of himself on the wall to the right of the stairs. He heard the conversation Eveline had with Dumbledore and saw her in her breathtaking outfit. I feel so sorry for her. She's unsure of herself and she needs to gain self-esteem. She reminds me of Ginny during her first year, I should talk to Gin about this. I wonder how she was able to do magic when she was younger…that I'll have to bring up with 'Mione.

A tall man with very fine black hair and a hooked nose came up behind Harry just as Eveline and Dumbledore were walking into the hall. "See something you like, Mr. Potter?" said Snape. Harry whipped around and his face turned beet red. "I'll simply inform you, Mr. Potter, that eavesdropping is extremely rude and the Headmaster would not appreciate hearing about this. But since today is a day of festivities I'll keep it under my hat, unless I see you doing this again." Harry simply nodded his head and replied "Thank you, Professor." Snape headed back to the great hall and said "Well, I have food to attend to, unless you have any other sneaky business I suggest you come eat before your friend Weasley eats up all the deserts." And with that he was gone.

Phew! Thank Merlin he didn't tell Dumbledore. I would've been mortified. I suppose I should go in and eat now, Ron probably will eat everything sweet unless I get a move on. The dinner was delicious as always and filled with small talk about herbology and Snape and other things that Eveline actually participated in. After desert Dumbledore announced dancing was about to begin. The lights lowered and the only light in the room was cast by soft candlelight coming from the bobbles and the ambrosia trees. The effect was very calming and the couples in the room hugged close for the slow dancing. Hermione asked Ron to dance and Harry was just about to walk over to Eveline when Ginny cut him off.

"Harry, would you like to dance?" She asked eagerly.

"Errr..Ginny, I'm not that great at dancing…" He said, hoping she'd get the hint. He looked over at Eveline at that point, who had been watching the exchange with a sad feeling. Their eyes met and she quickly looked away. Oh gosh, I don't think he appreciated me looking in on the exchange between him and Ginny. I think he has a crush on her or something. Eveline sighed and walked over to Dumbledore while Harry sighed and gave into Ginny's insistences that he dance.

When Eveline got up to Dumbledore and Snape talking Dumbledore brightened up and said "See, I told you that you'd be fine. Aren't Harry and his friends nice after all?"

"They are, but unfortunately they're only consistently nice to eachother. I don't seem to be a part of the clique." Said Eveline.

"Well Eveline you look lovely." Said Snape "Would you give this old man a short dance?"

"Of course Professor" Said Eveline, blushing at the first compliment she'd gotten that hadn't come from Dumbledore.

While they danced (an appropriate distance away from each other, of course) Snape and Eveline talked about potions, which was another subject she felt confident about. She'd learned a lot about potions by just watching Henrietta make the same ones over and over again each week and learning some rare potions from Dumbledore. Eveline listed all the potions she knew how to make and asked him some questions about the preparations and use of some she'd only read of. He was actually impressed with her knowledge of potions. "You'll be fine this year, Eveline. You're very intelligent, I must say. Dumbledore has also put you in an extra course that will probably be intensive with me and a few other teachers so you'd officially make up credits. I think you'll do fine."

"Thank you professor, that puts me at ease."

"I know the fact that Potter and his group left you out discourages you, but my godson should be friendly since both of you seem to like potions, his name is Draco. I've told him a little bit about you and he's curious about a new girl transfer" Snape said, laughing.

"Well, I don't think I should be turning any heads at Hogwarts. It's not one of my goals anyway. But I will keep an eye out for Draco." Said Eveline.

Snape was very surprised that Eveline didn't know how nice she looked. She's going to fit into Hogwarts just fine, the boys will be tripping over their own feet just to be within a yard of her. The only people that might give her trouble are the girls who are bound to be jealous. It's going to be hard for her to be beautiful and intelligent. The song ended and Eveline excused herself, saying she needed to get a drink.

At this point in the night Harry, Ron and Hermione were huddled closely together and talking in the code they sometimes used. Ginny was near the punch bowl feeling upset that Harry wasn't interested in dancing anymore and Hermione, who she was closest with, wasn't sharing whatever was on her mind. Eveline walked up to her and greeted her with a timid hello. I remember when I was that self conscious…I guess today proves that sometimes I still am.

"Hi" Said Ginny. "So…what do you think of Hogwarts?" asked Ginny. It seems she asked the right question, because Eveline told her about how she loved the architecture and about her tower.

"You live in one of the towers! I love the towers! I always wished I could live in one. It would make me feel at home since at home I live in the attic."

"Woah, at my aunt and uncle's house where I lived before I lived in the attic of the barn!"

Then, with a crash, Remus Lupin and Tonks crashed into the party. Hermione, Ron and Harry rushed over, extremely excited.

"Remus, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm the new DADA teacher. Dumbledore thought that if I had an assistant teacher to teach you while I was weak and also keep me in check while I changed no parent could object." Secretly, professor Lupin was begged to come back and teach DADA as a way for him to also teach Eveline about controlling the beast within herself.

About seven feet away Eveline asked "Well, I'm going to be blunt, so don't take offense."

"Ok"

"Why aren't you with your group? You guys seem pretty cliquey, like you're always together. I was surprised to see you away from them."

"Well, it's true that I'm their friend. But I'm actually not part of the smaller Ron, Harry, Hermione network. Sometimes I feel like I'm on the outside looking in."

"I feel the same way here."

There was silence for a few minutes. Eveline felt bad that she had made Ginny think about herself not being 100% accepted. Ginny was so nice and Eveline felt secure around her, she didn't want to hurt her again. Just then Tonks performed a hostile takeover of the music and put on the hit "You spin me right round". Both Eveline and Ginny turned to each other and squealed "I looove this song!" They both started bopping and singing along and giggling. Eveline couldn't remember a time where she acted this uninhibited and silly, she loved it. After the song ended Ron came up to them and tried to say very suavely "Hey, Evie, how about we dance close together for this next song. It'd be great for both of us."

"What exactly does that mean? And this song is a fast song. Plus, why do you keep calling me Evie? You can call me Eva if you want…but I really hate Evie."

"You'll figure it all out in a minute my sweet Evie." Said Ron, with a wink.

Eveline turned to Ginny as he walked away and said "Your brother is a total git."

"I know" Said Ginny. They burst out laughing.

That night Eveline got the O.K. from Dumbledore to sleep with the girls in the Gryffindor dorms since she hadn't been casting spells in her sleep lately. Ginny and Eveline chatted and giggled late into the night until Hermione attacked them with a pillow and commanded that they go to sleep.

A/N: I'd have to say this is my favorite chapter so far. The personalities of the characters are coming out. It was certainly loooong. It took me awhile to write, but it was worth it. I hope everyone likes it, remember to review! 3 Emily