Chapter 7
The Mask Dance



"Only two more weeks," Crystal sighed as she walked down the hall toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
"Welcome class," Professor Love said. "We will continue taking notes until after Christmas break. After the break we will start applying what you have learned. I have decided that in this class we will do a little Christmas project. Everyone in this room will fill out a form," she held up a small piece of parchment, "and then you will draw another persons name. You will buy this person a gift. We will exchange the gifts the last Thursday before break. Now on the piece of parchment write your name and something that you like." Once everyone had fill out their form and gave it to Professor Love she continued, "now do I have everyone's paper. Good. Now I'll just go around the room and you draw a name out of this hat. Please make sure that you do not receive your own."
When Crystal looked at who's name she had received she gasped. She had Draco Malfoy's.
"There is a trip to Hogsmeade tomorrow," Professor Love said. "Make sure to get their present then. Now take out your books and turn to page 67."

Crystal could not believe her luck. Out of the entire class she drew Draco's name. "What am I going to get him?" she thought. The only thing he had written on the piece of parchment was that he liked things that were green. Like that helped at all.

Crystal strolled down the sidewalks of Hogsmeade looking through the windows for something to get Draco. One shop caught her attention. The shop was decorated completely in green. There had to be something in there that Draco would like. She looked in the glass counters that outlined the shop. There in one of the display cases was a silver and green watch. The band was completely silver while the face was a shinning green. The hands were small snakes. He had to like this.
"How much does this cost?" Crystal asked the salesman.
"Five galleons," he replied.
"I'll take it," Crystal said as she paid the clerk.

On the last week before Christmas vacation Defense Against the Dark Arts was a very simple class. Tuesday they sung Christmas carols and Thursday they exchanged gifts. It turned out that Draco admired his watch even though Crystal gave it to him. Crystal received a stuffed snowy owl from Hermione.
The rest of the teachers weren't in the Christmas mood. Snape had assigned an essay on poisons and their antidotes, Professor Flitwick had told them to research hiding charms, and Professor McGonagall had them doing an essay on Animagi.
"I'm glad we get a break," Harry said as he emerged from the Transfiguration classroom that Friday afternoon.
"I can't wait until the mask dance," Hermione said. "And it's on Christmas Eve. How romantic."
"I'm still not exactly sure I understand how it works," Crystal said.
"You're just supposed to be attracted to someone and they'll feel the same way about you," Hermione explained. "It's a little weird but it's so romantic."
"Girls," Ron signed.
"Let's go practice for the Elite tryouts," Harry said.
"How about tonight at seven?" Crystal suggested. "You'll have to show me where the room thingy is."
"The Room of Requirement," Hermione corrected.
"That's it," Crystal said.

At seven that night Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Crystal made their way to the Room of Requirement. Harry had already explained to Crystal how to get into the room so it took only a few seconds to get in.
"Cool!" Crystal said as she entered the room. There were thousands of spell books along the walls and a small pile of pillows covered the floor.
"Let's start out practicing dueling. We'll have a tournament," Harry decided. "Hermione vs. Crystal, and Ron vs. me. The winners will play each other for the championship.
"Hermione, Crystal, are you ready?"
"Yes," they agreed.
"In positions on the count of three. One, two, three!"
"Expelliarmus!" Crystal cried before Hermione had a chance to defend herself. Hermione was thrown backward onto a stack of pillows.
"Whoa," Harry and Ron whispered.
"I'll be the judge now," Crystal said as she helped Hermione up. "Get into positions. One, two, three!"
"Expelliarmus!" Harry cried. Ron was thrown backward onto another pile of pillows.
"Scared?" Crystal asked as she shifted into dueling position.
"You wish," Harry laughed.
"Ready?" Hermione asked. "One, two, three!
"Expelliarmus," both Crystal and Harry cried. Crystal was much faster and more powerful then Harry and Harry was thrown all the way into the wall.
"Ouch," Harry said as he got up.
Knock-knock-knock
"Who could that be?" Ron whispered.
"Potter I know you're in there. Let us in," came Draco's familiar voice.
"Go away Malfoy," Harry replied.
"If you don't let me in I'm going to Filch," Draco threatened.
Harry reluctantly opened the door.
"I heard you say that you were coming here and I decided to invite me and Pansy." Pansy Parkinson just came in the open door. "Oh and did I mention Crabbe and Goyle are coming too?" Crabbe and Goyle also appeared through the open door.
"We were just dueling," Harry began. He couldn't believe this was happening. "Crystal won the little tournament we just had."
"Then I want to go up against her," Pansy shrieked.
"Fine," Crystal said as she got into position.
"On the count of three." Ron began. "One, two, three!"
"Expelliarmus!" Pansy cried.
"Shieldlo," Crystal said. An orb like barrier surrounded Crystal making Pansy's curse launch back at instead. She was thrown back against the far wall.
"My turn," Draco demanded as he stepped into position. He had an evil smile across he face.
"One, two, three."
Crystal stood there and waited for Malfoy to move.
"Serpensortia!" Draco cried as a snake emerged from the end of his wand.
"Oh no," Harry gasped.
Crystal smiled. Dueling strategy #1: Send your opponents spell right back at them.
"Don't attack me," Crystal hissed in Parseltounge. "He's the traitor."
The snake changed directions and went back to Draco. Draco was about to try a spell on it but Crystal was already a step ahead of him.
"Expelliarmus!" Draco and his wand were thrown backward. The snake still went after him.
Crystal's eyes blazed with fury. A dark green light shown deep in her eyes. "Say I've changed Malfoy. Say that I'm not the evil little child you still think I am and I'll consider letting you live."
"Never."
"Well then I guess I won't have to worry about you anymore."
Harry waved his wand and the snake disappeared. Harry didn't even want Draco to be eaten by a snake.
A smile came across Draco's face, "Your secret's out Crystal. Tell everyone what you're really about. Tell them who you are."
Crystal instantly snapped back to reality. For a mere minute she had completely lost control.
Everyone stood there in shock. Crystal could speak Parseltounge, a trait only dark wizards possessed.
Draco and his cronies quietly got up and left.
"You can speak Parseltounge," Harry whispered. "I didn't think anyone at Hogwarts could do that but me."
"I have to go," Crystal said as she started back toward the common room.
"I guess we need to go to," Harry said.

The next morning a special owl delivered an odd looking letter to Hermione. She instantly ripped open the package to see a letter from Krum:
Hermione,
I am very sorry but I will not be able to write to you anymore. I just don't believe it is working out. I am now working at the ministry and have no time for relationships. I hope you understand.
Krum

"How could he do this!" Hermione said as she through down the letter and began to cry.
Ron picked up the letter and read it to himself. When he finished he wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to hold her and tell her that everything was going to be alright but instead said, "Don't worry, you'll find someone at the Mask Dance."
"It won't be the same," Hermione sniffed.

By the morning of Christmas Eve, Hermione was over Krum and everyone had forgot about Crystal talking in Parseltounge. Everyone was more concerned about the legendary Mask Dance and the Elite competitions that followed. Harry had been studying extra hard in Defense Against the Dark Art. Hermione was positive she was going to win Charms and Ron had been studying in every subject.
Almost all the Gryffindor's crammed in the common room that morning to work on homework until that afternoon.
When Hermione said, "We better go get ready for the dance. We'll see you later."
Hermione, Crystal, and Ginny went up to their dormitory to get ready for the dance. Around 6:30 the three girls emerged from the dormitory. Crystal wore a beautiful baby blue robe with her baby blue mask. Her now, dyed black hair was hanging off her shoulders. Hermione had a dark green robe with a beautiful green mask. Her now highlighted hair was tied back in a bun and her hair appeared a lot thinner than usual. Virginia Weasley looked ravishing in her red robe and sparking red mask. Instead of using her hair potion she put her bright red hair into a tight bun which helped set off her magnificent mask. All three girls agreed to meet the person they found at various places in Hogsmeade on Valentine's Day. Then at noon, all three girls would once again unite at the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeers.
The second Crystal entered the great hall she felt mysteriously drawn to a dark haired boy sitting at a nearby table. The boy turned his head to gaze at her.
"Wow," Crystal heard him whisper.
Crystal walked over to the table and sit down beside the mysterious man.
The moment Crystal sat down Professor Dumbledore entered to make his opening speech. "Welcome students. I would like to thank everyone who made this dance possible. The Elite tryouts will be held in January. Now I must go and get ready for this dance. Good luck in finding your soul mates!" Dumbledore went back out through the door he had entered through.
The sounds of the Weird Sisters began to blare through the great hall.
"I love this song" Crystal said to the man in front of her.
"Me too," he replied. "So what year are you in?"
"Seventh," Crystal replied.
"Me too. Are you going to tryout for any Elite spots?"
"Yes," Crystal began. "I'm going to tryout for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, and Herbology. I was going to tryout for Potions but Snape only likes Slytherin's."
"So I take it you're not in Slytherin," the boy responded. "I guess I'll tryout for Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. So what are your parents like?"
"Do you want to dance?" Crystal asked, changing the subject.
"Sure."
Once on the dance floor Crystal just seemed to float in the arms of her mysterious man. She was enchanted by his magical smile and hypnotized by his beautiful eyes. While they spun around the dance floor Crystal noticed both Hermione and Ginny dancing with their mysterious men. After the song was over Crystal lead her man onto the grounds for a little more privacy.
"I've had a real good time tonight," he whispered.
"Me too," Crystal whispered as she gazed into his eyes. Slowly the two embraced in a kiss.
"Oh I almost forgot," Crystal said as they reentered the building. "If it's alright can we meet inside Orions then go to the Three Broomsticks when we got to Hogsmeade on Valentines Day?"
"Of course," he replied.