Trick or Treat
(chapter 16)
It was Friday afternoon already and Harry watched as the room of requirements quickly filled up. Since they expected the DA to be much larger than last year, Harry required a much larger room. Luckily, he only had to think this and the room grew much larger, large enough to accommodate the approximate fifty students that showed up, all from every house but Slytherin.
As the group settled down Harry, Hermione and Ron all stood patiently in front of them, with Professor Jones silently sitting in the corner. It seemed she would stay true to her word that she would let Harry teach and she would just supervise.
Harry raised his hand for silence and the mass of students, anywhere from first year to seventh, quickly grew silent and turned their attention to Harry.
"I err, well, thank you for coming and…er, Hermione?" Harry said indicating that he wanted Hermione to continue for him. He was excellent at teaching, but he did not feel in the mood to give an introduction speech.
Hermione was caught slightly off guard, but quickly caught herself and jumped at the chance to take lead.
"Um, well, first off Harry as you know is President of the DA, and this year, Harry will be splitting the duties with Ron and I and for those of you who don't know me, my name is Hermione Granger," She said with her hands folded in front of her smiling exactly as a teacher would.
"We've decided that it would be most efficient to split you up into three groups. The ones at a more advanced level will obviously be with Harry, the others with either Ron or I….er, who was in the DA last year?" Hermione asked surveying the class.
About twenty students raised their hands. "You all would be in Harry's class then that is unless you want to be in a lower level then that is completely acceptable," Hermione Smiled. "And I should also mention that professor Jones will be sitting in on lessons, just to prevent any accidents from happening, ect."
Hermione paused for a moment allowing everyone to take in the information. Then she continued. "Very well then, let's discuss meeting times…Harry, What day is best for you?"
Harry jumped slightly; he had been day dreaming the whole time Hermione was talking. She must have just noticed this because when he looked at her he saw she was glaring at him.
"Er…I don't have quidditch practice on Sunday and Monday so, I'll take Sunday and Ron can teach on Monday," Harry finished.
Judging by the look on Ron's face it was obvious that he still was not thrilled at the thought of teaching a class.
"Great," Hermione said, "Then I'll teach my class on Tuesday…All meetings will begin at eight o'clock, and will end at nine. You have the choice of one of three days. Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday…Are there any questions?" Hermione asked haughtily.
No one took the opportunity, and just as Hermione was about to dismiss them…
"Oh, I just remembered, since this is a club…we have the positions of President, Vice-presidents, and secretary who is Ginny Weasley. We are short a treasurer if anyone is interested. First class is on Sunday. Good luck," She said with cheer and the room began to clear.
Ron, Harry and Hermione stayed in place as they watched the students leave. After a few moments Ron leaned over towards Hermione and said.
"I'm still not real confident about this whole teaching thing, I mean what am I supposed to teach?"
Hermione smiled. "Just teach them everything we did last year. If it will make you feel more comfortable I'll teach the class with you, I have nothing else to do," She offered.
Ron smiled back and nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that" He agreed and the trio finally left the room as well.
It was 4:30 already and the sky was beginning to darken. They entered the common room which was already in the process of being decorated with extravagant Halloween decorations. Numerous orange and black streamers littered the walls and the ceiling was covered in a large sheet of spider webs which had very realistic spiders crawling across it. When Ron took a look up at it he grimaced and made his pace quicker up the stairs. They had about two hours before the party started and everyone had kept it a secret as to what they were dressing up as.
Two hours later…
When Harry and Ron finally left their dormitory the common room was already buzzing with activity. Every Gryffindor from first year to seventh year was there indulging in pumpkin pie, juice, and every sort of candy imaginable.
Ron who was dressed as a vampire and Harry who was a cowboy made their way down the stairs and met up with Ginny who had dressed as a very alluring looking pirate and Dean, Seamus, and Neville who were dressed as various sorts of frightening looking daemons.
"You guys all look great!" Said Ginny excitedly. They all smiled back at her. "You don't look so bad yourself," Harry mused and Ginny let out a small giggle as she blushed.
"Where's Hermione?" Ron asked taking a quick scan around the room.
"She's not finished yet," Ginny answered. "Her costume is really fancy," she explained.
Ron settled for that answer. He was actually extremely anxious to see what Hermione was dressing as.
The group talked amongst themselves for about ten more minutes when suddenly Seamus, who was speaking stopped mid-sentence and gazed with an open mouth up at the stairs. Within seconds Dean and Neville's expressions mirrored Seamus's.
Ron, Harry and Ginny quickly turned to see what they were looking at and they two stood agape.
It was Hermione. She wore a bright smile as she walked down the stairs gracefully. She was wearing a beautiful maroon and gold gown that was tight at the top and tied up with a shimmering gold cord and the skirt hung loosely at her hips and fell elegantly to the ground. The sleeves of the dress were long, reaching snugly to her elbows and flowed out from there. Her hair was curled up in a bun leaving a few ringlets behind to frame her face. The most shocking features that Ron noticed however, was that it was the first time that he had ever seen cleavage on Hermione. She looked amazing!
"Hi," Hermione said happily. They all stared for a few moments, then-
"Hermione! Here take my seat!" Dean said excitedly standing up and pulling up a chair for Hermione.
"Oh! Well, thank you Dean," Said Hermione as she gladly sat down in Dean's seat.
"Are you supposed to be a Princess?" Asked Harry.
"Well, yes, but I'm not just any princess, I'm Lady Inferna!" Said Hermione proudly.
The group offered her a look of bewilderment.
"Who?" Ron finally asked.
Hermione looked at him as if he had just insulted her.
"Didn't any of you read about her in History of magic?"
They all shook their heads.
"Lady Inferna was a very powerful, rich, beautiful princess back in the 1600's who was caught doing magic. The town's people captured her and every time they tried to burn her she would blow it out. She was one of the very few witch's who could do magic with out a wand! Well, finally she apparated away from the mob, later she went on to help form one of the first versions of the Ministry of Magic! I can't believe you have never heard of her!" Hermione said as she watched their blank expressions.
"Well, you look really beautiful Hermione," Neville stated. Hermione smiled at him sweetly.
"Thank you Neville!"
"Can I-Er- get you something to drink?" Neville asked.
"I'd love something to drink, thank you!" Hermione beamed. Neville quickly ran off to retrieve Hermione's drink and Hermione and Ginny walked off to go socialize with others.
"Stupid Prat," Ron muttered after Neville. He then turned back to Harry to see him grinning.
"What?" Ron asked.
"It's pretty sad when Neville has better moves than you," Harry mused.
Ron frowned and shook his head in shame.
"Go talk to her," Harry suggested nodding towards Hermione. Ron turned around to look for Hermione and Ginny. He didn't find her with Ginny however; he found her standing with seventh year Aaron O'Conner chatting away animatedly as Aaron struggled to look at Hermione's face and nowhere else.
Ron felt a sudden surge of anger and jealousy and he quickly made his way over to the pair.
"Hermione…can I talk to you?" Asked Ron, stepping in between her and Aaron. Before Hermione could answer, Ron took her by the arm and led her away from him quickly.
After they were a few paces away from Aaron, Hermione pulled her arm from Ron's grip.
"That was really rude Ronald! What's you're problem?" Hermione hissed.
Ron's lips tightened in anger.
"I don't want you to talk to that git!"
Hermione looked at him with shock.
"You can't tell me who I can and can't talk to! What's wrong with Aaron anyways, he's a nice guy!"
"Yeah, only because of the way your dressed," Ron said carelessly.
Hermione looked as if Ron had slapped her.
"What is wrong with the way I'm dressed?" Hermione asked, challenging him.
He hesitated at first and then blushed.
"Well, look at you're self!...you look amazing!" Ron said.
Hermione was taken aback for a moment at the compliment but she was still angry.
"Ronald! Aaron was talking to me because he likes my personality and-"
"Hey everyone! Gather around for a fun Halloween game!" Seamus shouted across the common room interrupting Hermione's rant. Before they had a chance to finish, Ginny grabbed them both and led them into a circle that was forming of 5th years and up.
"Ok, sit down and make a circle," Seamus instructed. "We're going to play…spin the bottle!"
The group cheered and murmured in excitement.
"What's that?" Harry asked. The group fell silent and starred at him in shock. Harry had a feeling that this was something that teenagers in the wizarding world and muggle world knew of, but growing up with out friends and a social life Harry often didn't know of the games that normal teenagers played. He blushed.
"Well-Er-you spin this butterbeer bottle in the middle of the circle and whoever it lands on you have to kiss," Seamus explained. Harry blushed even more and then finally nodded in understanding.
When the group was settled Seamus placed the bottle in the center.
"Alright then, Parvati, You spin first."
Parvati smiled shyly and then delightfully crawled to the center of the circle and spun the bottle. It whirled around until it finally landed on none other then Neville.
Neville looked shocked at first and then with a few words of encouragement from the other boys in the circle he too crawled out into the circle where he blushed furiously before placing a small peck on Parvati's red lips. The group gave out loud cat calls as the pair moved back into the circle.
"Okay, Hermione, you're turn!" Dean announced.
Hermione looked at the bottle hesitantly. Harry could tell that Hermione wasn't thrilled with playing this game. However, with a few cheers from her girlfriends Hermione made her way to the bottle and gripped it between her thin fingers. With a deep breath she gave the bottle a twist and it quickly spun for what seemed like an eternity and then, as if in slow motion, the bottle finally came to rest on Ron Weasley. Hermione looked up in fear, frozen to the spot in the circle where she waited on all fours.
Ron saw the bottle stop on him and he returned the look of fear. Hermione looked so gorgeous starring back at him. There was nothing he wanted more than to kiss her, but not like this, not in front of everyone in the middle of a game! He could hear everyone around him cheering him on, encouraging him to kiss her, but he couldn't move.
"This is ridiculous!" He heard Hermione shout acidly. It interrupted his frantic thoughts and he looked up to see Hermione standing up in the middle of the circle looking furious.
"You're all ridiculous!" She shouted and stormed out of the circle. Everyone looked after her shocked.
"Blimey Ron, you must really be repulsive," Dean suggested and Ron scowled at him.
Seamus shrugged. "Ginny, you're turn!"
Ginny excitedly made her way to the center and spun the bottle. It landed on Seamus.
He smiled excitedly and without hesitation the two moved to the center of the circle and kissed lightly. Everyone cheered and they moved back in place. All cheered except for Harry and Ron, Who both got up from the circle.
"Hermione's right, this game is ridiculous!" Harry said, annoyed.
"You can say that again mate!" Ron said and the two boys left the circle.
Ginny looked guilty but shrugged none the less… "I like the game," She said simply and they continued playing.
Ron and Harry walked heatedly over to the punch table.
"I can't believe her!" Ron said incredulously.
"I know!" Harry said in agreement. "Just kissing him like that! She's far too good for him!" Harry said angrily.
Ron was about to respond in agreement, but then realization hit him.
"Bloody hell Harry, you fancy my sister don't you?"
Harry suddenly blushed furiously. "No I don't!" He said quickly.
Ron laughed. "Yes, you do! Why else would you be so upset over Ginny kissing Seamus?"
Harry Hesitated. "Same reason you're angry, she's like a sister to me!"
Ron laughed "Yeah Right, Come on Harry, admit you fancy my sister!"
"No I won't, not unless you tell Hermione how you feel!" Harry retorted.
This finally got Ron. "Harry, we've been over this. I said it's not a good time now. I'm crazy about Hermione you know that, but she doesn't like me…obviously," He said referring to what had just happened in the circle.
"She likes you Ron, I know it!"
"Even if she did, which she doesn't, it's not safe now, and we all have enough to worry about," Ron explained.
"What makes you think being with Hermione is something to worry about?" Harry asked with brotherly concern.
"It's not, it's just, and it's complicated," Ron said miserably. Harry noticed this and decided to be kind and change the subject.
"Reckon we should rescue Hermione from her 13 year old male fan club?" Harry suggested. Ron looked around his shoulder and saw Hermione surrounded by about five third year boys all fawning over her. Ron laughed as the two boys made their way over to take Hermione away.
The next fortnight was filled with abundant harassment from Draco and his band of Slytherin and there was plenty of stress building up as the first quidditch game against the slytherin house got nearer.
"I think we're going to win this Saturday, what do you think Harry?" Asked Ginny anxiously.
He smiled down at her. "I reckon we will, that is if Ron can keep his nerves while goal keeping."
"Shut up Harry," Ron mumbled.
"I think you guys will do great!" Hermione said.
"I really whish you were on the team too Hermione, it would be so much fun!" Ginny suggested.
Hermione let out a small laugh. "You don't wish that Ginny, not unless you really want to loose."
The group sat down at the Gyrffindor table in the great hall for breakfast. Soon after, the post arrived and a small brown owl flew over to Hermione and dropped an envelope on her lap. She picked it up and smiled. "It's from my Mum," She said brightly.
As she opened it and read it, Ron and Harry watched as her smile faded.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked.
Hermione dropped the letter, her face pale. She held up a clipping from the muggle newspaper.
Government Official Assassinated
This Thursday morning, high ranking politician, George Williams was found dead outside his car. The cause of death is currently unknown, "Williams has been examined thoroughly and doctors can not yet state what killed him, "it's as if he just mysteriously dropped dead." Says Dr. John Peterson. Detectives have been looking into the recent disappearances of other high ranking men and women in the city and are trying to determine if they are connected.
The article continued on but they didn't need to read anymore.
"I asked mum to let me know if anything strange started to happen in the muggle world, I think this has Voldemort's scent all over it!" Hermione said.
Harry shook his head sadly and Ron looked grim.
"Looks like he was telling the truth, he really does want to take over the muggle world." Ron said.
"Yes, but I thought he would at least deal with the wizards who opposed him first," Ginny said.
"He's trying to throw the Order off, make them think he is going after muggles first. He is doing it slowly, one by one. I think he is just trying to cause confusion and chaos before he tries anything serious!" Hermione explained. Ginny looked over at Harry and saw how concerned he appeared.
"Don't worry Harry, Dumbledore and the Phoenix will take out Voldemort before anything really bad happens it'll be alright," Ginny said.
This didn't seem to comfort Harry at all.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked and Harry tried to not look as concerned.
"Err nothing….just…you guys know that I'm one of Voldemort's main targets and…I might have to fight him one day…"
"Harry you don't have to do anything, the best thing to do is to stay away," Hermione lectured.
Harry looked frustrated, sad, and guilty all at the same time. Harry hadn't told his friends about the prophecy yet.
"I'm just saying that if it does happen, I don't want any of you around. Voldemort's already killed my family…" Harry's voice trailed off, he didn't want to think about his friends dieing.
"Harry, we are your family now, we will always be there for you," Hermione said quietly.
"That's the point!" Harry said a little more forceful than necessary. "I don't want you to get hurt, so stay out of it!"
"Stay out of what?" Ron asked concerned by his best friends out burst.
Harry sighed deeply "Nothing," He responded darkly. "Nothing, let's get to class."
After that no one brought the subject up again.
The following day was met with great amounts of energy and house spirit as the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams meet out on the quidditch pitch.
Harry gave his team a few last minute words of encouragement before they headed out onto the field.
Madam Hooch stepped between the two teams and let the balls loose and blew the whistle signaling the game to begin.
Harry shouted out directions to his team in between his hurried search for the snitch. His team had trained long and hard and he was sure they were better than Slytherin.
Suddenly, Harry heard a loud scream and he frantically looked in the direction it had come from. Ginny who was a chaser, was just knocked off her broom by Crabbe and Harry quickly moved to catch her before she hit the ground. His broom zoomed off in her direction. She was falling quickly, her screams echoing across the field.
"Gotcha!" Harry yelled and Ginny gripped onto him with all her strength. He flew down to the ground and set her down gently on the grass and signaled to Madam Hooch to stop the game, asking for a penalty shot.
It was granted to them and Ginny made an excellent goal, scoring ten points for Gryffindor. The game continued long and hard with the Slytherin team constantly taking dirty shots at them. An hour into the game Harry finally caught the snitch securing a win for his house.
Things were finally looking up just in time for the holiday season.
Thanks for all the reviews! I really hope that you liked it!