Chapter 49

The next day Malfoy had returned to wearing his black school robes without the rainbow-glitter and his hair was hanging loosely now, without the braids.

Most of the student body seemed to be very relieved that the Slytherin was about to return to his former self. The girls, especially the Non-Slytherins were a bit disappointed because they had liked the girly Malfoy a lot better, but only because they had never been one of his targets.

Kayla still hadn't received a word about what her detention would be, but she knew that the headmistress and Professor Lupin were upset about what happened, but if she wouldn't know it better she'd thought that her head of house was a little pleased when he talked to her about it.

The rest of the week was rather uneventful and everyone was looking forward to the ball on Friday.

Harry had been devastated when the headmistress announced that every student had to return home during Christmas break.

Fortunately Professor Lupin had informed him that he would go to headquarters over the break, along with the Weasleys and the Warrens. Hermione would spend Christmas with her parents and join them for the New Year's festivities.

Ron was a little depressed that he would have to spend Christmas without Hermione, but then he remembered that Kelsey would also be there and Harry would have no chance to spend time alone with Ginny; not with his parents around watching them like hawks.

They were off Friday afternoon and the girls withdrew to their dorms at an unreasonable early time to get ready for the ball.

Ron, Harry and Kelsey were playing exploding snap when they heard a scream from upstairs.

"Oh my god! You girls are just crazy" Ginny yelled when the she held up the new robes in front of her.

"This must have cost a fortune"

Kayla and Hermione watched there friend posing in front of the mirror with big grins on their faces.

Ginny placed the velvety robes gently on Hermione's bed and hugged her friends.

"You better do not cry now" Kayla said when she recognized the tears brimming in Ginny's eyes. "Your face will turn as red as your hair and Harry will run away from you"

The red-haired girl gave Kayla a friendly punch and started to put on the dress robes.

After 3 hours, Harry, Kelsey and Ron, who was feeling a lot more comfortable in his new dress robes, were waiting impatiently for the girls.

Kayla first descended the staircase, her hair hanging loosely over her shoulders and slightly curled in the ends, wearing silken dress robes in a rich burgundy color.

Neville, who was waiting at the portrait hole, thanked his lucky star over and over again that the dark beauty had agreed to accompany him to the ball.

Ron had to catch his breath when Hermione came downstairs; her hair tamed once more with Sleekeasy's and fixed in a fancy bun. Her midnight-blue robes glittered like thousands of stars had been woven into the fabric.

Then Ginny appeared at the top of the steps with a tiny package clutched in her hand. The green velvet robes graced her curvy figure and her hair had been charmed to look a darker shade of red than normally.

Harry just stared at her in awe and swore that he would never complain about her taking so long to get ready, because it was definitely worth the wait.

Ginny pressed the package she was holding into Harry's hand. "Open it please" she whispered.

Harry unwrapped the little box and frowned. "What is this?"

Ginny smiled and answered "These are magical contact lenses. They are just as the ones muggles use, but they meld into your eyes and you never have to take them out to clean them"

Harry's eyes lit up. Finally he would be able to chuck his awful glasses into the bin.

He kissed Ginny happily on the cheek and hurried upstairs to put the lenses in. It took him about ten minutes to handle them correctly, but when he returned he was smiling widely.

"You look totally different mate, you know that?" Ron gasped.

Harry had Ginny's Christmas present in his pocket, but he didn't want to give it to her until later on that night, when he was going to put his plan into action.

They went down into the entrance hall where Kelsey was going to meet Zara.

She already waited for him in dark purple dress robes.

He walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek before he offered her his arm and lead her into the Great Hall.

The twelve Christmas trees were wonderfully decorated and the house tables had vanished. A long buffet had been set up along the wall and where normally the teachers table stood was now a stage. The banner of each house hung at the wall behind the stage and everybody was anxious to know who would be playing tonight.

They walked over to get something to drink and Ron recognized from the corner of his eye that his twin brothers were "rarefying" the punch.

Bet this is firewhiskey, he thought and decided to stick with butterbeer for a while.

Soon the students lined up next to the buffet to get their food and settled down on little tables, which had been placed along the walls. Parts of the walls had been magically replaced by little alcoves and winter gardens, where teachers and students could chat undisturbed.

The Gryffindors along with Zara occupied two tables as far away from the Slytherins as possible and enjoyed their food.

The large pile on Ron's plate disappeared in minutes and soon he was back from the buffet with a second helping.

Then Professor McGonagall walked on the stage and announced the band of the evening "The Wailing Warlocks"

The band was pretty good and soon various couples were on the dance floor. Kelsey and Zara were jumping around hilariously and Ron had the sudden impression that they might have tried the special punch.

Harry, who was quite unsure about his dancing abilities, finally plucked up his courage and started dancing with Ginny. It was better than he'd have expected and the girl's smile proved that he wasn't such a horrible dancer after all.

Soon Ron and Hermione joined them and although Harry could see her wincing every once in a while, she seemed very happy.

Malfoy was sitting at a table along with Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle, who, just as expected, had no date for the night.

The Slytherin still walked with a slight pelvis thrust, which embarrassed him so much that he only walked when absolutely necessary.

After about half an hour, they changed partners and Harry danced with Kayla and Ron danced with Zara, while Neville joined them on the dance floor with Hermione.

They were laughing loudly, when Hagrid waltzed past them swinging Professor McGonagall. The half-giant was turning with such force that the headmistress' feet had left the floor.

Professor Dumbledore had returned to Hogwarts for the festivities and enjoyed dancing a foxtrot with his great granddaughter.

To everybody's amazement it was possible to dance every dance imaginable to the songs. Some couples were waltzing, while others enjoyed a quickstep, a Charleston or even Rock 'n' Roll and it just looked great.

Severus walked along the dance floor and admonished students for dancing to close here, and took points there always with one eye on Kelsey and Zara. A part of him would have loved if the Gryffindor would have tried something inappropriate, but it seemed that he was acting like a perfect gentleman. As much as he loathed the Warren boy, he had to admit that his daughter seemed to enjoy herself with him.

He had just taken 20 points from a Ravenclaw for having his hand in the wrong place, when he recognized Celeste entering the Great Hall.

She looked absolutely stunning in her emerald green dress robes and her long hair falling freely over her back. She walked up to him and greeted him friendly. Severus, totally against his usual dress code, opened the top button of his robes, because all of a sudden he felt slightly hot in his black attire. Lupin just passed him, dancing with a 7th year Hufflepuff, when all of a sudden he felt somebody grab his arm and dragged him on the dance floor.

He gave the girl in front of him his best death glare and growled "What do you think you're doing Miss...?"

"Oh Professor Snape, I doubt you want to make a scene now when your friend is watching you" Kalliope said and smiled cunningly.

Severus thought for a second and decided that a harmless dance with a girl of his house wouldn't hurt, but a heartless behavior in front of Celeste might make a bad impression, so he made sure he kept a proper distance when they started to dance.

He looked several times at Celeste and recognized that she was smiling at him approvingly.

When the dance ended he gave Kalliope a courteous nod and returned to his hall duty. Kalliope walked back to her housemates, holding her head high and being quite satisfied. This was just the beginning, she thought. After graduation, I will make him mine forever.

When everybody was busy dancing, talking and eating, Harry asked Ginny for a little walk outside.

Next to the Great Hall a little garden had been set up, which was save to walk in although it was already dark outside. Countless glow-worms in all different colors lightened the area and although it was in the middle of winter the air was quite warm outside and flowers were blooming everywhere.

Harry led Ginny to a little bank and sat down next to her. She rested her head against his shoulder and they stayed just like that for several moments. Then Harry cleared his throat and reached in his pocket to retrieve the little package.

Ginny looked at him with wide eyes as he handed her the gift.

She unwrapped the little box and gasped in shock when she recognized what it contained.

"Harry, are you out of your mind?" she called.

"You mean a lot to me Ginny and I wanted you to have something nice"

He reached for the box, took out a wonderful silver bracelet with little emeralds ingrained in it and fastened it around her delicate wrist.

The emeralds caught the light of the glow-worms and sparkled as Ginny turned her hand to admire her gift.

She was absolutely speechless so she just pulled Harry in a tight embrace and kissed him soundly.

Harry was glad that the dim light covered his furious blush when she pulled back.

"This will be the last quiet moment we will have, because I know when we go to headquarters, your parents won't allow us to spend some alone time."

"Yes you're right about that Harry. I wish we could stay here" Ginny sighed.

Then Harry spotted Ron at one of the glass doors leading to the garden, waving wildly.

"I think we should go back inside" Harry stated and helped Ginny up from the bench.

They entered the Great Hall and were about to walk over to Ron and Hermione when Harry screamed and collapsed on the cold stone floor.

Dumbledore and Hagrid were there immediately and the half-giant picked Harry up from the floor. The black-haired boy was whimpering in pain, with his hands pressed on his forehead.

"We have to take him to the hospital wing" Celeste urged and Hagrid marched out of the Great Hall followed by Professor Dumbledore and Professor Lupin.

"All the students have to remain here" Professor McGonagall called when Harry's friends were about to follow Hagrid. "I'm sure Mr Potter will be fine, so there is no need to interrupt the feast."

Ron gave a malicious grin and already made attempts to sneak out of the Great Hall when he felt someone holding him back.

"I know Mr Weasley that you and your Gryffindor friends do not care much about rules and fiats, but I trust you've heard the headmistress loud and clear that all the students are to remain in here. Wouldn't it be dreadful if Gryffindor would lose even more points, just because you cannot live a second without your better half?" Snape sneered.

Ron swallowed a nasty remark and went back to the others, swearing under his breath.

Kayla and Zara were trying to calm Ginny, who was furious that the teachers had forbidden her to accompany Harry to the infirmary.

"Was it the scar again, Ron?" Hermione whispered when Ron joined them. "I'm quite sure. Did Harry have any problems when you two were out there?"

Ginny just shook her head. "He was just fine until we came back inside"

Then she set her jaw and growled "When the oversized bat thinks he can keep me away from Harry, then he's on the wrong track."

Madam Pomfrey was tending to Harry, who was tossing and turning on the bed, but not being responsive.

Professor Dumbledore looked very concerned when none of Poppy's attempts to wake the boy seemed to help.

"Hagrid, please go back and get Professor Snape for me" he said.

Just a few minutes later, the potion master entered the infirmary and stood next to Dumbledore.

"Severus, I'm sure that Voldemort is the reason of Mr Potter's seizure. I hoped that the attack on the students could have been delayed until Christmas break, but it seems that Voldemort is about to strike"

Snape nodded mutely and remained on his position beside Harry's bed.

After several endless minutes Harry calmed down and his breathing steadied. Madam Pomfrey placed a vial with an acid green potion in front of his nose; all of a sudden Harry's eyes popped open, then he bent over the side of his bed and vomited over Snape's shoes.

With a disgusted snort Snape stepped backwards and waved his wand to clean his shoes.

"Sorry Professor" Harry mumbled when he sank back on the bed.

"Harry, this is very important" Professor Lupin urged. "Can you tell me what caused this?"

"Voldemort is going to attack the school tomorrow morning before the students leave for the Hogwarts Express"

"What else have you seen Harry?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

"Deatheaters are patrolling around the castle to make sure the students won't leave before the attack" Harry whispered.

"We need to get the students out of here Professor" Lupin called.

"I trust the Dark Lord has cut off all the fireplaces from the floo-network to prevent an early escape" Snape growled.

Dumbledore gave Harry a questioning look and the young wizard nodded. "I already expected something like that, when Severus informed me about the upcoming attack. To make sure that no student will come to harm, I established special portkeys every head of house will receive enough of them to send the students to a save location outside of Hogwarts." Professor Dumbledore explained. "Severus, you need to understand, that the Slytherins need to go last. We cannot risk that deatheaters are getting informations before the school is evacuated."

The potion master nodded grimly.

"Harry, I want you, the Weasleys and the Warrens return to my house. I'm not sure if the headquarter is safe enough for you to stay there." Dumbledore continued.

"What about Sirius?"

"Sirius will join you shortly."

Dumbledore, Lupin and Snape returned to the Great Hall and while the white- haired wizard informed the other teachers, Snape returned to the Slytherins and Lupin was going to send the friends to Harry.

"Professor Lupin, is Harry ok? Why can't we go and see him?" Ginny called as soon as the head of Gryffindor came into view.

"Actually, Miss Weasley, I just wanted to send you to the infirmary. Harry is fine, though still a little weak, but we just received notice which calls for immediate actions"

Several pair of eyes stared at him terrified although they already had known that Harry's fit could only have meant bad news.

A minute later, Professor McGonagall sent all the students to their common room and Professor Dumbledore accompanied Harry's friends to the infirmary.

The former headmaster had agreed to also take Zara back to his home, at the request of Snape, because the potion master seemed to be concerned for her safety due to her friendship to Harry.

When they arrived at the hospital wing Harry looked quite well again. Ron, Hermione, Zara and the Warren twins grouped around the bed when Professor Dumbledore retrieved an old cup from his robes.

"You have to leave the school immediately" the former headmaster urged. "I trust Harry will inform you about everything when you're in a safe place"

With these words he handed them the cup and then flicked his wand.

They all felt the familiar sensation that appeared when travelling by portkey and then they landed on a floor in a huge pile of limbs and bodies.

"Harry, what was this all about?" Ron called when they all had gotten up from the floor.

"Let's find a place to sit down first, before I collapse right here on the spot" Harry replied weakly. Zara and Ginny grabbed his arms and followed Hermione to Dumbledore's study.

"Where are we?" Kelsey asked when they crossed the entrance hall.

"This is Dumbledore's home" Kayla explained. "Hermione and I have been there when we informed Dumbledore about what happened to Malfoy"

Harry lied down on a leather couch while the others took place in arm chairs or put big pillows on the floor to sit on.

"Voldemort is going to attack the school tomorrow morning" Harry said.

His friends stared at him in shock and urged him to tell them everything he had seen.

"Voldemort was in some sort of meeting with Lucius Malfoy and Pettigrew. They were discussing the attack together with a creature that looked like werewolf but behaved like human and, when I'm not mistaken, a vampire."

"Do you think that Voldemort will still attack the school, when Malfoy returns home and tells his father that the school was evacuated?" Ginny asked.

"I'm not sure if Dumbledore is going to send Malfoy home right now. He said he wanted to send all students to safe places, wherever they may be" Harry said.

The black-haired boy continued to recall everything he saw while he was inside Voldemort's mind as long as they were waiting for anybody to tell them what was going to happen next.

Thank god I decided to take care of this today, Hermione thought when Harry was finished.