Sailor Witches 23
Lucky in Love
I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter.
--
"Mina, Mina!" Lita said excitedly as she came into the common room. "I need your help."
"What?" Mina asked.
"I'm going to ask Ced to the Yule ball," said Lita.
"Really? When?"
"Tomorrow night if I can," Lita replied. "But I need help—getting Cedric alone. I'm going to make him a Japanese dinner in the kitchens and I need some Japanese decorations and stuff. I can't wait to get them all the way from home! I need them now!"
"Try transfiguring them," Mina suggested.
"I need it to be some kind of surprise however," Lita said. "I can't just…drag him into the kitchen. I want to be able to greet him when he gets in."
"Write him a note," Mina told her. "Kind of like an invitation. I can make the invitation and you can make the dinner. Less for you to do.
"Yeah, good idea!" Lita exclaimed. "A real official like one. I'll write it for him to meet me in the kitchen at six o'clock tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have everything ready by then."
"If it works out," Mina said, "It will be totally romantic, Lita!"
"I know," Lita smiled. "Ced's very special…I've looked up to him since the beginning of term and I—I'm totally head over heels for him!"
--
As Raye entered the Slytherin Common Room, Draco was sitting in his usual seat. She knew what was coming but he was too late.
"Good evening Raye," he said.
"Hi."
"So, about the Yule Ball," he got up and walked toward her. "I think you and I should go together."
"Oh, you do don't you?" she demanded. "And why's that?"
"Because, there's no one else I'd rather be with." He told her. If Draco meant it to be romantic, it didn't work. Raye could think of a million boys she'd rather spend the evening with than Draco Malfoy.
"Well," she said as she stepped back. "I'm afraid we won't be going together."
"And why not?" he asked with a smirk. He folded his arms. "You think I can't dance?"
"Maybe," she retorted. "For your information, Draco, I'm already going with someone else."
"What?" his arms fell at his sides.
"You heard me."
"Whom are you going with?" he demanded.
"That's really none of your business!" she hissed. "Besides, if I have told you who, you'll hex him or something. I guess you'll just have to wait to see whose arm I'll be on instead of yours!"
Draco looked around him. Thankfully they were alone in the common room. He came up to Raye and pushed her against the wall. She stared into his gray eyes. She was ready for anything. Maybe he was going to hex her or maybe even kiss her. But he just looked at her for about ten minutes until he finally spoke.
"You asked someone, didn't you?" he asked.
"And what if I did?"
"You know I was going to ask you."
"I saw the look you were giving me when Professor Sprout told us," she muttered. "Why do you think I ran out like that?"
"What's the matter, Raye?" he asked. "Don't you like me?"
"You really want me to answer that?" she said with a laugh. "I'm sure you already know the answer to that one, Malfoy."
He paused again. All she could hear was the crackling of the fire and his breath. "I can wait," he said. "I'll wait as long as it takes."
"For what?" she demanded.
Draco smiled and brought his mouth to her ear. "You can't fight me for long, Raye. I can be really patient…and really persuasive."
"Forget it!" she hissed.
His breath sent shivers down her spine as he whispered into her ear. "You know you only make me more determined when you get mad, Raye. It doesn't scare me. Go ahead and yell at me. Let's see how hot that fire can get…"
Raye pushed him away and glared at him. "Draco Malfoy…you are one sick, diluted, little snake and I don't want to have anything to do with you."
"Oh, and now you've gone and hurt my feelings," he mocked.
"I don't like you Draco," she said. "Just…just get that in your head. Okay? There are plenty of girls in this school—go ask them! Hey, Pansy Parkinson is crazy about you."
"I already know that," he said with his hands in his pockets.
"So go and ask her!" she shouted. "And leave me the hell alone."
"Okay," he said. "But…just because she'll be the one on my arm, and the one I'm dancing with, I'll be looking at you the whole night and I'll be thinking of you the whole time."
"You may be trying to sound sweet, Draco," Raye began, "but you're making me sick instead."
He laughed. "Where does that fire come from? I love it!"
"And how come when I get mad you just don't give up and leave me alone?" she said impatiently. "You just don't get it, do you?"
"No, obviously I don't," he replied. "And you don't either."
"What's that supposed to mean?" she hissed.
"Because the moment I saw you," he said, walking close to her again. She darted behind a table to separate them.
"Don't talk like that!" she shouted.
"I have to!" he said roughly, walking around the table. "Because it's the truth!"
"Since when do you tell the truth?" she demanded.
"I can tell the truth when I want to," he said, "just as easily as a lie—but this is probably the first time I've been so honest."
"I don't want to hear it," she whispered, trying to avoid his gaze.
"Raye—I really like you," he said desperately, doing his best to look her in the eyes. "When you opened the compartment door that day on the train, I saw a fire, I felt a fire coming from you. I never felt like that before. It was…amazing."
"Draco—I don't even know you!" she gasped. "And you don't know me—we can't…"
"Then let's get to know each other," he said reaching across the table. "Raye, come on."
"I've to go," she went passed him and he grabbed her by the shoulders. "Let me go, Draco!"
"Listen to me, Raye," he said firmly. "I want to know where that fire comes from. I…have to…it's all I can ever think about."
"I really have no idea what you're on about," she muttered, struggling.
"You're just denying it," he said. "Just listen to me!"
"I'm done listening! Let me go!" she pushed him away, punched him in the face and stormed down the stairs. Draco rubbed his sore face as he watched her go.
'I can wait,' he thought. 'I'll wait as long as I have to.'
--
Raye's dream wasn't much different. She was still walking around and she could hear the person calling her name. She tried running away but he was all around her. She felt a cool air in the dungeon as a voice flowered her wherever she went.
"Raye, why do you fight me? Don't you know we belong together?"
"Go away!" she shouted. "Just stay away!"
"No." Said the voice. "I won't. I can't. I've waited for you for so long."
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Why do you keep haunting me? What do you want?"
"Don't you know?" the voice laughed. "Oh, Raye-Raye-Raye. I only want one thing. YOU!"
She felt a hand on her shoulder. She gasped and turned around. A person in black robes stood before her. She backed away.
"Don't fight me, Raye," the person said.
"Who are you?" she said. "What do you want me for?"
"I'm the one you've been looking for," he whispered as he touched his chest. "The man of your dreams…"
"Why don't you show me your face? Just who are you?"
"I can't show you my face until you trust me," the man said.
"And why should I?" she demanded. "How do I know you're not going to kill me?"
"Why would I want to kill the flame that attracted me like a moth?" the young man inquired with a laugh. "No, no. I mean you no harm. I want to help that fire grow…I can if you let me…"
He reached out his hand. It looked slightly transparent—like a ghost—like air. He stroked her face. She could barely even feel it. It seemed to go right through her. But as he touched her--she felt so cold--colder than she ever felt in her life. That was all she could seem to feel.
--
The next morning Lita woke very early to go down to the kitchens and start preparing for Cedric's dinner. Mina was so excited she couldn't wait to tell the other scouts with their cats. After breakfast they went out for a walk around the grounds.
"Lita's going to ask Cedric to the ball!" she said excitedly.
"Really?" Serena asked. "When?"
"Tonight!" she exclaimed. "She's down in the kitchens getting it all decked out."
"Does she want our help?" Lydia inquired. "It's a Saturday—we've got nothing to do."
"No," Mina insisted. "She wants to do it all on her own."
"Anyone got dates for the ball yet?" Serena inquired. "Besides lucky Lydia over here…"
Lydia grinned nervously.
"What?" Mina inquired.
"Oh nothing…it hadn't been a minute after Professor McGonagall announced it and Seamus Finnigan asked Lydia to the ball!" Serena cried.
"No way!" Mina said.
Lydia shrugged. "I guess we kinda connected in those long ours cleaning the owlery for detention."
"I've got a date," Raye stated.
"Don't tell me it's Malfoy!" Serena shrieked.
"No, of course not!" Raye groaned. "I knew he was going to ask me though so I asked Vladimir before Malfoy even had the chance. Vladimir's twin sister had to convince him."
"Why because he doesn't like you?" Serena teased.
"No, it's because he's shy!" she shouted.
"Lucky, are you all right?" Luna asked suddenly. "You didn't eat much today."
"Wasn't very hungry," he replied.
"Does this have anything to do with that tabby cat you've been seeing?" Artemis inquired.
"How did ye know about that?" Lucky demanded and with the look the girls gave him, he chuckled and said, "what tabby cat?"
"Lucky are ye in love with someone?" Lydia inquired as she picked up her cat. "Come on now, who is it? Maybe a cat from Hogsmead?"
"No," said Artemis, "it lives in the school."
"Artemis!" Lucky yelled. "Can't ye be quiet?"
"It's not Filch's cat, is it?" Serena asked nervously. "Mrs. Norris? She's scary!"
"No!" Artemis went on. "She's more of a gray…come on, Lucky, don't be shy. Who is she?"
"Well," Lucky mumbled. "Met her when we first started coming here. Sometimes we'd go on walks together and stuff…anyway, last night…she's not an ordinary cat."
"Did she turn you down?" Lucky asked. "Did she hurt your feelings?"
"Not intentionally," he whispered. "After our walk…she went inside and I think I saw something she didn't expect me to see."
"What?" Mina inquired. "She's not seeing someone else?"
"No—she's not a real cat!" he exclaimed. "She's yer transfiguration professor!"
Lydia was so shocked she dropped him in the snow.
"What?" the five girls demanded.
"You've been sneaking around with Professor McGonagall?" Serena said. "But how---this doesn't make any sense!"
"Professor McGonagal's an animagus," Ami whispered. "She can change into a tabby cat."
"I had no idea," Lucky mumbled as he lay down in the snow. "I feel so stupid!"
"So that would sometimes explain why Professor McGonagall wasn't always so stern in class," Serena whispered.
"Yeah," added Lydia. "She wasn't shouting at Seamus and I when Snape brought us to her. She seemed rather calm and seemed to like what we did to Snape. She still gave us detention though."
"Well, Lucky, you're not an ordinary cat," Artemis said. "We're guardian cats. We can talk and you know what—neither is this cat you're seeing. She's just as human as you are—and just as much as a cat when she's a human."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Lucky demanded.
"Well, it's true," said Luna. "Lucky—you always said that you were kind of lonely. But now you've found someone."
"It's complicated," said Lucky. "I'd have to be a wizard."
"Not to mention your ages are way different," said Mina.
"Are you saying I'm too old?" Lucky demanded.
"Well—no—I mean, your cat years are way different than ordinary cats', aren't they?" said Mina. "And Professor McGonagall is like, what seventy-three?"
"How old would you say you were in human years?" Ami inquired the three cats.
"Lucky is different," said Luna. "Artemis and I were sent to earth from the Moon Kingdom and Lucky was reborn as a kitten. Do you know how long ago it was, Lucky?"
"Oh, I don't know," he muttered. "Eight years ago maybe."
"So…how old is that in cat years?" Ami inquired. "Would that be about the same as Professor McGonagall?"
"Do I act like a seventy-year old?" Lucky demanded. "Look, I know you are all trying to help but I was really stupid. This relationship certainly can't go any further."
"But Lucky—Professor McGonagall would probably give us more homework if you stop seeing her!" said Serena.
"Come on, Serena," Raye muttered. "Don't' let your grades be the only reason why they should keep seeing each other. If Lucky doesn't want to see Professor McGonagall he doesn't' have to."
"Thank ye, Raye," said Lucky.
"He just needs some time to think it through and then maybe they can reunite."
"Hey!"
--
Lita was working furiously over her dinner. The house elves were happy to help, indicating where things were that she needed.
"Fish!" she said, "I need fish and lots of it—and squid—oh and seaweed!"
The house elves smiled, bowed and got the things she called for. "Anything else miss?"
"I need lamps…and decorations. I need this place to look as romantic as you can get it!"
--
A half hour before dinner, Mina tracked down Cedric and gave him the invitation. "You won't have to go to dinner at the Great Hall," she said, "there's a special one for you!"
"What kind of dinner?" he asked, glancing at the invite.
"One fit for a champion!" she said. "Bye Ced-senpai!" She bowed and ran off.
Cedric opened the invitation and read it. It was decorated with stars and hearts that gleamed. The letters were a silvery blue.
COME TO THE KITCHENS AT 6:00 PM FOR A SPECIAL MEAL FIT FOR A CHAMPION!
Cedric smiled as he read the invite over. There was no signature so he didn't know who wrote it for him. He followed the instructions how to get to the kitchens. It was easy as the line blinked for each step to take next. He came up to the painting of the fruit ball. He looked down at the instructions.
TICKLE THE GREEN PEAR AND IT WILL CHANGE INTO A HANDLE.
Cedric smiled and tickled the pear as indicated. He gasped at how lifelike it laughed before it changed into a handle. He grabbed it and pushed the door open. He stepped in and took in a breath so deep he could've taken all the air from the room.
The kitchen had red, greed and blue lamps hanging around with other Japanese decorations. There was Japanese music playing in the air. A tablecloth was spread on the floor with a variety of different foods: sushi, seaweed, rice, teriyaki chicken and wasabi. Lita stood a ways behind it with a big smile on her face. She wore a beautiful green kimono, wooden sandals and her hair put up like it was in her daydream.
"Lita—you—you made all this?" He asked in surprise.
"Welcome," she said, bowing. "Glad you can make it, Ced-senpai."
"Come in, sir!" the house elves crossed around Cedric, took him by the arms and brought him closer to Lita. "Miss here made you a special feast!"
"Please, sit," said Lita as she knelt down. "What would you like to try first?"
Cedric still seemed blown away. He looked down at the many dishes on the floor and smelled the aroma. "It smells…great."
"How about some sushi?" she asked as she put some on a plate.
"Er, sushi?"
"It's very nice—fish with rice," she said. "Not the same as fish and chips—but it's pretty good!" She handed him the plate of sushi. "Try it. It's okay if you don't like it."
He took the plate, glanced down at the sushi, picked it up and dipped it in a green sauce. Before she could tell him what she just dipped his sushi in, had already taken a bite and he moaned.
"That's wasabi sauce," she whispered, "It's kind of hot. I'm sorry."
Cedric swallowed and looked for something to cool his throat down. He picked up a glass of water, took a swig but it just spread the head to his mouth. She handed him some bread to nibble on and some ice cream—in case the wasabi was too hot for him. It was a moment until he could speak.
"Okay?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"Sorry—I tried to tell you."
"Don't worry about it," he whispered.
"Try some rice and teriyaki chicken," she said. "It's not hot."
"Sure!"
She spooned some rice on a plate with some teriyaki chicken. He took in a deep whiff of it as she handed it to him and looked down.
"Lita, where's the silverware?" he asked.
"Oh, here!" she handed him his chopsticks. "This is what we use in Japan."
"You actually eat with these things?" he said as he held one in either hand. "How?"
She smiled and put them in his hand. "This one stays put, see?" she said as she put in the crook between his thumb and index finger, "make sure you support it with ring and pinky—okay?"
"Uh, okay…"
"And the second stick goes here," she said as she placed it between his middle and index finger, "kind of like a quill. Now you got to make sure the tips are even and the lower one stays put."
What Lita just told him went right over his head but he tried his best to pick up some rice but he had great difficulty and made a mess. Lita chuckled at his effort.
"The chicken might be easier," she told him.
"Yeah, I'll try that." He gingerly picked up a hunk of chicken. He bent over to bite it. Lita clapped.
"Bravo!" she said. "That was good for a beginner. She spooned some rice, teriyaki chicken and some sushi on her plate. Cedric watched her use her chopsticks so he could practice with his own.
"So," Lita began, trying to strike up a conversation, "how is it going with the golden egg? Have you cracked it yet?"
Cedric smiled. "Cracked it? Nice play on words."
"Little joke," she whispered.
"Well, no, not yet," he told her. "Screams when I open it."
"You know what helps me think," she said, pointing at him with her chopsticks, "is a bath."
"A bath, huh?" he inquired.
"Yeah, bring the egg with you and some parchment," she continued, "write your ideas down…amazing what a little bath can do. Really helps you mull things over." She couldn't help but smile as she remembered her thinking session in her bathtub the previous night.
"Really?" he asked. "Haven't thought of that. I'll give it a go, thanks Lita."
"No problem," she smiled. "So…er, tell me a bit about yourself?"
They had a nice cute chatting session over their meal as they talked about themselves. She even told him things she only shared with her friends—her grandparents and the dark wizard-how her parents died in a plane crash and everything. She wasn't sure why but Cedric seemed like an easy guy to talk to.
"Lita, I'm so sorry," Cedric said softly.
"It's okay," said Lita quickly. "I barely even remember it. It's why I'm so scared of planes."
"Well, I guess you won't have to worry with floo powder," he told her.
She laughed, "the ride's fun until I hit my head on the mantelpiece."
"You'll learn how t apparate in your sixth year," he told her, "though it wont' help you much on school grounds."
"Yeah, that sounds like fun. But the thing is, I don't know what caused the plane crash." She went on. "The weather was so clear—it was like—something attacked it or something."
"Probably a dragon," he suggested. "Might've flown right over its territory."
"Might've been," she nodded.
"So this Jimmu person," he said as he helped himself to some sushi without the wasabi sauce. "He was a dark wizard? How bad?"
"I don't know," she said. "Probably like the Death Eaters or Vold—I mean—You-Know-Who."
"People say he's dead," Cedric stated, "but I don't know—a lot of people are saying he's just really weak. Either way, I just hope he doesn't come back."
"He must've been really bad if people are too scared to say his name," Lita said.
"I know," said Cedric.
They talked a bit more and Cedric thanked her for the meal about the tenth time.
"Again, Lita, this is just delicious," Cedric said once he was too full to eat anymore. "Thank you so much—but you really didn't have to."
"It was nothing," said Lita, "I love to cook. I'm planning on having a restaurant one day. I guess with all the new foods I've tired this year I might make it international."
Cedric chuckled, "well, I'll definitely keep you in business. People would love your cooking, Lita."
"Really?" she asked.
"Of course," he said, looking around. "The food is just amazing. And…the decorations…fantastic! Honestly, you didn't have to do all this."
"Well, I wanted to," she said coyly, pressing her index fingers. "Because I wanted it to be special. It wasn't just to congratulate you how you made it passed that dragon it's because well—I really like you and—well…"
Cedric waited for her to continue. He nodded.
She kept looking from Cedric to her fingers. She swallowed, looked at him. "Ced-senpai, will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"
Cedric stared at her. His mouth was wide open. Unable to say something, he gave a laugh that was more like a gasp. He was totally speechless. Lita looked at him hopefully.
"Lita…I…wow," he whispered. "I am flattered and this dinner you made for me was just superb. I would love to go with you, really but…"
"What is it?" she asked, trying very hard not to frown.
"You're kind of late," he said with sorrow. "I'm already going with someone."
"Oh," said Lita. "I see. Well, I'm glad you liked your dinner."
"Lita, I'm so sorry," he whispered.
"It's okay," she whispered, lowering her head so he wouldn't see the tears starting to form in her eyes. She started to stack the plates. "Who with?" she asked without thinking.
"Cho Chang from Ravenclaw," he replied. "I've only asked her this morning—honestly—if I knew you were going to make me this…"
"It's okay, Ced-senpai," she sniffed. 'Why didn't I come up with this idea earlier? I'm less than a day late.'
Cedric looked around the room. He saw the house elves watching. When they saw that they were looking at them they turned and started to act busy. He felt absolutely awful. He hoped he could make it up to Lita somehow, but at the same time, he and Cho really liked each other. Then he remembered that he hadn't seen her all day. She wasn't in the common room or in the library. Was she here the whole time, making this dinner for him?
"Lita," he said, "how long did it take you to do this?"
"Oh, not long," she lied. "Really…it was quick."
"But I didn't see you in the common room at all today," he replied. "You didn't spend all day making this for me, did you?"
"Well, not all day," she said quickly.
"You made all this for me by yourself?"
"No," she said, forcing a laugh. "Mina made the invitation and the house elves helped me cook. It was nothing, Ced-senpai. What matters is you liked it."
"Wait a minute," he said. "I've got an idea. Maybe I can make it worth your while."
"Ced-senpai, I don't want you to cancel with Cho," she told him. "You go with her. I can ask…someone else."
"Well, not entirely," he said. "I'll go with Cho to the ball but the last dance Lita…it's yours."
"What?" she gasped. "Are you serious? But what—"
"I'll explain it to Cho," he said. "I'll take care of that. I'm sure she'll understand. You've made all this for me and it's really the least I could do."
"Really?" she asked as her mouth turned into a smile. "You mean it?"
"Yeah. I couldn't just let you go through all this trouble for nothing."
Lita laughed, reached forward and put her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Ced-senpai! Thank you!"
Cedric patted himself on the back, feeling happier about the whole thing. "Least I could do—really."
It was a while before Lita was able to pull herself away from Cedric. Him actually saving the last dance for her was better than going to the ball with him. He made a slight sacrifice to make her happy. In fact, it wasn't really a sacrifice because it would be good for him too.
"Oh, Ced-senpai, you are such a nice guy!" she beamed as she sat back. "Really!"
Cedric blushed and ran his hand through his hair. "Thanks."
Lita laughed and began to pick up the plates. Cedric reached forward. "Here, Lita—let me help you."
"Ced-senpai, thank you!" she breathed, gazing into his gray blue eyes.
They talked over picking up the dishes. They were about to wash them but the house elves were trying to shoo them out of the kitchens. As they walked out, Serena and the others were standing by the portrait.
"Oh, hi Cedric!" Serena laughed nervously. "I just…wanted to get a pastry…"
Cedric smiled at the girls. "Hi."
"By the way," said Raye, "you were very good at the task…I hope you didn't get burned too bad."
"Thanks," he said. "I'll see you later, Lita."
"Bye Ced-senpai," said Lita. Mina waved at him. "See you in the common room!"
When Cedric was out of the corridor, the girls crowded around Lita.
"What did he say?" Mina asked excitedly. "Did he say yes?"
"Judging by your expression I think he did," said Lydia.
"Actually, he didn't say yes," Lita said.
"What?" Serena gasped. "But you worked so hard on making it for him!"
"But he didn't really say no either," Lita added.
"So he said maybe?" Mina asked, confused.
Lita still was unable to suppress a grin. "He's going with Cho Chang—but he's saving the last dance for me!"
--
Everyone seemed to love the Christmas decorations except for Fleur Delacour. It made Sofia mad the way she complained everything about Hogwarts. Raye was giving her a look around—though Sofia already had one—it was easier for Raye to show her around so she wouldn't get lost.
"If she doesn't like Hogwarts," Sofia muttered to Raye as Fleur talked about the singing suits armor again, "then we should haff had it in Durmstrang!" Sofia let out a hearty laugh. "Then maybe that would have humbled her some!"
Raye laughed.
"Really, I think it is good," said Sofia, pointing at the icicles. "I wish we'd show a little Christmas spirit in Durmstrang. We don't do anything!"
"Sofia," Raye began. "I heard that they teach the Dark Arts in Durmstrang." She didn't' really want to ask Sofia this but she had to know if it was a rumor or true.
"Haff you?" she asked, glancing at her.
"I'm sorry, I--," said Raye. "I was just wondering if it was true. I mean, you don't seem like you study it."
"It's all right," Sofia sighed. "They do teach it but it's only been recently…when Professor Karkaroff became Headmaster."
"I heard he was a Death Eater," Raye said, "A supporter of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"He hardly ever talks about it," said Sofia.
"Why does he teach it?"
"I think it's because he knows so much about it," Sofia replied. "Anyway, it is not required that we learned it and it's only available to upperclassmen. Which is good. My parents vood not be too happy if they knew ve vere learning how to curse our fellow students. They are dark vizard catchers."
"Mine were," said Raye.
"Vere?"
"A dark wizard killed them," Raye explained.
"So sorry," Sofia told her.
"You think it's legal for your headmaster to allow dark arts to be taught there?" Raye inquired.
"I don't think so," Sofia shook her head. "Perhaps that is vhy ve do not haff the tournament there. Professor Karkaroff does not want anyone to know vare it is. I however, think ve should not be so secretive—even viff muggles. Professor Karkaroff does not allow muggleborns at school; vish is a shame because one of my friends is muggle born. She really vants to learn magic but she can't get in."
"That's so unfair."
"One of the reasons I like Hogwarts. Your Headmaster is vary kind."
"Thanks," said Raye.
"I hope someday we get a new headmaster," said Sofia. "Professor Karkaroff scares me sometimes. I heard he uses the Crucaitus Curse on students that break rules."
"What?" Raye demanded. "That's an unforgivable curse!"
"I know," Sofia whispered. "But I hope it is just a rumor. I'll be vary sad when the tournament is over. I don't want to go back to Durmstrang. Good think I only haff one more year left."
As they passed the singing suits of armor, another voice came through it. It was singing rather rudely.
"That is not how Silent Night goes," Sofia mumbled.
"It's Peeves!" Raye shouted. "Peeves, come out of there or I will get the Baron! You know I can!"
Peeves floated out of the suit, laughing. When he saw Raye about to extract another ofuda scroll, he screamed and soared away.
"Stupid poltergeist!" said Raye.
"I don't like poltergeists either," Sofia whispered. "In Durmstrang, we haff five."
--
Ami and Hermione shared an Arithmancy class together. They were partners on a number chart assignment and they were in the library gathering information. They weren't alone as Viktor Krum was there pretending to be reading something. He kept glancing at Ami and Hermione hoping to get Hermione alone. Someone from his 'fan club' was sitting next to him rather close. Others sat at tables and others were peeking through the bookshelves to get a look at him.
"I hope we're doing this right," Ami mumbled. "Arithmancy is a bit more complicated than I thought."
"Yeah," said Hermione. "But it's interesting and Professor Vector is really helpful. She's my favorite professor."
"There isn't much in our text book about social numbers," said Ami as she flipped through Numerology and Gramatica.
"Hold on," said Hermione, "I think I saw a book about social numbers. I'll go look for it."
"Okay."
As Hermione got up and walked to the bookshelves, Viktor Krum followed her. The girl who was sitting next to him looked at her friends. They looked at Viktor Krum, pushing books out of the way so they could get a good look at him. Hermione went to the Arithmancy section, stood up on her toes and reached for a book. Viktor Krum's 'fan club' could possibly not be prepared for what would happen next or Hermione for that matter.
AN: This is how I think Viktor asked Hermione to the Ball. I was going to change it to where Ami gets up to get a book until I saw a fan art on Artistic Alley. He asks her while she's grabbing a book so the fan art kind of re-inspired me to write it like this. I can't find the fan art now for it. Looks like they revamped the site.
As Hermione's fingers grasped the spine of the book, she heard a voice to her right. "Vant to go to the ball viz me?"
"What?" Hermione gasped. She was so stunned she dropped the book on her foot. "Ouch!" She bounced up and grabbed her foot.
"I don't believe it!" yelled one of the girls peeking on them.
"NOO!" all the admirers of Viktor screamed
"Be quiet!" hissed Madame Pince. "This is a library—if you can't be quiet then go—out! Out!
Ami flinched and looked up at the noise. The girls were crying as they went out of the library.
"I wonder what's wrong with them," she said to herself, watching them leave.
"I'm sorry," said Viktor as she went to pick up the book she dropped. "I did not mean to startle you. Is your foot all right?"
Hermione stared at him. She couldn't move. He glanced at the title of the book before handing it to her."You take Arithmancy? Do you like it?"
She nodded.
"Vell," he said, clearing his throat. "I vas vondering—if you vood like to viz me to the Yule Ball."
Hermione swallowed and glanced around her. She was starting to wish she didn't leave the table. She had no idea exactly what to say. She was kind of hoping for Ami to come and see if she was okay.
"Um, well, I," she stuttered, "I—d-don't k-know what to say."
"You see," Viktor continued, his cheeks nearly matching his school robes. "I haff been coming to the library to try and get to know you…"
"Really?" she asked, raising her eyebrows and probably making a really stupid face.
"Yes, I haff heard you were muggleborn," he went on. "And they don't let muggleborns in my school. I haff a muggleborn cousin…"
"That's why you asked me?" she inquired. "Because I'm muggleborn?"
"Yes and I…" he said, "vell, since I vill only be at Hogwarts for a short time…I vanted to get to know you vhile I can. Thought you vere, pretty. I vas vanting to try to talk to you for a while but couldn't find the courage."
"Oh," she whispered, now starting to blush. "I see…I'm flattered…I think." She peered through the bookshelves. "Ami…help!" she hissed under her breath.
"Vell?" said Viktor. "Vill you come viz me?"
Hermione sighed. She never would've thought that Viktor Krum, of all people, would ask her to the ball. She really didn't like him but she was quite flattered how he was always coming to the library to try to get to know her. She looked from her book and to Viktor.
'Well, why not?' she thought. The Yule Ball was a chance to get to know the students of Durmstrang and Beaxbatons better. She had hoped someone from her own school, perhaps house and even year to ask her but there will be another time.
"Uh, okay," she said softly.
"Really?"
"Yeah," she shrugged. "I'll go with you."
"Vonderful," said Viktor, smiling. "Vell, I see you haff some vork to do so I'll vill speak viz you later?"
She nodded. "Okay."
Viktor turned around walked away. Hermione stood there trying to put together what just happened. Did Viktor Krum just ask her to the ball? Did she really just say yes? And did she make the right choice by saying yes?
"This is weird," she whispered. She saw her Arithmancy book and remembered why she was in the library in the first place. "Oh, Ami!"
She turned and walked back to the table. Ami glanced up. "Oh good, you found it.
"Sorry Ami," Hermione said as she put down the book and sat down. "I didn't mean to make you wait too long. I had a little…distraction."
"What do you mean?" Ami inquired.
Hermione chuckled and leaned forward. "Viktor Krum just asked me to the Yule Ball!"
"You're kidding!" Ami gasped. "What did you say?"
"Well, I said yes!" Hermione smiled. "It really startled me…I dropped the book on my foot!" Thinking of it, she reached to her food and rubbed it.
"Is it okay?" Ami asked.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," said Hermione.
"Wow, Viktor Krum asked you to the ball?" Ami said, shaking her head. "Can't believe it."
"Me neither," said Hermione. "I wonder if anyone saw it. I was so shocked I couldn't hear anything."
"I think someone did," Ami replied. "All those girls who like Viktor left a while ago and they were quite upset."
"Oh great," Hermione mumbled. "I hope they don't try to hex me."
--
Professor McGonagall was sitting in her desk grading some papers. She hadn't' seen the white and ginger cat for a while. She wasn't sure why it mattered but she rather enjoyed herself on those walks. It made her feel young. She was back to her stern self again. She went over her life as a student in Hogwarts. She wasn't much different from Hermione Granger. In fact, she was more so. She was a top student, prefect and head girl. She had wasted her youth. Now she was trying to feel eighteen again at seventy. She sighed and put her quill away.
"Oh, face it, Minerva," she said to herself. "You've wasted your youth and you're getting older by the day. No one wants you and they never did."
She folded her arms on her desk, put her head down and cried softly.
Serena got a very poor grade on her latest assignment so after some pushing from Luna; she went to go ask Professor McGonagall if she could do it over again or what she did wrong.
"I hope she doesn't' give me detention," said Serena as she glanced at her paper, walking down the corridor. She tried practicing what to say. "Professor, why did I get a failing grade on this? Professor, is it okay if I do this over?" She sighed and tried to mimic Professor McGonagal's voice. "Miss Tsukino, you should have studied more."
She shook her head. "Oh well."
Serena reached Professor McGonagal's office, which was open. She peeked in, raised her hand to knock and stopped.
"Professor?" she whispered, looking up at the poor sight of her transfiguration teacher crying in her arms. "Ohhh…"
Serena stood there for a moment, wondering whether to walk in or not. She sighed and walked away. She'd worry about her grades later. She had to try to see if she could reconcile Lucky and Professor McGonagall. She marched up to the Gryffindor tower, yelled the password and trekked up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.
"Lydia!" she cried as she came in.
"What did Professor McGonagall say?" Lydia asked.
"Nothing," she said. "Listen, where's Lucky?"
"Asleep," Lydia nodded over by the window.
"You didn't ask your teacher if you could take the assignment again?" Luna asked. The room was empty so it was safe for her to speak.
"I'll ask her later!" Serena hissed. She nudged Lucky awake. "Wake up, Lucky!"
"Hmm, uh, what?" Lucky mumbled.
"I just came from Professor McGonagall's office," Serena began, "and you know what I saw?"
"What?"
"She was in tears!" she cried. "And it's all your fault!"
"My fault?" he demanded as he stretched.
"Professor McGonagall was crying?" Lydia asked, walking up. "Lucky, ye ought to do something!"
"Why me?" he jumped from the window. "I did nothing."
"You stopped seeing her," Serena spat, "with no sort of explanation."
"She told you that, huh?" he inquired.
"No, she didn't have to," Serena said. "I know it couldn't just be the stress of the Yule Ball coming up and the tasks and every—wait a minute!"
"What?" Lydia asked.
"You should go to the Yule Ball together!" Serena exclaimed.
"As cats?" he inquired.
"No, as people!" Serena groaned. "Remember after we fought Princess Kaguya and you three became human for a while?"
"That was from the power of the moon and rainbow crystals," Luna said, bounding from Serena's bed.
"If we use the crystals to make you human again," said Lydia, "you can go to the ball!"
"Oh, Artemis would love that," said Luna. "End up making a fool of himself."
"You ought to go too, Luna," Serena added. "Lucky may need the support."
"I'm not going!" Lucky groaned.
"Oh yes ye are!'" Lydia yelled, picking up her cat. "Ye are going to go to the ball with Professor McGonagall before she gets so upset she gives us all detention!"
"I doubt that will happen," said Luna.
"Guys, she was really upset," Serena said firmly. "Look, Lucky, if you don't' want to go with her, then all you have to do is just go to the ball, maybe dance with her once or twice so she'll be happy. Maybe she can meet you there or something."
"What if she expects a commitment or something?" Lucky demanded. "I can't tell her who I really am."
"Lucky, come on, please?" Lydia begged.
"I'll go only if Luna does," said Lucky.
"What?" said Luna.
"Yeah!" Serena exclaimed. "Go on, Luna. You can go with Artemis!"
Luna groaned and glanced at Lucky. "Well, maybe we'll be there for a while…for Lucky's sake."
"Yay!" Serena said. "That's so great. It will be good for you. Hey, Lydia, we've got to come up with a note for Professor McGonagall."
"Note?" Lucky demanded. "Now wait just a minute!"
"How is she supposed to know where to wait for you?" Serena asked with a giggle as she took out a quill and some parchment. "Oh, this will be fun. What's Professor McGonagal's first name?"
"Maybe we should get Dean Thomas to write this for us," said Lydia. "Professor McGonagall might recognize your handwriting."
"Are you sure?" Serena asked. "He might think we're playing a joke on her."
"Not if we tell him its from a guy that really does like Professor McGonagall, but too shy to admit it."
"Well, that is true," said Serena.
"Hey!" Lucky shouted.
Dean Thomas thought the request from Serena and Lydia was weird. Since Lydia said it might help them get Professor McGonagall to start favoring her house, he agreed and Seamus also offered to help. It took a while for them to finish it but it was quite romantic and sweet and Dean Thomas was able to write it in a very fancy calligraphy that was nothing like his own handwriting. They went to the owlery, picked one of the school owls and hoped Professor McGonagall wouldn't recognize any of them and went to breakfast. Half way through breakfast, the owls flew in and the four of them looked up as a brown owl went to McGonagall, dropped the letter and flew away.
They tried to watch for her reaction while eating their breakfast. Professor McGonagall curiously opened the letter. She looked quite surprised and read the letter with interest. They tried not to grin. Serena hoped they wouldn't get caught.
Dear, Sweet Minerva,
I have always adored you from afar. I cannot bear to be away from you any longer. I will come to the Yule Ball so we can be together. Wait for me by the castle entrance at nine thirty. I look forward to the time when I can hold you in my arms for the first time in the dance floor. You may know me when I come.
My love always,
Lucky Seven
Professor McGonagall stared at the letter. Her chest heaved a deep and rapid breath. She looked around the table nervously and got up suddenly, knocking her glass over.
"Are you all right, Minerva?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Er, yes," she whispered as she walked away. She hurried out of the Great Hall and to her office. She pulled out a transfiguration book from her desk.
"I am the transfiguration professor," she whispered to herself. "I have to find a way to make myself look younger for one night. If I can turn myself to a gray tabby cat, I can do this!"
--
It was the last day of term and the girls were talking about the Yule Ball. Ami, Mina and Serena still did not have any dates. Because fourth years and up could invite third years, Lita decided to ask Ernie's brother, Bert. It might be good for the third years to have a little fun. They were having some snacks in the kitchen instead of the Great Hall so Lydia could spend more time with her old house elf and Raye could avoid stares from Draco Malfoy.
Serena and Lydia told them about the letter they wrote for Professor McGonagall and since then, she has been acting rather weird. She wasn't giving as much homework and she was being a little giddy.
"She must be excited," Lydia said.
"She's always working on something when we come in," she asked. "And we've quit doing switching spells and now we're studying Youth Transfiguration. Why would we want to turn ourselves into babies?"
"I bet ye she's trying to find a way to make herself young," said Lydia.
"Makes sense," said Mina. "I can't believe our cats have dates than some of us!"
"It's still a week until Christmas," Lita optimized, "don't sweat it."
"I'm hoping Pierre will ask me," Mina whispered. "Ami, do you know if he's going with anyone?"
"I don't know," Ami said, "he's usually speaking in French."
"Maybe he will ask you," Lydia said, "but maybe he's really shy."
"Or he wants it to be special and he's trying to get the details in order." Raye added.
"Does anybody know who might be available?" Serena asked.
"Viktor Krum's not," said Ami suddenly.
"Why, who's he going with?" Serena asked.
"Hermione Granger," she replied.
Serena sprayed her tea all over Raye.
"Serena!" Raye shouted.
"Are you kidding me?" Serena demanded. "Hermione Granger and Viktor Krum from Durmstrang? When did you find this out?"
"On Monday," Ami answered. "I was there when he asked her. We were working on an Arithmancy project together in the library."
Serena started laughing. "Oh-ho-ho! I can't believe this. So that's why Hermione's been acting funny lately…she's never mentioned it. Oh, Ron Wesley is going to freak when he finds out! He has a thing for Hermione!"
"I'm surprised she even said yes," Lydia said.
"She told me he asked her because she was muggleborn." Ami stated.
"That's a funny reason," said Lita.
"They don't have muggleborns in Durmstrang," Raye informed.
"Did you find out if they teach the Dark Arts there?" Ami inquired.
"Yes, the do," Raye replied. "But it is only an elective."
"Well that's good," said Ami.
"Serena, who do you want to go to the ball with?" Mina asked suddenly.
"Huh?" Serena blushed. "Oh, I don't know. Haven't really thought about it." Serena shrugged. "I guess I'd like to go with Harry Potter."
"Hey, he's not going with anyone," said Lydia. "Why don't you ask him? I'm sure he'll say yes.
"Oh, I don't know," she mumbled. "I mean, there was that article about him and Hermione."
"You know it wasn't' real," said Raye said. "And she's going with Krum anyway."
"Yeah, that's true." Serena said. "But Hermione also told me he likes Cho."
"But Cedric's going with her." Lita told her.
"Oh yeah," Serena whispered. "That's right. Still…I don't know. There's still time, right?"
"But Harry has to find someone to take," Lydia said. "The champions are supposed to open the ball."
"Are they?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm, I wonder who he'll ask." Serena said.
"Serena, I think ye should ask Harry," Lydia said. "Ye are always talking about him!"
"I am not!" Serena cried, going red in the face.
"You were going to go to the task as Sailor Moon if he couldn't find a way to get past that dragon," Lydia reminded. "Ye were worried about him."
"Hello, he was facing off with a dragon!"
Lita laughed. "Oh go and ask him, Serena. The worst he can say is no."
"I think you look cute together," said Raye. "I saw you talking to him today in Potions. He almost added the wrong ingredients but you kept catching him and stuff."
"I didn't want him to get yelled at."
"I think you go well together too," Lydia added. "Hogwarts champion and champion of love and justice…"'
"Hmm…." Serena said. "Kinda has a nice ring to it…"
"Come on, Lydia," Serena said, grabbing her by the arm. "We're going to the common room!"
"How come?" Serena demanded. "I'm not done with my biscuits!"
"Yeah ye are," Lydia muttered, dragging her away from the kitchens. "Come on, let's go. Ye are going to ask Harry Potter to the ball!"
"Lita, wait!" Serena cried. "I don't know if this is such a good idea!"
"Come on, be brave. Ye supposed to be a Gryffindor!"
--
"I think I'll go and have dinner," said Ginny as she left the Common Room and Parvarti and Lavender came in. Harry got up. He decided he might as well act now.
"Parvarti--," he began and then he saw Serena come in with Lydia. Lydia was pushing her through the portrait hole.
"Lydia, please I can't!" Serena said.
A light when on in Harry's head and he felt a little stupid. Of course! Serena! They became good friends since she started coming here and they were having loads of fun working on their star charts. He should've gone to find her after Cho turned him down. Maybe he should've asked her a long time ago. He and always felt really comfortable with Serena though really didn't know why.
"Serena!" he exclaimed, pushing his was through Parvarti.
"Oh, excuse me!" hissed Parvarti.
"Go!" Lydia hissed to Serena as she pushed her forward. Serena glanced behind her and to Harry. She blushed.
"Uh, Harry…"
"Will you go to the ball with me?" they said together.
They stared at each other and laughed.
"All right, then!" Serena and Harry said.
"See?" Lydia muttered. "That wasn't so hard!"
Ron jumped up. "Hey, Harry…"
"Oh," Harry said, "you won't happen to know anyone that could go with Ron, do you?"
"What about Hermione Granger?" Parvarti suggested. Before either Ron or Harry could say anything, Lydia spoke up.
"Oh, she's going with Viktor Krum," she said.
Parvarti and Lavender broke into a fit of giggles. "No way!"
Just as Serena thought, Ron looked absolutely furious. "What? She can't do that! He's the Durmstrang champion!"
"Jealous, are we?" Lydia teased.
"Hermione!" Ron ran up the stairs. Serena tried to warn him.
"Ron, wait, you can't go up there!"
The stairs slanted and Ron came crashing back down. Serena, Lydia and Harry helped him to his feet.
"What was that?" he demanded.
"You're not allowed up there," said Serena. "I tried to tell you."
"Why is she going with Krum?"
"Because he asked her," Lydia said simply.
"When did you find out?"
"Just now, actually," said Serena. "Our friend Ami Mizuno told us. She was in the library when Viktor asked her."
"I don't believe this," he muttered. "Is she out of her mind? He'll try to get information off Harry!"
"Come on," Serena said. "Hermione's too smart for that."
"If she was so smart she would've said no!"
"Stop being so jealous."
"I am not jealous!" he barked. "Harry, tell them! Hermione can't go with Krum!"
"I don't really care if she does," said Harry.
"What?"
"Don't worry, Ron," Serena said softly. "We'll find you a date. Let's see…"
"Hey, how about Ami?" Lydia asked suddenly. "She's available."
"Yeah!" Serena's eyes perked up.
"Who?" Ron inquired.
"She's from Ravenclaw," Serena answered. "Don't you remember meeting her at the World Cup? She's really nice!"
Ron was still too mad to care how nice Ami was.
"And she plays chess!" Lydia added. "Didn't ye say ye play chess, Ron?"
"Huh?" Ron blinked. "Really?"
"Yeah," said Serena.
"She any good?"
"Oh, she's amazing!" Serena exclaimed.
Ron shrugged. "Well, okay. Sure."
"Great," said Lydia. "Now we just got to tell Ami!"
--
Lydia and Serena sought out Ami the next morning and found her, unsurprisingly, in the library. Ami was shocked to hear that Lydia and Serena paired her up with Ronald Weasley. She didn't even know him.
"Who's Ron?" she asked.
"He's in our house," said Serena. "And we met him at the World Cup."
"There were too many boys with red hair," Ami said. "How am I supposed to know?"
"Come on," Lydia urged. "Say yes."
"I don't know," she said. "I have some work to finish."
"Ami you are not going to spend Christmas doing homework!" Serena muttered. "It's a holiday and how often does the Yule Ball take place?"
"He's really funny," said Lydia. She nudged Serena. "Remember when he and Harry were having a sword fight with George and Fred's fake wands?"
"Yeah!" Serena laughed. "Hilarious."
"But he likes Hermione, right?" Ami inquired.
"It really doesn't matter since she's going with Krum, huh?" Serena inquired. "Hey, he agreed to go with you."
"What did you have to say to him to make him say yes?" Ami inquired.
"Not much," Lydia replied. "Just told him ye are a good chess player."
"He plays chess?" Ami asked, looking up. "Is he any good?"
"Well, I never played him," Serena said, "but I heard he's pretty good. Didn't' he play on a huge chess set in his first year, Lydia?"
"Yeah, he did," Lydia nodded. "It was supposed to be an enchantment to protect the sorcerers stone."
"The school has a giant chess set?" Ami asked excitedly. "Where is it? Do you know if it's still here?"
"Dunno," Serena grinned. "You'd have to ask Ron!"
"So, will ye go?" Lydia asked hopefully.
Ami thought for a while. "Well, okay. Sure."
"Great!" Lydia said. "Oh and it's a good thing you're wearing orange."
"Why?"
"Because Ron likes the Chudley Cannons," she replied. "Bright orange is his favorite color—I told you bright orange would be your lucky color, Ami!"
"That's right," said Serena. "You did!"
To Be Continued