A/N: Well... it's happened again. I've keep forgetting to post AGAIN... -sigh- but it's okay. Cause we're nearing the end. Only 2 Chapters to go people. It's sad but true. Remember that for other related stories on Belladona, please read Nightshades and Moonlight that can be found here. However, if you're already started reading this one... then please keep going.
And this chapter is a lesson to all males everywhere: 'It's better not to speak, then to say the wrong thing infront of a woman,' lol
Chapter 13
"The big night"
After the game, Hank had decided to claim his prize. Bill was still a tad upset about Gryffindor loosing and was definitely feeling traitorous for making that bet. However, the way that Hank began to boast of about winning made these feelings completely disappear. Bill and Hank had decided to make the exchange a few days after their N.E.W.T.s, which Bill felt he confidently passed. He had never gone through such an extensive study period but the preparation had definitely made the difference. Although he usually didn't need much prepping for Charms and Dark Arts exams, he wanted to excel in all of them. Winter, Hank, Bill and Sandra weren't the only ones who had gone through such energy consuming sessions. Percy had wanted the same sort of results as Bill and made the top grades of his classes, even in Rune Reading.
"I'm very proud of you Percy!" said Penelope one June evening after coming out of their Rune exams.
"Well, I could have never done it without you! You're a great teacher," he said happily.
"That's because I have a wonderful student! I hope that you feel less confident about another subject next year though… that way we can work together again," she said smiling.
"I'll try to make that happen," said Percy laughing.
"Well, I better go! I have some friends waiting for me and I'd told them I'd meet them after the last exam so I'll see you next year then… um – goodbye!" she said as she kissed him quickly on the cheek and ran off.
Percy put a hand on his cheek as butterflies fluttered in his stomach. He turned around and began to walk down the hall only to find Hank and Bill talking. It seemed that Hank had finally taken a look at Bill's robes and wasn't too pleased with his "reward".
"I can't believe you'd do that to me! They're horrendous!"
"I told you they were something to look at! Definitely something," said Bill laughing.
"This isn't funny! I gave you my old dress robes and-"
"But weren't you going to buy new ones anyways? Come on Hank, think of my situation. I don't have much money left after buying a corsage and do you really think I'll go wearing that! Please just let me get away with this, this one time," he pleaded.
"I don't see why you spent so much when you don't even know the girl but you're quite a pathetic sight to see Bill. I really have to stop putting up with you. I guess I'm a dupe for lost cases," said Hank smiling. "You seem really set on meeting this girl now though. That's good. It's better then moping around,"
"Yeah I guess. Sandra was right, am I getting a little excited about it," he said smiling as they began to walk away.
Percy had totally forgotten about the Ball and Bella! After studying so hard he had wiped those worries clear out of his mind. So he planned to go and see Bella before the "big night" to see what was going to happen.
After forcibly going to Hogsmeade to get new dress robes, Hank had brought back some midnight blue ones to make up for loosing his turquoise ones. Bill was quite ecstatic at the sight of Hanks robes although they were too broad at the shoulders, but he was quite content! The week soon past and the day arrived! Sandra and Winter had not stopped talking about it since and Bella always felt a cold sweat come over her at the very thought. The night was at hand and in a few short hours, she would be coming face to face with destiny. With a person she had only admired from the shadows and she wondered how it would all turn out.
The Ravenclaw common room felt like a glass bottle. However, this bottle was alive with students. Bella couldn't help but feel like anyone would be able to see through her and figure out what she was preparing for and why she was so nervous. So, without bringing any attention to herself, Bella walked out with her dress robes and other things in the bag where she put her Quidditch robes. She sneaked down the hall to the other side of the castle and looked for a very special portrait. Percy told her to meet her there before she did anything and she wondered why he was so preoccupied. Did he really think things would turn out so bad? The school halls were completely quiet. It felt like everyone was preparing for the Ball or at least having a party of their own in their common rooms.
"This is it," said Bella to no one in particular as she stood close enough to the Fat Lady without being in view of her.
There was a noise and Percy walked out calmly. He began to walk down the corridor until Bella beckoned him to her. They started to walk near the lavatories as Bella stopped and sighed.
"So Bella… are you ready for tonight?"
"Does it look like I'm ready?" she said in despair. "I haven't even changed yet and the common room's really busy besides you told me to come right away,"
"I didn't mean right – right away. I just… I just want to ask you if you're still okay with this. It's all happening tonight! Have you gotten over your nerves?"
"I – I think so… Well, I don't have much choice now do I?" she said tensely.
"Yes you do! You always have a choice!" he said looking anxious.
"Yes, but I can't let Bill down. He has been forced to wait so long for today and –"
"Bella, he really isn't worth worrying about. My brother –" then it hit him.
What was he doing? He was acting very strange. Was he trying to convince Bella not to see Bill again? Why was he so stuck on this? Why was he so set on denying her this one chance? Percy suddenly felt a pang of guilt along with a wave of confusion.
"Well, I better at least get changed before I have to meet Bill," she said as her cheeks getting pink.
"Wh – Where did you say you'd meet?"
"Near the stairs in the south wing at 7. At least that's what Sandra told me," she said as she entered the girls' lavatory.
Percy spent at least 20 minutes in waiting. Finally he sat on the floor and yawned. It must have been at least 6:30 by then. Suddenly, he heard a noise and Bella emerged in her lavender dress robes. She looked fantastic with her hair falling lightly over her shoulders and pretty matching shoes. Parts of her fringe were pinned up and she wore a lavender chocker to finish the outfit. Percy stood up and smiled. Bella had even put a little make up for the occasion but a little was a lot.
"Oh wow! Wonderful!" he said happily.
"You – you really think so?"
"Oh yes! But there's something missing!" he says as he got near her.
Percy took his wand and conjured a pretty white flower in the part of her hair that was pinned up.
"There… perfect,"
Bella smiled. She really appreciated Percy's opinion. So without a second though she bid him good night as he uneasily wished her good luck. Bella ran off to her meeting place on wings of air. She felt as light as a feather, as beautiful as a princess and strangely enough… she felt her nervousness disappear. It was time for her to let the uneasiness she felt about herself pass. She was doing it. She was going through with and no matter how it turned out she felt proud that, at least, she tried.
As she 'flew' to her meeting spot, it seemed that another assembly was taking place. Bill, Hank, Sandra and Winter had decided to meet near the Great Hall entrance before the Ball. Bill felt very nervous and was fixing himself up constantly. Sandra and Winter had just arrived and the two boys greeted them comically by bowing too low. They loved how they looked but weren't as blown away as the girls had hoped. Of course, they also had no idea that they had seen them in their robes before. Still the two lovely witches were something spectacular to see. Hank went up to Sandra and presented her with his corsage and a handsome smile. Winter was to meet up with Oggy, whom had felt extremely fortunate to get to go with her, at the castle exit.
"So… um – Sandra," said Bill awkwardly as he saw the way Hank and Sandra looked at each other. "Will you tell me NOW, who I'm taking or will I have to call her 'girl' for the rest of the night?"
Hank turned around interested as Sandra giggled.
"Alright I'll tell you!" she said then stood in silence for a few seconds.
"Well?" said Bill a tad irritated.
"Belladona Nightshade,"
Hank suddenly looked like he was woken up from a deep sleep. He looked at Sandra and then at Bill with amazement on his face.
"Bella? Our Bella?" said Hank still in disbelief.
"That's right!" said Sandra with a grin.
"Who's that? Should I know her?" said Bill confused by the way all tree people reacted.
"Blimey! You really are hopeless! She just one of the most promising Ravenclaw Beater's I've seen and definitely the prettiest!"
Sandra lifted and eyebrow. Why was he getting so giddy over Bella? She didn't want to think of her in that way but Bella was just a fourth year. Hank continued on like Bill had just won one million galleons.
"You are very lucky Weasley! I'm telling you! That girl will be a real beauty when she gets older! It doesn't surprise me that she'd grow up to be a model of some sort or poster girl. Perhaps for Broom babes -"
"Hank, I think you're going a tad overboard! You don't have to encourage Bill that much. He'll make up his mind when he sees her," she began frowning at the way he was talking about Bella.
"Come on! I've got a real talent for spotting good-looking women. If she likes you then you're in for a great night! That girl's got some power you know," he winked.
"HANK!" said Sandra outraged. What was he trying to say?
Winter looked in between Sandra and Hank. It seemed that Hank was going too far this time. She could easily feel the agitation in the room and slipped a thin smile. Bill just stood speechless as the Ex-Ravenclaw captain continued to rant.
"I've been trying to get her to at least look at me for a while! She can be cold she can… sometimes hard to figure out. But she's a wonderful girl when you know her. I mean, she took pity on a guy like me and decided to be my personal Quidditch bodyguard! I thought that she was into me because of that but I was surely wrong! Why do you always have the luck Weasley? I'd like for it to be me for a change,"
"Oh do you?" said Sandra hot. She was being completely ignored!
"I mean, you get a lot of breaks you know? Why can't I get the cute girls you do? It's not right! Say maybe we can switch!" said Hank with a laugh.
That was the final straw.
Sandra got up and shoved her corsage at Hank's face. What was that? Was he saying that he'd rather go with anyone then with her? That she wasn't one of the cute girls? Just because she couldn't swing a bat around didn't mean that she was weak! It didn't mean that he could toss her about like extra luggage! She wasn't an object and she wasn't about to be treated like one!
"Fine! If you fancy that girl so much then why DON'T you take her? Have a nice evening and send me an owl all about it!" she said angrily as she turned around and tugged on Bill's arm.
The boy simply let himself get pulled without the slightest idea of what was going on. Within seconds they were out of sight and Hank stood with Winter by his side, completely thunderstruck.
"Wha – What just happened?"
"As usual Hank, your big mouth got you in trouble. You're lucky that I like those lips because otherwise I would have hit you on Sandra's behalf," said Winter.
"But I -"
"Listen, I told you before, Sandra's fickle. I never thought that you two made a good match to begin with," she said as she turned around.
"Winter… Just because we-"
"I don't want to hear it! I let it slide cause Sandra's my best friend but you even made a mess of this didn't you? If you would have just asked me to begin with then all this drama would have been avoided,"
"Winter… You know that you and I… It was just for fun. You know that… don't you?"
"My - my… You really are insensitive…" she said her back still turned to Hank.
What Hank didn't know was that she had a smile on her face. The opportunity had arisen and she would be able to set things right and to set circumstance the way that she knew it should be.
"I… If you want… I'll go with you. I mean, if it means that much to you," said Hank looking somewhat guilty.
"I don't know. What will I tell Oggy?" she said in a sobbed voice.
"Well, he could - Ummm…"
"Oh Hank! If you're really willing to bring me then I'll fix everything," she said as she lightly kissed him on the lips and sprinted away.
"Oh man… this gets more complicated by the moment although, it will show Sandra not to be such a baby," he thought as he waited for Winter's return.
Winter walked off to the main gate at lightning speed. She had to make sure that everything would go the way she wanted. It was all a matter of timing. She got there as fast as her needlepoint shoes could take her. The velvety, mint green, robes were rippling in the breeze she was creating until she saw Oggy Warrenton the 2nd standing patiently looking out for anyone coming. Winter took a breath and decided to give her best performance.
"Oggy! Oh, this is sad! So very sad!" she said clinging to his arm.
Oggy looked at her confused but put his hand on her shoulder comfortingly. She looked up at him, eyes puffy and breath short.
"My friend, Bella has just been deserted by her date for today and won't be able to go to the Ball unless she has a seventh year bring her! You know what happens to those that try to enter but aren't graduates?" she sobbed.
"Yes, the end up lost in Hogsmeade. Even the first years know that but what you want ME to do about it?" he said unsure of why she was telling him this.
"Well, I thought that maybe you could bring her through the Archway and then we'll meet up there?" she said innocently.
"What! I'm not going with an undergraduate!" said Oggy repulsed.
"Oh Please! It would mean the world to me! You don't have to worry about me. I'll just head there with a friend. Will you do me this favor Oggykins?" she said sweepingly.
"Winter I'm not-"
"I promise to give you a kiss if you do… a nice, long kiss," she said winking.
Oggy looked at the girl. Winter looked too beautiful and he would have to be crazy to pass up this opportunity. Besides, she said they'd meet there after the passed the Magical Archway anyways.
"Oh – All right. I'll do it,"
"I knew I could count on you! I'll see you there! She waiting by the North stairs I believe. Her name is Belladona Nightshade," she said as she turned and rushed back to Hank.
Meanwhile Bella has sat herself comfortably at the base of the stairs. She looked up at the empty halls and wondered what time it was? Did she come too early? But the thought of what was to come gave her patience. She leaned her head against the post of the stairs and closed her eyes. It was a tad cold in the South wing but Bella's shawl was warmly wrapped around her. She smiled her eyes still closed. What will happen?
It was then that she heard a sound. A young figure emerging from the darkness made his way towards her. He leaned over and told her to awake. Bella looked up to see Bill smiling brightly at her. He took her by the hand and lifted her off the ground. He then kissed it lightly.
"Shall we go then?"
"Um – Yes…"
"You are the most breathtaking girl I have ever seen. I now believe in love at first sight,"
"Oh Bill…"
"Bella…"
"Yes?"
"Bella,"
"What?"
"Bella!"
"Why are you shouting?"
"Bella! Open your eyes!" the voice had slowly changed.
Bella awoke to find Percy shaking her arm. He looked at her quite worriedly and was trying to give the girl back her sense of reality. Bella stood up bolt right. She was sleeping? What had happened?
"It's eight thirty… Don't tell me Bill never showed up?" said Percy upset.
"I – I guess not…" she said still awakening.
"I can't believe he'd do that! There's no way! He's not like that!" continued Percy.
Bella stood up and wiped the dust off her dress robes. She looked at the floor and frowned. "So it's come to this then," she thought as Percy was still searching in his mind as to what might have happened.
"Maybe it's best you forget about it then… It might be the best-" he then saw that Bella began to cry.
Little, pearly tears trickled down her face. She tried to make sure that Percy had not noticed them but the sniffling gave her away. Percy felt terrible. All this time he was thinking of himself. He didn't want to share Bella with anyone and was only thinking about the consequence of him loosing his friend. It was when he saw Bella cry that the previous realization of that night returned now crystal clear. Ever since Sandra had pushed him to wonder if he really fancied Bella or not his mind lay in doubt. He was being so possessive of that that he forgot about how Bella would feel. He knew that she was head over heals for Bill and had even tried to sabotage her chances by talking to Sandra. Is that a thing one would do for love or friendship? He felt ashamed. He then took a breath and decided then and there that he should no longer think about himself. Bella was hurting and if he really was a friend he'd try to help her out in any way he could.
"Bella... dry those tears! You're going to the Graduation Ball one way or another!"
