A/N: Okay everyone! Prepare for significant amounts of fluff! You all knew it had to come at some point and here it is! Though, it is fluff... yet it isn't. :S Anyhoo, after this chapter, it's the end! Ahhh! Finally! If you haven't read Nightshades and Moonlight then I once again ask you to head over to that story to read since after this, the final story in the Nightshade series is going tomake its debut in And without both stories read you'll have no idea what's going on. It's possible to follow Sandy Roads and N&M alone... but The Greatest Honor requires reading both. If you've read them carefully then you'll have more clues to the end of Bill and Bella's fate then you can imagine. With quirky new characters coming, you have to make sure you know the regulars well. I'll be seeing you in the next chapter!


Chapter 14

"No! No! Not Allowed!"

Sandra and Bill were sitting comfortably at a table in the outdoor gazebo-like hall. It was beautifully decorated with flowers, lights and reflective jewels. Candles illuminated the hall and everyone looked very excited. There was music, dancing and food but they didn't seem to want any of it. Bill looked at Sandra who had been staring at the table where Hank and Winter were sitting. He sighed. This wasn't the night he'd been expecting. He looked out into the dark sky and gazed at the low, dim stars. Clouds had even hid the moon and Bill began to take that as some sort of omen. He felt bored and wondered if this was how he would spend the rest of the evening. Winter and Hank however were having a great time as they danced and talked happily. "Trying to get her jealous, are you Hank? Well, it working," he thought as he stared back at Sandra. He needed a sort of icebreaker because the marathon of silence was really getting to him.

"So Sandra… your hair looks nice straight," he said. Was that the best he could do?

"Oh – Um… thanks. It was very hard to do, took me hours really," she said without turning her head.

"I see," he said as he continued to look around. This was not how he wanted this to go at all. "Um not to push my luck but are you sure this was a good idea?"

"What?"

"I mean, you're just staring…"

"You're right! We have to have fun too! That way Hank will learn not to think so low of me! Let's go!" she said as she pulled Bill up from his seat and went to get some food.

Meanwhile Percy had taken Bella near the main gate. He was very determined to find Bill and give him a piece of his mind. Bella looked flustered. She didn't want any trouble and if Bill really preferred going alone instead of with her then it was all right by her. However, Percy wasn't going to stand for it! It was then that they heard a low grumbling of a boy's voice. A good-looking boy was walking along the near them talking to himself.

"Stupid Winter! I'm sure there wasn't any girl at all! She just wanted to leave me wondering around the bloody school… North wing? There was no one in the north wing! And waiting for a half hour after that! Hah! I'm a real idiot! How could I have believed her? Well, I'm going to the ball one way or another with or without this Nightshade girl. Winter can kiss my feet!"

"Did you hear that?" said Percy. "He was looking for you in the wrong wing,"

"But… why would he be looking for me in the first place?" inquired Bella as her and Percy slowly began to follow him.

"I don't know but the important thing is that he's a seventh year! He can lead us right to the entrance of the ball,"

"Percy you're starting to sound like the twins," said Bella with a smirk.

"Come off it! I just want to get everything straightened out," said Percy who wasn't sure if it was an insult or a compliment.

Sandra had pulled Bill into a wild spinning twirl! He looked like he was fairly disturbed at how hard she was trying to have fun. She kept starring at Hank every few minutes to see if he noticed how much she was 'enjoying' herself. Bill felt a bit sick. After eating and being hauled away onto the dance floor he felt as though he was going to loose the few morsels he managed to pack in. This was getting out of hand and Bill decided he had enough of trying to play this little game. So before he could be pulled in again he left the dance floor and Sandra staring. The girl seemed quite surprised by Bill's action and rushed off to his side to see what was wrong.

"Bill? Is there some-"

"Yes there is! I don't know if I can take this anymore Sandra! If it bothers you so much then please go and fix it! I like you when you act normal not when you're faking how you feel! Please! I know I'll lose my chance at finishing this night with you but anything's is better then this," said Bill with a sigh.

Sandra stared at him. Bill really looked sincere. He knew that doing this would eventually end up in them getting back together but he had accepted this during the end of the term. He felt sort of okay with it now. He, of course, thought it was blessing that they had had this fight but now he came to realizing that even if he cared for her, she would only have eyes for Hank. She would not let herself fall into any relationship with Bill other then friendship. Bill smiled and took Sandra's hand; it felt soft to the touch. He began to walk her over to where Winter and Hank were standing deep in conversation.

Slowly Percy and Bella began to walk behind Oggy. The Slytherin was very upset and made much noise on his way out of the castle and into the grounds. Percy, holding onto Bella's wrist for dear life so she wouldn't escape, was watching him closely as they headed out into the back courtyard of the school. They soon saw a huge white archway that twisted around like a spiral. It was made of ivory and was decorated with flowers of every sort. On the side of it, there was a sign with a golden inscription.

"Welcome all Hogwarts Graduates,

Just pass through the Archway with your partner and enjoy the festivities. If you partner is under age then please remember that you need to have physical contact with them so they are not banished from the party. It requires the same process for your departure. Thank you and have a magical night.

Professor McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress"

"Oh no! What are we going to do? If we pass through we'll be banished to wander lost in Hogsmeade. You know the stories about people trying to get in don't you? We should just give up. I'm not worth all this trouble Percy,"

"There must be a way! I also told you before that you'd go to the Ball and I plan on keeping that promise. We just need an opportunity," he mused as he put his hand on his chin.

They got closer to the 7th year and hid behind a bush a few feet from him. As Oggy got near the entrance, he stopped and pulled his cloak off to let it hang from his shoulder. At that very moment, Percy felt like his wishes had been answered. He looked at Bella who stared back confused.

"This is it! Bella, you grab the end of his cloak and I'll grab your hand. Then we can just run in with him before he even notices we're there! Once we're through we can run and hide in a corner somewhere. But he's going in now so hurry!" said Percy and he pushed Bella forward and quickly grabbed her hand.

The very moment that Bella was pushed, Oggy began to pass through the archway. There was a faint glow just as she took hold of his cloak! However, Bella lost her balance and let go of Percy's hand. Percy, at that moment, had begun to move forward and felt his body slide! He shifted back and forth and felt a strange slight shock hit him until he fell on his knees on hard cement floor. He looked up and saw nothing but mist. The floor was cold and dirty. As he stood up he could barely make out the houses on the nearest horizon cause of the thick fog that clouded his vision. However, he knew he was in Hogsmeade.

"Oh no! I hope Bella made it. She's on her own now…" he thought as he began to walk around. "But how will I ever get myself out of this?" he pondered as he looked to the dim sky.

Bella felt a tingle about her skin as she drifted through the archway. The glow was so intense that she closed her eyes. The very next second, she opened them and saw Oggy glaring right at her.

"Is there something you need?" he said lifting an eyebrow.

"Um… Well… no. Sorry!" she said embarrassed.

"Ok, good. Then please let go of my cloak," he said eying the girl strangely.

Bella instantly let her grasp loosen as the handsome Slytherin boy went towards a table in the corner. She looked around and tried her best to stay out of sight. The last thing she needed was to be kicked out for being partner-less! She began to walk around and awed at the fabulous decorations and the elegant dresses. The boys all looked fabulous and the girls were shining like stars. For a moment she had completely forgotten what she had come to do, at least until she saw Bill and Sandra head towards Winter and Hank. Her eyes widened and she ducked behind a pillar. They were all there? Did they really forget about her?

"Now listen both of you. This is getting really stupid. If you both keep going on like this then-"

"What are you talking about Bill? Hank and I are having a good time and I would have assumed you –" began Winter. Wait. She was coming on too strong.

"Well, Sandra's not. So I think you should just let bygones be bygones," he couldn't believe he was saying that.

Sandra and Hank looked at each other. They both looked like they felt guilty about everything that was going on. Winter frowned irritably. This was not happening! Were Hank and Sandra going to leave Bill and her hanging this way? She couldn't take it! This was insulting! The way they began to smile at each other made her sick to her stomach so without a second though she looked up at a candle and subtly pointed the tip of her wand towards one and murmured: "Acerebus Embracio". The beam bounced from every corner of the room and hit all the candles. It was then, that all light disappeared from the room! Winter hand managed somehow to find and grab Hank's hand and haul him away in the darkness. Sandra was quite surprised and couldn't see her own hands as she began to walk away looking for something to grab a hold of. Bill had remained standing, unaware that Sandra had wandered away.

"What is this?" said Bill to no one in particular which was more then true considering no one was around him.

It was then that there was a thump near a chair. Bella had been walking around in the sea of black trying to find her way when suddenly she felt someone behind her push her forcefully on the back. After rushing forward, she felt two hands clasp her shoulders from the front!

"Sandra? Is that you?" said Bill as he held Bella. "Oh yes... it is! I remember the top of you dress robes. Are you okay? What do you think happened?"

Bella couldn't move let alone make a sound. Her heart was now in her throat! Bill thought she was Sandra! She felt his hands feel her shoulders and the material of the robes. Why did the top have to be the same? If not, he would have quickly thought it someone else! She didn't know what to do! She felt Bill hands clasp on to her and for dear life she just couldn't seem to tear herself away. She could sense the way his arms seemed to slowly pull her in. It was the most conflicted Bella had ever felt. She didn't know whether to run away or stay and see what unraveled!

"You're so quiet. I guess you're thinking about leaving me for Hank, aren't you?" said Bill in a sorrowful tone. "I guess I was just fooling myself wasn't I?"

Bella had no clue as to what he was talking about but she suddenly felt sad for him. Something had happened with Sandra, but what?

"It's nice like this isn't it? No one's making a sound; no one's staring, no one's looking. It's like I have you all to myself but I know that's not what you want, even if this is sort of romantic,"

What was he getting at? Even if Bella felt she could hear his voice forever she needed to find meaning to what he was saying.

"I'm glad that things turned out this way though. You might think I'm a coward for starting this now, when I can't even see the look on your face, but I feel that you need to know how I really feel about you,"

Bella tensed up. No, she was not supposed to hear this! This wasn't for her! It wasn't!

"From the day I met you I was curious about you. The way you smiled and that hidden energy inside of you… it just drew me to you," he said as he put his hand on Bella's cheek. The girl blushed deeply as he continued. "I wanted – I wanted to be with you and hold you from the very beginning… I wanted for you to know how much I cared right away. Usually I would have just gone for it and asked you out but you were different then the other girls. I wanted to be careful with you but I was an idiot! You never looked at me the way you look at him. You never wanted to be with me and let me hold you. You –"

It was then that Bella threw herself into Bill's arms. She didn't know why she did or if it was the smart thing to do but her heart ached along with his. She didn't want him to hurt anymore. She didn't want him to suffer anymore and unknowingly, all for her sake. She could hear his heartbeats grow faster as she rested her head on his chest. A warmth that she never felt before had then suddenly embraced her as Bill wrapped his arms around her. He hugged her and, unexpectedly, kissed her head. As he did so, he could smell the sent of flowers in her hair. Bill smiled and brought one of his hands to her cheek again and titled her face upwards towards him. He noticed the girl's face felt very warm. Slowly he passed his thumb on her lip. Bella had now closed her eyes and was completely subdued. The haze that engulfed her was too thick to be brought back to reality. She then felt warmer… there was heat… slowly escalating as she felt soft lips touch hers. Her heart raced and there was a pounding all over her body! Was he – Was he – Was he kissing her? The gentile flutter of caresses seemed to invade every part of her being as she trembled with happiness. Bill began to kiss her more deeply, longingly and thoroughly. Nothing compared to this! Nothing! Not the feeling she got from winning the Quidditch cup, not the high marks she got in DADA, nothing! Bill's hands grabbed tightly from behind started rubbing her back. She slightly moaned and she surprisingly heard Bill do the same. He seemed to be enjoying himself as much as she was for when they finally broke apart. She could hear his breathing quaver.

"I – I –" he began.

Bella had no idea that it would feel that way! She wanted to hold him again! She wanted to feel his being become part of hers once again… that is, until 4 words sent it all crashing down like a cannon ball through a pane of glass.

"I love you Sandra!" he said still shaking.

Bella's crystal world was shattered. It was so beautiful, so right yet all created in deceit. Her eyes flooded with tears as she tore herself away. Bill was confused. He could feel that petite body suddenly slip though his fingers and leave a cold emptiness in its wake.

"Sandra!" shouted Bill until he heard a voice behind him, opposite from where he felt the body leave him.

"What? Why are you shouting Bill?" asked Sandra from behind him feeling her way back to Bill.

"WHA-! SANDRA? How could you be…" he said in disbelief. "Who – who was that?"