A/N: Hope you enjoy this chappie! I plan to lighten the mood a tad bit! I have a very good reason for not updating. Just read the author's note at the bottom. Thanks!
Chapter Nine: Winter Masquerade
November passed in a flurry of tears, homework, and one suicide. Yes, sadly one Fourth Year couldn't take it anymore. His whole family died. So one day he decided to tie the knot…around his neck. He was hanging out for quite some time until a teacher found him. By then he was gone.
November was a depressing month.
December was a little better. The students eventually got over the deaths of loved ones and order was restored back to Hogwarts.
But Rose was dreading Christmas Vacation. She would be going home to her parents. Joy to the world and all things made of peanut butter.
Rose was sitting in the Astronomy Tower one cold Sunday morning reading Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang when the thought struck her. What about Amelia? She hasn't been around a lot lately.
As if it was planned, Amelia came running up the steps. She didn't notice Rose at all. She collapsed on the floor.
Rose dropped the book and ran over to Amelia. She was covered in blood and dirt. Her robes were slashed and covered in what seemed to be slime. She picked up her dirty head.
"Amelia?" What was she doing? She hated Amelia with a fiery passion that would make the devil himself green with envy. "Amelia?"
Amelia didn't move. Her face turned a chalk white and she became cold.
"No, no!" Rose placed her head down softly. "No! This cannot be happening!"
What? Why do you care? She's an evil bitch from Merlin knows where!
Yes, but she's flesh and blood.
So?
So what?
Just leave her here and go.
No!
You must.
I don't know what to do!
Suddenly Rose knew what to do. She ran out of the room.
Great Hall
"Ok Harry, your move." Ron said.
Harry and Ron were playing Wizard Chess while Hermione was read Hogwarts: A History for what seemed to be about the sixty second time.
Suddenly Rose rushed into the room. "Guys, something's up with Amelia."
"You mean besides the fact that she's a psychotic bitch from hell?" Harry asked, trying to keep a straight face.
"Ha ha, very funny. I mean it. She's in the Hospital Wing. Come on! I'll explain on the way." Rose grabbed Hermione's arm, who grabbed Harry's arm, who grabbed Ron's arm, and sped towards the Hospital Wing.
When they got there, they found it empty.
Rose walked straight up to Madam Pomfrey. "Uh, Ma'am?"
"Yes?"
"Where's Amelia?"
"Who's Amelia?"
"That girl I brought in about ten minutes ago. She looks exactly like me."
"I have no idea what you are talking about. Now if you'll excuse me. Some First Year just jinxed himself." She walked away leaving the threesome.
"So Rosie—," Hermione began.
"Call me Rosie again and you'll wish that you would've brought a fire retardant."
"—I want to know what's up." Hermione finished.
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you lie to us?"
"I didn't."
"Rose," Harry said as he put a comforting arm around the now shaking girl. "What's going on?"
"This morning I was in the Astronomy Tower reading when…" Rose told her tale of the mornings events.
"So, she's gone?" Ron asked in a nervous voice.
"I suppose so." Rose answered flatly.
"Where is she then?" Hermione asked. She furrowed her brows.
"Who knows, but I'm hungry." Ron said suddenly. His stomach growled to prove so.
"You conceited little bug-eyed prat!" Hermione gasped, but was laughing all the same.
"I think I'll try to get my mind off her a bit…" Rose mumbled to herself.
"What's that, love?" Ron asked her.
"I said 'the next person who comes near me will find there head on top of the Astronomy Tower."
Ron looked shocked at first. Then his face broke into a grin. He kissed her cheek and whispered, "I wouldn't mind seeing you try."
Rose stepped on his foot, hard, and gripped Hermione's arm. "Come on Mione. We're going to have a girl's day."
"A girl's day? That doesn't sound so bad. Come on Ron." Harry said.
"Great idea! We can do each other's hair and nails! Ooo! I think I'll go shopping for a fluffy pink bra with hearts all over it. Then I'll want a tight blue jean skirt that shows my thong when I bend over. Oh and how 'bout one of those low cut shirts?" Ron said in a high pitched voice that sounded similar to Hermione's.
"Yeah, we can play Quidditch all day and get all sweaty. Sound like fun Rose?" Hermione said in a deep tone, trying to mock Ron's voice.
The quartet laughed as they walked out of Hospital Wing.
"Speaking of Quidditch, what time is it?" Harry asked, grabbing Hermione's watch.
"When are you going to get a watch, Harry?" Rose rolled her eyes.
"When you buy me one." Harry looked at Rose hopefully.
"Nice try,"
"No really, what time is it?" Ron asked.
"Time for you to get a watch." Rose insisted.
Harry sighed and shook his head.
"Ok fine, it's 1:57." Hermione answered, holding onto her watch as Harry tried to take it off.
"Oh, damn! We're late!" Ron shouted. He grabbed Harry and the two of them ran off.
"For what?" Rose called after the vanishing boys.
The expected answer came: Quidditch.
Hermione and Rose sighed as they walk off to the library.
"Are you staying over Vacation?" Rose asked Hermione.
"Yes, you?"
"I wish! Its home to Sapphire and Vince for me. Whoop."
"It can't be all that bad."
"Oh yes it can."
Hermione didn't say anything.
Rose finally asked, "Is Draco coming home or what?"
"He wrote me and said that he'd be here any day." Hermione blushed. Rose didn't want to know what she was fantasying.
"That's nice."
Slytherin Common Room
Rose, once again, was curled up in a chair reading. Only this time she was reading a book called The Scions of Shannara by Terry Brooks.
The hour was midnight and almost everyone was asleep except for her dorm mates. You could hear their conversation clearly from the Great Hall! They must've found someway to convince the House Elves into bringing them Firewhisky.
Rose sighed as one of them yelled what time of month it was for them and how they missed it.
Ew.
Suddenly a figure stalked into the common room for outside and stopped before Rose.
She looked up and saw sleeked back blonde hair and mysterious gray eyes standing over her. "Draco? You're back! What's wrong?"
He responded by kissing her full on the lips, hard.
Rose lingered a bit too long before breaking away. "What the bloody hell do you think your doing?"
"My parents found out," came his short reply.
"About what? Why did you kiss me? What's wrong?"
He didn't respond. He just walked away up the dark staircase of the Boy's Dormitories.
Rose sighed and went back to her book.
A few minutes later a female voice entered her mind. It was her voice but yet it wasn't…
I'm a screw-up! I'm going to die. I have to keep running. He's going to kill me…
Then the voice stopped there.
What was that? Rose thought to herself. She looked down at the half empty glass of water next to her that she had been drinking. She picked it up and examined it. It must be something in the water. she thought.
Rose stood up and walked away to her dorm, leaving the water behind.
Great Hall
Hermione sat at breakfast scrambling her scrambled eggs. Her thoughts were far away to a time way before she received her first Hogwarts letter.
Life was simple then. Her parents had to work a lot but would always bring her to the zoo on Sundays. Her mother would always be home to cook dinner and her father would always be home to eat it.
Not anymore.
Hermione set down her fork and picked out her glass of pumpkin juice. She was just about to swallow when.
"Hello Granger!" Harry and Ron ran up to her, causing her to spit out the juice, which splattered in the first year's face across from her.
"Sorry," she muttered.
"Rose's been looking for you." Ron said.
"Rose has been acting more like a Thorn." Harry stated.
"Best of luck!" Harry and Ron dashed away as Rose entered the Great Hall.
"Assholes," Hermione garbled after them.
Rose hiked over to the Gryffindor table and practically pulled Hermione off the bench.
"Rose, what's up?" Hermione asked as Rose lead her out of the Great Hall.
"He's back," she said shortly.
Hermione's whole body changed. Her face seemed to glow. Hot tingles went up her back. He legs became weak. "He's back!"
"He's back but in a really bad mood. I'm not sure if bad is a strong enough word to describe it. How 'bout a merciless or an unscrupulous or a debauched mood. That seems to cover it more."
"Why?"
"I don't know. Last night I was reading in the Common Room and he walked in, without anything but the clothes on his back and his wand. He came over to me and he…" Rose shook her head.
"Tell me," Hermione said cautiously.
"He kissed me." Hermione gasped. "And then he said he parents found out."
"About what?"
"I don't know. I asked him but he left."
Hermione was still in shock that she had been cheated but then, she knew it would happen. She wasn't exactly dating Malfoy.
Eager to change the subject, Rose asked, "We have two more days until break. Is there going to be a Winter Ball or what?"
Hermione smiled, happy that the subject changed, and replied "I thought I heard someone say it was going to be on out last night. I think Dumbledore's going to surprise us at lunchtime. I think it's a masquerade."
"How exciting."
"I think we also have no afternoon classes so we can go to Hogsmeade to buy costumes."
"Yes! No Potions!" Rose giggled.
The bell rang sounding the beginning of classes.
"Bye!" the two girls said at the same time as they parted.
Great Hall
"Quiet down students. Thank you." Professor Dumbledore said as the Hall calmed down. "It seems talk of a Masquerade Ball has escaped from the mouths who knew about it." He looked at Hermione, who blushed at lowered her head. "I must tell you all that it is true." Cheers rang out from every corner of the Hall. "But, alas, it is only for Fifth Years and above."
There were several groans. Someone shouted, "Why Fifth Years and above? Isn't it always Fourth Years and above?"
Dumbledore's eyes held a twinkle of mischief. "I have decided to change that because I thought getting out of afternoon classes and no homework over break would be enough for the younger students." Cheers. "I know most of you really want to go to the Ball but I am allowing the younger students decorate.
"As I said there will be no afternoon classes so Fifth Years and above could go shopping. That is all. Let us eat!"
The students cheered and ate quickly so they could get ready to go. The Fourths Years and younger ate a bit slower but were waiting to plan decorations for the Hall.
Hogsmeade
"Try this one." Hermione said to Rose as she grabbed a green dress.
"It's beautiful but I don't want to buy a new costume. I'll just use my Halloween costume and change it a bit. All I need is a mask."
"Suit yourself." Hermione racked through dresses and found a dark green velvet ball dress.
It had off-the-shoulder sleeves and a lower than normal neckline. The skirt consisted of three layers; each one darker than the first. The mask that came with it was the same green but had pearls surrounding the frame of it.
Rose looked at the dress in awe.
"Now tell me you don't want this." Hermione said smartly.
"I do but I shouldn't."
"All you need is a strand of pearls to set this dress off perfectly."
"Fine, I'll take it." Rose said as she grabbed the dress from Hermione. "Now we need to find you one."
Rose searched through the dress and stopped. She found it. It was perfect.
The dress itself was beautifully designed. It had off-the-shoulder sleeves and was the as style as Rose's. It was midnight blue velvet at the top then the skirt started that was but slowly turned into black. There were little lights that twinkled, giving her the ides that they were stars. The dress was the night sky.
The mask was the same as Rose's mask except it was midnight blue.
Hermione smiled as she fingered the dress. "I want it."
The girls giggled as they paid for the dress and walked back to Hogwarts.
Slytherin Common Room
Amelia paced the floor.
He would find her.
Soon.
Very soon.
She was waiting for someone, preferably Rose, to get help from.
What was she thinking? Her, Amelia, needing help?
It was impossible.
And yet…
She shook her head. No one was going to help her now. She was doomed.
Why had she decided to be a Death Eater? What was her purpose here on Earth?
All she knew was she was doomed.
As she heard voices approaching, she fled. She didn't know where to go. She didn't know anything except,
She was doomed…
Slytherin Girl Dormitories
Rose packed her trunk hastily. She would be going home to her parents to their slave once again. How fun that would be.
When she was done she pulled out her green dress that Hermione picked out. Tonight was the night of the Ball. In about two hours, she would be dancing the night away and forgetting all her troubles.
She flung it, along with the mask and a strand of peals she had found in her trunk, on her bed. She grabbed her shower stuff and went to the showers to take a short shower.
When she was done, she wrapped a towel around her body and did a Quick Drying Charm on her body and hair. Then she set to work.
She fixed her hair. She pulled her hair up in a chignon. Then she wove pearl strands in her hair. To perfect it, it took about seventy minutes to do.
Forty minutes remaining.
Next she did her make-up. She used her Muggle products she brought from home. She put a faint green eyeshadow on and lightly put on mascara. Next she used a little dab of blush for her pale cheeks. Lastly, she put on a pale red lipstick.
She smiled at her reflection.
Fifteen minutes to go.
She flew into her room and put on her dress, mask and necklace. She took a quick glance in a mirror and left.
A Random Corridor
Rose paced the corridor. In about ten minutes, Hermione and Rose would walk in and dance the night away.
Hermione and Rose were planning on meeting in a corridor with the picture of a random green witch with flying monkey. It was supposed to be a joke. The witch was the Wicked Witch of the West from a Muggle book called The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Suddenly Rose caught sight of something blue. It was Hermione's dress.
"Hermione? Finally! I've been waiting forever." Rose ran up to her.
"Rose, you could've told me to wear something different. We look exactly the same."
It was partially true. Their hair was done the same way. Their make-up was slightly different (Hermione's eyeshadow was blue not green) and their dress were different.
"And ruin the surprise? Never."
The girls giggled and hurried to the Great Hall.
Once they got there, they were overcome with surprise. The First through Fourth Years had done a fascinating job decorating.
Snow fell from the ceiling but disappeared before it hit the ground. The walls looked like shops during Christmas time. There were snowmen everywhere. There were even snow banks along the wall. In one corner was a giant Christmas tree decorated with everything symbolizing Christmas.
The tables, of course, were all gone except for the ones that held Christmas munchies.
"It's beautiful!" Hermione cried in awe.
"It's wonderful!" Rose sighed happily.
"Yes, and you're beautiful."
Rose spun around to find a tall, masked boy with blonde wearing a blue king's outfit standing behind her with his arm held out. "Shall we dance?"
Rose smiled and gracefully accepted his arm. "We shall."
He led her away to the middle of the dance floor where students were dancing slowly with the beat (A/n: slow song for those of you who are descriptively impaired). He pulled her close. She slid her arms around his neck. She rested her head on his chest (A/n: He was tall, remember?) and breathed in his pinewood sent. She sighed contently as they swayed to the beat.
"How are you enjoying yourself tonight?" he asked.
"Magnificently. You?"
"With you in my arms I feel careless."
Thank goodness he couldn't see her blush. "That's very sweet of you."
They danced a few more songs together. He whispered comments to her about who he thought was who and how pretty she looked.
Another slow song came and they danced.
The song ended and Dumbledore stood on a platform. "I would like to play this next song because I think it fits tonight's theme perfectly." He clicked his fingers and the song started.
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade…
Masquerade!
Hide you face,
So the world will
Never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade…
Masquerade!
Look around-
There's another
Mask behind you!
"Shall we dance once more?" he asked Rose.
"I don't see how, but I'd love to."
Suddenly, just like in a musical, the whole dance floor danced the same dance. Every movement was precise. (A/n: if you've ever seen the play or movie; think of that)
Flash of mauve…
Splash of puce…
Fool and king…
Ghoul and goose…
Green and black…
Queen and priest…
Trace of rouge…
Face of beast…
Faces…
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round…
In an inhuman race…
Eye of gold…
Thigh of blue…
True id false…
Who is who…?
Curl of lip…
Swirl of gown…
Ace of hearts…
Face of clown…
Faces…
Drink it in, drink it up,
Till you've drowned
In the light…
In the sound…
But who can name the face…?
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
Spinning reds…
Masquerade!
Take your fill-
Let the spectacle
Astound you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances,
Turing heads…
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
At the sea of smiles around you!
Masquerade!
Seething shadows,
Breathing lies
Masquerade!
You can fool
Any friend who
Ever knew you!
Masquerade!
Leering satyrs
Peering eyes…
Masquerade!
Run and hide-
But a face will
Still pursue you!
At that point the dancing stopped with everyone out of breath.
"I felt like I was part of the musical for a minute." Rose gasped, happily.
"So did I." He said as he led her away from the dance floor. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Water please."
He bowed and left her standing alone.
Rose caught sight of Hermione running towards her. "Hello."
"Hello. Having a nice night?"
"The best."
"How many people have you danced with?"
"Just one."
Hermione raised her eyebrows then laughed. "Let me rephrase. How many dances did you dance?"
"All of them."
"I found Ron and Harry. Harry if dressed like Zorro and Ron's dressed like a cowboy." Hermione said in a matter of fact tone.
"I wonder who I've been dancing with all night."
"I would guess Draco."
"Why?"
"He has blonde hair."
"So do about one fourth of the boys here."
"Good point."
Just then Rose's mysterious date came back. "Here you go." He handed Rose her drink.
"Thanks."
"I'll be seeing you. Bye!" Hermione left.
"This is good. It isn't water but it's good."
"There wasn't any water so I got you punch."
"It's good!" Rose gulped down her cup and it refilled instantly. She gulped it down too. "I didn't realize how thirsty I was."
He laughed and put his arm around her shoulders. "I think I should leave you so someone else can dance with you."
"Promise me the last dance?"
"Of course." He left and disappeared in the throng of students.
Rose stood alone, gulping down glass after glass of punch, for about ten minutes before someone came to dance with her. He was dressed as a cowboy.
"Rooooony? Is that you?" Rose asked/giggled in a singsong voice.
"Yeah. Rose? You alright?"
She was practically on top of him. She was pressed so close to him that she could feel his pelvis against her leg.
"Rose stop!"
"What?" she giggled.
"Are you alright?"
"Never been better." She pulled his hand over her breast.
"Rose, did you have the punch?"
"Yes, it was marvelous!"
"Oh shit! Rose, didn't you know someone spiked it with Firewhisky?"
She stopped giggling and looked at him. "Ronny, why don't we get away from this dance and have some alone time together? Wouldn't you like that?"
"Rose, you're drunk!"
"What's the problem here?" He was back.
"Rose is drunk and she wants to shag me right now." Ron looked at him. "Who are you?"
He brushed the question aside. "That's not important right now. Let's get her out of here."
"Oooo! Loookie heeer! It's my Kiiing!" Rose giggled.
He lifted her up with no trouble at all and carried her out of the Great Hall with Ron following.
Rose was trying to unbutton his shirt and was almost successful by the time they reached the Hospital Wing.
"What's wrong?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Someone spiked the punch and Rose had a little too much." Ron answered.
Madam Pomfrey sighed. "She's going to have one nasty hangover if she doesn't stay here over night. Very well. You," she addressed the King. "Place her in a bed. And you," she pointed to Ron. "Go tell the Headmaster about the punch. Hurry!"
The two boys did as she said. Madam Pomfrey went into her office to get a potion.
The king placed her softly on a bed and took off her mask. Right after Rose pulled his off.
"Draaaco! I'm een a firey mooood toonight! Shag mee senseless!" Rose squealed she as ripped his shirt off.
Draco tried the best to hide his pleasure. "Rose, give me back my shirt. I'm going to leave you. Madam Pomfrey's going to give you a potion to make you feel better."
"I've neaver felt beeter!" Rose wrapped her arms around Draco which cause him to fall on her.
"Stop!" he said, even though his was clearly enjoying it.
Rose pulled him in closer and kissed him over and over.
Unfortunately, Madam Pomfrey walked in right then. She walked over and beat Draco on the back with a stick and sent him away.
"Rose dear, take this." She spooned a potion in Rose's mouth.
Rose fell asleep as soon as the potion slid down her throat.
Hospital Wing
Rose woke up to find herself, once again, in the Hospital Wing wearing a simple white nightgown. "Oh shit!" She had a splitting headache.
Madam Pomfrey walked over. "You're up, good. Take this and keep it with you. Take it every hour to avoid further headaches." She handed Rose a small green bottle with a pink liquid in it.
Rose obeyed the orders. Surprisingly the potion tasted like chocolate.
"When came I go?" Rose asked the nurse.
"You can go now. I had your clothes and trunk taken care of. Just go down to the Entrance Hall, they're waiting for you."
She nodded and left. I forgot, I'm going home today. Shit, shit, shit, shit…
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know I did. Being the musical freak that I am, I had to put Masquerade from The Phantom of the opera in this chapter. I had no idea Rose was going to get drunk. It just sort… happened….
I had to lighten the mood to make you happy! Next chapter will not be happy.
Now for my perfectly good excuse for not updating: WRITER'S BLOCK!
Thank to all who reviewed!
Taiyourshoes: Yes, they are hoodlums.
Kristin: yeah, well, you're not completely sane either… LOL!
Saxifrage: You'll never find out! Well, I have no clue what will happen to Amelia. I'm getting suspicious too…
Trojan Cheese: Screw toodles!
And to everyone else that I didn't mention: Thanks for reviewing!
Please review! It will make my day and maybe even make me update faster…
P.S. What do you think about Draco? Is he a player? Is he confused? Or is he just a guy?
I love you if you review!