Disclaimer: I don't have any rights to any of this.
A/N: First I have to say I'm sorry for the long wait between updates. I started this chapter right after I posted the last one but got caught up in school and only now have been relaxed enough to come back to it. I hope to update either this or Friends Redefined at least once a week for the next 3-4 weeks and then biweekly after that.
For those wondering about my portrayal of Neville. I think that he will develop into what I am showing him as. Some of this maturation can be seen in the incident at the Department of Mysteries and Neville's sudden abilities with Defense magic. As for the implied closeness between Neville and Harry I think that needs to happen. I don't see Harry sharing the prophecy with Hermione or Ron because they will only worry. However he will need to share it with someone and I think Neville is the logical choice because it could just as easily be Neville in Harry's position. If you would like me to explicitly show this development tell me and I will work on Friend Redefined, the prequell to this and Quadrangular Quidditch Qup. As for Neville's seemingly adventurous and cavalier attitude I have to admit some self insertion. I identify with Neville's character and have had him do things that I have backed away from at times. I hope this doesn't discourage you from reading further. Thank you.
A Dance
Belle woke to the sun peaking through the window and piercing her silk curtains. It was still early on a Saturday morning, but Belle was glad to be awakened by the early morning sunshine. Today was going to be a great day. Only a few weeks ago she first noticed him. Today she was going to the Easter Formal with him.
Sitting up, Belle opened the curtains around her bed. The sun now flooding her bed, she leaned against the headboard and reveled in its cheery warmth. Nothing could set the tone better for a day than the first few moments after waking.
Airily Belle leapt from her bed. She grabbed her school robe, hastily threw it over her shoulders and pushed her feet into a pair of slippers. Belle looked about the room and noticed that all of her room mates were still sound asleep. Hoping that the same was true for the rest of the school she headed of to the Great Hall.
When Belle entered the Great Hall, only Professor Snape sat at the teachers table. A smattering of first and second years populated the house tables while Filch looked out across the hall from his spot in the corner.
Belle sat at the near end of the Ravenclaw table. She poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice and grabbed a piece of toast. Slowly Belle ate her toast while looking out across the room. It seemed so much larger than normal. Belle finished her toast and loaded a plate with fried eggs and bacon. The bacon was perfectly cooked. Not crispy and not rubbery.
Older students began to trickle in to the Great Hall. The last bits of her eggs and bacon gone, Belle poured herself another glass of pumpkin juice. Looking for her dorm mates, Belle lazily sipped her pumpkin juice. She hoped that they would all show up at the same time so she could be alone in their room.
Three of her dorm mates walked into the hall. They walked past Belle, not even noticing her presence. Luna was still nowhere to be seen. Belle surmised that she was still asleep and decided to head back to her room. At least she wouldn't have to deal with those three.
Returning to her room Belle decided to shower. She went to her trunk and pulled out her dress and shoes, laying them on her bed. Belle stood and stared at the dress shimmering in the morning sun light for a moment then returned to her trunk. She began looking for a pair of pajama bottoms and a sweater.
Belle grabbed the pajama bottoms and sweater she was looking for and headed to the shower. She stripped and stepped into the shower. Turning on the water, Belle was completely relaxed, only whimsical thoughts of the day to come graced her mind.
Belle stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel, beginning to dry herself. She looked into the mirror and a sudden inspiration hit her. Before she didn't know what to do with her hair but now she knew exactly what to do. Belle dried her hair until it was just slightly damp, pulled on her clothes and grabbed her wand. Looking into the mirror she raised her wand, spoke a quick incantation and tapped her head. Slowly the perfectly straight silky black strands of hair formed into neat little ringlets. Belle looked back into the mirror, her once straight hair now formed into spirals laid down over her shoulders.
Belle heard some movement in the bedroom. Wondering as to its origin she walked out of the bathroom. Entering the bedroom she found Luna climbing out of bed.
"About time you woke up." Belle called. "There are only a few hours before we have to leave for Durmstrang. And just what are you wearing?"
"Oh this?" Luna replied. "This is my dress for the dance. I got it put together last night. I wouldn't be able to take it off without taking it apart and I didn't have enough duct tape left over to fix it if I did. So I slept in it. Now, I'm ready for the dance; you on the other hand still need to get dressed."
Belle just shook her head. Luna was standing there in a dress fashioned from dark blue duct tape. Never one to criticize, Belle just laughed at the thought of Luna dancing in a duct tape dress.
Belle walked over to her bed and climbed in. There were still a couple hours before lunch so decided to read. She grabbed the Ancient Runes text from her nightstand, leaned against the headboard and started reading. Luna went down to breakfast, a little late but there would still be food.
Her other dorm mates returned shortly there after, they showered then headed back down to the common room. To them this was just any other Saturday. They wouldn't be going to the dance because attendance was limited to seventh years, Quidditch team members, and their dates.
Luna entered the dorm. "Hey there." Luna called. "You might want to go get some lunch before you get ready to leave."
"What?" Belle exclaimed. "It isn't that late. You just left for breakfast."
"Yes it is. I left nearly three hours ago." Luna answered.
Belle hurried off to the Great Hall to catch a quick bite to eat. When she entered the hall, quite a few boys turned her way. Her new hair style caught the attention of a good number of the males. Belle sat down near where she ate breakfast trying not to draw attention to herself. She poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice and grabbed a roast beef sandwich. She finished the sandwich and juice then rushed back to her room.
When Belle returned, Luna was ready to go. Her hair freshly washed and it looked like the dress had been too.
"Belle, what are you wearing to the dance?" Luna asked.
"Just a second." Belle answered. "I'll show you, it will just be a minute." Belle walked to her bed and retrieved her dress and shoes. She then proceeded to the bathroom to change. Off came the pajama bottoms and sweater, replaced by the forest green silk dress. Belle slipped on her matching shoes, gathered up her clothes and returned to the bedroom.
Luna looked at Belle in disbelief. What Belle was wearing couldn't possibly be acceptable. "Uh, when did undergarments become formal wear?" Luna queried.
Belle cocked her head. She didn't understand what Luna was talking about then it hit her. Belle pulled out her wand, pointed it at herself and spoke. "Finite incantato!" Just as quickly as Belle finished, the once invisible dress appeared to Luna.
"Amazing!" Luna spurted. "Did you make the spell yourself?"
"No, the witch at Gladrags' did it for me. Now I think we can be going."
Belle and Luna were off to the entrance hall. When they arrived Neville and Ron were waiting. Neville was in his dark blue suit while Ron wore a green suit of duct tape. Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter showed up shortly thereafter followed by Draco Malfoy and Mary Dursley.
Harry wore a scarlet suit with a golden yellow tie and dress robe. He had a yellow carnation with veins of red pinned to his chest. Ginny wore a matching yellow dress with a dark red rose at the breast bone and a scarlet dress robe. Draco was in his traditional black trimmed with silver. Mary however wore a silver dress trimmed with black.
The eight chatted quietly until it was there turn to leave. The students were being portkeyed to Durmstrang accompanied by a Durmstrang staff member. This was primarily for security reasons. They left in groups of eight with only one staff member escorting them so it took awhile to get all of the attendants to the dance.
However, it wait was worth it. When they arrived there was a soft rain and though it was just the beginning of spring, it felt like a midsummer rain, warm and calming. Flowers were blooming every where. They were in every color of the rainbow. Yellow flowers lined the path to the Durmstrang castle intermittently accented with smaller purple flowers while red rose bushes and blue hydrangea marked either end of the pathway.
Neville turned to face Belle. Her soft blue eyes highlighted her pale complexion. Her silky black hair framed her round, cherubic face. A smile crept onto his face as he noticed the setting sun reflecting in a raindrop sitting on the tip of Belle's nose. Her forest green dress clung tightly to her slender figure perfectly accented by the lavender trim; he was in awe.
"Shall we?" Belle interrupted Neville's moment of bliss holding out her hand.
"We shall." Neville answered, taking her hand in his and heading towards the Durmstrang castle. When they entered the castle Neville noticed it was considerably smaller than Hogwarts. The dining hall where the dance was being held could have easily fit into the Great Hall two or three times over. Belle quickly spotted an empty table and dragged Neville along.
As they sat down at the table, a pitcher of warmed butterbeer suddenly appeared. Neville poured Belle and himself each a glass. Belle took a sip of her butterbeer then looked back at Neville. The blue suit perfectly complimented his dark hair and chubby face. He had a look of blissful contentment on his face, seemingly oblivious to the rest of the world.
Just then Igor Karkaroff stood to make an announcement. "Let the festivities begin." And just as quickly as he stood, Karkaroff sat. Music began to fill the air and people began to dance. Neville stood and offered his hand to Belle. She graciously took his hand and pulled herself up.
Neville and Belle began slowly swaying along with the music. They danced for several songs. Finally there was a short break in the music and they returned to their table. Neville poured another glass of butterbeer for Belle. Neville then began to gaze off into room. He wasn't looking at anything in particular and didn't notice anything either, he was just lost in the moment.
Neville and Belle stood as the music started again. A lock of hair fell down in Belle's face. Neville reached for it just as she did. She grasped his hand with hers. He pushed the soft tendril of hair behind her ear, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand as he did so.
Looking in to her eyes, Neville spoke. "You are so beautiful."
Belle blushed and leaned into his chest. Neville pulled her gently against his body and they began to dance again. Belle closed her eyes, soaking in the moment; all her worries and fears were gone. Soon the song ended and Belle broke away from Neville. She gazed up at him and him down at her. Their gaze never breaking, Neville leaned in and brought his lips to hers. As the next song started they slowly broke their kiss. Again Belle rested her head on Neville's chest as he held her and they gently swayed to the music.
All too soon, the music ended again. This time though it meant the dance was over. Slowly people milled out of the castle and towards the gates. A Straggling Neville and Belle brought up the rear. They joined Harry, Ginny, Luna, Ron, Draco and Mary, at the gates and were shortly back at Hogwarts.
A/N: I would like some feedback about this story and whether I should finish it now or work on the background story. I recently started the prequel to this and Quadrangular Quidditch Qup, Friends Redefined. I have only posted the first chapter and won't likely work on it unless you want that background written before reading the rest of this story. I don't see that background as being too important to the rest of the story except for maybe the next chapter which will be similar to the last chapter of QQQ and will include some things I left out of that chapter.