A/N- I posted Ch. 9 and 10 together tonight, but before I post anymore, I want to see what everyone thinks, because in this chapter again, the plot takes a major turn in direction. But again as tempting as it sounds, I can't give you any clues. You have to read for yourself.
(I actually have the next 6 chapters finished except for some minor editing details, and have for quite some time now. I have been working on this story for a long time now, and it's very imporant to me, and I don't think it could be possible for me to be more seroius about writing a fanfiction, and dedicated more time to than I have to this one. But I just wanted to that I very much welcome suggestions for my story. But since the majority of the plot worked out and outlined and has been for a while now, it would be very hard to change it. But a very good idea has been brought to my attention recently, and let's just say, if any more of you have any ideas or suggestions for my story, I would appreicate it if you would share them with me.) :)

I really hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

Chapter 10- The Halloween Ball

The time had come. And Harry was as ready as he ever could be. You just have to get through the night, Harry reminded himself. Harry had faced so much this year, he was sure he would be able to hand anything that happened tonight. But Ron, on the other hand, was no where near ready. He was acting hysterical. He was a bloody mess. And it was annoying Harry to no end.

"Harry, are you sure my hair looks all right?"Ron asked for the tenth time while looking at in the mirror. He then sighed and sat down on the bed and looked down at his dress robe. "I look terrible," Ron moaned also for the tenth time.

"Ron, how many times do I have to tell you? You look fine."

"You're sure?" Ron asked again.

"Yes, now come on. Let's go. We don't want to be late," Harry told him.

"All right," Ron mouthed, but he still remained on sitting on the edge of the bed.

Harry went over and pulled him off the bed by his arm. "Hermione is probably already down there waiting for us," he reminded him. "Ron, you'll be fine, okay?"Harry reassured him.

"I just want this night to be over with," Ron said nervously.

You have no idea, Harry thought to himself as they headed downstairs to the common room.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way toward the entrance hall for the ball. It was not quite eight o'clock yet, so the doors to the great hall were still closed. They were tons of students waiting around near the entrance to the great hall. He was looking around to see if he could spot Ginny and Malfoy, but there were too many people. Although, for the life of him he didn't know why he was looking for them, since they were the two people he wanted to avoid tonight at all costs. Ron and Hermione were standing together behind him quite, fidgety not saying much of anything to each other. Ron must have still been in awe about seeing how Hermione looked. Ron had nearly passed out, when he saw her come downstairs just moments ago in an ice-blue lacy dress robe, her curly hair, sleek and straight, and a shimmering diamond necklace around her neck. But the huge smile on Ron's face after he looked faint, had told Harry everything he needed to know.

Harry thoughts were cut short by a voice behind him.

"Hello, Harry," said Susan Bones shy voice.

Uh oh. As bad as it was to say, Harry had forgot about his date. He was so busy trying to get through the night that he actually forgot he was going with anyone. He all of a sudden felt his face turn red and felt very awkward. What was he gonna say to her?

"Uh- er- Hi, Susan, "Harry managed to say. "Er- you look very nice."

Harry was not lying. She looked pretty. Susan was wearing iridescent rose dress robes, and her red hair was in a curled up do, and she was wearing a really striking necklace on her neck, and gold shimmery earrings. But he still just than he couldn't help but think of Ginny and how beautiful he knew she would have looked.

"Thanks. Uh. So do- uh- you Harry, "She said very quietly. She looked at him in the eye, but then looked down at the ground.

But just than the doors to the great Hall opened and there stood Professor McGonagall, Professor Harmone, and Charlie Weasley.

"You may enter, "announced Professor McGonagall who was wearing dress robes of dark purple, and her hair in a tight bun.

A line quickly formed in front of the doors, and Harry, Susan, Ron and Hermione quickly got in it. They finally reached the entrance. No one spoke a word among the four of them.

"Hi, Harry, Ron, Hermione!" Said Professor Harmone brightly. Harry noticed that Professor Harmone looked rather nice. She was wearing a bright red dress robe, black heeled shoes, and her blonde hair was down and curled. She was wearing her striking red gem necklace that she always seemed to be wearing, which matched her robe rather nicely.

"Hello, "said Harry.

"Hey, Ron! "announced Charlie Wealsey who was wearing a brown dress robe.

"I haven't seen you in a while Charlie. Gee, I wonder why, "Ron smirked as he looked over at Professor Harmone. He greeted her as well.

"Very funny, Ron! "Grinned Charlie as he smacked Ron playfully on the shoulder.

As they entered the great hall, Harry noticed that it was decorated very magnificently. The usual tables that were in the great hall were replaced by tons of smaller tables that looked like enough to seat about a dozen. They were brightly lighted candles on every table. The walls were covered with shimmering colors of gold, red and black. Harry didn't dare look at the dance floor. He didn't even want to think about having to dance with Susan, or worse yet having to see Ginny and Draco dancing. Harry then noticed that the head table still was where it usually is, and that most of the teachers were sitting down. Harry could have sworn that Dumbledoore, who was wearing a white iridescent dress robe, winked at him. He then seen Hagrid, who was wearing a black hairy suit, sitting close to Dumbledoore, and Hagrid was waving quite hard at him. He sort of looked sad. It had just occurred to him that he had not seen Hagrid for a while and they sort of ran out on him last time they did. He felt bad, so he gave Hagrid a big smile and a wave and mouthed hi to him. He made a promise to himself that he would make it appoint to talk to him later at the dance. He also heard Ron and Hermione saying hi to him as well from behind him. Then before Harry and his friends were directed to a table to sit down, Harry seen Snape out of the corner of his eye, sitting down at the end of the head table. Harry noticed that Snape was still keeping up with his new look. Snape was wearing a deep burgundy colored dress robe, and his long and usually nappy black hair, was clean and in place. Snape seemed to be staring at something with intense dislike. Harry turned his head back really quick and noticed that Charlie Wealsey seemed to be in the direct line of Snape's cold hearted stare. Then the four of them were seated at a table in the corner. He sat next to Susan and, Ron and Hermione sat down across from him. He looked down at the table and the goblets were empty. He then seen the menu next to the table, and remembered. This was just like the last ball he went to. The last ball he was at was the Yule Ball, which was in his fourth year. He then looked at the menu, but he wasn't very hungry. How could he be knowing any minute, he would see Ginny walk in looking beautiful, with her arms all over Malfoy.

"What- are you going to get Harry? "Said Susan nervously.

"Er- I don't know. What are you guys going to get?" He asked Ron and Hermione. But they didn't seem to hear him, or maybe they just didn't feel like answering. Susan than looked as if she was about to say something but she just started to stare at Harry. This was getting more awkward by the moment. Just then he heard a familiar voice.

"Hi!" said Benjamin as he sat down at the table with Belle.

Harry heard Ron moan, but then he saw Hermione elbow him.

"Ouch! "Whispered Ron.
.
"Can't you just for once act mature!" she shouted quietly to him.

"Hello, Benjamin, "said Harry.

"Hi, Uh- this is my date Belle, "uttered Ben.

"Ben! "Shouted Belle.

"Oh right, sorry. I mean this is Belle. She is allowing me to escort her," Ben corrected himself.

Ah, so that's why they were talking earlier that morning. Harry did think it was rather strange that they were here together. After all Ben was only a first year. It never even dawned on Harry that Ben would even be here. Ben had never mentioned it to any of them.

"Thank You, "said Belle grinning. "Uh, Hey, Susan! I- uh- love your hair!"

" Hi! I like yours too, "said Susan a little more outgoing. He peered at Belle, who was wearing a shimmery gold dress robe, and her dark straight, long hair, was partly up on the sides with a gold shimmering barrette. Just then, Belle turned to Harry.

"Harry," said Belle acknowledging him. But the way she said it sent chills down his spine for some reason. "Enjoying your date?", she asked sharply.

"Er- Yeah," was all Harry managed to say as he flashed a small smile at Susan.

"Hello, Benjamin, "Hermione said with a grin. "You didn't tell me you were going to the ball," she reminded him.

Before Ben could get a word out, Belle started to speak. "Oh, well it was sort of a last minute kinda thing. He's like my little brother. I didn't' want him to sit alone in the common room by himself all night. You're Hermione, right? I hear you're quite the tutor," she said quickly. There was an icy tone to her voice that Harry never really picked up on before.

Hermione didn't say anything to Belle, and Harry couldn't blame her. She just sort of nodded, and looked at her goblet.

"You're Ron, right? I heard about you too," Belle said peering at Ron as she sat down at the table. Something about the way she said that was very bitter. Ben sat down next to her.

Ron just looked at her but didn't say anything. Why was Belle being so rude to all of them?

"Nice to see you again," she smiled at Ron. Or was that a smile?

Ben shot Belle a weird look and then Belle started to look at her menu instead. All of a sudden Belle said pork chops and they appeared on her plate. Why had he remembered Belle being so nice on the train, and the past two times he had seen her, and now she was acting so unfriendly? He obviously wasn't a very good judge of people. But then he should have figured that out by now. Harry should've known better. He should've guessed she was no different from any other Slytherin. Just then if things couldn't have gotten more awkward, things just got as worse as they could. He had been dreading this moment forever. He saw Ginny and Malfoy together from across the room. Ginny looked more beautiful than Harry could have possibly imagined. She was wearing a sheer emerald green dress robe. Her auburn hair was swept up in a fancy up do, a few curled tendrils, grazed her neck. More than anything, her face was glowing. He had never seen her look more beautiful. And then it dawned on him, when she smirked at him from across the room and sat down close by Malfoy. She began whispering in his ear that Harry wasn't prepared for this. He never thought seeing her, and how beautiful she was, would feel this bad.

Harry noticed out of the corner of his eye that Belle was staring at Harry this whole time. A small smirk was on the corner of her mouth. Harry then noticed that she smiled after she looked over at Ginny and Malfoy. It was all very odd. Almost like she knew something. Besides, if he remembered correctly, Belle had intense dislike for Malfoy. Harry instantly replayed part of the conversation they had with her on the train in his head. He knew for a fact that she said she hated Malfoy.

"I thought you hated, Malfoy, "Harry blurted without thinking. But he couldn't control himself. He felt like he couldn't keep his emotions buried any longer.

"Excuse me? "Belle replied.

"You said on the train that you thought he should be expelled or don't you remember?"

"What? Uh- oh I guess I do recall saying that. But I find that after you get to know the boy he's after all- kinda fascinating," Belle said with a sly smile. Was she trying to get a rise out of them? Very much Slytherin indeed.

"Fascinating?" said Ron, disgusted.

"That's funny coming from someone who apparently hated him, and from someone you said gave Slytherins a bad name," stated Harry.

All of a sudden Harry noticed that Belle had a very panicked look on her face.

"What?", Ben practically jump out of his seat looking worried.

"Uh, nothing. Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom," said Belle really swiftly. She got up from the table really fast and nearly flew out of the great hall.

"What the heck is her bloody problem? "Exclaimed Ron.

"I don't know, "Ben shrugged.

"Maybe she doesn't feel well, but I have never her seen her act like that before," added Susan.

"She's fine," said Ben jumpily.

"Some friend you got there you," added Ron looking at Ben and Susan.

Wait. Something was clicking in Harry's mind. Belle was acting very different from when they first met. He knew that he didn't know Belle that well, but this was like totally the opposite of what she was the day on the train. Something did not add up. Susan even said that she had never seen her acting like this. Did they have another victim of the Over-Truth potion on their hands?

"Susan, you said you never seen her act this way before?" asked Harry.

"Uh, I don't think so. Maybe- but never like this," Susan said as her face reddened.

"And what about you Ben? You're her friend."

Ben shrugged. "I- I didn't really notice anything different. Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Er-"Was all Harry could manage.

What a great help he was. Maybe he could try and get Ron and Hermione's attention. But Ron was too busy eating, and Hermione was staring at the table. That was odd, he realized that Hermione hasn't said a word in while, and for her that was bizarre.

"Hermione?" Harry said. But she did not answer.

"Ron?" Harry tried to get Ron's attention.

"Huh?" Said Ron with his mouth stuffed full of chicken. He drank a quick gulp of pumpkin juice.

"What's a matter with Hermione?"

Ron looked over at Hermione. He noticed how she was staring. "Hey, what's wrong? Why aren't you eating?"

Hermione looked up a few seconds later. She did not look too good. "What? Oh, I guess I am not too hungry. I sort of feel- rather weird." She said very quietly.

"What's wrong?", said Harry and Ron together.

"I -don't know. But my throat is rather dry, she said taking a gulp of what was left of her pumpkin juice.

"Are you sure your okay?" said Ron. "ER-do you need to go to the hospital wing?"

"Huh? What? No-No. Don't be ridiculous Ron! I just feel a little-", Hermione paused briefly. "Honestly, I'm fine," she added with a weak chuckle.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back," said Ben as he too ran away from the table.

"Now where did he go?"said Harry.

"Who really cares anymore?" replied Ron.

"Excuse me, Harry. I should go see if Belle's alight," said Susan, and she too got up from the table.

"Interesting group of people, huh?" said Ron.

Harry just realized that it was only the three of them left at the table. This was his chance to hear his theory about Belle.

"Hey guys, I have been thinking, do you think it's possible that Belle has been affected by the Over-Truth potion?" asked Harry quietly leaning across the table.

"What?" Said Ron finishing his chicken. "I don't know Harry. Anything's possible. Why, you think so?"

"Well think about. Belle was totally different on the train. She seems to be-"

"Acting like a Slytherin," interrupted Ron.

"Er- I thought about it, but it just doesn't seem right. I mean she just doesn't seem right. "Uttered Harry

"Well the way I see it, is that she was just playing us on the train. If you ask me, she's like any other Slytherin. No different from Malfoy really."

"Maybe. What do you think Hermione, "Asked Harry.

Hermione looked up. She seemed to be not paying attention. "A-bout what?"

"Hermione, what's the matter?" Ron said. "You're acting rather strange."

Hermione looked rather pale. "I-am sorry. I feel- is it rather hot in here?"

"Hermione, are you're sure your okay?" Said Harry.

"I think we should take you to the hospital wing, "said Ron.

Harry agreed. She looked really bad. And it was so unlike Hermione too so uninvolved in a conversation, especially the one they were having.

Hermione shook her head. "No, No, I'm- fine. I just have to go to the bathroom. I-I will be right back."

"Er, well, all right I suppose. But I think you should have something to eat when you come back," said Ron concerned.

"I will, "said Hermione as she excused her self from the table.

"What's going on with everyone tonight?" Ron said.

"I dunno," said Harry. But Harry knew this night was getting more bizarre by the minute.

Just then Benjamin and Susan came back to the table without Belle.

"How's Belle? "Harry asked them.

"Oh, she's gonna be okay. Just a little case of the stomach flu. We walked her over to the hospital wing to see Madam Pomfrey. She said it was an easy cure, but that she would have to stay the night, "said Susan a little out of breath.

"Hey did you guys see Hermione in the hall at all?"asked Ron.

They shook their heads. "No," said Ben.

"Hey maybe that's what Hermione's got, "Ron added.

"Harry, did the dancing start yet, "Asked Susan before Harry could respond to Ron.

"Er- I don't know, "Harry responded quickly. He totally forgot. He did definitely not feel like dancing. But how was he going to get out of it? Maybe she felt too shy to dance with him. Hopefully, he prayed.

"Look. People are starting to dance!",announced Susan excitedly, peering over at the dance floor.

Great, thought Harry. She was probably definitely gonna wanna dance. Harry looked at the dance floor and seen that Professor Dumbledoore and Professor McGonagall were dancing. Harry managed a snicker when he saw Crabbe and Goyle start to dance with Pansy Parkinson. He was sure that Susan would ask him to dance any moment. Or perhaps maybe he should be a gentleman and ask her to dance. It would be the polite thing to do. But Harry didn't feel like being very polite tonight. He just wanted this ball to end. He then decided to wait until Ron and Hermione got up to dance, but than he remembered that Hermione was in the bathroom still, and then again, Ron was probably way too nervous to ask Hermione to dance. Hermione then walked back up to the table. She sat back down and looked much better.

"Hello, everyone," grinned Hermione.

"Feeling better?" said Ron.

"Yes, I feel fine. Much better. It was nothing, really." Hermione said confidently with a smile.

Yeah, Hermione was definitely back to her old self again.

"Well, you really had us worried Hermione," added Harry.

"Yeah, I thought for a minute you got the stomach flu like Belle got," Ron put in.

"Don't be silly." Hermione giggled. "As a matter of fact I sort of feel like dancing." She peered at the dance floor and than at Ron who was guzzling down some pumpkin juice.

"What? ER!" Ron face turned bright red, as he nervously putting down his goblet and glanced at the dance floor.

"Ron, you were planning on asking me to dance, weren't you? After all you did ask me to a dance," Hermione blurted getting agitated.

"Er, okay," Ron mumbled. Ron got out of his seat and Hermione looked furious at him as they headed out to the dance floor.

Susan looked at Harry and smiled. Harry was going to have to ask her to dance.

"Er- Susan, would you uh- like to dance,"Asked Harry. He didn't even care anymore. Anything for the time to go by faster, and this dreadful night to be over.

Susan beamed. "I'd love to!"

Susan grabbed Harry's hand and yanked him onto the dance floor leaving Ben by himself at the table.

Harry got onto the dance floor with Susan and immediately she put her hands around Harry's shoulders, and got really close to him. Harry tried to back away from her tight grip, but for some reason she kept clinging to him very closely. Harry looked right behind them and he saw Ron and Hermione dancing. They weren't even looking at each other. Ron was looking at the ground, and Hermione looked deeply frustrated. He than noticed something a little bizarre. He saw Charlie Wealsey talking to Professor Dumbledoore and Snape by the entrance to the great hall. It looked as if they were really panicked. It was also strange to see Charlie without Harmone by his side, since they seemed to be so inseparable lately. Snape quickly looked around the room and signaled Professor McGonagall and a few seconds later she ran over by them. They quickly and quietly left the hall. Harry was about to tell Ron and Hermione about this but felt his heart break. He saw Malfoy and Ginny dancing really close to each other. It wasn't possible to be any closer to each other. Draco's hand was on her lower back massaging it. Ginny head was resting on his shoulder.

"Harry? Asked Susan.

"Yeah?"he said but not really paying attention. His eyes were still on Ginny and Draco.

"I've got to tell you something. I really like you Harry. No, actually I've actually had a crush on you for a really long time," Susan said really loud in his ear.

"That's really- Huh? "Said Harry shocked. He couldn't have heard right. Had Susan said she had a crush on him?

"You what?"said Harry. This wasn't happening, Harry thought. This was the last thing he felt like dealing with.

"I mean I don't know why it took me so long to admit Harry. I mean I've liked you for such a long time. I just wish before now I could've told you. But it was my perfect chance since I knew you didn't have a date and you were still pinning over Ginny-"

"Excuse me-" How would she know that?

"So I thought here's my perfect chance to ask you out. Well, technically Belle asked you for me, but I mean you can only be in a love with a guy afar for so long, right without telling him." Said Susan smiling at Harry.

"I'm sorry? Did you just say?"

"So what do you think Harry?"

What was he supposed to say to her? Why couldn't the earth just open you up and swallow you when you wanted it to?

"Um- I don't know what to say Susan. I-m flattered I guess."

But then Susan appeared very upset. "You guess? I just told you that I love you and you say you guess? "She shouted. People were starting to stare all around them. Ron and Hermione had looked over at him, and Ginny lifted her head off Malfoy's shoulder, and a smirk appeared on her face as she noticed what was going on.

"Susan, I'm sorry?" Harry, mumbled. What more could he say?

"You have some nerve Harry. You'll be sorry, I'll make sure of that. " Then it all happened very fast. He felt a cold fast sharp pain across his face. Susan had just slapped him very hard across the face. Then Susan ran off the dance floor and blended into the crowd. Before he knew it, Ron and Hermione were right beside him.

"Harry? What the bloody hell happened?" said Ron dumbfounded.

"I dunno. I just want to get out of here," said Harry. I've had enough, Harry thought to himself. He couldn't take much more!

Something then just popped in Harry's brain. Something he remembered. He was about to tell Ron and Hermione about how he had seen all the teachers acting suspicious just moments ago, when all of a sudden Dumbledoore re-entered the great hall looking very concerned.

"Now I want everyone to remain calm," said Dumbledoore's voice, echoing through the great hall. The Music stopped and the lights came on. Everybody in the great hall attention went to Dumbledoore immediately.

"I don't want anyone to be alarmed. But I am sorry to say that the Ball is now over. I have to ask that the prefects calmly walk your students back to your common room very quickly and stay there until a teacher comes to you."

Harry noticed that Hagrid, now was over by Dumbledoore, and they all quickly left the great hall.

People started to panic. Of course there were tons of students who started running toward the great hall doors screaming. Harry didn't know what was happening. Nor did Ron or Hermione.

"What's going on Harry?" said Ron looking horrified.

"I don't know." Harry then seen Malfoy running out the door of the great hall by himself. But where was Ginny? He had to find her and make sure she was all right.

"You guys go! But I have to go find Ginny!" Said Harry.

"What do you mean?",shouted Ron

"Just go, don't worry! "Replied Harry as he searched the great hall for Ginny. He saw Ron and Hermione run out of the great hall. Maybe she had already left. No. Harry just seen Ginny sitting at one of the tables.

Harry ran to her.

"Ginny!"

Ginny looked up. "Harry?"

"Ginny, what are you doing? Why are you sitting here?"

"What's going on Harry? "She said looking very confused.

"I don't know- but we have to get out of here!"

"I-I don't' know what's going on. Where are we?" She said her eyes watering, her whole body shivering.

What was happening here? Was this some sort of joke? Did Malfoy put her up to this?

"What are you doing? Is this some sort of joke or something? Because if it is, it's just low." Ginny took a few seconds to speak. Tears were coming down from her face. "Harry, what are you talking about?" Ginny said in a weak voice.

Wait. He didn't think she meant about what was happening just now. She looked really out of it. Did she really not remember where she was?

"Were at the ball. Don't you remember?" Harry blurted with an edge to his voice.

"We're at the ball? But how?" she said stammered looking around very perplexed. "The ball isn't for a while," she said in a whisper like tone.

"You don't remember! You came to the ball with Malfoy-"

"What? She said. "Malfoy?" she said disgusted but even more bewildered.

Harry looked around the hall. There was no one left. They had to get out of here and head to the common room. They could sort this all out later.

"Come on Ginny. We have to get out of here." Harry pulled Ginny by the hand from the table and headed toward the entrance.

"What's happening? "Cried Ginny. Her hand was all clammy and she was shivering even worse.

Harry ignored her as he and Ginny ran into the hallway and down the corridors, they almost made it to the common room but Ginny stopped.

"Come on Ginny-"

"Tell me Harry! I don't understand. How could we of been at the ball? It's not even October yet!"

"Ginny stop joking around- I swear if Malfoy," Harry started. Oh my God- he was starting to understand. The Over-Truth potion. It must have started to wear off. That had to be the only explanation. Ginny was back, and Harry was filled with a heartwarming feeling throughout his entire body. But she didn't remember anything. Anything she did or said. Anything she did with Malfoy. She probably remembered the last thing she did right before she was affected. To Ginny, she just lost weeks of her life.

Harry then hugged Ginny as hard as he could, his body pressed up close against hers. He wished he could stay in this moment, but he couldn't. They had to get moving.

"I'm so sorry Ginny. I promise I will explain everything as soon as we get back to the common room, but we have to get back, "Harry said calmly. He couldn't help but smile. He finally had Ginny back. It was gonna take a while to sink in.

Ginny didn't say anything. She just shook her head. She grabbed Harry's hand, which sent trembles down his back.

Harry was just about to head toward the common room, but he stopped. Out of the corner of his glasses something was reflecting in it.

Something red and shiny.

"Hold on, "he told Ginny.

He walked over and bent down. A red gem necklace was laying on the floor. He held it in his hands.

"Is something wrong?" stammered Ginny.

"I know whose this is, "said Harry quietly. "This is Professor Harmone's."

Just then he heard footsteps coming down the corridor.

"Come on, "he quickly grabbed Ginny's hand again and they hid around the corner.

"How could this happen?" Snape's voice exploded.

"I don't know, but it's dreadful," said Professor McGonagall.

"Well we better find some answers!", snarled Snape obviously beyond fury.

"I don't know how a thing can happen like this Severous. A Hogwarts teacher and student missing. That poor girl was in the hospital wing. The only way we would have known someone was taken if Madam Pomfrey was still alive. And we were lucky! I thought she was dead too!"

"But why was Professor Harmone there in the hospital wing? Last time I saw her she was with that fool Charlie Weasley, and now she is nowhere to be found!" Snape screamed.

"No one knows Severous. But I will tell you one thing. This has Lucius Malfoy written all over it, now that he has escaped from Azkaban Prison."