Chapter 5: The Halloween Ball
A/N: Wheee! A little dancing, a little snogging, and some teapot groping!
A/N 2: A female friend wrote a lot of the stuff in this chapter. My stuff ends after Transfiguration. Almost everything after is hers.
October brought chiller weather and brighter spirits, well, for the female population of Hogwarts at least. The men had different opinions when their lady friends weren't around… most men, anyway. Those without girlfriends were indifferent around everyone, which gave the other boys the right to glare at them at all times.
On the first of October notices were pinned up in the common rooms announcing a Halloween Ball for everyone in fourth year or above. Younger students would be having parties in their common rooms. Anyone in a relationship was guaranteed a date, as long as their relationship lasted thirty more days. For people like Harry that would be a problem.
Early on the second Wednesday of the month, Harry could be found making his way to the Owlery with a letter in his hand. When he stumbled into the Great Hall for breakfast he wasn't expecting a barrage of questions about his early morning quest. Ron, however, had to poke the demon that was Hermione's inquisitive side with a stick before Harry had walked in. Sitting down, she immediately started in.
"You're awfully late, where've you been?" Hermione's eye kept darting to Harry's right side, though he didn't notice anything.
"Hmm? I went to the Owlery, Hedwig needed a letter to deliver." He said, returning to the plate of food in front of him.
"A letter? Who are you writing?" Hermione pressed, hoping she didn't cause him to snap like he did in their fifth year.
"I just had to ask someone something." He shrugged, not really paying attention.
"D'you have a date yet?" Ron blurted out tactlessly.
"Er, no. Not yet. Who would want to be seen there with the mentally unstable, perpetually dangerous Boy-who-lived?" He said, slumping slightly. Amanda reached out and rubbed his back.
"Cheer up, I'm sure lots of people want to go with you!" Like me, you dolt! ASK ME! "Just ask someone and see what she says." If you ask anyone but me you'll regret it…She smiled at him as he sat up and continued eating.
"I think I'll wait for the reply to the letter I sent." He replied, shaking his head.
Defense Against the Dark Arts had become too hard for many students, causing them to turn to Harry for help. Krum was teaching them advanced dueling techniques, having moved on from the Patronus charm after Harry offered to help the people who couldn't do it.
Krum and Harry were having a practice duel in front of the class, sending mild hexes and curses at each other. After only five minutes or so, Harry's stunner connected and knocked Viktor out. Ron cheered the loudest of anyone. Harry rarely lost a duel with Krum. Only when he was using spells that Harry hadn't learned did he win.
Transfiguration had become extremely hard too. They were continuing human transfiguration, turning someone into an inanimate object. The spell was temporary, so there were no long-term side effects, and no one had to worry about being stuck in another form.
Harry was holding a beautiful white teapot with yellow floral patterns, pondering if making tea would be wise. Hermione, on the other hand, was sitting on a squashy red chair, reading a book.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, where are your partners?" Professor McGonagall asked, watching Harry borrow a cup that was Lavender. Harry waved his teapot before filling Lavender-cup full of tea. Hermione bounced lightly on her squashy chair. "Mr. Potter, kindly hand Miss Brown back to Mr. Finnigan and empty Miss White of her contents. Miss Granger, please remove yourself before Mr. Weasley changes back."
Seamus, Harry, and Hermione laughed and did as they were told, after Seamus drank the tea from Lavender. Harry poured the tea out the window and sat the Amanda-teapot back on the table. Hermione smirked as a jet of steam shot out at Harry after he had turned to get something from his bag. Hermione smiled and leaned in and whispered to her, "How long were you holding that steam?"
Before long, loud pops signaled the students turning back into themselves. Amanda looked ruffled, she leaned over to Hermione "I held it since he first started making tea." She leaned over to Harry and smiled seductively. "You may want to watch where you put your hands, Mr. Potter, teapots can be groped too." Harry turned the color of the chair that still hadn't turned back into Ron. "I'll excuse it this time, but if I find out that I've become a teapot and I feel your hands like that, I may have to do something about it." She laughed as Harry's red face turned pale white.
"B-but I-I-I… I'm… I wouldn't…"
Amanda laughed again and ruffled Harry's hair. "Yeah, I know, don't worry about it."
That evening as the Great Hall was filled with students and teachers eating their supper, a solitary owl flew in and made its way to the Gryffindor table. Many female voices sighed as they witnessed both the beauty of its flight and the beauty of the bird itself. The only person who hadn't noticed the owl was its owner. Harry was too absorbed in his food and the possible contents of the letter that he didn't know he would receive in a matter of seconds. Hedwig swooped over his head and landed in front of him, startling him out of his silent thoughts.
"Hedwig, you're back already? How was everyone?" the snowy owl hooted her response and held out her leg. Harry took the attached letter and offered her some food before she took flight again. When she moved, she fluttered to Amanda and held out her other leg. Harry stared at his letter and groaned.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione and Amanda chimed in at the same time. He dropped the letter and pointed at the words on the envelope. They read "Harry Potter" in green ink and "Don't tell me you're that thick…" in vivid pink ink and different handwriting.
"Who is that from?" Amanda asked before taking another bite of her mashed potatoes.
She's really interested in things related to us getting a date for the ball. Quiet you! She's not interested in us! "The green ink is Moony… I'm afraid that the pink might be Tonks…"
"T-Tonks? Let me read that!" She commanded, forgetting her own letter while reaching for Harry's.
"You have one that only has pink ink, Mandy." Hermione chimed in, waving the other envelope in front of her. Both pocketed their letters and vowed to read them later.
Dear Harry,
Interesting question. I don't know anything about women or the subtle hints that they drop. I have been told, however, that some hints you've been given are about as, how did Tonks put it, ah yes "subtle as a hippogriff in a tutu dancing with naked women in Diagon Alley."
In other words, I suggest asking her.
Yes, you dolt! Ask her! A) She doesn't have a date. 2) She likes you, you great prat! C) If nothing else, you can go as friends!
I suppose you have your answer, Harry. Take care and tell Amanda I said hello. I hope you're both doing well.
RemusAnd Tonks!
Harry groaned. That didn't help him figure out how to ask Amanda. The last time he "just asked" a girl he liked to a dance was horrible. At least Ron didn't have to worry about Hermione doing the same thing Fleur did to him… Harry wasn't that lucky… was he?
Hiya Mandy!Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I've been a bit busy. Since Hedwig was here, I figured I would put some finishing touches on this (and Remus's reply letter) and send both at once.
First, Harry does like you! He wrote and asked Remus how he should ask you to the dance! I knew you could do it! Secondly, if he doesn't ask, tell him that I'll kick him square in his arse!
Harry's letter mentioned that you've been turning boys away, though he didn't know why. Tell me you didn't put a befuddlement charm on him, he's thick enough about women without having to be perpetually confused!
Anyway, just flirt with him a bit. Get him alone and use your natural magic. I'm sure you found the present I sent with Seraphim? Wear that, get Hermione to make Ron take the invisibility cloak, and take him somewhere. He won't be able to resist.
Amanda opened the box on her bed, revealing sexy lingerie. "Yeah… if Harry could resist that, I'd try fixing him up with Colin Creevey." She laughed. "As if I'd wear it now… Maybe on our wedding night…" she laughed and turned back to her letter.
If that won't work, just be yourself. Maybe he'll see the light… what am I saying, the boy likes you! Just drop more hints… like a club on his head or something.
Tell me how it goes!
Tonks"Oh, great, so I should just club him on the head… great way to make a guy fall in love." She re-read the last few lines. "Well, Tonks said he likes me, and he did write to Remus…" she glanced at the lingerie and smirked. Maybe sometime soon…
Later that evening, when Harry and Ron were struggling with their homework, Amanda and Hermione walked into the common room in their pajamas. Hermione had a robe over hers, but Amanda preferred her spaghetti strapped shirt and loose silk pants.
"Hi boys, mind if we join?" Hermione asked as they sat down. She whispered something in Ron's ear and giggled as he stiffened and made an excuse to go to the other side of the common room with her. Harry and Amanda raised their eyebrows and watched them walk away.
Harry shook his head and returned to his work as Amanda moved closer to him. "Go get your invisibility cloak, I want to show you something." She said huskily, seeing that he had the same effect as Ron when Hermione whispered to him. Minutes later she found herself under the cloak with him and a map open in front of them.
"Where to?" Harry asked as they walked.
"The Room of Requirement. I have something that I require." She whispered, ushering him along.
Before long they were in the room. Harry looked around, seeing a sofa and lots of candles that smelled like lavender and citrus. "What did you need to show me?" he asked as she forced him to sit on the sofa.
"Harry, we've become great friends in the past two and a half months, right?" She asked. Harry nodded. "Have you ever thought of taking our friendship further?" Her voice sounded weak and tentative.
"Honestly, yes. I've been thinking about that since August, actually." He said after a moment. "I just didn't know if you would want to, and I didn't want to screw up what we already have." He confessed, wondering why he was actually saying things like that.
"Harry, you should have said something. Maybe then it wouldn't have taken me two months to do this…" she said as she got closer and closer before covering his lips with hers.
They broke apart after a second, then found each other's mouth again, kissing passionately. Amanda was glad she was on the sofa; if they had been standing she would have fallen to the ground. After a second her body collapsed on top of his and he wrapped his arms around her. Both were struggling to keep their hormones in check as they began to get caught up in the moment and started to lose themselves in each other.
"Mr. Potter, if you keep that up I may just go mad…" Her voice was heavy with seductive tones. "Hey, I didn't tell you to stop…" she said before reclaiming his mouth with hers.
Harry broke away after another few minutes. "Miss White, I believe I have gone mad…" he kissed her again. "Tell me, will you accompany me to the Halloween ball?" Harry asked, trailing light kisses down her neck.
"Of course I will! You think you're going with anyone else after this?" She attempted a laugh but merely moaned as Harry lightly bit her earlobe.
The newfound couple kissed for a while longer before things nearly got out of control, at which point both of them decided to return to Gryffindor Tower. They shared one last kiss in the darkness before they parted for their own dorms.
Halloween arrived faster than Harry thought possible and he soon found himself putting his black velvet dress robes on. The green trim brought out his eyes, a fact that Ron didn't mind announcing in his mother's voice. Ron had dress robes of navy blue with a lighter blue trim. Harry thought of teasing him about his robes bringing out his eyes, but thought better of it. After Harry had spent fifteen minutes trying to make his hair lie flat, Ron convinced him to give up and stop worrying about it.
The common room was filled with boys waiting for their dates. The seventh years seemed to be waiting forever, as the seventh year girls were the last to arrive. Neville was already in the entrance hall waiting for Luna by the time the Gryffindor girls made their appearance.
Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Dean, lost control of their jaws when the girls made their way into the common room. Lavender was wearing low cut lavender robes that hugged her figure tightly, causing Seamus to gasp and twitch slightly as he moved to her. Parvati had bright red robes that accentuated all of her curves. Hermione had baby blue robes that had a modest neckline and fit rather tighter than what she would normally allow herself to wear. Her hair had been straightened and put in a fancy bun with ringlets streaming down in front. Amanda was wearing dark green robes that fit as tightly as Lavender's, boosted her curves as much as Parvati's (As if she needed it, Harry thought) and had a slightly lower neckline than Hermione's. (Harry has quite enough to stare at, thank you very much! I don't need to fall out of my robes! She told Lavender and Parvati when they asked why she didn't show more skin.)
Harry and Ron were speechless. Hermione and Amanda found it quite amusing when they tried to speak but ended up looking like fish. "Shall we go?" Amanda asked as she linked her arm with Harry's. He nodded and found her steering him across the floor to the portrait hole.
The dance floor was filled with many circular tables, each able to sit eight people. Amanda and Hermione steered their dates to the table that Neville and Luna were sitting at with Justin Finch-Fletchley and Susan Bones. As the tables filled, Professor Dumbledore stood to make a speech.
"Welcome everyone. I hope you enjoy yourselves tonight. Before we dance, let's eat!" He clapped his hands and menus appeared on all the tables. "As with the Yule Ball three years ago, you just tell your plate what you want." He demonstrated by ordering a steak.
The Great Hall was filled with the sounds of people ordering their food when Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson sauntered up to their table. "It seems that Potty and the Weasel King have stopped sharing the Mudblood." Malfoy commented sending Pansy into hysterical laughter. "And I thought you couldn't do any worse, Potter."
"Jealous, Malfoy? I seem to recall you asking her on more than one occasion to go with you. I also seem to recall that she knocked you down on your ferret arse each time." Pansy scowled at Harry's comment. Malfoy's cheeks turned pink.
"Watch yourself Potter, you know what happens when people get too close to you. The Dark Lord will be most pleased with this information. Or Perhaps I should tell Wormtail?" He said before turning and walking away. Everyone ignored him.
After the feast, Dumbledore cleared the floor of tables to make room to dance and announced that he had gotten the Weird Sisters to play for them. "Shall we?" Harry asked, offering Amanda his hand as he stood up. She took it and allowed him to help her to her feet.
The Weird Sisters started by playing fast songs that anyone could dance to, but as the hour grew later they played more and more slow songs for all the couples. Midway through one of the slower songs, Amanda raised her head from Harry's shoulder and looked into his eyes. "You told me that you were a terrible dancer. When did you learn to dance this well?" She asked as he twirled her around the dance floor.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Harry laughed, "My mum taught me last week." Amanda's eyes looked as if they would pop out of her head.
"Your mother? But… but… she's…"
"Dead, yeah. Tonks told me that it would be strange for everyone involved if she taught me to dance the way we're dancing now, so she borrowed a picture of my mum and dad from Moony and changed herself into my mum. It worked well. Mother's are supposed to be the ones to teach their sons how to dance, it helps avoid awkward moments."
Amanda smiled, "At least you didn't learn from a girl that would try taking you from me. I might have had to hurt you for that." She teased, giggling at his fearful expression. "Oh calm down! I wouldn't hurt you… unless you like it." She laughed loudly this time. "You're fun to tease, you know that?" slapping his shoulder playfully, she took over and started leading the dance.
Harry and Amanda found themselves walking along the lake later that evening. Harry had his arm wrapped around her shoulders to keep her warm and to bask in the intimacy of the moment. The stars and moon were reflected in the lake's surface, making it seem like there was a second sky. Harry conjured a blanket and laid it on the ground before sitting down. Amanda joined him, allowing him to wrap his arms around her. Occasionally the water would splash Harry's bare feet as it attempted climbing further onto the shore.
"Too bad…" Harry said, removing his foot from the water.
"Hmm? What's too bad?" Amanda said turning her face so that she could look into his eyes.
"When the water was over my foot there was a star reflected on it. You look like you could use a star…" Harry replied, staring at the lake.
"You tried to catch a star with your foot?" Amanda giggled; making Harry think for the billionth time that night that anyone else that giggled was simply annoying, but when Amanda giggled it was cute. "That's incredibly cute, Harry." She said, turning his face downward toward hers. "I don't need a star. All I need is right here with me." Harry blushed, but didn't have time to think about it before her lips were pressed over his and he was pushed backward onto the blanket. Amanda was straddling his chest, her head bent down to fuse their lips together.
The dance had ended at midnight, much to the dismay of many students. Harry and Amanda weren't aware of the time, however, and lay on their blanket by the lake with their tongues doing their own sort of dance well into the early hours of the morning.
When day broke on the first of November, Harry's eyes were assaulted and his chest was being pressed on by something. He looked down and saw Amanda's arm and head resting on him, as well as one of her legs intertwined with one of his. After gently untangling himself from her he kissed her awake.
"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty." Amanda stretched and smiled brightly before asking where they were. Harry laughed and helped her up. "Come on, we have to find a way back into the castle and up to Gryffindor Tower. Maybe we can pretend we were sleeping on the couch in the common room or something.
Amanda paled. "We were out all night?"
"Yep, that's why it's all bright right now yet it was dark when we came out here." Amanda groaned. "I know, Tonks was bad enough… now we have to contend with the comments of lots of immature teenagers." They rushed back to Gryffindor Tower as quickly as they could.