The room fell quiet. Harry pulled out his wand.
"What...did...you...say?" he said calmly, through gritted teeth. Arthur was holding him back.
"The Lord has spared the lifes of your folks, with the counterattack for the Avada Kedava curse," Draco said. Everyone in the room turned to Harry.
"I don't and won't believe you," Harry said.
"I understand," Malfoy said. "I mean, if I knew my worthless parents croaked, and someone told me they were alive this whole time, I wouldn't believe it either," Malfoy continued. "Ask the secret keeper, hes standing right next to me," Everyone looked at Wormtail.
"It-It's true" he squeaked. Harry walked over to Wormtail, punching him across the face, before Arthur could grab a hold of him.
"Are you angry, Potter?" Malfoy said. "I would, since everyone in this room knew about it," he continued.
"He's lying," Lupin said.
"Prove it," Harry said. Everyone looked at him again. Tonks even looked towards Lupin. Lupin looked Harry in the eyes for a second, before nodding his head.
"Okay Harry, I'll prove it to you." Lupin said. He dug in his robes and pulled out a bottle with green liquid.
"Truth potion is what I hold in my hand, but this one has one side effect," Lupin said. "Limbs fall off." he said. Harry looked at Draco, whos face went whiter than normal. Harry felt relieved. At least he was lying, he thought. Lupin had everyone hold Malfoy down as they poured the potion into his mouth. Malfoy gagged after taking the potion. Lupin straightened up.
"Now, Draco Malfoy, the truth. Do any of us know that Lily and James Potter, parents of Harry Potter, are still alive?" he asked. Malfoy remained silent. He then started coughing, the coughing getting louder and louder until he finally muttered, "NO," to the occupants in the room. Harry smiled. He knew there was no way that his folks were still alive. as sad as it sounded, Harry was glad he was lying. His folks wouldn't want to be alive now during these times.
"Draco Malfoy, is Lily and James Potter still alive?" Lupin said. Malfoy remained quiet. He started to cough again.
"Say no," Harry said. Molly Weasley looked at him. "Say no," Harry said louder.
"Y-yes," Draco Malfoy said. The room fell quiet. Suddenly, two of Malfoy's fingers fell off. Draco screamed in pain as Lupin gave a worried look. Suddenly a bolt of lightning was heard outside and the power went out.
"Everyone Apparate!" Tonks said. Harry felt someone grab his arm, and a second later he was back behind Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, with Lupin.
"You okay?" Lupin asked Harry.
"I'm fine now, knowing my folks aren't alive," Harry said. Lupin looked at him for a while.
"What?" Harry said. Lupin put his hand on his shoulder.
"Harry, there is a chance your folks are alive," he said. Harry looked horrorstruck. "Draco was supposed to lose his whole hand for that lie, yet he only lost partial amount of his hand, he was only lying partially," he added.
"How, I mean, what do you mean, 'partially'?" Harry wondered. Lupin knelt down to him.
"I mean, there is a chance that he brought back your parents to get to you, Harry," he said. "And if you take You-Know-Who out, you may finally be able to be with your mother and father again."
After Lupin walked him to the gates of Hogwarts, Harry gave Lupin a great hug.
"I'm glad my father knew someone like you," Harry said.
"And I'm glad he raised such a great son," he replied. And with that Mooney apparated, and Harry joined Ron at the gates, wondering who their next Quidditch opponent was. Back inside the building he saw Hermione in the library, studying. Harry invited himself to join, not that Hermione minded. Harry told her what happened, and Hermione gasped. She sat there, and she thought to herself for a long time, before grabbing his hand.
"I'm with you until the end," Hermione said. Harry could have kissed her.
Professor McGonnagall announced that there would be a Christmas Ball for those who wanted to stay at Hogwarts. Naturally everyone wanted to stay, except for Ron, Harry, and Hermione, as well as Ginny, who were faced with a dilema. Bill and Fleur were getting married Christmas Day, and they didn't know what they should do. Naturally, Ron sent an owl to the Weasley's, but only to his dismay, to receive a Howler days later. After blowing up in Ron's face, the answer was clear. No Christmas Ball for the three of them. Harry and Ron watched out of their window in their room, watching the snow fall. There were never so many students on the grounds during the winter season before. Harry let out a big sigh. "This just isn't right," Harry said.
"Tell me about it mate. I had like four girls lined up already," Ron replied. Harry gave him a look. "Your really are the pimp of Hogwarts," Harry kidded.
"Just joshing, Harry," Ron kidded. "By the way, who were you gonna ask to the Ball?" Ron wondered. Harry looked around. "I don't know," he asked. "A couple of people owe me some favors," he added, smiling.
"Well, thats all shot out of the window," Ron said. "If only I could explain to Bill the situation," he added.
"Explain what?"
Ron and Harry turned around. Bill was standing in the doorway, holding some chocolate frogs. "Just coming by to say hi to my little brother, the pimp of Hogwarts," Bill said. Ron punched him in the arm, and explained to Bill about their unique situation.
"I know all about the Howler," Bill said. "Don't worry little brother, I prefer a summer wedding anyways, I mean, we have to have it one day or another," he added. "Oh how I remember the dances here," Bill said. "Beth Rosswood and me would always sneak off during dances, and well, you don't wanna know," he said mischeiviously. "But mums the word with Fleur around," he winked, and hugged both of them. "I wanna see some fun with you two, you hear?" he said. "Make me proud."
Harry and Ron ran downstairs to tell Hermione the news. She went escatic, and strangely, so did Harry. A week before the Ball, people were getting dates left and right. Harry didn't mind. He found out Ginny was going with Dean, and Ron was going with Lavender. And Pansy. And a sixth year Hufflepuff. How he could pull that off, Harry could not figure out. Walking to Ancient Runes with Hermione, Harry couldn't help it.
"So have you found anyone for the Ball yet?" Harry asked. Hermione quickly looked at him. "Eh, I mean, no, not yet, have you?" she responded. Harry shook his head, "I hope to get one soon," he said hopefully. Hermione just looked at him as they walked into Ancient Runes. Professor Binns was as dull as usual, saying the same things over and over again. He brought up an interesting topic though. "Now, if someone would like to tell me the reason why ankhs are sacred to the Egyptians, the magical reason, I mean." Binns said. Harry leaned over to Hermione. "I bet you anything that I get this one right," he whispered. "I don't think so," she said as Harry raised his hand in the air. "What are you betting me then," Harry said cockingly, as Professor Binns pointed, "Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"A date with me to the Ball," she said. Before Harry could answer, he coughed and choked on his own saliva. The other students looked around. "Mr. Potter, next time, lets use an answer in a language we can understand," said Professor Binns, with a few students laughing. As Harry sat down, Hermione whispered to him, "I guess I win."
Harry was waiting outside of the Great Hall, anxious. I don't know why I'm so excited, he said to himself. He looked around, and finally saw her. A long blue dress went all the way down Hermione, her hair up in a knot, her eyes glittering at Harry. Ron walked over to Harry, and used his hand to pick up Harry's jaw.
"I'm glad you two are happy to see each other," Ron said, smiling. Harry finally took Ron seriously for the first time. "Thanks, chap. Good luck tonight," he added. "Luck? Who needs luck when I got Lavender?" he added, as Lavender blushed, and Ron gave a wink. Harry gave him a soft jab on the arm, and walked over to Hermione.
"You look.." Harry said, unable to think of anything to say. Hermione gasped, "I look horrible, don't I?" she exclaimed. Harry laughed. "No, you don't," he said. "Your just missing something," he added. Hermione looked around. "What?" she said. Harry grabbed her arm. "Someone to dance with," he said, and they walked through the Giant Doors to the Great Hall.
The Headmistress had outdone herself, making decorations move left to right, and lights everywhere. People were all in their best clothes, and Harry and Hermione were sitting at one of the tables, conversing with two Hufflepuffs. "Harry has the best Counter-Curse for any spell it seems," Hermione said. "But you know Hermione has every answer to the print," he added. The Hufflepuff couple laughed along. "So how long have you two been together?" one asked. Harry and Hermione looked at each other. Harry smiled. They both laughed and excused themselves from the table. Hermione needed to use the dormitories, and Harry left to stand at the far corner, awaiting her return. As he was standing there, he saw Ron running toward him.
"Harry, lad you've got to help me, I think they have caught on," he said hastily.
"Who?" Harry asked. In the distance Harry, as well as the whole room heard a scream.
"Ronald Weasley, you get back here!" screamed Lavender.
"You've got to hide me, Harry," Ron said. Harry quickly took his Invisibility Cloak out of his pocket, and threw it over Ron, seconds before Lavender walked up to Harry.
"Have you seen your BEST friend anywhere, Harry," Lavender asked through gritted teeth.
"You know, I think he went to the Prefect's bathroom," Harry said. He heard quiet squeals from under the cloak.
"Well if you see him, you tell him that he needs to save a dance for me," she demanded, and walked off.
"You better be in the Prefect's bathroom, Ron," Harry said. Seconds later he saw Ron bolting out of the Great Hall.
Harry looked around the Hall, but with no sign of Hermione. Harry was beginning to think that something had happened, or that she had stood him up. He couldn't understand the feelings he was having for her. Most of the time, Harry and her kidded around, and had fun. But lately, Harry began to feel like he was having feelings for her, that he liked her. Harry smiled. He did like her. And for the first time in seven years, he wasn't feeling anything other than the feelings he had for Hermione. If only she felt the same way. As Harry began to get impatient, he began asking around, but to his dismay, noone had seen her. He thought about leaving, but he couldn't find his invisibility cloak anywhere. A slow song began to play. Harry let out a big sigh. Wonder where she is, he thought to himself. Suddenly Harry felt someones hand touch his. He turned around, to see a floating hand in midair, holding his. Harry smiled, using his other hand to remove the cloak, showing Hermiones' face, smiling.
"Hey stranger," she said, smiling at Harry. Harry smiled back.
"I thought you vanished in thin air," Harry kidded.
"You could say that," Hermione joked.
They danced around the Hall, as other looked in astonishment. A few whispers of "Potter" and "Granger" shot from throughout the Hall. Neither of them cared. For the first time, Harry and Hermione were dancing together, in the Great Hall. McGonnagall and Professor Flitwick stopped their dancing to watch. "How romantic," McGonagall said, looking at Flitwick. "They do make a fine couple," Flitwick replied. Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry.
"Thanks for losing that bet, Harry," she smiled. Harry couldn't believe how astonishing she looked. "I think it was to best bet I've lost to you, Hermione," and they both smiled. Everyone seemed to form a circle around them. "I know this sounds a bit late," Hermione said, "But you look awesome tonight," she added. Harry looked at her and twirled her around with his free arm, dipping her down and bringing her back up. A few claps from around the crowd.
"Hermione, I know that we've always been friends," Harry started, but Hermione put her finger over her mouth, "Don't say anything yet." They continued to dance, just as the song was beginning to finish, Peeves stormed into the room, with a candle. "Loony Harry and Crazy Granger!" he squealed, and he kept repeating it, Harry and Hermione never let go of each other. "Peeves, you get out right now!" McGonnagall screamed. Peeves threw the candle in the air, causing the ceiling to catch fire. The sprinklers went off, and the music cut off. Students began to storm after Peeves, who flew away. Harry and Hermione were still looking at each other, slowly waltzing.
"Would you mind if I kissed you right now, Harry Potter," Hermione asked smiling. Harry looked at her, butterflies rushing out of his mouth.
"I bet you you don't have the guts," Harry kidded, smiling. Hermione leaned in close to Harry's lips.
"Your on, captain," she whispered, and the Harry and Hermione locked lips softly in the mist of rain and screams from students and their ruined robes.