It was a few days before Rhyann had a chance to meet with the others involved in organizing their secret DADA club. It gave her time to ready them through placing reasonable suggestions in their sleeping minds. She could not force them to like Draco, but she could make them more willing to trust her and Harry when it came to bringing him in. The Weasleys were most vehemently opposed, but no one could argue with the fact that having the Head Boy in with them would unite the entire school.
It was even trickier convincing Draco to attend the meetings and keep them a secret. His first reaction was to be angry with her for keeping the secret from him. He wanted to expose the group, expel Potter. Rhyann had firmly reminded him that she was in charge of it as much as the Gryffindor Seeker was and that if Potter were to be expelled, she would be so as well. He reluctantly agreed to not tell anyone else about what was going on and with even more reluctance, he had been convinced to come to the meetings. She knew that she had the ability to be quite persuasive with people, but with Draco, it was a different story. She had to do so in a way that seemed it would be beneficial to him and that she would be honestly grateful for.
The first time the dreamer had brought Draco to a meeting, the tension was unbearable. Many refused to come that evening if he was going to be there and Rhyann was constantly trying to make peace between everyone. She had never wanted to be a mediator or a diplomat. She detested that she found herself in that position. She even had to keep Harry and her boyfriend from trying to show one another up as they practiced curses. She wished it had gone more smoothly, but even Hermione's patience with Draco was worn very thin and she was left alone to do the job.
The second and third times were not any easier even when the other Slytherins were there. Draco acted like they had betrayed him by not telling him the secret and took too much enjoyment in hexing them when it came time to practice. Rhyann was left to pair up with the irate blond and he did not go any easier on her either. At least he managed to prove to the club that he had strong magic and he knew his curses very well. He wasn't quite as powerful as Harry, but it would be a toss-up as who would win between he and Ginny.
Draco did not tell anyone else the secret and so by the fourth time, those that regularly attended were a bit less tense with his presence. The only friction that remained consistant was that between him and Potter. Rhyann found herself snapping at them both various times. She was almost tempted to just let them have at each other and work off their hate of one another in a duel or just an old-fashioned non-magical fight. She made no apologies to one about the other and once even stormed out of the room leaving them alone with a few members of the group gaping at her. Drucinda had told her later that both teens had moved to go after her, but seeing the other doing the same, they stayed put. It was Hermione that had came to find her and calmed her down instead.
Along with introducing Draco into the secret club, Rhyann also had to tell him about her ability to astral project before one of the others that knew about it mentioned it to him. She was certain Harry would never say anything, but now that her boyfriend was in the club, she did not know whether Blaise or Drucinda might let something slip. She knew Millicent would not say a thing for she did not like Draco one iota and only talked to him when she had to.
She told him that she discovered the ability spontaneously and was working on it herself. Once again, he was a bit angry that she had not told him before, but Rhyann reminded him why she did not and that quieted his protests. She demonstrated her astral projection to him and they tested just how real her dream self could be. According to Draco, the projected self looked and felt just like her real self. There was a lack of scent and taste to her though. Plus, he added, he could feel where she actually was and gave her a pointed look when it clicked in his mind that she had projected herself to him before to keep him from discovering she was at the Room of Requirement.
Rhyann kept Salome's book to herself. There was much about it that she still did not understand. It was the key to unlocking her powers completely though. The key to freeing herself from not only Lucius' hold but the Dark Lord's as well. She could not risk losing the book or having anyone else know about it. There were people she knew she could trust, but just as their minds were open to her, they were open to other people as well.
Even with the stress of dealing with all that, the month seemed to go quickly and her relationship with Draco grew stronger. He was proving to her that he could be trusted again. Rhyann even checked his sleeping mind and found that he was having no communications with his father or their Lord about any matters. She double-checked, triple-checked, to make sure she did not miss any hidden bits, but he was being true to her. If there had been gossip before about their frequent fights, now there was even more about how often they snuck off together and what they did when they did so!
The mood when the students had returned from Christmas holidays had been somber, but as Valentine's Day approached, there was a renewed energy in Hogwarts. Hufflepuff had managed to get five different bands to play during the ball; each with their own unique style. There would also be the All Ghost London Orchastra to accompany the bands and play in between each one. Usually it would only be the fourth year students and those older who would attend the balls, but all of the students were allowed to come and they were able to invite a family member if they wished. Rhyann chose not to invite any of her uncles. She and Draco would attend the ball themselves.
Narcissa did send matching dress robes for her son and his girlfriend. A pair of tailor-made soft black robes with a single heart embroidered along with their combined family crests on their left breast. There were also magically sewn cupids chasing each other around the circle of their cuffs. Draco had not been able to figure out how to rid his robes of them, but instead spelled the chubby winged boys so that they were passing a golden snitch between them instead. Rhyann did not think that the robes were her style, but at least they were not pink or red and frilly like many of the others robes she noticed some girls had chosen to wear.
She had been tempted not to wear Narcissa's gift at all, but there would be journalists there covering the event and she was sure her photo would be taken. Now was not the time to insult Narcissa and thus her husband.
Along with the bands and the orchastra, there were be several other guests of honor. Hufflepuff had invited esteemed witches and wizards from all over England and Europe who were famous for their works with love. Amourous advice columnists, charm experts, romance writers, classic poets, endearing actors, and The Fine Witches' Society on the Etiquette of Love. Hannah had been near exhausted as she was the head of the organization committee for the event and she almost forgot to get her own self a date for the ball. Ernie had been secretly waiting for a moment to ask her, though, and swept her away with a serenade.
Rhyann deemed Valentine's Day her least favorite day of the year. There were too many grotesque displays of affection and puppy love. Valentine hearts were sent out with over-done sentiments and bad poems. Couples batted their eyes at each other and then later traded sloppy kisses in front of everyone in the Great Hall. Pansy and other girls went on about flowers, candies and dashing knights in shining armor. Everything about it was light, fluffy and pink.
They knew nothing of true love. It was private, deep and intense. There was no need for overly done displays of public affection and corny words trying to express their feelings. Rhyann did love Draco and she treasured it greatly, but all the nonsense people seemed to be going on about were childish delusions. The intracacies of real love could not be scribbled into a sparkling card delivered by an annoyingly perky angel boy. It involved passion and conflict, trust and compromise.
Hermione and Ron did get a little caught up in the holiday. Though the Head Girl had told Rhyann that she agreed some things were ridiculous, she got all misty eyed when Ron presented her with flowers and a misshapen heart with their names that he made himself. The only other couple that she felt knew true love was Drucinda and Ginny.
The two had chosen to keep their relationship private after Rhyann and Harry had told them what they had seen. Ginny did tell Hermione and Drucinda also told Millicent and Blaise, but otherwise, they did not want anyone else's involvement. For the ball, Harry had agreed to go with Ginny and Blaise took her girlfriend. This made the girls feel more comfortable and the boys seemed to be relieved that they were free from any pressure that accompanied other couples as well.
"Look at Miles snogging McKinnon over there. It looks like he's drooling all down the front of her robes!" Ginny gave a little snort, leaning against a pillar off one side of the dance floor.
"He IS drooling!" Drucinda made a disgusted noise and found herself chuckling with the others that stood there with her. Millicent stood to her left and her girlfriend on her right. Harry had leaned on the pillar next to the redhead and the dreamer stood to his other side.
"When is this band going to be done? I think they're the worst yet." Millicent groaned, giving the violet haired trio on the stage the evil eye.
"One more song at the most. With a name like the Blissful Hearts, you'd think their music would involve less... screeching." Rhyann gave a little wince as the lead singer let out another ear piercing wail. Even the cupids on her sleeves cringed.
"Well, supposedly that's what makes them so popular." Harry shuddered at the horrid noise too which made what he said even less convincing than even he intended. "It could be their... robes that attract all the attention though."
"Their robes? They're worse than even Pansy's design for the Slytherin cheering squad last October!" Millicent scoffed and the rest of them burst into laughter again.
There was a flash of light and their laughter stopped as their eyes tried to adjust. Rhyann squinted to see a reporter with large goofy ears grinning at them. He dipped his hat. "Thanks for the photo! Potter and his harem of girls! It's the most priceless shot I've taken all night!"
Before any of them could reply, the reporter was off chasing a flower decorated poet who was spewing out rambling verses about unrequited love. Ginny rubbed her eyes and scowled in the direction the wizard had gone. "What a git! Potter and his harem of girls! I bet he'll write that word for word as the bloody caption too."
"What's this about Harry having a harem!" Ron approached with Hermione on his arm from behind them. The color of his robes making his hair seem even redder than usual and a few stray threads already hung from the hem. Hermione, on the other hand, looked almost regal in her deep crimson dress robes.
"Just some reporter that took our picture." Harry replied, a bit red in the cheeks. "That's what he said to us."
"Really, I don't know why Hufflepuff decided to invite the press. It would have been a much more pleasant affair without them budding in everywhere, snapping photos at the most inopportune moments and asking a thousand inappropriate questions." Hermione gave a little huff and seemed like she had experienced what she had just described already.
"It will soon be over with." Rhyann gave the Head Girl a little smile. "This third band is going to start their last song and then we'll only have to suffer through two more bands."
Before the Blissful Hearts started their last song though, Hannah Abbott bounced up onto the stage and beamed a great smile at the crowd. Everyone immediately quieted down and gave her their attention. "I want to thank all our guests of honor and the bands that came here tonight. You have all made this a heavenly evening." Her eyes went to Ernie with that and no one missed her dreamy sigh. "The last song by the Blissful Hearts tonight is their longest running hit and my favorite ballad. Passionate Love with my Turtle Dove. We would like all our guests of honor to find a partner and come dance to this one. Plus, for Hogwarts, could we please have the Head Boy and Head Girl grant us a dance as well?"
Draco had just been returning to the group with Blaise. The two of them were places cups of brilliant pink punch on the table near them when Hannah had made the request. If he had still been holding any of the drinks, they would have fallen to the floor. His pale eyes glared at the blonde on stage as if he were going to kill her.
Hermione paled slightly as well. The guests of honor were all gathering with their partners on the dance floor and more eyes were turning towards their little group. Ron leaned over to whisper into his girlfriend's ear. "You don't have to do this. Just say you gotta go to the bathroom or something."
"No... no, it's alright. I do have responsibilities as Head Girl, after all." Hermione stood up straighter and looked towards the Head Boy. "Would you join me in the dance, Draco?"
His eyes came to rest upon Hermione with even more loathing. Draco then glanced around, seeing all the people staring at them, and wanting to keep up a proper appearance, he gave her a stiff nod. "Yes, it would be a... pleasure." He almost did not get the final word out of his mouth. He went over and gave the dreamer a kiss on the cheek first as if showing everyone that he was with her before offering his arm to the Head Girl to lead her out onto the dance floor.
No one was sure whether they should applaud or not until Hannah started clapping. The rest of the crowd joined in and then she signalled for the band to begin. She hurried off stage and found Ernie to pull him out to dance to her favorite song.
The seven stood where they were, watching silently. The moment seemed almost surreal. Harry was the first to speak up. "You know, I have never seen either of them move so stiffly before."
"I'm surprised they aren't strangling each other." Ginny smirked, amused more than anything else.
"She didn't have to go dance with that git." Ron grunted, folding his arms and glaring at them. He turned back to his sister. "Go dance with Harry near them. Tell me if they say anything."
"I'm not going to dance." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Oh, go on! You ask Harry to come to the ball with you an' then you don't even dance with him all night! How are one of you suppose to sneak in a kiss or something!" Ron had been a little miffed at first when he had heard Ginny was going to the ball with Harry, but then he settled into liking the idea. At least he could trust his sister with his best friend. He knew Harry was a good guy compared to some of the other ones that were interested in her.
"Ron, it's okay." Harry assured him, staring down at his shoes. "I don't want to dance either."
"Look at that!" Ron motioned to Harry and then nudged his sister to go to him. "You'll hurt his feelings or something! Go on and dance!" He nudged her more insistantly a second time.
"Stop that!" Ginny snapped at him. Her eyes darted to Drucinda momentarily and then she snatched her brother's arm, pulling him close to her so that she could whisper in his ear. No one could hear what she said, but it was clear that she had finally told him about her relationship with the dark haired Slytherin. She released him and stood back triumphantly with a tight smile, enjoying his apopletic reaction.
Ron's eyes bugged out and he looked like he was about to explode. Before anything else could be said, Rhyann grabbed his hand and led him out to the dance floor. It was best to keep the peace, especially in the public eye. She took one of his hands on hers and placed the other on her hip before resting her hand on his shoulder, giving him a little squeeze to actually move like he was dancing. She didn't say anything, but let the shock of it wear off a little first.
Finally he swallowed hard and glanced back his sister's way before asking, "Was she serious?"
Rhyann nodded. "She's serious."
"But... but Dru's a girl! I mean... I didn't... uh..." Ron sputtered and then gave his head a firm shake as if he could wake himself from some strange dream. "Ginny's always had boyfriends though. She was with Dean for a long time!"
"And now she's with Dru." Rhyann said simply. "They really are happy. They're good together."
He spluttered a bit more and then fell into his big brother role much like Harry had done. "Dru's pretty cool, isn't she? She would never do anything to hurt Ginny, right? If it were a guy, I would just beat him up for that, but I couldn't do that with a girl..."
"Don't worry. Dru really loves her. She would never do anything to hurt her." She reassured him and barely just managed to keep her foot from being stepped on. She did not know if Ron were still in shock, but he was a horrid dancer.
Ron asked a few dozen more questions and by the end of the song, he seemed a little more calm about the situation. One thing she was surprised about was that he had only protested that she was a girl but never once said anything about her being a Slytherin. Rhyann took that as a sign that things had definitely changed and that House unity was something that was happening instead of an impossible dream. She inwardly sighed at having to play the peace maker again and was glad when the gangly redhead went off to talk to his sister afterwards.
Rhyann stood to the side waiting for her boyfriend to come back but a delicate finger tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to face a beautiful dark haired woman in robes that accentuated her every curve and a hypnotizing silver mote in her left eye.
"Miss Rhyann Rookwood. It's such a pleasure to finally meet you." The witch's every movement was smooth and alluring. Even each breath she took was a sensual experience. "I'm Magena Silver. I have a nationally famous advice column on love and the erotic arts."
She had never heard of the woman before and gave her a single polite nod. Why did an advice columnist know her? "It's nice to meet you too, Miss Silver."
"Ah, you're more lovely than I have been told. Young Mr. Malfoy is extremely lucky to have snagged you as his own." Magena smiled mysteriously, her eyes slowly drinking in the petite witch's lovely fae features. "I know his family, you see. And we all have a mutual 'friend.'"
Rhyann eyes widened slightly at what she now realized. "Yes, I see. It is I who am lucky to have Draco though. I could not ask for anything more."
"Mmmm, yes. He strikes me as quite the fiery passionate one." Magena chuckled softly, a sound like a playful caress. She reached out and took the dreamer's left arm. Her fingers traveled down over her sleeve, giving a little tap and then smirked at the magical embroidery. "Ah, what adorable cupids. Good taste that it is not over-done." She then leaned in as if brushing some of the teen's hair over her shoulders. "Prepare yourself for a visit from our 'friend' tonight."
The other woman had no interest in her robes, she knew. Rhyann had felt the tap directly upon the center of the Dark Mark. It had even warmed a bit and she fought the urge to scratch at it. "Thank you very much. I shall be waiting."
"Good." Magena stood back, smoothing out her sanguine robes. Her hands ran over the curves of his hips. "I do hope you have a wonderful evening, Miss Rookwood. And if you ever need any advice on how to keep your man happy, just send me an owl." She winked. "Right now, I have someone else that I need to see. Perhaps I can convince him to enjoy Valentine's Day as it should be for once."
Rhyann did not even say good evening to the beguiling witch before she was off in another direction. She frowned for a few seconds, not wanting to deal with the Dark Lord this night, but knowing she could not avoid it at this time. She sighed and turned just as Draco was approaching her. He had a bewildered expression on his face. "Was that Magena Silver you were talking to? What on earth would you have to talk to her about?"
She folded her arms. "There is nothing that I would discuss with her. She introduced herself to me. Said she was a friend of your family's."
"My family's?" Draco's brows furrowed. His bewilderment no longer light.
Both of them looked in the direction that Magena had went to see her speaking to the Deputy Headmaster. He seemed to be looking for an excuse to rid himself of her company but when she walked to the door and crooked her finger to him, Snape narrowed his eyes even though he followed her out.
Rhyann leaned her head on her lover's shoulder. "She told me that I will have a visitor tonight and to be prepared." She said in a quiet voice.
His arm slipped around her and gave her a little squeeze. "Then make sure you're prepared, love."