Disclaimer: I own nothing of J.K Rowling. The only things are my plot and character

A/N: GAH! hehehehe I'm ok..I promise.. I took so long.. My sister and nephews are living in my house..I haven't had any private time for writnig. The only time I am online is to do homework. ((This chap is going to be continuing onto the next, I can already tell yout hat much.))

Chapter 31: Nostalgic Memoirs

The glitter was so bright, I had to close my eyes for one simple moment. Here I was with my beautiful black and red sleeveless ball gown, arm-in-arm with my date, Seamus, who wore a black tux. We were only friends, but the Great Hall was so gorgeous, it seemed like something out of a romance movie or book. . . I was ready to be swept off of my feet. The Great Hall was lit with dim candles, creating a soft glow everywhere. There were round tables around the hall, showing a white tablecloth that draped over the sides elegantly, flower petals on top, and a star-shaped candle for a centerpiece. In the far corner of the room stood a buffet table, loaded with food and drink. Finally, the very back of the hall had an orchestra sitting, waiting to play something. On the table next to them was a very big stereo, which gave away that the Prom wouldn't just have orchestrated music, but other music too. Perfection.

Hermione and Ron were the first people to run to one of the tables closest the professors' table. She and Ron sat down and motioned for the remainder of our gang to go over. Harry and Veronica, Neville and Melisa Knowles, Seamus and I, as couples, walked to the table and sat down. Soon after, Gwen walked in with her date...

Draco Malfoy...

"Holy Hell...Why is Gwen with him?" My question was on everyone's mind, but I got to ask first.

Gwen skipped towards us with Draco behind her laughing at her silliness. She sat down, grinned, and greeted us. Malfoy sat next to her and half-smiled.

"Are you two," Hermione started, knowing we all wanted the reason, "in a relationship?"

With a faint smile, Gwen replied, "No. We're here just as friends."

Seeing the last few people pile in the Great Hall within a couple of minutes, Dumbledore stood in the center of the room and captured our attention by clearing his throat.

"Welcome," Started Dumbledore, "This is the Hogwarts Annual Prom. I know all of you students are glancing around, feeling a little sad because this might be the last year you get to attend a dance at Hogwarts if you are not participating in the E.Y.P Program. As Graduation approaches, one must realize that these are numbered and sacred, precious days. Let them kindle in your heart.. Never let these memories die out. Education is a big part of life, and so are the special moments you make in school. Please make the best of your future and present, but along the way do not forget your past. At least..not the good past. Now, eat, drink, be merry, and dance the night away!"

The orchestra began to play a waltz while Dumbledore took his seat in his normal middle seat on the professors' table. At first no one knew what to do, but soon enough Professor Flitwick walked table to table, telling each one they could go up 'in an orderly fashion' to get food. The catch was, only two tables could go up at a time. So, silence wouldn't stay very long at our Kerfuffles table, for we initiated chatter about the yearbook. At Graduation, we would all receive a yearbook for free. Supposedly it had pictures of everyone in alphabetic order according to last names, and then a load of pages on clubs, sports, and other significant things.

Finally, our table and one next to us got called up for food. At this point I wasn't really hungry, but I took some pasta anyways. After we all sat back in our seats and began to chow down, Draco decided to start a conversation about E.Y.P's. The we digressed to talk of dance.. Hermione wanted to be the first one to dance with me, but we didn't know if we were allowed on the dance floor yet.

"That's it..." Gwen finished the last bite of her food, "I want to dance. C'mon guys.. Who's coming with me?"

Ron laughed and retorted, "You have to wait an hour after you eat so you don't get cramps."

"That's swimming," said Harry.

"I know that," Ron grinned, " I was only joking."

After we all finished our meals, the plates vanished from our site. Our goblets of whatever-we-drak refilled themselves magically, which was quite a shocker. In an instant, Gwen stood up and declared that it was time to get off of our arses and dance. I stood, as did Hermione, and we went to the middle of the dance floor. It felt as though everyone was staring at us, and it was probably true. As the orchestra was still playing, we stood there not knowing what to do. I believe the orchestra's members noticed us, for they stopped playing and someone put the stereo on.

An upbeat song was playing, so naturally our bodies began moving. Soon, we were dancing as we usually danced. Seamus, Draco, and Ron got up as well and joined us. Then, Harry and Veronica came towards us. In less than three minutes, most of the room was on the dance floor, excluding the professors.

Time was flying by, as we were having the time of our lives. Draco even asked to dance with me...but I couldn't say yes just yet. However, within a moment my choice was decided, and I approached him at the start of a slower song. With the Ferret Boy Wonder's hands on my hips and my hands on his shoulders, nothing seemed wrong with this picture. We were going to be friends again, something I hadn't thought about in a long time. Hopefully this time around he won't lie on his behalf of a mistake.

The song hadn't ended, but I was eager to get out of the situation. I didn't mind dancing with Draco, but I suddenly became thirsty beyond all reason. Although my mouth yearned for a drink, I couldn't just leave Draco by himself.. I didn't want to be a bitch. So I waited for the end of the song to grab a drink and sit at our table.

I found it amusing watching everyone dancing as I sat alone. Prom gave everyone a chance to dance with whomever they wanted, right? Maybe that's why I felt a bit odd.. I had no want or need to dance with anyone at this moment, but I didn't really like sitting alone. And as if he were psychic, Gilderoy Pooptart-head walked over and sat down across from me.

Great..

"Hello, Miss Maguire. What are you doing sitting by yourself?" Gilderoy was in a perky mood as usual, but with a hint of nosiness.

Not thinking, I blurted, "None of your business."

Just staring at me, Gilderoy said nothing. I took it upon myself to appologize and admit that I was just relaxing for a moment. He smiled his goofy-ass smile and told me to go join my friends.

"Well," I responded, "I'm kind of in the middle of thinking right now. I'll dance in a few minutes."

"I see. . . I guess I shall leave you be now, considering I don't want to intrude on your alone time. I just don't want to see any sad faces tonight.. So make sure you have yourself a great time." With that stated, Lockhart stood up, pushed in the chair, and disappeared into the croud.

Why was I sitting alone? I love dancing, but something in me is twisting, turning, and making me feel like being alone for awhile. Depression wasn't taking over my emotions, neither was any sort of sadness, I just felt nostalgic and a bit disappointed because this is our last dance together... The whole class as one group of people who assosiated with one another. No matter who talked to who, or where they were on the popularity chart, we all talked to each other at some point in our years together. Even with just two years under my belt, I still remember talking to many people.. After this night...We'll all be too busy getting ready for Graduation to talk to one another.. And then that'll be it..Graduation will be the end of walking in the halls and seeing the same faces everyday. It'll be the end of receiving homework from teachers you want to yell at for testing us everyday. It'll be the end of learning so much in a day that your brain starts to ache.. We'll all keep in touch with our best friends, but what about the people we wanted to talk to and never got a chance of being good friends with? What about the people who we see each day, and never smile at them or aknowledge them besides "that one time?" What about...everyone?

"Hey!" Hermione ran up to me, "What're you doing? Spacing out? C'mon and come dance with us!" She pulled my arm, which got me out of the seat, and continued to drag me onto the dance floor.

Feelings in me flowed randomly, making me think I was in another dimension. I felt out of place as I glanced at everyone around me while I danced. What if I hadn't come to Hogwarts at all? If I was in my orphanage right now, what would I be doing? Most likely reading, but...would I attempt to make something of myself?

All thoughts of nostalgia and wonder were pushed from me as Seamus began dancing with me. I couldn't think of the future anymore for this moment.. I needed to be in the here and now before I missed it completely.

Another hour of dancing passed quickly, bringing nothing but grins, laughs, giggles, and smiles. Dumbledore gleamed as he walked through the croud, noticing everyone stop dancing when he faced us once again.He cleared his throat as he stood in the front of the professors' table. Everyone practically stopped breathing as Dumbledore finally spoke.

"It seems to me," His voice held emphasis and joy, "that everyone is having a grand time. However, it is time for you all to stop dancing for a moment as we reveal the winners for our Prom Raffle. I have here two pieces of paper, both revealing the winner for the teachers' side, and one for the students' side. Good luck to you all as I speak the names." Albus unfolded the first paper and spoke loudly for all to hear, "The teachers' side.. Professor Severus Snape.. Stay where you are, Severus, and approach me after I reveal the student winner." Several people began to clap, but then stopped.

My eyes wandered, and found themselves looking at Snape. His facial expression was of annoyance and surprise. Two emotions I never thought would mesh well with the Snake. He actually looked ...err...amusing with the way his eyebrows raised and the way his mouth was pursed. Then my eyes found there way back to Dumbledore, wondering who was going to win.

"...The winner for the raffle on the students' side is..." Dumbledore unfolded the other paper, "Mr. Neville Longbottom!" Every memeber of Gryffindor whooted and clapped and whistled as Neville cheered in both shock and excitement. How ironic that the Snake and its victim should both win..

Dumbledore waited a moment for everyone to calm down and then spoke, "Now, Nevill has won an advanced spellbook and Professor Snape has won a gift certificate to The Teacher's Nook, which is a magazine us professors order from. Please collect your gifts at the end of the night. Thank you, and you shall all get back to dancing in a minute. First, it is time to have the Prom festivities which happen every year. Some of you might have heard about them, so prepare yourselves. First, we shall have a dance contest where all of you who want to volunteer may stay in the center of the dance floor and dance until you drop. You must keep moving, or else you are disqualified and sent back to your table. Yes, the people who are going to participate will stay on the dance floor... So, before I go on with the description and rules, please sit down if you do not want to participate. Let me remind you that the one who wins receives a small prize. Now, decide."