A/N: Thanks greatly to everyone of the following: All-Aermican Vampire, Reanna1102, Dragonfly2003, shadowglove, Katsheswims, tom's a hottie, CardboardCreative, Gaerwen, Mrs Pierre Bouvier, PhanPhic-adict, Eleriel, -carcrash, little mimi, 404, Kitty0617, Allison Elder, njp, and Emi-Bum. I can't believe that I have 159 reviews! You guys (and gals) are AWESOME!

A little history before you start. The Knights of Walpurgis mentioned in this chapter (and also Chapter 12) are the original Death Eaters. J.K. Rowling has the history of them and she stated on HP-Lexicon that this was their original name. Hope y'all enjoy that bit of info! Now, read on...

Chapter 18 – Dates for the Gala

The month of November ended quickly with many practices throughout its days. Hermione and the other actors were already fitted for their costumes and had even begun practicing in some of them. She was happy though when Christmas break came around.

It was one week before the students left and Hermione was walking down the hall when a white owl tapped on a window. Hermione opened the window, snow flying in with the bird that dropped a letter on the floor and flew back out. Hermione shut the window and picked up the letter, tucking it inside her robe pocket.

She continued on her way down the corridor to the library. She was going to relax for a bit and read a book. She entered the library to see it completely empty except for the librarian. 'Thank Merlin' Hermione thought as she walked over and picked a seat by the window.

She opened her book and was about to start reading it when she realized something. Who would be sending her a letter? Curiosity got the better of her and she pulled it out. She broke through the seal and pulled out a formal looking letter.

Congratulations!

Professor H. Slughorn invites you, a member of his prestigious Slug Club, to a formal Christmas gala that will be held on Saturday evening in his private quarters. Feel free to bring a date who is not in the Slug Club.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Professor Horace Slughorn

P.S. Dress robes are to be worn, please.

Hermione stared at the letter. A formal Christmas gala? On Saturday? Where would she get money to buy dress robes? It was Thursday and she couldn't make enough money by then. And what was more, who would she take to the gala? She had to go see Professor Slughorn about this. She couldn't go.

"Ginny?" Harry whispered as he entered the kitchen of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. There in the darkness sat someone crying.

"Harry? Is that you?" Ginny sniffled as she stood up from the table, Harry's wand light falling on her.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, Harry!" Ginny threw herself onto Harry and began to sob. "I miss Hermione!"

"We all do," Harry said as he patted her back.

"And- oh! What are we going to do about this war?" Ginny sobbed.

"I-I uh- don't- know," Harry stumbled.

"This is the end. I can feel it," Ginny cried.

"I won't let it be," Harry whispered to her as he hugged her to him.

Ginny looked up to him and frowned, tears covering her cheeks. He wiped away the wetness of her tears and forced a smile that he intended to comfort her. She laid her head on his shoulder as Harry thought about what she had said.

Was this the end? Would Voldemort really win? Was he ready to face the Dark Lord once more for a final time? And where was Hermione? He wasn't sure about anything now. His mind fell into despair as he clutched Ginny to him, his hands running through her silken fire hair. Who would save the world if not him?

"Ah, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said as he saw Hermione coming down the corridor.

"Hello, Professor," Hermione greeted.

She and Dumbledore had been on better terms as of late. He had apologized time and again for the detention and she came to realize that if he hadn't of done anything, Dippet would have been forced to. She forgave him, but she did not inform him of all that had happened between her and Tom. She didn't feel the need to.

As of late, Tom had seemed to be trying to stay away from her as much as possible. He no longer looked at her in classes. He didn't stop her in the corridors and he only spoke to her during practices. She had started to enjoy it, but the more it happened, the more she worried that her work was slipping away.

"Where are you headed?" Dumbledore inquired.

"To see Professor Slughorn," Hermione replied.

"Did you get his letter about the Christmas gala? Sounds splendid, doesn't it?" he asked cheerfully.

"Actually, that's what I was going to see him about," Hermione admitted. "I have to tell him I can't go."

"And why not?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes losing their twinkle behind his half-moon spectacles.

"Because I can't afford dress robes and-"

"Oh, Miss Granger... that will be taken care of by myself," Dumbledore chuckled. "I need you to go to this gala, you see," he continued as he saw Hermione open her mouth to protest. "This is your chance to intrigue Tom further. I've noticed his sudden loss of interest in you. We're too far along into this to lose now. We need this."

"Now, come with me. We'll go back to my office, I'll give you some money, and we'll discuss some things over tea," Dumbledore said pleasantly.

"So, Tom, who are you taking to this stupid gala?" Abraxas inquired.

"Hmm?" Tom replied.

"What's with you lately?" Abraxas hissed as he stood up from his seat near the fire in Tom's Head Boy common room.

"What do you mean?" Tom snarled, his hand gripping the arm of his chair dangerously.

"You've been skipping out on the meetings for the Knights of Walpurgis, you don't even really respond anymore... and what's more, every time I'm with you at dinner, you never eat, but sit there and stare at that Mudblood, Alice Granger!"

"Don't call her that!" Tom roared as he jumped up out of his chair.

"And why would you care to defend h-," Abraxas had started, but he stopped as though the words were stuck in his mouth. "I know what's going on here... You like her!"

"Don't be stupid," Tom snapped as he turned to the fire. "It's just I'm trying to figure her out."

"And why would you want to do that?" Abraxas spat.

"First of all, Abraxas Malfoy, do not question me. Second, if I want you to know, I will tell you, otherwise it's none of your business. Third... she intrigues me," Tom explained.

"And what about her intrigues you?"

Tom glared at Malfoy who simply turned his head the other way as Tom turned away from the fire. He paced around the couch and the chairs before stopping in front of a snow blurred window.

"It's her sudden appearance at the school. And-," Tom stopped as he watched the snow drifting in the wind.

"And what?"

"And I told you not to question me!" Tom growled as he spun around to face Malfoy. "But there's some more about her... something not quite right. She seems to- to fear me."

"And who wouldn't if they knew what you were really up to," Abraxas joked.

"That's just it. She acts as though she does know something about it," Tom pointed out.

"Yes, well, don't get too involved with her," Malfoy warned as he made his way to the portrait hole to leave. "She seems to be into that Hufflepuff loser, Witte." With that, Malfoy left.

"Not if I have it my way," Tom said as he turned to the fire once more and smirked mischievously.

"Isn't this wonderful?" Tiffany squealed at dinner that night. "Tomorrow is the last day of classes and then a Christmas shopping trip to Hogsmeade on Saturday!"

"'Fraid not," Sandie sighed.

"What do you mean?" Tiffany asked curiously.

"Classes might end tomorrow, but there won't be any shopping for me on Saturday," Sandie explained.

"Well, what about you Al?" Tiffany questioned.

"None for me either... Well, maybe a little, but that's only go to get a set of dress robes for the gala," Hermione replied.

"Oh, I forgot about that," Tiffany muttered sadly. "Everyone will be there but me."

"I'm sorry," Hermione frowned.

"No, I'll be fine. I think I'll just go shopping on my own then."

"Or maybe not," Sandie giggled.

"What?" Tiffany asked as she looked curiously to Sandie who nodded to the doors of the Great Hall.

Arnold had just entered and Tiffany's face lit up as he walked toward her. She jumped up as he came near her, but her face fell when he walked right past her. She looked to Hermione and Sandie who gave her pitying looks as she sat back down.

"I must have been stupid to think that he would ask me," Tiffany mumbled as she stared at her plate.

"Who asked you what?" came the voice of a boy.

Tiffany's head shot up and she looked at Arnold who was now standing next to her. She smiled and shook her head as though to say nothing before inviting him to sit down. He took the seat and began piling food onto his plate.

"So, Arnold," Hermione spoke up.

"Yeah, um- what was your name again?" Arnold inquired.

"Alice," Hermione answered.

"Oh, yeah. So what?"

"So, are you going to the gala Professor Slughorn is having?" Hermione hinted.

Tiffany's eyes grew wide, and her grip on her fork became deadly as she waited for Arnold's answer.

"Yeah, I guess. You?"

"Yes. Are you going with anyone?"

"Not yet," Arnold replied. "Are you asking?"

"Not for myself, no," Hermione laughed. "So, who did you have in mind to take?"

"Well, actually," Arnold bumbled as he tinged a bit.

Hermione, Sandie, and Tiffany exchanged excited glances as Arnold mumbled something.

"What was that?" Sandie asked.

"I was wondering if Tiff wanted to go?" Arnold muttered.

"I'd love to!" Tiffany practically shrieked.

Arnold seemed shocked at first, but then he turned to Sandie and started to talk again.

"You and Boil Boy going?"

"Yes!" Sandie snapped as she turned back to her plate and mumbled something that sounded like 'pig-headed Quidditch jerk.'

"What about you, Alice?"

"Not sure who I'm going with," Hermione responded as she picked at her cooked carrots with her fork.

"I thought you and Leo would be going. That's all the kid talks about in class is you," Arnold said before stuffing a large amount of potatoes into his mouth.

"Really?" Hermione asked as she felt herself blush. She smiled and looked up and around the Great Hall, her eyes finally spotting Leo who was, in fact, staring at her.

He smiled at her and winked as she felt her stomach drop. She smiled wider and bowed her head. Across the hall, someone else was looking at her, and that someone was becoming uncontrollably jealous of Leo. 'I must ask her first' they thought.

"Rosier!" Abraxas Malfoy bellowed through the Slytherin common room. "Mulciber... where's Rosier?"

"Last I saw him, he was with Antonin," Dylan Mulciber replied.

"Fine," Malfoy grumbled as he left the common room.

He wondered the dungeon corridors for maybe a quarter of an hour before finding Marsayus Rosier wondering the halls with Liber Lestrange, Valkyrie Nott, and Antonin Dolohov. They were laughing about something they did to a Gryffindor second year when Malfoy made his presence known.

"Always doing something childish and stupid to get yourselves into potential trouble," Malfoy spat. "So... do you want some real fun?"

"What do you mean 'real fun'?" Liber hissed. It was no secret that there was a bit of jealousy between the boys.

"I mean, do you want to do me and yourselves a favor?"

"What kind of favor?" Valkyrie said gruffly.

"There's a certain Gryffindor girl named Alice Granger that needs to be taught not to mess with Tom Riddle," Malfoy explained. "I want you guys to scare her enough to make her stay away from Tom."

"And what's in it for us?" Liber inquired, clearly intrigued though.

"Well, if you put a stop to her meddling, it will put a stop to Tom's calling off our meetings," Malfoy pointed out. "Enough said?"

"Yeah," Rosier and Dolohov chuckled together.

"And I know that you'll definitely put our Miss Mudblood Granger in her place, won't you, Rosier?" Malfoy laughed evilly.

"Oh, you bet," Rosier laughed darkly.

Rosier, Dolohov, Nott, and Lestrange all sat in the library where Hermione sat studying with Brian and Sandie. They waited at a table out of sight from Hermione's waiting for her to walk past so that they could get up and follow her. They waited no more than an hour for that when, finally, Hermione got up and left Brain and Sandie.

"Perfect," Nott chuckled as he and the other three got up and followed her out.

They followed at a safe distance until they were a floor above the library. Then they split up. Dolohov and Rosier running ahead to stop her as Nott and Lestrange stayed behind to keep her from running. Rosier and Antonin waited in the shadows and laughed as they saw her coming down the hall, her unsuspecting little self walking with a smile and humming.

"Hello," Antonin growled with a grin as he jumped out from the shadows.

Hermione jumped and almost screamed after gasping as she watched Rosier come from the shadows as well. She looked nervously between the two of them before looking over her shoulder and seeing an escape route.

"E-excuse me," Hermione said as she turned to go, but Nott and Lestrange came out from behind a statue.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Nott inquired.

Hermione looked like a deer caught in the headlights as she backed up, bumping into Dolohov. She whipped around and felt her body and brain go into a defensive mode as she pulled out her wand, but it was no use. From behind her, Lestrange grabbed it and chuckled in a scary way.

"Give me my wand," she protested as she felt that showing fear to them was like bleeding in front of a shark.

"As soon as you do us a favor," Nott said.

"And what's that?" Hermione hissed.

"Stay... away... from...," Rosier said as he circled her, "Tom," he finished as he jumped at her, backing her against a wall.

The other three boys chuckled and snickered as Rosier ran his hand up Hermione's thigh and began to untuck her shirt.

"Get off me," Hermione mumbled desperately as Rosier leaned forward.

She shook her head from side to side quickly to try and keep from out of her face, but it was no use. He grabbed her chin and held her head firmly in place as he ran his icy hands up under her shirt, his knuckles drawing circles on her stomach. She shivered and felt that she was going to be sick as he leaned forward and kissed her neck.

"You're going to stay away from Tom, right?" he growled in her ear, making her stomach drop.

"Yes! Yes, all right! I'll stay away from him," she cried as tears started to form in her eyes.

"Remember... if you don't keep your promise," Rosier whispered huskily, "I get to have a little more fun next time."

Hermione watched them walk away, the four of them laughing as Lestrange tossed her wand to the ground. She scrambled after it and held it at their backs until she saw them disappear around the corner. She then took off at top speed back to her dorm where she crawled into bed and under the covers, shivering and crying.

The next morning, Hermione had awoke with the thought that telling Dumbledore about what happened the night before was her best bet. She couldn't stay away from Tom. That was her whole mission, to get close to him and change him.

She was on her way down to his office when she ran into none other than Tom himself. He smiled at her and she returned the smile quickly, figuring he was just going to say a quick 'hello' and pass her by just like he had been lately. But to her surprise, he stopped her and started to talk to her.

"Good day, Alice," he greeted. "Care if I escort you to breakfast before classes?"

"Um... sure, why not," Hermione said politely. She had started to see the charming side of Tom that most everyone saw, and strangely enough, she liked it even though she knew who he truly was.

"So, are you going to the gala on Saturday?"

"Yes. You?"

"Most definitely," Tom chimed. "Do you by any chance have a date yet?"

"Nope, afraid not," Hermione sighed as they walked side-by-side down the corridor.

"Then would you mind going with me?" Tom asked somewhat uncertainly as he stopped and looked to her with pleading onyx orbs.

Hermione turned around and was about to answer him, but stopped short. She had been going so say yes, but then she caught sight of something. There at the end of the corridor, not very far away, was Liber, Nott, Antonin, and Rosier. Rosier waved and made a kissing gesture as Liber stood there shaking his head from side to side as though to say no.

"I'm sorry, Tom," Hermione mumbled. "I uh-," tears started to form and Hermione felt her stomach drop just as it had the night before.

"What's wrong?" Tom asked in full concern. What had happened to her to make her suddenly start crying?

"I can't go with," she said quickly before turning and running off down the corridor.

Tom had noticed that when she said this, her eyes had not been on him, but looking behind him. And when he turned around, he saw four boys' backs that he recognized in an instant. Lestrange. Nott. Dolohov. Rosier. He gritted his teeth and glared a path of fire after them as he turned and started off for his dorm, though angry, below his anger was another, unusual emotion. Rejection? Partly. And he believed that it was also defeated sadness settling in.