Chapter Seventeen

Spill it, Ron

Things were more enjoyable now that Cailee had made up with Draco. She didn't feel that constant ache in her stomach every time she walked past him. Now, it seemed like constant butterflies. She couldn't stop thinking about him, she always wanted to be with him. And he felt the same way about her. Draco loved it when she wrote him notes and slipped them to him in the hallway. Sometimes he wouldn't even notice her in the corridors because she would come up behind him in the crowds and slip a note in his bag and walk away without even saying hi. And then when he got to class and opened his bag, he would find a note from her, and his heart would beat with excitement.

"Ginny! Guess what?" Cailee said one day in the Common Room.

"What?" Ginny asked, looking up from her homework at Cailee.

"I've decided I'm going to the dance on Friday!"

"Are you serious? This is so good! It's gonna be so much fun with you there! And it's only a few more days away," she said.

Cailee grinned. A few more days, three more exams.

Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms were the easiest exams she took. Potions was the hardest, which she took on Friday. She and Seamus, along with every other pair in the room had to set up dividers between them during the written part of the exam. And then, after forty-five minutes, they were taken down so they could continue the practical exam, which was concocting a Bezoar Potion.

After the exam, Cailee went up to the Common Room, and laid out on the couch. She hadn't been there more than five minutes when she feel asleep. Nearly two hours later, Ron woke her up.

"Cailee, you need to get up. It's six. Hermione sent me to tell you that they're going to start getting ready, the just didn't want to wake you up."

"Thanks Ron," she said, sitting up and stretching out. "I'll see you tonight, okay?"

"Okay," he said, grinning.

She hurried upstairs to her dorm, where she found Hermione and Ginny.

"Hey," she said, going to the closet in the corner.

"Sorry we didn't wake you sooner, Cailee. We've noticed you've been kind of tired lately," Ginny said, watching her look through the closet for her dress robes.

"I'm going down to shower, anyone coming with me?" she asked.

"No, we've already showered, but we'll wait up here for you, ok?" Hermione said.

"Yeah, no problem," Cailee said, and she took off down the stairs.

Twenty minutes later she was showered, dressed, and had her make-up done.

"Cailee! I can't believe how good you look in you robes! I love them!" Ginny squealed, for about the hundredth time.

"Thanks, Gin, I like them too," Cailee said, turning around in the mirror. Her robes were a very light pink, and they contrasted well with her blue eyes, making them look even brighter. She had left her hair down, but had given it those beachy waves again. Atop her head she had placed a small tiara with flowers on it. She kept her make-up light and natural tonight.

Hermione was wearing the blue robes she had worn the night of the Yule Ball, Ginny told her. She also kept her hair down tonight, but had put random spirals in it, along with some of the blue and pink stones she wore the night of the Halloween party. Ginny had on blue robes also, that complemented her orange hair well. She had done the beachy waves to her hair also, with help from Cailee, and left it at that. Just as they were about to leave the dorm, Ginny asked Cailee, "So, who's your date for tonight?"

Cailee stopped dead.

"What? We're supposed to have dates?" she asked, looking around, as if hoping to find some guy hiding in the corner of the dorm that she could go with.

"Um yeah, didn't we tell you?" Hermione asked.

"Obviously not, since I'm dateless." Cailee said.

"Cailee, don't worry. I'm sure there are other guys who haven't got dates that will be plenty happy to go with you when we get there, all right?"

Cailee nodded, but she was still a little hesitant about the whole thing now.

She walked to the Great Hall with Ginny and Dean, Hermione and Harry, and Seamus and Amber and Ron. When they walked inside, she was kind of aghast at what she saw. There was hundreds of garlands of mistletoe, and snow fell from the ceiling, some of it disappearing before actually hitting the ground, and others piling up on the floor. There were hundreds of smaller tables, and there were pathways crisscrossing around the room lit by actual fairies. It was fairly dim in there, bright enough to see, dark enough so the fairy lights could be seen. There were the usual twelve Christmas trees all around the room, with the largest one being in the center, and reaching up almost to the ceiling itself, and the top branches being covered in snow.

Cailee followed her friends to a table near the center of the room, right next to the giant Christmas tree. It was gorgeous, Cailee thought, with crystal decorations reflecting the light in the room. They chattered away aimlessly, all the while growing hungry. And then Dumbledore stood up.

"Ahem, students, could I have your attention. As many of you know, this dance is an attempt to have all the Houses bonding with each other, and becoming more friendly. We hope you will remember this ball, as it is almost the same as the one held two years ago, at the Yule Ball, when Durmstrang and Beauxbaton were here, except for the absence of those two schools. Remember the unity held then, remember the utmost respect you hold for each other. Now take that, and channel it towards your peers. Do not forget that all this could be gone in an instant, as it was for Cedric Diggory—" at these words, Harry looked away, and Cailee saw tears forming, "—who, at present time, is the only student we've lost to the Death Eaters. But I'm sure he will not be the last." At this, most of the students turned to glance at Harry. "But…if we can trust each other, put faith in each other, believe in each other, and respect in each other, he may be the only one we will ever have to lose. Please, please, remember." And with that he sat down. It was quiet in the hall for a few minutes, before food appeared on the tables and everyone started talking; everyone except Harry.

Cailee looked at Harry's eyes, and tried to read them, just as she had done to Pansy, Snape, and Hermione. Obviously there was sorrow there. Cailee concentrated harder. She shut out all the sound around her, and all the sights, except for Harry's eyes. And then, just as if she was watching it from a film she saw Harry sprinting towards a trophy in the middle of a maze; saw him being picked up by a spider, watched as he and another boy, presumably Cedric, defeated the spider and debated who should get the trophy; watched as they were transported to another place; saw how Cedric was killed. Just like that. No reason at all. Other than being in the Dark Lord's way. This infuriated Cailee all the more. No one could be that heartless, no one should be. Yet, there was one.

Dinner and dessert had passed, and Cailee had sat there and laughed and talked away with all the others, except Harry, who remained remote throughout the whole thing. His grief was so heartfelt; Cailee could feel it, even though she couldn't relate it to a personal experience of hers. And she would never be able to either, not with her gift, her family's gift.

"Students, there is one other announcement I must give," said Professor Dumbledore, standing up again. For that one moment, he and Cailee made direct eye contact, and in that instance Cailee saw someone she least expected. Her father. How? What? She wondered. Was that even possible? She had never been able to see someone by looking into someone else's eyes. But then again, her father was old, and he knew the Ancient Magic. She knew some, not nearly enough.

"We have a new custom, policy, if you will, for this dance, and maybe for many more to come. At this Ball, we do not want anyone dancing with someone from the same house. We want you to meet new people. I'm sure there are people in your year that you've never even talked to before, on a friendly level," he said, smiling, looking at Harry, Ron, and then his eyes flitted over to where the Slytherin table was usually located. "So, carry on. Enjoy yourselves."

People stood up at the same time. At the same moment, from the corner of the room, came music. Cailee looked up to see who it was. She couldn't tell, she didn't know much about the music in this realm. In hers, there was one person in charge of the music, and there was usually one person in charge of other things too. But people started chanting, "Weird Sisters! Weird Sisters!"

The first song they played was a quick song. People were doing many variations of fast dance steps. Cailee laughed as she sat at the table alone, watching her friends dance. Harry seemed to come out of his shell and was getting into the music. He dipped Hermione a few times, and spun her out from his arms, until each of their arms were extended all the way out and they were a few feet a part. Hermione grinned, and spun back in. It was the best thing she had ever seen, well here in this realm. On the next slow song, Cailee danced with Brian, and then with Shayne. Shayne was a nice guy that she was just starting to get know. He was in Ravenclaw, and he was in her Muggle Studies class, though they hadn't ever talked. Then one day they were paired up in an activity, and they just kind of clicked. He had signed up as a Medic witch (in his case, wizard) and Cailee was sure they would have lessons together next semester. As the song ended and they hugged each other, Cailee made her way back to the table she had originally started at. Ron was sitting there, tapping his fingers along to the beat of the music.

"Hey Ron. What are you doing over here?" Cailee asked, sitting across from him.

"Got ditched," he muttered.

"By who? That pretty Ravenclaw girl?" she asked, looking around, as if hoping to see her standing around him.

"Don't rub it in."

"I'm not trying to Ron. I was just wondering. Is that who it is?"

"Yeah," he said, bunching his hand up in a fist and then stretching it out again.

"Well, how come?"

"Dunno. She was with me one moment, then there was a pause in the music, and she was hanging around with Roger Davies. Really hanging around him, if you get me," he said, scowling.

"Oh," she whispered.

"Guess she's in to Quidditch players though, maybe not lousy Keepers, but Captains."

"Ron, stop it. How about I set you up with someone?" she asked, an idea forming in her mind.

"Who?" he asked, looking up, a little startled.

"Brian's little sister. She's a fifth year, but she's really nice. She hangs out with me and Brian sometimes."

"Which one is she?" he asked.

"You know her Ron! We have Herbology with her. Long blond hair, blonder highlights, green eyes. . .Does any of that ring a bell to you?" she asked, marveling at his density. He sat lost in thought for a few minutes, and then, snapping his fingers said, "I do know her! Hailey?"

"Yeah, her! Want me to do it?"

"Sure, why not?" he said, slumping down.

"All right, be back in a while," she said smiling and walking away.

It took Cailee a good fifteen minutes or so to find Hailey, but when she did, she found her sitting with a few friends having something to drink. Cailee pulled her aside and talked to her, then lead her away to introduce her to Ron. After being with them a few minutes, she left. 'Whatever happens, happens,' she thought. She hadn't even seen Malfoy yet that night, and they'd been there almost forty-five minutes. She scanned the crowds for five minutes or so, then went back to the table. She was starting to get depressed; no date, no Malfoy. What a big suckfest. Her heart absolutely plummeted to the floor when she saw Ron back at the table, no Hailey in sight. He was sitting opposite two people who looked oddly familiar. She went and plunked down next to Ron, and then gasped.

"Hello Cailee! Smashing good to see you again."

"Yes, it's been a while. How are you doing lovely?"

"Shut up guys," Ron said.

"We've just been sitting here, advising ickle Ronniekins on girls. He can't seem to get one, or keep one, for that matter," said the taller one.

"What are you two doing up here?" Cailee asked.

"Well actually, we heard there was a party. George and I were quite offended when we found out we weren't invited, so we decided to come and crash it. But there are too many pretty women here," Fred said, winking at Cailee.

Ron pretended to hurl.

"Grow up Ron!" Fred said. "Just because you can't get a girl, doesn't mean I can't." Ron then proceeded to turn fourteen different shades of red. Cailee laughed.

"Oh yeah!" George said, looking around wild-eyed.

"What?" Cailee asked, looking at his eagerness.

"We were talking to mum when she came down to the shop the other day, and we told her that Ron had a new friend, Cailee Ooteropeia. She kind of gasped, and then smiled. She asked if you were a nice girl and all, and me and Fred said you were pretty nice. And so she asked us if we would like to invite you to stay with us over break? She said she didn't think you'd have anywhere to go, and might want to stay there with us. Plus, Ron owled her I guess and said you didn't have any place to go for Christmas, since you signed up to stay here over holiday. So what do you say?" George asked, grinning.

A million things were racing through her mind. Why did Mrs. Weasley gasp when she heard my name? Did she know? Perhaps Bill knew, since he's friends with Isaac and Jacob. Maybe they came out and told him about us, and maybe Bill let it slip to his mum. That's probably why. Don't worry Cailee. She doesn't seem one that would put you in jeopardy. Ron wouldn't.

"Sure. Why not?" she heard herself saying.

"Really?" Both twins asked, glancing at each other.

"Yeah, why not?" she said again.

"Cailee, please think about this. You have no idea what you'd be getting yourself into if you came," Ron said, in mock begging.

"Yeah, I do want to go. Bill's a nice guy, and he's always talked about you guys a lot. And Jacob and Isaac—" Cailee shut up. She had said way to much. She wasn't supposed to mention them.

"Wait. How do you know Bill?" Fred asked.

"You're friends with Jacob and Isaac?"

"Look, George. She looks like Jacob and Isaac."

"She does!"

"All right, this is all too weird. How do you know this stuff?" Fred asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Long story," Cailee said, getting up and walking around. She swore she heard George say, "Spill it, Ron," as she left.

Author's Notes: Another chapter! Hope you all enjoy! Please RevieW! And also, when I described the Great Hall earlier, I took alot of that description from the 4th book at the Yule Ball and reworded it a bit.