"Seamus asked me last night."
"You're kidding!"
"And Dean asked Ginny."
"Turned him down flat. She still thinks she's going with Chris."
"Ha, yeah right. Did you hear she shagged him?"
"Urgh, I feel so sorry for him."
Harry could not take it any longer.
"Pavarti, Lavender, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," they said in unison.
"Why can't you keep your noses out of other people's business?"
Pavarti and Lavender looked back at him with identical looks of outrage on their faces.
"It's called gossip, Harry," Pavarti retorted. "Girls do it."
Harry sighed. Ron was still in bed, Hermione in the library, and Kit was still mad at him. He needed some kind of company, and the only kind available was with the two most gossipy girls in all of Hogwarts.
"What's the latest?" he asked, helping himself to thirds of everything.
"Well," Lavender said breathlessly, "apparently Cho Chang is still crying over Cedric, but she's finding time to shag every other Ravenclaw."
"Wow."
"Typical," Pavarti said, shaking her head. "And Ernie and Hannah from Hufflepuff are apparently going steady."
"Some say he's bought the ring," Lavender said.
"And I say he's an idiot," Harry added.
"She's dumping him tonight," Pavarti said smugly.
"Which isn't a shock," Lavender said, "I hear she swings the other way."
Harry shuddered. "What's the latest in Slytherin?"
"Not much has reached our ears," Pavarti said. "All we know is that Draco is shagging some mystery girl –"
"And it's not Parkinson," Lavender cut in. "She's going steady with Crabbe."
Both girls' faces contorted in disgust. Harry could not help but laugh at them.
"They deserve each other," he said, applying himself once again to his scrambled eggs.
Both girls shrugged.
"And what about you, Harry?" Pavarti asked slyly. "How is your love life?"
Harry did not answer, so Lavender pushed the topic.
"We couldn't help but notice what happened at dinner last night."
"Bet you could," Harry muttered.
"Harry," Pavarti said consolingly, "we know about girls like her –"
"No, you don't," Harry replied sadly.
"Yes, Harry," Lavender continued, "we do. You two shagged once, and now –"
"She's done with you," Pavarti finished.
"It's not like that," Harry said, staring blankly at his empty plate, "we – we lo–"
"Harry," Pavarti cut in, "you are sixteen years old. 'Love' shouldn't be in your vocabulary. Look at Ernie."
"Ernie's a love-sick puppy," he retorted, his sadness replaced with indignation.
"So are you," Lavender said, glaring at him. "She doesn't love you anymore than her next sh–"
"Shut up!" Harry shouted, jumping up. The two girls looked at him in shock, along with half of the people in the hall.
"Harry, you don't have to –"
"No! You don't know what we have!"
"She practically dumped you last night!" Pavarti shouted, not acknowledging Lavender's elbow in her ribs. "She doesn't love you!"
"Well, I love her!" Harry yelled, green eyes blazing.
"She won't take you back!"
"Yes, she will! I LOVE HER!"
"You just want to shag her!" Pavarti screamed, slamming her fists on the table.
"I JUST WANT TO MAKE HER HAPPY!" Harry yelled, now holding the attention of everyone in the hall. "SHE'S ONE OF THE ONLY PEOPLE I HAVE LEFT! SHE MEANS THE WORLD TO ME!"
The hall went completely silent as his words fell into ringing silence. Then, from the doors of the hall came a small voice, filled with emotion.
"Really?"
Harry turned – with everyone else – and found Kit standing just inside the doors.
"Okay, folks, show's over," Adrien said, waving her arms around as she entered the hall.
Harry walked to Kit, stomach twisting uncomfortably. He stopped in front of her, unable to make eye contact.
"We need to talk," she said quietly, her hand reaching out for his. Instead, she grabbed the sleeve of his sweatshirt, pulling him out of the Great Hall, away from prying eyes.
As they reached the top of the marble staircase, Harry grabbed her hand. "Let's talk here," he said.
Kit turned to face him, and Harry noticed tears falling from her eyes. Before he could say anything, she had thrown herself into his arms.
"Where are they?" Hermione whined as Ron's knight overtook her castle.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Probably working things out after last night," he replied calmly, enjoying his time alone with Hermione.
"So this kind of thing has happened before?" she asked, not caring where she moved her next piece. She knew she was hopeless at chess.
"Yes, but they're too compatible to not be together. Does that make sense?"
"I suppose," she replied, watching the knight knock her queen off the board.
They sat in a thick silence for a number of minutes before Hermione spoke again.
"Viktor's coming tonight," she said quietly not meeting Ron's eyes. "He, erm, wants to see me," she said, answering his unasked question.
"You're still dating him?"
Hermione looked up, and Ron could see the sorrow in her eyes. "I know about the prophesy. I have to see if it really is true that I'm –"
"I know," Ron said, cutting her words short. He sighed heavily, leaning back in the chair.
"I'm going to the ball with you," she said, smiling at his slouched figure.
Ron sighed again. "I know," he repeated, sitting up and moving a chess piece. "We should start getting ready. It starts in a couple hours."
"What about our game?" she asked, looking down at the board.
"Checkmate," Ron grinned, heading up the boys' stairs.
Hermione smiled, watching him retreat. She would always love losing chess to Ron. She turned away from the board, intending to go up and get ready. Halfway to the stairs, however, she changed her mind. Turning around, she headed straight out of the portrait hole, hoping to find the prefect's bathroom empty.
Halfway there, walking along a deserted corridor, Hermione heard something up ahead. At first she thought it was somebody fighting, but a second later they spoke, shocking her.
"Not here," the boy whispered, sighing heavily.
"Why not?" the girl whispered, and her words muffled.
"Someone will find us," the boy said breathily, and Hermione heard him move. His back appeared in the corridor, and Hermione's suspicions proved correct.
"Harry!" she said, causing him to jump.
He slowly turned around, his face reddening just as Ron's would. Kit then came out of the shadows backwards, obviously buttoning her shirt.
"What are you doing here?" Harry hissed at her, trying to sound mad, but failing miserably.
Hermione could barely contain her laughter. "I was going to take a bath," she replied, "and came along you two ..."
"You won't tell anyone, will you?" Kit asked desperately.
"No," Hermione said, letting the smile fill her face. "I'm assuming that you'll continue tonight anyways."
Harry looked shocked, but Kit almost giggled.
"Just –"
"You're secret's safe with me," Hermione said, holding up her hand, smiling still more broadly.
Harry looked greatly relieved. "I knew I could count on you," he said, giving her a friendly hug.
"Behave yourselves," she said, as they went their separate ways.
"We will – hey!" Harry said, as Kit smacked him playfully on the –
Hermione giggled to herself. As she watched them walk away together, she found herself imagining the couple being Ron and herself. As she turned around, she felt the smile slide off her face.
'That stupid prophesy'. She knew she was not in love with Viktor. If only there was a way that she and Ron could be together in the end. She sighed heavily as she opened the door.
Letting many of the perfumed bubbles flow into the pool-sized bathtub, Hermione could not stop thinking about that summer. She really did not want to think about it anymore. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered the look on Lucius Malfoy's face when he –
'No,' she told herself sternly. 'Stop thinking about it.' But she couldn't. Every effort was in vain.
As she lowered herself into the tub, she thought about the one thing that kept her going all the while in the dungeons. Ron. She had never felt like this ever before. Perhaps at one point she felt it with Viktor, but not anymore. That flame had died along with –
'Stop thinking about it!' But it was so hard for Hermione to. It seemed that half her life died that night. As she watched it happen, she kept the image of Ron's face in her mind to herself from completely breaking down. But even that couldn't mend the fresh wounds of seeing –
'I have to move on,' she told herself firmly. 'I can't keep dwelling on it. What's done is done. There's no way that ...'
Her thoughts ceased as she fell into a slight doze. She was awake enough to stay afloat, but her mind was mercifully empty. Finally. Peace. Quiet. The only sounds were the soft bursting of bubbles as the water cooled. She wanted so badly to stay in that moment forever. No pain ... no scars ... nothing ...
As seven o'clock approached, Harry and Ron sat on one of the couches in Gryffindor common room. Every now and then, another girl would come down the staircase, dolled up and blushing. Many boys were growing restless.
"What is taking them so long?" Ron asked tiredly.
Harry shrugged.
All of a sudden, they heard a slamming door and footsteps coming down the staircase.
Hermione appeared; her bushy brown hair tamed as it was for the Yule Ball, and wearing flowing pink dress robes. Smiling, she came over to where the two boys were sitting.
"Hi," she said breathlessly, blushing deeper than the colour of her robes as Ron eyed her.
"Wow," he whispered.
"Where's Kit?" Harry asked her as Ron stood up, taking Hermione's hand.
Before she could answer, a strangled yell echoed down the staircase, followed by a hairbrush flying down.
"Do it yourself then!" one girl shouted.
"FINE!" another girl shouted, "I will!"
Then there was the slamming of a door again, and several girls came down the staircase. Kit, however, was not one of them. Harry looked at Hermione for an explanation.
"She wasn't having very - er - good luck with her hair," she said.
"HARRY!"
"Yes, Kit?" he shouted up the stairs.
"Go without me."
"Okay," he said, hoping she would not kill herself in the fight with her hair.
"I won't be much longer," she shouted, and this time Harry could hear the frustration in her voice.
"Alright," he said, and left the empty common room alone.
The Great Hall was full by the time Harry made it. He entered just as a slow song was starting to play. Just like any wallflower, Harry sat alone on the edge of the hall.
In my home town
For anyone who sticks around
You're either lost or you're found
There's not much in between
In my home town
Everything's still black and white
It's a long, long way from wrong to right
From Sunday morning to Saturday night
Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Cho Chang smiling down at him. Trying not to look disappointed, Harry motioned to the seat next to him.
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
We follow the roads that lead us
To drugs or Jesus
My whole life
I've tried to run, I've tried to hide
From the stained glass windows in my mind
Refusing to let God's light shine
Down on me
Down on me
Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
"Why aren't you dancing?" she asked.
Harry shrugged, not really wanting to talk to her.
There's not much space between us
Drugs or Jesus
Everybody wants acceptance
We all just want some proof
Everyone's just looking for the truth
Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
We follow the roads that lead us
To drugs or Jesus
"Where's your girlfriend?"
"She's coming," Harry replied simply. A Huffllepuff boy asked Cho to dance and saved him from answering more question.
So 1, 2, 3, take my hand and come with me
Because you look so fine and I really wanna make you mine.
I say you look so fine that I really wanna make you mine.
Oh, 4, 5, 6 c'mon and get your kicks
Now you don't need that money when you look like that, do ya honey?
Big black boots, long brown hair, she's so sweet with her get back stare.
Well I could see, you home with me, but you were with another man, yea!
I know we, ain't got much to say, before I let you get away, yea!
I said, are you gonna be my girl?
Well, so 1, 2, 3, take my hand and come with me
Because you look so fine and I really wanna make you mine.
"Having fun yet?" an amused voice asked.
Harry looked up to find Remus offering him a butterbeer. He took it, shrugging in response to the question.
Oh, 4, 5, 6 c'mon and get your kicks
Now you don't need that money with a face like that, do ya?
"Are the rumours about you and Kit true?" Remus asked casually, taking Cho's vacated seat.
"Which ones?" Harry said, opening his butterbeer.
Big black boots, long brown hair, she's so sweet with her get back stare.
Well I could see, you home with me, but you were with another man, yea!
I know we, ain't got much to say, before I let you get away, yea!
Remus gave a short laugh. "The latest," he replied.
"We've worked it out," Harry said simply, hoping a fatherly interrogation was not in store for him.
I said, are you gonna be my girl?
I could see, you home with me, but you were with another man, yea!
I know we, ain't got much to say, before I let you get away, yea!
Uh, be my girl. Be my girl. Are you gonna be my girl! Yea
Remus simply nodded, looking out to the dance floor as another slow song began.
This is my December; this is my time of the year
This is my December, this is all so clear
This is my December, this is my snow covered home
This is my December, this is me alone
And I just wish that I didn't feel
Like there was something I missed
And I take back all the things I said to make you feel like that
And I just wish that I didn't feel
Like there was something I missed
"Ron and Hermione are getting closer, aren't they?" Remus commented as the couple on the dance floor moved together.
"Yeah," Harry said smiling. "It's taken them long enough."
Remus gave half a laugh before his eyes saddened.
And I take back all the things I said to you
And I give it all away just to have somewhere to go to
Give it all away to have someone to come home to
This is my December; these are my snow-covered trees
This is me pretending this is all I need
And I just wish that I didn't feel
Like there was something I missed
And I take back all the things I said to make you feel like that
"What?" Harry asked as Remus sighed.
"The prophesy," he said simply, leaning back in his chair.
"It's true?"
Remus nodded. "They all are. Maybe one in a million will be proved wrong."
And I just wish that I didn't feel
Like there was something I missed
And I take back all the things I said to you
And I give it all away just to have somewhere to go to
Give it all away to have someone to come home to
"Bugger," Harry said, watching his two best friends dance slowly across the floor.
This is my December; this is my time of the year
This is my December, this is all so clear
And I give it all away just to have somewhere to go to
Give it all away to have someone to come home to.
As the song changed again, Remus stood up.
Gotta leave town, got another appointment
Spent all my rent, girl you know I enjoyed it
Ain't gonna hang around till there's nobody dancing
I don't wanna hold hands and talk about our little plans, alright!
"I'm going chaperoning again," he said, tossing his empty bottle in the bin.
Harry laughed. "Have fun with that."
Remus waved, and Harry leaned back, checking his watch. Fifteen minutes had passed, and still Kit had not come down.
Cold hard bitch, just a kiss on the lips
And I was on my knees, I'm waiting, give me
Cold hard bitch, she was shakin' her hips, that's all that I need
Gonna check her out, she's my latest attraction
Gonna hang around, wanna get a reaction
Gonna take her home cause she's over romancing
Don't wanna hold hands and talk about our little plans alright!
All of a sudden, two hands covered Harry's eyes from behind. He grinned as he inhaled her characteristic cinnamon scent.
"Guess who," she whispered in his ear.
He reached up, taking her hands away. Smiling, Kit sat down. Unlike Remus and Cho, however, she sat right in Harry's lap.
Cold hard bitch, just a kiss on the lips
And I was on my knees, I'm waiting give me
Cold hard bitch, she was shakin' her hips
And I that was all that I need, I'm waiting give me
Cold hard bitch, just a kiss on the lips, and I was on my knees
"You're beautiful," he said, wrapping his arms around her.
"Why, thank you," Kit replied, blushing slightly, her cheeks contrasting with her sea-blue dress robes. "You're not too bad looking yourself."
She leant towards him, kissing him lightly on the lips.
Yeah I'm waiting
Cold hard bitch, just a kiss on the lips
And I was on my knees, I'm waiting give me
Cold hard bitch, she was shakin' her hips
And I was all that I need, I'm waiting give me
Cold hard bitch, just a kiss on the lips
And I was on my knees, I'm waiting give me.
As the song ended, Kit stood up, pulling Harry up with her.
"Dance with me," she said, smiling seductively.
"I can't dance," complained Harry.
I'm gonna be here for you baby
I'll be a man of my word
Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard
I wanna sleep with you forever
And I wanna die in your arms
In a cabin by a meadow where the wild bees swarm
"But I love this song!" Kit pouted.
Harry could not resist. He pulled her to the middle of the dance floor, wrapped his arms around her, and they danced.
And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us
I wanna honour your mother
I wanna learn from your pa
I wanna steal your attention like a bad outlaw
Kit was beaming. Nothing could cause this night to be any worse. She waved sarcastically at a couple Ravenclaw girls who were shooting her looks of immense hatred.
I wanna stand out in a crowd for you
A man among men
I wanna make your world better than it's ever been
And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us
"I love you," Harry whispered in her ear, moving his hands lower down her back.
We'll follow the rainbow
Wherever the four winds blow
And there'll be a new day
Comin' your way
"I can't wait to get out of here," she whispered back, kissing his neck softly.
I'm gonna be here for you from now on
This you know somehow
You've been stretched to the limits but it's alright now
And I'm gonna make you a promise
If there's life after this
I'm gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss
"That makes two of us."
And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll win your trust making memories of us.
As the song ended, he ran his hands down her arms.
"Now?" he asked.
At the first words of the next song, Kit's expression lightened up.
I got chills
They're multiplying
And I'm losing control
'Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying!
"I love this song!"
Adrien bounded towards the two of them with her newest boyfriend, James, holding her hand.
You better shape up
'Cause I need a man
And my heart is set on you
You better shape up
You better understand
To my heart I must be true
The two girls sang the next words, and the boys shot each other the same look.
'They have lost it.'
Nothing left
Nothing left for me to do
You're the one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, the one I need
Oh, yes indeed
Kit pulled Harry's arms, forcing him to dance, singing along with the song.
If you're filled
With affection
You're to shy to convey
Better take my direction
Feel your way
Harry, remembering where the song was from, as he was forced to watch it many times as a child with his aunt, serenaded Kit with the next lines.
"I better shape up
'Cause you need a man"
Kit laughed, and they sang together, silently thanking the DJ for turning up the volume so loud.
I need a man
Who can keep me satisfied
I better shape up
If I'm gonna prove
You better prove
That my faith is justified
Are you sure
Yes I'm sure down deep inside
People all over the hall were looking at them as if they had lost it completely.
You're the one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, the one I need
Oh, yes indeed.
Laughing, the four of them went over to sit as the next song began.
When the visions around you, Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surround you, Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength, I'll give you hope,
Keeping your faith when it's gone
Kit, Harry noticed, was trying very hard to ignore James. James however, was trying very hard to get Kit talking to him.
The one you should call, was standing here all along...
And I will take you in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
I've loved you forever, in lifetimes before
And I promise you never...
Will you hurt anymore?
"I'm going to get another butterbeer," Kit said, fed up with James' attitude.
"I'll come with you," James said, jumping up. Kit kept walking, not looking back.
I give you my word
I give you my heart (give you my heart)
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow,
Forever has now begun...
Just close your eyes (close your eyes)
Each loving day (each loving day)
I know this feeling won't go away (no...)
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you...
Harry could not help but laugh as he watched them be determined in the situation. Turning to Adrien, he asked, "How are you doing?"
"Better than I was," she said, smiling. "I'm glad Ron is so happy with Hermione."
This I promise you...
Over and over I fall (over and over I fall)
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all...
And I will take (I will take you in my arms)
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong (right where you belong)
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you baby
"Yeah, they're good together."
Just close your eyes
Each loving day (each loving day)
I know this feeling won't go away (no...)
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Ooh, I promise you...
Adrien looked at Harry incredulously. "Good? They belong together!"
The song changed again, and Harry stood up.
"I suppose they are," he said.
"Where are you going?"
"Kit and James don't get along, do they?" he asked, scanning the crowd by the drinks.
Adrien's eyes grew wide.
"Bugger."
Together they went off in the direction the other two had left. As they approached, they could see Remus standing in between two people.
"Can't you just leave me alone?" shouted Kit, her face red and her hands clenched.
James was standing there dumbstruck, spluttering like a fish out of water.
"Harry!" Remus said desperately.
Kit looked around, and as she caught Harry's eye, she nodded slightly.
Harry, taking the hint, moved forward. He took Kit's hand, steering her out of the hall.
"Nice acting," he said as soon as they were out of earshot from most of the crowd.
Kit smiled, squeezing Harry's hand. "The perfect diversion," she said.
Harry laughed, leading her up the staircase.
The suspense was too much for Kit. Opening the nearest door, she pushed Harry in, not noticing the other people in the room. She pushed him against the wall, kissing him as she had at the start of January.
"Kit," Harry gasped, pulling away as much as he could, "not here."
"Why not?"
Harry nodded into the room where Neville and Nia –
"I'm so sorry!" Kit gasped, turning away as Nia blushed deeper than Neville. She then pulled Harry from the room, and the two of them ran further up and into the confines of the castle.
They were running along the fifth floor when a door opened to the right of them. Coming out was none other than Viktor Krum. He turned to the couple.
"Have you seen Hermy-own-ninny?"
"No," Harry said, somewhat suspicious. "Why?"
Without saying a word, Viktor pulled a ring box from his pocket. Harry looked at it in shock.
"She's sixteen!" Kit gasped, glaring at Viktor as though he was a slug.
Viktor shrugged. "I'm not, and I love her, so ..."
"Good luck," Harry said, shaking his head and pulling Kit along the corridor. She was reluctant to go any further.
"They can't get married!"
Harry sighed. "Remus said that the prophesy would be true, I don't see why –"
"But her and Ron are in love!"
Harry stopped in his tracks. Kit was thinking the same thing.
"Ron."
Without thinking, both of them turned around, intent on following Viktor. By impulse, they both made their way to Gryffindor common room. Just as they were about to turn into the corridor leading to the Fat Lady, they heard voices.
Putting his finger to his lips, Harry led Kit down to a crevice in the wall where they could hide ... and listen in.
"You have to pick one of us!" Ron yelled at the startled Hermione.
"I – I – I can't – I can't," she stuttered, tears forming in her eyes.
"You have to!" he yelled, his voice cracking, trying to hold back the sobs desperate to escape from his exhausted body.
She looked up at the red head, broken-hearted. She sank to the floor and, unable to hold back the tears, sobbed into her hands.
Viktor looked extremely awkward. Unsure of what to do, he sat down on the floor beside Hermione. As Ron's freckled face contorted with anger, frustration, and jealousy, Viktor wrapped his arms around the weeping girl, and pulled her close.
As she sobbed into Viktor's rounded shoulders, Ron turned around and, his voice shaking, said, "Fine. Choose him. But I don't want to ever see you again."
Hermione gasped. "But, won't we still be –"
Ron interrupted her. "Consider this friendship over," he said, and walked away from the couple on the floor. As he reached the end of the corridor, he finally allowed the tears to run down his face.
Kit and Harry just looked at each other. Both wore expressions of shock, worry, and pity on their faces.