"Dances with Snakes"

By Minagorishi

Hey, everybody! I wrote this while my dad was on vacation and I had no Internet, which explains why my other story, "Parents" hasn't been updated in a while, which is most likely putting it a bit mildly. I also realized that I didn't post the epilogue—which may now just be a longer continuation of the story—to "King of Slytherin". Sorry! Anyways, I'm not entirely sure I like this title; so if anyone has a suggestion for a new one, please tell me!

Disclaimer: As you all may or may not have surmised at this point, this is a FAN fiction, meaning that a fan of the actual literary work was the one that wrote it, not the actual author. Therefore, it can further be surmised that I DO NOT own Harry Potter, or anything else, for that matter.

Warnings: As with most of my stories, this contains a male/male pairing. If you are uncomfortable with this, please do not complain to me when I write about two guys making out—it would be your fault if you didn't bother to read this disclaimer. Further, characters, upon occasion, will be slightly out of character. Again, if you complain, I will delete your review, as you will have had prior warning. Those who flame will also have their reviews deleted, as I do not appreciate them. If you are going to critique my writings, please do so in a proper manner. There is also quite a bit of Ron-bashing. You have been warned. Any warning hereafter shall be posted when they are thought of.

Summary (Please read this! It contains information I was unable to put into the story.): A mysterious Slytherin girl asks Harry to dance with her at the Halloween Ball that Dumbledore had decided to hold. While they dance, Harry is informed as to why the Slytherins REALLY keep their distance—and the results are life altering for the Golden trio, as well as one other...

"May I have this dance?" A Slytherin girl asked Harry. He and Ron were sitting as far away from the dance floor as they could get, and Hermione was attempting to convince her boyfriend to dance with her. Harry eyed the pale, dark-haired girl in confusion—was this some kind of joke? The Slytherins were notorious for hating all things Gryffindor, especially the Golden Boy, Harry Potter. Ron and Hermione spun around from their argument in shock.

"Of course he doesn't!" ejaculated Ron. Hermione slapped him for being rude.

Harry, however, was already standing up. He was tired of his so-called "friends" always answering for him. "Certainly. Um, may I ask your name? I seem to have forgotten it."

"Elena, but I've always gone by Venom. I'm a year younger than you, which is probably why you don't know my name." The two walked out onto the dance floor, talking calmly. Many other students eyed this new odd-couple suspiciously.

Ginny Weasley was especially nervous, as she knew both teens better than most. 'What's Venom doing with Harry? She's quiet and has no interest in practically anyone. Plus, she hates the spotlight, which will undoubtedly shine on her now that she's dancing with him. I think she's up to something.'

Even though she was no longer attracted to Harry, she considered him to be a close friend and resolved to keep a close eye on the two, even though she knew that Venom was relatively harmless, unless she was angry or plotting something.

"Venom?" Harry asked after a while, getting the girl's attention.

"Yes?" They had been dancing quietly for a bit, her head resting on his chest. She had wondered when the boy would speak again.

"Why did you ask me to dance? Usually people, especially Slytherins, tend to avoid me." Venom looked up at Harry, her eyes exploring the masculine features.

"There's a reason Slytherins avoid you, and it isn't because we hate you. Before I tell you the reason, though, I need to ask you a personal question."

"And what would that question be?" Harry asked, becoming uneasy. "Personal questions" always led to something bad.

"Are you gay?" This was not the question Harry was expecting, and he looked at the girl in shock.

"Actually, I'm bi. What does that matter?"

Venom smirked at her ability to shock him into answering her question. "It makes all the difference in the world, Darling. You see, the reason all Slytherins seem to 'hate' you is because we were told not to touch you, as you had caught the interest of one of our housemates, and we do not steal what belongs to our brethren." Harry continued to gawk at the girl.

Venom smirked briefly at someone over Harry's shoulder and kissed the still stunned boy quickly on the lips. "And with that, Darling, I must be off."

And off she was. Harry slowly returned to his seat, pondering over the strange girl's cryptic words. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even realize where he was headed until Ron's boisterous voice brought him out of his stupor.

"Oi! Earth to Harry! What did that bloody Snake want from you?"

Harry looked at his best friend. 'I guess now is as good a time as any to tell him the truth.' "She wanted to know if I was gay..." Ron gaped as though somebody had attempted to transfigure him into a fish.

"Well, of course you're bloody not! The nerve of those Slytherins! I don't even know why they're allowed into this school! What did you tell her, Harry?"

"I told her I was bi."

"You told her you were WHAT!" Ron shouted. "Next thing we know," Ron continued to shout, not noticing that Hermione was pulling her wand out of her pocket. "You'll be telling us that you've fallen for Malfoy!"

"Ron!" Hermione gasped, outraged at her boyfriend's poor behavior. The Golden Trio had begun to attract a crowd. The front of said crowd was occupied by none other than Draco Malfoy, who cringed at the Weasel's use of his name. "Silencio!"

The redhead finally fell silent, thanks to Hermione's well-placed spell. Then, almost inaudibly, Harry responded to Ron's accusation. "Actually, Ron, I have."

Ron could do nothing but gape as his "best friend" stormed out of the Great Hall, leaving him and Hermione at the center of an uncomfortable silence, as no one other than them had heard Harry's response. Or so they thought.

So, how was it? Please R&R, I have chapter 2 ready to post. TTFN, ta-ta for now (sorry, I've got a minor Tigger obsession. Yet, alas, I don't own him, either.)!