A/N: Hey guys! I didn't get near as many reviews on the last chapter as I hoped…so I decided to do a little something special for my reviewers!! I told you all that there would be one more chapter (this one) and then we would get to the Halloween Ball where a very special SECRET would be discovered. Well, that extra chapter in between was mainly just preparation for the ball…and some minor insignificant stuff. SO… I decided to skip that and move right to the HALLOWEEN BALL! Is everyone excited? Well…if you are, make sure you review at the end of the chapter!!Please!?!?!
Chapter 14
The Halloween Ball
Hermione's stomach was turning over and over as she made her way down the staircase towards the entrance to The Great Hall. She had spent the entire morning and early afternoon decorating for the Ball until it was absolutely perfect. Dumbledore said he was going to make a few special adjustments after everyone left, so she was excited to see what he had in store for everyone. She and Ginny had spent the remainder of the day getting ready. Hermione's hair was curled in ringlets and reached down to her waist. Half of her hair lay curled atop her head with ringlets framing her face. Ginny's gorgeous red hair was extremely curly and had been pinned back in places revealing her milky white complexion. As Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs, she turned to throw an encouraging glance toward Ginny. As they rounded the corner into the lobby, each locked eyes with their date. Kyle's face split into a charming smile as he gracefully bowed to his exquisite date.
'God, he is handsome. His hair is starting grow out, he looks so sexy…so familiar' Hermione thought.
"Hermione, my love, for once in my life…I'm not going to try to describe your beauty in words because I could never succeed. You are beyond words."
He took her hand and kissed it, turned it over and kissed her palm and then linked it with his. They turned to make their way into the Great Hall and Hermione let out a small gasp as her chocolate orbs met a silver penetrating gaze. There was Draco Malfoy clad in gorgeous Black dress robes with silver lining that brought his eyes to life. He looked amazing. He noticed her gaze andheld out his hand as anoffer. Helooked amazing,but the choice was simple—she loved Kyle with all her heart.
She smiled apologetically at Draco and tightened her grasp on Kyle's hand. Luckily, he took her gasp towards Draco as a gasp at the decorations and now she could see why. The floating jack-O-Lanterns were still there, but the lights inside now blinked off every other second. The ceiling had been enchanted to show a beautiful full moon with shooting stars that lit up the hall. The Hall had also been enchanted to be split into 4 sections, one for each season. There was summer where Dumbledore had enchanted a small beach and ocean (there were couples dancing on water), and spring with the abundance of flowers. Fall was littered with beautiful auburn trees and leaves that were constantly falling but never seemed to make but a small layer upon the floor. The most spectacular of all was the winter exhibit. It was snowing, but wasn't actually cold, beautiful white snow gathered on the floor, but was impossible to sink into. He pulled her into the winter section and brought her close. She could feel the warmth repelling off his body and winter swirled around them. He watched her lovingly as white snowflakes caught and glistened in her beautiful curly hair. He wanted to lose his hands in those beautiful tendrils of hers, but caught himself knowing the hours of preparation she had spent. The feeling of twirling around on snow…as substance so soft and light was amazing. Her entire body tingled as his hand drew light circles on her lower back. All of her energy was concentrated on absorbing his touch. They danced without knowledge of those around them, without knowledge of time, ignorant to their surroundings. Eventually, they decided to take a little break. Kyle left to go get some punch and Hermione soon felt strong arms encompass her prim form. She assumed it was Kyle and leaned into his touch, but then there was something missing…warmth. This man's skin was smooth, but felt like ice. Oh God! She whipped around to face that familiar pale handsome pointed face.
"Draco…" she hissed.
"I just want to dance, Hermione. That's all and I leave you alone."
She studied him for a moment and then nodded.
"Hermione, I know I always told you that you were like an angel... my angel. Tonight, you truly are an angel even if you aren't mine."
He scooped her into his arms and they began to twirl gracefully. He was an amazing dancer and his lean muscles, soft flaxen hair, and actual genuine smile were intoxicating. The song ended far sooner than he would have liked and she casually removed herself from his arms and leaned forward to whisper in his ear.
"I really am sorry that I hurt you, Draco. I still care for you greatly, but you must believe me when I tell you that I am in love with Kyle." she drew back to look into his eyes. "Goodbye."
Draco grudgingly watched her go. He knew that if he ever wanted her back, harassing her was not the way to go.
She walked away and saw Kyle standing stock still staring at her in disbelief.
"Mione, what was that about? I thought you hated that guy…you…you …were…"
"Simply dancing with him. He apologized for the way he had been treating me, it was the least I could do. Draco never apologizes to anyone."
She kissed him shortly and replied, "You have absolutely nothing to worry about, love. "
She kissed him once more and then took hold of his hand and began to walk towards the doors.
"Love, where are we going?" Kyle asked.
"Hmmm…patience, sweetheart. Patience."
She covered his eyes with his hands and led him up several flights of stair, through various hallways and finally back and forth 3 times in front of a stretch of wall. A large beautifully carved door appeared and she removed her hands.
"Kyle…I love you and you make me feel unlike I've ever felt before. There is no doubt in my mind of the love I have for you and because of that, I am ready to give you something."
She opened the large wooded door to reveal a bed covered in red and gold with a luxurious canopy.
"Oh, Hermione, I love you too, but are you sure this is what you want. I have no problem waiting."
"I'm positive." she smiled.
He pulled her tightly into her embrace and kissed her passionately as he kicked the large door shut. They made their way to the bed whispering words of endearment all the while. In a moment filled with love, passion, and desire they sealed their relationship with the ultimate act of love.
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Ginny looked deep into those emerald eyes…those eyes that were filled with love despite the illness and tiredness that plagued his body. He had spent the entire previous week in the hospital wing but had insisted despite Ginny's pleadings that he take Ginny to the dance. No matter how much she persisted that it didn't matter, he was determined to go. He did at least look happy she thought. He offered her his arm and they walked towards the door to enter the ball.
"RON?" cried Harry
"PANSY?" cried Ginny.
There dancing a little too closely, with lips practically glued together was Ron Weasley and Pansy Parkinson.
"Ron…can I ..uh…speak to you a moment?" Harry asked awkwardly.
Ron growled with frustration, but stepped away from Pansy and walked towards Harry.
"You've got one minute, Potter." He hissed.
"Ron… what's gotten in to you? You barely speak to me or Hermione anymore, I'm in the hospital wing for a week and you never come visit me, and now your snogging Pansy, the slytherin slut."
He moved dangerously close to Harry and spoke in a harsh hiss, "Listen, Potter, first of all, it's you and Hermione that have ignored me. She's too caught up with that Kyle guy, and you're too busy fucking my sister." Harry raised his hand to strike Ron, but Ron took hold of his wrist, "and my lovely Pansy here has just made me see what matters most." He dropped Harry's wrist and walked away.
'That wasn't like Ron.' Harry thought.
Harry shook it off and returned to Ginny determined to have a wonderful evening. Little did he know what that night would hold.
Ginny and Harry spent the remainder of the evening dancing in the fall section. He loved the way the autumn colored leaves blended with the gorgeous red of her hair. She loved the contrast that the scenery had with his emerald green eyes. It was time for the final song of the night as it was fast approaching midnight. The room became darker and the shooting stars shone bright. The candles continued to flash on and off leaving them in darkness every other second. She laid her head against his chest where she could hear both his heartbeat and his breathing.
The song began to reach its climax and it was extremely close to midnight. The lights continued to flicker and Ginny soon noticed that Harry's breathing had become hitched and his heartbeat had sped up greatly.
She raised her head to see him zone out, he started to shake and stagger as sweat poured down his face. The shaking turned into violent tremors as the time went on.
The lights flickered and the clock chimed in unison.
BUM
An image of his mother screaming while being enveloped in bright green light.
BUM
An image of his father with a puddle of blood surrounding him.
BUM
Sirius with his back arching as he fell into that pitch black veil.
BUM
Ginny bruised and battered with blood the same color as her beautiful hair.
BUM
Ron splayed on the ground broken and bleeding with shame and sorrow showing on his face.
BUM
Hermione stricken with grief and pain lying on a blood red battlefield.
BUM
Kyle unconscious and seriously injured.
BUM
Neville tortured constantly with the Cruciatus Curse.
BUM
The rest of the Weasley family injured and in peril while the burrow lays in shambles.
BUM
Lupin with pain and anguish showing on every part of his face.
BUM
A tear cascading down Dumbledore's face as his body is plagued by death.
BUM
All the images reappear and swarm Harry's vision along with an image of himself. On the final strike of the clock,his image smiles cruelly and his eyes burn a fiery red. That familiar high pitched laughter drowns out Ginny's worried screams as everything blacks out and Harry collapses.
Screams fill the Great Hall as Harry collapses in the middle of the dance floor.
Ron watches on and at first a slight twinge of worry can be seen on his face, but it is quickly replaced by a mask of cool indifference. He turned back to Pansy and sneered, "He always has to have all the attention doesn't he?" Little did he know that there was one person closely watching him that saw that moment of worry on his face, that could see straight through his mask, and knew his statement to be untrue…Luna.
Dumbledore rushed to Harry's side and conjured a stretcher. He walked briskly to the Hospital wing while a delirious Ginny ran close behind.
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It was a little after midnight when Kyle and Hermione had began to make their way back to the Gryffindor common room. Hermione kept referring to an aged parchment, but refused to tell Kyle what it was.
"Come on Mione… let me see."
"No Kyle."
" Please"
"Those puppy dog eyes won't work with me."
"Fine then." He lunged towards her and began to tickle her mercilessly. In surprise she released the parchment as he attacked her and it flew a few feet away and continued to skid even farther.
After two minutes of tickling and a few threats ("no sex for a month!"), Kyle finally relented. Hand in hand they walked away looking for the parchment when they heard a soft meow and the sound of footsteps.
Kyle jumped into a crack in the wall and attempted to pull Hermione with him.
"No…I have to find that paper" she whispered urgently.
She bent down to look for the Marauder's Map, when light from
Filch's lantern flooded the hallway.
"Well, well, Miss Granger…out of bed this late? The dance ended nearly thirty minutes ago." He sneered.
"Uhh... Mr. Filch, you forget that I am Head Girl, I am simply making my rounds."
"Yes, yes, tis what I thought, but I could swear that I heard another voice… a male voice."
"Oh, well that was me telling a Ravenclaw 5th year and his girlfriend to head back to their common room."
"I see…what is that…"
The light revealed old parchment a mere foot away from Kyle's hiding place that seemed to have black writing on it.
Filch turned the light away from the parchment and towards Hermione. She heard an extremely quiet whisper that sounded extremely close to "mischief managed."
"Its mine Mr. Filch, I dropped it when I …well…when I discovered the Ravenclaws."
He crossed towards it and picked it up. He handed it to her and with an annoyed clearing of his throat he left her in the hallway. She unfolded the map and was both relieved and horrified to see that the map had been cleared.
She looked up to face Kyle. "D-Did you c-clear this?'
With a nod of her head realization dawned on her…only four people in his time period would have known anything about that map…let alone how to clear it…She looked to Kyle's piercing gray eyes, black velvety hair, and charming smile...
"Oh…dear…God" Hermione's eyes fluttered shut and she fainted.
Kyle scooped up her small form and ran her to the hospital wing.
About an hour passed, and Hermione was safely tucked into a bed next to Harry in the hospital wing. Kyle was alarmed at finding Harry in such a condition, but Madam Pomphrey refused to elaborate on his condition. She also refused to allow Kyle to wait with Hermione, but being the stubborn young man that he was…he was sitting outside the infirmary door.
Both Harry and Hermione were writhing and whimpering in their sleep from dreams of terror. Harry's were of course much more morbid than Hermione's. The images which he had seen were constantly working themselves into his dream. He was having a rather pleasant dream about his parents wedding. Everyone was there…his parents, Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, even that rat. The mangled images of his parents and friends would appear randomly which ruined possible the only good dream he had ever had. As he watched Sirius, the best man, hand James the wedding ring, the broken and bleeding image of Kyle worked itself into the dream. A violent tremor racked his body and he woke with a start.
Two voices screamed out simultaneously.
"IT'S SIRIUS!!!"
Harry and Hermione both turned to look at the speaker of the other voice. They both bore matching faces of horror.
"Kyle…is…my…my… godfather."
All Hermione could do was nod because a very disturbing thought was filling her mind… "OH GOD! I SLEPT WITH HARRY'S GODFATHER!"
A/N: Well guys…sorry that I didn't get any shout outs on this chapter, but it took me a very long time to write this one…so I hope you enjoyed it! So…now that is two secrets discovered! Did you all enjoy that chappy….I must say that I am proud. So…please please please review! I would love it if we could hit at least 90 reviews total with the addition of this chapter (although 100 would be even better!) Thank you all so much! And a big thanks to all those that reviewed last chapter…I will try and get you a shout out on next chapter! Until then…don't go around sleeping with your best friends godfather…okay?
Britt