Authors Note One: I am in Vegas now about to go back to the convention to watch the outdoor Water Quidditch Finals. This chapter is dedicated to Singing Nekopan. – who asked if I could post Chapter 12 today, because it's her birthday. Yes, two days ago, I did say I wouldn't post again until August. Oops. Also, only half the chapter is finished . Second half will be written and uploaded later. (Happy Birthday!)

Authors Note Two: So, I kept looking at my calendar, thinking there were five Saturdays in October this year. Um, there's only four. There are five Sundays in October this year. So now my time line is messed up and I will have to go back and correct a few things. Hopefully I didn't confuse anyone too much.

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:Chapter Twelve: Second Hogsmeade trip; Part One

Draco was beginning to love these Hogsmeade trips. The main reason? None of the seventh-years wore their school uniforms. Of course Harry looked hot in his uniform, but the robe covered up too much of his body, in his opinion. He loved it when Harry wore his muggle clothes. Form-fitting jeans, tight shirts, adorable brown sneakers.

Draco and Pansy were on their way to Hogsmeade along with the entire seventh-year mass.

"Did you find out where to buy the Dandy Candy from?" Draco asked her.

"Yeah, but you're not going to like it."

"Tell me."

"The Weasley twins make it."

"Ugh. I should have guessed that. I really don't want to support them, but I guess the twins aren't as bad as the rest of that crop."

"Glad you think that. We'll stop by their shop since they recently opened one in Hogsmeade."

"Did they? Well good, then I won't have to mail-order it."

"I like candy, Draco. What kind is it?" Gregory asked him.

Draco smiled. "It's a very special kind of candy, but you don't eat it for the flavor, it's all about the experience." Draco said matter-of-factly.

"Why wouldn't you want to eat candy for the flavor?" Gregory asked with a confused look.

"Just stick to Honeydukes, Gregory. I wouldn't suggest you play around with any of the Weasley's candy." Pansy told him.

"So we'll all meet up at The Three Broomsticks at one o'clock, right?" Pansy confirmed with the small group of Slytherins she was walking with. Everyone nodded their heads.

"Great. Draco, did you want to stop at the Wheezes shop before or after?" Pansy questioned.

"Before. That way we have the entire rest of the trip free."

After the half-hour walk to Hogsmeade, the group split up. Pansy and Draco went to the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes shop, Gregory and Vincent went to Honeydukes, Blaise and Theodore went to a jewelry store so Blaise could buy something for his mother.

When Draco entered the shop, he started looking around at all the different products. He had never even been in the original shop in Diagon Alley.

All the products were unique and some of the items, he couldn't imagine how the twins would have come up with them. Like the Self Es-STEAM (which makes the gas you pass smell like different flowers for the entire day), the HAIR-cules (depending on which flavor you chose, your hair would change that color and continue growing in that color for an entire month), and the Dandy Candy (which the effects could be good or bad). And those were just a few.

Noticing the Restricted area, Draco started heading towards it. That's where all the good products were, including the Dandy Candy. You had to be seventeen or older to purchase anything in that area. The Restricted section was behind a clear partition – so anyone could see in or out, but younger people couldn't pass through the doorway.

Draco was looking through the items when he felt a sharp poke in his ribs. Looking harshly at Pansy, she nodded her head to the front of the store. Harry was just walking into the store. Draco's heart skipped a beat. Exactly a week from today, he would be dancing with Harry at the Halloween Ball. He saw the twins rush up to greet Harry, but couldn't hear what they were saying.

-o-O-o-

Harry entered the store and as soon as the twins saw him, they rushed over.

"Hi, Harry!" Fred and George said together.

"Hi guys. I just wanted to thank you for the Dandy Candy you gave me last time. I have used a few pieces and it is amazing! You are both geniuses!"

Fred and George looked at each other with big smiles and then back at Harry. They both threw their arms around Harry and were hugging him tightly.

Draco stepped out of the Restricted section and was watching the event unfold. He saw the three of them hugging, and then Fred reached down to pinch Harry on the bottom. He yelped and jumped up. Then the twins wrapped their arms around each other while Harry was in the middle.

"Harry sandwich!" George announced!

"Harry sandwich!" Fred agreed.

"This is the best twin sandwich yet!" George deducted as he squeezed tighter.

"I can barely breath, you two." Harry mumbled from Fred's shirt.

"Oi. Don't mush him, George!"

"I'm not. You are!" George disagreed.

"Seriously, feeling confined here." Harry told them.

"Oh alright." The twins said together and disappointedly let each other go and stepped back.

"Malfoy, what the –" Fred said.

Harry turned around to see a wand being pointed at him.

"Malfoy! What's your problem?" Harry said while slowly putting his hands up.

"You are!" Draco spat.

"Me? What did I do to you?"

"You… you-"

Pansy cast expelliarmus and caught Draco's wand. She grabbed Draco by the arm and said, "We'll just be leaving now." And dragged a scowling blondie from the store.

"What did you do that for?" Draco yelled, once outside.

"What? Keep you from being an idiot? Seriously Draco, don't you have any control?"

"Not when it comes to him. Did you see those redheaded heathens? They were practically molesting him and you made me leave him in there!"

"Oh, get real! I'm sure Harry can take care of himself. Besides, they're all just friends and playing around. I can't believe you almost hexed Harry!"

"I wasn't thinking…"

"No doubt. Look, I have to go meet Leaf. I'm forbidding you to go back into the Weasley's shop. I'll meet you in a bit at The Three Broomsticks as planned." Pansy gave Draco a quick hug and was off.

-o-O-o-

After Pansy pulled Draco out of the Weasley's shop, Harry turned around and looked at the twins. "What the hell was that?" He wondered.

"No clue. That kid has issues." Fred replied.

"Yeah, apparently." Harry muttered. "Well, I'm supposed to meet up with Ron, so I'll see you guys later."

"Aw, If you must." Fred said.

"Fine, leave us!" Said George.

Harry just shook his head, smiled, and walked out of the shop.

As he was walking towards Honeydukes to meet up with Ron, someone grabbed his shoulder. He turned his head to the side and scowled when he saw who was grabbing him.

"Malfoy! What do you want?" He said while holding his wand out, not taking any chances.

"Nothing. Um. To apologize, maybe."

"Maybe to apologize? What is it that goes on in your mind, Malfoy? I'm not sure if anyone could figure it out."

Draco pushed Harry's wand to the side and stepped forward, invading his space.

Harry, not wanting to look intimidated, stood his ground.

"What are you playing at, Malfoy?"

"Harry, I thought we were past using last names." Draco said while reaching out to touch Harry's lips.

Harry shifted his face to the side, out of the reach of Draco's fingers. His eyes narrowed. "You're wasting your precious time if you think you're teasing me, because I have no interest in you." He told him and turned around to walk off.

Draco grabbed his shoulder, and stepped around him to block his escape.

"Malfoy, quit bothering me, I'm not in the mood."

"Wait, Harry. I just wanted to talk to you."

"Right, you want to talk to me. What for, so you can catch me off guard to hex me or something?"

"No, nothing like that. I just wanted to –"

"What is THIS?" Ron yelled, coming up from behind Draco. "Ferret, you leave him alone!" Ron commanded while clenching his fists.

Harry sidestepped Draco, giving him a questioning glare the entire time. He walked off with Ron.

Draco was left there, alone. He couldn't believe the Weasleys. The entire lot of them were always making him upset. So what if he wanted to talk to Harry? Why should that be a problem? Of course, he caused Harry a lot of grief for the first few years of school, but had no one noticed that the last couple years he had been leaving him alone?

Draco was in a foul mood. He looked up and saw Graham walking with Theo. He made sure to walk in their direction and as he was passing them, he bumped Graham hard enough to almost knock him over.

"Watch where the hell you're going, Pritchard!" Draco yelled. He was upset that Graham could dance with Harry and kiss him with no issues from anyone – but he couldn't even talk to Harry without people jumping to the Golden Boy's defense.

Draco stormed off to meet up with his Housemates in The Three Broomsticks.

-end of first half of chapter-

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PART TWOpart twoPART TWOpart twoPART TWOpart twoPART TWOpart twoPART TWOpart two PART TWO part two

PS. The second half of this chapter is dedicated to firefairyislifetheuniverseandeverything, who asked, "Can we have some more interactions between Harry and Draco round school while Harry still doesn't know that Draco is Mischief?" And, I thought 'Duh! Why didn't I think of that?' Thanks!

Warning: Slight femslash ahead. Also, wow, it's been ten days since my last update. That's the longest you've had to wait so far – so sorry! Usually I update every couple days. What's my excuse? A girl at the Lumos 2006 convention gave me a list of Harry/Draco stories and I've been spending my time reading them instead of producing the rest of this chapter. I'm bad!

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:Chapter Twelve: Second Hogsmeade Trip; Part Two

recap: 'Draco stormed off to meet up with his Housemates in The Three Broomsticks'…

After leaving Honeydukes with bags of candy a while later, Harry and Ron walked to The Three Broomsticks.

Once inside, they looked around for a place to sit. Harry's eyes stopped at the table that Draco Malfoy was sitting at. He narrowed his eyes briefly and then continued searching the inn for an empty table.

Ron pointed over to a spot near a far corner and they started heading towards it.

Pansy looked at Draco and said in a pleading voice, "Oh, Draco. Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid after I left you."

Draco tried to look like he had no clue what Pansy meant, but she saw through it. She gave him a look that said she was about to throw a tantrum.

He sighed and leaned over and told her what happened after he ran into Harry when he left the store.

"You were going to tell him, weren't you?" Pansy said accusingly.

"Of course I wasn't." Draco said with the wave of his hand.

Pansy didn't buy it. "One more week and you can reveal everything." She told him.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know. I can wait another week. It's just… when I see him, my intelligence seems to pause. Like, I already know he's going to reject me, so somehow I end up pushing and then making things worse." Draco said, and then added, "I hate that he has so much influence over me. It's sickening, really."

The barmaid brought drinks to the Slytherin table, but Draco was too busy glancing at Harry's table to notice. He was daydreaming about the Halloween Ball. Plus, he was trying to come up with a plan to smooth out the issue from today.

Pansy watched Draco in deep thought for a few minutes - and knew what he was thinking. "Let me know if I can help you." She whispered into his ear.

Draco nodded his head and then tuned everything out. Half an hour later, his Housemates were standing up and getting ready to head back to Hogwarts. Pansy had to tug on Draco's shirt to make him aware that they were leaving.

-o-O-o-

When Harry finally got back to the castle later that day, he was pulled aside by Graham. Ron shrugged and continued walking up the stairs towards Gryffindor.

"Can we talk?" Graham asked Harry.

"Sure."

He led him to a more private area than the main staircase.

"About the party a couple of weeks ago," Graham started, "I… I'm sorry about being too forward and pushy."

"Don't worry about it. I drank too much and probably led you on or something. I could have stopped you sooner…"

"No, you didn't lead me on at all." Graham put his hand on Harry's shoulder and spoke softly. "Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if you would go with me to the Halloween Ball."

"Sorry Graham. I already have a date."

Graham removed his hand and nodded his head.

"Well, if it doesn't work out between you two, you can always come find me."

Harry smiled. "Thanks."

He turned around and walked back to the stairs and continued on his way to his room.

Once there, he opened his glowing mailbox and started to read.

Dear Jolt,

How was your trip into Hogsmeade? Mine didn't go too well, so I ended up coming back early with my Housemates. Have you ever said something or done something without thinking and immediately wish you didn't? That's how my day has been so far.

I have finally decided on what costume I am going to wear to the Halloween Ball. If you want to wear something similar, that would be great. I am planning on doing a Masquerade theme, pretty close to the Renaissance period - but, with a few tweaks. No way am I going to stuff my costume with horse hair (which would be authentic), and I am not going to wear the knee-length pants with hosiery either. If you would like to wear something in that time period, let me know. I have to order my costume soon so I can have it before next Saturday. The place I am ordering from has a special going on, so I can get them both fairly cheap.

Also, I am going to wear a full mask, instead of the small eye-covering one that you hold up. I can get you one as well.

One week from today, you will be in my arms,

Mischief

-o-O-o-

Harry put the letter down, grinning. He could just imagine how sexy the costume would look. He definitely wanted to match. So he took out his Quill and replied.

Hi Mischief,

I had a nice day at Hogsmeade, but I know the next trip will be much better because we will go together.

The costume idea sounds great. Go ahead and order one for me and let me know how much it costs. I guess we'll have to find a place to stash it, because I doubt it will fit in my mailbox, or behind the statue we usually use.

Sorry to hear that your trip to Hogsmeade wasn't good today. Anything you want to talk about? Hopefully the rest of your day will be better.

I think this coming week will drag by so slowly. I can hardly believe that one week from today, I will finally get to meet you. Let me know when you get the costumes and we'll decide how to get mine to me.

Impatiently yours,

Jolt

-o-O-o-

Before Harry mailed off the letter, he went downstairs to the Common Room and pulled Hermione aside. She followed him upstairs and measured his body for the costume. He added the measurements to his letter and mailed it off.

"You've decided what type of costume you're going to wear?" Hermione asked him.

"Yes, but you'll have to wait and find out." Harry replied.

"Alright, well I have to go, I'll see you later."

"Thanks for measuring me." Harry said as she walked out the door, assuming she was headed for the library.

Hermione stopped at her room and grabbed a bag that had her change of clothes. She walked to the Prefects bathroom and said the password. She turned on the wall's sconce light, but left the main overhead light off. Turning on all the faucets to the huge tub, she started to strip.

"Couldn't wait for me?" Pansy said as she entered the door. "Nevermind, I think I rather like walking in when you're almost naked." She corrected and walked over to the other girl.

She quickly stripped down and both girls entered the tub. They were kissing when a voice boomed, "What is going on?"

Hermione jumped back with her heart racing. Pansy just started laughing and reached out to pull Hermione towards her again.

"Wow, Hermione. I'm only kidding." Draco said as he started walking towards the showers. "You two should put a lock on that door. Or is getting caught part of the excitement?" He said with a smirk.

"Don't you realize you just walked into the biggest fantasy of straight men?" Pansy questioned.

"Oh right, that. Well, what the hell." Draco said as he cannon-balled into the tub and splashed water and bubbles everywhere.

After wiping the water of her face, Hermione gave Pansy a questioning look.

"Don't worry about him, he's completely harmless." Pansy assured her.

When Draco came up, he was smiling and went to sit next to Hermione.

"What do you mean he's harmless?" Hermione asked while looking at Draco.

"Oh that. Well I'm not interested in vaginas." Draco said crudely.

Hermione gawked at him. "So then what are you doing in here?"

"I was planning on showering, but then decided to pester you two. This is payback for what you did to me yesterday." Draco said while glaring at Pansy.

Pansy started laughing. "Get over it, Draco. It's not the first time I've watched you wank."

"When you walk in on someone, the best course of action is to leave. You ruined the whole experience by refusing to go away and it gave me blue balls for the rest of the night until I could sneak away and relieve myself!"

"I couldn't help it. It was interesting to watch. Maybe you should find a new place to do it."

"Yeah, obviously!" He retorted. "So now I plan on ruining your fun little tub party."

"You can try." Pansy said as she stood up and shoved her breast into Hermione's face and tossed her head back and started moaning.

"Alright, you win!" Draco said and he practically ejected from the tub and headed towards the showers. "But, I will get you back! You are such a pestering… little bratty sister."

Pansy laughed and pulled back from Hermione. They both watched him walk away with bubbles running down his body.

"He has the best ass I've ever seen on a guy." Pansy commented.

"Definitely." Hermoine agreed.

Once they heard the shower turn on from the side room, Hermione picked up her wand and cast an advanced locking spell on the door. Then they continued with their fun.

A while later, after Draco left, Pansy was looking slightly nervous.

"Is something wrong?" Hermione asked her.

"No. I was just thinking that it would be nice if we studied together tomorrow night."

Hermione beamed. "Really? That's a good idea!"

"The library will get full tomorrow because it's Sunday and you know everyone loves to put off their homework until the last minute." Pansy told her.

Giving her a shocked look, Hermione said, "So you want to meet up in public? I thought we agreed to keep our relationship a secret for a while."

"Well if all the tables are full, who's to stop you from sitting at the table I'm at? Oh and bring Harry… and Ron if you'd like. I'll have Draco, Gregory, and Vincent with me."

"Okay, but I'm not telling the boys about the set up. They would never agree to come."

-o-O-o-

The following morning, Draco was laying on his favorite couch in his Common Room, with his arm over his eyes. He felt the couch dip near his feet.

"Did you get her to agree about tonight?" Draco asked, fully knowing that no one in their right mind would sit at his couch while he was there, besides Pansy.

"Yes." Said her familiar voice.

Draco removed his arm and looked up at her. "Thanks." He said. "You didn't tell her, did you?"

"No, and I won't unless you tell me otherwise."

"You sure are a useful little sister when you're not busy pestering me."

"I wish you'd stop calling me your little sister. You know that I'd fuck you if given a chance."

"I thought you stopped that little fantasy once you started dating Leaf."

"One can always dream. Besides, I'm sure she still has a crush on Viktor Krum. They still keep in touch, you know? He is planning on coming to visit her at some point."

"Are you worried?"

"No. I think we're heading into The Lifestyle."

"As in swinging?"

"Yeah. I think she'll always be my number one. Neither of us seems like the jealous type, so it should work out."

"Well good for you. Sounds like fun. But I refuse to share anything of mine."

"Unfortunately, yeah."

"What time are we getting to the library?"

"We'll show up early to get a good table to ourselves. And I expect you to scare off anyone who tries to sit with us once the library starts to fill up."

"Consider it done."

Later that night, Gregory and Vincent both declined going to the library because they wanted to make a stop at the kitchen to get some snacks.

-o-O-o-

"Hey, Harry, Ron." Hermione said.

"Oh no. I know that look and I already have plans later with Luna." Ron announced.

Harry gave him a pleading look, but Ron refused to invite him.

"Come on Harry, a little studying on a Sunday night won't hurt you." Hermione told him.

"But I already did my homework with you on Friday! The reason we do it on Friday is so we can have the rest of the weekend free, right?" Harry challenged her.

"You got me. But please, I really want to study and the place is going to be packed. I would love it if you went with me. Pleeeeease."

"Oh alright." Harry said while trying not to kick Ron who was laughing behind his hand.

Harry went upstairs and gathered his writing equipment and a book to study. He met up with Hermione and they started heading towards the library.

-o-O-o-

"Keep walking or I will hex you." Draco warned, when it looked like some fifth year girls were going to sit with him and Pansy.

Their eyes went wide and they hurried towards the library exit.

"You are such a bully and I love you for it." Pansy said. She was sitting across from Draco and facing the main doorway. Her eyes lit up briefly and she quickly looked down.

Draco took the hint and continued working on his Potions assignment.

He heard some loud whispering behind him, and tried to focus on what they were saying.

"Uh uh. No fucking way am I sitting at that table, Hermione!" Harry whispered when he saw the direction she was headed.

"But all the other tables are full!" Hermione whispered back.

"I already don't want to be here! Sitting with them will be torture!"

"Oh come on. What's the worst that can happen?"

"Besides getting hexed or punched? But, I doubt they'll let us sit there anyway. I'm willing to bet five sickles we won't even get a chance to sit down."

"You're on." Hermione said as she started walking towards the back table.

Hermione went to Pansy's side of the table and sat down. Harry looked shocked when neither Slytherin yelled at her. He hesitantly pulled out the chair next to Draco and sat down. When he caught Hermione's eye, he shook his head and reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins and slapped them onto the table in front of her, noisily.

"Do you mind?" Draco scolded and instantly regretted his tone.

Harry just rolled his eyes and opened his Transfiguration book.

"You're not going to study that, are you?" Hermione asked him.

When he didn't respond, she added, "Why not study Potions or another class? You're already passing Transfigurations with a top grade!"

"Right, like I want to waste my time studying Potions when I already know I'll barely pass due to the jerk of a teacher."

Draco slammed his Potions book shut and pushed it towards Harry. "You could at least try to get good grades in the class."

Harry pushed the book back to Draco. "For your information, I have tried. For years. I am lucky to have made it into 7th year Potions and I think it's only because of Dumbledore."

Draco pushed the book back towards Harry. "I'll help you, if you want."

Harry looked down at the book and said, "What, am I in the Twilight Zone or something?"

"Oh, did you know a wizard created that muggle show?" Draco asked him in a serious tone.

Harry put his head in his hands. "This is too weird for me." He lifted his head and looked at Hermione. "I'll just be going, see you tomorrow morning." He said while standing up.

Pansy elbowed Hermione and gave her a pleading look. It dawned on Hermione that Draco admitted to being gay last night in the tub.

"Harry, please stay. I'll only stay an hour at the most. You know I love your company." Hermione said.

"Yeah, you don't have to leave on account of me." Draco added.

Harry sat back down and pulled out his Transfigurations book and began to read to himself.

"Are you sure you don't want me to help you with Potions?" Draco asked after a minute of silence.

"No thanks." Harry said so quietly they barely heard his response.

About forty-five minutes later, Harry closed his book and looked up at Hermione. "I'm going to head out. Are you staying?"

"For about ten minutes more, yeah. See you in the morning." She replied.

Once Harry had left the table, Hermione looked at Draco and said, "Just a warning: You might want to back off before you get hurt. Harry's already involved with his Quill match and definitely won't be interested in you or anyone else." She squeezed Pansy's thigh and then quickly grabbed her belongings and rushed out the door to catch up with Harry.

Once outside the door, she spotted him. "Wait up." She called out.

Harry turned around and smiled. "Thanks for walking with me."

"It's the least I can do. Thanks for staying with me."

"That was a little odd… sitting with them. I couldn't concentrate because the entire time, I was waiting for one of them to curse me or threaten me."

"Well nothing happened, so you were worrying for no reason."

"I'm not so sure. I wouldn't be surprised if I wake up tomorrow with skin boils or something."

-o-O-o-

After the two lions left, Pansy gave Draco a worried expression.

"What?" Draco asked her.

"I'm starting to think you were right about the party a couple of weeks ago being too soon to meet up. Now, I'm wondering if the Halloween Ball might be too soon… He really doesn't trust you at all."

"Obviously. But, I'm not postponing our meeting any longer. Besides, all this hostility from him – I created for myself for being such a git to him. I'll deal with it."

"Did you order the costumes yet?"

"Yes, I did that this morning and put a rush on the order. Should be here by Thursday at the latest."

"You still don't want me to tell Hermione about the match, do you?"

"No, but I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually."

They stopped talking and continued with their homework. Draco thought back to when Harry was sitting beside him. It took all his willpower to keep himself from reaching over and touching the boy. He had also wanted to start talking with Harry, but he knew it was hopeless. He hadn't done enough to gain Harry's trust yet. Harry still viewed Draco as his enemy.

A few minutes later, someone pulled out the chair next to him. He looked up at the younger student and said, "I will chop your fucking legs off if you sit next to me." The girl looked like she was going to faint, and she was quickly dragged off by her small group of friends.

-o-O-o-

Classes that week seemed to drag on at an abnormally slow rate, in Harry's opinion. Finally, he woke up and it was Friday morning - the day before the Halloween Ball. As soon as his eyes opened, his stomach started squeezing. He seriously felt like he could be sick at any moment. He started breathing in small gasps and a minute later, Ron was by his side.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked him. "Have another bad dream?"

Harry shook his head.

"Want me to go get a teacher?"

Harry shook his head again. "I'm okay. Go on without me."

"Alright. Just tell me if I can do anything for you."

"Thanks." Harry replied in between his gasping for air.

When all his roommates had been gone for some time, Harry sat up. He was so nervous and excited about the Ball tomorrow, he knew he wouldn't be able to eat anything anytime soon. To say that he had butterflies in his stomach would be more appropriate if you mentioned that they were encased in lead and were having a battle in there, including fighting with cannons, swords, and little butterfly fists.

He knew he had to try to go to breakfast and classes. If anything, he could always say he was sick and come back to bed after seeing Madame Pomfrey.

So he decided to shower later, and got dressed. He showed up at breakfast later than usual and was one of the last students to enter. He went and sat down by Seamus and Ginny, because all the other seats had been taken.

"Are you feeling better Harry? I thought you wouldn't be coming to breakfast." Ron asked him from a few people over.

"I'm okay. Definitely not going to eat anything though." He said, while pushing his plate away.

He heard the flaps of wings and looked up. The owl mail was just coming in. A strange owl dropped off a letter in front of him before it took off again.

He picked up the letter, but didn't recognize the handwriting. He had learned enough about portkeys after fourth year, that he was wary about opening anything coming from random sources.

He took his wand out of his robe and cast a spell to see if the letter contained a portkey. It glowed green, so he knew it was safe. He opened the letter.

Dearest Harry Potter,

I hope the beginning of your school year has gone well - because I plan on making the rest of it very painful for you. We will be meeting soon. I will finish my Master's plan to kill you. You are a pathetic little boy and I will not let you get away with killing the greatest Wizard of all time!

With truest of intentions,

Bellatrix Lestrange

-o-O-o-

After reading it, Harry's face drained of color. Furious, he stared at the letter for a couple of minutes before Hermione grabbed it from his shaking hand.

"Oh no. I can't believe the nerve of her! She's mental, for sure, thinking she can win against you."

"What?" Ron asked, taking the letter from Hermione's hand. After reading it, he looked up to Harry and said, "She is mental. She ran off before you killed what's-his-face, she has no clue how powerful you've become. There's no hope for her."

Harry didn't say anything and he didn't notice when Professor Dumbledore had walked up behind him, read the letter Ron was holding, and put his hand on Harry's back.

"Come with me." He told Harry, who stood up zombie-like and followed him to his office.

Draco was watching the entire time. He wanted to know who could have possibly sent the letter that had Harry so angry that he was shaking with fury.

-o-O-o-

Sitting in the chair in front of Professor Dumbledore's desk, Harry sighed.

"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, Harry. I had my hopes on it, that the Aurors would have caught her by now."

Harry just nodded his head.

"We need to talk about security. Do you think we should cancel the Ball tomorrow night?"

"No, sir. I doubt she'll be able to find a way into the Castle. I probably won't even have to worry about her until the Christmas Holiday, if I decide to go anywhere."

"Alright. But promise me if you hear from her again, you will let me know."

"I promise. Sir, I don't really feel like going to my classes today. Can you give me a pass?"

"Of course." Dumbledore said.

After he had the signed paper in his hands, Harry headed back to his room.

Draco noticed that Harry was missing from lunch and also their mutual Herbology class.

He talked Pansy into pulling Hermione aside after class and asking her what was going on.

"Harry got a death threat this morning from Bellatrix Lestrange." Hermione told her.

After Pansy relayed the message to Draco, his face fell.

"Fuck. Fuck. Harry already has trust issues…for which I don't blame him - after having lunatics trying to kill him for his entire life. Why is this happening now?" Draco whined.

"I'm sure he won't hold you responsible for your insane aunt." Pansy tried to assure him.

When Draco reached his bedroom, he immediately noticed his glowing mailbox. He pulled out the parchment.

Dear Mischief,

I hope your day is going good. I was wondering where you are going to put the costume so I can pick it up today and try it on.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Jolt

-o-O-o-

Draco let out the breath he had been holding. He thought that Harry might have been writing to cancel their date at the Ball tomorrow. Taking in a full breath of air, he replied:

Dear Jolt,

I am going to put a box with your costume in an empty classroom on the third floor – the one three doors down from the Charms classroom. I will put it in a cabinet and it will have a gray bow on it. Check the classroom sometime tonight after 7pm.

I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I have been excited all day.

Your soon-to-be dance partner,

Mischief

-o-O-o-

It was almost dinnertime and Draco wanted to drop off the package before Harry had a chance to 'accidentally' run into him while going to retrieve it. Draco had already opened the package and looked at both costumes. They were beautifully made and exactly how he wanted them. He knew Harry would look amazing in his. He hurried up and wrapped up the package and tied a pretty dark gray bow onto it. He shrunk the package and put it in his pocket. Once he dropped the package off into the classroom, he headed towards the Great Hall for supper.

Harry had been lying in bed since breakfast. He didn't go to any classes or any meals. His friends begged him to come to dinner, but he politely refused. He was too anxious about meeting Mischief tomorrow and a tiny bit worried about the stupid drama with the crazy woman.

Draco was upset when he realized that Harry wasn't coming down for supper. He hoped his friends were taking him food. He, himself, was nervous about the meeting, but at least he already knew who his match was. He could just imagine how Harry was feeling today.

After 7pm, Harry went downstairs to the empty classroom near Charms. He opened all the cabinets until he found the one containing a box with a gray bow. His heart started beating faster as he walked over to a desk and opened it. He was shocked at what he found. There was no way this costume could have been cheap. It looked expensive with all the different fabrics and jewels sewn onto it.

He did a wandless spell to lock the door and quickly tried on the outfit. It fit him perfectly. There was no mirror to look at himself, so he would have to trust that he looked alright until he could get dressed in the bathroom tomorrow.

Harry changed back into his regular clothes and headed out the door with package in hand. He entered his dorm room and Seamus was the first to speak up.

"What's that, you've got, Harry?"

"My costume for the Ball."

"Open it up, let's have a look!"

"You'll get to see it tomorrow."

"No fun!"

Harry smiled as he went to his desk to write a letter to Mischief.

Dear Mischief,

I got my costume and tried it on. It looks better than how I pictured it. How much do I owe you for it?

Are we still meeting up in the Great Hall at 8:30pm tomorrow? I guess you will recognize my costume and I am sure yours will be similar.

See you tomorrow my love,

Jolt

-o-O-o-

He sent off the letter and sat on his bed. His roommates were playing exploding snap and invited him to join.

"No thanks, I think I'll just try to get some sleep."

If Harry thought his stomach was a bundle of nerves this morning when he woke up – he couldn't have imagined how much worse his nerves would feel tomorrow.

-end of chapter-

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Author's Note: Thanks for reading!