Chapter 40: City Music
Light wind breezed past Hermione, who's eyes were covered at the time by Harry. She heard distance music, as if it were far away below her. For a moment she was worried that Harry had them hovering above a place in the clouds.
The music she heard wasn't normal music, it was city music. City music as in resturant's music pouring into the streets where teenagers and other strollers where chatting or the occasional scream of a friends sneak up on others. There was even the occasional honk or sound of a car passing by on the otherwise quiet street. There were even sounds of comments being made about the products in windows of the bouqiues.
"Are you ready for your surprise?" Harry whispered in her ear, making her shiver. She nodded and he unveiled her eyes. She sqealed with delight as her eyes took in the sight before her. She gasped as she finally realized where she was standing. A top the Eiffel Tower.
Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts
Dumbledore sat waiting for Mad-Eye to come up the castle to discuss their target, Harry Potter. Although he had to admire Harry's cleverness. He couldn't let him go off by himself. He could not shake that feeling of control, although our Albus did not realize it was such that. His intentions had originally been for protection of the youngster, but it had become an addiction without him, Dumbledore, realizing.
"Albus?" a gruff voice of Alastor Moody asked at the doorway. Albus was startled for a moment, he had been enthralled by his thinking daze.
"Yes," He cleared his throat. "Alastor."
"Albus, do you really believe Potter can't take care of himself?" Moody asked straight out, voicing Dumbledore's thoughts.
"Alastor, I'm not so sure anymore." He mummbled.
"Albus, he's got power. More than we may even or will even understand. I would never doubt he'll be the greatest wizard of our time and times that we'll never see." Moody explained gruffly.
"I agree, but why do I feel he can't take care of himself?" Albus asked exasperated.
"You've known him since he was a babe. What do you expect? You've watched him grow and now you realize he's only 16 with the burden of saving the world." Moody said, if possible, gently.
"We knew he was destined for greatness...but at such a cost?" Albus asked retorically. Moody only nodded glumly.
Eiffel Tower
"Harry?" Hermione asked in a breathless voice. "How...?"
"Shh, my love. Please, if you will..." Harry whispered, waving a hand to the candlelit red and white checkered blanket. On it was a square weave basket.
"Awe, Harry..." Hermione started.
"Shh,..." Harry led her over to the blanket and helped her sit and took a spot close next to her. She watched him unload the basket and set a plate in front of her, it had a cover over it. A wonderful smell drifted up to her nose. She smiled and looked at Harry expectingly. He smirked at her gaze and pulled out a bottle of wine.
"Harry!" Hermione scolded.
"What?" He said innocently.
"That's alcohol!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well, yes it is, Sirius gave it to me. It's from him and Remus to you actually. They knew we'd be responsible with it, besides it's got a resealable cap instead of a cork. I've never had any, have you? It's alright if you don't want to drink it. We can save it for a later time if you'd like." Harry explained.
"I've had glasses of wine with my parents at dinner sometimes. I'm just surprised that's all." Hermione replied as she nodded for Harry to open the red wine. He poured half a glass for her and himself. Harry raised a glass and she followed.
"To a terrific birthday for the one I love." They toasted glasses with one another and took a sip. Harry enjoyed the tart taste.
"Good year." Hermione commented.
"Ooh, Hermione a wine connoisseur?" Harry teased.
"No, but my parent's taught me about how different years varies on the better taste." Hermione explained.
"Oh." Harry muttered. They sat in silence for a moment before Harry broke the silence. "Now, for the entree." Harry uncovered her plate and his. Steam rose out from under the cover and Hermione looked at her main course. It was Chicken Parmesan and pasta.
"It looks wonderful!" She exclaimed. They began to eat and listen to the French city music play below and enjoyed each other's company with occasional talk about up coming events. After they were finished Harry offered her a dance and she accepted. They began to slow dance to the city music below. They swayed for what seemed like hours, just happy to be with each other in this moment of time.
Later Harry packed up and banished the basket. Harry apparated her and himself down under a tree at the base of the high tower. An ice cream vendor stood near by and they proceeded to get dessert. Hermione was about to order for them, seeing as she was more fluent in french than Harry, but she noticed he sucked back on a disk and asked the man for two Vinallia ice cream cones in FRENCH. Hermione was slack-jawed. They began walking away as he sucked back on another disk and turned to her.
"A new invention of Fred and George. I'm testing them out." Harry explained. She nodded and began on her already slightly melting ice cream. They walked along the streets and past stores gazing at their merchandise. It was a comfortable silence.
"Hermione, love?" Harry whispered in her ear. She and he had stopped in the back below the Effiel Tower to rest. Hermione had leaned her head on his shoulder, just for a "moment". She groaned in protest when he requested her name. "It's midnight, love, we've got to be getting back to school. We've got class tomorrow."
"Ugh." Was the reply, Harry had gasped in sarcastic surprise.
"The Hermione Granger doesn't want to go to class!" Harry teased. She stuck her tounge out at him. "I'm shocked," He added. She frowned a bit. "I'm teasing, but are you ready? As much as I'd love to stay like this forever, I don't want to have detention forever or wake up to people standing over me watching us sleep to be honest."
"Yeah, I'm ready. Thank you for the best birthday ever." She said in a tired voice and kissed him on the lips.
"Anything for you," He whispered in her ear after picking her up and apparated back to the secert dorm. Harry put her in her bed and went to his after he tucked her in (He transfigured her clothes into comfortable pajamas) and kissed the sleeping form's cheek goodnight.
Later...
The end of September passed in a blur. Soon October had come and the leaves on trees already began changing colours. Tori had even taking the liberty of decorating their common room in fall decor. At this point in time Harry and the gang were sitting by the fire doing their homework after an early D.A. meeting. All the students were training very hard, Harry had informed them about the war. Many agreed to fight, Harry didn't like the idea, but knew he couldn't stop them. He decided the best thing he could do was to train them, and train them hard. Just then Draco and his pet entered through the door.
Flashback...
The gang sat in the common room just talking during the afternoon during their free period. Draco gasped as the bright egg in his lap began to crack. Harry smiled as Draco began to gather all the materials for his pet's arrival. He grabbed the aluminum tub out of Harry's room, the birth certificate, and other such objects. He settled down just in time to watch the animal poke it's head out of the shell. The snake slithered out of it's shell and in front of Draco. Draco's eyes widened at it communed with him. Draco put the small snake in the bath and cleaned it up. The rest of the gang watched in fasination and offered their services. Draco declined them.
Harry was very interested with the snake. Wondering, since it was a special breed of snake, if he would be able to commune with it. After its bath the snake slithered towards the fire and curled up in front of it while Draco filled out the birth certificate.
"What should I name him?" Draco inquired.
"Him? I don't know." Harry replied.
"Salazar?" Ron suggested.
"Nah." Everyone replied.
"Damien?" Hermione suggested.
"I like that." Draco said while he wrote it down.
"Where'd that name come from?" Chris quirked.
"Don't know. Just appeared in my head." Hermione replied.
"Hey." Everyone greeted. Draco replied as did Damien. Only Harry was able to hear him.
"Hello, Damien." Harry hissed in parseltounge.
"Hello, Harry, how are you today?" Came the reply.
"Not much, just class. How was yours?" Asked Harry.
"Just fine, caught a few mice. They were delicious."
"Wicked, glad you had a good day."
"Same, friend."
"That's a bit creepy you know." Jess said, she had begun to join them recently. "But awesome nonetheless."
"I still can't get use to it." Ron muttered to her. They both laughed and returned to their homework. Ron was working on his Muggle Studies and had begun asking Harry, Hermione, Tori, Chris, Kate, and even Mark about some of the gadgets that he came across.
"Hardy har har." Harry mocked.
Later...October 5th
Harry and Hermione went down to breakfast to see the rest of their friends. They sat down to the table to see their friends scribbling the last lines of their homework or reading the Prophet. Although, Tori seemed to be working on a card of sorts. Godric hopped up on the table and snagged sausage out of a bowl and brought it over to Rosie and nosed it towards her. Then he grabbed another for himself. Harry and Hermione smiled at him and returned to their breakfast.
"So, what's everyone working on this s'morning?" Harry asked looking over the bowls and plates to their parchment papers.
"Potions." Kate replied, scribbling furiously trying to finish the last paragraph.
"Hey, look!" Chris exclaimed clearing the bowls and plates out of the way to lay down the paper. "They're going to start the voting. They've finally gotten the Wizgamot to meet and finally agree!"
"Who are the canidates?" Draco asked, joining their table. A few near by Gryffindors were a bit shocked to see this happen.
"Well, as I had thought, Percy is one." Hermione commented in a slight smug voice, she was skimming the article.
"Madame Bones is one as well. I hope she gets it, I liked her. She'd be a terrific minister, or would it be ministeress?" Harry babbled, everyone just smiled at his small rant. Hermione had rolled her eyes and began announcing all the other canidates.
"Let's see, there's Percy, Madame Bones, Shacklebolt? He's Running?" read off a shocked Hermione.
"I s'pose so." Tori replied, straining to look at the Daily Prophet.
"That's strange. I wonder if Dumbledore knows." Ron whispered to the group.
"Dunno, probably knowing him." Harry spoke with a bit bitterness. He knew Dumbledore had sent Moody down to spy on him and Hermione. Although, no one knew that he knew, he wished Dumbledore would just trust him.
"Ah! Look at the time! I've gotta finish my homework." Kate said frantically.
"Told you to start it earlier, but nooooooooooooooooooooooo. You just had to go off and ice skate in the Room of Requirement." Tori lectured whilst coloring on her card. She must've summoned them when no one was looking.
"You can ice skate?" Ginny asked, joining in the converstation.
"Yes, been in tournaments and such as well. Although, that's only during the summer when I'm home. I placed 3rd at State Games of America. Over half the country was there." Kate explained while writing the last of her essay. "And don't patronize me for finishing things late! That's your parents' anniversary card, which is today. Why didn't you do it last night? Hmm? Oh that's right, you had better things to do! You were sneaking down to Hogsmeade!" Kate whispered in rebuttle.
"To get my parents' gift!" She shot back. The rest of the table was enjoying the banter.
"Well, you could've done that during the Hogsmeade weekend." Kate argued. Harry figured it'd be a good time to step in.
"Anyway!" Harry interupted Tori who was about to retort. "Someone should talk to Dumbledore about Shacklebolt." He paused seeing everyone look at him with uneasy looks. "Don't look at me!" Harry about exclaimed once he caught on.
"Harry, you're the only one that can talk to Dumbledore on a more even level than-" Ginny began.
"EVEN level!" Harry shouted the first part and whispered the last. "Even level? Where've you been? Honestly, I wonder what you all see in-"
"Harry, we know he's been unfair. We just know he won't listen to us compared to you." Hermione explained putting her hand on his. He nodded glumly and turned back to his breakfast and decided he was no longer hungry.
"I'm going to class. No, you finish." Harry said to everyone. The last was to Hermione who had put down her fork and begun to pick up her bag.
30th October
"Mischief Night!" Katie said pumping her fists in the air at breakfast. A shine of mischief flashed brightly in their eyes. Harry turned his head towards his father and smirked to himself. Today would be interesting...
D.A.D.A. Class
Harry sat quietly with the rest of his class waiting for James to arrive. He had been slightly detoured...by Harry. Knowing James now used the shortcut from the Entrance Hall to the seventh floor, Harry figured it'd be the best to catch him in. He had set a time delay trap after all of his friends and himself got through. It had been a timer charm set on the cupboard to hold him, enough time for the spell to work, un-noticed...by James.
Harry sat as innocently as he could, without looking suspicious, as he could as his father walked in. James crossed the room with normalcy, despite the whispers and giggles at his presence. Harry just sat there and looked forward with inward determination as to not laugh. His father looked around and asked for the class to be silent. A few had to clasp their hands over their mouth to muffle their laughter.
"What's so funny?" James asked looking around the room at his students.
"Your change in wardrobe perhaps?" Harry pointed out in a serious voice and straight face. It had finally worn off, the charm that cast a shielding spell, against James's eyes, against his clothing. James looked down at himself and noticed, to his displeasure, as to what he was wearing. On his feet were thick, heavy, untied boots and continuing up his bare legs his boxers appeared from under a pink tutu. His shirt was white, with small penguins decorated all over it, along with the words, Harry was here, on the back which was unknown to James. Even James's hair seemed messier, as if parts of it was just stuck out at odd angles in clumps.
Harry couldn't help but smile now, especially at James' slack-jaw reaction. James's eyes narrowed at he saw the smirk that played on his son's face. The classroom finally fell silent.
"You know this means war, Pronglet." James whispered, loud enough for all to hear, dangerously.
"Sure thing, Prongs." Harry retored in the same tone. Of course, someone by this point, who was sitting in the back had taken to summoning a magical polariod camera. Cough Draco Cough This person had taken a few photographs of James and began to distribute them throughout the class. Harry felt one land in his lap, these pictures were sent dis-scretely, in other words, James had noticed. He had turned around and was trying to change his clothing back to normal. James had tried many things, including trying to transfigure his clothes, it worked! For a second. Harry roared in laughter at his father's attempt and the class soon joined when they realized what had happened.
"OH! We are going to duel today!" James declared.
"But James we're suppose to have a qui-" Hermione interjected. The class quickly SHHH-ed her. A few yelling, "Hermione!"
"I'm up for a duel!" Harry replied quickly, he didn't want to take the quiz. They were too easy anyway. It's not the like information was hard either.
"Nope, forget it, quiz time." James said in a sing-song voice. It looked rather entertaining, considering his outfit. The class giggled and groaned at his statement. Many glared at Hermione, but Harry shot them a look and they didn't even so much glanced at Hermione for the rest of the class. He didn't see why they complained, James always gave them easy tests, he never had to study.
5 a.m., Godric's Hollow
Sirius woke with a funny feeling about him. He suddenly remembered! Mischief Night! He slowly climbed out of bed and crossed the room to the door. After slowly opening it, he crept down the hallway to his best friends room.
After a few well placed water ballons and silly string canasters, Sirius left Remus's room. Sirius also changed his alarm clock for 5:30 a.m. He even set up a hidden video camera and walked back to his room. He started to count down from ten. Faint buzzing of an alarm clock had begun to wake it's owner. Sirius whispered to himself as he sat on his bed.
"5..."
A groan and smack of the snooze button.
"4..."
Rolling over and stretching.
"3..."
Yawn and eyes open.
"2..."
Gets out of bed.
"1..."
"SIRIUS!"
Sirius locked his door and windows before settling back into his bed. He prepared to awake at noon as he placed a silencing charm on his room.
Lunch time, Hogwarts
Harry walked into the Great Hall; which now was charmed to sport Gryffindor decor. So far Professor McGonagall, Lily, and Professor Dumbledore had all tried to break through the charm without any success. Harry smirked to himself and continued to sit with his fellow Gryffindors.
"Is this your doing?" Ron asked immediately."
"I haven't a clue as to what you're talking about." Harry said innocently as he took a handful of chips from a bowl along with a sandwich. They all rolled their eyes at him and continued their own lunches. They all knew it was him.
Dinner, Hogwarts
Harry sat at his table on high alert. His father still hadn't tried his revenge yet. He grew slightly worried actually. His sipped at his pumpkin juice to subside his nerves, that didn't work very much, considering he had this funny feeling in his stomach. Hermione sat next to him sensing his uneasiness and put her hand gently on his knee under the table. He jumped at the touch and his eyes slightly grew wide at the action. Hermione smirked to herself and continued on with her dinner. Suddenly, she felt Harry's leg shift. A girls voice screamed, it sounded as if she, the girl, was right next to her. Harry had stood up now and she looked up at him. 'Where'd he go?" She thought, looking around, all she saw was a girl standing in the middle aisle of the Slytherin and Gryffindor table.
"Dad!" She yelled at James.
"Harry?" A few gasped as Hermione said this.
"Yes, it's bloody me! He slipped something in my juice! One of Fred and George's inventions!" Harry's girl form shouted. Compared to his usual deep voice, his voice was high and almost sounded like his mother's but deeper. James, by now, was in hysterics. Harry and everyone in the Great Hall had witnessed him falling out of his chair and still laughing with the side of his face pressed against the cool stones.
"Shut up!" Harry screamed at him. He crackled with magic, he had a slight blue hue to him. Hermione caught the look in his eye, mischief. Harry whipped out his wand and pointed it at his father. Silently his father began flying up towards the ceiling and into the foe-ceiling. His father came back down as if falling. Everyone watched in horror as James sped towards the stone floor without any sign of slowing down. Everyone screamed as the lights began flashing and James came within inches of the stone and passed through it. He came back out from the ceiling and went rushing to the floor. This process repeated itself. Harry pulled out a blue disk from his pocket and sucked back on it. He didn't change back to normal.
"What did you do! This doesn't work." Harry yelled as James passed him and went through the floor.
"I..." Passed through the floor. "Put...a...release...charm...on...it...it...will...wear...off...soon...maybe..." James was only able to say a word per pass. The Great Hall was laughing by now because it was a rather funny situation, if you weren't the two having the converstation. James still had on his pink tutu and the rest of his outfit. Harry decided to make him go backwards. The other teachers were sitting at the head table had decided not to interfere, seeing as Harry could start doing the same to them without a second thought. Lily was trying to hold back the laughter. She had taken to pulling out a small mirror to talk to Remus and Sirius. Mainly to tell them about what their friend and their friend's son was up to. Soon enough they were arriving in the side room next to the Great Hall via Floo Powder. They were very entertained. Lily filled them in on what has happened so far, seeing as they were very confused to see a woman, who could pass for James/Harry's sister, was watching James, who was wearing very odd clothing, pass through the floor and come out the ceiling and repeat said process. They began laughing once they realized Harry was the woman watching James.
"We should go and sneak up on him or is it her?" Sirius asked Remus, they were still in the shadows.
"Definatly." Remus replied. Sirius and Remus kept along the shadows until they were near the aisle and crept out without notice to Harry nor James--who was a little distracted--and put a finger up to their lips. A few tried to hide their laughter, although it wouldn't be bad considering the funny scene that was playing out in front of them. Sirius and Remus crept up behind Harry and each smirked to each other and each goosed Harry. For those that don't know what goosing is, it is when someone pinches another's butt. He screamed and turned around wand out.
"YOU TWO!" (S)he yelled. (S)He punched both of them on the shoulder.
"Hey, hotstuff." Sirius commented.
"Sirius?...Remus?..." James said each name each time he passed.
"Hey, James." They replied.
"Hey...How...Ya...Doing?" James asked.
"Pretty good." Remus replied.
"You?" asked Sirius.
"Just...floating...around..." Came the reply. The hall erupted in laughter. Harry fell to the floor and his skin began to bubble and he became a man again.
"Ah...my...son,...where'd...my...daughter...go?" James exclaimed. Harry sped up the falling. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" James yelled. Harry laughed along with most of the other people as they watched James's face get a little green when Harry began twirling him.
"Harry, are you going to take your father out of this..." Dumbledore trailed off watching James yell and repeat the process of falling.
"Dunno, may just leave him there all night..." Harry too trailed off, he and Dumbledore became locked into a staring contest. The tension in the room became electrifiying. Harry waved his wand and James stopped in mid-air and drifted back down safely and then dropped down onto his butt from two feet.
"Ooh, tailbone." James said through gritted teeth.
"Goodnight." Harry said and left the Great Hall. Everyone started laughing at the randomness.
Later that night...
Harry later found out Remus and Sirius were staying overnight at the school in James and Lily's dorm. They transfigured beds in their sitting room. It was around midnight when Harry woke the rest of his room mates and called Dobby to his aid for supplies...
Next morning...
The school was alive with buzz about the Masquerade that would be taking place that night. An announcement was made that all meals, breakfast and lunch, were going to be served in common rooms for the day. The decorating committee arrived early to begin for that night, it was going to be spectular. What they found wasn't spectular. As soon as they opened the doors, which seemed to be stuck a little bit. As soon as they did silly string and toilet paper galore fall down on them. When they looked up they noticed the Great Hall had been teepeed. One of the students whispered to the other, "Bet'ca Potter did it."
Secret Dorm...
Harry rolled over and found eight other teenagers with him. They had all fallen asleep on the floor in front of the fire after returning from their little mission.
Marauder Dorm...
James rolled over and felt his wife in his arms and snuggled into the back of her neck. Although he didn't want to leave her, he climbed out of bed and figured he better go down tot he Great Hall, he was suppose help supervise the decorating for the ball tonight. James then noticed his hands were covered in honey and suddenly was drenched in a water balloon. Suddenly feathers decended all around him. A sign drifted down in front of him
"You can go as the Chicken Man tonight..." It read.
"GRRRRRRRRR! HARRY JAMES POTTER!" James yelled. Lily woke with a start along with Remus and James. Lily hadn't a prank pulled on her but...
"HARRY JAMES POTTER!" Sirius and Remus screamed, their cots had folded in half with them inside with honey. Lily began laughing as she waved her wand to let Remus and Sirius out. They didn't see Harry nor any of the group for the rest of the day.
Room of Requirement...
The gang spent most of the day watching a horror movie marathon. Watching any and all scary movies. They were ready for this night. Harry, as well as his parents (although they all didn't know it), were trying to avoid the fact that Lily and James had died this very day 15 years ago. It was something they wanted to forget.
"Ah! We've got to go." Ginny exclaimed as she started pulling all the girls towards the doorway.
"You've got six hours!" Ron shouted as Luna left his arms.
"We need time, Ronald." Hermione poked his head as she passed, Harry wasn't too happy either with the warmness gone.
"Please!" Harry said. The girls left and Harry, Ron, Chris, and Draco were left by themselves. They watched a few gore filled movies for the next five hours. They walked out of the room and then paced three times wanting seperate dressing rooms.
Later...Entrance Hall...
Everyone was gathered outside of the Great Hall waiting to be let in. Harry had not yet arrived, he was in the cupboard adjusting his costume. He was trying to spot Hermione. He saw many people and an aray of costumes. He still couldn't spot Hermione.
Soon many had gathered in the Great Hall, Harry figured he better go in before it was too late. He made his entrance. Harry was beginning to become desprate to find her. He had found Ron and Luna, who were dressed as a quidditch star and a fair. He could tell them right apart from the crowd straight away. They were standing next to the buffet table. Luna was smiling at Ron who was loading his plate while complaining about not wanting to dance. Harry had stuck up on Ron, who ultimatly dropped his plate, which Harry saved by un-noticed wandless magic. They didn't know where Hermione was or who she was for that matter.
Harry had wanted to come as Voldemort, but decided against that idea after thinking it through. He continuously wondered what/who Hermione chose to be. Nothing too exotic, but nonetheless beautiful. He knew as soon as he saw her, he'd know it the second, no milisecond, he laid eyes on her.
Hermione had taken her careful time dressing that night. She wanted everything to be perfect. As she entered the Great Hall, with a few others who had spoiled the suprise of the Masquerade by meeting up with their friends. Instantly, Hermione had become overwhelmed by the smell fo the feast that lay on the buffet. The music quickly drifted to meet her ears and her eyes immediatly flew around the room in search for Harry. She knew he'd be wearing something elaborate and most likely be the best costume at the whole party.
Hermione had chosen a simple midevil royalty look. She looked like a cross between a greek mythical goddess and a princess. Hermione had chosen a flowing bottom gown with a tie tight top. Her hair was pulled up with locks falling down around her face framing it. She couldn't wait to see Harry's reaction. She hoped he's like it.
'Of course he will.' Hermione's voice of reason piped up.
Suddenly, she was approached by a man she knew the look of all too well.
"Well, well, well." She began.
"Excuse me?" The boy replied, who was currently posing as the Godric Gryffindor.
"Oh, come on!" Hermione replied smirking through her mask at the "stranger."
"What do you mean? I'm trying to get a butterbeer." He retorted as he gestured to the magically stacked bottles of butterbeer. Hermione raised an eye brow, which was concealed behind her mask at him. She turned around and grabbed one of the random bottles and handed it to the mystery man.
"There." She mummbled, still suspicious.
"Thank you very much." The boy said as he popped off the cap in an obnoxious manner. He then took a swig and smacked his lips together.
"You're welcome." She answered with gritted teeth. "May I ask why you chose Godric Gryffindor?"
"I did a lot of reasearch and found I liked him the best, he's my hero. I had to do countless charms to get the face just right." He replied without notice of Hermione's coldness. Hermione had noticed when they went into the past for training that Godric and Harry had the same eyes. Well, this guy had blue eyes.
"Just to let you know, Godric had green eyes, not blue." Hermione smirked.
"How do you know?" The boy asked, he frowned. He didn't like the fact someone knew more about Godric Gryffindor than he, even if he was a Ravenclaw.
"I had to do a reasearch paper." Hermione quickly lied, it was seemless.
"For who?" Quickly came the retort.
"Binns, it was extra credit for History of Magic." She lied again with the same results.
"Granger?" The Ravenclaw asked.
"Why do you assume I'm her?" Hermione asked with fake distain.
"Only Granger would do extra credit in Binn's class." The younger retorted in an arrogant tone.
"Not if they were failing, not that I was." Came Hermione's rebuttle.
"Honestly!" The reply came with distaste.
"You're encouragable!" Hermione cried in frustration.
"Thank you."
"Michael Corner!" Hermione said recongizing his voice. "That's who you are!"
"Very good, Granger." With that, he walked away. 'Honestly, he disgraces Harry and his ancestors!" She mentally huffed. Hermione proceeded to storm through and towards the punch bowl. She decided against it, who knows what's in there. Weither it be a prank or an attempt by a death eater, she went back to the bottles of butterbeer and bottles of pumpkin juice were next to them. She picked one on the bottom of the pyramid, which didn't fall over, and popped off the tab and proceeded to drink.
'Argh! Where is she?' Harry thought to himself as he scanned the room once more, he was standing by the punch bowl. He watched as a very beautiful woman walked past him huffing and muttering about disgraces. Harry smirked to himself and watched her shake her head at the punch and walk over towards the pumpkin juice and grab a bottle from the bottom and drink a lot of it. 'There she is.'
Hermione stayed stationary as she drank from her bottle. She hadn't even noticed the very old wizard staring at her, and begin to approach her. Hermione still wasn't paying any attention to her approacher and drained her bottle and tossed it into a magical recycle can.
"Hello." The old wizard greeted.
"Myddrin?" Hermione asked, the man had immetated Merlin in voice so well and had the same twinkle in his eye that the man held.
"Yes, Harry told me about this gathering you were having, I figured I'd come for a visit." He replied.
"Really? Are you kidding?" Hermione asked eyeing him with distrust.
"Ah, that's my girl, keeping on your toes. I shouldn't say that, God knows what he'll do to me." The man chuckled.
"True. But how did you get here?" Hermione inquired.
"Magic." He whispered. 'If I didn't eve know better, I'd say he was flirting with me.' Hermione thought. After they spoke for a while, he convinced her to dance with him.
"Perhaps, Harry will see us if he spots me. He knew I was coming." He explained. Hermione nodded as he led her out to the dance floor. A slow song came on. He put his right hand in her left and his left on her waist. She felt this a bit odd, yet it didn't feel that way.
"This is a wonderful song." He whispered in her ear, it made her tingle. 'Why is this happening, it only happens with Harry!' Hermione panicked.
"Yes, it is." She said uneasily.
"You look stunning." Came the compliment.
"Thank you."
"Absolutly gorgeous."
"Thanks." She was blushing under her mask. He captured his lips with hers.
'Hello, love.' Harry's link came into her mind.
'ARGH! No fair!' Was her reply. A white light enveloped them and the Great Hall was captivated by them. Harry's costume changed into a Musketeer's.
"Fair lady?" He asked extending his hand to her.
"Kind sir." She put her hand in his. He led her to the middle of the captivated room and began dancing to silence. They were entertained by each other's eyes. Harry's were visible from behind his magical mask, only to her. Music started playing, although they didn't notice. They kept swaying slowly to the fast paced beat. Entranced by the other's presence.
"Hehem." A voice cleared its throat over the magical microphone. Each student all turned in dread at the sound of this, having been use to Umbridge doing that. They all turned to face James and Lily standing on the stage dressed up in formal muggle clothing.
"Can we have your attention please." Lily said, James had been the one too clear his voice over the magical microphone. "We would like to announce the nominees for the winner of the best costume award, come up if nominated please."
"Here we are. Godric Gryffindor, Merlin/Musketeer, Rocky, and Jane from Tarzan." James announced. Those who were announced proceeded to the stage.