"Why on earth would they hold a ball now?"
"It's a traditional part of any Triwizard Tournament, Harry," Renna said at the same time as Hermione, both using the same miffed tone.
Harry stared at them and then said, "Please don't ever do that again. That's just scary."
"So, who are you thinking of taking?" Renna asked, tucking a lemon drop into her cheek and sucking on it.
Harry kept silent and looked back at his homework. Renna smirked. "I think I know who it iiis," she sang in his head. "It's Cho Chang, isn't it?"
"Shut up, Renna," Harry muttered and snapped his walls shut. They weren't incredibly strong -neither of them were very proficient at shielding- but Renna let him have his privacy. She knew she was right, and also knew that Harry would have to really work up his courage to ask her. Well, she wished him luck. Personally she thought he could do a lot better, but…
She shook her head and focused back on her Charms essay.
"Harry, Ron, we're going to head back up to Gryffindor Tower to get ready," Renna called, taking Hermione's arm and leading her back to the castle.
"What, you need three hours?" Ron said incredulously. "Who're you going with?" They heard shouted after them, but Hermione just waved as they disappeared into the Entrance Hall.
"Persistent, isn't he?" Renna said as they began to climb the marble staircase. "I don't want to see his reaction when you walk in with Krum."
Hermione shrugged. "He'll survive."
The two girls entered their dormitory, which was completely deserted. They stripped off their heavy cloaks and sweaters, and Renna sat Hermione in front of the mirror and began work on her hair. "Renna," Hermione said as Renna combed Sleakeazy's Hair Solution through her thick hair, "I forget. Who are you going with?"
"Hmm?" Renna said. "Oh, I'm not going with anyone."
"What?!" Hermione said, astonished. She tried to turn and look at her, but Renna smacked the top of her head and held it straight. "Don't tell me you didn't get any offers!"
"Oh, I got offers all right, but I didn't want a partner," Renna said. "I much prefer going on my own. That way I can dance with any boy I like."
Hermione thought about this for a minute. "Well, I suppose that makes sense," she said.
"Exactly," Renna said. "Now we leave this in for an hour before styling it the way we want it. That gives me enough time to take a shower and get dressed."
"I wish I had your hair, Renna," Hermione said wistfully as she watched her friend pull out her dress robes.
"Hermione, your hair is wonderful," Renna said firmly, grabbing her things and heading into the bathroom.
Forty-five minutes later she came back out, dressed in her beautiful dress robes and drying her hair with her wand. Her robes were made out of pure white silk that slid across her skin like water, and Hermione sighed in envy. "It's not fair. I'm not going to look nearly as pretty as you."
Renna smiled, throwing her rippling black hair over her shoulder. "Oh yes you are. And we are going to finish before Pavarti and Lavender come in, and then we are going to go hide so no one sees us before the ball. Now," she said worriedly, sitting in front of her own mirror and brushing out her long hair, "How am I going to do my hair?"
Now this Hermione could help with, and she said positively, "In a bun. Here." She tapped Renna's hair with her wand, muttered a short spell, and the slightly curly strands twisted themselves into an elegant knot, leaving several strands to hang gracefully around her face. "Now put this into the top-" Hermione picked up a curved comb studded with rhinestones and placed it into the top of the bun, "and you have a beautiful ensemble. Your hair is so long that it looks very elegant gathered up like that."
Renna smiled at her reflection. "Thanks, Hermione." She checked the clock. "And it's just about your turn. Sit down." She rose and brushed out Hermione's hair, which was now sleek and shining and manageably curly. Brushed out like this, Hermione's hair easily reached the middle of her back, fully as long as Renna's. "Now before we do it up get into your robes." Hermione rose and complied, and Renna slipped on her dance shoes. Flexible and comfortable, she had made Hermione buy a pair as well, swearing that her feet wouldn't get tired in them.
Hermione came back and sat down, now dressed in her periwinkle blue robes, and Renna said, "Hermione, how can you not call yourself beautiful?" She shook her head and tapped her friend's hair, muttering the same spell Hermione had used on her own hair.
Instantly Hermione's hair rose up and poofed out, the strands becoming bushy and unmanageable again - but even worse than before. The two girls stared into the mirror disbelievingly as the work of the last hour went down the drain in seconds.
Finally Renna spoke. "Well, at least we have plenty of time." Hermione bit her lip to prevent tears and nodded. Renna reapplied the hair solution and they waited, both glancing at the clock and then at the door repeatedly.
"All right," Renna said, rising after an hour had passed, "Let's try this again, without magic this time." She brushed out Hermione's hair, which was manageable once again (though much more curly than the last time), and then proceeded to put it up in a bun the conventional way. "There," Renna finally said, stepping back and admiring her work, "I defy any one to call you plain now."
Hermione stood up, walked over to the full-length mirror on the bathroom door and admired her image. She did indeed look very pretty. Renna joined her and slipped an arm around her waist, smiling proudly. Hermione turned and hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much, Renna," she said, "For doing my hair twice."
"No problem. Now let's get going." They quickly did their makeup, inserted earrings into ears and slipped necklaces around necks, then crept downstairs and into the common room, actually passing Lavender and Pavarti on their way to the dorm. The girls smiled at each other, Pavarti and Lavender clearly not recognizing Hermione but recognizing and envying Renna.
They walked to the Entrance Hall, just about the only people there that early, and settled onto a tucked-away bench to await the opening of the Ball. They talked quietly, watching as people began to congregate, and finally stood up to mingle among them.
The doors opened, and Hermione grabbed Renna's arm. The Durmstrang contingent entered, Krum in the lead, and Renna felt Hermione take a deep breath beside her before the two of them began walking forward. When they reached Krum Hermione smiled nervously and bobbed a tiny curtsy. Feeling slightly like a father handing off a daughter to get married, Renna watched as Krum held out his arm and Hermione took it, smiling at Renna before Renna melted back into the crowd.
Now alone, Renna walked through the crowd, searching for people she knew. She saw Seamus and Lavender and smiled at them, then looked up to see Ron, Harry, and Pavarti descend the marble staircase. Her face lit up in a genuine grin and she hurried through the crowd, reaching them just as they got to the bottom.
"Bonsoir, messieurs et mademoiselle," she said, sweeping a curtsy and smiling broadly.
"Renna? You - wow, you look amazing!" Harry said, stopping and staring.
"Thanks," Renna said, rising. "So do you." And because Pavarti was beginning to look sulky, Renna said, "And you look - wow, Pavarti, you look really nice." She projected as much sincere admiration into her voice and her eyes as she could, and was rewarded when Pavarti preened slightly, sulkiness completely gone.
"I'll see you inside," Renna said to her brother, and gave him a quick hug. She bestowed one on Ron as well before drifting off into the crowd again, smiling. This evening was going to be one of the best in her memory, she could tell.
"You're my polar opposite," murmured a voice in her ear, and she turned to find herself face-to-face with Draco Malfoy. He smiled down at her.
Renna looked him up and down critically and saw that he was correct. Draco's robes were black where hers were white, and her hair was black where his was white-blond. "I sure am. Don't opposites attract?"
"Something like that. I'll see you inside." He drifted off. The doors to the Great Hall opened, and Renna moved with the crowd through them. She grinned and winked at Harry and Pavarti, and smiled conspiratorially at Hermione.
The feast passed in a blur, Renna hardly paying attention to what she ate. Finally the music began, and her head shot up as the champions rose and took the floor. Her mouth twitched. "Harry, you're not going to the executioner's block, so stop looking like it," she said silently.
"I hate dancing!" Was her only response. She sighed, shaking her head as she watched them ruefully.
"Mademoiselle?" Someone said, and she turned. A boy from Beaubatons was standing next to her. "Est-ce que je peux avoir cette danse?"
"Naturellement, monsieur," Renna said, taking his hand and letting him lead her onto the dance floor. He knew how to dance! She thought delightedly. A boy who knew how to dance! This was marvelous.
Once the song ended, Renna curtsied to her partner and looked around. Sure enough, there was her brother, sitting with Ron and their partners. Honestly. Boys don't know how to have fun anymore. She hurried over as a new song started.
"Do you mind, Pavarti?" Renna asked, grabbing Harry's hand. "Come on, Harry! Dance with me!" And ignoring his half-heard protests, she dragged her twin out onto the dance floor. "Now," she said once they had reached the middle and Harry couldn't run away, "I am going to teach you how to move. Place your hand on my waist."
"Renna-" Harry started, but she cut him off.
"Don't even start. Put your hand on my waist." She began slowly moving them to the music, and Harry automatically tensed up. "Look at me. Don't look anywhere else. How are you, Harry? It's been a while since we've been able to talk. Now, talk to me. I really don't know anything about your childhood. Do we have any relatives?"
"Only mum's sister, Petunia," Harry replied. "I live with them over the summer holidays. She's married to a man named Vernon, and we have a cousin, Dudley. He's the fattest kid you'll probably ever meet in your life."
"What are they like?"
"Horrible. They hate me. They hate everything to do with magic. It's pretty depressing sometimes, and I hate going back there over the summer. But I don't usually stay there for the entire summer, which is good. I don't think the Dursleys would appreciate it if I did."
"They don't sound like very nice people. You're doing great, Harry." Harry, who had forgotten that they were dancing and had been moving very naturally to the music, tensed up again. "No, that's bad. Relax. And keep talking."
Speaking calmly and offhandedly, Renna twirled her brother through a song and was rewarded by Harry's relaxed, easy smile and graceful body. When he wasn't thinking about who could be watching or what he was doing, Harry was a very good dancer. You just had to loosen him up. When the song ended and everyone clapped, Harry and Renna clapped enthusiastically as well, feeling a little disappointed that the dance was over. Since the Weird Sisters were taking a break, Renna walked back over to Ron and Padma. Pavarti had disappeared somewhere, and Renna took her seat, where they were soon joined by Hermione.
"It's hot, isn't it?" She said, fanning herself. "Viktor's just gone to get some drinks."
"Viktor?" Ron said disgustedly. "Hasn't he asked you to call him Vicky yet?"
Both girls stared at him. "Ron, what-?" Hermione said, confused.
"He's from Durmstrang!" Ron spat. "He's competing against Harry! You…you're…fraternizing with the enemy, that's what you're doing!"
Shocked, Renna watched Ron dig himself deeper and deeper into a hole as the argument escalated, unable to believe Ron could be so close-minded. When Hermione had stomped off, she said quietly, "I can't believe you, Ron." Then she rose and walked off as well, not wanting to stay near someone who could accuse their friend of such cruel things.
Stopping, she leaned her hip against a table and watched the crowds, emerald eyes flicking from person to person without settling on anything. She had already calmed down, her anger at Ron dissipating quickly, and she scanned the hall for anyone who looked like they wished they were dancing but weren't. Seeing no one, she sat back and relaxed, watching the couples whirl around in colorful pairs.
The evening passed in a blur of music and dancing, and Renna's face hurt from smiling so much. She sat out for a few songs at the end of the evening, pleading exhaustion, and watched, breathing deeply.
A hand entered her vision, holding a bottle of butterbeer, and she grabbed it and took a deep swig. Then she coughed, her eyes stinging, as something other than butterbeer burned its way down her throat along with the familiar taste. "Jesus," she said, looking up. "Are you trying to kill me?"
Draco smiled a slow smile. "No, just trying to get you drunk."
Renna shrugged. "Well, can't blame you for trying." She took another swig, this time prepared for the burn as the liquid traveled down her throat. "What is it? Firewhiskey?"
"Nothing so obvious." Draco sat down next to her. "It's called a Russian Sunrise. Butterbeer mixed with vodka, a dash of rum, and strawberry syrup. Some people add orange and sometimes even lemon syrup, which is how it received the name 'Russian Sunrise.'"
Renna shook her head, taking another drink. "And don't tell me how a fourteen-year-old boy knows this." Draco grinned slyly, and Renna shook her head. "Well, thanks," she said, raising the bottle in an ironic salute. "One isn't enough to get me drunk, but I appreciate it. And I didn't even have to ask."
They were silent for a time, watching the ebb and flow of the people around them. Then the lead singer of the Weird Sisters said, "This is the last song of the evening, so all you dancers who want to give this evening a good send-off grab a partner and get on out onto the floor." She stepped back, and the band prepared themselves.
Renna laughed, putting the empty bottle on the table behind her. "C'mon, Draco! Let's dance!" She pulled him up and onto the floor, glad to hear no protests. "You haven't danced with me yet," she said, turning to face him and pouting, "so I think I get a turn, don't you?" Her breath grew a little short when he only nodded, staring at her. His eyes were half-lidded, and he had the faintest trace of a hungry look on his face. "Don't look at me like that," she said, cursing when her voice came out breathier than she wanted.
"Look at you like what?" Draco murmured.
"Like…like you want me. Don't. Don't want me. Let's just be friends for now, you know? Let's not complicate it now. Please." She held out her arms. "Let's just dance."
He stepped forward and she nearly gasped as his presence was suddenly very, very close and very, very warm and very, very male. Her decision just a few moments ago wavered, and she locked it down. No, they would be friends first, and then, perhaps, they might go farther. But not when they'd known each other for less than a year.
"I'll concede your last request," he murmured in her ear, "But I reserve judgment on the other one." His voice sent shivers down her spine. Placing his hand on her waist and holding her hand in his, they danced, unaware that the other couples were glancing at them and whispering about how they looked like Dark and Light, or how well they danced, or how smoothly they moved together. A small space opened up around them, so that they were dancing in their own little bubble, but none of this registered as anything other than a slight oddity.
Their perfect world was shattered when a loud voice said, "Renna!" In an outraged tone. The two dancers stopped dancing and looked over to where the voice was coming from to see Harry and Ron, both with looks of disgust and disbelief on their faces.
Renna sighed with annoyance, really hating her brother at that moment. "What, Harry?" She snapped.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Harry said. "You were dancing with Malfoy!"
Renna's eyes snapped with anger. Gabrielle, who was standing at the front of the crowd a little ways away, yanked her sister's head down and began whispering frantically into her ear, eyes on her best friend all the time. "Well, Harry," Renna said cuttingly, "If you already knew what I was doing, then why did you bother to ask?"
Harry, not having a response for this, turned his attention to Draco. "Keep away from her, Malfoy!" He grated, eyes narrowed.
Draco raised an eyebrow. "I think Renna's old enough to pick who she dances with," he drawled. "Don't you? Besides, Potter, I don't see any sign saying that you own her. You didn't even take her to the Ball tonight."
With a curse Harry punched out, only to have his arm slapped away. Renna stood in between him and Draco, eyes now positively deadly with anger. Gabrielle cringed. "Touch him," she growled, "And you will be very sorry. Mess with my life ever again, Harry, and you will be missing some very important parts of your anatomy. For fuck's sake!" She said, her voice rising, "Just because you are my fucking twin doesn't mean that I need protection! The brotherly instinct is really unnecessary! There is absolutely nothing wrong with me dancing with whoever I want! There is even less wrong with me dancing with Draco! Why shouldn't I dance with my friends?"
"Friend?" Harry gaped.
"Yes, Harry, friend!" Renna snapped. "Draco is my friend! He is just as much my friend as you and Ron and Hermione! And by the way, Hermione knows and approves of my friendship! So if you don't mind, I would appreciate it if you kept your over-protective, brotherly nose out of my fucking business!"
Draco placed a hand on her shoulder. "Easy up on the claws, tiger," he murmured. "Your -ah- brother seems to be shocked quite thoroughly."
"Renna," Gabrielle said, sidling up and taking Renna's arm, "Allons." Let's go.
Renna sighed, glaring one last time at her brother. "Oui, allons." The two girls walked through the crowd and out of the Hall, the silent crowd staring after them in dumbstruck fascination.
Draco also stared after them, then turned to Harry. "You're her brother?"
Harry nodded distractedly. "We found out right after the First Task."
"Well, I don't envy you," Draco said. "She's a real tiger when she's mad."
Harry sighed. "Tell me about it." Then, realizing who he had been talking to, he gave Draco a half-distrustful, half-bemused look and took off through the thinning crowd as well, Ron at his side.
Draco sighed, running his hands through his hair, then also headed out of the Hall toward the dungeons. All in all, it had been a very fun evening.
"Ooh, he bugs me sometimes!" Renna raged, pacing up and down as Gabrielle sat on the marble staircase, watching her friend vent. "I am really, really happy that I found my real family and all that, but just because now we know we're related he has to go all protective of me! Jesus! De tout stupide, collé-vers le haut, bastardly choses pour faire…"
As Renna continued to rage about all of the stupid things her brother was capable of, Gabrielle watched as first Harry and Ron, then Draco, exited the Great Hall and paused, watching her warily. Rising, Gabrielle went over to the blond one and whispered, "Try to calm her down. I do not even register with her right now."
Draco gave her a startled look, then walked over to Renna and wrapped her in a hug, preventing her from pacing any more. "Relax, Renna," he murmured into her hair as she squirmed in his grip, mumbling into his robes. "He didn't mean to upset you. Slytherin and Gryffindor have been enemies for forever, and even though I don't hate him, he clearly feels uncomfortable with us hanging out."
Renna twisted around to look up at him. "Are you defending him?"
Draco smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, I…guess so."
Renna smiled, then laughed, throwing her head back. "Oh, this is wonderful! Harry," she said, turning to look at her brother, "Come here." She broke out of Draco's hold and faced him as Harry warily crossed the hall. "Now," Renna said, "The only way you can make it up to me is to talk nicely all week to Draco."
Harry said incredulously, "All week?"
"Yes, Harry," Renna said. "Until next Friday."
"Why?"
"Because if you don't," Renna said, eyes narrowing, "I'll be even more angry at you than I already am."
"Is that even possible?" Harry mumbled under his breath, then said, "Okay, fine, for one week."
Renna's face lit up in a dazzling smile. "Thanks, Harry!" She said, throwing her arms around him. Just then the doors to the Great Hall opened and the other students trickled out; the ball must be over. They were soon surrounded by the flood, and Renna stepped closer to Draco for a moment. "I'll see you tomorrow," she murmured into his ear, before letting the flow of the students take her up the marble staircase.
"Right," Draco mumbled. "Tomorrow."