Disclaimer: I am just a fan of HP and SM just like the rest of you. That does NOT make me an owner of them. A challenge for Jay

Warning: THIS CHAPTER'S KINDA LONG! MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT TIME TO READ IT!

Hogwarts Secret Scandal 13

Unmasked and Humiliated

"What's going on here?" Harry questioned, looking at his date and his professor. "Why are you wearing the same costume?"

"Perhaps great minds think alike, Harry," said Daien calmly.

"I knew something wasn't right aobu this!" shouted Draco Malfoy, hurrying up to them. "Thought you could win by having a teacher answer those questions, didn't you Potter?"

"What are you talking about?" Harry demanded. "What questions?"

"The trivia game, Potter!"

"I can't believe you'd do this to me, Serena!" Mina cried. "I'm your cousin!"

"You think I had something to do with this?" Serena gasped, jabbing her thumb at Darien. "I thought he was Harry the whole time!"

"I demand a recount!" Mina and Draco shouted in unison. They turned to Alex Treble, who shrugged. "Well, since Harry and Professor Shields have the same costume," he said, "Harry still wins."

"Unbeleivable!" Mina yelled, covering her face with her hands and sobbing. "Dwakie—we've been doublecrossed! Doublecorssed by my own cousin!"

"Mina, you know me better than that!" Serena hissed. "You think I knew Professor Shields was pretending to be my date? Oooogh!"

"Serena, I'm so sorry," said Darien. "I didn't know Harry had the same costume."

"Liar! You liar!"

"Okay, Shields, outside," Steven grabbed Darien by the arm and pulled him outside while Darien spluttered an apology. People were still staring at Serena.

"What are you staring at?" Serena demanded. "Quit looking at me!"

"I can't believe we lost!" Mina said. She turned to her boyfriend, hoping to get some support. "Oh hold me, Draco!"

"I've go to be alone," Draco groaned and pointed at Harry. "This isn't over, Potter!"

Draco strode off outside for some air and Mina ran after him.

"Dwakie! Wait! Does this mean we're still not going in a space shuttle? Dwakiee!"

Harry put his arm around Serena. "I'm sorry, Serena, I shouldn't have left you alone. You wanna go back to the common room?"

"I don't care," Serena replied, close to tears. "Just get me out of here."

"Okay," said Harry and he led his date outside the Great Hall. "I know, I'll take you to Fred and George. Maybe they'll have something to make you feel better."

"Do they have a rock for me to hide under?" Serena asked.

"Maybe," Harry said with a slight smile.

They entered the classroom where the Weasley twins were having doorprizes and things on their merchandise. Once contected side to side, they were now connected back to back. Serena looked confused.

"Hey, they were connected to the hip at dinner," she said.

"You should've seen them when they were connected head to head," said Harry. "They kept changing."

The twins were watching people bob for apples. The problem was that the apples screamed and bonked people in the faces as they tried to get them.

"I think it broke my nose!" a fourth year boy groaned, touching his nose gingerly.

"How do you like them apples?" Fred asked with a grin. "Ha-ha!"

"Harry, you're back!" said Geroge heartily, who was facing Harry. "And you brought a friend with you. Is she your date?"

"Yeah, this is Serena."

"She's a real looker, Harry," said Geroge, winking.

"Really?" Fred inquired, "let me see." Fred attempted to turn but Geroge stayed firm. "C'mon, George, I want to say hi to Harry's date!"

"I'm not done talking to her yet!" George yelled, walking up to Serena and making his twin slide his feet. "So, Serena…can I interest you in one of our Daydream charms?"

"Daydream charms?"

"Oh come on you idiot," Fred said, trying to look over his shoulder. "She doesn't want those! Don't listen to him! You want firecrackers!"

"Actually, do you have something that will make me disappear?" Serena asked.

"And why would you want to disappear?" Fred demanded forcing himself around.

"Hey!" shouted George.

On seeing Serena properly, Fred wolf-whilsted and took Serena's hand. "Wow, you really are a looker!"

Serena blushed slightly. "Thanks."

"Why would you want to disappear?"

"Because my Defense Agaisnt the Dark Arts teacher is a moron!" she shouted. "He humiliated me in front of the whole school!"

"Idiot!" said Fred. "What'd he do?"

"He—he pretended to be Harry!" Serena cried. "While he was here with you guys and was still at the ball, Professor Sheilds came up to me dressed up as Harry."

"Why did he do that?"

"I don't know—he gives me detention for the stupidest things. Maybe he was trying to catchme doing something so he could give me deteintion for it."

"And that's why you want to disappear?" George asked, looking over his and his twins' shoulder.

"Yeah! I want to go back to my old school."

"You're not going to run away again, are you?" Harry asked.

"You tried to run away?" Fred gasped.

"Yeah, I miss my old school," Serena explained, "I went to go to SalemWitches Institue."

"I don't think dispapearing will help you much, Serena," Fred took Serena by the shoulders and began to walk away with her, his twin kicking his legs. "Maybe you can sneak a puking pastille in his drink!"

"Puking Pastile?"

"Oh come on, Serena, you don't want to do that," George groaned.

"I don't?"

"You want to turn his classroom into a swamp!" George pointed at a number of portalble swamps on one of the tables.

"Or better yet, how about U-No-Poo!" Fred pulled Serena to the constipation aid. "I think he'll leave you alone for sure after that!"

Serena cracked a smile and Fred grinned. "Hey, I got you to smile!"

"I wanna see!" exclaimed George, waving his arms and trying to turn around. The twins faught and lost their balance with George falling on his face.

"That was a soft landing," said Fred.

"Not for me it wasn't!" George groaned, the floor muffling his voice. "Help, we've fallen!"

"And we can't get up!" Fred added and the twins began rolling around.

Harry chuckled and Serena held her sides from laughter

"You guys are hilarious!" Serena said.

"You really think so?" Fred asked.

"Yeah! I feel so much better now!"

"Which one is funnier?" George asked. "It's me, right?"

"Erm, actually," Serena said, rubbing her head. "I can't tell you two apart. You're both funny."

"C'mon, let's get up," George groaned, pushing himself to a seating potion. "Gimmie your arm, Fred."

The twins linked arms and pressed against each others' backs as they attemped to stand up.

"On three, ready?" George asked. "ONE TWO THREE!"

Awkardly, Fred and George were able to stand up. George groaned. "That's the third tim4 we fell down. If you weren't being such a moneky on my back we'd get it right."

"Hey, who you callin' a monkey, you monkey?" Fred demanded. Fred pointed his wand at his brother and turned him into a monkey. The George-monkey squealed and thrashed his limbs until Fred turned him back.

"Why'd you do that for?" George demanded.

"I was just curious to see how it'd work," Fred replied with a grin.

"Maybe we switch to shoulder to shoulder now," George said, "I'm tired of falling on my face."

"Okay," Fred said and the twins pointed their wands at their backs. In an instant they slpit apart and they attached themselves at the shoulder.

"Wow, this is much better!" George sighed and he put his free arm around Serena.

"Hey, you were planning that!" Fred growled.

"C'mon, Serena, you want to look at our Pigmy Puffs?"

"Don't listen to him, Serena!" Fred cried. "you don't want a Pigmy Puff!"

"I'll look at everything, I promise," Serena insisted as George lead her away and Fred sidestepped over.

"Whose idea was it to be conjoined twins anyway?" Fred wondered.

"Yours," reminded George.

"Damn."

Steven was arguing with Darien outside with the giant carved pumpkins. The pumpkins were laughing and saying things like, "hey buddy, got a light?"

Most of the jack o'lanterns were carved with faces while others had haunted houses, full moons, bats, witches on brooms and other spooky things. What a perfect place to have a chat.

Darien was able to recognize Steven now. They went to Hogwarts together. Steven was another rival next to Percy Weasley. Nathan Star had been in Slyhterin with Darien and Nathan never talked to him much and Tyler had been a Ravenclaw. Darien never expected the Star Brothers to become famous. He never really expeted to see them again. Steven leaned against the giant pumpkin and crossed his arms.

"Fancy meeting you here, Shields," Steven said. "I thought you were going to be an Auror."

"I am an Auror," Darien said coolly. "I just finished my training in the summer. The reason why I'm the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is because Dumbledore needed to fill the position!"

"And he asked you?" Steven inquired. "Why?"

"He needed someone," Darien said plainly. "Thought that I'd be the best person for the job with everything I learned from training fresh in my mind."

"I see, did anything in auror training tell you to be a teacher and dance with your girl students?"

"No!" Darien muttered. "I told you, I came to chaperone!"

"Chaperones do not dance with the students!" Steven cried. "Are you crazy? If you were chaperoning, you would've been standing in the back with the other teachers, walking around outside shooting kissing couples out of bushes—not dancing with your students. Espeically when they think you're their date!"

"I didn't know Harry had the same outfit!" Darien groaned, rolling his eyes. "I didn't even know Serena and Harry were going together. You were there, I just said hi to her and she thought I was Harry."

"Exactly! You didn't have to walk up to her but you did! Now why did you do that for?"

"None of your damn business!"

Because Darien wasn't going to reply, Steven grinned and unfolded his arms.

"Oh, I see, you did want to dance with Serena. Who was next, the Patil girls?"

"Shut up."

"You were planning on dancing with Serena," Steven said. "You didn't walk up to get something from the refreshment table."

"Yes I was," Darien lied.

Of course it was a lie. Before Darien had left his office, he knew he should have come to just chaperone. He was planning on sitting at a table, just checking things out and maybe dancing with another teacher-as he noticed the teachers dancing together. But that all changed when he saw Serena standing by the refreshment table in that brilliantly white gown. She just stood out and he knew who she was. He didn't releize what he had done until he had already arrived at that table to speak to her. He was jealous that she was speaking with Steven. When Serena thought Darien was actually Harry, he was mad that Harry was wearing the same costume. He thought that he had been orginal. Darien really felt like an idiot now.

"You don't have to tell me this," Darien said, "you're supposed to be providing the music. Who made you Headmaster of Hogwarts?"

"I'm sure Dumbledore and the rest of the staff will tell you the same thing," Steven said, pointing at Darien. "But I want to make sure it gets in your head. You know, Shields, you really messed up big time! I never knew you to chase after girls!"

"I wasn't chasing after girls! I was just dancing with one!"

"One who happens to be one of your students!" Steven snapped. "Maybe if she had known you were her teacher and she did accept a dance it would've been all right but you made a fool of yourself and Serena may want to transfer schools again!"

Darien groaned. "I didn't mean it!"

"Well it happened anyway," Steven said. "You-Know-Who is back to power now and the students need someone that can prepare them for what's out there—not another Lockhart!"

"What?" Darien gasped. "You're comparing me to Lockhart? I'm nothing like Lockhart! I actually know about my subject. I had them read Walking in the Dark for their first lesson—not give them a pop quiz about myself."

"Well, at least Lockhart knew enough to keep his hands off his students!" Steven said.

Darien backed up and thought about it. He hated to admit it, but Steven was right. Darien was turning into Lockhart!

"Oh no," Darien mumbled. "What've I done? I could lose my job! Dumbledore was counting on me!"

"Yeah, it's really pathetic, isnt' it?" Steven demanded. "All the other teachers at least lasted to June. You couldn't even make it past Halloween."

Steven shook his head at him. "Should've stayed with your old job, Shields."

"I didn't know this wouild happen!" Darien muttered.

"Maybe you didn't, but you let it happen," said Steven and he walked back inside. Darien groaned and kicked the giant pumpkin he was standing by.

"Damn…what've I done?"

"Hey, that hurt!" the jack o'lantern grunted.

Darien groaned and began walking. One of the lanterns winked at him. "Tried to light someone's fire, did you?"

"Even the pumpkins get smart with me," Darien sighed, shaking his head.

An hour with the Weasley twins was enough to get Serena to feel better. After they made her laugh have to death with all their jokes and they gave her a lot free stuff, Serena decided she could return to the dance.

"Those guys are hilarious!" Serena said to Harry as they walked back to the Great Hall. "I feel so much better now."

"Glad to hear it, Serena," said Harry.

As they neared the great hall, Rini and a bunch of firstyears were emerging from a classroom, laughing and muttering to themselves.

"Hey," said Serena, "no first years are allowed out of bed right now."

"We're not first years!" Rini said diligently.

"Yeah," added Rose, "we're sailor scouts!"

The group of first years laughed as they ran down the hall. Serena rolled her eyes and continued to walk with Harry to the dance. She wanted to do her best to enjoy what was left of this eening. She enjoyed a few dances with Harry until she noticed her cousin Mina sitting at a nearby table looking upset.

"Mina, what's the matter?" Serena asked. "You're still not mad about what happened with the trivia game are you? I promise, I didn't know Professor Shields was pretending to be Harry!"

Mina sniffed and nodded. "I know, Serena. It's just that, Draco and I were going to go into a space shuttle if we won but looks like that won't happen. We just had the worst argument ever!"

Mina let out a sob and buried her face into her arms.

"Did you two break up?" Harry asked, more hopefully than sympathetically.

"No," Mina mumbled, her voice slightly muffled through her arms. Serena patted her back and Mina lifted her head up. "We've argued before, just not like this. He was angry that we didn't win, that's all."

"Well, he cheated," Serena said blunty.

"I know, I told him not to write the correct answer after you got it right!" Mina grumbled. "We already were in second place but Draco…" she groaned and shook her head.

"So where is Malfoy anyway?" Harry inquired, looking around the Great Hall for him.

"I don't know," Mina sighed, waving her hand lazily. "I guess he's still outside, probably making a mess in the green houses or something."

"Hey," said Serena, smiling from Harry to Mina. "Why don't you two dance together?"

"Huh?" Mina gasped. "Serena, I-I can't!"

Serena however ignored her cousin and turned to her date. "Harry, you wouldn't mind taking my cousin out for a little twirl on the dance floor, do you?"

"Not at all," said Harry, smirking a little.

"B-but—but--but!" Mina stammered as Serena took her arms and pulled her feet. "I can't! I can't!"

"Sure you can," Serena insisted, "now you have fun!"

Serena pushed her cousin into Harry's arms. Mina gasped and turned as red as her outfit. She looked shly up at Harry, who grinned and took her to the dance floor. Mina's legs couldn't work. She ws going to stumble. She thought for sure she was going to faint. She tried not to look into his gorgeous emerald eyes when they came to a spot and began dancing.

"Nice costume, Mina," said Harry.

"Oh…thank you," Mina mumbled, still looking at the floor. 'Don't look at his eyes! Don't look at his eyes!'

Serena grinned and took the chair Mina had inhabitated moments earlier. Seeing that Serena was alone, Steven took yet another break which frustrated his brothers.

"Steven!" Nate grumbled at him. "Are you going to sing or flirt all night?"

"Let him go, Nate," Tyler said softly.

Serena glanced up and smiled as Steven approached her table. "You guys are pretty good."

"Thank you," Steven said, sitting next to her. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course," Serena said firmly. "I just had to have a moment away from the dance, that's all."

"Where'd you go, outside?"

Serena shook her head. "No, we went to classroom eleven to look at the stuff from Weasley Wizard Wheezes."

"Oh, yeah, George and Fred are here, huh?" Steven grinned, looking out the double doors. "I got to stop by and see them. So they made you feel beter, did they? They'll put you in a good mood no matter how bad you're feeling—unless you've got no sense of humor."

"Yeah, they're really nice," Serena agreed. "They gave me a lot of free stuff and they told me how I could get back to Professor Shields."

"They did?" Steven asked. "Well, that's Fred and George for ya. Are you going to take their advice?"

"Not sure," Serena replied, "but I'm thinking about it. But I probably won't have too if he gets sacked. I never felt so humiliated before in my life. I don't like him very much at all. Do you know he gave me detention on the first day of lessons?"

"He did what?" Steven demanded. "That's so unfair! You must've done something really serious to do that."

"Not really," Serena said sourly. "All I did was throw my shopping list away and it hit him in the head. How was I supposed to know he was there?"

"He gave you detention for that?"

"yes, he says I've got a problem with throwing things. I had to do a lot of detention for him and someow I've go the feeling I'll have to do more for him."

Steven suddenly had a feeling there was a lot more too this. Why would Darien go crazy over a stupid paperball? Maybe he really was having inappropriate feelings for his students. It made Steven want to chew Darien out some more.

"That really stinks," Steven muttered.

"I know," Serena said.

"So where's Harry?"

"Dancing with my cousin," Serena answered, grinning as she winked at him. She put her hand by her mouth and lowered her voice to a whisper. "She's got a major crush on him!"

"Is that right?" Steven looked over where Mina and Harry were dancing. Mina was still looking at her feet. "Yes, it looks that way. Well, if your date is busy, how about a dance?"

"No thanks," said Serena, "I thought I'd get a cup of coaco and go outside for a walk—see the decorations."

"I'll go with you then," Steven said as he got ot his feet.

"No, really, it's all right," Serena told him. "You've got to band to sing in and fans to entertain. Your brothers look mad already."

Steven groaned and glanced up at the stage. "Yeah, well, all right. You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Serena insisted, smiling a little. "I'll be fine."

"All right," Steven said, trying to hide the disappointment he was feeling. He turned away and returned to the stage to sing with his brothers. Serena went ot the refreshment table, poured herself some hot chocolate and went outside to enjoy the decorations.

The hot chocolate was delicious and though it was chilly outside, the hot chocolate really hit the spot and kept her warm.

"I think someone spiked this with some pepperup potion," Serena said, looking at her mug. Serena walked through a stony path around the school. There were statues of all sorts of scary beasts which made Serena shiver slightly.

"Maybe I should've had someone come with me," she whispered herself.

"Not to worry," said a voice behind her. "Someone's with you now."

Serena gasped and dropped her mug. It shattered on the stony path. Serena whipped around to see who had sneaked upon her. To her relief, it wasn't Darien but it was another person she loathed.

"Draco!" she shouted. "Don't sneak up on people like that, you, you snake!"

"Forgive me," said Draco. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Well you did," she huffed.

"What're you doing out here alone?" Draco asked. "Potter didn't leave you, did he?"

"No!" Serena snapped. "I just wanted to take a walk."

"By yourself?"

"So?"

"But it's cold out here," Draco whispered, taking a step toward her and Serena stepped back. "It's Halloween, and anything can happen on a Halloween night. Why,in my first year, someone let a troll in the school."

"I can take care of myself," Serena spat.

"You probably could."

Serena turned around and continued walking. Draco followed her.

"Leave me alone, Malfoy," Serena grumbled.

"I don't think so," said Draco. "I've been hoping to get you alone for a while."

"Don't you think Mina would be upset?"

"She'll get over it," Draco said casually.

"Do you care for my cousin at all?" Serena demanded, stopping abruptly.

"Sure I do," Draco said, "I took a Bludger for her at the game, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did," Serena said, "I guess you do care for other people than yourself. I didn't expect you to do that."

"Me neither," Draco admitted, "I didn't expect it to hurt so much. But it worked out just as I had planned. Better, in fact."

"What?" Serena gasped. "You mean—you didn't take that Bludger to protect Mina—but to use her?"

"That a problem?"

"Yes!" Serena shouted. "You were just doing that so Slytherin would win. Shame on you! Wait until I tell Mina about this."

"Go ahead," Draco said, smirking. "She won't care."

"Won't care?"

"Of course she won't," Draco said, "she didn't get a black eye from that Bludger and she caught the Snitch. She'll think I'm a genius for thinking it up."

"Well I don't!" Serena growled. "I think you're a scoundrel!"

Draco leaned toward her. "Tell me more…"

Serena jumped back, sneering. She hated how Draco was hitting on her. She had enough guys to deal with for one night. Without thinking, Serena began making funny movements with her arms.

"What you did was wrong," she said, "in the name of my cousins' love life, I will punish you!"

Draco chuckled and put his hands on his hips. "What're you going to do? Throw your tiara at me? Hahahaha!"

Serena reached for her tiara and chuckedit right at Draco's face, cutting his lip. Draco whelped and dabbed his lip.

"Hey!" he groaned. "That hurt!"

"And so will this!" Serena yelled, charging at him with a raised fist. Before she came close to him, a rose came out of nowhere and landed between her and Draco.

"What the?" Draco and Serena said in unison.

"This dance was supposed to allow students to have a good evening and to enjoy each other's company," said a voice behind them. "You should not be fighting amongst yourselves."

Serena and Draco looked up and there was their professor, standing on the balcony. Draco erupted in laughter while Serena snarled.

"You already ruined my evening!" she snapped, pointing her finger at him. "How dare you impersonate my date! What kind of professor are you?"

Darien jumped and landed next to them. Serena backed up.

"Hey, how'd you do that?" Serena demanded.

"Nevermind that," said Darien, "you two need to be disciplined."

"What?" Draco and Serena demanded.

"Yes," Darien grabbed them by their arms. "I'm sick of this Gryffindor and Slytherin rivalry. It's time to put an end to it."

"But Professor—you went to Slytherin!" Draco cried.

"Yes I did," Darien said as he led the two away. "But that does not mean I'm going to let you off, Malfoy. I am not Professor Snape."

"You're not professor McGonagall either!" Serena shouted, trying to wriggle out of his grasp. "I'm sick of writing lines for you."

"And I hate detention!" Draco added. "No matter what I'm doing!'

"Well you're getting detention anyway!" Darien snapped. "Tomorrow morning, I want each of you to write a list of ten positive things about Slytherin and Gryffindor."

"No problem there," said Draco with a grin. "Slytherin is the best."

"No, Malfoy!" Darien growled. "I want you to write ten things about Gryfindor—good things! I don't want you to write how much you hate it!"

"But nothing is good about Gryffindor!"

"And nothing is good about Slytherin either!"

"HEY!" Draco and Serena snarled at each other.

"That's enough!" Darien yelled, pulling them into the great hall. "Now to start off, I want you two to dance!"

"Haven't you ruined my life enough?" Serena demanded, glaring at Darien.

Draco however pretended to be upset. "Oh, very well, Professor Shields. If you say so."

"And I want you to have a civil conversation too," Darien added, "then perhaps you'll find something to write about."

He released the two troublemakers and Draco put Serena's hand on his arm, since she wouldn't do it willingly. He led Serena to the middle of the dance floor and began dancing with her. Serena wouldn't look at him.

"Well, look where we ended up," Draco grinned. "Wouldn't you say that little fight was worth it?"

"I hate you," Serena muttered.

"Now, Serena, aren't we supposed to be trying to find something good about our houses?" he reminded her.

Serena scowled. "When I thought this night couldn't get any worse…"

Serena stepped on his foot, purpously.

"Ouch!" Draco muttered. "That was my foot!"

"Sorry, I'm sort of clumsy."

"Well, if you'll just let me lead," Draco said, "you won't be doing that!"

Draco pulled her closer to him and began dancing a little faster. Serena had no choice but to hold onto him to keep from losing her balance.

"Ah, that's better, try loosening up."

Darien sat at a table to view thedance. A part of him wanted to pull Serena and Draco apart but the professor in him told him he did the right thing.

"What've I done?" Darien asked himself.

He sighed and sipped on some butterbeer. It didn't matter. He was a professor. Serena was a student. She could only get involved with other students. If Draco and Serena eventually started to like each other, then perhaps Slytherin and Gryffindor would soon follow. Darien should've been proud of himself. He probably put an end to all the rivalry between the two houses.

"Oh, good evening, Darien," said Dumbledore, taking a seat as his table.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Darien sat up and leaned toward the headmaster. "I'm so sorry about that scene earlier. It was wrong of me. I understand if you want me to resign."

"It's all right, dear boy," said Dumbledore. "You can still teach here at Hogwarts."

"I can?" Darien asked in surprise. "Professor—I danced with Serena—she's a student—I'm a professor! And the whole time she thought I was Harry Potter!"

"Yes, something like that from you would be unlikely, Darien," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "But there is no rule against dancing with the students—just as long as they know who you really are."

"There isn't a rule against it?"
"Of course not," said Professor Dumbledore. "For instance, if a certain professor wants to congratulate on of his students on a job well done in class or to tell the student they are slacking, then it is all right to pull them aside and dance with them."

"Only, I weasn't talking to Serena about how she's doing in class," Darien groaned. "She thought I was Harry Potter! And if she knew I was really her professor she wouldn't dance with me anyway."

"And why is that, Darien?" Dumbledore asked brighjtly.

"Well you see sir—oh—welll," Darien blushed and looked away. He hated to tell him the truth and he hated to lie either. It wasn't easy fooling a legimens. "It's…"

"Complicated?" Dumbledore inquired.

"Yes," Darien answered immediately. "I mean, no! Well, sort of."

"I see," Dumbledore rose to his feet. "Well, Darien, you're doing a fine job."

"I am?"

"Of course," Darien smiled, "you're an excellent teacher."

"Well, thank you, Professor Dumbledoer," Darien said weakly. "I'm glad someone thinks so."

Dumbledore left the table and Darien sat back. That went better than he had thought. Dumbledore didn't get angry with him or sack him. He was understanding. Well, Dumbledore was just that kind of man.

Darien took a look at the dance and stood up. He had seen enough. It was time to go back to being a professor. He left the Great Hall and went to his office. He pulled off the cape and tossed it aside.

"Nice going, Darien," he said to himself.

Reenie and her friends hid around a corner as they watched for the the unfortunate Hogwarts caretaker enter a classroom.

"Wait for it…wait for it." Reenie was whispering.

Filch reached for the door, pulled it open and a bucket of orange paint fell on his head. Reenie and her friends erupted in laughter.

"TRICK OR TREAT!" they exclaimed.

"Why…you!" Filch grumbled. "I'll get you!"

"Oh no!" Rose gasped.

"Let's get out of here!" Reenie yelled, turning on her heels and running. Panting and gasping, the girls ran for a place to hide. They could hear Filch running after them.

"Just wait until I get my hands on you!" he shouted.

"What do we do?" asked Penelope Caper, another Slytherin first year. "Oh why did I let you talk me into this?"

"We need a place to hide," Reenie mumbled, running back and forth a certain corrider. "We need a place to hide! Need a place to hide—in here!"

A door suddenly appeared in the wall and grabbing her friends, Reenie shoved them into the room and shut the door behind her, moments before Filch showed up.

"Whew…" Reenie sighed, "well, that was fun, wasn't it?"

"I think it's about time we return to the common room now," said Penelope.

"Yeah, you're probably right," said Rose, "we can tell scary stories in front of the campfire. I heard this really scary one that happened to Draco Malfoy from my sister…"

"It's true?"

"Of course it's true!" Rose spat. "Just ask him about the time he had to go to the Dark Forest for detention. He was just a first year, like us! Can you imagine going to the dark forest?"

"Hey, why don't we go there now?" Reenie asked with a grin.

"NO!" all her friends shouted and Reenie pouted.

"You're no fun."

"Martina, you can't hide in here all evening!" Lavra shouted.

"Watch me!" Martina hissed through the door of her stall.

"You keep coming in here," Lavra said, "and I have to keep coming in here to drag you out. You're acting like a little kid."

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Come on, Martina," Lavra groaned as she leaned against the wall. "Vasil's starting to think I don't like him because I'm always coming in after you."

"Then go away!" Martina shouted. "I'm not asking you to abandon your date!"

"I'm not leaving without you!" Lavra insisted. "Oh come on, Constatine is a great guy. Just give him a chance."

"But he's so…so annoying!"

"Wait a moment," said Lavra grinning, "I know what this is about."

"What?"

"You don't want to dance with Constatine because he's annoying."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," Lavra stepped outside her door. "You don't want to dance with him because you can't dance!"

"I beg your pardon?" Martina demanded.

"Oh come on, I saw you out there," Lavra chuckled. "Stepping on his toes and tripping over your own feet. You looked like a stick out there! Hahaha!"

"Hey!" Martina opened the door. "That's not funny. You think you're a better dance than I am?"

"Well, yeah," Lavra said smugly. "Always came natural to me. Haven't you heard from the guys how good I am? And you've seen how I dance, Martina. I'm probably the best dancer in Durmstrang!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"Well, we'll see about that!" Martina snarled, stomping out of the bathroom.

Lavra laughed. "Worked like a charm. Why didn't I think of that earlier?"

Lavra followed Martina to the dance. Martina was beckoning Constatine off the stage so she could dance with him.

"Constatine, get your butt down here and dance with me!" she shouted.

"You—you want to dance with me again?" he asked, stars appearing in his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, get down here already!" she yelled.

"But of course!" Constatine put his guitar down and told someone else to sing. He jumped off the stage, grabbed Martina's arm and led her to the dance floor.

Grinning, Lavra went to her date. "Hi Vasil, sorry that I keep leaving you. It looks like I'm going to stay here for the rest of the night."

"Not a problem," said Vasil, looking at Martina. "What'd you say to her to make her come back?"

"Told her I was a better dancer than she is," Lavra replied. "She didn't like to hear of it so…"

"But…you are a better dancer," Vasil stated.

"I know," Lavra said, putting her hand on his shoulder. "But don't tell her that!"

Aimee really enjoyed the talk with Michelle. Michelle told her how long she had been playing violin, how it was like to be back in Beaxbatons and what subjects they liked best. Gregorie watched sadly from the tables. It was really strange to him. These dreams that he was having and now this sort of connection Aimee found with Michelle. Gregorie felt that there was something bigger coming and it was coming soon. Aimee would meet more girls with the same kind of "connection" she had with Michelle. Gregorie knew there was something there but he had no idea what it could be. His dreams were too foggy and even though he was the best divination student in Beaxbatons he couldn't find out what his dreams meant. All he knew was that his relationship with Aimee was going to change. Aimee was going to change.

And it scared him half to death. He didn't want the evening to end. He didn't even want to go to sleep after this because he knew tonight would trigger another dream.

After a couple of dances, Grégoire and Aimee went for a walk outside. Aimee was surprised that Grégoire was holding her hand. He never held her had before. She didn't pull it away but she didn't squeeze it either. She wasn't sure what to say or do so they walked in silence.

"Are you having a good time, Aimee?" Grégoire asked after some time.

"Of course," said Aimee, a little surprised.

"I'm glad," Grégoire said with a smile.

Aimee shivered and he put his arm around her. They both received pink patches on their cheeks. Aimee cleared her throat.

"Er, maybe we should return to the palace," she whispered.

"Right," said Grégoire, leading her back.

There were just a few more hours of the dance left. Grégoire had to enjoy the time he had with her now, because he was afraid he might not have another moment like this with her again.

"Wait a moment," Draco gasped, spotting Harry with Mina. "Is that Potter dancing with Mina?"

"Hmm, oh yes, I suppose it is," Serena said. "I guess they're still dancing together."

"Still?"

"Yeah," Serena replied, "Mina was pretty upset after your argument so I asked Harry to dance with her. Looks like she's starting to feel better."

"Damn that Potter," Draco muttered.

"Now, now, Draco," Serena grinned, "aren't you supposed to be trying to think positive of Gryffindor?"

"Gryffindor, yes," said Draco, "Potter, no."

Mina was able to look at Harry in his eyes every now and then. She couldn't look for too long or she was sure that she'd melt. Harry did his best to have her looking at him by talking to her.

"That was amazing how you caught the Snitch," said Harry.

"You think so?" Mina asked.

"Yeah," he said, "was that the first time you've ever done that flip thing?"

"It was," Mina answered, smiling slightly. "I wasn't really planning on it, it just came naturally."

"Well, that's what natural Seekers do," Harry stated. "They just do what comes naturally. You think I planned on catching the Snitch in my mouth?"

He laughed and Mina laughed too.

"What'd it taste like?" Mina inquired.

"Well, like gold," Harry replied, unable to come up with a better explanation.

Harry looked at the crescent moon symbol on her forehead. He remembered seeing something flash on her forehead when she caught the Snitch. But it wasn't a moon; it was, well, Harry wasn't sure what it was. It was some orange thing symbol with a heart attached to a vertical line and ahorizontal line through it. Harry thought he had seen a similar symol somewhere, like in atext book but he couldn't recall exactly where. The orange sybol that had flashed on Mina's forehad only lasted for a couple of seconds. That was why he was staring at her, besides how she caught the Snitch and she looked so cool doing it.

"What's with the moon?" Harry inquired.

"Oh, this?" Mina brought her hand to it. "I'm not sure. It was just part of my costume."

"Serena has one too," said Harry.

"Yeah, the costumes are from this witch comic a first year is writing," Mina explained. "She drws really well for a young kid. I think even your costume is one of her creations."

"It is?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, I guess Serena saw the picture and thought it'd look good on you."

"You think it does?" Harry asked.

"Er, why, yes," Mina replied, blushing slightly. She looked away and the saw Draco dancing with Serena. "Hey, Serena's dancing with Draco."

"What?" Harry demanded. "Why's Serena dancing with him?"

The two stopped dancing and walked over to Serena and Draco.

"Malfoy, why are you dancing with Serena?" Harry demanded.

"Why were you dancing with Mina?" asked Draco, still dancing with Serena.

"Because I asked him too!" Serena snapped. "I already told you."

"Draco…is this…how it's going to be?" Mina asked. "You're leaving me, for my cousin?"

"No, Mina, it's not what you think!" Serena said, stepping away from Draco immediatley. "Professor Shields made us dance together as punishment."

"For what?" Harry asked.

"Oh, we just had a little disagreement outside," said Draco lazily.

"On top of that," Serena said with a frown, "I have to write ten things that's good about Slytherin!"

"But nothing is good about Slytherin," said Harry.

"Watch your mouth, Potter!" Draco hissed. "I have to write about Gryffindor and you're not making it any easier."

Serena turned to Draco. "You know what? I think I'm done dancing with you. Professor Shields didn't say how long we were supposed to dance."

"Fine," said Draco.

Serena stepped away with Harry, leaving Mina with Draco. Mina looked sadly at her boyfriend.

"Drakikins, I have you know I didn't want to dance with Ha—Potter," she said. "Serena made me do it."

"I don't want to hear it, Mina," Draco murmured. "What's done is done."

The song ended and dancing couples stepped back to applaud the band.

"Thank you, very much!" Steven said excitedly. "Well, it looks to be about that time and we've got one last song."

Many people groaned. Girls broke in to sobs and pleaded for them to stay.

"We don't want to leave either, I promise you," said Tyler.

"I do," Nate muttered under his breath. "I'm tired."

"We've used a recorder charm to record all our songs," Steven said, "so we're going to replay a song while we come down and dance with you!"

The girls screamed and rushed toward the stage, about to pull all boys down. Their dates had to keep them back. Steven laughed.

"No, now, don't make me have to use a Banishing Charm on you girls!" he said with a wink.

"Steven, cut it out," said Tyler, blushing.

"So boys," Steven went on, "we ask you to please be kind as we borrow your girl for a dance. Could we have all the girls line up?"

"Slytherisn over here, please," said Nate, pointing to the spot across from him and Mina pushed through the crowd so Nate could see her.

"Yoo-hoo!" she called, waving her arms. "Nathan! I'm a Slytherin!"

"Mina!" Draco shouted.

"Oh come on, Draco," Serena teased, "he looks like you and he went to Slytherin…so why would it matter?"

Serena laughed and came to line up with the other girls then stopped when she saw Luna sitting with Neville. "Luna, come on! Don't you want to dance with them?"

"I don't tlike dancing, though," said Luna, "you know that."

"Luna."

"Go on, Luna," Neiville said sheepishly. "I don't mind, really."

"You're my date, Neville," Luna said firmly, "I came here with you and I'm going to spend my whole evening with you and that's just how it's going to be."

Neville's round face went pink. "Oh…well…thanks."

Serena grinned and leaned toward Luna. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "You like him, don't you?"

"Of course I like him," Luna said reproachfully, "he's my friend."

"Uh huh, right," Serena said, her voice still a whisper, "we'll talk later."

Serena straightened up and winked at Neville. "See ya in the common room, Neville!"

Laughing, Serena edged between Hermione and Lavender. Lavender was close to sobs.

"I hope Tyler picks me! If he doesn't…I'll just die!"

"It's unfair that they pick just one person to dance with," Hermione complained. "They should take turns."

"Maybe they will," Serena suggested.

"No way, I want to keep Nate all to myself!" Pavarti squaled.

"But you like Steven," Lavender reminded her.

"I do, he's so cool! And for a Slytherin, Nate's pretty cute!"

"He looks like Malfoy's older brother," Hermione muttered.

"And so no girls feel left out," Tyler said, "we'll repeat this song until you all get your chance."

He waved his wand to activate the song they had recorded earlier. The Shooting Stars came down the stage and walked to the line. Serena was not surprised that Steven walked right up to her and she didn't mind at all. She pretended to act surprise as all the girls gasped and looked on in jealousy. Tyler chose Padma Patil from Ravenclaw to dance with first. Nate chose Mina.

"Looks like you finally got to dance with me in the end, Steven," said Serena, grinning.

"Couldn't let the evening end without giving you a chance," Steven smirked. "Y'know, I've been thinking of writing a song for you?"

You don't have to do that," Serena said, "I've already got that autograph you gave me. I don't need anything else to remember you by."

"Well, you've inspired me," Steven insisted. "So expect a little something in a couple of weeks."

The students of all three schools thoroughly enjoyed the ball--even Martina after a while, until of course Constantine tried kissing her goodnight and she hexed his lips together. Aimee was surprised that Grégoire shoed a little more affection than she expected when he gave her a big hug and kissed her on each cheek. He was also surprised with himself and thought that he had ruined their friendship. All the girls were about to melt after they got to dance with the Shooting Stars.

In the Gryffindor common room, Serena kept trying to get poor Neville that she liked Luna.

"You liked my cousin, don't you?" she asked once he got in.

"N-no," he mumbled nervously. "She's in Slytherin and isn't she dating Malfoy?"

"Not Mina, silly!" Serena said with a laugh. "I mean Luna!"

"Er…yeah, sure," he said, tiptoeing around her to the boys' dormitories. "We're friends. Well, been a long night, I'm going to go to bed."

In his haste to get upstairs, he tripped on a step and had to push himself back up. Serena smirked and decided that she too should get some sleep.

"I got to get these stupid meatballs out of my hair," she said, turning to Harry. "I had lots of fun, even though it didn't come out just as I planned."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Harry said.

"Goodnight, Harry," Serena said as she pecked him on the cheek and went upstairs. She found that getting her hair down was impossible and even with the help of her dorm-mates she still couldn't get it down.

"This is making my neck hurt!" Serena wailed. "Get it down!"

"We're trying, Serena!" Lavender insisted. "We've tried just about everything."

"Curse them off if you have too," Serena cried. "Hermione, do something!"

"I've done everything I could think of," Hermione said, looking up from Hairstyles to Charm. "Uh oh, I think with all the trouble we went to put your hair up, it will stay that way for a while."

"What do you mean by a while?" Serena demanded.

"Well, the maximum is two days."

"TWO DAYS!" Serena screamed. "Oh, great!"

When the Slytherins returned to the common room, Reenie and the others were still huddled by the fire telling scary stories. Reenie's stories were all the bad guys she fought as a sailor scout and she was impressed on how well they scared her friends. They ignored them, muttering things under their breath as they went to bed. Reenie and her friends continued to tell stories and things until two in the morning and they fell asleep where they sat.

Dianna came to give her report of the ball to Reenie and found her napping against Rose. Rose was muttering in her sleep.

"The heart snatchers are coming! The heart snatchers are coming!"

"Looks like Reenie had a good night," Diana whispered as she put her kitty pas on Reenie. "Reenie, Reenie, wake up. I have some news!"

Reenie turned over and her hand fell on her cat. "I'm Sailor Mini Moon!"

"And I'm stuck!" Diana meowed. "REENIE! WILL YOU WAKE UP?"

"What the?" Reenie sat up straight, her hair all tangled. "Oh, Diana. Hi. Um, what am I doing in the common room? Didn't I go to bed last night?"

"No, I think you were here all night," said Diana.

"Man, my head hurts," Reenie groaned, rubbing her head. "I think I had too much to drink…"

"You sneaked that butterbeer?" Diana asked.

"Hey, I wanted to know what it tastes like!" Reenie muttered. "Besides, I had to practice the Levitation Charms for Charms anyway."

"Well," said Diana, "Darien went to the dance dressed as Tuxedo Mask. I had to persuade him a little."

"Did he dance with Serena?" Reenie asked hopefully.

"Yes, but there was a problem," said Diana with a sigh.

"Problem? What happened?"

"Well, Harry Potter was also dressed us Tuxedo Mask. And the whole time Serena was dancing with Darien, she thought ihr was Harry. She found out who he really was after a while and she got very mad at him. She even hit his hat off!"

"Oh no," Reenie groaned. "This isn't good. What do we do?"

"Maybe they just need time, Reenie," Diana suggested. "Just be patient."

"But I don't want to be patient!" Reenie said stubbornly. "I want them back together now!"

Reenie stood up and went down to the dormitories. Diana sighed and shook her head. "Poor Reenie."

Rose grunted in her sleep and reached out for Diana. Diana gasped.

"AHA!" said Rose. "I have Mistress Nine's secret weapon!"

"Reenie has to be careful what she tells her friends," Diana moaned, squeezing out of Rose's grasp.

TO BE CONTINUED

Hope you all enjoyed the Masquerade Ball (s). I made this chapter long to finish it all!