Part VI
Last night events didn't go to well; at least not in Ten's opinion as she woke up groggily the next morning. She placed herself into a sitting position at six-thirty in the morning before school and replayed last night event in her mind, feeling depressed by the seconds.
'I hope I wasn't too harsh on you, Harry,' she thought, sighing heavily. Thinking that nothing good will happen at the moment, she got up and took a long hot shower in the bathroom en suite before getting into lessons.
She conjured a hair dryer and dried her hair into softness before brushing out the tangles and setting parts of her hair onto her shoulders. She wrapped her jumper around her waist, leaving the untie tie around her neck, with her top two buttons undone, showing a bit of her skin near her neck. She placed her boots onto her feet, swung her bag over her shoulder and after one final look around her bedroom to check she hadn't left anything, she exited her bedroom.
She met her best friend in the Slytherin Common Room, sitting on the leather black couch in front of the fire, staring into space.
"Iris?" her best friend called. Immediately, the black-headed witch snapped out of her daze and greeted back.
"You OK?" the heiress asked.
"Fine. Just glad we got two more nights for the potion. I don't think I can handle being in his presence," she rolled her eyes for effect. There was a bang nearby and the two girls watched as the Blond headed prefect exited his own bedroom and out of the Slytheirn Common Room. Wanting some breakfast, the two girls followed his lead.
-00-
Chattering in the Great Hall was normal as usual, the students coming in and out of the hall, grabbing something to eat, doing last minute homework, chattering or checking mail. Surprisingly, even Ten received one as her snowy owl, Athena, swooped down and landed on her shoulder, a scroll tied to her foot.
Ten untied the red ribbon and let her pet take some food from her plate as she opened the letter and read the message.
Dearest Ten,
I am really sorry for what happened last night. For snapping at you and for thinking so dark, that I realized that it was completely not me. I hope you can accept my sincere apology.
When you spoke that speech to me, it got my brain thinking, that maybe there are something worth in the world to fight for, and if this makes you happy as well as it makes me happy, then I'll do my best to fight as best as I could against Voldemort and survive, knowing that there are friends, family and a very special person waiting for me.
Thank you for showing me the light. I am forever in your depth.
Once again, I hope you can accept my apology.
Harry.
A small smile played on the heiress's lips as she read the message a couple of more times. She heard a squawk and stroked her pet's feather, before she spread out her wings and flew back to the owlery.
"Come on. We've got History of Magic," sighed Ten, getting up. Iris groaned and followed her lead, practically dragging her legs.
"Who sent you that mail?" asked Iris, walking alongside of her best friend.
"Err… no one. Personal business," she answered. Silver pools narrowed suspiciously and amusedly at the girl beside her, knowing the familiar frown expression on her face.
"Right," she spoke sarcastically. "Let me guess. It's a love letter."
"Iris!" Ten cried, growing pink in the face. "It's so not!"
The two girls entered and sat in the usual place at one half of the classroom. Ten didn't notice that she was sitting right in front of the boy-who-lived until they locked gaze. Ten quickly broke it and bent down to retrieve her stuff from her bag.
"I'm going to sleep," the black-headed witch yawned, and rested her head on her arms. Ten could only shake her head before going back to Professor Binn's boring and drowning voice.
"Another long lesson," she muttered.
-00-
"Man," sighed Ten. "I thought he would never shut up,"
"What? Who?" asked Iris, still tired.
"Professor Binns," the brunette grimaced.
"DUMBLEDORE!" someone called. The two girls looked up to see two seventh-year prefects walking up to her.
"Is there a problem?"
"When and where do we meet?" the boy asked. The golden badge in front of his robes with the letter 'H' indicates that he's the Head Boy of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Tonight we meet at the entrance hall straight after dinner. Gather every single prefect to meet us there," she answered.
The two heads nodded and left the two witches, making their way to their next lesson.
"What's up with that?" questioned Iris.
"The Halloween Ball. The prefects and I are going to decorate the hall."
"How can you when students going to notice the decorations if you are planning on having it as a surprise?"
"Who said the decorations are going to be in the Great Hall?" the heiress quirked an eyebrow.
"Oh," was all the black-head witch could say.
-00-
That night did the prefects all met at the Entrance Hall, after desert (Apple pie) and were waiting or the final person: Ten. She was the last person to walk out, alongside Professor Dumbledore as they were deep in talk. After what seems to be five minutes, the two Dumbledore's bid each other good night and Ten hurried to the group.
"Sorry I'm late. Shall we get going?" she greeted. There was a round of nods and the door to the grounds opened. Ten stepped out followed by the rest and she led the way to the other side of Hogwarts, where there was a small mansion.
Ten took the key that was around her neck and placed it inside the lock and twisted it. There was a 'click' and the door opened noiselessly and the group entered. Torches were flickered into light when the heiress stepped into the ballroom.
The prefect gasped at the sight.
"This ballroom is what we will use for the Halloween Ball. If all goes well that night we might reuse it for the Christmas Ball, but until then, let's get cleaning and decorating," she chirped.
The groups were split up and got started by painting the walls in white after Ten used the 'scorgify' spell to make it clean. She even waved her wand to let a soft music to play, as it gets the students to work more easily.
"That's nice," a female, sixth-year, hufflepuff prefect spoke.
"It's soothing, isn't it?" nodded the heiress. "It's classic from Beethoven,"
"Beethoven?" the bushy-haired Gryffindor repeated. "I love Beethoven."
"One of the best composers," nodded the brunette. "How is your potion reports coming?" she asked as an after-thought.
"Quite well, if I say so myself. Why?" she answered.
"I just thought I start up a conversation. I'm getting bored here."
Hermione giggled. "Apparently we both asked each other an embarrassing question without realizing. We are always having a laugh every time we look back at it."
"That's nice," smiled Ten.
"What about yours? You're partnered up with Harry, right?"
"That's right. We're slowly getting to know each other through the truth potion. Nothing too harsh, nothing too embarrassing," she blushed lightly as Harry's confession of loving her came into her mind.
"Something tells me there's more than that," Hermione gave her a look. "He has been acting a bit weird since yesterday."
"Really?" asked Ten.
"Yeah. It's really strange. He wouldn't tell us what's wrong. He's just living day after day." Hermione frowned. "Do you have any idea?"
"Not that I know of," the brunette answered.
-00-
It was the last night of the potion reports and once again the two teens met at the lake again for the last time.
"I'm going to miss this," sighed Harry.
"What?" the brunette mentally gasped, as she looked over at her partner.
"It was nice doing this," he smiled.
"Are you feeling alright?" a dark eyebrow was raised in amusement.
"Perfectly fine," he grinned.
"Anyways, we've got the other potion. If I know Professor Snape, I think we're going to be partners for a whole year."
The heiress of Dumbledore picked up a vial filled with clear substance. Taking off the cap, she drank the liquid in one gulp. Her faced contorted in disgust. Harry had to chuckle.
"It's not funny," she grimaced before her pupils faded away and her eyes were just blue.
"Question one: Would you like to go to the Halloween Ball with me?" he asked, surprised at his boldness.
Her answer was simple and straightforward. "Yes,"
The Boy-who-lived smiled. 'At least that's out of the way. I have to tell her the answer she gave after this. It wouldn't be fair if she didn't know.' He thought. Another thought ran through his mind. 'She might kill me that I asked her while under the influence of the potion.'
"Question two: Have you ever fell in love?" he asked.
'She's definitely going to kill me when she knows about this.' The boy nodded to himself.
Ten frowned. "Once. I thought I was in love, but that was proved wrong a few weeks ago. I thought I loved David Koltchak, the DADA professor. We've known each other since I was about nine-years-old, when I went to Russia for the first time on a mission. That was also the time when I met Iris and we became best friend immediately. Don't ask why for I don't have the answer. I thought I loved her cousin, but it was just a crush. Nothing more and nothing less."
Ten let out a sigh, tears already brimmed her eyes.
'I wish I have never said that.' Harry mentally kicked himself.
"I'm sorry," he blurted. "Last question."
Ten wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, waiting.
"Who do you love now?" he whispered.
Ten sat uncomfortably in her spot fighting the potion, whether or not to tell him the answer. Feeling the substance taking over her mind and sense, she took a deep breath before speaking.
"A boy in my year. When I first set my eyes on him, I felt weird, a bit light-headed, but back then I didn't know what was wrong with me. So I just continued my life as it is, more aware of David then him.
"When I was set to be his partner, every time we touch, whether it was an accident or whatever, I always feel a jolt of electricity running through me and every night I cried in vain just to figure out what it means. But now I know. He was the boy my grandfather was talking about; he was the boy my mother was talking about when I was unconscious that week; he was the boy my heart cried."
Ten stopped there, and Harry thought that was the end of the answer no matter how desperate he wanted to know whom she loves. But he heard a small sigh and looked up to see Ten speaking once more.
"The boy I love has what I think is a nice figure; spiky jet-black hair; those gorgeous, emerald green eyes…"
Harry held his breath as she spoke those, and wanting her to continue more… just to make sure. The potion was wearing out, but Ten didn't notice as she continued answering the question.
"One thing that I find amazing, and I have no doubt that he would be frustrated about this, is his scar: the shape of the lightning bolt; a mark for life. Sometimes I wish it didn't happen to him; I wish that someone else would hold the burden for he doesn't deserve it. But I know I cannot go back in time and change the past, for it is his destiny."
The potion was finally off her and Ten let out a sentence before she could stop herself.
"I love you, Harry James Potter."
Blue orbs widen as the words came out in a whisper, and she look at Harry, who was looking back at her with the same surprise. His hands were shaking slightly. Feeling heat on her face knowing she was blushing, Ten looked away, staring into the lake. But her face was gently turned and she had no choice but to drown herself into those striking, emerald, green eyes she always love.
Nerving himself, Harry leaned forward and captured Ten's lips in a gentle kiss. Her eyelids fluttered close as she slowly responded, almost melting into Harry's arms as they were carried into a world of their own.
Finally, Harry reluctantly broke the kiss and a comfortable silence filled the Hogwarts grounds as they gazed into each other's eyes.
"Does that mean what I think it means," Ten asked breathlessly.
Harry gave her a hesitant smile. "I'm looking for a girlfriend… that is, if you're interested…"
"Only if you are," she replied with a grin.
"Er…" Harry stammered. "I can't really be your girlfriend, as I'm a… er… boy, but…"
Ten silenced him with another kiss. When they came up for air, Harry was pretty sure he knew Ten's answer.
"Is that a yes, then?"
"I suppose so," she agreed.
Harry blinked. "Well… good, then…"
They stared at each other for a moment. Unable to control his will, Harry swiftly captured the heiress's lips once more and kissed her senseless. Ten moaned and closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling his face closer. After they pulled apart for air, she flashed him a brilliant smile and nipped at his lower lip. Harry smiled.
"Before I forget, when you were still under the potion's influence, I asked you to the Halloween ball," the boy-who-lived said quietly.
"And? What was my answer?" asked the brunette.
Harry smiled more widely. "You accepted."
Ten grinned back and pecked his lips briefly. Harry frowned for not been able to respond.
"No fair," he whined. Ten giggled. She sighed and looked at her watch.
"It's almost curfew," she said. "We need to return." Harry moaned but nevertheless got up and put his things in his back, Ten doing the same.
"And I was getting used to your company," he grimaced. A hand was holding his, their fingers entwining and he squeezed gently, before feeling a weight on his shoulder. He smiled to himself as the two teens walked back to the Hogwarts building.
"I'll walk you to the Gryffindor Tower. Just in case you ran into Mr. Filch," volunteered Ten. Harry made no reply but placed an arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. They walked up the grand staircase to the entrance of the Gryffindor Common Room where the portrait of the Fat Lady was looking down at them in amusement.
"See you tomorrow," greeted Harry.
"Good luck… or the Slytherin will kick your butt," the heiress grinned pecking his lips. She then turned around and walked back down the stairs. Harry sighed blissfully at watching her retreat before giving the password and entering his dormitory. The Fat Lady chuckled at him as she closed the portrait.
-00-
Ten walked down the stairs and took the route from the grand staircase to the Entrance Hall to the Dungeons, making her way to the Slytheirn Common Room. Giving the password, the snake's eyes glowed and the portrait opened. The brunette entered and ignoring her surroundings, she went to her bedroom and laid down on her bed.
"Ten?" someone called.
Ten looked at the doorway to see Malfoy and Iris looking down at her.
"Come in, Guys," she chirped.
"Everything ok?" asked the Blonde.
"Everything fine, Draco," the brunette smiled.
"Because you completely ignored us when you entered the common room," Iris gave her a knowing look.
"I did? Sorry guys," Ten mentally kicked herself. "I was in my own world."
"What happened?" the heir sighed.
"Nothing." Was the reply.
Malfoy gave her a glare.
"I was only asked out by Harry to come to the Halloween Ball. Nothing more and nothing less." She quickly glanced at Iris.
"HE WHAT?!" yelled the Blonde.
"Draco, chill! Please!" cried Ten.
"How can I? Next thing you know, you'll be snogging him."
Ten blushed at that. Malfoy narrowed his eyes at her.
"You did, didn't you?"
There was no reply. "Shove off, Malfoy. So what if we did? Just because he rejected your friendship back in your first year doesn't mean I can't be his friend, or girlfriend for that matter!"
Malfoy took a deep breath.
"I'm just looking out for you."
"You will be the first to know if something went wrong," Ten promised.
-00-
The rise of the sun brought Ten out of her dreams as she was shaken awake by her captain.
"Wassa matter?" she asked sleepily.
"Match," was all he said and he left the room. Ten got out of her bed and went and took a hot shower that made her wide awake. Instead of putting on her usual jeans and top, she put on her green Quidditch Robe and with her broom in her hand, she exited her bedroom and met the rest of the team in the Common Room. Iris was there also.
"Let's go," was all the Blonde said and feeling too tired to talk, the rest of the team followed.
When they entered the Great Hall, they found it empty with one or two students here and there and the team sat at the table as a group instead of their own spots. Immediately and magically, a goblet, a plate of breakfast and tea, coffee and pumpkin juice appeared in front of them.
Without a word, the eight of them all dug into their breakfast, too hungry to talk either. But Iris doesn't like the silence. She never has, so she sparked up a conversation with Ten.
"Do we have to go to the ball?" whined Iris.
"Yes. With a date AND a dress!" Ten sighed in frustration. The blond captain smirked at the two.
"Ten!" a cheery voice said. The witch looked up at the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, more particularly, to a certain green-eyed captain. "Good luck for today's match."
She smiled. "Thanks, Harry… to you too!"
Dean Thomas, one of the new Gryffindor Chasers, stepped forwards. He snickered lightly, "hope there's a bit of actually challenge from your part, this year…" he motioned the rest of the Slytherins with a nod.
The Slytherin Prince got up quickly, with the rest of his team doing the same.
"Watch your tongue, you-"
"Malfoy's trying to say that we'll pretend we didn't just hear that and no more jokes will be said, that right?" the normal twinkling sapphire eyes grew cold, as the heiress of Dumbledore glared at Dean, who had the decency of looking ashamed. The rivalry between Houses was tense and both captains were glaring daggers at each other. But Ten knew, Draco was only doing that to show his old reputation, not the new one she was getting used to. Rolling her eyes, the heiress snapped her fingers in front of those grey hues and the Blond turned away from his enemy.
He finally sat down. Contrary to what people said, he felt responsible for the rest of the Slytherins. They were like his family, much more proper than his own since he had someone whom he could call sister. They trusted him and he trusted them. It was his responsibility to look out for them. As simple as that.
Not feeling hungry anymore, Draco abandoned his food and left the Great Hall, leaving a message for the Slytherin Quidditch Team to meet him in ten minutes.
"That was odd," commented the black-headed witch.
A shrugs was the only thing Ten could do at the moment as she finished her breakfast. Nodding to Iris, she got up from her seat and made her way to the exit of the Great Hall. There was a tap on her shoulder and she turned around only to be lip locked with someone. Feeling the familiar warmth running through her, she closed her eyes and kissed back a bit before parting, smiling at the boy-who-lived.
"Missed me?" he grinned.
"Very," she grinned back and pecked his cheek.
"Can't wait for tomorrow's night," he whispered, running a finger down her jaw. Ten playfully tried to bite it.
"Me neither. But we're going to have to," her eyes twinkled the famous Dumbledore twinkle. Harry chuckled.
"I'll see you on the pitch, love," he said and pecked her lips once more before returning back to his team. Ten saw the rest of the Slytherin team making their way out and waited for them.
-00-
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS, WELCOME TO THE FIRST QUIDDITCH MATCH OF THE SEASON. TODAY IS SLYTHERIN VERSUS GRYFFINDOR!!!" a boy name Marc announced, as he was the new commentator. There was a round of applauses and whistles as the doors at the side opened.
"INTRODUCING GRYFFINDOR!"
One-by-one the Gryffindors made their appearance on the pitch as the commentator read out the surname of the players.
"POTTER! WEASLEY! WEASLEY! CREEVEY! CREEVEY! THOMAS! AAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDD FINNIGAN!"
Flags of scarlet and gold were waving about from the Gryffindor supporters.
"INTRODUCING SLYTHERIN! MALFOY! DUMBLEDORE! CALUB! NICKELBACK! COIL! ROSA! AAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDD IVANOV!"
Flags of green and silver were waving about from the Slytherin supporters.
The fourteen players all flew a lap around the pitch for honor before placing themselves as a circle, the two seekers as well as the captains a bit higher than the rest of the player. Madam Hooch made her way to the centre of the pitch where there was a trunk and kicked it open. The bludgers flew up in the air along with the golden snitch. The quaffle was in her hands and when the whistle blew, she threw it in the air.
The first one that caught the quaffle was the Slytherin's best chaser Ten and she weaved in and out of the crowd of the Quidditch players and zoomed towards the Gryffindor Post, where Ron was waiting, defending the hoops. There was a roar of cheering for the heiress and surprising the crowd, she scored a goal upside-down.
"DUMBLEDORE SCORES! TEN POINTS FOR THE SLYTHERIN!"
Another roar of cheering was heard. The heiress grinned and returned back to defending her Slytherin hoop. She zoomed towards one of the Gryffindor Chasers, punching the red quaffle out of their grasped and passed it down to Calub. She floated where she was as she watched her other two companions making their score. Slytherin was doing great.
Draco Malfoy briefly abandoned his search for the snitch and lowered himself to the same level as Dumbledore.
"I have to admit," he smiled. "The strategy does need to be changed," and with that he flew higher to resume his search. Smirking at herself, Ten joined back into the game making a few score.
"TWENTY MINUTES OF EMOTION AND BOTH TEAMS ARE TIED AT 70-70! SEEKERS, IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO CATCH THE DAMN SNITCH NOW, DON'T YOU THINK?" angered green eyes and stormy grey ones narrowed at the blonde Hufflepuff, as they kept searching, while the crowd snickered slightly.
Ten continued to pass the quaffle to her fellow companions went suddenly she felt herself going lower and lower to the bottom of the pitch. She tried to mount the broom higher and but it didn't obey her commands. There was only one thing she could think off: she placed her hand at the edge of one of the tower and released her hold off the broom, letting it descend to the ground. She pulled herself up and with the help of her grandfather, she was now standing in the tower bridge.
"What's wrong, dear?" asked the headmaster.
"I don't know. My broom wouldn't go higher. It just keeps descending to the ground."
Malfoy, who was nearby heard the conversation and looked around desperately for the snitch, hoping against all hope that they would win. With one chaser out of the game, the Slytherins were working harder than before to gain more points. They managed from time to time, but it's the getting-the-quaffle-from-the-gryffindors that's the problem. But they didn't have to worry about that problem anymore as there was a round of gasping and then cheering coming from the crowds.
Ten, who was sitting at the edge of the tower, saw a blur of red and green along with gold, knowing that the seekers were after the snitch already. She smiled, wondering who to cheer on: her boyfriend, or her team mate. She decided both so she stayed quiet as she watched the intense match. As the two seekers flew passed the Slytherin bench, Ten noticed a small commotion: Pansy Parkinson and Iris Koltchak. She groaned.
Parkinson, along with her friends, was holding Iris on the railings of the stands, snickering evilly.
"IRIS!" screamed Ten.
Iris was let go, and she began to fall from a twenty feet high stands. She screamed, trying as hard as she can to use her telepathy to slow down her fall but the wind was thrashing her face, taking her mind off task. There was nothing else, nothing to do, but continue screaming.
Draco who was nearby, was heard the screamed and turned to the source of the sound. His heat missed a few beats as he saw the witch falling, looking up to see Parkinson the one responsible. There was only one thing he could do. He abandoned his search for the snitch and flew towards the Slytherin stand. Everything happed so fast: Draco zoomed passed the Ravenclaw stands; the school gasped at Iris falling then let out a sigh of relief.
Iris felt herself continuing falling then not falling. She had her eyes shut tight.
"It's ok," a muscular, male voice said. "I got you."
The black-headed witch peak an eye open and gasped.
"You…" she breathed.
Ten let out a breath she was holding as she saw her friend being saved from the one the girl despised. 'At least now they would get along,' she thought, smiling to herself. Then there was a round of applause and cheering coming from the Gryffindor Stand. The heiress looked up to see the green-eyed captain, floating in the air on his broom, his hand around the small snitch, a grin on his face. Gryffindor had won.