Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed, Harry Potter or any Tamora Pierce characters in this story.
Chapter Nine: The Yule Ball
Paige stood, in front of the floor lenght mirror of her dorm and looked at her dress. It was her favourite colour, pale blue, with silver flecks through it. It was a haulter top dress which flowed out when she spun. She looked at the flower wrist band Harry had given her before. It was a blue rose. She pinned it onto her wrist and slipped on her pale blue shoes. She checked her hair. It was out, pinned at one side and a flower at the other. She brushed her hair once more and left the dorm with Hermione and Ginny.
Hermione was wearing a pink frilly dress and her hair was done in a flowing style on her head. Ginny was wearing a bright red flame dress that was strapless and her red hair was pinned to one side. They left the dorm and walked down the stairs into the common room. Anders, Ron and Harry were chatting. Anders was wearing black dress robes with a bright red rose in the pocket. He walked to the girls first and took Ginny's hand, kissing it. Ginny blushed and winked at Hermione and Paige. Then, they left.
Ron was wearing new dress robes that his mother had made. He had a pink rose in his hand and gave it to Hermione, who was blushing. He took her hand and they left. Harry stood and looked up at Paige. He was wearing black dress robes with a blue rose in the pocket. He held out his hand and Paige took it. She walked close to him and he kissed her softly. "Beautiful ..." he murmered in her ear. Paige blushed and they headed to the Entrance Hall to join the others.
Paige and Harry entered the hall. They walked over to the others, who had been joined by Neville and Luna. Luna was wearing a long purple gown with her hair plaited. Neville was wearing new dress robes and was grinning at Luna. McGonagall suddenly appeared at their side and said to Harry and Paige. "Mr Potter, Miss Willows, you need to join the other champions. You all look lovely, excellent." She walked off and Harry and Paige bid the others bye and left to find Victor, Fleur, Fredrick and Elizabeth, the other champions.
Krum and Fleur were first in a group. Fleur was wearing a periwinkle blue dress and Krum was wearing a suit with a dead fox slung around his neck. Elizabeth and Fredrick were both wearing black, but Elizabeth's dress also had pink lining the black. They lined into two lines sorted like so. Krum and Fleur first, then Elizabeth and Fredrick followled lastly by Harry and Paige. Everyone had disappeared into the hall and they were waiting. Suddenly, the doors opened and they entered. They walked in and walked to the centre of the dance floor.
They stood, with their partners and the music started. A waltz. They all started and soon, the other students and teachers started dancing. When the song finished, Paige and Harry left. Harry didn't like dancing much and neither did Paige. They found Ron talking with Hermione. They both were just swaying with the music as they drank Butterbeer. Paige walked over. "Hi Hermione." Hermione nodded and grinned. "Ron, wanna go dance?" Ron grinned also and they left Paige and Harry alone. "Paige, want some Butterbeer?" Paige looked at Harry and said. "Sure, can I come with you?" Harry grinned and they left together to get something to drink.
A few minutes later, Paige stared up at the sky as she and Harry laid under a tree in the grounds. She reached to her side and took her Butterbeer. Taking a swig, she put the bottle down and looked over at Harry who was playing with his wand, making sparks appear everynow and then. It had been too hot when they returned to the Hall, and deceided to just stay outside. Paige looked right at Harry's face. He put his wand away and turned to look at her. "Paige, do you believe in love at first sight?" he asked.
Paige took a swig of Butterbeer and answered. "Maybe, depends on who you love." Paige looked into Harry's bright green eyes, as Harry moved closer to her. "It's really cold, don't you think, Paige." he whispered. Paige drained her Butterbeer and snuggled close to Harry. Harry put his arm around her and looked deeply at her. "Harry ... do you love me?" Harry looked at Paige. "Yes, I do Paige." he murmered. "I loved you ever since we became pen pals, Harry." whispered Paige. Harry proped up onto his elbows and looked at Paige. She smiled softly, in a flirtatious way. Harry looked into her eyes, that were soft in the dim light, and he kissed her long and softly. Paige kissed back. Then, they cuddled together.
But, soon they heard a loud bang and lept to their feet. Paige whipped out her glaive which had instantly appeared and Harry took out his wand. They ran together towards the source of the noise. Paige looked up. The Great Hall was engulfed in flames. "Harry! A fire!" she screetched towards Harry. They ran up the castle steps and the doors flung open. Students and teachers alike came out, some screaming, some just running. Paige leant out and grabbed Lady Alanna. "Lady Knight, we have to help!" she said loudly to her. Alanna nodded and drew her sword. "Follow me Harry, Paige." she screetched over the screams. Harry and Paige took each others hand and ran after her.
They approached the entrance of the Hall. McGonagall came running out. "Albus is still in there. He's stuck! It's a powerful cursed fire!" and she ran out. Paige thought of Dumbledore. "We have to save him!" she shouted. Lady Alanna nodded and shouted to Paige. "Control the flames, WildMage. You have to make it disappear. You can do this." Paige nodded and ran into the flaming hall. She ran right into a burst of flame and some of the fire disappeared. She saw Harry and Alanna creep into the hall and focused her energy into the flames. She summonded her gift and felt the great surge of flame. She screamed. Then, with the power pushing down on her, she vanished the flames.
Then, with effort she sank to her knees, panting in great drawing breaths. The hall was a great black smokey mess. Paige stood, shaking hard and wandered around slowly. She saw something pale blue sticking out of a burnt table. She ran over and pushed it aside. There was her uncle Corri. "Uncle Corri, wake up." she said. His face was blackened and burnt. She picked up his form and dragged him out of the hall. Paige walked down the stone steps of the castle and put Corri's body on the stone cold path. Thayet was watching and she ran, shouting. "Corri! Move, my husband! Corri!" she sobbed.
Paige leant over his body. He was dead. She started crying. Suddenly, Lady Alanna and Harry appeared. "Dumbledore is dead." said Alanna in a grim voice. "He was in the centre of the flames and they engulfed him. The flames were cursed, to kill the headmaster." Harry walked slowly towards Paige and whispered in a choked voice. "Come, Paige. Come with me." Paige stood and gripped Harry's hand. But, as they started walking, Paige screamed and fought. Prue was forcing a force of magic upon her.
She screamed again and Harry shouted. "Prue, stop this!!" Paige fought and broke from Harry's grip. She ran, towards the lake. "Paige!" shouted Harry, running after her. Paige got to the lake and threw herself into it. She floated near the surface and fainted in the water, her hair flowing around her. Harry waded into the lake and pulled her to the bank. Harry started crying in a choked up strangled voice and Paige started mumbling. "Penny ... Penny fought the boy ... he tryed to make her ... he tryed to make her kill herself ... but I protected Penny ... Penny got taken by him ... Penny!" she screamed as she sank into Harry slack arms. But, as she fainted, she saw a figure emerge then fade from the forest. The note!