Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

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Chapter Eight: Halloween Ball

Hope waited at the top of the stairs for Voldemort to make his announcement when she recognized the cold voice she would not have to deal with for awhile after tonight.

"Welcome my wonderful followers and friends. Tonight we have a special guest joining us; please welcome Hope Collins, the key to winning this war."

Hope made sure her smile was in place before beginning her descent down the stairs. About halfway down, she caught sight of her godfather and connected her eyes with his. She noticed the proud smile on his face and had to fight to keep her smile from growing.

Once she was down the stairs, Snape escorted her over to where Voldemort was standing. Hope executed her curtsy perfectly, causing Snape to smirk. Hope turned after facing Voldemort and went to meet Draco.

Her first impression of the blonde haired boy was, wow. He was handsome, but not in the way she liked. He had a look about him that made her think that he had been through a lot in his life, yet from what Severus had said, he still ended up on the side of the light.

She realized with a start she was staring and had caught almost the entire room's eye. Hope blushed slightly while lifting her hand out to Draco. She felt his lips brush against her hand and knew instantly there would be nothing between them. She could act though, and for tonight, she would have to act like she is falling in love with Draco.

Draco led a beautiful Hope onto the dance floor. He bowed to her at the same time she curtsied, and then they began the slow dance.

Draco and Hope danced for that song and for four more afterwards. Both enjoyed the company of each other. They were becoming good friends, and found it easy to talk to the other. Draco went to get the two of them something to drink while Hope took a seat at a small table. She was smiling when a hand landed on her shoulder causing her to jump.

"Having fun?" Her godfather asked her, ignoring the reaction.

"Loads! Draco is amazing. He's more like the brother or friend type than a boyfriend, but he's so fun to be around. And he's such a good dancer, and he's easy to talk to and…"

Severus laughed at the girl, knowing how excited she was by the rambling she was doing. He interrupted right before Draco arrived, saving her from embarrassing herself in front of the young boy.

"I'll see you later tonight, Hope. Don't forget there is a dance in there for me," he said, giving her a mock glare before returning to another group of people, leaving a laughing Hope and Draco to enjoy their drinks.

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Hope was out on the dance floor again with Draco when she spotted a familiar figure in black dress robes over in the shadows. She shook her head and continued dancing for a couple more songs before she saw him again. She pulled back from the dance and whispered into Draco's ear.

"I'll be right back, I've got to talk to Severus, so now would be the best time to get in the dance I owe him," she said quickly before turning around.

Hope had to look for Severus before she could find him. She eventually found him among Narcissa and Lucius, as well as two men she vaguely remembered as Crabbe and Goyle. She walked up to her godfather and cleared her throat to grab his attention.

"Yes, Hope?" He asked with a hint of fake impatience in his tone.

"I was wondering if you might want that dance I owe you now," she said, locking eyes with him so he would know that it wasn't an option.

"Sure. If you would excuse me, Lucius," he said with a nod toward the group.

Out on the dance floor he gave Hope a look signaling for her to tell him what was going on. He was a little surprised when she was a little reluctant.

"What time is everyone supposed to arrive here?" She asked quietly, her voice coated in worry.

"Not for awhile. You wanted to go to your first ball; they are respecting that, thinking you deserved it after what you've been through. I would say in about two hours. Most of the people would have already left by then. Why?" He responded just as quietly.

"Harry is here."

"Harry. You mean Harry Potter?" Severus responded, venom coating his voice.

Hope nodded, causing Severus to growl quietly before his eyes scanned the room.

"What am I supposed to do? He can't know what is going on or it would blow everything. Am I supposed to make him think that I really do want to stay here with Voldemort? Do I make him think I hate him and that if he doesn't leave then I'll alert Voldemort to his presence and take personal pleasure in watching Harry be killed? Or do I just tell him the truth and hope that nobody finds out?"

Severus sighed. He knew how hard this was for Hope. She had met Potter before she was captured and used that as a stronghold. Harry had lost his parents, had suffered the Cruciatus curse, and watched Voldemort's rebirth, yet he still fought on the right side. If he could do it, then anyone could. At least, that's how his goddaughter viewed it.

"Hope, it's necessary, but he has to think that you joined The Dark Lord's forces. Nobody would dare listen in on me or one of my conversations for fear of the outcome if they were caught. A stranger however, they would be curious. You don't want the Dark Lord to find that you are playing him, or it would be horribly painful."

Hope nodded and sighed before finishing the dance and finding her blonde haired escort for another dance. She was at least going to enjoy a little bit more of tonight before she had to ruin it with more acting.

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Hope was in the middle of a faster paced dance when she felt another tap on her shoulder causing her to jerk away and almost fall. The only thing that stopped her from falling was Draco's arms that went strongly around her waist to steady her.

"Miss Collins, a pleasure to meet the real you," Lucius Malfoy said, extending his hand for hers.

It's just an act; it's just a bloody act, Hope told herself as she gave him her hand, which he lifted to his lips.

"Would you give me the pleasure in escorting you in a dance?" Lucius' voice made her have to stop a shiver from visibly shaking her body. This was the man who shot the last curse at both her parents. She wasn't afraid of the man. On the contrary, she wanted him dead.

Hope walked with him onto the middle of the dance floor. They danced as he talked casually.

"I'm happy you finally came around. Was nearly impossible to find a suitable lady for Draco. All the currently pureblood witches are weak, and he needs a strong woman to stand beside him."

"Draco is an amazing guy. I'm looking forward to the chance to become closer to him throughout the night and even in the future," Hope was able to answer honestly.

"So you two are having a good time together?"

"Excellent."

The rest of the dance continued in the same fashion, until it finally ended. Hope made a quick exit and scanned the room. Seeing the one she was looking for, she quickly made her way to him. She tapped his shoulder and put on her best scowl, before looking straight into his emerald eyes.

"Harry James Potter, I don't know what the hell you are doing here, but we need to talk, and we need to talk now."

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A/N: Please review, I'm really getting upset with the lack of them. NOBODY reviewed this past chapter which is why you are only getting one chapter. Otherwhise you wouldn't be left with a cliffhanger. If you are reading then review or email me at It's really not a hard concept.

Thanks, as always, to Nita for everything.

Kayla