Disclaimer: I own nothing excpet Hope and the plotline. The rest belongs to JK Rowling, etc.

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Chapter Nine: Unexpected Results

Harry was staying in the shadows as he tried not to be seen. Nobody should have been able to recognize him, but he was still avoiding the risk. He wanted to find Hope, but he could accomplish that without being killed in the process. He spotted her dancing with someone who he recognized instantly from the platinum blonde hair; Malfoy.

Harry watched, upset, as Hope danced in turn with both Malfoys as well as Snape. She seemed to honestly be having a good time throughout the entire evening, causing Harry to finally turn away in disgust. She was so easily swayed to their side.

Harry's mind was battling against defending Hope and believing she'd joined his arch enemy. At least he was until someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around and looked straight into Hope's midnight blue eyes, knowing what she was about to say wouldn't be good.

"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," she said in a stern voice, and with a scowl that almost matched Snape's.

"I supposed we do. Nice tiara. A gift?" He asked, taking it off her head to examine it.

"Yes, a gift from my date, Draco. Now like I said, we are going to talk," she growled before placing it back on her head.

"We'll talk. But first, you have to dance with me, Hope. If you can stand to dance with Malfoy, I shouldn't be that bad." Harry had to maintain some degree of faith that she wasn't truly on their side. That it wasn't too late to convince her to stay on the side where she would survive.

"I'm not dancing with you. Draco is quite a wonderful dancer, and he and I are intended to be together by the Dark Lord himself. Now I suggest you leave before someone sees you and takes you to the Dark Lord. Or rather, stay, I'd like to see some action tonight."

"Hope, is there a reason you're standing in a corner with a stranger, rather than dancing with your partner?" Snape's voice came from Hope's left.

"I'm only catching up with an old acquaintance, Severus. I will be back with Draco soon enough. Besides, Draco and I have forever, from the way Lucius is talking," Hope said with a shrug.

"Very well, but do something other than stand around, or our master shall not be happy," Snape said with a nod before walking off.

Hope sighed, knowing she would have to dance with Harry or else she would be punished. She would also be punished for dancing with Harry more than likely, but she wouldn't receive a lecture from Severus.

"Come on, let's go dance. You can ask your questions, then you will get your pathetic arse out of here. By the way, how did you get here? And how are you not being recognized?"

Harry laughed and led the way to the dance floor. "I'll ask you the first question. We'll take turns, until one runs out then the other answers. Deal?" He said, bowing to her as they started the dance.

Hope glared. "Fine."

Harry shrugged and asked his question. "Are you really on Voldemort's side?"

Hope forced her face to remain neutral. "Of course. What other side would I be on? You're question. How did you get here?"

Harry had the grace to blush. "I grabbed onto the portkey Snape and Draco used. Why did you decide to join him?"

"The Dark Lord has provided me with a gorgeous room, as many clothes as I could imagine, and people who do what I say without thinking about it. I'm necessary to him. He knows this and wouldn't dare lose me, so he keeps me happy. How come nobody has recognized you?"

Harry's face fell noticeably. "I placed a spell on myself to make it so only you can notice me. Hope, do you know you will have to choose between me dying and Voldemort dying?"

"I already told you I'd enjoy watching the Dark Lord kill you right here and now. I'm out of questions, so finish yours up before I get into trouble for dancing with you."

Instead of answering her, Harry gently brushed his lips up against hers. "Hope, I realized that day they took you that I was falling in love with you."

Hope had to force her hands to stay at her side rather than lifting themselves to her lips. "You shouldn't love me, Potter. It'll cause you problems."

"I do though, Hope. I always will, but if you stay on this side, I will not stop anyone from killing you, and I will do whatever is necessary to kill the man who killed my parents, my godfather, and my friend. He'll just keep going, and if you want to be a part of that, then you'll die alongside him. If not, then come with me now."

Harry waited for her to answer. After a few minutes, his face showed disappointment and sorrow and he turned and left the ballroom before pulling out his invisibility cloak and unshrinking it. He pulled it on and went to wait until the rescue began.

Hope stared open mouthed at the door where Harry left until a hand on her shoulder brought her back to the present.

"Hope, the Dark Lord wishes to speak with you, and he's not happy."

Hope closed her eyes and nodded before allowing Draco to lead her over to her punishment.

She knelt down in front of him and closed her eyes.

"Hope, who were you dancing with?"

"An old friend, my Lord. I apologize, but I haven't seen him in awhile and decided to take the chance to catch up with him over a dance."

"I see. And did you wonder how you would make your date feel by dancing with another person?"

"No my Lord, I didn't. I apologize again."

"Apologies don't help you remember your mistakes. Crucio!"

Hope closed her eyes and bit her lip to keep from screaming out. It had been weeks since her body had received the curse so her body was not used to it.

Finally Voldemort dropped the curse, and Hope was left curled up on the floor. The world around her was foggy so she gave in to the darkness.

"Severus, clean her up, but do not heal her. She will learn no lessons if she is pampered. Draco will join you in a moment. See to it she knows who her date is for the future."

Severus gently picked Hope up and carried her back into the side room where he laid her on a couch. He performed cleaning charms on everything except her face. He sighed and conjured a wet wash cloth before whispering 'enervate'.

Severus' heart broke when he heard the moan escape his goddaughter lips. He heard the door open and saw Draco enter with a look mirroring sympathy on his face. Severus handed Draco the washcloth, and he wordlessly started wiping Hope's face.

After a few minutes Hope was cleaned up and much more alert. She tried to stand but felt an arm go around her waist to steady her.

"Lean against me, nobody will notice," Draco whispered in her ear. Too tired to fight, she did as he said.

Draco and Hope made their way back into an almost empty room. People had been leaving throughout the night, and most who had remained left after seeing the Dark Lord's mood.

Draco and Hope sat down at a table and had barely opened their mouths to speak when the Dark Lord screamed in anger. Severus was immediately at their side. The wards had been infiltrated and the rescue had begun.

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A/N: I apoligize for the late chapter, but honestly I can't force myself to be too upset about it. If nobody is reading this story then I don't want to continue posting. I have only recieved one review, and that is from my wonderful beta, so if you are reading, even if you have already reviewed, please review.

Thanks to Nita, for reviewing and being there to bounce ideas off of. Thanks also for betaing.

Kayla