Hiya! Yep, I'm back. You can't get rid of me. :p I finished up - and posted - my oneshot for the DP contest. Feel free to check it out. You really don't need to know too much about the show to understand it 'cause I didn't add anything too relavent in there. Review if you like it!
--Chapter 26 -The Farewell Ball: Part One --
One morning, the day before the Farewell Ball, I was almost literally inhaling my breakfast. I had overslept again (due to the fact that I'd been lost in one of my favorite novels), and I was very late for a meeting with Harry and the professors. Ricky had come and gone within five minutes, promising to cover for me until I arrived.
What a way to end our year as Head Boy and Girl.
As I was eating, a small package hit me onthe head. It landed on the seat beside me, and that is where it stayed until I was finished eating. Without saying good-bye, I dashed out of the Great Hall. I ripped open the package on my way, leaving brown paper shreds on the floor.
Inside the box was a small folded note, and a necklace of deep purple gems set in dark metal.
Meet me under the weeping cherry tree
At midnight, during the Ball
I'll be holding a rose
Your Secret Admirer
So Ricky wanted to tell everyone? Fine, only a few days before graduation. Might as well go out with a bang.
"Sorry," I murmured as I slipped into my seat at the table. Harry gave me a look, but continued to discuss budget reports for school supplies and food.
"What I'd miss?" I whispered to Ricky.
"Not much . . . Nothing that directly applies to us anyway. Where were you?" I raised an eyebrow, and held up the necklace I'd received. Ricky's cheeks darkened a shade or two and he avoided my eyes. "It reminded me of your eyes." I smiled at him, touched. Leaning over slightly, I kissed his cheek.
"Mr. Weasley," Harry's voice came, "Would you please give us an update on how the Ball is coming and on the general behavior of the students?" I inspected Harry's face. Had he seen me kiss Ricky? One of his eyebrows were raised, but that could have been out of annoyance. Either way, I don't think he would say anything, even if he'd seen.
My eyes wandered while I listened to Ricky give the report. Professor Li was scribbling notes on a pad of paper, professional as ever. Most of the profs had their eyes glued to Ricky, listening half-heartedly to what he was saying, nodding every so often. Professor Byrd caught my eye. She was reclined in the chair, eyes closed.One of herhands wason her stomach, the other was under her husband's.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Byrd blinked open her eyes and noticed me looking at her. I rocked an imaginary baby in question. She blushed and nodded happily. I smiled at her widely.
"Congrats, professor!" I caught up with her as we left the room.
"Thanks, Enna," she replied.
"When's the baby due?"
"August."
"So soon?"
"Yeah, I'm a tad concerned, but Calder and I have a bit of money put away for her."
"The baby's a girl? Any names picked out?"
"I want her to be 'November,' but--"
"I rather like the name Leigh," Prof. Ackerman finished.
"I said it could be her middle name, but we've not come to an agreement yet."
"Mum won her choice for my name quite easily actually. She didn't mention it till after I was born."
"Ah," Byrd murmured, eyes showing me that she understood.
"What?" Ackerman looked between us.
"See you at the Ball, professors!" I chirped and went off to find Ricky.
"Up a bit higher, I think!" Dad's voice carried across the Great Hall. He along with Ron and Ginny (who'd brought Danae along with her) had come early to help Ricky and I with the decorating. Lorelei and George stopped by an hour at a time, taking turns running the store while the other was working.
Harry'd taken Danae up to his office while he worked on some paperwork. I'd offered to watch her since all I had to do was go over were the already perfect table settings and menus. Harry declined politely and told me to relax.
Zarah's work was neatly done, and clearly marked. I was done within ten minutes. I leaned on the table. Ricky was sitting two tables away from me. He and Ron were working on some sort of banner for the Ball. I watched them work.
The similarities between Ricky and his dad were really interesting. They were both within a half inch of each other's height, and had similar face shapes. Both laughed loudly butwith sincerity. While Ricky's hair was a darker shade of red and his eyes deep brown, he had freckles like the rest of the Weasleys.
Ricky looked up. He grinned smugly when he noticed me looking at me. Flustered, I went back to the menus. Perhaps I should add a chocolate cake choice to the menu?
A minute or so later, I looked back over. Ginny had taken Ricky's place at the table, and he was no where to be seen. I sighed.
"Something wrong?" I voice said in my left ear. I squeaked in surprise.
"Don't scare me like that!" I said. Ricky slipped into the seat next to me.
"You just scare easily, my dear."
"But how . . . ? How did you get over here?"
"I stood up, and used these things called legs to--"
"No, no! I meant so quickly!"
"Hmm, good question. Another good question is, why were you watching me?" I blushed. Ricky grinned smugly. "So you were watching me."
"So? Can't I?"
"I have no objection, but you might blow our cover." I frowned.
"'Weeping cherry tree' ring any bells?"
"Nope," he waved his hand dismissively. I narrowed my eyes and opened my mouth to say something, but Ricky cut me off, "Hi, Uncle Harry."
I spun around in my seat. Sure enough the headmaster was standing behind me. Danae was with him, clutching on to his robes.
"Enna!" she squealed happily and ran over to me. I picked her up and sat her on my lap.
"Hi, Sweet," I replied and brushed her brightly colored bangs out of her eyes. She smiled up at me.
"Would you mind keeping an eye on Danae? I'm going to help Remus out with that other banner." Harry motioned behind him were my dad was trying to single handedly hand a thirty foot banner himself.
"Where did Professor Li go?"
"I have no clue. I'll be talking with him about it later though." Harry frowned and walked away.
I set Danae between Ricky and I before turning back around in my seat. I took a quill out of my bag and tore an extra piece of parchment in half for her.
Ricky and I talked for a bit. Danae scribbled little hearts, trees, and baby animals all over the page. She had a natural talent as an artist. At one point she looked at me and then at Ricky, a thoughtful look on her face. She stood up on her seat and put her hands on her hips.
"Kiss," she ordered.
"W-What?" I stared at her. Ricky was looking at her wide-eyed, too.
"I want to draw a prince and a princess, but I don't want to draw mommy and daddy kissing. That's weird."
"Why don't you ask my parents?"
"'Cause Enna looks like a princess, and you could be her prince. Now, kiss!" As forceful as any four year old, Danae grabbed a fistful of my hair and as much of Ricky's as she could before pulling us together. We bumped noses. My eyes were watering when our lips finally met. Ricky was looking at me in surprise. I tried to pull back, but Danae wouldn't let me budge. I rolled my eyes and decided, might as well go along with it.
I closed my eyes and kissed Ricky. A moment later he responded, and Danae let us go. To our right, I heard laughter. I could identify Ginny's, dad's, and Ron's but no one else's. I just hoped they knew that this kiss, though quite enjoyable, was against our will . . . Though it was nice to be able to kiss without hiding some place first.
"Perfect!" Danae declared and released my hair. I reached a hand up and rubbed my sore scalp.
"Can 'e 'op?" Ricky asked.
"Pease?" I added.
"Yes, fine, fine," Danae muttered. I glanced over, she was immersed in her picture.
It was of a faerie. They why . . . ?
"Danae!"
Later that day, Ricky and I were curled up together on a couch. A fire was blazing brightly in his fire place and there was four hours until the Ball. Harry and all the other adults sent us up to get some rest before the Ball. We ended up on the couch together, dozing and chatting at intervals.
I had just gotten comfortable when I heard someone pounding up the stairs. Ricky was sound asleep, his arms lightly around my waist. I'd reached up and hooked an arm around his neck. When I finally realized that, although only Ricky and I should have known the passwords, many people we knew had access to Harry's office.
I quickly rolled out of Ricky's arms and onto the floor. In a dream-like state, I made my way over to a large arm chair and curled up in it just as the door flew open.
"Enna?"
"Zarah?" I sat up groggily.
"What are you doing?"
"Sleeping?"
"There's hardly any time until the ball! What are you thinking?"
"Zar, there's four hours left," I protested.
"Exactly why you must come with me! There's so much to do. First you've got to shower, then I'll do your hair, and--"
"Zar, are you ready?" I stared at her. She was wearing the blue gown she'd picked out late last summer. Her hair was pulled back loosely, the ends of her hair curlier then ever. She had a touch of make-up on, but not too much.
"Yep! I wanted to help you." Zarah grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the chair. "Let's go. Why are you in here anyway?" I followed Zarah out of Ricky's dorm.
"We were talking for a bit. He fell asleep. So did I for a bit."
"Okay. What's with all these stairs?" Zarah made a sharp turn to go up the stairs to my bedroom. I grumbled in annoyance and hurried up the spiraling steps.
When we got to my room, Zarah sent me to get a shower while she laid out what I was going to wear at the Ball. I sighed and did as she said. It wasn't as if she was going to do anyth--
"What did you do to my dress?" I shouted. Laying on my bed was a dark purple gown with only one sleeve. The raspberry colored one I picked out last summer was no where to be seen.
"I got rid of it, oh, a few months ago. That day you went out with Ricky actually. You need something less . . . prudish to get your man. Not that there's anything wrong with being a prude, it's just not the way to attract a thick headed guy."
"Zarah, if I 'get' Ricky, I want him to want me because he likes me. If he likes me for just a dress, I don't want him. Now, please, my dress."
"I sent it back to your mum. She was understanding when I told her you found a pretty gown in Hogsmeade."
"But . . . but . . ." I looked around desperately.
"It's either this, or you go to the Ball in that towel and the red sash Harry sent me with." I looked down at myself. The towel barely covered my thighs. Plus, there was always the possibility of it coming undone.
"Fine," I grumbled and grabbed the dress. While I got changed, Zarah occupied herself with going through my jewelry. Again.
"This is new!" she held up the necklace Ricky had sent me. "It's beautiful! Who'd you get it from?"
"I bought it for myself."
"Enna, you never buy anything nice for yourself." I frowned.
"I got it in the post today, alright?"
"Ooo," she looked at the necklace again, "From that Secret Admirer of your's?"
"Yeah." I rolled my eyes.
"It matches the dress!" she exclaimed excitedly.
I shook my head and stuck my arm into the one sleeve. It had a large keyhole cut out near the shoulder and the hems were stitched with black thread. The neckline cut across my chest and the end went under my arm in lieu of another sleeve. I zipped up the gown and pulled the neckline as high as possible, making a mental note not to lean over while I was wearing it.
The material the dress was made out of was so soft. Obviously some of the fabric had to be silk, but there was something else. I think it was the same material that the little white puffs on the raspberry gown. The skirt was long and just brushed the floor, and the train moved when I did.
"See, now, it isn't so bad is it?" I frowned.
"This is the second time this year you've used me as your personal doll."
"But the results are always stunning! Let me do your hair."
When I was finally done (my hair was twisted up; pinned; and curled, Ricky's necklace was hooked around my neck, and my make up was on), Zarah handed me a crimson sash. The ends were crossed andheld together with a large pinbearing the Gryffindor crest.
"Alright, it's time to go," Zarah squealed. "Where do you have to meet Ricky?"
"Main staircase. We're suppose to enter together." I looked at myself in the mirror once and twirled my skirt. I grabbed the hem and hooked the loop of string around my finger. One happy thought, I wouldn't have to worry about holding my gown's hem while I danced. "Where are you headed?"
"To meet William," she stated. In the mirror I could see her naturally pink cheeks had darkened a few shades.
"Well, we can't keep the Weasley men waiting, now can we?" I headed towards the door.
"Enna," Zarah said.
"Yes," I turned to look at her.
"You nervous?"
"A bit," I smiled reassuringly at her, "But I know my dance, and I know my partner. I'll be fine."
"I wish I could say the same for me," she said sadly.
"If it's the dancing issueagain, don't sweat it. No one's perfect. I took lessons and I still fall. Remember last summer?"
"The floor was wet." Zarah smirked.
"Another good example iswhen we were going over dances for the Ball. Ricky and I messed up so badly, we made the instructor consider a career change." I shook my head and chuckled. "Besides, you won't have a problem. William's great at leading. And patient. He'll teach you what you need to know."
"Really?"
"Yes! Where's that excitement I saw earlier? You were ready hours early and pulled me out of my sleepy state to get me ready! So, let's go already!" I grabbed her hand and pulled her out of my dorm.
We left the Heads' dorms and went down an empty hall. Most of the students were already at the Ball waiting for it to begin (that is, when Ricky and I entered). Zarah left me at the statue of Norman the Normal to use a short cut to the Great Hall.
Ricky was standing just before the stairs' entrance all dressed in crimson and gold garb. I silently thanked whoever was in charge for letting me "pick" my own clothing. But, strangely, Ricky looked really good.
"You look handsome." I greeted Ricky with a kiss on his cheek. He opened his eyes and smiled at me. I stepped back and twirled.
"What do you think?" I asked flirtatiously. Ricky blinked and his eyes sort of bugged out. He mouth wordlessly for a minute. "I'll take that as a good reaction."
He smiled at me and took one of my hands. Before I could do a thing, he pulled me in and kissed me deeply, holding me tightly against him.
"You look amazing. I mean, you always look lovely, but tonight you're stunning."
"Thank you," I murmured. I smiled at him for a moment before giggling. "You've got lip gloss on you." Ricky laughed and wiped it off with the back of his hand.
"Ricky, Enna," Harry appeared behind us smiling. We jumped apart. Harry's green eyes were shining in amusement. "You're keeping all the seventh years -and Maddie - waiting."
"Harry," I started. Harry held up a hand.
"Before you say anything, about a week. Now go on."
Ricky and I looked at each other. He held out an arm. I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow.
"Ready?" he asked.
I took a deep breath and nodded. He kissed my cheek once more before we turned the corner.
Well, it goes a bit fast, but I was thinking that the actual Ball would take a chapter itself. Sorry if it seems overly rushed.
I don't know how well I describe Enna's dress. I know what it looks like, but I'm pretty bad a describing clothing.
If you all are cofused about the Danae thing, in my mind, one day Ginny and Harry were talking -unaware of Danae's presence- and they mentioned something about Ricky and Enna getting together. "All they need is a kiss to see that the fire is lit already." someone said. So Danae made it her mission to get them to kiss. :D
I actually got the idea from my parents. They said that when I was a baby, I use to make them kiss like that. Wasn't I cute? ;D
Until the Farewell Ball,
Anne