A/N: Thanks to all the reviewers! And thanks very much to my sister for grinding through the last 2 chapters, wheedling out all grammar mistakes. Apparently, in one of the chapters, I changed Natalie's name to Natalia- good thing she noticed that error.
Anyway, I've been receiving some questions about when Natalie will tell Harry about Bellatrix and when she will meet Bellatrix. Both will be happening soon I promise.
Disclaimer: Besides Kalissa and Natalie, I own nothing of the wizarding world.
Chapter 13-Slughorn's Party
Natalie stared at herself in the mirror with a mixture of pride, embarrassment and fear. Unusually for her, she had spent an excessive amount of time obsessing over her appearance and clothes for Slughorn's party tonight. Looking at her reflection, Natalie had to concede that she and Hermione's incessant worrying, modifying and checking had worked quite well.
Hermione had decided upon a light brown set of dress robes for Natalie that gave off a slight twinkle. The robes clung to her body in a very feminine but elegant manner, accentuating the curves and bulges that she was surprised to see. The neckline was just low enough so that she seemed seductive, but also classy. The plainness of the brown added a conservative touch to her dress robes, ensuring in Natalie's mind, that she would not attract unwanted attention. She quickly turned her eyes upon her face. To her resentment, she had allowed Hermione to apply expensive designer make up. Thankfully, her face was not grossly exaggerated. She had subtle traces of powder and collage that caused her face to adopt a clean, radiant and effervescent look. Hermione's lipstick, a mixture of red and pink, provided her lips with a sensuous, delicate quality. She looked up to gaze fondly at her hair. The straightening potion she had brewed had been quite effective. Her black hair had lost its wavy, disconnected appearance to be replaced by a sleek, shiny look. To her satisfaction, the locks streamed gracefully and effortlessly down her back. The light danced with her hair, seeping into the gaps and carving out fine lines along her strands. She hoped that sparkling dynamic would give her a lighthearted, playful tone. In short, her entire mind was bent on evoking any sort of pleasure from Harry.
"Now remember, don't slouch your shoulders and don't look so nervous. You're going to a party and not a supper with Snape," said Hermione seriously.
Natalie laughed lightly. "I think I'd be less nervous having supper with Snape."
Hermione straightened her robes, surveying herself in the mirror. "Think I'll have to tidy up for tonight as well."
Natalie turned to her with a guilty expression on her face. "Sorry for bothering you so much. You really should go have a shower and dress up."
Hermione sighed. "I honestly don't know what I'm dressing up for. To hear a 'hundred reasons about why I am so great' by Cormac McLaggen."
Natalie smirked at the resigned, cynical tone in Hermione's voice. "You know, it is partly your fault for accepting his invitation. If only you weren't so caught up with hurting –"
"Alright, alright. I don't need another lecture," muttered Hermione irritably. "I'm just going to have a wash and put on some decent robes that don't smell like musty, old books. By the way, you look great. Harry will love you." She walked out of the room, heading for the toilets.
Natalie heard faint footsteps behind her. Natalie frowned. She supposed Hermione had forgotten to instruct her on some little eccentricity about romance or wanted a last touch on her clothes. But instead of Hermione, the hard, jaunty outline of Ginny appeared at the doorway. Ginny's face had the familiar resentful, fiery note, but also this time, a determined glint.
"I see you've dressed up for tonight's big date." Ginny's voice sounded serious and cool, but the extra emphasis on the last word infused her comment with mocking sarcasm, infuriating Natalie. Hermione's description of Ginny's previous infatuation with Harry had done nothing to quell Natalie's grudge for the girl. Even though Hermione asserted that the attraction to Harry was over, Natalie had the nasty suspicion that Ginny still harbored romantic feelings for Harry and that Natalie's relationship with Harry had given life to jealousy on the other girl's part.
"So you really do like Harry, don't you?" said Ginny calmly.
"What's it to you anyway?" retorted Natalie. She could not keep her tone from becoming belligerent and challenging.
"Nothing. So what about him do you like, Malkae? The eyes? The fact that he's the Boy Who Lived?" asked Ginny curiously
Natalie's mouth tightened into a hard curve. The abusive use of Natalie's name did nothing to assuage the rising fury within Natalie. But most troubling to Natalie, Ginny's question had a definite, well calculated purpose behind it. And that purpose involved a far too keen interest in Harry.
Natalie decided to try to maintain her calm and finally try to expose Ginny's true sentiments for Harry. "Ginny, you seem to have given this topic a fair bit of thought. Odd, isn't it? I mean, for you to give so much of your spare time to Harry's relationship with me when you have a boyfriend who has no trouble showing his affection for you."
Ginny's eyes flashed dangerously. "Don't try to play with me. I'm concerned for Harry's well being. He doesn't know how you people can be."
Natalie immediately rotated her entire body to face Ginny, the loathsome and cold expression on her face mirroring Ginny's look. "If you haven't realized yet Ginny, I too am worried about Harry. I care for him as much I have cared for anyone. And I want to be with him. You seem to have a problem with him starting a romantic relationship with me. Sort out whatever feelings you have because judging from his behavior with me, he desires the same thing I do," stated Natalie slowly and firmly.
The blazing glare on Ginny's face evaporated. She looked at Natalie, confused and pained. She then turned around and quickly exited the room, leaving Natalie to wonder whether her words were too harsh. She did not feel triumphant, but slightly overwhelmed at the thought of competing for Harry with this dynamic, beautiful girl who had just silently declared the nature of her attitude towards Harry.
Natalie heaved a sigh she did not know she was containing. She absently brushed a hand through her hair, straightened her robes and stepped out of the room. She walked into the toilets, anxiously hoping that Hermione was done. Her stomach was beginning to bubble and churn.
When she entered the toilettes, she saw a flushed Hermione, hair still wet after a shower, glancing at herself in the mirror. Considering that she had five minutes of preparation and that her date was Cormac McLaggen, Hermione looked quite attractive. She had chosen a slightly darker brown for her dress robes, obviously not too keen on impressing McLaggen. The robes too clung to her body, highlighting her quickly maturing body. But Natalie was impressed and slightly envious at Hermione's confidence in her appearance. As Hermione turned around to speak to Natalie, Natalie could see the firm and rigid alignment of her shoulders, the raised head and chin and the certainty in her eyes. Hermione seemed to assert the feminism of her image, rather than peel into it like Natalie.
"Ready to go?" asked Natalie, her voice fading slightly.
"Yeah. Do you think I should have prepared more? I mean it's not like I'm head over heels for McLaggen," asked Hermione, gazing at herself casually.
"Nah, you look great. Anyway it's not him that you're bawling over," quipped Natalie cheekily.
Hermione rolled her eyes at her. "Shall we get going? You wouldn't want to keep the Chosen One waiting. So please explain to me, why are you meeting him outside of the Common room?"
Natalie fidgeted with her cuffs. "Er, I didn't want to make a big scene in the Common room. And with lots of people looking at you and McLaggen, I could almost blend in until I meet Harry."
As they left the toilettes and walked down the stairs, Hermione muttered, "You and Harry are treating this 'date thing' like its some sort of secret mission. Makes sense, I guess. Practically the whole school suspects that you two are going out. If it 'is confirmed', then there might be a 'I hate Natalie' club."
Natalie laughed. Her heart had taken a large leap at the mention of her and Harry 'going out'. They reached the bottom of the stairs and the Common room. Hermione motioned to McLaggen, who was eagerly waiting for Hermione by the stairs. He grinned at Hermione oafishly, holding out his hand for her. Hermione reluctantly took the hand, letting herself be guided through the portrait hole. Natalie spotted quite a furious, stunned Ron staring at the two from near the fireplace with Lavender frantically trying to smash her lips onto his face. Natalie shook her head, following Hermione and McLaggen outside.
Natalie's heart was striking her chest at far too a feverish rate. She realized that any moment now, she would come upon Harry. They turned a corner and there was Harry.
He gaped at her. His eyes were glazed, his mouth at least a quarter of inch open. Natalie shifted very nervously. She did not know whether he was shocked at the sophistication and formality of her dress or repulsed by it.
"You look…absolutely…stunning," stammered Harry. "Stunning," he repeated foolishly.
Natalie flushed in pure pleasure. Out of the side of her eyes, she saw Hermione smile at her while briskly, pulling McLaggen away.
"Er, shall we get going? You look very nice too, Harry," said Natalie, taking in Harry's appearance. He had made a concerted and rather unsuccessful effort to comb his hair. It looked even more unruly and detangled. But his robes were an unblemished, bright green. His eyes had that sparkling, intense glint that made Natalie's heartbeat race.
"Thanks," mumbled Harry, still gazing at Natalie. He finally managed to pull himself out of the reverie, nervously gripping Natalie's hand. Natalie let her hand slide into his. Like they had done so many times this week, the link felt complete and perfect.
"So, ready for the party?" asked Harry tentatively.
"I hope so."
"What does that mean?" Harry had an absolute smirk on his face.
Natalie grinned. She was glad that their interaction had returned to its usual banter. "Well, you know, that I don't make a fool of myself in front of the 'wizarding royalty' that Slughorn has invited. And plus with the Chosen One as a date, making a fool of myself wouldn't be very good at all."
"Definitely not. I'm just curious as to how Slughorn's parties are."
"Don't worry. He'll certainly be fawning over you. People might start thinking that he's your date."
Harry grinned at her. "Let's hope he does not try to hold hands with me. But seriously, what are these parties like?"
Natalie shrugged. "Just basically a way for Slughorn to please himself. He invites all of these famous people who he claims to have harnessed and developed so that the rest of the idiots in the club can gawp at him. But anyway, the food's quite good and he goes out of his way to decorate. It's a nice change from the standard day at Hogwarts."
"I thought you liked Hogwarts."
As they walked to the dungeons, Natalie ignored the jealous and resentful stares that were being sent in her direction. "Well I do. But it's still a school. You can't spend each day reading books and doing homework."
Harry laughed. "Hermione does that."
"No, she does not. She's quite a popular and attractive girl, if you and Ron haven't bothered to notice. The fact that she could get McLaggen to go out with her shows something." Natalie found herself taking a very defensive stance against Harry's gentle mocking of Hermione. She had not realized how close she and the bushy-haired girl had become.
Harry frowned. "Oh no, I know about Hermione's reputation in the school. And trust me, Ron knows too. There's a reason no bloke will even try to flirt with Hermione if he's with her. Or should I say was with her." Harry shook his head in sadness. "You know, the only reason Hermione went out with McLaggen was to piss Ron off. Geez. Forget about Voldemort. Those two will my downfall."
Natalie gave his hand a slight squeeze, surprising herself and causing him to turn a dark shade of red. "They'll get through it. Once Ron realizes that Lavender's only good for a wrestling match and once Hermione realizes she can't forget about Ron, they'll fall into each other's arms."
"I suppose so. But anyway, we shouldn't be talking about their problems. I want to spend as much time as I can, erm, appreciating the moment," said Harry, his sentence fading off.
A jolt of electricity ran down Natalie's spine. She squeezed his hand even more tightly and before they descended the steps to the dungeons, she kissed him on the cheek. Harry looked at her with another dazed expression but this time, his lips were slightly parted. Natalie could feel their faces creeping closer to another. Their eyes were focused squarely on one another, full of devouring passion. Her entire body was coursing with anticipation.
"I don't need your help," said a familiar, angry drawling voice on the other side of the corner.
Both Natalie and Harry jumped from each other, turning towards the voice. Harry grabbed Natalie and pulled her down the steps into an empty classroom. They could still hear that frustrated voice and another calmer and softer one.
"Draco, the assignment you have been given is extremely difficult. And so far your attempts at the task have been very careless."
Harry looked at Natalie, his eyes wide. Natalie nodded. Snape and Malfoy. She could not help, but feel irritated at how Harry's complete attention diverted towards the pair talking. Only a moment ago, they had on the verge of crossing the biggest barrier in their relationship. It seemed that the kiss they almost started was inconsequential and trivial to Harry in comparison to his obsession with exposing the Death Eater characteristics of Malfoy.
"I'll repeat myself. I don't need and I don't want your help. I don't care if my mother made you take the Unbreakable vow. I have a plan that will work," stated Malfoy defiantly.
"If that plan involves Crabbe and Goyle, then I'm afraid its chances of success have just taken a huge drop," sneered Snape.
"I don't need your snide comments. You just want to take my glory."
Snape snorted. "Honestly Draco, where have your brains gone? You cannot afford mistakes Draco because if you are expelled –"
"I didn't have anything to do with it, all right?"
"I hope you are telling the truth because what happened was both clumsy and foolish. Already you are suspected of having a hand in it."
"Who suspects me?" said Malfoy irately. "For the last time, I had nothing to do with whatever the hell happened to Bell, ok?"
Natalie's jaw hardened. She could see Harry clench his fists next to her.
"Let me help you." There was a pleading tone to Snape's voice that took Natalie by surprise.
"No! Now leave me alone and go spy on Dumbledore. That's what you're good for, isn't it?"
Natalie heard Malfoy pull away from Snape's grasp and march off. His loud exit was followed by the rushed footsteps of Snape.
As soon as they had both left, Natalie left the empty the classroom, walking to Slughorn's party by herself. She did not bother to turn around at the hurried running after her.
"Hey, what's wrong Natalie?" asked Harry, catching up to her and grabbing her shoulder.
"Pretty interesting to find out that Malfoy's been up to something, isn't it?" said Natalie sarcastically.
"Well, yeah, of course he has," stated Harry triumphantly.
"Very well deduced, Detective Potter," hissed Natalie, trying to jerk herself from his firm hold.
A sudden wave of realization washed over Harry's face. Instantly, his features softened into a regretful, agitated expression. "Oh, I'm so sorry Natalie. I have to be the world's biggest prat. Obsessing over Malfoy when we were about to –"
"Yes, you are the world's biggest idiot," spat Natalie scathingly.
Harry placed his hands over his face. "What a selfish, arrogant git you must think I am. How could I let myself get caught up with Snape and Malfoy?" He moaned. "Especially when this is the one day I've been dreaming about for months," muttered Harry disgustedly.
Natalie jerked her head towards Harry. A burst of warmth immediately filled her. Again, his honest, yet very sensitive demeanor stunned her. She quickly stepped towards him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"I don't blame you for wanting to get Malfoy. But let's just have a good time, tonight?" stated Natalie firmly.
Harry looked up. Natalie was relieved to see a sneaky grin on his face. "What is your definition of a 'good time'?"
Natalie hit him reproachfully on the shoulders. "Honestly, Harry. You are an emotional rollercoaster. Let's just go to the party. I do believe we're quite late."
Harry sighed. "Yeah sure."
They entered Slughorn's office which had become twisted into one of the most nostalgic and suffocating glorifications of Christmas. The ceiling and walls had been draped with emerald, crimson, and gold hangings, so that it looked as though they were all inside a vast tent. The room, crowded and stuffy, was bathed in the red light cast by ornate golden lamp dangling from the center of the ceiling in which real fairies were fluttering, each a brilliant speck of light.
"Harry, m'boy. You have finally come. And you, Miss Malkae, look positively enrapturing!" boomed Slughorn, suddenly appearing at their side. He was wearing a tasseled velvet hat to match his smoking jacket. Natalie felt suddenly very nauseous.
Natalie smiled at Slughorn. Harry twitched nervously. "It's very nice, Professor," he said uncertainly.
"There are many people I'd like you to meet!" announced Slughorn to the entire room.
Natalie tried to be aware of the fact that many people were looking in her direction with slightly curious and befuddled expressions on their face.
Gripping Harry's arm so tightly that he might have been hoping to Disapparate with him, Slughorn led Harry purposefully into the party. Harry seized Natalie's hand, dragging her along with him.
"Harry, I'd like you to meet Eldred Worple, an old student of mine, author of Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampires – and of course his friend, Sanguini."
After about half an hour of watching Harry unsuccessfully attempting to converse with Slughorn's excited visitors, Natalie spotted Hermione in a distant corner of the room, seemingly trying to hide behind a sparkling Christmas tree. Natalie pinched Harry, beckoning towards Hermione. Both of them walked over to the very edgy girl.
"Whoa, Hermione. What happened? Your hair's a mess," said Natalie worriedly. She did not perceive to be the type who engaged in those types of encounters on a date with someone she detested.
"Oh. I've just escaped. I mean I've just left Cormac," she said. "Under the mistletoe," she added in an undertone as they both continued to look questioningly at her.
"Serves you right for coming with him," Harry told her severely.
"I told you, Hermione. McLaggen wasn't looking for just a friendly companion," stated Natalie critically.
"I know. I know. McLaggen makes Grawp look like a gentleman. Let's go this way, we'll be able to see him coming, he's so tall…"
The three of them made their way over to the other side of the room, scooping up goblets of mead on the way, realizing too late that Professor Trelawney was standing there alone.
"Good evening, my dear. I see they're calling you the Chosen One now," said Professor Trealwaney, focusing upon Harry with considerable difficulty. Natalie got the distinct smell of cooking sherry.
"Er, yeah. It's just the Daily Prophet. So, er, how's Divination?"
Professor Trelawney clumsily placed a hand on the table to keep her balance. "You would have thought, would you not, that now I am returned to the school Professor Dumbledore might have got rid of the horse? But no…we share classes. It's an insult, frankly an insult. Do you know…"
"Well, yeah. He seems pretty knowledgeable," said Harry awkwardly.
Trelawney gave a loud, drunken snort. "Knowledgeable, my arse!"
"Ah, there he is!" shrieked Hermione. Natalie swiveled her head to see the lanky Gryffindor navigating through the crowd of guests in their direction. Hermione instantly disappeared. Natalie barely saw her mane of bushy hair pass through a side entrance into Slughorn's office.
As Trelawney tried to balance herself against the table, Harry whispered in Natalie's ear, "Let's get out of here before Slughorn comes and gives me another tour. I don't want to speak to McLaggen either."
Natalie gave a relieved smile. "Thank goodness. This party's really starting to get on my nerves."
They both inconspicuously walked through another side door and then rapidly up the stairs and out of the dungeons. They almost ran to the Gryffindor tower. As they reached the corridor adjacent to the portrait of the Fat Lady, both stopped.
Harry smiled shyly at Natalie. "Sorry about the party but at least now we –"
The gentle, apologetic tone in Harry's voice gave rise to a wild rush of intensity within Natalie's chest. She did not consider at all the explicit implications of her movements, but suddenly she leaned towards Harry and placed her lips on his. Harry, taken aback, steadied her shoulders with his hands, but then eagerly reciprocated the kiss, holding her tightly to his body. The initial moments were slow and tentative as they positioned themselves around each other. Then Natalie, unable to control her desire, parted her lips. Almost immediately, Harry responded, extending his tongue to meet her tongue. The kiss rapidly became fiercer and more urgent, each trying to be as close to the other as possible. Natalie, so immersed in enjoying the touch of Harry's body, did not notice him gently pull them towards a classroom and close the door.
Natalie did not know how long they kissed. But it was the deepest, most revealing and exposing moment she had shared with another person. As the kiss progressed, she started to become conscientiously aware of the savage intent in their actions. Harry was now running his hands up and down her back. She herself had taken to rubbing his chest. They were both positioned rather snugly on one of the desks, getting dangerously closer to something Natalie did not yet want to enjoy. But the penetrating calmness and numb bliss that came with the kiss prevented her from being sheepish. Their interaction seemed to release and pour forth all of the minor struggles, fears and anxieties that had crept into their relationship. The entire outline of each one's emotional state was being unfolded for the other to pander through. Nothing seemed unordinary or inadequate but rather, Natalie felt a sharp clarity, a promise of something greater and more elusive, washing over her. Later, she realized what that sensation was. Hope.
Then slowly, Harry pulled back. He had that familiar guilty expression that had caused Natalie to instigate the kiss. Natalie, still absorbed in the previous five or so minutes, looked blankly at Harry with a mixture of alarm and irritation.
"Sorry. I lost control for a bit," said Harry quietly. A sneaky grin slowly surfaced on his features. "But it was rather enjoyable. Very nice."
Natalie returned the smirk. "Excellent. I didn't know kissing was one of your talents, Harry."
Harry rolled his eyes at her in mock disdain. "You didn't think I would be like Ron, did you? If I bit your face, I just might kill myself."
Natalie laughed. She then looked at him slightly more seriously. "So do you want to stay here for the rest of the night? I gather that you don't want to re-enact the previous encounter in front of the rest of the common room."
Harry grinned. "Again, not like Ron." He gazed around the room as if this location, however inherently plain and uninteresting, had just transformed into something transcendent and utterly exotic. Natalie felt the identical way. "I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea, staying here. Just wait here, though. I'll go and get us some blankets and some other things, too."
Natalie looked at him with a puzzled expression on his face. "What other things? Harry, I trust that you know that I didn't come on this date with you to read books and do homework."
Harry gave a large, hearty laugh that made Natalie's stomach churn in excitement. "Of course not. You'll see."
He quickly ran out of the classroom. She heard him hurriedly mutter the password to the Fat Lady and cross the portrait. Natalie, left to herself, could not diverge her moment from her recent experience. It was the closest she had ever become to someone. She positively loved kissing Harry. Allowing herself to open up like that and essentially become naked to both their passions was surprisingly extremely gratifying and fulfilling, not at all shameful or impure. She was determined to become ingrained in the present moment and not dwell on the multitude of possibilities that lay behind this kiss. She knew that hope was a tantalizing and often deluding entity. Better to let everything occur and not worry too much.
Suddenly, Harry appeared out of thin air. In front of a completely stunned Natalie, he leaped towards her with a sloppy kiss on the mouth.
"Harry!" gasped Natalie, laughing. "You have to stop doing that, honestly."
Harry threw the cloak at her, a smug grin on his face. "Scaring the wits out of you has its advantages."
Harry handed the cloak over to her. Still staring at it with an exasperated expression, Natalie spread her hands through the cloak, marveling at its indomitable glow.
Natalie's hands fell upon something with sharp edges and a well defined shape. She lifted her hand to see a picture of a man and a woman with the woman holding a one-year-old child in her arms. The man had the familiar ruffled, messy black hair and disjointed spectacles. The woman had radiant red hair, a sleek, shiny face and a well curved body. Both the man and woman shifted between gazing lovingly at each and their child, who was constantly fiddling with his mother's hair and laughing.
"Your parents," Natalie mouthed in shock.
Harry almost instantly came over, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. He frowned, an embarrassed look on his face. "Oh yeah. Sorry. Was looking at it before. Forget to take it out."
"Your mother's beautiful," whispered Natalie in awe. She truly was. Natalie had never come across anyone with such an effervescent, dynamic charm about her. Her smile was one of those rarefied smiles that understands a person the way they want to be viewed. She seemed to pick out Natalie's strengths and seemingly carve out a vision using those same qualities, completing ignoring the obvious flaws. More than anything, the deep, thoughtful green eyes that Natalie had come to dream about dominated this women's image. She seemed to be one of those people, like Dumbledore, who identifies completely with everything that is good in the world. Dumbledore had told her that it was the love of Harry's mother that had saved him from Voldemort. Natalie had slightly doubted the power of love to block the Killing Curse, but looking at this woman, there was absolutely no doubt that her love could resist anything evil and detestable.
"I know," said Harry, pushing his face into Natalie's hair. Natalie carefully placed the picture in the cloak. She then brought Harry's face close to her and kissed him passionately. It was going to be an interesting night.