When The Clock Strikes Thrice

Chapter 5

The Last Midnight

Pansy lulled it over in her mind as she looked at herself in the mirror. Should she tell her mystery man who she was... or should she stay a beautiful mystery to him. What if she knew him? What if they'd been enemies in school and she hadn't known. What if... what if he was a Gryffindor, she shuttered. She looked at her back in the mirror. The dress was shorter, to her knees, the ends frayed. Her dress was a halter, fox red, a belt like a tail around her waist. Her shoes we're her favorite, white and open toed. Her hair was loose, and straight, laying off her shoulders, Astoria had enchanted fox ears for her to wear. The mask was gold and spiraled, that had a pointed nose and high tips above the ears, adding to the fox look. She had made sure to do her eye make up brilliantly.... just in case she decided to remove the mask.

---

Ron sat in his usual chair near the exit. He was determined to unmask her tonight, she was far too.... too wonderful to let slip away for the last night. It was early, she wouldn't be here yet, tonight fast music played, his leg shook with nerves. He'd worn the same outfit he had the first night, the fire. He'd enchanted it slightly to make it seem to flicker in the light, he wanted to impress the mystery women. He looked around the floor, it was getting later, where was she. Then the doors opened, she was alone tonight, her friend was not beside her. She knew where he was, her eyes locked with his, determination in them. She wanted to unmask him before her unmasked her, he welcomed the challenging game. She stopped near her normal spot, pretending she hadn't seen him, but the slight curl of her mouth showed that she had. He looked at the door, pretending he hadn't seen her either, it was her turn to approach. He didn't glance at her, just began to look around, he stood and began to walk the opposite direction. He smiled as he heard a heal click in annoyance and then a tap on his shoulder.

"May I help you?" he asked looking at her.

"Don't play coy, it doesn't suite you..." she said it before thinking, how did she know that wasn't him.

"If you say so.... so fox, I assume, would you join me on the floor?" asked Ron, testing her patience by pretending to look at the door.

"If you run, I will trip you," she laughed as they went to the dance floor.

The evening was relatively slow, the questions got more personal, neither would say their name though, and kept the profession open by simply saying law, and keep. The spinning and the dips we're fast paced, but allowed them time to talk. As the night fell to a close, a fast tempo picked up, like a muggle tango. Ron welcomed the closeness it required, when he pulled her closer to him, her brow raised, questioning his ability to dance such a dance. He was glad he'd been forced to go to dancing lessons by Harry after Ginny forced him to go. He spun her out, and twirled her back into him, she smirked as their hips moved in sink, no light shown between the two. Their dance continued, and a more intense part of the music hit. He spun her out again, and back in. Her leg went upwards, and his hand caressed it as he dipped her back. Did he dare? He dared. His lips gently kissed her neck, in a subtle brush. He heard her inhale deeply, her grip tightened.

----

His grip changed, and as the song ended, Pansy's face met his, their breath heavy from the dance, their nosed rested on each others. Her body urge her to keep the space between them as small as possible, but her mind told her she needed to back away. She didn't want this to be a fling... wait? Why didn't she, her mind rushed, she liked him... a lot... and she didn't even know his name, Like that's stopped you before... she silenced her inner thoughts. Her hand touched the back of his head, she pulled the clasp, the mask came off. Her mind whirled, why did it have to be Ron Weasley? Why the best friend of the man she tried to help kill? Her face must have showed her own shame, because his eyes shifted to question, he wanted to see who she was.

"Y-you would never.... want me," her eyes burned, and she ran from his grasp.

Her head spun as she ran towards the exit, no one had seen her leave, save for Ron Weasley, she knew he would follow. She hit the stairs, and halfway down her foot stuck, she looked down. Black goo was spread across them, pitch. He had spread pitch on the stairs, he knew she'd run. She stepped aside the pitch and yanked up one of her shoes in ernest. She went to yank the other, when and idea struck her.... why not? The shoes we're one of a kind, why not give him a chance. What would she loose besides a stupid shoe, that cost A LOT, she thought. She left it there, the sole shoe stuck to the pitch. Still holding the other shoe, she ran through the cold grass, the gates we're in sight when she heard him.

"Wait!" his yell was far off, she had time, her eyes we're stinging.

The shoe would go unwanted, he'd find another women. Streaks of water fell down her cheek as her bare foot hit the barrier, she was gone. She ran up the steps at home and into her room, she slumped on the bed. What had she been thinking? Why had she gone to the ball? Why had she spent each night with the same man? Why was she so emotional? She watched the moon through her window, it was almost full, only a few more days.

---

Ron sat on the steps as the last of the people left. He turned the white shoe around in his hand, greatful the tar had come off. He kept looking at the gate, hoping she would come back. Why had she run? Why had she doubted herself about anything? He felt a figure sit next to him on the steps, he knew it was Harry. It was silent for a few seconds before Harry spoke.

"Are you going to go after her?" asked Harry, looking upwards.

"How?" asked Ron, "Go search all the wizarding world for the other shoe?"

"Yeah.... if she means that much to you?" asked Harry.

"Your serious?" asked Ron, brow raised.

"It worked for Cinderella," shrugged Harry.

"I still say it sounds like an illness.." grumbled Ron.

"....So?"

"How do I start?" asked Ron, looking at the shoe and standing up.

"... first... by helping me up.... you didn't clean off the tar," sighed Harry, as a slight tear was heard.

"Sorry mate, maybe... maybe I should get Ginny." said Ron, a grimace on his face.

"Please," sighed Harry, "So we can go find your Cinderella.."

TBC