-*Disclaimer: I own nothing… Sadly.
Chapter 10:
May stood there behind her older brother, paralyzed with fear, Finnick's shirt clutched tightly between her fingers. She felt completely helpless. Suddenly she flashed back to when she was only 8 years old and she found out that Finnick had left, right when she needed him the most. May's breath came out in short pants before she took a deep breath and peered out over Finnick's shoulder only to see Nixie smirking at her. Her eyes showing that she was highly amused with how May was reacting. May gritted her teeth and took another deep breath before stepping out behind Finnick.
"Hello Nixie, it's lovely to see you again," May said smiling at her brightly. Nixie looked at her with confusion before wiping her face clean of emotion. Nixie raised an eyebrow at Finnick, who was grasping tightly on his sisters wrist.
"You two are as close as ever it would seem, even though he up and deserted you when you were only 8 years old. What a horrible thing for a brother to do." She mocked. Finnick's sea green eyes took on a look of pure hatred, calming down when May squeezed his hand lightly. In his head it translated into 'Don't listen to her, I don't blame you.' Still being told that he had left her alone had made a horrible feeling rise up in the pit of his stomach. He had to swallow a large lump back down his throat.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here?" Nixie said directing her question towards May's parents, who nodded their heads shortly. "No need to worry I'm only here to wish Princess Amelia a happy 19th birthday. It is a big day after all." She said smirking. May stood there taking in her appearance. 'For someone who had spent most of her life hidden away from her home she looks well enough.' She thought to herself, before shaking the thought from her head.
"Well I'm glad you could make it here. Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday." May said smiling softly, but still somewhat tightly. "Are you coming to my party?" Nixie raised her eyebrow at the question, but shook her head.
"No I have other things that I need to attend but I just wanted to come and say hello." Nixie said before walking closer to May. Finnick moved in front of May shielding her from her. May smiled behind her brother before stepping out in front of him. She gave him a reassuring smile before going to stand in front of Nixie. She took in her smile that showed her pointed teeth, that May imagined, many times, tearing her apart bit by bit when she was younger, before she settled on her eyes. If anything about Nixie frightened her it was her eyes. Her eyes stared directly into May's own, reminding her of a shark that she once got chased by when she was younger. Deadly. Cruel. Unforgiving. May tried to keep the fear off of her face, she didn't need her family getting worried about her now, but she knew by the triumphant smirk that Nixie gave, that her fear clearly showed in her eyes.
"Don't worry princess I won't hurt you…yet" Nixie whispered into May's ear during their quick hug only to pull away when she caught sight of Finnick moving forward.
"You're still the same Finnick, headstrong and never waiting to hear the full explanation before running in." She told him smirking when he walked over in front of May again.
"Which reminds me, have you found her yet?" Nixie asked, smirking when she saw May's face pale and Finnick's go red with anger. Seconds later a few glasses that were near the trio exploded, causing the Hogwarts students to scream while water and pumpkin juice rained down on them.
"Temper, temper." Nixie said before she bowed to May's parents, gave May one last glance and left the Great Hall. Finnick pulled May to his chest quickly as soon as Nixie left. She could feel his heart beating quickly as he tried to comfort her. From her place in his arms she could hear the soft scuffle of her mother and father rushing over to her. Her mother and father had their hands placed on top of her head. She knew right then and there that she could never let her family know of her curse or what she feared would happen now that Nixie had reviled herself.
"I'm fine." May said as she pushed her way out of Finnick's arms. "Can we eat? I'm starving." She said as she walked around her family towards Harry, her hand clenched into a fist. May's parents were slightly shocked when she pushed her way past them, but soon regained their focus and walked back the table. The only thing that caused May to smile was when she looked to her left she saw Hermione and Ginny both snuggled into the arms of Draco and Blaise. She let herself feel a moment of triumph before she remembered what she had clenched in her hand. Harry stared at her out of the corner of his eye watching her carefully, he sighed and placed his hand over her trembling ones. May smiled over to him and slipped the small sea shell into her dress and turned her attention to her family who was explaining why they were holding a ball.
"It's a tradition in our family when a child turns 19 they are given a grand ball and must meet all the eligible men or women to see who they are best fit to marry." Merrick said. May looked over to Finnick who was rolling his eyes while he chewed on a roll. His mother hit the roll out of his hand and muttered something. Finnick in turn sat back with his arms crossed. He caught May's eyes and mouthed the word 'Manners' before turning back to his father. May giggled and turned towards her food that had finally appeared on the table in front of her.
Harry turned towards her, only to be shoved aside by Finnick, who barely noticed him. May glared at him, her eyes flashing red for a small moment, before she gave Harry a small smile, which he just waved it off and turned to Ron and began eating. Finnick pulled her toward him.
"Have you been okay? Since I… I left?" He asked her softly. May stared at him for a moment before kissing his cheek. It was clear to May that what Nixie had said affected him.
"It was never the same without you, but I managed to get along." May told him as she patted his hand lightly before going back to eating dinner. Harry glanced back to May and her brother observing them. 'Why did he leave? How could he leave May all alone when something that terrible had happened to her?' Harry sat there thinking but was soon distracted by Ron shaking his arm and pulling him back into a conversation.
"Do you like your present?" Finnick asked May nudging her with his shoulder. She nodded her head smiling brightly, placing her fingers over the locket.
"I love it." Finnick smiled lightly before patting her on the head. Suddenly May remembered the sea shell that she slipped inside her dress. She excused herself from the table, going to the bathroom. Outside the Great Hall doors, she opened the shell. Eyes widening, her breath coming out in short pants; whether she was afraid or angry she couldn't tell.
All she could be sure of was the pain that was erupting in her chest and how her eyes were beginning to sting. A tell that she was going to cry. She barely had enough time to find a stone statue to hide behind before the tears came. May sank to the floor; she didn't have to worry about anyone finding her there. She curled herself into a ball up against the wall, hand wrapped around her mouth to keep any sounds from escaping. Soon her tears had stopped flowing but the pain deep in her stomach stayed with her.
May sat huddled behind the statue taking large gulps of air. Her hands covering her ears tightly to block out sounds that only she could hear, that is the scene that Harry walked in on. May huddled in a corner breathing harshly and her hands wrapped around her ears and tear stains down her face. Harry sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. She struggled briefly before she just collapsed into his hold. He sat there with her until her breath went back to normal and she lowered her hands away from her ears.
"Are you alright? Can you make it through the end of dinner?" He asked her. May stared at him before nodding and wiping her face off. She fixed her dress and hair before walking back into the hall with her head held high.
Later that night Harry laid in May's bed, she was with her brother tonight; in the room that McGonagall had set up for her family, he was kept awake by the memory of May sitting huddled in the corner tears streaming down her face and her hands covering her ears. He couldn't help but wonder what had brought on that episode. She seemed fine during dinner. Nixie's appearance could have set something off in her, something she only held together until she got a moment alone. Nixie. That name sounded so familiar to him, why it did he couldn't remember, but he knew he knew it from somewhere. Harry sighed and sat up in May's bed, he glanced over at Hermione and Draco to see that they were cuddled close together in bed and rolled his eyes; although a smile graced his lips. He got out of the bed and walked downstairs only to see May sitting there in front of the fire, staring into it.
"Couldn't sleep?" Harry asked, smiling slightly as she jumped and gave a small yelp. He took a minute to take in her appearance. Hair braided down her back, wearing some shorts and a tank top. Completely different from the dress she was wearing earlier, but not looking any less beautiful. May sighed and shook her head lightly. "What happened to you earlier? You just shut down." Harry asked her, May bit her lip and continued to stare into the fire. Harry placed a hand under her chin and turned her face towards him. He stared into her eyes, which showed fear; and trust for him. He cursed under his breath softy and pulled her in towards his chest. He cradled her gently against him, running his hands over her hair.
May made a soft sound, which was muffled by Harry's shirt. She breathed in his scent; to her he smelled like the wind, freshly cut grass and a hint of mint. She smiled against his chest and snuggled deeper. Harry smiled feeling her breath him in; he took a moment and then buried his nose in her hair. She smelled like salt water and the melons she always eats at meals. She also smelled like the strawberry shampoo that he washed her hair with once. Harry smiled at the thought that even if she didn't swim in the ocean for a while, she would always smell of salt water. She didn't smell of salt in the strong way that made you wrinkle your nose it was the kind of smell that you breathed in at the beach and let out a sigh of happiness.
"You smell nice." May mumbled against his chest, Harry laughed quietly, trying not to wake up the sleeping couples up stairs. He held her away from his body by the shoulders and then grabbed a bunch of pillows that where scattered around the couch before putting them on the rug in front of the fire. Harry laid back down and then patted his chest. May smiled before cuddling up next to him on the ground.
"You know you seem awfully comfortable with me." Harry said as he stroked her hair, May took another deep breath of his shirt before lifting and turning her head towards him, to look into his eyes.
"It's because I feel safe with you. I feel this sense of security and calmness when I'm near you. I feel that way with Finnick too…Maybe that's why I cuddle with you, because you feel like Finnick." May said staring into eyes. "Granted Finn's never kissed me, besides on the head." She told him giggling when he blushed lightly. Harry nodded before pushing her head back down to his chest. May sighed happily as she listened to his steady heartbeat. Before either of them knew they had both fell asleep comfortably in each others arms.
Harry woke up to hair tickling his face and the smell of salt water and strawberries engulfing his nose. He gently moved May off his chest so he could sit up, his breath caught in his throat when, he sat up enough so he could see over the couch, he saw May's older brother Finnick. He sat there at the table with his fingers wrapped around the handle of the kitchen knife that had been left there earlier, by who Harry didn't know; all that mattered was that it was there now and Finnick had it. The tip of the knife was dug into the table and Finnick's fingers were spinning the knife in circles.
Harry lowered his head slightly trying not to draw attention to himself. Harry didn't know if Finnick was handy with a knife but he sure as hell didn't want to find out any time soon.
"I know you're awake, so you might as well get over here." Harry winced at the harsh tone that he used. He stood up slowly, bringing the blanket back up over May, making sure that he didn't wake her up. He looked over her before smiling and walking towards the table. Finnick sat there still, although now he was holding the knife in his hand and staring into the blade.
"I'm going to ask you a question, if I even think for a second that you're lying… well let's just say you won't like what will happen." Finnick said in a low deadly tone as he flicked his thumb over the blade, smiling when he heard it give off a soft ringing sound. Harry stared at the knife before sitting down at the table, his hands stayed under the table though they were clamped down onto his knees tightly.
"Now you can imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning and my sister wasn't next to me, like she was when I fell asleep. You can probably imagine how worried I was." Harry nodded slowly, watching as the semi large kitchen knifes blade gleam in the light that was pouring in from the windows.
"I doubt you could guess how furious I was when I walked in and saw my baby sister, cuddled up next to you, you a boy I barely know anything about. I doubt there is enough imagination in the world for you to try to guess how angry I was, still am mind you." Finnick said as he stared into Harry's eyes.
"Well May and I aren't together like that." He said. Finnick pursed his lips into a tight line. Harry had a feeling that this wasn't the right thing to say.
"So you just sleep with her?" Harry winced slightly at how that sounded.
"No… and yes. We've never been." He paused for a moment looking for a somewhat safe word to use. "Intimate, we just sleep in the same bed, cuddle mostly." He finished. Finnick stared into his eyes before jamming the tip of the knife into the table roughly, making it stand straight up. Harry waved his hands in front of him, trying to find something to say that would calm this man.
"It's not like that really. I asked her last night why she asks me to stay with her at night and she said it was because I remind her of you." This brought Finnick up short. He looked confused and Harry took that as his cue to continue.
"She said that she feels safe with me. She feels a sense of security that she normally only feels with you… but since you haven't been here I guess she found it in me as well." Harry finished softly. Finnick sighed before running his fingers through his dark hair. He pulled the knife out of the table and then continued to stare directly into Harry's eyes.
Harry sat completely still. Not breaking Finnick's gaze, after a few seconds Finnick smirked getting up from the table and walked towards the couch. He paused, looking at the knife still in his hand before hurling it at the wall to the left of Harry's head, landing a clean stick. He smirked before ducking down on the floor to shake May away. Harry slumped down in his chair heaving a breath of relief. May stood only to see Harry slumped in his seat with a knife lodged into the wall near his head. She rolled her eyes at her brother before going back up stairs and gathered her school uniform and left the common room saying that she was going to take a bath. Finnick stared at Harry for a few seconds before turning away and leaving the room.
Harry got his answer. Finnick was handy with a knife. He drew a breath as he stared at the knife in the wall before pulling it out and setting it back on the table.
Later that day, Harry was sitting next to Finnick at the Gryffindor table for an early lunch. Finnick was fidgeting with his knife next to his plate, and bouncing his leg. Harry sighed lightly, before passing him a glass of salt water. Finnick stared at it before nodding his head in thanks. Finnick gulped down the drink quickly, taking a deep breath. Harry stared at him, before turning to face him.
"What's got you so worked up then?" He asked. Finnick turned his head to stare at him for a moment before sighing.
"Something that little sea witch said last night suck with me." He told Harry, as he filled up his glass with water before dumping more salt into the glass. "About me abandoning Amelia, that she was just alone." He finished. Harry nodded his head in understanding.
"I don't think she was alone. I mean she had her sisters didn't she?" Harry asked. Finnick snorted into the glass.
"My sisters, that's a laugh. My sisters, not counting Arista, don't love Amelia, care for her yes of course but not enough to take care of her. Even though I'm older than Amelia, she and I always had this strong bond. I was really the only person that she had besides our parents." Finnick said, Harry looked at him slightly confused, so he sighed and continued on.
"My sisters have more in common with each other than they do with Amelia. It was always hard for them to connect with her; but for us it was like second nature." Harry nodded, taking another bite of his tuna sandwich.
"So then why did you leave?" Finnick stared at him sadly before taking another gulp of salt water.
"The reason I left is very…complicated" He said lightly playing with the knife again. Harry nodded and decided not to press him any farther. "Speaking of my sister, have you seen her since she left this morning?" Harry shook his head, only to have Ron shake his arm. Finnick and Harry stared at him as he tried to tell them something with his mouth full of steak.
"I'm sorry what? I couldn't understand you due to the half masticated cow rolling around in your wide open trap." Finnick told him, wrinkling his nose as Ron chewed with his mouth open. Harry chuckled quietly, earning a glare from Rom, who swallowed his food quickly.
"I saw her heading to the Room of Requirements this morning." Ron told them before turning back. Harry raised an eyebrow before shrugging his shoulder towards Finnick.
"You'll see her later I'm sure. She has to go back to the dorm to get ready for tonight." Finnick nodded his head stiffly before beginning to eat again. The boys sat quietly every once in a while striking up conversation about random things. May walked into the Great Hall and slipped into the seat across Finnick and Harry. She smiled briefly before she began to search the table for something from her seat. Harry and Finnick stared at her quietly, watching her as she sighed and then got up and walked the length of the table, before she groaned and began to search the other tables for what she wanted.
Harry looked at Finnick, who shrugged his shoulders and continued to watch his sister.
Soon she came back from the Syltherin table with a happy smile on her face and a huge bowl of something.
"What is that?" Harry asked her.
"Fish." May told him as she sat down and began to eat some sardines, with a pleased smile on her lips.
"Do you want some?" she asked Harry, holding the bowl under his nose. He shook his head and pushed the bowl full of slimy fish away from him.
"I'm alright, thanks." He told her, May shrugged her shoulders and continued to eat the little fish, while Hermione and Ginny stared at her with disgusted looks on their faces.
"Any of you fancy a quick swim?" Harry and Finnick nodded their heads, but the rest of the group declined the offer saying, other than Ron; who said he planned to take a nap that afternoon before the dance, that they wanted to spend some relationship time together before the big ball. May sighed and nodded her head in understanding. May stood up and left the table.
"Come one then… and bring the fish with you." Finnick snorted and grabbed the bowl before he and Harry followed May out the door and towards the stairs.
"Where are we going?" Finnick hushed Harry softly while watching May navigate her way in the halls of the dungeons eating her fish. Soon they came to a portrait, that took one look at May before opening and allowing them passage, May ushered them through while looking outside the door making sure no one saw them walk in.
"What is this place Amelia?" Finnick asked her.
"Yeah we're pretty far underneath the dungeons." Harry chimed in
"Uncle thought it would be better to create a room for me where I could get easy entrance to the lake." She told the boys, as she pointed to the circular bed that was in the middle of the room, before lifting it up showing them an underwater entrance.
"See, the only people who know about this place, besides uncle, is you two." Finnick nodded his head before sitting on the floor
"Why did he make this for you?' Harry asked.
"It's much safer for me to enter through this passage way then going through the forest, too many creatures and too many chances to get seen. Plus this place is so far under the castle that, when the full moon hits, I won't be affected by it; but even if I do somehow get a glimpse of moonlight, that red button shuts the entrance off from underneath." May explained from behind a changing screen and began to rustle around.
"What if someone finds this place on accident?" Harry asked her
"Even if someone did find it, the door only opens to uncle and me. It would be impossible for them to enter. If they did find a way, the underwater entrance would lock, the room recognizes me personally." May explained
"It seems uncle has thought of everything." Finnick muttered to himself
"He always does." May answered him, sticking her head out from behind the curtain smirking. Quickly she came back around to the boys with a small bucket.
"Harry, this is for you." May told him, going over to the pool and filled the bucket with water.
"What is it?" Harry asked after she came back and sat down. Finnick looked inside the bucket before whistling.
"Where did you get that you little sneak? Breathing shells aren't very easy to find." Finnick said tugging at May's hair.
"A breathing shell?" May nodded her head.
"It will help you breath under water. I got it for you, but you must remember only use it when it is wet. It is very dangerous to use when it's dry." May told him moving the bucket in front of him. Harry nodded his head, pulling it closer to him.
"Why is it dangerous when it's dry?" Finnick shared a look with his sister.
"Remember when you told me about those dark creatures that can suck the life out of you?" Harry nodded his head
"Dementors yeah" May nodded her head.
"Shell does the same thing, only much slower, much more painful." Harry's eyes widened before he nodded his head in understanding. Harry and Finnick began to take off their clothes, leaving on their boxer shorts.
"Finn you go in first, Harry you follow and then wait for me down there." May said. The boys nodded their heads. May turned towards Harry and picked up the bucket. Harry pulled the shell out and with a nod from May, placed it over his mouth and nose before leaping into the water entrance. May dived in after them, her legs disappearing on contact with the water in a faint blue light.
Harry grabbed May's hand as she led the two boys through the water. Harry had been in the lake only once in his fourth year, the memory was not a happy one. Evil mermaids were trying to drown him and his friends, The Triwizard tournament, the Dark Lord, and Cedric being murdered. Looking over at May, he knew that this new memory would be a wonderful replacement. May led the boys away from the castle; soon they came to an underwater entrance. May pointed to Harry to swim in after Finnick.
When Harry surfaced, he saw a large cave covered in beautiful glittering crystals. He pulled the breathing shell off of his mouth, placing it on the sandy floor of the cave. Finnick pulled himself up on the ledge and up on to the sand that was on the floor of the cave and laid out, his long black and silver streaked tail still skimming the surface of the water. May surfaced with a smile on her face as she pulled herself on to the nearby rocky ledge; her upper body was completely out of the water while her tail was still submerged.
"How did you find this place?" Finnick asked. May smiled over to him
"The squid." She answered shortly. Harry stared at her.
"The giant squid showed you this place?" He asked her, she smiled and nodded her head.
"Why did you decide to bring us here tadpole?" May turned her head to look at Finnick.
"I wanted to show it to you… I thought maybe one day, this cave could be of use to you guys." May said with a slight smirk as she looked around.
For next few hours the three spend the day in the cave, May showing them all the amazing things that the cave had hidden in it. Soon the time came when they had to swim back to the castle, it was getting late and May still needed to get ready for her big party tonight. Back in the room that Snape had made for May, the three climbed back up through the underwater entrance and onto the castle floor. May stretched out her hand and steamed dried herself and Finnick first and then walked over to Harry and dried his clothes off.
"I will meet you at the Ball soon." May told the boys as they stood outside in the hall. Finnick and Harry nodded while she led them back up to the Great Hall before going back to the Head dorms
"So these parties are a big deal yeah?' Finnick rolled his eyes, as he and Harry continued to walk back through the castle.
"A huge deal, bigger tonight for my parents and the people of our kingdom, we haven't seen her for a long time." Harry nodded his head in understanding. "From what my mother has said, Amelia only comes back for a few days a year for each birthday since she left." He explained. The boys stopped in front of Finnick's room that and his parents were staying in.
"Well I guess it's time to get ready for this damned ball." Finnick mumbled under his breath as he bid Harry goodbye and walked into his room to dress.
Inside the Great Hall the students waited patiently for May to appear. The Hall was undecorated with all but floating lights above their heads, the tables pushed against the wall in the shape of a 'U' leaving an opening at the Great Hall's entrance. Amelia's family stood at the stairs that led up to the professor's table. Finnick, standing next to his father, nodded to Harry. Harry glanced around and saw that the Hall was filled with Hogwarts students along with many other people he didn't recognize. He assumes that they are the people who Finnick was telling him about earlier.
"Students and teachers of Hogwarts, My wife and I thank you for coming to out daughter's birthday celebration. As I explained earlier, it is a custom that when a child turns 19 we throw a grand ball in their honor; they must dance with all the eligible men or women and chose one to marry. They also must show a talent. Each of my elder daughters has gone through this process and now it is our youngest daughters turn. Please welcome my daughter, Princess Amelia." Merrick said gesturing towards the doors of the Great Hall. The great hall went completely dark until the doors opened and May stepped through, a single spot light was shining down on her.
The Great Hall was suddenly filled with light as the candles glowed softly. May smiled and bowed to her parents, her sisters, Finnick and then finally the teachers and her Grandmother. Snape nodded his head and held out his wand casting a silent spell. Soon another dancer appeared from the spell he cast. Snape had made a holographic dance partner for May. Music started to softly echo through out the Great hall as May and her 'dance partner' began their Pas de Deux.
The Hall and her family were quite, watching her with awe in their eyes. Harry sat at the table smiling as he watched her dance, looking up he caught the eye of May's sister Laelia. He smiled at her causing her to blush a slight shade of red, in turn making Harry chuckle lightly before turning back to watch May dance. When May told him about her plan to have Snape create her a dance partner he had to admit that he was a little worried but it seemed that everything worked out in the end. Not that he doubted Snape's ability… not that he would tell him that. May danced around the middle of the Hall gracefully before coming to a stop in front of her parents. The Hall was quite before Hermione and Ginny began clapping, soon the Hall had joined in their applause. May bowed before turning towards her grandmother who with a flick of her wand changed May's Eggshell white and Gold trimmed Ballerina Tutu into a stark White one with Feathers.
Once again soft music started to fill the Great Hall, although this music didn't cause smiles. The slow sad music played softly echoing through the Hall in an eerie way. As the music started May rose up onto Pointe and began to dance. Up at the head table her family was watching her closely; her mother had a far off look and her father look at her curiously. Dumbledore however, whose portrait had been moved from the Headmaster's office to the Great Hall for this night, looked down upon his granddaughter with great sadness, the meaning behind the dance did not go unnoticed to him. Once again Harry was speechless at the way May danced; her graceful movements seemed to captivate everyone in the Hall.
May slowly danced her way around the Hall, her movements soft and her facial expression showing an intense amount of sadness that the dance brought on. As the music came to a close, May finished on the floor collapsed with her arms outstretched onto her left leg. The Hall gave a lot pregnant pause before it burst into applause. May stood and bowed before walking swiftly out of the Hall to change into her ball gown. Harry looked at Finnick only to see him having a silent conversation with Dumbledore's portrait.
"Now that Amelia has finished her performance if everyone would please head outside to the field we will finish her birthday dinner outside per request of my daughter and the real party shall begin out there." McGonagall called out to everyone.
The students ate and danced happily outside. The teachers had placed up a large white tent with a wood dance floor; as to not get the student's dressed and robes dirty. They had also placed a warming charm all around the tent to keep everyone warm, seeing as it was December. May's parents had gone all out for her 19th birthday; they had managed to book The Weird Sisters who were now performing their song 'Do the Hippogriff.' They had decorated the tent with floating candles along with fairy lights everywhere, they had placed a whole table full of sweets next to the tables. It was full of cotton candy, Blood Pops, Acid Pops, Chocolate Frogs, Every Flavored Beans and much more. Round tables were on one side of the tent for when their dinner was served and the other side was the stage and dance floor. McGonagall even had a photo booth brought in.
Harry was sitting with Ron, Draco, and Blaise as they watched Hermione and Ginny dance with a large group of girls. Harry stared at Ginny as she twirled around with Luna to the music.
"Mate you have got to stop staring at Ginny, she's with Blaise now." Ron said gently taking a sip of his Butter Beer.
"I know she is and I won't make a move on her, but it is rather hard to stop staring at her." Harry said grinning cheekily, taking one last look at Ginny before turning away and facing Ron completely.
"If I could have everyone's attention, my wife and I would like to introduce our daughter Amelia." Merrick announced stepping aside to let the tent open. The students took their seats and waited for May to walk in.
Outside the tent May took a deep breath smoothing out her dress before walking in. There was a collective gasp in the room and you could hear people's breaths catch in their throats as May made her entrance. She stood in front of the tents opening, her eyes sweeping over the crowd searching for her friends. When she caught Ginny and Hermione's eye she smiled and gave a small curtsy before smiling up at her mother and father.
"She looks amazing." Hermione said smiling, the boys and Ginny had to agree. May looked stunning in her dress, it was a modified mermaid gown with a strapless sweetheart neck line, and a draped peplum bodice a multi-tiered back complete with a medium-sized bow placed at the back of her waist. Her dress was a soft pale pink.
For half of the night May danced with men from her kingdom; one tried to shove his tongue down her throat (only to be pulled away roughly and thrown out of the tent by a very angry Finnick) and the other she was dancing with now kept stepping on her poor feet. At least when she danced with Cassius he guided her along with graceful moves, even if she had wanted to slap his smug smirk off his face knowing that he had impressed her. Draco made his way over and cut in.
"Your timing is impeccable thank you." Draco chuckled before he spun her around.
"Well look at you mister dance moves." May teased him giggling softly after he lifted her in the air gracefully.
"Oh shut it." Draco said giving her nose a gentle tweak.
"How are you and Hermione doing?" She asked after a moment of silence only to look up at his blushing face. "That good?" she smirked, only to throw her head back and laugh when he turned a darker shade of red.
"We're fine, not that it's your business." Draco said after taking a moment to recover from his shock, though his cheeks were still alight with a soft blush. May looked up at him with a soft smile.
"What's it like?"
"What is what like?"
"Being in love." Draco looked down at her and sighed upon seeing her far off look, being able to guess what she was thinking about.
"It's hard… and painful sometimes but after all that stuff is over, it's like being the happiest you've ever been. For me it's like flying on a boom, my heart speed up every time I see her, or think about her. My stomach explodes in this weirdly amazing feeling and I would do anything to make her happy." Draco sighed happily. May smiled up at him.
"How much do you love her?" Draco looked down surprised before smiling brightly at her.
"More than I ever thought was possible. I've been in love with her since I was 13 years old. I would write her name in the stars and give her the moon it I could." May beamed up at him, her eyes shining slightly with unshed tears.
"I hope I can find that one day soon." She signed, smiling sadly. Draco patted her on top of the head. Soon she was whisked away from her pleasant dance with him by other boys from her kingdom asking for a dance. It seemed they had grown annoyed with May's close attention with Draco. Therefore May was once again in hell, she was growing increasingly tired and annoyed with the amount of men that had stepped on her feet or tried to grope her.
Harry smirked as May sat in the seat next to him with a large huff.
"Don't you dare." She warned him glaring, Harry merely bit his lip to stop the laugh from escaping his mouth.
"Having a good time?" Blaise smirked as him, Ginny, Hermione and Draco sat back down at the table to eat dinner. May growled at him.
"Oh yes, I'm having a blast being stepped on and man handled. It's right up there on my 'things to do' underneath biting my fingers off and pulling out my own eyelashes." She grumbled taking a bite out of her lobster before starting on her crab stuffed mushroom. Hermione and Ginny giggled loudly.
After she was done eating Harry led May onto the dance floor. She sighed and leaned into him, her head resting on his chest as he swayed them gently.
"I can only imagine what we must look like." She said laughing softly. "The happy couple of Hogwarts the 'Golden Boy and Dumbledore's granddaughter,' but we know better." Harry nodded his head smiling into her hair.
"Do you regret it?" When he looked down at her confused her continued, "Letting Ginny go, I can that you still love her, it's in the way you look at her." She finished softly. Harry looked down at her before glancing over at Ginny slowing dancing with Blaise.
"Yes, completely." He told her shortly after turning his eye back towards her.
"She doesn't love him, she doesn't look at him the way she looks at you." She told him softly, Harry only shook his head, before turning her.
"Harry I mean it, I've spent enough time looking for love to know the look in someone's eyes when they look at a person they love. She gives you the same look that you give her. Please if it comes down to you and her please tell her." Harry looked down at her and the fierce look in her eyes before nodding his head.
"I promise." He said.
"Good, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go dance with Uncle." May said sticking her tongue out at him before going over to Snape, who to Harry (and everyone else's surprise) gave a genuine smile and stood taking her hand before leading her to the dance floor.
After dancing most of a song with him May turned her eyes up to Snape's.
"Uncle Severus there's something I need to speak with you about, it's very important." Snape raised an eyebrow before nodding and leading her to a table, away from the dancing students. "Well I guess I should start from the beginning. It all happened when I was 8…" and so May started her story, telling him everything. Snape sat there the whole story, start to finish.
"So you're telling me that you've been under this curse since you were 8 and if you don't find love, true love, you will die." May nodded sadly. "And that you suspect that something will happen to you over the holidays, but you wish me not to panic when it does?" Again she nodded her head.
"You are Dumbledore's grandchild. You both ask too much of me." Snape snarled as he took a large gulp of Fire Whiskey.
"Please Uncle, I need you." May pleaded. Snape closed his eyes with a look of pure agony, before sighing.
"I will do what you've asked of me, but I am not happy about this." May smiled
"Remember I need you find them before Christmas, it's very important." Snape nodded his head before taking another gulp of Whiskey. "And remember…" she paused until he looked her in the eye. "I love you, very much so Uncle Severus." She said kissing him on the forehead before walking back to her table and sitting next to Harry, before getting up to dance with the girls.
"I love you, you stupid girl." He muttered as he stood up and walked back to his seat. He would start on his tasks tomorrow, right now he wanted to his God Daughter at her happiest.
Oh gosh you guys I finally got this chapter up. After my lap top dying and having to hand write the rest of it and borrow my father's computer to type it up tonight I'm very tired. Please Review. They make me very happy (:
Love always.