The dusty rented room was filled with a still lifeless chill, freezing the soul, repressing, then crushing the heart.
Rabastan was unfazed, he had no heart to crush, and his soul he gave to Voldermort along time ago, so he merely watched as an eerie ghoulish green vapour swirled around the chamber, bathing the battered old furniture in its unholy the light, a body was forming, Rabastan trembled slightly in anticipation, watching the sickening movement of a writhing snake. A vision of evil twisted and turned before him. A grey face , sunken, with slit like nostrils formed in front of him, stretching and flexing its features. The creature raised its head upwards to stare at the ceiling, Its thin arms raised up allowing his elongated bony fingers, adorned by his long gnarled nails to scrape at his face.
Suddenly the imposing phantom clasped his sunken cheeks, his mouth openend wide in horror like an imitation of the scream.
His body whirled round towards Rabastan.
Moving quickly he made to touch the gleeful dark wizard only to grasp air. His eyes blazed red with fury. The Death Eater before him seemed to lose a little of his confidence, retreating slightly towards the door.
"Crucio." Hissed the apparition.
Nothing happened. Voldermort let out a high pitched howl of utter rage and frustration. Rodulphus covered his ears and cowered slightly before him, the room went quiet once more the only sounds being Rabastans quick panicked breaths.
A knock reverberated around the parlour as the landlord stood enraged behind the locked door. "What the hell are you doing screaming like that! I have few punters as it is, I don't need you frightening off my trade!" he shouted through the key hole.
"My apologies, I am experimenting with a new spell, it unfortunately back fired, causing some momentary pain. I'm sorry for my loud exclamation. Rabastan spoke carefully and deliberately, concentrating so as to hide the fear, maintaining his intimidating facade, never taking his eyes of the mass of seething robes and rage in front of him.
"Well, see you don't do it again."
Answered the landlord. He was unwilling to take it further, long term tenants were hard to come by, and Rabastan was intimidating at best. He retreated down to the bar.
When his steps could be heard getting fainter down the stairs,
Rabastan started to speak;
"My lord, my Master, I am your servant." he bowed shakily and continued "I'm attempting to bring you back, this is the beginning of your return to power."
Voldemort's reptilian mouth moved slightly; "I was assured immortality, How was this thwarted?... thwarted ...again and again... now this! back to being the meanest of ghosts. Powerless... Impotent, wandless. I've experienced death at the hands of Harry Potter. What gave you the right, Rabastan, to reverse my unconscious state?" Voldermorts voice was strangely high pitched, cold and fear inspiring, scarlet eyes looked unblinkingly into Rabastans frightened ones. As he did so the monster was delighted to feel the familiar pull of the legilimans, draw him suddenly Into Rabastans mind, All the perverse events leading up to this moment cascaded quickly into his brain.
Rabastan collapsed to the floor still grasping the stone, as his muscle's had seized slightly , involuntarily closing his fist tight. His nails dug into his palms as he fought to repel the dark lord. Voldermort was ruthlessly and viciously penetrating his sullied thoughts. "Ahhh ... it appears there is one avenue of magic left to a ghost. So this body is not all I'm to expect, you imagine yourself capable of achieving what I could not? Poor Rabastan, did you expect honours and accolades from your master? Who are you to presume? You don't want this for me...you want this for your own ambition; an extension of my power...you imagine I will share this with you?...you're not loyal anymore than the coward Wormtail was! I see you used a hallow, the hallow that was mine ...for so many years, unbeknown to me. Dark magic leaves traces ...I can feel the stone...I can feel the old home of my severed soul. " His voice had become soft almost whispered, his questions more rhetoric, emphasising Rabastan's inferiority.
The trembling Wizard's hand started to unclench.
Voldermort's red eyes flashed dangerously.
"Don't you dare! If you drop that stone I disappear."
"But my lord I can't continually hold this stone, I will have to relieve myself of it after a short duration."
"My friend...You should have thought about that, before attempting my return with out all the necessary hallows! But you...worm, wanted a kiss and a pat for your efforts. How disappointing. Now don't lie to me...are you regretting using that stone?... Don't lie, lord voldermort can see you flinch, I can see panic in your eyes. Still your idea has some merit and for that you will have your reward."
Relief swept over Rabastans ashen face.
"My lord... Thank you" he breathed.
"Yes I am merciful am I not? ...Your body will be most comfortable, are you not honoured?"
The realisation of his masters intent Horrified and shocked Rabastan, his reaction was therefore slow, he attempted to drop the stone, he was thwarted in a split second.
"Nooo" Voldermort screeched.
As he spoke his essence slithered closer to the fallen wizards hand.
The ghostly vapour of the dark lords fingers passed through the twitching appendage, belonging to his quivering servant. His spirit began connecting to the stone.
Rabastan frantically tried to drop the tiny rock, but it was adhering to his skin. Smoke and the acidic smell of burning flesh assailed his Senses. A hot searing pain shot through his hand and body, the flesh under the stone began to hiss and melt, his horrified eyes watched the stone sink, fast, into his skin. His hoarse screaming could be heard by the few downstairs in the bar who jumped up in alarm. Rabastan pulled and scrapped with his nails at the rapidly disappearing red hot stone.
Voldermort laughed and cackled.
Just before the stone completely vanished, the spirit that was still laughing, gathered itself into a smoky green wisp; it coiled itself like a snake preparing to attack. With one dart, the vapour flew straight into Rabastans hand, joining with the stone. The skin closed over it, with out blemish. The fallen wizard convulsed grotesquely on the warped and creaky floor boards, his mouth frothing and foaming, his spittle speckled with blood from his bitten tongue.
A banging once again could be heard on the door.
This time the landlord and the barman didn't wait for a response spell blasting the door open, to gaze in horror at the twitching limbs of Rabastan, all alone in his rented chamber.
"Bill! Bill! Zair ez an owl for you."
The ephemeral woman with long silvery hair tutted impatiently, as she tried to untie the letter from the tiny owl hopping about on her kitchen work top.
Finally she released it from the over excited bird, glancing down at the envelope she shouted again.
"Eet iz from Ron!"
Bill hurried down the small staircase at Shell cottage.
"I wonder what he wants? It's not like Ron to bother with a quill." Bill's voice held traces of concern.
He took the letter from Fleur, opening it quickly.
he frowned while reading the hastily written note.
"That's odd, Ron says his girlfriend Cho wants to meet us, he says she wants to ask for my assistance with a curse she has come across at the department of mysteries."
"I thought zat unspeakable's could not discuss zair work."
"hmm...yes so did I, Anyway Ron wants us to meet her, he sound's smitten." he said smiling to himself .
"When does e want us to meet?"asked Fleur as she shook back her shimmering hair, her blue eyes twinkling at her doting husband.
"Before the ball, at Grimmauld place. He says he wonders if we would mind having a small pre party drink with them both, it would mean being a few minutes late for the ball, what do you think?"
"Zat iz fine darling, eet will have to be pumpkin juice for me though."
"Yes, indeed my dear."
Bill placed the letter down, then gently pulled his wife towards him, wrapping his arms around her from behind. She nuzzled into his well built forearm and he patted her almost imperceptible stomach.
"Where is he?" Her pointed question demanded the barman's immediate attention.
As before, Perry wondered what Rabastan was doing to get such a young and innocent looking girl to visit the much older, and frankly ugly wizard.
Her tone of voice however, displayed none of her physical virtues, her sharp clipped tones were worldly wise and domineering. Perry recognised this corruption and wordlessly pointed upstairs.
The woman swept past him focused on finding her master.
The door to his room was open. She could her the landlord arguing with him. "Imperio!"a flash of light illuminated the door frame.
The publican walked past her with a vacant expression.
"I will send you the tenancy extension papers after the weekend." he said waiving his hand vaguely. "Hello" he nodded at the woman.
She ignored him pushing past.
Rabastan sat in a battered chair by the fire. His face was grey like a corpse.
She shuddered slightly.
"Are you ready for our next move." Rabastan queried with out looking up.
"Yes, Lucius's information was fairly useful, Mr Weasley jr was easily persuadable."
"You're a whore! did lucius ever use you as currency? I must admit its your most useful attribute."
The woman clenched her fair hands for a moment, yet her face remained impassive. "I do what is necessary for the greater good, under your command I add, if I am as you say a whore, what are you? A whoremonger? "
"Crucio!"
The wand was out before she could react.
She crumpled on the floor, like a fragile lotus flower. A Curled up petal in her dress of silk. She remained silent as the curse worked it's way through her nerve endings, making her body twitch.
"Remember who you're talking to witch! That was a mild slap, don't enrage me further. Your estranged husband spoke to me in a similar way, I was not so gentle with him. His screams were most upsetting. I was concerned to see his pretty face so distorted in agony. I hear he hid himself in the Malfoy manor for three days licking his wounds. Now get up! And remember whom you're dealing with ...now, tell me how Lucius's information has helped.
The young woman's Lithe body uncurled itself, raising up from the floor with as much dignity and stability as she could muster. Taking a deep steadying breath she made her reply. "I'm sure he deserved it master as did I." she addressed him with her head bowed with only the slightest tremor detectable in her voice."
"Much Better, now tell me your plans."
"You told me Lucius had given you the information that the floo at Harry Potters safe house would be open at all times to the school. He also made me aware that the potter party will be attending the ball via it. So I have convinced Mr Ron Weasley to make me a secret keeper to the safe house. I have arranged a get-together with William and Fleur Weasley tomorrow evening. They will be arriving after the others have left the house.
I will then give the Dark lords followers access to the house. The rest master, is in your hands."
Rabastans emotionless Face twitched slightly, he shook his head as if to rid himself of a fly. He winced and rubbed his hand as if in pain. "Good, I am not displeased. This will be my chance for completion. Potter and Snape will bow to me." His voice was slightly higher than normal and a mania could be heard in its treble.
The witch looked up in alarm, suspicion written on her face.
"Surely you mean The Dark Lord? They will bow to The Dark Lord."
"Indeed." He replied with a twitch of his thin lips.
"Master where is the stone?"
" Safe in hand, you may leave now." His voice became lower, as if fatigued.
Alarmed and suspicious, she made to leave walking stiffly as the cruciatus
curse still lingered in her bones.
She rested her weight against the door frame, turning one last time to address Rabastan; " I will contact you via Rodulphus tomorrow evening, be ready master."
He inclined his head, she left his presence, clutching onto the stair banister for the needed support.
She didn't hear the pathetic whimper of pain that followed her departure.
Professor Snape was replenishing his stock room, he still kept it, even though potions was, for the time being Slughorn's department, he grudgingly allowed Horace to use it. Horace rarely replenished the stock. Snape actually suspected the florid professor of pilfering some of the more valuable contents. He reached up intending to replace a bottle of lacewing on the middle shelf, as he did so, a sharp pain spasmed through his body, the bottle fell through his fingers smashing on the floor. He staggered and clutched at the shelf knocking more bottle to the ground.
His vision fogged, he could hear laughter, he could hear the words; "Bow to me..."Just as suddenly the professors vision cleared, the pain dissipated. Snape straightened himself up, resting heavily against the door.
'Typical, nightmares while I'm awake now.' He thought. Breathing slowly he turned and opened the door to the corridor, and made his way to the office. Almost as if signaled of his presence, The fire flashed green, then Professor McGonagal's head arose from the glowing embers.
"Severus?"
"I'm here Minerva." He replied Softly, trying to compose himself. He walked steadily toward the fire, hoping the headmistress would not notice his recent indisposition .
"I'm just checking up on you. You haven't sent an RSVP to the Heros committee for the ball. I took the liberty of sending it for you."
"It certainly was a liberty, I was not going to attend. You may inform them if you wish." his voice was slightly petulant.
"Merlins beard, you are the most annoying man I have ever encountered!" she blustered
"I find that hard to believe, you spend most of your time with a portrait of an addled old man."
"Fine, your the second most annoying man of my acquaintance!"
Snape accepted his secondary position with a nod. "Its all to the greater good Minerva, if I'm so annoying... you don't need my company at the ball ...do you? I also think that my being alive and kicking ...as it were, will certainly upset a few attendees. I would hate to rain on the parade. I can assure you however, that I'm mortified to be missing such a splendid occasion for Potter!" He raised his lip in a sarcastic smirk and began to walk away from the fire.
"Severus! You will attend, or You will be watching your back, until I retire or die! And if I do die, I will haunt you!"
Snape faced the fire once again. "You already do haunt me! So I have little fear of your threats, it's all the same to me...Headmistress."
"I hate to do this Severus, but if you do not attend, I will be forced to withdraw your position here! You're to support your school!"
"Fine... But I'm not dressing up, I'm not dancing, I will not be smiling, but I will stand inanimately in the Corner as long as you wish. Are you sure you want that at your...ball?"
"It's all I expect from you Severus, do not let me down." Her head sunk into the embers and disappeared with a crackle.
Snape raised his wand viciously, shouting "agumenti"at the fire which sizzled and fizzed out immediately. Grabbing his robes he made for the door. Takeing long strides he crossed the threshold of his office, slamming the door behind him. He flung the outer robe over his shoulders fastening the chain expertly, While still walking at a furious pace towards the entrance hall. Waving his wand hand the mighty doors to the school opened to reveal the fading afternoon light. Flying through them he gave a backward flick of his wand and the doors closed behind him.
Hermione, sat studying alone in her Hogwarts rooms. She had spent all day sorting costumes and getting things ready for the ball. Her compulsive nature wouldn't allow her to neglect some last minute study, as tired as she was her mind kept wanting to keep churning. She was still working on a potions essay for professor Slughorn. The book smart witch remembered that Harry had more success when he didn't follow the text exactly. This was still an alien concept to her, it was frustrating, she decided to collect some ingredients together and try to brew by the feel and not by the book.
Her mum always used to cook with her as a small child, she never used a cook book she rarely used scales and yet she was a most accomplished chef."How do you know it's ready mum?" Hermione remembered asking her mum this, while watching the cake rise in the oven. "I can just feel it my darling, you just know." Maybe it was the same with potions. Hermione felt it was worth a try.
Hermione checked her stock. she sighed "I'm missing a few things." Closing the little cupboard door she decided to go to Professor Snape's stock room. Professor Slughorn had said she could use it at any time, as long as she replaced used items. She left her rooms quickly, to sprint in the direction of the dungeons. On reaching the tiny potions room, she raised her wand, casting the charm to break the wards given to her by Professor Slughorn.
Stepping in to the darkened store room she heard glass crunching under her feet. "lumos!" the summoned light displayed broken tubes and bottles strewn along the floor. The Gryffindor looked around the small room in panic. "Professor." She gasped. She rushed out of the room closing the door with a swish of her wand. Turning to Snape's office and banging on the door. There was no reply.
"Alohamora ! "
The door swung open, it was cold in his office, she shivered as she stepped in the room. "Professor!" she shouted. Her voice echoed slightly.
"Ahem."
Hermione looked up for the source of the noise.
Phineas Nigellus Black looked down from a portrait he was apparently visiting. "He left, Miss Granger."
"Where?" she asked.
"I don't think that's any of your business Miss Granger." he stated haughtily.
"Professor Black it's important, I'm worried, where is he?"
"I don't know girl, I'm not in his confidence. He took his outdoor cloak, maybe he's out in the grounds. Now please leave you're ruining my visit."He turned away to continue his conversation with another decidedly slytherin looking wizard.
Hermione shot out of the room towards the grounds. As she ran towards the lake she could see a shadow by the waters edge, The girl almost cried in relief, it had to be the professor. She stopped running and slowly approached the huddled figure. As Hermione got closer, it became apparent that he was reading, due to the dwindling light he was having to hold the book close to his face. His knees were drawn up to his chest, the small book rested on them, the professors shoulders hunched over towards the pages. As she crept closer behind him she could see it was poetry he was reading. Hermione was further shocked to see him raise a cigarette to his mouth.
"I know your there Granger." he drawled without turning round.
"Those things will kill you." Hermione stated nervously.
"Really? That's convenient. How long have I got?" He turned over a page, hopeful that she would leave him to his solitude.
Hermione nervously walked to his side and sat next to him.
Snape stiffened slightly and turned to look at her. "What do you want Miss Granger?"
"I want to know if your ok, your stock room is covered in broken glass."
"Are you spying on me?"
"No! why... Why would you think that? I was getting extra potion ingredients, with permission, I add,from professor Slughorn."
"It wouldn't be the first time you nosey Gryfindor's have spied on me would it?"
Hermione shook her head in miserable agreement. "But not this time sir, I was just worried."
Snape sighed. "I fell Miss Granger, I knocked the bottles over, I forgot to clear the mess up."
"Did you hurt yourself?" Hermione asked timidly.
Snape huffed in exasperation. "Will you stop with the persistent questions, I'm fine." The stern man was puzzled and a little irritated by her concern. He flicked his cigarette butt away, agitatedly blowing out the last of the smoke from his mouth.
"Do you like poetry Sir?" Hermione desperately tried a different conversational tack.
Snape groaned with the realisation that ridding himself of the interfering know it all, was going to be the devil of a task. "Obviously." Was the familiar one word put down.
"Poet's help the reader really feel emotion, don't you think?" Hermione became quietly lost in contemplation of her favourite poets. The young woman drew her knees up, so that unconsciously her posture mirrored that of her Professor's.
A silence settled over them, yet it wasn't totally uncomfortable. It was a relief to Severus Snape, He didn't want to talk, yet to his own surprise, the silent contemplation of Hermione's thoughts on poetry prompted him to comment.
"I wouldn't know." he almost whispered.
"I'm sorry what did you say?" the late response to the earlier rhetorical question took the girl quite by surprise.
"I said ...I wouldn't know, I don't feel, I certainly don't want emotion, I like the words, the construction of a poem. I'm afraid the projection of emotion is not a factor." He closed his book with a snap, the light was growing too dim for reading anyway. He placed the book to his side, stretched his legs out and placed his hands flat either side of him, Feeling the cold grass between his fingers. He gazed out across the lake slightly regretful of his admittance. The wind blew across the water and a gentle rippling sound filled the air.
Hermione shivered slightly.
"Where's your cloak?" said Snape sharply.
"I didn't bring it, I was to panicked about you."
"You little fool, I'm big and ugly enough to look after myself, you how ever seem to require a nursemaid." He removed a black handkerchief from his pocket throwing it in the air he expertly swiped his wand across it as it fell. When it settled on Hermione It had been transfigured into a large black blanket that engulfed her with warmth.
The young woman smiled in appreciation of the beautiful piece of magic demonstrated for her.
"I'm not your nursemaid Granger." Hissed Snape.
"No you most defiantly are not. But you don't fool me professor, you feel, I've seen you feel emotion, you cried on my shoulder or have you forgotten?"
Snape growled softly in warning. "How could I forget? Humiliation tends to imprint itself permanently on the mind."
"There's no shame in asking for help Sir."
"I'm aware of that Miss Granger, are you aware I've never asked for it?"
"I am sir, I just wish you would."
"Why? I don't understand what you want from me. I have spent thirty nine years without asking for help, why are you so convinced its something I need now?"
Hermione Thought for a second ; "What do you feel professor? What do the poets make you feel? I dont believe you purely read them for gramatical reasons, You must read poetry for a better reason than rhyme and metre." Again there was a moments silence, Hermione fidgeted uneasily, maybe that was to much to ask.
"Despair."
"I'm sorry?" Hermione missed the softly spoken word that got lost in the breeze.
"Despair, Granger. It's all I've ever felt, are you happy now? Was that what you wanted to hear?"
Hermione allowed her legs to straighten out in front of her, she turned slightly on her side her hands steadying her on the damp grass. The blanket slipped from her shoulders. The young woman looked at the professors profile, he was determinedly looking out over the water, expressionless, cold. His hair whipped around his face in the breeze. Suddenly like a candle snuffed out, the sun disappeared, darkness descended, silvery light streaked across the lake. Stars began to pepper the sky." Despair sir? Even now?, look how beautiful it is." Hermione began to recite;
'HAD I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.'
...Do you have dreams sir?" Hermione moved unconsciously closer to the inanimate wizard.
"Yes, bad ones filled with war and death." He seemed unmoved by Hermione's quotation.
"So do I, but I have nice dreams too. I heard poetry in my dreams the other night."
Wistfully the girl looked up to the sky to study the stars.
Snape started to speak again, with an angry tremor punctuating his words.
"You ... You, can't fix me, I don't understand why you're trying to. This is who I am, who I've always been. Against my better judgement I've told and shown you things I was determined would remain my own." He paused before continuing his admission. "You confuse me, A child shouldn't confuse me. Do you think you could leave me alone now, has your curiosity been sated?"
"I'm not a child! don't misunderstand me, I know exactly who you are. You're the one who is refusing to see yourself, you're the one who sees no future, who wants no future. Don't you see that no matter what your past, no mater how dirty or miserable it was , Your future is fresh, new and spotless, it's a clean slate, but it's your decision to keep it so. Your alive for a reason professor."
Despite his efforts not too, Snape found himself turning to study her features as she gazed at the stars. She was beautiful, no other word for it. Her hair glistened in the moonlight, her flawless skin sparkled with youth and vitality.
Hermione shifted slightly, unaware that she had caught Snape's attention.
Suddenly Hermione realised she had moved just a little too close, as her fingers brushed against the professors own hand.
She stilled her hand at once. Hermione felt her stomach turn over, her fingers tingled, she fought the desire to grab his hand.'what the hell was that?' she thought, horrified by her instinctive urge. 'Oh dear gods, I'm in so much trouble. ' Hermione suddenly comprehended her own feelings. This was no crush, this feeling wasn't going away. The usually calm and collected girls hand, quivered slightly, causing the smallest amount of friction against the professors little finger, scared to break contact yet unprepared to risk furthering the touch. Hermione was convinced the professor hadn't noticed her hand anyway. It was the smallest amount of skin touching and yet it felt like she was on fire.
Snape stared at the sky while mentally berating himself for talking to Granger. He also felt the brush of her little finger against his. It caused a jolt in his navel, uncomfortable but compelling. Snape vaguely remembered a similar feeling from over twenty years ago. His discomfort with her proximity led him to distance himself. When he pulled away from her hand, it hit the pit of his stomach like a physical blow, One he was quite unprepared for. "Miss Granger you are now past curfew." Snape spoke up sharply to hide his confusion.
"I don't have a curfew sir."
"If I say so, you do."
Hermione sighed stood up and brushed her skirt down, then she made to Pass Snape the blanket that was draped over her arm.
"Keep it" he growled pushing it back towards her.
She wrapped it back around herself gratefully.
"Thank you sir."
"I'm going to escort you back to the castle, you seem to have a nose for trouble, the headmistress would not want you walking the grounds alone in the dark." He picked up his book and strode off in the direction of the castle his cape billowing out in the wind.
Hermione trotted after him struggling to keep up with his long strides. Once in the castle she grabbed Snape's cloak, "Thank you sir." she said breathlessly.
Snape glared at her hand on his outer garment, she dropped it immediately. "What for?"
"For talking to me Profesor."
"I don't think I had much choice did I Granger?"
"You always have a choice, I'm surprised you chose to talk. "
Snape turned his back on her to walk to his rooms. He didn't get far.
"Sir?"
She pulled a vial from her pocket and hurried over to him, she grabbed his hand.
Snape flinched and tried to free himself of her. Before he could she placed the vial in his palm. "What's this?" he barked in annoyance.
"I destroyed all your private stock of medicine sir, but I think you needed this one, it's dreamless sleep. Only one dose. I made it myself, I think you need it more than I do tonight. Sleep well sir." With that she ran off to her rooms without so much as a backward glance at professor Snape.
He stood in the fast darkening entrance hall, staring at the gift in his palm, wondering how he had allowed such a conversation to occur.
It was soon the afternoon of the Ball. Grimmauld place had been full of activity all day.
Hermione had finished her potions homework when she left the professor. She had pushed their conversation to one side in her mind, deciding to Pursue it further another time. She was determined to relax and enjoy the ball. No work, no darkness, no annoying professor Snape. She fleetingly wondered if he would even be there. Ignoring the uneasy hope that he would be, she continued to pack her outfit to get changed at Hogwarts.
"I look like a pratt!"Announced Ron walking into the kitchen. He was wearing a tight-fitting costume, it was decorated with colourful triangles and diamond's. A black half mask, that had tiny eyeholes and quizzically arched eyebrows, obscured his own face, it was accentuated by a wrinkled forehead, giving the whole ensemble a comical quality.
" I think madame Malkin and a touch of magic have worked wonders. You look awesome." Hermione said looking him up and down.
"What am I supposed to be again?"
"Your Harlequin. A poor but witty Jester, very popular with the ladies."
"hmmm ... ladies have a thing about tight trousers covered with diamond shapes?"
"Definitely" was the firm reply.
Ron did not miss the giggle that followed. He scowled at Hermione's bent head.
Harry strode into the kitchen wearing his invisibility cloak inside out, it shimmered and waved like water, still see through, but tangible, the fuzzy red hue of fabric could be seen under it. His mask covered his face to his upper lip, it was white and skeletal with black around the eye holes.
"That's a creepy mask, perfect Harry!" Hermione was delighted with the effect.
"I knew he'd come in looking all cool. Why is it me that always ends up at parties looking like a pillock?"
Harry laughed at Ron and assured him that his costume was brilliant.
Slightly mollified Ron asked to see the rest of Harry's outfit. Obligingly he removed his clock to reveal a tight red velvet jacket, adorned with brass buttons. The collar was high and flamboyant with gold brocade. He wore a black cravat. The trousers were a tight red velvet, a sword hung to the side. Ron snorted. "Nice, don't bend down at any point those trousers will split into. Hermione did you really design these outfits? I think you could have designed our trousers a bit roomier, these leave little to the imagination."
" Just be grateful I didn't get my trouser inspiration from David Bowie, do you remember that masked ball in labyrinth?"
"Yes he had a very prominent role in that film." laughed Harry.
"Yes, it was a very impressive role." Hermione agreed, smirking.
"I was concerned about his acting skills but creative camera angles really helped bring out his talents, and the way he manipulates those balls, almost hypnotic." finished Harry grinning.
Hermione howled with laughter.
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"Just a muggle movie Ron" said Harry slipping his cloak back on.
Ron shrugged disinterested. As Harry put his his cloak back on, the red head suddenly looked thoughtful, his face creased with the effort of trying to remember something.
"I keep thinking I've seen something similar to your cloak,especially when I see it inside out... The veil! It looks just like the veil in the department of mysteries."
Harry and Hermione thought about this, recalling their own encounter with the veil. Harry shivered slightly remembering Sirius and a familiar pang of mourning churned his stomach.
"Your right Ron it does look similar, how strange." Hermione pondered, gazing at the iridescent material.
Ron shrugged. "Just a coincidence I suppose, hey why are you not tarted up yet?"
Hermione was still in her jeans her hair scraped back into a rough pony tail.
"I'm going to get ready in the Hogwarts rooms, I'm off now. Harry are you still going early to Hogwarts to meet up with Ginny?""Yes I'm going now too, you have the house to yourself Ron. See you in a bit."
With that Harry and Hermione gathered their things and went off to Hogwarts via the fireplace.
Ron settled himself down in the armchair by the fire. He poured himself an encouraging fire whisky and waited for his girlfriend and brother to arrive.
I hope this is readable I hope my mistakes don't distract to much. Please review it's nice to hear what people think, in the meantime I will try and get this improved.
This chapter has not had a beta, I don't know how long it will be before I can get it looked at. In the meantime I am writting the next chapter. I had very little feedback to this chapter, so maybe my poor grammer is too distracting. Please let me know if anyone wants me to continue.