Chapter 53:

Neville only had eyes for his dance partner and it had nothing to do with her being a Veela. Fleur was wearing a light flowery green gown, her hair tied in a long french braid adorned with small crystal pearls like dew. More importantly, her waistband was embroidered with discreet tropical leaves, and he knew she had added these at the last minute for him. She was so sweet...

They had only grown closer since they met and he couldn't help but be happy and giddy to be her date for the ball. Even his social awkwardness was nowhere to be seen. She was the only one in his world right now and Neville couldn't care to remember that they were dancing in front of everyone.

"Are you okay, Neville?" Still asked Fleur, worried that the numerous stares might make him uncomfortable. "Do you want me to use a spell to hide us from everyone?"

"Thank you, but I'm okay." He answered softly, looking up to her with a beatific smile. "I can't see them. I can only see you."

It made Fleur blush brightly. This was her first sortie with her sunflower bunny and she couldn't be more extatic. Neville had chosen a suit in a soft earthen color with a deep green and golden lining that complemented her and suited him a lot. He even wore a dark blue watch reminiscent of her eyes. They went so well together... and he was so nice, showing her the same care he gave to his beloved plants. His mere presence made her beauty pop up in a way Veela Allure couldn't dream to match. The Champions' dance had long ended even! And they hadn't noticed at all. That's how much they were enthralled by each other.

Draco tried to stand tall and proud in his grey robes with pale salmon under-robes... but he was uneasy. The disappeared Slytherins were still impossible to find and while their numbers kept growing, the cemetery remained unchanged. No new grave anywhere and yet no traces of them either. What could have happened? What did Theo do? Nobody could answer these questions...

Oh, who was he trying to fool!? The poor Malfoy was hyper-aware of the numerous stares coming his way! He was fidgeting like mad and his swagger was weakening. He may have told everyone in Slytherin that he would rock this look like a champ, but this was a whole lot harder than he had predicted. The worst thing about it wasn't even the staring: it was the Silence. Everyone could see him -was looking at him- and no one said anything. They just followed his every move with their focused unblinking eyes, dissecting him and his red and gold hair... It was right damn scary!

At his arm, Pansy was smiling brightly, unaware. She was wearing an incandescent orange ball gown, talking to some random gossips and showing him off like a prized trophy husband. They had decided to mend their relationship after the recent hardships and she couldn't be happier. Draco looked at her with longing, he wanted nothing more than to be as unaware as she was, but alas...

Seemingly noticing that something was not right, Pansy suddenly took him away from the crowds and guided him toward the buffet.

"Is something wrong, Draco?" She asked discreetly. "You look unwell... Are you perhaps feeling peckish?"

"I'm fine, Pansy, don't worry." He sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a spoilsport when you were so eager for this day."

"It's okay." She grinned softly. "I know you are preoccupied by your duties as the Prince of Slytherin. All these missing students... And the less is said about your hair, the better!" She sighed too before trying to cheer him up. "But we should forget about it for now. This ball should be a welcome respite for you to revitalize yourself."

This made Draco smile. She was right: this wasn't the moment to think about work and unjust retribution. This was the moment to enjoy the festivities in good company.

He was going to ask her for a dance when Pansy suddenly undid all her efforts:

"Look over there, Love." She said in curiosity. "Isn't that Greengrass with Nott? I didn't expect them to come together..."

And Draco was once again plunged into the meandering of his despair.

Prowling near the Punch was Theo, wearing a suit and shirt as black as his soul and a tie red like the blood of the girl at his arm. Said Greengrass was bundled up in a provocative wine red dress that would only enhance her future rigor mortis. She was beaming even, proud that she had managed to trick her King into being her date today. What a poor, naive girl... living her last few hours undaunted by what she didn't know was coming...

Draco could feel Theo's murderous aura from here and, though he wanted nothing to do with it, he knew it would be his duty to save Greegrass before she paid the price of her own sutpidity. Merlin, he was exhausted...

Ginny was binge eating petits fours petulantly, glaring at her best friend dancing with Harry. The first dance had ended ages ago, did the moonbeam girl have to monopolize him like that? Weren't they friends? Part of the same Fanclub? Why hadn't Luna invited her to dance with them!? SO unfair!

The Weasley girl had expressly bribed an older student to transfigure an old pajamas dress into this magnificent royal blue ball gown with bright pink highlights. She had even trapped her brother into a tie of the same color! Wasn't she gorgeous? Wasn't she mind blowing? Why wasn't she seen!?

"You wish you were with them too, right?" Commiserated a certain boy out of nowhere.

"Colin?" Exclaimed Ginny in surprise. "I didn't know you would be here! With whom did you come?"

"No one!" He grinned while showing off his camera. "I snuck in to take photos!"

The girl rolled her eyes.

"What did I expected..." She sighed good-naturedly. "Honestly, if I knew my brother would ditch me as soon as we came in, I would rather have snuck in with you."

"You honor me, Chairwoman." Bowed the boy. "Would you allow me this dance?"

For the first time this night, Ginny let out a genuine smile.

"With pleasure, dear friend." She answered.

AN : still depressed, still can't write, but I'm getting things done that were long overdue in my personal life so I hope it'll get better. Still, I love this story so I'll try again writing something for it right now. Never gonna give it up ;)