The Apprentice Piece
by Jardyn39
Part One of "The Apprentice Piece"
Chapter 16: The Grey Lady Intervenes
Harry walked into the Great Hall looking for Ron and Hermione. He looked over to the Gryffindor table as he entered. Neither Ron nor Hermione were there yet but he saw Susan Bones sitting alone at the Hufflepuff table.
Something about her caused Harry to look more closely. She was slightly red in the face and was just staring at her untouched plate.
"Hello, Susan. May I join you?"
She looked up in surprise. It was unusual for other houses to sit at different tables but it was becoming more common for breakfast and lunchtimes.
"Sure."
Harry sat and pulled a plate towards him. He grabbed a roll and took a bite. Susan filled a clean glass and handed it to him smiling.
"Thanks. You okay?"
"I just asked … someone … to go with me to the ball. He turned me down though."
"I'm sorry. I asked Myrtle to go with me but she turned me down."
"Myrtle?" Susan said laughing.
"And she turned me down," Harry confirmed, laughing too. He was glad she sounded happier.
At that moment Luna drifted past. "Hi Luna," he said.
Luna stopped, turned and sat down. "What's the matter?" asked Susan with concern.
"I'm quite upset actually," said Luna, staring off into space. Harry thought she looked like she was trying not to show how upset she was.
"I asked Ronald to the ball."
"No, isn't he going with …" Harry couldn't stop himself saying.
"Hermione, yes. He just told me he couldn't go with me and I asked why he'd changed his mind. I asked him ages ago."
"Ron wouldn't do that," said Harry. Luna looked at him with her unblinking eyes and he knew he was wrong. "I'm so sorry, Luna. Ron's an idiot."
Harry couldn't believe Ron capable of doing such a thing. For a moment he wondered if his forgiveness hadn't been too hasty.
"Tell you what," Harry said brightly, "I'm asking both of you to go with me. When you get asked or ask who-ever you want to go with you can come and dump me. How's that?"
They both laughed at him.
"How many girls are you planning on taking?"
*
The next day, Harry was in the library when the Grey Lady, the Ravenclaw ghost, approached him.
"Harry, I'm afraid you've upset Myrtle."
Hermione and Ron looked at him in surprise. He hadn't told them anything about it.
"I think you should come and apologise to her."
"Okay."
*
Harry entered and held open the door to the bathroom for the Grey Lady. She, however, drifted though the wall.
"Myrtle, are you here?" she asked gently.
She emerged from a cubicle, crying. The Grey Lady looked meaningfully at Harry. He took the hint.
"Myrtle, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
Myrtle nodded and the Grey Lady smiled.
"You know, Myrtle, I think he shouldn't get off that lightly. Did he really ask you to the ball with only weeks to prepare? Harry, how could you?"
"I didn't think," Harry replied trying not to react to the Grey Lady's smirk that Myrtle hadn't seen.
"I think you should make him take you, Myrtle. You've always wanted to go to a ball, haven't you. If we all help we should be able to make a suitable ball gown."
Myrtle looked at her with half a smile on her face. "Is it true that ghosts can … you know …"
"Yes, there is a charm. It isn't very long lasting though. A couple of dances at most."
Harry had no idea what they were talking about.
"So will you come with me?" he asked.
Myrtle started to cry as she nodded enthusiastically. The Grey Lady put her arm around her and winked at Harry.
*
"Potter!"
"Yes Professor?"
"Is it correct that you are taking four girls to the ball?"
"Not entirely, no."
"Explain."
"Well, it was up to six this morning but …"
"SIX?" Professor McGonagall exclaimed as the entire class descended into laughs. Harry smiled before he answered.
"Yes but some of them dumped me at lunchtime because they are going with someone else."
"Oh, good. Dare I ask what number you are down to?"
"I was back down to two before Myrtle changed her mind. That's the best yet."
"Have you given any thought as to how you are going to dance with all three? Please, don't answer that."