Unofficial Portkey Archive

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Hogwarts UnderExposed - A New Girl in Town

"I don't think so," Pansy said snidely. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Caitlin's floating body was instantly paralyzed. Even if her fingertips brushed the railing it would do her no good. At least the paralyzing spell had deadened the excruciating pain, but she was just seconds away from plummeting to her death.

Chapter Thirteen

Totally Revealing

Tom Pitt glanced with annoyance at his watch. "What was taking Pansy so damn long?" he thought to himself. " The girl should have fallen to her death ten minutes ago."

"Is there anything else I can do for you Mr. Pitt?" the desk clerk asked, starting to sound rather impatient. Tom had taken an abnormally long time to perform what was essentially a needless checkout. Key cards didn't necessitate being returned and all phone and room service charges would have automatically been billed to his credit card that they had on file. Instead Tom had detained the clerk for a good ten minutes while he paid his room services charges in cash and bored the clerk with stories about his deeply depressed daughter.

"I guess that's everything," Tom said, reluctantly turning and leaving the counter. This wasn't working out at all as he had planned. He wanted to be standing in front of this witness as the alarming word spread throughout the lobby that a girl had fallen to her death from one of the hotel's balconies. He decided to linger around the lobby for a while longer hoping the clerk would notice his continued presence.

After five minutes of tapping his foot impatiently, Tom became frustrated. What could possibly be the problem? For sure, Caitlin's battered body couldn't have gone unnoticed. Grudgingly, Tom walked outside and gazed about. There was no sign of panic, no ambulance and most regrettably, no corpse. He walked far enough away from the building so that when he turned he could get an unobstructed view of the upper floors. Nothing seemed out of place.

He looked at his watch again. Caitlin should have plunged to her death nearly thirty minutes ago. Tom was baffled and by now totally aggravated. The very last thing he wanted to do was return to that room, but it was beginning to seem that he had no other option.

Reluctantly, he reentered the hotel and took the elevator up to the ninth floor. He found the hallway quiet; empty except for the chambermaid's cart a few doors down from room 928. He reached for his keycard, only to remember that he had just turned it in at the front desk. Tom knocked quietly, hoping that the maid would not take notice of him. At first there was no answer and so he knocked once again.

"Coming," called out a voice, unmistakably belonging to Caitlin.

Tom shook his head in both rage and frustration. He was going to kill Pansy when he got his hands on her. It had been a perfect plan and now the stupid cow had gone and screwed it up. In a short time Caitlin would return by Portkey to England and with her departure would come the demise of Tom's dreams of mind-boggling wealth. Pansy had better be in the damn hospital near death; it was the only explanation he would accept.

"Oh, it's you, Dad," Caitlin remarked, opening the door wearing merely a towel. "I just got out of the shower."

"What took you so long?" she asked, discarding the towel reflexively on her bed. "I thought you were only going down to sign out."

"There was a line up," Tom lied. "Did you go back to sleep? I thought you'd be all packed by now." He noticed that Caitlin's trunk was still sitting open and many of her belongs strewn about the room.

As depressed and annoyed as he was, Tom realized that he had to continue the charade of a loving father; it was the only way to assure ever getting another opportunity at this girl's vast fortune.

"I had company right after you left," Caitlin replied calmly.

"Really," Tom said, his voice now sounding somewhat anxious. "Who?"

"Daniel. He wanted to give me a good-bye kiss." Caitlin said, blushing. "I think that he is somewhat smitten with me."

"And how do you feel about him?" Tom asked, almost sounding fatherly.

"He's nice," Caitlin admitted. "If circumstances were different, I think we could become involved, but it's clearly too complicated. Firstly, I already have a boyfriend that I'm quite fond of. Secondly, we live an ocean apart." Caitlin shrugged. "If that's not enough, then there is always the whole witch/Muggle thing. Most guys can't handle a relationship in which the female has dominant power."

Caitlin had been picking up her assorted effects and tossing them in her trunk as she conversed, but now she turned toward her father. "How do you and Pansy handle the dissimilarity or aren't you two an actual couple? Are you merely business associates with benefits?"

Tom was completely knocked for six. "How do you know about Pansy?" he asked, not thinking, but staring at Caitlin, stunned.

"She dropped in to visit me after Daniel left," Caitlin explained, calmly. "We had a nice lengthy chat. You won't believe this, but she had the strangest idea that you wanted me dead. She actually tried to kill me; almost succeeded."

Tom's eyes glanced nervously around the room and then he spied it, lying in plain sight just inches away on the dresser. In an instant he had it in his hand. "I thought you were intelligent," Tom said, brandishing the wand. "If you had any brains you would have Portkeyed home before I returned. You most certainly wouldn't have let your only means of defense lying about."

"Where is Pansy? What have you done with her?" Tom growled maliciously.

"Never mind Pansy," Caitlin replied coolly. "Although it is nice to see you show concern for someone other than yourself. You really had me conned. I actually thought you cared for me."

"I'm the best at my trade," Tom boasted pretentiously. "You might be a real nice kid; I don't know and I don't, in fact, have the time or interest to find out. To me, you're just a cute little bitch, worth far more dead than alive."

"But I'm your daughter," Caitlin protested, unable to prevent tears filling her eyes.

Tom laughed. "Sorry kid, but to me, you're nothing more than the result of a well timed screw, a very dull and boring one if I recall correctly. Being a father requires way more compassion and loving than I'm capable of giving."

"Then you never really loved my mother?" Caitlin asked.

"Like you, she was my ticket to wealth and import," Tom clarified. "Your grandfather screwed up that opportunity for me and now you've f-ked up this one."

"Do you realize that all you would have had to do was ask?" Caitlin said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I would have given you all the money you wanted."

"Maybe," Tom replied. "But not if your lawyers found out how I've been making a living all my adult life." Tom laughed. "I've kept records of every old maid and widow that I've swindled. Since Pansy and I became partners, we've made millions; she opened the door to a whole new world of marks for me."

"I'm going to ask you one more time, where is she?" Tom said threateningly

"Pansy is alive, but she won't be joining you any time soon," Caitlin replied, mysteriously.

"In that case, I imagine I'll have to clean up here myself," Tom said distastefully.

"What do you mean by that?" Caitlin asked slightly nervously.

"Well, I might have missed my opportunity at the golden ring, but I have no intention of spending the remainder of my life locked in prison," Tom remarked. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you. But just so this isn't a total loss for both of us, I think I'll take your virginity first. You wouldn't want to die never having had sex, would you? I just hope you're a better f-k than your mother was."

"You can't murder me here. This is a major resort hotel. They'll find my body and track you down," Caitlin warned, stalling for time.

"Not if it magically disappears," Tom said grinning, nastily. "Caitlin, do you know what a snuff movie is?"

"No," Caitlin answered innocently. "But when someone snuffs it, don't they die?"

"Exactly," Tom said grinning. "In a snuff movie, someone, usually a young innocent girl, dies during sex. You and I are going to make such a movie, just without any film and then I'm going to stick you in that wonderful trunk of yours."

"I won't fit in there," Caitlin protested.

"Yes you will, with some minor alterations." Tom replied, seeming pleased with himself. "Once I close the lid, your body and all your belongings will be miniaturized along with the trunk back to a charm. When I returned to my home, I'll smash the charm and discard it. You don't exist in the Muggle World so you won't be missed. If the magical world questions me, I'll simply act dumb. I'll say I saw you touch a spoon and disappear. That's the last I ever saw of you."

"You seem to have it all covered. But what about Pansy, what if she tells about your plans?"

"Pansy will never talk," Pitt said confidently. "Now as much as I've enjoyed this conversation, I have a lot to do before the maid gets around to cleaning this room." Tom headed toward the bed and defenseless Caitlin, lust in his eyes.

"That's far enough; don't take another step," shouted a deep bodiless voice.

Tom turned in the direction of the voice just in time to see a burly man emerging from under an invisibility cloak and holding a wand pointed directly at him. Tom stepped back a few steps and felt another wand jab him in the back.

"Tom Pitt, you're under arrest," said a female voice from behind him. "You have the rights to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Do you understand?"

"F-k you, bitch."

"Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand?"

"I haven't done anything wrong. I haven't touched the girl. You have nothing on me."

"You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. Do you understand?"

"Do you understand that I'm not a freak like you? I'm what you people call a Muggle. You have no authority over me."

"If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. Do you understand? If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney. Do you understand? Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to answer my questions without an attorney present?"

"F-k you. I've done nothing wrong and I'm not talking to anybody without my attorney," Tom protested.

"Sounds like he intends to make this difficult," Sergeant Maloney, the male magical police officer stated. "Kate, can you side-along Apparate him back to headquarters while I finish up with the girl or do you need my assistance?"

"I've handled lots worse than this scum by myself," Officer Kline replied.

"Time to go for a ride, tall, dark and slimy." she said, grabbing Tom Pitt tightly by the collar. A moment later they had both disappeared.

"Will he go to prison?" Caitlin asked, looking dejectedly at the spot from where her birth father had just disappeared.

"Yes, for a good long time, especially if a search of his quarters reveals those records of his past wrong doings that he bragged about," Sergeant Maloney replied. "We probably could have gotten him for attempted rape, too, but I wasn't about to let him touch you, particularly after what you've already been through today."

"Thank you," Caitlin said meekly. She couldn't believe that she had considered leaving Harry and Hermione and the magical world to be with that man. Now the thought of him even touching her was revolting.

"Will I have to testify at their trials?" she asked.

"Most likely not," the sergeant replied. "At most, we might need your memory of today. We'll be done here as soon as I finish getting your statement; then you can Portkey home."

Sergeant Maloney stared at Caitlin uneasily. "Miss Potter, I know you said that Pitt might have suspected something was amiss if he found you fully dressed, but wouldn't you be more comfortable now if you were clothed?"

"Not really," Caitlin answered, not thinking. "I'm most comfortable nude." Then she realized that it was the Sergeant who was ill at ease with the situation.

"I'm sorry, Sir. Does my lack of clothing bother you?" she questioned.

"Slightly," he replied. "It's not proper or professional that I question you unaided with you as you are."

"I'm sorry," Caitlin said, hurrying to slip on one of her dresses. "Is this better?"

The Sergeant nodded, although frankly the tiny garment concealed little.

"Now let me see," the sergeant said, checking his notes. "We were to the point where Miss Parkinson had performed the Levicorpus! jinx on you."

She pointed her wand at Caitlin, gave it an upward flick and said Levicorpus! inside her head.

Caitlin shrieked in agonizing pain. She was dangling upside down in midair as though an invisible hook had hoisted her up by the ankle, the ankle attached to her broken leg.

Parkinson made a gentle swishing motion with her wand and Caitlin began to slowly float toward the railing. The pain was unbearable, but she knew that if she didn't do something quickly, the pain would cease forever; she would cease to live. She stretched her arms, trying desperately to reach out and grab the railing that was approaching just inches away from her fingertips.

"I don't think so," Pansy said snidely. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Caitlin's floating body was instantly paralyzed. Even if her fingertips brushed the railing it would do her no good. At least the paralyzing spell had deadened the excruciating pain, but she was now just seconds away from plummeting to her death.

The lack of pain at any rate made it possible for Caitlin to think. If she wanted to live, there was only one option; she had to use her Hyperempathic abilities. Caitlin had taken an oath to never use those powers in a negative manner yet if she didn't now and quickly, they would expire along with her. It had to be better to hurt one individual rather than lose the opportunity to help thousands of others.

Caitlin concentrated with all her might and suddenly Parkinson screamed in agony and grasped her lower right abdomen. The pain caused Pansy's spells to both break at once. Caitlin's body was no longer paralyzed, but it was also falling headfirst. She reached for the railing, but the weight of her falling body made it impossible to hold on. Miraculously, she landed on the balcony side of the railing. Unfortunately, she fell on her already broken leg, causing it to break anew and one of the bones to protrude hideously through her skin.

She felt weak ___ as if she were going to black out at any instant, but somehow Caitlin managed to remain aware. Someway she had to get to Parkinson, who lay motionless on the hotel room floor. Caitlin had caused the woman's appendix to burst and a life-threatening infection called peritonitis was rushing through her body. If she didn't get immediate attention, the witch would die.

Trying not to look at her mangled leg, Caitlin struggled to crawl into the room using a combination of her hands, arms and her still intact left leg. Every inch she moved closer to Pansy was bought with excruciating pain. Then she saw it lying on the floor; Parkinson had dropped her cell phone and it was just inches from Caitlin's outstretched hand. She reached for it; opened the phone and upon getting a dial tone punched 666. She passed out not knowing if her call had gone through or not

"The next thing I knew, officer Kline, you and that handsome mediwizard were standing over me," Caitlin said.

"Jason will appreciate the complement, I'm sure, but just for the record, he's gay," Sergeant Maloney said, smiling.

"I think that about does it," Maloney said. "I'm sure that Parkinson's testimony under Veritaserum serum will verifify what you've told me. How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been hit by a truck," Caitlin said. "Jason did a wonderful job on the bones, but he said it will take about twelve hours for all the bruises to heal. Lucky you had that glamour stuff with you or we never could have fooled Pitt."

"You'll never refer to him as dad again, will you?" Sergeant Maloney asked understandingly.

"No! He was never my dad, he was simply a sperm donor," Caitlin declared. "The dictionaries have it all wrong. Being a father, or a mother, isn't about conceiving a child. It's about raising a child and loving that child and putting their welfare above your own. I used to feel sorry for myself and for other adopted kids because we didn't have our birth parents. It's not important whether a parent gave birth to you; what's really important is that they want you and love you.

"Birth parents might not want you; you might just be an accident. When you're adopted, that's a sign that someone really loves you and wants you. I have two truly wonderful parents; Tom Pitt just made me appreciate how very lucky I am."

Sergeant Maloney wiped a tear from his eye. "I kinda think your parents are very lucky, too. You're quite a girl."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I just have one more question," Maloney said. "You're British; how did you know about AMEN, the American Magical Emergency Number?"

Caitlin laughed and then grabbed her chest. It still hurt. "Have you forgotten who my mother is? Hermione Potter would never let her daughter come to a foreign country without knowing how to contact Magical Authorities in case of an emergency."

* * * * * *

"Where is she?" Claudia asked gliding back and forth across the room anxiously. "It's five o'clock; the Ball starts in two hours."

"She'll be here," Hermione said assuredly, although she too had been watching the clock apprehensively. "Would you like me to start helping you get ready?"

"I can't go if she doesn't turn up," Claudia said, desperation in her voice. "It's too much for me to handle alone. The dress, the walking, dancing; everybody will be staring at me."

"You're going to be the Belle of the Ball," Harry said, checking his watch for the third time in the last five minutes.

"Hardly," Claudia sighed. "I'm still a sixteen year old trapped in the body of a ten year old little girl."

"A beautiful ten year old body," Harry said encouragingly.

"Perhaps, thanks to the help of Caitlin, but it's still a little girls' body."

"Matt seems quite in awe of it," Harry commented.

"Sometimes I think Matt needs glasses," Claudia replied. "And I need a shrink. What made me ever think I could go through with this? I must be crazy."

"You're not crazy, you just need …"

But Hermione never got to tell Claudia what she needed because at that moment Caitlin appeared out of nowhere. As her feet hit solid ground; her knees buckled a little and the spoon fell to the floor.

"Thanks be to Merlin," Hermione cried. "We were beginning to worry."

Harry rushed over to Caitlin and hugged her tightly. "I love you too Dad, but please not so hard, my cracked ribs are still healing."

"Cracked ribs? How did your ribs get cracked?" Hermione asked, aghast. "Where was your father when this happened?"

"He was in the lobby waiting for me to go splat on the hotel sidewalk. And please don't ever again refer to that pig as my father. My one and only father is standing here in front of me." Tears came to Caitlin's eyes as they met Harry's green ones. "Harry Potter, I love you. You're the best father a girl could ever have."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, both bowled over. "What happened?" they asked in unison.

"I have no time to explain now," said Caitlin. "It is a thrilling tale, I wish to do it justice, but right now Claudia and I have a dance to prepare for. Let me just say that Tom Pitt was a total fraud. The only truthful thing he ever told us was that he impregnated my mother. He didn't love me or for that matter want anything to do with me. He just wanted to get me in Muggle territory so that he could have me killed and claim my inheritance. Oh! I met an old friend of yours from school, Pansy Parkinson, a really lovely woman. I promise that I'll tell you every detail of my sordid vacation later, but please can we drop it for now. I'm fine and Claudia and I could certainly use the help of both of you to get ready."

Harry and Hermione just stared at each other, opened mouthed. They wanted to know all the details, but were, for the moment, willing to settle for what was most important. Caitlin was all right.

Claudia shyly tugged on Caitlin arm. "Why did you ask your Dad to help us get ready?" she whispered. "Did you forget that I couldn't wear underwear with that dress?"

"Claudia, get a grip," Caitlin said. "How many times has my Dad seen you nude when I gave you your treatments?"

"I don't know; a dozen times, maybe more," she answered.

"Do you really think he's going to see anything now that he hasn't already seen?

"I guess not, but it's different. That was for medical reasons," Claudia explained.

"Claudia, you need to learn to trust people. My parents and I would never hurt you." Caitlin looked at her watch. "We're supposed to meet the boys in less than an hour; we need help."

"Okay," Claudia agreed reluctantly, "but what does your dad know about dressing women?"

"Who do you think helps my Mum get ready when they go out?"

* * * * * *

Even with Harry's help and a lot of magic, it took nearly the full hour to do their hair, nails and all the other little extras that girls deem necessary.

"Okay, time for the final touch," Hermione said happily. "Let's see how you both look in your gowns."

Caitlin quickly stripped out of her everyday clothes and with Hermione's help slipped into her dress robes. She looked beautiful, but then Caitlin looked beautiful in a torn pair of baggy jeans.

"What are you waiting for?" Caitlin asked, staring at Claudia who was still sitting on her floating cushion.

Slowing, Claudia slid off the cushion, holding on to Harry.

"That's it," Harry said. "Hold on to me for support. No sense needlessly wasting energy until the big moment."

Claudia just stood there not moving, except for a slight trembling. "Do you need any help getting out of your clothes?" Harry said hesitantly.

"No, just an injection of guts," Claudia joked. Slowly she pulled her sweatshirt up and over her head.

Caitlin was stunned to see that Claudia wasn't wearing a bra. Claudia observed Caitlin's surprise and said, "I knew I couldn't wear any undergarments tonight, so I thought I better get used to it."

"What about knickers?" Caitlin asked.

"I went without them all day today, too," Claudia said, proudly.

Caitlin congratulated her friend for her courage. Although seeing as how Claudia's skirt was nearly ankle length, it wasn't exactly taking a huge risk.

Claudia undid her belt and then the side zipper of her skirt She seemed to hold her breath as she allowed the skirt to slowly fall to her ankles.

"Okay, let's try your dress robes on now," Hermione said brightly, trying to break the tension. She took the dress out of its wrapping and helped Claudia carefully slide it over her head without disturbing her hair.

"Now this dress more or less has a mind of its own. It's designed to mold to your body and accentuate your best features," Hermione explained. "It might seem a little tight at first, but that is the molding process. After a short time it will become quite comfortable. Don't worry about the fact that the dress has no straps or is totally backless; it's guaranteed not to slip or ever show even the tiniest bit of nipple. Once you apply the Modestio charm, you won't have to worry about showing anything when you bend. Just be careful to sit with your legs together and remember to reapply the charm ever hour."

As Hermione slide the dress over Claudia's head, she remembered the night Caitlin had worn the magical garment for the first time. The memory brought a tear to her eye. Caitlin was growing up so fast and Emily… This would be Emily's last dance. Next year at this time Emily would only be with them in spirit. Hermione shook her head as if trying to shake the thought out of her mind. She didn't want to think about it now; didn't want to ruin the evening for the girls.

As Hermione shifted the dress into place, Claudia could feel it begin to tighten around her. As it got tighter and tighter, Claudia began to get nervous and then suddenly she no longer felt it. She knew she still had the dress on, but she felt as if she were naked.

"It feels great, how does it look?" Claudia asked nervously.

Caitlin hurried over to get a closer look. "Wow!" she said looking at Claudia chest. "That dress is amazing. I can't believe how it accentuates your breasts. Go look in the mirror."

Claudia hurried to look. "It actually makes me look like I have boobs. You're sure I won't pop out, Professor Granger?"

"You won't pop out," Hermione assured her. "You look beautiful. The dress is a little longer on you than it was on Caitlin, but then I believe Caitlin was taller than you are when we purchased it."

Claudia studied herself in the mirror. "Caitlin, are you positive that I can't wear knickers."

"You can try," Caitlin said, "but you won't like the results. The dress blends with your body. If you wear knickers, they will be accentuated like a sore thumb."

"Okay," Claudia said, dejectedly. "I believe and trust you."

After Caitlin had taken his place supporting Claudia, Harry had drifted away to get a full-length view of Claudia in the dress. "Hermione, can you come here a minute?" Harry asked, concernedly.

While, Hermione and the girls had been concentrating on the appearance of the front of the dress, Harry had become troubled by the back view.

"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked when she reached his viewpoint. He didn't answer, but instead merely pointed in the direction of Claudia.

"Oh my!" said Hermione when saw what Harry was indicating. "What are we going to do about that?"

"What's the matter," cried Claudia, nervously. "The dress isn't damaged, is it?"

"No, it's not damaged," Hermione, said, reassuringly. "Do you remember what I said about the dress sort of having a mind of its own and having the tendency to accentuate what it felt were the wearers best features."

Claudia nodded.

"The dress obviously feels you have an attractive buttocks and has gone out of its way to highlight it."

"What's wrong with that?" Caitlin asked, abandoning her support of Claudia in order to take a look at the back of the dress. "People wear tight clothes all the time. Besides, Claudia does have a gorgeous butt."

Claudia wasn't enjoying this conversation at all. She didn't like people talking about her body, especially when she couldn't see the aforementioned part. She tried turning slightly, but it was impossible for her to properly see her back in the mirror.

"Wow!" Caitlin said, once getting a full view of Claudia's back. "You look so sexy and the dress really is drawing attention to your butt. I've heard of breast cleavage, but this is the first time I've ever seen this much butt cleavage except, of course, on a Muggle plumber and believe me, it looks much better on you."

"It's not a matter of whether or not Claudia has a nice-looking butt," Hermione emphasized. "She simply can't go like that to the ball."

"Professor Potter, will you please tell me what they're going on about?" Claudia begged.

Harry cleared his throat nervously. "Well, as you know, your dress reveals a lot of your body. Its mini length, low cut in the front and virtually has no sides or back until it gets below your natural waist."

"I know," said Claudia slightly impatiently. "But what is all this talk about my butt and cleavage?"

"It seems," Harry continued, "that the dress felt it was concealing one of your more attractive features by ending the backless feature just below your waist and so it continued it on a bit further."

"How much further?" Claudia asked, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

"I'd say that about four or five inches of your butt crack is showing," Harry answered, sheepishly.

"Four or five inches!" Claudia exclaimed. "My whole butt may as well be on display. That settles it. I can't go to the Ball." Claudia started to weep copiously.

"It's not that bad," Hermione said, putting her arm around Claudia in an effort to console the girl. "Perhaps we can fix it. I have a large bow that we could attach to the back."

"That would look gaudy," Caitlin protested. "What's wrong with a little bit of her butt showing; I think it looks great. You see Emily's whole butt when she wears her swim costume and no one complains about that and girls show their cracks all the time when they stoop down in low-rise Muggle jeans."

"And you spent the majority of your last summer vacation nude," Hermione added. "Times and circumstances differ. What is acceptable or at any rate tolerated under certain conditions is intolerable and even prohibited at other times. Your sister will not be wearing her t-thong bikini to the dance. None of the other girls will be dressed in low-rise jeans and you most certainly shan't be nude.

"I personally have no problem with Claudia's dress exactly the way it is. I agree that she looks lovely and that she has an adorable little butt, but I'm a naturist and certainly not the most middle-of-the-road person when it comes to dress standards."

"Isn't there someway we can make the dress modify itself to more acceptable guidelines?" Claudia moaned. "All I want to do is have my one slow dance tonight with Matt."

"That's it," Hermione said, delighted. "I can't believe I was so stupid. Claudia, you can wear the dress just as it is. Except for that one dance, you'll be sitting on your poof; it will conceal the exposed part of your butt."

"But what about her dance with Matt?" Caitlin asked concernedly. "She has worked so hard. It's not fair that she must forgo it."

"I think there is a way she can still have that dance," Hermione said. "Harry, please come here and hold Claudia as if you were slow dancing with her.

Harry halfheartedly approached Claudia and grasped her right hand with his left. Then with a good foot space separating them, he reluctantly placed his right hand on her bare shoulder.

"Oh for Merlin's sake, Harry; she isn't going to bite you. Pretend you're dancing with me," Hermione barked.

Feebly, Harry drew Claudia closer and moved his hand uncertainly to her lower back.

"That's a little better," Hermione said encouragingly, "but what I really want to see is if a hand is adequate to cover the exposed part of her butt.

"I can't put my hand there," Harry objected. "I'm an adult and her professor; she's only sixteen."

"Harry, I'm not asking you to assault the girl," Hermione reminded him, exasperated. "I just want to see if a hand placed prudently will screen her crack from public view." Harry flushed as tentatively he moved his hand to cover Claudia's partially exposed arse

"It's okay, Professor," Claudia said timidly. "I trust you."

Although she completely trusted Harry, Claudia still blushed profusely as he positioned his hand over her exposed crack.

"That will work," Hermione said in relief. "That is unless you have a problem with Matt touching you that low."

"No, I'm okay with that," Claudia said meekly. "Matt and I have been intimate. It's just that I wanted to surprise him."

Both Harry and Hermione raised their eyebrows somewhat, but neither questioned what exactly Claudia meant by intimate.

"We can still spring the surprise on Matt," Caitlin said. "We won't tell him about the dress until you're on your feet. Emily and I will stand behind you and shield your backside as you slip off your floating cushion."

Caitlin quickly checked the time. "Speaking of Emily, we were supposed to meet her and Kim five minutes ago; we better get moving."

Harry gallantly lifted Claudia back onto her floating poof.

"Don't forget your masks," Hermione called as the girls hurried to exit.

"Whose idea was it for us to wear these stupid masks?" Caitlin asked, irritated. She held the stick with a glittery mask attached to it up to her face. "How are you supposed to dance and hold this up to your face at the same time? Besides, it hardly covers anything. People will easily identify me."

Claudia sniggered. "It will take a lot more than a mask to make me unrecognizable."

"I just thought it would make a novel change and give the ball a Victorian flavor." Hermione said, sounding slightly guilty. "The boys' masks hide their identity much better, especially if it's not someone you are well acquainted with."

"Whatever," Caitlin said, not considering the topic worth an argument. She and Claudia made a hasty exit after thanking Harry and Hermione for all their help.

"Hermione, you better hurry and change," said Harry, who was already in his finest dress robes. "We're supposed to be at the Great Hall before they open the doors for the students."

Hermione gave Harry a sheepish look. "Didn't I tell you?" she said shamefaced. "I'm not going to the ball this year."

"Not going! What do you mean not going? We always chaperone the Ball," Harry declared. "We promised the Headmaster months ago that we'd do it. Hermione, you can't leave me on my own with Ginny and Draco."

"I'm not leaving you on your own," Hermione insisted, defensively. "I've gotten a substitute."

"I don't want a surrogate," Harry declared. "I want my wife. We've always chaperoned the ball together and had a wonderful time."

Harry hesitated, his mind spinning. "Hermione, who is your stand-in?" he asked, suspiciously. "Jamie went away for the holidays with Alex and I happen to know that Sam is babysitting for Ginny... Hermione, please don't tell me that it's Luna."

"Now don't be angry," Hermione begged. "I thought that perhaps if you two spent the evening together without me around, you might get to know each other better."

"I already know Luna," Harry said steadfastly. "This has nothing to do with me getting to know her better; this is all about your fanatical idea of me impregnating her. I just don't understand you, Hermione. Most women would divorce a husband that cheated on them; you're practically begging me to sleep with Luna."

"I'm not like most women, Harry. I would have thought that you'd have realized that by now. I love you more than life itself and I know you love me equally. This isn't an issue of cheating; it's a matter of helping a friend. Do you remember the painted faces on Luna's bedroom ceiling?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded.

"And the chain linking them with the word friends repeated a thousand times in golden ink?"

Again, he nodded.

"Friends don't ditch friends, but we've all just as good as deserted Luna these past few years. Ginny, Ron and Neville have all found significant others. You and I have built a wonderful family. Meanwhile, Luna is still the unloved, weird outcast. She deserves more; she deserves to be happy."

"But why us? Why me?" Harry questioned.

"Who else is going to help her?" Hermione questioned. "Who else does she have? Do you find the idea of sleeping with her that repulsive?"

"Of course not," Harry admitted. "Luna is a beautiful woman. It's just that it's morally wrong."

"In the eyes of many it most definitely is," Hermione agreed, "but is it morally right to ignore a friend in need?"

There was a light tap at the door.

"Harry, that's her," Hermione said urgently. "You don't have to make a decision now; we agreed that you could wait until after the debate. Just please seriously consider it.

"And Harry," Hermione added, "show her a good time tonight. You can't imagine how excited she was when I suggested that she take my place as chaperone tonight. She was never invited to the Ball as a student. I know you're angry with me for setting you up like this, but please don't take it out on Luna. This was wholly my scheme; she has no idea what I'm planning."

Harry agreed begrudgingly and then went to open the door.

* * * * * *

"Who is the hotty in the red dress standing with your dad?" Tyler asked Emily as the couple entered the Great Hall along with Caitlin, Evan, Claudia, Matt, Kim and Randy.

"That's Luna Lovegood," Emily answered, befuddled. "She's a good friend of my parents, but I don't know why she is here tonight." Emily's eyes searched the Great Hall. "I wonder where Mum is?"

"Luna Lovegood? Isn't she the oddball editor of the Quibbler and Playwizard Magazine?" Randy questioned.

"Yes, but she isn't an oddball." Caitlin protested. "She's a very nice and extremely intelligent young woman. She was a member of the original Dumbledore's Army that helped Mum and Dad defeat Voldemort."

"I wonder if she has ever considered posing for her own magazine?" Tyler asked. "I'd pay to see that body naked."

Emily gave Tyler a playful punch in the ribs. "You men are all the same. Women spend hours picking out beautiful robes and getting ready for a Ball and all you want to do is get them out of their clothes and ogle them naked."

"She'd never appear in that publication," Randy retorted. "She looks too charismatic and refined. Only sluts pose naked for nudie magazines."

"And exactly what does that make Caitlin and me?" Emily asked, affronted. "We've been parading our naked bits in front of you guys for years. Do you consider us sluts, too?"

"No! Of course not," Randy replied, nervously, defensively. "You guys are naturists. It's your chosen life style to be unclothed, but you'd never pose for a magazine like Playwizard."

Caitlin and Emily exchanged meaningful looks and then simultaneously said, "I would!"

"You would?" Evan said, questioning Caitlin.

"In a heartbeat," Caitlin replied shamelessly. "Don't get me wrong, some magazines of that genre are really disgusting. I'd never pose spread eagle so that a photographer could take close-ups of my twat and anus. That's just sick. But Playwizard's pictures are always taken in good taste and their models are some of the most beautiful women in the world. I'd consider it an honor to have my picture in that magazine."

"Me, too," agreed Emily.

"If that's the way you feel," Evan said, "you two should pose for a Girls of Hogwarts spread. I could take the pictures. My brother taught me a lot about photography."

Everyone chuckled.

"It takes more than two girls to do a theme shoot like that," Tyler illuminated.

"Plus they'd all need to be of age, over seventeen." Randy snorted. "Kim, Claudia, would you girls be interested in being in a Girls of Hogwarts photo spread in a couple of years?"

Kim simply blushed at the suggestion, but Claudia retorted. "I doubt my body is up to Playwizard standards. Pedophile Today would be more likely to be interested in nude pictures of me."

Everyone roared with laughter, even Claudia. But Matt didn't laugh; his face instead turned red with rage.

"Stop mocking yourself," he said angrily. "You're every bit as beautiful as any girl in this room and I'll duel the wizard who says otherwise. Every time you put yourself down, you put me down, too. When are you going to get it through that thick head of yours that I love you and that I have every intention on marrying you as soon as we complete school?"

No one spoke; they just looked back and forth between Matt and Claudia. Then finally Matt leaned over, took Claudia in his arms and kissed her passionately.

"Get a room," Randy shouted as the surrounding Gryffindors hooted and applauded.

On the other side of the Hall dateless Jason Hendee and Peter Weiss were trying fruitlessly to impress two older Slytherin girls sitting at their table.

"What's all the racket about?" Jason asked, upon hearing the boisterous Gryffindor crowd.

Peter immediately sprang to his feet to have a look see. "It's just that Gryffindor loser Matt what's his name and the crippled midget. It looks like they were putting on a show exchanging spit."

Jason laughed nastily. "If the retard had any part in it, it was a freak show."

"I can't believe she was allowed to transfer here," Karin Slaughter said pompously. "Hogwarts used to have such high standards."

"I agree," Jason added fervently. "A reject like her is a blemish on all wizardkind. If her parents had any decency, they would have drowned her."

"I don't understand why the Potter girls fawn over her," Karin commented. "They actually treat her as if she's normal and an equal. Of course, that whole family is sort of weird."

"The Potters are okay people," Lynn said, speaking up for the first time. "Emily especially; she is an awesome Quidditch player."

Jason and Karin ignored Lynn's observation, acting as if the girl hadn't even spoken.

Karin continued. "And as for that Matt character, he must be some sort of deviate. Why else would any teenage boy want to associate with someone that looks like she's a six-years-old little girl? Hell, she never gets off that floating cushion. She probably wears diapers and stinks."

"She doesn't stink," Lynn declared. "I have Care of Magical Creatures with her and Claudia is very nice and quite attractive. She might not look her actual age, but she most certainly doesn't look six."

"Lynn, why don't you be a sweetheart and get us some drinks?" Karin asked, hoping to get rid of Lynn so that she and Jason could continue bashing Claudia uninterrupted..

- - - - -

"Why's Potter with the Loony oddity tonight?" Draco asked. "Is there trouble in paradise?"

"No! Unlike you and I, Harry and Hermione rarely argue," Ginny replied. "Hermione simply didn't have a babysitter. And please don't call Luna an oddity."

"What about Sam?" Draco replied. "She would have been happy to watch Ben."

"Hermione didn't want to impose. She figured Sam had her hands full, especially since she had already volunteered to watch Molly for us."

"Hermione better watch herself, the years have been very kind to Luna. She's developed curves in all the right places." Draco studied Luna for a few moments. "You know what; I've seen that dress before. It's the same one that Miss October wore on the cover of Playwizard, and it looks even better on Luna than it did on her. I wonder if Luna looks as good out of it as Miss October did?"

"Draco, you're dreadful," Ginny proclaimed. "You're a father; you shouldn't be wondering what Luna looks like naked."

"Just because I'm with you doesn't mean I'm dead," Draco declared. "An attached man can still look, he just mustn't touch. For Hermione's sake, I hope Potter remembers that tonight."

"Why do you say that?" Ginny asked. "Harry would never cheat on Hermione. Besides, Luna and Hermione have become close friends."

"I don't know," Draco replied. "Watch them; look at their eyes; there is more going on behind those eyes than just friendship. I think if Potter wanted to take a second, Lovegood would be more than willing."

"Take a second?" Gunny asked confused. "A second what?"

"A second wife, of course," Draco clarified.

"Don't be ridiculous," Ginny scoffed. "That's illegal. Besides, Harry would never do anything like that even if he could. Moreover, Hermione would never stand for it."

"You're probably right about neither one of them considering it," Draco agreed. "The two of them are too straitlaced and family orientated, but it's not illegal. Granted, no one does it anymore, but it is still completely legal for a wizard to have as many as seven wives depending on his wealth and status in the wizarding world. Killing Voldemort undoubtedly raised Potter's rank a little. He'd probably be allowed at least five wives if he desired them."

"You seem to be exceedingly knowledge on the subject," Ginny replied, annoyance evident in her voice. "How many wives would you be permitted?"

"Three," Draco replied meekly, "but I'm quite content with one significant other in my life."

"You better be," Ginny cautioned. "If you ever even think about sticking that shaft of yours between another girl's legs, I'll bite if off."

Draco visibly winced.

- - - - - -

"I forgot how gorgeous the Great Hall always looked for Christmas," Luna said, staring dreamily around the huge room. "I was afraid that Hogwarts would never be the same after the war. I'm pleased it could be fully restored." She smiled vaguely. "It's very good to be back again."

"The Hall pales in comparison to you," Harry said honestly. "You look very lovely tonight."

"Thank you, Harry. That's very nice of you to say, even if it isn't true," Luna replied modestly. "But then you've always been very kind to me."

"I'm not just being nice," Harry argued. "You genuinely look stunning tonight."

"Thank you," Luna replied, now blushing slightly. "It's hard to accept a complement graciously when you're accustomed to only receiving cutting remarks."

"People just don't take the time to get to know the real you," Harry rejoined.

Luna nodded. "I don't care what other people think of me as long as I have true friends like you and Hermione." Her eyes widened. "Oh! I like this song," Luna , swaying in time to the waltz like tune. "Do you mind if I dance?"

Without waiting for an answer, Luna began to glide onto the dance floor.

"Luna, wait," Harry said, grabbing her hand. "Would you like to dance?"

"Do you mean together, you and me?" Luna asked, looking stunned. "No one has ever asked me to dance before. I always dance alone. I'm not sure if I know how to dance properly with someone else."

"It's easy," Harry said escorting Luna onto the dance floor. "Just follow my lead."

Harry could feel Luna tremble slightly as he placed his hand on her bare back.

"This is another first for me," Luna said, gazing into Harry's eyes innocently. "You asked me to my first party; gave me my first kiss and now my first dance. I wonder what first you'll do with me next?"

It was Harry's turn to quake.

- - - - -

"What's the story?" Caitlin asked, rushing to meet Emily. The youngest Potter girl had just finished dancing with Harry.

"According to Dad, Mum couldn't get a babysitter and so she's watching Ben," Emily explained.

"Why didn't they ask Luna to watch Ben?" Caitlin questioned. "Everybody is gawking at Dad as if he is cheating on Mum."

"I asked Dad the same question," Emily made clear. "It was Mum's idea that Luna chaperone instead of her. They only had one Yule Ball during their time as students at Hogwarts; that was during the year when the tri-wizard tournament took place. At that time only fourth years and above could attend the Ball unless invited, and unfortunately Luna wasn't asked.

"Mum felt guilty asking Luna to baby-sit when she knew how much she'd enjoy actually attending the ball, even as just a chaperone."

Caitlin nodded her head in understanding. "That sounds like Mum, always worried about someone else," Caitlin said, searching the Great Hall for Luna.

"She seems to be having a wonderful time," Caitlin added, spying Luna, swaying dreamily to the music. "I like her a lot."

"Me, too," agreed Emily. "I just hate the idea that people might think Dad is cheating on Mom."

"That's what's fantastic about our parents," Caitlin said, beaming. "They never worry about what other people think; they simply do what is right."

Emily nodded and then checked her watch. "Isn't it about time for Claudia's big moment?"

Caitlin verified the time. "Yes, now remember, it's important that you and Kim hide her backside from view as she slides off her floating cushion. We want the concentration of the students to be on her walking and dancing, not on her exposed butt."

"Does that much of her butt crack actually show?" Emily inquired, having not actually yet seen Claudia standing in the dress.

"Dad told her four or five inches," Caitlin replied, "but I think it's even more. Personally, I think it looks adorable, but like Mum said, being naturists, we're not necessarily objective judges. Hell, I'd be fine with everyone at the ball being nude."

"Are you ready for your big moment?" Emily questioned as she and Caitlin approached Claudia.

"I guess," Claudia replied timidly, rubbing her hands together nervously.

"What big moment?" Matt asked, curious.

"I have a surprise for you," Claudia said as she slowly slipped off her floating pillow and to her feet. Kim and Emily moved into position to cover her rear flank.

Claudia's knees shook, but she wasn't sure if it was just because her legs were not accustomed to holding her weight or the fact that she was petrified with anxiety. At that moment, as if prearranged, the band began playing a nice slow ballad.

"Would you like to dance?" Claudia asked Matt, bashfully.

"With you? Are you serious?" Matt asked, his voice and body both shaking. "Are you certain that you're up to it?"

"I'm positive," Claudia said. "Just one thing; I'm going to need you to protect my modesty while we dance."

"I don't understand," Matt said, looking confusedly from Claudia to Caitlin.

Caitlin grabbed his hand and guided him into position as Emily moved slightly to one side giving Matt an unobstructed view of Claudia's backside.

"Wow!" he said appreciatively. "Your dress is really low cut in the back. It shows …."

"A lot more of my butt than I want the whole school seeing," Claudia said, finishing Matt's sentence. "I need you to cover the cleavage with your hand as we dance. Can you do that?"

"Sure," Matt said eagerly. He placed his hand in position and slowly maneuvered Claudia onto the crowded dance floor.

"When and how did you manage this?" Matt asked as he guided Claudia slowly around the dance floor.

"It's all thanks to Caitlin and her parents," Claudia said, gratefulness evident in her voice. "I'm probably only up to one dance tonight, but Caitlin thinks I'll be walking on my own by the end of the school year. I'll still need my cushion to navigate the many stairways of Hogwarts, but I'll actually be walking again."

Matt leaned down and kissed the top of Claudia's head. "I love you so much," he said genuinely.

"I love you, too," Claudia said. She had fought the deep feelings building within her with all her strength, knowing the heartache she would face when Matt eventually realized their inaptness, but she had finally surrendered to her emotions. Claudia knew she would eventually pay a horrible price for falling in love, but for the moment she simply wanted to enjoy loving and being loved in return.

"Are you wearing knickers?" Matt asked out of the blue.

Claudia blushed. "No," she answered diffidently. "This dress made that impossible."

"Do you realize how easy it would be for me to slip my hand down inside you dress and goose you?"

"Matt, you wouldn't," Claudia said, horrified at the thought.

"Of course, I wouldn't," Matt replied. "Well, at least not here on the dance floor with everybody watching, but before the evening is over I definitely intend to fondle your pert, beautiful arse."

Matt and Claudia were totally engrossed in each other and their special moment and quite oblivious to their surroundings. They hadn't taken notice of the other couples, but everyone had noticed them and one by one left the floor until Claudia and Matt were the only ones remaining dancing.

It was only when the music stopped and the cheering started that the couple realized that they were alone in the middle of the dance floor. Claudia looked around astonished by the reaction of her peers. Immediately, she was overcome and tears filled her eyes. She grabbed Matt tightly, as he guided her off the floor.

- - - - - -

"Isn't that nice, the way everyone is so supportive of Claudia?" Luna said smiling sweetly.

"Not quite everyone," Harry said, eyeing Jason and Peter who were staring maliciously at Claudia, both boys obviously extremely perturbed. Harry pointed the two disgruntled boys out to Luna. "We better keep an eye on those two; they're notorious trouble makers; they have been since their first day at Hogwarts."

"But what do they have against Claudia?" Luna asked. "She's such a sweet girl."

"The fact that she is pleasant and likeable would be enough motivation for those two to abhor her," Harry commented.

"Unfortunately, they are both old school Slytherins, especially Hendee," Harry continued. "They believe that wizard kind is the master race and that there is no room for deficiency."

"And they see Claudia as an imperfection?" Luna questioned.

Harry nodded. "To them she is weak and defective: their kind despise anyone who is flawed."

"They're the ones who are flawed," Luna retorted. "Them and their outdated beliefs."

Harry beamed at Luna. "It's remarkable. You and Hermione are so different, yet so much alike."

"I'm not sure what you mean by that," Luna replied, "but I'll take it as a compliment."

"It was meant as one," Harry said warmly. "Would you like to dance?"

"Yes, very much!"

The remainder of the evening proceeded with little consequence. Harry spent a lot of time dancing; Claudia spent a lot of time receiving congratulations from well-wishers and Jason spent a lot of time seething and cursing.

After the traditional midnight kisses, Emily and Kim, much to the dismay of Tyler and Randy, decided that they wanted to spend the last half hour of the Ball dancing. Matt and Evan, in order to avoid a similar fate, quickly went to get Caitlin and Claudia drinks. Claudia used the opportunity to ask Caitlin if she wanted to accompany her to the bathroom. Caitlin agreed and they were just about to exit the Hall when Harry caught up to them.

"Caitlin, you and I have yet to dance this evening and the Ball is almost over."

Caitlin looked at Claudia, an apologetic expression on her face.

"Go dance with your dad," Claudia said understandingly. "I'm a big girl; I can go potty by myself."

"Are you sure?" Caitlin asked, concernedly.

"Of course, I'm sure," Claudia responded, before turning and floating away on her magical cushion.

On the other side of the Great Hall, Peter Weiss gave Jason Hendee a nudge and cocked his head in the direction of Claudia.

Claudia speedily glided down the hall and into the girl's toilet. She wanted to hurry and get back since the dance would be over at 12:30. The bathroom was empty, so she entered a stall and after sliding off her cushion and onto a chamber pot, quickly attended to business. She found that not wearing knickers was a definite advantage when having to use the conveniences. Claudia slid back onto her cushion and was about to reapply the Modesto Charm when she heard voices, male voices.

Nervously she unlocked the door to her stall and spied two boys looking her direction. She could tell they were young, by their height, but they were both wearing their masks, so she didn't recognize them.

"This is the girl's toilet. What are you doing in here?" she demanded.

"We wanted to see you," Jason said mysteriously.

"Couldn't it have waited until I was back in the Great Hall?" Claudia said, floating toward the door.

"No," said Peter, blocking her way. "We wanted to see you alone. We want a private showing. Get off your cushion. We want to see you stand and walk."

"I danced and walked in the Great Hall," Claudia responded. "In the future, hopefully you'll get to see me walk often. Now please get out of my way so that I can return to the dance and my friends."

Peter didn't move.

"There are always two ways of doing something," Jason declared. "The easy way and the hard way. Either slide off that stupid floating pillow on your own or I'll drag you off of it."

From the tone of his voice, Claudia could tell that he meant business. She didn't want to leave her cushion; it was almost like discarding a security blanket. But if she got off on her own, she could do it cautiously. If she were pulled off abruptly, she stood a good chancing of falling to the floor.

"If I get off, will you leave me be?"

"I don't make promises to misfits," Jason bellowed. "I'll give you to the count of ten. If you're not off that contrivance by then, I'll drag you off."

Claudia maneuvered so that she was facing the boys with her back to the wall and then carefully slid off her float being sure that she kept her dress discreetly covering her legs.

"Now can I go?" Claudia asked.

"Don't be in such a rush," Peter said. "We want to see your pretty dress; give us a fashion show. Walk around and show us the dress from all angles."

"I can't walk anymore tonight," Claudia lied. "I used up all my energy dancing."

"Easy or hard," Jason said threateningly. "You either walk like a model or I'll put a leash on you and drag you around like the mongrel dog you are."

Slowly, begrudgingly, Claudia walked toward the boys.

"Okay, now turn around and show us what the back of the dress looks like," Peter commanded.

"I can't," Claudia begged.

"Do it!!" Jason bellowed.

Tears formed in Claudia's eyes as she slowly, bitterly turned around presenting the boys with a rear view.

"Wholly shit, "Peter cried out, excitedly. "Half her arse is showing."

"Who the hell wants to see a retard's butt," Jason said, giving Peter a malevolent look.

Jason looked at Claudia with pure hatred. "You're nothing but a fucking, gross, sluttish freak. Who the hell do you think wants to see your smelly immature butt?"

Meanwhile, Peter couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Claudia.

"You've had your distorted fun. Now let me go," Claudia begged, tears streaming down her face.

"Not a chance," Jason said wickedly. "You're like a disease that has attacked Hogwarts. You have to be destroyed."

Peter stared at his companion nervously. "You said we were going to have some fun; scare the little bitch. You didn't say anything about killing her."

"Relax! There are things worse than death. We're not going to kill her, but by the time we're done with her she might wish we had. Take off your dress," Jason bellowed.

"I will not!" Claudia protested.

"You'll either take it off or I'll shred it off your body," Jason threatened.

"No, you can't use that curse," Peter implored. "Sectumsempra will do a lot more than shred her dress; it will slash her to pieces. I'll not be an accomplice to murder."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you're a f-king wimp?" Jason bellowed. "If you don't want me to use the curse, than you rip the damn dress off of her; I'm not about to soil my hands on the filthy bitch."

"Please don't," Claudia pleaded as Peter approached her. "It's not my dress; I borrowed it for the evening. Please don't destroy it. I'll take it off."

Claudia realized that she had no choice. One way or another, she was going to be stripped of her dress. At least if she removed it herself, the garment might not be destroyed.

Tears were streaming non-stop down Claudia's red cheeks as she clutched the hem of her dress. She closed her eyes and in one swift movement removed the dress over her head.

"Merlin's pants," Peter shouted, taken aback. "The bitch isn't wearing any underclothes." Unlike Jason, he didn't find Claudia repulsive. Quite to the contrary, he was practically drooling.

Instinctively, Claudia tried to cover her private parts with her hands and arms.

"Keep your hands and arms at your side or I'll put a body binding curse on you," Peter threatened. He had never seen a naked girl before and was fascinated.

"Are you going to rape me?" Claudia asked fearfully, expecting the worse.

Peter seemed poised to do just that, but it was Jason who answered Claudia.

"Rape you," he said, seemingly quite appalled at the very suggestion. "In your dreams slut! I'm a pureblood. I'd rather die than stick my glorious cock in your filthy disease inundated body."

Peter didn't have any such qualms and now seemed greatly disappointed. "If we aren't going to rape her, why did we make her take her clothes off?" he asked regretfully.

"My original plan was to display her to the school in her knickers and bra in hope that she would be so mortified by the experience that she would leave Hogwarts forever. It seems, however, that the little slut wants to up the ante. Since she chose not to wear underwear tonight, we'll let the school see just how pathetically underdeveloped she is."

"No, you can't," Claudia pleaded. "You can't do that; I won't let you."

Jason laughed. "And just how do you plan to stop us?"

"I won't leave this room," Claudia said defiantly.

Jason laughed and then raised his wand and pointed it at Claudia. "Petrificus Totalus!" he cried.

Claudia's arms snapped to her sides. Her legs sprang together. Her whole body rigid, she swayed where she stood and then fell flat on her face, stiff as a board.

Peter turned her over. "No sense in spoiling the view," he said awkwardly.

"You're as sick as her boyfriend," Jason said, disgust evident in his voice. "I can't believe that you actually get turned on looking at her immature naked body."

Claudia couldn't move and her jaws were jammed together so she couldn't speak. Only her eyes were moving, looking at the two boys in horror.

"What are we going to do with her now?" Peter asked.

Jason checked his watch and then opened the door to check the corridor. "The dance is over in ten minutes," he said. "The full Body-Bind will last for about fifteen minutes. Grab her left leg and help me drag her out into the corridor. We'll leave her just outside the Great Hall to be found when the dance ends. She'll be so humiliated that she'll leave the school on the next train."

"What if she squeals on us?" Peter asked concernedly.

"She has no idea who did this to her," Jason explained. "We'll sneak back into the dance and then do something to make ourselves conspicuous."

"Could I at least cop a quick feel," Peter practically begged.

Jason shook his head in disgust. "You can feel her ankle as we drag her out of here," he said impatiently.

End of Chapter

My thanks go out to my betas for this chapter: Julie, Don and Mae. If anyone would be interested in becoming a beta for this series, please contact me at Brwneil@AOL.com. Please be a good reader and take the time to review.

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