Harry Potter isn't mine. JK owns every thing HP. But this plot… is mine…. Enjoy reading this as much as the one before it. This is the 8th didn't know I could go this far.
Chapter 8: Halloween Ball
"You know the reason why were here, right?" Ron said coldly. "I love my sister and if anything bad happens to her, I swear I will tear you down with my bare hands." He held out the envelope to Draco.
"Is this what I think it is?" Draco asked. He was studying the look on Ron's face and a smile broke in his face. "I'm glad you have finally come to your senses."
"Actually as you can see neither any of us Weasley's fully completely trust you and honestly I still don't, not one bit but if my sister is too stubborn about this whole thing. I might as well give in. Well, you know what will happen to you if you accept this and you hurt my sister. I swear not even Voldemort can save you," Ron retorted.
"Could you please not associate me with that monster. My father may be his follower but I'm certainly not, and of course I accept this whole-heartedly. You may not believe me on this but I would die first before any harm would come to her let alone hurt her myself," Draco answered sincerely and he took the envelope from Ron. He read it and said the magic phrase, ' I whole heartedly agree.'
"I'll take your word for it, though I still don't trust you," Ron smirked. "Say what is it that you need Harry and Hermione's help for?" he asked Draco who had kept the envelope in his robe pocket.
"It's about my mother, maybe you should join us later when we speak to Dumbledore. And Ron I don't how to say this to you but Thank you," Draco said sincerely.
"Draco I think spending to much time with my sister got you so out of character. I'm going to miss the git the you are," Ron said and the two boys walked in.
"See Weasel you just don't know how your sister affects me," Draco started pretending to be sarcastic.
"Well, spare me the details. I have to get back with Harry and Hermione," Ron said. And for the first time he did something that was so surreal that he himself couldn't believe he did it, "Good luck on Quidditch." He wished Draco well on Quidditch. The boys separated. Ron went to the library and Draco went looking for Ginny to tell her the news.
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"I can't believe this book has so many information about you that no book I have ever read about you had," Hermione remarked while she was busily reading the black book.
"Look at all this books which one would we begin reading," Harry asked confused by the pile in front of him.
"Try to read about the Dark Lord and his death eaters," she answered.
Harry sat on one of the chairs and started reading a book about well-known death eaters, and the book didn't tell much he actually knew more death-eaters than the book contained. "I wish Ron's already here helping out."
"I see you have started without me?" Ron said and sat beside Harry and started scanning a book.
"So, what happened to Draco?" Harry asked him.
"I think he's doing fine as of the meantime but if he makes any false moves that would injure Ginny in anyway he's toast!" Ron declared proudly.
Hermione was deeply absorbed in her reading. Even her relationship with Harry was foretold in the book. 'The Chosen one and the Wise one will find love in it's most powerful kind. (This made Hermione smile, 'I guess we're truly in love,' she thought.) But deadly obstacles would test this love, if both would survive the Last Task, they would prosper together but if one of them falls the other would be weaken and eventually wither after the other. The two draws strength from each other. The Chosen one may face the Darkness alone but the Wise one will find a way to make him feel her presence. The Chosen one, The Loyal companion and the Wise, shall learn their special gifts in due time. From the other side, would come another who will be vital in the quest to defeat darkness. He is from a dark lineage but because of his recent lose he would walk towards the right path, and would seek comfort in the red-maiden.' ('Now could this be about Draco and Ginny?' she thought to herself.)
"Hey, anything about the letter yet?" Harry said as he leaned his chin atop Hermione's head to see what she was reading.
"No sign of the letter yet but there are some interesting stuffs about us written here," she pointed out to him and he read the passage she was pointing at, 'before the night of reconnaissance the Chosen one and the Wise shall make an unspoken pledge of loyalty and love for one another.' Harry blushed at what he had read and Hermione was turning pink as well.
"What do you reckon the reconnaissance is for?" Ron said which startled the two, not knowing he was behind them reading a long.
"Well, we'll figure that out when that day comes but as of now we need a lead on that black letter sent to Harry," Hermione said. And the three read all the books that they could possible read. Hours went by.
Harry went to read on something that would definitely be a book from the restricted section. It was the book of 'Old Dark Magic' the strange thing is the author was unnamed. Harry grew curious about the book. He went to the topic about dark messages. There were different ways of sending threats and misguiding hoaxes and the book said a lot about them. The one that grabbed Harry's attention wasn't any of those. He read that some messages in form of letters could only be opened, by certain group of individuals. He thought it was like the letters he got from the Order of Phoenix only members can open the envelope holding the letters. He was the youngest member of the group assembled by Dumbledore and most of the members are now working for the ministry as Aurors. Some of the members were his godfather, Sirius Black and his friend Remus J. Lupin and others more that Dumbledore referred to as the old crowd.
"Harry what if we try to open the letter later?" Ron asked. "I mean think about it, if someone or if You-know-who sent you a letter maybe we should really find out what it's about. Because knowing him, he'd eventually let you know about it whether you wanted to or not."
"Good point, we should might as well, open it later," Harry agreed with Ron.
"If we'll do that lets at least tell Dumbledore," Hermione interjected.
"Okay maybe we should tell him but for now Ron I think we have to leave you into the researching part. We have a meeting to attend to. We've been into too much reading that we have actually forgotten about the time," Harry said.
"We surely did. We even skipped Lunch for all this books," Ron retorted.
"Think of it this way Ron, the information you'll be encountering might come up in the N.E.W.TS," Hermione said.
"Professor Figg might be the next most interesting Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher we've ever had next to Professor Lupin but I don't think she'd give us this much," Ron argued.
"Either way, we have to go now, see you by our portrait hole. We'll open the letter together after we speak with Dumbledore," Harry reminded him.
"Why am I always left with the hard stuff," Ron sighed.
"Ron, I usually do the research so don't act as if you always do the work," Hermione said glared at him before walking after Harry who made his way out of the Library.
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"Draco, they're all staring at us," Ginny told Draco nervously as they waited in Prefects Meeting Room. The prefects were seating at a round table that would seemingly remind you of the one used by King Arthur's knight of the round table.
"They can stare all they like," Draco said and kissed Ginny on the cheek that made her face almost as red as her hair. Susan and Padma started to whisper to each other. Pansy was nowhere in sight. Dylan was seated quietly beside Ginny with a look that said that it was the most uncomfortable place in the planet.
Pansy came in the room, and as soon as her attention landed on the sight of Draco and Ginny conversing, her mood turned from delighted into immensely irritated. "What the hell is going on here?"
"Ms. Parkinson, what seemed to be the matter we will start with the meeting if you would please take your seat," Hermione said as she and Harry entered the room.
Pansy couldn't do anything and she just took the seat beside Draco and glared at him and at Ginny who seemed to be enjoying the scene.
"We just had a meeting with Professor Dumbledore and the heads of the houses. They have agreed on breaking the traditional Halloween feast," Harry said and he was interjected by complains of almost everyone except Hermione.
"But in its place we will have our first ever Halloween ball and this will be open for everyone even for first years. I think they had planned for this before hand since the younger years were already told to get dress robes," Hermione explained. Susan and Padma and Even Pansy seemed to feel excited. Ginny was also delighted since her brother finally let her be around Draco.
"Because of this event we're having, we will all be assigned on different committees. Hermione and I are in the food committee. We'll be instructing the house elf on the menu and other provisions needed. Who would want to be in the Program Committee?" Harry asked.
Susan and Padma raised their hands. "So you two will be in the Program committee," Hermione said. "We need a Decorations committee?"
"We'll do it," Ginny said volunteering herself and Draco.
"I'll be in it to!" Pansy said and she glared at Ginny once again.
"Okay so the three of you will be in-charge of decorations. Professor Flitwick will help you so it wouldn't be that difficult," Harry said.
"For our Security committee we only have you three boys and you would be working with Professor Figg, Professor Snape and Mr. Flitch," Hermione said. The boys groaned after she mentioned the last two names. Professor Arrabela Figg had been their DADA Teacher since their fifth year. She disguised herself as an old woman before to look after Harry. She was in fact a very attractive witch for her age very different from the old woman he had known since he was a little boy.
"Padma, Susan please inform Professor McGonagall about the program you have made," Hermione reminded them.
"We only have less than a week till the event. The professors will be the ones to inform the students so all we have to worry about is our own jobs. If you need to inquire about anything with regards to the ball, please don't hesitate to ask," Harry said before he dismissed everyone.
Pansy stood up and face Draco, " I would talk to you at the common room later," she said and then she went off her way.
"We have to talk to Dumbledore now, please meet me at the library later," Draco told Ginny.
"Okay, I better find Ron first and thank him," she beamed.
"He's in the library for a bit of light reading," Hermione joked.
Ginny went on her way out of the room and Draco, Harry and Hermione went on their way to meet Dumbledore at his office.
In front of the Gargoyle Harry said the password, 'Fizzing Whiz bees.' The gargoyle moved from where he stood and they went up the stairs to Dumbledore's office.
It was Draco's first time in this room as of Harry who had been there a few times already he even saw Fawkes burn-out when he was in his second year. Hermione had been in there too a few times since she had been Head Girl. Draco was overwhelmed by the place he was in.
"Welcome, you three come and take a seat," Dumbledore's voice boomed from a corner. He was up a ladder looking up at some books. "I was just trying to reach that brown book up there."
"Here Professor," and Hermione levitated the book down. Dumbledore smiled at her as she handed him the book.
"Ah… it's been a while since I last went up that ladder and I just wanted to try it again," the tall old wizard said to them.
"Mr. Malfoy, what is it that you have to talk to me and Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger said it is of grave importance," Dumbledore started as he sat on his chair and searched Draco's face.
Draco told Dumbledore about his dreams about his mother, her death and her pleas to him. Draco even openly admitted that his father is a death-eater and is serving the Dark Lord.
"I believe you are saying the truth Draco and you may have seen your mother's death through your dreams however we have no concrete evidence to point all this to your father and knowing his position in the ministry we really need to move carefully," Dumbledore said. "For now we have to be patient. I'm very happy that you have finally chosen the right path. It would be a rough one but you have made a good start and I know you already have new friends that would assist you on your way."
Harry and Hermione both gave Draco a warm smile.
"Harry is there anything you need to tell me?" Dumbledore asked Harry.
"Well, professor… I…" Harry tried to say.
"He received a letter. It's in a black envelope and has a silver crest bearing the dark mark," Hermione finally said.
"I see, well another mystery I presumed," the old wizard pointed out. "I think you will figure things at the right time. And I believe Draco would help you with it. If I were you, you young ones should enjoy the Halloween Ball," Dumbledore suggested. "Off you go you three and Draco, always remember that you have friends." And with that they all went out. Hermione didn't mention the black book in her bag.
Draco went to meet Ginny in the library. Harry and Hermione went to meet Ron in front of Godric's portrait and told him that they would open the letter some other time. Ron didn't argue and told them that he had to look for Lavender.
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It was a day before the Halloween ball and everyone was excited. Love letters and invitation notes were flying everywhere. It was almost like early valentines. The Slytherins were now busy practicing Quidditch, Draco giving all the players a hard time and lecturing them about playing fair. He had them working extra hard.
Hermione was still busy reading about Harry's life. She and Harry tried to make themselves busy with making a menu for the ball. Dobby and Winky were always popping in their room asking if they had finally finished making the list of food to be served. Winky was now getting paid for her services like Dobby although she still didn't like the idea, Hermione insisted on her getting some money for the things she was doing for her.
Lavender didn't like the idea of going to the ball without a partner and Ron went after her for almost three days and she just couldn't resist him and they finally made up. Draco was stuck between Pansy's and Ginny's colliding ideas of the decorations to be used and in the end he just told the two girls that Professor Flitwick would decide on the decorations and they would just help him put up the decors.
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"Slytherins versus Ravenclaw!" Dylan McGarth's voiced filled the Quidditch field. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lavender and Ginny were there with a few Gryffindors who wanted to watch the Slytherins lose. Harry searched the Slytherin stands to look for Lucius Malfoy because he usually watched his son's every game but this time he was no where to be found.
"Draco's father isn't here," Harry said to Ron.
"He's probably running an errand for You-know-who," Ron said. "I can't believe we're here to support him," Ron said as he pointed at Draco. Draco was waving at Ginny who was now throwing butterfly kisses to him.
Hermione on the other hand was still buried under the black book. Harry was beside her trying to read with her but as soon as he heard the whistle he was focused on watching the game. He studied the moves of the Slytherins and the Ravenclaw as well.
Slytherin won over Ravenclaw and Harry couldn't believe it but Draco's team surprisingly played fairly. They all went to get ready for the ball. Harry and Hermione made a last trip to the kitchen to check on how the elves are doing.
They finally made their way to their common room and before going up to her room Hermione gave a Harry a quick but a very sweet kiss.
"What was that for," Harry asked a little confused.
"For a wonderful night a head of us," Hermione answered him as she went up to her room. Harry went to his as well and got ready.
Harry took a hot shower and got dressed with his Emerald Green Dress Robe. He tried to fix his hair but nothing really worked but he stared at himself in the mirror, 'Well, it's okay, Hermione just loves me even with my rowdy hair.'
Hermione bathe in a hot tub filled with sweet smelling flowers. After washing herself she wore her beautiful Lavender colored dress robe. Winky helped her with her hair, with just one snap of her fingers Hermione's hair was in a beautiful French knot.
Harry knocked at her door and said, "I'll wait for you down stairs."
After Winky finished putting some make up in her face, Hermione gave the house elf a hug and said thank you. Winky was so overwhelmed that she seemed to be in the brink of tears. Hermione went down the steps as Harry gazed up at her.
"I'm the luckiest man tonight," he said as he held out his hand to her.
"You're not bad looking yourself," she said as she slid an arm through his.
Harry looked at the study drawer that had the letter inside he almost wanted to go and open the letter but then knew that tonight he should forget about his troubles and just be the happy wizard that he was because he was with the most beautiful witch in school.
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Draco waited in front of the Fat Lady's Portrait he was waiting for Ginny. He had a very heated argument with Pansy but even that couldn't stop him from spending that wonderful evening with the young woman that he loves.
Ron came out of the Portrait hole with Lavender wearing a blue ball gown type dress robe. "She's coming out soon, have patience," Ron said and patted his back. They had been in good terms for almost a week now.
And finally the moment he was waiting for, Ginny came out of the portrait hole wearing a beautiful silver dress robe. Her hair was put up and she had a certain blush of pink on her cheeks that made her so lovely. They walked together to the great hall.
The evening was wonderful. The room was decorated well. The great hall was off limits the whole day and was only opened at the night of the ball. The student's ate breakfast and lunch outside. Draco, Ginny and Pansy helped professor Flitwick decorated before the Quidditch game.
Harry and Hermione danced the night away. They were one of the best looking couples that night if they weren't the best. The food was great and everybody enjoyed the night. They didn't know that outside while they indulged in the merriments death eaters were attacking a small Wizarding town. Voldemort was back and he wants revenges.
[n/a]: sorry the ball wasn't much… but please keep posted for the next chaps. I hope I don't loose all my creative ideas easily…….R/R