Ballroom Blitz

"WHERE THE HELL ARE MY COMBAT BOOTS?! TORIIIII! HARRYYYYYY!"

Twas the afternoon of the Yule ball, and all through Gryffindor dorm, all the children were preparing, causing quite the proverbial storm.

Harry came dashing into the girls’ dormitory wearing a gray vest with white pinstripes, matching slacks, a white dress shirt, a gray tie, and gray socks. He still had yet to put his shoes on, and he’d given up on his hair an hour prior.

Evelyn was pacing the length of the room, wearing a black dress that covered everything just above her knees, and showed quite a bit of neck and chest. The bottom had maroon lace, and her hands and most of her arms were covered by opera gloves that were the same shade of red. Her black hair hung loose, and had somehow acquired blue streaks. Her feet and legs were covered in black and red-striped leggings.

No combat boots.

She looked as if she were about to spontaneously combust.

She also looked pretty hot.

Harry shook out his head.

Ron walked in just behind Harry, wearing nearly the same outfit, but in a deep blue shade, and he had a matching blue fedora on his head. "What’s wrong?" he asked.

"Evelyn can’t find her combat boots."

Torianna shoved her way into the dorm, and tossed a hefty pair of footwear to Evelyn, who breathed a sigh of relief as she caught them.

Harry and Ron blinked at Torianna. She was wearing a long, bright orange dress that fit as if it were a toga, covering her left shoulder and sloping down to cover her torso, but left her right arm bare. Her long blond hair was held up in a neat, thick braid. She grabbed her own shoes, a pair of black cleats, and began to put them on.

"Wow," Harry said meekly.

Torianna gave the boys a cocky smirk. "Yeah, that’s right. Take it all in, boys. I look good."

When all was said and done, they congregated in the common room.

Fred and George wore matching maroon suits.

Ron rolled his eyes.

"We only picked them because we knew you hate maroon," Fred told his little brother.

"That and we look bloody fantastic in them," George added. "In’t that right, Katie?"

Katie Belle had opted for a silvery, spaghetti-strap dress that went down to her ankles. She shoved a neat piece of blond hair back, and sighed. "Yes, George, bloody fantastic."

Ron sighed. "Where the hell is Hermione?"

"Don’t be so pushy, I’m right here."

Ron turned around to see a brunette standing there, hands on her hips. She wore a square-necked, floor-length deep blue dress, with thick straps that covered most of her shoulders. Her hair was in thick curls, most of it held up atop her head, but a few stray ones framed her face.

Ron blinked. "Uh… Uhm…"

"Oh, good," Fred muttered to Angelina. "His brain’s draining."

Angelina shook her head, and straightened out her long, lavender dress. It’s neck was shaped into a V, and it was floor-length with a lighter lavender mesh overtop the solid skirt. "Leave the poor boy alone, Fred."

"I can’t!" Fred cried. "He’s my ickle brother!"

"Y-you look really great," Ron said hoarsely.

Hermione smiled, and looked him over. "You, too."

"Ginny! Come down, please?"

"No! I look ridiculous!"

"That’s it!"

Torianna came rushing down the stairs in her orange dress and cleats, with a small red-head flung over her shoulder. She set the smaller girl down on the couch.

Ginny Weasley wore a long, deep green dress. The top was covered in a black spider-web design. The green skirt was covered in a thin layer of black mesh. Her red hair was clipped up in a bunch, her hands were covered by a pair of black gloves.

George smiled. "Aw, Gin, y’look great."

"Harry’s gonna be floored when he sees you," Katie said.

"If he makes any wrong moves, just come and get me and I’ll kill him," Ron said.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

Buffy Summers looked pretty darned good, and she knew it.

Her hair was up atop her head, her dress was a powder blue, with the faint hint of glitter on it, her hair was put up elegantly, and she was applying make-up in a full-length mirror.

Behind her, her roommate and sister slayer was applying thick, dark lipstick. She wore a deep maroon corset-styled dress.

"Way to look slutty, Faith," Buffy joked.

"I like to think of it as sultry."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Please," she muttered.

"Well, at least I don’t look like Miss America," Faith snapped. "I like puppies, and I want to end world hunger," she mocked in a high-pitched voice.

"What’s wrong with puppies?"

"Shut up, B."

"You look great," Draco told Evelyn, as she stepped out of the Gryffindor portrait hole.

"Not too shabby, yourself," Evelyn smirked. "What’s up with the suits? You guys look like a blast from the mafia’s past."

Draco shrugged. "I like it… even if it is Muggle. Where‘s the rest of the lot?"

"Coming, I hope," Evelyn replied. "I think Torianna is still waiting on Seamus, but Ron and Hermione are ready, and I think Harry is still trying to coax Ginny out of the common room."

"What’s wrong with her?" Draco asked.

Evelyn shrugged. "She doesn’t think she looks good, or something."

Draco shrugged. "You wanna go?"

Evelyn sighed. "Yeah. They’ll all catch up, and we’ll see Ron and Seamus on stage."

Draco offered her an arm and she took it with a smirk. They began to walk.

And came face-to-face with Narcissa Malfoy.

Draco stared at her harshly, and pulled Evelyn. "Let’s go." He dragged his raven-haired companion down the hall.

"Draco?"

"I’m fine."

"Don’t lie."

"I’m not lying. I’m fine. Let’s just get to the great hall, and forget we just saw her, alright?"

"Draco-"

"Forget it," Draco snapped.

Evelyn sighed, and they walked.

Ron held the great hall door open for Hermione, who smiled at him, and stepped in. He followed her and looked around with his hands in his pockets.

The moon and stars shone brightly through the ceiling, illuminating everything, with the help of a few strategically-placed electric lamps and candles.

How Professor Summers had convinced the older teachers to help her make Muggle lighting work at Hogwarts was far beyond anyone.

Posters of Muggle movies, musical icons, Broadway shows, operas, and sports figured lined the walls. Ron smirked at the darkened stage he would be occupying later.

A camera flashed in their faces.

Ron squinted, and saw a red-headed woman beaming at him. "Mum?"

"Hello, Ron, dear," she said sweetly. "Oh, don’t you look so handsome."

"Mum, what are you doing here?"

"Dumbledore asked your father and I to chaperone!" She exclaimed happily. "Hermione, you look lovely."

"Thank you," Hermione smiled.

Molly took another picture, and Ron sighed. "Mum… no cameras, please?"

"I want pictures," Molly said firmly. "Where are George and Fred and their dates?"

"Why don’t you go after Charlie?" Ron asked. "He and Professor Morgan are over there."

Molly smiled. "Alright! I’ll see you two later!"

Ron sighed. "Bloody brilliant," he muttered.

Hermione snickered. "Let’s just sit down. You’ll forget all about it once you have food in front of you."

"What? Food?"

She rolled her eyes, and led him to a table.

"Combat boots?"

Evelyn jumped nearly five feet in the air at the voice in her ear as she walked into the great hall.

She whirled around to see a tall man with a smug smirk playing across his lips. His eyes matched hers.

"Dad?!"

"Lo, Luv. You look smashing."

"What are you doing here?"

Sirius shrugged. "Chaperone… and I was thinking about spiking the punch, but we’ll see if I can slip it past Sarah and Remus." He eyed Draco. "Malfoy."

"Mr. Black, sir," Draco nodded. It was then that he realized he really hated being polite. To anyone.

"Have you been treating my daughter kindly?" Sirius asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Cut the crap, Dad," Evelyn sighed. "He’s fine. I’m fine. We’re all fine here. Go spike the punch."

Sirius smirked. "You kids have fun." He glared at Malfoy. "But not… too much fun." With that he walked off.

Draco sighed. "He’s really got it in for me."

Evelyn rolled her eyes, and pulled Draco further into the room. "Forget about it."

"So… yeah, family, this is Seamus. Seamus, these are my parents."

"’Lo," Seamus nodded nervously.

Sarah smirked. "Hello, Seamus. Nice to meet you."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Hello, Mr. Finnighan."

Seamus swallowed hard. "Lo, Professor Lupin."

"So, how long have you two been together?" Remus asked.

"Not long," Torianna replied. "A while, but not too long."

Sarah smiled wider. "So… are you in the band, Seamus?"

"I’m th’ drummer," Seamus replied.

Remus stared. "Drummer… is that so?"

"Yes, sir," Seamus replied nervously. "I’m gonna… go get something t’ drink. Want anything, Tori?"

"Nah," Torianna replied. "I’ll catch up."

Seamus nodded. "Nice meetin’ ya, Missus Lupin. Nice t’ see ya again, Professor." He rushed off.

"Isn’t he great?" Torianna asked.

Sarah beamed. "My girl has taste."

Remus sighed. "He’s wonderful."

Torianna gave her father a reproachful look. "Dad…"

Remus sighed again. "Yes, fine. He’s fine."

Sarah quirked an eyebrow. "Over-protectiveness is Sirius’ department. You’ll like your daughter’s boyfriend. Now."

Remus rolled his eyes.

Harry smiled at Sirius. "Fancy meeting you here."

Sirius smirked. "Hello, Harry… Ginny Weasley?"

"Hello, Mr. Black," Ginny replied quietly.

"You’re quite the couple," Sirius snickered. "You both look great."

"Have you seen Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked, looking around.

"They’ve probably already gotten seats to get something to eat," Ginny replied. "He’s always hungry."

And a camera snapped in their face.

Ginny looked up. "Mum!"

Molly snickered. "Oh, Ginny, you look wonderful!"

Ginny blushed.

"And Harry… very nice."

Harry turned a shade of red as well. "T-thanks."

Sirius smirked. "Molly, I think you’ve gone a bit crazy with the camera." He glanced at Fred, who was standing not too far away, pretending to be blind on Angelina’s arm. She was snickering loudly.

"Nonsense!" Molly cried, taking another picture of Ginny and Harry. "Always good to have some memories lying about!"

Harry sighed and smirked at Ginny. "Regular Collin Creevy, she is."

Ginny giggled.

Cordelia and Wesley arrived alongside Fred and Gunn. Cordelia had opted for a long, black dress, and Wesley had gone with a black, stiff-looking suite.

Fred’s dress was a deep purple with a scoop neck and a long skirt. She held onto Gunn’s arm tightly, and looked to the ceiling. "This place in incredible."

Wesley smirked. "Always has been." He looked around calmly, and smiled when he spotted Hermione smiling and speaking with Harry, Ron and Ginny.

Cordelia followed his eyes. "That’s your niece, right? The bushy-haired one with too many books?"

Wesley nodded.

"Oh, she looks great," Fred said.

Wesley smiled. "Yes, she does. Her mother‘s going to kill me for not bringing a camera."

*SNAP!*

Charlie groaned. "Wish Mum would stop with the pictures."

Faith smirked. "Aw, c’mon, Charlie. It’s not everyday you look this cleaned up."

"Are you saying I look grubby on a normal day?" he asked, a little irritated.

She thought for a moment. "What’s a word that you Brits will understand… Rugged."

Charlie smirked. "That’s better. Bloody hell, I feel like such a tool in this outfit."

"Charlie…"

"I know, I know. I am a tool," he groaned.

"Besides, don’t feel too bad. I feel like a pirate wench in this corset thing."

"A pirate wench?"

"Yeah, I feel like I should be 100 pounds heavier, carrying three mugs of beer and a baby."

Charlie snorted. "Why three beers?"

"One for you, one for me, and one for the baby."

"You’re going to feed our child beer?" Charlie asked in confusion.

Faith gave him an evil smirk. "Never said it was yours."

"Oh, you’ll pay for that, Professor."

Faith poked him in the chest. "Gotta catch me first."

Charlie smirked as she walked off. "Always did love a good chase."

Buffy and Willow were circling each other right outside the great hall entrance.

Willow’s dress was long and a faded shade of grass green.

"I like the dress, Will. Very you."

"The light blue looks good, makes your hair stand out more," Willow appraised.

Oliver blinked, and turned to Angel. "They do this often?"

Angel sighed. "I don’t know. I wouldn’t put it past them."

"Okay, we’re of the good," Buffy commented, taking Angel’s arm. "Let’s go."

Willow hooked her arm through Oliver’s. "Ready?"

He nodded. "Yeah. You look great, by the way."

Willow beamed. "So do you. Very suave."

He turned a slight shade of red and she snickered at him.

"Wait for us," Tara called. "Sorry we’re late." She rushed up, fixing her dark magenta dress. "H-how do I look?"

"Aw, Tara, you look really cute," Willow said. "Where’s Xander?"

Tara looked around. "Oh. Did I leave him in the dust? Oops."

"No worries, people, I’m good," Xander called, catching up. "Sorry about the lateness. Somebody stole my shoes."

"It was Peeves," Tara explained. "And it was a mess, and there was lots of running into things."

"But we’re good now," Xander nodded. "Shoes and all."

Dinner went well. The slightest hint of a food fight could be detected from George and Fred’s end of the table, but was squashed by Ginny.

When the dinner ware was cleared away, most of the tables disappeared, and the stage lit up.

Ron shot up like a bolt of lightening and almost tripped on his way up to the stage. Seamus, in his brown and white pinstriped suit, Evelyn and Draco snickered at him, and made their way to their patiently waiting instruments. The boys shed their suit jackets, and Evelyn pulled her opera gloves off.

Katie and Angelina joined them, taking up two wireless mics which appeared before them out of nowhere.

Giles watched the show from afar, with a smile on his face. As the girls began to sing, his smile grew very wide. Their blend and intonation was spectacular. They’d improved tremendously since the beginning of the year.

Until he spotted her.

She stood stone-still. Gray eyes cutting into him. He stared back, blankly, showing no emotion. He turned on her heels and stormed in the other direction.

"What is it with you and your slayers’ mothers?"

Giles jumped. "Buffy."

"You and Mrs. Malfoy, huh?" Buffy asked.

"It… That was a very long time ago," Giles assured her.

"So… let me take the soap opera route," Buffy said, arms crossed. "You dated her back in your Ripper days, met up with her years later, had one hot night of passion with her while she was married, and Draco came along?"

Giles snorted. "Nothing of the sort. I haven’t seen Narcissa since I dropped out of Hogwarts. Draco is not my son. God help me if he was."

"Damn," Buffy replied. "I was kinda hoping for it… so you seriously dated the Ice Queen?"

Giles sighed. "She wasn’t this way when we dated, I’ll tell you that."

"I don’t wanna know the specifics about your adventures in Date Land," Buffy told him with a wrinkled nose.

Giles sighed. "How did she wind up with Lucius, is what bothers me."

"I don’t know," Buffy mused. "I mean… sans the whole cranky evil thing, Draco’s dad is kind of a dish."

Giles blinked at her.

"What?!"

"If you were my daughter, I’d disown you," he told her, and walked off.

Buffy huffed. "What?!"

Harry hopped off the stage after finishing his song, to be met by Ginny, Torianna, Dean, Neville and Hermione. They hugged him, and patted him on the back, and cheered.

Ron leaned down from the stage to ruffle Harry’s wild, sweaty locks.

He smiled up at his best friend. "Who’s next, then?"

Ron‘s eyes wandered to his sister.

Ginny turned a bright shade of red as her friends pushed her to the stage, and Ron helped her onto it, and handed her the mic with a smile. Behind them, Torianna, Katie and Angelina set themselves up as back-up singers.

"Knock ‘em Dead," he told her.

She looked out at the crowd, and slow smirk spread across her face. "If you insist," she said softly.

"Ginny!" Seamus called from behind the drum set. "Ready?"

She took the clip from her hair and swung out the red locks to loosen them a little. "Absolutely."

Ron didn’t have time to question before Seamus counted off and the song started.

"The Doctor said come back again next week, I think that you need me…"

As Ginny got into the song, and began to move with the music, Harry turned a brilliant shade of red, watching her hips move.

Dean pat him on the shoulder and laughed. "Lucky, lucky man, you are."

Harry gave a squeak as a reply.

"Man," Lorne commented walking up to the entranced boy. "Who knew a little thing like her had such big lungs." He smiled at Harry. "She your date?"

Harry nodded.

"I liked your number, by the way," Lorne told him. "You’re solid."

"T-thanks," Harry replied, not pulling his eyes away from the fiery ball of energy on stage. "Who did you come with, Lorne?"

"Professor Trelawny," Lorne said with a short laugh. "She’s a riot. Thinks she’s a seer. She’s only ever gotten two premonitions in her whole, or so Albus says."

Harry smirked. "So… what do you see in Ginny?"

Lorne winked knowingly. "Love. Oh, and be careful, tonight, Harry. I‘ve been getting some bad vibes. Keep your eyes peeled." With that, he walked off.

"Harry!" Hermione called. "There you are! Ginny’s song is over! Did you hear her?! Isn’t she amazing?!"

Harry smiled and let his best friend drag him over to the side of the stage, where Ginny was stepping down.

She smiled at him. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Was I okay?"

"You weren’t okay," Harry replied solemnly. "You were bloody fantastic. Where did you learn to do that?"

Ginny shrugged. "It was just a thing," she told him nervously. "Ron’s a lot better at it than I am."

"In a guy way," Harry replied. "You have some lungs."

She snickered. "I could use something to drink."

Harry took her by the hand with a wide smile. "Come on, then."

Sirius watched his daughter belt out the lyrics to "Bad Reputation" with swelling pride.

"Amazing, isn’t she?"

Sirius nodded. "Nothing like me. I can’t sing a lick."

Dumbledore chuckled. "I remember… And James was worse than you were."

Sirius nodded with a sigh of agreement. "’S’true. The boy sounded like a dying moose when he sang… Lily on the other hand…Well, we know where Harry gets the voice from… and Evelyn gets hers from her mother."

"That she did… And if I remember correctly, Remus was quite the tenor in his day."

"Still is," Sirius replied. "He sings when he cooks."

Dumbledore laughed. "How are you, Sirius?"

The younger man sighed and put a hand through his raven hair. "Holding up, I suppose. Arthur Weasley got me a decent position in the ministry… hunting out Death Eaters. Go figure, right?"

"What about Remus?"

Sirius shook his head. "No luck yet. Bloody hell, so what if he’s a sodding werewolf, the man needs to put food on the table!"

"Has Sarah started back at St. Mungo’s?" Dumbledore asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah," Sirius replied. "She’s been running around constantly, doctor that she is."

"I can only imagine," Dumbledore said. He glanced at his son-in-law. "You will be with us when things become truly dire, won’t you?"

Sirius regarded the older man with the utmost seriousness (no pun intended). "What kind of question is that, Albus? You know we’re behind you one-hundred percent. Don’t ever doubt that."

Dumbledore nodded. "Alright, Sirius." he glanced around him in silence for a moment, spying a few unruly fourth-years. "Sirius?"

"Hm?"

"You didn’t do anything devious to the punch, did you?"

Sirius smirked mischievously. "Why, Albus, I’m certain I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Strange Currencies was Ron’s break. He sighed and slid out from behind his piano and off the stage. He smirked when he spotted Hermione as the song started up and tapped her shoulder, distracting her from speaking with Wesley. She turned to him, and almost looked surprised to see him.

"Wanna dance?" he asked her.

She smiled, and shrugged at her grinning uncle as she let Ron guide her onto the dance floor with other couples. She didn’t care that he was sweating like crazy from playing. She put her arms around him.

Ron spotted his sister and best friend dancing near them, and felt a bit angry.

"Stop staring at Harry and Ginny," Hermione chided. "It’s not polite."

"Hermione, that’s my sister," Ron pointed out. "If he hurts her-"

"Ron, stop talking, and dance," she commanded. "There’s nothing you can do about it, so don’t be a prat."

He sighed. "Yeah, all right. But if he-"

"Harry is your best friend, is he not?"

"He is," Ron agreed.

"You trust him with your life," Hermione pointed out. "And he’s saved hers before, remember? Trust me, if he hurts Ginny, I won’t be too happy, either. But just let it be, for now… You‘re amazing, by the way."

He blinked and looked down at her. "What do you mean?"

"The singing… the playing… I’ve never heard you sound this good."

"It’s the adrenaline," Ron replied. "Thanks."

She snickered. "I’ve decided to never be a musician… but I think they’re very… very attractive."

"Good," Ron nodded. "Because I’ve decided I want to lose my virginity on top of a piano."

Her eyes went wide and she smacked his arm. "Ronald Weasley!"

He laughed, and they danced.

The Unforgiven was the song Draco went crazy on. He sang it well, and he played his guitar without a pick.

Narcissa watched from the very back of the room, as her only son played his heart out.

"He’s quite talented."

Narcissa didn’t answer her former friend.

Severus Snape rolled his eyes. "Narcissa, stop being huffy. It doesn’t suit you."

"He is very talented," Narcissa nodded finally, ignoring his comment. "But it is a waste of time. He has more important things to do than play that infernal Muggle noise maker. Like studying."

"And training to be a laky for Voldemort?"

Narcissa glared at him.

"He is not like you, Narcissa," Snape shook his head. "Let him be."

A slow smile spread across her face. "Oh, Severus… just because I have married a Death Eater, and gave him children, does not mean that I, myself am a Death Eater."

He rolled his eyes. "Don’t play, Narcissa."

Narcissa Malfoy snickered. "You honestly thought you were the only spy who succeeded in infiltrating the Dark Lord’s domain?" she sighed as she walked away from him as he stared at her in shock. "Men are so very naïve."

Ron was flooring the audience with "You May Be Right." He’d picked up the tempo a little, making it move faster. He wasn’t even sitting on the piano bench anymore. He’d kicked it away, and was now banging the keys furiously, and singing into the mic.

Molly looked on worriedly. "He’d better not give himself a seizure up there."

Arthur smiled at his wife. "Just enjoy the fact that your son is bloody amazing, dear."

Molly sighed. "Did you know that Charlie told me Ron doesn’t think there’s anything special about him? What a ridiculous thing to thing!"

"Well," Arthur replied. "It’s hard to be the youngest of six boys. What do you think about a piano for that house?"

Oliver’s song was so blatantly dedicated to Willow it was making her blush.

"If I’m a proper Jewish boy… will her family love me?!…"

Buffy had her arms wrapped around her best friend. "Someone’s a smitten kitten!"

"Stop it!" Willow cried. "There’s nothing wrong with smitten. And the feeling is entirely mutual."

"I know the feeling," Buffy snickered. "Being with Angel again… god, I never knew it could be this good, y’know? It was always…"

"Bad?" Willow supplied.

"Well… yeah! But now… he smiles, he makes with the funny. It’s amazing."

"Now who’s a smitten kitten?"

"Oh!" Buffy cried. "We should form a club! The Smitten Kitten Club!"

Willow laughed.

"What are you guys talking about?" Fred asked, blinking at them. Gunn had abandoned her to talk to Wesley about old times.

"We’re forming the Smitten Kitten Club," Willow replied. "You’re dating Gunn, right? Wanna join?"

She smiled nervously. "Uh… okay!"

Neville looked terrified. "No! I’ve changed my mind! I don’t wanna go!"

Draco snarled, grabbed the Gryffindor by the ear and dragged him onto the stage.

"Ron, please," Neville pleaded. "Don’t make me do this!"

Ron shook his head as he sat at the piano, straightening his fedora out. "Sorry, mate. Flitwick is expecting us to use the horns he enchanted. Your song is the only one with horns in it." He shoved the mic into his hands. "So sing."

Neville squeaked.

Evelyn sighed and set the upright bass down carefully. She stepped over it to stand in front of Neville. "What is gonna make you stop freaking out?"

"I-I don’t know…"

"Neville, you’re awesome," Evelyn told him. "You’re arguably the best tenor in the school. Most of the kids staring at us right now? Can’t sing worth a crap! You can kick the shit out of them with your lungs. Now do it!"

Neville sighed, and looked out at the audience again. "Yeah, alright."

They started the song.

Fred, George and Lee jumped up onto the stage after Torianna‘s had finished A Change.

They started Eep Op Ork, in which the three of them sang, and ran and jumped around on stage and harassed the band members to no end. The number was good, Draco was very tempted to smash one of the twins over the head with his guitar.

The last number, Rock the Casbah, was played, and the room broke into applause.

As each member left the stage, they were crowded by friends and family.

Draco walked Evelyn to the Gryffindor portrait hole.

She sighed, and smiled at him. "I don’t know about you, but I had a great time."

Draco smirked. "Yeah. It was good. Set went well."

"Well?! Well?! How about amazing! We rocked that bitch!"

Draco snickered. "Still wired?"

"Hell, yes!" Evelyn cried. "It must be an American thing. So… I‘ll see you in the morning?"

He nodded. "Definitely. Meet you for Breakfast."

She reached up and kissed him fully before she turned to the Fat Lady.

"You two have some nerve, doing that in the hallway!" she cried.

"What can I say?" Evelyn snickered. "I’m a Black! I have no shame!" She said the password, and was gone.

When Draco got to the Slytherin portrait hole, a tall blond was waiting for him. He didn’t pay any attention to her. She put a hand over his mouth before he could utter the password. She dragged him away and to the side.

"What the hell are you doing?!" he cried. "Jesus, Mum!"

"Ssh," Narcissa whispered. "Listen to me for one moment, Draco."

"No."

"Draco-"

"Get. Out. Of. My. Life."

She stared at him for a moment, before turning around and storming off.

Draco sighed, and was about to say the password, but something pointy poked his back.

He whirled around to see three when in boring suits, aiming… something at him.

A bolt of electricity shot from it, connecting with his body, and the world went black.

He was literally dancing her down the halls to the Gryffindor portrait hole, and for once, she didn’t chide him on being ridiculous. She only giggled as he twirled her. He’d left his jacket in the great hall, but had resolved to get it in the morning.

"Did you have fun tonight?" Ron asked her.

"Of course," Hermione replied. "And you?"

"I had a fabulous time," Ron replied. "What do you want to do now?" he asked her.

"Hmmm… I’d like to do some homework."

"Bloody hell!" Ron cried. "I was trying to be suggestive!"

Hermione laughed. "I’m not dense, you know. I know when you’re trying to get me into a good snog."

"Really?" Ron asked. He twirled her and backed her up against the wall next to the portrait hole.

"Like now," she pointed out.

He smiled, and was about to kiss her, when something stuck into his shoulder. He turned around, and caught a glimpse of a well-dressed woman in front of ten Muggle guards before his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell to the ground, passed out.

Hermione glared. She didn’t even get the chance to utter a protection spell before being shot with s tranquilizer dart.

Everything went black.

They really weren’t supposed to be walking around the grounds that late at night. They could get caught, and points could be taken off, and they could get detention. But they’d snuck out under the invisibility cloak. Just to walk around. They hadn’t even changed out of their

formal dress.

But just then none of them really cared.

"So… so you really think it was good?"

Evelyn nudged Harry with a smile. "Would we lie to you? Even if you sucked, would we lie to you?"

Harry cracked a smile. "No… you’d ban me from ever touching a microphone again."

"Exactly," Torianna said. "And would Ron have even let you on stage if you sucked?"

"No… Did you see Pansy’s face?" Harry asked with a short laugh.

"No, thank god," Evelyn snapped. "Sorry… I really don’t like her… she gives Draco Funny looks."

Torianna rolled her eyes.

"Hey!" Evelyn cried. "If Seamus’ ex gave him funny looks, you’d be unhappy, too!"

The blond nodded. "Yeah, okay."

"Did you two talk to your parents at all?" Harry asked.

"Yep," Evelyn replied. "Dad threatened Draco."

"My dad gave Seamus nasty looks."

Harry smiled again. "Ridiculous, really… except the Draco thing. I Threaten Draco a lot, too."

"Hey, come on!" Evelyn cried. "I know he’s a little shit sometimes-"

"Sometimes?" Harry asked. "This is the boy who dressed up as a Dementor and showed up at one of my Quidditch matches just to scare the hell out of me!"

"He did that?" Evelyn asked. "Well… at least my boyfriend is inventive."

"Thanks," Harry replied bitterly.

"Oh, come on, Harry," Evelyn replied. She stopped walking. "What do you want me to do, choose between my god-brother and my boyfriend? If that’s the way we’re playing things, you can take your second-grade crappy ‘tude, and shove it up your- oh shit."

Harry blinked. "What?"

"Don’t… turn around."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Torianna glanced behind Harry. She turned ghostly white.

"What?" Harry asked, starting to get scared. "What’s wrong?"

Torianna waved, her hand shaking. "Hiya Mr. Malfoy… sir…"

:: On To Chapter Twenty-five ::

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