A Powerful and Painful Addiction

Chapter 9: The Boo Ball

"All right, now I want to try something new," Harry began. "With our first game being against - "

"SLYTHERIN, we know!" cried the team.

"No, you don't know either. It's been changed... We are to play Ravenclaw first match of the season."

Everyone looked taken aback.

"Malfoy went to Professor Snape claiming that two of their Chasers' arms are still on the mend from an apparent incident at the beginning of October."

"Then how did they tryout?" Holli asked furiously. "Can't you complain to Madam Hooch or something?"

"Snape made the amendment; I'm not arguing that with him."

"Joely'll do it," Ginny laughed.

"No, I won't have her fight our battles, anyways..."

"Did Malfoy hex his own teammates or something?"

"No, truthfully, Hermione said he was observing us during practice yesterday. She said he looked a bit nervous," Harry cackled.

"Aww ickle, baby, pampered Malfoy is scared," Holli laughed.

"Exactly," Harry said loudly. "With Malfoy scared we have a solid upper hand. So we train hard - "

"And I thought Angelina was just like Wood," Ron whispered under his breath.

"I heard that, mate," Harry gruffed.

"Look, Harry, we went through this last year with Angelina, and you've been through it with Wood! Give it a breather!"

"Ron - "

"No, Harry! We've been practicing for two hours now and - "

"And nothing, Ron, we - "

"Have a great team, Harry! If Malfoy's spooked enough to go crying to Snape then that's a good sign. We've practiced Saturday, Sunday, Monday, yesterday and today," Ron said hotly, ticking off the days on his fingers. "Plus, if any of you tell Hermione this, consider yourselves target practice because my Hurling Charm is a little rusty, but I have a mountain of homework to do."

Everyone gasped and Alex fell off his chair in shock.

"Aww," Holli sniffled, "Ron is giving up Quidditch for homework. Percy would be so proud."

"Sod off, Hælan," Ron snipped.

"Sodding off then."

"All right, all right, settle down," said the green eyed Quidditch captain. "That's enough for today, hit the showers."

"It's about time, I'm not used to smelling this foul!" complained Natalie.

"What is it with guys and thinking that you haven't really worked unless you stink at the end?" Ginny asked, eyeing Ron and Harry.

"Shut it up, Ginny!" Ron snapped.

...............................................................

"Hello, Hermione."

"Hello, Ginny. Where are Harry and Ron?"

"Oh... trying to drown themselves in the showers."

"What?" yelled Hermione, jumping up from her chair.

"Easy, Hermione," said Ginny motioning for her calm down, "it was a joke. They're on their way up."

"That wasn't funny, Ginny," Hermione gasped, clutching her heart. "You wouldn't happen to know if Ron seemed, well, upset, would you?"

"Actually, it's thanks to Ron that practice is over."

"But did he seem okay? When you left I mean."

"Hermione," Ginny placed her hands on her hips, "why are you so worried about Ron all of a sudden?"

"I - uh - I was just wondering seeing as he looked bothered during dinner and I wanted to make sure that he was all right now. Quidditch can really boost a guy's spirits, you know."

"You skipped dinner," said Ginny, knowing Hermione wasn't going to pull the wool over her eyes.

"Oh, right," Hermione bit her bottom lip, she had been caught.

"What are all the vague questions about Ron for? Did you do something and don't want him to know?"

"Well you see," she said fidgeting, "Harry was going to tell him about us."

Ginny's eyes went wild, her smile broadened.

"Ginny, don't even -" But she didn't listen.

"AH!" Ginny screamed jumping up and down. "Oh Merlin, it's about bloody time! Thank the gods!" She fell to her knees and raised her arms.

"Well I don't know how Ron might have reacted, so when you said drown - " Hermione stopped, seeing the portrait open and her two best male friends walking in.

"Hello, Ron, so um is...?" Harry stopped her yet again when he shook his head violently.

Ron saw her eyes bulge and whipped his head around to see Harry shrugging. Ron returned his glance back to Hermione, looking suspicious. Okay, what is going on? he thought. What are they up to? He looked over to Ginny, seeing her sight fluttering about the ceiling.

"All right, that's it! What is going on?"

"Ginny, would you excuse us please?"

"Sure, Hermione." As the youngest Weasley walked up the stair to her dormitory; she gave one last look at Harry and Hermione, just for a confidence boost.

"Ron, I think you should sit down."

"No, Harry, I don't think I should."

"Please, Ron?" Hermione asked on the verge of begging with tear polished eyes.

"Okay then," he gave in sitting down. "Now what's going on?"

"We need to tell you something," Harry whispered.

Ron suddenly became very nervous and somewhat worried. He had never known either of them to sit him down like this to 'tell him something'. He had an intense feeling that a bombshell of information was targeted for him. He looked away from Harry to see Hermione gulping loudly as though she was in monumental trouble with an authority figure. Serious issues were all that Ron could decipher from their lack of speech. And felt even more serious that they had asked him to sit down.

"Well?"

"Ron," Hermione began, placing a soothing hand on his knee, "Harry and I... well we uh...."

"Just get it out!"

"Harry and I have been dating since June," the bushy-haired Hermione replied quickly in a very short breath. Both she and Harry stepped away from Ron, waiting on pins and needles for his temper to explode.

Ron raised his eyebrows and wore a grin. A low laugh began to form in the pit of his belly and ventured up into throat, mutating into a solid guffaw. The humor within him continued on for five painstaking minutes before struggling to regain his posture, he was running out of breath.

"That - was what - you wanted - to tell me?" he laughed between intakes of oxygen.

Hermione nodded. She didn't know how to feel since her and Harry had always assumed that it would crush Ron if he ever knew. Wait, was this Ron's way of dealing with this situation? Harry reached over and entangled his fingers with Hermione's. She gave his hand a squeeze letting him know she was scared. Both had never seen Ron take news like this.

"I can't believe you guys are acting like this. I thought you were going to tell me that someone had died!"

"WHAT?" the couple yelled in unison. Their skin tones dropped two shades, being perplexed was an understatement. Was Ron's laughter a sign that he was copasetic?

"Well all I have to say is - "

Hermione gripped Harry's hand tighter. Here it comes, they thought.

"It's about bloody time!"

Harry's jaw dropped and Hermione's head titled to the side as though it was too heavy to hold up.

"You.... You knew?" she stuttered pointing a sharp finger at the ginger-head. Ron broke out another smile.

"How long have you known?" said an angry Harry.

"Harry, easy there, mate. I've known for ages."

Hermione was sure he was acting out a good farce. She had made sure that she and Harry were alone that warm, humid night last June.

"What? You don't honestly think that you two are the only ones that walk around the lake, do you? The dormitory was stifling and I needed to cool off."

Harry couldn't fathom how Ron could be so jovial about all this when he himself had been going mad with worry about how his friendship with the ginger-haired Weasley would be affected by his relationship with Hermione.

Hermione was steaming. She and Harry had been going stir crazy since last June with apprehension about how and when they were going to break "the news" to Ron.

"Why didn't you tell us you knew?"

"And spoil the fun of watching you two try and hide it?"

"Ronald Weasley!"

Harry pulled Hermione behind him; his actions is doing so was unclear as to if he was safeguarding Ron from his girlfriend's all too famous wrath, or if he wanted to delight in delivering the first punch. Suddenly Hermione fell into fits of snickers. Harry eyed her, wondering as to when he should conjure a straight jacket and send her off to St. Mungo's. Ron cottoned on and soon Harry joined in the humorous sounds with his own amusement.

When they calmed down, they threw themselves down onto the couch in front of the crackling fire, side by side, with Hermione in the middle.

"So, you're okay with this?"

"I'm thrilled actually. As long as you two don't get into a very heated argument where I have to become the middle-man, then everything's great."

"We were sure that you were going to go nutters on us," Harry commented.

"I was a little upset that it has taken you so long to finally get around to telling me, but now that you have, it's great news."

"Thank the gods that's over with," Harry sighed.

"Have you told Joely yet?" asked Ron.

"She and Blaise are designing the Great Hall with temporary decorations."

"Right, but that wasn't my question."

"She already knows," Harry and Hermione said together.

"Good, just so I wasn't the one that was going to have to do it," Ron laughed. Harry pulled a pillow out from behind him and walloped his best friend in the face.

........................

"Blaise, where are we going to put this other role of black streamers?"

"What if you cut them into strips and charm them to fly around the pumpkins? Speaking of pumpkins, what are you going to do about those?"

"Hermione talked to Hagrid about them during study time class. All of them are carved and ready to go. Here -" She threw the role of streamers to Blaise, "make yourself useful and do something with that."

"I thought Hermione was supposed to help you with this?" Blaise whined.

"Oh don't be such a baby. I told her that I would get you to help me so she wouldn't have to. Aren't I nice?"

"I'm tired."

"Blaise," Joely sighed pinching the bridge of her nose, "how could you be tired? All we have been doing is putting up decorations. Hell, these things will disappear by morning."

"I'm sick of doing this - this sissy decorating thing. I'm not even a prefect and you're involving me in this rubbish."

"Bless the fates that you aren't a prefect, but you know I'm sick of your whining."

"Shut up, McGill!"

"Make me, Zabini!" Lips crashing on lips created the silence wanted.

Joely's eyes enlarged then snapped shut; the kiss something not like any other. It was gentle but deep, soft but rough. Blaise stroked his hands up and down her waist, lifting her jumper and oxford to fondle the satiny skin beneath. He creeped his fingers around to her back, placing a clutching hand in the small, and the other to rest between her shoulder blades, pulling her closer and tighter with every movement.

As Joely inched her hands up his arms, gently clawing her nails into his biceps, Blaise gave a low, throaty moan into her mouth. She stopped her hands at the hollow of his collarbone and ever so lightly curled her fingers under the materials of his oxford and jumper, loving on the sensitive skin with a caressing touch. She tip-toed her fingers up the bone to stop at the base of his neck, right behind his ear.

Blaise pulled back for air, looking at the still closed lids of her partner's eyes. Slowly, she lifted her deadened lids and snatched his attention. Her heart was aching with what her mind was yelling at her to feel. She closed her eyes again and moved her hands around his neck to tease the prickly hairs at the nape. Blaise's eyes rolled into the back of his head, enveloping himself in the pleasure of her touch. Joely tilted her head back exposing more skin for him to shower with kisses; Blaise lowering his head to the hollow of her neck, moistening the skin between his lips with a sweep of his sweltering tongue.

Her breathing began to deepen. Her mind was whirling and she was taking her ability to control her body into consideration. Wait... shouldn't kisses from those that you're attracted to suppose to make you weak in the knees? Why am I enjoying being kissed, but I'm not enjoying the one I'm being kissed by?

She became frustrated at being without a solution, so she eased her hands back to his shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze, trying to push him away. Again, he moaned at her touch; the sensation of his fevered breath on her throat made her giggle.

"Hmm?" Blaise mumbled.

"That - that tickles."

"Sorry," he said hoarsely. He lowered his head back down to the skin covered chasm. His tongue traced the line from the base of her throat to her chin, moving his mouth to the side suckling carnally on her salacious skin.

As Blaise tended to her neck with ferocity, occasionally stopping to blow on the moist skin, Joely could feel his erection harden and thicken against her torso, nervousness abound in her. STOP! her mind screamed. Words were of no use. Why can't I tell him to stop? Was she really into Blaise and didn't know it? Were her feelings just now surfacing?

Blaise nipped at her neck causing her to gasp out, "Stop, Blaise!" Finally the words turned into a vocal announcement instead of a hectic thought screaming to be released. She was relieved; her body and mind were really beginning to panic. Blaise pulled back, his lust filled eyes raping her own.

"What's wrong?"

"Please stop."

"Why?"

"Blaise, I - I don't like you this way. I mean I don't think I do, no, I know I don't. Don't feel scorched thinking that the kiss wasn't great because believe me it was, but I don't feel that way about you."

"Oh is that so?" he whispered, inching his way back to her lips.

"Y - yes," she said, barely audibly. She allowed the capture of her lips once again in a cauterizing seal. Slowly, he deepened the kiss, his teeth biting wolfishly on her bottom lip, and then delicately like a mother wolf to a cub's wound, he bathed her swollen mouth with his tongue, asking for entrance. She replied to his request, allowing his tongue to explore the moist, humid opening. As their tongues touched, Blaise grunted at the tightening in his pants. The straining ache was driving him mad; he wanted release. He mumbled and ground his hips into the V of Joely's legs. She bit his tongue in shock at what was beckoning to her from inside the grey slacks, pushing him away and throwing herself backwards into a table.

"All right, that hurt."

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice shaky.

"Yeah, I -" he halted himself when he saw her shaking in fear, "- what's wrong?"

"Your uh, "she moved her eyes to the zipper of his pants, "friend scared me when he decided to pop up unexpected," she laughed.

"The slightest bit of attention makes him - happy."

Joely crinkled her nose. "That was an over share."

"Down, Jr."

"Jr. Blaise?"

"Joely, be honest with me. Is there really nothing more than friendship that you feel?" Joely looked stunned, she hadn't seen this question coming. She thought for a few seconds, but knew she needn't deliberate any longer.

"Blaise, I..."

"If you say no, advancement stops here. But if you say yes - well then this is just the beginning, isn't it?"

"You sure do have a way with words," she laughed.

"Oh don't I know it," he said in a cocky but teasing voice.

"Blaise, in all honesty I don't. But..."

"Hey, you don't have to explain, I understand."

"I'm sorry, sweetie."

"Don't be," he sighed in disappointment. "You can't help what you do and don't feel."

"I feel like I led you on though."

"I initiated, I pushed you."

"But..." she threw in.

"No, no buts."

Joely was alleviated that there was an understanding of feelings. She had always felt that she and Blaise was strictly a platonic relationship. She knew that he was one that she could count on if she ever needed someone to talk to about the magical circumstances.

"Oh, I forgot to bring your History of Magic notes that I borrowed."

"We've been here for an hour and a half and you just now remembered my notes?"

"Well you forgot too!"

"Yeah, yeah shut up!"

"Hop on and will go get them." Blaise turned with his back facing Joely and squatted down enough for her to jump on him.

"Oh one request, my little horsy."

"Yes, m'dear?"

"I'm in a rather vindictive mood right now, so let's try to piss off Malfoy!"

"When he sees your neck, he'll be plenty pissed."

.....................................................................

Unfortunately, Wednesday night was without an appearance of Malfoy. When Joely and Blaise had arrived in the Slytherin Common Room, it was empty except for a few fifth years fussing over homework. As she walked back to Gryffindor from the dark dungeons that night, concentration was directed solely to her kiss with Blaise. Why she had enjoyed it so much was understandable, but not delighting in her kisser was strange. She thought that perhaps she was harboring hidden feelings but remembered that yet again, at no point in the past had any emotions of attraction been sparked by Blaise.

She reminisced on times when Tyler had kissed her. Now that kiss would make the most frigid of people go weak in the knees, feelings or not. That was an odd situation as well. She and Tyler had never had any.... unfeigned feelings for each other, but when they kissed... it was as though the Universe was collapsing. They were bone shattering kisses. Then there was Cody, the Olympic champion of kissing in her book. Just the smallest touch of his lips made her explode, the luck of being in a relationship when said action would commence made it all the more stimulating as she knew that they had each other only to themselves.

She put all this together and concluded that romantic tendencies toward Blaise were unfounded. Upon entering her common room, she found her three best Hogwarts friends taking up space on the best couch, having a good laugh.

"Hola, peoples!"

"Hey, we were just talking about you," Ron chimed in.

Joely stopped dead in her tracks. "Why?" she asked with a hint of paranoia.

"Well, we finally told Ron about Hermione and I and he was happy that he wasn't going to have to be the one to tell you."

Her tense body relaxed. "I thought there was some bull going around about me or something, I was about to go off on your asses."

"Ron was saying that you needed to be told and since you already know, come have a seat," said Hermione, patting the seat next to her.

Hermione scooted over closer to Harry while Ron moved toward the arm, Joely plopping down between them and all four gave big sighs, propping their feet upon the coffee table, the thought of such an action being scripted felt likely.

Ron leant his head down onto his left shoulder, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shadow of something dark and improper on Joely. Giving it his full attention, black and blue were hardly clear descriptions of the color and red indentations of where teeth had left a sign of their previous presence was highly incriminating that she had done more then decorate. His eyes projected out at the Snitch size bruise upon her neck.

"Who in bloody hell gave you a hickey?" he shouted.

Harry and Hermione flew off the couch to get a better understanding at Ron's outburst. Hermione looked rather tickled, while Harry wore the same scowl as Ron.

"Just give the name of the bloody bastard and -"

"It's not that big of a deal. Sit down, Ron, your red face is making me dizzy."

"It's a very big deal, Joely, it's a hickey!"

"It's just a hickey!"

"You know, Joely, it is rather big. He must have had a big mouth," Hermione snickered.

"Oh shut up," Joely returned, her snickers very giddy in their tone. "Sit down and I'll explain."

By the time she had finished her "humorous" story, it was already half past eleven and all four were fighting with all their power to stifle their yawns while yet still laughing.

The trio plus one watched as the fire reduced down to just cinders and smoldering logs; flecks of flame bursting to remain lit. Promptly at a quarter past midnight, the girls bid their goodnights, leaving Harry and Ron at the boy's dormitory door.

"Tomorrow is going to be so much fun," Joely mentioned while putting on her ordinary pajamas of a tank top and shorts.

"Malfoy is going erupt with jealousy," said Hermione from inside the bathroom, talking over the running water.

"Actually I meant it was going to be fun because it's one day closer to the Halloween Ball."

"Oh."

"I don't give two sickles about what Malfoy thinks anymore," Joely said icily turning down her bed covers.

"Good."

"Well, anyways I'm glad that you and Harry finally told Ron about the two of you, I was beginning to think that the only way he'd know was on your wedding day."

"He already knew before we told him," Hermione told Joely with an air of annoyance in her voice, blowing out the candles around the room.

"I guess the plan of hiding it didn't go as planned," Joely laughed snuggling down into the sheets.

"Guess not. He heard Harry ask me out that day. I swear that we were the only ones there."

"Why didn't he tell you sooner he was onto your game?"

"He said he found it comical watching Harry and I try to keep it from him."

"Oh good one Ron."

"But, Joely?" Hermione asked tapping her headboard.

"Hmm?"

"When are you going to tell them about you?"

Joely was caught off guard again for the second time that night. She hadn't really put much care and purpose into telling Harry and Ron about... her. She was too content and genial with the way things were with them being dormant with her past. Everything felt right.

"Uh.... I guess right before Christmas, that way they have time to brood on it while we're apart. Honestly, Hermione, I don't know how they'll take it and if their knowing affects our friendship.... I can't, I can't live with that."

"They deserve to know though, Joely, you can't hide forever. Eventually everyone will find out. Things in this school get around fast."

"I know. Goodnight, Mya."

"Goodnight... Joe." Joely snorted under her breath, she hated that nickname but didn't see any reason to disband it.

Did Harry and Ron really deserve to know? Would their friendship end up in ruins when they found out? The only reason Hermione "knew" was because she had found out just like Blaise... by accident. Well in all actuality, Blaise had been snooping around, but that was another story. Luckily, the Christmas hols was still plenty far in her mind, giving her time to pick and choose what to say, giving them just the right amount of info to tide Hermione over.

...............................................................

"Good morning, class."

"Good morning, Professor Trelawney."

"I'm glad everyone is here, as I knew you would be. Today is going to be quite an exciting day."

The whole class, minus Lavender and Parvati, moaned in complaint. The two girls had the highest respect bordering on reverence and servitude for their Divination teacher. Parvati, who always sat in the front with Lavender, to be as close as possible, snapped her head around, glaring with the promise of pain or death to challenge her look and complain again.

"Today, we are going to be gazing into the Crystal Ball." The class fussed louder still. Exciting was not the correct definition for today's upcoming lesson. "Today though, we are going to be looking deeper; past the obvious appearance of the images; past the commonness of the apparitions."

"So in other words," Joely whispered under her breath to Harry, "its nap time!" Joely was yet still at a loss as to why she remained on this class' roster. There was an opening in Arithmancy that had been promised to her, Professor McGonagall however refused to allow her departure from Divination.

She didn't have the patience for a trait that didn't run within her. Seeing, clairvoyance; those were her mother's and maternal grandmother's skills. It was their job to "See" and notify those of their "impending doom" as she always referred to it as. She didn't understand what all the hype was about for this ability that she didn't possess; let alone a skill that was very rarely used and very confusing in it self. She thought it to be a whimsical and obscure form of magic.

"Now, I'm going to call you up one by one and have you gaze. Then, I want you to clearly hold in your mind what you happen upon in the mysterious depths and return to your seats and research your findings." Professor Trelawney was too enthusiastic even for her own good.

"Oh this is going to suck."

"Excuse me, Miss McGill?"

"Uh... I..." Joely's excuse was held back when the silver trap door was opened.

"Pardon the interruption, Professor Trelawney."

"Not at all, Professor Vector, do come in."

"May I speak with you outside?"

"But of course. Class, open your books to page 117, and begin to read paragraph six on understanding findings. I'll be back momentarily." Professor Trelawney climbed down the ladder, and closed the door with a snap.

Ron gave a low whistle. "That was close; she could've landed you in detention."

"Be careful, Joely, she may be a bug, but she's still a Professor."

"I know," she whispered. "I just don't have the patience, nor the time to pretend to see something that she and I both know, isn't there. And, knowing that Professor McGonagall refuses to remove me from here makes me even more irritable and bitter."

"Maybe there's a reason for it?"

"What humility and torture?"

"Well maybe you can do it and don't know it. Like the whole thing with me being able to speak Parseltongue." Joely shuddered. "What?"

"Just the idea of talking to snakes makes me nauseous."

Harry laughed out saying, "Well maybe McGonagall knows something you don't?" Joely just glared at him.

Professor Trelawney graced them again around five minutes later with a cheeky, yet liberal smile. "Now, Miss McGill," Joely's head snapped to attention, "what were you saying, again?"

"I said I wish I had better luck... at Crystal gazing."

"Oh, well why don't you have the first try, hmm?"

"Uh..." The trap door opened again, this time students; fellow sixth years in fact, were ascending the ladder.

"Come on, Miss McGill." Professor Trelawney motioned for Joely to come to her, but when Hermione walked in with a look of disdain, Joely halted her inclination from her pouf chair.

"Hey, girl, what are you doing here?"

Hermione leant down to whisper between Harry and Joely.

"Arithmancy has been cancelled; we had to come up here."

Joely let out a low hiss. "Ouch."

"Miss McGill, up here please?" Trelawney repeated in sing-song voice.

Joely gave her a wide, very sarcastic smile. "Harry, I'm about to blow my top and scream."

"Just smile and nod."

Front and center she stopped, standing behind a hip-high table covered in a crushed velvet tablecloth. Professor Trelawney glided into her back room and Joely had her head turned, talking to Parvati when Blaise said -

"Hey, Jay, the concealing charm is wearing off!" Immediately her hand flew up onto her neck where the "love bite" was. Her normal skin tone was deepening into an unmistakable blush.

"Your ass is grass, Zabini!"

"We'll see about that."

........................

Upon climbing up the ladder, Draco and Blaise walked into an area near a column. Blaise took a seat while Draco stood; Draco feeling particularly perturbed and discomposed today. He wasn't sure if it was because he hadn't been blessed with sleep the previous night, or if was because he had lost twenty points from Slytherin and awarded two nights of detention from Flitwick for charming a book to repeatedly mar Neville. He had done it in the past, but this time he had been caught, that wasn't supposed to happen.

But when Joely's attention had been pulled to see Malfoy to be the one harming Neville, she cast an Enlargement Charm, his head falling victim to the charm. Malfoy had silently challenged her to a duel, but was terminated by Flitwick.

"It suits you, Malfoy, big head for a big ego. It honestly looks quite natural," she had told him.

"I'll get her back!" he promised himself.

He watched her walk up, wanting fiercely to throw something harsh and wicked at her. The act was never played out. With Blaise right next him; surely he would avenge her attack. He rested assured that his chance would come.

When Joely turned to talk to "Professor Trelawney's promotional committee", Draco saw a mark resembling a bruise flickering in and out of visibility on her neck. Before Blaise had a chance to comment, the spell had worn off completely. Draco's eyes narrowed in hatred, his blood boiling, the venom in his veins the catalyst to ignite him. He was understanding his anger, but deep down he was enraged. That's when Blaise spoke up.

Instantly, Malfoy knew that it was Zabini that had branded her with the "love bite." Blaise would only mention seeing a hickey on a girl's neck if he was the one who had made it. Draco looked at Blaise through the side of his eyes. The grin and the haughtiness was making him sick.

"Your ass is grass Zabini."

"We'll see about that."

"Watch your back, McGill," Draco whispered. He wasn't sure if he was telling her to watch her back because of him, or because of Blaise, whose reputation for womanizing was as outright as his. Draco fully admitted that he taunted seductively with woman, though he wasn't the acting type that Blaise was.

........................

Professor Trelawney reentered her dimly lit, vibe induced haven with her most trusted Crystal Ball. She set it down on a silken scarf, depicting the Zodiacs. Giving Joely a nod, she stepped back off to the side as to not "disturb" the forces.

"All right, now I want you to stare in the mystical depths of the orb and read into the images."

Joely gave her a glance that screamed, "You're crazy." She was always taught to respect the teachers, so she obliged. It wasn't that there wasn't respect for her Divination professor... she just had more respect for the teacher away from her, and not having pretend to "see" things for good marks. She gazed into the ball, acting on a farce that she was truly seeking out what it held for her. This action received many snorts and snickers; the whole class aware of her acting.

"What do you see?"

"I see uh... eyes."

"Good, good."

"And, I see mouths."

"Mouths, yes interesting." Professor Trelawney was actually buying into Joely's bullshit. "Are they speaking to you?"

Joely nodded.

"Excellent. Now can you read what they are saying to you?"

"It's uh... It's uh. It's telling me that I look like an idiot staring into this thing. I've told you, Professor, I don't have this ability."

Professor Trelawney shook her head with disappointment.

"You look worse than an idiot, McGill."

"I still look better than you though."

The class laughed.

"What? No 'yo mama jokes?'" Draco smirked.

"No because even 'yo mama' looks better than you, Malfoy. You obviously were cursed with your father's genes. Such a pity it is to be disgraced in such a way."

Students jumped from the seats and plastered themselves against the walls or flew underneath the tables. Draco reached for his wand, Blaise in. "Not here, mate."

"What? Come on, Malfoy, you know you want to," Joely egged on.

"That's enough. Ten points from Gryffindor, ten points from Slytherin and be thankful that it's not more! Everyone pack up your things, the bell will ring shortly."

Students grabbed their bags with lightening speed and returning to the walls again. Nobody wanted to be in the line of fire. Joely remained at the front, while Draco stood fast on the side; both ready to possibly kill at a moment's notice.

.....................................................................

By the start of lunch, word was all over school about the "incident" during Divination. Joely was fuming, she was more than willing to duel Malfoy and she told him so; right outside the doors into the Great Hall in fact.

"Name the time and place, Malfoy, and I'll put you out of your misery. You said so yourself that your parents are far from the act of caring. Let me have the honor of testing out your theory."

Surprisingly, Harry, Hermione and Ron were backing her up 110 percent. Blaise on the other hand was on Malfoy's side.

"Joely, come on, this is ludicrous."

"Shut up, Blaise!" Joely and Draco answered in unison.

"Come on, Draco, what you can't handle this either?" Joely cooed.

Draco groped for his wand, pointing it straight at Joely's heart. The trio withdrew theirs, Blaise synchronizing them with his withdrawal of his magical implement. Joely on the other hand just laughed and scoffed. She was empty handed.

"Do it! Do it!" a voice inside her head rang. "You know you want to! Finish him!" it screamed.

"No," she whispered.

"What's wrong with your eyes?" Blaise questioned.

"KILL HIM!"

"NO!"

"Are we talking to ourselves, McGill?"

"The little voices in my head say they don't like you, Malfoy, and I don't blame them."

"Joely, why are your eyes red?" Blaise yelled.

"Scared, Zabini?" she mocked.

"KILL THEM!"

"SHUT UP!" Joely screamed, grabbing her aching ears.

"Joely, let it go," Hermione whispered. "Just let it go."

"Hearing voices too, Mudblood?"

Harry and Ron aimed directly for Malfoy's face. "Watch your tongue, Ferret!" Harry replied, scathingly.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Nothing, Professor Snape, we were just talking."

"Is that so, Mr. Weasley," Snape hissed coming to stand perpendicular to Joely and Draco. "All of you inside now before I hand out two weeks worth of detentions to every single one of you."

Joely's head snapped toward the greasy haired Potions master, her vertebrae cracking ghastly.

"Miss McGill, clear yourself."

She did nothing but stare on, the violent red color of her eyes daring Snape to make a move.

"Clear yourself, NOW!"

"I - can't," she hissed through her clenched teeth. The look on her face resembled that of pure evil. Malfoy knew that look; his father would make that face after boasting about killing a Mudblood or Muggle.

"All of you except Miss McGill inside the Great Hall, immediately!"

The trio, Blaise and Malfoy proceeded inside the doors. Draco's eyes never left the look of devilry on her once kind, caring face.

........................................................................

Potions class was intense. Apparently Professor Trelawney wrote notes to all the professors and to the headmaster about Malfoy and Joely's behavior.

Professor Snape however refused to heed her warning and separate the hostile pair. He pulled the two of them outside his classroom after the bell rang -

"Both of you will work together and if there is so much as one word of enmity exchanged, the loss of your prefect badges is promised. I do not and will not tolerate such immature behavior. This is advanced Potions, not a battle of wits and wise remarks. Get inside and get to work."

Brewing a potion meant to calm nerves was no easy task. Snape had set up specific ingredients that only could be added by the assigned student, arranging time intervals in which each partner switched off stirring as well as more obstacles to make the pairs cooperate as a team.

Malfoy intentionally turned up the flame, causing the potion to begin to splatter and pop on Joely, resulting in silver burn on the back of her hand to appear while adding fluxweed to their potion. She reciprocated by adding extra Graphorn powder to what Draco had already added, the potion turned to a sickeningly pink color.

When Snape walked by, he deducted five points from Slytherin because of Malfoy's "improper measurement." Joely mouthed a silent, but very sarcastic "Oops" when Snape turned his back. Feeling brazen, Malfoy picked up his knife that he had been slicing caterpillars with and stabbed the table with full force, a scant five centimeters to the right of Joely's left wrist.

"Oops," he whispered with a low, malicious hiss in her ear.

Joely closed her eyes shut tight and began to shake. A stray tear streamed down her face, falling onto the porous table.

"What in the name of Merlin is going on?" Professor Snape yelled from his desk. Joely had her head bowed behind in the cauldron.

"Sorry, Professor, I dropped my knife."

"Be careful, Mr. Malfoy,"

"Yes, sir, Professor."

The blade remained erect in the scrubbed, wooden table for the remainder of the brewing of the potion. Neither Joely's arm nor the rest of her body moved as well.

Malfoy filled their sample phial with the potion and while cleaning, nicked the rest of their class assignment. He sat down arrogantly and smiled, feeling that he had sought out and achieved his revenge. He checked her over and still saw the knife vertical in the table.

"If you want to kill me just do it," she whispered.

"Are you mad?"

"Just do it."

Draco bit back his reply. When the bell rang, he exited to the right out of the door toward his common room. He wanted to be alone and surmise what had just happened. Did she ask him to kill her? Or did she merely sum up what he was thinking about at that moment? With this coming hour being a free period for the sixth years, Draco knew that chances were favorable for everyone to be outside, enjoying the crisp, but sunny day before dinner.

Upon inspection of the tables after the classroom was empty, Professor Snape noticed a glint coming from a table three rows back. Advancing on it, he saw the protruding blade. He took a deep inhalation and exhaled through his nose, rubbing his hand over his mouth and chin. Leaving the sharp utensil in its place, he left the dungeons hastily for the Headmaster's office.

..................................................................

"But do you believe that he could be acting through someone else?"

"No, Severus, I do not," Dumbledore said calmly.

"And the chances of him doing so are?"

"Severus, he is not capable of such at this time. Seeing as he is very weak, he would not have the strength to communicate."

"Then how do you explain this afternoon?" Snape asked pacing the floor in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"You know as well as I do that his true vehement side runs within her for his aim of what he wants from her. When she is feeling particularly hateful and violent, that side of him reveals itself, but her ancestry must be taken into consideration for her actions. The tapping is involuntary and harnessing it in its entirety is not within her capabilities. It's lurid, yes, but there is nothing that can be done."

"Staying active for two hours after the fact isn't right, Headmaster. It only just dissipated at the end of my class."

"If it will satisfy you, I will be certain. Thackary?"

"Yes, Albus?" came the voice of an old but spirited man from a portrait on Professor Dumbledore's desk.

"Would you please visit your other portrait and check on your great-granddaughter's... other half?"

"Yes, Albus, right away."

Professor Dumbledore looked to see Professor Snape eyeing a beautiful purple Phoenix perched next to Fawkes. The plumage upon the bird was a dark purple that ran the length of the mystical creature. Its head and wingtips were golden, and it's eyes a sharp, emerald green.

"You've never seen her in this state have you?"

Professor Snape shook his head.

............................................................

"Hey, Mya, could you move those two tables, please?" Joely asked Hermione while she and Tarrah entered the Great Hall with boxes of decorations.

"Sure. Mobiliarbus!" The tables jumped at Hermione's command and flattened against the walls.

The sixth year prefects were sprucing up the Great Hall for tonight, Saturday night, the 1^st Annual Hogwarts Halloween Ball. These past two weeks had not been as easy as originally planned.

A ballot box had been made available for students to write down the names of those they wished to see on the nominee list for the Royal Court. The positions were King and Queen, Prince and Princess and Duke and Duchess. The box had only been permitted for a week, and Hermione had been a nervous wreck the entire time.

She had been taking a lot of questionable remarks from various people. "Does Hermione Granger really want to be on the nominee list? You mean Hermione Granger, the Gryffindor bookworm?" The answers to everyone's questions were always, "Yes," Hermione wanted to be nominated. Students were also on the subject of Hermione's apparent change, and were under the automatic assumption that Joely was responsible for it. After all, she had said that if Hermione was going to learn anything from her anything, it was going to be how to relax and have fun, and still achieve good marks, had she not? And so far according to Harry and Ron, Hermione was doing just that; having fun will still achieving high marks.

Sunday morning, the week of the dance, the same ballot box was again returned to the wall outside the Great Hall, next to the notice board. The nominee's names and pictures were placed above the box, while slips of parchment and quills were on the table beneath the box. There were two females and two males from each year; fourth and up, from each house, for a grand total of thirty-two nominees to vote for. Each student was allowed to vote, once only. Thanks to Professor Dumbledore, the box had been enchanted to regurgitate multiple votes from the same person.

Each student that voted was to write the name and the position of their nominees. The voting box had been removed last night (Friday). Hermione was on pins and needles.

"Girl, relax, it's in the bag. Everyone loves this new side of you," Joely snickered from behind a huge pumpkin. Hermione had been granted her wish of being nominated, but her nerves were chaotic none the less.

"Oh, Joely, please you were nominated too."

"Nobody knows me though, do they?"

"They nominated you, didn't they?"

"Knowing me enough to nominate me is one thing, knowing enough to vote is quite different."

"Yes, but - "

"Don't 'yes, but' me, chica. Let me take on your role as all knowing and say that you know I'm right."

The court positions for King and Queen were only open to sixth and seventh years. Prince and Princess, as well as Duke and Duchess were open to all fourth years and above.

Professor Dumbledore had set chokingly strict guidelines concerning who was permitted to attend and what time it was to begin and disperse. First and second years were only allowed to attend the feast which went from six to half past seven. Third years were metered extra privileges with a party having been prepared for them by fifth year prefects in one of the larger unused classrooms; the end of the bash promptly at nine. The "official" start of the ball was to begin at half past nine and conclude at half past two. Fourth years attending the ball were allocated for fun until half past eleven, and fifth years were to retire exactly one hour later. Christmas presents rang early in terms of closing time for the sixth and seventh years; the official end spelled their bedtime.

Several discrepancies arose concerning the Royal Court, due to the curfew of fourth and fifth years. Therefore, Dumbledore suggested that the announcement for the winners was to be at eleven o'clock.

"Hey, Padma, would you hand me that box of bats?" Hannah called.

"I need another roll of streamers!" shouted Ernie.

"Where did that box of CDs go?" Joely shouted over everyone.

"Check up your arse, McGill!" yelled Malfoy, holding up a box of floating candles above his head for Tarrah.

"According to you, Malfoy, I'm such a tight ass, so I know they wouldn't fit up there. But seeing how loose you are, why don't you check up yours?" Joely smirked flippantly. "Or better yet, get Pansy to check for you!"

The Great Hall went silent, the laughing roars of Peeves vandalizing the corridors crystal clear over the quiet.

"Don't fuck with me, McGill!"

"Oh what do you know, that's Parkinson's department too!"

Draco threw the box to the ground in a tantrum like huff and stormed out of the Great Hall, his elegant traipse wavering with his seething anger. Fury darted through him at her boldness to retort back at him. He had been warned since establishment of the "friendship" that she stood her ground and lowered her head to no one.

Deep down Draco was impressed at her cunningness with remarks. She always appeared to know what buttons to press and how much pressure to issue on them. As he entered his portrait into his dormitory, he smirked at a dream he had the previous night.

In the phantasm, he and Joely were in an abhorrent verbal spat and throwing profanities back and forth. The entertaining bit though had been her lying face up on a wooden plank with her head protruding from the middle of two pieces of wood; the wood pieces anchored in place by two side posts; her immovable body and head were stationed and going nowhere anytime soon. He had pulled a string and released a blade that came crashing down, severing her head, and its ever patronizing mouth. In the dream, he had beheaded her via a guillotine.

Bringing himself out of his dream world where all went his way, he searched through his trunk for the calming potion he had nicked from Thursday's potions assignment. He took a swig and the relaxing effects were instantaneous. But he needed more than a potion. This other tension was nothing that a nice, long, hot bath wouldn't cure.

..................

"You really shouldn't provoke Draco like that, Joely."

Joely stared at Tarrah. Wait... Was she sympathizing with Malfoy?

"Hey, there's nothing he could do to me that I can't reverse back. If he's going to start something, then I'm sure as hell going to be the one to finish it."

"But why talk back and egg him on? That's just going to cause more antipathy."

"The hostility between he and I couldn't get any worse. If he doesn't want things to decline then you, or someone else, need to advise him to become a mute because I'll be damned before the mute one is me," Joely snapped huffily.

Tarrah sighed in exasperation. "All right, but just don't kill each other okay. You both are pains in the arse, but I don't want to see either one of you kick the bucket."

"I'll deal on that one," Joely smiled.

"If you two are properly sorted, Padma and I could use a hand," Ernie mocked, relaxing on the floor, having a once box of candles turned pillow thrown at him by Tarrah.

"Aww, McGonagall would - sniff - be - sniff, sniff - so proud!" Joely screeched.

"Come on, you lot, Hannah and I can't do this all by ourselves," Hermione said in a matter - of - fact - tone, tapping her foot.

"Aye, yi, yi chica, you're going to blow a fuse," Joely squeaked, talking with a Spanish accent.

Two hours having lapsed, the sixth year Prefects, minus one Draco Malfoy, had the Great Hall artistically decorated and ready to hold the attending students who wished to party the night away. Fifteen, compact car size pumpkins, courtesy of Hagrid, were lit with burn all night candles and charmed to float above everyone. Black and orange streamers donned the walls in randomness as well as magically crafted designs; enchanted rubber bats wove their way around and between the floating pumpkins. But, these were just the basic feast decorations. Professor Flitwick had worked a spell that transformed the Great Hall to reveal set two of the Halloween décor as soon as the feast and all attendants were gone. Knowing for the want to peek, he thought it best to charm the doors shut until the start of the ball to hide the Hall's temporary identity.

"What time is it?" asked Anthony.

"It's uh..." Ernie glanced at his watch, "it's five o'clock. We have one hour 'til the feast starts."

"This ball will go down in history!" proclaimed Padma in a high voice of pure excitement.

"I do believe that's what we were out to achieve," said Tarrah.

"We better go and get ready for dinner," Hermione mentioned, clapping her hands together. "Oh, I almost forgot! Cho wanted me to remind everyone that we prefects are to meet in the Prefect's Common Room, in costume, with our dates at nine o'clock sharp! Tarrah, please don't forget to tell Malfoy."

Tarrah winked in understanding.

"Let's make like a banana and peel!"

"That's split, Anthony!" Joely laughed. Muggle sayings and Wizards just did not mix, she thought.

Anthony smacked his forehead. "Sorry, forgot."

..................................................................

"Hermione, where's Joely?"

"Uh, she wasn't in the common room when we left so I assumed she was here."

"Ugh, we have twelve minutes until nine, if she's not here..."

"Padma, she'll be here."

Eight minutes passed and Joely's whereabouts were unknown. Hermione, Hannah and Padma took to searching the corridors and classrooms as far away from the common room as they could and still return before nine. They weren't certain as to why nine was such a deadline, but they weren't keen on finding out.

When Hermione and Harry arrived, Padma and her date, a fellow Ravenclaw but a fifth year, Daniel Barstow were apparently the first to arrive. They were dressed as Orpheus and Eurydice, Daniel having a semi-real looking Lyre draped across his back resembling Orpheus' most prized possession, other then Eurydice of course. Padma explained that she and Parvati came up with the idea that both couples should go as Greek couples to be independent but still together. Next to arrive after Harry and Hermione, was Ernie and his date Susan Bones, dressed as die-hard rock stars. Susan had the wild, overly teased hair with many layers of bright makeup and both wore shiny, vinyl clothing.

Next to arrive was Hannah and her date; her long time boyfriend Terry Boot, donning the elegant apparel of Cinderella and Prince Charming. Hannah's grandmother was a squib and firmly believed in reading muggle fairytales to little girls to broaden their imagination and prove that even when things are tough and there seems to be no hope, dreams can come true. Hannah was dressed in a wide hoop dress; elbow length silk gloves and a jaw dropping imitation diamond ring to complete the ensemble. Terry wore a traditional black tux; and the actual promise ring he had received from Hannah last Christmas as his wedding band. When Anthony entered with his date; a Slytherin fifth year named Lara Perkins, the two clothed as Claude Monet and his wife Camille.

"Oh wow Monet, Anthony, that's inventive," Hannah commented.

"Lara has a frightening obsession with his work. I thought this would make her happy."

"I'm very pleased...Claude," said the fair skinned, hazel eyed Lara dressed in late nineteenth century attire.

Then the common room was given a shock when Malfoy arrived with Pansy.

"So you really couldn't get a date after all, huh, Malfoy?"

"Shove it, Mudblood," Malfoy hissed, Harry absent from hearing Malfoy's comment; he being off with the other males, conversing about none other then the up and fast approaching Quidditch season.

Malfoy was donning Vampire clothing; clad in head to toe black. His billowing black, velvet cape with red silk inset was very becoming to him and he was quite aware of it. The red silk gave his pale skin a healthy glow. He had charmed his incisors to lengthen and sharpen to a painful point; his appearance seeming scarily genuine and not costume in nature. His normal tousled hair was gelled back with most likely gobs of Sleakeazy's Hair Lacquer. Looking extremely put out having to be here and bluff enjoying himself. Pansy was dressed in late 1860s attire. Her dress was way off the shoulders and came down in a sharp "V" into her cleavage; pushing up her breasts. Her dress had a slight bustle to accent the back and above the black Velvet choker on her left was a "bite" mark, charmed to glow fresh.

With three minutes left, Blaise and Tarrah made their presence know. Blaise was in a shredded and purposefully moldy looking tux. He had a gash across his face, bits of broken, bloody glass with free flowing "blood" creeping down his right leg. Tarrah had on a wedding style dress that too was shredded and missing in places; stained with blood all over the bottom and the edge was missing all the way up to her knee, revealing a semi-mangled leg. She had on a ratty, holey veil with rubber spiders sewn into it. Her face black and blue and her throat slit. But yet comical was her bare feet.

"Oh wow, Tarrah, I love yours and Blaise's costumes. They're fantastic!"

"Thanks, Hermione. We're the married couple that was attacked, killed and left for dead. Unfortunately we never made it to the honeymoon," she started to let out fake sobs. "I had to die a virgin!" she wailed.

The genders yet again separated and went about their tedious conversations.

........................

Draco was perched on the arm of the couch, running his tongue along the inside of his clenched teeth in agitation at the female beside him, fumbling with his cape. When he had sat down, he billowed it out as to not wrinkle it; Pansy refusing to leave it be. She continuously manhandled it, trying to catch his attention. Sensing that she was not entering his favor, she dropped that attempt and took to teasing her fingers up and down the side of thigh. His face burned in annoyance; him smacking at her hand and she sitting down in a huff.

When Blaise walked in, Draco's mouth dropped. He had expected to see him accompanying Joely to this...event, or whatever it was that it was meant to be. Well, he thought the two would be surely seen here together.

Blaise excused himself, leaving his date next to Hermione and the other female masqueraders to join Draco in his sullen state. Malfoy stayed attentive to the rolling fire in the grate all the while Blaise drew toward him. Thank the fates that the calming potion was still dancing about through his body or Draco thought he might have boiled over.

"Go away, Pansy," Draco said icily.

"I never would've thought you to possess the nerve to bring Pansy," Blaise mocked, rocking on his feet.

"I thought you were coming with Joely?"

"Oh, so you're back to Joely, eh? No more McGill?"

Draco sneered. It was none of Zabini's business what he called her. He would call her whatever he damn well pleased.

"Who is she bringing?" he asked trying to sound casual and unconcerned.

"Don't know," Blaise answered. Well he was being honest, he didn't know. He had asked Joely profusely about her date, she always avoided a straight answer; talking around the subject to be wry.

.....................

With forty-five seconds to spare, the girls were counting down the seconds biting their lips and fingers in jitteriness. If McGonagall and Dumbledore arrived and Joely wasn't there... well no one wanted to think about the consequences.

"Argh, so who's ready to party?" Joely gabbed like a pirate. She had finally arrived.

"--so who's playing captain?"

"--need another wench?"

"--you look so cute!"

"Where have you been?" Hermione asked sternly, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Calm down. I had to find Holli and then I ran into Bridgeman - well he wouldn't shut up for all the Galleons in the world - but I'm here now."

Joely was indeed a pirate. Well, she was actually a cross between a female pirate captain and a pirate wench. Donned in a white, peasant style top; a black velvet lace-up corset; a brown suede, asymmetrical skirt, and one giant, silver hoop earring; her shoes of black, high-heeled boots giving her short frame a few inches of height. But the captain part of the costume came from the hat. It was oversized with a floppy brim and had long, white feathers out to the side from the top, but the interesting thing was the blinking skull and cross bone naval ring dangling dangerously low.

"Oh my gods, Hermione, I love your costume!" Joely squealed. "Where's Harry, I have to see you two together."

Harry stood side by side next to Hermione, the word incredible barely doing them justice. Harry was a Harem prince and Hermione was his dancer. He had on cream colored, linen pants, a slightly darker button-up; dark brown sandals and a long sleeved open robe the same color as the pants. He had even charmed his skin to a darker color. Hermione had on purple, somewhat-sheer pants that hung low on her hips to show her tummy and were elasticized around her ankles to give the pants a flare-out style. Her top was a bustier made from gold material and darned with many sequins. Off the straps on each side was a stream of gossamer material in the same shade of purple flowing down her arms, and hooking onto a loop around her finger, and a veil covering her mouth and the top her head made of the same material as her pants that flowed down her slender arms, and was decorated with Galleon sized gold circles around her forehead. The only thing that could really be seen on her face was the hoop earring in her nose that was connected to her ear by a chain.

Her and Harry have this contest in the bag! Joely's mind screamed in excitement.

"Attention, everyone," said Professor McGonagall clearing her throat. "Here's what I need from all of you..."

Professor McGonagall explained the intricate details concerning the opening and closing of the ball. She led them out of the common room to stand in front of the door leading in the Great Hall.

"The other attendees are inside presently. Side-by-side with your dates everyone, now. Miss McGill, since you have chosen to attend alone, you'll be up here." She gave them a stern check; the many faces she made heavily critiquing their appearances; commenting that the men should allow the ladies to have their arms for good nature. "Good, good. I'll leave you to it then." And she left.

"Joely, why did you come alone?" Padma whispered.

"I didn't really want to come with a date."

"To put truthfully, you couldn't find a date," Draco said dryly.

"You're one to talk, Ferret. Did your date happen to inform you of her latest bathroom cubicle rumor?" Joely smirked, dragging her tongue along her top row of teeth just to make Malfoy squirm. "Were you really desperate enough, Malfoy, that you had to beg, plead and eventually pay Pansy to be your date? What would dear old Daddy have to say on a Malfoy resorting to that desperate of measures?"

Draco darted his head toward Pansy, her head hanging and turning away from him. Draco's insides began to writhe in anger. Pansy, you're going to regret that! He jerked his arm out of her handhold, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. He looked to his female tormentor who blew him an élan kiss and winked.

The doors opened and misty smoke began to slink its way out into the corridor as the procession commenced. "Round two" of the decorations outdid the feast's by far. Taking place of the regular house tables were smaller, circular tables that sat six, positioned on the outskirts of the dance floor and near the wall. The streamers, bats and pumpkins were now floating and whizzing around the starry bewitched ceiling. Flitwick had helped Joely work a charm that created mist and smoke dance across the floor, every now and then it would float up around the students, lifting up toward the rafters like the fog in the country. The candle light from the pumpkins melded with the smoke, giving the hall an exceptionally eerie and hair prickling feeling to the already dark surroundings. It reminded Joely very much of the misty moor near her house. In the corners of the hall were the refreshment and snacks tables, laden with yummy goodies to keep you energized on the dance floor; and icy drinks to keep you cool. It was just as the prefects had fantasized it to be.

"Welcome to Hogwarts' 1^st Annual Halloween Ball," said Dumbledore who was dressed at a Muggle baseball player. "First, I would like to thank our sixth year prefects for organizing this event that will forever be remembered."

The hall erupted his cheers and claps.

"Everyone knows the times at which they are to depart and the announcement of the Royal Court will be at eleven. Have fun!" he finished.

Cheers and shouts of joy sprang from every mouth. Immediately the music began and the attendants flooded the dance floor; the prefects having agreed on a mix of Muggle and Wizard music to incorporate both backgrounds of the students. The first song played was Spell Me, Hex Me, You Can't Catch Me by the Weird Sisters.

As the time on the clock flew away, the crowd on the floor seemed to rarely, if ever, disperse; them having the times of their lives. Many had already commented that this event surpassed the Yule Ball two years previously, by far. Joely had been dancing with a Ravenclaw seventh year when her sticky mouth begged for a cold drink. After grabbing a glass of iced Pumpkin juice, she sat herself down at one of the small tables; her heart beating rapidly and her breathing heavy and in gulps, she needed to relax and cool off. She loved the feeling she was experiencing at being an accomplice to those that brought this excitement to the school.

Around ten minutes later she was joined by Harry, Hermione, Ron and Lavender; all beet red in the cheeks.

"This is incredible, Hermione!" shouted Lavender.

"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!" yelled Ron.

"WE KNOW!" Hermione and Joely laughed together.

The five housemates were laughing and carrying on when they were accompanied by Blaise and Tarrah. Harry stood up and offered his chair to an exhausted seeming Tarrah.

.....................

"Draco, I want to dance," Pansy whined.

"Then go," he snapped taking a long gulp of Butterbeer. "No one is stopping you."

"I want you to dance with me."

"Piss off."

"Draco Malfoy, dance with me!" she said stomping her foot.

Draco moved only his eyes and glared deadly at Pansy. "Go... away."

"Fine, you prat!" And she stormed away, bombing into a chair next to Millicent on the opposite side of the room.

Draco had not stepped away from his table and onto the dance floor since the ball kicked off. His night to the present consisted of watching Joely dance, and drinking bottle after bottle of Butterbeer. You're a bloody git if you sit here and do nothing. You're a damned fool if you let this go on! he berated himself. In a way Draco felt helpless, having likely overdosed on the calming potion, depression was setting in and making him feel sorry for himself while watching her and everyone else having loads of fun, while he sat miserably. A numbness was taking over his bum as he continued to sit in the chair, circulation dwindling to the area.

He felt a spear of jealousy when he saw Blaise squat down beside Joely and talk in her ear. Millions of ideas of the possible comments ran through his mind. His mind stuck on the lewd comments and suggestions Blaise was infamous for. Doesn't Joely know about him reputation? It surprisingly not being known to everyone actually, but surely she would know of it. Every time she smiled or laughed, Draco's stomach began to fall out the bottom. What had slowly started out as a little snicker quickly turned into a hearty guffaw as she threw her head back, and leant down onto Blaise's shoulders for support from falling out of her chair; Draco's stomach hit rock bottom and his heart cracked, a complete shattering rounding the corner.

Suddenly the beat kicked up and Hermione and Lavender grabbed their dates while Joely borrowed Blaise from Tarrah, the six running off to dance when the familiar song Draco knew to be called Crazy in Love played.

He watched the girls grinding and gyrating their hips and lower bodies into their partners; keeping his attention on Joely as she now stood face-to-face with Blaise and took spot between his legs. She had one hand in the air and the other was grasping his shoulder; both of his hands clutching her hips as he dipped her backwards, her head's descent interrupted mere inches from the floor. But when Blaise placed his hands directly on her backside and splayed out his fingers, Draco couldn't take it anymore. He was getting over the hickey, but seeing them almost having their way with each other on the dance floor was overloading his nerves. He grabbed his bottle of Butterbeer and stalked off into the corridor. That mental image of possibly seeing or hearing them continue this "dance" in Blaise's bedroom got the better of him and he threw his bottle against the wall, the glass shattering to thousands of pieces on the floor.

........................

"Joely, I need you help!" Holli shouted over the music. She led Joely out into the corridor. "I couldn't get this in." She opened her palm, revealing a blinking naval ring.

"Okay, no problem." Joely took the ring and began wiggling it through the pierced hole. Neither noticed Draco leaning back watching them from the steps.

"That was some dance you were doing with Blaise," Holli smirked.

"That was nothing. You should see the way Draco and I used to dance. Now that was something to watch!" she laughed. "He can hit every beat and every angle with his hips and hands. It's hot, I must say."

"So why aren't you dancing with him?"

"Maybe you should ask him that."

"Oh."

"I remember when you had this done."

"My mum and dad nearly had a fit right there in the lounge."

"I thought your brother was going to kill me," Joely said, reflecting on that moment in time. "Well, all set. It's in."

"Thanks."

"We better get back inside, it's almost eleven."

..................

How do they know each other? Draco thought. I thought she said she didn't know anybody before me?

When Draco heard Joely saying that it was almost eleven he knew he needed to head back inside, since he was on the Court nomination list.

..................

"Your attention, please," said Professor McGonagall. "As it is now eleven o'clock, it is time to announce the winners of Hogwarts' Royal Court. When your name is called, please come up here and receive your award."

Professor McGonagall stepped aside and Professor Dumbledore rooted in her space.

"First, we announce the Duke and Duchess." He moved his hand to the side and received a parchment envelope from McGonagall. "Ahem.... The Duke is Slytherin fourth year, Douglas Blackwood."

Douglas walked up the steps with a smug and superior smirk on his face, not all that unalike from Malfoy. Upon receiving a silver orb, he stepped off to the right of Dumbledore.

"Our Duchess is Hufflepuff fifth year, Abigail Holland," he said. She walked up to huge rounds of applause and accepted her award. The Duke and Duchess stepped down one step and off toward McGonagall.

"Next is Prince and Princess, and our Prince is Slytherin sixth year, Draco Malfoy." Draco raised himself from his chair and proceeded up to the stage walking like an indolent lion out on a stroll. He accepted his "Prince" scepter and gazed at the evidence of his win as though he could really careless.

"Or Princess is Ravenclaw seventh year, Cho Chang," said Dumbledore in a sing-song voice. She stuck up her nose and gave Malfoy a smug Humph.

Malfoy looked out at the crowd, his insides triumphing at how disgusted they were on his win as Prince. He knew they were all brooding on how someone much more deserving should have received the title. Pansy, on the other hand was smiling generously at her Drakie. He turned away from her to see Joely and Hermione bouncing on their toes, much like children on Christmas Eve, waiting impatiently for the next morning to arrive. Joely took hold of Hermione's upper right arm and shook her lightly with a very heartfelt smile.

"And now," said the Headmaster taking a deep breath," it is time to announce the King and Queen of Hogwarts' 1^st Annual Halloween Masquerade." He opened the envelope and his eyes went ablaze. "Our King and Queen are Gryffindor sixth years, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger!"

The hall roared with spirited cheers and whistles. The walls seemed to be shaking and the floor quaking under the clamor. Joely screamed in glee and laughed at the look upon Hermione's normally serious face. She was so astonished; her breathing barely distinguishable. Joely pushed while Harry pulled to get Hermione's body in motion up to receive their award.

Once finally on the stage, Professor Dumbledore placed crowns upon both their heads. The commendations were progressively growing louder. Harry smiled big and Hermione stared into the vastness of those who were happy for her and Harry. Harry finally crooked his finger under her chin and closed it, her teeth clicking together.

"And now our Royalty will have a dance together." With a wave of the Headmaster's hand, the music strummed.

........................

"Are you still shocked?" Harry whispered into Hermione's ear.

"I...I..."

"I'll take that as yes," he said spinning her slowly.

"I wanted to win, but I never really thought that I had a chance."

Harry placed his hands on her lower back and pulled her close to him, positive that everyone knew of their relationship. Now, it was a fair bet that the two were going to the topic of conversation for some time. No matter, he thought.

As Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, she felt her body become lithe; swearing that she was liquefying in his grasp.

Harry felt her body trying to crumble against him, so he held on tighter, gripping her as if this was their final dance together for all eternity. With one arm still holding her firmly, he moved his other one up her back, his fingers teasing and setting off the nerves along her spine.

Hermione braced her head on his chest, relishing in the comfort his chest was providing. As his fingers tiptoed up and down her back, her body shivered and tingled, no doubt him feeling the reaction. She could feel the tautness in his lower abdomen and knew what she was doing to him. A crescendo exploded within her, her body shuddered and she fell into him. His hands on her back, her hands on his neck.... Skin on skin: The ultimate pleasure.

.....................

Joely could barely control her rapture at Harry and Hermione winning King and Queen. Seeing them dancing so close together and sharing their feelings publicly without fear of repercussions brought even more cheer to her. It brought back memories of her days at Salem. Everything was so simple and fun for awhile, but just like everything, eventually the fun had to end.

The solid smile on her face melted when she thought about "the end" of her happiness at Salem. She hoped with all her ability that it wouldn't end here at all, or at least like it did in the States. Life was peaceful and uncomplicated here - well except for a few situations.

The song for the Royalty ended and Joely watched Draco return to his lonely chair on the other side of the hall. Unbeknownst to him, she had been admiring him off and on all night long. He looked incredibly lonesome and ashen faced. She wanted to at least try to talk to him without starting a quarrel, but something powerful and controlling was holding her back. That connection that once existed between them felt to have been wholly obliterated. Every now and then a cocky and superior look would dance on him, and that infuriated her.

But his sudden and drastic change from a caring and considerate guy, to a hard-ass, noxious jerk bothered her. Experiencing all that they had together concerning Draco's feelings and his new found ability to care about others and his lack of wanting to trust, it was clear to her that something was amiss. Nothing could change a person that fast... so she thought.

Gathering the amount of time she had watched him into noting his movements, his only true movement had been to the refreshment table and back with Butterbeer. Something was ringing on her nerves, but nothing picked up on her end to make the connection complete.

..................................................................

The dance and the night were beginning to come to a close. Professor Dumbledore made the music and dancing come to a stand still because no one was exiting the floor to cool down, and he was worried that Madam Pomfrey was about to have a throng of students ailing from overexertion. This was definitely to going to one for the books.

Before the next fast song began, Dumbledore made an announcement that the last two songs of the night would be played following this song. Many groans and belly aches of protest echoed around the hall. Everyone grabbed themselves a partner and hit the dance floor.

..................

When Draco's listened to Dumbledore's announcement about the final songs of the night, he knew it was now or never. He remembered promising himself that he was going to try and conquer her heart tonight... and now was the time.

When he guesstimated halfway through the current song, he stood and gave himself a once over. He had discarded the crown immediately after his dance with Cho, so that wasn't a burden anymore. He smoothed out his shirt, slacks and cape, picking stray specks of fuzz off here and there. Feeling satisfied enough with his appearance, he stood tall and raised his shoulders. Taking a deep breath, he put one foot in front of the other and made headway toward her.

As he approached, he saw her mouth open, possibly to make a snide remark and try to burn him. She shut her mouth abruptly and just watched him ascend upon her. He knelt down next to her chair and looked up with uncertain eyes.

"Will you dance the next song with me?" he asked with a shaky voice.

"What?"

"Will you - "

"No, no, I heard what you said, but I mean 'what' as in you're kidding, right?"

"No I'm not kidding, Jem."

Joely gave him an up and down check, trying to discover what he was really up to. Was this some kind of cruel joke to get her hopes up that he really did want to dance with her and then somewhere down the line he would crush her? Or was he being the sincere person she knew he could be? Even his body language was hard to read. He really did seem genuine.

Legs crossed, she cocked an eyebrow.

"This isn't a joke. I'm honestly asking you to dance."

"Ladies and gentlemen... the last songs of the night are about to begin."

Joely looked deep into his eyes and couldn't find it within herself to turn him down. "Yes."

He held out his hand and delicately wrapped his fingers around hers, leading her to a free space on the floor and wrapping his arms around her waist, holding on securely.

Everybody needs a little time away

I've heard her say

From each other

Joely laced her fingers behind his neck, pleasuring in the sensation of the feel of his skin. Thousands of memories and emotions sped through her head. Memories of when they would hold each other this close and dreamt of taking things farther, memories of teasing one another with only the touch of their hands.

Even lovers need a holiday

Far away from each other

Draco clasped his hands together and massaged the lowest part of her back near the waist of her skirt with the heels of his hands. He could feel the tension between them perish away, hoping to never return. Joely gave an involuntary shudder and leant her head down onto his chest. Draco could smell the perfume she was wearing - an intoxicating, light, airy scent that engulfed his senses.

Hold me now

It's hard for me to say I'm sorry

I just want you to stay

As she nestled her head against him, she felt her body involuntarily against him, her heart screaming and ferociously ordering her to close all negative space between them. Her world was melting away, leaving only her and Draco in this moment. Life was mimicking that of the summer; just these two and all their love solely meant for the other.

And after all that we've been through

I will make it up to you

I promise you, baby

As Joely flattened herself against him, Draco felt his insides squirm with discomfort and pain. The pain of not being able to hold her like this when he needed to and the pain of the falling out almost two months ago was threatening to suffocate him. He leant his head down on top of hers to take the reigns of the out of control dizziness. How could he have been so careless as to not check who he had attacked with kisses? He unlaced his fingers, splaying his fingers over her derrière.

And after all is said and done

You're just a part of me I can't let go

Couldn't stand to be kept away

Not for a day

From your body

Wouldn't want to be swept away

Far away from the one that I love

Joely encircled her arms around his neck entirely, well, as much as she was able to without the use of her tiptoes. She gulped in his cologne... her personal favorite that he had bought when they perused the shops in Knightsbridge and South Kensington of Muggle London. She listened to his heartbeat; the fast but hard rhythmic beats were making her breath grow shallow and her heart to burst into supersonic flutters like that of a Hummingbird's wings.

Hold me now

It's hard for me to say I'm sorry

I just want you to know

Hold me now

I really want to tell you I'm sorry

I could never let you go

Draco hooked his thumbs into her skirt, clutching to the material, feeling her chest collapse in a heavy sigh. His memory seemed to be erasing itself of all the horrible bitterness that had occurred. He moved his right hand up to rest on the center of her back; pulling her closer and tighter still (if that was possible). She felt pliable and malleable just like warm honey against his body. Wishing for this moment, this night to never end, the ache of arousal arrived; his neither regions rising and hardening.

And after all that we've been through

I will make it up to you

I promise you

Joely felt no fear in what she felt against her abdomen, she gravitated toward it; not requiring any further hinting into how he felt about her; she returned with the same emotions. Or, was that really how she felt? She reasoned that her mind inhibiting her thinking and analyzing of what was holding her, was a positive sign. The once soft peaks of her breasts were pulsating with an aching throb and desire; his chest expanding against her cheek; he too wanted more then just for them to share a dance.

And after all is said and done

You're just a part of me I can't let go

I can't let go

As the last verses began, Draco heard and felt her sniffle twice and stutter with big, heavy bursts, trying to catch her breath and a handle on the moment. Through the thin material of his shirt, warm, but emotionally cold liquid seeped through onto his skin. Her body began to shudder and she death grabbed onto the back of his shirt, killing all negativity that she had always tried to crush. "Shh, it's okay," he whispered soothingly, giving comfort of a mother's love to her nightmare ridden child. The sighs were deepening and melting in sobs. He moved his thumb from her skirt and met his hand with his other one at the center of her back. "Joely, I'm so sorry."

They molded together and floated into the next song.

........................

When If You're Not the One by Daniel Bedingfield ended, the Professors waited patiently for the couples to break. Some took the hint, while others including Harry and Hermione, Ron and Lavender, and Joely and Draco needed further persuasion to separate.

"And now, this ball has come to a close," said Professor Dumbledore with a touch of reluctance.

Even after Professor Snape shouted "Lumos," and the candles burst into glows, scorching the room with bright light, many were forsaking repercussions of disobedience to hang on to the last bits of the moment. Professor Dumbledore sensed the passion in the air and dimmed the lights.

"Headmaster...?"

"Severus, this is a time where all rules are pushed aside and disregarded for a higher purpose then these children needing to be off to bed. As you can see, there are quite a few blossoming hearts, and over there... hearts are mending." Snape looked to see who Dumbledore was referring to. "Healing cannot be rush, it must takes its course," he whispered.

Snape was reluctant to allow the healing to continue, it would only make the inevitable outcome that much painful on his house charge.

........................

Joely turned her head and nuzzled her face in his chest. Draco, deciding to be sly and playful, reached behind him and brought around his cape, wrapping himself and Joely in it.

"I've got you now," he said imitating Dracula; her giggles a comfort to him. Giggles had been just what he aimed for. A solid giggle was good.

"Thank the gods for cleaning charms," she mumbled against him.

"Why is that?"

"Because I don't want to be here cleaning any longer than I have to."

"Good point," he laughed.

The brightening of the lights startled them as they shined through the top of the cape.

"Grrr!"

"Growling now, are we?" he snickered. "Your mother did say you make just about any noise that tells people you're angry. I must compliment you on your choice in sounds."

"Did you know I'm a Black Leopard?"

Draco cocked his eyebrow. "You're not going to start in on a lesson involving animals and Astrology, are you? You've done that before and - "

"AHEM!"

Draco lowered the cape to see Pansy staring at them menacingly. Having been too caught up in what was taking place under his cape, he lost a footing of where he was.

"Do you mind, McGill?"

"Depends on what you're asking?"

"Draco is my date."

"Oh for Merlin's sake, Pansy, why don't you go outside and chew your cud for awhile. Maybe you wouldn't be so grouchy if you had some food in you."

"Ooo," Draco smirked.

"Are you going to let that thing talk to me like that, Drakie?"

"Do I look like I'm stopping her?"

By now, few students remained, alls attention targeted on the scene about to unfold. Snape rushed to Draco's side -

"Mr. Malfoy, Madam Pomfrey has asked me to fetch some potions. I want you to assist me in their deliverance."

Draco was battling with himself on if he should protest or comply with Snape, when the potions master said, "Now" through bared teeth. Malfoy leant down and whispered, "Be right back" into her ear and grazed his lips on her earlobe. He left with Professor Snape and Pansy followed closely behind.

"What was that about?" Hermione asked Joely, her hands locked with Harry's.

"I think that the animosity has finally ended." She smiled; the fiery warmth around her heart was uncontrollable. "I think that a new beginning is ready to be acted upon."

"Let's clean up!" said McGonagall before she pulled Dumbledore aside to have a word in private. "Albus, is letting this continue safe? What's to become of it?"

"Ah, Minerva, one mustn't stand in the way of fortunate accidents, no matter how small the fortune may seem when the accident is made."