The Questing

CHAPTER TWO

Harry had been dancing for awhile when he saw Ginny trying to get his attention. He excused himself to his dance partner and went over to where Ginny sat with Luna.

"Hello, girls. How is your evening going?"

"We're doing fine, Harry," Ginny said, and both girls giggled. "We've even spotted a harem girl for you, O Sheik."

Luna nodded, and pointed with a grin.

Harry followed the pointing finger and saw a lovely blond in harem pants and a sequined halter top with a gauzy veil and curled shoes completing the costume. He didn't recognize her. He turned, perplexed, to the girls.

"Wow, thanks. Good spotting, girls. I wonder how I've missed her all this time."

"Well, she has filled out a lot this year; maybe that's why you never noticed her before," Luna said, her usually dreamy smile sharpening. "No breasts, no notice, Harry?"

"Of course not!" Harry started indignantly.

"Relax, Harry! We're just kidding with you," Ginny said. Both girls were grinning at him now.

"What house is she in? What's her name?" Harry asked eagerly, but they just smiled wider. "O.K. what's the joke?"

Both looked at him with wide eyes. "Would we play a joke on the great Harry Potter?"

"Oh. Of course not," Harry replied sarcastically. "You know, maybe I'd better not go over there, I don't like those grins you two are wearing.

"Your loss, then. You asked for a beautiful harem girl and we found one for you. The rest is up to you."

Harry looked back to the dance floor and watched the mysterious girl dance with a tall Ravenclaw. She looked to be about five foot nine or ten; a little shorter than her partner, but not much. She moved with smooth grace, as if she was one with the music. The boy looked stiff and awkward next to her, and she was clearly paying him little attention. Harry made up his mind and headed her way. He tapped the boy on the shoulder.

"Do you mind if I cut in?"

The Ravenclaw snarled a "Yes!" in reply but the girl cried out, "My sheik, you've come for me!" Then she giggled.

Harry moved in front of the other boy and the veiled girl flowed into his arms. The song ended and he looked into her jade green eyes, trying to place her. The next song was "Blue Tango" Many students sat it out, their skills not up to the sexy classic. Harry had no trouble with it. He'd kept on learning to dance since that first Yule Ball in 4th year and his skill showed. His partner and he moved across the dance floor as one. They each recognized the other's skill and brought forth their best efforts. They were getting appreciative looks from those sitting the dance out and were easily the best couple on the floor.

Back at the table, Ginny turned to Luna. "You'd think they'd been dancing together for years," she said wonderingly.

Luna grinned back. "Unless you knew who they were."

Ginny looked suddenly worried. "I hope we're doing the right thing. I'd hate to see him get his heart broken again."

"She's the best choice, given the prophecy. Any other choice would be worse," Luna replied.

"You're right. I guess we'll just have to hope for the best." Ginny forced a smile. "They do look good together on the dance floor."

Luna stroked her arm. "It will all work out for the best, dear one." She grabbed Ginny's hand and stood. "Come help me check my room for Kneazles and Wrackspurts. They're especially bad this year."

"Yes, dear," Ginny answered. Luna was back to being fey and manic, but Ginny didn't mind. Luna's periodic bursts of silliness kept Ginny from brooding or over thinking things, and her kisses were out of this world. Suddenly Ginny smiled. "Afterwards there is this hidden corridor I'd like to show you. It's very deserted."

Luna nodded, dreamy eyed. "As long as there's no mistletoe."

"Of course not!" Ginny replied as she followed Luna out of the party. "I would never expose you to the nargles, dear. And it's not like we need it."

Luna smiled. "Let's run. I know a secret way to the Ravenclaw dorms." She turned away and started to run, pulling a grinning Ginny along by the hand.

Back in the ballroom, midnight was fast approaching, the time when everyone was supposed to unmask for the last dance. Harry has been dancing with the same partner all night but hadn't been able to figure out who she was. They were dancing cheek to cheek and he whispered, "Midnight approaches."

Her breath tickled him as she replied, "So? Does the sheik become a pumpkin at midnight?"

"No," he chuckled, "but at midnight you will have to take off your veil, and then I'll know who you are."

His laughter made shivers go down her spine, unbeknownst to him. Then she pulled back a little and her green eyes stared into his.

"You haven't learned anything about me while dancing with me? After tonight I feel I know you; will the sight of my face change things that much? If my face is ugly will you push me away and go?"

"Of course not!" Harry exclaimed. "I just can't believe I've spent five and a half years with you and never noticed you."

She pressed herself against him as she giggled. "Well, I must have a boring, unremarkable face then, so why do you want to see it?"

Harry started to answer, but just then, twelve loud bongs rang through the Great Hall to tell everyone it was midnight. He waited it out, then said, "I won't push you away no matter what your face looks like. I'd like a date to get to know more of you than just your great dancing skills."

"Very well, then," she replied. "We have a date. Take me to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

"Sure! Will you unmask now?" Harry asked.

"I guess I have to sometime, and if you can't trust the word of Harry Potter, what can you trust?" She took off the veil and waited for him to recognize her. She felt some mischievous amusement but some nervousness too.

Harry was speechless; there was nothing wrong with her face! It was beautiful. A moment later it hit him who she was.

"You're Daphne Greengrass." She had been in his potions class for his first five years at Hogwarts. She was a Slytherin.

She saw the realization hit him and heard disappointment in his voice. "Well? Is the word of Harry Potter still good, or are you so biased against my house that you push me away after all?" As he stood there blinking in confusion, the band started to play the music for the last dance of the night. "Will you give me at least the last dance, Harry?" Daphne asked.

Harry nodded woodenly and she flowed gracefully into his arms for one more dance. He put his mind on hold and just danced. 'I'll worry about it tomorrow,' he thought.

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The next day was Saturday, but instead of staying in bed as long as usual, hurried to the Great Hall to catch Ginny at breakfast before Ron or Hermione got there. Ginny ate early on Saturdays because she went jogging before the day got too warm. Once at the Gryffindor table, he sat directly across from Ginny and asked if she knew who she had been setting him up with.

"Yes, I knew. She's not a bad person and she never wore those awful badges ferretboy made. She's been nice to me and Luna, and she has actually taken Muggle studies." She paused to eat some breakfast and then looked back up at Harry. "I hope you aren't too mad."

"No, I actually had a nice time." Harry paused as a thought occurred to him. "You didn't tell her to wear that harem girl outfit, did you?"

"No, that was just fate. We both recognized her, though. We usually see her in the library late at night and we've both noticed she seems a bit lonely." Ginny flashed him a quick grin. "Not to mention that she's quite lovely, too. I guess we both have a thing for blondes, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess we do," Harry replied, smiling back. "But I can foresee all sorts of nasty gossip coming from this." He frowned for a moment before shrugging. "However, it wouldn't be a proper year at Hogwarts without gossip about Harry Potter, right? I'm sure I can manage to survive." He smiled wryly at Ginny and got a grin in return.

"That's the spirit, Harry! Follow your heart and ignore the petty criticisms of small minds." She turned back to her food as Hermione and Ron came up and sat on either side of him.

Harry patted her hand before turning to his own food, suddenly eager to eat it with a renewed appetite.

"Well, it looks like you're back to normal, Harry. Good! You were in a fearful daze last night. I was a bit worried about you mate." Ron shook his head[.] "You're lucky you made it up the stairs all right. What happened? That girl you danced with couldn't have been that good looking."

Hermione smiled. "Maybe he fell in love. It looked like love to me."

Ginny snickered. "Is that it, Harry? Am I that good a matchmaker?"

"Hey! We just made a date for Hogsmeade. I am not in love with her!" He blushed and grinned. "You are a pretty good matchmaker, though. I'm looking forward to taking her around today. Even with the snide comments I'm sure to hear."