In the End

A/N: I'm really sorry this took so long, folks. School was horrible and I had a really bad case of writer's block. Be that as it may, here is chapter 8. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. As always, thank you to my beta, abigail, for always being there for me.

~*~

Chapter 8: Masquerade!

Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds...
Masquerade!
Take your fill--
let the spectacle
astound you!

Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads...
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!

~Phantom of the Opera

*~*~*~*

"Are you prepared? Do you have everything?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Remember, we need the hairs from every single one of them."

"I know, Malfoy, fuck."

"Don't get cocky with me. We can't afford to fail at this. The Dark Lord is counting on it. My father is counting on it."

"They won't accept me."

"Of course not, you ruddy idiot. You're a Slytherin, but you have to get into that bloody club of theirs."

"You needn't worry about that. I'm an excellent actor."

"Mmm, yes, I am aware of that. Have you decided yet on which one you're going to use, the Mudblood or the Weaselette?"

"Yeah, I've chosen."

"Good. Don't get yourself too dirty."

"I won't. What about Potter?"

"He's mine. No one can touch him but me. Remember that."

"Wouldn't dream of it. Bon chance."

"Bon chance..."

*~*~*~*

"You look stunning."

Joanna turned around and found Severus leaning against the doorway to her bedroom.

"How'd you get in here?" she asked, suppressing a grin.

He shrugged. "You've never changed the password."

"That's right," she said absentmindedly as she turned back toward the mirror to reevaluate her appearance.

"I meant what I said," Severus murmured. "You look exquisite."

"Thank you," Joanna said with a slight blush. "It'll look better when Dumbledore removes the glamour on my hair."

Severus raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure that is wise?"

It was Joanna's turn to shrug. "It's just my hair; everything else will stay the same. I'll be wearing a mask, too, so I don't think anyone'll look too far into it. You look handsome, by the way. Who are you supposed to be?"

"Salazar Slytherin, naturally," he replied, shoving off from the doorframe and moving to stand behind Joanna, who turned around to study his costume. He was wearing dark green velvet robes lined with silver silk trim. His black hair was lengthened for the night and tied back with a green ribbon. He looked quite fetching, in Joanna's humble opinion.

"Ah, I see it now," she said with a smile. "A goatee, huh? Nice touch."

"Thank you," he said. "When is Dumbledore getting here to remove the glamour?"

Joanna looked at the clock by her bed. "Soon. Would you like a cup of tea?"

"No thank you."

"Okay...well, I do," she said with a grin. Squeezing around Severus, Joanna went to the hearth and was about to stick her head in the fire when Severus stopped her.

"What is it?" she asked curiously. He was holding onto her arm and slowly stroking his thumb across her flesh, sending shivers down her spine

"Nothing," he purred, "I just don't want your dress to get ruined by the soot."

"Um, okay," she stammered, flushing at the contact. His thumb was driving her mad.

Severus gave her a small smile and led her to the bed, sitting them both down. "I like your costume," he said, studying her figure intently.

"Thank you," she said, swallowing loudly. "It was one of Rowena's."

"You look stunning in it," he said, gazing into her eyes and Joanna felt her breath catch in her throat.

"Thanks," she squeaked.

"I'm looking forward to tonight," Severus said, running a thumb over Joanna's cheekbone, causing goose bumps to break out all over her skin

"Me too," Joanna said breathlessly, her eyes fluttering shut. She felt the bed shift slightly, as if Severus were leaning forward, but before anything could happen, the fire roared to life and Albus Dumbledore was stepping out of the flames.

"Professor!" Joanna cried loudly, jumping off the bed.

"Hello Joanna, Severus," he said with that damn twinkle in his eye. "I don't have much time, so if we could...?"

"Of course, of course," Joanna gibbered, coming to stand in front of the Headmaster. With a mutter the familiar charm, Joanna felt her hair changing; a minute later, it was over and Dumbledore was back in the fire.

"See you two soon!" he called cheerfully before disappearing from view.

Joanna bit her lip and then turned to face Severus, who was watching her with hooded eyes. Standing up, he crossed the room and stopped very close in front of her.

"Beautiful," he murmured again. "Now you look like Rowena Ravenclaw."

Joanna smiled widely and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing an authentic gown of Ravenclaw's that she had found many years ago but had never worn. It was royal blue with bronze accents across the bodice and sleeves. And now with her real hair color, Joanna truly did look like Rowena Ravenclaw.

"Perfect," Severus breathed, gazing at her reflection. He seemed capable of only forming one word sentences all of the sudden.

Grabbing her mask, Joanna tied it around her head and held out her arm to Severus. "Would you be so kind, good sir, as to escort me to the Great Hall?"

"Of course," said Severus, taking her hand and linking arms with her.

"What band did Dumbledore get to play tonight?" Joanna asked as they made their way out of the dungeons and passing some sneering Slytherins who were glaring at her.

"I have no idea," said Severus, scowling at a pair of gawking sixth-year Hufflepuffs.

"Hmm," she responded, glancing at some Gryffindors who were staring unabashedly at her and Severus. "Erm, why is everyone looking at us?"

"I do not know," Severus replied, narrowing his eyes dangerously at a gaggle of Ravenclaws.

Joanna grinned impishly. "I bet it's you. They recognize you and are surprised that you clean up so well."

"Thank you," Severus muttered dryly. "They are probably wondering why a beautiful woman such as yourself is hanging off the arm of the Greasy Git."

Joanna snorted loudly. "I'm hardly beautiful and you're not, er, greasy." Severus gave her a look. "Well you're not!" she protested.

"Indeed," he said with a raised eyebrow.

"Professor Snape!" called out an all too recognizable voice. Spinning around, and dragging Joanna along with him, Severus found the Slytherin prefects walking down the hall, being led by none other than Draco Malfoy.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Malfoy?" Severus drawled. Joanna attempted to remove her arm from his, but Severus just tightened his grip, preventing her from doing anything but stand by his side.

"Very good costume, Professor," Draco smirked as the group came to a stop. "Who're you supposed to be, Salazar Slytherin?"

"Excellent, Draco," said Severus, inwardly rolling his eyes. "And who might you be?"

Draco smirked again and held out his arms to show off more of his outfit. He was wearing black silk robes with velvet snakes decorating the fabric and his white-blond hair was exceptionally long. The whole ensemble was grossly familiar to Joanna and her mouth went completely dry.

"I'm my father, of course," he said, and all the color drained from Joanna's face. Severus tightened his hold on her arm again.

"I thought the aim of this Ball was for the students to dress up as well-known witches and wizards of the past one thousand years, Draco," said Severus, raising his eyebrows.

"I know that," Draco snapped. "Remember, I wanted to go as someone else. Besides, my father is well-known."

Well known for being an murderer and Death Eater, Joanna thought fiercely. It was taking all her self-control not to say that thought out loud.

Severus, sensing this, tightened his grip even more, warning her to stay quiet. "Of course, Draco," he said. "And what a fine choice indeed. Is Miss Parkinson supposed to be Narcissa?"

Pansy giggled and Joanna wanted to throw up. The girl had long white-blonde hair and all Joanna wanted to do was scream that Narcissa Black was anything but a natural blonde. And it appeared that Draco had a serious Oedipal complex going on.

"Who are you?" Draco asked Joanna with a leer.

Joanna glared at Draco. "Professor Kent," she hissed in a low voice. Draco's eyes widened as he looked her up and down, leaving her to feel somewhat violated.

"Oh," he said in a knowing voice. "See you at the Ball, Professor." Casting a look at Severus, Draco grabbed Pansy's arm and led the Slytherins down the corridor and into the Great Hall.

"Brat," Joanna snarled once the group was out of range. "Remind me to slap him around next time the opportunity presents itself."

Severus's lip curled. "Be glad that he went as his father," he said. "He originally wanted to go as Grindelwald."

Joanna stared at him in horror. "Please tell me you're joking," she asked weakly.

Severus shook his head. "I am not. I was able to persuade him to change, of course, though I had no idea he'd go as Lucius. Come along. I'm sure they're wondering where we are by now."

Once inside the Hall, Joanna detached herself from Severus's arm and headed over to see if Professor Flitwick needed any help in charming some gingerbread men into dancing.

"Merlin!" the tiny man squeaked. "Joanna, is that you?" Blushing, she nodded.

"I've never seen anyone look more like Rowena Ravenclaw before!" he gushed.

"Thank you," she said happily. "Do you need any help?"

"Oh, no, I'm doing quite all right," he said happily. "I believe the Gryffindors need help, though, over by the windows."

"Thank you, Professor," she said and making her way over to the other side of the room.

"Need some help?" she asked hopefully. Hermione and Ron whirled around.

"Er, yes, please, Professor...er..." Hermione screwed up her face but couldn't seem to place the woman in front of her.

"Kent," Joanna supplied. Hermione promptly dropped the ornament she was holding.

"Sorry!" she squealed as she swooped down to pick up the broken glass.

"Allow me, Miss Granger," Joanna said, pulling out her wand, casting a Reparo spell, and Levitating the ornament to the tree.

"Thanks," said Hermione, blushing ten different shades of red.

"Who are you supposed to be, Miss Granger? Queen Mab?" Joanna asked.

Hermione smiled widely. "Yes!"

Joanna grinned and turned to Ron. "And you Mr. Weasley?"

Ron shifted and ducked his head, blushing. "I'm, er..." He trailed off, mumbling something unintelligible.

"I'm sorry?"

"Professor Dumbledore," he muttered. "When he was younger...Harry told me he had red hair, see, so I figured...never mind."

"It's wonderful," Joanna replied sincerely. "You two look lovely together. Don't you think Hermione looks beautiful tonight, Ron?"

"Yeah, beautiful..." he murmured, gazing admiringly at Hermione. His eyes then got very wide and he flushed a violent shade of purple. "I've got to go!" Ron croaked as he all but ran out of the Great Hall.

Shaking her head bemusedly, Joanna bid farewell to Hermione and walked over to Professor Sprout to help her decorate the windows.

Forty-five minutes, four cups of tea, and one full bladder later, Joanna could hear the rustle and bustle of the fourth- through seventh-years as they lined up outside of the Hall, anxiously waiting for the Masquerade Ball to begin.

"Remind me again why we're doing this?" Joanna muttered to Severus, who was hovering by the punch bowl and successfully scaring away all the prefects.

"Dumbledore felt that the students needed something to celebrate this year," sneered Snape with ill-disguised disgust.

"Yeah, but a ball?" said Joanna incredulously. "I mean, who has dances, I ask you. We never had a dance when we were here..."

"Yes, well, apparently the headmaster's been watching those American Muggle programs on those--what are they called?--televisions," Severus replied heavily. "According to him and Whitaker, the Muggle Studies professor, they have dances all the time over there. Dumbledore thought it would be 'smashing good fun,'" he finished, doing a decent impression of the older wizard's timbre.

Joanna snorted loudly and several students looked at her curiously, but before Severus could tell them off, Dumbledore's voice rang out the Hall.

"May I have your attention, please?" Dumbledore boomed cheerfully, and everyone immediately quieted down. "Prefects, you may now allow the students to enter and make sure they understand the directions! And remember, have fun!"

*~*~*~*

Meanwhile, in the corridor leading into the Great Hall, numerous students were nervously waiting to go into the Hall, chatting timidly with their unidentified peers.

"Hiya, Harry."

Jumping, Harry swirled around to find a scarlet-haired beauty standing behind him, wearing a dark green gown that had an awfully tight bodice and a long, flowing skirt.

"G-Ginny?" he stammered, and then mentally slapped himself in order to stop gawking.

She grinned wickedly. "I guess my hair gave me away then?"

Harry felt a blush creep up his neck and was suddenly grateful that he was wearing a mask. "Who are you supposed to be?"

"Brianna Gryffindor," Ginny replied, smiling prettily. "She had red hair according to all the texts I've read. Who're you?"

Harry felt his face burn. "Er...I'm Godric Gryffindor."

"Oh!" Ginny gasped and then she started sniggering. "What a coincidence!"

Harry bit his lip and shifted on his feet. "Well, I'm glad I know at least one person in this crowd," he commented, averting his eyes. For some reason, they kept drifting to the neckline on Ginny's costume...the very low neckline.

Ginny smiled radiantly. "I agree. Hermione refused to tell me who she was going as, and Ron...well, do you know who he's supposed to be?"

Harry shook his head. "I saw what he was wearing, but they were just his regular blues dress robes, though I did notice some stars and moons added to the design. But it didn't look like any kind of costume." Harry paused and cleared his throat. What was going on with him? He was sweating profusely all of a sudden and Merlin, that neckline was low.

"Harry, are you all right?" Ginny asked with a small smirk.

"Oh, oh, yeah, great, fine, everything's fine. Great," he stammered thickly.

Ginny gave him a funny look. "Would you mind if I hanged around you for a bit?" she asked. "I mean, before I find, um, Dean or someone?"

"Dean Thomas?" Harry blurted. "I didn't know you were dating him."

Ginny chuckled and Harry felt his stomach somersault at the noise. "Oh, no, I'm not. I only said that to mess with Ron on the train last year. I'm surprised you remembered that, Harry," she added, arching an eyebrow.

Harry flushed. Why had he remembered that? He cleared his throat again and said, "Anyway, I don't mind if we hang out at all...and even if you do find, er, someone to hang out with, I'd still like it if you'd, er, stay."

Ginny was staring at him, her eyes furrowed. "Okay..." she said slowly. "Harry, are you sure you're all right? You seem awfully flustered."

"I'm fine," Harry croaked. Just then, the doors to the Great Hall mercifully opened as the prefects and Heads walked out.

"Can we have your attention please?" came the Head Girl's piercing voice. Harry scowled.

After the laughter and murmuring had died down, Cho continued, "All right. Once you're inside a number will be magically added to your costume. Don't worry--it's only temporary. The number represents the table that you will sit at during dinner, in order to get to know your fellow pupils, understand? Once you're at the table, you may place your order and after we're finished with dinner, the Ball will commence. Are there any questions?"

Silence.

Smiling brightly, Cho said, "Excellent. Have a wonderful time, everyone!" With that, the doors to the Hall opened again and students began filing in.

Harry heard Ginny sigh loudly next to him. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she muttered. "I'm just annoyed about the seating arrangements I guess. With my luck, I'm going to be sharing a table with Michael Corner, Cho Chang, and Malfoy."

"Then I'll just have to come and rescue you," Harry said, and then promptly froze. Why the hell had he just said that?

Ginny blushed but grinned broadly at him. "Always my rescuer, eh Potter?" she teased.

Harry unexpectedly had the ridiculous urge to impress Ginny, and was about the open his mouth to say something he hoped was rather witty when the students began pushing them forcibly towards the doors to the Great Hall. Once inside the archway, the number nine appeared on his torso.

"Ah, bad luck," Ginny sighed. She was branded with the number twelve. "See you after dinner, Harry," she said, smiling and waving as she sauntered over to her table.

Sauntered? Since when did Ginny Weasley saunter?

Shaking his head, Harry made his way through the horde of students and found his table. Already sitting down at number nine were a Hufflepuff, a Slytherin, and a certain Ravenclaw seventh year...

Oh, please let this be a joke, Harry bemoaned.

"Hello, Harry," Cho said pleasantly, though she was wringing her hands. "How are you?"

"Erm...I'm fine," he said, shifting in his seat and wishing that the floor would swallow him whole. "Er--how are you?" he asked uncomfortably.

Cho smiled wearily. "I'm doing well. Being Head Girl is a lot of responsibility, but I think I've got a handle on things."

"That's nice," Harry said, fiddling with his napkin. A small part of him was very, very glad that he did not that swooping feeling in his stomach anymore when he was around Cho, but another much larger part of him really, really wished that he could crawl into a hole and disappear.

"I'm Felicity Browning," piped up the Hufflepuff excitably.

Blinking, Harry turned to the pretty curly-haired blonde and smiled benignly. "Oh, hi Felicity. I'm Harry Potter."

Felicity flushed. "I know that," she said in a small voice, ducking her head. "Who are you?" she abruptly asked the Slytherin.

"Xavier Zabini," the boy said in a small voice.

Harry furrowed his brow as something familiar tickled at the back of his brain.

"Well, hello there, Xavier," Cho said warmly. "I'm Cho Chang, the Head Girl. I'm pleased to be with you all tonight for the feast. It's a great honor to be sitting among the likes of you."

Harry thought she was being just a smidge melodramatic. And that was, like, what, the twentieth time she's mentioned that she's Head Girl?

Xavier smiled wanly at Cho and then turned his attention to Harry. "My bother's in your year," he said, his cheeks turning a slight pink, which Harry found to be quite unnerving on a Slytherin. "H-his name is Blaise."

"Oh yeah," Harry said. "Er, I don't really know him, though. Sorry."

"It's okay," said Xavier, wide-eyed. "I mean, we understand why you don't talk to us."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, perplexed.

"Us Slytherins," he said simply, but boldly. "Everyone hates us, especially the Gryffindors, and everyone's quite convinced that we're all Death Eaters in training or something like that...but we're not all like that," he added softly.

Harry stared at him. So did Felicity. Cho was making kissy faces at Michael Corner at the next table.

"We don't all, uh, think that," Harry said weakly.

"Sure you do," Xavier replied, but he didn't look upset or angry or anything Slytherin-like. This unnerved Harry even more. "You're not all the far away from the truth, really," he continued, and then fell silent.

Harry opened his mouth, but to say what, he didn't know; before anything ridiculous could pop out, however, the Hall became silent as all the attention was directed to Professor Dumbledore who had stood up. Smiling widely, he spread out his arms and said, "Let the feast begin!" With that, plates of food appeared on all the tables and students began helping themselves to the delicious dishes.

"I'm a fourth-year!" Felicity chirped happily at the end of the meal as she piled large amounts of treacle tart onto her plate. Although she was a bit...bubbly, Harry couldn't help but like the younger girl's enthusiasm. It had been a while since he had felt that buoyant and full of life. It was refreshing, in a way. Turning in her seat, she asked Xavier, "What year are you?"

"Fifth," he said shyly.

"I only have a few classes with Slytherins, which is a shame, really," Felicity rambled on. "I mean, every House has a few bad eggs here and there, but the majority of Slytherins I know are really nice, which is especially wonderful considering I'm Muggle-born!"

Harry raised an eyebrow but chose not to comment, instead focusing on his treacle tart and definitely not looking at Ginny as she bent over to pick her napkin up off the floor.

Xavier followed Harry's line of sight and quirked an odd smile. "She's beautiful, isn't she?" he said softly. Harry started and looked back at Xavier, who was watching Ginny intently with a funny look in his eye.

"You fancy her?" said Harry. Xavier blinked and gave Harry another one of those strange smiles. He didn't get a chance to answer, however, as the tables cleared themselves and Dumbledore once again stood up.

"May the Masquerade begin!" he said jovially. All the students stood up and the tables cleared away. A collection of students gathered onto the teachers' platform and began setting up their instruments. Harry waved goodbye to the other students--even Cho--and made his way over to where Ron and Hermione were standing, passing Professor Kent on the way.

*~*~*~*

Joanna gave Harry a tentative smiled as she watched him join his friends; she was still a bit annoyed with him but was determined not to let it affect their companionship. She also still hadn't told anyone that Harry and the other five knew about her; Joanna was definitely not looking forward to that conversation. Severus would be furious and would probably want to Obliviate the poor kids.

"What are you thinking?"

Joanna started slightly and turned around. "Nothing," she said, giving a small smile to Severus. "Just...er, double checking to make sure I have all my gifts for tomorrow."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I see..." He cleared his throat loudly, causing a Hufflepuff to jump and scamper away. "What are your, ah, plans for tomorrow, anyway," he asked, his voice oddly gruff.

"Oh, I dunno," said Joanna obliviously. "It'll be my first Christmas back in England, well, Scotland--whatever, you know what I mean, and I'm not really sure what to do with myself..."

"It'll be your first Christmas back home," said Severus quietly. Joanna turned her head slowly at this and swallowed.

"Yes," she whispered, "I suppose it is..."

Severus shifted on his feet, making sure to keep his gaze on the gamboling students. "I was...I would--ah--Would you care to join me for Christmas breakfast...in my quarters?" He said the last part very quickly.

Joanna stared at Severus in a slight shock but recovered quickly. "I'd loved to, Severus," she said warmly. "What...what time would you like me to be there?"

"Anytime in the morning, I know how you like to have a lie-in whenever you can." Joanna watched interestedly as Severus's Adam's apple bobbed up and down several times.

"Yeah, but Christmas is different," she said, smiling. "I've always woken up a bit earlier on that day for some reason..."

"This has nothing to do with presents?" asked Severus with a smirk. Joanna grinned and shook her head.

"I'll be there probably around nine, how's that?"

"That'll be fine," Severus breathed, licking his lips. "What would you like to eat?"

"Surprise me," said Joanna, her eyes twinkling.

Severus cast her an amused look, one she had not seen on his features in many years, when Dumbledore bounded over to him, wearing what appeared to be ten layers of robes.

"What on earth are you supposed to be?" Severus asked, his lip curling.

"Well, I couldn't decided on just one wizard, so I chose them all," Dumbledore replied jovially. "What are you two doing just standing around for? Go on and dance! The music's dreadful but the students don't seem to mind..."

"Ah..." said Joanna at the same time Snape muttered, "Er, no..."

"Fine," said Dumbledore, a bit sullenly. "Then I need to speak with you for a moment, if you would." He gestured to an antechamber located off to the side of the Hall; after they were all in the room, Dumbledore sealed the door, put a Silencing Charm on it, and said, "I was wondering what your plans were for tomorrow."

Joanna immediately felt her cheeks heat. She blurted "Er..." at the same time Severus grumbled, "Ah..."

Dumbledore raised a bushy white eyebrow, and Joanna was sure she saw the man smirk for a moment, his eyes twinkling. "Well, if you two do not have any plans for the day, I have an assignment for you--don't worry! It won't involve any risks or anything, though I believe, Severus, that you would disagree..."

"What are you on about, old man," Snape said irritably.

"I have arranged for Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron and Ginny Weasley to go to the Burrow for Christmas Day, and only for Christmas Day," explained Dumbledore. "I would like for you two to escort them and remain there until they return to Hogwarts that evening after supper."

Joanna's eyebrows disappeared into her hairline and she felt a wave of disbelief, and then anger, course through her. Oooh, Severus was not happy about that, she thought.

"Is this a joke?" Severus asked in a low voice.

"It'll be a splendid day," said Dumbledore with a kindly smile, which seemed to only aggravate Severus more.

"Splendid!" Severus hissed. "My apologies, Headmaster, but I do not consider any time spent around Potter, the know-it-all, and the Weasleys splendid!"

"Now, Severus," said Dumbledore, his voice a little harder now. "I've already arranged all this with Molly and Arthur, and I told them that you and Joanna specifically would be accompanying their children. They seemed most pleased with this and wanted very much for you to spend Christmas with them."

"Headmaster..." Severus began again, but then he seemed to have lost his steam, and trailed off.

"It will be fine, Severus," Dumbledore murmured. "You don't give yourself enough credit."

Severus said nothing, choosing instead to stare moodily into the empty fireplace. Dumbledore sighed and then turned to Joanna. "Is this all right with you?" he asked.

"Of course, Professor," she answered honestly.

"Excellent," he said. "I'll give you more instructions later tonight. As of right now, though, I would like to speak with Joanna alone, so Severus, if you could...?"

Snape turned his head and glared at Dumbledore before striding across the room, wrenching the door open, and disappearing into the Great Hall.

Dumbledore cast a few more spells on the door after it had closed, then the portrait hanging over the fireplace, before speaking. "How are things, Joanna?"

Startled, Joanna blinked. "Er...things are, um, fine. Why d'you ask?"

Dumbledore steepled his fingers and eyed Joanna critically. "Let's sit, shall we?" he said, waving his hand to the couch.

After sitting down, and after Dumbledore spelled a fire into the hearth, the older wizard turned to face Joanna and gave her a piercing glance.

"Is there anything you'd like to tell me, Joanna?" he asked, his lips twitching slightly.

"Er...what d'you mean?" she stammered, biting a lip. Dumbledore merely gave her a shrewd look, but Joanna was determined not to give anything away, though she had a fairly good idea what was going on...

"No?" he mused. "There's nothing you wish to tell me? No recent dreams? No defense groups you've recently stumbled upon and agreed to chaperone? Or certain students now knowing whom you really are? Nothing at all?"

Joanna gaped at him. "You knew!" she exclaimed. "You've known about the D.A. all along, haven't you?"

"Of course," said Dumbledore, quirking an eyebrow. "I've taken to other means of keeping tabs on my students."

"You mean Harry," Joanna responded harshly. "Listen, I'm sorry, I really am, but--I dunno. I can't explain, but I know this kid, Professor. He's angry--my God, he's angry--and confused and exhausted, so exhausted, and I couldn't say no, I just couldn't. He just kept looking up at me with those big green eyes of his, like some wounded puppy, and I couldn't do it. I mean, I'm not even that good at Defense, for the love of Merlin, but I said yes! I had to...I felt like I owed it to him, to them."

Dumbledore held up a placating hand, effectively ending Joanna's rambling. "I am not angry with you," he said softly. "Personally, I am glad there is now someone there to supervise, no matter what their O.W.L. scores were in school." Joanna flushed heavily and turned her head. "I am not angry," he repeated, and Joanna nodded jerkily.

"What about them knowing about me?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

"We will deal with that in time," Dumbledore murmured, and then sighed. "There is something else I need to tell you..."

"What is it?"

A heavy pause, and then--

"Severus is practicing again."

*~*~*~*

"Hello, Hermione."

The Gryffindor in question jumped a little, spun around, and came face to face with Mungo Bonham.

"Oh! Ah, hello," she said timidly. "Do I, er, know you?"

"We've seen each other around," the figure commented mysteriously. "Listen...would you like to dance?"

"Oh..." Hermione flushed and bit her lip. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Ron and Harry engaged in some kind of heated discussion, and decided that if they didn't want to dance with her, then she might as well have some fun with this unknown student. Turning back around, she grinned and said, "I'd love to."

"Mungo" smiled brilliantly and the dentist inside Hermione was pleased to see that all of his teeth were white and straight. The boy held out his arm and Hermione took it graciously, though she could still feel the heat radiating from her cheeks. The moment they got out on the dance floor, a slow, mournful, and thoroughly out of tune song started and the figure pulled Hermione closer to his much taller and broader body.

"Have to do this right," he said softly into her ear, and Hermione shivered from how hot his breath felt against her skin. They proceeded to dance in silence for almost a minute before "Mungo" began talking again. "You look stunning tonight," he said breathlessly. "But then again, you always look stunning..."

"Thank you," said Hermione, somewhat taken aback by this. No one, save for Viktor, had ever said that to her before. "Er..." she began awkwardly. "Erm, can I know your name now?"

"Mungo" grinned but shook his head. "Not yet...I would like to ask you something, but I need you to understand this: I didn't ask you to dance because of what I'm about to request from you. I asked you to dance because you are the most beautiful girl in this school, nothing more, nothing less. Do you understand this?"

"Yes..." Hermione said, her voice shaking slightly.

The stranger bit his lip and quickly looked over her shoulder. "Right..." he mumbled. "Hermione...I've heard rumors lately, yeah? About...well, about Potter's Defense club. Is it true it's still operating?"

Hermione stopped dancing at once and stared open-mouthed at the boy. "I don't know what you're talking about..." she said slowly.

"I want to join," he said quickly. "I want to join and fight You-Know-Who. Please, Hermione, give me a chance."

"I don't even know your name," she whispered.

The figure blinked rapidly several times before coming to a decision. He let go of Hermione's waist, reached behind his head, and untied his mask, allowing it to fall to the ground.

"My name's Blaise," he said. "Blaise Zabini."

*~*~*~*

"He's in."

"What? How do you know?"

"Well, he's dancing with her, isn't he?"

"I didn't expect him to choose her of all people."

"Shut up, Pansy, your voice is even more unbearable when we're in confined spaces."

"Bugger off, Draco."

"Whose hairs are we supposed to get?"

"Christ on a bike, Goyle, I've only told you fifty times!"

"Sorry..."

"Don't be sorry, just do the job!"

"Well, how can we if we don't remember--"

"Bloody hell, this can't be happening..."

"Potter, Granger, Lovegood, Longbottom, and the two Weasleys."

"Thank you, Pansy."

"I still haven't forgiven you, Draco."

"You're breaking my fucking heart."

"Shh! Look, he's giving us the signal!"

"Gee, like I couldn't see that with my own eyes, you bloody idiot! All right...ready? On the count of...three...two...one!"

*~*~*~*

"But Blaise, you have to understand--"

"Hermione, please," said the Slytherin desperately, his eyes flickering over her shoulder again. "Do you have any idea what it's like in the dungeons when people like Malfoy find out you're not a pure-blood?"

Hermione's eyes widened. "What do you--?"

Unfortunately, Hermione could not finish her sentence because at that moment, all the lights in the Great Hall went completely dark. Several students screamed and a loud murmur coursed through the room.

"What's going on?" she whispered as she withdrew her wand from her robes. She couldn't see a meter in front of her, it was so dark.

"I don't know," Blaise mumbled. "That must've been one hell of a spell to be able to do that kind of magic."

"Lumos!" said Hermione, but nothing happened. "Oh my God..." she groaned. "Our magic isn't working..."

"Like I said, one hell of a sp--"

"OW!"

"Hermione! Are you all right?"

"Yes...yes, I'm fine, but..."

"What? What is it? Where are you? I can't see a damn thing."

Hermione swallowed thickly and said, "Someone pulled out some of my hair..."

*~*~*~*

Ginny Weasley had been dancing with a fellow fifth-year--a Slytherin at that--when the lights in the Hall suddenly went out. She and Xavier jerked to a stop and Ginny felt him grip her right hand tightly while his other one pulled away, presumably to get his wand.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice coming out in an odd squeak.

"I dunno," Xavier murmured, and Ginny was suddenly aware that he was now much closer to her than he was before. "What the hell's going on? And why isn't Dumbledore fixing this?"

Just then, Ginny felt someone's hand on her head, and before she could react, a sharp pain shot through her skull, as if someone had ripped several hairs from her head. She hissed like an angry cat.

"Ginny, what is it? Are you okay?" she heard Xavier ask worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she grumbled, rubbing the back of her head. "Someone playing a prank, I reckon."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Why isn't this fixed yet?"

"You don't think it's the Death Eaters, d'you?"

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked, startled, but just then, the lights in the Hall flared to life.

Everyone turned their heads to find Dumbledore standing in the middle of the dance floor looking absolutely furious.

*~*~*~*

Joanna swallowed and stared at the old man. "Are you sure?" she said quietly.

Dumbledore gave her a small smile. "Positive," he said, "seeing as he was the one who told me."

"Why didn't he tell me?" Joanna barked. "And since when has he been practicing? I haven't noticed a difference..."

"I believe about a week after he found out your true identity," answered Dumbledore, stroking his beard. "He kept saying something about doing what's right, now that you're here again, and not denying who he is anymore."

Joanna's gaze drifted to the cackling fire. Just then, however, muffled screams filtered through the antechamber's door. Both wizards jumped out of their seats and withdrew their wands at once.

"What's going on?" Joanna asked, and then as an afterthought, "How come we can hear that?"

"The Silencing Charm I placed on the door was one-way," Dumbledore replied. "Come, we must go see what's happening."

Marching across the room, Dumbledore lifted his spells from the room and opened the door; peering around him, Joanna let out a small gasp.

"Joanna, find Severus and the others, have them on full alert. I shall fix this." Without waiting for a reply, Dumbledore strode into the darkened Hall.

Joanna tentatively moved out of the antechamber and into the larger room; she could feel the students' body heat, but she could not see hardly at all. Raising her wand to her face, Joanna murmured "Lumos" into her wand, but nothing happened. Her eyes grew wide and a feeling of dread settled into the pit of her stomach. She didn't like going without magic...no...not at all...

Her hands shaking, Joanna took a deep breath and closed her eyes, though it really didn't make much of a difference; she concentrated hard on locating Severus, but all she could sense were hundreds of students' fear, mixed in with a little bit of anger and...Joanna frowned.

Whoever had done this spell tonight was feeling particularly pleased with themselves. Whatever they had set out to do, they had succeeded, and Joanna could feel it.

Suddenly, a gasp rippled through the crowd. Joanna's eyes popped open and she then immediately squinted; going from pitch black to almost bright sunlight was a rather drastic change. When her eyes had finally adjusted, Joanna noticed that all of the kids' heads were turned towards the center of the Hall to where Dumbledore was standing on the dance floor, his normally bright blue eyes now dark with anger.

"The Ball is now officially cancelled!" he boomed authoritatively; not a single student complained, however. "Prefects, Heads, kindly gather up your housemates and escort them back to their dormitories. Once that is over with, I would like to see the faculty in the staff room in twenty minutes. You are dismissed!"

A cacophony of sound reverberated through the Hall as the students separated themselves from their various partners and returned to where their Houses were congregating. Joanna saw Severus barking out orders to the Slytherins and then briskly leading them away towards the dungeons.

Joanna went to run a hand through her hair, but it got caught in the curls, and she cursed; she had forgotten one of the main reasons she'd had Dumbledore give her straight hair all those years ago was so that she could run her hands through it. She never really liked having curly hair...

"Joanna."

The Empath jumped and let out a yelp of surprise.

"Merlin, I'm sorry!" cried Starla. "I just came over here to grab you so that we can head on over to the lounge."

Joanna took several deep breaths and placed a hand over her pounding heart; she had no idea why Starla had scared her so.

"Right..." she mumbled. "I'm coming."

*~*~*~*

"The two Weasleys, Potter, Longbottom, and Granger all claim that they felt someone rip hairs from their heads," reported Minerva McGonagall half an hour later to the collection of staff members surrounding a long oval table.

"Miss Lovegood also said the same thing," squeaked Flitwick, "though she seemed to think it was a nargle attempting to nest in her hair..."

"Thank you, Filius, Minerva," Dumbledore said solemnly.

"Why would anyone want their hairs for?" inquired Professor Sprout.

"Polyjuice," said Severus and Joanna together. The entire staff turned and stared at the two of them.

"Are you sure?" said Dumbledore.

"No," said Joanna quickly. "There are several potions, and even spells, that can use human hairs. That's just the first one that pops to mind..."

Dumbledore turned slightly to face Severus. "And do you agree with this?"

Severus frowned and shot Joanna a brief look before saying, "Polyjuice, of course, would be the most obvious, but Joanna is correct--there are many other spells and potions that can use human DNA, especially if they wanted to be specific enough."

"Explain," said Dumbledore softly.

Severus cast another look at Joanna and said, "Would you like examples, sir?"

"Yes, please."

Severus sighed. "The Confundus, Fidelius, and Homorphus Charms, all memory charms, Portkeys, and the Unforgivables, just to name a few. I can't even begin to tell you about potions," he said heavily.

Dumbledore nodded. "Thank you, Severus." He then looked at the rest of the staff, his face somber yet determined. "We must double our efforts to protect these six students," he said fervently. "Whatever plan Voldemort is hatching, he now has informants within Hogwarts. Mind, if--when--I find the perpetrators..." He trailed off, but the message was clear nonetheless and the professors shuddered slightly...

There was a reason Voldemort feared Dumbledore.

*~*~*~*

Joanna waited for the room to clear out, save for Severus, Dumbledore, and McGonagall, before approaching the headmaster and asking him to restore the charms on her hair. A moment later, Joanna had blonde--and blissfully straight--hair again, and was packing up her items when Severus approached her.

"Joanna," he said quietly and then continued speaking when she looked up expectantly. "I will...understand if you do not feel up for, ah, meeting me tomorrow morning..."

"Don't be ridiculous," she said, giving him a warm, if not tired, smile. "I'll be there. I'm rather looking forward to giving you your present." With a grin and a wink, Joanna strutted out the staff room door, leaving a stunned Severus behind.

McGonagall walked up next to him and gave him a sharp look. "You didn't get her a present, did you?"

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose and growled, "No." McGonagall pursed her lips and looked as if she were holding back a laugh.

"Don't worry, Severus," said Dumbledore from behind. "I'm sure you'll think of something." With that, he and McGonagall exited the room.

Severus blinked. He blinked again and ran a hand through his now-normal length hair.

"Shite!"

Storming across the room, he threw open the door and flew down the corridor.

"Shite, shite, shite," he muttered repeatedly. He couldn't go to Hogsmeade, as it was Christmas Eve and everything had closed up early, if they'd been open at all. A few moments later, Severus exploded into his chambers and then proceeded to stand stupidly in his parlor, his eyes moving rapidly around the room but finding no inspiration whatsoever from his dismal furnishings. Perhaps she'd like a nice set of crystal wine goblets...No, no, no, he berated himself angrily. She doesn't drink, you great bloody idiot!

Growling, Severus roughly ran a hand over his face. He had--he glanced at his watch--approximately six hours to find Joanna a Christmas present, and not just some boring present, no...this one had to be good because...Severus frowned. He wasn't sure why he was even worrying about this. Maybe he could give her the book he had bought for Dumbledore...No! the same voice inside his head screamed. You don't give books to women you fancy!

I don't fancy her, Severus shot back mentally, and then felt ridiculous for arguing with his inner monologue. However, he had enough sense to know that the voice was right--you just don't give books to women...well, to women like Joanna.

Severus took a deep breath to calm himself and wildly wondered if he could Apparate all the way to the States...surely some of their stores would will be open...

A knock on his chamber door startled Severus out of his increasingly desperate thoughts. He was even more surprised when he found Dumbledore standing in the corridor wearing dark blue pajamas and fuzzy purple slippers.

"Sir?"

Dumbledore merely smiled and then handed Snape a square package. "Happy Christmas, Severus," he said, his blue eyes twinkling in a way Severus felt was quite unnatural, and then ambled away without another word.

Swallowing, Severus absently closed the door and stared down at the brown bundle in his hands. There was a note attached addressed to him. Peeling it off the wrapping, Severus opened it and read:

Dear Severus,

I think she'll like this.

Love, A.D.

Severus stared at the card, blinking rapidly. After setting the card on the table, Severus began ripping off the brown paper. A moment later, he exhaled loudly.

"Perfect..." he breathed. "It's perfect..."

~*~