Harry Meets His Match

Chapter 9- The Valentine’s Ball

It was two days before Valentine’s Day, and Hogwarts was buzzing with excitement. There was to be a Valentine’s Day ball open to all students, and of course, everyone had dates, except for a small handful who were either too shy, or too slow. Harry was one of them. He tried several times to ask Surika, but every time he did, he would either chicken out, or he would say the wrong way and make her upset with him. He was in a bad spot. The dance was dangerously close, and Harry was determined to get her to go with him. So, during lunch time, he went into the Great Hall to catch her one last time., but when he got there, he found her talking to the last person he wanted her with. Draco Malfoy.

He watched as she stood up from the Slytherin table and strode away. She was coming toward him, and he could feel his heart begin to beat faster. This was his chance. He had to ask her now. He took a deep breath and wiped his sweaty palms on his pants.

“Hey, Surika,” he began. She looked at him and raised her eyebrows. “What?” “Umm… I was just wondering… Wouldyougotothedancewithme?” he mumbled, and blushed. She didn’t seem the least bit surprised, but it certainly surprised him when she shook her head and replied: “Sorry, Harry. I already have a date.” Harry’s mouth dropped open and he stared at her disbelievingly.

“Wha… With who?” he demanded. “Oh, Mr. Malfoy over there was kind enough to ask me to accompany him.” Surika responded. Harry peered over her shoulder, and Draco smirked and waved cockily back at him. His face automatically went sincere as Surika turned to look. “Malfoy?! Are you nuts?! Why…” Harry began, but was cut off by Surika.

“Frankly, Harry. You took too long to ask me. I was sick of waiting for you,” Surika stated, matter-of-factly. “But… HIM?! Surika, he’s…” “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to take Moonglow to pick up the dress robe I ordered. Have a nice day.” and with an arrogant toss of her head, she strode out of the Great Hall and was soon out of sight. Harry stood, rooted in his spot, dumbfounded. He felt as if she had just slapped him across the face. How could she run off with his enemy?

After two days had passed, the night of the ball was present. Harry still had no date, but he dressed in his navy blue dress robes and decided to attend, anyway. As he was looking in the mirror, trying to tame his unruly hair, Ron walked up in rather worn, forest green dress robes. He looked in the mirror and scanned his reflection.

“Well… At least it’s not maroon… And there’s no damn lace…” Ron muttered. Harry sighed sadly and tossed his comb aside. “You’re not still bummed over Surika, are you? Look, Harry, forget her. There are plenty of girls who’d get down on their knees and beg you to date them.” Ron pointed out. “Exactly. Which is why I’ve chosen Surika. She doesn’t care that I’m famous. I don’t WANT someone to fall on their knees and beg me…” he sighed again and started down the stairs to the common room. Hermione was already there waiting for Ron.

“You all right, Harry?” she asked. Harry nodded without saying a word. “Are you sure? You seem a little… Depressed.” “I’m FINE Hermione! Just… Don’t talk to me right now.” Harry said and sat on one of the sofas. Hermione sighed and shook her head. “Well, we’re going to the dance now, Harry. Are you coming?” Hermione asked. “Just go ahead, you two. I’ll join you later.” Harry sighed. Ron shrugged. “Suit yourself.” And with that the pair turned and left him alone in the common room. It was about two hours later before he worked up the courage and attended the dance. Of course, Surika was the first thing that caught his eye.

She was in the middle of the dance floor in robes of shamrock green. Her hair was pulled back in a high bun, with tendrils of hair, curled loosely about her face. He liked the way her robes fit her just perfectly. The way they flowed and wrapped around her waist as she danced, and her dancing style was perfect. She stepped about gracefully and with an almost arrogant sort of confidence. He was also slightly pleased that Draco was having problems adapting to her particular dance style. He chuckled softly to himself as Draco stumbled a little as Surika’s elegant twirl went farther than his arm could reach. Through the sound of the music, he could just barely make out what she was saying to him.

“If you’re having difficulties, perhaps you should consider letting me lead, Draco.” “You already ARE leading! Let ME lead for a change!” “I am? Oh. Well, then lead.” Harry felt envy surge through him as Draco pulled Surika closer. That should be HIM out there. Surika was HIS girl, and he had her first. She should be holding onto him at his very moment. But she wasn’t. She was out there, dancing and holding onto Draco. Why hadn’t he been quicker to ask her? Harry thought. He wanted to crawl under a rock and die.

He watched Draco with pure loathing as he led Surika out of the Great Hall. He waited ten minutes before he decided to find where they went. He was going to get Surika back. Surika was his, and he wasn’t about to give her up to anyone. Especially not to Draco Malfoy. If he had to fight to get her back, he was willing to do so. With that in mind, he left his seat and started heading for the door.

Surika sat on a rock near the lake. The fog created a mystical sort of atmosphere. She stared at the opal blackness of the lake, aware that Draco was seated next to her, although she wasn’t looking at him. She looked blankly at the rippling water, and an uneasy feeling washed over her. As if someone nearby didn’t have very good intentions, and she knew exactly who that person was. She moved her leg away as Draco’s hand seemed to have found a place on her thigh.

“Hey…” Draco muttered, and turned so his leg was touching hers. Again, she moved her leg away. “What’s the big idea, girl?” he asked, putting his arms around her waist and bent his head toward hers. “I’m trying to kiss you.” he growled. She turned her face away and forced her hands between them. “No… I don’t want…” “Why not, Surika? Oh, right… You’ll only kiss Potter’s lips while you play with other boys.” he hisses in her ear. “That’s not true… I… No, Stop!” she yelped, as he forcefully pulled her face to look at his, and brought his lips brutally down on hers.

Surika was frightened. She didn’t know what to do. Her shriek was almost completely muted by the intensity of his kiss. She did not like this. He wasn’t at all like Harry. Harry was gentle. She knew from the moment he forced his tongue between her lips, that a kiss was not all he wanted from her. She shook with pure terror as she struggled against him, trying to scream for help. Somehow, she managed to wrench her hand free and push his face from hers. His teeth caught on her bottom lip in the process and sliced the skin open. Almost instantly, Surika tasted blood in her mouth. As he lunged for her a second time, she was able to defend herself and landed a powerful jab on his jaw. He let go of her completely out of his shock. She took the opportunity to jump to her feet and make a run for it, but Draco, much faster than he looked, grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her painfully toward him. She managed a loud yelp as he slapped her hard across the face, his eyes narrowed into gray slits of fury. He brought her to him brutally, and Surika heard the sound of ripping cloth as he began to tear her dress robes open.

Surika screamed, and through her scream she heard the words of an angel. “PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!” Instantly, Draco’s hands snapped to his sides and his entire body went rigid. He fell to the ground with a thump and laid motionless. Out of the shadows, Surika saw Harry running like the wind toward her, and he embraced her.

“Surika! Are you okay?! Are you all right?!” he asked, hugging the now-sobbing girl tighter. She was sobbing too hard to answer. “Shh… It’s okay… I’m here…” he crooned, softly. He felt her body trembling violently, and hugged her tighter still. “Come on…” he whispered gently. “Let’s get away from the lake.” He took her by the shoulders and led her up the hill, away from the lake. She was still sobbing, but not quite as hard. Harry brought her to the gardens and sat her on a bench. Surika sobbed on, and kept her face turned away from his.

“Surika… look at me.” he said, and gently tilted her chin up to look in her eyes. What he saw made his stomach lurch, and his heart ache. She had that frightened kitten look about her, only this was a bloody and bruised kitten. Her lip was cut open, and still bleeding, and there was a bruise developing on her left cheek. Her face was streaked with tears, and more were still coming. He reached out with his other hand, and touched the bruise lightly.

“Oh, Surika… Look at you…” he whispered. Harry picked up the corner of his robe, and went to work cleaning up her lip. Surika looked at his face as he gently wiped the blood away. She studied his expression carefully. His eyes were full of tenderness, and his brow was furrowed in a look of concern. His face told her only one thing. He did love her. After he was satisfied that her lip had stopped bleeding, he went on to wipe the tears off her face.

“I love him so much.” she thought. “So much…” He looked up into her eyes, the same expression playing across his face. Tenderly, he twirled her loose curls around his finger. She smiled. “You can kiss me if you want…” she said. He smiled back. “No, I can’t” he told her. Her smile faded into a look of confusion. “Why not?” she asked. “I can’t… Until I say this…” he leaned in close, put his lips right next to her ear, and whispered: “I love you. And you better believe they I mean it.” he said. Surika’s heart melted. She knew he meant it. A thousand different responses swam around in her head as she tried to answer. Finally, she picked her response, but what was supposed to be: “I love you too.” came out as: “What took you so long?” Harry groaned at his question. “Don’t ask me that.” he muttered, and pressed his lips to hers. Surika responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and returning the kiss.

Surika ignored the persistent throbbing sting of her lip. She was enjoying this kiss. Harry was gentle with her. His kisses left her dazed and dizzy. Slowly, he pulled his lips from hers and looked into her half-closed eyes. Deep passion and affection were reflected back at him. He smiled and placed his hands behind her neck. She sighed happily and did the same. He propped his forehead against hers and rubbed noses affectionately with her.

“I love you.” he said again, and kissed her neck. She groaned softly, and lifted her chin as his lips slid smoothly over her soft flesh. Harry growled affectionately and nibbled on her ear. Surika giggled as a shiver ran down her spine and goose bumps sprouted all over her skin. Harry returned his lips to hers. Surika experienced a jump of shock when his tongue searched the inside of her mouth. She shook as he continued his sweet exploration. Resistance was out of the question. She loved him, and right now, he was making it very clear that he felt the same way about her. She felt as if she was being sucked into his very existence, as if the whole world would come crashing down around her feet if he didn’t love her.

“Harry…” she mumbled. He lifted his head and stared into her sparkling green eyes. “Yes, my Sweet?” he crooned and moved a loose piece of hair out of her eyes. “I’m such an idiot… I don’t know what made me think I could love anyone but you…” she whispered. He smiled and cupped her face in his hands. “You’re not an idiot. Everyone makes mistakes.” “Yeah, but…” “Besides. It took you going to the dance with Malfoy to make me realize how much you mean to me., and from now on, I’m the only one who gets to have you. No one else! You’re mine, mine, mine!” And with a devilish little grin, he lifted her up from the bench and spun her around. She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, and they talked, laughed, and smooched far into the night.