It Happened One Hallow's Eve

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
*******************************

Chapter 15 ~ The Christmas Ball

The ghosts finally began to be more visible. After the Night of Evil they all laid low, embarrassed and ashamed to be seen. Albus allowed this, and despite the staff’s insistence that he call them together immediately and take them to task, he didn’t…giving the ghosts time to recover from their ordeal. They weren’t able to control themselves after all, it was a curse and the Headmaster likened it to werewolf transformation. The horror for the ghosts had to be doubled, considering they were bound to protect the castle and its inhabitants. He didn't see any reason to cause them additional pain. They would come to him when ready.

One evening, Albus was sitting at his desk when the Bloody Baron drifted in. The Headmaster looked up but didn’t start at the appearance of the pearly white blood-covered staring ghost.

“Sit down, Baron,” Albus said, looking at the ghost soberly. He was only being polite however. Ghosts couldn’t sit, though the Baron drifted over to the armchair and hovered over it.

“Headmaster, I must apologize for our actions on Hallow’s Eve,” the Baron began. “We are all prepared to leave Hogwarts as punishment for our actions.”

Albus looked at the Baron.

“Hogwarts without ghosts? That’s preposterous. You are part of the school and its protections, Baron. We will not cast any of you out. You were under a curse and not responsible for your actions.”

The Baron looked very relieved. He had no idea where they would go if Albus had told them to leave.

“However, at my request the Ministry has its best Spells Masters working on a spell that will perpetually warn you of the approaching evil time, and we are working on enlarging and strengthening the protective circle in the subdungeons so the next time the evil is upon you, you will be drawn to the circle, confined there and wait safely for the night to pass. Several such circles will be placed in various locations throughout the wizarding world for ghosts to use as well. We think this will sufficiently put a stop to the danger,” the wizard said.

The Baron actually smiled…and it was horrible. Albus blinked at him.

“Oh, thank you Headmaster. Thank you,” the ghost said, rising up in his excitement. “You have taken a great weight off these ghostly shoulders.”

”Well we must protect ourselves…and you,” the Headmaster replied.

After thanking Albus several more times, the Bloody Baron left to tell the other ghosts a solution to the Night of Evil was being worked on and they would soon be free of the onus.

Thank the gods for the compassionate Living.

********************************************

The Christmas Ball was right around the corner and was to be held the night before everyone left for Christmas break. Of course, Hermione wasn’t going home for Christmas, telling her parents that this was her last year and she wanted to take advantage of the empty school to bone up on her studies. Hermione did intend to bone up, but not on her studies…more likely on one snarky over-disciplined Potions Master who had quite the bone. Her parents were disappointed but they knew how dedicated to knowledge Hermione was. However, they had no idea in this case it was carnal knowledge that had the witch’s focus.

Once again, Ron was on the prowl. Slowly he managed to get Hermione talking to him again, making no untoward moves. However, he did ask her to accompany him to the Christmas Ball, but Hermione declined, saying she would be attending by herself.

“But Hermione, it’s embarrassing to show up to the dance alone,” Ron argued, “It’s going to look like you couldn’t get a date.”

Hermione shrugged.

“I don’t care what it looks like Ron. I’m going alone. I’ll still have a good time,” she said.

“You’d have a better time with me,” Ron insisted, but Hermione wouldn’t budge on it.

The night of the ball, Ron and Harry were putting on their dress robes and getting ready to pick up their dates. Ron had just pulled on his robes and straightened them. Harry was sitting on his bed pulling on his socks and dress shoes. Ron started combing his hair.

“I tell you Harry, I have to do something or Hermione’s going to end up an old maid,” Ron complained to the boy who lived.

Harry smirked at Ron.

“Going alone to the ball doesn’t make her ready for the convent, Ron. Hermione is confident enough to be able to be seen in public without a wizard on her arm,” he said to his friend.

“Well…that’s just weird. All the other witches want dates,” Ron said, frowning.

Harry stood up, walked over to the mirror and made a few pathetic attempts to brush his hair. Finally he gave up. He looked at his friend.

“Hermione isn’t a normal witch, Ron. She thinks about other things besides shagging wizards,” Harry replied.

Harry was taking Ginny to the ball. Ron was all right with this. He felt Harry was like a brother and therefore would treat Ginny like a family member. He didn’t realize just because he and Harry were close, it didn’t mean the boy-who-lived saw Ginny as a “sister.” Because he didn’t. Not by a long shot. Eventually, he’d have to let Ron know that…when he felt prepared to brawl, that is.

“Don’t I know it? Well anyway, I’m taking Ivanna Dolittle from Hufflepuff to the ball. She’s been hot for me for months because I’m the best beater in the school. I figure it’s time to let her ride the Weasley Express,” the red-haired wizard said, looking in the mirror and wiping a little speck from the side of his mouth.

Harry just shook his head. Ron would shag anything that moved as long as it had a pretty face. Harry made one more adjustment to his robes and ran his finger around the tight collar uncomfortably.

“Time to go get our dates,” he announced to Ron, heading for the door.

“I’m right behind you,” Ron said, taking one more look in the mirror, then following Harry.

*********************************************

Hermione looked at herself in the mirror speculatively. She was wearing a green Christmas dress with silver and red trim. The trim had originally been gold, but she changed it so it would be slightly Slytherin colored. The dress dipped in the front, showing just the right amount of cleavage, and showed quite a bit of back, and fell just above her knees. It fit her curves nicely, showing them off. Her hair was pinned up with green clips and she wore red and green dangly earrings. The witch was a bit bright, but it was Christmas after all.

Parvati came into her room and insisted on making up her face. After a half-hearted attempt to stop her, Hermione gave in and Parvati did a marvelous job making up her eyes and her lips.

“Oh Hermione, you look beautiful. You should wear make-up all the time,” the witch gushed. Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. She looked very grown up and did look quite stunning. Her mouth seemed fuller and more pouty with the red lipstick and her amber eyes stood out in relief to the mascara and liner Parvati applied.

“I couldn’t do this every day, though it’s all right for a dance,” the witch said, wondering what Severus would think of her all made up the way she was. She didn’t think he would approve. For some reason she didn’t think the wizard liked made up witches.

And she was right. Severus didn’t like witches in warpaint. But how enticing she looked wouldn’t be lost on the wizard.

Severus was in the Great Hall restraining himself from blasting the damn cherubs Albus insisted be unleashed upon the ball. Severus hated the things…flitting around like bloody mosquitoes. It was bad enough Albus set them on everyone on Valentine’s Day, but Christmas too?

“Albus,” he said in an attempt to discourage the Headmaster as he helped set up the Great Hall, “these are for Valentine’s Day, not Christmas. They’re cherubs.”

Albus held the box of restrained cherubs and smiled at Severus.

“No, Severus…they are not cherubs. They are “Christmas Angels,” he said, removing the spell that held them in the box. The little golden angels swarmed out and flew around Severus’ head for several seconds until the wizard waved them away in irritation.

The Great Hall had a huge decorated Christmas tree, garlands of gold, red and green strung about, a number of wreaths and floating candles, and mistletoe hung in strategic places. Severus memorized the locations of the mistletoe…he didn’t want to get caught by Sybil Trelawney again this year. She caught him off-guard at the last party and planted a wet and rather nasty kiss on his lips, smearing them with lipstick. He spluttered and scourgified his mouth immediately, scowling at the grinning Divinations teacher.

“You know you liked it, Severus,” she purred.

The Potions Master didn’t dignify her remark with an answer and strode quickly away before he hexed her.

Now the wizard strode around the Great Hall, checking the punch, food and other libations. He was supposed to be a chaperone and keep a watchful eye out for those who would spike the punch. He knew it was a lost battle. The students always managed to amp up the drinks. By the time that happened, most of the staff were happily inebriated off of Christmas cider and wine. Then there was the after-ball shagging that occurred every year. One would think lust potion was added to the punch as well, though that hadn’t happened since the Weasley twins attended Hogwarts. What a fiasco that had been, though somehow they managed to only affect the staff.

The Great Hall filled up quickly, and the student body was ecstatic to find out the Headmaster had managed to get “Brutal Magic” as the band for the night. They were a top-notch magical band, and sang such songs as “Crucio’d for Your Love” , “I’ve Been Hexed“ and the wildly popular “My Wand is Pointed Straight at You, Girl.”

When Hermione entered the Great Hall, heads turned. This was the first time she had worn a dress to the Ball since her fourth year when she accompanied Victor Krum. For the past two years she wore dress robes. Her body had changed quite a bit.

Even Draco’s jaw dropped as the Gryffindor witch walked by him, Pansy scowling at him and forcing his face back toward her.

“My,” Professor Flitwick said from the dais to Minerva, “Miss Granger has certainly grown up…and out.”

Minerva scowled at him.

“Filius, you are a teacher. You have no business discussing Miss Granger’s growth spurt,” she said tightly.

The professor colored.

“It was just an observation, Minerva,” the wizard said, chastised.

Severus was standing against a far wall near the punch table, observing the students when he noticed Hermione. His eyes narrowed as they drifted over her curves and the color of her dress. The wizard wanted to throw his robes over her as his dark eyes scanned the young wizards eyeing her.

Hermione was aware everyone was looking at her, but she didn’t care. She only wanted to attract the attention of one particular wizard. She saw him standing stiffly against the wall and sauntered over toward the punch table. She had almost made it when Ron suddenly appeared in front of her, his blue eyes wide and hot as they drifted over her.

“Hermione, you look amazing,” he said, almost drooling on himself. Behind him, his date Ivanna scowled at Ron’s obvious attraction to Hermione.

“Thank you Ron. You look very nice yourself,” she said, trying to walk around him.

“Would you like me to get you some punch?” the wizard asked her, blocking her way.

Hermione looked over at Ivanna then at Ron.

“You should be attending your date, Ron. I can get my own punch,” she said, walking past him. Ron looked after her, his eyes narrowed, then he stalked back over to Ivanna. He grabbed her hand roughly.

“Come on, let’s dance,” he said, pulling her on to the floor.

Hermione walked up to the table, picked up a cup and ladled some punch into it.

“You look quite grown up, Miss Granger. I think dress robes would have been more appropriate,” a silken voice said behind her. Hermione turned to see Severus standing next to her, his hands clasped behind his back as he appeared to be watching the students.

“I think this dress looks nice on me,” she replied, taking a sip of punch and looking over the crowd too.

“Nice isn’t the word I would use. It shows too much of your curves,” the wizard said in a low voice, frowning slightly.

“I can’t help it if I have curves, Professor. I felt like wearing a dress this time. Is that a crime?” she asked.

“The way you look? Yes,” the wizard replied.

“Well, that’s just too bad. I like this dress and I like how it fits me,” the witch replied.

“And so does every randy young wizard at this ball,” he said.

Hermione looked around. There were many eyes on her.

“They can look,” she said.

“As long as they don’t touch. I will be watching you, Hermione,” Severus said, walking off.

The moment he left, Hermione was surrounded by wizards.

“How’s about a dance, Hermione?” Dean Thomas asked her, smiling, “You look good enough to eat.”

Hermione blushed.

“Thank you…I think, Dean. I just want to look around for a bit, maybe get something to eat…then I’ll be ready to dance. You’ll be the first one,” she said, smiling at the black wizard.

“Great,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at the other wizards.

It took Hermione a little while to get the young men away from her. Severus was scowling blackly as he watched the young men lusting after his witch. He felt like dragging Hermione out of the ball and fucking her just to reassure both her and himself who she belonged to. But he couldn’t do that. Firstly, everyone would notice she’d left and secondly he’d be breaking his own rules.

Harry walked up to Hermione with Ginny on his arm.

“Hermione, you look awesome,” Ginny said, smiling at the witch. Ginny was secure enough not to be jealous of Hermione. She had Harry on her arm after all.

“Thanks Ginny. You look lovely too,” Hermione replied. Ginny was dressed in a form-fitting gold dress. Ron had not approved. As far as curves went, Ginny was quite gifted herself though she was taller and slenderer than Hermione.

“You look great, Hermione,” Harry said, “Think you’ll be able to squeeze in a dance with me later? I saw your fan club.”

Hermione laughed.

“Of course, Harry,” she said.

Ron was dancing with Ivanna, but he watched Hermione. He was pissed about all the wizards that had surrounded her. Competition. Now that everyone knew how stacked she was, there was a good chance a few wizards would start hitting on her to go out with them. He didn’t know if she would, but he knew one thing, needed to talk to the witch.

Tonight.

Hermione did get a little something to eat, then got out on the dance floor. And the witch could dance. The Potions Master watched as she shook her hips and swung her hair, which had fallen out of its clips from all the activity. She looked like an exotic dancer at some points. Hermione felt beautiful and uninhibited. The attention she was getting was quite intoxicating and she felt very free. Very attractive.

Both Severus and Ron scowled at her as she danced with wizard after wizard, a slight sheen on her skin that made her glow. Finally Draco cut in, his gray eyes washing over her as he moved to the beat. He was quite a good dancer.

“Wow Granger. Where’ve you been hiding this body? In your wardrobe?” he asked her, grinning slightly. From the sidelines, Pansy watched her wizard dancing with the Gryffindor witch, obviously smitten. Angrily, she filled up a cup with red punch and slowly made her way out to the dance floor, her eyes glittering with malice.

“Just dance, Draco,” Hermione replied, irritation in her voice. The way Draco was looking at her, she felt absolutely naked. It was unsettling. Suddenly a slow song came on and Draco quickly pulled her against him, dancing smoothly and leading her around the dance floor. Severus’ nostrils flared as did Ron’s.

Draco sniffed her appreciatively.

“So Granger…you ready to grow up? I’d be happy to pop your cherry for you since the Professor obviously passed on his chance. I’m quite good,” the wizard purred, dipping the witch and leaning over her before snapping her back up. “I could do things to this body you never dreamed of. Inhibition is not in my vocabulary when it comes to witches.”

“No thank you Draco,” Hermione said, wishing someone would cut in on the randy wizard. Pansy continued to approach, weaving through the dancers…it was slow going. She’d teach that Gryffindor to put her claws in Draco.

Severus’ sharp eyes saw Pansy walking on the dance floor toward Hermione and Draco. She had a cup of punch in her hand, but wasn’t holding it as if she were drinking it. Her face was contorted with anger.

“Uh oh,” the wizard thought to himself, and quickly strode on to the dance floor, pushing the dancing students aside unceremoniously in his haste to cut the witch off. He drew his wand when he realized he wouldn’t be able to reach her in time.

Pansy walked up to the dancing couple, behind Hermione. Draco’s eyes widened as she tapped the witch on her shoulder. Hermione turned.

“I’ll teach you to mess with Draco,” the witch seethed, flinging the contents of the cup of punch towards Hermione’s face. Hermione closed her eyes waiting for the deep red liquid to splash her.

It never connected.

Hermione opened one eye to see the liquid frozen in mid-air mere inches from her face. The Potions Master stalked up. The other students slowed down their dancing, curious looks on their faces. He scowled down at Pansy.

“Miss Parkinson, return to Slytherin House. Your night is over,” he said darkly.

Pansy looked at the Potions Master, then at Draco.

“But…but..” she began.

“Go now, Miss Parkinson. Your behavior is unacceptable. We will discuss your punishment after the holiday. You are dismissed,” Severus said evenly.

Pansy gave Hermione an absolutely hateful look, then stormed off, pushing startled dancers aside. Severus then scourgified the punch out of the air. He looked at Hermione in Draco’s arms, his eyes hard.

“It seemed I saved you from a rather sticky situation, Miss Granger. Perhaps you should be more careful as to whom you dance with,” he said. His dark eyes swept over Draco then the wizard returned to his post by the punch table.

While Severus was gone, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan added liberal amounts of alcohol to every punch bowl on the table. Now the party was really going to get started.

Draco began to dance with Hermione again.

“Pansy is a jealous little bitch,” Draco said, “She thinks she is my girlfriend. She isn’t. I like to play the pitch. She needs to get over herself.”

Hermione frowned at him.

“Obviously she likes you Draco. You should tell her how it is,” the witch said.

“She should see how it is,” he retorted. “She knows I shag other witches. She’s just dense. If she didn’t give such good head, I’d dump her completely.”

Hermione had enough.

“That’s it, Draco…the dance is over,” Hermione said, trying to pull out of his arms. Draco pulled her tighter against his body. He stood a full head over the witch and was much stronger than she was.

“Why, just because I said Pansy gives me head?” he asked the struggling witch.

“Because you are a pig,” Hermione replied.

Severus saw Hermione trying to get away from Draco, who was holding her much too close and was about to walk back on the floor when Ron grabbed the wizard by the shoulder.

“May I cut in,” Ron said between clenched teeth. It wasn’t a question.

Draco shrugged Ron’s hand off his shoulder and released Hermione.

“Go ahead,” he hissed, stalking off. He wasn’t willing to fight over the little chit.

Ron replaced him, scowling down at Hermione.

“See what happens when you come to a ball alone?” he asked her.

“I was doing all right. I was just about to knee him,” Hermione replied stiffly.

Ron looked at her as they moved across the dance floor.

“Hermione, why do you keep turning me down? You know I like you. I just want to get closer to you,” the wizard said.

“Closer, as in shag me,” Hermione replied.

“Yes, shag you. Why not? You’re eighteen Hermione…it’s time for a bit of shagging. And I know how to do it. Why not let me show you what it’s about. Let me teach you something for a change,” the wizard said. “You’ve taught me things all these years. It’s my turn.”

Hermione stared at Ron.

“That’s what this is about? You want to ‘teach’ me to shag?” she asked him, “To make up for what I’ve taught you all these years?”

“Yes,” Ron replied as if it made all the sense in the world.

Hermione almost laughed if it wasn’t so…so stupid.

“Ronald Weasley, you are unbelievable. You want to shag me to even up the score. That’s terrible. You don’t even have those kinds of feelings for me,” she said.

Ron’s eyes drifted over her curves

“Who needs feelings? Look at you,” the wizard replied. “Anyway, you don’t want to be a virgin all your life.”

Hermione looked up at the red-haired wizard and decided there was only one way to end this. She took a deep breath.

“I’m not a virgin, Ron,” she said softly.

Ron stopped dancing and stared down at her with an almost horrified expression. Then his eyes narrowed.

“You’re lying. Just to make me back off,” he hissed at her, refusing to believe chaste little Hermione Granger had been fucked…and by someone other than him.

Hermione shook her head.

“I’m not lying Ron,” she replied.

Ron looked into her eyes and saw that she wasn’t lying. He’d been around her enough to know when she was telling the truth.

“Who? Who did it?” he asked her, shaking her a little.

“Stop it, Ron. I’m not going to tell you that,” the witch replied, “But I am spoken for. That’s why I’ve been putting you off.”

“Who is it? Someone at Hogwarts?” he demanded angrily.

“That’s none of your business,” she said evenly. “All you need to know is you don’t have to teach me anything. I already know.”

Ron stared at her, then his face contorted.

“I should have known you were a slut like the rest of them,” he hissed, pushing her away and storming off. Someone had beaten him to her. Hermione had liked someone else better and didn’t let him know.

Hermione looked after Ron, her face red. Well, at least he knew now. Maybe he would stop pressing her now. Hell, maybe he wouldn’t ever talk to her again.

Hermione realized that if Ron did stop talking to her, it wouldn’t bother her a bit. She was just his friend. He had no right to be angry that she’d been deflowered.

She looked over toward Severus, whose dark eyes rested on her soberly. He had seen Mr. Weasley stalk away angrily. He wondered what the witch said to the wizard to make him leave like that. Ronald Weasley had the tenacity of a bulldog.

Well, he hoped the red-haired wizard would stay away from her for good.

If he didn’t…he could find himself embroiled in a very sticky situation.

******************************************
A/N: Interesting interactions here. Lol at Severus commenting on her dress. Draco and Pansy were something else, and at last Ron knows the deal. He didn’t take it very well, did he? Please review.