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Chapter 80 - The Equinox Ball

Over the course of the next week the main talk around the school was all about Harry and how, not only did he now

have an extinct form of dragon living with him but he had somehow managed to get a hold of a large quantity of

Acromantulas silk.

No less than twenty five girls tried to throw themselves at him, either trying to seduce him into giving them some

of the silk or asking if he could get them some.

They had actually had to go as far as putting over a dozen protective charms around Colette's quarters (where she

was making the dresses) to keep the material safe, no less than ten students had been caught trying to sneak into

the staff's quarters. The most amusing attempt was made by Pansy Parkinson who was seen running from the area by

most of the sixth year, weeping as her new appearance of a big hairy mans body, complete with large stomach and

hairy arms and legs, wearing only a short towel that just covered her.

When asked later Colette admitted to being the teacher who added that charm over the doors but only a few of them

knew that for certain.

As regards to Sapphire, Adam had come up with a very clever way of keeping her hidden. She, like Octavia, now when

not wandering around the school and its grounds, lived under Harry's skin.

A problem was going to develop though because she was growing very rapidly, inside of the week she had, as she

said, managed to double in size and although Sapphire had assured him that her growth was going to slow down after

a while, within four weeks she would be too big to sit under his skin, she already took up a lot of his back.

When not in lessons, either teaching or learning, Harry and Sapphire spent their time getting to know each other

with Fleur joining them when she got the chance. They talked about the Wizarding World and the magical creatures

that existed within it, the history of the wyverns (memories that Adam had left Sapphire), The Alliance, Harry's

second identity and his ability to become a dragon (something that Sapphire found fascinating, especially the

thought that although he dwarfed her now, she would one day dwarf him) and the war that was looming.

After explaining his and Voldemort's history Sapphire immediately volunteered to help by signing The Alliance

contract, Harry imagined what the battle field would be like if there was a wyvern flying around, firing jets of

flame at the enemy. The thought also gave him a good idea that he would have to bring up when The Alliance Court

next met.

Harry had wondered about what Professor Dumbledore would think of keeping a Wyvern on the grounds but he was

surprisingly accepting, explaining that although she had the capability to be a dangerous creature, as she was

sentient she could take reasonability for her actions and she would only be forced to leave if she became a threat

to the school or its residence.

Hagrid, of course, had been fascinated by Sapphire, and even more so when he learned that she was sentient. He was

very eager learn about what Adam had told her about her kind and she had spent much time with him since her

hatching, Hagrid living near the forest meant there were always plenty of mice and rats around for her to eat.

Apparently she had got quiet good at surprise attacks; she used her wings, although her muscles were not yet strong

enough to let her fly they were strong enough to let her glide and drop down right on top of her prey. It was at

this time that Harry noticed a pair of stretchy areas of skin (he believe called winglets) behind her head and at

the end of her tail. When watching her glide he had seen that they opened up like four miniature wings to support

the head and tail during a glide, these were especially useful now as she was only forty centimetres in length.

Harry had worried about where she would stay when she got bigger and what she would eat but those were problems for

later as tonight she was staying with Hagrid as that evening was the day of the Equinox Ball.
________________________________________________________________________

Dimension: 563 - Earth
Date: 23rd September 2001 AD
Country: Britain - Scotland
Location: Hogwarts - Dumbledore's Office
Time: Early Evening

The group assembling in the Headmaster's Office was extremely well dressed.

The Headmaster of course was dressed in extremely colourful and flamboyant dress robes complete with wizards hat.

McGonagall was wearing much more restrained but equally as beautiful formal dress robes.

Ron was wearing his newer of his two sets of dress robes as well as a cloak that had come with the robes that Harry

had given him, like the ones that the Durmstrang students had been wearing at the Yule Ball two years earlier that

tied around one shoulder and hung on the other; this set was red with gold highlights that matched Hermione's red

Acromantulas silk dress.

Neville was dressed similarly to Ron except his cloak was a deep blue to match Luna's silk dress and highlighted in

gold.

Harry was garbed in a similar outfit to both the other male students except his robes were black with silver

highlights.

Ginny's and Buffy's dresses were both strapless and red and pink respectively and finally Colette and Fleur's were

both silver with the two straps meeting behind their necks.

None of the Acromantulas silk dresses were overly flamboyant and were all relatively simple and tight fitting with

the main difference being the type (if present) of the shoulder straps and how low cut the dresses were, those with

straps were rather low cut, something that Ron was definitely appreciating as it was showing him that Hermione had

developed some rather pleasant curves....especially around the chest region.

And finally Adam was dressed in something that might be seen in an old fashioned Muggle historical drama. A strange

sort of black dress shirt that had buckles on both sides which got progressively closer together the further down

the shirt they went, one side Harry guessed were purely decorative. Along with the shirt there was a pair of black

trousers with a sword belt around it, complete with a rapier hanging from it. Over his shoulders was a normal

cloak, similar to the one that Malfoy Senior often wore. In the Muggle world everyone would have thought him out of

date but in the Wizarding World his attire looked perfectly normal.

Fleur, Colette, Buffy and Luna were looking excited, Neville, Ginny and Harry were looking nervous, Ron and

Hermione were looking awkward at attending together and finally Adam, Dumbledore and McGonagall were wearing amused

expressions at the looks on everyone else's faces. The only other people in the room were those other student

members of the Wizengamot that were present, those female members and the partner of the male members were all

looking jealously at all those wearing the Acromantulas silk, proving that elaborate designs for the dresses were

really not needed.

"Are we ready?" asked Dumbledore.

After several nods and confirmations a portkey was held out and everyone took a hold.
________________________________________________________________________

They arrived outside a large mansion with a long set of steps that led up to the doors, there were several Auror

guards dressed in their best robes around the doors and at regular positions around them, there were several other

well dressed people getting out of carriages or climbing up the steps.

"Welcome to the Minister of Magic's weekend residence." Smiled Dumbledore "Shall we make our entrance?"

"We shall." Smiled Harry as the group paired up, somewhat awkwardly for Ron and Hermione.

Walking up the long staircase they followed the red carpet through the main doors, down a long hall to a doorway

that led into a massive ballroom.

On the door was a Ministry Official taking invitations and announcing everyone as they entered.

Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stepped up first; neither had brought partners and were content to go solo.

"Lord Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First Class, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the

International Confederation of Wizards and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" hollered the

doorman as he was handed Dumbledore's invite, followed by Professor McGonagall's "Baroness Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

Next Colette and Adam stepped up.

"Lady Colette Fontaine and Master Adam Berio-Megil...Megil..."

Harry saw Adam whisper in the ear of the embarrassed doorman.

"Thank you," he whispered back "Megiltura!"

Next came Neville and Luna.

"Baron Neville Longbottom and Miss Luna Lovegood!"

And lastly it was their turn; stepping up to the doorman they saw his eyes bulge at the names on the invites (the

number of guests changed to display the names of those attending just before they left).

"Thane Harry James Potter, Viscount of the House of Gryffindor and Baron of the House of Black, Lady Fleur

Delacour, daughter of Comte Dimitri Delacour of France, Master Ronald Weasley, Miss Hermione Granger, Miss Ginevra

Weasley and Miss Buffy Summers."

By the time the entire list of names had been read out almost the entire hall was looking in their direction, no

one was concerned with the other Hogwarts students entering behind them as everyone was either looking at

Dumbledore, himself and Fleur, Colette and Adam, Ron and Hermione or Buffy and Ginny who were walking arm in arm as

they had been for most of the journey, it was rather a good pairing as the growing form of Ginny was the closest in

height to the short form of Buffy, the looks ranged from curious, to fascinated, interested to utterly furious.

Fudge belonged to the furious group; he was having a heated argument with one of his officials who was wishing he

had a different job.

As the group moved down the large set of stairs that they had to walk down to enter the room, Dumbledore turned to

them and smiled at them.

"Try not to stir things up too much."

"Oh, we will definitely try not to stir things up TOO much." Grinned Colette as she and Adam continued past

Dumbledore down onto the dance floor.

As the group dissipated into the crowd, Harry smiled at Fleur.

"Shall we?"

"We shall." She replied.
________________________________________________________________________

Harry and Fleur spent the first few minutes quietly wandering around the hall while people tried to introduce

themselves to them, either because of who they were or because of the silk making up Fleur's dress, Harry literally

did see women (and several businessmen) salivating at the sight of the dress, some of the people who introduced

themselves looked so eager to get their hands on the dress that Harry and Fleur started counting their fingers

after each hand shake encase they took any to try to trade them back to them in exchange for the silk. Two had

already tried to tread on the dress in the hope of ripping some off.

They got their first break when they saw a space that allowed them to access the dance floor and escape from the

approaching form of another quick fingered businessman.

Moving onto the ballroom floor they weaved their way amongst the couples until they were right in the middle of the

floor, as they danced around they got their first chance to actually look at the room they were in. It was a vast

ballroom with an extremely high ceiling and a length and width that would have taken several minutes of

uninterrupted walking to get from one end to the other, the walls were almost entirely filled with plain glass

windows that stretched up to the ceiling. The room was decorated in gold's and other bright colours, a massive

mural covered the ceiling depicting important events in Wizarding history and a mosaic stretched the length of the

floor, they must have taken months and months to make.

As the song came to an end they left the ring of dancers, making their exit on the other side of the dance floor.

They quickly moved through the crowd until they reached a selection of comfortable sofas and other assorted seating

along the edge of the room.

"Why do I get the feeling that tonight is going to be more about dodging people than about actually enjoying the

evening?" Sighed Harry as they seated themselves in a secluded corner.

"Probably because it will be." Answered a familiar voice.

"Amelia." Harry smiled, standing and turning towards the Director as she approached.

"Harry, a pleasure to see you again."

"Likewise. Allow me introduce my girlfriend Fleur Delacour."

"Director Bones." Fleur greeted, extending her hand

"Lady Delacour," she returned, taking the offered hand "Call me Amelia."

"Only if you call me Fleur." She smiled back, gesturing to the chair beside them.

"There are many rumours flying about regarding you two." commented Amelia as she seated herself "Most think you are

an item but most believe that either you have enthralled Harry or that he is using his fame and money to get you."

"Neither is true." Fleur replied firmly "My family is already very wealthy and Arry is impervious to Veela Powers."

"Really?" asked Amelia "Impressive."

"It's just like Occlumency." He replied "You just need to tweak it a bit."

"None the less, to be that good at Occlumency at such a young age is most impressive."

"I had good teachers."

"Knowing you Harry, I do not think I would be surprised if Merlin himself taught you." She smiled, before her face

turned slightly more formal "So that you are aware, the Order of Merlin's will be awarded later this evening."

"Order of Merlin's?" asked Fleur "What Order of Merlin's?"

"Those for all the students at the DOM as well as Cedric Diggory at the insistence of Harry." Explained Amelia,

while Harry tried to push himself back into a corner as the subject was discussed "Harry was going to refuse his

award if Cedric did not receive one as well."

"Arry," said Fleur turning to him "Why did you not tell me about this?"

"I didn't want to make it look like I was boasting or anything." He shrugged.

"Oh Arry." She sighed "I know you better than that; at least this explains that area of your mind I could not see."

"So you are mated then?" asked Amelia, her eyes showed a look an awful lot like Dumbledore's twinkle.

Realising what she had just done, Fleur groaned lightly and cursed in French under her breath, making Amelia's

smile grow.

"I will take that as a yes then, do not worry I will not tell anyone." She chuckled "But it does explain the great

change in your personality since I first saw you at the trial. Make sure you take care of him, Fleur."

"I fully intend to." She smiled back.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice asked as she, Ron, Ginny and Buffy approached them "What have you done?"

"What do you mean?" he asked back.

"I mean what have you done?" she asked again, both her hands would have been on her hips if one had not been looped

through Ron's arm "No less than twenty people have come up to Ron, Ginny and myself since we have been here and

congratulated us, and notably they were all members of the Wizengamot, and as you joined the Wizengamot last

weekend it means you are probably involved. So what have you done?"

"Hermione," he said, feigning innocence so badly that anyone would know he was acting "You wound me. You believe

that just because I was at the meeting that I am responsible for you all receiving the Order of Merlin."

"WHAT!!!" exclaimed Ron and Ginny making Buffy jump out of her skin and making several people look at them.

"You are all, along with Harry, Baron Longbottom and Miss Lovegood receiving the Order of Merlin for your actions

over the last six years." Explained Amelia, none of the others seemed to notice her until she spoke "It was just to

be the six of you at the Ministry but Harry insisted that Cedric Diggory receive one as well."

"Harry, how did....how did....how....Just how?" Ron stuttered.

"It actually was not me." Replied Harry "You can thank Amos Diggory, he was the one who proposed it and before

Neville and I could refuse McGonagall, your father and Moody had all stepped up and agreed to the proposal, so I

did the only thing I could do to make sure that the family of the real hero of the Triwizard Tournament got

something as well."

Both the Weasley's still seemed rather shocked, though Buffy was still looking a bit confused.

"What is this Merlin Order thingamajig? Some sort of award?"

"The Order of Merlin, First, Second and Third Class are the three highest awards that any Witch or Wizard can

achieve." Explained Amelia "They are awarded for cases of extreme bravery, for heroic acts, for sacrificing oneself

for others and for great other contributions to Wizarding society. Amelia Bones, Director of Magical Law

Enforcement."

"Buffy Summers?" replied Buffy, extending her hand and shaking Amelia's firmly "Hogwarts MD Professor."

"Pleasure."

"Likewise." Returned Buffy "So how many get this Order thingy?"

"Not many, the only person you probably know who has one is Dumbledore for his defeat of the Dark Lord Grindelwald

in 1945."

"Eermione?" came Fleur's voice, drawing the attention of everyone else "Eermione?"

She waved her hand in front of the girls face but it remained as blank as it had been since they were told they

were to receive the Order of Merlin.

"Mione?" asked Ron "Mione!"

"Hermione for heaven sake start breathing again." Commanded Harry "We don't want you passing out on us."

"Order....of....Mmm...." She tried, her face still totally blank "Mmm....Mmeerr....Mmeerr."

"Merlin." Supplied Harry "Yes Hermione, you are getting one."

"Mr Weasley," chuckled Amelia "You had better get Miss Granger a drink, a strong one, I don't think she will be

fully functional again until she has had one."
________________________________________________________________________

Harry and Fleur spent the next couple of hours, after Hermione's recovered from the shock, quietly meeting and

talking with the parties other residents.

Either Dumbledore, McGonagall, Amelia, Andromeda (who they met up with shortly after meeting Amelia) or Colette and

her partner were usually somewhere nearby to intercept any incoming Ministry Official or other person who wanted to

talk to them for any other reason than simply enjoying the party. Harry had never known before that night just how

powerful a stare Professor McGonagall could put on, half of the people she intercepted turned around at the mere

look on her face.

Amos Diggory and his wife also seemed to be nearby a lot of the time, they appeared to have taken it upon

themselves to make sure that Harry's evening was as peaceful as possible, something that Harry and Fleur were very

glad about.

"Harry." A familiar voice called from a short distance away.

"Mr Weasley," Harry returned, turning to look at the man and his wife, both dressed in expensive looking clothes,

though being Mr Weasley, his were not quite as conventional as everyone else's. They were even more flamboyant than

Dumbledore's, and likewise Mrs Weasley dress was also slightly eccentrically coloured "Mrs Weasley."

"Harry, I wish to apologize for what I said at the will reading," said Mrs Weasley "You were right, I did not know

the facts and...."

"Mrs Weasley," interrupted Harry "Don't worry about it, you're right, you didn't know all the facts, but now you

do. Let's not mention it again."

Mrs Weasley's appeared shocked for a moment before her face spread into a wide smile and she pulled him into a

tight hug.

"Thank you Harry." She sobbed "Thank you."

"Ah, Harry." A voice called across the ballroom.

"Oh ffff….fudge." Harry swore as he and Mrs Weasley separated.

"Literally." Joked Fleur.

"Want us to try to get rid of him Harry?" asked Arthur.

"No," Harry smiled, as he sent his orbiting bodyguards, who at this time were the Diggory's, a subtle hand signal

to allow Fudge to reach him "I am going to enjoy this."

"As you wish Harry," smiled Arthur as Molly took his hand and began to walk away "Try not to tease him too much."

Harry sent them a wink just before Fudge arrived.

"Harry my boy," greeted the Minister, wearing that ghastly smile he usually wore when he was sure he was in control

of a situation, following close behind him was a small man wearing a set of robes which would not have looked out

of place on a Dwarf, and a rather uncomfortable expression on his face "How have you been?"

"Well, thank you Minister, yourself?"

"Not bad Harry, not bad at all."

"I believe you know my date. Lady Delacour."

An expression of annoyance flashed across the Ministers face before he resumed his ghastly smile.

"Of course, how are you Miss Delacour?"

"Well, thank you Mr Fudge." She replied, deliberately leaving off his title as he did hers, making that annoyed

expression appear again briefly.

"Miss Delacour, would you be so kind as to let me talk to Harry in private."

"I have no secrets from Fleur." Harry added quickly.

Fudge's face flashed with anger again for a moment before he once again assumed his horrible mask.

"Very well Harry. It has come to the attention of the Ministry that you have in your possession a dangerous

creature."

"Dangerous creature?....Oh, my wyvern you mean."

"Precisely." Smiled Fudge "The Ministry will have to ask you to give up this creature; it is far too dangerous to

be allowed to remain around students."

"How so?"

"A fire breathing dragon is very dangerous Harry," replied the Minister in a tone that made him seem like he was

talking to a child, trying to explain why they weren't allowed a wand yet "There is a reason all dragons are rated

dangerous five ‘X' creatures, they are too dangerous to be kept domestically."

"But Sapphire isn't a true dragon, same ancestry yes, but she is not a dragon," replied Harry "She's a wyvern."

"Yes, but Harry...."

"And there is no mention of wyvern's in the dangerous creatures list as the species was believed extinct by the

time it was published; thusly you cannot call her a five ‘X' creature without proof that she is dangerous, proof

which you do not have."

"But you see Harry...."

"The proper procedure for this sort of situation is for the creature to be monitored and then judged how dangerous

it is," explained Hermione as she and Ron walked into the scene "In the meantime Minister; you have no legal right

to try to take Sapphire from Harry or Hogwarts without the Headmaster's permission."

"A permission you do not have." Added Dumbledore as he came up behind the Minister, making him and his official

jump "I have seen nothing to indicate that the wyvern known as Sapphire is in anyway dangerous to the students or

any of the other inhabitants of the school or grounds....not counting the rats."

"Thank you Headmaster." Smiled Hermione before turning back to the Minister "As I was saying, you have no evidence

that Sapphire is dangerous and as such you have no legal right to try to remove Sapphire from the school."

"Thanks Hermione." Smiled Harry before the pair turned back to the Minister.

Fudge was shaking in anger but managed to compose himself long enough to send a glare at Hermione that clearly said

that she would pay for siding against him, before turning and striding off, his official trailing behind him.

"I think that's four nil to us now." Smiled Harry "Why does he always think that we are on good terms whenever we

meet?"

"And when will he realize that he cannot win against you?" Asked Ron.

"Not soon enough." Replied Hermione. "Now let's get back to enjoying the evening."
________________________________________________________________________

The remainder of the evening was mostly spent dancing; the girls resurrected their game of ‘Pass the Potter',

except now it was pass the Potter, Weasley, Longbottom and Guardian. It seemed only fair as two of the ladies did

not have partners with them.

Everything seemed to be going well for Harry until Buffy passed him to Ginny for the second time.

It started just like all his other dances, Harry holding her by her hand and waist as he should, but the song being

a slow waltz made the pair move closer, Ginny putting her hands around his neck and him looping his around her

waist, still perfectly innocent, just like all the other couples in their group were dancing.

But then it happened.

Ginny sighed and leaned her head against his chest.

Harry was slightly shocked by it, but thought nothing of it until one of the hands on his shoulders started to play

with the ends of his hair.

His eyes widened but he dared not say anything, he tried to pull away but his body didn't seem to want to

cooperate, as if the message where being sent but they were not being picked up by his body. He tried to think of

something else he could do but his mind seemed to be filled with fog.

He glanced around to see if there was anyone who could help him escape, he locked eyes with Colette who was

currently standing off the dance floor, she also seemed to have noticed Ginny's behaviour and looked like she was

trying hard to work out if she should be smirking at his plight, angry at Ginny for doing whatever it was she was

doing or just shrugging it off as she knew as he did that the mating prevented anything from happening.

But in that case, why did Ginny standing there pressed against him feel so right.
________________________________________________________________________

Fleur was experiencing this odd feeling, as if someone or something else was present in the link between her and

her mate, like being in a room full of mist, she knew Harry was there but the mist was disrupting her sense of

direction so that she could not figure out exactly where, not to mention the fact that the mist should not have

been there in the first place.

"Are you alright Fleur?" asked Neville, her current dance partner, he had obviously noticed how distracted she

seemed.

"I.. ..I don't know."
________________________________________________________________________

Ginny was in heaven, she had her head on the chest of the man she cared for and he was holding her while they

swayed to music.

Her mind seemed to be filled with mist, blocking out everything but Harry and herself.

She forgot that they were at the ball, she forgot that he was with Fleur and she forgot all about that odd stirring

she felt whenever she saw Draco Malfoy.

She sighed again and slowly opened her eyes.

Looking at his chest she saw the necklace she had given him, its outline and the red glow emanating from its eyes

were visible through his shirt.

As soon as she saw it everything came flooding back and she jumped back from Harry.

"I....I....I need to visit the bathroom." She said quickly before turning and moving away at speed, as she left the

eyes of the necklace faded and Harry and Fleur's minds began to clear.
________________________________________________________________________

As soon as she got into the ladies room she almost ran into the nearest cubical and slammed the door, locking it

behind her.

Leaning against the door she took her head in her hands.

She felt like tearing her hair out, what was she doing.

She was over Harry....she was.

But in that case why had she bought that necklace for him, there had been plenty of others both magical and

ordinary, but she got him that one, the one with the special charm on it.

It was wrong

It was done

She was interfering with his happiness

What about her happiness.

She didn't feel for Harry any more, he was like a brother to her.

A brother she wanted to snog senseless.

She had the beginning if feelings for Draco.

She had full on feelings for Harry.

"SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP!!!!!!!!"
________________________________________________________________________

Dimension: 563 - Earth
Date: 24th September 2001 AD
Country: Britain - Scotland
Location: Hogwarts - Disused Classroom
Time: Early Morning

Early the next morning in a long disused classroom in one of the quieter corridors of Hogwarts, five people sat

around a pentagon drawn within a chalk circle.

There was a candle at every point where two or more of the lines met, all were burning just enough to illuminate

the lower halves of the faces of each of the people, their black cloaks and hoods hid their eyes and the rest of

their features.

As one, each extended their left hand over the bowl that was situated at the centre of the pentagon, allowing the

fresh cuts that they had just made in them to drip into it, making a small pool of blood appear where the five

trickles of blood met at its centre.

One of them picked up a series of ingredients and added them to the bowl before carefully picking up a couple of

light hairs and a phoenix core wand lying to the side.

Dropping the hairs into the bowl the figure pointed the wand at it and waited for the other four to grip the wand

around her hand before they all whispered.

"Morsmordre!"

There was deadly silence as magic was sucked into the bowl, before turning around and blasting back outwards,

briefly filling the room with green light, illuminating the cloaked figure with a silver hand standing in the

corner.

The five slumped forward panting at the energy drain before the obvious leader of the five pulled up their left

sleeve to reveal a female arm and the mark upon it.

The woman smiled before turning to the figure in the corner and holding out the wand for him to take.

"It is done."

"Our master will be pleased." Replied the figure, taking and pocketing the wand "You will be rewarded for your

loyalty. For now, I have my own mission to complete."

Nothing else was said as the figure transformed and disappeared from sight.
________________________________________________________________________

HARRY POTTER & OTHER HOGWARTS STUDENTS RECEIVES ORDER OF MERLIN
By Luna Lovegood

Last night at the Equinox Ball, the most prominent event in the Wizarding calendar, the guests were in for quiet

the surprise, as is usual Albus Dumbledore journeyed down from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with any

students who were also to attend, though this year he brought quiet the crowd with him.

Also as per usual Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress came too but along with them came Baron Neville

Longbottom, son of Frank and Alice Longbottom who were tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange during the last war with

Voldemort and hero of the Department Of Mysteries accompanied by Miss Luna Lovegood, the author of this article,

daughter of the Editor of the Quibbler and also present at the DOM, Professor Adam Berio-Megiltura, one of Hogwarts

new Muggle Defence Professors and still a mystery as regards his origins, as the guest to Professor Colette

Fontaine teacher of Alternative Magic at Hogwarts daughter of Councillor Fontaine of the French Council of Power.

I think our readers can agree that although these guests were unusual for the ball, there is nothing particularly

odd about them, but the best is yet to come.

Next in the list was Lord Potter-Gryffindor-Black, the famous Harry Potter himself, holder of the titles of

Viscount Gryffindor, Thane Potter, Baron Black and Sir Evan's, probably the most famous living wizard alive due to

his numerous triumphs over the so called ‘Dark Lord' Voldemort.

Lord Gryffindor was accompanied by the beautiful Lady Fleur Delacour, History of Magical Creatures Professor at

Hogwarts and daughter of the eminent Comte Delacour, one of the leading figures in the French Council of Power,

confirming the rumours that the two are in a relationship with each other that probably started during Miss

Delacour's rescuing of Mr Potter during the summer, and encase anyone is thinking she has him under the Imperious

Curse or is controlling him using Veela Power, the students of both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons can confirm that he is

impervious to both forms of mental control.

And lastly due to a complication in the way that the invitations are set up, Harry Potter and Fleur Delacour

between them were legally able to bring four guests.

Mr Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger, best friends of Lord Harry Potter and participants in the battle at

the Department of Mysteries, Miss Ginevra Weasley, sister of Ronald Weasley, another close friend of Lord Potter

and another participant of the battle at the Department of Mysteries and finally Professor Buffy Summers, the

American who has assumed the other role of Muggle Defence Professor at Hogwarts and who has become good friends

with Lord Potter and his friends.

And if the unusual guests were not enough, Miss Lovegood, Miss Fontaine, Lady Delacour, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley

and Miss Summers were all in dresses made out of, if you can believe it, ACROMANTULAS SILK.

Yes readers you read correctly, Acromantulas Silk, one of the most valued fabrics in the entire Wizarding World.

The vast quantity of silk was acquired by Lord Potter from the Acromantulas and was turned into dresses by

Professor Fontaine.

Be warned readers, the giant spiders do not give their silk away, they apparently owed Lord Potter a favour which

was the sole reason that they did not kill him on site for entering their hollow, since the silk was first seen

around Hogwarts several students have tried to acquire silk from them and only swift action by Hogwarts Keeper of

Keys and Grounds Rubeus Hagrid saved their lives, NO ONE should attempt to acquire Acromantulas Silk unless they

have a prior relationship with the spiders in question.

All six of the ladies were the centre of attention and many jealous looks were sent their way as they moved around

the ballroom.

At the end of the evening the biggest surprise of all was the awarding of The Order of Merlin Third Class to Miss

Luna Lovegood, Baron Neville Longbottom and posthumously to Cedric Diggory, The Order of Merlin Second Class to

Miss Hermione Granger, Miss Ginevra Weasley and Mr Ronald Weasley and finally the awarding of The Order of Merlin

First Class to Lord Harry Potter for their efforts in fighting Voldemort and his supporters during their lifetimes.

Together the six of them make up the six youngest receivers of the award ever. Beating the previous youngest

receiver back in....
________________________________________________________________________

Dimension: 563 - Earth
Date: 24th September 2001 AD
Country: Britain - Scotland
Location: Hogwarts - Gryffindor Common Room - Sixth Year Girls Dormitory
Time: Early Morning

In the Sixth Year Girls Dormitories in Gryffindor Tower, a bushy haired brunette stretched as she slowly awoke, the

memories of the previous evening bringing a smile back to her face.

She had danced around with Ron for most of the evening; it was as good as she dreamed it would be, he had held her

in his arms and they had danced and danced and danced. Her head lying on his chest, his warm arms holding her

close, his breath on her neck as he smelled her hair.

She had been in heaven; she had never wanted the evening to end.

And then to top it all off, when those four ancient looking wizards had joined Professor Dumbledore on those steps

and had called them each up one by one to join the elite ranks of those to hold the Order of Merlin, she thought

her life could never get any better.

Slowly opening her eyes, she looked over towards the chair beside her bed where her silk dress laid, the purple and

silver sash marking her out as an OOMSC holder and the silver medal itself on its purple and white ribbon laying in

its open box beside it.

When she had got back the night before almost every Gryffindor female was waiting for Ginny and herself in their

rooms, they spent over an hour interrogating them about the evening while their dresses, sashes and medals were

passed around, when Hermione had finally managed to get them all out of her room, she went to bed and fell asleep

as soon as her head touched the pillow.

The only odd thing about the entire evening had been the slightly distracted looks on the faces that Harry, Fleur,

Colette and Ginny had developed shortly before they had been awarded their medals.

Sitting up in bed she gave a satisfied stretch before reaching for her dressing gown, slipping out of bed and

making her way towards the girl's bathroom.

Most of the other girls seemed to be stirring as well so Hermione would have to be quick if she wanted the bathroom

to herself. She passed a couple of younger girls in the corridor; none looked particularly awake as they rubbed the

long sleeves of their pyjamas against their eyes.

Pushing the door open, Hermione moved straight to the sink to wash the nights grime away.

Rolling her dressing gowns sleeves up she turned on the tap and splashed some water on her face.

Closing her eyes she took a breath before opening her eyes and looking at herself in the mirror.

Seeing what she thought was a bit of dirt on her left arm just under her rolled up sleeve, she made an annoyed

sound before shaking the water of her hands and began to pull her sleeve back further.

Just as she was about to pick up the soap she looked at the mark more closely, before jumping back in panic.

There on her arm, was the last thing she expected to see.

The Dark Mark.


AUTHORS NOTE 1: The original idea for the Equinox Ball idea came from Cry on FFA, specifically her story ‘Scion of

Gryffindor' (a very good read). I have her permission to use the idea so thank you Cry for letting me use it, and

if you have not read the above story (a Harry/Tonks pairing), I highly recommend that you do.