Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Single White Rose	By : Pat Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 5839 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
The Halloween Ball
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hold still, Neville, and stop squirming, or we'll never get this done," said Hermione.

Neville sat in a chair watching warily as Hermione prepared the small spell that would send the hairdressing shears through his hair, cutting and styling his still damp hair.

Hermione, as usual, was the first one who'd completed her toilette and was currently wearing a striking formal gown of darkest blue. She'd curled her hair and wore it in an upswept style that suited her quite well.

Neville had just finished complimenting her when she took a close look at him, frowned, and then she proceeded to take him in hand. She told him that he needed to trim his hair and bangs, otherwise he'd end up resembling a sheepdog.

"Just be sure not to take too much off," Neville said. "Blaise likes it a bit long," he offered.

Hermione hid a smirk.

"Don't worry, Nevvy, with your new robes and haircut, you'll blow Blaise right over," Hermione said with genuine warmth.

Hermione flicked her wand and uttered the incantation and the shears flew around Neville's head. Within a few minutes, it was done.

"There, you look dazzling," Hermione said, brushing off a few loose hairs with a towel. "Have a look at yourself," she said, handing Neville a small hand-held mirror.

Neville cautiously brought the mirror up for a peek. Hermione was right; he did look better with a trim.

"Thank you, Hermione," he said. "You're a good friend. I just can't believe I even have a date for the Ball. It all seems like a daydream, if you know what I mean," Neville said.

Seamus chose that moment to pop in from the corridor, bringing with him the corsage he was planning to give to Pansy Parkinson.

"Bloody Hell! Why Sprout keeps those venomous tentacula in the greenhouse is beyond me. The vines almost strangled me on my way past," Seamus said puffing out of breath.

"Seamus, I told you to wait for Professor Sprout before going into the greenhouse by yourself," said Hermione in a scolding manner.

"What, and wait in line with all the others? No thanks. I wanted the best flowers for Pansy and I got them. See?" said Seamus, holding up a cluster of exotic orchids he clutched in his hand.

"They are lovely," Hermione said in a gentler tone. "Would you like me to cast the preservation spell for you?" she said, offering her assistance.

"Thanks, love, I've got to get a move on and get changed," Seamus said.

"Take Neville with you, it's time he got changed as well," Hermione reminded him.

"Come on you lummox," Seamus said affectionately. "Time to make ourselves scrummy for our dates," Seamus said, grabbing Neville by the arm and leading him up the stairs.

Lavender came flying down the stairs screeching at the top of her lungs at the same moment.

"Hermione, oh do lend a hand! Parvati is ruining my makeup. Please come up and help me," Lavender said in dramatic tones.

Hermione sighed. She quickly cast the preservation spell on the orchids and left them on the table for Seamus before she turned to go upstairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blaise stood waiting in the corridor outside of the Gryffindor Common Room, where several other students from different Houses had gathered waiting for their dates to make an appearance. The two Ravenclaws he recognized and greeted them by name, but he couldn't identify the Hufflepuff and so walked over to introduce himself.

Blaise looked down at the boutonniere made up of a white rose he held in his hand for Neville and frowned slightly. He'd considered getting Neville something more showy and exotic, but Pansy had managed to talk him out of it.

"Why change something that's already perfect?" she'd asked.

Pansy had told him that, according to Seamus, Neville still kept the initial rose that he'd been given in a small vase on his night table, beside the bed, and renewed the preservation spell each night.

"Point taken," had said Blaise with a rueful smile.

"You look very well, young man," said the fat lady gravely, interrupting his thoughts.

Blaise looked up, taken aback by the initiation of conversation on behalf of the portrait. Gryffindor portraits were notoriously hostile to Slytherin students.

"Why thank you, Madam," Blaise replied and sketched a bow towards her.

"I was acquainted with Neville's parents when they were students here themselves. They were a very good sort you know, very solid," the lady in the portrait declared.

The portrait swung open just then to allow Parvati, Lavender and Seamus to climb out into the corridor. Seamus trotted off towards the Slytherin Dormitories to pick up Pansy, while Parvati and Lavender hooked up with their Ravenclaw dates.

The portrait closed again and the fat lady resumed her monologue.

"The Longbottoms are like that, not flashy, but good solid stock. You could do a lot worse," she said, nodding her head in imperious fashion.

The fat lady pinned him a hard look. "Young Neville often stops by to speak with me. He's a very nice young man and has a tender and trusting heart."

Blaise heard the implicit warning.

"I know that he does," Blaise agreed. "I'll be careful," he promised.

The fat lady harrumphed.

"See that you do."

The portrait once again swung open and Blaise saw Neville standing there. Neville was wearing the sky blue robes and had obviously taken great care with his appearance. His hair was neatly trimmed and he wore a new pair of shoes.

Blaise smiled at Neville as Neville carefully stepped out into the corridor.

"You look amazing, Neville," he said. "This is for you," he continued and held out the rose boutonniere.

Neville took the boutonniere with a steady hand.

"Thank you, you look fantastic yourself," Neville replied, looking admiringly at his date. Blaise had chosen a formal set of robes in a deep shade of forest green that set off his matching green eyes.

Blaise uttered the small charm as Neville held the boutonniere against his chest and over his heart. Neville's heart was thumping painfully with excitement.

Blaise slipped his arm into Neville's and smiled.

"Time to go, love," he said, squeezing Neville's hand and leading him towards the stairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Professor McGonagall stood beside Professor Sinistra at the punch bowl, sipping the overly sweet concoction. She kept a sharp eye on Crabbe and Goyle, who'd been lurking near the refreshments in what she supposed was an attempt at subtlety on their part.

She shook her head in dismay at Professor Sinistra, who just shrugged her shoulders. It wouldn't be a party without those two dolts trying to spike some part of the refreshment.

Minerva wondered how on earth those two functioned without Malfoy constantly pulling their strings. Well, apparently not very successfully if their party activity was anything to go by. Neither one of them had come with a date.

Minerva looked out on the dance floor and witnessed Seamus Finnigan and Pansy Parkinson taking advantage of a lively reel. Now that was an interesting state of affairs.

Pansy had, up until now, been pretty much exclusive with Draco Malfoy. As she sipped her cup, she realized that the gossip the portraits had been passing along did, in fact, have a basis in fact. Interesting.

Professor Sinistra nudged her gently with her elbow and Minerva turned her head towards the entrance to the Great Hall that came from the stairs. There, arm in arm, were Blaise Zabini and his date, Neville Longbottom.

"So Severus might win those galleons after all," murmured Sinistra into Minvera's ear.

The entire staff had been speculating over the seemingly incongruous match-up between Longbottom and Zabini. The debate over whether it would turn serious had ended up in a small wager.

Severus had insisted that Zabini was quite earnest in his attentions and had plunked down the galleons to prove it. He asserted that Zabini would commit himself before the year was out.

Professors Flitwick, Sinistra and Madame Hooch had all disagreed and matched the five galleon wager.

"It never pays to question Severus' knowledge of his Slytherins," Minerva said. "He has a very good handle on them. Zabini seems to be a good sort---for a Slytherin," she said with a mocking smile.

Sinistra snorted with derision, but moved on to speak to Albus Dumbledore without saying anything further.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Neville stood happily by Blaise as he chattered away to some of his fellow Slytherins.

Neville swung his head back and forth, admiring all the decorations that the house elves had worked so hard on. They were simply perfect.

There were jack-o-lanterns on each table with magical candles inside, live bats swooping throughout the Hall, sparkling cobwebs that were strategically draped around the tables as well as magical miniature paper beasts that ran up and down the tables, all lent themselves to making the ballroom entirely enchanting.

"Neville, Neville," said Blaise, breaking into Neville's thoughts.

"Sorry," Neville flushed, realizing that this wasn't the first time Blaise had tried to get his attention.

Blaise grinned.

"I wanted to know if I may have the first dance," he asked with a half bow.

"Yes, of course." Neville replied.

Blaise led Neville out to the dance floor and encircled his waist and led Neville in time to the slower dance being played by the Bean Sidhe, the band that had been hired to play for the ball and was quite popular in Hogsmeade.

Neville, in a bold move, snuggled in close against Blaise's body. Blaise ran his lips gently over his neck and bit lightly at Neville's earlobe while murmuring gentle encouragement.

Neville had never felt both so peaceful and happy. It was a fantasy come true to have someone who both loved and cared for him. Someone he could always turn to. He felt overcome with happiness and gratitude.

The music faded into the background for Neville and all he was really aware of was the scent of his boyfriend and the heat of his body. Blaise smelled like oranges and musk. Neville wanted to climb inside of Blaise and never come out.

Blaise felt Neville nestling up against his chest and his heart contracted painfully. He gently touched Neville's hair and murmured unintelligible words to him.

This felt right, better than right, this felt necessary. Neville had found a special place in Blaise's heart, and it appeared that Blaise had found his partner for life.

Blaise smiled ruefully. Of course, if might take a while to convince Neville of that, but if Slytherins knew anything at all, it was how to plan a battle and win.

Blaise looked over the top of Neville's head and saw Hermione looking at him with a slightly worried expression as she danced with Weasley.

Blaise just smiled and nodded at her as he stroked Neville's hair and Hermione's frown vanished. Well, it appeared he had at least one ally in Gryffindor House.

The dance ended and Hermione skillfully weaved her way with Weasley towards them.

"Hello Blaise, Neville, are you enjoying yourselves?" she said.

"Very much, Hermione," said Blaise charmingly as he watched steam start to come out of Weasley's ears. Draco was right; it was so easy to light a match under this one.

"Ron, dear, would you go and get me some punch? It's a little warm out on the floor," she said, clearly wanting to speak with Blaise.

Ron frowned and was about to object when Neville spoke up.

"Yes, Ron, let's do. I'm a little thirsty myself," he said, hoping to avert any bad feelings with Ron. He knew what a tease Blaise could be when he wanted.

Ron growled something under his breath but started to stomp off, his brand new dark purple robes flapping behind him with a grinning Neville in his wake.

"You shouldn't tease Ron so," Hermione said, beginning to scold the unrepentant Slytherin.

"I'm sorry," he laughed. "It's just so easy sometimes I just can't resist. He's a true Gryffindor," Blaise said.

"You forget, I am a Gryffindor, too," Hermione said in a slightly chillier voice.

Blaise swept down in a full courtly bow.

"Miss Granger, please say you'll forgive me or I will remain devastated to the end of my days," he said in an affected voice.

"Oh do get up, and stop being such a git," Hermione said, cracking a smile.

Hermione began to question Blaise in a round about way as to his intentions towards Neville, and Blaise playfully but sincerely assured her that his intentions were both serious and honorable.

Over at the punch table, Ron was trying to swim through the hordes of thirsty students. Neville had found himself pushed back into a corner.

"Wait here, Neville, you're a little too small to make any serious headway in this crowd. I'll bring back the punch and you can help me carry it back," Ron said as he dove back into the competition for the cut glass cups.

Neville was happily watching Hermione and Blaise chatting across the room when he heard a voice beside him.

"Honestly, you are such a prat, Longbottom. Do rea really think Zabini is doing this because he's fallen for a hunk of lard like yourself?" said the cutting voice of Draco Malfoy.

Neville stiffened. He didn't want to move away because Ron would need his help, but his heart started to beat in a frantic rhythm. Maybe Malfoy would leave if he didn't respond.

Draco saw the hunching of Neville's shoulders and read his body language well. His insecurities were the way to go. He'd make sure that he spoiled the night for this little piece of crap.

"You don't think Blaise could ever be serious about you, do you? What a joke. Blaise bet that he'd have you in bed before the Christmas break," Draco sniggered.

"You're lying," Neville said with a small wobble in his voice. "Blaise isn't like that," he said, his hands curling tightly and his nails biting into his palms.

"Oh, Blaise is a sausage-jockey alright," said Draco dismissively. "I'm sure he'll always be ready to take advantage of some free ass," he snorted.

"Go away, Malfoy," Neville said tiredly, the shine having suddenly dimmed on the evening.

Neville started to move towards Ron, who was coming back with the first cups of punch. He paused and turned back towards Malfoy.

"I'm a Gryffindor, remember? Loyal to the end? You won't change my opinion of Blaise," he said and with that turned his back again on Malfoy.

Draco ground his teeth. This wasn't going quite as he'd planned. Longbottom wasn't in tears or running from the room. He started forward to confront Neville again when Ron returned.

"Is this little twit bothering you, Neville?" Ron said in an eager tone as he handed several cups of punch to Neville.

Ron scowled at Malfoy. He would love any excuse to pound that little shit into the ground.

Draco glared but didn't dare engage Weasley while his bodyguards were off playing hide and seek with McGonagall around the punchbowl.

"No more so than usual, Ron," he said quietly. "The best thing to do in general is to ignore him," Neville forced out a smile.

"Come on, Hermione is waving to us," Neville said and moved off.

Ron backtracked to the table and picked up two more glasses for Hermione and himself.

Ron glared over his shoulder at the sulky blonde as he left the refreshment table. At least he could still hate this Slytherin with impunity. With Harry bonded to Severus and Neville apparently dating Zabini it was getting harder and harder to find the old rivalry intact anymore.

Hermione had chided him about it earlier. She'd explained that, as with any House, the Slytherins were on a continuum. At one end there were the likes of Lucius Malfoy and Draco and at the other extreme, Blaise and Professor Snape. Every individual she pointed out was different, just as it was within their own House.

Ron had vehemently disagreed and stressed the Slytherin history of lies and treachery, until Hermione had gently pointed out that Peter Pettigrew had been a Gryffindor. While Snape, a former death eater and Slytherin, had turned towards the light and now fought for the Order.

"People can't be categorized that easily, Ron," she had said.

And the truth was that Ron's feelings were indeed thawing, at least towards certain Slytherins. Harry was apparently very happy with Snape and Neville worshipped the glib and charming Zabini.

Ron would never understand what Harry saw in the abrasive and sarcastic potions professor, but he could see where Neville would be attracted to Zabini. At least Zabini had a sense of humor and fun.

Hermione smiled at him widely as he handed her the punch. She looked like the cat who'd got the cream.

Ron glanced over at Zabini and Neville standing beside them. Zabini had openly greeted Neville's return with a gentle kiss. Neville was currently as red as a tomato, but he looked pleased.

Ron grunted. Hermione was right, as usual. They'd better start thinking of a wedding gift.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Several lively dances later, Neville had almost put Malfoy's remarks out of his m He He wouldn't allow Malfoy to ruin his evening, but he couldn't help but wonder if there wasn't some kernel of truth in what had been said.

Neville watched as Blaise escorted Hermione out onto the dance floor for his promised dance with her.

Why would someone who was handsome, rich and charming be serious about him?

Neville had little to offer in a financial sense. His grandmother had put enough aside for Neville to attend Hogwarts, but other than that, the Longbottoms had to watch every knut, sickle and galleon.

The Ministry luckily paid most of the monies for his parents' care at St. Mungos. Under the 'victim compensation' law that had been enacted shortly after Voldemort had first arisen, their care was assured for the rest of their natural lives, if necessary. But any "extras" were purchased and provided by the Longbottoms themselves.

Neville and his granny lived quietly at Baxter Cottage located in the Somerset and had no real political ties other than their long standing allegiance as Gryffindors.

Neville sat down on a chair against the wall while Ron hummed and tapped his foot, watching the dancers swirl around the floor.

Neville watched Blaise dancing and laughing with Hermione. He was so handsome with his shaggy sandy-colored hair and brilliant eyes. And Neville was simply... not. Neville didn't believe that Draco was telling the truth about Blaise's intentions, but there was a grain of truth in his vitriol.

Neville carefully catalogued himself. He was slimmer than he'd been, but he'd never be buff, muscular and tall the way Blaise or even Ron were. He was shy and clumsy, except with close friends, and he'd never have the social ease that his other friends seemed to naturally have. And to make matters worse, he'd always have this stupid moonish face that made him look like an overgrown baby.

Neville kicked at the floor hard in frustration, scuffing new new shoes in the process.

Maybe Blaise was just being kind. He could understand that. Hermione, Harry and Ron had always been so good to him as well, despite everything.

Neville's throat tightened and he felt a sharp pang in his heart. But he wanted more with Blaise than just friendship. He wanted to share his life and his future with Blaise. He wanted to wake up each morning with him and fall asleep in his arms each night. He wanted to work beside him and share the good times and the bad with him. He wanted to offer his heart, mind and soul and be accepted and loved in return.

Tears started to prick at his eyes, but Neville ruthlessly suppressed them. Stop it, you're being mawkish, he thought fiercely to himself. What did you expect? Stop being such a prat.

If, in the end, friendship was all Blaise had to offer him, he'd accept that tiny bit of happiness and hold it close to his heart.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The dance had just finished and Blaise had handed Hermione back to Ron when the lights went out. Blaise heard Harry shout Severus' name and the professors were scrambling towards the other side of the ballroom.

Shouts and screams mixed together when reddish toned lights appeared near the antechamber, a sign that dark magic was afoot.

Blaise spun and looked for Neville, who was no where to be seen.

"Where's Neville?" screamed Blaise at Ron, trying to be heard over the noise from the crowd.

Ron and Hermione whipped out their wands and pointed them in the direction of the red lights.

"Back there, in the seats near the antechamber," shouted Ron.

Blaise pushed and shoved against the surging crowd running back towards him, frantic to reach Neville.

Hermione and Ron started to gather the students into a defensive line around Dumbledore in case they were needed. Dumbledore raised his hand for quiet, but at first, the students were too upset and distracted to respond to his first request.

"Geroff me! Move back, get out of my way," Blaise screamed as he continued to fight and claw his way towards the scene of the danger where Neville had last been seen.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Draco flinging himself towards the refreshment table, out of the line of fire. A brief thought crossed his mind that if that little bastard had anything to do with this he'd make it his life's work to murder him.

As Blaise finally burst through the last of the crowd he saw Neville standing behind Hagrid near the door of the antechamber. His head spun crazily with relief that Neville was alright.

"Neville," he gasped out.

Neville turned with his wand drawn, his face pale but determined. Blaise had never thought he looked lovelier.

Neville flung himself into Blaise's arms and was crushed to his chest.

"Are you alright?" Blaise said in a shaky voice.

"Yes, fine," said Neville, his voice muffled against Blaise's chest.

Blaise saw Dumbledore approaching and gently moved Neville aside. It looked like things were pretty much under control, but he couldn't see what was going on in the next room.

"Come on, Neville, let's get you back to your friends," Blaise said, gently herding Neville back into safer territory.

Hermione greeted them enthusiastically upon their return by throwing her arms around Neville and hugging him fiercely.

"Are you alright Nevvy? You frightened us terribly," Hermione asked in a tight voice.

Blaise hovered close by Neville, and found that his hands and arms were trembling with aftershock. Whatever had gone down had been bad, and Neville had been far too close.

Ron noticed Blaise's visible trembling but said nothing.

"Well done, Blaise," Ron said, using Zabini's first name for the first time.

Blaise looked at Ron's grim, but honest, face and realized a bond had been forged this night. He took a deep calming breath and just nodded in Ron's direction.

They all turned towards the direction of the antechamber as they saw the Headmaster coming back out again. The students moved forward and started to mill around him, and with the shock wearing off began to ask questions.

Dumbledore held up his hands for silence and gradually the crowd quieted.

The Headmaster moved slowly out into the ballroom and, with a grim face, made an announcement.

"Wizards and witches, there has been an attempt made on the life of Professor Snape tonight," he paused as sel lol loud gasps were heard from the crowd gathered around him.

"But, it was singularly unsuccessful," he said glancing towards Draco Malfoy, who squirmed a bit under his sharp gaze. Draco looked away and finished the cleaning spell to take the pumpkin remnants off his newest robes.

Ron, with his arm protectively around Hermione, spoke up.

"Headmaster, is Harry alright?" he asked voicing his immediate concern.

"Yes, my dears, our brave Gryffindor has come through with shining colors once again," he said with an impish smile.

"What happened, sir?" Blaise asked.

"As to the details, I'm afraid that's for myself and the Ministry to know. There is no need to burden you all. Please go back and finish your ball," he said.

As Dumbledore looked at their disbelieving faces, he gently continued, "It's rather important that we show that our lives will go on as normal. That's what our enemy wants, to disrupt us, make us afraid and take away our freedom. That, we cannot and will not allow."

Seamus Finnigan snorted. "Not bloody likely. That tosser isn't going to ruin our ball."

Pansy grinned up at Seamus and grabbed his hand to drag him back to the dance floor. Other couples soon followed and the band began to pick up where they left off.

Ron, Hermione, Blaise and Neville moved forward and tried to catch the Headmaster before he left.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Ron called out as they pushed their way through the crowd.

"Yes, my dears?" Dumbledore replied. His eyes still twinkled, but he looked very tired and sad somehow.

"Can we please see Harry?" Hermione asked. "Just for a moment? We want to make sure he's alright."

"Harry and Professor Snape will be meeting with me directly," he said gravely.

"Once they've done so, I'm sending them to bed for some rest. It's been a difficult night for all of us but most especially for them. I'll make sure that Harry knows about your concern and I'm sure, as soon as things settle down, he'll drop by to see you."

Ron looked like he wanted to argue his case further, but Hermione nodded and started to drag Ron off. Blaise and Neville followed them back to the ballroom.

Blaise slipped his arm around Neville's waist and pulled him close.

"I don't really feel like celebrating anymore," said Neville.

"Seamus is right, though, we can't let you-know-who destroy our peace of mind. If we let him do that, he'll have won," said Ron with a determined set to his jaw.

Hermione nodded.

"We'll stay here,Nevvy. Why don't you go and get some rest?" she said with a concerned expression.

"No, I'd just like some air. Would you like to walk in the gardens with me, Blaise?" he said, wanting some time alone with his boyfriend.

Blaise looked down fondly at Neville.

"I'd be honored to escort you, Mr. Longbottom," he said in a teasing manner. "But you'll have to behave and keep your hands to yourself, I'm saving myself for marriage, don't you know?" he said, leering down at his lively armful of Gryffindor.

"Blaise!" Neville said, mortified and going an interesting shade of puce.

Ron and Hermione laughed and waved them off. Blaise and Neville made their way through the crowd and out the front door.

Hermione turned back to Ron and cuddled up close to him.

"Well?" she said.

Ron sighed.

"You're right, of course. He does love him. That's good enough for me."

Hermione lightly kissed Ron, and then they wove their way back into the crowd for one last dance.

TBC
- 6
- 7
- 8
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

A Single White Rose