I Thought You Were A Dementor (rewrite)

Chapter 5 - Things Get Spooky

Chapter 5

It was the night of the ball, at last.

Ginny had been furious at first, commenting on how Hermione was far too fickle for her own good. But as soon as Hermione's dress came one morning, Ginny fell in love with it.

The girls were laughing their heads off in the dorms, all helping each other get ready. It was probably the most laid back Hermione had seen them before a dance; usually they were treating it like a battle field. Ginny was dancing around in hair curlers, straightening Lavender's unruly mane of curls as they all danced around to songs Hermione had never heard in her life. Paravati was in the Ravenclaw common room with Padma, both enjoying their night together as a family. Hermione was thankful that she was going with Dean, he was a close friend of hers and didn't have the awkward history which had blossomed between herself and Ron.

It took hours to get ready; all girls had dyed their hair another colour using a handy charm. It hadn't worked out the first few times, with a few tears from Hermione as her hair turned into a blue Mohawk the first time they tried it. They looked gorgeous as they stumbled down the stairs towards the great hall, the music echoing around the corridors.

Ginny was wearing her leather cat suit, her hair bright red to match her lips. She looked dangerous despite the fact she was wearing cat ears, a tail and had whiskers painted on her face. Lavender was dressed as a pumpkin, wearing a tight orange mini dress. Her hair was dark green to match her heels, Lavender strutted down the halls with a confidence Hermione longed for. The Patil twins wore matching genie costumes, Padma's in a brilliant blue and Paravati in red. They both winked at Hermione as they passed, arm in arm.

Harry bolted forward to take Ginny's hand, his cat whiskers wobbly and his ears crooked. He was wearing plain black dress robes, nearly tripping over them in his haste to get to Ginny. They strode off together into the hall, holding their heads high. Hermione watched Ron stalk into the hall with Hannah Abbot, his face set into a scowl. Hannah's costume matched his, her owl perched upon her shoulder instead of a parrot. Seamus was dressed as Harry Potter for the evening, his dress robes decorated with a Gryffindor tie. He had a scar drawn on his forehead and was wearing comically large round glasses. Lavender's face fell as she saw him, rolling her eyes at his mischievous grin. Pansy Parkinson pushed past Hermione, desperate to get into the view of the boys before anyone else stole her limelight. She was dressed as a skeleton, her tutu bouncing as she rushed to get to Draco. Hermione saw him beside Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott; all waiting for their dates patiently among the other boys. Draco held out his arm for Pansy, smiling as she took it. He was dressed as Count Dracula in Hermione's opinion, but the purebloods probably thought he was any old time vampire. She wasn't even certain if Draco knew what he was based on his ignorance towards the muggle world. Blaise Zabini took the hand of Millicent Bullstrode, smoothly complimenting her tiger costume and making her blush. Astoria Greengrass winked at Hermione, strutting down the stairs in her evil queen costume; a glittering crown of rubies upon her head. She took Theodore's arm, glancing back up the stairs to give Hermione a reassuring nod.

Hermione bravely stepped forward, making her way down the stairs. She saw Dean grinning, his superman costume raising some eyebrows of the purebloods who didn't understand why people were saluting him. Hermione could feel her hands shaking, running them along the stone banister to support herself. Her dress was iridescent blue with a scaled texture. It hugged her figure, a heart shaped top which flowed down into the shape of a mermaids tail with fins spread out from her ankles. Her hair was purple and blue, styled in bouncy waves with a shell crown on top her head. "Why hello there, Ariel." Dean whistled, taking her hand and kissing it. Hermione nodded thankfully at Astoria who was smirking at her. The Slytherin's disappeared into the crowd, the music so loud Hermione could feel it in her chest. Dean led her onto the dance floor, twirling her around playfully.