Thanks again for reading. I know it's different than the book in a few ways, but I'm still following the overall story line I promise x Long chapter ahead!

 Chapter Five: Slugclub Party

The party was going to be here any day now. I was so excited. The first person I told was Ginny and she was happy to here I was able to go. I told Hermione and Harry, but was reluctant to tell Ron because I knew he would be upset that he wasn't the only one not going. Of course, he found out from Ginny and was just as mad as I imagined. Hermione had a date and was no longer planning on taking Ron. I knew she accepted McLaggen's offer to annoy Ron, but I promised to keep it a secret.

Classes remained just as hard as they were before, but potions was fun because Cathal always saved me a seat and invited me to sit over with the other Ravenclaws. It was nice to be with people from my own house for once, besides Luna of course. Draco was still arriving late and not doing his work, but I always caught him looking over at me with a cold expression. He practically stopped talking at me. If I saw him in the hallway, he would insult me but not in the teasing way like before, it was as if he actually meant it. Then a few days after I told everyone I had gotten asked to the Slugclub Ball, Ginny started acting differently. It wasn't because of me in anyway, it was her and Seamus. They began arguing for the first time ever. They normally made up not long after, but they began getting into fights pretty often.

Finally the weekend was here. Ginny, Hermione, and I were all going to Hogsmeade to find dresses for the party. It wasn't overly formal, so we didn't have to worry about getting actual ball gowns, just nice dresses would do. There was only one store in Hogsmeade that sold dresses so we headed straight that way. "Do you have an idea of what you're looking for?" Hermione asked the two of us.

"No idea," I answered her with a shrug.

"I think I want something in green," Ginny answered as we stepped through the door. There were various dresses to chose from so we wouldn't have a problem finding one. Ginny began shuffling through the green dresses while taking a few of her favorites off the rack. I think everyone was trying to stay with Christmas colors in order to be somewhat festive. Hermione began looking at different dresses in white and red.

I didn't want to copy either of them, so I began shuffling through the silver and gold dresses. I took a few minutes to look at them all and pulled out a few of my favorites. "Should we try them on?" Ginny asked while turning to us. We each nodded.

Hermione had three dresses to chose from, Ginny had about five, and I was only between two. I really wasn't that picky when it came to dresses and these two really stood out to me. We went into the dressing rooms and came out after our first dresses. Hermione had a long plain red dress on. "Be honest," she said. Ginny and I looked at each other and shook our head.

"I'm not even going to ask. I don't really like this on me," Ginny said with a laugh looking in the mirror at the strapless pine green dress she had on.

"Well then what about this one?" I asked stepping in front of the mirror and turning around.

"It's alright," Ginny said with a shrug. I decided to try on the silver silk dress first. It had a loose skirt and sequin top. "There's a lot going on with it though. Let's try on our next dresses." 

The second time, Hermione came out in her white dress with a red band and she seemed to like it. Once again, Ginny wasn't happy with the way her dress looked. "I love it, that's the one!" Ginny said quickly when I stepped out.

"Really?" I asked, Hermione and Ginny both nodded. I stepped in front of the mirror. This was the gold dress I spotted when we first came in. It was much shorter than the first on I tried on, but it was a thicker material and tight fitting. There was a gold shimmer to the dress.

"Yes it looks great on you," Hermione answered. 

"Great? You look hot," Ginny added with a laugh, causing me to laugh as well. I really did like it though. With a pair of gold heels I'm sure the look would all come together.  "Now I'm going to take this dress off." 

I changed back into my jeans and jacket, then went on into the dressing room to wait for Hermione and Ginny to decided. Hermione loved her third choice, it was a simple red dress that looked amazing on her. Ginny went with her third choice as well, an emerald green one sleeve dress that looked great with her hair. After we paid for our dresses and shoes, we went to get some butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks. "For our hair," Ginny was saying on our walk. "I'll probably wear my hair down considering it's a one shoulder dress."

"I'll probably wear mine down as well," Hermione said.

"You should wear yours up Caoimhe," Ginny said. "It would look great with the dress."

"Yeah, I'll do that then," I said with a smile. Dean was walking towards us and when he saw Ginny he embraced her in a tight hug and they quickly kissed. I was still jealous of their relationship and wish I had something like that. 

"Do you want to get a butterbeer with me?" he asked her. She turned to look at us and Hermione mouthed 'go on'.

"See you around then," Ginny said to us and then walked off hand in hand with Dean.

Hermione and I stopped at the bookshop before heading over to the Three Broomsticks. When we got there, Dean and Ginny were off on their own at a small two seat table. "Over here!" we heard Harry call. The two of us saw Ron and Harry sitting at a larger table. Ron looked away when he saw Hermione.

She stepped back but I turned to face her. "Come on, it's okay," I said. She followed behind me reluctantly while sitting across from Harry and not looking over at Ron. "Hi," I said to the two of them. "We were just dress-" I stopped there when I remembered Ron wasn't going. "How was your day?" 

"It was good we didn't do much," Harry answered.

 "Oh bloody hell," Ron snapped as he looked behind me. Hermione and I turned to looked around to see Dean and Ginny snogging once again. "That's it I'm leaving." He went to get up but Harry turned to him.

"Ron just ignore it," he muttered. "Just look over-" Then Harry trailed off and I watched as his eyes went behind me. Once again I turned around but this time I saw Draco. He was alone and had dark bags under his eyes. He looked tired as he was walking towards the bathroom.

"I still want to leave," Ron said standing up. Harry and Ron finally stood up and we left to join them since it was almost time to go back anyway. We ended up taking the long way back to the castle. It was awkward considering Hermione and Ron wouldn't speak to each other, so Harry and I had to try and get them to talk.

Then we heard a piercing scream. We all turned to see at the end of the path was an older Gryffindor girl who was screaming and pointing to another girl laying on the ground. All four of us ran over to see what was going on. I recognized Katie Bell as the one laying on the ground. "I told-told her not to touch it!" her friend cried pointing to the necklace on the ground.

Katie Bell looked frozen and then was lifted into the air. I've never seen anything like it in my entire life. All of us jumped back horrified, then she left out a piercing scream, and she was ripped back and forth in the air before being slammed onto the ground. It was the most horrifying thing I've ever seen in person. "Don't you touch that!" Hagrid screamed as he rushed over to us. Katie was laying on the ground and he bent down to pick her up. "All of you, go to McGonagall's office and tell 'er what happened."

Harry gently picked up the necklace using just the wrappings. "What happened Leanne?" Hermione asked calmly but Leanne couldn't stop crying. When we finally made it to McGonagall's office Harry placed the necklace down only to have her call Snape into this. He seemed surprised to see me here, but not to see Harry of course. 

"We-we were leaving," Leanne attempted to explain through her tears. "She came out of the bath-bathroom..." More sobs. "She had the package and said she had to give it to D-dumbledore." From there McGonagall sent Leanne to the infirmary to have her treated for shock. That left the four of us.

"Now what brings you four into this?" she asked turning towards us. Snape was still examining the necklace.

"We were walking back when we saw it," Hermione responded. "We rushed right over when we heard a scream." 

"Cursed," muttered Snape who was looking at the necklace. "Ms. Bell is lucky to be alive." She could have been killed? First, how did the necklace come into Katie's possession? I hadn't seen her all day. Second, why would she be bringing it to Dumbledore? 

"It was Draco Malfoy," Harry stated. I almost gasped as I turned to face him. Even Hermione and Ron looked shocked. How did he possibly fit into this? Snape and McGonagall did not look too happy when Harry said this.

"That is a very serious accusation," McGonagall said slowly. "What is your proof?"

"Well, er, I just know it was him," Harry answered.

"You just know? How nice it must be to just know the answer to everything," Snape said slowly. "Go," he said to the four of us. We quickly left the room.

"It was him! I'm sure of it!" Harry said.

"McGonagall's right, you have no proof at all," Hermione said turning to face him. "I know you hate him, but that doesn't mean he did this and it doesn't make him a Death Eater. I think you're just being paranoid."

"Paranoid?" Harry repeated furiously. "I saw him go into that bathroom. Caoimhe saw him go in as well."

"Yes but maybe he was actually going to the bathroom Harry. Not delivering a cursed necklace," I answered. I didn't want to argue with Harry but he was getting a little ridiculous. "Plus, whose to say Katie was in the bathroom at that time? She could have went way before we even got there." Harry didn't respond to that. Not long after everyone took off in different directions. Harry was still convinced he was right. Hermione and Ron still weren't speaking.

Finally the party had arrived. Cathal and I have been hanging out a lot lately, he was always so busy, being Head Boy and all, but whenever he had time he would invite me to go on a walk with him. He even took me into the restricted section of the library, a place I've always wanted to go. He had the key and the two of us literally spent hours looking at all of the books. Often we would sit together at dinner. I was really beginning to like him.

I ran late to potions one day because Professor Binns ended up running over class time again. Cathal was excused from class that day due to a meeting with Dumbledore, so I ended up sitting with Draco once more. He spoke to me, but not in a friendly way. He asked what was wrong with me and why I was following around Harry Potter and the Head Boy. Draco told me I looked pathetic. Of course I turned it around to him and told him he was the one who completely changed into being an even bigger git. Then I added a drop of dragon's blood when he wasn't looking and ruined his potion. I still don't even thinks he realizes it was me.

"You look lovely," came the voice of Luna. I looked in the mirror. My blonde hair was pulled up in a high teased ponytail like Ginny had suggested. With a spell I had completely curled my hair before pulling it up. My makeup was done with a spell as well and I was really happy with the way it came out. The slight gold eye shadow matched my dress perfectly. Gold earrings and plain gold heels pulled my outfit together.

"Thank you Luna," I said smiling and turning around to see Luna looking ready to go. She was wearing a silver dress that resembled a Christmas tree and very interesting earrings. Yet she still managed to look very pretty in her own unique way. "You're going to the party too?" I asked confused.

"Yes I'm going with Harry," she answered. "He asked me yesterday. I meant to tell you." I hadn't realized Harry didn't have a date in the first place. Then again, he was making it too obvious these days that he was into Ginny. He probably forgot himself. 

"Well I'm glad you're going," I said. "Are you meeting Harry at the party?" She nodded. "Alright, let's walk there together then. I'm meeting Cathal and a few others down in the common room." Luna and I left our room to go down to the common room. When we got down there, the few Ravenclaws who were attending were all gathered around and all dressed up.

Once we arrived they turned to greet us. Cathal turned to look at me with a kind smile. "You look wonderful," he said to me. I could feel myself blushing. I don't think a guy has ever said anything like that to me before.

"Thank you," I said looking down with a smile. "You look nice too." 

"Shall we get going then," he said while taking my hand. This was all new to me. I have never been on a date or anything before, so I didn't know how to act. We weren't even in a relationship yet, but I did really like him. 

When we arrived at Slughorn's, the party seemed to be moving already. Slughorn invited plenty of his successful friends who worked at the Ministry and what not. The place was set up with Christmas decorations and even had people serving the party. "Welcome, welcome!" Slughorn greeted when he saw our crowd. Cathal and I were at the front. "Ah, Ms. Riley," he said seeming rather confused. "I had no idea you would be attending."

"Yes she's my date sir," Cathal answered looking at me with a smile. I knew he felt it was wrong that Slughorn treated me differently because of the father I have never met. 

"Oh lovely, well I hope you do enjoy yourselves," Slughorn said as he tried his best to smile. Snape then came over to Slughorn's side. He greeted Cathal and I. We spoke with them for a few minutes. Then Snape began talking about potions. He told Slughorn I was one of his best potions students and explained how he had bumped me up a year. 

"You're only a fifth year and you're taking Advanced Potions?" Slughorn asked me seeming either very surprised or very impressed. He must have assumed I was a sixth year.

"Yes sir," I answered smiling.

"Oh," he said now looking interested in me. "Say, how would you like to become a permanent member of the Slugclub?" he asked me. "I mean, since you're already at the party." I looked over at Cathal who smiled back at me. I almost wanted to thank Snape for speaking so highly of me, otherwise Slughorn would have never gave me the time of day.

"Of course I would love too. Thank you sir," I said. I couldn't wait to tell Draco that I won our bet! Damn it. I thought about Draco, when all I have been trying to do is forget about him. I mentally slapped myself for even thinking about him in the first place. From there we said goodbye to Slughorn and Snape while moving on to speak with people.

Cathal knew a lot of very important people at the Ministry. He was introducing me to them all, and they all seemed to recognize my name yet were still friendly to me at least. At one point he was in deep conversation with an older Ministry member and I left to go find Harry, Hermione, and Luna. I noticed Hermione was standing behind a Christmas tree. "Hermione?" I asked, causing her to jump.

"Caoimhe you gave me a heart attack," she said placing her hand on her heart. "I'm hiding from Cormac." I laughed. I knew she hated Cormac and was trying to get back at Ron. I suppose it backfired on her.

"Guess what!" I said quickly hiding along with her. "Slughorn asked me to join the Slugclub."

"Oh that's great, I knew he wouldn't be able to resist your grades," she said with a laugh. I hid there with Hermione for about five minutes when I told her Cormac was coming our way. She snuck off and I covered for her, saying that she was never here. Cathal was still talking to the Ministry member. It was important for him to make good connections, considering he was graduating at the end of the year. Of course I finally find a boy I really like and he's leaving at the end of the year.

Harry and Luna joined me for a while, they seemed to be having a lot of fun. Harry seems to have forgotten about Draco. I only wish I could. Ever since Slughorn invited me to join the Slugclub, he kept popping up in my mind and I had absolutely no idea why. "Caoimhe there you are, I'm really sorry," Cathal said coming up to me. "He works in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and he was telling me all about it."

"Don't worry about it. I found Hermione for a bit," I answered. I wasn't bothered by it at all considering most of my friends were here to talk to.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked and motioned to the dance floor where plenty of other couples were dancing. I took his hand and smiled, right as we were about to dance a commotion began and the music was stopped. And right as I began to forget about Draco...there he was standing right in front of me. There was no escaping him. Filch was holding onto him while Draco kept referring to him as a 'Squib' and demanding him to let go.

Draco's eyes landed on me for a split second before flashing over to Cathal and then back to me. We were holding hands, and Draco glared at me with a dark expression. Slughorn and Snape went over to him. "Why did Malfoy give you that look?" Cathal whispered to me in a confused tone.

"No idea," I responded with a shrug. I wish I knew.

Slughorn surprisingly said it was alright if Draco stayed, after Draco said that he was 'gatecrashing'. Yet I didn't believe he was gatecrashing. Draco seemed far to uninteresting in Slughorn to waste him time gatecrashing a party. Snape then offered to leave with Draco and the two left, shortly followed by Harry. Not again. Why couldn't Harry just give it a rest? "That was...interesting," Cathal said as the music began. He held my hand once more and we went out onto the dance floor. I was going to smile and just forget it. Forget that Draco was always appearing when I didn't want him to be and forget that Harry wasn't giving up on his accusations.

The party ended after midnight. Cathal and I left with the crowd but arrived back later than everyone else to the common room. No one was in there when we got back. We took the long way around. "I'm really glad you came with me," he said.

"I'm glad you asked me I had a lot of fun," I said smiling. Then Cathal leaned in to kiss me and without hesitation, I kissed him back. I moved my arms up around his neck as he placed his hands gently on my waist. Our kiss was nice, it was simple and gentle.

"Caoimhe I really like you, and I've wanted to ask you this so will you be my girlfriend?" he asked and for the first time he sounded slightly nervous.

"Yes," I answered with a smile before kissing him once more.

Hope you are all liking it! I haven't forgot about Draco, don't worry. But for now I hope you like the characters I've been adding. Let me know what you think!