Chapter 378: The Long Night

Disclaimer: 

Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.

I own nothing but the original characters I make.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 378: The Long Night

December 31

Usually, Hogwarts was quiet on New Year's Eve, with most students at home celebrating with their families.

This year, things were different. Because of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, many foreign students were staying at the castle, along with local students who wanted to participate in the holiday events. First, there had been the Yule Ball on the twenty-fifth, and tonight, the professors had organized a New Year's Eve party. Although simpler and without Ministry personnel, it was enough to keep nearly half the student body at Hogwarts for the entire break.

The mood at breakfast was buzzing with excitement as students discussed their plans for the night.

"Ugh... can't they stop kissing at least until after breakfast?" Seamus groaned, moving away from a couple before dropping down beside Harry.

"At least Ron isn't here to see this…" The boy was grateful for that. He had not taken well to the news of the official new couple being formed and felt like he was being pushed away.

Harry lifted his eyes from his plate and glanced to his left.

His sister Lyra wasn't being particularly subtle in her public display of affection with her new boyfriend, Neville. And they had gotten worse after Ginny left to spend the rest of the break with her family.

"They haven't stopped since the Yule Ball," Lavender observed with a smirk.

"They could at least go somewhere else… this isn't the place for that," Hermione added with a deep frown.

"I'm surprised Professor Umbridge hasn't said anything. Isn't this a blatant breach of her rules?" Parvati noted.

"Professor Umbridge hasn't been the same since she came back from the hospital," Hermione remarked. And she knew that was an understatement. Umbridge's attitude had completely changed and she always looked absent and quiet.

"Mate, how can you let your sister do that?" Seamus nudged Harry.

Harry sighed. What was he supposed to do? It's not like he enjoyed watching them, but Lyra was old enough to make her own choices. And telling her to stay away from the boy would only drive her further onto his side.

Besides, Neville wasn't a bad influence. If anything, Lyra was a bad influence on him.

"That's enough, you two." Finally, Professor McGonagall approached the couple. "I know you're all on break, but the Great Hall is hardly the place for that kind of behavior."

Lyra and Neville quickly apologized and left the Hall together. Surely, to continue somewhere else.

Ginny, Ron, and the twins were all absent, having returned home for the holidays. From what he'd heard, Ginny hadn't even attended the Yule Ball.

Harry couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

His eyes drifted to the Slytherin table.

Somehow, Daphne must have noticed his gaze, as she glanced back with a slight smile. She had stayed at Hogwarts over the break to spend more time with him, while her sister had returned home. Her friend Tracey was also still at the castle, but mostly because her new boyfriend was staying as well.

"So, Harry… what about you?"

He heard someone speaking to him and turned his head.

Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati were all looking at him with interest.

"Sorry, I wasn't following the conversation. What about me?" he asked.

"We were talking about tonight's ball," Hermione explained.

"Yes, and we were wondering if you had any plans," Lavender added.

"Since you missed the Yule Ball…" Parvati chimed in. "Don't think that we didn't notice."

"Oh… that. I haven't thought about it."

"You know, a lot of girls would've been happy to go with you. My sister Padma has had a crush on you since at least the second year," Parvati said.

"We even heard a rumor that the French champion asked you to the ball. Was that true?" Lavender asked.

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear," Harry decided to say. There was no need to talk about that.

"Well… I know that." Lavender was, after all, the source of most of those rumors.

"I knew it wasn't true. That one sounded particularly crazy," Parvati chuckled. "She is easily the most popular girl this year."

"So, you're not going to attend?" Hermione asked.

"No, I don't think so," Harry replied.

"That's too bad. But if you change your mind and need a date, let me know. My sister would go with you," Parvati offered.

"Isn't Padma already going with Michael Corner?" Lavender asked.

Parvati dismissed the question with a wave.

"She'd drop him in a second to go with Harry, I'm sure of it."

Harry finished his meal and walked out of the Great Hall alone. He didn't plan on attending the ball, but he did have other plans.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Another wooden target dummy exploded into pieces.

Harry had lost count of how many he'd destroyed tonight, but he didn't feel tired at all. The Room of Requirement could easily regenerate them, so he continued.

At least, until he sensed someone standing outside.

He made the door appear, and soon it opened.

Daphne entered, wearing her usual robes and looking at him with a serious expression.

"I know you told me to come here in my normal robes, but please tell me that tonight's plan isn't just blowing up dummies…"

Harry looked back at her. "You could have a bit more confidence. Of course, I have prepared something. " He used a cleaning spell on himself and made the target dummies go away. "Now, let's see.."

<><><><><><><><><><><>

While most of the castle inhabitants were having fun, the Headmaster and Snape were having a serious conversation in his office.

All of a sudden, Snape clutched his arm, looking as if he were in intense pain.

"Severus?... What is it?" Dumbledore asked.

Snape gasped for breath. He had hoped to never feel this unpleasant sensation again.

"I… I've been called…"

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