Chapter 20 – Yule Ball

The excitement for the first ball the school had held since the Triwizard Tournament grew and grew over the last two weeks of term. Not even the increase in the workload could put a damper on the student's spirits. Even though the first three years would not be attending the ball they were all excited as well.

On the Friday the Professors understood that nobody would be paying too much attention to them and had general catch up sessions leaving students free to talk and discuss their arrangements to get dressed. Afternoon lessons had been cancelled by Dumbledore so the minute the bell went for end of morning lessons girls rushed to their dormitories to start getting ready.

Harry, Ron, Neville, Dean and Seamus went outside and had a snowball fight.

'Neville heard you are going with Luna.' Neville blushes.

'Yeah.'

'What's Ginny wearing Dean? Have you seen it?' Seamus asks.

'No idea mate. She said she wanted it to be a surprise.'

'Didn't you pay for it?' Seamus yells as Dean throws a snowball in his face.

'Yes. Doesn't mean I saw it though.' Dean gets hit on the back of the head by Ron and spins around to face him.

'Sorry Dean I was aiming for Harry.' He ducks as Dean throws one back.

Harry laughs and ducks as Seamus throws one hitting Neville who was standing behind him making him fall backwards into the snow. Harry gives him a hand up as the others laugh until tears stream down their cheeks. Neville smiles and laughs along with them.

In the boys dormitory later that day the lads were running around rushing to get ready as they didn't get back in till four and dinner starts at six. Dean and Seamus were both wearing black robes, only realising they had picked up the wrong ones when Dean's robes were far too short on him and were now battling over the hair products around the sinks in the bathroom. Neville had picked out a dark blue robe and was trying to fasten a gold clasp he had brought with limited success. Ron was wearing the brown robes the twins had brought him after Harry had given them the money for their shop.

Harry sat on his bed already dressed watching the other four lads rush around in and out of their trunks, swapping products and pulling out their hair when they couldn't find something. As Ron threw the contents of his trunk around the room looking for a missing shoe Harry attached his shirt cloak around his neck and threw it over his right shoulder covering his wand and wand hand. Harry's house crest was sitting on his left breast exposed for everybody to see.

'You gonna try and do something with you hair mate?' Asks Ron as his head is pulled out from under his bed full of dust.

'Why bother. It'll never lie flat anyway.' Ron laughs shaking his hair.

'I'm sure Hermione won't mind.' Ron adds.

Neville comes back out of the bathroom trying to rearrange his house crest on his blue robes. Neville taps the back of the crest and then pushes it hard against the left side of his chest. Slowly the crest slides down the robes and stops, lopsided, be his knees.

'Can somebody help me with this. I cannot get it to stay put.' Neville asks the room at large, pulling the crest off his robes.

'Ask Harry. He can use a sticking charm on it.' Dean yells from the bathroom.

'Harry?' Neville looks at Harry pleadingly.

'Come over here Neville and I'll do it.' Harry says.

Neville hands his crest over to Harry. Harry pushes his clock over his shoulder to reveal his wand, taps the back of the crest and then pushes it onto Neville's robes.

'There. It should come off in 12 hours.'

'Thanks Harry.'

'Well, I think we had better go wait for our dates. It's a quarter to 6.' Dean says coming out of the bathroom with Seamus. Harry puts his wand back away as Ron reaches over his bed and grabs his.

'Will we need our wands tonight?' Neville asks.

'Dunno. But I'm not going anywhere near Malfoy without mine.' Ron says over his shoulder following Dean out. Ron, Harry, Seamus and Dean make their way down to the common room leaving behind Neville searching, underneath the clothes Ron had thrown out of his trunk, for his wand. The four lads lean against a spare wall and try to look nonchalant even though they are shaking with nerves.

'You sure I look alright in this?' Seamus asks pulling at the collar of his black robes. 'It's not too long is it?'

'You look fine.' Reassures Dean.

Neville comes down from their room and waves goodbye as he passes through the portrait exit.

'Can you believe he asked Luna to the ball?' Seamus jokes.

'Leave him alone Seamus, he had the guts to ask her.' Nudges Ron. Seamus nudges him back.

'Ron.' Lavender squeals as she reaches the bottom of the girl's steps. She is in a baby pink robe, high heeled pink strappy shoes, with glitter in her hair and on her face. Ron smiles and heads over and takes her arm.

'See you guys downstairs.' Ron says as he and Lavender pass them on the way out of the common room.

Parvati arrives next. Seamus smiles at her yellow sari and escorts her away. Ginny comes down a few moments later wearing a pale gold robe, gold slippers, with her hair twisted up on her head with flowers entwined in it. Dean goes over and kisses her.

'You look wonderful.'

'Thanks. Oh Harry, Hermione says she'll be down in a moment.' Harry nods and waves them off. Harry is fairly annoyed when his waiting is interrupted by McClaggen who sidles up next to him.

'Wearing Slytherin colours Harry. It'll never do you know. You should be wearing Red or Gold like me.' Harry looks at McClaggen's red robes with gold trimmings around the collar, sleeves and hem. It does not suit his pale face at all.

'I happen to like wearing this colour.'

'You're gonna have to be careful mate. After you dressed up as Salazar Slytherin at Halloween and now wearing green dress robes, people are going to start to talk.'

Luckily for McClaggen Hermione came down the female stairs at that instant. She is wearing her green dress and robe, her hair twisted up with curls coming down around her face, a green satin choker with a small pearl drop and pearl drop earrings to match. Harry smiles and goes over ignoring McClaggen or the other stares from around the room. Harry takes Hermione's hand and kisses it before tucking it in his arm.

'Shall we go to dinner?'

'Yes.' Hermione blushes.

The Great Hall is sumptuously decorated with red silk hangings on the wall depicting various Christmas scenes, a long red silk carpet runns from the Great Hall doors to where the dance floor starts, large Christmas trees surround the room with fairies glittering through the branches, silver snow flakes are falling from the ceiling, white covers with gold tableware cover the circular tables around the room, holly boughs are strung over the windows and main door to the Great Hall with a sprig of mistletoe hung directly over the centre of the dance floor.

Harry and Hermione join a table with Ron, Lavender, Parvati, Seamus, Dean, Ginny, Neville and Luna. Harry pulls Hermione's seat out for her and then sits down next to her. They watch other students come in and Harry's eye is caught by Malfoy as he enters wearing a black robe with his hair gelled back escorting Pansy who is dressed in mauve.

'What is the colour Pansy is wearing? It looks… awful.' Ron asks.

'Mauve.' Parvati says.

'How can Malfoy stand to be seen with her when she's dressed like that?!' Dean scoffs. Lavender and Parvati watch her walk around the room before putting their heads together and starting to giggle.

'If Malfoy finds her attractive then he has no taste.' Snorts Ron as Pansy turns her back to them showing a large red flower in her hair that clashes with her robe.

'Goyle has managed to bring Millicent this time, but Crabbe's still on his own.' Seamus says as Crabbe and Goyle enter the Great Hall

'If I was escorting Millicent I would rather be on my own.' Laughs Ron. Harry stands up.

'Mione I am just going to go say hello to a few other people. Would you like to come with me?' Hermione nods and they leave walking over to Cho and Marietta.

'Cho you look wonderful. Marietta that blue suits you.' Hermione smiles. Cho laughs.

'What do you think Harry?'

'Whatever Mione says. It does suit you though.' Harry indicates her red silk Chinese gown.

'I thought Draco was dating Blaise?' Cho whispers to Hermione. Hermione shrugs.

'To be honest I am not interested in Malfoy's girlfriends.'

'You wouldn't be you are already dating the best catch in school.' Hermione blushes.

Anthony Goldstein calls Harry over and they say goodbye to Cho and Marietta promising to come and talk more later.

'Hi Anthony. You look great Padma.' Harry smiles. Hermione and Padma instantly start talking about the decorations in the hall.

'DA last night was brilliant Harry. I think I'm going to test a few charms out on my parents this holiday.'

'As long as you do not tell them who you learnt them off. I'd hate to receive a howler off them.'

'Nah. They'd never send a Howler to Harry Potter.' Harry smiles.

'I hear you have got a try out with The Scottish Thistles.'

'Yeah. I'm a bit nervous.'

'I've played against you. You'll be great. You really make my job a lot harder.' Harry compliments Anthony. Dumbledore stands up at the front of the Great Hall.

'If you would all like to take your seats, dinner can begin.' Harry walks Hermione back over to their table nodding at different friends as they cross back over the room. Once everybody is seated Dumbledore continues. 'I will start by wishing you all a great evening and a Merry Christmas. This evening there will be dinner until about 8 o clock followed by Formal Dancing till 10. Then the Professors and I will leave, except for a few who will patrol the surrounding corridors as the Harpies play for you.'

'Cool! the Harpies. They're my favourite.' Dean whispers to their table.

'They are mine too Mr Thomas. Let our evening begin.'

Dumbledore sits down and menus appear at each place setting. Harry takes his menu but waits till the teachers have ordered before asking for the Turkey Dinner. The sound in the room lowers as conversation is kept to the tables whilst dinner is eaten.

'My parents are taking me to visit some cousins in France for Christmas this year.' Sighs Dean whilst mashing his potatoes on his plate.

'My mum thinks it's too dangerous to travel, but as she hasn't told dad what's going on in the Wizarding world we're probably travelling to my cousins in Limerick.' Seamus says.

'My Gran refuses to go anywhere. It'll just be us at Christmas again this year.'

'I'll ask mum if you can come to us this year, Neville.' Ron says with his mouth half full. 'I'm sure she'll have enough room for two more.'

Harry seeing how much Neville has cheered up at this thought adds.

'Course she will. Mrs Weasley loves having a full house at Christmas. There is no harm in asking.'

'Thanks.' Neville squeaks. Hermione raises her eyebrows at Harry in question but Harry just shrugs in return. They'd have to ask Dumbledore, but even he must admit that Neville and his Grandma would be safe enough to come to Grimmauld Place. Harry had a feeling he was going to need all the company he could get. It would be the first time since June he had been to his Godfathers home and he wasn't looking forward to it. Shaking himself mentally he listens back in to the conversation at the table.

All too soon dessert of either Christmas Pudding or Black Forest Gateaux was over and the tables were emptying as students stood up and started for the dance floor. A curtain to the right hand side of the room moves to the side showing a small band on a stage holding violins and flutes. Harry leads Hermione into the dance floor along with most of the other sixth and seventh years and takes hold of her waist. A waltz starts to play.

'You can dance much better now Harry.' Hermione says as her feet touch the floor again after a lift.

'I have actually had lessons this time around.' Harry side steps to avoid a bungling Millicent and Goyle.

Draco was sitting, bored, at the sixth year Slytherin table on the right side of the room sipping juice watching Harry and Hermione dancing. Millicent and Goyle almost bump into them but Harry moves them out of the way quick enough. There was a bet going on in the Slytherin common room, on who could trip the golden couple up first this evening, wagers had been placed in a leather green bound book that resided on top of the large mantle of the common room fire. Bit it seemed as though Harry had been expecting something along those lines.

Draco, along with being bored was, well, bored. Not having seen Pansy's Dress Robes beforehand he had been horrified when she had appeared wearing red and flowers. He had paid for the bloody thing and it deserved to be burned. He was sure his mother would never have embarrassed his father by wearing anything as ugly as that Dress Robe. Granger though had turned out very well.

If she wasn't a mudblood, Draco thought. I might have made a play for her myself. Potter was so damned lucky. She neither clung nor simpered, nor complained when he spent a lot of time discussing Quidditch, never tried to hold his attention all the time or even seemed bothered if he talked to other females.

Draco watched closely as Hermione and Harry came off the dance floor at the end of the waltz as another dance started up. Hermione was claimed by Ron and Harry headed his way towards the drinks near where Draco was sitting.

'Potter. Got bored of Granger already?'

'At least I have danced once with my date.' Harry hints looking at a sulking Pansy in a corner talking to Blaize.

'I refuse to stand up with her when she is wearing that colour. I told her to get something suitable.'

'It is rather...'

'Ugly.' Suggests Draco

'Yes.' Harry laughs. 'I'm very thankful Hermione actually has some fashion sense.'

'Did she pick your outfit too?'

'No. It was one of two I liked. I like yours too, but wasn't prepared to spend that much money on a Dress Robe I would most likely only wear once.'

Draco nods at the compliment; he hadn't been expecting that off Potter. Harry sat down a short distance away so if anybody looked over they didn't look as though they were actually talking. Draco was thankful for that, he had a reputation to keep up after all. Both of them watched the dancers moving around the dance floor and the swapping of partners for the next dance before the music started again.

'You had better keep a close watch on your date or else you could be ignored for the rest of the evening.'

'Mione will come and find me when she wants to dance again. I promised to dance with Ginny, Luna, Cho and many others. I doubt there will be that many dances. In fact I pray to Merlin there will not be that many dances.'

'I would have thought the Chosen One would love dancing with every female in the room.'

'How about you take my title for tonight and you dance with Millicent Bulstrode and have your toes broken for a change.' Draco snorts into his drink then sneers at Harry.

'I would not demean myself.' Harry stands up.

'Enjoy your evening Malfoy. Dance with Blaize, at least she looks very pretty in her grey robes. Your father might not approve that her family were not Death Eaters in the last war but it would be infinitely better than Pansy.' Draco stares in shock at Harry's retreating back. He knew Blaize's parents were Death Eaters! They had only joined during the summer! Sitting there for a few more moments, Draco decides to take Harry's advice and asks Blaize to dance joining in the set next to Harry and Ginny.

With the formal dancing over the Professors left and the Harpies came on. Hair was let down, cloaks were shrugged off and formality abandoned. Harry dropped his cloak on the enlarging pile and checked his wand was safe before joining Hermione who had let her curly hair down and was now cheering the Harpies along. Draco watched as Pansy tried to sidle up to Harry and was blocked by Hermione who glared at her.

Stupid witch, Draco thought, Granger would likely kill any female who got too close to Potter.

As the Harpies played more Slytherins tried to pinch Harry's wand. There was no way of removing Potters it though he was keeping a check on it and grabbed Dean's hand as he jokingly reached out for it at one point. He had been quite impressed, Potter had been talking to Ernie on his left when Dean tried. All in all it was a very tedious evening and he couldn't wait to be back at home with his mountain of presents.

Early next morning Hermione, saying that he had an hour to get dressed and finish packing or they would miss the carriages down to the train, dragged Harry out of bed, then proceeded to pull the rest of the boys out of their beds too. Ron and Harry were so tired that they just grabbed anything that belonged to either of them and threw it haphazardly into their trunks, probably taking some of the other guys things also.

Breakfast was missed as they dragged their trunks down to the front doors and left them there. Ron went and said goodbye to Lavender and Harry sat on the bottom steps of the grand staircase and promptly nodded off against the banister. Draco sat down next to him and nudges him back awake.

'Potter. Our pair project for potions.' Harry grunts. 'Potter wake up!' He hits Harry on the head and Harry opens his eyes scowling.

'What do you want Malfoy?'

'Our project for potions. We have to have the preliminary report handed in the first day back after Christmas. Shall I just do it?'

'No. Snape will give me detentions for the rest of the year if you did that.'

'How do you propose we do this then. You cannot come to my house and I am definitely not coming to yours.'

'Owl. I'll send the work I've started to you tomorrow morning and you can check it add some more and send it back telling me what parts you are going to do. I'll do the rest and then either you or I can have it all owled to us and put it all together. Or we could always sit together on the train journey back and do it.' Harry grins.

Draco looks disgusted at the thought of having to spend an entire train journey next to him.

'I'll do it. As long as I have your work by the Friday of the last week.'

'Malfoy what are you doing getting your germs over Harry?' Ron comes over yelling.

'Ron we were discussing our joint project for Advanced Potions.' Harry says reasonably.

'Trust me weasel I would rather not be doing it with Potter either, but we have no choice.' Draco stands up and wipes his robes down. 'I will expect your owl tomorrow.'

'Try not to kill her. I am very attached to Hedwig.' Draco nods and sweeps off. Ron pulls Harry up from his seat.

'I don't know how you can talk to that creep.' Ron says as they take their belongings and get into an empty carriage with Ginny, Luna and Neville. The ride to the train station is spent in silence as they each try to catch up on some more sleep, apart from Luna who is humming tunes that had been played by the Harpies. They embark onto the train just as it is leaving and nearly reach the other end of the train before they find an empty compartment. The rest of the journey is spent either sleeping or playing cards, with Hermione reading a muggle novel in the corner.

On the other side of the barrier at Kings Cross Station Mr and Mrs Weasley were waiting for them. Mr Weasley was watching with interest the train pulling into platform 10.

'My dears. How was your first term back?' Molly asks hugging them all. She smiles at Harry and Hermione. 'Ginny sent us the good news about you two dating and then that horrible women talked about it in the Daily Prophet and the Wireless had been doing weekly updates of your relationship too.' Harry shakes Arthur's hand when he leans over and whispers.

'Try to get through this. She'll want every detail.'

Too soon for Harry's comfort they are in the back of a taxi, taking them to Grimmauld Place. They walk up the steps into number 12. The feeling of loneliness and guilt overwhelms Harry as he steps inside and looks around. The walls have been cleaned but the place still looks dirty.

I can understand why Sirius hated this place, thought Harry.

The door slams shut behind him and Mrs Black's painting starts screaming.

Welcome Home Harry thought bitterly.