After the First Task
By: Sheltie
I don't own Harry Potter at all
Chapter 3
The day of the Yule Ball was coming closer and Harry was getting a little more nervous. Sure, he had a date and now knew how to dance, but he had to open the dance with the rest of the Champions. This scared him. He hated having everyone staring at him, and now he had no choice. Plus, he didn't want to embarrass Hermione at all, which made him even more nervous. Hermione however, did her best to quell his nerves though she was quite nervous as well. The Yule Ball would be when their relationship would be brought out in the open. Sure, some of the students knew, but this would make them official in the eyes of the school.
"Harry, there's nothing to worry about. You have mastered how to dance, I know you'll do fine" Hermione said reassuringly.
"Yeah, but you and I are going to be dancing in front of everyone" Harry said trembling slightly.
"Don't worry about that Harry, the other Champions will be there also, not just you" Hermione said soothingly.
"That kind of makes me feel better" Harry said.
"I knew it would" Hermione said smiling brightly.
"I don't know what I would do without you" Harry said pulling Hermione into a tight embrace.
"And you'll never have to, I'm not going anywhere" Hermione said pulling Harry into a kiss.
The Yule Ball was forgotten for a while as the couple enjoyed each other.
/Scene Break/
On the day of the Ball Harry felt nervous, but excited. He met up with Neville and they headed to the common room to wait for Hermione. When she got there the three headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast and on the way they met Luna. This was now a habit for them. In the Great Hall Luna sat at the Gryffindor table.
"I hope there won't be any nargles in the mistletoe tonight" Luna said thoughtfully as she buttered her toast.
"I'm sure Dumbledore checked for that," Harry said smiling at his friend.
"Are you sure, nargles can be quite tricky" Luna said seriously.
"I'll protect you from the nargles Luna, you don't have to worry" Neville said.
Luna smiled and kissed Neville on the cheek, which caused him to blush.
"Nev, if you get any redder I would think you hit the firewhiskey early" Harry chuckled.
"Shut up Harry" Neville said and chucked a roll at his friend.
"Hey, no hurting my date, he needs to be able to dance with me tonight" Hermione said smiling.
"Don't worry Hermione, he'll be able to dance still, once I'm through with him" Neville said jokingly.
"I'm so afraid Neville" Harry said ducking behind Hermione.
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to Ginny.
"So who are going with Ginny?" she asked.
"A Ravenclaw, Michael Corner" Ginny said.
"He's a nice person, and he didn't pick on me" Luna said.
They continued their antics outside in a snowball fight, which became larger as more Gryffindors joined in as a few others from other houses. Harry and Hermione on one side with Luna and Neville on the other. But when the Weasley twins jumped in it became an all-out war with every one for yourself. They all had fun til the girls announced that they needed to get ready.
"But the Ball isn't for hours" Fred shouted.
"We have to look our best" Alicia Spinnet said.
"And you want us to look our best, right?" Angelina Johnson asked arching an eyebrow.
The twins looked at one another then at both of the girls and said, "go, take all the time you need, we'll wait for you no matter how long it takes."
Harry just smiled and kissed Hermione before she left and Neville kissed Luna on the cheek.
An hour before the Ball the boys decided to head in to get ready. Harry and Neville were showered and had their robes on when Ron came out.
"Bloody hell, what is that?" Neville asked when he caught sight of Ron's robes.
Ron was dressed in what could be described as ancient dress robes. They were maroon and had a heavy smell of mothballs. They had frills on the cuffs and they were frayed quite badly.
"I look like my great aunt Tessie" Ron moaned then sniffed himself, "I even smell like my great aunt Tessie."
Harry and Neville couldn't help laughing at the sight of Ron looking miserable in his dress robes.
"Come on Harry, Hermione's waiting" Neville said clapping the boy on his back.
"I can't wait" Harry said grinning.
They left Ron moaning about his robes.
In the common room Harry and Neville waited for Hermione and they saw the other girls of Gryffindor come down.
"Looking good girls" Harry said as he spotted the three Chasers from the team.
"Which of us looks the best?" Angelina asked striking a pose that could only be described as downright sexy.
Katie and Alicia did the same and struck a pose. This had every guy in the common room drooling. Fred and George were just stunned.
Harry tapped his chin.
"Hmm, difficult, if I pick one of you and not the others I'm sure to be hexed" he said.
"We wouldn't do that to our favorite Seeker" Katie Bell said sweetly.
"Yeah right" Harry snorted.
"Don't you trust us Harry?" Alicia asked sweetly.
"I do, but not when it comes to this" Harry said.
"But Harry, we know you'd make the right choice" Angelina said.
The four bantered a bit longer until the twins snapped out of their daze and collected their dates. George with Alicia and Fred with Angelina.
"What about you Katie?" Harry asked noticing that she had no date.
"Oh, Fred and George promised that they'd both dance with me" Katie said not looking too concerned.
"Well, I'll dance with you too" Harry said.
Neville jumped into, "I will also."
"Gee, I knew I didn't need a date to this" Katie said laughing.
Soon most of the girls were gone, then Ginny came down.
"You look nice Ginny" Harry complimented.
Ginny was wearing red dress robes that were very conservative, which meant her mom picked it out, though the way she accessorized it was pure Ginny.
"Thanks Harry, I'll get my prat of a brother out of here so he doesn't cause a scene" she said.
Ginny ran upstairs to the boy's dorm and dragged an annoyed Ron down with her. Ron was protesting, but Ginny must've threaten him because he shut up right away. Once they left Harry heard someone clear their throat. Harry looked up and saw the most beautiful thing he ever saw. Hermione was slowly making her way down wearing a beautiful periwinkle blue dress robes. Her hair was done up in a very elegant manner and Harry thought he died on gone to heaven.
"Breathe Harry, you need to breathe" Neville whispered to him.
That was when Harry let out the breath he was holding.
"How do I look?" Hermione asked nervously and did a twirl for him.
"You look absolutely beautiful" Harry said still in a daze.
Hermione looked into his eyes and saw that he was telling the truth and that made her feel much more confident.
"Come on, let's go. Luna is waiting" Hermione said and took Harry's arm since he still seemed slightly dazed.
Neville chuckled at his friend's behavior, but he soon was stunned when he got a look at Luna. She was wearing silver dress robes that made Neville think she was a patronus come to life.
"Luna, you look magnificent" Neville said and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thanks Neville" Luna said smiling and blushing.
The four of them headed down and made their way, until McGonagall called Harry over. Harry and Hermione made their way over to their head of house.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, you look quite the pair" McGonagall said smiling one of her rare smiles.
"Thank you professor," they said.
McGonagall nodded and told them what would happen. The Champions and their dates would enter the Great Hall with Harry and Hermione being last since he was the youngest. When it was time Harry and Hermione walked in together they heard whispers from people.
"Is that Granger?"
"Why is he with her?"
"They're probably going as friends."
"Damn, I didn't know Granger cleaned up so good."
"Harry is so handsome."
Harry and Hermione ignored the talked and settled down at the table.
The dinner was quite nice as Harry and Hermione enjoyed each other's company as well as the others around them. Harry had a nice talk with Cedric and Fleur. He found the Beauxbatons Champion quite nice when she's relaxed. Harry tried to talk to Krum, but he didn't seem happy and kept looking at Hermione, which annoyed him some. But he enjoyed everything, though he could without Percy talking to him.
Hermione never felt so comfortable and knew that it was because Harry was sitting by her. He had a way to make things that would be extraordinary quite ordinary, which still amazed her to this day. She would never have this relaxed if she was with someone else. With Harry's carefree smile she knew that this was going to be a great night. She also found that she liked the Beauxbatons Champion too. All of her hatred for the girl was unfounded. Fleur was quite nice and easy to get along with. They talked about many things from spots in France she should visit to the difference in education between the two schools. She talk with Cho was intriguing since she learned what she had to prepare for on her O.W.L's. Though she kept feeling a certain Bulgarian staring at her, which made her feel uncomfortable.
When the dinner ended it was time to dance and Hermione was the one who was nervous instead of Harry. When they got to the floor Harry wrapped his arms around her and smiled at her.
"Relax Hermione, just pretend we're practicing" Harry whispered in her ear.
Hermione nodded and the music began.
They glided across the floor, the lessons helped lots and before they knew it the first dance was over. They didn't stop and danced a couple more times until Harry remembered his promise to his fellow teammate. He told Hermione and she was okay with that. Harry went to find Katie while Hermione found a seat by Luna and Neville.
"Hey Hermione, you and Harry looked fantastic out there" Luna said smiling.
"Thanks, have you gotten out there yet?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, and Neville is a wonderful dancer" Luna said smiling at her date.
Neville blushed.
"Where's Harry?" he asked as soon as he got his blush under control.
"Dancing with Katie" Hermione answered.
"Oh right, I told her I'd dance with too" Neville said, "Would you mind if I do Luna?" Turning to his date.
"No Neville, you did promise her, though I think you should dance with Hermione first" Luna said.
Neville turned to Hermione, who smiled.
"I'd love to Neville," she said before Neville could ask.
Hermione and Neville danced and when the song was over Harry and Neville met on the floor and just exchanged partners.
"Have a nice dance with Neville?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but I think you should dance with Luna" Hermione said.
"Your wish is my command" Harry said kissing Hermione's hand.
Harry led Hermione back to the table before asking Luna, the blond nodded and got up leaving Hermione alone.
"You think I'd get jealous just cause you danced with Potter" Ron growled as he approached Hermione.
Hermione sighed, she knew this night was too perfect.
"Ron, what are you on about?" Hermione asked with a bit of exasperation in her voice.
"You know what I'm talking about, you're just with Potter to make me jealous, well you know what, it's not working" Ron said glaring at Hermione.
"Ron, I'm not doing anything, except having a good time with my date and friends" Hermione said firmly.
"That's horseshit Hermione, you know what you're doing and I'm not falling into the trap," Ron hissed.
He's sure doing a great job Hermione thought sarcastically.
"Ron, I want you to step away from my date before I get angry," Harry said firmly.
Hermione felt relief rush through her as she heard her boyfriend's voice.
Ron spun around to find an irate Harry with Neville and Luna just slightly behind him.
"Stay out of this Potter" Ron growled.
"I'm not, since it concerns my girlfriend" Harry said firmly.
Ron saw red.
He lunged at Harry, who just moved out of the way making the redhead collide with the floor.
"Is there a problem here?" Cedric asked coming up.
"No, just asking Ron here to leave my date alone" Harry said.
Cedric nodded, "I'll make sure he does."
Harry thanked Cedric as the Hufflepuff dragged the redhead away only to put him in the care of the twins and his sister, who looked unhappy with him when Cedric told them the story.
/Scene Break/
Dumbledore watched the whole thing with a sad look, he hoped that the young redhead would get over all of his insecurities and jealousies, but knew that he was hoping for too much. He began to plan though how to get the other three Weasleys more involved since he knew Harry would need friends that he trusted for him to succeed. He also had to add in Longbottom and Lovegood too since it looked like they've form a solid bond with Harry and Hermione. Yes, this would be an interesting summer for Harry. But that can be dealt with later as he promised to dance with Minerva right now.
/Scene Break/
The Ball went well after that with the twins and Ginny apologizing for their brother's behavior and told them that they would be writing a letter home to their mom.
"Hermione, care for a walk?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded and smiled.
They got out to the courtyard and found it decorate with roses and fireflies.
"This is so beautiful," Hermione said in awe.
"Not as beautiful as you" Harry said without thinking.
"Really Harry, you think I'm beautiful?" Hermione asked.
"I told you, you look beautiful when I first saw you tonight and it still holds true now and every single day" Harry said.
"But Harry, my hair is a bushy mess, I look like an absolute horror when I first wake up, and I can be quite bossy and-"
"Hermione, that's what makes you, you and I wouldn't have you any other way" Harry said as he plucked a rose and with a wave of his wand took away the thorns then tucked the flower behind her ear.
"You are too sweet sometimes," Hermione said with tears in her eyes.
"I care for you a lot Hermione, more than I care about anyone else" Harry said softly.
Hermione was a very smart girl and read what was between the lines, what was left unsaid.
"I love you too, Harry" she said softly.
Harry's eyes widen at this.
Hermione smiled, "Harry, I know that you never heard these words before, but I'm going to do my best and rectify this mistake as long as I live."
"I like that" Harry said pulling Hermione into an embrace.
When they got back from outside they found Neville leading Luna out of the Great Hall.
"Where are you going Nev?" Harry asked curiously.
"Walking Luna back to the Ravenclaw tower" Neville said.
"Alright, see you back in Gryffindor" Harry said.
Neville waved and left to tend to Luna.
Harry and Hermione turned and headed to the Gryffindor tower when someone stopped them.
"Harry, hey Harry wait up" Cedric called.
"What's up Cedric?" Harry asked.
"I want to talk to you, privately," Cedric said.
"Whatever you have to say Cedric, I'll just tell Hermione so why you tell both of us" Harry said.
Cedric nodded.
"Okay, well it had to do about the egg" he said.
"What about it?" Hermione asked.
"Well I know how to solve it" Cedric said.
The couple leaned in to hear more.
"Take it to the bath, the password in 'pine fresh'," Cedric said.
Harry glanced at Hermione and she nodded.
"Thank Cedric" he said.
The Hufflepuff nodded and left.
Oh the way back Harry and Hermione discussed the egg and what Cedric meant by taking it to the bath.
"Well there's the prefects' bath, I wonder if that's what he meant?" Hermione pondered out loud.
"I think so, so what do we do?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled at what Harry said, which made Harry look at her with a confused look.
"What?"
"You said we, not 'I'," Hermione said.
"Well, we are a team" Harry said still not understand the point.
"That we are" Hermione said.
When they got to the common room they kissed goodnight and then went to their respective dorms.
End of Chapter
A/N: I couldn't think of anyone that would want to be with Ron at the Ball so he went solo. Thanks for reading and please review.
