Back from my vaca! I just had to finish this and upload it. this is a 4k word chapter. WHATT. yeah. It's the Yule Ball, a lot happens. I feel like i didnt do it total justice, but let me know. More to say on the bottom. READ ON.

edit: crap, i just realized that i forgot to put in Cedric telling Harry about the prefect bathroom...that's kind of important. going to add that now, sorry bout the false update


Chapter Eight

"I—did you want to go with me?"

"I—uh, yeah."

He walked back to the fire and plopped down. "We have dates."


(Third Person POV)

"I mean, honestly, Harry, how could anyone possibly take four entire hours to put on a dress?"

Ron was still going on about Hermione leaving their snowball fight earlier. All five boys were in the dorm, mocking each other's dress robes.

"It's not just the dress, Ron," Seamus said, grinning. "These girls need time for every little detail to be perfect-o."

Four out of five of the boys were in modest, standard robes, in black. Harry's were bottle-green.

Poor Ron's were lacy, gaudily patterned, and musty smelling. He had described them as "ancient, from Great Aunt Tessie's time." He had severed the lace from the neckline and cuffs, so now there were frayed white strings on the end. It improved it only so much.

"This night can go two ways—best night ever, or nightmare of a lifetime," Dean Thomas quipped, adjusting his robes.

The five boys looked at each other.

"Let's get this over with," Harry said.


Harry stood beside Parvati at the doors of the Great Hall, preparing to greet the students. All four champions and their dates were standing in a line—Krum and a pretty girl in blue up first, Fleur and Roger Davies next in line, Cedric and—Harry's stomach flipped—Cho Chang were on the other side of Parvati.

Cho was stunning. Harry didn't realize that Parvati was tapping his arm before she said impatiently, "Harry, look at Krum's date."

He looked. Then he did a double take. "Hermione?"

The girl in blue turned and grinned. "Hi, Harry! Hi, Parvati!"

Both were agog. Hermione's bushy hair had disappeared. It was now sleek, shiny, and rather stunning. Her even smile was much more noticeable. The pretty blue gown she had on complemented her very well. One hand was in the much larger hand of Krum.

Viktor Krum smiled and kissed Hermione's hand. She blushed. Harry and Parvati continued to stare.

Professor McGonagall hurried up to them. "Places, everyone, we're letting them in now!"

The Great Hall doors creaked open. A rush of people began to enter.

Harry saw Neville and Ginny, Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott, Fred and Angelina, Seamus and Lavender. He spotted George beside Fred, with the very pretty Elle on his arm. Harry studied her.

Jez Riddle's cousin had honey gold curls that she pinned up into an elegant style. She had a creamy complexion, with a splash of freckles across her face. Her kind eyes sparkled a light blue, which matched her flowing dress. She laughed with Angelina and the twins as they passed.

Harry laughed slightly as Padma passed by, dragging a grumpy looking Ron.

"Good Merlin, look at Parkinson's dress!" Parvati whispered to him.

The Slytherin gang had walked in. Harry almost felt bad for Warrington, who had Pansy Parkinson on his arm. She was dressed in a rather hideous pink thing, with frills and ruffles and sequins and ribbons. She looked like a birthday cake gone wrong. And her pouting facial expression did nothing for her.

Crabbe and Goyle were dateless, Harry was pleased to see.

Malfoy had no girl, either. Had George's information been wrong? Maybe Jez Riddle had decided not to come with Malfoy. He didn't see her at all.

Professor McGonagall came over to the champions. "Places, everyone! It's time for the feast!"

Harry spotted Percy Weasley at the champion's dining table. He was waving energetically and patting the seat next to him.

Harry groaned, and let Parvati drag him eagerly to the table.


(Jez POV)

"I am so stupid!" I cried for the nth time, hopping around the carriage. Daphne and her date, Blaise Zabini, were there, dressed and ready to go, watching me in desperation.

"How could I have been so dumb? I can't believe I forgot to get shoes, and all I have are uniform shoes, and I can't go barefoot—"

"Jez!" I stopped my rant and stared pathetically at Daphne. She shook her head. "Honestly, you're smart, I thought you'd figure it out." When I continued to stare at her, she said, "You're a witch! You don't have shoes, so use your wand!"

I was about to retort that I couldn't wear my wand as shoes when I realized how truly stupid that would be. "Right," I mumbled, grabbing my wand from the bag.

I paused in front of a full-length mirror and looked at my reflection. My hair was frazzled and messy, I had no makeup on, I was still in my day clothes, and my brain, clearly, was fried.

Daphne took pity on me and sat me down in front of Elle's vanity. "Let's get you started."

She glanced back at Blaise. "Blaise, why don't you go find Draco, tell him to go on in. Jez is going to be a bit late."

I closed my eyes and put my head back. "Crap, I forgot all about Draco."

Zabini laughed. "I won't tell him that," he said as he left.

Daphne turned to me. "Alrighty. Do you have the dress?"

I pointed to the black garment bag on my bed. Daphne patted my head, like I was a little kid and grinned mockingly. "So, you're not completely hopeless."


(Third Person POV)

The Great Hall was buzzing with forks clattering against plates, and people chattering and laughing. Percy was talking Harry's ear off as he browsed the Hall.

"—Mr. Crouch suffered a huge personal shock with the misbehavior of that house-elf of his, Blinky, or whatever—"

Dumbledore stood, and Percy shut up. All the students stood as well.

With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore sent all the tables and chairs up in the air, and they vanished. A gleaming dance floor was revealed underneath. The students chattered eagerly. The band began to play a light, melodic tune.

Cedric, Roger Davies, and Krum led their dates onto the dance floor. Harry felt dread build inside him.

"Come on," Parvati hissed, following the others onto the floor.

They began to dance, rather clumsily. Parvati seemed to be enjoying herself. Harry was grateful when other couples joined the champions on the floor. He heard Hermione's laugh as all the guys twirled the girls.

Harry just wanted this dance to end.


(Jez POV)

I smoothed out the skirt of the gown, and brushed my hair over my shoulder, and stepped back and forth on my flats that Daphne had Transfigured for me.

"Stop fidgeting, Jez," Daphne said.

I shook my head. "I'm the only latecomer. Everyone will see me!"

"Everyone's dancing. No one will notice."

"Just watch! I'll trip, or knock something over, and then everyone will see!"

"Then they'll see my makeover skills. No one will even recognize you."

I had to admit, she had a point. Daphne was truly a miracle worker. She had transformed me from frazzled, stressed girl before to elegant, stunning girl now.

I peeked inside the Great Hall. She was right, everyone was dancing. I spotted Draco and Blaise not too far away.

I took a deep breath as the song inside ended. "Okay. I'm good, let's go."


(Third Person POV)

Harry breathed a sigh of relief as the song ended. He made to leave the dance floor, but Parvati said, "No, I like this song! Let's dance some more!"

Harry dragged her off and over to the refreshments table. Hermione and Krum followed them.

"You weren't terrible," Hermione informed Harry.

"Thanks," he said dryly, handing her a butterbeer.

The four sat at a table nearby. Parvati began to grill Krum on his life, and Harry and Hermione watched the dancers.

"So, how did you and Krum...?"

Hermione flushed. "Oh! Well, he was always in the library, you know, and I was too, and one day he came up to me and said he wasn't really studying, he was trying to get the nerve to talk to me, and he just asked me! It was rather sweet, but he can't say my name properly, just yet."

Harry laughed. "You could have told us, you know," he said, taking a sip of his butterbeer.

She appeared horrified. "I couldn't have! You and Ron would have just laughed at me!"

They laughed together. "Speaking of Ron," she said, "He doesn't look to happy right now."

She pointed to another table across the Hall, where Ron sat grumpily with a bored Padma.

"Huh," Harry said, his gaze being drawn to Malfoy and Blaise Zabini, who were standing off to the side. They were both watching the Great Hall doors intently. Harry followed their gaze, curious as to what they were watching.

Daphne Greengrass was walking in. She stopped, and looked back, to a shadow off to the side. She rolled her eyes and walked back. She came back into view, dragging another girl into the Great Hall by the arm.

The dragged girl yanked her arm away and straightened, brushing herself off. Harry took in the full effect of this girl.

"Oh, wow," he said, amazed.

It was Jez Riddle, but she was different. It was like Harry was seeing her in a whole new light. Her face was clearly visible, instead of being hidden by a dark curtain of bangs. Her bangs were pinned back with a silvery rose clip. The rest of her dark, almost black hair fell in loose curls to her mid back. Unlike her cousin, she had no freckles or and blemishes on her olive skin.

She had Tom Riddle's dark eyes, but instead of maliciousness and coldness they held brightness and intelligence, and were darting back and forth in a nervous fashion.

Her gown was beautiful and elegant. It was a unique color, almost silvery-gray, but with an iridescent sheen to it, so flashes of blues, greens, and purples shimmered across the fabric. It was strapless, with a very simple neckline. The bodice was fitted to her hips, when the fabric flowed into the skirt. The skirt fell just past her knees, and swished gently back and forth as she walked towards Malfoy.

She looked around the Hall and caught Harry's eye. He quickly looked away, face heating up.

Hermione gave him a curious look. "What's 'oh, wow,' Harry?" She scanned the Hall and smirked as she spotted Jez Riddle. "Ah."

Harry shrugged. "I just didn't recognize her, is all," he defended himself.

Hermione gave him a knowing look. "Right. She is quite the Cinderella tonight."

Harry nodded absentmindedly. His gaze somehow ended up on her again, as she moved onto the dance floor with Malfoy. He felt a strange twinge as he watched Malfoy twirl her and hold her close. She was laughing. She is pretty when she laughs like that...

Then he realized something. "Wait, why aren't you being hateful towards her? I thought you hated her."

Hermione shrugged. "I just can't be hateful tonight. It's just so perfect, with the decorations, and the formalities—nothing could ruin this night."

Harry had to disagree. This was not the best night ever.

At that moment Parvati sat back, finished with her questioning, and Viktor said, slightly, out of breath, "Let us dance, Herm-own-ninny."

She shot Harry a glance, like, see what I mean? But she took Krum's offered hand and they made for the dance floor.

Parvati sighed. Then she gave Harry a look. "Are you going to ask me to dance or not?"

Harry looked at her. "Er, no."

She huffed and walked off. Ron quickly replaced her. He plopped down and glared at the dance floor.

"What, Padma's ditched you?" Harry asked, wondering why Ron was in his mood.

"He's a git, isn't he?" Ron said, completely ignoring what Harry said.

Harry was confused. "Who?" His eyes were trailing Malfoy and Jez Riddle, who were dancing with Greengrass and Zabini.

"Krum! He's probably just using Hermione because she's so smart, and he needs help with the egg since he's so bloody thick."

Shocked, Harry asked, "I thought Krum was your hero?"

Ron snorted. "Don't know what I was thinking. He's too old for her."

"He's eighteen, it's only four years."

"How are you okay with this? This is your competition that's hanging all over her, mate!"

"They're just dancing, Ron."

The boys sat in silence for a while, each watching their own items of interest.

The song ended and Hermione walked up to them, face flushed. "Viktor's gone to get us some drinks, care to join us?"

Harry was about to say, "Yes," but Ron cut in, "So it's Viktor, now, is it? He hasn't requested Vikky yet? And no, we do not want drinks with you and Viktor."

Hermione was affronted. "What is it with you? All night you've been such a grump!"

Ron leaned towards her and hissed, "He's Durmstrang. You're fraternizing with the enemy!"

"The enemy? Ronald, there is no enemy in this! The Tournament is all about bringing schools together, forming bonds—making friends!"

Ron scoffed. "I think Vikky wants more than just friendship."

Hermione made an indignant sound and stalked off. Ron settled back into his grumpy position.

"Well done," Harry said nonchalantly. Ron glared at him.

"I'm getting a drink," he said, getting up and storming off to the refreshments table.

Harry sighed, all alone at the table. Yes, this certainly wasn't the perfect night.


(Jez POV)

"So, who has the best dress robes, out of everyone?"Daphne asked, leaning on Blaise.

Our little group of me, Draco, Daphne, and Blaise stood off to the side, drinks in hand. We were too lazy to dance, and too lazy to find a table to sit at. We were all a little high off laughing too much, and spinning too much on the dance floor.

I laughed and surveyed the Hall. I laughed harder when I spotted my victim. "Weasley."

"Which one?" Draco asked, poking me. "There's too many."

I thought for a moment, unable to produce a name. "The one in our year, what's his name...?"

"Ron," Daphne supplied.

"Yes, Ron!"

We all looked at him and burst into laughter. The poor guy had the most horrendous robes.

Draco was still chuckling as he finished off his butterbeer. "Any refills?"

I downed the rest of mine. "Yes!"

He shook his head, laughing, and went over to the refreshments table.

Daphne whispered to me, "Look! Weasley's going over to the table, too!"

The three of us watched him go grumpily to the table. I saw Draco's face light up as he approached.

"Oh, here we go," I said, slightly dreading whatever Draco was about to do.


(Third Person POV at the refreshments table)

"Hello, Weasel-bee."

Ron looked up from the punch bowl and scowled. "What do you want, Malfoy?"

The blonde boy smirked. "I was just admiring your—fabulous—dress robes."

Ron popped the cap off his butterbeer. "Shut up, Malfoy."

He faked hurt. "But Weasel, I was just complimenting your robes! I figured that since you must have gone through such lengths to find a set so appalling, you should get some recognition for your hard searching skills, and terrible eye for clothing!"

Ron growled. "I'm warning you, Malfoy, one more word..."

Malfoy laughed. "They're just compliments, Weasel. But really, what'd you have to sell to get the galleons for these? Your house? Maybe if you sold your rubbish father with it you'd—"

Ron roared and ran at Malfoy. He saw the smirk on his face be replaced by panic before hearing, "Whoa!" Something silvery pushed Malfoy out of the way, and Ron hit the floor.

"Alright there, Weasley?"

Ron got up and dusted himself off, ears and face red. He looked at Malfoy, and saw him holding a pretty, dark-haired girl to his chest. She was the one who had talked. And by her silvery dress, she had pushed Malfoy out of the way.

"I'm fine," he muttered, grabbing another butterbeer.

Ron heard running footsteps behind him.

"Ron! Are you okay?" Harry had joined their little gathering.

"He's fine," Malfoy said in a mocking tone. The girl slapped his chest slightly.

"Hi, Potter," she said, looking at Harry.

Harry stuttered slightly. "Er, hi, Je—er, Riddle. Malfoy."

Ron's eyes widened as he realized that the girl with Malfoy was Jez Riddle, Tom Riddle's daughter.

She spoke. "Draco here was just teasing a bit, and Ron got a little angry. No problem."

Malfoy drawled, "Jez, you're not going to comment on Weasley's fantastic dress robes?"

Riddle gave Malfoy a look, and his smirk disappeared right away. "Oh, no, Jez, you're about to do something really stupid, aren't you—"

"Weasley," she said, letting go of Malfoy and smiling at him. "Would you like to dance?"

Malfoy groaned. Harry looked shocked. Riddle kept smiling, and Ron said, "Me?"

She laughed. "Yes, you, Ron Weasley."

Malfoy was glaring at him. Ron smirked at him and said, "Alright."


(Jez POV)

Draco's so frustrating. The guy can be the sweetest person in the world if he wants to, but he can also be the world's biggest prat, just naturally. When he's a prat, I find that doing something outrageous will tone him down a bit. Which is why I asked Weasley to dance.

The band was playing a light tune, not too fast, and not slow. There was a decent amount of couples on the floor, though many had left to snog, or sit and have a few butterbeers.

I waved to Daphne and Blaise as Weasley and I danced, rather awkwardly. I looked up at him. He's very tall. His dress robes really were terrible, especially up close."I'm sorry Draco's such a git," I said, laughing slightly.

He nodded, but didn't say anything. I bit my lip. The guy wouldn't even look at me. Why had he said yes, again?

"So, you're a Gryffindor?" I tried again. He nodded, no words. I continued. "Like Potter and Granger, right?"

"Are you trying to kill Harry?"

I blinked. So he talked...but what?

"Er, come again?"

He looked at me at last. "We know you're Riddle's daughter—"

"Well, yeah, I told them myself that one time—"

"—and Hermione thinks that you put Harry's name in the Goblet, because you're trying to kill him. And Hermione's almost never wrong."

I laughed in disbelief. "You've got to be bloody joking. No, I don't want to kill Potter, he hasn't done anything to me, except knock me over, and that's not exactly reason to try and kill him." I thought for a moment, then added, "And tell Granger I hate her too. With love."

Weasley raised an eyebrow. "But he defeated your dad, wouldn't you want to get back at him?"

I shook my head. "I try not to hate people until I meet them. Like Granger. But Potter doesn't seem so bad." I tilted my head to look at him better. "Neither do you."

His ears turned pink. I smiled. "Can I call you Ron? I already call both your brothers Weasley, so..."

"Yeah, sure, Riddle."

"Jez." Aww, he turned red!

"...Jez."


(Third Person POV)

Harry was back at his solitary table, watching Jez again. Only this time she was with Ron.

Hermione came and huffed over to him.

"The night isn't perfect anymore," she said, glaring at Ron and Riddle.

Harry nodded. "The night was never perfect."

Hermione scoffed. "It was! Everything was brilliant, and then Ron goes and acts like a prat, and then that Riddle girl thinks it's alright for her to dance with him—"

"They're just dancing," Harry said, slightly amused. "I told the same thing to Ron when he complained to me about you and Krum."

Hermione stared at him, open-mouthed. She was speechless for a moment, then she said, "Well, Viktor's left already, I'm going up to bed."

"Bye," Harry said to her back. The Great Hall felt incredibly stuffy. He decided to step outside for some fresh air.


"It's been getting clearer and clearer for months. I am becoming seriously concerned, I can't deny it—"

"Then flee."


(Jez POV)

Ron laughed. "So, you just got up and walked away? No one saw, no one questioned you?"

"Well, my aunt and uncle asked why I was so beaten up, but I just told them I tripped over a rock in the woods. It happened all the time. And if anyone saw me, they didn't say anything." I had just finished telling Ron the story of when I had crashed and broken my first broom against the clock tower in Godric's Hollow, where we lived.

Ron was actually a lot of fun. He had loads of hilarious childhood stories, which made sense since he was the Weasley twins' brother. He actually seemed interested in hearing what I had to share, which shocked me, since he clearly knew who I was.

Maybe it was because I told him how Draco had used accidental magic one time and dyed his hair bright orange.

The ball was still going strong, and the band played on. Draco was still watching us. I didn't really want to leave Ron behind, since Potter and Granger seemed to have left, but I told him, "I should go, Draco looks a little irritated."

He laughed. "Who cares about the ferret? I'm actually having fun at this ball, and I thought it would be a nightmare."

I smiled. "I can't stay. I really should at least spend the rest of the ball with him, since he is my date."

Ron shrugged. "Padma left me after the first dance. I have no guilt."

I shook my head, but grinned. "You are terrible." We laughed.

I caught sight of Draco in the corner of my eye and winced. He didn't look happy at all.

"Okay, I really need to go now, bye, Ron!"

He waved, heading out of the Hall. "See you tomorrow, Jez!"

I walked rather meekly to Draco.

"Weasley?" he fumed. "Really, Jez?"

"Okay, well, I only danced with him because I knew it would shut you up a bit, but he's actually really nice, and fun." I saw his look and added, "I don't even think we consider each other friends, we just had a fun time talking."

"You're on first name basis."

"Yeah, well..."

He shook his head. "You really shouldn't be talking to blood-traitors, especially Weasleys."

I shrugged. "Blood-traitors are nice. Nicer than shiny-blonde purebloods," I said, grinning and poking him.

He sighed, but I could see him wanting to laugh. He just shook his head again.

"Oh, you're impossible, Jez," he said, hugging me. He surprised me by kissing the top of my head. "Let's get you to bed."


(Third Person POV)

As Harry was making his way out of the Great Hall, he was stopped by someone calling his name.

"Hey! Potter! Wait up!"

Harry turned. Cedric Diggory was running towards him. He came to a panting stop.

"Hello, Cedric," Harry said.

Cedric smiled. "So, uh, how's it going...with the egg?"

Harry shrugged. He spotted Cho waiting inside the Hall, watching them. "It's...good."

"Does it wail when you open it?"

"Yeah."

Cedric smiled again. "Er, take a bath."

Harry gave him a weird look. "Pardon?"

"Just...take your egg...and take a bath. I recommend the prefects' bathroom, fourth door to the left of that statue of Boris the Bewildered on the fifth floor. Password's pine fresh."

The older boy grinned and straightened. "Well, that's all, i want to go say good night..." Cedric waved and ran back over to Cho.

Harry stood, thinking over what Cedric had said. Take a bath? It didn't make any sense to him. Maybe Cedric was just trying to make Harry look foolish, so that Cho would like him more.

Harry wandered up to Gryffindor tower, ignoring the giggling couples in the shadows of the corridors.

"Fairy lights," he said at the Fat Lady. The portrait swung forward, and the blazing row frominside echoed down the hall.

"Well, you don't like me and Viktor, I don't like you and Riddle! I think we're even!"

"Jez isn't the enemy!"

"Riddle isn't the enemy? Listen to yourself, Ronald! Think about who she is!"

"I just don't like you and Krum, alright?"

"Well, if you don't like it, you know what the solution is, don't you?"

"Yeah? What's that?"

"Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!"

Harry watched as Hermione stormed upstairs, leaving Ron gaping after her.

He turned to face Harry. "Well—that's—that—she's completely missed the point—"

Harry just grabbed Ron by the shoulder and tugged him upstairs. It had been a long day—a long evening—with the entire ball, and then overhearing about Hagrid, and Snape and Karkaroff, and Riddle.

Harry just wanted sleep.


Again, I really don't think i did this justice. Sorry.

Tell me what you think! This was a looong chapter, lots for you to think about.

Ron and Jez will not be a couple. They just like talking to each other.

For all those Harry/Jez shippers, there was a little spark here.

Draco/Jez shippers, there ya go.

SO! Maybe pleaing and begging for reviews is what brings them in, because after last chapter i got a looot of alerts. But asking for reviews takes energy to type, so i shall not do that!

THANKS FROM (insert creative mythical land here...hey, i'm exhausted right now) AND BACK TO:

rosie. horgan. 7

ChelseaLouisePowell

Nadia Pintos

ADyingWorldxx

PotionGirl1992

BunnyMooMooMonster(interesting, i smiled when i read your penname...and your review:)

DreamyFlower

Guest(Thanks, you're partially psychic:)

Utau54

imjaysong

BelowTheFire

GoodNaughtyGirl

TheDarkLady55

shadowkat678

for reviewing/favoriting/supporting/following/helping/ predicting! You guys are the greatest, I think i had like 22 emails in my inbox thanks to all you.

I think that's all...so tired right now i have no idea. Thanks again, hope you liked it, probably going to start the next chapter tomorrow. But it'll be hard, going forward form the Yule Ball chapter. can any other authors sympathize or is it just me? :) Love ya, bye!