I am feeling so loved from the followers, favoriters and reviewers.
This is my second fanfic and I can not believe the amount of attention it has received, so thank you again for all of your encouragement. Please enjoy this next chapter.
The rest of the week passed faster than usual, the pair had been granted their wish to throw a Christmas Ball with the conditions that only Fifth year students and above could attend unless invited. This was to be announced to the School on the following Friday, giving them a week in advance to plan any details that would be tricky with the added attention.
"Draco, Theo I would like your opinion on a certain subject that I have been pondering about." They both shot questioning looks. "Well as you know I was brought up outside of the Wizarding world and after discussing with Ginny the other day about the Yule Ball I wondered how Purebloods hold a dance or ball event?" Draco shot Harry a look of concern at the question asked by Hermione while Theo seemed deep in thought. "The main things that interest me are if it is a high tempo event with traditional settings or if they all range depending on the individual." Harry shot her an encouraging smile and continued to eat his porridge before moving onto the plate of bacon and eggs she had dished him up, it was the day of the Quidditch test match after all.
"Well Hermione when ever my family holds a Ball it is usually a traditional event where classical music is played and the guests are expected to dress smart. However Draco's family like to through magnificent balls where only the top of the top are invited and it is always classy." Draco was cringing by this point. "I have never been to a ball where they play modern music apart from the Yule Ball."
"Which type do you prefer Theo the traditional or the Yule Ball? Draco do stop cringing I already had a rough idea of what type of ball your family would throw." Hermione smirked at the blonde and Harry couldn't help but laugh at the pair's predicament.
"I enjoyed the Yule Ball Hermione but that was mainly due to the fact all of my friends were allowed to go. Normally I am limited to a certain choice of friends with Mothers balls, I wasn't too keen on the music Dumbledore chose but apart from that it was a brilliant evening." Draco had finally found his tongue to reply to the inquisitive raven.
"I enjoyed Bill and Fleur's wedding compared to any of the balls I have been to." Luna had decided to join in the conversation after banishing all the wrackspruts from their area. "I find that balls can sometimes be too formal and uninteresting compared to standard music events." Hermione looked thoughtful at this and Harry made various mental notes to talk with her later about. He glanced across to the Gryffindor table and saw Ginny sitting with her team laughing catching his eye she winked at him and then turned back to her friends. Smiling he looked down the Ravenclaw table and noticed that a few students had been studying their group from a distance a few of the females smiled at him while the lads shrugged and continued on with previous conversations. 'I wonder why they are so fascinated with us? Is it because we have united the four house groups in a matter of 5-6 weeks, who knows.'
"Draco what time does this match start?"
"We have arranged it for ten which means we have an hour to go through tactics and field conditions. I want you ready in five minutes." With that the blonde left the group and notified the other five players and subs. Suddenly both groups of Quidditch teams rose from their respective tables and headed towards the entrance hall, this wasn't missed by either the Slytherin or Hufflepuff team who's Captains looked at each other and nodded. If something was going on between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw they both wanted to see this. The following two teams decided to leave the hall half an hour later and headed down to the Quidditch pitch, on arrival they noticed both teams walking the pitch and quickly took seats in the grand stands.
"The ground is hard means a good kick off along with low wind conditions this would be an interesting match." Harry was talking to the blonde beside of him.
"We should have the advantage as the sun will be in their eyes. What are the Hufflepuff and Slytherin teams doing in the grand stand?"
"Come to watch I suppose well let's make it a good one shall we." Without any warning the two teams walked towards each other and met in the centre of the pitch, Draco and Ginny shook hands and they all mounted their brooms. Madam Hooch stood in the middle, counted down to three and then threw the Quaffle into the air. Suddenly there was a flash of red and blue and the game had started, it quickly escalated into a full blown match as Ravenclaw scored three goals and Gryffindor responded with two of their own. Harry was being closely followed by Ginny in the search for the snitch, realising that Ginny knew how Harry flew and would know how to counter fly him he started to change his game plan.
"What is it Harry? Are you okay you called a time out in a practice?"
"I'm fine Draco, quick come over here." The pair quickly walked away from the two teams and stood ten foot away. "I want you to substitute Stacey in to fly against Ginny, it will give her some practice against another seeker."
"Hang on what? Why?" Draco was gobsmacked at Harry's choice in game play but it slowly made sense.
"Because Ginny knows how I fly and Stacey will be a curve ball. I want to see how Stacey flies in a match and this is the perfect opportunity." Without another word from the captain Harry flew over to the sub stands and called Stacey over, Draco quickly followed. "Stacey you are taking my place in the practice match, Ginny knows me too well but I know you can out fly her. Draco I do not care what you say put Stacey in and we will win." Without a second look back at the pair Stacey strode out onto the pitch and joined the rest of her team.
"I really hope you know what you are doing Harry." Draco followed suit and left the raven stood at the end of the pitch 'So do I' he thought to himself, turned and took a seat with the rest of the team.
Two hours later and Harry was still sat on the stands, the game had been over for twenty minutes and the rest of the team had gone to shower. His idea to put Stacey in instead of him had worked well as Ginny was completely baffled by the woman; she had out flown Ginny and caught the snitch winning the game for them. The reason Harry was still in the Quidditch pitch was due to the fact he needed some thinking space 'She is a brilliant flier and I will defiantly look at placing her in against Gryffindor, however I do not think she will be able to out fly the Slytherin and Hufflepuff seekers... Time will tell.' He did not feel as good though about beating his old team he knew they could fly better and were being poorly instructed but that was not his house any more he belonged to the ravens along with Hermione, Draco and Theo. He released a sight 'Hermione what am I going to do about you, you are in most of my dreams and thoughts but I doubt I am not in yours.' He gazed up at the Hufflepuffs who were practicing for their up and coming practice game against Slytherin the streaks of yellow against the blue sky amused the raven haired man. 'Maybe we might have a fight on our hands this year for the cup between all four houses.' He continued to sit there watching the apposing team analysing his thoughts about the year so far.
"Has anyone seen Harry?" The Ravenclaw team were all sat at their house table having lunch when Hermione appeared to talk to Harry, she was shocked to not find him sat next to the blonde lapping up their win against Gryffindor.
"I haven't seen him since the match Hermione. Did you see the game Stacey flew amazingly against Ginny." Terry responded to her question and completely missed the worried look Hermione shot Draco who in turn shot her a similar look. "She caught the snitch after a 40ft dive, only Harry has topped that with his 50ft dive in the fifth year."
"I missed the match due to some planning the Headmistress asked me to help her with. I bet Stacey did fly extremely well especially to pull off such a stunning catch." She smiled at the redhead and then looked over to the Gryffindor table to see Ginny talking rapidly with her team mates. Draco quickly took the brunette's hand and pulled her into a seat beside of him while Theo laughed at her shocked expression.
"I am sure Harry is fine, I know Hufflepuff were lining up to practice after our match he is probably watching them. Why don't you eat some lunch and then we can go and find him." She nodded and picked up a chicken sandwich not taking her eyes off of her redhead friend, was it possible did she seem to be putting on a front. From this distance it looked like she wanted to cry, suddenly spinning around Hermione looked over to the Slytherin table and saw that Ron was once again glaring in her direction while a permanent scowl was apparent above his eyebrows. Catching her looking at him he glared at her and turned back to his lunch, Hermione frowned and turned back to her own lunch. After finishing her sandwich she excused herself from her friends and headed over to see Ginny, muttering a quick hello to Neville she sat down next to the redhead.
"Ginny is everything okay?" She knew the girl sat next to her almost as well as she knew Ron and could read her easily everything was not okay.
"I am fine 'Mione, did you get to see the match earlier it was something amazing. Although I am slightly annoyed Harry decided to sub his place instead of playing against me." She smiled at the brunette "Actually could I have a chat with you in private, I feel like I am drowning." She gave the lion a smile and followed her out of the room 'finding Harry can wait for an hour or so, it's not like I can actually tell him what I want to.' The pair headed into an abandoned class room on the first floor and as Hermione turned around from closing the door she was engulfed by a crying redhead. "I am sorry Hermione I am just finding it so hard... I failed the Quidditch team, I am failing my lessons, I failed my brother and I failed Harry." Quickly steering the younger woman to a chair Hermione sat her down.
"Ginny you did not fail your Quidditch team you guys flew amazingly today, all you need to do is be prepared for the chance that you will not be facing Harry in the Ravenclaw match. As for your Brother I am afraid to say we all have failed him, however we cannot help someone who does not want to be helped. Now why do you think you are failing your lessons?" She had managed to calm her down enough to stop the flow of tears from her eyes.
"I seem to be useless at anything put in front of me. We have started non verbal spells and I cannot seem to manage them and then potion's is just a disaster along with my poor attention in Transfiguration I will be lucky to receive any NEWT's next year." Ginny was now staring blankly at the chalkboard at the other end of the room.
"Well why don't you join our study group, yes we are studying seventh year material but someone can always help you. Luna could always join us and you could both work together when we cannot help? I know the others wouldn't mind." Hermione watched as Ginny slowly turned and faced her with hope inside of her eyes.
"You think that I could join you more often? I really enjoyed the day I spent with you guys on your birthday. I feel awkward coming to ask everyone if I can have some help or join in since me and Harry broke up, I just couldn't see us ever lasting as the spark had gone from our relationship. I feel terrible about what happened but it just wasn't meant to be." Ginny hung her head low dreading what Hermione might think of her.
"Gin you listen to me if it wasn't meant to be then you have nothing to be sorry for. Harry felt the same way, or so he has said, and he does not hold anything against you for the end of your relationship. I bet Crookshanks that the reason why he put Stacey in against you today is because you know him too well, I also know he wanted to see how well she would play in a real match. He doesn't hate you Gin I can promise you that... I must ask you something though." She was replied by a raised eyebrow. "I know you and well I know that you have feelings for another student, do not worry I will not tell Harry. I just want to check that you know you can tell me anything right?"
"I know I can 'Mione, I don't want to jump into the deep end and start dating every person that catches my eye. I want to make sure that I actually like this person more than just attracted to them." Hermione lent over and hugged the red head, releasing her she sent her a look of understanding "I need to go and find Luna 'Mione, thank you for this talk." With that Ginny jumped up from her chair and left a smiling Hermione behind 'She is walking like a mountain has been lifted off of her shoulders. I best find Harry and talk to him about this dance.'
It was early evening before Harry trudged through the door way to the head's common room, he was still wearing his Quidditch uniform and was completely soaked from the showers earlier in the afternoon. Without greeting Hermione or Draco he walked up to his room to get a shower and changed, Hermione shot Draco a look of concern and the blonde agreed silently that he would leave them alone so she could talk with him. Twenty minutes later he returned to the common room and took his usual seat on the sofa he looked at the table and noticed his usual drink of hot chocolate along with some sandwiches and soup. "Thank you 'Mione. Where did Draco go?" He picked up the soup and started to eat some food.
"Draco left while you were in the shower, he had an important letter to send home. Where have you been? We looked for you everywhere." She was concerned he could hear it in her voice and see it etched across her face.
"I was ... well I... I went flying around the school grounds after the Hufflepuff practice. I didn't realise how much time passed until the sun had set. I suppose I missed the team having a celebratory party?"
"No they haven't celebrated it like the Gryffindor's used to, they all had a good laugh at lunch time and then attempted to help me find you. Draco and I had only just come up to use the map when you arrived. I must congratulate you on swapping Stacey in though it sounds like she flew almost as well as you."
"You missed the game? Stacey flew great I think I might have to resign to let her play full time." He laughed as he said this.
"I was with McGonagall discussing the Christmas Dance. We have pretty much set the theme and she is arranging a band for the music, all we need to do is plan the decorating and food now. This is the idea of the theme." She passed him a piece of parchment to analyse. "It is going to be based on the winter wonderland design we had at the Yule Ball but with a lot more ice behind it."
"I think it is brilliant 'Mione. I am sorry I worried you I just needed to think over a few things." She looked at him and saw empathy burning deep within his eyes it made her want to hug him and admit how she felt for him 'I can't he has only just split with Ginny I am sure he is more interested in other people.'
"Do you want to talk about it at all Harry? I know it has been difficult with all the duties and extra changes this year and you know you can always talk to me, Draco or Theo." He smiled at her and nodded before taking a drink. Hermione realised that she wouldn't get any more information out of him this evening and turned back to her notes for the ball, this allowed Harry to watch her and become more confused by the thoughts in his mind. 'I think I will ask 'Mione, to accompany me to Hogsmeade next month. This way I can start to assess if my feelings are reciprocated by her, I cannot lose her.'
"Theo have you noticed Harry's odd behavior over the last week or so?" Draco was currently getting changed in his dorm room that the pair shared with Terry, fortunately the latter was on duty.
"It is very uncharacteristic for him to be acting in the mannerism he is at times I agree. I know Hermione is concerned but then again she has been acting odd towards the chosen one. On top of that I am sure Ginny is spending a lot more time with Blaise than usual." He looked over to the blonde who was sat on the end of the bed with a look of realisation on his face "Draco?"
"I think Theodore we are going to have to play matchmakers. It is obvious now I have thought about it our Head girl and boy are fascinated with each other."
"Just like you are with a certain redhead?" Theo had to duck quickly as a pillow was launched at him by the grey eyed man opposite him. "So when are you planning on asking her out?"
Up in the Headmistress's tower Professor McGonagall was smiling at her deputy head "Well Minerva I think the plan to resort the whole school has worked to favour inter house unity. I am positive more than one of my snakes has feelings for your old lions, on top of that you have Purebloods liking Muggleborns and Halfbloods as well as two Heads who are tripping over each other. I am impressed and amused."
"Thank you Severus, it is about time rivalries were put aside. My only regret is that it wasn't possible to do years ago." Severus shot Minerva a questioning look but all she did was give him a distant look, raising their glasses the pair took a swig of fire whiskey. "This Christmas Ball should be a very interesting event."
Another chapter for my lovelies, I have to admit the time I have spent writing recently has become highly restricted due to personal life etc. However I am planning on writing more soon, I just need to get past a couple of plot hurdles. Until next time...