Decided to post this early because it's the Yule Ball ;)
Follows the movie version with some better dancing ^-^
I added Dobby cuz I like Dobby and the sock exchange was adorable.


Harry woke early on Christmas morning. Unlike past Christmases, most everyone was still in the castle because the Yule Ball was that night. Harry was a little disappointed that he wasn't able to go home again, but at least his family was coming to the castle.

"Hey Harry, Happy Christmas!" Ron greeted as he tore through his presents.

"Happy Christmas Ron" Harry smiled. He only had a few presents on his bed, he smiled as he pulled out another green Weasley sweater.

"I see you've got yours this year. I got maroon again" Ron whined.

"Harry Potter!" A squeaky voice cheered.

The two boys looked to see Dobby standing by their beds.

"Happy Christmas Dobby"

"A Happy Christmas to you too Harry Potter sir!" Dobby smiled, "Dobby has come to give Harry Potter his present." He held out a small, crudely wrapped package.

"I got something for you too" Harry lied and quickly pulled out a pair of red socks with Iron Man helmets on them. They were a gag-gift from Clint for his birthday. "Uh, sorry I didn't wrap them."

Dobby's smile was bright as he grasped the socks. "Socks are Dobby's favorite clothes!" He ripped off the socks currently on his feet and replaced them with the yellow ones. "Dobby has seven now…but…" He examined the socks, "the shop has made a mistake in giving you two of the same."

"Harry, how did you not spot that?" Ron snickered. "Here you go Dobby" Ron threw the Elf a pair of bright violet socks he had unwrapped earlier. "So you can mix them up. And here is that sweater I promised you." Ron said as he threw the maroon sweater onto the bed.

"Oh you is most kind sir!" Dobby replied. He picked up the clothing carefully. "So generous and kind!"

Ron blushed slightly and returned to his presents.

Harry looked down at Dobby's present and opened it. Inside he found a pair of socks. The left sock was red with tiny broomsticks on it, and the right was green with tiny snitches on it."

"Dobby is making them himself Harry Potter, sir. Dobby is buying the wool out of his wages!"

"They – er – are very nice Dobby. Thanks" Harry said and pulled them on.

Fat tears fell from Dobby's big eyes. The Elf started to whimper quietly. "You is very welcome Harry Potter, sir." Dobby replied. "Dobby must go now, we is already making the Yule Ball feast in the kitchens." He waved goodbye and, with a crack, the Elf was gone.

/

The Yule ball came quickly. Everyone was dressed to the nines and ready to dance. Ron stood in front of the mirror in their dormitory, "Bloody hell" He whined. His dress robes looked just as ugly as they did before.

Harry came out wearing his dress robes and Ron turned around. "What are those!?"

"My dress robes" Harry replied.

"Well, they're all right!" He turned back to the mirror and stared in horror, "No lace or ruffles."

"Well, I expect yours are more traditional." Harry tried to assure him. It wasn't working.

"These are ancient! I look like my Great Aunt Tessie!" He cried.

Harry gave him a small shrug in response. "Just murder me Harry" Ron whined.

/

They walked downstairs to meet with the Patil sisters. "Leave it alone" Harry swiped at Ron's hand as it continued to fiddle with the lace.

"Poor thing, I bet she's alone in her room, crying her eyes out. Or maybe the girl's bathroom again." Ron said.

"Who?"

"Hermione of course. Do you really think someone asked her to the dance? She wouldn't even tell us who she was coming with"

"It's not really our business." Harry replied.

"We're her best friends, why wouldn't she tell us unless she made it up."

Harry didn't think that was the case, but he didn't say anything. They would find out soon enough anyway. Parvati and Padma came forward, both looking beautiful in their dress robes. Padma didn't look to happy when seeing Ron, but she allowed him to lead her inside. Harry and Parvati lined up with the other champions.

Harry caught sight of Cho with Cedric. She looked gorgeous in her silver robes, absolutely stunning.

"She looks so beautiful" He heard Parvati say.

"Yeah, she does" Harry replied, looking at Cho. He turned to Parvati, but was confused when he saw her looking behind them. Harry turned and was shocked to find Hermione descending the stairs wearing lovely pink robes. Her hair was no longer frizzy, but sleek and tied into an elegant knot. "Wow" Harry whispered.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Victor Krum came to meet her. He bowed deep, then offered his hand. She took it with a small smile and they went to line up. As she passed, she sent Harry a small wave.

Harry smiled, glad that Ron was wrong and she wasn't crying.

/

Trumpets sounded and the doors to the Great Hall opened. The four champions filed in and onto the dance floor. The Hall was gorgeously decorated with snow and ice. Three large Christmas trees stood at the back of the hall with several tables holding food. Harry would make sure to take some pictures for his parents.

The four champions took their place on the dance floor and waited for the music to start. "I'm not the best dancer, but I promise not to step on your toes." Harry whispered to Parvati.

She smiled as they took their position. The dance started and Harry led Parvati across the floor. For the most part, he thought he did pretty well. He wasn't strong enough to lift her very high, but at least her feet left the floor – if only for a moment.

Soon, others joined the dance floor. Harry even saw Neville and Ginny dancing together – and weirdly enough – Mr. Filch with Mrs. Norris.

At the end of the song, Parvati and Harry sat at a table with Ron and Padma. Ron was obviously sour about Hermione dancing with Krum. "Why didn't she tell us she was going with Krum? Krum, of all people!"

Harry sighed, "I don't really blame her." He mumbled.

"Are you going to ask me to dance?" Padma asked Ron.

"No" Ron replied.

She huffed.

Two songs passed before two Durmstrang students came over and whisked the girls away.

"Who would want to dance anyway" Ron grumbled.

"It's not bad" Harry shrugged. He wasn't very good, but he didn't really mind dancing.

"Then how about a dance Dear Brother?"

Harry looked up to see Aileen holding her hand out. She looked beautiful as always in a flowing midnight blue dress with a silver lace overlay. Her long hair was pinned up in a series of braids. Harry smiled and led her to the outskirts of the dance floor.

"If you were going to come anyway, why did you make me ask someone else?"

"I knew you were going to embarrass yourself in front of a bunch of girls. I couldn't allow you to take the easy way out by asking me." She said with a mischievous grin.

Harry glared at her half-heartedly, "Thanks Aileen, I really appreciate that."

She laughed. "I'm your big sister, it is my job to tease you." She winked.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Speaking of that, I remember you being taller" He observed as they waltzed around the room.

"I altered my height so that I could dance with you." She smiled. "Less awkward don't you think?"

"I don't know, Hagrid seems to be doing a good job of dancing with a taller partner." He nodded towards Hagrid and Madame Maxime.

Aileen giggled, "They make quite the pair. Though I do hope you would know where to keep your hands."

Harry looked back at the dancing couple to see Hagrid's hand slowly creeping towards Madame Maxime's bottom. He blushed and quickly looked away, readjusting his hand higher on Aileen's back. Aileen laughed again.

"I forgot how awkward young boys could be." She grinned.

Harry huffed, "You're my sister; I don't need thoughts like that in my head."

"But it's so much fun" She pouted.

Harry rolled his eyes.

The song ended and then the band changed so the two returned to the table where Ron seemed to be in an even darker mood. He was staring at Krum and Hermione, dancing together and jumping around erratically to the fast-paced music.

"Ruddy Pumpkin head" Ron muttered.

Harry said goodbye to Aileen and sat down next to Ron. "I guess he has been following her around since they first got here." Harry said. He remembered hearing about Krum spending a lot of time in the library. He knows why now.

Eventually, Krum and Hermione made their way out of the crowd and back towards the tables. Hermione sat down next to Harry, her cheeks flushed pink from dancing. "Hot isn't it?" She asked. "Viktor's gone to go and get drinks."

"It's Viktor now is it?" Ron said, "That's cute"

"What's got your wand in a knot?" Hermione asked.

"Like I'm going to tell you" He replied scathingly.

She looked at Harry, but he could only shrug.

"Ron –"

"He's a Durmstrang. You're fraternizing with the enemy!"

Hermione's mouth fell open. "The enemy? He's not the enemy Ronald! Besides, who was wanting his autograph?"

Ron rolled his eyes, "He's probably just using you to get to Harry. Everyone knows Karkaroff's an old Death Eater."

"For your information, not once in the time that we talked has he ever brought up Harry!"

"So you've been talking huh? Bet you've been helping him figure out the egg."

"Of course not! I would never help him." She looked outraged. "How could you say something like that – I want Harry to win and he knows that don't you?"

"You've certainly got a funny way of showing it" Ron sneered before Harry could respond.

"What do you think this tournament is even about Ronald?"

"Winning of course, eternal glory."

"This tournament is supposed to be about meeting foreign wizards, making friends. Not everything is about winning." She replied.

"Ron, I don't really think it's a big deal that Hermione is here with Krum" Harry said, but Ron ignored him.

"Why don't you run along to Viktor? I'm sure he misses you." Ron said.

With a huff, Hermione stood and left the table.

Harry sighed and went for a walk. There were several coaches in the courtyard that couples were hiding in. Not for long though, since Snape was patrolling them, taking points from every house. When he returned to the Great Hall, Ron and Hermione were arguing again.

"He's using you" Ron said.

"How dare you! I can take care of myself you know."

"I doubt it" Ron muttered. "He just wants something from you"

"What? Is that what you think?"

"Yeah"

"Then you know the solution don't you?"

"Solution?" Ron asked.

"Next time there's a ball pluck up the courage to ask me before somebody else does." Hermione replied. "And not as a last resort!"

Ron blushed, "What? You think I wanted to…pfft…have no idea where you got that idea." He quickly made an escape up the stairs.

Hermione looked heartbroken. Harry could see tears start to form. He slowly approached her as she collapsed on the stairs.

"Hermione" He said softly.

She looked at him with misty eyes. "Hey Harry"

He put an arm around her, "You going to be alright?"

She smiled and leaned on his shoulder, "Yeah" She sighed. "I saw you dancing with Aileen, she looked beautiful."

"She did. You do too." Harry replied.

Hermione chuckled wetly, "Not anymore, my hair's a mess as is my makeup." She groaned, "Not exactly the ending I was hoping for."

"Well, Ron's mouth tends to get him in a lot of trouble."

She laughed, "Yeah, it does."


Yay! Brother/Sister bonding! Both for Harry/Hermione and Harry/Aileen ^-^
I hope it wasn't weird for anyone…I thought Harry's and Aileen's conversation was funny :/
Anyway, hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to review please!