A/N Own nothing so don't sue. Starting up right where the last one left off.

HP

"Yes, you can." Harry said holding out his hand. Neville took it and Harry had to keep himself from squeezing it to tight. "You seem like a pretty decent guy. If it turns out your not."

"Of course." Neville said nodding hurriedly.

"Good we should hang out sometime. Man can never have too many friends." Harry said

"Um yeah sure, I should go now though. Gonna go find Rose." Neville said and started to walk away.

"In charms at the moment, she'll be there till dinner." Harry said pulling a few books off the shelf.

"Oh, well uh then do you need some help with what ever you're doing?" Neville asked and Harry grinned.

"Sure." He said before leading the boy to his usual table at the back of the library. "Here, we're looking for anything to do with mermaids."

"Mermaids?" Neville asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes particularly how they talk." Harry said and they started going through the books. They were reading for ten minutes or so when Neville found something.

"I got it." He exclaimed and Harry looked up.

"What's it say?" Harry said jumping up and moving over to Neville's side of the table.

"While underwater in their natural habitat Mermaids have beautiful voice to which few can compare. While out of water their beautiful voice turns into a shriek for the lack of water in their voice boxes." Neville read off.

"Excellent lets put these away." Harry said grabbing the books and moving towards the shelves. "Let's go."

"Where are we going?" Neville asked following Harry after they returned the books.

"To crack an egg." Harry said excitedly.

"Crack an egg?" Neville asked himself as he followed Harry through the hall. When they got to the training room Harry took off all of his charms and they walked in. Harry walked to the little trunk he had hidden in the corner and took all of his traps off of that before opening. He pulled out the golden egg and looked at it thoughtfully. "Oh crack an egg!"

"Yeah, now I have to decide if I want to freeze in the lack or duh." Harry said shaking his head as he pulled out his wand and after a few seconds waved it turning the teacher's desk into a large tank. Casting a water charm he filled the tank. After it was completely full he lowered the egg into it. Taking a deep breath he lowered his head into the tank as well and opened the egg. After he listened to the clue he pulled his head out and started pacing water dripping from him as he walked.

"What did it say?" Neville asked watching him pace.

"Let's take another listen." Harry said moving to the tank. They both took a deep breath and lowered their heads into the tank. Harry opened the egg and listened to the clue twice before surfacing. "What do you make of that?"

"Well obviously you're going to have to go into the lake and find the mermaids. Uh you'll have an hour to find something you'll sorely miss." Neville said

"Sound's about right, it'll probably be another clue." Harry said as he resumed pacing. "No that's not right, doesn't make sense. 'To recover what we took' implies I've had it already. Who knows, I'll find what it is when I'm in the lake I guess. Now I've just got to find how I'm going to survive for an hour underwater."

"Well count me in." Neville said as the bell rang.

"Let's head to dinner you can ask rose to the ball and we'll get their thoughts on this." Harry said and they left the room. Harry layered his spells back onto the door before they went to the great hall. Harry saw Hermione and Lily walking to the Raven's table and moved to catch up to them.

"I'm going to wait here to talk to Rose." Neville said blushing slightly.

"Right." Harry said walking over to the table as Hermione and Lily sat down. "Neville and I figured it out."

"Neville?" Lily asked and Harry nodded.

"Yeah, good guy but we figured out the egg. I have to go into the lake and I'll have an hour to find the mermaids and an item that they've taken from me." Harry said

"So we have nearly three months to find a way to let you breath under water for an hour." Hermione said and Harry nodded wondering if she was going to share that information with Krum. That train of thought was stopped by Lily.

"Wonder what Neville is talking to Rose about." She said

"Asking her to the ball. He asked my permission earlier today." Harry said grinning as he loaded food onto his plate. "So how violent are mermaids?"

"Rather calm for the most part. But they can get hostile rather quickly." Hermione said watching Neville and Rose walk to the table with happy smiles on their faces. They noticed Luna entering the hall a few seconds later.

"Well we can start searching tomorrow." Harry said as they all started to eat. They heard a hoot and Harry looked up to see a few owls flying in including the black school owl. The owl landed on Harry's shoulder and he took the letter from it. He grabbed some scrap pieces of ham and gave it to the owl who ate them before flying away.

"Who's that from?" Lily asked as Harry carefully read he letter without letting anyone see it.

"My date to the ball." Harry said grinning as he slid the note into his pocket.

"Who is it?" Rose asked as she smiled at Neville who was sitting next to Hermione across from her.

"Nymphadora Tonks." Harry said

"That Auror with purple hair?" Lily asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yup." Harry said grinning.

"Isn't she a little old for you?" Asked Rose

"No she's only nineteen." Harry said shrugging.

"How is she an Auror at nineteen?" Hermione asked.

"She graduated at seventeen, had a year in training and this is her first year as an actual Auror." Harry said "This dance may be fun yet."

At 10:45 that night Harry left the common room and made his way towards the Gryffindor tower. As he was walking he was stopped by Cedric who was doing his prefect duty of patrolling.

"Hey mate, um its past curfew." Cedric said scratching his neck awkwardly.

"Tournament rules, I'm in training right now." Harry said grinning.

"Well who am I to say you not." Cedric said grinning as they started walking.

"So how's your egg coming?" Harry asked nonchalantly.

"Great I uh actually wanted to talk to you about that. I figured since you helped with the dragon, put it under water and listen." Cedric said.

"Yeah and hear the song. I figured it out today." Harry said grinning.

"Oh good thing I decided not to be cryptic and tell you to take a bath and mull things over with it." Cedric said laughing.

"Take a bath, contrary to these badges I don't stink." Harry said tapping the badge on his chest.

"Yeah well I decided not to be cryptic since you weren't with me." Cedric said with a shrug.

"Yeah, well you looking forward to the ball or what?" Harry asked

"Yeah, Luna's gonna be fun to hang out with there." Cedric said and Harry nodded with a tight lipped smile. "So who you going with?"

"Nymphadora Tonks." Harry said and Cedric stopped and looked at him in shock.

"Tonks?" He exclaimed.

"Yeah you know her?" Harry asked looking back at him.

"Yes I do, she was two years ahead or me. Isn't she an Auror now, how'd you two even meet?" Cedric asked

"Yeah she is an Auror and that's actually how we meet, while I was on the run." Harry said grinning as Cedric laughed.

"That's wicked, picking up Auror's while on the run." Cedric said

"I try." He said as they started walking again. As they neared the corridor to Gryffindor tower Harry said good night and they went their separate ways. He was waiting for just a few minutes outside the tower when Fred and George came out of the tower with a thing of parchment in their hands.

"So Mr. Potter, what is this prank you have set up?" Fred asked as he and Harry walked behind George.

"Well it's nothing to major, I have to ask though, how are you with sticking charms?" Harry asked with a grin causing Fred and George to glance at each other in confusion.

"Pretty decent, I'd say." Fred said and Harry's grin got bigger.

"Excellent." He said happily. A few hours later after they finished their work Harry made his way upstairs to the Raven's tower and bed. The next morning Harry woke up wondering how his prank was going. He got ready for the day and went down stairs. He had to wait a few minutes for Luna to finally get downstairs. "Come on let's head to breakfast."

"Okay." Luna said following him out of the room. When they got to the great hall they saw all the teachers working to un-stick the tables and benches from the ceiling while avoiding the food that continued to appear on the serving plates only to instantly fall. Harry laughed as he looked around and saw small piles of food scattered about the hall. After quite a bit of trying one of the teachers managed to get a few of the plates to un-stick from the table and fall to the ground where they joining another small pile of plates and cups. "Why don't they tell the elves to stop sending food?"

"Because they aren't thinking." Harry said as he saw the twins come in and nodded to them. They grinned at him and started walking over. As they did professor McGonagall moved to intercept them. Harry figured she was going to place the blame on them and couldn't let that happen. So he moved forward and they all reached each other at the same time.

"I don't know how you achieved it, but I know you two did this." McGonagall said angrily.

"Actually professor it was me, all in preparation for the tournament I assure you." Harry said grinning and McGonagall turned her glare on him.

"What was used?" She asked and Harry noticed the angry look in her eyes.

"Stick spell and a spell keeping Finite Incantatem from undoing the sticking spell." Harry said

"What's your counter?" McGonagall asked and Harry pulled his wand and waved it thinking his counter word on the spell. One of the tables came loose and which ever teacher was holding a levitation charm on it lowered it flipping it over as they did. Harry gave McGonagall a grin as he walked back over to Luna who was standing with Lily, Rose, Hermione, and Neville. As it was the weekend Harry decided they might as well get to work on how to breathe underwater while the teachers sorted the hall out.

HP

The next few weeks went by quickly and before Harry knew it Christmas was on them. As agreed between Harry and his friends which had grown to include Neville they all met in Harry's training room. Harry had Hagrid get them a small tree which was sitting in the middle of the room covered with ornaments. Under the tree as arranged with Dobby were their presents. As they all opened their gifts Lily called Dobby who happily brought them food and beverages. After they all ate and finished with their gifts they decided to continue working on the second task. After a while Rose, Luna, and Neville convinced them to go outside to have a snowball fight. They were out there for a few hours before it seemed all the girls third year and up migrated back inside.

"Where do you reckon their going?" Neville asked as he noticed it.

"Getting ready for the ball probably." Harry said as he put his hands into his jacket pocket.

"Getting ready for the ball it's only four!" Neville said in shock and Harry shrugged.

"I never claimed to know how women think. I don't think any man alive knows the answer to that riddle?" Harry said laughing as he looked around. Seeing the twins walking not to far away he looked down at his pile of snowballs. Grinning he waved his wand at them, six of the snowballs rose and shot towards the twins and each got hit by three of them.

"Oi!" They exclaimed and started to retaliate. Pretty soon there was a war waging between all the guys outside from first year up to the good natured and fun loving seventh years. Around seven o'clock the boys still outside made their ways inside to warm up. Harry went to the tower and sat in front of the fire in the common room. At seven-thirty he went upstairs and took a shower before getting dressed in the tux that he bought when he snuck off during one of the Hogsmead trips. And since it was a ball he even decided to leave his weapons in his trunk. He only took one gun and a knife strapped to his leg and his two wands. As he finished getting ready he looked at himself in the mirror. He was dressed in an all black suit except for his vest and tie which were a dark purple. He straightened his tie before turning and leaving the room. He walked down stairs to see most of the guys waiting on their dates all wearing dress robes making him smirk.

"You're not allowed to wear that!" One of the guys said and Harry shrugged.

"Say's who exactly?"

"It's a wizarding ball." The guy said and Harry shrugged again as he made his way towards the exit.

"Doesn't mean I'm going to wear a dress." He said with a laugh as he ducked out of the room. HE didn't have to wait for Luna as she was in the Gryffindor tower with the other girls getting ready. He walked down to the great hall where he saw a lot of people standing around outside the door waiting on dates and talking. Harry saw Cedric talking with a couple of other Hufflepuff's and walked over to him. "Oi Cedric."

"Harry, nice suit." Cedric said with a grin as he turned to Harry.

"Nice dress, can I talk to you real quick." Harry said and Cedric nodded and they walked a little bit away from everyone.

"What is it Harry?" Cedric asked

"As you know Luna's a good friend of mine. If you hurt her even a little or let anyone else hurt her feelings. I am going to make you regret it." Harry said

"Come on mate you know me, I'd never let someone be mean to her. That's part of the reason Cho and I aren't together any longer." Cedric said and Harry nodded.

"I know mate, just wanted to remind you." Harry said clapping Cedric on the shoulder as he looked around.

"Right well obviously you're looking for your next target. So I'll talk to you later." Cedric said and Harry nodded with a grin. He saw McLaggen with a few of his friends and walked over to him. He threatened to end his life if he hurt his sister. McLaggen wasn't stupid enough to challenge Harry after the feat he performed in the first task and stammered out a quick.

"Of course I'll treat her perfectly." Harry shook his hand and squeezed it tightly with a forced smile before finding Krum who got the same speech as Cedric and took it just as well. After he was done with that he stood in a back corner looking around. A few minutes went by before Neville and Rose appeared and started walking down the stairs. Harry looked at his little sister with a sigh as he realized she was grown up and he missed it. He didn't understand why he wanted to keep treating her as a little kid but he did. She was wearing an emerald green dress that matched her eyes and Neville was in a black dress robe. Rose saw him and waved as they made their way over.

"Rose you look beautiful." Harry said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks." Rose said blushing as Harry shook Neville's hand tightly. He didn't give him a speech as Neville already knew what would be said.

"Where are the others?" Harry asked as couples and individuals came down stairs and they all started making their way into the hall.

"They weren't that far, oh there they are." Rose said and Harry's jaw dropped as he stared at the top of the stairs. Lily looked beautiful in a dark blue dress but his gaze was drawn to the two girls beside her. Hermione was dressed in a periwinkle blue dress and was holding herself differently some how. She was smiling nervously as they walked down the stairs and Harry found it hard to breath. His gaze moved over to Luna next, the slightly younger girl was wearing a long silver dress and missing her usual butterbeer cap necklace and radish earrings. He shook himself as McGonagall ordered everyone into the hall and called for the champions.

"Talk to ya later mate." Neville said as they went inside. As Lily and McLaggen passed Harry told her she looked lovely. Then he walked over to the small group next to McGonagall.

"Hermione, Luna you both look lovely." Harry said and they both smiled at him making his breath catch in his throat again. "Fleur you look radiant as well."

"Thank you mister Potter." Fleur said with a small smile as Roger Davis stared at her nearly drooling.

"Mr. Potter, where is your date?" McGonagall asked as she realized the group was short one.

"No idea looks as if I was stood up." Harry said and actually felt a bit hurt about that. "Wanna go with me?"

"That's not appropriate Mr. Potter." McGonagall said with a sigh as Cedric laugh. Hermione and Luna both looked at Harry in concern as he sighed. "You are supposed to open the dance with a partner."

"I'm sure someone will lend me a partner for the first dance." Harry said and McGonagall pursed her lips but turned to lead them into the hall.

"Bad luck mate, sorry." Cedric said as Fleur and Roger followed McGonagall.

"Yeah should have just gone with that third year Puff that asked me." Harry said as Krum and Hermione walked in Hermione giving him a worried look past Cedric and Luna. Harry walked in at the rear of the good and avoided looking at the crowd. A few of the people started talking and he heard laughter. He wanted nothing more than to pull his wands and started throwing spells but refrained himself as they walked to the table at the front of the hall. He noticed Dumbledore watching him with a weird look on his face and moved his gaze along the rest of the table. He saw Bagman watching them happily, in Crouch's place was the redhead Weatherby, Maxine was watching Fleur with a warm smile and Karkaroff was looking at Krum and Hermione like he didn't approve.

When they got to the table all the guys pulled out the chairs for their dates before sitting down. The rest of the hall followed suit and Harry just sat there wondering why the hell he was stood up when the doors were thrown open. Everyone looked to see a witch stumble in slightly out of breath. She had long black hair which fell around her shoulders in curls; even from the front of the hall Harry could tell she was beautiful. She looked around fro a few seconds before making her way through the now quiet hall. Harry noticed she was wearing a dark purple dress and stood as the woman neared the table.

"Wotcher Harry, sorry I'm late." Tonks said as she rounded the table and Harry pulled out her chair.

"Better late than never." Harry said staring into her violet eyes with a grin. As the hall started buzzing with talk Harry leaned over towards Tonks. "You look absolutely stunning."

"Thanks, you don't look to bad yourself." Tonks said blushing slightly.

HP

A/N Hope you like it.