Chapter Thirteen: Yule Ball:

Draco was very happy, the contest that Severus had his students do had ended. The improved blood replenishing potions the sixth years had made had for the most part had been average, except for Draco's, Harry's and Hermione's. Severus had carefully looked these over and in the end awarded the Felix to Draco. Draco was beside himself, he had no idea what he was going to use it for yet but just having the small vial made him extremely happy. He had earned this fair and square and by his own merits.

There was more thing to make him happy too, a Yuletide Ball was taking place this year in celebration of the defeat of Voldemort and as a new tradition for the school. Fourth years and above would be allowed to attend and the boys had been busy finding ways to ask girls to the ball. Draco had his eyes on Luna Lovegood, he had been watching her all this year. He had not realized how beautiful she was, gone was the awkward girl of the year before. She had stopped wearing radish earrings and bottle cap necklaces and chose things that befell her pureblood status. Silver earrings and makeup made her look quiet pretty and Draco enjoyed her interesting view on the world. She could be refined and a lady and he wanted to ask her to the ball. He had been elated when she said yes when he asked.

The ball took place the Saturday before Christmas break. Harry had asked Ginny and Ron Hermione. Ron had learned from the last ball two years before to ask her right away or someone else would and so Hermione was positively glowing. Harry had asked Ginny after he spoke to Ron asking him if it was okay (he felt as Ginny was Ron's sister he better ask) and Ron said it was okay. One more the boys were amazed at how lovely the girls looked, even more so because they were two years older now. Hermione had chosen a lovely pink gown to wear, Ginny a lovely light green. Ron had new navy dress robes Fred and George had bought him (for his help in the joke shop they said) and Harry had new green dress robes.

"These are much better than the ones two years ago." Ron said.

"Well yea blue does look better on you." Ginny said. "Matches your eyes, Fred and George are great brothers."

"Yea if they only would stop sending prank letters." Ron said not happy his older brothers liked to send letters with hexes in them to Ron.

"Well it is funny you must admit." Harry smirked.

"Right mate." Ron said.

Draco and Luna caused quite a stir as they entered the Great Hall. Draco was wearing dress robes of black trimmed with green and silver braid and Luna was in robes of light yellow. Her light blond hair was done up in an elegant bun and she looked radiant. At her neck was an expensive necklace with diamonds and amethysts with matching earrings, jewelry she had inherited from her mother. The boys looked in awe at her transformation and wondered how she had become so beautiful. Neville came in with Hannah, she was clad in a gown of powder blue and he in robes of blue. They looked so happy together as did all the young witches and wizards. After dinner was over the dancing began.

"Amazing how fast they grow up." Charity said standing by Severus. She was clad in a gown of rose pink and her dark blond hair was piled on her head, she had a choker necklace of rubies and Severus thought she looked lovely. "They were just first years, tiny really."

"Yes, and now the dark lord is dead thanks to all of them." Severus said, he of course was clad in his black robes as usual. "This is an amazing generation."

"I agree with that Severus." McGonagall said by his side. "They united the school."

"They are still so young." Severus said.

"So are you." McGonagall said. "Now you two go dance have fun."

"I am a teacher, head of house." Severus began.

"That does not mean you cannot dance." Moody said. "I would but I am a bit clumsy with this damn leg."

"Charity."

"Yes Severus?"

"Care to dance?"

"Yes I would Severus."

He took her hand and led her out on the dance floor just as a waltz came on. Everyone in Severus's house knew he could dance as he had taught them so they were not surprised at how good he was. The other students were, they were even more surprised that he seemed so happy as he danced with Charity. Then again he deserved to be happy after all he had been through. He had lost so much and he had sacrificed so much to destroy Voldemort. Charity looked happier than any had ever seen her as well it was clear there was something between these two.

"They are going to have to come to terms with their feelings." Flitwick said to McGonagall.

"I know, they made a great couple." She replied watching the two young professors dancing.

"Might have to help them out there then." Moody said smiling.

"They are really cute together." Remus said standing by Nymphadora Tonks, who had kept her hair conservative but was clad in robes of bright purple and green. "Severus deserves happiness."

"Yes, he does, how are you two doing?" McGonagall asked Remus getting Tonks to blush and her hair to turn pink slightly.

"Fine, my mum and dad like Remus." Tonks said. "My mum had Remus read a book she owns on werewolves."

"Learned more about myself than I ever knew." Remus said. "It was written by a werewolf monk in the 1800s."

"We are going to get married." Tonks said grinning and Remus hugged her smiling sweetly. "I have to keep this man out of trouble."

"That is wonderful, when?" Dumbledore said beaming.

"We are working out those details, the werewolf registration act is a bit restrictive as of now." Tonks said. "My mum and aunt are working on getting it changed, werewolves like Remus here who take their medication will have more rights. I do hope it works."

"Narcissa has a petition she is sending around to change the laws." Remus said looking a bit embarrassed. "She does not care I am a werewolf."

"Nor does Lucius, I think his whole pureblood act is just that." Tonks said.

Before Remus could counter that the dance was over and Severus came back with Charity. He nodded to Remus and Tonks and glared at Sirius who walked up looking oh so good as always. He in no way would miss a ball and it was clear the girls were fascinated by him. He was really a very good looking man, unfortunately he had an ego that went with it. He had been dancing and enjoying himself with several over age witches from the village. Oh yes he was quite the ladies man and Severus looked at him narrowing his eyes at him.

"Good thing there are witches here I can dance with." Sirius said standing by Severus looking so good in his purple velvet robes shot with gold thread. "Too many children you know what I mean?"

"Yes, I do, however I have not seen a single first year try to sneak in this year." Severus said.

"I think that is because they are all at home or tucked into bed." Remus said.

"Pity, I needed some fresh blood." Severus said.

"Severus!" McGonagall said appalled at his humor.

"Well I did hire a werewolf one year, who says my potions master is not a vampire?" Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face. "Would be good for security."

"Yes and good for the vampire, fresh young blood…" Sirius said.

"You men are terrible." Charity said smiling. "Severus is not a vampire."

"The first years do not know that." Sirius said. "You did not hear what little Max said when a first year asked him about his father."

"That was brilliant." Remus said smiling. "Max looked up at the first year and said that he believed his father could be a vampire but he rarely drank human blood."

"I have a smart son." Severus said.

"Yea the look on the first years face was priceless, I thought he was going to start crying he was so scared." Sirius said.

"Honestly how can you two think that is funny to scare a first year!" McGonagall said watching the dancing. "Those poor children, far from home most the first time, it is bad enough that Severus terrifies them."

"It's funny, I enjoy it, they have to know who is in charge." Severus said.

"You are horrible." McGonagall said.

"Thank you." Severus said smirking.

Charity laughed, she loved Severus's since of humor, it was dark but very effective. The first years could be a problem and Severus knew how to keep them in line. All he had to do was walk up and tower over a small first year, wait for them to turn and look up at him. She had seen cocky first years turn into a trembling puddle as he calmly looked down at them in a predatory manner. Oh yes he had fun with it and it was one of the many things she really liked about the normally dour potions master, that and he really was good looking to her. Standing by Sirius Black did not dim his handsome features…

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Yes Charity thinks Severus is handsome. Really he is not an ugly man, even how JKR describes him his looks do not make him ugly. Then again here in America we are used to people of all looks and only inbreed southern good ol' boys are really considered ugly, (at least where I am from that is) and people with no teeth. Severus has interesting features and a voice that is rich smooth and wit to match. So he is not ugly at all but no eye candy either, Sirius Black is eye candy.

Draco dating Luna here is not out of line. Yes she is still the Luna we grew to love and adore but she has people taking care of her now too. Other girls (namely Ginny) have taken her under her wing and helped her so much. Her ideas have not changed, she can be a lady but she is still Luna after all and Draco is more open now. Still can be a bit of a pain but he has his head on right and Luna could keep him on the right course.

So please review!