A/N: This is the last you'll hear from me this month. I'll write and post the next chapter and reply to the reviews in December. Enjoy.
25. A Dragon And A Ball
His smile left his face when he saw Ron Weasley coming towards him. He could see Ginny watching her brother with an angry look.
"Hey Harry, well done mate. Listen, I um... I'm sorry for what I said earlier, I wasn't thinking straight and uh... I believe that you didn't enter the tournament by yourself." He said nervously. Harry considered him carefully.
"What changed your opinion?" he asked coolly.
"Er... Gin uh... convinced me that you are not the type to look for glory and... er... I am convinced because you would never do that." He finished quickly.
"Really? I'll have to thank her later. When did she convince you of this?"
Ron's ears went pink.
"Um... quite a few days back. I was... er... busy, so I couldn't say all this earlier." He avoided Harry's eyes.
"That's great Ron, but I decided that I don't give a shit anymore about who thinks what of me. So thank you, but no thanks." He didn't wait to listen to his spluttering. He had to go find Luna.
Fortunately, she was quite near. He smiled brightly when he spotted her and gave her a tight hug.
"Thank you Luna, you are the best." He said happily to the strange blonde, who smiled widely.
"Oh it's nothing Harry, you did it all yourself. Although I did try to scare away the nargles so they wouldn't distract you. Nice performance, by the way."
"Thanks. Listen, is there anything you would like as a gift?" he asked directly, knowing Luna's way.
"Can you get me a muggle walkman? I always wanted one, but Daddy said there are too many wrackspurts in muggle shops. I'm quite susceptible to them, you know."
"Sure Luna, I'll get you one in Christmas."
"Oh thank you Harry." She smiled sweetly before waving and turning away.
Harry grinned as she skipped away from sight, and his smile grew wider as he saw a squealing Susan coming towards him. He thought of the conversation with Luna which helped him in the task.
He was sitting dejectedly in the library, waiting for Hermione to appear with ten or fifteen more books when the Ravenclaw appeared out of nowhere to plop in the seat beside him.
"Hello Harry, you look terrible. Flimpwooks got you?" she asked sympathetically.
"Hi Luna. I'm trying to figure out how to move fast enough to evade flames from a dragon. Any suggestions?" he said glumly.
"You can fly." She suggested.
"No, I can't." He said worriedly. Was Luna starting to consider him as one of those nargles too?
"We all have seen you fly, Harry." She said patiently. Harry was bewildered for a moment and then realized what she was talking about.
"Oh, quidditch. Yeah, but we aren't allowed to enter with broomsticks." He replied sadly. She thought for a moment and then smiled.
"Then get it after you enter." She said with a bright smile and went away. It took a few moments to understand her meaning, but when he did, he promised to buy Luna the best gift he could think of.
He was still nervous before entering the enclosed area. His plan was to fly near the dragon, try to bait it away from the eggs, and if it didn't budge, he would throw a Conjunctivus curse (which Andromeda suggested him) at its eye.
Everything was going on according to the plan, and Harry threw the curse when the Horntail didn't rise to his bait. But then the great animal went crazy. Roaring flames and thrashing tails were inches from taking his life. He had to doge them very quickly and ignored the screams from the stands. The spiked tail brushed his boots after a few horrifying minutes of dodging and escaping death when he snapped.
All his frustrations and anger rose to surface. Slytherins trying to trip him or jinx him, his friends being shunned, Snape bullying him and taking points from him every chance he got, the pressure of the Tournament and the months without Dora pushed him over the edge. With blood pounding in his ears, he started attacking the dragon back.
Every curse he knew was thrown at the beast's eye as he outflew one of the most dangerous species in the world. He had a clear shot at the egg, but he continued his attack. After seven minutes of endless curses that almost blinded the beast, it finally had enough and tried to escape from the onslaught when Harry came back to his senses.
He was exhausted by using too much magic, and he gently came down to the now empty nest and picked up the shining egg. He didn't notice the tremendous applause from the stands, nor did he care that he got a near perfect score (a reluctant five from Karkaroff and nine from Maxime were the only exceptions from full marks). He took a pepper-up potion from Madam Pomfrey and promised her to use minimal magic for the next couple of days. Cedric, who was sporting a gash on his face, congratulated him and thanked him again for his tip about the dragons. Watching Harry taking on the dragon and besting it made the Hufflepuff respect Harry more than before.
As he walked out of the tent, looking for Luna, the adrenaline left his system and he realized that once he attacked the dragon, he was always inches away from being engulfed by a huge flame or have all his bones crushed by an angry whip of the tail. He sure did have a lot of dumb luck. He could almost hear a pink haired girl yelling at him, "Do you always have to be such a Gryffindor?"
...
"Mind if I join?"
Susan looked up from her homework and smiled when she saw it was Harry. Nodding, she cleared some parchments from the chair next to her. He sat down and offered her a chocolate frog from his pockets. Glancing around to make sure the librarian wasn't in sight, she threw the frog shaped chunk of chocolate to her mouth.
"How are things in Hufflepuff?" he asked her. She laughed.
"Oh they are good. Actually, they are better than ever. You saw that Cedric asked everyone to lay off Hannah and me. After you told him about the dragons, he told everyone to stop bothering you too. But after you wiped the floor with the Horntail, everyone who ever accused you of being a liar is scared out of their pants. Ernie Macmillan makes a point of helping Hannah and me whenever he can, and Zacharias Smith is avoiding us like plague. Lots of people apologized to us and tried to imply that they would want to make peace with you. Only that they are afraid you would hold it against them and destroy their sorry arses." She said with a smirk. Harry smiled amusedly.
"Frankly, I couldn't care less about them. But I'm happy that you aren't having any troubles for me." Susan shook her head.
"You are practically my brother, Harry. I would support you no matter what."
Harry smiled fondly at the redhead before changing the topic.
"So, got a date for the Ball?" he asked.
"Nah." She said somewhat sadly. "Whom are you taking?"
"I don't know. I don't want to take you, Hannah or Hermione coz that would be weird, but I want to enjoy the evening with whomever I take without feeling awkward."
"You want to take Tonks." She said bluntly and Harry choked on the chocolate frog he was chewing.
"Wh.. what do you mean?" he asked with a red face and Susan shook her head in amusement.
"You know, I'm not a daft. It's easy to see that you have a massive crush on her and anyone with eyes would notice that. Don't deny it, Harry. Are you seriously going to tell me that you don't fancy her?"
He stared at her for a long time with his mouth open, and then he replied in a quiet voice.
"I guess you are right. But nothing would happen out of it because she's way older than me and even though we are very good friends, I doubt she would want to... date a fourteen year old who always manages to drag her into some trouble or other."
Susan squeezed his hand. "Don't say like that. You are very important in her life. Maybe she wouldn't fall head over heels for you right away, but give it some time, and who knows, maybe it will work out." She finished with a smile. Then, suddenly she burst into a fit of giggles.
"What?" a bewildered Harry asked, looking around.
"I was just thinking that you two would make really cute babies."
After a minute, Madam Pince threw out a hysterically laughing Susan and a beet red Harry.
...
"Hello ladies." He gave a charming smile to the pair of girls chatting quietly. Both of them looked up with questioning looks.
"How can we help you, champion?" the brunette asked teasingly. He felt nervous, but he didn't let it show.
"How about you tell me whom are you going to the Ball with?"
"I'm taking that one, Potter." Blaise Zabini called, pointing at Daphne Greengrass, who blushed.
"Noted." Harry smirked at the boy. Out of the whole Slytherin house, these three were the only ones who didn't think of him as a lying prat.
"Tracey is free, though." Daphne added, ignoring the glare from her best friend.
Harry cleared his voice and spoke in a charming voice that he practised many times with Sirius over the two way mirror.
"Tracey, would you let me have the honour of escorting you to the Yule Ball?"
Both girls giggled and a slightly blushing Tracey replied, "Okay, I'll go. But don't ask for a second date if you like to keep your genitals where it is."
"So my genitals often invade your thoughts? I'm so honoured!" he smirked as Daphne and Blaise burst out into laughter and Tracey's face became crimson.
"Watch it, Potter-" she started, but Harry cut her off.
"Relax, Tracey. I wouldn't ask for another date." He assured her and she smiled.
"Why though? Am I that er... undateable?" he asked with a bit of worry, his thoughts straying to a certain metamorphmagus. Tracey shook her head quickly.
"No harry, it's nothing like that. I know a bunch of girls who would kill to date you only if they weren't scared out of their pants of you."
"Why would they be scared of me?" Harry asked with surprise. Tracey and Daphne shred a look that clearly said, 'clueless as a flobberworm'
Daphne answered his question. "With the rumours of what you did in your previous years, and not to mention the unbelievable show you gave with the dragon, even I'm a bit intimidated by you."
Harry pondered over this for a moment. He wanted to say that it was pure dumb lick, but felt that the Slytherins wouldn't really agree with that.
"Okay. So about the second date-"
"I have a boyfriend and I don't want to feel like I'm cheating on him." Tracey told him easily.
"Oh. So why don't you go with him?" he asked curiously.
"He went home for Christmas, but he said he wouldn't mind if I went to the Ball with someone else."
Harry nodded. At least he didn't have to worry about an overprotective boyfriend later on.
"So I'll meet you in the Great Hall, yeah?"
"Sure Harry." She said with a smile.
After the class was over, he bid the Slytherins goodbye and consulted his Map. Satisfied, he went to the Gryffindor common room, his mind on a conversation with Susan last year.
"Hey Dean." He greeted, sitting down beside the boy.
"Hey Harry. What's up?"
"You have a date?" Harry asked.
"Nope." He said gloomily. "You?"
"Yeah, I have one."
"Lucky you."
"Have you asked anyone?" Harry inquired.
"Er... no." Dean replied sheepishly.
"I know someone who might be interested."
"Really? Who?" Dean looked excited.
"Do you know Susan Bones from Hufflepuff?" he asked with a sly grin.
"You can't be serious!"
Dean's shout was loud enough to bring some girls down from their dorm.
...
"How about this one?" Andromeda asked Sirius, who was considering the piece of garment critically.
"That will look good on him." Jennifer commented, tilting the robe as if to see it under a different light.
"It will bring out the colour of his eyes and hair." Andromeda said, nodding.
The robe was a vibrant green with black design, looking quite elegant.
"I still think purple would suit him." Sirius complained but the two women shut him up just by looking at him. He muttered things like 'unfair' and 'outnumbered' under his breath.
"Hello, I'm right here." Harry said irritably at the adults. For the last two hours, he was trying out robes of different colours and designs, but none of them were, apparently, perfect for him. Though he was thankful that Dora was not here.
"Of course Harry. What do you think?" Jennifer asked him.
"I'm not trying out anymore robes." He declared. Sirius gave a barking laugh.
"Ah... If you say so." Andromeda said, sounding regretful.
After the clerk packed the robe, Harry went forward to pay.
"Harry-" Andromeda started sternly, but Harry wasn't about to listen.
"I had to be the dressing doll all day long, so you have no say in this." He said stubbornly as Andromeda tried to hide her laughter at his childishness. Jennifer giggled and said, "Let him have his moment, Andy. Come on, let's shop for Sirius."
Everyone laughed as Sirius gulped audibly.
"I really don't need any clothes, dear." He was saying nervously and Harry snickered at his godfather.
"Go on Sirius, these robes are looking kinda old." He supplied, ignoring Padfoot's narrowed eyes.
"Who is your date for the Ball, Harry?" Jennifer asked after a while.
"Tracey. Tracey Davis. From Slytherin."
"A Slytherin?" Andromeda was impressed. It wasn't easy for a Gryffindor to befriend a Slytherin from what Dora told her. Maybe Harry has more of Lily's charm than she saw.
"Is she hot?" Sirius asked with a wink. Jennifer swatted his arm.
"I guess she is kinda pretty. She's got a boyfriend, so don't go there Padfoot." He warned the disappointed man.
"Doesn't matter, Harry. Make sure you have a good evening with her and with your friends." Andromeda said with a smile as a bunch of girls passed them, giggling at Sirius, who promptly gave them charming smiles and winks.
"Ahem."
"Oh right. Erm... sorry dear." Sirius avoided the eyes of an amused Jennifer.
...
As he promised to Andromeda, Harry did enjoy the Ball. Tracey looked stunning in a deep blue strapless dress.
"Wow Tracey, you look fabulous." Harry complimented her and the brunette blushed.
"Thanks Harry, you look very nice too."
They smiled at each other and then Harry offered her his arm, and together they headed for the Great Hall.
It was a surprise to see Hermione with Victor Krum, but Harry was happy for his friend, who he previously thought didn't care about uneducational things like boys and Balls, and certainly not hair potions or make up. He smiled at Krum and the Bulgarian smiled and nodded back at him. The food was even better than usual. Dumbledore was merrily chatting with Daniel Edgecombe, the Head of the Department of International Magical Co-operation, who looked a bit nervous sitting between Madam Maxime and Professor Dumbledore. Ludo Bagman was trying to talk with Professor McGonagall, but she didn't seem eager to discuss Wimbourne Wasps recent match statistics.
Soon, it was time for the dance. Harry held out a hand for Tracey as he stood up. She took it with a smile. He went through the tips Sirius gave him over the mirror and during their robe shopping. He held her left hand with his right, and placed his right hand in her waist. She placed her arm around his shoulder and they gently swayed, taking small, lazy steps.
"Don't your hands wander, Potter." She warned playfully. Harry smirked.
"Now isn't that a tempting idea?" he said with a grin, but his hands did not move.
"I know you wouldn't, Harry." She said with a soft smile.
"Do you think you'll be in trouble?" Harry asked with concern after he saw Draco Malfoy throwing them dark glares.
"Don't worry about it." She replied quietly. "It's no one but my concern whom I go to the Ball with. And I never liked the House system either."
"Nor do I. But I don't want my friends to have trouble from their own house on my account." He said remorsefully. She took a while to reply.
"You know I feel a bit of regret for having a boyfriend right now." She said. When he looked at her questioningly, she explained. "That's the only thing keeping me from promising you another couple of dates. You are a very nice guy, Harry, and you will make your witch very happy one day." She smiled at the blushing face of the Boy Who Lived. Her boyfriend from Ravenclaw was a sixth year, and still he wasn't as thoughtful as the boy who gently held her in his arms.
As the song ended, they agreed to skip out the next one. Their plans of relaxing for a bit was ruined as Draco Malfoy approached them with Pansy Parkinson. Harry grimaced. So much for a nice evening.
"Shame on you, Davis. With all the boys from Hogwarts and two other schools, you had to choose Potter?" Pansy said with a sneer.
"Listen Parkinson," Harry replied before Tracey opened her mouth. He fully planned on channelling his inner Tonks with these two. "She had the taste to choose a Champion of the Tournament. You, on the other hand, are happy to choose the Champion of tasteless homosexuals. Before you snog Draco, let me warn you. His mouth has been to Crabbe and Goyle's willies. I was half expecting one of them to be his date."
A red faced Malfoy was about to snarl, but Harry beat him to it.
"As for you, Parkinson, I certainly heard you saying how you 'persuaded' Draco to take you with him. What did you do? Rubbed lubricant on his rear as he was shagged by Crabbe? Or did he make you listen to how his father is going to hear about your poor 'persuading' skills, if you know what I mean." He finished with a smirk. Tracey was clutching her stomach with laughter.
"You are going to pay for this, Davis." Malfoy managed to shout out over her laughter. Harry went forward and looked Malfoy in the eye.
"Listen very carefully, Draco. I defeated a dragon a few weeks before and I'm still here to tell the story. If you or anyone else dares to touch her, I will hurt you. Very slowly and very badly."
Draco Malfoy couldn't claim that he was ever in a dangerous situation. His experience of fear was, therefore, limited to being shouted at by his mother. He was raised in a family where he was provided with everything he wanted and needed. His father never admonished him and taught him that their blood was superior. He was made aware of his father's power, which gave him the illusion that he had the right to rule the school. He thought himself as the leader of Slytherins. In truth, most Slytherins treated him with indifference, but a few obeyed him as he emphasised the importance of the name Malfoy. He seldom had anyone standing up to him except Potter. Davis and Greengrass always ignored him, but he liked to think they were afraid of him.
At the moment, when he looked to the cold emerald eyes of Harry Potter, he was afraid. He wasn't looking at a fourth year Gryffindor who bothered him. He was looking at the man who slayed a basilisk, defeated the Dark Lord as an infant and as he said, practically scared off a dragon. When he said that he would hurt him, he sensed he wasn't delivering a mere threat. He was telling the truth.
"Let's go Pansy." He muttered before grabbing the annoying girl's hand and walking away.
"That was... unexpected." Tracey commented and Harry smiled at her.
"Care for another dance?"
Harry enjoyed the rest of the Ball as he wanted to. He took turns to dance with Susan, Daphne, Hannah, Ginny, Hermione and even Cedric's girlfriend Cho Chang. For a few hours, he forgot about the tournament, and focused on being a teenager, and sooner than he would have liked, it was midnight and the Ball was officially over. He spotted Susan bidding goodbye to Dean, and Hannah kissing Neville's cheek. He turned to the witch in front of him.
"Thanks for coming with me, Tracey. I had a wonderful time."
"Me too. I'm glad you asked." She said with a dazzling smile and then hugged him, which Harry returned.
"Should I escort you to your common room?" he asked her.
"Do you know where our common room is?" she asked with a laugh, but stopped when he saw him grinning.
"How on earth-"
"It's a secret." He said with a wink.
"I'll take care of these two." Blaise said from behind Harry, Daphne in his arms.
"Thanks Blaise. See you guys." He bid them goodbye, and went to his dorm.
Many miles away, a metamorphmagus was smiling widely as she re-read the letter in her hands.
Dear Nymphie,
Get over it because you know that you can't shout at me for the name. Merry Christmas. I know you can't write back before New Year, but I just wanted to write you.
I told Susan how you ranted about me getting in the tournament, and she found it quite funny. Told you she would. After the First task, everyone stopped muttering and glaring at me, and they are all the friendliest people alive. But I've seen their true colours, and I found that I don't really care. My friends have been with me and that's what matters. I wish my favourite girl was there beside me, she always know how to cheer me up.
How's your training going? I know it's exhausting, but remember that in the end it will be worth it. I miss you terribly. There is going to be a Yule Ball later today. (I'm writing this at Christmas morning and have no idea when it will reach you.) I wanted to take you (Yeah, I know I'm funny) but I had to take Tracey Davis from Slytherin. I secretly hope Malfoy says something about it in front of me. I've been practising some fine comebacks just for him. You were the inspiration, of course.
Remember how Susan fancied Dean Thomas from Gryffindor in my year? Well, I set them up (hi five!) and they are going together. Neville's going with Hannah, of course (big surprise, huh?) but Hermione won't tell who's her date. I half expect a human-size copy of Hogwarts: A History, but don't tell her I said that.
A lot of people ask me about you. I really hoped I could see you at Christmas, but your training comes first. Did I mention I miss you? Say hi to your friends, and the next time anyone bad mouths you for being the wonderful, talented witch you are, tell them that Harry Potter will be coming for them. Stay safe. I miss you. Once again, Merry Christmas.
Harry.
She folded up the parchment and carefully put in her drawer. "Merry Christmas sweetheart." She whispered.
As she climbed the hard bed and closed her eyes, she had a huge smile on her face.