Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I just write for fun!

Chapter 26

Hermione sat in just her panties and bra stared in the mirror, growling in frustration as she tried to detangle the fur in her tail with one brush and pull another through her hair. As a particular nasty snag caught in her tail she yelped and threw the brush in frustration at the wall.

"Hey you okay there cat?" Ginny's voice came from the door. Hermione turned to see her wearing a bathrobe, hair and make-up done beautifully. Looking back into her mirror where all her fur was as if she'd just had an electric shock after she'd just dried off from a bath. A couple of tears traced her face as Ginny came and sat next to her.

"Hermione what's wrong?" she asked quietly, gently running her hand down Hermione's back as the girl turned to her. "I – I can't get anything right! I've spent half an hour trying to brush and sort this – this mess!" She indicated herself with a wave. "Ever since my bath it's been like this! I just can't detangle ANY of it!"

Ginny looked Hermione over nibbling at her lip a minute before Hermione saw her eyes light up.
"Hermione, Cat fur's different from Human fur right." Hermione nodded.
"Okay, what do you use when you just have a shower?" *Thunk* Hermione's head hit the table.
"A shampoo for cats." She mumbled. "And what did you use in the bath?" Ginny continued with a small smile now. "Rose and Vanilla scented shower gel."

Ginny nodded.
"Okay, first off you get in the shower and wash that gunk out your fur; I'll have something sorted for when you get back. Hermione looked pleadingly towards the red head.
"Really. I – I don't want to let Harry down on our first public date." Ginny wrapped an arm about Hermione as she stood, pulling the catgirl up with her. "I'm sure, now scoot." She finished propelling her towards the shower. Hermione smiled her thanks as she went.

-o.O.O.o-

Ginny waited until Hermione had gone before she ran out the room and down to the common room holding her robe closed tight. Looking about she quickly spotted the two girls she needed.
"LAV, PAV Style Emergency!" She called out before running back up the stairs knowing those two words would have the two girls following at a speed that would rival a snitch.

She ran into Hermione's dorm room and sat on her bed.
She didn't have to wait long until the two witches in question followed, their eyes lighting up when they saw Hermione's dress hanging up by the bed.
"Okay Gin what's the emergency, it can't be you because you're ready apart from your dress." Parvati said as Lavender nodded her agreement.

Ginny quickly and succinctly explained the trouble to the girls who nodded in understanding.
Parvati turned to the buxom blonde before she spoke.
You go grab my vanity chest along with yours and we'll see what we can do. Lavender nodded before she shot out the room.

Ginny looked at Parvati with a raised eyebrow. "Vanity chest?" Parvati smiled as she answered.
"When you're as fashion airheaded as us you need to keep everything somewhere." She said with a laugh. Ginny's mouth dropped open as this was a proper laugh not the giggle she had come to expect from the girl.

"Lavender came back carefully levitating two chests with her. Looking to Ginny's dumbfounded expression and then to Parvati's laughter filled eyes she sighed before she turned to Ginny.
"We know you and Hermione are good at secrets and I guess Pav's decided to let you in on ours."
She said, not bothering to turn when she heard Hermione enter the room.

"Me and Pav aren't complete air heads. It's just what we want people to see. You wouldn't believe how people underestimate then." She finished as she set the chests down before she turned to the still frazzled looking Hermione who now had just a damp towel about her.

"Right, first off we need to get that fur straight. Then the fun begins." She finished with a slight gleam in her eye. Ginny gulped, what had she let Hermione in for.

-o.O.O.o-

Harry was lay on his bed, hoping the few lessons Fleur had given him would help him to avoid embarrassing Hermione on the dance floor. He didn't want to disappoint the girl.
Shaking his head he sat up and rummaged through his trunk for a specific box, pulling the long black item in question out and opening it to examine the diamond studded choker he'd brought Hermione.

A whistle from his side startled him as he looked over to see Neville eyeing the piece.
Damn Harry, that puts what I got Gin to shame mate. You trying to embarrass us?" Harry chuckled as he answered.
"No mate, I just wanted to get Hermione the jewellery that she deserved." Neville nodded with an understanding smile.

"You did that mate. Now there's only an hour left an' showers free, better get moving so you're ready for the ball. Harry nodded as he grabbed a towel on the way.
Quickly showering he got dressed after spraying a bit of Old Spice deodorant, he couldn't understand why but Hermione loved it when he used that stuff.

Just before he left the dorm to meet Hermione Neville stopped him passing him a little box.
I got the girls and put corsages together for them. I sent the others to the lads using Dobby, I hope you don't mind me using him like that." Harry shook his head as he took the box.
"Nah, I'm glad you did, it helps when he feels useful. I also think you'll be surprised by what he's planned for the ball.

Neville looked at him with a curious expression that Harry returned an enigmatic smile to as he left the room. Going down the stairs to the Common room he spied Viktor sat in front of the fire with a slight scowl upon his features.

"You okay?" Harry asked coming up next to him. He nodded with a slight smile before he spoke.
"Da, just worried. I haff not danced for years. Don't vant to hurt Katie's feet." Harry chuckled before he sat down.
"You'll be okay." He said with a smile looking about the room. He spied the twins pulling Neville to one side with a serious expression on their faces before he felt the magic literally rolling off Neville.

He and Viktor quickly went up to see what the problem was before the twins passed him a copy of the Evening Prophet. Harry read the headline and swore; across the top was 'Bellatrix Breaks Out Azkaban!" Harry and the rest of the group knew Neville's story and he thought the anger was well placed.

Harry grabbed Neville and guided him over to a chair and pushed him down into it before he spoke.
"Neville, calm down – deep breaths. You can't do anything about it now." Doing his best to calm him down before he completely lost control of his magic.

Neville closed his eyes and his breathing started coming out in slow measured breaths, continuing until he visibly took hold of himself. When his eyes opened Harry could see the contained rage and hoped never to have this wizard angry at him.

Neville calmly stood up and moved back to the twins.
"Thanks for letting me know guys." The two just nodded before spying something above Neville's shoulder behind him. With twin grins they turned him around to see the view of Ginny slowly descending the stairs in a tight fitting red dress that was cut to hint more than show, the inch wide shoulder straps holding it up.

Her eyes landing on him straight away, his reaction causing her to smile and blush prettily as she got to the last step. Neville had to have a gentle push from the twins to move as he let out a held breath.
He carefully held out the corsage that he had crafted for her, it had small red roses along with a satin ribbon so if she wished it could be gently tied about her wrist. She gently held out her hand allowing him to place the flowers there, making sure not to tie the ribbon too tight.

Once he had completed his task, he removed a small box from his pocket and handed it to her.
She raised a questioning eyebrow but Neville said nothing.
Harry watched as she carefully prised the box open, gasping at what was revealed within.
She lifted out the piece handing Harry the box. He saw she was holding a pendant with a dark red ruby carved into the shape of a budding rose set into a gold filigree.

"N – Neville?" She whispered looking her man in the eye.
"It's yours for as long as you wish." Neville said quietly taking the piece off her to gently fasten it about her neck as Harry banished its box back to the dorm.

Ginny embraced Neville and leaned up for a long heartfelt kiss before pulling away as she whispered.
"It's beautiful, thank you." Neville nodded as she turned in his arms to face Harry.
"You may want to turn around about now." She said quietly.

Harry a bit perplexed as to why did so and was suddenly unable to breath. The reason being because of the figure on her way down the stairs.
On her feet were a pair of beautifully crafted sandals with soft blue straps holding them on to lithe legs. Moving up he Hermione's dress was made of a dark almost midnight hue, the skirt of the dress hung from her hips, with a slit up one side to allow her legs movement.

As his gaze travelled up he marvelled at the way the dress hugged her figure until it came to a stop, the swell of her breasts showing above the cups of the strapless gown.
Harry's eyes moved to her arm that had on a long sleeved black glove that went to halfway up her bicep, as he looked he saw she was wearing it's match, before his view settled on her face.

Her dark cinnamon eyes looked right back at him, impossibly she seemed to be wearing a dark blue eye shadow. Her hair had two strands curled either side of her face, as the rest was done up in an elegant French braid with ribbons holding the ensemble together. The tips of her ears also had a slight blue tinge to the fur.

She had her lips parted as if about to speak as Harry pulled her down into his arms, meeting her mouth with his, slipping his tongue in her mouth as he held her close. One of his hands at the nape of her neck, the other supporting her weight between her shoulder-blades.

As the kiss broke he looked into the dilated cat eyes that were Hermione's and breathed out his sentence.
"Gods Mia you're beautiful." He leaned in for another kiss as she tangled her hands in his hair.
"Ahem." A voice said after they had held the kiss.

Breaking away Harry blushed as he looked towards Lavender and Parvati on the stairs.
"I take it you approve." Lavender said with a smile. Harry nodded as he said his thanks, moving to the side of Hermione and wrapping his arms about her shoulders.
It was then he noticed that the dress had been modified to allow for Hermione's tail once more while not sacrificing anything for her modesty.

He gently steered her to their chair before sitting on it and pulling her onto his lap.
Hermione looked around the room to see everyone smiling at them from first year to seventh, the smile she wore lit up her face as she lay her head against Harry's shoulder.

-o.O.O.o-

Hermione felt a weight on her lap and looked down to see a long rectangular box had been placed there, trusting Harry's arms to keep her steady she opened it, and drew In a gasp at the choker that Harry had got for her.
"Oh Harry, it's beautiful" She whispered before lifting it out the box and fastening it to her neck.

"I'm glad you liked it Mia." He said once she had finished. She smiled at him as she answered. "Like it? I love it, and I love you." She finished quietly as she gave him a quick kiss. She didn't notice Katie come down, only knew the girl had when she heard Viktor.

"Damn! You are gorgeous" She looked over to see Katie blushing as she leaned into Victors embrace, her pale blue dress contrasting her dark hair perfectly.
Hermione felt a slight disturbance to her wrist and looked down to see Harry sliding on a small corsage made with white lilies.

She kept still as he did this, admiring them until he was finished securing them.
"Neville's work?" She asked quietly as Harry nodded the confirmation.

They looked up as the clock struck quarter to Seven.
"Well I think it's time to get a move on." Harry said to everyone as Hermione slipped off his lap and waited for him to get out his chair.

Once everyone was stood she and Harry led the way out the portrait hole and down to the main entrance. Waiting there for them was Cedric and Fleur. Hermione loved the silver dress the French champion was wearing, held up by two thin straps that looked to tie behind her neck.
Her hair had been left to fall free, held out her face by a simple silver headband.

She quickly stepped over to the woman speaking rapidly in Fleur's home language.
The woman seemed happy to respond in kind and pretty soon had a conversation going – She was asking Fleur about a specific charm that she knew Harry would love. Fleur smiled and quickly answered her question using her finger as if it were a wand showing her the movements.

As soon as they were finished Hermione switched back to English.
"Thanks Fleur." She said with a smile giving the older girl a hug.

"It ees not a problem 'Ermione." Fleur answered as the hug broke and went to stand with Harry as Professor Sprout came and let them know it was time. Hermione took Harry's arm as he led her to the dance floor to start the opening dance of the ball. As they glided through the steps of the dance her eyes never left his.

When the second dance started she lay her head against his chest, letting him guide them where ever. As the dance ended she lifted her eyes to his once more, seeing the spark of mischief in his eyes as she grinned and stepped away from him.

A moment later Harry called out Winky's name just as Hermione called for Dobby.
A short pop later and they leaned down and picked up the two elves. Dobby was wearing a classic muggle tuxedo and bow tie affair and Winky had on a beautiful ball gown, both elves outfits scaled to fit them perfectly.

As Hermione danced across the floor with Dobby and Harry with Winky she listened to hear the gasps of surprise when people realised what they were seeing.
A moment later Hermione was stopped when Percy Weasley who was standing in for Barty Crouch blocked her path.

"Miss Black, what do you think you are doing?" He said in the most officious tone Hermione had ever heard. She saw Harry moving to join her as she answered.
"I was enjoying a dance with my friend Dobby until you rudely interrupted." She said, keeping her tone polite.

Harry by now had stepped up next to her and was Balancing Winky on one arm and had his hand ready to draw his wand if it should be deemed necessary.
Percy continued to be oblivious to just how much he could anger people with his next statement.
"Miss Black, although the ministry has granted you full sentient species rights, that does not allow you to bring these beasts to a ministry sponsored event such as this."

Hermione had been ready for most things but to hear the way Percy was speaking sparked an anger she didn't know she had. "Mr. Weasley, I would ask you step out of my way and let me continue to dance with whom I want to. Regardless of species. Thank You."

Her tone was short and clipped, one that Percy would recognise from when his little brother used to provoke her, he also knew just what Hermione was capable of as his face paled with realisation of just who he was angering. He still however stood his ground as he spoke.

"I'm sorry Miss Black, but I'm going to have to order these elves to leave." He turned and tried to do just that and seemed stupefied when they didn't move. Winky just glared at him as Dobby's face remained stubborn.

"Percy, I think you're under the misconception that these elves are Hogwarts elves?" Hermione said layering the sweetness in her voice. "Of course they are, what else would they be?" He said with a slight tone of anger.

"Oh I would say they're bonded to Harry, but we don't see them as servants. To us they're family."
"Well said." Harry added. Percy looked around to see that everyone within the hall was looking with approval. He mistakenly saw that as approval for his position. Not realising they were supporting Harry and spoke again.

"If you will not remove these elves then I would ask you to leave." Hermione smirked.
"Thank you Percy. You've just won me 5 galleons." Percy blinked as Hermione turned and led the way out followed by Harry. What she didn't see was when the entire Tri-Wizard contingent left the room with them.

"Hermione look behind us love, just don't drop Dobby when you do." Harry whispered.
As she did she saw who was following and smiled turning back to Harry. "The Room?" She asked.
Harry nodded and they turned to head up to the seventh floor, leaving the ball behind and going to the Room of Requirement for their own Christmas party instead.

-o.O.O.o-

Back in the hall the other students all looked around as if in hope one of the others would have the answer to what had happened. Unfortunately no one could answer that for them.

-o.O.O.o-

Harry asked the room to set them up with somewhere they could all enjoy themselves without worry, before he let out three short low whistles and Hedwig came and landed on the shoulder that hadn't got a house elf holding on to it. He waited until the door had formed fully before pulling it open.

He led everyone in before looking around.
The room was rather large with a dance floor in the middle, about the room were tables that even now had food and drink appearing on them.
He spied a set of bookshelves and some large beanbag chairs near them, and at the end was a door that had the words 'Swimming Pool' engraved on a bronze plaque above it.

In one darkened corner he noticed more beanbag chairs, but you would have to have Hedwig's eyesight to see fully what you were doing there.
Hedwig had already left his shoulder and was busy eating strips of bacon from a bowl she had claimed as everyone else moved throughout the room.

Harry gently set Winky down as Hermione did the same for Dobby.
"Thanks guys." Harry said looking Dobby in the eye. "We really didn't want to stay and support that thing." Dobby nodded before he took Winky's hand and led her onto the dance floor. As soon as their feet touched it gentle music started playing and they started to dance.

Harry smiled at the sight before he led Hermione to the bookshelves letting her go and choose a book as he settled down in to one of the chairs, almost laying down as Hermione joined him.
"Hey" he said quietly pulling her into a small kiss before he looked at the book she'd brought over.
He smiled as he read the title, she hadn't gone with any text book or spell manual, instead she'd pulled a copy of the book they were reading back in Gryffindor Tower and opened it to the last page they were on.

He held her closer as she quietly read out loud lying on her side, head on his chest as he gently stroked the fur on her back.
As he listened he let her words send him across a vast forest, filled with danger, flying through the air as a bird of prey.

As the story finished he bent his head down to kiss the top of Hermione's before he spoke.
"Fancy going for a swim?" He asked quietly. Hermione looked up from her position lay on his chest and smiled before sitting up on her arm and leaning down to kiss him, drawing her tongue across his lips asking for entry.

Harry parted his lips allowing her to slip her tongue in, caressing the roof of his mouth with her slightly raspy tongue, he pulled her close pressing his lips to hers, following her tongue as it retreated, he felt her purring as he wrapped her in his arms.

He tried to hold back a groan as the kiss broke to let them both breath before he felt her lips press back to his. He heard her moan of pleasure as his hand grazed her side as she shifted against him.
As their kiss broke he opened his eyes to look up into hers.

They had darkened with the emotions she was feeling much like he guessed his own had done as he felt like he was going to burst with how much he loved her. He could see the love she had for him, but he also saw the desire she held for him right now.

He leaned up to kiss her again, a small kiss, one that told of more to come as she let him up.
"Harry, Dance with me?" She asked, looking at him through her eyelashes, the perfect image of seduction and innocence in one.
Harry groaned as he felt his blood start to run south.

He took her in his arms and held her close as they danced gazes locked.
Hermione suddenly turned in his arms, pressing her back to his chest as the music tempo changed, her rear grinding against his groin as his hand came around to press against the flat of her stomach.

Harry could feel himself getting harder as they moved with each other to the music, his other hand on her hip, as Hermione lifted her arm above her head and reached behind to caress his face, her other arm reaching back to his thigh as they danced.

They were not the only couple on the dance floor now. Although Dobby and Winky had called it a night and popped away, Cedric, Fleur, Viktor and Katie had all stepped up to the dance floor, doing their own daring dances as the music moved them.

Katie was wrapped around Viktor her lips moulded to his, while fleur seemed to be trying to permanently mark Cedric's neck with her teeth as he held her close.
Harry watched mesmerised as Hermione held her arms out in front of her and peeled her gloves off, until they were off, before she turned in his embrace pressing against him as they gyrated to the beat.

She lifted her arms to lock her hands behind his neck as she pulled him down for a heated passionate kiss that was also filled with so much love Harry was surprised it wasn't physically manifest.

As the kiss died their dancing slowed as Hermione lay her head on his chest, it was then he felt her slight trembling that he knew was indicative of her supressing her tears. Slowly he led her from the dance floor to the darkened corner of the room and down to one of the oversized beanbags. He pulled her close and held her as he whispered.

"Mia love, what's wrong?" Hermione shook her head trying to deny anything was wrong, but in the darkness he could see her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Gently he rolled her onto her back, leaning up beside her as he cupped her cheek, gently rubbing the escaped tear away with his thumb before he leaned down and placed a light kiss on her cheek where the tear had been.

"Mia, please. Talk to me." he tried to put all he felt in to his words as he spoke, and wasn't surprised when her tears fell as she started sobbing, wrapping her arms about him. He carefully lay down pulling her into his arms as she let her emotions free.
Although he wasn't surprised at her tears when he realised she was supressing her crying on the dance floor, he was desperate to understand what had sparked this off.

Slowly as the storm of tears passed she started talking quietly.
"I don't want to lose you Harry. I'm scared. I know we're trying our best but it's this damn Tournament. I've been scared for you since it was announced. Now we're together I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

Harry pulled her close as he whispered into her ear.
"Mia, I will survive this I promise you. You won't lose me okay. Harry tightened his grip momentarily as he spoke, pulling her up for a long lingering kiss before she moved to lay her head on his chest.
"Thanks Harry. I don't know why but I needed to hear that." Harry looked down to Hermione lay on his chest with a smile as he drew his hand down her back, stroking the fur down.
"Any time Mia." He said quietly as he heard the door to the room click. He looked up about the room to see that everyone had left.

Chuckling he asked if she would like one more dance before they too went to bed.
Smiling Hermione got up and waited for Harry to lead her to the dance floor.

A/N: Liked it? Hated it? Let me Know.
Constructive Criticism welcome
Flames will be ignored

A/N 2: Sorry for the bad quality in the writing of this chapter, Don't know why but had so much trouble getting it right and I'm still not happy with it. hope future chapters flow better.