The school had been abuzz with the talk of the ball since the start of the school year. As Christmas approached everyone was going crazy finding a date, and Fleur and even her sister were being bogged with requests. Harry was happy to be in love, to have no doubt who he was going with, and Draco felt the same way as he did. The two of them took a bit too much pleasure, or so their friends tended to think, of watching the rest of them scrambling to find a date. They were surprised even Viktor had not asked anyone, for if anyone was as popular as the Delacaur children for a date, it was of course the world famous quidditch player. Harry tended to think if Ron was bi he would have asked Viktor after he had been turned down by the Delacaurs, but Ron tended to be more homophobic then most muggle borns could be. But he sometimes still managed to look like some love sick puppy as he continued to try for an autograph.
The twins were the first after them for a date, taking their friends from the quidditch team, Angelina and Alicia. They had been dating the girls for a time off and on now, and other then Draco and Harry, were the only member of their group in a relationship of any kind. They were not the only members of their family with a date, for they had finally convinced Charlie to bring his boyfriend to the dance, Grant, since he would be chaperoning it. Blaise had asked Gabrielle who had been happy to go with him, having got to know Harry's friends quite well, and Fleur was set to go with Rodger Davies, a Ravenclaw.
Harry was surprised when he found out from Viktor that he had asked Hermione Granger to the ball. Hermione was smart and funny, she did not have the same bias towards Slytherin as much of her house did, but she was friends with Ron. Besides she was a bit of a book worm, worse then Harry, and she was not the kind of girl most would have expected Viktor would invite to go to the ball. Viktor admitted though he was quite smitten, having met her a lot in the library.
The Malfoys had come to the school and stayed with Severus and Remus, since the boys were staying for the ball. Viktor had been invited as well and the three boys had a sleep over of sorts in Harry's bedroom with his dads, while Sirius joined them in the morning to open gifts as well.
As they were heading for lunch later Viktor looked at the two of them. "You know I have to ask, which one of you gets to lead."
Draco laughed at that. "I think I better. You never saw him in the dance lessons we had before. Harry is bound to break my toes or something."
Though Harry tried to look hurt, he could not deny that he had two left feet, and was grateful that he was not a champion and would not have to dance in front of everyone. Draco kissed his boyfriend though as Harry had a hurt pout on his face from the comment, and assured Harry that he would risk his toes if he had to, he could not picture dancing wit anyone but him. Harry was smiling again by the time they got into the hall, though Viktor was groaning, calling them love sick puppy dogs. Harry reminded Viktor he could say the same thing later when they saw him with Hermione at the ball, but Viktor just shrugged, and did not try to deny it.
For the first time the Great Hall had all of the tables, for usually at Christmas there would have been one big table. The only students though who had gone home for the holidays were the third year and younger, or at least the ones who were not invited as dates, like Ginny had been invited to go by Neville.
Harry nudged Viktor in the ribs as he saw his eyes on Hermione. "You know you can sit at another table except opening and closing feasts. I am sure there is room."
Viktor was blushing like crazy at that but he shook his head. "I will stick with you guys and my house. Besides I have not seen my other friends today yet."
Of course he had been with them for gifts and the night before, so he had missed the traditions with his school. It had not bothered him much for though they were his school mates, only two of them were actual friends from school, and he had bee happy to join the Malfoys and Snapes instead. Soon their attention was drawn to the huge feast that was in front of them and all of the Christmas crackers which were always a favourite part of the meal.
Fred came over to them when they were done. "Come on you guys, we're going out for a snow ball fight before the girls and prissies need to get ready for the ball."
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Harry and Draco laughed and smiled as they came off the dance floor after another song. The ball had been going on for a half hour now, and after the formality of the champion's dance, the band had started and everything was fun and moving. Harry had smiled when he had noticed Madam Maxime and Hagrid dancing, and was shocked to see that Moody had even come to the dance. He was under the impression the man was there to tutor him, Harry still not comfortable wit the classes he had been forced to continue with, but he was reminded the auror were worried about the foreign students around as well.
Harry noticed that Charlie and his boyfriend had come in, and headed their way. He had met Grant a few times, a ministry employee who worked in underage magic, and he quite liked him a lot. It turned out that the two of them had a very special Christmas, and were late for they had been at the Burrow to share big news.
Charlie showed off the ring on his hand, when Harry, Draco and the twins came over, though Ginny joined soon. "Grant asked me to marry him, and I said yes."
Harry was the first one to claim his big brother and pulled him into a hug. "I am so happy for the two of you. I'm sure your mother must be over the moon."
Of course Molly was, for even though he was the first in her family to be gay, she had always welcomed Grant. She wanted her sons and daughter to marry and have kids, and Charlie and Grant planned on starting for kids right after they got married that summer. Grant would become a permanent face at school for he would be living here with Charlie. Ron had over heard and he was grinding his teeth, and could be heard to mutter that his brother was going to flaunt the family shame, he was going to humiliate the family even more then he already had.
Fred shook his head. "Don't listen to the prat, you know all the family besides him is behind you. Welcome almost to the family Grant."
Grant and Charlie had decided to take Grant's name for he was an only child, but he smiled, as he would still be a part. "Thanks, the rest already said it too."
Though Ron did not agree, the others thought it would be cool to have Grant here, especially when the couple started having kids. Charlie took his fiancé on to the dance floor and Harry ad Draco went to take a walk out on the grounds for they needed some fresh air. They stopped under some mistle toe, a muggle tradition that the school still often used, and Draco pulled Harry into a long warm kiss.
As he pulled back he whispered. "I know we're young and it would be years down the road, but I can see us married and with kids one day."
