Aly grinned once all of the champions stood up with their partners. The food disappeared and suddenly three women apparated onto the floor with instruments.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Dumbledore announced, standing up, "The champions and their partners will open the Yule Ball dancing, with entertainment from the Weird Sisters."

He sat down and everyone watched as the champions swept onto the floor. The Weird Sisters launched into a waltz with a bit of rock in it, and everyone watched as Cedric spun Cho around, who was laughing lightly. Fleur, on the other hand, led Roger Davies in the dance. He looked slightly clumsy. Viktor and Hermione were having a nice time; he was smiling down at Hermione. Parvati led Harry in the dance, and he was very awkward.

Suddenly Professor Dumbledore stood up and bowed to Professor McGonagall and they walked onto the floor and began waltzing. A few moments later, other students were walking onto the dance floor as well.

Damien turned his head and grinned at Bella. "Shall we?"

Bella smiled and nodded. They stood up and walked onto the floor and launched into a light waltz.

Hayden grinned at Char.

"Let's get a move on, ladies," Char said, standing up. Aly rolled her eyes at Kylie and stood up, too. They walked onto the floor and began waltzing.

Only one couple was left at the table. Michael smiled wistfully at Amanda. "Do you want to dance?"

"Sure." They stood up and merely swayed back and forth, not really waltzing.

--

"You know how to waltz?" Damien asked with surprise as they whirled effortlessly around the ballroom.

"Of course! We waltz a lot in France. How do you know?" Bella asked with surprise.

"I was forced to go to McGonagall's dance class," Damien sighed as they slowed down. Some couples near them glared at them for dancing so well.

"Why?"

"My mummy wants 'a full account of the ball!'" Damien said, imitating his mother's high voice. Bella sniggered.

--

Char smiled down at Aly as the danced. He bumped into another couple and hastily apologized.

Aly laughed at her date. "You don't know how to waltz, do you?"

"No..." Char said, looking away. "I kind of...skipped out on McGonagall's dancing class."

"You got caught, didn't you?"

Char grinned at Aly. "Yeah, I did."

"Ha. That's what you get," Aly smirked. Char suddenly dipped Aly and pretended to let go of her quickly, earning a shriek of surprise from her. He pulled her up close, grinning. "Completely unnecessary," Aly growled.

"You're so uptight," Char laughed, taking her arm and spinning her out. He spun her back in and pulled Aly's arm around his neck and pulled her closer, smiling. Aly laughed. He dipped her again.

--

"My dad...literally has a seizure," Kylie said with a chuckle as they danced.

"Well...if that's the case, you have a weird father," Hayden said playfully.

"Hey!" Kylie teased. "If he's weird, then I'm weird." Hayden smiled at her, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey!" Hayden smiled and kissed her forehead playfully.

--

Char grinned down at Aly after telling her his really bad joke.

"Just for your information," Aly said scrunching up her face, "You will not make a living as a joke-teller." Char laughed at her expression.

"Thanks for the hint," he teased. "I never would've figured."

Someone tapped Char on the shoulder. They stopped dancing and he turned around. It was Michael Straum.

"Hey, Char," he grinned. "Mind if I have a go? You can dance with Robin if you want."

Char looked down at Aly uncertainly. "Uh, sure."

Michael nodded and Char stepped back. Char opted to disappear for a drink.

Michael began dancing with her. "Straum, why am I dancing with you?" Aly muttered.

"Because your date was nice enough to let me!" he replied brightly.

Aly scowled at Char's back. "Shouldn't the girl get a say?"

"No, it makes it more fun for me," he winked. Aly rolled her eyes and continued whirling around. They approached the punch bowl.

"If you whirl me into the punch bowl, you're dead," Aly warned. Michael smiled mischievously and dipped her towards it.

"Hey!" she exclaimed pulling herself up. Michael laughed.

***

Amanda and Michael chatted for a while. Michael was mostly talking to his Durmstrang friends as they danced past them. Michael looked down at Amanda.

"Having fun?"

"Yeah," she replied half-heartedly.

Someone tapped Michael on the shoulder. Amanda smiled at Damien.

"May I?" Damien asked politely. Michael looked at Amanda's face and sighed.

"Go for it, mate."

Michael stepped back and disappeared.

Damien observed Amanda's face closely.

"Enjoying your date?" he asked slowly.

"Oh, yeah, just peachy," Amanda said angrily. "Even though he doesn't talk to me, just his Durmstrang buddies."

"Sounds like you're having fun, alright," Damien said, grinning bitterly.

"I wanted to go with you," Amanda said bitterly. "But he asked me before I could ask you."

"You wanted to ask me?" Damien said, his eyes twinkling.

"Yeah. But you didn't get my hints," Amanda said glaring up at him. "I can barely talk to you anymore because Michael's always with me!"

"You want to be around me more?"

"Of course!" Amanda said, stopping the dance. "But now you're with Bella and everything...."

"Well," Damien said flushing, "I do like her. She's really pretty...and the way she blushes when I embarrass her is funny."

"Oh."

"But it's not like I don't like you anymore, Mandy," Damien said quickly.

"I know," Amanda said sadly.

"Amanda," Damien said with a smile, "I still like you, ok?"

"Then who will I be with next year when Michael leaves?" Amanda asked Damien angrily.

"I dunno," Damien shrugged. "This sounds terrible, but just hope that Bella leaves so that I can have you. I heard Blake fancies you too." He winked.

"Yay!" Amanda said happily. She hugged Damien. "I have my best friend back, and a secret admirer!"

Damien looked over the top of Amanda's head at Char, who had Aly back again. He gave Char a thumbs up. The song finished and everyone clapped politely.

***

"Let's go," Char muttered to Aly.

"Where?"

"Out back."

He grabbed Aly's hand and led her outside. It was a nice, cool night. He led her through the maze of bushes and over to a large marble fountain with a mermaid sprouting water.

Aly frowned at the sight of couples kissing. "Er...Char...you're not going to kiss me, are you?"

Char chuckled and turned around, pulling her to him.

"No," Char chuckled again, "Do you want me to?"

"Do you want a black eye?"