"What a way to start the day," Holly grinned as she found her gifts at the end of the bed. Hermione dug in as well when a knock hit the door.
"Probably Dobby Everyone decent?" Hermione asked and when nobody complained Holly answered the door.
"Happy Christmas Dobby," She gestured to the bed as Holly opened up her trunk. "I got something for you," she had expected the elf so she bought a few crazy socks that were charmed to change colors and never match. "Here," Holly handed him the present only for her to be passed a gift of her own her gift was surprised to see a pair of mismatched socks one red and one green, one with snitches and one with brooms.
"Socks how did you know?" Dobby asked as she gave him a hug.
"I think Dumbledore always said you can never have too many socks. Are these handmade?" Holly asked only for her heart to bleed as he explained he made them himself. Lavender and Parvati seemed to either be snickering or trying not to coo Holly wasn't bothered either way.
"Dobby needs to get back to the kitchen we are starting dinner," with that Dobby took off. She had sent out her gifts making sure to give Dumbledore his yearly gift of socks.
She mostly got candy since she got the firebolt last year. She got a planner from Hermione that had a rather annoying habit of nagging the owner. She also was surprised to see that she was given a Weasley sweater with a Dragon on it. "Neat," she slipped it on she lounged around the common room enjoying the time she could be cozy before the setup.
While the common room was making it hard to relax she still had time to join in the snowball fight as Ron tried to startle Hermione into telling who she was going with as both girls headed up early to get ready.
The Yule Ball startup was a process liberal amounts of potions and spells were used as gossip was in the air.
The excitement was lost on Holly as the mirror was facing away as she chatted with her dad. Who was being used for tips on makeup thanks to his disguise qualification he was better than expected.
"Why are you talking to a wall?" Tonks asked as her dad's partner noticed the odd behavior.
"My Daughter is getting ready for the Yule Ball and wanted to make up advice," the man sighed as Tonks laughed.
Holly got a good chuckle, as Tonks had a good run at her dad. "Honestly you're worse than Sirius most days."
"Hey I resemble that remark," Tonks commented as Holly could imagine the women doing a spot on impersonation in looks at least.
"Oh brother," her dad groaned she had her dress set up and ready as the scarlet dress furled as she did a slight twist. The dress had golden accents on the top and bottom. She had given her a slight curl just enough to give it a bit more volume.
She checked her friends to make sure it was safe as turned the mirror around "what do you think?" She asked.
"You look stunning," Her dad complemented.
"Knock em dead," Tonks pushed into view as Her dad pushed her back.
"Why can't we go to fancy parties like that?" Tonks accuses as her dad did a double take.
"I am not your boyfriend to talk to Lupin if you want to dance," as Tonks let up on her teasing.
"Well have fun, and stay out of trouble I would say not to do anything I wouldn't but," he trailed off as she shook her head.
"Good luck and see you," She smiled as she turned the mirror off.
"You heading down with us or do you have your own meeting place?" Holly asked Hermione who looked stunning.
"Yep, don't worry you will see me shortly," Hermione gave her a sudden hug as she headed down to find Ron ready and waiting.
"You look, amazing," he smiled nervously, as Holly reached in and adjusted his red tie that matched her dress.
"Why thank you, Mr. Weasley, you look rather dashing yourself. Shall we?" She offered her arm as they hooked and headed down until they had to separate to get out of the common room as they giggled to the main hall.
The group of students lingered around as everyone who was going outside of there own house could find each other. "Come on," McGonagall ushered them as Ron and Holly were pushed to the front to see Hermione and Krum walk forward leading the students from Durmstrang.
"Krum," Ron looked shocked as Holly laughed considering how much Hermione complained about him.
"Looks like Hermione found one heck of a date, sorry I am not a Quidditch Star," Holly joked as Ron recovered from the shock as they were lead into the head table with the judges and surprisingly Percy was taking his Bosses spot. Fleur had brought in Rodger Davis.
They were set to the side as Holly got to watch as everyone seemed to notice Hermione and Krum. Hermione smiled nervously as she got a few glares from Krum's fan club. They headed in last and to the main table.
Holly was swept up in the affair as a lot of things happened Ron and Percy chatted but he kept looking at Hermione and Krum. Not that Holly could blame him Percy was being very smug as he went on about his promotion and the state of his boss.
Dumbledore and Karkoroff had a thinly veiled argument over the nature of knowledge. "Hypocrite," Holly thought considering Krum was given free access to the library. Hermione had tried to couch Krum in her name which Holly thought was very adorable.
She mentally filled away from the bathroom thing and Crouch's Illness. "Fleur how have you been?" Holly glanced at Fleur.
"Been busy after you and Krum tied for the lead I Doubled my efforts. I remembered what our parents talked about, I don't plan to lose." She pointed at her as Holly smiled back.
"Good," Holly grinned, "oh I got you this," she passed her a gift across the table as she set it aside for later. Holly had gotten her some candy despite her complaining earlier about not fitting into her dress robes.
The food was eaten and soon the Weird sisters took the stage as Holly took a deep breath as the four Champions and their dates got swept up in the music Dumbledore hounded in with Madam Maxine his hat almost tickling her nose.
"Nice socks Miss Potter," Moody commented
"A gift from Dobby he is a house elf who works here," she smiled.
The first song finished, "you can go ask her to dance," she dropped her hands as she caught him looking over at Hermione.
"I am good," he smiled, "maybe later," Ron suddenly twirled her as the music speed up and the real fun began.
It was a lot of fun just cutting through the crowd but everyone got out of the way of Maxine. It wasn't long until Holly needed a break as her heels were killing her.
"I'll get some punch," Ron,
"Make sure the twins didn't mess with it," she joked by Ron looked horrified at the idea they had mentioned working on something new in the last few weeks.
Hermione flush sat down as the two looked at each other and laughed at how flush the other was from all the dancing.
"Victor Krum I would never have believed it," Holly grinned, "the looks on his fan clubs face payback for interrupting your study time." Holly laughed as Ron headed up with two things of punch.
"Oh sorry," Ron handed his to Hermione she pushed it back.
"Victor is getting me some," Hermione smiles politely.
"So, What is he like," Ron quickly hid behind Holly as Fleur walked pas before he continued. "Can you get me an autograph?" He grinned as Hermione giggles so hard she snorted which only made Holly and Ron join in.
"Pounce," Krum offered as he handed the drink he looked a bit uncomfortable.
"Take a seat we don't bite," Holly smiled, "I want to go see the garden," she grabbed Ron who looked a little slack-jawed at the irreverence of Holly Potter. "Feel free to join us, if your feet are up for it."
"Holly I wanted to hang out with the Quidditch Star," Ron partly whined the two headed out lingering out in the open
"What was that all about?" Ron asked,
"I don't think Krum was comfortable so I figured we could give him some space," Holly figured, "also cause if Hermione gets with him you get Ron with no guilty conscience." A voice in the back of her head.
The two spotted Hagrid and Maxine talking as Snape stalked the area with Karkoroff chasing after him. The two overheard details from both.
"Keep your hands to yourself Weasley," Snape threatened as Karkoroff glanced at them suspiciously.
"Hagrid a half-giant," he looked at Holly who shrugged.
"Are you really that surprised?" Holly replied as the pair headed back to the dance floor.
"Not really, still," Ron glanced back as they headed to find Hermione.
The party sadly seemed to be on the wind-down. Holly sat down next to Krum who was nursing some punch. "Looks like we are both short dance partners," Holly smirked as he glanced at her.
"Can I help you?" He asked as Holly tapped her chin.
"Nope, I got my own drink and my feet will kill me if I get back out there." She took a drink,
"So why Hermione? My friend," she glanced at him for all her jockeying with Hermione protective best friend mode was not something that just dispersed.
"Uh," he seemed surprised at the direct confrontation as Holly got a good measure of the man. Despite the fame and skill, he was not a people person.
"Are you two not going out, or is this a one-time thing?" she raised an eyebrow at him, He shifted under Holly's eye.
"Don't be too hard on Him," Percy commented as Holly waved at him.
"I am just making sure as a concerned friend that Mr. Krum here doesn't have any ill intent towards Hermione," She hotly replied,
"The point is to strengthen bonds, Percy Weasley," he introduced as Krum shook his hand.
"Old friend, he use to go to school here and helped save me from a troll on my first year he's a good guy but he talks too much in most peoples opinion," Holly informed as Percy frowned at Holly who just smiled innocently.
"A Troll no vonder you are holding your own if this school is so dangerous." Krum glanced at Holly,
"That's nothing, Holly here is regularly getting into danger, it's why if anyone should be snipping the win it will be Holly." Percy chuckled, as Krum glanced at her.
"You are definitely one to be worried about," Krum admitted,
"What can I say I am a woman of many talents." She shrugged. "But I would hardly say you are flat-footed." she complimented back.
"Hardly, your partner seems more effective on his veet than me," Krum pointed out,
"Only cause I drilled the footwork into him. I think this may be the last song so if you want the last dance you better get going," Holly encouraged
"Vou are a very unusual witch." he eyed her.
"Why thank you," Holly nodded curiously.
"May I have this last dance?" he offered his hand.
"Fraternizing with the enemy how bold," Holl accepted his hand as she finished off the Ball in style. "See you around Percy," she waved to him as Dumbledore brought the event to an end despite the fact that everyone really wanted to keep having fun.
Hermione said goodbye as Ron eyed Krum dangerously, as Hermione came back both. "He seems nice, you plan on keeping him." Holly smiled as she watched Krum walk away. Hermione turned red.
"You're encourageable." Hermione pushed Holly playfully.
"Hermione if you want something you got to give what you want the all clear, boys are often just as scared of rejection as well anyone. So you got to let them know its safe by beating them over the head with clues. depending on how thick they are." She chuckled.
"Hey," Ron frowned at Holly as the two giggled as his indignation.
"Sorry Ron, but what would a woman have to do to let you know she likes you?"
"Probably would need to wear a sign or something," Fred commented as Ron turned red at the playful teasing as Holly Locked arms around both of them, Ron, needed to bend a bit.
"You two are my best friends, so anyone who you want to spend your lives with is okay in my book. Just now that I will always care about you." she sincerely told them as both of them turned red.
"Hey, what about Fred and Me, I thought we had something special." George pouted,
"Oh, my two favorites, how could I be so cruel, do you need a hug as well." She held out her hands.
"I don't know, you're just saying that," Fred said as the two almost perfectly in sync stuck up their noses and looked away.
"I have gone and upset them, My Godfather will be so upset, with." Holly slumped as everyone filled with good feelings all laughed.
"Holly," Cedric called after her as she glanced back to see the Hogwarts Champion.
"What is up Ced?" she asked as she slipped down,
"Have you figured out the clue, yet," he asked in a hushed tone. Holly mentally considered this she could tell the truth but Cedric being the Nobel guy that he was might do something silly like throw the tournament.
"No," She lied smoothly. "It's been giving me an ear-splitting headache," she spun the yarn as she bit her lip.
"Try taking a bath with it, take some time to think it over, and to help you can use the prefect's bathroom. Its located on the fifth floor behind the fourth door to the left of a statue of Boris the bewildered, the password is pine-fresh,"
"Consider us square," Holly smiled, "A private bathroom, this is going o be fun," she thought as she caught up with her friends,
"How many boys, do you need?" Fred asked as Holly started to laugh,
"Oh no, an attack on the innocent Holly Potter so cruel to imply such a thing," she couldn't she giggled, "Don't worry he was just repaying me, and I couldn't be happier."
"What is this third person Thursday, Holly I am starting to think you might not be completely on the up and up," George commented.
"What do you mean start," Hermione joined in,
"Oh, what roast Holly day," they headed into the common room "I am beginning to think that you don't appreciate me. Fickle is the opinion of the public," she did an overdramatic sigh.
"Oh brother," Hermione laughed, as they parted with the boys and headed up.
"So thinking of riding off into the sunset with Victor Krum?" Holly asked innocently.
"I think he needs a friend, I don't know if it will get that far, but I want to help," Hermione shifted, as Holly paused, after kicking her heels off. "He kind of acts like I think you would if you didn't have any friends," Hermione admitted.
"Okay, but you let me know if he does anything to forward, big star or otherwise I'll knock him senseless," Holly promised as Hermione got on her sleeping own and she gave Holly a hug.
"Thanks, but I can take care of myself," she reminded,
"well being the brightest witch of the age can do that, but what's the point of being friends with someone going into the dating world if you can't rough up the odd boyfriend who, gets too friendly?" she grinned as Holly rolled her eyes.
"Only if I can do the same." Hermione offered, as Holly thought about it and agreed,
"Sounds fair you will be the first to know when I enter such a dangerous world," she tossed her dress into the trunk finally freed from the confines she flopped onto the bed with all the grass she could muster.