A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands.

A/N: I really try to avoid it, but this takes some lines, rather sporadically, directly from the book "Goblet of Fire" and movie adaption of "Goblet of Fire." So I'd like to make it really clear that I make no money from this. Literally nothing at all.

Chapter 29: Dancing Around

December, 1994

"The Yule Ball is a tradition of the tri-wizard tournament since its inception," Professor McGonagall said. Harry nudged Dean next to him, who nudged Harry back, and soon they were in a war of subtle nudges as Harry's grandmother talked. "The great hall will be transformed into a dance floor, and there on Christmas Eve we will hold a celebration. As hosts of the representatives I expect all of you to put your best foot forward and I mean that literally, because the Yule Ball is first and foremost a dance."

"No way!" Dean whispered to Harry as the room broke out into noise. "I can't dance! How does McGonagall expect us to do that?"

"I can't dance either," Harry admitted. Daphne had omitted that rather key detail from her explanation about the ball. She explained the party, the pageantry, and the event. But Harry had no idea there would be dancing involved. Harry realized that Akira had known, as he had made jokes all year during class about dancing, which seemed true across all years of instruction. Harry would get his brother back for this later.

"This is going to be bad," Dean said, and Harry nodded. Then a stark realization hit him. Not only would be dancing, but he would be dancing with a gorgeous woman with literally every eye in the hall on them. For a moment, Harry wondered if it was possible to back out but realized that would be an awful thing to do. Fleur had literally radiated happiness their last meeting. Cedric and Krum had managed to fight through the allure, but they were both a little tongue tied.

"As representatives of the house of Godric Gryffindor, I expect all of you to conduct yourselves accordingly," Professor McGonagall said. "I should also hope you all know how to dance, but if you do not…" Professor McGonagall, as Harry thought of her in public settings as opposed to Minnie in private, scoured the room. "Inside every girl there is a secret swan that is longing to burst fourth, and inside boys…"

"A terrified creature who wants to run away?" Dean whispered to Harry, who chuckled quietly.

"Inside every boy, I do hope there is a lordly lion who might be able to prance, but that is yet to be determined." Professor McGonagall's eyes swept over Harry and Dean, and she locked eyes with Ron. "Mr. Weasley."

"Yes?" Ron said, clearly worried. Harry had heard him make a joke about one of the girls, but he had not heard the specifics due to his whispered conversation with Dean. Professor McGonagall walked over to Ron and held out a hand.

"Will you join me please?"

"No way," the twins said, standing behind Harry.

"What?" Ron said, confusion clear on his face.

"You will help me show the class how to dance," McGonagall said, and the twins started laughing. "Mr. Weasley, perhaps your brothers will stop laughing?" She glared at the twins, who were quiet long enough for McGonagall to lead Ron into the middle of the room. "Place your right hand on my waist." The twins burst into laughter again, although now it was quieter, so that McGonagall couldn't hear them.

Ron placed his hand on the teacher's waist, and one of the twins whistled. The boy's side of the room devolved into helpless laughter, while the girls remained more restrained, although a few could not hide their smirks. McGonagall moved his hand to the small of back, and Harry almost fell of his chair as the twins continued to whistle. McGonagall fixed the twins with a steely look, and the one who whistled held up his hands in mock innocence.

"Mr. Filch?" The caretaker put a disc like object on a device Harry recognized from home as a record player. Most of the wizards did not recognize it, and there were some sounds of surprise as music began emanating from the device. "Now, Mr. Weasley. One two three, one two three, one two three." Ron only managed to step on her feet twice before getting the basic rhythm.

"Oy!" Harry leaned back. "You two are never going to let him forget this are you?"

"Forget this?" The twins said in concert.

"We are already designing the figurine."

"Won't sell as well as your dragon dodging one, but should do quite nicely," the other said. "We'll put it out for Christmas."

"Everyone come together," McGonagall said, and while the girls all rose and moved to the center of the room, most of the boys just looked down. Harry looked around as he rose, and aimed a discreet look at Neville, who jumped up.

"Come on," Harry said, as he grinned at Lavender. "Go with Hermione." He maneuvered Neville so that he was in front of Hermione and took Lavender's hands. "If you don't mind?"

"Of course I don't" Lavender said. "Although if you were thinking of taking me as a date, I would have to decline."

"No, I'm already spoken for," Harry said. Lavender's eyes narrowed. "Yes, I did already know."

"This was the secret Neville couldn't tell me?" Lavender asked, clearly incensed. Harry shrugged. It was possible, but over the past few days Neville had been a little withdraw. With a weekend approaching, Harry had been prepared to ferret the secret out of Neville. "Well, I guess it's a less important secret than the other one, right?"

"What?" Harry stepped on Lavender's foot in surprise. "Sorry."

"Just don't do it again," Lavender said through gritted teeth.

"You just startled me," Harry said as they continued to dance. He knew he was doing it wrong, but he was nimble enough that he never bumped into Lavender and avoided repeatedly stepping on her feet which was better than every other impromptu couple. "I didn't know Neville had a bunch of secrets."

"Aren't you his best friend?" Lavender asked.

"If you are under the impression a girlfriend can't be a best friend, then yes," Harry said.

"Wait. I thought you had said specifically that Hermione was your best friend, not your girlfriend," Lavender said.

"She is," Harry said. "I'm Neville's best friend, if you don't count Hannah. He is my best mate."

"Oh," Lavender said. "It's still weird he didn't tell you."

"Is it worth pressuring him?" Harry asked. "I knew something was bothering him but I have been busy this week. With a weekend coming up, I was figuring I could spend some time with him to have him open up, but if it's a secret I don't want to pressure him too much."

"Leave it alone for the moment," Lavender told him. "You don't have the tools to fix the problem."

"I would normally be offended, but as weird as it is, I trust you," Harry said. Lavender gave him a smile. "Sorry, was that a weird and mean thing to say?"

"No, it was nice," Lavender told him. Most of the other couples had broken up and were leaving, so Harry stopped his attempt at dancing. He would have to ask his grandma for lessons this weekend. "In the spirit of trust, can I ask you a question?"

"I won't stop you from asking a question," Harry said.

"Well, it's more of a favor," Lavender said. "One that might put you in an awkward position."

"You might as well ask," Harry replied. "I might say no."

"You are too nice," Lavender said. "If I said I needed you to hex Hermione, you'd at least hear me out."

"You might have a valid reason," Harry said, and Lavender glared at him. "I probably would say no, but I see your point. But at this point, you might as well ask."

"Well, I think that Ron might ask me to be his date."

"Ok," Harry said, unsure what she was driving at. "That's a bad thing?"

"No, but I don't really want to go with him," Lavender said, "but if I say no and don't have a different date it's going to be a whole thing."

"I thought you liked him," Harry said.

"A lot of people think I do," Lavender said with a toss of hair. "I think I can do better." Harry didn't have anything to say to that. "My favor was that I was hoping you could have someone ask me."

"Do you have a candidate in mind, or is it just anyone?" Harry said.

"If you could test the waters," Lavender said, glancing at Dean who was walking out.

"Huh." Lavender glared at him again. "That's just not what I expected. But yeah, I can do you one better if that's who you want. I'll get him to ask you before the end of the weekend."

"So can I string him along a little?" Lavender asked.

"I wouldn't" Harry said. "Didn't you see some of the eyes? The world is going to get a little crazy. Speaking of which," Harry saw a few girls standing at the entrance, their eyes on him, "I think I'll take another exit." They were on the second floor, and one of the windows was open. "Tell me when Dean asks so I can stop pestering him." Harry jumped through the window, landing on the grass easily.

He heard a clamoring above him and saw a few heads poke out the window. With a smile he was slightly ashamed of, he turned and started walking away from the castle. It was bitterly cold but he had his robe on and it was a gorgeous day. He made it to the lake fairly quickly and found a rock that looked perfectly angled, and he lay down. Harry glanced at his watch, and saw he had time before the meeting with the other champions for their spell exchange. If he closed his eyes, he was almost guaranteed to not wake up in time.

"Harry!" Harry looked up to see Neville walking over to him. "Was that hilarious or what?" Dean was right behind Neville and they sat on nearby rocks.

"Ron dancing with McGonagall?" Both boys nodded. "Priceless."

"So you jumped out a window rather than go on a date?" Dean said.

"Hey!"

"I just call them like I see them." Harry had noticed, after spending more time with Dean this year that he could have a fairly sharp wit at times. It was frustrating because there was often no comeback, like now. "Uh-oh." Harry followed Dean's gaze and saw a few girls from Beauxbatons heading in their general direction. "Looks like you are a hunted man."

"No way," Harry said. "Just coincidence."

"Hey, if you don't want them I'll take one," Dean said.

"No, you two have to be my bodyguards," Harry said in the spur of the moment. Dean and Neville looked at each other, confused. "From people asking for dates."

"Really," Neville said, his voice dry. Dean was still looking at the French girls approaching, and Harry mouthed "Someone likes Dean." Neville nodded in understanding and grabbed Dean. "Well I guess we have no choice."

"Hey!" Dean shouted as Harry and Neville dragged him away from the French girls and back towards the castle. Eventually they made it to the Gryffindor tower with Dean still being dragged. "Harry, what was that about? We could have snagged some French babes. Neville is spoken for."

"Dean, just do me a favor and relax, ok?" Harry snapped. "They are people, not pieces of meat."

"Well said Harry," one of the twins said, dropping down on his right side. "This is a special event."

"Special event for special ladies," the other said.

"Drop it you two," Harry said. "I know you both have dates."

"Indeed we do," the boys said together.

"We are beaters," one said.

"It is our job to protect the chasers, even when they are off the field," the other said.

"Can you two do me a favor and keep an eye on this idiot for the rest of the night?" Harry said, indicating Dean. "Dean, we need to talk tonight but I've got something to do first."

"No problem," the twins said in concert.

"So creepy," Neville said, and that prompted a smile in from the Gryffindor beater pair.

"Don't encourage them," Harry said. He and Neville headed out of the tower. "It is creepy though."

"Where are we going?" Neville asked. Harry stopped and flipped open his bag, and drew out the marauders map.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." The map activated and Harry glanced around. "Third Floor." He tapped and turned the map off, and then headed down the stairs, Neville behind him. "Come on then."

"Where are we going?" Harry ignored Neville every time he asked the question.

"Here," Harry said. He stopped in the middle of the third floor. No one was to be seen. "There they are." Harry smiled at Susan and Hannah who were walking down the corridor towards them. "Ask her now."

"Do I have to?"

"No, but it would be nice to do anyway." Susan grinned at Hannah and walked past Neville, leaving the two love-struck teens standing in the corridor.

"Hannah, I was just wondering, no hoping…" Neville trailed off and looked back at Harry, who ignored him.

"Yes Neville?" Hannah asked

"Well, hopefully, you would be willing to go to the Yule Ball with me?"

"With you."

No." Harry saw Neville steel himself. "To go as my date."

"Absolutely!" Hannah said, throwing her arms around Neville and kissing him. She broke from the kiss. "Susan, I'll see you later." She guided Neville into a nearby classroom, and Susan and Harry started laughing.

"That was awfully nice of you," Susan told Harry.

"Well, the longer he went the more likely he would be to not ask," Harry said. "I figured I could get that out of the way early. Professor Sprout told you all?"

"Judging from the reactions from all around the castle, I think everyone knows," Susan said. "It's like the world has gone crazy. It's just a party."

"Oh, it's much more than a party," Harry said. "It's a dance on Christmas, romance at its finest. To go alone would be embarrassing, but to go with someone you don't like would be even worse."

"Harry!" Harry turned to see his grandmother walking towards him. "Oh, Ms. Bones."

"You are slipping," Susan said with a sly grin. "You shouldn't call him Harry so obviously when you are in public."

"I beg your pardon Ms. Bones?" Minnie said.

"Hey, I don't care all that much if you want to play favorites," Susan said over her shoulder as she walked away. "Try to choose a reasonable date, Harry."

"You know my date!" Harry called after her, but she was already gone. "Man, she can be frustrating."

"She is a teenage girl," Minnie told him. "They all are."

"Susan is unique," Harry said. They walked to her office, talking about harmless subjects until they were both inside. "Grandma Minnie, you look upset."

"I am," Minnie told him. "Harry, I just spoke to Ludo Bagman, and he said that the ball has to feature the champions. To play to the crowd and the media, according to him."

"That doesn't sound good," Harry said.

"All the champions will enter with their dates after everyone else has arrived and sat, and all eyes will be on them. They open the ball with a dance, and only then can people eat and start dancing."

"That's insane," Harry said.

"I know." His grandmother looked exhausted. "It took me 30 minutes to talk him out of his crazier ideas. Dumbledore was close to obliviating him. Barty Crouch can usually keep him in control, but apparently, he is sick. Trust me when I say if Ludo Bagman is in charge of this tournament things will go badly."

"I'll take your word for it," Harry said. "Funny thing about Bagman though. He has tried to approach me a few times to speak about the tournament."

"He has?" Minnie seemed surprised by that. "He made a big deal about all of the judges remaining away from the contestants, even after Maxine and Karkaroff said they would be supports to their champions. I wonder what he is up to."

"Who cares?" Harry said. "I'm staying away from him like he has the plague. Is this focus on the champions thing set in stone?"

"According to Bagman, news has already gone out to multiple newspapers. Quite a few are sending reporters. Dumbledore put his foot down, so they will sit a different table than the champions and hold no personal interviews. But we can't keep them out altogether, and you four will be the focus."

"You have no idea," Harry said. "Well, two of us will."

"What do you mean?" Minnie said. "I know that after Daphne you would probably prefer to not go with a date, but I think you would be noticed if you went alone or skipped it."

"No, that's actually not the plan," Harry said.

"There is a plan?" Minnie asked.

"Yeah, Cedric cooked it up. Krum desperately doesn't want to go, and Fleur wants to go but is worried about her allure influencing her date and if she hexes someone in the middle of the dance floor that might ruin the night," Harry explained. "So we needed something to take the heat off a missing champion and some way for Fleur to have a date who has some self-control and won't turn into a drool machine." Minnie's face paled as she realized what Harry was insinuating. "On the bright side, I don't have to worry about having a date."

"Harry, the press will go crazy," his grandmother protested.

"That's kind of the idea, although the fact that a group of them will be there makes me a little more cautious," Harry told her. "But I think we are already committed."

"Are you sure?" Minnie asked.

"Pretty sure," Harry said. "Besides, the more I thought about the idea, the more sense it made. Fleur won't think about it too much, she gets to enjoy the ball, and I have a date who doesn't mind passing me around a bit."

"Harry, you know Fleur is part Veela right?" Minnie asked, concern creeping into her voice. Harry picked up on the increase in tension his grandmother's body language.

"She's brought it up, but I'm immune to her allure. She isn't bewitching me if that is what you are worried about," Harry told her. "It surprised me, but I actually like her a decent bit. Not like that," Harry clarified at the horrified look on the transfigurations professor's face. "But I appreciated her offer, and I think we will have a good time. It's a nice thing for Krum to be able to ditch the party too. He was very insistent about his desire to skip the ball, so I think all of this will increase inter-champion unity."

"Harry, the way that Veela find their partners is a little unusual, and I'm just worried about you."

"I feel like you are trying to slow walk me to some knowledge, and as much as I appreciate it, I have a meeting with the other champions soon. Is there something I need to know about Fleur?" Minnie hesitated. She had been worried the moment she heard about what happened after Harry had saved Fleur. The body language she saw from Harry in Dumbledore's office when her grandson was distracted, the belief in Fleur's voice when she spoke in Harry's defense, even the subtle distress of Susan Bones were clear clues.

Minerva McGonagall had heard nothing but wonderful things about the French Champion from Madame Maxime. The fact the girl had no friends from her school but had managed to slide into Harry's friend group so easily spoke volumes about her mental toughness and emotional agility. There was no real reason to doubt her, but something about Ms. Delacour put her on edge. Minnie was also very aware that Laurent Delacour would not hesitate to use the influence of Harry Potter to support his policies across Europe if he became involved with his daughter, but any politician would do the same.

"No, nothing pressing," Minnie lied. "Go see how the other champions are faring with the announcement. But keep an open mind."

"Of course," Harry said, stepping out of the office. He had a few minutes before they would meet, and Harry had left his bag in the Gryffindor tower. On his way to retrieve it he heard quiet voices on the fifth floor. The temptation was too much, and Harry silently followed the voices.

"It's too dangerous," Draco was saying.

"Silence!" A voice Harry didn't recognize snapped. "You have no choice in the matter, if the dark lord is…" The voice got quieter, and for a moment, Harry debated drawing his wand and attacking. Then he heard the sound of footsteps from behind him, and allowed himself to blend into the shadows as a few Ravenclaws walked past him talking about something in charms.

Harry's heart was beating like a drum as he retrieved his bag. There was only one person who was referred to as a dark lord, and Harry had suspected in his heart of hearts that his mortal enemy was not dead, not yet. If there was one thing Harry wanted to know, it was why the most powerful and evil wizard of his time was obsessed with Harry. Sure, he had the potential to be a strong wizard, but before this year he would not have been a real threat to Voldemort. He knew that his friends would disapprove, but Harry knew that he would lay down his life to finally end the threat of Voldemort. In that regard, only one person knew the depth of Harry's convictions.

Nambung had sworn Harry to secret the second to last day before his return to Hogwarts, and locked away in the training room has explained the technique Harry knew he would have to use to end the threat of Voldemort once and for all. His master had apparently never even used the technique himself due to the dangers it posed to the user. But if everything was on the line, Nambung had said he would allow Harry to use it, with the understanding that if Harry died the taekwondo natural would hunt his soul down and kill him again.

Maybe the person speaking to Draco was behind the attempts to kill him, and if Draco was involved it would be child's play to follow him with the map and figure out who his co-conspirator was. The one thing Harry would need for that plan was the one thing Harry did not have: time. Collecting his bag with a sigh, he made his way towards the room he was planning to meet the other champions in.