Yule Ball and the Unknown Student

They went downstairs to the common room which is full of people wearing different colors instead of the usual mass of black. Ron got a date in Parvati Patil who looked like she regretted choosing Ron for a date with clothes like his while she looked real nice in her Hindi Formal Dress. Fred got Angelina and George was going out with Katie. Ginny then met up with Neville while Hailey went invisible while going to the Entrance Hall where her date would be.

The entrance hall was packed with students too, all milling around waiting for eight o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Those people who were meeting partners from different Houses were edging through the crowd trying to find one another.

A group of Slytherins came up the steps from their dungeon common room. Malfoy was in front; he was wearing dress robes of black velvet with a high collar, which in Hailey's opinion made him look like a vicar. Pansy Parkinson in very frilly robes of pale pink was clutching Malfoy's arm. Crabbe and Goyle were both wearing green; they resembled moss-colored boulders, and neither of them, had managed to find a partner.

Fleur Delacour also chose a foreign date, in Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain. Hailey saw Cedric Diggory with his girlfriend Cho Chang. Chinese she may be but she sure didn't grow up a chinese magical. Chinese magicals dress fancy than that stereotypical hollywood cheongsam gown of hers and her hair in stereotypical buns.

The oak front doors opened, and everyone turned to look as the Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff. Krum was at the front of the party, accompanied by HERMIONE herself.

And with Viktor Krum, was Hermione herself much to disbelief of Hogwarts students that got many people asking, 'How?!'

'How'd she manage that?!' someone moaned unhappily.

'Now where's my date in this sea of heads?' Hailey wondered, looking around. 'I can't find a needle in a haystack!'

'Looking for me mademoiselle?' Hailey muttered how glad she was he had sharp eyes as she was too short to even find him, to the guy's amusement, but the guy felt he had the best date as the resident British Celebrity was easily the best-looking witch next to Fleur Delacour. He was a brown-black-haired brunette with gray eyes and handsome. More importantly, his height is just right!

Then Professor McGonagall's voice called, 'Champions over here, please!'

Professor McGonagall, who was wearing dress robes of red tartan and had arranged a rather ugly wreath of thistles around the brim other hat, told them to wait on one side of the doors while everyone else went inside; they were to enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students had sat down. Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies stationed themselves nearest the doors; Davies looked so stunned by his good fortune in having Fleur for a partner that he could hardly take his eyes off her. Cedric and Cho were close as ever. Hermione was nervous with Krum despite sitting with the poise she could muster just so she won't make him look bad.

A lot of girls were squawking.

Krum's fan club from the library stalked past, throwing Hermione looks of deepest loathing. Pansy Parkinson gaped at her as she walked by with Malfoy, and even he didn't seem to be able to find an insult to throw at her. Ron was shell-shocked as this, was why Hermione was so secretive the past few weeks.

Once everyone else was settled in the Hall, Professor McGonagall told the champions and their partners to get in line in pairs and to follow her. They did so, and everyone in the Great Hall applauded as they entered and started walking up toward a large round table at the top of the Hall, where the judges were sitting.

The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.

Dumbledore smiled happily as the champions approached the top table, but Karkaroff wore an expression like he was smelling dung as he watched Krum and Hermione draw nearer. Ludo Bagman, tonight in robes of bright purple with large yellow stars, was clapping as enthusiastically as any of the students; and Madame Maxime, who had changed her usual uniform of black satin for a flowing gown of lavender silk, was applauding them politely. And Percy was present with a new official. He looked rather tired, but accomplished...and how? What'd he do?

Well, Dinner comes first before the dance.

There was no food yet on the plates nor a drink, but there's Menu Booklets on the table. Daily Prophet Reporters were taking photos.

Soon, the Headmasters, staff and officials set an example by opening the Yule Dinner and everyone took that as their cue.

'So far, Ogwarts' food is great and very classically-accommodating.' said Hailey's date, Gilbert Dufort as he browsed through the menu. 'Ze food is deliciously light we feared 'eavy-greasiness with too much salt before coming here given what people say about British Food...Ogwarts sure proved us wrong!'

Hailey sweatdropped.

If only he knew the truth!

He ordered what's on the French Menu and he was absolutely delighted. The talk became cultural exchanges, the good and bad kind and they make fun of it.

When the stylish dinner ended, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, and then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.

The Weird Sisters now trooped up onto the stage to wildly enthusiastic applause; they were all extremely hairy(an all male-band despite the name) and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. They picked up their instruments, suddenly, the lanterns on all the other tables had gone out, and that the other champions and their partners were standing up.

They opened the dance, before everyone else could.

Hailey never imagined they have a fun time on her first date, though she noted Moody was busy with her map.

He had a Skeeter Task Force assembled the past few days just to get her arrested so now the Daily Prophet is finally writing 'honest journalism' when before they printed Rita's work that angered many people but they were Ministry-Protected...even if the Ministry Officials themselves were targets! The Prophet also asked for pictures of ALL pairs in the Yule Ball.

The night ended at midnight a fun night. Her first date is thankfully, memorable in a happy way.

xxx

Next day was clearly Yule Ball Exclusive Edition plus the usual things a Newspaper must contain. So that morning, everyone has two issues each.

'I'm glad I got away in time.' Ginny shivered. 'I shudder to think what mum would say if I got my photo taken and saw me wear a different dress...'

'Yeah, we'd expect a Howler...your first one, ever.' said Hailey as she knew Mrs. Weasley enough to predict the woman.

'Well, the Prophet will get one from her.' said Ron as his article has...comments that will definitely get Mrs. Weasley angry. He himself didn't look too happy...though it took quite a while for some people to start sniggering into their soup.

-their older sons have decent suits, yet their youngest son's suit
looks like a color and style disaster from antiquity with discolored
moldy red lace as if somebody rubbed it all over rusty metal in a
failure of an attempt to dye it the lazy way. He looked like a failed
drag queen trying too hard to have class! We feel sorry for both
the kid and his date who looks classy.

'Yeah, no bet there.' Hermione croaked out.

During breakfast, a lot of owls came from family too, asking if they enjoyed themselves with the ball. This was BEFORE they read the morning and special Prophet Editions. The reaction will no doubt, probably come later...so for now, it's peaceful.

Someone among the journalists last night or someone else, must be quite, the fashion critic.

xxx

By Lunch, Charlie visited Hogwarts and took all his siblings away. It's holidays anyway so its OK.

'Wonder where they went,' said Hermione as she joined Hailey in heading for her Training Time.

'Beats me, Charlie looked like he swallowed a hedgehog.' said Hailey with a cringe. 'Mrs. Weasley must have been...uncontrollable once she saw that newspaper.'

'Eurrrgh...' Hermione shivered. The Weasley Matriarch is exceptionally angry...it must have taken all the older sons and Mr. Weasley to pacify her. 'Charlie must have called them to be an army VS one angry mum.'

'Oh yeah, maybe you should change back Ginny's dress...just incase.' said Hailey. 'I got a baaaad feeling...just incase Mrs. Weasley wants to see it, she can't see what we did to it or it'll make her madder. Ginny did the smart thing to avoid the cameras with Neville...'

'Right. I'll talk to Neville too. Gotta go!' and Hermione ran off in haste to help avert disaster.

xxx

'I hear the quidditch team left with Charlie.' that was a stated question as the teacher and student dueled again.

'Yeah, Mrs. Weasley musta tried to storm the Prophet, wanting to wage war over that...little issue.' Hailey coughed awkwardly.

'Ahhh yes, about her kid being a failed drag queen in his outfit last night?' said Moody with a raised eyebrow.

'Yeah, we all pitied Ron but we can't speak up. But its clear that you cannot trust Mrs. Weasley in dressing you up that you have to make specific requests if you want something decent and I got lucky because she could have picked something weird otherwise as I'm not allowed to go out much.' said Hailey awkwardly. 'We couldn't uh...speak honestly. I know its good to follow tradition but there are times it really should be dropped for the greater good. That outfit was terrible.' she shuddered. 'It must be fashionable in her era but not of this one, there IS a reason that's not in style anymore...parts of culture that always evolves fast is fashion, food, medicine, transportation and education in that order of priority.'

'Aye, but we still got a bunch of staunch traditionalists even if they don't make sense.' Moody shook his head. 'Times change. It never stays still. Back to work we go.'

xxx

Hermione got to Neville after restoring Ginny's childish dress.

'I got a letter from my Gran.' said Neville. 'She complained that I wasn't in the pictures since she wanted to see me and my date, I had to be truthful.' he told her. 'I have yet to get a reply from Gran since.' he said softly. 'I'm not much for pictures anyway...makes me wonder what her original dress looked like if she had it different last night.'

'Had she been three years old in the 1960s, that would look cute.' said Hermione wryly, armfolding. 'But even teenagers her age in the 1960s wouldn't wear that childish dress in mint-green and baby pink, with three red stars for chest buttons. We had to edit it because she wouldn't dare look like a giant toddler.' Neville did a double-take. 'Though Ron got the worst of their mum's taste in clothes, his dress robes look like Ginny's dress was a 10 galleon steal.'

Her dress costs 6 Galleons, the cheapest available. ($33.70)

'Ginny said no words can describe it, guess you could. We'll hear either from gran or the Weasleys first when they get back.'

'I finished changing back Ginny's dress just incase Mrs. Weasley comes.' said Hermione nervously. 'I hope this matter can be swept under the rug, if only for Ginny. I bet Mr. Weasley and everyone shoved as much Calming Draughts as they could down Mrs. Weasley's throat.'

xxx

By evening?

FURIOUS WEASLEY MATRIARCH HAD TO BE CALMED AT THE MINISTRY was on the Headlines.

'I guess it's good she stormed the Ministry for Mr. Weasley and Percy in hopes of support, only, she didn't get the support she hoped for.' said Seamus Finnegan as the read the Headlines.

'They wouldn't want her causing a ruckus and a scandal.' said Lee Jordan.

'Old folk are so incorrigible when it comes to traditions.' said Justin Finch-Fletchley. 'I agree that tradition is important, but some stuff has to be thrown out while what's worth keeping stays as long as its not gonna harm anybody.'

'Amen.' said Dean Thomas. 'The Weasleys aren't back yet.'

'Mrs. Weasley is very strong.' said Hailey. 'It'll take all of them to stop her from strangling that fashion critic.'

'Yeouch.'

During the last week of holidays, Hailey got asked out on dates by Gilbert, which she accepted.

Though he got annoyed by the dating spots...

'Are 'Ogwarts students seriously OK with zis...?' Gilbert was horrified.

'That's what every muggleborn before you asked.' said Hailey wryly. 'And muggle-raised half-bloods like myself. Magical Britain is determined to stay in Victorian Era in terms of architecture and furniture yet culture is pro-pureblood. Meaning, under the guise of tradition, their comfort zone is everything. Many people must have tried in the past as they couldn't accept this appalling way of living as a magical in regards to Muggleborns who came to study in Hogwarts and try to live in a magical world, but the only change they'll ever welcome, is food and drink, that's it. Culture and all else? Its basically,' she formed quote marks with her fingers, '-'it's our way or the highway and there's nothing you can do about it'.'

'Zat's appalling.'

France moved on in order to blend in better and to conceal their society better and Pureblood Gilbert may be, but muggles introduce classy things worth their lineage! Yet he was forced to take his date to a filthy shack and its the only tea shop in Hogsmeade he was profusely apologetic. And food here was exactly what he and his fellow french feared while Hogwarts has decent fare!

'Now now, don't blame yourself about this.' Hailey reassured Gilbert. 'We'll endure for a couple more years. Three more for me. And its a little subtle, but change is happening.' she said. 'When you have opportunity, go visit Carkitt Market in Diagon Alley. Its the most modern place so far and services there are amazing so most customers go there that Diagon Alley is ahem, struggling to get customers in. Well, in this country's unreasonable shackles, people are figuring out how to defy the oldies, so to speak.'

'I'll take your word for it.'

Gilbert wasn't convinced, but what can Hailey do?

xxx

January 26..

Her command spells are starting to glow faintly in power as she felt power pour in.

'What a reminder...' she scowled. 'I think I better summon in Asia, not in Europe.' she mused. 'Random Summonings can suck in Europe.'

She wants to survive. She doesn't care about winning. She'd be lucky if she did but that's a fool's hope.

The west is all about impractical warriors code of honors, when surviving is what makes you a winner. Will rules or honor protect you and your family? It's the ends that justify the means, and she wants to live past 14, thank you!

When it's January 28...

'This is it, Headmaster. I gotta go.' said Hailey, her command spells glowing. 'I'll try stuff out in China. Asia has more warriors than Europe or the Americas who'll help me survive this.'

'What do you mean, Hailey?' Dumbledore asked her.

'I pored over books about known Heroes in our history, well, in European History, none of them will help me live past fourteen years old.' said Hailey snarkily. 'Asian heroes at least, know the importance of survival as to win is to live. The real losers are those who die meaninglessly over what could be a monkey's paw. I have no relic so it's a random summoning. I didn't get years of preparation like the other Masters did.'

'Now now Hailey, don't lose faith so soon.' Dumbledore gently chided her. 'As you say, your only wish is to live regardless of what happens so pretty much, anyone will do. Have faith in our heroes.' he gently pleaded her.

'Easy for you to say.' Hailey grumbled with a harrumph. 'Important humane traits like chivalry, honor, stuff like that...as a human living a normal life, they're likable to have in lifelong friends in peaceful times. But in war...people like that, along with naive idealism are the first to die. And the people close to them die first just to keep them alive before they do so I have little confidence.' her words saddened the Headmaster.

She has little faith in people growing up and had to worry about living and surviving at a young age. She grew up a hungry slave not allowed to excel in muggle school or else, and nobody helped her so she was bitter and survival oriented. Since nobody helped nor gave a damn, she doesn't care back. This was not what Dumbledore had in mind, when he left her to the Dursleys.

When she discovered magic existed, she did all she could to better herself. Free to excel in school, has been to Madam Pomfrey every single day for two years and enjoyed her freedom from slavery. She also finally had friends and discovered people who cares for her. She would go to great lengths to ensure her own well-being, as well as that of others who earned her concern. She would put her own interests first, family and friends second, though only Sirius Black earned the honor of being her family. She was one who the Slytherin Founder would have handpicked as a student had he been alive. She was cunning, resourceful, determined, and disregarding anything she deems will harm her and will do 'anything' if she deems if this or that will help her and snub what would not.

This was to the chagrin of many teachers.

She is interested in spells/potions would help her in daily life, health and survival, and deliberately do poorly in what she deems useless in life out of lack of interest and her homework shows just what she thinks about all topics, showing great creativity. She could otherwise be a talented witch. When Minerva talked to her about that at the end of her first year, what she got, was terribly...concerning. Suppose, the fact that she was capable of repelling the Imperius Curse suggests that she had an unusually strong sense of self.

She also doesn't care much about Voldemort beyond the fact that he killed her family and aiming for her life. She did not act on typical child's curiosity about the Third Floor Corridor, but noted that Quirrell's fainting is faked as she knows how proper fainting SHOULD be done, as she fainted many times from hunger and thirst growing up. Thus clearly the culprit who let the Troll in, most likely 'for shits and giggles', to quote young Ron Weasley quoting her when he asked the boy about monthly observations.

The only time she acted against danger, was the Chamber of Secrets stint. Because the mischievous boys broke her out of the Dursleys and tasted a decent summer in their home, she saved Ginny Weasley in turn...and tricked the Basilisk into biting the book that drained her of her magic, and killing the ghost of Voldemort within it. And second year was when she deliberately skips DADA because she deems Lockhart a useless teacher and never showed up. Nobody caught on to this as she did a good job ensuring her class never notices...until Madam Pince saw her sitting on the floor reading books, and parchment out during class hours...

Her parchment notes has records of spells in an organized manner too. Such as 'Daily Life Use', 'Healing', 'Offense' and 'Defense'. She even burned her Lockhart books.

Well, Madam Pince had a lot to say about that after dinner...it also says something, when Gilderoy never made sure everybody is in his class!

It was also her self-study that 'something murderous', is in school. She told a painting what she had heard that she began studying in the Common Room out of fear. That was until things became personal.

In her small world, there only exists herself and those who she thinks, cares for her. Its a small world, and she doesn't care about anything or anyone else outside that.

Dumbledore supposed its mostly his fault why she was like this.

xxx

On the Fated Day...

At Midnight...

A lot of people are present. The Weasleys, Hermione, the Marauders and the faculty who knew of her mark's purpose which is to say, a few. Other than Headmaster, it's her Head of House and Moody who was her trainer.

'It's time.' said Sirius nervously as Hailey's spells were glowing so brightly.

'Yeah, it's full of power now.' said Hailey, looking at her spells. 'No distractions, OK? And no questions either because I absolutely, have no answers beyond what I learned from the dreams! That means you Hermione!'

'Hey?!'

'For now I feel iffy and nervous, especially as this is an unknown ritual.' said Bill. 'I never heard of this and I asked my boss. They haven't heard of this either so absolutely not a peep or who knows what will happen! Behave, the lot of you!' he said sternly, glowering at his younger siblings and Hermione. 'We're here to fight incase the summoning is a rogue!'

'You can begin now.' said Dumbledore, urging Hailey who nodded. Hailey held out her marked hand and began.

A base of silver and steel.
A foundation of stone and the archduke of contracts.
And my ancestor, my great master Schweinorg.

A wall to block the falling wind,
the gates of all cardinal directions close.
From the crown, come forth and follow
the forked road to the kingdom.

Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill.
Repeat five times.
But destroy each when filled.

It took a while as nothing happened until that point. Magical energy began flowing into the magic circle, enough to cause it to glow before more and more power came that a breeze is starting to blow into the room.

I hereby propose!

The magic circle flashed brightly in response. More and more power flowed in that strong winds are being generated.

My will shall create your body, and your sword shall create my fate.
Abiding by the summons of the Holy Grail, if you do accede to this will and reason, answer me!
I hereby swear, that I am will be all that is good in the eternal world.
That I will dispose of all evil in the eternal world.
You who are clad with the great trinity, come forth from the circle of constraint,
oh guardian of the scales!

A flash of blinding light and winds strong enough to blow them off their feet blew against them for a good long minute everyone had to dig their feet into the ground to avoid being blown away. Soon, when the light faded away, they saw a beautiful young lady in quite the fancy clothes. She has golden blonde hair and forest-green eyes. Her long hair tied into a big blue bow and she held a staff. She seems around late teens in age.

'Oh, hello there!' she sounds friendly. 'I am Servant Caster.' her eyes then homes in on Hailey, seeing that a girl younger than her is her master. 'Truthfully I don't get this servant and master thing, but if mere magecraft can be of help to you, then please make use of it as you wish.'

'Frankly, we don't get the Holy Grail War either, all I care about is that Hailey comes back home in one piece.' said Sirius gruffly. 'She got chosen into a battle royale of seven for reasons we don't know. Meaning, you got six other enemies to deal with.'

'I see...so its a random choosing of fighters who most likely are paired with other guys.' Caster looks thoughtful. 'There are only seven classes, see? Saber. Archer. Lancer. Rider. Berserker. And Assassin.'

'What are the odds of us surviving while still putting up a fight?' Hailey asked Caster.

'That depends because in battle according to Merlin, victory depends on the enemy itself.' said Caster. 'An enemy's ability, defenses, number of soldiers, skills and the like. There are also bad habits we can make good use of.' she said cheerfully. 'Arrogance, overconfidence and underestimating others is what leads to downfall, so let's find out about the opposition before we make a move!'

'She seems sensible unlike most her age.' said Moody, approving of Caster.

'You seem to know Merlin.' said Hermione, intrigued. 'What kind of man is he?'

Caster's mood changed.

'Merlin? That Merlin, who pushed Cath Palug onto me against my will and said, 'sorry, I leave it all to you' and ran away?' she sounded and looked annoyed. She must have been Merlin's student in life! 'That irresponsible human-shaped headache...makes me wish I got a good hit on him at least once. I have figured out magecraft to deal with those who are unable to die after all!' she growled viciously, gripping her staff in annoyance. 'Since I never did find him in life, I made a way that his name became the foundation of all swear words of magic users as my payback!'

Makes them wonder what kind of person Merlin is now, other than a revered and respected wizard! And if he cannot die, where IS he?

'You mean like Merlin's saggy balls or something?' Ron piped up as Caster stared before looking hysterical in laughter.

'Heeheeheehee! That's a good one! My curse worked after all!'

Everyone sweatdropped.

'Well, today's an eventful day.' said Dumbledore. 'It's quite late at night so all of us must return to bed now.' said Dumbledore. 'I have prepared a room for Caster as Hailey is still a student of Hogwarts thus must sleep in the dorms. It's safe here as all enemies are far away as of the moment. We'll talk more tomorrow.'