Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I am writing this fanfiction for my own amusement and make no profit, all characters in this story are the property of J.K Rowling, Scholastic, Warner Brothers, ect.
AN: Another fluffy chapter the name kind of gives away the theme, there will be a lemony scene towards the end and it does have relevance to the rest of the story.
AN: I have gone back and corrected the misspelling of Parvati in the other chapters.
AN: I have absolutely no idea about women's fashion, dresses, hairstyles, etc. so please bear that in mind when you get to the ball scene.
AN: I knew that the British refer to the dessert course as pudding, I just assumed that chocolate pudding was on offer at said pudding. I have been made aware that in the U.K they don't consider chocolate pudding a pudding, according to google it's more of a custard or something called 'Angel Delight'.
Quidditch Pitch, 3/8/1997, 11:36
Harry never really attended quidditch matches having never really been invested in the house rivalries and most of the games were in the rain or freezing cold and he had no intention of catching his death to watch a match.
It wasn't too bad today, there was a light wind and decently clear skies. The Gryffindor team was running two substitute players and Ginny Weasley was filling in as acting captain.
The part Harry was looking forward to was that one of the chasers on the Hufflepuff team was Zacharias Smith the one who had been attacking Gryffindor's at the beginning of the last term.
"I am considered a traitor sitting over here," Lavender spoke up.
"We can go sit with your house if you want," Harry offered.
"No it's fine, most of them turned their back on me when I was bitten," Lavender said without any real heat.
"I only really get along with Padma from my house," Harry said listening to Luna's commentary with half an ear.
"I don't think I've ever seen you at a game," Lavender commented as she watched Smith take a bludger to the face.
The entire Gryffindor side of the stadium cheered loudly at Smith spiraling towards the pitch below, his broom falling ten feet above him.
"Oh look it seems Smith is about to take doubleheader."
Luna's voice rang out over the stadium right before Smith slammed into the pitch and his broom cracked him in the back of the head a second later.
"And Hufflepuff scores again, I can't believe Gryffindor has found a keeper worse than Ronald Weasley."
Luna commented receiving cheers from three-quarters of the stands.
"Ms. Lovegood please commentate on the match not your opinion of the players!"
Professor McGonagall called out in exasperation.
As the game continued it got pretty nasty, the Gryffindor team's substitute keeper was trying to take control of the rest of the team at the expense covering his position resulting in Hufflepuff racking up twelve goals in the first half-hour.
Apparently Ginny Weasley had enough as she snatched Peaks' bat and flew towards her own goal, lined up a passing bludger, and sent in at McClaggen who was too busy trying to give Coote tips on beating to notice a bludger coming his way.
The bludger cracked McClaggen in the side of the head sending him tumbling to the ground, Ginny tossed Peaks his bat back, then went about searching for the snitch again.
'And Ginny Weasley decided their goal post don't need a keeper any longer, though with the way he was keeping there will be no difference that I can see."
Luna commented this time to cheers from the entire stadium.
"Huh, I always knew she was a hothead," Lavender said as they watched McClaggen stretchered off the pitch.
"I can't really blame her for that, he was a massive distraction," Harry said reasonably.
"Yeah, that was a really nasty hit though," Lavender commented as Gryffindor seemed to have gotten into a groove.
"They're playing a lot better now," Harry said watching Robins score another goal.
"And we're tied now at one hundred and forty points, Ginny seems to have inspired her team. Oh, and I believe she has seen the snitch."
Luna called out, as Ginny went into a steep dive spiraling towards the goal post on the Hufflepuff side of the pitch.
"More like the team is terrified, I bet they're scared they will get hit with a bludger if they don't play good enough," Harry said in amusement.
"It's not a bad coaching strategy," Lavender reasoned as Ginny stretched her hand out to catch the snitch.
"Ginny Weasley catches the Snitch! Gryffindor wins two hundred and ninety to one hundred and forty."
"That was an interesting game," Harry said over the cheering from the Gryffindor section.
"Yeah, Luna did okay commentating minus the part where she tried to get everyone to look at the clouds," Lavender agreed.
"I enjoyed it as well, though I don't think McGonagall did," Harry said as they both stood up to join the queue to get out of the stadium.
Great Hall, 3/9/1997, 09:23
Harry was sitting eating his breakfast, the weird rumor going around the castle was that Malfoy had run away.
The teachers were tight-lipped about it. Harry was kind of surprised he would run away, to be honest. If what Malfoy had revealed was true then Draco's parents would be killed as soon as you-know-who got word of him abandoning his mission.
"Hello Harry," Luna said taking a seat.
"Hey I didn't see you after the game yesterday," Harry said curiously.
"Colin took me on a picnic by the lake," Luna said with a dreamy smile.
"That's nice, I liked your commentary by the way," Harry said genuinely.
"Professor McGonagall did not, she pretty much gave me the sack," Luna pouted.
"Hmm, I guess you can't please everybody," Harry said with a shrug.
"That's how most things are, I think I made Ronald mad with my commentary as well," Luna said sadly.
"That was hilarious," Harry praised.
"He didn't think so," Luna argued.
"Hey you two," Lavender said as she sat down.
"Hello, Lavender, did you read the new issue of the 'Quibbler'?" Lavender asked curiously.
"No, why?" Lavender asked after taking a bite of her breakfast.
"Daddy published his article about the werewolf packs of Germany," Luna said excitedly.
"Why did he wait so long, I thought he stayed with them months ago?" Harry asked.
"There was a freelance writer who claimed to have sighted a snorkack in the Scottish highlands and daddy has been obsessed with them for years," Luna said.
"Like your obsession with nargles," Harry asked with a smirk.
"They are going to get it when I catch one, they stole my knickers," Luna said hotly.
"What, who stole your knickers?" Lavender asked confused.
"The nargles," Luna said.
"Uh-huh, well that sounds awful," Lavender said looking towards Harry for help.
"She had drunk a lot of coffee, there is no proof that nargles were actually trying to steal her knickers," Harry said tiredly.
"There is no proof they weren't either," Luna argued stubbornly.
"Hmm, I think I'll stay out of this one," Lavender said.
"That's probably for the best," Harry agreed.
"I should bring Colin into this argument at least he would be concerned about my knickers, how can he get in them if nargles have stolen them," Luna said making Lavender sputter up her juice.
"Luna that's very unladylike," Harry chastised as he gently pat Lavender's back to clear her airway.
"You're a big grump, now I hope the wrackspurts get a hold of your head," Luna said in a pouty voice.
"Now Luna don't be all sulky, if you want we can get some girls together and have a spa day," Lavender said in an encouraging voice.
"Oooh that would be wonderful," Luna chirped.
"Where are you going to find a spa... actually never mind I already know," Harry said with a grin.
"See he can be smart when he wants to be," Luna said to Lavender in a stage whisper.
"So I get to be on my own today?" Harry asked ignoring Luna and taking another bite of bacon.
"Yes, you can hide yourself away in the library and read to your heart's content," Lavender said with a grin.
"Excellent, you girls have fun," Harry said giving Lavender a peck on the lips before standing up.
"You're going now?" Lavender asked surprised.
"Yeah, you might want to track down whoever else you're inviting, oh and give Daphne an invite she would really appreciate it," Harry said before making his way out of the hall.
"You just made his day," Luna said with a grin.
"Yes, well we had better track down some of the girls," Lavender said as she finished her plate.
Thirty minutes later the group of girls entered the room of requirement, Lavender had invited the Patil sisters and Daphne. Luna had gotten word to Hermione and Ginny Weasley and they had all been told o meet here.
When Daphne met up with them outside the room she had Astoria and Tracey Davis in tow both looking excited about a day at the spa.
"Well this looks heavenly," Lavender said excitedly.
The room had a massive hot tub as well as what looked like large tubs filled with mud that had steam rising from them. There were chairs set around tables with all sorts of exfoliating products and even a massage table with a training dummy standing beside it, she assumed it would be the masseuse, off to one side of the room there was a large pond with a waterfall filling the room with the soothing sound of water, and there were scented candles and incense burning feeling the room with soothing scents.
"Oh, this looks amazing," Daphne said as she headed towards one of the changing rooms.
"What's in the tub?" Ginny asked curiously.
"Mud, it feels amazing," Hermione assured her as the other girls headed for a changing room.
'This has to be one of my best ideas ever," Lavender thought as she headed for her own changing room eager to try out the massage table.
Harry was reading a book written by a werewolf who lived in the fourteenth century, one Andrew Corvinus. Harry had found it buried deep in the restricted section, it was a handwritten account of what it was like becoming a werewolf.
There was a large section on techniques that worked to control your mind during the transformation.
It suggested that when you fought the wolf part of you for the twenty-nine days you were in human form that the transformation was more violent as that part of you does not like being suppressed.
There was also speculation that if the human and wolf became one that you might be able to retain some form of control during the full moon.
Harry became very absorbed in the book and spent most of the morning and well into the afternoon reading. He was forced to take a break when his stomach growled audibly making Madam Pince glare at him from her seat on the other side of the library.
Deciding to listen to his body, Harry got up and headed to the front to check out the book.
"Do you have permission to be checking books out from the restricted section," the librarian asked suspiciously.
"Yes ma'am," Harry said digging in his bag and passing the signed permission slip from Professor McGonagall.
Harry had asked for this when he had been cleared to take his N.E.W.T in D.A.D.A back in January. His workload had doubled as McGonagall added the seventh-year syllabus to what he was required to study.
The essays involved in some of the seventh-year topics required sources not offered in the main library. She had signed a permission slip for Harry to have full access to the restricted section for the winter and spring term.
"Very well", Pince said writing the title down on her ledger then gently stamping the inside back cover of the book, " Embracing the Beast Within".
"Thank you, ma'am," Harry said before placing the book inside his bag and making his way out of the library.
"Potter," A voice called from behind him as he exited the library.
Harry turned to see Neville hurrying to catch up to him.
"Yeah mate, what's up?" Harry asked as Neville fell into step beside him.
"Have you seen Hermione anywhere, she left with your girlfriend and Luna this morning and I haven't seen any of them since," Neville asked sounding worried.
"You probably won't until dinner, their having a spa day," Harry said with a chuckle.
"A what?" Neville asked confused.
"I'm not really sure what it is, to be honest," Harry admitted as they made it to the main staircase.
"So where are they then?" Neville asked again.
"In the room of requirement, but it would be in your best interest to let them be," Harry warned.
"What? Why?" Neville demanded.
"Because they're most likely relaxing and you might see more than you want to," Harry said with a chuckle.
"Right thanks," Neville said heading up the stairs while Harry continued his trek to the kitchens.
'I hope he doesn't try to go in there, Daphne can be quite vicious when angry," Harry thought as he tickled the pear.
Harry grinned when he saw the girls walk into the hall for dinner, truthfully he was surprised the group was that big.
"That was great, I feel amazing," Lavender said happily as she took a seat.
"I'm glad you had fun," Harry said with a warm smile.
"Oh I did, those mudbaths were heavenly" Lavender gushed as she fixed herself a plate.
"Mudbath?" Harry asked confused.
"Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like," Lavender said before she took a bite of her chicken.
"Sounds dirty," Harry said with a grin.
"It's good for the skin," Lavender explained.
"But you already have great skin," Harry said confused.
"And the mud will help it stay that way," Lavender said with a shrug.
"Okay," Harry said deciding to let it go.
"What have you been up to?" Lavender asked.
"I found this book written by a werewolf that is fascinating," Harry said happily.
"Did you learn anything new?" Lavender asked hopefully.
"Yes, it is possible in theory to become one with the wolf, what that really means I have absolutely no idea," Harry said after thinking about it.
"But there is no way to prevent the change," Lavender said sadly.
"No, but if we become at one with the wolf, the author claimed we would be able to retain part of our human mind, that would mean we wouldn't be dependant on the potion," Harry said excitedly.
"That would be nice, that stuff is awful," Lavender said shuddering at the thought.
"I still have a lot more to read, but your welcome to read it when I'm finished," Harry offered.
"Yes please, I've already read 'Hairy Snout Human Heart' and that book was very enlightening," Lavender said after taking another bite of her chicken.
"I read that years ago, I found it kind of depressing, to be honest," Harry said.
"Oh it was, the disease is bad enough but then the whole wizarding world shuns us because they're scared we will hurt them," Lavender said sadly.
"The book I'm reading now isn't like that, he was able to keep his affliction a secret, the book is more of a journal of his life after being bitten," Harry explained.
"Just let me know when you're finished," Lavender said.
"I will, do you want to go for a walk around the grounds," Harry asked as he cleaned his plate.
"That would be nice," Lavender said happily.
Harry's Dorm, 3/121997, 21:15
"Impossible!" Harry exclaimed out loud his excitement getting away from him.
"What's impossible?" Lavender asked looking up from her 'Teen Witch Weekly'.
"It says in here that Andrew witnessed the alpha in his pack transform into his wolf form without the aid of the full moon. When he questioned him about this the alpha said that if you fully embrace the wolf you can bring him out at will," Harry said excitedly.
"That sounds dangerous," Lavender said looking concerned.
"According to this the rage is only present at the full moon if you transform without its aid your mind remains unaffected," Harry explained, his eyes had a glint of excitement in them.
"I take it you want to learn how to do this," Lavender asked amused at Harry's excitement.
"I do, it could come in handy someday," Harry said.
"Alright, we'll do it together," Lavender said before turning back to her magazine.
Great Hall, 3/20/1997, 08:55
Harry was sitting in his usual spot, Lavender was sat beside him though she wasn't eating much, it was just a couple of days until the full moon and they were both feeling the drain.
"Ugh, I have two classes today and then I am going to bed," Lavender groaned out tiredly.
"I have one so don't wake me when you come in", Harry said softly.
Lavender was stopped from replying when the post arrived. Neither of them got mail very often so seeing two owls carrying a large package between them flying in their direction caught their attention.
"I think my dress is here," Lavender said excitedly.
Sure enough, the two owls brought the package toward Lavender and Harry quickly moved her goblet and plate out of the way clearing the birds a landing spot.
Daphne had got up with him a week ago to settle the bill, after the hefty fee to rush the dress being made and Daphne's ten percent commission it totaled sixty-two galleons. Harry kept that information to himself and let Lavender believe he had paid the price listed in the catalog, as long as she was happy he wasn't concerned about the price.
"Which one did you get?" Harry asked curiously.
"You'll have to wait and see," Lavender said with a smirk.
"If I must," Harry said with faux sorrow.
"Don't pout, I need to run this up to my dorm," I'll see you later.
'That seemed to cheer her up,' Harry thought with a grin as he got up and made his way to Runes.
Room of Requirement, 3/24/1997, 19:45
There was no other word to describe the room tonight except amazing. The room was stretched to its limits and had recreated the forbidden forest perfectly. The floor of the room was now earthen and felt soft on his bare feet. There were trees and shrubs interspersed throughout the room which was absolutely massive, the ceiling mimicked the sky above them showing the moon about to clear the horizon, and there was even a breeze running through the room making him feel like he was really outside.
"I like this much better than the shack," Lavender said as she wiggled her toes in the soft dirt.
"Yes we can run tonight," Harry said with a happy smile.
Harry didn't want to attack anyone but he saw being a werewolf as a gift, he had no intention of becoming a XXXXX apex predator only to be locked away on the one night a month he could use his gift.
He never shared this with anyone but he was looking forward to becoming one with the wolf. The thought of being able to shift at will excited him more than he could put into words. He would have to learn to control his urge to attack humans as that was the biggest danger to embracing his wolf side.
This change in perspective had happened after his first transformation, he remembered feeling very different about becoming a werewolf when he was first bitten.
Harry felt it, the tingling in his stomach was the first sign that the transformation was starting. He untied his robe and let it fall not concerned about modesty at the moment.
The transformation went very smoothly though the bones rearranging part was still less than pleasant, but every other aspect of the change seemed easier now. Harry felt the building excitement as he felt his head reshaping itself into a wolf's.
Hoooowoooo
Harry howled out in joy as soon as he had transformed, it was answered by a slightly higher pitched howl from Lavender.
Hooooowooooo
Harry bounded towards her before veering right at the last minute and taking off through the room, he could hear her paws impacting the soft simulated earth as she followed his lead and ran through the forest yipping at his heels.
They played for a while chasing each other and tackling one another in a werewolf version of tag. Lavender started to pant after a while and they slowed down to a leisurely pace and followed the smell of water to a stream that ran through the room.
The sound of a door opening caught Harry's attention while he was lapping up water from the stream and he heard two voices whispering to one another.
"Why didn't the room turn into a bedroom like last time," A familiar boy's voice asked hesitantly.
Harry stalked towards the sound of the voice keeping to the shadows the moon above cast over the trees.
"Someone must already be using it," Luna's voice whispered.
"Should we go, this looks kind of creepy?" Colin asked nervously.
"Oh no!" Luna said sounding worried all of a sudden.
"What?" Colin demanded.
"Harry told me he would be transforming here this month," Luna whispered frantically looking at the full moon in dawning horror.
"You mean there is a werewolf in this room," Colin asked in a panicked tone.
"No, there are two werewolves in this room, Lavender will be here as well," Luna said inching towards the door only to freeze when she saw a massive black wolf standing between them and the door eyes focused on Colin.
Hoooowoooo
The two jumped when a howl came from behind them, they turned and saw an equally massive white wolf looking at them hungrily.
"Oh my, she really is beautiful," Luna gushed staring at Lavender in wonder.
Lavender's gaze shifted to Colin, disregarding Luna for the moment.
Luna jumped a foot in the air when Harry's cold nose sniffed the back of her neck.
"Harry!" She shrieked spinning around to glare at him.
"Bad Harry," She said as she pulled a rolled-up quibbler from thin air and smacked his nose with it.
Colin looked to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and Luna elbowed his side hard.
"Calm down, they are attracted to fear," Luna whispered before grabbing his hand and squeezing it in reassurance.
Harry stepped away from the door and pointed his nose at it before looking at Luna conveying that he wanted her to leave now.
Luna nodded and pulled Colin towards the door, Lavender came to stand next to Harry watching the younger teens exit the room.
Harry shook his head before taking off back into the room, he and Luna would be having words tomorrow.
R o.R, 3/26/1997, 06:34
Harry woke up spooned behind Lavender, he felt so much better after a night of running through a forest than he did being confined in a sitting room as he had for the past two months.
"Good your awake," Lavender said stretching in his arms, her bum doing wonderful things to Harry's lower half which was pressed up against her.
"Yeah, how long have you been up?" Harry asked willing his body's reaction to subside and praying she hadn't noticed.
"About thirty minutes but I didn't want to wake you," Lavender said softly.
"Where in the room are we?" Harry asked looking around.
" Somewhere in the middle, I think," Lavender said thoughtfully.
"Then I guess we'll have to walk naked to the bag of clothes," Harry sighed.
"We will, I already tried asking the room for a robe but nothing happened," Lavender said with a shrug.
"Dumbledore still has control of the room," Harry said after think for a minute.
"I can't really be mad about that, last night was the best transformation yet," Lavender said happily.
"We might as well get on with it," Harry said as he extricated himself from his girlfriend.
They both got to their feet blushing as they caught glimpses of each other's nude forms.
The walk through the room was awkward as they both kept stealing glances of each other, the spot that they had slept in was towards the back of the room in a grass clearing with lots of trees surrounding it which meant they had a decent hike ahead of them.
"I don't feel that sore this morning, I actually thought last night was a lot of fun," Lavender said trying to ease the tension.
"It was minus our uninvited guests," Harry said in exasperation.
"I was very close to attacking Colin," Lavender admitted in embarrassment.
"Same here, I am going to give Luna an earful when I find her," Harry said in irritation.
"Don't be too mad, they were just coming here to... just don't yell at her," Lavender said realizing what the teens were using the room for.
"They could have been killed, I will have to pass a message through Sirius to seal this corridor on the full moon," Harry said as they arrived at the door where their clothes were.
Harry and Lavender got dressed but they had gotten over their embarrassment for the most part and dressed without being too self-conscious. Once they were fully clothed they left the room, Harry watched the door disappear into the wall behind them.
They made it back to their dorm and took turns getting a shower before they climbed into bed and fell into a deep peaceful sleep.
Great Hall, 3/26/1997, 17:23
Harry approached the Gryffindor table with Lavender by his side, however, when Harry reached his target Lavender kept walking to take a seat by Parvati, she wanted no part of this discussion.
"Hey, Harry," Luna said in a voice that sounded a bit too casual.
Harry took his seat across from the couple and stared at them for a minute.
"Congratulations Luna, your boyfriend almost became a chew toy last night," Harry said seriously.
"We didn't mean to go in there with you," Luna defended weakly
"Yeah I heard as much from across the room last night," Harry said irritably.
"Now Harry let's be reasonable about this," Luna said nervously looking at Colin who had gone a pale color.
"Oh I am being very reasonable, Colin we'll be having a talk later," Harry said pointedly.
"Okay," Colin said timidly.
"Don't blame him it was my idea that we take our relationship further," Luna admitted quietly.
"I figured that, but your hormones almost got you both eaten," Harry said flatly.
"You said you wouldn't eat me," Luna argued.
"True, but Colin smelled like prime rib to us last night," Harry admitted making Colin gulp.
"I am sorry that I forgot, but you did say I was old enough to make my own choices," Luna said seriously.
"You are and had I not found out the way I did, I would let it go," Harry admitted.
"Okay, you've made your point I should have been more careful, now can we please drop this?" Luna asked calmly.
"Alright then, all I can say is you had better not get yourself knocked up," Harry said pointedly before he stood up and left the hall.
"So how did it go?" Lavender asked when she found him eating a nearly raw steak in the kitchens twenty minutes later.
"Well Creevey about wet himself," Harry said with a shrug.
"He doesn't handle pressure very well," Lavender said with a shake of her head.
"I honestly have no idea how I'm going to handle that situation," Harry said tiredly.
"Why?" Lavender asked confused.
"Because as close as me and Luna are, her private life is none of my business, but the thought of her and Colin... you know, makes me want to throttle them both," Harry said in a conflicted tone.
"Just let her be, Harry," Lavender tried.
"What if they do something stupid?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Then you can throttle them both," Lavender said with a grin.
"Alright, I'll try it your way. I might offer to take Colin for a walk in the forest with me, you know as a peace offering," Harry said innocently.
"He'll wet himself when you suggest that," Lavender said giggling.
"Do you have everything ready for the ball?" Harry asked changing the subject.
"Yes, I already know how I will do with my hair, and Parvati and some of the girls are meeting me in the room to help each other get ready," Lavender said happily.
"That's great," Harry said happy that she had so many friends to support her.
"I suppose you're going to lounge around until the last minute before getting ready," Lavender asked with a knowing smirk.
"I already know what I'm doing with my hair," Harry defended.
"That's something I suppose," Lavender said.
"Come on let's get out of here," Harry said having finished his steak.
"Where are we going?" Lavender asked.
"How about the astronomy tower?" Harry suggested.
"If you want to snog we can just go back to the dorm," Lavender said with a grin.
"I was planning on looking at the stars," Harry defended weakly.
"So we're going back to the dorm aren't we?" Lavender asked.
"Yeah," Harry admitted making Lavender giggle.
The Entrance Hall, 3/29/1997, 18:35
They had agreed to meet in the entrance hall like the other couples who meeting partners grom different houses. Harry was dressed in a fine tuxedo that Sirius had picked out for him. It was a dark green almost black that fit tightly to his form, he had opted to tame his hair, adorning his lapel was a lavender flower boutonnière.
Harry was surprised he was feeling a bit nervous, but he felt a familiar fluttering in his stomach that he used to get when he had first started tutoring Lavender in Transfiguration.
Harry saw a few of the girls Lavender was getting ready with coming down the stairs, Hermione came down with Luna and approached Terry Boot while Luna wandered over to where Colin was waiting for her.
The Patil twins came down next wearing dresses cut in an Indian styling Padma's was turquoise while Parvati's was a light pink, they soon joined their partners and now Harry was getting really anxious.
When he saw Daphne come down the stairs and loop her arm through Neville Longbottom's, Harry thought he might be dreaming or something.
Shaking away the confusion that scene left him with Harry looked up the stairs in time to see Lavender walking down.
Harry's breath caught in his chest, she looked gorgeous. She had on a pink dress like at the Christmas party but that's where the similarities ended, this dress was silky and looked as if it were poured over her before flaring slightly at her hips, there was a triangular cut on the bodice giving Harry an enticing view of the valley between her breasts. Her hair was styled in an updo and layered in sort of a rippling spiral that ended with an elegant plait on the top of her head.
She smiled at him shyly as she stepped off the last step.
"Judging from your expression I'd say you like?" Lavender asked teasingly.
Harry inhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding and spoke with a shaky voice, " You look incredible."
"Thank you, you look very handsome tonight," Lavender said her cheeks tinged pink.
"Do you want to go inside now?" Harry asked noticing the doors to the great hall had opened.
"Yes, lead the way," Lavender said looping her arm through his.
Harry nodded and led them towards the great hall, when they entered Harry noticed that the staff had picked a theme similar to how they had decorated for the Yule ball only instead of ice the hall was filled with spring flowers.
The smell of flowers filled the hall, there were massive vines of climbing roses running up all the walls the beautiful pink roses in full bloom.
The tables had centerpieces of assorted spring flowers and there were vines of jasmine growing along the front of the head table and along the support beams all the way to the ceiling, the white flowers of the jasmine complimenting the pink of the roses well.
The four house tables were absent being replaced by dozens of smaller round tables which would seat about ten people.
Harry led them to an empty table and pulled a chair out which Lavender took with a warm smile before he took his own seat.
"This looks wonderful," Lavender gushed admiring the flowers arranged on the center of their table.
"Depends, people with pollen allergies would consider this their own version of hell," Harry said with a grin.
"Thankfully I don't have pollen allergies," Lavender said primly.
"Ah Potter, do you mind if we join you?" Daphne asked formally.
"Not at all Ms. Greengrass," Harry said politely.
After Neville had seated her Harry asked a question that had been on his mind for the last half hour, "how did this come about?"
"I asked Neville to escort me to the ball and he agreed," Daphne said flatly, her underlying meaning was clear.
"Well you look lovely," Harry complimented.
"Thank you, your hair looks better than I have ever seen it," Daphne returned with a patented backhand compliment
"Slytherins, good luck with her mate," Harry said looking at Neville who chuckled.
"Careful Potter, I have blessed you with my company, I can still take it away," Daphne threatened.
"I am actually surprised you decided to sit with us lowly werewolves," Harry said with a grin making Lavender elbow him.
"You're
better company than Weasley and Vane and your girlfriend has manners," Daphne said making Lavender giggle.
"Wait wasn't Vane the one who gave you those tainted chocolates," Harry asked Neville while Lavender and Daphne struck up a conversation.
"Yeah, I already had him tested to make sure the love potion was all out of his system," Neville said with a shrug.
"Absolutely mental," Harry said in amazement.
Before Neville could comment Parvati and Ernie McMillan took a seat at the table, Harry sat back and observed the goings on in the hall. Neville and Ernie struck up a conversation while the girls chattered away amongst themselves, leaving Harry to his thoughts.
The hall was slowly filling up, the ball was only for third years and up so it wasn't nearly as full as it was at a normal mealtime.
Harry received a shock when he came to the table Luna was sitting at, sitting beside her was Astoria Greengrass and her date, which if Harry remembered correctly was Colin's little brother.
'I guess the Greengrass girl's decided to go scarlet and gold,' Harry thought with a chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Lavender asked noticing his amused expression.
"I just saw Astoria's date," Harry said in amusement.
"Yes, I've been keeping close tabs on that," Daphne cut in flatly.
"The Creevey's seem to like dating girls that can get them hurt," Lavender said thoughtfully.
"Indeed", Harry said as the headmaster started speaking.
"Thank you all for joining us for the Easter ball, the music tonight will be provided by Celestina Warbeck," Dumbledore said to loud applause.
"But first let us enjoy an excellent meal courtesy of the Hogwarts house-elves," Dumbledore said before taking a seat and picking up his menu.
"Excellent", Harry said as he scanned the menu before saying, "lamb chops extra rare."
"Oooh, that sounds wonderful," Lavender said copying him.
"How can you eat it like that?" Neville asked as he saw the meat was almost raw on the inside.
"It's the blood it tastes heavenly," Labender said after taking a bite.
"It's a wolf thing," Harry said with a shrug.
"And yet the both of you eat with more table manners than... others," Daphne said glancing over at Ron Weasley three table over in disgust.
"So Harry, Lavender was saying you bought her that dress," Pravati asked curiously.
"Yes," Harry answered simply.
"How did you pull that off, it is almost impossible to get a dress ordered from 'Twilfit and Tattings' in under two months?" Pravati asked.
"Sorry but I can't say, it was a one time thing," Harry said dismissively.
"Oh, well congratulations on the dress, Lavender looks stunning in it," Pravati said with a grin.
"I'm right here Parvati," Lavender said blushing.
"Well she looks stunning in anything, the dress is just a pretty wrapper," Harry said with a shrug making Lavender blush even more.
"Pay attention Longbottom, that is how you compliment a lady," Daphne said with a smirk.
The dinner continued with light conversation, Ernie seemed uncomfortable with Harry and Lavender and mostly talked to Neville but overall it was still a pleasant meal.
"If I could have you all stand please I shall get the room ready for the dancing part of our evening," Dumbledore called out after most in attendance had finished eating.
With a wave of his wand about half of the tables and chairs disappeared, the flower arrangements on all the tables hovered in the air while the other half of the tables floated to either side of the room leaving the center of the hall open and the flowers settled on the remaining tables.
The staff took five steps backward before Dumbledore transfigured the head table into a stage.
"Now without further ado please welcome the singing sorceress the one the only Celestina Warbeck!" Dumbledore called out dramatically.
An older woman dressed in robes covered in sequins and diamonds complete with a pointed glittery witches hat stepped onto the stage accompanied by a six-member band carrying unusual looking instruments to enthusiastic applause.
"Care to dance?" Harry asked as the first song began playing.
"I would love to,'" Lavender said beaming at him.
The music that night seemed to alternate between Celestina Warbeck's songs and classical ballroom music, Harry reasoned that the woman was near eighty years old and didn't have the energy to sing straight through the four hours the ball was scheduled to last.
After the fifth song, Lavender asked," can we take a break my feet are starting to hurt?"
"Yeah, I'm a bit thirsty let's sit down and I'll get us a drink," Harry said as the last chords of the song played.
Harry led them to a table where Neville and Daphne were sat drinking a butterbeer and talking quietly.
"Finally took a break did you?" Neville asked with a grin.
"These shoes are murder on my feet," Lavender said as she undid the strap on her shoe.
"I'll be right back, is butterbeer okay?" Harry asked Lavender.
"Yes butterbeer would be lovely," Lavender replied.
Harry made his way over to the refreshment table, it had chilled butterbeer and a large punchbowl arranded on it's surface and both seemed to automatically be refilled or replaced whn someone took a beverage.
Harry ran into Colin who had his arms full of butterbeers and was about to head back to his table..
"Thinking of taking some back with you?" Harry asked with a grin.
"What? No, I drew the short straw and had to get our group drinks, I'm just glad no one wanted punch," Colin said with a nervous chuckle.
"Why didn't you just levitate them? Better yet just hold still a second," Harry said drawing his wand and switching the air on the table he saw Luna and a small group seated at for the bottles in Colin's arms.
"Whoa, how did you do that?" Colin asked seeing the bottles appear in front of Luna.
"Switching spell, have fun," Harry said before grabbing a couple of bottles and heading back to his date.
There was a new arrival when he returned, Hermione and Terry Boot were seated beside Neville.
"That was nice of you to help out Colin," Lavender said as she gratefully accepted her butterbeer.
"I'm in a good mood tonight," Harry said with a shrug.
"Hello Granger," Harry said politely.
"Potter, Lavender are you enjoying the ball?" Hermione asked.
"I am, I love all these flowers," Lavender gushed.
"Potter dance with me," Daphne asked, looking at Lavender subtly and getting a nod that it was okay.
"Okay," Harry said as he stood and led Daphne onto the dance floor.
The song was one of the slightly faster-paced songs, "So I discovered what happened to the Ferret," Daphne said after Harry spun her around.
"Really?" Harry asked making sure to pay attention to his footwork as the rhythm of the song sped up.
"Yes, Dumbledore had Snape sneak him out of the castle on the first," Daphne said before Harty spun her around again going into the second chorus.
"Fuck, I was really hoping to deal with him myself," Harry said with a scowl.
"Yes I was as well, there is a rumor going around Slytherin that the dark lord knows where he is so...
Daphne let the sentence hang as the final chorus began and they both went through the final spins of the dance and steps of the dance.
" He will get his," Daphne finished before they walked back to the table.
"Wow, where did you learn to dance like that?" Neville asked daphne.
"Muggle dance instructor," Daphne said taking a sip of her drink.
"Same, Sirius didn't want to teach me so he hired a muggle dance instructor," Harry said with a shrug.
"Are you feeling up to dancing some more?" Harry asked Lavender hopefully.
"Yes, Hermione put a cushioning charm on my shoes they're loads better now," Lavender said happily.
"Good because you look far too good in that dress to be sitting on the sidelines," Harry said before leading her back to the dance floor.
The rest of the night was a blur for them both as they danced most of the night. When the final song ended and Celestina bowed to roaring applause the teachers started sending the students back to their dorms.
"Come on Snow let's get out of here," Harry said with a warm smile.
"Snow?" Lavender asked curiously as she let him lead her out of the hall.
"You are snow white in your wolf form, Luna was right you look beautiful," Harry said seriously.
"So what should I call you then?" Lavender asked a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
"Harry," he answered simply as they headed up the stairs.
"Nope, if you get to nickname me then I get to return the favor," Lavender said stubbornly.
"Fine but nothing ridiculous," Harry said
"Like Har bear?" Lavender asked with a smirk.
"Yes, that I would consider ridiculous," Harry said firmly.
"Alright I'll think on it, treacle," Lavender said her last statement opening the door to their dorm.
Once inside Lavender went to the bathroom and Harry started carefully removing his tux, when he was down to his boxers and the tux was hanging back on its hangers Harry called for Kreacher and had him take it to his home in Wales.
Kreacher had just left and Harry was digging in his trunk for his pajama bottoms when he heard the bathroom door open.
"Don't bother with your pajamas," Lavender said in a voice that got his heart racing.
Harry turned to respond and his reply died in his throat, Lavender was stalking towards him wearing nothing but her knickers.
Harry had seen her nude before but never like this. Her breasts were large probably a D cup with pretty little pink nipples, she had a flat stomach and wide hips. Harry couldn't see her womanhood as it was covered by white cotton panties, her legs were a work of art and he wanted nothing more than to run his hands over them.
If that wasn't sexy enough the hungry look in her eyes had him rock hard and he was trying to make sense of what was happening.
Lavender closed the distance between them before Harry's brain was functioning properly, and her wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his lips to hers for a kiss short-circuited it all over again.
Harry could feel her hardening nipples pressed against his chest and he was sure she could feel his hardening member pressed against her stomach.
The kiss got much deeper and only broke when Lavender shoved him backward and he fell onto the bed. In the next second, she was straddling him, her lips pressed against his, she was moaning into his mouth as she ground her panty-covered womanhood on his shaft. Harry groaned as he felt the heat of her pressed against him her arousal making his boxers damp as she gyrated her hips.
Harry jumped when he felt her fingertips slide under the waistband of his boxers and ghost across the head of his cock.
"Harry make love to me," Lavender whispered into his ear almost pleadingly.
"Are you sure," Harry asked as he rolled them over so he was on top pressed against her, her blue eyes locked on his green ones.
"Yes, please take me," Lavender panted out.
Harry nodded and pushed his boxers down his hips and kicked them off before gently hooking the waistband of Lavender's panties and pulling them off of her, she lifted up her hips so he could pull them off easier, Harry gently pulled them over her feet before tossing them on the floor.
Harry crawled back on top of her and captured her lips again, the kiss becoming just as hot as before. Harry felt her soft hand grip his cock and he shivered as she rubbed the head over her wet slit before lining him up at her entrance.
"Make love to me," Lavender whispered onto his ear again before kissing the side of his neck.
Harry pushed forward making Lavender shudder underneath him as her warm tunnel gripped his cock, he slowly inched deeper inside her taking his time to truly savor this.
"Oh... oh my that's really...ooooh," Lavender moaned before Harry silenced her with his lips.
Harry bottomed out and Lavender wrapped her legs around him her heels pressed into his bum as if trying to hold him there.
Harry pulled back slowly after a minute making Lavender gasp softly before pushing forward again, her tunnel was much wetter than before and she moaned into his mouth her hand sliding up his back pulling him tighter to her.
Harry started building up a steady rhythm though never going too fast, Harry was making long deep strokes that made her flutter around him every time he hit the special spot.
He wasn't trying to fuck her, there was no need to rush this, this was something much more intimate. This was an expression of their feelings, they were making love and as far as he was concerned they could take all night.
They both got lost in each other their bodies glistening from their exertions as they pushed steadily towards their release, their first time together wasn't about the destination so much as the journey to get there and what a journey it was the sounds of the two lovers echoed around the room as the got nearer to their climax.
Harry felt it a second before it happened Lavender started shuddering and her nails dug into his back, then she let out a wail of pleasure as a powerful orgasm ripped through her body making her back arch pressing her body even tighter against his, at that moment though neither noticed their eyes had changed color to the amber of their wolf forms.
Harry felt her tunnel convulse around him pulling him over the edge, he couldn't hold back any longer and erupted inside of her, neither of them noticed the flash of red light that engulfed them both as they both had their eyes closed in the moment of shared climax.
Harry panted feeling almost lightheaded from his release, "Wow!" was all he could say before he rolled off of her and lay down to her right staring blankly at the ceiling.
"That was intense," Lavender said shakily.
"Not that I'm complaining but what brought that on?" Harry asked his eyes roaming over her sweaty nude form, he hadn't had time to explore her body but he would soon.
"I felt like we had waited long enough and the urges were driving me mad," Lavender admitted with a sigh.
"I'm glad you did," Harry said contentedly.
"I am too", Lavender mumbled sleepily.
Harry's own eyes felt heavier and he felt sleep take him pulling him into the familiar dream of running with the white wolf, only this time he wasn't chasing her but running along side her.