I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Note: 6 updates in one week? After I said I needed to cut back on updates? Guess I am a bit of a hypocrite. Related, I did have a productive work week in writing this week and after two really awful days, I could use some kind words and positive energy. Hope everyone enjoys and has a good weekend. As always, thank you for reading, for your follows and loves, and your kind words.

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The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 84 – A Whirl of Levity

"I can't believe you asked Katie to the Ball!" Hermione squealed. "Well, I mean, I can believe you did. What I meant is that I can't believe you got the courage to do it."

Harry looked at her sourly. "You must really not want any biscuits."

"Yes I do, you can't bring me down here and not give me any."

Hermione and Harry were in the kitchens, at Harry's cook station that the House Elves made for him when he came to visit and cook. It was the start of the holiday break and Harry was spending the day baking and cooking as part of his gifts to people. Hermione had come to help but they found one of the few things she was not good at so she became taste-tester and fetcher for him.

She had noticed his goofy smile and his care-free attitude and was able to draw the reason from him with little difficulty.

"I most certainly can," he replied.

"Well you shouldn't because that would be mean to your sister and it's the holidays."

He poked her with the end of the wooden spoon. "So you can call me a coward and not get punished for it?"

She snorted. "I did not call you a coward." She leaned against the counter and thought for a moment. "It's just, you usually have to be prodded a bit to do things that are good for you. Don't give me that look," she said seeing him start to give her a look. "I don't say it to be mean. I'm just saying, it usually takes some prompting for you to be proactive over things like this."

"That was the first time I ever asked a girl to anything like a date," he argued, his cheeks turning pink.

"Things like this meaning positive things that are not school work and Quidditch," Hermione clarified. "Don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful that you did. And you and Katie are lovely together. I can easily see why you would ask her to the Ball."

Harry smiled bashfully before the smile faded. "Do you think Katie only said yes because she…knows how I was and wants to take care of me?"

"I don't," Hermione said flatly. "Katie is a very caring person and there's no denying that she did, and does, take care of you. But, I don't think she is someone that will do things only because she feels bad for them. She does things because she thinks it's right, and while I'm not as close to her as Angelina and Alicia are, I sincerely doubt she would pity date someone."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Angelina said the same basically. So that makes me feel better."

Hermione's eyes sparkled. "Are you hoping for something more?" She looked about conspiratorially; despite being surrounded by House Elves. "Do you…fancy her?"

Harry's pink cheeks turned red. "I think so. I really like her. Maybe even…well, yeah I like her a lot. I guess I'm hoping we hit it off at the Ball and see what happens? I don't know how she feels yet anyways and Angelina said I shouldn't get too ahead of myself."

"That's smart."

"If you say it is, then it really must be," he said seriously.

It was her turn to blush and she playfully shoved him. "Flatterer."

"In this case, it's the truth too." He popped the tray of biscuits into the oven and pulled one out. The air was rich with sugar and chocolate and Hermione and the House Elves looked at the tray with undisguised anticipation.

"What about you?" he asked her as he began rolling out more dough.

"What about me? I can't ask Katie now that you have. That'd be weird and rude."

He snorted as she snickered. "Thank you for that. I mean are you going with anyone to the Ball?"

She shook her head. "No. Truthfully, I was sort of on the fence on going at all to be honest. I was going to go home for the holidays but my parents encouraged me to go and then Sirius made his announcement, so I decided I'd stay and go."

When Harry had asked Sirius if he could stay at Hogwarts for the Ball, Sirius had said of course but the man was surprised how much he wanted to see Harry at some point. So he went to the Department of Magical Transportation, and arranged for students who wished to still go home for a few days after the ball could by temporarily connecting Floos to Hogwarts. He paid for the Gryffindor students to have the ability and after some negotiations, other parents for the other Houses did the same.

Harry had been overjoyed when Sirius told him the news. He said to his Godfather that he would accept that as his Christmas and next year's Birthday gift and Sirius had mumbled something and waved him off. He then told Harry to make some really good memories at the Ball and share them with him as thanks. He then insinuated something dreadfully embarrassing and laughed uproariously when Harry buried his two-way mirror under his pillow.

"Yeah I was really surprised when Sirius told me he did that. I felt really bad at first, that can't be cheap to do and he did it for everyone in Gryffindor. But he said that it would look good politically and socially for him to do it and actually the other parents started collecting a little money and things to send to him, so he says it's fine."

"Mmhmm, it's very generous. Don't tell him this but Mum and Dad are going to gift him some expensive things this year. For all he's doing. And the fact that he's hosting us for the days at Grimmauld before we head back."

"He's really excited about that by the way. He really likes you and your parents."

"I think he's great and so do my parents, so it all works out."

Harry popped the biscuits off the tray and set them to cool on a wire rack. He picked some off and gave Hermione one, then Inky, Fanny, Dobby, and a few other House Elves. He grinned at their enjoyment.

"I'm sure there are guys that want to ask you to the ball," he said.

Hermione smiled. "I actually did get asked by one, and said no. Promise me you won't laugh if I tell you?" At his nod she leaned in, "Viktor Krum of all people did if you can believe it."

"Really? Huh, well I'm not surprised you said no."

"What makes you say that?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

"Because you don't love Quidditch really," Harry replied easily. "He might be interested in other things, but that must be a big thing with him."

She smiled. "I'm glad you're not making fun of me or calling me stupid for refusing."

"Why would I do that?"

Hermione shrugged. "Because Ginny and Lavender and Parvati did and it made me wary about telling anyone else. Why wouldn't I go with an international Quidditch star?"

"Because you don't want to?"

She sighed. "At least you understand me. And actually, that's not the main reason I said no." She frowned. "I didn't like the way he talked to you that day for the games. He called you a 'little boy' and was very condescending."

Harry flushed. "Compared to him I am little. And he is a professional so he can act superior."

"As a professional he should act professional," she said waspishly. "So no, I am not attracted at all to people who are rude to my friends and siblings." She looked at him and poked him in the ribs. "And don't you go blaming yourself for it either. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions and while you're a determining factor, you're not a deciding factor."

Harry felt deeply touched and showed it by giving her more biscuits.

She grew shyer as she munched on the baked treats. "Also, uh, I did think about asking someone. But we went together to Hogsmeade to feel things out, and we decided it was perhaps for the best if we were just friends."

"You and Ron?"

She choked on the biscuit, coughing and hacking while Harry pounded her back and gave her a glass of water. "You knew?" she squeaked with a red face.

"Had a feeling."

"Yes, well, so did I and he as it seems but…"

"The date was a disaster?"

"No, actually, it was fine. He was fine. We just didn't…have much in common when it doesn't come to you. We're good friends and we argue a bit," she snorted at his eye roll, "okay we argue a lot. But we just didn't have anything else there. It's a bit of a relief really, knowing for sure."

"Glad it didn't ruin things between you," he said seriously. His face fell. "I'm a little worried about that with Katie."

"You two have much more in common and have a firmer foundation," Hermione said. "I really don't think you have much to worry about at all."

He smiled. "I hope so."

"It's actually kind of nice not having to worry about a date," Hermione admitted. "I'm just going to dress up and go and have fun with friends. Maybe be a third wheel to you and Katie," she joked.

"I think that's what Alicia's doing," Harry laughed. "You and Alicia can be friend-dates."

"Oh that makes me feel better," she said. "We can spend the Ball heckling you lot and your romances."

"You were going to do that regardless."

"Well yes but-hey don't take my biscuits away!"

-0-

"Are you sure you are not part House Elf?" Daphne asked with wide eyes. "How do you bake so many things without magic?"

Harry laughed. "Lots and lots of practice. Also I think the magic ovens help. I can fit way more biscuits in them and they keep their temperature very stable. I did have some help with these. Hermione helped."

"Not with the actual cooking I think," Tracy said as she inspected her box. "None of these look burnt."

"Be nice," Daphne said with a smile.

"That's why I mentioned how they look and not how they tasted," Tracy giggled. She stuffed one into her mouth. "Nope, these are delicious. Harry grade biscuits."

Daphne stuck her tongue out. "Have a care for your surroundings and show some manners."

Tracy rebelliously shoved another whole biscuit into her mouth and chewed with it open.

"Don't look at me," Harry said when Daphne did. "I personally think it's a compliment."

"Lack of manners a compliment? No wonder eating with Weasley doesn't bother you," she sniffed.

"Hey be nice," he said with a mock glower. "He does have bad table manners though. No the whole being told my cooking is good and seeing people happy with it. I've gotten a lot of that lately and I'm still not used to it."

Daphne and Tracy frowned. "Well, your cooking is wonderful and I'm very thankful you share it with us," Daphne said warmly.

"Yeah, totally," Tracy said with a full mouth.

"One of these days, you are going to choke and I might let you to teach you a lesson," Daphne scowled.

"No you won't," she swallowed. "You'd miss me too much. That or Harry will save me," she batted her eyes theatrically.

"Who else will compliment me if I don't" he agreed.

"Don't encourage her," Daphne smiled. "So, a little bird told me that you have a date to the Ball?"

"Really? I didn't think I was gossip worthy," Harry muttered.

"You are the…name-you-don't-like," Daphne said. "I hate to inform you but everything you do is gossip worthy, especially when it comes to your personal life. We do not care about you being that, but more that you are our friend and we are interested in your life."

"So tell us who it is," Tracy said eagerly. "I personally think it's one of the French girls but Daphne insists you're more domestic."

Harry laughed and blushed. "I asked Katie and she said yes."

The two Slytherin girls squealed. "Oh you two make such a cute couple," Daphne said.

"Really?" Harry asked with a hopeful lit to his voice.

"Oh yeah, you two just fit together," Tracy nodded.

Harry smiled bashfully. "So, do you two have dates?"

The girls looked at each other.

"Uhm, yes, sort of," Tracy said slowly.

Harry looked at them. "Sorry, didn't mean to pry if it's not my business."

"Well, uh, it's just," Daphne stammered.

"Ugh, we're being dumb. This is Harry," Tracy said to a reddening Daphne. "We're going to the Ball together," she told him.

"Like as in… a date date and not as friends?" Harry asked.

They nodded, unable to speak.

"Oh that's cool," Harry said sincerely.

"You…think so?" Daphne asked with disbelief.

"Yeah, I do."

"It doesn't bother you?" Tracy asked.

"Why should it?" Harry asked, confused. "I'm assuming it doesn't bother you two since you're, you know, going together." He smiled at their in tandem eye roll and snort. "So it doesn't bother me. If it doesn't hurt you and makes you happy, then it doesn't bother me at all. Rather, it shouldn't."

Daphne and Tracy looked a little teary. "Thank you, Harry," Daphne said softly.

"It's really cool how accepting you are," Tracy said just as softly.

He shrugged. "I mean, you're happy. That's what matters. Besides," he smirked a little, "you both are rather accepting of me. You know, me being a Gryffindor and all."

They laughed merrily.

"Besides," Harry said shyly, "you two just fit together too."

They hugged him at the same time.

-0-

"They're not that good," Harry said sheepishly. "I'm sure you get much better baked things in France."

"Maybe, but you made these for us and that makes them better," Fleur said as she dabbed at her lips with a napkin. "Do not sell yourself too cheaply. They taste very good!"

"Sell yourself short," Alicia amended with a smile and a giggle. "Selling yourself cheaply insinuates something else…"

Fleur blushed and Aimee and Colette cackled, spraying crumbs about.

"I'd be happy to purchase you," Aimee said to a bright-red Harry. "Especially if you can cook like this."

"I can negotiate for you," Alicia told him. "Drive up the costs and make a pretty Galleon. All for a cut of the profits of course."

"We are not selling Harry," Hermione said severely.

"Of course we aren't," Alicia said insincerely. "We're renting him out for his services."

"It's good to be wanted for once," Harry quipped and everyone laughed.

"How nervous are you about opening the Ball?" Harry asked Fleur. He had learned that the Champions had to do that from a very giggly Susan who had listened to Cedric complain about it.

"Not very. I have had to be on display like that before and you get used to it," Fleur said with a shrug.

"She's more upset about the lack of acceptable dates here," Aimee grinned.

"No hope for a forbidden foreign love," Colette said, dramatically holding her hand to her brow.

"Love-starved harpies, the both of you," Fleur sniffed to their amusement. "I thought I found someone acceptable but he liked the sound of his voice too much and he does drool a lot."

"And you could not go with one you wanted to because he is unavailable," Aimee said with a salacious smile.

"Oh? And who might that be?" Alicia asked with poorly disguised interest and Hermione leaned in too.

"No one," Fleur said delicately. "A shame to be sure but not something I would carry a grudge over."

"She had to settle for second best," Colette said. "In this case, me."

"I would never call one of my best friend's 'second best'," Fleur said and swatted Colette.

Aimee giggled and explained to a bemused Harry, Hermione, and Alicia. "It's actually a really big joke. Colette told everyone she will open up the Tri-Wizard Ball and one of our classmates said she'd only do that if she was a Champion's date. He then offered, crudely, to take her if she did certain things. Her reply was that she'd be wearing men's dress robes and he would be wearing a dress so he would be the one at her demands."

"And seeing how he isn't Champion and he is deathly afraid of Fleur, it seems I will win every facet of this argument," Colette said smugly.

"I have no problem taking Colette," Fleur said with a mischievous smile. "We are going as friends and it will be rather delight to see the shocked faces. That will help keep things entertaining."

"I paid a lot for the dress robes too," Colette said with extreme confidence. "I may only be arm candy but I will be delicious arm candy." She fluttered her eyes at Harry. "Will that be a problem, Harry? I'll transfigure them to a more traditional dress to share a dance with you."

"I, uh, oh, I mean," Harry stammered. His face was bright red. He looked to Hermione and Alicia for help but they were too busy laughing at his panicked embarrassment to help him. "Should you be asking me for a dance with your date right here?"

Colette took one of his hands. "Ah pay her no attention. We are friends and nothing more." Her voice became a throaty growl and she deliberately thickened her accent. "But for you? I could be more. This tournament is about improving…international relations, yes?"

Alicia and Hermione, while still laughing, pulled him away while Aimee and Fleur did the same to Colette.

"He's taken," Alicia said, trying to control her laughter.

"For pity's sake don't tease him so!" Aimee admonished a grinning Colette.

"Who said anything about teasing?" Colette replied, her face falsely innocent. She looked like butter would not melt in her mouth.

"Feel free to ignore her," Fleur said to Harry with rolling eyes. "In fact, I encourage it. She reads far too many romance novels."

Harry grinned, his red hue fading slowly. "It's okay, I think she's just teasing me for fun." He narrowed his eyes, "If not then no more biscuits or pies or other things."

Colette glared at him. "And they said the French have no sense of humor?! You English are far too cruel," she said bitterly while the others laughed.

-0-

"Can plants have biscuits?" Harry asked. The flower he was looking at looked oddly plaintive to him and eyed the biscuit in his hand somehow without eyes.

Neville looked thoughtful. "Huh, you know, I don't know. That might make for an interesting research project. Normally you want to feel carnivorous plants meat or natural foods but I don't think it'll be bad for it maybe. Give it a bit and we'll see."

Harry fed the flower and watched it greedily crunch the biscuit. It made an odd swallowing sound and it crooned at the smiling boy. "That's kinda weird and really cute."

"Now you know why I like them," Neville said with a smile. "I find all of them weird and cute."

"Even that one?" Ron asked, pointing at the Venomous Tentacula.

"Oh she's sweet as long as she's not teething," Neville said with professional disregard. "Even when she's teething, she's fine. Just grumpy."

"Not sure I'd want one in my garden," Ron laughed.

"I do. They're super useful. Keeps pests out, even gnomes." Neville chomped on his own biscuit. "Thanks for these Harry, they're really good!"

"You're welcome." Harry looked around the greenhouse. "I should come here more often when it's not for class. It's really nice in here."

"Hey, I'm happy to share the beauty of Herbology to everyone. But you mentioned you wanted some help? Is it for class?"

"No, it's for the Ball. I got the idea from Hermione and wanted to see if you could help me. Girls at Muggle balls wear flowers on their wrist."

"What for?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged. "To look nice I think but I'm sure there's some cultural or traditional reason."

Neville looked excited. "Hey, I'm all for adding flowers and plants to your regular attire. I think we can do that, if you don't mind me stealing the idea for my date."

"No problem at all," Harry smiled. "I'll pay you in biscuits."

"That's all the incentive I need. Do we want non-magical flowers only or dare we try magical ones?"

"Maybe not the ones that can eat things," Harry said.

"Yeah that might take too much effort right now. We have a greenhouse full of non-magicals or ingredient flowers. I know Professor Sprout has a book on flower language too. Let's see what we can do. Oh hey, Ron, do you know what flowers Ginny likes?"

"No. Wait. Why do you want to know?"

"Oh." Neville turned red. "I thought you know. I, uh, asked her to the Yule Ball."

"You what?!"

Harry shoved a biscuit into Ron's open mouth. "I'm sure Neville will be a great date for Ginny. Right Ron?"

Ron chewed furiously and swallowed. When he opened his mouth again to protest Harry shoved another couple of biscuits into it.

"Looks like we're in agreement," Harry said.

"How many more biscuits do you have?" Neville asked.

"Enough, hopefully. When I run out, you're on your own."

"Better do it fast then," Neville laughed.

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Shamgar777 - Aw thanks, I'm glad you thought their chemistry felt good and it made sense. Good guess.

Urgwaew - Good guess! It's always satisfying when that happens right?

I'm glad the talk didn't feel overdone or awkward. I really wanted Harry to show his thought process and how insecure he was, how his past had shaped his perception, and yet he's trying to do something different and embrace something truly foreign to him. It would be unreasonable for him to think otherwise and I'm glad it felt normal, as well adorable. Smitten Alicia is so much fun to write. I've made her such a character of range and to see her soft makes me laugh. That and her constant fighting with Angelina.

This will certainly not be an only romance fic. I wouldn't know how to write that to be honest. Romance will factor more in the future, but nothing extreme I hope. I'm glad you like the growth, the progression, the changes. I want this to be visceral and realistic, and hopefully the readers can identify with someone and something.

Lots of love to you and many thanks.

BlackjaxCXXIII - Aww thank you. I never thought I'd write anything ship worthy. I'm glad you like it so much.

turanga4 - That is some of the highest praise I could ever receive, you are so kind. I've never stuck with a project like this before and it is satisfying to see me honing my writing as I do it. It's really humbling to see you recognize it and you have my thanks. You made my day. Thank you so much.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Have some more relationship interaction kind friend, hope you enjoy today's chapter. A little wait for the actual Ball, but it is coming and I am very proud of that chapter and will eagerly await your verdict.

kjtrack - Pleasant surprises are better than the alternative to be sure.

alix33 - I'm happy you wanted to squeal.

yogibears - Keep rooting for them, I was happy when it came out like it did and they need their fans. I'm glad you also don't think the relationship is the focus and it's just a part of the story. I hope you have a great weekend as well.