54. A Lovely Surprise
It was Christmas night and the Yule Ball was at a start. Harry stood outside of room the ball was held. Nervously, he paced back and forth. Unsurprisingly, he hadn't been able to find a date to the ball. Ron had offered to help, but that had been adamantly opposed.
Despite his situation, he wouldn't have changed a thing. But that conviction unhelpful at the moment. In a few minutes the ball would begin and he would not have a date. "I wonder if I should beg Luna?" Harry was mumbling to himself.
Lost in his thoughts, he did not hear the feminine figure approach him. When she spoke, her voice was steady and pleasant, "If it's alright with you, I don't mind being your partner for the opening dance. Who knows, you may enjoy yourself."
Before he could turn around, the girl took his hand, their fingers locked together, as she pulled him onto the dance floor.
Harry dumbly followed. He couldn't see the girl's face from behind. But, she must have been a sight to behold because they caught quite a few eyes. Considering that they weren't gawking at him, the girl was clearly a head turner.
When they finally reached the dance floor, she spun around to face him with a kind smile. Harry's eyes could only helplessly widen. In front of him was the not so pale not so lady. While she appeared different, she couldn't be anyone else.
The Pale Lady was a fair bit younger. While still older, she now appeared to be a seventh year. Her skin was of a fairer complexion; he could see the pink in her cheeks. As he held her hands, he could feel natural warmth. A warmth that was too hot considering how warm the room was.
This night she was so different; she was so human. On every meeting, even the very first, he always knew that she different from anyone he knew. There was an otherness to her. Yes, that otherness was there, but it was so muted, buried deeply within.
Her dress was a sight to behold. It was a sleeveless ball gown of crimson red. From the chest to the abdomen, there were black embroidered snowflakes. The red of the dress ran to a diagonal cut on the upper thighs. Black folded fabric, almost feather like in appearance, flowed from there to the feet.
Before any questions were asked, soft, slow music began filling the ballroom. Harry smoothly placed his right hand upon her left hip. His left hand gently grasped her right as he positioned himself closely to her form. The Pale Lady's left arm rested at his shoulder. Something Harry was acutely aware of.
And so they danced. Confidently, Harry took the lead and obediently she followed. Their bodies naturally complimenting the other. In beautiful harmony, they moved in neat circles. Where he shifted, she followed. Unlike those around them, there was a lack of awkwardness and discomfort between them. Every movement of feet was in sync between the two. Rhythmic beats of the music controlled the arc of their rotations.
Harry's full attention was focused on his dancing partner. For how could he turn away from such beauty that had ensnared him so? In that daze of merriment, the pair continued to dance. Even as the song and tempo changed, their unity didn't. As the night wore on, their bodies shifted closer to each other. She could be seen almost resting her head in the nook of his shoulder. Harry's hand had traveled from her hip to her back, as though to support her.
As the moon shined its brightest, the music died out once more. Despite his dancing, Harry didn't feel the fatigue. With the simple sway of her head, she gestured for him to follow her. It was a simple task, for she firmly held his hand.
Outside, they arrived on a balcony that stood above the lake. The Pale Lady let go of Harry's hand as she leaned on the balcony's surface. Her voice coaxing, "Talk to me, Harry. You've been distracted of late."
Harry grimaced as he stood beside her. He should've predicted that she would realize. "I'm sorry. I should have asked you to the Yule Ball myself. But, I just didn't want to burden you. I'm always troubling you."
"Burden me? Did I have say that meeting you was a hassle? I'm capable of voicing my complaints to you. Do you feel troubled spending time with me?"
Quickly, Harry shook his head. "Of course not. I enjoy our time together."
The Pale Lady chuckled lightly at his honestly. "See? Spending time with you is an appreciated break from my duties. If it makes you feel better, I give you permission to 'burden' me with your presence. So feel free to come to me about things both big and small. But, is that all?"
Building up the nerves, he asked, "Could you tell me your name?"
The Pale Lady blinked at that, before she shook her head. "I had wondered how long it would take you to ask. If you had simply asked, I would've gladly told you."
Harry grew embarrassed by his hesitance, "I-I thought it was some grand thing for your culture or something. You just seem so grand that I thought I hadn't earned the right."
"What a great imagination you have. I'm curious, what have you labeled me in your mind? Am I simply that mad woman that pops up now and again." She seemed more amused than offended.
The same could not be said of Harry, "Of course not!" At this, he was surprisingly stern. Taking the Pale Lady's hand, he kissed it tenderly, lovingly, "You are the Pale Lady, my first and closest friend. The woman that bothered looking at me twice and found me worth knowing. You're someone that's so much more than I could describe. Will you honor me with a name?"
"I guess some would say that our names are a big deal. I, for one, have gained quite the repertoire of names through my lifetime. I'm rather partial to Teleute. What do you think?" Her expression was encouraging. Beneath that was a mischief of a sorts.
"Wonderful." What he said was true, even though he knew that the Pal- Teleute was playing one of her little games. But the name resonated strongly within him, a bit of universal knowledge clawing its way out. There was still something mysterious about her but he did not mind.
"Thank you." She closed the space between them and leaned in. Teleute softly kissed Harry.
Shocked as he was, Harry didn't pull away. Even as their lips parted, he found himself in bliss. His lips tasted of wonderful affection. It felt as warm as that first cup of hot chocolate that winter day. "There's something different about you today."
"Ah, you've noticed that? Pay it no mind. It's a tradition of mine every now and again. Consider it a personal lesson in empathy." She swayed lightly as she gave an impish smirk, no doubt thinking of things beyond his understanding.
"Come, the night has yet to end." Teleute guided Harry by the hand, since the teen was still too dazed to follow. Though, he wore a goofy pleased expression.
So as was the typical case, Teleute made this night one of the best in Harry's short life.
