Hoping to grab a snack and a shower before the end of term party later that evening, Harry made a quick stop at the Great Hall. After making a sandwich he hurried back to his dorm to get ready. Half an hour later he emerged, excited to finally relax with his friends.

Before he could descend the stairs to the party he heard a voice behind him.

"Potter, you really need a new style."

Harry turned to see Blaise leaning against the railing. He turned to face Harry with a look Harry could only describe as pitying.

"Well… I haven't really had the opportunity to buy new clothes in quite some time."

He hoped Blaise would drop it but was disappointed.

"What do you mean? Surely you would have time to buy something that actually fits you. Everything I've seen you wear is massive besides our school robes."

Harry really didn't want to have this conversation. His friends knew he didn't have the best upbringing but they still didn't know he'd spent all of his teen years in what was basically a prison.

"I'm hoping to get some new clothes over summer break."

Blaise clearly didn't understand what was going on but he shrugged it off before continuing.

"Well I can't let you go down to the party in that. Come with me."

Harry hesitated. He was happy Blaise had dropped the why part of the conversation but wasn't sure what was happening now. He walked towards Blaise and Ron's room, still confused.

When he approached Blaise's individual room he paused at the door. Blaise had begun laying out a few shirts on the bed before presenting Harry with a very dark red button up shirt and a light gray v-neck sweater.

"Put those on while I track down some jeans."

Before Harry could respond, Blaise had already left the room. He looked down at the clothes, impressed with the quality but also surprised at their subtlety. Blaise always seemed to be dressed to the nines and Harry had been concerned Blaise would try to put him in that style.

This actually looks like something I'd wear. Simple and easy.

He had just put the red shirt on and was about to put on the sweater when Blaise reappeared with a pair of dark, weathered jeans and some brown slip-on shoes.

"Here, put these on as well."

"Uh, thanks."

"Don't think I'm going to do this every time there's a party. You need to get your own clothes."

Harry nodded, a little ashamed. He knew it wasn't his fault but he couldn't help but feel inadequate.

"Maybe I'll move a new wardrobe up the priority list."

"That would be wise. Now get dressed and I'll see you downstairs."

Blaise left the room again and Harry quickly put everything else on. After looking at himself in the mirror he bumped a new wardrobe up a few more spots on his to-do list.

I don't know if I've ever worn anything this nice. Hell, I don't know if I've ever worn anything that fits.

With that depressing thought he turned to the door, more excited for the party than he thought he'd be.

The party wasn't yet in full swing when he descended the stairs but he wasn't the first to arrive either. Most of his friends were already there and the Weasley twins had set up a bar of sorts with some drinks. When Ron saw him approach he brought him a drink and threw an arm around his shoulders.

"One term down, nine to go!" he said with a grin. "Though if you ask me I'd rather not deal with any more trolls."

"Don't be a prat and there won't be," Hermione called out to the boys as they approached. Ron winced and nodded.

"I am really sorry about that whole thing."

"Water under the bridge," she replied, waving him off. "Now, how do you think you did on your finals?"

Ron groaned, slumping into a couch across from her. Harry took the seat next to her and sipped his drink.

"I don't even want to think about classes any more. Can we at least talk about it tomorrow?"

Hermione rolled her eyes but sat back.

"Fine, but I do want to know your results at some point."

"Deal," Ron replied, his excitement for the party showing on his face.

Over the next hour most of the Hogwarts students trickled in and Fred and George's bar expanded quite a bit. Apparently they had hired a few of the upperclassmen to run the bar while they ran the music, which was a record player that played from multiple trumpet speakers mounted on the walls of the common room.

Once the party was in full swing, Harry found himself at the bar with Neville and Blaise when Daphne and Tracy approached them.

"Well it seems Mr. Potter finally decided to wear something other than a circus tent," Daphne said, taking a seat next to him. Harry blushed but pointed at Blaise.

"You can thank him for that."

She turned to Blaise who had a smug smile on his face.

"What can I say, Blaise? Good work."

"I try."

Harry was somewhat embarrassed but also felt his self-esteem increase a little. No one had ever complimented him on his appearance.

"Now if only we can convince him to keep this up. I know quite a few people who would like to see him looking this good on a regular basis."

Harry gaped at her, the entire conversation was becoming too much for him. Tracy noticed and swatted Daphne on the arm.

"Leave him alone, Daph."

"Oh fine, I guess I'll just have to ogle him from a distance."

Harry sighed, still a little embarrassed only to be shocked again by Tracy's follow up.

"Join the club. It looks like at least half the girls in here are just now noticing how well he cleans up. I even see a few guys sneaking a glance here and there."

"What?!" Harry exclaimed, his blush was much more pronounced than it had been.

The others laughed and Harry felt like hiding in a corner. He relaxed a bit when Neville clapped him on the shoulder and gave him a smile.

"Don't worry about them, Harry. Let's just enjoy being done with finals and free from class, at least for the next few weeks."

Harry chuckled before downing his drink and standing up. He turned to Daphne, stepping into her personal space. He smirked before stepping past her and offering his hand to Tracy.

"Care to dance?"

She smiled and took his hand before looking at Daphne who was feigning insult.

"That's what you get for picking on him!"

"How was I supposed to know?!"

Harry and Tracy laughed as they headed out to the dance floor. Harry glanced back at the bar to see Neville approach Daphne with an over the top bow and an offer to dance. She laughed and grabbed his hand, dragging him out to the dance floor.

The rest of the night flew by for Harry. He hung out with almost everyone in his friend group and even met a few of the upperclassmen. It was almost 2 in the morning when he ended up on his usual couch with his friends sitting around a low table. Hermione was sitting next to him with Padma next to her and Tracy on the floor between them, leaning against the couch. Daphne was sprawled out on the couch across from them with Ron on the floor in front of her. Blaise sat in a chair next to Padma.

Harry smiled as he looked back out to the dance floor.

"Who knew Neville had that kind of endurance?" he said, drawing everyone's attention to the guy on the dance floor.

"I'm more surprised at Susan and Parvati hanging in there with him," Ron added. "I think he's been out there for at least 3 hours."

"Parvati will still be dancing when the sun comes up," said Padma. "She's always had way more energy than she knew what to do with."

The group was still laughing when Fred walked up.

"Alright ladies and gents. Last call is finally here. Anyone need anything before we pack up?"

All of them declined except for Daphne who asked for a small glass of wine. Fred nodded and reached out a hand to Ron.

"Come on, Ronniekins. Why don't you help us clean up?"

Ron groaned but took his hand.

"Why do I have to help?"

"Cause the Weasley's have been hosting this party since Bill was a third year so it's time you learn about the family tradition, eh?"

Ron looked surprised.

"I didn't know that!" He paused for a moment before asking, "You mean Percy hosted one of these? What was it? A formal tea party? Study hall with fruit punch?"

Fred laughed before shaking his head. "No, Charlie was able to get George and I trained up in his last couple of years. Percy made it clear that he wasn't going to participate but accepted that it was going to happen whether he wanted it to or not."

Once they were gone Blaise stood up and bid them all a good night. When Harry made to stand up as well Blaise stopped him.

"Don't worry about the clothes. I'll get them from you eventually."

"What about the pants and shoes?"

"Those are Seamus' so you'll have to ask him."

Harry nodded and sat back down, not quite ready to leave the party. As he did, Tracy stood and said good night as well followed quickly by Padma.

Fred came over with Daphne's wine shortly after and she said she was going to finish it in the bath.

"You're welcome to join me if you are daring enough," she said with a wink at Harry. She laughed when Harry stood up and offered her his arm, a sly grin on his face.

"I see you're not as easy to tease as you were earlier," she said, smiling back. "I guess I'll just have to try harder next time."

She waved and sauntered toward the girls stairwell leaving Harry and Hermione on the couch.

Hermione kicked off her shoes and tucked her feet under her on the couch. Harry thought that was a good idea and kicked off his own shoes putting his feet up on the low table in front of them.

He let out a long sigh when he leaned back and put his arm on the back of the couch. Hermione chuckled.

"I agree with that," she said, turning to face him a little more. "It wasn't until you and Ron were able to slow me down a bit that I was truly aware of how nice just relaxing can be."

Harry nodded and smiled. Of all his friends he felt the most at ease around Hermione. He didn't know if it was because she was also raised by muggles but she seemed to understand him a bit easier than the others.

"I can't believe how much my life has changed in the last four months," he said, leaning his head back on the couch and closing his eyes.

"Me neither," she replied. "It feels like just a little while ago I was looking to apply for university and trying to narrow down a major to study. Now, I'm sitting in a magical castle witnessing miracles on a daily basis."

Harry felt her awe and excitement radiate off her knowing he felt the same way. After a moment he raised his head and looked at her. She looked a little embarrassed to have revealed so much.

He set his feet on the ground and turned towards her with a big smile.

"I agree with you all the way," he said, making eye contact. "I don't think I've ever been this excited about anything. And what's better? Getting the chance to go through all this with a really fun group of friends."

He nudged her in the shoulder and she giggled. Smiling, she spoke again.

"I know what you mean. I've always been a little too…" she hesitated, not sure of which word to use. "Intense? I guess? ...for me to have a big group of friends. But you guys have made this so much fun. I am glad you are here." She shrugged with a big smile and Harry laughed.

"Look at us," he said. "Just two kids finding their place in this world. Nothing can stop us now!"

Hermione laughed and swatted his arm before standing up with a stretch.

"Well, I'm going to bed."

Harry stood, too, picking up their shoes. "I think I'll go, too."

She thanked him when he handed over her shoes then hesitated for a moment. She then stepped forward and wrapped him in a big hug and held him for a second. He cautiously hugged her back after a moment's pause.

"Thank you for saving me from the troll. I would have never been able to find friends like you had you not been there. I don't know if I can ever repay you for that."

Harry relaxed and hugged her a bit tighter.

"I'm glad I was there too, Hermione. The world is a better place with you in it."

Hermione squeezed him again, clearly happy with his words. Eventually she stepped back and smiled up at him, her eyes shining a little brighter than a moment ago.

"Feel better?" he asked. She laughed and nodded.

"Much."

"Good, now I'm going to bed so I'll see you in the morning."

Harry watched her navigate the last few stragglers on the dance floor before turning towards his own dorm, only to see the Weasley twins and Ron leaning against a now clean bar, watching him with massive grins.

"Well if it isn't Harry 'Casanova' Potter making big waves in the romance pool tonight," said Fred.

"No no no," George replied. "It's Harry 'Don Juan' Potter. You've got to get things right when it comes to his names."

Ron jumped in with, "Nah, Casanova is better. It rolls off the tongue much easier."

Harry blushed as he approached the trio. After a bit more teasing he offered to help them with the rest of the clean up.

"Nah, we've got it, mate," Ron said. "Get some sleep."

Harry nodded and made his way up to his room. As he got ready for bed, he thought back on the day and how the party had gone. He couldn't remember being happier.