Chapter 3

Standing in his dorm looking in a mirror, Harry was finishing tying his bow tie. Although he'd been given a pair of dress robes by Mrs. Weasley at the beginning of the year, he'd opted to purchase his own pair both so he could have his own and because the others didn't match Hannah. He'd offered his other set to Ron, having seen the ghastly pair he'd been sent to school with, but the gesture had just sent Ron on a rant accusing Harry of being ungrateful for the gift from his parents and that he supposed Harry thought he was too good for anything offered by the Weasleys. He sighed as the memory entered his mind, a part of him did want to mend his relationship with Ron but he was unwilling to until his friend had apologized sincerely and worked on his jealousy issues, as he'd been vocally against the time he'd been spending with Hannah.

On the other hand, his other best friend, Hermione, had finally apologized after being the one to end the most recent fight between himself and Ron. While Ron had been in the midst of yelling at Harry, Hermione had interrupted him, called him a jealous idiot, and told him to leave. After Ron had stomped away, Hermione told him she was sorry and explained that she'd never truly believed he'd done it but had been afraid of openly picking one of them over the other when she cared about them both and had bet on Ron coming to his senses eventually in the hopes that Harry would forgive them both and things could go back to the way they had been. While Harry had been annoyed with her decision, he couldn't find it in himself to stay mad at her as, like him, she'd not had any friends prior to Hogwarts and he could imagine himself making similar mistakes in order to try and preserve the only friendships he'd ever known. However, while he and Hermione were speaking again they weren't quite as close as before. After being forgiven she'd immediately offered to help him with the second task which he had declined. He and Hannah had figured out the secret of the egg a week prior and were now trying to find methods through which he could breathe underwater as well as making late night excursions to the prefect's bathroom where she started teaching him how to swim; Harry didn't really want Hermione intruding on that. This new normal had been an adjustment for Hermione and it was taking her some time to get used to.

"Nearly done admiring yourself there?"

Harry turned around to see Neville smirking at him. It had been shortly after Hannah had first apologized to him that Neville had reached out to do the same. It had surprised Harry that he bothered because, unlike so many others, Neville had never worn a badge, never said anything mean about him, and never shunned him. All in all, he'd never treated Harry any different than normal either this year or even during the Heir of Slytherin saga in second year. When Harry had tried saying as much Neville had cut him off saying that while that was true he'd also never gone out if his way to stand up for him either and, as fellow Gryffindors, Neville felt he should've been brave enough to do so, that he wasn't was reason enough for an apology. Since then, Neville had taken over the role of his best mate and it had been Harry, at Hannah's suggestion, who'd talked him into asking Susan Bones to the ball. The two had made plans to head down to the entrance hall together to meet their dates and, checking his watch, Harry realized they were about to be running late.

"You can't rush beauty Nev, you know that." Harry joked at him.

"While I admit styling that untamable mess you call hair is a challenge, it's taken you so long that you'll have to skip the makeup." Neville teased.

Harry rolled his eyes and flipped Neville the bird as the two began descending down to the great hall to meet Hannah and Susan. Upon reaching the entrance Harry told Neville he'd meet up with him later as he had wait in a side room with the other champions and their dates. Entering the room he found Cedric with his date Cho and greeted them both. He and Cedric were already friendly prior to the second task since Harry had told him about the Dragons in advance but that had only increased since he'd become so close with Hannah. The Diggorys and the Abbotts were quite close and Cedric in particular was like an older brother to Hannah. As such, spending time around Hannah meant spending more time around Cedric.

After exchanging a few pleasantries Harry joked to Cedric "You know, I'm a bit surprised I never got the 'protective older brother speech from you after you learned Hannah and I were coming to the ball together."

Cedric just chuckled and waved him off. "Like I'd ever do that, Hannah's a big girl and can decide for herself who to spend her time with. Besides, you're a good guy Harry, she'd never need to be protected from you in the first place."

Harry gave Cedric an appreciative look and was about to reply when the door opened. Harry turned around and was dumbstruck. Simply put, Hannah looked gorgeous. She was wearing a satin icy blue strapless gown that popped against her fair skin. Her hair, which was normally straight, now had elegant waves with a loose braid in back and small blue flowers woven throughout. But it was her eyes, which had been made to appear as though they were sparkling in the torch light, that really captivated him.

"Wow." Was all he could say at first with a look that was somehow caught in between beaming and slack jawed. "You look beautiful." He finally got out.

Hannah couldn't help blushing at his reaction. "Thank you Harry. You look very handsome." She replied, giving him a bright smile.

Harry was pulled from his stupor by the feeling of a hard clap on his shoulder. Looking to his side he saw it was Cedric.

"We'll just leave you two to it then shall we?" Before giving Harry a teasing wink and leading Cho away to go get the other champions who are arriving with their dates along with Professor McGonagall who was working on lining them up for the procession into the hall.

"Shall we?" Harry asked while offering both his arm and a smirk. Hannah rolled her eyes and sighed at this but took his arm all the same. Ever since they'd agreed to go to the ball together Harry would often offer his arm whenever they were walking together. It had become a small joke between the two of them as Harry would always warn her that if they didn't practice he was liable to trip and bring them both tumbling down on the night of the actual ball. Hannah always put on a big show of saying he was being ridiculous but internally she found it amusing and the look he would give her each time made the butterflies flutter in her chest. That was something she'd kept to herself, not even sharing it with Susan; forgiving her and becoming friends was one thing but acting on a crush? She wasn't sure how Harry would react to that and she was afraid to pursue it for fear of Harry not feeling the same.

As they lined up behind Cedric and Cho the doors to the great hall opened and the pairs began to process in and make their way to the dance floor. Once in position, Harry took Hannah's right hand in his left and placed his right on the small of her back and brought her into a close embrace as the music began to play. Despite it having only been a couple weeks of practice, Hannah had been an excellent teacher and the pair were moving gracefully through each of the steps. Harry was fully aware that there were hundreds of eyes on him at this moment but had resolved to focus himself entirely on Hannah during the dance just as he had during their practice sessions. All in all, he was enjoying himself, dancing had ended up being more fun than he'd thought and he was perfectly happy to have an excuse to spend more time with Hannah. While Neville had taken over the role of his best mate, Hannah had taken over the role of his best friend and it really amazed him how much he'd come to rely on her. She really brought out the best in him, their time spent researching the second task had ultimately led to time spent studying together which had led to a major improvement in his grades of late. In spite of this, he'd never felt she pressured him to study, in fact she'd been a proponent of taking breaks and taking time to relax and have fun after working hard for a while. He'd been feeling lighter, more at ease with himself and he knew Hannah had been a large part of that change. As the song ended with all these thoughts swirling around in his head he took a moment just to look into Hannah's eyes and began to feel grateful. As they sat down at the head table for their meal, Harry turned to her.

"Thank you." He said.

Hannah tilted her head slightly to one side. "What for?" She asked.

"I dunno… everything I suppose." He replied.

"You got your head up in the clouds or something Harry?" She asked with a hint of cheek

Harry laughed. "Yeah, I guess I do."

Hannah giggled "Well you'd better come back down to planet earth soon, I plan on having many more dances tonight and I'd like most of them to be with you."

Harry smirked. "Only most."

Hannah smiled at him. "Well, I have to squeeze at least one in with Neville. Have to make sure he's showing Sue a good time after all."

The two continued the chat with some light flirting mixed in through dinner until Dumbledore stood and vanished the tables away, opening up the dance floor to everyone. Harry and Hannah happily returned to the floor and continued to dance for several songs and simply enjoy each other's company. After an hour or so of dancing the two decided to take a break and went to join Neville and Susan by the punch bowl. After a few minutes of catching up and a few glasses of punch Hannah pulled Neville onto the dance floor leaving Harry with Susan.

"Seems our dates have left us for each other." Harry joked

Susan laughed "Guess we'll have to dance with each other for now then"

Harry offered her his hand and the two made their own way back to the dance floor.

"She likes you, you know." Susan said.

"What?" Harry said, a little shocked at her bluntness.

"She hasn't said anything to me yet, but we've known each other our whole lives, I can see it when she's with you. She likes you and I'd bet my family's entire Gringotts vault you like her too."

Neither confirming or denying her statement Harry asked "Don't people normally try to be a bit more subtle by trying to drop hints about that kind of thing?"

Susan shrugged. "Some people like that but Hannah always gets nervous about admitting her crushes and with you it'll be worse since she still isn't totally over her guilt from how she treated you so she'll never make the first move and boys are usually too clueless about the subtle hints they get sent. Hannah's my best friend, I want her to be happy and I think you two would be good together. If I'm right that you like her too then you should tell her, I have a feeling you won't regret it."

The song ended as Susan finished her speech and she let go of his hands, curtsied at him, and began walking to where Neville and Hannah had been dancing. Harry just continued to stand there thinking about what Susan had just said. There was no denying Susan was right about him so he wasn't prepared to try, he definitely liked Hannah and the thought of being with her brought a bright smile to his face. But was she right about Hannah liking him? If anyone would know it would be Susan but on the off chance she was wrong it would make his friendship with Hannah awkward at best if he told her how he felt. Harry had to force the threads of doubt building up in his mind so he could try and think clearly about what to do but time ran out on him as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey there." Hannah said, getting his attention. "Enjoy your dance with Sue."

"It was fun but she doesn't hold a candle to you." He said, softly taking one of her hands.

Hannah blushed bright red at the compliment and adopted a bright smile. "Should we go another few songs then?"

Seeing her smile Harry made a decision. "Actually, would you like to take a walk through the gardens for a bit? I could use some air."

"That sounds nice." She said and the two made their way to the exit.

The two made their way along the footpath, taking care to avoid others they saw, Snape in particular, until they came to a secluded bench. Harry cast a warming charm on the area and gave Hannah a silent gesture asking if she wanted to sit with him. As the two sat, Harry put his arm around Hannah's shoulders as she began to snuggle into his side. The two sat like that for a while before Harry turned his head to look at her and Hannah looked up at him in response. Saying nothing as they looked into each other's eyes, Harry took his chance and leaned in. Hannah saw this happening and happily reciprocated. Their lips met and the two began a slow, passionate embrace that had both celebrating internally. After a few minutes the two finally separated, both grinning happily.

"I take it I have Susan to thank for this?" Hannah asked as she began to nuzzle into the crook of his neck.

"Yeah, she's pretty forward. Can't say I'm too upset about it though." Hannah nodded in agreement and Harry pulled her in closer and kissed the top of her head. Feeling a bit playful, Harry snaked his other arm underneath her legs and pulled her up onto his lap. Not expecting what happened Hannah gave a brief shriek causing Harry to laugh. Hannah glared at him and gave his nose a soft flick.

"You prat, don't startle me like that!" Harry just continued to laugh and pulled her in close for another kiss which she returned. After a few more moments they separated and Hannah leaned into his shoulder.

"Don't think you can distract me so easily with kisses Harry Potter, I'm going to get you back for that." She said trying, but failing, to sound upset.

"As I recall you said you expected me to sweep you off your feet did you not." Harry smirked at her.

"Cheeky prat, you're lucky I like you." she replied, shaking her head at his antics.

"Yeah, I really am." He said softly.

Hannah sat up. "Should we head back?"

"Why the hurry? I'm perfectly comfortable right here." Harry teased her.

Hannah humphed at him. "I don't get dressed up like this very often Harry and I'd like to get a few more dances in before the night ends and besides…." She gave a mischievous smirk as she stood up "I want to introduce Sue and Neville to my new boyfriend"

Harry couldn't even think of a witty retort as it made his heart flutter to hear her refer to him as her boyfriend. He got up as well, reached out and took her hand. The two intertwined their fingers before returning to the ball hand in hand.

The End