Disclaimer-- Shame on you if you don't know by now that Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling.

Chapter Six-- The Yule Ball

The phoenix were now three months old. They had started to loose their down, replacing it with bright feathers. They swirled with color, yellow, blue, green, red, purple... Hermione and Draco's had especially bright plumage. Hagrid complimented them on their fine job raising their bird, whom they had named Helios. He was getting large, almost full size now, and he was very affectionate. Hermione had spent a lot of extra time with him, coming down during her free time to play with him. She had caught Draco sneaking down once or twice, too. All of the extra attention had had a positive affect on Helios. Not only was he friendly, he was smart. Hagrid had answered a pecking at the back door once or twice, finding Helios, who unlocked his cage and was wandering around, begging for food.

At the end of one of their classes, Hagrid cleared his throat after instructing them to put their birds into their cages. "I have an announcement," he said. "It's concernin' the Yule Ball. Dum-- Professor Dumbledore wants tuh keep gettin' together with the other schools, so Beauxbatons will be comin', too." Hagrid blushed and grinned. "Durmstrang declined the invitation." His giddiness was quickly overshadowed with a scowl. "Anyway, yeh need tuh be a fourth year to go, or else be invited..." he trailed off and surveyed the class, which was entirely sixth years, with the exception of Brynna, who had been put in the more advanced class because of the studying she had done in America. She had also been put into sixth year Muggle Studies, but she had had to make up some work for Potions. "I don't think any of yeh need to worry about that," Hagrid finished. The class immediately started discussing who would be taking whom. "As soon as yer done takin' care of yer stuff, yer dismissed."

Hermione, who had been standing with her friends to hear Hagrid's speech, went back over to the stack of cages to say good-bye to Helios before she left. Draco was already there, stroking his back with one hand, offering it a grub with the other. As she walked up she could hear him talking to it. "...so it won't be too long before I see you again. But guess what? There's gonna be a Yule Ball this year. Isn't that cool? It's the perfect opportunity--"

Hermione was curious to hear the rest of Draco's scheme, but she stepped on a leaf with a loud crunch, announcing her presence.

"Oh, hi, Her-- Granger. I was just making sure he had enough water." Draco conspicuously peered into the water dish. "Yup, looks good."

"I came to say g'bye to him." She paused. "What were you talking about, the Yule Ball, it's an opportunity for what?"

Draco blushed. "Oh, er-- well....I was wondering if, well, maybe, er-- "

He was saved by a fellow Slytherin, Pansy, who came prancing over, regarding Hermione disdainfully. "Hey there, Draco."

"Oh, hi, Pansy... er--" he looked even more flustered. Hermione scowled.

"I got new dress robes," she said triumphantly.

"That's nice, Pansy," replied Draco, getting confused.

"They'll match yours great." She grinned and grabbed his cloak, drawing him closer to her. "Meet me in the common room before we go to the Yule Ball, and I'll give you your very special Christmas present."

Draco gulped.

"Now walk me back to the castle."

Hermione watched them leave, her mouth hanging open, wondering what had just happened.

"Hermione! Come on! We're not waiting for you forever." called Ron, prompting her to snap out of her daze and walk back over to her friends.

"Sorry, guys," she said. "Thanks for waiting."

"You ok?" asked Brynna. "Did you get another letter from your mom this morning, or something? You look a little upset."

"No," lied Hermione. "I'm fine. Just cold. Let's go."

"So, Harry, who are you going to take to the Ball?" asked Ron, always eager to steer the subject to girls.

Harry and Ginny had thought long and hard. They had decided that they would reveal themselves on Christmas, at the Ball, partly because Harry was dreading telling Ron and Christmas had seemed far off in the future, and partly because it would be hard to hide it if they went to the Ball with each other. They certainly didn't want to go with other dates.

"I'm not telling you," he joked. "You'll probably go steal her! How about you? Who are you taking?"

Brynna interrupted his answer with a huge sigh. "I have no idea who I'm going with!"

"I'm not sure yet, either." said Ron. "Maybe Brittany. Or Abby. Or Helen."

Harry laughed. "You'd better make up your mind!" he said. "Who are you going with, Mione?"

"I'm not sure yet."

Brynna interjected another large sigh. "Me neither."

Hermione laughed. "You know, if you and Ron never make up your minds, maybe you should just go together!"

Harry looked at the two of them, as if seeing them for the first time. "Nah, they'd never make it as a couple."

Ron looked at Brynna, and she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. He blushed and looked away. "You may be on to something, Hermione," he said. "I can go with Brynna, and then I can dance with all of the other girls because I won't have to limit myself to just one before I get there!"

"Gee, a true romantic," said Brynna, but she was smiling.

"I'll take that as a 'yes', Brynna dear."

"Ok," she said.

Christmas morning came faster than everyone expected. Harry woke before Ron and lie in bed, thinking. The holidays were tough-- they always had been-- without his parents. Since coming to Hogwarts, they had been easier, but still. He wanted a family. The trunk had helped with his feelings of loneliness, but it had also whetted his appetite for more knowledge. Over a lengthy correspondence with Remus-- and Snuffles-- Harry had been able to build up more of his parents story, but it was from their friends' perspectives. He wanted, needed, something a little more personal.

Looking at Ron, who was still fast asleep, Harry crawled to the end of his bed. A pile of presents lain on his trunk were just begging to be opened, but Harry went for the smaller trunk instead. He opened it, pulling out a stack of books. He searched through it, finally finding the fourth year Herbology book. He opened up the cover, inhaling the flowery scent of his mother. If he closed his eyes and pictured her, he could almost smell it in her hair. Inside the book's jacket was what he sought after. It was a note from James to Lily. Not much, just a scribbled letter about how boring Professor Binns was, and how he was looking forward to Hogsmeade that coming weekend. Harry read it for the millionth time and put it back, carefully folding it along its twenty-year old creases. He placed the books back in the trunk, noticing a scarlet leather bound book for only the second time.

He recognized it from the first day he opened the trunk. He had meant to ask Remus about it, but had forgotten. He ran his fingers over the smooth, nameless cover and the gold gilded edges. It looked like a journal, and it definitely had been a Gryffindor's. He tried to open it again, but the cover wouldn't budge. At first, Harry wondered if it had been glued shut. Quickly correcting his muggle thinking, Harry realized it had been closed magically. But how to open it?

He took his wand from the night stand, pointed it at the book and whispered "Alohomora." He pried at the cover, but nothing. He tried again. "Alohomora," a bit louder this time. Nothing. He groaned, and put the book back in the trunk, making a mental note to ask Hermione about it. After spending all of that time in the library, she had better know something about opening a book or two.

Ron rolled over. "'Morning, Harry. Merry Christmas."

"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't." He yawned. "Wow, look at all of these presents."

Both trunks had been stacked with wrapped packages. The boys each started off with a large, bulky package, not surprised to discover identical sweaters. Green for Harry, maroon, of course, for Ron. They each had a pile of sweets from friends; Harry also unwrapped a biography of Sam Blumberg, one of the Chasers of the Chudley Cannons, from Hermione. She was always trying to get him to read. Ginny had gotten him a watch, not an ordinary muggle watch, but one that you could tell your class schedule and appointments. Hagrid had sent him a tin of something that looked quite inedible. Harry enjoyed the Dursley's present immensely, not because it was thoughtful or meaningful... it was down right comical! They had sent him a paper plate. After going through their gifts, they got dressed, putting on their new sweaters, and went down into the common room.

Hermione, Brynna, and Ginny were already there, also each wearing a Weasley sweater. Blue for Hermione, lavender for Brynna, and gold for Ginny. They exchanged Merry Christmases and laughed and talked about their gifts. Just before going down to the Great Hall, Harry cornered Ginny and whispered his thanks for her gift. He explained that he wasn't wearing it just yet, but he would be at the Ball. They were both excited and nervous about letting their friends in on their secret romance.

About half of the students had decided to stay over the holiday. The whole castle had been decorated with icicles and pine boughs. An enormous Christmas tree stood in the center of the hall with an enchanted angel standing on the top. Dumbledore stood up as students began to enter the Great Hall. As soon as the last had been seated, he cleared his throat. "Merry Christmas to you all. Madam Maxime and her students have arrived and will be spending the day here. I would like to thank them for coming this long way to spend this Christmas with us. I trust you will all make them feel welcome." Harry noticed the Beauxbatons students were sitting spread out among the extra seats, and Madam Maxime was next to Hagrid at the staff table. "Lunch will not be served today, instead dinner will be two hours early, with the Yule Ball afterward." Dumbledore added, and then sat down.

The students whistled and cheered, and then began to eat. Eggs and sausage and bacon... pancakes, waffles, and toast and jam. It was the largest breakfast Harry had ever seen. The house elves had out done themselves.

After everyone had eaten their fill, the plates were cleared, but students remained in the hall in little groups, talking with the Beauxbaton students or discussing the couples going to the Yule Ball. Many Hogwarts students had cousins at Beauxbaton and were fixing up their friends. Some of the French students had been to the Yule Ball last year and had continued relationships throughout the year with students from Hogwarts, which, of course, were exactly the results Dumbledore had been hoping for. Ron was disappointed to see that Fleur had graduated. He had been hoping for at least one dance with her. It didn't look as though he'd have a shortage of dance partners, though; girls kept approaching him, reminding him to save a song for them. Brynna was looking slightly annoyed.

The students were still congregating in the Great Hall when dinner time came around. All of the tables had been pushed together, and the houses had mingled with one another, everyone seemed to forget if they were Gryffindor or Slytherin, Beauxbaton or Hogwarts. After eating, everyone rushed up to the dorms to change into their dress robes.

The Gryffindor common was filled with guys waiting for their dates to finish last minute primping. Harry stood, chatting with Ron.

"So when am I going to meet this hot date you've got, Harry?" asked Ron.

"Oh, you'll see her soon enough."

"If she's as cute as you say, you'll have to find out if she's got a sister for me."

Harry choked. "Sorry, Ron, she's only got brothers."

"Oh. Hey, here come Mione, Brynn, and Ginny."

They were working their way down the stairs, through the crowd of guys. Harry smiled at Ginny as she approached, and she smiled back, walked over and gave him a huge kiss, right on the lips. The room suddenly went silent. Ron stood with his mouth open, and Hermione giggled. Brynna had a grin stretching across her face.

"Guys," Harry said, "er--"

"Oh this is so great! Why didn't you tell us?" exclaimed Hermione.

"Well, we didn't really think--"

Ron closed his mouth. "It's about time that you two decided to stop pretending."

"You knew?" asked Harry.

"Well, it was kind of obvious," he laughed. "You were always trying to get rid of me. I knew that something was going on. Either that, or you were planning me a surprise party for my birthday."

Everyone laughed. They walked through the common room which was looking less crowded now that people were beginning to go downstairs. Ginny and Harry were holding hands the entire way.

The Great Hall was filled with laughing people and the music of a wizard rock band. As soon as the five walked in, Ron was surrounded by a group of girls. Ginny pulled Harry out onto the dance floor, leaving Hermione and Brynna standing alone.

"Great date you have, there," commented Hermione.

"Better than no guy at all," retorted Brynna, jokingly.

"I guess you're right. You want to go get some butterbeer, seeing how we don't have any men to do it for us?"

"Absolutely, my dear Hermione." Brynna extended her arm in an exaggerated show of courtesy.

"After you, sweet Brynna." Hermione bowed low, then accepted Brynna's arm. With linked elbows, they wandered off in search of refreshments.

Brynna and Hermione, dates or no, were having fun. After their butterbeer, they had sat at a table to watch the dancers, but both were quickly asked to dance by Dean and Seamus, respectively. They were dancing to a slow song when Ron came up and tapped Dean on the shoulder. "D'you mind if I cut in?" he asked.

"Not at all," said Dean, disentangling himself from Brynna.

"Where have you been?" asked Ron, sounding mildly upset. "I've been looking all over for you."

"I went to get a butterbeer."

"For some reason, butterbeer bears a remarkable resemblance to Dean."

"He asked me to dance. You didn't ask. You still haven't. You just came over and assumed I would rather dance with you than Dean," said Brynna angrily.

"Well, would you?" Ron waited. "Do you want to dance with me?"

"Y-You didn't look too lonely over there. You've got every other girl in Hogwarts following you around. Why do you want to dance with me?" The song was over, but they had stopped dancing long before. They just stood there with their arms wrapped around each other, even as a new, faster song began.

"Because. I like you Brynna."

She opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. "How... what do you mean?"

"I like you," he said again simply.

"But then, why are you always with all of those other girls?"

"I thought that maybe if you thought that all of them liked me then maybe... I don't know... maybe then you would like me, too."

Brynna smiled. "I already do."

Ron looked at her in surprise. "You do?"

She nodded. Ron seemed to realize suddenly that they had stopped dancing. His arms dropped from her waist. Then, he put them back. "Brynna?" he asked.

"What?"

"Can I kiss you?"

She laughed, and nodded again.

None of this exchange was missed by Hermione, who had taken a seat after the slow song had finished. She felt happy for her friends, but there was a nagging little voice inside asking her now that Ginny and Harry were together, and Brynna and Ron, where did that leave her? She was becoming a fifth wheel. Get up, Granger! She thought. You're not going to have any fun moping here in the corner! She looked around the dance floor, searching for a partner. Seamus was dancing with Lavender. Neville was standing alone by the refreshments table... wait. Nope, he was getting a drink for a third year, his date, maybe. Neville? Now I know I'm getting a bit desperate! Hermione kidded herself. She smiled as saw Dumbledore dance past with Professor McGonagall. They were doing a very fast tango. As they whirled by, Hermione caught sight of a couple she would have rather not seen. Pansy Parkinson was dragging Draco Malfoy around the dance floor. She was talking animatedly, but Draco was looking around in the crowd. Suddenly, he looked straight at Hermione. He smiled. It wasn't a sneer or a smirk; it was a smile. Hermione smiled back, but then a group of Hufflepuffs walked by and she lost sight of him. Don't even think about it, she chastised. He's a Slytherin. Draco Malfoy. Merlin's Beard! Like he would ever be interested in you, a Mudblood.

Hermione sighed, finishing off her butterbeer. She walked over to the refreshment table and poured another. She gulped that one down quickly, and poured one more. She glimpsed Draco and Pansy again, talking to some other Slytherins. He thinks he's so great. Hot stuff. Mmm... she studied his face, his blue eyes and soft blond hair. He was wearing dark green robes, almost exactly like Harry. Maybe he is pretty cute. Why is he with Pansy, anyway? What does he see in her? She looks like somebody hit her in the face with a Bludger. She doesn't even like him! She only wants his money. Draco looked up, and their eyes met. Hermione stared at him for a second. Oh no! He's seen you! Just pretend to be scanning the crowd. She slowly pivoted, looking out into the sea of people. Nice cover, Granger. Ok, now slowly, carefully, look back, see if he's still looking at you. She sipped her drink, peering over the edge of her glass. She looked back toward the Slytherins, slowly, searching... there he was. And he was watching her! She coughed into her glass, choking on her butterbeer. Smooth. Real smooth. Whatever you do, don't look at him again. She glanced up. He was still watching. He began to walk over. Oh no! Now he's going to come over and make fun of you. Ooohh... look at that stride. Sexy with a capital 'S'. Just stay cool. Don't let him know you're interested. What am I thinking? Am I interested? He's almost here. Stay COOL. No more inhaling butterbeer.

"Hey, Hermione. Merry Christmas."

Oh... My... God. What a voice! Now what? What do I do? Talk!

"Er-- Hi, Draco."

"Are you having fun?"

Oh yeah, best time I've had all year. This is my date, by the way, my mug of butterbeer.

"Yeah. The band is pretty good."

"Yeah." Draco fell silent, wondering what else to say. He stuck his hands in his robe pockets. Before he could think of anything, Pansy came over.

"Draco, darling," she purred, "what are you doing?"

"Just getting a drink. Can't you leave me alone for one minute?" he replied, irritated. "Are you almost done pouring my butterbeer, Granger?"

"Huh?" Hermione was confused.

He took the nearly empty mug from her, pressing something small into the palm of her hand. "Thanks." He gave her a look, then walked away with Pansy, heading back toward the Slytherins.

Hermione even more dazed when she realized she no longer had her drink, but a slip of paper in her hand. She looked dumbly down at it, slowly unfolding it. She held it to close to her face. It read:

H--

Please meet me at the portrait of S.S. after the Ball. The password is "phoenix".

--D

Harry and Ginny had been dancing almost non-stop all night, and were just starting to tire when Dumbledore announced that this was the last song. They went over to the refreshment table for some butterbeer and Pumpkin Cakes and were surprised to discover Hermione there, munching on a Chocolate Frog.

"Hey, guys," she said casually, her mouth full, "wanna fwog?"

"Er-- no thanks," said Harry. "Have you seen Ron? Or Brynna?"

She giggled and gestured vaguely. "Yeah, they were over there a little while ago..." she lowered her voice, "...kissing."

"Really?" said Ginny. "Awww... Bryn and Ron! That's so great. Now we just need a guy for you."

"I've already found one!" Hermione announced triumphantly. "Right here." She held up the card from the chocolate frog. "Albus Dumbledore," she read, "Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times..." She giggled again. "I've got Dumbledore!"

Harry looked at her strangely. "Hermione, are you ok?"

"I'm fine." She sat down in a chair, studying her card carefully. "D'you r'member ol' Nicholas Flamel? Boy, he was old!"

Harry lifted her mug from her hand and took a sip. "Mione, how much of this have you had?"

"Oh, I dunno. Four or five before Malfoy. Five or six after."

Harry turned to Ginny. "I think it's been spiked. We'd better get her up to the dorms."

"Ok," replied Ginny, who looked concerned for her friend.

"No!" Hermione protested as they led her out of the Great Hall. "I need to go see Sal'zar. Sal'zar the Slytherin. Slytherin Sal'zar."

"What? Hermione, you need to go to bed. We're going up to the tower, ok?"

"Mmm... bed." She yawned. "I'm pretty tired."

"Ok. We're going to bed now. Come on."

Harry and Ginny practically carried her to the Gryffindor Tower.

"Gin, do you think you'll be able to make it to her room?" asked Harry with concern when they reached the common room.

"Yes. Don't worry. I'll see you tomorrow morning, ok?" She gave him a long kiss. "Goodnight."

Ginny struggled up the stairs to the dorms with Hermione, who kept babbling about Salazar. "Why do you have to be a prefect?" she moaned. "That's another flight of stairs!"

Finally, Ginny threw open the door to the dorm and laid Hermione on her bed. "Goodnight, Hermione. I'm going back to my dorm now. Are you going to be ok?"

"See you in the morning, Salazar!" replied Hermione, her voice muffled in the pillow.