A/N: Sorry for being a day late with the new chapter, but I spent the weekend and Whit Monday in the family's weekend-house where I don't have a computer. Thanks for the reviews, people!

Many of you guessed whether Tatyana was pregnant, but no: she isn't. Having a baby from Harry is NOT her aim. She wants something else… you'll find out in time.

Nefertiri: yes, Harry will get to know what Tatyana did to him, just not right now. The story is 39 chapters long. I'm glad you found LotR boring, because it's definitely is. The movie was much better than the book. So, you are only going to get the HP movie on VC and DVD on the 28th May? It came out in Hungary about a week ago.

Lavendar Brown: Harry did it in the evening and he was hypnotised so he didn't remember – several hours of his life were 'missing' without him knowing it. Just like with people who got (allegedly) kidnapped by aliens – they tend to forget what had happened to them and only realise it when a psychiatrist sends them into hypnosis. But Harry will find out about it another way.

Moony Lover: well, the Amidala/Anakin romance was cute, but that was NOT what I loved in the movie, because it just didn't feel perfect. George Lucas is good at creating space-battles and lightsabre-fights, but he does not know much about romance. The fluff was cute, of course, but could have been better. No, Anakin isn't on the dark side at the end – but at the middle of the movie he does something that makes him start down the dark path. He'll only turn really dark in episode three. Ewan McGregor was okay, but my fave Jedi in this movie was definitely Yoda. He's the best fighter ever! No, Draco has never met Tatyana. Yes, I'm aware that the kiss that Herm gave Harry at the end of book4 was just a friendly kiss, that's what I told someone who was a H/Hr shipper. I simply don't believe in H/Hr. Wow! You have a wonderful theory of Remus dying at the hands of Wormtail! Very interesting and possible idea! I wish it wasn't right, though… I don't want Remus to die :(

X_Tow_Naga: yes, you are the record-holder again! I never knew you read all the responses. Aren't they boring? That person whom I told you were a boy only wrote once that: 'Your friend, X_Tow_Naga asks weird things. She is…' so something like this. I only told her that 'she' is a 'he.' I don't consider myself sexist, but I do think that women are chatty (though men can also be chatty, but women are chattier). You have never seen me when men start telling that they are so much better then women… I could scratch their eyes out, LOL:) I guess I'm just being objective: there are lots of things in which men are better, but lots of things in which women are better. Once my ethics teacher (a man!) had a lecture about sex-discrimination and I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he was not sexist at all – on the contrary, he said: not men, but women are the stronger sex because women can endure much more suffering than men – and he proved it with scientific facts. Okay, drop the topic. Harry didn't think of apparating to anywhere, his subconscious took him to Russia – so his subconscious didn't want him to commit suicide (it's not suercide, but suicide!) Let's say his hair wasn't that terribly messed up… it could have been plastered to his forehead by sweat or something (that does not mean that he felt so hot that he began sweating – you can sweat even when you are nervous and he WAS nervous). Get-drunk-now spell? LOL, what an idea! No, I'm definitely not going to use it! Why didn't Herm say that she was there alone, without Krum? Because then how could Krum have beaten up Harry? It would have been a logical mistake! Why didn't Tatyana use Polyjuice? Simple: she would have needed a part (hair, for example) of Ginny, but Ginny wasn't available. Why doesn't Minerva cast a charm on herself not to hear Aberforth? Because if she did so, then I guess she wouldn't hear other people as well (could there be a selective hearing charm? I don't think so). I didn't want Hedwig to come, that's why I sent her son for a change. Yes, Tatyana's reasons will be given in… chapter 28. You wrote your mac never crashed. My current computer isn't a mac, but it only crashed for a couple of times when I was online – offline it never crashed! My only big problem with is that it's way too slow because its Winchester doesn't have much free space anymore. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

aurora riddle: read my answer to Moony Lover.

Aurumlupi: yes, you are going to find out about the Dumbledore brothers, though only in the final (39th) I'm glad you liked TGSoHH. What does your nickname mean? Is it something in Latin? Are you a boy or a girl?

Saphron: you don't hate Tatyana? You will… you will :)

blaubaerin: I never knew where that song originally came from I only heard it in Moulin Rouge.

Faunix: what exactly did Tatyana do to Harry? Made him drink a potion that made him believe that she was Ginny – it was kind of a hypnosis-potion. Then she slept with him, finally made him forget all about their sexual act. So he doesn't remember a thing.

Crazycutee831: Harry pays his elf – as he had told Neville in chapter two. No, I'm not going to kill any Krums. My real name is Agnes, the 'agi' in my penname is the Hungarian nickname for Agnes. 'Vega' is the name of a star (I love astronomy).

Toby Haine: I'm glad you liked SW! Yoda rulez! I think that the magic bond between the rings doesn't get broken forever if you take it off, it can only be broken forever if either Gin or Harry dies. So when Harry put it on again, the connection was restored. You wrote: "I hope harry has a decent explanation for that, is anyone else ever going to find out?" Well, it will not be Harry who's going to explain it, because he has no idea that he had slept with her. But of course it'll be explained later… in chapter 28. You are the second reviewer here who calls X_Tow_Naga a 'she', but she's a HE! :))) And yes, he holds the record again… I love you guys competing by trying to write the longest review ever… X_Tow_Naga's last review was longer than an A4 page!

Derkaun Zarion: yeah, I loved it when Yoda stopped fighting then picked the cane and hobbled off. So cute :) And I was utterly shocked by Anakin's loss of hand… but at least now I understand why he cut off Luke's hand: to make his son look more alike him, LOL:)

Pudadingding: you asked whether Tatyana slept with Harry to get pregnant or to cause him more aggravation by announcing it to the whole world. Well, neither. No, my dragon is totally innocent! *Agi pats Susu's head: good boy!* Give my regards to Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po and Noo-Noo!

spangle*star: no, the greatest shame has nothing to do with getting pregnant. It will be something else, revealed in about two weeks.

LilGinny: I'm living in Hungary, I haven't been to America yet. Besides my native language I speak English and German. I might start Spanish soon.

PepsiAngel: no, I didn't really like Moulin Rouge, because it was way too sappy for me. But the music was cool, and Ewan McGregor is just adorable! I never thought he could actually sing!

Almah: yeah, Tatyana did sleep with Harry – you didn't miss anything. Reasons will be given later. I liked the concentrated dementor you sent me, thanks :))

Bucky: yes, I have turned to the Dark Side – from now on call me Darth Agi.

Wood's secret lover: I cried when Anakin told Padme that he had killed all the tuskens – not only the men, but the women and the children as well. Strangely I didn't cry when Shmi died, only afterwards. (damn, I'm such an over-sensitive little dupe!) My favourite bit in the movie? Well… Yoda fighting and C3PO with the other droid's head – that was hilarious! No, the little Hedwigs are just extras. I think Hogwarts is free – the Weasleys couldn't really pay for it, could they?

star queen: oh, Hayden sent chills down my spine as well! I don't know whether Christopher Lee is knighted or not. Not all women fall in love with Harry. Tatyana does NOT love him.

J-Kid: I didn't like the romance scenes, either, but I thought that C3PO was cute. And I did not like Jar Jar as a politician!

Lydia Van Buren: I sent you an email.

Sherylyn: I'd be happy if Ewan played Remus :)

Arif: what? Your friend and brother (two males?) think that Moulin Rouge is cool? I'm surprised, because I – being a female – thought that it was way too sappy for my taste! Okay, I'm telling you at last: you have met one of the enemies. The longest review has been written by X_Tow_Naga.

teacherchez: you can have hope :)

Tessa: no, Tatyana won't blackmail him.

nutmeg: I did not give Ron your birthday (that means you were born on 1st March?), Rowling did. She told in an interview that Hermione's birthday is 19th September and Ron's is 1st March.

Romina: no, neither Mileta nor Tatyana used Polyjuice.

jeanine23Dr: you'll get to know why Tatyana did that. Later. LOL! Aberforth singing Lady marmalade… hilarious idea! Thank you for the encouragement.

Bexpotter: I'm honoured that my fic is the only H/G fic you like. Why doesn't your dad let you watch SW EP 4-6? Those are the best ones! Talk him into letting you watch them!

zzxm: I'd be sooooo over the moon if the rumours about HP5 coming out only next year weren't true!!!

Harrysgirl: thank you, thank you so much, you people keep flattering me, when I don't even deserve it! Thanks once more.

LisaQT3: if Harry's life was nice and easy, the readers (and me too) would be bored to death. I love making him suffer, just to settle everything at the end.

Almee: I sent you a mail.

Also thanks to Lady Schezar, AmandaPanda, Qahira Galetea, hogwartsgirl2281, princesswitch, HerbieWerbie, One winged butterfly, spangle star, alli, goldenstar555, Katie Bell, Mage, K.C. Hunter, Waldomier, Lupinslover, jennaration, Black Ice, Alexander Pheonix, Kit Cloudkicker, apple-pie, PadmeSkywalker, Blondie in Disguise, Gwen Fifortry (or Lupin's Angel), Notebook Girl, Evil Monkeys Abuser, Ari Potter, NuttyBuddy, Elfangor19, Renai, Lana Potter, Coolio, Super saya-Jin Gotan, Pumpkin3223, xenocide, Tinabedina,, Kristen Michelle

Chapter 21

Someovar

"Where's Herm-own-ninny?" Krum asked Harry over lunch.

"No idea. Maybe up in her room, fuming about Ron's behaviour."

"What is with Ron?" Viktor raised an eyebrow.

"Ah, well, you know, Ron thinks that Hermione cheated on him… with you."

"With me?"

"Yeah. Ron's… well, he's like that, you know. If he takes something into his head, there's no power on Earth that could convince him of its opposite… By the way, how are the arrangements of the Yule ball coming along?"

"Everything's ready." Krum straightened his back. "You Hogwarts folks will be surprised."

"I barely can wait." Harry grinned. "I only hope that you haven't hired the same pair of pogrebins to play the balalaika."

The same afternoon Harry met Dennis who seemed pretty nervous about the upcoming ball.

"Who are you taking?" Harry asked.

"Er… no one yet." Dennis blushed, looking down at his shoes.

"No one? But the ball's tomorrow! You should really go and ask someone out."

"Easy to say."

"I know." Harry replied, remembering his own problems with getting a dance partner. "Do you know anyone you'd like to ask?"

"Er… maybe."

"Who?"

"M…mileta Krum."

"Mileta?" Harry laughed. He found this rather amusing.

"It's not funny." Dennis scowled.

"You fancy her?"

"Kind of." the boy shrugged. "But… is it allowed at all that two champions choose each other as dance partners?"

"Don't know. I'll ask Viktor for you, all right?"

"No, for heaven's sake!" Dennis held up his hands. "I don't want Mr. Krum to know that I like his sister!"

"Then how are you going to find it out?"

"Dunno." the boy shook his head. "Don't bother with it, Harry, she might already have a partner."

"She might." Harry nodded. 'Cedric. Cedric Diggory.' Cho's words echoed in his mind. Poor Ced. He had been dead for almost five years. And Cho… as much as Harry knew, she had opened a fast food restaurant in China, and it became so successful that McRice restaurants started to appear all around the globe. Harry had also eaten a wonderful rice-tart at one. "I suggest you ask her out right away, or you'll miss the chance and she'll surely go with someone else."

"All right. I'll do… maybe." Dennis said and left.

* * * * *

Harry was already about to go to bed when someone knocked on his door. *I hope it's not Mileta.* he thought and went to answer it.

No such luck.

"Hello, Harry." Ms. Krum said. "I wanted to apologise."

"Come in." Harry sighed, having a feeling that her apology was going to be too long to listen to with her standing on his curb.

"Thanks." she rewarded him with a radiant smile and entered. "I'd like to tell you that I was really stupid… that night. You were right, about everything. Forgive me and… come to the ball with me."

"To the ball?" Harry blinked. "But… you're a champion. I'm a judge. It's against the rules."

"Against what rules?" she crossed her arms. "I have read the rules of the Triwizard Tournament… which you haven't done, have you?"

Harry shook his head.

"There is no rule saying that a champion cannot go with a judge. Anyway, Guillame is going with professor Zwezda. With a teacher. It's quite the same as going with a judge."

"I don't think so. Anyway… it wouldn't be all right… someone would think… that I'm partial."

"Who cares?"

"I do. I care."

"But you're my only hope, Harry." Mileta took a step in his direction. "Everyone else has a partner already."

"I know someone who does not."

"Who?"

"Dennis Creevey."

"Dennis?" Mileta spat the name. "That weenie little guy?"

"That weenie little guy saved your life, remember?"

"I wasn't in real danger." she replied with a wry face. "Snow White only wanted to play with me."

"But you though he wanted to eat you." Harry pointed out. "And Dennis missed his chance to get the Black Edelweiss because of you."

"Oh, all right." she sighed. "Let it be Creevey, then. But you are going to dance with me at least once!"

"I promise I will." he smiled and saw her out.

* * * * *

Next morning Harry awoke to see presents at the end of his bed. "Oh, of course! Today's Christmas for the Orthodox Church." he yawned, putting his glasses on. "Let's see." he reached out for the first package that contained a fishing-rod from Aberforth. There was a card enclosed: 'What about a nice ice fishing tomorrow? Happy Xmas, Aberforth.'

McGonagall sent him a nice, warm cap (with red and yellow stripes symbolising Gryffindor). There was a package from Krum, containing a book with the title 1001 tactics of catching the Snitch, and a note as well: 'To the next star of the Quidditch-sky. Normally people here don't give presents to each other at Christmas, they give presents at new year. However, this year the Durmstrang people decided to adapt themselves to the guests' customs, so Happy Christmas, Harry'.

To his great relief Harry didn't get anything from Mileta.

Soon he dressed up and joined Hermione, who was talking to Viktor in front of Krum's room.

"You really haven't opened your presents yet?" she asked, annoyed.

"I haven't had time yet, Herm-own-ninny." he explained.

"You have time now, so come on, open them!"

"Yes, yes, let's see the headmaster open his presents!" Aberforth clapped gleefully and they followed the unwilling Krum into his room. Harry and professor McGonagall entered, either.

There was an enormous heap of presents under Viktor's Christmas tree, all about the same size. Seeing all the presents, Viktor's eyes gleamed. "When I was a little child I was always so excited about presents I got from my parents… now I'm even more excited about the gifts from my friends!" he rubbed his hands together. "Let's see… Which one is from you, Herm-own-ninny?"

"That one in the green package." she smiled. "I hope you'll like it."

"I'm sure I will." he grinned and ripped the wrapper off a huge box. "Oh, I'm really so excited… what could be in here?" he muttered, opening the box, pulling out something silver and shiny. "Wow! A brand new samovar!" he shouted with childish glee.

"Do you like it?" she asked.

"Of course I do! My old one is rather chipped and I wanted to buy a new one, but it seems I don't need to! Thank you, Herm-own-ninny! This is a beautiful and very useful gift! "

Harry glanced at Aberforth, who looked a bit nervous, then at McGonagall, who looked downright nervous. The door burst open and Mileta ran in. "Have you seen my present yet, brother? I decided to buy you the present this year for Christmas, not for New Year – I hope you don't mind!"

"Not at all." Viktor smiled. "Though I was a bit surprised that I didn't get anything from you for New Year. So… which one is from you? The pink one, I presume?"

"Bingo." she nodded with a huge grin.

"Now, what is this?" Viktor peeled the Barbie-pink wrapper off something. It was a huge box. He opened it excitedly and pulled out… a samovar. "Er… how nice." he looked up to see his sister beaming at him. "Very beautiful, Mil, thanks."

"I'm glad you like it. Merry Christmas." she pecked him on the cheek.

"And now, let's see the others." Viktor rubbed his hands together, reaching out for a yellow package and curiously opening its wrapping.

Harry looked at Aberforth, who was tugging his beard in nervousness, and Minerva, who had closed her eyes.

The yellow wrapper fell off the present – another big carton, containing… a third samovar.

"Oh, my, what a surprise! How could you think of this, Aberforth?"

"Er, I thought you could use a new samovar." the old man shrugged.

"Thanks a lot." Krum replied with a forced smile. "Well, the navy-blue, that's from you, right, professor McGonagall?"

"S'pose so." she clutched at her chest as the young headmaster opened the case to pull out the greatest samovar with golden ornaments.

"Awww." Krum said. "Very… creative idea. Thank you, professor."

"And what have you bought him?" Hermione whispered to Harry with an anxious expression.

"Let it be a surprise for you, too." Harry whispered back.

Meanwhile, Viktor started pulling the silvery paper of his last present – with a rather hopeless expression. Everyone watched with bated breaths as he pulled something out of the wrapping. An expression of relief, then disappointment fell over Viktor's face.

"What? Tea leaves?" Hermione squinted at Harry. "A crate of tea leaves?" her eyes shifted back to Krum, who was standing there with an extremely dull expression, holding a dozen of Pickwick, Sir Morton, Ceylon, Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Lipton packages (orange-, banana-, lemon-, apple-, jasmine-, peppermint-, strawberry- and blackberry-flavoured). Then he started to chuckle, his chuckle slowly turning into a loud guffaw. Soon everyone else was laughing with him so loudly that it could be heard on the ground floor as well.

"Well, he has something to use his four samovars for, doesn't he?" Harry grinned at Hermione, who was wiping tears of laughter from her face.

"You knew what everyone was going to buy him and didn't tell me?" she asked, a hint of accusation in her voice

"Oh, yes, I knew, my dear," he replied with a singsong voice, "my Inner Eye never deceives me and it told me to look into my crystal last week, and did you know what I saw there?"

"The Grim?" she raised an eyebrow.

"No, my dear… though you aren't too far… I saw Death, my dear… Viktor Krum, drowning in tea…"

"Oh, come on, Harry, try to be a bit more serious!" she laughed.

"Serious? But it's Christmas, my dear, and my crystal says that if you celebrate Christmas twice in two weeks then you are entitled to be as childish as you want to… By the way," he changed back to his normal voice, "I haven't even thanked you for the envelope you slipped under my bedroom-door. It was a brilliant idea, Herm. I'm in your debt."

They watched as Viktor spilled water into his brand new samovars from the tip of his wand.

"Tonight at the ball there won't be any butterbeer or champagne." he declared. "Tea only."

* * * * *

As everyone walked downstairs for lunch, Aberforth joined McGonagall with a cheery expression. "Have you seen my present to you?"

"No, Mr. Dumbledore." she replied, surprised. "I haven't opened any of my presents yet."

"Then go and have a look at it." he suggested and hurried downstairs.

Minerva watched him leave with a scowl. "Crazy old guy…" she whispered. Still, she got rather curious, so instead of lunch she decided to climb up to her room and have a look at that present.

Up in her room she started opening the gifts, having no idea, which one was from Aberforth.

A book from Hermione… another book from Harry… and a third book from Aberforth...

"Romeo and Juliet???" she gasped. "Mental, that guy!"

"I don't know how to thank you, Harry." Dennis said, beaming. "You are really so brave… I wouldn't have dared to go to Mileta and ask her. I'm in your debt."

Harry waved. "Come off it, Dennis. It was no problem for me, really."

"And… did she like the idea of going with me?"

"Er… absolutely. She was charmed."

"Wonderful!" Dennis clasped his hands. "I've got to go and dress up properly. She needs to have a good-looking partner!"

Harry sighed, watching the boy leave.

"Ashamed, aren't you?" came a voice from somewhere.

"What? Who's there?" he looked around.

"Me!" the ghost of Anna Karenina appeared from out nowhere. "That was really not nice." she declared. "Deceiving that nice young man!"

"How do you know that I deceived him?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Because I've seen… er…" her voice faltered.

"You've been following me around!" he gasped. "Invisible! And you are telling me that I wasn't behaving properly? Have you no shame?"

"I…" her eyes filled with tears. "I've… just been… so lonely… without my dear count Wronsky… and you… remind me of him!" she sobbed.

"Do I look like count Wronsky?" he furrowed his brow. "I never knew. Did he also have glasses?"

"No, but… you're just as sexy as he is!" she sniffed.

"Oh, just what I need now…" he sighed. "Another ghost falling for me… Moaning Myrtle was enough!"

"Who?" Anna asked, wiping her tear-soaked face.

"Never mind. Gotta go. And please, Ms. Karenina… listen, would you… stop following me around? Especially in an invisible form? I do have a private life, you know."

"I know." she turned pink – as much as a ghost could blush. "Seen you with Viktor Krum's sister…"

"That's gross." he grunted. "Can I count on your discretion?"

"Of course you can." she giggled. "See you."

"No!" he yelled. "Do – not – see – me, please?!?"

* * * * *

"Where's Hermione?" professor McGonagall asked Harry at the entrance to the great hall.

"Must be up in her room, making herself ready for the ball… using liberal amounts of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, I suppose."

"Huh?"

"You'll see." Harry grinned. "I'm wondering who she's coming with, though."

"I thought she was coming with you." Minerva said.

"Not me." he shook his head.

"Are you taking someone else?"

"No. I'm single. And that's all right. I had quite much trouble finding a partner last time." he cast an impish glance at Minerva. "You really made it difficult for me, professor."

"Did I?" she allowed herself a smile. "Well, judging by your frightened expression when I told you about having to take someone to the ball, I guessed it must have been rather unpleasant news for you. But eventually you and Ms. Patil made a nice couple."

"And how." Harry smirked. "She wasn't talking to me for weeks afterwards. Neglected her a bit, I guess."

"Couldn't take your eyes off Ms. Chang." McGonagall nodded.

Harry looked surprised. "You knew? You knew that I liked her?"

"Well… Albus told me, so I knew."

"I guess it's not worth asking where he knew it from." Harry replied. "He always knew everything. Strange man… but truly wonderful."

"If only his brother resembled him a bit." she sighed. "But no, he doesn't."

"Do you fancy him, professor?"

"What? Me?" she snapped. "Never, Potter, never! That man is… a clown!" she breathed as she spotted Aberforth, coming down the stairs, arm in arm with Hermione. He was wearing an orange-red checked cloak with a funny wizard's hat that had bells hanging from it.

"Well… women sometimes like men who make them laugh." Harry pointed out. "Oh, hello, Hermione. You look wonderful."

"Thanks, Harry." she smiled. She was really charming in her long, mauve robes. Her hair was not in a bun this time, but falling down on her shoulders in nice curls – at the top of her head she arranged her hair into a crown and put some small, pinkish flowers into it.

"Good evening, Ms. McGonagall." Aberforth grinned at Minerva. "Where's your partner?"

"Um… here." Harry put an arm around McGonagall's shoulder. "Ready to go in, Minerva?"

"Oh, of course." she straightened herself, cast a despising look at Aberforth and let Harry lead her into the great hall.

"Mental, that woman." Aberforth whispered to Hermione.

"Mental… maybe. But you still like her." she replied, grinning. "C'mon, let's go in."

* * * * *

As they entered the Great Hall, Harry had to admit that Krum had been right about the guests being surprised. The always so dark and gloomy Durmstrang castle seemed to have come alive all at once. The usually grey and dull walls were adorned with colourful tapestries, most of them showing winter and Christmas scenes – Santa Claus whooshed from one tapestry into the other while at other tapestries jovial forms kept throwing snowballs at each other.

Myriad star-shaped snowflakes hung from the ceiling in bunches of fives and sixes, swaying rhythmically. When they clashed with each other, they emitted some kind of enchanting music, sounding like a carillon.

As Harry led McGonagall onto the dance floor, he was surprised to see several dozens of Christmas trees standing all over the hall, at the middle of the dance floor as well. When he got closer to them, he realised that they weren't real pines – they couldn't be real, since they looked eerily transparent, as if they had been ghosts of pine-trees.

"What are these?" he asked his dance-partner, reaching out to touch one of these ethereal objects, only to feel air – his hand simply went through the tree-branches that were loaded with glittering golden bulbs. Still, the bulbs were also intangible.

"Holo-charms." McGonagall shrugged. "Quite a new development, so I heard."

"Wicked!" Harry said admiringly as they danced through a Christmas tree.

"I have to thank you, Potter." Minerva told him all of a sudden. "You saved me from a rather embarrassing situation."

"You're welcome, professor." he smiled at her, looking over to Aberforth and Hermione, whose robes clashed terribly with each other. They were dancing next to Madame Maxime and Stahanov, the caretaker. Not far from them Dennis was steering a rather unwilling Mileta through the dance floor. "I was kind of expecting to see Hermione with Viktor tonight."

"With Mr. Krum? Why?" McGonagall asked.

"Well… Viktor fancies her, I guess."

"Still?"

"Seems so." Harry sighed. "And that is why Hermione isn't talking to Ron now. I mean, she said she wouldn't be writing to him for a while. She's really angry."

"Angry? Why?"

"Well, she and Ron had a row, because Ron thought that she was going out with Krum."

"Ah, quite unpleasant." Minerva nodded. "Mr. Weasley always possessed that kind of temper. Pity. They are such a nice couple. Just like you and Ginny. Really, how were the holidays with her?"

"Uh, they were okay. Finally I got to see my kids." he gave an evasive answer. "Really, do you see Viktor anywhere?"

"Yes, he's over there, dancing with the Potions teacher, that Fyodorna or who."

Krum was really dancing with Tatyana – she was steering, and also casting surreptitious glances at Harry. When the song ended, she left Viktor (who was quite sourly eyeing Hermione with Dumbledore) and walked up to Harry and Minerva.

"It's ladies invitation. May I ask you for this dance?" she smiled brilliantly at him.

"Er, do you mind, professor?" Harry turned to McGonagall.

"Not at all." she answered and headed for a table to drink something (there wasn't much of a choice – she could only choose from a dozen types of teas.)

"Nice ball, isn't it?" Tatyana asked Harry after a couple minutes of silent dancing.

"Yeah, nice." he replied as they waltzed through the dance floor.

"Why do I have the feeling that you do not find me sympathetic?" she asked.

"What gives you that idea?"

"Well, you haven't talked to me more than two words yet."

"I thought you weren't the talkative type." he shrugged.

"Oh, it's unbearably hot in here, don't you think?" she wiped her forehead. "Why don't we go out into the entrance hall? It's much cooler out there."

Harry didn't feel like going with her, but he thought it'd be rude to turn her down. "All right, then."

They exited the great hall to find themselves in a totally modified entrance hall. It was the spitting image of a Japanese garden with blooming cherry trees, a little creek with a small wooden bridge over it and a tiny pavilion bathing in the artificial Moon's light. It was a magic night – warm, but not too hot, fragrant and balmy.

"That's really beautiful." he said admiringly. "Japanese spring in here, while it's Russian winter out there."

"Shall we sit down?" she pointed at a bench next to the small brook.

"So, how long have you been teaching at Durmstrang?" he asked, sitting down. He simply had no better idea to start a conversation with.

"Oh… quite long. Really. I would not like to tell you… or you'd know how old I am." she said with a timid smile.

"Old?" he blinked. "You look young and pretty. Twenty-five, at most."

"That's flattering, Harry." she slipped closer to him. "If you don't mind that I call you Harry, that is."

"Well… you're the lady here. It's your privilege to start calling me by me first name. May I also call you just Tatyana instead of Tatyana Fiodrovna? It's a bit long, you know."

"Of course you may." she beamed at him. "Shall we drink something?"

"Ah, rather not." he waved. "There's only tea."

"We could drink something better, then." she winked at him, making a flip with her wand, conjuring two goblets full of some orange liquid.

"What is this called?"

"I call it Dazzle-cocktail." she grinned. "Go on, drink it."

Harry was just about to take a first sip of the cocktail when he heard two familiar voices from behind the bushes, coming from the small pavilion.

"I don't understand why you wanted to meet me here, Mr. Dumbledore."

"Please, sit down, sweet Minerva."

"We are not on first-name-terms." her cold voice replied.

"But we could be."

"Could be?"

"Yes." the man's voice said very gently. "Don't you think we could bury the hatchet… it's Christmas, after all…"

"Er… all right. But only because it's Christmas."

"Thank you so much, dear Minerva!"

"Stop it!" she said irritably. "Let go of my hands, please!"

"Why?" he asked incredibly gently.

"Just stop it." she demanded.

"You are trembling."

"It's cold out here."

"It's warm out here. I feel rather warm…" he whispered and must have done something that made McGonagall yelp: "How do you dare that, you ridiculous clown?"

"You like me because I'm a ridiculous clown."

"I happen to like considerate men." she snapped.

"I am a considerate man."

"No, you aren't, mmmm…" there was a silence for about half a minute. "Oh… ooooh… how dare you?" she shrieked and stormed out of the pavilion.

"Minnie, wait, you haven't even told me whether you liked my present or not!" Aberforth yelled after her.

"No!" she shouted back and disappeared out of sight.

"Just like kids." Harry shook his head, grinning. "Ridiculous."

"Yep." Tatyana smiled. "However, they look such a cute couple, don't they?"

"Maybe. But aren't they too old…?"

"You can never be too old to love someone, Harry." she said, lifting her goblet. "Let's drink to Aberforth Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. May they be happy together."

Though Harry had serious misgivings about Aberforth and McGonagall ever being happy together, he drank to them.

"Really delicious, this Dazzle…" he muttered. The flavour of the cocktail made him have a strange sense of déjá vu. When and where had he drunk such a drink? He couldn't ponder this, because he started to feel dizzy. His vision blurred, then cleared again. "Ginny?"

A/N2: she's doing it again! Why? That will be revealed later.

To X_Tow_Naga: see, I've made Harry be chatty! No sexism!

One of my Russian reviewers told me that the Russians didn't give each other presents at Christmas – they do it at New Year.

The title is deliberately written with a wrong spelling, it's supposed to be samovar.