Well, I'm in a good mood so I'm adding another chapter four days early.

************************************************************************

The masquerade/costume ball had been Haley Jarvin's idea. She'd brought it up at the prefects meeting as a way to get the Beauxbatons students involved more in the school. So he and Hermione asked the teachers, and they agreed.

Well, Snape had muttered something about stupid things like it being more appropriate for Halloween -but Dumbledore liked the idea.

The Headmaster announced it to the school: Only fourth years and up, costumes could be anything from a famous person to an animal, and it started and eight.

He didn't really want to go, but Ariana asked him to take her, "I don't want to bother finding someone, and besides, your one of the best catches in the school."

"Well, when you put it that way-" He knew she, Hermione, and Ron would just bug him until he agreed anyway. They noticed that he didn't give himself much rest anymore. Always exercising, doing homework, playing Quidditch, or doing his Head Boy duties.

So, at seven, he found himself in the Lightning common room. "Harry, you haven't picked out a costume yet!?" Brian looked at him, shaking his head.

"Well, no."

It was no big surprise that they guys were in the common room waiting on the girls. Ron had chosen to be Godric Gryffindor -Hermione's idea -which worked well, as Gryffindor had had red hair too.

Brian just wore silver robes and a silver mask. "Simplicity is the best."

Harry was currently pacing around, deciding whether or not to go with a costume or just a mask. "Well -oh I've got it!"

He ran off and knocked on Hermione's door; The Head Girl had her own room. He could have had his own room, but decided to stay in the dorms. He heard Hermione's voice come through the wooden door, "What?"

"I need your help!"

She opened the door and he said, "Going as Rowena?" She took off her mask and nodded.

"Yep, now what do you need?"

"I want to transfigure my glasses to look like Dumbledore's, but I need the prescription to stay the same."

"Hmm." She took the glasses and peered at them intently, deciding what to do. Minutes later a smile graced her face and his glasses were an exact replica of Dumbledore's.

He caste spells on his way back to the common room, and when he got back, the reaction was entertaining. Ron was in the middle of a dirty joke when he saw Harry.

He gasped and started to turn red, "Sir! I- that was not what it sounded li- Harry!" He had finally noticed the scar. He exhaled and slumped, "Don't do that!"

Harry answered with laughter, and he wasn't the only one. "Nice idea though -you don't even really need a mask," said one of the boys.

They all shut up as the girls arrived. Ariana looked positively, well, feline. She had an elegant mask on that covered most of her face. "Yes, I know," she said at his look, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Hermione arrived after a couple of minutes, after most of the couples were starting to leave.

Ron looked at her. Ron turned red.

Hermione smirked. Harry smirked.

Hermione moved forward and kissed Ron, causing Harry to grin. They may be quite different personality wise but they really we perfect for each other.

Ariana tugged at his arm, "Come on, they'll catch up -eventually."

This prompted a quick laugh from Harry.

When they got to the Great Hall they took a seat. Harry waved at Fluer, who was at the teachers table -she was a teacher of the French students. He could easily tell it was her, because, well, it was her.

"It looks like the French students are having fun."

"Good -that was the whole reason for this."

Dumbledore stood up and welcomed them all. "Let the dancing begin!"

"Thank god you actually taught me how to do that last year," said Harry.

"Well, let's show off those skills," she grinned.

"How could I refuse such a beauty?"

"Now I remember why I dated you."

"Ah yes, my wonderful charm."

She laughed softly, "I recall some shyness, especially, ahem, considering how we first started going out."

He turned a little red remembering. Lets just saw that at the beginning of the year there was a party, with much alcohol. He woke up the next day and, well, Ariana was there.

She laughed at him. "I wonder how long before you'll stop turning red when I mention that?"

"Moving on-" he started, intending to deflect her.

"-I think I see a group of girls waiting to pounce on you."

"Why does this song have to end."

"You'll be fine. Meet me back at our table." With that she walked off and he turned around. How had they all even figured out who he was so quickly? Oh, right. Damned scar.

Several dances later he was led by Fluer to where the teachers we sitting, and decided to take a moment to relax. He ended up in close proximity to both Snape and Dumbledore. Dumbledore was resplendent in gold, head to foot; The effect was quite regal. Snape, looked like Snape. No mask or anything -it was probably a miracle he was even here.

Snape eyed Harry and snarled, "Audacious, don't you think? Even for you Potter."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "What didn't you know, Imitation is the highest form of flattery."

"Humph. Upstart children." Apparently he hated being here so much he wasn't even going to bother arguing. Quite disturbing.

Harry glanced at Dumbledore and he winked at him before turning back to his conversation with one of the Beauxbatons teachers -in French, I might add.

He got up to find his friends but was waylaid by his Martial Arts teacher for a dance. "Got to put those muscles to good use," she said, grinning as a blushed. What was it with women determined to make me blush?

He was looking around for Ron and Hermione when he felt a spike of pain in his scar.