A/N: I realise I haven't updated in ages. Thanks for bearing with me and I promise to update more frequently.

This chapter is for Camilla, she knows why.

HARRY POTTER AND THE MARK OF GRYFFINDOR

Chapter 11: Can I Have This Dance ?

Harry woke up with a fluttering feeling in his stomach.

He had a date for the Ball !

With HER.

He nearly floated down to the Great Hall for breakfast and when he saw the opportunity to talk to her in private, they discussed what they were going to wear.

Hermione got all excited about wearing matching dress robes and Harry let her get carried on, happy to see her eyes twinkle with laughter again. He deliberately brought up the subject time and time again, just to distract her from pondering too much over the scary incident in the Slytherin dungeons.

It seemed like the entire Hogwarts staff was aware of what had happened, and all were keeping an eye on her. Even Snape showed he cared by handing her an extra assignment. Ron cursed him for being utterly insensitive, but Harry thought it was just what she needed at the moment.

The senior Slytherins were remarkably subdued for a lengthy period of time. Draco Malfoy received a Howler from his father, stating a Mudblood wasn't worth risking the Slytherin Honour over. As a result, Draco Malfoy had stayed away from anything and everyone in the vicinity of the Gryffindors. Harry couldn't believe how wonderful this year was turning out.

Of course it was too good to be true. Nothing would ever be that easy. Not in his life anyway.

It started with a note on the message board in Gryffindor Tower, announcing dance classes in preparation for the Yule Ball. Harry saw Hermione shooting him glances and he knew there was no way out of it.

"Can you imagine anyone signing up for that ?" Ron pointed at the note. "They've got to be kidding to be even suggesting we would want to sacrifice our free time to go humping around like a bunch of idiots."

"Well …" Harry began hesitantly.

"You weren't thinking of going now, were you ?" Ron looked at him penetrative.

There was a desperate sigh coming from behind them.

"I guess I'll have to, otherwise no-one will want to dance with me." Neville said regretfully.

"Yeah, but who says we want to dance, huh ?" Ron laughed.

"Oh, but you have to if you want your date to be happy with you." Neville squealed, quickly looking over his shoulder as if he was afraid someone would overhear him give away his strategy.

"Great tactics Neville, but we had no trouble in finding dates last year, even if we didn't dance." Ron said proudly.

"Er, I seem to be recalling a different situation and if I remember correctly, said dates vanished rather rapidly when they discovered we weren't into the dance thing." Harry intervened.

Ron seemed to contemplate his friend's answer and looked at the note again.

"I suppose it's worth a try."

So that's how Harry, Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean, along with most of the senior years found themselves standing nervously together in the Great Hall on a Saturday afternoon. The tables were shoved aside, creating a large dance floor in the middle of the Hall.

Harry remarked the absence of the Slytherins, thinking the pureblood aristocracy probably included dance classes in the basic education of their children. Only a very insecure looking Crabbe and Goyle slipped into the room near the beginning of the extra-curricular class.

Professor McGonagall took it upon herself to teach them how to dance.

She welcomed them and praised their bravery. A few snickers, mostly coming from the girls, was heard and Harry thought everyone must be feeling a little nervous.

McGonagall explained they would first learn the steps individually before they would be practising in pairs.

"Since there are more boys than girls who joined up for this class; the boys will of course take turns."

Only then did Harry notice the lack of girls in the room. On further examination, he recognised the vast amount of them as fourth year students, along with the occasional senior girl. Hermione, Ginny, Parvati and Lavender were nowhere to be seen.

Of course, they all already knew how to dance.

He didn't mind waiting his turn and was even a little relieved the girls he spent most of his time with weren't here to witness him blunder. Not to mention it was an even bigger reassurance he wouldn't be making a total fool of himself in front of his arch rival, Draco Malfoy.

Just when he started to relax, Professor McGonagall introduced Snape as the tutor for the boys. Harry felt Neville go rigid next to him and Ron let out a little "Oh no." He himself felt his resolve crumble to pieces and he knew he would need all the famous Gryffindor courage he could muster to survive this class.

As he had feared, Professor Snape showed as much patience in teaching his students how to dance than he did in potions: none.

Especially to Neville, who really had been blessed with two left feet, it was a traumatic experience.

At long last both professors decided they were ready for the next step, dancing in pairs.

Due to the lack of girls Professor McGonagall included herself among the participants and to his horror Harry found himself dancing with her on his very first try.

"Very well Mr. Potter, you are definitely making progress." She complimented him after the music had stopped, but Harry only felt his muscles had tensed up in an extremely uncomfortable knot and he just knew he would be sore the next day.

When the class was finally over, the fifth year Gryffindors headed back to their common room, all bragging about their respective killer-moves on the dance floor. Even Neville boasted he hadn't stepped on McGonagall's feet once.

At night, before they went to bed, Ron came up to Harry in a conspiring sort of way.

"Listen Harry, I did some thinking and you were right, last year's dates weren't all that great and I thought we might stick with girls we know better this year. Maybe they won't force us into dancing if we don't want to."

"What do you mean Ron ?"

"Well, I was thinking you might ask Ginny and I could ask Hermione. Would save us a lot of trouble."

Harry's insides twisted. He knew he should have told Ron right away after he had asked Hermione, but he had wanted to do it in private and there never seemed to be an appropriate moment to do so. Well, it seemed like the moment had come at last, even if it wasn't the ideal one.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." He began, but was quickly interrupted.

"How come not possible ? They're perfect. You don't think they would refuse us, do you ?"

"No Ron, I mean it's not possible because I already asked Hermione and she accepted."

Ron had never looked so much as a fish out of the water as on that particular moment.

"You … you …wha… ? " Was they only thing to come out of his mouth.

"I asked her some time ago. I'm sorry, I meant to tell you, but it was never the right moment and …"

"And when *were * you planning on telling me ? On the day of the Ball ?!" Ron had finally got his voice back and immediately made good use of it. His shouting could be heard all the way down to the common room.

"Look Ron. I think your plan is fine, but I didn't think you were planning this. All I knew was that I needed a date and at the time you weren't all that friendly with Hermione and I thought …"

"Well you thought wrong!" Ron got up, left the dormitory, slammed the door behind him and ran down the stairs.

Harry ran after him, but Ron had already gone through the portrait hole, several surprised faces looking up at him, including Hermione's.

"What happened ?" She asked, taking him by the arm to sit in one of the plush chairs in front of the fire.

"I told him I'm taking you to the Ball." Harry said.

She spread her eyes wide. "And that was his reaction ? Honestly !" She looked annoyed.

"He'll come around once he's cooled off and had the time to get used to the idea." Harry said.

"He better be." Came her short reply. Then she rolled her eyes and bit her lip.

"That boy can be so infuriating. First he flows off the handle for me besting him at Quidditch and now he's throwing a tantrum because two of his friends are going to the Ball together. He surely needs to get that temper of his under control."

Harry flinched at the word 'friends', but realised that was what they were in the first place. Only he didn't know if he wanted it to stay that way. Actually he was quite sure he *didn't * want it to stay like that. He felt like he was ready for a new step in their relationship and the other night, when he had asked her to the Ball, he thought Hermione had felt the same way.

Now all of a sudden he wasn't so sure anymore. He understood perfectly why Ron was so upset. Harry suspected Ron was experiencing similar feelings towards Hermione and discovering she was going to the Ball with someone else should come as a big shock. Especially if the someone else happens to be your best friend.

It was all such a mess and Harry almost wished he didn't feel like he did, but if he was entirely honest with himself he had to admit he was pretty proud of himself to beat Ron to it in asking Hermione out.

The next few days were difficult to say the least. Ron avoided him and announced to everyone that 'poor Ginny' had been carelessly rejected by the friend of the family, until Ginny told him to shut the hell up.

The tension built as Yule drew nearer. During the last school day of term Hermione came up to Harry with a look of regret in her eyes. For a moment Harry feared she would call the all thing off to save their friendships, but it appeared to be something else.

"Oh Harry, I'm so sorry. I've come to tell you before you hear it from someone else."

"What is it ?" Harry did get rather worried.

"It's Ron. He has a date for the Ball."

"Oh, but that's wonderful, isn't it ? It will get him off our backs at last." Harry felt like massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"No Harry, wait until you hear who he's asked. He's being really bratty about it."

"Who then ?" Now Harry was getting curious.

"I'm sorry Harry, but it's Cho. Ron asked Cho Chang to be his date and she accepted."

For a moment Harry was stunned, but only in surprise. Then he laughed out loud. Seeing the wonder on Hermione's face he clarified.

"As I told you before, I'm way past my crush on Cho. If Ron thinks he can get back at me like that he's sadly mistaken. I'm very happy how things worked out."

With a large grin on his face, Harry walked together with Hermione to the Great Hall for dinner.

The Great Hall was looking rather abandoned, but Harry soon realised the Christmas holidays had started and the three junior years had all gone home to their families.

He sat down next to Ron, patted him on the shoulder and congratulated him on his date.

Ron looked at him quizzically, but said nothing.

When Dumbledore came in, Harry immediately noticed the man following him. He waved at Remus Lupin and his heart filled with joy as he remembered what had been in the letter: Sirius would accompany him to Hogwarts. This meant his godfather was already on the grounds, probably in Hagrid's hut. Hagrid had left the day before, right after his last class and Dumbledore had made the announcement of the replacement teacher some time before. Therefore nobody seemed surprised to see their former Dark Arts Professor enter the Great Hall.

Harry noticed Snape was still shooting daggers in Lupin's direction, but he didn't fail to see the warm smile on the face of his current Dark Arts teacher.

He returned his attention to his meal and talked to his fellow students, including Ron.

The latter didn't participate in the conversation and when Harry asked him a question he blatantly refused to answer.

"That's it !" With a large thump Hermione landed the palm of her hand next to Ron's plate.

Ron blinked, staring at the sauce being catapulted from his plate onto his robes.

"I've had it with your childish behaviour, Ronald Weasley." Hermione stated.

The other Gryffindors all turned their heads to see what was happening and Harry would have very much liked to disappear underneath the table if possible. But Hermione would never let him escape of course. No, instead she dragged him into the spectacle.

"I don't care if you want to make a total fool of yourself by acting like a complete dork. But what I can't stand is you deliberately throwing away both of our friendships over some stupid Ball. I will say this once and I hope it gets through that thick skull of yours, because I will never repeat it. I care for you, Ronald Weasley. You are one of my best friends and I like you despite you being one of the most pigheaded people I know. Nevertheless, that doesn't stop me from feeling the same way about Harry, though he is not so stubborn." She smiled a little and took a deep breath. "I'm going to the Ball with Harry because he is my friend and because he asked me. Period. And if you would have realised you needed a date sooner and asked me first I would have gone with you. Understood ?" Ron nodded, stammered something unintelligible that sounded like an apology and blushed.

Harry felt like he had been hit by a bludger.

Hermione didn't think he was special. She would have gone with Ron to the Ball if he had asked her sooner. She didn't favour Harry at all. She didn't feel the strange sensations in her stomach when Harry was with her like he did when she was with him.

The conversation glided past him as he watched everything as if he was sleepwalking. His knife fell from his hand and his eyes fixed themselves on the wall in front of him. He faintly heard a female voice ask him if he was alright. He felt himself nod but couldn't utter one word. Someone said: "I think he's going to be sick." Harry turned his head and met a couple of concerned looking faces, Ron's included. He snapped out of his trance, still feeling thoroughly dead inside.

"I'm fine." He managed to say.

"Good. For a moment I thought you had one of your nightmares at broad daylight." Ron said.

"No."

"Hey, I'm sorry about being such a jerk. But now Hermione's cleared up everything I'm back to my normal self again." Ron said.

"Which is being a total jerk." Fred interrupted.

"Besides, I was mostly concerned about Ginny, you know. She really does fancy you and I wouldn't want to see her get hurt." Ron ignored his brother.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. I think Ginny has found herself another love out of reach to pine for." Hermione pointed at a staring Ginny, eyes fixed on the Head Table, following every move a certain new Care for Magical Creatures teacher was making.

"Oh no." Ron groaned. "She really improved herself did she ? I wonder what a werewolf would be like as a brother in law." He snickered.

Harry tried to smile, knowing it was required, but his mind was still occupied by what Hermione had said to Ron. They were just friends. Nothing more.

He was certain he felt more than friendship, but how was he to know for sure ? Hermione didn't seem to be feeling anything more and maybe he was just getting carried away ? Was there anyone he could go and ask ? Could he talk to Dumbledore about this ? No. McGonagall ? Certainly not. The only one he could ever want to bare his soul to was … Wait a minute. He was here. He could just go over to Hagrid's hut and tell him all about his sorrows.

Harry got up abruptly, causing his friends to look up.

"I'm going over to see Snuffles." He whispered to them, before he took off.

He went to Gryffindor Tower first to pick up his invisibility cloak. He assumed his visit might take some time and though Remus Lupin was on the staff, he wasn't officially a teacher yet until after the start of term so he wouldn't be able to give him permission to wander about the grounds after curfew.

As he neared the hut he didn't see any lights on. His godfather was probably out for a while, maybe hiding in the kitchens to get something to eat. Cursing his impatience he sat himself down on the grass.

After a while he felt sore and he decided he could do without his butt freezing off, so he stood up and gave a little tug at the door. To his surprise it opened without resistance. A bit hesitant he shuffled inside. He saw most of Hagrid's possessions had been removed and replaced by things he recognized from Professor Lupin's former office. He found himself a comfortable spot on a couch and began his wait, his cloak covering him from head to toe.

He must have dozed off for a while, because when he opened his eyes he noticed he was no longer alone.

Inside the cabin stood Remus Lupin and Professor Palmer. They must have just come in because she was only undoing her cloak. He thought the sound of the door closing must have been what woke him up.

He was now faced with a dilemma. Should he reveal his presence to his two professors or stay hidden until he was alone with Sirius ? How would they react if they found him here, inside the cabin without anyone letting him in ? He knew Sirius wouldn't mind, but he wasn't here. He decided to wait until Sirius would arrive. Maybe Professor Palmer would leave and Harry did prefer her to be out of the way when he revealed himself.

Lupin and Professor Palmer seemed to be talking about how she was doing and how 'he' was doing. Harry assumed they were talking about Snape, judging by the softened expression on Palmer's face.

Then the door went open again and a large black dog entered. Once the door was shut, Sirius transformed and Harry wanted to throw his cloak off and run over to his godfather to hug him. He was about to do just that when Professor Palmer beat him to it.

"Sirius !" She exclaimed and threw herself into his arms.

He embraced her tightly and kissed her on the top of her head.

"Oh Jess, I've been so worried about you." He said in a hoarse voice.

They looked at each other with tears in their eyes and Harry watched with open mouth.

"How are you ?" Sirius couldn't stop looking the young woman over, gently caressing her as to assure himself she was real.

"I'm fine Sirius, just fine."

"Is he treating you alright ?" He asked.

She laughed. "Of course, you know Severus would never let anything happen to me."

A snort from Sirius and a raised eyebrow from Professor Palmer in response told Harry that his Potions Professor was a difficult subject between them.

"So you're teaching at Hogwarts now." Sirius stated the obvious. "Very wise of Dumbledore to bring you under Hogwarts' protection. I take it *he * wasn't too happy about it ?"

She smiled. "No, Severus still thinks I'll be safer at Snape Manor."

"And what do you think ?"

"I have been safe there these past years, but I also want to be near my husband, so when Dumbledore suggested it I agreed immediately."

"Harry has been asking about you."

She smiled again. "He's such a clever young man. James would have been so proud of him." Her eyes were getting moist and Sirius patted her shoulder.

Lupin joined in the conversation.

"I think he has stopped snooping around, but the enthusiasm of Ms Granger is also something to consider."

"Ah yes, I do thank you for that letter Remus. Harry already found out about my marriage to Severus, imagine …"

"Why haven't you told him ?" Sirius intervened.

"Dumbledore thinks it's better this way. He already has a lot to bear and with his OWLs coming up I didn't want to add pressure on him."

"But surely he'll want to know ? I know I would." Sirius insisted.

"I know Sirius, and believe me there have been times when I could hardly contain myself. It's hard on me as well you know."

"Of course." They embraced again and Harry got more curious by the second. Obviously there was something about his professor that had to be kept a secret, a secret which involved him as well.

"I do want to tell Harry though, I don't think I can keep it from him for much longer." Professor Palmer said eventually.

"When are you going to tell him ?" Sirius asked.

"How about right now ?"

Harry stood up and threw his cloak from him, enjoying the sight of three stunned adults who were momentarily rendered speechless.

"I'm sorry I've listened in on your conversation, I really didn't mean to. I wanted to talk to Sirius and since he wasn't here I let myself in and waited. I fell asleep on the couch and only woke up when you guys were already here." He looked at their faces to check if they were angry, but the only emotions he could read were surprise, joy and a little fear too.

Professor Palmer was the first to compose herself, which was no surprise living with Snape all those years. She stepped towards him, took his hands in hers and motioned him to sit down again.

"Harry, believe me when I say I wish you could have known this a lot sooner, but there was no other way. Sit down, I'm going to tell you everything."

TBC

A/N: I know this is a cliffhanger, but I won't keep you waiting long, otherwise the chapter would have been too long and besides, I like torturing you guys a little ;-)