Here is another chapter guys! Sorry it is short, the next one is VERY long! I've been very busy these past few days so that's why I haven't posted…so so so sorry!

And a disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any Harry Potter related material!

HARRY

POTTER

AND THE STAFF OF VIGOR

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CHAPTER 11: THE BALL

Harry had Potions the day of the Ball much to his disappointment. Unfortunately the return of Dumbledore had also meant the return of Snape's foul mood and attitude. Harry and Ron entered the classroom later than usual because they had taken the long way to class. Everyone was already seated and staring at the front, afraid to act out of protocol.

"Sorry we're late-" Harry began but Snape raised his hand to silence him.

"Late. You are always late. Detention does not seem to be sufficient enough punishment anymore." Snape glared down at them. He was taller than both of them were, even though Ron was quickly gaining height, and was still intimidating.

"We couldn't help it Sir-" Ron began to defend them but Snape's penetrating gaze stopped him. Snape cleared his throat.

"Tell me, were you intending on going to the Ball tonight?" He asked them. Ron and Harry frowned.

"Yes, er. Yes." They muttered. Snape nodded.

"Not anymore. Fifty points each from Gryffindor and detention tonight!" Snape snapped, "Now take your seats."

Ron's face became thunderous as he made his way over to Malfoy and his desk. Harry tried very hard not to rudely remark at the Professor as he took his seat next to Ellanora. Ron had eventually gotten excited about the Ball that day, as Ellanora has forgiven him about the chocolate incident, and Harry was already excited about it.

"Class! Attention! I don't care if it is the last lesson and you have that stupid Ball tonight!" Snape snarled at them, "I want you to research the Pensieve Potion in your textbooks. Now!"

Everyone immediately opened their textbooks and began flipping through them. Harry read half a page before his mind began to wonder. He looked to his side at Ellanora who seemed intent on her study.

"Yes?" She asked not removing her eyes from the page she was reading.

"Sorry. Er, about the Ball." Harry mumbled, because he and Ron couldn't go she didn't have a date anymore.

"It doesn't matter. I'll get over it." She shrugged and turned a page of her book.

"Were you looking forward to it?" Harry wondered.

"Yes. Quite a bit." Her eyes flickered over to look at him briefly before going back to her reading. Harry felt very bad now because he had ruined her night as well. Why did Snape have to be such a temperamental git?

"Yeah. Snape is a moron." Harry grunted.

"As a teacher. Definitely." Ellanora agreed half-heartedly. A few moments passed as Harry struggled over something to talk about. He grinned devilishly upon finding a topic.

"So you like chocolates?" He asked, his smile widening when he noticed Ellanora blush a little.

"Pardon?" She asked innocently.

"Uh...well...Ron told me...about...the..." Harry spluttered. Suddenly he was having trouble making out what he wanted to say. Ellanora coughed.

"It was a forced kiss. It meant nothing." She told him.

"Oh. Okay then." Harry began to skim down his textbook page distractedly instead of reading it properly. It seemed the Pensieve Potion was another invasive Potion like the Deliberative Potion had been. If someone consumed the Potion it allowed their memories to be viewed by others. Harry glanced up at Ellanora again and opened his mouth to speak but closed it. He wanted to ask her about the Battle but didn't know how.

"Just come out with it. I hate people who beat about the bush." Ellanora sighed. She closed her textbook and gave him her full attention. She had a look of exasperation on her face and Harry assumed he was probably annoying her again. He didn't care; he just wanted to talk to her.

"I was just wondering," Harry picked up his Quill and started scratching at the desk with it, "What happened to you after the Battle?"

"Detention." She shuffled in her seat, evidently uncomfortable about the topic.

"No House points?"

"No. Just detention." Ellanora frowned at him.

"That's not very fair. You helped out just as much as everyone else." Harry said pointedly.

"Yeah," Ellanora hung her head, "Killing someone is really helpful Harry."

Harry's brow furrowed in concern. He still had a problem with the harm he caused in fights but it had begun to bother him less and less over time once he realised that there was little conscience in those that were evil.

"I know it's hard. But you have to try not to dwell on it." Harry smiled at her comfortingly. Ellanora pulled a face.

"Yeah. Sure. Not dwell on it. No problem." She glared at him.

"Well, it gets easier..." He said in assurance. Ellanora scoffed.

"Yeah. I'm sure. Let's hear it from the expert," Ellanora swung around to fully face him, "Does it make you feel good? You know, you kill someone but they're evil so it's okay isn't it?"

"What...um...you're being sarcastic aren't you?" He questioned. She rolled her eyes.

"Damn right I am," She lowered her voice and her tone became menacing, "Maybe you can kill without remorse Harry but I am entirely different about the situation."

"Is that so?" Harry glowered at her, immediately angry, "Well you wouldn't think that by the Curse you used on that Deatheater."

Ellanora's eyes widened, "What?"

"It's a new one that one. What book is it from? Fry and Die: A hundred ways to torture someone to death?" He snapped sarcastically.

"You are such a-" She had both her fists clenched like she was to going to punch him. She probably would have too if Professor Treen hadn't chosen that particular moment to make her presence known at the classroom door.

"Afternoon students!" Professor Treen greeted them, waltzing into the classroom cheerfully. The class mumbled a reply. Snape rolled his eyes, very uncharacteristically, and made his way over to her.

"Tracery. I have a class now, as you can very well see. How can I quickly help you?" Snape demanded blandly. Professor Treen's cheeks reddened a little.

"I...could I have a brief word please?" She asked. Snape raised an eyebrow and nodded mildly.

"Behave yourselves while I have a word with Professor Treen." Snape warned them icily before exiting the classroom. As soon as the ends of his cloak disappeared from the doorway Ellanora turned around to Harry and slapped him sharply across the face.

"God!" Harry put his hand up to his stinging cheek. The entire class swerved around in their seats to stare at the two as the slap left an echo, grabbing their attention.

"You are a prat! You think you're special and normal things don't apply to you!" Ellanora accused him angrily.

"Where did you get that from?" Harry spat. He thought he had always tried to be nice to her.

"You are so fake. You pretend that you care," She paused and her voice became soft and hurt, "But you really don't."

"It isn't like I don't try. You are so damned difficult to get along with. I can't keep up with you! You either want to be my friend or you're biting off my head about some small thing or another. I've had enough. I don't want to keep trying at some hopeless task," Harry sighed, "From now on, I think we should just be class partners. Not friends...or anything else."

"Fine by me," Ellanora snapped, "It's all we've ever been anyway."

"Fine!" Harry glared at her before turning away and looking elsewhere. Across the room he caught Ron's eye. His friend was staring at him strangely and motioned for Harry to talk to him later. Harry nodded in silent reply.

"Jerk." Ellanora muttered finally as Snape returned to the classroom. Harry's attention was diverted from the fight as he examined Snape. The teacher looked strange. He was a little flushed and was almost smiling. The key word being almost.

"It seems...it seems that the class is nearly over. I'll say now. Class dismissed." Snape sat down at his desk and waved them away nonchalantly. The students packed up their books and hurriedly left the room, making sure to cast their teacher an unsettled look before they left. Harry walked over to Ron who was taking his time to pack up his books. Ron glared at Snape.

"He's ruined it for us. I wanted to go to that damned Ball tonight." Ron said furiously. Harry merely nodded.

"And Ellanora finally believed me about that stupid chocolate thing and now she has no date because of...that...stupid...git!" Ron slammed his books on top of each other.

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Harry said mildly. Ron paused.

"What happened with you two just then?" He asked, picking up his books.

"Something about the Battle. I don't know. She's such a temperamental brat." Harry sighed. Ron snickered.

"You two get along about as well as Giants and Unicorns. I think you'd better stay away from each other. All you do is fight." Ron suggested making for the classroom door. Harry trailed after him.

"Spose so. We don't really get along..." He stopped as Snape called after them.

"Potter! Weasley! Here now!" Snape yelled after their retreating forms. Ron grunted and Harry clenched his jaw as they turned and made their way back to the Professor.

"Yes Sir?" Ron said rudely. Snape narrowed his eyes at them.

"None of that Weasley," He faced them menacingly, "About you're detentions tonight..."

"Yes. We come here at the same time as the Ball?" Harry wondered half-heartedly. Snape coughed.

"No, no. It seems I will be attending the Ball tonight so I therefore will not be able to supervise your detention." Snape told them.

"We can go to the Ball?" Ron asked excitedly.

"Calm down Cinderella." Harry muttered to Ron out of the corner of his mouth, but he too was hopeful.

"Yes you may. But I will still be issuing that detention. Now go. I'm sure you cannot wait to be dressed up." Snape drawled. Harry and Ron looked at each other and grinned.

"Yes Sir." They said happily, running out of classroom. Neither of them gave a second's thought to why Snape had reconsidered.

* * * *

Harry ran his fingers through his hair for the tenth time. He was nervous and he didn't know why.

"Stay down!" He commanded his hair trying to flatten it again. Ron entered the room and leant against the doorway, eyeing Harry with a grin.

"What's got you all wound up?" Ron asked. Harry turned to his friend and pulled a face.

"It's easy for you to be calm. You don't look like you've been electrocuted." Harry said putting more force on his hair. Ron chuckled and walked over to his trunk of belongings. He rummaged around in it for a moment before pulling out his are and holding up his hand triumphantly.

"Here you go." He chucked Harry a small container. Harry caught it and held it up to examine the label: Frill's Styles.

"What is it?" He unscrewed the container and smelt it. It was a clear liquid that was without a scent.

"Some sort of hairstyle gel. Bill gave it to me over summer. He uses it all the time." Ron said, pulling his dress robes on. He stood in front of the mirror and straightened them.

"Ah. I just put it on then?" Ron nodded and Harry rubbed some through his hair, "It feels kind of strange."

"Does for a bit. But look, instant success." Ron gestured for Harry to turn around and look in the mirror again. Harry did and was glad to find his hair under control. It was flat on top and spiked at the front, he'd never been able to do that before and it was exactly how he had wanted it for the night.

"Brilliant." Harry grinned and tossed the container back in Ron's trunk. He pulled on his dress robes and examined himself.

"Ohhh. Lovely. You both look wonderful." The mirror cooed at them. Ron rolled his eyes and grinned at Harry. Ron's hair, longer now than it ever had ever been, hung a little over his eyes and he flicked it away so he could examine himself again. Harry did the same and admitted to himself that he looked a lot better than he did any normal day.

"So you going to head to the Ball with me and Hermione?" Harry asked as the boys walked down the dormitory staircase.

"Nah, I told Ella I'd meet her at her common room." Ron shrugged. Harry nodded his head.

"So...is this like a date with you two?" He wondered. Ron laughed.

"No. She wouldn't ever...she just wants me to be a friend." Ron sighed.

"You don't like her anymore?" Harry pressed. Ron blushed a little.

"I do. But, I don't know. It's confusing." He said quietly. Harry shook his head because indeed it was. They reached the common room and found Hermione wasn't there. There were some other people though, dressed up and chatting animatedly about the Ball.

"Guess she'll be late tonight. I can get mad at her for once." Harry said gladly. Ron laughed.

"She'll like that won't she?" He looked down at his watch; "I better go and get Ella. I'll see you at the Ball in about twenty minutes then."

"Alright mate. See you." Harry watched Ron leave the common room hurriedly before sitting down on a nearby chair and waiting for Hermione. He saw Neville come down the staircase and grinned at him as he walked over to where Harry was.

"Everyone's excited." Neville stated, gazing around the room.

"Yeah. Aren't you?" Harry asked.

"No."

"Oh," Harry shifted in his seat uncomfortably; "You're still sitting with us for the Ball though aren't you?"

"Yes. Me and Luna," Neville frowned, "I better go and get her. See you later Harry."

"Oh, ok. Bye." He sighed as Neville left. He had been so different since they had found him the night of the Battle. Neville had changed since the Ministry Battle from last year but something had happened when he had been kidnapped that had transformed him even more so. Harry wanted to know what it was so he could help Neville out, but Neville wasn't really talking to anyone for the moment so Harry had decided to just wait.

It was another five minutes before Hermione made an appearance. She looked really pretty in her lilac robes. Her hair was tied up in a high, curly ponytail and Harry could have sworn she was wearing makeup.

"Well well well. I'll be." Harry grinned at her. Hermione giggled and spun around.

"You don't think it's too much?" She wondered.

"No. You look great. Ron will be mad he hadn't asked you." Harry told her offering his arm.

"Oh, I wouldn't want that." Hermione muttered but her expression told another story.

"Are you wearing...makeup?" Harry asked. Hermione went red.

"Yes. I...um, just a bit. Pavarti and Lavender practically forced it on me. I had no choice but to comply." Hermione said defensively. Harry tried not to laugh.

"Okay. Well, shall we go to the Ball then madam?" He grinned. Hermione smiled.

"Yes kind Sir. I think we should." She curtseyed and linked her arm around his and they eagerly made their way to the Ball.

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A/N: Don't hate me for ending this here! I will post the next chapter within a few days!

A few of you want some Ron/Hermione fluff…hmm…it will be a little hard to do because the story is kind of written from Harry's perspective but I shall try, indeed I shall!

Thanks to all the wonderful reviews! I appreciate them all and apologize profusely for any mistakes I may make in my story!

What sort of Drama shall be unleashed at the Ball I wonder…

Poor Neville, what happened to him?

And what is UP with Ellanora? HONESTLY! Drama, drama, drama!

And to zealousgirl: I'm so sorry I missed updating in time for you to read a little! There will be a bit to read when you come back! Have a great holiday!