Disclaimer: Still not mine. If you don't know what the last paragraph comes from then you are a deprived child. Hats off to S. Morgenstern and William something or other that starts with Gold who abridged it.
"They're most definitely still out there," Ginny laughed. She stepped away from the window and let the curtains fall together.
"Boys," Hermione said, shaking her head. Jae stepped away from her closet holding her burgundy velvet dress robes.
"Who all is out there?" she asked.
"Well, our three dates, Ron, Harry, George, Lee, Seamus, Ernie, Justin, Colin, Jason, Sawyer, Dennis, and I think Neville is hiding in the bushes," Ginny laughed.
"Poor Neville," Hermione said.
"Who is he taking to the ball?" Jae asked, sinking back onto Piper McGowan's bed.
"Susan Bones," Hermione replied.
"Hufflepuff?" Jae questioned.
"Yes," Ginny said. "His history partner as a matter of fact."
"Better than taking you again," Jae declared.
"And exactly where were you during the Yule Ball last year Miss Jae Not Telling Lucas?" Ginny asked. Jae coughed loudly.
"What was that?" Ginny asked. "I didn't hear you. Speak up and don't cough."
"I said I was sitting at home babysitting Liam," Jae muttered.
"Liam?" Hermione asked.
"Mine and 'Rissa's little brother. He's 10 now, he'll be here next year," Jae explained.
"So wait, with siblings named Marissa and Liam, how did you end up with a name like Jae?" Hermione asked.
"Not telling," Jae replied.
"It's not her first name or her middle name, a deviation of any of those, and, in fact, there aren't any J's anywhere in her names," Ginny said before Hermione could lead Jae through the series of questions the group had gone through the previous Saturday.
"Right, then why did the sorting hat call you Jae Lucas?" Hermione asked.
"It called me Virginia," Ginny supplied.
"When I got my Hogwarts letter, I sent the hat a letter back threatening imminent combustion if it called me by my real name," Jae explained. "When I finally pulled the hat on, it informed me that my letter was the first it'd ever received. It was quite amused, saying I would be great in Slytherin."
"And you're in Gryffindor how?" Hermione asked.
"I'm as muggle born as you, dear," Jae said. "Me in Slytherin would go over as well as a Malfoy in Gryff… Oh wait."
"How about Malfoy in Gryffindor?" Ginny asked, emphasizing the fact that she only meant a certain male Malfoy in Hermione's year.
"You know what I meant!" Jae insisted with a laugh. Ginny and Hermione both rolled their eyes at the girl.
"What are the kids planning to do tonight?" Hermione asked. She dragged a brush through her hair.
"I think Sawyer said something about an Exploding Snap marathon," Jae laughed. "And Fred and George taught them how to get to the kitchens so they're also thinking about meeting the house elves.
"How should I do my hair?" Ginny asked, surveying herself in the mirror and completely ignoring the line of conversation Hermione and Jae were following.
"How about the way you had it when you went out with Braeden last summer," Hermione suggested.
"That was cute," Ginny agreed.
"We could curl the top part a bit more and maybe leave a few more framing pieces down," Hermione said.
"Perfect!" Ginny grinned. "What are you doing to your hair?"
"I was thinking of leaving it down and then curling it and tying the front back from my face," Hermione explained.
"That will be really cute!" Ginny squealed.
"What about my hair?" Jae asked. She ran a hand over her hair. During the second week of school, Jae had cut her long chocolate brown hair off to about four inches from her head. Since then, she had changed the color about once every two weeks. It had been just about every color of the rainbow including scarlet with gold highlights for the Gryffindor Quidditch match.
"Maybe you could," Hermione began but then trailed off. She didn't really have a suggestion for Jae.
"Ask Lavender and Parvati. Maybe they'll have an idea," came Ginny's completion to Hermione sentence.
"Do I gotta?" Jae asked.
"It might be in your best interest. And you might want to do something about the color of your hair too," Hermione suggested. Jae stood up from Piper's bed.
"I like my hair!" she called as she walked out of the door. "It's Christmas-ey!"
"It's weird," Ginny said just as the door shut behind Jae. Jae had chosen the Gryffindor scarlet base for her hair, but rather than the gold highlights, she had added bright green stripes in honor of the impending holiday.
"And it's going to look simply fantastic with her dress robes!" Hermione laughed.
*****
"Do you think maybe we should go in and start getting ready for the ball?" Lee asked. Harry glanced down at his watch.
"Maybe," He replied, ducking a snowball Ron slung at him.
"What time is it?" George asked.
"5:30," Harry replied.
"And the ball starts when?" George queried.
"Seven," Harry replied.
"Oh, we've got plenty of time," Lee laughed. He used his want to shake the bushes Neville had taken refuge in, causing snow to cascade down onto the pudgy blonde boy.
"Harry, weren't we meeting everyone at 6:15 to exchange gifts?" Ron asked. Harry stopped dead in his tracks and turned to his friend.
"I'VE GOT FIRST SHOWER!" he cried. He turned on his heel and sprinted towards the castle.
"I'll take that as a yes," Ron joked as he tore after his friend. Justin, Ernie and Colin had gone in hours before. Astrid had come and collected the younger boys. Only Seamus, Dean, Kyle, Fred, George, Lee and Neville remained. Neville shakily emerged from the bushes.
"Does this mean it's over?" he asked.
"Not hardly!" Lee cackled. He pointed his wand at the snow at Neville's feet and motioned it upwards. The snow flew up and covered Neville.
"Lee Jordan!" Seamus cried.
"That was uncalled for!" Dean added. The two remaining fifth years had pulled their wands and pointed them at the group of seventh years. Kyle stepped behind them and he, too, pulled his wand. The three younger boys quickly motioned circles in the snow around the seventh years. All of the snow surrounding the boys flew up, covering the twins and their friend.
"THIS MEANS WAR!" Fred yelled as he shook snow out of his shaggy red hair.
"You're going to die if you don't get up here and get ready! The girls are on the war path!" a voice called from high in the castle. They turned to glance at the castle and saw a miniature Harry standing in one of the windows of the tiny Gryffindor tower waving furiously.
"Uh-oh!" Lee and George cried simultaneously. They looked at each other, surprised, and then turned to Fred.
"I thought you and I were supposed to do that," George said.
"You can sort that out later," Seamus insisted. "I'm not ready to face the wrath of Lavender if I'm late for the ball or if I'm not impeccably dressed." He hurried towards the castle with Dean and Kyle in his wake.
%%%%%
"What did you finally end up buying Mandy for Christmas?" Harry asked as he stepped away from, the window.
"I went with your idea for Hannah and got her a picture frame," Ron replied. "You know if you don't hurry up with your shower, I'm going!" Harry quickly grabbed his shampoo, clean boxers and a towel from the shelf in the corner and started towards the bathroom. Ron threw open the bottom drawer of his night stand and pulled out his presents for Mandy, Justin, Ernie and Hannah. Granted, he had just bought the boys and Hannah candy. His present for Mandy was slightly more meaningful and less edible. He picked up the picture frame had had chosen for Mandy. He hadn't wrapped it yet because he was going to get Colin to take a picture of the two of them at… the… YULE BALL!!
"HARRY!!" Ron shouted. He sprang from his bed and sprinted towards the bathroom. He flung open the door and stepped into the already steam-filled room.
"HARRY!!" Ron shouted again. Harry's shampoo-covered head appeared in a crack between the shower curtain and the wall.
"Merlin Ron, can't you see I'm quite busy here?" Harry asked.
"Our presents for the girls won't be ready in time for us to give them before the ball!" Ron cried.
"What?" Harry asked, pulling his head back into the shower.
"We got picture frames with the plans to have Colin take pictures of us at the ball. Problem being, we're exchanging presents BEFORE the ball!" Ron cried.
"Problem being?" Harry asked.
"Harry man, I think the steam is clouding your brain," Ron declared.
"Get Colin to be really annoying about taking pictures before we exchange gifts. He should be able to have it ready by the time we're through exchanging gifts," Harry explained logically.
"Is that what you're doing for Hannah?" Ron asked.
"I'm taking a bit of a different approach with Hannah's gift," Harry said.
"Harry man, you're a genius!" Ron cried. Harry turned the water in the shower off.
"I'm a genius who is getting ready to get out of the shower," he said. "So I suggest." Ron turned and headed out to find Colin before he could hear the rest of Harry's suggestion. He ran into Dean, Seamus and Neville on his way out.
"Hey Ron," Seamus said. Ron ignored him and kept on his mission for the annoying fourth year photographer.
"COLIN!" Ron screeched when he stepped out onto the landing.
"What?" Colin called from the fourth year boy's dorm.
"I need a favor!" Ron exclaimed.
"Well come here and we'll discuss it," Colin said.
"Has he calmed down any?" Harry asked, stepping from the bathroom, towel slung loosely about his hips.
"No, I don't think so," Seamus laughed. Harry pulled his plain black dress robes from his closet.
"What's his problem?" Dean asked.
"Girl trouble," Harry replied, rolling his eyes. Dean and Seamus both laughed nervously. "He's having issues with his Christmas gift for Mandy."
"What did he get her?" Seamus asked.
"A picture frame. His plan was to put a picture of the two of them from tonight in the frame, but, well, we're exchanging gifts before the ball," Harry laughed.
"And he didn't think about THAT when he agreed to exchange presents then?" Seamus questioned.
"You know Ron," Harry laughed. He pulled his glasses from his face and wiped them on his towel to remove the steam from the lenses.
"So wait, does this mean I can have my shower now instead of waiting on him?" Seamus asked.
"Go for it," Harry said, "but don't whine if he flattens you for taking his spot."
%%%%%
"AARRRGGGGHHHHHHH!"
"Jae, you sound like a pirate!" Hermione admonished.
"You would too if your head hurt as badly as mine does," Jae said, glaring at the older girl.
"Go see Madame Pomfrey?" Ginny suggested.
"It's not a head ache as much as it's a hair ache. Lavender and Parvati were trying to rip my hair out when they did it," Jae said, running her hands lightly over the still red and green stripes. Lavender and Parvati had lengthened Jae's hair considerably. Then they twisted the back into thin rows up her head. At the top, they gathered all of her hair into a ponytail, before curling small pieces into a fountain of curls.
"It looks nice," Hermione offered.
"It doesn't scream Jae Lucas though," Jae said. Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it at Jae's head.
"I never said I WANTED it to literally scream my name," Jae exclaimed before Hermione could fire off her spell. Jae pulled out her own wand and pointed it at her head.
"I've simply got to do something about this," Jae insisted. She stepped in front of the mirror and began muttering spells. A minute later, she turned around and faced her two friends.
"How is this?" she asked.
"Well, the way you had it was prettier, but this is definitely more Jae," Ginny admitted. Jae had charmed all of her hair off to make it all about three inches long. Then she charmed it to stand up in crazy spikes all over her head. It was still red and green. Jae turned her wand on a headband lying on her bedside table. She said a couple of spells and the headband turned into a wreath of burgundy and off white dried flowers with burgundy ribbons.
"Perfect," she laughed. She picked up her dress robes from her bed and started towards the bathroom.
"What do you think?" Hermione asked, turning so Ginny could see her finally completed Hair.
"Hermione, it's PEFECT!" Ginny gushed. Hermione had started at the sides of her head, right at her temples. She took a piece of hair at each side and pulled it straight back. She picked up another piece from just behind it and pulled it out to the side. Then she let the first piece fall over second piece and picked up a third piece. She twisted the second and third pieces around each other, dropped the second piece and picked up a fourth piece. She continued until the two sides met at the back and she had a wreath of twisted hair on either side of a jeweled clip that held the entire design together. Pieces of hair hung down from the twists at even intervals, showing how loose the entire design was. She had carefully curled each piece of her hair until it was all softly curly rather than crazily bushy.
"You really think so?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Ginny replied. She was leafing through a book trying to find one more spell to complete her makeup. Some things were just better left to magic. Hermione had already completed her make up, so she pulled her robes from Ginny's closet, where she had stored them earlier.
"TA-DA!" Jae called, stepping from the bathroom. She extended her left arm at an angle from her body down to her side, and held her right arm at an identical angle over her head.
"Jae, those robes are so," Ginny paused to search for the right word.
"You," Hermione replied. Jae smiled widely and smoothed her robes. The robes were a dark burgundy velvet. The neckline started right at the bones of her shoulders and scooped in almost dangerously low. The sleeves were tight on her arms until her elbows where they split and fanned out. They also turned sheer when they reached the split. The sheer material was vaguely sparkly. The sleeves at the split hung down almost a foot from her arm when she extended her arms out to her sides, but fell nicely over her hands when she held her arms normally. The robes hugged her slim figure until the waist where they flared out into a wide sweeping skirt. The skirt had a split up the front right to her navel where clasps should have been. Instead, she wore a pair of tight burgundy pants underneath.
"You think so? Rissa designed them for me and then made them," Jae said.
"Really?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. She's quite good at things like this, and in fact, wants to be a designer after she graduates," Jae said. She picked up the wreath from her bedside table and turned to the mirror. She placed it lightly among the red and green stripes of her hair.
"Oh wow this color has got to go!" Jae cried when she looked at herself fully in the mirror.
"Black," said the mirror.
"What was that?" Jae asked.
"Black," the mirror repeated.
"I think she's got it," Jae replied.
"I'm not a magic mirror for nothing," the mirror said. Jae pointed her wand at her head and whispered a spell. Her hair instantly turned dark black.
"Almost perfect," Jae muttered, whispering another spell. Bits of her hair turned the same dark burgundy as her robes, but that was only noticeable if the light hit her hair the right way. She adjusted the wreath in her hair again and turned to her friends.
"Much better," Hermione said.
"MUCH!" Ginny agreed. Hermione gathered her robes and headed to the bathroom, while Ginny jumped on to her bed and pulled the hangings, creating a fairly effective dressing room. Hermione had already fixed her hair, so she simply pulled on her robes. Her hair was very reminiscent of the way she had it done the night of her date with Braeden. Hermione had simply curled the top a bit more and left four strands down to frame her face rather than just two.
"How do I look?" Ginny heard Hermione ask.
"Simply Slytherin," Jae laughed. Ginny opened her hangings just in time to catch the glare Hermione shot Jae.
"Hermione, they're great. And Jae, that is NOT Slytherin green," Ginny insisted.
"No, it's not," Jae agreed. " And you look simply fantastic." Hermione's robes were a dark almost forest green. They had a square, lace edged neckline. The sleeves went all of the way to her wrists and ended in a thin cuff of lace. The bodice was fitted and connected to the skirt in a V shape with another row of lace. The skirt was long and flowing and fell completely to the floor, totally hiding Hermione's shoes. The bottom of the skirt was edged with the same lace.
"Well Ginny," Jae said, turning to where her friend had her head stuck between two of the hangings on her bed. Ginny pushed back the hangings and stepped off of the bed.
"Wow!" Hermione said.
"Your robes are gorgeous," Jae breathed. Ginny spun around twice so her friends could get the full effect of her robes. The top of her robe from the high neckline to just below her arms, sleeves included, was made of sage green lace. Just below her arms, a sage green top began under the lace. In the back, the lace continued to her waist. The skirt flowed out around her feet and the lace trailed off to just cover the back of the skirt.
"Isn't that lace kinda itchy?" Jae asked.
"Madame Malkin put a few charms on it," Ginny admitted with a laugh.
"Well ladies, are we ready?" Hermione asked.
"You've got to go now. We're meeting our dates at 6:45," Jae said. Mandy, Ernie, Justin and Hannah had exchanged presents with Ginny a couple of days earlier because she wanted to stay with Jae while the rest of the group agreed to meet before the Yule Ball.
"Oh yeah!" Hermione cried. She turned and grabbed her school bag, where she had stored Hannah, Justin, Ernie and Mandy's presents. She threw it over her shoulder and hurried from the room.
"It's about time," Ron called from the common room when she appeared on the landing. He and Harry were sitting quite uncomfortably on one of the couches, both looking fabulous in their black dress robes. Ron had actually taken time to gel his short red hair forward, giving it a textured look. Harry had shortened his hair a bit and used gel to make sure it stuck out everywhere. The look worked really well for him.
"You look great, Hermione," Harry said, hoping to cover for his friend's thoughtlessness. Hermione smiled and blushed slightly.
"Fred will absolutely be blown away," Colin agreed. He was sitting across from Harry and Ron wearing navy blue dress robes.
"So are we ready?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Ron said, jumping to his feet.
"Someone's anxious," Hermione laughed. Ron rushed towards the door and Harry, Hermione and Colin struggled to keep up with him.
"He's having issues with Mandy's gift," Harry explained.
"Did he not think about not having the picture?" Hermione asked.
"Nope," Harry laughed.
"So what did you get Hannah?" Hermione asked.
"You'll see," Harry said with a smile. "Actually you probably won't. I want to wait till it's just the two of us to give it to her." He turned bright red.
"So how are you going to explain that to everyone else?" Hermione asked.
"I've got a picture frame to give to her now with instructions about the rest of her present," Harry explained. He was still bright red.
"That's sweet," Hermione said.
"What did you get everyone?" Harry asked.
"Well, I got the boys both copies of Quidditch Through the Ages and the girls both journals," Hermione explained.
"Do you have a journal?" Harry questioned.
"Yes. I've kept one basically since I learned to write," Hermione said. "It's a very relaxing thing. You should try it."
"Tell me when I have time to keep a journal. Tell me when YOU have time to keep a journal," Harry laughed.
"I make time," Hermione explained. Ron spun into the empty Charms classroom where the group had agreed to meet.
"Sorry we're late," he apologized as Harry and Hermione entered closely behind him. Colin was a few steps behind them.
"Oh it's alright," Justin said from his perch a table in the front row.
"It's perfectly fine," Ernie agreed from where he sat next to Justin.
"The girls are taking forever," Justin laughed.
"They should be here soon," Ernie added. "Hopefully." Harry and Ron laughed and shook their heads.
"We know how that is," Harry said, casting a pointed look in Hermione's direction.
"Hey, it takes time to look this good," Hermione insisted with a laugh.
"And you do look fantastic," Justin agreed. Ernie nodded.
"Thanks guys," Hermione said with a slight smile.
"Hey guys, are they here yet?" a voice from the hall called.
"Yes Mandy, we're here," Harry laughed. Mandy and Hannah stepped into the room at the exact same time and narrowly avoided getting stuck in the door side by side. Mandy wore a dress robe made of light purple silk-like material. It was off the shoulder and had long sleeves that came to points at her middle fingers. The top was form fitting and the skirt flowed out. The skirt had a light purple chiffon overlay. She wore a diamond-looking choker. Her chocolate brown hair was twisted into a tight knot, reminiscent of Hermione's hair at the Yule Ball the year before. Hannah's robe looked like a combination of Jae's and Hermione's in a royal blue material. The neckline was much like Hermione's robes, while the sleeves were like Jae's. Hannah's sleeves didn't flare at her elbows though, but instead at her wrist with the flare flowing down to all but cover her hands. The skirt was more like Jae's only instead of pants, the split in Hannah's skirt was filled with a second slightly darker blue skirt. Her blonde hair was twisted into a French twist, but rather than curling the top bits, she had let them stick up just a bit. Hermione glanced over at Harry and Ron. Neither boy had said anything, but they hadn't looked away from the girls either. Hermione stepped on Ron's heel and poked her finger into Harry's side.
"PICTURES!" Colin screeched, running from the other side of the room.
"Presents first," Justin insisted.
"PICTURES!" Colin said, glaring at the much taller fifth year.
"Pictures," Justin agreed.
"Get with your dates, you two," Colin said, turning to Ron and Harry. Ron and Harry walked towards the two girls.
"Ron and Mandy first," Colin insisted. Ron and Mandy stepped off to the side. He dropped his arm around her shoulders and she curved her arm around his waist.
"Say," Colin paused for a moment. "I don't particularly care what you say. Just smile." Ron and Mandy complied with his instructions and he snapped a picture of the two.
"Harry and Hannah," Colin insisted. Harry and Hannah stepped over to where Ron and Mandy had been standing. Harry opened his arms to Hannah and Hannah wrapped her arms around his waist. He curled his arms around her shoulders. She rested her head on his chest and he pillowed his head on the top of hers. They both faced Colin.
"Ooh, don't smile!" Colin instructed. The couple attempted to remain serious. Colin snapped the picture. "That's going to be cute!" he cried. "Now look like you're actually happy to be standing that close to each other." Harry and Hannah both smiled shyly and Colin snapped the second picture. "Perfect. Now everyone pile in. I will have my camera at the ball so if any of you others want pictures of you with your dates, just come find me." Mandy, Justin, Ernie, Ron and Hermione all stepped towards Harry and Hannah. Harry and Hannah broke from their hug and turned to their friends. Mandy stepped next to Hannah and Ron stood on the other side of Mandy. The girls quickly hugged each other and the boys put their hands on the girl's shoulders. Justin and Ernie stood sheepishly on either side of Ron and Harry. Hermione surveyed the group for a moment before stretching out in the floor at everyone's feet. She did, however, cast a spell to make sure the floor was clean before she lay down in her dress robes.
"One… Two… Three…!" Colin snapped the picture. "Oh, those are going to be great!" he cried, and he left the room as quickly as he had entered.
"PRESENTS!" Justin exclaimed.
"Is he always like this?" Ron asked.
"Every Christmas morning since first year," Ernie laughed. Justin hurried over and picked up his school bag. He pulled out three packages.
"One for you," he handed the largest of the three to Hermione. "One for you." He handed a smaller box to Harry. "And one for you." He handed Ron a box identical to Harry's. Ernie followed Justin closely with his presents for the three. Hannah handed Harry his present first, followed by Ron and then Hermione. Hermione pulled out her wand and summoned her bag. She pulled out her presents and passed them each to their recipient as they walked by.
"We'll get to ours after everyone is done," Harry said as an attempt to cover for Ron's lack of a present for Mandy at the time.
"Who wants to go first?" Hannah asked.
"ME!" Justin squealed.
"How did I know that was coming?" Hannah laughed, but Justin had already begun ripping into his present from Hermione.
"Quidditch Through the Ages! Thanks Hermione, I've always wanted to read this book but haven't ever been able to get it from the library because someone keeps it checked out most of the time," he exclaimed, casting a pointed look in Harry's direction.
"Don't look at me, I've had my own copy for a while now," Harry laughed.
"Wow Justin, I think that very well may be a new speed record," Ernie laughed. He began pulling away the paper from his own copy of Quidditch Through the Ages. "Thanks Hermione," he said when he opened it. He turned to look at Hannah. She began tearing into he present from Hermione. When she found the journal, she turned to the Gryffindor witch.
"Thanks. I just finished my old one and was going to write mum to send me a new one!" she said. Mandy, noticing the similarity between hers and Hannah's presents, had opened hers at the same time.
"Thanks Hermione," Mandy agreed. Hermione looked down on her own stack of gifts.
"Go for it," Justin urged. Hermione tore into her presents. When the wrapping paper blizzard had settled, she was left holding Revealing Your Inner Vixen (Justin), The Ministry Of Magic: All You Ever Wanted To Know (And Some You Didn't) (Ernie), The Taming Of The Shrew (Hannah), and Hogwarts Head Girls; 1655-Present (Mandy).
"Thanks guys!" she squealed. She was already flipping through the pages of the ministry book.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. She may want to go read for the rest of the night rather than go to the ball," Harry laughed.
"Pictures!" Colin cried, running back into the room. He waved several pictures in his hand.
"Most of these turned out fabulous!"
"Most?" Ron asked.
"Sorry, the one of you and Mandy didn't take," Colin said. He winked twice at Ron. The angry blush creeping up Ron's face quickly subsided. Colin had slipped the box with Mandy's present into Ron's bag before he announced his presence in the room. He handed the pictures to Hannah. "Thanks guys, I've gotta go," he said, and left, again as quickly as he had entered. Hannah flipped through the pictures, took copies of the ones of her and Harry and the group, and then passed them around. Each person picked their own copies while Ron tore into his gifts.
"CANDY!" Ron exclaimed, looking down at the boxes of Bertie Botts', Chocolate Frog's and Drooble's Best Blowing Gum he held in his hands. He picked up the remaining box in his pile and carefully removed a chocolate frog from the top before tearing the wrapping off. He pulled out a plain black picture frame, complete with picture of him and Mandy taken just moments before. He immediately turned bright red.
"I really like it," he said, wondering what he could do about the almost identical present in the box for her.
"CANDY!" Harry cried. "And a book about seeking!" Ernie and Justin had given him candy while Mandy had chosen a book about Hogwarts most famous seekers. Then Harry picked up the remaining very thin package. He carefully removed the wrapping paper.
"The Giving Tree," he whispered when the paper had finally fallen away from the green book. He looked over at Hannah, attempting to control the tears in his eyes.
"Thank you," he mouthed. No sound came out. She smiled shyly at him and then stared intently at her shoes.
"Right then, presents from us!" Ron exclaimed, grabbing his bag. He quickly handed Mandy, Justin, Ernie and Hannah their gifts.
"CANDY!" Justin cried before Ron had completely finished passing out the presents.
"Candy," Ernie laughed as he pulled the wrapping from his box of Chocolate Frogs.
"Boy aren't we original. We all managed to get each other the same thing," Justin laughed as he opened a box of Bertie Bott's from Harry.
"Justin man, you really need to slow down with that present opening, you're taking all of the surprise out of this," Ernie scolded as he began tearing the paper off of his box of beans.
"I second that motion," Hannah laughed. She hadn't even begun opening her box, but could tell what it was by the identicalness to the boys' gifts.
"I'm special!" Mandy laughed as she opened her picture frame. "And I'm also scared of this." She laughed when she saw the frame charmed to look like the night sky containing the same picture she had given Ron. She held the picture up for everyone to see.
"That's only slightly creepy," Hannah laughed. "The two of you shouldn't think so much alike." Ron, noticing that Mandy liked her present despite it being identical to what she had given him, willed his face to return to its normal color. Hannah started opening her present from Harry while Mandy pulled the wrapping from a box of Bertie Bott's. Inside the box, Hannah found a picture frame charmed to look like the sunrise at her spot next to the lake. The picture frame was empty save a scrap of parchment that said; "To Be Continued," in Harry's neat print.
"Now that THAT'S settled, thanks guys. Let's go dance!" Justin cried.
"Where are you guys meeting your dates?" Hermione asked.
"The entrance hall," Ernie replied.
"Me too," Hermione said, "So we're all headed the same direction." Harry had asked Dobby earlier if he would move their presents back to their rooms for them. Justin started out the door with Hermione and Ernie close on his heels. Ron offered his arm to Mandy. She placed her hand at his elbow and the pair went after their friends. Harry smiled down at Hannah. He reached down, took her hand in his, and led her towards the door.
*****
"Hermione," Fred gasped as his girlfriend descended the steps towards the entrance Hall.
"ELISE!" Justin cried, running towards his date. Ernie followed a bit slower over to where Elise and Amanda stood.
"Hey Fred," Hermione said with a slight wave. Fred looked quite handsome in robes of a deep charcoal grey. He had combed his short hair to make it all point in the same direction, rather than wherever as it usually did.
"You look spectacular," Fred whispered. Hermione smiled shyly as she stepped over to him. He dropped his arms around her shoulders and landed a quick kiss on her lips.
"That's quite enough of that," Ron said, stepping off of the bottom step with Mandy still holding his arm. Harry and Hannah were only a few steps behind the pair, still holding hands. Hermione and Fred both spun and glared at the youngest male Weasley.
"So are we ready to go in?" Fred asked as Harry and Hannah joined the group.
"Where are George, Angelina, Lee and Marissa?" Harry asked.
"They're already inside. They decided to sit with Katie and Alicia," Fred replied.
"Who did Katie and Alicia bring?" Hannah asked. The Gryffindors all laughed.
"After a messy break up between Katie and her boyfriend from home, and Alicia's break up with Coltan, the two girls have sworn off boys for, well, they say forever," Fred laughed.
"Which means?" Mandy questioned.
"They brought each other to the ball," Harry said.
"Technically they both came alone. Their plan is to dance with all of the guys instead of just one," Hermione explained.
"The two of you should probably watch out," Fred warned, "Katie and Alicia will most likely want to dance with Harry and Ron." Mandy and Hannah both laughed easily.
"That's okay," Mandy said, "We'll let them."
"But only for one dance each," Hannah joked.
"So are we going in?" Hermione asked, looking towards the doors of the Great Hall.
"After you," Fred said. He placed his hand on the small of Hermione's back and gently pushed her towards the door. Ron and Mandy followed the pair, and Harry and Hannah went after them. Justin, Ernie and their dates had a table with Colin Creevey and his date, Cheyenne Williamson on the Hufflepuff side of the room. Fred and Hermione led the way to a table between the one occupied by George and his seventh year friends and the slightly larger one occupied by Kyle and Jae, Seamus and Lavender, Dean and Ginny, and Parvati and her date, none other than Slytherin Blaise Zabini.
"Padma almost had kittens when she found out who her sister was attending the Yule Ball with," Mandy laughed quietly as the six friends took their seats.
"As well she should have," Ron said. Harry and Hermione both glared.
"She also almost had kittens when she found out who I am attending the Yule Ball with," Mandy muttered.
"WHAT?" Ron asked. "Just because she was a stick in the mud last year!"
"Ron man, think of what you're saying!" Fred exclaimed, cutting his brother off mid sentence and reverting to the previous line of conversation. "In saying that it is bad for Parvati to bring Blaise to the ball, you're also denouncing your bringing Mandy and Harry's bringing Hannah."
"We're not Slytherins!" Hannah insisted, "but I do see your point."
"Maybe he's not as bad as some of them," Harry suggested.
"She didn't bring Malfoy," Hermione added, "so it could definitely be worse."
"And you've seen the two of them in Care of Magical Creatures and Potions. They actually seem to get along quite well," Harry said.
"So wait, you guys have Care of Magical Creatures and Potions with the Slytherins and Herbology and History of Magic with us. Why don't you have any classes with the Ravenclaws?" Hannah asked.
"Do you have classes with all three other houses?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Hannah replied. "We have the two with you all, and then Care of Magical Creatures and Potions with the Ravenclaws and Transfiguration, Charms and Defense with the Slytherins."
"Oooh! Ooooh! Points for Miss Brocklehurst! I actually know the answer to this one!" Mandy laughed, waving her hand in the air slightly.
"So why don't we have classes with you guys?" Ron asked.
"I asked Professor Dumbledore the same question when we were first years and he said the sheer intelligence of one of the Gryffindors wouldn't mix well with the more pretentious members of my house," Mandy replied.
"Which means," Fred prompted.
"Loosely translated from Dumbledore-ese, it means Hermione and Terry and Morag wouldn't get along at all," Mandy said with a slight smile. Hermione's jaw dropped.
"So that's what the hat meant when it tried to put me in Ravenclaw," she said.
"How did you end up in Gryffindor?" Fred asked.
"I had a slight crush on a boy I met on the train who I figured would be in Gryffindor, so I basically begged the hat to put me in Gryffindor. It decided that I was showing bravery by begging to be the intellectual amongst the lot of you, so it went ahead and put me in Gryffindor," Hermione admitted.
"Who was the boy?" Ron asked, raising a questioning eyebrow at Hermione.
"I'd rather not say," Hermione replied, looking down at her plate rather nervously.
"Who was it?" Ron asked again.
"You can tell us," Harry added. Hermione cut her eyes upwards at them.
"I'd really rather not," she said.
"If we guess will you tell us?" Ron asked.
"Um," Hermione began.
"NEVILLE!" Harry and Ron chorused.
"No," Hermione replied.
"Well he was the only boy you came into contact with on the train besides," Harry trailed off mid sentence.
"Besides the two of you. And yes, it was one of you. I'd rather not say which," Hermione said, turning redder than her boyfriend's hair. Harry and Ron exchanged a nervous glance over the top of Hannah's head.
"It only makes sense that it was Harry. You wouldn't have known enough about me to have a crush on me," Ron reasoned.
"Okay yes. I had a stupid celebrity crush on Harry," Hermione said, looking back down at her plate.
"Don't worry Hermione, I think we all did," Hannah said.
"Doesn't look like Hannah's gotten over hers yet," Mandy quipped, causing both Harry and Hannah to turn bright red.
"Welcome all to this years Yule Ball!" Professor Dumbledore called from the head table, effectively ceasing the verbal lashing Mandy was about ready to receive from her best friend and said best friend's crush object.
"I hope everyone has a fantastic time. You may begin ordering your food whenever you want to, as the elves are now ready to comply with your requests." The six friends picked up the menus from the table in front of them.
"Look's like Dumbledore is going for a mostly international menu this year," Fred commented as he surveyed the mostly Italian contents of the menu.
"As it's Dumbledore, I'm quite surprised the menu doesn't consist solely of candy," Harry laughed. Ron, Hermione and Fred all laughed appreciatively, but Hannah and Mandy, who had only been to Dumbledore's office once, didn't quite understand the joke.
"Lasagna," Hermione said clearly to her plate. A moment later, the plate was filled with a pile of steaming Lasagna.
"Hey Hermione, do you see the food we had at your house this summer anywhere on the menu?" Ron asked.
"I see it, but I'm certainly not telling you what it is," Hermione said.
"Why not?" Ron asked.
"Because we're wearing dress robes and I, for one, certainly don't want to be showered with your food because you have more fun hammering it than eating it," Hermione explained.
"What were you eating?" Mandy asked, as an attempt to get Hermione to say the name of the food for Ron.
"I'll tell you after Ron has food on his plate," Hermione insisted with a glare at Harry that told him not to say a word to his best friend. Hannah, Harry and Mandy all chose lasagna also, while Fred and Ron finally chose Fettuccine Alfredo.
"So where is everyone going for Christmas Holidays?" Fred asked as an attempt to make conversation.
"The Burrow," Harry, Ron and Hermione chorused.
"Okay, everyone besides the three of them," Fred laughed.
"Home to London," Hannah said.
"You live in London?" Fred asked.
"Yes," Hannah replied. "Mum and I have a flat not to awfully far from Kings Cross."
"And you, Mandy?" Fred asked.
"I'm going to Hannah's flat. Her mum has agreed to let me and Carter stay for the holidays since Drew, Kevin and Lennon still refuse to talk to Carter," Mandy replied.
"Did the two of you know each other before coming to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked the two girls.
"We certainly did," Mandy replied.
"We've known each other basically since we were born," Hannah agreed.
"How?' Harry asked. Hannah and Mandy both chuckled lightly.
"It's a rather funny story actually," Mandy said.
"Are you going to tell us?" Ron asked.
"Well, my mum used to date her older brother Lennon," Hannah laughed. "Then she met my dad and had me, but my dad ran off to America before I was born. Lennon's mum had Mandy. "
"Lennon and Shylaur were still friends even after Hannah was born and everything, so they used to take us to the park and let us play together," Mandy explained.
"Then we went to the same school and I suppose the rest is history," Hannah laughed.
"So wait. Your mum dated her brother?" Harry asked Hannah.
"Yes," Hannah replied. "My mum was only 17 when she had me."
"So if your brother and her mum were to get back together, you two would be sisters?" Ron guessed.
"I'd be her aunt," Mandy corrected.
"Which is amusing because I'm older," Hannah laughed.
"Only by two months," Mandy spat.
"So when are your birthdays?" Hermione asked, glaring at her two best friends with hopes they'd make note of the dates the girls supplied.
"February 28th," Hannah replied.
"April 14th," Mandy said.
"Hannah, we'll have to throw ourselves a massive party," Ron laughed. "After all, we only turn 16 once."
"Are our birthdays the same?" Hannah asked.
"Not quite," Ron replied through a mouth full of fettuccine, "You're a day older than me."
"Okay then. We should definitely have a party," Hannah laughed.
"So when are your birthdays?" Mandy asked.
"July 31st," Harry replied.
"September 19th," Hermione said.
"So you're either way older or way younger than the rest of us," Mandy said, hoping Hermione would take her statement as a question.
"Younger," Hermione replied.
"Oh wow, so I'm the oldest!" Hannah laughed.
"Yes," Mandy said. Hannah smiled broadly.
"No you're not," Fred said, glaring playfully at the girl.
"Okay, well, I'm the oldest fifth year," Hannah corrected herself.
"When is your birthday?" Mandy asked Fred.
"June 12th," Fred replied.
"So yours, George's and Ginny's birthday's are in June?" Hermione asked.
"Bill's and Percy's too," Ron laughed.
"When are Bill's and Percy's?" Hermione asked.
"Bill's is the 6th and Percy's is the 23rd," Fred supplied.
"What are the odds that of seven children, five would have birthday's within the same month?" Hermione asked.
"Well, it would certainly depend on the birthdays and anniversary of the parents," Mandy said.
"AND we're going to stop THAT line of conversation right now," Fred said before Mandy could go any farther. "These are our parents you know." Ron and Harry both shuddered visibly. The remains of dinner disappeared from their plates. Dumbledore tapped his fork against his goblet and the hall fell silent.
"For the remainder of the evenings entertainment, I give you Celestina Warbeck!" Dumbledore cried. A single witch walked out onto a platform that had been constructed in the corner. A few couples headed towards the dance floor and Dumbledore began making the empty tables disappear.
"Fred?" Hermione asked.
"I've worn my Quidditch boots," Fred replied.
"Are you THAT rough on his toes?" Mandy asked.
"Quite the opposite actually," Fred laughed, "I'm the terror on the toes and so Hermione stands on my feet to keep me from stepping on her." Mandy turned to Ron.
"From what Padma tells me, I probably should have worn my Quidditch boots," she joked.
"There's only one way to find out," Ron said, standing up and offering Mandy his hand. She placed her hand in his and stood up. The couple quickly made their way to the dance floor.
"Hannah, to be perfectly honest, I'm a totally rotten dancer," Harry said. Hannah smiled softly.
"Don't worry, mum made me take dancing lessons from the time I was three until I started Hogwarts, I'm sure we'll be okay," she laughed.
"Just let her lead," Hermione advised as she and Fred trailed after Ron and Mandy. Harry stood and offered his hand to Hannah. She took it and they headed off towards the dance floor.
*****
Hannah was right, the she and Harry were just fine when it came to dancing. He allowed her to lead in most dances, and they were easily one of the best dancing couples on the floor. Hermione and Fred joined Angelina and George in their typical "we're going to slow dance even if this song is fast" routine in the center of the dance floor. They were only interrupted briefly by Katie and Alicia, who proved what horrid dancers the twins really were. Ron and Mandy realized after about three songs that both of them should have worn their Quidditch boots for their dancing to be effective, so they retired to a corner to talk to Neville and Susan and only dance the slow songs.
"It's ridiculously hot in here," Hannah said as she and Harry broke for some butter beer around 11. They had been dancing pretty much continuously for the past three hours.
"Where are Ron and Mandy?" Harry asked. Hannah scanned the crowd quickly. "I think they're still over in the corner talking to Susan and Neville."
"Then would you care to go for a walk to get some fresh air?" Harry asked.
"Certainly," Hannah replied. Harry held out his hand. Hannah curled her fingers into his and the pair started towards the door. They quickly exited the Great Hall and were met buy an angry Snape patrolling the doors to the outside.
"You may only go outside if you stay in the approved area," Snape snapped as he pulled open the front door. Harry and Hannah quickly stepped through and Snape let the door crash shut behind them. Hannah shivered a bit. Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at the door of the castle.
"Accio cloak," he said. A moment later, he held his heavy winter cloak in his hand.
"Is your spot within the approved area do you think?" Harry asked. Hannah looked over towards the lake.
"It looks to be," she replied.
"Shall we?" he asked. He held out his arm to her.
"We shall," she replied.
%%%%%
"Well guys, I think we're going to go attempt to dance," Neville said, glancing over at Susan. He stood up and she followed close behind him.
"Aren't they cute?" Mandy asked as the pair retreated to the dance floor.
"In a very," Ron searched for the right word. "In a very odd sort of way."
"Yes, I would definitely call it odd," Mandy agreed. Ron rolled his eyes and laughed at the girl. "Harry and Hannah just left the hall."
"Maybe the boy has finally gotten the nerve to make things official with her," Ron laughed. Mandy shot a pointed look in Ron's direction.
"Hopefully he has," Mandy said. Ron didn't catch the meaning behind her look. He reached over and took her hand anyway.
"I've really had a fun time tonight," he said, looking directly into her eyes.
"Me too," she said, quite amazed at Ron's sudden urge to hold hands with her. She smiled shyly up at him.
"Maybe we could do something, just the two of us, after Winter Holidays," Ron suggested.
"I'd like that," Mandy agreed. The song changed to a very slow tune.
"Care to dance?" Ron asked, standing up.
"Certainly," Mandy replied. She stood up and allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor.
%%%%%
"Wow, the stars are beautiful," Hannah said, looking up at the sky. Harry quickly conjured a waterproof blanket and spread it out over the snow. He sat down and looked up at Hannah.
"You can sit now if you'd like," he said.
"I should have summoned my cloak too," Hannah said. She sank onto the blanket next to Harry. Harry whispered a charm to make his cloak slightly larger. He slid around behind Hannah and bent his legs up. She leaned back against his chest and propped her arms up on his knees. He tossed his cloak around both of them and she leaned her head back onto his shoulder so she could look at the stars. He slid his arms around her waist and looked out across the lake.
"What was the rest of my Christmas present?" Hannah asked softly after a moment.
"Well, as I gave you a picture frame, I figured I should explain why there wasn't a picture in it," Harry said.
"Okay," Hannah replied.
"Well. I thought about doing what both Ron and Mandy did," Harry began, "but then I decided I wanted to be a bit more selfish about the whole ordeal."
"Selfish? How?"
"I guess by not putting a picture in the frame I'm trying to say that I hope there will be plenty of times in the future for the two of us to have pictures made together so you can pick the one you want," Harry said.
"And that's selfish how?" Hannah asked.
"It's selfish because I'm basically asking the most beautiful witch in Hogwarts to be mine," Harry whispered. Hannah gasped just a bit.
"If you don't like the idea of having a boyfriend," Harry began mumbling.
"No Harry, I don't like the idea of having a boyfriend," Hannah said. She couldn't quite see him, but Harry's face fell. "I love the idea." Harry sighed and smiled. She moved closer to him and he leaned his cheek over on the top of her head.
%%%%%
"Why is George dancing with Katie again?" Hermione asked from her spot in Fred's arms.
"That's a really good question," Fred laughed, "I wonder where 'Lina is."
"It looks like she's over there with Alicia, Ginny, Dean, Seamus and Kyle, probably discussing the finer points of chasing," Hermione laughed.
"So how many times have George and Katie danced?" Fred asked. "Seven or eight?"
"I thought nine," Hermione replied.
"That's only slightly odd," Fred said.
"I'm with you on that one," Hermione laughed.
"Where are Seamus and Kyle's dates?" Fred asked.
"Standing just behind them looking bored out of their minds," Hermione said.
"And where are your friends?" Fred questioned.
"I haven't seen Ron and Mandy lately and Harry and Hannah left over a half an hour ago," Hermione explained.
%%%%%
"You know, if we start walking back now, we should be able to dance the last song," Hannah said, finally lifting her head off of Harry's shoulder. The new couple had been sitting in their spot, wrapped in Harry's cloak for the past 30 minutes. Harry peeled off the cloak and stood up. He helped Hannah to her feet and draped the cloak around her shoulders. A quick Finite Incantatem fixed the blanket and the couple started back towards the school. They walked in complete silence through the gardens near the lake where Harry and Ron had heard Hagrid's confession to Madame Maxime the year before. As they neared the statue Harry and Ron had stopped at, they noticed two pairs of feet sticking out from under a bush.
"Oh wow, I think we better not disturb anything," Harry laughed as the two began to walk past the feet's owners.
"I know those shoes!" Hannah whispered. Harry stopped and looked down at the feet.
"Wait, I know those other shoes," Harry said.
"RONALD ALROY WEASLEY!" Harry cried.
"AMANDA LEIGHANNE BROCKLEHURST!" Hannah shouted at the same time. A mad dash to extract them selves from behind the bush ensued for Ron and Mandy.
"Bloody hell Ron, you could have picked somewhere better than behind a bush!" Harry scolded.
"Mandy, what are you doing out here where anyone could catch you?" Hannah asked. Ron and Mandy emerged from behind the bush looking very guilty and extremely sheepish. Ron's hair was a mess and Mandy's lips were quite red.
"What do you have to say for yourselves?" Harry asked. Mandy looked over at Ron and smirked.
"Alroy?" came her only comment. Ron turned on Harry. Before he could say anything, Harry took off running towards the castle. Ron chased after him. Hannah turned to her best friend with a smile.
"So is he a good kisser?" she asked. Mandy simply smirked and walked after the boys. Hannah laughed and followed her friend. The pair caught up with Ron and Harry at the Entrance to the school.
"We're just in time for the last dance," Ron said, pulling open the door. He grabbed Mandy's hand and pulled her towards the Great Hall. Harry took Hannah's hand and they started after their friends.
"This is the last song of the night," the singer said, "so grab that special someone and make it the dance to remember."
"I'm officially worried," Hermione said. "Katie and George are dancing together and Angelina is off with Kyle. Jae and Dean are dancing together and it looks like Ginny is sitting down furiously writing something."
"Probably a love note to Braeden," Fred laughed. He turned his girlfriend so she couldn't see their friends anymore. He pulled her closer to him and she rested her head on his chest. He leaned down and dropped a soft kiss on the top of her head. Suddenly he was aware of two more couples on either side of them. He glanced over to see Ron and Mandy on one side, and Harry and Hannah on the other.
"Ron," he hissed. "You've got leaves in your hair."
%%%%%
Harry held out his arms to Hannah and she stepped close to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her as close as she would get. He rested his cheek on her head and closed his eyes. The pair swayed in time to the music, aware of nothing happening around them. The song played on. The last chorus came and Harry and Hannah were still wrapped in each other's arms in the center of the dance floor. The song was almost over. Harry leaned down and dropped a soft kiss on the top of Hannah's head. Just as he did, the song ended and the lights in the hall began to flash on. Hannah turned her face towards Harry's, not opening her eyes. Harry leaned in. There have been five great kisses since 1642 B.C. when Saul and Delilah Korn's inadvertent discovery swept across Western civilization. (Before then, couples hooked thumbs.) And the precise rating of kisses is a terribly difficult thing, often leading to great controversy, because although everyone agrees with the formula of affection times purity times intensity times duration, no one has ever been completely satisfied with how much weight each element should receive. But on any system, there are five that everyone agrees deserve full marks.
Well, this one left them all behind.