CHAPTER FIVE: THE BALL
Harry Potter knew that his life was strange. He had known that since his eleventh birthday, but the Christmas Eve of his Sixth Year at Hogwarts, he was definitely reminded of his bizarre life.
He was dressed in formal wear, playing idly with his cufflinks as Ron paced the Common Room nervously. It was the same every year, the boys waiting in the Common Room for the girls to descend in their dresses and skirts. But Harry knew that this year was going to be different. This year, he had a steady and beautiful girlfriend. Said girlfriend was also the most evil wizard ever known's daughter. Said daughter was also a Vampire Slayer. Not the Vampire Slayer, but one of two. And, said Vampire Slayer had made Harry swear that he wouldn't inform Ron or Hermione about the new change in her life.
Upstairs in the girl's dormitory, four Sixth-Year's and one Fourth-Year raced frantically around the room, trying to do last minute touch-ups. Glamour charms and acne potions had been in high demand, and those who weren't up to doing the spells or potions themselves were begging others to do it for them. Muggle make-up was in use with the muggle-borns who were only too willing to share with the pureblood witches, and the entire girls wing was in a panic as the time rolled closer to the Yule Ball.
Hermione had once again used magic to fix her perpetually bushy hair, and she'd styled it so that it was completely straight and reached half-way down her back. Buffy's was piled on top of her head, strands falling out in a trendy messiness, framing her face.
The girls had altered their previous years dresses, using both magic and muggle means to change lengths and style of their dresses, but keeping the same colour. Hermione in light blue and Buffy in light pink. They'd tossed around the idea of swapping, but had decided that Hermione wearing pink when her boyfriend had red hair was just not going to work.
Ginny was in dark navy blue and had been completely secretive about who was partnering her. Buffy and Hermione had tried bribing her with chocolate, but even that had not made the younger girl tell them who she was going with.
The girls made the final touches and grinned at each other.
"Ready?" Hermione asked.
Ginny breathed in nervously. "Ready," she replied.
Buffy looked across at the redhead and noticed the extra effort that the girl had put in. She could remember the previous years ball when Ginny had gone with Colin Creevey. She hadn't been as nervous, and she hadn't put anywhere near the effort in as she had for the Yule Ball they were about to attend. Whoever she was partnering, she obviously wanted to make a good impression.
"Uh.Buffy?" Hermione started. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Ginny took the hint and descended the stairs ahead of them, leaving the two best friends alone.
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked, slightly worried. It wasn't everyday that Hermione looked so nervous about anything.
"Well, it's just.I wanted to know if maybe.well, if you and Harry.I mean.would you let Ron and I use the Room of Requirement tonight?" Hermione managed to get out.
Buffy's mouth dropped in shock. She composed herself, her eyes still wide. "Yeah, of course!" she replied. "Wow.so.you and Ron?"
Hermione nodded, biting her lower lip.
"That's really great for you guys," Buffy said genuinely. "You know how to get into the room and everything, right?"
Hermione nodded. "Of course."
"Does Ron know?" Buffy asked.
Hermione just grinned and winked at her best friend before walking out the door. Buffy could only laugh at Hermione's antics before following the brunette girl down the stairs and into the Common Room.
------------------------
As predicted, the boys were completely floored by the girl's outfits. Ron had looked at Ginny, slightly shocked by the transformation that his younger sister had undergone. He'd scowled, making a mental note to watch whoever it was that would be a partner to her. His scowl had stopped immediately when his eyes lit on Hermione. His jaw dropped and it was only Harry nudging Ron's ribs with his elbows that reminded the redheaded boy that he needed to say something.
"You look.incredible," Ron said.
Hermione blushed and kissed her boyfriend's cheek. Ron turned slightly so that he caught her lips with his, the two of them engaging in a long and searing kiss. Harry smirked and looked past the couple towards his own girlfriend.
His breath caught in his throat and he smiled widely. Even a year and a half after meeting her, he still thought she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. He stepped towards her and took her outstretched hand, bringing her knuckles up to meet his lips.
Buffy smiled and tugged Harry towards her, kissing him softly. "I love seeing you in a tux," she admitted.
"Better than seeing me without a tux?" he asked cheekily.
Buffy just grinned and kissed him again.
"I don't suppose you'd consider skipping the ball and just having a private party in our room?" Harry asked.
The Slayer had to admit that she was tempted to take Harry up on his offer. Harry really did look amazing in formal wear, and Buffy knew that she and Harry would now be fighting Ron and Hermione for time within the Room of Requirement. She chuckled a little and remembered that Harry had no clue.
"I don't think we'll actually be able to use our room tonight," Buffy said.
Harry's eyes narrowed. "Why not?" he asked, a plaintive note in his voice. Buffy could have sworn that he was pouting.
"Because." Buffy said, drawing the word out. She leant closer to him to whisper in his ear. "Ron and Hermione will be using it this evening."
Harry went to yell out, but Buffy quickly brought her hand up to cover his mouth. His eyes were wide, and when Buffy removed her hand he leant forward to whisper frantically in her ear.
"Why didn't he tell me that?" he asked.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Because Ron doesn't know!" she explained. "And you can't tell him either."
Harry thought about it for a moment before grinning widely. He nodded his consent and glanced over at the couple in question, who were still engaged in a deep kiss.
"I won't tell, I swear."
------------------------
Buffy, Harry, Hermione and Ron walked into the Great Hall, the Christmas decorations covering the walls and every available area of space that could be used. The Ball had already started, and several couples were already dancing to the slow music that was being provided by the live band up on the make-shift stage.
They four friends immediately scanned the room, looking for their friends.
"Hey, there's Ginny!" Buffy said, pointing to the redheaded girl.
The other three craned their necks to try and get a look at her partner, the four of them curious, as Ginny had kept it a secret and had refused to tell them whenever they had asked.
Ron's jaw dropped as he saw who it was that Ginny was talking to.
"Malfoy!"
Buffy grinned widely. She'd been hoping that her cousin would have the guts to ask Ginny to the dance. She hadn't been able to talk to him about it though and was glad that he'd finally gone ahead and just asked the younger Gryffindor girl.
"Good for them," Buffy commented.
Ron looked at her in absolute shock. "You're joking, right?" he asked. "My little sister and Draco Malfoy?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. "A year and a half ago I may have agreed with you," she commented. "He's changed Ron, even you've seen that."
Ron seemed to deflate, but he was still pouting, his arms folded across his chest. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."
Hermione rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's antics and grabbed him by the hand, pulling him onto the dance floor.
Buffy and Harry stared at each other.
"It's nice to see nothing's changed between Hermione and Ron," Harry commented, grinning widely. "They haven't lost their spark."
"It's what makes them so interesting," Buffy agreed.
Harry pulled Buffy into his arms and they swayed slowly together, Buffy's head tucked beneath Harry's chin as they danced.
"Do you know what today is?" Buffy asked.
"Christmas Day," Harry replied seriously.
Buffy scoffed and hit Harry's arm. "No, I'm being serious here."
Harry smiled and pressed a kiss to Buffy's forehead. "I know you are. And, yes I know what today is."
Harry reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small box. He smiled and handed the box to Buffy who took it cautiously.
"Open it," Harry prodded gently.
With shaking hands, Buffy undid the ribbon that was tying the box closed. She opened the lid and gasped as she saw the white-gold ring nestled in velvet. Encrusted in the band was three small diamonds that Buffy knew were real.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
Harry gently took the ring out of the box and slowly slid it onto the middle finger of her right hand. He brought her fingers to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss against the white-gold band.
"Now everyone knows that you're mine," he explained.
Buffy smiled and blinked away tears. "I think everyone kinda knows that already."
Harry just shrugged. "Well now it's set down in metal and stones."
Buffy smiled and lightly kissed her boyfriend. Even after a year, he could still make her knees go weak, and turn her to mush with just a look. He'd stuck by her through thick and thin. He'd proven time and time again just how much he cared about her, and she knew that when things got rough, he would always be there.
"Your gift's still up in my room," Buffy admitted.
"I think my gift's right here in my arms," Harry whispered.
Buffy smiled brightly. No matter how cheesy Harry was, he could always make her smile and her heart beat just a little bit faster.
"You know, I'm starting to regret telling Hermione that she could use our room," Buffy admitted.
Harry sighed, remembering their earlier conversation. He really wanted to get Buffy alone for the evening, but he just didn't know how to do that when the Room of Requirement was going to be used by Ron and Hermione. As happy as Harry was for the two of them, he really wanted a night with Buffy.
"Do you think Dumbledore would mind if we.vanished for a night?" Harry whispered.
Buffy chuckled softly and nestled her head on Harry's shoulder, sighing contentedly.
"I think he'd forgive us just this once," Buffy replied.
"It's hard to believe that it's only been a year since everything happened," Harry commented. "It feels like a lifetime."
"We got through it though," Buffy said. "Through all the crap, and my uh.multitude of kidnappings-" Harry snorted with laughter. "And the Slytherins trying to break us up.we came through it."
"I guess we must really love each other," Harry commented, grinning.
Buffy smiled and laughed, pressing a kiss to Harry's neck. "I guess we must."
----
Awwww, more mush.
Two updates today!