Dance the night away – Chapter Two
Next morning Harry greeted Ron as always and he didn't pay any attention to Ron's whisper 'What would Malfoy say?' The hell with Malfoy, they were going to have fun!
During the day there were three more girls who asked him to be their partner and he brushed all of them aside with a simple 'I've already got someone to go with.' When Hermione asked him who it was he only said: 'You'll see.'
They had one hour to go before the dinner started and Harry and Ron were playing Wizard Chess in the common room, while Hermione came rushing in every five minutes, wearing something different every time.
'What about this one?' she asked them for the twelfth time. Harry looked up and just managed not to laugh. She was wearing a maroon dress, which was way too large and it eyed really stupid.
'Just as nice as all the others.' Ron said, without looking up from the chessboard.
Harry laughed and Hermione walked away furiously. After two more games – Harry lost both of them – he and Ron went upstairs too, to get changed.
Ron had cut off the lace and his dress robes were looking quite normal now. He smiled nervously at Harry and Harry smiled back.
He held out his hand for Ron, but Ron shook his head.
'Not here. When we're downstairs, ready for dinner.' he said.
'Okay.' Harry said. Maybe Ron was right.
They waited for Hermione in the common room and when she arrived – wearing the fist dress she had shown them – they took off.
'Aha, your partner is someone from another house, eh?' Hermione asked Harry.
'You won't give up now, will you?' Harry asked her laughing and he winked at Ron, who smiled faintly.
The Entrance Hall was crowded with students, all wearing colourful robes. Some of them were already clutching the hand of their partner, others were still looking for someone. Hermione vanished and came back with Viktor Krumm. He took her hand and she pulled him towards Harry and Ron. Ron looked at her in amazement.
'You?' he asked Krumm unbelievingly.
'Yes, me.' Krumm said, smiling.
'Shouldn't you go and find your partner too?' Hermione asked Harry.
'Oh, no need to search.' Harry said, grabbing Ron's hand. 'He's here already.'
Hermione's jaw dropped and she looked as though she was about to cry.
'Wow.' she finally whispered. 'That's… that's great. It really is.'
She let go of Krumm and hugged Harry and Ron.
'I'm really happy for you two.' she was smiling again.
'But-' Ron began, but Harry squeezed his hand and said: 'Thanks, Hermione.'
Then McGonagall opened the doors to the Great Hall and asked the students to take a seat.
'Everyone, except the champions and their partners.'
There was a lot of pushing and pulling, while hundreds of students tried to find a decent place to sit.
When everyone was seated – which took almost ten minutes – McGonagall called the champions and their partners in. Harry and Ron looked at each other for the last time and then entered the Great Hall, right behind Hermione and Krumm.
Everyone fell silent and stared at Harry and Ron in astonishment, just like Hermione had done. Cedric and Cho and Fleur and Davis were walking in front of them, so they didn't see. All they noticed was the weird silence, but they didn't pay too much attention to it.
Harry had to admit that Malfoy's face was uglier than ever and it was probably going to give some trouble next Potions lesson, but he didn't care. As long as Ron had the night of this life.
When they reached the staff-table, Dumbledore pointed at eight empty seat on his left. '
The four champions and their partners took place.
Harry looked at Dumbledore, who smiled at him. Then at Professor McGonagall, who was sitting next to Dumbledore. She looked at Ron with her lips pursed together so they looked very thin. On her other side sat Professor Snape, who looked at Harry with an even greater dislike than usual, which was almost impossible.
Dumbledore got to his feet and Harry focused on the headmaster again.
'Tonight we'll have the pleasure to dance and sing. I hired the Weird Sisters and they'll be playing from nine 'o clock till midnight. The champions and their dance-partners open the ball and then the rest can join in. But before the feast begins, we can enjoy a delicious meal. Tuck in.'
On every plate appeared a little menu and when Dumbledore told his order to his plate, the food immediately emerged. Harry tried it too an suddenly his plate was full of food. Others was how this new system worked and soon everyone was suited.
The food tasted even better than normal and Ron and Harry chatted a lot.
Then finally all the deserts were gone and Dumbledore clapped his hands. The little stage in the corner was bathing in light and next to him, Harry saw Fleur and Davis getting up and walking to the platform, holding hands.
He got up too and took Ron's hand, which was a little sweaty. They followed Fleur and Davis to the small stage and Hermione, Krumm, Cedric and Cho joined them. They stood there for a moment, insecure about what to do, but then the doors of the Great Hall flew open and the Weird Sisters came in. Under a tremendous applause they climbed onto the platform and then the music started.
Ron pulled Harry close and wrapped his free arm around Harry's neck. Harry automatically placed his hand on Ron's hip. While they were dancing, Harry felt the urge to say something to Ron. To tell him that he was really sorry it couldn't work out. But every time he opened his mouth, he felt Ron breathe in his neck and he just couldn't.
So they danced on.
At the end of the song some other students had climbed upstage and were dancing too. Harry felt very peaceful, with Ron so close and the calming music in his ears. He heaved his head from Ron's shoulder and said: 'This is nice.'
Ron only nodded and pulled Harry tight again.
Harry closed his eyes and listened to the music.
People get the wrong impressionI wonder if they changed their minds
It's an understated sign
Tell me how you see me again
Now we're swinging to the time
It's a meeting of the minds
It's all unbelievable
Look to play it how we say it
If you're meaning to delay it, hang on
Cos we're moving all around
It's up when the party's over
And we want to free our minds
Now I'm telling you there's no hurry
Cos we're choosing to groove
It's so cool to dance the night away
I choose to live a good life
Have a good time and enjoy the ride
Turn it up break it down move on
High times took a good turn'
Spinning it around cos you gotta learn
To rectify justify this song
Now we're swinging to the time
It's a meeting of the minds
It's all unbelievable
Look to play it how we say it
If you're meaning to delay it, hang on
Cos we're moving all around
It's up when the party's over
And we want to free our minds
Now I'm telling you there's no hurry
Cos we're choosing to groove
It's so cool to dance the night away
It's up when the party's over
And we want to free our minds
Now I'm telling you there's no hurry
Cos we're choosing to groove
It's so cool to dance the night away