First Act

The storyline for this fanfiction was inspired by a play I saw the other night. It was written by a promising young author going by the name of William Shakespeare. Perhaps a few of my readers have come across one of his works; if not – he is definitely one to look out for!

Further inspiration most definitely came from the works of J.K. Rowling and none of the rights to the characters and recognizable story elements from the Harry Potter series and films belong to me.

Synopsis: The Yule ball is coming at Hogwarts. Harry Potter wants to go with Cho Chang, but Cho and Cedric Diggory are already going together. Meanwhile Ginny Weasley is pining after Harry who ignores her. Professor Flitwick has learned that Madam Pince has acquired a rare book which he wants to read. Since the books he borrows never return to the library she refuses him. He comes up with a plan: he tasks the Weasley twins with stealing a love potion from Professor Snape's cabinet and doses Madam Pince with it. Seeing the love quandary of the students, he tasks the twins with also giving the potion to 'our school champion'.

Dumbledore has tasked Snape to get a group of Slytherins to perform a play at the ball to improve the standing of the house. The want to show the story of Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter. Malfoy is to play the Bloody Baron. Goyle is the Grey Lady. Crabbe gets to play a lion because he likes lions. The twins prank Malfoy by half-transforming him into a ferret. On his way to the hospital, he passes the library and Madam Pince falls in love with him. Meanwhile, the twins have drugged the wrong champion and Cedric falls for Ginny.

Albus Dumbledore strode along the corridors leading to the Great Hall with a solemn smile on his face. Sure, the Triwizard Tournament had not started as planned, with Harry Potter ending up forced to compete. And sure, they were no closer to discovering who had entered the boy's name than they had been at Halloween. Alastor still suspected Severus and Igor Karkaroff. But since he had not been able to find any substantial evidence, Albus discarded it as another symptom of his old friend's growing paranoia. On the other hand, the first task had turned out quite well, and Albus had been pleased with young Harry's inventiveness. To summon his broom… The cheek… The headmaster shook his head in quiet amusement.

Thinking of Harry's adventurous broom ride lead Albus' thoughts to pondering the upcoming second task. He had kept an eye on Harry and it was quite clear whom he would miss the most. Unfortunately, Miss Cho Chang did not seem at all responsive to the boy's courting. Her interest was directed entirely towards Mister Diggory, who shared Harry's feelings for her. It seemed that he would have to find another hostage for Harry. Perhaps young Miss Weasley? She was certainly infatuated with him, but Albus could not help noticing that these feelings were unrequited.

The ancient headmaster tapped his lower lip with his right index. Young love… He had seen similar drama unfold so many times in these halls… The only open question was – would it result in comedy or tragedy?

"Albus!"

Hearing Professor McGonagall call his name, he turned his head.

"Minerva, what can I do for you?"

"Albus, I am concerned about our young Triwizard champion. The Yule ball is in four days, and I understand that Mr Potter still doesn't have a partner for the evening."

"Ah, I am sure he will find someone. I have noticed he has turned quite a few heads…"

"That may be the case, Albus. But he has not, as you put it 'turned the head' of Miss Chang. And unfortunately, he seems to share his father's obsession with the unattainable."

"Well, it did work out in the end for James, didn't it?"

"Yes – after six years. I do not think his son has quite as much time to find a date for the ball."

"What do you want me to do, Minerva? Slip him a love potion? Cast a confundus charm on Miss Chang?"

"Don't be silly, Albus! I was hoping you could have a word with the boy in private. I feel that a rebuke of his dating technique will go down better if it is expressed by a male confidant."

"Very well, I will talk to him. I trust that the preparations for the ball are running smoothly?"

"No more trouble than expected. Although there are some odd rumours that a group of Slytherins are planning something for the evening. Maybe you should raise the issue with Severus?"

"Ah, no worries, Minerva. That is all well in hand."

"Harry! Stop and listen!"

To say that Hermione Granger was infuriated would have been the understatement of the year. The boy's obsession with Cho Chang was getting ridiculous. He had hardly started his breakfast before Cho had entered the Great Hall. And before Hermione or Ron could react he had jumped up and rushed off towards the entrance to intercept her.

"Leave it be, Hermione. It's a Potter thing – you set your eyes on one girl, don't take no for an answer and wear her down over the course of a couple of years" one of the twins, she could never tell them apart, explained cheerfully, taking Harry's abandoned seat.

"That's… that's… wrong on so many levels! She's made it perfectly clear that she doesn't want to go out with him. Why can't he get that into that thick skull of his?"

"Dunno, maybe took one too many bludgers to the head?" the other twin offered helpfully.

"That scar must have caused some damage."

"Does Basilisk venom screw up the brain, Fred?"

"Quite possibly, George. Usually you die before it shows though."

"Good point. See, Hermione, there are plenty of reasonable explanations for Harry's behaviour. Now if you will excuse us, we have important business to attend to."

"Important business my arse…" Ron muttered, ignoring the hushed "Ron! Language!" from Hermione. "They are probably working on one of their 'hilarious' pranks again."

"Don't tell me you're still sore over that Polyjuice prank last month?"

"I just don't get why I always have to be the butt of their jokes."

"I thought Malfoy was? After all it's him who turned into your doppelganger, no the other way around…"

"I… It's just… Argh!"

With these parting words, Ron got off the bench and stomped off in the direction of the common rooms. Hermione shrugged, helped herself to another slice of toast and turned her attention back to the book she was currently reading.

"Cho! Cho!" Harry shouted as he stopped in front of the annoyed Ravenclaw.

"What do you want, Potter? I thought I had made myself clear?" she asked.

"Cho, Cho, Cho…" Harry replied in a horrible imitation of Gilderoy Lockhart, shaking his head and giving her a beaming smile. "You are a terrible tease, you know. You and I both know that you are secretly dreaming of going out with The-Boy-Who-Lived, the youngest Seeker in a century, the youngest – and most attractive – Triwizard champion."

"I don't know what you are smoking, but it must be good stuff, Potter. For the last time: I. Am. Not. Interested. Look – I'm even wearing one of Malfoy's buttons!"

"Ah, I can see what happened there –were you so desperate to carry a memento with my image on it? It is a nice picture, although the message is a bit unfortunate. You could have just told me though! I'll arrange for a few handy pictures to be sent to you as soon as I see Colin. Did you get the poster of me with my Firebolt and the Horntail?"

"I burnt it. Potter, what do I have to do to make it clear to you that I could not care less about you?"

"Cho, Cho… Why don't we just skip this lovers' teasing, you dump Diggory and join me for the night of your dreams at the Yule ball? What do you say?"

"I say that sooner will hell freeze over, Potter. You are the most messed up, delusional freak I have ever had the misfortune to meet. If it were a choice between you and one of Hagrid's blast-ended screwts I would pick the latter in an instant. If we were the last two humans on this planet, I would apparate to the moon. And now, piss off!"

Cho stormed off towards the Hufflepuff table where Cedric had been waving to indicate that he had saved her a space.

Harry was still glancing at her retreating back with a quizzical look on his face when Ron nudged him.

"You have to tone it down a bit, mate. This is becoming creepy…"

"Hm…?" Harry replied, turning towards him. "Oh, I think that went rather well. We haven't bantered for this long in ages."

Instead of replying, Ron chose to groan and bury his head in his hands.

"Harry, I wonder if I could have a word with you in my office this afternoon" the voice of Professor Dumbledore cut in. "Don't worry, you are not in trouble. I merely wish to… talk to you… about certain things…"

Harry nodded, still staring after Cho who had by now taken the seat next to Cedric at the Hufflepuff table.