5: The Winter Ball

The great hall was bewitched to look like a Muggle dancing club. Neon blue, green and red lights danced on the ceiling. There was a wet bar at each corner (non alcoholic drinks of course) and a DJ stand in the middle.

Harry would have thought this to be a blast if he didn't feel like something you find on the bottom on your shoe. With Ron's help though, he pulled together nicely. He wore a midnight blue Muggle suit, a maroon collard shirt completely unbuttoned and a white pocket tee underneath. White tennis shoes finished off the ensemble...he had based the outfit on something he had seen in one of Hermione's Muggle fashion magazine. He thought it looked very good. So did all of the girls at the party. He smiled to himself; he was getting tired of turning down offers to dance. Apparently so was Ron.

"No! Go on! Get away I'm not dancing!" Ron's said to a frightened 4th year Gryffindor

"Calm down Ron, before you make one of them cry." Harry half joked

"Sorry mate, I'm just…Where is Hermione and that idiot Krum?" He said

Ron spent most of his time pacing in front of Harry biting his fingernails. Harry thought it was funny how much time he and Ron spent getting dressed up for girls who hated their guts at the moment.

Ron was far more casually dressed than Harry. Still he was just as handsome. He wore a dark pair of khakis, with a long striped red and blue collard shirt, with a snug blue sweater vest over it. Harry notice how many of the girls stared at the muscles that bulged out of Ron's arms. Ron had abandoned the spiky hair look and let his hair grow. Draco had given him a potion that makes your hair grow 6 times the normal Rate. Ron's hair was down to his chin these days.

"There she is!" Ron shouted "And that Bloody git. I think I want to go say hi to old Vicky boy." Ron said with malice

"Calm down Ron." Harry started but Ron was half way to his destination. Harry jogged to catch up with him "Don't do anything stupid…" Harry stopped his words when Ron had decided to stop mind stride. "Ron you ok?"

Harry was concerned the look on Ron's face, it had turned from hatred to an expression Harry had not seen Ron make before…was Ron sad?

"Look at her Harry she looks beautiful." Ron smiled

He was right. Hermione was in some sort of two-piece. The bottom half of her dress was metallic blue that started tight at the waist then puffed out into a lovely flowing line. The upper half showed off a part of her that neither Ron nor Harry had seen before. It too was the same metallic blue as the bottom half. It had thin straps and fit tight around her bust. The halter stopped right above her belly button. She had her hair in a bun with little ringlets on the side.

"She's a princess." Ron said breathlessly

"Indeed." Harry agreed

Seeing that Ron had calmed down Harry nudged Ron over to where Hermione was.

When Hermione saw Ron and Harry she had to brace herself. Was she just biased because they were her friends or were they the two most handsome fellows there? When Victor came to pick her up, she thought he looked dashing in his traditional black suit. But he was nothing compared to Harry and Ron. Harry looked like he steeped off of a Muggle runway. . Ron looked like he should be on the cover of that Muggle magazine G.Q. She would have to thank Draco later for giving Ron that potion. His hair was so long and silky now she longed to twist it through here fingers. It took every ounce of being for her to remember she was angry with Ron.

"Hello boys." She said as they approached

Harry just nodded

"Hermione hi." Ron said he didn't know what else to say

"Hi Ronald." She replied

"Victor." Ron said a little less enthused

Seeing that Ron wasn't going to make amends in front of Krum Harry decided to intervene

"Victor why don't you go get Hermione something to drink?" He said "I'll show you where it is."

Before Victor could protest Harry grabbed his arm and dragged Krum away. Ron looked at Harry and gave him a thankful nod. When they were gone Ron started to talk

"Hermione I…" Ron's started

"Stop calling me that!" Hermione interrupted

"That's your name isn't it?" Ron said getting angry again

"Not to you it isn't." she said helplessly

"I don't feel right calling you just Mione anymore." he said

"Ron…" she stared

"Let me finish…I understand why you are here with Krum. And I don't blame you. You wouldn't be the girl I know and respect if you waited around forever to see if your best friend wanted you to tag along with him to a dance. I didn't come over here to fight or ruin your night. I just want to let you know that you are the most beautiful girl in here and you always have been. You look like a princess and I hope Krum is treating you like one. Mione I don't want to fight anymore. Well that's a lie I like when we fight, I just don't want to fight like this." Ron finished he and Hermione both had tears in their eyes.

"Ron…you are a git, but an adorable git." She smiled at him

They embraced for a long time after that. Ron was relieved to smell her hair again…still smelled of peaches

Harry was watching his two friends make up from the refreshment area. He knew Ron wasn't ready to tell her how he felt yet, but this was definite start. Krum didn't take his date hugging someone else for all to see very well. He told Harry that he suddenly felt sick and to please apologize to Hermione for him but he had to go. Harry somehow didn't think neither Hermione nor Ron would be upset by the news.

Hermione had managed to drag Ron and Harry on to the Dance floor. Harry spent several minutes trying to catch the beat to some sort of Muggle music called hip-hop. Ron just stood mesmerized as Hermione grinded up and down on him with her backside. Ron was enjoying the view very nicely. That was until he realized so was every other male in sight. After threatening all their lives, Ron pulled Hermione off the floor. That was the end of dancing.

The next hour was spent by the trio catching up on the three days they had been apart. Harry had told Hermione the situation with Eliza. Hermione was non-to please with him.

"Harry how awful! She must be crushed! Hermione screamed over the music "And me, I'm such a bad friend. I should have been there for her. Instead I was all wrapped up in my own issues."

"Mione it's not your fault." Ron said brushing a strand of hair out of her eye

"Well I know that." She said gaining her composure; she had missed Ron touching her so badly. "It's Harry's. Harry that was the…" she started

"The stupidest thing I have ever done! Don't you think I know that Hermione. I want to make it all better, but she won't let me. Cant say that I blame her, if anybody ever talked bad about my parents I don't think I could forgive them either." He trailed off, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Oh Harry, it will be ok." Hermione said realizing that she may have been too harsh. "She's hurt, she just needs time."

"I should have never hurt her in the first place." Harry responded

"It happens mate, look at me and Mione. We always come through ok." Ron said trying to comfort his friend

"Yes, but you two have 5 years to fight for. Eliza and I, we don't have that." Harry said

"Harry James Potter, Love has no time limit. 5 Years, 5 days so what! If you love her, you love her." Hermione screamed

"Love? Bloody hell." Ron whistled

"Harry loves her, don't you Harry?" Pressed Hermione

Did he love Eliza?

"Hermione I…."He started "Doesn't matter if I do or don't, she is never gonna talk to me anymore. So what's difference does it make?"

With that Harry turned his back on his friends. He sat there and gazed out at the dance floor watching all the happy people. Just for one day Harry wished he could trade placees with anyone of them and be a normal boy.

Dean Tomas and Ginny Weasley were practically shagging out on the dance floor. He hoped Ron would not see that, for Dean's sake. Seamus Finnegan was challenging some Hufflepuff boy to a dancing duel, much to the dismay of his date. He watched as Neville Longbottom danced with Cho Chang. Seeing them Harry was reminded of a time he was infatuated with miss Chang. Even though their encounter had been brief and disastrous, it had been simple. Not once did Harry have to even contemplate the word love. Harry was thrown out of thoughts by loud murmurs in the hall. When he came out of his dazed he noticed everyone looking towards the entrance. Harry stood up and made his way over to the commotion to see what all the fuss about. Then he saw.

Fashionably late Draco Malfoy strutted in looking like he was king of the world. Harry had to give Draco his dues; the boy caused heads to turn wherever he went. Draco had to be the best at everything he did. Clearly tonight he had his sites on being the best dressed. He wore a Muggle suit very similar to Harry's however Draco elected to be as formal as he could with his ensemble. The suit was dark gray, and had hint of luster to it when light struck it. He wore a hunter green collard shirt with a tie the same color. His shoes were made from the finest dragon hide money could by. His usual flowing golden locks were slicked and tied back with a simple green ribbon. Draco looked flawless. But the thing that made the students of Hogwarts murmur was not Draco himself, but the beautiful woman that Draco had glued to his arm. Together she and Draco looked like Gothic Royalty. Harry thought she was stunning and a bit daring. Her outfit was tasteful, but he had to admit that it made him feel a little cheeky in his lower region. He knew that the girl had to be something special. There were tons of beautiful girls at the ball tonight, but she was the only one who had made him for a brief second forget about Eliza. Yes this girl could even give Eliza a run for here money in the looks department. Except… Suddenly Harry let out a loud gasp. The girl on Draco's arm was Eliza!

If Hermione was a princess as Ron had said, Then Eliza was the goddess Harry thought. Her top was a boustie that matched the color of Draco's shirt perfectly. The tight bodice made her already huge breast sit up high and peek out from the thin material holding them in. She wore a simple black mini skirt that made he legs look like they went on forever. Harry had no idea how she could walk in the shoes she had on, black strappy things that had a heel on them at least 4 inches. Stilettos he thought he had heard Hermione call those type of shoes once. She wore her hair down, long and wavy. Her hazel eyes popped out due to the Muggle make up she had applied. She was perfect. Unlike Malfoy she wasn't dressed to impress, she was dressed to kill. And Harry knew that he was the target.

Eliza Snape was grateful that her dad had elected not to chaperone this dance. He would kill her if he knew what she had on. But she didn't care she had to make sure Harry Potter always regretted that he treated her like dirt. She knew her and Draco's arrival would be something, but she had no idea the attention they were getting. She saw Harry staring at her. His jaw had dropped to the floor; she smiled to her self at this. Little ways behind Harry she say Ron and Hermione. Draco stared to lead her towards their direction. She quickly drugged him over to the dance floor. She had missed Hermione and Ron terribly but she knew if she went over there she would eventually have to be close to Harry. She wasn't ready for that. She didn't know if she would ever be ready to be close to Harry Potter again.

Draco couldn't have planned it even any better. All eyes were on him. Ok he wasn't dense all eyes were on Eliza, but what did he care? She was with him. And that made him the envy of all these dorks. He had seen the look on Potters face when he saw Eliza. He felt bad for the bloke. But Harry's misfortune was Draco's gain. Besides he was sure that eventually Eliza would forgive Harry, she loved him too much to stay away. Draco was a little upset when Eliza dragged him directly on the dance floor. He was hopping to go over and insult Weaslebe for a while. However he wasn't upset for long, Eliza danced better than she looked if that was possible. Draco just sat back and let her do her thing all up on him.

After gaining some composure Harry made his way back to Ron and Hermione's table

"I can't believe she has that on!" said Hermione. "It's so short."

"Its bloody hell brilliant." Ron said

"Ron!" Hermione scowled

"Oh come on Mione...she doesn't look half as good as you, but you have to admit she comes close. Besides anyone with half a brain knows she only is wearing it to get back at our man Harry here." Ron teased

"I agree, and it seems to have worked." Hermione teased as she saw that Harry still had a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"If Malfoy touches her…" he started

Harry was interrupted

"You'll what Potter?" Malfoy said with a wide grin

"Shouldn't you be dancing Malfoy?" Harry raged

"I'm taking a break, that girl will wear you out." He smiled

"Shut it Malfoy." Harry said trying to keep his anger in check

"What's the matter Potter?" Laughed Draco

"I know we weren't competing for best buds of the year award but…" Harry trailed off

"But what?" Draco sobered up

"I thought we were friends." Harry yelled

"Yeah so?" Draco said

"So, what are you doing with her, grinding all up on her? Couldn't wait to beat me at something could you Draco." Harry said with malice

"Ha, that's what this is then? Potter she isn't a Quidditch game, so I'm not trying to beat you at anything. Snape and me are just friends, who just happen to have impeccable fashion sense. I'm not trying to make a move on her Harry; even if I were she's too wrapped up in you to care. I just wanted to cheer her up for a spell." Draco said seriously

"Sorry." Harry Grumbled. He didn't mean to be so evil to Draco. It was his own fault Eliza wasn't here with him in the first place. "Thanks for cheering her up."

"No problem Potter, besides it faired well for me to. I'm the envy of everyone once again. As I should be." He Replied

"Sure Draco, enjoy the rest of the dance then." Harry lied

"Nope. I hate dances and she hates you so we are leaving." He said to Harry

Harry just shook his head. Before Harry could respond another voice made its presence.

"Draco." Alexia said

"Alexia, hi." Draco said smugly

"Couldn't wait to replace me could you." She whispered

"Replacement, ha I call it an upgrade. And as I recall you dumped me. Did you not think I would recover?" He grinned

Suddenly Alexia leaned in to Draco and whispered something in his ear. Harry could not hear what it was but by Draco face he knew it was good. After about a minute Draco turned his attention back to Harry and the crew.

"Well it's been a lovely chat, but Alexia and I have some…um…business we have to attend to." Draco smirked

"Yuck!" Hermione said

"Harry be a sport and make sure Eliza gets back to Slytherin safely will you?" Said Draco. Then Malfoy turned his attention to Hermione. "Granger, see you and Weaslebe are talking again that's swell. You look nice girly, try not to let Ron feel you up to much." He yelled leaving both Ron and Hermione with Red faces.

Eliza saw Draco and Alexia leave the great hall. Draco was such an arse, that stupid twit Alexia didn't realize she played right into his hands. Oh well she was grateful to them both. With no date, there was really no need to stay at this stupid ball. Eliza got up from her seat and made her way out of the hall.