Chapter 18

The Yule Ball

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Christmas Eve was the night of the Yule Ball and every house in Hogwarts was noisy with over excited students. The younger years had gone home the day before because they weren't attending the ball.

Laughter and Shrills of excitement came from the girl's dormitories and the smell of too much cologne came from the boys.

"Does anyone know where my hairbrush is?"

"Have you seen my dress shoes?"

"Ouch! Move over there's enough room for both of us to use the one mirror"

"Could someone fix my bow tie?"

Looking at himself in the mirror Harry straightened his formal robes and tried to settle his hair. He had debated whether to leave his glasses off or on but he didn't know any spells to fix his sight for one night or have any contacts so he decided to keep them on and as Seamus had said they were his trade mark like his scar.

Ron couldn't find one of his shoes and was desperately searching for it, it was eventually found under his Quidditch robes that he had thrown aside after practice. The boys looked very smart and the all agreed to go down to the common room together. Harry was wearing black and his cloak was lined in green, it brought out the green in his eyes. Ron's robes were black too but his cloak was lined in blue satin, and when they moved the cloaks fanned outwards showering the brighter colours underneath.

As the boys waited for their partners to enter the room Harry went to the Ravenclaw house and went to meet his date Cho. No-one was allowed in another student's house so he had to wait for her in the cold corridor. His heart was beating frantically in his chest; he couldn't understand why he was so nervous. They had practised their dances over and over so he knew he wasn't going to fall over but every time the common room door opened Harry jumped off the wall he was leaning up against.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Up in the girl's dormitory Cho Chang was brushing her hair, she was ready for ages but she had to wait for the dorm to be empty before she could grab the small vial that Malfoy had given her. She swirled the purple liquid around and with an evil grin she placed the bottle into her handbag.

So far their plan was going very well. The first time she had gently massaged Harry's neck with a few drops on her fingers just before the Quidditch match. She watched how Harry had become scared on his broom and how he shook the dizzy feelings away. Malfoy had been annoyed that Harry had still managed to catch the Snitch but was very impressed with the results.

"I really thought he was going to wet himself" Malfoy laughed, "We'll just up the dose bit by bit, we don't want anyone getting suspicious. A few dizzy spells here and there won't worry the old fool Dumbledore and golden boy will think he's just stressed and needs to relax more."

Snapping back to reality Cho grabbed her bag and went to meet her date.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The evening started off well Harry and Ron were a lot more confident compared to the Champions Ball the year before. As they danced tenderly with their partners Harry and Ron would nod or smile to each other. When the slow song ended both couples left the floor and rejoined their groups of friends.

"I'm just going to talk with some girls from my house, I'll be back in a few minutes" Cho whispered to Harry.

Lightly her fingers tickled the back of his neck and this sent a shiver down Harry's spine. Placing an arm around her waist he kissed her playfully on the nose and told her not to leave him waiting too long. Cho gave a fake giggle and gently stroking his neck all the time she promised she would return really soon.

"Isn't she great" he said dreamily to Ron but Ron was preoccupied with Hermione who was now sitting on his knee.

Harry spotted Neville as the drinks table and decided he would go talk to him and leave Ron and Hermione. Standing up from the chair Harry suddenly swayed,

"Whoa!" he said holding his hand to his head.

"You alright mate?" Ron asked

"Yeah, just got up too fast" Harry nervously laughed. "Fine now, I'm just going to get a drink, it's warm in here," but Ron didn't respond he was back kissing Hermione.

Harry started to walk across the hall; the band had taken a break so the floor was empty. Seamus had now joined Neville at the drink's table and the two were in deep conversation. Harry felt like he was burning up but pushed it aside and said to Neville when he reached the table,

"Warm in here isn't it?"

"It sure is" Neville replied, "Are you having a good night?"

Neville continued to ask Harry and Seamus about their night but Harry wasn't answering Neville was coming in and out of focus. He felt hot and dizzy and thought he was going to faint.

"I think I'll get a breath of fresh air" he shouted as if Neville was miles but to Harry he felt he was miles away.

Swaying slightly Seamus noticed Harry and catching him said he would help him outside. Harry sat on the cold steps outside the castle entrance. Ron and Hermione ran out after Seamus to see if he was okay. Placing his head in his hands Harry mumbled he was fine he just felt a bit dizzy.

"Is it your scar?" Ron asked but Harry shook his head.

"Maybe it's the flu" Neville said handing Harry a glass of water. "Madame Pomfrey says everyone has it. She can't keep her supply of Pepper-up in stock."

"Maybe he's tired" Seamus said, "It is the end of term"

Even nodding his head hurt and stretching the back of his neck Harry agreed with Neville about having the flu or him just being tired, the Christmas holidays were tomorrow and he needed the break.

"Is he alright? What happened?" Cho shouted as she ran down the steps. "Dean said he wasn't feeling well, is he okay now? Was it is scar?"

Ron took Cho's hand and told her to calm down Harry was fine he just got a bit hot from over doing it and he got a little dizzy, but he was fine now. Harry didn't say anything he just kept his head in his hands that were resting on his knees. He shivered slightly from sitting on the damp cold slab of stone.

"If it is the flu" Hermione said, "He's going to catch pneumonia sitting out here, let's get him back inside"

Harry was feeling better after having some fresh air so he insisted in walking back to the castle himself. Linking Harry's arm Cho told him not to scare her like that again and that he should go to bed early. The other's returned to the hall and Cho walked Harry back to his house.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Hang on a minute" he said. "I want to give you your Christmas present"

Cho reddened she wasn't expecting any gift but Harry disappeared into his dorm and brought out a small box. She opened the box and inside was a small chain with a blue gem on the end of it.

"Ravenclaw colours" he said.

"It's beautiful, so delicate" Cho replied. "I have a gift for you but I'll give it to you tomorrow, you need to rest now."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kissing Cho goodnight Harry went into his common room and headed to bed. His head was still spinning, he couldn't understand where the dizzy spells were coming from but he was too tired to worry about that. He got into bed and rested his head, he felt guilty for ruining Cho's night and he hoped she would return to the hall and enjoy the rest of the night with her friends.

As Harry dozed off worrying about Cho, Cho was down on the Third floor corridor laughing and kissing Malfoy.

"Shhh! someone will hear" she whispered

"Leave them hear" Malfoy replied, "This is too easy"

He placed his hand on her cheek and kissed her again.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Cho returned to the hall and joined Harry's friends to answer their questions and to make sure enough people saw her. When she had left Malfoy he had headed back to his common room to send and Owl to his Father and update him on the night's events. Walking back into the hall Cho caught Malfoy's eye and she knew that he had contacted his Father.

Up in the Gryffindor dorm Harry's scar started to burn and he suddenly felt intense pain. As Harry slept he once more saw through the eyes of Voldermort. Harry had been in this room before.

"Lucius" he called

Malfoy walked forward, he knelt down in front of Voldermort.

"My Lord" he said lowering his head, "Everything is going to plan"

"I am pleased" Voldermort's chilling voice replied, "Was anyone suspicious? Did anyone ask any questions?"

"No my Lord, no-one noticed, they were all too busy enjoying themselves"

"Excellent"

Voldermort started to laugh and Harry screamed in pain. He woke with a start in his bed and his head hurt really badly. He didn't know what time it was or if he had slept for long but listening to the gentle snores coming from his room mates he knew that the ball was over so it was after Midnight at least. He was glad he hadn't woken Ron because he hated worrying his friend but he also missed waking up to a friendly face and knowing he was okay and that it was just a dream.

Feeling warm and restless Harry wanted to get up and walk around. He headed into the dark empty common room; the only light was coming from the moonlight. Opening one of the small windows he looked out to see a half moon. Even though it wasn't a full moon Harry still thought about Lupin and then he thought about his Godfather Sirius. The last Owl he had received he had promised to visit Harry at the Weasley's over the Christmas holidays. Smiling he remembered that in a few hours he would be back on the Hogwart's Express and spending Christmas at the Burrow with the rest of the Weasleys.

The wind blew blowing back Harry's fringe and revealing his lightning shaped scar on his forehead. It was a little tender but not as painful as it was earlier. The wind made Harry shiver and as he closed the window he heard someone behind him. Turning around he saw Ron standing by the doorway scratching his head and yawing.

"There you are Harry, are you alright? When I saw the empty bed I started to wonder where you went. Was it your scar or were you feeling dizzy again?"

Sitting down in the armchair Harry told Ron about his scar and Voldermort. He had forgotten to clear his mind when he had gone to bed.

"Have you any idea why he was so happy?" Ron asked

Harry shook his head; he tried to remember the conversation he had witnessed between Malfoy and Voldermort.

"Something about their plan working and that no-one noticed, but I have no idea what they were referring to" he recalled.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The sky was turning a lighter colour outside and the birds that hung around Hagrid's hut were beginning to wake up. Ron stirred he hadn't realised that he fell asleep on the armchair, looking over at the other chair Harry was asleep on the armrest, his glasses pressed into the side of his head and a little lopsided.

"Harry, Harry wake up, it's Christmas" Ron called, shaking his friend excitedly

"Happy Christmas Ron" Harry said groggily

"Happy Christmas Harry. Come on" Ron continued, "Let's get breakfast and start packing we'll be going home soon."

Harry smiled and got off the chair.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The train journey back to London was exciting. The students were all laughing, joking and were in good spirits. Conversations about the ball the previous night was the main topic of discussion. They were comparing stories or remembering certain parts and laughing about it again.

Most of Harry's friends had asked him how he was feeling and he told them he was feeling a lot better but Harry was feeling distracted. He hadn't seen Cho at all that morning. He was meant to meet her at the carriages and then he waited for her at the train station but he hadn't seen her and he finally boarded the train after the final whistle had been blown. He wanted to go looking for her but he knew she was a private person and if he just interrupted her from her friends she would have been angry with him.

"Did she looked annoyed after she returned to the hall last night?" he asked

"Relax" Ron said, "She's bound to be on the train somewhere. Come play exploding Snap and I bet she'll come looking for you, they always do"

Hermione gave Ron a sharp look but she did tell Harry that Cho was concerned the previous night and she didn't blame him or was angry with him for being sick. This made Harry feel better and decided to remain in the compartment and just wait. He agreed with Ron if she wanted him she could come looking for him. Ginny shook her head and returned to the book she was reading, Hermione also looked offended and she too took out a book. Ron just shook his head and whispered to Harry,

"I'll never understand women."

Harry tried not to laugh but he silently agreed with his friend he didn't see anything wrong with what Ron had said.

Cho never arrived throughout the whole train journey and Harry wasn't very impressed, he had watched the door every few minutes hoping she would arrive. He walked on to the platform and waved to Mr. & Mrs. Weasley

"Harry" he heard from behind, "Harry wait"

Cho was running up the platform to him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked

"Not bad" Harry replied with a little shortness in his voice.

"What's wrong?" she asked

"We were meant to meet earlier" he said, "You didn't look for me or meet me at the castle, I thought you were angry with me over last night"

"Oh! I fell asleep on the train; I was so tired after last night. I didn't talk to anyone in my compartment. Regarding the castle Professor Flitwick told us to sit with our own house and I didn't see you to tell you"

Harry felt really guilty.

"I'm sorry" he said, "I over reacted, maybe I'm not fully better. I didn't mean to get annoyed and think you were avoiding me. Forgive me."

Cho nodded and smiling she said, "I have your present here, don't open it until later. Id better go, I see my parents. Owl me over the holidays"

"Sure" Harry replied blushing and as he watched Cho run back down the platform he felt stupid for doubting her. He went and joined the Weasleys who were waiting patiently.

"I told you they always come looking for you" Ron laughed as they left Kings Cross Station.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Christmas holidays went very quickly and Harry couldn't believe he was due back to school the next day. Christmas Day had been great and Harry had got some lovely presents. He had seen Sirius and Lupin as promised. He hadn't felt dizzy or faint all over the holidays so he put that incident at the ball down to either a twenty four hour bug, or that he was tired and run down. Lupin wasn't as convinced that it was just due to tiredness but he didn't have any real reasons for it so he just advised Harry to take it easy and if it happened again to let someone know.

Harry practised his Occlumency every night so he also got the best sleep in a long time. He hadn't really heard from Cho but he figured like himself she was having a good holiday and had simply been enjoying herself. He did what she advised and opened her present on his own later that day. She had given him a small chain with a silver pendant with an inscription he couldn't make out. He wore it under his t-shirt not because he didn't want anyone to see it but because he wanted to keep it special and separate from his friends. It was something he treasured from Cho.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The train journey back to Hogwarts was long and tiring but Harry was with Cho so he didn't mind if the journey had taken double the normal length of time.

They had just bought some cakes and jellies from the trolley lady when Malfoy appeared at their compartment door.

"Tsk, tsk. I thought you had some taste Chang. You know you need attention from a real man. A girl needs to be looked after, cared for, and spoiled by her man. He needs to be wealthy enough to buy her gifts and to be man enough to defend her when she needs defending. I'm afraid Potter fails in every category. You need a man like me. Why have Silver when you can have Gold?"

Harry jumped off the seat, wand raised.

"Get out Malfoy, I don't care what happens to me but I'm not afraid to hex you into next week, underage laws or not, you will not insult my girlfriend, my friends or me"

"Harry" Cho said, "Leave him, he's not worth getting into trouble with the Ministry or the school over. He's just a spoilt little rich boy!"

Sneering Malfoy left the compartment. Cho sat back down beside Harry and Harry's scar gave a twinge but he ignored it thinking it was because he was annoyed with Malfoy. Putting an arm around Cho he brought her closer and resting his head on her shoulder he decided to sleep for the remainder of the journey. Cho looked out the window at the fields speeding past and grinned slightly to herself.

"Why have Silver when you can have Gold?" she thought, "Later Malfoy dear, later"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

End of chapter