Chapter 15- Big Cowy Things that Jump like Hares: Yule Ball

Disclaimer: You know who owns Harry Potter, and it's not me.

Lena was just about finished getting ready for the ball. Her hair had taken her a good two hours, and then she did half an hour of make-up. She even helped Theresa with her hair because Theresa wanted to look perfect for Brutus Maximus. At least as perfect as a chub-ball Hufflepuff could look, Lena noted to herself.

But Lena wasn't focused on her slight good deed. She was only focused on the fact that if she was going to win Dennis, tonight was the night. Her dress gown was extremely binding, but it matched her light green eyes perfectly. Lena just had one more addition to her outfit and it would be perfect. She opened a small bag that she had gotten in Paris and pulled out a necklace. She put it on and smiled. What male in his right mind would be able to resist her now? She just couldn't believe that she had paid ten whole galleons for the necklace. It didn't even have any magical powers, which she could tell; she couldn't read the French of the package it came in.

She waited a few more moments before walking out the door. Down the hall, all the other students were gathered in the dining car. Lena stood a little straighter and walked toward the voices wearing a seductive smile.

"You look," Dennis said when she walked in the room, "wow. Amazing."

Dennis looked as handsome as ever, wearing gold and red robes. His hair was not as messy as usual, but was still the same look that Peter Briggs had picked up during the summer. A smile crept across Dennis's face.

"Thank you," Lena said, "you don't look half bad yourself." She held her hand slightly in front of her and Dennis took it, kissed it, and led her out the door. Dumbledore had just begun to make his way across the grounds now that all the students were ready for the dance. Those who had dates from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, in other words, Theresa and Curran Davies, were already at the doors to the ballroom with their date, while the rest had to wait behind.

Lena looked at the other Hogwart's students. Parkinson was in indigo dress robes that were slightly loose on her, but still managed to look beautiful, even if her hair was just down. Her date, Leo Pasts, was in black and silver dress robes and his head had been recently shaved.

The rest of the students were going without dates. Stella, in red silk robes, Dwight Frost, in perfectly ironed white robes, and Kevin, in garish orange robes, had formed a small group to save themselves from embarrassment. Lena thought to herself that Frost didn't need a date because he had a girlfriend back at Hogwarts. Finally, Baddock, in black robes, was going stag, even though Vidya Tummala, in heavily beaded forest green robes, was tagging along as if she was his date.

Once they arrived at the palace, Dennis and Lena were lead through the crowd waiting for the ballroom to open. They met the other two champions and their dates there. Theresa, in her pink dress robes, smiled at Lena in a silent 'thank you' for helping with her hair. Lena smiled in return, then turned back to Dennis.

"Excited?" Lena asked.

"I am, actually," Dennis replied. Lena squeezed his hand and rested her head on his shoulder while waiting for the doors to open.

The five judges slowly arrived, and once they had arrived, the doors magically opened to show the gold, silver, and crystal ballroom. Lena's eyes sparkled at the amazing sight lit by thousands of fairies flying freely.

Music began to play, and the judges led everyone in. The champions had to dance before the dinner would be served, which Lena was glad about. Once she and Dennis were in the middle of the dance floor, she placed her left hand on Dennis's shoulder, and held his other hand in her right. They began to dance to the music, same as the other champions and their dates.

"This is nice," Lena said. Dennis nodded, hardly looking at her. Lena reached up and turned his head toward her and tried to smile sweetly; she doubted she could due to the fact that she practiced her seductive smile so often her face would automatically spring to that.

"This is nice," Dennis said, this time looking at her. Lena tried to take a step closer to him, but tripped over her own toes. He caught her before she could hit the ground. "And I see you're back to you old trips."

Lena could feel herself blush. She couldn't remember the last time she had blushed. "I probably look like a tomato now, with a red face, and hair."

"I think you look human," Dennis said. "Quite possibly more human than you've looked in a long time. It's been a while since you showed any signs of embarrassment, and, as much as we wish it wasn't true, humans are quite easily embarrassed. Anyway, you're not blushing that much."

Lena smiled, and, very carefully, inched closer to Dennis as they continued to dance. She wanted him to kiss her. However, she knew that he wouldn't at the present time… but maybe, if she played her cards right, by the end of the dance…

The song ended and all the couples bowed or curtsied to their partner, then made their way to the tables. Dennis and Lena took the end of the table set up for the champions, judges, and all their dates… if they had them, as a few judges didn't.

After a delicious meal, Lena was finally getting used to the French food, the music started back up. She took a sip of her pumpkin juice and turned to see Dennis standing and extending a hand toward her. She stood and followed Dennis to the dance floor.

Now the dancing was a lot less formal than it had been before dinner. The music was much more up-tempo, and Lena didn't care that she was in heels as she began to dance with Dennis. She held onto Dennis's shoulders so she wouldn't fall again. Lena couldn't think of anything that would be more embarrassing.

After a few songs, Lena was almost out of breath; the music stopped for a moment and began playing a familiar Christmas song. When the actual singing began, Lena couldn't help herself from spinning to face the stage. All the girls turned to the stage. Peter Briggs was singing, right there, not more than twenty feet from her.

"Dennis," Lena cried, "it's Peter Briggs. Can you believe it?" She knew she sounded like a crazy, obsessed girl, but she didn't care. She grabbed Dennis's face and pulled him into a quick kiss before turning back to Peter Briggs.