I'm really sorry it's been so long since I updated but last week I had play
practice 'til almost midnight every night and then shows all weekend. Then
this week I had to catch up on all my homework and I've got 4 shows this
weekend. Anyway, here's the next chapter. I'll try to post the next one as
soon as I can. Please read and review!
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Renata attended the Christmas Feast in high spirits, planning to sneak out directly afterward to go to the dance at the Three Broomsticks.
Dumbledore stood to make a speech. "HAPPY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!" The students applauded. "After the meal has ended I would like to extend an invitation from the Three Broomsticks for all students 5th year and above to attend a Christmas Dance there. Students will leave at 7 p.m. for Hogsmeade and the dance shall last 'til 11. Enjoy the feast!"
"How do you like that?" asked Renata. "He's taken all the fun out of it!"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry, somewhat relieved that they wouldn't have to sneak out.
"Well, he made it allowed. We don't have to sneak out. That's part of what was going to make it fun," Renata replied.
Harry tilted his head, "You mean you can't have fun just because I'm going to be there?"
She grinned. "I s'pose I can still have a little fun. Even if I'm just hanging out with boring old you."
"I'm so flattered." He rolled his eyes.
Hermione changed the topic. "Nat, you'll let me do your hair right?"
"Who's Nat?" asked Ron and Harry.
Renata waved her hand. "Me. I wanted to try out a new nickname. I don't like it. I'll stick to Renata."
"Can I still call you 'Ren', Ren?" asked Harry.
"Sure you can call me Ren. But you can't call me Ren-Ren."
He pretended to look disappointed, "Oh, darn. How about Rennie-pie?"
"How about I take off your shoe and make you eat it?" She glared.
"Okay, Renata," he said hastily. Her threats were usually serious.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
That night Harry made an honest effort getting ready. He put on dark green robes with blue trim. He even made a stab at brushing his hair, but that was to no avail. Ron even washed his face before he got dressed.
Harry and Ron met the girls down in the common room. Harry's breath caught in his throat. Renata looked stunning. Her robes were deep purple and her golden hair was curled around he face, which looked more delicate and less fierce than it normally did. Beautiful. Harry hardly noticed how wonderful Hermione looked, but Ron certainly did. The two of them offered their arms to the girls and arm in arm the two couples joined they others making their way out to the Great Hall and to the carriages waiting outside.
Harry opened the door of the carriage and helped Renata inside. He and Renata sat together and Ron and Hermione sat together.
Harry put his arm around Renata; she didn't object. "I suppose this will all still be good fun even though we didn't have to sneak out."
"We could have said we weren't going and snuck out anyway," said Harry.
"But then we wouldn't be sitting here."
"Good point." Harry looked over at Ron. Ron seemed to be having a slight difficulty with forming sentences. Hermione's dress robes were less modest than things she usually wore. Her hair was done up superbly. She had certainly grown prettier over the last few years and she'd made an effort to prove that tonight. Was she maybe wearing a little make-up even?
"H-Hermione, you look . . . you look . . ." Ron seemed at a loss for words. Harry kicked his shin to help him. "Ow! Harry, what'd you do that for? I was trying to tell Hermione something important!"
"What were you trying to tell her?" asked Harry, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Only that I think she's the prettiest girl I've ever seen!" said Ron heatedly.
"More gorgeous than Fleur de la Coeur?" asked Harry, knowing just what kind of response Ron would give and knowing that Fleur had been a sore spot with Hermione.
"Of course! Any idiot who thinks otherwise has to answer to me!" His hand went to his wand and he glared at Harry.
Harry smiled. "Don't tell me. Tell her." He nodded at Hermione.
Hermione was by this time blushing quite a bit. "You mean it, Ron?"
"Of course I do, Herms. I wouldn't say something I don't mean."
"You always say stuff you don't mean." She was evidently thinking of the many times they'd gotten into fights.
His ears turned pink. "Well, not this stuff. Fights are different."
The carriage stopped and they got out. Walking the little way necessary to the Three Broomsticks. The party was just starting. The large pub had tables scattered around the edges with a band near the bar and a wide empty space cleared in the center. For dancing.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Renata planted themselves at a table and the boys braved the crowded floor to bring back bottles of Butterbeer. Harry was surprised to find Seamus at the counter.
"I thought you were home for the holidays."
"I am. I just came back tonight for the dance. Floo powder. I'm here with Padma. She's looking for a table."
"Do the two of you want to sit with us?"
"Wouldn't that be kind of weird?" Obviously his coming with Padma was supposed to be a date.
"Not at all. Ren and Herms are already at the table waiting for us to bring drinks back."
"Alright then." Each of them clutching two bottles, they went back only to discover that Padma was already seated with Hermione and Renata.
"You boys are slow. We should have gotten the drinks ourselves," said Renata, moving over so Harry could sit down next to her.
"Be nice or I won't give you your drink." Harry held one bottle just out of her reach and somehow managed to open with the other one one-handed. He was just about to take a sip when Renata snatched it.
"Thanks for opening this for me." She gave him her usual dazzling grin and took a big gulp.
"But that was-Oh, never mind." He gave in. She always won.
She blinked and smiled again, this time sweetly. "Thank you."
He said a grudging, "You're welcome."
"Slow song! Let's dance."
"I don't want to dance . . ."
She looked at him with big, sad, blue eyes. "Please?"
He groaned. "Not that face. I can never say no that face."
"I know." She smiled. "Please?"
"Yeah, alright," he muttered. He stood up with one last look at Ron, Seamus, Hermione, and Padma and trudged off to the floor. Renata wanted center stage and dragged him to the middle of the floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she draped her arms around his neck. He'd never admit it, but he really loved dancing with her.
Harry tried to go back to the table after the song ended and a quicker one started, but Renata wasn't having any of that. She just rocked out. She grabbed his wrist to make sure he couldn't leave. So Harry was forced to dance through three more songs before another slow song came. He put his arms around her waist again and caught sight of Ron dancing with Hermione and Seamus with Padma. Harry looked around and noticed that there weren't that many Hogwarts students present. No more than a few dozen; the rest of the people there were older witches and wizards (probably from Hogsmeade). Finally, after the slow song, Renata consented to being led back to the table, saying, "Well if you insist, I suppose you do look as though you need the rest."
"How kind of you."
She just laughed and he couldn't help but smile back. He kissed her cheek. "You know I love you."
"I love you too, Harry."
After another couple of songs and some talking, the others came back. They chatted, drinking their Butterbeer and eating peanuts. They got up and did a little more dancing several times. Harry and Renata excused themselves and walked outside a little for some fresh air. They just walked along happily holding hands in the moonlight. Walking up the street and back down to the Three Broomsticks.
They were just about at the door when Harry said, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
"Didn't tell me what?"
"How pretty you look tonight. Beautiful. Stunning."
"Oh, really?" She blushed a little.
"Yeah. That color looks really good on you."
"Thank you."
"What ever possessed you to fall in love with an idiot like me?" he asked, laughing a little.
"I may say you're an idiot once in a while." Harry snorted. "Okay, more than once in a while, but it doesn't mean you are. You've got your faults, but mind you, we've all got our faults. I'm sure you can name at least three of mine without pausing to think. I'm rather impetuous, as well as mean and a little cruel. But you're forgetting the good things. You're smart, handsome, brave, a fairytale prince in my eyes."
"But you're not the traditional princess, are you?"
"I'm not?"
He grinned. "You need a good deal less rescuing. You've got more self- respect than to let men prance about and rescue you. If anyone tried, you'd probably get out first and lock them up. And you care about your appearance a great deal less. But that doesn't matter. I think you're always beautiful."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No."
"Yes."
"No, I'm not! Idiot. You're lying, trying to make me feel better. Which only makes me feel worse. You're an insensitive jerk, you-"
Harry leaned in and kissed her. Her mouth was too occupied kissing him to continue ranting about his faults.
When they stopped kissing, Renata whispered, "That was a dirty trick. I know I was mad at you and we were arguing but I can't remember what about!"
He smiled. "It doesn't matter." He gave an elegant bow and offered his arm, real old-fashion like. "M'lady?"
She took his arm. "Thank you, kind sir."
They went back inside. After a few more slow songs spent with his arms around Renata, the dance had just about ended; it was to go on for another half an hour or hour but the Hogwarts students had to take the carriages back to school. Seamus and Padma (as well as the few other students that came back just for the dance) exited through the fireplace instead.
Renata was tired and spent the whole ride back to Hogwarts snoring gently on Harry's shoulder. He didn't mind. He talked quietly with Ron. Hermione had fallen asleep as well.
When the carriages stopped, Ron and Harry woke the girls. They walked up the castle and to Gryffindor tower, said goodnight at the stairs, and went to their dormitories.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Renata attended the Christmas Feast in high spirits, planning to sneak out directly afterward to go to the dance at the Three Broomsticks.
Dumbledore stood to make a speech. "HAPPY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!" The students applauded. "After the meal has ended I would like to extend an invitation from the Three Broomsticks for all students 5th year and above to attend a Christmas Dance there. Students will leave at 7 p.m. for Hogsmeade and the dance shall last 'til 11. Enjoy the feast!"
"How do you like that?" asked Renata. "He's taken all the fun out of it!"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry, somewhat relieved that they wouldn't have to sneak out.
"Well, he made it allowed. We don't have to sneak out. That's part of what was going to make it fun," Renata replied.
Harry tilted his head, "You mean you can't have fun just because I'm going to be there?"
She grinned. "I s'pose I can still have a little fun. Even if I'm just hanging out with boring old you."
"I'm so flattered." He rolled his eyes.
Hermione changed the topic. "Nat, you'll let me do your hair right?"
"Who's Nat?" asked Ron and Harry.
Renata waved her hand. "Me. I wanted to try out a new nickname. I don't like it. I'll stick to Renata."
"Can I still call you 'Ren', Ren?" asked Harry.
"Sure you can call me Ren. But you can't call me Ren-Ren."
He pretended to look disappointed, "Oh, darn. How about Rennie-pie?"
"How about I take off your shoe and make you eat it?" She glared.
"Okay, Renata," he said hastily. Her threats were usually serious.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
That night Harry made an honest effort getting ready. He put on dark green robes with blue trim. He even made a stab at brushing his hair, but that was to no avail. Ron even washed his face before he got dressed.
Harry and Ron met the girls down in the common room. Harry's breath caught in his throat. Renata looked stunning. Her robes were deep purple and her golden hair was curled around he face, which looked more delicate and less fierce than it normally did. Beautiful. Harry hardly noticed how wonderful Hermione looked, but Ron certainly did. The two of them offered their arms to the girls and arm in arm the two couples joined they others making their way out to the Great Hall and to the carriages waiting outside.
Harry opened the door of the carriage and helped Renata inside. He and Renata sat together and Ron and Hermione sat together.
Harry put his arm around Renata; she didn't object. "I suppose this will all still be good fun even though we didn't have to sneak out."
"We could have said we weren't going and snuck out anyway," said Harry.
"But then we wouldn't be sitting here."
"Good point." Harry looked over at Ron. Ron seemed to be having a slight difficulty with forming sentences. Hermione's dress robes were less modest than things she usually wore. Her hair was done up superbly. She had certainly grown prettier over the last few years and she'd made an effort to prove that tonight. Was she maybe wearing a little make-up even?
"H-Hermione, you look . . . you look . . ." Ron seemed at a loss for words. Harry kicked his shin to help him. "Ow! Harry, what'd you do that for? I was trying to tell Hermione something important!"
"What were you trying to tell her?" asked Harry, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Only that I think she's the prettiest girl I've ever seen!" said Ron heatedly.
"More gorgeous than Fleur de la Coeur?" asked Harry, knowing just what kind of response Ron would give and knowing that Fleur had been a sore spot with Hermione.
"Of course! Any idiot who thinks otherwise has to answer to me!" His hand went to his wand and he glared at Harry.
Harry smiled. "Don't tell me. Tell her." He nodded at Hermione.
Hermione was by this time blushing quite a bit. "You mean it, Ron?"
"Of course I do, Herms. I wouldn't say something I don't mean."
"You always say stuff you don't mean." She was evidently thinking of the many times they'd gotten into fights.
His ears turned pink. "Well, not this stuff. Fights are different."
The carriage stopped and they got out. Walking the little way necessary to the Three Broomsticks. The party was just starting. The large pub had tables scattered around the edges with a band near the bar and a wide empty space cleared in the center. For dancing.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Renata planted themselves at a table and the boys braved the crowded floor to bring back bottles of Butterbeer. Harry was surprised to find Seamus at the counter.
"I thought you were home for the holidays."
"I am. I just came back tonight for the dance. Floo powder. I'm here with Padma. She's looking for a table."
"Do the two of you want to sit with us?"
"Wouldn't that be kind of weird?" Obviously his coming with Padma was supposed to be a date.
"Not at all. Ren and Herms are already at the table waiting for us to bring drinks back."
"Alright then." Each of them clutching two bottles, they went back only to discover that Padma was already seated with Hermione and Renata.
"You boys are slow. We should have gotten the drinks ourselves," said Renata, moving over so Harry could sit down next to her.
"Be nice or I won't give you your drink." Harry held one bottle just out of her reach and somehow managed to open with the other one one-handed. He was just about to take a sip when Renata snatched it.
"Thanks for opening this for me." She gave him her usual dazzling grin and took a big gulp.
"But that was-Oh, never mind." He gave in. She always won.
She blinked and smiled again, this time sweetly. "Thank you."
He said a grudging, "You're welcome."
"Slow song! Let's dance."
"I don't want to dance . . ."
She looked at him with big, sad, blue eyes. "Please?"
He groaned. "Not that face. I can never say no that face."
"I know." She smiled. "Please?"
"Yeah, alright," he muttered. He stood up with one last look at Ron, Seamus, Hermione, and Padma and trudged off to the floor. Renata wanted center stage and dragged him to the middle of the floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she draped her arms around his neck. He'd never admit it, but he really loved dancing with her.
Harry tried to go back to the table after the song ended and a quicker one started, but Renata wasn't having any of that. She just rocked out. She grabbed his wrist to make sure he couldn't leave. So Harry was forced to dance through three more songs before another slow song came. He put his arms around her waist again and caught sight of Ron dancing with Hermione and Seamus with Padma. Harry looked around and noticed that there weren't that many Hogwarts students present. No more than a few dozen; the rest of the people there were older witches and wizards (probably from Hogsmeade). Finally, after the slow song, Renata consented to being led back to the table, saying, "Well if you insist, I suppose you do look as though you need the rest."
"How kind of you."
She just laughed and he couldn't help but smile back. He kissed her cheek. "You know I love you."
"I love you too, Harry."
After another couple of songs and some talking, the others came back. They chatted, drinking their Butterbeer and eating peanuts. They got up and did a little more dancing several times. Harry and Renata excused themselves and walked outside a little for some fresh air. They just walked along happily holding hands in the moonlight. Walking up the street and back down to the Three Broomsticks.
They were just about at the door when Harry said, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
"Didn't tell me what?"
"How pretty you look tonight. Beautiful. Stunning."
"Oh, really?" She blushed a little.
"Yeah. That color looks really good on you."
"Thank you."
"What ever possessed you to fall in love with an idiot like me?" he asked, laughing a little.
"I may say you're an idiot once in a while." Harry snorted. "Okay, more than once in a while, but it doesn't mean you are. You've got your faults, but mind you, we've all got our faults. I'm sure you can name at least three of mine without pausing to think. I'm rather impetuous, as well as mean and a little cruel. But you're forgetting the good things. You're smart, handsome, brave, a fairytale prince in my eyes."
"But you're not the traditional princess, are you?"
"I'm not?"
He grinned. "You need a good deal less rescuing. You've got more self- respect than to let men prance about and rescue you. If anyone tried, you'd probably get out first and lock them up. And you care about your appearance a great deal less. But that doesn't matter. I think you're always beautiful."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No."
"Yes."
"No, I'm not! Idiot. You're lying, trying to make me feel better. Which only makes me feel worse. You're an insensitive jerk, you-"
Harry leaned in and kissed her. Her mouth was too occupied kissing him to continue ranting about his faults.
When they stopped kissing, Renata whispered, "That was a dirty trick. I know I was mad at you and we were arguing but I can't remember what about!"
He smiled. "It doesn't matter." He gave an elegant bow and offered his arm, real old-fashion like. "M'lady?"
She took his arm. "Thank you, kind sir."
They went back inside. After a few more slow songs spent with his arms around Renata, the dance had just about ended; it was to go on for another half an hour or hour but the Hogwarts students had to take the carriages back to school. Seamus and Padma (as well as the few other students that came back just for the dance) exited through the fireplace instead.
Renata was tired and spent the whole ride back to Hogwarts snoring gently on Harry's shoulder. He didn't mind. He talked quietly with Ron. Hermione had fallen asleep as well.
When the carriages stopped, Ron and Harry woke the girls. They walked up the castle and to Gryffindor tower, said goodnight at the stairs, and went to their dormitories.
