Magical Origins

Year 4: The Winter Task

December quickly arrived, and all four Head of Houses gathered their students for an important announcement. The bulletins were posted overnight in the Common Rooms. The announcement was for all Fourth Years and above, scheduled for the upcoming Saturday for eleven in the morning.

Harry arrived in the classroom where Professor Snape was residing by the front desk. The room had long tables allowing students to sit down. Countless Slytherin students were coming in. They all poured in, curious about what was the meeting about.

At eleven o'clock, Snape closes the door, and all noise and chatter went silent.

"As many of you know, the winter holidays are nearly upon us. I know," Snape said as he looked around the room. "many of you wished to return home and see your family. However, before you make that decision. I must inform you that a Triwizard tradition is upon us this winter. The Yule Ball is upon us. For those of you who don't know, the Yule Ball is a dance."

This caused many girls in the room to look very excited and giggle while some of the guys groaned.

"Silence," Snape said as silence once again filled the room. "The House of Salazar Slytherin has commanded the respect of the magical world for nearly six centuries. This night is crucial, and I expect you all to be on your best behavior, or you will face my - displeasure." Snape drawled softly. "Now, the rules of the Yule Ball are simple. Fourth Years and above are allowed to attend. You will wear only dress robes. You are also allowed… to have a date." Snape said in his soft voice. "You're also allowed to invite a younger student, should you wish for that student to accompany you. The ball will be on Christmas Day and will start at six o'clock in the Great Hall. It will last until midnight. Any misbehavior and I shall see you personally out of Hogwarts faster than you can say 'Slytherin.' Is that understood."

Everyone nods their heads while a few said, "Yes, Professor."

"Good, now enjoy the rest of your day. Potter remains behind." Snape said.

Everyone got up and left, leaving Harry alone with his House Head.

"Potter, I'm to inform you that you will be starting the dance with your date," Snape said in a voice that sound he didn't pity Potter.

"Dance?" Harry repeated.

"It has been a tradition that the Champions and their dates start the ball with a dance. I suggest you find yourself a dancing partner." Snape said.

Harry stood there in horror at realizing the one thing he was not good at, would require the entire school to see and watch. He was about to become a laughing stock in Hogwarts. He would much rather have another go at the dragon.

That is how Harry was tasked with finding a date for the Yule Ball. He would have asked Artemis, and he knew she would have said yes in a heartbeat. The problem was, she was no longer a student at Hogwarts, and Harry was sure he couldn't invite a graduate as his date. If only she were born a year later, this wouldn't be a problem. Not to mention, she couldn't be pregnant. The rumors mill at Hogwarts would not have treated her well.

Harry, however, did know some girls at Hogwarts. Many of them were quite attractive. However, he was Champion. He had to take a girl of great beauty to the ball. Or else he would no doubt be mocked.

Harry's mind went back to Cho Chang. The pretty Ravenclaw fifth year. Harry had a thing for her as she was beautiful, an excellent Quidditch player, and she was very popular. It was rare to see her without her gang of giggling girlfriends.

The problem was, Harry has never spoken a word to her. He only admired her from afar.

She might even say yes, as Harry was a Champion. There was that possibility. The odds of her saying no were also a genuine possibility. She was older than him, and she might not be interested in him.

Harry contemplated quickly if he should try or not.

He had undoubtedly built a reputation for being into older witches. Yet the chances of her being with him for being younger than he was seemed unlikely. Even if he was famous.

Harry knew he would have to pick a date fast. By the end of the day, he would have countless girls all trying to be his date, regardless of which house they belong to, or their school.

Harry decided to try to find Chang before the end of the day. To ask her to the ball and hopes she says yes. If he couldn't find her, he would have to choose someone else by dinner.

Harry pulled out the Marauder's Map and began to search for Cho Chang. Coming out of the Charms Corridor, most likely also having just been told about the Yule Ball from her Head of House, Professor Flitwick.

Harry put away the map and quickly took off to intercept Cho before she gets a date.

Going up flights of stairs was a bit of trouble. Especially when the staircase moved around. Harry had the misfortune of being on a staircase as it decided to change. Taking him away from the Charms corridor. Harry had to renavigate to back to the Charms corridor leading him through the maze-like hallways until he reached his destination.

Once there, he saw not a single Ravenclaw was left in the area. It would seem his detour caused him to lose too much time. He takes out the marauder's map and sees Cho with some of her friends heading to the Great Hall for lunch.

Harry takes off, hoping to meet her before she sat down at her table. The last thing he wanted to do was ask her in front of the entire school.

Harry literally was leaping off the top of the staircase and onto the bottom as he takes off.

Harry stops as he enters the corridor and realizes how sweaty he was. He pulls out his wand and cleans himself and tries to make himself presentable. He could see her talking to someone.

Walking forward, he saw it was his Triwizacould competitor, Cedric Diggory.

Harry walks forward and suddenly could hear what Diggory was saying.

"…I know we really haven't talked much, but would you like to go to the Ball with me?" Cedric said.

Harry's heart stopped. He seemed to have gotten a pang in his chest at realizing Diggory liked Cho too.

Before Cho could answer, her friend beside her spoke.

"She would love to go with you." She said as she giggles.

Harry could see Cho didn't look particularly thrilled at going to the Yule Ball with Cedric, but she nodded her head and smiled anyways. She was trying to keep a straight face.

Cedric smiles and says goodbye, walking towards his table.

Cho turns and sees Harry walking by. She seemed to have realized why Harry was walking past her without saying a word.

Harry quickly walked to his table and sat down.

He was depressed.

It's just a crush, you'll get over it. Harry told himself.

He so wished he had Artemis to talk to. She would be able to set him straight and maybe even curse Diggory's family jewels.

The mere thought caused Artemis cursing Diggory brought a smile to Harry's face.

The announcement was only an hour old, yet Harry knew he needed to find a date soon, or else he would end up going alone. He refused to even humor the thought of taking some fangirl as his date.

Over at the Gryffindor table, he could see Ginny Weasley looking at him with a deep hunger in her eyes.

Merlin, he needed a date before someone like Ginny Weasley asks him to the ball. He needed a partner before he had no choice but to take Ginny Weasley.

Daphne sits down and piles her plate with food.

"Hey, Daphne," Harry said in a low voice.

"What?" Daphne said as she takes a bite of her roast beef.

"Would you be my date to the Yule Ball?" Harry asked.

Daphne suddenly swallowed and began to choke on her food. She grabs her pumpkin juice and drinks from it. Once her throat was clear, she looks at Harry.

Harry became suddenly aware everyone at the Slytherin table was listening.

"Sure," Daphne said with a smile.

This caused some of the girls to moan but several members in Slytherin to clap for Harry and Daphne.

"Did you do that on purpose?" Daphne asks.

"What? No. I needed a date before I get harassed by girls to take them to the ball. I rather get a date right away then have to go through every girl in Hogwarts before finding the right one." Harry said.

"And I'm the right one for you?" Daphne said as she grew a smirk on her face.

Why do girls have to make things complicated?

"I'd rather take you than a girl I've never spoken to," Harry said.

This caused Daphne to nod her head as she smiled. She returns to eating her meal.

Harry spent the next few days warding off the girls who seem to arrive in packs to ask him to be their date to the Yule Ball. He would decline by telling them he already had a date. They would leave disappointed as they heard about Harry's date to the Yule Ball. Hoping it wasn't true.

After a week of dodging girls, Harry was finally able to relax and walk with Neville to the Greenhouse.

"I hear you got a date almost immediately to the Yule Ball, Harry," Neville said.

"Yeah, makes sense I take Daphne," Harry said.

"You're lucky. Hogwarts Champion, and you have a beautiful girl to the Yule Ball as well almost."

"Who are you going with?" Harry asked.

"Lily. She's always been nice to me, and I imagine we'll have a good time together. I asked her at once. I was surprised to hear she didn't have a date." Neville said.

Harry felt a little guilty. He had Lily to go to the ball with, but he completely forgot about her. He did owe her for warning him about the dragons. Even if he did know in advance. It just showed how much Lily valued their friendship.

"Treat her good Neville," Harry said.

"I will, I don't want to upset her. Merlin's beard, you know what happens when you upset her." Neville said.

This caused Harry to break into a smile. Yes, she would scorch those that upset her. So far, she hasn't really burned anyone this year. Yet everyone was waiting to see who would be the first person to be burned.

No Slytherin would dare try to upset Lily. In her second year alone, she managed to char half the house and send a few students to St. Mungo's to treat burns. Others stayed in the Healer Wing to deal with the intense burns they got.

Last year, Malfoy was the one who pushed her buttons the most. Every confrontation left him burned.

Malfoy Sr., as well, attempted to intimidate Lily, but he failed to register Lily couldn't be bullied. Instead, she held a fireball in her hand and looked at Malfoy with a smirk on her face. Dumbledore managed to intercede, speaking to Lucius. In the end, they spoke in Dumbledore's office, and Lucius talked to his son about; picking fights with overpowered muggle-borns.

So far, Lily hasn't burn anyone this year. Perhaps because of Mad-Eye Moody. He did have that intimidating presence.

Harry broke into a smile at the mere memory of an upset Lily.

"I hear you're going with Daphne Greengrass," Neville said.

"Yeah, yet I'm still getting asked out to the Ball by countless girls. Even Ginny Weasley asked me out." Harry said bitterly.

"You were one of the first to get a date. I had no idea you liked Daphne that way." Neville said.

Harry didn't like Daphne that way. She was pretty, popular, and intelligent. Did well in school, but Harry saw Daphne more as a friend than a companion. He didn't want to get her hopes up that this would lead to something serious. That could bring an end to their friendship. Harry was beginning to wonder if he should not have asked Daphne to the ball.

Though Harry suspected a lot more was going to happen on the night of the Yule Ball. He was sure countless girls were going to be sleeping with their partners. Many for the first time. He had no doubt Daphne was a virgin, but whether she would want to lose it was another matter. It was no secret that Harry was already experienced, having slept with Artemis most of last year. Harry remembers the countless looks of envy he got from guys who all have dreamed of sleeping with Artemis Wynter. Though Artemis is a bit of fun, she started the rumor mill back in his second year. Mostly to get the dissuade the majority of guys off.

"What are you carrying?" Harry asked Neville. Referring to the book in his hands.

"Oh, this," Neville said, holding up his book. Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean.

"Apparently, Professor Sprout told Professor Moody I'm really good at Herbology," Neville said with a bit of pride. "This book is amazing. Magical water plants have interesting effects. Especially gillyweed. Gives you special features for your body to allow you to breathe underwater and makes swim easier and faster."

"Do wizards even go underwater much?" Harry asks.

"Sure, many magical plants are grown in ponds and lakes. Even in Black Lake, some countless herbs and weeds are growing at the bottom of the lake that is useful. Getting them is dangerous. Many dangers lurk in the Black Lake, such as grindylows, and the giant squid." Neville said.

Harry didn't need Neville to tell him what a grindylow was. They were vicious little water demons that attack almost anything and anyone in packs. There were like piranhas. Once they get a grip on you, they would rush you until they break you and tear you apart. They were also swift and nimble.

"Do you believe some of the rumors about the Yule Ball?" Neville asks.

"About what Dumbledore is bringing in to make this ball enjoyable? I'm not even sure if half the rumors are true. That's not my problem." Harry said.

"What is troubling you, Harry?" Neville asks.

"I have no clue how to dance," Harry admitted.

"You don't know how to dance? That's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm willing to bet half the people going don't know how to dance." Neville said.

"Yeah, but I have to start the dance with Daphne. The whole school will be watching. I'm going to be a laughingstock. Weasley will never let me hear the end of it." Harry said.

"Want me to teach you how to dance?" Neville said.

Harry looks at Neville carefully.

"You can dance?" Harry asks in a low voice.

"Yeah," Neville said.

This was unexpected. Neville, most of the time, was clumsy and had trouble remembering things. Harry would not have expected Neville to be a dancer.

"Alright, show me what you got," Harry said.

Neville sets his book down on the table as he turns to Harry.

"You have to be graceful. Don't look downwards at your shoes. Keep your eyes on your partner at all times. Hold your partner's hand gracefully with your left hand. Your right holds your partner's hip. You take a step and rotate. Then we do it again." Neville said as they dance around.

"If anyone sees us, there will be no end to the ridicule we'll receive," Harry said as he followed Neville's pattern.

"I don't think that is the worst thing that has to happen to you at Hogwarts," Neville said.

"Yeah, but I don't want people to think I'm taking you to the ball. That would destroy my image. Especially since I'm about to be a father." Harry said.

"Wait, stop," Neville said as he lets go of Harry and looks Harry in the eye. "You're going to be a father?"

"Yeah, Artemis should be six months by now," Harry said.

"Six months, I knew you two were… intimate, but this is unexpected. Though now that I think about it. Artemis did look it during the first task when she was sitting in the guest area. Harry, you're underage, are you sure you're ready to be a father?" Neville asks.

"Yes and no. I'm both excited and terrified. I won't be around much to raise my kid. I'm still going to be in Hogwarts. For most of my kid's formative years. I'm not even sure if I'll be a good father." Harry said.

"That…must be tough. You're also going to be the only parent in Hogwarts. And you're only fourteen. Hard to believe." Neville said.

"Tell me about it," Harry said.

"You having a boy or a girl?" Neville asks.

"Don't know. Artemis hasn't told me yet." Harry said.

"Well, it can't be all that bad. I also don't think you're going to be a bad father. Besides, you have your vassals to help you out if you need help." Neville said.

"I know," Harry said.

"It's hard to believe the rumors are true. I thought Artemis was just messing around in your second year."

"She was. She was only teasing and trying to get her classmates from constantly trying to date her. We really didn't do anything until Halloween of last year. This summer was also intense due to the fact all night we would be…" Harry started but couldn't finish.

Neville seemed to have understood. Harry knew he was a bit jealous, but he was also understanding.

"I'm going to head back in and get some dinner. I don't want any fangirls over me," Harry said.

"Yeah, I should get back, too," Neville said.

The Yule Ball was only a week away, and even though his impromptu lesson was brief, he was still anxious. He didn't want the school to see he was a fool who couldn't dance.


Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoys this. Harry has a simple crush on Chang, he is not in love with her. Harry hasn't realized it yet, but he does have feelings for Lily. I hinted that in this chapter. They won't really get together until their fifth year. It's like that friend who has always been beside, and you don't realize how you feel about them until you're older.