Chapter 6- Yule Season
The party at Gryffindor tower was in full swing when Ron entered after visiting his sister. He looked around and saw Lavender waiting for him. "Ron, great that you got here." She beamed as she handed him a butterbeer. Ron took it gratefully. "How's Ginny?" Lavender asked. Ron sat with her. "Magical exhaustion. She copied me and Hermione with that shield and it wore her out. She will be fine tomorrow." Ron said. Lavender smiled as she snuggled up to him. "My hero." She said as she kissed his cheek. Ron's ears went scarlet.
Harry though was the center of attention and he was still embarrassed about it. The Twins demanded he open the egg and hear the next clue so Harry opened it and let out the horrible screech before he and Dean shut the thing up. Seamus was the only one not trying to congratulate or thank him as he sulked to the side. Harry looked over and sat near him. "You alright Seamus?" Harry asked. The Irish boy shook his head.
"I been a right prick to ya mate. I thought ye was a glory hound and I saw ye save a bunch of slytherins from that big lizard. Jus really can't figure ye out mate." Seamus said. Harry smiled and summoned a butterbeer to him and handed it to Seamus. "I like to think we are all complicated." Harry said. Seamus smiled at him and stopped moping.
Harry found Ron and Lavender talking on the couch and decided to let them talk when Fred and George pulled him aside.
"Harry, you did good out there mate." Fred said
"Even earned a few bits of respect from the Slytherins." George said.
Harry smiled at the pair. "I don't like seeing people die." Harry said simply. Both twins nodded and went out to find their girlfriends. Harry smiled as Katie Bell hugged him and told him he did good. Making his way through he found Hermione drinking a butterbeer while talking with Fay Dunbar.
"Never thought you would enjoy one of these." Harry said behind her. Hermione smiled and excused herself to be with Harry. "You know Mister Potter, you probably have most of the school's respect again." Hermione said. Harry smiled. "Yea, its always a bit of a roller coaster around here. Maybe next year I won't be considered a nutter for saying Voldemort is back." Harry said. Hermione laughed. "Wanna go away?" He asked, pulling out his cloak. Hermione nodded and the pair left the party together to spend some quality time alone.
The next morning, something Harry dreaded happened. The Daily Prophet dropped a new issue about the first task, and instead of it being about Harry saving students or Dumbledore assaulting the tournament staff with a beater bat, it was about Hermione.
Muggleborn dates Boy-Who-Lived- Potions involved?
Harry almost wanted to burn the paper right then and there. Lavender though took the paper from him and an idea came over her. "You should go to Madam Pomfrey and get a diagnostic and have it published." She said. Harry mulled the idea over as he read the article, where many Slytherins had been quoted. It seemed they got the information before the Task, so he wondered how many were regretful. Harry turned to the Slytherin table and noticed Blaise no longer there. He did catch the eye of Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode who walked over to the Gryffindor table. Harry turned around to face the newcomers.
"Okay Potter, we need to apologize. We didn't know you would stop a dragon from roasting us when we told Skeeter that stuff." Pansy said. Harry narrowed his eyes. "I am not the one you need to apologize to. I see you called Hermione a bunch of names and I don't appreciate that." Harry said. The pair nodded. "I can have the others send a retraction. Although Zabini will be harder to get since he was expelled." Millicent said. Harry was surprised by that. "Yea, Snape called a meeting and told us Dumbledore was not giving second chances. I 'm kinda refreshed by that. Maybe now Nott and Mulciber will stop trying to sneak in to see my dorm mates changing." Pansy said.
Harry nodded as the two left and he returned to Lavender. "I'll get myself checked and hopefully with them issuing retractions we won't need to do much. I just wish Hermione didn't have to deal with this shite." Harry said.
Sure enough, when Hermione arrived, hate mail showed up. Harry sliced a very hateful howler with the sword and Dumbledore had several letters forwarded to the DMLE for possible attempted murder curses. One bad one got through and enlarged her teeth. Harry had to be restrained by Ron and Neville from finding the address and introducing them to his blade.
Ginny escorted Hermione to the hospital wing. Pomfrey saw the teeth and quickly stabilized it before it caused more harm. "Okay, I will shrink your teeth, tell Ginny to tell me when to stop." She said as she began shrinking her teeth. Once they got to what Hermione had them in the previous timeline, she tapped Ginny's knee and Pomfrey stopped.
"You made them smaller." Ginny laughed. Hermione shrugged as the Weasley family owl, Errol, showed up with a letter. Ginny went to retrieve the letter and looked it over. "It's for you." She said surprised.
Hermione took the letter and saw it was from Mrs. Weasley. A pang in her heart as she remembered the future and her agonizing death from Umbridge torturing her to death made her realize before their last words were in anger. She had just gotten with Harry and Mrs. Weasley accused them both of using their family. Hermione had gone over to apologize for some words she said when Umbridge and her Knights of Purity showed up. She shook the memory away and opened the letter.
Hermione
I know its unusual to get a letter form me, but I read the Prophet and also consulted my own children. Ron and Ginny told me about how you and Harry had gotten together. I understand why you kept it secret, Lord knows I can be very overbearing. I cancelled my subscription to Witch Weekly due to some rather slanderous articles about you. Rest assured, I am sending them a powerful howler. You have been nothing but good for this family. Helping Ron with his homework, being a friend to Ginny, keeping an eye on the twins. I am always proud of you and all of your accomplishments and you keep those horrible articles out of your mind. You focus on being the smart witch you are and being a good partner to Harry. Now, I hope the dress robes I got him will match his.
Molly
Hermione smiled to herself as she read the letter, which also included a spell that cancels howlers and a means of detecting spells and potions in letters and food. Ginny wrote the howler one down for later use. "Thanks for writing to her Ginny. I know you might have issues with me dating Harry, but I am glad your on my side." Hermione said. Ginny laughed. "You think I am just going to let you dangle? Besides, these cretins deserve what mum is about to throw at them." Ginny said.
The next week, as the letters died out after several people were arrested and a full retraction was published, Witch Weekly had to post their retraction through the Prophet due to a howler exploding near the printing press and destroying half the building, things at Hogwarts became somewhat normal. Until December first.
"The Yule Ball, a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament, will be held on Christmas Day. Students fourth year and up may attend, third and under must br brought with a date. I do hope all of my Gryffindors behave themselves accordingly." McGonagall said while eyeing the Trio. Ron looked confused. "What, we are perfect rule abiding students." He said with a strait face that McGonagall swore he learned from his twin brothers, and Bill Weasley. She eyed Ron who still kept up an innocent smile.
After class, Harry was called back by McGonagall. "Mr. Potter, the Yule Ball is typically opened by the Champions and their dates." She said. Harry nodded. "I hope you don't embarrass your school and your house with a poor performance." She said eyeing him. "I think Hermione would kill me if I embarrass her." Harry said. McGonagall smiled at him and dismissed him.
"Let me guess, you are going to agonize over who to take to the ball and I end up with Viktor Krum because you didn't take the hint?" Hermione asked as he caught up to them. Harry shook his head. "I might go ask Pansy." Harry joked. Hermione smacked him but Ron was in a contemplative look.
"You okay there mate?" Harry asked. Ron shrugged. "I want to ask Lavender, but dear lord am I nervous." Ron said. Harry and Hermione laughed as Hermione gripped his shoulder. "She is probably waiting for you to ask her. Just go for it." Hermione said. Ron looked at her and nodded then headed to find Lavender.
When Ron didn't show up for Lunch, Harry got worried. "I know he has better table manners but when was the last time he missed a meal?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded. "Ginny, have you seen Ron?" She asked her friend. She shook her head. They also noticed Lavender was missing as well. "Might as well see where the hell they are." Harry said as he found an empty classroom. Pulling out the map he found both at different places. Ron was in the Hospital Wing while Lavender was on the Astronomy Tower. "I'll take Ron, you go to Lavender." Harry said. Hermione nodded and the two split up.
Hermione made her way to the tower where Lavender was looking at a crystal ball, taking notes. "Having a good time?" Hermione asked. Lavender smiled. "Yea, although I am just distracting myself. One boy asked me to the ball and he somehow tripped over his own feet and fell into a suit of armor. Why those things still have real swords I don't know." Lavender said. Hermione laughed. "Yea, we wondered where Ron was. Harry is visiting him now." She said.
"This happened before I could answer. He was kind of knocked out so I will answer him later. Viktor Krum could ask me and I would turn him down." Lavender said. Hermione smiled. "I am glad. You two deserve each other." She said. Lavender smiled as the pair chatted away.
Christmas Break arrived, and Harry could tell Ron was feeling glum. He understood that. He finally could see his family but he had to stay over because of the Yule Ball. One other thing that Ron was slightly agonizing over was his dress robes. He still had those horrible maroon lace robes that looked like they went out of style in 1814.
What Ron didn't know wa Harry found some stylish muted orange dress robes that Hermione and Lavender approved of. Dumbledore had pulled him into his office and handed him an order form. "Get Ronald some dress robes that didn't go out of style when I attended this school." He said plain as day.
Smirking, Harry hoped the robes would arrive in time for the Yule Ball next week. But right now he hoped his friend would be in a good mood. Harry himself was glum because he was worried about Sirius. Dumbledore explained that he had Sirius and Remus out on a mission for him in America. It was safer for him overall because MACUSA did not recognize Sirius as an escaped felon. No Trial and all that. But he still worried, he didn't want Sirius to die again.
Hermione had been using Hedwig to write to her parents, receiving mysterious care packages from them as well as letters that made his girlfriend cry happy tears at just seeing their handwriting. Harry was happy for her. Ginny though, seemed to regard the Trio with suspicion. She looked at Ron and wondered if he was replaced by something. Especially after Ron started getting O's in potions.
They had discussed maybe limiting their grades but Dumbledore flat out rejected it, saying they should put their best effort forward. Harry was proud of his grades and Ron received a few letters from him beaming at the hard work he put in.
Lately Ron and Lavender had taken to being alone together. Harry wondered if they were snogging somewhere but they would return sweaty and a little dirty. He hoped he was being paranoid.
Three days before Christmas, Harry and Hermione were cuddled on a couch, just watching the fire burning when Ron came in with Lavender. Harry looked at him curiously. "Young man, where have you been?" Harry teased. Lavender giggled as Ron smirked. "I found this old blacksmith shop in the dungeons. Turns out before the school was a school the founders used it like a fortress." Ron said. Ron already knew this from the other timeline, but for the sake of Lavender, he pretended like they both discovered it.
"Going to do much blacksmithing Ron?" Hermione asked. Ron grinned. "Yea, I found a mold for an axe. I mean, why should Harry be the only one carrying a sword?" Ron said as he headed for the dorms and a shower. Lavender watched him go up and grin.
"I have never seen him so excited, except for the broom cupboard we stopped in on the way back." Lavender said. Both Harry and Hermione laughed as she went to her dorm to freshen up.
Christmas morning had Harry waking up with something in his bed. He looked up and saw brown bushy hair cuddled with him. Harry was having trouble remembering the previous night but it wasn't an unwelcome visitor.
"Morning Love." Harry whispered into her ear. Hermione turned over and she smiled at him. "Not that I don't mind the snuggle, but what brought this on?" Harry asked. "I guess I didn't want to be alone." Hermione said. Harry nodded and saw his dorm was full. "I hope you don't mind being around a bunch of boys." He said. Hermione shrugged. "Remember that ship in '09? How we were all pretty crammed in the cargo hold." Hermione reminisced. Harry remembered. They were all hiding from the werewolves, the only magical predators that were thriving. Vampires were not sustained by blood and dementors would lose the soul before they even digested it. So the major packs formed together to try and rule Europe. Harry and the others were in Romania trying to stop the major alphas. It was a hard fought war but before then, they had to hide in a ship with other refugees in the Black Sea.
Harry got up and pulled Hermione with him, who gave a big stretch. They looked at the end of the bed and found both Harry and Hermione's presents. The elves just did not care who shared a bed. The pair grabbed their bags, and as they headed downstairs, Harry fired a stinging hex at Ron to wake him up.
Ginny and Lavender joined them downstairs, after Hermione fired a few stinging hexes, and the group sat around the fire.
Harry found a curious package and saw it was from Sirius, he opened it and saw it was the mirror. He was going to call Sirius later when Lavender and Ginny weren't around. Hermione had a blank photo album, one that he was going to fill with pictures. Dumbledore hired Colin Creevy to take pictures at the Yule Ball so Harry was going to take advantage of that. Ron got him a wand holster, it looked like Ron had personally made it and Harry had the thing already around his waist. Lavender got him a book on divination, because she was mad they dropped the class, Ginny got him a book of advanced defense.
Ron pulled out the package that held his new dress robes and high fived Harry. Both Ron and Ginny were given vouchers for new Cleansweep brooms by an anonymous donor. Harry whispered that it must be Sirius.
Hermione was given a pair of pearl earrings, and curiously, Dumbledore had given her a goblin made necklace with diamonds cascading down. Harry helped her put it on and both Ginny and Lavender were mesmerized. Harry kissed her as she beamed. Ron had tested the blacksmith shop and had made Lavender a bracelet, and had precious stones on the band. "I know it isn't much…" Ron was interrupted by the blonde girl flinging herself at him and kissing him furiously.
"So Ginny, who's taking you to the ball?" Hermione asked, ignoring the snogging couple. Ginny smiled. "Neville asked me. He wanted to go with Hannah but she wanted to leave for the holidays." Ginny explained.
Breakfast was a joyous affair, with the Great Hall full of students excited for the holiday. Fleur came by and pulled Hermione aside. When she returned, Hermione had a sly smile. "A surprise for the Ball." She said. Harry nodded.
"Excuse me, Potter?" Came the voice of Draco Malfoy. Harry turned around and the blonde boy was dressed in a robe around his pajamas, as most of everyone was for breakfast. "In October you came to me with an offer of a truce." He stated. Harry nodded. "I talked it over with most of our year mates and in light of the holidays, I accept your offer." Draco said holding out his hand. Harry smiled and shook the outstretched hand. Both boys smiling. Ron nodded, and making a surprise request. "Wanna have breakfast with us?" He asked. Draco was shocked by the question but seeing everyone staring at him, Draco smiled and took a seat next to Ginny, who wondered what the hell was going on with her famous Anti-Slytherin brother.
Her confusion would wait as her brother Percy made his way to the table. "Ron, Ginny. Happy Christmas." He declared. Ron got up and pulled his brother into a hug, which surprised both Ginny and Percy. Ron usually hated his older brother but for once he seemed glad to see him. Fred and George decided to join in the group hug to mess with their brothers. "Its been a whole four months since we saw you Percy." Both twins said at the same time. Percy laughed, and Ginny got up and tentatively hugged him. "What are you doing here anyway?" Fred asked. Percy laughed. "Oh, Mr. Crouch refuses to enter the castle. He thinks Dumbledore will rightly kill him." Percy said. Ginny looked at him curiously. "Mr. Crouch was supposed to be in charge of safety and well, after the first task, Dumbledore made his displeasure known. Also Peeves apparently follows him around humming Nazi marches." Percy explained.
"Well, its good to have family here. Join us?" George asked. Percy nodded and sat next to Ron and Lavender. "I have been at the office and missed mum's breakfast and I am both irritated and famished." Percy said, eating like how Ron used to eat, albeit in a more dignified way.
The afternoon was comprised of a massive snowball fight outside, one where the tide was turned when Fred and George charmed a snowball to follow Percy and hit him when he turned around. A feral smile came on their brother who then charmed several snowballs to attack them from several different angles.
It was all fun and games until one hit Dumbledore in the face. The students fell silent as Dumbledore wiped the snow from his face. "Well,, if that's the way you want to do it." Dumbledore said. He pulled out his wand and created an army of snowmen to shoot snowballs out of their mouths. Turning the Christmas fun into nearly a pitched battle. Not wishing to be ignored, Karkaroff led the Durmstrung students to battle, snow flung everywhere.
Beauxbatons sat on the sidelines amused, until Ron threw a snowball at Fleur and she glared at the boy. "To Battle!" She cried and it became a great snowball war. By the end of it, everyone was laying in the snow, exhuated but laughing as they walked back into the school for hot cocoa and blazing fires.
Karkaroff, who enjoyed himself immensely, had a sad look to him. Harry was curious and approached the Headmaster. "Are you okay Professor Karkaroff?" Harry asked. The man nodded. "I am just missing my family. I have a wife and three sons in Russia. I wanted to bring them here but she wanted to spend holidays with her parents in Ukraine." Karkaroff said. Harry nodded in understanding. "You surprise me everyday Mr. Potter. I hope for next Triwizard, you can come to Durmstrang and see the great fortress." He said. Harry nodded and smiled. "I would like that." Harry said.
As lunch was finished serving, Lavender led the girls back to the dorms and told the boys they were getting ready. Ginny was also dragged into the fourth year dorm so she could get pretty with the others. Malfoy excused himself to head to his own dorm to get ready. Harry and Ron decided to call Sirius for Christmas.
"Sirius Black." Harry said, tapping his want to the mirror. A moment later, the face of Harry's Godfather appeared. "Hey there pup, Happy Christmas!" He said. Harry smiled. "Happy Christmas Sirius." Both Harry and Ron said.
"I am glad to hear from you. I'm kind of in a safe house. Remus said he was going on an errand. Right now we are in New York." He said. Harry was surprised. Dumbledore didn't say he was in MACUSA's capitol. "So, I hear tonight is a special Ball. Taking anyone special?" Sirius asked.
"Yea, I am taking Hermione, Ron is going with Lavender Brown, a girl in our year." Harry said. Sirius nodded, impressed. "Well, hopefully you two have fun tonight. I can't really say any more about my mission but Dumbledore said he would inform you when he has something on it." Sirius said. Ron nodded, that was an idea he had.
"Well, you two need to get dressed. Give my love to Hermione." Sirius said. Both said goodbye and ended the mirror call. Harry and Ron then spent time getting ready, with Ron helping Harry with a tie and Ron putting on his orange robes.
Dean, Seamus, Ron, Neville, and Harry sat in the common room. Seamus was going with Parvati and Dean was going with Padma, whom he was meeting at Ravenclaw tower. Neville looked at Ron nervously, scared he would be attacked for dating his sister. Ron just grinned at him and assured him it was fine.
The talking ceased when the girls came downstairs. Lavender came down first in a midnight blue gown, her blonde hair up in a braid, and it seemed to be glowing. Ron was at a loss for words with his mouth open. "Flies mate." Seamus whispered to him.
Seamus laugh was silenced when Parvati came down, her hair in a long braid, wearing a red dress from home. Her hair also seemed to have a glow to it.
Ginny came down next, Her ivory dress blended well with her somehow glowing red hair. Neville was stumbling with his words as she approached him, making her smile. "I think you broke him Ginny." Ron laughed.
Finally, Harry's attention came from Hermione heading down the steps. Wearing a periwinkle blue dress that hugged her body in all the right places, her normally bushy hair was sleek and tamed, and also glowing, she didn't wear a ton of makeup but what she wore accented her features nicely.
Harry was in a slight daze as Hermione walked up to him. She stared into his eyes and smiled mischievously. "Perfect, I melted his brain." She said with a laugh. She kissed his cheek and he smiled goofily.
The group laughed as they headed to the Great Hall and once they entered they were impressed by the amount of work put into the decorations. McGonagall led Harry and Hermione away to the head table where they were joined by Cedric and Cho, Fleur and Roger, and surprisingly, Viktor and Luna. She was wearing a bright yellow dress and radish earrings. Percy was there looking miserable with a woman Harry dreaded to meet. Delores Umbridge was there. Wearing a bright pink dress, she curtseyed at seeing the two new additions. "Hello dears, I am pleased to meet you." Came her sickly sweet girlish voice. Harry had to bite back an angry response and merely nodded to her. Hermione though, he could tell she was stopping herself from cursing the toad.
Dumbledore had a look on his face that seemed serene and tranquil, but his twinkle was gone. McGonagall had sympathy for Percy as he had been shanghaied into taking the toad woman. Harry helped Hermione into her seat and joined the others. "So how did you come to bring Luna here?" Harry asked Viktor. The older man smiled at him. "I vas at library, to get away from fangirls. I saw her studying and offered help. I found she vas daughter of the Quibbler's owner and I talked with her. I find her fascinating, especially vay she comes to conclusions." Viktor said. Umbridge though, seemed to be glaring at Fleur. "Madame, I wish to know how you seemed to ensnare that young man." She asked. Fleur recognized the tone, it was accusation that came from all walks of life. "Mester Davies was ze only one who could form a complete sentence around Moi." Fleur said, giving a slight glare to the toad woman. She smirked at the French girl. "I always found certain creatures to be dangerous for wizardkind. Don't you agree Mr. Potter?" She asked, focusing her attention on Harry. Harry gathered his emotions and handed his wand to Hermione under the table. "Veela are not dangerous to wizards, especially if they can master their emotions. Look at Cedric here, he has nothing but eyes for Cho. But we can't just blame the man for their wandering eyes now can we?" Harry said with a slight hard edge in his voice. Umbridge glared at him before focusing on Hermione. "I have never heard of the family name Granger before." She said. Hermione smiled. "Well, you should head to Crawley and make an appointment with my parents. They are dentists and some of the best in Britain." She said. Umbridge didn't understand what she said. "Dentists? Like some muggle barbarians?" Umbridge said. Cho took over from there. "Well, muggles get on without magic. They are impressive in that way. To us its barbaric but for them its normal. Why don't you try getting a cleaning from them sometime." Cho suggested. Umbridge glared at her and turned to Percy for support. "I have known Miss Granger for years, I think she is of the good sort." Percy said. Hermione nodded to him.
Dinner was finished and soon the music began. Dumbledore stood up and magically enhanced his voice. "And now, for the first dance, the Triwizard Champions." He said.
Hermione was helped up by Harry as he escorted her to the dance floor. Harry held her close as the music played and the pair began dancing together. Harry could feel the hate coming from Umbridge, but he didn't care about her. All he cared about was the girl in his arms. "How did you get your hair so shiny?" Harry whispered to her. Hermione smiled. "Fleur. She had something that made hair shine. Padma didn't want any for her hair but it had the effect on you and the boys." Hermione whispered. Harry grinned as he swept her through the dance floor.
Harry and Hermione were so distracted dancing, they failed to notice more couples joined them until Ron and Lavender swept past them. Ron laughed when the pair realized more people had joined them. The couple smiled and laughed when they realized how long they were dancing.
Percy was miserable dancing with Madam Umbridge and to his credit, he was not showing it on his face. But Dumbledore could read him and see this was not his idea. As he was going to interfere, Ginny Weasley walked up and interrupted them. "Excuse me, but can I borrow my brother?" She asked. Umbridge merely nodded as the two walked off. "Thank you Ginny. I swear I did not want t0 bring her here." Percy said as they retreated to where the twins were entertaining their dates.
Harry and Hermione danced around more, even grabbing a sulking Seamus and annoyed Parvati. Soon they all danced pretty much with each other, with Umbridge sitting at a table silently glaring at Hermione and Fleur. Harry had a bad feeling coming from her but for now he was just going to have fun.
After the Ball, the students and teachers departed for their own beds, except for Dumbledore. He walked down to Hogsmeade and walked to the dirty Hogs Head bar. Walking inside, he spotted the bar man, cleaning several glasses but glaring at the new comer. "Albus." The man merely nodded.
"Aberforth." Albus said as he sat at the bar. Two glasses were placed in front of each of them and they were filled with firewhiskey. "To Arianna." They both toasted and drank. "So what else brings you down from your tower Albus?" Aberforth asked. Clearly no love was lost between the pair. Albus relaxed and dropped his occlumency barriers. "Aberforth, in two years time I will die and I need your help."
Aberforth clearly was not expecting that.
AN: Fucking writing the Yule Ball was not my favorite thing ever. I am never much in a holiday mood during said holidays, much less in May when I wrote this. So, I can still see, just things are blury at maybe eight feet. My doctor assured me they can restore my vision with a procedure, just ya know, need to see a specialist. I am kinda glad I ended up writing the first act all at once so I can do my thing. Also help deal with my own burn out issues.
So, I like to save this part for rants about the fandom if I have thougths but instead I will talk to you all about a show I just finished. I am a huge fan of Letterkenny. It is such a fun show, and also the girl playing Katy is going to be my future ex-wife. So, I was skeptical about the spin-off show Shoresy. I found the time he is on the show to be enough but a whole show, and we see his face? I didm't know if I could do it. Well, I stand happy to report this is also a damn funny show and I can't wait for more. Maybe in like six months, since they make their seasons quick.
Ok, that's all from me, please leave a comment, and have a good day.
