Yule Ball

When Christmas Break finally came, the castle was only slightly less crowded than normal as all the upperclassman were staying for the Ball. Harry and Hermione could be found most nights practicing for the ball but Ron stayed in the common room as he was still going alone. Ginny had stayed at the castle as well to attend the ball as she was asked by an older student. All three of her older brothers were desperate to figure out who she was going with but every time they asked she throw a hex at them. Overall the break was very enjoyable. Having figured out the book and the egg Harry was able to enjoy spending time with his friends, especially Hermione. Since he had asked her to the ball she had been a little more open in the common room about holding his hand or sitting close to him. They didn't cuddle or snog and Harry was okay with that. Instead Harry played chess or exploding snaps with the boys and Hermione started reading fiction. Harry had told her to read tales of Beatle the Bard when he caught her reading Merlins Muddled Mix-ups one night.

The night of the Yule Ball Harry was in the common room pacing while he waited for Hermione. He didn't know why he was so nervous, what's one dance with your childhood crush compared to a dragon?He laughed at himself as he decided he'd rather face the dragon again then mess this up.

Hermione had disappeared after lunch to get ready with the other girls and hadn't been back down since. Harry remember how she had looked the last time but he didn't realize it had taken so long. It took Harry and Ron 10 minutes to change and most of that time had been spent listening to Ron whiny about his dress robe which, Harry agreed, were awful. When Hermione finally came down the stairs of the dormitory Harry stopped in his tracks and forgot hot to breath. Of course the dress was the same as last time, he hadn't muddled any mix-up there, but she was even more gorgeous then he remembered her. He loved the color and forgot how blue it was in the right lighting. Her hair was pulled back with small curls framing her face and was the perfect mix of mess and orderly. The dress hugged her in all the right places and Harry had to remind himself to look up. But the best part about the way she looked tonight was her face. It lit up in delight when she saw him, her grin was contagious and her eyes sparkled with happiness, those gold flecks he seemed to shine with happiness and the best part was she was looking at him.

"Wow.." Harry said, utterly lost for words and he took the hand she offered him. He pulled her to him in a small embrace and pulled back to look at her again. She just giggled.

"Is that all you have to say oh 'choose one'" she laughed at her own joke and let go of his hand.

Harry just rolled his eyes, after hearing the rumors of girls wanting to be with the "chosen one" Hermione wouldn't let him live it down. "Everyone will be looking at you Hermione, you're stunning tonight" Harry said looking her over one more time before offering his arm for her to take.

"You look pretty nice yourself champion, the emerald robes make her eyes pop," she said in return and Harry had to look away to hide his embarrassment, Mrs. Weasley had said something similar when she bought the robes.

Harry turned around to see Ron standing at the bottom of the step mouth slightly opened and face as red as his hair. Harry leaned over to Hermione and whispered, "I think our dear friend Ronikins just figured out you're a girl". He earned a laugh for that comment.

"Come on Ronald, we're heading out, or are you waiting?" Hermione said reaching out to him. Ron shook his head and shut his mouth like he has just realized it was open. He mumbled something that sounded like "didn't know" and hurried over to Hermione's other side and the three of them left the tower and headed down out. Ron left them to go right into the Great Hall but Harry and Hermione headed to a room off the Entrance Hall where the champions were congregating with their dates. Fleur was standing to the side with her date from Ravenclaw what was looking overly thrilled with himself. Viktor was holding onto a seventh year Slytherin girl Harry had never talked to before. He was glad Viktor had found a date, as funny as it would have been to see Ron's reaction to Viktor taking Ginny, the age gape didn't sit well with Harry. Finally Harry saw Cedric was standing next to Cho. As Harry looked at Cho he couldn't see what he had seen all those years ago. Maybe it was because all he could see what Cho's crying face in Madame Paddyfoots… or maybe it was because Hermione was simple just prettier.

As they waited Harry waved to the other champions and tried to focus on anything but the dance that was about to start. Cedric had been nicer to Harry then the other two champions, especially after the dragons tip, but Harry still felt out of place. He was so much physically younger then his competitors and though he was much better at charms and jinx than he had been the first time, he was still a dreadful dancer and he had to lead Hermione onto the dance floor. He felt like he was going to puke.

"Harry breath, we've done this before," Hermione said trying to calm him but it did the opposite and his eyes widen. Did she think he had asked her the time ball the first time? Should he tell her that she originally went with Krummel? Would she be mad he changed things? "Remember all the practicing we did? You'll be fine"

Harry took a breath in and nodded, "Yeah… yeah okay. I'm rubbish at this kind of thing 'Mione". He was being truthful. That's what she meant by we've done this before!

"Look, just imagine it just the two of us in the Room of Requirements. No one else can see and we're enjoying each others company." She said while straightening the collar of this emerald dress robes. He breathed again and closed his eyes remembering how he had actually had some fun dancing with her last night, even if it was a waltz. He nodded his head again and opened his eyes to see her warm gaze upon him. He so desperately wanted to lean forward and kiss her but he knew it wouldn't be appropriate, they still had not kissed since the first time.

"Ah, young love, how it warms the soul," Dumbledore said as he walked in. "I hope everyone is ready as the ball is about to begin!" His eyes twinkled and he headed towards the door of the Great Hall.

Being the youngest champion Harry and Hermione entered the ball last but that didn't matter to Harry, mostly because he could cheat and watch what Cedric and Cho were doing when he forgot the steps. Hermione didn't seem phased by his clumsiness and smiled every time she looked at him, if he wasn't mistaken her smile was getting brighter. Eventually the first dance was over and he was able to get off the dance floor as the upbeat music started. He started to head over to where he and Ron spent most of the dance last time but just before he could find Ron Hermione was dragging him onto the dance floor again, at least this time he didn't need to know the choreography.

They danced to sing after song and Harry's cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling, a complete new sensation to him. Eventually Harry was able to get Hermione off the dance floor and over for a drink of punch where they ran into a few too many Weasleys.

"You two look like you're having fun," Ron huffed. Yep this was happening again but Harry would not let it ruin his night. This Yule Ball was 1000 times better than the last, Ron had no idea what he was missing.

"So much! You should join us Ron," Harry said and then took a much needed drink.

"Oh 'ickle Ronikins is just upset he's all alone. You have Hermione and Neville over there is Ginny's mystery date, plus the other two idiots that went stag ran off a while ago and haven't been back. He's all alone," Fred said

"You know you can come join us, its not like you have to dance with one partner," Hermione said after taking a long, much needed, drink of punch.

Ron grumbled something about needing the loo and walked off. Fred rolled his eyes at his brother and then looked at Harry, "You think he'll grow up?"

"One day I s'pose" Harry answered. He placed his drink down and grabbed Hermiones hand. "Lets go have fun" he said with a wink but only made it two steps before he found himself unable to move.

"Mistletoe!" Fred and George said together.

"Oooh, that's the fun kind," Fred started.

"the kind won't let you leave without a kiss!" George continued

Both Harry and Hermione's faces deepen with color as they looked up at the dreaded festive plant. Who would bring these to a party for students? After a second Harry leaned in and kissed her cheek but when he went to move his feet he was stuck.

"Ooooh, not good enough" both twins chimed in.

"You're right Forge, this was a great idea to bring," George said

"Of course I'm right Gred. Easiest entertainment of the night" Fred replied

"Don't you have better things to do?" Hermione snapped at them and they turned away laughing. Harry smiled at her tone remembering all of fifth year when she would reprimand the twins for their various tricks and pranks. When he made eye contact with her, her smile was so big it reached her eyes and he leaned in to kiss her. Harry kissed her the way he had wanted to in the Room of Requirements, and in the common room when she came down in that dress. He kissed her the way he had wanted to in the tent when she would seek comfort in his bed. He kissed her like he was trying to erase every bad memory he had and take away all of her pain, even the pain she had not experiences. He kissed her deeply and slowly until he heard her moan softly. He started to pull away when he heard someone clearing their throat. When Harry opened his eyes and looked up he saw that someone was Snape, and he looked like he had just puked slugs.

"I should take points for the amount of PDA I just witnessed," he sneered. Hermione blushed and Harry had to stop himself from snapping and saying something he would regret later.

"Really Severus, loosen up. They were stuck under mistletoe. Its Christmas after all!" Squeaked a Professor Flitwick. And before Snape could actually take points Harry and Hermoine ran off into the sea of people on the dance floor.