Chapter 13

It took Harry four days to decide what he wanted to do about Fleur not having a clue to the next task. He took his egg to the Room of Requirement first and created a pool to check that the clue was the same as he remembered. As it was the same clue, Harry really didn't need the egg, though he did write down the clue so that he could be seen to be going over it later. Later that same day at dinner, he approached Fleur. "Miss Delacour, may I have a moment of your time please?" he asked. Fleur turned to look at him, and so did the rest of the Beauxbatons students. Because the French delegation were all focused on Harry, about half of the rest of the students started to watch him as well, though he was getting used to being everyone's favourite soap opera so he ignored everyone but Fleur.

"Oui... I mean yes. What can I do for you Mr. Potter?" The French witch obviously had no idea why Harry was talking to her, as she looked like she was preparing to turn him down when he asked her out. Harry couldn't blame her; he saw what had happened to her during the run up to the Yule Ball in the previous timeline.

"Miss Delacour, after the first task I argued that you should be given the clue anyway - not out of charity," he added quickly, "but because it was unfair that one of the judges sabotaged you by waking up the dragon after you had charmed it to sleep. Some of the judges agreed with me, but not enough." Harry explained, but it was obvious that Fleur was confused by where he was going with his little speech. "However, I don't need the judge's permission to give you this." Harry pulled the egg out of the bag he usually used to carry his class books and tossed it to the girl.

Fleur caught the egg, no longer confused but looking resigned. "Let me guess, you want a date in exchange." She actually sounded resigned to giving Harry a date to get the egg. "...and don't you need the egg yourself?"

Harry held up his hands palm out towards Fleur. "I don't bribe girls for dates, Miss Delacour, and I have already worked out the clue in the egg for myself. The only thing I want is to give you a fair opportunity. The judges seem to have forgotten that this tournament is supposed to be about cooperation between our schools and nations, and a British judge sabotaging a foreign champion isn't going to leave anyone willing to cooperate with us in the future."

There was a lot of muttering from everyone watching Harry and listening in on his conversation. Fleur smiled at him and said "Merci… thank you Mr. Potter. I was worried about how I would face the next task without being able to prepare but now I think I have a good chance."

Harry was just about to tell the witch that it was nothing when he was interrupted by Dumbledore. "An excellent show of good sportsmanship Harry. Though I do need to question, are you sure that you have worked out the clue?"

Harry nodded. "Yes headmaster." He quickly cast a muffliato and leaned in towards Dumbledore and said, "Come seek us where our voices sound," Before he stood up straight and cancelled the muffliato charm.

The headmaster's eyes narrowed as if he was studying Harry before he relaxed. "Very well then, Mr. Potter, you have in fact found the clue so the egg is yours to do with as you like. If you wish to give it to the lovely Miss Delacour then that is not anything I nor the other judges can prevent. Oh and I think…50 points to Gryffindor for good sportsmanship and helping to right an injustice." A cheer went up from the Gryffindor table at Dumbledore's pronouncement and most of the other students in the great Hall clapped politely, though the students with a green trim on their robes mostly didn't bother. Which looked more odd than usual, as the Beauxbatons students and the Durmstrang students definitely did join in the clapping, even with enthusiasm from the Beauxbatons students.

-ϟϟϟ-

A few days later, Harry and Hermione were sitting in Transfiguration. Near the end of the lesson, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. Harry looked down at the guinea fowl that he had been practicing turning into a guinea pig for the last hour and suddenly realised what announcement their Head of House was about to make. Indeed, Professor McGonagall told the class about the Yule Ball, causing half of the boys to stiffen at the thought of needing to ask a girl to the ball and about half the girls to get giggly. Harry considered who he was going to ask to the ball, he wasn't going to leave it until the last minute like he had in the previous timeline, as that had only caused problems. This time he was going to ask someone today. Hermione leaned across him and grabbed his book bag, pulled it into her lap and started rummaging about looking for something. It was a pity that he couldn't ask Hermione, Harry thought. She was in the same position as him…wait, why couldn't he ask Hermione? It wasn't like she was seeing anyone, she wasn't pining for Krum to ask her again, and they were friends. They would have fun together, and it's not like they hadn't danced together before. Best of all, Hermione wouldn't be going with the Boy-Who-Lived, she would expect Harry, nothing more. Hermione pulled Harry's homework out of the bag and placed it with her own, ready to hand to Professor McGonagall when they left. As he expected, Professor McGonagall called on him to stay behind for a few moments after the lesson. The rest of the class filed out, dropping their homework on the professor's desk as they passed. Hermione waited by the door as Harry approached the professor's desk.

"It's okay Professor, I already worked out that if there is a big fancy ball for the tournament, and that my date and I will need to open the dancing," Harry jumped in before Professor McGonagall could say anything.

"Ah, uh…very well Mr. Potter, I'm glad you are on top of it. I presume you are equally on top of your dress robes, they're fitting for someone representing the school?"

Harry laughed, which caused Professor McGonagall to look at him, her expression hard. "Sorry Professor, I went shopping for my robes with Sirius over the summer, I just remembered the set he tried to make me buy;; I would have looked like a Christmas tree. But yes, I have suitable robes now."

Professor McGonagall nodded. "If I were you, I would go and check those robes; knowing Sirius Black as I do, he's probably bought the other robes and Transfigured them to look like the ones you you think you have, with a timer set to transform them back just before the the ball or right in the middle of it. It is the sort of thing he would find funny." Harry paled at that, his professor was right: that was exactly the sort of thing Sirius would do. He would need to check his robes tonight and make sure that they were fine. Professor McGonagall saw the look on Harry's face and understood that her warning was taken to heart so she dismissed him.

Hermione had been waiting by the door for him and fell into step next to him as he left. Harry glanced over at her. "Hermione, I was wondering if you would-"

She cut him off with her response. "Of course Harry, I will help you check your robes. Professor McGonagall is right, that is the sort of thing that Sirius would do. It would be embarrassing as hell if your robes were to transform into the monstrosity you described in the middle of the ball."

Harry smiled at her before saying, "Thanks Hermione, I appreciate the help, but that wasn't what I was going to ask." She looked at him with a questioning look on her face. "Would you like to go to the ball with me?"

Surprise passed over Hermione's face for a few seconds, but then she looked at Harry again, studying his face looking for something. Whatever she was looking for she must have found, because she nodded once (more to herself than Harry), her cheeks turned slightly pink, and she nodded again, this time definitely at Harry. "Yes, Harry. I would love to go to the ball with you." At her words Harry felt a smile spread over his face, and the two of them went down to lunch together.

-ϟϟϟ-

News that Harry and Hermione were going to the ball together went around the school rapidly, although the two of them had no idea about the betting pool the Weasley twins were running so had no idea why they were the topic of so much gossip. This time, however, the whispers weren't accusing him of being the Heir of Slytherin, cheating to enter the tournament (though there was still some of that from Hufflepuff and Slytherin), and they weren't whispering that he was an attention seeking liar. All in all, the whispers that debated whether Harry and Hermione were officially an item now were a lot easier to put up with.

Between asking Hermione to the ball and Christmas Day, there were a few things that Harry needed to do. First, he checked his robes as Professor McGonagall had suggested, and he found that she was right to warn him. Sirius had indeed switched them with the ugly robes and transfigured them into a copy of his robes. Harry had no way to tell when the Transfiguration would wear off, but knowing his godfather it would have been at the most embarrassing moment. He considered writing to Sirius and asking him for his robes, but wrote it off as a bad idea, Sirius would probably just prank them as well. Instead, Harry and Hermione got permission from Professor McGonagall to leave the castle to do some shopping. Professor McGonagall wasn't happy with it but took them to Gringotts and then to get Harry some new robes.

In retaliation, Harry's first few Christmas gifts to Sirius were a piece of coal and a note that he had spent the money for Sirius's gift on replacement robes. Copying Sirius's prank, he transfigured them into a Christmas jumper and novelty mug and set the Transfiguration to wear off shortly after the presents had been opened. He did, however, still send Sirius a bottle of firewhiskey via Madam Rosmerta at the Three Broomsticks, who had a service where underage people could buy alcohol for adults as gifts, but she would wrap and send off the gift without it ever getting into the hands of someone underage. It was technically illegal, as it was selling alcohol to underage witches and wizards, but nobody really cared as long as she didn't let the alcohol get into the hands of kids.

Harry, Hermione, and Luna did spend some time together trying to work out who had put Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire, as Professor Lupin was confirmed to be himself and not a Death Eater in disguise, but none of the known names of Death Eaters ever appeared on the Marauders' Map except for Bartemius Crouch, but that was Crouch Sr. as far as they could tell. On Christmas Day, the whole school was abuzz about the upcoming ball, and a bunch of Gryffindors decided to blow off some steam with a snowball fight. Everyone was having fun as flicking wands saw snow flying back and forth, with the girls all ducking out halfway through so that they could start getting themselves prettied up for the ball. The boys gave it an extra hour or so before they too started to disappear to get ready as well. The Weasley twins were some of the last to leave, but they did give the field of battle one last wave of their wands before they left, leaving two impressive snow forts for the younger students who didn't need to go to get ready for the ball.

Harry found it took him longer to get ready this time, as he found he couldn't be so uncaring about his appearance this time. He was more aware of the fact that how he presented himself would be seen by everyone around him, and tonight he would be dining with some high-ranked members of the Ministry. He was certain that Bagman was at least a gossip, and how Harry presented himself tonight could have some bearing on how the Ministry reacted to him when he announced Voldemort's return. Originally, he had planned to kill Voldemort at the graveyard at the end of the year, but despite all the research they did they hadn't been able to find where the cup was hidden. Harry also just couldn't slapdash for Hermione like he had done last time. Hermione had stood by him though so much that she didn't deserve anything less than his full effort.

One big help had been given to him by Sirius over the summer. Sleekeazy's Hair Potion was actually made by Harry's great-grandfather, it was originally developed to manage the curse that is Potter hair. The recipe was later sold to a company that makes beauty potions for a hefty sum (as well as a small stake in the company) and any Potter could get a free bottle of the potion every three months. With the help of the potion, Harry was able to tame the hair he was cursed with. This took longer than expected, however, as he didn't have the slightest clue what would look good on him, but eventually he settled on something he thought looked quite good.

Harry was still the first one down out of him and Hermione. When she did finally come down the girls stairs, he was one of the only students whose jaw didn't drop in shock. She was not wearing the same set of dress robes she had last time (though the colour was similar), but periwinkle blue was both one of Hermione's favourite colours and a colour she looked good in. This dress, however, did something Harry would have sworn was impossible; it made Hermione look like her real age. If he hadn't known better he would have sworn that the girl walking down the stairs smiling at him was in the body of a young woman in her early twenties rather than the fifteen-year-old one he knew she currently occupied. Harry felt the smile spread over his face as Hermione saw him and smiled, and she quickly made her way over to him, her silver high heels barely slowing her at all.

"Wow Hermione, you look amazing." Harry complimented Hermione out loud before leaning in and whispering quietly, "Even better than last time."

Hermione blushed a little, not used to such compliments from Harry. "You don't look half bad yourself," she admitted. He offered Hermione his arm and the two of them made their way down to the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall pulled them aside when they got there and directed the two of them to join the other champions and their dates in the trophy room just off of the Great Hall. The champions and their dates were to be formally announced once everyone else had arrived and taken their seats. Cedric and Krum were already there, Cedric had once again brought Cho but as Krum hadn't been able to ask Hermione this time, he had asked one of the Durmstrang girls that Harry had never bothered to learn the name of. Harry didn't know if Fleur was thinking of herself as fashionably late or something, but they did have to wait another fifteen minutes for her to drag an almost drunk-looking Roger Davies in behind her.

Dinner was nicer this time, as it was Crouch himself who turned up rather than Percy Weasley, and while the man was a little dry he was perfectly presentable and even complimented Harry for his solution to summon an item that had been charmed to prevent summoning during the first task. He had apparently sent a memo around to the Aurors about the technique as it could prove a useful strategy for dealing with some cursed objects. "Tell me Mr. Potter, have you ever considered a career as an Auror? I think you might have what it takes to be a good one." Crouch asked.

That question had instantly put Harry on edge, as it had been Junior in the previous timeline who had suggested that Harry be an auror after school. Could that be why the map wasn't showing who was being impersonated? Was Crouch impersonating his own father with the same name? "Not really. I'm the last Potter, I think I would prefer a career without a mortality rate, and work on rebuilding my family a little," Harry replied. If this was Crouch Junior, maybe he would report to Voldemort that Harry was soft and the snake-faced git would underestimate him.

"I can see why you could choose that option, I'm the last of my line as well but after the deaths of my wife and son I couldn't face getting married again. But maybe the Aurors' loss will be another department's gain. There are plenty of safe careers in the Ministry, my own department is one of the safest. International Cooperation may not be flashy but good work."

"I don't know, I can't see myself writing reports on the thickness of cauldron bottoms." Harry said truthfully.

Crouch looked at him confused for a second before recognition flashed on his face, "Oh, Weasley's project. While I will admit it is boring work, eight to ten witches and wizards die every year in Britain and Europe due to faulty cauldrons. If some boring paperwork and reports can help bring that number down, those are real lives that are saved. It's worthwhile work that could have a real positive effect on our society, even if all most people will do is complain about the slight increase in the cost of buying a new cauldron." Looked at from that point of view, Harry could see why Percy was so proud of his project, and even though Harry hadn't said anything in this timeline he still felt like he owed Percy an apology.

-ϟϟϟ-

As most of the students danced, Daphne Greengrass and her date for the evening Blaise Zabini were standing next to the drinks table watching Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.

"Are you sure this will work?" Blaise asked, eyeing his date's cold smile.

"Of course, I have been planning this since I learned of the ball this summer. I have everything worked out," Daphne took a drink of her punch after she spoke.

"I still say we should have used something stronger," Blaise repeated to her for the eighth time since she told him her plan.

"And I told you it's an unnecessary risk for no additional benefit. Plus your plan was just skeevy," Daphne sounded exasperated.

"It's not like I plan to slip them anything strong."

"I don't care how strong they are. If I ever catch you slipping a love potion to a girl, for any reason. I will chop off your family jewels and transfigure them into a lovely set of earrings for said witch," The venom in her voice spoke of how much the pretty young witch detested those potions.

Blaise turned his lower half away from the witch next to him as he said, "It's not like those two aren't already together. All the love potion would do is give them a push and win us the bet."

"We don't need a love potion for that, we just need good old fashioned bottled courage." She held up a bottle of vodka from her expanded handbag, careful not to let anyone else see but Blaise see it.

-ϟϟϟ-

Neither Harry or Hermione realised they were drinking alcoholic drinks whenever they took a short break from dancing. Normally, he wouldn't have been so eager to spend time on the dance floor, but after his victory in the first task he had wound up dancing with Hermione after Luna pulled them both up to dance in the Gryffindor common room. The two of them had so much fun that Harry wondered why he was so reluctant to dance until recently.

As the evening progressed Hermione grew slightly less stable in her high heels and had to lean on Harry a little to keep from falling. The two of them danced closer and closer throughout the night, until they were dancing while Hermione rested her head on Harry's chest. After about two hours, the two needed to get out of the Great Hall, the two of them were overheating and a hall full of teens dancing to the Weird Sisters wasn't the best place to cool off, so they went out into the garden that had been set up for the evening.

"Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you ask me to the ball?"

Harry thought about it for a few long seconds before he answered. "I wanted to enjoy the evening, and when I thought about it you were the only one with whom I could see that happening. Anyone else and it would have felt like a chore, an obligation that I just needed to get through it and be done with it. But with you I am having fun," Harry explained as they walked around flowering bushes.

"I'm glad you asked me. I like things like balls anyway but coming with you is so much more special." Hermione went silent for almost a minute before she spoke again, this time in a quiet unsure voice. "Harry. I want to try something but I'm afraid."

"Hermione, you are one of the bravest people I know, what could be so scary?" Harry asked.

It took Hermione a few moments to pluck up the courage to answer Harry. "...losing you as my friend." Hermione admitted.

"Impossible." Harry stated as though he was quoting a fundamental law of the universe. "I doubt there is anything you could do that would keep me from being your friend Hermione. After all these years you are the only one I can truly trust without any doubt whatso-"

Harry never got to finish what he was saying as Hermione grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss. Harry froze as his brain tried to catch up with the reality that Hermione was kissing him. She stopped suddenly and looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry Harry. I knew I shouldn't-"

During Hermione's apology, Harry's brain finally kicked back into gear and he realized what a mistake he had made. Hermione had kissed him and he had stood there like a plank and done nothing. She probably thought he hated her right now. He tried to think of what to say, but then suddenly he knew what to do instead. He didn't even let Hermione finish talking, he wrapped his arms around her holding her tight, then did what he should have done earlier and pressed his lips to hers.

Hermione relaxed in his arms and started to kiss him back, and everything just clicked for them both. This was why most people assumed they were together, because they really were.. They had just been too blind and too stubborn to see it for themselves. The kiss slowly deepened and the two of them started to get more enthusiastic, until they were interrupted by a camera flash. They turned to see Daphne Geengrass and Blaise Zabini standing there, Daphne holding a camera with a wide grin on her face. "Looks like we won the bet."

A/N

Some of you may find that selling alcohol to teenagers is something that should never happen. However, the truth is in Britain there are, or at least were, a lot of shop owners who only care about making a sale. When I was 14 I knew of a few shops that would sell alcohol to me. Not that I used it often. I had a family that believed, as I do, that responsible drinking at home was okay, so it wasn't uncommon for me to have a beer or a cider (British cider being alcoholic and carbonated) so I didn't need to go buying it.

How do you like my Daphne and Blaise in this chapter? I wanted them being Slytherins, but not actually working against our main couple. Extremely Slytherin, but in a way that helps; yes it was for their own good, but at the same time they chose to do something that makes other people happy rather than making enemies.

As this is the last time I will be posting before Christmas I just wanted to wish everyone a good holiday season.

i also might not update next week with Christmas and new year I may be too busy to wright though I will still try, but my beta may be too busy as well so no guarantees at worst I will be back in January