Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter
"She's a Loony bint!"
Harry was stood between Neville and Fay, the three had been talking quietly whist keeping an eye on the beginning of the fireworks display. Now, it seems, it had overloaded and spilled into hurtful words and screams.
"I do not care what you think, Ronald Weasley! Luna may seem… odd, to most, but that does not detract from her positive qualities. Things that I believe you must be positively lacking if the words spewing from your waste disposal of a mouth is anything to go by!"
Ron's natural ruddiness went even redder. Harry could feel the sparks reverberate in the air; Ron had always been quick to anger and slow to remove a grudge. Indeed, he almost respected the incredibly stubbornness of the boy.
"C'mon 'Mione, it's just-just… you know…"
Harry almost felt sorry for him. After the debacle of the Chamber of Secrets, Ron Weasley had become a House pariah, with no attempts to befriend him to come after the event. His brothers only tolerated him - still loved him as their brother – yet like does not equal love. Only Ginny would willingly spend time with him, and even then, it was out of a sense of duty as he had tried to save her life in the end. Ron's only friend, if it were to be called friendship, at Hogwarts was with Hermione, who was also harshly treated after the Chamber.
However, Hermione had changed her ways. She had sought solace in a quirky little Ravenclaw who had no friends of her own in Hogwarts, but was of a bright, inquisitive, free-thinking, mind. In another life, another world, the strait-laced Hermione Granger would never have any true time for the girl, but in over a year, Luna Lovegood had wormed her way into Hermione's heart. Not a day would go by without the two meeting, even if for only five minutes in the corridor. It proved that she felt true remorse for her actions, as Hogwarts, and especially Gryffindor, had begun to forgive her for what she had been a part of, and acceptance was quickly coming back to her. Harry had even willingly made his way to a meeting with McGonagall and Dumbledore to put in his thoughts on the matter, and two days later, her given punishment was rescinded.
"What, Ronald?" A pause. Silence. "Go on then. Finish your sentence. You can't, can you?"
Harry smiled, unable to help himself, as he saw the passion that Hermione displayed as she stuck up for her friend. He wondered briefly about Viktor, who had come to him earlier with inquiries about the girl, which admittedly shocked him a little. His Housemate had mellowed out a lot compared to what she had been before, and Harry was never truly one to hold onto the past as it was.
"Hermione, she's a lunatic-"
The slap echoed down the stone hallway. Hermione's face was set in a glare of righteous anger. Only the arrival of Professor McGonagall brought the show to a close, and with a withering glare, Hermione stormed inside the Transfiguration classroom before everyone else, leaving a confused looking Professor in her wake.
The class was tense throughout, and Minerva McGonagall could tell that something was eating the group up – she had only heard raised voices outside, it seemed, and did not understand the issues that had arose.
Harry was simply attempting to enjoy his favourite subject, dragging Fay and Neville along for the ride, and was therefore completely blindsided at the end of the lesson when McGonagall made her announcement.
"Listen up, listen up. Now, I have an announcement that must be made to you all."
"What d'you reckon this is about?" Fay mumbled to the two boys, receiving only shrugs in return.
"A part of the Triwizard Tournament that is rarely mentioned, mostly due to its overshadowing by the Tasks of the year, is something that is known as the 'Yule Ball' which is to occur on Christmas Day. Now – Silence! – any student from fourth year and over may attend and may escort with them any from the years below if they so choose. This will be a chance for Hogwarts to, ah, let its hair down, so to speak." Harry almost grinned at her visible annoyance at the spoken words. "Now the Ball is, for all intents and purposes, an evening dance. There will be a Yuletide Feast, with music and so on, though this does not mean that you can all act like fools."
"A dance?" Fay whispered. "We're really having a ball at Hogwarts?"
Harry looked at her out of the corner of his eyes, slightly surprised by the flushed face and glazed features. "Er, Fay?" he nudged her to no effect. "You okay there?"
"I believe Miss Dunbar is completely fine, Harry. However, if you would not mind, I need to have a word with you before you leave."
He nodded his head and turned to see a chuckling Neville almost drag Fay out of her chair. "I've got this one, Harry, you just catch up when you're done."
Student and teacher waited until the room had emptied before beginning the conversation.
"Well, Harry. I must need ask you a question that I believe I already know the answer to. Can you dance?"
He blinked once. Twice. "But I'm going home for Christmas, Professor. We've already got a plan – I'm staying with Sirius, and Dora, and Mr and Mrs Tonks are coming around. So, I am not actually going to attend the dance. Sorry."
She stood before him, looking down at him with what appeared to be a measure of sympathy. "I am afraid that these plans must change, Harry. For you see, this classifies as a Champion action, and if you do not attend, then it will count as being unable or unwilling to compete. I ask if you know how to dance, as the Champions are the ones who initiate the Ball. Positions must be placed relevant to being seated upon the High Table and beginning the rite as the starting dance. Mr Potter, Harry, you I would strongly advise you learn how to dance and find a partner to do it with."
He sat there for several more minutes, slack jawed and eyes beginning to burn with frustration, until a despondent sigh was created. He grabbed his school bag, bid farewell to his Professor, and left the room to bump in to his two best friends.
"Everything okay, Harry?" Neville asked with some concern.
"Not really, Nev." He smiled when Fay put her hand gently on his arm. "I'm fine, only, I need to think about things. Apparently, Champions have to attend the Ball" Quieter, "I need to write a couple of letters now. I hope Dora and Sirius won't be upset."
He would not have much time to organise and formulate a letter to his family that day, as something happened to the female populace that Harry would never had completely believed could ensue unless he saw it with his own eyes.
Groups of girls he was positive he had never seen act as such, were in large, huddled groups, creating hushed whispers and menacing auras that had Harry shivering as he moved through the castle. Of course, some of the boys were almost the same, though they only emanated a sense of nervousness that was almost viral in nature as the effect began to spread.
"I think that that could be no," Fay snickered, followed by a passing by Fred and George Weasley.
"Ah, well. Never mind. I'm sure I can find someone else to go with."
"I-I don't get it," said a confused Harry.
"Harry, you're famous, you're a Champion… what more do you expect?"
Harry shook his head as this was the third time in half an hour that a girl had come up to him with a purposeful stride and a cheeky smirk in order to ask him to the Yule Ball. By the end of the day, it would increase to eight, with more looking likely to be coming over the horizon the day after.
"Okay, so what was wrong with Chang?"
"Fay, I've only ever said a few words to her before. I don't know but its almost as if she only sees the Seeker, and I'm not sure I like that. Anyway, you know I really don't want to do this."
Neville patted his shoulder comfortingly, sliding over slightly so that Harry could make room for Katie as she stumbled through the portrait hole with a dishevelled look upon her. "C'mon though, that seventh year from Ravenclaw, never expected that one, nor the question from those two Durmstrang girls."
"What?" Katie yelped sharply. "What are you on about?"
"Harrikins here is being forced to go to the ball. You would have known that if you had been at dinner."
"I blame you for that, George. If not for your stupid prank, then I could have finished my essay correctly and not have Snape pick it apart. Anyway, what's this about people asking Harry?" Her eyes had narrowed, and Harry could hear her teeth grit together with an off-putting grinding sound.
"I've had some people ask me out to it," Harry spoke quietly, flinching slightly at Katie's glare.
"Who." It was not a question. It was a demand for answers.
Neville looked at Fay, who simply stared back at him with wide eyes. "You tell her."
Harry released a nervous giggle at Neville's reply of, "Do I look like I have a death wish?"
"Cowards," Angelina snapped, "The lot of you." She turned to her friend and put on a comforting face. "Firstly, was that Chang girl, but from what I hear Harry turned her down flat. Something about her only seeing a Seeker she is the number one fan of. Then, I believe was an older Ravenclaw, though I still haven't been told who she is. Afterwards there were these two Durmstrang girls who…"
"Which ones?"
Angelina did not let Katie's interruption stop her, instead she chose the simpler path of ignoring the question. "Then, and you may laugh at this. Or not." Katie only blinked in response. "A Beauxbatons boy, but I think this Harry was spooked more by aggressive Slytherin third year."
"He wouldn't leave me alone, but that girl was even worse. She wouldn't stop asking me."
"I don't think Harry quite knows what to do with himself with all of these requests."
Katie sat in silence, and Harry could not work out what it was that was going on in her head. Her face was stone, her eyes were hard, and her breathing even. Her stare, originally directed at him had now been forced to gaze deep into the burning logs of the fireplace.
The others began hushed conversations, though Harry did not decide to join them, instead he tentatively reached an arm around the girl's waist, to which was quickly reciprocated as she harshly pulled him into the side of her body. His head leaned down onto her shoulder, and he could hear her heart beating erratically as she gripped him tightly.
He closed his eyes, unsure and confused by the situation. 'I still haven't written that letter. I guess it will have to wait for now.'
A sense of unease encompassed him alongside a feeling of slight misery that evacuated quicker than it had formed. Katie sighed deeply, causing him to reopen his eyes and glance up at her, an action that caused him to jump slightly when he saw her looking down at him with a sad smile.
"Katie?" he whispered.
"Hush now, Harry, let's just enjoy the moment."
They sat there in the calm silence for as long as Harry could take. "Can you teach me to dance?"
She appeared slightly shocked at his question, but easily composed herself. "What makes you think I can dance?"
He giggled lightly at her question, knowing the answer before she had even finished asking it. "Silly, you told me you've always loved to dance – your mum taught you."
"Good answer to my test," she chuckled, "though I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You know almost everything about me, and I the same to you, but I am impressed that you remembered something I wrote to you over a year ago." She laughed again at his expectant look. "Obviously, I'll teach you to dance. I see your obviousness as well, Fay. Do you need help too?" The group laughed then at her red face and shining eyes.
"Thank you, Katie." It was as though a large weight had been removed from his chest and he had had his memory of what it was like to breathe deeply returned to him.
"I require payment, though."
Harry's brow furrowed as he tried to interpret her meaning. "Payment?"
"Do you really think I would teach you for free?" Harry's heart skipped a beat as all manner of negative thoughts raced in his head. Wonders of betrayals enveloping his very being – "You have to be my date for the Yule Ball."
The Common Room went as quiet as the grave. Students were staring with open mouths as the noise level dropped in one moment. A pin drop would echo if it were to happen there and then.
The Circle stared. To say each one was shocked would be an understatement, but none could have been more surprised than the recipient of her question. "You want me… to go with you to the Yule Ball?" he squeaked.
Katie nodded her head; no blush adorned her cheeks, and her lips were upturned in a natural manner. She was indeed serious with her question.
Harry stilled and took a long, deep, breath in. "Who else would I want to go with?"
Harry could hear the hushed whispering follow him throughout the whole evening; the conversations within Gryffindor Tower mentioning his name and Katie's in the same sentence with some frequency.
"About time."
"Took them long enough."
"You owe me 10 Sickles."
"Well, you owe me a Galleon, remember?"
It became just as bad the next day, with many pairs of eyes drawn to his form – good natured smirks and low murmurs trailing after him as he went. The strange aura that appeared to develop only worsened when Katie moved to his side, as fingers began to point at their intertwined hands and intimate behaviour.
Neville only shook his head with a smile after Harry asked him what was going on, his innocent denseness causing him to be wholly unsure as to what to make of the strange situation. "Harry… never mind, I don't think you would understand it anyway. Maybe in a couple of years, though I can't really talk much now, can I?"
This, of course, left Harry more confused than ever, and decided to bring up the topic to Katie at the start of their dancing lesson in a disused classroom on the sixth floor.
"Ah." Katie's face burned a bright red fire, her fingers moving to her long, black, hair, to begin twirling it idly within her digits. This was a well-known nervous habit that Harry had seen her perform almost ritualistically whenever a situation began to become more than she could handle. Harry was starting to get nervous himself, however, when Katie began to twitch, and the silence stretched for a few minutes. "I think, they may… they may… possibly think that we are… linked. In a romantic sense."
Her voice had slowed with each word. Each syllable stretched out and became quieter and quieter. Harry did not know what to say in response. He simply stood there, mere feet away from Katie Bell, who was now stood completely still, head bowed, and eyes beginning to redden.
Katie took a deep, long, breath. In and out. Her head raised up to lock eyes with his own and her beatific smile lit up the room, causing him to mimic it happily. She took strides towards him and began their lesson. The first part of their time emitted a palpable awkwardness, though their deep, long-forged friendship allowed them to move easily passed this as the dancing took form.
"It's almost as if my body knows what to do," Harry said breathlessly after Katie had drawn their lesson to a close.
"I think it may have something to do with your natural skill with flying. It is almost as if your body knows how to react reflexively. It's quite an ability that I'm definitely jealous of."
She made a quiet chuckle, followed quickly by Harry, who moved closer to her upon the desk they were sitting on. Her arm came around his body, drawing him to her with a slight amount of visible possessiveness that even Harry was able to observe.
The kiss was unexpected. Her lips upon his own were warm and soft. He could feel her hand gently trace from his scalp to his cheek with a tenderness he had never felt before. It was gentle and full of such affection and care that Harry's brain shut down and let the feeling consume him entirely.
It lasted but only a few seconds, but to Harry it was as if a whole lifetime had passed him by.
"Sorry," whispered Katie. "I don't know what came over me." Her warm breath tickled his face as her forehead rested on his own. Harry could see frustrated tears begin to form, and he could feel her body twitch as it pressed against his own. "I'm so stupid. So, so stupid." A sniffle. "Please don't hate me."
Harry wrapped his arms around her, cradling her against his smaller frame. "I don't understand."
"How could I not? You are the most precious thing in my life, Harry. How could I not feel such things for you? But I know who you are, what goes on in that sweet head of yours, and I just feel so sick. I got so caught up in the moment… So much happens to you. After the task, and knowing what may come next… I just knew that I couldn't wait any longer. I'm so scared about what could happen to you, that I may never get a chance if I couldn't be brave and prove I'm the Gryffindor I really am." To Harry, at this moment, no one had ever looked as beautiful.
"I'm sorry."
The words were soft, but they had the full force of an explosion.
"I know."
He almost broke at her sad smile, yet he could not help how he felt. When she kissed him there was no spark, no want or desire for this to continue. There was a joy he felt, though it was more due to the affirmation that someone truly, really, cares for him. There was always a sick doubt in his mind that he was never going to be good enough, and the pure devotion that was unspoken in her action was enough to destroy any form of self-doubt he possessed. But it still felt wrong.
"I-I don't feel it. What you want me to feel. I do not know if there is something wrong with me, but I don't feel any different. I feel my cheeks burn, and my heart race, but there's no… feeling.
"I've always wanted a family, you know that." She was staring at him intently and her hands gripped the sides of his neck with a sweet gentleness. "And now I have. Sirius is the uncle who I should have had since I was so young, and Dora is the big sister who I used to always dream of having." He felt uncomfortable talking about this topic, it being so alien to him. "And you. I would lie awake at night sometimes and create stories in my head of having someone who could share my life, who would care for me and want me. I never wanted a brother, truly. I would see my cousin act how he did, and how my uncle behaved, so I would wish for a sister to help me." Her eyes softened and a watery smile formed. "I thought myself so stupid, believing that you…"
"Hush now," she said. "I'm not angry. I could never be angry with you. It's my own fault."
"It isn't," he rushed out, "There's no one in this world that I care for more, but… it isn't in the way you want me to. I can't say that the way I am feeling is forever, but for now, right now, I can't be the person you want me to be."
He felt exhausted, his emotions tiring him out more than anything else.
Katie smiled at him, more naturally than before, which started to ease him back to normality. "I'm not angry, Harry, and I know how honest you are. It's a pure trait that can't help but draw me to you over and over. All I know, is that as long as I can be in your life, that will be enough to make me happy."
"Really? I don't want this to make things strange or weird at all."
"It won't."
Harry believed her, and he could see that she believed it too. They were connected too powerfully for something like this to come between them. She was a huge part of his life, and without her in it, he knew he would feel hollow and empty, and he could feel the exact same from Katie. 'I'm still confused by everything, but life has a strange way of developing. Who knows what will happen in five, or ten, or twenty years from now?"
They remained like that, together in silence, for some time after. Harry's arm was starting to numb and both he and Katie were noticeably starting to become more and more tired as the sky became pitch black and only the light of the cloud covered moon shone its light.
They traipsed to the Gryffindor Common Room with intertwined hands, natural smiles upon their faces. At the base of the Girls' dorms, Katie said not a word, but bent down slightly to place her lips upon his cheek, the corner of her lips grazing his own. He could see a mixture of emotions in her blue eyes, though sadness was not amongst them. She left him with a kiss on his brow, and as she walked up the stairs, her eyes followed him until she was out of sight.
Harry sighed long and deep. He was feeling restless now his bed was in sight and needed to clear his head of the night's events. He crept up to his room to grab his Invisibility Cloak as well as a quill, ink, and parchment. He was going to send a letter to Dora to gain some advice on the matter, and a nice trip to visit Hedwig would not be a bad idea either. His owl was intelligent and caring, her presence could help his rushing feelings.
With the letter written and sealed, he quietly made his way to the Owlery, avoiding Mrs Norris and Peeves along his chosen route. It was getting too late for him now, but he was on a mission that needed to be completed.
Upon his arrival, there was a human figure gently stroking a large owl that he did not expect to be there.
"Fleur?"
She turned sharply in his direction, fumbling for a wand that was never drawn as her shocked face calmed itself when she saw him standing there with his Cloak draped over his shoulder and a letter in his left hand.
"'Arry?" she blinked dumbly, looking more like a true teenaged girl to Harry in that moment than she has done since he met her. He almost chuckled when he saw her light blush. "Could not sleep eezzer?"
"It's been a long night, and I thought I would come see my owl for a bit."
"Weech one iz yours?"
He whistled lowly, and Hedwig' majestic form flew down from her perch. He smiled bright and wide when she nibbled his ear lightly, cuffed him round his head with a gentle wing, and nuzzled his neck with a good tenderness he could only ever expect from his companion. "This is Hedwig."
"She iz incroyable. May I?" she gestured as if to stroke her.
"It's up to Hedwig really," shrugged Harry.
His owl gave him a look but remained on his shoulder as the tall French girl took steps towards him. Her arm extended carefully, and Harry was almost awed at the innocent smile that shone from Fleur's face as she caressed Hedwig's plumage.
"She iz a wonderful ow, 'Arry." Her face dropped as she took a step back, her eyes roving his small form with sad eyes. "I am sorry."
"Huh?" he replied dumbly, not expecting the words. "Sorry for what?"
"For 'ow I 'ave treated you. After what 'appenned in ze task, I 'ave been asking 'ozzers about you, not just ze ones I 'ave been talking to. It waz wrong. I waz wrong. I should 'ave known better zan to, 'ow you say, judge? Judge people." Harry remained silent, knowing that this girl needed to get this off her chest. "I also 'eard you and zat girl. You left ze door open. I did not mean to sneak and 'ear you.
"You did ze right zing, zo. Ze way you 'andled it waz very grown up. Zer are boys a lot older zan you 'oo would 'ave made a mess of zat. Made eet zo much worse."
"You eavesdropped? Please," he whispered with some desperation, "Don't tell anyone what happened, I'll do anything."
Fleur smiled kindly at him. "You do not need to worry. Eet iz a secret, non? All I ask iz zat you take my apology."
"Done. And there is nothing to say sorry for. You didn't know me, so how could you get along with me. Especially if Draco and his friends are involved. He likes to try to make me upset; he can be a bully sometimes."
"I 'ave noticed zat 'ee can be cruel." She stared at him again, this time with some curiosity. "You are a strange boy, 'Arry Potter."
"What do you mean?"
"Zere is somezing about you I cannot put my feenger on… Let me try somezing." She closed her eyes and Harry could hear her breathing even out.
A sudden tingle hit the back of his neck while his eyes grew heavy, and his thoughts became fuzzy. Fleur appeared to shine like an angel before him. Her eyes glowed with an ethereal light. He could feel her magic embrace his own as a warmth that felt so beautiful corrupted his being. He simply stared at Fleur, taking everything about her in, drinking it deeply as if he were a man dying of thirst.
"Stop."
As quickly as it came, the oppressive feeling vanished.
"Zat waz my full allure," Fleur spoke with awe lacing her voice. "I never…" She looked at him then. She truly looked at him. "I expect no forgiveness for zat, but I ask for eet anyway. I 'ad to be sure."
"Sure of what?" He felt annoyed, but not angry. For some strange reason, he knew she would not do anything to him if that had gone awry but could not explain it for the life of him.
"Of 'ow strong your weel iz. 'Ow strong you are. I see eet." She came to his form, Hedwig floating away to the window to watch the event unfold. Harry stood still as her hand came to his cheek. She was easily a foot taller than he, so he had to crane his neck upwards to meet her gaze. "'Arry," was the only word she spoke before she kissed his forehead, leaving an appealing, burning spot which lingered on his skin. "I zink I see eet, why zey care and protect you zo strongly."
Harry watched after her as she left the tower, stating that he was shocked being an understatement.
"Hedwig." A low bark responded. "Life is strange." He could almost swear she was laughing at him.
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They all overslept on Christmas Morning, knowing that the nights festivities would drag on to the early hours of Boxing Day.
They met each other in the Great Hall for an early lunch, taking time to enjoy it as they all relaxed and accepted the day for what it was. The Circle lounged about in the Common Room afterwards, exchanging gifts and munching on sweet snacks sparingly. With what Harry believed to be more time than was necessary, the girls of the group left to enter their dormitories as to get ready for the Ball.
"Meet me outside the Hall, Harry. I won't have you waiting here for me the whole time."
"But there's still hours left, Katie," replied with some confusion.
Alicia simply laughed at his face. "Harry, I don't think you fully understand the intricacies that goes into getting a girl ready for an event like this. Let Katie glamour herself up for you, you won't regret it, trust me."
With red faces, Katie pecked his cheek and turned away. The others seemed to believe that there was more going on between them than they advertise, and neither of them had told the others what had been discussed in that abandoned classroom.
"Come on, Harry, let's play some Snap."
He turned to Neville and nodded his head in agreement.
By the time it came for the rest of them to get ready, as they deemed it, there was barely any time left until the start of the Ball. They descended the Grand Staircase as a large group of Gryffindor boys, with Lions from most years coming with them to the entrance.
"See you in there, Harrikins," shouted Fred, with George guffawing next to him at some joke spoken by Lee Jordan.
Harry moved his way to the gathering group of Champions and dates – Professor McGonagall presiding over them. She nodded her head at him, a nod of approval at his Robes for the evening; they were likened more towards Muggle fashion but were inlaid with emerald – something that Katie almost demanded he add. 'Your eyes are beautiful, Harry. The green is a necessary addition.' She was so excited to attend that he simply smiled and agreed.
Cedric was stood there, a Durmstrang girl on his arm who was overtly flirting with the bemused boy. Harry smiled at his friend, who nodded his head in Harry's direction, followed by the shark-like grin of the girl.
Krum was stood there too, along with a Ravenclaw boy Harry was positive was Roger Davies.
"I'm assuming you aren't here together?" Harry asked.
"Hah, no. I am waiting for someone else," snorted Viktor. "This one waits for Delacour."
Harry shook his head as he could see Roger's eyes already glazed over. "A shame really." Krum raised a quizzical brow. "He won't last five minutes."
"A sickle says ten." The feminine voice was not one Harry recognised, but as the blonde-haired girl moved to Krum's side, Harry switched the form in front of him from the unknown to a Seventh Year Gryffindor that Harry was sure was named Fiona.
Harry smiled at the forming group, but his heart almost stopped beating as nervous butterflies filled his stomach. He could see heads turn at the sight of Fleur as she entered the Castle. A heavenly aura emanating from her form would be enough to do that to even the strongest of wills. 'So, this is what a Veela could truly do.' However, no greater beauty existed for him in that moment than the girl who was walking down the stairs towards him.
She wore a floor length, Emerald dress with her shoulders bare. Light clips of her heels struck the stoned floor, and Harry could see the nerves strike her features from where he stood. This moment was the moment her took his glasses off for the first time and was granted with the ability to see the world correctly for what it was. Without assistance, his eyes trailed over her face, lightly made up, and her long black hair loose and wild in fashionable curls. As she took steps closer, he could feel his heart beat quicker in simultaneous tempo with his date.
"You look so handsome, Harry," she said, stuttering slightly at her words.
"And you're amazing," he replied, basking in the serene smile that drew out from her. "I know I gave you your present earlier, but I got you something else." He withdrew a box from an inside pocket, which was passed over to Katie who opened it slowly. Inside was a crystal-clear pendant, a Phoenix engraved upon it. "Apparently my father had it made for my mother, but she never got a chance to wear it."
"I-I can't take this."
"I want you to have it."
The world went silent, and Harry felt terrible for a split second when he thought Katie was about to burst into tears. "Can you put it on for me then?"
He nodded is assent, and clasped it around her neck with some difficulty, until it finally fit her.
"If you are all ready, the Yule Ball is set to begin," Minerva called out to them. "Mr Diggory and Miss Makinen, followed by Mr Krum and Miss Fitzroy. Then Miss Delacour and Mr Davies, and finally Mr Potter and Miss Bell."
The group entered the Hall to subdued applause, each couple arm in arm. Harry could feel Katie's body shake slightly with nerves, recognising that his own was reciprocating the action.
They made their way to the High Table, noting that, instead of the four long tables for each house, replacing them were rounded ones able to fit a large group around them. When they reached their table, Harry unconsciously pulled Katie's seat out, remembering some advice that Dora had wrote on a letter to him that came attached with her Christmas present that morning. Katie smiled brightly at him, leading to Fleur huffing audibly from the other side of her when Davies just stood there awkwardly staring at her. Cedric and Krum managed to take the hint, leading to thankful winks sent in his direction.
The group were unsure of what came next, but when Professor Dumbledore, who was sat on Harry's right, spoke the words "Pork Chops" clearly to his plate, the eight students quickly connected the dots. Harry and Katie barely spoke to each other as they ate, though this did not mean the conversation ran dry.
The two talked when the needed to, continuing the familiarity they shared of their established touches and non-verbal communications. As he dug into his treacle tart, a treat for him as he disdained from eating too much sugary foods as his stomach disliked it from years of being unused to it, he glanced across the room to see who had been paired with who.
"You noticed them yet?" Katie asked as she licked her spoon clean from ice cream. "Neville and Fay coming together was a bit obvious really."
He nodded in response. "Fred and Angelina, and George and Alicia too."
"What a surprise!"
The duo laughed lightly as they looked at the rest of the room and the couples that dotted it.
"Didn't think to see Ginny here," said Katie. "Least of all with that Dean boy from your year."
"Apparently, she really wanted to go, and from what I have heard, Dean was okay with them going together. He said that it made it easier to not have to ask a girl to go with him if they went as friends."
"Look at you, getting all the gossip."
"I do share a room with him, and Seamus talks quite loud."
When the announcement came for the partners to move to the centre of the room so as to initiate the dance, the room stood as one and the tables all vanished to the aether. Harry took Katie's hand, squeezing it tightly as they walked to their positions. It was as if the world was emptying and only the two of them remained within it. He could sense the nerves start to dissipate easily as if they were never there.
They stopped in their allocated positions, and idly Harry could see the pairs throughout the room move closer to each other, each taking their own partners hand in theirs as they prepared to join the Champions in the dance. Draco had Pansy wrapped around his form; Seamus with Lavender; Parvati with a Beauxbatons boy who he did not know. In the background, he could see Tracey arm in arm with another Slytherin boy, Ron Weasley timidly stood next to Lisa Turpin who was seemed to, strangely enough, be enjoying the redhead's company. With a growing smile, however, he saw a bubbly Luna Lovegood swaying to a non-existent tune as she tightly grasped Hermione's hand.
Katie stood taller than him, her feet were clad in heels that added to her height, which most likely led to a strange sight for the watchers in the wings.
He tentatively placed his hand gently upon her waist, simultaneously her own hand graced his shoulder. The opposing hands grasped each other's tightly and smiles were mirrored in each other's faces.
"Ready?" she whispered, questioning his nerves.
His heart was racing, but all he had time for was the girl in his arms who had become such a fixture in his life. "As I'll ever be," he whispered back as a slow tune began to play.
He could have made a thousand and one mistakes as they danced, but Harry did not care. Idly, his thoughts turned to just a few short years prior, where the only joy he could have ever felt was the fresh breeze on his face and sunlight shining down upon him after he was let out of his cupboard. Now, he had so much to be thankful for, and a moment like this was heaven-like to him. It was as if a never-ending dream was preventing his wakefulness to the world. The duo's spins, twirls, and movements galore as Katie held him close, stopped the ever-beating heart and vibrating nerves that influenced his soul. The constant thrum of dread that existed within him appeared to dissipate as the eternally present memories of what happened with Quirrell, the Chamber, and the Dementor, was drained from his mind for such a short, bittersweet, time.
The bright, magically changing, torchlights reflected off his partner's smile, wide and pleasing, and he found his own lips turned up in joy. There was an innocence that seemed to have their witnesses stare with awe, and, as the music began to draw to a close, other couple's making their way to the dance floor, and another, new, song develop its tempo, they continued their dance with not a word being uttered between them.
They lost track of time that passed as they simply enjoyed their night. Eventually, they needed a break from their actions, and decided to move over to a table to perch themselves temporarily as they quenched their thirst and rest their feet.
"Remind me to never wear these again," Katie moaned as she took her shoes off to rub her sore feet. "Now I remember why I don't actually own any." She looked over at Harry's grin and pulled a face of her own. "Alright, laugh it up, I'd like to see you try wearing them, oh Champion of Champion's."
"I think I'll be okay, if that's all the same to you."
They sat in companionable silence, the awkwardness that had been there after the confession vanishing. It still existed, the knowledge of what had been told, yet their bond was too strong to become extinguished with the dying flames. Katie had her arm around his waist now, and Harry could feel her breaths and body heat in the chill of the room, and there was no evidence of anything wrong. How could it be when the girl beside him was the most precious thing that he could see?
They sat there, under the enchanted snowflakes dropping lazily upon their shoulders, watching the rest of the night unfold. They had danced their fill for the moment, and now that the music had upped its beat, Harry and Katie agreed that the dancing to that music was a bit beyond their tastes.
Instead, they people watched, seeing their fellow students, and their teachers, enjoy the night for what it was. Professor Dumbledore made the rounds, acting as gracious a host as anyone could, offering his hand to all with a respectful dignity that one would expect from the legend. Hagrid appeared enamoured with the Beauxbatons Headmistress, though he shared a jovial little dance with Professor Sprout and McGonagall as well.
Harry and Katie quietly discussed Ron and Lisa Turpin, smiles on their faces reflecting the ones upon the surprising duo. Harry hummed in thought as he watched. "Do you think he'll be a bit more calm? Who asked who, anyway?"
"She asked him, obviously, and maybe. He hasn't been as annoying the last few days now, has he?"
Of course, the one that shocked the most people, though Harry was nothing but happy for them, was the coupling up of Hermione and Luna, both of whom traversed their way through the crowd to their table.
"Harry, do you mind if we have a little chat?"
Her face was scrunched up with what Harry could only assume was worry, though the pale hand of her partner holding hers tight seemed to be helping her out.
"Of course, Hermione."
Katie nodded once at him before turning with a smile to the young Ravenclaw and began conversing with her. Harry and Hermione rose up and walked a little way away so as to have a conversation with some modicum of privacy.
"So, Luna?"
Hermione pursed her lips as her eyebrows furrowed in prepared anger, "If you think- "
"Hermione, I'm happy for you." Her anger stopped in its tracks. "I just never would have thought that you would have ever even tried to be friends with her, let alone anything else."
The girl went quiet, idly twirling her straightened out hair as her teeth worried her lips in thought. "I think… I think I have you to thank for that." At his confused face, she began to elaborate. "With everything that happened, I knew I needed to take a long, hard, look at myself. Luna just sort of, fell I suppose, into my life. As much as it pains me to say it, she is almost unwanted in her House. In Hogwarts, really."
"And you felt the same."
She nodded her head, "Yes." A tired sigh escaped her. "She was there for me when everyone else despised me. She… treated me as me. I began to see beyond what everyone calls madness and saw deep into who she was. She is a lonely girl who begs silently for friends but has a hidden intelligence within her that is obvious but ignored. Crying out for help in the only way she knows how."
"Seems like someone else I know."
Hermione hiccoughed quietly, but Harry remained still, knowing that she still had something to say. "It was Professor Vector who saw it first. 'Don't waste the time you need; you never know how much you may regret it if you do not take the chance.' She spoke to us both, explained that what we feel is okay, that it is perfectly normal. I never even thought of romance. It is not something that has ever taken root in my mind, but she has become so key to my life..."
"Are you happy?"
"Yes."
"Then that is all that matters in the end."
There was a silence stretching out between them, and it was Hermione that broke first. "I am so sorry. For everything I have done, or not done. For what I think I have done, and for what you believe I have done. The Hermione Granger of times past is gone, replaced by a better version of her." Her hand extended out, tears slid down her cheeks, but to Harry, her smile was beautiful. "Hermione Granger, a pleasure to meet you."
He returned her smile, reached out with his own hand, and shook it. "Harry Potter, I hope we can be friends."
Harry and Katie danced as the night started to come to a close; the effort of more, faster paced songs dwindled to slower, easier ones in the waning hours of the Ball. After the end of the second song, Neville, red-faced, took Katie by the hand, while Harry and Fay danced together, laughing, and joking as they did.
Harry shared a timid one with Hermione, followed by a more boisterous and talkative dance with Luna Lovegood. Alicia and Angelina got involved, each doing their best to make him blush with their more provocative styles (Harry suspected that the blatantly obviously drunk Weasley twins had provided them with some refreshment), while Katie screamed with laughter as Fred and George passed her between them with a previously seen, unknown, style involving three people.
He talked and chattered away with others who passed them: Krum, Cedric, the Professors.
"I can see you enjoying yourself, Harry," giggled a slightly merry Septima Vector. "Myself and your mother used to dance all the time. A natural she was, though I could never keep up with her moves. Two left feet, you see." She leaned close to him, staring into his green eyes as though she could barely recognise them. "Lily would be so proud of you, Harry. Always remember that." Quieter, so that she could be barely heard over the still loud sounds of the Yule Ball, "I know how you feel about them, and I understand your hesitation, but they really did love you. Lily, most of all. So, I may be a bit rusty, but how could I not ask my, don't tell anyone, favourite pupil, for a quick dance."
Harry was sure that many a jealous face shone in his direction as they clasped each other's hands, and Harry audibly gulped when he pressed himself into her chest. Teachers had been dancing with students all night, though sparingly – Fred had managed to weasel his way to a short dance with Professor McGonagall, while Cedric had done so with a young looking Beauxbatons professor that had come along to Hogwarts.
When they had finished, Harry stood against the wall, sipping at a Butterbeer, looking around with a small sense of elation at how the night had progressed. Idly, he noted two sets of blonde hair, as Fleur Delacour stiffly pushed herself away from an annoyed looking Draco Malfoy. His brow raised when he saw her glide over the dance floor to his direction.
"'Arry," she said curtly.
"Fleur."
Neither of them said a word, but Harry could see Katie's glowering face behind Fleur, with the Circle glancing in their direction with worry every now and again. Krum was also looking, his date on his arm, and both were sending bemused looks his way.
Harry looked Fleur dead in the face, a part of him impressed by how little she looked tired or such. 'Veela genes, I guess.'
"A dance, Monsieur Potter? Or iz eet not to be too good for ze likes of moi?" Harry agreed to the dance and moved his way to the fringes of the floor as they took each other in hand. "You are a surprise, 'Arry Potter."
"How so?"
"Hmm, 'ow should I say zis… zo many 'ate you, but zo many are beside you. You, what iz zee word… intrigue me."
"I don't try to do anything to upset people."
"I know," she interrupted. "I am sorry, for how I 'ave acted towards you. I do not mean to spy, but I cannot 'elp eet eef eet iz zere een front of me."
Harry could only say that the girl glowed. She shined before him, and he could see she was beautiful. But he could see a sort of sadness as well. "I hope we can be friends, Fleur."
"Zo do I, 'Arry. Zo do I."
A tired Harry, pulled along by hand by Katie, was dragged back to the Gryffindor Common Room, smiling as he went when the Ball had finally finished. It had been a great night, he thought. It was a nice distraction for sure, helping him to forget, even temporarily, the upcoming stress he knew he was to endure. When he reached his bed, with some assistance, there was only a smile remaining on his face when Katie kissed his brow and he fell into the land of Morpheus and into tomorrow.
Author's Notes
I know that many of you will be disappointed with this chapter and a few specific parts of it, but it had to be done. I have explained before that Harry is not looking for love in a romantic sense at this exact point in time, and is more afraid of it than anything else. He requires someone to pursue him, not the other way around, and this is where Katie currently falls short. He needs her to reassure him that her feelings are genuine, or there will be no happy ending for the both of them. Of course, there are still 3 more books to go after Goblet of Fire, so who knows what's going to happen?
What you need to remember is that Harry is a traumatised child with feelings of low self esteem and self-worth. He is highly functioning, however, and he has an amazing support group, so expect more positive development as the chapters go on.
The thing with the relationship that he and Katie have is less of a physical, romantic one (right now at least) and more of a need for someone to show him love and affection. Note that when I write the interactions between the two (and in fact any connection he has), I avoid using the word 'love'. Harry does not understand the concept of it as it has been absent from his life, and he in incapable of understanding what it actually is. He's getting there though, because he recognises that he has an amazing bond with Katie and Dora that goes beyond anything else that exists in his life, but he equates them as the same feeling, as they are both there for him in the same way. Just a little glimpse into the insight of Harry's psyche.
And Hermione is redeemed (sort of). I never intended for her to remain the pariah, and I hope that Hermione fans can breathe a little bit easier now that I have shown her in a good light.
Next Chapter: 2nd Task