The Alexander Chronicles Year 4: The Return of Darkness.
Chapter 24: The Yule Ball
Despite the very heavy load of homework, that the fourth years had been given for the holidays Alex wasn't really in the mood to work when term ended, and spent the week leading up to Christmas enjoying himself as fully as possible along with everyone else. He could always begin to learn how to breathe under water later.
The Gryffindor Tower was hardly less crowded now than during term-time; it seemed to have shrunk slightly too, as its inhabitants were being so much rowdier than usual. Fred and George had had a great success with their Canary Creams, and for the first couple of days of the holidays, people kept bursting into feather all over the place. Before long, however, all the Gryffindors had learned to treat food anybody else offered them with extreme caution, in case it had a Canary Cream concealed in the centre, and George confided to Alex that he and Fred were now working on developing something else. Despite the interest Alex, made a mental note never to accept so much as a crisp from Fred and George in future.
Snow was falling thickly upon the castle and its grounds now. The pale blue Beauxbatons carriage looked like a large, chilly, frosted pumpkin next to the iced gingerbread house that was Hagrid's cabin, while the Durmstrang ship's portholes were glazed with ice, the rigging white with frost. The house-elves down in the kitchen were outdoing themselves with a series of rich, warming stews and savoury puddings, and only Fleur Delacour seemed to be able to find anything to complain about.
"It is too 'eavy, all zis 'Ogwarts food." Alex heard her saying grumpily as he left the Great Hall behind her one evening (Ron skulking behind Harry, keen not to be spotted by Fleur). "I will not fit into my dress robes!"
"Oooh there's a tragedy," Hermione snapped as Fleur went out into the entrance hall. "She really thinks a lot of herself, that one, doesn't she?"
"Hermione - who are you going to the ball with?" said Ron.
He kept springing this question on her, hoping to startle her into a response by asking it when she least expected it. However, Hermione merely frowned and said, "I'm not telling you, you'll just make fun of me."
Ron snorted, "Fine whatever – it your own fault then." He said before leaving.
Harry gave an apologetic smile before hurrying after Ron, making Alex sign. "I swear he was unlimited patience."
"Yeah, but I understand Ron, maybe I should just tell him."
"Nah it is none of his business, let him eat his words when he see you two."
"You're joking, Black!" Nott said from behind them. "You are not the one that are going with the mudblood?" Alex and Hermione turned around. "However I superposed that you can´t afford to be picky."
Alex growled as he saw Hermione´s hurt face. It was one think for Nott to insult him, but when he insulted his friends that was crossing a line. He was just about defend Hermine when – "Just shut up Nott before Black swipes the floor with you." Alex was a bit surprised that Draco openly defended Hermione. However, his surprise paled to that of Nott and Hermione.
"Sticking up for a mudblood Malfoy, that's new." Nott said, turning to face Draco. "But you should know, going down that road, it will be one hell of a difficult journey. I mean, what would your father think?"
"Like I give a damn what my father thinks about me." Draco growled, surprising whoever was around them. "You should just learn to shut your mouth before I do it for you."
Nott glared at Draco for a few moments and then took his leave. Draco turned to Alex and Hermione, "sorry about him."
It was very rare to see Hermione lost for woods so it was a bit strange to see her open and close her mouth before answering, "it is okay uh thanks Ma- uh Draco." Draco gave a nod and then took his leave.
"He is acting weird," Hermione, said looking at Alex as the two made their way back to the tower. "He haven't insult me, Harry or Ron either in a long time."
"Well maybe he just wants to change. You know be a better person."
"You would know. I have noticed that you have spoken a lot with him."
"I have. He is actually a good person once you get to know him."
Hermione looked at the ground, "to you maybe. I don´t know if I ever be able to forgive for what he have done to me."
"I know, and Draco knows that too."
Hermione looked at him and smiled a bit, it was then Alex noticed it. "Your teeth…"
"What about them?" She asked.
"Well, they're different… I've just noticed…"
"Of course they are - did you expect me to keep those fangs Nott gave me?"
"No, I mean, they're different to how they were before he put that hex on you…they're all…straight and - and normal-sized," Alex said.
Hermione suddenly smiled very mischievously, it was a very different smile from the one Alex remembered.
"Well… when I went up to Madam Pomfrey to get them shrunk, she held up a mirror and told me to stop her when they were back to how they normally were," she said. "And I just… let her carry on a bit." She smiled even more widely. "Mum and Dad won't be too pleased. I've been trying to persuade them to let me shrink them for ages, but they wanted me to carry on with my braces. You know, they're dentists, they just don't think teeth and magic should be mixed– but we better get to the tower."
Once they got back to the tower they found Harry and Ron waiting, Alex noticed that Harry was holding a letter and Ron´s owl Pigwidgeon as fly around in circles above them. Alex smiled a bit that meant that Sirius finally had written to him.
"Alex we have letters." Harry said as he handed a parchment.
Everyone in the common room was much too busy in letting off more holiday steam to observe what anyone else was up to. Harry, Ron and Hermione went over a dark window that was gradually filling up with snow, where they began reading Harry´s letter. Alex walked over to another window to read his.
Dear Alexander,
Congratulations on getting past the Horntail. Whoever put your name in that goblet shouldn't be feeling too happy right now!
You used some impressive magic. I was going to suggest a Conjunctivitus Curse, as a dragon's eyes are its weakest point. Your way was a unique to say at least. I didn´t even know that story about Slytherin and the dragon was real.
Don´t listen to those who says that Parseltongue is dark art it is just an ability that you have, but I might have a bit daring to reveal that ability to the public but what is done, is done.
Don't get complacent, though, Alexander. You've only done one task; whoever put you in for the tournament's got plenty more opportunity if they're trying to hurt you. Keep your eyes open -particularly when the person we discussed is around, continue to lean new spells and concentrate on keeping yourself out of trouble. Keep in touch; I still want to hear about anything unusual. Also keep an eye on Harry will you, you two have to support each other.
Don´t worry about me, and we write soon.
Sirius
Alex didn´t know why but he had expected more. Alex signed and looked up to see Harry staring at him. "What did he say to you?"
Alex looked at his letter before looking back at Harry. "Uh he just wanted congratulate me on the first task and telling me to keep an eye out for the both of us. What about you?"
"He just wanted to know if we were okay, that he was fine, and the same as you that we should watch out for each other."
"Then should watch out for each other," Alex said with a smile.
"Yeah still the way he writes, You'd think he was Moody, sounds exactly like him," Harry said, tucking the letter away again inside his robes. "Constant vigilance! It like he thinks we walk around with our eyes shut, banging off the walls…"
"But he's right, Harry," Hermione said just having walked over along with Ron. "There's something weird going on There's only supposed to be three champions, that's why it's called a Triwizard tournament, yet Alex is the fourth champion. He still has two tasks left, one of that could put him in real danger. And that reminds me, Alex, you should really start trying to figure out what that egg means."
"I already know Mione. Some of it anyway." Alex said scratching his arms. "It involve the Great Lake and merpeople."
"Well then you should working on solving the rest."
Alex signed, "Look it is not like I can´t concentrate now anyway, there is just too much noise and too much happing. I can work after Christmas." Hermione nodded making Alex smile.
"Fine, just promise that if you need help then you ask me okay. I care about you and I want you to be safe."
…
The following day Alex decided to get some training done in the chamber. It was in the corridor that led to the dungeon it happened. Alex was walking quietly whistling to himself when he head an all too familiar voice. "Well well Xander you sure seem happy today."
"Silan, what are you doing here?"
Silan looked at Alex and laughed, "I was hoping that I could see my favourite cousin."
"Save it. What do you want from me?"
Once again Silan gave an evil smile as he moved away from the wall, "I am curious Xander, has my little cousin found a girl to take to the little ball or are you one of those losers that still are trying?"
Alex eyed Silan "I have a date, but tell me. Why is it any of your business?"
"I am just curious about my little cousin´s love life."
"Well don´t. It doesn´t concern you.
Silan smiled, "Hmm well it is funny because I heard that you asked a girl out that said no." Alex growled and clenched his fist. How did Silan know about that. "And I should know because," Silan gave a laugh, "well she told me, but don´t worry I will be escorting miss Greengrass."
Alex felt his anger rise Silan had asked Daphne, "Why are you taking her?"
"Yeah why am I?"
"Why are you doing this?"
Silan chuckled, "yeah why? Come on Xander. Why did I bully you? I hate you, so what better way to hurt you then to prevent you from getting the girl you have a crush on."
"I don´t like her so if that your reason then just leave her." Alex growled.
"You are so pathetic." Silan said. "I know that you like her, it so obvious even Daphne knows. It is rather sad really. I mean Greengrass is pretty attractive and you are just –" Silan paused and eyed Alex with distaste. "Well you, I mean it is a miracle that one girl said yes to with you." Even though Alex knew Silan was playing him, his words got to him after all what chance did with an amazing girl like Daphne. "Come on Xander, Greengrass prefers a real man like me and not someone as pathetic like you."
"Just shut it." Alex tried to make it sound threatening, but as the words came out of his mouth, he knew that wasn´t how it sounded. Silan didn´t look bothered either if anything is smile got wider.
"You can see it for yourself, I will tell you this though, since you never will know for yourself; Daphne is an amazing kisser."
Alex felt like he had been punched, "you guys ha-have-"
"Kissed yeah we have Xander and it was great."
"W-why why are you doing this?"
Silan grabbed Alex´s collar, "Well I get to date the most attractive girl at this dump." Silan paused and smirked. "It is an added bonus that it hurts you, and just to really hurt you Greengrass and I just might take things a bit further if, if you catch my drift."
"If you touch her-"
"Now now the little puppy shows teeth."
Alex growled and pushed Silan, "I mean it. If you just as much lay a finger on her. I swear I destroy you."
"Oh really," Silan said walking close to Alex, "and how will you do that? I mean am better then you at magic, and I know all the good stuff. So please little cousin give me a reason to hurt you like the old days, because now I will destroy you." Despite his best efforts, Alex flinched. "Yeah I thought as much, you are loser, just like your no good mother and look where she ended. Same place as your father. It is funny isn´t it?"
"Just shut it," Alex hissed, however Silan just snorted and as he left Alex slid to the ground burying his face in his arms and signed. Silan was talking Daphne to the Yule Ball, and it was just to hurt him. That meant if anything happen to her, it would be his fault. Alex signed again how had things gotten this messed up.
"Are you okay?" Alex looked up at the former git of Slytherin Draco Malfoy, "I heard a bit what Silan said. I can´t believe he is like that."
"Well you aren´t the only one. Silan have always been able to charm everybody." Alex snorted. There was a small pause before he looked up. "Is Daphne in the library?" However he did wait for an answer and minutes later Alex, found Daphne where she was sitting around a table doing her homework.
"Daphne I need to talk with you!" Daphne stopped writing and looked at Alex. "Is true that you are going with Silan to the Yule Ball?"
"Yes I am," Daphne said, wondering why she was being asked.
"You can´t go with that guy Daph, trust me."
Daphne gave Alex an irritated look, "why can´t I? He asked and I said yes."
"You just can´t, he is bad news and he is up to something, I just know it."
"Oh really, he is up to something?" Daphne said, standing up, and began to gather her things. "I can´t believe you acts this way Alex. You are really pathetic."
"What" Alex breathed out, puzzled by Daphne.
"It just so typical, I find this nice guy who ask me to the ball. This great guy who is great talking to, and now you tries to ruin it, because what you want to be my only friend."
Alex gulped at the ferocity in Daphne´s voice, "no, it just Silan he-"
"There is nothing wrong with Silan, he is a real gentleman!" Daphne hissed.
"Yes there is Daphne, look you don´t know him like does."
"Really, I thought you hadn´t spoken with him in years."
"And just why do you think that is." Alex said heatedly, "huh why do you think that is?"
"Oh I know why." Daphne shot back.
"I don´t think so, otherwise you would hate him as much as I do."
"No because he did tell how he treated you when you were kids." Daphne said crossing her arms. "He told me how he used to bullied you, how he hurt you. Heck he told me about the pixie nest and how he just ran." She paused before continuing in a more soft tone. "Do you have any idea how much he regrets it – regrets everything he did. And he wants to earn your forgiveness, he wants to be your older cousin again. He really have changed you know."
"Daph, he has not. Each time I have met him here, he have tried to intimidate me." Alex said looking at Daphne.
"Or maybe you're just blinded by the past; if you want closure then you need to forgive him."
"You can´t trust him Daph." Alex hissed.
"Well I do, and I am going to the Yule Ball with him."
"Why, I mean do you even like him?" Alex growled making Daphne give him an angry look.
"That is none of your business Alex, but yes I do." She said as a faint blush appeared on her face.
"So what you dating him now? Heck I bet you already have kissed him." Alex hissed feeling extremely hurt.
"Just what have gotten in to you? You are acting like an arse. Is there something you want to say Alexander?"
Alex opened and closed his mouth a few times before he finally manged to get some words out, "I-I uh." What was wrong with why couldn't he just say the reason why he didn´t want her to date Silan.
"I am waiting Alex, is there something you want to say to me? Because now is your chance." Daphne starred at him waiting for answer, but nothing came. "So what you're not interested, but doesn´t want me to like anyone?"
"No I-I"
"Look Alexander Black, if you want to be my friend then you have to respect me and that means that you respect my choices and my eventual boyfriend." Daphne swung her back over her shoulder before looking at Alex. "So you have something to think about. I hope you make the right choice Alex, but our friendship is in your hands now." She said before walking away and Alex sat in the chair she had left behind signing loudly.
…
Despite being angry and hurt that Daphne were going with Silan to the Yule Ball and possibly dating him, Alex were considering what Daphne had said to him, not that he ever would accept Silan, but at least he would be around her. Alex´s feelings towards Daphne also made him feel very guilty that he had asked Lisa to the ball, yet the thought about dancing with her also made him happy, but confused. Who did he like Daphne or Lisa, because right now it seemed like he liked both.
On Christmas Day Alex was awoken very early and suddenly as he heard someone yelp loudly. Alex grabbed his wand and pulled the bed curtains aside to see what was happening.
"- Don't do that!" Alex heard Harry say.
"Dobby is sorry, sir!" Something squeaked anxiously, obviously a house elf, making Alex lower his wand and roll back on his bag where he starred up into the celling, as he listened to the conversation. "Dobby is only wanting to wish Harry Potter 'Happy Christmas' and bring him a present, Sir! Harry Potter did say Dobby could come and see him sometimes, sir!"
It's okay," Harry said a bit groggily. "Just - just prod me or something in future, all right, don't bend over me like that…"
Harry´s yelp and talking had not only woken Alex but the rest of the Gryffindor fourth year boys.
"Someone attacking you, Harry?" Seamus asked sleepily.
"No, it's just Dobby," Harry muttered. "Go back to sleep."
"Nah… presents!" said Seamus, as he apparently stotted a pile at the foot of his bed, apparently deciding that he was awake he they might as well get down to some present-opening, the following noise told Alex that his dorm mates had decided the same.
After some yawning Alex, decided to join them, he crawled to the end of the bed, picked up the present that was on the floor and begun opening them beginning with the one from Sirius. He had gotten him some sort of penknife that was enchanted to unlock any lock and undo any knot. From Harry and Hermione he had gotten two books on advance defences magic and transfiguration, Neville had given him new set of quills, Erik had gotten him a translated copy of special potions book he had recommended. Fred and George had given him more test items they created with a letter promising they were the successful ones. Blaise and Tracey had gone together and given Alex a box with all of his favourite sweets: Liquorice and Chocolate Wands, Chocolate Frogs, sugar quills, Chocoballs, Cauldron Cakes, Fizzing Whizbees and some Drooble's Best Blowing Gums (yeah he loved chocolate).
Then there was the gift from Daphne, it was small fob watch, that automatically told the relevant time no matter where it was and never needed to be rewind.
There was also, of course, Mrs. Weasley's usual package, including a new sweater (green, with a picture of a simple sleeping dragon on it) and a large quantity of homemade mince pies; but of course. There was nothing from Ron, which Alex didn't care, he didn't get Ron anything either after all they wasn´t friends anymore. Nor had he expected a present from his mother, but it didn´t mean that he wasn´t sad about it. He of course still had the present she had sent him for the last Christmas, that he hadn´t opened yet and he wasn´t going to this year either. Alex´s grandfather had sent a new wireless radio.
Alex was a bit curious about the last present. It was from Draco it was a framed picture of the two of them along with Daphne, Blaise and Tracey. It had been taken after Alex had completed the first task.
After having sent some letters to Sirius and his grandfather thanking them for the presents. After breakfast, after that Alex just relaxed along with Blaise, Tracey and Neville in the chamber, then returned to the Great Hall for a magnificent lunch, which included at least a hundred turkeys and Christmas puddings, and large piles of Cribbage's Wizarding Crackers.
Alex, Neville and Blaise went out onto the grounds in the afternoon(Tracey wanted to talk with Daphne) where they were joined by Harry, Hermione and Ron, to Alex´s surprise the latter didn´t begun to insult the Slytherins, so it seemed that Harry´s warning had worked.
The snow was untouched except for the deep channels made by the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students on their way up to the castle. Hermione chose to watch Alex, Harry, Neville, Blaise, and the Weasleys' snowball fight rather than join in. It was a pretty nice fight Alex, Blaise and the Weasley twins often changed from teaming up to fighting along themselves.
And at five o'clock Hermione left, saying she was going back upstairs to get ready for the ball.
"What, you need three hours?" said Ron, looking at her incredulously and paying for his lapse in concentration when a large snowball, thrown by George, hit him hard on the side of the head. "Who're you going with?" he yelled after Hermione, but she just waved and disappeared up the stone steps into the castle.
There was no Christmas tea today, as the ball included a feast. So at seven o'clock, when it had become hard to aim properly, they abandoned the snowball fight and trooped back to their common rooms. The Fat Lady was sitting in her frame with her friend Violet from downstairs, both of them extremely tipsy, empty boxes of chocolate liquors littering the bottom other picture.
"Lairy fights, that's the one!" she giggled when they gave the password, and she swung forward to let them inside.
Alex, Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville changed into their dress robes up in their dormitory, all of them looking very self-conscious, but none as much as Ron, who surveyed himself in the long mirror in the corner with an appalled look on his face. There was just no getting around the fact that his robes looked more like a dress than anything else. In a desperate attempt to make them look more manly, he used a Severing Charm on the ruff and cuffs. It worked fairly well; at least he was now lace-free, although he hadn't done a very neat job, and the edges still looked depressingly frayed as the boys set off downstairs.
The common room looked strange, full of people wearing different colours instead of the usual mass of black. The entrance hall was packed with students too, all milling around waiting for eight o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Those people who were meeting partners from different Houses were edging through the crowd trying to find one another. Alex began looking around for Lisa, but it was hard since more people kept coming in. As Fleur Delacour entered, Ron yelped and tried hiding behind his date. Fleur did look stunning in robes of silver-grey satin, she was accompanied by the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain, Roger Davies. When they had disappeared, Ron stood straight again and stared over the heads of the crowd. "Where is Hermione?" he said looking around.
However Alex wasn´t looking for her, instead he watched as a group of Slytherins came up the steps from their dungeon common room, hoping Daphne was among them. Nott was in front; he was wearing dress robes of black velvet with a high collar, which in Alex´s opinion made him look like a vicar. Pansy Parkinson, in a long, golden, shimmering dress was clutching Nott's arm. Crabbe and Goyle were both wearing green; they resembled moss-coloured boulders, and neither of them, Alex was pleased to see, had managed to find a partner. Blaise and Tracey appeared both wearing black dress clothes, arm in arm, both of them looked happy. Draco was behind them also in black robes followed by a girl that Alex didn´t recognized. There was a pause where no one came and then Daphne came. She wore a crystal-blue, off-the-shoulder dress with a right knee-high slit, along with blue sleeves. In Alex´s opinion, she looked absolutely gorgeous. "Hey Alex," she said as walked over to him.
"Hey Daphne, you look great."
Daphne smiled, "thanks you don´t look so bad yourself," she paused a bit, "Alex I doesn´t like when we are fighting."
"Me neither."
"I should have told you about Silan. He told me that he had told you, you should have heard it from me instead. I am sorry about that, but Alex he have been really nice to me and he says he is sorry about how he have acted. He even said that I should talk with you although I already had decided as much"
"Daphne I don´t think –"
"Please Alex just try – for me." Alex knew that Silan was up to something, but maybe he just had wanted to rub it his face that he was gonging with Daphne, maybe he did like her after all it was just him Silan hated. Either way there was no way he could get Daphne to believe the truth, instead he just nodded earning a quick hug from Daphne.
Seconds later the oak front doors opened, and everyone turned to look as the Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff and Daphne went over to meet Silan. Krum was at the front of the Durmstrang party, accompanied by Hermione she looked amazing when she saw Alex she gave am embarrassed smile. Alex felt someone poking him on the shoulder; he turned and thus found Lisa. She was wearing a dark blue dress and her was hanging lose around the shoulders, she was beautiful and Alex felt his heartbeat ingress a bit. "Hey Lisa wow you look uh amazing."
"Why thank you," Lisa said grinning. "You are looking handsome too." She said making Alex grin back.
"Hey I never asked you this, but you know how to dance right?"
However, before Alex could answer Professor McGonagall's voice called, "Champions over here please!"
"Well my mother made sure that I could dance for the parties that my grandfather and sometimes she held. It have been a while but I think I still got some moves." Alex whispered as he and Lisa walked towards Professor McGonagall, who was wearing dress robes of red tartan and had arranged a rather ugly wreath of thistles around the brim of her hat. The professor told them to wait on one side of the doors while everyone else went inside; they were to enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students had sat down. As they waited, Alex took the time to get a good look at the champions and their dates. Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies stationed themselves nearest the doors; Davies looked so stunned by his good fortune in having Fleur for a partner that he could hardly take his eyes off her. Cedric and Cho were chatting in the opposite of the room, and standing next to him and Lisa was Hermione and Krum.
"Hey Alex, Hey Lisa," Hermione greeted, while Krum just nodded at them.
"Hey Mione, " Alex greeted back while Lisa smiled.
Hermione had done something with her hair; it was no longer bushy but sleek and shiny, and twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She was wearing robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material, and she was holding herself differently, somehow - or maybe it was merely the absence of the twenty or so books she usually had slung over her back.
She was also smiling - rather nervously, it was true - but the reduction in the size of her front teeth was more noticeable than ever.
When the doors to the Great Hall opened, Krum's fan club from the library stalked past, throwing Hermione looks of deepest loathing.
Once everyone else was settled in the Hall, Professor McGonagall told the champions and their partners to get in line in pairs and to follow her. They did so, and everyone in the Great Hall applauded as they entered and started walking up toward a large round table at the top of the Hall, where the judges were sitting. The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.
Alex walked forward with Lisa attached to his arm, feeling extremely nervous as everybody were looking at them. Alex caught a sight of Harry and Ron who were shocked of Krum's date, Ron also looked annoyed over that fact. Alex also saw Daphne attached to Silan´s arm and later he passed Erik who was with Luna Lovegood.
Dumbledore smiled happily as the champions approached the top table, but Karkaroff wore an expression remarkably like Ron's as he watched Krum and Hermione draw nearer. Ludo Bagman, tonight in robes of bright purple with large yellow stars, was clapping as enthusiastically as any of the students; and Madame Maxime, who had changed her usual uniform of black satin for a flowing gown of lavender silk, was applauding them politely. But Mr. Crouch, Alex suddenly realized, was not there. The fifth seat at the table was occupied by Percy Weasley.
When the champions and their partners reached the table, Percy drew out the empty chair beside him, staring pointedly at Alex, who took the hint and sat down next to Percy, who was wearing brand-new, navy-blue dress robes and an expression of smugness.
"I've been promoted," Percy said before Alex could even ask, and from his tone, he might have been announcing his election as supreme ruler of the universe. "I'm now Mr. Crouch's personal assistant, and I'm here representing him."
"Why didn't he come?" Alex asked, glancing at Daphne and Silan. He wasn't looking forward to being lectured on cauldron bottoms all through dinner.
"I'm afraid to say Mr. Crouch isn't well, not well at all. Hasn't been right since the World Cup. Hardly surprising - overwork. He's not as young as he was – though still quite brilliant, of course, the mind remains as great as it ever was. But the World Cup was a fiasco for the whole Ministry, and then, Mr. Crouch suffered a huge personal shock with the misbehaviour of that house-elf of his, Blinky, or whatever she was called. Naturally, he dismissed her immediately afterward, but - well, as I say, he's getting on, he needs looking after, and I think he's found a definite drop in his home comforts since she left. And then we had the tournament to arrange, and the aftermath of the Cup to deal with - that revolting Skeeter woman buzzing around - no, poor man, he's having a well earned, quiet Christmas. I'm just glad he knew he had someone he could rely upon to take his place."
There was no food as yet on the glittering golden plates, but small menus were lying in front of each of them. Alex picked his up uncertainly and looked around - there were no waiters. Dumbledore, however, looked carefully down at his own menu, and then said very clearly to his plate, "Pork chops!"
And pork chops appeared. Getting the idea, the rest of the table placed their orders with their plates too. After having ordered turkey, Alex glanced up at Hermione to see how she felt about this new and more complicated method of dining - surely it meant plenty of extra work for the house-elves? - but for once, Hermione didn't seem to be thinking about S.P.E.W. She was deep in talk with Viktor Krum and hardly seemed to notice what she was eating.
"Veil, ve have a castle also, not as big as this, nor as comfortable, I am thinking, Ve have just four floors, and the fires are lit only for magical purposes. But ve have grounds larger even than these - though in vinter, ve have very little daylight, so ve are not enjoying them. But in summer ve are flying every day, over the lakes and the mountains -"
"Now, now, Viktor!" said Karkaroff with a laugh that didn't reach his cold eyes, "don't go giving away anything else, now, or your charming friend will know exactly where to find us!"
Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Igor, all this secrecy… one would almost think you didn't want visitors."
"Well, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, displaying his yellowing teeth to their fullest extent, "we are all protective of our private domains, are we not? Do we not jealously guard the halls of learning that have been entrusted to us? Are we not right to be proud that we alone know our school's secrets, and right to protect them?"
"Oh I would never dream of assuming I know all Hogwarts' secrets, Igor," said Dumbledore amicably. "Only this morning, for instance, I took a wrong turn on the way to the bathroom and found myself in a beautifully proportioned room I have never seen before, containing a really rather magnificent collection of chamber pots. When I went back to investigate more closely, I discovered that the room had vanished. But I must keep an eye out for it. Possibly it is only accessible at five-thirty in the morning. Or it may only appear at the quarter moon - or when the seeker has an exceptionally full bladder."
Meanwhile, Fleur Delacour was criticising the Hogwarts decorations to Roger Davies.
"Zis is nothing," she said dismissively, looking around at the sparkling walls of the Great Hall. "At ze Palace of Beauxbatons, we 'ave ice sculptures all around ze dining chamber at Chreestmas. Zey do not melt, of course… zey are like 'uge statues of diamond, glittering around ze place. And ze food is seemply superb. And we 'ave choirs of wood nymphs, 'oo serenade us as we eat. We 'ave none of zis ugly armor in ze 'alls, and eef a poltergeist ever entaired into Beauxbatons, 'e would be expelled like zat." She slapped her hand onto the table impatiently.
Roger Davies was watching her talk with a very dazed look on his face, and he kept missing his mouth with his fork. Alex had the impression that Davies was too busy staring at Fleur to take in a word she was saying.
"Absolutely right," he said quickly, slapping his own hand down on the table in imitation of Fleur. "Like that. Yeah."
"Wow do you think he is actually hearing what she is saying or just guessing about what to say," Lisa whispered to Alex.
"Yeah I was just thinking the same, but since you ask I say he is doing the last part." Lisa smiled it and Alex found himself starring a bit.
"By the way did you know that Hermione was going with Krum? Because you didn´t seamed that surprised." She asked bring Alex back to the real world.
"Yeah she told me, and asked me to keep to it myself."
Alex and Lisa continued to talk about random things as they eat until Hermione and Krum joined in the conversation. Alex found that he liked Krum and he hoped that Hermione was happy, she deserved as much. The four of them continued to talk, until everybody had stopped eating and
Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, and then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.
The Weird Sisters now trooped up onto the stage to wildly enthusiastic applause, in which Alex joined; they were all extremely hairy and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. They picked up their instruments, and Alex excitement about finally hearing them live was replaced by nervousness as he remember what was about to happen. The lanterns on all the other tables had gone out, and that the champions and their partners were the only ones standing up.
"So are you nervous?" Lisa asked quietly, as they moved to the dancefloor.
"Yeah, you?"
Lisa blushed as they began to go in the dance position, Alex felt himself blush as well, as he placed his one hand on Lisa´s waist and holding her and with the other "oh yes, but hey I got this advice from my cousin that I just should forget anyone else and just have fun."
Alex nodded as the Weird Sisters struck up a slow, mournful tune; and the two of them began dancing. It was pretty great Lisa was a great dancer and if he had to guess he was pretty good as well, Alex thought as he steered the dance. Alex smiled at Lisa who smiled back and the two of them barely noticed that the rest of the student body was joining them on the floor they only sensed that there was less attention on them. Alex briefly looked at the others on the floor; Neville and Ginny were dancing nearby and Dumbledore was waltzing with Madame Maxime.
He was so dwarfed by her that the top of his pointed hat barely tickled her chin; however, she moved very gracefully for a woman so large. Mad-Eye Moody was doing an extremely ungainly two-step with Professor Sinistra, who was nervously avoiding his wooden leg, as the two of them passed Alex and Lisa Moody´s magical eye looked at them.
"That eye is so creepy," Lisa whispered in Alex´s ear, "I mean it just –"
"Come on, it just take some getting used to." Alex replied smiling at Lisa, "you are good at this."
Lisa smiled, "Thanks you are a pretty good dancer too – very elegant."
The Weird Sisters stopped playing, applause filled the hall once more and Alex slowly let go of Lisa. "Thanks uh do you uh want to continue." He paused as he couldn't read her expression "or we can sit if you want."
At those words Lisa giggled, "I am just messing with you of course I want to keep dancing." She paused as The Weird Sisters began at another song, "especially when it is this song. I love it."
Alex grinned (Do the Hippogriff) was one of his favorite songs as well. "Me too." He said and took Lisa hand pulling her in a new dance. They were dancing next to Fred and Mellissa. The song did have more tempo so Alex and Lisa were dancing a bit more wild then before, but not as much as George and Angelina were dancing so exuberantly that people around them were backing away in fear of injury.
Alex and Lisa danced for that song and the next after that they both agreed that they needed a break.
"Your friends look a bit bored," Lisa said as she accepted the butterbeer Alex handed her, he followed her line of sight and saw Harry and Ron sitting with their dates, but they didn´t seem to be talking. In fact, the two girls looked extremely bored so as a Beauxbatons boy asked Parvati something she left with him shortly after.
Alex rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his butterbeer and he and Lisa watched the others: Blaise and Tracey were having a pretty good time, still dancing on the floor. He saw his Ravenclaw friend, Erik dancing with Luna and much to Alex´s distaste Daphne dancing with Silan. Alex forced himself to look away and look at Lisa instead. It took a while for her to notice it as she looked at Alex he blushed. "Uh are you having a good time?"
Lisa smiled and nodded, "yeah I do, would you like to dance again once we have finish these?"
Alex took another sip of his butterbeer before nodding," sure."
That dance led to another and another, Alex had an amazing time, when he wasn´t dancing with Lisa they were talking, and Lisa was just great. As more as they talked Alex found that he liked her a lot, but he liked Daphne didn´t he? So why did he have those feelings for Lisa. "Alex do you want to go outside for a bit?"
Alex nodded and followed Lisa she led to the entrance hall and outside. "Hmm that is nice I needed to be cooled down a bit, it is pretty hot inside."
"Yeah but I was thinking that we should get to a more private place."
"Huh why?"
Lisa rolled her eyes and garbed Alex´s hand. "Just come on," she said as led Alex a bit away from the castle. Once they had gotten a distance to a place where they were alone, Lisa sat at a log. Alex joined her a second after. They were silent for moment as they looked at each other, again Alex noticed how pretty Lisa was.
"I am glad that you asked me Alex to the ball." Lisa said looking at him while moving closer. Alex just gave her a puzzled look.
"I am glad you said yes."
"Of cause I did, it. I think you are a really great wizard Alex. I mean you are brilliant, sweet, brave and funny. "
"Uh t-thanks, I think you are great too." Alex said feeling very embarrassed at Lisa´s praise and why were she this close at him? Not that it was bad he just didn´t get it.
"You don´t get what I am trying here do you?"
"Get what?"
Lisa signed and moved closer to Alex and signed, "wow you are bad at flirting."
Alex just manged to give a small and confused "huh" as Lisa grabbed his collar and pressed her lips against his, before he knew what was going on. Alex´s eyes whined in surprise, kissing Lisa felt pretty good. Before he could react, a blushing Lisa pulled away and looked at Alex, who blushed as well. "So what do you say now?" she asked since Alex didn´t say anything.
"Uh t-that w-was uh that was g-great." Alex stammered as felt his heart hammering in his chest. "uh so uh why?"
"Yeah why? I like you Alex." She paused, as she looked a bit worried. "So uh do you know uh like me as well?"
Alex blushed even more was Lisa asking him to be her boyfriend? Did he liked her that way, it felt like he did, but he liked Daphne as well. Still those feelings he had for her he also had for Lisa. The kiss she had given him had been great. So yeah he did like Lisa in the way she liked him. Maybe was her he should be with her rather than Daphne, who just maybe was meant to be a friend. He didn´t knew, all he knew that he liked Lisa and as this very moment he wanted to say yes. Alex looked at Lisa as he realized he hadn´t spoken in awhile. Without noticing, he grabbed Lisa´s hand. "I like you as well Lisa, so uh d-do you want to you know-"nothing needed being said as Lisa nodded. So was he supposed to kiss her now, he wanted to. Alex took a chance and leaned forward, it was the right call as Lisa decided to kiss him back.
…
Chapter end
So that was it, I had originally planned for this chapter to be longer, but it seemed right to end it here. So what do you think about Alex getting his first girlfriend, it kind of happen as he hoped just with a different girl. Did you like it or do you think Alex should have waited for Daphne? And what will Daphne and the rest of Alex´s friends say, will they like Lisa? You have to continue to read to find out.
Oh and a really big thanks to those who have reviewed and placed my story at their favourite list.