The Yule Ball

Despite Dean's best efforts, he could not convince Cas to attend the Ball in the days leading up to Christmas, nor could Cas convince any of the others to do their homework.

'I'll do my homework if you go to the Ball,' Dean had said.

Cas had glared at him, and left the Gryffindor common room without another word.

When the day finally arrived, a thick layer of snow blanketed the ground, and they all happily opened their Christmas gifts.

A note arrived for Dean, which he quickly read, then threw into the fire.

'What was that?' Ron asked, mouth full of the homemade mince pies Mrs Weasley had sent them.

'Nothing,' Dean shrugged. 'I was expecting… something… but it's not finished yet.'

'Expecting what?'

'Nothing important.'

The snow was untouched besides the deep tracks the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students had made making their way up to the castle, and they couldn't resist hurrying out into grounds to start a snowball fight.

Gabriel joined them not long after they started, but there was no sign of Castiel.

'He won't come out of his dorm,' Gabriel said in response to Dean's questioning, after pelting Ron directly in the head with a snowball. 'It's a shame. He loves to throw snowballs.'

'He does?' Dean asked, throwing one at Harry, whose sharp Quidditch reflexes allowed him to duck just in time.

'Oh sure. He beats me every time.'

Dean grinned. Once the Ball was over, he was sure he could convince Cas to come out into the snow. 'Yeah, he seems like he would like snow.'

Hermione, who had chosen to watch their snowball fight rather than join in, told them she was going back upstairs to get ready for the Ball.

'What d'you need three hours for?' Ron asked, looking at her incredulously, before getting hit in the head once again, this time by George. 'Who are you going with?' he yelled after her, but she only waved in response.

Then Dean departed as well.

'What do you need three hours for?' Ron demanded.

'Oh, you'll see,' Dean grinned.

'Can't wait,' Ron said, eyebrows raised.

Their extended snowball fight continued for another hour or so, until John couldn't feel his fingers anymore, and got tired of Sherlock attempting to calculate his every move.

'I'm going in,' he said, rubbing his hands together.

'Yeah, we'd better start getting ready,' Harry said, checking his watch.

'No one needs this long to get ready,' Ron grumbled.

'Maybe Harry doesn't, but you definitely do,' Fred teased.

'Yeah, Ron, it'll take hours to make you look any good,' George added.

Ron chucked a snowball at George, but missed.

They did all start making their way up to the castle, however, and John was grateful to be in the warmth.

Once back in his dormitory, he began to feel nervous, but pushed it down. He was careful not to crease his dress robes as he put them on, once again admiring the silkiness of the material. He stopped at the tie. He still had both the plain one and the one with the tiny rose on it. Sherlock was going with someone else, he told himself, but there was still a part of him that thought maybe. He picked up the plain one and held it up to himself, but his eyes travelled back to the other one, still in its box. They're made to match, he thought. If he wore this one, and Sherlock wore his own, then…

He put the plain one back in its box and lifted out the rose one. He quickly tied it on before he could change his mind. He steadied himself with a deep breath, trying hard not to fumble with the cloak too much, clasping it around his neck.

He pulled back the curtains from around his bed, and saw that the rest of the boys had changed into their dress robes too. They were all fidgeting self-consciously, none moreso than Ron, but when John thought back to what his robes looked like before Dean altered them, it could have been a lot worse.

John left a little earlier than the others, to meet Molly downstairs. He pushed through the crowd milling about in the Entrance Hall, towards the corridor leading to the Hufflepuff common room. He found Molly close by, searching for him. She was wearing a buttery yellow dress, her hair swept to one side, and a wide smile.

'You look lovely,' John smiled.

'Thanks,' she said, blushing. 'You look nice too. That's a good colour on you.'

'I'd like to take the credit, but Madam Malkin chose it for me.'

'She has a good eye.'

'She does.'

They stood in awkward silence for a moment, until Molly craned her neck. 'Has Sherlock come down yet?' she asked.

'Don't think so,' John said, resisting the urge to look around himself.

'Who's his date?'

'Not a clue.'

Molly looked sceptical. 'You don't know?'

'He said I'd meet her at the Ball.'

Molly's eyebrows shot up. 'Her?'

'Ye- what?'

'Nothing.'

John finally gave in and looked around the Entrance Hall. Sherlock was not there, but he could see Harry and Ron with Parvati and Padma Patil. Harry, Ron and Padma all looked extremely uncomfortable, though Parvati was waving around excitedly, her many golden bangles jangling on her wrist.

Dean had also arrived with Katie Bell, both of them wearing light grey coloured robes. Dean's hair had been carefully combed and gelled, and he was grinning around at everyone.

Gabriel was there too, wearing spangly gold robes, with the Head Girl as his date in forest green.

Suddenly, the great oak front doors opened, and all the Durmstrang students marched in. Krum lead the way with his date, a pretty girl in robes of periwinkle blue.

John squinted at her, then gasped. 'Hermione?'

She smiled briefly at him on her way past.

'What do you think?'

John jumped. Dean had made his way over to them.

'What do you mean?'

'Hermione,' Dean said, nodding at her.

Her usually bushy hair had been smoothed into a sleek, elegant knot at the back of her head.

'She looks great, doesn't she?' Dean grinned.

'Did you-?'

Dean shrugged. 'I helped a little.'

'First Ron, now Hermione,' John teased. 'Do you just like dressing people up?'

'Who do you think does Sam's hair?' Dean laughed, winking. 'Not Sam, I'll tell you that.'

'Champions over here, please!' Professor McGonagall called, waving them over to one side of the Hall. Her robes were tartan red, and an ugly wreath wrapped around the brim of her hat.

The champions were to wait outside while the rest of them went inside and sat down.

The doors to the Great Hall opened and everyone streamed inside.

The walls of the Hall had 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.

John settled himself at one with Molly, and they were joined by Dean and Katie. He stared around, looking up at the mistletoe, when he heard a small gasp from Molly, then someone sit at their table.

He looked down and his breath caught in his throat.

Sherlock had also joined them at their table, in his blue robes. His hair, usually extremely messy, appeared less so, and John squirmed under the gaze of his clear eyes.

His date sat next to him, wearing red and green, shimmery robes. Tinsel had been tied into her dirty blonde hair, and her wide, staring eyes locked onto him.

Then John realised with a start that Sherlock was wearing his tie, black with a little white rose in the corner.

'Sorry I'm late,' Sherlock said. 'This is Luna Lovegood.'

John just gaped at him until Molly nudged him under the table. He cleared his throat. 'Yes, of course. Lovely to meet you, Luna.' He shook her hand, but she just continued to stare.

'You remember Molly?' John said to Sherlock.

'Molly?'

'Molly Hooper?' John prompted. 'You met her in second year?'

'Right. Second year.'

Once everyone had settled into their seats, the champions and their partners walked up the centre of the room to the teachers' table, where they sat down.

The glittering plates in front of them didn't have any food on them yet, but there were menus neatly places on the middle of the tables. John looked around to see what they were supposed to do, and he saw Dumbledore at the head table look down at his plate and clearly say 'Pork chops.' They appeared on his plate, and everyone in the room copied him. It seemed like a lot of extra effort on behalf of the House-elves, but when John looked over at Hermione, she seemed not to care for once.

Neither John, nor Sherlock had much of an appetite, however, and simply sat there as everyone ate theirs. John kept glancing up at Sherlock, stopping on his tie, then his face, but his expression was impossible to decipher. He tried to feel Sherlock as well, but he could feel nothing past the hammering of his own heart.

'Are you really a Seer?' Luna asked, still staring at him.

John nodded, resigned to the fact that this would most likely be the first question people asked him from now on.

'That must be difficult. Knowing the future must be such a burden.'

John shot a confused look at Sherlock, who smiled slightly. 'Why do you say that?' John said.

'Knowing the past is a burden sometimes,' Luna said. 'But at least you know there's nothing you can do to change it. But the future is different, I suppose. I can imagine that wondering if you can change it would be stressful.'

John was lost for words, and Luna just smiled.

Once all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood, and asked everyone to do the same. When they did, he waved his wand, and all the tables zoomed out to the edges of the room, leaving the floor clear. He then conjured a stage, with accompanying instruments, and the Weird Sisters trooped out onto it, their clothes artfully ripped. They picked up their instruments and struck up a slow, mournful tune.

The champions and their partners moved to the middle of the room, and began the dance.

Harry was particularly awkward, but saved himself a little embarrassment by allowing Parvati to lead.

Soon, other people made their way over to the dance floor. John bit his lip, looking at Sherlock. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth, but lost his resolve, instead saying, 'Molly, do you want to dance?'

Molly beamed. 'I'd love to.'

They both went to the middle of the room, John took Molly by the waist and they danced a slow waltz, imitating those around them. It was rather enjoyable, John thought, though he couldn't stop himself from watching Sherlock with Luna over Molly's head.

Dean and Katie had started dancing too. Dean moved confidently, a hand firmly at her waist, and lightly spinning her around.

The final bars of the song played out, and the gathering applauded them. They began a faster, more upbeat song, and Dean was eager to join in, but a familiar face at the door to the Great Hall caught his eye. 'I'll be right back,' he said in Katie's ear, and dashed over to the doors. As he thought, Castiel was outside, sneaking back towards the marble staircase.

'Cas!' Dean called, and Cas jumped. 'What are you doing out here? I thought you weren't coming.'

'I'm not,' Cas said, sounding angry with himself.

'But you're dressed.'

Cas didn't move.

'Come on, you've come this far,' Dean said, reaching out.

Cas turned around, eyes downcast. 'I can't.'

'Why not?'

He gestured at himself. 'I look ridiculous.'

Dean opened his mouth to protest, but couldn't quite manage it, when he saw what Cas was wearing.

They were plain by dress robes standards, all black, but the material was of good quality. The only problem was that they were far too big for Cas, clearly made for someone who much more built, as well a little shorter in the leg. They hung off him in odd places, but Dean could also see Cas's ankles.

Dean considered him for a moment, then said, 'Wait here', and ran back into the Great Hall to find Katie. He explained the situation to her. 'You can dance with someone else, if you want,' he said to her. 'I know I'm being a terrible date, but I'll make it up to you, I promise.'

Katie merely shrugged, having too good a time to care all that much that Dean was no longer with her.

Dean then went back out to the Entrance Hall, and moved Cas away from the doors. 'If I can fix Ron's robes, yours will be a cinch, what do you say?'

Cas bit his, but nodded.

'Where did you get these?' Dean asked.

'They're my brother's.'

'Gabriel's?'

'Michael's.'

'Reducio. You wear a lot of your brother's clothes?'

'Not really. He took most of his things with him when he went home.'

'Oh, he's back in the states?'

'Yes. He's in the Auror office.'

'Your brother's that Michael?' Dean said, casting a critical eye over Cas. His robes fit a lot better now, so it was time to complete the look.

Cas had tried to comb his hair flat, but it stuck out in some places, so Dean ran both his hands through it, ruffling it up. 'Looks good,' Dean said, 'but something's missing…' His eyes fell on the overly large bowtie Cas was wearing and smiled. 'Got it. Accio tie.'

It took a moment, but Cas's Ravenclaw tie flew into his hand. He removed Cas's bowtie and tied the Ravenclaw one on him instead. 'Perfect!' he said, stepping back to admire his work. 'Blue is your colour.'

'It is?'

'Oh, sure. Goes with your eyes. Are you coming in?'

Cas's eyes widened in fear. 'I- I don't know, Dean.'

'Have you seen Gabriel's robes?'

Cas shook his head.

'Wow, okay, well it's worth it just for that, trust me.'

Cas took a step back.

'I'll be with you the whole time,' Desk reassured him.

'What about Katie?'

Dean snorted. 'Don't worry about her. In fact, I've probably been such a terrible date already that you'll definitely have a shot after this.'

Cas nodded and sucked a deep breath in through his nose. 'All right. Let's go.'

'You missed dinner,' Dean said, putting a comforting hand at Cas's back.

'I'm not hungry.'

They walked slowly towards the Hall, Dean watching Cas's face the entire time and taking it at his own pace.

Cas's fists clenched and unclenched over and over as they walked, but propelled himself forwards. The sounds of music and people laughing went through him, but when he reached the doors, no one so much as looked in his direction.

'Let's go sit down,' Dean said in his ear, pulling him out to the edge of the room where the tables were. 'You're doing really great,' Dean said. 'Do you want a drink? I can get one for you.'

Cas shook his head, looking around the room. He spotted Hermione and a ghost of a smile crossed his face. 'Your handiwork?' he said.

Dean grinned and nodded.

'You're good at that.'

Dean scanned the room. 'Look, there's Gabriel,' he said, pointing.

Cas squinted and snorted. 'I knew he'd have something up his sleeve.'

Dean had chosen a good seat. They could see everyone else, but no one could see them. They could even see Harry and Ron at their table, both Parvati and Padma looking bored and miserable, as well as John and Sherlock on opposite sides of the room with their dates, occasionally glancing over at each other.

'You think they'll get together tonight?' Dean said to Cas.

'What? Who?'

'John and Sherlock.'

Cas frowned. 'I don't understand.'

'You don't think they like each other? Come on, look at them. They're wearing matching ties.'

Cas squinted at them. 'They are?'

'Yeah. Can you not see that?'

'No.'

Dean looked at him for a moment. 'Cas, do you need glasses?'

Cas frowned again. 'I don't know. I don't think so.'

'I think you might. I'll take you to the eye doctor when you come and stay.'

Cas's eyes widened. 'When I…'

'Come and stay. With me. At my house. I mean, if you want to.'

Cas looked down at the table. 'I can't.'

'Why not?'

He didn't answer, instead hunching even further over the table.

Dean shook his head. 'It's ok. Why don't we find you someone to dance with? Hey, maybe Katie will be up for it,' he said, looking around for her.

'No,' Cas said, voice low.

'No? Not Katie? I thought you liked her?'

'No.'

'Someone else, then?'

Cas's breathing became heavier, and Dean opened his mouth to say something, but Cas abruptly stood up and made for the door.

'Cas, wait! You were doing so well, come back!' he called, following Cas out.

John saw them leave, surprised that Cas had turned up at all, but soon turned his attention back to Sherlock, standing with Luna on the other side of the room. John had sat down with Molly for a drink, and now they were both watching him.

'You should go and ask him to dance,' Molly said eventually.

'What?' John said, heart leaping into his throat.

'I've seen the way you look at him. You should ask him to dance.'

'No, you're my date, Molly,' John insisted.

'I don't think either of us have come with who we'd really like to,' she said, looking over at Sherlock herself.

John shook his head. 'He doesn't-'

'Doesn't he? I've seen how he looks at you too. Actually, I think most people have.'

John bit his lip. 'Molly-'

'Do it, John.' Molly pushed him out of his chair and on to his feet.

As if they'd been listening, the band started playing another slow song, so John squared his shoulders, took a breath, and started across the room.

He felt as though he was walking in slow motion, his hands began to shake, and he could feel himself sweating. By the time he reached Sherlock, he could hardly speak through the dryness in his throat. 'Sherlock,' he said, voice cracking.

Sherlock looked at him, tilting his chin up.

John shifted, then held his hand out. 'May I have this dance?'

Sherlock blinked, expressionless, looking down at John's hand, then back up again. He glanced at Luna, who didn't move, then his a smile spread across his face. 'I don't know, John,' he said.

John faltered, lowering his hand slightly. 'What?'

'It's just… I've been watching you from over here, and you're a terrible dancer.'

The tension in John's body released as he laughed. 'You absolute git! Like you could do any better.'

'I could actually.'

John held out his hand again. 'Prove it.'

This time Sherlock took his hand, and John walked him to the dance floor. His hands were pleasantly cool, and squeezing John's fingers.

John let him take the lead, and was surprised to find that Sherlock was indeed a good dancer. 'Where did you learn to dance?' John asked, looking up at him.

'Mother made Mycroft and I learn, for when we went to formal functions at the Ministry.'

'Makes sense.'

As the song went on, their bodies got closer and closer together. John watched Sherlock's face. He appeared to be enjoying himself, but John still yearned to be closer. Just do it, he told himself.

'Do what?' Sherlock said, confused, and John groaned, once again forgetting that Sherlock could hear him. 'What?' Sherlock said again.

John shook his head, whispered, 'Screw it,' and pressed his lips to Sherlock's.

Sherlock tensed in shock, but soon sunk into it, holding on to John's shoulders.

Suddenly, John felt something in the back of his head. An intense relief flooded through him, but it wasn't his. Before he knew it, waves of images and feelings crashed around in his mind and in front of his eyes. Images of himself but, he realised, from Sherlock's point of view. Of him smiling, and warmth radiating from it; of him collapsed on the floor of the Shrieking Shack, and fear and uncertainty.

John gasped and pulled away. 'You-' he stammered. 'This whole time?'

Sherlock watched him, waiting.

John then noticed that he hadn't stopped feeling what Sherlock was feeling. 'Wait. You've been blocking me?'

Sherlock nodded hesitantly.

'Why?'

'I- I didn't think you- I didn't want to make things… awkward… You have enough to deal with.'

John looked at him incredulously. 'You're such an idiot.' He leaned in and kissed Sherlock again, before he could say anything.

Dean had guessed correctly, but missed the whole thing, chasing Cas out into the newly-grown rose garden outside. The bushes had been illuminated with live fairies, and he could hear people all around, but couldn't see Cas anywhere. He wandered around, past Hagrid and Madame Maxime, until he came to a shadowy alcove, and found Cas sitting on the bench there, hugging himself. He sighed and sat down next to Cas.

'Are you okay?' he asked.

Cas shook his head.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you.'

'You didn't,' Cas murmured.

'Was it what I said about Katie? 'Cause I told you, you could go out with her if you wanted to-'

'Dean, I don't want-'

'Or any girl, really. Really, Cas, you're a catch-'

'I'm not-'

'Sure you are, just pick a girl, I'll help you-'

'Dean, I'm gay.'

Dean clamped his jaw shut, and Cas covered his mouth with both hands, horrified.

They just sat, staring at each other. Dean knew that if he moved or said something, Cas would bolt. He could see Cas's legs twitching, so he held eye contact while he thought of something to do. Before he could though, there was a rustling of bushes ahead of them, and John and Sherlock burst into the alcove, kissing fiercely.

Dean's mouth dropped open, and even Cas was shocked enough to drop his hands. They sat in silence for a moment, but then Dean felt they were intruding on something private, so he pointedly cleared his throat.

John and Sherlock hastily broke apart and stood at either side of the alcove opening, avoiding each other's eyes.

Cas took the opportunity to get up and hurry past them.

'No, Cas, wait-' Dean stood up, but it was too late. He sighed. 'I'll talk to him tomorrow,' he said to himself. Then he too walked past John and Sherlock. 'Nice, by the way,' he said to them, giving them a thumbs up.

John waited until he was sure Dean was gone to look back at Sherlock, and they both burst into laughter. He stepped closer to Sherlock and took his hands. He could still feel Sherlock in the back of his mind, warm with a slight undercurrent of disbelief. 'I'll have to get used to that,' he said.

'You will,' Sherlock said. 'I did, and your mind is much more boring than mine.'

'Thanks.'

'You're welcome.'

They laughed again, and John kissed him once more. 'Let's go. I'm tired.'

Sherlock nodded. 'I know.'

They walked slowly back inside, but the Ball sounded as though it were beginning to wind down, so they decided to carry on past the Great Hall and up to Gryffindor Tower instead. They didn't say much as they walked. Sherlock allowed John to cautiously explore the part of their minds that were connected, familiarising themselves with it. Sherlock had to admit, now that he had stopped closing John out, that things were a lot clearer for him now, too.

The Fat Lady was fast asleep in her frame by the time they reached her, so John had to shout 'Fairy Lights!' at her to wake her up. She grumbled, but didn't open her eyes, and just let them in.

They stepped through the portrait hole, but were greeted by Ron and Hermione screaming at each other from opposite sides of the common room.

'What is going on?' John said loudly.

They both turned to look at them, faces screwed up in anger.

Hermione's hair had begun to come out of its bun, and the cuffs of Ron's robes had frayed.

Hermione didn't say anything else, she just stormed up to the girls' dormitory.

'What did you do?' John asked Ron.

'Me? I haven't done anything!' Then he too stormed off to the dormitory.

Harry had not returned yet, so John and Sherlock waited a while for him, but fell asleep together in front of the fire.

Welcome back, everyone! Thanks to VegasGranny, DaughterofMagic3, Lady among the trees and Morgan Teri Befan for the reviews!

So, here we are! Nearly six years in the making, and we finally made. Thanks to all of you that have stuck with me so far, and I hope you stick around! See you all again next time!