Power of the Prince Lineage

SeverusxLily & Children

Rated T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Power of the Prince Lineage

Chapter 8: Yule Ball Talk

After the success of the First Task, everyone seemed to be reeling from the excitement of it. However the excitement about that quickly wore off when the announcement of the Yule Ball was given. As it was tradition that it was held during every tournament year, all of the schools participating would be in attendance. With the ball being held at Hogwarts, it was allowed that those of Fourth Year and up could attend. First, Second, and Third Years were upset by the news, but got excited when told that if they were asked by a student allowed to attend, they could go. And Eileen of course, had her fingers crossed that maybe, just maybe, Draco would ask her to go.

The ball was going to be held Christmas Day so many students were writing to their parents that they were not going home for Christmas to be able to attend the ball. Harry was one of those students because as a Tri-Wizard Champion, he was responsible to open up the ball with the other champions in a dance. And at the moment he was scrambling to find a date. Roderick had told him he would knock him silly if he took Ginny Weasley, but Harry was trying to find someone that was already permitted to go. He had asked Cho Chang, but she already had a date, who Eileen told him was Cedric. He wasn't mad, just a little upset he didn't ask her first. But that didn't mean there wasn't anyone else he could ask. He just needed to find someone he was comfortable asking; that shouldn't be too hard, right?

As the Yule ball was closer approaching Harry had yet to find someone to take to the ball, and that was what he was still pondering now. Currently he and everyone else in the school were in the midst of study hall in the Great Hall, and his stepfather was one of the, he supposed one would say, invigilators. That meant he had no room to slack off, but he was getting anxious. So much so that he completely missed the question Hermione had asked him.

"Harry," Hermione called.

"Huh? What?" Harry said snapping back to reality. "I'm sorry, Mione. Did you say something?"

Hermione and Draco turned and looked at each other before back at their friend. She nodded and replied, "I've been asking you what you thought of the debate between Herbologists about Gillyweed. We need to discuss it so we can properly write our report of Professor Sprout. It's due before the Second Task, you know."

Harry shrugged and replied, "I don't really know Hermione, and honestly don't care at the moment. My mind is on something else right now."

"You mean your lack of a date for the ball," Roderick said from across from Draco as he sat writing his Potions report.

"Thanks Rod," Harry said sarcastically.

"You're welcome."

Ron, who was sitting next to Tobias, spoke up and asked, "Why not just ask Hermione? It's not like she's going."

"Excuse me?" Hermione said, looking every bit of offended as possible.

"Well you're a girl, but not a normal one."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Normal girls talk about the ball and what they'll where and are looking for someone to take them. All you do is sit and study. Not to say that isn't alright, but you're just not normal and no normal person would willingly take you to the ball."

Both Harry and Draco stared at the redhead incredulously while the triplets shook their heads in disbelief. Ron was absolutely crass and had no kind of filter in his brain to catch his words from leaving his mouth. And furthermore, to say something like that to someone he called a friend was just disrespectful. Eileen looked over at Hermione to see the brunette looking as if she wanted to cry. She was taking deep breaths in an effort to calm herself before she said, "Well I'll have you know Ronald that someone already asked me to the ball." She began to pack up her things into her bag before standing up angrily. She turned to walk away, but then turned back around and hissed, "And I said 'yes'."

As Hermione stomped away Ron asked, "Bloody hell, what was that all about? She must be on her menstrual or something."

"Seriously, you uncouth git?" Draco asked.

"Who are you calling a git, Malfoy?"

"Someone who obviously has no class, Weasel."

By this point Severus had stepped up behind the three boys sitting next to each other, Harry in the middle, and harshly slapped them in the backs of their heads with the book he had in his hand. The three of them groaned lowly as the man said, "Quiet."

"Sorry dad," Harry said as he rubbed the back of his head. He knew he got hit due to being in between his friends and thus was guilty by association. He knew his dad would apologize for it later, but while school hours were going he got no special treatment.

Roderick sighed and began to pack his things as well saying, "There is too much unnecessary drama happening for me to even try and concentrate. I'm going back to Slytherin Dungeon. Maybe I'll get some peace there."

"Can we come too?" Tobias asked indicating himself and Eileen.

The elder of the three nodded and they all packed their things, bidding Harry, Draco, and Ron 'goodbye' before leaving the Great Hall.

There were just three days before the ball and Eileen and Holly were watching the Fourth through Seventh Year Ravenclaw girls trying on their ball gowns, all of which were very pretty. Eileen sighed as she watched them, wishing she could go to the ball as well. Her sigh caught the attention of her best friend and Holly asked, "What's wrong, Eileen?"

"Oh nothing," Eileen said.

"Liar. Tell me what is bothering you."

Eileen looked into Holly's grey eyes before nodding and pulling her upstairs to the First Year Girls Dormitory. When they got inside they sat on Eileen's bed and got comfortable. Once they were the dark haired girl said, "Well, I guess I'm just a little sad that we can't go the ball. It won't happen again until another Tri-Wizard tournament, and who knows when that will take place again."

Holly nodded and replied, "That's true, but it's not like it's the end of the world. Or are you just upset about not going because Draco hasn't asked you?"

The blush that appeared on Eileen's face was answer enough, making the blonde haired girl giggle. When she recovered she said, "Eileen, I know you said that he likes Hermione, but I'll bet you he'll ask you above anyone else."

"And how do you know that?" Eileen asked curiously.

"Because for one, you said Hermione already has a date. Two, I highly doubt he'd take Pansy Parkinson, and everyone knows she likes him. And three, he won't care that you're a First Year; he'd rather have you as his date over anyone else."

"Because I'm Harry's sister, right?"

"Because you're Eileen, the best witch I've ever met and am happy to call my best friend."

Eileen smiled brightly and hugged Holly, thanking her for her kind words and making her feel better. The two girls sat and talked, the conversation drifting from the ball to the subject of ice skating. The Great Lake was frozen over and a few Durmstrang students were ice skating on it. Eileen admitted she had no idea how to ice skate. Holly knew how as she used to always go with her older sister. The last time she went was before going off to Hogwarts so she would miss doing it with her family, but was happy to do so with her best friend. Deciding to do just that the two girls got up from the bed and grabbed their warm coats before heading back down into the Ravenclaw Common Room.

When they reached the landing a blonde haired girl with pale silvery eyes stopped them saying, "Hello Eileen, hello Holly."

"Oh, hi Luna," Holly replied.

Luna nodded with a smile before turning to Eileen and saying, "You have a visitor waiting outside of the Common Room."

"I do?" Eileen asked getting a nod in return. "Thanks for letting me know."

The two First Years headed towards the exit and walked out of Ravenclaw Tower. Upon stepping out they saw Draco waiting looking somewhat aggravated. Surprised to see him Eileen said, "Draco, hi!"

Draco looked down at Eileen and replied, "Hello."

"Hi!" Holly greeted waving at the older boy.

"Hello Holly," Draco replied.

Eileen began walking with Holly, Draco walking with them as they headed down the stairs to the First Floor. As they descended the stairs Eileen asked, "What were you doing outside of Ravenclaw Tower?"

Draco moved out of the way of an ascending Gryffindor and answered, "Waiting for you."

"R-Really?"

"Yes, I wanted to ask you something."

Holly grinned showing off her one dimple and said, "Ask away! And if you send me away she'll tell me whatever it was regardless."

Eileen's face took on a shade of pink and she said exasperatedly, "Holly."

"Sorry."

Draco chuckled before turning back to Eileen and saying, "Well as you know the Yule Ball is happening in three days and I'm sure you know that I'm going." Eileen nodded and Draco continued. "I unfortunately still do not have a date for the ball and it will be degrading to show up alone. But there is one person that I would like to take and I was wondering if you would help me."

Eileen frowned and looked down, feeling sad that Draco wanted her help to ask out some random girl. However she didn't want to disappoint the blond so she nodded and said, "Sure, I guess. If it'll make you happy, Draco."

"Good, because I need for you to write your mother to help you find a gown for the ball."

Black eyes widened as the girl stopped in her tracks and stared up at Draco. Did he…was he…did he basically tell her that she was to be his date for the ball? Draco wanted to take her to the Yule Ball? She could vaguely hear Holly reprimanding Draco for not really asking Eileen properly and for him to do it again. Blinking she saw Draco sigh before looking into her eyes and asking, "Eileen, will you go with me to the Yule Ball on Christmas Day?"

"That's better," Holly mumbled under her breath.

Eileen opened her mouth to answer, but found no words could come out. She could feel her face turning a very bright shade of red as all of the blood rushed to it. Her crush, though he had feelings for someone else, was asking her to be his date to the Yule Ball. She felt like she was floating. It wasn't until Draco placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her down did she realize that her magic had indeed made her begin to float. Once her feet were back on the ground she got her bearings and answered, "Yes, I'd be delighted to accompany you to the ball Draco."

Draco grinned and said, "Brilliant. I shall meet you at the entrance to the Great Hall around seven-thirty. Does that work for you?"

The girl grinned and nodded and waved after Draco as he bid her 'later' and continued down the stairs, presumably back to Slytherin Dungeon. Eileen stood staring after him, her heart beating quickly in her chest. Holly looked at her and waved a hand in front of her face before asking, "Are you going to say something or just stand there looking like a red tomato?"

Holly jerked back in surprise when Eileen suddenly let out a high pitched squeal, the sound being completely foreign to the blonde as she had never once heard her friend make a sound like that before. She watched as the dark haired girl jumped up and down in excitement before grabbing her wrist and pulling her back up the stairs.

"Come on!" Eileen said excitedly. "I have to write a letter to mum!"

Holly couldn't help but laugh at Eileen's excitement. She was happy for her friend, though she too wished she could go to the ball, preferably with Tobias.

Lily giggled as Severus nipped at her neck later that evening, enjoying the affection he was displaying upon her. Severus had shown up about dinnertime, wanting to have supper with his wife, and Lily was happy to do so. They had conversed about their day and how Lily was sure that the group of young witches and wizards at her academy, Beginner's Palace for Young Witches and Wizards, was the biggest and brightest bunch yet. Severus nodded and commented that it would be nice to not have a horde of idiots coming to Hogwarts to be taught for once; Lily had smacked him in his head for saying that. But now dinner was over and they were moving on to more…intimate things.

Severus moved from his wife's neck back to her lips, slowly unbuttoning her shirt when a tap came from the balcony door of their bedroom. Frowning in annoyance he got off of Lily and walked over to the door, opening it and letting the owl fly in. He was surprised to see that it was Hedwig, Harry's owl. Lily held her arm out so Hedwig could land on it and took the letter out of her beak before saying, "Hello Hedwig. Did Harry send a letter?"

Hedwig seemed to shake her head, letting the couple know it had to be one of the triplets. Lily moved Hedwig from her arm to perch on the railing of the bed before opening the letter, Severus sitting next to her to read it as well. They were a bit surprised to see Eileen's handwriting before reading the letter.

Mum,

You won't believe what just happened today! Draco asked me to be his date to the Yule Ball! I'm so excited for it! To go to the ball, I mean. Not that I'm going with Draco or anything…Anyway, I am in desperate need to find a formal gown to wear for the occasion and I'm on a bit of a time crunch as the ball in is three days time. Do you think by chance you could come and help me? I'd really appreciate it because I'm sure dad has no clue how to shop or what would be fitting for me to wear. Please send a letter back with Hedwig as soon as possible.

Love,

Eileen

Severus' black eyes narrowed as he asked, "Draco asked my little girl to the ball?"

Lily smiled and said, "I think it's sweet. Also you know how much Eileen likes him, though she won't ever admit it out loud."

"She's too young."

"You said that any of the First, Second, and Third Years could go if asked by someone Fourth Year and up. Besides, I'm positive she'll be safe with Draco. Don't worry Sev, she'll be alright. Draco won't let anything happen to her."

Severus frowned and said, "I'll kill him if he hurts her. And who is she to say that I don't know how to shop?"

The red haired woman laughed and said, "You can't, at least not for Eileen. Remember when you bought her an outfit and she ended up looking like a postulant?"

"I refute that. I thought she looked perfect."

Lily shook her head with a smile as she got off of the bed and went to write a reply to their daughter. She was glad Eileen was going to have a good time, especially considering she knew she was still troubled about her visions. Even so, she was happy this was happening and would do her best to find a perfect dress for their little girl.