21 The Yule Ball

Harry woke slowly on Christmas morning, sunlight brightening their room. Their room. It had been just the week before when Hermione had first said that, much to his surprise. He had looked over at her when she said it, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I guess it really is, isn't it?" he'd asked, then smiled, "I like that".

A quiet murmur brought him back, Hermione was fighting waking up again. Ever since they had started sleeping together, they noticed that, while Harry seemed to wake much earlier than he used to, Hermione seemed to never want to get up. At least she didn't if he was still in bed. If he was already up she would grumble about being cold, go find him, and hug him from behind 'to steal the warm back'.

"Morning beautiful," he whispered in her ear, causing her to grin. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," she mumbled back, turning over and facing him as he wrapped his arms around her. She gave him a soft kiss on the lips before snuggling into his embrace. He reached up and started to idly scratch behind her ears. After the last full moon, they found while her human ears had all but disappeared, her feline ears were quite functional. Turned out she really liked having them scratched and it could even cause her to purr occasionally. He was almost as bad with his.

It had taken a while to get used to sleeping together. They had been tired enough at the Grangers' that falling asleep was never an issue, but now that they were back in school, it was different. The first few nights had been awkward, almost an exercise in futility as Harry tried to respect her and still cuddle. Hermione finally laughed one night and simply snuggled as close to him as she could before telling him this was how she wanted to sleep. It took a few more nights, but eventually they found the best was was simply spooned together.

"Do you want to go to breakfast first?" He asked the bushy haired snuggle bug in his arms, "Or presents first?"

"Stay," she pouted, trying to burrow deeper into his arms.

"All day?" he asked, amused.

"Yup," she confirmed with a satisfied tone, "I'm staying here all day."

"While I can't fault you for wanting that, we will need to eat at some point," he informed her. "Plus we are expected at the ball tonight."

"Do we have to?"

"I guess not," he conceded. "However, you would be missing out on wearing that dress you love so much."

"Hmmmmm, it is rather pretty," she agreed thoughtfully, still muffled by his neck.

"I wouldn't know," Harry teased, "But I want to. Plus it'll be kind of awkward when Faye and Neville show up to get ready and we're still in the same bed together."

"Uuuuhg," she groaned in frustration. "Why did we agree to that again?"

"Because we did sort of set Neville up and Faye agreed to help you with your hair?"

"Oh yeah," she sighed, "I guess breakfast it is."

Once they were up, Harry graciously let Hermione have the first shower, while he used the small dinette/kitchen to fix a simple breakfast. They had discovered the little alcove shortly after moving in, and while they still went to the great hall for most meals, occasionally they'd eat in, usually on a weekend for breakfast. Today they just wanted to have as peaceful a time as they could, so until Neville and Faye showed up late in the afternoon, they were having a "in" day.

He set out toast and bacon as Hermione exited the bedroom, her hair still wrapped in a towel. Harry's breath hitched a second as he took in the simple natural feel of the scene. Him making breakfast, her sitting and picking up the Daily Prophet that Hedwig had brought earlier. She looked amazing sitting there, in just a dressing gown and her hair in a towel. While it was very… average, it was also incredible. Harry hoped for years of scenes just like it, maybe with a couple more seats filled one day.

"Earth to Harry, come in Harry," Hermione sung, snapping him out of his reverie.

"Huh?" he started. "Oh, sorry, drifted off there for a second."

"I could tell, care to share?"

"Just thinking about how incredible a scene this is," Harry told her, giving her a peck on the cheek as he placed a glass of milk in front of her, "And considering how it would be with a couple more seats filled."

"What do you mean?" she inquired, still groggy.

"I mean if there were a bushy haired little girl or two," he blushed. "Maybe even a dark haired little boy."

"Oh Harry," she sighed wistfully.

"I know, it's sappy," he waved her off, "But it's Christmas, and Christmas is about family. Even with everything working against us right now, it still makes me think about the future and the family we might someday have."

"You just keep right on thinking about that," she told him, "And someday we'll make it come true. I know things like that will take time Harry, but we'll get through this, together."

"I know," he sighed, "It's just odd how we've settled into this… This... this level of comfort so quickly. I keep wondering how much is us and how much is the bond, but another part doesn't want to know because I want it so bad."

"I know Harry," she agreed. "I want it too, but I also believe that we'd be this comfortable regardless. It's just a little sooner than we would expect otherwise."

"I know, you're right," he agreed.

They ate in silence for a while, each reflecting on their situation. It had taken a bit, and they both knew it was the bond helping, but they had reached a comfortable quality to living together. Hermione had only hemmed and hawed for two or three days before just moving into Harry's room. They eventually figured out a bathroom routine, including getting dressed, with very little friction. Even how they acted around each other settled out. The forced intimacy of the shared quarters force them to have a rather frank discussion and while neither was really ready for a lot of physical intimacy, they both finally admitted that even before the bond solidified, they had started to think about a future together.

They opened presents next, each saving their gift for the other till last. From the Weasleys, Harry received the standard Weasley jumper and some candy, and was put out when he saw Hermione did not. Hermione got a book on household spells, which while nice and useful, rankled the teens for some reason. Hagrid sent Harry a moke skin pouch, and Hermione got an advanced copy of the latest edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, signed by Newt Scamander. McGonagall and Pomfrey got Hermione a book on bonds, and sent Harry a very nice pair of dragon hide boots. Pomfrey included a note stating he also had a nice name plaque on an assigned bed in the Hospital wing now, but hoped she would not see him in it for some time. Hermione's parents had sent Hermione a box set of Shakespearean plays, along with a picture of them and the Christmas tree with Hedwig perched on top. Harry, they simply sent a sheaf of papers. Confused, Harry opened it and dropped them upon reading the top line.

Curious, Hermione leaned over and picked them up, seeing just the top line before wrapping Harry up in a monster Hermione-hug. It had simply read 'Application for Guardianship' and had a red 'approved' stamp on it. It was quite some time before they finished unwrapping presents.

Once they finally parted, Harry gave Hermione her last present, the one from him. Opening it, she found a small velvet covered box, like the one she received her bracelet in but smaller. Opening it, she found a pair of white gold earrings. They were infinity signs, again like her bracelet, with a ruby and sapphire dangling below.

"Oh my god Harry, they're beautiful," she cried. "Thank you so much."

"Of course they are, though not as beautiful as you." He grinned cheekily. "I had them made the same time as the bracelet, they're a set."

"They're perfect, they'll go wonderfully with my dress tonight too," Hermione exclaimed. "Now open yours."

Carefully unwrapping his last gift, Harry found he too got a velvet case. About three or four inches cubed, Harry opened it cautiously. Inside, lay an ornate pocket watch. It's golden frame was inlaid with silver, celtic knotwork traced it's way throughout. Pulling it out gently, he saw HJP engraved on top, and turning it over, read the message etched on the back; To the love of my life, together, for all time. HJP.

"HJP?" he asked confused.

"Hermione Jean Potter," Hermione explained. "Professor McGonagall told me it was tradition in the wizarding world for a wizard to receive a watch on his seventeenth birthday, the day he comes of age. Since you are technically of age due to the tournament, we decided you needed your watch."

"I'm guessing she helped?"

"Yup, I designed it; she got it made since I couldn't leave the castle," Hermione explained. "Open it."

Harry opened the watch, and tears started to form. Inside was an ornate face, with elegant numbering, but that wasn't the reason for his tears. No, the reason was on the back of the cover, were 4 pictures. Well, one picture and spots for three more. The first was a simple picture of the two of them, one of Colin's, Harry noticed. The other three merely had the notes child 1, child 2, and child 3 in them.

It was a long time before they did anything other than hold each other.

"Why do girls take so long?" Neville inquired later.

"They think they need to do a lot to make themselves look even prettier than they already are," Harry said sagely, "And while we may disagree, or think they're beautiful without the extra work, they'll never believe it."

"Oh."

"Plus it takes them hours just to do their hair."

"Ok, that's more believable."

"And it's true," Faye commented from behind them.

Having gotten ready half an hour ago, the boys had been waiting in the common room of the couples quarters while Faye and Hermione finished getting ready. Harry had managed to wrap his tail and hide it while Neville was in the bathroom. Now the girl in question stood in the doorway to 'Hermione's room', looking resplendent in a dark crimson dress.

"And here's the part where we tell them just how beautiful their efforts have made them," Harry stage whispered and grinned at Neville, then turned to Faye. "M'Lady, your beauty is only exceeded by your mercy."

"Meaning I don't get to smack you, clever," Faye grinned back, "And thank you. But you're not here for me, you're here for your girlfriend. Come on out Hermione."

The doorway opened and Harry forgot to breathe. The vision before him stole all thoughts from him. Hermione stood in the doorway, her midnight blue dress cascading down her body. It was a relatively simple dress; sleeveless, deep back, wide straps from her bust crossing below her throat and attaching on the sides opposite. Her hair was half up, and braided into a crown that highlighted her ears and the rest falling down her back. And her ears… was that a hint of blue on them?

"I am speechless," Harry informed her. "I cannot believe the vision of beauty before me is my girlfriend."

Hermione just blushed as she stepped up to him.

"I wish I could find the words to tell you how beautiful you are tonight Hermione," Harry whispered to her, then kissed her softly, "but I intend to spend the evening trying to show you."

"Hey Neville, you taking notes?" Faye asked teasingly.

"Yup," he confirmed, and waited for about two seconds before chuckling. "Are you meeting your date in the great hall?"

"Yeah," Faye said, grinning as Harry and Hermione were still in their own little world. "Care to escort me down once these two wake up?"

"Of course,"

"Good, then you can tell me who this mystery date of yours is."

"Nope," Neville grinned, "you can find out when everyone else does."

"Spoilsport."

"Aren't you heading in to meet your date?" Faye asked as she and Neville arrived at the entry hall and he had stopped instead of heading inside with everyone else.

"No, I'm meeting her out here," Neville explained, blushing.

"Out here? But only the champions…" Faye trailed off. "No."

"Neveel," Fluer's sweet silvery voice sang as she approached from the entrance, "I'm glad you made eet, you look very 'andsome."

Faye looked back and forth as the French champion kissed Neville on each cheek, and took his arm. Fleur turned and moved towards her, her sleek silvery dress rippling as she walked. Neville, sweet, innocent, naive Neville, was escorting the French champion. Faye couldn't wrap her head around it.

"You might want to pick your jaw up off the floor," Hermione suggested sweetly, "Someone is likely to trip over it."

"You knew!" Faye accused. "You knew who Neville was taking and you didn't tell me?"

"Of course we knew," Harry confirmed with a grin. "We set them up."

"Set them up?" Faye asked suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"She means," Fleur joined them, "Zat Neville and Luna agreed to help myself and Viktor. No one we could take would respect us, zey'd eizzer be drooling idiots, or fangirls."

"So we thought of Neville and Luna," Hermione explained. "Neville takes Fleur, Viktor takes Luna. Both now have 'Dates' that aren't idiots or fangirls. And Neville and Luna still get to go together."

"Just don't tell anyone else."

"Ah, Mr. Potter, Miss Delacour," McGonagall came up to them, interrupting the conversation, "It is almost time to begin, this way please."

She led the two couples over to the other champions, lining them up in preparation to enter the Great hall. Cedric and Cho would lead, followed by Fleur and Neville. Viktor and Luna in her pale pink dress would follow, with Harry and Hermione last. The couples had bare moments to say hello before being shuffled to enter the hall.

The giant doors opened, revealing a much changed Great Hall. The house tables were gone, replaced by round tables set for eight to twelve people scattered throughout the hall. The walls were decorated in reds and greens, with the banners of all three schools scattered throughout. Ice blue fairies flitted about, and a light false snow fell, giving the illusion of a winter wonderland.

"Oi, is that Neville Longbottom?" Harry heard someone exclaim as they passed the gathered students, "With Fleur Delacour?"

"And that's that loony Ravenclaw too!"

"What's she doing with Krum?"

The four couples made their way down the middle of the hall, passing several ice sculptures as they did so, before reaching the dais upon which the head table sat. It too had been changed to a round table, with seating for the headmasters and headmistress of the schools, the ministry representatives, the four champions, and their dates. In the middle was a truly magical centerpiece. A flowing ice sculpture that changed between three dimensional representations of the crests of each school and a rendition of the TriWizard Cup.

Harry pulled out a chair for Hermione, and was pleased to see the others doing the same for their dates. He smiled as Hermione took her seat, seeing the look of happiness on her face made every minute leading up to this worth it.

He read the card on his plate, and saw it appeared to be a menu. Glancing at the others, he saw Dumbledore call out clearly "Roast chicken and boiled potatoes". A moment later it appeared on the plate before him. Apparently tonight's dinner would be slightly different than normal dinners. Even better though, at least to him, was the fact that apparently the castle elves really liked Hermione, as she had a menu option everyone else did not. While Harry asked for and received his seared beef and mash with steamed vegetables, Hermione was able to order caramelized Salmon, an option no one else was afforded.

"I didn't see fish on the menu," an officious Percy Weasley commented from Hermione's other side.

"The house elves know I really like fish," Hermione returned, indicating her ears. "And isn't Mr. Crouch coming? You are in his seat after all."

"Unfortunately he took ill recently," Percy explained. "He chose me of all his assistants to represent him here."

"Must have really liked your cauldron bottom report," Harry commented, earning him a reproachful look from Hermione.

"Yes, well, he knows quality when he sees it," Percy agreed snobbishly, then turned to Bagman to try to converse with him. Hermione's look cracked as he looked away, a small smile causing its ire to lose all effectiveness.

The rest of the meal was fairly pleasant, though when Fleur and Hermione began to converse in French, Harry was shocked to discover he actually understood some of it. A whispered conversation with Hermione after led the pair to believe it was an effect of the bond and Hermione made a note to discuss it with Madam Pomfrey later.

A resounding tinkling was heard as Dumbledore tapped his fork on his glass and cut through the noise, causing quiet to fill the hall. He stood, and his voice rang clear throughout.

"Another wonderful meal," he began, "and if I may suggest, let us give a warm round of applause for the professors who decorated for us this evening." The applause was heartfelt, though not thunderous. "Now, it is tradition for the champions to start the ball. So, Gentlemen and Lady, if you would?"

As they'd agreed beforehand, all four males stood, and turned to their respective dates, bowing. They requested the dance, offering their dates a hand to assist them up. The ladies accepted of course, and together, the eight of them made their way to the dance floor.

The music started, and Harry was instantly grateful to Professor McGonagall for the extra lessons. While not overly complicated, the Wizarding Waltz was not a dance for someone to just wing. Harry's nerves settled after just a few seconds, thanks to the now familiar feel of Hermione in his arms. Looking down at her smiling face, Harry simply lost himself to the dance. The couples whirled and spun their way around the floor, passing each other as they danced. The laughter and joyful sounds they made were truly enchanting, and Harry almost missed the cue.

After their first lesson, Hermione had inquired about possibly adding the other champions to their dance class. McGonagall, at this unexpected request, had asked why. Hermione, being Hermione, explained that to truly show the unity of the champions, she wanted to try and do a partner swap move. It would combine Muggle and Wizarding waltz moves, and require a bit of practice to achieve, but if they pulled it off, it would be epic. The venerable Scotswoman actually smiled as Hermione explained, and rapidly agreed. So did the others.

As they hit the cue, the four ladies, all with their backs to each other, disengaged from their partners and backed into each other, forming a small circle facing out. The men, expecting this, began a spin and leap maneuver that landed them before a different partner, bowing to them. The girls curtsied, and joined their new partners as they resumed dancing. The crowd was riotous in cheers at the perfectly executed, completely unexpected move.

As Harry continued to dance, this time with Cho, he grinned at the flabbergasted looks on the adults faces. It was a short time before they again performed the maneuver, this time Harry ended up with Fleur.

"Zis is amazing," she laughed as they continued to dance. "I zink we have stolen the show."

"Good," Harry laughed. "This has been fun, but I'm afraid it's time to leave you," and they executed another swap.

"Thank you for this Harry," Luna said with a smile on her face. "This dance alone is worth it."

"Well I hope you have many more," Harry agreed.

"Oh I will," Luna agreed happily, "But your wife will dominate your night, so this is it for us I'm afraid."

"What?" Harry almost tripped at the girls' declaration. "What do you…" but it was too late as the last swap occurred and Hermione was back in his arms. He savored the feeling as they danced to the end, pushing Luna's revelation aside to just dance with his love.