A/N: Heads up from this point on probably will be diverging more and more from cannon to suit the needs of the direction I'm wanting the story to go in.


The doors opened fully revealing the Great Hall decorated for the formal affair. The champions and dates were lined up with Harry in front with his surprising date of Draco Malfoy, the Bulgarian and his date a blonde mousy looking Slytherin girl, and finally Fleur and Hermione.

Malfoy had asked Harry out as a joke instigated by Crabe and Goyle but blanched immediately when Harry promptly accepted grinning heavily.


Flashback

'Potter!' Malfoy yelled

'Yes Malfoy'. Harry replied slowly turning around, huffing in annoyance. He had been walking from his last class for the day and was in the central part of the courtyard. Students were bustling about, but Harry was surrounded by the three Slytherin stooges. Those close to the quartet looked on with intrigue.

'I was err wondering if you would do me the honor of joining me as my date for the Yule Ball.' Malfoy had managed out between well hidden giggles, gesturing wildly offering up a lovely bouquet of red roses and magical butterflies to the confused Harry. The female students around the pair seemed to swoon at the overtly romantic gesture.

Looking back at the two idiots Draco always had at his side, he realized this was some kind of joke Malfoy had been put up to. Harry decided to have a little fun and could see this as the gift that would keep on giving.

'How could I possibly say no to such an offer?! Of course since you asked, you will be the one to lead.' Harry rushed out as he stepped closer placing a hand on Draco's chest as he continued 'I expect to be on the dance floor with you most of the night, and do look presentable good sir I am representing our school.' Harry smiled, leveling a serious gaze on the platinum blonde, raising an eyebrow. 'Be in touch as we will need to finalize our details, the roses are lovely by the way, I expect to be shown a respectable good time like any gentleman would.'

Draco stood there in shock, however ever the proud pureblood he could not back down once his offer was accepted. He stepped back and bowed in acquiescence, then turned from the spot heading hurriedly back to the dungeons with his two goons at his heels, all the while hearing Harry laughing with glee as he said, ' I can't wait till your father hears about this.'

The surrounding students didn't know exactly what had just occurred, some were angry, some laughing uncontrollably, others were just stunned. However since Ron's homophobic outburst and following punishment those who would have previously lashed out quietly showed their distaste visibly on their faces and walked away.


The two young men were dressed impeccably and as Harry had communicated, since Draco did ask he would be the one to lead when they danced, and there would be dancing. Harry was fussing over Draco's tie, which Draco was letting the young Potter do surprisingly.

Hermione giggled at her friend's antics, but wondered silently if Harry did really harbor feelings for the platinum blonde bloke. He never seemed to care of anyone's orientation, so it wouldn't surprise her if he was bi, straight, or gay. Not that she would care any, obviously. Harry had always gone on about how much of a prat Malfoy was, but who knows what her best mate thought on the matter. So the saying goes that there is a thin line between love and hate…

What was funny and intriguing once more was when Harry had insisted on practicing their dancing in the Room of Requirement, with only Snape's accompanying presence. He was having fun asking for the practices trying to get under the Slytherin's skin on one level, however on another he would not embarrass the Slytherin with an audience. Harry was not James, he would not aspire to be cruel towards anyone like James was towards Professor Snape. The professor became almost softer towards the boys when he heard about the date and wanted them to present an honorable front. It was no small surprise when they found out in confidence that the Professor himself fancied men. The love he had for Harry's mother would prove to be the last woman he would ever treasure in such a way.

Once Harry learned of his father's part in Leah's murder he reassessed many things he previously believed about the man that he never knew but once looked up to. His father after all was said and done ended up not being a great man…the images he grew up with as a young boy, were shattered, but he took the lessons that he could and had decided to be a better man than whom he was born of.

Harry honestly wanted to make sure that Draco and himself would not be a stumbling mess in front of the entire crowd, as he was the representative from Hogwarts, Harry never wanted to be a champion. He didn't like the attention, nor the danger that seemed to follow him around. Harry never sought out fame and glory, he just wanted to find a home, a family and friends and get through life. That didn't mean that he would not represent the only true home he knew with pride. Deep down Harry was always a good guy, he was conflicted, he was a jokester at times , a truly tortured soul, had the weight of the world on his shoulders, but beneath it all he was a generally good guy.

They group assembled entered the enchanted room as they were announced, with magical snow falling from the ceiling and garland and holly everywhere. Students and professors alike lined the walkway for the champions and their dates. Entering they heard thunderous applause as they were openly appraised. The trio of couples made it to the center of the room to take their places for the first dance. Several snickers could be heard as soon as they saw Harry curtesy, but the Boy-Who-Lived took it with a smirk and sly look to the side.

As the champions took heir place, those close saw that Hermione only had eyes for Fleur. Her imprint was devastatingly beautiful, soft skin, hair like silk, a smile that could steal her breath away…She quickly recovered with a light blush and shook her head. Hermione bowed taking Fleur's hand and kissing it.

'May I have this dance love?'

'But what would people think, I am a mated woman?!'. Came Fleur's reply, a face full of mock horror.

Hermione only laughed in response, taking the stunning woman in her arms in an intimate embrace to begin their dance.

The mated pair danced flawlessly, which after their display in class had not a single person surprised. The Bulgarian wore a scowl and constantly looked down while stomping occasionally on his date's poor feet. The last champion while not demure, nor flawless, nevertheless had style. The pair could be seen laughing and smiling and gave a respectable showing.

True to his word the entire night Draco was at his side dancing most of the night together. On more than one occasion someone would try to ask Harry to dance, but the Boy-Who-Lived would decline, and surprisingly the same happened when someone would ask Draco. They really were just having that good of a time, while no one quite knew what to think of them. Neither young men cared what others thought of them that night, and didn't think anything deeper than having a night of dancing. No strings attached, no friendship nor romantic feelings were expected from the encounter. They were indeed a curious pair, that was to be for sure.

Once the entire student body joined the trio of couples the real fun began. Some traditional dancing took place, but when Weird Sisters came on to perform the place went nuts. Students lost their decorum and became the teens they were dancing with a care in the world.

Ginny and Gabrielle could be seen having a great time, both in amazing floor length gowns. The younger pair seemed light and just enjoyed themselves. Coming out had been the best thing it would appear for Ginny, as she was so carefree in the arms of the young Delacour. Ginny loved that sometimes she would lead and other times the young firecracker would lead. This was a date to be sure, but being gay does not mean that one is the always the masculine and one is always the feminine.

Gender roles do not define any gay or lesbian relationship. After all it is two of the same gender. Some relationships thrive on the dichotomy of the opposites, but that is not always the case and that too is alright.

So they took turns leading and following. Gabby was an overtly sexual being, which had Ginny worked up to the point of almost bursting by an hour into the dance when she had snuck her date away with her to the nearest closet. An hour later they had stumbled back disheveled and obvious of what had transpired as they were lead back to the dance floor by Snape pulling them both by the ears, dripping wet by a pail of cold water that had been poured over them to 'cool off' once they were discovered due to the loud moans they were releasing in the confined space.

'Miss Delacour Miss Weasley, I trust that you will remain here for the duration of the Ball?'

'Oui Monsieur'

'Yes sir'

With that Snape walked off black robes billowing in his wake.

'What did you do?' Fleur asked her sister as she walked up to the pair.

'Nothing you haven't done before.' Gabrielle responded smirking, 'now if you don't mind I need to fix up my date and get back to dancing as directed.'

As Gabby was speaking Ginny still wet walked behind her and wrapped an arm around the small blonde whispering in her ear. 'I have no idea what you just said, but you are so sexy when you speak French.' She said as she began kissing the small spitfire. 'Well it seems like we have to wait to continue with our previous actions, want to get our energy out in another way? How about we cause some trouble?' Gabby turned in the redheads embrace pecked her lips and said, 'Oui, what kind of trouble do you have in mind…'. They trailed off as they conspiratorially walked off.

Fleur and Hermione watched this and laughed, it seemed like Gabby met her match in the redhead. They were not mated, but that didn't mean they could not have fun. Hermione was just happy to not have the youngling's attention directed at her for once.

The Bulgarian had been glaring at the pair all night until the petite blonde he was dancing with finally stopped and stomped with all of her might and brought his attention to her. No one could hear the exchange as a silencing charm had been cast, but it was clear she was chastising him fully. The charm was eventually cleared as the fuming blonde exited the Hall with a confused and rushing brooding Bulgarian following behind.

The entire evening had been amazing for Fleur and Hermione. The outfit Fleur had on was almost sinfully alluring. More than once Hermione had let a few threatening growls loose at gawking teen boys surrounding them. Each time the Veela would soothe her taller mate bringing her back to them and only them.

They danced almost the entire night, stopping only a few times to get refreshments and speak to either Ginny and Gabby, Harry and Draco, or Luna and Lavender who were and even more curious couple, but their combined jovial natures seemed to meld well.

Every so often a few outbursts could be either seen or heard, followed by Ginny and Gabby's low chuckles. One pair of rude Bulgarians could be seen exiting sporting Gryffindor colors on their face and clothes, as well as an active lion's tail after one such colorful explosion.

Hermione relished in the closeness of her imprint. She was in heaven, Yes war was on the horizon, yes things were going to become complicated and soon, but this….this right here…right now with her love…this was perfection. If her muggle parents were right and there was a heaven she would go to when all was said and done, it would have to be this night on repeat. The closeness the easy atmosphere, the soft caressing, the laughing, she was so at peace with herself and her Veela. This would end up being a night she knew she would always go back to in her mind when she would be helpless, when things would get bad, she would always have this moment in time with her love.

'What are you thinking my love?' Fleur asked

'Just how much I love you.'

'Well then, I think we've spent enough time here, how about we go back to the carriage?'

'I like how you think.' Hermione said as she crashed her lips into her Veela. Not stopping in her assault she lifted up the woman bridal style. Breaking the kiss, the Veela hid her face in the neck of her wolf and purred as she was carried off to their destination.

Those surrounding the two were deeply touched by the obvious devotion shown between the two. The dance went on for a few more hours until everyone was dismissed. The following day would be Christmas, and most would be boarding trains, carriages, and ships bound for their homelands for the holiday break.

It would be halfway through Hermione's slumber when she bolted up naked and sweaty

'What is it?' Fleur worriedly asked

'I just realized tomorrow I meet your ENTIRE FAMILY!'


A/N: and there you have it, the Yule Ball, sorry it took so long to get out, but I hope you guys like how it turned out. Next chapter should be covering the entire winter break and probably will be lengthy-ish. As always thanks for reading and usual disclaimers I don't own anything