I do not own Bleach or Harry Potter the both belong respectively to Tite Kubo and J.K. Rowling


Snow was falling thickly upon the grounds. 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.

And through it all, Harry continued to perform his Soul Reaper duties, this time dealing with a rather stubborn Hollow that thought it a good idea to ruin what was starting to be a pretty good night for him.

The Hollow was green skinned with long grey hair, and two large spines extending out from its forearms.

Harry was discovering just how well those spines acted like blades, as the Hollow relentlessly pounded against his zanpakutō.

No way am I going to need saving Harry swore to himself, well aware that Yoruichi was most likely watching from somewhere, and he refused to let all the hard work he's been doing with her be for nothing.

So with a burst of strength, he pushed his blade forward, knocking the Hollow off balance, following up with a slash across its chest.

The Hollow howled as it stumbled back in pain before it could even hope to retaliate, Harry already made his next move, stabbing Nakatsukasa into the monster's chest, pushing it down towards the ground as the beast tried to force the blade out.

Impacting into a small crater outside the Beauxbatons carriage, Harry pulled back his zanpakutō as the Hollow finally gave into its injuries and passed on.

"An impressive display Death God" said Fleur, as she stepped out of the carriage.

"You know I'm not a god, right?" said Harry, sheathing his zanpakutō.

"What else can you call a being that rules death itself."

Harry remembered how he once assumed the Soul Reapers to be gods, even if he never considered himself to be one, he could understand why Fleur might feel that way.

"You know you really hurt my friend" said Harry, now remembering what he heard about the quarter-veela and Ron.

"Your friend?"

"The redheaded boy that asked you to the ball" he elaborated, this seemed to be enough as recognition flashed in the girl's eyes.

"Ah the boy that ran off. I apologize Death God. I was attempting to use my charm on Cedric and your friend was affected" she explained.

"I figured as much. But I was talking about looking down on him like he was beneath you."

Fleur took a small step back as if she anticipated some form of retribution. Her grandmother had told stories of the great and terrible power the reapers possessed and while the vast majority didn't take any personal interest in the affairs of the World of the Living; Harry would be an obvious exception to the rule.

"I am sorry about your friend" said Fleur. "Though try to understand that it can be rather annoying when people are only interested in what you are, rather than who you are."

"Believe me I understand what that's like" said Harry. "In the spirit of that, maybe you can stop calling me Death God?"

"Very well Harry."

"But if you find it annoying when guys are only interested because of your veela heritage, then why try to use your charm on Cedric?"

"Most of our party is female. This was the fastest way to find a date" she shrugged, apparently while she could find it annoying sometimes, Fleur didn't have that big of a problem using her allure for a quick fix. It made some sense in away considering she didn't know anyone outside of her schoolmates. "Though your friend did run off before I could answer him."

"So you were going to say yes?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Perhaps, but I won't promise anything Harry" said Fleur, turning to return to the carriage.


Harry thought it best to keep what Fleur said to himself. He didn't want to risk getting Ron worked up for nothing. Besides Ron was too distracted to worry about finding a date to the ball, specifically finding out Hermione's.

"Hermione, who're you going to the ball with?" Ron asked, as they were leaving the great hall the next morning.

He'd been randomly springing the question on her, hoping to catch her off guard and she'd answer without realizing. But Hermione merely frowned and said, "I'm not telling you, you'll just make fun of me."

"You're joking, Weasley!" said Malfoy, from behind them. "You're not telling me someone's asked that to the ball? Not the long-molared mud-blood?"

Harry and Ron both whipped, ready to make Draco pay for the insult against their friend, but Hermione simply waved to somebody over Malfoy's shoulder, and said "Hello, Prof. Moody!"

Malfoy went pale and jumped back, looking wildly around for Moody, but he was still up at the staff table, finishing his stew.

"Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?" Hermione smirked, and she Harry, and Ron went up the marble staircase laughing heartily.

"Hermione" said Ron, looking sideways at her, suddenly frowning. "your teeth…"

"What about them?" she asked.

"I just noticed they're different…I mean from before."

"Oh I had Madam Pomfrey shrink them a bit" Hermione smiled widely. "Mom and Dad won't be too pleased. You know they're dentists, they just don't think teeth and magic should-look! Hedwig's back."

The faithful owl swooped down and landed on Harry's shoulder, a letter tied to her leg.

"Thanks girl" said Harry, removing the letter. "It's from Sirius."

Harry,

Congratulations on getting past the Horntail. Bet whoever put your name in that goblet ain't feeling too happy now. I mean I couldn't believe it when you told me, an animagus at fourteen, you beat out your dad and me. I would've used a Conjunctivitis Curse, as a dragon's eyes are its weakest point. ("That's what Krum did" said Hermione.) but your way was better, I'm impressed. I'm Sirius, ("ugh" the trio groaned) you just might be a better flier then your dad.

Anyway Moody's sleeping off a rough night, so it's up to me to be the responsible one and say: don't get complacent, Harry. You've only done one task; whoever entered you in the tournament's still got plenty more chances to try to hurt you. Keep your eyes open, particularly around you know who.

Keep in touch, we're still running down a few rumors on our end, but let us know about anything unusual.

Sirius.

"He's starting to sound like Moody" said Harry, stuffing the letter inside his pocket. "'Constant vigilance!' You'd think I was walking around with my eyes shut, banging into walls."

"But he's right, Harry" said Hermione. "You have still got two more tasks and you still haven't figured out the egg's riddle."

"Hermione, he's got ages!" Ron snapped. "Want a game of chess, Harry?"

Harry was about to agree to the game when suddenly Fleur Delacour approached the trio.

"I hope I am not interrupting" said Fleur.

Hermione couldn't help but feel a bristle of annoyance at the French girl's arrival. It only got worse once she realized that she was speaking to Ron.

"I was wondering if you were still interested in accompanying me to the ball."

Ron was stupefied, he'd gone from thinking he'd never be able to get a date to being asked by Fleur Delacour of all people. He was certain that he'd had to be dreaming and would be waking up in History of Magic soon.

Seeing that she was still waiting for an answer Ron managed to croak out a "Y-yes, yeah I'd love too."

"Good" said Fleur. "I will meet you in front of the doors before the ball."

As Fleur left she sent gave a look to Harry as if saying 'you're welcome,' leaving him to believe that the quarter-veela had chosen to go with Ron, simply as a favor to him.

Guess she thinks I'll owe her one. It didn't seem either Ron or Hermione noticed the exchange as each of them were a little preoccupied: Ron was over the moon to finally have a date, while Hermione seemed to be bothered that that same date was Fleur Delacour.

Strangely despite now having his own date, Ron wouldn't stop wondering about who had asked Hermione to the ball and of course she wouldn't say.

Yeah probably best I don't say anything about it, Harry wisely decided.


Harry was shocked awake Christmas morning, as he a certain little house-elf had yet to learn the meaning of personal space, having chosen to lean in so close that they were almost nose to nose.

"Dobby!" he yelled in shock, scrambling away from the elf so fast he almost fell out of bed. "Don't do that!"

"Dobby is sorry, sir" the elf squeaked, ashamed that he'd upset his friend. "Dobby is only wanting to wish Harry Potter 'Merry Christmas' and bring him a present, sir! Harry Potter, did say Dobby could come and see him sometimes sir!"

"It's ok, Dobby" Harry gasped, calming down. "Just prod me or something next time, don't bend over me like that…."

Harry pulled back the curtains around his bed and put on his glasses. His yell had awoken Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville. All of them were peering through the gaps in their own in their own hangings, heavy-eyed and with serious cases of bed head.

"Someone attacking you, Harry?" Seamus asked sleepily.

"No it's just Dobby" he muttered. "Go back to sleep."

"Nah.…. presents!" the Irish boy exclaimed, spotting the large pile at the foot of his bed.

Ron, Dean and Neville decided to open their presents as well, since they were already awake. Harry turned to Dobby, who was now standing nervously next to his bed, still worried he had upset Harry.

"Can Dobby give Harry Potter his present?" he asked tentatively.

"Course you can" said Harry.

Dobby handed Harry a small package, containing socks. Dobby had sewn him a pair of socks. The left was a bright red and had a broomstick pattern; the right was green with Snitches. They were definitely the strangest pair of socks Harry would ever own but he was touched that the elf had used the first of his wages to buy the wool to make them for him.

In return Harry fished out a pair of clean socks that he had picked up in London shortly after moving in with Sirius and Remus. The elf was overwhelmed with joy, especially once Ron added in his Weasley Christmas sweater and a pair of socks of his own so Dobby could mix them up.

"Sir is very kind!" Dobby squeaked, eyes brimming with tears, bowing deeply to Ron. "Dobby knew sir must be a great wizard, for he is Harry Potter's greatest friend, but Dobby did not know that he was also as generous of spirit, as noble, as selfless…."

"No big deal, Dobby" said Ron, blushing from the praise, though he looked pleased all the same. "Wow, Harry!" he had just opened Harry's present, a Chudley Cannon hat. "Cool!" Ron happily put on his head.

Dobby then had to take his leave, saying that he and the other elves were busy cooking Christmas dinner in the kitchens.


At last, it was time for what everyone had been waiting for since it was first announced: The Yule Ball. The castle was buzzing with excitement as everyone was wondering, what would the ball be like? Who'd be performing? Who was going with who? Rumors were flying about and it was finally time to see if the event was as grand as everyone built it up to be.

Hermione and Ron had each gone on ahead to meet their dates, leaving Harry to wait in the common room for Ginny. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't feeling a little bit nervous given that all he had to fall back on was an impromptu dance lesson from Yoruichi.

Then came the moment of truth and Harry felt himself freeze where he stood, eyes wide, and for a moment thought he had to pick his jaw off the floor.

Ginny looked absolutely beautiful. Her dress was blue with silver lining around the neck, sleeves, and hem. Her long red hair was brushed into loose curls, that just shined in the light.

"W-wow, you look…wow" Harry said awkwardly.

"Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself" Ginny blushed, feeling just as nervous as Harry. "We should get going."

Harry didn't miss the threatening gestures Fred and George sent him but apparently neither did Ginny as she gave them the coldest glare she could manage, sending shivers down their spins. Proving once again it was the Weasley women that truly had the power in their family.

The entrance hall was packed with students, all milling around waiting for the doors to the great hall to be open. Those who were meeting partners from different Houses were edging through the crowd trying to find one another.

The entrance doors opened, and everyone turned to look as the Durmstrang students entered with Prof. Karkaroff. Krum was at the front of the party accompanied by a pretty girl in blue, Harry didn't recognize.

Then Prof. McGonagall's voice called, "Champions over here, please!"

The crowd parted as the champions and their partners followed Prof. McGonagall, who was wearing dress robes of red tartan and had arranged a wreath of thistles around her hat; she told them to wait on one side of the doors while everyone else went inside; they were to enter once the rest of the students had sat down.

Fleur and Ron had been positioned nearest the doors; Harry wondered if Ron had noticed the particularly envious look Malfoy had shoot him as he and his date Pansy Parkinson passed. The smirk his friend sent his way told Harry he had, as they shared a silent laugh at Malfoy's jealousy.

Cedric and the Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho Chang were lined up next to them, placing them right next to Harry and Ginny. Speaking of Ginny, she had just bumped Harry with her elbow getting his attention.

Confused by the treatment, Harry was about to ask what was wrong when Ginny nodded her head towards Krum and his date, his jaw dropped.

It was Hermione. But she didn't look like the Hermione, he knew. She 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 also was holding herself differently somehow, though it could've just been the absence of the twenty or so books, she usually carried around.

"Told you" Ginny said teasingly to Hermione.

"I thought you were exaggerating" Hermione smiled, somewhat nervously. When Ginny had told her that nobody was going to recognize her, she had thought the Weasley girl was kidding, but it truly was a huge transformation from her usual style.

Harry wasn't the only one that couldn't believe the sight of the new Hermione, Ron despite having a quarter-veela for a date found that he could barely pull his eyes away from the girl. Strangely instead of being upset Fleur actually seemed intrigued by Ron's obvious approval of the Granger girl's appearance, though she suspected there was more to it than that.

McGonagall then called the champions inside. The entire room had been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling.

The House tables had been replaced with about a hundred smaller, lantern lit ones, each seating about a dozen people. Everyone in the great hall applauded as they entered and took their places at a large round table at the top of the hall, where the judges were sitting.

Dumbledore smiled happily at them, but Karkaroff looked as if he wanted scream and curse as he focused on Hermione and Krum. Ludo Bagman, who had opted for bright purple robes with large yellow stars, was clapping as enthusiastically as the students; and Madame Maxime, who had forgone her usual black satin for a flowing gown of lavender silk, was applauding politely. But Mr. Crouch, Harry suddenly realized wasn't there. Instead the fifth seat was occupied by…

"Percy?" Ron and Ginny gasped, they hadn't expected to see this particular brother at the ball.

By poor luck of the draw Harry ended up sitting right next to the smug looking Percy.

"I've been promoted" he said before they could even ask, sounding as if he might as well have been named supreme ruler of all. "I'm now Mr. Crouch's personal assistant and I'm here representing him."

"Why didn't he come?" asked Ron.

"I'm afraid he isn't well, not well at all. Hasn't been right since the World Cup" said Percy. "He's taking a well-deserved vacation and I've been filling in for him a lot recently."

"Why don't we enjoy our meal" Fleur spoke up, putting an end to Percy's rambling…for the moment.

They looked at their plates but instead of food there were only small menus lying in front of each of them. Dumbledore looked carefully down at his own menu, 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. Dinner passed fairly quickly: Hermione was having a pleasant conversation with Viktor. Fleur just went about criticizing the Hogwarts decorations while Ron pretended to listen. Sadly, Harry and Ginny were left to suffer Percy's self-indulgent ramblings about his job.

Once the meal was over, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. With a wave of his and, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, he then conjured a raised platform along the right wall, instruments already set up on top.

The band, that Ginny quietly identified as the Weird Sisters took their places on stage, the lights dimmed and Harry suddenly realized what was next.

Ok Harry, just like Yoruichi showed you, Harry thought nervously, as the champions and their dates moved to the floor.

"Harry, relax" said Ginny, having noticed his silent panic attack. "If we manage not to step on each other's feet, I'll call it a success."

Harry nodded as he placed a hand on Ginny's waist and held the other tightly in hers.

"See, already doing fine" Ginny said reassuringly, as the music started and the couples started to slow dance. Slowly Harry and Ginny fell into a comfortable rhythm as they swayed to the music.

The first song had ended but neither Harry nor Ginny really paid much attention, they just kept dancing as if the rest of the world didn't matter.


Ron sat down at a table with Fleur watching his sister and best friend, feeling an odd mix of happiness and brotherly protection, as he made a mental note to talk to Harry after the ball. His mood then rushed south once he zeroed in on Hermione dancing with Krum, he couldn't even explain why the sight bothered him so much but apparently someone could.

"It is because you love her" Fleur said casually, her French accent more prominent to Ron's ears.

"What?" asked Ron, thinking the girl's accent was throwing him off. "You know, Harry's the one that can understand everything right?"

"Well not everything, else he would've encouraged you to ask her, no?" the quarter-veela teased. "You clearly have feelings for that girl. You should ask her to dance."

"But she's here with Krum and I thought I was your date?"

"Yes so ask her politely, and we had our opening dance. I will dance with Viktor; you are too much like a kicked puppy to send the night with."

As glad as Fleur was that Ron wasn't drooling stupidly over himself, she somehow would've preferred that over being with someone that was obviously pining for someone else.

"But why help me?" asked Ron.

"I am part veela and French" Fleur shrugged. "Romance is in my blood."

Before Ron could even ask what they were doing, Fleur dragged him over to Hermione and Viktor.

"Mind if we trade?" she asked them.

"Not at all" said Viktor, taking Fleur's hand as Ron took Hermione's.

Hermione fought back a smile as Fleur left with Viktor, unaware that Ron was having the same feelings.

Hermione smiled as they started to move along the dance floor, trying not to laugh at Ron's obvious discomfort.

"It's not that funny" Ron grumbled, apparently she wasn't trying hard enough.

"No, I'm sorry Ron" said Hermione, placing his hands in the correct position; it was clear that Fleur must've been the one leading during their dance. "So what happened with Fleur?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to dance with you" he admitted, summoning up his Gryffindor courage.

Now he says something smart Hermione mused, as she rested her head against his chest, just swaying to the music.

But all too soon for Ron's liking, Viktor returned and took back Hermione as the next song started playing.

"It appears you have some competition" Fleur commented, as Ron joined her back at their table. "Still you did get to dance with her, and I can tell she enjoyed it."

"Thanks" Ron said honestly.

"Do not mention it. I am betting on you two."

Somehow Fleur's confidence in Ron made him feel better about Hermione dancing with Krum; I guess if you can't trust a veela's advice about love, who can you trust?

Still just because she was rooting for Ron to get the girl, didn't mean Fleur wasn't going to enjoy the night. Something made very clear to Ron as she pulled him back out onto the dance floor; it was truly an example of international cooperation.


Later as the night started to wind down and the students began to step outside or return to their sleeping quarters, Yoruichi was standing watch, having told Harry she would take over his duties for the night.

She had already dealt with a few minor Hollows, when she sensed a spiritual pressure, faintly similar to Harry's during his brief moments of incomplete Hollowfication. Problem was she could still sense him inside the castle.

Shifting to her cat form, Yoruichi followed the spirit energy into the rosebushes, where she stumbled into an interesting meeting.

"…. don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor."

"Severus, you can't pretend this isn't happening!" came Karkaroff's hushed anxious voice. It's been getting clearer and clearer for months. I'm becoming concerned, I can't deny it…."

"Then flee" Snape said curtly. "Flee; I will make your excuses. I however will remain at Hogwarts."

Suddenly the potions master, spun around wand in hand narrowing his eyes at Yoruichi. For a moment the Soul Reaper had considered simply knocking them both out before Snape could get a spell off and cause unwanted attention.

"I see I'm not the only one worried" Karkaroff remarked, as Snape put away his wand.

"I am merely cautious" said Snape.

Believing Yoruichi to be an ordinary cat, the potions master started walking back towards the castle with Karkaroff hurrying after him. As they passed, Yoruichi noticed the faint markings of a tattoo just hidden within the left sleeve of their robes. What truly interested her however was that the tattoos were somehow giving off however weak, the spiritual pressure of a Hollow.

Hope you had your fun Harry, because things are getting interesting Yoruichi remarked, as she decided it was time for another call to Kisuke.