CHAPTER 9- 1, 2, 3 Waltz!
"Okay, so getting hit by two bludgers, consecutively, wasn't exactly what I had planned for, but, all in all, it was a good game," Harry said as they sat down on the couch by the fireplace inside the Common Room.
They just had their match against Ravenclaw and it was brutal. Fred and George kept on accidentally hitting each other because of the strong winds that was surrounding the Pitch. Ron almost fell out of his broom when the Ravenclaw Keeper swooshed by him twice just as he was flying around the goal post to retrieve the Quaffle from the Chaser. If that wasn't bad enough, Harry was hit by two bludgers, straight on his stomach, when he was going after the Snitch. Fortunately, after all those mishaps, Gryffindor was declared winner after Harry caught the Snitch, closing the game with 150-200 points.
"I told you to be careful. Now look at you! You can barely stand," Hermione stated, worriedly.
She sat beside Harry with a wet towel in hand. She wiped the scratches from Harry's face that was caused by his falling off his broom right after the game. Harry kept his hold on his stomach, constantly making groans because of the pain. Ron, on the other hand, sat on the chair with a bag of ice on the back of his neck and a rather large piece of meat on his eye. He couldn't move a muscle, as what he kept on telling Harry and Hermione.
"Why don't you two just go to the Hospital Wing and have Madame Pomfrey do something about those problems of yours?" Hermione suggested.
"No, I'm fine. I just need a good night's rest and I'll be in good shape soon," Harry defended.
"Yeah, 'Mione, there's no need for Madame Pomfrey to have this checked. We're doing just fine right here. Besides, of all the games and injuries that we've had, this is nothing!" Ron bragged.
"Boys! I give up! Nothing is ever going to be bigger than a man's ego," Hermione exclaimed.
"Come on, Hermione, we're going to be fine. By tomorrow, we'll be back and ready for the day. Trust us," Harry assured her.
"Of course, it's not like I have any other choice, do I?" she asked, sarcastically.
"Just trust us, Hermione," Ron reassured.
"Whatever you two say. Anyway, why don't I get you something to eat from the Great Hall. I'm sure there are enough nutritious foods that are on the spread. I'll be right back. You two just stay here and don't you dare move or else you will feel my wrath," she threatened, standing up and walking out of the Hole.
"Man, my whole body aches…" Ron muttered when Hermione left the room.
"What about me? I got hit by two bludgers!" Harry exclaimed.
"Ravenclaw was pretty tough today."
"We just barely had enough practice. I'll make sure to book more practices next time."
"Man, I'm hungry…"
"You're always hungry."
"Of course I am. I'm a growing boy."
"Suit yourself."
"Hey, did you ask Hermione to go with you to the Yule Ball?"
"Yeah, I was quite surprised I even did. I never expected to ever ask her. It always registered to me that you were to ask her."
"Me? I would never do that. She's just like another sister to me. Not like you."
"What about me?"
"Well, let me put this simply: YOU LIKE HER!"
"No, I don't! No, I do. I mean, what I'm trying to say is that…uh…"
"Oh, don't bother, Harry. It is that obvious after all."
"It is?"
"Everyone knows about it, except for Miss Granger herself. Honestly, for someone so smart she can be very dense."
"Everyone? You mean everyone in this school knows?"
"Every single one of them Portraits, Ghosts, students, guests, animals, plants… whatever you could possibly think of. Next thing you know the whole world might know it already."
"And shedoesn't have any idea about it?"
"Not even a hint."
"Good. I intend to keep it that way."
"Oh, no, you won't! I won't let you do that. You have to tell her, or I and the rest of the world will tell her instead."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Please, Harry, I'm a Weasley, remember? I have Fred and George right behind me when it comes to things like this. Also add Ginny."
"Great! I'm surrounded."
"You don't have any choice."
"I guess I don't."
"When?"
"Soon."
"I'll be expecting that."
The very next day, Harry and Ron were already energized; though some of their bones still ached, they managed to make it to breakfast. Both of them held on to Hermione on the way down as not to 'accidentally' fall down. Hermione had a hard time getting them down the stairs because of the weight they had. It was bad enough that Ron stumbled down the stairs, what was worse was that Hermione and Harry were both dragged along with him.
"Ooh, you two look terrible. You look like you've been ran over by the Hogwarts Express," Ginny commented.
"Why, thank you for that nice compliment, Ginny. That really brightened up our day," Ron shot back, nastily.
"Well, sorry, Mr. Grump."
"Oh, just pass me the juice."
"Hey, Harry, you better hide now. I just saw a bunch of your fans coming inside," Seamus said as he sat down beside Neville.
"Great! What a way to start my day!" Harry exclaimed.
He was about to stand up when Hermione pulled him back down. He looked at her with confusion and fascination. She stared at his eyes with contentment and understanding. She smiled and his heart skipped a beat. A little more control, Harry. Not just yet. Not here, not now. This is not the right time.
"I'll handle this. You stay and eat. Don't worry. I'll take care of them. Just eat and hurry up because you'll be late for class. Ron, you hurry up too. And don't put three pieces of pancakes all at once inside your mouth. It is not going to fit no matter what you do. I'll be right back." With that, Hermione left them.
They stared at her retreating back - all of them very surprised. Harry wondered what Hermione was planning. What is she planning? I hope she doesn't… No, Hermione wouldn't do that. Oh, what am I saying? I just hope she doesn't get hurt.
On the other end of the Great Hall, Hermione looked around for the girls. She found them standing just a few meters away from the door. Good. They're still not coming inside. Just enough time to get some help. She looked around again for any sign of the blonde master of mischief. As she continued to scan the Hall, a sudden tap on her shoulder startled her. She turned around to find the mystery person who'd done the deed.
"Draco! You startled me! Oh, I'm glad you're here. I need your help on something," Hermione breathed out.
"Calm down, Hermione. What is it that you need from me?" Draco asked.
"Well, Harry's fan club is outside, and any time soon they're coming in. Harry's still inside; he can't move much so he can't make a quick getaway. I need you to help me make a diversion."
"What kind of diversion?"
"I need you to make a scene - like insult Harry or Ron or me. Just enough insults that would give Harry and Ron the chance to give back an insult that will lead to our exit. Just like old times."
"Oh, alright, but just make sure that the other Gryffindors won't meddle in. I don't need another one of those silly Slytherin-Gryffindor Word Wars."
"Agreed. Oh, and try to make your insults more 'Draco Malfoy' type of thing. Don't worry about Harry and Ron. I'll tell them about this."
"But what if I insult you with that 'M' word?"
"It's alright. Just do your best to be 'Draco Malfoy.' You need to be able to convince them."
"Okay. Give me a signal when I need to enter."
"Thank you very much, Draco. Oh! I have to go. I have to warn the two first. Plus, your sidekicks are coming. See yah!"
Harry Potter sure is lucky to have someone like Hermione Granger looking after him. I just hope that I could have someone just like her looking after me too. Maybe I should… after all, Ron said he doesn't mind. But what about her? And the other Weasleys… won't they mind too? I gotta talk to Harry and Ron about this later. Right now, it's time to play Draco Malfoy.
Draco and his goons strutted towards Harry's crowd as he saw Hermione give the signal. He swallowed a big lump of air hen he saw Ginny sitting beside Neville. He thought back to when they had their first Yule Ball during fourth year. He tried to curse himself for looking back at that painful memory of her dancing with Neville Longbottom.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Potty and the Weasel, oh, and let's not forget the Mudblood. What's for breakfast today? Pancakes? How pathetic," he began.
Harry and Ron stood up and tried to look as pissed off as they could. Hermione wasn't clear about the details when she told them, but they understood immediately when she said that it would help them get away from the Hall.
"Take that back, Malfoy," Harry said.
"What if I don't? Are you going to hit me?" Draco mocked.
"What if I will?"
"Just try… you wouldn't dare, unless, you want to be sent to detention with Professor Snape. I'm sure he'd be delighted to punish two maggots like you."
"Back off, Malfoy! Don't mess with us," Ron finally spoke out.
Just then, the group of girls piled up towards the Gryffindor table. Hermione watched as they looked at Harry dreamily, yet they gave Draco the same dreamy, but filled with annoyance, look. What the…? Am I seeing this correctly? Or do I need glasses just like Harry? Did those girls just look at Draco dreamily? Oh, for Merlin's sake! First it was Harry, now Draco! We have got to find a way to get these girls out of our hairs.
"Oh, did I touch a nerve, Weasel? I'm sorry; I didn't know you had one. Better put that one on the list."
"What list?"
"The list of things that I can annoy you with."
"You little ferret."
"Running out of insults, aren't we, Potty?"
"I don't need an insult for you. Looking at you, the very structure of yours is insulting enough."
"You…"
"If you move a muscle, I swear, I will hex you into the Underworld, Malfoy," Hermione threatened, pointing her wand at him.
"Stay out of this, Mudblood."
"Come on, Hermione, we better go. I don't want to start my day with Professor Snape punishing us." Harry said, grabbing Hermione's hand and dragging her out the Hall.
Ron followed them with great difficulty. Just before they passed by him, Harry silently thanked Draco and gave him a piece of parchment.
The girls were stunned by Harry's action. They never expected him to take Hermione's hand and lead her out the Hall. They felt anger, annoyance, jealousy, and loathe for Hermione. Their leader, Sandra Jones, gave Hermione's retreating back a spiteful look before walking towards their table. Somehow, in the back of her head, she wanted to do something that will surely ruin Hermione Granger. She just needs more time to plan it out.
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"Class, since it is only a few weeks before our Yule Ball and because of the disastrous dancing skills that you have, the school has decided to have all of you participate in a special dance lesson. It will be held at the Great Hall every after lunch. Attendance is mandatory. We wouldn't want any of you stepping on the feet of our guests. Especially not the guests that are to arrive on the said day. Now, a week before the Ball, you are all allowed to go to Hogsmeade to purchase your clothes. But be informed that no one is allowed to bring anything that they purchased from Zonko's inside the Great Hall when the dance is being held. Since this dance will involve all of the students at Hogwarts, you will find that we will have a hard time teaching everyone to dance on such short time, so, the staff has assigned students that will help in teaching. The following names that will be announced, please step forward," Professor McGonagall announced inside the Great Hall.
They just came back from their Herbology Class when Professor McGonagall asked all of them to come inside the Hall for an important meeting. Most of the students were from fourth to seventh year. The first years were still having classes and couldn't be disturbed. All the members of the staff were present at the Hall, except for the Headmaster. Harry realized that maybe they had asked the ghosts to teach in their classes that's why all of them were here.
Professor McGonagall came back up front holding a roll of parchment and opened it. She quickly scanned it before looking at the teachers behind. She gave Professor Flitwick a nod and he stood up at the far left.
"For the Ravenclaw House, the following students are to help. Please step forward beside your Head of the House as you hear your name - Miss Padma Patil, Mister Terry Boot, Mister Anthony Goldstein, and Miss Cho Chang."
All four of them stepped up beside Professor Flitwick. Padma looked at Cho with curiosity planted on her eyes; Cho looked at her the same. And then Prof. Sprout stands up beside the four Ravenclaws.
"For the Hufflepuff House, Mister Justin Finch-Fletchley, Miss Hannah Abott, Miss Susan Bones, and Mister Cedric Diggory."
Again, they all stood beside their professor. Next, it was Professor Snape's turn.
"Slytherin will have Miss Pansy Parkinson, Mister Blaise Zabini, Miss Millicent Bulstrode, and Mister Draco Malfoy."
Draco reluctantly stood beside Pansy. He gave the Trio a pleading look before looking back at Pansy's annoying grin.
"Now, for my House, please stand here in middle of the floor, Mister Ronald Weasley, Mister Ginny Weasley, Miss Hermione Granger, and Mister Harry Potter."
All four of them stood up in-between the Ravenclaws and the Slytherins. Harry glanced over at Draco who gave him a look of wonder. He looked at Hermione and Ron with the same wonder as Draco. Why in the world did they chose me to help? I can't even dance. I don't wanna recall having to dance with Parvati and stepping on her feet the whole time. Why was I picked?
"Listen closely to what I am about to say. All of these students will help each and every one of you, including the first years up to the third years, learn how to dance the coveted dance of the night: waltz. We have chosen these students because of their experience before at their Yule Ball. They are highly gifted and are responsible. We are expecting high things from them. Now be warned, all sixteen of you, that you are to teach them a dance that is so vital on that night. Please, do give justice to the dance. We expect that a week before the Ball, all of the students here at Hogwarts have full knowledge of the waltz," Prof. McGonagall stated.
The sixteen of them looked at each other with a somewhat different look now that they have gained knowledge as to why Professor McGonagall chose them to help. Harry made a face before looking back at the teachers.
"And before anything else, I would like to tell you sixteen that you will also be assisted by your teachers in teaching the said dance. Plus, your Quidditch History professor and Lady Harriotte will be there to help you as well. For those of you who do not know yet, Lady Harriotte is the daughter of the Duke of Epingworth. Very well then, now that everything's settled, you may all go back to your duties. Remember, schedule for the dance lessons will be posted at your Common Room door. Good afternoon then," Professor McGonagall said before all the teachers left the Great Hall.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked back to their Gryffindor friends. They started talking about the dance lessons and how they were to teach the students. It was an awfully hard task to fulfill, considering that they only had one single dance to practice on during their fourth year.
"I can't even bloody dance and they expect me to teach it?" Ron exclaimed.
"Ron, calm down, it's no big deal. I am sure that you will learn soon," Hermione assured him.
"You don't have to be a champion dancer to teach waltz," Ginny said, catching up to the three.
Draco caught up to them and walked side by side with Harry. It was common knowledge now that Draco and Harry were already friends. After his sudden confession to his Slytherin goons right after Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their getaway that morning, it was a somewhat smooth sailing for them to spend time together. Unfortunately, some were not yet able to register that fact. Including Ginny. She gave him a look before going off ahead of them.
"I am never going to get to ask her out," Draco said.
"Sure you can. Just get her to listen to you. Don't worry, we'll talk to her about it. But, right now, I'm more worried about this dance thing. I don't know how to dance," Harry said.
"Sure you do. You danced with Parvati during fourth year, right? You were a champion," Hermione said.
"Yeah, but you weren't there to witness how many times I stepped on her feet. I could have killed her, you know."
"Oh, that's ridiculous, silly. Why don't we all meet up at the Room of Requirement, say tonight after dinner, and I'll help you guys to dance. You should come to Draco; I'll invite Ginny."
"Thanks."
"Now, we better go to class, we still have one more before lunch. Oh, and Harry, I'll invite Cedric and Cho too, so don't be so abnormal, alright?"
"Me? When am I abnormal?"
"Just don't get so weird around them."
"Yeah, mate, you freak out when they're around," Ron spoke.
"You know, they're right, Harry. I've noticed that you don't talk much when they're around," Draco said.
"I do talk! I just don't say it out loud."
"Well, that won't work for tonight. You have to talk to them because I might ask Cho to help me teach you how to dance."
"Fine! Whatever you say, Hermione."
Out on the far corner of the Hall, the Twins were talking with Oliver. They had smirks in their faces and a roll of parchment in hand.
"Perfect! This dance lesson will surely help with our plan," Fred said.
"You know what to do, Oliver?" George asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," he answered. "I can't believe that I agreed to this."
"I think we should ask help from Harriotte. She can be of great help with this plan," Fred suggested.
"You're right! Oliver, go talk to her about it and meet us at the Astronomy Tower at seven tonight," Fred told him.
"Alright, but just make sure that she won't get in trouble."
"Of course she won't," the Twins said.