Hey everybody. Well here it is. I re-wrote the whole thing, and I'm very happy with how it turned out. I hope you all enjoy it! I've gotten some great reviews and some super constructive help. Honestly, I did get one review which implicitly implied I should give up writing this story due to my lack of talent. In response, I wrote this, because I do think this is a good story. I hope you guys agree!

Well, some logistics real fast. I do not own Harry Potter or Life in Technicolor ii. I make no profit from this work.

Well, here it is, kids!

The wizarding world, Harry Potter decided as he stared absently at the roaring flame of the Gryffindor common room fireplace, was absolutely bonkers.

"What the hell does he mean, 'look at the fire'? How the bloody hell is that supposed to help?" he grumbled, flopping back into the chair. Glancing up at the large grandfather clock in the corner, Harry sighed.

10:28

With the time approaching, though still not entirely sure what was going to happen, Harry brought out his wand. Waving in quiet, fluid motions, he set a simple silencing charm around himself and the fireplace, though he doubted it would matter.

Fred and George had taken it upon themselves to hold a wild party in the common room earlier that evening. This had, of course, brought no less that three teachers and two heads of house barging in at the sound of multiple explosions. The crowd was quickly dispersed as a flurry of "Reparo"s brought the room back into order. Luckily, Harry had been trying to decipher a letter he had received, and had thus had been found quietly working in a corner.

Professor McGonagall had given him a once over before nodding in approval and across the room to remove a hapless Colin Creevy from a torch he had be strung by his boxers from.

Hours later, the common room sat deserted. Luckily for Harry, it meant he didn't need to worry about wearing his invisibility cloak.

The loud ringing of the clock in the corner alerted him that 10:30 had struck. Turning intently to the fireplace, Harry stared intently at it. After a few seconds of nothing remarkable happening, Harry stared back at a letter in his hand.

Harry

Be at the Gryffindor common room fireplace at 10:30.

Padfoot.

Harry rolled his eyes. What the bloody hell did that even mean? Did Sirius plan to floo into the common room? Could you even do that at Hogwarts? Harry snorted. He doubted Sirius even wondered whether or not Harry would understand the message. It was just like him to do things without think-

"Hey Kiddoe!"

"Augh!" Harry cried, jumping back over the couch and pointing his want at the fireplace. He watched in awe as the embers slowly compacted and shifted amidst the blaze until the recognizable face of Sirius Black.

"What the hell Sirius!" Harry whisper-yelled. "you could have given me a heart attack!"

The man in the flame looked incredibly smug at Harry's admittance.

"Ah, Harry! So good to see you again my boy!" Sirius beamed. Slowing his heart rate enough and noting Sirius settling down, Harry returned to his seat.

"It's good to see you too, Sirius. How have you been?" he asked. Harry saw a hand of fire appear and brush some of Sirius' hair out of his face.

"I've been well. Bored as hell though. But this isn't about me!" Sirius beamed up at Harry through the fire with a child-like exuberance. "How have you been? I heard you fought a dragon!" Harry chuckled bashfully.

"Well I didn't really fight it. I definitely out flew it though!" he noted flashing a grin. "But I've...I've been really amazing Sirius. Never better!"

Sirius gained a knowing smirk on his face.

"I know that look." he trailed. His fiery avatar craned its neck, reaching as far out of the flame as it could to examine Harry. After his once over, Sirius settled back.

"You got laid, didn't you!" he asserted knowingly. Harry laughed and shook his head.

"No no, not quite that." he replied, slightly sad he had to burst Sirius' hypothesis. Said Marauder seemed deeply disturbed at the notion that his assertion was incorrect, but simply shrugged it off.

"Well if not, you at least found your self a cute little witch to chase after, didn't ya?" Sirius followed up. Harry gave a smug, satisfied look and leaned back in his chair.

"Well I like to think cute witches come to me. I am Harry Potter after all. I'll leave the chasing to the poor other blokes." he joked. Sirius, for his part, was silent. Then he erupted into roaring laughter.

"Who are you and what have you done with Harry?" he joked. "Because you can keep him! You're far funnier!" Harry too found himself laughing earnestly at the situation. As the two calmed down, Sirius receded in the flame slightly before coming back into focus.

"Sorry, pulled myself up a chair. We may be here a while! So who is she, kid?"

"Daphne Greengrass. She's a Slytherin."

Sirius raised an eyebrow at that.

"Well well now! Harry asked a Slytherin. How very sneaky of you. I'm sure that went over well." he dryly replied. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Yea, it went marvelously. Hermione and Neville were fine with it. Ron blew a gasket though. I had to chew him out in front of everyone in the Great Hall." he tiredly responded. Sirius nodded sympathetically.

"That does sound like a pickle. And in front of the whole school, no less." he said. Giving Harry a mirthful look, "You just seem drawn to unsavory and awkward situations, kiddoe." Harry laughed and threw his hands up in surrender.

"Welcome to my life."

"But Greengrass" Sirius continued. "Hmm, why do I know that name? One second..." he trailed off as he disappeared into the fire. A moment later, Harry heard a whistle from inside the fire.

"Damn Harry, I'm proud of you! That's Melissa Greengrass' daughter! I used to go to school with her she was a bomb shell! Here look at her in the yearbook!" he enthusiastically responded. Harry saw a large book like shape appear next to Sirius' face, obviously the yearbook in question. The book, however, was only an outline as nothing on the pages was visible amongst the flame.

"Uh Sirius, I can't read anything on the page..." Harry announced. In the fire, Sirius looked confused.

"Huh, you can't read books through fire-calls?" he noted. Harry raised an eyebrow as he heard yet another whistle. After another moment, Sirius reappeared in the fire.

"Sorry about that kid. Such a shame, that's one hot momma." he jovially responded, waggling his eyebrows for good measure. Harry palmed his face as he shook his head at his Godfather's antics.

"I'll take your word for it, Sirius" he laughed. "But hey, I had a favor to ask of you."

In the fire, Harry saw Sirius salute him and stand at full attention.

"Yes, Chosen one, Sir!" he called. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Yes, yes well, you see. I have absolutely no intention of wearing dress robes to the Yule Ball." Harry began. In the fire, Sirius mock gasped.

"Oh no! But Harry! How ever will you conform to the societal status-quo without your glorified gown? You're a champion! An avatar of conformity!"

"Your sarcasm is duly noted," Harry continued, cutting his Uncle's 'episode' off. "But I will not wear them, simple as that. I need you to pick up a tuxedo for me."

Harry paused for a moment. As he finished his request, he felt a disturbance in the force. Had he looked closer, he would have noticed a small, sinister smirk form on his Godfather's lips.

"So, basically what your saying," Sirius slowly repeated. "Is that you need me to go out into muggle London, finally get out of my damn house, and get something done?"

Well, Harry hadn't exactly phrased it that way.

"Yea that's pretty much it. Can you handle that?"

A salute was his response.

"I got ya covered kiddoe! So tell me! How's everything else been lately?"

The duo continued chatting well into the night and part of the morning. It was 2:13 when Sirius finally looked at a clock on his side of the fire.

"Blimey Harry! We've been at this for almost four hours! You need to get some rest!" he sheepishly admitted. For the first time, Harry too looked at the clock.

"Damn your right. It's gotten late." he responded. Fighting back a yawn, but giving a big stretch, he smiled at his Godfather.

"It was good talking to you, Sirius."

"It was good talking to you too, Harry. Some other time?"

Harry nodded. "For sure. And just have the suit owled to me before the Ball, ok?"

"Will do Kiddoe! Goodnight Harry!" Sirius nodded. Harry smiled.

"Goodnight Sirius."

Slowly, the form of Sirius began to fade away back into the slow roaring fire it had once been. Slinking upstairs drearily, Harry tumbled into his bed. Slowly, sleep clouded his vision, and he dozed off.

Embarrassment?

No, that wasn't quite strong enough.

Mortification.

Ah, there ya go. That would work perfectly. He gave a weathered sigh.

It always happened to him.

"No, No, Mr. Potter. Unless you plan on wearing a dress next Friday, you must lead the dance. Now lead!" came the ever cool voice of Minerva McGonnagall as she and Harry waltzed about the Great Hall.

"Yes, Ma'am." Harry mumbled almost inaudibly. The whole of Hogwarts had gathered for a school wide ballroom dancing lesson, and since Cedric already knew how to dance, Harry had been the lucky runner up.

After all, it wouldn't do for one of Hogwart's champions to have two left feet.

Out of the corner of his ear, Harry could hear Fred, George, and a vast majority of his classmates snickering. Fred and George also happened to be filming the scene on their new 'Vision Reminder' invention. Professor McGonnagall gripped Harry's hand firmly and the boy led her in another spin. She nodded approvingly.

"Well, Mr Potter. At least you are a fast learned." she casually commented. Taking it for a compliment, Harry nodded appreciatively. Ending the dance and looking out to the whole of Hogwart's again, McGonagall spoke up.

"Now! If you would each pair off, preferably with your dates, we can begin practicing for the waltzing so that we can impress all of the other schools with Hogwart's student's dancing ability.

Amongst numerous murmurs along the lines of 'who bloody cares', the majority of Hogwarts paired off. Craning his neck, Harry spotted his blond haired date sitting over in a corner amongst her friends. Taking a deep breath and walking over, he held out his hand.

"If I may, Miss Greengrass?" he asked. Next to Daphne, Pansy Parkinson raised an eyebrow.

"Oh lookie if it isn't little hero Potter." she chided, trying to get a rise out of the boy. Harry smirked.

"Ah, good evening to you Miss Parkinson. But I'm afraid I only addressed the lovely Miss Greengrass. I was, after all, so fortunate to find a date who is as beautiful as she is clever with her insults." he replied coolly. Next to the them, a group of Ravenclaws who had overheard snickered. Daphne's eyes glimmered with mirth as she took his hand gingerly. Pansy huffed and turned away, unwilling to admit being bested in verbal jousting with Scarhead of all people.

Striding out onto the dance floor, Harry looked down at Daphne.

"I take it they are less than enthused by my presence?" he asked. Daphne shrugged as she draped her arm around Harry's shoulder.

"She's usually fairly mild towards you, honestly. I think she's just jealous you asked me. She had been smitten on the hope Cedric would ask her." Daphne giggled. Harry chuckled to himself.

"So she fancies a champion then?" he inquired. Daphne shrugged as a small smile played at her lips.

"I can't say I blame her." Daphne replied with a twinkle in her eye. "I wrote my father telling him you had asked me."

Harry gulped. "Oh?" he muttered. Daphne giggled.

"Calm yourself, Potter. Turns out he went to school with your Dad. The two snuck out of potions on a fairly regular basis along with some mutual friends to have a pick-up quidditch match." she answered, soothing the boys nerves. Harry smiled at hearing of his Dad's shenanigans.

"Hehe, yea that sounds like what I'm told my dad would do. However, if I may be frank, I was under the impression I was nearly universally hated by Slytherin parents." he smiled. Daphne shook her head softly.

"You would never have recognized it hanging with the Weasleys, but the vast majority of people in this school are entirely neutral towards both you and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Not all of us are out for blood, Harry. Most of us just want to make the most of what we have and not worry about affiliations." she replied. Harry blinked as that revelation swept over him.

Had he been so blinded to that? In his short time in the wizarding world, it occurred to him that he had been told to make more enemies than friends. But even then, they weren't friends. They were allies.

Dumbledore and Ron had always preached the virtues of 'the light' and 'not being a git' respectively. Likewise, Snake and Draco had embodied the antithesis to those ideals.

Perhaps there was more than just the two sides he had been force fed in the wizarding world. It occurred to him then in a nauseating way that there could possibly be a whole group of people he had been ignoring; a group of people not interested in the struggle of light or darkness.

A group of people interested in living and personally deciding what that meant for them.

Daphne, unwilling to allow her date to go off on an existential tangent, leaned forwards towards Harry's ear.

"He also however, mention that should you try anything he would personally..." she whispered quietly in his ear.

Harry spent the rest of the practice dance slightly pale and holding Daphne at at least arms length, much to the girls amusement, muttering something about "Leaving space for a patronus."

Harry checked himself nervously in the mirror. Adjusting his collar slightly, he smirked.

"Damn," he muttered. "I do look good in a tuxedo." Across from him in the bedroom, Neville Longbottom rolled his eyes.

"Harry you've been checking yourself out for the last thirty minutes. Enough, alright." he chuckled. Harry, ignoring the jab just turned slightly.

"Hey no need to be jealous of the tux, mate. Your robes look." Harry paused to find the right word.

"Refined?"

Neville appeared to take no pride in the complement.

"Listen I know their bloody awful, don't rub it in. At least they're not as bad as Ron." He grumbled, vainly attempting to make his long black dress robes look less stupid on him. He wasn't succeeding. It was true, both had been in the Great Hall when Ron had received his...interesting heirloom robes. Cordially, Harry and Neville had both offered the boy their spare dress robes. Ron had looked oddly at the two, obviously still confused and angry at them, but had politely declined. Since then, they hadn't really had much more interaction. Harry didn't mean to alienate his friend, but this was the second time Ron had been a complete prat this year for no reason. He was on thin ice.

Harry chuckled and sat down across from his friend. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he noticed he had to go get Daphne in twenty minutes.

Looking around the common room, he found most of his house mates had yet to even start getting dressed yet. Since Harry was a champion, however, he had to be at the dance a tad bit early. Neville, eager to begin getting ready anyway had chosen to join him.

"So Harry," Neville said pointing at a small brown package on Harry's bed. "What ya got there?" he asked. Harry closely examined the package.

"Well this is what my tux came in." he explained, but Neville craned his neck.

"But there's something else in there I think." Curious, Harry further unwrapped the package to find that there was indeed something else in the package, hidden underneath a bit of wrapping. A clear bottle with a small metal shaker and...

A martini glass?

Glancing at the bottle, he found a small note on the label.

Harry,

The woman I rented the Tuxedo from said you would like it shaken, not stirred. Not sure what that means, but we shagged after-wards, so just trust me on this one!

Don't do anything I wouldn't! Have fun!

-Padfoot

Harry gave a half lidded look and lifted the note up to reveal the label of the bottle.

Excellence since 1691.

"What is it, Harry?"

Kettle One, Vodka. In all honesty, Harry wasn't sure how to answer Neville.

"Well, it seems I was sent a little liquid courage." he smirked as he opened up the bottle and poured some of the clear courage into the shaker. Neville gaped.

"Alcohol? But Harry you can't get that stuff into Hogwarts! How on earth did you get that in here? No wizarding beverages can get through the wards!"

Harry poured his drink out of the shaker and gave Neville a brief toast and a cheesy smile.

How Sirius got the Vodka into the castle was a question for another day.

"Do I look like I give a damn?"

A tuxedo and a splash of vodka, Harry soon learned, was in fact the key to self confidence. As he strolled through the halls of Hogwarts, it was hard for him not to smirk at the looks he was receiving.

Especially from the ladies.

Speaking of ladies, Harry's eyes darted around the hall. It was seven, and yet where was...

"Harry."

...Daphne?

Harry found it suddenly got very, very stuffy in the room.

Her golden hair was tied in an elegant bun behind her while a few loose strands were whisked delicately to the side. A elegant emerald green strapless dress tightly hugged her feminine figure. It flowed snugly down her bust and midsection before daintily poofing outward. Intricate embroidery was etched in a beautifully hypnotic design in her midsection.

Daphne Greengrass smiled as she descended the stair towards, she happily noted, a very dashing Harry Potter.

"You look beautiful, Daphne." he almost shouted out at the girl as she reached him. Daphne blushed softly to herself.

"And you don't look too bad yourself, Potter. I like your tuxedo." she smiled. Harry almost missed the compliment as he was still admiring his date.

"I like your...you."

Mentally, Harry slapped himself. He stammered trying to find the words to make his outburst sound less-creepy. Blushing slightly at the comment, Daphne decided to spare the poor boy and cut him off.

"Thank you, Harry." she smiled. "Now are you ready for tonight?" she asked him. Collecting himself, Harry gave a big grin.

"Oh I'm ready. Are you ready Miss Greengrass?"

"A Greengrass is always prepared to be beautiful before the masses."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Touche. Well then, I better be on my A game if that's your mentality." he replied, causing Daphne to smirk in response. The couple didn't have to wait long to begin as Dumbledore, Professor McGonnagall, Igor Kakaroff, and Madame Maxine strolled into the room closely followed by the other champions.

"Ah, Harry! You've finally arrived! And in such dashing attire!" Dumbledore exclaimed, clasping his hands happily as he noted the boys muggle clothing. With a twinkle in his eye, he gave Daphne a small bow.

"Ah, Miss Greengrass. You look absolutely breathtaking this evening." he praised. Daphne smiled kindly and curtsied.

"Thank you, Headmaster."

Smiling broadly, Dumbledore held out his hands widely.

"Champions, fellow instructors. I welcome you all to Hogwarts this fine evening! Thank you so much for joining us tonight for the Yule Ball. As you know, the students and staff are already awaiting our arrival, so let us not keep them waiting!" With that, the champions lined two by two. Harry and Daphne took up their place at the front of the procession, right in front of Hermione and Victor. Smiling broadly at his friend.

"You look great, 'Mione. Nice to see you Victor." Harry said as Daphne nodded in agreement. Hermione smiled broadly.

"Thank you, Harry! You look very handsome" she replied before turning towards Daphne. "You look beautiful, Daphne! You simply must tell me where you bought your dress it's gorgeous!" she gushed. Harry noticed Daphne breath a sigh of relief at the kind reception from Harry's friends and thanked the brown haired witch. Victor nodded at Harry and stuck out his hand which Harry shook.

"Is good to see you, 'arry Potter. Your date, she is very lovely." the older quidditch star complimented.

"Indeed she is," Harry replied, shooting Daphne a small wink. "Your date looks dazzling this evening as well." he grinned. Both Daphne and Hermione blushed at the words of praise from their escorts before all attention was turned back to Dumbledore. With a twinkle in his eye and wink, he waived his hand. The massive door to the Great Hall creaked softly as it swung open.

"Show time, Daph." Harry whispered to his date, holding out his arm. Daphne smiled and took it.

"Lead the way, Potter." she whispered back, linking her arm tightly with his.

As the entered to the cheers of the students and faculty, none of the champions nor their dates could hold back their awe at the room. The usually bland, stone Great Hall had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Daphne shivered slightly as she felt a drop of snow fall on her arm, prompting Harry to brush it off lightly with a small laugh.

The students watched the champions like hawks. Daphne's grin grew infectiously as she felt all of the envious glares she received. Harry, for his part seemed entirely oblivious to the fact that his deviation from the standard attire had left him delectably ravishing to the majority of the female population of the Yule Ball.

'That's right ladies.' she mentally cackled. 'Daphne Greengrass and Hogwart's Golden boy. Get used to it.'

Entering a ring formed by the students, Dumbledore gave a nod to Filius Flitwick. The pint sized wizard turned back towards an orchestra and, tapping his wand against his conductor's stand, the music began. Bowing to Daphne, Harry outstretched his hand.

"May I have this dance, Lady Greengrass" he asked with a bow. Daphne smiled and clasped her hand around his.

"I would be honored, Lord Potter."

As the music reverberated through the room, Harry and Daphne locked eyes and began to dance. Daphne let out a small 'epp!' as Harry twirled her in his arms. As they danced to and fro across the room, Daphne tugged her arm tightly around Harry's neck, pulling him closer.

"You know, Potter." she whispered to him as the two slowly flowed to the music. "I can honestly say I never expected all this to happen when I followed you into the Chamber two weeks ago. But..." she trailed off as a slight blush graced her cheeks.

"I'm really glad I got to talk some sense into you." she said softly. Harry's gaze softened.

"I'm very glad you did too, Daphne."

Neither of the two said a word after that. They didn't really know how long they kept dancing for either. All they knew was Harry's grip around Daphne's waist tightened as she pulled herself closer to him. As more and more couples joined the fray, Harry and Daphne remained lost in their own world until they noticed the music slowly die down.

"TRI-WIZARD FANS! We are the Weird Sisters and we have one question! Are you ready to rock?"

Harry blinked as he slowly, and reluctantly, released his grip on Daphne. For her part, Daphne frowned at the change.

"Well then," Harry chuckled as the room erupted into a riot of a party. "Might I go grab you a drink?" he asked. Daphne nodded.

"That sounds lovely! Tell you what, You go get some drinks, I'm going to make the courtesy run to all my friends and such, and then..." Daphne grabbed Harry by his collar and pulled him close.

"You and I have some dancing to do." she purred. Harry shivered, but quickly regained his composure. Making a bee-line for the refreshments, Harry set off. Well, so far this date was going absolutely marvelously! He hoped that Daphne was having just as much -"

"Potter." game a gruff greeting. Turning to his left, Harry sighed, obviously less than enthused.

"Malfoy." he replied. Turning towards the blond boy, Harry raised an eyebrow in expectation.

"I see you told off your bloody leech, Weaselbee." he sneered. Harry frowned slightly.

"I told him off because he was being irrational, nothing more, nothing less." he replied tersely. Malfoy sneered.

"Little worm deserved it anyway. But what's all this then, Potter? Asking Greengrass to the Yule Ball? Have you lost your head? I'm sure that went bloody brilliantly with the Gryffindor crowd." he mocked. Harry, sighed slightly.

He could tell Malfoy was trying to bait him into starting a fight. Now, it wasn't that Harry didn't want to put Malfoy is his place it's just...it was just...

He never thought the thought would ever cross his mind, but Harry honestly didn't care. He really couldn't care less about Malfoy or whatever he wanted to do. He simply wasn't interested.

"I like Daphne, so I asked her if she would go to the ball with me. But hey listen, I've kind of got to go get drinks for Daphne and I so I can't chat. I'll see you around."

With that, Harry ended what was the first conversation he had ever had with Draco Malfoy that could ever be describe as non-violent.

Draco was left sputtering. Here, he had just come up with a slew of loaded, snide remarks to tear into Potter only to be left with a semi-cordial adieu. Taking a worried sip of his drink, he allowed the ice cold drink to calm his seething nerves as he set off back into the crowd.

Something was very, very different with Potter. He didn't know what, but something had changed, and he was going to find out what. He should probably start with Greengrass.

"...now where the hell did Pansy get off too?"

Harry gave a victorious sigh as he finally reached the overcrowded refreshment table. Looking back, he noticed he was probably only fifty feet from where he been dancing only moments ago. He idly wondered what the maximum holding capacity was for the room, anyway. Grabbing two cups and quickly filling them up with ice, Harry tried to get a drink as quickly as he could so he could get back to Daphne. He was stopped dead in his tracks, however, by a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Harry? Harry Potter?" came the deep, gruff voice of a man Harry didn't recognize. The man was rather short with light brown hair cut short and neat. The man was also wearing an oddly nice business suit, making him an oddity amongst the other ball-goers.

"Yes? May I ask who I'm speaking with?" Harry tentatively replied. The man smiled.

"Oh Merlin! Where have my manners gone." the man exclaimed as he shook Harry's hand vigorously.

"Dr John Watson, President of NewHaven Racing Brooms Incorporated!" was the man's enthusiastic reply. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Well, uh, it's a pleasure to meet you Dr Watson. Can I help you with anything?"

"Well, Harry! I was actually hoping we might be able to reach a mutually beneficial agreement here!" the man said as smiled broadly.

"I saw you flying against that dragon in the first task. I had been told, 'that Harry Potter, he's a crack quidditch star. Just like his father, he is.' Well I just had to come and see it for myself and, Harry." the man paused for effect.

"You didn't disappoint."

Harry gave a sheepish grin.

"Oh yea well I'm certainly glad you enjoyed it. I was quite please with how it ended." Harry replied. The man was nodding so vigorously in agreement with what he had said, Harry half wondered if the man had even heard his response at all.

"Here, I'll make this brief my boy. We saw you on our broom out there. Pulling stunts most professional Seekers would be hard pressed to duplicate. Essentially, we want you, Mr Potter."

"Want me for what?"

"Why, to be the face of the NewHaven Firebolt! The finest racing broom in the world!" the man jovially replied. Harry gaped.

"Wha? Wait like as a spokesperson?" he asked. The man nodded.

"Precisely Harry! Interested?"

"Well I...I dunno I've never-"

"Here" John cut Harry off abruptly, holding out a small business card. "Take this Harry. Think it over. We'd be thrilled to have you! Just stop by our office in Diagon Alley over the summer and well talk more about it! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find young Victor! Good Day Harry!" John said as he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd.

Harry sat, speechless. First Draco, then a job offer.

This was supposed to be a simple trip for drinks.

Quickly pouring himself a glass, he pulled out a small vial and poured some more of Sirius' 'liquid courage' into his glass and downed the whole thing in one swallow. Pouring himself and Daphne a fresh glass, Harry roughly shoved his way back across the dance floor.

When he finally made it to Daphne, he found the girl having an animated conversation with Hermione and Krum who had decided to sit out a few of the wilder songs. The trio looked at the lightly disheveled Harry and raised an eyebrow.

"You alright, Harry? You were gone for ages." Daphne asked. Harry just shook his head and handed her her drink.

"Well, I had my first ever non-dreadful conversation with Malfoy and some guy, John Watson was his name, wanted to talk to me about representing the Firebolt brand." he explained. Hermione and Daphne were about to ask about Harry's talk with Malfoy, but, surprisingly, Victor Krum interjected.

"Shit. Is dat man here?" he asked nervously as he glanced around the room. Harry chuckled a bit.

"Haha yea why? Do you know him?"

"Know him? Dat man is my sponsor." Krum grumbled. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Do you not like him or something?" he asked. Krum shook his head.

"No, No. I love John. It iz just, he is, how you say, work-holic?" he explained. Harry nodded in understanding.

"Ah I got ya. Yea he did seem a bit into his job. You like working for them?"

"Oh jes. John is good to clients. Very perso-"

"Boys, I'm sure you can discuss business another time, hm? I think a slow song is coming on." came the amused yet firm voice of Daphne as she and Hermione cut off their dates business talk. Harry laughed and held his hands up in surrender.

"Fine fine. I digress." he said. Turning back to Krum briefly, he added. "Would you mind talking about it sometime over lunch here in the Hall? I'm rather new to this whole thing..."

The Bulgarian shook his head.

"But of course. Besides, if you take plan John offers, You and I could work together on projects. I saw you fly in the challenge, and you fly well." he replied. Nodding in appreciation, Harry turned back to Daphne.

"Alrightly, business time's over. Now Merlin forbid I neglect a dance with the most beautiful witch here. Shall we?" he cheesed. Daphne grinned as she took his hand.

"Merlin forbid, indeed."

The dancing continued well into the night hours with no one really ready to leave the dance behind. By eleven, however, most of the younger students had begun to depart. The dance floor clearing slightly, the band had taken to playing slower songs for the couples that remained.

"Alright all you crazy kids. This is the last one for the night. Get that couple's dance in all you guys and girls."

Harry and Daphne, who happened to still be dancing, chuckled.

"Well then it looks like this is our last dance." Harry noted with the smallest his of emotion in his voice. Daphne nodded.

"Yea, I guess it is."

A comfortable silence fell over the couple as the waited patiently for the music to begin. On the stage, a man pulled out a large steel guitar. Closing his eyes, he began to play a simple, repeating melody. As the music began to seep through the room, Harry took the lead step, and the pair was off.

There's a cold war coming, on the radio I heard.

Daphne's heartbeat fluttered wildly as Harry accidentally over-twirled her. She laughed as she unattached herself and allowed the pair to reposition.

They were closer this time.

Time only can lead you on, still it's such a beautiful night

This time, it was Daphne who accidentally stepped on Harry's foot, causing the boy to stumble. She gushed with apologies, which Harry promptly brushed off and pulled her tight against his chest.

There was no room for a patronus between them anymore.

I can hear it coming. Like a serenade of sound.

Daphne's head was now resting gently on Harry's chest. His arms were wrapped tightly around her waste as hers clutched around his shoulder. Neither was fully aware of just how close they were.

Neither truly cared, but more importantly...

Neither wanted to part.

Gravity release me

Harry could smell Daphne's hair right beneath him. He didn't know what it was, but something about her. It was intoxicating. She had barged into his life, literally following him into the sewers of the castle, only to end up doing something no one in his life had ever done for him.

She had listened.

She had had no reason too, there was no purpose, yet she had, and here they were now. It had only been two weeks, but Daphne was all Harry had been able to think about. Her smile, her touch.

The way she flipped his entire world around with just a few words.

He was going to ask her to Hogsmeade next week.

And don't ever hold me down.

His heart, she decided, was the most soothing sound she had ever heard. The soft, steady thud of someone she had always known, but never truly met. The boy she had by chance followed into a magical mystery even by wizarding standards.

Followed him only to slap him and tell him to shape up.

And now Harry Potter had been all she could think about. What he did, what he thought. She admitted it as much as it nauseated her, but in the silence of her heart she had stereotyped him. She thought he would just be like another blind Gryffindor; loyal to the death, but as thick as a rock.

Then, he had laid out his trials to her, simply in a 'right place, right time' scenario. She had slapped him, and what had he done?

Asked her to the Yule Ball, of course.

But something had changed, that night. Everything Daphne Greengrass thought she knew about Harry Potter had died that night, and now here she was in his arms not two weeks later. Secretly, she wondered if he didn't want her to leave. She didn't think he did. That was good, 'cause she didn't want to leave.

Maybe he would ask her to Hogsmeade next week.

And my feet won't touch the ground.

As the final note rang, the band quietly said their goodbyes and departed. Slowly, the dreary throngs of teenagers trudged out of the Great Hall followed by equally dreary professors. Realizing the moment was past, Harry leaned back.

"May I walk you back to your common room, Daphne?"

"I would love that."

And so the two went, mostly in silence, however their laced fingers betrayed a conversation well beyond words. It took a minute or two to reach the Slytherin Common Room, neither of them could tell. They just knew it wasn't long enough. Turning to face each other at the entrance, Harry was the first to grin sheepishly.

"Hey I had a great time tonight Daphne. I really hope you did too." he said quietly. The girl nodded.

"I had a marvelous time." she responded softly. Harry smiled and scratched the back of his neck.

"So you didn't have to go with a loser?" he joked. Daphne just shook her head.

"No, no. You were great."

A silence reigned for a moment.

"So this is goodnight I suppose."

"Yea, I suppose you're right."

Silence returned.

"Daphne can I kiss you?"

Words would have been a perfectly reasonable response to his question, but Harry found that the soft, tender touch of Daphne's lips was the best answer he had ever received. After a short, sweet moment, the pair parted.

"Goodnight Daphne."

"Goodnight Harry."

Daphne slowly turned away from him and quietly began to shut the portrait door to her common room. She was stopped, however, by a quick, calloused hand on top of her own.

"Wait!" Harry interjected quickly, breaking the silence. "Um there's a Hogsmeade next weekend and I was sort of wondering if you might...err...like to go with me?" he shakily asked. Though her face as hidden by the portrait, Daphne smiled.

"Harry, like I told you. I only go places with people who matter." she replied. This time, Harry didn't ask anymore questions. He simply waited patiently.

"I'll meet you at three by the courtyard." was the soft, final reply as Harry removed his hand from Daphne's. With a soft, click, the still sleeping portrait swung shut, sealing Harry alone in the hall. The boy simply smiled as he slowly progressed back up through the maze of stairs in Hogwarts and reached the Gryffindor Common Room.

Entering and silently shuffling in his bed, Harry Potter smiled.

He felt privileged. It was nice.

I got a few reviews begging for a longer chapter, so I hope this 6k monster satisfies you kids! I also got a lot of reviews I really want to answer, but quite a few saying less Author's notes, so for this chapter I'm going to keep it brief.

Review if you like it, Review if you don't! I hope everyone does. Next chapter, were off to Hogsmeade to meet some shady characters and the Second Task! So if you want to know what happens next soon...

The more reviews you guys write, the faster I update!

But again, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and will continue to enjoy the rest.

Oh and the James Bond allusion was entirely due to the fact that as I wrote this, I was watching Casino Royal. And Dr John Watson because I had just finished watching Sherlock on the BBC. I'm easily impressionable hahaha hope Y'all don't mind!

The Doctor is In.

-Bayou