"A Yule ball." He said deadpanned.

Hermione smiled happily, nodding.

"Now we can use those dance lessons!" She squealed.

He watched her attack Blaise with the news as he entered Harry's common room. He played with his quill as he thought of who to invite. There was obviously going to be some dance lead by the champions. He'd need a partner, though, that wouldn't think of the dance as anything special, someone who wouldn't get a big head because he asked them. Someone who would be fair tempered, and fair in looks, and understood they meant nothing to him. That left so few people it made him frown. He tapped his fingers against the arm chair as he thought and watched Blaise and Hermione chat. He already knew who'd invite them or be invited. He'd seen the looks Blaise gave a certain someone.

Harry smirked as an idea popped in his head. He knew the perfect person to invite. It might cause a stir though. And he'd have to invite said person in private so they didn't get picked on or scorned by others. He knew how much like vultures others could be. If he showed interest in anyone they'd soon find themselves glared at and talked about viciously. Because he was wanted by everyone. That wasn't his ego either. He'd been labelled 'bachelor of the year' for four years running in 'Witch Weekly'. How he disliked that magazine. Perhaps he'd put it out of business.

.--.

Harry sipped at a cup of chai white tea as he stroked Ne. The snake had taken to travelling with him more often. He told Harry someone didn't smell right. Harry knew who it was and why, but he didn't want to show his hand to soon. Besides that he just didn't care. He felt Ne tighten around him and looked up at the teacher's table. Karkaroff was watching him in a way that said he was both thoughtful and suspicious. Perhaps that was because Victor Krum sat across from Harry. The closest of anyone. Everyone else gave him a four foot radius when Ne was with him. The Bulgarian Seeker didn't though, just ate on ignoring the fact that Harry had one of the most poisonous snakes in the world draped across his shoulders.

Harry gave him a polite smile and raised his cups to the man. The man narrowed his eyes and looked away to listen more closely to the conversation he was supposed to be having with Snape.

"I heard you vere the one vho sponsored the maker of the 'Firebolt'." Victor said quietly, effectively gaining Harry's attention.

"Oh? And where'd you here that?" Harry asked calmly.

He didn't really care if it got out, but neither was he going to announce it.

"A friend has connections in the broom making vorld." He shrugged.

"Hmm." Harry said.

Victor watched him for a second.

"The Beauxbaton champion and I 'ave been trying to talk our headmasters into alloving us to leave during Christmas break for a day or so to shop and see London. Would you join us or are you going home?"

Harry swirled his tea and gazed at the older teen.

"I believe I am free for a few days."

The boy smirked.

.--.

Harry strode leisurely down the hall, heading towards the Ravenclaw table. As he reached the end and took a seat more then a few people scooted away. He wondered if it should hurt his feelings that no one wanted to sit close to him, but he decided he didn't much care if it should, because it didn't. He liked the fear. It made sure he had his privacy. The only person to stay seated was a dreamy looking girl with long wispy blonde hair and sky blue eyes. She sent him a smile as greeting and held out a plate of pancakes to him. He took them idly noting she had observed him and remembered his favourite breakfast food. He forked some onto a plate and poured syrup. He ate a bite as he stared at the girl with a look of contemplation. She met his eyes bravely and gave a detached smile.

"May I?" He asked motioning absently to the jug in front of her, but not asking after it at all.

She searched his face a moment. He knew without doubt she understood. She was a genius. Like him. But in a different way.

"Yes." She answered simply lifting the jug.

He grasped a hold of it never breaking eye contact. She didn't blink or look away and the jug hovered between them a short moment. His entered her mind freely and stood in the delusion of her world. He pulled back rather quickly before he lost himself in the madness of her mind. She wasn't mad. Just detached. …Okay maybe slightly mad. But everyone was.

"I had a request." He said almost inaudibly as he fully took the water jug and poured himself a glass.

"Ask."

"Be my date."

She gave him another detached smile and popped a slice of pancake in her mouth.

"Sure."

He barred his teeth in a smile as she gave a tittering laugh.

.--.

Harry looked over the packages slowly, taking in every detail. Seems D, Noir, and Maen had all found out about the Yule ball. D had sent him a changshan and a cheongsam. Both were done in the finest silks and were matching in details and color. The changshan was done in deep red almost burgundy with a trim and obi/belt of black. The cheongsam was done in deep burgundy color with black trim and belt also. Both had patterns of elegant butterflies all over them, done in silver thread, with black shadows, that almost seemed to move as he moved the outfit. Each outfit also came with matching black slipper/shoes.

Harry looked them over and appreciated the beauty and elegance of them. The craftsman was the best and both looked absolutely stunning. They were from D. The second package held some beautiful metal hair clasps all done in bloody reds. There were also two silk fans and a beautiful potted flower. It was a shimmering silver with a black center. The petals were as long as his fingers and all curved up elegantly before flaring out.

He set the plant on the small table in the sunlight and gently tucked his changshan away. Then he grabbed the cheongsam and looked it over again. It appeared to be all the right sizes. He wondered how D had gotten them. Then he remembered the owl that had brought him a letter from D. The letter had been nonsense and blabber but the owl had stayed to wait for his reply, eyeing the blonde at the Ravenclaw table.

He shrugged to himself and set off to find Luna.

.--.

Harry glanced at the couples beside him. Cedric Diggory and Fleur stood together each wearing silk blue robes with beautiful designs of yellow suns on them. They looked content standing next to one another. To his other side stood Victor and Hermione. Victor wore light red robes that matched Hermione's pink ones. Hermione had consented to go with Victor knowing full well that there were no romantic thoughts. He needed a partner who wouldn't think dancing was anything more then just dancing.

Harry glanced to his own partner and offered Luna a smile. She looked wonderful in her changshan. Her long blonde hair was done in a beautiful bun and held with hair pins. The large silver flower was tucked in on an angle. Harry's own hair was in a long braid and his cheongsam straight. They stood in front of the doors that would let them into the great hall and onto the dance stage. They were to do the first dance.

Harry froze a charming smile on his face looking like the charming hero. Victor eyed him from the side, looking wary of his smile. Hermione just sighed almost sadly and grabbed his arm. The doors opened and McGonagall waved them in. Fleur and Cedric swept in first their faces smiling. Victor and Hermione were next. Then Harry and Luna. Harry gently grabbed Luna's hands and glided into the room with her, starting the first steps to the dance as soon as their feet hit the stage.

The room was lit with thousands of torches and the charmed ceiling looked like a bright cloudless sky that was filled with stars and a full moon. Tables were set up along the edges of the hall, the center open for dancing, with a band in the corner. Harry saw the crowds of people watching their every move. He saw many startled faces as they gazed upon the champions and their partners. Few had been expecting these pairs.

.--.

Harry swirled the red wine in his glass as he watched the crowds of dancers and people just chatting. He sat at a table in one of the shadowed corners. A few spells and the corner was even darker and a few glares and it was unfriendly. Harry smiled just slightly as Snape sat beside him.

"White wine." Snape said.

A glass appeared in front of him half filled with sparkling white wine. Dumbledore hadn't thought of putting any bane on the age of ordering wine. Harry sipped his own wine as he watched Snape drink his own. A silence hung between them. Snape half sighed as he slouched forwards on his elbows which he rested on the table. Harry saw his sleeve ride up his arm just slightly and saw a splash of black on his pale skin. He set his wine down and pulled Snape's arm to him. Snape flinched once but did not stop him. Harry lowered the man's arm to his lap so it was hidden from view and pulled the sleeve up. The dark mark was black as night.

"It is darker then before." Harry said easily tracing it with one hand as he grabbed his wine once again with the other hand.

He sipped his wine as he hummed in thought. He finished off his wine and set the glass delicately on the table. He rested his fingers under Snape's chin and pulled him forwards so there was inches between there faces. His eyes glinted dangerously.

"Something you wish to tell me Severus?"

Snape licked his lips nervously.

"He's been active."

"Am I interrupting?"

Harry sent an irritated look at Igor Karkaroff mostly for show as he released Snape's chin. Snape showed no emotion on his face as he turned to nod to Karkaroff. Harry still held Snape's arm in one hand and did not let go.

"Severus, may I speak to you?" Karkaroff asked calmly.

Snape nodded his head and waited.

"In private." Karkaroff stressed glancing at Harry.

Snape opened his mouth to reply as he started to stand but a sharp squeeze of Harry's hand made him rethink his answer.

"You may speak here." He said instead.

Karkaroff scowled his eyes darting to Harry.

"I will speak with you later then."

He strode off with a bow of his head. Harry just smiled in an eerie way as he looked back down at Snape's dark mark. He allowed his mind to roll over it a few times as his magic pulsed over it. Snape sat deathly still allowing Harry to do as he pleased. Not that he could stop Harry if he wished to. Luna grabbed his attention as she sat next to him, pecking him on the cheek. Harry faintly noticed Snape stiffen considerably, tensing his muscles. Luna could easily see his Dark mark.

"I had lots of fun. Thank you my lord. I believe I shall join Neville now."

Harry nodded once and waved her off. She left with a skip in her step.

"She shall not betray us." Harry said. "Come."

Harry had stood and started to walk off. Snape followed at a distance so none thought them together. When they exited the halls Harry took off towards the dungeons and Snape's quarters.

.--.

End of Chapter 33.