The talk about school for 2 weeks following was the First Task, and how Alex and Hermione had acted around the dragon, leading them to explain that they had known her when she had just hatched. No one could truly believe that Siofra was only almost 3 years old, leading to Wilhelmina teaching dragons for a week, getting everyone up to date in their knowledge of the large beasts. Cedric, Fleur and Viktor were in awe of their friends, but also knew that there was nothing truly normal about them in the basic sense, and just went with the flow.

The demigods learnt the morning following the task what the final points were; Cedric got 40, lost a few from getting burnt; Fleur got 43, apparently she risked the dragon by scaring her from her true eggs, or so she was told; Viktor got 42; he'd also been injured and therefore lost points; while Alex got 45, Percy had called it cheating that he hadn't even tried so only gave him 5. None of the other champions were annoyed that Alex had used his natural talents, Fleur had and no one minded that either. They were all of agreement, first two it would be use whatever you had at your disposal, while for the third, as two of them could essentially fly, it would be walking for everyone; not that Fleur and Alex minded at all, it was a bigger challenge that way.

Penny had spent the entire of the following week on her wards heels, not wanting to let them even go to the bathroom without her there, which led to some embarrassing moments, but she finally settled after that week, though did keep a closer eye on them both.

It was December 10th now, and everyone was settled in for dinner in the Great Hall, when Minerva stepped forward to the podium and everyone when quiet, "Before we feast tonight, I have an announcement. During every TriWizard Tournament, there is a ball on Christmas night, the Yule Ball, opened by the champions and their partners. The dance shall be open to 4th year and up, 3rd year and below may attend but only if accompanying an older student. For those who are in 1st and 2nd, if you are asked and do not have the required dress robes, a permission slip is to owled home and signed so that a staff member can escort you to Hogsmeade to purchase some. That's everything, eat up."

Barely anyone noticed the food arriving, but they did spot as three wizards, two from Slytherin and one from Hufflepuff rose together and moved towards Gryffindor table. Alex and Hermione were smiling, knowing where the boys were headed, and watched on. Draco stopped behind Luna, Viktor behind Fleur, and Cedric behind Penny, "Excuse me?"

The three girls turned, only Fleur not shocked by the presence, "Yes?"

As one, the boys asked, "Would you do me the honour of being my date to the Yule Ball?"

Fleur nodded elegantly, "I would love to Viktor, thank you."

"Draco?" Luna questioned, shocked.

"Please Miss Lovegood"

With tears making her eyes glisten, the blonde cleared her throat, "Of course Mr Malfoy."

"You've got to be freaking kidding me!" Penny exclaimed in shock.

Cedric struggled not to laugh but a smile did grace his face, "Penny, you're a nice girl, and I'd like to take you to the dance. Besides, this way I don't have to worry about stepping on your feet."

The bleat of laughter rang through the hall and the satyr went bright red but sighed dramatically, "Well if only for that reason but any fresh stuff and I'll gore you."

The Hufflepuff's eyes went to see that the horns were a little larger now, "Got a bit to go before that would be deadly girl."

Neville, seeing Seamus and Dean looking at Faye, drew onto his Gryffindor courage and faced his friend, only to see her about to speak, "Nev."

"Faye"

The pair laughed softly and Faye continued at Neville's insistence, "Go to the ball with me?"

"I don't know, see I'm sure that there's a Mimbulus Mimbletonia I could…"

The boy didn't get to finish as his lips were suddenly planted against the Seeker's. It was only chaste but when they came apart, they knew it was perfect, "You were saying?"

"I'd love to go with you Faye Dunbar"

"Good," the witch placed another kiss on his lips before turning to see many people looking at them.

Food was forgotten about, there was a scramble for boys and girls to get the dates they wanted. The demigods watched as the only people eating were those already paired up and Weasley, who'd just returned to school and was gorging himself on the food. Alex turned and whispered to his love, "Come with me?"

Placing her napkin on her finished dinner, the witch followed Alex out of the hall, "Love?"

Up against the stone wall, Alex kissed Hermione deeply until they were out of breath, "Will you be my date for this ball and every other one that we are ever invited to?"

"Isn't that what a girlfriend is for?" The brunette answered and joked at the same time.

Taking a deep breath, Alex removed the ring from the slender finger, "I was thinking more as my wife."

"Alex…"

The Son of Zeus knelt on one knee, took his girlfriend's left hand into his two, and looked into her eyes, and spoke in English to put across how much it meant to him, "Hermione Hippia, Daughter of Poseidon, I think I've loved you since I was 6 years old, when I first ran into that bench. We have fought bullies, shared everything from a room to tender kisses, raised a Golden Pegasus, been outed by a bloody magical goblet, and everything in between, all the time together. I can't think of one moment when I've not wanted to be with you, even all those times you've frustrated me to death, I've never wanted you anywhere but by my side. You are the love of my life and getting older won't change that, we're joined by our very souls, and I wouldn't want to lose that for anything in the different realms. Please, please; be my wife the very second we're allowed to marry."

Hermione had tears streaming down her face as she launched at her love, kissing him deeply but still letting him put her ring back in place. When they came apart, she said, "Of course I will."

"Good, because I was thinking of a Scottish wedding on my 16th birthday, Muggle followed by Magical the next day."

"Not soon enough but I'll take it," looking at her ring, the brunette smirked, "Should we tell Severus now or after dinner?"

"Merlin I love your pranking side," wrapping her in his arms, Alex began to head for the Great Hall, "Let's tell him now."

The couple laughed heartily as they made their way back inside.