Harry and Daphne entered the Great Hall to the sound of applause and followed McGonagall towards a large round table at the far end of the Hall – where the judges were sitting.

Harry took note of the decorations that had been added to the Hall for the occasion. The walls were covered in a sparkling silver frost and there was mistletoe and ivy hanging from the ceiling that showed a clear starry night. The House tables had been replaced with smaller ones and there were tables with drinks on either side of the Hall. Harry thought he might have been impressed if he hadn't attended the Malfoys' Yule Ball the year before and seen what kind of decorations magic could produce.

As they approached the large table, Harry noted that Dumbledore was beaming happily and trying to catch his eye. There were two spare seats to Dumbledore's left and, unwilling to be stuck sitting next to the man, Harry turned away and looked for Sirius. Unfortunately his godfather was sitting between Madame Brusilov and Madame Maxime, and so couldn't provide an excuse to get out sitting beside the Headmaster.

"Ah, Harry, my boy." Dumbledore greeted him brightly, standing and pulling out the seat beside him. "Why don't you and Miss Greengrass come and join me?"

Seeing no way out, Harry inclined his head in acquiescence and, after having bowed to Sirius, pulled out a seat for Daphne.

Daphne sat gracefully, sweeping the skirt of her dress robes into the appropriate position, before smiling sweetly up at Harry.

That done, Harry turned his attention to Dumbledore. "Headmaster." He acknowledged with a tight nod.

Dumbledore beamed in response and gestured towards Harry's seat. "Won't you have a seat, my boy?"

"I must protest your familiarity, Headmaster." Harry commented lightly, as he took his seat.

"Of course." Dumbledore replied reasonably, as though Harry hadn't protested the familiarity in every conversation they'd had. "My apologies."

Harry nodded tightly again, before turning his attention to Daphne who was looking through the menu. "Anything interesting?"

"A few interesting dishes from France and Bulgaria." Daphne answered, returning her menu with a small sigh. "I believe that I will have the Bouillabaisse."

Harry looked dispassionately at the bowl of soup that appeared in front of Daphne, before turning his attention to his own menu. She had been right about the interesting dishes being the international ones. Pork chops and Cornish Pasties could hardly compete with Bouillabaisse, Goulash, Magret de Canard, or Musaka.

"Magret de Canard." Harry decided firmly, before nodding in satisfaction when the dish appeared in front of him.

Beside him, Dumbledore ordered Pork Chops and Harry swallowed down a sneer at the Headmaster's plebeian taste.

"How have you been, Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked with, what Harry was sure was supposed to look like, friendly interest. "It seems like an age since our last chat."

It had almost been three years since their last chat, something that had only taken place in Harry's first year, and he hadn't missed them at all.

"Very well, thank you, Headmaster." Harry returned neutrally. "And you?"

"Well enough, dear boy." Dumbledore returned cheerfully. "I find I have rather a lot of extra time on my hands these days."

"Yes, I imagine so." Harry agreed. "Still, I am sure that you have found it easier to dedicate your time to Hogwarts now that your time is not taken up by the role of Chief Warlock."

Dumbledore's expression tightened. "You may be right, Mr. Potter."

Harry smirked inwardly, one point to him. He turned back to Daphne. "How is your soup?"

"Delightful." Daphne answered with a smile. "I see you have yet to touch your meal."

Harry looked down at the duck on his plate, before picking up his knife and fork. "You make a good point." He cut a bite sized piece, before bringing it to his mouth. "Absolutely splendid. The house elves have certainly done themselves proud today."

"I am looking forward to seeing the dessert menu." Daphne confided. "I simply adore French desserts."

Harry chuckled. "You like all desserts."

"True." Daphne smiled ruefully. "How could I not?"

"I quite agree, Miss Greengrass." Dumbledore put in brightly. "There are very few things I enjoy as much as a good dessert."

Daphne turned towards the Headmaster with a polite expression. "You have a sweet tooth, Headmaster?"

"Most certainly." Dumbledore's eyes sparkled. "My favourite is a hard boiled sweet called a lemon drop."

"I don't believe I have ever heard of them before." Daphne commented lightly.

"No, I doubt you would have. They are a muggle-made sweet, you see." Dumbledore replied, before watching her carefully.

"Oh," Daphne's polite expression didn't as much as twitch. "I imagine that makes it harder for you to purchase them, Headmaster."

Dumbledore's smiled widened. "It does, indeed. But they are definitely worth the adventure I must undergo to retrieve them."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't have thought that a wizard such as yourself would describe visiting the muggle world as an adventure. Surely it is not too dissimilar to visiting Diagon Alley?"

Dumbledore's smile slipped slightly. "Of course, Mr. Potter. Though I am sure you understand the differences between our world and the muggle one better than many of your peers. After all, you were raised there."

Harry ignored the way the Headmaster's eyes flicked towards Daphne, as though expecting her to react negatively to this information.

"I did." Harry agreed.

"I'll admit that I have been surprised to see how you have taken to the Malfoys' traditional propaganda." Dumbledore commented neutrally. "It is not often that muggle-raised students choose to accept such a structured way of life."

"On the contrary, Headmaster," Harry started. "My experience in the muggle world was one of the reasons I was delighted to discover the traditions of my heritage. I doubt you can imagine my excitement at discovering that I belonged to a different world. With that in mind, is it really as surprise that I was eager to learn as much as I could?"

"Ah, Ravenclaws." Dumbledore smiled fondly. "Still, you must admit, Mr. Potter, that it is not usual for muggle-raised students to accept traditionalism as you have."

"Nor is it usual for muggle-raised students to be taught traditionalism as I was." Harry returned with a bite to his tone. "Had my cousin had not instructed me on the matter, I would be as ill-informed as my muggleborn peers."

Dumbledore looked mournful. "Would that have been so bad?"

"Yes." Harry answered firmly. "Headmaster, surely you would agree that having the opportunity to make a well-informed choice will always be preferable to having that choice made for you?"

"I have heard that argument used many times, Mr. Potter, and for more dangerous subjects as traditionalism." Dumbledore replied. "Would you make the same argument for teaching our children the Dark Arts?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, Dumbledore, by 'Dark Arts' are you referring to Raczidian's or Ekrizdis' theory? Because if you are referring to Raczidian's definition, then yes, I would use that exact argument. Besides which, Dark Arts' by that definition are already taught at Hogwarts. I learnt the Knockback Jinx during my second year. But if you are referring to Ekrizdis' definition, then no, I do not think that argument can be used. After all, there is a large difference between allowing people to choose between untraditionalism and traditionalism, and allowing them to choose to use magic that will hurt both them, and others."

Dumbledore drew his eyebrows together. "You seem very well informed about this subject, Mr. Potter."

"Of course, Headmaster, I am a Ravenclaw." Harry pointed out lightly.

"So you are, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore acknowledged. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I fear that I have been ignoring Mr. Bagman."

"Of course." Harry inclined his head, before turning back to his meal.

"That was interesting." Daphne commented in a low tone.

"Was it?" Harry asked absently, grimacing when he raised his fork to his mouth and found that his meat had gone cold.

"Do you always enjoy poking a volatile Hippogriff?" Daphne was speaking so quietly Harry could barely hear her.

Harry just smirked in satisfaction. "How is your soup?"

33-33-33

After they had finished dessert, Dumbledore rearranged the hall with a flick of his wand to create a space for dancing. Then the Weird Sisters were announced and Harry and the other Champions led their dates onto the dance floor.

The first song that the weird sisters played was slow and mournful and, while it wasn't all that similar to the music Cousin Narcissa had used to teach him how to dance, it was close enough that Harry could adapt. He bowed to Daphne, as she curtsied, before placing his right arm around her waist grasping her right hand with his left.

It was wonderful to dance with someone other than Draco or Cousin Narcissa, and even better that the person was Daphne. It was also wonderful to know how to dance, he could only imagine the spectacle he would have made of himself Cousin Narcissa hadn't taught him.

After a few minutes other couples joined the Champions on the dance floor and while some students certainly knew what they were doing, there were a painful amount of students who were just shuffling in place.

It was easy to see which students had received dance training, aside from the half-hearted sessions that their Heads of House had provided. The traditionalists in particular seemed to know what they were doing, though there were some people that Harry recognised as being non-traditional who were showing dancing ability as well.

Sirius was dancing with Madame Brusilov and they were definitely the most striking adult couple on the dance floor. Dumbledore was dancing with Madame Maxime and looked completely ridiculous, and Ludo Bagman seemed to have somehow convinced McGonagall to dance with him.

As he slowly twisted Daphne around, Harry spotted Remus and Tonks dancing off to the side. They looked…far less awkward than Harry had expected them too. Though, watching them, he supposed that Cousin Andromeda would have taught Tonks to dance as a child and Remus had probably asked Sirius for a few lessons.

Draco was dancing with Astoria and, if the lack of scowl on his face meant anything, wasn't hating it, Blaise and Ines, Neville and Luna, and Theo and Nastasja were all dancing near them. Harry couldn't help but think that Nastasja looked incredibly young.

When the Weird Sisters finished their song, Harry and Daphne stopped and clapped along with everyone else, before sharing an anticipatory look when the next song was a lot faster.

"Do you think you could handle a Quickstep to this, Harry?" Daphne asked, her eyes sparkling.

Harry paused for a moment, taking in the beat of the song. "Of course." He offered his hand to her before placing his other hand on her shoulder, elbow bent out.

Accepting his hand, Daphne lay her other arm over his bent one and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Don't hit anyone."

Harry grinned. "Of course not." Then they were off. There wasn't enough room to dance the Quickstep properly, but Harry made sure to use what little room they had. Not to mention that people tended to move out of the way when they sure them approaching.

It was fun, though fast-paced, and Harry hardly had time to observe the dancers around them. Daphne, apparently didn't have that problem.

"Oh dear," Daphne commented as they turned. "Look at Fred."

Harry waited until their dance naturally brought himself into a position to see his friend before wincing. Fred and Angelina were dancing together and, while they certainly seemed to be having fun, people around them were actually beginning to back away.

"Maybe you should have arranged dancing lessons as well as new robes." Harry commented lowly.

Daphne sighed. "They never would have agreed."

"No," Harry agreed. "Thank you, though, for picking out their dress robes. They look wonderful."

"You're welcome." Daphne tilted her face up so that he could see her smile.

They danced another few dances together, before deciding to stop for a drink.

"Very nice." Draco commented with a smirk as Harry and Daphne join him and Astoria, a glass of punch in their hands. "Mother will be very impressed."

"She'll be able to see for herself tomorrow." Harry reminded him. "And at least at your Ball the music will be better suited to dancing."

"Not to mention there won't be as many lunatics on the dance floor." Draco agreed, sneering as two couples collided on the dance floor.

"I quite like this music." Astoria volunteered quietly.

"It certainly creates a challenge." Harry commented, smiling kindly at her.

"Are you having a good time, Astoria?" Daphne asked, her eyes darting towards Draco worriedly.

"Yes," Astoria smiled sweetly up at Draco, before holding out her left hand. "Draco bought me a bracelet."

As Daphne moved closer to her sister to look at the bracelet, Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco who rolled his eyes.

"That's lovely." Daphne commented, smiling first at her sister and then at Draco. "What good taste you have, Draco."

Draco inclined his head. "Thank you."

"Where are Theo and Blaise?" Harry asked, looking around for their friends.

"Blaise and Ines are still dancing." Draco explained, nodding towards the dance floor. "Theo's walking Nastasja back to the floo. Dumbledore said that she could only accompany him if she left before eight."

Harry pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it, five past eight. "Cutting it close, isn't he?"

"He left about ten minutes ago." Draco explained. "Just after the second song."

"I think it's wonderful that he brought her." Astoria commented. "She was so excited."

"I should imagine so." Draco agreed. "Imagine being invited to something like this as a first year."

"I would have been petrified." Harry grinned. "And I would have made a fool of myself."

"Yes," Draco sneered. "You were quite the embarrassment back then."

Astoria was looking between them unsurely, as though trying to figure out whether or not it was a joke.

Harry decided to take pity on her. "I didn't know anything about traditionalism before I arrived at Hogwarts. Draco had to teach it all to me."

Astoria's eyes widened. "Really? Why?"

"Because the Heir of two Most Ancient and Noble Houses could hardly go around behaving like a blood-traitor!" Draco pointed out.

Astoria wrinkled her nose. "Obviously not. Why didn't you know though, Harry?"

"I grew up with muggles." Harry answered shortly. "My mother's sister's family."

"I did tell you about it, Astoria." Daphne reminded her sister.

"I thought you were telling me a story." Astoria admitted. "Harry has always seemed so…"

"Traditional?" Draco finished for her. "Yes, that's all me."

Theo snorted as he joined them. "We all know that's not true. He's more traditional than you are, Draco."

Draco raised an eyebrow reprovingly. "As we are both more traditional than you."

Theo nodded unapologetic. "It never used to be a scale, you know. There were just traditionalist, and non-traditionalists."

"Yes, but then Harry and Pansy happened." Daphne pointed out. "You can hardly put them in the same category."

Harry shuddered at the thought. "Merlin, no."

"Who is she here with, anyway?" Theo asked, looking towards the crowd of dancers. "I haven't seen her."

"Marcus Flint, last I heard." Daphne answered with a sneer.

"She's five years younger than him." Theo grimaced.

"Says the wizard who just walked his eleven year old betrothed to the floo." Draco smirked.

"I'm only three years older than her." Theo pointed out. "And I'm not Marcus Flint."

"You make a good point." Draco grimaced. "Merlin, how awful."

"It almost makes me feel sorry for her." Daphne commented.

Harry raised a sceptical eyebrow.

Daphne quirked her lips. "The key word being almost."

There was sudden quiet as the Weird Sisters finished a song, and then started a slower one.

Harry bowed to Astoria. "May I have this dance?"

Astoria's cheeks pinked as she placed her hand in his. "Of course."

Harry glanced towards Daphne, to ensure that she was alright with it and received a wide smile.

"Care to dance, Daphne?" Theo asked, bowing as well.

Draco scowled. "What am I supposed to do?"

Dancing with Astoria was nice, though not nearly as enjoyable as dancing with Daphne, and Harry then took the opportunity to dance with Luna and Ines. Then he danced with Daphne a few more times, before Sirius cut in on him.

Harry wasn't sure what it was, but he couldn't help but feel some anxiety about leaving Daphne to dance with Sirius. What if his godfather turned her hair blue?

Making his way off the dance floor, Harry spotted Remus standing by himself and went to stand beside him.

"You're a brave man." Remus commented with a crooked grin.

Harry groaned. "What could I do?"

"Good point." Remus acknowledged. "Maybe I should warn Tonks to steer clear of him."

"Congratulations, by the way." Harry smiled up him. "I can't believe you didn't tell me about that."

Remus looked apologetic. "I thought you knew. You knew that I liked her without me saying anything."

"That's because Tonks told me." Harry pointed out, his eyes fixed on where Sirius was spinning Daphne around the dancefloor.

"Daphne looks lovely tonight." Remus told him after a long pause. "And she's wearing your colours. Should we expect an article in the Daily Prophet tomorrow?"

Harry grimaced. "Merlin, I hope not. You'd think I was the only Champion the way Skeeter's reporting it. Anyway, I haven't seen her tonight so hopefully I'll be safe."

"Dumbledore's banned her from the grounds." Remus explained. "Though that was before the last article came out, so it doesn't seem to be helping."

"Speaking of Dumbledore, I had an interesting conversation with him tonight." Harry commented.

Remus chuckled. "Yes, I saw you sitting beside him. How did it go?"

"We discussed the importance of teaching muggle-raised students about traditionalism so that they can make an educated choice." Harry answered with a smirk. "And then, he asked me what I thought about teaching children the Dark Arts."

Remus' mouth fell open. "He didn't."

"Not in so many words," Harry admitted. "He was trying to use it to debunk one of my arguments."

"And you said…?"

"That it depended on one definition of Dark Arts he was talking about." Harry admitted with a smirk. "And that if he meant Raczidian's definition then he was already teaching Dark Arts here, and if he meant Ekrizdis' definition then it was a completely different situation."

Remus groaned. "Harry!"

"And then I passed it all off on being a Ravenclaw." Harry reassured him. "You'd be amazed what sort of topics people are willing to ignore me researching simply because I'm a Ravenclaw."

"We encountered the same phenomena in Gryffindor." Remus admitted. "After all, Gryffindors are the epitome of good."

"I feel sorry for Slytherins." Harry admitted. "They get four Houses' worth of suspicion."

Remus nodded. "The song is finishing."

Harry searched the dancefloor for Daphne, before breathing in relief when he saw that she looked completely unharmed. "It doesn't look like he's pranked her."

"Definitely a sign of growth and maturing if I've ever seen one." Remus grinned.

33-33-33