"May I have this dance?" Fred whispered into my ear. Until then, I had not realized that the lighting in the Great Hall had been greatly reduced or that other Champions were standing with their partners under the bright lights of the dance floor. Fred guided me to the dance floor with one arm around my waist. We took to our position, and I placed my hand in his. Fred skated across the dance floor surprising me with his light feet.
"Where did you learn to dance?" I asked him my eyes focused on his as we glided across the floor. An evil grin spread across his face.
"I didn't." He answered still smiling wickedly. Fred led me into a turn, spinning me slowly. "It's the shoes." He whispered.
"You and George invented dancing shoes?" I couldn't help but smile at the genius of their idea.
"Brilliant isn't it?" He asked obviously proud of himself. Fred and I continued to twirl and sway to the even tempo of the music.
"I think it's one of your more practical ideas." Soon enough the Triwizard Champions will no longer the center of attention as students from all three schools began filling in on the dance floor. I scanned the room for George and Angelina who seemed to be gliding across the floor as easily as Fred and I.
"We made a pair for you too, but you're doing so well without them." I shook my head.
"I'm just following your lead."
"Watch Gin and Longbottom." Fred said nodding his head in his sister's direction. Neville and Ginny were dancing close by. Ginny was doing well attempting complicated steps. Neville on the other hand was frequently stomping on her feet as he tried to follow her lead. "See even though Gin's leading him with the help of her shoes, Longbottom still can't follow along."
"Maybe you should have enchanted Neville's shoes instead of Ginny's." I answered still watching them. "Who else has a pair?"
"Just Georgie, Gin and I." Fred told me.
"No enchanted dancing shoes for Percy?" Fred scoffed.
"I'm sure even if we offered them, Percy wouldn't take them. 'Sides he'd probably run to mum with them. If she found out what George and I have been up to, she'd lose it."
"Don't worry Fred your secret's safe with me." I told him as we swirled across the floor.
"Nicely done you two!" Harry called over the music as he and Luna danced awkwardly beside us. "Where'd you learn to dance like that?" Fred smiled roguishly.
"With lots of hard work my boy." He replied before sneaking a wink in my direction. We finished out the song waving to familiar faces as we twirled by. Once the song had concluded the crowd burst into rapturous applause, all four Champion couples bowed in response. "See that wasn't so bad was it?" Fred questioned.
"Need I remind you that one of us has cheating shoes?" I scolded as we walked off the dance floor.
"Only to keep up with your natural talent." He countered quickly.
"You two seem to be getting along well." Ron called from a table far to our left. As we approached he tossed us each a bottle of butterbeer. Luckily Fred skillfully caught both bottles which would have otherwise fallen to the stone ground. He twisted the cap off one bottle and handed it to me. He opened the second bottle for himself. Holding it by the neck he tilted his bottle back drinking. Emily sat by Ron's side swaying and bouncing to the music. Ron on the other hand was glaring at Hermione and Krum who were dancing across the room.
"Ron, why aren't you dancing?" I asked trying to break his concentration.
"I tried, turns out I'm rubbish. So unfortunately Emily is stuck sitting here with me." He told me pointing his thumb in her direction.
"Oh Ron I don't mind." Emily told him as she placed her arm on his shoulder reassuringly. I knew Emily better than that. She had been looking forward to dancing at the Ball all month. I could only assume she was putting aside her feels to spare Ron any additional embarrassment. Apparently Fred was following my line of thought.
"Emily, what do you say we let these two finish their Butterbeers, and we'll dance the next song?" He asked my best friend as he placed down his half full bottle. Emily's eyes lit up at the idea of being able to dance. She looked over at Ron regretfully.
"Well as long as Ron doesn't mind."
"Go ahead Emily I promise I'm not going anywhere." Ron told her with a smile.
"What's up Ron?" I questioned taking Emily's vacant seat while Fred led her away.
"I'm still trying to figure out who that girl is with Krum. She's so beautiful."
"Ron that's Hermione!"
"No it's not!" He shook his head violently.
"Yes, yes it is. I talked to her while we were outside waiting for everyone to go in. Look, she's headed this way." I pointed at our periwinkle clad friend who was in fact headed our way. Hermione came over and sat down at what I assumed was Lunna's empty chair.
"Hi!" she fanned herself with her hand. "It's hot, isn't it?" She gasped. "Viktors just gone to get some drinks." I tried to give her another sympathetic look, which was overshadowed by Ron's pout. Hermione looked at him in surprise. "What's up with you?"
"If you don't know," He snapped, "I'm not going to tell you." Hermione seemed taken aback by his abrasiveness.
"Ron, what…" but he cut her off.
"He's from Durmstrang!"Ron spat. "He's competing against Hogwarts! Against Alice! You…You're…" Here Ron struggled to find words strong enough to show the betrayal he felt towards Hermione. "fraternizing with the enemy, that's what you're doing!" It didn't take Hermione long to launch a counter attack.
"Don't be so stupid! The enemy! Honestly -who was the one who was all excited when they saw him arrive? Who was the one who wanted his autograph?Who's got a model of him up in their dormitory?"Ron chose to ignore all of this.
"I suppose he asked you to come with him while you were both in the library?"
"Yes, he did." Hermione told him fearlessly. "So what? If you really want to know, he said he'd been coming up to the library every day to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage!"
"Yeah, well - that's his story," Ron refuted nastily.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Hermione shrieked.
"Obvious, isn't it? He's Karkaroff's student, isn't he? He knows who you hang around with. . . . He's just trying to get closer to Harry and Alice, get inside information on them." Hermione was deeply offended that much was clear from in her shaking voice.
"For your information, he hasn't asked me one single thing about Harry or Allison." Ron was in too deep to concede the point. Instead he changed his tactic.
"Then he's hoping you'll help him find out what his egg means! I suppose you've been putting your heads together during those cozy little library sessions -" I hadn't thought it was possible, but Hermione looked more crushed than before.
"I'd never help him work out that egg!" said Hermione, looking outraged. "Never. How could you say something like that! I want Alice to win the tournament. She knows that, don't you, Alice?" I opened my mouth about to beg them to leave me out of it.
"You've got a funny way of showing it," Ron Sneered.
"This whole tournament's supposed to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them!" Hermione peeped as she reached the verge of tears.
"No it isn't!" Ron shouted now standing. "It's about winning!" The couples dancing closest to us had begun to stare. Among those couples were Harry, Luna, Fred and Emily. The last thing Hogwarts needed was another reason for the other schools to look down on us. I stepped in shielding the two from the crowd.
"Ron, it's alright that Hermione came with Krum…" But Ron was beyond reasoning with.
"Why don't you go and find Vicky, he'll be wondering where you are," He spat down to Hermione.
"Don't call him Vicky!" She said jumping to her feet. She stared at him for several seconds looking like she had no greater desire than to slap him across the face. Demonstrating great self-control, she instead stormed off across the dance floor and disappeared into the crowd.
"Vare is Herm-own-ninny?" An unwanted deep voice asked. Krum had just arrived at our table with two large goblets of punch.
"No idea," said Ron told him bitterly. "Lost her, have you?" Krum looked crushed. I couldn't help but feel bad for him.
"Vell, if you see her, tell her I haff drinks," He slumped off. I raced after him, my shoes clanging along the way.
"Hey Krum!" I called after him causing him to turn back. "Hermione was headed that way, I think she was headed back to the Champion's table." Krum nodded but didn't say anything as he headed off into the direction I pointed.
"Made friends with Viktor Krum, have you?" Ron accused. I was about to tell him to back off when I realized Percy had joined him at the table.
"Excellent! That's the whole point, you know - international magical cooperation!" He chirped excitedly. I ignored him, and instead studied the guests in the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore was now dancing to an upbeat number with Professor Sprout. Ludo Bagman had somehow persuaded Professor McGonagall to join him in a dance. Madame Maxime and Hagrid were waltzing through the dance floor paying no attention to the students who crossed their path. When the song ended Bagman kissed McGonagall's hand before making his way over to the table where Harry and I sat. Though it was clear that Bagman had come over to speak with Harry and I, Percy had taken it as a personal invitation to strike up a conversation with him.
"How do you feel the tournament's going, Mr. Bagman? Our department's quite satisfied. The hitch with the Goblet of Fire," He paused to glare at me. "Was a little unfortunate, of course, but it seems to have gone very smoothly since, don't you think?"
"Oh yes," Bagman responded cheerfully. "It's all been enormous fun. How's old Barty doing? Shame he couldn't come."
"Oh I'm sure Mr. Crouch will be up and about in no time." Percy informed him matter-of-factly. "But in the meantime I'm more than willing to take up the slack. Of course, it's not all attending Balls," he laughed, "oh no, I've had to deal with all sorts of things that have cropped up in his absence. You heard Ali Bashir was caught smuggling a consignment of flying carpets into the country? And then we've been trying to persuade the Transylvanians to sign the International Ban on Dueling. I've got a meeting with their Head of Magical Cooperation in the new year -"
"Let's go for a walk," Ron muttered to Harry, "Get away from Percy. ..."
"Great idea Ron I'll go with you and Harry to get some drinks." I exclaimed jumping to my feet.
"I think I'm going to say hi to George and Angelina alright Alice?" Fred said as he excused himself from Percy's presence. Emily mumbled something about looking for Hermione and we all left, successfully escaping Percy Weasley. Ron, Harry and I edged our way around the dance floor before slipping out into the Entrance Hall. The front doors of Hogwarts stood open and I could just make out the flickering of the fairy lights that filled the rose garden. Harry led the way down the front steps of the castle. We soon found ourselves immersed in a winding labyrinth of rose bushes. Off in the distance there were the sounds of splashing water which I assumed was a fountain. We wondered aimlessly through the rose bush maze until I heard a familiar sneer.
"I don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor."
"We should leave." I told the boys as I tugged on their wrists.
"Hang on Alice." Harry said pulling his arm from my grasp. I had no choice but to crouch low in the bushes as Ron pulled me down with them.
"Severus, you cannot pretend this isn't happening!" Harry listened with his ear pressed close to the bushes that were shielding us from view. Karkaroffs voice sounded anxious. "It's been getting clearer and clearer for months. I am becoming seriously concerned, I can't deny it."
"Then flee," Severus responded shortly. "Flee - I will make your excuses. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts." Their two sets of footsteps began walking. As Severus and Karkaroff moved away from our hidden location in the bushes, we stood brushing each other off so as not to raise suspension in case we did encounter the professors. Severus and Kararoff did come around the corner both brandishing their wands at unsuspecting bushes. They were apparently patrolling the bushes for couples with wanted to take their dancing to the next level. Cries erupted from many of the bushes as students rushed out from under them.
"Ten points from Ravenclaw, Fawcett!" Severus snarled fifty feet away. "And ten points from Hufflepuff too, Stebbins!" He called after a pair of fifth years. "And what are you three doing?" He asked looking down his long hooked nose at Harry, Ron, and I. Ron, still sore from his fight with Hermione snapped at Severus quickly.
"We're walking, not against the law, is it?"
"Keep walking, then!" Severus snarled. He brushed past us nearly nocking Ron to the ground. Severus' black billowing cloak flapped behind him as he marched along. Wanting to put distance between us and the two of them, we continued walking down the path.
"What's got Karkaroff all worried?" Ron asked us.
"And since when have he and Snape been on first-name terms?" Harry interjected. I was just glad that neither of them had been smart enough to figure out what had really been going on in that exchange between Karkaroff and Sev. I made a mental note to stand clear of Karkaroff who had obviously not given up on his Death Eater lifestyle. The fountain I heard earlier was finally visible. Seated at the base of the fountain was the shadowy outline of two enormous people. It was my turn to pull Harry and Ron into the bushes as Hagrid's voice drifted over to us.
"Momen' I saw yeh, I knew," he was saying, in an oddly husky voice.
"Stay quit!" I whispered. "The last thing Hagrid needs to know is that we're here listening to him." Ron and Harry nodded in agreement, knowing that We were trapped between Severus, karkaroff and Madame Maxime and Hagrid.
"I jus' knew . . . knew you were like me. . . . Was it yer mother or yer father?"
"I - I don't know what you mean, 'Agrid. ..." Maxime answered genuinely confused.
"It was my mother," Hagrid told her. "She was one o' the las' ones in Britain. 'Course, I can' remember her too well. . . she left, see. When I was abou' three. She wasn' really the maternal sort. Well. . . it's not in their natures, is it? Dunno what happened to her . . . might be dead fer all I know. ..."Madame Maxime didn't say anything and obviously Hagrid had no concept of what an awkward silence is. "Me dad was broken-hearted when she wen'. Tiny little bloke, my dad was. By the time I was six I could lift him up an' put him on top o' the dresser if he annoyed me. Used ter make him laugh. . . ." Hagrid's deep voice broke. Madame Maxime was listening, motionless, apparently staring at the silvery fountain. "Dad
raised me . . . but he died, o' course, jus' after I started school. Sorta had ter make me own way after was a real help, mind. Very kind ter me, he was. . . ." Hagrid pulled out a large spotted silk handkerchief and blew his nose heavily."So ... anyway . . . enough abou' me. What about you? Which side you got it on?" But Madame Maxime had suddenly got to her feet, apparently disinterested in Hagrid's emotional story.
"It is chilly. I think I will go in now." Not as chilly as your attitude lady. I thought feeling truly sorry for Hagrid. But again he had no concept of awkward.
"Eh? No, don't go! I've - I've never met another one before!"
"Anuzzer what, precisely?" Maxime's voice asked icily.
"Another half-giant, o' course!" Hagrid answered.
"'Ow dare you!" shrieked Madame Maxime. Her voice exploded through the peaceful night air like a foghorn. "I 'ave nevair been more insulted in my life! 'Alf-giant? Moi? I 'ave - I 'ave big bones!" She stormed away angrily pushing aside bushes. Hagrid was still sitting on the fountain, staring after her. He sat there for several seconds before standing up and striding away in the direction of his cabin.
"Come on the coast is clear, let's head back into the Hall." Once we were back inside the Great Hall I said good-night to the boys and searched for Fred. He and George were huddled in a corner their two skulls crammed together. Whatever they were talking about came to an abrupt halt when they heard me approach.
"Sorry boys didn't mean to interrupt anything."
"No worries Alice, we thought you were a professor. Well guess I best be getting back to Angelia." George told me before walking off.
"Would you mind dancing with me some more?" I asked Fred.
"Well after you tried to ditch me with Percy, I thought that was your way of saying our date was over." He smirked.
"Well Percy's your brother; I figured it would be easier for you to think of a way to slip away from him. But if you want our date to be over…"
"Didn't say that now did I? Come on let's dance." Fred and I danced the rest of the night, until the very last song slowly faded out. The Great Hall began to empty out just as fast as it had filled. Many people were expressing their wish that the ball could have gone on longer, and waving good-night to their favorite champions.
"Well guess it's time to say goodnight." I said to Fred.
"Suppose so." He answered taking my hand in his. He used his other hand to tilt my chin up towards his face. Before I had time to react, Fred Weasley had bent down and kissed me. Instinctively I wrapped my arms around his neck as I enjoyed my first kissed.
"Mister Weasley, Miss Potter, The ball is over. Please return to your common rooms immediately, as it is past curfew." We broke apart to see Severus scowling down at us. Leave it to Severus Snape to ruin my first kiss.
"Let's go Fred." I said pulling him away from Sev.
"Ten points shall be taken from both of your houses, for your inappropriate display of affection." Severus growled before I could stomp off.
"Don't let him get to you Ali, that kiss what worth ten house points." My anger towards Severus had diminished a bit as I turned to Fred.
"Ali?" I asked.
"Well It's short for Allison…Kind of like Alice…If you don't like it…"
"No it's cute." I assured him. "Come on let's get out of here before Snape gives us detention for being out past curfew. Out in the Entrance Hall Hermione and Krum could be seen saying goodnight by the doors. Ron was standing by the stairs to the dungeon with Emily, and Harry was waiting for his two friends in the middle of the Grand Staircase.
"Hey Alice! Allison!" I dropped my hand from Fred's to see who had called my name. It was Cedric Diggory. I could see Cho waiting for him by the Entrance Hall doors as he approached me.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"Mind if I talk to you privately for a second?"
"Uh, sure. Give me a sec ok Fred?" Fred nodded not knowing that was going on, but trusting me.
"Listen ..." Cedric lowered his voice so that the staggering students in the hall couldn't hear us. "I owe you one for telling me about the dragons. You know that golden egg? Does yours wail when you open it?"
"Yeah the world's most awful sound." I nodded.
"Well... take a bath, okay?"
"Excuse me?" I asked a little insulted, did I smell that bad from dancing all night?
"Take a bath, and - er - take the egg with you, and - er - just mull things over in the hot water. It'll help you think. . . . Trust me." I stared at him still incredibly confused.
"Tell you what," he said in a final attempt to give me a hint. "Use the prefects' bathroom, pourth door to the left of that statue of Boris the Bewildered on the fifth floor, password's 'pine fresh.' Gotta go. I want to say good night to Cho." He turned away and started walking towards Cho.
"Hey Cedric!" I said causing him to look over his shoulder. Thank You I mouthed. He nodded with understanding as he made his way back to Cho.
"What did he want?" Fred asked.
"He was giving me a hint about the next challenge. I'll let you know once I've got it figured out."
"Well until then, how about we risk another ten points for our houses?" He leaned in for a second good-bye kiss before heading off in the direction of the Gryffindor tower.