Hey everyone,
So I have two things to mention. One, I have apparently writing Umbridge's first name wrong this entire time as it's written with an E at the end, instead of the U I have been writing down this entire time. Second, deciding who Harry would be going to which ball with and who would organize what ball definitely took me the better part of an entire day.
Okay, on with it,
Venquine1990
Chapter 26
A Heart-Warming Dance
Two days later
Harry's POV
The Longbottom Ball after the ending of the trials was definitely a lot of fun and while I didn't show any real signs of romantic feelings to each of my mates, did I still put down a new demand once we got home; namely that they would each share my bed with me one night a week with them getting to decide the order.
All of them had tried arguing this, yet I had glared at them as I had said: "I am destined for the lot of you and all I have done for the last several weeks was worrying whether or not I would get reunited with only four of you or even two. I need this. I need this physical confirmation that all those I want are indeed still there."
And none of them had been able to deny me this request after they had heard that. Lea had even made things even better by apologizing and saying that they should have used their special portals to let me know. He and I had shared our first night together and I had cuddled up to his powerful form with a content grin on my face.
Aqua had taken the second night, yet in-between that and the first night I had explained to them what I had done over the last week to keep my mind off of my worries and I had told them: "My original plan was to take Daphne to all of them, but – well, now that you guys are back –." Yet the gang had been a little hesitant and Ventus had asked:
"What exactly will they expect of us?" To this I shrug and say: "Good manners, that you agree and support my claims, small acts of romance here and there, perhaps a few open declarations, defending our bond if others try to lure me away so to say and a dance or two. I can easily take on the political part myself, you know."
The group had nodded and Terra had asked: "So look good, behave and prove the truth behind the circlets?" To this I shrug and say: "And make sure you know which House you will be marrying into. I may represent them as Primary Heir, but they will be your responsibility as well once we have officially bonded."
"We can do that. But does that mean the Balls will be for those with lines only?" At this I cringe and say: "Other than the Lovegood Twilight Night, I'm afraid so. The Balls are usually for Debutants to make their appearance, for Alliances to reform or show their strength and for England to show it believes in Light, Dark and Neutral."
Here I roll my eyes as the way that this is shown is utterly ridiculous and, had it not been for the situation with Voldemort, would have made me accept invitations to Dances like that of House Malfoy and others alike before Ventus asks: "Can't that be something you and Aqua will change once you both take the crown?"
And I had smiled at my blonde haired mate before I say: "I had already discussed this with Sirius and he thinks it would be better if I propose a compromise. This tradition has been set into stone for longer than my grandpa was old and he got dad when he was in his seventies. However, adding a set of informal dances to the program –."
The blonde smiles and says: "Will give us the chance to go too." To which Even says: "And it will also give High Society Housewives one more event to plan as a way to boost their family name, will give those who usually don't hold Balls an incentive to do so and will be a perfect compromise between tradition and change."
Here I nod at the man and say: "I know the Weasleys haven't held a dance since somewhere in the early start of last century, but that is mostly because they apparently lost a lot, including their family respect, during a dance held by a House that they, until then, had been in Alliance with and it had been that House that had disgraced them.
They consider these formal dances and balls a reminder of how they had been stabbed in the back by one of their own, but if the new law were to come into play, they could at least hold fun, informal parties that others, simply because of the variety each Weasley can bring to the party, will want to be invited to.
It will give them a chance to regain the name they lost so long ago, it will be a chance for each of them to show off their talents and it will be a chance for them all to get together and plan something. I just hope that once they realize this, that Mrs. Weasley doesn't go and play Dominatrix over it all like she did last summer."
Here the others look at me funny, but I shake my head and say: "Another time." The others nod and then Ienzo asks: "So, which ball is first?" And I think back on the program of the season before I say: "First there will be the Bones Ball tomorrow night, then the Patil Dance 3 days later, the Lovegood Ball the weekend after.
Then comes the Ministerial Ball, which I am practically demanded to be at due to my new royal status, and finally I am invited to the Abbott. Now I have already thought things out – call it a secret fantasy of mine to keep my worries under control – and I think Lea should be first, then Even, Terra, Aqua and finally Daphne."
The others all tilt their heads and I say: "The Bones Family is in close Alliance with House Potter, Ravenclaw Padma Patil will be the Hostess of their seasonal Dance, the Lovegoods are people who don't care for others opinions and just care for each other, Aqua is the future queen and the Abbott's more or less kill the season."
The group all nod and while Aqua and I discuss things that Lea and I can do during the dance, do we end the night with just a simple first kiss and before falling asleep, Aqua's head lying on my chest and my arm wrapped around her waist as we fall asleep, both of us very happy to be together now that the world is safe again.
Now it's time for the ball and the outfit that Lea is wearing almost makes me want to cancel my acceptance to the ball as I feel a strong sense of jealousy coming up just by the thought of other people – be they male or female – seeing my Destined Primary Family's Mate in this incredibly handsome set of robes and accessories.
The man is wearing a gorgeous robe on top of his auburn red over shirt and white under-shirt with a black set of dress pants and all of it is combined with small golden accents such as golden stitching in the pants, a golden wristband around his right wrist and a golden badge showing off the Potter Crest on his chest.
His hair has been slightly tamed and is lying a little more sleek down his head, yet is still spiky at the tips and he now also has a fringe that he actually combed in such a way that the shadow accentuate his own green eyes, making them stand out with the happiness that shines from them as he sees me nearly drooling at him.
He then stands in front of me and makes me feel like a five year old as he puts his finger under my chin and pushes it up, making me blush before he says: "I may not show it, but you have the same effect on me, my little handsome." And this makes me smile before Sirius asks: "We all ready to go, you two?"
And I nod before we go through the same procedure as with the Longbottom Ball, Lea's arm around my waist tightening as this is actually the first time he ever used a Portkey and at the end of the trip, does he look behind him as if looking back at where we came from and mutters: "I prefer my method of travel, really."
And at this I roll my eyes as I say: "Trust me, that thought is shared with a whole lot of Muggleborns and Muggle Raised, yours truly included." This makes Lea smile and I say: "Which is why I made all those plans with the teachers, Headmaster and the Minister, remember? About the portals and how to let them be used?"
Lea nods and asks: "Will that be a topic tonight?" But I shake my head and say: "More probably at the ball of the Patils. I think a few topics that will come up are your journey to get Riddle as he is now and the trials that took place at the Longbottom Ball." To which Sirius goes on: "Not to mention any other adventure you two might have had."
And while I am quite sure that the man isn't even half as excited as he lets on, do I still nod at him before we both take position and let ourselves be introduced. Then, as we enter the Ballroom, do I again take on the concentration and focus that I have used to create my Pureblood Potter character and walk into the room.
Again many eyes widen as they see me move through the large ballroom and while I can tell that there are just as many eyes on Lea as there are on me, do I not let it aggravate me or cause me discomfort as I know that these stares are quite different from the ones aimed at the Boy-Who-Lived; these are stares of well-earned respect.
Then Lady Bones and her niece approach us and Susan says: "You really steal the spotlight every time you walk into a ballroom, don't you Harry?" To which I give her a friendly smile and say: "It's only because this is my – sort of – second Debutante Ball and a lot of people are, I guess, expecting my former flustered self."
The girl giggles at this, but then Madame Bones causes the first challenge of the evening and says: "Quite right, Lord Potter, though I must voice an opinion I am certain is shared by many of those who are here tonight. Going by what was witnessed at the Longbottom Dance, has me wondering where Lady Daphne is right now?"
Here I sigh and say: "I guess the news of my Destiny has not reached outside the Hogwarts borders, has it Lady Bones?" The woman shakes her head and I say: "I am like Elenious Martinfield Potter in that I traced back my lines and found out that I am the heir to Five ancient Lines. Lea here is my Potter Destined Mate."
The woman seems shocked and I smile at her and say: "My apology, Lady Bones. I had more or less planned to reveal this after my proposal to Daphne, yet the arrival of Lea and the others had distracted me as that had been the first time I had seen them since they left on their journey to change Voldemort back to Lord Riddle."
The woman nods, while there are definitely shudders running through the room, yet I keep my smile polite and then Susan steps forward and says: "In name of my Aunt and House of Bones, allow me to be the first to welcome you to the Society of Wizardry and give you and Lord Potter my well-wishes and congratulations."
And then Lea just makes me want to squeal as he bows low with one arm behind his back as he takes her hand and gives it a grateful kiss before he says: "I thank you, Heiress Bones and would like to offer my own apology for causing such a shocking event to take place at your ball. Perhaps the promise of a dance will suffice?"
And personally I feel a mixture of pride, gratitude and a small hint of jealousy go through me as this happens, yet before anything else happens, does Susan look at me and I smile at her before she smiles back at Lea and then lightens the atmosphere as she says: "I would be honored, granted I don't take valuable time from you and your partner."
And this makes many of those around us laugh and after this and a welcoming bow from Amelia which we answer with a bow of our own, do we start to mingle with the rest of the guests and do we leave the two ladies to welcoming the other guests that had arrived after us. Yet while all this happens, do I just keep smiling.
And this is not just because of the many people who come over to congratulate us on the bond as well as ask me if I plan to reveal any of my other mates anytime soon – to which I answer: "I have accepted to attend four more dances. The Longbottom Dance was simply an agreement between two Houses with Ancient Old Alliances."
It is also not because Sirius often gets asked after this if he is planning to attend any of the accepted Balls with a partner, to which the man answers: "My Godson needs me more than I need a partner, plus I only profit from taking care of him, so no, sorry." The reason for my constant smile is the man standing by my side.
Lea is not letting go off my waist no matter what and even rubs it whenever someone moves away from where we have decided to take a stand and the feeling of his presence so close to mine as well his silent sign of affection makes me feel as if nothing can ruin this evening. And then the next wonderful event happens.
A large section of the ballroom gets cleared by the guests who are moved to the sides by well-dressed House-Elves and while part of me wishes Hermione was here to see this, does Lady Bones then take center stage in the middle of the open area and says: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Dance Floor is now open – for new couples only."
And instantly do Lea's and my eyes meet as we similarly send each other a questioning glance, the silent question in our eyes getting replaced with utter joy as we realize that we were planning to ask each other the same thing and then we move over to join several of my year and school mates on the dance floor.
Yet here something happens that does make me fight off a blush as those who see us move away a bit and make room for us on the ballroom floor, huge smiles of excited anticipation showing on their faces, yet while I feel the old Harry come back for only a second, do I then focus as I hear someone clearing their throat.
The sound is quite close and makes me look at the person and the instant I do, Lea captivates me with his gaze as it is almost burning with the love in his heart and while I can barely believe how strong and searing his love is for me, do I feel myself warm up from the inside as I can see a silent message of patient longing in his eyes.
"I waited so long for this chance. So long while we were apart." Is a message I can almost hear him whisper in my mind thanks to the message I see written in his eyes and this makes me blink away tears and while we start our dance together, do I whisper: "Me too." Making Lea smile at me with an intense mix of love and joy.
Then, after a song of Waltz and one of another traditional nature, does the music become even slower and more romantic and I let my inner Potter out, wrapping my arms around the larger man's neck as he wraps his arms around my waist and I happily let out a content sigh as I lie my head down on his cloaked, yet muscular chest.
And the trembling of his chest as it rumbles with a loving, yet almost soundless moan of appreciation makes it really hard for me to keep my smile from breaking from its official length, yet after this do I focus only on the arms around my waist, the neck muscles under my own hands and the way that our bodies move together.
Like this we keep moving for several dances and then suddenly Susan speaks up and says: "And that is why we kept up the slow dances, Ladies and Gentlemen. To thank Harry Potter for his incredible deed all those years ago, honor his parents for their sacrifice and finally to thank Lord Lea for his role in Cleansing Lord Slytherin."
And while I feel kind of stupid for not realizing that the slow songs kept going for much longer than they should have, do Lea and I bow in gratitude to Susan for her act before we gently remove ourselves from the dance floor and back over to Sirius, who has a smile the size of the Hogwarts grounds on his face.
"You two were the center of attention for over twenty minutes and you didn't even notice. I cannot be happier with how fate chose such perfect people for you to bond with, Harry." The man says, his voice trying to sound professional even though it also sounds choked up and I happily lie my head in Lea's arm pit as I say: "Same here."
And the end,
Sorry guys, but I just couldn't continue. The whole dance thing is a little awkward to me and romance just isn't something I am good at. I am a serious novice at it and trying to combine a regal setting with two people who are growing as close as Harry is with his mates – that was just harder than I expected.
Hopefully, because next chapter will be focused on a dance organized by someone who values intelligence above all, I can focus on that and make for a better mix between Ancient Families meeting, a romantic setting and Harry and his mate proving that they are worthy of the bond and titles that they share with each other.
Wish me luck,
Venquine1990
