Smells Like Teen Spirit
"If I could have everyone's attention please?" Professor McGonagall asked, standing up at the front of the Great Hall. "I have an announcement to make. Miss Granger, Mr Black, the prefects, and the staff have decided that there will be a Halloween fancy dress party on the 31st. Luckily for you, it is a Saturday, so no lessons on that day or the day after. The party will start at 7pm, continuing through until midnight. If you attend, you are required to come in fancy dress. To make it easier, we have agreed that characters from both the Wizarding and the Muggle World will be allowed. This night is to allow you all to have some fun. Any hatred or rivalries are to be put to the side for the night.
"Also, with regards to Christmas, we have also agreed on something you might find exciting. There is going to be a Yule Ball, similar to that during the Triwizard Tournament four years ago, which I am sure half of you remember. Like the Yule Ball of that time, this one will require you to dance, but the evening will be much more light-hearted than usual. Also, like the previous Ball, you are all required to dress up, girls in dresses, boys in either formal robes or muggle tuxedos. During December and January, the students and heads of Beuaxbatons and Durmstrang have kindly agreed to join us, here at the castle. During term, they will be in your classes. As well as those students, ex-students from all three schools, who were present at the schools during the last tournament, have been invited to join us, including ex-Champions, Fleur Delacour and Victor Krum." Excited whispers ricocheted around the Hall, the students discussing the not just the Ball, but the prospect of having an international Quidditch star, and a heroine of the Battle, at their school. "Yes, yes, very exciting, very exciting. However, just because they will be here, and just because those still in school will be joining you in your classes, does not mean that you have permission to let your concentration in your classes drop, especially those of you who have exams this year. But enough of that. First things first, is the Halloween party. I suggest you all start working out to wear, what with us having just three weeks left until Halloween. I would be grateful if you could pass on the information to those students who are not here. That is all." Professor McGonagall sat back down, as the level of chatter within the Hall began to rise.
Ron turned to his girlfriend, "You kept that quiet."
Hermione smiled. "I thought it would be a nice surprise."
"Yeah, but you still could've told me what was going on. I am your boyfriend after all." Ron added, a bit put out.
"Oh Ron, please don't get upset with me. We agreed not to tell anyone. You know I would have said something if I could. Tell you wha, to make it up to you, I'll let you choose what we go as. How's that?"
"Really?" Ron's eyes lit up mischievously.
Hermione inwardly sighed, immediately regretting her decision. "Yes."
"Wicked. I have an idea already. What you going as Harry?" He turned to his friend, who seemed spaced out.
"Harry?" Hermione asked concerned. "Are you ok?"
"Hmm? What? Sorry. Just thinking is all."
"Mind if I ask about what?" Hermione asked, laying a hand on his arm.
"It's nothing Hermione, really. What did you ask Ron?"
"I asked you what you were coming as?"
"I don't know, I might just let Draco decide."
"Is that wise mate? You don't know what he'll make you dress up as…" Ron started.
"I trust him Ron. That's enough for me." Harry said a tone of finality in his voice. When the conversation died, Harry retreated back into his thoughts.
xxxDHDHxxx
As Professor McGonagall sat down, the Hall erupted into talk, but Draco wasn't listening. Instead he was thinking. 31st October had some sort of recognition to him, though he didn't know what, at with the way Harry's face changed when the date was mentioned, it did to him too. But what was the significance?
"Draco!" A shout to his right brought him out of his musings.
"What?" he snapped.
"All right, don't get all shirty with me. I only asked you what you were thinking of going as to the party." Blaise asked.
"You aren't seriously thinking of going to it are you? The Yule Ball I can understand, something like that requires upper-class, refined people like us to attend and put everyone else to shame. But the party? Do you not think it's a bit childish?" Draco questioned, astonished.
"Come off it Draco, you can hardly go spouting on about upper-class refinery anymore can you? None of us can. We lost that right when You-Know-Who returned…"
"His name is Voldemort Zabini, use it. He can hardly kill you now can he?" Draco interrupted, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Seriously, Draco, what is wrong with you today? Anyway, like I said, we lost our right to remain as uptight purebloods years ago. Yes, it gives us a chance to dress up and show that Slytherin are still the best house when it comes to formal events such as these. But we can hardly brag. Don't you remember the last Yule Ball? Hermione put all the other girls in our school and in Beuaxbatons to shame!"
"Hey!" Pansy, Millie, Astoria and Daphne all shouted at him.
Blaise put his hands up in mock surrender. "Sorry girls, but you've got to agree with me. She was the best looking and best dressed girl of the night." They reluctantly nodded in agreement and Blaise smirked, turning his attentions back to Draco. "Besides, why can't I go to the party?"
"Because it is unrefined and childish Blaise, that is why."
"For goodness sakes Draco lighten up! It's a bit of fun! You've got to come, unless you want us to all start calling you a grumpy old fart." Millie warned, Greg nodding at her side.
Draco looked at all his friends. They were all staring at him in such a way that it seemed as though they were pleading with him to go. "No."
"Draco! Please?"
"I said no, Millie."
Pansy turned to her friend. "I'll handle this," she whispered in her friend's ear. She leaned toward Draco and put her best innocent look on. "Draco, honey, why won't you come? You must, really, seeing as how it was partly your idea anyway. Besides, you are Head Boy. That kind of makes it necessary for you to go. Please, Draco. It will make my day if you do. And you don't want to see me heartbroken, do you?" she pleaded.
Draco turned to her. She was giving her best puppy dog impression, and she had stuck her bottom lip out in such a way that she looked adorable, a look she knew Draco couldn't resist. He sighed. "Alright fine. I will go. But I will turn up when I want, and I will leave when I want, understood?"
Pansy pulled him into a bone crushing hug. "Thank you Draco, thank you. I knew you'd give in eventually."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he mumbled, nevertheless returning the hug.
xxxDHDHxxx
"Good morning class." Professor Elliott greeted her students the next Monday. Today, she wore a long black skirt, a black sleeveless top, and a black cardigan, with black heeled boots to match. Her hair was tied up in a bun at the back of her head.
"Good morning Professor Elliott," the class replied in unison.
"Now, before we begin, I have a little announcement to make. Professor McGonagall has kindly agreed to allow me to take you all out on a day trip." Excited murmurs began, only to at once be silenced with a simple look. "Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until July, but never mind that now. The trip is to the Ministry, and before you all start to moan, it is to take part in an Auror training day. The Minister himself has allowed me to take you all along to the day where, in the morning you will receive a lecture on the process of becoming an Auror, and what the job will entail should you decide to take that path and succeed. The afternoon shall be an assault course. Normally, budding Aurors are split into groups for this, but we will be allowed to remain as a class. You will have to work together to make your way through. During this day, the Ministry is always shut down so that the course can run around the whole of the building. You will be tested on everything you have learnt since you started learning Defence, back in your fist year, as well as stuff you haven't learnt, to see how you cope. The course will be designed by qualified Aurors themselves, and at some stage during the course, you will partake in at least one duel against current and ex Aurors. I myself will be one of them, so you will get to see exactly what I did when I was an Auror. I can assure you, when I did the training I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I don't think there is a single person who has come out of their and said that it was a waste of time and they didn't enjoy it. So, do you think you'll want to do it?" A series of confirmations followed her question. "Excellent. I don't need a definitive answer until the last day of term however, so you have until then to decide. If you all agree, then I will give you further details after we come back to lesson from Christmas. Now enough of that, you all know what you're doing. Let's continue, shall we?"
With that dismissal, the class immediately stood up and began trying to cast their Patronus. Try as they might, nothing happened, until right at the end. Blaise, who had been practicing whenever he could, managed to cast his first ever corporeal patronus, much to the congratulations of Hermione and Professor Elliott.
"Well done Blaise, well done! See here class, Blaise has managed to cast his Patronus. And what an apt one it is too. The hawk is dark, mysterious, and calculating. Very apt indeed. Ten points to Slytherin. Well done Blaise. Class dismissed." The class took their cue and left, congratulating Blaise on his achievement as they went. Eventually, only Draco was left. "Hurry up Draco, or you'll miss your lunch hour."
"Professor, I was wondering if I could ask you something?" Draco began.
"Of course you can Draco. What is it you'd like to know?" she asked, leaning against her desk smiling, her arms holding her up.
"I was in the library last week, and I found a book written by Rick Elliott. I wondered if he had anything to do with you." Draco asked, deciding to just get straight to the point.
"Ah, yes. Was it called The Life of An Auror by any chance?"
"I think it was, yes."
"That would be the book my father wrote then. He spent fifty years as an Auror, before retiring in 1980, aged 68. He survived many things, including losing a leg to a badly aimed Reducto. He wrote and released the book within a year of retirement. Unfortunately, a week after his book was published and released, he suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away. His death affected me and my mother greatly, especially as I was only thirteen at the time. But his book, and the stories that he used to tell me of his times as an Auror made me want to become one too, to follow in his footsteps. I met my husband at the ministry actually. He was training to be an Auror too. But yes, that book is written by my father, and a very good read if I do say so myself."
"I see. Pardon me for sounding as if I am intruding, but you say that you are married, yet you still have the same name as your father?" Draco asked politely.
"Yes. We, that is to say, my husband and I, are not very big traditionalists, and the thought of going the process of changing my name seemed pointless, so it remained the same. You'll actually get to meet my husband if we go to the training day. He's the Head Auror. Is there anything else you wanted to know Draco?"
"No ma'am." Draco shook his head.
"Then would you mind if I asked you something? I hope you'll pardon me for intruding this time, but I can't fail to notice the spark between you and Harry. There is something going on between the two of you is there?" Professor Elliott enquired, a twinkle in her eye.
"Oh, no ma'am there is not. Nothing is happening between the two of us, I can assure you. Although there are, feelings, between us. We have both decided not to act on them however." Draco quickly dismissed, feeling somewhat guilty that the only reason nothing was happening was because of him.
"Oh I see. I apologise so being so forward. It's just that the two of you seem very cosy."
"We are just good friends." Draco confirmed with a small smile.
"Of course you are. Thought if something does begin between you, I want to be the first to know, promise?" she asked cheekily.
Draco chuckled. "Of course ma'am. Would please keep our conversation about that a secret though?"
"Yes, I will. In return, would you please keep quiet about what I told you? Though if anybody asks, don't deny anything, just tell them what you know, discretion as and when needed of course."
"Your wish is my command." Draco stated charmingly, adding in a mock bow for effect, to which he received a laugh. "Good day to you Professor."
"Good day to you Draco, you cheeky bugger."
xxxDHDHxxx
Later that day, Harry was sitting in the common room by the fire, enjoying the peace, when a body sat down beside him.
"What do you want Draco?" he asked tiredly.
"I was just wondering what you were going to the Halloween party as?"
"I don't know whether I'm going or not yet." Harry admitted.
"What?" Draco asked astonished. "You don't know whether you are going or not? I think you will find that you are Harry. If my friends can convince me to go, then I can convince you to go."
"I just, I want a quiet year at Hogwarts this year Draco." Harry said shyly.
"And you think going to a Halloween party constitutes to you not having a quiet year? That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard. Yes, I can understand you wanting to have a quiet year, but you also deserve a bit of fun, yes? Yes. So I will ask you again. What are you going as to the party?"
"Fine, I'll go. But I have no idea as what."
"Good. Because I have an idea for the both of us and you are going to love it!" Draco exclaimed excitedly.
"Why do I have a sudden sense of dread fill me when you say that?" Harry commented sarcastically.
"Oh Harry have a little bit of faith, come on." With that, Draco grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him, protesting, up to their room. Once there, Draco sat Harry down on his bed, demanded he stayed where he was, before rummaging through his trunk, clearly looking for something.
"Draco, what are you doing?" Harry enquired, dodging a flying shirt in the process.
"I'm after…where is it?... I need to find it…where is it?…ha! Got it!" Draco shouted triumphantly, waving a sketch book high in the air. He stood up gracefully and made his way over to Harry, perching himself on the bed next to him. "I wasn't originally thinking of going, but like I said to you, Pansy managed to convince me to go. Anyway, even though I wasn't planning on going, I was planning that you were. I had an idea for you as soon as it was agreed between us and the staff that there would be party. Really, you have to be what I've decided, as the similarities between you and your character are scarily close. I've decided that you will be…" he opened up the sketch pad and showed Harry the drawing, "Godric Gryffindor." Draco seemed very proud of himself, and when Harry looked at the drawing, he could see why. There, in the centre, was a lifelike drawing of him dressed in red and gold robes. On his left, in a scabbard, was the sword of Godric Gryffindor; his left hand resting on it. His lips had two little spikes in, rather that rings, as did his eyebrow; his ear was bare apart from one gold ring in his lobe.
"Draco this is amazing. I didn't know you were such a good drawer." Harry shook his head in astonishment to emphasise his point.
Draco looked embarrassed. "Please, I am not that good."
"Yes you are! Look at this. That drawing of me is so lifelike, I first thought I was looking in a mirror!"
"Well, thank you. I'm glad you like it. Does that mean you will dress up as him?" Draco asked hopeful.
"If I must." Harry admitted in defeat. "What are you going to go as then?"
"Salazar Slytherin, of course." Draco said, matter of fact, whilst putting the sketch pad back away.
"Of course. How long have we got left until Halloween?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Well, it's the 12th today, so nineteen days. Why?" Draco turned back to Harry, casting a charm so all his things would neatly place themselves back in his trunk.
"Just wondered." Harry replied, his face downcast.
Draco noticed the other boy's change in mood and approached him cautiously. "Harry?" Draco sat down next to him, putting an arm around his shoulders. "Harry are you ok?"
"I'm fine Draco." Harry lied.
"Are you sure?" Draco asked concerned. He'd seen this look on Harry's face before, back in sixth year, after the death of his godfather. Back then, Harry had seemed cut off from everyone, even Granger and Weasley. Not forgetting that Harry had cast the spell that cut Draco open. All Draco knew was that when Harry looked like this, there was something definitely wrong. "You would tell me if there was, wouldn't you?"
"Yes. Like I said Draco, I'm fine. I promise." Harry lent into Draco however, despite pretending he was fine, and enjoyed the warmth while he could. Draco didn't pull away. Both boys stayed like that for a while, before reluctantly pulling apart to go to sleep.
xxxDHDHxxx
Wednesday afternoon found the eighth years back in DADA. There was an excited buzz in the air as the students discussed the Halloween party amongst themselves: what were they going to wear, was the Hall going to be as decorated as before? Professor Elliot stepped out of her office and stood at the front of the class, waiting for the noise to quieten down. It didn't take long.
"Good afternoon class. I understand that you are excited about the party, and I don't blame you, but there is a time and place to discuss it, and the classroom is not one of them. Seamus empty your mouth please. If I catch you chewing in my lesson again, there will be points lost and a detention for you. Now, you all know what you're doing, so there is nothing left for me to say but to let you continue, unless there are any questions? Yes Pavarti?"
"Professor, I was just wondering, once we've cast our Patronuses, and they all have forms, how will we know whether they work or not? Don't we need a Dementor or a Lethifold for that?"
"Good question. Once you have all managed to form a corporeal Patronus, then I will get a boggart for you to practice on. Any other questions?" Everyone shook their heads. "Good. You may begin. Blaise, can I have a quick word?" She stepped away from the main class towards her office as the students started getting into their pairs once again. The dark-skinned boy made his way over to the Professor.
"Yes Professor, how can I help you?" Blaise asked politely.
"I would just like to again congratulate you on perfecting your Patronus. But just because you have, does not mean you can slack off. You may have cast it on Monday, but I bet you anything when you try again, it won't come. Perfection takes practice Blaise, remember that. I want you to keep practicing until you manage to conjure the hawk every time, do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good. Off you go. Harry, a quick word?" Blaise stepped back into the group as Harry pulled away, both nodding at each other as they passed.
"Yes Professor?" Harry asked brightly.
"Harry, I can't help but notice that the first Quidditch match of the year, Gryffindor versus Slytherin nonetheless, is on the 24th, and that you haven't held any training sessions, let alone try-outs. Blaise and the Slytherin team, Draco included, have been practicing at least once a week. As Head of Gryffindor, I must express my concern."
Harry sighed. "I know Professor. I haven't held try-outs because I'm keeping my team the same. As for practice, we haven't had the chance. There has always been something stopping us. But I promise, we are going to put at least an hour a day in this week and next week."
"Good. This House is starting to gain a bit of a reputation. And as it not only your last year, but Ginny's, Dean's, and Ron's too, I would've thought you'd want to keep the cup for one more year, yes? Exactly. And I want Gryffindor to win too. We cannot let anybody else steal that cup from us do you understand? Especially Slytherin."
"I know Professor. Gryffindor will win, we always do."
"You better make sure of it Harry, or there will be Hell to pay." She joked. "Now go back to the group, go on."
"Yes Professor." Harry made his way back to Draco to continue practicing, but not before informing Ron and Dean about the Quidditch practice that night. Because Professor Elliott was right. They couldn't leave Hogwarts without ending their seamless reign as winners as winners again. Quidditch was important, no matter what Hermione said. And besides, he would be against Draco. Harry hadn't played Quidditch for over a year, and he and Draco had a bet going on as to who would win. Harry couldn't lose. There was no way he could lose. No way.
A/N: Hope you like this chapter, despite the completely different scenes and jumping to different times. The Quidditch match will be next chapter, though I don't know when it will be uploaded. Depends how easy/difficult it is to write it. Oh well. Reviews please! :)
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