On the day before Christmas, Harry decided to visit Hagrid. Hagrid was glad to see him as usual. Harry decided it was time to warn him not to ask Madame Maxime if she's half giantess.

"Are you looking forward to the Yule Ball?" Harry asked.

"It should be fun," Hagrid answered. "Ginny is very happy that you asked her."

"Are you going with Madame Maxime?" Harry asked.

"I expect I'll see her there," Hagrid said shyly.

"I know that you accept who you are and don't lie about your past, but some people had enough negative experiences that they prefer to tell people they're big boned," Harry said. "If you want to tell her about yourself and your parents, that should be fine and if you ask her to tell you about her parents that should also be fine. If you ask her if either of her parents are giants, she'll get upset at you."

"How do you know so much?" Hagrid asked.

Harry grinned.

"I know, you're not going to say," Hagrid said.

Harry enjoyed the rest of his visit to Hagrid, making sure to keep the conversation light.

The next evening, Harry nervously met Ginny, Ron, and Hermione downstairs. As expected, Ginny and Hermione looked great. Hermione straightened her hair, and it was obvious that Ron didn't regret inviting her. When they got to the great hall, they saw Victor standing nervously with a wildly dressed Luna. Harry sat with Ron, Ginny, and Hermione. He looked at the head table and noticed that Mr. Crouch was there. When the dancing began, Harry continued sitting with Ron, Ginny, and Hermione.

"Are you going to dance at all?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know how to," Harry confessed. "I'm a klutz when I'm on the ground. I'll just watch."

"How about you?" Hermione asked Ron.

"I don't know how to dance either," Ron said, "although it looks fun."

"Watch what Victor and Luna are doing," Hermione advised. "You could learn from watching."

After the first song, Victor brought Luna to their table.

"Can I dance with Hermione for the next song?" Victor asked.

"We're going to teach Harry and Ron to dance," Hermione said smiling. "They'll watch us dance for one song. After that, you dance with Ginny for a song. Next, we try taking them onto the dance floor."

Victor and Hermione danced for one song followed by Victor and Ginny for the next.

"Ron's turn," Hermione said cheerfully. "Victor and Luna, you dance next to us so Ron can copy you. I'll lead him and tell him exactly what to do."

After the next song, Hermione and Ron sat back down.

"Harry's turn now," Hermione said.

"I don't know how to dance," Harry protested.

"Neither does Ron," Hermione said, "but he managed anyways. Ginny will tell you what to do, and you copy Victor and Luna."

Harry reluctantly made his way onto the dance floor. Somehow, he managed not to step on Ginny's toes. He eagerly sat down the second the song ended. He pulled out his map and said the password. Luna led Victor over to the table.

"What are you looking for?" Luna asked.

"Signs of danger," Harry answered.

"Are there any vampires here tonight?" Luna wanted to know.

"No," Harry said shortly.

"What about werewolves?"

"Werewolves are only dangerous the night of the full moon," Harry explained. "Even then, they don't have to be dangerous. If they take wolfsbane potion twice a day for a full week before the moon, they're perfectly safe."

Harry continued studying the map.

"Rita Skeeter is here," he said.

"I guess she wants to report on the ball," Ron offered.

"She's on top of a statue," Harry said. "She must be an animagus. I'm going to catch her."

"I'll come with you," Ginny said.

"Me too," Hermione said. "You may need some help."

The six teenagers ran outside, where they met Snape and Karkaroff blasting apart bushes.

"What are you doing here?" Snape asked glaring at them.

"We need your help, professor," Harry said, pointing to Rita on the map. "She must be a small animagus, either an insect, bird or rodent. She's obviously spying on people, and she's not allowed on school property."

"Come with me Igor," Snape said to Karkaroff. "I may need some assistance."

They got to the statue and all they saw was a beetle. Snape conjured a jar and trapped the beetle.

"It's unbreakable so she can't transform," he told them. "I'll bring her to Professor Dumbledore. He'll know what to do with her."

"Thank you, professor," Harry said gratefully. "I also wanted to ask you something."

He thought about the dark mark coming back and looked expectantly in Snape's eyes.

"Why would you even think about that?" Snape asked, glaring at him.

"If he's coming back, it will get stronger," Harry explained.

"He's not coming back. He was kissed by a dementor," Snape snarled. "Stop being paranoid."

"But maybe," Harry started.

"Don't even talk about it," Snape barked. "You don't want to spread your paranoia to other students."

"But professor," Harry tried again.

Snape glared at him.

"Can I speak to you privately?" Harry finally asked.

"If you don't drop it, you'll get detention," Snape spat.

"Could the detention be tonight?" Harry asked.

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock," Snape told him. "I have to patrol the bushes tonight after I bring this beetle to Professor Dumbledore."

"Thank you professor," Harry said.

He and his friends walked ahead of the two professors.

"Are you crazy, mate? Why would you want detention?" Ron asked.

"It's the only way to get him to listen to me," Harry said. "Besides, I already disemboweled all the toads so he can't have me do that again. Since we're on holiday now, there are no caldrons to scrub. No matter what job he gives me, I always talk to him while I'm doing it. Professor Snape is a horrible teacher; I'm not denying it, but he knows lots of death eaters and is able to find out information when I need it."

"Why are you concerned about death eaters now?" Victor asked.

"Did Professor Karkoroff ever discuss his past?" Harry asked.

"Is there something I should know about him?" Victor wanted to know.

"Potter!" a voice yelled from behind.

Harry spun around, holding his wand.

"Were you going to hex me?" Snape asked.

"I didn't know who was behind me," Harry said. "Moody lectured me on constant vigilance."

"Then you should know when to keep your mouth shut," Snape barked. "Come with me."

Snape gripped Harry's shoulder tightly and walked him to the great hall. They approached Dumbledore with Rita Skeeter in the jar and explained who she is.

"I'll turn her over to the ministry," he said. "They'll probably fine her. I'll have to update the wards not to let in any insects."

"Harry was about to tell his friends that Karkoroff is a death eater," Snape complained.

"Are you scared of him?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry nodded.

"All the staff is here to protect you," Dumbledore said, "but I don't think you need it now. Karkoroff wouldn't do anything that will get him in trouble. He doesn't like Azkaban."

"Harry is concerned that Voldermort is coming back," Snape said.

"Are you practicing your occlumency?" Dumbledore asked him.

Harry nodded again.

"How will he come back if he was kissed by a dementor?" Dumbledore asked.

"What happens to a soul after the dementor is finished with it?" Harry asked.

"It gets completely destroyed," Dumbledore told him. "You don't need to worry."

"How could I know for sure?" asked Harry.

"Do you trust me?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry didn't answer. Dumbledore sighed.

"We'll discuss it tomorrow," Snape said. "Weasley is waiting for you. Try to keep your mouth shut."

Harry went back to his friends. Neville joined their table with a Hufflepuff girl from their Herbology class.

"Is everything okay?" Neville asked.

"I suppose so," Harry said. "I just got a detention tomorrow morning with Snape."

"You asked for it," Hermione said.

"I suppose I did," Harry agreed. "He complained to Dumbledore about my big mouth."

"Do you want to dance?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know how," Harry reminded her.

"Let's only talk about fun topics for the rest of the night," Ron said.

They all agreed. The girls still wanted to dance so Victor took turns dancing with each of them while the other boys watched.

"I probably broke all of Hannah's toes when I danced with her," Neville said. "It's nice to know there's something you're not good at."

"How do you know Hannah?" Harry asked curiously.

"She's in our Herbology class," Neville said. "I had nobody to go with so I asked around after Herbology. We both like the subject, so at least we have something in common."

They made small talk until the ball was over when they tiredly went to bed. Harry was looking forward to his detention in the morning.