Alex sat on his bed, pondering the golden egg in front of him. Earlier, at the party the Gryffindors were holding to celebrate his getting through the first task, he had been urged to open his egg. However, once he had done so, a most horrible screeching sound came out of it. He had immediately shut it, but everyone had still winced and clapped their hands over their ears. Fred had joked that it sounded like Percy singing in the shower, while Seamus said that it reminded him of a banshee. Neville said it sounded like someone being tortured with the Cruciatus Curse and had actually wondered (with an extremely worried and scared look on his face) if it meant that Alex was going to have to undergo that. It had taken a fifth-year named Vicky Frobisher reminding Neville that the Cruciatus Curse was illegal to perform on a human and therefore couldn't be included in the tournament before he calmed down.

Well, Neville's worry was understandable, if unnecessary, and Alex had a chuckle at Fred's joke. However, Seamus saying that it sounded like a banshee (though weren't a banshee's scream more wailing than screechy?) could have some merit. It was possible that the second task could involve banshees. On the other hand, from what Ludo Bagman had said, the clue in the egg would tell them what the second task was, so there had to be more to the screeching noise than that. Alex stared at his egg some more, before finally getting up and putting it in his trunk. After all, he had until February to work out the clue, and anyway, he had agreed to take a break and figure out the egg with the other champions in three weeks.

With the first task over and done with, Alex was able to relax as classes resumed on Monday. A number of Slytherins (mainly Pansy and Nott) were disappointed or angry that he had gotten through it and had done so well. He was quite able to ignore them, and focused on his school work and hanging out with his friends.

Two weeks later, though, an announcement was made and jolted him out of his ease. At the end of the Transfiguration lesson one day (after homework had been assigned), Professor McGonagall announced that a Yule Ball was being held on Christmas, which was a traditional part of the Triwzard Tournament. The ball was open to all students in fourth year and above, though one could invite a younger student as a date. For some odd reason, Parvati and Lavender giggled at this, and Alex wondered what this reason could be, since Hermione and Beth weren't laughing at all.

Professor McGonagall ignored the giggles and went on to say that dress robes would be worn (which explained why they had been on the supply list) and that the Yule Ball was a chance to 'let down your hair'. Lavender giggled harder than ever at this, with her hand pressed to her mouth to stifle the sound. This time Alex could see what was so funny, since the teacher, with her hair done up in a prim and proper bun and stern look on her face, did not look as if she had ever let her hair down in any sense. Professor McGonagall frowned slightly at Lavender before continuing that even with things being a bit more relaxed, she still expected Gryffindor to behave properly and not disgrace their house. Class was then dismissed, but Alex was asked to stay behind.

That was when Professor McGonagall told Alex the news that had jolted him. As one of the champions, he was expected to have a dance partner, since traditionally the champions and their partners opened the ball. When Alex tried to protest that he didn't dance, McGonagall firmly said, "It is traditional. You are a Hogwarts champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative of the school. So make sure you get yourself a partner, Mr. Romanov."

"But-I don't-"

"You heard me, Alexander Romanov," said Professor McGonagall in a very final sort of way.

Alex had no choice but to nod and leave the room. His mind raced as he walked out. How in Merlin's name was he going to ask some girl to the Yule Ball and then dance with her in front of the whole school and the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students? He didn't even know how to dance! Well, to be accurate, he knew some Romani dances, but he had no idea how to waltz or do any of the other ballroom dances he'd be expected to do at the ball. Considering that most of the Romani dances he knew or had seen were in the style of Hungarian Roma and so (for the males anyway) involved a great deal of heel-clicking, foot-stamping, and clapping, none of them would be appropriate in that setting. As for the two or three that weren't like that, they still wouldn't be appropriate, since they were the flamenco and similar styles from Spain, and the hora, which was mostly done by Jewish people (though it originated in the Balkans) and he had only participated in it twice, at Ivan's and Jonas's Bar Mitzvah ceremonies.

"What's wrong, Alex?" asked Ron upon seeing the expression on his friend's face as they sat down for lunch. "Did what Professor McGonagall need to talk to you about upset or worry you?"

"I have to get a date for the Yule Ball and actually dance with her," Alex almost growled. "At least the first one, since it's traditional for the champions and their dance partners to open the ball. Not only do I not feel comfortable going up to some random girl and asking her to be my date to the ball, but I don't know the first thing about dancing, other than some Romani ones. And it's not like I can open the ball with the flamenco or one of the Hungarian Romani dances that my grandparents taught me. Those are more suited for things like wedding celebrations or as entertainment."

"I can see your point," said Ron. "All that foot-stomping and clapping that the guys do while the girls twirl their skirts around wouldn't be appropriate."

"There's more to it than just twirling my skirt around, but we get your gist," Beth said. "Anyway, Alex, you don't need to worry about not being able to dance. I saw notice pinned up on the board out in the entrance hall about dance lessons being held this Friday evening."

"That's good," said Alex, a look of relief on his face. "I can learn a couple of ballroom dances so I won't make a fool of myself during the opening dance." His expression then turned glum again. "But I still have to ask someone to be date to the Yule Ball! I certainly can't ask you, since how would it look having my sister as my date? Asking Hermione would be uncomfortable for me, since it would feel like asking another sister. I certainly can't ask Cara, either. Not only is she my cousin, but I'm pretty sure that Viktor will ask her to be his date, since they've been hanging out together frequently, and I doubt 'preparing for the first task' was the only reason they were doing so. As for the other girls in our year, the only ones I know well enough are Parvati and Lavender, and while I like them, it's not enough to make me want to ask either of them to be my partner at the ball."

"Come on, there has to be some girl you feel comfortable enough with to take as your date to the Ball," said Neville.

Alex started to shake his head, but his gaze happened to fall on the Ravenclaw table. "You're right, Nev! I completely forgot about Ginny and Luna! We were friends with them before Hogwarts, and even though we've formed our own quintets and don't hang out as often, we still get along and everything. Heck, I could even ask Leah, since we're on friendly terms and all. And since they're third-years, it's not like they can attend the ball otherwise."

"There, problem solved, Alex," Hermione said. "In fact, why don't we all invite the Ravenclaw quintet to the Yule Ball. As Alex said, the wouldn't be able to go otherwise, as they're third-years, and I'm sure they'd like to have the opportunity."

"That's a good idea, Hermione," said Beth. "Now the rest of us don't have to worry about finding a date. But you're going to have to ask David. I'm not having my cousin as my date."

"And I'm not asking my sister to be my date," Ron added. "Alex and Neville, you can decide which one of you wants to take Ginny."

Alex and Neville exchanged looks, then the former said, "I'll be happy to take Ginny, if she's willing."

Ron snorted. "Of course she'd be willing. She likes you, and don't forget that she once had a crush on-"

"Yes, I know," Alex interrupted. Ginny once had what could only be termed as a 'celebrity crush' on Harry Potter, to the point that at the pretend wedding she had at her sixth birthday party, she had made David pretend that he was Harry Potter. After Alex had told all his friends his real identity, Ginny had gotten over the crush, though she had turned red from embarrassment immediately after. Fortunately he had to leave for Hogwarts the next day, so by the time he returned for the Christmas holidays, she had gotten over the embarrassment. If Ginny still had any feelings for 'Harry Potter', it would be for him in the persona of Alexander Romanov, which was better than a 'celebrity crush'.

"Ron, so which one of us taking Luna and which of us taking Leah?" Neville asked.

Ron shrugged. "Why don't we ask the girls and have them decide?"

Alex got up and walked over to the Ravenclaw table. Ginny looked up in surprise when he tapped her shoulder. "Excuse me, Ginny, but I wanted to ask you something. You've heard about the Yule Ball, right?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, but third-years can't attend unless an older student asks them to be their date."

"Well, would you be mine? I need a dance partner, since the champions are supposed to open the ball. I don't feel comfortable asking anyone else, except Luna and Leah, but Ron and Neville want to ask them to be their dates. Anyway, you're a friend, I like you, and with you as my date, having to attend the ball won't be so bad."

Ginny regarded Alex thoughtfully, then said with a smile, "I'll be happy to be your date, Alex. What color are your dress robes, so I can make sure that mine won't clash with yours?"

Alex looked startled by the question, but answered, "They're green. Granny Ilsa said that they'd match my eyes."

"So I take it that they're the same shade of green as your eyes. Then that means I need to wear green robes, or silver, or pale gold. Red would work too, but we don't necessarily need to both wear the stereotypical Christmas colors. Light yellow, wait no, that wouldn't go so well with my hair. Neither would pink. Black and white go with any color, but that's too boring for me. Hmm, maybe a pale green with silver or gold trim would be best. I'll write to Mum about it."

"You do that, then," said Alex, not really knowledgeable about fashions or colors other than knowing than some colors clashed with each other. "Er, Luna and Leah, which one of you would like to go with Ron to the ball and which one with Neville?"

Luna and Leah had a whispered discussion and at the end of it, the latter said, "I'll got with Ron and Luna will go with Neville."

"I'll tell them then. David and Adam, do you mind going with Hermione and Beth to the ball? You'd be going with Hermione, David, since-"

"I know, first cousins being each other's dates at a ball would look stupid," interrupted David. "Adam and I don't mind. We can't go to the ball otherwise, and we're on good terms with Hermione and Beth, so at least we'll be sure to have a good time. We'll ask them later what color they're dress robes are so we can get some that won't clash with theirs. Judging from what Ginny was saying, I think they'd also want to make sure that we don't clash."

Alex shrugged and returned to the Gryffindor table. "It's all set. The Ravenclaw quintet are willing to be our dates to the Yule Ball. Luna said she'd go with you, Neville, and Leah said she'll be with you, Ron. David and Adam are going to ask you later what color your dress robes are, Hermione and Beth, so that they can make sure to get robes that won't clash with yours."

"That's a good idea," said Beth. "Hermione's robes are periwinkle blue, and mine are sapphire blue with silver trim and embroidery. It shouldn't be too difficult to come up with complementing robe colors for our dates."

Ron hastily asked Neville a question about Herbology, and the three boys seized the subject change, since they didn't really want to discuss clothing (even though Beth and Hermione weren't the type of girls to do so normally).

The very next day, a curly-haired third-year Hufflepuff girl to whom Alex had never spoken in his life asked him to go to the ball with her. He was taken aback, but recovered enough to tell her that he already had a date. The girl walked off looking rather disappointed, and Alex had to endure Dean's and Seamus's taunts about her all through History of Magic. The following day, two more girls asked him, a second year and (to his horror) a fifth year who looked as though she might knock him out if he refused. Alex had to again say that he already had a date, and when the fifth-year demanded when he had gotten a date, he had to explain that he had asked Ginny Weasley the day the ball had been announced.

"She was quite good-looking," said Ron fairly, after he'd stopped laughing.

"She was a foot taller than me," said Alex, still unnerved. "At least Ginny's shorter than me by two or three inches, so we won't look stupid when dancing."

After that, word had apparently spread that Alex was taking Ginny to the ball, or at least that he had a date, because no other girls approached him with requests to be his date. However, he spotted several girls glaring at Ginny, including her roommates that weren't Luna and Leah. When he asked what was going on, Leah snapped in broad Yorkshire, "'Tis our dormmates being jealous harpies! Agatha Bolling's fair angry tha' is taking Ginny t'the ball. O' course, Agatha doesna think that you'd be asking her t'the ball, but she didna think you'd be asking Ginny. An' her friend, Delilah Nicholls, isna much better. She's not only fair jealous that tha's going with Ginny, but Delilah's also jealous o' me an' Luna for being able t'go t'the ball. 'Tis not likely that anyone's going t'ask them t'the ball, so the two are jealous that we have dates, and that they're one o' the Hogwarts champions an' his friends."

"I see," said Alex slowly. "Well, I don't think Agatha and Delilah are worth getting upset over. If they want to be 'jealous harpies' because the dormmates they so dislike have dates to the Yule Ball while they don't, then that's their business."

Leah took a death breath, then in a much calmer tone of voice, said, "Tha'rt, I mean, you're right, Alex. Getting angry at them isn't going to solve things. At least the two girls don't dare do anything. After Vera and our prefects had a talk with our house, reminding everyone that we were supposed to value those that were different and unique and pointing out that people like Uric the Oddball had been in Ravenclaw, things have improved. The ones that looked down on Luna, and on the rest of our quintet for being friends with her, looked ashamed and have made the effort to be nicer. The few that don't care about us have taken to just glaring at us and otherwise ignoring us, since they want to avoid getting in trouble with the rest of the house."

"Well, that's good." Alex glanced at his watch and made a face. "And I need to meet the other champions to figure out our eggs, so I'll be going now."

The four champions met in an unused classroom, where they reported that their eggs were all making a loud screeching noise when opened. So far, none of them had any ideas as to what it meant, other than wondering if had something to do with a banshee.

"Well, zere has to be a reason for ze noise," Fleur said crossly. "Madame Maxime did offer to 'elp me wiz it, but I said no. I did not wish to accept her 'elp, since it feels too much like cheating. But if we do not figure zis out, I may wish I did take 'er help."

"Perhaps the noise does have something to do with a magical creature or being, but not a banshee," Cedric said. "I recall learning that banshees scream rather than screech. We just need to decipher it."

Viktor shrugged. "I think I remember reading something about a magical race that makes screeching noises when it talks outside of vere it lives. I do not remember vat the race is, or vere it lives, though. Ve just need to do some research about it and then ve can figure it out."

"Good," said Alex with some relief. "Once we figure out what this race is, we can work out how to copy its environment so that we can listen to our eggs in it and actually hear what they're saying."

"At least zis will be useful," said Fleur making a face. "Oh, Alex, 'ow did you get a partner to ze Yule Ball so soon? I 'ave been trying to find a suitable partner, but most of ze male students zat are my age are only interested in me because of ze fact I am part-veela. Ze ones zat are not are already wiz someone."

"I was friends with Ginny before I started Hogwarts," answered Alex. "And as a third-year, she wouldn't be able to attend the ball, otherwise. Honestly, if it weren't for her, I'd probably still be looking for a date. I don't know very many girls well enough, and most of the ones I do know that well, they're either family, feel like it, or I'm not interested in spending an entire evening with them at a party."

"Lucky for you. I suppose I will just have to find ze least objectionable of ze boys zat are only interested in me because I am part-veela. Unless one of you would like to partner wiz me, Viktor and Cedric?"

The other two shook their heads. "I'm sorry, Fleur, but I asked Cho Chang to be my date yesterday and she accepted," said Cedric.

"And Cara Romanov has agreed to accompany me," Viktor said."I hope that is fine vith you, Alex?"

"She's my cousin, not my sister," said Alex with a laugh. "You should be asking David that question, though since he's the younger brother, not older, he probably won't make much of a fuss about it. Anyway, it's Cara's decision as to whom she wants to date, and so long as you don't do anything to hurt her, nobody in the family will care. Well, Uncle Tobias would, but he's not here to do the usual 'if you hurt my daughter you'll regret it' speech."

"Your fan club's going to hate her, though, Viktor," Cedric said with a laugh. "That is, if they haven't found out yet."

Viktor shrugged again. "Cara is not going to care vat they think, and if any of them do try to do something to her, ve will fight back. Now, I think we had better go to the library and do some research."

The four spent two hours in the library, but did not turn up anything of use. Finally they decided to take a break and resume the research once the holiday break started, when they would have more time to devote to it.

Author's Note: I apologize if any if the things I wrote about Romany dances is inaccurate. I tried to do some research on the subject, but other than the flamenco and the fact that some clans had the girls do skirt dances while other clans didn't really touch their skirts when dancing, I didn't find much info online. Based on my copy of Blood Red, the latest book in the Elemental Masters series by Mercedes Lackey, the Hungarian Romany do the style of dances I have mentioned (as there was a scene in the book where some people in a clan gave a performance, which included dancing), so I decided that it would be the main style that Alex and his family knows.