Guest: Thank you for your review. I like hearing from readers. Yes, I do use most material from the movies. But I do tend to use quotes and passages or scenes from the books to extend certain plot points as well.

Chapter 20: We Have a Ball, Part 1

On Christmas Eve Day, Hermione and I exchanged gifts with each other before heading to the common room to meet with Ron and Harry for a light breakfast. Later, the four of us ventured outside after eating lunch. The grounds looked like a Currier and Ives painting; everything from Hagrid's hut to the Beauxbatons carriage and the Durmstrang ship was covered in fresh snow. Hermione, Harry, and I watched the Weasleys' have a snowball fight until about five o'clock. As Hermione, Ginny, and I took our leave, Ron called out to ask Hermione who she was going to the ball with. Ginny pulled her along to the steps of the castle. As I looked back, I saw Fred watching us leave. I caught his gaze for a moment, then George hit him in the head with a large snowball.

Our dorm was a complete mess by the time we got up to the tower. Lavender, Jo, Parvati, and her twin Padma were all chattering away. Their clothes and makeup and hair products were strewn about, with only a clean path to the washroom. Feeling a little claustrophobic and self-conscious, Ginny offered for the three of us to get ready in her dorm. All of her roommates went home for the holidays. So we collected our things and headed down a level to the year two girls' dorm where it took us three hours to get ready.

Ginny, being thirteen and naturally pretty, chose to wear light make-up. She applied a light shimmery eyeshadow to her eyelids and swiped a bit of clear lip-gloss on her lips. Hermione used a potion she bought to make Ginny's long hair sleek and shiny. Once it worked, I made a thin braid on either side of her head and pulled them together in another braid in the back. Ginny's dress was cute; it was floor-length and light pink with a sheer teal skirt overlay. Around her waist was a darker pink belt of the same material as her dress. Three dark pink star shaped buttons clasped the front together at her chest and around her neck was a teal ribbon with a small metal circle embossed with a W. She also wore a pair of light teal flats that were a little too worn out in the heel.

Hermione opted for a more mature make-up look; she used a bit of her mom's foundation and light pink blush; her eyeshadow was a smoky magenta with a white shimmer on the inner corner; for her lips, she used a light pink lipstick. Using the same potion she had let Ginny borrow, Hermione's hair was no longer bushy. She had it done up in a sleek up-do with some curls falling over her shoulder. Hermione's dress was absolutely stunning on her. The flowing fabric started pink and became darker magenta as it came down to the floor in short waves. A magenta bow was tied around her waist and she wore short kitten heels of dark pink. She decided not to wear a necklace but pink earrings in the shape of flowers.

I, unlike my two friends, was not wearing pink of any shade. Instead, I found a black and blue number I particularly liked. It was a thick one-shoulder strap dress that was pitch black down to about my knees where it then became dark blue. There was a fake clasp of glittering rhinestones under the left bust which matched the silver of the charm bracelet Ted and Andi got me for Christmas two years ago. Dad sent me a gorgeous pair of silver and sapphire dangling earrings for Christmas so I was wearing these as well. Laying proudly on my chest was the obsidian Black crest necklace I've had since I was a baby. To top of my look I had a pair of short black heels on my feet. I did a grey smoky eye to compliment my eye color (so Ginny said) and wore red lip-gloss. I refused to take Hermione's potion so I ended up braiding my wild mane of curls into a messy, but surprisingly pretty, style. Then that was it.

The three of us stared at each other in the full length mirror. Hermione and I were feeling a less self-conscious now that we had actually finished. Ginny surveyed herself with a small smile. She spun around and her sheer overlay twirled out with her movement. Hermione, who started fiddling with her hair, looked at the watch on Ginny's side table. It was almost time to go! Ginny and I hurried to the door, but realized Hermione hadn't followed. She shooed us away, saying she'd be right behind us.

The common room was a sea of colored dress robes. The boys were all in black with white, black with brown, black with grey, black with red, etc. The girls, however, were beautifully multicolored. At the foot of the stairs, a nervous Neville was quietly waiting for Ginny. She waved at me before heading over to him. I caught Harry's glance from over by the fireplace and I walked over to stand with him. He was wearing a black suit with a white dress shirt and tie. His black cloak fell to the floor and covered his hands, clearly too big for him. Parvati, who I hadn't noticed by his side, was dressed in traditional Indian sari dress robes. She looked quite pretty in pink and salmon. Her hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail and she had an assortment of glittering rose gold bracelets on her wrist.

"Oh, Cora," Parvati squealed, "You look so lovely!"

"Thanks," I blushed, still not used to being all dressed up. "You look good too. You as well, Harry."

Ron approached us next. He was still forced to wear those hideous dress robes Molly sent him and did not look at all happy when he joined us at the fireplace. He looked more panicked and uncomfortable. Parvati's eyes widened in shock, I guessed. Her twin would probably not be happy to be seen with Ron wearing that.

"Interesting choice of robes," she muttered.

"They're traditional," Ron muttered back.

The staircase was packed as students made their way to the entrance hall. Everyone was wandering about, waiting for the Great Hall doors to open at seven-thirty. The crowd was so thick that people were practically pushing through each other to find their friends or partners. Parvati, who was walking slightly in front of us, waved excitedly at the crowd. At the bottom of the stairs was Padma. She was wearing the exact same outfit as her twin but her coloring was opposite of Parvati's and her bracelets were on the opposite wrist. As I predicted, the moment she saw Ron, her eyes narrowed. She looked him up and down with a blank expression on her face.

"Don't you look –" Padma's dark eyes lingered on the frilly sleeves around Ron's neck. "– dashing."

The five of us waited a few more minutes before the doors of the Great Hall were finally opened. A soft melody welcomed students and teachers inside. The front doors opened at that moment as well. The Durmstrang students escorted the Beauxbatons ladies inside. As they walked into the Great Hall, we remained by the stairs, waiting for Hermione, and in my case, waiting for my date. Ron kept fidgeting in his outfit which started to annoy Harry.

"Leave it alone," he said.

"It's itchy," Ron complained. I swore I saw Padma roll her eyes.

Just then, a bunch of Slytherins walked by. Draco Malfoy was leading them, of course. He had on an expensive looking black velvet dress robe that had a high collar like most of the boys I saw. On his arm was the troll Pansy Parkinson. She was wearing frilly pink robes. Why is everyone wearing pink? On the other hand, both Crabbe and Goyle were wearing an ugly moss green. They, unlike Malfoy, did not have dates.

"Poor kid," Ron said suddenly. "Bet she's alone in her room, crying her eyes out."

"Who," Harry and I asked.

"Hermione of course!"

"Not this again," I hissed, taking Ron's arm. "You listen here, Ronald Weasley! Hermione has too got a date! She'll be down here any second so you shut the hell up about her. You're being nasty because she found a date before you."

"What," Ron stammered, yanking his arm from my hand. "No! She must have lied. If she weren't so bleeding proud I would have taken her myself."

"You will not ruin this night for her, Ron! Or else I –"

There was a tap on my shoulder. I quickly composed myself and turned around. John Haring was standing tall, looking surprisingly dapper in his black and grey dress robes. He smiled widely at me as he looked down. I suddenly felt shy. My brain was yelling at me to run away. I had the urge to run all the way back up to my room and hide under the covers, never to come out again.

"Haring," Ron growled. "Move on, mate. Cora's waiting for her date."

My head snapped back to stare at Ron in confusion. It amazed me how we could argue and be mean and then he'd suddenly become protective. John Haring, however, was not phased. In fact, he smiled wider, then laughed.

"I am her date."

Harry's mouth dropped open. "I'll see you guys inside," I said to my friends hurriedly.

I grabbed John's arm and we walked into the Great Hall. The walls had been covered in sparkling silver frost. The ceiling was clear and starry with hundreds of silver icicles pointing down. Snow had even been enchanted to fall, disappearing about a foot above the tallest head. The Gargoyles, which normally held Everlasting fire, had piles of snow in their bronze bowls. There were no House tables but instead, many smaller ones towards the back of the hall. Closer to where the professors normally sat, were three snow-covered pine trees. In between the tables and trees was a snow white dance floor. The Great Hall was truly turned into a Winter Wonderland.

John led me to a spot right in front so we'd be able to see the dancefloor. He greeted some of his friends and even introduced me to them. They were all Ravenclaws and so were their dates. John turned to me after the introductions. "I thought you'd want to watch your friend," he said.

"Thanks. That's – really thoughtful."

"You look very pretty, by the way."

Pretty. I found myself frowning at his comment. Not beautiful, but just pretty.

The champions and their partners began to enter the hall. Everyone clapped as they did so. I watched as Fleur Delacour floated in on the arm of her Hogwarts date. They had looked absolutely stunning together. Behind them was Viktor Krum with my best friend on his arm. Hermione looked radiant next to the older teen. She seemed to walk taller without all those heavy books she carried around. When she spotted me, she sent me a little wave. I waved back and saw the scowling faces of the Krum fan club across the hall. Each had murder in their eyes when they saw who Viktor had chosen as a date. Even Ron was watching the pair with narrowed eyes. After Viktor and Hermione came Cedric and his partner. Cho Chang looked very beautiful in her white and pink dress robes. Harry must have felt terrible when he saw the two together. Speaking of Harry, he and Parvati brought up the rear. Harry looked so concentrated on not falling, but Parvati seemed to be really enjoying herself. She was smiling and waving to her friends.

When the champions reached the head table, everyone was prompted to sit at the glowing tables. John led me to a table with his friends and their dates. I couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable away from my friends. I preferred the company of those I knew rather than those I just met. There was no food on the tables, but white menus were lying on top of the silver dinner plates. Some confused chatter started up before Dumbledore's voice boomed over the noise. He had said "pork chops" and pork chops had appeared on his plate. The hall was filled with the sound of orders. I ordered a chicken salad and a side of watercress soup. If I was going to be dancing later I didn't want to be weighed down with rich food.

I remained uncharacteristically quiet as John talked and joked with his fellow Ravenclaws over topics I clearly didn't understand. As I ate, I found myself looking across the dance floor to where Ron was scarfing down his food like he always did. Padma was chatting with Lavender who was wearing, of course, lavender dress robes. A few tables away from them, Ginny sat cross-armed next to a tense Neville who looked like he had just eaten something foul. The twins were laughing at his expression. I sighed into my pumpkin juice. Fred looked very handsome in his dress robes. He was wearing a white button shirt under a brown vest and black cloak. The brown probably complimented his eyes.

"– what do you think?"

"I'm sorry," I shook my head out of the daze I was in.

John's friend, Felix, I think it was, laughed, "Do you think Diggory or Potter will take the cup?"

"Oh," I frowned, glancing up at the head table where Harry was watching Hermione and Viktor Krum.

"Mate, Potter's her friend. Of course she'll say him," John nudged his friend.

"I think he's got a one-in-four chance," I admitted. "He may be younger than the rest, but Harry's always got a surprise up his sleeve."

After that, the conversation at our table started going along better. I was starting to feel more comfortable with the Ravenclaws as we ate dessert. After I was full, I rested my hands on the sides of my thighs. Apparently, John had done the same, because when he moved his leg closer to mine, our fingers touched. Normally, I would have pulled my hand away, but I didn't. I just kept them where they were, listening to one of the girls tell a funny story about Flitwick.

Dumbledore stood up and asked everyone to do the same. With a wave of his wand, the tables were pushed to the sides and back of the hall. Behind the head table, instruments and chairs were set up for Flitwick's advanced Music class. The students set to play took their seats and waited for instruction. A beautiful drape of heavy white fog rolled down from the high ceiling to create a backdrop. The lanterns on the tables dimmed and the student started playing a soft waltz.

Each of the champions and their dates made their way to the dance floor. I held my breath as Harry nearly tripped over his dress robes. He stood in front of Parvati looking confused. She had a smile on her face, but her eyes screamed annoyance. She grabbed his hands forcefully and placed one around her waist, holding the other up. It was clear that Parvati was steering Harry. He wasn't looking at her as he concentrated on the steps. While the other three partners looked fluid, Harry and Parvati looked jerky.

Dumbledore led McGonagall onto the dancefloor and many people followed soon after. I smiled as Neville and Ginny walked out to dance as well. John nudged me and pointed to the side of the stage. Filch was holding his cat in his arms, humming and swaying. The sight was hilarious. Then, what I was most nervous about happened. John extended his hand for me to take. I breathed as I took his right hand in mine. John led us out to the middle of the crowded floor. I placed my left hand on his right shoulder and he gently took my right in his left. I stared down at my feet.

"Hey," John chuckled. When I looked back up at him, he was grinning. "I told you I was learning how to dance. These right here," he clicked his toes together, "they're magical enchanted dancing shoes."

John started moving before I was ready. We stumbled a little, but eventually had no trouble 'gliding', as McGonagall put it, around the floor. John hadn't been lying. He was a pretty good dance partner. He hadn't stepped on my feet at all. Most importantly, he kept quiet. No quips or innuendos or dumb pickup lines were spoken.

"So this is awkward," he finally laughed quietly.

"What is," I questioned as we switched hand positions and moved backwards.

"This whole dancing-and-not-speaking thing. It's awful."

"What do we have to speak about?"

"Oh, I dunno. Stuff."

"Stuff?"

"Yeah. Stuff."

"Okay?"

"Okay. So, then, what's your favorite color?"

It was my turn to laugh quietly. "You want to know that?"

"Yes," John confirmed. "That's stuff."

"Okay," I nodded, trying and failing to hold back a smile. "Red. Yours?"

"Blue. Like the bottom of your dress." John looked down at my dress as if to confirm with himself. Dark blue was his favorite color. I felt my cheeks flush. "Favorite book?"

"Peter Pan."

"That Muggle rubbish! No way," I frowned at his insistent disapproval. "It's about a boy who takes children away from their homes. Do you know what it's a metaphor for?"

John had leaned in closer to my ear. We had stopped waltzing and had been just swaying with the music of a second song for a while now. My breath caught in my throat when I felt his hot breath near my ear. We were so close to each other. The last time I had been this close to a boy was when Oliver Wood hid me from John. How ironic that we were now at the Yule Ball together with our bodies touching. My eyes flit around the dance floor waiting for John to tell me what Peter Pan was a metaphor for. Before he could tell me, the waltz ended. I was quick to jump away from the Ravenclaw boy. Flitwick took a bow and everyone clapped in appreciation.

As soon as the Music students were off the stage, Flitwick waved his wand and the chairs and instruments vanished. He walked through the fog and disappeared. I clicked my tongue impatiently as chatter filled the hall. "So, that was nice," I said to my date to fill the awkward silence between us.

"Yeah. You're not a bad dancer," John smiled. He did have a nice smile.

"You're not so bad yourself. I guess those magical shoes of yours worked after all, huh?"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please," Flitwick said as he appeared out of the fog. There was a small slit running up the middle and that's when I realized it wasn't a backdrop, but a curtain. The crowd was still chattering away when our professor managed to call our attention fully. Around me, I noticed that the other professors were working their way off of the dancefloor. Flitwick continued with excitement in his voice, "For the first time, playing live, here at Hogwarts, please welcome the band that needs to introduction!"

The screams were ear-piercing. Suddenly, students started to rush the stage where the Weird Sisters appeared out of the fog curtain. They looked like an 80's rock band; large hair, kinda dirty, and wearing ripped up black clothes. The applause and screaming became absolutely wild.

"Alright, Hogwarts! Are you ready for some real music," lead singer, Myron Wagtail, shouted.

I shouted back just as enthusiastically as my fellow students. Everyone's hands were in the air as we screamed in delight. John was already jumping up and down, waving his arms excitedly. Myron Wagtail began clapping his hands above his head. We followed his lead. He told us that they were going to teach us a new dance and we were all for it. Flitwick, who was still on the stage, kept backing up until he fell off. John laughed as a few Durmstrang boys passed him on. Our Charms professor was unwillingly crowd surfing, but after a few hands, he started laughing as well.

I watched in amusement as the students started to jump around and dance like crazy. Girls and boys alike began to scream shrilly as they reached their hands out for Myron to touch. John and I were bouncing around towards the middle of the crowd, bobbing our heads to the beat. The Weird Sisters started up one of their newest songs, 'Do the Hippogriff'.

I didn't know my fellow students (or those from Beauxbatons or Durmstrang, for that matter) could rock so hard. Myron was jumping around the stage as he sang about hairy trolls, elves, unicorns and rock n' roll. Myron got so close to the students in the front that some were actually grabbing the fringe from his furry coat. Like a professional, he kept going, taking their hands and waving them in the air. I was jumping and rocking my head so hard I felt my brain was rattling around. The chorus was so jammin', I couldn't help but dance around like an idiot.

"CAN YOU DANCE LIKE A HIPPOGRIFF? MAH MAH MAH, MAH MAH MAH, MAH MAH MAH!"

With a last long "yeah!" from Myron, the song ended. The crowd went nuts. Students started pushing forward as the band started another song. It started out a bit slower than the last one, but it picked up and the screaming got louder again. I was still dancing, but not really as enthusiastic as those around us. Through a small gap in bodies, I saw Fred and Angelina dancing. There were so energetic with their arms and legs flailing that people were backing away from them in fear of getting hurt. I looked away as the burning feeling came back in my chest. I tried not to look at John either as our hands bumped a few times. With one last blast from the bagpipe, the song ended. Applause and a joyous roar filled the hall again.

"Can we go sit down," I yelled to John over the start of another Weird Sisters hit. This song began much faster than the previous.

"Yeah, sure," John yelled back.

Bodies closed in on us as people started jumping around again. As I turned to walk towards the back of the hall, I felt someone take my hand. My head swiveled back as John got caught trying to push himself between two large Durmstrang students. I was still staring at our clasped hands as he stumbled forward. The Ravenclaw boy was standing next to me when I looked up at him in confusion. The burning in my chest became a dull grumble. John smiled sweetly at me as he led us back and away from all of the bodies.

I felt much cooler when we were away from the mass of students. We found an empty table and John finally let go of my hand. He took two seats and turned them outward to face the stage so we could still watch the Weird Sisters perform. I sat down as John told me he was going to get us some drinks. I nodded. More people started filing back as another song ended. It was getting quite hot in the Great Hall. A body sat down next to me and I knew it was Ron from the smell of mothballs. He crossed his arms, harrumphing as Padma took the seat beside him. She looked quite down as she stared longingly at the dancefloor.

"You two having fun," I leaned over Ron and asked Padma tentatively.

"Loads," I did not miss the sarcasm in her voice.

"Cool," I replied lamely as I leaned back. Ron harrumphed again. This time he was scowling.

When John came back with two bottles of butterbeer, he raised a questioning eyebrow. I shook my head so he wouldn't ask questions. At this time, Harry and Parvati walked over as well. She took a seat next to her twin while Harry grabbed a chair and sat it next to Ron, blocking Padma's view of the band. The lute player let out a long note and the audience clapped, the screaming died down.

"Alright," Myron said softly. "We're going to take it a little easy now." The guitar player started strumming softly as more people left the dancefloor. Myron began humming as the band began an older ballad of theirs.

John took a long swing of his butterbeer and then cleared his throat. Harry, Ron, and I looked at him simultaneously. "Let's dance," John said. Ron grumbled as I stood up. I kicked him in the shin with my heel. My friend made a noise of protest but John and I were already heading to the middle of the dancefloor. I apologized for Ron's behavior as John placed his hands on my upper waist. "Weasley doesn't like me much, I gather."

"Ron's…" I sighed. "…protective. He knows how much you've annoyed me in the past. He doesn't like that I'm here with you."

"Obviously. He's got a mean right hook," I laughed. "So does his older brother. The twin."

"Oh," I muttered softly. "I'm sorry about that too."

From across the hall, amber eyes bore into mine as I swayed with John Haring. His voice became jumbled in my ear as the owner of said amber eyes stalked over to us. Fred Weasley tapped John on the shoulder and crossed his arms. His lips were pressed together in a straight line and, for once, he looked quite serious. When John turned around, he was physically taken aback. But he held his head high as he placed an arm around my waist. I did nothing to stop this.

"Weasley," he acknowledged the older boy in front of us.

"Haring," Fred said tersely. "May I borrow your date?"

John tilted his head to look at me. We had been getting along great tonight. I had almost expected him to say no to Fred. But, instead of defiance, there was a sort of defeated look in John's eyes. He must have known for a while now that I really liked Fred because, without a word, he took a step back, extending his arms in a gesture for Fred to take his place. Fred held out a hand for me to take. There was a split second where I thought I'd better not take it. As Myron Wagtail crooned about a long lost love, I took Fred Weasley's hand.