Guest - I can only completely agree, but then neither of our boys are perfect! Teenage boys eh?

Second guest reviewer - Without giving much away, Snape isn't going to be around for a while, but I promise he's not forgotten! And I don't think Vlad harbors any resentment toward Harry about Remus (though he doesn't have much love for Remus himself), because he knows Harry just desperately wanted the connection to his parents... although Susan could be a different matter.

-YDHP-

Cedric looked a little surprised, though not nearly as surprised as Harry felt - he didn't expect the yes to come out, but a vindictive part of him wanted to see Vlad react to him answering. Aside from Fang knocking his tea cup over, Vlad didn't seem even mildly perturbed.

"Wait, really? I mean i waa kidding, but if you're game I am."

"Sure. Saves me finding a date too."

Vlad was paying more attention to cleaning up the spilled tea. That told Harry all he needed to know - Vlad wasn't jealous of the idea Harry was going with Cedric. A voice cut through any tension from outside.

"Hold on. Yeah, he's in here. Oi Vlad, your man is out here."

Draco's head poked through the door, gesturing behind him to where Vlad's eyes went to, and it didn't take long before Vlad was making his excuses to Hagrid and leaving. Harry watched after them, not noticing until Fang shoved a drooling head into his lap to break his reverie.

"Not happy breaking Vlad's cup, you want to break mine too?"

Fang grumbled, then hummed a little when Harry scratched behind his ear. Hagrid grabbed him and dragged the mutt away, ordering him to his huge bed in the corner instead. Cedric seemed relatively chilled out considering everything, but then he wasn't privy to Harry's inner turmoil.

Cedric had a class to get to, and asked Harry to walk with him. When they left the hut, Vlad and Krum were nowhere to be seen. Turning his attention to his soon-to-be date, Harry realised he was talking.

"So, can you dance?"

"Not really. But I think we have to have a class on it. You can right?"

"Mhmm. My dad works for the Ministry, so I have been going to family functions since I was about seven. Just try not to stand on my feet and we'll be fine."

Harry nodded as they reached the doors, checking the time and deciding he didn't have enough of it to go see Samael before he had a class himself. Cedric waved and left for Charms, and Harry figured he could go for a quick trip to the kitchens before he made for Defence.

Life seemed a little better with three bacon sandwiches and some orange juice in him, even if Harry now realised that the assumption was going to be he was dating Cedric. He was less perturbed by the notion many would assume he had been lying about being straight than he thought, but very concerned Cedric might think they were going on a real date. With any luck, they could clear that up before the dance. Not that it was far away now.

If Vlad was at all bothered by Harry agreeing to go with Cedric, there was absolutely zero sign of it in class. He was all smiles and studious nature as ever, even asked Harry how his animagus work was going over homework.

"I uh, I've been slacking on it actually. Don't tell Hermione. I'll work on it over Christmas. How are you and the egg?"

He was babbling - if Vlad had solved the egg, Harry would know about it.

"Still . Tough to work on something that makes you want to remove your eardrums with a spoon just to make the noise stop. Sorry, that was Ingrid's description."

"You went to Ingrid for help?"

"No. Bertrand asked to see it, and Ingrid doesn't ask for permission. She opened it anyway. Regretted it instantly, but she opened it."

Chuckling, Harry shook his head as he finished a line on his essay and dropped his quill with a flourish.

"I never thought I would say this, but Tonks set dull homework."

"Wait, you mean you aren't secretly a die hard fan of correct duelling etiquette?"

Flicking a bit of parchment at Vlad, Harry grinned when Vlad glared.

"Ha ha. No. I know this must be on the exams, but damn it's boring."

"Beats dancing lessons."

"You can dance already."

Vlad shrugged, checking a fact in his book before pulling out the measuring tape for their 'twelve inches on etiquette' essay.

"The class is still mandatory. I bet Ingrid just hexed Moonshine to get out of Slytherin dance."

Snorting as he imagined Professor Moonshine asking Ingrid to volunteer, Harry felt the elephant in the room rear it's head for a moment - they hadn't talked about the Yule Ball itself yet. Apparently Vlad felt it too, finally breaking the silence.

"I'm surprised you agreed to go with Cedric."

"Why? It's not a date."

He didn't mean to sound defensive, and Vlad visibly flinched before he controlled it. He spoke more softly after, almost silently.

"I didn't mean that. I meant because the champions have to open the dance, and you don't like being the centre of attention."

"Oh. Right. Fair point, but I tend to get attention anyway. At least Cedric signed on for that by asking me."

Vlad nodded quietly, apparently nervous to upset Harry again. Feeling guilty, Harry checked nobody was looking and reached to squeeze Vlad's wrist, feeling relieved when Vlad turned his hand to squeeze back at Harry's.

"Sorry. I think I'm just used to arguing with everyone else, normally with us we just joke about it."

And Harry regretted that so much now - how could he risk bringing up confusing feelings with Vlad? He would just think it was another joke, and Harry couldn't bring himself to be laughed at.

"It's alright. I didn't think you were harbouring a secret crush on Cedric Diggory."

"How do you know? I totally could have."

Vlad tipped his head, giving Harry an intense stare. The dark blue eyes bored through him, making Harry feel a little stripped-back.

"Nah, I think I know you too well."

If he did, Vlad would know Harry was having a mild crisis of emotions. And somehow, Harry doubted Vlad could see that.

"If you say so."

They resumed homework quietly, but much less tense than before. They hadn't addressed much, but at least they weren't avoiding the topic.

Hermione, on the other hand, was very much on the topic. Harry asked her to say nothing to anyone else who didn't already know, because he didn't want to go through what Vlad had with the whole revelation thing. It was selfish, he knew. Cedric had said he was only going to tell his friends he had a date, not who, and was a mix of amused and excited about the dramatic impact they would make.

"Harry, I love you dearly and you and Vlad are my best friends, but what on earth are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

Shaking her head, Hermione stole Harry's sandwich - gaining his full attention as he was hungry. Vlad and Draco were in the hospital wing - it was the full that night, and Vlad was getting a check up on his chest scar - and they were out by the owlery, having just visited a cheery Hedwig.

"I mean, you have spent years making it sound like the idea you and Vlad were together was a bad thing. Now you're perfectly fine with everyone being likely to assume you're dating Cedric?"

"But I'm not dating Cedric - ow!"

Hermione swatted the back of his head, still holding his food hostage.

"That's not my point. My point is, how do you think that makes Vlad feel?"

"You think he's jealous?"

He had to duck to dodge another smack - Draco was lucky he was hard-built thanks to his lycanthropy, as Hermione was liberal with the potential attacks.

"No! I think he might be upset though. You picked fights at the idea you were dating him, but didn't hesitate to agree when it was Cedric. So either you're gay and haven't told Vlad - yes, I know he did the same with Viktor, but he's an idiot! Or you aren't, but somehow Vlad was a worse choice for people to think you're dating than Cedric."

"Has Vlad said he's upset? And can I have that back? I need to eat regularly."

Hermione finally relinquished his sandwich, which he took a hasty bite of before she stole it again.

"No, but I know these things. And if you're not gay, does Cedric know that? Do you?"

That was a hit on the heart of the matter there, close to enough to kill Harry's appetite. Not quite though, he mused as he took another bite.

"Cedric knows it's not a real date, I'm just going to the ball with him. As for me... I have no idea. I'm not interested in Cedric, I know that much."

Harry didn't need a vampires telepathic abilities to know Hermione and her keen mind could work out pretty much everything from Harry's cryptic sentence while he finished his sandwich. After a minute or so of silence but for chewing, she uttered one word that lifted Harry's spirits a little. At least Hermione would be someone he could talk to about the mess in his head.

"Vlad?"

"I don't know. This is why I can't talk to him about any of this. I just... I don't like seeing him with Krum, but I don't know that that's not just because I am selfishly used to monopolizing all of his time. I'm not... I'm not gay, I don't think I would actually ever look at a guy and want them."

"But normal rules have never applied to you and Vlad?"

"Exactly. We're close, but it's... it's different. Different to me and Draco because he's like my brother, to me and you even though we've had a fair few near-death experiences. And I can't speak to Vlad about this, because it's not exactly fair to put my confusion on him when he's got enough going on with the tournament and his boyfriend."

"Mmm. I see your point. By the sounds of it, you don't know what you want. Maybe you should take some time to figure that out. Vlad's still going to be around when the Triwizard Tournament is over."

"You have more faith in him than he does. He is pretty sure the tournament is going to do it's best to kill him."

"Nice deflection. Seriously though. If you want to talk to Vlad as your friend, go for it. If you want to vent jealousy at him with nothing else to it, that wouldn't be very fair. Don't put that sort of pressure on your friendship if you aren't sure."

Staring solemnly at the ground, watching the snow drifts shift slowly in the mild breeze that had Hermione's cheeks bright pink but had no effect on Harry, he could only nod.

"You're right. Thanks Hermione."

He didn't feel any closer to clarity on his feelings, but Hermione had offered advice, and a conscience to the thoughts where she was not riddled with jealousy - his and Vlad's friendship was too precious to risk if Harry wasn't sure what he wanted. Hell, even then, he couldn't be sure what Vlad wanted. Harry needed to be certain he wanted more, and that it was worth the risk. And there was Viktor Krum to consider - if he made Vlad happy, Harry couldn't get in the way of that.

"You have a responsibility during the Yule Ball, by the way?"

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Make sure I don't stare at Harry. I knew I was in trouble when he ordered them over the summer."

Viktor chuckled, covering his face to muffle the sound with his hand when Vlad glared.

"It's not funny. I had been counting on his hatred of attention and heterosexuality to make this bloody dance easier. Now he's going with Cedric, so not only do I have to see him with another guy, we have to dance at the same time!"

"Come on. It's a little funny for me. I have to ensure my date is not seen ogling other men."

Vlad continued glaring, and his 'boyfriend' continued laughing. It was good he wasn't brought down by Vlad's dour mood - he had taken the available chance not to see Harry and Cedric together when Draco mentioned Viktor was outside. He didn't think Hagrid would have minded in the slightest if Viktor had joined them, but Vlad had to get out of there.

"Well, you're the one who insisted on dating the vampire with a mate."

"True. Entirely my own fault."

The Bulgarian was still grinning, even when they were spotted by the second years during lunch break and he was avidly quizzed by Matthew about his Quidditch career.

"Feel free to hex him if he's annoying. I do."

"It's true. She does."

George grinned as Matthew sulked, ruffling his carefully styled hair - apparently such an important style the boy wasn't wearing a hat in December. Outside.

"George!"

"Oh be quiet. You just magic it back. Come on, lunch is almost over and you've intruded on enough of their time together."

George winked at Vlad, then dragged a protesting Matthew away with Bella's help. Vlad scrubbed a hand over his face, apologising for the impromptu fan club.

"It's fine. At least they aren't part of the hate mail club. I am famous you know, I am used to it."

Vlad gave his company a shove, but he felt a smile work over his face against his will. He was lucky to have Viktor as a friend, he knew.

"They were right though. I have Arithmancy to get to. Then Ancient Runes, which I always get homework for but we can hang out later if you want?"

"I'll bring food, Andrew vants to go to Hogsmeade. I'll be back in time for dinner, don't vorry."

Vlad knew there were people watching, but since everyone knew anyway he didn't really mind so much when Viktor kissed his cheek, then promised to see him later. There were jeers and wolf whistles, but they didn't really bother him that much.

Watching Harry head out during his free period to spend it with Cedric - a magical creature enthusiast, as it transpired, with more free time his sixth year after dropping a couple of subjects post OWLs - was considerably more bothersome. Hermione dragged him along to Arithmancy, and Theo could see something was up but didn't really bring attention to it, just nudged Vlad whenever he stopped focusing on the work.

"Are you ok mate? You're normally the nerdiest. After Hermione."

"Fine. Just tournament stress. Yule Ball and everything. Thanks for making sure I was paying attention though. Better get to Runes."

A closet masochist apparently, Vlad stared out of the window on his way to next class, squinting to make out where Harry and Cedric were in the Hippogriff enclosure - Vlad couldn't get within six feet of the place without getting mauled.

"Vlad. Move it!"

Hermione spotted his longing stares, forcibly removing him with a wand to the face that rose giggles from passersby. Ancient Runes helped, requiring considerably more of his brain to get through it.

There was no verbal assertion, no major change between them but Vlad, totally attuned to Harry, could feel a shift. By the Christmas holiday break, there was a tension not previously there between he and Harry. Even when Harry crawled into his bed, he was more awkward in the morning than usual. It was starting to wear thin on Vlad's nerves.

Because students third year and under weren't allowed at the Ball, the majority of younger students, and a not-insignificant amount of older students had gone for the holidays. So despite the grandeur of the Ball and excitement of the Triwizard Tournament, it wouldn't be half as hectic as expected.

Despite vehement denial from Ministry and general public alike, perhaps some protective instinct toward their children had parents accepting that Voldemort's presence could be felt, that there was a heavy darkness threatening the bubble of safety and happiness around Hogwarts and so they wanted their children home for Christmas. Unlike for Vlad, their attendance wasn't mandatory.

"I'm not sure these still fit me. I forgot how quick the whole lycanthropy thing was going to bulk me out."

Seamus and Dean had left for the holidays, and Neville was off on a Herbology thing - he helped Professor Sprout out in his spare time. Harry was... well, Vlad knew exactly where his mate was but was pretending otherwise, watching Draco try on his dress robes. Malfoy instinct - he had to test run the outfit before it went out in public. The fit was snug around the arms, tight around the shoulders and Draco had gained a good two inches in height since August.

"Can't you use tailoring charms? I mean, constantly doing it is bad for the fabric but you can add an inch or two around the tight fits and length and be fine."

"I guess. Dobby!"

The house elf popped into their dormitory, covering his eyes when he saw Draco undressing again.

"For Merlins sake Dobby, I need you to tailor these. They are too small and I don't have time for new ones."

"Yes master Draco! Dobby will do so immediately!"

Without their presence to constantly reassure the elves they weren't at risk of injury for not being perfectly obedient to the letter, the elves old instincts from Lucius Malfoy tended to kick back in sadly.

"Relax Dobby. It's me remember?"

"Dobby apologises. Sir."

Draco dismissed him gently when the robes were sufficiently tailored, placing them back on and gaining a much better fit. The robes didn't suit his still slightly amber eyes, which he didn't bother glamouring over apart from the days either side when that were fully amber, zero grey.

"Still a little sore from the full. At least the Ball is days away, I'll be fine by then."

"Would put a stick in the dance if you wolfed out on the dance floor. Especially when you ruined your robes Dobby just fixed."

Harry tried on his robes later on, and Vlad had to seriously consider silencing himself when he wanted to tell Harry he looked edible. As he had expected, Harry's robes were still servicable, but tight on his new muscles. Unlike Draco, he hadn't gained much height so his robes didn't need altering - Harry was going to be wearing black trousers underneath them anyway.

"Those charmed adjustable shirts were a good call, I didn't realise how much bigger you had gotten too."

"Basilisk. Werewolf. Then Vlad, who just looks like he's being stretched upwards instead."

Vlad shrugged, selfconscious about his slighter frame.

"Vampires aren't naturally bulky. Bertrand has worked hard for a few centuries to stay broad. Should see my mum's boyfriend, he's twice the size of Draco. Mind you, he's a born, not a bitten."

"Mmm."

Draco held up his forearm, eyeing the scar tissue left from his turning bite. He watched as Harry nudged him with his shoulder, holding out his own scarred skin.

"Brothers in arms... Arm scars anyway."

Draco laughed even as he cringed a little.

"That was bad, even for you. Better put on your glasses, Neville will be back soon."

Both boys rolled their sleeves back down and Harry's glamoured glasses went back on. Vlad could see a faint shimmer around the bridge of them, knowing Harry had repaired them recently. He knew they would break fairly easily though, no unbreakable charm as it irritated his own magical sight.

Originally planning to stay - he even had a date to the ball - Neville ended up leaving before Christmas day. His grandmother wanted him home, and Neville wanted to visit his parents, which couldn't be done from Hogwarts. That gave Vlad minimal time, but an opportunity he quickly roped Bertrand into helping with - he could leave the school grounds, portkey around to help.

Fred and George, with their knowledge of how to sneak around the school, would have been useful but would have defeated the surprise. As predicted, they were in the dorm the second dawn broke Christmas morning. Ingrid, Ginny and Hermione weren't far behind, though Ingrid was fully dressed. Including her Weasley jumper from last year, as tradition dictated, Vlad noticed. He had pestered her to do so when giving her the password the day before.

"Vlad's up to something. I can tell."

Everyone looked at Ingrid in surprise, and Vlad cursed his sister knowing him so damn well.

"Probably. Are we waiting for Bertrand?"

"Yep. He said he would be here."

There was a knock at the portrait hole - Vlad had left their dorm door open specifically to hear it. Draco's brow creased in confusion.

"He knows the password. Why knock?"

"You know him. Tradition and politeness are so important. I'll get it shall I?"

Nobody had moved since the knock, so Vlad padded down the steps in his slippers. Sure enough, Bertrand was there - with invisibility magic all around him as he stepped through. Vlad indicated his head to the stairs, talking to mask the sounds of added footsteps until they were safely behind closed doors. It would be a tight fit, but worth it.

"Mum! Dad!"

"Bill! Charlie!"

The four Weasley adults beamed as they came out from beneath invisibility cloaks - none were as perfect as Harry's, but could be charmed short term out of almost any material but silk. Or bought, if one knew where to look, which is what Vlad had sent Bertrand to do. A vampire wouldn't arouse suspicions.

"I was right. You were plotting."

Ingrid smirked at him, basking in her correctness.

"Everyone's stuck here because I'm in that bloody tournament. I figured I could still make Christmas morning similar. Slightly illegally."

"Even better."

"Shut up and open gifts will you?"

The veritable storm of wrapping paper, noise and occasional hexes from Ingrid filled their early morning, with breakfast and lunch to be served in common rooms undress of the Hall to allow preparations for the Yule Ball later, where dinner would be a part of it.

"Did you invite your boyfriend Vlad?"

Ginny quizzed, stealing a hash brown from Bill's plate with a wicked grin.

"Not to the illicit smuggling party, no. He's coming up for lunch though."

Sat next to him, Harry barely even reacted to that, his hand stilling for maybe a second before he went back to comparing new jumpers with Draco - both of whom barely fit into them even with the usual slightly baggy sizing.

"Blimey, what are you guys eating. I mean, we're Weasleys so we like to eat but that is a snug fitting."

"You have seen them eat right? It's like a sausage contest."

Several of them dissolved into laughter at that comment from Charlie to Bill, even Bertrand cracking a smile as he took part in the festivities. He even got a jumper that year, apparently Mrs Weasley decided vampirism was no excuse. It was black and white, Ingrid's black and a deep purple that barely showed unless it caught the light.

Being smuggled back out mid-morning after much gift exchange and ravenous eating, the Weasleys all gave Vlad mammoth hugs.

"Thank you so much Vlad."

"Like I said. Everyone's stayed here because of me. Least I could do. Just get out without being spotted so I don't get in trouble."

It was a bizarre secret for them all to be in on, but Vlad figured if Karkaroff could get off the grounds whenever Riddle called, and a basilisk could be smuggled in, then a couple of secret passages and sneaking from Hogsmeade at six in the morning would be little trouble. If anyone had suspicions, Vlad was never called out on it.

Bertrand had to leave before lunch, as he had to be security checked and assigned as a chaperone for the Ball that evening. Ingrid stayed, Weasley jumper and all, in Gryffindor tower with them for lunch herself.

Viktor turned up just before then, greeting everyone cordially and Vlad rather enthusiastically. They had exchanged gifts the day before already - Vlad had on the delicate friendship bracelet, some intricate leather thing Viktor had bought on his travels and thought Vlad would like. He was wearing the other one himself. Vlad, at a loss as to what to give the other boy, had gone with a book on vampires he wouldn't have been able to get anywhere but from a vampire. Surprisingly, it had gone down very well.

Viktor was effortlessly polite with the assorted company for Christmas, unfazed by questions and attention directed at him.

"Would you normally stay at school for the holidays?"

"No. Between school and Quidditch, I get very little time at home as it is. But I couldn't resist entering the tournament any more than my headmaster could resist bringing me."

"Adrenaline junkie."

"Don't deny it"

"We were at the final."

Shaking his head as Viktor looked bemused by the Weasley twins, Vlad could sense his hesitancy to be as tactile as usual up close with Harry there. He couldn't make himself initiate it, couldn't bring himself to do it just to test Harry's reaction. Then he would be exactly as bad as Hermione thought the whole situation was. Still, he enjoyed the company - Viktor was funny, even won smiles out of Ingrid.

"I should go, the party starts in a couple of hours."

"I will meet you in the Entrance Hall at Champion time."

Vlad could really have done without the Weasley twins catcalling when Viktor kissed the top of his head before leaving. Ingrid called after him, deciding that her brothers boyfriend was ab adequate escort down to the dungeons. Fred watched after her with a grin, then turned to Vlad.

"You might be the only person I know who doesn't worry about their sister and boyfriend disappearing together."

"I trust Viktor. And for that matter, I trust Ingrid. Above anything else, she would rather die than go for someone dating her little brother. And all of that doesn't include the fact he's gay and she's a girl."

All in all, he was glad to escape up into the dorm to get ready. His chest was as healed as it would ever be until he transformed, periodically and sometimes cripplingly painful but the scar had faded some. It was stark against his pale skin still, and his slim build was obvious next to the werewolf Draco and the basilisk-sped-growth Harry. At least Vlad was the tallest... for now, he groused.

He attempted to tame his hair, brushed his teeth and spent a rather shameful amount of time watching Harry's emerald green robes hug his muscles. Harry seemed nervous himself, not apparently noticing Vlad's ogling.

"Better get going you two. Champion and champions date."

More than anything, Vlad desperately wished it was he and Harry going together. Dancing was an intimate thing, and he couldn't help but think staring into Harry's eyes would be far better, as much as he liked and enjoyed friendship with Viktor... he wasn't Harry.

McGonogall looked surprised to see Harry there, watching as he walked over to Cedric and smiled in a way that made Vlad ache with jealousy. Viktor, looking broad and refined in the Durmstrang crimson jacket, squeezed his hand, jolting him out of his reverie. Fleur and her date Roger Davies were by far the most normal pairing. She smiled in a friendly manner to each of them, the only female there and subtly revelling in that.

"Very well. Miss Delacour and Mr Davies, you can lead in."

They lined up as everyone began to fill in to the Great Hall, and Vlad caught sight of Hermione and Draco together. Her soft blue dress robes practically glowed against Draco's black, and they were so at ease, slotting together as a couple naturally that Vlad was struck with even more jealous.

He was thankful for Viktor being used to handling all the attention, perfectly comfortable as he guided Vlad into position, holding his hand and waist and placing them where Vlad couldn't easily stare hungrily in Harry's direction. For once they weren't the center of attention though, as the music began to swell from a glittering orchestra the muttering began too - Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory?

"Just follow my lead. We don't have to dance for long."

Viktor was brilliant at gently prompting his attention, ensuring Vlad didn't get caught out eyeing anothers date. And once others had started to venture out onto the dance floor - Blaise Zabini was the mystery date Ginny had refused to mention, and Ingrid had come alone because she refused to go 'with' anybody, though she was socialising with Theo and several of the Durmstrang boys - Viktor was happy to have them leave the dance floor again.

"I vill go collect drinks from over there. You can go say hi to Ingrid."

What he was really saying was 'you can go check on Ingrid' because he knew Vlad was itching to ensure she wasn't being harassed because she had no date. He was overprotective, he knew but Ingrid wasn't as cold as she seemed, and the more effort he put in to their sibling relationship, the better he hoped the chance was it would survive when they weren't in the same school for most of the year.

"Thanks."

He smiled, headed over to the drinks area and Vlad slid neatly into the empty seat next to Ingrid - she tended to scare people away, only certain people were immune to Ingrid-glares. Vlad was one, and Theo was both gay and quiet, so Ingrid didn't bother glaring that often.

"Where's your Bulgarian?"

"He went to get drinks. How are you enjoying the festivities?"

"I hate it all. You can come dance with me though, this dress should be shown off."

Chuckling, Vlad let Ingrid drag him out for a brother-sister dance. It was fun now he was better at dancing at least, and it meant Ingrid got to join in without worrying about expectations or the potent effect she had on most boys.

"Definite improvement. No stamping for one."

"I will take that as a compliment. Viktor's back, come along sister dear."

Ingrid was less subtle, just pinching Vlad's arm when his eyes strayed to search for Harry again. It still worked, and Viktor handed Vlad a bottle of chilled juice before wrapping a gentle arm around his shoulders - they were on a date technically.

"Andrew, help Theo keep the droolers avay from Ingrid's dinner vould you?"

Vlad couldn't sit with Ingrid, because the champions had to sit up at the biggest, fanciest table, but Viktor quietly assigned his friend to be Ingrid's left-side guard before he led Vlad up to the table. On the other hand... here he got to sit next to Harry, who was currently looking cutely confused by the menu.

"How does this work?"

Vlad was about to shrug, then noticed their headmaster conversing with his plate.

"Guess we yell at it and food appears. Just like magic."

Harry snorted, but turned back to talking to Cedric when the food had been ordered and everyone was eating. Harry wouldn't get away with his usual huge portions here - Vlad envisioned a dent being made in their Christmas food horde that evening after the dance. Given the visit from Mrs Weasley, it was a large stash.

"How is your... I can't pronounce it, how's your food?"

Viktor was evidently amused - his thick accent usually caused the difficulty with words, but now Vlad was the one struggling with a word.

"Goulash. And good. How is your lasagna?"

"Contains nothing it shouldn't, which is always an improvement."

It took some convincing, as several students began to disappear but the remaining became ever more animated (Vlad heavily suspected alcohol had been snuck into the drinks somewhere), but Viktor eventually gave Vlad his usual kiss on the cheek, then agreed to go and dance with his friends. Neither of the other couples containing a champion were visible, and Vlad spotted Ingrid leaving so he could safely escape outside for some air.

The main doors were open in the Entrance Hall, allowing air to circulate without bringing down the temperature of the Great Hall. Glad for his foresight to wear a t-shirt and trousers underneath, Vlad loosened his dress robes and took a breath of cold air as he stepped outside. Even the grounds had not been spared decorations for Christmas, Vlad discovered.

Over his head he saw that an area of lawn right in front of the castle had been transformed into a sort of grotto full of fairy lights — meaning hundreds of actual living fairies were sitting in the rosebushes that had been conjured there, and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to be Father Christmas and his reindeer.

One of the bushes was making an interesting giggling sound. One that sounded very much like Fleur, and Vlad suspected he knew where she and her date had gotten too. From a distance along the path, Vlad caught two very tall silhouettes against some more living fairy lights. He banked on Hagrid and Madam Maxime, going by the sheer height of them. Rather than disturb either couple, Vlad turned and headed in the only direction not involving a noisy bush, half giants or the castle.

Despite his best efforts, Vlad still found himself accidentally intruding - Harry and Cedric were out too, leant against the outer wall of the flying practice field talking quietly. They stopped when they saw him, before Vlad could inadvertently overhear them. Cedric smiled, as polite as ever despite Vlad's deeply rooted desire to feed him to the giant squid every time he saw the boy touch Harry.

"Oh, hi Vlad. Ditched your date?"

"He's dancing to the Weird Slayers or something. I needed some air, it's warm in there."

"Fair enough. You want to come back in Harry?"

Harry shook his head, and Cedric said he wanted to go and check none of his friends had overindulged - confirming Vlad's alcohol theory - before leaving Harry and Vlad out, quite alone under a cloudless, moonlit night with the threat of snow in the airs chill. There was a heavy silence for several minutes, which Vlad eventually had to break.

"So, having a good night?"

"We're gonna do small talk? Really?"

Confused, Vlad shrugged. Why was Harry so defensive?

"Uh. Sorry. Is there something in particular you wanted to talk about?"

Harry seemed to wrestle with something internally, then shook his head.

"No. I think I got one of the spiked drinks. Not sure alcohol and snake mixes." He paused, finally lifting his eyes to Vlad and pulling off his glamoured glasses. "How come we never danced together?"

Heart thrumming strangely, Vlad found himself momentarily lost for words.

"Oh. Uh. I only danced twice, Viktor and Ingrid."

"I wondered if you could dance. I know you said you could, but that's different to seeing it."

"Well, I can. Ballroom dance at least."

His robes suddenly felt too tight - where was Harry going with this? Harry scrunched his eyes closed for a moment in thought, then looked up at him again. Before their conversation could go any further, they were interrupted.

"Vlad? 'Arry? Yer shouldn' be out 'ere this late."

"Hey Hagrid. Just needed some air, that's all. Harry wasn't feeling too well."

"Ah. Well come on in with ye."

Hagrid was alone now, his lady friend disappeared and from what little he could see, Hagrid didn't look too happy about whatever they had discussed. Harry hastened to replace his glasses, but said very little as Hagrid walked them back to the doors before turning for his hut. Harry ambled toward the door to the Grand Staircase, eyes landing on something behind Vlad. Something with a recognisable voice.

"Ah, there you are."

"Oh, hi Viktor. I need to get Harry upstairs, he's not feeling too hot."

"Of course. Tell him I hope he feels better. And that you both had a good Christmas."

"Thanks. You too."

He gave him a quick shoulder squeeze, then turned to rejoin his friends. Harry was silent the entire walk up, and made a bathroom trip before he stripped out of his robes and crawled into his bed in boxer shorts without a single word. Feeling confused, tense and hearing a definitely tipsy Draco singing with the Weasley twins from the common room, Vlad couldn't help feeling a little irritated Hagrid had interrupted them. Because Harry was probably going to be unintoxicated the next morning, so whatever he was thinking fifteen minutes ago could be long gone.

Vlad drew his curtains as he climbed into bed, then got up half a minute later to put a water bottle on Harry's bedside table. He placed one on Draco's too after a minute, then finally crawled back into the cocoon of his bed. Draco stumbled a little as he undressed several minutes on, snoring louder than usual as he dropped off much faster than Vlad did.

-YDHP-

Hooray for the Yule Ball, and hopefully I will not be hunted down and killed for my tiny sneaking of a direct quote from GOF about lawn decorations.