Chapter 18: Preparing for the Ball

Upon returning to the castle Hermione and Harry joined their friends on their first Hogsmead visit. They caught up with Neville and Luna who were exploring Honeyduke's when Harry asked, "So…anyone seen Draco and Ginny?"

Luna giggled a bit, "Oh indeed." She said then led them over to the window pointing to the Quidditch supply shop across the way.

Draco and Ginny could be seen coming out of the shop laughing together. Harry smiled seeing Ginny looking at the blonde with a charming smile as they discussed something. Draco too had a bright smile on his face. "I think this is the first time I've ever seen Draco truly happy…in either lives." He mumbled the last part so just Hermione and Luna could hear.

"Is it possible they are soulmates?" Hermione asked looking to Luna for confirmation.

Luna simply smiled, "It lovely to see Fate's design going as it should." Was all she said before she turned to go pick out more candy with Neville.

Harry looked to Hermione, "I suppose that's a yes." He said as he smiled.

Hermione giggled a bit then looked back to their two friends to see Ginny drag Draco into Zonko's, "They make a cute couple."

"I wonder if Draco is going to have the bollocks to ask her to the Yule Ball." Harry muttered. He then glanced Hermione's way seeing she was a bit red, "Speaking of…I know it hasn't been announced yet…and I don't want you to feel obligated to go with me because of the whole soul mate thing, but uh…would you…would you want to go to the ball with me?" he asked his were cheeks on fire.

Hermione looked to him with wide eyes, "Sure." She said quickly, "I think I'll have to get a new dress though. You've likely already seen the one I've picked."

"Periwinkle blue? Lots of ruffles?" Harry asked.

Hermione smirked, "Yes, definitely need a new dress." She chuckled a bit.

Harry thought about it for a moment, "Wait here a second." He then turned and rushed over to Luna and Neville, "Psst." He hissed to the two of them quietly, "You two want to sneak off to Diagon Alley?" he asked.

Neville went wide eyed, "How on earth can we do that?"

"Well thanks to my name coming out of the Goblet I'm legally emancipated. Which means," Harry began but was cut off.

"You can legally apparate." Luna finished for him.

"Exactly." Harry grinned.

Luna appeared to be pondering this, "I assume we're going dress shopping?"

Harry continued to grin, "Its no fair that you know everything."

"Dress shopping?" Neville asked.

"For the Yule Ball." Harry told him, "Its why we had to get dress robes this year."

Neville's eyes widened even more, "Oh…did you find out because you're a champion?"

"Something like that." Harry smiled.

"I…I uh…I don't even have a date though." Neville mumbled. Harry stared Neville directly in the face then looked to Luna then back to Neville before nodding his head in Luna's direction. At first Neville looked confused at what Harry was doing then he looked at Luna who was simply standing there smiling while looking at a Blood Pop. Neville looked back to Harry wide eyed and discretely pointed to Luna to which Harry nodded. Neville gulped, "Uh Luna…." He said.

Luna turned to him, "Yes Neville?" she asked with her usual dreamlike smile.

"Would uh…would you… wouldyougototheballwithme?" the boy said quickly.

Harry face palmed himself as Neville reminded him of how he asked out Cho Chang in his last life. However unlike Cho, Luna did not force Neville to repeat himself, "I've been waiting for you to ask." She smiled, "Yes, I'd love to go with you."

Neville's face went scarlet, "Great…" he squeaked out.

"Perfect now I just have to make sure Draco asks Ginny and we're all set." Harry muttered, "Be at the Shrieking Shack in ten minutes." He then turned and walked back over to Hermione, "Can you go with Neville and Luna for a minute? I have to do something."

"What are you scheming Harry?" She asked.

"Nothing I swear." He told her, "We're meeting at the Shrieking Shack in ten minutes. I'll be back." He then dashed out.

Harry rushed over to Zonko's and slipped inside. He spotted Draco standing alone looking at some products while Ginny looked over something else an aisle away. Harry slinked his way over to Draco without getting seen by Ginny then grabbed the blonde by his arm and pulled him to a corner. "What the hell Harry?" the blonde hissed, "Can't you see I'm on a date?"

"I'm well aware." Harry commented, "You know about the Yule Ball right?"

"Of course I do. Its Tournament tradition." Draco snapped back.

"And have you asked anyone yet?" Harry asked.

Draco's cheeks went a bit red, "No it hasn't been announced yet."

"Is there anyone you're planning to ask?" Harry inquired nodding his head in the direction of Ginny.

The blonde's face got redder, "Maybe…why?"

"Well since I'm legally emancipated now I'm planning to sneaking Hermione, Luna, and Neville off to Diagon Alley to do some shopping for the ball. I know for a fact Ginny's mom likely just got her something cheap and modest. Wouldn't you like to see her all dolled up when you go to the ball together?" Harry teased.

Draco gawked, "How would we pay for it, I have to have Sirius's permission to use Black Family funds."

"I'll cover it. Sirius can reimburse me later." Harry shrugged.

"Really?" the blonde stared.

"Yes," Harry said firmly, "Now go ask her and meet us at the Shrieking Shack." He said, "Go!" he hissed then pushed the blonde out from behind the shelf they were talking behind.

Harry watched as Draco gulped nervously. The blonde then made his way over to Ginny and stepped up beside her, "Uh…Ginny."

The youngest Weasley turned to him, "Oh there you are? Find anything?" she asked.

"Uh not really…" Draco replied, "Um I don't know if you know this but the Tri-Wizard Tournament has a tradition of holding a Ball on Christmas Eve called the Yule Ball and uh…I know they haven't announced it officially yet but when they do…um…I know this is our first date and all but I was really hoping…you'd go with me."

Ginny blinked and stared, "Really?" she asked her cheeks turning red like her hair, "I…I don't really have anything I could wear at something like that. Not anything that would look good compared to what you might wear."

At this point Harry popped his head around the corner, "Don't worry Gin I got you cover say yes!" he hissed then hid himself again.

The girl blinked, "Was that Harry?"

Draco sighed, "Yes…he's taking Hermione, Luna, and Neville to Diagon Alley to go shopping for the ball and has agreed to cover the expense."

Ginny crossed her arms, "Is he the reason you're asking me?" she asked looking sternly at the blonde.

"NO!" Draco exclaimed, "I was going to ask you anyway! I was just going to wait for the official announcement before I did. But Harry thought if I asked you now instead we could all go shopping together. Does that make sense?" the blonde was panicking.

Ginny kept her stern expression for a moment then smiled, "Okay." She said, "I'll be your date to the Ball."

The blonde smiled brightly but before he could say anything Harry peeked his head around the corner again, "Shrieking Shack six minutes." He said then promptly left.

"Oh my god I can't believe I ever liked him." Ginny grumbled.

~ ~ ~

Six minutes later the group had met up at the Shrieking Shack as Harry requested. Once everyone arrived Harry took Neville and Luna's arms, "Apparated before?" he asked.

"With my Gran." Neville replied.

Harry looked to Luna who shook here head, "No, but I'll be fine."

"Alright then," Harry said then looked to the other three, "Be right back." They were then gone with a CRACK.

"When did he learn how to apparate?" Ginny asked looking to Hermione.

"Uh…" Hermione was trying to think desperately to come up with an answer, "I think Sirius taught him." She lied, knowing Harry knew how to apparate since he was mentally eighteen.

"Well that's not fair." Draco commented, "I'll have to get mother to teach me."

CRACK, Harry was back, "Okay Ginny, Draco your next." He said as he grabbed their arms, "Done this before?" he asked as he had with Neville and Luna. Draco nodded and Ginny shook her head. "Be prepared for some light vomiting then." He told her. CRACK. They were gone leaving Hermione standing there alone.

She fidgeted nervously for a bit due to the silence then suddenly a loud CRACK came from behind her. She jumped, "Must you scare me Harry?!" She said as she turned to him.

Harry was grinning, "Sorry, but your startled face is utterly adorable." He replied which made the girl go red.

"You're the worst." She grumbled.

Harry the slid up to her now standing only a inch apart from each other, "I know, it's a shame your stuck with me as your soulmate isn't it?"

"A tragedy really." Hermione commented back.

Harry quirked an eyebrow, "Is that so?" he smiled. Before Hermione could reply through he slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her closer holding onto her firmly, "I'll just have to change your mind."

Hermione's face was scarlet, "You can try." She commented.

Harry grinned, "Hang on tight." He told her.

Hermione then wrapped her arms around Harry's waist and CRACK.

The next thing she knew she was standing on the street of Diagon Alley. She didn't feel nauseous at all this time. She then looked up at Harry who was still holding her by the waist, "That felt different than with McGonagall." She said.

"Agreed it was the easiest apparition I've even done." Harry said as he looked down smiling at her.

Hermione smiled back but before she could reply Ginny cleared her throat. "Guys, we're right here."

Hermione whipped her head to the right to see their four friends standing there watching, "Uh…right." Was all she said.

"You two dating now or what?" Draco asked.

"Huh?" Hermione asked.

"You do look awfully cozy." Luna said with a smirk.

Hermione then looked back to Harry and realized their close proximity. Her eyes widened and she leapt away, "Nope, still not dating." She said quickly.

"You're not?" Neville asked, "I thought you've been dating since the end of last term."

"No." Hermione said straightening her clothes a bit, "Still just friends." Her face was as red as a tomato.

"Uh huh." Ginny replied, "We'll see how long that lasts."

"We're here to shop right?" Draco said.

"Right," Harry finally spoke up, "Draco where is your mother's favorite boutique?" he asked.

"That place isn't cheap Harry." The blonde replied.

"You sorely underestimate how rich the Potter family actually is." Harry replied.

"Alright then." Draco replied, "Follow me." He then led them off.

Draco led them to a high end boutique on Diagon Alley and once inside Harry walked up to the counter to speak to the receptionist, "Good afternoon." He smiled to the young woman behind the counter, "These three lovely ladies need dresses." He said as he gestured to Luna, Hermione, and Ginny. "Spare no expense and send the bill to Ragnok the Head Account Manager at Gringotts. He'll take care of it." He then allowed his Potter Family ring to appear on his finger to clearly show it off.

The young woman's eyes widened as she saw the ring, "Of course sir." She then looked to the three girls, "You may join me in the back when you're ready." She then scurried off with an excited look on her face.

Harry turned back to his friends, "You heard her girls. Go nuts. Accessories, shoes, make up, the works. Us guys will head to Twilfitt and Tattings an get our own stuff."

"Shouldn't we pick colors first?" Ginny asked.

Harry looked to Hermione, "What do you think?"

"We could do green?" Hermione said blushing a bit.

"How do you feel about gold Neville?" Luna asked her Ball partner.

"That sounds nice." The nervous boy gulped.

"How about blue for us?" Draco suggested to Ginny, "It will pair nicely with your hair."

"That sounds good." She smiled, "The blue will make your silver eyes pop too."

"Sounds like we're all set." Harry smiled, "You ladies have fun. We'll meet you outside Florean's in about two hours. That will give us time to shop then get back to Hogsmead before anyone notices we're gone."

"Oh merlin what if we get caught?" Neville whined.

"Don't worry Neville." Luna said, "We'll be fine." The girl then got on her tippy toes and kissed the nervous boy's cheek which seemed to make Neville go stiff as a board. She then walked off tugging Hermione and Ginny along with her leaving Draco and Harry to sort out the bumbling mess she just turned Neville into.

"You know, I used to think she was just crazy," Draco mumbled, "Now I know she's a cunning little vixen. Look what she did to Longbottom." He pointed to Neville who was slightly swaying in a daze.

Harry just laughed, "That's Luna for you. You expect one thing and she does the complete opposite." He said as he grabbed Neville by the arm and started pulling him along, "Come on lover boy." He said as he led his Housemate out.

~ ~ ~

Harry was looking at himself in the mirror while wearing the robes Draco had picked out for him, "You got great taste Black." He called.

"Of course I do." The blonde commented as he too stood in front of a mirror fixing his cuff, "I was raised by a Malfoy, one good thing that came from growing up with my father is I have excellent taste."

"Guys are you sure this suits me?" Neville whined.

"Longbottom you look good stop worrying so much." Draco said, "As I've said, I have great taste."

"Now we just give the color schemes and we're good to go." Harry smiled.

"Yes but how do we know the right shade to chose without seeing the girls dresses?" the blonde asked.

"No need to worry, I'm sure Luna has that covered." Harry smiled while getting a confused look from Draco and Neville, "Lets go." He said.

Each boy changed back into their clothes before going up to the counter to let the clerk know the color scheme they wanted. They then promptly left the shop. "We're done a bit earlier than expected what should we do?" Neville suggested.

"Hmmm, you're right we have another forty-five minutes." Harry mumbled, "Oooo I know! Lets go to Ollivander's." He grinned.

"What for?" Draco asked.

"To get Neville a new wand." Harry replied.

Neville gawked at this, "What? No wait can we do that?" he asked.

"Sure why not? Your Gran is still being a pain about taking you right?" Harry asked to which Neville nodded, "Well lets just go behind her back then. She can't say anything if I pay for it." He smiled.

"Harry I don't know You're already getting me those fancy robes." Neville fidgeted.

"Nev relax you can pay me back in the future when you've become Lord of your house." Harry tells him.

"I better start saving receipts." His fellow Gryffindor grumbled.

Off the three of them went to Ollivander's, and after thirty minutes they walked out with Neville holding a brand new wand. "If my Gran finds out about this I'm so dead." The boy said.

"Just hide it in your trunk when you go home for the Holidays then when your at Hogwarts swap them out." Draco suggested.

"Right…I suppose that will work." Neville muttered.

"Come on guy I think the girls are waiting on us." Harry said.

Sure enough, when the three boy approached Florean's Hermione, Ginny, and Luna all stood outside of it. Luna spotted them first, "There you are. Was your extra stop productive?" she asked.

Harry smirked, "Yes, Neville got exactly what he needed."

"Wonderful." Luna smiled, "As did we."

"Harry are you sure you're okay with this?" Ginny asked, "I saw the bill it was massive!"

Harry laughed, "I highly doubt you even made a small dent in my family fortune. Ask Hermione she saw my vaults."

"He's right." Hermione said, "I hate to agree but that number you saw on the bill won't even scratch the surface of what Harry has in his vaults. Its mind boggling really."

"He's that loaded?!" Ginny gawked, "Way to go Hermione." She mumbled.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing." Ginny said grinning.

"Alright lets get back to Hogsmead." Harry said grabbing Neville and Luna's arms, "Ready?" the two nodded. CRACK. They were gone.

Harry dropped the two of them behind Honeyduke's but before he went back for the other three Luna grabbed his arm, "Fair warning." She whispered, "Be prepared the night of the Ball. If you don't brace yourself you'll faint when you see Hermione in her new dress." The blonde girl smiled as she let him go.

Harry smirked, "Thanks for the warning. I can't wait." He then apparated away with a CRACK.

Up Next: Harry as his first meeting with Skeeter and things go exactly a Harry plans.