Author's Note: I mentioned this to Monblade in PM in response to his review. But I thought I would mention it here as well in case someone else noticed my goof. I said James was a Seeker. In the movies he was a Seeker. In the books I don't remember it saying what position he played. But after looking I see the J.K. Rowlings did say that James was a Chaser. But that is why I said Seeker as I got the movie universe confused with the novel universe.

A side note I played around with Dawn's emotions. In this chapter Dawn is happy that Buffy would want her help. Then later in another chapter she is like I want to help but I don't want to die. Then later still she is alright with it again.

Dai5ycake: I'm sorry you found the last chapter a little confusing. But saying Harry throughout the task was intentional on my part. If I had said it was Buffy when McGonagall came to take "Harry" to the task with the rest of the Champions then it would have ruined the reveal later that it was indeed her. I wanted to leave the reveal that it was her for as long as I could. In fact it's why "Harry" jokes with Dawn up on the broom that Buffy hadn't learned the charm. As far as Buffy disguised revealing to Ron and Hermione I looked at it like first Ron and Hermione had been through a lot with Harry and deserved to know what Buffy was doing. And second Buffy, Harry, Dawn, Ron and Hermione could be considered the Scoobies 2.0. The Scoobies 1.0 were Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles and later Tara, Oz and Anya. On why there is no mention of anyone else recognizing Buffy's wand. That simply is because at this point in the story she is a Guidance Counselor. She doesn't use her wand on a regular basis. The only reason Dumbledore recognized it was because of the wand weigh-in. Otherwise very few people would have recognized it. Her wand doesn't really see much use till the Third Task.

Chapter 11: The Yule Ball

November 23, 2001

After returning to the castle Buffy had rushed to her suite to find Ron, Harry, Dawn and Hermione waiting. She quickly dispelled the glamour as she held up the egg.

"Here, Harry," Buffy said holding out the egg to her brother. "It will look strange when you enter the Gryffindor common room without it. After everyone goes to bed. Bring it to the portrait and I'll be waiting."

"He can't be out after curfew," Hermione said.

"Not that portrait," Buffy said. "I think this is supposed to be Professor McGonagall's suite since she is the Head of Gryffindor House. Probably gave it up so I can be close to Dawn and Harry. There is a second entrance to this room from your common room."

"Alright," Harry said. He took the egg and then handed it to Dawn. He then turned and hugged his elder sister. "Thanks."

"You're welcome, Harry," Buffy said as she returned the embrace.

"Do you want me to help you with it, Buffy?" Harry asked.

"If Buffy is the official champion now, you can't," Hermione said. "She has to figure out on her own."

"That said," Buffy said. "Yes, you can. You all can. Back home mine and Dawn's friends help me with my Slayer duties."

"Well I didn't get to help," Dawn said. "Buffy wanted to protect me."

"That will never change, Dawnie," Buffy said. "Well me wanting to protect you will never change. But you are almost at the age I was when I was called. I think it's time you at least helped on the research end of things. Maybe in a few years you can help with slaying too, who knows. After all, Xander and Willow helped with the slaying. Besides unlike last year you now have something that can be of help, your wand."

Dawn smiled as she handed the egg to Harry and then hugged her sister. "Thanks, Buffy."

"That said," Buffy said as she looked at the quartet. "I would be remiss if I didn't say I would love it if you all had normal lives outside of this."

"Buffy, I'm not going to, not till Voldemort stops coming after me," Harry said.

"I know, Harry," Buffy said. "But it would make me happy if you could. Just because I am willing to let you help doesn't mean I want you to have to deal with what I do. Now, Harry, let's see what's in the egg."

Harry nodded and as he opened it, the most horrible noise, a loud and screechy wailing, filled the room.

"Shut it!" Ron bellowed, his hands over his ears.

"What was that?" said Dawn, staring at the egg as Harry slammed it shut again.

"No idea," Hermione said with a sigh, who prided herself on her book smarts.

"Well we have three full months to figure it out," Buffy said.

December 10, 2001

"The what?" Buffy said as she looked at Dumbledore.

"The Yule Ball," Dumbledore explained. "It's a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests."

"And what does this have to do with me?" Buffy asked. "I mean I am not against a dance; well I am a little since the last one I attended was attacked by hellhounds sent by a fellow student bent on ruining the prom."

"Buffy, while only myself, Harry, Dawn and I assume Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley know that you are the fourth champion, you are still a champion. Champions are required to be in attendance."

"How is that going to work?" Buffy asked. "Are you saying for a night I am going to have to pretend to be Harry?"

"As much as I think that would be entertaining," Dumbledore said. "It will look odd if you are not in attendance."

"Like people didn't think it was weird that I didn't attend the first task?" Buffy asked.

"Most everyone I talked to simply thought you were making the rounds ensuring the champions were safe," Dumbledore said. "No one noticed that you weren't there. The second task will be harder to pull that off and once you tell me you have figured out the clue, I will give you my thoughts on how to keep that illusion going while you're doing the task."

"Alright," Buffy said. "So, I am to attend the dance. Do you have an idea of who can be my date?"

"I was thinking myself," Dumbledore said. "Did you and Dawn get dress robes when you went to Diagon Alley?"

"Yes," Buffy said. "Though you can't really consider what we got as robes though. Their similar to what I wore at the prom I just mentioned."

"True they are for women more kin to Muggle evening gowns than robes," Dumbledore said. "While I am a traditionalist when it comes to dress robes. I always thought it would be nice if more muggle dress clothing would be adopted by the wizarding community. But sadly, the pureblood families have been against it. Now the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. The champions and their partners will open the ball."

"So, for this, since Harry is still officially champion," Buffy said. "He and his date along with the other champions and their dates will start everything off."

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "Then the judges will join them. Since I am a judge and you will be my dance partner."

"Then we will join them before the rest of those in attendance do," Buffy said as Dumbledore nodded. "I may need a refresher lesson on doing the waltz or whatever you do when dancing since I haven't been to a dance in over two years."

"I intended to do that at our next tutoring session," Dumbledore said.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

"Why do they have to move in packs?" Harry asked Ron as a dozen or so girls walked past them, sniggering and staring at Harry. "How're you supposed to get one on their own to ask them?"

"Lasso one?" Ron suggested. "Got any idea who you're going to try?"

Harry didn't answer.

"Listen, you're not going to have any trouble. Everyone thinks you're the fourth champion. That you just beat a Hungarian Horntail. I bet they'll be queuing up to go with you," Ron said.

"Do you think I could get Buffy to cast the glamour charm and go in my place?" Harry asked.

"That answer would be a resounding no."

Harry and Ron turned and saw Buffy coming up beside them.

"Albus said everyone might find it odd if I'm not there," Buffy said.

"Like they didn't at the first task?" Harry asked.

"Remember I was supposed to be protection for the champions so they didn't get hurt," Buffy said. "Albus said that everyone just thought that I was making the rounds and that was why they hadn't seen me." She looked around for her sister. "Where's Dawn?"

"Probably trying to get someone to ask her to the dance," Harry said.

The last week of term became increasingly boisterous as it progressed. Rumors about the Yule Ball were flying everywhere

Some of the teachers, like little Professor Flitwick, gave up trying to teach when their minds were so clearly elsewhere; he allowed them to play games in his lesson on Wednesday, and spent most of it talking to Harry about the perfect Summoning Charm Harry had used during the first task of the Triwizard Tournament.

Harry only gave vague answers to his questions since he hadn't been the one to actually cast the summoning charm.

Dawn had indeed found herself a date. But when Buffy and Harry asked her who it was, she had refused to say. The same for Hermione who refused to say who was taking her.

As Christmas approached the number of girls who didn't have dates was beginning to dwindle.

December 18, 2001

"Evil, he is," Ron said bitterly from where he sat in Buffy's suite. He, Harry, Dawn and Hermione took to spending their free time there not only to study but to help Buffy with the egg. "Springing a test on us on the last day. Ruining the last bit of term with a whole load of studying."

"Mmm… you're not exactly straining yourself, though, are you?" said Hermione, looking at him over the top of her Potions notes.

"It's Christmas, Hermione," said Harry lazily; he was rereading Flying with the Cannons, for the tenth time in an armchair near the fire.

Hermione looked severely over at him too. "I'd have thought you'd be doing something constructive, Harry, even if you don't want to learn your antidotes!"

"Like what?" Harry said.

"Helping Buffy," Hermione answered. "With the egg."

"Buffy still has two months," Dawn said. "She asked us to take a break remember?"

"But it might take weeks to work it out!" said Hermione.

"Give it a rest."

They turned and saw Buffy enter through the portrait hole from the corridor. They noticed she was wearing her dress robes.

"Why are you wearing your dress, Buffy?" Dawn asked.

"For my last tutoring session before the holidays," Buffy said. "I asked for a little refresher. I haven't gone dancing since high school." She looked at Hermione. "Now give the egg a rest. Starting tomorrow it's the holidays. Let's enjoy it."

Ron sighed. "Talking about that. Harry, we need to get a move on, you know… ask someone. We don't want to end up with a pair of trolls."

Hermione let out a sputter of indignation. "A pair of… what, excuse me?"

"Well—you know," said Ron, shrugging. "I'd rather go alone than with—with Eloise Midgen, say."

"Her acne's loads better lately—and she's really nice!" Dawn said.

"Her nose is off-center," said Ron.

"Oh, I see," Hermione said, bristling. "So basically, you're going to take the best-looking girl who'll have you, even if she's completely horrible?"

"Er—yeah, that sounds about right," said Ron.

"I'm going to bed," Hermione snapped, not knowing if there was anyone in the common room she swept out through the corridor entrance instead.

"Harry," Buffy said. "You are an official champion. Which means you have to have a date before Christmas. You're running out of time."

Harry sighed. "I know."

It would be a few days before Harry and Ron were finally able to get dates to the Yule Ball, the Patil twins.

December 25, 2001

Dawn woke to find snow was falling thickly upon the castle and its grounds. It wasn't the first time she had ever seen snow as she remembered the only day Sunnydale had ever seen snow. But it was the first time she had ever seen snow on Christmas Day. She spotted a large pile of presents at the base of her bed. She got out of bed and bent down to look at them. She saw that some of them came from Giles, Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya. There was a few from Buffy, Ron and Hermione. She saw that Harry had given her the most.

When Dawn was done opening her presents, she met Ron, Harry and Hermione in the common room. They snuck into Buffy's suite and met Buffy as she was coming out of her bedroom. They went down to breakfast together. They spent most of the morning after breakfast in Buffy's suite, where they were enjoying their presents, then returned to the Great Hall for a magnificent lunch, which included at least a hundred turkeys and Christmas puddings, and large piles of Cribbage's Wizarding Crackers.

They went out onto the grounds in the afternoon; the snow was untouched except for the deep channels made by the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students on their way up to the castle.

Hermione chose to watch Buffy, Dawn, Harry and the Weasleys' snowball fight, which Buffy won hands down.

At five o'clock Dawn, Hermione and Buffy said they had to head back upstairs to get ready for the ball.

"What, you need three hours?" said Ron, looking at them incredulously and paying for his lapse in concentration when a large snowball, thrown by George, hit him hard on the side of the head.

"Yes, we need about three hours," Dawn said. "We're girls. We always take more time. Right, 'Mione? Right, Buffy?"

"Right, Dawn," Buffy and Hermione agreed. They left the boys to their snowball fight.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

The entrance hall was packed with students, all milling around waiting for eight o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Those people who were meeting partners from different Houses were edging through the crowd trying to find one another.

Harry and Ron stood with their dates, though Padma didn't look too enthusiastic about having Ron as a partner.

"Where is Hermione? Buffy? Dawn?" Ron wondered.

A group of Slytherins came up the steps from their dungeon common room. Malfoy was in front; he was wearing dress robes of black velvet with a high collar, which in Harry's opinion made him look like a vicar. Pansy Parkinson in very frilly robes of pale pink was clutching Malfoy's arm.

Crabbe and Goyle were both wearing green; they resembled moss-colored boulders, and neither of them had managed to find a partner.

The oak front doors opened, and everyone turned to look as the Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff. Krum was at the front of the party, accompanied by a pretty girl in blue robes.

It was then that Harry said Dawn and his eyes went wide. "I just found, Dawn," he said.

"Where?" Ron asked.

"On Ginny's arm," Harry replied.

Ron spun and looked where Harry was. Just as Harry had said there was Dawn her arm looped through Ginny's. "Ginny?"

"What?" Ginny asked.

"Dawn's a …" Ron started.

"A girl, I know," Ginny said. "I happen to like girls, okay?"

"I should have guessed," Buffy said as she walked over to Ron, Ginny, Dawn, Harry, Parvati and Padma. "You did tell me once you had a crush on Willow. I approve, Dawnie."

Dawn was happy that Buffy approved of her date. "I wish mom could see me."

"You know what she would be doing?" Buffy asked, Dawn nodded as she and Buffy both said, "The camera would be out."

Then Professor McGonagall's voice called, "Champions over here, please!"

Parvati readjusted her bangles, beaming; she and Harry said "See you in a minute" to Ron, Dawn, Ginny, Buffy and Padma and walked forward, the chattering crowd parting to let them through.

"Ah, Buffy," Dumbledore said as he walked up to the Slayer. "You look lovely, my dear."

"Thank you, Albus," Buffy said as he offered her his arm and she looped hers through.

The champions, judges and their dates would be the last to go in. So, they waited to one side while everyone else went inside.

Buffy smiled as she noticed that Harry realized who was on Krum's arm; Hermione. "I think Harry, just figured out Hermione is a girl."

Dumbledore laughed.

Once everyone else was settled in the Hall, the judges and their partners entered and moved to a round table at the top of the hall and sat down.

Then it was the champions turn. McGonagall led them in as everyone applauded.

When the champions and their partners reached the champion's table, they took their seats.

There was no food as yet on the glittering golden plates, but small menus were lying in front of each of them. Buffy picked up hers and looked at it. Next to her Dumbledore looked carefully down at his own menu, then said very clearly to his plate, "Pork chops!"

And pork chops appeared.

Buffy got the idea as she called out, "Steak!"

And a steak appeared.

"Veil, ve have a castle also, not as big as this, nor as comfortable, I am thinking," Krum was telling Hermione. "Ve have just four floors, and the fires are lit only for magical purposes. But ve have grounds larger even than these—though in vinter, ve have very little daylight, so ve are not enjoying them. But in summer ve are flying every day, over the lakes and the mountains—"

"Now, now, Viktor!" said Karkaroff with a laugh that didn't reach his cold eyes, "don't go giving away anything else, now, or your charming friend will know exactly where to find us!"

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Igor, all this secrecy… one would almost think you didn't want visitors."

"Well, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, displaying his yellowing teeth to their fullest extent, "we are all protective of our private domains, are we not? Do we not jealously guard the halls of learning that have been entrusted to us? Are we not right to be proud that we alone know our school's secrets, and right to protect them?"

"Oh, I would never dream of assuming I know all Hogwarts' secrets, Igor," said Dumbledore amicably. "Only this morning, for instance, I took a wrong turning on the way to the bathroom and found myself in a beautifully proportioned room I have never seen before, containing a really rather magnificent collection of chamber pots. When I went back to investigate more closely, I discovered that the room had vanished. But I must keep an eye out for it. Possibly it is only accessible at five-thirty in the morning. Or it may only appear at the quarter moon—or when the seeker has an exceptionally full bladder."

Buffy laughed as Dumbledore gave her a very small wink. She looked around the hall and spotted Dawn with Ginny and smiled. She leaned toward Harry and whispered, "What do you think about Dawn and Ginny?"

"If Dawn likes her," Harry whispered back, "and Ginny likes Dawn then I'm happy for them. Now we just have to get someone for you and me."

Hermione was now teaching Krum to say her name properly; he kept calling her "Hermy-own."

"Her-my-oh-nee," she said slowly and clearly.

"Herm-own-ninny."

"Close enough," she said, catching Buffy's eye and grinning.

When all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, and then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.

The Weird Sisters, the band that Dumbledore had booked for the ball, trooped up onto the stage to wildly enthusiastic applause. They picked up their instruments.

"Harry," Buffy said as she looked at her brother. He nodded in understanding.

Harry stood with Parvati, the rest of the champions and their partners and went out onto the dance floor.

The Weird Sisters struck up a slow, mournful tune; Parvati seized his hands when he didn't seem to know what to do, placed one around her waist, and was holding the other tightly in hers.

Buffy sighed; she should have had Dumbledore add Harry to her refresher. She could tell he truly didn't know how to dance as Parvati was leading. "I should have had you show Harry how to dance," she said to Dumbledore.

"I was thinking much the same," Dumbledore said. "That said were you much better your first time?"

"Probably not," Buffy said as Dumbledore stood and held out his hand.

Buffy took it and they along with the other judges and their partners joined the champions and their partners on the dance floor. For several minutes all eyes were on them before eventually the rest of the those in attendance joined in.

With the final, quavering note from the bagpipe Buffy saw Harry and Parvati sit down with Ron and Padma. She smiled when she noticed Dawn and Ginny were still on the dance floor.

"I think I am going to sit this one out, Albus," Buffy said as she nodded toward her brother. Dumbledore nodded in understanding as he turned and walked toward McGonagall.

Buffy walked over to the table Harry, Ron, Parvati and Padma were at. "Everyone having a good time?" she asked as she sat down at the table. She could see in their faces they weren't.

Within a moment of her arrival, Buffy saw a boy from Beauxbatons come up to Parvati and ask her to dance.

"You don't mind, do you, Harry?" Parvati said.

"What?" said Harry.

"Oh, never mind," snapped Parvati, and she went off with the boy from Beauxbatons. When the song ended, she did not return.

Hermione came over and sat down in Parvati's empty chair. She was a bit pink in the face from dancing.

"Having fun, Hermione?" Buffy asked as Hermione nodded while fanning herself.

"It's hot, isn't it?" said Hermione. "Viktor's just gone to get some drinks."

Ron gave her a withering look. "Viktor?" he said. "Hasn't he asked you to call him Vicky yet?"

Hermione looked at him in surprise. "What's up with you?" she said.

"If you don't know," said Ron scathingly, "I'm not going to tell you."

Buffy leaned over to Hermione and whispered, "I think Ron is jealous."

"Really?" Hermione whispered back.

"Way he is acting, I think so," Buffy whispered.

Hermione sighed as she looked at Ron. She stood up and walked off looking for Krum.

"Are you going to ask me to dance at all?" Padma asked Ron.

"No," said Ron.

"Fine," snapped Padma, and she got up and went to join Parvati and the Beauxbatons boy.

"Ron," Buffy said.

"Don't, Buffy," Ron said.

"As the guidance counselor, I kind of have to," Buffy said.

"Fine, I'll come to your office later," Ron said as he stood and walked off.

"So much for the dance," Buffy said as she looked to Harry. "I know people will laugh behind our backs. Want to dance with me? I'll lead if you want."

"Thanks, but no, Buffy," Harry said as he looked at his sister. "Though I wish I had gone with you to that little refresher you had with Dumbledore. "I don't know how."

"Come with me," Buffy said as Harry looked at her shaking his head. "Not here, don't worry." She led Harry out of the Great Hall and back to her suite. There she turned, took Harry by the hand and placed his hands where they should go.

For the rest of the evening Buffy taught Harry how to dance with a girl.