Chapter 89: Let's Dance
Down in the entry hall, Harry stood with Viktor, Roger and Cedric. Neville, Vinny and Greg stood at the base of the stairs, near the railing.
"Can I get a picture of you four?" Colin asked. Harry had to admit he looked dashing in robes that were black with gold accents around the lapels, looking almost like a muggle military uniform.
"Sure," Cedric stood in a regal pose, prompting the other boys to do the same. They held the pose until Colin took the photo before breaking down in laughter, which Colin also captured.
"You ready for your date, Colin?" Harry asked.
"Yes?" Colin seemed uncertain still. "She's so out of my league though."
"Don't worry about that," Roger said. "I mean look at me and then look at who my date is. It doesn't matter about leagues, it matters about you. Show her respect and care when she arrives. After that, you just need to show her a good time. And if it all goes tits up? Well, then it's only going to be one evening."
That seemed to stress Colin out even more.
"Relax kid," Roger grabbed him by the shoulders. "You'll do great."
A great murmur filtered through the throng of students. Heads turned en masse in the direction of the stairs. Time slowed as the girls descended the stairs like water down a river. The dresses flowed around them as they took each step. Harry noticed the other girls but he only had eyes for one of them. Hermione descended the stairs last, looking like she was walking on the clouds, descending toward Earth.
When the girls arrived at the bottom of the stairs, they dispersed toward their dates. Crabbe bowed in front of Mille, and Neville before Hannah until Vinny finally bowed in front of his date.
"I knew it," Tracey teased Vinny as Ginny curtsied to his bow while the throng picked their jaws up off the floor. "I just knew you'd be each other's dates."
"I asked, she said yes," Vinny shrugged as he tried to play it coy though the blushes on their cheeks belied any nonchalance to their pairing.
"As fast as I possibly could," Ginny admitted, her blush deepening. "You look lovely."
"Only because you're next to me," Vinny smoothed his black dress robes.
"Charmer," Ginny beamed at the boy. "Shall we move inside or do we need to restart Boy Wonder's engine?"
Harry shook off his stupor and advanced. She extended her hand toward him where Harry bowed and kissed her hand. Daphne gently nudged Colin whose attention was taken by Krum doing the same with Susan. Quickly, Colin snapped into action and took a picture, trying to keep his hands from shaking.
"Good boy," Daphne said.
"You look nice," Colin replied testily, his eyes tightening at the corners.
"Come on," Daphne pulled him toward the Great Hall. "We need to grab a good spot."
Colin snapped a few photos of the Great Hall, decorated from floor to ceiling. The snow storm had long since blown out, leaving clear, starry skies and a clear three-quarter moon. The room looked like an icy lake with a dozen full-sized Christmas trees with silver, gold and blue baubles and silver garland wrapped around them. Each table looked stones sitting on the frozen lake with chairs that looked like ice. At each corner of the hall were ice sculptures of each of the four Hogwarts house mascots, as well as a swan and horse for Beauxbatons and Durmstrang respectively. Behind the main table, a stage sat with instruments waiting to be played.
"This is pretty," Luna said. "Thank you for inviting me, Tracey."
"It was my pleasure," Tracey beamed. "Hey blondie!"
Colin looked around, still looking sullen.
"Yeah you," Tracey said. "Perk up. It's just a date; not like they're already betrothed. It wouldn't look good on you to ignore your date while pining over a girl who is already attached for the night."
"I'm sorry," Colin's head drooped.
"Don't be sorry," Tracey said. "Have some fun. Show everyone that bubbly boy we all know, okay?"
"Okay," Colin shrugged his shoulders.
"Okay," Tracey encouraged him with a smile.
"Okay!" Colin returned her smile, thumbing his camera settings to get ready for the champions' entrance.
Back in the entrance hall, Harry and Hermione stood in a circle chatting with the other champions and their dates.
"This place looks fabulous," Hermione said. "I don't think I've seen everything so shiny."
"A little too shiny, if you ask me," the suit of armor behind them said.
"Oh hush," Professor McGonagall stepped out from the Great Hall in black dress robes with tartan in Gryffindor colors wrapped around her shoulders, across her chest, finishing at her left hip. At her presence, all the suits of armor stiffened and fell silent. "Champions we will introduce you and your dates in pairs so please be ready when you hear your name called."
When she looked around again, she did a double take at the girl on Harry's arm.
"Miss Granger," McGonagall's eyes widened. "You look fantastic. You too, Mr. Potter."
"Oh don't bother looking at me," Harry shrugged. "With her anywhere in my vicinity, nobody will look anywhere else."
"I would try to fault you but I think you are right," McGonagall nodded. "Have a pleasant evening you two."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione beamed.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!" Lee Jordan's augmented voice rang through the hall.
"That's not Bagman," Harry stated the obvious, stepping around the corner to look in the Great Hall.
"No it's not," McGonagall said and like that, McGonagall was gone like smoke through the doors.
"Everyone is looking lovely today, especially you Professor Sinistra," Lee's jovial voice echoed through the Great Hall. "Didn't know you'd clean up as well as…"
"JORDAN!" McGonagall's voice cut him off. The Hogwarts students, used to this repartee during Quidditch games, laughed.
"Right, professor. Tonight we are all brought together to celebrate the holidays. The Yule Ball has been a tradition going back to the first event. Tonight we are joined by the headmasters of the three schools, as well as Ludo Bagman and, representing Bartimus Crouch of the Ministry of Magic, former Head Boy Percy Weasley. Let's give them all a round of applause, especially Bagman for being gracious enough to allow me to announce the champions."
Harry could tell that Bagman, with both his arms and legs crossed so heavily he might as well be a pretzel, was not gracious in the least. He kept opening his mouth, though no sound came forth.
"We also have all the teachers of Hogwarts joining us. Thank you, Professor Snape for keeping your usual hairstyle and choice of wardrobe. Had you chosen anything else, I'm sure we all would have fainted.
"I have to say, Professor Flitwick, you look great. I mean I don't think I've seen you taller than you are right now. You look at least a meter tall, maybe even taller."
Harry looked into the hall to see Flitwick chortling, the diminutive man doing his best not to topple out of his seat.
"Professor Sprout! You surprise me; I've never seen you without you bringing the greenhouses in with you. Oh and Professor Hagrid! My that's a nice suit. I just hate to think about how many animals gave their lives to see it made."
Hagrid's booming laughter cut across everyone else as Lee got into rhythm.
"And last but not least, Professor McGonagall. Who could have thought you'd transfigure your outfit into something so austere. I imagine your dance card is going to be…"
"JORDAN! Get on with it?"
"Yes, yes professor. Let's get to the main event. All four champions are here. They've faced dragons but they've never faced all of you. Honestly, I think they'd prefer the dragons. I know I'd rather face four dragons than the Weasley Twins. First, from Durmstrang we have the youngest professional Seeker, bonder of Dragons and stealer of young maiden's hearts VIKTOR KRUM. Accompanying him is the delectable Susan Bones, Heiress of the Bones family, loyal friend to all. Way to go Viktor, asking the bobby's niece on a date; that's ballsy."
Viktor and Susan strode into the hall arm-in-arm. A flash went off as they entered. Looking toward the flash, they posed for Colin to snap a photo before moving to the head table. Once they stopped behind the chairs at the table, Lee addressed the students again.
"Next we have the Beauty from Beauxbatons, the Veela who can charm even a dragon, Fleur Delacour. Accompanying her is Ravenclaw Prefect Roger Davies."
Fleur placed her hand on top of Rogers, shaking him slightly to get him to clear his head as her allure had caused his eyes to glaze over a little. They strode into the hall and when they were in the center of the hall, Fleur leaned to Roger.
"Twirl me," she whispered.
"Huh?" Roger looked over at her.
"Twirl me," she repeated, slightly louder.
Roger lifted her arm and twirled her on the spot. As her dress whipped around her ankles, fire lit up at the hem of her dress. The hall ooh'd and aah'd as the fake fire lit up around her in a circle.
"Fleur Delacour, the girl on fire!" Lee Jordan boisterously announced of the cheering throng as Colin snapped photo after photo.
"Next up," Lee called everyone's attention back as Fleur and Roger stood behind their seats. "From Hogwarts, the Hero of Hufflepuff, Hearthrob Seeker and friend to all: Cedric Diggory with the lovely Fay Dunbar of Gryffindor house!"
Cedric and Fay flounced into the hall, waving to the crowd with broad smiles adorning their faces. Fay's smile beamed brighter when Cedric wrapped an arm around her stomach, a gesture Colin caught with his camera. Once they reached the head table, all eyes turned toward the door again.
"And finally," Lee let the moment settle over the crowd as the students awaited the last entry with bated breath. "We have the fourth Triwizard Champion, the Hero of Hogwarts, the Gallant Golden boy of Gryffindor, dominator or dragons, scourge to Dark Lords the world over, Mr. Harry James Potter with his girlfriend and by far his better half. Brightest Witch of Her Age, Gryffindor Girl through and through, Miss Hermione Granger."
"I am going to kill him," Harry whispered out of the side of his mouth, making Hermione giggle. Once the giggle wrinkled Hermione's nose, Harry was gone. Whatever else happened tonight, the ball was already a win. As he brought her in for a kiss, he never even noticed the deafening roar; it was only him and Hermione as far as he cared. Raising their linked hands, Harry twirled Hermione around him. When she returned to her original spot, she pointed her left toe and extended her left arm outward. Both of them ended with a flourished bow before making their way up to the head table.
"Thank you champions and thank you to the organizers for this lovely event," Lee said. "Now if you'll all take your seats as dinner will be served promptly."
Harry pulled out the chair for a grateful Hermione. As they sat, they wondered when the food would arrive. Looking down, they spotted the menu sitting on the table. Picking it up, Harry perused the menu
Potato Gnocchi with Alfredo Sauce, with a side of asparagus.
Fish and Chips
Beef Bolognese with vegetable medley
Beer-battered Bratwurst with Spaetzle
Butternut Squash Boulangère
Duck a l'Orange
Pork Chops with mash in a marsala sauce
Moussaka
"Hey look, Fleur!" Harry called out to her. "It's not all fried!"
"Ha ha, 'Arry," Fleur smirked. "Duck a l'Orange."
When she spoke, the dish immediately appeared on her plate.
"This seems like a lot of work," Hermione said, looking uneasy as she ordered the Gnocchi.
"Indeed," Harry said. "We'll have to cook them a feast to thank them."
"You cook for your elves," Madam Maxime looked amazed.
"We'd love to pay them," Harry said after ordering the Beef Bolognese. "However, they won't accept that. But sometimes I'll cook something for Hermione and when I do, I make sure to cook extra for them as a way of thanking them for all the work they do."
"That is very honorable," Maxime's expression changed to an impressed one. "Most of the Brits I've come across think nothing of their elves."
"We've found the same," Hermione said sadly. "They treat them like slaves instead of friends and family. I wish I could free those elves from their oppressive homes, to make mistreating punishable."
"Yeah well we like to make ourselves look taller by standing on others," Fay said as she angrily stabbed her Bratwurst. "I wish we could punish those who mistreat their elves."
"Unfortunately," Cedric chimed in. "You would have a hard time enforcing that. Elves are conditioned to think of their treatment as 'normal' so you'd be hard-pressed to have any come forward."
"Still your dad isn't helping," Hermione returned. "At the world cup, he called Winky 'elf' and treated her like she was guilty before asking her any questions."
"Dad can get like that," Cedric said with a sad smile as he cut another slice off his pork chop. "Especially if he's stressed. He's got a lot of the old traditions deeply ingrained. Thanks to mum, he's not as bad as he used to be Mum's always trying to work on his compassion."
"Your goal is good hovever," Viktor said between bites of Moussaka. "In Germany, Ve alvays treat our elves like family. The number of spooky German stories regarding goblins and other creatures who will harm you if you misbehave makes it impossible not to have respect for them."
"So fascinating," Dumbledore beamed around the table. "My favorite part of the ICW is it gets me exposure to many different cultures as a way to challenge the way I view ours. Unfortunately, the British magical culture is slow to change. I hope all our students are getting as much out of this tournament as the eight of you have."
Karkaroff scoffed but the others nodded along as Harry turned to Percy.
"I didn't expect to see you here tonight," Harry addressed the former Head Boy.
"Mr. Crouch isn't a fan of the holidays," Percy said. "It's a time for family and he, unfortunately, has none anymore. His son died in Azkaban and his wife died of grief shortly after he was sent there."
"That's so sad," Fay said. "Well, I hope he has a good holiday wherever he is."
"He usually visits the graves of his son and wife on Christmas," Percy said sadly. "That's why I'm here today. Not that I mind, mind you. It'd just be me, mum and dad this year."
"How are you settling in?" Harry asked.
"Very well, thank you," Percy said. "I've been given about as much responsibility as I can handle with Crouch focusing on the tournament. I've taken over as liaison with a bunch of the ICW representatives. I'm surprised I'm not 90 percent owl feathers at this point. They're good enough to give me an admin to help. Her name's Audrey and she's a great and efficient worker."
"And quite attractive," Bagman said, having apparently regained his voice, eyes glinting as he spoke. "I find myself coming up with reasons to visit just so I can spend some time with her."
Percy's entire visage darkened at the man before turning back.
"Yes she is attractive but she's also an exceptional worker," Percy fired back.
"And how are things with Penelope?" Harry asked.
"Unfortunately we broke up," Percy said. "We're both working such different schedules with her training to be an Auror and my responsibilities, we just didn't have enough time for one another."
"Sorry to hear that," Hermione said. "She was always a great person to talk to. I could always find her in the library."
"Such is life," Percy said. "It'll all work itself out, I'm sure."
After the meal wrapped up, Dumbledore had the champions and their dates stand and move toward the center of the room.
As the champions took the dance floor, Flitwick flicked his wand into a position like a conductor. With his wand at the ready, a small orchestra or instruments floated in mid-air around him. As Flitwick began to conduct, the instruments began playing Strauss' Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring). As if choreographed, all four champions began to turn with their partners in beat with the music.
At first, Harry felt awkward. He could feel the eyes of everyone on him and it made his movements stiff.
"Hey," Hermione called his attention. She looked him in the eye and smiled warmly. "It's just us. Like we practiced."
Harry returned her smile and relaxed, leading Hermione through the steps they had practiced all those times from her parent's living room to the Room of Requirement. Feeling bold, Harry started to incorporate more of the spins and twirls they knew, keeping the three-quarter time to their steps. All other members of the hall faded into nothingness as the couple moved like water over the rocks of a lazy river, peaceful and poetic, so in touch with one another that they lost touch with anyone else. Not even the flash of Colin's camera was noticed. In what felt like the next moment, the music stopped and Harry's ears were filled with the sounds of applause.
Flitwick flicked his wand again and another song played, this time The Blue Danube, as Dumbledore led Madam Pomfrey of all people onto the dance floor, more couples joined the champions.
As the champions danced, the occasional burst of Colin's flash could be seen.
"Come over here," Daphne pulled Colin's elbow as she moved him to another spot. "Get a photo of this."
Colin angrily yanked his elbow away, dropped the camera from his face and turned to Daphne.
"I know you didn't actually want me as your date, that you just wanted me to be the photographer to meet your ends," Colin said heatedly. "And you know what? You got what you wanted. I'm here and I know what you want me to do. I may not be much in the way of an ideal date but I am a good photographer. I know what I'm doing. Just go with your friends and leave me to do my job!"
Colin glared at Daphne for a moment, picked his camera back up, adjusted a few settings and moved off to continue taking photos. Daphne watched him go with sadness and guilt. Meanwhile, on the dance floor, Harry had to do a double take when he saw Professor Moody dancing with Professor Babbling.
"Didn't think you'd be much of a dancer, professor," Harry smirked at Moody.
"Balderdash," Moody returned, as much as his lopsided mouth could smile. "Dancing is good practice for evading and you get a good look at the room for anyone looking to harm you."
"I'll keep that in mind," Harry chuckled.
"Enjoy the night, lad," Moody said. "For tomorrow we could all be dead."
Swallowing hard at the macabre words, Harry turned his attention back to his date and dance partner.
"That was odd," Harry said to which Hermione smiled.
"That was Moody," Hermione said.
They danced for a few more songs until Dumbledore stood in front of everyone. He vanished the head table while Flitwick hung all the instruments up on the wall.
"Thank you, Professor Flitwick," Dumbledore addressed the small man. "For your charming orchestra. Now if I may have your attention."
As Dumbledore spoke, smoke billowed from the antechamber.
"It is with great pleasure I would like to welcome our guest," Dumbledore beamed around the room. "He has played many, many places the world over and having him here is a rare treat. Everyone give a warm Hogwarts welcome to… Ziggy Stardust!"
The smoke vanished from the area at the back of the Great Hall as the blonde musician emerged from the smoke, a purple star painted over his right eye. Dressed in white robes with purple stars on them, the man drew his wand, carefully designed to look like a muggle microphone. With a flourish of the micwand, the smoke evaporated and the band behind him struck up a tune.
An upbeat tune played as the lights of the hall dimmed and Ziggy started to sing. As "Let's Dance" began to play, the throng of students began to move to the music.
"Oh my god!" Hermione shouted. "I can't believe it."
"You know Ziggy?" Lavender shouted back as she and Parvati grooved to the beat.
"Everyone knows Ziggy," Hermione said. "Except to muggles he's known as David Bowie. You can't walk two meters in London without encountering a Bowie fan."
"Rather ingenious," Harry chuckled. "He looks eccentric in the muggle world and normal in the wizarding world. That's how you live a double life to the max. "
"You getting any ideas?" Hermione asked over her shoulder.
"I think I've found a backup career for Sirius," Harry said.
"Yes," Luna airly danced to her own beat, disregarding the song's actual rhythm. "Stubby Boardman would make a rather good performer in the mundane world."
"Stubby Boardman?" Tracey asked. At this point, she knew the story but asked because she wanted to hear it again.
"Lead singer of the Hobgoblins," Luna said. "It's actually Sirius Black. They had to announce his departure when he went to Azkaban. It's only a matter of time before they get back together now that he's free."
"Never change, Luna," Tracey leaned both of her arms over Luna's shoulder, matching Luna's dance maneuvers. "Never change."
"I am afraid I will as all things must," Luna said. "Yet I'll always remain true to who I am, no matter what."
"In any case," Tracey addressed Hermione. "You'd be surprised how many musicians are magicals hiding in plain sight. Especially metal bands who use a lot of pyrotechnics. It's them subtly thumbing their noses at the muggles who think they can burn witches and wizards. You should see Iron Maiden the next opportunity you get. It truly is magical, in every sense of the word."
"I'll keep that in mind," Harry nodded. "But them being magical makes sense, now that I think about it."
Out in the garden, Colin leaned on the wall of the castle, enjoying the way the stone cooled him down. Dobby already popped in to grab his camera to keep it safe for him to develop the film. When he heard footsteps approaching, he opened his eyes and looked in their direction.
"I owe you an apology," Daphne said. "Yes I wanted you here as a photographer but I disregarded you as a date and didn't trust your skills."
"Yes you did," Colin replied evenly. "I know I'm not anyone's idea of hot or attractive. I won't have girls fawning over me the way they do Harry nor will I turn heads the way Cedric or Viktor do. But right now all I feel is used. Yes, Harry's always wanted to use my talents but I've never felt used like I have today."
"I'm sorry," Daphne said. "You're a great guy."
Colin scoffed.
"It's okay, you know," Colin said. "I'm already here; I've already taken photos to meet your ends. You don't need to lie to me."
"No really you are," Daphne said. "You're honest and honoring. Add that with your curly hair and you're honestly really cute. How about we go back inside and have an actual date? I owe you that much."
"Sure," Colin shrugged, remembering Roger's advice, took her proffered hand and they walked back inside the castle. "Lead on, I guess."
They entered as the final chords of "Heroes" faded out, Bowie turned the lights down completely and turned the dance floor perfectly reflective. With the ceiling above reflected below, it looked like they were dancing on the stars themselves. That's when "Starman" began to play.
"This night is perfect," Hermione hooked her hands behind Harry's neck as they began to sway in beat with the music. "Thank you, Harry."
"All thanks to you," Harry leaned in to kiss her. "I love you, Hermione."
"I love you too, Harry Potter," Hermione said as she kissed him back. "Always and forever, I love you, Harry."
"It's a shame there are so many people here," Hermione whispered in his ears. "The things I want to do to you right now."
"Seriously?" Harry's eyes retreated toward his hairline.
"Seriously," Hermione said, heat behind her words. "You looking like that? It's criminal for you to look this good."
"Just trying to match the way you look on your worst day, love," Harry said.
"Oh stop it," Hermione admonished. "Just hold me."
"As you wish, milady," Harry said as he pulled her closer.
Once the song came to a close, Hermione looked quite out of breath.
"Shall we grab something to drink?" Harry asked Hermione who nodded gratefully.
Harry wrapped an arm around her waist, more to avoid Fred and George's enthusiastic dancing which honestly looked like a jelly legs jinx mixed with a Tarantallegra. Alicia and Angelina seemed to enjoy it so Harry just shrugged and sidestepped the quartet. Beyond them, Colin and Daphne were dancing comfortably close. Not quite as close as Luna and Tracey, though that would have been difficult to do, considering they were dancing as one singular unit. Once they pushed past the big group, they made their way to the refreshment table where a punch bowl and a selection of deserts were set out. As they moved toward the table, Fleur pulled Roger toward the garden. She must have seen Karkaroff leave with Snape so they moved to sell their affections and the reason Roger would be believed as being Fleur's hostage. Smiling at them, Harry turned his attention back to the refreshments.
"Oh treacle tart!" Harry shouted in excitement.
"Well I guess you lasted long enough," Hermione said. "Next time I'm just going to wear a Treacle Tart dress so I can keep your attention all night."
"That'll just make me want to eat you up," Harry whispered in her ear, causing her to blush.
"Enticing. Don't make promises you don't can't keep," Hermione whispered back, making Harry choke on his tart. Hermione turned her attention to her lemon bar with a smile firmly in place on her face. As they watched the students moving to "Magic Dance," shouting diverted their attention.
"Cavorting with a Slytherin," Ron sneered as he and Ginny were nose-to-nose.
"His name is Vinny," Ginny growled. "And he's been nothing but nice for the last year and a half that I've known him. Why do you care anyway? Just go back to Cho and show her your attention instead of me why don't you?"
"I won't have my baby sister degrade herself like this," Ron spat back. "Acting like a Scarlet Woman."
"Like a…" that term brought Ginny up short. Ginny stepped back as if slapped. That's when a fist threw Ron backward.
"Apologize," Vinny said dangerously. "How dare you talk that way to your sister, your own blood. Apologize. NOW."
"I'm sorry," Ron stumbled as he stood. He would have fallen were it not for Cho holding him up. "I'm sorry she has such poor taste in a date."
"Go away, Ronald," Ginny said. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."
Harry watched Ron get dragged away by Cho, watching with sadness as the redhead was dragged away. Clearly, Harry wasn't the only one to notice as the twins both came to their sister's aid. One canceled the transfiguration on his robes while the other gave Ron a duckbill for a mouth. Frustrated and fuming, Ron sped from the hall, quacking every time he tried to speak.
"I'm sorry, Ginny," Hermione said.
"I can't believe he said that," Ginny sat down heavily. "It's something mum would say about a woman she thought to be a whore. A whore; that's what he thinks of me."
"Well he's the only one," Lavender said as she approached, having seen the disagreement. "Honestly Vinny is a great guy."
"How'd it feel to punch the bastard?" Harry asked Vinny.
"It hurt," Vinny rubbed his knuckles. Noticing this, Ginny took his hand and rubbed them instead. "Worth it."
"You're lucky," Lee Jordan piped in. "Anything that comes near Weasley's mouth, he usually eats."
That cut the tension as only Lee could accomplish and the group relaxed for a few songs before heading back toward the stage. As the final set wound down, the students all let out an aggrieved sigh.
"Sorry, loves," Bowie smiled. "Wish we could play all night but honestly the band is getting tired. How do you all have energy still? I'm going to need me three pepper-ups to get through this last set. You've been a wonderful crowd and I think it's safe to say I've never played in front of a better-looking audience. For all the lovers in the crowd, this one's for you."
The drum beat for "Modern Love" kicked off and the students moved and shouted their hearts out, willing the band to continue playing. Hoping that if they were just loud enough, the band would keep playing as long as possible. When the band took their final bows, McGonagall took the stage to dismiss everyone back to their dormitories to sadden groans all around.
In the Entry Hall, Vinny gave Ginny one last longing look.
"Thank you for a wonderful night," Vinny leaned to kiss her hand but Ginny had other ideas. Throwing her arms around him, she kissed him heatedly.
"No thank you," Ginny bit her lip as she smiled at the Slytherin boy. Releasing him, she walked away from the shell-shocked boy. Looking over her shoulder, Ginny departed with a saucy smile. "See you tomorrow."
Next to them, Tracey and Luna stood and held one another's hands.
"So…" Luna said.
"So," Tracey replied, both knowing the night must end and neither wanting it to.
"There's this room near the Astronomy tower," Luna said. "I don't know about you but I'm not ready to say goodnight."
"Me either," Tracey's face brightened. "I'll meet you up there in five minutes."
"Too long," Luna advanced rapidly and kissed the Slytherin on the lips. "Okay now I can last until then."
Luna spun and started walking up the stairs, sparing the occasional look over her shoulder.
"Merlin," Tracey ran her fingers over her lips. Shaking herself, Tracey sprinted toward the tapestry, pulled it back and quickly ascended the stairs toward the Astronomy Tower."
On the stairs, Harry nodded to Parvati, letting her know they were clear to split off. To keep everyone's attention off them, he wrapped his arms around Hermione, dipped her and kissed her heatedly in the middle of the landing to the seventh floor. The Gryffindors all Ooed at their display of affection.
Down the hall, Parvati pulled Lavender along until they were at the tapestry.
"Parv!" Lavender tried to keep up while still in her heels. "Where are we going in such a rush?"
By the time she asked the question, Parvati was pacing in front of the tapestry they knew all too well. Throwing open the door, Parvati pulled Lavender through the threshold in an exact facsimile of the Great Hall.
"I wanted to dance with you the way I wanted," Parvati's eyes glinted with passion. "With nobody watching."
As they twirled on the starfield that was the dance floor, time lost all meaning.
"Thank you, Parv," Lavender whispered. "This is wonderful. We should be heading back though."
"No need," Parvati said. "Hermione and Fay are both going to cover for us, Harry caused a distraction so no one noticed we slipped away. You're not going anywhere, love. I love you, Lav."
Parvati kissed Lavender as she walked her backward until her legs hit the bed that appeared. Smiling, Parvati pushed her over.
"What if we get caught?" Lavender said. "We'll be in so much trouble."
"Worth it," Parvati stated. As her lips came into contact with Lavender's pulse point, Lavender ceased to care about anything else.
"I love you too, Parv," Lavender whispered as she felt Parvati's hands slip behind her back.
(I might end up doing a one-shot companion piece to this one, to pick it up where it was left off. It would most certainly be mature. I'm waffling on whether or not to do it. However, this chapter is long enough as it is that I want to let it leave there. We've seen Harry and Hermione say goodnight to one another; it was time to give others their moment in the spotlight.
This chapter could also have been called "The Way You Look Tonight" which, if you know Star Trek Deep Space Nine, you know how beautiful that song is. Especially the part of the chapter where Hermione's laugh wrinkles her nose is a direct callback to that song.
When I was trying to thnk of a band/performer to use, I tried to think of someone who would be perfectly at home in the wizarding world. My first thought was Cher but David Bowie, going under a different name in either world to live a double life as a single life felt perfect.
Thank you for all the comments and especially thank you DZ2 for including this work in with several truly elite fictions on this site. You honor me and I thank you.
