The Potter Twins and the Goblet of Fire
Chapter 13: The Yule Ball
The time leading up to the Yule Ball seemed much calmer and livelier after Harry, Michael and Ron managed to find themselves dates.
Many other strange things happened.
Such as how Hermione, after her visit to Madame Pomfrey, managed to trick her into giving her normal sized teeth, removing her large buck teeth and giving her a normal smile.
Pigwidgeon also came back with a letter from Sirius.
"Dear Harry and Michael, Congratulations on getting past the Horntail. And it was quite the shock to hear about Norberta. Whoever put your name in that goblet shouldn't be feeling too happy right now! I was going to suggest a Conjunctivitis Curse, as a dragon's eyes are its weakest point…."
Hermione, "that's what Krum did."
"But your way was better, I'm impressed. Don't get complacent, though, boys. You've only done one task; whoever put you both in for the tournament's got plenty more opportunity if they're trying to hurt you. Keep your eyes open, particularly when the person we discussed is around, and concentrate on keeping yourself out of in touch, I still want to hear about anything unusual. Sirius."
Harry, "he sounds exactly like Moody. 'Constant vigilance!' You'd think I walk around with my eyes shut, banging off the walls…."
Michael, "we're both smarter than that."
Hermione, "but he's right, boy's. You have still got two tasks to do. You really ought to have a look at those eggs, you know, and start working out what they mean…."
Ron, "Hermione, they've got ages. Want a game of chess, Harry? Michael?"
"Yeah, okay", said Harry. Then, spotting the look on Hermione's face, he said, "come on, how'm I supposed to concentrate with all this noise going on? I won't even be able to hear the egg over this lot."
Michael, "yeah, we need a nice quiet place to figure it out."
"Oh I suppose so", she sighed, and she sat down to watch the chess match, which culminated in an exciting checkmate of Ron's, involving a couple of recklessly brave pawns and a very violent bishop….
….
Michael and Harry awoke very suddenly on Christmas Day.
Harry opened his eyes, and saw something with very large, round, green eyes staring back at him in the darkness, so close they were almost nose to nose.
Harry, "Dobby! Don't do that!"
This instantly awakened Michael.
Dobby, "Dobby is sorry, sir's! Dobby is only wanting to wish Harry and Michael Potter 'Merry Christmas' and bring them presents, sir's! Harry and Michael Potter did say Dobby could come and see them sometimes, sir's!"
Harry, "it's okay. Just, just prod me or something in future, alright, don't bend over me like that…."
Michael, "yeah, we don't need heart attacks in the morning."
Harry took his glasses from his bedside table and put them on. His yell had awoken not only Michael, but also Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville. All of them were heavy-eyed and tousle-haired.
Seamus, "someone attacking you, Harry?"
Michael, "no, it's just Dobby. Go back to sleep."
"Nah…. Presents", said Seamus, spotting the large pile at the foot of his bed. Ron, Dean, and Neville decided that now they were awake they might as well get down to some present-opening too.
Michael and Harry turned back to Dobby, who was now standing nervously in-between their beds, still looking worried that he had upset Harry and Michael.
There was a Christmas bauble tied to the loop on top of his tea cozy.
Dobby, "can Dobby give Harry and Michael Potter their presents?"
Harry, " 'course you can. Er…. I've got something for you too."
Michael, "yeah, me too."
Harry actually hadn't bought anything for Dobby at all, but he quickly opened his trunk and pulled out a particular pair of socks. They were his oldest and foulest, mustard yellow, and had once belonged to Uncle Vernon. The reason they were rolled up was that Harry had been using them to cushion his Sneakoscope for over a year now. He pulled out the Sneakoscope and handed the socks to Dobby, saying, "sorry, I forgot to wrap them…."
But Dobby was utterly delighted, "socks are Dobby's favorite, favorite clothes, sir", he said, ripping off his odd ones and pulling on Uncle Vernon's, "I has eight now, sir…. But sir….", his eyes widening, having pulled both socks up to their highest extent, so that they reached to the bottom of his shorts, "they has made a mistake in the shop, Harry Potter, they is giving you two the same!"
Ron, "ah, no, Harry, how come you didn't spot that? Tell you what, Dobby, here you go, take these two, and you can mix them up properly. And here's your sweater."
He threw Dobby a pair of violet socks he had just unwrapped, and the hand-knitted sweater Mrs. Weasley had sent. Dobby looked quite overwhelmed.
Dobby, "sir is very kind. Dobby knew sir must be a great wizard, for he is Harry and Michael Potter's greatest friend, but Dobby did not know that he was also as generous of spirit, as noble, as selfles-"
Ron, "t-they're only socks…."
Michael handed Dobby his gift and said, "I did my best to knit them, but I'm not the best at it."
Dobby opened the small box to see a pair of red mittens, although they looked crudely made.
Dobby was grinning ear to ear as he put the mittens on.
Ron, "wow, Harry, Michael. Cool!"
Ron had just opened the twins' present, a Chudley Cannon hat. He jammed it onto his head, where it clashed horribly with his hair.
Dobby now handed Harry and Michael each a small package, which turned out to be…. Socks.
"Dobby is making them himself, sir's", the elf said happily, "he is buying the wool out of his wages, sir's!"
Harry's socks:
The left sock was bright red and had a pattern of broomsticks upon it; the right sock was green with a pattern of Snitches.
Michael's socks:
The left sock was yellow with tiny dragons on them; the right sock was red with Arctic foxes on them.
"They're…. They're really…. Well, thanks, Dobby", said Harry, and he pulled them on.
"These are such a great gift Dobby, thanks", said Michael as he pulled his socks on.
Dobby's eyes began to leak with happiness again.
Dobby, "Dobby must go now, sir's, we is already making Christmas dinner in the kitchens!"
Dobby hurried out of the dormitory, waving good-bye to everyone as he passed.
Michael and Harry's other presents were just as nice as Dobby's odd socks, with the obvious exception of Uncle Vernon's, which consisted of a single tissue and plastic baggy, an all-time low.
The twins supposed they remembered the Ton-Tongue Toffee they had given Dudley.
Aunt Petunia had given them a box of chocolate for them. Good to know she was still the nicest person at Privet Drive.
Hermione had given Harry a book called Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland, and Michael Newt Scamander's newest book.
Ron, a bulging bag of Dungbombs for Harry, and a bag of Ferret treats for Michael to give to Fleet.
Sirius, a handy pen knife with attachments to unlock any lock and undo any knot and a tiny matching scarf for Fleet.
Hagrid, a vast box of sweets including all of their favorites: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, and Fizzing Whizbees.
There was also, of course, Mrs. Weasley's usual package, including two new sweaters, (one green, with a picture of a dragon on it, Harry supposed Charlie had told her all about the Horntail, and one red with a picture of an Arctic fox on it, so Mrs. Weasley must've known about Michael being an Animagus), and a large quantity of homemade mince pies.
Michael, Harry and Ron met up with Hermione in the common room, and they went down to breakfast together. They spent most of the morning in Gryffindor Tower, where everyone was 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 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 Harry and the Weasleys' snowball fight rather than join in, and at five o'clock said she was going back upstairs to get ready for the ball.
Ron questioned what she needed three hours for, before he got hit with a large snowball, thrown by George, on the side of the head.
Ron "who're you going with?"
Hermione just waved and disappeared up the stone steps into the castle.
Michael went to visit Hagrid during the snowball fight. He thanked him for the gifts, but had forgotten his own at the dorms, and promised to give him his at the ball.
There was no Christmas tea today, as the ball included a feast, so at seven o'clock, when it had become hard to aim properly, the others abandoned their snowball fight and trooped back to the common room. Michael, Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville changed into their dress robes in their dormitory, all of them looking very self-conscious.
Ron the most so.
He surveyed himself in the mirror with an appalled look. There was just no getting around the fact that his robes looked more like a dress than anything else. In a desperate attempt to make them look more manly, he used a Severing Charm on the ruff and cuffs. It worked fairly well; at least he was now lace-free, although he hadn't done a very neat job, and the edges still looked depressingly frayed as the boys set off downstairs.
Dean, "I still can't work out how you three got the best-looking girls in the year."
"Animal magnetism", said Ron gloomily, pulling stray threads out of his cuffs.
Michael, "Luna is just going as my friend. She's like a little sister to me."
Michael remembered to bring the model Dragon in his pocket for Hagrid.
The common room looked strange, full of people wearing different colors instead of the usual mass of black. Parvati was waiting for Harry at the foot of the stairs. She looked very pretty indeed, in robes of shocking pink, with her long dark plait braided with gold, and gold bracelets glimmering at her wrists. Harry was relieved to see that she wasn't giggling.
Harry, "you, er, look nice."
Parvati, "thanks. Padma's going to meet Ron in the entrance hall."
Ron, "right. Where's Hermione?"
Parvati shrugged, "shall we go down then, Harry?"
"Okay", said Harry, wishing he could just stay in the common room. Fred winked at Harry as he passed him on the way out of the portrait hole.
When they rounded the corner on the way to the Great Hall, Luna was standing there, scaring all of them.
She was dressed in a cute blue dress.
Neville found himself blushing as she said, "hello. I'm ready for the dance."
Michael, "thanks Luna."
Luna joined the group on their way to the Great Hall.
The entrance hall was packed with students too, all waiting for eight o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Parvati found her sister, Padma, and led her over to Harry, Ron, Michael and Luna.
"Hi", said Padma, who was looking just as pretty as Parvati in bright turquoise robes. She didn't look too enthusiastic about having Ron as a partner, though.
"Hi", said Ron, not looking at her, but staring around at the crowd, "oh no…."
Ron was depressed to see Fleur with Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain.
Ron kept his head down until they walked off.
Ron, "where is Hermione?"
The group saw some Slytherins coming up the steps. Malfoy was in front; he was wearing dress robes of black velvet with a high collar. Pansy Parkinson, in very frilly robes of pale pink, was clutching Malfoy's arm. Crabbe and Goyle were both wearing green, 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 Karkaroff. Krum was at the front of the party, accompanied by a pretty girl in blue robes Harry and the others didn't know. Over their heads they 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 rose bushes that had been conjured there, and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to be Santa and his reindeer.
Then McGonagall's voice called, "Champions over here, please!"
Parvati readjusted her bangles, beaming; she and Harry said, "see you in a minute", to Ron and Padma and walked forward, the chattering crowd parting to let them through.
Michael followed, and he was somehow more nervous than Luna was. She seemed much more calm.
McGonagall was wearing dress robes of red tartan and had arranged a rather ugly wreath around the brim of her hat, told them to wait on one side of the doors while everyone else went inside; they were to enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students had sat down. Fleur and Roger stationed themselves nearest the doors; Davies looked so stunned by his good fortune in having Fleur for a partner that he could hardly take his eyes off her. Cedric and Cho were close to Michael too; he looked away from them so he wouldn't have to talk to them. His and Harry's eyes fell instead on the girl next to Krum.
Their jaws dropped.
It was Hermione.
But she didn't look like Hermione at all. She had done something with her hair; it was no longer bushy but sleek and shiny, and twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She was wearing robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material, and she was holding herself differently, somehow…. Or maybe it was merely the absence of the twenty or so books she usually had slung over her back. She was also smiling, rather nervously, but the reduction in the size of her front teeth was more noticeable than ever; Harry and Michael couldn't understand how they hadn't spotted it before.
Hermione, "hi, Harry! Hi, Parvati! Hi, Michael! Hi, Luna!"
Parvati was gazing at Hermione in unflattering disbelief. Luna just…. Stared.
Michael was mainly concerned about how Krum was 18 and Hermione was 15. It was kind of gross. Luckily, Hermione informed them how Krum was only interested in being friends and did NOT have the hots for her. Thank God.
When the doors to the Great Hall opened, Krum's fan club from the library stalked past, throwing Hermione looks of loathing. Pansy Parkinson gaped at her as she walked by with Malfoy, and even he didn't seem to be able to find an insult to throw at her. Ron, however, walked right past Hermione without looking at her.
Once everyone else was settled in the Hall, McGonagall told the champions and their partners to get in line in pairs and to follow her. They did so, and everyone in the Great Hall applauded as they entered and started walking up toward a large round table at the top of the Hall, where the judges were sitting.
The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.
Harry concentrated on not tripping over his feet. Parvati seemed to be enjoying herself; she was beaming around at everybody, steering Harry so forcefully that he felt as though he were a show dog she was putting through its paces.
Michael was lucky that Luna was so calm and behaved, and walked much slower with him.
The twins caught sight of Ron and Padma as he neared the top table. Ron was watching Hermione pass with narrowed eyes. Padma was looking sulky.
Dumbledore smiled happily as the champions approached the top table, but Karkaroff wore an expression remarkably like Ron's as he watched Krum and Hermione dancing. Bagman was clapping as enthusiastically as any of the students; and Madame Maxime, who had changed her usual uniform of black satin for a flowing gown of lavender silk, was applauding them politely. But Mr. Crouch, they suddenly realized, was not there. The fifth seat at the table was occupied by Percy Weasley.
When the champions and their partners reached the table, Percy drew out the empty chairs on either side of him, staring pointedly at Harry and Michael.
They took the hint and sat down next to Percy, who was wearing brand-new, navy-blue dress robes and an expression of smugness.
Percy, "I've been promoted. I'm now Mr. Crouch's personal assistant, and I'm here representing him."
Harry, "why didn't he come?"
Percy went into a very long winded speech about the various troubles that Mr. Crouch had been facing ever since the World Cup, but the twins only paid attention to half of what he said.
Harry and Michael wanted very much to ask whether Mr. Crouch had stopped calling Percy "Weatherby" yet, but resisted the temptation.
There was no food as yet on the plates, but small menus were lying in front of each of them. The twins picked them up and looked around.
Dumbledore looked carefully down at his own menu, then said very clearly to his plate, "pork chops!"
And pork chops appeared. Getting the idea, the rest of the table placed their orders with their plates too.
Harry and Michael noticed that Hermione was too excited to care about the house-elves for once, talking to Krum extensively.
The twins heard Krum talk for the first time, and he was actually very enthusiastic.
The Champions and headmaster had various conversations about various things over the course of the meal.
Hermione taught Krum to say her name properly.
Fleur made fun of the decorations.
Hagrid gave a small wave to Madame Maxine.
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 wizarding band known as the Weird Sisters were playing the music for this occasion.
Pavarti took the lead with Harry, while Michael was able to take the lead with Luna.
Neville was struggling not to dance on Ginny's feet.
Dumbledore was waltzing with Madame Maxime. He was so dwarfed by her that the top of his pointed hat barely tickled her chin; however, she moved very gracefully for a woman so large. Moody was doing an extremely ungainly two-step with Professor Sinistra, who was nervously avoiding his wooden leg.
"Nice socks, Potter's", Moody growled as he passed.
Harry, "oh, yeah, Dobby the house-elf knitted them for us."
Michael, "maybe we'll ask him to make you one."
"He is so creepy", Parvati whispered as Moody clunked away, "I don't think that eye should be allowed!"
Michael, "how else is he supposed to see?"
Harry heard the final, quavering note from the bagpipe with relief. The Weird Sisters stopped playing, applause filled the hall once more, and Harry let go of Parvati at once.
Harry, "let's sit down, shall we?"
Parvati, "oh, but, this is a really good one!"
"No, I don't like it", Harry lied, and he led her away from the dance floor, past Fred and Angelina, who were dancing so exuberant that people around them were backing away in fear of injury, and over to the table where Ron and Padma were sitting.
As Michael stood with Luna, they saw Ginny going over to sit with Ron, Harry and their dates, seemingly tired.
Neville stood on his own.
Luna looked at Michael and said, "do you mind if I dance with him?"
Michael, "huh? Oh, sure, go ahead Luna. I won't force ya."
Luna smiled before she went over to a surprised Neville.
Michael smiled as he went over to his brother and the others.
Michael, "how's it going?"
Ron didn't answer. He was glaring at Hermione and Krum, who were dancing nearby. Padma was sitting with her arms and legs crossed, one foot jiggling in time to the music.
Pavarti eventually went to dance with a boy from Beauxbatons. Harry didn't mind, and was actually more content to sit next to Ginny.
Michael smiled. At least his brother had found someone to enjoy the evening with.
Padma eventually joined her sister and another boy from Beauxbatons on the dance floor.
Michael found himself glancing at Cedric and Cho every so often.
Hermione came over and sat down in Parvati's empty chair. She was a bit pink in the face from dancing.
Hermione, "hot isn't it? Viktor's gone to get drinks. Care to join us?
Ron, "no, we'd NOT care to join you and Viktor."
Michael, "I might."
Hermione, "what's got your wand in a knot?
Ron, "he's a Durmstrang. You're fraternizing with the enemy."
Hermione, "the enemy? Who was it wanting his autograph? Besides, the whole point of the tournament is international magical cooperation, to make friends."
Ron, "hrmph, I think he's got a bit more than friendship on his mind."
Hermione huffed in anger before running back off to find Krum.
Eventually, Percy showed up and had a conversation with Bagman about Fred and George hoping to sell their various pranks on a larger scale. One of them was obviously against it.
Ron, "let's go for a walk. Get away from Percy…."
Michael, "good idea."
Pretending they wanted more drinks, Michael, Harry and Ron left the table, edged around the dance floor, and slipped out into the entrance hall. The front doors stood open, and the fluttering fairy lights in the rose garden twinkled as they went down the front steps, where they found themselves surrounded by bushes; winding, ornamental paths; and large stone statues. They could hear splashing water, which sounded like a fountain. Here and there, people were sitting on carved benches. The trio set off along one of the winding paths through the rose bushes, but they had gone only a short way when they heard an unpleasantly familiar voice.
"... don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor."
Snape.
"Severus, you cannot pretend this isn't happening", Karkaroff's voice was hear, "it's been getting clearer and clearer for months. I am becoming seriously concerned, I can't deny it-"
Snape, "then flee. Flee, I will make your excuses. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts."
Snape and Karkaroff came around the corner.
They spotted the boy's.
Snape, "and what are you two doing?"
Karkaroff, they saw, looked slightly worried to see them standing there. His hand went nervously to his goatee.
Ron, "we're walking. Not against the law, is it?"
"Keep walking, then", Snape snarled, and he brushed past them.
Karkaroff hurried away after Snape. Harry, Michael and Ron continued down the path.
Ron, "what's got Karkaroff all worried?"
Harry, "and since when have he and Snape been on first-name terms?"
Michael, "everything here keeps getting more confusing…."
They had reached a large stone reindeer now. The shadowy outlines of two enormous people were visible on a stone bench, watching the water in the moonlight. And then they heard Hagrid speak.
Hagrid, "momen' I saw yeh, I knew."
Michael, Harry and Ron froze. This didn't sound like the sort of scene they ought to walk in on, somehow…. They looked around, back up the path, and saw Fleur and Roger standing half-concealed in a rosebush nearby. He tapped Ron on the shoulder and jerked his head toward them, meaning that they could easily sneak off that way without being noticed, but Ron, eyes widening in horror at the sight of Fleur, shook his head vigorously, and pulled the twins deeper into the shadows behind the reindeer.
Madame Maxime, "what did you know, 'Agrid?"
The twins definitely didn't want to listen to this; they knew Hagrid would hate to be overheard in a situation like this, (they certainly would have), if it had been possible, they would have put their fingers in their ears and hummed loudly, but that wasn't really an option. Instead they tried to interest themselves in a beetle crawling along the stone reindeer's back, but the beetle just wasn't interesting enough to block out Hagrid's next words.
Hagrid, "I jus' knew…. Knew you were like me…. Was it yer mother or yer father?"
Madame Maxime, "I- I don't know what you mean, 'Agrid…."
Hagrid, "it was my mother. She was one o' the las' ones in Britain. 'Course, I can' remember her too well…. She left, see. When I was abou' three. She wasn' really the maternal sort. Well…. It's not in their natures, is it? Dunno what happened to her…. Might be dead fer all I know…."
Madame Maxime didn't say anything. And the twins, in spite of themselves, took their eyes off the beetle and looked over the top of the reindeer's antlers, listening…. They had never heard Hagrid talk about his childhood before.
Hagrid, "me dad was broken-hearted when she wen'. Tiny little bloke, my dad was. By the time I was six I could lift him up an' put him on top o' the dresser if he annoyed me. Used ter make him laugh…."
Madame Maxime was listening, motionless, apparently staring at the silvery fountain.
Hagrid, "Dad raised me…. But he died, o' course, jus' after I started school. Sorta had ter make me own way after that. Dumbledore was a real help, mind. Very kind ter me, he was….", Hagrid pulled out a large spotted silk handkerchief and blew his nose heavily, "so…. Anyway…. Enough abou' me. What about you? Which side you got it on?"
But Madame Maxime had suddenly gotten to her feet.
Madame Maxime, "it is chilly. I think I will go in now."
Hagrid, "eh? No, don' go! I've- I've never met another one before!"
Madame Maxime, "anuzzer what, precisely?"
The twins could have told Hagrid it was best not to answer; they stood there in the shadows gritting their teeth, hoping against hope he wouldn't…. But it was no good.
Hagrid, "another half-giant, o' course!"
Madame Maxime, " 'ow dare you!"
Her voice exploded through the peaceful night air like a foghorn; behind them, the trio heard Fleur and Roger fall out of their rosebush.
Madame Maxime, "I 'ave nevair been more insulted in my life! 'Alf-giant? Moi? I 'ave- I 'ave big bones!"
She stormed away; great multicolored swarms of fairies rose into the air as she passed, angrily pushing aside bushes. Hagrid was still sitting on the bench, staring after her. It was much too dark to make out his expression. Then, after about a minute, he stood up and was about to stride away, not back to the castle, but off out into the dark grounds in the direction of his cabin.
Michael quickly ran over to Hagrid as he walked, Harry and Ron helpless to stop him.
Michael tugged on his sleeve.
Hagrid turned to Michael and said, "oh! Uh, Michael, er, what can I do fer ya?"
Michael held out a small box and said, "Merry Christmas, Hagrid."
Hagrid opened the small box, and he was instantly smiling as the little Norberta model hopped into his hand.
He said, "thank ye, Michael. I…. I really needed this."
Michael smiled and said, "anything for you, Hagrid. You deserve some happiness in your life."
Hagrid smiled and hugged Michael for a moment.
When it was done, Michael then walked off back to Harry and Ron.
Harry, "c'mon. Let's go…."
But Ron didn't move.
Michael, "what's up?"
Ron looked around at Harry, his expression very serious indeed.
Ron, "did you know? About Hagrid being half-giant?"
Harry, "no. So what?"
They knew immediately, from the look Ron was giving them, that they were once again revealing their ignorance of the wizarding world.
Ron, "I'll explain inside. C'mon…."
Fleur and Roger had disappeared, probably into a more private clump of bushes. Harry, Michael and Ron returned to the Great Hall. Parvati and Padma were now sitting at a distant table with a whole crowd of Beauxbatons boys, and Hermione was once more dancing with Krum. Michael smiled when he saw Luna teaching Neville to dance properly.
The trio sat down at a table far removed from the dance floor.
Harry, "so? What's the problem with giants?"
Ron, "well, they're…. They're…. Not very nice."
Michael, "who cares? There's nothing wrong with Hagrid!"
Ron, "I know there isn't, but…. Blimey, no wonder he keeps it quiet. I always thought he'd got in the way of a bad Engorgement Charm when he was a kid or something. Didn't like to mention it…."
Harry, "but what's it matter if his mother was a giantess?"
Ron, "well…. No one who knows him will care, 'cos they'll know he's not dangerous. But…. They're just vicious, giants. It's like Hagrid said, it's in their natures, they're like trolls…. They just like killing, everyone knows that. There aren't any left in Britain now, though."
Harry, "what happened to them?"
Ron, "well, they were dying out anyway, and then loads got themselves killed by Aurors. There're supposed to be giants abroad, though…. They hide out in mountains mostly…."
Michael, "I don't know who Maxime thinks she's kidding", watching Madame Maxime sitting alone at the judges' table, looking very somber, "if Hagrid's half-giant, she definitely is. Big bones…. The only thing that's got bigger bones than her is a dinosaur."
Michael, Harry and Ron spent the rest of the ball discussing giants in their corner, none of them having any inclination to dance.
Michael tried not to watch Cho and Cedric too much; it gave him a strong desire to kick something.
Michael went over and got himself some butterbeer.
When he turned back, he saw Harry and Ginny sharing a small dance with one another.
Michael smiled at the sight.
As he stood there, Michael noticed a boy from Hufflepuff standing there as well.
Michael recognized them as Alex Thornwood. He was in the same year as Michael.
They both glanced at one another for a moment.
Alex, "I like your scar…. It makes you look unique…. Something to be proud of…."
Michael blushed and said, "thank you…. I like your hair…. And your eyes look nice…."
Both of them smiled.
They both looked up and noticed that some mistletoe was right above them.
Before Michael knew what was happening, Alex quickly kissed him on the cheek and dashed off with cheeks as red as tomatoes!
Michael stood there in shock until the Weird Sisters finished playing at midnight, everyone gave them a last, loud round of applause and started to wend their way into the entrance hall. Many people were expressing the wish that the ball could have gone on longer, but Harry and Michael were perfectly happy to be going to bed; as far as they were concerned, the evening hadn't been much fun. Michael had only a slightly more positive opinion of the night.
Out in the entrance hall, the trio saw Hermione saying good night to Krum before he went back to the Durmstrang ship.
She gave Ron a very cold look and swept past him up the marble staircase without speaking. They followed her.
They soon climbed into the common room and Ron and Hermione started having a blazing row. Standing ten feet apart, they were bellowing at each other, each scarlet in the face.
Hermione, "well, if you don't like it, you know what the solution is, don't you?"
Ron, "oh yeah? What's that?"
Hermione, "next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!"
Ron mouthed soundlessly like a goldfish out of water as Hermione turned on her heel and stormed up the girls' staircase to bed.
Ron turned to look at Harry and said, "well…. Well…. That just proves…. Completely missed the point…."
Harry and Michael didn't say anything. They liked being back on speaking terms with Ron too much to speak their minds right now. But they somehow thought that Hermione had gotten the point much better than Ron had….
….
Reviews:
Canadude2029: yeah, the last chapter was very interesting to write. And Luna is definitely one of my favorite characters.
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