A/N - Whose house? RUN'S HOUSE! Ah. Wait. No. Rowling's house. She just doesn't mind people playing in it.

Apologies for the massive gap between chapters, I absolutely acknowledge that it's been months and it's only fair that I offer a short explanation. Basically, a combination of life (including a period of illness), work (including a wee promotion which has meant I've been really busy) and lack of inspiration driven in part by the fact that I currently favour post-Howgarts AU stories. My health is better, I've been able to hire more people at work so my workload is more manageable, and I will overcome the inspiration issue. I promise the story isn't abandoned, I just need to work out where it's going. I have made changes which threw my original plot out, so I need to find a new end point in my head, and work out how to get from here to there…

Chapter 13 - Just like Wizzard once sang…

The applause which followed the announcement that Viktor Krum, aged 18, was escorting Ginny Weasley, aged 13 to the ball was much more muted, largely driven by the fact that the bulk of the attendees were all too aware that there was a 5 year age gap. The whispering which followed their entry was much less muted than the whisperers thought it was.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, their faces a mixture of concern and disgust, looks which were shared amongst others in the hall. "That's just not right" muttered Harry. "It's one thing with Nev and Luna, there's less than a year between them, but those two. That's disturbing."

Hermione nodded. "I considered him too old for me, and I'm over a year older than Ginevra. Do you think…?" She never finished the sentence but saw Harry nodding.

"I absolutely think. I'm going to presume that Weasley was bitching to Krum about the Potters, going back to the refusal to enter into an agreement and Krum has decided to make a statement. He was going to make that statement with you, now he's trying to make it with the Weasley daughter." Harry sighed. "You know, I was hoping that this was just going to be a fun night, not that I was going to have to try and decipher political machinations."

Hermione poked him in the ribs. "It's still going to be a fun night. Focus on that and leave the deciphering to your parents."

Harry looked around to see if he could spot his parents, spotting them at the far side of the hall. His eyes locked with his father's. James gave his son a terse nod, which was duly returned by the teen. Hermione just watched on before turning to look at her date for the evening. Harry gave her a tense grin. "You are, as always, absolutely right. I can already see that Mum and dad have come to the same conclusion. They will keep a close eye on them."

Hermione nodded and looked around. She noticed that she and Harry had been herded to one corner of the hall. To their left was Cedric and Cho, opposite was Fleur and Roger whilst Viktor and Ginny were furthest away. It popped into her head that someone had carefully planned the groupings. As she mused, she noted that each champion's group was joined by another two couples for the traditional progression waltz.

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the magically amplified voice of the headmaster. "Welcome one and all to the Hogwarts Yule Ball in honour of the Tri-Wizard Tournament." The old man stood with his arms held wide, emphasising his robes which were a traditional green, but enchanted with moving images of yule and winter. "As we have four champions, it has been decided that each champion will dance the first waltz with representatives of Hogwarts houses." At that he sat down and a note sounded throughout the hall and the groups took their positions.

As the music started both Harry and Hermione were massively grateful for the lessons they had taken and were able to move in time with the music with some degree of grace and style. After the full set of progressions were danced and the original partners were reconnected, the music stopped and the rest of the hall broke out in polite applause.

The headmaster stood again and signalled for silence. "Thank you all, for that wonderful display to start the festivities. Now, before we sit for dinner, there are a couple of announcements I must make." His eyes looked across the room, settling for a moment on each of the champions. "It was brought to my attention that in the midst of all the excitement of Halloween, and immediately thereafter, we omitted a very important if ceremonial part of the tournament. I am of course referring to the 'Weighing of the Wands'. Traditionally this is done after the selection but before the first task. We are, as they say, 'mixing it up' somewhat." Dumbledore pointed to his left. "To this end we have Mr Garrick Ollivander, the latest of a long line of Ollivanders who have been providing magical Britain with their wands for centuries." Pointing to his right he added "we also have Madam Delores Umbridge, here in lieu of Minister Fudge as the representative of the Ministry of Magic. They will join myself, Headmaster Karkaroff and Headmistress Maxime to complete the panel for this event."

Raising both arms wide again he called the champions before the head table. Harry sighed and looked around before moving. Spotting Neville and Luna a bit further back he turned away from the head table and made off in that direction, closely followed by Hermione. He was wholly unaware of the look of anger on Umbridge's face, it was clear the vision in garish pink fully expected the champions to immediately make their way in her direction. Harry on the other hand had something more important to worry about. "Nev, Luna, would you mind keeping Hermione company while I go and get gawked at in the next part of this dog-and-pony show?"

Both Luna and Neville said that they would. Harry turned to his date and took one of her hands in both of his, giving it an apologetic squeeze. He looked into her eyes and half-cocked an eyebrow. Hermione for her part just nodded. With a half-hearted smile, Harry made his way to the head table, taking care to stand as far apart from Krum as he could.

Dumbledore announced that the wands would be weighed in the order that the competitors were disgorged from the goblet, meaning that Fleur would go first, followed by Krum, Cedric then finally Harry. Ollivander carefully took each wand, announcing its wood and core before running a spell in it with his own gnarled wand to get its weight, length, flex-factor and an overall assessment of its condition. He then turned to Harry's wand. "Hmmm. 11", made of sacred cherrywood with a most unusual core. Hmmm, indeed. Its core is the heartstring of an Itsumade. Most unusual that such a thing could be found, even in Japan."

Umbridge looked furious. "Are you trying to tell me that this is an illegally imported wand?"

It was Dumbledore who answered. "No one is saying that Madam. The law does not prohibit British wizarding families from importing wands they may acquire overseas."

The pink clad monstrosity was not to be placated. "I know the law Dumbledore, I am the senior-undersecretary. The law clearly states that British families must have British wands."

Ollivander cleared his throat. "That is not wholly correct. The law states that any foreign nationals settling in Britain must buy a British wand, regardless of them already having a wand which matches them and must have all wands registered with the Ministry. The law also states that any British family who buys a wand in Britain must buy said wand from the approved wandmaker, which I am proud to say is a title which has sat with the Ollivander family for centuries. The law however has a loophole in that at no point does it state that a British family living overseas cannot buy a local wand. Nor does it state that any wand bought by a British family cannot be brought into the country and, in what can only be assumed to be an oversight, it doesn't place the same restriction on British families' requirement to register any imported wands. As far as I can see, no law has been broken. A loophole could be said to have been exploited, certainly, but no more."

Umbridge looked fit to be tied. "I don't doubt that is your interpretation of the law, Ollivander, but that doesn't mean it's correct."

Ollivander looked almost as annoyed as Umbridge. "It's not a matter of interpreting, it's a matter of knowing."

Dumbledore raised both hands. "This is a matter which can be subject to continued debate in my office after tonight's event. Mr Ollivander, are you content that all four champions' wands are suitable?" Ollivander nodded his assent.

"This is not over Headmaster" screeched Umdridge. "We will meet in your office immediately this farce is over. Until then I must speak to the Minister. If there is a 'loophole'" said in a tone to make all listening clear that she was absolutely certain that there was not "it can be closed with the swish of a quill. When it's shown that there is not, we will be having a very different conversation. In the interim I must speak with the Minister. I need a floo."

"Professor McGonagall, perhaps you would be kind enough to permit Madam Umbridge to use your floo?" McGonagall looked like she'd rather tell the Senior Undersecretary exactly which tower to jump off, but nodded and signalled to the toad-like woman who then swept her way from the hall.

Dumbledore turned back to the throng and with a smile announced that dinner was now to be served. The Great Hall rearranged itself so that there was a top table with a series of others, all of which had name tags showing people where to sit. Harry was not surprised to find himself at opposite ends of the top table from Krum and on flashing a glance the Bulgarian's way noted that he was glowering at him and Hermione. Harry just shrugged and as the food appeared cast an eye around the room. He spotted a shock of red hair a few tables down and nudged Hermione. "Looks like Weasley isn't having a good time."

The redhead in question was sitting beside a younger girl who kept flitting her eyes between Ron and several other boys in the room. Weasley himself kept glowering toward the top table but to Harry's surprise, the dark looks weren't aimed at him. He followed the redhead's eyes to see that Krum and Ginny were the target. "That's interesting" he murmured.

"What is?". Harry turned to his date and smiled.

"I think Krum may have one less fan in the castle. That could be worth knowing. The enemy of my enemy and all that." Hermione followed Harry's glance and came to the same conclusion.

"You think you could become friends with Ronald?" she asked with a hint of distaste.

"Absolutely not, but if I can discount him as a potential banana skin, then that's good enough. I've seen him in classes and at the duelling club. He's not stupid, but incredibly lazy and not at all driven. If he got over that he could be a problem. Far from an insurmountable one, but one I'd rather not have."

Hermione nodded and the two continued with a lovely dinner. After the last few plates were emptied, the assembled students were told to stand as the hall once again rearranged itself to allow for dancing. Harry and Hermione quickly found a table with Neville and Luna before finding themselves also joined by Susan Bones and her date, Justin Finch-Fletchley. It was the blonde Hufflepuff who got the conversation started by asking if they could join the table, something Harry was all in favour of.

"I'm sorry I've not had a chance to spend as much time with you, given everything" started Harry. "For all that my parents and your aunt are close, and as much as I call her Aunt Ami too, I don't actually know her as well as I'd like, other than the times she's visited us when we were away, and a lot of there were more about her catching up with my parents and giving me the odd lesson in duelling. I know the "mum's best friend" version of Aunt Ami, I hope that moving forward I'll get to know the "Aunt Ami" version of Aunt Ami better. I hope we didn't cause too many problems with you and her."

Susan shook her head. "I mean it was a bit awkward, but I understand more than most why Aunty had to make the vow and why there was so much secrecy, besides, I know there's not a lot she can tell me about what she does at work, so if I think about this being much the same, I understand it better."

Harry looked relieved and smiled. "Had things been different, who knows, we might have grown up as friends. I don't know about Hermione, but I'd certainly like to get to know you more too. We both call the same woman aunt after all!"

Hermione pitched in. "I know I've not been particularly forward in getting to know people but since meeting Harry I've had my eyes opened a little. I'd be happy to join in, especially if you would be so good as to teach me some of your duelling skills! It would be nice to have another female friend, I'm not sure I've ever properly had one before. I was always too bookish or too serious for others. "

Susan was quick to agree on the basis that Hermione reciprocated with help in arithmancy and transfiguration. "I mean I don't just want to be your friend for the help with classes" she was quick to point out. "Other than Hannah I don't have many girl-friends either. Lots of them, even some in Hufflepuff, see me as being the niece of the head of the DMLE and assume that anything said here will go back to her." Susan sighed. "Oh well, onward and hopefully upward?" It was said more as a question, but Hermione nodded enthusiastically. Susan smiled. "I noticed a huge improvement in you during the last duelling club." Hermione was quick to point out the help that Harry had been given and the three quickly agreed to join up to swap tactics and ideas. Not wanting the others to feel left out, Harry invited Justin, Neville and Luna to join. The latter two agreed, the former politely declined.

Susan looked again at Harry. "In this new found spirit of camaraderie, do you know what Sirius Black is up to with Aunt Ami? Professor Sprout let me use her floo connection to speak to Auntie to make the final arrangements for being picked up to go home for Yule tomorrow when she was interrupted. She said to Sirius to give her a minute whilst we wrapped up our conversation."

Harry shrugged. "Sirius is up to something, I know what, He and my dad have been in cahoots about something, but I've not been able to hear what. If it involves Aunt Ami too, I'm not sure I want to know!"

"I know Auntie is unhappy about something." Susan paused. "Ok, she's unhappy about a lot of things. Most of the time. But yeah, more so than usual."

As the night progressed, Harry and Hermione found themselves dancing some more and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Harry being Harry kept a watchful eye on his surroundings. Ron Weasley didn't look any happier now than he did at the start, Roger Davies seemed to be in a permanent daze, Cho and Cedric seemed happy enough whilst Viktor and Ginny danced a little at the start but had remained largely at the table they were holding court at since. Harry could see his father positioned strategically so that he could keep an eye on the Bulgarian but could also see Harry if needed.

He turned to speak to Hermione and paused. She was looking over the dancefloor at the other couples and groups dancing and Harry was hit by two things. One, that Hermione was utterly beautiful and two, that he was in danger of being a terrible date. He leaned closer and got her attention with a gentle nudge. "Would you dance with me some more?"

Hermione looked surprised. "I'd love to Harry, I didn't think you'd want to after the mandatory dances." Harry gave her a grin.

"I've never really danced before, but I think I'd regret not taking the chance to dance with you when I had it." The beaming smile he was rewarded with did any number of funny things to his stomach. He stood and offered his hand which was happily taken by his date. The two teenagers made their way to the dancefloor and started to move in time with the music.

- oOo - oOo - oOo -

At the same time as Harry was dancing with Hermione his Godfather was pouring over some parchments in the library of Amelia Bones' house. Sirius and Amelia had been having a series of clandestine meetings aimed at trying to figure out what political powerplays Cornelius Fudge was likely to try. It was the head of the DMLE who summed it up.

"Fudge is not a learned man, he hasn't climbed his way up the Ministry by the power of his intellect, but he does know where the bodies are buried and he has the survival instincts of a cockroach. He fully subscribes to the 'friends close, enemies closer' theory, and he has Umbridge as his hatchet woman."

Sirius let out a breath. "When we were overseas, Lily would give Harry lessons on both British and European history, muggle as well as magical. I thought she was making some of it up so I found myself sneaking into the library to read up. Turns out the muggles are just as capable of being arseholes as we are, but what I did also find was that there was a secret magical element to a lot of European history in the last few decades."

Amelia nodded. "We are taught about the influence Grindlewald had in Germany in the 30s, although he didn't call himself by his own name. He changed his name to Anton Drexler and founded the Deutsche Arbeiter Partei. He'd gone and hooked up with a squib called Rudolph von Sebettendorff who had formed the Thule Society. It was a masquerade of occultism, in reality it was a front by which Grindelwald's wizards could influence the muggle government. My fear is that Fudge is having done to him by some of the dark factions of the ministry what the muggle Adolf Hitler had done by Grindelwald and the Thule Society."

Sirius looked at her confused. She continued. "Grindelwald, as Drexler, wormed his way to Hitler's side. A word here, a suggestion there, some have suggested compulsions or even the imperius, others have said that Hitler was already pliant enough and enough of a bastard that he just needed winding up and pointing in the right direction. Either way, it was Drexler who planted some of the most insidious ideas. It was Drexler who came with the idea of the false flag fire at the Reichstag, their equivalent of the Ministry building. Hitler used that fire to persuade the government to pass acts which made him the de-facto dictator of Germany. Other political parties were not as much banned, but certainly ostracised, their politicians were attacked, run out, sometimes murdered."

Sirius didn't have to think too hard to see parallels with what Fudge was already starting to do around the fringes of society. Amelia wasn't finished though. "Fudge listens to the likes of Umbridge, Malfoy, Yaxley. Who is to say that one of them won't suggest some plot to give Fudge cause to suspend democracy in the guise of security. If he gets as much as a sniff of a rumour that Voldemort isn't dead we both know that he will batten down the hatches and look to shore up his own position first, crying denials from the highest tower of Howarts as he does."

Sirius paled at the thought. "I'd never considered that. It just means that we are going to have to be very very careful what we come up with. It also means that we need to let Remus know that Umbridge has been sniffing around Hogwarts. "

Amelia agreed. "She won't be able to touch him there, Hogwarts has its autonomy vested in the Headmaster, so as long as Dumbledore doesn't ban him from being on the grounds, there's nothing she can do other than go running to Fudge. There's nothing he can do about it either however, but…"

"Yeah. But. We need to pick our battles. I am meeting Remus after we are done here, I'll have a word. I'm not sure what the Potters will be doing for Yule, I know I'm taking the pup's missus home tomorrow, I'll find an opportunity to speak to James and Lils."

"Missus?" snorted Amelia.

A broad smile was the answer. "James told me that he had to get a necklace from his vault, it was Euphemia's. Harry wanted something special for Hermione. We are all just waiting for the announcement."

"Really? You think he's that serious? Fuck. Don't say it!" Amelia groaned in exasperation at stumbling into Sirius' favourite pun. Sirius laughed.

"He's absolutely that serious, he just doesn't know it yet. He's known nothing but love from his parents, from me, Moony, even you when you could, although I'd have liked you to have gotten to know him better beyond the duelling."

"You and I both, but that can come. We need to focus on what we are going to be doing.". Amelia looked at her co-conspiritor. "How would you feel about not only taking your seat on the Wizengamot but persuading James to take his?"

Sirius groaned long and loud. "Fucking hell Ami, are you trying to persuade me to go dark. You know how I feel about that bollocks. James is less against it than I am, but…"

"I know, but we need to start quietly building a faction. What is it you always say about being on the outside of things?"

"Yes, I know, better being on the inside pissing out, but wouldn't James and I taking our seats just set Fudge off on a rampage?"

Amelia shook her head. "Actually, I think that dear Cornelius would be more suspicious if you didn't." She paused for a second to gather her thoughts. "It's well known that you both have seats. Despite Walburga telling anyone who would listen how disowned you were, Orion never actually cast you out. When Regulus died he didn't have another option. If we were able to look in the Register in the Department of Mysteries, we both know it would say you were the Head of the Household. I was there with you in Japan when you felt it settle on you, Sirius. You knew the second Orion died that it was all on you."

"Doesn't mean I have to bloody like it."

"I know you don't, but we need to use everything we have. Anyway, back on track - every man and his crup knows you have a seat. Just like everyone knows that James has a seat. If you take them, Fudge is going to think he has you where he wants you. He thinks he controls more of the Wizengamot than he does. The dark faction will follow Malfoy and that blonde prick thinks he has Fudge in his pocket."

"Doesn't he?"

"Well, for the most part, yes. But that's by the by. At the moment there are about 38 seats filled. It's enough for a quorum but it means that it won't take much to make some subtle changes. If you and James sit, that brings us up to 40. Like I said, Fudge will be happier having you as part of the institution that he thinks he controls"

Sirius grumbled some more. "You know I always vowed I'd never do this."

Amelia laughed. "We all have to do things we don't want to, you old dog."

Sirius glared at her. "Ok, take me through your nefarious plan…"

- oOo - - oOo - - oOo -

Back at Hogwarts, Harry and Hermione had been having a grand time. They had mostly danced with each other although they had shared dances with Luna and Neville as well as Susan and Anthony. Dancing with the latter did not please Hermione. "I swear to god that boy doesn't know where a girl's eyes are." Harry wisely didn't comment but made a mental note to redouble his efforts to maintain eye contact with not only his date, but the other girls.

They had been dancing for a while when Hermione asked for a break so they could get some drinks. "This is awesome, but my feet are starting to get sore."

Harry nodded and like the good date he was, trotted off to the drinks table, coming back with a butterbeer and gillywater. Suitably refreshed he suggested getting some air, something Hermione was all too keen to agree to. They left the Great Hall and found their way through the French style windows which had been conjured into the atrium wall, leading them to a charmed garden which had similarly been created for the event. Despite it being deep into December, the garden was charmed to be a pleasing temperature. Not too warm, given the likelihood of sweaty teenagers needing a break, but also not too cold. The two found themselves heading to a bench for a seat, not realising that at some point during the walk, their hands had found each other's and were clasped together.

They found an empty bench and sat, looking up at a star filled sky. They sat a while in a comfortable silence. For all that they both were happy to speak, they both found themselves just as happy to sit quietly with the other. After a few minutes, Harry thought he felt a tiny shiver from his date. "Are you cold?"

Hermione looked over at him. "I think I'm cooling down after all the dancing." Harry was cursing leaving his cloak inside and said as much.

"That's ok, I'll just leech your body heat for a second." Hermione thought her brain must have checked out for a second, because she was pretty sure she had said that out loud. A further glance over at her date who was blushing as much as she was confirmed that.

Harry though, took up the challenge. Gryffindor's charge forward his father always used to say so he scooted that little bit closer and summoning all of his reserves of courage put his arm over his date's shoulders. "I'm not sure how much heat I'm good for, but I'm very happy to share with you." He was secretly very proud that he managed to say that in something which wasn't unlike his own voice, rather than a the high-pitched squeak he was fearing.

For her part, Hermione wasn't prepared to put as much trust in her voice as Harry was, so she just tilted her head onto his shoulder and couldn't stop a contented mewl escaping from her lips. Harry somehow managed to find a way to scoot closer still, a move reciprocated by his date.

"You know" he whispered. "This makes me wish it could be Christmas every day."

This drew another contented noise from Hermione, who finally decided she had to try her voice again. "Just like the Wizzard song." she muttered.

Harry gave a gentle laugh. Somehow, it felt right to keep noises down, even speech, so he whispered back. "My mum liked them. Any time we were in an area without much magic, she'd try and find a way to listen to music. She got dad into it. She told me that her first summer back home after her first year at Hogwarts she laughed when she saw Wizzard on Top of the Pops."

"I'm glad that you got the reference. Outside of the other muggleborn here, no one else would."

Harry nodded. "Maybe it's because of how I grew up, but I'd never be able to give up the non-magical side of the world. There's too much good stuff."

Hermione smiled. "I feel the same. I love magic, don't get me wrong, but I couldn't give up Gladiators and Baywatch! Although…" she tailed off.

"Although what?" Harry couldn't hide the concern in his voice.

"It's stupid" whispered Hermione.

"Nothing you could say would be stupid. Remus once said the only stupid things are the things we want to say but don't."

"I love Baywatch, but I always feel… I don't know… They are all so beautiful and perfect and I look at myself with this hair and…"

Harry stopped her once again with a finger to her lips. "I've only seen a few episodes, but please believe me when I say if I had to pick between you and any of them, I wouldn't even reach for the remote."

Hermone couldn't help it, a tear leaked from her eye causing Harry's own eyes to widen in horror. "Hermione, I'm sorry, I didn't meant to make you…hmmmphh". This time it was Harry's lips which were being stopped.

"You actually mean that, don't you?" whispered Hermione. Harry just nodded, not trusting himself to say anything else. "I'd rather see you than David Hasselhoff too." Harry wasn't sure that he was meant to really hear that, but he did.

He reached up with his unoccupied hand and gently wiped the tear away from Hermione's cheek with his thumb. The movement meant that their faces had turned toward each other. Instinct, driven by millions of years of evolution took over and the two found themselves ever so slowly closing the distance between them. Harry paused, making sure that Hermione had the chance to back off had she so wanted. There was little chance of that happening however, and finally their lips met.

There were no lights, there were no fireworks, there were no choirs of angels. There was just serenity. As they kissed for that first, magical time, chaste as it was, both felt a weight that neither had hitherto been aware of leave them. Both had known loneliness for different reasons, both had known they were loved, but both had this nagging feeling of incompleteness. That feeling was banished as they kissed. The kiss wasn't passionate, it wasn't overly long, but it was, as trite as they may think it seemed, magical.

Their lips finally parted but the two stayed in contact, their foreheads touching. Neither felt that they should debase such a sensation with anything as vulgar as speech. They finally looked at each other's eyes and each saw the same happiness reflected back at the other. Words weren't needed. This wasn't the time for heartfelt declarations of any kind. Whilst both were well-read and articulate, neither thought they'd be able to adequately express what they felt in any case. They kissed again and this time on parting grabbed each other in a hug. Harry could feel Hermone's cheek pressed against his neck as they held each other tight.

Truth be told, Harry absolutely couldn't put a name to what he was feeling. All he knew was that nothing had felt like this before. Eventually, they loosened the grip they had on each other, and pulled back, both utterly aware that the other wanted nothing more than to pull themselves closer again, but both also being aware that the moment, beautiful as it was, would have to end sometime. Neither had spoken since the kiss, but both were smiling broadly.

Just as Harry was about to say something, the corner of his eye caught a flash of movement. In the distance, two clandestine figures were separating, one heading it appeared in the direction of the Black Lake, the other back to the castle.

'What was that' he wondered.