Disclaimer: I own nothing but my mistakes.
Chapter 10: Before the Ball
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Harry and Hermione had continued around the village of Hogsmeade for a while longer after encountering Daniel and Ron before they took Lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Harry's father had suggested it, according to him it was the best place to eat in the village. Though Harry took that with a grain of salt, as he was very familiar with his father's cooking. If it wasn't for takeout or instant meals, he was sure they'd have starved.
It had begun to snow as they left the Three Broomsticks and made their way back towards Hogwarts. The chilled wind did little against their well-practiced warming charms. Harry would easily say it was one of the best moments that he had spent at Hogwarts. Snow swirled around them and they walked along the well-worn path.
His peaceful mood lasted until they got back to the airship. As he thought his father wasn't pleased to hear that Harry had agreed to the dueling tournament without asking him. He was only marginally more understanding when Harry explained about the bet and Dobby.
Sirius smiled; it was a look Harry knew to fear. One that proceeded the worst of prank wars. "Alright, if you are going to get yourself into duels, I'm going to make sure that you can at least put up a good fight."
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For the second time that day Dean Horsefeather found herself in Dumbledore's office, however this time it was for official tournament business. Not that she liked it any better. "This change is completely unnecessary. The only reason to even purpose it is to cause trouble."
Dumbledore almost felt bad about it after his talk with Madam Bones but he had already made the arrangements. "The goal of the Triwizard tournament is to promote international understanding and goodwill. Making it so that each champion must attend with a date from another school is just another step to achieve this."
"I might believe you if that was the stance you had at the start of this fiasco. However, I find it hard to believe when you purpose the change so close to the Yule ball." The Dean was sure this was just Dumbledore flexing his muscles and looking for some small measure of revenge.
"Be that as it may the others have agreed, so the change will be made official." Dumbledore said. It hadn't been hard to get Igor to agree, just a small bribe. Madame Maxime had been even easier since her champion was already attending with a student from Hogwarts. "I trust that you will inform your champion so that he may choose another date."
"I shall."
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Fudge stepped into the Prime Minister's office. It had taken longer than he expected but he'd finally be getting that extra money that he'd been promised.
The Prime Minister looked over his magical counterpart. "Before we start I want to give you an estimate." He slid a paper across his desk.
The amount with in muggle money but Fudge had practiced the conversion rate so he'd know how much the Ministry would get. The number was over double what they were currently receiving from the muggle government and even after he skimmed off enough to refill his coffers from that disastrous vote against the Blacks there would still be enough left to bribe a number of people and be seen helping the people. "This will do nicely, when can I expect the payment?"
"Oh no you misunderstand, that's what you could be getting. You see the agreement is that we pay your government a certain amount per magical person in the country. This includes muggleborns, first- and second-generation squibs. However, because of your governments laws you've forced a huge number of people from our shores." The Prime Minister explained.
"But…" Fudge tried to find a solution; how could he have known those worthless people could actually make them money?
"You see following the second world war your government began to force muggleborns from the country like never before. As I understand it you've always been that hard on squibs. Following that the number that were killed or fled to escape this Voldemort-"
"Don't say his name!" Fudge shouted. How could a muggle do that? It gave him the shakes just thinking about Lord Thingy.
The Prime Minister wondered if he shouldn't say the name again just to take the piss out of the fool. But he decided against it. He'd rather get this over with. "Since then, there has still been a steady stream of muggleborns and so-called half-bloods from the country. Using their numbers, and estimating the children they would have had, you've cut the amount we pay you into half of what it could be."
"But why would they be worth as much as a pureblood?" Fudge whined. It just didn't follow any reason, they had no political backing, little monetary worth until this crazy meeting, and were considered so much magically weaker than a proper pureblood.
"Because unlike your government we do not discriminate against a person because of the circumstances of their birth." The Prime Minister said firmly. He'd had everyone that he could look into it but the old agreements let the magical govern how they wish because non-magical people were seen as so different than magical ones.
"But…" Fudge tried again, why wouldn't this muggle follow the rules?
"Here is the actual amount your government will receive, plus a small amount of extra help. We've also included a file that should help you cut costs enough to rebalance your budget." The Prime Minister slide a stack of papers to fudge.
The numbers didn't make him happy; it was barely more than what they got now, even the bonus was hardly worth the floo trip. Those cut costing measure had better be spectacular. As a politician he was used to having to slash a few people here and there, especially to keep his own money flowing so he held out a bit of hope. Until he read the paper. "What is the meaning of this? You want us to switch to muggle methods?!"
"It is very simple; your government is wasting so much money that I recommend whoever you have keeping track of things tried for treason. You are paying, for a single self-inking quill, the same amount that could buy a hundred high quality pens." He pulled one of the pens from his desk, it really was a very nice one. "A single sheet of parchment cost almost as much as a book of paper. It would seem that your government is being fleeced by your suppliers."
Fudge of course knew, well not all that but that he was over paying for a number of things. Those contracts were awarded to help secure his position as Minister. He couldn't cut them! He needed an excuse though, something reasonable. "But these are all muggle item, wizards would never use them."
"A child could use them, so there is no reason an adult could not." The Prime Minister said.
"That's not what I meant." Fudge said.
"I'm sure it wasn't."
The Prime minister was glad to finally get rid of Fudge after the meeting, that man had no business in the government. He had tried to order him to turn over more money, when that failed, he'd tried to blame a number of people. They had discussed a few more issues but it was always the same, it was someone else's fault.
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McGonigal stepped into Dumbledore's office was a deep frown on her face. "Albus, we have another problem."
Dumbledore sighed, of course there was another problem, things could just go his way, could they? With his luck one of the dragons from the first task had gotten loose and eaten someone and Hogwarts was somehow being held responsible. "What has happened now?"
"Hogwarts is paying for an extra professor. I've already contacted Gringotts and they said that because Severus was found guilty Wandwood was able to request their own professor teach their students on our account. And he's being paid more than Severus!" McGonigal might not have liked the man but this was going too far in her mind.
With a deep sigh Dumbledore turned to look out the window, he was well aware that anything he could do to try and solve the problem was hopeless at this point. Wandwood had every right to get their own potion professor after what happened which was why he had bribed so many people to find Snape innocent. "At this time there is nothing we can do but to grin and take it on the chin."
But after the dueling tournament, well they might have something to work with at that point.
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Richard loved to feel superior to everyone else, and why shouldn't he? He was a pureblood, born to the best of the best, the head of a long line of magic. The only reason that he didn't get to feel as superior as he felt that he should have, was a lack of money. Despite their long history his family had little in the way of monetary worth.
He blamed it on his grandfather, always helping people, well he'd put a stop to that right quick when he became the head of the family. But without a large sum of money to throw around he needed to find other ways to feel important.
Recently he had sent some hate mail to those foreign animals that were staying at Hogwarts. The parchment had been cursed with a number of nasty things and because he had sent it from the post office and left no information it couldn't be traced back to him. So, while those of lesser birth were dealing with return howlers he sat back and enjoyed the knowledge that he was better than them.
A wonderful breakfast lay spread before Richard and he was just about to dig in when, of all things, someone knocked at his door. Grumbling he stood to answer it. Two men in suits stood outside. "What do you want?"
"Mr. Flipper?" One of the two men asked.
"I bloody well am." Richard replied.
"Delivery." The second man held out an envelope.
"Why didn't you send it by owl like a normal person?" Richard demanded. They were acting no better than muggles.
"It was felt best to deliver these by hand." The first replied.
Richard ripped open the envelope to find out what was so bloody important and laughed. He was being sued for the cursed mail he had sent that traitor Black. As if the Ministry would do anything to him. "You lot are bloody idiots. The Ministry would never rule against me for something like this, there isn't even any proof I sent anything."
"A mail tracking charmed was used to locate you." One replied.
"Those are illegal in court." Richard said smugly.
"In your courts perhaps, but you are being sued in North American court, and before you say we can't, you ministry has already agreed." The second replied.
"What!"
"Failure to show will result in a default judgement against you, have a pleasant day." The men turned and left the shocked pureblood on his door step.
Across the country over the next few days many others found themselves in the same situation. Some complained to the Ministry but there was nothing to be done. Fudge found himself in trouble again but Madam Bones pointed out that he had signed the contract that let all this happen so there was nothing that he could do besides to point out that they shouldn't have sent cursed letters and packages in the first place.
Other simply didn't go, believing they were untouchable. When they failed to arrive in court, they were found guilty and fined. The North American court could not actually sentence anyone to prison even though a number of those accused should have been, and instead issued the largest fines that they were able to.
The North American ministry was pleased with the windfall as a portion of each fine was given over to the government, and while small it all added up quickly.
Some managed to secure legal counsel and attempted to fight the charges. All manner of defense were tried, from the 'I'm a pureblood and can do as I please' to 'no one said it was illegal' to 'you can't do this!'
Some acquired extra fines when they attempted to bribe their way out of trouble or drew their wands.
A surprising few actually wrote to Harry and apologized, asking if there was a way to settle out of court. Those who chose this method ended up paying only a fraction of what everyone else did.
The result of a number of families being fined furthered weakened the magical economy and Fudge was hard-pressed to help them.
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Harry, Hermione and Luna were walking back towards the airship. Sharra normally would have been with them but she was serving a number of detentions for getting into a fight with a creepy little Hogwarts student. Apparently, they were fighting over who was better, Harry or Daniel, and which of them had the better camera.
The group was surprised when Cedric, the Hogwarts champion and Victor the Durmstrang champion intercepted them. Harry almost laughed at how non-threatening they were trying to look. As if they expected Harry to make a run for it at any moment. "Good afternoon gentlemen, what can we do for you?"
Cedric and Victor traded a look before Victor spoke. "You have heard about the new rule for the ball, yes?"
"That a champion can't bring any member of their own school as their date? Yeah, we heard." Harry grumbled. It had really put a kink in his plans for the evening.
"This is very disrespectful towards us. I have made plan that will help. I had already asked betrothed to accompany me and…" Victor trailed off not sure of how to explain his plan.
Hermione however immediately caught on. "So, you wanted the champions to all bring each other's dates."
Victor nodded. "Yes, Cedric would bring mine, Harry would bring Cedric's and I would take you."
"The only actual requirement is that we show up at the ball and open the first dance with our dates, after that we can spend the rest of the time with whoever we want." Cedric explained. "We also figured it would be a good way to stick our thumbs up at whoever made such a stupid rule."
Harry and Hermione had actually talked about Harry finding a token date for just that before he spent the rest of the ball with Hermione but he hadn't wanted to hurt someone feelings by asking them just to go with him for that reason. Victor's plan solved that. He turned to Hermione. "What do you think?"
Hermione's only hesitation was that Victor's plan would lead to Cho being Harry's official date, and she was one of Luna's worst bullies. But it did solve several problems and as long as Cho kept a civil tongue, she would probably be alright. "It's better than anything else we've come up with. Let's give it a try."
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An hour later the group sat around a table on the airship with a very depressed Cedric. They had gone with him when he had explained the plan to his girlfriend Cho, she didn't take the suggestion well. During her rant she accused Cedric of somehow making the rule himself just to avoid taking her, tried to hex him, accused Luna, Hermione and Harry of doing the same and attempted to physically assault Luna. Victor had stepped in before Harry or Hermione had gotten the chance and thrown Cho across the room.
Things had only gotten worse when Cho officially broke up with Cedric and made an actual oath that she wouldn't go to the ball with him, not that the rules would allow her to but what the oath represented hurt him deeply. Cho had then turned and asked another Ravenclaw, Goldstein, to be her date.
They had all ended up going back to the airship for dinner, Cedric had said he didn't feel up to facing the Hogwarts rumor mill after what had happened. They all felt bad for the way things had turned out.
As soon as Hermione had the idea, she knew that she had spent too much time with Harry. "Cedric, I might have a way for you to get some revenge against Cho."
Cedric gave her a wary look but the idea of getting back at her was tempting. "What is it?"
"Well, it's not against the rules, and it won't physically hurt her but it'll make her very mad." Hermione said. Everyone had leaned in, curious about what she had thought up. "Cho bullied Luna for the last few years, and Luna can't go to the ball unless an older student asks her. So, you could take her and drive Cho crazy."
To his surprise Cedric found that he actually liked the idea. It would annoy Cho, he would let Luna go to the ball and maybe it would help to make up for the bullying she had suffered. He still found that part a bit hard to believe but after the way Cho tried to attack her, he couldn't deny it. He decided to just go for it. "Miss Lovegood, would you care to accompany me to the Yule Ball?"
Luna looked like a deer caught in the head lights, she barely managed to nod and squeak out a yes before she had stood, grabbed Hermione and pulled her from the room. The three males traded confused looks.
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Luna pulled Hermione all the way to their room before she locked and silenced the door. "Hermione! You just set me up on a date with the hunk of Hufflepuff!"
The older girl just grinned. "What? You said that you thought that he was cute."
"He is! But do you realize what all of the other girls will do?" Luna asked.
"Nothing, I'm sure that word of what Victor did to Cho has already spread. Not to mention you'll have two other champions watching out for you. As well as me." Hermione pointed out.
"Fine, but because you did this you have to help me get ready for the ball, I don't even have a dress." Luna said, close to panic. This was well beyond her normal, though admittedly wide, comfort zone.
Hermione just threw an arm around her friend. "Just leave it to us."
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To be fair Cedric and Victor had told Fleur about their plan, but she had rather rudely informed them that it was none of her concern what a group of children got up to. They'd skipped mentioning it to Daniel altogether because he had apparently already secured a date from outside Hogwarts. But he was being tightlipped with who it was, only saying that she was a knock out.
Since Cedric had asked Luna, he had begun to spend a good deal of time on the airship, due in large part to Cho trying to make him miserable. Rumors were that she had been with at least three separate boys since she publicly broke up with him. And with the way she always seemed to be hanging off a boy the rumors were easy to believe.
There had been a few attempts to teach Luna a lesson for going to the ball with Cedric but they were quickly dealt with by Luna herself, using a few hexes that Hermione had shown her. After word got around that Luna could and would defend herself, as well as three champions who considered her at least a friend people backed off.
Worse for most of them were that they had tormented Luna before and been somewhat protected, now Luna could hex them back and Dumbledore couldn't do anything but to complain to Dean Horsefeather. who pointed out at Wandwood students were allowed to defend themselves.
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Remus Lupin wore his finest robes as he walked towards his target. It had taken him a few days to build up the courage to approach her and he had been forced to wait several more days until he could catch her alone. Why did girls travel in packs? Perhaps he'd ask Lily. "Excuse me, Miss Tonks."
Tonks turned and eyed him wearily. "Mr. Lupin, what can I do for you today?"
"I was hoping to have the honor of escorting you to the Yule Ball." Remus said confidently.
"Sorry I already have a date." Tonks replied, not that sorry.
His face darkened. "I see."
"I don't think you do." Tonks snapped. "I really do have a date already. But even if I didn't, I wouldn't go with you. Not because you are a werewolf. But because of the way you act."
"What?"
"Your whole 'oh pity me I'm a werewolf' thing. Yeah, you guys have it hard in the ICW but you take it to a depressing level." Tonks said.
"I'm sure that's it." Remus replied with a scowl.
"Believe what you want, but I've dated werewolf's before, they were very fun. In fact, I'm going to be a bride's maid at their wedding this spring. That's the difference though, they were fun, you're like a dog that had his bone taken away." Tonks said. She didn't feel that she needed to mention that he was also close friends with the Potters who had caused all sorts of trouble for her family.
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A few days before the Yule Ball another huge snowstorm hit Hogwarts and added over a foot of snow. The Wandwood students actually found it enjoyable as they all knew the snowplow spell and made a number of paths across the grounds. A few of the older students even stacked the snow higher and made a maze.
Hermione found a spell to animate snowmen and delighted the younger Hogwarts students by bringing their creations to life. She had just animated a snow armadillo that Luna was riding with a first year when an unwelcome voice came up behind her. "Granger, it's your lucky day."
"You're talking to me so I doubt that Weasley." Hermione said, she turned and kept her wand ready, she didn't see Daniel around but wasn't going to take a chance.
Ron ignored her comment and kept talking as though he was the most charming person in the world. "I've decided to do you a favor and take you to the ball. Try to find something nice alright? None of that muggle junk."
His parents had to be brother and sister Hermione decided, this was inbreeding, eating lead paint and being dropped on his head. It had to be. She had heard that he was now dateless because he had tried to take two girls to the ball and both had taken offence. "I will never go anywhere with you."
"Come off it Granger, we all know your boyfriend isn't taking you." He said as if it was Harry's fault. "And honestly who else would take you? So try to make yourself presentable."
"I already have a date, leave now or else." Hermione threatened.
"Yeah right." Ron scoffed at the very idea. "Play hard to get if you want, I'll see you at the ball. I'm wearing red so pick out a good dress."
Hermione cast a charm to gather the snow and another to shape it into a baboon. She animated it and pointed at Ron, the snow baboon screamed and flung handfuls of something brown at the now retreating Gryffindor.
Luna rode up on her snow armadillo. "It that mud or did your charm get very advanced?"
"Mud, I don't know a spell for that, yet." Hermione made a note to see if there was such a spell though, it had possibilities.
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On the day of the Yule Ball Harry, Cedric and Victor sat around a table in the newly finished rec-room on the airship, a deck of card sat before them. Cedric looked over the card he was holding. "Victor, any Kings?"
He nodded and handed two cards to Cedric.
They had started with poker and a box of biscuits but eaten them all after the first hour. Victor had shown up that morning with his betrothed. Albena was pretty with strong features; she had thanked Harry and Hermione for their help before Hermione and Luna had grabbed her to get ready and do whatever girls did.
The airship was filled as over a dozen Hogwarts students, mostly older girls, had come over to take advantage of... well Harry wasn't sure why they had come over. Maybe larger mirrors? A number of their dates had also come to the airship and were waiting in the rec-room.
The muggleborns had been thrilled to find that Wandwood had working electronics which had led to an explanation of the wards Hogwarts used to fry most muggle electronics. Officially it was done to help protect the school should muggles ever invade.
It was already dark out when the girls were finally ready. Harry's heart fluttered when he saw Hermione standing with Luna, Sharra and Albena. He supposed they also looked very nice but his attention was focused on Hermione. Apparently, Cedric and Victor felt the same about their own dates because they all jumped when Sharra snapped a picture of them. She had been granted special permission to attend as Wandwood's photographer.
Tonks and Wendy giggled as they walked in to see the shellshocked boys. No one was very surprised that they'd decided to go to the ball together as they'd been making eyes at each other for a while.
Harry stepped forward and took Hermione in his arms. "Tonight, everyone will see how beautiful you look to me every day."
"That was a bad line, Harry." A blush dusted her cheeks.
"Doesn't mean it isn't true, besides it took me awhile to think of." Harry said.
"Is that what you boys were doing?" She asked.
"Mostly." Harry admitted.
Sharra took dozens of pictures of everyone, including Sirius, Violet and the Grangers. Little Cordelia couldn't be happier in her new dress and with so much attention. The parents spent several minutes ribbing the children before Hermione's mother took the girls aside and whispered something to them.
As they prepared to leave Harry reluctantly let go of Hermione and took Albena's arm. Victor did likewise. Both would agree it just didn't feel right. Hermione and Albena would agree but also found their official dates reactions amusing.
The path from the airship to Hogwarts had been lined with portable rune stone that kept the path warm and snow free. As well as cast a gentle flickering light for them to see by. The students happily made their way to the Yule Ball.
Luna practically skipped along; her arm wrapped around Cedric's. He had been very polite to her since he had asked her to the ball and more than once Luna had trouble believing how much had suddenly turned around. Ever since Hermione had stopped Cho and her friends from tormenting Luna it was one good thing after another.
She had friends, a wonderful date for the evening and her grades had never been higher despite Wandwood being more advanced than Hogwarts. She silently vowed to do everything that she could for her friends.
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Professor McGonigal frowned as she saw three of the champions arrive with the Wandwood students, the Hogwarts champion among them. No one could miss the insult, not that Cedric cared, as far as he was concerned, they had started it with their stupid rule. "Champions please take your places. You will be the first in and after dinner you will open the ball with the first dance."
As they took their places, they discovered that Daniel's date was none other than Fleur. She seemed less than pleased but Daniel looked thrilled.
"Oy Granger what are you doing with Viky? I told you that you were going with me, stop bothering the champions and get over her." Ron reached out to grab Hermione, only to find his hands caught by Victor with his seeker reflexes.
"I do not know why it is you think that you have the right to tell anyone who they may or may not date but I assure you that you are mistaken. You will apologize to Hermione immediately." Victor said. His English had improved a great deal and he had made sure to at least be able to get Hermione's name correct. He felt anything less would be insulting.
"Why?" Ron asked honestly puzzled. "You're a huge quidditch star! You could do a whole lot better."
"We have different opinions than, I am surrounded by three of the most beautiful girls here and you are alone. I do not think that I could be doing much better." On either side of him Luna and Albena blushed, Harry and Cedric made a note to give extra compliments to them later, they couldn't let Victor show them up.
Ron's face was turning red when Dumbledore hurried over and tried to intervein. "I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding. Miss Granger, I had heard that you were attending the ball with Mr. Weasley. Don't you think it was rather rude to arrive with someone else?"
"I really don't care what you think." Hermione snapped at the headmaster. "I told him I would never go to the ball with him, if he is to inbreed to understand what no means I think you and the rest of the girls at Hogwarts have bigger problems than what two students who are not attending your school do."
Before Dumbledore could answer Dean Horsefeather and Karkaroff came up behind him. "Are you harassing our students?"
"No no I was just attempting to help settle a disagreement." Dumbledore hastily assured them but he could see a number of females had taken Hermione's words to heart about Mr. Weasleys understanding of the word no. He was sure to develop a less than favorable reputation because of this and that could hurt Daniel. One more thing to take care of.
Karkaroff sneered. "You are not needed; it is clear that the girl has chosen Victor."
Dumbledore frowned but decided the best thing to do was to start the ball and divert attention from the rather public incident.
Hermione turned to Victor. "Thank you, and I mean no offence but I'd pick a lump of indetermined goo over Ronald."
"Yes, it would probably have better manners." Victor agreed.
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(A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, mostly setting things up for what's to come.)