"I wish Harry would have come…" Pansy frowned.
"We all do," Blaise sighed.
Pansy was walking next to Theodore, her date to the Yule Ball, while Draco, Blaise, Vincent, and Gregory walked into the great hall alone. It was marvelously decorated, all silver and white with a large Christmas tree up where the head table usually was. There was a wide open space for dancing while the rest were small circular tables for students to sit at to enjoy drinking or snacking. It was currently about 5:00 pm and the 23rd of December. Given tomorrow was Christmas Eve, Albus arranged for all students to be going home tonight on the train around 11:00 pm.
The dance would end at 10:00 pm and then teachers would ensure students got to Hogsmead to board and the train would run through the night to get the students home by 7:00 am. Things on the train had already been converted to allow the students to be able to lay down and sleep for the ride, but those who wanted to stay up could as long as they were respectful to those who wanted to sleep.
The entire last week had been interesting. It was the talk of the school that Harry Potter got re-sorted by the sorting hat into Slytherin, and people were often now staring at him with surprise, or maybe fear. Most people feared Slytherin while also not liking them. It was Ron who made everything known because when he, Seamus, Dean, and Hermione returned to Gryffindor Tower that night, the students were all awake and waiting to hear of just how much trouble they got into for attacking Harry. Ron announced that Harry was gone and resorted, which shocked the entire room.
Seamus and Dean split up telling everyone that Harry had tried to kill himself a couple weeks ago, but Draco Malfoy saved him by talking him down and offering his friendship, and subsequently, Slytherin's too. It was informed by Hermione that Harry admitted to refusing to return to Gryffindor because it wasn't home to him anymore with the way everyone was treating him and if he was forced to return there; he'd find a way to kill himself indefinitely. It was after all this that the sorting hat, which sat in Albus's office, decided to speak up and say it had the power to change a student's house, so it resorted Harry to where it believed he belonged from back in first year.
This, of course, only collaborated with Harry's claim from before the attack that the hat had wanted him in Slytherin and he fought it because of the biased beliefs that people from there were evil. Hermione also explained why Harry became friends with Slytherin, because of Draco saving him but how they'd rallied together to support him and make sure he never felt alone or unwanted. Of course, the entire time all this got said; Minerva McGonagall was there, looking very cross and disappointed in them all.
Even saying they should feel ashamed and awful to have driven out Harry because they couldn't get over themselves about him being in the tournament against his will. Minerva told them all about the points they'd lost and that Harry being in Slytherin now meant Harry could no longer play for the Gryffindor quidditch team. After that, Minerva ordered them to all go to bed. When Ron, Seamus, and Dean got upstairs along with Neville Longbottom; Harry's things were indeed gone from where he once stayed in the Gryffindor fourth year boy's dorms. For Slytherin, the house cheered collectively and welcomed Harry with open arms after Severus said that Harry had been resorted.
Draco, and the other males gladly led Harry to their dorms and as Albus assured; all of Harry's things were at the foot of the only available bed in the room. The boys helped Harry get situated and then because of how late it was; they reluctantly went to bed. The entire last week was spent with Harry proudly wearing his Slytherin robes and walking with his usual group of Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Theodore, Gregory, and Vincent.
Everyone else was stuck between not knowing how to feel or act knowing Harry was officially a snake. But tonight was the ball, and as Harry mentioned; he didn't even bother leaving the dorm room and the boys didn't push him to get ready and join. So they all entered, with Pansy, and right away; Albus, Severus, and Minerva walked up to them.
"Where's Harry?" Albus inquired.
"He told us a week ago that he wasn't attending the ball." Draco informed.
"It's required of him as a champion…" Minerva sighed.
"I'm not trying to tell you how to handle things, but…Harry's mental state isn't going to improve if you keep making him do stuff he doesn't want to." Draco informed calmly. "Harry hasn't had a choice in anything this year, maybe we can afford to let him make his own decision tonight?"
"It's part of the contract; taking part in everything regarding the tournament. Including the ball…" Albus stated. "He has to. Severus…Go get Harry, please?"
"Of course, Headmaster," Severus bowed slightly and exited the hall and took the door off to the side next to the staircase to get down into the dungeons. Severus found Harry sitting on his bed and looking through a photo album. "Potter," Severus got his attention and Harry looked up slightly. "It's part of your contract to attend the ball as it is a tournament event and you're one of the champions."
"Of course it is…" Harry sighed as he closed the album. "Does anything this year actually get to be my choice, Professor?"
"It's only a couple hours, Potter. And then all of you get to go home for the holidays." Severus offered. "I know it's not ideal, but better to just get it done than complain. There's only two tasks left and they're spread out. One in February, and the next in June. Everything else between that is normal school work. Come now. Stand, I'll transfigure your robes into formal dress ones." He stated.
Not having a choice, Harry got off his bed and Severus flicked his wand at Harry silently as the robes changed to something more formal, replacing his Slytherin tie with a black bowtie and then also taking off the Slytherin House patch. Severus put an arm out to signify Harry to come with him and Harry walked silently beside his potions professor out into the common room, then out of the dungeons and up to the great hall.
"Ah, Harry, there you are." Albus smiled.
"Now, champions…Come together. It's a tradition that you lead the ball off with a dance between you and your date." Minerva said, summoning over the three other champions. Harry saw that Fleur was attending with a boy from Ravenclaw, Roger Davies. Viktor Krum had Hermione on his arm, and then Cedric was going with Cho Chang, another Ravenclaw.
Harry did glance over to see that Ron, Seamus and Dean were present and who they had as dates. Seamus with Lavender Brown, a Gryffindor, then Ron and Dean both had the Patil twins. Ron with Padma and Dean with Parvati. Harry even saw Neville there with Ron's little sister, Ginny Weasley. Fred and George were present as well, but Harry couldn't see who their dates were. "Potter, where is your date?" She asked.
Harry just remembered he didn't have one, but was surprised when he felt someone come up beside him and when he looked; it was Draco, who gave him a smile and wink. Harry understood that Draco was stepping up to be his friendly date to the dance as Blaise, Vincent, and Gregory already had dates.
Harry was sure that Blaise was going with Daphne Greengrass, while Vincent was taking Tracey Davis. And Gregory had Natalie Furia, a girl in their year and also happened to be Blaise's cousin. Draco purposely left himself without someone because he knew Harry would have to attend and he didn't want Harry to not have a partner. Harry mouthed a thank you to him as Draco nodded.
"Right here," Harry motioned to Draco.
"Excellent! Then let's get started." Albus informed. "Champions lead it off." He added.
"I should warn you…I don't know how to dance." Harry told Draco.
"Don't worry, I'll lead," Draco assured. "It's just a waltz, very basic. My hand will be on your waist, and the other holding your hand. One of your hands will be on my shoulder. We step with left first. I move then you move to match it. Repeat in your head, 1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4. Four steps and then I'll put both hands on your hips to lift you in a small circle." Harry nodded to him, somewhat understanding. With everyone in a place, the champions and their partners were the only ones on the dance floor.
Harry felt nervous, everyone was watching and he was the only one on the floor with another boy. At the same time, why should he care? He knew who truly supported him. The room felt silent as the dancers left themselves in place as Draco and Harry followed suit right after. The music began as Draco made the first move and Harry followed perfectly. The being lifted up and span was the part that felt weird to Harry, but it wasn't awful and the movements between them came easy enough. Harry still didn't want to be here, but he guessed it wasn't a bad time.
. . .
At some point during that first dance, Albus led Minerva out to the dance floor, then others began to grab their partners and do the same. When the first dance ended, the music became a mix of fast and slow; there was even a wizarding band to handle the faster music. Harry and Draco stayed partners through the night, but were often in a group with their other friends to dance together.
Pansy did ask Harry for once dance, and he agreed and then it turned into Daphne, Tracey, and Natalie managing to get once slow dance with Harry too. Blaise even snuck in for one. It was the weirdest thing anyone had ever seen; Harry had opened the dance with Draco, but ended up dancing with five others as the night went on. Dinner had been nice and Harry was just glad the night was basically over, but he had to admit; he had a decent time. Plenty of pictures were being taken too, Harry wanted copies.
"Ready for the holiday, Harry?" Theodore asked.
"I guess." Harry shrugged. "It's just going to be me, Remus, and Sirius. I used to go to the Weasley's in past years, but that's not happening now." He shrugged.
"Well, if your godfather and uncle don't mind…I have a little after Christmas get together at the manor for friends, you're welcome to come as well. You can floo right in, if you have floo access?" Draco mentioned.
"Uh, yeah. Sirius has active fireplaces on the floo network. I have my own, actually." Harry replied. "I'll ask them if it's okay to come over."
"Awesome. The address is Malfoy Manor, Main Room and the password is Pure-Bloods." Draco informed.
"Just like the common room?" Harry inquired.
"I think that's where dad got the idea from," Draco replied. "I hope you can come, it's always a good time."
"I'll ask them when I see them at the train station tomorrow morning." Harry stated.
"You gonna sit with us on the train?" Pansy wondered.
"Where else am I going to sit, on the roof?" Harry rolled his eyes. "I just don't know where you sit."
"Just stick with us when we get to Hogsmeade Station; we've got our own section. No one will admit to it but us, but the houses stick together in the compartments on the train. Slytherin's is towards the front of the train." Blaise said.
"Alright," Harry replied calmly.
"Looks like this is the last slow dance of the night. Up for one more, Potter?" Draco joked.
"Oh, I suppose…Malfoy," Harry replied as the two got up and headed out to the dance floor.
"One more won't kill us either. And the floor isn't super jammed," Pansy informed.
"Yeah, come on. We'll track down the guy with the camera too; we should get a group photo." Blaise suggested.
The rest of the Slytherin fourth years moved out to the dance floor and surrounded themselves around Harry and Draco. Severus caught onto a perfect picture moment and called over the photographer to snap shots of his snakes. At the end of the song, there was a group photo with all of them, then one without Daphne, Natalie, and Tracey and one more of just each of the couples.
"And with that…It's time for those leaving for the holiday to get a move along." Albus called over the crowd. "Grab your things from your dorms and get to the carriages to reach Hogsmead. The train leaves at 11:00 pm."
"Come on, let's get our stuff." Draco told the group.
. . .
The small group got to their dorms to collect their things and then change clothes before returning to the place to catch a carriage to Hogsmead. They reached Hogsmead by 10:30 pm and then took some time to get boarded and Harry followed them through the cars to the Slytherin compartment. Harry ignored the looks he got from the people they passed.
"And here we are." Draco opened the door and walked inside.
It looked the same as any other time Harry rode the train, except that instead of tables and booths, there were bunk beds if people wanted to sleep for the ride back to King's Cross. There were still some actual seating areas for those who were probably staying awake for the journey. People wanting to sleep had a compartment where they could close the door for peace and quiet.
"You staying up, Harry?" Theodore inquired.
"No, I'm probably gonna get some sleep." Harry replied. "Sirius and Remus are gonna wanna catch up when I get there, probably eat breakfast. If I stay up, I'll just sleep all day and it's Christmas Eve." He informed. "Plus, I'm exhausted."
"You seemed like you were tossing and turning a lot last night," Blaise stated.
"Sorry if I kept anyone up," Harry said.
"Don't worry about it. You've had to deal with more than most teenagers do in your life. You get a pass on not being able to sleep at times." Draco patted his shoulder.
"Gee, thanks." Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm going to bed. See you in the morning, or whenever I end up waking up."
"Good night, Harry!" The friends called.
"Night. And Draco…" Harry paused before going into the compartment with a set of beds.
"Yes?" Draco looked at him.
"Thanks for tonight. Being my friendly date and all." Harry stated. "And thanks to the rest of you for just being amazing friends. Even before I got put in Slytherin, you all made me feel like I was part of your house and family."
"Aw, we love you too, Harry!" Pansy informed. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek before letting go.
Harry laughed a little and shook his head before going into the compartment, where shades were already drawn over the windows and door. Harry kicked off his shoes and crawled into a bottom bunk. Harry took off his glasses and set them on the small table attached to his bed. Harry yawned and drew the covers over himself before finally closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.
. . .
Harry slept alright for a little while, but he woke up around 5 am and just couldn't bring himself to knock out again despite how tired he felt. Harry groaned and reached for his glasses, he peered around the cabin and found Draco, Blaise, and Theodore in the other beds.
"You up, Harry?" Came Blaise's voice.
"Yeah, you? I didn't wake you, right?" Harry hoped.
"Nah, been up. I never really went to bed, this was just a nap. Pansy is still up in the other room, I think Crabbe and Goyle are too." Blaise informed.
"We're all up," Theodore said as he leaned over the edge of the top bunk above Harry. "I came to bed around 12:30 am. Draco was right behind you around 11:30 pm."
"You alright, Harry?" Draco inquired, sitting up on the bottom bunk across from Harry. "You don't seem yourself."
"Feel like I didn't get any sleep even though I was out the longest…" Harry said. "We almost to King's Cross?"
"About two more hours." Blaise mentioned. "I agree with Draco, you don't seem alright, Harry."
Harry forced himself to get up slowly. "I'll be fine," He managed to say before leaving the compartment; he greeted Pansy, Vincent, and Gregory before making his way down the car to the loo.
"What's up with him?" Vincent poked his head into the compartment.
"Seems sad," Pansy frowned.
"He just woke up, and said he was still tired." Theodore stated.
"Well, if he comes back and decides to go back to sleep; we should clear out of the compartment so we don't wake him." Blaise suggested.
The three males agreed and exited the compartment, they all used the bathroom and returned to a sitting area as Harry made his way back through the car and joined them, sitting between Draco and Blaise.
"Not going back to sleep?" Draco chuckled.
"There's no point and I wanna spend time with my friends." Harry informed. "In case we don't see each other until we're back at school."
"Well then, here we are!" Pansy beamed.
. . .
At 7:30 am, the train pulled up into King's Cross station. Despite saying he was awake and wanted to spend time with friends, Harry ended up falling back asleep around 6:00 am and his head fell on Blaise's shoulder. Draco pulled down a blanket and put it over Harry after Blaise said it was more than fine and to leave Harry be to rest.
"Harry?" Blaise said. "Harry, come on…Time to wake up, again. We're back at King's Cross," He shook Harry slightly.
The male flinched a little, but finally opened his eyes to look around and see that he was laying on Blaise's shoulder and a blanket was over him. "Did I…Fall back asleep?" Harry inquired, sitting up now.
"Yeah, you really were tired," Draco smiled.
"I'm sorry for sleeping on you," Harry told Blaise.
"Don't worry about it. I was happy to act as your pillow," Blaise informed as Harry flushed a little and then focused himself on folding up the blanket and putting it away on the overhead rack.
Everyone grabbed down their carry-on bags and stood to exit the train. When everyone was off the train and onto the platform, Harry saw Remus and Sirius right away. "I'll see you guys either after Christmas on the 26th, or back here when we return to school. Have a good holiday!" Harry called as he waved and hurried to meet up with his godfather and uncle.
"Ready to go home, pup?" Sirius asked.
"Definitely." Harry nodded.
"Away we go then!" Remus exclaimed.
With that, Sirius and Remus grabbed Harry's things from train storage and then they left the platform and returned to the space between nine and ten on the muggle side, then exited the station itself and went to the apparition point just outside King's Cross, a hidden space from muggles and went to Grimmauld place. Harry was happy to be home, and just wanted a relaxing holiday with Remus and Sirius, maybe seeing his friends the day after Christmas.
Harry had needed time away from Hogwarts and that competition. There were still two more tasks and Harry needed to be ready, no matter what. He wasn't aiming to lose, but not win either. All Harry wanted to do was stay alive. His depression was still very active, but Harry had healed enough to want to keep living. Now, Harry wanted to finish fourth year and work on healing completely to put his depression behind him.