CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE YULE BALL

Library

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland

17 December 1995

"Hermione?"

Hermione looked up from her Arithmancy homework. "Yes?" she asked absently, most of her attention still on her parchment. Professor Boyet was really piling on the work, and Hermione had a term project to finish in addition to her homework assignment.

"I have a question for you," Viktor said, Bulgarian accent barely seeping into his voice.

"Alright, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, attention still on her homework.

"Nothing is wrong," Viktor said quickly. "If I could have your attention…"

Hermione tore her focus away. "Sorry. This homework is just dense."

"It is no worry. Anyway," Viktor continued, looking slightly nervous, "I was wondering if you would like to attend the Yule Ball with me."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly felt warm and tingly. For once, words failed her.

"It is okay if you already have a date," Viktor said hurriedly, clearly misreading her, "I know I waited too long to ask…"

"No, no," Hermione jumped in, heart still thumping rapidly in her chest. "I don't have a date yet. And I would like to go with you." She could feel a smile making its way across her face; it was a big smile, a slightly goofy smile, but for once, Hermione didn't care.

"Good. Do you have dress robes already? I would like to coordinate the color of my cravat to match."

"My dress robes are burgundy," Hermione said, wondering why she still felt so fluttery.

Viktor nodded. "Good. I will leave you to your Arithmancy, then. No more distractions."

Hermione attempted to turn her attention back to her Arithmancy book, but for some reason she couldn't focus. It made no sense - the library was quiet, and their table in the back had a discreet charm on it to keep the annoying fangirls away. She had had a lovely cup of tea at lunch, so there was no reason for her brain to fail to focus on Arithmancy.

Hermione peeked through her hair at Viktor, who was intently working on Transfiguration. He was also being perfectly quiet; the only noise coming from his side of the table was an occasional page flip or the scratching of his quill on parchment. Hermione attempted to marshall her thoughts. There was no reason to keep looking over at Viktor, and no reason to not finish her Arithmancy homework.

As it turned out, staying focused was easier said than done, and Hermione made her way back to the Slytherin common room feeling rather confused.

Slytherin Common Room

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland

18 December 1995

Harry shifted nervously from foot to foot. "Er...Lily?"

"What?"

Harry shifted his weight again. "I, er, have a question for you?"

"And I wonder what that question could be?" Lily said sarcastically. "Go on."

"Er…" Harry could feel himself blushing. "Doyouwannagototheballwi'me?"

Lily just looked at him. "You're going to have to say that again a whole lot slower."

Harry took a deep breath. "Do you want to go to the Yule Ball with me?"

Lily gave him the look again, and Harry felt like a bug. Thoughts started racing through his mind - maybe she already had a date, and everyone knew but him. Maybe she wasn't planning on going to the Yule Ball and he was the last to know. Maybe she -

"Of course, Harry."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Oh. Wow. Er, I mean, thanks. Er, I'm excited to go with you." Harry blushed furiously, annoyed that he couldn't form a coherent sentence. Fortunately, Lily didn't seem to mind too much.

"My dress robes are silver," Lily informed him, "just in case you care to match your cravat."

"Silver. Got it."

"One more thing," Lily said, stepping closer. Harry's heart suddenly started thumping in his chest. "Ron...does he have a date to the ball?"

For some reason, it was rather difficult to think. "Er, I don't think so? Not yet."

"Good," Lily said, much to Harry's confusion. "You're going to go to Ron, alright, and you're going to tell him to ask Millie to the ball."

"Er…"

"And he's going to be a gentleman about it," Lily continued ruthlessly, "because he doesn't currently have a date, and Millie doesn't have a date, and he's the only one tall enough for her to wear heels with."

Harry's mind swam.

"You got that?"

"Er...I think?"

"Ron's going to ask Millie to the Yule Ball," Lily repeated impatiently, "And you're going to make sure he does that."

"...alright?"

"Go do it now," Lily ordered, then flounced away in a whirl of flowery perfume that Harry didn't recognize.

Oddly enough, the common room felt significantly warmer after she left.

Charms Corridor

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland

18 December 1995

"Oi, Millie!"

Millie stopped walking, and Ron sped up to catch up with her. Millie eyed him suspiciously, and Ron immediately felt wrong-footed. "What do you want?"

"Er," Ron began, figuring it'd be best to stare down the proverbial hippogriff, "I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Yule Ball with me."

"Did someone put you up to this?" Millie asked suspiciously.

"No...I've been in class or in the library all day," Ron said slowly. "Why?"

"No reason," Millie muttered. "I'll go with you."

For some reason, Ron hadn't been expecting her to agree. "Oh. Alright, then!"

Millie fell into step beside him. "So, where're you off to?"

"The library. Me and Harry are going to work on the Transfiguration homework." Ron paused for a moment. "You can join us, if you'd like."

Millie's expression was unreadable, and Ron worried he'd made a faux pas. "I'd like to, but I have Quidditch practice."

"Ah. How's that going?"

"It's going pretty well. It's fun being on a team with Viktor, although people keep trying to hang around during practice, and Katarzyna - our captain -" Millie clarified, seeing Ron's confusion, "Had to go through Karkaroff to make Dumbledore keep other people away from our practices. Helps that she goes to Durmstrang and Karkaroff kisses Viktor's arse, anyway."

Ron nodded. "He sure does. It's a bit strange, really."

"Not really, if you think about it. Viktor's a huge international celebrity, and on top of that, the Krums are one of the wealthier families in Bulgaria, and they have some especially lovely cousins in Russia."

Ron's eyes grew wide. "Oh."

"Yeah."

"I still think all the fawning is strange. It just doesn't sit right with me, you know."

Millie nodded slowly. "Karkaroff...he's something else. I don't like him much either. He's just...oily."

"Yeah, that's what I meant too. It's gross, how over the top he is."

"Ugh, let's talk about something else, then."

They made small talk until Millie split off to head back to the dorms while Ron continued towards the library. Harry was already settled at a table, Transfiguration homework and several reference books scattered in front of him and a big, dopey smile on his face.

"You look happy," Ron commented.

Harry brightened even more. "Lily's going to the Yule Ball with me!"

"Oh, really? That's great!"

"Did you finally ask someone?"

"I did, just now actually."

"Oh. Who?"

"Millie."

Harry looked relieved for some reason. "Oh, that's good!"

"...what do you mean?"

Harry flushed slightly. "Lily wanted me to tell you to ask Millie," he mumbled, blushing more.

"...why?"
"Dunno."

"Well, it doesn't matter because I asked her anyway," Ron said. "Is everyone in our year going with someone?"

"I'm not sure, but I know even Vince and Greg got dates, so I would assume so."

"Really? Who?"
"Vince is taking Cecily Umbridge, and Greg is taking Vince's little sister, Louise."

Ron sniggered, then contained himself. "I'm guessing Pansy and Draco are going together, and Theo is taking my sister. You're taking Lily, and I'm taking Millie...what about Daphne, Tracey, and Hermione?"

"Daphne's going with some bloke from Beauxbatons and Tracey is going with Blaise."

"What about Hermione?"

"She's got to be going with someone - Lily would have said something, I'm sure, if she wasn't."

"She has to be going with someone, for sure," Ron said, realizing it, "She's a champion; she doesn't have a choice."

"That's right. I wonder who she's going with," Harry mused.

"No idea. All the decent blokes in our year are taken."

They sat in silence for a moment.

"C'mon, let's get this Transfiguration homework done."

Fleur Delacour's Private Dorm Room

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland

23 December 1994

"Now, sit still, please!" Fleur's accent was far more pronounced when she was frustrated, and Hermione's hair clearly was a struggle.

"I'm trying!" Hermione protested. She had turned down Lily's offer to go to the salon in Hogsmeade in favor of taking up Millie's cousin's offer of help. She had taken up her roommate's offer to go to the cosmetic healer, however, and her teeth finally were a normal size.

"Do not move or touch your hair," Fleur demanded. "Let the potion do its work."

Hermione eyed the Sleekeazy's bottle with dubious mistrust but did as Fleur told her. After all, the French witch always looked perfect. Hermione watched in fascination as Fleur added a pale pink potion to Millie's hair, then started waving her wand in complex spiral patterns.

Much to Hermione's amazement, Millie's hair slowly turned into loose, glossy curls, which Fleur slowly began to arrange into an elegant bun, leaving several tendrils to frame Millie's face. Fleur tilted her head to the side, evidently deep in thought. With a flick of her wand, a small wooden box soared over from her bureau. Fleur selected a delicate silver-wrought floral hairpin from in, and neatly pinned it into Millie's updo.

"There. Perfect. Now, go slip on your dress robes, and do not even think of touching your hair!"

Millie scampered off, clearly glad to be temporarily free of Fleur's ministrations. Fleur rounded on Hermione.

"What to do with your hair...hmm," Fleur mused.

"Maybe something like Millie's?" Hermione suggested, but Fleur didn't seem pleased.

"Something different then that, I think," Fleur said, head tipped once more in thought before experimentally moving a section of Hermione's hair. "Ah, yes, I know."

Hermione could see Fleur flicking her wand in her peripheral vision as her hair began to move and twist itself into a new formation. It was a truly bizarre feeling. Every so often, Fleur would click her tongue in approval as she moved around Hermione, and Hermione had to resist the urge to move. She was incredibly curious as to what Fleur was doing with her hair, but Fleur was insistent that Hermione not look until the look was finished.

After what seemed like an eon of waiting, Fleur was done with her hair, and Hermione was able to escape to don her dress robes. They were easily the most expensive thing she owned - Sirius had insisted on buying the finest dress robes Galleons could buy for her, Ron, and Harry the previous summer, and Hermione's were absolutely exquisite. Crafted from Acromantula silk, the robes felt weightless and unbelievably smooth against her skin. The deep burgundy contrasted wonderfully with her pale complexion, and the subtlety darker embroidery gave the robes depth, and practically screamed expense.

Hermione wasn't sure what her favorite part about the dress robes were - the sleeves fit snugly until the elbow before opening into a gorgeous bell sleeve large enough to easily conceal her wand. The dress robes also had deep pockets hidden in the folds, and fit Hermione perfectly. Between all those and the color, Hermione felt amazing in her dress robes. She just needed to remember to keep telling herself that, especially once she saw what some of the other witches were wearing.

Hermione slipped her feet into the heeled boots Sirius also insisted on purchasing her. She hadn't known that shoes could be made from hydra hide until that day, and found the boots to be rather comfortable despite the sizable heel. Hermione only hoped she'd be able to dance easily in them. She'd been practicing diligently, but still, insecurity reared its head.

Hermione made her way back to the sitting area of Fleur's room. Fleur had also changed into her dress robes, which looked to be made of molten silver transformed into silk. A silver band, twisted into abstract whirls, held back her long sheet of platinum blonde hair. It was the type of effortless glamour Hermione wished she could emulate.

"I will need one moment longer to finish Millie's makeup," Fleur said, "Then I will be ready to do yours."

Hermione tried not to fidget as she waited. It was now a matter of minutes, rather than hours, before they would go meet their dates in the Entrance Hall.

"There, Millie, you look perfect," Fleur said, "Hermione, if you would sit here and gently close your eyes. Please do your best not to twitch your face."

Hermione desperately tried not to move as a light spritz of liquid coated her face, followed by a soft puff of air. The sensations were odd, and definitely different from the application of Muggle makeup, although Hermione had never gotten any further than applying mascara and a light coat of lip gloss.

"You have pierced ears, yes?" Fleur asked suddenly.

"Yes?"

"Open your eyes for a moment." Fleur studied her carefully, then drew a pair of delicate gold earrings from her box. "Put these on - carefully, and close your eyes again."

The sensations of magical makeup continued for a moment longer, then stopped.

"Open your eyes," Fleur demanded, head tilted slightly to the side as she scrutinized Hermione. "Yes, this will do quite perfectly. Would you like to see?"

Hermione was practically dying of curiosity. "Yes."

"There is a full length mirror in my sleeping chamber, through the door on the left," Fleur said, gesturing. "You may go there to take a look, if you wish."

Hermione walked over as quickly as she could without tripping over her feet or her dress robes. She looked in the mirror, and her mouth fell open. She scarcely recognized the witch reflected back at her. The girl in the mirror was beautiful burgundy dress robes that fit snugly in the bodice before transitioning into swathes of floaty fabric. Her heeled boots peeped out from under her skirt, but it was the witch's hair and face that shocked Hermione the most. Her normally wild mass of curls had been tamed into soft ringlets, and was held back from her face by a simple gold band. Delicate earrings of spun gold peaked out from the curls, and her face looked exactly like her own face, only better, somehow.

Hermione hadn't realized just how much she resembled her grandmother until now. It was easier to see the similarities in their bone structure now that her hair was pulled away from her face, and the makeup certainly helped as well.

A grin slid its way across Hermione's face. She'd never felt so beautiful and so perfect in all her life. She'd always dreamed of one day growing up to be pretty, but she'd never imagined she could look like this.

For once, Hermione felt like a princess.

Entrance Hall

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland

23 December 1994

Viktor could scarcely believe his eyes as Hermione descended the Grand Staircase alongside Millie and Fleur. Usually, all eyes naturally gravitated toward Fleur but this time...this time things were different. Fleur looked stunning as always in her silver dress robes, and Millie was striking with her deep blue dress robes and long black hair. Hermione, on the other hand, was something else entirely.

Viktor had always thought she was cute, albeit in a bookworm sort of way. The witch walking down the stairs was anything but that. She looked like she wouldn't be out of place in court, and Viktor immediately understood why the tsar had insisted he take Hermione to the Yule Ball.

Hermione looked exactly like her grandmother, Viktoriya Dolohova, and bribes would only hold for so long before rumours began to fly. Viktor straightened his posture. It one was one thing, of course, to look as if one belonged in court, but another entirely to behave properly. This was clearly what the tsar wanted Viktor to assess, and without ready access to proper court functions, the Yule Ball was as close to public scrutiny as they could get.

"Hello, Viktor," Hermione said, sounding slightly breathless. "You look very handsome."

Viktor smiled. "Good evening, Hermione." He gently took her hand, and performed a courtier's bow. "I will certainly be the most envied wizard at the ball."

Hermione blushed slightly. "Thank you."

"You do not need to thank me for stating the truth."

Hermione blushed more.

"Are you ready for the opening dance?" Viktor asked, steering the conversation into what he hoped were safer waters.

"Yes, I am. Professor Prince organized lessons for those of us who had less experience."

"That is quite prudent of him."

"Professor Prince is always prudent."

"He is a good professor as well," Viktor commented, "I have enjoyed the Potions classes here."

"I haven't had Professor Prince for Potions since first year," Hermione said glumly. "He was a really strict professor then, but I can see how he'd be absolutely amazing for N.E.W.T Potions. Professor Selwyn and Professor du Feu aren't bad per say, but I don't think they are nearly as talented as Professor Prince."

"He is working towards his Grand Sorcerer title in Potions, so he certainly is qualified. The Potions instructors at Durmstrang are good, of course, but none of them hold a Grand Sorcerer title."

"Is the grading system the same at Durmstrang as it is here?" Hermione asked curiously.

"More or less. We have equivalents to O. and N.E. - essentially the same exams, but different acronyms. We have different acronyms for the R.A.T as well; also apprenticeships are more common in Bulgaria than Wizarding University so they are not as commonly found. Grand Sorcerer distinction is the same."

Hermione looked like she was on the verge of asking another question when Professor McGonagall interrupted their conversation. "Champions and your dates, please line up in the order I call out. Mr. du Feu and Miss Malfoy; Mr. Wiesler and Miss Petersen; Mr. Stefan Krum and Miss Ostrowska; Mr. McGonagall and Miss Moran; Miss Delacour and Mr. Davies; Mr. Viktor Krum and Miss Granger."

"Does the order matter?" Hermione asked quietly as they lined up.

"Here? No. It seems to be in order of age. In other places, yes. There is a very specific order of precedence to follow. Exact details vary from function to function; however the highest ranked individuals enter first."

Professor McGonagall continued to speak. "In a moment, I will open the door to the Great Hall, and you will enter along with your date when your names are called. To warn you," Professor McGonagall continued, lips tightening around the edges, "There will be members of the press, and there will be at least one camera."

"Press? Here?" Hermione was clearly confused, although most of the other champions took it in stride.

"Effectively, this is an international social event," Viktor answered quietly. "Your country's Daily Prophet likely paid a premium to have press access. I would surmise Teen Witch Weekly did as well."

"Why?"

Viktor couldn't think of a way to put things delicately. "I can explain more later, but most of the champions are nobility in their respective countries, and the public enjoys gossiping."

"Oh."

"Pay attention, we are next. There is no need to be nervous," he quickly reassured her. "You will do fine."

"I'm actually not nervous - just, this is really quite strange."

"Lastly," Professor McGonagall announced, "Durmstrang champion Mr. Viktor Krum and Hogwarts champion Miss Hermione Granger!"

Viktor swept into the Great Hall, Hermione on his arm. Several cameras flashed, and Viktor ignored them. He was used to such things and worse from his Quidditch career. He only hoped Hermione wasn't feeling too overwhelmed.

All the champions and their dates took their positions for the beginning of the opening waltz, and Viktor could feel Hermione stiffen up for a moment before remembering to relax.

"Remember to breathe," Viktor murmured as the first strains of music began to play.

"Thanks," Hermione whispered back.

As it turned out, Hermione was a rather adept dancer for someone who claimed to have learned all of it very recently. She was confident in her steps and didn't step on Viktor's toes, unlike some of his cousins. Although, knowing Darya, she likely did so on purpose.

The waltz came to an end, and Viktor led Hermione off the dance floor. "There - Harry and Ron saved several seats."

Harry waved them over, and Viktor and Hermione joined them and their dates along with Stefan and his date, Klaudia Ostrowska. The small eight person tables with their golden plates were a far cry from Hogwarts' standard dinner fare.

"I wonder how the food will work," Ron mused, studying his plate as if it may lead to further insights.

Headmaster Dumbledore cleared his throat, and immediately attention turned to the High Table. He consulted the menu for a moment. "Appetizer: ravioli." he said firmly. After a moment, ravioli appeared on his plate.

"Well, that's simple enough," Ron said. "Appetizer: ravioli."

Viktor took a moment to peruse the menu. "Appetizer: smoked eel."

"Appetizer: Jérôme Galis asparagus," Hermione said, looking quite delighted when it appeared on her plate. "This is like art!"

Lily smiled. "Welcome to fine dining."

"I feel like I shouldn't eat it; it's too pretty!"

"It's very delicious."

Conversation muted as everyone began to enjoy the food, moving from the delicate appetizers into rich main courses. "This is really quite wonderful," Hermione said. "I don't think I've ever eaten anything this nice."

"I haven't either," Ron admitted. "I wonder how many Galleons all of this cost."

"Probably about as much as the press had to pay to get access," Millie said darkly.

"So, what is the structure of this?" Hermione asked. "Is there more formal dancing?"

Viktor nodded. "There will be about an hour more of formal dancing, then they will bring in a different band, remove the press, and let the students relax."

"Really? Which band?" Millie demanded.

Viktor smiled. "I have it on good authority that it's The Weird Sisters."

Ron's eyes looked like they were going to escape his head. "No way!"

"Yes. Only another hour of being on display."

"Thank Merlin for small mercies," Lily muttered. "I was hoping the Yule Ball wouldn't have any of this nonsense, but noooooo, it just had to include enough to be annoying."

"The announcing of the champions was stupid," Millie added. "If they were going to announce all of you formally, why omit the titles?"

"The titles?" Hermione asked.

"That is what I promised to clarify for you," Viktor said quickly. "Many of the Triwizard champions also are of their country's nobility, or hold titles. If they plan to announce us formally and treat the Yule Ball as a society event, then they ought to follow the appropriate customs. Minimally, we should have been announced with our full names."

"So what would that be?" Hermione asked curiously.

"For this occasion, for me, they should have said 'Hogwarts welcomes His Serenity Knyazhich Viktor Ivan Krum, Durmstrang Triwizard Champion, Baghatur, Duke of Thrace'."

Hermione stared. "That's...a lot of titles."

Viktor shrugged modestly. "It could have been more."

"That doesn't make me feel reassured, Viktor."

Music started to play again, and Viktor seized the opportunity for a distraction. "Would you like to dance?"

Hermione took a moment to collect herself. "Yes, I would."

Viktor swept Hermione back onto the dance floor, determined to make sure she had a lovely evening, even if the pensive look in her eyes persisted for the next hour.

Faery Gardens

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland

23 December 1994

"This is quite nice, isn't it," Ron commented idly as they wandered through the faery gardens. After the photo circus and the wild music of The Weird Sisters, both he and Millie needed some fresh air.

"It is," Millie agreed. "The roses are really pretty."

"Do you want to find somewhere to sit? Or do you want to keep walking?"

"Finding somewhere to sit would be great," Millie said. "Even cushioning charms don't keep my toes from being squashed in heeled boots."

"What about here - oh, never mind!" Ron quickly said, leading Millie past an alcove where Euan McGonagall and Aoife Moran were busy snogging.

Millie sniggered.

"Not here either," Ron said as they passed the next alcove. Baptiste Malfoy wasn't snogging his date, per say, but she was nearly sitting in his lap.

Finally, they were able to find an unoccupied alcove in the back of the faery gardens. Conversational that flowed easily while walking suddenly came to an awkward standstill. "So," Ron said after a moment of silence. "How's Quidditch going for you?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Ron wanted to take them back. It felt like a stupid topic, just talking about Quidditch.

Luckily, Millie jumped on to it. "Good. I mean, you saw our first game, and we completely crushed the Dancing Manticores. They're lucky they have Euan as their Keeper and two decent chasers in Higgs and Spinnet otherwise they'd be doomed. Their Beaters aren't bad, but they didn't come together well as a team, so we beat them."

"Who're you playing next?"

"The Charging Grindylows. They've got an interesting mix of people on their team, but I think we'll do better. How about you?"

"We've got the Flipping Flobberworms next. They seem very disorganized, so I'm not too worried."

"Are you staying at Hogwarts over Yule?"

"No, I'm going home, actually," Ron said, feeling excited. "We're going to have a big family Yule; my brother Charlie is coming back from Romania for it, and Bill and Percy got extra days off work so we can spend a bunch of time as a family. It's going to be great! How about you?"

"Hermione's coming home with me for Yule. We usually do some celebrations with just my family, and then us and the Moons go over to the Greengrass Estate for a larger celebration. It's pretty fun, especially now that Astoria is at Hogwarts and less of a baby."

"Sounds exciting."

Silence hung in the air again.

"Do you think Hermione was upset earlier?" Ron asked suddenly.

"About the whole title thing?"

"Yeah."

Millie thought for a moment. "I think she was, a bit. But Viktor distracted her pretty well."

"That's what I thought, too. It's hard for her. She was the only one at the table without a title, right?"

Millie nodded.

"And most of us have more than one title, too."

Millie nodded again. "She'll be alright. Hermione's not the kind of person to get caught up in all that."

"I know. I just feel bad."

"Me too. But there's nothing we can do about it."

"You're right."

Millie looked at him with an unreadable expression, and Ron found himself staring into her eyes. How had he never noticed that Millie's eyes were more green than hazel? His heart thumped faster. They were quite pretty, now that he thought of it. Millie had looked very nice tonight, very feminine, but somehow maintaining her characteristic fierceness. It was the type of look that made him feel warm and tingly inside. Something…

Ron and Millie jumped as the rose bushes next to them were brusquely blasted away.

"Professor!"

Professor Prince stared at both of them. "Mr. Weasley. Miss Bulstrode. My apologies for startling you."

"It's alright, professor."

"Please return inside."

Ron and Millie shared a look before heading back to the warmth of the castle, Ron's heart still beating hard like he'd just run a race and one thought in his mind: had he been about to kiss Millie?

A/N: Pairings - I'm sure you all are curious. These are not in any way final pairings; the characters are too young for that. Awkward teenage romance, on the other hand, will begin to happen...