Chapter 25: Yule Ball Chaos
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. IT BELONGS TO JK ROWLING.
A/N: Read, enjoy, and remember not to take either life or my writing too seriously.
The Yule Ball Chaos
After several dances, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger finally stepped away from the dance floor to catch their breath.
They returned to their table where Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley were talking quietly.
"What would you like to drink?" Harry asked gently.
"Butterbeer," Hermione replied.
Harry headed off toward the drinks table.
When he returned a few minutes later carrying two butterbeers, he noticed a tall figure standing beside Hermione.
It was Viktor Krum.
Harry immediately remembered Hermione's nightmare about the Yule Ball and moved closer.
"Herm-mi-ne?" Krum asked uncertainly.
"Hermione," she corrected politely. "You're Viktor Krum."
"Yes," Krum nodded. "I see you many times in library. Everyone says you are very smart."
Hermione blushed slightly.
Harry narrowed his eyes at the Bulgarian Quidditch star.
He stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Harry Potter," he said firmly. "Hermione's boyfriend."
Krum nodded and shook his hand.
"Yes, yes. I know who you are. You two dance very well together."
"Thanks," Harry replied, though he still remained standing very close to Hermione.
Krum glanced around briefly to make sure no one else was listening.
"I wish you had not been hurt," he said quietly. "You would have been a better champion than that Weasley."
Harry shrugged.
"I'm not even sure how my name got into the cup. But I'm happy not competing."
Krum nodded thoughtfully before turning back to Hermione.
"I wanted to ask you something."
He gestured across the room.
"My date… her name is Luna."
Hermione looked toward the dance floor where Luna Lovegood was happily twirling by herself.
"She keeps talking about creatures I have never heard of," Krum continued. "Things like Crumple-Horned Snorkacks and Blibbering Humdingers."
He scratched his head.
"She also says mistletoe is dangerous because of Nargles."
Ginny quickly covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
"I worry I will look foolish if I do not know these creatures," Krum admitted.
Before Hermione could respond, Ginny spoke quickly.
"Luna is the world's leading expert on those creatures," she said seriously. "If you ask her about them she'll happily explain everything."
Krum looked relieved.
"Thank you. I will ask her."
Hermione couldn't help asking a question of her own.
"How did you end up bringing Luna to the Ball?"
Krum smiled slightly.
"It vas strange. I found her hiding near our ship saying she was escaping wrackspurts… and veasels."
Ginny snorted.
"We started talking," Krum continued. "I told her I did not want to ask any girl because they follow me everywhere. She said she could not attend unless someone invited her because she was only third year."
He shrugged.
"Somehow I ended up asking her."
Ron Interferes
Across the room Ron Weasley spotted Krum talking with Harry and Hermione.
Assuming the Quidditch star wanted to speak with a fellow champion, Ron stood up proudly.
"Excuse me," he told Sybill Trelawney, "but duty calls."
As Ron approached the group he heard Krum say something that made him freeze.
"Cedric says you are excellent Seeker," Krum told Harry. "Best Hogwarts has had in years. Ve should go flying together sometime."
Harry smiled.
"Sure, that would be great."
Just then—
"Sssssssssssssssssssss!"
Thanks to Hermione's silencing spell earlier, the noise itself was muted.
But the force was not.
Ron launched forward like a cannonball and slammed directly into Viktor Krum.
Both of them crashed to the floor.
Harry quickly helped Krum up.
"Sorry," Harry muttered.
Nearly the entire Great Hall had turned to stare.
Ron slowly got to his knees.
Unfortunately the impact had completely split the back seam of his dress robes.
The entire school suddenly had a clear view that Ron Weasley was wearing absolutely nothing underneath.
The music stopped.
House-elves rushed forward to clean the floor after Ron's earlier meals had been violently redistributed.
The band took several minutes to recover before restarting the music.
Ron, oblivious to the embarrassment, stood up and offered Krum his hand.
"I'd still love to fly sometime," Ron said enthusiastically. "And maybe we can polish our wands together before the next task?"
Krum immediately turned and fled back toward Luna.
Ron glared at Harry.
"Why'd you scare him away? I wanted to talk to him!"
Without waiting for a reply, Ron stomped back to his table.
Ron's Romantic Attempt
Ron sat beside Professor Trelawney again and tried to cheer himself up.
Eventually he leaned toward her and spoke in what he believed was a charming voice.
"Let's go take a walk in the gardens."
Trelawney had unfortunately witnessed Ron's earlier wardrobe malfunction.
Combined with the idea of strolling romantically through the gardens with him, her stomach revolted.
She promptly vomited.
"Oh dear," she said weakly. "I suddenly feel very ill. I think I must return to my tower."
Ron misunderstood completely.
Her tower? he thought excitedly.
"I'll walk you up," he said suggestively.
"NO!"
Trelawney jumped to her feet.
"I mean… no need. I should visit the hospital wing immediately."
She fled the Great Hall before Ron could continue.
Ron spent the rest of the evening sulking in his chair while watching Harry and Hermione dance happily.
A Quiet Walk
Later that night Harry leaned toward Hermione.
"Would you like to walk in the gardens?"
The Hogwarts grounds had been enchanted with warming charms so students could stroll outside comfortably.
"I'd love that," Hermione said softly.
They left the Great Hall hand in hand.
The rose garden was beautiful under the fairy lights. Softly glowing lanterns illuminated the paths, fountains sparkled quietly, and statues cast gentle shadows across the snow-dusted hedges.
They eventually found an empty bench beside a fountain.
Harry sat down and pulled Hermione close.
"It's been a wonderful evening," Hermione whispered.
"I don't want it to end."
"A month ago I would have dreaded a ball," Harry admitted. "But tonight… tonight was perfect."
He smiled at her.
"Because I spent it with you."
They looked into each other's eyes.
Harry gently traced a finger along Hermione's jaw.
Her eyes closed as he leaned forward.
Their lips met softly at first.
Then the kiss deepened.
Time seemed to disappear as they held each other.
Neither of them noticed someone approaching along the garden path.
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