The Dance

"See, you can do it," Daphne said encouragingly as Harry led her around the abandoned chamber on the third floor. "Just tighten your grip on my hips a little more. You need to be firm and in control."

Harry did so and the girl nodded approvingly.

For the past few weeks they had been meeting here for the dance lessons, sneaking away like two secretive lovers that did not wish to be seen with one another.

That wasn't the case, but rumours would be bound if anyone were to discover what they were up to.

"There," Daphne declared when the song was finished. "You're ready to dance the night away with Bell."

"You sound as though you do not approve."

"Not many would," Daphne sighed. "You may be a half-blood, Potter, but like it or not, you come from a well-respected family and you are famous. Not just for what happened with You-Know-Who either anymore."

"I don't care about any of that," Harry said dismissively.

"You should," Daphne huffed. "You will have a seat on the Wizengamot in a few years' time, and people's expectations of you will be high. Even more so if you win this tournament. People are watching you closely. My father is one of them. He said that you handled yourself well with the appeal."

"And that only got anyone underage banned from attending the meetings."

"Because Fudge is scared of you," Daphne replied. "If you chose to, you could create a strong alliance and be a threat to him. If you give people a reason not to be intimidated or bribed by Lucius Malfoy, you could really make a difference."

"Is that what you want?"

"It is what everyone should want," Daphne murmured.

It was true.

From what little Harry had seen, it appeared as though the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot were content to allow the likes of Malfoy to run roughshod and do as he please so long as they were left in peace. The was no backbone, no gumption about any of them, though Harry doubted that one man could truly make a difference.

He frowned at the thought.

Voldemort had.

Without the Dark Lord's backing, Lucius and the others that had followed him did not have the temerity to continue on with the efforts of their master.

Perhaps one man was all it would take?

Harry shook his head before he could delve too deeply into that thought process.

Now was not the time to be pondering the future political climate of the country, not when he had more current, pressing matters that required his attention.

"Anyway, I need to pack," Daphne announced. "My father will be coming to collect me soon."

Harry nodded his understanding.

"Thank you for staying to help me," he offered sincerely.

The train had left several hours ago to take the students returning home for the holidays to King's Cross. Daphne had opted to stay behind to give Harry a final lesson before the ball tomorrow evening.

"I said I would help you, and you needed one more run through," she replied, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Remember, you will owe me a favour when I need it, Potter."

"How could I forget?" Harry chuckled. "You've only mentioned it at least once every five minutes."

"Maybe I just needed to remind myself of why I was here," Daphne returned before heading towards the door. "Have fun at the ball, Potter."

She was gone before Harry could offer a response.

What did she even mean by that?

Harry didn't know and focusing on it would only give him a headache. Girls, he found, were confusing at best. His notion of facing off with the Horntail again rather than dealing with the opposite sex only became more appealing the more he interacted them.

Pushing the thoughts aside, he followed in Daphne's footsteps only a moment later, covering himself with the cloak before making his way to the seventh floor.

With Cedric's assistance with the egg, Harry had listened to the clue repeatedly, and since doing so, had kept everything he held dear with him at all times.

There was not a chance that anything would be taken.

Which begged the question, what would happen if the judges couldn't take an item from the champions?

A person.

For a brief moment, Harry had thought that such a thing would never occur, but then he remembered just what it was he was dealing with.

It was certainly not beyond the realm of possibility that hostages would be taken for the champions to retrieve.

How they would breathe in the lake for an hour was what concerned Harry, along with the myriad of creatures that dwelled within the waters.

Hagrid had been most helpful in informing him of what lurked in the depths, so he had been planning accordingly.

The Merepeople village would be at the very centre at the deepest point of the lake, and Harry would have to make his way there and back within an hour.

That was quite the task in itself and figuring out how to breathe underwater for that long whilst not losing any of his magical capabilities was proving to be quite the conundrum.

Transfiguration was an obvious choice, but it would be an exceedingly risky approach. Harry had begun delving into human Transfiguration. However, changing his entire cardiovascular system was something that would not be learned at Hogwarts.

In truth, it was not something that should be attempted at all. So many things could go wrong, though a human to animal change was something that could be achieved either through journeying through the Animagi process, or temporarily changing certain parts of the body to incorporate a creature.

Once more, Harry was not keen on the idea.

It was something he would have to consider further once the Yule Ball was over with. For now, getting through that particular impending event was his priority.

He had weeks to decide what he would do in the second task, after all. Not that Harry had neglected his other practices in the interim.

With the help of Ignotus's book and his own observations, he continued to develop his budding magic, and would continue to do so.

Magical competence was indeed a journey, in all aspects, and there was nothing Harry took more seriously.

Not even the impending ball.

Regardless, he knew he had made a good choice in asking Katie to accompany him. They hadn't spoken as much this year as they usually would, but Harry knew they would have fun at the very least.

So long as it didn't become awkward between them.

No, that wouldn't happen.

The event would be all the more bearable with the girl as his… date?

Was this a date?

Neither had clarified in what capacity they would be attending the ball together.

Having been quite relaxed since he'd secured his dance lessons and a guest, Harry felt a familiar sense of nervousness wash over him.

Would there be expectations of him?

"Bloody hell," Harry cursed.

He'd never been on a date and didn't even know where to begin. He couldn't believe he was thinking it, but he needed to speak with someone, and there was only one person he could think of who would not make the conversation completely unbearable.

Groaning to himself, Harry turned away from his destination on the seventh floor and made his way towards the Great Hall.

Dinner would be served soon and he would find who he was looking for there.

(Break)

Gabrielle watched as Fleur modelled her dress in front of the mirror in her room within the Beauxbatons carriage. Her sister truly was a beauty, but Gabrielle did not miss the look of lingering sadness in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "Don't you like the dress?"

Fleur sighed as she shook her head.

"No, it isn't the dress. I just don't feel in the mood for going to the ball."

"It's not until tomorrow."

Fleur offered her a smile.

"I still won't want to go."

"Is it because that Roger boy is a drooling buffoon?"

"He's not as bad as the others."

"But he's still a buffoon."

Fleur conceded the point with a nod.

"It's not as though I have much choice."

"You could have chosen someone better."

"Like whom?"

"Harry Potter."

Fleur's expression darkened and she levelled a glare at her younger sister.

"I would not go with him if he was the last boy in the castle!"

Gabrielle smirked.

It was too easy to get a rise out of the older veela.

"Funny, he said almost the same thing about you."

"And when did you speak with Harry Potter?"

"The day the students went into the village," Gabrielle answered unashamedly. "He even bought me a butterbeer."

Fleur shook her head frustratedly.

"I wish you would stay away from him."

"Why, because you don't like him? Or is it because he did better than you in the first task?"

"That has nothing to do with it! He is a rude boy."

"You were rude to him first. Diggory told me what happened after Harry's name came out of the goblet. What did you expect to happen? You insulted him."

"When did you speak with Diggory?"

"Whenever I see him around," Gabrielle said dismissively. "He's nice, and so is Harry. You're just too stubborn to admit you were wrong about him."

"Gabby…"

"Do not try and lie to me, Fleur," Gabrielle cut her off irritably. "Harry is the only boy in this castle who doesn't go to pieces when he is near us. Even when we saw him at the lake with mother, he kept it together. If you weren't such an idiot, you would realise that you would probably get on really well with him. When was the last time you spoke with a boy other than father who wasn't drooling?"

Fleur said nothing but continued to scowl at her reflection.

"You know, you get worse," she huffed a few moments later when she realised Gabrielle wouldn't say anything.

"And so do you. You've closed yourself off to the possibility of making any friends because some people treated you like shit. It's stupid, and if you keep it up, you'll never make any real friends. Harry could be a good friend for you, if only you'd apologise for being a bitch. Do you still believe he put his name in the goblet?"

Fleur shrugged.

"Maybe not," she replied reluctantly. "He doesn't seem to want anything to do with the tournament. He won't even speak to the media when they come."

"Exactly!" Gabrielle declared. "He hates his fame, and if you spoke to him for more than five minutes, you'd see that for yourself."

"But why would someone else enter him?" Fleur asked.

"I don't know," Gabrielle admitted quietly. "Maybe they want to get him killed."

Fleur frowned thoughtfully.

"Well, they've not done a good job of it so far," she sighed. "I don't think anyone expected him to do as well as he did."

Gabrielle nodded her agreement.

"So, will you stop being a stupid cow and apologise to him?"

Fleur's nostrils flared in response.

"That's what he called me," she grumbled. "When I called him a little boy, he said I was a cow."

"You insulted him in French," Gabrielle reminded her. "You didn't know he could speak it."

"I wonder where he learned to speak it so well," Fleur mused aloud. "He almost sounds native."

Gabrielle shrugged.

"Maybe he has friends or family back home."

"He doesn't have any family," Fleur denied. "He only had his parents when, well, you know…"

"So, who raised him?"

"No one knows," Fleur answered. "If you ask anyone about him here, they don't know anything about Harry Potter before he came to Hogwarts."

"How strange," Gabrielle murmured. "Maybe I will ask him."

"Is that not rude?"

"You're one to talk," Gabrielle snorted. "I think he likes me. He hasn't told me to go away, only that you'd be angry if you saw us talking. It's not like I'll pressure him. If he doesn't want to tell me, he doesn't have to."

Fleur merely rolled her eyes.

"I'm surprised you didn't ask him to take you to the ball."

"I thought about it," Gabrielle admitted, "but given the way I look, it would be strange. Besides, I would have been too late. He already has a date."

"Katie Bell. I heard some students talking about it."

"Do you know her?"

"No, I'm not sure who she is."

Gabrielle hummed thoughtfully.

Perhaps she felt a little envious of the girl Harry was taking, but she wouldn't take it to heart. She didn't know the boy so well, just that he had treated her kindly and was not affected by her slowly maturing magic.

Nonetheless, Gabrielle would be staying far away from the ball.

She did not need her 'nature' making an appearance should she feel more jealousy than she did now.

(Break)

"I don't bloody believe this!"

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Just look at me, Harry," the redhead urged. "I look a proper pillock."

Harry could not find anything to say to comfort his friend. The robes that had been sent to him were nothing short of ghastly; paisley, and complete with lacey cuffs and a ruff.

"Come here," he sighed.

The grumpy Ron did so, and within a few moments of work from Harry, the robes were much better.

"How did you do that?" Ron asked as he took in his reflection.

"Just simple magic," Harry chuckled.

Ron's robes were now a charcoal grey, minus the lace, and looked more of a modern take on the garment.

"Thank you," he said gratefully. "Honestly, I don't know what mum was thinking sending them. They looked like Aunt Muriel's curtains."

"Well, you don't have to worry now," Harry pointed out. "How did you end up going with Lavender anyway?"

"I just asked," Ron answered with a shrug. "I thought she'd say no but she didn't. Any idea who Hermione is going with?"

"She hasn't said anything to me," Harry replied.

Ron merely grunted in response as he adjusted his robes.

"Oi, what's that?" he questioned, nodding to the box and flower Harry was holding.

"A gift," Harry answered sheepishly, tucking them into his robes.

"I didn't know we were supposed to bring gifts," Ron groaned. "Bloody hell, this isn't going well, is it?"

Once more, Harry offered an internal thanks to Cedric for the advice, even if the older boy had milked Harry coming to him for help. He had been insufferable as he spoke to Harry as though he was a toddler being taught to have his shoes tied.

Well, Harry had evidently been more clueless than he thought, so he would give the Hufflepuff a break for being such a patronising git.

"You don't have to bring a gift," he explained. "I got one for Katie because it's going to be as bad for her tonight as it will for me. I don't think she realised what she was signing up for when I asked her."

"What is going on with you two?"

"Nothing," Harry denied.

"Oh, come off it. There must be something. You could have asked any other girl in the school, but you went with Katie straight away."

Harry shook his head.

"I don't know," Harry murmured. "I just thought we'd have a good time together. She's fun, and…"

"She's hot," Ron interjected. "What? She is! She doesn't even wear make-up or anything and she's, well, you know."

Harry frowned at his friend, and Ron held his hands up innocently.

He hadn't really thought much of Katie in that way.

Perhaps it was because he had known since he'd been selected for the Quidditch team during his first year?

Maybe it was that he just simply hadn't noticed?

Harry didn't know, but then again, he hadn't really looked at many girls in that way. Knowing the first he'd seen in such a light was a several times over great grandmother had affected that thought process?

He shook his head of the thought before any image of Mallory Gaunt could enter his mind.

"Come on, we'd best get going," he suggested. "Are you meeting Lavender in the Entrance Hall?"

Ron nodded.

"From what I can tell, everyone is meeting there," he chuckled. "A bunch of sad blokes, waiting for women. My Dad says I should get used to it because I'll spend half my life waiting for them."

"I bet he's glad he only had one daughter," Harry replied.

Ron laughed heartily as the two of them left Gryffindor Tower.

Harry didn't have the heart to tell his friend that his younger sister had been invited by Neville of all people.

It would be left as a surprise for Ron.

"How're you feeling?" the redhead asked curiously.

"Honestly? I'm bloody bricking it at the thought of dancing in front of everyone."

Again, Ron laughed.

"Just don't fall over, mate, and you'll be just fine."

"I wasn't planning to," Harry muttered, adding that new fear to the list of possible things that could go wrong this evening.

(Break)

"Is all of this really necessary?" Katie huffed.

She had been all but set upon by her two so-called friends who had dragged her into their dorm room to ready her for the ball. The trip to Hogsmeade had been harrowing enough, but this was a new experience entirely.

Dresses, bags, shoes, and combinations of all three had been thrust upon her in the two hours they had spent shopping, and Katie still had not recovered from the ordeal.

"It is, now stop fidgeting," Angelina demanded as she began styling Katie's hair.

Alicia was busy applying her make-up, and somehow in the melee that had ensued since arriving, Katie was already wearing a red dress and holding a small, gold bag that was not designed to hold very much.

Even a pair of Quidditch gloves would have been a squeeze for the dainty accessory.

"You know, I think we are done," Angelina declared an inordinate amount of time later. "What do you think?"

Katie looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes widening at the unfamiliar reaction.

She'd never dressed in such a way, nor styled her hair and worn make-up. It was a lot to take in. She didn't hate it, but it was foreign to her.

"I look butch," she grumbled.

Alicia tutted and rolled her eyes as she straightened Katie's posture.

"You look athletic," she corrected. "You have a good silhouette, you're just not confident with it."

"Well, this is all new to me," Katie reminded the two girls as she took in her appearance once more.

The strapless dress really did suit her, and hid her 'strong legs', as the seamstress had called them.

"Have you been practicing walking in the shoes?"

Katie nodded.

"I haven't had much choice, have I? With the dance lessons and you two following me around, they've barely been off my feet."

"They're nice shoes," Angelina commented and Katie flinched as a bright flash almost blinded her.

"What the hell was that?"

"Just making sure I have a memory," Alicia replied with a grin, fanning the photo she had printed.

"Where did you get that camera?"

"The Creevey kid lent it to me for tonight. I'll be taking plenty of photos. I'm sure Mrs Bell will appreciate them."

"Just kill me now," Katie muttered. "If my mother sees me like this, she'll want me to do it more often."

"Is that such a bad thing?" Alicia questioned. "It suits you, and I'm sure Harry will agree."

"If he can pull his tongue back into his head," Angelina added with a smirk.

Katie felt her cheeks redden.

"It's not like that."

"Oh, shut up," Alicia huffed. "He asked you to the ball. Out of everyone, he chose you. That has to mean something."

"Maybe he only chose me because we're friends," Katie returned.

"Dressed like that, he won't be looking at you as his friend," Angelina predicted. "Look at you, Katie. You're stunning."

Katie could not help but smile at the compliment as she straightened out her dress.

She barely recognised herself, but the more she was growing used to it, the more she liked it.

Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to be a little more feminine from time to time.

Her mother would like it, even if her brothers wouldn't.

They were already protective of her, and if they knew she was dressed like this, they would be quite intolerable.

"Fine, it looks nice," she admitted, "but that doesn't change anything. Harry might not think of this as a date. We are friends."

"But you fancy him."

"I never said that!"

"You don't have to, Little Katie," Alicia cooed. "You're the only one of us who hasn't admitted that he is quite handsome."

"Dashing," some would say.

"Gorgeous," Alicia added.

"Alright, I get it!" Katie groaned. "He is good looking… and dashing," she relented when the two girls looked at her pointedly. "But he is Harry Potter. We might know him as Little Harry the Seeker, but no one else does. He is still the boy who defeated You-Know-Who."

"And when has Harry ever mentioned that?" Angelina questioned. "He doesn't give a stuff about fame or anything. He just wants to be like everyone else. Just treat him as you always have. He wouldn't want anything else."

Katie nodded as she took a final glance at herself.

She'd never worn her hair up like this, and she could not deny that her naturally wavy, dark locks were made for the style Angelina had created.

"Come on, it's time to go," Alicia announced.

Immediately, Katie felt the nerves set in and for a brief moment, she thought of running into the Forbidden Forest to avoid attending the ball.

The girls seemed to read her intentions and each linked an arm through her to prevent her escaping.

"It won't be that bad," Alicia soothed. "Once the dance is over with, you can just enjoy the rest of the ball."

Katie took a deep breath and nodded.

"I'm okay," she assured the others who finally released her as they neared the stairs leading down to the Entrance Hall.

"See, I told you he was gorgeous," Alicia said smugly.

Katie swallowed as she took in Harry's form.

He was smiling brightly as he laughed and joked with Cedric Diggory and the twin's younger brother.

"He goes nothing," she whispered as she took he first step down the flight of steps, careful not to trip.

That would be a poor way for the evening to begin.

(Break)

"Honestly, Diggory, if Harry hadn't fixed them, I wouldn't have left the tower."

Cedric laughed as he patted Ron on the shoulder.

"He did a good job," the older boy praised. "Hey, Harry, have you considered starting a tailoring business? I bet you'd do well for yourself."

"If you think I'm measuring your inseam, Diggory, you've got another thing coming!"

Cedric and Ron roared with laughter, and Harry joined in at the thought of such a ludicrous scenario. Being a tailor was certainly not on the cards.

"Here we go, Potter, I think that one belongs to you," Cedric said, sobering immediately as he gestured towards the staircase.

Harry found that he was simply lost for words at the sight of Katie. He had to doubletake several times to be certain it was even her, and as she approached nervously, he still could not formulate a sentence.

"This is the part where you tell her how beautiful she looks," Cedric whispered unsubtly.

"I don't need your input to see that," Harry managed to say. "Hello," he greeted Katie, his mouth having gone dry.

The girl before him was stunning.

Her hair was styled elaborately in a way that showcased her neck and shoulders, and Katie was even wearing make-up. Not too much that it didn't look like her, but just enough to accentuate her features.

Harry would never have guessed that beneath the school and Quidditch robes he'd only seen her wearing there was the Katie he was seeing now.

Not that he'd ever thought she was unattractive. This was just merely something he'd not seen nor expected.

"Try giving her the present, Harry," Cedric suggested. "It might give you a moment to pull yourself together."

Harry nodded as he handed the small box and corsage to Katie, taking Cedric's advice to centre his thoughts whilst the girl opened it.

"You didn't have to get me a gift," Katie murmured, smiling as she peered at what was inside.

"Would you like me to help you put it on?"

Katie nodded gratefully and Harry retrieve the necklace and began fumbling with the clasp. After a moment or two, he did manage to close it and Katie looked at the gold chain complete with a broomstick pendant adoringly.

"I love it," she whispered, "but you really didn't have to."

"Well, I thought it would help take the edge off having to dance in front of everyone."

Katie hummed thoughtfully.

"I think it has," she declared with a smile. "I'm still not looking forward to that, but it could be worse."

"How?"

"You might not have asked me at all," Katie replied, her cheeks reddening slightly.

Harry found it quite endearing, but before he could reply, they were interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing.

"Potter, Diggory, you and your partners are to follow me. You will be announced into the Great Hall and take your seats at the designated table. Come along."

They did so, with Cedric and Cho Chang joining them. The girl had arrived sometime after Katie.

"Bloody hell, Diggory, you're grinning like a prat," Harry huffed as they were shown into a side room where Delacour and Krum were already waiting with their own dates.

"At least I can speak to my date," Cedric replied before greeting Viktor. "Well, if it isn't the Quidditch star and our resident Gryffindor."

Harry frowned as he looked towards Krum's date, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Hermione!"

"Hello, Harry," the girl greeted him nervously.

"Why didn't you mention you were coming with Krum?"

"I meant to, I just didn't know how," she answered. "I didn't want you to think I was, well, you know."

Harry waved the girl off.

"Don't be daft," he sighed. "You look great, by the way."

Hermione blushed as she muttered her thanks.

"You've not done bad for yourself, Harry Potter," Viktor commented, nodding towards Katie.

"I know," Harry chuckled. "Don't say it too loudly, she'll realise she can do better than me and I'll be dancing alone."

Krum chuckled.

At least three of the champions were in good spirits.

Delacour looked miserable as Roger Davies gawped at her open-mouthed. Taking pity on the girl, Harry casually slid his wand into his hand and aimed a stinging hex at the boy.

Davies yelped as he jumped from his chair and began rubbing his posterior, looking around as though he did not know how he had gotten here.

"Are you alright there, Davies?" Harry asked.

Roger nodded and at least made the effort to not fall into another stupor.

How long it would last, Harry didn't know, but he had done his part. He wasn't going to spend the entire night policing Davies.

"Professor Dumbledore is now ready to announce," Professor McGonagall informed the group, peering around the door.

"Mr Diggory, you will be first with Miss Chang, followed by Mr Krum and Miss Granger. Miss Delacour, you will be third with Mr Davies, and Potter and Bell last," she finished, offering Harry and Katie an amused smile before retreating.

"It's weird seeing her in a dress," Cedric muttered.

"And smiling," Harry added.

"If you weren't such a pain in the arse, she'd probably smile more."

"Up yours, Diggory," Harry grumbled, aiming a kick at the boy as he and Cho were called into the Great Hall.

"Ready?"

Katie shook her head as she looped her arm through his.

"Me either," Harry snorted. "At least we're not ready together."

Kate smiled, and the two of them braced themselves for what was to come.

(Break)

"I must say, young Ronald, your robes are looking rather spiffing, don't you agree, Frederick?"

"Ah, quite so, quite so, Sir George, and Miss Brown makes for an exceptional dinner guest."

"Will you two shut up?" Angelina groaned as the twins continued the charade of being sophisticated aristocrats.

"Such crass and uncouth language from such a fine lady," George declared, allowing the monocle to fall from his eye in faux shock.

Where he had gotten a monocle, Angelina didn't dare guess, but he was determined to sport it for the ball.

Oddly, it suited him. Not that she would be complimenting his mischief, despite how entertaining the twins were proving to be.

"And finally, our tournament leader," Dumbledore announced. "Harry Potter and his partner, Miss Katie Bell."

Those within the hall clapped politely as the two entered and made their way to the table. Angelina took the opportunity to snap a few more photos, waving as Katie scowled at her.

"Aww, look, he even held her seat out for her," Alicia gushed.

"That is never our Katie!" Fred choked in disbelief. "Bloody hell, she scrubs up well."

Angelina cuffed the boy on the back of the head.

"She didn't need to be scrubbed up. We only put a dress on her and did her hair."

Fred nodded as he rubbed the back of his head.

"You have my apologies. It was a terrible comment to make and done so only out of surprise."

Angelina shook her head.

"Are all boys idiots?"

"Just these two," Alicia sighed, frowning at the menus that appeared in front of them. "How does this work?"

The very same question seemed to be being asked throughout the Great Hall, and it wasn't until Professor Dumbledore demonstrated that everyone else caught on.

"Pork chops," Angelina decided when she'd read through the available food.

"Don't you think they look sweet together?" Alicia asked, nodding towards Harry and Katie.

Angelina nodded.

"I knew she liked him. She wouldn't admit it, but it was obvious."

Alicia grinned knowingly.

"How long has Katie had a crush on him?" George asked.

"Second year," Angelina giggled.

"That long? Why didn't she say anything?"

"Because it's Harry," Alicia answered. "Outside of Quidditch, no one really sees him. He's around, and he never ignores anyone, but it's like he lives a different life to everyone else."

"I don't see him much," Ron sighed. "I share a dorm with him, but sometimes I wake up in the night, and he's not there."

"What does he do?" Alicia questioned.

Ron shrugged as he shared an odd look with the twins.

"You know something," Angelina said accusingly.

"Not anything we should be discussing," George murmured. "We love Harry, but there are those that don't."

"You mean the World Cup," Ron said in realisation before his eyes widened.

"What about the World Cup?"

"We shouldn't say," Fred said firmly, eyeing his younger brother with irritation.

"You can't not tell us now," Alicia huffed. "It can't be that bad."

"Oh, it was bad," George snorted. "Seriously, we can't say. Harry is like a little brother to us."

"And he isn't to us?"

"I didn't mean it like that," George murmured. "Ask him about if you like, but it's not for us to tell anyone, even you two."

Angelina was taken aback by the seriousness of the twins. She had never seen them so sombre and would not press them anymore.

Something, however, had indeed happened, and if it had affected Fred and George in such a way, it had to have been significant. Although she was curious, tonight was not the night to pursue it.

Looking at Katie and Harry, she only wanted them to enjoy the evening.

They really did look good together, and it warmed her heart to see them like this, even if they were both as shy as one another.

(Break)

"You know, we could always run away," Harry murmured.

"And go where?"

"Wherever you like."

Katie grinned and shook her head.

"I don't think it would be such a good idea," she sighed. "I have two older brothers that will come for us."

"Probably not the best plan then," Harry chuckled. "I suppose we will just have to dance."

"Is the thought of dancing with me so horrible, Little Harry?"

Harry quirked an eyebrow at the girl.

"Even in your heels, I'm taller than you. I've not been Little Harry to you for a while now."

Katie smiled sadly.

"I remember you as a titchy first year. Even then you were too cheeky for your own good. You've only gotten worse, you know?"

"True," Harry agreed. "You just don't like it because I'm not scared of you anymore."

"You were scared of me?"

"All of you," Harry replied. "You used to threaten to drag me out of the shower if I took too long. That's terrifying for an eleven-year-old boy."

Katie hummed.

"It wouldn't have been much fun back then. I'd probably enjoy it more now," she added with a wink, blushing despite her best efforts not to.

Harry simply gaped at the girl as he shook his head.

Before he could respond, however, Dumbledore stood to address the room.

"If the champions and their partners would kindly make their way to the front. It is time for the Yule Ball to get underway."

The gathered students and staff clapped politely, and Harry led Katie to the dancefloor where she wrapped her slightly trembling arms around his neck.

"Are you ready?"

"No."

Harry laughed as he placed his hands on her hips, the way Daphne had taught him and began gently leading her when the music began to play.

"I didn't know you could dance," Katie commented.

"I had to take some lessons just for this," Harry admitted, eliciting a mirthful snicker from his partner.

"Me too," Katie admitted. "Don't say I never do anything for you."

"Wearing a dress and taking dance lessons. I feel quite privileged."

"You should," Katie replied airily. "I wouldn't do this for anyone else."

"Really?"

Katie nodded shyly as she met his gaze.

"Really," she assured him.

It was a strange moment that past between them. Even without his ability in the Mind Arts, Harry felt as though he was seeing something. It was something so obvious within Katie's mind, but almost like she was exposing a vulnerability of hers.

He immediately felt rather protective of it, and as he turned her around the dancefloor once again, he held the girl a little tighter; his own way of trying to offer her some reassurance of his own.

It was the sound of applause and the sudden lack of music that pulled them both from their thoughts. Joining in with the clapping, they separated.

"Well, we got through it," Harry chortled.

"We did," Katie replied with a smile.

There was a brief silence between them, both seemingly waiting for the other to fill it with something worthy of the moment they'd shared.

"Drink?" Harry asked.

Katie nodded gratefully and looped her arm through his as they made their way to towards one of the tables.

"You know, you don't have to hold on to me all night," Harry quipped, his tone teasing but equally searching.

"I could let go," Katie mused aloud, "but what if I don't want to?"

There it was again; the same vulnerability Harry had seen only a moment ago. It was odd but he certainly didn't dislike it.

"You don't have to let go either," he murmured.

She smiled at him shyly and accepted a bottle of butterbeer he handed her.

"Well if it isn't the two half-bloods," an unwelcome voice mocked, spoiling the intimacy of the experience they were sharing. "If we found a way to combine you both, you might pass as one of us."

"I'd rather pass for a turd," Harry replied dryly. "Why don't you just piss off, Malfoy, before you annoy me more than you already have."

"Why would I do that when we have the perfect audience present to see you for what you really are," Malfoy said smugly, nodding towards the various journalists in attendance. "I'm sure Skeeter would love an exclusive insight into Harry Potter."

"I'm sure I couldn't give a shit," Harry chuckled humourlessly. "If you think that I won't kick your balls into your throat because of a bunch of journalists, you'd better think again. Walk away, Malfoy, whilst you still can, and take your group of arselickers with you."

"You think you can take all of us on?" Malfoy scoffed.

Harry smirked at the thought as his gaze shifted between Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and the older Slytherins lurking behind.

"Your friends don't seem particularly keen on seeing how well they would fare. Why not do it yourself, Dragon?"

Draco's jaw clenched, and he too looked towards his housemates.

"I wouldn't want to soil my reputation by brawling with the lower classes."

Harry laughed.

"That's probably the smartest thing you've ever said."

"You'll get yours, Potter!" Draco vowed.

"That's some tough words from someone who can't even go to the bathroom without two others," Katie interjected. "Does one wipe and the other shake for you?"

Harry snorted amusedly.

"Is there a problem here?"

"This has nothing to do with you, Diggory!" Malfoy snapped irritably. "My father will hear of this!"

"Good," Harry said darkly as he took a step towards the blond. "Tell him everything, Draco, but there's something you should remember. Your father won't always be around to protect you, I can promise you that."

"Are you threatening my father?"

"You know, I might be," Harry replied. "Tell him what I said. Your father is nothing but a snivelling coward who only attacks those who can't fight back and does it hiding under a mask. What a fucking pathetic excuse of a man he is and you'll be much worse. Not that I see you living as long. At least your father has a semblance of intelligence about him. You're a certifiable idiot with a naïve sense of how powerful and important you are."

By the time Harry had finished speaking, he was almost nose to nose with Malfoy and the altercation had drawn more attention than he would like.

"Come on, Harry, Malfoy isn't worth it," Cedric urged.

"You're right, he isn't," Harry agreed as he took a step back. "Goodbye, Dragon."

Harry glared at the boy and the others that had accompanied him until Draco turned and stormed off.

"What was that all about?" Katie asked.

"Nothing important," Harry sighed. "Come on, let's not let him ruin the rest of the evening. Cedric is right. Malfoy isn't worth it."

Katie nodded and she shared a look with the Hufflepuff Seeker.

It was clear that Cedric wished to say something, but much to Harry's relief, he chose not to.

With how turbulent his life had been recently; he had set aside this one night so that he could forget all that had happened and all that was to come.

The dance he had so dreaded had gone better than he could have imagined, and the company proved to be more than he could ask for.

"Drink?" Harry chuckled.

Katie shook her head and held up the bottle she had yet to take a sip from.

"I would quite like to ram this up Malfoy's…"

"That is rather unpleasant language from a lady," Harry broke in with a grin.

"I'm afraid I'm not much of a lady most of the time," Katie said with mirth. "Come on, you can dance with me again if you like."

"Do you want to dance again?"

Katie nodded and took him by the arm.

No, Harry wouldn't let Malfoy ruin this, even if he deserved more than a few harsh truths.

He would get what was coming to him eventually. Of that, Harry had no doubt, though not before his father.

Not a day passed by that Harry did not relive what Lucius had done, and when the time was right, the man would suffer dearly for it.

As would the others who had partaken in the ambush.