A/N Sixth year February 14th, the day after chapter 3…
It was now an hour before the start of the St Valentines day ball. Harry and Hermione were once again in the Room of Requirement. It looked very different than it had a day ago. Harry had requested permission from Professor Dumbledore to have none other than Madam Malkin create their dress robes for this ball. She had been here three times in the last two weeks, first getting their measurements and ideas from them, then for a trial fitting, and finally today. Neither of them had left the Room of Requirement today, Dobby had brought them lunch. This was the first time Harry had ever exploited his fortune and fame, and he was doing it all to make sure Hermione had a wonderful time at the ball tonight. He had allowed Hermione to plan everything out with Madam Malkin, confident in her judgment. Since their final fitting just after lunch they had practiced dancing so Harry would feel comfortable tonight. Dobby had once again proved himself invaluable, providing a recording of the music to be played tonight. Fortunately for Harry, Hermione was once again a wealth of information on just how to dance at a ball.
Dobby suddenly appeared with three witches. It was time for Hermione to have her hair, face, and nails done, another luxury he was lavishing on her. Harry bowed gracefully to answer her courtesy. "I shall breathlessly await thy return to the floor Milady."
"I shall return in a nonce Milord." She walked briskly to where the witches waited behind a curtain across the room.
Being dressed so formally they had assumed their role-playing personas for tonight. He watched until she disappeared then started going over the dances in his head again, he did not want to embarrass her in any way tonight.
He was not sure how much time had passed but it was sure it was not very long. Suddenly the curtain vanished and Hermione stood alone in a bright patch of light. He walked quickly to her and knelt, she had been beautiful at the Yule ball, now she simply took his breath away. He struggled for a moment while she looked down at him serenely, then she spun around once. He managed a breathless "wow" as he took her hands. Hermione had never been one to wear makeup and truthfully she didn't need it. The beauty witches had obviously realized that, her hair had once again been straightened and curled into an elaborately woven hairdo. Though elegant it seemed to fit her perfectly, it framed her face, but didn't draw attention from it. There was only a hint of blush on her cheeks; her nails wore clear polish, just to emphasize their natural beauty.
He finally found his voice. "You're breath-taking Mione. I have always found you beautiful but this is amazing."
She blushed furiously at his compliments. She asked innocently, "Do you really think so Harry?"
"Hermione, I would never lie to you, surely you know that."
"I do, it's just hard to hear I guess. I don't, well I never used to get those kinds of compliments. Thanks Harry."
"You are most welcome my love. Are you now prepared to attend the ball with plain old me?"
She slipped back into their lordly speak. "Milord is never plain; I am thus prepared good sir to attend the ball."
He stood and held out his left arm for her. "Then let us proceed fair maiden, the common folk await our presence."
She stifled a giggle as she placed her right arm on top of his, formally accepting his invitation to accompany her. Dobby appeared at the door, dressed in red and gold livery, Madam Malkin had made him suitable attire to fit their theme. He opened the door for them and removed his hat as he bowed while they passed. He replaced his hat and followed them briskly. His knee high black boots shone brightly, clicking in time to their pace. Harry seemed to exude the presence of a king escorting his queen. They passed many first through third year students; this ball was for fourth year students and above, dates required. Everyone that they passed stepped quickly out of their way, stunned, quiet conversation quickly followed behind them.
They reached the main doors to the great hall just as everyone had finished assembling. Professor Dumbledore was just standing to address them when Dobby's voice rang out for all to hear. "Milord Harry James Potter escorting the Lady Hermione Anne Granger" they were framed perfectly in the doorway. Dobby stepped quickly to the side, once again removing his hat and bowing as they passed him. He once again restored his hat and followed them after they passed.
The hall was completely silent as they walked up to the dance floor where they stopped. Harry then spoke, addressing Professor Dumbledore directly from across the dance floor. "May we have the honor of opening this Ball noble sir?"
Albus Dumbledore had seen much in his one hundred and fifty years of life. He had certainly never seen what was before him however. Straight out of legend had walked none other than Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw. The resemblances to the portraits which hung all over Hogwarts was astonishing. They were both dressed in red and gold, Godric's sword hung prominently on Harry's belt. Rowena's bejeweled circlet was upon Hermione's brow. He quickly masked his astonishment to pronounce most gravely. To the further astonishment of those present he answered. "You may Milord." He gestured towards the floor and swiftly sat.
Dobby stepped to their side and snapped his fingers. The lights dimmed, except for over Harry and Hermione, and an elegant waltz began playing. They immediately slid out onto the dance floor, moving together perfectly. The entire hall was spellbound by their performance; they danced alone under the spotlight.
Unnoticed by all but Albus Dumbledore, several other house-elf volunteers' froze in place anyone who tried to interrupt. When the first dance was over, Harry knelt before Hermione kissing the back of her hands. The assembled students that could still move all applauded and cheered loudly. Several girls swooned at the sight and had to be caught by their dates.
Several amazing hours later they once again were slowly walking around the lake. Dobby still followed them, ready for any request. They had amazed everyone, themselves included. "Harry, this will probably be in the next revision of Hogwarts: A History you know. That was absolutely amazing; I still can't believe you pulled it off."
"Me? We my dear, I could never have done it without you, oh and Dobby. Wonderful work tonight, I will be sure and give you a bonus, this is well over what I agreed to pay you earlier."
Dobby blushed furiously. "Thank you Harry Potter Sir."
They were almost all the way around the lake now. "Well you certainly know how to sweep a girl off her feet then."
"Not any girl Mione, My Girl. I only understand one girl, you. You seem to have forgotten that it was your idea for us to dress as Godric and Rowena."
Now it was Hermione blushing, "Well, yes I did come up with that but without Madame Malkin or the beauty witches, we couldn't have pulled it off."
"Ok, I will take the credit for that, now are we done complimenting each other?"
From out of the shadows beside them stepped five figures in Slytherin dress robes. Draco in the lead, "Yes, please I was getting rather sick of it." He snarled, "Now what are you going to do Scarhead?"
Hermione gripped Harry's arm tightly, he knew she had her wand out though. Harry stood there nonchalantly and crossed his arms. He grinned at Draco for a moment. "Me? Nothing, Dobby has those duties tonight."
Suddenly all five Slytherins were upended; as though a troll had grabbed each of them by their ankles. They all slowly drifted out over the lake, screaming their protests into the unheeding night.
Once again Dobby's voice rang out. "You will not harm Harry Potter!" The Slytherins were about two hundred meters out, a bit past where it gets really deep. Suddenly their cries were cut off as they all plunged head first into the chilling waters of the lake. Dobby turned back to Harry and Hermione, tapping the side of his mouth in thought. "Did you hear Malfoy ask to be let go? I am sure I did."
Hermione let out a laugh "Oh Dobby, thank you."
"Most welcome Misses Hermione."
"Shall we proceed to our place of lodging Milady? Those scoundrels will surely swim ashore shortly."
Taking the offered hand she answered. "Of course Milord, take me whither thou wilst, I go with thee with gladness in mine heart."
Once again assuming their role-playing persona's they walked majestically back towards the brightly lit main doors.