Authors Note: If you notice any changes made to Christmas and the Yule Ball, I have made slight edits to go along with my story.
Chapter 16: Memories and Dances
A few days had passed and it was Christmas Eve, the day of the Yule Ball. All students had the day off while the school was decorated. Ron, who was always lively at Christmas, woke Harry up.
"Harry, it's Christmas Eve, I'll be going home to get my presents tomorrow!"
Harry eased slowly up from his bed. "Good for you," he mumbled, in the middle of a yawn.
"You can come and stay with us at The Burrow if you like? I know Lupin doesn't have Grimmauld Place ready yet."
"I'm fine Ron, besides I can do some extra studying," answered Harry. Just then Hermione walked in. "I didn't say what."
Harry added, grinning at Ron.
"Didn't say what?" asked Hermione curiously.
"Oh...I..." Harry started.
"We were just discussing Christmas Presents," Ron added. "Speaking of which, I'll have to leave your presents here for you."
"That's fine," said Harry coolly.
"And I'll take mine with me," said Hermione joyfully.
"Yeah.... what?" asked Harry, in shock.
"I'm going to stay with a friend."
"Oh...yeah...cool," answered Harry, who suddenly felt like finding the highest part of the castle and jumping from it.
"That got you worried didn't it," taunted Hermione. Harry smiled up at her.
"Well Miss Granger, I shall have to teach you a lesson won't I ?" Harry answered, putting his arms around her waist.
"Ok, get a room!" Ron stated, standing up. "Now Hermione, if you don't mind this is the BOYS dormitory, and we need to get dressed."
"Ok, ok, I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast. By the way, have you looked outside? It's snowing! I love snow!" she announced.
Hermione then left the room quickly.
"Well, she seems happy," said Harry.
*
After a heavy breakfast, some sudden thoughts filled Harry's mind. He had just remembered that he still hadn't told Hermione about his dream and his Quidditch ban.
"So, let's go outside, I feel like a snow fight." Ron said.
"Actually, I'll catch up," said Harry. He then grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her close to him.
"Harry, not here, we're in the Great Hall remember," mumbled Hermione.
"No, I need to talk to you." Hermione looked up at him, her eyes full of concern.
"What is it?" she asked softly.
"Let's go to the common room, it should be empty."
When they arrived at the common room, Harry sat Hermione down next to him.
"Hermione, the other day when we had fallen out. A couple of things happened. First of all, we lost the Quidditch match, because I got disqualified."
"What! Why?" Hermione shouted.
"I elbowed Malfoy in the face," he said quickly.
"That doesn't sound like you," answered Hermione, surprisingly coolly.
"I know, I think it was just with everything that's happened this year, and what had happened between us, I just had to let out my aggression on somebody. I'm sorry if I disappointed you."
Hermione lifted Harry's head up to face her. "Harry, you would never disappoint me. You're a wonderful person, and a great frie…boyfriend."
"Thanks. But that's just the start." He then proceeded to tell her about his dream with the Phoenix and the door.
"What do you think it means? Do you think it was a dream or a vision?" asked Hermione.
"I don't know. I've never seen anything like that before, so I don't think it can be real."
"You've also not been everywhere in the world Harry. So for all you know, it could be real. So if there anything else?"
"No," answered Harry quietly. Hermione got up to leave, but Harry's voice pulled her to a halt.
"Wait! There is something else." Hermione sat back down next to him. "Hermione, I know it sounds strange but, would you like to open my Christmas present to you."
"Aren't we going to open them with Ron before he leaves tomorrow?" asked Hermione.
"I know, I just thought you might like to open this one while we're alone. I'm not sure how you'll react." Harry replied gently.
"Ok, I will," she answered. Harry ran up to his bedroom, and Hermione awkwardly followed him. She stopped nervously at the door and watched on. She felt her heart skip a beat as she watched him bed down under his bed. She stopped quickly when he turned to face her.
"You can come in you know, I don't bite," he said playfully. She walked in and sat down on the edge of his bed. He sat down in the middle of the bed and turned her to face him. He put his hand on top of hers and placed a small black box in front of her. "Open it," he said.
Hermione slowly flipped open the leather box and discovered a gold necklace and some sort of broach gleaming at her. She first pulled out the necklace and held it up in front of her with her finger and thumb. "Oh Harry this is beautiful. But it must have cost you a fortune!"
"What's cost when you're in love?" he answered confidently. She smiled at him, and then removed the broach from the box.
"This is lovely," she said, a little in awe of the decoration on the outside.
"Take a look inside." Harry replied softly. She looked down at the broach in her hands and slowly opened it up revealing a picture of her parents. Harry tightened his grip on her arm. "I had Professor Lupin track it down, it appears that every family with a witch or wizard has one of these made. It's of you and your parents at Christmas, do you like it?" She didn't say anything for a while and Harry noticed a couple of tears run down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
"No, it's not your fault Harry," she croaked out. "It's just that the day before my parents died, they said that when I came back this Christmas we were going to have a really traditional Christmas, which is what I've always wanted." She began to cry more and more as the words came out, and the memories returned. Harry even felt tears in his own eyes. "They told me that they would pick me up from the train station, and take me home. They told me that my presents would be waiting under the tree, and now none of that's ever going to happen again." Her tears now streamed out of her eyes, and Harry pulled her into his arms. He wanted to hold her, to kiss away her pain, just like a few days ago in the Whomping Willow. But he didn't think that she needed that right now. She just needed to be held and protected.
About half an hour passed before either of them spoke. "Well there are a couple of things today that you have to look forward too," said Harry.
"What's that," asked Hermione, snuffling.
"Snow, and the Yule Ball."
"Thanks Harry," replied Hermione, a slight smile developing on her lips. She then kissed him gently on the lips. The kiss deepened slightly and Harry suddenly started to wonder what she did need at the moment. They fell backwards on Harry's bed and continued to kiss when Ron walked in. They quickly jumped apart and blushed badly.
"Where have you two been?" asked Ron, looking ill.
"Sorry, we got a little side tracked," said Hermione.
"I bet you did," answered Ron.
"Not like that, we had things to talk about." Harry added.
*
Later that evening, Harry and Ron were finishing getting ready for the Yule Ball and were making their way to the girl's dormitory. Harry knocked on the door. Hermione opened it and his mouth fell open slightly. She was wearing the beautiful red dress from when they were in Hogsmeade, and although he had seen it before it still took his breath slightly.
"You look wonderful Hermione," Harry said, beaming.
"Thanks, Ron who is your date anyway?" asked Hermione.
"Here she comes." Ron pointed to the average height, long ginger haired girl coming up the staircase behind them. They all knew her as the Hufflepuff Susan Bones. She was wearing a dress similar to Hermione's only hers was green. "Guys, this is Susan Bones." They all introduced themselves and then made their way to the hall.
They took their seats in the hall and listened to Dumbledore's speech. "Welcome to the Yule Ball. I must say that you all look marvellous, as does the school's decorations. Tonight will start off with a Christmas feast. Then you may dance and talk as much as you like until midnight when the dance is over. I hope you all enjoy tonight, and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas."
A moment later bowls full of food appeared in front of the students and they piled their plates up with food. Once they had finished their meal they walked out onto the dance floor and a slow song started to play. Harry put one hand around Hermione's waist and the other in her hand.
"Well, we certainly didn't have Susan on our list did we?" asked Harry.
"No, I completely forgot about Susan. But I'm glad Ron found somebody, I just hope it works out for him."
"Yeah me too. Are you ok now?" asked Harry softly.
"Yeah, I just needed that cry earlier. I thing it was a good thing in a way. It always makes you feel better to get it out of your system." Hermione answered.
Harry was just leaning in to kiss her when the music cut off. "I am sorry to cut off the music, but I must ask you all to get under the tables and to not make any sudden movements and keep as quiet as possible." Dumbledore announced. Although the students were in utter shock and panic, they obeyed their Headmaster and did as they were told.
"I wonder that's going on?" whispered Hermione, as they got under the table next to Ron and Susan.
"I don't know bu-" Harry trailed off as he felt a cold chill run through his body. He felt like he was suffocating from the cold air, as though he was going to pass out immediately.
"Harry what is it?" Hermione asked in concern, grabbing his hand.
"De-de-mentors." Harry mumbled out.
"Harry, stay awake! Think of something happy, block them out. You can fight them!" Hermione encouraged.
Harry felt cold overtaking him, and then he suddenly thought of kissing Hermione for the first time, he felt strength within him and he sat up straight, as he kept the happy thought inside him.
"I'm ok, I think I'm fighting it," he stated. "What are they doing here?"
"I don't know, but this is one way to start a relationship!" cried Ron.