A/N: You have no idea how excited I am - It won't be long now!
Chapter 10: Elves, Lessons and Teasing.
Harry made his way into the Great Hall with Hermione by his side. They had woken up early and decided to head down to breakfast before getting ready for classes.
They sat down at their normal seats and to their surprise; three owls came with some mail. A brown owl dropped a newspaper in front of Hermione after she had paid for it. Hedwig and Cassie, Mia's owl, dropped a couple of letters in front of Harry. He scanned the envelope quickly and placed them next to his plate just as Mia made her way into the Great Hall.
Mia grinned when she saw them and moved over to take her seat across from Harry She scanned through the letters and opened her own while she filled her plate.
Harry just started tucking into his meal when he heard an annoyed gasp come from Hermione.
"What!?" Hermione demanded with her eyebrows high in shock.
"What is it?" Harry asked as he looked over her shoulder. He arched an eyebrow as he read and said, "I didn't know that we were together and you are cheating on me."
"What did you say?" Mia demanded as she looked her best friend and brother. Hermione turned the paper around so that Mia could see the headlines.
'Boy-Who-Lived's Secret Heartache' It had a picture of Harry to one side and a picture of Krum on the other with Hermione in the middle.
Since the first task, Rita had been spreading news that Harry and Hermione were having a secret romance and was trying to make a big deal out of it, but now that Harry had said something to annoy Rita apparently she had decided to spread this new lie.
"So - you're dating Harry and cheating on him with Krum?" Mia asked in amusement as she scanned the paper. She grabbed it and bunched it up before throwing it over her shoulder. Unfortunately for her, it hit Snape in the face as he was walking by.
"Miss Black!" Snape snapped, causing Mia to spin around in her seat while Harry and Hermione ducked their heads down in an attempt to stifle their snickers at watching the ball of paper hit Snape's face.
"Yes?" Mia asked, curious as to what had angered the potions teacher now.
"Thirty points for littering and for attacking a teacher!" Snape snapped at her. Mia's eyebrows shot up.
"Attacking a teacher?" Mia parroted. "When did I attack a teacher?"
"When you threw that bunched up paper over your shoulder and hit me," Snape informed her with a glare. "Any more questions and I will issue detentions." With that, he stalked off, leaving a confused Mia behind and an amused Harry and Hermione.
"What just happened?" Mia demanded and Harry grinned.
"You hit Snape on the face with the balled up newspaper," Harry informed her and Mia just gaped at him.
"You are kidding, right?" Mia asked but got a headshake from the other two. She suddenly burst out laughing, attracting attention from the students that were having their breakfast and a glower from Snape - which she missed.
Harry and Hermione just laughed with her as Ron showed up, curious about what he had missed.
"What happened?" Ron asked as he sat down next to Mia only to result in more laughter. "What?"
Harry and Hermione made their way out of the Great Hall a short time after that, still chuckling over events when Harry remembered something.
"Oh - we need to get to the kitchens," Harry told Hermione, who just arched an eyebrow at that unexpected pronouncement.
"Kitchens?" Hermione asked and Harry nodded as he took Hermione's hand and led her down the corridor. When he came to a stop in front of a fruit bowl painting, Harry looked around before reaching up and tickling the pear.
Hermione couldn't help the soft grin that appeared on her face when she heard the pear giggle as the wall swung open and revealed a passage. Harry took Hermione's hand once more and headed down the stairs as the wall slid back into place behind them. When he reached the bottom, Harry knocked on that door before opening it.
To Hermione's amazement, the kitchen was full of house elves, bustling around to get food ready for lunch.
"Harry?" she turned to face him and Harry grinned.
"You can ask the elves any questions about their work - find out how they are bonded and what background they have and all that," Harry explained. Hermione's face just brightened with excitement and happiness before she kissed his cheek and gave him a hard hug. She hurried over to the elves, startling them with her eagerness and her questions.
Harry grinned as he watched her before he left the kitchens, leaving Hermione alone with the elves and her questions.
Later Harry made his way over to his transfiguration class and entered it only to arch an eyebrow when he saw that the room had been rearranged.
The tables had been pushed to the back and there were chairs on the left and right sides of the room. He could see that a majority of the girls were on the right side while most of the boys sat on the left.
Harry just frowned slightly before he moved forward towards Ron. McGonagall entered the room with Filch hurrying after her and he moved over to the phonograph that was sitting on a table.
"Boys and girls," McGonagall greeted. "I need inform you that there is a Yule ball coming up during Christmas so you all need to learn how to…dance! Our champions will start the dance," with a nod towards Harry, "and then those of 4th year and above will be able to join in." Harry and Ron shared a look of horror before Ron groaned.
"Yule Ball," Ron lamented but Harry just balked silently at the idea of being singled out as a champion to start the Ball.
"It's alright for you - I have to dance with the other champions in order to start the Ball!" Harry complained. Ron winced in sympathy before they turned back to the front and looked at their teacher.
"Dancing lessons?" Mia asked with an arched eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because you all are representing Hogwarts," McGonagall explained. Mia gave a soft sigh and a shake of her head.
"Figures," she muttered and Hermione grinned at her before she turned back to the front.
"Now, I'll need someone to come up here," McGonagall told them before she looked around and her eyes landed on Ron. "Mr. Weasley?" Ron just looked at her with horror and fear in his blue eyes.
"What?" Ron demanded but McGonagall wasn't in the mood to repeat herself as she waved her hand.
"Up here Mr Weasley," she scolded him and Ron grudgingly got up and moved to the clear area by McGonagall while the boys just snickered in amusement. "Okay. Now, place a hand up here," McGonagall took one of Ron's hands and placed it in the air before she placed her hand in it. "And place your other hand on my waist." She went to draw Ron's hand on it but Ron yanked it away.
"What?" Ron asked in panic and she sighed impatiently. The boys stifled more snickers.
"Hand on my waist Mr. Weasley," she informed him as she drew the hand firmly to her waist. She placed her other hand on Ron's shoulder before she looked at Filch and nodded her head. Filch switched on the music as she turned back to face Ron. "Okay, on my count."
McGonagall moved to the music with Ron following her. He looked down at their feet only to get a sharp "Keep your head up!" from her. Ron snapped his head up as they both continued to move to the music.
Once McGonagall was satisfied with the movement, she pulled away from Ron and allowed him to move back to his seat before she looked around the classroom.
"So, who's first?" McGonagall asked. The girls just looked at the boys while the boys just looked at either the ceiling of the floor, not once making eye contact. Harry rolled his eyes and took action.
Harry got up off his seat and moved over to Hermione and held out his hand. Hermione grinned as she slipped her hand into his and they both moved to the middle of the floor.
McGonagall smiled to herself as she moved over to Filch and nodded. Filch again put the music on before they repeated the steps that McGonagall and Ron had practised.
Ron made his way over to Mia and they both took up the dance, again following the steps that McGonagall had taught them. Soon everyone was joining in on the dance floor as they practised for the Ball.
When class was over, Hermione made her way over to the library while Ron headed down to the Great Hall to get some food. Mia looked at Harry and saw that he was staring after Hermione before she rolled her eyes and nudged him, drawing his attention to her.
"Go and ask her to the Ball before someone else does," Mia informed him before she turned on her heels and walked away. Harry thought about it then hurried off in the same direction that Hermione had gone.
Harry made his way into the library before he looked around and sensed that Hermione was in the back near her usual spot. He made his way over and found her standing next to a bookcase scanning for books to help her with her research.
"Hermione…" Harry started but stopped when Hermione looked at him. He fought the butterflies that had started to pound his stomach.
"Yes?" Hermione asked. Harry fidgeted with his fingers for a short moment before he finally decided to take the plunge.
"Will you go to the Ball with me?" Harry asked and held his breath. The ball, he thought wryly, was now in Hermione's court.
Hermione stared at him for a long moment - they both knew that Hermione's answer would make or break them. Hermione gave a soft smile as she easily decided her answer.
"Yes, I will go to the Ball with you," She told him. Harry let go of the breath that he had been holding on and smiled brightly.
"Great!" Harry told her and Hermione smiled brightly too, both of them excited about the upcoming event. "I'll meet you outside the Great Hall?" Hermione nodded.
"Okay," Hermione agreed. Harry leaned in and kissed her cheek before he left the library with Hermione staring after him with a soft dazed smile.
Neither of them noticed Viktor Krum frowning darkly from behind the bookcase that he was hiding behind. He had planned to ask Hermione but Harry had gotten there first. Viktor frowned again before he made his way out of the library altogether, annoyed with the setback and made his way out of the castle altogether.
Hermione jerked herself back to reality and found the book that she had been looking for. She picked it up and hugged it close to her chest with a dreamy smile on her face as she moved over to her table, humming a soft tune under her breath only to be startled when she bumped into someone.
She looked up and saw that she had bumped into a blonde girl who was brushing her hair out of her blue eyes. She looked up at Hermione and gave her a soft smile.
"Oh, sorry," Hermione apologised but the girl shook her head.
"It's okay Hermione," the girl waved it off and Hermione arched an eyebrow at the mention of her name before she narrowed them.
"You know me…but…"
"Luna Lovegood - I'm a tentative friend of Ginny's - we're in the same year together and I'm in Ravenclaw," Luna explained and Hermione smiled softly.
"It's nice to meet you," Hermione told her and Luna smiled softly back.
"Same to you but I'm afraid I have to go - watch out for the small elves that may be hanging around - they like to steal something precious to you," Luna explained before she walked off, humming under her breath. Hermione just stared at the girl in bewilderment before she shook her head and walked back to her table.
**************
When Mia made her way into the girl's dormitory later that night only to arch an eyebrow when she heard humming from her best friend, who was standing on one side of the bed and brushing her hair.
"What are you humming about?" Mia asked as she moved closer to her bed.
Hermione just gave her a soft and secret smile before she turned back to her nightly ritual. Mia frowned in amusement as she racked her brain before something hit her. Mia's eyes widen as she hurried over to the bed.
She jumped up onto the bed, kneeling down before Hermione and grabbing her upper arms. "Harry asked you to the Ball!"
Hermione looked at her best friend, shocked that Mia had figured it out.
"How did you know?" Hermione demanded. Mia just grinned.
"Only reason you would be humming!" Mia told her, happiness and excitement bubbling inside of her. "You two are finally together!"
"Whoa!" Hermione exclaimed, cutting Mia off before she got ahead of herself. "Harry just asked me to the ball - nothing about getting together."
Mia just waved her hand, dismissing it.
"You two are driving me insane!" Mia exclaimed as she let go of Hermione's arms and clutched her own hair. "Harry asked you to the ball - the same girl he has been crushing on since first year and tried to kiss since then. You accepted his invitation to the ball - the same boy you've been crushing on since first year and tried to kiss since then too!"
Hermione opened her mouth to dismiss it but no answers came to her mind, leaving her speechless. "See?" Mia asked, pleased that she had proven her point.
"How do you know that Harry thinks of this as a date?" Hermione challenged but got a sharp look in return.
"I live with the boy," Mia reminded her dryly. Hermione stifled a giggle. "Trust me when I say that this is date to Harry."
"Oh," Hermione uttered as the full ramifications hit her and she slumped down on the bed. Mia shifted herself so she was sitting next to her with her legs hanging over the side.
"I don't get why you are so worried - you and Harry have been like this since first year," Mia told her and Hermione sighed.
"Exactly - so how do we know it's not just a childhood dream we are fulfilling?" Hermione asked. Mia looked at her best friend before grinning.
"Because it won't work out that way," Mia told her and Hermione looked at her. "Look - you and Harry have been through a lot together in the past three or so years. And your feelings have done nothing but gotten stronger - that tells me that it's something special between the two of you and that it's something real."
Hermione just gave her a soft smile, thanking her for her words.
*************
Ron was restless. He was lying in bed wide awake, shifting. He finally gave up and swung his legs over the side of the bed to look at his best friend.
Harry had been different when he had come back from the library and it was making Ron antsy. He knew that Hermione had been in the library and Harry had come back with a big smile on his face, whistling.
"Well?" Ron asked as he leaned over. Harry look at him from where he was lying on his bed with his arms pillowing his head.
"Well what?" Harry asked and Ron rolled his eyes.
"Did you ask Hermione to the ball or not?" Ron asked. Harry just gave him a secret grin before he turned back to the ceiling, leaving Ron frustrated. "Harry!" Harry laughed as he turned back to face his friend.
"I asked her to the ball with me and she said…" Ron leaned forward, eager to find out what Hermione's answer was. "Yes."
"YES!" Ron whooped as he thrust his arms into the air in celebration. Harry and Hermione could finally step out of the safe box they had locked themselves into and move on with their relationship.
Harry just grinned as he watched his friend's joyous celebration while he turned back to face the ceiling. The ball was going to be a landmark event as they had their first date.
Meanwhile Hermione and Mia were lying side by side on Hermione's bed as they both stared up at the ceiling.
"What is going on with you and Cedric?" Hermione asked and Mia glanced at her before rolling her eyes.
"Nothing," Mia told her. Hermione arched an eyebrow and Mia grinned. "Trust me - all we are is flirting partners - he's already asked Cho Chang out to the ball."
"Oh - the Ravenclaw girl that plays Seeker?" Hermione asked and Mia nodded. "I thought he would have asked you." Mia shook her head.
"Please - I just want a little fun 'Mione... I'm not really in the mood for a relationship until we're all out of danger," Mia told her. Hermione sighed as she moved her hand and linked it with Mia's.
"Mia - you can't deny yourself happiness because you are worried about Harry or the rest of us - you need to experience happiness if we want to win this war," Hermione told her but Mia shrugged. "What about Hunter?"
Mia shot her a sharp look - telling Hermione that she wasn't happy with the track that Hermione had taken.
"What about Hunter?" Mia asked cautiously and Hermione looked at her.
"You like him - you try and deny it but you like him," Hermione told her and Mia sighed as she went back to staring at the ceiling. "That speech that you gave at the beginning of the term tells me that you are attracted to him."
"Hermione - how many times do I have to tell you…?" Mia started but Hermione cut her off.
"Yeah, I know - you don't want to date a bad boy because they only want one thing. But how do you know that Hunter is a bad boy? You don't even know him," Hermione reminded as she eyed her best friend. "Or have you truly found that out about him?" Mia sighed.
"I remember him from the party that we went to over the summer - he was the one that I was flirting with then he took another girl up the stairs?" Mia reminded and Hermione scrunched her nose.
"Are you sure? I thought it was a red haired male who took her up," Hermione told her. Mia rolled her eyes.
"They both took her up," Mia reminded her and it suddenly hit Hermione. Her eyes widened in shock as she recalled what had happened next.
"Great - and she claimed that she had the best night of her life," Hermione remembered and Mia nodded.
"He came right up to me after that and flirted with me again," Mia admitted and Hermione grimaced.
"Ah," Hermione caught on before she sighed and shook her head, wanting the change the conversation. "So, who are you going to the ball with?"
"No one," Mia told her and Hermione grinned.
"Solo gal - I think the school just might have a heart attack," Hermione told her and Mia grinned.
"What can I say? I live to shock others," Mia told her, causing the two of them to burst into laughter.
TBC
Sorry that it was short - next one is longer because of certain events that I'm sure you will be happy with.