Chapter 246: Chapter 246: "The Yule Ball"
As Fleur descended the stairs, the hushed silence in the entrance hall gave way to a wave of whispers and gasps. All eyes darted between her and Harry, realization dawning that they were each other's date for the ball.
Harry, momentarily stunned by Fleur's ethereal beauty, quickly regained his composure. He stepped forward, a smile playing on his lips, his hand reaching into his pocket.
"You look absolutely breathtaking," he said softly, loud enough only for her to hear. Then, with a flourish that would have made Sirius proud, he produced a small, exquisitely crafted silver bracelet.
"A token of appreciation for my beautiful date," Harry said, his voice warm with affection.
Fleur's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Oh, 'Arry," she breathed, extending her wrist. "It's beautiful. Merci beaucoup."
As Harry fastened the bracelet around her wrist, their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them faded away. Fleur's eyes sparkled as she took his arm.
As they turned to face the crowd, Harry caught sight of his friends' reactions. Cedric's jaw had dropped, Roger was grinning from ear to ear, and Reggy looked like he might faint from excitement. The girls around them were a mix of surprise, admiration, and in some cases, poorly concealed jealousy.
Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the chatter. "Champions, over here please!" She was ushering the tournament champions and their partners to one side. They were to enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students had sat down.
Harry and Fleur joined the other champions and their dates. Viktor Krum was accompanied by a beaming Hermione Granger. Charles Potter, the fourth champion, was partnered with Ginny Weasley. Both looked nervous but excited.
Harry and Fleur's pairing reduced the number of champion pairs from four to three. The unexpected coupling between the two school champions elicited varied reactions from the professors. A Beauxbatons professor's eyebrows had practically disappeared into her hairline, while Professor Sprout was whispering furiously to Professor Flitwick, who looked both surprised and oddly proud.
Professor McGonagall approached Harry and Fleur, her lips pursed in a way that Harry had learned could mean either disapproval or suppressed amusement. "Mr. Potter, Miss Delacour," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "This is... unexpected. I was expecting four pairs for the opening act."
Harry, feeling mischievous, replied with a straight face, "Just doing our part for international magical cooperation, Professor. Isn't that what the tournament is all about?"
McGonagall's eyes narrowed slightly, but Harry could swear he saw the corner of her mouth twitch. "Indeed, Mr. Potter. Though I doubt this is quite what the Ministry had in mind when they spoke of fostering inter-school relationships."
Fleur, catching on to the play, added with a demure smile, "But surely, Professor, zis is ze best way to bridge ze gap between our schools, non?"
For a moment, McGonagall looked like she was fighting back a laugh. Finally, she shook her head, a small smile breaking through her stern demeanor. "Very well. I suppose we can't fault your commitment to the spirit of the tournament. Just... do try to keep the 'international cooperation' to a respectable level, if you please."
As McGonagall moved away to organize the procession, Harry could have sworn he heard her mutter, "Albus is going to love this," under her breath.
Once everyone else was settled in the Hall, Professor McGonagall instructed the champions and their partners to get in line in pairs and follow her. As they entered the Great Hall, applause erupted, and they began walking toward a large round table at the top of the Hall where the judges were sitting.
The Great Hall's transformation momentarily dazzled both Harry and Fleur. Sparkling silver frost covered the walls, with garlands of mistletoe and ivy crisscrossing the starry black ceiling. The house tables had vanished, replaced by smaller, lantern-lit ones seating about a dozen people each. The overall effect was nothing short of magical, and Fleur's impression of Hogwarts visibly improved.
Dumbledore smiled happily as the champions approached the top table, his eyes twinkling with undisguised amusement, though even he seemed a little caught off-guard by the odd pairing. Karkaroff wore an expression of intense dislike as he watched Krum and Hermione draw nearer. Madam Maxime looked shocked, unsure how to react to Fleur's choice of partner. Ludo Bagman, resplendent in robes of bright purple with large yellow stars, was clapping enthusiastically, clearly there just to have fun.
As they took their seats, Harry couldn't help but notice the varying reactions around the hall. Some girls were looking at Fleur with undisguised envy, while many boys seemed to be in a state of shock, their eyes darting between Harry and Fleur as if trying to solve a particularly complex puzzle.
The dinner passed in a blur. With the other champion pairs including Hermione and Charles, Harry mostly conversed with Fleur and occasionally with Krum. Fleur, however, was having a delightful time teasing the younger ones, enjoying their blushes at her simplest compliments.
Meanwhile, Harry found himself relaxing. He noticed the disguised Crouch was present, still drinking from his flask at intervals. Despite his apprehensions about Crouch and Voldemort's plans, Harry paid no thought to him. He had decided to focus on making this night memorable.
When all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls leaving the floor clear, and then he conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall. A set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were set upon it.
The Weird Sisters, a popular wizarding band, trooped up onto the stage to enthusiastic applause. They picked up their instruments, and as the lights in the hall dimmed, Harry knew it was time for the opening dance.
"Ready?" he asked Fleur, standing and offering his hand, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through him.
Fleur took it, her smile radiant, the bracelet on her wrist catching the light. "Yes. Let's show everyone the results of our practice."
The champions and their partners made their way onto the brightly lit dance floor. The Weird Sisters struck up a slow, melodious tune, and Harry placed his hand on Fleur's waist, taking her other hand in his.
As they began to move to the music, all of Harry's practice with Fleur came flooding back. His steps were sure, his movements fluid. He guided Fleur across the dance floor with a grace that surprised even himself.
"You've been holding out on me, 'Arry," Fleur murmured, her eyes twinkling. "I think you might be a natural after all."
Harry grinned, spinning her gently. "I had an excellent teacher. Though I must admit, it's much easier without worrying about stepping on your toes in private lessons."
As they twirled and glided, Harry became aware that many people were watching them. But for once, he didn't mind the attention. In that moment, with Fleur in his arms and the music swelling around them, everything else faded away. The tournament, the challenges ahead, even the ever-present threat of dark forces – all of it seemed distant and unimportant.
Other couples soon joined them on the dance floor, but Harry and Fleur remained lost in their own world, moving together as if they'd been dancing all their lives. As the song came to an end, they slowly came to a stop, still holding each other close.
The hall burst into applause, and Harry suddenly remembered where they were. He and Fleur shared a smile, both a little flushed from the dance and the emotion of the moment.
As they made their way off the dance floor, Harry caught sight of Sirius, who had somehow managed to be present as a chaperone. His godfather gave him a thumbs up and a wink, mouthing "That's my boy!"
The night was young, and Harry Potter, for once, was looking forward to every moment of it. As he led Fleur around the hall, her hand warm in his, he realized that this joy, this laughter, this simple pleasure of a dance – this was what he was fighting for. In that moment, Harry felt more determined than ever to ensure that nights like this would always be possible in the wizarding world.
Chapter 247: Chapter 247: "Waltzing Through Secrets"
As the final notes of the opening dance faded, the Great Hall erupted into a whirlwind of excitement. Couples flooded the dance floor, the Weird Sisters launched into a more spirited tune, and the air crackled with laughter and anticipation. Harry, with Fleur's hand still comfortably nestled in his, navigated through the sea of dancers towards a group of his friends.
"Harry, you sly dog!" Roger exclaimed, his eyes wide with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. "You've been holding out on us!"
Roger's date, one of Fleur's Beauxbatons classmates, couldn't contain her curiosity. "Fleur, ma chérie, 'ow did zis come about?" she asked, her accent thicker than Fleur's.
Cedric, standing with Cho, grinned broadly. "I have to hand it to you, Harry. You certainly know how to surprise us. Always with the unexpected, aren't you?"
Harry, feeling more at ease than he'd anticipated, responded with a casual shrug. "What can I say? That's my life. It's full of surprises."
Fleur, the epitome of grace, offered a charming smile to the group. "I 'ope you don't mind me stealing your friend for ze evening," she said, her accent more pronounced in the presence of others. "It seemed a shame for such a talented dancer to attend alone."
Elvinia, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how exactly did this... arrangement come about?"
Harry and Fleur exchanged a quick glance, a silent agreement passing between them. "We're just friends," Harry explained, his tone light but firm. "Seeing me so frustrated and unable to choose a date for the ball, Fleur kindly offered to be my partner. And I accepted. You know, for inter-school cooperation and all that."
"Oui," Fleur nodded, her expression carefully neutral. "It seemed like an excellent way to foster unity between our schools. After all, isn't zat what ze tournament is about?"
Harry and Fleur had decided to keep their friendship and meetings a secret for now. With both of them being champions of their respective schools, they did not want to complicate things by bringing the competition into their relationship. That would attract unnecessary attention and trouble.
Arabella, not entirely convinced, countered, "Right. Because that's the first thing that comes to mind when choosing a date for the Yule Ball. Inter-school cooperation."
Fleur, unruffled, maintained her composure. "Well, I also did not 'ave many options. And only 'Arry seems to be able to 'old 'is own when talking to me. So my choice was 'im or coming alone."
Harry nodded, adding with a touch of humor, "Also, you know me. Always there to lend a helping hand, even if it means facing certain death on the dance floor."
The next song saved Harry from further interrogations. As people rejoined the dance floor, Harry took the opportunity to observe his surroundings. He saw his friends happily dancing with their partners.
Professors McGonagall and Flitwick were attempting a rather comical version of the foxtrot, while Hagrid and Madam Maxime swayed gently, towering over the other dancers.
The golden trio presented an interesting tableau: Charles twirled Ginny with surprising grace, while Hermione laughed at something Krum had said. The only sour note was Ron, scowling at his empty punch glass while his date, Lavender, had long since abandoned him to dance with Seamus.
Throughout the evening, Harry and Fleur maintained a friendly but not overly intimate demeanor in public. They danced together frequently, their movements in perfect sync, but also made sure to mingle with others. Harry shared a dance with Susan, while Fleur graciously accepted a dance with a nervous Neville, who managed not to step on her toes.
As the night wore on, Fleur leaned in close to Harry, her breath tickling his ear. "'Arry, perhaps we could step outside for a moment? It's rather warm in 'ere, don't you think?"
Understanding her intent, Harry nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. They slipped out of the Great Hall discreetly, making their way to a secluded corner of the castle's rose garden. The night air was crisp and invigorating, a welcome relief from the warmth of the ball. Fairy lights twinkled among the bushes, casting a soft, magical glow over the scene.
As they walked, their hands intertwined naturally, fingers lacing together as if they'd done this a hundred times before. A comfortable silence fell between them, broken only by the distant strains of music from the castle and the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet. They continued until they were sure they were alone, the sounds of the ball fading to a distant murmur.
Finally, Fleur spoke, her voice soft and filled with wonder. "This night... it 'as been magical, non? Like something out of a fairy tale."
Harry nodded, turning to face her. His green eyes met her blue ones, and he felt a warmth spreading through his chest. "It really has been incredible. Fleur, I... I want you to know how much I've enjoyed these past few days. Getting to know you, learning to dance... it's been more than I ever expected."
Fleur's eyes softened, her free hand reaching up to gently cup Harry's cheek. "For me as well, 'Arry. You are... quite different from what I expected. So much more."
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The fairy lights dimmed, the distant music faded, and all that existed was the two of them. Slowly, almost hesitantly, they leaned towards each other. Their lips met in a soft, sweet kiss, gentle and full of promise.
As they parted, both slightly breathless, Harry couldn't help but grin. "Well, that's certainly one way to foster international magical cooperation," he quipped, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Fleur laughed, the sound like silver bells in the quiet garden. "Indeed," she replied, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Though perhaps we should keep this particular method to ourselves, non?"
Their moment of shared laughter was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. They quickly stepped apart, trying to appear casual, though their flushed cheeks and bright eyes might have given them away. To Harry's surprise, it was Sirius who rounded the corner, a goofy smile plastered on his face.
"Well, well, well," Sirius said, his eyes twinkling with unbridled mischief. "What do we have here? A secret rendezvous in the garden? The godfather is proud, though perhaps a bit concerned about the timing."
Harry felt his face flush even deeper. "Sirius! What are you doing here in Hogwarts? Shouldn't you be with Amelia?"
Sirius's grin widened. "She's here too, pup. We couldn't miss out on this grand occasion, so we joined the Auror delegation for 'protection'. You would have noticed had you not been so... preoccupied."
Fleur, ever graceful even in unexpected situations, offered Sirius a charming smile. "Mr. Black, I presume? 'Arry 'as told me much about you. All good things, I assure you."
Sirius bowed with exaggerated formality, nearly toppling over in the process. "All good things? Well, we can't have that. I have a reputation to maintain, you know. Though knowing my godson, he's probably warned you about my devilishly handsome looks and irresistible charm."
Harry groaned, fighting the urge to bury his face in his hands. "Sirius, please. You're embarrassing me in front of my date."
His godfather laughed, a bark-like sound that echoed in the quiet garden. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. I was rooting for you two ever since that duel in the under-17 dueling championship. Saw the spark, I did. It was only a matter of time."
As Sirius turned to leave, he winked at them, his expression softening for a moment. "Oh, and excellent choice of hiding spot. I used this very same corner back in my day. The rosebushes are excellent for quick escapes. Just... be careful, you two. The tournament's not over yet."
With that parting advice, he sauntered off, whistling a jaunty tune and leaving Harry and Fleur alone once more.
Harry turned to Fleur, an apologetic look on his face. "I'm so sorry about that. Sirius can be a bit... much. He means well, though."
Fleur smiled, taking Harry's hand once more. "Do not apologize, 'Arry. 'E seems wonderful. You are lucky to 'ave someone who cares for you so much. And 'e is right, we should be careful."
Harry nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "You're right. But... that doesn't mean we can't find moments like this, does it?"
Fleur's smile widened. "Non, it does not. We will just 'ave to be... creative."
With a shared look of understanding and anticipation, they returned to the ball separately, rejoining their respective friend groups as if nothing had happened. But as the night wore on, Harry found himself repeatedly glancing at Fleur across the room, marveling at how events had unfolded. What had started as a simple dance lesson had blossomed into something more, a secret connection that added an element of excitement to the tournament.
The clock struck midnight, signaling the end of the ball. As students began to file out of the Great Hall, many looking tired but happy, Harry and Fleur shared one last dance, maintaining a friendly distance for the benefit of onlookers.
"Thank you for tonight, 'Arry," Fleur murmured as the dance ended. "It was... parfait."
Harry smiled, stepping back as the song concluded. "Thank you, Fleur. For everything."
They parted ways in the entrance hall, each returning to their respective dormitories with their schoolmates. To all outward appearances, their Yule Ball date had been a one-time occurrence, a brief moment of inter-school unity. But as Harry crawled into bed that night, his mind swirling with memories of silver-blonde hair and soft lips, he knew that this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.
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