It starts with a ball...

The Yule Ball part 2

"French"

"Bulgarian"

"Latin"

Translation

°Fred°

*George*

°*Fred and George*°

Harry laughed in  his head. The looks  on  everyone's faces when he had walked in! Blaise leant in to whisper in his ear

"Do you think they were more stunned at me or the snake?"

Harry murmurs back, "Oh, definitely the snake."

Blaise laughed, delighted, then subtly nodded in Hermione's direction. Harry nodded, and the two spun over to Viktor and Mione.

"Forgive me, but might I borrow your partner briefly? " Harry asked Viktor, who looked at Hermione, then acquiesced. Harry took Hermione as Blaise began to dance with Viktor.

After a quick Muffliato had been cast, they began to talk.

"Any unpredicted reactions? Is there anyone you think we need to look out for?"
Harry asked, knowing his best friend would have noticed.

"Dumbledore looked very upset, but we thought that would be the case, Snape looked like he had seen a ghost, again like we had presumed, Oh yes, there was one, you know Percy, Ron's brother? He looked absolutely delighted after the shock had passed."

Harry thought on that briefly,

"Delighted in a good way? Do we need to worry about him?" He asked

"I don't believe so. In fact, I think he may even be amenable to our cause. You know Oliver? Of course you do. Unless I am severely mistaken, he is dating Percy."

"Well, Oliver is a very good judge of character. Excellent! I know Ginny is upset about Percy working in the ministry, of all places. Anything else?"

"Not that I noticed. Check with Fleur before Ron. She has a very keen eye."

"Brill, thanks, Mione. I'll do that. Go back to Strong, Dark, and Brooding over there."

She slapped him playfully on the arm.

"Hadrian Potter! You know he's sweet, really..."

"Oh yes, but does he know that you're sweet on a redhead?"

"I-well- that is entirely irrelevant! Go back to your boyfriend." Her sharp tone was disrupted by the dancing grin on her face.

They cancelled the spell, and Harry twirled Blaise over to Fleur and Davies.

"Cara Mia, be a darling and dance with Theo? I would like to make clear that he is under our protection as well." Harry purred in Blaise's ear.

"Oh? And what will you be doing while I dance with our good friend?"

"Why, dancing with Veela and Weasleys, of course."

"Careful Amore mio, I might start getting jealous," Blaise teased

"Amati, darling, you know full well Fleur is as Sapphic as they come, and Ron would never dream of cheating on Mione. Besides, you know you're the only one for me. "

"True, true. As you wish then, but I insist on the right for another dance before this ball ends, Yule is not a time for business."

"Unfortunately,  it does rather have to be when it is also the night you choose to reveal the truth.. at least, some of it. However I am certain I could make space for another  dance or two with my boyfriend."