Second Chance at Saving Them {Harry Potter}

Yule Ball Preparations

On a roll. Mostly because I want to get to the Yule Ball as fast as I can. It's pretty much the reason I started this thing in the first place. I had read so many stories about doing the Tournament in a different way that I had to do one of my own. But, I decided to just redo the entire series. What can I say? I'm an overachiever.

QOTC: "What is the real name of the Green Arrow?" (Sorry, I've been binge-watching Arrow on Netflix.)

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Harry peeled off to send a letter to Sirius about the task, letting him know that it had gone well enough, though not exactly to plan. And that it was a good thing that he had Charlie as a brother-in-law because it would have felt like cheating if he just did the same.

After sending the letter, he made his way to the Gryffindor common room. When he got there, he found everyone waiting, with food and butterbeer and pumpkin juice everywhere. Ron had already stashed the egg in their room, so no one would ask him to open it. As soon as he stepped foot in the main area, there was a roar of applause that the Slytherins could probably hear.

Everyone was talking excitedly and adrenaline was high. So when Ginny and the others came rushing up to Harry, he could think only of the nostalgia of this exact situation, and he kissed her. In front of everyone, including three of her brothers, he kissed her.

They pulled apart with wide eyes. "I'm guessing we aren't undercover anymore, huh?" Ginny whispered.

Harry shook his head and then became suddenly aware that half the room was staring at them. The only ones that weren't were the ones that hadn't been able to see it. Harry and Ginny both faced the room, Harry looked at Fred and George, who were both grinning from ear to ear, most likely already thinking of the teasing they could now do. Ron had an exasperated look on his face, and Hermione was grinning, but shaking her head.

The rest of the room either seemed unsurprised or they didn't seem to care beyond the gossip they could now confirm. Harry then shrugged and the room went back to it's partying. In all the commotion, they were able to talk without worrying about eavesdropping.

"I guess none of us were strong enough to last to the Ball, huh?" Hermione laughed as Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny.

"Ah, but Harry and I lasted the longest. If this guy," Ginny accentuated her point with a prod to his chest, "Hadn't gone and kissed me."

"Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Besides, now we don't have to worry about letting slip about our first kiss. It was practically the same thing."

Ginny sighed, "I guess you have that. And not that I mind not having to hide anymore, but still. I was so hoping that we could be the ones to make it, shame."

"Well, you lasted longer than any of us, even Luna and Rolf." Ron pointed out. "They lasted all of five minutes."

"Well now none of us have to hide anymore. We obviously can't be completely open, but at least we're done with not being together at all." Hermione said, and the others nodded, all of them glad to be past those several years of not being able to be together in public.

"Agreed. Though, I suppose it's better that we didn't wait. The Yule Ball as our first date is pretty lame."

Ginny raised an eyebrow at Harry, "Our first date was a walk around the lake."

"At sunset." Harry countered, and Ginny heaved an exasperated sigh.

"My 'boyfriend' the romantic."

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The next day, after classes, Harry and Ginny decided to go visit the kitchens. Harry had overheard Fred and George talking about the kitchens, which reminded him that Dobby had started working in the kitchens here, and he felt bad he hadn't stopped by before.