The Yule Ball (in English)

The Yule Ball

Harry stepped in the Gryffindor common room. In front of the bulletin board was a huge group of people. Harry made his way through the noisy crowd. There was a colorful note attached to the bulletin board, that read:

The Hogwarts Yule Ball

The traditional yule ball will be held also this semester in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The ball starts at 8 pm on next weeks Thursday.

With best wishes,

The vice principal Minerva McGonagall

After he read the note, Harry looked for Ron and Hermione. Eventually he noticed a ginger- headed boy with a curly-haired girl in the crowd. Harry walked to them. "Well, hello there", Hermione said when Harry was in the earshot. "The quidditch practice took a bit longer than expected", Harry explained scratching his neck. "Do you already know who you're going with?" he continued. "Oh, well... Ron asked me the second I got back from the library." Hermione answered smiling brightly. Ron blushed and stared at his feet. The sight brought a smile on Harry's face. "How about you, Harry? Who are you going with?" Ron asked. "Uhm... I'm not so sure yet...?" It sounded like a question. Yes Harry knew who he'd like to go with, but that would probably never happen. The thing was, Harry wanted to dance with his head pressed against Draco Malfoy's chest. Ron and Hermione didn't know that, nor did anyone else.

;*;*;*;*;*

Harry looked at his reflection on the mirror once again, straightened his collar and went to search for Ron. Ron, who had been in the bathroom trying to do something to his hair, but only succeeded to turn it green, was nervous. "Harry, what if Hermione doesn't like my robe, or what if she doesn't like me at all?" Ron rambled while Harry changed his hair back to flaming red. "Ron, calm down. I'm sure everything will be just fine. I believe Hermione likes you and  your robe." Harry reassured him. "What will you do now that you don't have a date? I can't understand why you denied Padma's request, or was it Parvati? Whatever, why did you say no?" Ron asked looking at himself in the mirror tugging at his sleeves. "Well... uhm... I-I didn't feel like it. Yeah, I didn't feel like it." Harry stammered and hurried through the potrait of the Fat Lady. Ron followed after him.

"What do you mean you didn't feel like it? How can you not feel like going to the ball with one of the most beautiful girls in the school?" Ron kept questioning. "It's... complicated." Harry answered and instantly regretted his choice of words. "Complicated? What do you mean complicated? It  isn't complicated to say ye-" Ron's sentence was cut off. Hermione descended down the stairs towards the Great Hall. Ron's jaw dropped. "Her... Hermione... you look... look..." Ron couldn't find the right words to describe Hermione. She was wearing a long pink dress and her hair was beautifully done into a bun, a few strands left to frame her face. "Hermione, you look gorgeous", Harry told smiling at his friend. Ron just nodded beside him. Harry gently pushed his friend's back, so that he would realize to take Hermione's hand and lead her to the Great Hall.

;*;*;*;*;*

On Harry's part the yule ball had so far gone pretty well, because no one had bothered him. Of course, a few girls had asked him to dance, but he had politely declined. He had noticed Ron and Hermione twirling on the dance floor, before the crowd had engulfed them out of sight. Harry was happy for his friends. Ron had stared dreamily at Hermione the whole summer, just like Hermione him, but neither of them had done anything about it before the ball.

Harry was startled out of his thoughts when someone touched his shoulder. He turned around and looked up. In front of him stood a tall, very handsome boy, well I guess you call that sight a man. Harry instantly recognized him. The beautiful creature had platin blond hair, blue, usually so cold but now somehow soft-looking eyes. He had beautiful features; high cheekbones and sharp jawline. He was wearing a smaragd green dress robe, where the details were embroided with silver. He was Draco Malfoy, Harry's crush.

"Malfoy", Harry said nodding shortly. "Potter", Draco answered observing the boy from head to toe. Harry felt heat rising on his cheeks under the other's gaze. Draco took a step closer. "Don't you think we should start calling each other by our first names? I mean, we aren't enemies anymore", Draco asked, staring the whole time straight into Harry's eyes. "I agree... Draco", Harry tested. The name flowed beautifully out of his mouth, and Harry wondered why he hadn't called the boy with his first name before. "Well, in that case, Harry , I would like to tell you that you're standing under the mistletoe", Draco said glancing above Harry. Harry lifted his gaze and noticed that indeed, he was standing under the mistletoe. Harry suddenly felt brave and asked: "What are you going to do about it?" Draco looked at Harry, blue eyes blazing, a sly smirk on his lips. "Well, I don't know... Traditionally, I should kiss you..." Harry interrupted Draco's sentence. "Why don't you do it then?"

Draco didn't need any more persuading. He bended downwards and lifted Harry's chin up with his fingers. Then he pressed his lips gently against the boy's lips. Fireworks exploded behind Harry's closed eyelids. Electricity sparkled in between their connected lips, which made Harry want to feel the same spark through his whole body. So he stood on his tiptoes, wrapped his arms around Draco's neck and slid his fingers in the taller boy's hair. In turn, Draco placed his hands on Harry's waist and pulled the black-haired boy even closer.

Soon, way too soon the need for oxygen forced them to separate. Harry looked deep into Draco's eyes. "This might come too soon, and you may not feel the same, but... I love you", Draco confessed. For a moment, Harry was in a shock, before saying: "Oh, Draco. I love you too!" Happily, he rested his head on Draco's chest and hugged him tightly. Draco returned to the hug. Then they both realized that a total silence had taken over the Hall. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the two wizards who hated each other before, but had now confessed their love for one another.

Ron's surprised voice broke the silence: Harry, why didn't you tell us anything?" Harry looked at his red-haired friend. "I wasn't ready", he said simply. "So cute! You fit perfectly together!" Hermione exclaimed, in a very un-Hermione-ish way. "I agree!" Pansy said and clapped her hands. Before they knew it all the students and teachers of Hogwarts were cheering for them. Harry buried his face in Draco's chest. He felt Draco press his chin against his hair and circling his strong arms tightly around him. "Aww!" the witches of Hogwarts cooed when they looked at the endearing sight. Harry felt himself blush even more. Draco just laughed quietly. In that moment, Harry decided that Draco's laugh was his new favourite sound.

;*;*;*;*;*

"May I have this dance?" Draco asked when the ball continued again. Harry giggled, giggled, but grasped the outstretched hand of his new boyfriend. "I really do love you, Draco Lucius Malfoy", Harry sighed happily when Draco had once again pulled him against his body. "I really do love you too, Harry James Potter."

And that's it! Hope you enjoyed :)

P.s English is not our first language so please forgive us for the mistakes we may have made...

Emilia and Lotta