A Potter Secret

The Ball

Soft music plays and everyone is well dressed, gathered in the hall.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ron is getting dressed in front of a mirror. He looks panicked and uncomfortable in his ridiculous dress robes. "Bloody hell," Ron says. Harry walks in, he's dressed in a more conventional suit. "What are those??"

"My dress robes," Harry replies.

"Well they're alright. No lace, no dodgy little collar," Ron shouts, upset.

"Well I expect yours are more traditional," Harry tries to subdue.

"Traditional?? They're ancient! I look like my great aunt Tessie," Ron moans. He sniffs at his clothes. "I smell like my great aunt Tessie. Murder me Harry."

"I suppose I could help with that," Isabella says, stepping in. She wears a light, flowy dress and her hair is in a ponytail braided for a few inches before hanging loose. She casts a few quick spells on Ron's attire, making it look and smell a little better. "I'm afraid that's all I can do while keeping it's original roots."

Ron shrugs. "Thanks, Iz," Ron sighs. After a look from Harry, Ron steps outside.

"You look great, Isabella," Harry starts. "Who are you going with?"

"No one," Isabella replies. "I am going by Dumbledore's invitation. Since I'm not a student, the rules don't apply."

Harry nods. "I'd like a dance with you," Harry states.

Isabella shakes her head. "I'm going as myself."

Harry puts his hand on either side of her face. "I'd still like a dance with you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry and Ron are walking down the stairs into the hall. Ron is fidgeting with his outfit. "Leave it alone," Harry says.

"Poor kid, bet she's alone in her room crying her eyes out," Ron jokes.

"Who?" Harry questions.

"Hermione of course. Come on Harry, why'd you think she wouldn't tell us who she's coming with?" Ron asks.

"Because we'd take the mickey out of her if she did."

"Because nobody asked her. I would have taken her myself if she weren't so bleeding proud," Ron corrects. The boys approach the Patil twins.

Parvati smiles. "Hello boys. Don't you look-" She looks at Ron. "Dashing."

"Here you are Potter. Are you and Miss Patil ready?" McGonagall asks.

"Ready professor?" Harry questions.

"To dance," McGonagall replies. "It's traditional that the three champions or in this case four are the first to dance. Surely I told you that."

"No," Harry replies.

"I- I can't dance the opening dance!" Parvati states. "I- I can dance but not in front of everybody! I- I'm sorry, Harry." She runs off to join her sister inside."

McGonagall looks on, nervous for Harry. "Mister Potter, I don't suppose you have someone else you can dance with?"

Harry shakes his head. Hermione enters the room all dressed up. Harry's looking at Cho. "She looks beautiful."

Hermione walks down the stairs. Viktor Krum takes her hand and they walk together. "Is that Hermione Granger? With Viktor Krum?" Padma asks ROn.

"No. Absolutely not," Ron says.