34 The Yule Ball

Cross was sitting in the great hall eating breakfast and reading, when he heard Hermione shouting "I can't believe this! She did it again!" Cross looked over and Hermione seethed as she said "Hermione Granger clings to newest famous wizard, Viktor Krum!"

Cross chuckled as he ate his food, Hermione glared at him and said "It's not funny!" Cross replied "It's a little funny. Have you seen Krum? Did you read my interview? Wanna hear a secret? Everything is true!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and kept reading, Harry looked over and asked "Really?" Cross chuckled and nodded, he looked to the side and saw a giant group of girl looking at him and whispering. He rolled his eyes and went back to eating.

Ron suddenly shouted "What the hell?!" Cross looked over and spit out his food, right in Harry's face, before laughing. Hermione felt that Cross has been acting different since he was selected.

Harry wiped his face and said "Is there a bonnet? Oh, there you go." Ron said "Not funny!" he was holding a hideous dress-robe.

Cross shook his head and asked "Why did your mum send you that?" Harry was also curious, Hermione said in surprise "You don't know?" Ron, Harry, and Cross shook their heads and Hermione said "The Yule ball."

Cross said "The Yule ball? What is that?" Harry and Ron nodded and looked at Hermione, who said "Are you serious?" they all nodded and Hermione sighed as she said "The Yule ball is a dance. You must go with a partner."

The three were shocked and Ron said "We need a partner?!" Harry said "Where are we going to get one of those?!" they both looked at Cross, who coughed and said "There just so happens to be a group of girls behind us."

Harry and Ron looked awkward and Cross packed up his things and left, ignoring all the girls as he said "See you later." the group of girls followed him, while Harry and Ron watched before sighing.

Cross managed to escape and went to a Slytherin event.

Snape looked at him and said "Take a seat, Mr. Greengrass. With the other boys." Cross twitched his ears and walked over to one side of the room, sitting next to Draco.

Draco looked over and said "Bloody amazing show you put on yesterday." Cross rolled his eyes and said "Yeah? What if I try it on you, you think it'll work?" Draco shivered and scooted away, Cross sighed and said "Honestly, why do you even bother Potter and his friends? Is it fun to get turned into a Ferret?"

Draco said angrily "Potter deserves it! Bastard!" Cross shook his head and staying silent as Draco rambled about how he hated Harry.

Snape said "Quiet! Seeing as show the Yule ball is necessary for every Triwizard Cup, you must learn to dance so you don't embarrass yourselves... Mr. Greengrass, front and center." Cross walked to the front of the class and yawned, his sharp canines gleamed and his ears twitched.

Snape said "And who would like to be our resident celebrity's partner?" all the girls raised their hands immediately, Snape felt his mouth twitch and said "Ms. Greengrass, I assumed you would be most appropriate..."

Daphne jumped up happily, while the other girls clicked their tongues.

Snape said "Alright, now hold onto your partner's waist and hold the other hand." Cross held Daphne's waist and grabbed her hand, Daphne blushed deeply and Snape said "Now, step forward..."

Music started playing and Cross danced with Daphne.. well really it was Cross moving while Daphne was being dragged along with a vacant expression in her eyes and an infatuated smile on her face.

Cross rolled his eyes and spun Daphne back to her seat before heading back to his own. Snape said "Very good, now the rest of you."

Time passed quickly

Cross was walking outside, he passed Fleur, who said "Would you like to go to the dance with me?" Cross ignored her and kept walking, making Fleur blush deeply. A group of girls followed him everywhere he went.

He stopped and looked in front of him, seeing Krum with a group behind him as well. Cross looked at Krum's group and sneered as he said in Russian "Oh look at that! I win again." Krum snorted and said "We shall see at the ball, pretty boy."

Cross passed him and said "Whatever you say, tadpole." Krum grinded his teeth and they passed each other, disappearing as their groups of girls flowed through each other.

Cross was finally left alone and let out a breath as he moved quickly, those girls were truly persistent! He got asked by the same girl 7 times! 7 TIMES! After the first no, you would think she would understand and yet, she kept going. Her persistence was admirable but unfortunately Cross had someone else in mind.

Speaking of which..

Cross looked around the castle, not wanting to use the ring, as he looked for Luna. He finally found her, with several Durmstrang guys around her, a nameless fire rose in Cross' heart as he flicked his fingers angrily.

Their clothes all exploded and they flew out, hanging by their underwear on the castle walls. Cross sneered as he walked forward, the passing students laughed at the Durmstrang boys, who were both embarrassed and in pain.

Cross snorted and Luna smiled at him saying "A bit much, no?" Cross scoffed "If you weren't here it would be worse." Luna giggled and tilted her head as she said mysteriously "Can I help you, champion?"

Cross bowed and extended his hand as he said "Would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me, Ms. Lovegood?" Luna smiled beautifully and took his hand as she said graciously "Reluctantly." Cross smiled brightly and said "Sorry, you have to suffer." Luna laughed and Cross smiled happily.

A few days later

Cross was standing outside the great hall. All the girls around were looking at him instead of their partners and for good reason!

Cross' hair was slicked back and he was wearing a completely black suit. He had black dress shoes with black socks, black dress pants hemmed just over his ankles, perfectly fitting around his legs with a black belt holding them up. The belt buckle was a snake biting it's own tail.

He was wearing a tight black dress shirt with a black skinny tie, and a black suit jacket. But the suit jacket wasn't a robe like everyone else, it was cut short, just below his belt and short on the arms, letting his shirt sleeves cover his wrists.

Cross also decided to reveal the snake earrings and ring. He looked fresh and devilishly handsome, even more so than normal. It was fatal for the young girls, but especially so for the Veela. On top of the fact that they could feel his Elf presence, it was practically aphrodisiac for them.

Which annoyed him greatly.

His suit jacket wasn't buttoned and he kept his wand inside it, just incase something happened. He couldn't have people knowing he could use magic without a wand, even if it was a dangerous situation.

Harry and Ron walked over, Ron said "Bloody hell! Where did you get that!?" Cross smirked and said "Like it?" Ron and Harry nodded, Cross whispered "Muggle suit." Ron and Harry's eyes widened and Ron shouted "WHAT!?"

Cross chuckled and shushed him, Harry said "You wore a muggle suit?" Cross smiled and said "They're much nicer than...." he looked at Ron and added "Well anyway, I assume you must've found someone?"

Ron almost cried and Harry said "Yeah." speak of the devil, two girls walked up and said "Ron, Harry..." they looked at Cross, who ignored them, before going back to Ron and Harry.

McGonagall came over and said "Oh Potter, Greengrass. Good you're here! Cross, where is your partner?" Cross looked around and said "She'll be here soon.. I think." McGonagall nodded and she looked at Ron before saying "Weasley... Well you can just go on ahead with Ms. Patel."

Cross could've sworn he saw Ron shed a tear as he left with his partner.

McGonagall looked at Harry and Cross as she said "Are you both ready?" Harry asked "Ready, Professor?" McGonagall said "To dance of course! It's tradition for the 3-4 champions to dance before everyone else."

She saw someone else and went over saying "Oh there you are!"

Cross looked at Harry and said "Good luck, Harry." Harry smiled wryly and said "Where is you date?" Cross sighed and said "I actually don't know." Harry's partner said "Wow, they're beautiful!"

Harry looked at Cho and nodded in agreement as he said "She sure is!" Cross smacked his shoulder and pointed behind him.

Harry turned around and was stunned before swallowing dryly.

Cross was tongue tied as he stared at Luna, she was absolutely gorgeous. She was wearing a pink dress, that was tight around the top and trailed behind her. Her hair was done up and curly and the necklace Cross gave her was showing, shining brightly.

Cross licked his dry lips and felt his heartbeat increase as he looked at her, Luna looked up and slowly blushed, not only the way Cross was looking at her but how he was dressed, he was very handsome. She felt a warm feeling inside as her heart pounded nervously.

Cross walked forward towards Luna, but Krum also stepped forward. They looked at each other and Cross sneered, passing him and holding Luna's hand, smiling softly. Luna smiled gently and took his hand, walking down the stairs next to him.

Cross smiled and whispered to Luna "I didn't think you would be so long." Luna said "You think it's easy to look so good?" Cross shook his head and said "I didn't expect you to put in so much effort, you're beautiful all the time." Luna couldn't respond and blushed deeply with an extremely happy look in her eyes as she looked at Cross.

Cross moved his arm and Luna hooked her around his as she whispered "Acting again tonight?" Cross smiled and said "Unless you don't want to." Luna giggled and said "I think it would be more fun." Cross smiled happily and said "Then let us put on a performance."

Luna smiled excitedly as a vacant look appeared in her eyes, Cross' expression became haughty and he lifted his chin arrogantly as he stepped to the front of the line, snorting in Fleur's direction. Luna smiled and looked to be in her own world but she was laughing on the inside.

Loud trumpets played and Cross walked forward with Luna, his eyes ice cold and arrogant, ignoring everyone else as if he was the center of attention and they were all lucky to witness him.

He stepped onto the floor and tapped his foot, ice formed under Krum's foot and he slipped, but kept his balance, glaring in Cross' direction. Cross clicked his tongue and ignored him, making Krum more angry.

Luna bit her lips and tried her hardest not to laugh, Cross smirked and held Luna's waist, whispering "Follow my lead." Luna said quickly "Mmm Don't hit anyone." Cross stifled a chuckle and said "Don't worry." Luna had a bad feeling and the music started.

Cross lead Luna, who kept up with his movements, as ice formed under him and he danced, gliding around the dance floor. The ice disappeared after he moved, only appearing under his feet and where he was going next, so as not to interfere with anybody else.

Cross gradually lost his acting expression and looked into Luna's eyes, Luna came back and looked at his as she said sweetly "I thought we were acting.." Cross twitched his ears and said softly "We are..." Luna hummed and didn't say anything as their movements became more fluid.

They danced around the floor as if they were really the only ones there, in their own little world. Mesmerizing the other students at the beauty of their dance, Cross and Luna glided across the floor looking at each other's eyes, perfectly in sync.

Cross gradually forgot where he was and only focused on Luna's happy smile, feeling extremely happy at the moment.

Krum also didn't interfere and focused on Hermione with a smile, forgetting about his issues with Cross.

Cross spun Luna around and laughed happily, Luna was having the time of her life as she laughed and acted like herself, just enjoying Cross' company.

Cross felt calm.

All the schemes and all the facades melted away, leaving only the moment as he truly felt his burden lighten from his shoulders. The moment reminded him that he was just a 15 year old boy, no matter what he was or what he had to do, all he had to do right now was enjoy the moment and have fun with the girl he loved.

The Tournament, the mastermind behind the scenes, his race, training, practicing. They all fluttered away in the wind as he focused on this one moment, feeling truly happy for the first time in a long time.

Something clicked in his body and a warm feeling spread to all his limbs. Luna felt it and it gently flowed into herself, warming her entire being as she felt like she was enveloped in a warm, gentle, and loving embrace.

They both ignored it however and focused on each other, feeling truly connected at this moment.

Nothing else mattered at the moment, only the other person.

Cross gently pulled Luna closer to him, Luna looked up with eyes as calm as pools of water. Cross smiled warmly and something new developed in his eyes as he leaned in and gently kissed her soft lips.

Luna slowly closed her eyes and immersed herself in the kiss, feeling it was the absolute right choice at the moment.

Clicks sounded in Cross' body, spreading the warm feeling to Luna and back to Cross in a cycle.

Cross separated from Luna and smiled gently, Luna smiled the same with soft eyes. They stopped dancing and heard claps from around them, Cross looked around and saw everybody staring at them with wide eyes and clapping, they were the only ones on the dance floor.

Cross was embarrassed but his haughty looked returned and Luna's expression was vacant. Cross led her to a table and they sat down alone as the rest of the students started dancing, occasionally glancing in Cross and Luna's direction.

That was the most beautiful dance they had ever seen in their lives.