Yule Ball: Concludes

Once everyone was settled in the Hall, Professor McGonagall asked the champions and their partners to get in line in pairs and to follow her. They did so, and everyone in the Great Hall applauded as we entered, walking toward a large round table at the top of the Hall where the judges were seated.

The applause echoed around us as Fleur's hand found mine, her fingers lacing comfortably with mine as we made our way to the center of the floor. With the enchanted orchestra beginning to play a soft, lilting melody, a thrill surged through me. The night felt like something out of a dream.

"Ready to dazzle zem?" Fleur murmured, her voice warm with a hint of teasing.

"I'll try my best," I replied, squeezing her hand. "Though they're already dazzled by you."

Her cheeks tinged pink at my words, but her gaze held steady. "Zen let's give zem a leettle more, hmm?"

My hand slipped between her fingers, and we were swept into the dance, the world around us fading for what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting second. This time, I wasn't the mess I had been before. I knew what to do, and while I might not have been perfect, I could follow Fleur's lead—if not effortlessly, then at least adequately.

"You zink you can keep up, mon ami?" Fleur teased, twirling gracefully as I matched her movement, my hand slipping around her waist to steady her.

Our eyes met as we spun, and for a moment, the Great Hall, the onlookers, and even the other dancers seemed to blur away. It was just Fleur and me, moving to the soft rhythm of the music, lost in a world that belonged only to us.

"I'll try, Fleur, I will," I said with a fond smile that I hadn't realized had been gracing my lips for over half an hour. "After all, I did promise to make this night beautiful for you, didn't I?"

Fleur's smile softened, her eyes glowing with something that made my heart skip. "Oui, and so far, you are succeeding far more zan you know."

As we danced, laughter and music filled the air, yet our own quiet world remained untouched, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged. Fleur's hand rested lightly in mine, and I could feel how relaxed she was—her natural allure seemed to flow around us, blanketing me in a warmth that felt like a gentle embrace.

We continued dancing, not minding the world swirling around us. It was just the two of us at this moment, moving as though we'd always known this rhythm together.

Eventually, when our legs could no longer carry us gracefully, we approached the top table, already occupied by the judges and most of the other champions. Dumbledore beamed at us warmly, though Karkaroff wore a sour expression, his gaze shifting disapprovingly between Krum and Hermione as they drew near. Ludo Bagman, dressed tonight in robes of bright purple emblazoned with large yellow stars, clapped as enthusiastically as any of the students, while Madame Maxime, who had exchanged her usual black satin uniform for a flowing gown of lavender silk, applauded politely. The fifth seat at the table was occupied by none other than Percy Weasley.

When the champions and their partners reached the table, Percy drew out the empty chair beside him, eyeing me with a pointed look. I took the hint and sat down next to him. He was clad in brand-new, navy-blue dress robes, his expression so smug that I thought it deserved a fine.

"I've been promoted," Percy announced before I could even ask, his tone brimming with pride as though he were declaring himself supreme ruler of the universe. "I'm now Mr. Crouch's personal assistant, here representing him."

"Why didn't he come?" Fleur asked curiously beside me, her voice flowing like a Siren's song, cutting through the hall's chatter.

Percy seemed momentarily dazed, his cheeks flushing slightly as Fleur's allure took its effect. I felt Fleur wince, muttering something about self-control, trolls, and Englishmen that only I could hear, her words brushing my ear with a warmth that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine.

To his credit, Percy recovered quickly and launched into a lengthy explanation of why Crouch couldn't attend, something about urgent ministry matters. As he rambled on, I noticed there was no food on the glittering golden plates yet; only small menus lay in front of each of us. I picked up mine and passed Fleur hers, who looked around uncertainly—there were no waiters in sight—and then glanced at me, clearly puzzled. I nodded toward Dumbledore.

Dumbledore glanced down at his own menu, then said clearly to his plate, "Pork chops!" And, just like that, pork chops appeared. Understanding the trick, the rest of the table quickly followed suit, each calling out their chosen dish to the plate, which conjured the food instantly.

Around us, conversation bubbled over in a mixture of languages and laughter. Krum was deep in conversation with Hermione, describing Durmstrang with a mixture of pride and wistfulness as he compared it to Hogwarts. Across from them, Gemma and Anastasia were completely ignoring their dates, leaning in close as they exchanged hushed, conspiratorial whispers. I noticed Gemma's gaze flicker toward me for a split second before she returned her attention to Anastasia.

Pierre, who had brought another Beauxbatons girl as his date, seemed absorbed in a lively discussion with her, both of them speaking rapid French and occasionally glancing around as if sharing inside jokes. Marie and Aleksandr, meanwhile, were as affectionate as ever, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders as they shared soft smiles and barely looked up from each other.

"I think we may be the only ones who aren't talking secrets or swapping school comparisons," I told Fleur with a smile as she took a sip of her apple juice, her lips parting tantalizingly.

She feigned a mock haughty expression. "What can I say, zere is no school comparison necessary." Her tone shifted, becoming wistful, tinged with pride. "At ze Palace of Beauxbatons, we 'ave ice sculptures all around ze dining chamber at Christmas. Zey do not melt, of course . . . zey are like 'uge statues of diamond, glittering around ze place." Her eyes sparkled with the memory, and I could almost see the elegant, frosted statues she was describing. "And ze food is seemply superb. We 'ave choirs of wood nymphs, 'oo serenade us as we eat, their voices blending with ze music like whispers on ze wind."

"Well, we have the Black Lake here at Hogwarts," I teased, nudging her shoulder playfully.

The laughter that bubbled from her lips sounded like a beautiful melody, filling the air between us. "Well, Beauxbatons can't beat zat," she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It's our own little secret, isn't it?"

We shared a quiet smile, and after a few seconds, she added thoughtfully, "But 'Ogwarts could do with a bit more internal decor . . . I 'ate zose ugly, ugly suits of armor in ze 'alls." She wrinkled her nose, shaking her head in mock disdain. "And eef a poltergeist ever entaired Beauxbatons, 'e would be expelled like zat." She punctuated her words with a light slap on the table for emphasis, making me grin.

"Oh, Peeves would last about two seconds at Beauxbatons," I laughed, imagining it. "But somehow, I think Hogwarts would feel empty without him causing a bit of trouble."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "You say zat now, but wait until he leaves a bucket of slime over your door." Her eyes shone with mischief.

I leaned closer, lowering my voice as I whispered in Fleur's ear, "Check out Hagrid . . . and then your Headmistress~"

She gave me a puzzled look but turned her gaze to where I'd motioned. Hagrid, dressed in a large, slightly wrinkled brown suit, was waving enthusiastically across the hall. Madame Maxime, in her elegant lavender gown, gave him a polite wave in return, her face softening with an amused smile.

Fleur's eyes widened. "Sacre bleu! 'Agrid . . . and Madame Maxime?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise.

I grinned, suppressing a chuckle. "Looks like they might have a bit of a connection," I replied, watching Hagrid's wide smile.

"I zon't zink he can handle Madame Maxime…" Fleur said, a hint of distaste slipping into her tone.

I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Really? You don't think they'd make a good match?"

She gave a delicate shrug, her gaze flicking back to the staff table where Hagrid was still beaming at Madame Maxime. "She ees a woman of… grace, of refinement," she said slowly, choosing her words carefully. "And Hagrid… well, 'e seems more comfortable with creatures zat bite."

"Well, you can say the same—" I was cut off as Fleur suddenly pinched my arm. "Ouch!"

"Zon't you dare end zat sentence, meester," Fleur glared, her arms crossing over her chest. "Except for the age factor, you match me perfectly."

"Perfectly, hmm?" I teased, leaning in slightly. "I didn't know you thought so highly of me, Fleur."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of scarlet, and she looked away, crossing her arms with a huff. "Zat ees not what I meant!" she protested, her voice barely above a whisper but tinged with the same fierce confidence that had won her so many admirers. "I… I was simply saying… you are… adequate."

"Adequate now, am I?" I couldn't help but laugh, and she shot me a glare, though the blush in her cheeks softened the effect.

"Don't get any ideas," she said, lifting her chin in an attempt to regain her composure, though her voice was still flustered. "You may be decent, oui, but you are not nearly as charming as you zink."

"Decent is better than I expected, actually," I replied with a grin, earning myself another indignant look. "Though if I'm really 'perfect,' as you so kindly put it…"

Fleur huffed, but a small, reluctant smile crept onto her lips. "You are incorrigible, 'Arry Potter," she muttered, still not meeting my eyes as the flush of her cheeks finally began to fade.

When all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood up and asked the students to do the same. Then, with a wave of his wand, all the tables zoomed back along the walls, leaving the floor clear. He conjured a raised platform into existence along the right wall, where a set of drums, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and some bagpipes were now set upon it.

The Weird Sisters trooped up onto the stage to wild applause; they were all extremely hairy and dressed in black robes that had been artfully ripped and torn. The energy in the room shifted, anticipation crackling in the air like static.

"Come on, zat's our cue to dance!" Fleur said excitedly, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she tugged at my arm.

"Oh-kay… But you are leading," I managed to say just before she pulled me onto the dance floor.

As we stepped onto the polished wooden floor, the lively music began to fill the hall, and I felt the rhythm pulse through me. Fleur took the lead, her movements graceful and confident as she guided us through the throng of students.

The crowd around us swayed and spun, laughter mingling with the music, creating a vibrant tapestry of joy. Fleur's laughter rang out above it all, a sound that made my heart race. Her hair shimmered in the dim lights, and her face almost glowed like a full moon, illuminating the space around her.

"Zat's it, 'Arry! Just let go!" she encouraged, twirling away and beckoning me to follow. As she spun back towards me, I caught her hand and pulled her close, mirroring her earlier movements. The thrill of dancing with her sent a rush of exhilaration through me, like fireworks exploding in the night sky.

The band struck up a lively tune, and I seized the moment to lift her into a playful spin. She squealed with delight, her laughter ringing like a bell as I twirled her around before bringing her back to my side.

"Careful! I'll 'ave to hex you if you drop me!" she joked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

We continued dancing for what felt like an eternity, lost in the moment. The world around us faded, leaving only the rhythm of the music and the warmth of her presence. At some point, I noticed Ron, who was dancing with Padma. He looked fine, but his eyes made me wince. The way he glared at the couples around him suggested he was in one of his moods.

I felt a surge of concern. I would have to warn Hermione not to talk to him tonight; otherwise, both hers and Padma's evenings would be ruined by Ron's jealousy. It was a shame that the festive atmosphere could be clouded by his dark mood.

"Are you okay?" Fleur asked, her brow slightly furrowed as she noticed my distraction.

I forced a smile, shaking off my worries. "Yeah, just thinking about how great this night is. Let's go get some drinks?"

Fleur's expression brightened at the suggestion. "Oui! I could use something refreshing." She took my hand, guiding me off the dance floor and toward the long table laden with goblets of shimmering beverages.

As we approached the table, I could see various colorful drinks, each one more tempting than the last. I glanced over at Fleur, whose eyes sparkled with delight. "What do you think? The blue one looks interesting!" she pointed.

"Let's try it," I said, picking up two goblets filled with a vibrant blue liquid that shimmered in the light. "To a wonderful night," I declared, raising my glass.

"To a wonderful night!" Fleur echoed, clinking her goblet against mine before taking a sip. Her eyes widened slightly at the taste, a mix of sweetness and something slightly tangy. "Mmm! Zis is delightful! What is it?"

"Not a clue," I admitted with a chuckle. "But it's good! Let's enjoy it while we can."

I noticed Krum and Hermione making their way toward the table, laughter bubbling between them. I felt a mix of curiosity and anticipation. What had been said between them in the last few minutes?

"Hey, you two!" Hermione greeted us with a bright smile, her cheeks slightly flushed, whether from the dancing or something else, I couldn't tell. Krum stood beside her, looking slightly awkward yet content.

"Hi, Hermione! Krum!" Fleur responded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Zat was quite a dance, no?"

"Definitely!" Hermione replied, glancing at Krum with an excited grin. "We were just talking about how different our schools are."

"Is zat so?" Fleur leaned in, intrigued. "What do you 'ave to say about Durmstrang, Viktor?"

I leaned toward Fleur for a moment, "Mind if I have some words with 'Mione for a sec?"

Fleur looked at me, her eyes narrowing momentarily, but then she huffed, "Sure, but you are mine for tonight, don't forget it."

"Yes, yes," I said, kissing her cheek, which elicited a cute squeak from her and a surprised expression from Hermione. Krum didn't look that surprised, though.

I turned to Krum and asked, "Mind if I borrow Hermione for a sec?"

Krum, who understood our earlier conversation during the Hogsmeade visit, said, "Sure."

I quickly grabbed Hermione and pulled her a little away before casting a privacy ward with the flick of my wand.

"I didn't know that you and Fleur were that close," Hermione said, an expression I couldn't quite place crossing her face. "Well, what do you want to talk about?"

"Yeah, it's regarding Ron…" I said, wincing.

"What about him?" Hermione asked, confused. "He looked pretty fine dancing with Padma."

"Yeah, I wouldn't count on it… trust me," I replied, then suggested, "Please try to… not engage in any conversation with him tonight…"

"Really?" She asked, concerned. "Is this because of his…"

"Yes… jealousy, most probably…" I admitted, feeling a twinge of bitterness but not really mad.

Hermione sighed and nodded, her brow furrowing in thought. After a few seconds, she said, "Well, we should go back to our dates…"

I nodded, dropping the privacy ward, and both of us walked back to our respective dates.

"Zat was quick…" Fleur said as I settled beside her, picking up an orange-colored drink. "What were you two doing?"

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Nothing much… Just… giving her some… advice…" I said, glancing around to avoid any awkwardness.

"About what?" Fleur prodded, pouting playfully, her curiosity evident in her sparkling eyes.

"Let's go on a walk," I suggested, offering her my hand with a smile.

She raised an eyebrow but took my hand, allowing me to lead her away from the bustling table. As we stepped onto the dance floor again, the lively music still reverberated around us, but the atmosphere felt more intimate away from the crowd.

We walked side by side, the dim lights of the Great Hall casting soft shadows as we made our way toward the quieter side of the room. I could feel the warmth of Fleur's hand in mine, and it sent a thrill through me.

"Where are we 'eaded?" she asked, glancing up at me, her expression a mix of curiosity and mischief.

"Just away from the crowd," I explained, glancing back at the swirling dance floor. After a moment, I added, "Let's go to our spot?"

Fleur's eyes lit up with recognition, and a smile danced across her lips. "Ah, our secret place," she replied, her voice filled with excitement. "I like it! Lead the way!"

With her hand still in mine, we made our way past the enchanting decorations of the Great Hall and the sounds of revelry that echoed behind us. We walked under the starry sky in the Hogwarts grounds, the cool night air brushing against our skin, and eventually reached the bank of the Black Lake where we always met.

As we approached the water's edge, the moonlight reflected off the surface, creating a shimmering path that seemed to invite us closer. Fleur nudged me playfully. "'Elp me sit," she said, her tone light and teasing.

"I can just conjure a chair… Your dress would get ruined," I replied, glancing at her elegant gown, which sparkled under the stars. I didn't want to ruin her beautiful attire.

She grabbed my hand, looping hers around mine as she started to lower herself onto the grass. Relenting, I helped her sit down, settling down beside her. The cool grass felt refreshing beneath us, and I couldn't help but admire the way the moonlight framed her face, highlighting her delicate features.

"See? It's not so bad," Fleur said with a grin, glancing at me sideways. "I like being on the ground with you. It feels more… relaxed."

I chuckled softly, my heart racing a little as I caught her gaze. "Yeah, I guess it does. Just us and the stars."

She leaned back on her arms, tilting her head back to look at the vast expanse of twinkling lights above. "It's beautiful out 'ere. Sometimes I forget 'ow lovely it is to just be away from everyzing."

"Definitely," I agreed, feeling the weight of the evening's festivities slip away as we settled into a comfortable silence. "I'm glad we decided to come here."

After a moment, Fleur turned her head to look at me, her expression more serious. "What were you thinking about back there? You seemed a bit distracted."

I took a breath, contemplating whether to share my concerns about Ron's mood. "It's nothing really… Just thinking about how to keep the night enjoyable for everyone, you know? I don't want any drama."

Instead of saying anything, she leaned in against me, and I instinctively wrapped my arm around her. It felt perfect—just the two of us stargazing, beside the beautiful lake, under the starry sky, tangled in a complex web of emotions and feelings.

For a while, we sat in silence, the soft sounds of the night enveloping us. The gentle lapping of the water against the shore was soothing, and I could feel the warmth radiating from Fleur beside me. It was as if the world had narrowed down to this singular moment, and everything else faded away. I could see the stars reflecting in her eyes, making them sparkle even more brilliantly.

"Thank you," Fleur murmured, her eyes closing in contentment. "For making tonight beautiful… It was perfect."

"Thank you too, Fleur…" I replied softly, my grip around her becoming more natural as I felt the heaviness of my eyelids. The calm of the night wrapped around us like a comforting blanket, the gentle sounds of the lake lulling me into a sense of peace.

Author's Note: So another chapter done… Sorry for the delay… I was lazy yesterday, and the day before I had a competition. So yeah… This one was a pretty standard Fleur/Harry chapter… Nothing too exciting. 3.5k words. Next chapter is gonna be fire, hopefully. Please review and comment… Last chapter got very few comments… so… pretty please.

Also tomorrow is 31st October… So, Happy Halloween and Happy Diwali to everyone… Honestly, as someone from India, I have never celebrated Halloween because we don't have the culture of celebrating it… But I always loved the concept… But honestly it's quite similar to Diwali, which is also one of my favorite festivals. Anyways, I will stop rambling now. Have a nice day everyone, and I hope both the festival goes wonderful for y'all.

Cheers!