Chapter 20: The Yule Ball P2

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

The perks of being a minor are that there are very few laws that affect him directly. The most consequential law for a minor in the Wizarding world is the Misuse of Magic and that only affected the Muggleborns in most cases or other half-bloods who live in the muggle world like Harry.

Owing to this simple fact that most other laws can only apply to a minor in the most extreme of cases and are usually derived from the Misuse of Magic, Harry would remain scot-free. The simple fact of the matter is, he was a minor which means he remained under the protective custody of an adult. In Harry's case, it was Petunia Dursley.

Which means legally he remained under the protection of a muggle. So, the natural question would be how come a minor can give protection to Sirius Black, the notorious mass-murderer the Ministry has trotted up as the right-hand man of the Dark Lord?

It was this defence Andromeda Tonks used to slap away the DMLE.

It turns out that his abrupt exit from the meeting turned out to be a blessing than a curse. Andromeda Tonks framed his abrupt exit on Amelia Bones and her baseless accusations against his innocent godfather. After all, Harry remained an orphan and it was quite natural for a fourteen-year-old to behave as he did in Dumbledore's office. So, what happened was that Andromeda Tonks threatened to file a case against the DMLE for flinging baseless accusations against a minor and causing emotional trauma.

Of course, such a case may not stand in the court of law but it would certainly play a part in the court of public opinion. According to Mrs Tonks, it was one more stick to be used against the Ministry to speed up the trial date.

Of course, all of that meant he was seriously evaluating his stupid idea to get emancipated. He had not actually shared that idea with anyone so far. The idea has been floating around in his head but seeing that the laws are heavily rigged in favour of a minor he was seriously thinking of abandoning the emancipation idea. Besides, based on his understanding so far there was hardly much of a cause for him to get emancipated in the first place.

Harry could probably build a strong case against Petunia and Vernon but what would be the point. He could punish those two on his own and the Ministry may decide to transfer his guardianship to another wizarding family, which was not at all good. The only other legal avenue that was before him was the Tri-wizard tournament itself but that turned out to be a dead-end on his considerable research.

Turns out, there is no legally binding written contract involved in the Tri-wizard Tournament. The magical binding that forces the selected contestants to participate in the tournament is held by the Goblet of Fire. This binding cannot be taken as legal merit to advocate emancipation as the contract is not at all based on the perceived majority attained by the Champions. The only basic requirement to be selected by the Goblet of Fire is magic, not age.

The Ministry wouldn't recognize his participation in the tournament as grounds for emancipation as the Tournament or the Ministry never championed only wizards or witches of majority can participate. That little bit of additional condition came from Dumbledore rather than the ministry which was aimed at decreasing the chances of any fatal injuries among the Champions. So legally speaking, there was no standing document that would validate Harry's route to emancipation.

Besides, what was the point of getting emancipated anyway?

It is not as if Dumbledore or anyone else can force something upon him without his consent. Petunia could have done something like that but she does not have a shred of magic. Anything she does is invalid in the magical world. This means he was quasi-emancipated and he didn't see any reason to change that status.

With that bit of drama dealt with Harry could now relax a bit for the time being. This was the last day of class and sadly the day ended with double potions. Snape has been far mellowed out but the greasy bat would shoot him glares throughout the class. So long as the man stayed far away from his mind Harry was happy to avoid the guy. It is not as if he was actively seeking out a confrontation with Snape.

Either way, with the meeting happening ahead of the Yule Ball and the holidays he got some tension free days ahead. There was the backbreaking homework to look forward to and some special classes in Arithmancy. And he was sure Snape was only going to contribute to that workload today.

After three hours of breathing in potion fumes inside the dungeons, Harry left the lair of the greasy git with loads of homework. It was as if Snape was intent on squeezing out as much misery into their life to even out the excitement involved in the Yule Ball.

"That greasy git! He is purposefully burying us with homework." Ron cursed the moment they came out of the Potions class.

"Maybe, you can enjoy the holidays if you finish all the homework early." Hermione suggested noncommittally.

"You are mental." claimed Ron.

"Really Weasley?" said Malfoy, sauntering out from behind them. "You are calling that Mudblood mental when you are the worst mental case Hogwarts has ever seen. Who else but you could think you can ask out the French Champion?"

Malfoy and much of the Slytherins behind him proceeded to laugh away as Ron's ears turned red at the reminder.

Harry thought of intervening but then decided to continue his trek back to the common room. He'd be wasting valuable time by exchanging insults with Malfoy for little to no gain. So, he didn't wait for Ron's response and he was not alone as Neville quickly caught up to him.

"So did you ask Ginny?" he asked Neville.

"Uhh…Oh, yes. I did ask her after the lunch break and she said yes." said Neville.

"That's good." Harry patted Neville on the back, happy for his friend to have secured a date.

Neville had at first asked Hermione but since she was going with Krum she said no. Since then, Harry had prodded Neville to ask Lavender or Parvati but Neville was too shy and afraid of rejection. Finally, Neville seems to have found some courage to ask Ginny and that was only after Harry had dragged his friend to seek permission from the twins.

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Harry didn't get the feeling that he was necessarily in a holiday week so to speak. If anything, Professor Vector had taken a renewed vigour to cram as much information regarding Arithmancy down his throat. It was a good thing that he was ultimately giddy to learn all that his professor had to offer him if only so that he could make flashy spells in the future.

Other than his regular extra classes with Professor Vector, he was pretty much a free bird. With Dean and many other Muggleborns opting to stay behind they held regular football games throughout the week. Heavy snowing and bone-chilling cold could hardly keep them away from enjoying a good game of football. Besides, some of the seventh years had put up repelling wards that kept out the sleet from messing with their playing field.

Fred and George came through with their promise of delivering him a whole box of Flaming-Fart candies. For good measure, they even threw in a few Pig-Squeal Toffees, a new product courtesy of the wicked mind of the twins. He had Dobby plant the candies around the Dursley household which should be more than enough trouble for the Dursleys. He was sure Dudley would easily fall to the prank. But, he was not done yet. He had asked Dobby to sneak in the candies into their food as well to make sure all three would experience the worst Christmas they ever had.

And he was just getting started on punishing the Dursleys.

Harry sat near a window with quite a view of the castle grounds. There was nothing much to look at as everything was covered in snow. Even so, it was a wonderful view. As far as his eyes could see everything looked painted in white.

"Harry, it's time for dinner." Neville called out to him breaking him from his thoughts.

The whole castle had gone over a bit of interior remodelling to reflect the Christmas atmosphere. Well, more like the celebration should have been pagan in nature as Daphne had often told him whenever he met up with his date from time to time. She was more passionate about such things and he kind of get where she was coming from. Christmas had almost nothing to do with the Wizarding world as wizards celebrate Winter Solstice or Natalis Solis Invicti, the celebration of the unconquered sun.

From what Daphne had told him, the celebration is supposed to symbolise the surge of Light magic in the world or at least the western part of the world. The sun would begin to gain more influence in the west during this period and all healing magic would gain strength during this period. It is also the time for cleansing rituals to take place as the emergence of the sun is seen to strengthen the potency of rituals.

Instead, Hogwarts celebrated the Winter Solstice as Christmas. Almost everyone else he knew cared not for the old traditions. And thus, Hogwarts sported the usual Christmas trees with some fabulous charmwork done as always by Professor Flitwick to lighting up the tress. Many colourful lambs lit the hallways of the castle bathing the hallways in warm colourful lights. The house-elves in the kitchen outdone themselves by serving savoury puddings and deliciously spicy meats that flared the taste buds of anyone.

Frankly speaking, Dumbledore seems to have taken it upon himself to treat their guests with lavish feasts and colourful lights. Only the French Champion seemed to find faults as the rest were either staying silent or they were pretty much satisfied. The Durmstrang lot seem quite content so to speak. Although, it could be never ascertained what they were thinking as they always seem so serious most of the time.

On Christmas morning Harry woke up to see Dobby tip-toeing his way towards the pile of presents near his bed.

"Dobby. What're you doing?" Harry asked rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he slowly sat up in his four-poster bed.

"Dobby is sorry sir!" squeaked Dobby, his ears flopping downwards sadly. "Dobby never meant to wake you up sir! Dobby just wanted to give Harry Potter sir his present."

"Wait! You brought me a present?" he asked flummoxed.

"Of course, sir! Can Dobby give Harry Potter sir his present?"

"Of course you can." said Harry.

Dobby immediately handed him a small package wrapped in a green cover. Harry unwrapped his present and a pair of socks. The left one was red while the right remained green.

"Thanks, Dobby." Harry smiled at his elfish friend before he remembered he had to give a gift in return. "I have something for you as well and Winky. Winky."

With a customary pop, Winky teleported into the room. "Master Harry called?"

"Oh, yes. I have gifts for you both." said Harry as he opened his trunk fishing out two boxes of chocolate cashew nuts as well as two pairs of socks he had owl ordered from Hogsmeade. Originally they were supposed to be his but he could always order a new pair.

"Dobby loves socks and chocolate Harry Potter sir. Dobby is very thankful sir…very thankful indeed!"

"Master is too kind to Winky. And Winky never brought Master any presents. Bad Winky!"

The rest of his morning was spent consoling Winky who was distraught she never brought him a present. How could she when she refused to take wages from him? He literally had to force Winky to buy certain things for herself with the wages he assigned for her.

Harry spent the rest of the day in the tower rather than outside as he took the day off from any outside activity. It's just that with everyone being very excited he found some solace in staying in the castle. When the evening finally approached he saw Hermione return to the tower early and so did the rest of the girls. Only the boys stayed out far longer.

At seven o'clock, Harry was ready in his attire for the Ball. He chose the standard prom attire which was always functional in any formal setting. He had to sneak away from the castle to London for getting the whole set ready but with two House Elves in his employ anything was possible. Harry was dressed in trousers, a white shirt, a black bowtie, a black jacket, black tuxedo with some cufflinks and studs. Not to mention the brand new shiny pair of leather black shoes. He also took great care to resolve the mess that was his hair with a handful of hair gel.

"Harry…a bit of help here please." said Dean who was struggling with his bow tie.

Being a good Samaritan Harry took up the moment to aid his friend.

"Huh…you look good Harry. I thought you might go for dress robes." said Dean.

"I find the robes in the magical world far more flamboyant. This is more comfortable." said Harry, while folding the bow tie carefully to make the butterfly knot.

After finishing with Dean's bowtie Harry took his leave to the Great Hall. The large oak doors remained closed with many students waiting patiently outside. Harry managed to sneak through the crowd looking for Daphne. After wading through the crowd for some time he found her on a corner surrounded by a number of her Slytherin peers. There were even a few upperclassmen involved. From his point of view, it looked like there was a problem. So, he took precautions before he stepped into the lair of snakes.

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"Greengrass, I hope you understand what you are doing. You will be attracting quite a lot of enemies by pulling this stunt."

Daphne fought the urge to roll her eyes. Truly, what was Montague going to do? Go cry to his mother she was going with Potter to the Yule Ball?

She lamented the falling standards of her house. Half of House Slytherin were filled with lackwits and bullies without a bone of cunning or ambition in them.

Well, there was ambition in some form, Daphne amended her thoughts.

It's just that the ambition many of her housemates harboured is to become an exact replica of their parents. And Montague was not the worst of the lot. No, the absolute worse was Malfoy who seems to have forgotten his humiliating defeat at the hands of Potter.

"I can't believe a Greengrass would even think of touching that Half-blood mongrel. I will be having words with my father about the failing standards of House Greengrass." Malfoy pompously said with a sneer.

"You do think very highly of yourself Draco. That's a dangerous path to tread, isn't it?" a silky voice smoothly intervened.

Daphne looked up to see the newcomer who turned out to be none other than Potter.

"Potter!?" Malfoy blanched, which was an interesting reaction in Daphne's opinion.

She could see a momentarily flash of fear, in Malfoy's eyes.

"Well…well…well… This is not fair, is it? Half the Slytherin Quidditch team rounding up on my date like this. Rather unsporting, isn't it?" said Harry, with a tilted head while keeping his hands in his pockets looking harmless. But, Daphne knew Potter was anything but harmless.

"Potter! Don't think you can intimidate me like the rest of these…" Montague never got to finish whatever he was going to say as a snake latched itself around the Slytherin Chaser's neck and began hissing threateningly.

Montague let out a shrill scream attracting the attention of a section of students who were Slytherins.

Daphne noticed only those among the Slytherin house and Durmstrang students were paying any attention to the ruckus caused by Montague. Most of her housemates had chosen to stay near the stairs to the dungeons. But, Montague's screams should have echoed through the hallway and yet a portion of the inhabitants of the Entrance Hall was clearly disengaged from what was happening.

" Squeeze his throat. $$"

Daphne heard hissing come out of Harry's mouth that made her blood chill. She was not the only one who gasped and watched helplessly as Montague struggled to breathe as the yellow scaled serpent tightened its grip around his neck.

"Potter!" Warrington snarled raising his wand only to fall to his knees beside Montague with a snake squeezing down his neck.

" Don't kill. "

Daphne looked wide-eyed at the scene before her. She could feel the ripples of magic against her skin and her hand twitched to get a grip on her wand. It was only because of her disciplined mind she fought that urge. Instead, she looked at Harry Potter who stood surrounded by Slytherins on all sides, with a sharp smile on his face.

With Harry's hair swept back properly, Daphne could see the red lightning bolt scar on his forehead. It was a stark reminder to everyone, including herself, that Harry Potter was no ordinary wizard. Before Daphne stood one of the most intriguing, influential and perhaps powerful wizard in her generation. Some would say Potter is the most powerful wizard Britain has ever seen. After all, how else could a wizard survive the Killing Curse?

"It seems to me dear Draco here has a problem with me. Tell me, is it because of my mother. Half-blood you called me was it, Draco?" Harry walked around Malfoy like a predator looking at its prey.

"I…I…my father will…"

She could hear Malfoy stutter which nearly made her giggle but Tracey beat her to it. Her friend began openly laughing which made Harry sporting an amused smile.

"Look at that Draco. Your usual lines have become a laughable joke among your Housemates. Why are you so obsessed with my ancestry? By calling me Half-blood do you seek to elevate yourself little Malfoy? Hmm?" Harry nudged Draco but the blonde remained petrified for some reason.

Daphne looked confusedly as Draco began shaking in fear. Her eyes widened as three black serpents slowly poked their heads out of Draco's fine robes. The serpents began hissing and looked poised to strike at Draco but she heard Harry hiss once more. The serpents seem to settle and merely observe Draco who had closed his eyes in fear and began sweating profusely.

"For your information Draco, my father comes from a prestigious bloodline. He can claim descendance from one of the twenty-three families that defended the magical community from falling prey to foreign invaders. I believe my ancestors played a part in the formation of the Ministry of Magic. As for my mother, let's keep her ancestry a secret." said Harry, grabbing hold of Malfoy's blond hair and with a tug, Harry was now looking into a pair of terrified grey eyes. "Or maybe you want to learn more about my mother Malfoy? Please speak up, Malfoy. If you want to learn more I can educate you about the intricacies of my blood."

"I…I'm sorry."

Daphne could hear Draco whisper fearfully.

"I couldn't hear that." said Harry, letting Draco free from his grip.

"I'm sorry!" Draco cried louder.

"But, Draco. You are apologizing to me. Why would you apologize to me Draco? You should be apologizing to my date." said Harry, who proceeded to move to Daphne's side.

"I'm sorry Greengrass." said Draco, still keeping his eyes firmly shut because of the serpents.

"That's good. What about you two, Warrington, Montague?"

"I'm sorry."

The two upperclassmen Slytherins apologized to her. Daphne eyed Harry who broke out into a smile and began hissing again.

"Take your leave noble serpents."

Daphne along with every Slytherin on this side of the Entrance Hall watched the serpents scamper away leaving the three boys to breathe normally.

"Well, I suggest you mind your own business rather than play these games with me. Consider that a bit of friendly advice for your continued long life and health. Trust me, you can't afford an enemy like me." said Harry, giving the assemble Slytherin House a sharp smile before turning towards Daphne holding out his arm. "Shall we?"

Daphne for a moment stood there staring mesmerized into the bright green orbs of Harry. She could feel a subtle vibrancy of magic as she looped her arm with Harry's. From a young age, she has been taught to feel magic as it was one of the affinities she inherited from her mother's family. She was more than sure she was feeling the ripples of magical surge because of the Parseltongue.

Father was right. Parseltongue is indeed the song of nature, Daphne thought.

"Shall we, Daphne?" asked Harry.

Straightening out her blue line-boat-neck dress Daphne stared unflinchingly into Harry's eyes.

"Lead the way, Harry."

Together they moved forward and her housemates parted away to give them space.

Suddenly Harry paused causing her to look questioningly at her date.

"Oh, please do take care to keep this event amongst ourselves. I trust Slytherin House has students with the sense to know that if this event gets into the rumour mill or the Hogwarts staff the whole house will get my retaliation. Do remember you are living in the dungeons with hundreds of snake sculptures. You don't want to know which of those snakes takes command from a speaker of the noble tongue of serpents."

"Harry!" Daphne hissed.

Harry had the sense to look abashed. "Of course you won't be harmed Daphne and you too Tracey."

"Thanks. That surely lets me sleep soundly at night from now on Potter." Tracey's snarky remark came just as quick as possible.

Daphne shook her head and dragged Harry away before he made another scene with her housemates.