20

When Harry got back to his apartment; his jaw hit the ground. Every one of his girls was wearing just a smile. Worse, all were shaved bare. "What..." Harry stammered.

Now that they were all in the light of day, Harry was gobsmacked. Daphne stood up, she was tall blonde, and willowy. A Nordmenn beauty, her skin like clear pearls of silver with perky nipples. Susan was a bit busty, however, it fit with her hourglass figure. Luna was also a petite blonde. She had the smallest breast but it fit her figure. There was no mistaking her for a boy though. Then there was Hermione. A handful of breasts and nipples extended, and the exercise made her lean but toned. The fact he noticed. Each of the girls' nether lips looked damp; their nipples were hard and pointy. He noticed they all had a jewel sticking out from their arses.

Harry was pushed further into the room by Narcissa. She took a look around and dropped her robe. She took off her bra and panties. She then slowly stripped Harry of his clothes. Harry was still stunned.

"Harry, we wanted to go a little bit further since you are now truly our lord," Daphne said.

"We are your future wives and consorts; remember?" Susan said.

Harry finally recovered. "Well, you are all beautiful. Though I am going to be teased about liking blonds." Daphne and Luna shot him a look. He winced.

As he turned and saw an elf popping away with his and Narcissa's clothes. Harry grudgingly admitted Narcissa was very easy on the eyes. She was very beautiful in her cold aloof way complete with full-bodied, adult curves. Too bad; one day in the future; the milf had to die.

After a few minutes, Harry's brain rebooted. "Hermione, I have some questions." The girls all looked at him. "What have all of you agreed to?"

"That clothes will be optional when we are alone. This will include sleeping. The use of mouths and fingers is fine as long as participants are okay with it. If possible, we can bath or shower together."

Daphne said with a broad grin at Hermione. "Narcissa will be teaching all of us the contraceptive, lubrication, cleaning, and pleasure spells. She will also start us on the long-term potions."

"The only thing, Harry, is you can see, we are all smooth. You are not. So come, to the bath. We have a spell to teach you."

"While I like that idea; I have something I have to do first," Harry said.

"Loves, in the morning; I have your promissory rings. As of tomorrow; I want the world to know you are mine. That includes you, Mione. It turns out that Lavender is barren. So, I was able to rip up the contract Dumbledore signed for me." Harry smirked at Cissa. "I am an emancipated lord, so I can decide who will be Misses Potter. You are the only woman that I would ever consider for that spot."

{l}

After the girls showed Harry the shaving spell, there was a long stretch of silence as the group didn't quite know what to say. The girls had wanted something like this of course but they weren't expecting it this soon. They were enjoying each other in the expanded bath. They also liked that Harry was with them; smirking a bit because he was nervous.

Harry looked at the girls. "Thank you, just because it is now allowed… I'll go." He said as he made his way to the door.

"Harry wait!" Hermione called out causing him to stop as he swallowed nervously. "Y-you know, if you want… we wouldn't mind you joining us." She said surprising the others with her forwardness.

Daphne then found her voice as she grinned at Hermione.

"We would love it if you joined us," Daphne said as slipped into the large bath Narcissa had set up for the shaving. "It is time; you joined the group of us; not just one on one. Just like at night, you will have now had two of us each night; sometimes more."

"I don't want to rush you or make you uncomfortable." He spoke.

"We're not, are we?" Luna asked.

After a few minutes. "Well, I guess," Harry said as he got into the bath.

Hermione brushed her fingers through his hair to help calm him down as she joined him in the water.

"Here let me help you." She whispered in his ear pressing against his back.

He turned to Luna, then claimed her lips in a deep passionate kiss. Harry enjoyed that both of their hands roamed each other's bodies as they pressed together. After her, it was Susan who reached for Harry's hands before they could reach her and guided them to her bum. Harry's eyes widened but Susan just giggled, as they kissed and she could feel Harry's strong hands grip her rear causing her to involuntarily moan. Hearing her moan caused something to click in Harry's mind as his hips suddenly bucked causing both of them to open their eyes wide.

"Sorry," Harry said but Susan shook her head and smiled.

"It's okay Harry. We expect your hands to be all over us in baths or showers." She said giving him another peck on the lips.

Hermione then took one of his hands as Susan took his other with Daphne leading them to the ledge while waiting for the others.

"Why don't you sit down right here?" Daphne said patting the side of the large bath. Harry did so.

The girls all were in the water now. It was here that Daphne lowered herself as she began to approach Harry. Her icy-blue eyes never once left his as her hands traced up his thighs.

"Do you want to keep going?" She asked, she needed to make sure he was alright with this. Harry never seemed to be an exhibitionist unlike Luna.

"Yes," Harry said finding that part of his brain that he never engaged in before and fully enjoyed the situation happening right now. Daphne smiled as she brought her head down, this would be her first performance she wanted to make sure she did a good job. She stared for a moment taking in his member with her eyes before she steeled herself and engulfed him.

Harry's head went back as his eyes fluttered. He could not describe the feeling except that it was warm and wet. He could feel her tongue as it wiggled in her mouth. He involuntarily bucked again as a shuddering groan came from his mouth. Daphne felt elated at getting such a reaction out of him as she then proceeded to bob her head up and down finding a good gentle rhythm.

Harry was in heaven, this feeling that Daphne was giving him just flooded over him in waves. Daphne continued for a while longer before she raised her head, separating from Harry with an audible pop. Hermione hopped on the ledge and claimed Harry's mouth. Daphne then looked over to the other girls. "Who wants a turn next?

Susan took Daphne's place in front of Harry. Susan then lowered herself like Daphne had and observed his member first. She realized that she loved it. She loved having sex in front of this group. She came forward placing a few kisses before taking Harry into her mouth. Again, Harry was sent to heaven and he could feel a slight difference. Harry noticed the difference in technique and style, even subtle things like the shape of her mouth and tongue. Harry didn't know if it was normal to notice small things like this but he didn't care. Susan went to it finding a rhythm that worked for her and got a good reaction out of Harry. It was a minute before Susan brought her head back up kissing Harry's member before she rose and switched spots with Hermione.

Luna started to kiss and lick Harry's length. She grabbed one of his hands and put it in her hair. Once she swallowed him, Harry realized the blonde wanted him to control her. He put his hands on her head and started to face fuck her. Soon the only sound in the room was Susan kissing him and Luna gagging.

Narcissa soon took Luna's place. She didn't even hesitate to swallow her lord's length whole. Hermione had spread Susan's legs and was licking her core.

On the other side of Harry, Daphne had also taken a seat. Her legs were also spread with Luna's head between them.

All were happy, they were all women, women who wanted to be with their man with their sister-girlfriends. To give a show to each other and Harry while pleasing and being pleased.

Harry bucked and groaned. Harry was breathing heavily now as Narcissa's head bobbed up and down and Daphne and Susan began to shudder beside him. Harry also began to feel a building pressure, it didn't hurt, and in fact, it felt good, very good. It was almost like a tingling sensation as it continued to grow with Narcissa's efforts.

"Narcissa… I think… I think I'm about to…" That caused the older witch to switch with Hermione. Hermione started sucking on his cock again. She looked up at him and took her mouth off and continued her job with her hand when she noticed he was close again. She wanted it where they all could share. As she stroked that pressure built up in Harry until it erupted from him and a feeling of pleasure flooded his body and mind unlike anything he had ever felt before, he could feel his member pulse and with each pulse, a wave of this pleasure washed over him again and again. He gave up more seed than normal. At the same time, Susan and Daphne had reached their climax and moaned in tandem as their bodies quaked.

When it was over the group was left breathing heavily. All the girls got back in the water around Hermione and Narcissa. Both girls had gotten ropes on themselves. Narcissa took a finger and wipe some of the seed on it. Then she stuck it into her mouth with a smile. She then fed each of the girls a taste. It was salty but all the girls were thinking of when they could get it straight from the tap.

Hermione guided Harry down into the water so he could relax in its warmth. Susan and Daphne followed suit as the group just sat in silence in the water. They didn't need to say anything. Harry finally said. "I love you all." That declaration brought a smile to all the girls and not one of them felt a single tinge of regret.

{S}

The girls loved their rings. Once all of them were of age, they would be married. Harry even said that the consorts would have a marriage ceremony.

Even better; Harry told them to just set it up, whatever each girl wanted. The only concern was the rumor mill once it got out. Harry made it quite clear that he would treat them all equally, that consort or wife were only terms for the world, to him, they were all wives.

{S}

Harry did not like it today. He had been told in no uncertain terms that he would have to attend the Hogwarts' DADA Class today. Harry had a feeling that even if they had admitted to having their owls and newts in DADA, they still would have to attend. He knew it was because the faux Moody was teaching a surprise. Now that he was in the mandatory class, he was bored. The class was on the three unforgivable. He had already been trained on the unforgivables. He could cast all three of them already as well as knew how to counter them.

The Faux Moody took them through the unforgivables. First, he demonstrated them on three spiders. Hermione saw how Neville was reacting so she shouted at Moody to stop torturing one of the spiders when he used the cruciatus curse on it.

When it came to the killing curse, the Faux-Moody pointed out that Harry was still the lone survivor of such a curse. However, Harry didn't let it slide. He wanted to prove how stupid the magical world was.

"What makes you think I survived it?" he asked right back.

"Well, you're here, aren't you, boy?" Crouch asked.

"First, it is Mister Potter. I am not your child. Second, everyone else in the room is here, or by your meaning, all the students are still alive. The fact that we are alive, in itself, is not proof that I nor the rest of the students survived the killing curse," Harry shot back.

"Now, what makes you and the rest of the Wizarding world believe Voldemort hit me with the killing curse in the first place?" Harry asked.

Everyone, including Crouch, flinched at the name 'Voldemort' only Hermione, Susan, and Daphne ignored it. Crouch did not notice.

"Everyone knows he hit you with the killing curse and somehow that broke his power. Crouch tried.

"How?" Harry interrupted. "Really, how could everyone know? Supposedly, I am the only one who survived that night in my parent's cottage. That is unless the legend is wrong. But really, I wasn't even two years old yet. So how could I report what spell he cast? Could a baby know the difference between the killing curse and a stunner? Since I came back into the magical world, I have never said anything about it. Back to the question, again, why do you, and everyone else, believe I survived the killing curse? A curse I remind you, which is un-survivable."

Harry almost commented on the smoke coming out of peoples' ears. He could see Crouch, and the rest of the students thinking hard to provide a satisfactory answer. The class stood silent. They could not think of a logical reason either.

"Prior incantation…" Crouch tried.

"That would have worked if you had the wand that cast the spell," interrupted Harry again.

"Voldemort's wand was never found at the scene, at least according to the DMLE."

Again, some students flinched. But it visibly angered Crouch, "Stop using his name, Mister Potter; it scares people."

"I'm not," Harry calmly said. "If I was going to say his name, I'd call him by it. You do know that his real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle; right? Voldemort is just an anagram derived from it."

"Now, you will probably demand to know how I would know that. The details were proven by a pensive memory I gave the Wizengamot. But it easy enough to show you all."

"You lie!" Crouch hissed.

Harry smiled back. He slowly got up and walked from his seat up to the front of the classroom, where he drew his wand.

Harry cast a spell and the words TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE glowed on the wall in huge flaming red letters. Then with a wave of his wand, Harry had the letters move to say I AM LORD VOLDEMORT. The letters eventually faded.

"Now to tell you the tale of how I learned it. The first part is a guess. I am pretty sure that it started when the bastard, Lucius Malfoy ensured a diary holding a shade of Voldemort in it that he gave it to the little bint who was a student here. I was told he had a fight with the slag's father in the bookstore, then gave a load of books back to the slag. One of those books must have been the diary. I would bet that the headmaster noticed that she brought a dark artifact in through the school wards; but I digress, the diary created a shade. That shade then possessed the slag, Ginevra Weasley. When I confronted the shade; the idiot went into a tirade. His gloating was informative. He was quite proud about how he'd fooled all the purebloods; seeing as he's only a half-blood bastard."

Then he went back to his seat. "See, that explains how I learned his name. A name the shade did not like. The shade said his father was a muggle that he got his first name and surname from. He did not want the world to know his disgrace so he formed it into his little anagram. After all, there are no pureblood families called Riddle in all of Europe. His maternal line came from his mother, Marope Gaunt."

Everyone, including Crouch, stared at the wall in shock. After a long few more moments after the letters had finally disappeared, Crouch almost shouted. "It does not matter. Since he's not the subject of today's lesson. Today the lesson is on the unforgivables."

Crouch moved on to demonstrate the Imperius curse. Harry and all the girls were able to ignore the curse. To keep their immunity secret; they instead just obeyed the orders until they got bored. Each time that happened. It brought a dark frown from the teacher. All the other students were put through their paces. Harry noticed the beetle. That made him smile. He did not even have to tell the press the truth. The press would be printing a sensational version of it on their own.

{N}

THE TRUTH ABOUT HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED

We at the Daily Prophet have to report that information came out of a surprising place; Hogwarts's Defense against the Dark Arts class. It came out that we can now identify He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

The name we do not speak is an anagram of Tom Marvolo Riddle. That is what you get when you rearrange the letters of: I am Lord Voldemort. {A Picture of the two lines of writing with lines connecting the two}

With our research, we found that Tom Riddle was the son of Tom Riddle Senior a muggle, and the Mother Marope Gaunt, a witch.

Given his pure-blood supremacist view, it is hypocritical when he is a half-blood. We, at the Prophet, wonder how this knowledge will affect his terrorist group.

The Prophet will report on this ongoing story.

Rita Skeeter - Correspondent

{N}

THE BOY-WHO-LIVED-HIS LIFE, HIS WORDS

We've Been Lied To!

In his own words, Harry Potter (14), the Boy-Who-Lived, has given us the exclusive story of his life from the night of the attack by You-Know-Who on the cottage of his parents in Godric's Hollow that fateful Halloween.

Potter: What you know about me is all a lie. To start, my parents were killed with the killing curse, but what proof is there that I survive the curse? Everyone hit with the curse has a look of horror on their face with no other marks. So why is my scar proof that I survive the curse? Only two people that night show the residue of the killing curse. No proof that I had the residue. The killing curse does no collateral damage. The nursery in the house at Godric's Hollow looks like it was hit by a bombarda maxima spell. Last, who was the witness that says I survive the curse? There was no body or wand of [He-who-shall-not-be named; Harry actually used his name] the first witness we know of is Hagrid {Hogwarts's Game master}, who admitted picking up Harry in his crib and taking him to Hogwarts. So, whatever defeated {if he was defeated} was nothing I am responsible for. Therefore, I am not your hero. It makes me wonder who benefits from the legend: the BWL. The only person who seems to have benefitted from it was my magical guardian. The same person that sealed James and Lilly Potter's wills.

As we all know, that person is Albus Dumbledore.

So, in truth, Mister Potter does not know if he was truly our savior, nor what the people that profited from the BWL legend stole from him or us; the public at large.

We also learned that the only "proof" the dark lord was even at Godric's Hollow was a report that some death eaters said he went there. We know from the DMLE that two killing curses were cast and Mister Potter's parents died from them.

Mister Potter had these additional thoughts: if the dark lord was stopped that night; how do we know he wasn't killed in a coup or something else? Or someone else; if the room was hit by a bombarda maxima, who cast it?

Could other Death Eaters have shown up and killed my parents with the AK, then hit the house with a bombarda maxima and left?

If the so-called dark lord was stopped that night, someone else is your hero, not me.

One last point; If as you say; I was that hero, wouldn't the Wizengamot have awarded me an Order of Merlin? I mean look at Dumbledore, he received one for defeating Gellert Grindelwald.

This reporter agrees with Harry. The only true information of the night is what has been released by the DMLE. Nothing else is a fact. The rest of what happened that night is just speculation.

I agree with Mister Potter, we do not know what happened that night.

Maybe, just maybe we are making someone a hero that doesn't deserve it. Conversely, if Harry did kill, he-who-must-not-be-named; the Wizengamot owes Harry another order of merlin.

Reports Silence Dogood

{S}

Harry did not look forward to this day. Four days ago, he received a summons handed to him by Professor McGonagall to see the headmaster. So now he had to see the wanker immediately after he'd finished his meal.

"Well, Narcissa," he mused. "It appears the headmaster is upset about something. The question is what I did to deserve it. Was it either of my little demonstrations in the Da-Da classroom, what was in the Prophet, or both? Care to join me?"

"I think I must," smiled Narcissa. "We can't have you getting into even further trouble, now, can we?" Korshak will meet us at the gargoyle.

After finishing their lunch, they walked to the entrance to the headmaster's office. Korshak was there waiting for them. With a call of "Snickers!" the gargoyle leaped to the side and the three ascended the moving staircase to the landing outside the headmaster's door.

Just before Harry knocked, they heard the headmaster from inside call, "Come in, Harry."

Opening the door, Harry allowed Narcissa to precede him inside. She smirked figuring he did that so Harry could check out her ass. She had made it a point to make sure he knew all of his group wore stockings held up by suspenders with no nickers most days and were completely shorn. When Harry checked, he noticed Cissa forgot to mention they were all constantly wearing buttplugs.

They all three stood there and waited. Harry smirked at the fact that there were no chairs on this side of the desk. Dumbledore finally entered the room from his private chambers. "Miss Black? Mister Korshak?" asked Dumbledore. "I believe I only asked for young Harry to join me."

"You did," answered Narcissa.

When she didn't say anything else, and Korshak said nothing, he finally asked, "Then, what are you two doing here?"

"Since you did not state why I was asked to join you, Headmaster," answered Harry. "I felt it prudent to have Narcissa here with me. You already knew that Mister Korshak must be here unless this is completely a school matter."

When Dumbledore did not respond, Harry went on to say, "You summoned me, Headmaster; and, I am here. What is it you wished to speak to me about? I'd not like to be late for my next class."

"I wished to speak to you alone, Harry," the headmaster tried.

"Oh," replied Harry. "My apologies, I would have sent back that, fuck you; that will not happen; ever again. Just so our time would not be wasted."

With an overly dramatic sigh, the headmaster said, "Very well." "Please take a seat." Albus had conjured three chairs.

Harry waited until the other two were seated before he sat in the center chair. And all three looked expectantly back at the headmaster.

Dumbledore rearranged himself a little and, with a stern expression directed at Harry, asked, "Now, perhaps you can tell me why you felt it necessary to mention the dark lord's real name in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, then somehow gave the Prophet the same information."

"No, Sir," replied Harry. "I didn't feel it was necessary, at all."

"So, you didn't mention the dark lord's real name in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom? Nor, demonstrate how it was an anagram of his real name. Nor give it to the Prophet?"

"Oh, no Sir," replied Harry. "I did not feel it was necessary, I just did those things to piss you off. I, however, did not give that to the press. I would not have talked with the press if they had not already known about the DA-DA class. Someone else must have told the press."

The headmaster sat with his eyes closed looking like he was pissed. "Harry," he said. "Why ever would you do such a thing?"

"Why not? None of what I said was a state secret. Hell from a pragmatic point of view, all of the fucking death eater tossers should know that they were lied to. That will affect his recruitment drive if the purebloods know he is a half-blood."

"Then there is the sheep of this country. They needed to know they were being led astray. To be blunt; someone or some group of people lied to them; and I do not want to stay on their fucking pedestal the liars created for me. Can you tell me that magical Britain does not need to know; that I am not their hero?"

"Now, I must ask you to quit sharing any knowledge," he instructed. "About Voldemort or anything that questions you being the boy who lived."

"You want me to conceal knowledge or to lie about it, Sir?" asked Harry. "It sounds like you want the bastard to remain a Baba Yaga. That's plain manipulation. So, sod off. Besides, enough people have heard it now. So, the kneazle can't be put back into the bag."

"No," the headmaster backpedaled. "I'm just asking that you not volunteer any further information concerning Voldemort."

"Too bad," replied Harry. "People need to know who is trying to kill them. Who is trying to lead tossers to kill them?"

"Mister Potter; that will do," he said. "Now, about you not believing you were hit by the killing curse…"

"Really," Harry cut in. "Under what sun is there proof I did survive it? What sort of clairvoyance provides incontrovertible proof that I did? What irrefutable logic divines that outcome? Though, in truth, I only asked why everyone else believed I was hit with it."

"Because you were, Harry," Dumbledore tried to explain.

"Really?" he asked right back. "Again, how the fuck do you know? What proof do you have that I did? Because, frankly, there is nothing I can find of magic that says I did."

"What do you mean?" asked the old man.

"There are five points that clearly show you're your belief to be in error," Harry explained. "The first; remember when it happened. I was a mere fifteen-month-old infant. So; with magic, no one has ever heard of; that magic allowed me to survive being hit by a curse that has never been survived. That, in itself, is ludicrous."

"Second, the killing curse never leaves a mark on its victims. It does no physical damage to the body. Yet, your proof, I, received this scar from it." He said, lifting his fringe to display the scar that had faded.

"Next, we have to talk about the known circumstances. There are no survivors from within the cottage that night, except me. Therefore, there was no one there to witness what curse was supposedly cast at me by Riddle. Even if he did indeed cast a spell at me. Hell, his wand was missing from the house so we have no way of knowing what spell that may be."

Fourth, it wasn't until I had that incident on the express that I could see thestrals or their hair.

Last, it seems that someone wanted me to be a hero. The fucking the-boy-who-lived bullshite. It seems like someone wanted me to be put on a pedestal without my approval or even by my leave. I would bet that the people that benefit from me being the BWL; created the hype and fucked up mythology."

"Even you, yourself are guilty of doubting the whole tripe. After all, you sent Hagrid to pick me up; and bring me straight to the Dursleys. Why there; if I had been hit with such dark magic; why did he not take me to Saint Mungo's? Headmaster; if I did get hit with a curse like that, should I not have been seen by a medi-witch? You did not even have Madam Pomfrey check me out."

"With that in mind, I have authorized Mister Korshak and his law firm, to deal with it. One of his tasks is to go after all the people who have unlawfully used my name to sell their products. Another task is to deal with all those that try to force me to be a hero. That shit has got to stop. A hero I am not, and don't ever want to be one."

"Is there anything else, headmaster?" Narcissa chimed in. "And we have told you on many occasions, my lord is not your family and he has not given you the right to call him by his given name. Mister Korshak here has papers for you. We will be able to go after your wealth if you do not cease and desist."

Sitting back with another sigh, Dumbledore said, "Thank you for your time, Mister Potter. You may go."

{S}

"Ladies, I think I may have gone too far with the first task that said; it could be something else. We need some information. Hermione, Krum studies a lot in the library. Could you go see him?" Harry asked. "Susan, could you check out Cedric? Daphne, could you track down Fleur? Last, Luna, could you find out who is running the betting pool and details on odds, and whatnot?"

"What is going on Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Once we have the information, we will discuss it. It is just a feeling so far. A very bad feeling." Harry replied. "The champions are treating me like a leper."

"Harry, do you still want dance lessons?" Narcissa asked

Harry blinked at the non sequitur. "Yes, I want them for all of us. So, we can go to any ball and not embarrass ourselves, I don't want to let my ladies down, why?"

"We have a month until the Yule ball. They will be announcing it today in class. Minerva will be holding mandatory dance classes starting Saturday. You will be told you have to be here. You will also be told you must have a date. One date." Narcissa smirked.

"Very funny. So do you have a plan for us to escape?" Harry retorted.

"Of course, my lord. We will just go to another ball. Just expect our glorious tosser to try to take you from the ministry ball. Though how he would be able to do it, without making a scene, is beyond me."

"Let him try. I am sure we can make such a scene it will cost him dearly. On the other matter of the dance, hmm, ladies, please let it drop that so I do not offend you, I have already asked someone and that girl wants to remain anonymous until the night of the ball. I will, of course, make it up to you at the ministry ball. I will dance with all of you."

Harry asked. The girls all nodded with a smirk. "Daph, your sister would love to go to the ministry ball, correct?"

Daphne smirked as she nodded.

"Your father would not let her attend unless heavily chaperoned, that she has a date that is "safe"?" Harry asked he knew the young girl had wanted to go, and he wanted to get on the good side of his future sister-in-law.

"Amusing, and delightful, my lord. You should have been put in Slytherin. I will see to all the arrangements from my family. You will of course also have to give one dance with my mother, probably two." Daphne said while laughing at Harry's frown.

{S}

"That's all for class today," McGonagall said as she lowered her wand. Before the students could start to get up and head out, she smiled and kept going. "However, one announcement before you all leave this class. This winter holiday, on December 24th, a Yule Ball will be held at Hogwarts. We will be hosting all three schools and there will be dinner, dancing, and music. A small cheer greeted this remark and she waited for it to die down before finishing.

"You are all welcome to stay here at the castle and attend if you wish. If so, I recommend you find a date. There is a restriction, the Ball is open to fourth years and up. However, younger students may attend if invited by one of the upper years."

"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Eve, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall." McGonagall stared deliberately around the class.

"The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to let our hair down," she said, in a disapproving voice. "I will be most seriously displeased if a Hogwarts student embarrasses the school in any way."

The class started to pack up and leave. Then she said, "Potter! A word, if you will."

Harry turned to the Professor. "Yes, Professor?" Harry asked.

"Mister Potter," McGonagall said, "As a champion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, they and their partners are expected to open the Yule Ball."

"Hmm. But Professor, I am not a champion, I just have to compete in your blood sport." Harry answered as though it was obvious.

"That doesn't matter. You will open the dance. You are required to have a date. Oh, and Mister Potter You can only take one girl."

Harry shrugged. "Okay, I will have a date on that night."

Minerva was skeptical of how easily Harry acquiesced to the demand. This was troubling. Worse, this could cause problems for the greater good. Albus was correct; the boy needed to follow orders instead of being a loose cannon.

{S}

Narcissa had taught him the bubble head charm, warming charm, and echolocation charm. Today was the day to test them. He took his broom out to the lake. Seeing no one around, he put his foot in the water and apparated to where he thought the Merfolk village was.

After twelve apparitions, he finally found it. He fixed the spot in his mind.

He also learned he could only apparate if he had one foot in the water.

Then he dropped off the broom and entered the water. He swam down to the village. He saw four pillars in the center of the village. The merfolk wouldn't let him get closer to see the pillars. It was good enough, so he returned to the surface.

Just like finding the village, it took him several times to get back on the broom. He was ready for the second task if he had to do more than attempt it.

He also had received depth bombs from Croaker. It seemed everyone assumed the worst.