Athena Black And The Goblet of Fire (sequel to The Story Of Athena Black )

Chapter 14: The Unexpected Task

It was the end of the lesson; they had finished their work; the guinea fowl they had been changing into guinea pigs had been shut away in a large cage on Professor McGonagall's desk. Neville's still had feathers; they had copied down their homework from the blackboard. "Describe, with examples, the ways in which Transforming Spells must be adapted when performing Cross-Species Switches. The bell was due to ring at any moment."The Yule Ball is approaching - a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests.

Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish -"Lavender Brown let out a shrill giggle. Parvati Patil nudged her hard in the ribs, her face working furiously as she too fought not to giggle. They both looked around at Harry, Professor McGonagall ignored them"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then -"Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class."The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to - er - let our hair down," she said, in a disapproving voice.

Lavender giggled harder than ever, with her hand pressed hard against her mouth to stifle the sound. Harry could see what was funny this time: Professor McGonagall, with her hair in a tight bun, looked as though she had never let her hair down in any sense."But that does NOT mean," Professor McGonagall went on, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."The bell rang, and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.

Professor McGonagall called above the noise, "Potter  and Black - a word, if you please. Professor McGonagall waited until the rest of the class had gone, and then said, "Potter, Black the champions and their partners -""What partners?" said Harry. Profesor McGonagall looked suspiciously at him, as though she thought he was trying to be funny. "Your partners for the Yule Ball, Potter," she said coldly.

"Your dance partners."Harry's insides seemed to curl up and shrivel."Dance partners?" He felt himself going red. "I don't dance," he said quickly."Oh yes, you do," said Professor McGonagall irritably.

"That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball."Harry had a sudden mental image of himself in a top hat and tails, accompanied by a girl in the sort of frilly dress Aunt Petunia always wore to Uncle Vernon's work parties.

"I'm not dancing," he said."It is traditional," said Professor McGonagall firmly. "You are a Hogwarts champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative of the school.

So make sure you get yourself a partner, Potter.""But-I don't-""You heard me, Potter," said Professor McGonagall in a very final sort of way. A week ago Harry would have said finding away to ask Athena to the dance would be a cinch compared to taking on a Hungarian Horntail. But now that he had done the latter, and was facing the prospect of asking a the girl he loves to the ball, he thought he'd rather have another round with the dragon.

Harry had never known so many people to put their names down to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas; he always did, of course,  but he had always been very much in the minority before now. This year, however, everyone in the fourth year and above seemed to be staying, and they all seemed to Harry to be obsessed with the coming ball - or at least all the girls were, and it was amazing how many girls Hogwarts had but he had his eyes on one girl only.

"Why do they have to move in packs?" Harry asked Ron as Athena and Hermione walked by with a group of girls laughing and giggling.
 Harry said yeah im gonna ask Athena to the dance. Ron said thats a good idea since you guys are dating im gonna go to Hermione and ask her bye Harry. Harry said bye Ron.