The Boy Who Lived (Harry Potter AU)

Chapter 51

Potter! Weasley! Will you pay attention?”
Professor McGonagall’s irritated voice cracked like a whip through the Transfiguration class on Thursday, and Harry and Ron both jumped and looked up. 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; 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, and Harry and Ron, who had been having a sword fight with a couple of Fred and George’s fake wands at the back of the class, looked up, Ron holding a tin parrot and Harry, a rubber haddock.
“Now that Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age,” said Professor McGonagall, with an angry look at the
pair of them as the head of Harry’s haddock drooped and fell silently to the floor Ron’s parrot’s beak had severed it moments before. “I have something to say to you all.
“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, which Harry thought was distinctly unfair, as she had just told off him and Ron.
“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 — a word, if you please.”
Assuming this had something to do with his headless rubber haddock, Harry proceeded gloomily to the teacher’s desk. Professor
McGonagall waited until the rest of the class had gone, and then said, “Harry, the champions and their partners.” “What partners?” said Harry. Professor McGonagall looked suspiciously at him, as though she thought he was trying to be funny.
“Your partners for the Yule Ball, Harry,” she said, with a smirk. “Your dance partners.”
Harry’s insides seemed to curl up and shrivel.
“Dance partners? You mean I have to dance in front of everyone?" Asked Harry. "Yes Ofcourse Harry. You and your partner along with the other champions and their partners open up the Ball." She said. "Aww man. Aunt Minnie, do I have to?" Whined Harry. "Yes you do, Young Man." She said sternly. "And what problem do you have? You do know to dance. And as for your partner I guess you better get to asking her. And you better ask her now Harry James Potter. If I come to know that you've done exactly the opposite, it'll be my wand and you. Get it?" She said. "Got it, Aunt Minnie." Gulped Harry as he left. As he was walking by to his next class he was joined by Draco, Ron and Neville. "So Aztec how're you gonna ask Hermione to the Ball?" Asked Draco. "I dunno Dragon. I'm waiting for inspiration." Said Harry. "I'm gonna take Luna to the Forest on a Picnic and ask her." Said Ron. "I'm gonna take Ginny flying and ask her." Said Draco. " And I'm gonna take Star to the Astronomy Tower and ask her." Said Neville. "Okay. So by the time we go for dinner, we're gonna ask our girlfriends to the Ball. Deal?" Asked Harry. "Deal!" Said the other Three and went their separate ways.
"I Solemnly Swear I'm upto no Good." Said Harry as he removed the Marauders Map. Looking for Hermione, he saw her inside the library. As he went there he got and inspiration. After a quick word with Madam Pince, he went near where Hermione was sitting and waved his wand in a complicated motion. "Hey Hermione!" He called out softly. "What is it Harry?" She asked as she turned to see him standing with the Books arranged in "Will you go to the Ball with me?" Looking sheepishly at her. "Hermione Jean Greengrass, will you please, oh so pretty please, go to the the Ball with me?" Asked Harry. She pretended to muse for a minute, sighed and said, "Well since I can't see anyone else who could take me, I suppose I can go with you." Everyone in the Library started clapping. Having heard her answer, he gave her a fleeting hug. "Harry. Why didn't Madam Pince come over here?" She asked. "Because I took her permission to do this." He said.