Harry Potter And The Unexpected Friend

Harry spent the next few hours with Hagrid, who was surprised but very happy that Harry wanted to spend Christmas day with him. As the hours passed Hagrid seemed to be getting more and more nervous. Harry asked why and Hagrid confided that he had a bit of a crush on Madam Maxine, the Beauxbatons Headmistress. Harry smiled at his large friend's secret and wished him good luck. Hagrid then proudly showed him his outfit for the Yule Ball, which inluded a ridiculous tie that he seemed to be quite proud of. Harry assured him that Madame Maxine would love it before leaving for lunch.

After lunch Harry ended up on the third floor in the classroom he had unofficially taken over. He couldn't will himself to be interested in what he was doing however, because his mind kept drifting off to thoughts about what the night would bring. After tonight he would finally be free to talk to Daphne in public, something so basic it angered him that they were not already able to do it. In many ways, everything would change tonight and not just for him but for Daphne's family as well. Harry had wanted to tell his friends who he was going to the Yule Ball with for a long time, but Daphne had persuaded him not to. She did this not just because it would make things easier on her but so that her family could have time to ensure that they would be protected (physically, politically, and financially) if someone decided to threaten them because of their actions. Harry was still astounded that all this trouble was going to be caused by him taking Daphne to the Yule Ball, an event that in any sane world would not be a problem at all. 'Then again,' he thought, 'my world hasn't ever been sane.'

Finally it got late enough for Harry to decide to go get ready. He had bought new dress robes, as Daphne had suggested, and thought he looked pretty good in them. Far better than Ron would look in those frilly old robes his mom sent him at least. For fifteen minutes he tried to do something with his hair, but it was useless. His hair had a mind of its own and there was nothing Harry could do about that. 'Not even cutting it off would work' he thought, remember a time when he was younger and his aunt had tried just that. Finally satisfied that he wasn't going to be able to make himself look any better, Harry left the Gryffindor common room and headed towards the Yule Ball.

...

The four champions and their dates were supposed to meet in a room adjacent to the Great Hall ten minutes before the ball started. This was so they could go over last minute instructions on their roles and to answer any questions that they might have. Harry arrived a few minutes early to find that the only champion there was Cedric Diggory and his date, Cho Chang.

"Hi Cedric, Cho." Harry said as he walked towards them. The couple turned and smiled brightly at Harry, each giving him a small wave. Harry looked at Cho and noted that his earlier comment about her being pretty wasn't entirely accurate. She was, in fact, beautiful. He felt no jealousy towards Cedric because of this though, he was actually happy for them both. It was obvious that they liked each other quite a bit.

"Hey Harry. Where's your date?" Cedric asked, turning his head to look around the room.

"On her way. I offered to pick her up but she said she would meet me here. Something about 'making a grand entrance'." Cedric laughed in response, and then got a serious look on his face as if an idea had just struck him. He glanced around to make sure they could not be heard and then leaned towards Harry.

"I still owe you for helping me out on the first task, Harry. If you get stuck trying to figure out the clue you ought to consider taking a bath. In fact, use the prefect's bath. The password is 'pine fresh', just remember to take your egg with you." he said, still smiling at Harry. Harry grinned in response, having already figured out the clue.

" 'Come and seek us where our voices sound…' " Harry replied. Cedric eyes shot open in surprise, recognizing the first line of the clue.

"You've already figured it out then. Amazing." he said in a slightly awed voice.

"Well you obviously did too, Cedric. How'd you figure it out? I did it on accident after I kicked the egg into the lake. It was more luck than anything else."

"I'm probably not supposed to tell anyone this, but it probably won't hurt for you to know. I didn't actually figure it out on my own. Professor Moody kept me after class last week and told me to take a bath with the egg. I thought he was crazy until I tried it and it worked. Actually, he probably still is crazy but that's not the point. I would still be clueless if it weren't for him." Cedric admitted. Harry nodded, wondering why Professor Moody would help Cedric out this time but not before the first task.

"Thanks anyway, Cedric. I hope one of us wins." Cedric nodded in agreement and the three began to chat about their expectations for the ball when the doors opened and Fleur Delacour walked in, escorted by a Hogwarts seventh year that Harry recognized but could not name. Her date was staring at her trying not to drool on himself, obviously entranced by her Veela charms. Harry felt a slight pull from the charm, causing him to suddenly think about how attractive the Beauxbaton's champion was, but nothing more. Harry looked over at Cedric who was forcing himself to look away, apparently aware of the effects of the Veela charm. For whatever reason, Fleur's Veela powers were especially strong tonight. Cho seemed to understand what was happening, because she simply laughed.

"It's ok Cedric, I know it isn't your fault." she reassured him.

"I'm just annoyed that Harry doesn't seem to be having any trouble with it at all." Cedric answered.

"I feel it, just not as strong as other people I guess. I heard that she had guys throwing themselves at her feet, begging her to go the ball with them. Some people can't fight it." Harry explained, grateful for his natural resistance that enabled him to not make a fool of himself.

"Yeah, I saw your friend Weasley do just that." Cho added, not knowing that Ron and Harry weren't exactly friends anymore. Harry did not bother to correct her. Moments later their attention was again drawn to the opening door to see Viktor Krum walk in with a pretty girl in a blue dress. It took Harry's brain a few seconds to register what he was seeing. Hermione was Viktor Krum's date. She had managed to tame her bushy hair, Harry assumed she used magic to do so.

"Hermione?" Harry said, a little uncertainly. Hermione smiled and dragged her date over to where Harry, Cedric, and Cho were standing. Harry's mouth was still open from the shock of seeing how attractive his friend looked. "You look great, Hermione." The rest of the school was going to be in for a surprise when she walked in.

"Thank you, Harry. Harry, I want you to meet Viktor. Viktor, this is Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, and Cho Chang." she said, introducing everyone.

"Hello. It is very nice to meet you." Krum said a bit uncertainly, then looked towards Hermione who was smiling and nodding. The others all said hello to Krum and the two champions shook his hand.

"That was great, Viktor!" Hermione said proudly. "English isn't his first language, but he is getting much better at it." Krum nodded then turned towards Harry with a very serious look on his face.

"Potter," he began, "I vant you to know that I vould never use Herm-eye-ninny's friendship against you in the tournament." It took Krum a while to get the sentence out completely, especially when he came to Hermione's name. Harry nodded, understanding what the Bulgarian was trying to say.

"Thank you, but I didn't think Hermione would tell you anything I wouldn't want her to." Harry answered. Hermione rushed over and hugged Harry, having obviously been worried about how he would react. Krum looked happy that Harry wasn't angry at Hermione, but a little upset that she was hugging him. Harry inwardly laughed a little and guided Hermione back to Krum's side.

"So Harry, now you know who my date is. Where is yours?" Hermione asked.

....

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