"Attention! Attention, everyone!" Professor McGonagall called from the front of the room. The assembled students immediately quieted and turned to listen to their Head of House. "I am pleased to announce that Hogwarts will host an event traditionally associated with the Triwizard Tournament, the Yule Ball." At this several voices, almost all female, began whispering with excitement and anticipation. "Students from fourth year and up are welcome to attend, while other activities will be scheduled for third years and younger. Further information will be posted on the bulletin boards in the common room. This event is first and foremost a ball, which means that there will be dancing." Several groans were heard in response to this.
"I think it would be better for everyone if I avoided the dance floor," Harry told Hermione with a laugh "Everyone's feet will be safer that way." Unfortunately for Harry, that was not going to be possible. For the next few minutes McGonagall continued to talk to them about the ball and everything that would accompany it. Even Harry had to admit it sounded like a fun time.
"Mr Potter, could you stay after?" Professor McGonagall asked as the rest of the students were dismissed. Harry sighed, guessing that he was not going to like what was to come. Once everyone else had left Harry walked to the front of the room where McGonagall was waiting. "It has long been a tradition for the Triwizard champions and their dates to open the ball with the ceremonial first dance. You will be expected to do the same."
"First dance? Date?" Harry said, trying to take in what he had heard. Professor McGonagall merely chuckled at his predicament.
"Mr Potter, despite what the Daily Prophet has been writing about you I doubt you will have any problem finding a girl willing to be your date for the evening. Do try and learn to dance well enough not to embarrass yourself."
"Yes, Professor. I'll try." Harry answered, wondering what he was going to do about the ball. Harry turned and walked out of the room to find Neville and Hermione waiting for him. They were both curious as to what Professor McGonagall wanted, but Neville was able to conceal his interest much better than Hermione.
"So, what did she say?" his bushy haired friend asked.
"Apparently the champions have to dance at the beginning of the ball with our dates. Meaning I not only need to learn to dance but I have to find someone willing to go to the ball with an insane dark lord." His friends laughed at his predicament, resulting in angry glares for both of them.
"Cheer up, Harry. You've faced a dragon, you can face this." Neville said encouragingly.
"And are you really saying that there is no one you want to ask?" Hermione questioned. Immediately the image of Daphne's face flashed in his mind, but he wasn't sure asking her to the ball would be a good idea. While he thought about it Hermione grinned knowingly. "So there is someone. You should ask them Harry, the worst that could happen is they say no." Harry nodded in agreement with her statement, still not sure if he would do it or not.
"I'll think about it, Hermione." Harry promised. To his surprise, for the rest of the day he found there was little else he could get his mind to focus on other than that.
...
The following evening found Harry once again in the third floor classroom trying to force as much power as he could into the spells he already knew. He enjoyed the exercise and the distraction it provided. As he cast spell after spell he could feel the slow drain on his energy begin to make itself felt. From experience he knew that if he kept going at this pace he would reach the end of his magical reserves in about a half hour. The sound from his spells impacting their targets was so loud he did not even notice the door opening or his Slytherin friend coming in.
"Potter!" she yelled, finally getting his attention. Harry slowly lowered his wand, the tip of which was still lightly smoking.
"Hey, Greengrass." he answered, still breathing heavy from training.
"I thought you said you weren't going to exhaust yourself anymore until we could figure out what was going on?" she reminded him.
"I know, but I'm not there yet. I could keep going for another thirty minutes." Harry sat down on bench, still huffing, and conjured a towel to wipe the sweat off of his face.
"Really? You could have fooled me."
"Yes ma'am, I've learned my lesson. I'll take it easy for the rest of the night." he answered sarcastically.
"Good. I'll only need you teaching skills tonight anyway. I think I have a got a good enough memory to make the Patronus charm work."
"Really? That's excellent!" Harry said in encouragement.
"I remembered that you said the emotion was more important than the memory, knowing that helped a lot. And I've been practicing since last time. I've gotten close, but I think I can get it this time. I'm going to try it now…" Daphne took her wand out and began to concentrate on her memory. When Harry saw a small smile on her face he knew that she was going to be able to cast the spell successfully. Finally she raised her wand and yelled "Expecto Patronum!" Immediately pale white mist began to flow out of the tip of her wand. The mist did not dissipate, but instead seemed to form a sphere that grew as the spell continued for several minutes. The sphere then began to take a shape and the first thing Harry noticed was that her Patronus was going to be a four legged animal of some type. Slowly the shape became more and more defined until at last a small white fox was left, its head looking around the room for signs of danger. Harry smiled and glanced over to Daphne, who still had her eyes closed focusing on the spell.
"You did it! Open your eyes and take a look." Harry said with a grin on his face. Daphne's eyes shot open and landed on her Patronus which was now looking directly at her. Daphne's pride and happiness were clear in the way she looked at the proof of her accomplishment. The ghostly fox walked over to Daphne who began to inspect the Patronus.
"This is amazing. I wasn't sure I could do it…" Daphne softly whispered. The fox remained for another minute or so until the spell began to get harder for Daphne to maintain. Slowly the fox lost its form and turned to mist. Harry felt immensely happy for her, knowing how hard it was for him to learn.
"I knew you could do it." Harry answered.
"Thank you." she replied, still a little shocked that it worked. The spell must have taken a lot out of her, Harry realized, when he saw her stumble slightly. He rushed over to her and put an arm around her waist to hold her up. The expression on his face changed to one of concern.
"Are you feeling ok?" Harry asked.
"Just a little tired, I guess." she answered, but her head started to fall and gently landed on Harry's shoulder. Harry helped her over to a bench along one of the walls, still clutching her tightly. Reluctantly he loosened his hold of her, but Daphne's head remained on his shoulder.
"Didn't you come in warning me not to exhaust myself?" Harry asked with a smile.
"Shut up, Potter." she said quietly. As the strength started to return to her she began to realize the position they were in. She sighed and lifted her head up and leaned against the wall for support instead. She was sad to note that it was much harder and colder.
"Do we need to get you to the infirmary for some Pepper Up Potion?" Harry asked, seriously this time.
"I don't think so. Just give me a minute. How are you able to make it look so easy?"