A/N: *sigh* Here we go again…
Part 10
Snape: Attention all Hogwarts students! Tonight is our annual Yule Ball, so please remember to pick up your Yule Ball wreath and give it to that special someone. (Ginny enters) Ah, ginger! (Throws Yule Ball wreath)
Everybody laughed, even Ginny, from the absurdity of it.
Ginny: Oh, hey Harry Potter.
"Oh no…" Ginny sighed, settling better into her seat, preparing to be further embarrassed by her onscreen character.
Harry: Oh, hi Ginny.
Ginny: Fancy seeing you here, huh?
Harry: Well, it's the cafeteria, so yeah.
Ginny: Um, so, um, the Yule Ball's coming up, huh?
"Please don't do this…" she whispered so low that only Harry heard it. He grinned at her and rubbed her back in what he hoped was a comforting way.
Harry: Yeah, I know, it is, very very soon. Yeah.
Ginny: Well, were you thinking of going with anybody?
Harry: I was. I was actually just waiting for the right time to ask somebody and I think – I think that time is about now, so if… if you've got something to say just get it out…
Ginny: (Squeals and gives wreath to Harry)
Ginny groaned loudly, making a few people chuckle.
Harry: Oh, is this for me?
"You actually seem happy!" Hermione said hopefully.
"Wonder how you'll ruin it," said Ron with a shit-eating grin on his face, earning him a few giggles from the crowd around him.
Ah, Ginny, how did you know that I needed a wreath so I could ask Cho Chang? You're the best!
"There it is!" laughed James.
Ginny: Oh… Harry Potter, just – forget it!
Harry: Alright, I will!
The room exploded with laughter.
Cool!
"That's horrible," Lily said, trying, and failing horribly, to hide her giggles.
Hey, hey, Cho Chang, listen, I know the Yule Ball's coming up and I was wondering if, uh, maybe you wanted to go with me? But just in case you're kind of on the fence about it you should know that I play guitar, and that I conquered that dragon's heart with it, so I think I can conquer yours. (Singing) You're tall and fun and pretty, you're really, really skinny… Cho Chang!
"Isn't this the song he sang to Ginny earlier?" asked Sirius.
"Yeah," several people agreed.
You're the Mickey to my Minnie, I'm the Tigger to you're Winnie… Cho Chang! You're cuter than a guinea pig. I'll take you up to Winnipeg. That's in Canada! Oh! Cho Chang! Ch-ch-ch-ch-China, China, China, Cho Chang! (Speaking) Whatever.
Cho: Well, Harry Potter, bless your heart. Um, but I'm gonna have to say no. That young strapping boy, Cedric Diggory, already asked me and I'm just gonna go with him. Sorry.
James let out a low whistle. Lily hushed him.
Come on, girls, let's go show Moaning Myrtle our ball gowns and make fun of her because she can't go!
Lavender: Yeah!
"Now, that's horrible!" Remus said.
Ron: Hey there, good buddy. How yah doing?
Harry: I'm okay.
Ron: Is that a Yule Ball wreath?
Harry: Yeah…
Ron: Who you gonna ask?
Harry: I asked Cho Chang, but she turned me down for Cedric Stupory.
Ron: Oh my god, they're going together? That's so great. I love him so – they are so a cute couple!
Harry: No, no!
Ron: I hate him.
Harry: Yeah!
Ron: I hate him so much. Oh my god, he pisses me off, wow.
The whole room filled with laughter.
"That is true friendship," chuckled Remus.
"Cheers to that, mate," James agreed.
Ah man, that sucks dude. I don't know why she turned you down, you're like the coolest guy in school.
Harry: I don't, like, get it. I play guitar. I'm Harry Potter. I'm awesome!
"Debatable," Draco mumbled under his breath.
Ron: Reese's Pieces?
Harry: Yeah… I don't get it man. I mean, I guess I'll just go stag, huh?
Harry sent a side-glance at his father. Looking away he smiled to himself.
Ron: Yeah, I'll probably go stag too. The only two girls that I know that don't have dates already are Ginny (Thumbs down) and Hermione.
Harry: Oh my god. (Thumbs down)
"That is so rude, you two!" Hermione reprimanded them.
"Hey!" Ron defended himself. "If you don't remember, I was the one that suggested Harry go with Ginny, but Ginny was already taken! And I asked you!" he added.
"I hate to say it, but he's got a point," Ginny nodded.
Ron: I'm not going with my stupid sister.
Harry: And I think of Hermione as a sister so that's out.
Ron: We are in such a puzzle.
"Such a puzzle!" Sirius said. "Whatever will you?"
Neville: Hi, look at these strapping young men.
HarryandRon: Hey, Neville.
Harry: Hey, Neville, want this Yule Ball wreath?
Neville: Yeah, if you're willing to part with it I will take this wreath.
Harry: Hey, Ron, let's go hang out with Hagrid. He can teach us how to dance and we can get in our dress robes.
Ron: That can only lead to disaster and hilarity. Let's go!
A few people giggled.
(They start leaving) I mean, I just don't know about Hermione. I don't think anyone's asking her, you know, because she's just so butt ugly.
Harry: Hideous!
"Excuse me?!" Hermione shrieked.
"Again! I asked you to the Yule Ball!" Ron yelled back in exasperation. "You said no! I never thought you were ugly!"
"Good!" she answered loudly and slightly amused. Ron rolled his eyes, but couldn't hide his smile when Hermione settled down again, leaning against his shoulder.
Goyle: Give that plant, nerd!
Neville: Ah!
Goyle: Oh, Goyle rules!
Draco: So anyway, it was reluctant enough at first, but I lured it out of its cage with an upside-down face, lassoed it with my Fruit by the foot and beheaded it with a quick slicing charm, bloody fool. What– Goyle? What are you doing with that wreath? What are you going to ask someone to the Yule Ball?
Goyle: No! Dancing's for nerd.
Crabbe: And pretty girls.
Draco: That's right... Know the last girl I'd have asked to the Yule Ball would be?
Malfoy groaned loudly, knowing what would come. James and Sirius sniggered.
That Hermione Granger. Not even if we were the last two people earth and she looked absolutely stunning in her ball gown so every time I looked at her I got butterflies in my tummy… Not even then…
"I hate this," Malfoy said. "I truly hate it."
"Indeed," Snape agreed solemnly from his chair.
"Oh, cheer up you two," Lily smiled. "It's just a laugh. No one is taking any of this seriously."
"I don't know, Lily," grinned Sirius. "It's all based on real life events. Where did they get the idea to make Malfoy madly in love with Hermione?"
It was obvious Sirius only said it to provoke Malfoy, but nevertheless Malfoy's cheeks had turned just a shade pinker. Though, whether it was from building anger or embarrassment was hard to tell.
"I never-" Malfoy began before Snape interrupted him.
"We know, Draco. Now will you please be quiet so we can finish this utterly pointless experience?"
Malfoy reluctantly settled back into his chair with a frown on his face.
"I think it's cute," Lily shrugged. Malfoy went to say something, but quickly changed his mind under the look Snape gave him.
You know, they don't even have dances at Pigfarts. All the noise would disturb Rumbleroar's slumbering cubs.
Goyle: Dancing is for pansies.
Draco: Right. Hey, you there, what's your name?
"So that's Pansy," Ron noted, amused.
Pansy: Pansy.
Draco: Perfect!
They chuckled.
You're going to the Yule Ball with me. Do you see that dragon? Well, it was reluctant enough at first, but I lured it out of its cage with an upside-down face…
Quirrell: Yule Ball decorating crew. Just the Yule Ball decorating crew coming through. Last minute decorations. My lord, the Yule Ball has finally arrived and I've brought the key.
Voldemort: Yes, I know, Quirrell. I hear everything you hear!
They laugh again.
Quirrell: I'm sorry.
Voldemort: No, I'm sorry. I-I shouldn't have snapped. I'm just nervous, that's all.
"They're so cute together…" Ginny said.
Quirrell: Nervous?
Voldemort: No.
Quirrell: Why?
Voldemort: I don't wanna talk about it.
Quirrell: Hey, it's just me. You can tell me anything, you know that.
Voldemort: Yeah, yeah, you're right, you're right. I'm just nervous because we've been planning this night for so long and I want everything to go perfectly, you know?
"Why are they succeeding in making me feel something other than hate for Voldemort?" Lily questioned hopelessly.
"It's truly scary," Hermione agreed.
Quirrell: Don't worry. We've mapped out everything. We've anticipated every little problem and compensated for it. We even prepared what you're going to say to Potter when you see him. So just cool down, relax. By the end of the night you'll have your revenge and your body back.
Voldemort: You're right, you're right. I'm being silly. But, you know I– Quirrell, over the past year I've really grown attached to you. No pun intended.
Quirrell: Yeah, I know what you mean. But hey, we'll still hang out. Just because we're not attached doesn't mean we'll be two completely different people. No pun intended.
Voldemort: No, no, of course not! Hey Quirrell, we should make plans.
Quirrell: Evil plans?
"Oh, he got so excited," Lily cooed, nuzzling against James.
"Yeah, about evil plans. That's not a good thing," James chuckled.
"Shut up, it was adorable!"
Voldemort: Oh, uh… no, casual plans. Like, um, we could go rollerblading on a Saturday and then see a movie at night?
Quirrell: Yeah, it'll be great because we'll both be able to watch it for a change.
Voldemort: Yeah, yeah… I bet it'll be nice to sleep in our own beds, not have someone behind you all the time.
Quirrell: And have the privacy of my old life back again. The solitude. (They sigh sadly)
"Does this mean Voldemort is having second thoughts about the plan?" Ron asked no one in particular.
"Maybe that's the twist?" Ginny said. "He doesn't get his own body and chooses instead to stay with Quirrell!"
"I really hope you're right," said Harry.
Voldemort: No, whatever happens tonight man, it's been a blast.
Quirrell: Yeah, one crazy year. Hey, promise we'll go rollerblading and see that movie.
Voldemort: Oh, man, I promise.
Quirrell: (Hugs himself. They both look content)
Voldemort: Okay, Quirrell, let's go plant that key and split! Pun intended!
"And a horrible pun it was!" Sirius said loudly to the screen.
Snape: Why, Professor Quirrell? What on earth are you doing in the Great Dancehall just moments before the dance?
Quirrell: Just decorating… for the Yule Ball. Last minute decorations, just one final touch.
Snape: A ladle?
Quirrell: A very special ladle for a very special night for a very special punch.
Snape: And what's so special about it?
Quirrell: Let's just say there's Squirt in it.
"What's Squirt?" asked Malfoy, grimacing simply at the name.
"I think it's probably some kind of beverage enjoyed by muggles," Hermione said almost impatiently.
Snape: Squirt? Is that not the favourite drink of one Harry Potter?
"Nope," said Harry. "Never even heard of it."
Quirrell: Is it? I had no idea. Well, we better be going–
Snape: We?
Quirrell: I, I better be going. Loud music hurts my ears.
Snape: Okay, well I'll see you later then.
Quirrell: Or maybe you won't!
Snape: Or maybe I will! (Quirrell leaves. Snape tries to do the same)
Dumbledore: Excuse me! It was my fault. Wait, Severus…
Snape: Oh, Headmaster.
Dumbledore: What are you doing in here? Getting some punch, are you?
Snape: Oh, no, no, no, there's Squirt in that.
Dumbledore: Only Harry Potter likes that hog's shit, I'll stick to my Red Bull, thank you very much.
Snape: Well, goodnight Headmaster.
Dumbledore: Severus, I – I saved this last dance for you.
"I don't know how I feel about that…" James said with and uncertain smile.
"I know how I feel about that," Sirius said. "And I don't feel good."
"Finally, we agree on something, Black," Snape drawled from his seat.
Snape: Well I would, Headmaster, but you see, well, an old friend is coming back into town tonight. (Laughs suspiciously)
A/N: God this chapter was a nightmare to write and AN EVEN WORSE NIGHTMARE TO POST! But! No matter. It's done. Review, favourite and follow, please and thank you?