Yule Ball
“Good morning, everyone.” Dumbledore said one day. “Before we start our last day prior to Winter Break, a few announcements. Of course Professor McGonagall has reminded me to tell everyone that if you stay for the Yule Ball you are expected to be on our best behavior and not humiliate Hogwarts in front of all of our international guests. Though I must address that the other Headmasters need to make sure their kids behave too. It is not because we’re the hosts we’re always in the wrong.
Speaking of Headmasters, Igor Karkaroff seems to have gone missing. While reaching out to Durmstrang to send a replacement. The only one they were willing to send was their janitor and I was assured it had nothing to do with the fact he is the only staff member not at one point having been accused of crimes involving the Dark Arts or hate crimes. They also asked me to not specifically mention that, so forget I said anything.
Also missing are Severus Snape but since no one has Potions today that will not be a problem…” Dumbledore let the cheering of most of the student body go on for a bit until they got it out of their system. Oddly enough Durmstrang and Beauxbatons joined them in cheering. Either they were trying to join in for solidarity or Snape somehow managed to piss of students he doesn’t even teach. Which in hindsight made sense.
“Also the Ministry was about to send Umbridge to overlook the Tournament in Mr. Crouch’s place as she was the only person whom they would miss at the Ministry as it is being reformed…though in hindsight, her vanishing is worrying, knowing from experience we can consider it a boon. With Bagman also out of commission due to gambling debts the Goblins have caught up to him for, the Ministry is trying to find two new people to fulfill their roles. I shouldn’t have said that but at this point I can’t find myself to care.
I also am going to announce I have stepped down as Supreme Mugwump from the ICW in favor of my old friend Isamu Ozu and as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in favor of Cyrus Greengrass. Which means I only am Headmaster of Hogwarts now, so I have finally some time freed up. With the Tournament and school there is still a lot to do but I take what I can get.
For several students whom are unfortunate and not by choice mind you are related to several people whom have recently be captured, tried and found guilty by the rest of the Wizengamot not under suspicion of being a Dark Lord follower or sympathizer and sent to Azkaban. Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy has managed to put up a fund as due to her husband’s arrest and some business dealings and some legal loopholes too complex to explain she controls most of the former Death Eaters’ old assets. This fund is for those whose family are affected by the mass arrest and are able to continue schooling until they are able to sit their NEWTs granted they actually study. And if they promise to take a much different path in life then their misguided relatives currently in jail, and grow up to not be such unpleasant people.
She has also agreed to reinstate a class for those either from non-magical birth of raised exclusively in the non-magical world to finally get classes and orientation revolving around introducing them to the Magical world, the etiquette and traditions so that they are no longer struggling, feel out of place or make an accidental faux pas. She has also given a bit of bonus funds to Hogwarts which means we can afford to have more then one teacher for certain given subjects so that none of us are overworked again, some new materials and stuff that was long overdue being replaced or purchased. And we can hire an accountant so I don’t have to deal with a buttload of paperwork anymore.
In short…it means that for the first time since long I can get a good night’s sleep!” Dumbledore finished his rant as he sat down again and promptly passed out with his head faceplanting his table, and snored.
Fawkes fire-flashed in the Great Hall. “Poor tired old man. It’s best I put him to bed” She said. “And Hedwig, see you later in my bed.” She said as she looked at the snow owl woman. Whom once again made gay owl noises. And Fawkes fire flashed away with a sleepy Dumbledore.
“Hedwig? Fawkes?” Harry asked his pet turned mother figure.
“It’s not because I’m a single mom I’m putting my dating life on hold. I have needs too.” Hedwig said. The blush shone through her white feathers, making them appear pink.
“Is Hogwarts always this crazy?” one of the Beauxbatons students asked.
“Nah, it’s even crazier. Wait until it’s Tuesday.” Luna noted as she ate her pudding. Which was odd since desserts haven’t been served yet.
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Then the day of the Yule Ball came along. Harry’s jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw Hermione in her periwinkle blue dress, and Luna in her sunflower yellow. They both looked gorgeous. “You have to close your mouth, Harry. A bug may fly inside.”
“Or a wrackspurt. They normally pick the ears but an open mouth makes it easier.” Luna said as they both grabbed one of Harry’s arms.
Harry looked next to him and saw Neville with Susan and Hannah on both his arms. They also looked stunning in their fiery yellow and light beige yellow dresses. “You too, huh?” Harry asked Neville, whom just nodded dumbly.
“Whoa Ron, where did you get those dress robes?” Hermione had noted her friend come in with Pansy, whom was in an emerald green dress. Ron’s were still brown, but a more tasteful shade and they looked newer.
“They’re my old ones, but Tracey gave them a makeover. You know that she actually is very good with fashion-related spell and handwork?” Ron replied.
“Really? You never told us.” Hermione said as she turned to Tracey.
Tracey had a neat suit, fitting her tomboyish nature, while Daphne and her had locked arms, the latter in a beautiful silver dress. “You never asked.”
“That shouldn’t be a reason but it’s still on us since we didn’t bother asking.” Harry replied.
“It’s a good thing because while I do not intend to insult you about your family’s financial situation, the robes looked like crap before.” Pansy noted.
“No, that is fair.” Ron said. “I’m surprised Malfoy still got a date, though.”
“He’s paying her.” Pansy said.
“Oh, that explains it.” Ron realized. “None of your sisters have a date?”
“They’re not focused on romance. They have only been sentient living beings for a short while, most of them don’t intend to try out romance right away. They are happy to just sit by, and look proud and emotional as their ‘little brother’ and in Hedwig’s case ‘chick’ has his first ball.” Harry noted.
“I’m even taking pictures.” Hedwig said as she had pulled out a camera. The dress she wore was oddly fiery red and orange not unlike a certain Phoenix she may have been bedding
“I’ll mercilessly tease you for the cutesy moments you and those two girls have.” Maps noted. She has just folded the parchment origami she wore as clothes in a different form, the liquid ink that made up her hair in a different style…partial shapeshifting at its finest.
“I’m just happy to stand there and look you be happy.” Bolt said. She and Gryffi, whom gave a thumbs up didn’t bother with any special outfits.
“We also may have done a few things that may spice up the Ball for a bit.” Fred noted.
“Like giving the House Elves the Muggle Cookbook Hermione gave us. I want to see those pureblood snob kids make dirty looks at those Muggle dishes.” George said.
“Shame though, the thing they called ‘Peessa’ or something looked pretty good. I mean tomato sauce and cheese are a winning combo.” Fred said.
“A bit of culture wouldn’t kill them, you know.” George noted. “Or maybe they do as they have an aneurism from being little bitches too much.” George said.
“Speaking of Elves, how is SPEW?” Harry asked.
“Please don’t say that name. I am changing the name. I can’t believe I noticed it before. And I have this time had a proper talk with the Elves on how things work. And it is foolish to think Dumbledore wouldn’t treat the elves right.” Hermione said. “I feel a bit stupid.”
“It shows you are Gryffindor rather then Ravenclaw material in that you jump in without thinking if you think injustice is occurring. You were impulsive but at least the hat wasn’t wrong.” Luna noted.
“So er, what name are you giving it now?” Harry asked.
“The House Elf Liberation Front. HELF…it’s a pun, Help and Elf.” Hermione noted.
“It’s an awful pun but someone thought to have wizarding tests be called OWLs and NEWTs so we don’t have a lot to complain about.” Tracey sighed.
“I will have to go on stage as me and the choir will do a few musical numbers but we are also sneaking a surprise in. And the time is right now a lot of conservative douchebags are out of the picture and their spoiled little brats can do little about it since they depend on a fund now.” Daphne noted.
“Do I want to know?” Harry asked.
“You’ll see.” Daphne said with a grin.
“We for one…” Fred begun.
“Are looking forward.” George added.
“Me Three.” Maps said. The three impish ones liked the thought of what Daphne could possibly be pulling later on.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“And I’m telling you now, hands above the waist at all times.” Hagrid said to the young man whom was taking his dragon daughter to the ball.
The boy, a Huffelpuff named Rolf Scamander swallowed nervously. “Yes sir.”
“Dad, don’t scare my date. I’m old enough to know better. If he does something untoward, I’m a f***ing dragon.” Nora droned.
“I know sweetie, but I’m still a dad, and I wanted to tick ‘shovel talk’ of my checklist. I had to already miss a few years of your life.” Hagrid said.
“That’s cheesy and endearing but also stupid.” Nora noted. “He’ll behave. Whether he makes sure or I do.”
“She’s a spitfire.” Rolf noted.
“Fine, have fun, but not too much fun.” Hagrid said. Nora rolled her eyes as she took her date to the Great hall. “They grow up so fast.”
“You’re a good father, Hagrid.” Madame Maxime, his date for the ball, said. “Your nurturing nature is…very endearing.”
“Well, ya know…” Hagrid blushed a little. This is the first time in his life he had dated, almost all but given up. But he wasn’t going to look this gift horse in the mouth.
Someone was far less happy being there. Draco Malfoy and his date, a slightly older Durmstrang girl. Draco was raving and ranting. “…and those Mudbloods and halfbreeds are must feeling so superior about their dirty blood now respectable Purebloods have been falsely imprisoned…”
The Girl sighed. She had accepted the Galleons to be his date. A bit of extra pocket change doesn’t hurt. But she felt like she was underpaid to put up with him. She understood English perfectly but couldn’t speak it very well so she kept quiet but she wondered if she could get an excuse, any excuse to ditch the little bastard. He was always on about ‘Mudblood this’ and ‘pureblood that’. Sure, Durmstrang was full of blood snobs but they weren’t all like that and certainly they were more subtle, far less open and much more dignified then this failed genderbent Veela experiment. She needs an excuse, any excuse…
Rita Skeeter was also at the ball. Disguised in her beetle form, she hoped to pick up some juicy gossip she could twist…er, sensationalize in her articles. After the mass exodus of Pureblood arrests, she had to up her game a bit to keep the sensation train going. And the Yule Ball after a disastrous Triwizard Tournament would do. Potter has two dates? Well, she could work with that. The Diggory Boy and his Asian looking date were not as interesting…the Veela girl didn’t look happy because for a Ravenclaw, her date was so vulnerable to the allure even when she wasn’t trying that Ravenclaw intellect was currently washing up dead at Miami Beach. And Krum…she doesn’t have the slightest clue whom his date was or if it was even a woman, she couldn’t tell.
Oh well, just keeping her eyes and ears open for more gossip. Some reputations may be lost in the process but she has long given up on feeling guilt for any of it if it meant that she keeps her popularity and pay… “Nom-Nom!” and with one swoop, the plant girl picked up the beetle and threw it in her mouth. There was some crunching.
Nom-Nom’s eyes went wide as she made a disgusted face. It was not a tasty snack. She gagged, grabbed a nearby drink, gargled with it, spat it back into the cup and sat it down. She grabbed a napkin to wipe her tongue to try and get the horrible taste off. She decides to stick to the nice looking hors d’ouvres at the banquet table instead of picking more insects.
“…and Potter thinks himself such a celebrity. I mean, just because his blood traitor dad and Mudblood mom got blown up…” Draco Malfoy still kept ranting and his date wanted to bash her own head in with one of the ornate plates to drown out his rants. He grabbed a glass…which was the one Nom-Nom had gargled with. He took the sip, his eyes went wide and he spat it out…all over his date. She looked furious, but deep down she was glad she not only had an excuse to ditch him but to shut him up. “Wait, it was an accident…no stay back. I warn you, these robes are very expensive.” His little bitch screams were drowned out by the music that started up.
The writer can’t write a dance scene to save his life. But despite everything, somehow Harry managed to pull the dance with Hermione and Luna at the same time off. Mostly everyone was enjoying themselves so far.
“You seem unusually happy.” Ron said to his dance partner. “I thought you’d be down with…you know?”
“My parents arrested. Yeah…part of me was shocked but…at least I don’t have to deal with drama in which they try to control my life, and take away the new experiences I had…learning Quidditch, get better friends…leaving those pureblood ideologies behind. And with Mrs. Malfoy’s funding I can build my own life so I don’t need to feel scared or stressed if they want to take that life away.” Pansy said.
“Oh, that’s fine. Great, I think.” Ron said. “Hope that the rest of the evening will end up good too.”
“Well you haven’t stepped on my feet yet so it appears so.” Pansy snarked back in her usual way. But it meant she was fine.
“Pansy? You’re with the Weasel?” Draco shouted out. He had a black eye, a chipped tooth and his robes weren’t pristine anymore. “You really have gained horrid taste ever since I dumped you.”
“I dumped you!” Pansy reminded him. “Besides, you don’t have room to talk since you look like a tramp at the moment.”
But Draco didn’t seem to remember it like her, on the account it was not how he wanted it to remember. “Is it because you are poor now with your parents in jail? That’s all you can get? You will never be able to get someone like me again.”
“Better hope she never gets someone like you ever again. Her standards aren’t that low.” Ron said. Normally he would have been more temperamental and shouted or engaged in a fistfight with Malfoy. But he looked so pathetic Ron thought it was hilarious, seeing how far Malfoy has fallen. “Besides, your dad is jailed too and I remember your mom not being happy with you.”
“Don’t you dare speak to me, blood traitor! He’ll get out, he always gets out of pickles. He’ll put those of lesser class and breeding into place!” Malfoy said.
Ron blinked. “I can’t believe I ever let you get to me. You sound like a broken record spewing that stupid propaganda. I can’t believe you were ever worth Harry or mine’s time.”
Draco’s temper flared as he turned a bright pink (his natural pasty paleness made sure that whenever angry he was pink rather then red). “You both suck!”
“No, Malfoy. You suck!” Pansy said. “You are always so self-absorbed that you never paid real attention to the world around you. You couldn’t hold on to me because your head was up your own arse so deep that you can look out of your own mouth. And I can’t believe I liked you…Maybe I only thought I did, maybe it was because of pressure from my parents to find someone of good standing, a rich pureblood. You are rich and pureblood sure but not of good standing.
You are not really Slytherin, you mouth off and rant like a child, you don’t think before you speak…in fact you aren’t even cunning like a good Slytherin, you are more of a Gryffindor in Green.” Pansy said.
“You c-” Malfoy growled.
“Repeat that and your teeth will be all over the floor.” Ron said. He no longer cared about Malfoy’s insults but he did care when he tried to insult Pansy.
“Leave him, Ron. Look at him now. He is not tough. He is just pathetic, lashing out…” Pansy said. “We are growing up, Malfoy. We are seeing that there is more to life then misplaced pride in the wrong things. Sure, you may think Weasley is low class and poor. And his family may not have money but he has a lot of things your money can’t buy. He is a good bloke, he listens to my opinion, he doesn’t treat me as an extension of himself. He encourages me to be my own person. And the world is changing, and everyone knows it. Most of them like it, but they accept and adapt to survive. While you…you are stuck in the past, where your daddy can buy his way out of trouble and you feel invincible. But you are not, not anymore. It’s time you learn that or you will get in much deeper trouble in the future. Come on, Ron. You still owe me another dance and I don’t want to do that while near him.”
“You’ll come crawling back to me, you hear? You will…” but Pansy dragged Ron away by his arm while raising the middle finger of her free hand without even looking back. Malfoy sighed. Things have not been looking well for him and he was getting depressed. He took another sip of his drink…and the taste of crushed bugs and geraniums reminded him he had forgotten to throw away the bad drink.
“Is he still on Malaclaw venom?” Maps asked Tracey.
“No, we have forgotten to give him. So he shouldn’t suffer bad luck like this.” Tracey said.
“Guess he is such a pussy ass bitch he doesn’t need bad luck potion to suck in life.” Maps noted.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“This has been a surprisingly pleasant evening so far.” Harry noted. “I thought it would be a boring social event but I am having fun.”
“Must be the company you keep.” Hermione said with a smile.
“Things have been getting for me this year. With one botched spell…I can hardly call it botched since I got a new family, I got new friends and the friends I have I see in new lights.” Harry said.
“Something you wish to say?” Luna asked.
“Hermione, Luna, you know you are both important to me? Hermione, you are one of my first friends and have never left me behind, you were always on my side.” Harry said.
“Are you getting sappy?” Hermione asked.
“And Luna, you have only become my friend recently, but you have a way of worming yourself into people’s hearts. You’re never afraid to be yourself.” Harry said to his other friend.
“Of course, if I’m not acting like myself, then I’m not me.” Luna said in her usual dreamy tone.
“Are you…going somewhere with this, Harry?” Hermione asks.
“Well…” Harry wanted to speak up. Hermione and Luna perked up as they had a feeling they would like what they hear.
But the train of thought was stopped when Flitwick walked on the stage where the musical entertainment were to perform. “Good evening everyone. Before we continue to enjoy the rest of the evening. While we have a band booked for today and you’ll all like what that may be. However, before we go to that, a surprise performance from a few people closer to home.
After his…improvements our old friend the Sorting Hat has been traveling but for special occasions like the Sorting Ceremony he would return. But it is not the only time he’ll return. Since his recent glow up has improved his singing and dancing, he is giving us a number, helped by our very own Daphne Greengrass, give them a huge applause!”
The people cheered and applauded as the lights dimmed and smaller but bright enough lights appeared on the stage, showing Hattie ready. Music started to play as the hat started to sing.
I’m a thousand years old but my sorry self
Rarely got to leave that old dusty shelf
Now I found my voice and I got two feet
And found that this is now the life I need
Daphne took the stage and joined the song.
I always feared the judgmental eyes
That try to peak right through the Ice Queen guise
The secrets kept that keep me pained
The fear of judgement keeping me chained
Hattie jumped back in as the song picked up.
Young lady, I’ve seen your heart and seen your mind
Don’t let your fears render you blind
I knew right away you’d make it far
If you just stay true to whom you really are
Daphne sang the next few lines.
If what you say is true I could take that chance
Try to live my life with another song and dance
And be the one I always wanted to be
To break those chains and set me free
Hattie sang the next part but the change in rhythm and music showed that this was the chorus.
Now be free
Feel the extasy
Let it warm you up
To a thousand degrees
Daphne sang the second part of the chorus.
Now I’m free
And I’m put at ease
I’m boiling up
To a thousand
Ten-thousand degrees
Daphne pulled her wand she changed her outfit. Form the long dress to a shorter dress that showed a bit more leg and looked a bit more modern then most wizarding robes. The most eye catching part of the uniform was a badge. It was a badge with a cauldron stirring counterclockwise. The Wizarding equivalent of the Gay Pride.
Several badges just like her, only blank started to appear all around the tables that were arranged. Everyone picked them up but no one would know what to do with them. Daphne continued the song
No more going back, but I did right
If the world’s against me it’s the world I’ll fight
It’s my life, this is how it will go
If we deny ourselves then how can we grow
Hattie follows up again.
If they cast those glares it won’t get them far
Because nothing can change whom you truly are
You’re among friends here, so come on let it out
So now you can show everyone what you are about
Soooooooo…
Now be free
Feel the extasy
Let it warm you up
To a thousand degrees
People were starting to put on the badges as they raving to the music. The Badges started to sport different symbols depending on the people. Several even showed the same counter-clockwise stirring potion as Daphne, including her girlfriend Tracey. Whom decided to crawl on the stage and dance alongside her girlfriend. Whom now was locked in a sensual dance with her as she continued singing.
Now I’m free
And I’m put at ease
I’m boiling up
To a thousand
Ten-thousand degrees
It was not just the badges. But among a certain amount of students they decided to stop hiding other aspects. Growing horns, wings, claws, a change in their skins and eyes. Mostly the Beauxbatons students as like herself, Madame Maxime had the doors of the school open for all students. Including Fleur whose eyes and hair got a fiery glow and she sported wings and bird claws she had thanks to her Veela blood. Many followed after no longer hiding their true natures.
Among the Beauxbatons students Harry could see a dark blue haired girl with bug-like antenna and Ladybug wings, a boy with black cat ears and a tail and a Japanese looking girl sporting scaled on her skin happily dancing and getting close. Then he decided to put on the badge. A symbol appeared of a lightningbolt, the moon and a book. He turned to Hermione and Luna, whom also had put on the badges. And they sported the same symbol.
Now be free
Feel the extasy
Let it warm you up
To a thousand degrees
Harry and Luna already have taken each other’s hand. And their free hands reached out to Harry’s. The three of their hands’ locked. They looked each other in the life, and they saw a glint in them. No words needed to be said. They felt it in their bones, in their hearts. As the trio leaned in and exchanged a three-way kiss.
Now we’re free
And I’m put at ease
I’m boiling up
To a thousand
Ten-thousand degrees
Neither Pansy or Ron had taken badges because they felt they knew. And they also started to snog on the dance floor. No cheap talk, they didn’t like that. They just kissed.
Draco Malfoy was outraged as his bigoted little mind couldn’t stand being surrounded by deviants, halfbreeds and…well, any other description would be very offensive words. He tried to shout at the dancers but his voice didn’t get over the loud music and no one heard him, they just ignored him. He looked around. The Slavic girl from Durmstrang that he had paid to be his date was now dancing with someone else. And it was the Weasley girl? Gina…Guinevere…he forgot her name. But the fact he got cheated out of a date by a Weasley twice he wanted to charge in. But the both of them were so into their dance and didn’t notice him that by waving their arm they hit him right in the nose. He was knocked on the ground and looked dazed. Then he felt pain in his future heirs as another dancing student hadn’t noticed him and dug their heel into his groin.
It turned out it was Krum’s date that had done that. Their outfit had made them look androgynous so no one could tell but once they had put on the badge it showed a symbol of ever-shifting arithmetic symbols. While Krum’s badge had the cauldron stir in both directions.
Now be free
Feel the extasy
Let it warm you up
To a thousand degrees
Susan and Hannah had followed the Lunar Harmony couple’s example and had both kissed Neville, whom certainly didn’t mind.
Draco, still aching below the belt pulled himself up at a table. He wanted to get a drink and found it was the same horrible drink he already drank twice. How did that drink always end up in his hands.
“Draco…” Now Crabbe and Goyle were on the scene. They wore badges. Crabbe spoke up. “We are…”
“Please tell me you’re not f-” Malfoy said.
“We are chefs!” they said as they tore off their dress robes and showed chef uniform. Ok, Draco didn’t expect that.
“We were told by our parents that all the Crabbe and Goyle family would amount to, was being dumb muscle. But they are in jail and we are free. So we can follow our dreams!” Crabbe said.
“Whenever we said we went to the kitchen to stuff ourselves some more, we were actually learning to cook form the elves. Ok, we also stuffed ourselves a little bit.” Goyle added.
“We may not have depths in terms of sexuality or not being fully human but we also want to be free. To fulfill our dreams.” Crabbe said.
“We are going to start taking our studies seriously and work to get our restaurant.” Goyle said.
“But Elves can cook? Why are you two trying to learn to cook yourself?” Draco wondered.
“Because we love to do it. We have an actual hobby, a passion.” Crabbe said.
“And we may not be bright, but we’ll work hard.” Goyle said. “Like we worked hard on these peanutbutter brownies!” both of them pulled out a tray with baked goods.
“Bully! Brownies!” one of the partygoers said as he tasted one of them. “These are great!” soon more followed to taste the baked treats.
Draco blinked. Nothing was the same anymore. Nothing was going right anymore. He had no girlfriend, no friends…not that he ever truly had the last one. Snape was gone so he was no help and his dad was in prison. And his mom has turned on his father and the noble traditions of the Purebloods. He was alone. Even his fellow Death Eater spawns, while they didn’t look that much happier, didn’t want anything to do with him. As they were not open and blatent like Malfoy and didn’t want to jeopardize the trust fund or their remaining rep. Then he sighed and slumped in a depressed state. He slinked off at the table again. At least he got rid of the glass with the awful drink.
“Take as much as you need to get the awful taste out.” Maps said as she handed another drink to Nom-Nom.
Nom-Nom took the glass, that nasty beetle’s flavor still in her mouth. She gargled in a sound that sounded like ‘Nnnnnrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooom!” before spitting it back in the glass. And like the last few times before, Maps put in reach of the Malfoy boy. And he still hadn’t caught on.
As Draco was choking on another drink, she watched the amusing sight of Dumbledore dancing with finesse that you wouldn’t think of someone his age, also wearing the badge with the counter-stirring potion.
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“Whoa, what a night…” Harry said as he woke up with a headache next morning. And several hickeys. “Next time, the non-alcoholic butterbeer.”
“We didn’t go too far, right?” Hermione asked.
“Nah, we did a bit of exploring but not…we’re not old enough for that. Yet. Bummer.” Luna noted. “But the kissing and rubbing was fun.”
“Doesn’t anyone think it is a bit unusual?” Hermione asked.
“None of us are usual. Wasn’t Daphne’s whole song and dance with Hattie about that?” Harry noted.
“Yeah, just asking. Because I wanted to make sure none of you doubt it.” Hermione said. “That you are serious about being my boyfriend and girlfriend.”
“I’m always serious, Hermione.” Luna said.
“No, that is my godfa-” Harry said. “You know what, that joke has overstayed its welcome. I know I truly love you and Luna. For a while I didn’t think I know what love was but I didn’t need to know, I had to just feel it.”
“Best Christmas ever!” Luna said. “I got myself a boyfriend, a girlfriend and a sister.” Luna said.
“That sounds…wait, what?” Hermione asked. “Sister?”
“Yeah, don’t you remember? When we were drunk we started to experiment with some spellwork. Shouldn’t do spells when you’re drunk but here we are…” Luna said.
“What did we do?” Harry asked.
“You, not much, but Hermione…” Luna said. She pointed at a corner in the room.
There a large muscular man stood. He was tall, buff and handsome. He was getting on there in years but he still was handsome and had rugged looks. He had long wild orange matted hair and a goatee. He didn’t wear a shirt showing his abs. He had long pointy claw-like nails and wore a long orange furry coat. But the cat ears and eyes gave him away. “Morning, Herms!” he said in a gravelly but smooth voice.
“Crookshanks?” Hermione asked.
“Yup! Just call me Shank for short.” He said. “Or Uncle Shank now.”
“Did I use the same spell…” Hermione asked.
“Yup. So did I.” Luna noted.
“Luna, what did you create?” Harry asked.
“Hi!” someone seemed to pop up right out of nowhere and started Harry and Hermione. “I have a very important announcement: Knickers is a funny word, even though I’m wearing none!”
The person was a woman in red and black clothes. She had a skirt, a sleeveless top that exposed her midriff, long sleeveless gloves. Stringy lime green, cyan and bubblegum pink hair exploded from her hair, and wore high boots. She had a piercing in her navel, amber eyes that shone with mischief and joy. She had a cute little fang sticking out of her mouth, bat like ears and folded bat wings on her back. “You know whom I am. The readers know whom I am and they were waiting for me!”
“Is that Jinx?” Harry asked.
“Indeed I am, first of my little sister two bedwarmers. Now whom is up to breakfast pudding?” Jinx asked.
Hermione blinked for a few moments. “Merlin, there are two of them.”