Henry and Hope would have been more than content with just remaining outside for the entire evening by the lake, but unfortunately, the two knew that the longer they remained outside, the more suspicious their families would become. Especially Hope's grandfather. Not wanting to raise alarm, the two agreed to finally head back inside and enjoy the remainder of the Yule Ball.

"I wouldn't mind asking you to dance again." Henry said taking Hope's hand in his and leading the way. Since sharing the kiss with his best friend/ girlfriend, the boy was feeling incredibly confident.  No signs of nerves and there was a bright smile on his face, that resembled his father's greatly, whenever Sirius accomplished some great feat. He spoke clearly with no trouble of any of his wording. There was nothing for him to worry about, the kiss had reassured him that everything was okay between him and Hope and that she actually felt the same way about him. 

"I wouldn't mind taking you up on that offer." Hope replied as they reentered the Great Hall.  Upon walking in, the two quickly spotted Fergus on the dance floor with Armina Longbottom. He had a bright smile on his face while Armina took the lead in the dance. 

"Awww little Fergie is growing up." Hope laughed. "You know he's going to be smiling for weeks now, I think he's forgotten all about them canceling quidditch this year."

"Thank Merlin," Henry sighed in relief. "If I had to hear him complain one more time about it...well let's just say Fergus Wood....well he..."

"He Wood be no more?" Hope said looking at him. Henry snorted before nodding his head. 

"Exactly. Now," he offered his hand to her. "How about that dance?"

"Just one second, Guppy Puppy," Hope told him as she grabbed his hand and pulled him along. Henry could see that he was being pulled in the direction of Eliza, who was sitting at a table alone. Her date nowhere to be seen, her chin was resting in the palm of her hand, and a prominent frown on her face.

However, as the Ravenclaw girl saw the two approaching her, she quickly straightened herself up and forced a smile on her face.

"Hey there you two are, your grandfather was looking for you, Hope." Eliza said.

"Eh, that can wait." Hope said waving it off. "Why are you sitting at the table? You should be out there dancing until your feet are numb."

"Well, I'm not much of a dancer, Hope, you know that-"

"And you think half the people out there are? Have you seen some of the dance moves...they're terrible, but no one cares. It's all about having a good time. Where's your date?"

"I told him he could go off and dance with his friends...it's not like the date was exclusive or anything."

"Come on, Eliza, don't sit here and be miserable because of Elliot." Henry said bluntly. "There's no need or sense in wasting a perfectly good evening, sulking about in a corner."

Eliza was quiet for a moment before looking up at the two and then scanning around the hall.

"Speaking of the devil-"

"You mean Angry Quidditch Baby..." Hope corrected her.

"Whatever. Where is he and his date? I haven't seen them all night? I suppose their in the corridors snogging?"

The jealousy dripped from Eliza's tongue like thick venom, causing Henry and Hope to exchange sideways glances at one another. 

"He didn't come to the Yule Ball, Eliza." Hope informed her cousin.

"Wh-what?" Eliza's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "What are you talking about? He told me he had a date-"

"That's because he lied to you." Henry said. "I thought that was obvious."

"I don't understand, " Eliza stood up, obviously growing upset. "What is going on?"

Her eyes fell on Hope and she quickly moved Henry in front of her, to avoid the other Weasley dragon's wrath. 

"He didn't have a date. He made it up because he was mad at you and well...it got you to be mad with him. So I'm not really sure what his plan was, but obviously it didn't work since he's probably just sitting around in the Ravenclaw Common Room right now."

"He is?" Eliza's face and voice softened. She looked in the direction of leaving the Great Hall before turning back to the two. "Should I-"

"Go." the two said motioning her along. 

She gave a small nod and a smile before leaving.

Hope turned to Henry with a grin. "You know, you and I would make excellent matchmakers, we should go into business together."

"It sounds like an incredibly stressful job, don't you think, Hope?"

"Hmm..yeah you're right. I like the idea of just working at the shop for now-"

"And I like the idea of you dancing with me again. Come on, no more interruptions."

"You know, I'd say this was a rather successful night." Tonks said to Nixie as the two women were seated by each other. "Look how happy everyone is...makes me miss my times at Hogwarts. All the hell we caused running about."

"You never forget the seven years you spend here." Nixie replied. "All those memories stay with you forever.  The good, the bad, and-"

"The ugly." The two laughed together. 

"Hogwarts was never an ugly place when I was around and I'm still keeping it great after all these years." Sirius said once he returned to his wife's side. 

Nixie turned to him and patted his head. "Shhh...the adults are talking."

Hope was leaning against Henry during one of the final dances, she was growing more and more tired by the second, but refused to stop dancing. But she was jolted awake when Fergus came running over to them, looking as though he was about to explode at any given second.

"Out with it, Fergie!" Hope clapped him on the back hard. 

The boy let out a small squeak before looking up at them again in excitement. 

"Armina said she wanted to go walk the corridors together!" He said in a high pitched tone.

"So why are you here?" Henry questioned.

Fergus suddenly looked confused before his eyes widened. He smacked his forehead before running off again.