chapter twenty-four : the Yule Ball

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Timothée was waiting for her in front of the Fat Lady. He had dressed up nicely, June noticed, as she followed Angelina, Alicia, Fred, George and Lee out of the portrait hole.

"June," Timothée greeted her, smiling, "you look très magnifique!"

June took his hand, rolling her eyes in the process. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should," Timothée said, grinning. "It's not as if I compliment every girl that walks by."

"True," June said. "But I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

It was true. Juniper had noticed the looks the female students of Hogwarts gave him. She couldn't blame them though, Timothée was certainly quite a sight to look at. If she didn't know him her whole life, she'd probably be one of them, too.

She accepted his arm and led him guide her towards the Entrance Hall. There, everyone was already gathering in front of the doors that leaded to the Great Hall.

Fleur's partner was Roger Davies, while Viktor's partner was — June blinked, rubbed her eyes and looked at the person standing next to him — Hermione?

The bushy haired girl — who was suddenly not that bushy anymore — gave her an excited smile, which June returned.

"How are the nerves?" Timothée quietly asked.

"Fine until you asked after it," June said, looking up at him, smiling.

"Champions over here, please!" Professor McGonagall's voice called.

Timothée and June walked forwards, the chattering crowd parting to let them through. Professor McGonagall, who was wearing dress robes of red tartan, and had arranged a rather ugly wreath of thistles around the brim of her hat, told them to wait on one side of the doors while everyone else went inside; they were to enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students had sat down. Fleur and Davies stationed themselves nearest the doors; Davies looked so stunned by his good fortune in having Fleur for a partner that he could hardly take his eyes off her. Harry and Parvati stood on June's left while Hermione and Viktor stood on Timothée's right.

The doors to the Great Hall opened, they waited until everyone else got in. Once everyone was settled in the Hall, Professor McGonagall told the champions and their partners to get in line in pairs, and follow her. They did so, and everyone in the Great Hall applauded as they entered.

The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparking silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The house tables had vanished; instead there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.

The champions made their way towards the dance floor and Timothée sqeezed her hand gently.

"One dance and then you can raid the buffet table," he said.

June grinned. "Sounds good to me."

Timothée placed his hand on her waist while she placed her hand on his shoulder — just as they had practiced.

Music started filling the hall and June followed Timothée's lead. She was thankful for him — feeling more and more comfortable with every step she took. He was an excellent dancer.

June looked over his shoulder and smiled upon seeing Harry struggle to dance.

"What's so funny?" Timothée asked, as he twirled her around.

"My cousin has two left feet," June said, grinning.

"So it's in the family?" Timothée said jokingly.

Juniper rolled her eyes. "I guess so."

The music came to an end and applause filled the hall. Timothée took a step back and gave her a bow that June returned with a curtsy.

"Thank you for the dance, Lady Juniper Black," he said, grinning.

"No, thank you, Lord Timothée Delacour," June retorted, smiling.

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Charlie tried to flatten his hair as he looked in the mirror. He was currently in Fred and George's dorm which was empty since the ball was about to start any moment now. He knew he had to wait since Timothée would be June's first dance, but the nerves were killing him.

After deciding that his hair was as good as it'll ever be, he straightened his dress robes and left the dorm.

The common room was nearly empty, only filled with those younger than fourth year. They watched him curiously, as he made his way through the room towards the portrait hole.

"Hello dear," the Fat Lady said, smiling at him. "It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you, too," Charlie replied politely before hurrying down the stairs towards the Entrance Hall.

The champions had already entered the Great Hall and Charlie sneaked in after the crowd, ignoring the looks he got. He stayed close to the side as he looked for June.

"What are you doing here?" a voice behind him hissed and he turned around to see George standing behind him. "The plan was that you'd wait outside!"

"My nerves are killing me!" Charlie hissed back.

"Oh come on, you're facing dragons on a daily base and this is what you're nervous about?" George said, crossing his arms. "You're already together so what's the fuss?"

"I don't know!" Charlie replied, having to restrain himself from going with his hand through his hair.

George smirked before shaking his head. "Come on, it's almost time."

"But —"

"No buts," George said. "You'll see her soon enough."

With a last glance at the Great Hall, Charlie followed George outside.

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"Where are we going?" June asked, as Timothée leaded her towards the Entrance Hall.

"You'll see," was all he said.

Fred, George, Lee, Angelina and Alicia looked up when they approached them.

"Guys?" June said, frowning. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the Great Hall?"

"You'll see," Fred said, before untying his tie and covering her eyes with it.

"Is this really necessary?" June asked, as Fred tied it behind her head.

"Yes."

June pursed her lips as she felt the fabric against her closed eyes. A pair of hands — which she assumed were from Fred — took her own. They guided her towards the courtyard — at least, that's what she thought.

"Are you ready?" Fred quietly said.

Juniper had to fight the urge to roll with her eyes. "Yes."

The fabric fell from her eyes and her eyes fluttered open. They were indeed in the courtyard, but that's not what caught her attention. It was the red haired man that stood in the middle of it, his blue eyes wide as he looked at her.

"Charlie?"

Her voice seemed to snap him out of his thoughts and he looked dazed.

"June, you look absolutely stunning," he managed to say.

Juniper's cheeks burned up but she managed to give him a smile. "Thanks." She then tilted her head. "What are you doing here?"

"I — er — it was Fred's idea . . ."

Juniper turned around to her best friend, who was smiling at her. Without saying something, she engulfed him in a tight hug.

"Thank you."

He hugged her back, burying his head into her shoulder.

"Everything for you, Junie."

Juniper pulled back, gave him a grin, before turning around and dashing towards Charlie. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down. Their lips met and she could tell Charlie was surprised by it, but soon enough, his arms were around her waist and he was kissing her back.

June pulled back and placed her forehead against his. "I've missed you," she whispered.

"Not as much as I have missed you."

"I highly doubt that."

"You want to bet on it?"

Juniper laughed. "Let's go inside, it's getting cold," she said, shivering.

Charlie slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him.

"I'll keep you warm," he said jokingly.

"Okay, it started out cute but now it's just cheesy," Fred's voice said, making June roll her eyes.

They made their way back inside, chatting happily.

"Wait until you see the Great Hall," June said. "It's beautiful! And the food — oh the food — it's amazing!"

Charlie grinned. He was not going to tell her that he'd already seen it.

"Guys," June said, as they saw Angelina, Alicia, Lee and George. "Thank you so much!"

She engulfed them in a tight hug.

"You are the best friends anyone could wish for."

Angelina grinned. "I'll hold you to that."

June pulled back, grinned and turned around to take Charlie's hand, dragging him towards the dance floor. The Weird Sister's were playing a catchy song and June knew Tonks was going to be so jealous. Her cousin loved the band.

"I'm afraid I'm not that good of a dancer," Charlie said apologetically.

Juniper grinned. "Don't worry, I'm not good either."

The song ended and something slower came up. June wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head onto his chest as his arms were around her waist.

"This isn't that hard," Charlie whispered, smiling.

June laughed and buried her head into in his chest. "Good to know."

June hummed along with the song while closing her eyes, letting the moment sink in.

"You're not falling asleep again, are you?" Charlie's voice came from above her.

June pulled back. "That was one time!"

Charlie laughed. "I'm only joking, June."

"You better," she muttered, a playful glance in her eyes.

The song came to an end and Charlie left to greet Professor McGonagall, saying she would kill him if he didn't do that. Juniper, meanwhile, saw Harry sitting onto one of the chairs. She made her way towards him and pulled him onto his feet.

"What —?"

"Dance with me, Harry!" June exclaimed.

"I can't dance!" Harry protested.

"Neither can I but that doesn't mean we can't have fun, right?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine, but only because you're my cousin."

They laughed and June was half surprised he'd let her guide him to the dance floor. The next song came up, a real sing along, and she sang along as they danced.

Harry smiled as he watched June sing — not that bad actually — and dance. He noticed she was happier now that Charlie was here.

He was just happy the song ended.

With Harry back at his seat next to Ron, June dove into the crowd to find her other cousin.

Draco was standing with Theodore and Blaise and the trio was watching the dancing crowd.

"Draco!" she called, smiling as she walked up to them. "Fancy a dance?"

Draco rolled his eyes but nodded anyway. A slower dance came up and when June placed one hand on his shoulder, she noticed he had significantly grown.

"You've grown," she pointed out.

Draco smiled. "Well, that's kind of how puberty works. Soon enough, I'll be taller than you."

"I'm not sure I'll like that," June said. "But you'll always be my little dragon."

"Can we at least change it to magnificent or great or something?"

"No."

Juniper laughed at his expression, making him laugh, too. Draco didn't laugh often, but when he did, it was the most beautiful sound June had ever heard. Suddenly, she felt the need to hug him, to take away all his worries.

So that's what she did.

June pulled him into a hug, surprising Draco. They were never one to show affection to each other in public.

"I love you, Draco," she whispered. "And I'll always be there when you need me."

Draco didn't reply. Instead, he hugged her back, indicating that he felt the same. June knew he wasn't one to express his emotions or to even say them out loud.

They pulled back when the song was over and with an awkward wave, Draco made his way back to his friends.

"Hello there," a voice said from behind her.

June turned around and saw Charlie smiling down at her. However, upon seeing her expression, he frowned.

"Everthing okay?"

June smiled, pushing away her concerns about Draco. "Everything is perfect."

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Published 17.01.2021

I hope you enjoyed it & tell me what you think of it!

Me when Charlie said "Hello there":

This was such a fun chapter to write so I hope you love it just as much I loved writing it!

By the way — for those who don't know — I have published a book "Random" that contains all the idea I have for other Harry Potter and Star Wars fanfic's. If you are interested, you can look into that and tell me which story you'd like to see published!

Have a wonderful day/night and stay safe guys because I'm getting sick of COVID (and I'm sure I'm not the only one).

Until next time!
Laura