Simon says...

After finishing his breakfast with an uncontrollable grin on his face, Harry skipped down to the greenhouses. The day promised to show the gorgeous side of winter. It had snowed last night and the entire landscape was covered in the powdery substance. The now cloudless sky was only waiting for the day to move on, so the sun could show her face. Most students were already gathered in front of greenhouse number five; some were engaged in a pre-class snow fight. Hermione was standing alone in a corner, reading a book.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry greeted her.

"Hullo. How are you?"

"Okay." He had difficulty hiding his good mood, but tried his best not to sound too cheery. "How about you?"

Although she gave a positive answer, Harry felt the negative feelings all round her. Of course, she wasn't feeling well and he felt bad for 'spying' on her feelings. Professor Sprout arrived and didn't give them a chance to talk further. The lesson itself went without spectacular events. They cut back the last plants and did the final preparations for their winter rest.

Ron was working in one corner with Seamus and Neville, Hermione and Harry in the far corner opposite them, each group avoiding close contact with the other. Harry was bursting to share his news with someone, but didn't want to remind Hermione of her troubles in the love department, thus kept his mouth shut.

"Harry, could you meet me in the library this afternoon?" Hermione asked before they had to part after their lesson.

"I have Quidditch practice, but I could see you afterwards," he answered.

"Okay, just come. It's important," she said and left him clueless as to what she wished to talk about.

***

"Theodore! Darn it! The left hoop is not covered at all!" Simon yelled towards the Slytherin Keeper before scoring another goal. Then he signalled the rest of the team to fly to the ground.

"This was another awful session," he stated when the team was gathered around him. "Theodore, if you don't develop unexpected skills in goal keeping by Saturday, I'll be forced to look for a new Keeper."

"Won't you give him another shot?" Bole tried to help his friend.

"He'll have the last one on Saturday," Simon answered, his manner not allowing for any more arguments.

Since it was too dark to continue practicing, they packed their things and returned to the castle. Harry hung back and waited for Simon, who was storing the casket with the balls in their shed. "Do you really mean to throw him out of the team?" he asked when Simon came back up the path.

""No, not really. I know he could do much better, if he'd just concentrate, but I'm not going to jeopardize the Cup just because of him."

Reaching the door, Harry remembered that he had promised to meet Hermione, so he pushed his broom into Simon's hands.

"You go ahead, I'll catch up later," Harry said and without further ado, he rushed to the library. However, when he got there, there was no Hermione. He checked every corner then shrugged and walked down to the dungeons. He found her in front of the Potions classroom, talking to Simon, who was a bit further down the corridor. Harry took his broom back and turned to Hermione.

"Why weren't you in the library?"

"It got late and, so I thought you might have forgotten our meeting, that's when I came down here."

"Hmm. What's this all about?" Harry asked.

"The next DA meeting. I would like to suggest revising the Patronus Charm," Hermione explained. "Dementors are everywhere; there have been attacks on Muggles. It was in the Daily Prophet. Yes, those who were in the DA last year should be fine, but there are so many new members, we really should teach them."

"Even if we do, they won't have managed the charm properly until about Christmas, so let's go with the original plan and keep practicing defensive spells."

"That's not what I mean. What do you think?" she addressed Simon, hoping for support.

"You also know how to produce a Patronus?" he asked, ignoring her question, astounded by her ability to perform advanced magic.

"Yes," she nodded eagerly. "Don't you?"

"Not yet. Professor Flitwick already said he might introduce it after we're through with dangerous half-creatures, you know, werewolves, Veelas, vampires and the likes..."

"Since when are werewolves dangerous?" Harry interrupted.

"Oh, of course they don't have to be. Neither do Vampires, but they could be. Many of them joined You-Know-Who, so it's a good thing to learn about their strengths and weaknesses," Simon lectured him.

Hermione didn't need to come up with any more reasons; Harry went along with whatever she suggested in the end anyway. So the next DA meetings were devoted to the Patronus Charm. It took most of the new members two meetings to produce at least a silvery cloud. Harry was especially disappointed in his inability to teach Simon something important; after all, Simon had helped Harry so much with his Potions. Simon didn't lack the theoretic information; he just couldn't get the practical part right.

***

Harry and Simon were seated in the library, once again pouring over a Potions book, when Ginny and Hermione joined them.

"Have you heard? Eric and the Phantoms will be playing at the Yule ball," Ginny giggled. "I love them. You'll have no choice but to dance, Harry."

Harry exhaled quite a bit of air and pursued his lips, remembering the last time he had been forced to dance. Well, at least he wouldn't have to open the ball this time. He turned his eyes to Hermione, who sat silently across from him.

"Hey you, shouldn't you be looking forward to Christmas with your parents? Just a little bit?" he said in cheery voice, trying to lift her spirits.

"Yeah, but only 'cause I can't stand being here much longer," she replied solemnly. "And then there's all this stupid fuss about this stupid ball."

"Aren't you going?"

"No. I couldn't stand to watch Ron and Lavender dance or have fun or whatever." She gritted her teeth.

"What?" Ginny asked. "You're sure he's going with that prat?"

"Yep. She's beautiful, I think he likes her." Hermione's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"No, no, no, Hermione. You can't take it like that. You have to go. We'll find you a decent bloke, one who's sure to get to Ron. Oh, he's so going to bite his..."

"Ginny!" Harry interrupted her, but couldn't help grinning.

"Do you know a single handsome boy around here who doesn't have a date yet and would take me?" Hermione asked, not really expecting an answer..

"Maybe Dean?"

"He's taking Parvati."

"Neville?"

"One, he's asked Luna. Two, he's not talking to me because I'm hanging around with Harry and Simon all the time, and three, he won't make Ron jealous, would he?"

Ginny had to agree and looked around thoughtfully. Suddenly, a mischievous grin spread across her face. "Who are you taking?" she jumped at Simon, poking his elbow.

Being absorbed in his Potions book and then addressed so suddenly, Simon was caught off guard. "W-With no one, why?"

"Hermione, may I introduce you to your date for the ball?" Ginny announced, not really asking. Simon made to protest, but Ginny stopped him. "You're not taking anyone, she's still free and a good dancer, so why not?"

Simon raised his hands in defeat and smiled shyly at Hermione. "Well, I guess you're right." Then he turned a page in the book about dangerous potions, he had been reading, and returned his attention to its fascinating content.

"You can't just determine that!" Hermione hadn't as much trouble protesting.

"Yes, I can. Look, he's damn handsome, but Ron would freak out even if he wasn't," Ginny whispered into her ear.

Hermione sighed and studied Simon, who was again bending over his book, captivated by it and not listening to them. His long legs were stretched out in front of him as he was sitting leisurely in his chair, wiping a strand of his dark hair from his pale-blue eyes. His slender hands rested on the pages in front of him, gently tapping the parchment. Ginny was right, he was indeed very good -looking, but what really won Hermione over was that Simon was as interested in academic topics as she was. They would certainly find quite a few fascinating subjects to talk about, so they would certainly not just sit the night out in silence. When she noticed Harry watching her, she quickly directed her gaze away from Simon towards the floor and followed Ginny out of the library.

***

On their last day of school before the Christmas break, Harry met Ginny only shortly during lunchtime. They fixed a place and time where Simon and Harry would await the girls later that night. He was feeling a bit nervous about it and when he finally stood in his dormitory and pulled his festive robes from his trunk, he was annoyed with himself that he hadn't done so earlier. The robes were wrinkled badly and unfortunately he didn't know a charm to change that. He opted for smoothing it with his hands as best as he could. Then he made a half-hearted attempt to flatten his hair, but knew it was in vain. Malfoy, who looked perfectly stunning in his dress robes, didn't help.

"Potter, you're hopeless. I've always wondered how many birds are nesting inside that mane of yours," he spat.

As much as he hated it, Harry had to agree with Malfoy. His hair was, and always would be, nothing but a mess. He gave up and went to the almost empty Common Room instead and ran straight into a fight between Ethan and Simon.

"How can you take a Mudblood to the ball?" Ethan was just inquiring, a challenging look on his face.

"Shut up, that's none of your freaking business," Simon hissed angrily, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Ha. You're no better than the Weasels. Can we expect you to move into their dump of a house soon, blood traitor?" Ethan mocked, practically spitting the words. "You disgust me."

"Let's get out of here," Simon said to Harry through gritted teeth and pulled him to the by his sleeve to the stone wall. Outside, Simon strode quickly towards the stairs leading upwards to the Entrance Hall. "Where are we meeting the girls?" he asked, clearly not wanting to elaborate the fight further.

"Underneath the Ravenclaw banner," Harry replied, not sure what to think.

***

The Entrance Hall was buzzing with the excited talk of a huge crowd of students, each waiting for their partners and admiring the decorations inside the Great Hall. Looking around for Hermione and Ginny, Harry noticed Ron standing by the stairs, apparently waiting for Lavender. He had bought new dress-robes, which shimmered in different shades of green, depending on how the light fell onto them. Suddenly, the look on his face changed and Harry followed the direction of Ron's eyes. Hermione and Ginny had entered the Hall from a side door. Hermione had smoothed her hair like last time, but left it falling open down her back. She was wearing new light-blue dress robes, which were tied by a dark blue ribbon at her back, its bands waving down until they reached her ankles. Ginny had chosen brown robes, which matched her eyes beautifully. Her hair was done in a complicated twist, piling on top of her head. Ron's mouth was left open, when the two of them marched past him without giving him the tiniest acknowledgment.

"Hi there," Harry met them. He was unsure of how he should react. Take her hand? Offer his arm, or just lead the way over to the Great Hall? Make a bit of small talk first? He looked to Simon for help, but the older student was paying attention to Hermione.

"Those robes suit you well," he said with a light smile curling around his lips.

"Thanks, you look good, too," Hermione responded shyly. "What did you do to your robes?" she asked Harry and took out her wand. With a quick flick, his robes looked freshly ironed.

"Do you intend to spend the entire ball out here?" Ginny asked and hooked her arm into Harry's, dragging him towards the oak doors. Behind them, Simon offered his arm to Hermione who took it, blushing faintly.

The Great Hall was, of course, a feast for the eyes. Several towering Christmas trees were set up along side the walls. The House tables had disappeared; instead there were numerous smaller tables, each offering place for up to six people. On one side, a stage was set up, in front of it, a dance floor. Ginny picked a table for four and they took their seats, the boys on one side, the girls opposite them. When Ron, with Lavender on his hand passed their table, he glowered at Simon. Ginny laughed out loud and leaned over to Hermione.

"Did you just see that?" she asked.

"What?"

"Ron's mad as hell." Ginny chuckled.

Except Hermione couldn't find anything funny in it. She let her sullen gaze sway around the hall and then rest on Ron.

"Ginny, don't you think you're being insensitive?" Simon said, disapproving of Ginny's behaviour. "We're not here together to trigger Ron's jealousy."

Ginny pulled a straight face and reached for the menu card, which had just materialised on their table.

***

After everyone had finished their merry banquet, Dumbledore called for their attention.

"Some of you might be aware that nothing in this castle happens without a reason. At the beginning of the year, the old system was replaced by a new one, adding a new House in the hopes of guaranteeing better teaching. The newly established situation was meant to create a better understanding between the Houses. I hoped that those who were taken from their friends would form new bonds with their new housemates, maybe even establish inter-house relationships. Unfortunately, this backfired in a way I couldn't foresee. Yes, some of you did indeed follow my advice and don't regard a different colour of robes as an obstacle, but too many don't. There have been hostilities, enmities, and severe fights - something I can no longer stand to watch. Only united can we be strong. Which is way I ask you to see this ball as a new beginning. To give you a good example of how wonderful and easy inter-house friendships can be, I would like to ask all couples of different houses to grace us with the first dance. Hop hop!"

Dumbledore clapped his hands and the lights were dimmed. Most students applauded this idea and those in question got up to share the first dance with their partners, though the boys were more reluctant than the girls. Ginny grinned broadly.

"Harry, you'll dance, won't you?"

I don't want to dance, I can't dance, Harry was reciting in his head, but flashed Ginny a smile. She took his hand and they got up.

"The two of you, too," Ginny addressed Simon and Hermione.

"I don't feel like dancing," Hermione declined.

"The four of us are probably the only Slytherin-mixed couples, we have to," Ginny tried to convince them. Simon, taking the lead, walked in front of Hermione and offered her his hand. Hermione looked up and timidly accepted. They moved to the dance floor and waited for the band to start playing. They begun a slower song, but Harry didn't have time to make out the lyrics. He was busy taking care not to tread on Ginny's tiny feet.

Finally, it was over. Harry exhaled his breath in relief, turning to leave the dance floor. But he hadn't calculated Ginny's insistence to keep dancing. She flashed him a smile, looking pleadingly at him, her brown eyes so full of hope, he simply couldn't say no to her. This time, the band played a quicker song and the other students invaded the dancing area. Ginny directed his attention towards Simon and Hermione.

"Don't they look lovely," she admired them.

Harry now looked at them too. Simon seemed to be a lot better dancer than Harry, leading Hermione with a strong arm, never taking his eyes of her. Hermione, had to tilt her head back to look at him, but was obviously enjoying herself, she hadn't looked this happy in ages. Apparently, she had decided to forget about Ron and her troubles for now. The song ended and Simon took Hermione by her arm and led her to the edge of the dance floor. Harry and Ginny followed suit.

"And you didn't want to come. You're dancing like a princess," Ginny exclaimed happily.

Hermione grinned back. "How about a drink?"

Ginny understood, smiled and skipped arm in arm with Hermione into the crowd.

***

It didn't take them very long until they returned, a Butterbeer in each hand. Hermione looked around surprised.

"Where's Simon?"

"Fredric came over, they went to fetch themselves a drink, I think. Don't worry, he'll be back," Harry calmed her.

Ginny handed him his Butterbeer. Sipping their drink, they observed the surroundings. That was until Ron and Lavender danced into their view.

Hermione put her Butterbeer down with a clang. "I can't watch this. I need some air. Alone," she added.

She spun around and hurried out of the Great Hall, her face a blank mask. Ginny wanted to follow her, but Harry held the redhead back. "No. She said she needed some alone time. We should give her that. She's strong, she'll get over it."

"You're probably right," Ginny agreed. "I just wanted her to spend a night happily for a change and Simon seemed to be the right person for that."

"Shouldn't she come to terms with Ron first? I guess it was a bit too fast for her."

"Okay, okay. How about another dance?"

"I can't dance, you know that," Harry protested.

"Oh, you're not as bad as you think. My feet are the victims here, so as long as I'm not complaining, you're good." She grinned at him.

After a few more fast and exhausting songs, they were lucky enough to get another slow one, which seemed to last forever. Ginny was the one leading this time, giving Harry the oppurutnity to let his gaze sway. He saw Crabbe and Goyle standing like guards by one of the Christmas trees. This also seemed to be a favourite spot of the Slytherins tonight. By the way some of them were behaving, Harry would place every bet that they were secretly consuming Confundus Potion. Then there was Dean dancing expertly with Parvati, he spotted Simon standing next to the stage and talking to someone. At some point, he noticed Luna. Her usual weird style was topped by what she was wearing tonight. Her robes were venom green sporting red and yellow dots in various sizes. On her head, she wore a matching yellow hat with a flower sticking to its side. At this very moment, she was approaching Professor Snape. It took her a few seconds to gain his attention, when he finally bothered to look down his nose at her; she said something to him, looking up hopefully and giving him a cheery smile. The way Snape returned her gaze, Harry feared for Luna's health. He looked murderous, his eyes as narrow as a cat's ready to strike its prey. He seemed to hiss something, though his lips barely moved. Luna's eyes widened and she backed off. Now, she was fighting her way over to them. Harry motioned Ginny to return to their table to chat.

"What's up with you?" Ginny asked

"I just asked Professor Snape for a dance," she replied leisurely.

Ginny and Harry looked at her, eyes open wide.

"Oh, he declined. At least that's what I think he did. I'm really starting to think he's a vampire. You know, he's always on his own and clearly has no idea how to socialize properly with other people. Poor man," Luna explained in her dreamy voice. "Have you seen Neville?"

Harry and Ginny were both still too astounded to utter a word, so both shook their heads and Luna left to find Neville to dance with him instead.

"That one sure is weird." Simon's amused voice sounded from behind them. He took the chair Luna had just been sat on. "Where's Hermione?"

"No idea. She left us maybe an hour ago. She wanted to get some peace," Ginny said.

"Understandable."

They watched the dancing crowd, spotting Luna's jolly hat every so often. In contrast to his reluctance to dance during the last ball, Ron only left the dancing area to get drinks for him and Lavender. Suddenly, Harry caught a glimpse of Hermione, staggering through the doors, looking abashed - then a couple hindered his view. He jumped up and hurried towards her. Her hair was no longer neat; a smudge decorated her left cheek; her eyes were empty.

"Hermione! Over here!"

"What's going on here?" she asked, scanning the room confused.

"Are you okay?" Harry supported her with his arm and examined her carefully. She seemed strange, somehow dazzled. Her breath smelled badly of alcohol.

"Is it the Yule ball already?" she asked, obviously baffled by what she saw.

"Of course! You came here with us and already danced, remember?" Harry slowly guided her towards their table, where Ginny and Simon were now standing, watching them anxiously.

"You're drunk," Ginny observed when Hermione swayed and let herself fall onto a chair. "Where have you been this past hour?"

"I...I don't know," she said, perplexed by herself. "I vaguely remember dancing. Then I walked outside and sat on the stairs. But then there's nothing until just now."

A drinking Hermione, and then she couldn't remember anything, just wasn't right. Harry remembered the Slytherins drinking Confundus Draught. Did they maybe pour some into the punch? Or leave a cup unattended and Hermione accidentally picked it up?

"You have to get rid off the alcohol. Here, drink some water and them we'll dance. That should get your sober," he advised.

Ginny and Hermione looked at Simon expectantly. He shrugged, "If you think so", and took Hermione by the hand. Luckily, it was another love song playing. Hermione was staggering so badly that Simon had to hold her in a tight embrace to keep her from falling. Harry and Ginny followed them as closely as they could. Slowly, the dazed look in Hermione's eyes deceased and she kept them fixed on Simon. Harry felt better and turned his attention to his own dancing partner. They went through two more songs, when Harry noticed Ron standing still and staring at Simon and Hermione. Lavender was desperately trying to regain his interest. Fearing a fight, Harry stopped moving and carefully picked his way towards Ron, pulling Ginny behind him.

"What are you staring at? You're having quite the time with Lavender here, so don't you dare ruin Hermione's night," Harry said threateningly. "You've already hurt her bad enough."

"Not as bad as I'll hurt him," Ron retorted.

"If you don't stop acting like an idiot, you'll only chase her into someone else's arms."

"Oh, I think he already did," Ginny informed them.

Ron was paralyzed; Harry had to swallow hard, by what they saw as they found Simon and Hermione in the crowd of prancing couples.

Hermione had both her arms slung around Simon's neck and was leaning her head against his shoulder. One hand on her hip, he used the other to slowly pull her head away from his shoulder, so that she faced him. Then he bent down and brushed her lips in a soft, shy kiss. For a split second Hermione appeared to be too stunned to react, and then she pulled him closer, leaning into the kiss.

That was when Ron lost it. He stormed forwards and ripped Hermione away, out of Simon's arms. Simon pushed Ron backwards and immediately pulled his wand out of a pocket and levelled it at Ron, who had done the same. Ginny dragged Hermione, who had turned into a bystander, out of harms way. All Ron and Simon did, was stare at each other with drawn wands. Simon because he was waiting for Ron to make the first move and finish the fight he had started, Ron because he wasn't sure if he'd stand a chance against the older student.

Tears were gathering in Hermione's eyes and she wiped them away with her sleeve. She was still confused, the events were happening too fast for her. Only when she noticed that Harry was clutching his forehead in pain, did she focus on him.

"Harry, is it your scar?"

"It's burning like hell. Voldemort is happy. Something must have happened," he groaned.

"What are you waiting for? Go to Dumbledore!"

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine on my own," Hermione assured him.

"I heard that once before tonight," he reminded her.

Hermione stomped one foot, than grabbed Harry by his sleeve and dragged him behind her towards the headmaster, who was talking to Professor McGonagall at the top of the hall.

It didn't take more than a quick glance, and Dumbledore knew what had happen. "Where's Severus?" he asked McGonagall.

"He broke up the fight and just left for his office, I assume. Weasley and Lestrange in tow," Professor McGonagall answered.

***

The four hastened down the corridors leading to Professor Snape's office. There, Dumbledore gave the door a sharp knock and then entered without waiting for a reply.

Snape was standing in front of his desk, leaning against it. The two culprits were standing in front of him, as far away from each other as the walls allowed. Ron, noticeably more nervous than Simon, shifted uneasy from one foot to the other.

"Unfortunately, there are more urgent matters to attend, Severus," Dumbledore informed the Potions Master.

Snape wasn't exactly happy to let them go, but motioned the two boys out of his office. After having been filled in, Snape mustered Harry.

"We can't tell for sure what this is about, but tomorrow is Christmas and I can believe that Voldemort would strike on such a merry day," Dumbledore affirmed. "It is still very important that you learn Occlumency. We've been through this before, so I know how you feel about it, but I have to ask you to practice it and make a much stronger effort." Harry nodded, Dumbledore's voice was so sincere and he only hoped that Snape wouldn't be appointed his teacher again. "We'll find a solution which will agree with everyone. I suggest you return to your Common Room now, the ball will be over soon anyway. Remember to clear your mind each time before sleeping from now on," Dumbledore instructed him. "I have a few more things to discuss with Severus."

Harry felt left out and that he had been treated unfairly. Why couldn't he stay and listen to what Dumbledore probably assumed Voldemort was up to?

TBC