Link to previous chapter: https://theowlhouse.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000190745
Chapter 1 if you want to get started at the beginning: https://theowlhouse.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000189445
Luz was the first one up, which wasn’t a surprise. She glanced at her watch, and it was six in the morning, impressively later than her usual time on Christmas.
She waited impatiently for everyone else to get up, which was a surprisingly difficult task. Finally, after what felt like two hours, but was actually only thirty minutes, Amity and the Twins all got up, followed eventually by Alador.
“Feliz Navidad!” Luz cried to her girlfriend.
“Merry Christmas,” she responded, still a little groggy.
The Blights and Luz all slowly made their way to the Christmas tree.
“Luz, why did you insist on having a pine tree in the middle of our living room?” Alador asked.
“It’s Christmas! That’s what you do!” Luz said, “Do they not have Christmas on the Boiling Isles?”
“No, but we do celebrate the winter solstice, we call it Joulutide,” Amity said, “It’s very similar to what you’ve described Christmas to be like.”
Luz noticed that several presents had made their way under the tree.
“How did those get there?” Edric asked, referring to those presents.
“Well, Human tradition says that a magical figure called Santa Claus comes in the night and delivers them,” Luz said, “But firstly, Santa Claus probably isn’t real, and secondly, we’re in the Demon Realm. So I have no idea how they got there.”
The five of them examined the boxes, each of them had a tag on it, saying who they were to and from, Camilla had sent everyone something, and a few other people had sent gifts as well, including the Weasley Twins, Hunter, Gus, Willow, Vee, Eda, King, and Lilith.
Luz had the most presents addressed to her, so she opened the first one, which was from Camilla. First, she read the note attached.
Hey Mija,
Sorry I couldn’t make it to the first task, or to Christmas. Your Tia Maria was insistent that I spent Thanksgiving with her, and I couldn’t be in Scotland for the first task, and then back in time for the holiday. Work right now is busier than when I worked retail on Black Friday. You would not believe how many people are bringing in animals, mostly puppies and kittens, to the vet. Most of them are perfectly fine, we just need to give them their vaccines for rabies and the like. Seems like a lot of kids are getting a dog or cat for Christmas.
I know it’s no excuse to miss so many big things going on right now. But I just want you to know that I am SO proud of you, and the wonderful witch you are growing up to be. I have already requested the weeks of the second and third tasks off. I’m not missing those two for the world. Feliz Navidad.
Te amo
Mamá
Inside the box, she found a new sketchbook and a box of a hundred and twenty different Colored pencils (complete with a sharpener). Hunter sent both Amity and Luz a Palisman care kit. Gus had sent Luz a bunch of human (muggle) magic tricks, such as a deck of cards for sleight of hand, a ball and three cups, a top hat, a silly wand, and a stuffed bunny. He had sent Amity a book called “Big Book of Basic Illusions” (Amity had joined the Illusions and Healing tracks this semester).
Edric and Emira both received packages from the Weasley twins, inside they found all kinds of assorted objects Luz had never seen before, including something labeled a "Ton-Tongue Toffee” and few wands, but Luz figured they weren't real ones. Camilla had sent both of them matching sweaters, Amity and Alador got ones too.
More gifts were received, but Amity saved her gift to Luz for last.
“Here, Luz, I got you something too,” Amity said.
“Oh, thank you,” Luz said as she opened it. Inside was a rather thick novel that Luz immediately recognized. “Azura book six! Oh, Amity! Thank you so much!” She embraced her girlfriend in a tight hug.
After opening all of the presents, the Blights and Luz spent the rest of the morning, and the afternoon too, just enjoying each other’s company. Around six o’clock, the four students all finally decided to prepare for the ball. Luz decided to choose the suit over a ball gown, she didn’t want to trip on the skirt and make a fool of herself. So she was made to wear a white button-down shirt, a white bow tie, a black tailcoat, black trousers, and a pair of dress shoes that were a size too big. The tie felt much too tight around her neck, and the collar wasn’t helping matters.
“How does anyone breathe in this?” Luz complained as she adjusted it in front of the mirror.
“Here, I can fix that for you, Luz,” Alador said, using abomination goop to make her collar a half-inch longer, “That should do it.”
He was right, it felt way better. Luz managed to get the rest of her outfit on. Looking in the mirror, she thought she looked pretty good.
The four of them departed for the Yule Ball at seven-thirty, arriving at the front gates at seven-forty-five. Amity was wearing a beautiful purple ball gown, a lovely pearl necklace, and a tiara that Amity claimed was her grandmother’s. Edric and Emira both were more closely matching Luz, with the same kind of black coat and white tie.
Luz and Amity waited impatiently for the Great Hall’s doors to open, Ed and Em had disappeared, trying to find their dates.
At seven-fifty-five, Professor McGonagall called the champions to her. Luz saw a girl in a beautiful blue dress with Krum, a man with dark hair that Luz recognized from the Ravenclaw table was with Fleur, a girl from Ravenclaw was with Cedric, and a girl Luz had never seen was Harry’s date. McGonagall told the champions and their partners that they would wait until the rest of the hall was seated, then they would enter the ball.
Luz looked closer at Krum’s date and realized it was Hermione. Luz didn’t recognize her at first, her hair was sleek and well done instead of its usual bushy mess.
Once everyone else was finally settled, the champions and their pairs lined up and followed Professor McGonagall. The main tables had all been replaced by about a hundred small tables, each seating a dozen or so people. Everyone in the hall applauded as they entered and seated themselves at the table near the front with the Judges, though someone with trademark Weasley red hair was there instead of Mister Crouch.
Food appeared on everyone’s plates, and Luz could barely keep her composure as she ate the pork chops laid before her.
Dumbledore was telling Karkaroff about a secret bathroom he had found one night, Hermione was trying to teach Krum to pronounce her name correctly, (he kept calling her “Hermy-own”), and Fleur was going off about how Beauxbatons was much more impressive than Hogwarts.
When all of the food had been consumed, Dumbledore stood, asking everyone to follow in kind. Then, with a wave of his wand, all of the tables zoomed away to the back walls, leaving the center of the great hall clear. He also conjured a raised platform along the right wall. The weirdest combination of instruments Luz had ever seen were placed upon it; a drumset, several guitars, a lute, a cello, and bagpipes. An odd group of people walked onstage, they looked like a rock band that had left their razors behind in the seventies and were dressed in black robes that were ripped in countless spots. They picked up the instruments and the lanterns dimmed.
Luz stood and offered a hand to Amity. Together, they danced to the band’s slow tune as though they had danced together a million times, to be fair, they had danced together a million times.
Luz noticed Viney and Skara dancing together, Skara was graceful on her feet while Viney kept tripping over her own feet. Hunter and Willow were both clearly not dancers, they kept stepping on each other’s feet and bumping into other pairs. Gus and Matt were okay at it, but nothing remarkable. The twins were going along great with their partners, dancing with extreme gusto despite the slow tempo, though Ed’s partner had a face redder than his hair.
Harry kept tripping over his dance robes, he was rather grateful that Parvati seemed to know what she was doing because Harry felt like he was making a fool of himself. He noticed that Ginny had abandoned Neville, opting instead to be with a blonde girl Harry had never met. Dumbledore was dancing with Madame Maxine, which looked rather ridiculous, considering the top of his hat barely reached her chin.
Harry heard the final note from the bagpipe finally reach its conclusion. Harry took the opportunity to leave the dance floor.
“Oh, but this is a really good one!” Parvati protested as the Weird Sisters started a new song, which was much faster.
“No, I don’t like it,” Harry lied, leading them both to the back of the hall.
“How’s it going for you?” Harry asked Ron, who was opening a bottle of butterbeer.
Ron didn’t answer. He was busy glaring at Hermione and Krum. Padma was sitting with her arms and legs crossed, occasionally sending a glare Ron’s way. Parvati sat next to her sister, their demeanors were identical. Within minutes, a boy from Beauxbatons asked Parvati to dance.
“You don’t mind, do you, Harry?” Parvati said.
“What?” Harry said, rather stupidly, he was busy watching Cho and Cedric.
“Oh, never mind.” Parvati snapped, accepting the Beauxbatons boy’s hand. She didn’t return after the song ended.
Hermione soon took Parvati’s seat.
“Hi,” Harry said, Ron was silent.
“Hi, Viktor’s just gone to get us some drinks,” Hermione said, fanning herself with her hand.
“Viktor?” Ron said, “Hasn’t he asked you to call him Vicky yet?”
“What’s your problem?” Hermione asked, surprised.
“Well, if you haven’t figured it out, I’m not going to tell you,” Ron said scathingly.
The two of them quickly started arguing about Hermione’s choice of a dance partner. Ron saying she was “fraternizing with the enemy”, and Hermione calling Ron an idiot.
Harry sided with Hermione, albeit begrudgingly.
“Are you ever going to ask me to dance?” Padma asked, annoyed.
“No,” said Ron, still glaring at Hermione.
“Fine.” Padma snapped, joining her sister and the Beauxbatons boy, who conjured up one of his friends so quickly you might just think that he had used a summoning charm.
“Vare is Herm-own-ninny?” Krum’s unmistakable voice asked.
“No idea,” Ron said. “Why? Have you lost your date?”
”Vell, if you see her, tell her I haff drinks.” he said, slouching off.
“Making friends with Krum, are you?” Percy said to his younger brother. “Excellent! That’s the point, international magical cooperation!”
Percy took Padma’s vacated seat; he saw Dumbledore dancing with Bump, Ludo Bagman with McGonagall; Maxime and Hagrid were cutting a wide path around the dance floor as they waltzed through the students. When the next song ended, Harry saw Ludo Bagman kiss Professor McGonagall’s hand and make his way back through the crowds, at which point Fred and George accosted him.
“What do they think they’re doing, annoying senior Ministry employees?” Percy hissed, watching Fred and George, “No respect, those two.”
But Bagman shook off the twins rather quickly, and quickly joined Harry at the table.
“I hope my brothers weren’t bothering you, Mister Bagman,” Percy said very quickly.
“What? Oh, not at all!” Bagman said, “No, they were just telling me a bit about these fake wands of theirs. Impressive stuff for such young wizards! I’ve promised to get them in touch with a few of my contacts who work at Zonko’s Joke Shop.”
Percy seemed rather unhappy about that. Harry figured he was probably going to tell Mrs. Weasley about this the instant he got home. Bagman was about to ask Harry something when Percy interrupted.
“How do you feel the tournament’s going, Mister Bagman? Our department’s quite satisfied, the hitch with the Goblet of Fire-” Percy glared at Harry, “was a little unfortunate, of course, but it has been running smoothly ever since, don’t you think?”
Bagman and Percy got to talking about Ministry bull that Harry didn’t want to listen to, and neither did Ron, as he asked Harry if they wanted to take a bit of a walk.
Pretending that they wanted to get more drinks, Harry and Ron left the table, then edged around the dance floor (Luz and Amity had yet to stop dancing), and slipped out into the entrance hall. The large doors stood open, and the fairy lights (made from real fairies) twinkled as they went down the front steps. Here and there, Harry and Ron found a couple sitting on a carved bench, or walking together. Eventually, Harry heard an unpleasantly familiar voice.
“...don’t see what there is to fuss about, Igor.”
“Severus, you cannot keep pretending this isn’t happening!” Karkaroff’s voice anxiously said, “It’s been getting clearer and clearer for months. I am becoming seriously concerned, I can’t deny it-”
“Then flee,” Snape’s voice said shortly, “Flee, I will make your excuses. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts.”
Snape caught two other students, along with Ron and Harry, eavesdropping. He deducted points from all of them, but Harry and Ron continued their walk. Eventually, Harry heard Hagrid speak.
“Momen’ I saw yeh, I knew,” Hagrad was saying, in an oddly husky voice.
Harry and Ron froze. This didn’t seem like something they ought to walk in on. Harry saw Fleur Delacour and Rodger Davies very occupied with each other while half concealed in a rosebush.
“What did you know, ‘Agrid?” Maxime asked.
Harry knew he shouldn’t listen, but it’s not like he could drown out Hagrid’s voice. He tried to interest himself in a nearby beetle, but it was nowhere near interesting enough to block Hagrid’s next words out of his ears.
“I jus’ knew, knew you were like me. Was it yer mother or yer father?”
“I- I don’t know what you mean ‘Agrid”
“It was my mother,” Hagrid said quietly, “She was one o’ the las’ ones in Britain. ‘Course, I can’ remember her too well… she left, see. When I was abou’ three. She wasn’ really the maternal sort. Dunno what happened to her might be dead fer all I know.”
Maxime stayed silent. In spite of himself, Harry took his eyes off the beetle and listened more intently. He had never heard Hagrid talk about his childhood before.
“Me dad raised me, but then he died, o’ course, jus’ after I started school. Sorta had ter make me own way after that. Dumbledore was a real help. Very kind ter me, he was…” Hagrid blew his nose very loudly, “So, anyway, enough abou’ me. What about you? Which side you got it on?”
Madame Maxime suddenly got to her feet.
“It is chilly,” she said, “I think I will go now.”
“Eh?” Hagrid said blankly. “No, don’ go! I’ve, I’ve never met another one before!”
“Anuzzer what, precisely?” Madame Maxime said coldly.
“Another half-giant, o’ course!” Hagrid said a bit too loudly.
“‘Ow dare you!” Madame Maxime shrieked, her voice like a foghorn. Harry heard Fleur and Rodger fall out of their rosebush behind him. “I ‘ave nevair been more insulted in my life! ‘Alf giant? Moi? I ‘ave, I ‘ave big bones!”
And with that, Maxime stormed off
“C’mon,” Harry whispered to Ron, “Let’s go…”
But Ron didn’t move.
“What’s wrong?” Harry said, concerned.
Ron looked at Harry very seriously.
“Did you know? About him being half-giant?”
“No,” Harry said, shrugging. “So what?”
Harry immediately knew that he was once again revealing how ignorant he still was when it came to the wizarding world. Harry realized that ”So what?” was not the response Ron, or most wizards for that matter, would have expected.
“I’ll explain inside,” Ron said quietly, “C’mon”
Fleur and Rodger Davis had disappeared, probably to a more private clump of bushes. Harry and Ron returned to the Great Hall, the Patil twins were sitting with a large crowd of Beauxbatons boys, and a couple girls. Hermione was once again dancing with Krum, Luz and Amity had finally taken a break from dancing, and were laughing at something Gus had said.
“So?” Harry prompted, “What’s the problem with giants?”
Ron proceeded to try to explain to a dumbfound Harry that giants aren’t welcome in Wizarding society, and they were almost extinct because of Wizards.
The Weird sisters finished playing at twelve o’clock sharp, and everyone gave them a last, loud round of applause. Many people seemed to wish the ball could go on for longer, but Harry was perfectly content going to bed.
Out in the entrance hall, Harry saw Hermione saying goodbye to Krum before he went on the ship. She gave Ron a very cold look as she swept past him and climbed the marble stairs. Harry suddenly heard someone call his name.
“Hey! Harry!”
It was Cedric Diggory, grinning widely. Why does he have to be so cheerful? Harry wondered.
“Yeah?” Harry said coldly.
Cedric looked as though he didn’t want to say whatever it was near Ron.
“Listen…” Cedric said softly, “I owe you one for telling me about the dragons. You know that egg? Does yours wail when you open it?”
“Yeah,” Harry said.
“Well, take a bath, okay?”
“What?”
“Take a bath, and, err, take the egg with you, and, err, just kinda, mull it over in the hot water. I think it’ll help, trust me.”
Harry stared blankly at his fellow champion.
“Tell you what,” He said, “Use the prefect’s bathroom. Fourth door to the left of that statue of Boris the Bewildered on the fifth floor. The password is ‘pine fresh’. Gotta go, see you Harry,”
Cedric grinned at Harry, then went back to be with Cho.
Harry walked back to Gryffindor Tower alone. That was some strange advice, Harry thought, How would a bath help? Is Cedric pulling my leg, trying to make me look like a fool so Cho would like him even more by comparison?
The fat lady and her friend Vi were snoozing in the picture over the portrait hole, Harry had to yell the password before he woke them up. When he finally climbed in, he found Ron and Hermione’s argument wasn’t quite over. But Harry, wanting to stay on speaking terms with them both, decided to keep his mouth shut.
