FIRECRACKER - hjp

It started with a single announcement.

Professor McGonagall stood before the class, her expression pinched as she surveyed the sea of fourth-year faces in Transfiguration. Her spectacles caught the light as she adjusted them with one gloved hand.

"As you are all aware," she said crisply, "the Yule Ball will be held on Christmas night. It is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament, and it is open to all students in fourth year and above."

A low murmur rippled across the room.

"You may, if you wish, invite a younger student as your date," McGonagall continued, voice rising slightly above the chatter, "but they must be at least in second year. The Ball is a formal event. Proper attire will be required. That means dress robes. And," she added, eyeing the Gryffindor boys in particular, "clean ones."

She let the silence build for a beat.

"And finally, the champions will open the dance."

No one breathed.

"Dancing practice will begin during your next free periods," McGonagall said, tone brooking no refusal. 

With that, she turned on her heel and left behind a classroom stunned into electrified silence.

The castle fell into chaos.

By lunch, the talk of dragons had been replaced by dress robes, dance steps, and date prospects. Girls clustered in corners. Boys grew twitchy. Entire friendships were ruined over who asked who first.

Slytherin handled it differently.

Lyra walked to dinner with Daphne and Pansy on one side, Draco, Theo, and Blaise closely behind them. They were speaking about arrangments for the ball as they walked.

"Alright," Pansy declared. "There are six of us. Three girls. Three boys. This doesn't need to be complicated."

Draco straightened. "Right. I'll take Lyra—"

"No," Lyra turned around so fast it nearly gave her whiplash.

He blinked. "What?"

"You're my brother."

"That didn't stop the Blacks for generations."

Theo nearly tripped. "Merlin, Malfoy."

Lyra made a face. "You're disgusting."

Draco's face froze. "Right, uh- I said it before I thought it through. Then who?"

She glanced at Theo. "I'll go with you."

Theo shrugged, calm as anything. "Alright."

Draco scowled. "Oh, come on. Theo? That's like taking our cousin."

"He's not our cousin," Lyra said lightly.

"But he might as well be."

"That's the point."

Draco opened his mouth, thought better of it, and sulked.

From the Gryffindor table, Harry had been watching.

He wasn't eavesdropping. Not intentionally. But they were walking right past, and he'd heard Lyra's voice.

"I'll go with Theo."

Something sank in his chest.

Fred nudged him. "Go on then."

Harry blinked. "What?"

"You were going to ask her, weren't you?"

Ron snorted. "He's been thinking about it for days."

"I have not."