The Power Needed

"Stop thanking me and put them on, Ron! We're going to be late!" Harry said, putting the finishing touches on his own dress robes as Ron stared at the brand new pair Harry had bought him.

"Thank you, Harry! I'll go put them on!" Ron said, picking up the robes and going to the bathroom.

"I said, stop thanking me!" Harry called after him. "And you'd better dance with Hermione!" He added.

"Of course I will!" Ron called back. Harry smiled. "Thank you!" Ron added.

"Stop thanking me!" Harry called once more. Ron came out wearing his robes.

"They resized to fit me! Harry! How much did these cost?" He looked at Harry in awe.

"It doesn't matter. You are my best friend. You aren't going to make my other best friend look bad with your horrible dress robes! Not if I have the means to fix it! And I do!" Harry assured him. "You're practically my brother. I bet you'll be my daughter's favourite uncle, not that she'll have a shortage to choose from."

"You're just saying that to distract me. But I better be her favourite uncle!" Ron said, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes, but we need to go! I have to open the Ball, remember?" Harry said, ushering Ron out the door.

"Right, right, I'm going, I'm going. Hey, tha--,"

"Bloody hell, Ron! I swear if you thank me one more time!" Harry interrupted. Ron looked sheepish.

"Right, sorry, Harry." He said as they made their way down the stairs.

They were cutting it close, but they still beat Hermione to the Entrance Hall, where Harry was supposed to wait with the other champions to start the Ball. Harry went to join Fred and George, who were ready before them. The hall fell silent when Hermione appeared at the top of the stairs. Harry had already seen her dress, but she looked stunning in it.

"Bloody hell." Ron breathed as he stared at Hermione. Her dress was periwinkle blue and her hair was sleek and smooth, pulled to the side with tiny glittering pins.

"I wonder how many--,"

"--charms she has on her hair." Fred and George whispered. Harry elbowed them each in the stomach.

"Be nice!" He hissed. Then McGonagall tapped him on the shoulder, and he and Fred lined up with the other champions, while George, Ron and Hermione hurried into the hall.

Fleur and her date, some Ravenclaw Seventh year boy, entered first, followed by Viktor and Neville. Then went Cedric, and his soulmate, Cho Chang. Finally, Harry and Fred brought up the rear.

They all entered and the musicians began to play a waltz. Harry smiled as Fred spun him around the dance floor. As they danced, more couples joined them, including Ron and Hermione.

When the song ended, the musicians went quiet. There was a hush, then a stage lit up and the Wizarding band the Weird Sisters began to play.

Harry danced the night away with his soulmates and friends. Finally Harry collapsed into a chair, exhausted.

"She likes dancing."

Harry looked over to see Luna sitting next to him.

"Oh hello, Luna. I didn't think third years could come without a date in the upper years? Unless you have one?" He asked. Luna smiled.

"Your friends Dean and Seamus were kind enough to bring Ginny and I, as otherwise we wouldn't have been able to come. And you bought Ginny such a lovely dress." Luna explained.