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Arch Mage, the Path of Magic Chapter 36
🕑 Added 2025-02-06 01:05:03 +0000 UTCHey friends and fans, Kairomaru is here with another chapter of Arch Mage, the Path of Magic! With the First Task completed, the three Champions now have to figure out the secret of their golden eggs for a hint at the next Task. Who will be the first to figure it out and what will the clue to the next Task reveal? But first, Harry has some annoyed women that want to have a ‘word’ with him about the First Task!
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So, without further delay, please enjoy.
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Chapter 36 – The Golden Egg
Harry flailed and struggled as his head was held tightly by Tonks’s left arm, her right fist dug her knuckles into the top of his messy hair and gave him the harshest noogie she could. “Ack! Nym! Get off!” Harry tried to escape the Metamorph’s hold.
“Never!” Tonks denied as she continued her noogie. “Making us all think you’d been roasted by that dragon! This is punishment, Mister!”
“I was fine though!” Harry squawked as he tried to pull away more.
No one watching commented on the fact that Harry could’ve easily escaped if he used magic. It was clear (especially to the adults) that Harry was letting this happen so that Tonks could vent a bit.
Tonks eventually stopped giving Harry a noogie, only to pull him into a hug and squeeze him tightly. “Don’t you ever worry me like that again.” She mumbled into his messy hair as she held him.
“Okay. Sorry, Nym.” Harry mumbled back…straight into Tonks’s tits given their height difference. He wasn’t going to complain about that, of course. Harry wrapped his arms around Tonks’s waist and hugged her back instead.
When Tonks finally released Harry, a small smile on her lips and an affectionate gaze in her (currently purple) eyes, her hair turned pink and semi-long as she often preferred it.
Harry didn’t get more than a few seconds before he was the recipient of another girl’s frustration with him.
“You idiot!” Daphne grabbed the front of Harry’s robes and began to shake him back and forth with tears in the corners of her eyes. “I thought you died! Stupid! Idiot! Prat!” The more traditional upbringing of the Pureblood Greengrass House was nowhere to be seen as Daphne shook Harry furiously.
“S-So-Sorry…” Harry managed to get out as he let Daphne shake him.
Daphne slowed her shaking of Harry and glared into his eyes. The tears in her eyes caught Harry’s attention and he quickly pulled Daphne into a hug. “Don’t touch me…” Daphne said weakly, even as she let Harry pull her close.
Harry hugged Daphne close and gently ran his hand up and down her back. “Sorry, Daphne. It took me a few seconds to use my Over Soul spell. I didn’t know how it would look like from outside…but I wasn’t in any danger, I promise.” He whispered to her softly as Daphne buried her face into his shoulder to hide the small tears that escaped her eyes. “Thank you for worrying about me.” Harry said softly so that only Daphne could hear it.”
“Mm.” Daphne made a soft sound, rather than saying anything.
The two just held each other for a few moments before Daphne pulled away. She quickly turned away from the others and cleared her eyes so that no one would know that she cried.
Almost everyone could tell, but no one mentioned it.
“I’m so glad that you’re okay, Harry.” Hermione nearly crushed Harry in a tight hug, practically snuggling into him with all the warmth she could provide.
Harry squeezed her back with a grin. “I’m fine, Hermione.” To show her this, Harry picked her up and twirled Hermione around once before setting her back on her feet. “See?”
Hermione pulled back with a cute smile. “I see.” She giggled at Harry’s smile and the two separated. Hermione’s pink cheeks were warm and she felt her heart beating quickly in her chest. Being affectionate with Harry in front of others gave her a fluttering feeling in her tummy.
Luna and Astoria both hugged Harry at the same time, followed quickly by Gabrielle, nearly burying Harry in hugs from the younger girls.
“I’m glad you’re okay, Harry!” Astoria cheered with a smile. “Your Over Soul thing was cool!” She beamed at him.
“Can I make Leafy that big, Harry?” Luna asked with an adorable grin, clearly wanting to make her Shikigami friend bigger and be carried around.
Harry laughed and hugged the three girls back. “Thank you, I thought it was cool too.” He chuckled along with them. “We’ll work on your Onmyōdō more and work our way up to Over Soul in time, Luna.” He promised his surrogate little sister with a grin.
“Carry?” Gabrielle asked in her more heavily accented English, still working on learning her second language.
“Come here, Gabby!” Harry chuckled as he picked the eight-year-old up and held her.
Gabrielle giggled and hugged her ‘big brother’ tightly.
“Spoiling all three of them.” Fleur said with a little shake of her head.
“They’ve got him wrapped around their fingers.” Tracy giggled as Harry spun himself and Gabrielle around a few times, making the little girl laugh.
Hermione smiled at the scene. “It’s cute.”
Daphne, her fear and frustration gone now, sighed before a little grin spread on her face. “We should make him do something nice for us too.”
“Agreed.” Tonks said with a wide smirk. The two Witches looked at each other before turning their eyes on Harry.
Once the three younger girls were assured that Harry was okay, they allowed the adults to approach Harry. Sirius quickly pulled Harry into a hug and ruffled his hair a bit.
“You had us worried there, Harry.” Sirius said as he looked into Harry’s eyes. “A bit much for a prank though.”
“It wasn’t a prank, dad.” Harry said with a wave of his hand. “Over Soul is something I just learned recently, so it takes a short time for me to use it. I knew I could handle the dragon fire and use it to my advantage.”
Sirius hummed thoughtfully, a look of faux contemplation on his face that quickly grew ridiculous as he hammed it up more. “I suppose… But you could’ve told us all in advance.”
Harry pulled back from Sirius and looked at him with over-the-top suspicion. “And ruin the surprise? Who are you and what have you done with my godfather?”
“Hah!” Sirius cracked up and clapped Harry on the back, the two sharing a bright laugh together.
“This proves that you’re the bad influence, Sirius.” Andromeda said as she pulled Harry into a gentle hug, which her nephew quickly returned.
Sirius faked an affronted look. “Me? I’m a great influence!” He put his hand over his chest.
Ted gave Sirius a flat look. “Uh huh…” He patted Harry’s back once Andromeda released him from their hug.
“Oi!” Sirius managed to look serious for all of a second before he chuckled and put his hand on Harry’s shoulder and the large group moved back towards Hogwarts together.
“You and Charlie had a conversation about freeing the Horntail from your spell, right, Harry?” Tonks asked as she recalled seeing Charlie talking to Hary beside the trapped dragon before Harry had undone his ‘Japanese’ spell.
Harry nodded with a small grin. “Yeah. He introduced himself and it was nice to meet the older brother that Fred and George told me about, putting a face to the name, you know?”
Tonks and Hermione both deadpanned at Harry.
“Harrikins…you met Charlie at the World Cup, remember?” Tonks said, trying to jog Harry’s memory.
“I did?” Harry blinked as he thought back to all the interesting things from the World Cup.
Hermione nodded to Harry. “In the Top Box, Harry. He was with the rest of the Weasleys.”
Harry considered that for a moment. “Ah, you’re right. We did meet briefly.” That got Tonks to playfully roll her eyes. “We barely talked, and he didn’t leave that much of an impression to be honest.” There had been much more interesting things at the World Cup…not to mention the Death Eaters that had shown up after the actual match.
“You might want to try harder to remember people you meet in the future, Harry.” Andromeda said to her nephew with a little sigh. Trust Harry to not recall people that weren’t ‘interesting’ enough.
“I’ll try, Auntie.” Harry said with a small smile.
As the castle got closer, Fleur held up her golden egg and looked at Harry.
“They said that these eggs are a clue for the Second Task.” Fleur said as the group continued walking towards the castle. “They clearly open.” She traced her fingertip along one of the seams of the golden egg.
Harry looked at his own golden egg closely for a moment before looking at Fleur. “On three?” He suggested with a grin.
Fleur grinned back as the group stopped. “One.”
“Two.” Harry put his hand atop the golden egg.
“Three.” Fleur said as she and Harry both opened their eggs at the same time.
“AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!” A horrendous shriek came from both eggs.
Everyone recoiled and covered their ears quickly as Fleur and Harry quickly slammed the golden eggs closed again.
“What the bloody hell was that?!” Sirius demanded as he slowly removed his hands from his ears.
“Language!” Andromeda gave Sirius a sharp look, even as she lightly rubbed her ears.
Marius and Appoline both shot an annoyed look at the two golden eggs.
“That is supposed to be a clue?” Marius asked, clearly confused by what the loud screeching could’ve possibly meant.
Appoline shook her head a little. “Screaming doesn’t tell the Champions anything.”
“How about you guys never open those things again?” Tracy suggested as she rubbed her ears.
Hermione looked between both eggs in confusion. “They both just scream? So, the clue is the same for all three Champions?” She tried to puzzle the clue out logically from just opening the eggs.
“Hopefully the Task isn’t having to deal with that screaming the whole time.” Tonks said as she looked between the two eggs. “Could drive a person mental with that.”
“Maybe not the screaming…but whatever is doing the screaming?” Daphne guessed as the ringing in her ears stopped.
Harry held the golden egg up to eye-level. “Another Magical Creature challenge seems a bit repetitive.”
Luna, Astoria, and Gabrielle were still lightly rubbing their ears from the loud screaming of the two golden eggs.
“That was loud.” Luna said with a small grimace. Her Kooni gently nuzzled against her cheek and Luna reached up to pet her Shikigami.
“Why did it scream?” Astoria glared at the golden egg for hurting her ears. Daphne quickly pulled her into a side-hug to comfort her little sister.
Once the group got back to the castle, the families of the Champions were allowed to stay for a short time to say farewell before leaving Hogwarts. The Floo in the antechamber was opened for the Delacours, the Tonks, and Sirius to leave after they said their goodbyes. Fleur had hugged Gabrielle tightly and peppered her cheeks with kisses after her little sister had left Harry’s arms. Marius and Appoline hugged their daughter and kissed her cheeks before bidding everyone farewell, for now. A flare of green flames and Appoline, Gabrielle, and Marius vanished.
“We’ll see you soon, Harry.” Ted hugged his nephew with a smile.
“Don’t do anything that’ll get you in trouble, Harry.” Andromeda said as she gave him a hug.
Sirius pulled Harry into a hug and patted his back. “Get into a little trouble, Harry; especially if it’s with a pretty girl.” He encouraged his godson with a roguish smile.
“Sirius!” Andromeda lightly swatted Sirius’s arm for his encouragement of rule-breaking.
“Andy!” Sirius said back with a jovial laugh.
Andromeda sighed and pushed Sirius towards the Floo. Ted chuckled as he followed behind them. In a flash of green flames, they returned home.
Tonks pulled Harry into a hug with a smile. “Don’t get into any trouble with girls.”
“How about no other girls except Fleur?” Harry bargained, shooting Fleur a quick grin before looking back at Tonks.
Fleur had a smug little smirk on her lips now.
“Hmm…” Tonks pretended to consider it as she looked over at Fleur. “We do need someone to keep you out of too much trouble.” She grinned at Fleur and received a matching grin in response.
Harry chuckled a bit. “So, I have permission, Nym?”
Tonks leaned down a bit and captured Harry’s lips. Harry returned the kiss, his arms around Tonks’s waist sliding down until his hands rested on her bottom.
Fleur raised a delicate eyebrow at seeing the kiss between the two, but didn’t comment on it.
“If Fleur will put up with your mischief.” Tonks said once she and Harry separated from their kiss.
“I can hope.” Harry had a dopey grin on his face and he gently squeezed Tonks’s bottom a bit.
Fleur shrugged. “I suppose I can handle Harry’s attention for a while.” The look in her eyes made it clear that she’d be the one instigating more than a little of the said ‘attention’ to come.
Tonks smiled at Fleur. “This is why we get on so well, Fleur.”
“A shared love for Harry…or our desire to ‘corrupt’ him?” Fleur teased as she sauntered closer to the pair and pressed herself into Harry’s back.
“Corrupt away.” Harry encouraged with a smile. He was a young man and was sandwiched between two absolutely gorgeous women.
“Maybe leaving him in your hands is a mistake?” Tonks eyed Harry and Fleur with a faux speculative look in her (now orange) eyes. “Well, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” She pressed Harry into her breasts and leaned forward to put a little kiss on Fleur’s cheek. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, you two.”
Fleur kissed Tonks’s cheek in return. “I won’t push Harry beyond what he’s ready for.” She promised with a smile.
Tonks tried to take a step back, but Harry’s hands on her butt prevented her. “Harry, you have to let my bottom go.”
“Don’t wanna.” Harry denied as he raised his face from Tonks’s bosom. “I’m in a happy place.”
Fleur and Tonks both cracked up, their laughter beautiful to Harry as he smiled just from hearing it.
“Fine.” Tonks jokingly rolled her eyes as she grew her tits a bit with her Metamorphmagus ability. “We can spoil you for another minute, I guess.”
“Just a minute or so,” Fleur agreed with a little nod before pressing her breasts against Harry’s back a bit more and kissing his cheek from behind. “Wouldn’t want to spoil Harry too much.”
It was a couple of minutes before Harry and Fleur left the antechamber and met up with Daphne, Hermione, Tracy, Astoria, and Luna again.
“Hmm…” Daphne looked between Harry and Fleur after seeing the little grin on Harry’s face.
The group split up to return to their common rooms (and Fleur to the Beauxbatons carriage) mostly so that the Champions could put their golden eggs away for now. No one wanted to risk the eggs coming open and releasing their horrible shrieking again.
Harry, Hermione, and Luna stopped outside the Ravenclaw common room as the bronze doorknocker asked its riddle.
“What do you add to a full barrel to make it lighter?” The doorknocker asked the three.
Hermione answered easily, having heard this riddle before. “A hole.”
The door to the Ravenclaw common room swung inwards and the three entered to cheers from the entire House.
“Our Champion returns!” Anthony Goldstein cheered loudly.
Harry was quickly drawn into the crowd of Ravenclaws and hoisted up onto the shoulders of two of the upper years. The cheers and excitement within the common room were loud and jovial as everyone enjoyed the success of one of their own.
“What’s the clue, Harry?” Cho Chang asked as she looked up at Harry.
Harry held up the golden egg with a wide smile. “It’s in here.”
“Open it up, Harry!” Michael Corner hollered over the cheers of the other Ravenclaws.
“You want me to open it?” Harry asked the rest of the House with a smile.
“Yeah!” The Ravenclaws cheered loudly.
Harry cast a spell to protect his ears without a word or gesture. He saw Luna and Hermione doing the same as he activated his Mage Sight spell and opened the golden egg. As the wailing and shrieking was unleashed again, making all of the Ravenclaw students scream and recoil from the cacophony, Harry looked at the inside of the egg and quickly discerned the spell being used.
The fact that the two upper years had dropped Harry as they moved away from the wailing egg hadn’t disrupted Harry’s study of the spell cast on the golden egg. He simply sat in the air, floating as if it was perfectly normal. Harry closed the egg a second later, cutting off the shrieking as he lowered his feet to the floor while canceling his Float spell and his ear protection spell.
‘Just a Recording Charm. The only other spells on it are the Impervious Charm and the Durability Charm.’ Harry thought to himself, now confirming that the clue had to be the shrieking that was recorded.
“Ow!”
“My ears!”
“What the bloody hell?!”
“Why did it scream?!”
Hermione gave Harry an unamused look for his prank as she and Luna walked over to him. “Must you?”
“Every once in a while.” Harry replied with a grin. “I made sure that you and Luna were safe first.” He pulled Luna into a side-hug.
“That wasn’t very nice, Harry.” Luna said simply as she returned her big brother’s hug.
Harry chuckled as he squeezed Luna into his side a little. “But they asked me to open it.”
“Please don’t open in the common room again.” Hermione requested and most of the other Ravenclaws called out their agreement with her.
“Sure thing.” Harry agreed with a smile.
-Next Morning-
Harry read the Daily Prophet with unamused eyes. The article covering the First Task covered the entire front page, but the amount of space was clearly favoring Harry as his completion of the Task was about half of the front page while Fleur and Krum had a quarter of the page dedicated to each of their completions of the Task. “At least it wasn’t Skeeter this time.” Harry muttered under his breath.
“It’s mean that they wanted you to kill the dragon.” Luna said as she used magic to artfully sculpt her breakfast into the rough form of a dragon.
“It would’ve been another Title for me to acquire, I guess.” Harry shrugged as the Title of ‘Dragon Slayer’ wasn’t something that most Witches and Wizards would ever earn. “Not very sporting to earn a Title like that against a dragon that was trapped in that arena with me.”
“They certainly took a lot of pictures of your Task.” Hermione mentioned as she was looking over the Daily Prophet article. There were several pictures on the paper, all moving as was normal for magical pictures, that kept switching places after a few seconds.
Fleur looked at a few of the pictures taken of her and the Swedish Short-Snout. “I think I might keep this picture. It looks rather impressive to be able to take a golden egg from a nesting mother dragon.” She smiled at the best picture that the Prophet had of her Task.
-Transfiguration Class-
Harry, as usual, was self-studying as the end of class neared. Conjuration was a very diverse part of the Branch of Magic that was Transfiguration and Harry was always interested in learning what was and wasn’t considered possible to conjure. It was only a few minutes before the bell rang that McGonagall called the class to attention.
“Students,” McGonagall only needed to say the one word to have everyone focused on her. “I have something to say to you all.” Seeing the class paying attention properly, she continued. “The Yule Ball is approaching…a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to Fourth Years and above…however, you may invite a student of a lower year if you wish.”
A few of the girls from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw giggled at the announcement, one or two even brave enough to look back at Harry before quickly turning to face the front again.
McGonagall let the brief bout of giggles die down before she continued. “Dress Robes will be worn, and the Ball will start at eight in the evening on Christmas Day and finish at midnight in the Great Hall.” Her look became a little sterner to preempt any more giggles. “Now, the Yule Ball is a chance for us to…er…let our hair down. But it does NOT mean that we will be lowering our expectations for behavior from Hogwarts students.” McGonagall’s tone brooked no argument. “I will be displeased if any Hogwarts student causes trouble during the Ball.”
The bell rang and ended the class, prompting the students to pack up their things and leave the room. There was already a bunch of murmuring and gossiping about the Yule Ball heard from the students as they headed towards their next class.
Harry and Hermione were walking towards the door when McGonagall called out.
“Mr. Potter, stay a moment.” McGonagall beckoned Harry over to her desk.
“Go ahead, Hermione.” Harry smiled at his best friend as he walked over to stand in front of Professor McGonagall’s desk.
Hermione gave Harry a smile. “I’ll see you soon, Harry.” She was out the door a second later.
“Mr. Potter, the Champions and their partners, by tradition, open the Ball with the first dance.” McGonagall explained with a strict look. “You’ll need to find a partner and as the Hogwarts Champion perform the role and duties expected of you as the school’s representative.”
“I’ve never really danced before…” Harry mused as he thought about who to ask to go to the Yule Ball with him. “I suppose I’ll have to work on that.” He looked at McGonagall with a grin. “Are there any requirements for who can be my partner?”
McGonagall looked at Harry with some suspicion for his question. “Traditionally each Champion has their own partner so that all three schools are represented during the opening of the Ball, so it is…discouraged…for Champions to pair up with one another.”
Harry thought about that for all of a second before commenting. “Well, that kind of goes against the whole ‘international cooperation and socializing’, doesn’t it?” He chuckled at the narrowing of McGonagall’s eyes. “Well, I find someone to ask, I’m sure.”
“See that you do, Mr. Potter.” McGonagall gave him a brief nod and dismissed him.
‘A date for a Ball, huh?’ Harry thought to himself as he left the Transfiguration classroom. He already had two girls that he could ask, even with the dumb ‘discouragement’ of not pairing up with another Champion.
-Lunch-
“Vexing.” Fleur said as soon as she sat down with Harry and their friends.
“You were told about the Yule Ball as well, I take it?” Harry said with a small grin.
Fleur gave him a little ‘look’ before letting out a sigh. “I’ve known about the Yule Ball for quite a while. I didn’t know that we’d be discouraged from having one of the other Champions as our date for the evening.” She looked at Harry with eyes that practically swam with affection and desire.
“You’re not allowed to go with each other?” Daphne asked curiously. “Doesn’t that go against the whole idea of the three schools coming together?”
“That’s what I said!” Harry chuckled at Daphne coming to the same conclusion.
Fleur huffed a little. “It’s a foolish and shortsighted unwritten rule.” Her blue eyes drifted over to Hermione as a little grin spread on her lips. “Would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me, Hermione?”
Hermione’s fork stopped halfway to her mouth as her eyes widened in shock. “M-Me?” She blinked once as she looked at Fleur.
“Yes, you.” Fleur smiled at the younger girl. “We’re close enough to enjoy an evening together.” She then looked over at Harry, drawing Hermione’s eyes to her best friend. “Plus, this way, neither of us has to worry about some other boy putting his hands on us. We can just ask Harry’s date to let him dance with us too.”
“I…I…” Hermione’s cheeks were dark red now as she looked between Harry and Fleur. “I w-wouldn’t mind…Fleur.” She gave the older girl a smile before hiding behind her hands as her cheeks burned more. ‘Why does she make me feel this way?’ It was a similar fluttery feeling in her tummy that Harry gave her…and she was sure that she fancied Harry quite a bit.
“Well, as Fleur wants to take Hermione…” Harry put on a suave smile (or as much as a young man like him could manage) and looked at Daphne. “Would you do me the honor of going to the Yule Ball with me, Daphne?” He held out his hand to her, as proper Pureblood etiquette stated that he should.
Daphne’s normally composed look was quickly ruined as her cheeks went pink. “I…I’d be delighted, H-Harry.” She gently put her hand in his across the table (which was technically a small breach of etiquette itself) as her heart felt like it was trying to beat its way out of her chest.
“Your face is red, Daphne~” Astoria teased her big sister with a giggling laugh.
Tracy was snickering behind her hand. “I’ve never seen you this red before.”
Daphne slowly pulled her hand from Harry’s and then lightly swatted Tracy on the shoulder before pulling Astoria into a side-hug and ruffling her little sister’s hair. ‘I’ll teach them to tease me!’
“Hey!” Tracy pouted at Daphne, playfully rubbing her arm.
“Daphne, stop it!” Astoria whined at her hair being messed up.
Luna smiled at her friends. “I wonder if someone will ask me to the Ball?”
Harry pulled Luna into his side gently. “If they do, then I’ll save you a dance at the Ball.”
“Okay!” Luna beamed at Harry as she hugged him back.
Daphne looked at Harry after letting Astoria go. “Do you know how to dance, Harry?” She could talk normally if they were discussing topic not directly related to them going to the Yule Ball together. Her heart had only just settled down, after all.
“Never really had a reason to learn.” Harry answered honestly. “But I’m willing to learn and practice if you’d like to help me.”
“Of course, it’s only right that I help.” Daphne agreed with a smile, her cheeks nearly permanently pink at this point.
Fleur smiled at Hermione. “Do you need to learn to dance as well, Hermione?”
Hermione, still hiding her red cheeks behind her hands, nodded. “I never really had a reason to learn either.”
“Wonderful. We’ll work out some time after classes to practice together, if you’d like?” Fleur offered the other girl with a warm and comforting smile.
“Thank you, Fleur.” Hermione smiled back at Fleur, her cheeks now a dark pink rather than burning red.
-Afternoon ~ After Classes-
Daphne knocked on the small door of the large landscape portrait that Harry had shown her back when he’d removed the Blood Malediction from her. The painting seemed to zoom in on the cottage until just the door filled the entire frame. Daphne grabbed the handle and opened the door inwards, stepping inside and seeing Harry waiting for her.
“Right on time, Daphne.” Harry smiled at his date for the Yule Ball.
Daphne closed the door behind her with a small smile. “And you’re early.”
Unseen by either of the teens, the portrait returned back to its picturesque landscape, once more hiding the hidden space within it from view.
Harry unshrunk a Wizarding Wireless and turned it on, a gentle instrumental piece of music playing a second later. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” Daphne smiled brilliantly, her cheeks a rosy hue as her heart thumped in her chest. “First, you’ll need to put your left hand on my waist.” She guided Harry’s hand to the proper spot. “It’s important that your hand doesn’t trail lower…” She looked into Harry’s eyes as her cheeks darkened a bit. “Holding onto my hip would imply a much…deeper…relationship than we currently have, understand.”
“Okay.” Harry kept his left hand on Daphne’s waist. “And your hand goes on my shoulder, right?”
Daphne nodded as she gently placed her right hand on Harry’ left shoulder. “That’s right. Our free hands hold each other.” She entwined their fingers with a cute smile, even as butterflies fluttered about her tummy.
Harry nodded in understanding as he held Daphne’s hand. “So…then we start moving, right?” He looked down at his feet.
“Don’t look at your feet.” Daphne corrected him with a little giggle. When Harry’s green eyes looked into her blue eyes, she smiled softly at him. “Just look at me and follow my lead.” She took a step and Harry mimicked it as best as he could without looking. “Good. Now the next step.” Daphne took another step and Harry copied her movement, his foot almost brushing against Daphne’s on accident.
As Daphne led Harry through a simple waltz, with a few close calls for her feet being stepped on, the two began to find their rhythm together. The music coming from the Wizarding Wireless was certainly helping as it was almost perfect for a waltz. But as it switched to the next song, a slower melody played and Daphne blushed as she leaned into Harry, gently wrapping both of her arms over his shoulders.
“Th-This is…slow dancing.” Daphne managed to get out as she gently swayed with Harry.
“This seems easier.” Harry said as he held Daphne’s waist with both hands, matching her gentle swaying with his own.
“Mhmm.” Daphne hummed as she gazed into Harry’s emerald eyes.
The moment had clearly shifted and even Harry, a teenaged young man, could tell. The two swayed together as the music continued, and without thinking about it, they both leaned forward a little, gently resting their foreheads against each other as they continued their slow dance.
“Harry…” Daphne said as she took her chance, tilting her head upwards a little and placing a gentle, chaste kiss on Harry’s lips.
Harry was surprised for a second, before gently returning the kiss.
When the two pulled back, Daphne’s cheeks were bright red, but their was a smile on both of their faces.
“Should I take this to mean that we now have a deeper relationship, Daphne?” Harry whispered to her with a little grin.
“Don’t ruin the moment.” Daphne whispered back as she laid her head on Harry’s shoulder as they continued to sway.
Harry held back a chuckle as he just held Daphne and continued to move with her slowly. It would seem that he had his answer on Daphne’s feeling for him now. ‘Four girls like me at the same time… Sirius would definitely be proud…and jealous.’ A little grin spread across Harry’s lips at the thought.
“Hey…” Daphne drew out the word as Harry’s hands had lowered to her hips.
“Sorry, Daphne.” Harry moved his hands back up to her waist.
Daphne smiled at Harry listening to her about proper etiquette like this. “Save it for our next lesson.” She threw him an offer to continue their lessons and spend some more time alone together.
Harry smiled as he pulled Daphne just a little closer to him. “Alright.”
The two would continue to practice dancing in the hidden space within the portrait for the next hour, barely leaving each other’s embrace the entire time. Only when it would be a problem for Daphne to be able to complete her assignments did the two finally separate.
“Same time the day after tomorrow?” Daphne asked with a happy little grin on her lips.
“I’ll be there.” Harry agreed with a small grin of his own.
The two leaned in and kissed once more, still simple and rather chaste, but neither of them was in a hurry to rush this new closeness of theirs.
Daphne opened the door and stepped out of the portrait first. Harry followed after her and closed the door. The two walked hand-in-hand towards one of the shortcuts to the ground floor before they separated for the evening. Daphne returning to the Slytherin dorms and Harry heading up to Ravenclaw Tower.
-End Chapter-
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Oh my… Very adorable!
The golden eggs’ screeching has been revealed, but tells Harry and Fleur nothing.
It’s just VERY loud and irritating to anyone that hears it.
Tonks and Fleur are making it rather obvious that they’re perfectly fine with sharing Harry, much to the Spellcrafter’s delight! Heh!
The Yule Ball has been announced to the Hogwarts students!
Unfortunately, there’s a rather dumb little ‘stipulation’ about Champions not pairing up together, foiling Fleur’s initial plan of going with Harry! Veela pout
But a good alternative is sitting right across from Fleur at the Ravenclaw Table! Hermione and Fleur will be going to the Yule Ball together! Cute~
Harry asked Daphne to the Yule Ball a second later and our cute Healer-in-training accepts with burning cheeks.
It seems Harry will have at least three dance partners at the Ball…and four if Luna gets asked by someone!
(Said someone better understand that Harry will unmake them if they hurt his little sister in any way, shape, or form!)
Daphne and Harry head for the secret space within the cottage portrait to practice dancing together! Daphne takes her chance to show Harry how she feels, and to no one’s surprise, Harry feels the same way.
How will the Yule Ball go this time around?
Keep reading to find out!
Until I get your reviews, later!
Comments
Kairomaru
Glad you liked that!
Noctus Darkfire
well, that certainly dealt with my complaint about harry's interaction with Charlie last chapter. well done. closes the plothole and even explains why it existed in the first place.
Kairomaru
Happy that you enjoyed it and that it helped brighten your day after your eye-operation! Yes, the relationships are moving forward a bit more now! All of the warm and fluffy! Glad that you're looking forward to the Yule Ball! I'll try to have some fun with it! I'll keep doing my best for all of my Patrons!
Neko
Thank you for the chapter! It was a healing balsem and a joy to read, especially after my eye-operation. Nothing heals but a good chapter. It was a bit fluff, as expected, some silent before the storm. Glad that Harry go with Daphne, this will probably cause some problems in the Slytherine House, especially with a certain ferret. I wonder how good Harry is with dancing and if the girls toes will be safe. Fleur with Hermione, surprising and that Tonks have feelings for him, I could have guessed. I cannot wait for the Yule ball, hopefully you make it a spectacle. Stay safe, stay healthy and keep this wonderful work up.
Amin Farid
Ah I see. Thanks for info.
Kairomaru
Harry's first 'magic show'. All of the chants for his spells were from Danmachi spells.
Amin Farid
Huh Danmachi? Didn't realize it. Which part cause I'm not that well verse of Danmachi fully just yet(watched it till season 4 but can't remember much which I may rectify soon due to me trying to make my own private and only myself story of a crossover between HPxDanmachi)
Kairomaru
Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed the chapter! Yes, the harem is Tonks, Hermione, Daphne, and Fleur. I've used some of Harry's 'fake' spells from Danmachi already. And the Over Soul is from Shaman King...but if you mean as direct inspiration from one of the manga he saw in Japan, that might be possible too.
Amin Farid
Amazing chapters as always Kairomaru. Got to ask is the pairing set in harem of Tonks, Fleur, Daphne and Hermione? Or the first 3 and Hermione is just discovering herself as a bi? Also another idea, though not sure if it'll be good or not? Since Harry has been to Japan and read some manga and watch anime(if I'm not mistaken) why not make him recreate moves from those? Though not all but some.
Kairomaru
Harry is best big brother! Glad you liked the inclusion of Over Soul.
Ryusui23
Imagine Harry doing his big brother act and watching their dates with small oversouls like a hawk
Ryusui23
You could do for Astoria and Luna is Harry does the Big Brother act on their dates by threatening nightmare spells if anything we’re to happen lol imagine that and also nice idea on using something from shaman king I never thought of doing that with Harry Potter as I’m thinking of a fanfic where Harry is heir to a magic throne
The_Slave_Knight
WARM AND FLUFFY!
Kairomaru
Yeah, especially since it wasn't an adult Ball to begin with. Unfortunately, no one wanted to look after the First, Second, and Third Years, apparently.
Kasikan
I figured they'd have planned their dates by who takes Astoria and Luna first. That way they could all go. Though I never really understood that in canon. Everyone at the school knows about the ball, yet only 4 of the 7 years get to attend. Always seemed shitty to pull that and force the younger years to know they missed out on a once in a life time event. Seeing as the Triwizard was cancelled for a century and as dangerous as the first event was, there's a chance it won't be starting again after that one ends. Especially with them kidnapping people for the second event.
Kairomaru
Glad you liked the chapter! Yeah, if Fleur can't have Harry, then she'll take Hermione who is clearly showing some interest in Fleur herself. lol Neville is a god lad, so maybe Harry wouldn't have to give him the Shovel Talk.
KOTR13
Very cute chapter! After confirming it wouldn't be Fleur, I figured Hermione and Daphne would duel to the death to decide which of them would be Harry's date, but Fleur asking Hermione resolved that. Maybe Neville can bring Luna, I think he's the only male student Harry is friendly enough with to be a viable candidate.
Captain Hair
Alternate Idea: Luna and Astoria rally the younger years to invade the ball.
Kairomaru
Glad you enjoyed it so much! ALL OF THE WARM AND FLUFFY!!! Yes, Harry is going to prank his house as the unrepentant little shite he can be sometimes! lol As for the Second Task...well...
The_Slave_Knight
Amazing chapter as always Kai, loved it. See the little interaction about Charlie was funny, especially cause I remembered my comment from last chapter lol. And of *course*, of course Harry would open the bloody egg in the common room, despite knowing Exactly what it does. All the Fluff!! We have it all. We have Tonks Fluff! Fleur Fluff! Hermione Fluff! Hermione and Fleur Fluff! And my favourite Girl...Daphne Fluff!! We have it all!!!! Really tho, I'm loving how the relationship it progressing, now, obviously in real life, I doubt 4 women would be so willing to share, but it seems natural in this, so that's definitely good. As for the second task? I was reading some other comments/replies, and yes. Yes, the ministry are in fact dumb enough to stick Luna at the bottom of the lake. So far, we'll have Daphne or Luna for Harry...so that's really stupid of them. Hermione or Gabby for Fleur....which is equally as dumb, as Harry loves both. So, Looking forward to that shit storm!
Kairomaru
Hah!
The Masked Newfag
Egg: "I've come to make an announcement: RRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
Kairomaru
Kek! I have a plan for Astoria and Luna, no worries!
Captain Hair
Imagine Luna and Astoria going together because the rules aren't specific enough and younger years asking each other to the ball is technically allowed.
coffeejelly97
Indeed!!! Also, forgot to mention it before but that was a very clever and neat way of avoiding potential drama by having Fleur ask Hermione to the dance first!!! Instead of having Harry ask one of the girls first
Kairomaru
All of the warm and fluffy! Daphne and Harry slow dancing is very cute, yes!
Kairomaru
Don't like screaming eggs? lol Happy you liked the chapter!
Kairomaru
Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Kairomaru
Indeed! Harry knew what he did wrong and owned up to it. The judges could potentially take Luna considering everyone in Hogwarts knows that Luna is Harry's 'little sister'. But would they REALLY want to press that button?
Kairomaru
Glad you liked it!
Kairomaru
Harry knew what he was in for and let it happen. Man up to your mistakes! Then get cuddles afterwards! Yeah, if Harry is gonna slay a dragon, then he's going to do it right, when they can both fight at 100%! lol Glad you enjoyed the chapter! Yes, Harry is very much wrapped around his 'little sisters' fingers.
coffeejelly97
Amazing chapter!!! Loved the fluffiness and very much loved the development between Harry and Daphne
Git_Gud Elliott77
Still hate the egg scare, Good chapter👍
Delphinous
well, it certainly seems that there is some interpersonal organization occurring, and i am quite happy with it. i'd honestly have been fine if the story stayed a single pairing, but i'm equally happy it's developing beyond that. i was also recently reminded of an old story on FF.net, and a specific 'spell' effect harry had within that story that might be appropriate. the Story was 'Browncoat, Green Eyes by Nonjon, a great HP/firefly crossover, and the spell in question was when harry had reason to shrink a bunch of space expanded luggage that, 'by the rules', couldn't be shrunk because they already had an expanded space within, but he got around that by casting the shrinking spell while visualizing the trunks staying the same size and the rest of the universe expanding. i was thinking that perhaps harry or someone might be able to do something, like summon a hostage from underwater, not by summoning them, but by casting the summoning spell and visualizing that the person stayed still as the rest of the world was moved towards them or something. it's just a fun thought i had and it's one of my favorite stories of all time so i just wanted to share it. really enjoying this story, looking forwards to the next chapter.
Radio Demon
That's what you get for scaring your family Harry. Daphne, Hermione, and whoever krum takes for the second task. Be really funny if krum asked Luna and inadvertently put the judges In the shit. I doubt their THAT Stupid right?.......RIGHT?! The black lake is getting split like the red Sea ain't it?
Christian Jeffress
Thanks for another enjoyable chapter
savitar
The reaction to being almost roasted was to be expected. And I find it insensitive to talk about killing an animal if there is nothing to gain from it. I honestly hope no one does anything stupid on the day of the ball, then I remember that there are stupid people at Hogwarts. Great chapter, Harry is in the three little girls' hands.
