Harry Potter and Claire Smith's Adventures: Book Four

Dances, Dates, and Drama

Chapter 18: Dances, Dates, and Drama

It was Friday morning when Claire, Harry, Ron, and Hermione spotted a crowd outside the Great Hall. There was a new notice posted on the bulletin board, which hung right outside the Great Hall. The four of them read the new sign.

Classes will be cut short today. Students in their third year and up are required to meet at their designated locations (see bottom for locations) after the last bell of the day rings. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Gryffindor House—Transfiguration Classroom

"What do you reckon this is all about?" Ron questioned as Claire, Harry, and Hermione tried to read the notice above the other students' heads.

"Don't know, but at least we get out of classes early," Claire said.

"Maybe they're telling us important news," Harry said as the four them entered the Great Hall for breakfast.

"If that's the case, why would it matter what shoes we're wearing?" Claire questioned.

"Of course," Hermione said suddenly. "This must be about the Yule Ball!"

"The what?" Claire, Harry, and Ron said in unison, confusion etched on their faces.

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"The Yule Ball is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament as well as an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests." Claire, Hermione, Harry, and Ron, along with the other Gryffindors, were in the Transfiguration classroom; the boys were on the left side of the room and the girls were on the right. They were seated in chairs as they listened to Professor McGonagall talk about the upcoming event.

"Now," Professor McGonagall continued, "the ball will be opened to only third years and above—although you may invite a younger student if you wish. Dress robes will be worn."

Claire groaned at this. McGonagall gave Claire a stern look before continuing.

"The ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then—"

Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the classroom.

"The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to—er—let our hair down," she said, in a disapproving voice.

Lavender giggled harder than ever, with her hand pressed hard against her mouth to stifle the sound.

"But that does NOT mean," Professor McGonagall went on, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way. As representatives of the host school I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward, and I mean this quite literally because the Yule Ball is first and foremost... a dance."

While the girls squealed in excitement, the boys (and Claire) groaned in annoyance.

"Oh, c'mon, Claire. It sounds so exciting!" Hermione squealed.

"Yeah, I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun!" Ginny, who was seated on Claire's left side (Hermione was on Claire's right), agreed.

Claire scoffed, "Yeah, right."

"Silence!" Professor McGonagall shouted. The room went quiet. "The house of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the wizarding world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons!"