===December 8 1994===
"Before we start class today I have an announcement to make." McGonagall says. "I'm proud to announce that for the first time in years we will be holding the Yule Ball in honor of the Tri-wizard tournament. Only fourth year and above students are invited to attend the ball, although you are welcome to bring a younger student as a date."
"Furthermore the tournament champions are required to attend and will open the ball with a dance. The ball will be held on Christmas Day. Any questions?" Hermione raises her hand. "Yes, Missus Potter?"
"Are you seriously making us decide between going home to our families for the holidays and attending this Ball?" Hermione asks.
McGonagall looks astonished. "What would you propose for a solution?"
Hermione pulls out a muggle planner. "I would suggest having the Yule Ball on Friday, December 23rd so there are no classes the next day. Then those that want to can take the train home for winter break on Saturday. I'm sure some options can be found for the students from the other schools that wish to spend the break with their families."
McGonagall nods. "That's a reasonable proposal. I shall take it to the Headmaster immediately."
"Would you like us to come with you?" Harry asks.
McGonagall shakes her head. "I don't think that's necessary."
"Very well, Professor." Hermione says.
"Please read the section on cross-species switches while I'm gone."McGonagall says as she leaves the room.
As soon as she leaves the room the classroom quickly devolves to talk about the dance. Hermione stands up. "Be quiet!" The room turns to look at her. Her normally brown eyes are glowing blue. "We were given a simple task! We are not a bunch of first years! Read the section, then reread it. We will not disrespect our head of house!"
The classroom gets quiet and they all turn to the section of the book and read it. After a few minutes McGonagall walks into the quiet classroom. "I'm surprised you are all actually doing what I said."
"We actually weren't until Hermione nearly went all 'Carrie' on us." Amanda says.
A couple of the other students snicker at the reference. "Whatever she did, it clearly worked. Well, Missus Potter, you'll be happy to know that the Headmaster accepted your proposal. The Yule Ball will be held on December 23rd, classes will be rearranged so that there will not be any classes after lunch to give everyone time to get ready."
"Thank you, Professor." Hermione says.
They leave Transfiguration and head to the Great Hall, as usual, Harry takes Hermione's hand as they walk. "So do I actually have to ask or do I just assume you'll be my date for the Ball?" Harry asks as they walk.
Hermione smiles. "Technically you COULD assume I would be your date since we're married, but it would be nice to be asked."
Harry stops and pulls her so they are looking at each other. "Hermione, would you do me the honor of attending the Yule Ball with me?"
"Of course I will, silly." Hermione says, then kisses him lightly before the two of them head off.
===December 10 1994===
Hermione is in the library by herself, with the extra visiting students she doesn't dare risk using the Room of Requirement for fear of them finding out about the room. Ron had wanted to have an impromptu Quidditch match and the others were all for it. Hermione had never gotten the feel for being up in the air on a broom. Sure, Harry had taken her on a few rides on his broom, and those weren't too bad, but that was mostly because Harry was there. So she encouraged Harry to go and play while she researched for the second task. She is reading a book titled "Denizens of the deep" when a male voice says "Research?"
Hermione looks up from her book only to see Viktor standing there. She looks around and notices none of his entourage of giggling girls is with him. "Hello Mister Krum."
"Please call me Victor."
"Hermione." She replies.
"Her-my-knee?" Viktor sounds out.
Hermione nods. "Where's your retinue?"
"Watching your friends play Quidditch."
"I'm surprised you're not with them." Hermione replies.
"I wanted to ask you something without your friends being around."
"Oh?"
"You are a smart, beautiful witch. Is there any chance you would be my date for the Yule Ball?" Viktor asks.
Unfortunately, a wave of nausea hits Hermione at that exact second, she quickly grabs the waste basket by her feet and vomits into it. Once she's done she takes her wand and commands, "Scourgify!" Once the basket is clean she grabs a pink vial from her bag and downs it.
Viktor stands there astonished. "Are you okay? Or was the idea of going with me that bad?"
Hermione laughs. "I'm fine, it's a pre-existing condition."
"I hope it's not serious."
"No, it'll pass eventually."
"Good to hear." Viktor says. "Now, will you please answer my question?"
"I'm sorry I already have a date." Hermione informs.
"Really?" Viktor says. "I always see you with your brother and friends."
"Harry's not my brother, he's my husband." Hermione corrects. As soon as she does her ring becomes visible. "Our Headmaster insisted on hiding our rings from everyone."
"That seems odd." Viktor says.
"He said that marriage laws were stricter elsewhere. That you might get offended." Hermione says.
Viktor nods. "Yes, our laws are stricter, but we would understand your laws are not ours."
"Nice to know." Hermione says. Viktor nods then heads off.
Harry and the others finish their game. Harry's team just barely won, though it wasn't easy. Ginny was the other team's seeker and she had given him a run for his money.
With his gear cleaned, put away, and him showered, he goes to the library and finds Hermione reading. "I had a feeling you would be here." Harry says.
Hermione smiles. "You found me."
"Anything interesting happen?" Harry asks as he kisses her cheek.
"I had someone ask me to the ball." Hermione answers.
"Beauxbaton or Durmstrang?" Harry asks.
Hermione chuckles. "Durmstrang."
"Was it Krum?" Harry asks. "I noticed he wasn't watching our game."
Hermione blushes slightly and nods. "He said I was smart and beautiful."
"He's not wrong." Harry says.
Hermione blushes even more. "I told him about us."
Harry nods as he picks up the book Hermione was reading and places it on a nearby cart. "Come on, I want to go check on Dobby."
Hermione takes his hand. "Good idea."
The two of them head down to the kitchens. As soon as they enter the kitchen Dobby finds them. The elf is dressed in a crimson tunic with a golden "P" embroidered on the front of it. "Master! Mistress! What can Dobby do for you?"
"We just wanted to check on you." Harry says.
"Dobby happy. The Hogwarts elves are teaching Dobby lots of things."
"Have you been taking time off?" Hermione asks.
Dobby nods. "One day a week. Dobby spends it comforting Winky."
"Who is Winky?" Hermione asks.
"Winky is elf, her family freed her. She loved her family." Dobby explains. "Winky is sad without family."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Harry asks.
"Dobby will let you know."
Harry nods. "We also wanted to let you know we were going home for winter break."
"Dobby go with you?" He asks, his voice confused.
"You can stay here if you would rather." Hermione says.
Dobby's eyes light up. "Yes, Dobby, help here."
"Then we'll come to see you after break." Harry says.
===December 23 1994===
The halls have all been decked out in traditional Yuletide decor as the day of Yule Ball has officially come.
Harry is sitting with Ron, Draco, and Neville waiting for the girls. The girls had let Harry get his dress robes out of the room before kicking him out saying the bathroom was larger than the one they normally shared.
Soon enough the girls emerge one at a time from the room. The boys all rise and go to their dates as they come out. Hermione is the last one out in her cobalt blue dress, her hair done up with gold pins that all have rubies in them. Her dress hugs her body making her early baby bump very noticeable. While Harry is wearing crimson robes with cobalt accents. "My lady," Harry bows. "Shall we?"
Dumbledore has given his speech opening the Yule Ball and the champions had the first dance. As Harry and Hermione danced they could feel the eyes of the students from the other two schools on them. They could hear the whispers too, her baby bump was obvious, so they were guessing who the father could be. So when Dumbledore announced that each champion was going to give a speech they knew what they needed to do.
They went in the same order they did for the first task. Each of the other champions had thanked their individual schools, Professors, and Headmasters. Harry smiles when it comes to his turn. He walks up to the lectern. "First I'd like to thank my competitors for taking it easy on me." Everyone laughs. "Next, I'd like to thank the dragon for not eating me." Everyone laughs again. "Next, I'd like to end some confusion. Hermione is my wife, and yes, she is pregnant." A murmur goes through the crowd. "I'd like to apologize to everyone for the confusion, the whole thing was our Headmaster's idea, but we did go along with it. Thank you for your time."