Yule Ball

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**The Yule Ball** was a formal Christmas celebration held on 25 December for students of wizarding schools who participated in the Triwizard Tournament.

## 1994 Yule Ball

### Preparation

1994 was the first time in centuries that the Triwizard Tournament, and thus the Yule Ball, was held. The ball was open to students in the fourth year and above, meaning Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Hope and Josie Mikaelson were able to attend. Younger students were also allowed to attend provided they were invited by an older student. Ginny Weasley was able to attend, as she was invited by a fourth year student, Neville Longbottom. All tournament champions were required to attend, and they must have a dance partner, as tradition required them to open the dance.

The announcement of the ball caused something of a panic in Harry and Ron, who were worried about their abilities to find dates. Ron, however, told Harry that he had just beaten a Hungarian Horntail in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament and he'd have no trouble getting a partner, which was true, because the very next day, a curly-haired third-year Hufflepuff girl to whom Harry had never spoken to in his life asked him to go to the ball with her. He was so taken aback he said 'no' before he'd even stopped to consider the matter. The following day, two more girls asked him, a second-year and a fifth-year. Harry most likely refused to go to the ball with any of them because he was interested in Cho Chang. One day, with the Yule Ball nearing, they made an agreement that they would both have partners by the time the returned to the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry asked Hope when they ran into each other on a corridor, but she had already agreed to go with Cedric Diggory.

Ron blurted out an invitation to Fleur Delacour, under the influence of her Veela magic, but then ran away. He then suggested that he attend with Hermione and Harry take Ginny, but Hermione had already — and secretly — accepted the invitation of Viktor Krum, and Ginny had agreed to go with Neville. Harry managed to get himself and Ron dates with Parvati and Padma Patil.

### The Ball

Harry wore robes of bottle green that went well with his eyes and Ron wore second-hand robes that were more "traditional". Hermione wore a beautiful gown of periwinkle blue and sported a fancy hairstyle. She also had a wonderful time dancing with Viktor. Harry and Ron did not even ask the twins to dance, instead spending most of their time sulking and watching watching Hope and Hermione dancing with their partners, Draco Malfoy and Viktor, respectively. Though Hope went to the ball with Cedric he stole Hope from him and ended up dancing with her.

The wizarding band Weird Sisters played at the event, and for many, it was a great success. A feast was held as part of the ball, in which both goulash and stew were served. Several snack tables were set up as well, featuring decorations that represented both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.

During the ball, Harry and Ron overheard a conversation between Rubeus Hagrid and Madame Maxime in which Hagrid admitted to being a half-giant. This conversation was overheard by Rita Skeeter in her animagus form, who published the information in the *Daily Prophet*.

When the ball ended, many students expressed their wish that it would go on longer, but Harry found himself perfectly happy for the ball to be over, as he did not think the evening particularly fun or enjoyable.