Order of Merlin Ceremony - Cocktail Hour and Final Voting
Date: 26 May 2000
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: The Pegasus Hotel, Crystal Ballroom - Diagon Alley
( Cocktail Hour and Final Voting (all votes must be in before 6:00pm) )
Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: The Pegasus Hotel, Crystal Ballroom - Diagon Alley
( Cocktail Hour and Final Voting (all votes must be in before 6:00pm) )
He'd at least spared himself the shopping trip this time around. Needing more formal robes for this event, he'd owled the shoppe Draco had taken he and Ron to before the last event and had them send him something based on his tastes and measurements. Apparently, he should have clarified that he did actually like colors other than black. Upon opening the package sent to him, he discovered the black on black look was fastly becoming the trend for his formal wear...or at least that's what 'Styles by Darien' wanted to take credit for. Oh well, at least he rather liked the way he looked in them.
Offering his arm to Ginny, he placed a hand over hers and entered the hotel and made their way to the Crystal Ballroom. After checking in with the Ministry officials, confirming that they had both indeed placed their votes, Harry led Ginny towards the bar area. He ignored the queasy flip flops going on in the depths of his stomach. Used to the general attention he got for just having the name he had, being at a function where he was at least partly the reason for its occurring was not something he was prepared for. Not in the slightest. Merlin, what if they expected him to give a speech? They couldn't...no one had said anything...they wouldn't...
"Gin, you don't think they're going to make any of s give speeches, do you? I don't think I could...what would I say?"
A flash of lavender caught Harry's attention from the corner of his eye...lavender hair. Which could only be one person. Quickening his step, Ginny in tow, Harry headed straight for the Auror before Ginny had a chance to answer him. Tonks would know...she worked for the Ministry...she'd probably been to these things before.
"Tonks...tell me I don't have to give a speech. Please tell me I don't have to give a speech." He shook off the slight panic to his voice, realizing he hadn't even said hello to his friend before bombarding her with his concerns. Especially since she'd been a bit off since...well, he should have at least said hello first.
"I'm sorry, Tonks...don't mind me. I just hate these kind of things and I'm rubbish at public speaking. Um...How are you? You look nice."
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“Harry. Hi.-uh I suspect all who receive an award are allowed to have their five minutes of fame.” She stretched her smile wider as she looked at Harry, then at his beautiful date, hoping she wasn’t making matters worse by saying such. “You especially Harry… well, Good Luck on all that.” She reached out and lightly patted the ball of nerves in front of her on the arm.
“Oh, well…thanks, I think.” She added, remembering he had complimented her and asked on how she was. “More importantly, how are you? Can you make it? Do you need to sit down?” Again she teased, but only slightly, she was scared for Harry- he had a desperate look in his eye she didn’t like.
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"Just relax, Harry. Breathe, for Merlin's sake," she flashed him a quick smile that belied her own butterflies. At least she felt comfortable in her butter-cream gown. It was an older style of dress robe lined in a soft gold but it suited the one style Ginny could manage on her own with her hair which was to leave the curls flowing loose down her back with only a few white flowers for decoration. She had, of course, avoided roses.
After surrendering her cloak, Ginny smoothed a hand down the front of her gown. The neckline was nothing even her mother would protest although it was cut wide to leave her shoulders just visable. The double sleeves with the inner fitted sleeve and its outer bell she was absolutely certain were going to get drug through something before the night was over but Ginny shoved those worries aside as she saw Tonks.
"H'lo, Tonks!" She said brightly when there was a moment's pause from Harry's nervous words. "He'll be fine. I've promised to hold him up should he faint. I've smelling salts and all. You'd be surprised what these sleeves can hold. The only condition is no getting ill all over my dress."
She rested one hand on top of the one on her hand and squeezed gently, "Harry, you could go up there and read a shopping list and everyone would cheer. There is at least that advantage with fame. Don't fret. Shall I draw you flash cards? I'll hold them up over my head and surely everyone will remark on that rather than any stumble you make."
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Of course, he knew full well that he should, that he would...it was expected. He'd be expected to say something,and for it not to be absolute rubbish.
Harry offered a weak smile to both their efforts to lighten the mood, to reassure him and calm his rather obvious, yet mild panic. He squeeezed Ginny's hand under his again, trying to bring himself to chuckle at her joke, but his efforts only resulted in a small huff of breath.
This was worse than being named a tri-wizard champion fourth year. At least then people were bloody pissed at him and left him alone for the most part. And he hadn't been made to give a speech. Dumbledore always gave the speeches. He always said what Harry couldn't find the words for. He always met Harry's eyes in the crowd and silently reassured him with a small nod or a grin, just for him. But he wouldn't be there tonight. He hadn't been there, even in spirit, since Harry pushed his presence away that night now months prior. And Harry hadn't felt that lack of support and strength so keenly as he did at that moment.
"Maybe I should sit down."
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“Well, I know you’ve just arrived, neither of you seem to have drinks.” She said casually, with a small smile at Ginny, who she hoped would help Tonks usher Harry back, where the man Tonks had whistled was to meet up with a chair for them, along the side of the room more.
“Harry, yes, please sit down… Let me get you both drinks, and calm your nerves. You can tell the Minister to..screw himself for all I care, just make sure to wave real nice and smile for the people watching, after you get your award. Ginny has you covered enough it seems, you have nothing to be worried about. If you are worried… if you aren’t, then I’m not reading this situation right at all.”
Tonks gave Ginny another look, but paused and smiled more pleasantly at Ginny then she had at Harry. “You are very lovely tonight Ginny… and what a handsome date you have with you this evening. I hope you both have been well, overlooking this point in time, of course.”
Tonks then gently let go of Harry and took a step back. “What can I fetch you both? Bubbly? Something nerve relaxing?”
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"Sitting is good. I'll have champagne. Harry'll have a firewhisky," she glanced over to Harry with a chuckle as they found the chair set off to the side, "Sit down, Harry, and breathe. I'll doodle things on you if you pass out."
Ginny teased mercilessly but her fingertips found his cheek, "Look at it this way, you do get a few minutes to tell all of the wizarding world what you want them to hear and this time, no one can twist your words."
She patted his hand once before turning to Tonks, "Thank you, Tonks, and yes, he is handsome if a bit stark. It does make it easy to dress to match, however. We've been doing well enough. How've you been?"
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Fred had, of course protested the more subdued look of his new dress robes. However, George reminded his twin that it would be easier to slip out later, if the two couldn't be picked out of a crowd as easily... Not to mention that these robes were vastly easier on the eyes and it really wouldn't do to upstage any of the honorees.
They immediately picked out Ginny and Harry standing with Tonks. "Yes, and if you get nervous," George suggested, "just imagine that every one of us out here is sitting around naked."
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"I'll be fine. If I can skip over the award bit and a speech, I'll be bloody perfect."
Keeping Ginny's hand on his arm, needing the strength her contact supplied, Harry was about to try and lighten his own mood with a comment about her drawing over his face, but suddenly two more redheads were standing at the table.
"Merlin, mates, that's not going to help at all!" Harry managed a genuine smile, shaking his head to get rid of the thought. "Knowing my luck, I'll end up staring right at Snape."
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"Don't the two of you look suspiciously handsome tonight," Ginny said as she greeted two of her brothers with quick hugs. She fussed with George's tie and brushed a speck off of Fred's shoulder before returning to Harry with an impish grin as she added, "Could be worse than Snape. Could be Fleur. Then you'll sit up there unable to think of a single word and Bill will kill you afterwords. I think that would be worse than a naked Severus."
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"And I was going to say," Fred added, "that he could end up staring at Umbridge all night, but somehow, I think your suggestion is worse, Gin..."
With that, Fred too gave his sister a quick hug back and then catching the server to order another pair of fire whiskeys, for him and George.
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((Tonks continues over here))
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