Surprised, she said. "I would be honored provided you don't step on my toes."
"My Aunt is a ballerina when I was seven she insisted that I and my cousin learn the waltz. It is the only one I know but she said I learned it well. Part of me dreads the summer I turn fifteen she has threatened a summer of dance lessons."
"I'm surprised. It appears your aunt knows what a young gentlemen needs to learn. Your robes are unusual."
"I'm not terribly fond of traditional robes but these were an acceptable compromise."
"They look good on you, it's rare a wizard or witch out of school announces their school house so boldly when it's Slytherin."
"I didn't take you for someone with house prejudice."
"I'm not. I know there can be more than one reason for a person to be in Slytherin, so what is your ambition Lord Potter?"
"To be my own man. I wanted to ask you Lady Longbottom, I realize this is probably nosy of me to be commenting.."
"Spit it out I won't take offense."
"Neville's wand… it doesn't seem a good match. I only noticed because of the great difficulty I had in getting a wand. I finally had to get a custom wand. Neville works hard at school his theory is as good as he can get it and he does well in the classes not requiring a wand. But in his others, he struggles. I'm sorry if I've offended." Harry said noticing the stiffness in his dance partner.
"Neville uses his father's wand."
"Ah, a way to stay close to him?"
"I'd assumed.." Augusta took a deep breath. She had offered to get Neville a wand but he'd demurred. If what Harry said was correct perhaps she should have insisted. It had just made her happy the idea of Frank's wand being used, but it wouldn't do if it was hampering Neville's magic. "I thank you for bringing it to my attention, the Longbottoms owe you much."
"You owe me nothing. Neville is my godbrother. I do what I do because we are… family. I must thank you for the invitation. I wasn't looking forward to staying at Hogwarts for the holidays. Neville briefed me on the schedule for the party. I was hoping I could invite myself along when you visit my godmother and I was hoping to take Neville on a brief shopping excursion in muggle London at some point. It's so I can keep a promise."
"I suppose that could be arranged."
The music came to an end. "Thank you for the dance Lady Longbottom."
"You're welcome Lord Potter."
"It's Harry, Ma'am." Harry retreated to the edge of the dance floor as the strains of a minuet started. Harry circulated spending between five and fifteen minutes speaking to various adults. When waltzes were played (about every fifth song) he would ask for whatever woman he was closest to to dance. Be it a much younger girl, an old woman, a girl near his age, or a middle aged woman.
Persus and Tabitha Davies, Horace and Morgana Ogden, and Felicia and Stephen Corner watched with amusement. Tiberius Ogden also watched as he joined his grandnephew and his partners. "That boy understands far more than any child his age should. He's working the room like an experienced political protege."
"He's not stupid that's for sure." Felicia said. "But it's still early all the other children are still here as well.
"Yes, but Roger has already migrated to his school chums." Tabitha said.
"I'm not sure Harry has made many friends at school." Stephen commented.
"Why not? He's a perfectly nice boy." Morgana said.
"From what Michael and Adrianna said, too many people there were disturbed by his sorting, they expected one thing and got another." Stephen said.
"Well it was wrong, that the wizarding world had so many preconceived notions about the boy, and we shall make them see the errors of their ways." Horace grinned wolfishly to his partners.
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