Yule Ball

"Dress robes will be worn, and the ball will start at eight o’clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then —The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to — er — let our hair down. But that does NOT mean, that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."

— Minerva McGonagall on the Yule Ball[src]

The Yule Ball was a ceremonial Christmas celebration, which took place for pupils at Wizarding schools who took part in the Triwizard Tournament, on the 25 December.

Preparation
"I have something to say to you all. The Yule Ball is approaching — a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialise with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above — although you may invite a younger student if you wish —"

— Professor McGonagall informing fourth year Gryffindors of the upcoming ball in Transfiguration[src]

1994 was the first time in centuries that the Triwizard Tournament, and hence the Yule Ball, was held. The ball was open to students in the fourth year and beyond, meaning Harry Potter, and Harriet Riddle were able to participate in it. Younger students were also permitted to participate provided they were invited by an older student. Ginny Weasley was able to attend, as she was invited by a fourth-year student, Harry Potter. All tournament champions had to attend, and they are required to have a dance partner, as tradition required them to open the dance.

The announcement of the ball caused something of a panic in Harry, who was worried about his capacity to find a date. Harry first asked Harriet and she said she would ‘think about it’. Harry asked Cho Chang when they ran into each other on a corridor, but she had already agreed to go with Cedric Diggory. Harriet asked Cedric Diggory, but he had already agreed to go with Cho Chang. After getting declined by Cedric Harriet had asked Harry and Harry grudgingly declined as he was already going with Ginny Weasley. Before going to sleep Draco had asked her to go to the Yule Ball, and Harriet accepted.

The Ball
"Over our heads, I saw that an area of lawn right in front of the castle had been transformed into a sort of grotto full of fairy lights — meaning hundreds of actual living fairies were sitting in the rosebushes that had been conjured there and fluttering over the statues of what seemed to be Father Christmas and his reindeer."

— Description of the decorations[src]

Harry wore robes of bottle green that went well with his eyes and Harriet wore her Gryffindor Quidditch Captain outfit (which looked good with Harry's robes; green and red) along with Dr. Martens black boots. Harry didn’t pay much attention to Ginny, instead spending most of his time pouting and Harriet dance with Draco (she also danced with Cedric). The wizarding band The Weird Sisters played during the event, and for several, it was a great success. A celebration took place as part of the ball, in which both goulash and stew were provided. Multiple snack tables were set up as well, showcasing decorations that embodied both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.

During the ball, Harry, and Harriet (separately) overheard a discussion between Rubeus Hagrid and Madame Maxime wherein Hagrid confessed to being a half-giant. This discussion was overheard by Rita Skeeter in her animagus form, who published the information in the Daily Prophet.

Notable participants
Triwizard Champions                                                                                                         Known partners