CHAPTER 1

It was already late at night when Harry, Ron and Hermione were still doing their Potions essay for Snape. They were the only ones left in the common room. Hermione had already finished and offered to stay until the two finished their essay. She was now reading a book.

"This is torture," Ron yawned, "I'm going to bed already."

"You're already done?" Harry asked.

"No," Ron replied, "But I am already sleepy." He gave another yawn and said, "See you guys tomorrow," and he made his way to the boys' dormitories. Now, Harry and Hermione were now alone.

"I can't believe him," Hermione shook her head, "Why do it tomorrow, when you can do it tonight?"

"Come on, Hermione," Harry said, "Give him a break."

After a few minutes of silence except the scratching of Harry's quill and the once in a while turn of page of Hermione's book, Harry finally said, "I'm done. Thanks a lot for waiting, Hermione."

"No problem, Harry," she said as she watched him gather his things.

"Good night, Harry," she said and walked towards the girls' dormitories.

"Uhmm . . . Hermione?" Harry quickly said before she was able to climb the stairs.

"Yes?" Hermione asked walking back towards Harry.

"Uhmm . . . I was just wondering if . . ." Harry said nervously.

"If what, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"If you'd like to go to the ball with me?" Harry said quickly, "Just as friends, of course."

"Oh Harry! I . . ." she said, "I'd love to go with you." She couldn't believe it. Harry Potter, her best friend for four years, asked her to go to the ball with him.

"Great!" Harry exclaimed.

"Thanks for asking me, Harry," she smiled and gave him a hug, "That means a lot for me."

"No problem," he said, "Uhmm . . . Good night, Hermione."

"Good night, Harry."

When Harry arrived in his dormitory, he pinched himself in disbelief. Everything was good; the second task was still months away and Hermione Granger was going to the ball with him.

The next day, the day before the Yule ball, Harry, Ron and Hermione were eating their breakfast at the Great Hall; well, at least Harry and Hermione were – Ron was cramming on his Potions essay.

Harry and Hermione haven't told anyone about the two of them going to the ball together, even Ron.

"Hermione?" Ron said.

"Ron, if you're asking me to help you with your essay, I already said that—" Hermione said, but was cut off by Ron.

"No. It's not that," Ron said, "I was just . . . Well . . . You're a girl right?"

"Wow, Ron," she said coldly, "You are so smart!"

"Anyway, I just want to let you know that I care about you and I wouldn't want to see you alone by yourself during the Yule ball and that I would be happy to go with you," he said looking proud at himself.

Harry froze. Hermione saw this and said, "Well, I won't be going alone, because believe it or not: someone's asked me!" Hermione gathered her things and before leaving said in an angry tone to Ron, "And I said YES!" And she stormed out of the Hall.

Harry was proud. Hermione really meant that she would go with him.