Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used in this story…although I wish I did…

Chapter 1: An Important Announcement

Harry Potter sat on one of the squashy armchairs in the common room, his head resting lazily on his hand. He impatiently glanced towards the staircase leading to the girls' dormitories, then looked amusingly at the redheaded boy sitting across from him who was resting his head on his shoulder. "I reckon Hermione forgot that today's Monday. Odd isn't it? She's usually up earlier than us."

"Yeah," Ron Weasley stifled through a yawn. "Should we just leave her then?"

Before Harry had the chance to reply, his attention was caught by a petite redhead with a beautiful smile plastered on her face. Harry immediately sat up.

"Good morning, Harry! Ron! Have you two been waiting for Hermione?" Ginny Weasley asked. "I should've waited until the two of you came down before I went back upstairs to my dormitory! Anyhow, Hermione has already gone down to breakfast. She's waiting for you two, so you better go."

"Thanks, Ginny," Harry replied, a lopsided grin playing at his lips. "Have you had breakfast already? You can come site next to me – er, I mean, sit next to us…"

"Thanks, but I've already promised Colin and Natalie that I would sit with them," she apologized, her cheeks a bit flushed. "Maybe next time."

"Yes, next time then. See you later!" Harry called out as Ginny went through the portrait hole.

"What was that just now, Harry?" asked Ron, his eyebrows raised in confusion.

"What? Nothing," Harry dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Let's just go. Hermione's waiting."

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"What took you two so long? Dumbledore will be making an important announcement soon. I thought you wouldn't be here for it!"

"And a good morning to you too, Hermione," Ron said with a roll of his eyes. "If we weren't here for the announcement, it would have been entirely your fault – we waited in the common room for half an hour!"

From the deadly look Hermione was giving Ron, Harry immediately sensed that another Weasley-Granger row was about to ensue and, saving his friends from ruining each other's morning, he quickly motioned towards the staff table, where Dumbledore was slowing getting up. "It's alright though, Hermione. We made it just in time for the announcement!"

"Good morning! Seeing as many of you will be dispersing to class soon, I have chosen this time to make an announcement regarding an event that will be occurring a week from Saturday." His eyes twinkled as excited murmurs and whispers filled the air. A patient wave of his hand hushed the hall. "I observed that all of you have been working exceptionally well over these first two months of the school year. After much deliberation, I have decided to give you all a much needed break. Therefore, instead of the usual Halloween Feast, a ball will be held here at the Great Hall beginning at eight o'clock in the evening and ending at exactly midnight."

Excited squeals – mostly from the girls – filled the Great Hall. Even the boys showed some excitement over the news. Dumbledore again silenced the hall with another wave of his hand. "As a reminder: this ball will be no different from other school events. I expect you all to have fun but at the same time to be in your best behavior. That is all. Thank you and have a nice day!"

"That's the important announcement?! A ball?!" exclaimed Hermione with disappointment. "I thought it was something more important!"

"Like what? News that Hogwarts finally liberated its house elves? If you ask me, this ball is a great idea. So Harry, who you planning to ask?"

Harry glanced around the common, taking a glance at a possible date for the ball. His eyes darted towards the Ravenclaw table, where Cho was laughing at a joke her friend said. He was about to say her name when he saw Ginny and two friends enter the Great Hall. A sheepish smile crept across his face.

"Anyone home? Harry?" asked Ron, knocking on his friend's head.

Harry immediately looked at his watch. "Well, will you look at the time. We're going to be late to class. Mustn't keep professor Binns waiting, eh? Let's go then." He said all this quickly and, stuffing the rest of his toast into his mouth, stood up and walked out of the Great Hall.

"Late?! We have forty-five minutes left before class! What is he on about?" Ron said to no one in particular. "You coming then?"

"You go ahead, I'll catch up."

"Alright. See you in class then!" Ron quickly stood up and grabbed a handful of toast. "Oi, Harry! Wait up!"

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Well, there yah have it…that's the first chapter. The romance part comes later, so please be patient. Also, if you have the time, please review my work. It would be much appreciated! Thanks, and please wait for the next chapter…