Harry awoke to light snow outside of the castle and a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. Today was the Yule ball. While he knew that Parvati was excited, he himself was not. How could he be, when he had to dance in front of not only his own school but the other two, for a competition he didn't even want to be a part of.
He saw that Ron was still sleeping, and, wanting to be alone, left for breakfast by himself. There were more people then usual done there for so early in the morning, mostly girls that would need an early breakfast so as to have enough time to do each other's hair and makeup.
Harry sat down at the Griffindor table, and helped himself to a plate of toast. He figured that a large breakfast would only enlarge the knot that was in his stomach. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see Ginny behind him.
"Hey Harry."
"Hi. How are you Ginny?"
"Actually, I'm pretty nervous for the dance," She gave a little laugh and then looked at his toast. "You mind if I have a piece?"
"Um no go ahead, but wait Ginny you said the dance?"
"Mhmm. Neville invited me."
"Oh. I didn't know that." Harry was thinking. Neville and Ginny? He had never considered it before. Did Ron know? Surely he would be upset by the thought of one of his friends inviting his little sister to the dance…
He was snapped out of his thoughts by Ginny. "Well I guess I'm going to go get ready with my friends. Maybe I'll see you there Harry." With that she ate the last bite of her toast and left Harry alone again.
Harry had walked into his dormitory just as Ron was trying on the lacey mess that was his dress robes. He saw Harry in the mirror and let out a curse, then continued to tell him how lucky he was to have nice robes. They were now on their way to find the Patil twins, and Hermione, who had been absent all day.
"She's probably in her room crying her eyes out since she doesn't have a date," Ron said to Harry.
"I heard that she-" Harry was cut off by George who was prancing toward them with Alicia Spinnet on his arm. He was accompanied by Fred, except for he had Angelina Johnson on his.
"I'm surprised you're not in your room crying, going out in robes like that Ronny-kins," George teased. Fred grinned and the girls giggled.
Ron's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "How did you guys get nice robes! Mum sent me these ones, and they smell like Aunt Tessy!"
"Ah, we have our ways little bro," replied Fred, and with a wink he, his brother, and their dates were off into the Great Hall.
Ron looked at Harry, a defeated look on his face. Knowing his two older brothers had nice robes defiantly had put him in a worse state than before. The only thing that could make him feel worse, thought Harry, was if he turned around and saw who was walking into the Great Hall arm-in-arm with Viktor Krum.