CHAPTER ONE

Harry had not been looking forward to the Yule Ball, and even less since Cho had said she was going with someone else. Hermione had also disappeared, much to his bemusement. but on his way down he'd heard whispers of how beautiful she looked. Still, she'd been up in the dormitory last time he'd checked, so that couldn't be true.

'Come on, Potter,' hissed McGonagall, interrupting his train of thoughts and pushing Harry and Parvati into the hall behind Cedric and Cho. Harry looked at their backs resentfully.

On his way to the dance floor, he was very conscious of nearly every eye in the hall watching him intensely. A few of Parvati's friends whispered, 'You look beautiful!' as they walked by.

Harry spotted Ron in the crowd with Padma, looking as though he'd rather be anywhere else in the world. He grimaced, and Harry looked for Hermione. On his way into the Hall he'd heard people saying that she was the most beautiful girl at the ball; why, then, was she hiding? Hermione was generally thought of as not very pretty, and he'd thought she'd relish this chance to be complimented.

Soon the music was playing. 'My waist,' whispered Parvati, somewhat fiercely, and Harry put his hand on her waist and made his best attempt at dancing gracefully. He soon found that he got used to it, and finally a few other people joined in dancing, and soon enough the entire Hall was dancing.

After about twenty minutes of dancing he found Ron, sat alone, watching the others dance. 'Have you seen Hagrid and Madame Maxime?' asked Ron. He was crying from laughter.

Harry looked over, and let out a snort. Sure enough, there they were, slowly waltzing. 'Who knew?' he sighed happily.

'Hey – have you seen Hermione?' asked Ron, in a dreadful attempt at a casual voice.

'No, they're saying she looks really nice though,' said Harry, looking at Ron suspiciously. Just over his shoulder he could see Padma and Parvati whispering excitedly at each other, but occasionally scowling at the two boys.

'She looks gorgeous,' breathed Parvati.

'She was up in the dormitory for ages,' said Padma.

Harry looked to who they were pointing at. It was Hermione.

But that wasn't nearly as shocking as who she was dancing with.

It was Fred.

Ron was luckily blowing his nose at this point and didn't see. Harry diverted his friend's attention to drinks and marched him over to the drinks table, where Ron announced that he needed the loo.

Hermione caught sight of Harry alone and scurried over, leaving Fred with Lee and George. She had a broad smile on her face.

'Um,' he said when she walked over. 'Nice ... dress.'

It was an understatement. The dress was gorgeous; even Harry could see that. But he wasn't exactly going to say "nice date". What would Ron think of Hermione and Fred? Would he say it was a betrayal? Would he be freaked out? Would he stutter awkwardly? Or would he say nothing at all and ignore them both for weeks?

Harry put the question to the back of his mind as Fred walked over, putting an arm around Hermione. 'Hey, Hermione – oh, Harry!'

He didn't seem too disappointed to see him. In fact, he patted Harry's back genially.

'Who did you bring?'

'Parvati Patil. She's not too happy,' said Harry sheepishly, looking over at Parvati.

'Oh wait, she's got someone else now,' grinned Fred, as a Durmstrang boy offered his arm to Parvati. Shooting Harry a dark look, she went to the dance floor.

'Where's Ron?' asked George, but his question was answered as Ron came storming into the hall.