Chapter 1:
The Announcement
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Alright guys, here we go with story number four. I decided to make a story about all the behind-the-scenes stuff at the Yule Ball that I imagined might have happened. I'm going to stick to the key events, but none of the dialogue will be the same…Besides, you all know how that story goes. Enjoy!
"Oh No" Ron Weasley thought to himself as he heard Professor McGonagall's announcement. The fourth year leaned back in his chair and sighed. A Yule Ball? Was it absolutely necessary? "What did McGonagall say just now? Dress Robes! Oh great" Ron thought, his mind floating up to his trunk where his frilly, moth-eaten dress robes lay buried beneath all his other clothing. Ron looked around the room and took in his classmates' reactions. Next to him, Harry had a scowl on his previously smiling face. Neville looked as if he was going to be sick. In the corner, Parvati and Lavender were bent close together whispering about this new piece of information. Then Ron's eyes landed on Hermione, who looked as though this was a discussion about the weather, not a dance. Ron's stomach did a funny lurch as he kept his gaze on her. "Stop that" he silently urged it. He still had no idea where these feelings were coming from. Since when did Hermione make him all jumpy and excited? Then it hit him. Hermione. He wanted to take Hermione to the Yule Ball. It was a perfect plan really. He could take Hermione to this, this Dance (how he hated that word) and if she thought it was like a date (and Ron hoped it would be) and felt uncomfortable, Ron could just say that they were going as friends. (She'd believe that! They were friends, after all.)
Ron gathered his things to leave, feeling slightly better about the situation before realizing exactly what it was he was going to do. "I'm going to ask Hermione out" he thought to himself. "How exactly am I going to do this?" As he continued down the hallway towards the Great Hall, Ron heard his name being called from behind him. Harry was coming down the hallway quickly trying to catch up.
"Have I got news for you" Harry said when he finally reached Ron.
"Oh Great" Ron thought, "Harry's already got a date for the ball. It figures, what with him being The-Boy-Who-Lived and everything. I wish it was that easy for me to get a date."
"Ron?" Harry asked, noticing that Ron was not quite with him.
"Uh, Yeah?" Ron asked, coming back from his thoughts.
"McGonagall held me back after class to tell me I have to open the dancing at the ball with my date because I'm a Champion."
"Wow" Ron said laughing at Harry's unfortunate news.
"Well it could be worse" Ron thought as he and Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table.
"Where's Hermione?" Ron asked casually as he piled his plate with food.
"Oh I suppose she's at the library."
"Again? I really don't like her skipping dinner like this, especially for S.P.E.W. or whatever it is."
Harry nodded to show he agreed, and then continued to eat. They sat for a few moments in silence until Harry spoke again.
"So Ron, have you-" but he was interrupted by Ginny's appearance. "Oh, hello Ginny" he said as she sat down and then continued. "So Ron, have you thought any about who you want to take to the Yule Ball?"
"Um, yeah, a bit." Ron stuttered his response.
"Really?" Ginny said from her place beside him, looking startled. "Well then, let's hear it. I can't go unless someone older asks me so I'm up for any gossip I can get.
"Yeah" Harry grinned, "Who's the Lucky Lady?"
Ron looked down at his plate and started playing with his food. Should he really tell Harry and Ginny? "Well why not?" a voice in his head spoke up. "He's your best friend and she's your sister. You can trust them." Ron looked up and stared at the bit of wall behind Harry's head as he clearly stated "Hermione."
"I knew it!" Harry exclaimed. Ginny started giggling and Ron could feel himself going crimson from the ears down.
"That's simply wonderful!" Ginny said between giggles, "Hermione will love going with you!"
"You think so?" Ron asked, brightening at the prospect of this actually happening.
"Ron, you two really are blind" Harry said before taking a drink of his pumpkin juice.
"This is great" Ron thought to himself as they continued to eat. "Maybe this is going to work after all. Maybe Hermione and I'll finally get somewhere past 'friends.' Now I just have to come up with a plan. I suppose I'll ask Harry for help tomorrow." They finished eating and stood up. When they reached the Common Room, Harry and Ron went inside but Ginny did not join them. Ron did not notice the mischievous look in her eyes as she headed towards the library.