Disclaimer: I really don't own Harry Potter!

 Note: Peoples thoughts are in italics.

Chapter 1

It was an ordinary Wednesday lunchtime and Hermione sat in the library pouring over a battered old book. Not that she was concentrating.

She couldn't take her mind off the upcoming Christmas Ball. Pupils from the 5th year and up were to attend with a partner of their choice.

She sighed. She knew whom she would like to go with, but actually asking him was a different matter entirely.

Shutting the book and putting it back in her bag, she walked towards the door, to meet Harry and Ron for lunch. However on her way out she bumped into someone in her haste. Not even looking at them she mumbled a quick "sorry" before heading out the door.

" Hey, Hermione. You alright?"

She looked up to meet the concerned gaze of none other than George Weasley. She flushed a deep crimson and nodded before hurrying out the door.

George turned and sulked over to the librarian to ask about a book he wanted. She bustled off among the rows of bookcases to find it for him.

George wondered what was wrong with Hermione. He wasn't going to deny that he liked her. He only wished if he knew whether she felt the same way or not. He desperately wanted to ask her to the ball but he was terrified that she would turn him down.

Maybe I could write her a letter?

Nah.

Actually, why not?

Oh come on George, do you really think she would even reply?

Well………

Get real. Like she would look twice at me.

" Weasley. WEASLEY!"

Someone was snapping their fingers in front of his face. It was the librarian.

" Your book." She said suspiciously, pressing into his hands.

" Oh. Uh…right. Thanks." He said before heading back to Gryffindor tower.

Hermione practically fell into a seat in the Great Hall.

" Where've you been?" Harry asked thickly, through a mouthful of potato.

" Library" She answered simply before pouring herself a large glass of pumpkin juice.

" Figures" Ron said, not looking up. He was trying to finish is transfiguration homework that was due in the afternoon.

" So, Harry" Hermione said trying to sound casual. " Know who you're taking to the ball yet?"

Harry nodded.

" Who?" Ron asked, looking up.

" Ginny."

" Yeah?"

He nodded again.

" I think that's great Harry." Hermione said patting him on the back.

" Well…" Harry replied " We are friends and she can't go unless someone older asks her and I knew she wanted to go."

" Lucky you." Ron said, clearly a bit jealous that Harry had found a date so quickly. " I'm going to ask someone soon. Don't know who yet but I've decided I'm not going to mess about this time."

Hermione and Ron smiled at him, then they finished their lunch and headed to Transfiguration.

George lay on his bed. He was supposed to be in Defence Against the Dark Arts but he decided not to go. He hadn't told anybody. He knew Fred would ask him at dinner where he had been. He was planning on saying that he had a headache.

He was still thinking about the dance. He sat up. He decided he was going to write to Hermione telling her how he felt and wait and see if she replied. He went over to the desk in his dorm. Took out some parchment and a quill and began to write.

An hour and several attempts later, he was finally finished. Realising that class would be finished and everyone would be at dinner, he headed quickly up to the owlery to send to Hermione.

A couple of hours later Hermione was curled up in an armchair in the common room, trying to finish some homework. Glancing up she noticed a large barn owl at the window. After opening the window the owl swooped down and landed in front of her. She took the letter, gave him a couple of owl treats she always kept for Hedwig, sat down and began to read.

Dear Hermione,

                         After bumping into you in the library today, I decided there was something I had to get off my chest. Uh…how to put it? Well, here it goes. I like you. You know REALLY like you. I have for a while now and I was wondering if you felt the same way or would like to like me.

Hermione smiled at " would like to like me."

If you don't like me then pretend that you never got this letter and throw it away. But, if you do like me then I was wondering if you would like to go to the Ball with me? You don't have to answer straight away. I'll be at Quidditch practice when you get this so you can think about it.

Love from

George

Hermione took off up the stairs to the girls' dorm to reply.

George hovered in mid-air on his broom. For the past hour he had been at Quidditch practice, but his heart wasn't in it.

Ron was now on the team and Fred and George shared the captain's duties.

He knew Hermione would have gotten his letter by now. He was so worried that she wouldn't reply or that she would never speak to him again. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he never noticed a bludger come hurtling towards him till it flew into him, knocking him off his broom.

Well? I know it's a bit boring, but there is lots of things to come, including the Ball and a narrow escape in the Forest.

I have most of it written so there won't be any long gaps in posting the next chapters.

Review please!

Flames will be ignored.