The Yule Ball

"You're a girl Hermione you can go with one of us" stated a stupid Ron, he had been harbouring a massive crush on the bush haired brunet but couldn't admit it to himself never mind Hermione herself.

It was only 2 weeks until that ball, Harry was starting to feel the pressure, Ginny who had seemed to be hovering around him like a lost puppy, for the last month but had finally got the message that he wasn't interested in her, so she had accepted Neville's stuttering and stumbling invite to the ball.

Astoria Greengrass was preparing to return home for the Christmas holidays alone, her stuck up sister had accepted an invitation to the ball from a Durmstrang student who was 3 years older than her. Sat on her bed in her dorm room she sighed, her father was a cold horrible man who while wasn't a death eater held all of their beliefs and morals. She would be lucky to see him once over the Christmas holidays. Her mother while loving and caring was a husk of the women that she once was, her father had ruined her mother and she had vowed to never be in the same situation as her mother.

Checking the time, it was an hour until dinner time. She needed to get a book from the library to complete her Transfiguration essay the last one to complete before the Christmas holidays. She desperately wanted to stay in the castle but only the ponce Malfoy had asked her to the ball which went against her main rule of not becoming like her mother.

As she took the final corner not really paying attention to other people she found herself on her arse. "oppphhhh" Her crystal blue eyes met those of emerald green she almost seemed lost in them, they seemed to shift like waves lapping against the shore but held a sense of warmth and safety.

Harry was staring into crystal blue eyes that seemed cold almost like ice, but he could almost see a playfulness lurking behind them. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going". Harry jumped to his feet and offered the girl his hand to pull her up, "Harry, Harry Potter" he said introducing himself still holding onto her hand even though he didn't need to.

"Astoria Greengrass" the young blond haired girl stated. In a very bold move even for a Gryffindor Harry brushed his lips over the hand that he was still holding. She let out a small giggle as she felt his lips on her knuckles. "it is lovely to meet you Mr Potter" Astoria felt her cheeks pink as she realised that Harry was still holding her hand.

Harry seemed to go red as her realised he was still holding her hand it what he hoped was a smooth move he gently released her hand. (in reality it looked like Astoria's hand was on fire the speed he snatched his hand back).

Suddenly it hit him, he needed a date to the ball and this conversation had started as well as any he had had with a female other than Hermione. He also noted this was the first time that he had seem a girl alone. Since the announcement of the ball all girls had started to travel in packs so not to be cornered by a boy.

"This may seem terribly forward Miss Greengrass, but would you do me the honour of escorting me to the Yule ball?"

Her mind went blank, this was a big step, he was the golden boy of Gryffindor a boy most girls including herself had a crush on. Fourth year had been good no great to him. He seemed to have turned into a real hunk with clothes that fit him and muscles that she wouldn't mind getting more equated with. Her main concern was what would her family say, her going on a date with the man who ended Voldeshorts and what her father would describe the good old days.

"I'm not apposed to attending with you Mr Potter but I will need a chance to think over the repercussions of going to the ball with you, I will let you know at dinner.

With that Astoria made her way into the library her transfiguration essay forgotten for now. She pulled out a chair at a free table and pulled out a new piece of parchment and started a pros and cons list of dating Harry Potter.

Harry wondered the castle until right up to dinner time, as he sat down for dinner he seemed nervous, Hermione being Hermione picked up on this instantly but decided to leave it at the moment. Ron was Ron and was more interested by the fact roast potatoes were served today the first time this week.

Harry kept on glancing over toward the Slytherin table to see if his potential date had appeared at dinner but she was no where to be seen, he was starting to get a nervous feeling in his stomach, his imagination was running wild, he had visions of the whole of Slytherin in the common room laughing at him as he sat there, Draco coming up and saying it was him under Polyjuice and he accepts the offer to the ball. Harry then being forced to take Draco.

Letting out a shudder and shaking his head he returned to pushing his food around his plate and drifted of into his crazy daydreams. About 5 minuets later he was shocked from the latest way of Slytherin were going to tease him when Ron dropped his folk with a clang.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT YOU SLIMY SNKAE!" For most people that would send them running as everyone in the hall was no looking at the confrontation, but she was a Greengrass and wouldn't be put of from what she wanted by a poor blood traitor.

Putting her best smile on, "I would love to accompany you to the ball Mr Potter" she had made sure that her voice carried over to most of the hall for two reasons. Firstly, so that everyone (the female population of Hogwarts) knew Harry was hers until she decided otherwise and secondly to make a fool of the redhead.

Harry smiled at her and scooted over so that she could join him, instead she took his hand and dragged him out of the hall. Walking up the first set of stairs into an unused class room she locked the door behind her.

"So, Potter, as you will be aware I am taking a risk by attending with you. I want to make sure that you are asking me because you are interested in me and a relationship or I'm a last resort for a date to the ball, because at this point I can turn the incident in the hall into a prank against you and make you life a nightmare for the foreseeable future.

"No, I am interested in you, I would say that I want to get to know you but when our eyes met I sort of well…. It doesn't matter".

"Harry Potter you will finish that sentence this instance" it was at that point Harry realised that he was currently having a conversation at wand point.

"Well it felt like we connected, I could see something in your eyes, a playfulness that was longing to come out".

A smile played across her face. She had finally found someone that wanted her to be herself not some pureblood arm candy.