A/N: I know quite a lot of these types of fics have been written before but I've noticed none have been based upon Blind Date like this one has. This story has only three chapters that have already been written so updates should be very quick. I hope you enjoy it:
In the Great Hall, squealing girls and excited conversations could be heard. The sound seemed to insult the ghosts that usually sat with their allotted tables as they now sat huddled in a corner, muttering darkly. Looking down the four house tables, it appeared the only people who did not share in the girls' enthusiasm, were the boys. In fact, they looked mostly shocked and a few of them shook their heads as if they couldn't believe this was happening.
"Can you believe it?" asked an animated Parvati to her friend Lavender. "At Hogwarts!"
"I know, I had heard rumours but I don't think they were actually true," Both girls then looked at each other and squealed loudly until Seamus Finnigan on Lavender's left told them, in no uncertain terms, to "shut the hell up,".
"Who do you think it'll be?" asked Parvati.
They looked around the Hall, scanning all the tables for likely suspects. "Him," said Lavender, pointing at a Ravenclaw looking gormless. "Or, him," This time she pointed at a Hufflepuff boy who was looking at the screaming girls next to him like he wanted nothing more than to get as far away from them as humanly possible.
"No, I don't think so, he has a girlfriend," said Parvati, studying the boy carefully. "How about the boy with floppy hair?"
"The one with a troll for a sister? I don't think anyone would dare,"
"Why?"
"In case she sat on them,"
They both tried not to laugh by covering their mouths with their hands but eventually they let their laughter spurt from their mouths.
"I know!" said Lavender, "Plan time!"
"What?" asked Parvati, who had no idea what on earth Lavender was talking about again.
"We can fix it so a certain boy wins,"
"A certain boy with red hair?" When Lavender flushed, she asked, "But how?"
"Easy," said Lavender. "We talk to Professor McGonagall,"
"I don't think she'd help, she doesn't exactly like breaking rules, does she?"
"Not breaking, bending, Parvati, there's a difference,"
"If you say so, but I still don't think she'll help,"
"Oh, she will," said Lavender innocently.
"Why? What have you done?"
"Ah, it's not what I've done, it's what I know,"
"You're going to blackmail McGonagall?"
"Blackmail is a harsh word, but yes, basically,"
They both sat back, thought about what had just been said, rubbed their hands together and cackled softly.
"I'm just so good," said Lavender.
"I cannot believe this," said Harry who was sat in the Gryffindor Common Room on a rather springy chair.
"Me neither, mate,"
"As if we didn't have enough to worry about,"
"Now one of us is going to be humiliated for the rest of our lives, how is that fair? The girls don't have to do it,"
"Actually we do," said Hermione who had just walked in from being in her dormitory. She placed her bag down from her shoulder and sat down on a chair next to Ron. "Three of us have to be contestants as well,"
"I hate this school," grumbled Ron.
"How is it played?" asked Harry looking at Hermione.
"Did you never watch Blind Date?"
Harry shook his head. "No, luckily, the Dursley's never let me watch it,"
"Well it's basically a magical version of that game. It's a matchmaking game. One boy asks questions to three girls he can't see and whoever's answers he likes best he picks,"
"Is that it? That sounds painless at least." said Harry.
"Then," said Hermione, glaring at Harry. "they go on holiday together for a week to get to know each other a little better,"
"We get a free holiday? Well it wouldn't matter if you ended up with a complete troll, would it? You'd be on holiday!" said Ron excitedly.
"Well, actually, as the school can't let two students go on holiday together during the school term, the winning girl and the boy get to go to Hogsmeade together on a weekend no-one else can,"
"Great. Hogsmeade. Never been there before or anything," said a disgruntled Ron.
"I think it's a lovely idea," said Hermione, "really lovely,"
Harry and Ron exchanged mystified glances. Girls.
"When will we know who's been picked?" asked Harry tentatively, not wanting to disturb the eye glazed fantasy she seemed to be having.
"Tomorrow, they'll announce it in the morning at breakfast,"
"I really hope I'm not picked," said Harry.
"Me too, think of what Fred and George would say," shuddered Ron.
"It won't be that bad," said Hermione fairly.
"Easy for you to say, you're a girl," said Ron.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" asked Hermione dangerously.
"That, that there's going to be three girls up there, so it's not as bad if you get picked, but if me or Harry gets picked, well, there's only one of us, against three girls,"
"So?"
"So it's just more embarrassing, all right?"
Hermione chuckled to herself. "I guess so,"
The next morning at breakfast a furious trade of ideas was taking place. Girls could seen shouting to their friends from different houses their opinions whilst scared boys huddled together trying to look as small as possible. It was the first time in Hogwarts' history to let such a thing happen and it was being discussed by two teachers with very different views on the matter.
"But Dumbledore," Professor McGonagall was saying to the headmaster, "why did you let this happen? Look at them all -"
"Being so happy," cut in Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling brightly. "they all need a break, something to take their minds off what's happening outside the school,"
"But is this really the answer? Degrading boys and girls for the amusement of others?"
"Now, now, Minerva, you know it's not like that. It's simply a game that will have houses cheering for those they would not usually. That is all,"
"But -"
"Have you chosen the contestants like I asked you to?" Cut in Dumbledore.
"Yes," said Minerva grudgingly.
"And?"
"Two Gryfindors, one Hufflepuff and one Ravenclaw,"
"No Slytherins?" asked Dumbledore, looking amused at McGonagall face.
"No, Snape wouldn't have it,"
Dumbledore chuckled. "What were the chances?" He then stood up, looked over his students appraisingly and proceeded to blow on a whistle to turn the pupils attention to him.
"Now, as you're all aware, by the chattering I have heard, a game show has come to Hogwarts. For those of you who do not know the rules, here they are. Rule number one, no magic may be used by the male contestant to find out the identities of the female contestants."
At this, a seventh year male Slytherin shouted loudly, "But how will know if they're dogs or not?"
"That's quite enough of that, Samuels," said Dumbledore, in an annoyed tone.
"Rule number two, the audience may not alert either set of contestants to the identity of the other set. Rule number three, the female contestants most answer her questions truthfully. Rule number four, the male contestants must pick one of the female contestants. Rule number five, no sordid or embarrassing questions may be put to the female contestants,"
A loud, indignant booing could be heard at this rule. One boy could even be heard muttering, "Well, what's the point then?"
Dumbledore, not unaware that this might happen, cast a silencing charm on the students, smiled and then continued. "Rule number six, the audience may not shout obscenities at any contestant. Rule number seven, rules may be added whilst the game is in play to withhold order. Rule number eight, anyone found to be breaking any of the mentioned rules will find themselves on a week long detention and any Hogsmeade privileges they may have taken from them. Professor McGonagall will now talk to you about the contestants,"
Expecting a cheer, Dumbledore found it strange that no student was making any noise. Realising his silencing charm was still taking hold, he smiled but did not remove it.
"To make this fair," said McGonagall, looking less than impressed, "names have been chosen at random by a complex spell. Unfortunately, Professor Snape sees fit to not allow his houses students to participate in this 'game' so no Slytherin has been chosen to be a contestant."
Many Slytherin students turned to face their head of house. Some looked relieved whilst some looked mildly annoyed, however as no student could speak, the ones who felt this was unfair simply glared at Snape until Professor McGonagall spoke again.
"So, to make up the correct numbers needed, two Gryffindors, one Hufflepuff and one Ravenclaw have been chosen to play Match Date." She looked around the room, frowning at those fidgeting in the corner and then once at Dumbledore. "So, as an added surprise, lessons today have been cancelled to accommodate the game." she said this disbelievingly, as if she couldn't believe an entire day of lessons would be disbanded with simply to play a game that wasn't even educational.
"If everyone would like to go to their dormitories, those participating will be notified."
