Chapter One.
It was almost Christmas and the holiday cheer had grasped itself firmly upon Hogwarts Castle and would not let go. Beautiful Christmas trees shimmered brightly in the Great Hall. Corridor ceilings were adorned with Christmas baubles and wreaths with real fairies for lights were nailed to classroom doors. In addition to the decorations the castle ghosts had decided to form a carolling group, walking around the castle singing both muggle and wizarding carols. All was well and at the moment the castle slept in a blanket of peace and protection.
On the first floor the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin prefects sat in Professor McGonagall's office exhausted. Dumbledore had asked all of the prefects to organize a special treat for the school, something that would keep the impending threat of war that Voldemort was sure to bring upon them within the year.
"How about we have another dance?" Hermione Granger asked exhausted, running her fingers through her hair.
"We've already had a dance!" snapped Pansy Parkinson glaring at the other prefects as if daring them to speak against her.
Hermione rolled her eyes and looked over to Harry who was just as stressed out and exhausted as her. He smiled at her and shook his head.
"I think it's a great idea" said Padma Patil excitedly "The last dance we had was fantastic, and just because we had one two years ago doesn't mean we can't have one now"
Parkinson rolled her eyes and snorted "Oh please. Dances are so passé, don't you agree Draco?" she purred his name in an affectionate way, which surprised them because no one thought any Slytherin could possibly posses an affectionate bone in their body. Malfoy sneered and nodded in agreement.
"Do you have a better idea then?" Hermione asked disgruntled "Because god knows how much we really want to hear it" she went on in a sarcastic manner earning her a wave of stifled laughter.
Pansy and Draco just sat there with an expression of such hatred on their faces that if you saw them in the dark you would have had a heart attack that was brought on by a severe case of fright.
"Good" said Padma excitedly "Rase your hand if you wish to have a dance"
Everyone except Pansy and Draco raised their hands, they just sat there and sulked.
"OK, fine!" Pansy shouted "but you can do it yourself!" and with that she swept out of the room, Draco following not far behind.
They all breathed a sigh of relief as if a great weight had been lifted from their chests.
"Well that was defiantly a task and a half" said Hannah Abbott yawning openly and trying desperately to keep her eyes form closing.
"We just have two more things to discuss" Hermione said in an excited tone "First what is the year limit for students attending the dance?"
"Third years and higher" Harry said "But first and second year students can attend only if invited.
"Good idea" said Ernie Macmillan absentmindedly as he brushed a piece of lint of his shoulder. "Is that alright with everyone else?"
They all nodded in agreement.
"That's settled then" Hermione leaned forward in her chair "Now I want to put forward a proposition "I was wondering about what we would ware to the dance and I was thinking we could make the dress code both dress robes and muggle formal ware"
Padma and Hannah beamed at the idea.
"That would be so cool" Padma said "Kinda like a mixing of cultures"
The others agreed with Padma and Hermione smiled as the motion was passed. They group gathered their stuff and left the office heading for their various common rooms. Harry and Hermione walked quickly but quietly down the dimly lit corridor towards the Entrance Hall.
"We need to tell Dumbledore what we have decided to do" Hermione whispered as the two of them silently climbed the marble staircase.
"We can tell him tomorrow" said Harry stifling a yawn "That was a good idea by the way"
Hermione beamed at Harry and smiled "I thought so"
Harry hadn't heard a word of what she had just said he was to engrossed in his own thoughts to hear "She has such a beautiful smile…" Harry snapped back to reality what was he thinking. Hermione was his friend and nothing more and she could never be anything more than his friend. As much as he wanted more that just a friendship with Hermione he was also scared of what it could do to their already strong bond if they broke up.
When they reached the Gryffindor common room Hermione bade him goodnight and left him alone with his thoughts.
Hello. I know this chapter is quite short but it is mainly here to give you an idea of what is to come. Please leave your reviews as they are much appreciated.