(Author's Note: This story is set in an alternate universe of the Harry Potter series that will focus on the developing relationship between Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown and the disintegrating relationship between Ron and Harry and Hermione. While I do love getting feedback (both good and bad) I do ask that when you provide it, please be polite and respectful. Our story begins in Goblet of Fire where Parvati has just told Harry she is going to ask her sister Padem if she'll go with Ron and Harry is running to tell Ron the news.
Harry came over to where Ron was sitting. "How would you feel about going to the ball with Padme?"
"Huh?" asked Ron.
"Parvati is going to ask Padme if she will go with you," said Harry, hoping Ron would be happy. However, he was surprised to see that Ron looked furious. "Something the matter?"
"No," said Ron. "I just need to go for a little walk. I'll see you later, Harry." Ron exited the portrait hole. Harry watched him go, wondering what was going on.
The next morning as Harry was entering the Great Hall, Parvati came walking up. "Harry, Padme just told me she can't go with Ron because she's going with Javier Roux."
"Who?" asked Harry.
"He's one of the Beauxbatons students," said Parvati. "He's extremely handsome. You will tell Ron, won't you?"
"Yes," said Harry.
Harry entered the Great Hall and found Ron sitting at the breakfast table with a rowdy group of second years. "Morning Ron," said Harry. Ron gave him the side eye and after giving a gruff morning, made his way out before Harry could sit down. Harry watched him go as Hermione came walking up. "Do you know what's wrong with Ron?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" asked Harry.
"He only had a bowl of cornflakes for breakfast," said Hermione. "When has Ron just stopped at a bowl of cornflakes?"
"I don't know," said Harry.
"Has he found a date to the dance?" asked Hermione.
"I don't know," said Harry. "I tried to set him up with Padme, but she's going with someone else."
Harry noticed Hermione was doing her best not to smile. "Well I'm sure he'll find someone. I'll see you later Harry."
"See you," said Harry as he watched her go.
For the next three weeks Ron did everything he could to ignore Harry and Hermione. He even went as far as to stop having Hermione help him with his homework. "I wonder what's going on with him," said Harry as he and Hermione walked during their after lunch free period.
"Well I hope he gets out of it soon," said Hermione as the two entered the courtyard. They found Javier and Padme talking. "Hello Padme," said Harry.
"Oh hi Harry," said Padme as Javier got up and whispered into Padme's ear. She giggled and he kissed her cheek before walking off. "He's funny."
"Yes," said Harry as Hermione looked like someone had gotten sick in front of her. "How did you two meet?"
"Ron introduced us," said Padme.
Hermione dropped her bag. "He what?"
"I was heading down to dinner and I saw Ron come walking over with Javier and he said 'Padme, This is my good friend Javier and he wants to ask you to the dance,' and I of course said yes because I had been waiting for him to ask me," said Padme. "Ron also told me that you wanted him to go with me, but that he didn't want to stand in the way of true love."
"I bet he didn't," said Harry as Padme looked at her watch.
"I've got to be getting to class," said Padme. "I'll see you Harry."
"See you," said Harry.
That evening Harry came up the staircase and found Ron getting ready for bed. "Hello Ron," said Harry. "I know why you've been avoiding me."
"You do?" asked Ron.
"If you didn't want to go with Padme, why didn't you just tell me?" asked Harry.
"Because I didn't want an argument," said Ron. "I also didn't appreciate you trying to get a date for me. I can ask girls on my own."
"I was only trying to help," said Harry.
"Well let me fight my own battles," said Ron.
"Why don't you want to go to the ball?" asked Harry.
"Because of my dress robes," said Ron. "What girl wants to go with someone who's dressed like he's from the eighteen nineties?"
"I'm sure Padme wouldn't have cared," said Harry.
"I'm sure she would," said Ron.
"So are you going to the ball?" asked Harry.
"No," said Ron. "I'm going to sit in the common room, drink butter beer, and catch up on Martin Miggs."
"I hope you have fun," said Harry.
"I will," said Ron.
Finally the night of the Yule Ball arrived. Harry was in the common Room in his dress robes waiting for Parvati to come down while Ron sat on the back of an armchair wearing jeans and a tank top. "Excited?" asked Ron.
"Nervous," said Harry.
"You're going to have fun," said Ron as Parvati came down the stairs clad in her dress robes.
"How do I look?" asked Parvati.
"Beautiful," said Harry.
"And you look handsome," said Parvati. "Ready to go?"
"Yes," said Harry. "See you later Ron."
"Yes, see you Ron," said Parvati.
"Have a good time," said Ron as he sat down in front of the fire.
An hour later Ron was finishing up on Martin's adventures in Brazil when the portrait door opened and Lavender Brown came in. Ron noticed her robes had a large stain on the front of the, "Hello Lavender," said Ron. "How are you?"
"Awful," said Lavender, happy she had someone to rant to. "Seamous Finnigan is a complete jackass. I can't believe I said yes when he asked me to the dance."
"Oh?" asked Ron as Lavender sat down in the armchair next to him.
"First he spills his Goulash on me because Dean told him the girls from Beauxbaton wasn't wearing any underwear," said Lavender. "And then he didn't even dance with me, he went off for some girl from Beauxbatons."
"Didn't anyone else want to dance with you?" asked Ron.
"No," said Lavender. "Everyone had a partner. So I decided to turn in early. I'm glad someone else is here."
"Same," said Ron. "Chocolate Frog?" he asked.
"Thanks," said Lavender. "So why didn't you go to the dance?"
"Oh my mother got me awful dress robes," said Ron.
"Why?" asked Lavender.
"Because there wasn't enough money to get me proper ones," said Ron.
"That's awful," said Lavender.
"Yeah," said Ron. "That and I didn't really have the spine to ask anyone out. Though I was able to ask someone out for some else."
"Who?" asked Lavender.
"Padme and Javier," said Ron. "He was worse than I was at being nervous, so I helped him get the girl he wanted."
"That is so sweet of you," said Lavender. "They were really dancing it up when I left.
"Yeah," said Ron. "I try to be sweet."
At midnight the ball came to an end and Hermione and Harry walked back to the common room. Hermione and Krum had danced the night away as well as snuck off to do some kissing under the moonlight, but Harry had had less of a success with his date. Parvati had caught him looking at Cho for most of the night and on the final dance, Harry had torn her dress robes, causing her to give him a black eye and storm out in fury. "Well I'm glad it was a good evening," said Hermione as she and Harry approached the common room. "Viktor invited me to visit his family this summer."
"Sounds like fun," said Harry.
"Do you think Ron is awake?" asked Hermione.
"He's probably gone to bed," said Harry.
"Well I suppose it's for the best," said Hermione. "Fairylights," she said.
"Yes," said the Fat Lady. The Portrait opened and Harry and Hermione stepped in.
As they entered Harry saw the sight of Ron and Lavender making out on the floor. "RON!" screamed Hermione.
"Hullo," said Ron as he and Lavender unlocked
"What are you doing with her?" asked Hermione.
"We're kissing," said Lavender. "And I was just getting ready to fulfill a request he made?"
"What's that?" asked Harry as Hermione started shaking with rage.
"I was getting ready to show him my anus," said Lavender as Hermione exploded.
"Why are you with this cow?" she asked as she charged towards Ron. "I've helped your lazy arse with your homework!"
She charged forward to hit him, but Lavender was too quick for her. Lavender knocked her to the ground. "Come on Ron," said Lavender. "Let's go for a walk."
She and Ron left as Hermione got up and started crying. "What's the matter?" asked Harry.
"It didn't work," she said.
"What didn't work?" asked Harry.
"I was trying to make him jealous by going with Krum," said Hermione. "I, I didn't think he would go with with her. I'll see you tomorrow Harry."
Hermione ran up to her room crying. Harry headed up to his room, hoping things would be right the next day.