SD~ JK Rowling's precious characters do not belong to me, I'm just borrowing them for a moment, but I'll put them back when I'm done :)

AN~ okay, this is my first HP fic, I hope it sounds okie-dokie. it's a R/Hr romance, of course :)

feedback~ yes, I like it very much. ron_n_hermione@hotmail.com

~*~

Save The Last Dance

-dutchtulips-

~*~

"Did you know we're having another Yule Ball this year?" Harry said to Ron and Hermione as they left Transfiguration that afternoon. Christmas was just around the bend and exams week was progress.

"Yeah, I heard 'bout that," Ron replied, throwing his satchel over his shoulder. "Who're you going to go with, Harry? Thinking about asking Cho again?"

"I dunno. Maybe. What about you two?" Harry asked.

"Don't know," Ron and Hermione said in unison. The three of them were quiet after that as they headed for Gryffindor Tower.

Ron broke the silence. "Well, there's no Vicky to take Hermione this year," he said, half joking.

"I suppose not, Ron," she replied simply. "Besides, I've more important things to worry about than who I want to go with to the Yule Ball, you know." Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, knowing what was coming next.

"And so do you two. Like, final exams for example. I've a good feeling Professor Snape's Potions exam is not going to be like a Sunday walk to Hogsmeade, you know," Hermione said matter-of-factly.

Harry and Ron didn't reply, knowing she was probably right.

~*~

It was later that day, after supper, and Hermione was in the library like usual, spell books opened all around her. Every so often, her quill would come to life as she scribbled notes hastily on a piece of parchment.

But strangely enough, Hermione couldn't keep her mind on her evening studies. Although she would never admit it to Harry and Ron, the Yule Ball was actually on her mind much more than exams. And something kept nagging at her. Something Ron had said earlier that day.

Well, there's no Vicky to take Hermione this year. . .there's no Vicky to take Hermione this year. . .

Hermione put down her quill, the thought of Ron's words bringing up a thought she had been wondering since departing from King's Cross at the end of the last school year. Did I fancy Viktor? Sure, he was a nice person and very friendly. Sure, I went to the Yule Ball with him. But did I fancy him?

It had been nice to receive attention like that from a boy, who wasn't just a friend, like Harry or Ron. Viktor seemed to really like her, and Hermione had enjoyed his company as well. But did I like him as more than just friends? I don't even really know. But if I didn't, why did I go to the Yule Ball with him last year?

Last year's Yule Ball brought up memories about Ron. Sometimes I think Ron was jealous, even though he said it was because Viktor wasn't a Hogwarts student. He never seemed too upset about any other student from Hogwarts going to the ball with someone who wasn't. Just as Hermione was shrugging off her thoughts and picking up her quill once more, she heard a voice behind her.

"Hey, Hermione?"

She turned around. "Oh, hi, Ron. What brings you by the library?"

"I was looking for you," Ron replied, sitting down across from her.

"Well. . .er. . .here I am," Hermione sort of smiled. "Is something wrong?"

"I was just, uh, worried that maybe I'd upset you with. . .what I said. About Krum, you know. I know you really like him and everything. . ." Ron mumbled the last sentence.

Hermione put down her quill again. "No, no. That's all right, Ron. It's just, exams and all. They're very important, you know."

"S'pose."

She scribbled something else down from one of her books, then looked back up at Ron again, whom had fallen silent and was staring at the tabletop. "Uh, Ron, is something else the matter? You're. . .quiet."

"Oh!. . .uh, no. Nothing. I'm probably interrupting your studying. See you later, Hermione," he bolted up from his chair and started to leave.

"You can bring you books -" she started to invite him to study with her, but when Hermione turned around, Ron had gone. Hmmm. . .I wonder what's on his mind. . .

~*~

Harry, Ron, and Hermione met at the Gryffindor table the next morning for breakfast. "Everyone ready for their Herbology exam?" Hermione asked, pouring pumpkin juice in her goblet.

"That depends on your definition of 'ready'," Harry commented as he unrolled the day's issue of the Daily Prophet.

"I'll just be glad when all of this stuff is over," Ron put in. "Are you two staying for Christmas?"

Harry lowered the Daily Prophet. "Do you have to ask?" He looked at his friend with a lopsided grin.

Ron grinned back. "What 'bout you, Hermione?" He asked, taking a drink out of his goblet.

"Sure, I want to stay for the Yule Ball. Who won't be, you know?" She replied distractedly, propping open The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5.

Ron's brow furrowed. "Something bothering you, Hermione?"

"Why would something be bothering me?" She asked.

"That's why I asked," Ron replied with a smirk.

Harry glanced sideways at the two of his friends. "Have any idea who you're going with to the Yule Ball, either of you?"

Ron nodded. "Not yet." He peered over at Hermione to see her reaction. "Who do you want to go with to the ball, Hermione?"

Suddenly she looked disconcerted. Slamming shut The Standard Book of Spells, Hermione stuffed it in her satchel and got up from the table. "Oh, I just remembered, I have to see Professor McGonagall about something. See you in Herbology, you two!" She called as she left the table.

Harry looked back at Ron to see that he was watching Hermione bolting out of the Great Hall. He had a pretty good idea about what was going on.

~*~

to be continued