Ron stared at her reflection. No. No, no, no. Why did Hermione even own something like this? She looked like a prostitute!

And yet… something about the dress appealed to her somehow. The back was open nearly to her waist and the neck was cut much too low for her liking—an edge of her bra showed over it—and she felt as if the narrow straps would slip off her shoulders at any minute. But something about it… the length was decent, at least, and the skirt—she gave it an experimental twirl—the skirt flared out nicely when she spun.

Although the color accented her hair, it didn't clash, and after all, her alternative was the brown thing that smelled like her Great Aunt Tessie. She decided to go with Hermione's dress.

Fumbling behind her back with the black sash, she noticed Fay walk in. "Fay!" she said, relieved. "Can you tie this?"

Fay looked startled to see Ron in a dress; it was the first time she had ever worn one. Or maybe it was the dress itself that surprised her. Either way, she obliged and tied the sash for Ron.

"Thanks," Ron muttered. She raked a comb through her unruly hair and hoped that would suffice. She detested styling it.

"No problem. Did you want to borrow any makeup?" Fay asked, correctly assuming that Ron owned none.

She shook her head. "Nah, I hate the stuff."

Fay did not seem surprised by this, though she did look a little envious. "You're lucky you don't need it."

Ron shrugged. "I guess."

"Well, let me know if you need anything," Fay told her shortly.

She jammed a black headband Hermione had given her once onto her head and really looked at herself in the mirror.

She stared at her reflection. Was that what she looked like? She never really bothered to check before. No wonder Harry and the others couldn't just forget that she wasn't a guy. Merlin, she looked so girly it was disgusting! She turned away and left the dorm.

She started down the stone staircase, which was quite cold under her bare feet… Her bare feet… "Bloody hell!" She had forgotten shoes!

She ran back to the dorm room, hoping Hermione wouldn't mind Ron borrowing some shoes, as she had no appropriate ones of her own. Speaking of Hermione, where was she?

Ron dug through the trunk for the third time that day. Finally, she found something she could use with no ridiculous heels or anything: a simple pair of black flats. With a quick spell to adjust the size, she put them on.

It was nearly time for the ball. Had she really spent that long getting ready? She ran back downstairs, but not before readjusting her bra so that it no longer showed.

The common room was deserted. The others must have gone to the entrance hall to find their dates. Ron decided to follow their lead. She couldn't be late as she and Harry were starting the dancing with the other champions.

Upon arriving at the entrance hall, she looked around for Harry. He was standing across the room with his back to her, scanning the crowd for… her?

She pushed past the students blocking her way, receiving numerous stairs. Finally, she saw Harry, still facing in the other direction. "Hey, Mate," she said, walking up next to him.

He jumped about a foot, making her laugh, and whirled around to see her. "Er… R-ron!" he stammered, turning pink. "Y-you look… nice…!"

Ron rolled her eyes. "Shut up." Harry blushed even more. "Come on!" she hissed, grabbing his arm and leading him to the other champions. "We have to get in line!"

"Er… right," he murmured, following her dazedly.

Ron spotted a pretty girl wearing Hermione's periwinkle blue dress and gaped. So… that was what she had done with her three hours, then?

Hermione looked at her and smiled. Ron snapped out of it and grinned back. Her friend looked beautiful.