Author's Note- Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I hope you keep reading and reviewing... I'm open for suggestions but please no flames.

Chapter #6

It was Monday, September 9th, the Monday before the ball. Harry still hadn't asked Melody, but as far as he knew, she didn't have a date yet. The day's work was over, and Harry and his friends sat in the deserted common room peacefully. Although it was almost midnight, none of them felt like going to bed.

Harry sat lazily on the couch, gazing at the peaceful scene in front of him. Jake and Derek were sitting on the floor playing chess, and Derek was swearing at the fact that he only had a knight and his king left over, while Jake had much more. Melody and Jesse sat in the armchairs by the fire, Jesse finishing her History of Magic homework, and Melody curled up peacefully reading a muggle book called "The Lord of the Rings." Snitch lay contentedly on her lap, and she petted him as she read. Ron sat beside him on the couch reading "Quidditch Through the Ages," which Harry had lent him. Alexia and Megan were both lying on their stomachs on the floor, trying to master the Wingardium Leviosa charm. They both looked very frustrated.

All of a sudden, Natasha Montclair, one of the snobby Gryffindor girls, walked into the room from the girl's dormitory. She wore a tube top and a mini skirt. Everybody scowled at her, but she just smiled sweetly at Harry.

"Hi Harry," she said flirtatiously, sitting down on the back of the couch near Harry's head and playing with his hair. Harry pushed her away.

"What do you want?" he growled in disgust.

"I was just wondering why you haven't asked me to the ball yet," she said sweetly, giving Harry puppy dog eyes.

"Maybe 'cause I'm never gonna!"

"WHAT! Why not? Who are you going with?" she demanded, her face red with rage.

"Well..." Harry said slowly wondering if this was the right time, "I haven't actually asked her, but I was hoping Melody would go with me."

Harry looked hopefully over at her. She blushed bright red and grinned at him.

"I'd love to," she whispered. Harry broke into a huge grin.

"Fine then," Natasha snapped, hands on her hips. "But you don't know what you're missing Harry. You could be going with a real girl, a pureblood, instead of that shy, tomboy, mudblood slut."

Harry, Jake, Derek and Ron all jumped up in rage. But Jesse beat them to it.

"If I ever hear you calling my best friend anything like the again, I will make sure you wish you'd never been born. Got it?" she hissed at Natasha, who nodded obediently before running back into her dorm.

Looking very pleased with herself, Jesse sat back down. Harry looked over at Melody to see if she was upset. She seemed unbothered by what Natasha had said, but she was smiling gratefully at Jesse. Their eyes met and Jesse smiled at her too. Harry could tell that they'd be best friends for a long time.

"Who do you hope asks you to the ball?" Melody asked her friends later that night when they were getting ready for bed. She shared a dorm with Alexia, Jesse, Megan, and Hermione Granger, while Vanessa, Natasha, Courtney, Parvati and Lavender shared the other first year girls' dorm. Melody thought Hermione was a very nice girl, and they were kind of friends, but Hermione was too focused on school to hang around with them. She was already asleep now.

"Derek," Alexia said dreamily, flopping down onto her bed. Megan said she couldn't care less, as long as she got a date and was able to go. Jesse agreed.

"Are we going to enter the singing competition?" Alexia asked.

"I think we should," Megan said. Jesse and Melody nodded in agreement.

"Good," Alexia said mischievously, "Because I heard the most perfect song the other day that we just HAVE to use! It'll be so funny!"

The other girls gathered around her to hear her idea, and they excitedly began to make plans.

Meanwhile in the boys' dorm...

"Who are you guys asking to the ball?" Harry asked the other boys as they too were getting ready for bed. Harry was so happy that he had finally asked Melody. He felt like he was floating.
"Alexia," Derek said simply, without looking embarrassed at all. Jake and Ron were a different story.

"I'm not sure..." Jake said quietly, his cheeks turning pink.

"Yes you are," Harry argued. "Come on, tell us!"

"Megan," Jake sighed.

"I told you you knew. There's nothing to be ashamed of. What about you Ron?"

Ron admitted that he didn't know who to ask.

"How about that Hermione girl? The really smart one? Why don't you ask her?" Derek suggested.

Ron looked skeptical. "I don't know… her teeth are kind of big…"

Harry threw a pillow at him. "Don't be a jerk Ron. Your standards are too high. Just ask her."

"I guess I'd might as well. It's not like I can do much better anyways."

"Take a look at this guys!" Derek exclaimed, pulling a sheet of paper out of his pocket.

"What is it?"

"Information about the ball. It's going to be posted in the common room tomorrow," Derek explained with a shrug.

"Where'd you get it then?"

"I nicked it off of McGonagall's desk during detention."

Harry read it carefully. This is what it said: Good morning Hogwarts students. As you all probably know, there will be a "start of school year ball" on Saturday, September 14th. All ages are welcome, but you must have a date to get in. Girls can either wear dress robes or a muggle-style dress, while boys must wear dress robes. There will also be a singing contest the same night. You can be in groups of 4 at the most. The ball starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 1:00 am. There will be no classes on Friday so that the 3rd and 4th years can go into Hogsmead to shop for their outfits. All the other years must get their outfits sent from home. See you then!

Signed,

Albus Dumbledore

Melody sat awake in bed, still unable to sleep. She pulled a piece of parchment out from her beside table, along with a quill and some ink, and began to write a letter home.

Dear Mum, Dad and Brian,

How are things going at home? I miss you all, but I'm having a great time here. The classes are much more interesting than the muggle classes I used to take. Haha Brian, you still have to! We are having a start of the school year ball, and I'm going with Harry. The thing is, we have to wear a dress and I don't have one with me (obviously). I was hoping you could pick one out for me mom. But please, nothing too frilly or pink. I'd really like a blue one if you don't mind. I'll trust you to send me a good one.

I was wondering if you could ask my coach if I could still play soccer this summer. I miss it a lot, although the wizarding sport Quidditch is fun too. I think I might try out for the team. I hope I can still play soccer this summer, although without practicing over the winter, I might not even make the team. I hope I do.

Well, I'd better be going to bed. The ball is this Saturday, so please send the dress as soon as possible. I'll mail this letter tomorrow morning, which'll be Tuesday. Please write back!

Lots of Love,

Melody