DISCLAIMER:
JKR own HP series…
Pre-Ball Qualms
It has been two weeks since the snow started falling and now the grounds were already covered with white crystals. Ron stood on his recent favorite spot at Hogsmeade. There, before the newly opened shop, he watched the fine-looking cloth around a mannequin's neck and he could only imagine how soft and scented it could be. Feeling unprivileged, he didn't even dare to come in the store to have a look. He satisfied himself by hugging his chest and rubbing his arms under the maroon Weasley sweater his Mum sent him.
"You're here again." The familiar voice came from behind him.
"Just checking if it's still here." He answered without looking back.
"Harry and Hermione are at Zonko's looking for you." He felt her walk beside him.
Ron took a deep breath and a smoke came out with it, "Ginny, I've asked Hermione to the ball. Maybe that should be enough, don't you think?"
"I'm not the one to answer that." she said thoughtfully.
And Ron knew perfectly well that it wasn't enough. It has been six years of chances and if he's to let it slip this year's, it might just never happen again.
"It's only two weeks." He murmured.
Ginny giggled, "Okay, I'm not supposed to tell you this soon, but I think you should know so you'll stop worrying."
"Tell me what?" he sounded less interested.
"I already have a plan!" she declared with a clap of her hands.
Ron turned to her so fast he heard his neck creaked "You do?!" he asked with a mixture of excitement and doubt.
His sister's face lit up more elatedly, she grabbed his sweater by the arms "I'm such a genius!!!"
"So that means…"
"…stop worrying, for Christmas's sake, Ron!"
He let her squeeze his arm some more, also to check if he was in a dream or not. It was true; Harry is Ginny's partner at the Yule Ball and Crabbe is definitely out of the picture, Hermione is his partner and no Viktor Krum or anyone to change that, and if Ginny's plans would be smooth, his perfect Christmas gift to go with his perfect confession to the perfect girl just makes the season perfect! He smiled silently.
For the next week, he didn't bother to mull over his Yuletide plights. He was busy enough with the "could be, would be" dance scenes with Hermione playing on his head, as well as the exchanging of gifts. Though he would check from time to time if the scarf was still at Embrace, or how Ginny's plan is doing.
"I'm working on it."
"Why don't you just tell me about the plan? Maybe I could help you."
"It's a good plan, Ron. But I don't think it'll be as good if someone else involved would know about it." his sister assured him. "I have everything under control."
"Ginny, you do know it's only two days for the ball. After the ball we'll be going back to the Burrow which means, I only have two days to return to Hogsmeade before…"
"I know, of course! I'm a Hogwarts student too, I know the schedule!"
He took this to mean that so far, nothing appears to spoil Ron's last year at Hogwarts.
But 'So far' doesn't seem to be for long. How fast two days came.
Ron scowled at his reflection at the mirror. He looked perfectly handsome with a more decent dress robe to wear this time. Elegant was probably the best word to describe his suit of black with touches of orange that definitely compliment his hair color. A few days before, he would brag that it's not just refined, but it's also the Chudley Cannons color. Harry couldn't understand why his friend was sporting such face.
It was his worry about the gift, and this new strange feeling that things aren't going to be how he imagined them. It was only a suspicion but the additional number of
butterflies on his stomach, and abnormal thumping of his heart—it was so extraordinarily fast and loud, he fears it might just jump out—made him feel much uncomfortable.
He pictured Hermione smiling up on him. That should help to soothe his tension, but he realized that it only adds up to it. Hermione Granger would be his date; his childhood best friend whom he secretly loves for the past n years; his bickering buddy; the cleverest witch of their age; and her last Yule Ball date was international Quidditch player, brilliant student, triwizard tournament participant, Viktor Krum. It was a pressure being her date—what if Ron became a total disappointment for the whole night?
AUTHOR's NOTE:
It has been a very busy time of year when you've got a job and two special occasions to celebrate. Forgive me for not meeting my deadline and for this very short installment, anyway, everyday is Christmas day! Hehehe..spread the love! Next chappy would be coming this week, I promise! Please please review! Thanks a bunch…
