Chapter Ten

Around the end of November Remus and Sirius came to Hogwarts to spend the weekend with Harry.

"Harry, because of the Yule Ball, you have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas. Dumbledore has invited us to come for Christmas Holidays. Does that sound like a plan?"

"Yes. But why do I have to stay for the Yule ball?"

"As one of the champions you have to open the ball with your partner."

"Ginny"

"Hi Harry" she replied

They were in the Gryffindor common room in one of the corners.

"Are you going home for the Holidays?" Harry asked

"No, I'm staying at Hogwarts. Why do you ask?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Yule Ball with me." Harry asked nervously.

"I'd love to" Ginny excitedly answered, "I was hoping you'd ask me."

"Awesome. We have to open the Yule ball with the other Champions" Harry added

"Whatever. It'll be fun." She replied

The same time as Harry asked Ginny to go the Yule ball with him, Ron summoned his courage and asked Hermoine to go with him to the Yule ball. She happily accepted his invitation.

It was the night of the Yule ball. A large number of Hogwarts students in fourth year and above had stayed over Christmas holidays. Harry and Ron waited in the Gryffindor common room for Ginny and Hermoine respectively.

Ginny appeared first dressed in a stunning gold gown that gave her an ornate and beautiful appearance. Her red locks were captured slightly back but still flowing freely down her back.

Hermoine came down next looking very different than her usual every-day appearance. She was dressed in a pale blue gown with her hair piled on her head and cascading down the nape of her neck.

Both Harry and Ron took their respective dates by the hand and made their way to the entrance hall. Professor McGonagall drew Harry and Ginny aside while Ron and Hermoine entered the Great Hall which had been transformed for the evening.

Cedric had another Hufflepuff, Cho Chang, on his arm. Krum had a girl Harry didn't recognize with him and Fleur was with the seventh year Slytherin seeker.

The opening dance and the ball went quite well for Harry and his friends.