Harry and Ron were walking outside. They were looking around at all the girls, hoping to catch one of them alone so they could ask them to the dance.

"Why do they have to travel in packs?" Harry whispered to Ron. "And how are you supposed to get one of them alone to ask them?"

"Lasso one?" Ron suggested.

They passed a group of Ravenclaws, Harry noticed Cho in the middle. He and Ron stopped and smiled, but couldn't figure out anything to say. The girls stared back at them, some even curled their lip in disgust. Harry and Ron quickly moved on as the girls giggled and whispered.

"Blimey Harry. You've slayed dragons. If you can't get a date, what does that say for the rest of us?"

"A dragon is easier than a girl" Harry replied.

They watched as a Durmstrang student confidently strode up to a Hufflepuff and asked her to the ball. She eagerly accepted and giggled excitedly with her friends when the boy left. It seemed the Durmstrang boys had no trouble finding dates. Krum was constantly followed by a hoard of girls, hoping to catch his eye.

/

Harry finally managed to catch Cho without her giggling friends. They were in the owlery at the same time. "Cho, could I have a word with you?"

"Okay" She replied.

"Er" Harry could feel the nerves pool in his stomach. This was his chance, he had to do it now. "Wangoballwime?"

"Sorry?"

Harry cleared his throat, "Would you – would you like to go to the ball…with me"

Cho blushed, but her expression looked more like pity than excitement. "I – I'm sorry Harry, but I'm already going with someone."

Harry deflated and his stomach sank, "Oh"

"I'm really sorry Harry" Cho said.

Harry put on a fake smile, "No problem, it was worth a try right?" They laughed awkwardly.

"Well – bye" She said.

Before she could leave he called after her, "Who're you going with?" He asked before he could stop himself.

"Oh" She smiled, "Cedric Diggory"

"Right, uh, brilliant" He nodded. He walked back to the common room with a dark cloud over his head. Of course it was Cedric Diggory, the other man had a confidence that Harry didn't.

Entering the common room, Harry was surprised to find Ron sitting ashen-faced in a corner. Ginny sat next to him, whispering in a low, soothing voice.

"What's up with you?" Harry asked.

"Why did I do it?" He asked, eyes wide and wild. "I don't know why I did it."

"What did you do?"

"He – well he – he asked Fleur Delacour to the ball." Ginny said.

"You what?"

"I don't know what came over me. There were people – everywhere – and she just looked so perfect. I just asked her!" Ron moaned into this hands. "She looked at me like I was the scum of the earth. She didn't even answer, I just ran for it."

Harry left Ron to cry in his corner, he had his own sulking to do.

/

"This is mad. At this rate, we'll be the only ones in our year without a date." Ron whispered during their Potions test. "Us and Neville"

"Actually" Hermione cut in, "Neville has a date to the ball"

Ron groaned, "That's depressing" He turned to Hermione and leaned closer to her, "Oi Hermione, you're a girl."

"Well spotted Ronald" Hermione hissed.

"You can come with one of us –"

At that moment Snape came behind them and smacked them each on the back of the head for talking. Ron waited for him to leave before continuing. "It's one thing for a bloke to show up alone. For a girl, it's just sad."

Hermione's glare was cold and harsh. Harry was sure that if looks could kill, Ron would be long gone. "Believe it or not Ronald, but I won't be going alone because someone has already asked me!" She gathered her things and turned her test in to Snape. "And I said yes!" She added before she left.

"Bloody hell" Ron looked at Harry. "Think she's lying?"

Harry shrugged.

/

Harry sat in the common room, fiddling with the egg in his hands and thinking about the upcoming ball, which he still had no date to.

"Looks like you need some cheering up." Harry looked to see Sirius standing in the doorway.

Harry smiled, "Sirius, what are you doing here?"

His godfather smiled and held up a large box, "Delivery for one Harry Potter."

Harry opened the package to reveal black dress robes.

"These were your father's, he wore them when he was about your age." Sirius said. "You look about the same size and I knew you didn't have any."

"Really, they were my dad's?" He carefully took out the coat and held it in front of him.

Sirius nodded, "I'm sure you'll look just as good in them as he did."

"Thanks Sirius." Harry hugged his Godfather tightly.

"Of course Harry. Now, how is the hunt for a date coming?"

Harry sighed, "Terribly, I didn't realize how hard it is to talk to girls."

Sirius laughed, "I guess you got your Mother's shyness."

"I guess so"

"I'm sure you will find a date Harry, you just need to stop looking so hard."

Harry smiled and nodded.

"Good, now I must be off. I'm not really supposed to be here after all." Sirius winked and walked out of the room.

Harry went down to the common room to finish his homework. As he finished his Dark Arts essay, Parvati walked by "Hi Harry."

"Hi" Harry replied absent mindedly. After a moment, he looked up at her retreating back and raced after her.

"Parvati!" He called out. She stopped and allowed him to catch up. "Will you go to the ball with me?"

She went into a fit of giggles. Harry's fingers were crossed as he waited for them to subside. "Yes" She said finally.

He smiled, "Brilliant."

She returned it.

"Uh, do you know anyone who would be willing to go with Ron?"

Parvati frowned, "Well, I could ask my sister, Padma. She's in Ravenclaw. I could ask her if you like."

"Yeah, that would be great. Let me know what she says."

She nods and walks away.

Harry returns to the common room, feeling much better than before.