Chapter 19A: At the Yule Ball

Basically, this entire thing will be from Nicci's point of view. Remember, this is only a preview, and I might change it later. The scene starts right after Ron yells at Hermione for the first time, just before Harry and Ron leave. Don't ask me the page, because I don't know. And the next real chapter should be up this weekend, either Saturday or Sunday. Hope you like it! Oh, also, tell me if you like the previews or not. Some people hate having the surprise ruined for them, but others think it's a good lead-up. I don't know. This doesn't actually give much away, though, because I haven't really added as much.

I'm so sorry about the wait!

I watched Hermione leave and glared over at Ron. "Oh, good job, Ron," I said sarcastically. I jumped up and followed her.

"Hi," I said carefully as I walked over to her. "I'm sorry about Ron."

"Why is he acting like this, Nicci? I thought he liked Krum! I thought Krum was an idol!"

"I don't think it's Krum that he's mad about, Hermione. I think it's the fact that Krum went with you."

"But Ron doesn't care!" cried Hermione in frustration. "I was a back-up to him—a last resort! Why would he care?"

"I think it's more subconscious," I said thoughtfully. "Who knows, Hermione? Ron's thick—even for a boy."

"Thanks, Nicci," said Hermione, wiping her eyes. "I'm going to go and try to find Viktor, all right?"

"Go ahead," I told her, pushing her off her seat. "I'm fine."

"Is Harry a bad date?" asked Hermione.

"Nah," I said. "I'm good at dancing—it doesn't mean I like it."

"All right…well, see you later."

I waved to her as she left.

10 minutes, 3 cups of punch, and too many Weird Sister songs later, I was still sitting in my seat look bored out of my mind. If you didn't have a date—or if it'd disappeared with Ron five minutes ago—there was really nothing to do. Ginny was dancing with Michael Corner, Hermione had gone off to find Krum, and I was sitting here, wishing for some Firewhiskey.

Okay, so maybe I look fourteen, but don't forget I'm over a thousand years old. I'm legally over-age.

"Hey, Nics," said a voice a little ways off.

Aha! My Firewhiskey had come in the form of George Weasley.

"Hi, George," I said, patting the seat next to me. "Come and sit, why don't you?"

He sat down next to me. "Where's Fred?" I asked.

"Dancing with Angelina," he said, sounding bored. "There is nothing to do."

"No kidding," I said. "Weren't you going with…Alicia Spinnet or someone?"

"Yeah, but it was more as friends," he replied. "She ran off with Katie Bell fifteen minutes ago—probably to go talk in the loo."

"Sounds fun," I grinned, stretching my legs. "Well, your date beat mine—he ran off with Ron five minutes ago."

"Harry? Where?" he asked suspiciously.

I gave him a half-glare. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Weasley."

He laughed at me. Since neither of us could think of anything else to say, we fell into a silence which was not quite comfortable, but not awkward either.

"You want to dance?" he suddenly asked me.

"Dance? Well—" I tried to find a reason not to, but came up short. "Sure. Why not?"

We got up and started moving towards the dance floor. After carefully avoiding Fred and Angelina, we stopped in a more deserted corner of the hall. But just as we were about to start dancing to the ridiculously fast song, it slowed and stopped.

"Just our luck," muttered George.

A slow song started up. George looked at me, mumbled, "I—well—you don't –" and fell silent again. I made my decision.

I grabbed his shoulders and after a few moments he took my waist. I found myself liking the feel of his hands on my waist. Now I knew why Mirror-Me had been so happy when Mirror-George had put an arm around her waist. He was good at it. Now if only I knew what it was like to closer—

What the hell was I thinking? I couldn't believe I was getting so side-tracked by George's hand on my waist.

This is where the powerful witch gets over-ruled by the hormonal teenager, said a smug inner voice.

Shut up.

Don't tell me you're not enjoying it—because I know you're enjoying it.

How do you know?

Because I'm you, idiot.

This thought snapped me out of my private argument.

"So…this is nice," I said awkwardly.

"Yeah," he agreed.

This song was going on forever! I mean, it'd only been thirty seconds, but still.

A/N: I feel so much better knowing that at least I'm giving you guys something. I literally had a breakdown from stress the other day because I was trying to write two papers, the new chapter, and read a school book at the same time. I'll have plenty of time over the weekend, though.

I really do ramble a lot. If you get bored of my insane mind-wanderings, you can just skip to the end.