21. Give Up

I never really held that much hope, not really. But I thought maybe, just maybe…

It was only one week until the Yule Ball. Most girls already had dates, especially in the fourth year and upwards. Two people in my dormitory were going, and of course Hermione had been asked by Viktor Krum. Nobody had asked me – which was something I had mixed feelings about. Why didn't anybody want to take me? Was it because I was 'the Weasley girl'? Not worth the bother with my brothers? I really didn't care that much, anyway. I've never been interested in boys. Boys plural, I mean. There's only one boy.

And that one boy was yet to accept offers from many of the girls who'd thrown themselves at him. Even one of my roommates had shyly asked him whether he'd like to go with her; I'd been at the other side of the corridor, talking to Colin. I kept one eye on them though, and both ears. Harry blurted out a no, seeming bewildered that she'd asked him. I didn't want to set myself up for that. No, I was happy to stay in the background. Until he realises…if he ever realises…

But this was weeks ago, back when there was still plenty of time to find a partner. And neither he, nor I, had a date. That was the shred of hope I was hanging on to.

.x.

I woke early, but Peaves was already hiding inside his favourite suit of armour when I passed, singing his version of 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful'. I have to say I like his better than the original.

I skimmed the Gryffindor table with my eyes when I arrived at the Great Hall, looking for any of my friends. Nobody in my year had arrived yet, but Ron, Hermione and Harry were sat in the middle of the table. I took a deep breath and sat down next to my brother – and opposite Harry.

"Morning, Ginny," Ron greeted me cheerfully, before shoving a forkful of scrambled eggs in to his mouth.

"Hello, Ginny," said Hermione and Harry in unison, both watching Ron with amused expressions.

"Morning!" I said, smiling. "What are we talking about?"

"Nothing interesting," replied Hermione quickly before the boys could speak.

"We were talking about Quidditch!" exclaimed Ron.

"Like I said, nothing interesting," said Hermione with a smirk.

"Nothing interesting? Nothing interesting?"

"Yes, Ron. Just because you like to discuss how amazing Viktor Krum was at the World Cup every minute of every day, doesn't mean we all do."

"Not every minute," Ron replied bashfully. "But did you see him flying? And to think he's still here, in this castle, and I haven't got his autograph yet!"

"You won't be saying that in a few days time," I said quietly, sniggering in to my juice.

Hermione kicked me under the table whilst smiling sweetly, before taking another bite of her toast.

"What did she -?"

"Nothing, Ron. Anyway, have you found a date for the ball yet?" she said, hastily changing the subject.

"No. All the good ones are taken," Ron said glumly.

"The good ones?" questioned Hermione haughtily.

"Yeah, you know, the good looking ones."

"Honestly, Ron! You can't judge a girl based on her appearance!"

"Yes, but you don't want to go in there with a…"

"What? A what exactly, Ronald?"

"Here they go again," I grumbled, turning to Harry as they continued to bicker. He grinned appreciatively.

I knew Harry didn't have a date to the ball – but of course I wasn't going to ask him.

"So, are you going to – " I broke off mid-sentence, wondering whether asking if he was going to the ball with anyone would be obvious. " – going to…pass me the bacon?"

I cringed and Harry looked taken aback. I realised how rude my sentence must've seemed – as if I had a right to be passed the bacon. I felt my face redden.

"Urm, of course. There you are."

He passed me the plate and I took it, blushing.

I decided on a different approach. I could hint around the subject, couldn't I? "Are you – "

I broke off as I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning round, I saw Neville standing there, twiddling his thumbs nervously.

"Hi, Neville," I said, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

"Hey," said Harry from behind me.

"Hi, Harry. Umm, Ginny, can I talk to you for a minute?"

I stared at him, confused. I hadn't spoken to Neville many times, but I knew he was a nice enough boy, as clumsy as he was. He'd asked out Hermione the day before, but she'd turned him down (nicely, of course), due to the fact that she was already going with Krum. I wondered whether Neville was going to ask if I could make her change her mind.

"Yeah, okay."

I stood up and followed him down to the end of the table, where he'd been sat alone.

I sat down next to him and looked at him expectantly.

"You see, the th-thing is, I…" he stuttered nervously, fiddling with his fork. "Would you like to…go to the ball with me?"

"You want to go to the ball…with me?" I choked out, utterly surprised.

"Umm, yes, I would. If…if you'd like to?"

My mind went in to overdrive for a minute. Here was a nice boy, asking me to a ball I probably wouldn't get another invite too. He was never going to ask. I may as well give up.

"Yes, of course. I'd like to go with you, Neville."

His face lit up and he gave me a tentative smile. "Great! I'll see you later, then?"

He shot up before I could reply and left the hall, his face reddening in embarrassment. I watched him leave, wondering if it was usual to feel regretful after you'd just accepted someone's offer for a date.

I began to walk over to my space next to Ron and I looked at Harry. He was gazing over Ron's shoulder, looking at something – or someone – at the Ravenclaw table. I followed his gaze. Cho Chang.

I sighed and purposefully sat down loudly, obscuring his view as I did so.

"What did he want?" asked Ron.

"Oh, nothing," I replied, picking up my fork.

Ron nodded and accepted my less-than-satisfactory answer, returning to his food.

"Were you going to ask me something before?" asked Harry.

I suddenly remembered; I was going to say 'Are you and your partner going to have to do anything special at the Yule Ball, because you're a champion?' Only hinting. It wouldn't have been directly asking. It wouldn't have seemed obvious. Would it? I'm paranoid.

"No, nothing," I answered, wondering whether he'd ask me to elaborate.

Instead, he merely nodded and peered over my head.

Honestly. Boys.

A/N Thanks for all the reviews, it really makes my day when I get them all (you think I'm exaggerating!), it's amazing. Thank you to Jess for 'getting my creative juices flowing' this chapter :D Please leave a review!