Chapter Twenty-One: Yule Ball Preparations
It was now December and in typical Hogwarts' traditions, the castle was now being readied for Christmas. Harry, Ron and Hermione were in Transfiguration when Professor McGonagall announced that the Yule Ball will be taking place on Christmas Eve. She quickly told them it was part of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Professor McGonagall told them that it was a dance and of course, not a time that any Gryffindor student should show up their House, the school, or themselves. She also told them that they may invite people to dance with, including younger students if they wish. As the bell went to signal the end of class, Professor McGonagall asked Harry to wait behind.
'As I'm sure you are aware, Potter, you will need a dance partner – and please don't try and give me an "I don't dance", attitude. The Champions are expected to be the first to dance. It is tradition. End of story. Now, run along. You have things to do.'
Harry, who not for the first time being unable to get a word in edgeways when dealing with Professor McGonagall, left to find Ron and Hermione. He found them sitting on a couch in the Common Room, he then repeated Professor McGonagall's words to them.
'You're lucky, mate, at least you have a girlfriend to go with,' said Harry.
'Well, Harry, Ron hasn't actually asked me yet – not formally, anyway,' said Hermione.
'Hermione Jean Granger, would you do me the honour of being my date for the Yule Ball?' Ron asked smoothly.
'Ronald Bilius Weasley, I would be delighted to be your date for the Yule Ball,' Hermione replied.
Ron gave her a kiss to seal the deal, before turning back to Harry.
'So, is there anyone you want to invite?'
Harry thought of Cho for a moment, but merely shrugged.
'Harry, just invite a girl as friends, but make sure it's someone you're comfortable with – someone you can actually talk to, and not someone who just wants to be seen on the arm of a Tri-Wizard Champion,' said Hermione.
'That's great advice, Hermione, but there is only one girl I know who ticks all those boxes and she's going out with my brother in all but blood. I'll have to have a think though, thanks, Hermione.'
Harry then got up and left them to their regular snogging schedule. He went upstairs to think about asking Cho, but a thought occurred to him, 'What would they talk about? Quidditch? No, that subject would not do at all.' He continued to rack his brains for a further two hours about all the possible dates he could choose from; 'Parvati Patil? No, I've hardly spoken to her in the three years I've shared a Tower with her. Lavender Brown? No, the same reason as Parvati.' Harry continued to think of girls from all the houses – including Slytherin, but again he kept coming up with the same misgivings as with the rest.
Then suddenly he had a brainwave. He sat up quickly and ran to find Professor McGonagall.
0o0
It was a week until the Ball, and Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the Room of Requirement talking to Sirius and Remus through the enchanted mirror.
'So, Harry, have you got yourself a date for the Ball yet?' asked Sirius.
'Yes, I do and I'm not telling you who she is, so there,' Harry replied.
'Ron, Hermione, do you know?'
'No, Harry hasn't told us, sorry, mate,' Ron told him.
'Anyway, now that part is over, is there anything else, Cub?' said Remus.
'Well, yeah, there is one thing; the egg. It wails and screeches every time it's opened; any ideas?'
'Hmm, not sure, but give me a few days to think about it, I promise to let you know if I can think of something,' said Remus.
'Cool, thanks, Remus,' said Harry.
They continued to talk for a while longer, before doing some more meditation exercises.