Harry slumped down by the fire feeling thoroughly miserable. The dancing flames seemed to taunt him, as if to remind him that he was the only Champion without a dancing partner, and the fool of himself he'd just made trying to get one. Life was so cruel.
Just then, Hermione bounded across the Common Room and flopped down on the couch beside him. She looked very pleased about something.
"Hi, Harry. I just heard about what happened with Cho. Bad luck, there," Hermione began brightly. "Still, now you're here, you can help me with this cryptic crossword."
She was looking so chipper and earnest that Harry didn't have the heart to tell her he wasn't in the mood.
"Alright," Harry shrugged dully.
"Great!" Hermione beamed. "Now the thing with this crossword is, that to solve it, you have to add together all the answers to some other questions first. So it's really important that we get those right, Harry. I tell you what, you read the clues out, and I'll see if I can find the solutions."
"Okay," Harry nodded, unfolding the parchment Hermione had given him. He was feeling so low, that he hadn't noticed this wasn't from a newspaper or a puzzlebook, but in fact looked as though Hermione had made it herself. "So, first clue … what is the name given to a document relating to a person's estate after death. Four letters."
"Oh, that's an easy one … 'will'," Hermione replied.
"Number two … something -slavia, former European country."
"Yugo, as in 'Yugoslavia'," Hermione chirped.
"Right. So that's 'will' and 'yugo' so far," Harry recited. "Do you want to write these down?"
"No, I'm sure I'll remember. Go on."
"How many sixes are in a dozen?"
"Two"
"What did William Webb Ellis pick up and run with to invent the game of rugby?"
"The Ball."
"If you are not without me … you are … what?" Harry read. "I don't get that."
"Why not?" Hermione pressed.
"Well, it's like it's asking you a question, isn't it?" Harry replied. "What sort of a crossword does that?"
"Well, can you think of an answer?"
"Um, I don't know," Harry frowned. "With me? Maybe?"
"That would be my guess, and maybe it should be framed as a question for the overall solution," Hermione told him, nodding piously. "Is that the last question?"
"Yes, that's the last one."
"Oh, no!" Hermione squeaked shrilly. "I should have listened to you, Harry. I've forgotten all the answers!"
"Don't panic," Harry told her, calmingly. "I think I remember them all. It was … will, yugo, two, the ball and with me, as a question. So it's … will you go to the ball with me? What sort of a crossword answer is that?"
Hermione looked up at him, blushing a sweet shade of crimson and waiting for him to understand.
"Well I will, you know … if you're asking."
Harry blinked, heat rising to his cheeks with the understanding, matching the exact shade Hermione's cheeks were wearing.
"Did … did you do that on purpose?" Harry whispered. "You want me to take you to the Ball?"
Hermione shifted shyly closer to him. "Actually, I rather thought we could go together ... as a couple. Forget Cho … I really like you, Harry …"