The last week of term became increasingly boisterous as it progressed. Rumors about the Yule Ball were flying everywhere, though Dudley didn't believe half of them - for instance, that Dumbledore had bought eight hundred barrels of mulled mead from Madam Rosmerta. It seemed to be fact, however, that he had booked the Weird Sisters to perform. There were even more rumors about who was taking who.

Dudley heard from Susan Bones that Ernie and Hannah were going together, whilst Susan had turned down Justin Finch-Fletchley.

"Between you and me he's an idiot," she said in a low voice during their muggle studies class.

"Got to accept somebody though," Dudley said. "Or you'll get stuck with a wart."

Susan had laughed, causing them to get told off by Professor Burbage.

"I'm waiting for someone else to ask me," she said, giving Dudley a meaningful glance which he failed to notice.

Dean had asked Parvati out in the common room. A giggling Parvati, accompanied by an even-more giggling Lavender, had said yes.

The fact that Ron was taking Cho Chang to the ball had become common knowledge. Since they were both seekers for their respective quidditch teams and both good looking, it created a lot of gossip. Hermione seemed disgruntled by this and huffed whenever she heard someone mention it.

Fred and George congratulated Ron soundly on getting a good date to the Ball. "Never knew you had it in you," Fred said.

"Yeah, we were expecting you to put it and off and put it off until you ended with a troll," said George.

"A what?" Hermione said, coldly.

"You know, someone like Eloisa Midgen or that big Slytherin in your year ..."

"Milicent Bulstrode," supplied Dean.

"Yeah, her," said Fred.

"So you lot will go with anyone, even if they're completely horrible?" Hermione said.

"Pretty much," said Fred. "Though, my date both beautiful and very nice, thank you very much."

"Who are you going with then?" Hermione asked.

"Angelina,"

Ron goggled at him. What?" said Ron, taken aback. "You've already asked her?"

"Good point," said Fred. He turned his head and called across the common room, "Oi! Angelina!"

Angelina, who had been chatting with Alicia Spinnet near the fire, looked over at him.

"What?" she called back.

"Want to come to the ball with me?"

Angelina gave Fred an appraising sort of look.

"All right, then," she said, and she turned back to Alicia and carried on chatting with a bit of a grin on her face.

"There you go," said Fred and gave a wink.

"How about you, Dud?" George said. "And you Hermione, you're the only two dateless."

"Unless you're going together?" Fred said, his eyes widening.

"No!" said Hermione and Dudley together.

"Somebody has already asked me" Hermione said, her nose in the ear.

Ron stared at her as if her head had just fallen off. "Who?" he demanded.

"None of your business, Ron," she said, sniffily.

She turned to head to her dorm. "Who do you think it is?" Ron asked in a hushed voice.

"Seamus?" Dudley suggested.

"Nah," said Dean. "He's going with someone from Ravenclaw."

"Maybe Anthony Goldstein? I think they have ancient runes together," Dudley said, taking a stab in the dark.

Ron shrugged. "Could be," he said. "As long as it's not someone stupid."

Dudley decided he would ask Luna when he next saw her. She was usually hanging around the common room with Ginny.

Sure enough, later that evening, Luna and Ginny emerged from the portrait hole and sat by the fire to work on their homework.

Dudley felt relieved that Ron and Dean were preoccupied with their divination homework so they couldn't put him off. Well, there was nothing else for it.

Feeling as if his feet were suddenly five times too big, he walked over to where they were sat.

"Hello, Dudley, got a date for the ball yet?" Ginny asked, brightly.

Dudley sighed. Why did she have to mention the Yule Ball.

"No, not yet, that's erm ... well ..."

Ginny's grin widened like a Cheshire Cat.

"Go on," she said, in a sweet voice.

Luna turned her wide eyes towards her. "Kneazle got your tongue?" she asked.

"No," said Dudley.

"Or maybe a Crankywurst? They do that sometimes, though, usually when you're sleeping,"

"No, listen," Dudley said. He could hear talking outside. It was now or never. "Luna, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Yule Ball with me," he said, ignoring Ginny whose grin was now so wide he was surprised that the top part of her head hadn't fallen off.

Luna smiled. "I would love to!" she said happily, clasping her hands together. "I didn't think anyone would ask me! Especially not a Triwizard Champion! Shall we wear matching robes?"

Dudley, thinking of the ludicrous outfit that Lockhart had bought for him quickly shook his head. "No, wear what you want."

"Yes!" beside them, Ginny cheered, throwing her arms into the air. "It's about time! Honestly, Dud, you can be as dense as Ron! I thought you'd never do it!"

"Never do what?" Hermione asked, she had just emerged from the girls' dorm.

"Dudley asked Luna to the Yule Ball!" Ginny said quickly.

"Ohhhh Duddy!" Hermione squealed, looking delighted. "I knew you liked her! I'm so glad you asked her!"

"Yeah, ok," Dudley said, "Just don't ever call me Duddy again," he said.

Ginny and Hermione laughed.

"What are you lot so giddy about?" It was Ron, he and Dean had just come back from the library.

"Dudley asked me to the Yule Ball," Luna said, happily. "And I said yes!"

"You and Luna?" Ron and Dean were wearing identical expressions of shock.

"Wow... I ... congratulations Dudley," said Ron.

"Yeah, nice one, mate," Dean said, sitting next to them. "Glad you found someone willing to put up with you."

"Just hope Luna wears thick shoes," Ron said.

"Why?" Luna frowned.

"Because there is no way that Big Dud is a graceful dancer," Ron said, smirking.

"And like you are," Ginny shot back. "I feel sorry for Cho, having to dodge your giant feet."

Dudley grinned, it hadn't been so hard really, asking Luna to the dance. Much easier than facing down the Swedish Short-Snout anyway.