December 10, 1994

"Who the hell announces a ball on a Thursday when there are no more Hogsmeade visits!" Hermione ranted.

"Calm down, Mione, we'll just owl away for dress robes," Ron assured her.

"No, Ronald, you'll owl away for dress robes. Me and all the other muggleborns will have to show up in our pajamas!" Hermione screeched. "Nothing in the muggle world would be appropriate for the primeval values held by the wizarding world!"

Harry watched in fascination as Hermione, once again, pointed out everything wrong with their world. He, Ron, and twins didn't notice Ginny grab Neville by the arm and drag him out of the Great Hall.

"Ginny, where are you-ouch! Stop pulling me. I'll follow you." Neville said as Ginny raced up the steps until they reached a small classroom on the third floor.

"Neville, I know that I'm a third year and I can only go to the ball if an older student asks me," Ginny said, pacing the room.

"I don't think you'll have a problem finding a date then," Neville said rubbing his wrist.

"That's the problem," Ginny said stopping in front of him.

"You have a problem with being popular? Neville laughed.

"No, I have a problem with two of our best mates getting into a pissing match over who can ask me first."

"You were just kissing Harry in the common room a few weeks ago," Neville said.

Ginny went pink and sat on the desk. "I can't choose between them, not yet. I-I like them both a lot, but I don't want to hurt one of them or their friendship, or my friendships with them, I can't be the one to destroy this. Things have already changed, we all can tell, ever since the ferret incident. Why can't one of them just break my heart so I don't have to break everyone's?"

"Ginny," Neville sighed sitting next to her, "You're going to have to," Neville said rubbing her shoulder in a friendly manner.

"Will you take me to the Ball, Neville?" Ginny asked, wiping her eyes.

"I'd say yes, but I don't know who would kill me first, your brothers, Harry, or Draco."

"None of them will." She said looking up at him. "We can keep it a secret if you'd like, so you don't get killed. Well, Hermione and Luna will have it figured out by now."

"Alright," Neville said pulling her into a hug, "I'd be honored to take you."

December 12, 1994

"What the hell do you mean you've 'already got a date'?" Harry exploded.

Ginny took three deep breaths, trying to remember that bat bogeys weren't always the answer. At least, that's what her mum had said that summer. "I mean, Harry, that I am already attending the ball with a young gentleman who is neither you nor Draco. So you can go suck it."

"Who, though? Who would ask you?" Harry asked, wincing as he heard it.

"Like it or not, Harry, I'm a girl. A popular girl. People who are not you or Draco have noticed that I'm a girl and those people have asked me to the ball!" Ginny shouted. She did not add that she turned all those blokes down, or that she was the one that asked Neville for this exact reason. Harry didn't need to know those things.

"You can be serious, Draco said folding his arms. "They announced the ball two days ago and you already got a date."

"Do I really need to repeat myself to you two." Ginny huffed. "I. Have. A. Date. Find someone else to have a pissing match over."

"Shit," Harry said as Ginny walked off. "You swear it isn't you? This isn't you cashing in on that favor I owe you?"

"We agreed Ginny wasn't a part of that deal," Draco said rubbing his jaw. "Besides, I'm not the one who has to dance in front of the whole school with a date, the pressure isn't on me, Potter. Good Luck."

December 14, 1994

Logically, Lee Jordan was aware that, what with the upcoming Yule Ball, Viktor Krum would have to ask someone. The champions had to have a date and they had been ribbing Harry about his prospects for days. When it came to Krum, however, Lee naturally expected him to ask Angelina, Alicia, or one of the other quidditch mad girls. Instead, the Viktor Krum was asking little Hermione, Fred's Hermione, to the dance.

He was just in the library to grab a few books for the latest prank, and several for their potions homework, and get out before anyone important noticed. Now, he was torn. He didn't know what to do with this onslaught of information. Viktor Krum has a crush on Hermione. Viktor Krum has human emotions. It's never pleasant, realizing heroes are humans. This was the worst. His best friend's crush, snagging literally the hottest date of the season. It didn't matter that Fred had no clue, he and George knew and that's all that mattered.

"I-I would love to," he heard Hermione Granger, queen of elocution, stutter. He fled, not sure how he was going to inform Fred of his unknown loss.

Meanwhile, Hermione felt like her head was spinning. Viktor Krum, the Viktor Krum, asked her to the ball.

"Are you quite sure?" she tacked onto the end of her question.

"Do not take offense, but I have been vatching you study since Halloween. You are smart, capable vitch. More important, you are vitch who vill have a real talk vith me, not one about Quidditch." Viktor explained. "You are intimeedating to me."

"Oh, but…" Hermione blushed and trailed off. Then, something occurred to her and she snapped her head back up. "I am warning you, I won't be spilling secrets about Harry and his training. We both know that cheating is a major part of this tournament, but I will not be the pawn."

"No, nothing like that. Just real conversation. About anything that isn't Quidditch." Viktor clarified, having mentally prepared himself for this reaction.

"I would love to have an evening that doesn't revolve around Quidditch or this tournament. And I think you're just the man who can help me." Hermione said, blushing and smiling.

Draco watched as Krum walked away, letting out a whistle of impression. "Oh, shut it," Hermione said giving him a little push. "Keep quiet about it too. I don't want any more attention."

Draco nodded his head as he turned his head to the door. He was calm as he watched Ginny and Luna walk to them, giggling as they sat down.

"What's going on?" Luna said, looking at a blushing Hermione.

"Are you going to the Ball together?" Ginny asked with indifference.

"No," Hermione stated, her smile still on her face. "We'll talk later."

"Speaking of dates, "Draco said, dropping his quill. "I was wondering if you would like to go with me, Luna."

"You're only asking me since Ginny already has a date." Luna shrugged. "As long as you are aware that there will be no snogging involved at this event, I see no problem going to the Ball with you."


December 15, 1994

Lee felt white hot jealousy pierce his heart. Fred had just asked Angelina to the dance to prove something to Ron. Well, two could play this game. If Fred could ask Angie, of all the Chasers, he could break the man code as well.

"Hey, Hermione, you're a girl right?" Lee started, knowing Hermione would be a bit offended.

"Well spotted, Lee. How long did it take you to work that bit out?" She spat, brows furrowed in anger.

"Now, now, no need for hostility. I know you're a girl. That's why I'm asking if you want to go to the Ball with me," Lee stated rather than asking.

"Well, I would Lee. You're a great friend and all, but I already have a date." Hermione blushed and did a secret smile thing girls did when both embarrassed and excited.

The look on Fred's face was worth the public rejection, even knowing it would happen. Betrayal went two ways today, but what else was expected of teenagers? And, as was the way of teens, Ron just had to jump in.

"Bloody hell, Mione, you don't have to make up a date. That's the third person you've told that line to. Just break down and go with me or Harry. It'll be fine. We won't even make fun of you for lying," Ron said, ignoring the red in Hermione's cheeks. "Right, mate"

"This battle is between you and Hermione. I'm staying well away from it. Congratulations on your mystery date, Mione. Don't hex me when you hex this guy." Harry said, remembering Sirius' advice on never angering a witch, especially one as scary brilliant as Hermione.


December 20, 1994

Professor McGonagall looked over her unruly bunch and wished someone else would have taken up the head of Gryffindor for this particular event. She did not want to do this.

"The Yule Ball, as you all know, is coming. The house of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the wizarding world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you, in one night, besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons!. Yes, Mr. Potter?" She started, wishing she still had confiscated firewhiskey in her desk.

"You made me take dance classes when I was growing up, even when Padfoot said I didn't have to. Do I have to stay?" Harry asked innocently. In answer, she rolled her eyes and pointed to his chair in the silent 'sit until I release you' motion that all mothers and teachers instinctively know.

She heard the Weasley twins snickering and mocking in the background, but she ignored them in favor of tormenting one Ronald Weasley. She found that she still wasn't quite over the fact that Ronald tended to be one of her lazier students, but he had managed to defeat her giant chess set at only 11. So, she planned on getting some petty, yet harmless, revenge. "Mr. Weasley, if you would join me. I would like you to place your hands on my waist."

"On your wha'?" Ron exclaimed, walking up to Harry's legal guardian.

"On my waist, Mr. Weasley. Just like that," McGonagall helped him. When the twins let out a wolf call and Ron made to leave, she just grabbed him and made him dance, allowing him to lead. This was the second reason why she picked the youngest Weasley. Ginny had forced him to learn how to dance and he excelled in ways no of the other boys had. It was that athletic-ness that allowed him to play Keeper so well.

"You're never going to let him live this down, are you?" Harry snickered, leaning back to the twins.

"Never!" They vowed in unison.

"Everyone, on your feet. It's time to practice." She commanded.

The girls, predictably, jumped up and flooded the boys, who sat still, willing the wall to swallow them up. Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, it was Neville Longbottom that gathered his renown Gryffindor courage first and took Angelina Johnson's hand and led her to the floor flawlessly, challenging all the boys to step their game up. The seventh years weren't about to be showed up by a fourth year, and the younger years weren't about to pass up an opportunity to dance with older girls. It worked a treat and McGonagall smiled on her little lions.


"What, pray, are you doing, lurking in corridors?" Professor Snape asked, sneaking up on a group of fourth and fifth year Slytherins all trying to spy through a peephole.

"Professor McGonagall is teaching the lions how to dance, Professor!" Daphne Greengrass crowed. "The littlest boy Weasley looks so uncomfortable dancing with her!"

"Professor, are you going to teach us how to dance so we don't disgrace our proud heritage?" Theo Nott asked, batting his eye innocently.

"I will be doing no such thing. You've parents unloaded enough galleons on dancing lessons for most of you. It's up to those individuals to make sure their housemates aren't totally incompetent. However, if I remember correctly from Draco's dance classes, that will be the equivalent of the blind leading the blind." Snape waved them off. Then he added. "Ten points from Slytherin for absolute idiocy. And getting caught spying."


December 21, 1994

Realizing the dilemma presented to the witches in the room, the three schools organized for the Great Hall to be transformed into a small shopping center. Madame Malkins, Gladragges, every wizard designer was present and ready to outfit the ball. Fleur swept Hermione away instantly, telling Ginny and Luna they were capable of dressing themselves, but Hermione needed extra help for her mystery date. Hermione herself would have been offended if it weren't for the fact that they had to open the ball and all eyes would be on her for the first few moments.

"If it helps, I know a few things that Charlie will find attractive," Hermione said, following the gorgeous Veela-woman through the crowds.

"Oh, eet 'elps. But first, you." Fleur nodded. "I, fortunately, can pull off just about anytheeng."

"I believe that." Hermione smiled, showing the older girl that she wasn't being hateful.

Fleur smiled back and with that, they settled down to finish their shopping.

Harry and Ron had been pacing Minnie's classroom, attempting to figure out who to take as dates. The girls who wanted to go with them either wanted to go for the attention or for a chance at a Champion. It wasn't an easy task, and the ball was almost there. Harry and Ron decided to pull out the Map and look at their prospects.

"May Repetion?" Harry said sticking his nose up, "Not pretty enough."

"Plus she smells," Ron added flipping to the Great Hall section of the map.

"What about Romilda? She has always like me," Harry sighed. "She could work."

"Don't stoop that low. Besides, Ginny would laugh at us for the rest of our lives." Ron said, before pointing to two figures walking side by side. "The Patil twins?"

Harry's eyes darted to the two figures walking into the Great Hall where every other girl was located. "They would be perfect. Nice, but not crazy."

"Attractive but not cocky about it." Ron nodded.

Harry put the Map back into his sack and rushed out of the room with Ron behind him, catching the twins before they made it into the hall.

"Hello, boys," Parvati smiled. "We were-"

"Do you have dates for the Ball?" Harry asked, breathless.

"No, but we are still going," Padma responded.

"Would you like to go with us?" Ron said with a slight smile. "We won't embarrass you, swear."

"Okay."


December 25, 1994

Everyone made a grand show of pretending that Christmas and Christmas cheer were the only things on their minds early Yule morning. Presents were exchanged, jokes were made, and Weasley sweaters were donned by all. Even Neville and Draco received sweaters, much to Harry's disgust. Hermione swatted his arm and told him to mind his manners when he said the thought out loud.

"Who knows," Hermione chastised. "Maybe Mrs. Weasley doesn't care about our petty fights. Maybe she wants us all to feel loved. Have you ever thought about that, Mr. Champion?"

Harry mimicked her maturely as he chomped down on a sausage. Hermione rolled her eyes and gestured for Luna to sit with them. Fred and George smirked at her overly pink Weasley sweater while wondering how their mother had time to knit all of them. Owls flitted in, dropping off mail for students that weren't strictly Christmas gift related.

Hermione and Draco both seemed perplexed when the giant eagle owl belonging to Draco dropped a package off with Hermione before leaving the Great Hall. Hermione brows knit in confusion, read the note attached to the box. She let out a little gasp and quickly opened the lid, before slamming it back down and staring straight into space. Then, she jumped up, grabbed Ginny by the arm, and dragged her from the table, smacking Harry over the head as she went.

Harry rubbed his head as another letter landed in front of him and Ron. They looked at one another before reading the letter.

"Harry and Ron,

We are more than thrilled to hear you have found excellent dates to the Ball for this evening. Mrs. Weasley and I would like to remind you that this is a date, and you should treat your dates with respect. This means, if they would like to dance, you dance. You did ask them to a dance, after all. If we hear any negative report about your dates being upset or disinterested in one of the most important nights in their adolescent lives because you two acted like fools, you will be reprimanded.

With love,

Hestia and Molly


"Look, Ronnie, I've only got the one set of robes, and Bill's lent both of his to the twins. But Percy had this one set of decent dressrobes left and they'll be way better than that monstrosity Mum sent up." Charlie said, showing Ron the robes in the box he was holding.

"Merlin, Charlie. These are way better than those hand-me-downs from Aunt Tessie." Ron said, marveling at the clothes that really could have been from this century. "Sure Perce doesn't mind? He's been following Crouch around like mad through these games."

"Naw. He's got his 'good set,' which if you ask me looks just like these, only they're that darker blue color girls go wild over. Relax, kid. Just because you've got to wear hand-me-downs doesn't mean they have to suck." Charlie laughed, ruffling his hair.

"Thanks for lookin' out, Char." Ron said, cracking a smile.


Harry waited at outside the Great Hall with Pavarti. He nervously ran his fingers through his hair. Sure, he knew how to dance, but that didn't mean he wanted to do it in front of everyone he knew. Pavarti was nattering on about something and Harry tried to pay attention, but all he cared about was catching a look at Ginny. Obviously, she and her mystery date were already in the Great Hall, because he hadn't seen them go in at all. He was really, really hoping it was Draco because then he could punch him for lying and there would be some real entertainment at this shindig.

"Harry, are you even listening to me?" Pavarti asked. Harry blushed and shook his head.

"Sorry, I was spaced out." Harry replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I said, she looks gorgeous." Pavarti repeated, gesturing up the stairs. "I didn't know she had it in her."

As Harry took in Hermione in all of her glory, he realized what had been in that package at breakfast. Her hair was finally neat spiral curls. The wildness wasn't gone, but the frizz was. He rubbed the back of his head in memory pain. He'd known about it for years, but never once thought to get ahold of some for her.

"How did she get her hair to do that? It's usually a frizzy mess." Pavarti said, curling her lip in a sneer meant to mask her confusion.

"The Black family hair potion." Harry explained. When Pavarti's eyebrow went up, he added, "Without it, the entire Black line, excluding Draco, have massively uncontrollable curls. With it… Well, you can see how effective it is. Even Adara uses it regularly."

"And you didn't think to offer Hermione some because…" Pavarti trailed off.

"I'm a guy! Guys don't think about hair! They think about Quidditch and pranks and sh...stuff." Harry replied, getting his manners under control.

Hermione arrived at the bottom step then, turning to look for her date. Harry felt his chin drop when Viktor Krum, the Viktor Krum, greeted her and led her to the champions' line. They looked happy. They looked friendly.

"Are you going to take your eyes off her?" Pavarti asked, breaking his concentration. "I mean, you're acting like you didn't know she was going with the Bulgarian Hottie."

"I didn't." Harry replied. "She didn't tell us who her date was, just that she had one. Ron didn't want to believe her, but I knew she wouldn't lie about it."

"Well, we pestered her until she cracked this afternoon. I mean, Delacour knew, but we didn't. We're only her roommates!" Pavarti exclaimed.

"Have I mentioned how lovely you look this evening, Pavarti? I don't think I'm doing this whole date thing right and Hestia will hex me if she finds out." Harry suddenly asked.

"You're doing fine Harry." Pavarti laughed. "It's not like you're mooning over Cho Chang or anything. The only girl you've ogled is Hermione and with that hair, it's totally understandable."

"Thanks. Hestia's mean with a wand." Harry relaxed. Pavarti laughed at that and the two joined the line of champions and their dates.

"Tell me something," Pavarti whispered in Harry's ear. "Does Fleur's date look like the Weasley twins, but not really?"

Harry whipped his head around to stare dumbly at his date. When she gestured at Fleur, he whipped back around and looked, really looked, at her date.

"Well, I'll be damned." Harry started. Then he blushed as added, "Sorry, sorry. I know better than to swear in front of girls. I have manners, I promise."

"Don't worry about it, Harry." Pavarti laughed again, more girlish this time. "You were raised by the Sirius Black. He's still a dark legend of the Gryffindor girls bathhouses. It's charming when you do it sparingly."

"Oh." Harry gaped. "And yeah, that's Charlie Weasley. I don't know how that happened, but I'm sure Ginny and Hermione know what's up."

"Judging from his staring, I can tell you what's up." Pavarti muttered, then she blushed. "I'm so sorry, that just slipped out!"

"You forgave me, I think I can forgive you." Harry chuckled. "Let's just forget the whole formal language thing and have fun, yeah?"

"Sounds like a great plan." Pavarti agreed, smiling charmingly as Harry led her into the Great Hall. Years of Hestia and Aunt Minnie's forced dancing lessons came out as Harry expertly led Pavarti through the opening waltz. Harry caught sight of Hermione's periwinkle dress and Charlie's red hair, but other than that, he kept his focus on his date. After a few dances, they made their way over to Ron and Padma to get drinks.

"Is… Is that Loony? How the hell did she snag a date with Draco Malfoy?" Pavarti said, elbowing Padma gently.

"Who the hell is Loony?" Harry asked, seeking his friend and rival in the crowd.

"You know. Loony Lovegood." Padma explained slowly.

"Do you mean Luna?" Harry asked.

"See? You do know her," Pavarti cheered.

"Look, Luna's a friend. We don't go bashing Lavender do we?" Ron asked, getting huffy.

"What's wrong with Lav?" Pavarti asked hackles raised.

"Actually, Pav, they're right. Lo- Luna is friends with little Ginny Weasley and that's Ron's sister, you know." Padma quickly diverted. "Also, Lav's a bit one dimensional."

"She's not!" Pavarti exclaimed. Harry and Ron held their breath as Padma just stared at her twin in awkward silence. Finally, Pavarti added, "Okay, she is. I get it. No making fun of friends. What about Parkinson? Can we make fun of her?"

"Parkinson is completely fair game. She used to step on my feet in dance lessons, the cow." Harry agreed, laughing tentatively. The girls laughed their agreement and they continued to dance the formal session of the Yule Ball.

It was in that moment that Ginny and Neville joined in the dancing, both laughing and smiling as Ginny looked down at her feet, her red and black dress moving back and forth as they danced. Draco and Harry bumped into one another, as they stopped dancing with their partners.

"Ginny," Harry blinked, unable to believe his eyes.

"Neville," Draco said, his expression the same.

"So that's who she took," Pavarti said, leading Harry to start up their dance again. "I was wondering."

"You knew about this?" Draco asked Luna as she smiled at the couple.

"Of course, I did," Luna smiled. "But she didn't want anyone to know. Besides, you don't want to ruin everyone's night by making a big deal of this, right?

Draco nodded, leading her to dance again.


Fred had felt jealousy before. It was hard not to, being the fourth- or fifth- of seven in one of the poorest families in Wizarding Britain. He was certain, however, that he had never felt jealousy on this level. Hermione was dancing with that Bulgarian oaf, Krum. Suddenly, it didn't matter that mere hours ago, he adored the man for his superior quidditch skills.

"Freddie, I recognize that face. Don't go breaking her heart, especially not tonight. If you wanted to go with her, you should have just asked, instead of hitting on Lee's girl." George said, still not happy about his dear brother breaking one of the rules of the man code.

Fred took a deep breath. His twin was right. He didn't ask the girl, so of course, she would go with someone else. That was the logic of it.

"Wait! What do you mean 'Lee's girl'?" Fred asked, turning on his twin.

"Maybe we've spent too much time on the Nosebleed Nougets." George gulped. "Lee's been crushing on Angelina since last spring. That's why he asked Hermione to the ball after you asked Angie."

"Why would he do that? Ask 'Mione, I mean?" Fred asked, genuinely confused.

"Oh, brother-mine. Let's go find Charlie and take the mickey out of him for going with a younger girl, yeah? That'll make you feel better." George chuckled, leading Fred away.

"Did it have to be Krum, though?" Fred asked as they hunted their brother.

"I totally agree with you, Freddie. She and Fleur would make a much better picture. Can't you see it now, them all snuggly," George said, waggling his eyebrows, causing Fred to laugh.

Fred decided to let it go. After all, he didn't realize how he felt about the girl until that arsehole started dancing with her, even if it was stiff, formal dancing. He was glad George talked him out of causing a scene. That would have just ruined Angelina's night, and now that he realized that Lee liked her too, they could go about setting the two up. Yeah, there were schemes to be hatched. But first, "Oi, Charlie! You know she's our age, right?"


When the food was taken away and the Weird Sisters began to play, everyone was excited. Harry and Pavarti went about dancing with as many different people as they could, making it a competition to see who could dance with the craziest person. They both declared the Weasley twins and Charlie the winners after they ran up to Professor Snape and did some weird hip thrusting moves towards his general person. Just before he could hex them, they fled, laughing, into the crowd of students and couldn't be convinced to go into open areas for the rest of the night.

As the night came to a close, Hermione dumped the proverbial bucket of water over their mirth as she overheard Harry and Ron's whispered conversations.

"Harry James Potter, what exactly do you mean you have no idea what the next task is?!"


Kat: Here it is! What you have all been waiting for!

Gabs: The Yule Ball! Oh, and look, no pissing contests!

Kat That's a first! I can't believe it? Can you? Review to tell us! No, really. REVIEW! We send parts of the next chapter to you! We might even answer a question or two!

Gabs: Yes review! We own nothing!

XOXO

Gabs & Kat