What was I going to do? I couldn't be more happy, or mad. Dumbledore had just announced that after the success of the Yule Ball the year before, that he'd hold another one, in honor of Hogwart's victory. There was two ways to look at it. The first one was; a second chance from last year. Yes, Hermione and I had the hugest fight over her date, Viktor Krum, who used to be my old idol. Whilst there was the exception that she wouldn't give me another chance.

I knew Hermione was smart. It wasn't going to take her forever to figure it out. Everyone else could. And she was the smartest person in the school. So, today, December 20, I, Ronald Weasley, will attempt to ask a Hermione Granger, to the Yule Ball at Hogwarts School.

The four of us,(Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and I) walked to the Great Hall the morning for breakfast.

"I'm going to the Library," Hermione declared as she got up from the table. "See you, later!" And she left.

I waited a few minutes, and then slowly walked after her. When I finally reached the Library, I saw Hermione sitting at her-our- usual table. Getting closer, I saw Neville talking to her. Oh, great. I though, Neville beat me to her. Hiding behind a shelf of books, I waited for Neville to leave. Then, I walked over to her.

"Hi, 'Mione," I started. "Did Neville ask you to the Ball?"

She looked rather surprised. "Yes. Yes, Neville did."

"And you said....?"

"I said 'no thank you, Neville'. Why?"

"Well, we're friends, and y'know, friends stick together." Stupid, I thought to myself. "So, who are you going with?"

"Not that again, Ron!" She said, I looked somewhat hurt, or something of the sort, because she smiled. "It was a joke! No, I'm not going with anyone, yet."

"What about Vicky-Viktor?" I asked, trying not to call him 'Vicky' at any expense.

"Well, can you promise not to tell anyone?" I nodded. "I didn't go to Bulgaria, and well, he was upset by it."

"Oh. I'm sorry.."

"Don't be sorry! I'm glad." She smiled. Not the smile! Her smile was just so beautiful.

"Well, anyway..I was wondering, Hermione."

"Oh, dear! Alert the Media! Wondering and thinking is very dangerous!" I turned around. It was Malfoy.

"Oh, go away, or to Hell... take your pick." I sneered. Hermione laughed.

"Actually, I was wondering, if this Weasel hasn't already asked you, but do you wanna go to the dance with me?"

"No. I'm going with somebody else." Said Hermione sharply.

Malfoy left and muttered something.

"I thought you said you weren't going with anybody." I asked her.

"I'm not. So, what were you saying?"

"Actually, I was just wondering if you'd go with me." I muttered.

"Sure, Ron. Sure. Actually, you were who I was talking about." She smiled and flung her arms around me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`



Today, is Christmas. The Yule Ball. It was about 5:00 when Hermione, Parvati, Ginny and Lavender went up to the Dormitories to get ready.

Harry, Seamus, Dean, Neville and I waited until seven, when we left. Putting on our dress robes (Bill had bought me some new ones) we waited for the girls.

"Oi, this is the most boring half an hour of my life." Harry announced, waiting for my sister. We agreed. Then finally, Lavender emerged from the door, in pretty pale purple robes.

"Gentleman, and Gentlemen, of Gyrffindor. I present to you: the new Hermione Granger!"

And with that, the door opened again, and behind Parvati, and Ginny, was a girl who looked nothing at all like Hermione.

Her hair was still bushy, but not as. And Hermione's hair had always been a light brown. But now it almost looked blonde. She looked taller, and skinner. I'd would've guessed it'd take a real fight for Parvati and Lavender because she noticed that she was wearing a little bit of makeup.

"Well, now. Shall we go?" she asked. Everyone was studying her. She looked so different.

When left out to the hall Seamus whispered to me, "I knew they were going to do that to Herm. You're lucky."

The Ball was great. Last year, wasn't near as fun. Actually, now that I think about it. Last year wasn't even fun. Hermione and I danced all night.

"Ron," she said. "Do you think we could go outside?"

"Okay, sure." And I followed her out into the Grounds and onto a bench.

"I've got to tell you something. It's Important. I love you." She smiled.

I would've kissed her. Right then, if it weren't for someone coming up from behind....

A/N- CLIFFHANGER!!! DUN DUN DUN!