Chapter 8: A New Tradition

Some weeks later, while the school seemed to be on a gentle progression towards a relaxed atmosphere, everyone's mood seemed to have improved a great deal. Ron still hadn't told Hermionie how he felt about her, but Harry seemed to be making what he described as "progress" with Cho. It seemed to Hermionie that Harry was just about ready to ask her out. The issue seemed to be more of where he would take her, rather than if he would ask her.
"Just take her somewhere in Hogsmeade..." Ron suggested.
"Yeah, that's really romantic, going to "The Three Broomsticks"..." Harry replied.
"Look, Harry, just ask her out, you know you're dying to..." Hermionie interjected. "It's not the massive disaster event that you seem to think it is..."
"Alright, I'll ask her tomorrow, we've got to go get some dinner now..."
"Fine, but make sure you do... I'm not sure I can take much more of your moaning each evening!" Ron said firmly but playfully, as they made their way down to the great hall.

As soon as everyone had finished the main course, Dumbledore stood. Again, the room fell silent. Dumbledore usually had something important to say if he rose after the main course. It was the theory of the first years that if he was congratulating someone, he rose before the meal began, if he was encouraging, he rose after dessert, but only rose in the middle of a meal if something important had happened, or was going to happen...
He began to speak...
"Students, colleagues, friends... It is my pleasure to make an announcement of two new events that will grace our calendar this year..."
Harry groaned inwardly. The last time Dumbledore had announced a new event, he had almost been killed with Cedric. He decided that whatever this was, he wasn't going to like it...
"After much discussion between the professors and myself, it has been decided that you all deserve a reward for your excellent effort this year..."
The great hall fell into a mix of confusion and delight, but was quickly hushed by Dumbledore.
"We have decided to stage three balls over the remainder of the year, not dissimilar to the Yule ball last year, which was a great success."
**Speak for yourself** thought Harry and Ron simultaneously.
"The first of these three will be held at Christmas, the second in the spring, and the third in the summer, at the end of the year."
Applause came from all corners of the hall, but again was hushed.
"There is another announcement that must be made... After corresponding with the heads of Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons, we have decided that the time is right to introduce school Quidditch matches."
The entire hall burst into cheers of delight, particularly from the Gryffindor table, where Harry and Ron sounded like they'd been made kings... It took fully five minutes to calm everyone down sufficiently for Dumbledore to continue. Even Hermionie seemed to thing that this was a great event... Dumbledore remained calm, and spoke again.
"As always, I expect an unparalleled level of behaviour from you all... In regards to the Hogwarts Quidditch team, it will be selected by Madam Hooch, based on your performances in your training time, as well as in the upcoming matches..." Again the room began to murmur rumours of the likely team... "Finally, " Dumbledore said, slightly raising his voice to compensate for the ambient noise, "I expect all of you to continue your excellent effort towards your studies, otherwise you may not be allowed to attend some or all of these events... Thank you for your attention." He sat, and the room burst into conversation once more...
"School Quidditch! I don't believe it! This is amazing!" Exclaimed Harry.
"Finally something to be happy about!" Said Ron, nearly as excited as Harry. Hermionie was the first to voice a problem.
"If you get selected, then you can start celebrating. You're setting yourselves up for disappointment now... Think about the dance instead..." Almost as soon as she said it, she wished she hadn't.
"Harry, you can ask Cho!" Marcus pointed out, apparently he wasn't really sure about the whole goings on, but he seemed as excited as the rest of the students...

As they left the hall, still on a high, Harry crashed into Cho.
"Oh, I'm sorry..." He started, suddenly realising it was Cho.
"It's okay..." She replied, humoured by the event. Harry suddenly decided that he should ask Cho to the dance now, before anyone else could.
"Cho..." He started, searching for the right words... "I don't know how to say this really... I've really liked you for a while, and I would really be honoured if you would go to the ball with me." **That sounded so much better in my head** he thought.
"Harry, I'd love to..." Cho beamed as she replied. Harry started again without thinking...
"It's okay, I just thought I might ask, you know, I thought you probably wouldn't, so I'll just be going back..."
"Harry, I said yes!" Cho laughed as she corrected him. Harry was slightly shocked, but mostly delighted.
"Alright! I'll talk to you later then..." He said, shocked, and trying not to sound too over-the-moon.
"Okay." Cho smiled again as she turned away in the direction of her common room. Harry in turn ran back to his, thankfully not running into anyone. He leaped through the Fat Lady, shouting the password just in time. As he landed on the other side, he called out to Hermionie, Ron and Marcus...
"She said yes!!! She said yes!!!"
"Harry, that's great!" Hermionie almost shouted to him as she hugged him. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Congratulations Harry," Marcus added. "Took you long enough!"
"Thank goodness!" Ron concluded happily. "No more moaning and groaning!"
Harry was delighted. Things couldn't be going better for him. How little he knew that very soon, things would be getting very much worse...