One Down



"The guy to pair up first is Ron - the obvious choice," George told his brother later in the common room.

"Did I hear you two mention me?" Ron walked in at that precise moment from outside.

"Why dear brother, you are too suspicious!" Fred and George said together, their eyes shining with innocence - in other words, the exact picture of guilt and trouble to Ron. He groaned.

"What have I done to merit your attention?" he glared at them for a bit, before shaking his head and taking a seat next to Hermoine, who was doing her homework. He started reading over her shoulder.

"So that's the answer," he exclaimed suddenly. "I thought it was Unicorn hair, not Phoenix Feather. I'll have to change my answer."

"Buzz off Ron!" Hermoine swatted at the red head, pretending to be angry. "It's not fair to cheat."

"Awwww come on, 'Moine, please," Ron looked at her with puppy eyes. "At least go over my homework then, so I see if I've done any major mistakes."

Hermoine sighed. "Oh very well," she couldn't help smiling at him. "Now go away and leave me in peace." Ron went away, a victorious smile on his face.

Fred and George nodded at each other mischeviously.

"We got our work cut out for us," one of them whispered to the other. Ron caught their mischievous grins and felt uncomfortable. What were they up to *this* time?



Christmas was approaching. And nearly everyone was staying at school this year. The weather outside was so bad that Dumbledore decided it wasn't safe to trust the kids to journey home.

"Guess what guys!" Fred came tearing excitedly into the common room, George on his heels.

"What?" all the Gryffindors looked up, surprised at the two's excited appearances.

"We're having a Christmas ball this year, since everyone's staying over!" George told them as Fred was catching back his breath.

"Cool!"

"Oh no!!" The news was received with mixed feelings.

"We're going to have to ask girls to come with us again?" Harry groaned. He'd done it once, and wasn't looking forward to it.

"I'll be able to go with Justin!" one of the girls giggled. Excited whispers rose all over.

"Aha but!" Fred held up his hands. "You don't need to go with a partner, it's up to you, but if you want to go with that special someone, make sure he or she is not snapped up by someone else beforehand!"

Ron and Hermoine pointedly kept their gaze on the twins and did not look at each other.

"How come you know so much about it anyway?" Ron asked them suspiciously.

"Simple," the twins grinned. "We came up with the idea."

"What?!?" all the people dreading it shouted immediately.

"Yep," George looked pleased with himself. Ron felt an itch in his fingers to strangle his complacent brother.

"God this is awful," Ron groaned later that evening. Harry looked at him in surprise.

"What is?"

"This ball thing! I'll have to ask Hermoine to come with me!" Ron placed his head in his hands. The bedroom was deserted except for them.

"Well, Fred and George said we could go without partners," Harry suggested. Ron glared at him.

"Hah! If I don't ask Hermoine first, someone else will. Have you noticed how a couple of guys have stared at her since she got her teeth fixed? She'll be snapped up before you can say Quidditch!" Harry grinned.

"I hadn't noticed all those guys staring at her, but then, I'm not the one who's staring at her all the time," he laughed. "Just ask her already then." Ron looked green at this suggestion.

"Er...Harry would you ask her for me?" he suggested hopefully.

"No!! C'mon, you two should be together already. She'll say yes don't worry."

"I hope so," Ron sighed.

"Go on. Go ask her now. Better make sure you're the first." He pushed Ron downstairs, before the red head had time to stutter more than a couple of buts.



Hermoine sat in the common room. It was nice and warm in there, and there was a friendly atmosphere in the air which helped her relax and concentrate on her work. There was no one else in the room, but she felt contented.

Suddenly she heard someone come downstairs from the boys' bedrooms. Whoever it was nearly fell down the stairs as he clattered downstairs.

"I should have known it was you," Hermoine grinned at Ron, before returning to her Arithmancy.

"Hermoine it's almost Christmas!" Ron said exasperated. "Take a break!" Hermoine looked surprised.

"But I have to finish my homework."

Ron placed his hands on her books. "Just today, 'Moine, take it off. Come on, let's go do something fun for once." Hermoine looked astonished at him. Then her face split into a grin.

"Ok, but just this once!" Ron smiled at her, and suddenly grabbing what courage he was supposed to have (he *was* a Gyrffindor after all) and blurted out.

"Will you come to the Christmas Ball with me?" He felt his face heat up and was sure his face was redder than his hair. Hermoine just looked at him again, surprised.

"I was wondering if you'd ask me this time!" she laughed delightedly. "Of course!"

Ron was surprised at how his face could get any redder than it already was.



"Ron asked Hermoine to the Christmas Ball?" Fred and George asked Harry simultaneously as they burst into the dormitory.

"He was going to - I think he did. Why?" Harry looked up from his book. The twins slapped each other high fives.

"Way to go bro!"

"We are the greatest!"

"One down, all the rest to go!"

"What's going on?" Harry asked them confused.

"Top secret operation Harry!! We'll take care of you soon enough don't worry!" A suspicious look entered Harry's eyes.

"Oh no, what are you two planning? And how did you know about Ron and Hermoine anyway?"

"They are walking around the lake, holding hands. Thanks to us! See ya Harry bye!" And they rushed off, discussing, as Harry heard, but did not understand, who would be next.