"Ron!" I heard someone shout from behind me. I tried to turn around, but the corridor was way too crowded to try. So I shouted back, to who I didn't know, "In the Great Hall!" And pointed to the direction that I was heading for lunch. The person must of agreed, because there was no more shouting.

~*~*~*~*~

"Hey Harry." Ron said as his best friend sat down next to him at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.

"Too busy to turn around and wait for a friend in the halls?" He said in an amused voice.

"Sorry," Ron replied, "I didn't know it was you. And with it being lunch and all, well, it was a tad crowded." He paused, "What was it you wanted to say?"

"Oh!" As if suddenly remembering. "I wanted to ask who you were going to ask to the Yule Ball. You know the one that Dumbledoor announced this morning." He heard a groan in response. "Come on, don't tell me you're not going." No response. "You can't miss this!"

"Sure I can. After last year? *Pshaw* Not going to try again thank you very much." He shook his head and started eating, trying to block out Harry's 'persuasion' tactics.

"She's not even going to be here this year!" Ron almost choked on his pumpkin juice. He wiped some from his chin and looked startled.

"Who? What do you mean?" He said trying to blow it off.

"You know who I mean." Harry gave an almost evil smile. "Anyway, she said that she was going home for Christmas this year. Something about a traditional muggle Christmas. Of course, I have no idea of a 'traditional' Christmas, most of mine were locked up in a closet. Anyways..." Ron wasn't listening.

The 'she' was no other then Hermione. Of course they were close friends, but after the last Yule Ball with- Krum, he didn't feel right talking about things like that with or around her.

'Next time- ask me first and not as a last resort!'

That's what she said all right. When he wanted her as a back up since everyone else was taken. He didn't have a great time at the ball that time.

"Ron? Ron..." Harry snapped his fingers in front of his face.

"Wha- huh? Oh sorry, just thinking. You were saying?"

"Well- I *was* saying that she's packing right now, since the train is leaving tomorrow instead of Friday."

"It's Tuesday already?"

"No Ron, it's Funday..." Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, since We have last' off, why don't we go play some Exploding Snap or something." They started to leave when The Twins called Harry over. "Go on," he said to Ron, "I'll catch up." Ron eyed him suspiciously, he never did trust those brothers of his.

Harry made sure that Ron was half way gone when he turned to Fred and George. "What do you want guys?" Harry said knowing full well they were up to something.

"Want? Why, we don't want anything. Can't we just talk for a minute dear friend?"

"Um, no?" Harry said with a smirk. "Really, what are you up to now?"

"Well," Fred started leaning towards Harry, "we have a little plan."

"A great one if I say so myself." George interrupted.

"And this has *what* to do with me?"

"You're Ron's friend aren't you?"

"No," Harry said rolling his eyes once again, "I'm his pet unicorn."

"Okay, I think you're abusing sarcasm now." George replied bluntly. "Are you going to help or what?"

"All depends. What's it about?"

"Oh, not much. Some Charms, a best friend, two geniuses and a thick redhead little boy who can't survive without his dear loving brothers." They both smiled sweetly-- take that back, eerily.

"Oy, you're going to mess with Ron again aren't you?" Harry replied whining.

"Bye gum Forge! I think he's got it!" Fred said happily.

~*~*~*~*~

At the same time, Ron headed towards the tower, while he passed the sign up list for going home for Christmas, he slowed. He knew that Harry told him that Hermione was going home the next day for the holidays, but had to check for himself. And at the top of the list was, in neat cursive, 'Hermione Granger, 5th Year'

'Well,' he thought, 'I guess she is leaving... There goes my chance...' And he continued walking towards the tower.

End Part 1

AN: what did you think? My first HP fic! Yay! Well, review, should I finish??? Also, would anyone be interested in beta-ing for me? I'll take at least 2. Thanks ^_^

Disclaimers: Don't own any of the HP series yada yada