Chapter 2
The sorting that night was most uninteresting. Dumbledore gave a speech before the feast began announcing the year's beginning and prominent events.
"Again, as a reminder, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden," Dumbledore smiled at the phrase. "And as a new event this year, we will be having a winter ball. (A.N. Sorry! I couldn't resist! What's a romance fic without a ball? LOL) It will take place the night prior to Christmas holiday vacation. You are expected to dress to impress. Further details will be given out later. And now, enjoy your feast and sleep tight!" Professor Dumbledore raised his glass and sat back down.
Ron looked excited over at Harry. "Harry! D'you hear that? A winter ball! I won't make the same mistake I made last time we had a ball!" He said this very fast and in a whisper so Hermione wouldn't hear. Harry's heart plunged. He knew Ron was rather fond of Hermione, but hadn't expected him to act so soon.
"Er..that's..uh..great, Ron, really great! I hope- erm..good luck!" He said without much heart. He knew at that moment, when he felt the dread in his heart of Ron asking Hermione, that he was in love with her.
Harry could remember all the times she had stuck by his side..all those times she had been there for him. In his first year, she had helped him solve the Sorcerer's Stone dilemma. In his second year, she had spent hours in the library, looking for clues pertaining to the Chamber of Secrets, saving him from being horribly surprised with the basilisk. In his third year, she had made sure he didn't do anything rash to avenge Sirius. In his fourth year, she had been there when he was in the horrible fight with Ron, had been there to help him master the spell he needed to get past the first task, had been there with Ron to spend all her free time in the library researching ways to survive underwater, ignoring her exams and disregarding her usual study prep, had been there for him when he needed moral support. She had helped him complete his homework when he had to focus on Quidditch. She had encouraged him and was always there when he needed someone. Harry realized that it was because of Hermione that he was here. And now he didn't take it for granted any more. He realized he appreciated it, and loved her for reaching out to him.
It was a horrible predicament to put himself in though. It wasn't easy falling for your best friend, and he didn't have Ron on his side this time. In fact, Ron was oblivious. Harry glanced over at Hermione, who was politely listening to Parvati going on about what she was going to wear.
"Ugh, my aunt brought me these dress robes the day before I left as a present. It's practically her size, and she's a clown at the local wizard circus! I can't wear that!" Parvati said desperately. "I need something fitting, something bright, luscious, something that will make the guys stare!"
"We can go shopping in Hogsmeade for some dress robes, Parv. Don't worry about it. Hey, how about some tight, frilly, lace robes? You'll look so sexy you'll knock the guys flat on their faces!" Lavender suggested gleefully.
Hermione spit out the mouthful of pumpkin juice in her mouth and burst our laughing. Her eyes sparkled from excitement. Harry's heart began to beat faster as Hermione moved her food to the seat next to him. "Hi, Harry. I need to get away from all that insanity for a while. Honestly. They're already talking about what they're going to wear!" Hermione said, slicing her meat. "It WILL be fun though, won't it? I'm really excited! A winter ball! It'll be just like last year, and that was terrific! Imagine what the great hall will look like.." she wondered aloud.
"Yeah, Ron and I were just talking about it," Harry replied, Ron nodding fervently by his side.
"Harry, going to ask Cho again?" Ron asked with a grin. Hermione laughed before putting a comforting arm on Harry. She smiled warmly, "I'm sure you'll have better luck this time, Harry."
If only you'd cooperate, Harry thought to himself. But how was he going to work this? Ron wanted to ask Hermione, and would be furious if Harry did. What did he value more? Friendship or the chance to be with Hermione for one night? To share a dance with her, by her side? To be the center of her attention, and see her bright eyes light up at the sight of him? To forget everything, all the troubles he had and devote himself to her? Harry groaned to himself. He wanted to ask her to the ball..not propose to her!
Thanks so much to Danielle, WaNdA, Pottermaniac, Max Lonewolf, someone, and FawkesnFlame!
Please review!!!
!
!
!
!
*
The sorting that night was most uninteresting. Dumbledore gave a speech before the feast began announcing the year's beginning and prominent events.
"Again, as a reminder, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden," Dumbledore smiled at the phrase. "And as a new event this year, we will be having a winter ball. (A.N. Sorry! I couldn't resist! What's a romance fic without a ball? LOL) It will take place the night prior to Christmas holiday vacation. You are expected to dress to impress. Further details will be given out later. And now, enjoy your feast and sleep tight!" Professor Dumbledore raised his glass and sat back down.
Ron looked excited over at Harry. "Harry! D'you hear that? A winter ball! I won't make the same mistake I made last time we had a ball!" He said this very fast and in a whisper so Hermione wouldn't hear. Harry's heart plunged. He knew Ron was rather fond of Hermione, but hadn't expected him to act so soon.
"Er..that's..uh..great, Ron, really great! I hope- erm..good luck!" He said without much heart. He knew at that moment, when he felt the dread in his heart of Ron asking Hermione, that he was in love with her.
Harry could remember all the times she had stuck by his side..all those times she had been there for him. In his first year, she had helped him solve the Sorcerer's Stone dilemma. In his second year, she had spent hours in the library, looking for clues pertaining to the Chamber of Secrets, saving him from being horribly surprised with the basilisk. In his third year, she had made sure he didn't do anything rash to avenge Sirius. In his fourth year, she had been there when he was in the horrible fight with Ron, had been there to help him master the spell he needed to get past the first task, had been there with Ron to spend all her free time in the library researching ways to survive underwater, ignoring her exams and disregarding her usual study prep, had been there for him when he needed moral support. She had helped him complete his homework when he had to focus on Quidditch. She had encouraged him and was always there when he needed someone. Harry realized that it was because of Hermione that he was here. And now he didn't take it for granted any more. He realized he appreciated it, and loved her for reaching out to him.
It was a horrible predicament to put himself in though. It wasn't easy falling for your best friend, and he didn't have Ron on his side this time. In fact, Ron was oblivious. Harry glanced over at Hermione, who was politely listening to Parvati going on about what she was going to wear.
"Ugh, my aunt brought me these dress robes the day before I left as a present. It's practically her size, and she's a clown at the local wizard circus! I can't wear that!" Parvati said desperately. "I need something fitting, something bright, luscious, something that will make the guys stare!"
"We can go shopping in Hogsmeade for some dress robes, Parv. Don't worry about it. Hey, how about some tight, frilly, lace robes? You'll look so sexy you'll knock the guys flat on their faces!" Lavender suggested gleefully.
Hermione spit out the mouthful of pumpkin juice in her mouth and burst our laughing. Her eyes sparkled from excitement. Harry's heart began to beat faster as Hermione moved her food to the seat next to him. "Hi, Harry. I need to get away from all that insanity for a while. Honestly. They're already talking about what they're going to wear!" Hermione said, slicing her meat. "It WILL be fun though, won't it? I'm really excited! A winter ball! It'll be just like last year, and that was terrific! Imagine what the great hall will look like.." she wondered aloud.
"Yeah, Ron and I were just talking about it," Harry replied, Ron nodding fervently by his side.
"Harry, going to ask Cho again?" Ron asked with a grin. Hermione laughed before putting a comforting arm on Harry. She smiled warmly, "I'm sure you'll have better luck this time, Harry."
If only you'd cooperate, Harry thought to himself. But how was he going to work this? Ron wanted to ask Hermione, and would be furious if Harry did. What did he value more? Friendship or the chance to be with Hermione for one night? To share a dance with her, by her side? To be the center of her attention, and see her bright eyes light up at the sight of him? To forget everything, all the troubles he had and devote himself to her? Harry groaned to himself. He wanted to ask her to the ball..not propose to her!
Thanks so much to Danielle, WaNdA, Pottermaniac, Max Lonewolf, someone, and FawkesnFlame!
Please review!!!
!
!
!
!
*