Here is Chapter 2. More laughs and love stuff. Hope you enjoy.
Thanks to reviewers -
Tiger Lilly - you are very sweet, I'm absolutely flattered. Thankyou very
much.
Emily - Thanks, I like James C as well.
TOPGRRL - Good luck on your Lit test. Thankyou very much for reviewing, I
loved getting it.
Chapter 2
Hermione stalked back into lunch fifteen minutes later. She had taken emotion-steadying pills from Madam Pomfrey and now felt extremely neutral. Madam Pomfrey had assured her that such a thing was very rare and it was unlikely that she would ever experience it again. Hermione was very glad of that.
Sinking into the seat beside Harry, she ignored the grin both Ron and Harry were giving her, and began to eat. It was about then that Professor Dumbledore stood to address the Hall.
"As you all know, the Ball will be in eight days time, next Friday evening. To open the Ball, there will be a Dance-Off. The winners of the Dance-Off shall receive six front row seats for next week's New Year's Fantastic Fireworks, as well as a romantic dinner for the couple at any restaurant in Hogsmeade. That is all."
Harry glanced at Hermione, "Sounds pretty good, eh?"
Hermione eyed him suspiciously.
"Are you going to ask Ja..."
"Oh shut up, Harry."
Harry looked hurt, "I was only asking," he replied somewhat huffily.
Hermione sighed, "sorry, Harry. This has been a bit of an eventful day."
He grinned back at her, "I know."
Ron looked curiously over at Hermione, "So-o. Hermione..."
Hermione glared at him, "while I am perfectly happy to apologize to Harry for being rude, any waspish remarks that I aim at you will not be taken back. So don't bring it upon yourself." She turned back to her lunch.
"What's wrong with her?" Hermione heard Ron mutter to Harry.
"I don't think she appreciated you laughing at her before."
"Oh."
***
Hermione did forgive Ron later that day, and the three spent the remainder of the evening playing exploding snap and talking about the Ball. Harry had decided to ask Cho Chang, and Hermione had admitted that she was thinking about asking James. She also told the boys about the extra-curricular project they would be working on, and to their credit, neither laughed nor gave her too hard a time about it.
Ron, however, was as yet unsure as to who he would ask.
"There's Parvarti or Lavender," suggested Hermione, though in her own mind she could think of nothing worse. Ron, however, pretended to vomit.
"Or Parvarti's twin, Padma. You went with her last time."
"Or Hannah Abbott, you get on well with her in Herbology."
Ron shook his head.
Harry sighed. Hermione, however, had a brainwave.
"What about Erin Mouse?"
"Who?"
"Erin Mouse. She's one of my best friends from Primary School. I got an owl from Mum the other day saying that Erin was coming here. Apparently she got kicked out of Beauxbatons a couple of weeks ago. She's supposed to arrive tomorrow."
"What's she like?"
"She's really nice. You'd like her. And," Hermione added, seeing the unsure look on Ron's face, "she's really pretty."
Ron blushed slightly at that, "I'll see. I'll wait until I actually meet her."
He yawned, "I'm going to bed." And with that, he left.
Harry grinned at Hermione, "He might need to stop looking for the prettiest possible girl and start seeing that there are more than just looks."
Hermione also grinned, "that's just a little bit hypocritical coming from you. I mean, Cho's not exactly a troll, is she?"
Harry blushed, "But she's also very good at Quidditch," he protested, "I don't like her just because she's pretty."
"But that's a very big part of it, no?"
Harry's blush deepened. Then his expression turned sly, "Well what about you, Miss 'That-guy-really-bugs-me-because-he-has-been-out-with-half-the- girls-in-Hogwarts?' That attitude disappeared pretty fast."
Hermione grinned, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to go out with him just because everyone else has. If I go out with him, it will be because I like him for who he is."
"Spoken like a true hero."
"Very funny."
Harry yawned and stretched, "I think I'll head off to bed. Don't want to oversleep and miss this mystery Erin chick arrive," he made a face, "Sorry. I do believe that your precious James inflicted that expression on me. Interesting, isn't it?" He yawned again, then left.
Hermione was about to leave when she noticed the Weasley twins walking towards her.
"Hermione, how nice to see you," said Fred.
"We couldn't help but overhear that particular conversation. Sorry, but if you wanted it kept private, you should really talk under your breath. Anyway - "
" - We happened to overhear you mention that you have a friend coming to Hogwarts - "
" - And we also heard that you thought Ron should ask her to the dance - "
" - And we smelt the perfect beginning for a brilliant practical joke."
"Don't tell me," began Hermione with a grin, "you're either going to bring in some drop dead gorgeous..." what word had Harry used? "Chick or some incredibly ugly hag, right?"
"We-ell, we hadn't actually thought of those ideas - "
" - But now that you mention them, they have enormous potential."
"What we were actually thinking about - "
" - Something more along the lines of her coming along - "
" - Looking absolutely gorgeous - "
" - And Ron asking her to the dance - "
" - And then this Erin telling him she's already going with me," finished George.
"Are you?"
"No. Fred's going with Angelina, and I'm going with Alicia. But now that you've mentioned these new ideas..." his eyes narrowed, "I think I like them better. If we use the hag idea, we'd have to get him to ask her before she got here."
"Unless," interjected Hermione, " unless I told him tomorrow at breakfast that I sent an owl asking her already and I know she won't refuse. That would cause him some grief for most of tomorrow because he would spend the whole day fretting about what she's going to look like, etc." She grinned, "Gentlemen, I like it."
Fred looked at Hermione curiously, "Why are you suddenly so eager to do this? It's very unlike you to take part in anything troublesome."
Hermione grinned at him, "Oh, I just want to get him back for something he did today. This sounds perfect. Just one thing...Where are you going to find an incredibly ugly girl by tomorrow?"
George grinned at her, "just leave it to us."
***
Hermione woke early enough to be the first in the Great Hall the next morning. She ate quickly, and was just standing up to find Fred and George when Dumbledore entered the Hall.
"Good morning Miss Granger."
"Good morning Professor Dumbledore."
"I understand you know Miss Mouse who will be attending Hogwarts from now on. Could I ask you to meet her at the Hogsmeade station at four o'clock this afternoon? I will provide a carriage for you both if you like, unless you'd prefer to walk?"
"A carriage would be lovely, thankyou."
"Certainly. I trust you will help her to fit in? She has been Sorted already, she is to be in Gryffindor, and I have made special arrangements so that the two of you may move into the spare dormitory, if, that is what you wish, of course."
Hermione was delighted. She would be free from Parvarti and Lavender! "Of course. Thankyou very much, Professor!"
"You're welcome, Hermione. I know you work very hard towards your studies. Perhaps you could help Miss Mouse with anything she needs. Think of this as a reward for the last few years. You have a very promising future as a witch, Hermione. I hope I continue to see such promise as you continue your studies." With that, Dumbledore nodded to her and walked away.
Hermione stood rooted to the spot for a few seconds, then turned and headed for Gryffindor Tower. She wouldn't be surprised if her face was covered in writing again; she doubted if she had ever such high praise before in her life! And coming from Dumbledore! She shook her head in wonder and went to find Fred and George.
***
Hermione entered Gryffindor Tower still in a little shock, just in time to find Harry and Ron entering the common room.
"Morning," she greeted them cheerily, "Go on down to breakfast, I'll meet you there in a bit."
They agreed sleepily and headed out the door.
Hermione grinned at Fred and George, who had hidden themselves in a dark corner.
"Erin's train is due in at four o'clock, so maybe we should do this at lunch. Besides, I have to pick Erin up, and I don't want to miss this."
Fred nodded, "George and I worked out the details last night after you left. Your last class before lunch is Arithmancy, right? And Harry and Ron are in Divination. Now since you get out of Arithmancy twenty minutes early, go to the library with that James fellow and do your project thingy. Then, about ten minutes before the bell, George is going to pretend to be sick and I'm going to offer to take him down to the hospital wing. We've got Flitwick so he'll let us go. At the same time, you excuse yourself from the library, and go find Ron and Harry. We will go straight down to the Great Hall and set up for our little prank, while you take Harry and Ron to the library to grab your stuff and then back here to drop off your books. That should give people enough time to fill up the Hall."
"Then you come back, eat some lunch, and at about half past one, along will come "Erin" and you stand up and say "Erin" in a delighted voice. Nudge Ron and say 'isn't she pretty' in as serious a voice as you can manage."
"Then drag Ron along to meet her. Talk for as long as you can about Ron and Erin going to the dance. Then wander off and leave Ron to talk to her."
The twins grinned at her.
Hermione began to laugh, "How am I going to keep a straight face through all this? And who exactly is going to play Erin?"
Fred's grin broadened, "We'd hardly let you get all the credit for this,"
Hermione began to laugh harder, "You mean...?"
George grinned savagely, "You are looking at the new Erin Mouse."
***
Hermione had a very hard time not laughing during the course of the day. She had told Ron, to his utmost horror that she had sent an owl to Erin about the Ball. She had also run down to Hagrid's before she went to the Great Hall and asked him to release an owl with a letter sent to Hermione so that it would arrive about five minutes after she had entered the Hall. The letter was from "Erin" and it professed that Erin would love to go to the Ball with Ron. The letter also thanked Ron for offering her such a welcoming hand into Hogwarts, as she had been a little nervous as to whether or not her classmates would accept her simply for who she was. Ron had reacted to the latter statement as though a bolt of lightning had struck him.
"What does she mean by that? Why would people not accept her for who she really is?" Hermione had kept her smile to herself, "You'll understand when she gets here."
***
Arithmancy finally rolled around and Hermione waved the boys off before hurrying off to class. She was early, and sank into a chair at the back of the class. Despite the fact she preferred to sit at the front of the class, Hermione decided that if she did decide to have a giggle to herself about Ron's upcoming embarrassment, she would prefer to be at the back of the class where Professor Vector couldn't hear her.
"Hey, Hermione. Is anyone sitting here?"
Hermione looked up, to find herself gazing into James' gorgeous blue eyes.
Grinning, she shook her head.
"So, are we going to the library for the last twenty minutes of this lesson?"
She nodded.
"What, cat got your tongue?"
Hermione smiled, "No. I'm just..." she debated about telling James about the upcoming events, but decided against it, "I'll tell you later."
The Arithmancy class went faster than she expected. Before she knew it, she and James were heading down to the library.
"So...Hermione. I was just wondering..." he trailed off.
Hermione looked up at him, "You were just wondering...?"
"I was wondering whether you have a date for the Ball next week."
"Oh, well, actually, I..."
"Of course. I thought you would have. Never mind." Hermione was astonished to see him blushing. James Colonel, blushing?
"You know, you're supposed to wait until finished talking before you jump in. What I was going to say was that I was actually going to ask you that same question." She felt her face going red as well.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
James smiled, "In that case, would you like to go? With me, I mean?" he still sounded uncomfortable.
Hermione smiled back, "Of course. I would love to go to the Ball with you."
James let out a small breath of relief, "I never knew it was so hard to ask someone out."
Hermione frowned, "But..." she flushed slightly, "I thought... I mean... I thought you've been out with like... well... half the population here. No offense."
"None taken. That's true. But I never asked anyone out. They've always asked me. You're the first... the first girl I've ever really liked enough to ask."
Hermione felt herself going red again. She felt like she was going to explode with happiness. Then she started to panic, "There's not writing all over my face is there?"
James shook his head, bemused.
Hermione sighed with relief. Then she realised it had taken them about ten minutes to get down to the library. She was due to start walking up to the Divination Tower.
"James? I have a big favour to ask. I can't explain the details now, but I have to go. I'll tell you all about it at the Ball, unless I get a chance before that. I'm really sorry. I'll make up for it on the project. OK?" she didn't wait to hear his answer but turned and sprinted down the corridor.
***
Hermione arrived at the Divination seconds before Harry and Ron descended the ladder.
"Hi Harry, hi Ron." She greeted them brightly.
"Hi Hermione. How'd you get up here so fast? The bell only just rang."
Hermione shrugged, "I'll explain later." She glanced at her watch. It read 1:05. Twenty-five minutes until "Erin" arrived. Lucky she hadn't left her stuff in the library, they might not have had time to get it and drop it off at Gryffindor Tower.
"Come on, I want to drop this off before we go down to lunch." She grinned at Ron, "Erin's going to be here at one thirty. We should go."
Satisfied with Ron's look of resignation, she led them down towards Gryffindor Tower, telling them about James' invitation as they walked.
They arrived in the Great Hall at about one twenty. Ron and Harry began to shovel food into their mouths, but Hermione, who found that she was just a little nervous for some reason merely moved it around on her plate.
One twenty-nine. Hermione looked up at the Entrance frequently. Then she saw Fred and George make their appearance.
It was all she could do to keep from laughing.
The twins were side by side in a huge pink dress that flowed down to touch the floor so as to hide the four legs. While the twins are average size by themselves, side by side they were about a metre across, making "Erin" very large. They had also stuffed themselves with pillows to fatten her up. Fred's head poked out of the neck of the dress, making her look as though she had no neck, and George's head was tucked behind Fred's back giving "Erin" a hump. A huge floppy hat was perched over a long blonde wig, and to top it off, Fred had a mask on, a mask the twins had shown Hermione that morning. The mask was from Zonko's Joke Shop in Hogsmeade and had a spell in it to fit perfectly to the wearer's face. The wearer's expression showed on the outside of the mask, and unless you knew it was there, you could not detect the mask at all.
"Hermione!" cried Fred in a high pitched voice that rang out through the Great Hall. There was silence. Then some people began to snicker.
Hermione pushed away the urge to giggle and cried "Erin!" she grabbed Ron and dragged him over to meet "Erin".
"Ron Weasley, this Erin Mouse. Erin, Ron."
"Ron!" cried Fred in that same high pitched voice, "I've heard so much about you! And you asked me to the Ball next week, you are so sweet!"
Many people around them were now laughing hard.
"I told you she was pretty, didn't I?" whispered Hermione to Ron. Ron looked as though she was going mad.
"Anyway, I'll let you two talk, I know you must be eager to get to know one another."
And with that, she marched back and plonked herself next to Harry.
Harry was chortling, "That's not really Erin, is it?"
Hermione gave him a wink, "Keep watching, it's not over yet."
Harry grinned at her.
They turned back to the show at the door to the Entrance Hall.
Fred was now proceeding to hug Ron, still crowing about Ron's kindness.
Ron now looked as though he thought he was mad.
Hermione let them struggle about for a couple more seconds, then strode back over to the pair. Or trio. Depending on which way you wanted to look at it.
"Alright, that's enough."
Fred released Ron, who was now looking terrified.
George popped his head up.
People around them screamed.
Ron, however, figured out what was going on.
"George!" he turned to Fred's head and pulled at Fred's mask. It came off. "Fred!" Hermione took George's hand as the Hall exploded with laughter.
"April Fool's!" cried Fred.
"We're here until Thursday!" added George, and the twins bowed, taking Hermione with them. The Hall exploded once more, this time with tumultuous applause.
Ron stormed out of the Great Hall.
Hermione made her way back to the table. She suddenly didn't feel that this had been quite as good as she had thought. Ron had looked furious. Underneath the humiliation.
Harry grinned at her as she sat beside him, "That was absolutely brilliant."
Hermione gave him a weak grin, "D' you think?" She made up her mind suddenly, "I'm going to go find Ron."
***
So what do you think? Please review, as always. Next Chapter will be about the arrival of Erin, and the Ball will be coming up very soon. Thanks!
Chapter 2
Hermione stalked back into lunch fifteen minutes later. She had taken emotion-steadying pills from Madam Pomfrey and now felt extremely neutral. Madam Pomfrey had assured her that such a thing was very rare and it was unlikely that she would ever experience it again. Hermione was very glad of that.
Sinking into the seat beside Harry, she ignored the grin both Ron and Harry were giving her, and began to eat. It was about then that Professor Dumbledore stood to address the Hall.
"As you all know, the Ball will be in eight days time, next Friday evening. To open the Ball, there will be a Dance-Off. The winners of the Dance-Off shall receive six front row seats for next week's New Year's Fantastic Fireworks, as well as a romantic dinner for the couple at any restaurant in Hogsmeade. That is all."
Harry glanced at Hermione, "Sounds pretty good, eh?"
Hermione eyed him suspiciously.
"Are you going to ask Ja..."
"Oh shut up, Harry."
Harry looked hurt, "I was only asking," he replied somewhat huffily.
Hermione sighed, "sorry, Harry. This has been a bit of an eventful day."
He grinned back at her, "I know."
Ron looked curiously over at Hermione, "So-o. Hermione..."
Hermione glared at him, "while I am perfectly happy to apologize to Harry for being rude, any waspish remarks that I aim at you will not be taken back. So don't bring it upon yourself." She turned back to her lunch.
"What's wrong with her?" Hermione heard Ron mutter to Harry.
"I don't think she appreciated you laughing at her before."
"Oh."
***
Hermione did forgive Ron later that day, and the three spent the remainder of the evening playing exploding snap and talking about the Ball. Harry had decided to ask Cho Chang, and Hermione had admitted that she was thinking about asking James. She also told the boys about the extra-curricular project they would be working on, and to their credit, neither laughed nor gave her too hard a time about it.
Ron, however, was as yet unsure as to who he would ask.
"There's Parvarti or Lavender," suggested Hermione, though in her own mind she could think of nothing worse. Ron, however, pretended to vomit.
"Or Parvarti's twin, Padma. You went with her last time."
"Or Hannah Abbott, you get on well with her in Herbology."
Ron shook his head.
Harry sighed. Hermione, however, had a brainwave.
"What about Erin Mouse?"
"Who?"
"Erin Mouse. She's one of my best friends from Primary School. I got an owl from Mum the other day saying that Erin was coming here. Apparently she got kicked out of Beauxbatons a couple of weeks ago. She's supposed to arrive tomorrow."
"What's she like?"
"She's really nice. You'd like her. And," Hermione added, seeing the unsure look on Ron's face, "she's really pretty."
Ron blushed slightly at that, "I'll see. I'll wait until I actually meet her."
He yawned, "I'm going to bed." And with that, he left.
Harry grinned at Hermione, "He might need to stop looking for the prettiest possible girl and start seeing that there are more than just looks."
Hermione also grinned, "that's just a little bit hypocritical coming from you. I mean, Cho's not exactly a troll, is she?"
Harry blushed, "But she's also very good at Quidditch," he protested, "I don't like her just because she's pretty."
"But that's a very big part of it, no?"
Harry's blush deepened. Then his expression turned sly, "Well what about you, Miss 'That-guy-really-bugs-me-because-he-has-been-out-with-half-the- girls-in-Hogwarts?' That attitude disappeared pretty fast."
Hermione grinned, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to go out with him just because everyone else has. If I go out with him, it will be because I like him for who he is."
"Spoken like a true hero."
"Very funny."
Harry yawned and stretched, "I think I'll head off to bed. Don't want to oversleep and miss this mystery Erin chick arrive," he made a face, "Sorry. I do believe that your precious James inflicted that expression on me. Interesting, isn't it?" He yawned again, then left.
Hermione was about to leave when she noticed the Weasley twins walking towards her.
"Hermione, how nice to see you," said Fred.
"We couldn't help but overhear that particular conversation. Sorry, but if you wanted it kept private, you should really talk under your breath. Anyway - "
" - We happened to overhear you mention that you have a friend coming to Hogwarts - "
" - And we also heard that you thought Ron should ask her to the dance - "
" - And we smelt the perfect beginning for a brilliant practical joke."
"Don't tell me," began Hermione with a grin, "you're either going to bring in some drop dead gorgeous..." what word had Harry used? "Chick or some incredibly ugly hag, right?"
"We-ell, we hadn't actually thought of those ideas - "
" - But now that you mention them, they have enormous potential."
"What we were actually thinking about - "
" - Something more along the lines of her coming along - "
" - Looking absolutely gorgeous - "
" - And Ron asking her to the dance - "
" - And then this Erin telling him she's already going with me," finished George.
"Are you?"
"No. Fred's going with Angelina, and I'm going with Alicia. But now that you've mentioned these new ideas..." his eyes narrowed, "I think I like them better. If we use the hag idea, we'd have to get him to ask her before she got here."
"Unless," interjected Hermione, " unless I told him tomorrow at breakfast that I sent an owl asking her already and I know she won't refuse. That would cause him some grief for most of tomorrow because he would spend the whole day fretting about what she's going to look like, etc." She grinned, "Gentlemen, I like it."
Fred looked at Hermione curiously, "Why are you suddenly so eager to do this? It's very unlike you to take part in anything troublesome."
Hermione grinned at him, "Oh, I just want to get him back for something he did today. This sounds perfect. Just one thing...Where are you going to find an incredibly ugly girl by tomorrow?"
George grinned at her, "just leave it to us."
***
Hermione woke early enough to be the first in the Great Hall the next morning. She ate quickly, and was just standing up to find Fred and George when Dumbledore entered the Hall.
"Good morning Miss Granger."
"Good morning Professor Dumbledore."
"I understand you know Miss Mouse who will be attending Hogwarts from now on. Could I ask you to meet her at the Hogsmeade station at four o'clock this afternoon? I will provide a carriage for you both if you like, unless you'd prefer to walk?"
"A carriage would be lovely, thankyou."
"Certainly. I trust you will help her to fit in? She has been Sorted already, she is to be in Gryffindor, and I have made special arrangements so that the two of you may move into the spare dormitory, if, that is what you wish, of course."
Hermione was delighted. She would be free from Parvarti and Lavender! "Of course. Thankyou very much, Professor!"
"You're welcome, Hermione. I know you work very hard towards your studies. Perhaps you could help Miss Mouse with anything she needs. Think of this as a reward for the last few years. You have a very promising future as a witch, Hermione. I hope I continue to see such promise as you continue your studies." With that, Dumbledore nodded to her and walked away.
Hermione stood rooted to the spot for a few seconds, then turned and headed for Gryffindor Tower. She wouldn't be surprised if her face was covered in writing again; she doubted if she had ever such high praise before in her life! And coming from Dumbledore! She shook her head in wonder and went to find Fred and George.
***
Hermione entered Gryffindor Tower still in a little shock, just in time to find Harry and Ron entering the common room.
"Morning," she greeted them cheerily, "Go on down to breakfast, I'll meet you there in a bit."
They agreed sleepily and headed out the door.
Hermione grinned at Fred and George, who had hidden themselves in a dark corner.
"Erin's train is due in at four o'clock, so maybe we should do this at lunch. Besides, I have to pick Erin up, and I don't want to miss this."
Fred nodded, "George and I worked out the details last night after you left. Your last class before lunch is Arithmancy, right? And Harry and Ron are in Divination. Now since you get out of Arithmancy twenty minutes early, go to the library with that James fellow and do your project thingy. Then, about ten minutes before the bell, George is going to pretend to be sick and I'm going to offer to take him down to the hospital wing. We've got Flitwick so he'll let us go. At the same time, you excuse yourself from the library, and go find Ron and Harry. We will go straight down to the Great Hall and set up for our little prank, while you take Harry and Ron to the library to grab your stuff and then back here to drop off your books. That should give people enough time to fill up the Hall."
"Then you come back, eat some lunch, and at about half past one, along will come "Erin" and you stand up and say "Erin" in a delighted voice. Nudge Ron and say 'isn't she pretty' in as serious a voice as you can manage."
"Then drag Ron along to meet her. Talk for as long as you can about Ron and Erin going to the dance. Then wander off and leave Ron to talk to her."
The twins grinned at her.
Hermione began to laugh, "How am I going to keep a straight face through all this? And who exactly is going to play Erin?"
Fred's grin broadened, "We'd hardly let you get all the credit for this,"
Hermione began to laugh harder, "You mean...?"
George grinned savagely, "You are looking at the new Erin Mouse."
***
Hermione had a very hard time not laughing during the course of the day. She had told Ron, to his utmost horror that she had sent an owl to Erin about the Ball. She had also run down to Hagrid's before she went to the Great Hall and asked him to release an owl with a letter sent to Hermione so that it would arrive about five minutes after she had entered the Hall. The letter was from "Erin" and it professed that Erin would love to go to the Ball with Ron. The letter also thanked Ron for offering her such a welcoming hand into Hogwarts, as she had been a little nervous as to whether or not her classmates would accept her simply for who she was. Ron had reacted to the latter statement as though a bolt of lightning had struck him.
"What does she mean by that? Why would people not accept her for who she really is?" Hermione had kept her smile to herself, "You'll understand when she gets here."
***
Arithmancy finally rolled around and Hermione waved the boys off before hurrying off to class. She was early, and sank into a chair at the back of the class. Despite the fact she preferred to sit at the front of the class, Hermione decided that if she did decide to have a giggle to herself about Ron's upcoming embarrassment, she would prefer to be at the back of the class where Professor Vector couldn't hear her.
"Hey, Hermione. Is anyone sitting here?"
Hermione looked up, to find herself gazing into James' gorgeous blue eyes.
Grinning, she shook her head.
"So, are we going to the library for the last twenty minutes of this lesson?"
She nodded.
"What, cat got your tongue?"
Hermione smiled, "No. I'm just..." she debated about telling James about the upcoming events, but decided against it, "I'll tell you later."
The Arithmancy class went faster than she expected. Before she knew it, she and James were heading down to the library.
"So...Hermione. I was just wondering..." he trailed off.
Hermione looked up at him, "You were just wondering...?"
"I was wondering whether you have a date for the Ball next week."
"Oh, well, actually, I..."
"Of course. I thought you would have. Never mind." Hermione was astonished to see him blushing. James Colonel, blushing?
"You know, you're supposed to wait until finished talking before you jump in. What I was going to say was that I was actually going to ask you that same question." She felt her face going red as well.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
James smiled, "In that case, would you like to go? With me, I mean?" he still sounded uncomfortable.
Hermione smiled back, "Of course. I would love to go to the Ball with you."
James let out a small breath of relief, "I never knew it was so hard to ask someone out."
Hermione frowned, "But..." she flushed slightly, "I thought... I mean... I thought you've been out with like... well... half the population here. No offense."
"None taken. That's true. But I never asked anyone out. They've always asked me. You're the first... the first girl I've ever really liked enough to ask."
Hermione felt herself going red again. She felt like she was going to explode with happiness. Then she started to panic, "There's not writing all over my face is there?"
James shook his head, bemused.
Hermione sighed with relief. Then she realised it had taken them about ten minutes to get down to the library. She was due to start walking up to the Divination Tower.
"James? I have a big favour to ask. I can't explain the details now, but I have to go. I'll tell you all about it at the Ball, unless I get a chance before that. I'm really sorry. I'll make up for it on the project. OK?" she didn't wait to hear his answer but turned and sprinted down the corridor.
***
Hermione arrived at the Divination seconds before Harry and Ron descended the ladder.
"Hi Harry, hi Ron." She greeted them brightly.
"Hi Hermione. How'd you get up here so fast? The bell only just rang."
Hermione shrugged, "I'll explain later." She glanced at her watch. It read 1:05. Twenty-five minutes until "Erin" arrived. Lucky she hadn't left her stuff in the library, they might not have had time to get it and drop it off at Gryffindor Tower.
"Come on, I want to drop this off before we go down to lunch." She grinned at Ron, "Erin's going to be here at one thirty. We should go."
Satisfied with Ron's look of resignation, she led them down towards Gryffindor Tower, telling them about James' invitation as they walked.
They arrived in the Great Hall at about one twenty. Ron and Harry began to shovel food into their mouths, but Hermione, who found that she was just a little nervous for some reason merely moved it around on her plate.
One twenty-nine. Hermione looked up at the Entrance frequently. Then she saw Fred and George make their appearance.
It was all she could do to keep from laughing.
The twins were side by side in a huge pink dress that flowed down to touch the floor so as to hide the four legs. While the twins are average size by themselves, side by side they were about a metre across, making "Erin" very large. They had also stuffed themselves with pillows to fatten her up. Fred's head poked out of the neck of the dress, making her look as though she had no neck, and George's head was tucked behind Fred's back giving "Erin" a hump. A huge floppy hat was perched over a long blonde wig, and to top it off, Fred had a mask on, a mask the twins had shown Hermione that morning. The mask was from Zonko's Joke Shop in Hogsmeade and had a spell in it to fit perfectly to the wearer's face. The wearer's expression showed on the outside of the mask, and unless you knew it was there, you could not detect the mask at all.
"Hermione!" cried Fred in a high pitched voice that rang out through the Great Hall. There was silence. Then some people began to snicker.
Hermione pushed away the urge to giggle and cried "Erin!" she grabbed Ron and dragged him over to meet "Erin".
"Ron Weasley, this Erin Mouse. Erin, Ron."
"Ron!" cried Fred in that same high pitched voice, "I've heard so much about you! And you asked me to the Ball next week, you are so sweet!"
Many people around them were now laughing hard.
"I told you she was pretty, didn't I?" whispered Hermione to Ron. Ron looked as though she was going mad.
"Anyway, I'll let you two talk, I know you must be eager to get to know one another."
And with that, she marched back and plonked herself next to Harry.
Harry was chortling, "That's not really Erin, is it?"
Hermione gave him a wink, "Keep watching, it's not over yet."
Harry grinned at her.
They turned back to the show at the door to the Entrance Hall.
Fred was now proceeding to hug Ron, still crowing about Ron's kindness.
Ron now looked as though he thought he was mad.
Hermione let them struggle about for a couple more seconds, then strode back over to the pair. Or trio. Depending on which way you wanted to look at it.
"Alright, that's enough."
Fred released Ron, who was now looking terrified.
George popped his head up.
People around them screamed.
Ron, however, figured out what was going on.
"George!" he turned to Fred's head and pulled at Fred's mask. It came off. "Fred!" Hermione took George's hand as the Hall exploded with laughter.
"April Fool's!" cried Fred.
"We're here until Thursday!" added George, and the twins bowed, taking Hermione with them. The Hall exploded once more, this time with tumultuous applause.
Ron stormed out of the Great Hall.
Hermione made her way back to the table. She suddenly didn't feel that this had been quite as good as she had thought. Ron had looked furious. Underneath the humiliation.
Harry grinned at her as she sat beside him, "That was absolutely brilliant."
Hermione gave him a weak grin, "D' you think?" She made up her mind suddenly, "I'm going to go find Ron."
***
So what do you think? Please review, as always. Next Chapter will be about the arrival of Erin, and the Ball will be coming up very soon. Thanks!