A/N: Here's the next installment!
Warms up as we get down into the planning of a fancy dress ball, Ron getting the balls to ask Hermione, and Harry using Neville's, Fred's and George's advice on an outfit. Quite smashing really. Let us know what you think.
~~~~~
CHAPTER FIVE:
After dinner, Hermione and Harry were asked to stay at the table by Professor McGonagal. Ron, knowing it was what he called "student slavery", left the two to attend to head boy and girl business. They watched as Professor Jackovf had a nervous conversation with an ill-mannered Snape.
"Seems the two don't get on well." Hermione muttered. Harry nodded. He wasn't really surprised though.
"Snape doesn't get on well with anyone." He replied. Hermione raised an eyebrow. She nodded towards Snape, where Malfoy had just sauntered over and interrupted the skittish Jackovf.
"That's not true. He gets on with Malfoy. I spose now he's a prefect his favouritism will be sickening." She shook her head, then smiled politely as Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagal sat at their table. Dumbledore took off his towering hat, and cleared his throat.
" Hello Hermione, Harry. As you may have noticed, this year will be vastly different to other years. Not as . . . formal. The competition will begin next week, and you both will be encouraged to participate. We need some talent. " His eyes twinkled. " There will also be an event held tomorrow evening, in an effort to make our guests at home. Proffessor McGonagal and I have decided it would be delightful to hold a fancy dress ball." Harry nudged Hermione, and they both sniggered. The look on Professor McGonagal's face was not a very good example of delight. "You will both be asked to debrief the prefects on the dance. It will begin at 6pm, and end at 12. That is all I ask of you both, as next week you will be extremely busy, and need to have some fun while you can." He smiled at Harry's soft groan. Harry reddedned, embarrassed he had heard it. "Kidding, Harry. You will be more than extremely busy. You will also be competing." Professor McGonagal shook her head, disproving.
"Meet me here at five tomorrow, sharp. Do not forget to bring all the prefects." She glanced at Dumbledore." Do you have anything else to say , Albus?" He shook his head, and they both stood. " See you all tomorrow then."
After they had left, the two walked towards the common room. Hermione, quite happy, chattered excitedly about the dance and the competition. Harry smiled and laughed with her, but felt extremely tired. He flopped down on an old couch, waving casually at Ron. Hermione sat across from Ron.
"Hey Ron." She said, smiling. " Guess what? There's a fancy dress ball tomorrow night. We have to meet McGonagal at five, she wants you and the other prefects to help as well."
Ron nodded. He glanced at Harry. Harry smiled. He was tired, but he knew what Ron desperately wanted to ask. Ron cleared his throat. Good on him, Harry thought.
"Hermione?" She looked up.
"That's all McGonagal wanted Ron."
"No!" He said, a bit too loud." It's not that." Hermione was as confused as ever.
"Then what the hell is it? I can't read minds Ron."
Ron sighed. " You know how in fourth year we never went to the dance together?" He trailed off. Harry slowly stood. Quick! Time to leave! He thought. Think of something!
"Er. . . I have to go. . . to the library. Right now. Er. . . Bye." He scooted away.
Ron gained some new confidence at Harry's absence. He didn't feel like he was performing now. " Hermione, I think it would be a real pity if we didn't go to this dance together. Last time was horrible for me, it would have been such a good night for me if we had been together. I know you had a good time with Viktor."
Hermione nodded. " I did Ron. But I would have just as good a time with you."
Ron smiled. " Then will you go to the dance with me, Hermione?" He blushed. " I really want you to. Please. . . Er. . . I'm not very good at this."
Hermione laughed, shocking Ron. "If you don't want to. . . " He began.
"No! I mean, of course I want to go with you. And you asked just fine." She giggled.
Ron grinned. " Wow, Hermione, thanks. We'll have so much fun, I swear!"
She smiled in return. " Now we just have to think of something to wear."
~~~~~
Harry sat down in the library. He spotted Neville sitting a few metres away. "Harry!" Neville called. " Good to see you, mate! Got a date yet? Watcha gonna wear?" He piped down at the librarians disgusted look, and crept over to sit next to Harry. "So mate, what are you going as tomorrow night?"
Harry thought about it. He had no idea. None. " Er. . . Ech. . . "
"Ohhh. . . " Neville said. Then he looked confused. "I give up, mate. Whats an Ech?"
Harry laughed. " I dunno. Probably something that has no idea. What are you going as?"
"Well," He began importantly, " I was thinking of going as. . ." He looked at Harry expectantly.
"Huh? Oh! Uh, what?" Harry prompted.
"Well. . . A wizard!!! Do you get it?" Neville smiled jubilantly.
"What?"
"A wizard! Are you ok, Harry? You seem a bit. . . Stupid or something. No offense."
Harry ignored the last comment. " A wizard. Riiiight. Very. . . Er. . . Clever."
"I thought so! Everyone can see how good I could be as a wizard. To surprise them all. Who would think of going to a Hogwarts fancy dress ball as a wizard? No one, that's who. The ladies will like it." He winked. " What are you going as?"
"Well, I dunno really. Got any other great ideas?"
Neville ignored the sarcasm. Or just didn't get it. " Sure I do. Good you asked mate. I've got to think about it. . . Erm. How about. . . No. Ok, I got it! Godric! Godric! I got it!"
"Godric? Godric Gryffindor? That's jumping the gun a bit, isn't it mate?"
"No, of course not! You are a bit slow today - "
" - look if you're gonna - "
" - but you've got the sword! And you're head boy! And we can get you some old robes from around here somewhere. Fred and George could get some. Brilliant! Brilliant I am! So, yes?"
" Uh. . . " Harry thought. It seemed a bit big headed. But it was just one night. And he didn't exactly strut around the school acting conceited. Yeah. Brilliant. "Ok Neville, good one that. Thanks mate. I owe you."
Harry left the library to go and find the sword. He needed to collect some stuff, maybe get some old looking robes. He didn't want to wear his. Everyone would think he was just wearing no fancy dress.
"Oi! Harry! Harry you prat! Are you deaf?" Harry turned, snapping out of thought.
" We thought you were going all stupid there for a second. Didn't even hear us. We were yelling." Fred began. George stepped up.
" For about 10 seconds I'd say. Awful long time. Anyway, what you going as?"
Harry shrugged. " Neville reckons Godric Gryffindor- "
"- Brilliant!-"
"- Wonderfull!" Fred and George cut in. " That would be brilliant." George continued. " Hey! We found some old stuff in one of the rooms off the second floor corridor. The eastern one. Old robes, a bit too heavy looking. That'd be perfect for your outfit."
Fred nodded. " Some old Gryffindor stuff. We were gonna nick it, but we didn't really give a toss. Too old, really."
" You guys read my mind. Wanna go have a look at it?"
" Yeah, sure." George said. " Just think of us as your friendly neighbourhood all purpose suppliers."
" Anyway, what are you guys going as?"
"Well," Fred looked at George. " Each other. Do you reckon I do a good George impersonation?"
Harry shook his head. " Brilliant."
~~~~~
Next chapter: The ball. What will Ron and Hermione go as? Will Harry pull his get up off? (As opposed to pulling it on? Who makes up this stupid language?) What will Draco go as? What about Victor? What about Professor Snape? Ah, laughs a plenty. Can't wait to see Professor Paris experiment out of the leather pants range. Don't count on it. Flick still has her. . . Aversion therapy.
Oh! And some serious stuff. We know Voldemort is waiting to pounce on the school. He has ties in the ministry, and knows there will be a competition, even if it is a ploy to further train the students against the dark arts.
There is a plot. Somewhere. You'll just have to wait and see! Sayonara!
ALSO... Thanks for reading this far! Again, we really do appreciate reviews. We are great full for the reviews we have, but more would be extremely welcome. Flame us! Or just plain water us in compliments. Whatever gets you going, we would appreciate reviews. Who should Harry go to the ball with? ( He really needs a friend.) Is our writing wasting invisible computer ink stuff? Do you think we should take another left at the lights, or keep going straight? Please let us know!
And many strawberry flavoured Kudos to those who have reviewed. And also to those who have read this far. Are we being too stupid? Review! Are we. . . . . . .
Warms up as we get down into the planning of a fancy dress ball, Ron getting the balls to ask Hermione, and Harry using Neville's, Fred's and George's advice on an outfit. Quite smashing really. Let us know what you think.
~~~~~
CHAPTER FIVE:
After dinner, Hermione and Harry were asked to stay at the table by Professor McGonagal. Ron, knowing it was what he called "student slavery", left the two to attend to head boy and girl business. They watched as Professor Jackovf had a nervous conversation with an ill-mannered Snape.
"Seems the two don't get on well." Hermione muttered. Harry nodded. He wasn't really surprised though.
"Snape doesn't get on well with anyone." He replied. Hermione raised an eyebrow. She nodded towards Snape, where Malfoy had just sauntered over and interrupted the skittish Jackovf.
"That's not true. He gets on with Malfoy. I spose now he's a prefect his favouritism will be sickening." She shook her head, then smiled politely as Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagal sat at their table. Dumbledore took off his towering hat, and cleared his throat.
" Hello Hermione, Harry. As you may have noticed, this year will be vastly different to other years. Not as . . . formal. The competition will begin next week, and you both will be encouraged to participate. We need some talent. " His eyes twinkled. " There will also be an event held tomorrow evening, in an effort to make our guests at home. Proffessor McGonagal and I have decided it would be delightful to hold a fancy dress ball." Harry nudged Hermione, and they both sniggered. The look on Professor McGonagal's face was not a very good example of delight. "You will both be asked to debrief the prefects on the dance. It will begin at 6pm, and end at 12. That is all I ask of you both, as next week you will be extremely busy, and need to have some fun while you can." He smiled at Harry's soft groan. Harry reddedned, embarrassed he had heard it. "Kidding, Harry. You will be more than extremely busy. You will also be competing." Professor McGonagal shook her head, disproving.
"Meet me here at five tomorrow, sharp. Do not forget to bring all the prefects." She glanced at Dumbledore." Do you have anything else to say , Albus?" He shook his head, and they both stood. " See you all tomorrow then."
After they had left, the two walked towards the common room. Hermione, quite happy, chattered excitedly about the dance and the competition. Harry smiled and laughed with her, but felt extremely tired. He flopped down on an old couch, waving casually at Ron. Hermione sat across from Ron.
"Hey Ron." She said, smiling. " Guess what? There's a fancy dress ball tomorrow night. We have to meet McGonagal at five, she wants you and the other prefects to help as well."
Ron nodded. He glanced at Harry. Harry smiled. He was tired, but he knew what Ron desperately wanted to ask. Ron cleared his throat. Good on him, Harry thought.
"Hermione?" She looked up.
"That's all McGonagal wanted Ron."
"No!" He said, a bit too loud." It's not that." Hermione was as confused as ever.
"Then what the hell is it? I can't read minds Ron."
Ron sighed. " You know how in fourth year we never went to the dance together?" He trailed off. Harry slowly stood. Quick! Time to leave! He thought. Think of something!
"Er. . . I have to go. . . to the library. Right now. Er. . . Bye." He scooted away.
Ron gained some new confidence at Harry's absence. He didn't feel like he was performing now. " Hermione, I think it would be a real pity if we didn't go to this dance together. Last time was horrible for me, it would have been such a good night for me if we had been together. I know you had a good time with Viktor."
Hermione nodded. " I did Ron. But I would have just as good a time with you."
Ron smiled. " Then will you go to the dance with me, Hermione?" He blushed. " I really want you to. Please. . . Er. . . I'm not very good at this."
Hermione laughed, shocking Ron. "If you don't want to. . . " He began.
"No! I mean, of course I want to go with you. And you asked just fine." She giggled.
Ron grinned. " Wow, Hermione, thanks. We'll have so much fun, I swear!"
She smiled in return. " Now we just have to think of something to wear."
~~~~~
Harry sat down in the library. He spotted Neville sitting a few metres away. "Harry!" Neville called. " Good to see you, mate! Got a date yet? Watcha gonna wear?" He piped down at the librarians disgusted look, and crept over to sit next to Harry. "So mate, what are you going as tomorrow night?"
Harry thought about it. He had no idea. None. " Er. . . Ech. . . "
"Ohhh. . . " Neville said. Then he looked confused. "I give up, mate. Whats an Ech?"
Harry laughed. " I dunno. Probably something that has no idea. What are you going as?"
"Well," He began importantly, " I was thinking of going as. . ." He looked at Harry expectantly.
"Huh? Oh! Uh, what?" Harry prompted.
"Well. . . A wizard!!! Do you get it?" Neville smiled jubilantly.
"What?"
"A wizard! Are you ok, Harry? You seem a bit. . . Stupid or something. No offense."
Harry ignored the last comment. " A wizard. Riiiight. Very. . . Er. . . Clever."
"I thought so! Everyone can see how good I could be as a wizard. To surprise them all. Who would think of going to a Hogwarts fancy dress ball as a wizard? No one, that's who. The ladies will like it." He winked. " What are you going as?"
"Well, I dunno really. Got any other great ideas?"
Neville ignored the sarcasm. Or just didn't get it. " Sure I do. Good you asked mate. I've got to think about it. . . Erm. How about. . . No. Ok, I got it! Godric! Godric! I got it!"
"Godric? Godric Gryffindor? That's jumping the gun a bit, isn't it mate?"
"No, of course not! You are a bit slow today - "
" - look if you're gonna - "
" - but you've got the sword! And you're head boy! And we can get you some old robes from around here somewhere. Fred and George could get some. Brilliant! Brilliant I am! So, yes?"
" Uh. . . " Harry thought. It seemed a bit big headed. But it was just one night. And he didn't exactly strut around the school acting conceited. Yeah. Brilliant. "Ok Neville, good one that. Thanks mate. I owe you."
Harry left the library to go and find the sword. He needed to collect some stuff, maybe get some old looking robes. He didn't want to wear his. Everyone would think he was just wearing no fancy dress.
"Oi! Harry! Harry you prat! Are you deaf?" Harry turned, snapping out of thought.
" We thought you were going all stupid there for a second. Didn't even hear us. We were yelling." Fred began. George stepped up.
" For about 10 seconds I'd say. Awful long time. Anyway, what you going as?"
Harry shrugged. " Neville reckons Godric Gryffindor- "
"- Brilliant!-"
"- Wonderfull!" Fred and George cut in. " That would be brilliant." George continued. " Hey! We found some old stuff in one of the rooms off the second floor corridor. The eastern one. Old robes, a bit too heavy looking. That'd be perfect for your outfit."
Fred nodded. " Some old Gryffindor stuff. We were gonna nick it, but we didn't really give a toss. Too old, really."
" You guys read my mind. Wanna go have a look at it?"
" Yeah, sure." George said. " Just think of us as your friendly neighbourhood all purpose suppliers."
" Anyway, what are you guys going as?"
"Well," Fred looked at George. " Each other. Do you reckon I do a good George impersonation?"
Harry shook his head. " Brilliant."
~~~~~
Next chapter: The ball. What will Ron and Hermione go as? Will Harry pull his get up off? (As opposed to pulling it on? Who makes up this stupid language?) What will Draco go as? What about Victor? What about Professor Snape? Ah, laughs a plenty. Can't wait to see Professor Paris experiment out of the leather pants range. Don't count on it. Flick still has her. . . Aversion therapy.
Oh! And some serious stuff. We know Voldemort is waiting to pounce on the school. He has ties in the ministry, and knows there will be a competition, even if it is a ploy to further train the students against the dark arts.
There is a plot. Somewhere. You'll just have to wait and see! Sayonara!
ALSO... Thanks for reading this far! Again, we really do appreciate reviews. We are great full for the reviews we have, but more would be extremely welcome. Flame us! Or just plain water us in compliments. Whatever gets you going, we would appreciate reviews. Who should Harry go to the ball with? ( He really needs a friend.) Is our writing wasting invisible computer ink stuff? Do you think we should take another left at the lights, or keep going straight? Please let us know!
And many strawberry flavoured Kudos to those who have reviewed. And also to those who have read this far. Are we being too stupid? Review! Are we. . . . . . .