~*~ Hiya! Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out! I've been writing TONS! …I just haven't posted any… tee hee! Anyhoo, I hope you like this chapter… I think it's perfect for this time of year, Christmas! ^_^ ONLY 4 DAYZ LEFT 'TIL CHRISTMAS!!! YaY!! Hehe! Anyway, Enjoy! ~*~

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After that incident, Ron and Harry looked up to Hailey, with a sort of newfound respect. The only girl they had ever known to hit Malfoy before was Hermione. Hailey didn't see it as an act of bravery though, she had done it simply because Malfoy had ticked her off…and because she wasn't about to try and control her temper just for him. Who would want to waste such a good opportunity? Now, everything had pretty much gone back to normal, and Hailey was grateful. That was one thing that bugged her; when people made a fuss over little things. If it were up to her, she wouldn't have told anyone. She probably would have either left it alone, or taken matters into her own hands, and if it got out of control, then she would ask for help. That's the way she was; very independent, just like her mother.

It was Wednesday, and Harry was up in his dorm getting ready for Quidditch practice. Alicia had announced a few days before, that their practices would now take place on Wednesdays and Fridays, with the exception of extra practices here and there. Hailey was already ready, and was waiting with Hermione and Ron in the common room. Harry was running a bit behind, because he was talking with Sirius after class and had completely lost track of time.

"Harry! Aren't you ready yet?" Hailey shouted up the stairs. Her question was answered when she heard Harry's footsteps bounding down the stairs.

"Yes, I'm ready! We'd better go, or we'll be late!" he said rushed voice.

"Oh, and your one to talk!" Hailey laughed. They made their way outside of the castle and raced towards the pitch, where the rest of the team was waiting.

"Sorry we're late!" Harry and Hailey said in union, both equally winded from the run.

"No problem, we haven't started just yet," Alicia told them, as she put her clipboard down and mounted her broom. Harry and Hailey said bye to Hermione and Ron as they went to sit in the stands, and mounted their own brooms. They kicked off from the ground and flew a couple of laps around the pitch, before taking their positions, ready to start play. Madame Hootch, who was assisting their practice, kicked open the crate and the bludgers and snitch shot into the air. She then released the Quaffle and walked off to the stands, where she sat to watch. They practiced until it got too dark to see anything. Sweating and out of breath, they went into the locker rooms to change and discuss Fridays practice. Harry, Hailey, Ron, and Hermione met up outside the locker room and walked back to the castle for dinner.

Half way through dinner, Dumbledore rose to his feet and cleared his throat. The Hall fell quiet.

"So glad to see you all so happy and cheerful!" he said gleefully, "I do apologize for interrupting your fabulous dinner, but I have an announcement to make, regarding this years Christmas Holidays." Every student in the Hall was listening with bated breath. The thrilled silence was almost deafening. "I would like to inform you all, that in light of last year's Triwizard Tournament, though the turn-out was a grave and sorrowful time, we have decided to hold somewhat of a Yule Ball." The noise level in the Hall hit the roof. But Dumbledore regained their attention with no difficulty and continued,

"I ask that all students sign up for the Ball on the list that will be given to each house prefect. This is to be done in your House Common Rooms, and each completed list is to be handed in to you Head of House by next Friday. Thank you for your patience! You may return to your dinner!" He finished merrily, positively beaming at the reaction of his message.

Hailey and Hermione were extremely thrilled, but especially Hailey, considering this was her first Ball. Harry and Ron were happy of course, but this meant that they'd have to go looking for dates like they had to last year. Although, Harry saw an upside to it… he'd get another chance at asking Cho to the Ball.

"As happy and exciting as this may be, it's bloody depressing trying to find a date." Ron grumbled as he turned back to his dinner. Harry, on the other hand, wasn't entirely listening to him. He was craning his neck to try and find Cho at the Ravenclaw table. He spotted her chatting eagerly with some of her friends, obviously thinking of boys worthy of their accompaniment to the Ball. Fifteen minutes passed and the golden plates cleared one more time. Everyone began to make their way quickly back to their towers, all of them wanting to ensure their spots on the list to stay over the Holidays.  Harry, Hailey, Ron and Hermione were some of the first people on Gryffindors list. As usual, they were among the last few people left in the common room, where Hailey brought up the subject of the Christmas Dance.

"So, who're you going to go with, Hermione?" she asked her. Hermione shrugged,

"I don't know," she said offhandedly.

"Well, I'm sure you'll find someone… What about you, Harry?" she asked. Harry blushed deeply and was thankful for the partial darkness in the room.

"Um… I was going to ask Cho…" he mumbled under his breath, hoping no one would catch what he'd said. Unfortunately, Hailey caught it.

"Ahhh… And who might this Cho be?" she asked, mocking a wise tone of voice.

"She's the Ravenclaw seeker…" Harry replied. They sat and talk for nearly and hour about the Ball. Hailey suggested dates for Hermionie; they discussed their dress robes (Ron's mood lightened slightly, seeing as he'd got a new set of very nice new robes for his birthday); but not once did she ask Ron whom he was taking to the dance.

The four of them were heading up to bed, when Hailey stopped Ron before he could go any further up the staircase.

"Ron?" she asked timidly, he twisted around to meet her face.

"Mhmmm?" he responded. She shifted nervously on the spot.

"I… I know that, usually, guys are the ones to ask the girls, but… I was wondering… If maybe… Oh, never mind. You probably wouldn't want to." She bowed her head, and fiddled her thumbs. Ron put his hand her arm, to get her attention.

"I wouldn't want to, what?" he asked inquisitively. She looked up and her cheeks turned a soft crimson.

"I was wondering, and hoping that you would go to the Ball with me…" she told him shyly. Ron's ears turned pink, as he stuttered his answer.

"Um, uh, ah… y-yeah!" he finally managed to say. Hailey giggled and went up on her toes to give him a small, sweet kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks" she whispered, and she continued up the staircase to her Dorm. Ron stood on there, the tiniest bit shocked that he'd gotten a date before Harry and Hermione, and feeling kind of bashful that he'd been asked by a girl. But he went to bed in high spirits, nonetheless.

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