Chapter 13-

Days passed since Harry and Hermione's "break up". Everyone was whispering about it wondering whom would they now go to the ball with. The ball was only a week away and everyone was excited about it.

Hermione and Harry didn't talk much anymore. They would pass each other around school saying hi and bye. When they ate they just talked about class and now Harry didn't ask for any homework help. Cho, not wanting anyone to know, was happy that Harry and Hermione broke up. It did hurt her to see Harry sad but she hope he would get over it and finally ask her out.

Ron was also happy about the break up but was too guilty to admit it. He couldn't deny his feelings any longer and admit to himself that he was in love with Hermione. Once she was ok again he would ask her out.

Hermione was in her room looking at her dress for the ball. Dumbledore told them they didn't have to wear robes just formal clothes. Hermione laid the dress out on her bed and she stood there looking at it.

"Maybe I shouldn't go. I mean there's no one I could go with and." Hermione said out loud. She picked up the dress and looked at the mirror. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to go for the food."

Hermione sighed and put the dress back in her trunk. She looked at herself one last time and left the room for the Great Hall. Hermione was the first to get down there; she just went in and sat. After a few minutes the room was packed with kids. Harry walked in and saw Hermione. He awkwardly just looked at the ground and sat across from her. Hermione not wanting their friendship to be like this anymore that she said, " Harry, we shouldn't act this way."

" What do you mean?" Harry said not wanting to admit something was wrong with their friendship. " You know very well what I mean Harry Potter. After the whole thing, look why won't we just forget it and be friends again," Hermione said.

"We are friends."

" No we're not. Harry let's just forget about everything ok? I just want things to be the way they used to be," Hermione said. Harry saw the sadness in her eyes and it hurt him to see her that way. He said, " Ok Hermione I promise things will be back as there suppose to be."

Hermione smiled and then Ron sat next to her. The three started to eat and finally it felt right again.

Harry walked to the library by himself needing to catch up on some work. Just then Cho came out of nowhere and was by his side. " Hello Harry," she said.

" Hi Cho, going to the library too?"

" Yeah. Harry. I want to ask you something but I'm not sure if it's appropriate." Cho said.

" What is it?" Harry asked as he stopped walking.

" See I want to ask if. Would you like to go to the Christmas ball with me? I mean since you and Hermione aren't- you know. But if you don't feel ready or anything I would under-." Cho said when Harry interrupted her.

" Cho! It's ok, I would love to go to the ball with you," Harry said. He figured he might as well go with somebody and it might as well be his crush.

" Really?" Cho asked with happiness. " Great! I need to go now. I'll see you later ok?"

" OK bye!" Cho smiled and left. As Harry watched Cho leave he had this weird feeling. Like he was making a wrong decision. Harry shrugged it off and went off to the library.

As usual Hermione was there studying when Harry walked in. He sat next to her and Hermione looked up surprised. " Hi Harry."

" Hi Hermione. I see your getting a head start for the finals again."

"I have to be prepared," Hermione said with a grin. Hermione looked at Harry as he got out his parchment and quill. She wanted to ask him something but wasn't sure if it was appropriate. Finally she couldn't handle it any longer she said, " Harry, I want to ask you something."

" What is it?" Harry looked up.

"Are you going with anyone to the ball?" Hermione whispered.

Harry looked down not sure if he should tell Hermione. Slowly he said, " Um. Yeah. I'm going with Cho."

That answer made Hermione feel queasy. Hermione said, "Oh."

" Are you going with anyone?" Harry asked.

" Not sure maybe," Hermione whispered. Not wanting to talk anymore she went back to her studies and so did Harry.
Hermione walked down the halls gloomily. ' I can't believe he's going with Cho! But what did I expect? I mean he's suppose to after all he is in love with her!' She thought to herself. ' I should be going with someone too. What about Ron? I mean I still like him and it would be a perfect way to see how he feels about me.'

Just then Ron appeared. " Hi Hermione what are you doing here?"

" I should ask you the same thing. I was walking and you?"

" Oh the same. I am so bored!"

" Ron. I was thinking." Hermione said shyly.

" What is it?" Ron asked.

" Well. Would you like to go to the ball with me?" Hermione said quickly. She looked at Ron's face, which was shocked. His ears were turning as red as ever. " Ron are you all right?"

" Um. I. I. I'm fine. Just surprised that's all. Um." Ron stumbled. " Ok I'll go with- you."

Hermione looked at him strangely and said, " Ok then. We should head back now." Ron nodded and walked, well at least he tried to walk, back with Hermione to their common room.

Finally the day where everyone was waiting for had finally arrived. All the girls were wearing dresses, some puffy, some ugly, some pretty. The ball had already started and most of the students were there. But Harry, Cho, Ron, and Hermione were running a little late. Harry rushed to the Great Hall where he was supposed to meet Cho. Harry was there before Cho and after a minute she arrived.

Cho was wearing a black dress that made her look beautiful. Harry, for some reason, didn't think she looked any different. All the other guys thought she was gorgeous but Harry just thought she looked.. Looked normal. Nothing spectacular or breath taking. Cho looked at Harry waiting for him to compliment her.

" You look- You look nice." Harry said with a smile.

" Nice," Cho said through her smile. " Just nice?"

" Well. You also look pretty." Harry said awkwardly.

" Harry, I wanted to look more then pretty for you." Cho said sadly. Harry felt bad so he hurried and said, " You look beautiful. You're probably the best looking girl tonight."

Cho blushed by his comment took his arm and led him into the Great Hall. Everyone looked at them and they all gasped at how great Cho looked and how Harry wasn't with Hermione. Harry thought to himself, ' this is going to be a long night.'

Hermione tried to hurry as fast as she could. Ron was waiting downstairs for her. Hermione was a little late because she fell asleep in her room while she was reading. Hermione was already dressed and made her hair straight. Now she hurried and wore her shoes and was putting on a little make up. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time and thought how ugly she looked.

' That's what you get for reading too much,' she thought. She shrugged and gave one last look at herself. She opened her door and walked downstairs. Ron was sitting on the couch taking a little nap. Hermione stopped halfway down the stair and cleared her throat as loudly as she can.

Ron woke up all sleepily and got up. He turned around and his wide became wide. Ron said, " You- you look- you're beautiful."

Hermione blushed by his comment. She walked up to him and took his arm and said, " Let's go.

The two were the last one there. The Great Hall door was closed and when Ron was about to open it, Hermione stopped him. " Don't," she said.

" Why Hermione?" Ron asked.

" I. I just need a few minutes to be ready." Hermione said. The truth was she needed a few minutes to be ready to see Harry. After a minute Hermione said, " Ok. Let's do it."

Ron opened the door and offered his arm to her. Hermione took it and looked at the ground. She felt all eyes on her and even without looking she felt Harry's eyes on her. Hermione and Ron made their table.

" Hermione, I'm going to get some food. I'll be right back." Ron said. After he left her Hermione looked searched the crowd. Everyone went back to his or her conversation. Well at least the girls were, all the boys were looking at her, including Malfoy. Harry was with Cho and her friends. Harry couldn't stop staring at Hermione, she was so beautiful. More than last year. She was dressed in this light purple dress that looked like silk. Her hair was straight and had little clips on both sides. Hermione wore matching strap shoes with them. Hermione wore little lipstick and make up. She was beautiful more than Cho. All the boys couldn't stop looking at her and finally all the girls got annoyed.

After a while half the boys turned their attention back to their dates. Harry excused himself from Cho and her friends, who were in a conversation to care.

Harry made his way to Hermione's table. Hermione was playing with her fingers wondering where Ron was. " Hi Hermione. Where's Ron?" Harry asked.

Startled she looked at Harry. She gave a smile as she said, " He's pigging out on food right now." Harry gave a little laugh and then the music began to play.

" Hermione, would you like to. Dance?" Harry asked nervously.

" What about Cho?" Hermione asked.

" Oh she's talking to her friends right now. Anyway it's just one dance, she won't mind." Hermione reluctantly nodded and stood up.

Harry and Hermione walked over to the other kids that were dancing. They made their way into the middle feeling eyes on them. They ignored the eyes as they danced to the slow Christmas song. Harry was sweating as he put his arms around him, shaking too. Hermione laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes, and smiling at how shaky Harry was. The two just danced slowly everyone around them seem to disappeared.

Harry hummed along with the music, Hermione hearing it, hummed along with him. Before they knew it the song ended, the two of them became disappointed. Harry was about to ask for another dance but Cho came and took him away from Hermione. Then Ron came and dance with Hermione but this dance felt nothing special.

Harry and Hermione didn't see each other for a while after their dance. Hermione was sitting at the table watching Ron eat. Hermione sighed and excused herself to go to the restroom. Once she was out of the Great Hall she ran out of the school.

' I don't care if I get in trouble, I just needed some air. Since I'm a good student I'm sure I won't get into that much trouble.' Hermione thought as she walked out to the quidditch field. Hermione sat on the grass closing her eyes and feeling the wind rush pass her.

" Enjoying yourself?" A voice asked behind her. It was Harry who then went to sit next to her.

" Why aren't you in there with Cho?" Hermione asked.

" She was talking to her friends. Anyway I just needed to go outside for a minute, you?"

" Same here." Hermione said. The two of them became quiet for a while until Harry broke the silence.

" You know what I love about quidditch?"

" The fame? Just kidding, is it because your father loved quidditch?" Hermione asked.

" Sort of. But what I love about quidditch is flying. It gives me a sense of freedom. I don't know how to say it." Harry said shyly.

" Let me guess. It takes you to another world or something like that?"

" Yeah. You understand."

" Why wouldn't I?" Hermione asked. " I feel the same way when I, don't laugh, but I feel the same way when I read."

Harry smiling said, " We have a lot in common you know."

Hermione nodded saying, " To be honest I never thought we would."

Harry looked at Hermione who was looking up at the moon. The moonlight shined across her face making her beautiful. The wind made her hair blow this way and thought. Harry thought, ' She. Beautiful.'

Before he knew what was happening he leaned in and kissed Hermione. Hermione surprised stopped the kiss. Harry and her face were close together. Hermione searched his eyes looking deep into them. Hermione, not thinking, kissed him back. The kiss ended after a minute or so.

Hermione and Harry still sat there looking at each other, breathing hard. Hermione suddenly realised what she did, stood up quickly. Her hand went quickly to her lips as Harry stood up with her. She stuttered, " I- I- I have to go."

She ran away from him and back into the Great Hall. No one seemed to notice that she was gone, she just went back to her seat and just stood there. She felt someone looking at her and it turned out to be Dumbledore. Dumbledore looked as if he knew what had happened. He gave a smile that somehow relaxed Hermione a bit, and a little wink then he turned back to his conversation with the other Professors.

Hermione looked back at Ron and said, " Ron can we leave now? I'm not feeling very well."

Ron looked up at her with a full mouth. He nodded and stood up leading her out of the Great Hall. As they went through the doors they passed Harry. Harry tried to stop her but Hermione wouldn't let him.

Harry went back inside where Cho rushed up to him. " Harry I have been looking everywhere for you."

" Sorry I just went out for air," Harry said.

" Oh ok then. Harry will you do something for me?" Cho asked shyly.

" Um. Ok what?"

" Will you kiss me?" Cho asked. Harry not knowing what to say was all of a sudden found kissing Cho. ' What the-,' Harry thought.

Little did he know that kiss would mean more then it seemed.
Ron and Hermione made it up to their common room where some kids were there to.

" Thank you Ron for tonight," Hermione said. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and was about to leave but Ron said, " Hermione?"

" Yeah?"

Ron went up to her and kissed her, which last about a minute. Ron looked at her and said, " Happy Christmas." He went up to his room.

Hermione just stood there shocked but snapped back. She went up to her room and once inside she plopped on her bed.

" I can't believe I kiss Harry and Ron on the same night," Hermione said out loud. She thought of the kiss with Ron and as she replayed it she felt- nothing. When he kissed her she felt absolutely nothing.

" I don't like him anymore," Hermione said. Then she thought about Harry's kiss, her fingers automatically went up to her lips. With Harry she felt-

Just then she started to hear ringing above her. It was the angel bell her secret Santa gave her.

Flashback-

" It's an angel bell that is suppose to ring when I am swept off my feet. Like when I'm in love."

Hermione looked at the ringing bell. " Is it ringing because I am in love with Harry? Can't be." She thought about Ron and their kiss which made the bell stop. But when she thought about Harry it started to ring- loudly.

" Oh my gosh," Hermione said realising the bell was right. " I'm in love with Harry Potter. Problem is he's in love with Cho."

AN: I worked really hard on this so please I better have a lot of reviews. So do you like it hate it? Tell me! Oh yeah I know secret Santa's were suppose to be revealed at the ball but I forgot but next chapter at breakfast they will k? Thanks to all those who reviewed!