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Disclaimer: JK owns the characters, but we own the plot.

A Hogwarts Love Affair

Part Two: The Winter Solstice Ball

By: The E.L.K.S. Club

"One announcement before bed is in order," Dumbledore boomed the following evening, "The first annual Winter Solstice Ball will take place this Thursday, on the winter solstice. Fourth years and up may attend and those students may ask younger classmates or older witches or wizards so long as the age gap is appropriate and no more than five years."

"A Ball?" groaned Harry.

"A Ball!" exclaimed Hermione. She glanced at Harry, who groaned again.

"How'll I get Neville to go with me? You heard him last night; he's straight."

"Oh…yes, I forgot that you fancied him," Hermione mumbled, now looking hurt.

"Yeah, but I didn't forget that you fancy him!" Ron accused hotly.

"Honestly, Ron, grow up and get over it!" Hermione retorted.

"Oh, both of you shut up!" Harry shouted in disgust. "You're both smitten with each other, it's obvious! I don't know why you think you like me, Hermione, because ask anyone who you like and they'll tell you: you like Ron! So just kiss and make up already!"

"Yeah…" Ron echoed uncertainly.

"Alright, I'll ask someone," Hermione began stubbornly. "Parvati!" she called down the table.

Parvati turned to her impatiently and said, "Really, Hermione, you can't just interrupt mine and Seamus's conversation like that! We were really getting on!"

"Sorry, I've only got one question then I'll leave you two be," said Hermione, "Who would you say I liked?"

"Well, that's obvious, isn't it? You like Ron," Parvati exclaimed. Her tone suggested that Hermione had just asked her what colour the sky was.

"Well, why don't we ask someone else?" Hermione said, turning her back on Parvati. Harry was sniggering.

"Be my guest," he said.

"Okay, how about Dean?"

But Dean was too busy snogging with Lavender, so Hermione asked Colin Creevey.

"Aren't you with Ron?" he asked, confused, when she asked him. Hermione let out a disgusted grunt and left the Great Hall.

"What is with her?" Ron exclaimed in a low voice to Harry, who shrugged. They were both bewildered by her abrupt departure.

"You asking her to the Ball?" Harry asked after a moment.

"Suppose I will, but I doubt she'll come with me," Ron replied darkly.

"Hey, at least you know she likes the your gender, mate," Harry pointed out.

"You going to ask Neville?"

"I dunno, I mean I know he likes Ginny, so why bother? I don't think I'll go at all," Harry said cynically.

Ginny walked up to them at this moment and said, "Hey, Harry, can I ask you a personal question?"

"I suppose you could," Harry said uncertainly.

"How did you ask Cho to the Yule Ball? What did you do wrong that she wouldn't go with you? Sorry, but I need to know so I won't do it."

Harry and Ron gaped at her incredulously until Ginny said a hurried "Never mind, then." And she skittered away.

"Luna! Oy, Luna!" Neville yelled across the hall. Luna Lovegood turned and walked towards him.

Harry and Ron couldn't help but overhear her say, "I've been meaning to talk to you."

"Me too," Neville said.

"What about?"

"You first."

And then Luna said hurriedly, "Would you go to the Ball with me?"

Neville looked shocked, but quickly exclaimed, "Sure!" Then they walked off in amid conversation.

"Who would've known, eh?" Ron said, gesturing at them. "Sorry, mate," he added in a lower voice upon seeing Harry's crushed expression.

"Maybe I'll ask George," Harry sighed.

"What?! I accept your feelings for Neville, Harry, but my own brother!" Ron shouted.

"Tell the whole hall, why don't you!" Harry muttered crossly.

"Sorry," Ron replied sheepishly. "I'm going to go find Hermione and ask her before she finds somebody else like last time."

"I'm going to send an owl to George, then," Harry said, getting up, too. They left the Great Hall and promptly ran into Cho Chang and Ginny, who was looking extremely anxious.

"Well, we could dance to the fast songs and nobody would know, right?" Ginny was pleading. Cho looked thoughtful and finally nodded.

"So you'll go?" Ginny asked quickly.

"I suppose so, yes," Cho replied, smiling. And they began walking down the hallway very close together.

"Who would've known?" Harry said, mocking Ron. Ron chuckled appreciatively, but then stopped suddenly.

"Um, no," he said seriously.

"What?" Harry asked, taken aback.

"Were you flirting with me? I hate to tell you, mate, but I don't fly that way," Ron replied.

"Damn," Harry mumbled.

"I-I'll see you later, Harry," Ron said before sprinting off in the other direction.

Ron headed for Gryffindor tower, where gave the Fat Lady the password ("Thestral") and stepped in.

"Hermione?" he called, searching the chairs.

"What?" Hermione said thickly from an armchair in the corner.

"Are you alright?" Ron asked, hurrying over to her.

"No, and you wouldn't understand," Hermione snapped.

"What makes you think I wouldn't understand? I can be a good listener, Hermione, just let me."

"Well, I'm really mad at Harry for being gay."

"There are other guys out there. And it's not his fault, but I understand. I was pretty mad at you for not liking me," Ron said softly, but it didn't sound mean, instead it was very comforting.

"Who says I don't like you?" Hermione whispered.

"Well, you."

"Oh yeah," she replied, then added, "But I do like you, Ron. You're a great friend. And you were right; you're a great listener, too. Thank you."

"Anytime, Hermione. Will you do me one favor, though?"

"What's that?"

"Go to the Ball with me? We can just go as friends if you'd feel more comfortable."

"Okay."

"Okay," Ron echoed, putting his hand over hers.

A/N: Aww. Next chapter: the Ball itself.