Disclaimer: Characters names belong to J.K Rowling, and other Hogwarts-related stuff also.
A/N This sucks, basically the worst thing that could happen did: I got to the chapter that I've been anticipating (and you guys also, probably) and got a case of writers block. Obviously I knew stuff that I wanted to happen there, but I had such a time trying to start this chapter. Anyway, the Ball with be in three parts probably, two at least. This is the first part and yes, I recognize that not a lot happens but I'm trying to keep my chapters at (generally) the same length. Don't worry; next chapter will make up for it. Oh, and I realised I've got a bit of a continuity mistake. Before you go hunting for it, I realised last night while re-reading old chapters (the benefits of writing it out first!) that when Ron first told them about the Ball, he said it was fancy dress. Obviously I have ignored that in later chapters so I will try and go back and fix that detail at some stage. Let that be a lesson to my fellow writers on the virtue of re-reading your own material! And after that looong intro, on with the show.
Harry spent the next day being all chummy and flirty with me, pretending that nothing happened, as boys often do. I didn't return the favour. I couldn't help but feel, after his final comment last night that he was not only toying with me and my emotions, but Ron's also. I asked him a simple question and he gave me a completely cryptic answer. As if I wasn't already confused enough!
I was, however, in pretty good spirits by the time the Feast came around. It was held at 5:30pm, to aloe Ball attendees time to get ready for a 7:30pm start. All my Professors for that day had been in a good mood (except Snape, of course). While I'm all for a little hard work and knowledge, I was glad not to have received homework for that night (Snape did not give any because our work "would simply be more atrocious than usual" and it would be a waste of his time to mark. Ron suggested that he was planning to spike his own drink that night and didn't want to mark with a hangover, the thought of which scared me).
Viktor and Fleur did not appear at the Feast. At about 6pm, an owl flew into the Great Hall and landed in front of Dumbledore. He took the parchment and read it, then stood up to address the school.
"It has come to my attention that two of our special guests for tonight, Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum, whom we were expecting for the Feast, will not be able to arrive until 7pm because of transport difficulties".
Harry's suggestion that Viktor ride them there on his broom was begging me to make a dig at Fleur and her delicateness, but I thought it best not to insult her with her being Harry's date and all.
All the kids from 1st to 3rd Year look disappointed with the news. They had been looking forward to seeing the pair, especially big shot Viktor. As we left the Hall at about 6:30pm, I heard Draco Malfoy muttering behind me.
"Krum just wants to make a big entrance, that's it". I glared at him. I didn't like to hear anyone speaking badly of Viktor.
"What are you looking at, Granger?"
I rolled my eyes and walked faster. I didn't want to get into it that night with the filthy ferret.
The 5th Year girls' dormitory was in chaos when I entered, mainly because of Lavender and Parvati, whose brushes and undergarments and make up were strewn everywhere. I quietly grabbed my dress and slipped into it behind the curtain around my bed. I had been anticipating it for a long time and it was perfect: it fit like a glove where it should and draped into folds where I wanted it to. When I emerged from behind the curtain, Lavender (only half-dressed) gaped at me.
"Hermione, you look gorgeous! How are you doing your hair, and makeup?"
I gulped.
"No makeup. I dunno how I'm doing my hair".
Parvati ran over.
"I know the perfect thing for your hair" she squealed, and whipped out her wand. Did I say gulp yet?
"I don't know if it's a good idea-" I started.
"Nonsense. It's just a little charm to relax your curls," she chattered. My hair was pretty bushy. Anyway, if she screws it up, I can always put it in a chignon or something.
She pointed her wand at my head dangerously and muttered the charm. Her face showed no change so I crept towards the mirror, hoping I hadn't ended up with the head of a boar or something. Upon inspection, I found my hair in wavy ringlets instead of its usual form. I grinned at her.
"Thanks. Will it stay like this?" I asked.
"Should last 'til the end of the night. You look great Hermione" she said and flounced off. How weird.
The "no makeup" thing was a bit of a lie. I slicked on some lip-gloss but was lucky enough to have no spots that night so I didn't use foundation. The final, hesitant, touch to the outfit was the necklace that Harry had given me, the pendant coloured red like it was on the day I had received it.
Ron met me at the bottom of the stairs. He had a shine in his eyes as he watched me descend, and whispered "You look brilliant" in my ear when I met him. Bit of a change from the way he looked at me like I was Voldemort last year just because I was looking good. I just blushed, muttered, "Thanks, you look good too" (which was true) and took his hand as we made our way to the Great Hall, about 15 minutes early.
"So where's Harry?" I asked.
"Meeting Fleur I spose, he rushed off at 7 o'clock"
"It's a wonder they're not here" I commented, indicating to the door of the Hall, which we had just arrived at. There were several other couples there from the four houses but no one we recognised, so we just stood apart from the others. There were a bunch of 1st Years sitting on a staircase nearby watching everyone. I felt sorry for them because that staircase had a tendency to shift and was likely to do it while they were on there, leaving them far from the Hall and if their luck was bad enough, right in front of Filch.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and found Ginny grinning at me.
Ginny! You look great!" I shouted, hugging her. Indeed she did, if not only because of her deep green robes that set off her red hair, but because of the sparkle in her eyes. I eyed Neville, who was a bright shade of red in his black robes, suspiciously.
"You kids did come straight to the Hall, didn't you?" I asked with a smirk.
"Yes, why?" Ginny asked innocently.
Ron, who had caught on with me, laughed along.
"No reason" I answer.
There was a huge crowd now in front of the Hall, perhaps ¾ of the people attending. I couldn't spot Harry and Fleur anywhere. The doors suddenly swung open, letting a stream of us inside. The first thing I noticed, before the lavish decorations of candles, glittering lights and all the rest, was Viktor Krum. And his date.
A/N Okay that's all for now! I regret to inform that this is the last day of my holidays and that I can't guarantee how quickly the next chapters will appear, but I will endeavour to get the rest of the Ball up A.S.A.P. If it doesn't go up during this week, it will on the weekend. Also, big thanks to reviewers! Mwah! Much love and keep up the good work ;)