Harry hurried down the deserted corridor, desperately hoping that he wasn't too late. He burst into his Potions class, attracting everyone's attention. Professor Snape sneered at him but miraculously didn't give him detention. He sat down next to Ron, hoping that his face wasn't too red.

"As I was saying, a special ball will be held for students in years four and up. Students younger than this can attend by personal invitation only."

Snape paused at this, and glared at everyone for effect.

"This ball is a fancy dress ball and has been organized by Dumbledore for some 'compulsory fun'. And if there are no questions then we will continue with the lesson."

Professor Snape grimaced at the class, as if to dare anyone to ask him a question.

Parvati slipped Hermione a note once he had his back turned.

This is so cool! A FANCY DRESS BALL! I am so going as someone glam. Dean's going to ask me, I can tell. He looked over at me when Snape mentioned the ball. Who are you going with? P

Hey Parvati! I have OFFICIALLY given up on Hogwarts guys!!! Therefore I'm not going with anyone. Hermione

Parvati hastily scribbled a reply.

Why? I'm sure there are some decent guys here.

Hermione looked around the class. Draco was checking out his reflection in his designer compact mirror; Harry was trying to kill Snape using the evil eye; Crabbe and Goyle were having difficulty getting the right fingers into the proper parts of their gloves; Neville was asleep; and the rest of the guys were desperately trying to put out a fire that had erupted in the third row. Then there was Ron. He had grown considerably over the holidays and his shoulders were much broader. His hair fell scruffily into his eyes and Hermione was starting to see him in a totally different light. She blushed suddenly at the thought of his blue eyes but knowing that nothing would every happen between them, she resigned not to give him a second thought. Or a third. or a fourth. or a.

"Hermione!" Parvati whispered, nudging her. "Whoa! You really left me there for a moment, didn't you?"

Hermione's blush increased and she hoped that Parvati hadn't noticed who she had been staring at.

Ron distracted Harry from his glaring by shoving a note in his hand.

Who you going with to the ball?

Dunno, hadn't thought about it much. You?

I think I'll just go alone, no point in embarrassing myself.

Ron, you won't embarrass yourself, I'm sure there are plenty of girls who would want to go with you.

You are a laugh, Harry. Let's analyse this, shall we? Pansy - Barely qualifies as female. Parvati - Way too hot for me. Lavender - Ditto. Hermione - .

Harry noticed Ron's hesitation and nudged him encouragingly. Ron's eyes bulged.

"Are you crazy? No way! It's Hermione!" Ron whispered fiercely.

"Are you saying you think there's something wrong with Hermione?" Harry whispered back defensively.

"No, no. It's just that, we're her friends, we're not meant to see her that way."

"Ron, I don't know if you've noticed but things have kind of changed."

Ron didn't know if Harry was thinking what he was but there was only one thing that had changed. Hermione's appearance. Over the summer her hair had straightened out, weighed down by its length. She had started wearing lip- gloss and she had grown, and not just in height.

'Welome to Babeville, population Hermione,' Ron thought to himself.