DISCLAIMER: See first chapter.

A/N: Thank you HPFanFicLuvr, my beta, and thank you reviewers.

Jade121: Yes, it is poor Amelia. Maybe he would. I'd have to think about that.

Lil Drop Of Magic: Thank you! You have no idea how much that means to me!

"What are they doing up there?" Ron shook his head. "Why do girls always have to take such time getting ready!"

This was ridiculous! He had been waiting for almost half an hour. He was getting seriously bored. He missed Harry. Harry always seemed to know what he was thinking. James and Sirius … they weren't the same thing. At least Hermione isn't going with Krum, he thought. She's going with Neville. And they can't really do anything, like fall in love, because they're pretending to be twins. Ron felt secure. As long as they were in the past, Hermione would be careful of any sort of relationship.

James sighed. He was feeling very nervous. Although he knew he should be focusing on Lily, his thoughts kept drifting to Hermione. What if I do something really inappropriate? What if Hermione comes down, and I kiss her? Or what if she's really ugly, and I tell her? But then he laughed a little. Hermione, ugly? Although she wasn't the type of girl he usually liked, everything about her seemed fantastic. She was clever, fiery, and didn't care what she looked like. She wasn't ditsy. You don't love her because she's beautiful, she's beautiful because you love her. He could almost hear his mother smile warmly.

"They're girls. Just accept it," he said. The boys sighed.

Sirius shrugged. He gave a lop-sided grin and joked: "I don't get it, they're nice however they look. I mean, we just throw on the dress robes and fix our hair, and then we're done!"

"Boys!" they heard a voice from the top of the stairs. As the boys turned to look at Lily and Hermione, they gasped.

Hermione wore a mid-night blue dress robe, with golden stars around the waist and on the cuffs. She had put the same charms on her hair as she had done at the Yule ball, and it was put up in a very stylish bun. Lily wore an emerald green dress robe to enhance her eyes. She wore her hair down, slightly curled. She wore a simple necklace with a white lily on it.

James and Neville went up to greet them. Were these really the girls they knew so well? Who helped them with their homework? Who ticked them off without hesitation when they needed? Neither could believe it.

"Lily," James breathed. "You look beautiful."

She smiled.

"You don't look to bad yourself."

Then James looked at Hermione. He knew he shouldn't, he knew he should give his attention to Lily, but he couldn't keep his eyes of her. He had never seen her look this enchanting.

"Hermione," James breathed. "I'm lost for words."

I'm lost for words. The simple sentence rang in Hermione's ear. She felt proud, and happy. He liked her. She looked over to him. He too looked handsome. She felt a small tickling in her chest. But she knew she oughtn't. She knew she was breaking the unwritten laws of time travel. She had to make him fall out of love with her.

"Just because I look pretty doesn't mean I'm not the same Hermione," she snapped. "It doesn't matter what's on the outside."

He blinked. It was a comfort, knowing that she was still the snappy, intelligent girl he knew. He smiled a bit. Whoever would have thought that he'd fall in love with a know-it-all?

"Let's go take Hogwarts by storm, shall we, 'Mione?" asked Neville. She smiled. She was looking forward to this ball immensely.

"Let's."

"You have no idea how proud I am that you're my sister."

Nora came down shortly afterwards. Her dress robe was very revealing. Many of the people stared. She was definitely hot. Sirius earned many jealous glares as he walked up to greet her. He did feel a bit annoyed. He knew that she would not stay by his side for long, but was there really need to show that much?

Remus couldn't believe she had his friend, the mischievous, fun-loving Sirius wrapped around her finger. She wasn't even nice! made gagging noises as she wrapped her arm seductively around him.

When everyone had found their dates, they made their way into the Great Hall. Hermione gasped. Flowers decorated the entire room, and the walls were draped in sky-blue draperies. The four tables had been pushed towards the wall, leaving the floor open for dancing. They were all taken by storm. Hermione smiled a bit as she saw James's mouth half open. He looks so cute. Hermione was irritated by herself. She landed in a different time, and she just had to go and develop a crush on her best friend's father. The ball was not really in full swing yet; only a few people were out on the dance floor.

James led Lily out. Remus thought he saw a glint of affection in Lily's eyes. I just hope James doesn't break her heart, he sighed to himself.

Mirabelle was unusually silent. She was looking wistfully at someone across the room. Remus looked to see whom it was, and saw none other than Golden Boy himself. He felt a bit annoyed. Diggory was not very nice, and he did do almost anything for attention. Well, everyone is entitled to their own taste.

"Mirabelle," he said cautiously. "What do you think of Diggory?"

She blushed furiously. That was all he needed to know.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked and watched as Neville led his sister out on the dance floor. Hermione really did look different with her hair up. He saw many boys glance at her. Well, this will be an interesting night, he thought as Mirabelle put her arms around him.

Sirius loved balls. He knew that he and Nora were the most envied pair in Hogwarts, and he knew that if he should break up with Nora, there'd be a line of girls waiting to be his next. But he also knew that there'd be a line of boys for Nora. He also knew that the Slytherins were in for a pretty nasty shock, especially Snape. He didn't want to think about what Hermione's say, but figured it'd be worth it. He talked to a fourth-year. She looked up at him admiringly, and all he had to say was "yes", or "no" or "mm" to get her into a new talking fit. He did find her rather annoying, but hey, if you're a star, you gotta make some sacrifices for the fans! She slid her hand in his and continued talking. He looked down at her face. She was actually rather cute… Shame he didn't know her name.

Nora must have felt he had had enough freedom, because she slid over to where he was and said in a voice layered with honey and sweetness:

"Hello, Sirius."

"Hello, honey," he said. Wow, she was really hot. She turned towards the fourth-year, and her sweet face became a scowl.

"Get you filthy hands from my baby, Oliver," she sneered. Oliver, that's right! Lisa Oliver, that was her name. Lisa from, what was it she had said, 'Ravenpuff'. Sirius smiled a bit. He was used to girls getting all tongue-tied when they were with him. Still, he did find it rather annoying.

"Are you jealous?" he teased. "Jealous of a fourth-year?"

"She had no right to make movements," Nora said firmly. "Now will you dance with me or not? There are plenty of young men who appreciate what a wonderful girl I am."

He was a bit annoyed by that statement, but decided not to say something. He couldn't afford to damage their relationship.

Severus was alone again. Not even the Slytherins wanted to go with him. He should have gotten used to it by now, but no. It was like a stone lay pressed in his stomach. He stared at a spot on the wall. Every time. Every time he went to gathering like this, the massage slapped him in the face: You are not wanted here. Every time, he went back with a growing feeling of dismay. He had stopped believing in the goodness of humans. Until he met Hermione. Hermione didn't care about his outside. He loved Hermione. Every time he saw her, the world would seem a bit brighter. But then James Potter had to go and fall in love with her too. Once again, Severus's world became grey. Hermione was with her brother and his friend. They were standing in a closed group, talking quietly among themselves. They have so many secrets, Severus thought. Unlike everybody else, he had not believed the cock-and-bull story they had cocked up. No, he was sure the real reason was another. But what it was, that remained a mystery. She made his way gracefully to their group. If he had to be turned down, at least he would do it gracefully.

When he was right behind him, he cleared his throat. Even at this short distance he couldn't hear what they were saying.

They turned around abruptly.

"I was wondering," he asked smoothly, "if Hermione could spare this dance for me?"

She smiled, but the boys scowled.

"Of course."

As they danced, Severus couldn't help but smell her hair. It had a lovely fragrance of lavender and rose. Oh, Hermione was wonderful.

"What is she doing with him?" demanded James as soon as he and Lily returned from the dance floor. He couldn't believe it. Hermione was dancing with Snape! He is not going to have pleasant consequences, James promised himself.

He started to walk over to the pair, but Neville caught his arm.

"Hermione's a grown girl, she can decide who to dance with and who not to," he told James.

"Much of a chaperone you are" he snarled at Neville. He didn't bother the hurt look that crossed Neville's face. He was seething with anger. He wanted to kill that bastard with Hermione. This time when he made towards the couple, Neville didn't stop him. He tapped Hermione on the back.

"May I have this dance," he asked smoothly.

She looked at him for a moment, then at Snape, not knowing what to do. She felt as if she was ripped in two. A part of her wanted to stay with Severus, not hurting his feelings. Another, slightly bigger, part of her was aching to dance with James. He took her hand gently and led her away. If he noticed the apologetic look she cast at Snape, he didn't say anything about it.

Hermione was in bliss. She could feel James's arms around her, she could hear his even breathing, she could see those hazel eyes that could capture any heart. She was oblivious of anything going on around her. All she knew was James. She leaned her head against his chest. There was no future, no past. All that existed was James.

She closed her eyes and breathed. Yes, Hermione was in bliss.

"This," said Ron grimly, "is bad. Very bad."

Neville nodded. They were watching the happy couple dance slowly to the music. Both had expressions of pure love on their faces. Ron felt a surge of anger wave up inside him. Hermione was not for James! They didn't even belong in the same time!

Sirius came up to them.

"Why aren't guys like you dancing?" he asked happily. "Is that food?" He dove for the cakes. "Wunnefull," he said with his mouth stuffed. "Where's Jamsie-poo?"

"Out dancing," said Ron.

"With my sister," Neville added between clenched teeth. This is headed for disaster.

"Poor Jamesie is probably having his head bitten off by now," Sirius said sympathetically.

"Much, much worse," Ron said vigorously. Sirius looked over. Oh, Jamsie has a crush on Hermione Granger, he thought excitedly.

"I don't see what's so bad with that?" he said out loud.

"Never mind. We're going to get her."

Time seemed to have stopped. They both knew that they loved each other. Hermione couldn't hide behind her books any more. James wrapped his arms more tightly around her. She felt as if she was flying, soaring high above everyone else with James.

"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?" he whispered. At that moment, a voice was heard from behind them.

"Sorry to break your little love-scene, Juliet, but we've been out far too long."

Hermione was pulled down to earth again. Their situation came flooding back to her. Her cheeks became blood red. I have totally ruined everything, she groaned. If only I hadn't gone with James. If only I had stayed with Severus!

Neville and Ron led her out of the hall.

"What the hell was that?" Ron yelled as soon as they came out.

"Oh, shut up Ron," she retorted and walked away. Does he have to yell at me? As if I don't feel bad already. Why did I dance with James? She deliberately looked away from Ron and her 'brother'.

And I never answered his question, either, she realized.