Note: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling is the official writer of the books, as you all know.

Hey! I hope you're enjoying reading this fic. Well.here's the 8th chapter. Please Review!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Chapter 8: Feelings

It was a wonderful and exciting Wednesday morning as the whole Hogwarts community celebrated Christmas day. Snow was peacefully falling down from the cloudy skies, landing peacefully on the rough roofs of the castle. The school grounds were completely covered with white, thick snow and as early as 6 am, some students were already awake, and were having their usual outdoor Christmas snowball fight. Everyone, especially the students, were also looking forward to the most awaited event of the day, the Yule Ball.

At 7 am, the Gryffindor common room became noisier than ever as everyone started distributing their gifts for their friends. Harry, Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville came down from the boys' dormitories carrying loads of boxes wrapped with fancy Christmas wrappers. As usual, they settled themselves on the best seat in the house, which was the couch near the fireplace.

"Man, these stuff are heavy!" Dean complained as he finally put down several large boxes of gifts on the floor.

After a while, the girls came down from the spiral staircase and then walked silently towards them.

"Hi guys! Happy Christmas!!!" Parvati greeted excitedly as she hurriedly placed the boxes she was carrying, down on the floor. She gave each of the boys a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"I will never, ever wash this part of my face, I swear!" Seamus said dreamily as he gently touched his right cheek. Parvati rolled her eyes.

"Merry Christmas, girls!" Dean greeted as he gave the girls a tight hug. The other boys followed. When Harry was about to hug Hermione, both of them suddenly hesitated, and shyly, Harry just placed a hand on her shoulder and awkwardly said.

"Er.Merry Christmas, Hermione" Harry never felt so stupid in his entire life

"Ah.Merry Christmas too, Harry" Hermione responded having the same feeling as Harry.

On the other hand, Ron still hasn't got the guts to talk to Lavender. They have been giving each other the "silent treatment" ever since the argument they had during their Hogsmeade visit. Lavender always looked happy with everyone but when it comes to Ron, it's as if another one of her pets just died. She wasn't angry with Ron. She just felt disappointed whenever the fact that Ron asked another girl to the ball came swimming through her head again. This made her feel odd about the situation. Why does she seem jealous of Sally? Could it be that she finally realized that she likes Ron too? Ron felt the same way too. It's as if his tongue has been twisted whenever he accidentally sees Lavender.

"Here are my gifts for all of you. I'm sure you're all going to like it!" Parvati said proudly.

The friends started distributing their gifts to one another. Seamus gave Parvati a bracelet wherein weird letterings were carved on it. Neville received a Megaphone Voice Imitator from Dean. Harry had finished distributing his gifts except for one last, which he held tightly on his hand. He stared nervously at Hermione who was admiring a pink sweater Ron gave to Parvati. 'It's just a gift, stupid! Give it to her! It won't kill you if you do' Harry told himself. He never thought that he would be feeling this way towards Hermione. He stared blankly at Hermione as if his mind was brought into another world. Hermione on the other hand caught Harry's eye, which she thought was staring at her weirdly. She smiled and walked towards him.

"Hey Harry are you OK?" Hermione said as if she was surveying someone who lost sanity. But unfortunately Harry was still lost in thought.

"Hello? Harry!" Hermione said louder as she snapped her fingers beside Harry's hear, producing a loud snap.

"What?" Harry said as if he was already waking from a deep sleep. His mouth fell slightly open when he realized Hermione was standing in front of him.

"Well?" said Hermione questionably.

"Well.what?" Harry answered, as he really didn't know what Hermione was trying to imply.

"Well.you were staring at me a while ago.I was wondering that you probably have something to tell me.or is there?"

Harry blushed with embarrassment. 'Stupid! Why did you have to act this way in front of her? You should be ashamed!' Harry told himself still feeling humiliated. In order to hide his embarrassment he decided to answer her question instead.

"No.I mean.yeah.I.have something for you.a gift.Christmas gift." Harry stuttered. He quickly gave a small box with a fancy red ribbon on it to Hermione. Hermione opened the box excitedly. She placed her hand on her mouth as she stared at the thing inside the box with wonderment. It was a beautiful silver necklace with a sapphire stone pendant. As the sunlight beamed across the window and toward the pendant, she noticed that the sign of Venus was engraved on it. She stared at it as if she hasn't seen anything like it before.

"Oh my.Harry, it's the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen!"

"Well.I thought.you might like it.so I bought it.from the Ancient Magical Relics and Treasures shop in Hogsmeade."

"Thank you so much.Oh! I almost forgot! Here's my present for you!"

Hermione gave Harry his present and the moment he received it he started ripping off the wrapper excitedly. He smiled gleefully at Hermione as he took the Magical Record Player from the box.

"Wow. Thanks Hermione!"

"Ahem.are you two done?" Parvati asked with a look of teasing on her face.

Harry and Hermione realized that their friends were watching them as if they were in a scene in a movie highly anticipated by everyone. They were all silently staring at the now embarrassed Harry and Herimione.

"Just so you know, we have been---"

But before Parvati could finish her statement, someone came in the portrait hole speaking rapidly that no one seemed to understand him. It was Colin Creevy, a 5th year prefect.

"I said, all members of the Yule Ball Committee proceed to the Charms classroom right now. Professor Flitwick will instruct you as to what to do later on during the Yule Ball. Well what are you waiting for? Go ahead."

"Oh that would mean including us." Hermione said.

"You joined the Yule Ball committee?" asked Harry.

"Well yeah.Lavender, Ginny and I decided to join for a change. Although Lavender was quite hesitant at first knowing that Sally----"

Hermione stopped as she saw Lavender staring at her with one eyebrow raised. Ron stared at her for a second then back to Hermione as if he's waiting her to finish her statement.

"Well.anyway.we have to go.er.see ya later." Hermione told everyone as Lavender hurriedly walked out of the common room first, followed by Ginny. She followed them soon enough.

"How come they never told me they joined?" Parvati said irritably.

"Maybe they knew you wouldn't want to.especially with Sally around." Neville said as he sat down on the couch with Trevor on his lap.

"Anyway, I'll be going up the dormitory. You know, for early preparations."

Parvati went up the spiral staircase leading to the girls' dormitories then soon out of sight. The boys sat back on the couch in a silence that lasted for about a minute. Then soon Dean spoke all of a sudden that made the other boys jump slightly off their seats.

"Harry, you've been acting really strange.Do you have a problem?"

"Me? Strange? I don't think so." Harry said casually as though he didn't realize that Dean might force him to tell the TRUTH.

"Oh come on! You can tell us."

"Tell you what?"

"About that thing with Hermione."

Harry knew that this was coming. He wanted to tell Dean to mind his own business but at the same time realized that telling him off would just lead to more forcing.

"What thing?" Harry answered as though he did not know what Dean meant. If there's one person whom he would be telling about his awkward feeling towards Hermione, that would be Ron.

"Just so you know.your face was entirely red when you gave that necklace to her. There must be something going on now, is there?" Seamus teased.

"I'll.I'll be out for a while." Harry said awkwardly to avoid more teasing from Dean and Seamus. "To visit Hagrid." he added as he quickly stood up and headed for the portrait hole before Ron could stop him.

"Hey Harry wait up!" Ron shouted as he hastily jumped off the pile of boxes scattered on the floor. "I'm coming with you!"

"Hey! Come back here Harry! We're not through with you yet!" Dean shouted but unfortunately Harry and Ron was no longer in sight.

CHARMS CLASSROOM

The classroom was well lighted by the sunlight beaming from across the window. The room was fully decorated for Christmas, which definitely proved Professor Flitwick's fondness of garlanding. The members of the Yule Ball committee were settled on the seats at the right side of Professor Flitwick, who was standing as usual on the pile of books in front of them.

"Now tonight, I would like all of you to be at the Great Hall at exactly 5:00 pm for decorating the Great Hall. Several alumni students of Hogwarts would be joining us as well as guests from the Ministry of Magic. Now, I don't like to disappoint Professor Dumbledore. As much as possible I would like everything to go on smoothly as planned. Any questions?"

Professor Flitwick looked around for hands raised up in the air but nobody did. "Well.if that's the case.you are now dismissed. Remember students, 5:00 pm sharp!"

The students hurried out of the Charms Classroom and went straight to their respective common rooms. Hermione, Lavender and Ginny were on their way to Gryffindor tower.

"Don't you think 5:00 is too early?" Ginny asked.

"Sort of. But at least we only have to do the decorating for an hour. It's a good thing we know how to use magic. Imagine how muggles do it. It's like hell!" Lavender said casually.

The three girls ascended the marble staircase and on the landing on the third floor, a familiar voice called.

"Hi Lavender." Malfoy greeted her so nicely that made Hermione and Ginny so disgusted. But this time his two lap dogs Crabbe and Goyle weren't tailing him behind his back. He's all alone.

"Oh.hi.Draco." Lavender said awkwardly.

"Just wanted to greet you a Merry Christmas." Draco answered in what seems like an awfully romantic voice. "Here's a gift for you.."

Lavender took the small silver box from Draco and smiled at him nervously.

"Thanks."

"It's nothing, really. Well.I'll see you tonight.."

To Lavender's relief, Draco left. Hermione and Ginny were staring at the silver box Draco gave Lavender. Lavender, who did not notice this, was about to step on the staircase leading on the fourth floor when Hermione called her.

"What's that he gave you?"

Lavender turned her back now facing Hermione and Ginny.

"It's nothing. Now come on ---"

"Oh don't be silly Lavender!" Ginny walked quickly towards Lavender and attempted to grab the silver box from her. "Let me see."

"Can't you just wait until we've reached the common room?"

"No! Now give it to me!" Ginny still tried to grab the silver box from Lavender who was keeping it out of Ginny's reach but after several tries, Ginny has managed to do so.

Ginny excitedly ripped off the fancy, glittering silver wrapper covering the small box. Her jaw dropped as she stared at what's inside the box. She took the content of the box and held it in her hand. It was a wonderful silver locket with a heart-shaped pendant. Hermione stared at it from Ginny's back, both of them looking at it in awe.

"Give me that, please." Lavender said trying to hold her temper. Ginny handed the shiny silver locket to her. Lavender stared at it, awestruck as well.

"You don't have any idea how expensive that is Lavender! It's worth more than a thousand Galleons!" Ginny said still with the look of wonderment in her face. Lavender still stared at the locket, the glittering silver reflecting on her blue eyes.

"Don't be stupid both of you! Who cares about it's worth? I bet Malfoy's just trying to impress you again, Lavender." Hermione said with her arms crossed. "Besides, I bet Ron's gift to you is more valuable." she added teasingly.

At the mention of Ron, Lavender's awestruck expression turned to disappointment, then anger. She clutched the silver locket in her hand, as she felt like crushing it to pieces. She stared at the floor with narrowed eyes as if fire was to appear on the stone floor. Ginny and Hermione, not knowing what was happening to their friend, waited for her to speak. After a minute's silence, Hermione spoke.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked Lavender worriedly. "Is there something--- "

But before Hermione could finish her sentence, Lavender spoke with sharpness on her voice.

"You know what? This locket is way more valuable than that red-haired jerk's present! Why? Because he hasn't got one for me! But that won't worry me at all, no.because it is completely understood that---" she turned to Ginny angrily and said "..that stupid, brainless brother of yours and---" she faced Hermione still with great anger on her face and said " your selfish, egocentric freckle-faced friend is absolutely obsessed with that ugly, newt-faced Sally that he gave his full attention to her and that he forgot about the feelings of SOMEONE whom he may thought hates him but does not!"

"Someone? More like, you?" Ginny said.

Lavender fell silent. Hermione and Ginny looked at her waiting for an answer. Lavender sighed and said.

"Yes.I won't deny that." then she walked towards the marble staircase leading to the fifth floor and starts climbing up the stairs when Ginny called.

"Do you like my brother?" Ginny asked grinning broadly. Hermione was grinning as well.

Lavender never expected a question like this to be asked to her especially that it came from Ginny. A minute of pure silence filled the air. Ginny and Hermione were still grinning, excitedly waiting for Lavender's answer. And without turning her back to face the excited girls, Lavender answered, still with a bit of an angry tone and said "Maybe." and again ascends the marble staircase without waiting for Ginny and Hermione to follow. The two girls gave each other one last look of excitement and climbed up the marble staircase a few steps behind the now pink-faced Lavender.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- HAGRID'S HUT

Harry and Ron arrived at Hagrid's door but before Ron knocked, a friendly voice greeted them from behind.

"Hello there! Merry Christmas, Harry, Ron.."

It was Hagrid. He wore a black feathery jacket matched with black leather boots. He had a huge grin on his face Harry and Ron haven't seen for a long time.

"Where's Hermione?" the kind giant asked as he motioned the two boys to enter his hut.

"She's on a meeting with Professor Flitwick. You know, Yule Ball committee." Ron said as he and Harry sat on a couch beside Hagrid's wonderfully decorated, medium-sized Christmas tree.

"Oh.Professor Flitwick has been really busy these days. The ball has been really a big priority of his. Doesn't want to embarrass Prof. Dumbledore I reckon." Hagrid said as he sat on an armchair opposite Harry and Ron. He gave the boys their presents wrapped in fancy, glittery scarlet covering.

"Hope you two like those. Oh no don't open it here!" Hagrid said quickly as Ron attempted to rip of the scarlet covering of his gift but managed not to due to Hagrid's request. "You can open it later on in the common room."

"Oh.Ok.here's my gift for you." Harry handed Hagrid his gift. Ron did the same. "Hermione will probably give you hers sometime this day." Harry added.

"Thank you. Care for some tea? Chocolate almond rock cakes perhaps?"

"N-no thanks we won't stay long." Harry said with difficulty. He was never really fond of Hagrid's cooking although the tea was an exception.

"So.excited for the ball? Got any DATES already?" Hagrid asked the boys teasingly. Ron remained silent. He still felt guilty about not asking Lavender to be his date.

"Oh.um.Ron has." Harry said. It was only that time he realized that he never asked anyone to be his date. He quickly thought of Hermione but realized that she has been asked by a 7th year already although he doesn't have any idea that it wasn't true at all. "How about you?" he added, wanting to change the topic.

"Er.yep." Hagrid's face turned pink.

"Let me guess.Madame Maxime?" Ron said grinning. Hagrid coughed. He didn't actually want to talk about it now.

"Er.ah.both of you might as well get back to the castle. I still have to uproot a couple of pine trees for decorating the Great Hall. I'll see you later alrigh?"

Harry and Ron waved goodbye at their big old friend and walked their way back to the castle, wind still brushing against their faces.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM

The common room seemed a bit quiet now that most of the students were at the castle grounds playing with the snow. At the couch near the fireplace, Harry and Ron found Hermione and Ginny chatting while seated on the floor were Neville and Lavender, playing wizard's chess.

"What took you so long?" Hermione asked the boys. "How's Hagrid doing?"

"He's fine. Never seen him that happy for a long time." Harry said as he sat beside Hermione. Ron on the other hand, after having second thoughts, sat on the floor next to Lavender watching them play.

"Oh hi Ron." Neville said without taking his eyes off the chessboard as Lavender's pawn brutally attacked Neville's.

"Hi." Ron greeted back. He took a quick glance at Lavender assuming that she'd greet him too but she remained silent.

"Where are the others?" Harry asked.

" Dean is with Padma.and Seamus is with Parvati." Ginny answered. "Probably strolling around the castle grounds as most couples do nowadays."

"Oh." Harry suddenly found himself staring at Hermione who was reading a book called One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, having the thought of strolling with her as well. The thought made his insides turn and made him blush a bit.

Meanwhile Neville won yet another game of wizard's chess. Lavender scowled at hearing Neville's bragging.

"Hah! I knew you would never beat me!" Neville said proudly as his frog Trevor sat on his lap, croaking madly as if concurring with his master's statement. "Now if you excuse me I have to go back to the dormitory and feed Trevor..I'll see you guys later.you can take my place if you want to Ron." and he climbed up the spiral staircase leading to the boys' dormitories and out of sight. Ron now seated on the space Neville occupied minutes ago.

"Nice necklace you've got there Lavender." Harry said. The silver locket Lavender now wore shone brightly that made Harry notice it at once. Ron stared at the locket.

"Oh this.It's a gift from someone.." Lavender said casually. "A gift from.from...Draco.isn't it nice?" she added with a smile.

"Oh." Harry said. Ron moved his sight away from the locket and was now blankly staring at the floor.

"Hey guys..I believe it's lunch time already. Let's go we wouldn't want to miss Christmas lunch." Hermione said as she stood up and headed for the portrait hole. The others soon followed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- THE GREAT HALL

The Great hall was packed with students busy eating their lunch. Hagrid entered the hall pulling a huge pine tree, while Professor Flitwick was charming the Christmas decorations into place. When Harry and the others arrived, Dean, Parvati and Seamus were already seated.

"Hey guys! Where have you been?" Dean asked as he ate a mouthful of macaroni and cheese.

"Common room." Ginny answered as she sat beside Dean.

"I can't believe you three didn't inform me of joining the Yule Ball committee!" Parvati said irritably to Hermione, Ginny and Lavender.

"We thought you wouldn't be interested." Hermione said as she placed a scoop of mashed potatoes on her plate.

"And what made you think that?"

"Well.you hate Sally don't you?" Ginny said. Hermione gave her a quick nudge on the ribs. Ginny must've forgotten that Ron was there. Before Ginny could speak again, an excited voice greeted them.

"Hi guys! Hi Ron!" It was Sally. She was wearing a light blue blouse and fitted capri pants. She had pigtails that day.

"Oh.hi Sal." Seamus greeted her casually. Parvati raised an eyebrow on Seamus for speaking so casually towards Sally.

"Hi! Um.is it Ok if I join you? Er...my friends didn't have time to come down for lunch and I'm kinda eating lunch by myself in our house table then I thought I might as well join you guys.well.if it's Ok." Sally grinned. Lavender was eating chocolate cake as if no one was standing behind her talking. Beside Lavender was Ron, who remained speechless.

"Well...if it's ok with Ron, it's definitely fine with us!" Dean said. Ginny stomped on Dean's foot from under the table, which made him yell in pain.

"Ow! What was that for Ginny?!" Ginny answered by giving him a sort of sarcastic smile.

"It's ok if you really don't want me to." Sally said.

"No.of course.of course you can join us." Ron said awkwardly glancing at Lavender who kept her head down.

"Wow thanks!" Sally said cheerfully. "Um.Lavender.if you don't mind.can you move a bit 'cause I kind of want to sit beside Ron.it's ok if you don't want to."

Lavender, trying to hold her temper, moved quietly and calmly as possible. She now clutched her fork, wanting to throw it straight at Sally's face. Parvati was looking menacingly at Sally. She wouldn't allow anyone treat her best friend like that.

They continued with their lunch while Sally kept telling Ron stories about her childhood. Ron, who was obviously bored, caught a glimpse of Lavender who was no longer eating but impatiently rolling pasta on her fork.

"Look Harry! It's Cho!" Dean said pointing at the Ravenclaw table. Harry didn't bother to look. Cho was no longer the object of Harry's affection. He forgot about his feelings for her completely.

"What's wrong Harry? No longer interested?" Seamus teased. Harry rolled his eyes. Hermione glanced at Harry then back at her plate.

"Or maybe.he's interested to someone else.are you, Harry?" Parvati winked teasingly at Harry. Harry got nervous. 'Am I that obvious?' Harry told himself. He didn't want anyone to know about his --- well--- feelings about Hermione yet.

Everyone got busy eating again. Gregory Goyle's voice can be heard from the Slytherin table as he was joking about something his fellow Slytherins found amusing. Harry wanted to ask Hermione about her date---probably hoping for a chance to ask her to be his date for the ball although it seemed quite impossible.

They have finished their lunch and Sally was still telling her unending stories to Ron. No one seemed to want to return to the common room just yet. Hermione on the other hand had to go to the Owlery. Harry thought that this might be his chance.

"Hermione wait up!" Harry called. Hermione has not been far and Harry assumed she heard him and she did.

"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked clueless.

"I was wondering if.maybe.I.." Harry felt awkward. Hermione thought he acted strange. "Maybe.I could come.. with you." It was Hermione now who felt awkward. Harry never offered company in that way before. Harry's insides started to turn again.

"S-sure.is there something you'd send?" Hermione asked.

"Um.y-yeah.I'll be checking on Hedwig.for.for.mail." Harry lied. It wasn't his real intention. He had this wanting to be alone with Hermione just like the time when they got locked inside the library.

The two of them walked their way to the Owlery. They didn't talk the whole time. Harry seemed to have gotten his tongue twisted at the moment he opens his mouth and try to ask Hermione about her date. They reached the Owlery and Hermione quickly approached a gray owl and tied something to its feet.

"What's that?" Harry asked casually.

"Oh.a gift for my parents.A pair of Omnioculars. I told them about it and promised to buy them a pair. My dad's a big fan of baseball and is planning to watch the game with it."

"Oh.cool."

"Yeah."

The gray owl soared out of the window with the box tied on its feet; it flew so fast that it seemed like a dot the moment Hermione peered out the window one last time.

Harry went to Hedwig and pretended to be looking for a letter or a package.

"Is there something for you?" Hermione asked. She went towards Hedwig's cage.

"N-no." Harry said flatly.

"Oh."

There was a long silence. The hooting of a large barn owl was the only thing heard. Getting really annoyed with the owl's hooting, Harry decided to break the silence.

"Um.so.who's your date again?"

Hermione froze. She doesn't know what to do: whether she would tell Harry the truth or still pretend on having a ball date.

"I never met him. I don't even know his name." Harry added. This made Hermione more nervous. Another long silence filled the air. The barn owl finally stopped hooting to Harry's relief. Harry waited for Hermione's response but realized that maybe she didn't want to talk about it there so he quickly apologized.

"Sorry for asking. I bet you don't want to---" But before Harry finished, Hermione interrupted in a sudden manner.

"You know what Harry.I'm really sorry." Harry didn't understand what Hermione was talking about. Hermione continued. "I made everything up. I had this stupid idea of you asking me to the ball which is most unlikely to happen and I felt entirely foolish for thinking that I tell you.and I just thought that maybe you already asked Cho. So when you asked me that night in the library.I just.made that all up.there's no 7th year Hufflepuff guy. No one has asked me. I mean, who would?"

Hermione's last sentence made Harry feel a bit sorry for her but at the same time he felt happy for hearing that. He wanted to jump with excitement.

"I would." Harry said sincerely.

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean.I.haven't asked anyone to be my date. I never asked Cho. I was.hoping.that night in the library, I was hoping that maybe.I could ask you.but then you told me that you already had someone with you so."

Silence filled the air once more. Hermione couldn't believe her ears. She couldn't believe that Harry wanted her to be his Yule ball date. Her heart started beating faster now. Harry felt the same too.

"Since that's the case then maybe.maybe.you would agree to.come with me at the Ball tonight.will you?"

Hermione's face turned pink. She could resist Harry of course, especially now that he looked really sincere.

"O-of course.I'd love to." Hermione smiled. Harry smiled back at her.

The both of them never knew that a situation like this would go on between them. Harry never had the idea of really liking Hermione before and it was the same with Hermione. Harry suddenly realized that he doesn't just like Hermione. For the first time in his life he thought of being in love though he couldn't really tell if it really was love. He never felt this way towards Cho or any other girl and realizing that ever since his 1st year at Hogwarts, it was Hermione (and Ron of course) who has been by his side through good and bad times. He tried to recall the things he and Hermione had done together and was wondering why it was only that time he felt something for her. 'Could Hermione probably have liked me ever since our 1st year?' Harry asked himself. He got caught in deep thought that he didn't realize Hermione calling him.

"Harry! Are you alright?"

"Oh...ah.yeah." Harry said a bit embarrassed.

"We should.go" Hermione said nicely. Before she could move a leg, she felt Harry's hand holding hers.

"Y-yeah.I think we should." Harry said as he and Hermione walked out of the Owlery hand in hand without thinking of anything else but each other's presence.

END OF CHAPTER 8 --------------------------------------

~ I'm so sorry for taking so long in updating this fic. Anyway, I hope you liked it. Chapter 9 is coming up soon!

-the key-