Hehehe, I'm so giddy for getting so many reviews. Plus, I know how the rest of my story is going to go, I figured it out. I wrote it out and I'm all the way up to the day before the dance......but lately my writing hasn't been so great so I'm sorry!

Well here's the next chapter, I think it's pretty cute. Harry and Herm. have reached a point in their relationship' where it's kinda playful and comfortable stuff now---only for now though.... Ok just read for yourselves :P....

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The next few days, all the girls (most of them) suddenly got quiet around the guys, occasionally flirting and flaunting all they got. The guys didn't seem to mind (boys....) and no one had really asked anyone out yet. The teachers kept everyone busy with loads of homework and of course, Harry's detentions with Snape were grueling. He was losing an hour's worth of time he could be using to do actual homework. The same thing was occurring with Hermione, but she always seemed to keep in order.

Everyone seemed to need a good break and fortunately for them, Dumbledore knew that they were due to a visit to Hogsmede. Homework was abandoned for a day while everyone poured out to Hogsmede for a good time.

Hermione was, yet again, pulled by Ginny to come hang out with the girls. She had told Hermione it wasn't good for her "health" to be hanging out with so many guys all the time. Hermione went along, although at first she resisted, knowing she'd rather go with Ron and Harry. Their first stop was to Honeydukes, where they all splurged, even Hermione, on treats and irresistible sweets. Then they were off to the Three Broomsticks for butterbeer.

Ron and Harry, and with a couple of other boys, went in almost the same route, but they stopped in Zonko's Joke Shop before the Three Broomsticks.

They looked around for a little bit when Ron grabbed Harry's arm and jerked him to the side of the store. "Look!!!" Ron yelped and Harry looked down. There, in a small box, were Ton-Tongue Toffees and another box with even more little boxes labeled 'Skiving Snackboxes'. The label read Fred and George's names on it and on the side was a pile of their business cards. Here was their first attempt to their moneymaking and Harry couldn't help but laugh.

The guys walked into the Three Broomsticks, only a few tables away from the table of girls. They were sipping their butterbeer everytime they stopped talking, which was rare.

Hermione and Harry exchanged glances and Harry, Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville ordered their drinks. They talked about the upcoming Quidditch game and classes when Seamus was the first one to mention the dance.

"Soooo...any of you guys have a date?" He guys shrugged and drank their butterbeer, "Well I do, it's a Ravenclaw, Jada Toolstop. She's easy on the eyes," Seamus bragged, puffing out his chest and Ron threw a napkin right in his face.

Seamus laughed and threw it right back, "So Ron, are you jealous or do you have a date already?"

Ron mumbled a little and his eyes went pink, "Well, uhhh, I've been thinking about---ehh, asking Lavender." Ron muttered and the guys teased him.

Neville took a drink of butterbeer and sincerely asked Harry, "What about you, Harry?"

"Uhh----I'm, uh, I don't know," Harry lied when really his eyes slipped past them to the girls' table.

"Aww, come on, Harry. You don't lie very well," Dean said and they waited.

Harry looked down and fiddled with the tablecloth, "Well, I'm actually thinking of asking---uhh, honestly, I'm going to ask Hermione."

"Harry! There are plenty of girls still available!! She's your LAST resort so why are----," Seamus said bluntly but Ron nudged him hard, "Oww! I just..oh! Oooohh...," Seamus understood finally and he looked over at Hermione, who he couldn't see why Harry would ask her out. She was his smart, rule-following, best friend, wasn't she?

The guys buzzed about what Harry said, very interested on what else Harry didn't tell them. Then Ron interrupted.

"So are you going to ask her?"

"What? Now?" Harry said, taken aback.

"Yeah, why not, Harry? There is barely anyone in here that we know," Dean pointed out.

"Plus, Malfoy and his gang are nowhere in sight, so what do you got to lose?" Ron said and he seemed a little better about the whole 'Harry and Hermione' thing.

My sanity, Harry thought. He could never ask her now, she was sitting next to the most gossipy girls in the whole school.

"Would you of done it for Cho?" Ron asked in a whisper, so only Harry could hear. Harry bit his tongue thinking about Cho. It embarrassed him just thinking about last year. It would have never worked out, their relationship went from bad to worse.

So Harry got up, half not realizing what made him do it. It was like a different side of him took over. He walked straight to the girls' table and all the boys were watching his every move. The girls noticed him coming over right away. Hermione looked around her, wondering if there was anyone else he might talk to.

He stopped in front of the table and the girls were whispering, all except for Hermione. "Excuse me, ladies," He said and they stopped and smiled their best for Harry. Hermione kept her eyes low. What is he doing?? She thought, almost panicky.

He knew in the back of his head that a week from now, or maybe just hours, that he would regret this. But he went right ahead and did it anyways, since he was there.

He knelt down on one knee and grabbed Hermione's hand. She was blushing madly now, hoping she wouldn't die right on the spot. Harry smiled playfully and cleared his throat.

"Hermione Granger, would you give me the honor of having you as my dance partner?" He said, not at all very seriously while he grinned the whole time.

Hermione's heart almost stopped. She was embarrassed and flattered all at the same time. She couldn't believe he was doing this but she looked at him finally and managed out a 'Yes'.

Harry's heart leaped and he stood up. The guys at the other table stood up too and applauded. The other tabled snickered and joined in too. Hermione took her hand away to cover her burning face, while the girls shrieked excitedly, all wishing their future date would do the same.

Harry walked back slowly, regaining his right state of mind. He was even blushing and he sat down next to Ron.

"Brilliant, Harry! Surely something the Weasley twins would have pulled off!" Seamus complimented.

Harry drank the rest of his butterbeer, trying to hide his face, "Man, what have I done?"

"You got yourself a date, mate," Ron said and he slapped a hand on Harry's shoulder.

^v^v^v^v^v

The guys left the Three Broomsticks after their mugs were empty. They looked around some more, but when the sun started to sink towards the horizon, they slowly lingered and headed back to Hogwarts.

The girls did just about the same thing but they stayed in the Three Broomsticks a little while longer to talk to Hermione. They were all still giggling and asking Hermione all sorts of things. Ginny was the most surprised out of all of them.

"Oh my gosh, Hermione, that was so sweet! I have no idea that you and Harry...oh!" Lavender squealed.

Hermione nodded and finally took her hands off her face. She hoped her face didn't look too pathetic and after a while, they left.

While the girls were looking in one of the shops, Ginny pulled Hermione to the side.

"Hermione!! Wh-what's going on? When did this happen? Where---" Ginny hissed but Hermione cut her off.

"Look, Ginny. I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Hermione whispered back and Ginny folded her arms.

"Well, yes you did leave out some MINOR details!" Ginny said but then she grabbed her arm, "It was pretty cute, though. More something my brothers would have done. So, when did this whole thing start??"

Hermione was in a slight daze and didn't hear Ginny's question. She nodded while she watched Harry and the boys walking in front of her about 30 feet. She felt so lucky to be his dance partner.

^v^v^v^v^

The following weeks seemed like they were going to be great for Harry. He had a Quidditch game in the next few days against Slytherin (yes, he is Seeker again) and of course the up coming dance with Hermione. Then there was one night of detention with Snape...

"You know where the books are. Get to work," Snape scorned sternly and Harry got to work on the dull assignment. He would do his work, but when Snape was not looking, he would take his paper under his work and write a few words in his note to Hermione. So far it read:

Dear Hermione,

Only a few more weeks of detention, about three I think. Snape's detention work is almost as boring and stupid as he is. I really miss you, I never get to see you as much with classes, Quidditch practices, detentions...If you're not busy, I need to talk to you about us going to the dance. Meet me near the Library after---

-

Harry stopped short and noticed a looming figure over his desk. Snape snatched the paper and read it twice.

"So, 'almost as boring and stupid' as me?? Well then, lets make it AS boring and stupid as me by adding double assignments," Snape spat and he took the note, "I hope you don't mind the whole student body viewing this, hmmm?" He sneered and he slammed the note in his desk drawer, "I'll be expecting that double assignment done by tomorrow's Potions. Your detention is over," Harry swiped his stuff, his face burning. His knuckles were bone- white from clutching his books so hard.

^v^v^v^v^v^

Classes went on the next day, as usual, and Harry tried to forget about the note. During Potions, he ignored Snape the whole time while he mixed his Sleeping potion.

Snape instructed everyone to pack up before they left and he stood up at his desk, his greasy hair in his eyes, "Oh yes, one announcement I need to give. Don't forget to read my bulletin board. Apparently, Mr. Potter needs to meet Miss Granger at the Library sometime soon, something about them 'going together'. Go read for yourself. You have my permission to ask him for full details about it," He sneered hatefully.

At those words, Harry bolted out of the classroom, hearing the Slytherins laughing at his note. Ron caught up with him, "Hey Harry, what's up with that note?"

"Nothing. Just forget about it," Harry mumbled.

"Hey! Potter! You never mentioned when you'd meet the saucy little lady!" Malfoy yelled and Goyle and Crabbe chuckled stupidly.

"Forget them, Harry. They're not worth the time," Ron said. Harry kept himself from doing anything and saw Hermione striding hastily down the hall, her cheeks red.

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Wow that was long than I thought, well it'll keep ya busy, because I am this week, till Friday or so. Please review, I guess this chappie is ok...but I'm just wondering. Are my chapters too short or are they ok? Cuz I think I make them kind of short at times...This is my longest chapter, word-wise. K thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate it.