Once again, I don't own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters mmk? Enjoy reading my dears! Love the English Foxlette.

Chapter 2.
As was usual for lunchtime, the tables brimmed with food and drink and each house sat there chattering away between bites. Draco was surrounded by his group of Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bullstrode and a few random others while Harry, Ron, and Hermione ate peacefully next to Neville, Parvati, Lavender, and Seamus. No one noticed that a wise old man had stood up to the podium at the front of the room.
-Clink clink clink- Professor McGonagall lowered her utensil from the crystal glass and gazed importantly at Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon students! As most of you may not be aware, Hogwarts will be hosting a costume ball in 3 weeks time. Each student attending will be asked to wear a costume. A masking charm will be put into affect so that unless you reveal yourself, no one will know who you are. The point of this is to improve inter-house relations and I hope you all attend the festivities! If you have any questions feel free to talk to me or any of the professors and I bid you all good day!" Dumbledore explained before stepping away from the podium and seating himself at the lunch table. Once the headmaster had sat down, the silence of the room crumbled as students started talking excitedly to one another about the prospect of a masquerade ball.
"Wow, that sounds like a fun idea. I wonder..." Harry trailed off once again.
"You wonder what; if you'll be able to find Cho and be her knight in shining armour? Hmm? Is that it Harry?" Ron grinned mischievously nudging his best friend, who blushed a deep cherry red. Even Hermione couldn't stifle her giggle.
"Oh shut up Ron," Harry said defensively.
"Ah it's ok to feel like this mate. It's all natural!" Ron joked as he put an arm around Harry. Harry huffed and turned to look at Hermione, sitting opposite him.
"Are you going to go, Hermione?" Harry asked, obviously trying to steer the subject away from his love life.
"I don't know. I've got a lot of studying to do as always, and I want to perfect the new Charms Professor Sprout assigned," Hermione commented as she examined her food.
"Oh come on Hermione, haven't you heard the old saying? All work and no play makes Hermione a dumb girl," quoted Ron. Hermione could only sigh resolutely.
"The saying is "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," Hermione corrected.
"Right, right," said Ron. Harry could only chuckle before taking a swig of pumpkin juice.

After talking about the ball, quidditch, Snape's impossibly evil demeanor, and anything and everything else possible, the three friends left the table on their way to Divination class, chatting idly. Hermione looked at her two friends, one on either side, then stared at the ceiling sighing inwardly.
'This ball might not be such a bad idea...' she thought.