Hey guys time for another chapter. Yes, I know you're all very anxious for the actual ball, but be patient. I think, but not positive, the ball should come after maybe 2 to 3 chapters. So hang tight. Anyway time for another chapter. Oh by the way before I continue Fleur ain't in this story and yeah I know you are all probably well if Krum aint in there and Fleur isn't there then why the heck are Beauxbatons and Durmstrang there. Well, you see I needed them there because...well you'll find out. Without further adieu (except the disclaimer) here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: Ummmm blah blah blah do not own any characters blah blah blah.

Despite the fact that the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had arrived, the teachers at

Hogwarts did not act any kinder or liberally. The last week before the Christmas break, and the

ball, the teachers put a heavy workload on the students. Professor Mcgonagall and Snape

assigned particularly long and hard essays, and Professor Flitwick assigned a test the day before

the holidays. At long last the last day of class before the holidays came and passed. Harry and

Ron were in the common room playing chess after a long hard week.

"So, Ron," Harry asked after he lost his knight to Ron's bishop, "how do you think you did on

Snape's essay? I had trouble finding out how you would subtract ingredients from the Polyjuice

Potion so that you wouldn't complete transform--"

"Harry you sound like Hermione. I've had a long, tiring week and school, particularly Potions, is

the last thing I want to talk about. Until school starts again I have nothing to worry about." Ron

said contently.

"Except that stupid ball. Queen to H2." Harry said and he demolished Ron's bishop.

"Well, yeah except that but I have some time before I have to worry about that. Pawn to C3.

Check."

"Not really, mate. King to B2. Check."

"Yeah I do. Hey when is this ball thing anyway? Queen to D4."

"This Saturday. King to D5. Check."

"Pawn to D3. Wait, THIS SATURDAY?"

"Yeah. King to D6 and checkmate hah!" Harry claimed triumphantly.

"This Saturday? THIS SATURDAY! BLOODY HELL!" Ron yelled.

"Yeah, you forgot? How could you forget?" Harry asked amazedly. "We had a lot of

homework! Oh perfect we haven't got dates!"

"What do you mean we?" asked Harry, his mouth twitching.

"Wait a minute. You got a date? When did this happen who is she?"

"Ron, the moment Dumbledore announced that ball I knew I had to get a date fast. So the next

day I asked a girl and umm...now we're going." he said blushing slightly and looking down at his

feet.

"Who did you ask?" Ron asked gaping at Harry.

"You have to swear to not laugh."

"The last thing I feel like doing is laughing Harry." he said.

"Well..."

"Oh tell me already, I won't laugh I mean I don't even have date!"

Harry mumbled something that Ron couldn't distinguish.

"Say that again?"

"I'm going with Luna Lovegood."

"Luna Lovegood? Luna Lovegood?"

"She's really nice! I mean sure she's a little...odd, but she at least I won't have to dance with

her. She doesn't like it."

"You, mean to tell me, that Luna Lovegood, was the first person you asked to this Christmas

Ball masquerade thing?"

"Yes." said Harry disbelievingly. Ron gave him a skeptic look.

"Well, I mean I asked Ginny first--"

"My sister? My own flesh and blood? My baby sister?" Ron said shocked.

"Well, yeah. I asked her but she said she was going with Dean," Ron gave a growl, "and I was

thinking who would go with me and then Luna came to mind, and so now we're going." Harry's

face was very red.

"Why didn't you ask Hermione?" Ron asked.

"Because I thought that you two should go. I mean I thought you were going to ask her. Don't

you remember the Yule Ball incident?"

"Bloody Brilliant Harry! That's right I can ask Hermione! She'll say yes won't she? I mean its

not like that git Krum is here!" he exclaimed delightedly.

"Well I guess so." said Harry. At the moment Hermione came in.

"Hermione will you please please please please go to the ball with me? I totally forgot about it

and I realized I don't have a date and now most everyone is taken so Hermione can you please

go with me? Please you're my last resort." Ron pleaded. Hermione gave him a very acid look.

"I'm your last resort?" she asked trying to keep her voice calm.

"Yes. I mean I know you aren't the type of girl who'd like to go to balls and put on make up

and stuff but will you please just do it just this once?" he begged once again.

Hermione looked at him furiously.

"Uh oh." Harry muttered.

"RON, HOW COULD YOU BE SO...SO...PIGHEADED!"

"What?!" Ron exclaimed shocked and angry.

"DIDN'T YOU LEARN ANYTHING FROM THE YULE BALL! HOW COULD YOU BE

SO SELFISH!"

"SELFISH! HOW IN MERLIN'S NAME AM I BEING SELFISH!" he yelled at her.

"Asking me just because you think I'm the only girl who'll go with you. The thought of it makes

me sick!" she spat at him.

"But...its...I mean..."

"You know what ,Ron? No. I won't go to the ball with you. Maybe next year you should ask

me because you want to not because I'm your last resort!" She started towards her dormitory.

"But who am I supposed to go with!" he yelled at her.

"Go stag!" and she stormed off. Ron looked shocked and fell on the couch next to Harry.

"Say it. I'm doomed." Ron said helplessly. Harry looked at him for a moment and considered

his dilemma.

"You're doomed." he said and put away the chess set for he had a feeling chess was the last

thing on Ron's mind.

Once again thankies for all of your reviews. The next chapter maybe really long or there may be two really short chapters. The ball is coming up guys. Your reviews help me type faster so send them in! Tata for now!