( I know that many of you are very excited about this ball, but first they must go shopping at Hogsmeade. It's not until the next weekend. HEHEHEHE I know you all can't wait. But you can. Trust me! Thank you for the reviews! I'm up to 44! Keep the comments coming!)

Chapter 25

Hermione stood in front of the mirror, agonizing over her hair. Ginny sat upon her own bed and giggled softly.

"I thought you said that you didn't like my brother," Ginny teased softly. Hermione sighed and turned around.

"Yeah, well I didn't want to like him."

"Why?" Hermione turned away. That was the question she had been asking her self for some time now.

"I don't know really," she answered.

"You know that he thinks you're beautiful."

"Well I'm nervous."

Across the platform, Ron and Harry were having a similar conversation.

"Does this shirt look good?" Ron asked him.

"Yeah. So did all the others."

"Yeah, well. . ."

"You know that she will like anything that you wear."

"Yeah, but I'm nervous."

Finally after what seemed like an eternity to all of them they left their rooms and headed downstairs to the common room. Ginny and Harry walked in front of them.

"Morning, Ron."

"Morning, 'Mione," he mumbled incoherently.

"So what's the plan girls?" Harry jumped in, trying to save Ron from the awkward moment.

"Well we thought that we would go shopping for Christmas gifts for you guys first and you could buy for us and then later on we could split off. You know I go with Harry and Hermione with Ron to shop for the other person," Ginny piped up.

"Okay. When do we meet back?" Harry asked her.

"Around noon at the Three Broomsticks?" Hermione suggested.

"Sounds good," Ron answered.

They headed down to Hogsmeade in one big happy group. Ariel, who had semi disappeared since her arrival, had shown up holding hands with a very happy Neville Longbottom.

"I'll start after Christmas," Ariel whispered to them. They nodded in response.

Hermione, Ginny, Ariel, and Luna all headed off in a group.

"What are you going to get Ron," Ginny asked as soon as the boys were out of earshot.

"I have no idea," she admitted.

"So are you two together yet?" Ariel asked as they headed into Zonko's.

"No," Hermione said softly, blushing furiously.

"Oh. I guess I just can't guess the right thing huh?" Ariel asked with a laugh.

"He'll ask you at the ball," Luna said in a mystical like voice.

"How do you know?" Ginny asked her.

"It's all over his face. Haven't you seen it?" Luna asked.

"No," Hermione replied.

"You have to get him something special. To show that you care," Ariel piped up.

"But what do I get him?" Hermione asked, slightly desperate.

"Well there is one thing that he does want," Ginny answered.

"What? What is it?"

"He wants. . ."

Meanwhile the boys were at the jewelry store.

"So, Neville you're dating Ariel now, huh?" Harry asked as they walked into the shop.

"Yeah," he answered, blushing furiously.

"That's awesome. Congratulations mate," Ron said, clapping him on the shoulder.

"What are you going to get her?" Harry asked.

"Well, I was thinking that I would get her a charm bracelet. She said that she had always wanted one."

"That's awesome. What are you going to get Hermione, Ron?" Harry asked him.

"Are you and Hermione finally dating?" Neville asked him. Ron's ears turned beet red.

"No. I'm going to the ball with her, kind of."

"Kind of? How can you kind of go to a ball with someone?" Neville asked.

"It's complicated," Ron answered.

"It's not that complicated. Ron told Hermione that there was a guy that liked her and that he wanted to take her to the ball and she told him that this guy's only chance was to show up to the ball at 6:30 p.m. or he would never have a chance."

"Wow, that sucks," Neville replied.

"Yeah, well now she's going to hate me."

"I told you, she doesn't hate you," Harry replied.

"Yeah I know," Ron replied.

"What are you going to get her?" Neville asked.

"I have no idea," Ron admitted.

"I know what she wants," Harry replied.

"What does she want? Tell me!"

"Well, Ginny said that she wants. . ."

The group met up at noon and had lunch and some butter beers before heading off with the guys. Harry and Ginny left first. Luna claimed that she needed something and had left by herself. Of course, Neville and Ariel left to do some Christmas shopping, leaving Hermione and Ron alone together.

"Where did you want to go?" Hermione asked him as they stepped out into the snow filled street.

"I thought I would get Harry some Quidditch stuff since he's captain now."

"That sounds like a great idea."

They headed off to do their shopping, laughing and having a good time. Finally the day was over and they lugged their packages back into the carriages and headed back to Hogwarts.