A/N: Sorry. I meant to update ealier, but finals are coming up and my life is complicated enough without adding a bunch of school work on top of things. Not that you all care that much, but things will my boyfriend are really confusing right now. Anyway, thank you all for reveiwing.
ONLY HOPE by Lina Shay
Chapter Fifteen: Prepatroy Practices
It wasn't until the day of the ball that Harry even found out about it. He was too busy doing lessons with Dumbledore to really talk to anyone. When he was let know of it, he figured he might as well ask someone to go with him, if there was anyone left free. The first person he thought of as he walked through the corridor was Looney Lovegood. She was very pretty and he felt they had this connection since the previous year. But as far as he knew, she was off on Ron. Coincidentally, that moment Ron came walking down the halls. His eyes briefly flickered on Harry, but he kept walking. This was confusing to Harry. Why would he best friend just ignore him?
"Hey, Ron," Harry said, grabbing his arm to get his attention. Ron immediately pulled his arm away, looking nervous. "What's wrong with you?"
"You know, Harry," Ron muttered, looking at his shoes.
Harry waited for Ron to finished, but he didn't. "Ok. I haven't seen you much lately."
"I'm sorry, Harry," Ron mumbled. "I tried, but I just can't treat you the same after what happened."
"What happened?" Harry repeated, confused.
"I'm sorry," Ron said again. "I really am...sorry, Harry."
Ron went to put a hand on Harry's shoulder, but pulled away before he had even touched Harry. Ron half-smiled and walked back down the corridor. Harry watched after him, still confused. What had that been all about? Had Ron gone mental or something?
"Harry!" Hermione said behind him.
Harry turned to her, saying, "Haven't seen you for a while."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked. "We just talked yesterday."
"We did?" Harry retorted. "Either I am mental or everyone else is."
"It's all right, Harry," Hermione insisted. "We understand that you have a rough Summer."
"Oh, you know?" Harry said. "Yeah, that was crazy."
"Harry, I've been wanting to talk to you about that letter," Hermione began nervously. "I found it in my notes, so I guess you put it back, but you never told me whether or not to send it."
"Sure, sent it if you think you should," Harry shrugged, having no idea what she was referring to.
"Good, I already have," Hermione said excitedly.
"Good," Harry muttered. "Hey, has Ron asked you to the ball?"
Hermione lowered her eyes. "No, he didn't. He probably wouldn't after our talk."
"What talk?" Harry asked, then shook his head. "Never mind. Why don't we go to the ball together?"
"That would be wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Good," Harry shrugged. "Why don't we meet at the ball?"
"All right," Hermione agreed. "If you want to."
"See you then," Harry waved to her and started off down the corridor.
Hope had a little time before she was supposed to meet Luna, and there was no one else in the room, so Hope decided to treat herself. It had been so long since she had looked like a girl, she missed it terribly. Hope put on the deep violet dress robes she had gotten from Hogsmeade. It fit perfectly, tight where it would emphasize her figure, and loose enough to be able to move around in. She used mouse to smooth out her unruly hair and put on her mom's pearl earrings. The picture was finished with sparkly lip gloss. Hope looked in the mirror, almost crying at how good it felt to look like a girl again.
"Harry-" came Ron's voice as he came into the dormitory.
Panicked, Hope jumped behind her bed, poking her head up to look at Ron. He looked almost disgusted.
"Harry, are you wearing a dress?"
"Um," Hope began, "I...might be."
"Why on earth are you wearing a dress!" Ron demanded.
"Uh," Hope tried to think of something, but nothing came. What could have possessed Harry Potter to wear a dress? Nothing. It was inexcusable. Hope bit her lip. There was nothing she could say, so she shrugged.
"You're mental, Harry," Ron shook his head. "Totally mental."
"I had a rough summer," Hope muttered, burying her face in her bed.
There was silence, then the door slammed. Hope had botched things up so badly. No one could feel secure when they think Harry's a cross-dresser. After gaining her composure, Hope got dressed in boy dress robes, took off the earrings and messed up her hair. She headed down to the common room. Couples and people waiting for their dates crowded the room. Hope spotted Ron immediately. He stood near Hermione, looking dismal. As Hope headed over, she hoped that Ron hadn't told Hermione that he saw Harry in a dress. When Ron saw Hope coming, he looked away nervously. Hermione smiled. That was a good sign.
"Good evening, Harry," Hermione greeted.
"Hello, Hermione," Hope said, her eyes on Ron.
"You look great," Hermione complimented.
"Thanks," Hope muttered, then said to Ron, "Who you going to the ball with, Ron?"
Ron looked briefly at Hermione, then said, "Nobody. I'm going alone."
"I'm sorry," Hope insisted.
Ron just shrugged and walked toward the portrait hole.
"See you at the ball," Hermione smiled.
"Sure, I'll see you," Hope shrugged.
Hermione nodded, then bounced off. Hope let out a breath and was on her way as well.
