The day started bright and early, though Harry saw little joy in the sunlight pouring into his room. His scar had been hurting all night and he had barely slept.

Slowly getting dressed, Harry tried desperetly to remember his dreams, but nothing would come. For the last few months it had been like this, only occasionally remembering snatches of laughter or the flicker of a dark room. Sure this had something to do with Voldemort's plan, he hated his inability to recall what he saw during the night.

Reaching the common room he was greeted with Hermione's usual cheer. "Good morning! It looks like it will be a beautiful day, doesn't it? Wonderful for shopping!"

He only nodded in reply, in no mood to make conversation.

"Are you okay?" she inquired, noticing his baggy eyes and disheveled hair.

"Sure. Is it Hogsmede today?"

This made her smile. "It is! And we can get robes for the ball!"

"I didn't think you worried about that kind of thing."

"There's nothing wrong with one night of make up and fancy robes, is there?" That defintely didn't sound like the normal Hermione.

"So who's your date?"

This made her flush a deep red. "Lee Jordan."

He laughed at her discomfort. "That'll be interesting."

She ignored his comment. "Let's go to breakfast."

At Hogsmede he waited patiently as Hermione explored the shops for all three of them.

"Ron, here try this on. And Harry, this will suit your eyes so well!"

After what seemed days she found suitable robes for them, in the confusion managing to allow Harry to pay for most of Ron's clothes.

She was getting very excited about the ball, but he just wasn't worried. Without a date or any real incentive to go he didn't feel that his robes were very important, though she appreciated her effort.

"It's just wonderful, isn't it?" she exclaimed when they took a break for a Butterbeer. "It'll be so much fun!"

"But I don't even have a date!" Ron exclaimed, having agonized over this ever since the announcement had been made.

"Why don't you go with Luna?" she suggested

"As if I would be caught dead going anywhere with her!"

Hermione quickly surveryed the bar to make sure she wasn't near by before fixing Ron with a disapproving look. "She is very nice, you know."

He didn't even bother responding to that comment, so she tried again. "What about Cho Chang?"

Now it was Ron who quickly looked around, searching Harry for any sign of emotion.

"It wouldn't bother me, Ron." He assured him. "We were over long ago and I don't regret it."

"If you're sure then," he repleid. "If you're absolutely sure."

But Harry knew he didn't need to respond. When Ron wore an expression like that there was no stopping him.