A/N: Just a nice chapter. Though i'd update as you nice people are giving me so many nice reviews! Our aim is to hit 250 reviews before christmas, and or course, for me to have posted all the chapters up till Christmas! That means all the chapters up to about 35! Ouch! Maybe not...I'll just have to do my best! Always, Angel.

Chapter 17- Snowing

Time is said to fly when you're having fun, and it did indeed for the golden trio. Before they knew it, it was December. December brought round snow and sleet, a predicted batch of flu, and most of all, the Christmas ball.

There had been many discussions regarding the Christmas ball, but no arrangements for dates had been made, except for Ron and Hermione. Most people had decided it would be better to leave it to nearer the time. They would worry about it then.

Things between Ron and Hermione had changed a lot towards the end of December. They were just little changes, but the kind of thing a best friend would notice. They held hands more often, gave each other pet names, and often exchanged a hug before they went off to bed at night. Harry supposed he was jumping to conclusions, as no one else had batted an eyelid, but it just seemed a little unusual.

On the very first day of December, as if on cue, snow began to pour from the sky. It was if someone had opened the heavens.

Harry loved the snow, but was not looking forward to doing care of magical creatures in it, or quidditch practice for that matter. Harry decided that missing one quidditch practice probably wouldn't matter though, as the team was playing so well, even though their first match was approaching.

Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw had had their first match in late November. Hufflepuff had won, but only by 10 points, and because Cedric Diggory had caught the Snitch. Ravenclaw were the favorite to win, because Cho Chang was their seeker, and was currently dating Diggory. Diggory had shown no mercy to his girlfriend on the pitch, and caught the snitch while Ravenclaw was ahead.

Harry found it unsettling to see Cedric and Cho walk together hand in hand, but he felt no jealously rise in him when he saw Cho kiss Cedric on the cheek. He was finally over her. In fact, his dreams had recently been troubled with the silhouette of another girl, which he would never admit to his friends. This girl with long flaming hair, dark playful eyes, and a face full of summer freckles. She would laugh and play, and Harry and her would dance to a tune, only the two of them could hear.

Harry tried not to think of these dreams. He supposed such thoughts had come about since he had had the vision in the crystal ball. He just couldn't see himself going to the ball with anyone other than Ginny, now. It probably didn't help that wherever Harry went, he always seemed to pass Ginny. Before lessons, in the library, by the quidditch pitch, even when Harry turned up or was leaving animagus training, Ginny always seemed to be there.

The Marauders were sitting eating breakfast on a snowy morning in December, when the subject of the ball arose.

'I haven't chosen my date yet.' Seamus explained. 'There's a rumour that Bryony Grey and Padma Patil are both going to ask me. Erin also told me that Mitzi quite likes me, and I know that Lavender Brown has a thing for me.'

'Decisions decisions.' Ron mused, buttering some toast. 'I'm glad I don't have to go through this date thing. I'm going with Hermione, and that's that.'

'But have you formally asked Hermione?' Dean said, and Ron gave him a quizzing look. 'I'm just saying, you know what Hermione's like. She's as hot as hell, but a right suborn pain sometimes. I'd ask her, just to be sure.'

'Maybe you're right.' Ron said. 'Might be a good idea.'

'So who's on your list of lucky hopefuls?' Seamus asked Dean, changing the subject.

'You know.' Dean mumbled. 'A few girls.'

'Names being?' Ron asked, pouring himself some pumpkin juice.

'Parvati Patil, Susan Bones and Skye Summer, just to name a few.' Dean said, not sounding really bothered.

'Not bad.' Seamus said. 'I'd heard a rumour about Parvati too. Apparently she's liked you since 5th year.'

'So I've heard.' Dean smiled, choosing himself another slice of toast. 'So what about you, Prongs? You've been awfully quiet this morning. You must have someone in mind to ask.'

Harry held his breath. It was now or never.

'I've been thinking about asking Ginny Weasley.' Harry said, in a would be casual voice.

Seamus and Dean both groaned, which was not the reaction Harry had been expecting. Ron, on the other hand, reacted exactly as Harry had predicted, and spat out his pumpkin juice as the words left Harry's lips.

'Really, Harry.' Seamus said. 'I thought you'd given up on her.'

'Well…' Harry said, unsure of what to reply with.

'She turns you down every time.' Dean said.

'Well, I think-'

'Do we need to go through it again?' Seamus asked. 'First year, you ask her if she wants to come over your house with Ron at Christmas.'

'She turns you down.' Dean said, nodding his head.

'Second year, you get up the courage and ask her out.' Seamus said, counting on his fingers.'

'She turns you down again.' Dean said, shaking his head.

'Third year, you ask her to Hogsmeade.' Seamus said. 'She turns you down.'

'Then you asked her to the Valentine's ball, and she turns you down again.' Dean explains.

'The exact same thing happened in 4th, 5th and 6th year.' Seamus said, counting his fingers again. 'The winter ball, that Spring thing, Hogsmeade on numerous occasions, she always turns you down.'

'And at the end if last year, you swore that you'd give up on her.' Dean wined. 'All she does is turn you down, and make you look like an idiot. There are plenty of other girls, you know.'

'I know.' Harry said, unsure of what to make of this new information. 'I just, I think things will be different this time.'

'If you're sure.' Seamus sighed. 'Just don't come crying to us when she says no.'

'Alright.' Harry said, and noticing Ron's quietness, added. 'I've just remembered, I left a book back in Gryffindor Tower. Would you come with me to go and get it, Ron?'

'Sure.' Ron said, in a voice that was at least two octaves higher than usual.

The boys swiftly left the Great Hall, and made their way to the Tower.

'Since when did you fancy my sister?' Ron exclaimed, as soon as they were out o earshot.

'I don't.' Harry said, defensively. 'It's just a ball.'

'But there are loads of great girls at Hogwarts.' Ron argued. 'Why Ginny?'

'Let me explain.' Harry said awkwardly, and told Ron about his recurring vision.

'That's weird.' Ron said. 'Are you sure it was you and Ginny?'

'I think so.' Harry said, racking his brain. 'It looked like us.'

'Maybe you're a seer.' Ron joked, but his heart wasn't in it.

'Maybe.' Harry half smiled. Silence followed.

'So you're really going to ask my sister?' Ron asked, spontaneously.

'If you don't mind.' Harry said shyly, before adding. 'It's expected of the Harry in this world, so I think I should. It's not like it's really your sister, anyway. She isn't the Ginny you know.'

'She's still my baby sister though!' Ron exclaimed. 'I don't want you asking her out just because it's expected of you.'

'It's not just that.' Harry argued. 'She's pretty and…nice. We get along well. Just trust me. I have a feeling that it's all going to work out.'

'Ok.' Ron mumbled. 'But you better be right. I don't want to see her hurt, even if she isn't the old Ginny.'

'Sure.' Harry smiled. 'Now lets head back to the Great Hall. If we're quick, we can meet up with the others before the bell goes.'

Harry and Ron ran back inside the Great Hall, and over to the missing Marauders.

'Haven't you two finished breakfast yet?' Ron asked, grabbing his bag. 'Lessons are going to start any minute.'

'Didn't you hear?' Dean said, smiling. 'Lessons have been cancelled.'

'Why?' Ron asked.

Seamus pointed upwards, and Harry and Ron both looked up to the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. It was snowing heavily.

'Too much snow.' Seamus explained. 'They've cancelled lessons for today, and maybe tomorrow, if it carries on like this.'

Ron and Harry grinned at each other, their previous discussion forgotten.

'I say we go out for a snow ball fight.' Ron said, and was met with grins of agreement.

The Marauders went back to the common room, and layered on hats and gloves.

'Are you going out into the snow?' Hermione asked, as she descended the girls staircase.

'Yea.' Ron answered, blushing for no apparent reason. 'And where have you been all morning?'

'I overslept.' Hermione explained, with a small smile. 'Lavender just woke me up and told me that lessons aren't on.'

'Well she's right.' Dean said. 'And we're heading out for a snowball fight.'

'Did I hear the words snowball fight?' Said Erin's chirpy voice.

Dean and Seamus groaned, as Erin and Daisy made their way towards the group.

'Yes, you heard right.' Harry grinned. 'You can't join us if you like.'

'But only if we play girls versus boys.' Dean added.

'You're on.' Erin grinned evilly at Dean.

'But that's not very fair.' Daisy said. 'There's only two of us, and four of you.'

'Why don't you join in, Hermione?' Harry asked.

'I don't know…' Hermione replied, shyly.

'Oh please.' Ron begged, as he slid his arm comfortably around her waist, and hugged her tight.

'Go on, you're good at snowball fights.' Erin said.

'You helped us win last year.' Daisy grinned.

'But…' Hermione mumbled, looking pleadingly at Harry.

'Please.' Ron whispered honestly into Hermione's ear. 'It would really mean a lot to me if you did.'

Hermione looked into Ron's adoring eyes and melted.

'Ok.' She sighed, and the other girls cheered.

'That's not fair!' Dean exclaimed. 'You know what Hermione's like at snowball fights! She's vicious!'

'No she isn't.' Erin said. 'She just goes into the zone.'

'The zone where the only thing that matters is winning.' Daisy added, excitedly.

'Exactly.' Seamus grumbled.

'You're just afraid that we'll beat you.' Erin grinned.

'Ohhh, that's it!' Dean said. 'The games on. We'll meet you outside in five minutes for the snowball fight.'

'You're having a snowball fight?'

Ginny was walking across the room, with Mitzi and Skye either side of her, and a gang behind. The way they walked demanded respect, and they looked down on Erin and Daisy as if they were lower life forms.

'Yea.' Harry answered, clearing his throat. Everyone else seemed to have lost their tongues. Dean and Seamus were looking for ball dates, Hermione and Ron were busy fussing over each other, and Erin and Daisy looked intimidated.

'Oh.' Ginny said, with a small smile. 'Do you have space on a team for one more?'

The look on Mitzi and Skye's faces was priceless.

'You want to go and play in the snow?' Mitzi asked, turning her nose up.

'Yes.' Ginny said confidently. 'So?'

'There's space on the girls team.' Erin said, in a small voice.

'We're meeting outside in five minutes.' Hermione explained.

'I'll be there.' Ginny said, with a small smile.

'But Gin, we're all going to chose ball robes out of Mitzi's magazine.' Skye said, looking down her nose.

'Well you'll have to do it without me.' Ginny told the shocked gang. 'So I'll see you in five?'

'Gin, are you sure you know what you're doing?' Mitzi finally exclaimed.

'Positive.' Ginny smiled, and climbed the girls staircase.

The gang stood with blank faces for a moment, before Skye took charge.

'Come on then!' She exclaimed. 'Lets all go to the Library.'

As the gang left, Dean and Seamus sniggered.

'I bet they'll be lost without their little leader.' Dean grinned.

'No, Skye will keep them in line.' Erin said. 'And when Ginny meets them later, she'll be welcomed back with open arms.'

'Oh well.' Harry said. 'Now we need to go get changed. We're meeting outside in five minutes, remember.'

As the group began to leave, Hermione sighed.

'I'm supposed to be good at snowball fights?' Hermione said. 'What have I got myself into?'

'Don't worry.' Ron grinned. 'I'll go easy on you, honey.'

Hermione hit Ron over the head, thinking how normal it felt for Ron to call her honey, as the trio left.

Just over five minutes later, the boys were assembled outside.

'Where on earth are the girls?' Ron asked no one in particular.

'Bet they've chickened.' Dean said.

'You wish.'

Erin, Daisy and Hermione headed down the hill, to where the boys were positioned. They were appropriately dresses, except for Hermione. Daisy and Erin both wore jeans, and Erin, her trademark boots. Hermione, on the other hand, had opted for an extremely short skirt.

'Hermione!' Ron exclaimed. 'You can't wear that!'

'What do you mean?' Hermione asked, oblivious. 'Don't you like it?'

'I know I like it.' Seamus grinned, and Ron scowled at him.

'You're going to freeze.' Ron said, looking genuinely worried. 'And that coats only small. Here.'

Ron took off his coat, and put it round Hermione's shoulders. She smiled, and her face was oddly red, and Harry was sure it wasn't from the weather.

'Awww.' Erin and Daisy said. Ron realised what he was doing, but didn't move away like he usually would have. Instead, he put a hand to her cheek.

'I wouldn't want you getting cold.' Ron whispered sincerely, and Hermione was momentarily speechless.

'So where's Ginny?' Dean said, breaking up the moment.

'I don't know.' Hermione said. 'She said she wouldn't be a minute.'

'Hey!' Called a sweet voice.

'Talk of the devil.' Harry grinned.

Ginny ran towards the group, with an angelic smile on her face. She'd dressed appropriately, wearing light jeans and a white coat brimmed with fur. She was also wearing matching earmuffs and gloves.

'So you finally turned up.' Harry said, with a new found confidence.

'What do you mean?' Ginny asked, mockingly. 'I'm fashionably late.'

'Whatever.' Dean said, waving the conversation away. 'Lets start.'

'Neville!' Daisy bellowed, at the top of her voice.

Neville was strolling by the lake, with a book in his hands. When he spotted Daisy, he jogged over to the group, hesitantly.

'Hi.' Neville said, as Daisy pulled him into a friendly hug.

'Hey, big bro.' Daisy smiled. 'I haven't seen you all week!'

'It's only Wednesday, Daisy.' Neville smiled, fondly.

'But still.' Daisy pouted. 'So, what are you doing?'

'I actually came to find you.' Neville explained. 'Professor Sprout asked me if I'd help you on an essay you were struggling with. I thought we could work on it now, since we have some spare time.'

'Now?' Daisy asked. 'I'm just about to have a snowball fight! Can't we do it later?'

'Oh, ok.' Neville said, disappointed. 'Maybe later.'

'Neville, why don't you hang out with us for a while?' Ron suggested. 'You can join in the snowball fight now, and do work later.'

'Sure.' Neville smiled. 'But I'm not very good.'

'Hey! That's not fair!' Erin moaned. 'Now you have five on your team, and we only have four.'

The boys chuckled.

'Don't worry.' Ginny said, with a broad grin. 'I think I've just found someone else to be on our team.'

'Who?' Daisy asked.

Ginny pointed to Luna Lovegood, who was sitting reading on a bench, not too far away.

'Loony Luna?' Dean asked, perplexed. 'Are you sure?'

'Completely sure.' Ginny smiled, then called. 'Hey, Luna! Do you want to join in our snowball fight?'

Luna looked shocked for a moment, before calling back, 'No thank you.'

'Go on!' Erin called. 'We need another girl on our team!'

'Please!' Ginny called.

Luna put down her book, and made her way towards the group.

'Did you want me?' She asked, in mysterious tones.

'We're having a snowball fight.' Hermione explained nicely. 'We'd really like it if you'd join in.'

'Oh, of course.' Luna smiled. 'It would be my pleasure.'

'It's settled then.' Dean said. 'Let the games begin.'