Just then there was a knock on her door, "C'mon in," Hermione said, not making any effort to get up, Ginny walked in. "Hey Gin, what's up?" asked Hermione, as Ginny came & sat on her bed. "Not much, just wondering what we're doing today," said Ginny, got up & walked over to the mirror & began to brush her hair with Hermione's brush. "Um… I don't know what we're doing. Maybe Harry & Ron have thought of something for us to do," said Hermione as she got up, grabbed Harry's watch & left with Ginny.

IN THE COMMON ROOM

When Hermione & Ginny entered the common room they found Harry sitting alone in his favourite chair next to the fire, reading a quidditch book. Hermione turned to look at Ginny, but Ginny had already bounded over to Harry & sat on him. "Morning Harry, where's Ron?" asked Hermione once she had sat down on the couch opposite Harry & Ginny, "Hey 'mione! He said he was going to have a shower, he must still be there," said Harry, "He does nothing but wastes water that kid! He has the longest showers & he leaves taps on," Harry & Hermione looked at Ginny, "Sorry, I just wanted to join in," said Ginny smiling as Hermione giggled. "Don't try gin," said Ron as he walked over to them & sat next to Hermione, then shook his wet hair & got everyone wet. Hermione wiped the water off her face & thought 'God! He reminds me of a dog when he does that,' "Ron have you ever heard of a hair-dryer?" asked Harry, Ron looked a Harry as if he had gone nuts. "Air-Driver? What's an air-driver?" asked Ron, Harry gave up & Hermione thwacked him on the head, "It's HAIR-DRYER & it blows out hot air, that dries your hair quicker then towel drying it, muggles love them," said Hermione laughing at Ron's lack of intelligence.

"So what are we doing this morning?" asked Ginny, Ron shrugged & Harry answered, "We could go down to the Great Hall & get some breakfast," Ron & Ginny nodded, but Hermione spoke, "We can't read the new notice on the wall," Harry groaned & went to read the note aloud;

Students,

Breakfast will be held in common rooms today at precisely 10am, due to the fact that staff & selective students are setting the Great Hall for the Ball this afternoon.

If you have any problems with this arrangement, please re-read this notice.

Sincerely

Professor McGonagall

Harry looked at his bare wrist, "Where's my watch?" he asked, "Oh, here you go, thanks for letting me borrow it," said Hermione handing Harry back his watch. He put it on his wrist & checked the time, "Breakfast should be served in about 10minuets," he said happily. During that 10minuets Ron & Ginny had engaged in a heated game of chess, Harry was watching & cheering them both on & Hermione had begun reading. (Big shock there!)

Finally a buffet appeared in the middle of the common room & people began to file into the common room, so Harry, Ginny, Hermione & Ron each grabbed a plate of food & went to eat outside under the tree near the lake.

NEAR THE LAKE

The four friends sat happily eating their breakfast & talking, yet again, about the Ball. "So when do we wanna meet?" asked Ginny, "Um… how about half-past 4pm so we can get in early & get a good table together?" suggested Harry, everyone nodded. "So do any of you know any other couples that are going together?" asked Ron, Ginny nodded, "I know that Dean & Pavarti are going together, so are Hannah & Justin, Malfoy & Pansy, Padma & Terry and surprisingly Lavender has already found someone new to replace Pat, so she's going with Seamus," Ginny said marking off all the couples she knew of off on her fingers.

"Did I just hear a poor weasel say my holy name?" drawled a voice from behind them, they turned to see none other then Draco Malfoy standing there. Both Harry & Ron jumped to their feet, "Shut it Ferret!" said Harry, who looked just but ready to attack Malfoy if he didn't leave, then Hermione spoke, "Your holy name? Yeah right! You should stop trying it pick fights with people or you're going to end up with your father in Azkaban." said Hermione angrily. "You filthy mudblood," he shouted, with that he grabbed the jug of pumpkin juice & poured it on Hermione. That probably wasn't the brightest move on Malfoy's behalf. At that Ron knocked Malfoy over & the two boys began to have a fist fight, while Ginny, Harry & Hermione were yelling & trying to hold Ron back.

After a minuet Hermione began to get annoyed, so she stood smack bang in the middle of the fight, unfortunately it was really bad timing because Malfoy had thrown a punch that was intended to hit Ron but instead got Hermione on the cheek. Everyone went silent & Hermione felt her cheek that was already starting to bruise, with that Malfoy ran off as fast as he could. Hermione's eyes began to water, Ron walked over to her to see if she was alright. "Are you ok?" he asked, "Do I look ok?" she said angrily, Harry & Ginny stayed quiet knowing that a row was about to start. "I'm sorry Hermione," he apologized, "Why do you have to start fights? I can stand up for myself you know, I don't need you to start fights with everyone who insults me!" Hermione yelled, with that she ran up to the castle. Ron turned to Ginny & Harry. "I was only standing up for her, why do I always make her mad! I'm such an idiot! The second things start to go right I go & do something stupid!" Ron said angrily, with that he walked off towards the castle to go find Hermione.

"Wow! It's only 12 o'clock & they've already had a row, it's gonna be a great day!" said Harry sarcastically, as he & Ginny packed up the breakfast & headed towards Gryffindor common room.

MEANWHILE

As Hermione ran into the castle she let her feet steer her in whatever direction they wanted, finally she stopped in front of a door. When she entered she realized she was in the room of requirement. Inside there was a two-seater couch & a chess board, Hermione was confused. She went & sat on the couch & stared at the chess board. No more than 3minuets later a voice woke Hermione from her trance, it was Ron's voice. "Hermione?" Ron called from the doorway, "Go away Ron," she said wiping the rest of the tears away. "Can we talk?" he asked, sitting next to her, "Why bother? We'll just end up fighting again in like two days," she assumed. Ron saw the chess board & thought, "Ok, how about if I beat you in a game of chess, you have to hear me out, & if you win… you don't have to go to the ball with me or ever talk to me again," he said praying Hermione would agree, today must've Ron's lucky days because she agreed. "Fine," she said, now knowing this must be the reason for the chess board.

Two hours later they were still playing chess, then, "CHECKMATE!" said Hermione triumphantly, Ron looked at the board, "Not quite, CHECKMATE," said Ron as he moved his knight to take Hermione's Queen that had been checking his King & cornering her King with the help of his bishop. Hermione sighed, "Fine, explain yourself," she said turning to face him. "Ok, first off I'm so sorry! Ok now here's why I always stand up for you… I hate seeing you get hurt, when you cry I feel like… well I don't know exactly, but I just want to make it all better for you. I just I care about you mione," he stopped there & looked at the ground, Hermione was close to tears. "Ron, that's so sweet of you," she said hugging him tightly, "So you're not mad at me?" Ron asked hopefully. "I'm not mad, besides how could I stay mad at you after that little speech?" she asked him, "You can't!" replied grinning. They sat there for awhile longer, then Hermione looked at an ancient clock that was hung on the wall; it was 2:35pm. Hermione jumped to her feet, "I have to go! I promised Gin I'd help her get ready for the Ball, cya soon!" she said as she ran from the room and not long after Ron walked out to go find Harry.

Plz review! feel free to say any suggestions u have! thanxu!

luv lor

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ps: only one or two more chapters to go! at the end i'll get u to vote on whether or not there should be a sequel!