Chapter Three

Harry was greeted by the joyous shrieks of a large group of Gryffindor girls who were all pouring over three enchanted catalogues that Hermione had left stuck on the Gryffindor noticeboard the previous night. He searched for Ron and Hermione and once he spotted them headed over to where they sat in front of the fire, which had been re-lit due to the server lack of warmth that winter usually brought with it. He sat next to Hermione on the lounge facing the fire.

"Look at them all Harry" Ron said dumbstruck and nodding towards the group of noisy girls "They've been like this for the better part of an hour…"

Ron was interrupted by the shriek of a girl who had just figured out how to use the enchanted catalogues. She came running out of the crush with her prize and ran off to the girls' dormitories.

Harry looked around at Hermione who was no doubt enjoying herself.

"Why aren't you joining in on the chaos that is involved in choosing a dress?" Ron pointed behind him with his thumb.

Hermione grinned mischievously at the two of them "I got my dress this morning before I put the catalogues on the board"

Ron shook his head "That isn't like you, you usually let other people take the first pick"

Hermione laughed, "I didn't want someone else to take my dress!" she said s she reclined a little further into the lounge, leaning on Harry ever so slightly as not to look conspicuous. "Besides I'm the one who enchanted the catalogues, so I figured I was allowed to have first pick".

"Hear hear" Harry agreed, "Do the guys have a separate catalogue?"

"No, of course not. I figured you lot could fend for yourselves" Hermione laughed at the look of utter shock and disbelief on their faces "Of course there's one for the guys, I'm not that mean"

Ron stood up and hesitated "On second thought Harry can go get his first" and Ron plonked himself back onto the lounge.

"Oh, come on, the catalogues aren't going to bight you or anything" Hermione said exasperated. There was a loud shriek from the crowed "You took my dress. That's the one I was gonna choose. Give it to me!"

The trio looked around to see a third year girl chase after another third year who was running towards the girls' dormitories with a dress trailing behind her.

"I saw it first. Its mine!" said the other girl. Their angry yelling could still be heard when the girls had reached the dormitory.

"They might not bite but they can start wars" Harry said, laughing.

It wasn't for another half hour until the crowd around the notice board dispersed so that Harry and Ron could get a clear shot at the catalogues reserved for the boys. The catalogues displayed the most amazing array of beautiful suits and tuxedos of every colour one could think of. It took them a while but a decision was finally made. Harry had opted for a classic black tuxedo. Ron on the other hand didn't want to ware just black and chose a white and black tuxedo.

"Should look rather interesting don't you think?" Ron said heading out of the portrait hole with Harry and Hermione fifteen minutes later.

"So Hermione. Who is taking you to the dance?" Ron asked.

Hermione smiled roguishly "Never you mind, Ron"

Ron looked at her sceptically "Interesting name, that" he said sarcastically "I wounder who it could be"

Hermione exchanged a playful look with Harry as they followed their best friend into the Great Hall. Once they sat at the Gryffindor table Ron immediately started to reach for whatever food he could get his hands on.

"So, what's the Hall gonna look like for the ball?" Ron asked after he swallowed a fried egg whole.

"Not sure, Dumbledore said it would be a surprise" Hermione answered uncertainly between a bite of sausage and sip of orange juice "He said it will fit into the muggle theme though"

At the staff table Professor Dumbledore stood up and tapped his goblet with a spoon "I would like to make a few announcements concerning this evenings festivities" he said smiling at the crowded hall. "First, lunch will be cancelled only for today so the staff can get the Great Hall ready for tonight". Dumbledore waited patently for the uproar that came with this announcement to die down, he then continued "Second, the ball will commence at seven-thirty this evening and will conclude at twelve, however you may stay out until one-fifteen. If you do choose to stay up you will be restricted to the Entrance Hall, the grounds immediately in front of the castle and the Great Hall" Dumbledore sat back down to finish eating.

Throughout the day strange noises could be heard coming out of the Great Hall, which caused a great amount of uncertain rumours to spread around the castle. Students whiled away the time before the dance relaxing, playing out in the grounds and gossiping about who was taking whom to the dance. Harry, Hermione and Ron were one of the crowds out in the grounds all rugged up and building snowmen.

"I love this" Hermione said putting a button on her snowman.

Harry looked over at her "Love what?" he asked as he scrutinized his showman's face.

"This" Hermione said flinging her arms out wide as if she was showing them something "When we can have fun with out the imminent threat of something jumping out of the dark and threatening to do us all in" she looked down at her snowman sadly "I wish we could have normal lives instead of ones that can get us killed"

Harry walked over to her and looked her in the eyes "Hermione, I will stop him from taking over and I promise you that this wont be the last time you get to make a snowman or to feel what its like to have fun and not to be stressing over some evil that has been sent to inflict its wrath upon us" he looked over to Ron who was so engrossed with his snowman, oblivious to their conversation. "If I could wish this all away I would, but I can't" he enveloped her with his strong arms "But I will defeat him and you will be safe forever"

Hermione leaned into him "Oh, Harry. I wish I could take the pain and heartache from you. I wish I could shoulder your troubles so you could feel like a normal sixteen year old" she withdrew from him and rubbed her eyes. "Do you think he saw us?" she motioned over to Ron who was not hastily putting buttons onto his snowman.

Harry shrugged "Not to sure, but he'll find out tonight"

They went back to work on their snowmen. Harry couldn't help but smile, tonight everyone was going to know the he and Hermione were an item.

"Hello" said a well-known dreamy voice. Luna Lovegood walked over to the trio "Excited about the dance?" she said starring dreamily at Harry's snowman.

Harry smiled again "More than you know" he said.

Hermione and Ron joined Harry "Who's taking you to the dance?" Ron asked, trying hard not to stare at her turnip earrings.

"Oh, Nevil is, he asked me after Dumbledore announced that we were to have a dance" Luna slowly blinked "What about you?"

"It's a surprise" was all she said.

Luna joined them for a while until Hermione announced that she was going up to the castle to get ready. "See you later" she whispered to Harry" as she walked by.

Luna soon departed to get ready then it was just Harry and Ron.

"So, are you gonna tell me who your taking to the dance?" Ron asked curiously.

Harry shook his head "Nope, you'll have to wait and see"

"Come one Harry" Ron whined, "I'm taking Lavender" her said all of a sudden "Now you have to tell me"

Harry was enjoying this "Lucky her, but I'm still not telling, you'll see her in about four hours time"

Harry and Ron stayed out in the grounds until it was to dark to see by means of natural light so the abandoned their snowmen and headed into the castle with the rest of the students who had stayed out until sundown. Harry noticed when the walked through the Entrance Hall that the noises that could be heard in the Great Hall earlier had now ceased and all was silent except for the foot falls and the chattering of the students whom with they had come in with.

"This is gonna be fun" Harry thought.

The next chapter is the best; well I'm hoping it will be. Please tell me what you think so far. Review Please. Best Wishes…