The Difference One Choice Makes
24th November 1994
Harry, Neville and Ron made their way into one of the large unused classrooms which had been emptied of desks while the chairs had been arranged into a circle around the edge of the classroom.
Professor Mcgonagall and Mr Filch were stood in the centre of the room next to an old fashioned record player.
Several of the other Gryffindor students were already sat down on the chairs including Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas and Josh Sloper, with Harry, Ron and Neville going over to sit with them.
The girls were sat on one side of the room while the boys were on the other.
Once all of the students took their seats Professor Mcgonagall called for their attention.
"On Christmas Day night, we and our guests will gather in the Great Hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity, the Yule Ball… a chance for us to let our hair down and enjoy ourselves with our guests, the Yule Ball, is first and foremost, a dance" said Professor Mcgonagall.
This had mixed reactions around the room as the girls looked excited while most of the boys did not like it.
"Silence!" shouted Professor Mcgonagall.
The room fell silent once again.
"The House of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the Wizarding World for nearly ten centuries… I will not have you in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling, band of the boos" said Professor Mcgonagall.
"Try saying that five times fast" whispered George who was stood with Fred behind Harry and the other boys.
He and Fred started whispering "Babbling, bumbling, band of the boos" rapidly.
"The dance… is to let the body, breathe, and inside every girl, a secret swan is lumbering longing to burst forth with rejoice… and inside every boy, a lordly lion prepares to prance" said Professor Mcgonagall fondly.
She turned to look at Ron.
"Mr Weasley" said Professor Mcgonagall walking towards him causing him to look up at her.
"Yes" said Ron in slight worry.
Professor Mcgonagall held her hand out to him causing sniggers to break out from the students.
"Will you join me please?" said Professor Mcgonagall causing the sniggers to get louder.
Harry pushed a nervous Ron to his feet as everyone in the room started to laugh.
Professor Mcgonagall led Ron over to the centre of the room.
"Now… place your right hand on my waist" said Professor Mcgonagall.
Ron's eyes glanced around the room.
"Where?" said Ron in shock.
"My waist" said Professor Mcgonagall.
Harry wolf-whistled as Ron nervously placed his hand on Professor Mcgonagall's waist before he glared at Harry for his whistling.
"Now extend your arm" said Professor Mcgonagall taking Ron's left hand and extending their arms outwards.
Even more chuckles could be heard around the room while Ron glared at various students.
"Mr Filch if you please" said Professor Mcgonagall.
Mr Filch turned on the record player which started playing some slow ballroom music.
Professor Mcgonagall looked at Ron.
"One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three" said Professor Mcgonagall as she started leading Ron around the dance floor.
The Twins started mock dancing as Neville turned to them.
"You're not gonna let him forget this are you?" said Neville smirking.
"Never" said Fred and George in unison.
"Everyone come together… boys on your feet" said Professor Mcgonagall as the girls stood up but the boys didn't move.
After a few seconds, Neville gulped and stood up being the only boy to do so.
Later that afternoon…
"Remember your promise from Fourth Year Eddy?" said Myranda Vaisey teasingly.
She was walking along the Third Floor Corridor holding onto Edward's arm with a wicked smile on her face.
Edward turned to her with a teasing smirk on his face.
"And what promise would that be?" said Edward jokingly.
Myranda pulled him into a small alcove behind one of the pillars causing him to place his hands on her waist.
"You promised me that next time there was a Yule Ball, you would take me" said Myranda batting her eyelashes at him.
Edward smirked and gave her a quick kiss.
"I don't need to ask you then" said Edward.
Myranda slapped his chest.
"A girl likes to be asked to these things Edward Potter… you might be a Tri-Wizard Champion, and I am the only girl worthy of being on your arm… but you still need to ask me" said Myranda wickedly.
Edward chuckled and tightened his grip on her waist.
"Myranda… will you come to the Yule Ball with me?" said Edward pulling her closer to him.
Myranda smirked and leaned up to his ear tracing her tongue on it.
"Alright then" said Myranda teasingly.
She quickly kissed him for a good few seconds before they separated and she took his hand.
"I'll make sure that I look the part" said Myranda trailing her hands on his shoulders.
Edward smirked.
"And what part is that?" said Edward teasingly.
Myranda pressed herself into him.
"Like a proper Champions Date, so good that everyone will be looking at me, but only you get to touch me" said Myranda in a sultry voice.
Edward smirked and kissed her before pulling her out of the alcove so they could continue walking down the corridor arm in arm, talking and laughing amongst themselves.
27th November 1994
Jennifer Black wiped a bit of sweat off of her forehead, having just finished a very hands-on Healer Training class in a large classroom on the First Floor, under the supervision of one of the School Healers who worked under Madam Pomfrey.
Learning and practising how to treat basic magical diseases was the subject for today's lesson and like Jennifer, nearly everyone in their ten student class was exhausted from the hard work.
"Hey, Jennifer!" called out a voice from behind her.
Jennifer turned around to see her medium-length blonde-haired housemate Matthew Clearwater stood by one of the chairs looking at her with a hopeful look on her face.
"Hey" said Jennifer as she walked over to him.
Matthew cleared his throat.
"Listen… I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Ball with me?" said Matthew managing to sound confident.
Jennifer froze and looked him straight in the eyes for a few seconds before.
"Alright, I'll go with you" said Jennifer kindly.
Matthew breathed a small sigh of relief before moving closer to her.
"Do you want to sit with me for lunch?" said Matthew.
Jennifer smiled and patted his arm.
"I'd like that" said Jennifer softly, before walking past him towards the classroom door.
30th November 1994
"No one's asked her yet if that's what you're wondering Harry" said the soft but teasing voice of Alicia Spinnet to Harry's right.
Harry who was sat on his own at one of the desks in the Common Room looked up from his Arithmancy homework to see Alicia stood next to him looking down at him.
"Pardon?" said Harry in slight confusion.
She gestured her head over to where Katie was sat on one of the settees talking and laughing with her friends and housemates Leanne Porter and Ellie Duggan.
Harry followed her gaze and sighed having been caught glancing at Katie every now and then as he did his homework.
"I said no one's asked her to the Ball yet… I'm surprised you haven't asked her" said Alicia.
Harry felt relieved inside when he heard that Katie had still not been asked to the Ball knowing that he still had a chance to go with her. If only he could conquer his nerves and ask her.
It had been nearly a week since the Yule Ball had been announced and no matter how much Harry wanted to, he could not pluck up the courage to ask Katie to the ball.
"She's not going to bite your head off if you ask her Harry, in fact, I'd be surprised if she said no… but you best be quick about it before someone else swoops in and asks her first" said Alicia.
Harry looked back down at his homework feeling embarrassed.
"Go and wait outside the Common Room Harry" said Alicia.
"Why?" said Harry.
Alicia folded her arms and looked down at him with a stern look on her face.
"Don't argue with me Harry, you won't win… just go and wait outside, I'll be out in a minute" said Alicia sternly.
Harry dropped his quill on the table and stood up walking towards the Common Room exit.
Alicia was being truthful when she said she would join him outside in a minute.
Only she was not alone when she walked out as Katie was right behind her.
"Hey Harry" said Katie softly.
"Hi" said Harry feeling nervous.
Alicia who was holding the entrance open with her hand just smiled at him.
"I'll see you both soon" said Alicia winking at Harry before walking back inside letting the portrait shut behind her.
Harry and Katie stood there in silence for nearly a minute before Katie took a step towards him.
"Lis said you wanted to talk to me" said Katie curiously.
Harry swallowed.
"Erm… yeah, yeah I did" said Harry nervously.
Katie raised her eyebrow at him.
"Everything alright Harry?" said Katie.
"I was uhm, I was wondering if… maybe uhm…" said Harry nervously trailing off.
He swallowed his nerves.
Katie moved a bit closer to him looking at him curiously. Of course, she knew what he was trying to do and found his nervousness to be a bit adorable even if her friend Sally Harrison made fun of Harry to her because of it.
"I was wondering… if maybe… you'd like to go to the ball with me?" said Harry holding his nerve.
"The ball?" said Katie.
Harry nodded.
It felt like an age to Harry before he finally got an answer to his question.
"I'd like that" said Katie with a small smile.
"Really?" Harry blurted out in shock.
Katie smirked and moved a step closer to him.
"Really" said Katie with a hint of teasing in her tone.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
"I guess I'll meet you in the Common Room on the night of the ball then" said Harry nervously.
Katie took his hand and squeezed it which made Harry's heart beat faster before he told himself to calm down since it was just a bit of hand-holding.
"Sounds like a plan" said Katie before letting go of his hand.
She walked back towards the portrait before looking over her shoulder at him.
"But I hope we get the chance to talk before then" said Katie softly.
With that she said the password to open the entrance and walked back inside, glancing back at him with a small smile.
Harry followed her through the portrait hole a few seconds later with a slight spring in his step.
He was going to the Yule Ball with Katie.
10th December 1994
Neville walked up the steps to the Owlery clutching an envelope addressed to his Parents in his hand as he shivered slightly from the cold weather and mild snow.
As he reached the top of the stairs leading into the Owlery, Hermione was walking out at the same time and the two almost bumped into each other.
"Neville" said Hermione in shock.
"Hey Hermione" said Neville quickly, blocking her off slightly before she took both of his shoulders and moved him to the side so she could get past him.
As she went to move past him, Neville looked directly at her trying to muster up every last bit of Gryffindor courage he had, to ask the question he had been dying to ask her for the last two and a half weeks.
"Watch yourself on the stairs… its a little icy at the top" said Hermione softly.
"Just ask her!" screamed Neville in his mind.
As she zipped up her coat, Neville walked towards her.
"Hermione wait!" Neville called out.
Hermione turned to face him.
"Do you want me to wait for you?" said Hermione softly.
"No… I mean… yes… uhm" said Neville nervously.
Hermione raised her eyebrow at him and took a step towards him.
"You okay?" said Hermione softly.
Neville nodded and took a deep breath.
"Yeah, it's just… I was wondering if maybe you would like to go to the Yule Ball with me?" said Neville nervously, feeling every single feeling he had for the bushy-haired bookworm come out in his words.
He then felt his heart shatter when he saw her smile falter and her face turn into one of regret.
"Neville… I… I'm sorry but… someone's already asked me" said Hermione sadly.
"Of course they have" thought Neville feeling saddened and slightly bitter that someone other than him was taking the girl he liked to the Yule Ball.
"And I… I said I'd go with him" said Hermione regretfully.
Neville frowned and nodded.
"Alright… well I'll uhm… see you later then" said Neville turning around and walking into the Owlery.
"Neville wait!" Hermione called out, moving into the doorway.
Neville sharply turned to face her.
"I'm sorry… if you'd have asked me first I would've said yes I promise… but it wouldn't be fair to cancel on my date now, I'm really sorry" said Hermione.
Neville nodded to her.
"It's fine… I'll see you later okay?" said Neville.
Hermione could not find the words to reply to him. Instead, she just walked back out of the Owlery without another word.
Twenty minutes later…
Neville was not sure how long he had been sat on the staircase leading up to the top floor of the Owlery for when he heard footsteps walking towards him, though it did not disturb him from his thoughts.
It was probably going back to the end of the last school year when he realised that he saw Hermione as more than just one of his close friends.
Some students still felt put off by her incredible book-smarts and the likes of Lucan Malfoy and other Slytherins would constantly hurl racist comments at her about their thoughts on Muggleborns and how they should not be allowed in the Magical World as well as calling her "Mudblood" over and over again.
Hermione never let them see that their words got to her, always putting on a brave face and ignoring them but Neville remembered the evening when she cried into his shoulder last year as she could not hold all of the hurt in any longer.
How he held her tightly in his arms, with his grip getting even tighter when she told him that he was one of the best friends she had ever had in her entire life.
Only now when he finally had the chance to show her how much he really cared about her and exactly what he wanted their relationship to be, someone else had beaten him to the punch and put her out of his reach.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he did not know someone was sat next to him until he felt them squeeze his hand.
Turning to where the hand came from, he saw Euphemia looking at him with a concerned look on her face.
"Hey" said Neville flatly turning away from her and pulling his hand from hers.
"What's wrong Neville?" said Euphemia sounding concerned.
"Nothing" mumbled Neville.
"It isn't nothing… you can tell me, you know I'll keep it between us if you ask" said Euphemia softly placing her hand on his shoulder.
Neville frowned and remained silent for nearly a minute before he turned to face her.
"I asked Hermione to the ball… and she said no" said Neville sadly.
Euphemia squeezed his shoulder.
"I'm sorry to hear that… she's going with someone else isn't she?" said Euphemia kindly.
Neville nodded.
"Have you liked her long?" said Euphemia softly.
Neville opened his mouth to give her a shocked reply but she pressed two fingers against his lips.
"I've known you since I was a little girl Neville… you're like a brother to me, and I know what it looks like when a boy likes a girl" said Euphemia softly removing her fingers from his lips.
Neville nodded.
"I've liked her since the end of last year" said Neville.
Euphemia wrapped her arm around his shoulders and leaned into his side, trying to cheer him up even if it was just a little bit.
"Listen… why don't you take me to the ball?" said Euphemia softly.
Neville raised his eyebrow at her.
"I really want to go this time Neville… I was only a first-year when they had the last Yule Ball, and I'd hate to miss this one as well… so will you take me?" said Euphemia softly with a hint of pleading in her voice.
"Are you sure, that you don't want to go with someone better than me, someone who likes you as more than a friend?" said Neville.
Euphemia smiled and squeezed Neville's hand.
"I feel safe with you Neville… I know that you'd look after me and wouldn't make me do anything I didn't want to do" said Euphemia softly.
Neville looked into her eyes and nodded.
"Alright… I'll go with you" said Neville kindly.
Euphemia smiled and squeezed his shoulders tightly.
"She'd be a fool not to like someone as kind as you Neville… don't give up on her, you never know what might happen this year" said Euphemia softly.
Neville turned a little bit red.
"Thanks" said Neville kindly.
She smiled and stood up picking up a parcel that was by her side.
"It'll just take a minute for me to post this… then I'll walk back with you if you want?" said Euphemia softly.
"Alright" said Neville getting to his feet.
Later that evening…
Harry was sat on the settee reading one of the books he had borrowed from the library for his History Of Magic homework when he heard a bit of commotion coming from the portrait entrance.
Looking up from his book he saw Euphemia, Lacey, Ginny and Lucy Mclaggen, the latter two holding onto the arms of a freaked out looking Ron guiding him towards one of the settees.
"What happened to him?" said Harry putting his book down and moving over to them.
Hermione and Janet Spinnet who were sat at one of the tables doing their own homework also saw this and moved over to Ron.
"He just asked Fleur Delacour out" said Ginny sounding a little concerned.
"What?" said Hermione in quiet shock.
"What did she say?" said Janet sounding concerned as she took in the look on Ron's face.
"No of course" said Hermione quickly.
Ron slowly shook his head sideways.
"She said yes" said Harry in shock.
Ron swallowed.
"She was just walking… I like the way she walks, I couldn't help it… I just asked her, but she ignored me" said Ron in a state of sad shock.
"Actually, you sort of screamed at her… it was a bit frightening" said Ginny.
"What?" said Janet.
Ron shook his head slowly.
"She just looked at me… like I was dirt like I was something nasty under her shoe, and everyone was laughing… so I ran" said Ron still in his sad shocked state.
Janet placed her hand on his arm for a brief moment.
"Just forget about it Ron" said Janet.
Ron swallowed and leaned back on the settee where Ginny and Lucy slowly let go of his hands.
"I think you best go and have a lie-down mate… sleep it off" said Harry.
Ron slowly nodded before getting up from the settee and slowly walked towards the stairs leading up to the dormitory.
Once he was gone Harry picked his book up and went to sit at the table with Hermione and Janet.
"At this rate, he's gonna be the only Gryffindor at the ball without a date" said Harry, watching Ron walk up the stairs.
Hermione sighed.
"Then he needs to ask someone who he actually knows" said Hermione opening one of her books.
Harry sighed.
"I think he's too scared… and what just happened with Fleur won't have done much to help his fear" said Harry flatly.
"There must be someone he knows who'll go with him" said Hermione.
Harry leaned back in deep thought for a moment before turning to Janet.
Seeing the look on his face, Janet shook her head.
"I've already got a date" said Janet.
"Do you mind if I ask who it is?" said Harry leaning forwards again.
"Just a boy from Durmstrang… he's called Ivan, he asked me last week" said Janet.
Harry turned to Hermione who shook her head.
"Same… I got asked by someone from Durmstrang as well" said Hermione with a hint of nervousness as though she was holding something back.
Harry sighed.
"What about Lavender… or Ellen?" said Harry curiously.
"Lavender's going with Seamus, and Josh asked Ellen yesterday" said Janet.
Harry let out a weary sigh.
"What about your Sister?" said Hermione.
Harry shook his head.
"She's going with Neville… she asked him earlier apparently" said Harry.
"What about Parvati… I don't think she has a date yet" said Hermione curiously.
Janet shrugged her shoulders.
"No harm in asking I suppose" said Janet flatly.
"But will Ron be able to bring himself to ask her… after what happened, that sort of thing can really wreck someone's confidence" said Harry.
Janet and Hermione glanced at each other for a few moments.
"Why don't you ask her for him then… just tell her that he's too nervous to ask her himself, but he's wondering if she'd like to go with him" said Hermione.
"And if she's not sure then vouch for him, assure her that she'd have a decent night at least" said Janet.
Harry sighed.
"Why do I have to do it… you know her a lot more than I do" said Harry warily.
"We do… but she's more likely to listen to you when it comes to Ron than to either of us, you know him more than we do after all" said Hermione.
Harry sighed.
"I'll mention it to him first… but only if you tell me that she's definitely not got a date already" said Harry before returning to his book.
"Deal" said Janet.
Harry glanced up at her and nodded in agreement before the two girls returned to their homework.
20th December 1994
"Fancy some company?" said a quiet but familiar voice from Harry's right.
He was sat on a table near the bookshelves in the library as he often did in the evenings when he wanted to work on his homework in some measure of peace and quiet.
Looking up he saw Katie stood next to him holding her book bag in her folded arms with a soft smile on her face.
"Go ahead, sit down" said Harry softly, feeling glad that his nerves were gone at least for now.
Katie dropped her book bag on the table and sat down.
"How are you?" said Harry.
Katie glanced at him as she opened her bag and got some homework out.
"I'm good, you?" said Katie softly.
Harry nodded.
"Yeah… just looking forward to Christmas you know?" said Harry as she pulled her quill and an inkpot out of her bag and started to write.
"Same… you looking forward to the ball?" said Katie.
Harry gulped and turned a bit pink.
"Katie… there's something you might want to know" said Harry nervously.
Katie raised her eyebrow at him, silently asking for an explanation.
He took a deep breath to steady himself.
"I'm not much of a dancer… quite rubbish at it actually" said Harry nervously.
Katie chuckled and moved her chair closer to him.
"You and me both Harry… I've never really been much of a dancer either" said Katie softly.
Harry looked straight at her as she smirked.
"Besides… if you and I are dancing terribly at the ball, then neither of us can feel bad for embarrassing the other now can we?" said Katie jokingly.
Harry chuckled before Katie placed her hand on his making his chest heat up.
"Just be yourself at the ball Harry, and we'll have a good time okay?" said Katie before removing her hand from his.
Harry nodded.
"Do you miss Quidditch?" said Harry curiously, trying to resume their conversation.
Katie sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"Definitely… even just flying in general" said Katie.
"Same… I just want to get out there and have a game of Quidditch, even if it's just a friendly match" said Harry glancing out of the window as he spoke.
Katie dropped her quill and sighed.
"At least I've got my broom with me… so I can just fly around the stadium, it's not Quidditch but it's close enough" said Katie sounding a bit bored.
"I never thought about that" said Harry.
Katie smirked and moved closer to him.
"You're more than welcome to join me one evening Harry" said Katie softly.
Harry straightened up.
"Really?" said Harry.
Katie smirked and playfully punched him in the arm.
"Of course you are" said Katie softly before she picked up her quill again and started to write.