Chapter 12

The Dress

Christmas was rapidly approaching Hogwarts school within a matter of time. Two weeks before Christmas, Ron, Harry, and Jamie sat in the Great Hall discussing their exams, when no sooner they sat down, Ron's owl flew to him.

"It's mum," Ron said opening the letter and began reading it. "She says you and Hermione are invited to stay with us during Christmas break," Ron said looking at Harry. "Your coming right?"

"Of course," Harry answered. He then looked at Jamie who was silent. "Are you staying here over break?" Jamie looked up and smiled.

"Yeah, it's not that bad. I usually spend Christmas watching T.V." She shrugged and just then Hermione and Ginny came running towards them.

"Did you guys hear?" Ginny said out of breath.

"Hear what?" Ron asked.

"About the Christmas dance!" Hermione answered.

"What dance?" Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Professor McGonagall posted on the bulletin that there is going to be a dance here on Christmas."

"Too bad we're going to be at the Burrow," Ron said happily and Ginny and Hermione's face fell.

"Don't tell me you two actually wanted to go," Ron asked incredulously.

"Well why not!" Ginny shouted.

"Because...dances are stupid."

"Ron, everything to you is stupid," Hermione said and sat down.

That evening, in the Gryffindor Common room, they were all sitting in front of the fire when Ginny ran to them waving a letter in her hand.

"What is that?" Ron asked.

"It's a letter from mum! She says that she going to see Bill for Christmas since he has to tell her something. So we'll be here until the 26th."

"What!" Ron shouted. "You mean we're stuck here?"

"You know, you make it sound like a death sentence," Jamie muttered.

"Whatever," Ginny said rolling her eyes, "now we can all go to the dance!" Ron, and Harry started groaning and Jamie rolled her eyes.

"You guys are a bunch of cynics, you know that?" Ginny said with her hands on her hips. "I mean, what kind of school memories will you have if all you did in school was bitch and moan about everything?"

"Bitching memories," Jamie said.

"Moaning memories," Harry supplied.

"Ugh! You guys are impossible," Ginny yelled and then huffed away.

"Well, I'm going to bedshire, see you all tomorrow," Jamie said.

"Me too, night," Hermione agreed and they both walked up the stairs. Rona and Harry sat in silence.

"So," Ron began, "You...are you going to the dance thing?" Harry looked into the fire.

"I don't know, who would I take?"

"Please, everyone would want to go out with you. Just ask a friend if your nervous like...like Ginny or someone...maybe even Luna."

"Your right, maybe I will ask a friend. I think I'll ask Jamie."

"Sullivan? Really?" Ron asked disgusted.

"Do you still hate her?"

"I don't know, there's something about her...its like a vibe I'm getting that she isn't telling us everything." Harry shook his head.

"What about you? Who are you taking?"

"I don't know. Who would want to go with me? I might ask Hermione, but... when would we ask them?"

"I guess we could tomorrow at Hogsmade." Harry said.

"Yeah...I reckon so."

That night, Harry thought of a way to ask Jamie to go to the dance with him without looking like a fool. Once he had the perfect plan, he began to drift off to sleep.

The next day was filled with snow as they walked towards the Three Broomsticks. Before they entered, Harry took Jamie aside.

"Do you want to walk around for a bit?" Jamie looked uncertain, but nodded.

"Sure." They walked in silence until they reached Madam Puddifoots.

"Er Harry, why are we here?" Harry didn't answer. Instead they took a seat and began looking around. The place was crowded with couples kissing everywhere.

"Well," Jamie said grinning, "looks like some love stories never end." Harry smiled but still said nothing. Harry was about to summon the nerve to ask, wondering to himself why he was nervous in the first place. Just then, a flying dwarf flew over them and sprinkled them with confetti. Harry though now was the opportune moment.

"Jamie would you like to-" but he didn't get to finish because Jamie burst out laughing.

"Why are you laughing." She said nothing but kept laughing, and threw her head into her hands."

"Jamie?" When Jamie looked up she had tears in her eyes.

"Oh my god! I'm actually crying," and then she was laughing again. Harry looked at her laughing, and began to laugh too not knowing why.

"Why are you laughing?" he repeated. Jamie looked up.

"This place...this place is meant for idiots. Oh my god, I don't think I ever laughed this hard." She then looked at Harry then towards the door.

"Come on lets go before that dwarf comes again." They both ran outside and started laughing again.

"Ok," Jamie said, "what did you want to ask me?"

"Oh," Harry said and felt his face go red. "Well, I was wondering if...if you would like to go to that Christmas dance with me, you know, as friends?" Jamie stopped grinning, and looked a little sad.

"Look Harry, I think your great but-"

"Your going with someone else?" Harry supplied.

"No, its not that. It's just that-"

"Your not going?"

"No, It's just that-"

"You don't want to go with me?"

"Just shut up for a minute!" Jamie shouted. "Look, since you think your so smart, I'll let you figure it out for yourself. But just so you know, I will see you there."

"So your going?"

"Well, I guess so." Harry nodded, and they walked on until they reached Ron and Hermione who were both a little flushed.

"Hey!" Hermione said happily. "Jamie and I will be at Madame's Silk Robes if you need us." With that she dragged Jamie off, leaving Ron and Harry alone.

"So, did you ask Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, it's so weird, but she actually looked happy and said yes."

"Really?" Harry smiled.

"Yeah, weird isn't. What about Jamie? Did you ask her?"

"Oh," Harry was dreading this conversation. "Yeah, but she said no."

"No kidding," Ron said sounding surprised. "So who you going to go with?"

"Don't know, probably-" Harry was cut off by someone calling his name.

"Harry! Harry!" Harry and Ron turned around to see Cho Chang running towards them.

"Harry!" she said out of breath. "I was wondering if you would like to go to the Christmas dance with me? What do you say?"

"Yeah, sure," Harry said without smiling.

"Great, I'll see you then!" And with that she kissed his cheek and ran off.

"Wow, you must be mad at Jamie," Ron said watching where Cho ran off.

"What do you mean?" They started walking towards Madame's Silk Robes.

"Yes just said yes to Cho, doesn't Jamie like hate her?"

"Well, she doesn't hate her...she dislikes her," Harry answered dreading what he did.

"She probably won't even be there anyways," he said trying to reassure himself. Once they reached the store, they went inside and found Jamie looking bored. Once she saw them, she smiled.

"Thank god you guys are here. I actually prefer Madame Puddifoots rather than here. I mean that place was at least-" Harry looked at Jamie and noticed that she was walking towards a rack with dresses. Harry followed her.

"What is it?"

"This dress," she said holding up a pretty, red dress. "I could have sworn this dress was my mom's."

"Are you going to buy it?" Jamie looked at the price and smiled slightly.

"Maybe in a few years I'll come back and it'll still be here when I have enough money." She placed the dress back on the rack, and left the store hoping she would see it again one more time.