It was the day after the Yule Ball had been announced and the entire school was buzzing about it-at least all of the girls in the school. The guys seemed to be less than eager. However, Ginny had been disappointed to learn that you were only allowed to attend if you were in fourth year or older. The only other option she had was being asked by an elder guy to the dance and she wasn't about to go looking. She was most definitely not a desperate person, but it just so happened that she that she did fancy Cedric and she was rather hoping that he would ask her. However there had been rumours about him liking Cho and she had heard from Hermione that Harry might be interested in Cho too. It simultaneously confirmed her suspicion that Harry wasn't as interested in her as he claimed to be, although that suited her just fine.

As Ginny walked down to the Great Hall lost in her for breakfast that morning, she was lost in her own thoughts. Then she heard an unfamiliar voice calling her name. She turned around in order to discover it was Neville. She smiled sweetly at him as he approached her, out of breath and he smiled shyly as he slowed down.

Ginny waited before he reached her and huffed out, "Uh...Ginny I was hoping you..." he swallowed and "she could tell he was nervous. She frowned and said warmly and waited for him to continue. He inhaled sharply before blurting, "Wannagoballwithme?" Ginny knew what he was saying, even though it came out in a blurred mess. She thought quickly in her head and did a mental pros and cons list.

The advantages of going with Neville:

She could actually go to the ball.

She might be able to make Cedric jealous.

She might be able to meet other people (specifically a nice guy.)

There would be dancing and she loved to dance.

The con's of going with Neville:

She didn't like him in that way.

She wouldn't miss out on all the talk about it afterwards.

She couldn't think of another con.

Ginny nodded and smiled politely, "Thank you Neville. I'd be delighted to go with you." He grinned at her like he had just received and early Christmas present. He clearly hadn't expected her to say yes as he replied ecstatically, "Cool! We'll make arrangements closer to the time!" She nodded and replied, "I'm looking forward to it!"

When Ginny arrived at the Gryffindor table, she sat down next to Colin. She was smiling happily as she helped herself to yoghurt with Granola and blueberries. Ron sat down opposite her with Hermione and asked, "What are you so cheery about, Ginny?" He and Harry were inseparable now that they were on speaking terms. Ginny supposed it didn't discourage Ron's reputation if he was best friends with a champion.

Ginny shrugged and replied casually, "I'm going to the Yule Ball, that's all." Ron nearly spat out his piece of toast, but managed to swallow it fully before demanding, "Who?" in a rather forceful tone. Ginny grinned and shook her head as she laughed, "None of your business!" Hermione grinned at her, "It must be an elder guy! Was it Cedric? He asked you to Hogsmeade, didn't he?" Ginny replied quickly as she buttered her toast, "Yeah he asked me to Hogsmeade this weekend, but he didn't ask me to the dance." Harry was watching her from the corner of his eyes, but he wasn't saying a thing, so Ginny just smiled and kept them guessing.

After breakfast, Ginny was the first to leave as she had Care of Magical Creatures and had to walk down to the forest. Harry caught up with her as she headed out and he pulled her to the side before asking, "Hey Gin, who are you going to the ball with?" Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "Does it really matter?" Harry nodded as he glanced down at his shoes and murmured, "Uh yeah, because I was hoping you'd go with me." Ginny grimaced as she tried to look into his eyes. She found she couldn't and replied, "I…I'm sorry Harry. I already said yes to Neville." Harry's eyes widened in surprise and his eyes tightened in annoyance, "Wouldn't you rather go as my friend?" he asked awkwardly. Ginny smiled kindly at him and sighed, "I'm sorry, Harry. Neville literally just asked me before breakfast and I didn't think anyone else would. I can't say no to him and then go with you. It would be so mean. Please understand." Harry nodded, but still looked disappointed as he sighed, "Oh, alright. I'll see you this evening then." Ginny nodded as she watched him return to his friends. Maybe she'd been wrong about him fancying Cho. Maybe she'd been wrong about his feelings for changing because it seemed like they were still there.

That evening, on the way up from dinner, Ginny felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to find Cedric grinning down at her and she couldn't help but smile back at him, "Hey Ced! How are you?" He replied chirpily, "Never better! And you?" She continued walking up the stairs as she replied, "Pretty good, thanks! Everything is slowly going back to normal." Cedric laughed, "You mean in terms of the fight between Ron and Harry?" Ginny nodded and he shrugged, "Boys will be boys." Ginny laughed at that, "Coming from a boy!" Cedric chuckled and pulled her to a stop in the middle of a passage. He smiled charmingly at her and asked smoothly, "Gin, it would really be an honour if you'd go to the Yule Ball with me?"
Ginny stood frozen and she couldn't believe it! She hadn't thought anybody would ask her and now three guys in one day? It was a bit ridiculous! What awful timing! She sighed and pouted, "I'm sorry Ced, I already said yes to someone else." Cedric frowned and he looked so cute when he was upset. He asked disappointedly, "You're going with Harry?" She grinned and answered, "Nope. But he asked me this morning too. Why did you think Harry?" Cedric shrugged his shoulders and replied as they continued walking towards the Gryffindor dormitory, "Because you're almost always together. It's pretty obvious that he likes you." Ginny couldn't help but giggle, "Jealous?" she inquired. He nodded, a smile still plastered to his face, "A little."

She laughed as she told him, "Well as far as I've heard, you're going out with Cho." He ran a hand through his thick locks and shrugged, "Well…to be honest I don't know what we are. I was rather hoping you'd say yes." Ginny sighed and whispered, "You're a couple of hours too late. I'm really sorry though. I would have loved to go with you. I hope we can still go to Hogsmeade together?" Cedric laughed his musical laugh and replied, "Yes of course! Should me meet in the entrance hall at ten o clock on Saturday?" Ginny nodded eagerly, "Yes, that would be perfect!"

Once they reached the common room, Cedric enveloped her in a hug and squeezed her tightly, "Goodnight, sleep tight," he whispered. He smelt of chocolate (probably from dinner), custard and vanilla. They had had chocolate mud pie pudding with vanilla ice-cream and custard for dessert. It was a heavenly scent on him. Cedric leant down and gave her the usual kiss on the cheek, lingering a little while longer before whispering, "Goodnight Ginervra, sleep dreams," huskily, before walking away with a bounce in his step.

When Ginny entered the common room, Cedric's scent lingered in her thoughts and she grinned stupidly. Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in their usual spot opposite the fireplace, properly strategising for the second task. Harry looked up and Ron did too. Her brother asked insultingly, "What's up with you?" Ginny shrugged her shoulder's as Hermione turned to and laughed, "Nothing. Goodnight everyone," before she headed towards her room. Ginny struggled to go to sleep that night with all of her thoughts filled with Cedric. For once she had nice dreams, filled of Hogsmeade and Cedric. Saturday couldn't come fast enough!