Disclaimer: You take the good; you take the bad and…wait, where was I going with this? Oh, well, onto the chapter then.

No matter how many times anyone visits, students will always swear Hogsmeade is never the same twice. Whether this is because of magic surrounding the village, or the fact that people could never see everything in one day, nobody is sure. They just let their eyes widen in amazement and let the hardest decision of the day is whether or not they need that second box of Ice Mice or in Alison's case that eighth book.

"We are leaving, before you spend all your money on books," Becca said forcefully, pulling her friend away from the display case.

"But the books!" Alison cried as she clawed at the case, but only catching air, "They're on sale! Two Sickles for a pair!"

"No, if I leave here, you'll spend all your money and will have to go starkers to The Ball."

Connor could hear the capitalization in Becca's voice. Chewing thoughtfully on the head of a Jelly Slug, he said, "If she went starkers, she'd get loads of attention though. Probably a detention or expulsion to go with it."

"Not helping," Becca said through clenched teeth.

Connor looked amused, "I was supposed to be helping you? That changes everything," he picked up a book and swung it in front of Alison's face hypnotically, "Now, you listen to Becca and go look at clothes and shoes and all that rubbish, I'll not only buy you this book, but two more of your choosing."

Alison gave a little whimper, she only had enough money left to get one more book and it wasn't so bad of a deal. "I have one condition," She said placidly, "You have to join us in every shop."

The boy bit his lip in thought, and then replied, "Fine. Shake on it."

They shook.

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It was torture, watching as the shop girl brought out dresses of every style, color, and design, humbly offering them to Alison and Becca like an ancient Greek making a sacrifice to the gods, well, in this case goddesses. Connor watched as his friends looked over the outfits, dashing to the fitting room to try them on, and then demanding his opinion. After being asked whether he thought a bell sleeve was superior to a strapless, Connor played with the idea of making more of his close friends male.

"Connor!" Cried Becca, "You're not looking."

With a pained expression, the boy did so and immediately regretted it. "Sweet Mother of Merlin! Are you colorblind?"

Becca sniffled, "What's wrong with it?"

The question should have been what was right with it. It was a ghastly bright orange with green stripes that appeared to be radioactive. The sleeves were far to long, considering that the dress ended at Becca's knees. It was too loose around the waist and made the girl look a bit on the heavy side. Connor waved his hand in dismissal, "Becca, just say no."

Grumbling, Becca went to try on the next dress, a small air of defeat about her. She really thought that had been the one. "It's your turn to face the critic," She muttered to Alison as she went back into the changing room.

Alison grimaced and self-consciously walked out. "Erm, ready?" She asked, peering around the door to look at her friend.

"I ain't getting any younger out here."

"Ain't isn't a word," Alison replies peevishly as she stepped out.

"Nice," Connor said staring at her, "Color's wrong though."

Alison pursed her lips; she thought she was being clever, dressing in a soft red gown that had just a hint of gold at the hem. Loyalty to her house and all. She was about to tell Connor this when he added, "Try silver and green."

"Those are Slytherin colors!" Replied Alison, eyes wide.

"You're dad was a Slytherin."

Alison shot him a dirty look and turned away. Connor walked up to the shop girl and said, "Let me see all your dresses in silver and green."

The girl, who could've only been a few years older than him, giggled and replied, "I don't think we have anything in your size."

Connor smiled, "Then bring me the ones in her size."

"It's so good to see a boy getting something nice for his girlfriend," The shop girl said and pulled out her wand, "But I can't complain. Look what my David got me for my birthday."

She pulled a locket out from under her shirt. It was heart-shaped and read David and Jo Forever. The girl, Jo, stared at it lovingly. "It's lovely, but the dresses?" Conner asked.

Jo grinned sheepishly, "Sorry," She flicked her wand in a complicated manner and a rack of dresses zoomed in, "Here you go."

Connor nodded and began to flick through the dresses. Jo left him as Becca called for help. Alison was sitting in Connor's chair, sulking while staring at the floor. A few minutes later, Connor placed a dress in Alison's lap, "Try it on."

"Make me."

"If you try it on, I'll go to the Ball with you."

Alison inhaled sharply, but still teased her friend, "Threatening me now?"

Connor raised an eyebrow, "Is it working?"

"I'll try it on," Alison said, standing, "Because you asked."

Conner nodded as the entered the dressing room. Alison quickly locked the door and slipped into the dress Connor had picked. The top was dark green and like a corset, showing off pale shoulders and a small amount of cleavage. Alison smoothed the slivery fabric that made up the bottom part, noting how it clung snugly to hips and her stomach, made flat by rigorous Quidditch training. Alison couldn't reach far enough back to zip the dress and called for help, "Becca! I can't reach!"

"Coming," Replied her friend, "Open the door."

Alison did and Becca entered. She let out a low whistle, "Nice. Shows a bit, though. Will your mum and dad mind?"

The green-eyed girl shrugged, "Mum shouldn't. And if Draco does, that's his problem."

"Draco?"

"That's his name."

"Yeah, to everyone else, you call him 'Dad'."

Alison made an annoyed noise, "Are you nearly finished?"

Becca nodded, "Yeah, but may I ask, why the colors of the snake house?"

"Connor picked it," Alison said and went to show the boy her dress.

"I told you so," He said smugly as Alison spun around, to show him the back, "Green and silver work on you."

Alison knew he was right, but she would rather die than admit it. "You owe me a date."

Connor chuckled, "That I do."

"I except you to keep your word."

A pause, and then, "That I will."

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"You can't go with Connor!"

Becca shouted at Alison as they sat in the Three Broomsticks, butterbeers in hand. The green-eyed girl twisted the string on the parcel holding her dress, "Why not?"

"Well think about it. What if you started dating seriously-"

"It's only the Christmas Ball!"

"Yes, but it could turn into something big! And when you break up-"

"Who said we would break up!?" Alison snapped.

"Nobody!"

"You just did!"

Becca made an irritated sound, "That's not important! If, notice I said if, you broke up it would become all awkward and such-"

"Not everyone who breaks up automatically hates each other!"

"I didn't say you would hate each other! I said it would be awkward!"

"It's the same thing!" Alison cried.

"Is not!" Argued Becca.

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"I'm so glad my friends aren't childish twits."

The girls looked up, Connor was staring at them with an amused look. Alison studied him for a moment, he is smiling a type of crooked smile, like the whole situation amuses him, but he doesn't want to let it show. One of the dim lights is over his head, making a few stands of golden blonde shine through his brown hair. His eyes are very blue looking at the moment, bluer than blue. Alison realizes how illogical that sounds as Connor interrupts her train of thoughts.

"What were you fighting about?"

She blinks, "Oh! That! Nothing really, Becca was being stupid."

"Oh, in that case, shove over," Connor squeezes next to her.

Becca gives Alison a look and it is ignored, because Alison has returned to her own little world, in which blue eyes rest as the sun.

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Dear Alison,

We've been waiting for you to write for a while, and were quite disappointed when you didn't. Your brother has sent nearly three times as many letters as you this year. If something is wrong, just tell us. We're here for you. Not much is new around here, but little Harry is getting a bit colicky, poor dear. Though, I feel worse for Ron and Hermione. Tell Connor and Becca we say hello.

Love,

Mum and Dad

P.S. Have you looked at anything in the shoebox yet?

"Haven't you've been writing?" Becca asked, reading over Alison's shoulder.

"Of course, but I've been busy. The ball and all," Alison replied, folding the letter, "I'll send out a response later tonight."

"Can I ask you something?" Becca said a bit tentatively.

"You already have," Alison replied with a small smile.

Becca rolled her eyes, "What's this shoebox thing?"

"It's a box."

"Figured that much, what's in it?"

"Not shoes."

"What then?"

Alison didn't respond, but instead chose to go help Connor with his Potions essay.

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"How do you tell if a boy likes you?"

Harceler looked at Alison, "Seeing as I never played on that side of the Quidditch Pitch, I wouldn't know."

"But you're a boy," Alison persisted.

"That I am," Harceler nodded, "Last time I checked anyway."

Alison laughed, "I got a date for the ball."

"Did you now?" Harceler asked.

"Yeah, Connor-what are you doing?"

"Me?"

"No, the other boy in my dreams."

The brunette clucked, "Sarcasm is not appropriate for a young lady, but if you must know I was trying to stand on my head."

"You sound like Grandma Molly," Alison stared at him, "Why stand on you head?"

"I'd shrug, but that would make me fall over."

"Indeed, so would this," The girl tapped his elbow making him collapse.

"Very funny," Harceler said as he righted himself.

"It wasn't me. Gravity attacked you," The girl laughed softly.

Harceler closed his eyes for a moment and all was quiet. When he opened them he turned to Alison, "You haven't been writing home."

"That doesn't sound like a question."

"That's because it isn't one. Why haven't you been writing?"

Alison sighed and fell back onto a pile of cushions, "I've had a lot of thing going on."

"You told Becca the same thing," Harceler sounded annoyed, "Why won't you talk to anyone?"

"I talk. I talk to Connor and Becca. I'm talking to you right now."

"This is small talk, I mean real talking. Emotions and stuff like that."

"Most guys don't like talking about that stuff," Alison replied.

"I'm not most guys," Harceler quickly added, "You're trying to change the subject."

"That I am," The girl gave him a sad look, "And if you were a nice guardian thingy you'd go along with it."

Harceler pursed his lips, "If a turtle doesn't have a shell is he naked or homeless?"

Alison blinked, "The turtle is dead. Their spines are attached to the shell."

Sticking out his tongue the young man said, "Thanks for that little tidbit of information."

"You asked."

"So, what were you saying about the dance?"

Alison grinned, "Well, you see, Connor kinda bribed me into buying this dress…"

A/N:sigh: Some two months and four days ago I started this fic. It's been coming along at a snail's pace. Please, don't hate me for not updating quickly. I take guitar lessons, go to play practice, test time is coming up and I'm currently in the middle of transferring into a new computer. Sorry for the excuses as well.

Nymphadora: Glad I could brighten your day. :gives out sugar cookie:

jimmy-loves-hermione: Veela Romance Novels are more addicting than crack. :gives out sugar cookie:

Luna13: My French is terrible isn't it? Thanks for the ideas. :gives out sugar cookie: