Disclaimer: I obviously do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: Thanks for all the support, guys! I really appreciate it. I am continuing this story, at least for now.

Enjoy!

Back in the Gryffindor common room, Ron was sitting by the fireplace trying to get his essay done for Snape. His mind, however, kept floating back to two things: the Yule Ball, and where Harry was. As he was speculating about his best mate's location, Harry walked in, with a tired look in his eye, and his shoulder looked kind of wet. "Harry, where have you been? I need your help with Snape's essay."

"Later, Ron. First, we have to discuss who you are bringing to the Yule Ball."

"Who are you to talk?" Ron retorted.

"I have a date…."Harry trailed off, not quite ready to tell him about Pansy.

"Who?" Ron wanted to know.

"I'm not telling. It's going to be a complete surprise. She's not telling anyone, either."

"Fine," Ron grunted.

"More importantly: Who are you bringing?"

"Um. I have no idea. You know I'm rubbish around girls."

Fred and George, who apparently overheard that last sentence, joined the two by the fireplace. "Listen, Ron," Fred began.

"It's not that hard to ask," George continued.

"a girl out," Fred finished,

"Oh really," Ron retorted, "so who are you guys bringing?"

"The two free chasers." Fred said.

"Lucky for us, Katie is going with Krum," George stated.

"That way, we don't have to pick," Fred said laughing.

"When did you ask them?" Harry asked.

"Umm," George said, looking at Fred, "We haven't yet."

"Good point, my fine brother o' mine." Fred stated. "Angelina," he called, "Wanna go to the Yule Ball with me?"

"Sure," Katie shouted back from where she was sitting with Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet.

"And you, Spinnet, are you coming with me?," George asked, interrupting their conversation on the Holyhead Harpies.

"Yup," Alicia yelled.

"Now that that's taken care of, we have an invention to work on." Fred said.

"See ya later," Harry replied, turning to Ron. "So, who are you taking?"

"I dunno. Maybe I'll just ask Hermione," he replied.

Both boys turned to where their smart, bushy haired, brown eyed friend was talking to Ron's little sister, Ginny. They had been discussing Ginny's transfiguration homework, but when Ron and Harry turned, they saw a much different sight. Ginny was silently shaking, with tears running down her face, while Hermione comforted her. The boys looked at each other and then started towards the two girls. When Ginny saw them coming, however, she turned and ran up the steps, to the girls' dorms.

"Oh, I should go comfort her," Hermione said.

"No, wait," Ron said, quietly. Hermione looked at him, confusion on her face. "I have something I need to ask you."

"About Snape's essay? I'll look at it later," Hermione said, tiredly.

"No, no. Do you wanna come with me to the Yule Ball?" Ron asked. Harry was surprised how confident he sounded.

"Ron, that's really sweet of you, but I already have a date," Hermione said.

"Oh. Who?" Ron asked, trying not to sound disappointed. He had been looking forward to going to the ball with Hermione.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley," Hermione stated. Harry made a face, but Hermione couldn't see it from her position.

"Oh. Okay. You can go now." Ron replied. He turned to Harry with a bewildered look. Harry, in return, just shrugged his shoulders.

After a minute, Harry said, "I have an idea," and walked over to where Paravati Patil and Lavender Brown were sitting, gossiping over Binns' homework.

"Hey girls. Can we talk?" Harry asked,

"Sure. What's up?" Lavender replied, while Paravati cleared spots for them to sit.

"I have a couple of questions," Harry started.

"Why would Hermione go to the Yule Ball with Justin Finch-Fletchley, of all people?" Harry asked. He didn't exactly like the Hufflepuff, after the Chamber of Secrets disaster.

"Well, first off, he's muggle born, like her. He's smart, funny," Lavender started.

"And don't forget hot." Paravati added.

"But, does she like him?" Ron asked, for clarification.

"No, but as seeing that the bloke she does fancy is too thick to ask her to go with him, and Justin did invite her, she said yes," Lavender answered.

"Oh. Ok." Ron said, "Do you think the only reason she said no to me was because she already said yes to Justin?"

"Oooo-You asked her to the Yule Ball?" Paravati squealed, giggling.

"Yeah, I did," Ron replied, trying to figure out what the big deal was.

"To answer your question, Ron, yes I do believe so," Lavender said. "Is there a reason you ask?" she continued, with a knowing look.

"No, of course not," Ron replied all too quickly. Harry made a mental note to drill him about it later.

"Do you know why Ginny was crying?" Harry said, mostly to help Ron escape from Lavender and Paravati's looks

Paravati and Lavender exchanged looks, which Harry could not decipher, before Lavender answered, "well, do you have a date for the Yule Ball?" Harry nodded. "Were you just talking about it with Ron?" Harry nodded once again. "Could she have overheard your conversation?" Harry and Ron looked at each other, before Harry responded, "I-I guess so. And why would this make her cry?" He hoped he didn't sound too daft.

"She fancies you, Harry, and was hoping you'd ask her to the ball." Paravati said. Harry couldn't come up with a response for that, so he was glad when Ron chimed in, saying "About my last question…." And trailed off.

"Go ahead, Ron. Ask whatever you want." Lavender encouraged.

"Erm….ok," Ron took a deep breath, and Harry had a feeling he knew where this was going. "Lavender,WillyougowithmetotheYuleBall?" Ron asked in one breath.

"Sure, Ron," Lavender squealed, squashing him in a hug that would give Mrs. Weasley a run for her money.

"Ron," Harry said, before this could get too awkward for Harry and Paravati, "We have to work on Snape's essay."

"Oh, right," he said, pulling out of Lavender's hug.

As soon as they were out of ear shot of the two biggest gossips in the school, Harry turned to Ron. "Out with it. Why did you ask them about why Hermione turned you down."

"This will probably surprise you," Ron started, "but I really fancy Hermione."

Harry had to bite back a laugh. "I suspected as much. You know, I think the feeling's mutual."

"Really?" Ron's face lit up.

"Yup. And, what made you ask Lavender?"

"Well, I don't really know. She's really hot, and not all that annoying. Plus, I needed a date. Earlier, I heard that while both Patil twins had dates, Lavender didn't. So, I just did it." Harry admired his friend for his braveness.

A/N: What do you think?