A/N: This might be the second to the last chapter. I don't know. The fate of this story is on your hands. :D Two chapters in one day? O.O Aren't I a nice person?

Disclaimer: Not mine.

(oh dear. the word disclaimer is actually longer than the disclaimer itself.)

Hermione was in a bad mood that she'd scowl at every person who'd call her. And then she spotted Harry, Ron, Fred and George huddled near the fireplace. Ginny and Hermione walked toward them. As they got nearer, the two girls could already hear what they were talking about.

"Angelina," said Fred promptly, without a trace of embarrassment.

"What?" said Ron, taken aback. "You've already asked her?"

"Good point," said Fred. He turned his head and called across the common room, "Oi! Angelina!"

Angelina, who had been chatting with Alicia Spinnet, looked over at him.

"What?" she called back.

"Want to come to the ball with me?"

Angelina gave Fred an appraising sort of look.

"All right, then," she said, and she turned back to Alicia and carried on chatting with a bit of a grin on her face.

"There you go," said Fred to Harry and Ron, "piece of cake."

"Oh git." Hermione heard Ginny whispered to herself. "Hey." she added as she sat down beside Ron.

Professor McGonagall informed them about the Ball. She even made them practice a dance for the event. Immediately after the announcement, Hermione already imagined herself dancing and laughing with Fred. But of course, her dream was destroyed when she remembered Angelina-the lucky girl.

Hermione just stood there, shocked. Hearing Fred asked Angelina out to the Ball made her heart hurt as though the Hungarian Horntail just blasted her with fire. She knew Fred liked the girl and she already expected him to ask her. What made it more difficult for her was the fact that she was there when he asked another girl.

Although she already knew that he liked Angelina, Hermione couldn't help but hope that she was just mistaken and Fred was actually interested in her. After all, they've already shared a few kisses here and there. Well, of course, now she knew she was wrong -definitely wrong.

Seeing her, Fred looked shocked and he just stayed there as quietly as possible.

Hermione sat down in between Ginny and Ron. Her mood didn't lift up a bit after hearing Fred ask out another girl.

"What's the matter with you?" asked Ron.

"Nothing." Hermione lied. Ron didn't believe her but he still dropped the subject. Although Hermione was relieved that Ron had the decency to stop asking her what her problem was, his next question made her want to strangle the boy.

"Do you already have a date Hermione?"

Instead of answering, Hermione scowled at Ron. Ginny giggled.

"What's the matter with her?" Ron frowned.

"Well," Ginny started, "guess who asked Hermione to the Ball." Ginny's excitement was obvious that the boys couldn't help but be curious.

"WHO?" all of them asked eagerly.

"Viktor Krum!" answered Ginny excitedly as she patted Hermione at the back.

"WHAT?!" Fred shouted, his eyes growing wide, his face turned red.

"KRUM?! That's incredible!" George exclaimed.

"SERIOUSLY?!" Ron asked with wide eyes. "That's great Hermione! You can ask for an autograph and give it to me!" Ron added hopefully.

"Ron," Ginny sighed. "she didn't accept." The disappointment in Ron and George's face was obvious.

"Why? That's Krum! International Quidditch Star! Best Seeker in the world!" Ron said indignantly.

"And the love of Ron's life!" George filled in as he nodded solemnly. Ginny laughed while Hermione merely smiled.

"Shut up George." Ron grumbled.

Ginny, Hermione's spokesperson, answered, "Hermione doesn't want attention. Besides, Krum's always surrounded by giggling girls. Hermione doesn't like that."

"So you don't have a date yet?" asked George.

Hermione nodded. She wasn't actually interested in going to the Ball. Not unless she'd go with Fred. And of course, that would be impossible.

"Ummm, Hermione." Harry started. Hermione was surprised. The boy wasn't talking almost the whole time. "I was just thinking if you'd like to go to the Ball with me?" He asked nervously.

Hermione looked at him, surprised. She looked at the others and saw that they were surprised as well. But what Hermione wanted to see was Fred's expression. She glanced at him and she failed to know what he thought of what Harry said because his expression was unreadable. This made Hermione's heart drop, again.

She looked at Ginny one more time and saw her expression unchanged. She was surprised, and if Hermione wasn't mistaken, a little hurt. Hermione knew Ginny liked Harry ever since but she just cannot blurt it out. "Are you the only one who hasn't got a partner Harry?" asked Hermione.

"Me and Ron." Harry answered. Ron just muttered something like "stupid girls", but Hermione decided to ignore him.

"Oh." Hermione looked at Ginny for approval. The girl nodded and smiled a little. Anyway, she's going with Neville. Maybe she could set them up during the Ball.

Hermione faced Harry and smiled. "Oh yeah sure. I'd be glad to go with you." Hermione said earnestly. If she can't go with Fred then it would be best to go with her best friend and brother (well, that's how they see each other anyway- siblings).

"Thanks." Harry smiled at her. He looked a bit relieved.

"Oh great. So now it's only me." said Ron miserably. They all laughed at that.

Review anyone? :)))