Chapter 9: Three simple words

"Bloody hell how am I supposed to do this stupid thing up!" Harry asked no one in particular.

"You need some help mate?"Harry whipped around to see Ron Weasley standing at the door wearing what looked like a smaller version of Hagrid's moleskin overcoat.

"No thankyou Ronald. And you are not my mate."

"Harry I'm really sorry about what I said and I'd do anything to take it back. You have to understand how I was feeling."

"Yes. But if you really were my friend you would've believed me."

"Ok I'll give you that but everyone else was saying it I don't see why you're not mad with them."

"What about what you said about Hermione?"

"I admit that was extremely out of line and I'm sorry. Please I'm begging you."

"Ron come here." Harry reached under his bed and pulled out his trunk.

"Are you taking someone to the ball?"

"Yeah. Luna Lovegood."

"Ok then, put these on." Harry said holding out some red dress robes.

"What are these for?"

"Well no girl's going to go out with a guy who dresses like that."

Ron beamed. "Really? Thanks Harry." He said and went to hug Harry.

"Hey! I haven't forgiven you that much. Sheesh." Ron just shrugged and went to put on Harry's extra dress robes. Harry simply went down to the common room.

He was about to walk out the portrait when he realised his bow tie wasn't done up. Oh well. I'll just ask someone on my way down. He continued down the staircase when he saw Cho Chang come up.

"Um Cho?"

"Yes?"

"Could you help me with my bow tie?"

"Er… sure." Harry watched in amazement as Cho tied some complicated and made a perfect bow in a matter of seconds.

"Whoa. You've got to teach me how to do that." Cho simply smiled and walked off. Harry continued down the stairs where he was unlucky enough to meet Peeves.

"Oooh. Ickle Pottykins all dressed up to go to the ball how sweet. Take this!" Peeves took out a tomato sauce and mustard bottle and squirted them at Harry. Harry was lucky enough to escape the most of it but still got some on his shoulders in his hair.

"PEEVES!" he cursed as he watched Peeves zoom away cackling insanely.

Great. Just great. What'llc everyone think if I turn up all covered in sauce. He thought wiping it off his shoulders. After a while when Harry was satisfied with the state of his robe and hair he climbed down the stairs into the crownded entrance hall.

Hermione wasn't there yet. Come on Hermione. You can't be later than me. Where are you?

"Harry!" Harry turned and saw Ron and Luna Lovegood standing together.

"Hey Ron. Hi Luna. Wow Ron those robes look good on you." Harry said with a wink.

"Um Harry you've got something in your head, here let me get it for you." Luna said as she drew out her wand. "Limpazis." She said and Harry's hair was clean.

"What happened?" she asked.

"I was attacked by Peeves with some sauce bottles." Harry said darkly.

Ron cracked up laughing, "Oh Harry poor you." He managed. "Oh that is so fun- Harry turn around."

"What," he said turning around, "Whoa." Hermione looked stunning. She wore a metallic green, V-neck dress and her hair was sleekly done up in a stylish the base of her neck. Harry's draw dropped only to be pushed up quickly by Luna.

"Stop drooling! Stand up straight!" Luna hissed. Hermione smiled and walked down the stairs. Harry kissed her hand.

"I've always wanted to do that. Hermione you look… you look beautiful!" Hermione blushed a deep crimson.

"Hello Luna! Ron." She said Ron's name in a spiteful tone.

"Harry what's Ron doing here?" she whispered.

"Oh it's alright he's apologised."

"Hmm." Professor McGonagall came bustling up to the group.

"Mr Potter you may take Miss Granger to the front with all the other champions."

"Um sure. Is there something we have to do Professor?"

"Don't you remember? I told you that the champions always have the first dance."

"Er you didn't tell me anything."

"Well now you know." Harry and Hermione walked over to where they saw Fleur and Krum with their partners and Cedric and Cho. Then the doors opened up in front of them.

The Great hall had been completely transformed. The tables were to the sides and had been laid with Christmas puddings and punch, ice sculptures stood around the room, mistletoe had been hung, and a giant glistening Christmas tree. All three schools were there chatting or eating happily.

The champions and their partners walked to the middle of the dance floor and prepared to dance. The Muggle classical music started up and they started dancing.

"Wow Harry you've certainly improved." Hermione said after more people had joined the dance.

"Yeah well Neville gave me a few pointers." Harry said blushing.

Four songs later Harry and Hermione emerged from the crowd red in the face and happy.

"Whoa I'm thirsty. Wanna go get some punch?"

"Yeah sure Harry." Harry and Hermione filled their glasses with punch.

"Come on it's too crowded in here lets drink outside." They left the great Hall cheerfully.

"What about Hagrid and Madam Maxime don't they look cute?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. We'll be overrun by giants if all goes well. Hey did you see who Snape was dancing with?" Harry asked.

"No who?"

"Rita Skeeter." Hermione snorted into her punch.

"Rita Skeeter!"

"Yep and for once in his life Snape actually looked happy. It's quite scary actually."

"Hey look Harry. Mistletoe." She said pointing above them.

"Mmhm." Harry said leaning closer. There they kissed under the mistletoe.

"I love you Hermione Granger."

"I love you too Harry Potter."

Aaaw. Short chappie but still cute. By the way the three simple words were 'I love you' in case you had missed it.

XOXOXO

Laura