AN! I'm always apologizing to you guys, huh? well here i go again. sorry it took me so long. track is a bitch. good thing it's over. enjoy!

The next few weeks passed quickly for most, but slowly for Hermione. Ginny and Draco kept getting closer and closer, much to Ron's displeasure, and if he'd known the two were dating he probably would have shit a brick.

The trio and Ginny were sitting in the great hall for dinner, Ron and Harry stuffing their faces, Ginny and Draco winking at each other from across the room, and Hermione slowly picking at her food, thinking of a certain werewolf. Coincidently the werewolf in question had his eyes on her, much to the enjoyment of the gossiping female staff members.

Minerva, however, saw the expressions crossing his face; pain, hurt, hopelessness. She thought quickly of what she could do to help. Her eyes lit up and she leaned over to Albus to whisper her suggestion in his ear. He smiled and nodded, standing and raising his hands for silence. The students all quieted and looked up at the headmaster.

"Professor McGonnagol has just reminded me that Valentine's Day is but a few months away. Ordinarily we would have our annual Yule Ball at Christmastime, but instead this year we will have a Valentine's Ball, which 3rd years an above shall attend."

The younger students all groaned. Dumbledore smiled and continued.

"Don't worry, some of you may still attend. Those of you who are already thinking of who to ask, stop thinking. Your date will be chosen for you. The sorting hat will choose based on what it knows of you. Each student will go to the empty classroom on the 2nd floor starting January 1st, and try on the hat individually. The hat will tell you and only you who your date will be, and what you should wear, for this ball will be a costume ball."

The students all looked at each other excitedly, wondering who they would be paired with, and vowing to go to the 2nd floor the day the classroom opened.

"The teachers will also be involved and shall also try on the sorting hat for a date of their own. Should you be paired with a teacher, keep an open mind. At the very least you should have some interesting conversation."

Some of the students looked repulsed, but Professor McGonnagol noticed Hermione's suddenly hopeful expression.

"And as another last minute reminder, those of you staying for the holidays need to sign the lists posted in each common room. May each of you have a pleasant evening." Dumbledore finished, excusing the students, who rose to go back to their common rooms for the night.

"This is going to be so fun!" Ginny exclaimed when they got back to the Gryffindor common room.

"I wonder who we'll end up with." Harry said, curiously looking around.

Ginny grinned. "Yeah, I wonder…"

Ron's eyes narrowed. "If you end up with Malfoy, I'll castrate him."

"Oh, honestly Ron," Hermione interrupted. "It's just a ball, and Draco isn't that bad when you get to know him."

Ron just scoffed.

Ginny glared. "I hope you end up with a Slytherin. Then maybe you'll find out that they're not all bad."

"I doubt it," said Hermione. "Ron can be incredibly close-minded."

"Hey!" Ron exclaimed.

The other three laughed.

"Well," Ron sulked. "Who do you think you'll be going with Hermione?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. No one does, do they?"

"No," Harry admitted. "But who do you want to go with?"

Hermione just turned pink and said nothing.

"Aw, come on Hermione." Ron whined.

"Yeah, tell us." Harry begged.

"No way." Ginny interjected. "Hermione doesn't have to tell you anything."

"Come on, Gin." Ron added. "Aren't you curious?"

"Nope." She said.

Harry grinned. "She doesn't have to be curious. She already knows."

Ginny nodded with a smile

"How about a hint then?" Ron suggested.

Ginny looked over at Hermione, who nodded.

"Can't hurt as long as it's not too obvious."

Harry thought for a moment, and then asked, "Do we know him?"

Ginny nodded.

"A better question," Ron responded. "Do we like him?"

Ginny's eyes narrowed as she caught the implication, but she nodded anyway.

"Due to Ron's impeccable manners, that's all the hints you get." She smiled evilly.

Harry turned to Ron and said sarcastically, "Good going Ron."

"What?" Ron asked. "I was only making a point."

"Yeah," Harry responded. "A dumb one."

The boys continued to bicker as the girls made their way to the dorms. Ginny stopped at hers and added one last thing.

"I hope you get your guy...Goodnight Mione."

Then she walked into her dorm and shut her door.

Hermione kept going up the stairs, thinking to herself, Me too