Author's Note: Nope, still owning nothing…*grumbles angrily*

Chapter 14 The Pressures of Finding Dates

November ended and December came with the first snow fall of the year. It started on a Sunday night and continued all day Monday, causing every class to be cancelled because the teachers needed to help Hagrid clear the walkways. Four Gryffindors in particular enjoyed their free day by sitting by the fire drinking hot chocolate and then bundling up to have a snowball fight with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. The four forth years were defeated horribly by the older students only because the twins ambushed Alex and Hermione's fort and used it to gang up on Harry and Ron. Admitting defeat, they all went back in to warm up. As Alex warmed her hands by the fire, she realized her hat was still out there, used as a white flag by Harry and Ron to show surrender.

"Just get it later, Alex," said Ron as he nibbled on a Chocolate Frog that Harry had given him, "Come on, it's freezing out there and we just got warm!"

"You stay here, I won't be too long," Alex said as she got up, "If it snows anymore tonight, I won't be able to find it tomorrow."

She bundled up again and went out to find her hat. Alex searched the entire area without any luck, and was about to give up and go back inside.

"Lose something?"

She spun around and saw Draco holding her hat with a half-smile. She took it from his hands and they began walking in silence around the frozen lake where the Durmstrang ship was docked, unable to move because of the ice.

"My dad considered sending me there, you know," Draco said suddenly as they passed, "Thought it would be a better education there but my mum didn't like me being so far from home."

"Well I'm glad you didn't go there," said Alex, "I might've had to have Potions with just Snape." She gave a violent shiver and Draco laughed.

"He can be a little cold sometimes."

"A little cold sometimes?" Alex said in shock, "His presence would freeze hell itself."

They continued walking, Alex's nose getting cold but she didn't want to go in, not yet. Ever since Parvati talked to her, Alex wanted to ask her new friend something.

"Draco," she said, stopping and he stopped too, "Do you think I'm pretty?"

"What? Why?"

"Just answer the question, please," said Alex, shifting nervously, "Am I pretty?"

"You're average," said Draco, but he was smiling jokingly.

"Oh thanks!" she said, slapping his arm playfully, "But is that all you see when you look at me?"

"No, not at all," he said, looking at her carefully, "I see a girl with a hell of a lot of determination, wit, and loyalty. I see someone who's eager to please but who isn't afraid of failure, someone who's extremely smart but not arrogant about it, someone who's more than a pretty face if that's what you're asking."

She smiled sweetly and hugged him. He seemed a little surprised but hugged Alex back.

"Thanks Draco," she said as they walked back to the castle, "That means a lot to me, it really does."

"You know, you'll have no trouble finding a date for the Yule Ball, if that's what you're worried about," Draco said.

"Yeah, I know," said Alex heavily, "You going to go?"

"I'd like to. You?"

"If the right guy comes along," said Alex and wiped her feet as she entered the Entrance Hall. "I'll see you later Draco! My friends are probably worried where I got to," she called over her shoulder as she dashed off up the stairs. Draco watched her go for a moment before chuckling, shoving his hands in his pockets, and walking back to his common room.

…...

The next evening at dinner, a Tuesday, Alex was in a terrible mood as she sat with Hermione, Ron, Harry, Parvati, and Lavender.

"Parvati," said Alex darkly, causing the girl to look frightened, "Hermione tells me you're good at Divination. Have you been crystal ball reading lately?"

"N-No," she said nervously, "Why do you ask?"

"Because you were right," Alex said angrily, slamming her hand on the table and causing plates and glasses to shift, "Guys have been stalking me all day! I come out of the girls' bathroom and five of them are loitering around waiting for me to come out! I had to use Hermione as a freakin' shield just to avoid them!"

"Did anyone ask you?" Lavender asked eagerly.

"Of course they did!" said Alex furiously, "But I told them any guy who waits for a girl to come out of a toilet is a total creeper and I don't go on dates with creepers."

"But what if they were cute creepers?" Lavender asked, causing Alex to give her a mutinous look and Lavender resumed her meal.

Later that evening, Alex and Hermione arrived at the library. Alex counted silently to ten Mississippi and Krum entered. She gave Hermione a mischievous smile and Hermione looked worried.

"Oh no, I know that look. What are you doing?"

"Giving you and Krummy some good ol' fashioned time alone," she said and looked around.

Madame Pince was at the back of the library yelling at a group of first years who had knocked down a large pile of books. Quietly as she could, Alex went to the front of the library and transfigured one of the books into a large sign that read, "CAUTION: QUARANTINE AREA". She placed it on the door, pulled her hair up in a bun, and waited for the groupies to congregate. They came over and read the sign, yet they still opened the door.

"Whadya doin'?" Alex said angrily in an Italian accent, shutting the door in their faces, "You're allowed in here! Didn't ya read the sign!"

"There's no quarantine here," one girl said superiorly, "It was fine just a few minutes ago."

"Ah then, let me tell ya a little about this disease," Alex said, "You get these big warts on your face, an' these big pus balls on your backside." She used her hands as she talked, noticing looks of disgust forming on the girls' faces, "Can't sit down for weeks. Pity to have such beautiful faces scared with the warts…what with the dance comin' up an' all."

That did it. The girls spun around as fast as they could and sprinted off. Alex heard the girl who opened the door shout, "Not my face, anything but the face!"

"Gullible losers," said Alex, shaking her head and began wandering around the library, careful to avoid Hermione and Krum's table. Finally, she saw Krum leave the library and she returned to find Hermione working, her face many shades redder than usual.

"Spill the beans, Hermione," said Alex, sitting down happily, "What happened?"

"We talked…" she said.

"Well, no shit Hermione," Alex said sarcastically, "I'd be upset if you all didn't say a word to each other after all the work I had to do to get rid of his posse."

"We talked about my work, he told me a little about his school. He's a nice guy, smarter than people really think he is. Oh, and he asked me to the Yule Ball."

"No way," said Alex, jumping up and down in her seat, "Hermione, do you realize who he is? He's the most famous Seeker in all of Quidditch! Oh wait until I tell the other girls in the dorm! Well, Maggie won't give a damn but the others will be so excited!"

"Please don't tell anyone," said Hermione quickly, "I want it to be a surprise, see if anyone recognizes me without a book in my hand."

"Ron's gonna be jealous!" Alex whispered in a sing-song voice as they left the library. Hermione just waved her hand while blushing harder.

"Hey, how did you manage to get rid of his groupies?" asked Hermione, changing the subject. When Alex explained her plan, the other girl started laughing hard. She finally composed herself enough to say, "My Merlin, Alex! You are absolutely insane!"

"And that's why you're friends with me," said Alex, throwing an arm around her best friend as they continued their trek.

They soon arrived at the common room and found the boys sitting by the fire, seeming to be sulking. Alex sat down by Harry, who jumped when she arrived.

"Why the long faces guys?" Alex asked cheerfully.

"We need dates," said Harry, "And we can't find any. The ball's only two weeks away."

"Don't worry boys," said Hermione, "Just go up and ask someone. They're bound to say yes."

The boys just sighed together and stared at the flames.

…...

"Tonight, I want you all to study hard for the quiz tomorrow," Professor Nellie shouted as they students were leaving Arithmancy class.

"You go on ahead," Alex said to Hermione as she tried to fit her stuff into her bag, "Just let Professor Flitwick know I'm coming."

Hermione nodded and left. Draco stayed too but Alex jerked her head to the door. He nodded and left too. The only person left was the Ravenclaw boy, Nick. He too seemed to have trouble fitting his things into his bag.

"I think," said Alex as she jammed her books in hard, "We either need bigger bags or smaller textbooks."

"I second that," Nick said, zipping his bag and throwing it over his shoulder, "Where you headed next?"

"Charms, but Hermione will let Flitwick know I'm running a little late. You ready for the quiz?"

"I think so, I'm just a little confused on the last section. You?"

"For the first time, I can honestly say I'm totally prepared," said Alex happily. She didn't mention that Draco was coaching her through the sections during their Potions' meetings.

"That's good," Nick said as they walked down the empty corridor, everyone else already in their classes, "You going to the ball?"

"I'd like to," said Alex, "But no one's really asked me, they've more like stalked me around the school."

"You want to come with me?"

Alex stopped and turned around. She didn't know a lot about Nick, only that she always saw him in the library when she was there and he was always nice to her. She must've been quiet for a while because Nick spoke again.

"You don't have to, if you don't want to that is," he said quickly, looking away as he spoke, "I mean, I know you and Malfoy are close, I just thought he didn't want to ask you so I thought I would. Never mind, pretend I never said anything."

"No, Nick," said Alex, "Draco's a friend, that's all. I'd love to go with you, but just as friends, okay?"

"Sure!" said Nick, beaming, "I'll meet you at the Great Hall before the dance starts. I'll see you later, Alex!"

At lunch, Alex quietly told Hermione what happened. Her friend reacted just as Alex expected her to: she was practically jumping with excitement.

"Oh Alex!" she said joyfully, "Now I won't be alone!"

"What? Harry and Ron still date-less?" Alex asked Hermione, who nodded as both Harry and Ron came over.

"Hermione, what did Neville want after Charms?" Ron asked. Neville had asked Hermione to wait up for him and he needed to talk to her.

"Oh, nothing," said Hermione, turning pink, "He asked me to the Yule Ball. But I said I was already going with someone."

"Neville asked you? Wow Ron," said Harry with a laugh, "We really need to find dates."

Ron however wasn't listening. He was staring at Hermione as though he was seeing her for the first time.

"Hermione, I just realized something," he said and Hermione looked up quickly, eyes alight with hope, "You and Alex are girls."

The hope in Hermione's eyes disappeared and she frowned angrily, looking highly affronted.

"No Ron," said Alex sarcastically, "Hermione and I are really guys in drag. OF COURSE WE'RE BLOODY GIRLS! Merlin, are you really that daft?"

"I mean, you could go with us," said Ron, ignoring Alex's rant and the strange looks that people were giving them, "Alex, you can go with Harry because you both are practically joined at the hip anyway and I'll take Hermione."

"Did you not hear Hermione tell you that she told Neville she was taking someone already?" asked Alex hotly, "Or were you too busy playing Sherlock Holmes?"

"Oh come off it," said Ron, looking at Hermione who was shaking with anger, "You just told Neville that to get him off your back."

"I did not!" said Hermione loudly, causing more students to turn their heads to the Gryffindor table, "Ronald Weasley, just because it took you four years to realize I'm a girl doesn't mean it's taken everyone else that long!"

She stormed out of the Great Hall in a fury. Alex got up to follow, but Ron wasn't finished yet.

"Well then, Alex can go with Harry and I'll just-"

"I'm already going with someone," said Alex, "Sorry Harry, try Parvati though. She's still single."

"Thanks Alex, but I have someone in mind," said Harry, eyes becoming glazed. Ron was furious.

"And what am I supposed to do?" he shouted.

"I have an idea," said Alex coolly, "Why don't you take Neville, seeing as you both need dates?"

When Alex reached the common room, she found Hermione and Ginny sitting by the fire. She joined them and sighed.

"You okay, Hermione?" Alex asked.

"I was pretty much called a guy, how do you think I feel?" said Hermione crossly.

"Hermione," said Ginny, "My brother's a moron sometimes. He talks before he thinks. I'm sure he didn't mean anything bad by it."

Regardless, Hermione didn't talk to Ron until the end of the week after Ron begged for her to talk so she could tell him what was wrong with his Transfiguration essay.

When Alex went up to the dormitory that night, she saw Parvati and Lavender giggling on Lavender's bed. Hermione was in the bathroom and Maggie was somewhere. She could've been lying in a ditch somewhere and Alex wouldn't have cared.

"What's so funny?" asked Alex as she got her pajamas ready.

"Parvati was asked to the ball," said Lavender through her giggles.

"Oh really?" said Alex happily, "That's fantastic! Who are you going with?"

"She told him no."

Alex looked over at the girls and frowned. Both of them had been complaining from the beginning that they wanted to go but no one had asked them. Then some guy asks Parvati and she tells him no? Very odd.

"Care to explain?" Alex asked, leaning against her bedpost.

"Neville asked me to the ball during Divination class," explained Parvati through her laughter, "Neville Longbottom, can you believe it? Well, I obviously told him that I didn't want to go with him. He looked so sad but I mean, really? Neville and me? I started laughing, I couldn't help it!"

Again, she and Lavender burst into laughter and Alex cracked a smile, which looked more like a grimace. Poor Neville, getting rejected by Hermione and Lavender. At least with Hermione, she had been kind about it. It seemed as though Lavender was less…tactful in her response.

…...

"Draco!" Alex shouted as she barged into the empty classroom on Saturday evening, waving a paper in her hands and beaming widely.

"What? What's wrong?" Draco asked, standing up quickly.

"Look! Look at my quiz!" she said and handed it to him, jumping up and down on the balls of her feet.

"Is this from Arithmancy?"

"Yes! It's my first "E"! I got an "E" in Arithmancy, all thanks to you!"

Alex threw her arms around Draco and felt her feet lift off the ground. Draco had spun her around and set her down. Alex looked at him, his eyes full of pride and he was smiling.

"I knew you could do it," he whispered, "Next time, you'll get an "O"."

He seemed to want to say something else, but stopped himself. He let her go and she looked at him curiously before shrugging as they began their work on another potion. They were getting steadily more difficult and more time consuming. Alex didn't mind; she enjoyed her time in the dungeons, even if it was below freezing and her breath was visible.

"Have you found anyone to go to the ball with?" Alex asked as she tried to keep her hands warm.

"Yeah, I'm going with Pansy," said Draco as he measured the powdered taproot on the scales, "She kind of forced me into taking her. You?"

"Nick asked me, the Ravenclaw in our Arithmancy class," said Alex. Draco nodded and dumped the root into the potion, causing it to sizzle and turn an ebony-metallic color.

"Pansy said she's going to wear dress robes, are you too?" he asked.

"No, I'm used to wearing dresses so I'll wear that. I just have no idea what to wear. It sounds pretty fancy and I don't have any really fancy dresses."

"You know where Grandma Hinkins is?" he asked and Alex nodded, "There's a dress shop right across the street from it."

He wrote down directions for Alex so she would know how to find her way there and back. As they were leaving, he asked her something.

"Do you think Nick will mind if you save a song for me?" he asked as he opened the door for her.

"We're just going as friends so I don't see why not," said Alex with a smile, "Only as long as you're a good dancer."

"There's only one way to find out then," he said mischievously and left with a wink.

Alex rolled her eyes and chuckled as she headed back to her common room. It was empty except for her midnight black owl, who was sitting on a table and waiting for her patiently.

"A letter from your father," Monty said as he nibbled her fingers.

"And how did he take the news of me going to the Yule Ball?" she asked as she untied the letter.

"Just like you thought he would. He was fine up until he realized you had to go with a guy. Then he started cursing when he read that you couldn't tell him much about the guy since you didn't know much yourself. Don't worry, you'll read all about it in the letter," said Monty.

Alex sighed and allowed Monty to sit on her shoulder as she sat on the couch with her letter. She opened it and began reading it to herself.

Dear Alex,

I can only imagine what Hogwarts it like now, with everyone getting ready for the upcoming dance. We had a Masquerade Ball during my seventh year and that caused a lot of hype amongst the students. When you get to that part in your mother's diary, you will see what I mean.

I read what you told me of poor Mr. Longbottom. I know you feel terribly, as you should. What that girl did to him was inexcusable and cruel. But don't worry, Alex. I am sure that one day, Neville will meet a girl who understands his love of plants and finds him attractive. In the meantime, just keep being a good friend to him like I know you are.

Poor Ron and Harry. I do feel quite bad for them. I remember the first time Remus and James asked a girl out. They were so frightened! I was the exception since I was never nervous around girls. What can I say? I'm just gifted like that!

Now as I am sure your owl told you, I was less than pleased with your letter as you told me about your date. This is the point where I act like a father and tell you what I think. How can you go to the dance with a boy you hardly know? You don't know his personality, his likes or dislikes, his attitude towards the things you enjoy or hate! I understand that you want to go to the dance, but couldn't you have chosen a Gryffindor at least? Nothing against Ravenclaw, but at least then you will know more about them because you share a common room. Promise me, Alex, to be very careful. I know I sound like a crotchety old man who is trying to ruin your fun, but I am quite serious. See? I'm so serious that I didn't even crack a joke there! But in all honestly, I worry about you. You are so much like your mother in that you are drop-dead gorgeous and have no idea. Take it from the guy who married your mother: there were many guys who wanted to be in my position and would have done anything to do so. Then there's also the fact that someone is out to kill Harry. You know that if Harry is a target, they are thinking about you as well. Be on your guard and make sure that Harry and your other friends are always within sight. You may think I'm just being over-protective, but just do it to make your old man happy, please?

I want you to still have a fun night, though. The Yule Ball is one of the oldest Wizarding traditions and is bound to be a lot of fun. Enjoy this time with your friends and go out there and have the time of your life. And don't forget to write and tell me all about it afterwards. Know that I love you more than life itself and I am just trying to look after you. Say hi to everyone for me!

With love,

Orion

Alex sighed and rolled up the parchment. She wasn't angry with her father, but perhaps slightly frustrated. What was the big deal if she didn't know Nick that well? A ton of girls were being set up by friends and they didn't know the guy. At least she knew Nick from class and from seeing him in the library.

But those girls don't have an evil dark wizard hunting them, she thought heavily.

Shaking her head, Alex petted Monty for a moment before going up to her dormitory. She set her owl on her trunk and watched as he put his head under his wing and fell asleep. Alex climbed into bed, pulled the covers up to her chin, and stared at the fabric above her bed as she thought. Her father was right; she would have to be careful. She just wished for once, for one night, she could be a normal teenage girl.

Author's Note: Yeah, I know I kinda ended it on a sadder note. But this chapter as so much fun in it, I thought you all wouldn't mind. ;)

I'm really excited to hear what you guys thought of this chapter! Yes, after waiting patiently for so long, you finally know who Alex is taking to the Yule Ball! What do you think of him? I'm curious as to your guys' opinions. And how about Alex's reaction to Ron? I had a blast writing that part because I know if I had a guy friend who said that about me, I'd be just as mad as she and Hermione were. Of course, I want to know what you thought of the Alex/Draco scenes. That's always a given. ;) Finally, what did you think of poor Neville in this chapter? I always felt so bad for him, but don't worry my fellow Neville-lovers. For once, it's Sirius who's the wise one. You may ask, "silvermoony77, what do you mean?" And my response is this: I'm not even going to tell you, Readers, you'll find out soon enough. Haha! ;D

Thank you, as always, to my awesome readers out there. Thanks to you all, we reached over 100 reviews! Words cannot even begin to describe how happy this makes me. You guys are the greatest readers in the world and deserve a virtual pat on the back (since I actually don't know who you are…). Now, I have a bit of a surprise for you all…are you ready? Okay, this is actually a double update! I know, not much of a surprise since you probably got the notification for it but just pretend like it was a surprise and make me happy! Anyway, I'll delay you no longer so go forth and read, after you review this chapter of course. I really do want to know what you thought of this chapter. :D