Chapter 14: Unscheduled Task

December 10, 2001 – Monday

Transfiguration Classroom

"Potter! Weasley! Will you pay attention?" Professor McGonagall's irritated voice cut through the Transfiguration class like a sharp rebuke, causing Harry and Ron to startle and look up, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Dawn and Hermione exchanged knowing glances, shaking their heads at the antics of their friends.

"Now that Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age," said Professor McGonagall, her tone stern, "I have something to say to you all. The Yule Ball is approaching - a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish -"

"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, her voice unwavering, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then -" She gazed pointedly around the class. "The Yule Ball is, of course, a chance for us all to - er - let our hair down," she said with a hint of disapproval. "But that does NOT mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and there was the usual flurry of activity as students packed their bags and prepared to leave.

However, Professor McGonagall had one last announcement. She called out above the noise, "Potter, Summers - a word, if you please." Hermione and Dawn looked to McGonagall, who rolled her eyes. "Dawn."

Dawn nodded, and Hermione waited at the back of the room. She and Harry made their way up to the professor's desk, their curiosity piqued.

"Potter, Summers, the champions and their partners -" Professor McGonagall began, her voice taking on a serious tone as she prepared to share crucial information with the Triwizard Tournament participants.

"What partners?" Harry asked, his confusion evident in his tone.

Professor McGonagall regarded Harry with suspicion, her stern expression making it clear that she didn't find his question amusing. "Your partners for the Yule Ball, Potter," she replied icily. "Your dance partners."

Dawn, equally puzzled, chimed in, "Dance partners?"

"I don't dance," Harry stated firmly, as if to emphasize his point.

Professor McGonagall's irritation was palpable as she responded, "Oh yes, you do, both of you. That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball."

"I'm not dancing," Harry protested, his resistance clear in his voice and stance.

"It is traditional," Professor McGonagall reiterated firmly, her no-nonsense demeanor leaving no room for argument. "You are a Hogwarts champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative of the school. So make sure you get yourself a partner, Potter. As will you, Ms. Summers."

Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Professor McGonagall's stern gaze silenced him. Her word was final, and there was no room for negotiation.

As Dawn, Harry, and Hermione walked out of the classroom, they met Ron, who was waiting for them. His curious expression betrayed his curiosity about the conversation they had just had with Professor McGonagall.

December 18, 2001 – Tuesday

A week ago, Dawn might have thought finding a dance partner would be a breeze compared to facing a dragon. However, luck didn't seem to be on her side. Most of her fellow classmates were hesitant to approach the sister of one of their professors, who also happened to be a Vampire Slayer. It appeared that Hermione faced similar difficulties. The stigma of their unique backgrounds seemed to keep everyone at a distance.

As the last week of the term progressed, the atmosphere at Hogwarts became increasingly animated, with rumors about the Yule Ball circulating among the students. Some teachers, like the cheerful Professor Flitwick, recognized the futility of trying to keep their students focused and allowed them to play games during class. Others, however, remained resolute. Professor Binns, for instance, plowed through his lectures on goblin rebellions without wavering.

Professors McGonagall and Moody were equally determined to keep their students working until the very last second of their classes, despite Buffy's occasional objections in the classes she shared with Moody. And as for Snape, he would sooner allow a Crup to teach his class than let students play games. With a sneer that could curdle milk, he informed them that they would be tested on poison antidotes during the final lesson of the term, ensuring that they remained focused on their studies, at least in his presence.

Gryffindor Common Room

"Evil, he is," Ron grumbled bitterly. "Springing a test on us on the last day. Ruining the last bit of term with a whole load of studying."

"Mmm…you're not exactly straining yourself, though, are you?" Hermione retorted, her studious nature always driving her to excel.

"It's Christmas, Hermione," Harry said with a lazy grin, trying to enjoy a moment of relaxation.

But Hermione couldn't be swayed so easily. She turned her stern gaze toward Harry. "I'd have thought you'd be doing something constructive, Harry, even if you don't want to learn your antidotes!"

Dawn couldn't help but roll her eyes at the banter. "It's Christmas, Hermione. The first Christmas with your sisters. You really want to still be studying?"

Harry looked at Hermione quizzically. "Like what?" he asked.

"That egg!" Hermione hissed, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, ignoring her sister's comment.

"Come on, Hermione, I've got until February the twenty-fourth," Harry replied, trying to downplay the urgency. "I bet Dawn hasn't opened hers either, and I don't see you trying to get her to solve it."

"But it might take weeks to work it out!" Hermione argued passionately before turning her attention to her sister. "And Harry is right, Dawn, you should be working on it too. You both are going to look like idiots if everyone else knows what the next task is, and you two don't!"

Ron, always one to appreciate a break, chimed in, "Leave them alone, Hermione, they've earned a bit of a break."

Dawn nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Hermione. Besides, I would think you would be interested in what your sisters would be getting you for Christmas."

Hermione let out a sigh and looked at Dawn, a warm smile crossing her face. "Well, I am," she admitted, her excitement about spending her first Christmas with Buffy and Dawn evident. She had even already prepared Christmas gifts for her newfound family to make their first holiday together special.

As they continued their conversation, the Weasley twins, Fred and George, joined the group. "Nice look, Ron… goes well with your dress robes that will," Fred quipped.

Ron raised an eyebrow at George's request. "Ron, can we borrow Pigwidgeon?" George asked.

Ron shook his head. "No, he's off delivering a letter. Why?" he replied.

Fred couldn't resist chiming in with a sarcastic remark. "Because George wants to invite him to the ball," he teased.

George rolled his eyes and retorted, "Because we want to send a letter, you stupid great prat."

Ron, always curious about his twin brothers' antics, asked, "Who d'you two keep writing to, eh?"

Fred raised his wand threateningly, playfully waving it in Ron's direction. "Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you too," he warned with a mischievous grin. "So, you lot got dates for the ball yet?" he asked, changing the subject and turning the attention back to their upcoming plans for the Yule Ball.

"Nope," Ron replied with a hint of resignation.

"Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone," Fred advised, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Dawn couldn't help but roll her eyes at the comment. She knew that she and Hermione were likely to be among the last "good ones" left simply because boys were apprehensive about asking them out, considering their older sister was Buffy.

Ron, always curious, pressed on. "Who're you going with, then?" he asked.

Fred didn't miss a beat. "Angelina," he replied promptly.

Ron's eyes widened in surprise. "What?" he exclaimed. "You've already asked her?"

Fred grinned. "Good point," he conceded. "Oi! Angelina!" he called, clearly planning to rectify that oversight.

Angelina, who had been engaged in conversation with Alicia Spinnet near the common room's fireplace, looked over at Fred when he called out to her. "What?" she replied.

Fred wasted no time with his invitation. "Want to come to the ball with me?" he asked.

With a casual air, Angelina replied, "All right, then," and turned back to Alicia, wearing a grin on her face.

Fred beamed with satisfaction as he turned to Harry and Ron. "There you go," he said triumphantly. "Piece of cake."

Dawn couldn't help but roll her eyes and voice her frustration. "Easy for you to say. I think Buffy has scared off all the good ones." She glanced over at her sister, knowing full well that Buffy's reputation as both a professor and the Slayer likely made potential suitors think twice.

Fred and George exchanged sympathetic glances with Dawn and Hermione, understanding the unique challenges the sisters faced when it came to dating.

"We'd better use a school owl then, George, come on…" Fred suggested to his twin, and they headed for the portrait hole.

Ron turned his attention back to Harry and gave him a meaningful look. "We should get a move on, you know…ask someone," he advised. "He's right. We don't want to end up with a pair of trolls."

Dawn and Hermione couldn't help but sputter with indignation at Ron's comment. "A pair of… what, excuse me?" Harry asked, clearly taken aback.

"Well - you know," Ron said, shrugging. "I'd rather go alone than with - with Eloise Midgen, say."

Harry defended Eloise, saying, "Her acne's loads better lately - and she's really nice!"

Ron's response was less than enthusiastic. "Her nose is off-center," he stated matter-of-factly.

"Oh, I see," Hermione said, her voice tinged with irritation as she bristled at Ron's response. "So basically, you're going to take the best-looking girl who'll have you, even if she's completely horrible?"

Ron seemed unfazed by Hermione's reproach. "Er - yeah, that sounds about right," he replied with a nonchalant shrug.

With a sharp retort, Hermione declared, "I'm going to bed," and she stormed off toward the girls' staircase without another word.

Dawn couldn't help but shake her head at the exchange. "You two are incorrigible," she remarked, her exasperation evident as she, too, headed off towards the girls' staircase, leaving Ron behind to contemplate the consequences of his words.

December 19, 2001 – Wednesday

Gryffindor Common Room

Entering the common room, Harry scanned the area, and his surprise grew when he spotted Ron sitting ashen-faced in a distant corner. Ginny was by his side, speaking to him in a hushed, comforting tone. Nearby, Dawn was also present, her curiosity piqued by the scene.

"What's up, Ron?" Harry inquired, his concern evident.

Ron's response was frantic and filled with regret. "Why did I do it?" he lamented. "I don't know what made me do it!"

Harry was puzzled. "What?" he asked, seeking an explanation.

Ginny provided the context. "He - er - just asked Fleur Delacour to go to the ball with him," she revealed.

Dawn couldn't help but giggle at the unexpected turn of events. Ron's impulsive decision had clearly taken everyone by surprise.

"You what?" Harry exclaimed in surprise, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Ron's panic was palpable as he gasped once more, "I don't know what made me do it! What was I playing at? There were people - all around - I've gone mad - everyone watching! I was just walking past her in the entrance hall - she was standing there talking to Diggory - and it sort of came over me - and I asked her! She looked at me like I was a sea slug or something. Didn't even answer. And then - I dunno - I just sort of came to my senses and ran for it."

Harry tried to console his friend. "She's part veela," he explained. "You were right - her grandmother was one. It wasn't your fault. I bet you just walked past when she was turning on the old charm for Diggory and got a blast of it - but she was wasting her time. He's going with Cho Chang." Harry's tone turned somber as he added, "I asked her to go with me just now, and she told me."

Ginny's smile had disappeared by this point.

Ron, however, found a hint of humor in the chaos. "This is mad," he said with a shake of his head. "We're the only ones left who haven't got anyone - well, except Neville. Hey - guess who he asked? Hermione!"

"What?" Harry exclaimed, his attention now completely diverted by this unexpected revelation.

"Yeah, I know!" Ron confirmed. "He told me after Potions! Said she's always been really nice, helping him out with work and stuff - but she told him she was already going with someone. Ha! As if! She just didn't want to go with Neville…I mean, who would?"

Dawn couldn't contain her shock and frustration. "WHAT!" she practically screamed. "Why didn't she tell me she was going to the ball with someone?"

Just then, Hermione entered through the portrait hole, and her friends' distressed expressions didn't escape her notice. "Why weren't you guys at dinner?" she inquired, making her way over to join them.

"Because - oh, shut up laughing, you two - because they've both just been turned down by girls they asked to the ball!" Ginny explained with a grin, thoroughly enjoying the role reversal.

This effectively silenced Harry and Ron.

"Thanks a bunch, Ginny," Ron grumbled, clearly unhappy with his current predicament.

Hermione, seemingly unimpressed by Ron's complaint, responded loftily, "All the good-looking ones taken, Ron? Eloise Midgen starting to look quite pretty now, is she? Well, I'm sure you'll find someone somewhere who'll have you."

Dawn couldn't help but interject with a protest. "HEY!" she exclaimed, her indignation clear.

Hermione, realizing her faux pas, shot Dawn a sympathetic look that conveyed, "You're the most beautiful girl here, and if Harry or Ron didn't ask you, they're stupid gits."

Ron, not one to let Hermione off easily, couldn't resist a teasing remark. "Hermione, Neville's right - you are a girl," he quipped.

Hermione's response was dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, well spotted," she retorted, her irritation evident in her tone.

"Well - you can come with one of us!" Ron suggested, clearly eager to find a solution.

Hermione's response was immediate and sharp. "No, I can't," she snapped.

Ron grew impatient. "Oh, come on," he urged, "we need partners. We're going to look really stupid if we haven't got any. Everyone else has…"

But Hermione interrupted, her face now flushed with embarrassment. "I can't come with you," she admitted, "because I'm already going with someone."

Ron was taken aback by her confession. "No, you're not!" he protested. "You just said that to get rid of Neville!"

Hermione was unyielding. "Oh, did I?" she retorted, her irritation palpable. "Just because it's taken you three years to notice, Ron, doesn't mean no one else has spotted I'm a girl!"

"Okay, okay, we know you're a girl," Ron conceded, clearly exasperated. "That do? Will you come now?"

But Hermione's frustration had reached its peak. "I've already told you!" she snapped, her anger evident. "I'm going with someone else!" With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off toward the girls' dormitories.

Ron watched her go, his doubts evident in his expression. "She's lying," he declared flatly.

Ginny and Dawn, however, disagreed with Ron's assessment. "She's not," Ginny asserted firmly.

Ron wasn't ready to let it go. "Who is it then?" he demanded sharply.

Ginny remained steadfast. "I'm not telling you, it's her business," she replied, making it clear that Hermione's personal life was not something to be prodded and probed by her friends.

Dawn glared at Ginny, her determination evident. "Then whisper it to me. She's my sister, after all," she urged.

Ginny shook her head, unwilling to divulge the secret. "Sorry, Dawn, go ask her," she replied firmly.

Ron, growing increasingly frustrated by the situation, decided to take matters into his own hands. "Right," he grumbled, "this is getting stupid. Ginny, you can go with Harry, and I'll just -"

But Ginny interrupted with her own confession, her face turning scarlet as she spoke. "I can't," she admitted, looking quite miserable. "I'm going with - with Neville. He asked me when Hermione said no, and I thought… well, I'm not going to be able to go otherwise, I'm not in fourth year." She then got up and walked off to the portrait hole, clearly upset by the turn of events.

Ron was left baffled by the sudden turn of events. "What's got into them?" he demanded, utterly confused by the girls' decisions.

Meanwhile, Harry saw an opportunity and decided to take a bold step. "Wait here," he instructed Ron before standing up and approaching Parvati. He summoned his courage and asked, "Parvati? Will you go to the ball with me?"

Parvati's fit of giggles persisted, but Harry patiently waited for them to subside. Finally, Parvati managed to regain her composure and agreed, blushing furiously, "Yes, all right then."

Harry expressed his relief with a grateful, "Thanks."

However, when Harry turned his attention to Lavender and asked if she would go with Ron, Parvati interjected before Lavender could respond. "She's going with Seamus," she explained.

Parvati then offered a suggestion that caught Harry and Ron's attention. "How about this? I think I see someone who might go with Ron. She doesn't have a date because everyone's scared of her sister."

Harry and Ron followed Parvati's gaze and looked at Dawn, who nodded in agreement. "I'll go with you, Ron," she said, even though she had secretly hoped to go with Harry. Sometimes, sacrifices had to be made for the sake of friendship, and Dawn was willing to step up for her friend.