"Hermione, you're a girl."
I look up from my homework to eye Ron with scorn.
"Well spotted." Wondering where he is going with this, considering my focus had been on things more important than Harry and Ron's conversation.
"The Yule Ball, you should come with one of us! I mean, it's one thing for a bloke to show up alone, but for a girl it's just sad."
I feel a spark of rage ignite deep inside me, with a touch of hurt that Ron had assumed I couldn't have possibly been asked by someone by now. I pick up my quill and papers, stuffing them into my bag.
"Believe it or not Ronald," I start as I stand from my seat, "I won't be going alone, because someone's asked me!" I say. I turn and flounce out of the Great Hall. On my way out I notice out of the corner of my eye brown eyes filled with amusement watching my movements. I'm glad my back is facing Ron so he doesn't see my smirk.
The first snowfall has filled the castle with an air of excitement. The Yule Ball is all anyone can talk about. Any time I'm in the halls between classes, students are practicing dances with each other, and gossiping about who scored the best date. I keep my head down and try to focus on my classes, because every time I let my mind drift to the ball my stomach ends up filled with butterflies and I forget what I'm doing. I still can't believe how quickly I was asked, and by whom nonetheless.
I also have to stay alert to Ron's antics, lest he catches me slipping and I blurt out the name of my date after one of his many questions.
"For the last time, I'm not telling you! Leave me be or I will not be helping you boys with your homework anymore." I snap at Ron after the millionth time he's asked me who I'm going to the ball with.
"Hey, what did I do!" Harry says, while elbowing Ron in the ribs, silently telling him to shut up.
"Sorry, Harry. You're guilty by association. Ron will be wherever you are." I say, trying to maintain my serious demeanor.
I still feel emotional when I see Harry and Ron together. After Harry's name was spat from the goblet of fire and he had to go through weeks of everyone in the school hating him, without his best friend by his side, seeing them up to their old antics fills me with so much joy. I know I'm loved by both of them, but I know I'm not a good replacement for either. There's some things I just don't get, don't connect with on the same level. I could feel how much they missed each other, but both would dig their heels in if I so much as mentioned them making up. Stupid, stubborn boys.
All it took was Harry going through the first task for Ron to pull his head from his arse and realise no sane fourteen year old boy would want this. Which I couldn't be happier about, because going back and forth between them was getting exhausting. Even though I've taken the normal amount of subjects this year, the added stress of helping Harry through the Triwizard tournament has me wishing for my time turner on the odd occasion.
George breaks me out of my reverie as he plops down on the couch next to me.
"It's ok Ron, you can work for Fred and I when you flunk out." He's says while grabbing a sweet from the table in front of the common room fire.
"Yeah, we could use a test dummy. Testing products on ourselves is proving to be quite uncomfortable." Fred adds as he gingerly lowers himself into an armchair.
Ron looks at Fred, then looks at me with pleading eyes.
"I promise to be on my best behaviour, Hermione." He says.
"Good, that's what I thought." I say in a huff while picking up my book again, earning a snort from the twins. I can feel the corner of my mouth begin to curl up but promptly let my hair fall into my face to hide it.
I soon feel my eyes getting heavy and announce my departure to bed. Once settled under my warm blanket, I let my mind wander to my date now that it's finally safe to do so. I had secretly liked this person for so long, and had not told a soul. I nearly sank to the floor in surprise when they caught me shortly after the ball was announced and asked me to go with them. I had to quickly school my features and casually say "yes, I'd like that," while I was internally freaking out. I remembered them smiling and saying "I'll meet you in the entrance hall," before and dashing off to class, leaving me to be carried away by the flurry of students, still in shock. I roll onto my side and put my pillow over my head, trying to suppress my grin and focus on sleep.
The next few weeks pass by in a blur. Harry was not taking figuring out the clue from the golden egg seriously, and Ron kept telling me to back off and leave him alone.
"He still has plenty of time, don't worry about it," he kept saying anytime I would broach the subject.
Ron made a colossal fool of himself and asked Fleur Delacour to the ball, pretty much screamed at her in front of everyone. While trying to make him feel better Ginny confessed to being asked by Neville, after I declined him due to already having a date. She of course said yes otherwise she would not have had the chance to go. She forced me to order 3 bottles of Sleekeazy's hair potion to smooth out my hair for the ball, promising to help me. As much as I complained and insisted my hair was fine, I was secretly grateful she was willing to help me sort out the frizzy mess.
The day had finally arrived. Christmas Day, and the day of the Yule Ball. Christmas morning was spent opening presents with Harry and the Weasleys, sharing fruit mince pies and comparing our knitted sweaters, both made by Mrs Weasley. After gorging on a delicious lunch in the great hall (most of the fourth years and up had stayed at school for the winter holidays, obviously), we bundled up in our warmest clothes and braved the cold to work off our lunch by having a snowball fight. The time quickly passed, and soon enough I was saying goodbye to the group and heading back to the castle with Ginny.
"Who're you going to the ball with?" Ron tried one final time, but I just smiled and waved, my stomach already in knots.
I now sat in front of a makeshift vanity in Ginny's dormitory, twisting my fingers together and reminding myself to breathe while she combs the hair potion through my hair. She gently twists the now shining curls into a fancy knot at the back of my head, while leaving tendrils to frame my face and trail over my shoulder. Once my hair is done, I apply some subtle glamours to my face I had learnt just for tonight. My eyes framed with dark lashes, my cheeks a bit rosier, my lips a bit shinier. Soon it was time to put on my dress. One of periwinkle blue, with a floaty, flowing skirt, the same material sewn into the straps to create movement even when I was still. A dress I found in the muggle world while shopping with my mother before the school year. Our school letters mentioned dress robes, and as soon as I laid my eyes on this dress I knew it was the one. I turn to the mirror once I've secured the zip, and gape at the person looking back. She looks elegant, beautiful. And not weighed down by a bag of books. There's a sparkle in her eye. I gently turn on the spot, watching my dress swish this way and that. Why couldn't I always look like this?
Before I can spiral, Ginny exits the bathroom in a basic cream and pink dress, sent to her last minute by her parents. She stops in her tracks when she sees me.
"Hermione, you look amazing!" I blush and look down, brushing imaginary dust from my dress.
"Thanks Ginny," I say shyly, "We better get going, we don't want to keep our dates waiting any longer." We make our way through the castle, following the crowd to the entrance hall. As we approach the staircase to descend, I stop in my tracks. Ginny stops to look back at me, eyebrows raised.
"You go on, I need a moment," I say. She can see my desperation to take a moment for myself, pats me on the arm and dashes off to meet Neville. I glance around the corner to see her meet him at the base of the stairs, looking ever the dapper gentleman in his dress robes. I pull my head back as I spot my date, his back to me as he's talking to a couple of friends, my head spinning as I begin to hyperventilate. I let myself go for a few seconds before steeling myself, taking a deep breath and whispering "I can do this," before stepping out from behind the wall and beginning my descent of the stairs into the entrance hall.
I carefully walk down the stairs, and try to look up while also trying not to trip over my skirt. As I reach the halfway point I see eyes beginning to notice me, and stare. My date notices the loss of his friends attention and turns around to see what, or who, everyone is looking at. He locks eyes on me, which widen in pleasant surprise, drinking me in while I reach the bottom of the stairs and walk over to him, a shy smile creeping onto my face. I've already forgotten about the staring, now joined by whispers.
"Wow, you look beautiful," Fred says. He reaches for my hand and gives it a light peck. Very gentlemanly.
"You scrub up quite well yourself," I say, feeling my nerves ease now that the tension has broken and conversation around us starts to pick up again.
Fred drops my hand and reaches for his wand, laughing at my confused look.
"That colour is superb, I'm forcing you to share it tonight," he says while tapping his tie. It instantly changes to the exact colour of my dress.
"Where did you learn magic like that?" I ask eagerly, having never actually seen him perform a spell, let alone a silent one.
"That's the thing about having to test your own products yourself, you run into some interesting situations," He says.
"Enlighten me."
"Well, I may have turned lime green. Which was the intention! The only issue was the product to reverse this isn't quite ready. It had a different, unexpected effect."
"Oh? Like what?" I ask, full of curiosity.
"Like a very uncomfortable rash in a place I won't mention," he laughs, his cheeks reddening. I'd never seen Fred blush before, and can't believe that I'm the one causing it. I laugh as well.
"Well I take it you're all cured and ready to dance tonight?" I ask to distract and ease his embarrassment.
"Yes, of course. I hope you'll be able to keep up in those heels," he teases. I laugh again, just as the doors to the Great Hall open and Professor McGonagall begins ushering everyone inside. Fred holds his arm out to me, which I take while trying not to look too eager. No need to make it obvious I've had a school girl crush on him from the moment I met him.
As we walk into the Great Hall, my jaw drops. Icicles are hanging from every available surface, the walls covered in an silvery frost, and there is a gentle snow falling from the ceiling, disappearing before it can land on anything. Through the snow the night sky can be seen, the stars and moon shining brightly. A bright, ethereal glow lights the room, which has round tables placed around a huge dancefloor. Candles, crystals and what looks like silver dipped flowers decorate each one. It is the most beautiful site I have ever seen. Glancing at Fred, it looks like he's thinking the same thing.
The head table is set up for the champions, their dates and the head of each school. A stage next to the dance floor has a band getting their instruments ready for the champions grand entrance. We're all ushered out of the way to create pathway to the dancefloor for the champions. I giggle while Fred holds onto me tightly so as to not lose me in the crowd. There's a lot of laughter and conversation happening while the rooms fills with excited energy. I spot Ron with Padma Patil across the makeshift path we've created, laughing together. He catches my eye and gives me a thumbs up, then his face changes to one of shock when he realises his older brother is my date. He shakes his head at me, rolling his eyes then turning his attention back to Padma, who looks very beautiful in her traditional Indian robes.
A sudden hush falls across the room as the doors to the entrance hall open once again, the heads of each school entering first to take their places near the edge of the dancefloor. The champions then enter to an explosion of applause, Fleur Delacour in a silver dress, glowing almost as brightly as the hall. Viktor Krum in his traditional Hungarian robes with a fur, looking surely as usual. I clap and cheer on Cedric and Harry as loudly as I can, both looking very handsome in their robes, with Cho Chang and Pavarti Patil looking perfectly at ease on their arms. The champions make their way to the dancefloor and get in position, the rest of the crowd surging forward to close the pathway and move to the edge to watch. There is a few beats of silence, then the band is playing its first song, and the champions begin the opening dance. I laugh at how unsure Harry looks, and am in awe of how effortlessly Fleur moves.
Soon, the schools heads join with their respective partners, then the remaining staff, and eventually the students that feel brave enough. Fred taps my arm and nods towards the dancefloor when I look at him, raising his eyebrows. I nod, feeling nervous as he grabs my hand and leads me onto the floor. He faces me, and takes hold of my waist with his free hand while I put mine on his shoulder.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
Suddenly Fred is spinning me across the floor, leading effortlessly. I wasn't expecting this at all so I laugh in shock.
"Where did you learn to dance?" I ask. Without missing a beat he says "I taught myself, I had to make sure I impressed my date with my moves," grinning down at me. His hand leaves mine and he lifts me up in the air in a spin, which is when I see the other students doing the same. I clearly missed the lessons everyone else seems to have taken, remembering only the basic waltz Professor McGonagall demonstrated with Ron. Fred gently brings me back to the floor and leads me through a few more moves requiring fancy footwork before the song comes to an end.
Professor Dumbledore makes his way onto the stage and stops in front of the microphone. The room quietens quickly
"Welcome students and guests, to the Yule Ball," he says, "Please make your way to your seats, champions to the head table, where we will now be serving a delicious feast." We find a table to sit at, where we meet George with Angelina, Ron, Padma, Neville and Ginny. I sit between Fred and Ginny and immediately reach for my glass of water to cool myself down. When I set it back down it magically refills.
"Hermione, I can't believe you're here with Fred, how did that happen?" Ginny whispers to me. I quickly glance at Fred to see him occupied talking to George and Angelina and whisper back "I don't know, he just caught up with me after the ball was announced and asked me to go with him. How was your dance with Neville?" I quickly divert the topic away from me.
"Good, he only stepped on my toes a couple of times," she laughs. I laugh with her as Ron says "I'm starving, when is the food meant to start?" Padma smacks him on the arm while laughing.
"You get used to hearing that, Padma," I say, laughing myself. We all begin to look at what the other tables are doing and see some of the staff members scattered around the room picking up the menus from their tables, read over them then say their orders directly to their plates, where their meals suddenly appear. We all copy and grab our menus, along with the rest of the hall. I glance over mine, taking my time to pick. As I say "Balmoral chicken" I hear Fred say the exact same thing. We laugh together as our food appears.
"Good choice," I say to him as I pick up my knife and fork.
"Nothing like a bit of haggis stuffed chicken to bring the romance," He jokes while I blush. There's a lull in the conversation while everyone digs into their meals. I'm hyper aware of Fred sitting next to me and try my best to be ladylike, taking small bites and patting my mouth with my napkin.
"So, does it measure up to your mums cooking?" I ask, making small talk between bites. I was introduced to Mrs Weasley's delicious cooking for the first time while staying at the burrow for the world cup over summer.
"Not even close," Fred says. I nod in agreement. Soon dinner is finished and the plates are wiped clean. A second menu appears between each couple. Fred picks it up and holds it where we can both read it. There's so many options that sound good that I can't decide.
"How about we get a different dessert each and share them?" Fred asks.
"I like your thinking," I say, smiling at him. We settle for a sticky toffee pudding, and treacle tart. As we eat our desserts we debate over which is better, eventually the sticky toffee pudding winning.
Once everyone is well fed and the volume picks up in the Great Hall, Professor Dumbledore reappears on the stage to announce dinner has now concluded and the dancefloor is open, along with the outside courtyard and gardens for anyone wishing for a breath of fresh air. I tell Fred I needed to use the ladies room and will meet him back at the table as soon as I can. He gives me a charming smile as I turn away, making my heart skip a beat. I dash off to the ladies and check myself in the mirror, my hair and makeup has held nicely. As I walk back into the Great Hall I hear a nasty voice say, "I'm surprised you could get a date, Granger. Did you pay Weasley a nice sum to take you? Merlin knows that family would do anything for money." I clench my hands as I feel a hot rush of anger in my stomach.
"Did your date already grow bored of your presence, Malfoy. I don't blame her, it would be hard trying to understand someone with their head as far up their arse as you," I spit back at him.
"Still better to have my head up my arse than be a filthy mudblood," he retorts. Before I can snipe back at him, I feel a presence behind me and Malfoy's face falters slightly.
"Watch yourself Malfoy, you could find yourself eating your words one day. You make sure that your father hears about this, and tell him that I'm watching," Professor Moody growls quietly, "Miss Granger, I believe Mister Weasley is waiting for you." I peer around Moody to see Fred, who must've been making his way over before the professor intercepted. I smile and step around Moody, thanking him as I do so.
"Are you ok?" Fred asks, looking worried.
"Yeah, it's just Malfoy, nothing I can't handle," I say, "are you ready to dance?" He smiles and grabs my hand, leading me onto the dance floor where most of the guests have congregated. He spins me around and I let myself get lost in the music, which has picked up in tempo compared to the opening dance. I look over to see George and Angelina spinning around and doing some moves that leave people making space for them lest they get injured. We dance until my feet start to ache, and Fred can see this.
"Would you like to sit down for a bit? You look like you're in pain." He asks. I nod and let him lead me to a nearby chair where I plop down ungracefully, glad to be off my feet for a moment. Fred disappears back into the crowd to get us drinks, and suddenly Harry is next to me, without his date.
"Where's Parvati?" I ask.
"Ah, she's dancing with some guy from Durmstrang. To be fair, I wasn't the best date," he says. I pat his leg sympathetically. Harry never did deal with being in the spotlight well.
"You look beautiful by the way," Harry says and I smile widely at his compliment, "and I'm glad you got to come with someone you enjoy being with. Are you having a good time?"
"I'm having a wonderful time, Fred has been a complete gentleman."
"Alright Potter, hands of my date." The aforementioned gentleman reappears and hands me a cup of punch.
"It's not the spiked one, I promise," he says with a wink.
"I'm going to take that as my cue to sneak out and go to bed. Ron's busy with Padma," Harry says as he stands up and points his thumb over his shoulder, where I see Ron and Padma spinning slowly in a circle on the dancefloor. I laugh at how awkward they look, and can see Ron trying his best to not stand on Padma's toes. Harry gives us a small wave and sneaks off to the entrance hall, managing to slip out without anyone noticing. I thank Fred and take a deep drink of the punch, trying to cool down after the dancing. I can see Fred doing the same out of the corner of my eye. I try to calm my nerves while he looks perfectly at ease, watching the crowd as they move to the music. After a few moments of silence, I break the tension.
"Would you like to check out the gardens?" I ask. He nods and stands up, giving me his arm to help me up. My feet feel much better after the rest. We make our way out of the Great Hall to the courtyard, where rose bushes have been magicked to fill the space, creating a maze of nooks to give happy couples their privacy. I can see lights floating around the bushes and pull my hand from Fred's arm to see what could be doing that.
"They're fairies!" I exclaim once I get close enough, turning back to Fred excitedly as I say "They're so beautiful." I catch Fred's eye and stop short, suddenly as nervous as he looks. He walks up next to me and gazes at the fairies for a moment before saying, "They're not as beautiful as you." I suck in a breath, too scared to say anything in case I ruin the moment. Fred takes a deep breath and continues, "Hermione, I've really liked you for a long time now, and I'd like to continue seeing you in this way. Well not this way exactly, by only going to fancy balls. What I'm trying to say is I would like to court you if you'd do me the honour." he rushes through his words, not taking his eyes off the fairies. My heart is thundering in my chest as I reach a hand out and lay it on his arm, getting him to finally turn and look at me.
"I'd like that very much," I say. His face breaks out into a warm smile. My heart stutters seeing this, and I return it with a smile of my own.
"Shall I walk you back up to your dormitory?" He asks.
"Yes please, it's bloody cold out here," I say.
"You've been hanging around Ron too much, his manners are rubbing off on you," he teases. I smack his arm lightly, laughing as he leads me back into the Great Hall. We make our way through the castle to Gryffindor tower, both bundles of nervous excitement so we don't speak much. I can't believe my luck, that the person I've been secretly harbouring what I thought was an unrequited crush for for years actually likes me back. And has asked to continue seeing me! We arrive at the entrance to the common room, and I beat Fred to saying the password. He helps me through the portrait hole and walks me to the base of the girl's dormitory stairs, not daring to walk me up after seeing Ron turn them into a slide. I stop and look at him, not really knowing what to expect.
"Thank you for a wonderful night," I say.
"I'm very glad I got to spend it with you," Fred says, leaning down and kissing me on the cheek, "and I'm glad we're going to be seeing more of each other." I blush, and curse my cheeks for being able to turn red so easily. I say my good night and turn for the stairs.
"Sleep well, Hermione," Fred says. I turn and smile at him.
"You too, Fred," I say, not really wanting to leave him. I force my feet to carry me up the stairs to the privacy of my dormitory. Pavarti and Lavender haven't made it back from the ball yet, which I'm grateful for. The first thing I do is kick off my shoes and groan in relief, feeling the blood flow back into my feet. Then it fully hits me that Fred has asked to court me, as in taking me on dates, holding my hand, spending time together... alone. It's too much for me to think about, butterflies assaulting my stomach at the thought.
I quickly remove my dress and undergarmets, and make my way to the shared bathroom, needing a hot shower to distract me. I turn on the water and stand there looking at myself in the mirror as steam slowly fills the room. I say a final goodbye to my beautiful hair and makeup, knowing I won't look like this in the morning. My eyes are still sparkling, even though there's a small crease of worry between my eyebrows, brought on by the thought of being alone with Fred. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of said thoughts and start taking my hair out. Once I remove all the pins I shake out my hair and give my scalp a massage. They didn't lie when they created the saying beauty is pain.
I step into the shower and let the water run over my entire body, washing away the night. I take my time washing my hair and scrubbing my skin, doing anything I can to distract myself from thoughts of Fred. My stomach gives a slight jolt every time he manages to slip back into my mind. Eventually, I run out of things to do in the shower, and sigh as I step out, knowing my methods of distraction aren't working. I quickly towel off and charm my hair dry. I walk back into the dormitory and pull on my pajamas, then climb into bed. I spell my curtains to shut around my bed then put up a silencing charm so I don't wake when Lavender and Pavarti eventually get in. I squeeze my eyes shut and will myself to sleep, a happy smile on my face.