At Last

At Last - Chapter One

***

Harry and Ron went downstairs sleepily on Wednesday only to find a huge circle of people crowding around the notice board.

Hermione was already trying to read it when they found her. Ron, being taller than most, stood on his toes and managed to call out the information to Harry and Hermione.

"There's another Yule Ball!" he said, craning his neck over the heads of several third years. "This Friday... six o'clock..."

"Are the other schools coming again?" Harry asked anxiously when he left the crowd and joined them near the portrait hole.

Ron shook his head. "It looks like it's just us," he said. "I guess we should hurry and find dates, though, since it's so soon."

They went through the portrait hole and down to breakfast. Sitting down, they were not surprised to hear nonstop chatter about the upcoming Ball. Dumbledore stood from his chair at the High Table and cleared his throat. The Hall silenced.

"Good morning, everyone," Dumbledore smiled around the room. "I trust you have all seen the notices about the Yule Ball? Good. It will be this Friday at six o'clock, for anyone who missed the details. As like the previous Ball, you will need your dress robes. I hope you all will enjoy it. But now, let us eat!"

He sat down, and everyone started talking again. Harry turned to Ron, who was helping himself to bacon. "So, who are you going to ask?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't know. You?"

Harry returned the shrug. "I don't know either. Er, how about you, Hermione?"

She turned, her cheeks pink. "Um, what did you say?"

"I asked who you're thinking of going to the Ball with," he repeated, wondering why she looked so surprised.

"Oh," she said, the redness leaving her face. "Oh, I don't know."

***

Thursday evening, Harry sat dejectedly in front of the common room fire. The Ball was in less the twenty-four hours, and he didn't have a date.

Hermione came through the portrait hole, carrying several library books in her arms. Spotting him, she rushed over at sat in a chair beside him, setting her books on a table.

"Hi," she said. "What's wrong?"

"I still don't have a date," he said sullenly.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said. "I don't have one either." She paused.

"Oh," he said. "Yeah, I guess I just can't find anyone."

Hermione opened her mouth to respond when Ron came bursting through the common room, his face burning. He sat down next to Harry and crossed his arms, avoiding the stares coming from everyone who'd just seen him come through the portrait hole.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Well, I have a date now."

He was surprised. "And that's a bad thing?"

"Well, it is when it's not someone you'd automatically think of going with."

"Who?" Hermione looked over interestedly.

"Luna," Ron muttered. "She just asked me, right before I came here. And I just said yes! It popped out before I could take it back, and she looked so happy..."

Harry smirked. "Well, at least you have a date."

"What, you don't have one?"

He shook his head. "And neither does Hermione."

Ron studied him intently, then did the same to Hermione.

"What?" Harry asked. Ron just kept looking between them. "What?" he asked again.

"Oh, nothing," Ron said briskly, standing up. "I think I'll just go to bed. 'Night."

After a few minutes of thinking, Harry realized what Ron meant when he kept looking at them. "Hermione, do you want to go to the Ball with me?"

She was surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah," he said. "As friends, you know. Since neither of us have dates."

"Oh," she said, her face falling slightly. Then she grinned. "Sure!"

"Great," he said. "Well, 'night Hermione."

"Good night," she said, staring at his retreating back.