Chapter 21: Yule Date Announcement
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. IT BELONGS TO JK ROWLING.
A/N: Read, enjoy, and remember not to take either life or my writing too seriously.
"WEASLEY! Kindly pay attention!"
The sharp voice of Minerva McGonagall rang through the classroom.
Ron stood beside his desk since sitting was still extremely uncomfortable. The golden egg rested proudly on top of the desk, and he kept shifting it around in an obvious attempt to attract attention.
Professor McGonagall fixed him with a stern glare.
The lesson had just ended. The class had completed their work; the guinea fowl that had been transformed into guinea pigs had been returned to their cage—although Neville's still retained a few stray feathers. Students had already copied their homework assignment from the board:
"Describe, with examples, how Transfiguration spells must be modified when performing Cross-Species Switching."
The bell would ring any second.
"Now that I finally have everyone's attention," McGonagall said sharply, her gaze lingering on Ron.
"I have an announcement."
"The Yule Ball is approaching. It is a long-standing tradition connected to the Triwizard Tournament and provides an opportunity for students to socialize with our visiting guests."
She paused.
"The ball will be open only to students in fourth year and above—though older students may invite younger partners if they wish."
Her eyes snapped back to Ron.
"RONALD WEASLEY! Stop fiddling with that egg!"
Ron quickly placed the egg back on the desk.
"Dress robes will be required," McGonagall continued calmly. "The event will begin at eight o'clock on Christmas evening and will conclude at midnight in the Great Hall."
She scanned the classroom again.
"The Yule Ball will give us an opportunity to—er—relax somewhat."
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil both burst into muffled giggles, covering their mouths with their hands. Harry understood the joke: Professor McGonagall, with her tightly bound hair and severe posture, hardly looked like someone who had ever "let her hair down."
"But that does NOT mean," McGonagall continued firmly, "that standards of behavior will be lowered."
Her gaze settled firmly on Ron again.
"I would be extremely disappointed if a Gryffindor student embarrassed this school."
Several long seconds passed.
The bell rang.
Students immediately began packing their belongings.
Over the noise McGonagall called out:
"Weasley—stay behind a moment."
Several students lingered long enough to overhear the conversation.
"Ron, the champions and their partners—"
"Partners?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"Your partners for the Yule Ball," McGonagall said briskly. "Dance partners. The champions and their dates will open the ball. Make sure you have one. I expect no embarrassment to Hogwarts."
Ron looked offended.
"Of course I'll have a partner! I'm a champion! Who wouldn't want to go with me?"
Professor McGonagall stared at him thoughtfully, wondering if overeating could somehow damage a person's brain.
"Very well," she said finally. "You may go."
As soon as he left the classroom, the Deputy Headmistress muttered several colorful Scottish curses before heading toward the staff room.
She knew Professor Flitwick kept emergency Firewhisky hidden there.
The Panic
Lavender and Parvati had overheard everything.
They stared at each other in horror.
Within minutes the information began spreading throughout the castle.
First the Gryffindor girls heard.
Then Ravenclaw.
Then Hufflepuff.
Finally the news reached Slytherin.
Within an hour every student in Hogwarts knew the truth:
RON WEASLEY NEEDED A DATE FOR THE YULE BALL.
Chaos erupted instantly.
Girls began grabbing the nearest available boys.
Some seventh-years were so desperate they begged first-years to escort them.
The Patil twins spotted Ron approaching in the corridor and immediately begged the Creevey brothers to accompany them to the ball instead.
Meanwhile Ron had absolutely no idea what was happening.
He waddled back toward Gryffindor Tower; golden egg tucked under his arm.
I wonder where that Veela girl is, he thought confidently.
She'll probably come begging me to be her date soon.
I'll make her wait a few days before agreeing.
Harry Asks Hermione
After class Harry noticed Hermione looking at him expectantly.
He stopped in the corridor and bowed slightly.
"My lady," he said dramatically. "Although I must admit I have no idea how to dance, I would be honored if you would accompany me to the Yule Ball. I promise to heal any injuries I might accidentally cause to your feet."
Hermione smiled warmly.
"Harry, of course I'll go with you," she said softly. "As long as I'm with you, the evening will be perfect."
Unfortunately for Hermione…
She had not accounted for Ron Weasley, Triwizard Champion.
Hermione's Nightmare
A few nights later Harry woke suddenly.
He wasn't sure what had disturbed him, but he felt uneasy.
After a moment one thought filled his mind.
Hermione.
Something was wrong.
Without hesitation he grabbed his glasses and wand and hurried down the staircase.
When he entered the common room he immediately saw her sitting near the fireplace.
Relief flooded him.
But when Hermione looked up, he saw tears running down her face.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked gently, sitting beside her.
He noticed she was holding a book.
That wasn't unusual.
What was unusual was how angry she looked at it.
Hermione leaned into him while he wrapped his arms around her.
"I had a nightmare," she whispered.
Harry noticed the title of the book she held.
A Christmas Carol
"I love this story," Hermione explained shakily. "But in the dream… I was the one visited by the three ghosts."
She described the first.
"The Ghost of Christmas Past was a girl from my old school. She showed me how everyone bullied me—calling me names and laughing at me."
Harry squeezed her hand.
"You'll never be alone like that again," he promised.
Hermione smiled weakly before continuing.
"The Ghost of Christmas Present… was Ginny. She showed me the Yule Ball."
Hermione shuddered.
"In the dream you were the champion instead of Ron… and you went to the ball with Parvati. I was there with Viktor Krum."
Harry blinked.
"Krum?"
Hermione nodded miserably.
"Ron started yelling and accusing me of betrayal. I couldn't move or speak… I just had to watch."
Harry grinned.
"Ron was probably jealous Krum didn't ask him."
Hermione let out a small laugh.
"But the worst part," she whispered, "was the final ghost."
"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come."
She shuddered.
"It was some strange middle-aged woman calling herself… JK Rowking or something."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"In that future," Hermione continued miserably, "I was married to Ron. We had two children. One was named Hugo."
Harry choked.
"And you were married to Ginny," Hermione finished.
Harry burst out laughing.
"See? Obviously a nightmare," he said. "Imagine me marrying Ginny. And naming a kid after Snape!"
Hermione began laughing too.
"Albus Severus Potter," Harry said dramatically. "ASP. Like a snake."
They laughed together until the nightmare faded.
After a quiet moment Hermione whispered softly:
"Harry… I love you."
Harry froze.
No one had ever said those words to him before.
He looked into her eyes and knew the truth.
He kissed her gently.
"I love you too, Mione."
They eventually fell asleep together beside the fire.
The Next Morning
Early the next morning Ron came downstairs carrying his golden egg.
He immediately spotted Harry and Hermione sleeping together on the couch.
"PPPPWWWTTTT!"
The noise echoed through the common room.
Ginny's Problem
A few days later Ginny Weasley sat on her bed crying.
Her mother had sent her a letter.
It read:
Ginny,
Your brother cannot find a date for the Yule Ball. You will have to attend with him.
— Mum
Ginny nearly fainted.
Eventually she gathered her courage and approached Harry and Hermione.
"I'll do anything," she pleaded. "Just help me find Ron a date."
Harry thought for a moment.
Then he came up with a plan.
Hermione enchanted a crystal ball.
The next day Sybill Trelawney looked into it after drinking far too much cooking sherry.
She staggered into Ron later and declared dramatically:
"The future commands it! I am destined to be your partner for the Yule Ball!"
Then she collapsed.
Ginny's Relief
The next day Ginny rushed over to Harry and Hermione at lunch.
"Thank you! Thank you both!"
She explained how Professor Trelawney had drunkenly declared herself Ron's date before passing out in the hallway.
Hermione nodded calmly.
"Just remember your oath," she said. "And perhaps someday we can be friends again."
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