Chapter 6 - The Announcement
The next few days were sort of blissful for Harry. He had taken Hermione out again in a long time and he had already had a gift for her for Christmas was in advanced. Harry was more excited about the gift than anything; he didn't really notice the big goofy grin on his face that appeared much to often.
"What's with you?" asked Ron one time when they were in Divination class one day.
"I don't know," replied Harry with the same stupid smile on his face. "For some reason, I'm just happy today that's all."
Ron gave him a perplexed look. "You've said that for the past few days already Harry and you're never this happy in Divination," he replied irritated. "Never mind, I give up already."
If the anticipating gift didn't delight Harry, there was something else that was: an announcement Professor Dumbledore was going to make at dinner one day.
"May I have your attention please," he said over the conversations that were going on at the house tables. The noise gradually diminished to silence. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked up at him with great interest; it was rare for Dumbledore to interrupt in the middle of dinner.
"As all of you may know, the Christmas holidays are coming up," said Dumbledore as his eyes moved through the Great Hall. "The professors and I have met and we all have agreed to have a Christmas Ball and other Balls to follow."
Immediately there were shrieks from girls and groans from boys throughout the Hall. Harry, however, was one of the little few guys that were excited. This would be another chance to ask Hermione to be my date, he thought.
"However," continued Dumbledore, his voice a bit louder to overcome the students' soft conversations, "there will be something special about all these Balls. It will be of semi-formal or formal and if you are allowed to attend with or without a date."
Many puzzled faces filled the Hall with the occasional "huh?" from students.
"For this," Dumbledore resumed, "I will be using a choosing Goblet much like the one used in the year when Hogwarts hosted the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
With a wave of his wand, a golden goblet with blue flames coming from appeared in front of him in a patch of white smoke that startled some students who were sitting close to the Head table. A small piece of parchment flew from it and Dumbledore snatched it.
"The dress attire for this dance will be… formal attire," he announced.
There were half groans and half cheers from the Hall just as another piece of parchment flew from the goblet; Dumbledore snatched that one too.
"For this dance, partners are… (there was a small smile and a twinkle in his eye) required."
"Required!?" someone said from the Ravenclaw table.
"Yes required. If any student do not make these requirements, then he or she is not allowed to attend," explained Dumbledore in a final sort of way. There more a lot more groans of disappointment in the Hall than ever before.
***
The Hall was filled with a lot more noise of conversation after Dumbledore's announcement.
"Can you believe a Christmas Ball is coming up?" said Ron from across the table to Harry. "This is great!"
Harry did nothing more than nod reassuringly to Ron.
"So who are you going to take Harry?" Ron asked as he helped himself to some dessert.
Harry didn't say anything. He turned to his right at Hermione who was sitting next to him. She was reading a book and occasionally taking small bites off of her plate when she had to turn a page. She didn't look at all interested about the Ball as everyone else. Harry turned back toward Ron.
"I have an idea who to ask," he replied in an obvious tone.
Ron knew the routine. If the word "date" was in a sentence, "Harry" and/or "Hermione" would follow after. It was quite strange really; though Harry had taken Hermione out on many different occasions, Ron never hinted or implied that Harry might have some sort of crush on her.
***
After dinner, the Hall cleared a lot quicker than usual, probably the anticipation of the Ball. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were one of the last ones to leave the Hall. They stood about 10 feet from the doors. Ron, however, seemed to have plans of his own.
"I need to find Rachel," he grinned while rubbing his hands together. "We need to plan on what we're going to wear for the Ball. I'll see you two around?"
"Sure Ron," answered Harry. "And try not to over do it this time?"
"Oh I won't," Ron shouted as he ran for the Hall's doors. "And good luck with your plans!" he said right as he disappeared around the corner.
"Ron," Hermione said shaking her head. "He will always be… Ron."
"Tell me about it," said Harry as he looked down at her. She was still reading that book that he had seen her with earlier.
"So what plans was Ron talking about Harry?" Hermione questioned, finally shutting the book and giving all the attention to him.
"Don't know," Harry shrugged, trying as hard as he could to hide a smile. Luckily, Hermione didn't notice.
"I see you're not at all eager about the Christmas Ball," said Harry.
"When am I ever Harry?"
"Well you seemed pretty excited in 4th year," mentioned Harry.
"That's because I had something to look forward to!" explained Hermione. "Besides you, Viktor was the only other person that ever asked me out."
"Really?" Harry asked a bit perplexed. "Krum and I are the only ones that ever asked you out?"
Hermione nodded sadly while she clutched the book she was reading to her chest. "I guess that I'm not a very social person," she answered with dignity in her voice. "So who are you going to ask to the Ball?"
"I have an idea," smiled Harry.
"Oh who is it!?"
"Rather not say," Harry responded. "Not right now anyway."
There was a long silence between them. Harry wisely used this time to think about how he was going to ask Hermione to the Ball. Though it was still kind of far away, he figured that the earlier, the better; just like how he already had her gift ready to go.
"Look Hermione," started Harry. "There's something that I want to ask you."
He had her undivided attention.
"I -"
"Hermione, Hermione!" a voice yelled and interrupted behind her. It belonged to Ernie MacMillian, a Hufflepuff 7th year. She automatically turned around just as the boy stopped next to her; he was slouched over and his hands were on his knees to catch his breath.
"Ernie," said Harry, looking down at him. "Are you ok? You look like you ran for your life."
"I'm… fine Harry, thanks," he puffed. He turned his attention toward Hermione. "I had… to find you… Hermione… before my chance went by."
"Why?" she asked. "What chance?"
"My chance… to ask you… to the Christmas Ball," he said in about three breaths.
Hermione mouth dropped open just about the same time that Harry's did; though they dropped for two different reasons. Ernie took a few more breaths, redid his posture, and tried his best to look formal.
"Hermione, may I have the honor of taking you to the Christmas Ball?"
If Harry had no self control, he would have said some things along the lines of: "She's not going with you because she's going with me." Then he realized that he hadn't even asked her yet. Harry's heart fell.
"I… I…" stammered Hermione, though she did look a lot more flattered than Harry thought she would. "I would love to go with you!" she smiled.
Ernie returned with the same grin. "That's great!" he smiled. "It's a date then. I'll see you around Hermione. See you later Harry."
"See you Ernie," said Harry with a bit more scorn than he intended; thankfully, no one noticed.
"He's in your Arithmancy Class isn't he?" Harry asked just as Ernie disappeared out the door.
"He is," sighed Hermione. "He always asks me for help in that class and sometimes we even study together."
Harry looked down at her questioningly. He didn't know if she was implying that she had a crush on him or not.
"It's funny though," Hermione giggled. "Sometimes I explain something to him at least a thousand times before he gets it!"
Harry laughed too. More to himself for being stupid and idiotic than anything.
"So what were you going to ask me Harry?" she asked, once again giving him all her attention.
"Well, I…" stammered Harry, turning a shade of pink. He was just going to ask Hermione to the Ball literally seconds before Ernie, but Ernie had beat him to it! Obviously, he had the same plan as Harry did.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, her eyes full of concern.
"It's nothing," Harry replied sadly after a long sigh. "It's not important."
"Are you sure?" she inquired. "Because we can talk about it."
Harry forced a small laugh and shook his head. "It's ok," Harry assured.
Hermione looked back at him. The look on her face plainly showed that she knew something was wrong, but decided not to push it anymore. She tried to lighten the mood.
"So about that girl you were going to ask," she said as the both of them headed out the Hall and to their private Head Boy and Head Girl dormitories.
"What about her?"
"Maybe you'll impress her," she said hopefully, "if you should ask her as soon as possible, much like how Ernie impressed me by asking me so early."
"Yeah I should've," Harry replied desolately, not realizing what he had just said.
"What?"
"I should," Harry corrected, blushing just a bit and mentally punching himself.
***
As Harry and Hermione entered the portrait of the Fat Lady, they did their usual routine: Harry walked her over to her private dorm, just like he always did. After saying goodnight, Hermione shut the door quietly and Harry walked over to his dorm, located directly across from hers.
Harry slumped on his bed with a thud after shutting the door behind him; he didn't even bother to change.
"This really sucks," said Harry to himself. "I missed my chance in just seconds." He laughed at how all the timing was off.
It looks like I have a few decisions to make, he thought to himself, just as his eyes closed due to frustration. Without realizing it, he drifted away into a deep sleep, dwelling on when Ernie had asked Hermione to the Ball and how if he was seconds earlier, it would be him going to the Ball with her.