In the Gryffindor Common Room

Much of the conversation for Ginny, Hermione, Harry and Ron are quotes, copied from JK Rowling's book. (US GoF p 398-401 hardcover) I also used several pieces of JK Rowling's writing and some of her descriptions, and they are thus borrowed. But since this is about Ginny's experience, the events leading up to and including the Yule Ball itself are, however, looked at from Ginny's perspective, not Harry's. I felt compelled therefore to include what was given to us by JK Rowling to keep the story as close to canon as possible, especially regarding the 'scenes' in GoF where Harry is present. Since I don't know Mrs. Rowling to ask her permission, I hope she doesn't mind. Please forgive me.

Days and dates mentioned in the chapter are checked with the Harry Potter Lexicon. I appreciate all the information available through their site and use it frequently as another source to check canon facts.

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The day the Christmas decorations started to go up, Ginny found that the excitement she usually felt this time of year was heightened by the anticipation of attending the Yule Ball. This year Christmas decorations adorned the castle everywhere, including the corridors and staircases frequently used by the students and staff. Everlasting icicles were hung on the banisters of the marble staircase. Even the suits of armor were polished, yet again, and a few were given garland on their helms and new pennants on their lances. Flitwick charmed the suits of armor to sing Christmas carols as people passed, although several of them didn't quite know all the words and just hummed the tunes.

In Ginny's opinion Professor Flitwick outdid himself with the decorations on the twelve huge Christmas trees in the Great Hall. Ginny loved each one and was hard pressed to pick a favorite. Everywhere, everyone seemed excited about Christmas and especially the Yule Ball, and as the holiday approached the students had more trouble concentrating on lessons.

Only Professor Flitwick noticed the level of excitement with the anticipation of the ball making all the students distracted during lessons and finally gave in. During the last classes before the holiday break, he allowed his students to play games or to practice their favorite charms.

Professor Moody began warning them to maintain a 'constant vigilance' against any curses, hexes and jinxes that could be disguised as Christmas presents and spent several classes teaching simple detection spells. Professor McGonagall continued teaching the students how to transfigure rats into goblets and turtles into tea cups, but gave lots of extra points if the objects were decorated with festive patterns. Professor Snape, however, seemed to get even nastier as the holiday approached, docking points from anyone who even mentioned Christmas or the Yule Ball in his presence. Professor Binns, since he rarely noticed the students anyway during his classes, was completely oblivious to the holiday excitement and carried on with classes as usual.

Ginny watched, amused, as the boys moved around the castle and the school grounds as usual. While the girls without partners to the Yule Ball were trying hard to be noticed and were preening at the boys so that they might know they were still available. However, the girls were still roaming through the corridors and courtyards in groups. Several times she overheard the boys in her year complain about the girls always 'hanging out' or 'moving around' in 'bunches' or 'packs,' which made Ginny laugh. Watching the students around her, she remembered what Fred and George had said to her when they set her up with Neville: that when girls are with their friends, it only made it harder on guys who weren't so self-assured to speak to them, let alone ask them to the Yule Ball. Even more amusing was Fred's comparison of the girls to geese when he was talking to Lee in the common room one morning and said that the "flocking habits of girls was only intimidating the very guys they wanted so desperately to ask them." It is amazing, Ginny thought, smiling, that Fred and George are certainly self-assured enough to talk to a girl, even if she is surrounded by her friends. But Ron is so insecure he can't even ask a girl in Gryffindor – let alone talk to her without stuttering or tripping on his shoelaces.

The following Friday as Ginny was going down to dinner, she paused at the foot of the marble staircase and froze in her tracks. Fleur Delacour was talking to Cedric Diggory, blatantly flirting with him and leaning close, looking at him coquettishly. The scene was enough to make Ginny want to gag. Fleur even did that flip with her hair! Cedric had a glossy look to his eyes as he stared back at her. "You were zo brave ze way you 'andled that dragon," she purred at him.

"It wasn't all that big a deal. The dragon didn't really go for my Labrador as I planned," Cedric explained to her as she smiled brightly at him. Ginny laughed at just how stupid he looked.

At that moment Ron showed up. He turned his head to watch Fleur flirting with Cedric just outside the Great Hall doors as he headed down to dinner, and then suddenly he just stopped dead in his tracks. All at once he blurted out loudly to Fleur, "You wanna go to the Ball with me?" Fleur gave him a contemptuous look and turned her back on him, ignoring Ron completely.

Ron looked... well... stoned actually, and then seemed to snap out of a trance and turned beet red. Everyone in the hall had stopped to stare in disbelief, and a few people started laughing. Ron spun around quickly and fled up the stairs.

Ginny forgot all about dinner. Oh, poor Ron, I can't believe he asked Fleur! Yelled at her actually... of all the girls in school – why her? Why do guys get all glassy eyed around her and lose their common sense? Ginny pondered, as she ran after him. When she caught up to him, a dazed and confused Ron stood staring at the Fat Lady outside the Gryffindor common room, unable to give her the password.

"Oh, go on dear – it's an easy one!" the Fat Lady was saying encouragingly while making small flapping motions with her fingers.

"Fairy lights," Ginny said clearly and helped her brother through the portrait hole and into the best chair in the common room, near the fireplace. What can I say to him... "It will be alright, Ron, really." Ginny said in a soothing voice, sitting at his feet. Everyone saw... everyone heard him... "You wouldn't really have wanted to go with her... she is so full of herself, Ron." In a way it was kind of funny...

"What's up, Ron?" said Harry, suddenly standing by Ron's chair.

Ron looked up at Harry with a look of total disbelief and a sort of blind horror on his face. "Why did I do it?" he said wildly. "I don't know what made me do it!"

"What?" Harry asked, concerned.

"He... er... just asked Fleur Delacour to go to the Ball with him," Ginny said, fighting back a laugh at her brother's expense. She truly did feel sorry for him, so she tried to keep control of her face and maintain a look of concern for her brother. He'd be devastated if I started laughing, but Ron doesn't need me to pity him right now either.

"You what?" asked Harry, looking totally shocked at his best friend.

Ginny was so close to bursting out laughing at them. However, she kept patting Ron's arm reassuringly, like the good caring sister that she was.

"I don't know what made me do it!" Ron gasped again. "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!" Ron dropped his head into his hands in total dismay. He moaned and kept talking, although the words were barely distinguishable. "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 I ran for it."

"She's part veela," said Harry. "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." Ron, blushing a deep red, lifted his head from his hands and looked up at Harry. "I asked her to go with me just now," Harry said. He looked disappointed, but was trying not to let it show. His voice sounded dull. "And she told me."

Ginny suddenly stopped smiling, stunned. Her heart skipped a beat. Harry asked Cho? And she said no to him...

"This is mad," said Ron. "We're the only ones left who haven't got anyone – well, except Neville. Hey – guess who he asked? Hermione!" Ron looked up, smirking, although his ears were still pink.

Harry didn't have a partner for the Ball yet! Ginny's mind was reeling, hardly listening what her brother was saying. He could... still... maybe, ask me. I could... I might have been able to go with Harry! But he won't ask me, of course.

"What?" Harry's exclamation brought Ginny back into the conversation abruptly.

"Yeah, I know!" Ron said. Some of the normal color was coming back into his face as he started to laugh. "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!" Ron exclaimed loudly. "She just didn't want to go with Neville... I mean, who would?" Ginny stared hard at Ron, felling miffed by his comment. He, however, was smiling like a clabbert, although Ginny didn't see what was so funny about it.

"Don't!" Ginny spit out at her brother, feeling slightly angry with him for mocking her partner. "Don't laugh... "

Just then Hermione came in through the portrait hole and approached them. "Why weren't you two at dinner?" she asked in a way that reminded Ginny of her mum.

Ginny, still fuming at her brother, looked up at Hermione. "Because – oh shut up laughing, you two – because they've both just been turned down by girls they asked to the Ball." That'll shut Ron and Harry right up.

"Thanks a bunch, Ginny," said Ron sourly, now looking at her, miffed.

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

"Hermione, Neville's right – you are a girl!" Ron gazed at Hermione like someone just lit his wick.

Ginny laughed quietly, My brother is just that thick!

"Oh, well spotted!" Hermione said acidly, her eyes looking rather dangerous at the moment.

Oh, Ron, you're such a dolt! Ginny couldn't help but be amused. He doesn't even notice the warning in her eyes.

"Well – you can come with one of us!" Ron started, as if he just made a grand discovery.

Ron, don't... don't be such a Bludger. Ginny cringed as Ron persisted. Get a clue...

"No, I can't," Hermione snapped, with vindication.

Ginny felt like smiling again. Blimey! This is just great. Ron is so bloody clueless, and it is being pointed out right to his face.

"Oh come on," Ron said impatiently. "We need partners! We're going to look really stupid if we haven't got any. Everyone else has..." Ron looked up imploringly at Hermione, and her face softened.

"I can't come with you," Hermione said, now blushing, "because I'm already going with someone." She quickly glanced at Ginny, who smiled knowingly back.

"No, you're not!" Ron insisted. "You just said that to get rid of Neville!"

"Oh, did I?" Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously again.

"Okay, okay, we know you're a girl. That do? Will you come now?" Ron pleaded with her.

But Hermione straightened up, her body becoming rigid. "I've already told you!" she said very angrily. "I'm going with someone else!" Hermione turned abruptly and stormed off toward the girl's dormitories again.

"She's lying," Ron said flatly, watching her go, although he looked like he was going to sulk.

"She's not," Ginny said quietly, looking down to hide her smile. You're too much. She's liked you for years and you've just caught on that she's even a girl. Well done...

"Who is it then?" Ron demanded.

As if I would tell you now! "I'm not telling you, it's her business," Ginny said. Ron if you'd only asked her before... but noooo, you wait until the very last minute, and then manage to insult her too... How can you be so...

"Right." Ron said, cutting into her thoughts. Ginny looked up at him quickly, noticing that he looked extremely put out. "This is getting stupid. Ginny, you can go with Harry, and I'll just..."

Ginny couldn't believe what she was hearing. Ron is setting me up with Harry! Course, I'd finally get to go with him... even if it is a last resort... but still! I can't – I said yes to Neville! Her heart falling in her chest, she simply replied, "I can't." She looked up at Harry. He's just sitting there, staring at me like I'm a git! She couldn't believe this was happening! "I'm going with – with Neville." Ginny could feel her cheeks burn. "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." He isn't saying anything... say something – anything!

The lump in her chest felt like lead – and her face felt hot. "I think I'll go and have dinner." She got up and walked away from them, her heart broken. If I had just not listened to Fred and George I would be going with Harry, she thought. No, that's not fair... it's not their fault really. How could they have known that Harry hadn't gotten a partner? How could they have known that I really wanted to go to the Yule Ball with him? Besides... he's Harry Potter... he's a Hogwarts Champion... he's... Great!

As Ginny stepped from the portrait hole, her head bowed and feeling utterly miserable, she ran right into Fred and George.

"What's wrong, sis?" George asked. "Why the long face?"

"Who'd we get to jinx for this look?" Fred said with a smirk.

"Harry," Ginny replied, heavily, not looking up.

"What did Harry say to you?" George asked a bit perplexed.

"No," Ginny said with a deep sigh. "Ron said it."

"Ron said what exactly?" Fred was now confused.

Ginny kept her head bowed. She wasn't making any sense at all, and she knew it. She just didn't want to say it.

"Okay, what did 'ickle Ronniekins say this time?" George asked. His tone said Ginny was acting like she did when she was just about to start crying.

"He said that I could have gone with Harry." Ginny looked up at her brothers, fighting back a mixture of emotions.

"This is about Harry? You could have gone with Harry? Where? I thought that you gave up on Harry?" George questioned her.

Ginny's look belied her. "I did, I mean..."

"You wanted to go to the Ball with Harry?" Fred cut her off, suddenly catching on.

Unable to answer without crying, Ginny simply nodded.

"Did he ask you?" George asked, lifting Ginny's head to look directly into her eyes.

"No... well... Ron did. He said I could go with Harry because he hasn't gotten anybody yet. He asked Cho Chang, but she said she couldn't go with him so he doesn't have anyone. But I can't go because I've already said yes to Neville," Ginny explained looking directly at George, since he still held her face in his hands. "So I can't go with Harry, even though Ron said I could have." George let go of her face, his eyes soft with compassion.

"So Harry never actually asked you?" Fred asked inquiringly. Ginny shook her head, not quite looking at him.

"What did he say actually?" asked George, his voice tender.

"Well, nothing. He just sat there, staring... listening to... Ron. Ron was talking to Hermione... he asked her, but she's already going with someone and said no to him. Then Ron came up with the brilliant idea that Harry should ask me... and..." Ginny suddenly stopped short.

"But what did Harry say?" George asked.

"He didn't say anything at all," Ginny replied.

Looking very serious, George asked, "Let's see this another way, shall we?"

"Harry asked Cho Chang?" asked Fred.

Ginny nodded. "Right."

"He never asked you?" inquired Fred, watching Ginny carefully.

Ginny shook her head. "No."

"Did he say anything after Ron suggested he take you to the Ball? Did he give any indication he might?" asked George.

"No, he just sat there watching. But I said that I couldn't go, I think, before he could say anything. I told Ron that I was already going with Neville. Then he and Harry were sort of staring at me, stunned," Ginny explained, "so I left."

"Ginny, go to the Ball, forget Harry," Fred said firmly. When she started to protest he shook his head. "No, Harry's a bit thick if you ask me. If he can't see what a great girl you are, well, then he's... a big git."

"Let him see you having a good time with Neville. Maybe he'll realize what he's missing!" George added, trying to make her feel better. "It will do you some good to go to the Ball, get all dressed up and fancy. Girls love doing that kind of thing." He gently moved a strand of hair that had fallen into her face, smiling reassuringly at her. "Have a good time. Try not to think about what could have been. That will only make you nuts!"

"It doesn't sound like he had considered asking you, well, before Ron mentioned it," Fred added. "And it won't do you any good wondering if he might have, even though Ron suggested it."

"Maybe next time something comes up, he will think about asking you. This might just put the idea in his head." George put his arm around his sister. "It will be alright – trust us!" Ginny nodded. "So where are we off to then? Do you want to go back inside?"

"No, I thought I'd go to dinner..." Ginny said.

"Great! Let's go nick some food from the kitchen!" Fred perked up to his usually jovial self.

"Then we can find a nice warm place to have a picnic, just the three of us!" George said with his usual mischievous grin. "There is a passageway we just found. We're not sure where it goes yet..."

"Or the unused tower on the east side has a nice view, although it's a bit drafty up there. How about it? Would you like that?" Fred asked, his eyes lighting up.

Ginny smiled at them and gave first George and then Fred a hug, thinking... You guys are so great! "Thanks, yes. Sounds great," she said, feeling better, and then followed her brothers as they led her to the kitchens to nick food.

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The dialog in quotations between Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley in the common room scene was copied from:

J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, (New York, U.S.A.: Scholastic Press, 2000), 398-401.

No plagiarism was intended.