chap15pg5

Suddenly, inspiration hit Harry like a speeding bludger. He looked next to him and saw Hermione, walking with her face towards the ground. I�ll ask Hermione, he thought excitedly. But he decided to wait until Ron wasn�t there, just in case he became mad that he didn�t have someone to go with, so he decided to wait until he and Hermione were alone. They all reached the Fat Lady within a few minutes.
�Password?� she asked cheerfully.
�Pickled Pigskin,� Harry said bitterly.
�Right, then,� the fat lady said, swinging open. They walked through the portal and into the commons room. Harry fell onto the couch miserably.
�Cheer up, Harry,� Ron said. �She�s not really that pretty anyway.� Harry could tell that Ron was lying, but he didn�t care.
�I don�t care anymore, I don�t know why I ever liked her,� he said, eyeing Hermione. She looked slightly cheered up by Harry�s last statement.
Suddenly, a small, feathery wad flew right into Ron�s head, practically knocking him over.
�Ouch!� he shouted, looking up. �Pig! You stupid prat, why can�t you watch where you�re going?� Ron frantically grabbed Pigwidgeon out of the air, and noticed that a letter was tied to his foot. Ron struggled to keep Pig still as he untied the letter, and then let the wild owl go. As Pig buzzed around the room, Ron opened the letter and began reading it. Suddenly, his face dropped into a frown.
�What�s wrong?� Harry asked.
�Listen to this,� Ron said. He read the letter aloud.

Dear Ron, Fred, and George,
Your father and I have decided to take you all on a vacation during Christmas Holiday this year. We are going to go to Ireland to visit your grandparents for a week. I hope you�re not too disappointed, but we need to see them every once in a while, and we thought that Christmas would be the best time. Please be ready to leave on Saturday morning. See you then!
Love, Mum

�Well, at least you don�t miss the ball,� Hermione added hopefully. Ron gave her a frustrated look.
�Well, I guess I�d better start packing,� he said glumly. He slowly trudged up the stairs. Perfect timing, Harry thought to himself. Now I can ask Hermione.
�Hey, um, Hermione?� he said, suddenly unsure of himself.
�Yeah?�
�Well, since I�m not obviously going to the Ball with Cho now, and I don�t know anyone else that I�d like to go with�� he started.
�You want me to go with you?� she asked, reading his mind.
�I guess...� Harry said nervously. What if she says no?
�Sure,� she said. �As friends, right?�
�Oh, of course!� Harry said, relieved. �You didn�t have anyone else in mind, did you?� he asked.
�No, not at all, actually,� she said. Harry sighed heavily.
�Good then,� he said. �Now all we have to do is set someone up with Ron.�
�I�m sure I can find someone who would like to go with him,� she said. �I�ll go ask around now.� She climbed up the steps to the girls� dormitory. Harry ascended the stairs and went to go tell Ron. He found him packing clothing in a large suitcase.
�Hey Ron, did you know anyone that you wanted to ask to the dance?� Harry asked him. Ron gave him a startled look.
�Um� not yet� why?� he stuttered.
�Well, Hermione is looking for people to go with you, if you don�t mind that is,� Harry said.
�Who is she going with?� Ron asked quickly.
�Erm�. Well,� Harry started, �She�s going with me, actually.�
�But what about ��
�Just as friends,� Harry interrupted.
�Oh,� said Ron, looking relieved. �Well I really don�t care who I go with, as long as they�re not snots or anything.� Harry laughed.
�I think Hermione has it under control,� he chuckled. He felt bad for Ron, but he was glad that he could spend some time alone with Hermione, and he wouldn�t have to worry about Ron getting mad at him. After all, Harry had beaten him to asking Hermione to the dance, and Harry knew that there wasn�t much of any other choice for Ron. Still Harry was glad that he had asked Hermione. Smiling to himself, he kneeled down next to Ron, and started to help him pack his clothes.