Letters by owl oh my - ISO Ginny +trio!

[Yoshimar]

August 23 at around 10:00 AM

Ron Weasley wasn’t the type to usually get mail and with the impending crisis on the Ministry of Magic, and school just around the corner he avoided opening letters that seemed to be addressed to him from some one remotely related to either one of them.

As such for most of the time since he received the letter he avoided it as much as he could. However after getting into a fight with Hermione about her cat leaving a hair ball on the ground that he un-willingly stepped on. It was odd having Hermione around, but ever since the camp fiasco the Order had put her on protection. Ron decided that maybe groaning about school will get his minds out of things.

The letter was in a silver envelope with very fancy handwriting. He wasn’t sure exactly what it was but it certainly did not look like McGonagall’s hand writing that he was used to. He scratched the back of his head and then sniffed. He soon found another distraction as he noticed a box of cookies on his desk. He cleared his throat and took a cookie and bit into it.

He soon made a disgusted face as he panted and spit out the crumbs. Ended up being a stale cookie that his mom had made 2 days ago for dinner. His owl Pig soon swept down and seemed to excitedly jump in place eating the disregarded pieces that his owner didn’t want.

Grabbing the letter Ron flopped down on his bed and tore it open, messing part of the actual letter. He rubbed his cheek as he read over the contents of the letter and he suddenly felt sick. Clearly, he could escape this. Dancing and mingling didn’t seem something he actually enjoyed.

Then his eyes widened as he realized that the letter was actually on his name and if he had been invited well…obviously Harry had been invited. It took him a while to process this in his head because thinking of Harry made him think of Hermione and then he realized she was a girl. A girl and balls seemed to go together like well like oh Ron felt sick.

With parchment in hand Ron opened the door of his bedroom at Grimmauld place.
“GINNY! Ginny!”

OOC - So I didn't warn you about this but....yeah!

[Cat_Astrophe]

Ginny didn’t like this, one bit. It had Malfoy’s name written all over it, literally. Not the younger Malfoy, the annoying twit who decided his life’s calling was to harass the members of the scarlet and gold house, but the older one who, if she dared to remember, nearly got her killed during her first year with an evil diary of doom. He didn’t like kids…She doubt he liked his own brat. Yet why was this letter addressed to her and not her parents? There were several owls perched along the roof and earning Crookshank’s hungry stare, she didn’t know if anyone else got an invitation, but she could suspect as…

“GINNY! Ginny!”

Seriously, she was the baby of the family? That level of panic in his voice was…normal. But she figured it to be something other than a carnivorous dust gremlin under his bed. Why else would he be yelling this early, in the quiet hours after breakfast as people debated on what chores to tackle first before lunch could settle in. Grabbing her letter off her bed, the annoyed red head swung the door open with an irritated scowl and stalked towards the stairs.

He was somewhere around here, from his room, if she guessed, and coming her way. She wasn’t going to go to him if he was hollering her name like it would win him a bloody prize. Scream any louder, and she’d swear he was one of those sirens they’d learned about last February, only male, not so pretty, not very alluring, and insanely loud.

“RON!!! Ron, Ron, Ron!!!” Ginny shrieked in reply, scaring up something in the dusty walls that thumped and spat a gray cloud from between the boards to choke her. Now she was mad. Storming towards the footsteps, the younger Weasley grabbed for her brother’s arm to calm him while other hand flew up to smack him in the back of his head.

“Do I look like a bloody dog to you? For you to be calling like that?” Perhaps Fred and George did do more damage to their younger brother than they’d ever meant to do, with their incessant pranks. Leave it to her to deal with he-who-hollered. “I’m guessing you got an invitation too. Figured they couldn’t have a ball without hiring a fool.”

He was sometimes so easy to insult. Adjusting the ribbon she’d used to tie back her hair, she looked less frantic than him, but definitely suspicious. She didn’t usually worry about these things, but that Malfoy had to have something up his sleeves if he was inviting Weasleys to his bash.

“Do you know if Harry and Hermione got one too? I’ll bet he invited them too, that dirty, stupid…” Ma would Scorgify her mouth if she finished that sentence. Instead, Ginny bit her tongue and pouted. Even if this wasn’t a trick, what could she possibly wear?

[Yoshimar]

Ron was running until something attached to his arm. When he noticed it was his younger sister he ran in place for a couple of seconds until she brought up her hand and slapped him in the back of the head. His blue eyes turned into a glare as he wrinkled his nose and rubbed the side of his head. "Ow...what was that for!?" He snapped.

As Ginny questioned whether she was a human Ron tilted his head to a side and shrugged his shoulders. "Rather a dog than a bird to someone...unless you are a bi-" He stopped in mid-sentence realizing that if their mom heard him well he could be death. He shook his head from side to side and then waited for punishment from Ginny before continuing.

“I’m guessing you got an invitation too. Figured they couldn’t have a ball without hiring a fool.”

Ron glared and a slight frown formed on his lips as he ran a hand through his hair. He glared and looked at the owls fly off. At Ginny's next question he turned his attention back to her.

“Do you know if Harry and Hermione got one too? I’ll bet he invited them too, that dirty, stupid…”

He tilted his head and scratched the back of it still rubbing the side where Ginny had smacked him. At her question he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm pretty sure I read something in the Daily Prophet about it. I hardly thought he would invite everybody as he claimed in it thought."

Suddenly he grabbed Ginny and slid them both into her room. He quickly surveyed the area to make sure that neither Harry nor Hermione were nearby. He took a deep breath and looked back at Ginny.

"I think that we both take charge of inviting Harry and Hermione...you know for protections sake!" His cheeks suddenly blushed red as he looked away. "I mean with the whole summer camp thing and Harry and his new friendly girl..." He cleared his throat.

"Clearly just a set up."

[wintersnow]

Maraline Goadwin was the first witch to obtain the status of the Order of Merlin title and award, for saving wrongly accused muggles from death at the stake. Over the course of her life Maraline freed over 1600 wrongly accused muggles from the fires of the inquisition. She died, tragically, by the hands of a muggle she had saved. Her efforts were never acknowledged by the wizarding world until 1803 when the Wizengamot presented it to her ghost. Maraline's spirit resides in the ruins of a small castle north of Suffolk.

Harry blinked . . .and read again.

Maraline Goadwin was the first witch to obtain. . .

The words weren't sinking into his head. His mind was on other things and he grumbled looking at the pages of small text. He still had three more chapters to go. Reading it was easy, keeping it in his thick skull was another matter altogether.

Forehead met textbook paper, with a soft bump. The world grew dim, but he could still see the text against the pale pages; feel his lashes brushing against them. The smell of the book, kind of what Hermione smelled like. Harry closed his eyes.

Perhaps if he lay here long enough he'd obtain the entire textbooks information through osmosis. Perhaps that was how Hermione did it, she was always falling asleep between the pages of a book. He didn't feel like sleeping though.

Harry looked up and gazed into the wood grain of his headboard. Sprawled out on his bed, a pillow shoved under his chest and the book yawning wide before him. He couldn't concentrate on this, so he got up, swinging his legs over the side of his bed, standing, and stretching. Perhaps Ron would want to play a game of wizards chess or something.

Heading toward his open door, he glanced to his desk and paused midstep. A handsome tawny owl was perched upon the back of his desk chair patiently watching him. A small box was clasped tightly inside it's beak. Attached to it was an envelope with sweeping loopy letters, the single word "Pauper" was scrawled across it's front. Harry smirked. So she'd finally written back.

Taking the box and envelope from the owls beak, he looked around. Hedwig was out delivering a letter to Luna, so Harry felt it was safe to give the owl a soft stroke on the crest before it went on it's way, out his window.

Walking softly, Harry closed the door to his room. It shut with a soft 'clack'. He padded over to his desk, and found two more letter sitting there, obviously deposited there by Mrs. Weasley. Mom, Doctor, Cook, Peace Keeper, Organizer, and Mail Clerk - was there honestly anything that Mrs. Weasley didn't or couldn't do?

Dragging his chair out, Harry sat down and untied the envelope from the small box, detaching the letter and working it open. Slipping his wand from the belt loop of his jeans he extracted the contents and tapped them lightly whispering something inaudible through a smile he couldn't hide. Slowly looping hand writing poured over the pages. Harry flipped them open and blinked as a photo of a fairly plain, but some how pretty, girl looked up to him. Harry picked up the photo looking at it, and then to the letter for an explanation.

He blinked a few times reading over the letter only to put the paper down and look at the picture, studying the face. The green eyes, the long hair, the sharp long nose, the oval face. "Exuro Pulvis," he muttered and his wand tip ignited the photo. He dropped the photo and the letter into his metal waste basket and watched them smolder. The edges of the paper curling, rolling in upon themselves before they flaked away. In seconds everything was soot. "Sourgify," he said simply, and ashes of the photo and the letter, as well as a few chocolate frog wrappers vanished. Harry picked up a quill at his desk drawing a small bit of parchment forward and wrote upon it:

215 - 10

Harry stretched and sighed taking the other two letters and thumbing over them. The one on top first, which just turned out to be the usual supply listings for school. The silver envelope next. It was an invitiation to a start of term ball thing that Lucius Malfoy was throwing. "Lucius, you're trying much too hard," he muttered to himself.

"GINNY! Ginny!"

He stood up swiftly, bolting through his door and watched as his redheaded mate went rushing down the hall shrilling calling for his sister. Harry sighed upon seeing a shimmer of silver paper in Ron's hands. So he'd gotten one too. Harry sighed and walked after his panicking friend.

For a few moments, Harry was rather worried he'd lost his best mate, but quiet voices within Ginny's room.

". . .we both take charge of inviting Harry and Hermione...you know for protections sake!" His cheeks suddenly blushed red as he looked away. "I mean with the whole summer camp thing and Harry and his new friendly girl..." He cleared his throat.

"Clearly just a set up."

Harry rolled his eyes leaning against the door way, "You know. . .I wasn't aware I had anything close to a girlfriend, Ron." he couldn't help himself, anger was starting to boil inside of him. His brow furrowing toward Ron. "I don't need your protection, and I've already been invited, thanks." Harry tossed his invitation to Ron and walked in leaning against Ginny's desk. "So. . .thoughts on this . . .dance thingy?"

[Iris2]

It was a quiet day at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, a rare thing in itself, and Hermione had commandeered the most comfortable chair in the drawing room. She sat with her feet tucked under her, holding her brand new copy of Advanced Rune Translation in her lap. She flipped delicately through the crisp pages, identifying symbols that were new to her and marking them in her memory. A small selection of books were piled at the foot of the chair as if in a queue, waiting for Hermione’s attention. Her only companion was Crookshanks, who had found a particularly soft spot of carpet to nap on.

She was a bit disappointed that she didn’t do her own school shopping. With the summer’s events precautions were being taken to insure her safety, like bringing her to Number 12. Convincing her parents that she would be safe at Grimmauld Place had been quite a chore. They weren’t sure she should be going back to Hogwarts at all. When she said her goodbyes, her parents made her promise to write everyday. It was a promise she kept, through the letters were getting increasingly short and mundane. Today’s letter was resting in the table next to her. Mrs. Weasley had sent Errol out earlier that morning, she Hermione was waiting for his return. She’d had every intention of getting an owl of her own, but she never could have left that shop with out Crookshanks in her arms.

The ginger cat sat up and stretched his paws. He glanced up at Hermione, who couldn’t resist giving him a quick scratch. As she leaned over to reach him, the book slipped out of her lap and hit the floor with a thud. Crookshanks leapt out of the way and staked over towards the fireplace. “Sorry”, Hermione whispered, but the startled cat turned his back on her, like a pouting child. Hermione let out a small laugh as she retrieved the fallen book. Her intention was to return to reading but, looking at her letter, she closed the book and decided to see if Errol was back. She had picked up the rolled parchment and was just about to open the door when she heard a shout.

"GINNY! Ginny!"

What Ron was yelling about, she couldn’t guess. He did always have his reasons. It wasn’t long before she heard Ginny’s yells echoing in response. With all the commotion, she was surprised that Mrs. Black hadn’t added her two cents to the chorus. Curious, Hermione headed up the stairs instead of down, in search of the source of the noise. When she reached the landing she spotted Harry standing in the doorway of Ginny’s room holding a silver envelope.

"I don't need your protection, and I've already been invited, thanks."

She covered the distance to the door in a few quick steps as Harry entered the room. She figured he hadn’t seen her since he didn’t say anything to her. In any case, she didn’t know what invitation he was talking about. Peering into the room, she saw Harry, Ron and Ginny and smiled.

"So. . .thoughts on this . . .dance thingy?"

“There’s a dance thingy?”, she asked as she walked in, noticing two more of the elegant silver envelopes. She hadn’t received any mail yet, but it was relatively early. A late owl could be an excuse for her not having an invitation, but if they all had their’s…

“Can I see that?”, she inquired, looking at Ron and holding out her hand. The post was usually very efficient and it was hard to convince herself that her lack of invitation was a mistake.


OOC - Yay, Chibi! It's great to have you back!

[Yoshimar]

Harry rolled his eyes leaning against the door way, "You know. . .I wasn't aware I had anything close to a girlfriend, Ron." he couldn't help himself, anger was starting to boil inside of him. His brow furrowing toward Ron.

Ron didn't even noticed Harry following them into the room. He was too focused on the brilliance of his plan to consider that anyone was listening in. He ran a hand through his hair pulling the ends of it to give it more of a windswept look. "Neither was I-" He stopped. "It's just... try and not have a repetition of previous balls."

"I don't need your protection, and I've already been invited, thanks." Harry tossed his invitation to Ron and walked in leaning against Ginny's desk. "So. . .thoughts on this . . .dance thingy?"

Ron pouted slightly and tilted his head to a side as if on cue Hermione came through.
At her question and her extended hand towards his invitation he sighed and nodded showing it to her.

"Ar- Hermioneee-" He stuttered his cheeks blushing as he shook his head. "It is just by the Ministry. You probably got an invitation too." Ron said raising his eyebrows. He then turned back to Harry and furrowed his brow. "Well are we going or are we just staying away from it? I'm pretty sure the Order will want us not to go."

He took another pause as he saw owls coming in. "All though from what I see everybody's got one." He said as he looked over Hermione's shoulder. Her perfume tickled his nose and he had to try hard not to blush again. "Promote unity pfft it sounds like a Gringotts gnome promoting that everyone should be equal." He rolled his eyes and then shook his head.

"It doesn't sound like it's any good." He took a deep breath pretty sure that it was all a dark plot. Besides... what if it was really just a ball? Dancing and parading around in robes rubbing shoulders with the Malfoy's wasn't something Ron would look forward to.

“Why don’t we just stay out of it?” he said in a hopeful tone.

[Iris2]

"Ar- Hermioneee-" He stuttered his cheeks blushing as he shook his head. "It is just by the Ministry. You probably got an invitation too."

She took the invitation from his hand and read it quickly. So, it was a ball thrown by Lucius Malfoy. Now she didn’t find it so strange that she was missing an invitation. What if he’d actually had the nerve to exclude Muggleborns? Sure, the invitation said guests could be non-magical, but the fact of the matter was Malfoy hated anyone who wasn’t 'pure'. Hermione could feel her temper rising like a teapot whose water was about to boil. There was not excuse for the Wizarding community to accept that vile man as its leader. As she thought, she began to crinkle the letter in her hand.

"Well are we going or are we just staying away from it? I'm pretty sure the Order will want us not to go." He took another pause as he saw owls coming in. "All though from what I see everybody's got one."

“Of course everyone’s got one.” she replied in a sour tone, brushing over the fact that she did not. “I really don’t think we’re going to have much of a choice about going, Ron”, she remarked. “You know very well who Malfoy is running the Ministry for. Do you think they wouldn’t notice if a whole bunch of people who are clearly loyal to Dumbledore and the Order just didn’t show up? They’d be able to turn it on us in a second.” Hermione started to ring her hands. Up till now, she’d managed to keep her cool about her safety. She knew she would never run away from the world that she loved, or from her friends for that matter, but nevertheless, things were starting to worry her. Problems far worse than what to wear or getting a bottle of Hair Potion in time.

"Promote unity pfft it sounds like a Gringotts gnome promoting that everyone should be equal."

“They’re Goblins, Ronald, not Gnomes.”, she snipped, immediately feeling guilty. Ron wasn’t the person she was really upset with. Hermione took a few steps over to Ginny’s bed and plopped down on it, only to stand right back up again. She didn’t think that Malfoy would be so bold ad to try something at this ball. Then again, she never would have thought a student, a friend, would have been killed at the summer camp. Looking down, Hermione realized that she had severely crumpled the letter, almost beyond recognition. She tried to smooth it out as best she could then, giving up, she tossed it onto Ginny’s bed.

“Why don’t we just stay out of it?” he said in a hopeful tone.

“We can’t stay out of it.”, she answered. “We’ve been in it ever since we went through that trap door first year.” Hermione mustered a small smile at him, a sorry for snapping at him before. She glanced at Harry and Ginny and standing there with her closest friends, she felt a little bit of comfort.

[wintersnow]

“We can’t stay out of it.”, she answered. “We’ve been in it ever since we went through that trap door first year.”

Harry, a bit more calmed down, now that Hermione had brought less panicking and more reason into the room, watched her smile to Ron. A small apology for snapping at him. He tilted his head to the side at the mention of the trap door feeling a bit guilty. He'd been the one to press the subject. He'd been the one who just couldn't drop it - and eventually Ron and Hermione had followed suit. He felt the urging need to apologize for getting them into this mess, but realized that Hermione and Ron had the chance to get out and they chose to stick with him. Once again he was reminded of a simple fact that Dumbledore had once said to him - paraphrased to "Friends are made of awesome."

Persing his lips to the side, his eyes slowly wandering from Hermione to Ron to Ginny. He smacked his lips lightly and followed it with a heavy sigh. "I think Hermione's right. If we DON'T show up people are going to ask questions. Not to mention if we got invitations, I'm fairly sure that your parents did too Ron. Which means that your Dad could loose his job if he doesn't show up . . .not that it isn't in jeopardy already. . .but still."

He shoved himself bodily against the desk to stand upright and wedged his letter into his back pocket. To be honest he'd wanted to go anyway, if anything just to give himself the satisfaction of publicly ignoring any political bullshit that Lucius Malfoy might try. Fudge had tried it, and failed, Lucius Malfoy wouldn't get any special treatment either. Minister of Magic or not, he was still a big throbbing prick. On the plus side, perhaps he'd finally be able to show off his dancing skills. He'd been practicing with an enchanted bathrobe lately and it did seem to help a bit. It was honestly hard to listen to music with out needing to suppress the urge to dance. . .or perhaps dancing wasn't the best description for it. Spazzing Spontaneously? No. Upright Epileptic Seizure? Yeah. . .that was more like it. Either way Harry felt he was a bit better than he had once been.

He glanced again at Hermione, "They'll have invited you Hermione I'm sure of it. They invited Ron and his family, and they hate them more than Muggle Borns." He cracked a lopsided smile hoping that would cheer her up. "And even if they didn't we'd need you there. Ron and I aren't as observant and clever as you, or Ginny. Girls. . .pick up stuff that blokes don't, we're too thick to pick up the stuff that you can."

[Cat_Astrophe]

((OOC: ARE YOU HAPPY NOW??? IT’S FOUR IN THE MORNING AND I’M ONLY UP BECAUSE I DON’T BREAK PROMISES!!!))

Sometimes, she wondered if Ron was dropped on his head. No, she knew he’d been. That couldn’t be the reason. So the next idea was a spell gone horribly wrong. Either he got dimmer each year, or age was letting her realize that the youngest Weasley boy had obviously been born with a troll’s brain. Much as she loved Mum, she had to wonder if funny little spells and potions had gone on during Ron’s pregnancy that left him as he was. “Hey!” was the only word she could manage as she was pulled out of her speculation of her brother’s IQ by his hand dragging her into her room. Dropping onto her own bed at his paranoid precautions, she rolled her guys.

"I think that we both take charge of inviting Harry and Hermione...you know for protections sake!" Protection? Who was supposed to protect who! Well, the older girl did have a way of keeping Ron out of…nevermind… She let him continue on, looking slightly bored as she tossed her letter on her pillow.

"I mean with the whole summer camp thing and Harry and his new friendly girl..." He cleared his throat.

"Clearly just a set up."

Her turn to redden, looking down in fake interest at a tiny hole in her sheets at the mention of the unfinished word. It still baffled her. Since when did Harry show any interest in any other girl than Cho, rest her soul? And his choice of companion? Not her first pick. That slimy, conniving, slippery snake of a Slytherin, who was the ideal representation of her house…Opening her mouth to vocalize this, another voice in the room stopped the words in her throat.

"You know. . .I wasn't aware I had anything close to a girlfriend, Ron."

Ooh…how long had he been standing there? And how long would he keep denying what they all saw, that had to be true? Mumbling a greeting, she let him continue.

"I don't need your protection, and I've already been invited, thanks." Harry tossed his invitation to Ron and walked in leaning against Ginny's desk. "So. . .thoughts on this . . .dance thingy?"

“There’s a dance thingy?”

“Yes, a ‘dance thing…’” Ginny spoke up as Hermione joined them in the room.


“We can’t stay out of it.”, she answered. “We’ve been in it ever since we went through that trap door first year.”

Pretty much. They’d been pretty much embroiled in insidious plans since, Ron met a bespeckled boy on the Hogwarts Express, and probably further than that, with their family’s history in the purebred community. They were just the branch of the family that wasn’t to be mentioned, like the crazy drunken step uncle twice removed, or other family oddities. Suspicious, that such a man had managed to come into power at the appropriate time,

They had to go, it was final. But…what would she wear? No, she wasn’t actually that shallow, but she dreaded it, wondering if other students had received the letter, or just them specifically for their relationship with Harry. Mentally, she made a note to send an owl to check with some of her friends, because by the moment, this was becoming less and less Lucius. A trap, a chance to humiliate them all, but not just a party all fun and fancy free. It bothered her, but while the rest of them clucked on about it, she sulked, forehead furrowed until Harry spoke up again.

"They'll have invited you Hermione I'm sure of it. They invited Ron and his family, and they hate them more than Muggle Borns."

“Thanks, Harry. We love thinking how people drag our name in dirt.” She rolled her eyes. “And you did get one.” Ginny remembered belatedly. “I put it on your bed before Kreacher could sneak it away.” That annoying thing was quick despite his withered, emaciated state. The trio launched into their speculations of the incident as Ginny propped pillows against the wall and made herself more comfortable, opening her own invitation for another look. This was all very suspicious. What could Malfoy be up to this time?

“Which settles that. I’m going,” Ginny declared, rising to her feet. “Because you boys will probably get yourselves into loads of mischief that will be the end of all of us. And I don’t want to miss that.” One was a brother, and the other practically adopted into the family anyway. It would be amusing to see what they’d be up to in their paranoia. They had to be wary, of course, but they couldn’t miss out on this, not when there was something about all if it that felt fishy. Lucius Malfoy was not a generous man…

[Yoshimar]

OOC - I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

“You know very well who Malfoy is running the Ministry for. Do you think they wouldn’t notice if a whole bunch of people who are clearly loyal to Dumbledore and the Order just didn’t show up? They’d be able to turn it on us in a second.”

"I think Hermione's right. If we DON'T show up people are going to ask questions. Not to mention if we got invitations, I'm fairly sure that your parents did too Ron. Which means that your Dad could loose his job if he doesn't show up . . .not that it isn't in jeopardy already. . .but still."


Ron groaned rather fastidious like as he walked around the room. This was stupid; the whole idea of a ball was stupid. Yet why the bloody hell was everybody agreeing on it as if they were...well... bloody Slytherins? He shook his head. "They wouldn't be able to do that." He said but he knew he was wrong of course.

He noticed Hermione's preoccupied look, she always managed to keep her cool but she was messing with her hands. Ron walked to her and set a hand on her shoulder. He figured he should say something but quickly cleared his throat and walked away.

“We can’t stay out of it.”, she answered. “We’ve been in it ever since we went through that trap door first year.”

Ron laughed slightly and ran a hand through his hair. "Actually way before that." He poke and laughed slightly. "Mum spoke to Harry because he couldn't figure out how to get into the train." He snorted slightly and shook his head. It was nice remembering when things were simpler. "Then when we saved you from that troll."

"And even if they didn't we'd need you there. Ron and I aren't as observant and clever as you, or Ginny. Girls. . .pick up stuff that blokes don't, we're too thick to pick up the stuff that you can."

“Which settles that. I’m going,” Ginny declared, rising to her feet. “Because you boys will probably get yourselves into loads of mischief that will be the end of all of us. And I don’t want to miss that.”

"Oy!" Ron said throwing his arms in the air. "So that's it then...we're going?" He didn't think this was a good idea. He didn't want to choose robes, he thought it was just a disaster waiting to happen. Thankfully though he was pretty sure his other robes would not fit him very well so at least it would mean he needed new robes. Then he thought that meant his mom spending more money and he groaned rubbing the back of his neck.

Well they were going then. He walked to Hermione and sat next to her. He blushed red and ran his hands through his hair scratching at it.

"Well then just to be safe ah..." Hi cleared his throat. "you mind if y-yo-you co-come with me Hermioneee?" The blush was spreading and he couldn't even talk right. Immediately he looked at Ginny and glared at her in case she dared to laugh.

[Iris2]

"Actually way before that." He poke and laughed slightly. "Mum spoke to Harry because he couldn't figure out how to get into the train." He snorted slightly and shook his head. It was nice remembering when things were simpler. "Then when we saved you from that troll."

“If you recall, I wouldn’t have needed saving if someone hadn’t been so rude.” she replied. A smile crept across her lips as she remembered the chaos in that girl’s lavatory. If it wasn’t for that troll, she probably wouldn’t be sitting Grimmauld Place talking about balls and dark wizards. She was grateful, really, that Quirrel had been daft enough to think a troll would get him to the Sorcerer’s Stone. During this short reverie, she stared ahead absentmindedly. Realizing that she’d been staring at Ron, she immediately averted her eyes to a very interesting spec on the ceiling.

"They'll have invited you Hermione I'm sure of it. They invited Ron and his family, and they hate them more than Muggle Borns."

“That’s very comforting, Harry.”, she remarked with a twist of sarcasm, refocusing on the conversation. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to be funny or if he was simply miserable at the moment. He had been acting a bit strange. In addition to that, Ron kept talking about Harry meeting up with Pansy Parkinson. Ron had come up with some crazy theories in the past, but this one was definitely one of the worst. What on earth would Harry be doing with a person like that? And why would Pansy, Draco’s puppy, ever agree to speak civilly to Harry.

“And you did get one.” Ginny remembered belatedly. “I put it on your bed before Kreacher could sneak it away.”

“Thanks, Ginny”, Hermione answered. While she didn’t like to admit it, Kreacher would be up to something like that. If only she could make him understand that she was on his side. Even with the terrible way the old elf behaved, Hermione couldn’t help but pity him. He’d been mistreated for years, for decades. She shifted a little where she sat and flipped her hair over her right shoulder. I should make him a hat. she thought, like the ones she’d knitted for the Hogwarts elves. Dobby had certainly liked them.

“Which settles that. I’m going,” Ginny declared, rising to her feet. “Because you boys will probably get yourselves into loads of mischief that will be the end of all of us. And I don’t want to miss that.”

“Ginny, you shouldn’t say that.”, said Hermione, leaning forward and putting her elbows on her knees. “Harry..." she gave him a look of concern and lowered her voice "...you won’t get yourself into trouble, will you? Not that you’ll go looking for trouble.”, she added on quickly, “It’s just that we’ll all have to be careful around, well, that sort of people.”. Hermione knew that Harry didn’t get into dangerous situations on purpose, but so many people were waiting for him to slip up. The second he gave them an opportunity, she was sure they’d pounce. Voldemort was basically running the Ministry and it was a guarantee that the ball would be filled with Death Eaters. She was getting nervous again. She took a deep breath as she sat back up, trying to think of happy things, like all the untranslated runes in her new book.

"Oy!" Ron said throwing his arms in the air. "So that's it then...we're going?" He walked to Hermione and sat next to her. He blushed red and ran his hands through his hair scratching at it.

“Yes, Ron. I think we’ve established that.” she responded. It’s not like she was particularly keen to attend, but they didn’t have a choice in the matter. When Ron sat down next to her, she felt the urge to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. She’s already raised her hand when she thought better of it, so she rubbed her other arm instead.

"Well then just to be safe ah..." Hi cleared his throat. "you mind if y-yo-you co-come with me Hermioneee?"

It took her a moment to process what Ron had said. As soon as she did, she could feel her face flush with color. Two years ago when he was seeking a Yule Ball date, he’d neglected to notice that she was a girl. She never told him, but if he had asked her properly then, she would have said yes. Now, seconds were passing and she still hadn’t provided an answer. She had to say something. It was better than just staring at him in shock.

“Yes!”, she blurted, instantly regretting how loud her voice was. “I, uh, I think it'd be best. I mean, who else could we ask?” She was terrible at this. Why would she say something like that when she felt so elated that he asked her in the first place? She wanted to hug him, but couldn’t with Harry and Ginny standing right there. Instead, she just smiled brightly at Ron, then had to divert her eyes to the floor, where she found another interesting spec and kicked at it with her shoe. Maybe if they had time alone later, she’d thank him properly for asking her.

[Yoshimar]

For a brief moment Ron felt jealous of the concern that Hermione was showing for Harry but a part of his mind told him that was wrong. She was just acting like a very concerned friend, yes that was it. He fiddled with his fingers and whistled trying to ignore the jealous vibe. She was being serious both her and Ginny.

What type of bloody idiot did they thought him and Harry were? They had managed to stay alive even with You Know Who on their tracks. Clearly they didn't thought that he and Harry were going to run into the ball, shout out "They're all Death Eaters! It's all a lie!" and then run away avoiding death curses.

Ron was prone to harsh actions so for a moment, right after reading the letter was the idea that came to his mind. Of course that was just his insane mind that he hardly listened to. Or so he liked to think.

After Ron had asked he starred at Hermione. Starred, and starred until he realized that his eyes were running over her body and he looked away blushing. It seemed like an eternity, had she even heard him? This had been a stupid idea. Why would Hermione go out with him? He was stupid, he couldn't dance, and he was obnoxiously tall. He wasn't smart, he wasn't a hero... he wasn't even a good quidditch player. He wasn't Victor Krum, he wasn't...

“Yes!”

He wasn't Harry Potter, he wasn't...

Wait a minute she had said yes! Oh, why he almost stood up picked her up and spin her around, almost and by almost it meant he sat there with his arms opened for a second but then he quickly cleared his throat the back of his neck now matching his hair.


“I, uh, I think it'd be best. I mean, who else could we ask?


A smile spread on his lips as he nodded. "Of course just protection sakes and all. It is Malfoy's house you know?" He said nodding. "After all we don't know if parents were invited so as far as we know we'll be on our own." He said a stupid smile on his lips he wanted to be suave, run his hand through his hair. Lean against Hermione and whisper something in her ear maybe make her giggle but instead he set his hands on his lap.

He looked at Harry and Ginny, avoiding Hermione's eyes. He swerved his head from Harry to Ginny, trying to get him to understand what he wanted him to do without saying. When he probably didn't understand he motioned for Ginny and towards Harry in the same way.

He sighed and laid his head on the bed away from Hermione, pulling down his shirt that was a bit too short for him. "Oy, this means we need to find dress robes." He let out a deep sight. "Again..." For a moment he wondered if his mom could actually knit robes, but then he thought of what a maroon robe would look on him. A knitted one at that and he shook his head.

[wintersnow]

“Harry..." she gave him a look of concern and lowered her voice "...you won’t get yourself into trouble, will you? Not that you’ll go looking for trouble.”, she added on quickly, “It’s just that we’ll all have to be careful around, well, that sort of people.”

Harry raised an eyebrow, "How could I get myself into trouble in an entire room filled with Death Eathers?" That lopsided smile twisted over his lips, "Hermione a good half of the wizarding population is going to be there by the looks of it, so I don't think we'll have too much to worry about." He paused, tapping the corner of his invitation against the Desk behind him. His lips pursed in thought for a moment. Perhaps he was underestimating them. . .Then again Harry HAD been out maneuvering, out whiting and out doing the Death eaters and Voldemort for quite some time. He was sure his luck would EVENTUALLY run out but for the time being and based on past trends he was fine. Still. . . he probably did need to play it as safe as possible.

Harry nodded his glasses slipping over his nose as he tilted his head to the side to look at Hermione, "Don't worry Hermione, I don't plan on doing anything really." It was about that time that Ron sighed heavily and flopped back annoyed with his opinions defeat, only to pop right back up and ask Hermione to the ball.

Slack jawed Harry watched as Ron and Hermione stared at each other for a few awkward moments only to have Hermione accept. He knew his friends well enough to tell they were both really excited about it too. Huh. . ., he thought, Apparently Ron has bigger balls than me. Not one to actually compare genital anatomy Harry shoved that thought from his mind as quickly as possible. He smiled and gave Ron a secretive thumbs up.

For a moment they all sat in silence, the awkward quiet hanging heavily over them. All the while Ron was making odd gestures. Doing a bit of a victory dance perhaps. Harry smirked knowing he could show Ron a thing or two about dancing now, but it's not like he'd go waltzing with Ron down the hallways of his godfathers house.

For the time being Harry glanced to Ginny, and mused over asking her, only to remember that she'd gone with Neville to the Yule Ball,and the two of them had been really into each other then. Harry wasn't sure what their status was now, but the truth was Ginny was a very popular girl at Hogwarts, well liked and many of the boys fancied her. Not to mention Harry knew nothing about Ginny's love life. So rather than ask and inevitably get shot down, Harry let his gaze drop to look at his invitation instead.

"Well. . .this should be interesting," He muttered and stuffed the envelope into his back pocket. He turned to head out the door, his stomach was rumbling again, and he knew that the kitchen held some leftover buns from this mornings breakfast. "I'm heading down the the kitchen, anyone want to join me?" he asked as casual and jovially as possible.

[Iris2]

"Of course just protection sakes and all. It is Malfoy's house you know?" He said nodding. "After all we don't know if parents were invited so as far as we know we'll be on our own."

“Oh, I hope the Order is invited. I can’t imagine being stuck in Malfoy’s house without them.”, she remarked. If anything was planned, it would be easier to accomplish without inviting the Order of the Phoenix. A bunch of helpless kids, just like the summer camp. Hermione shuddered at the thought. They had certainly proved they could hold their own in a fight, but she preferred to avoid them when she could.

"Oy, this means we need to find dress robes." He let out a deep sigh. "Again..."

“I’m sure you’ll be able to find some.”, she said, trying to comfort him. She would also hate to see him wear the awful set he donned for the Yule Ball. “You’ll have grown out of those…other ones by now”. She smiled and patted him on the shoulder. Maybe Fred and George would be willing to help him out. It was no guarantee, as they would do anything to get a good laugh out of Ron. She’d suggest the idea to him later. It wasn’t nice to talk about money problems.

"Well. . .this should be interesting,"

“I should say so.”, she answered, looking over at Ron as he laid back on the bed. As she gazed at him, she imagined spinning around the dance floor with him. He looked handsome and she looked fabulous, of course. Getting flustered by her own thoughts, she let out a small giggle. She tried to cover it up with a cough as she stood up. She glanced at Ginny, hoping she didn’t find the situation too amusing.

Now that she thought about it, and now that she was going with Ron, she’d have to really put effort into this ball. It’s not like she had any fancy clothing packed for school. She’d either have to go to Diagon Alley, or send an owl home to her parents. She’d also need an owl to order some hair potion. All of the details were starting to overwhelm her, and that was without the thought of Death Eaters.

"I'm heading down to the kitchen, anyone want to join me?"

“I think I’m going to go back to the drawing room.” she told him as she walked to the door. “I’ve got a letter to send to my parents. I want to add a bit. Ginny, mind coming along?” she asked, looking imploringly at her friend. “I, uh, want to talk to you about…doxies. I think I’ve found some.” It was a terrible lie and she knew it. Hopefully Ginny would catch on and come with her. It was the ball and boys that occupied Hermione’s thoughts, a few of those Ancient Runes still lingering in the back of her mind.