Chapter 106: 106
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"Who d'you two keep writing to, eh?" said Ron to Fred and George.
"Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you too," said Fred, waving his wand threateningly. "So … you lot got dates for the ball yet?"
Ginny and Colin went pink.
"Nope," said Ron.
"Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone," said Fred then noticed Ginny and Colin. "What about you three?"
"I'm going too." Ginny replied.
"Really? Who?" Ron asked surprised.
"Why so surprised Ron?" Ginny snapped.
".. er.... Who're you going with, then, Fred? said Ron changing the topic.
"Angelina," said Fred promptly, without a trace of embarrassment.
Hermione looked up from her book.
"What?" said Ron, taken aback. "You've already asked her?"
"Good point," said Fred. He turned his head and called across the common room, "Oi! Angelina!"
Angelina, who had been chatting with Alicia Spinnet near the fire, looked over at him.
"What?" she called back.
"Want to come to the ball with me?" Fred asked.
Angelina gave Fred an appraising sort of look.
"All right, then," she said, and she turned back to Alicia and carried on chatting with a bit of a grin on her face.
"There you go," said Fred to Harry and Ron, "piece of cake."
Hermione hid her face in her book, Chris saw it was very close to her face. It was clear she was hiding her face because of some reason.
"What about you George?" Ginny asked.
"I was just thinking to ask Katie if she haven't said yes to someone." George replied yawning.
Fred got to his feet, "We need to send that letter George, c'mon Leon."
Fred and George walked away as Leon sat on Fred's shoulder.
"We should get a move on, you know … ask someone. He's right. We don't want to end up with a pair of trolls." Ron said.
Hermione let out a sputter of indignation as again looked up from her book.
"A pair of … what, excuse me?"
"Well — you know," said Ron, shrugging. "I'd rather go alone than with — with Eloise Midgen, say."
"Her acne's loads better lately — and she's really nice!" Ginny replied laughing.
"Her nose is off-center," said Ron.
"Of course you'll also look for a attractive girl like Angelina, right?"
"... er...." Ron looked speechless. "Angelina is really good looking."
"I'm going to bed," Hermione snapped, and she swept off toward the girls' staircase without another word.
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"Why she suddenly became jealous of Angelina?" Ginny whispered to Chris.
"I never understood why she does, half of the thing she does." Chris said looking at the staircase. "But I guess this time I've a better idea about her behaviour."
The Hogwarts staff, demonstrating a continued desire to impress the visitors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, seemed determined to show the castle at its best this Christmas. When the decorations went up, Chris noticed that they were the most stunning she had yet seen inside the school. Everlasting icicles had been attached to the banisters of the marble staircase; the usual twelve Christmas trees in the Great Hall were bedecked with everything from luminous holly berries to real, hooting, golden owls, and the suits of armor had all been bewitched to sing carols whenever anyone passed them. It was quite something to hear "O Come, All Ye Faithful" sung by an empty helmet that only knew half the words. Several times, Filch the caretaker had to extract Peeves from inside the armor, where he had taken to hiding, filling in the gaps in the songs with lyrics of his own invention, all of which were very rude.
And still, Chris hadn't a date for ball. But she was happy as Jason wasn't going to the Ball either. Two or three girls asked him and he refused.
Then one day, Chris asked Astoria, why she was looking upset and she told Chris that Jason finally said yes to a beautiful fourth year Slytherin girl.
"You know I can't tell this to my other friends or Daphne." Astoria looked upset. "If Daphne found out that I'm this upset over Jason, she'll stop him from going to the Ball, by threatening him."
For the first time, Chris wanted to tell Astoria, that 'go and tell you sister everything Astoria. Let her stop him from going to the Ball with some other girl. Do it....' but Chris calmed herself, "It's fine Astoria. You have a right to be upset, I would've been upset to."
'And I'm.'
That day after lunch, Luna had her Herbology with Slytherins and Colin was working on his new pictures with Dennis. Chris and Ginny felt tired after long Potions class, so they went back to Gryffindor tower as they didn't have any class that afternoon.
"I think I need to fix my Potion or Snape will kill me." Ginny said collapsing on a armchair in the empty common room. "How did you fix yours?"
"Just with a simple wand wave." Chris replied sitting opposite to her. "I read this when I was working on Neville's homework."
"Why're you trying to be the best student in class like Hermione? Are you competing with Jason?" Ginny asked chuckling.
"Relax he's too good in potions, I'll never able to reach his perfection." Chris said seriously. "I'm just trying to make myself strong with knowledge and...."
"Hermione?" Ginny looked surprised as Hermione entered the Common room.
"He... Hey... Hi..." Hermione looked nervous and her face was scarlet.
"You ok Hermione?" Chris asked. "Don't you've class right now?"
"Yeah, our Arithmancy Professor is busy so she cancelled the class." Hermione said slowly sitting on a armchair.
Ginny and Chris looked at each other, confused.
"Hermione...?" Ginny tried to shook her.
"Victor Krum asked me." Hermione blurted out.
"What?" Chris and Ginny said together.
"Yes. As I didn't have class, so I went to library to do something when Victor Krum came to me." Hermione went red. "Said.... I'm... I'm very pretty... and asked if I'll go to the ball with him... he .... he said he'd been coming up to the library every day to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage! What should I say now?"
"You're asking us?" Chris asked surprised.
"Don't look at me like that Chris. I know I do some stupid things and sometimes I behave stubbornly." Hermione sighed. "Chris, I'm sorry. The House-elves are happy here. I saw them few days ago. You were right. Hogwarts treats them well. Dumbledore even offered Dobby ten gallons."
Chris and Ginny looked at each other then smiled.
"Hey relax. It's water under the bridge..." Chris said smiling at Hermione.
"So are we back to our previous friendship, even without Harry?" Ginny grinned.
"I guess we're." Hermione grinned too.
"So back to the matter at hand... Krum." Chris said seriously. "Honestly I don't like him. He caused a great pain to the Chinese Fireball."
"Chris?" Ginny looked at her disapprovingly.
"What saying the truth." Chris replied. "But also he went to the library everyday, only to see you. So I guess that's nice of him."
"That's really nice of him." Ginny said more firmly. "You should say yes."
Hermione thought for a moment.
"It's just one evening. If you don't like him after the Ball then no one is forcing you to date him." Chris said rolling her eyes.
Hermione blushed, "Alright. I'll say yes tomorrow."
Two days later, at lunch Neville came and sat near Chris, Ginny, Luna and Colin.
"Hello." He said sitting beside Colin, he was looking more nervous than he usually look. Moreover he was looking hopeless.
"Hi Neville." Chris smiled. "You alright?"
".. er... yeah." Neville replied uncertainly. "So are you all going to the Yule Ball?"
"Yes."
Almost instantly Ginny, Luna and Colin blushed.
Chris rolled her eyes, "All of them are going."
"Them? Aren't you going?" Neville asked surprised.
Chris shrugged.
"I thought you'll get loads of options." Neville blurted out. "I mean you're smart, beautiful, brave, big hearted and a amazing person. Everyone will love to go with you."
Chris stared at him.
Ginny, Luna and Colin grinned.
".... er.... sorry." Neville said as he realized what he said just now.
"If you think like that about Chris, why didn't you asked Chris, Neville?" Ginny asked.
"... er... umm...." Neville went pink. "I thought about asking Chris, long time ago but then I thought she will not like to go with me. But then I thought I'll at least try so I asked Hermione today. I never knew Chris isn't going with someone else... or I should've asked her."
Ginny, Luna and Colin started laughing. Neville was talking like Chris wasn't there.
Chris finally chuckled.
"Thanks Neville."
Neville looked more embarrassed as they started to eat.
After a long silence Neville opened his mouth, "... er... so Chris.... will you... want to.... I mean.... will you like to... go with me.... to the Ball... Yule Ball..?"
"Yeah. Alright." Chris replied eating.
"Really?" Neville said shocked. "You will?"
"That's what I said Neville." Chris said casually. "You're a good friend and you can make me laugh, so why not?"
Ginny, Luna and Colin looked more shocked than Neville.
After a shocking lunch four of them went to Transfiguration.
Though maximum people were distracted, Professor McGonagall didn't let them go easily. Her irritated voice cracked like a whip through the Transfiguration class in every few minutes.
"Miss Mory please pay attention."
"Mr Barley you're supposed to transfigure the teapot into a tortoise."
"Mr Creevey your tortoise is still looking like a teapot."
"Only Miss Norton and Miss Lovegood is able to do it properly. I'll see what you all will do if it came to the exams."
Professor McGonagall finished as the bell rang.
Surprisingly no one's mood was effected by Professors McGonagall's harsh and cold words, all of the their classmates were still talking about the Yule Ball as they reached the Entrance Hall.
Fleur was talking to Cedric when suddenly Ron approached them.
"Want to go to the Ball with me Fleur?" Ron said loudly.
The Entrance Hall fell silent. Fleur looked at Ron shocked and suddenly Ron looked around and ran out of the Entrance Hall.
"What just happened?" Chris muttered.
"No idea. I'll go and check on him." Ginny said as she ran after Ron.
"I think this happend because she's a part Veela." Chris said as she started to eat.
"Veela! Weird creatures aren't they? A second you'll feel they're so beautiful but then they'll burn you alive." Luna replied.
"I'm glad I didn't talk to her after the first day. Veela sounds really scary." Colin said. "Why isn't Ginny back yet?"
"Maybe Ron is having a trauma." Chris chuckled.
"Why?" Hermione came to them. "Did something happened to Ron?"
"She just asked the Beauxbatons champion Fleur Delacour and then ran away." Colin said.
"Of course he did." Hermione said rolling her eyes. "I'll go and check on him. Have you seen Harry?"
"No."
"Alright." Hermione walked away.
"I'm taking food for Ginny. Who knows how much time Ron will take ro recover." Chris said as she took some food.
"Fairy lights," said Chris as she and Colin reached the fat lady portrait.
Entering the common room, Chris saw Ron and Harry sitting in a corner and Ginny talking to them.
"I'm going with .... with Michael Corner." Ginny said blushing.
"What?" Ron looked more shocked. "That Ravenclaw boy?"
"Yes." Ginny said rolling her eyes. "Go and find someone on your own."
"Hey, everything fine Ron?" Chris asked sitting beside Ginny.
"We brought food for you Ginny." Colin said and gave the food to Ginny.
"Thanks." Ginny grinned.
"Chris! D'you — d'you want to go to the ball with me?" said Harry suddenly.
Ginny, Colin and Ron stared at Harry shocked.
"You're a little late Harry. I just said yes to Neville." Chris replied calmly.
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"Who d'you two keep writing to, eh?" said Ron to Fred and George.
"Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you too," said Fred, waving his wand threateningly. "So … you lot got dates for the ball yet?"
Ginny and Colin went pink.
"Nope," said Ron.
"Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone," said Fred then noticed Ginny and Colin. "What about you three?"
"I'm going too." Ginny replied.
"Really? Who?" Ron asked surprised.
"Why so surprised Ron?" Ginny snapped.
".. er.... Who're you going with, then, Fred? said Ron changing the topic.
"Angelina," said Fred promptly, without a trace of embarrassment.
Hermione looked up from her book.
"What?" said Ron, taken aback. "You've already asked her?"
"Good point," said Fred. He turned his head and called across the common room, "Oi! Angelina!"
Angelina, who had been chatting with Alicia Spinnet near the fire, looked over at him.
"What?" she called back.
"Want to come to the ball with me?" Fred asked.
Angelina gave Fred an appraising sort of look.
"All right, then," she said, and she turned back to Alicia and carried on chatting with a bit of a grin on her face.
"There you go," said Fred to Harry and Ron, "piece of cake."
Hermione hid her face in her book, Chris saw it was very close to her face. It was clear she was hiding her face because of some reason.
"What about you George?" Ginny asked.
"I was just thinking to ask Katie if she haven't said yes to someone." George replied yawning.
Fred got to his feet, "We need to send that letter George, c'mon Leon."
Fred and George walked away as Leon sat on Fred's shoulder.
"We should get a move on, you know … ask someone. He's right. We don't want to end up with a pair of trolls." Ron said.
Hermione let out a sputter of indignation as again looked up from her book.
"A pair of … what, excuse me?"
"Well — you know," said Ron, shrugging. "I'd rather go alone than with — with Eloise Midgen, say."
"Her acne's loads better lately — and she's really nice!" Ginny replied laughing.
"Her nose is off-center," said Ron.
"Of course you'll also look for a attractive girl like Angelina, right?"
"... er...." Ron looked speechless. "Angelina is really good looking."
"I'm going to bed," Hermione snapped, and she swept off toward the girls' staircase without another word.
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"Why she suddenly became jealous of Angelina?" Ginny whispered to Chris.
"I never understood why she does, half of the thing she does." Chris said looking at the staircase. "But I guess this time I've a better idea about her behaviour."
The Hogwarts staff, demonstrating a continued desire to impress the visitors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, seemed determined to show the castle at its best this Christmas. When the decorations went up, Chris noticed that they were the most stunning she had yet seen inside the school. Everlasting icicles had been attached to the banisters of the marble staircase; the usual twelve Christmas trees in the Great Hall were bedecked with everything from luminous holly berries to real, hooting, golden owls, and the suits of armor had all been bewitched to sing carols whenever anyone passed them. It was quite something to hear "O Come, All Ye Faithful" sung by an empty helmet that only knew half the words. Several times, Filch the caretaker had to extract Peeves from inside the armor, where he had taken to hiding, filling in the gaps in the songs with lyrics of his own invention, all of which were very rude.
And still, Chris hadn't a date for ball. But she was happy as Jason wasn't going to the Ball either. Two or three girls asked him and he refused.
Then one day, Chris asked Astoria, why she was looking upset and she told Chris that Jason finally said yes to a beautiful fourth year Slytherin girl.
"You know I can't tell this to my other friends or Daphne." Astoria looked upset. "If Daphne found out that I'm this upset over Jason, she'll stop him from going to the Ball, by threatening him."
For the first time, Chris wanted to tell Astoria, that 'go and tell you sister everything Astoria. Let her stop him from going to the Ball with some other girl. Do it....' but Chris calmed herself, "It's fine Astoria. You have a right to be upset, I would've been upset to."
'And I'm.'
That day after lunch, Luna had her Herbology with Slytherins and Colin was working on his new pictures with Dennis. Chris and Ginny felt tired after long Potions class, so they went back to Gryffindor tower as they didn't have any class that afternoon.
"I think I need to fix my Potion or Snape will kill me." Ginny said collapsing on a armchair in the empty common room. "How did you fix yours?"
"Just with a simple wand wave." Chris replied sitting opposite to her. "I read this when I was working on Neville's homework."
"Why're you trying to be the best student in class like Hermione? Are you competing with Jason?" Ginny asked chuckling.
"Relax he's too good in potions, I'll never able to reach his perfection." Chris said seriously. "I'm just trying to make myself strong with knowledge and...."
"Hermione?" Ginny looked surprised as Hermione entered the Common room.
"He... Hey... Hi..." Hermione looked nervous and her face was scarlet.
"You ok Hermione?" Chris asked. "Don't you've class right now?"
"Yeah, our Arithmancy Professor is busy so she cancelled the class." Hermione said slowly sitting on a armchair.
Ginny and Chris looked at each other, confused.
"Hermione...?" Ginny tried to shook her.
"Victor Krum asked me." Hermione blurted out.
"What?" Chris and Ginny said together.
"Yes. As I didn't have class, so I went to library to do something when Victor Krum came to me." Hermione went red. "Said.... I'm... I'm very pretty... and asked if I'll go to the ball with him... he .... he said he'd been coming up to the library every day to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage! What should I say now?"
"You're asking us?" Chris asked surprised.
"Don't look at me like that Chris. I know I do some stupid things and sometimes I behave stubbornly." Hermione sighed. "Chris, I'm sorry. The House-elves are happy here. I saw them few days ago. You were right. Hogwarts treats them well. Dumbledore even offered Dobby ten gallons."
Chris and Ginny looked at each other then smiled.
"Hey relax. It's water under the bridge..." Chris said smiling at Hermione.
"So are we back to our previous friendship, even without Harry?" Ginny grinned.
"I guess we're." Hermione grinned too.
"So back to the matter at hand... Krum." Chris said seriously. "Honestly I don't like him. He caused a great pain to the Chinese Fireball."
"Chris?" Ginny looked at her disapprovingly.
"What saying the truth." Chris replied. "But also he went to the library everyday, only to see you. So I guess that's nice of him."
"That's really nice of him." Ginny said more firmly. "You should say yes."
Hermione thought for a moment.
"It's just one evening. If you don't like him after the Ball then no one is forcing you to date him." Chris said rolling her eyes.
Hermione blushed, "Alright. I'll say yes tomorrow."
Two days later, at lunch Neville came and sat near Chris, Ginny, Luna and Colin.
"Hello." He said sitting beside Colin, he was looking more nervous than he usually look. Moreover he was looking hopeless.
"Hi Neville." Chris smiled. "You alright?"
".. er... yeah." Neville replied uncertainly. "So are you all going to the Yule Ball?"
"Yes."
Almost instantly Ginny, Luna and Colin blushed.
Chris rolled her eyes, "All of them are going."
"Them? Aren't you going?" Neville asked surprised.
Chris shrugged.
"I thought you'll get loads of options." Neville blurted out. "I mean you're smart, beautiful, brave, big hearted and a amazing person. Everyone will love to go with you."
Chris stared at him.
Ginny, Luna and Colin grinned.
".... er.... sorry." Neville said as he realized what he said just now.
"If you think like that about Chris, why didn't you asked Chris, Neville?" Ginny asked.
"... er... umm...." Neville went pink. "I thought about asking Chris, long time ago but then I thought she will not like to go with me. But then I thought I'll at least try so I asked Hermione today. I never knew Chris isn't going with someone else... or I should've asked her."
Ginny, Luna and Colin started laughing. Neville was talking like Chris wasn't there.
Chris finally chuckled.
"Thanks Neville."
Neville looked more embarrassed as they started to eat.
After a long silence Neville opened his mouth, "... er... so Chris.... will you... want to.... I mean.... will you like to... go with me.... to the Ball... Yule Ball..?"
"Yeah. Alright." Chris replied eating.
"Really?" Neville said shocked. "You will?"
"That's what I said Neville." Chris said casually. "You're a good friend and you can make me laugh, so why not?"
Ginny, Luna and Colin looked more shocked than Neville.
After a shocking lunch four of them went to Transfiguration.
Though maximum people were distracted, Professor McGonagall didn't let them go easily. Her irritated voice cracked like a whip through the Transfiguration class in every few minutes.
"Miss Mory please pay attention."
"Mr Barley you're supposed to transfigure the teapot into a tortoise."
"Mr Creevey your tortoise is still looking like a teapot."
"Only Miss Norton and Miss Lovegood is able to do it properly. I'll see what you all will do if it came to the exams."
Professor McGonagall finished as the bell rang.
Surprisingly no one's mood was effected by Professors McGonagall's harsh and cold words, all of the their classmates were still talking about the Yule Ball as they reached the Entrance Hall.
Fleur was talking to Cedric when suddenly Ron approached them.
"Want to go to the Ball with me Fleur?" Ron said loudly.
The Entrance Hall fell silent. Fleur looked at Ron shocked and suddenly Ron looked around and ran out of the Entrance Hall.
"What just happened?" Chris muttered.
"No idea. I'll go and check on him." Ginny said as she ran after Ron.
"I think this happend because she's a part Veela." Chris said as she started to eat.
"Veela! Weird creatures aren't they? A second you'll feel they're so beautiful but then they'll burn you alive." Luna replied.
"I'm glad I didn't talk to her after the first day. Veela sounds really scary." Colin said. "Why isn't Ginny back yet?"
"Maybe Ron is having a trauma." Chris chuckled.
"Why?" Hermione came to them. "Did something happened to Ron?"
"She just asked the Beauxbatons champion Fleur Delacour and then ran away." Colin said.
"Of course he did." Hermione said rolling her eyes. "I'll go and check on him. Have you seen Harry?"
"No."
"Alright." Hermione walked away.
"I'm taking food for Ginny. Who knows how much time Ron will take ro recover." Chris said as she took some food.
"Fairy lights," said Chris as she and Colin reached the fat lady portrait.
Entering the common room, Chris saw Ron and Harry sitting in a corner and Ginny talking to them.
"I'm going with .... with Michael Corner." Ginny said blushing.
"What?" Ron looked more shocked. "That Ravenclaw boy?"
"Yes." Ginny said rolling her eyes. "Go and find someone on your own."
"Hey, everything fine Ron?" Chris asked sitting beside Ginny.
"We brought food for you Ginny." Colin said and gave the food to Ginny.
"Thanks." Ginny grinned.
"Chris! D'you — d'you want to go to the ball with me?" said Harry suddenly.
Ginny, Colin and Ron stared at Harry shocked.
"You're a little late Harry. I just said yes to Neville." Chris replied calmly.
"Who d'you two keep writing to, eh?" said Ron to Fred and George. "Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you too," said Fred, waving his wand threateningly. "So you lot got dates for the ball yet?" Ginny and Colin went pink. "Nope," said Ron. "Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone," said Fred then noticed Ginny and Colin. "What about you three?" "I'm going too." Ginny replied. "Really? Who?" Ron asked surprised. "Why so surprised Ron?" Ginny snapped. ".. er.... Who're you going with, then, Fred? said Ron changing the topic. "Angelina," said Fred promptly, without a trace of embarrassment. Hermione looked up from her book. "What?" said Ron, taken aback. "You've already asked her?" "Good point," said Fred. He turned his head and called across the common room, "Oi! Angelina!" Angelina, who had been chatting with Alicia Spinnet near the fire, looked over at him. "What?" she called back. "Want to come to the ball with me?" Fred asked. Angelina gave Fred an appraising sort of look. "All right, then," she said, and she turned back to Alicia and carried on chatting with a bit of a grin on her face. "There you go," said Fred to Harry and Ron, "piece of cake." Hermione hid her face in her book, Chris saw it was very close to her face. It was clear she was hiding her face because of some reason. "What about you George?" Ginny asked. "I was just thinking to ask Katie if she haven't said yes to someone." George replied yawning. Fred got to his feet, "We need to send that letter George, c'mon Leon." Fred and George walked away as Leon sat on Fred's shoulder. "We should get a move on, you know ask someone. He's right. We don't want to end up with a pair of trolls." Ron said. Hermione let out a sputter of indignation as again looked up from her book. "A pair of what, excuse me?" "Well you know," said Ron, shrugging. "I'd rather go alone than with with Eloise Midgen, say." "Her acne's loads better lately and she's really nice!" Ginny replied laughing. "Her nose is off-center," said Ron. "Of course you'll also look for a attractive girl like Angelina, right?" "... er...." Ron looked speechless. "Angelina is really good looking." "I'm going to bed," Hermione snapped, and she swept off toward the girls' staircase without another word. Find authorized novels in Webnovelfaster updates, better experiencePlease click www.novelhall.com www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Why she suddenly became jealous of Angelina?" Ginny whispered to Chris. "I never understood why she does, half of the thing she does." Chris said looking at the staircase. "But I guess this time I've a better idea about her behaviour." The Hogwarts staff, demonstrating a continued desire to impress the visitors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, seemed determined to show the castle at its best this Christmas. When the decorations went up, Chris noticed that they were the most stunning she had yet seen inside the school. Everlasting icicles had been attached to the banisters of the marble staircase; the usual twelve Christmas trees in the Great Hall were bedecked with everything from luminous holly berries to real, hooting, golden owls, and the suits of armor had all been bewitched to sing carols whenever anyone passed them. It was quite something to hear "O Come, All Ye Faithful" sung by an empty helmet that only knew half the words. Several times, Filch the caretaker had to extract Peeves from inside the armor, where he had taken to hiding, filling in the gaps in the songs with lyrics of his own invention, all of which were very rude. And still, Chris hadn't a date for ball. But she was happy as Jason wasn't going to the Ball either. Two or three girls asked him and he refused. Then one day, Chris asked Astoria, why she was looking upset and she told Chris that Jason finally said yes to a beautiful fourth year Slytherin girl. "You know I can't tell this to my other friends or Daphne." Astoria looked upset. "If Daphne found out that I'm this upset over Jason, she'll stop him from going to the Ball, by threatening him." For the first time, Chris wanted to tell Astoria, that 'go and tell you sister everything Astoria. Let her stop him from going to the Ball with some other girl. Do it....' but Chris calmed herself, "It's fine Astoria. You have a right to be upset, I would've been upset to." 'And I'm.' That day after lunch, Luna had her Herbology with Slytherins and Colin was working on his new pictures with Dennis. Chris and Ginny felt tired after long Potions class, so they went back to Gryffindor tower as they didn't have any class that afternoon. "I think I need to fix my Potion or Snape will kill me." Ginny said collapsing on a armchair in the empty common room. "How did you fix yours?" "Just with a simple wand wave." Chris replied sitting opposite to her. "I read this when I was working on Neville's homework." "Why're you trying to be the best student in class like Hermione? Are you competing with Jason?" Ginny asked chuckling. "Relax he's too good in potions, I'll never able to reach his perfection." Chris said seriously. "I'm just trying to make myself strong with knowledge and...." "Hermione?" Ginny looked surprised as Hermione entered the Common room. "He... Hey... Hi..." Hermione looked nervous and her face was scarlet. "You ok Hermione?" Chris asked. "Don't you've class right now?" "Yeah, our Arithmancy Professor is busy so she cancelled the class." Hermione said slowly sitting on a armchair. Ginny and Chris looked at each other, confused. "Hermione...?" Ginny tried to shook her. "Victor Krum asked me." Hermione blurted out. "What?" Chris and Ginny said together. "Yes. As I didn't have class, so I went to library to do something when Victor Krum came to me." Hermione went red. "Said.... I'm... I'm very pretty... and asked if I'll go to the ball with him... he .... he said he'd been coming up to the library every day to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage! What should I say now?" "You're asking us?" Chris asked surprised. "Don't look at me like that Chris. I know I do some stupid things and sometimes I behave stubbornly." Hermione sighed. "Chris, I'm sorry. The House-elves are happy here. I saw them few days ago. You were right. Hogwarts treats them well. Dumbledore even offered Dobby ten gallons." Chris and Ginny looked at each other then smiled. "Hey relax. It's water under the bridge..." Chris said smiling at Hermione. "So are we back to our previous friendship, even without Harry?" Ginny grinned. "I guess we're." Hermione grinned too. "So back to the matter at hand... Krum." Chris said seriously. "Honestly I don't like him. He caused a great pain to the Chinese Fireball." "Chris?" Ginny looked at her disapprovingly. "What saying the truth." Chris replied. "But also he went to the library everyday, only to see you. So I guess that's nice of him." "That's really nice of him." Ginny said more firmly. "You should say yes." Hermione thought for a moment. "It's just one evening. If you don't like him after the Ball then no one is forcing you to date him." Chris said rolling her eyes. Hermione blushed, "Alright. I'll say yes tomorrow." Two days later, at lunch Neville came and sat near Chris, Ginny, Luna and Colin. "Hello." He said sitting beside Colin, he was looking more nervous than he usually look. Moreover he was looking hopeless. "Hi Neville." Chris smiled. "You alright?" ".. er... yeah." Neville replied uncertainly. "So are you all going to the Yule Ball?" "Yes." Almost instantly Ginny, Luna and Colin blushed. Chris rolled her eyes, "All of them are going." "Them? Aren't you going?" Neville asked surprised. Chris shrugged. "I thought you'll get loads of options." Neville blurted out. "I mean you're smart, beautiful, brave, big hearted and a amazing person. Everyone will love to go with you." Chris stared at him. Ginny, Luna and Colin grinned. ".... er.... sorry." Neville said as he realized what he said just now. "If you think like that about Chris, why didn't you asked Chris, Neville?" Ginny asked. "... er... umm...." Neville went pink. "I thought about asking Chris, long time ago but then I thought she will not like to go with me. But then I thought I'll at least try so I asked Hermione today. I never knew Chris isn't going with someone else... or I should've asked her." Ginny, Luna and Colin started laughing. Neville was talking like Chris wasn't there. Chris finally chuckled. "Thanks Neville." Neville looked more embarrassed as they started to eat. After a long silence Neville opened his mouth, "... er... so Chris.... will you... want to.... I mean.... will you like to... go with me.... to the Ball... Yule Ball..?" "Yeah. Alright." Chris replied eating. "Really?" Neville said shocked. "You will?" "That's what I said Neville." Chris said casually. "You're a good friend and you can make me laugh, so why not?" Ginny, Luna and Colin looked more shocked than Neville. After a shocking lunch four of them went to Transfiguration. Though maximum people were distracted, Professor McGonagall didn't let them go easily. Her irritated voice cracked like a whip through the Transfiguration class in every few minutes. "Miss Mory please pay attention." "Mr Barley you're supposed to transfigure the teapot into a tortoise." "Mr Creevey your tortoise is still looking like a teapot." "Only Miss Norton and Miss Lovegood is able to do it properly. I'll see what you all will do if it came to the exams." Professor McGonagall finished as the bell rang. Surprisingly no one's mood was effected by Professors McGonagall's harsh and cold words, all of the their classmates were still talking about the Yule Ball as they reached the Entrance Hall. Fleur was talking to Cedric when suddenly Ron approached them. "Want to go to the Ball with me Fleur?" Ron said loudly. The Entrance Hall fell silent. Fleur looked at Ron shocked and suddenly Ron looked around and ran out of the Entrance Hall. "What just happened?" Chris muttered. "No idea. I'll go and check on him." Ginny said as she ran after Ron. "I think this happend because she's a part Veela." Chris said as she started to eat. "Veela! Weird creatures aren't they? A second you'll feel they're so beautiful but then they'll burn you alive." Luna replied. "I'm glad I didn't talk to her after the first day. Veela sounds really scary." Colin said. "Why isn't Ginny back yet?" "Maybe Ron is having a trauma." Chris chuckled. "Why?" Hermione came to them. "Did something happened to Ron?" "She just asked the Beauxbatons champion Fleur Delacour and then ran away." Colin said. "Of course he did." Hermione said rolling her eyes. "I'll go and check on him. Have you seen Harry?" "No." "Alright." Hermione walked away. "I'm taking food for Ginny. Who knows how much time Ron will take ro recover." Chris said as she took some food. "Fairy lights," said Chris as she and Colin reached the fat lady portrait. Entering the common room, Chris saw Ron and Harry sitting in a corner and Ginny talking to them. "I'm going with .... with Michael Corner." Ginny said blushing. "What?" Ron looked more shocked. "That Ravenclaw boy?" "Yes." Ginny said rolling her eyes. "Go and find someone on your own." "Hey, everything fine Ron?" Chris asked sitting beside Ginny. "We brought food for you Ginny." Colin said and gave the food to Ginny. "Thanks." Ginny grinned. "Chris! D'you d'you want to go to the ball with me?" said Harry suddenly. Ginny, Colin and Ron stared at Harry shocked. "You're a little late Harry. I just said yes to Neville." Chris replied calmly.
