The Masquerade Ball

Chapter One- The Ball

Summary: The time is here. It's Christmas and everyone is more excited than ever what with the upcoming ball Dumbledore announced. However, not everyone is happy, and the beginning of romance starts to linger.

---

It was just another ordinary breakfast in the Great Hall until Dumbledore stood from his chair and directed everyone's attention to him.
"Good morning students," he started. "This year there will be a Triwizard Ball, and the staff and I have agreed to change it up a bit this year. We have decided that the theme for this year's ball will be..." He paused to add some effect (although no one cared) "Masks! Therefore, it would be a masquerade ball!" He said, using his wand to reveal a dark blue mask covering the area around his eyes. He allowed the students to mutter amongst themselves before continuing. "Each person must wear a mask and you are allowed to put on the glamour spell if you wish. There will be a slow dance at the end, so find yourself a dance partner and I hope you will all have fun." He then ended his speech, and allowed the students (and teachers) to eat.

LATER THAT DAY

Harry and Hermione were wondering around the halls in silence, and after a while Hermione spoke.
"Do you know where Ron is?" She asked.
Harry continued walking and replied "I think he's still in our dorm. I'll tell him about the ball later, don't worry"
Hermione smiled and hummed, acknowledging what he said. Harry noticed this and asked her if she was ok, before getting an idea.

"Did you want to go to the dance with him?" He quietly asked. Hermione heard this and a blush formed on her face, and she loudly said "No!" And her blush went as red as Ron's hair, but more from embarrassment from shouting.

As she quickly recovered, she then said "There's no way I'm going with him!"
Harry simply replied with "You can just go as friends" with a noticeable smirk forming.
His friend sighed in annoyance. "It's a slow dance."
"You can slow dance with friends." He argued, then paused. "Right?"
She shrugged and said that you could, then Harry interrupted her, asking himself about why it's a masquerade party.

"I suppose it would be quite fun," she continued. "You could meet new people. And some people feel more comfortable wearing masks, since no one would know who they were."

Harry then suddenly stopped walking and ignored Hermione walking into him.
"Wait!" He looked around frantically before saying "How am I supposed to find a dance partner?"
"Relax Harry!"
"Easy for you to say! Your Hermione Granger! Anyone would love to dance with you!" Harry snapped.
Hermione however, took this as a compliment and thanked him. (#Friendship goals :) )
"How about you?" She asked. "I'm sure lots of girls would love to dance with you."
"That's not really the area I'm good at..."

"What? Do you prefer boys?" She teased.
Harry blushed as red as Ron's hair and hastily responded with "'Mione! No! That's not what I meant-"
"Which is fine of course, you can like boys-"
"'Mione! No. I told you I like Cho..."
Hermione smiled and then spoke.
"Harry, not to be rude or anything... But isn't Cho dating Cedric?"

After an uncomfortable silence Harry confirmed this with an almost silent "Yeah".
"You'll find someone eventually, and I'm just saying that if it's a boy I'm fine-" she said then got interrupted by Harry hitting her and he started blushing again.
"Who would've known? The Bi Who Liv-"
"Alright let's go to our next lesson an-"

"Oi Potter!" A familiar voice called. "What's that I heard? You like boys?" He teased. Hermione was glaring at Draco, and if looks could kill, Draco would be more than dead by now.
Harry replied with a bored look. "No Malfoy! Even if I did it's none of your damn business!"
Draco grinned. "Aww are you embarrassed?" He then winked.