Rose Between Two Thorns.

Chapter 10

The next morning, the Gryffindor table is full of students chatting or getting overly excited about stupid things while I sit across from George, with Fred by my side. Hermione is sitting next to George with the Daily Prophet open, reading an article with the paper propped up against a bowl. I am stirring my cereal around my bowl, while staring down at it. Absentmindedly I grab a piece of toast, stare at it for a moment and then dip it into the bowl.

"Uhh, Tabs I don't think toast, milk and cocoa puffs are meant to mix" Fred nudged me. I look up at him and then down at the now slightly soggy toast, before lifting it up and taking a bite out of it. It doesn't taste too bad, so I throw Fred a 'What?' expression. He shakes his head laughing a little.

"You sure are strange" he laughed.

"It doesn't taste too bad, why don't you try some?" I ask offering him some of the soggy toast. He recoils from it.

"Ew gross no thanks" he says.

"Look at this" Hermione exclaims ruffling the paper she is reading "She's done it again". Confused I lean over the table to see the article, but she is already reading aloud.

"Miss Hermione Granger, a seemingly ambitious girl seems to be on the lookout for famous wizards. Recently seen with Harry Potter the Boy Who Lived, see picture above, she now seems to have her eyes on none other than the Bulgarian bumbon Victor Krum. No word yet on how Harry Potter is taking this emotional blow" she finishes reading. I snatch the paper from her and scan the article, looking at the picture.

"Anyone can see that you are clearly talking to Harry" I say "And only talking. There is no indication whatsoever that you are crushing on him or anything. And what is this Krum rubbish?" I ask

"Well I was in the library yesterday, writing my homework and he came over asking where he would find a book. I was kind enough to show him where the book was" she says, clearly infuriated.

"Gryffindor House" a chirpy voice calls from the head table. The entire table quietens as McGonagall stands up. "I would like all the third to seventh years to meet me in the large transfiguration room immediately after breakfast" she adds, before sitting down "And the rest to go to their classes"

"What can she possibly want from us now" I ask spooning some flakes into my mouth.

***

"Thank you for coming in a quick and orderly manner, it is quite a hassle even without the first and second years" McGonagall says loudly as she walks down the room. She has had the room arranged so that all the boys are on one side and the girls are on the other, while a huge gramophone sits at one end of the room.

"Now" she says clapping her hands "It is a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament to hold a Yule Ball, and seeing as Hogwarts is the host of the Tournament, we are to also host the Yule Ball. On Christmas Eve night, we and our guests gather in the Great Hall for a night of fun and well-mannered frivolity. As host representatives of the school I expect all of you to put your best foot forward, because if you haven't figured it out yet, the Yule Ball is a dance" she concludes.

Whispers worm their way around the room, as girls around me seem to buzz with excitement, but McGonagall holds up her hand and shouts "Silence" and the room falls silent.

"I would expect that Gryffindor House would be more well behaved, I do not want to denounce our name because of you all behaving like a babbling bumbling band of baboons" she snaps.

"Miss Granger" she calls out. I look over at Hermione, confused, but see that she is also looking at me with the same confused look.

"Tabitha Granger" McGonagall sighs. I look at her, my eyebrows raised. "If you would stand and join me please and we shall demonstrate a common muggle dance called a waltz"