The Quidditch Ball

Something quick I thought up. Features a ball, but not just any ball. A Quidditch ball. Players (Just like in the 4th book-with the Yule Ball) must have...dancin' partners. They are told to ask someone, they MUST. Look how the Griffindor Quidditch Team (Still with Oliver Wood as Captain) deals with it.

I like Oliver Wood as the team leader rather than Angelina. I didn't like where Fred, George, and Harry were kicked off the team. Ginny as seeker, Ron as Keeper, and other beaters. So, this sticks with the people (in the positions) we love. EEEEEWWWW! Not like that! (I'm jealous of Angelina, b/c Fred asked her to the dance. stifles a cry Ever wonder who George asked, or if he went at all!) (I'm not sure if they use bells or not.) Takes place during the 3rd book, among the complex story plot (My favorite book). Lupin's there, Oliver's there. The only slight change, is that we know Fred and George want to own a Joke Shop, and have already started making inventions. This should remind you of the Yule Ball in the 4th book. NE-Wayz...here it is.

Minerva McGonagall ushered the confused children into her office. A reddish glow illuminated off the walls. The 7 people clampered in, followed by Lee Jordan. Professor McGonagall waved her hand toward the 8 empty seats in front of her paper-covered desk.

Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, Fred and George Weasley, Harry Potter, and Lee Jordan took a seat, and shuffled around uncomfortably. Seeing that everyone was a bit nervous of why they were in the office of one of the strictest teachers in Hogwarts (along with Snape), George spoke up. "I swear, Professor, we didn't do anything, today!" Fred snorted, then said, "Yet." in a low voice. Katie whispered to her fellow chasers, "Yeah. But it's only the beginning of the day. The 1st class hasn't even started yet!"

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, waiting for the twins to stop their not-so-innocent-pleading, and for everyone else to settle down. "If you two are finished, I have called you all in here for a reason." Here, she looked sternly at them, a look that would make Snape shiver, and cower in a corner. But that image fled from Harry's mind, because Professor McGonagall was slightly smiling at them now.

"As you know, Hogwarts is having it's 35th annual Ball. But none of you know what it's about. Others who have attended have promised to keep their mouths shut...because they won't you all to go through the same thing." The twins glanced at each other, then said in one voice, "Through!"

Professor McGonagall continued, "The Quidditch Ball, honors all of the Quidditch players. All of you will be guests of honor. Of course, you must come with a dancing partner, for it is traditional for you to start the ball by dancing." Everyone shared a horrified look with each other, but Professor McGonagall was not finished yet.

"Yes. All 4 teams will attend. And, Mr. Jordan, you are invited too. Being our speaker. The ball is tomorrow." They all looked at her with hateful stares. "It wasn't MY idea to tell you all so late. But the players that played before you had the same thing. They were told the day before, so they wanted you to go through the same thing. It's been a tradition for a long time. See you tomorrow!" Professor McGonagall stepped out of the room, just as the bell rang for the 1st class to start.

The Griffindor Quidditch team stood around the Griffindor common room. Harry sat by the fireplace, watching the flickering flames devour the wood. No one had asked anyone yet. Harry didn't have a clue who he was going to ask. The only ones in the room was the Griffindor Quidditch team, Neville, Hermoine, Ron, and a few other people.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the three girl chasers muttering to each other in a small group. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were playing something, a new game the twins had made. Oliver was no where to be seen.

The clock struck, but no one heard which hour it was. But time was running short till tomorrow's ball. The game of Quidditch strategy the twins had made, was stopped. The three best friends whispered to each other. All heads turned to them.

Fred, George, and Lee Jordan nodded to each other, then stood up. The people in the room pretended they weren't looking. Hermoine went back to reading her book. Ron went back to staring at the flames. Everyone else's eyes wondered any where but at the 3 who had just stood.

Fred boldly walked up to the group of chaser girls. He flashed his award winning smile, that nearly melted all 3 of them. "Hey, Alicia. You wouldn't maybe want to go with me to this ball thing!" Alicia gave him one of her ice-melting smiles. She stepped up to him, flung her arms around him, and gave him a peck on the cheek, then the lips.

All watched with smiles fighting to make their selves visible on the people's faces. George, reassured and strengthened by his brother's dare-doing, stepped up to the two remaining girls. His brother had always been more bolder, but he knew how to word it. "Katie, would you like to go to the dance with me tomorrow?" his voice was pleading, but it also had an air of confidence. Katie, hearing his soft, light voice saying that to her, turned a shade of pinkish red, then nodded her head. She stepped up to him, and hugged him.

Lee Jordan, thinking, 'Well, let's see if we can get 3 out of 3.', strode up to the remaining girl. He didn't say anything, but locked her in his eyes. He reached out, and was met halfway. They shared a brief kiss. The happy couples looked around the silent, staring crowd. "Well?" both twins demanded. The 3 couples retreated to a corner, to return and play the twins Qudditch Strategy game. Laughter was heard from that corner as they played. So, things went back to normal in the common room.

So, the only ones who needed a partner were Harry and Oliver. 'Speaking of Oliver...' Harry thought. Oliver walked in to the common room, with a girl clinging to his arm. He moved over to where the twins were playing, and muttered something in their ears. They gave him the thumbs up. Harry did a double take, as he saw it was Parvati. 'Wow', Harry thought. Now, though, he was the only one without a date. He had asked girls throughout the day, but all of them had known about the ball for weeks, and had already had a date.

Getting desperate, his mind cleared as he glanced across the fire. Hermoine was calmly reading her book, though her eyes were still moist from the whole scene a few minutes ago. He had never thought about her like that, but, after all, she was one of his best friends. "Hermoine," Harry asked tentatively, "Would you come with me...to tomorrow!" 'Oooh, stupid. your mixing up all of your bloody words!' She looked up, and smiled. "Sure Harry."

Harry lead Hermoine out on the marble floor, with the whole school watching. The other members of the other Quidditch teams also followed. As he swiveled her around, he got a whiff of her hair. 'It smells nice.' He glanced at the other members of his team, and let a small, warm smile flicker on. Oliver was moving Parvati around, her beautiful dress swishing in the slight breeze.

Lee Jordan and Angelina were laughing slightly. They were quietly talking to each other, enjoying each other's company. Fred and Alicia, and George and Katie danced. They had warm smiles planted on their faces. They locked each other into their eyes, and none of them wanted to let go. Some other players from different teams danced past, but they weren't having as much of a good time. Not at all.

After the first song, teachers came out to dance along with the players. Hagrid and Professor Sprout danced, though it looked funny enough to make Snape laugh. Snape was gliding around the dance floor, reluctantly, with Professor Trelawney. Professor Lupin lead Professor McGonagall out to the dance floor. His amber eyes danced along. He whispered something in her ear, and she smiled. When those two smiled, their early wrinkles faded away, leaving bright, young faces.

This dance had been a blessing in disguise.

I've always thought those people would go good together. McGonagall and Lupin (This was before Lupin met Tonks...wink), Hagrid and Professor Sprout, Fred with Alicia, George (He's the softer one of the twins, he's always saying things lightly) Lee with Angelina, and yes... Snape with Professor Trelawney! Enjoy! Though these pairs aren't the ONLY pairs I like! Again, another wink