Learning the Ropes

Walking into the library, Harry found Hermione at her favorite table with a small mountain of books surrounding her. He sat down next to her and pulled a book towards him. "Did you find anything useful?"

"I found a few things about the tournament and I don't really like what I discovered. You have to compete in every event, even if you don't complete a task, so there is no point in just throwing the tournament." Hermione said in frustration. "How did your talk with Professor McGonagall go?"

Harry smiled, and proceeded to tell her about getting his schedule changed. He also mentioned that Professor McGonagall told him that she was proud of him for doing the right thing. "Hermione, could I borrow your texts from Runes and Arithmancy? I can owl order some new ones this week."

"Of course Harry. I will even give you my notes so you can read ahead and catch up to the rest of the class. If you have any questions just ask and I'll do my best to explain it." Hermione stated simply.

"Thanks." Harry had picked up one of the books on the Triwizard Tournament that Hermione had on the table and was flipping through the chapters idly. He came across one chapter that caused him to start reading in earnest. After completing the chapter, he put down the book and looked over at Hermione. "Hermione," when she put down her book and looked up at him, he continued speaking, "Do you think that there will be a traditional ball with this tournament too?" Harry handed her the book that he had been reading and pointed to the chapter on the Champions Ball.

"I'm sure there will be. Dress robes were a part of our school lists this year. Did you get yours?"

"I don't know. Mrs. Weasley did all of my school shopping for me while we were at the World Cup. If she didn't, do you think that I could get a set in Hogsmeade before the dance?"

"I think so. Gladrags has a store near the Three Broomsticks. If you do not like the ones that she selected, or did not get, we can go down together and pick something up for you. Do you know how to dance, Harry?" Hermione had a smile on her face as she asked Harry about dancing.

"Uh, not really. I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of three schools by being the only champion that cannot dance. Do you know how to dance? Could you teach me?" Harry pleaded with Hermione.

"Of course, Harry. I would be happy to teach you how to dance. I am positive that the room will provide us with music to help you learn. My parents taught me how to dance this summer when they saw dress robes on our lists." Hermione noticed that Harry had a longing look on his face when she said this and she realized that Harry must have been thinking about his mother teaching him how to dance if she had been alive.

"Thanks. I don't think that I would be comfortable learning how to dance in front of a bunch of people and I know that I'm going to be rubbish at dancing." Harry said miserably.

Hermione leaned over and grabbed his hand. "No you won't, Harry. You are very graceful when you are flying and if you treat dancing just like Quidditch, you will be fine."

Suddenly, Harry had a panicked look on his face, as if he had realized there was something that made him extremely nervous. "Hermione, I'll have to get a date for the ball won't I?" When he saw her nod, he looked up at her and said, "Would you go to the ball with me?"

Hermione's smile was radiant. She looked happier than he had seen her in ages. "I would love to go to the ball with you, Harry."

He felt as if he had one less burden to bear now that he had a date. Harry relaxed and smiled back at Hermione while giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you. Is there anything that I need to buy for you? I've never been on a date before."

"We can get a corsage for me and a boutonniere for your dress robes that match each other. I don't know of any Wizarding flower stores but I'm sure Neville could help us pick something out and put them together." Hermione said while still smiling at Harry's straightforward, innocent, manner. "Don't worry, Harry. We have months before the ball, it is traditionally around Christmas. Do you want to tell people that we are going to the ball together if they ask?" Hermione's voice sounded hopeful but concerned at the same time.

"Sure. I mean, I don't fancy being hounded by a bunch of girls that I do not know who all want to go to the ball with The-Boy-Who-Lived. I'm glad that we are going to the ball together." Harry spoke with conviction.

Hermione had another big smile on her face after listening to Harry tell her that he was happy that they were going to the ball together. In truth, she was worried that she was not pretty, but Harry didn't see her that way at all. He knew her and accepted her for who she was, not what she looked like. What Hermione did not realize, was that Harry did think that she was beautiful and that he was the lucky one.

Packing up her books, Hermione stood up and asked, "Would you help me put these back on the shelves and then we can go practice a bit?"

Harry stood up, grabbed the second stack of books, and began putting them back on the shelves. "Sure. Can we stop by the dormitory first? I want to grab a couple of things from my trunk."

"Okay. I'll meet you back here in a couple of minutes." After gathering up the books, Hermione was moving between the shelves with practiced ease.

When they had finally entered the Room of Requirement, Hermione asked Harry, "What did you need in the dorms?"

.....

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