by DrT - Sahits

Chapter IV
"A ball?" Ron demanded, appalled. He had been stopped by Harry and taken aside just as they were
going to go into dinner. Ron was more easily upset on an empty stomach, but he was also more
open to compromise when he knew he was going to eat immediately after.
Harry nodded. "That's why they said to bring dress robes," he added.
"Ugly thing's more like a dress," Ron muttered.
"Look, Ron, these seem to be your choices about the robe," Harry said. "One, decide to wear the
thing, ignore how it looks, and maybe you can carry it off. Two, don't go. Three, whinge and annoy
everyone. Four, let me buy you new ones in Hogsmeade."
Ron struggled with himself. Harry then suggested, "Look, if you want, we can start a tab. No
interest, and you agree to pay me back by, say, by ten years after we leave."
Ron really thought about that, instead of just reacting. "How about you charge me a little intrest if I
don't pay you back in five years?"
"Done. I have some Gringotts drafts, and you can start an account at the Post Office for up to what?
Three hundred Galleons?"
"Okay," Ron said. He was immature for his age in many ways, but money was actually not one of
them. He, and Harry, knew he would pay his friend back no matter what.
"So, you're going and you're going to look good," Harry said. "The next question is, who will you
take?"
"Oh, Merlin help me," Ron whimpered.
"Who do you like?" Harry asked.
"I don't know! Who likes me well enough to go with me?" Ron whined.
"Luna Lovegood."
"Ginny's nutcase friend?"
"She's cute, she's nearly as smart as Hermione, and she's odd because she has a strong Second
Sight," Harry said firmly. "If that would embarrass you, don't ask her. If it wouldn't, ask her,
because I'm sure she'll say yes because she likes you. At this point, you could ask any Fourth or
Third year girl who isn't actually seeing anyone, and you have a fair chance of them saying yes just
because they want to go. But as soon as it's announced, which should be tomorrow or Friday, they'll
be snapped up."
"Good point," Ron conceded.
"So, who do you want to dance with?"
"Dance!" Ron's voice broke as he said that.
"Yes, dance. That's what people do at a Ball," Harry retorted. "The first two dances will be formal, a
slow waltz and then a faster one. Then whatever band they have will play whatever they want to,
and we won't have formal steps."
Ron's eyes were twitching in terror and he was pale and sweaty.
"I suggest you think of a Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw," Harry said.
"Why?"