The fic that you're about to read, has a portion of truth in it. It is based off something that happened to me awhile ago. (Well general idea anyways!) So enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the other characters (they're all belonging to J.K Rowling).

On with the story!

'Snowball' - A R/H two-shot.

It was early December at Hogwarts, and people were starting to feel the cold that was sweeping through the castle at an incredible rate. One minute it was cool November weather, the next thing you know, snow starts blanketing the grounds, making it very cold, and very difficult to get to classes.

On this particular day though, no one was minding the cold as much. For the dinner that was being served was filled with delicious warm stews, and hot apple pie for dessert.

"Oh this is heaven." Ron Weasley said, taking a huge bite out of his pie.

"I think you're exaggerating a little bit Ron. It's only pie after all. Now winning the Quidditch World Cup on the other hand . . . " Harry Potter trailed off, a dreamy look on his face.

"Oh you boys! Quidditch and food, that's all you think about!" Hermione Granger gave her best friends each a mock glare, and then grinned at them, shaking her head. "But on the other hand, food isn't all that bad." she took a bite out of her pie, being considerably neater than Ron.

Ron was about to come up with a comeback remark, when they all heard the sound of someone tapping their glass, trying to get everyone's attention. Everyone looked up at the head table expectantly, the sound of chatter dying out. The person trying to get their attention was none other than Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts.

"I do hope that you have all found the dinner to your satisfaction." A series of nods ran throughout the hall, and Dumbledore smiled.

"Well I have some news that will also hopefully be to your satisfaction."

The food consumption slowed to a stop, and people fixed their gaze on Dumbledore.

"Due to the success of the Yule Ball 3 years ago, I've decided to hold another one." he paused as yells and shouts of glee filled the air, and then held up his and for silence once more. "But this ball will be different from the traditional one." again he paused to let his comment sink in. "At this ball, you will not have a partner in the beginning. So I must ask that you do not go looking for a partner, because it would be pointless." Minor groans filled the air, mostly from the girls, the boys were looking relieved.

"More about the ball will be revealed closer to Christmas. That is all. Enjoy the rest of your dinner."

As soon as he sat down, the Great Hall began buzzing with conversation about the ball.

"Well isn't this interesting." Hermione said.

"Yeah. Imagine having a ball, and not being allowed to ask someone!" Ginny looked rather upset.

"Well that's easy to say, because you're girls." Ron said.

"What's that supposed to mean Ron?" Hermione gave him a dark look, But Ron wasn't undaunted.

"Well the boys always have to do the asking, and the girls get to decide the boy's fate, and then when the ball comes, they all sit around and look pretty and smug, because they didn't have to do a damn thing."

"Ron!" Hermione gave him a very scathing look, and got up from the table, pushing past several people who looked at her in surprise.

Meanwhile, Harry and Ginny both gave Ron glares of their own.

"That was a very stupid thing to say Ron." Harry said.

"Especially because it's not true!" Ginny snapped.

"You know damn well it is Ginny!" Ron hissed back. He saw Ginny go pale, and quietly get up from the table, making an exit similar to Hermione's.

"You are such a prat sometimes Ron." Harry shook his head. "And not very bright."

"Jesus Harry! First Hermione, then Ginny, and now you! Doesn't anyone see that I'm right?" Ron bellowed, causing heads to swivel in their direction.

"Shut up a minute will you?" Harry hissed.

Ron gave him a murderous glance, but kept quiet. The two of them finished the rest of their dessert in an uncomfortable silence.

"That stupid prat! Where does he get off saying things like that?"

Hermione stormed up into the girls dorm, and into her own private room at the end of the hall. She got her own room because she was head girl, and both the head girl and the head boy always got their own separate rooms. Hermione rather liked it that way. It kept out the noise and the people from the other dorms.

But tonight, even her room couldn't block out the noise of excited talking about the upcoming ball. In the end, she gave up, and went into the hallway towards Ginny's dorm. They were pretty close, and she knew Ginny had a thing or two to say about Ron's sexist comment. On the way there, however, she was intercepted by Lavender and Parvati, and they were looking rather glum.

"What's up with you guys?" Hermione was a little surprised. She figured that they would be the most excited about the ball, and here they were, looking dejected.

"Isn't it terrible how we can't have partners?" Lavender asked.

Ah, so that's why they're so depressed Hermione thought.

"I suppose it is, but I think it's ok in some ways."

"How so?" Parvati asked.

"Well it means less boys get hurt when they're rejected." Hermione smiled at them.

"But Hermione! Half the fun of going to the ball is to see how many boys will compete for your attention."

"Yeah, and to what lengths they will got to win your affections."

Gag me with a spoon Hermione thought, but she kept her smile on, and said.

"Well if that's what you think . . . "

She gave them a polite smile, and turned to go back to her room, the planned attempt for a conversation with Ginny now abandoned. Lavender and Parvati watched her go back to her room.

"Poor girl." Lavender said, shaking her head.

"When she finds out that Ron fancies her, she's going to be caught off guard, that's for sure."

"And now we have to devise a new way to get them together."

"Why did Dumbledore have to make it no partners? Why?" Parvati looked angry, but Lavender smiled.

"Perhaps it will all work out in the end."

The two friends linked arms, and made their way into their dorm for a night filled with planning a scheme to make two people who were obviously perfect for each other FINALLY admit their feelings.

There was no more information about the ball for the next week, and gradually the talk about it was beginning to die down. Now however, talk was starting up about what to wear. The girls were planning on going to Hogsmeade on the weekend to go scout for dress robes. But Dumbledore had a different plan.

It was Friday, December 12. The ball was in two weeks, and everyone was excited about the upcoming trip to Hogsmeade.

"I can't wait to get some dress robes. I've been saving my money for months!" Ginny was so excited, she was hardly eating.

"I think that I'll probably go for a plainer style." Hermione was looking right at Ron when she said that. She still hadn't completely forgiven him for his comment. Ron took the hint.

"Hermione, how many times do I have to say I'm sorry?"

She shook her head, and gave an exasperated sigh.

That girl is going to drive me insane Ron thought to himself. To Harry, he said.

"What's up with her?"

"Let's just enjoy the dessert Ron." Harry said, eyeing the pie that was appearing on the table.

"Pie!" Ron forgot about Hermione, and began to dig in.

Hermione and Ginny stopped talking long enough to grab a piece, and then they went back to their conversation. A few minutes later, they all heard Dumbledore clear his throat. Everyone stopped eating, and looked at him expectantly, waiting for news on the ball.

"As you all must know, there is a Hogsmeade visit coming up tomorrow." he began. Everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for what he was going to say next.

"And I imagine the girls, and perhaps a few boys will be getting their dress robes." he paused again, letting the atmosphere build.

"But I must ask that when you go down to Hogsmeade, that you pay special attention to the muggle dress shops situated near the edge of the village." Everyone was now looking curiously at him. He drew a deep breath, and revealed the second part of this unusual ball.

"At this ball, not only will you not have any partners, you will also be donning muggle clothing."

Gasps of shock and outrage filled the room.

"And yes, I too, along with the other staff members will all be dressed muggle for the night. And if you choose not to dress muggle, you will not be allowed to attend." he gave everyone a warm smile, before sitting back down to finish his dessert, and to talk to Professor McGonagall.

"Wow! You know, I think Dumbledore is onto something!" Ron's voice was full of admiration. Harry was also looking fairly relieved. The girls however . . . they were not as thrilled.

"What is going on in that man's head?" Ginny was looking angry.

"He clearly has an idea, and I'm not going to argue it." Hermione said.

"Hermione . . . you do realize that we can't dress up?"

"Yes we can. Muggles wear pretty nice stuff, and I personally like dressing up in muggle clothing."

"Well you were born in the muggle world, I wasn't." Ginny was looking more annoyed now.

"Relax Gin. Tomorrow I'll take you to the muggle dress shop, and help you."

She heaved a sigh.

"Fine."

And not another word was said, as they all finished their dessert in utter silence, a silence mirroring the one that had happened only one week ago.

Hermione woke up the next morning with a feeling of excitement that she couldn't quite place, but before she could fully come to any conclusions, there was a knock at her door.

"Hermione? Are you up? It's Ginny."

Suddenly the events from the previous night tumbled into her mind. She sprang out of bed, and opened her door. A fully dressed Ginny stood there, grinning.

"Come on, get dressed! We're leaving in an hour!"

"Whoa there, what's the rush?"

"I want to get there early, before all the other girls do."

"Well it'll be busy either way . . . "

"Hermione!"

"Ok, ok, I'm getting dressed."

A few minutes later, Hermione and Ginny went down into the common room, and joined Harry and Ron who were also dressed.

"Good morning." Hermione greeted them.

"Morning." Harry smiled at her. Ron mumbled his 'good morning', and then walked towards the portrait hole. The others followed, and they were soon making their way towards the Great Hall for some breakfast. On the way they came across Mafloy who was looking rather disgusted, and talking to Crabbe and Goyle.

"I can't believe this! That stupid mud-blood lover is taking a tradition and ruining it with his muggle additions."

"Well if you don't like it Malfoy, then don't come!" Ginny said.

Malfoy turned to them, looking very annoyed.

"Keep out of this Weasel!"

"Isn't it required for the head boy and the head girl to be at the ball?" Hermione had a smug look on her face.

"Damn you mudblood." Malfoy's glare was cold enough to stop her heart, and Hermione actually felt a little weak.

"Take that back Malfoy!" Ron and Harry yelled at the same time.

"Why should I?"

"Why you little-"

Ron was about to take a swing at Malfoy, when Professor McGonagall strode into the hallway.

"Is there a problem?"

Instantly, Ron put down his fist, and turned to McGonagall.

"No Professor, everything is fine."

"Yeah." Malfoy echoed, giving Ron an evil glare.

'Well then, I suggest you all come get some breakfast before you leave."

They all followed McGonagall into the Great Hall, and sat down at their respective tables. As soon as Malfoy was out of sight, Ron shook his head angrily.

"That stupid evil prat! He has no right to say that kind of stuff!"

"Relax Ron, I'm over it." and indeed Hermione was eating her breakfast quite calmly.

"How the bloody hell do you keep from murdering him?"

"Well Ron, for one thing, I'm head girl, and for another thing, murdering is illegal." everyone laughed, and Ron gave a defeated sigh.

"I give up."

Soon enough they had finished eating, and were ready to go to Hogsmeade.

"This is going to be so much fun!" Ginny was completely excited, and Hermione was only slightly less so. The boys were looking rather bored.

"We'll see you guys in a few hours at The Three Broomsticks!" Hermione yelled, as Ginny practically dragged her off.

"Girls . . . who needs them?" Harry muttered.

"I quite agree."

And so Harry and Ron joined the other unwilling boys that were all headed to get some muggle clothing for what was sure to be the most interesting thing that happened so far this year.

"OOOOH look at this one!"

Ginny held up a long purple sequined dress that shimmered in the light.

"I don't think that would suit you, and besides, look at the price." Ginny did so, and her eyes widened.

"Exactly."

Hermione and Ginny had been at the muggle dress shop for quite awhile, and the prospects so far were pretty grim. The dresses were either too casual, too expensive, or too revealing.

"Wow! How about this?" Ginny held out a blue medieval dress that had very long, flowing sleeves.

"Again Ginny . . . look at the price."

And there went another pretty, but expensive dress back onto the rack.

"I swear if I don't find a dress soon, I may as well just not go." Ginny moaned.

"Relax Ginny. There are many more dresses we have yet to see. I'm sure there's one here that will suit you perfectly-"

And as she said that, Hermione's eye caught sight of something shiny. She walked over to a rack they hadn't touched, and pulled off the dress.

"Hey Ginny, come look at this!"

"What?" Ginny came over, and eyed the dress in Hermione's hand. It was a black off the shoulder that shimmered in the light, and came to a flared skirt that fell just above the knees.

"What do you think?" Hermione asked.

"It's beautiful." Ginny breathed, and then suddenly looked nervous. "But what's the price?"

Hermione looked, and saw to her complete surprise, that it was in their price range.

"Well Ginny, you can afford it, but only just."

"Let me go try it on!"

So Hermione handed Ginny the dress, and the younger girl disappeared into one of the numerous dressing rooms that were at the back of the store. While she was waiting, Hermione took the opportunity to look for a dress for herself. She caught sight of something pink and white, but before she could go over to examine it, Ginny came out of the dressing room.

"Well Hermione?"

Hermione looked at her, and gasped. The dress fit perfectly, and it accentuated her pert figure. The dress made her red hair look like fire, and the off-the-shoulder look exposed her creamy white shoulders.

"You look . . . wow Ginny. It's beautiful."

"I know." Ginny was grinning broadly. "And look."

She stuck out her legs, and Hermione saw the knee high black boots she was wearing.

"And the best part is . . . I can afford both."

Hermione smiled, and hugged her friend. Ginny's smile lit up her entire face.

"And now we have to find a gown for you Herm."

"Good luck." Hermione was quite picky about her clothes, especially muggle ones.

"We'll find one. Trust me."

Ginny disappeared back into the dressing room, and while she was in there, Hermione headed towards the rack where she'd spotted the pink and white dress. She pulled it out, and examined it. Perhaps I'll try it on . . . She was still considering the idea when Ginny came out of the dressing room.

"What're you looking at?" Ginny came up behind her.

"This." Hermione held up the dress, and she saw Ginny's eyes widen.

"Hermione that's perfect! Go try it on!"

"I don't know Ginny . . . it's a pretty dress . . but it's also a little . . . you know." Hermione didn't want to say it. Ginny got the message.

"No it's not. It looks perfectly modest to me. Try it on!" her friend urged.

Hermione heaved a sigh.

"Alright . . . but if it looks horrible, I'm NOT coming out."

"Suit yourself."

While Hermione was in the dressing room, Ginny caught sight of two girls who were also looking around for their dresses. At a closer distance, Ginny saw that it was none other than Parvati and Lavender, the two girls in Hermione's old dorm.

"Hello." she greeted them, when they came upon her.

"Oh hello Ginny." Parvati said politely. They passed her by, and then suddenly doubled back, and stopped by her.

"Is Hermione with you?" Lavender asked.

"Yeah. As a matter of fact, she's in the dressing room right now, trying on a dress."

"Oooh!" they both squealed. Ginny suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.

"Hey Ginny . . . "came Hermione's voice.

"Yeah?"

Hermione stepped out of the dressing room.

"What do you think?"

All three of the girls gasped at the same time. The dress was a one sleeve, with a rose pinned to the shoulder. The dress was form fitting, hugging her feminine curves, and ended in a pink and white ruffled skirt. Hermione also had on black fishnets, and an uncertain smile.

"Oh my god Hermione!" Lavender gushed.

"Wow!" Parvati looked amazed.

"When did you get here?" Hermione now suddenly felt embarrassed. Embarrassed, but happy. She looked at herself in the mirror, and barely recognized herself.

"Just a few minutes ago." Lavender said.

"I saw get that dress, and you'll have Ron drooling over you all night! Ow!"

Parvati cringed at the elbow in the side from Lavender, but the damage had been done.

"Ron? Why would he care what I wear?"

All three girls shook their heads.

"Because he likes you Hermione! Get with it!"

"He does not" But even as she said that, she knew that she was lying.

"Believe what you will, but everyone knows."

Hermione shook her head in disbelief.

"I'm going to change."

"Are you getting the dress then?" Ginny asked. Lavender and Parvati waited expectantly.

"Might as well."

"Yay!" Ginny grinned again, and the two girls smiled mischievously.

Hermione went back into the dressing rooms, and the two girls went back to looking for their own dresses.

Soon, Hermione was out, and they went up to pay for their things. They left the store with a lot less money than coming in, but with two beautiful dresses that were sure to turn heads.

"That was fun." Hermione said, grinning.

"Indeed."

Hermione glanced at her watch, and gave a little yelp.

"We have to be at The Three Broomsticks in five minutes!"

So off they ran to meet Harry and Ron, having no idea of what they had gone through only hours earlier . . .

2 hours ago

"So . . . any idea what you want?" Harry asked Ron, as they made their way into the men's muggle dress shop.

"You're the expert here!"

"Well my suggestion . . . go for suit pants, and a black shirt. Or navy blue."

"Suit pants?" Ron gave Harry a blank look.

"You'll see."

Soon enough they were in the shop, which was miraculously empty.

"Everyone's probably waiting till the last minute to get theirs" Ron mumbled.

"Well we'll get a better selection." Harry said, trying to be cheerful.

"Not like I care." Ron said under his breath.

They made their way towards the back, where all the suits were. Harry pulled a pair of pants off the rack, and showed them to Ron.

"Suit pants." he handed them to Ron, who took them, and held them up.

"And here" Harry tossed Ron a navy blue silk shirt, who caught it without thinking.

"Go try it on."

"Geez, since when did you become a fashion expert?" Ron mumbled, but did as he was told.

While he was changing, Harry found himself another pair of black suit pants, and a dark green silk shirt. He also found two ties, one dark red, and the other a pale gray. Soon enough Ron came out.

"Well?" He looked very unsure of himself.

"Tuck in your shirt." Harry advised. Ron did so.

"I think you look good Ron."

"Really?"

"Yeah"

The shirt showed off his masculine figure, and made him look older and more sophisticated. The pants fit perfectly. The only thing marring his appearance was his ratty shoes.

"You need black shoes, but we'll get them later. Here." Harry handed Ron the tie, and he gave Harry his predictable blank stare.

"It's a tie. I'll put it on."

About 30 seconds later, Harry stood back, and surveyed his work.

"Now just pull it up." Ron did, and Harry smiled.

"I think we're done with you."

Ron looked in the mirror, and saw the handsome looking guy staring back at him.

"Maybe I could get used to this." he said, smiling.

"Told you."

"How do you get this off?" Ron asked, tugging at the tie.

"Be careful!" Harry removed it, and handed it to Ron.

"Now hurry up. I have to try on my stuff."

Ron went back into the dressing room, and Harry waited patiently, all the while thinking of the look on the girl's faces when they saw them. Harry knew his would fit, but he wanted to try it on just the same. A few minutes later, Ron emerged, looking normal again.

"Be back in a sec."

Harry went into the dressing room, and in less than 2 minutes had passed when he came out in his outfit, tie and all.

"Geez Harry. You're pretty fast." Ron said.

"Can't help it." Harry shrugged, and looked in the mirror. He saw that he looked very distinguished and handsome. He looked good.

"Well I'm good." Harry said. "Now all we need is shoes."

"And then we can go to Honeydukes." Ron said, grinning. "The girls will still be there for awhile."

"You said it Ron."

20 minutes later, they emerged from the muggle clothing shop loaded with their outfits, complete with shoes.

"Thank Harry, for helping me out." Ron clearly looked embarrassed.

"It's no problem, and besides, I was actually having fun." Ron raised en eyebrow.

"But don't tell anyone, or you'll be sorry." Harry gave him a mock glare. Ron laughed.

"Don't worry I won't."

And so they headed off the Honeydukes to pass up the time, waiting for the girls.

Everyone now had their outfits, and they met in The Three Broomsticks, ordered a few drinks, and were chatting merrily. The rest of the day passed swiftly.

In just two weeks, the most interesting celebration of the year was about to take place. And the rules were set in place, all but a few, which would be revealed on the night of the ball.

And it will be a night to remember.

A/N: This is actually going to be a two-shot, so stay tuned for part two! Will Ron and Hermione admit their feelings for each other? Will Harry and Ginny perhaps take a liking to each other? Has Dumbledore gone completely insane? Find out in the second half of the story! Bye for now! Love Ya Lotz! Bandana Gurl