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The snow fell everywhere, covering the high grounds of Hogwarts with white snow. The Triwizard Tournament had started, and the winter ball was coming up ─ only two days away. You were in the Gryffindor common room, listening to your ginger-haired friend complaining that he had no date for the ball, which made him feel humiliated.

You rolled your eyes while listening to Rony's continual grumbling, secretly entertained. You observed him, silently analyzing his freckled face and momentarily losing yourself in the ginger freckles that spattered Rony's face. It's difficult to like your best friend, and it's doubly hard when it's Ronald Weasley. This was never for lack of choice, it just happened that way.

You were relatively popular at Hogwarts ─ tall, handsome, intelligent, and excellent at quidditch, a perfect recipe for numerous admirers and dates in Hogsmeade. But since the winter ball was announced, you received several invitations, which you promptly declined. You didn't want to go with some random girl ─ You wanted him. Ronald Weasley. It might seem like a waste of time, since Rony clearly seemed oblivious to your feelings towards him... but there were certain details you couldn't miss.

The way he averted his gaze and blushed if you looked at him for too long, his super-protective behavior that could be infuriating ─ especially when you went out with some girl; and on occasion, when you caught him staring at you, but he pretended to be casual. It didn't seem so bad to have a bit of hope. But soon, you heard a familiar voice, breaking you out of your temporary trance. Rony snapped his fingers in your face, trying to get your attention. He questioned, slightly annoyed:

"Hey man! you listening to me? you in daydream land or something?"