Contents
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Overview
Professor McGonagall announces the Yule Ball and that champions must open the dancing, forcing Harry to find a partner. After failed attempts and rising anxiety, Harry asks Cho but is turned down because she is going with Cedric. Ron, flustered by Fleur’s veela charm, embarrasses himself. Hermione already has a mysterious date, Ginny agrees to attend with Neville, and Harry finally secures Parvati and likely Padma for Ron. Festive preparations and talk of the Weird Sisters heighten anticipation while Harry continues to ignore the egg’s clue.
Summary
In Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall announces the Yule Ball, open to fourth years and above, and declares that champions must open the dancing with partners. She pointedly orders Harry, as a champion, to find a dance partner, leaving Harry dreading the task.
As Christmas nears, the school buzzes about the ball. Girls frequently ask Harry to go, but he resists because he wants to ask Cho Chang. Meanwhile, Hagrid reports Rita Skeeter focused on Harry during her interview. Classes wind down unevenly; some teachers relax while Snape schedules a final-day antidote test. Hermione urges Harry to work on the golden egg, but Harry procrastinates. Fred casually asks Angelina to the ball and she accepts, prompting Ron and Harry to realize they must act soon.
Despite building nerves, Harry repeatedly finds Cho surrounded by friends. After Snape’s test, he finally asks her privately; Cho apologetically refuses because she is going with Cedric Diggory. Gutted, Harry returns to Gryffindor Tower and finds Ron in shock: Ron had impulsively asked Fleur Delacour and fled when she ignored him, likely due to her veela charm.
They learn Neville asked Hermione, but Hermione already has a partner. Ron clumsily suggests Hermione go with him or Harry, provoking her anger; she insists she already has a date. Ginny reveals she will attend with Neville since she is not eligible otherwise, further frustrating Ron.
Determined to avoid going without partners, Harry asks Parvati Patil, who accepts. Lavender is already going with Seamus, so Parvati offers to ask her twin, Padma, to go with Ron. Amid dazzling holiday decorations and news the Weird Sisters will perform, Harry remains anxious about the ball and continues to ignore solving the egg’s clue.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterHogwarts champion forced to find a dance partner; rejected by Cho; secures Parvati; procrastinates on the egg.
- Ron WeasleyAnxious about dates; foolishly asks Fleur and is ignored; mocks options; hopes to attend with Padma.
- Hermione GrangerUrges Harry to solve the egg; refuses Ron; reveals she already has a date, identity undisclosed.
- Professor McGonagallAnnounces the Yule Ball; insists champions open the dancing and Harry must find a partner.
- Cho ChangHarry’s preferred choice; apologetically declines as she is going with Cedric Diggory.
- Cedric DiggoryHufflepuff champion; already going to the Yule Ball with Cho, disappointing Harry.