Su Er stopped Harry from going to check on Ron.
"At a time like this, it's best to let him have some time alone. But what about you? There's hardly any time left before Christmas. Have you found a dance partner?"
"No." Harry deflated at once and rolled his eyes at Su Er for good measure. "You just had to bring up the one thing I didn't want to talk about. Honestly..."
"Is finding a dance partner that hard?" Su Er chuckled.
"I'm not you... I barely know any girls at Hogwarts," Harry retorted, casting an envious glance at Su Er and Hermione's joined hands.
"But I've seen girls invite you to the ball loads of times. You didn't say yes to a single one of them?" Hermione asked, glancing at Ginny, who had quietly pricked up her ears.
"I can't say yes to every girl who asks, can I?" Harry shook his head and complained, "I hardly know them. Forget it. I'll just go out there on my own when the time comes."
"Look..." Su Er also glanced at Ginny and tried helplessly to drop Harry a hint. "Hasn't it occurred to you that there's actually someone very suitable right here?"
"Right here? Someone suitable?" Harry blinked blankly. Before he could work it out, he noticed Su Er's meaningful look, turned his head, and froze.
"You mean Ginny?"
"Of course. Ginny's such a pretty girl. Having her as your partner wouldn't make you look bad, would it?" Su Er wore an expression that said Harry had finally caught on.
To be honest, judging by the book's description of Ginny, there probably wasn't anyone in all of Hogwarts who could beat her-in terms of looks, that is.
While Harry stood there in a daze, Ginny grew shy, her cheeks flushing.