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HB Prince: Year of Love | ||||||
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Category: Post-OotP Characters:All, All Genres: Angst, Drama, Fluff, Humor Warnings: None Rating: PG Reviews: 309 Summary: *** The author has been reminded via the e-mail address on file that this story is listed as incomplete and has not been updated in over 2 years *** This story starts at the end of Order Of The Phoenix. Although this story starts as the usual Harry/Ginny romance, I believe after several chapters, you will find that Ancient Dark Magic takes on a whole new meaning to our Harry and Ginny. Will Harry discover the key to the Half-Blood Prince?* * * *American Edition *** * * * Hitcount: Story Total: 196501; Chapter Total: 3543 Author's Notes: SUMMARY: Ginny has a howling time - - Will the dress go
to the ball? - - How man people does it take to make a date
at Hogwarts this year?
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Chapter Twenty-two - Christmas Ball Wednesday, at dinner, it began to snow. The nights sky in the ceiling looked beautiful through all the hundreds of floating candles. Harry was lazily enjoying his dinner. For some reason the snow gently falling upon the ceiling, seemed to soothe him. After his D.A. meeting he went to the Room of Requirement. From there he wandlessly summoned his HALF-BLOOD PRINCE book. He had made it a habit to summon his books this way, if no one else was around. It was good practice and it made it so nice not to have to carry his school books around. He read for less than an hour, when he became sleepy. He knew better than to read too long. It only wasted his time when he couldn’t concentrate. So Harry was back in the Common Room earlier than usual. Luna was just leaving when he arrived. Hermione, Ron and Neville were nowhere in sight when he flopped down in his usual corner. Ginny came over to say “hello”. “I guess everyone went to bed early,” said Harry, yawning. “No, I think they are all ‘out’,” said Ginny, as she sat down beside him. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me what you been up to lately?” said Harry grinning. Ginny smiled. “Not too much. O.W.L.s of course. I’m so glad that the Christmas break is coming soon. I need to let my brain clear out for a while.” “Me too. Of course, I have lots of things planned this year. So I will be using my brain quite a bit before Christmas, but after Christmas I plan to let it vegetate,” he said. “What you got planned for Christmas?” she asked, smiling. “Never you mind, young lady. Father Christmas has told me some secrets and they are not to be shared with the likes of you.” Ginny pretended to pout. “You all ready for the ball, then? Got everything together?” he asked. Ginny blushed. She didn’t really know how to tell him. She hadn’t planned on telling him. “erm” “What exactly does that mean?” asked Harry. “Well... I’m not going,” said Ginny softly. “What? Of course you are. You have a date and everything.” “Not exactly.” “What happened? Did that guy hurt you? What did he do?” “He didn’t do anything, Harry. I just changed my mind.” “Of course, he did something. You wouldn’t just... just change your mind. Something happened,” said Harry, starting to get angry. “It just didn’t work out. Don’t get yourself all worked up. It was nothing.” “I don’t believe you. You were looking forward to going. Come on now, spill it.” Ginny sighed. She was not going to tell him EXACTLY what happened. He would just start playing “big brother” again. There was no point in it. “I just made the wrong choice is all. He didn’t do anything. I shouldn’t have told him I would go with him. I didn’t even know him. I should have went with one of the others that asked, the ones I knew,” she sighed. “It was kind of weird. I just thought that... well... he was a stranger. Maybe if I knew him longer or something, I don’t know. But I got myself in a situation that I was not comfortable in, so I asked him to... well, I told him that I was sorry but didn’t want to go with him. There! now I told you.” “But what about your new dress robes? I was looking forward to seeing them on you,” said Harry. “I guess you are just going to have to wait for another time.” “But that dress needs to go to the ball. It can’t just hang in your wardrobe, while there’s music playing down there,” said Harry, teasingly. “That dress was made to dance at a ball. I was looking forward to it.” “Then you’re going? Who’s the lucky girl?” asked Ginny. “No one. I don’t know. I mean, I haven’t thought about going to the ball,” said Harry truthfully. “What do you mean? You just said you were looking forward to dancing with my dress. So you must be going,” said Ginny. “I don’t know. I guess I just thought that the dress would be there.” “Don’t know how you planned to dance with the dress if you’re not there.” “I guess I would have to be there in order to dance with the dress, huh?” he said, grinning. “Yeah. The dress was not going to go looking for you all over the castle. You would have had to have been at the ball.” “I guess I’m going. So how do I get the dress to go too? You got any ideas?” asked Harry, grinning. “No. I can’t think of anything. Have you asked the dress to go with you? Maybe you would have a more likely chance to dance with it, if you did,” teased Ginny. “You think you could ask the dress for me? Also the robe, because the robe highlights the dress. Don’t you think?” teased Harry. “Hmmmm, I don’t know. I don’t think the dress totally trusts you. You could decide to dance with Madam Pomfrey or something and set it aside and forget about it,” teased Ginny. “I WOULD NOT ! I am quite fond of the dress. I would never set it aside!” Harry teased. “I guess I could ask. I can’t promise or anything.” Ginny faked a worried look. “Maybe the dress would come with me, if you came along.” “Perhaps... I’ll go ask. Be right back,” Ginny smiled. Ginny ran up to her dorm. She grabbed a piece of parchment and scribbled a note. Then she ran back down to the Common Room. “The dress will come if I come with it,” said Ginny. “Great! It WILL be ok with you, right? I mean, you do want to go? With me?” asked Harry seriously. “Yes, Harry,” said Ginny, very sweetly. She ran out the of portrait door and off to the owlery. She found Hedwig. “Hedwig, would you do me a huge favor? Would you take this note to Mum? It needs to get there very fast and you would need to wait for an answer,” Hedwig stuck out her leg. “Thank you Hedwig. It is important. It should make Harry happy,” Hedwig hooted and flew off. When Ginny returned to the Common Room, Hermione and Neville were sitting with Harry. “You look all flushed, Ginny,” said Hermione. “I’m fine. I just had to do something before it was too late,” she said, out of breath. “What?” asked Hermione. “I’ll tell you about it, later,” answered Ginny. She looked over to Harry and Neville. “Girl stuff.” They both nodded, not having a clue. “I was just about to tell them about us chaperoning your dress robes to the ball,” said Harry with a big grin. “Oh! That’s wonderful. You dance together very well,” said Hermione, smiling. “That’s a strange way of putting it,” said Neville. “I don’t think it’s strange at all. Now my dress robes going alone, THAT would be strange,” said Ginny with a straight face. “I think you have been hanging around Luna just a little too much lately,” said Hermione, grinning. “I agree,” added Neville. Harry and Ginny laughed. Later that night, Ron came up to the dorm for bed. “I just seen Neville, he told me that you and Ginny have made up and are going to the ball.” “Ron, we didn’t make up. We didn’t argue in the first place. I keep telling you that,” said Harry. “Harry, you had to make up or Ginny wouldn’t go with you. You don’t know Ginny like I do. If she’s mad, she can be VERY stubborn.” Harry rolled his eyes. “It’s a good thing too. That guy Gary, is a git. Glad she dropped him for you. You’re a better match,” added Ron. “Huh?” asked Harry. “That guy that Ginny was going to go with. Too handsome, real sure of himself. He’s a git,” Ron told Harry. “You know him?” asked Harry. “No, but I got my ways of finding out stuff. Trust me, he’s a git.” Harry was thinking about Ron right before he fell asleep. Ron was keeping a better eye out on Ginny that either of them knew. Harry smiled. The next day after breakfast, Luna came over to the Gryffindor table. Harry told Luna that he was taking Ginny to the ball. Luna looked at Harry strangely. “Of course you are, everybody knows that.” Harry shook his head. He was not sure which one was worse, Ron or Luna. Sometime later, Neville and Harry were talking about Malfory. It seemed that Malfoy was very upset about those Slytherins dying in Hogsmeade. Neville had heard from a friend of a friend that Malfoy was very quiet for several days after. “As long as I don’t have to put up with him, that’s ok with me,” said Harry. On Friday morning at breakfast, Harry spotted Hedwig flying into the Great Hall. She was circling around. Harry expected her to land in front of him, but she flew over to where Ginny sat with her dorm mates and dropped a small package. Then, she circled the room again and dropped a red note in Ginny’s lap and flew away. Not waiting for a treat. Ginny knew what it was, but had no choice but to open it. It was a Howler. GINNY WEASLEY! WHAT KIND OF CAD ASKS A GIRL TO THE BALL, JUST THREE DAYS BEFORE? I SHOULD THINK YOU WOULD HAVE REFUSED! SENDING ME OUT SHOPPING AT THE LAST MINUTE LIKE THIS. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A TALK WHEN YOU GET HOME! DON’T THINK WE WON’T. MUM P.S. YOUR FATHER SENDS HIS LOVE Ron busted up laughing. Ginny was so embarrassed. Ron’s laughter didn’t help either. Ron was laughing so hard. “What did Mum call you, Harry?” Harry’s face turned as red as Ginny’s. “Shut up, Ron. Ginny’s already embarrassed enough.” “Ha Ha Ha! It’s good to see someone else get a Howler for a change.” “Shut it, Ron. You deserved your Howler. Ginny didn’t.” “I’m beginning to think that Mum was right about you,” laughed Ron. Harry saw Malfoy headed this way. He knew he was going to have to restrain himself. “What’s this?” asked Malfoy, reaching toward the small package. “Your ball gown? Is that the best your parents can afford?” Turning towards Harry. “Is the Weaselette the best YOU could do? Held out as long as you could, huh Potter?” Harry stood. He had his fists clenched. He thought about what Mad-Eye had said about tongues being weapons. It took all the effort he could, not to say anything. He just GLARED at Malfoy. The room became very quiet. Everyone was waiting for Harry to do or say something. Then suddenly there was a ZIP. Then Malfoy’s trousers were around his ankles. Malfoy must have felt a draft because he looked down. His face went scarlet. Then he looked at Harry, pulling out is wand. “YOU DID THIS!” he shouted. Harry held his empty hands for all to see. Malfoy bent over and pulled up his trousers with as much dignity as he could. The WHOLE school was laughing as he left the Great Hall. Even Ginny was laughing. Colin Creevy happened to have his camera at the ready. He would make a small fortune from the copies he sold of those pictures that day. Harry being his largest customer. Harry had talked to Colin a few days before. Colin had shown him the pictures he had taken at the Harvest Ball and from Ron’s award. Harry had bought several from the award night, a dozen of Madam Rosmerta kissing Ron. He was planning on buying frames and giving them out as Christmas gifts. He was disturbed about some of himself at the Harvest Ball. They were very revealing about his feelings for Ginny. Harry bought all of them, he didn’t want anyone else to see them. He wasn’t sure if others would be able to tell his feelings from the pictures. But because he knew what he was feeling at the time, maybe they only revealed his true feelings to himself. But whatever the case, he didn’t want them to be floating around. He also had Colin make several copies of some of the group shots, to give as gifts. All in all, Colin would be having a very Merry Christmas thanks to Harry. * * * * The day of the ball arrived. Ginny and Luna were up in Hermione’s dorm chatting. “I was scared to death that Malfoy was going to grab the package. He would have gotten a ‘Bat Bogey Hex’ if he did.” “Why? What was in the package?” asked Hermione. “My strapless for the ball,” said Ginny, blushing. “Why did you wait so long before ordering the strapless?” asked Hermione. “Because I decided not to wear the red robes until Christmas. It has to have a strapless, there’s no other way. So I didn’t have Mum send it. But after Harry asked me, I HAD to wear the red robes. It’s a long story, but it was sort of the whole point of us going together. So I had to send an owl to Mum. I didn’t have time to explain,” said Ginny. “One good thing came of it. I will LOVE to see the expression on Mum’s face when she finds out that she called HARRY a CAD!” laughed Ginny. The girls spent the whole day chatting and fixing their hair and fingernails. The boys spent most of the day outside having a snowball fight. It was icy cold which made the snow very hard. The only reason that Ginny didn’t go down and join them was because the snow was frozen so hard that if she got hit by one, she was afraid she would get a black eye. By the early afternoon they called it quits. Harry decided to wear his dark green robes. They would look well beside Ginny’s red robes. Ron left to go pick up his “dates”, while Harry and Neville waited patiently for their dates. Hermione arrived first. She looked very pretty tonight. She was wearing bright pink robes that made her cheeks look rosy. Her hair was half up and half down, it was very becoming. Harry thought it was the nicest hair-do she had worn to date. Neville beamed when he saw her. Neville and Hermione decided that they would wait for Ginny and Harry, and all go down together. When Ginny appeared, Harry was struck dumb, but his brain was taking it all in. The sides of her hair were pulled up to the back into cascading curls. She wore just enough make-up to enhance her natural beauty. The outer robe was form fitting, the collar stood up around the neck and met down in a “V” . You would never know there was a dress beneath except when she stepped. Then you saw a flash of deep red velvet against black. The only way that Harry could describe how she looked was to think of a princess from a story book. Neville elbowed him to bring him to his senses. Harry could not speak so he just offered his arm to her. Ginny didn’t know what to think about Harry. He looked gorgeous in the dark green robes. They made his eyes look greener. She just wanted to eat his face. He was acting “weird” again, just like he did at the party. She wasn’t sure what that meant. The other day she had heard another girl in the loo, telling someone that when Harry Potter looked at her, she felt like he was madly in love with her. So maybe his gorgeous eyes made everyone feel like that. Or... maybe he got hit real hard in the head with a snowball today. If he cared about her as a girlfriend, maybe she would find out tonight. She didn’t want to get her hopes up yet again. Her heart had been broken by him so many times she could hardly stand it. She was going to “be herself” and have a good time. It was time to stop thinking about will he or won’t he. As far as she knew, he only asked her out tonight, because being her friend, he didn’t want her to miss the ball. She had to remain focused. The Great Hall was decorated with all the usual beauty of past years. You could see the snow falling above in the ceiling through the many floating candles. The food tables had been replaced by the large round tables again but this time they had green tablecloths with a bouquet of poinsettias in the center. The room was filling up quickly. Harry noticed several girls, who he believed had a crush on him, with dates. He wondered how Ginny felt about him now. She didn’t act all weird towards him like they did. At least now she knew him as a person. She seemed to like him, at least most of the time. He thought about the few times that she had told him off this year. He started to laugh to himself. “What’s so funny?” asked Ginny. “You,” said Harry. “What?” she asked. “I was just thinking about you wanting to hex me.” “Why would I want to hex you?” she said, puzzled. “You’ve seemed to come up with a few excuses this year,” he said, grinning. “Well, only when you’ve deserved it,” she said, grinning. He was looking over towards the doors at that moment and caught a glimpse of red hair. He thought it might be Ron, but found out shortly that he was wrong. It was Fred or George followed by Luna with Fred or George. They worked their way over to the table and sat down with Luna between them. Harry rose as Luna sat down. Ron and his two dates arrived at this time. Ron introduced his dates to the table as Carol and Sharon They were very pretty girls, but they carried themselves and acted sensually towards all the males at the table. Harry didn’t like their actions but kept it to himself. “I see that you are behind the times, Harry. The latest fashion is to appear with TWO dates,” said George, grinning. “I can see that,” said Harry. “I guess I’m just too ‘old fashioned’ for this crowd.” He grinned. “So! Are you playing in the band tonight or dating my sister?” asked Harry. Luna blushed. “Both!” said Fred and George together, laughing. “At least we know the music will be good. I’m in the mood for dancing,” said Ginny. “You know,” Harry whispered to Ginny, “ we are not so far behind the times. Your dress does have TWO chaperons tonight.” Ginny giggled. Dumbledore stood and announced that the feast had begun. Harry and Ginny both ordered pork chop dinners. They ate lightly from their plates as not to over fill themselves for dancing later. Harry tried to ignore Ron’s “dates”. The one sitting closest to him, on his right, had been rubbing her foot against his leg, while he ate. He couldn’t remember which name went with each girl. The one rubbing his leg had made a couple of really sexual remarks. Harry was upset that Ron would invite these “girls” to the ball and have them sit at the same table as his own sister. It seemed insulting to Hermione, Nancy and Luna too. Although these “girls” were students at this school, they didn’t seem like they were the kind of girls to attend Hogwarts. Like they weren’t up to Hogwarts’ standards of behavior. After dinner, Ginny and Ron went over to where the band had set up and joined Fred, George, Bill and Charlie for a few Christmas songs. Harry was happy to see Charlie had come along this time. They did some awesome harmonizing on some old Christmas favorites. During this time, the girl sitting closest to Harry, leaned in real close and asked him what he was doing after the ball. It felt like an invitation. Harry told her he was going home. She then asked him where he lived. He murmured something about up north and left it at that. He was wary of her questions. He was going to ask her name, but felt that it would only encourage her for more conversation. Then Ginny sang a solo on a modern Christmas tune. While she was singing, Harry had gotten their drinks, as before. He took as long as possible, just so that he didn’t have to deal with the roaming foot. When Ginny returned to the table, Harry rose. It was time for Ginny to remove the outer robe to reveal “the dress”. It was quite warm in the room and she would be too hot dancing, wearing the robe. Ginny’s face turned a warm pink. “Harry, I’m uncomfortable about removing the robe in front of everyone,” she whispered. He looked around. Their table, as at the last ball, seemed to be a focal point. Lots of the students seemed to keep their eye on their table. “I got an idea,” he whispered back. He took her hand and they weaved their way towards the Great Hall’s doors. As they passed by Malfoy’s table, Harry nodded. Malfoy saw what Ginny was wearing and was surprised at the quality of her robes. He sneered at Harry. They walked a short distance outside the doors, away from the eye of so many people. He understood that it could feel like she was undressing in public. He stood behind her as he helped her remove it. When she turned, he held his breath. The gown was perfect. SHE looked perfect. The neckline was the same dark red velvet gathered to form a large circle that roped completely around her. It passed over her shoulders so that it capped her arms to form a very short sleeve. So her neck and shoulders were bare. The bodice fitted to the waist, where it flared slightly down to the tips of her shoes. He restrained himself from pulling her into his arms at that moment. They both stood gazing into each others’ eyes. But the moment was interrupted by a couple of students walking past. Harry folded the robe over his arm, then offered his other arm to Ginny. They walked back into the Great Hall to the table. Harry carefully folded her robe and lay it gently upon the chair that he had been sitting in earlier. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor and began to dance to the last of the song that had started while they were gone. When the song ended, they returned to the table. Harry led Ginny to her seat and very discretely sat on the other side of her, in the seat where Fred or George had sat earlier. Actually it was George’s seat. Fred had sat on the other side of Luna during dinner. Harry was proud of his maneuver to put distance between himself and Ron’s date without calling attention to it. He caught Bill’s eye. Bill nodded as though to tell him that he had seen what happened and approved of Harry’s discretion. Next to Ron’s other date, sat Lee Gordon, then his date Nancy. Then Neville, Hermione, one of the twins empty seats, then Luna. Thinking ahead, Harry decided that he would try to arrange it so that the girls would not be left at the table with only Ron’s dates at any one time. Ron would only be at the table between songs that he played his guitar. The problem was that he played it during most songs. Things started to work out well though, when after a few dances, other boys began asking Ron’s dates to dance. That left Harry to dance with Luna a couple of times. Then dance with Ginny knowing that Luna would not be sitting with whichever of Ron’s dates. Harry didn’t know what Ron was thinking when he invited both of these girls to the ball, knowing that they would be sitting at the same table with decent girls. He didn’t like to judge people harshly but these two were very crude. Colin came around with his camera and took shots of the “couples” sitting at his table. He also had Harry and Ginny go over to one of the many Christmas trees that decorated the room to take a more formal picture. Before long, there were several couples lining up for their pictures to be taken also. Colin was going to have plenty of Galleons after the beginning of the new year. While Harry was dancing with Hermione and Neville was dancing with Susan Bones, a tall blonde boy came over to the table and asked Ginny to dance. Harry was watching intensely. He saw Ginny shake her head no. He started to relax but then she must have changed her mind, because she went out on the dance floor with him. It was a slow dance and they were dancing very close. She was smiling at first, but then she began to frown. Harry caught Bill’s eye, who was singing at the time. Bill cut the song very short, to Harry’s surprise. When Harry and Hermione arrived at the table, Ginny was “thanking” the boy for the dance. It was the kind of “thank you” that meant don’t ask again, without really saying it. Harry walked up to him and asked his name. He just stared at Harry and walked away. “What was THAT all about?” Harry whispered to Ginny. “Nothing at all,” Ginny whispered back, smiling. Ron came back over to the table. “That’s the GIT,” he said. If the boy heard as he walked away, he didn’t show it. The “other” date of Ron’s spoke up. “What is your problem, Ron? He didn’t do anything wrong.” “I don’t like him and I don’t want him around Ginny,” said Ron. “She’s a big girl, she can take care of herself. It wouldn’t hurt for her to get a little ‘experience’ with other boys.” “My sister is too young for him. Come on, let’s take a walk,” said Ron. He then got a big grin on his face and walked out of the Great Hall with her, leaving the other “date” at the table. The band took this time to take a break. Fred and George filled a couple of the empty seats. Charlie came up behind Harry and asked him to help bring back some drinks. So Harry and Charlie walked over to the drink table, leaving Bill to sit next to Ginny. Harry and Charlie quickly filled the glasses but stood over to the side of the drink table. “What’s going on?” asked Harry. “I guess you couldn’t see from your angle. That guy’s hands went a little too low down Ginny’s back,” said Charlie seriously. Harry was standing so that he could watch Ginny and Bill talking softly. “What? No, I didn’t see her back while she danced. She was facing my direction. I did see her frown, then Bill ended the song shortly after that.” Harry’s face went rigid, he started to walk away from Charlie with the intention of finding “the git”, but Charlie held his arm. “Bill is talking with Ginny right now. Let’s wait to see what he thinks,” said Charlie quietly. “I don’t need to see what Bill thinks. I’m gonna put that guy in his place,” Harry said angrily. “Wait, Harry. Let’s just see. Ginny would be very embarrassed if there was a scene over it. We don’t want to ruin her night,” said Charlie, wisely. “But if he comes back he will have a lot of Weasley on his back.” “You will only be getting the ‘left overs’,” said Harry, gritting his teeth. “I’m surprised that Ron didn’t grab him,” said Harry as he watched Ginny’s face. “He didn’t see or he would have, I’m sure. His temper is faster than his brain sometimes. Bill and I were standing at a different angle. Let’s give Bill a couple more minutes with Ginny before we go back,” he added. “So what are you doing with Ginny? I thought she was out with some cad. Is that guy the cad?” asked Charlie. “No, I’M the cad. I’m replacing HIM. Ron called him “the git” so HE has to be the one that Ginny was GOING to go with. She told me that he didn’t hurt her or anything. She told me she just changed her mind about going with him. She was lying. He DID do something. I don’t know what, but he did SOMETHING,” Harry’s temper was rising again. He was watching Ginny’s face as he spoke. He couldn’t hear what was being said, but he thought he could tell what they were talking about. The expression on her face had changed many times in these few minutes. It went from surprise - to embarrassment - to anger - to determination. She was now talking gently to Bill with her hand resting on his arm. Charlie decided that they have given Bill enough time, so they took the drinks to the table. They could only hold three drinks each, so they passed around the drinks to the girls first. Bill rose from Harry’s seat and was replaced by Charlie. “It took you long enough getting the drinks and I still don’t have one. I’m parched!” said Fred. “Harry and I will bring you one in a minute,” said Bill. So Harry walked back to the drink table with Bill this time. They did some counting and figured how many drinks were still needed. They quickly filled the glasses. Then they stood in the same place that Harry and Charlie stood just a couple of minutes ago. “I gather you know what’s going on,” said Bill. “Right! Charlie told me. Charlie seems to think that YOU are the one to decide what we are to do about it,” said Harry angrily. “No, Ginny is the one to decide what we are to do about it. That includes YOU,” said Bill seriously. “And?” asked Harry. “Nothing. Ginny is very embarrassed by what Charlie and I saw. She doesn’t want us interfering. I have to respect her feelings and so do YOU,” said Bill looking directly into Harry’s eyes. “Of course I respect her feelings, but we can’t let him get away with it,” growled Harry. “Yes we can, and we will... for now. Unless he comes back over and tries anything. Then all bets are off. We smash him,” said Bill. Harry and Bill took the drinks to the table and passed them around. Bill gently lifted Ginny’s robe and sat next to Ron’s date, holding the robe in his lap. Charlie got up from Harry’s seat and sat in the seat next to George. Fred was telling Luna a story about some of the pranks that he and George had pulled while at school. Luna seemed to be enjoying the story, she was laughing. Harry looked over to Hermione who told him with her facial expression not to say anything to Ginny. It appeared that Hermione had guessed what was going on. Harry looked at Ginny, who smiled softly at him. That smile always melted his heart. For once, Harry held his temper and didn’t say anything. Later Ron returned with his “date”. Her hair was a little messy but she was smiling like the “cat who just ate the canary”. Ron kissed the “other date” on the cheek and gave her a look that promised that on his next break, it would be her turn. She smiled up at him, contented. Harry wanted to throw up. All Weasley males, except Fred, left the table and went back to start the next song. Neville went back to asked Susan Bones to dance again, since the last song was cut short. Fred danced with Luna. It was a fast song and Harry wasn’t in the mood to dance. So he and Ginny sat that one out. Then Fred went back to the band. They started one of Harry’s favorite slow songs, so Harry asked Ginny to dance. He held her gently. He could feel that her body was tense. He gently guided her over to the far end of the room. Harry and Ginny were dancing slowly with their foreheads touching. They were looking into each other’s eyes. Anyone in the room would have thought that they were having a very romantic moment. But in truth they were having a silent battle. Neither said one word, but their eyes they had a full conversation. Ginny’s eyes was pleading with him to not say anything. To let the matter drop. Harry’s was saying that he wanted to talk about it. Ginny’s was saying that she didn’t want to talk about it. Harry’s told her that he only wanted what was best for her. Ginny’s told him that it was best for them to forget about the whole thing. They pleaded to PLEASE forget it. Harry’s told her he would let it drop but would not forget. Ginny’s told him she could handle it and take care of herself. Harry’s told her that he was there for her. Ginny’s told him she understood. So let’s have some fun tonight. Harry’s told her that they would do that, but only because she insisted. Ginny’s thanked him. The tension left both of their bodies when the song ended. When the next song started, a fast one, they danced their way back near the table and enjoyed the rest of the dance. Harry didn’t like the position where he sat at the table. He would have rather sat on the other side of Ginny. From where he sat, his back was to the dance floor. He would have to turn his chair to watch the dancers. When he faced Ginny he was also facing Ron’s dates. With his back to Luna, so he shifted in his chair often. Harry and Ginny mostly sat out during the faster songs. That was when they could talk a little. During the slower songs, Harry was in another world dancing with Ginny. If left to him, the band would only play slow songs. He hated to leave Ginny’s arms when the songs were over. During the next band break, which would have been about half way through the ball, the Weasleys all gathered around the table. Ron escorted BOTH his dates out of the room, with a huge grin. “So Harry, you’re the cad that Mum was upset about?” asked Fred. “Yes,” said Harry. “I can’t wait to see Mum’s face when we tell her WHO the cad is,” said George with a mischievous grin. “You will NOT tell Mum,” said Ginny. “I get the honors of doing that. I’m the one that got the howler, after all.” “But we will see her before you,” protested Fred. “YOU can wait ONE day,” said Ginny. “Can we be there when you tell her?” asked George. “I guess. IF you are around when the moment is right,” said Ginny. Harry was amused by their banter. But he wondered if HE wanted to be around when Mrs. Weasley was informed of who the cad was. The atmosphere around the table was so much lighter now that Ron’s dates had left. Harry felt that everyone was having a good time now. Lee and George were talking about Lee working at their shop over the Christmas break to pull in a few extra Galleons. Fred was telling Luna another amusing story. Hermione and Neville were listening to the different conversations and laughing. Harry got up to get him and Ginny another drink, when Bill and Charlie decided to follow him. Harry didn’t know that they were a little shocked that Ginny was growing up. The dress left no doubt that she was maturing into a woman. They could see that Harry was in love with Ginny, but were not sure if they approved. “So, Harry...” said Charlie. “Yeah?” said Harry. “Ginny is growing up,” said Bill. “Yeah?” said Harry, warily. “Don’t think we aren’t watching your every move,” said Charlie. “I see,” said Harry. “And you think she should be around someone like “the git”?” Bill and Charlie gave each other a “look”. “Ok,” said Charlie. “All right,” said Bill. “We get your meaning.” They gathered their drinks and headed back to the table. Harry knew that they were warning him not to try anything with their little sister. Every time that Harry was distracted from looking at Ginny, when he looked at her again, it was like for the first time. He had to get a grip on himself. It took all the will power he had, not to pull her into his arms and kiss her. He would have to think about what he was going to do about the situation, later. For the rest of the evening, Harry didn’t notice that other boys were not asking Ginny to dance. He would have if one had asked, but the night was going well so he didn’t give it a thought. He was enjoying all the time they spent together. Talking quietly at the table or dancing out on the floor. He was having a wonderful time. Dumbledore announced that the next song would be ending the ball. Any students that were not in their Common Rooms within a half an hour after the ball, would be turned into a candy cane and would remain so until the second day after the break. Ron left the band, gathered his “dates” and left the room. Ginny giggled. The last song was a waltz. Harry sang the lead on this one, as he danced with Ginny. Someone, probably Fred and George, turned the lights low. Fairy lights swirled around the room giving it the effect that the room was slowly spinning. It was a beautiful way to end the ball. Luna was being escorted back to her Common Room by Fred or George or both. Harry gave them a look that they understood. So he didn’t worry about her as he left with Ginny for their Common Room. Harry and Ginny “thanked” each other for their date. Then Harry walked up to his dorm. As soon as he arrived at his dorm... he knew... Fred and George did it to him again! He started to get angry but thought better of it. It was probably for the best. He had been tempting himself all night long. He was going to have to stop seeing her. It was pure torture being so close to her. Starting tomorrow he was going to keep his distance. It was the only way. He had to protect her from Tom Riddle. That was the most important thing in the world. * * * * Beta by Jenny |
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