A Much Anticipated Question

It was a cold blistery December day and Harry Potter was sitting in an empty common room in front of the fire. He could hear screaming and laughter coming through the open window. The rest of the school was below, all taking part in a large snowball fight. Harry was too nervous and anxious to join the fight and instead decided to sit alone in the Gryffindor's deserted common room; planning what he was soon going to do – it had to be perfect. He came to the conclusion that it would be best done on the night of the Yule Ball, but then he realized he still hadn't asked Ginny Weasley to the ball and made up his mind to ask her the next day when they went to Hogsmead together.

Harry and Ginny had been going out since Harry's sixth year, when Hermione and Ron had also begun dating. They had been forced to hide budding relationship from Ron, who happened to be Ginny's overprotective brother and Harry's best friend. It was no easy task. Then, they had been afraid that Ron might disapprove of their friendship, yet now... but Harry had to do it, because if he didn't do this soon he may have to wait years before he got another chance. For Harry, Ron, and Hermione (Ginny was a year younger) were in their seventh and final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Meaning that as soon as school ended in June and he graduated, Harry would be travelling abroad to begin his Auror training. Ron and Hermione would be moving in together come June, somewhere nearby in Hogsmead. Hermione was planning on becoming a Hogwarts teacher, and Ron would soon begin his work for the Ministry of Magic. It was strange for Harry to imagine Hermione as Professor Granger, however, she may soon be a Mrs. Weasley. Ron still hadn't proposed, but Harry knew it was only a matter of time.

Harry decided to go for a walk, he needed to clear his mind and gather up his courage. It was strange, Harry thought, how he had come face- to-face with Voldemort, the Darkest wizard of all time, a sum of six times; finally succeeding in killing him just last year, yet he was very tense and uneasy when presented with the task he was soon to follow up.

Harry woke early the next morning; he spent a whole half-hour attempting to calm his flyaway hair before giving up and heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast. He met Ginny on his way, in the otherwise empty common room. She looked beautiful; she had pulled her Weasley-red hair back into a sleek ponytail, and had even applied a hint of make-up to bring out her gorgeous brown eyes.

"Why are you up so early?" he asked, trying and failing to stifle a yawn.

"Too excited! It's the last Hogsmead weekend before Christmas, after all." She smiled. Together they descended down the stone steps and into the Great Hall.

"Oh look! Ron and Hermione are already here." Ginny said, as she spotted them and sat down across from her brother.

"So, what are you guys up to today?" Harry asked, sitting down next to Ginny.

"Nothing much, we're going to do a bit of Christmas shopping and stuff." answered Ron.

"More like a bit of Christmas snogging, if you ask me." Harry muttered to Ginny, so that only she could hear him. Ginny giggled, "Why don't we all meet up for a Butterbeer or something at the Three Broomsticks? Around noon, maybe?"

"Sure, why not?" said Hermione, "Sounds like an excellent idea."

Before long the four friends were slowly making their way across Hogwarts's sloping lawn towards Hogsmead. Ron and Hermione pulled away from the others once they reached Dervish and Banges.

Harry and Ginny continued along Hogsmead's High Street. "Where are we going, Harry?" Ginny asked, looking around as they past Zonko's joke shop.

"You'll see..." Harry said mysteriously, until they came to a stop in front of a little teashop. "Here we are." he said, holding the door open as Ginny curiously stepped into Madam Puddifoot's. Madam Puddifoot's was a small place where everything seemed to be covered in bows and frills. It had also been decorated for Christmas, holly was growing along the walls and Christmas wreaths were placed on the door and in every window. "So..."Harry said, pulling out a chair for Ginny. "What do you think?"

"It's wonderful, Harry," she said, "but very unlike you."

"Just don't expect it every time." he laughed; as he sat across from Ginny. Gazing up at the ceiling he noticed a branch of mistletoe hanging above a nearby table; he look back at Ginny.

"Can I get you anything m'dears?" asked Madam Puddifoot.

"Two coffees, please." replied Harry, not taking his eyes off Ginny, as the woman left. Ginny's hand was a few inches away from his own; slowly he extended his arm and placed his hand on hers. She looked up, but only smiled. He smiled back. They sat there like that for a few minutes, gazing at each other, smiling, until Madam Puddifoot came back with their coffees.

"So..." Harry began, breaking the silence, "umm, I was wondering – "

"Thank you." Ginny interrupted, sipping her cup of steaming coffee.

"For what?" "Taking me here." she replied, shrugging.

Harry could see the mistletoe only feet away, as he stared up at the ceiling. "Mobiliarbus" he mumbled, as the mistletoe slowly made it's way over to their table.

"Harry, I know what you're trying to do." said Ginny, also eyeing the mistletoe suspiciously.

"Really?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. "And you think it's a bad idea?"

"Not at all." She said, leaning across the table and kissing him.

"Good. Oh... and there is one more thing I came here to do."

"And what was that?"

"Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"

"Can't. I'm already going with someone."

"What! Seriously?" Ginny watched as Harry's green eyes went wide.

"No. of course I'll go to the dance with you." She smiled, as Harry relaxed back into his chair. "Speaking of the Ball; I was wondering if I could have your opinion for something."

"Sure, anything!" said Harry, greatly relieved that she had only been joking.

"I need new dress robes, and would like you expert advice." she answered.

They both finished their coffees, Harry paid the bill, and they left the teashop. It had started to snow and the couple quickly made their way into Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. Ginny pulled Harry inside and towards the dressing rooms.

"Wait here." she said, pushing him gently into a chair outside a dressing room. "I'll be right back." she kissed his cheek, than hurried away. Within minutes, she had returned with an armful of different coloured dress robes. She winked at Harry and entered the dressing room.

Seconds later, she emerged wearing a frilly orange dress. Harry grimaced and shook his head as posed for him. "Reminds me too much of Ron's room."

It continued in this fashion until there was a small heap of 'tried-on-and- unwanted' dresses. She came out, this time wearing a navy coloured robe; Ginny twirled around in a circle so that Harry could observe the dress from all sides. "Not bad." Harry nodded.

"OK, I only have one more to try on so just give me a sec." She re-entered the small, cramped dressing room and pulled the last robe over her head. It was a deep hunter green colour, a velvet-like fabric, and a beautiful embroiled design on it in gold thread. Harry gave a satisfied whistle when he saw her, and she knew this was the right one. "Good," she said, "I'll get this one."

"Fine, but please hurry. It's a quarter to twelve and we've got to meet up with Ron and Hermione." Harry added glancing at his watch.

They had argued, but finally Ginny gave in and let Harry buy the dress robe for her. "I'm the reason you're getting it. If you weren't going to the Yule Ball with me, you wouldn't need new robes; so let me buy." he had insisted.

The couple hurried along the crowded street, trying to get to the Three Broomsticks; but they got separated in the jumble of people rushing up and down the street.

Someone grabbed Ginny. "Let go of me!" she demanded, looking up to see that it was the same Slytherin seventh year she had turned down after he had asked her to the Ball.

"Why do you hang with Potter anyway? You know...a pretty thing like you can do much better than him!" he said.

"I said let go of me!" she yelled. "You shouldn't need to feel sorry for him. There's no need to go out with Potter, just because he's your brother's best friend." he whispered in her ear. "Ditch him. Come with me, I'll show you a good time!"

"I'm with Harry because I want to be. I love him. And I was having a good time until you showed up!" she said, stomping hard on his foot trying to get him to loosen his grip, but it only tightened.

"You love him, do you?" the Slytherin sneered.

"Yes I do!" she yelled. "Now let go of me or I'll – " WHAM

Next thing Ginny knew se had been let go of, and the boy was on the ground. A lare purple bruise was forming over his left eye, and is nose was bleeding profusely. She looked up into Harry green eyes, they were blazing cold fury as he stared down at the boy who had been harassing Ginny.

"Come on, Ginny, let's get out of here." he said, holding out a hand to Ginny, which she took as she followed him into the Three Broomsticks. "Did you mean what you said back there?" he asked, turning to her seriously.

"Every word." she assured him.

"Good. I'm glad that's settled." he said, pulling her closer. "I love you too." he kissed her deeply. He never wanted it to end. Only when someone coughed nearby did they slowly, unwillingly break apart.

"I'm really glad you two get along so well, but does that have to be done in public?" Ron was staring at them; he was smiling. Every head turned in their direction, and both Harry and Ginny turned a deep shade of scarlet.