CHAPTER ONE

Harry sighed and adjusted the bowtie of his new dress robes, staring blankly at his reflection in the mirror. The robes were stiff and hot in the August heat, but Harry didn't complain. Ron, however, was a different story.

"Bloody dress robes." He muttered of his stiff new clothes. "You know, it's a right good thing we'll only ever be wearing them twice."

"But wait," said Harry with a smirk. "What about your wedding? And mine? And anyone else who falls in love and invites us to their wedding, for that matter..." Ron swore under his breath and glared at his reflection.

"I wouldn't mind as much if they weren't so damn uncomfortable." He said, tugging at his stiff collar.

"Are you two decent?" called Ginny's voice through Ron's bedroom door. "I woke up late and all the other mirrors are taken."

"Come on in." replied Ron, moving aside and she burst into the room and began applying makeup to her already flawless complexion.

"Gin, you don't need it." Said Harry, gazing into the eyes of her reflection. Ron butted in before she could form a witty reply.

"It's no good, mate. They're all gonna put it on whether they need it or not." The boys smiled and Ginny gave a gesture close to that of an eye-roll.

"Ronald, you're just jealous that you don't get to pretty yourself up so much." She said in a mocking tone.

"Har-har-har." He retorted, heading for the door. "Come on Harry, let's go downstairs and see if my parents need help with anything."

"You go down, I'll be there in a moment." replied Harry, clearing his throat. "I'm going to try to tame my hair and what-not." Ron just stood in the doorway of his own bedroom, glancing from his best friend to his little sister with a look that clearly said he knew what was going on. He then laughed and closed the door behind him as he left the room.

Ginny stared warily at Harry's reflection in the mirror as she ran a brush through her hair. This was the first time they had been alone all summer. Come to think of it, they had hardly been in the same room together since the funeral. Harry could tell that she didn't know what was going on, so he slowly sat on Ron's bed and took a deep breath.

"We haven't really had a chance to talk about things." He said, running his hands through his already wild hair.

"Well, you seemed pretty clear on things at the end of term, Harry. I…I didn't think there was really anything left to say."

"I know, but I don't-"

"Harry, if we talk about this now, I'm going to have to redo my makeup, and I really don't have the time."

"I know, but I just want to-"

"Harry." She snapped through a clenched jaw. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes and knew that now was not the time. He sighed and walked to the door, stopping short and turning back to her once again.

"Save a dance for me?" he asked with a weak smile. She smiled back and nodded, letting him leave the room so she could finish getting ready in peace.

"Damn it." She hissed at herself as the door closed. She was going to have to redo her makeup.