Chapter 1: Planning

A/N: Okay, here's the first chapter! Have fun reading and please review, we always appreciate feedback!

Ginny POV

My seventh year kicked off with a few surprises.

Number one, Harry and Ron were coming back to school with me to complete their seventh year. There was no doubt in my mind that Hermione would, but I expected Ron and Harry to find jobs and start out their lives. Harry told me the main reason he's coming back is because he doesn't want to lose me again, but I think he told Ron and Hermione something different. He probably didn't want them to know how much he depends on me.

Number two, there were three new students joining Hogwarts this year. That was strange. Sure, I had seen kids get pulled out of Hogwarts, but I'd never seen them transfer. They were in their seventh year and had made Gryffindor house. Kacey and Sarah were sisters that definitely looked it, both had green eyes, and their hair colors were close, though Kacey's was more red as opposed to Sarah's brown. Jose was Kacey's boyfriend of a year. With dark skin and dark brown hair, he was sweet and funny, and had cute pet names for Kacey like Honeybear and My-lady. Anyway, I liked them right away and I think Harry did too.

Another thing I was surprised about was that I went back to school with Harry as my boyfriend. He had to go through a lot after the Final Battle, what with the memorials and paparazzi trying to follow him everywhere. I thought he was going to curse a reporter or photographer on more than one occasion. It also surprised me that the reporters didn't really seem to know that Harry and I were even together. He was still being labeled #1 bachelor by Witch Weekly, with Ron at #4 right behind him. I think I was lucky to get him alone for a few minutes to talk. I somehow managed to catch him in his dormitory right after the Final Battle. He seemed a little surprised to see me, but not surprised that the first thing I did upon seeing him was slap him. I think the thing that surprised him most, though, was that I burst into tears immediately afterwards. Talk about making a fool of yourself in front of the guy you love. Harry managed to take it in stride and held me until I stopped bawling my eyes out. His comforting words also helped me regain control of my emotions. He told me he missed me, and I said the same thing back. He also said that he hadn't really realized how much he depended on my jokes and laughter until he was on the run. I smiled at him and he just stared for a minute, searching my face. I thought he was going to say something else, but then he took my face in his hands and he kissed me. That's when I knew that I really loved him. After everything he'd been through, the first thing he did, was ask me to go out with him again. We talked a lot over the next few months. We talked about nothing and everything. He told me about his year on the run. I told him about my year under the Carrows. We talked about what we wanted to do after we finished school, and we subtly made clear that we were hoping to be together for a long time.

Ron and Hermione were together, too—it's about time. If I said I wasn't surprised that Ron finally got the guts to ask Hermione out, I would be lying. Oh sure, I was glad they had finally figured out they liked each other, but still, after the whole year on the run, Ron didn't ask Hermione officially to be his girlfriend until after the Final Battle-and Harry even told me about that crazy kiss.

But let's get back to the new students. Jose, Sarah and Kacey played a big part in our seventh year at Hogwarts, and they became part of our group quickly and solidly. Kacey was the one with spirit. She had her opinions, and she stuck to them stubbornly; she and Ron got into arguments more than once over the first week of school about all kinds of things. Hermione liked her right off the bat-only because she agreed with S.P.E.W. and joined immediately. I think Harry almost fainted when he saw her wearing the badge the next day. She's also really impatient, which is quite funny to watch sometimes. Sarah was a little loud and definitely hyper, breaking into song randomly and occasionally while Kacey laughed. She and I got on really well. She was also stubborn about her views and she steadfastly disagreed with Hermione and Kacey's House Elf Liberation movement. Jose was one of the sweetest guys I'd ever met, and he was hilarious too. He was a great boyfriend to Kacey, but when we hung around in the common room, he usually had multitudes of people in stitches laughing. Hermione really had to crack down on him to get his homework done on time, and during these rants, he always begged Kacey for help, but she refused, claiming he needed to learn from someone.

A month and a half after school started, we were all sitting in the Head's Common Room, made available by Ron and Hermione's prestigious positions. They were trying to plan the Halloween Ball-at least Hermione was, and had enlisted our help. If Ron thought our involvement would lessen the work he had to do, Hermione soon proved him wrong. We had already decided it would be a costume ball, and were now working on signs and decorations. However, Kacey soon pulled us off topic.

"So, what kind of costumes are you guys planning on wearing?" She asked with a grin. "I'm thinking of going with a crystal blue ball gown and red heels with a crystal tiara. Like a princess."

"Ooooh." I grinned. "Going for red, huh?"

"Just a splash." Kacey replied. "What about everyone else?"

"I'm thinking a dark pink knee-length dress with black embroidery along the bottom and a black halter strap...I saw it on our summer visit to Hogsmeade. And I'll go with black heels and a black diamond tiara. Like a dark princess." Sarah grinned as she finished her explanation.

"That sounds intriguing..." Hermione said hesitantly. "I'm sure you'll get a Slytherin date that way." she said dryly. "I think we should all go as princesses of some sort...we've got Kacey and Sarah figured out...now me and Ginny...what do you think?"

"Hmm...I'm thinking a sheathe dress...dark blue, to my calves...like a sorceress princess. I'll wear a tiara with dark blue stones and dark blue shoes," I said.

"Do we get to see these before the ball?" Harry asked, reaching for me.

I slapped his hand away playfully. "No! Why would you even think that?" Harry pouted, and I grabbed his hand. "Oh, you know I love you."

He beamed, "Love you too, Gin."

I smiled and turned to Hermione. "Alright, let's get you figured out."

"A light pink ball gown with matching shoes and a silver tiara. Just a princess, like Kacey." Hermione stared off into the distance.

"You're going to look beautiful." Ron said, taking her hand. "I can't wait, now."

"What?" Hermione said in mock surprise. "You mean now that you know I'll be all dolled up? You still have to help, you know."

"Wait, wait." I said quickly. "We have to figure out costumes for the boys. Harry can wear a suit with a dark blue tie, and Ron can wear a suit with a light pink tie. Jose can wear one with a light blue tie."

"Light pink? That's a girly color!" Ron protested.

"Ron..." Hermione said gently. "It's a dance, and it's formal. It's tradition for guys to wear the same colored tie as their dates dress."

Kacey POV

"Hey, honeybear." Jose walked into the Head common room with a grin.

I smiled back. "Hey, Jose."

Jose was my boyfriend of a year. We had known each other for years, having gone to school together before Hogwarts. He came over and gave me a hug from behind, kissing the top of my head.

"So, what are you guys discussing?"

"A Halloween dance." I said nonchalantly.

"Ah." Jose said with a smile. "Well, I believe there's a certain question I need to ask you."

I raised an eyebrow. "And what question is that?"

"Will you go to this Halloween dance with me?" Jose asked, getting down on one knee.

"Oh, you." I said, pulling him to his feet. "Of course I will."

"Well." Hermione said briskly. "Ron, we better go run this by Professor McGonagall. We'll be back, guys."