"You think we should go public?"
Harry nodded solemnly. "I don't want us to be a secret anymore."
She twirled a strand of her hair nervously. "I don't know. We've kept up this relationship between us for so long that I'm naturally scared."
"Don't be." Harry looked straight into her eyes. "Look, the Wizarding World has to accept us. I know we weren't the couple they were wishing for, but this is about us."
"When I broke up with him, all the stares I received were horrible. It was as if I broke some unspoken rule."
"That's why I broke up with Ginny, you know. I didn't want to keep pretending, and neither did she." Harry stroked her hair lovingly. "I think today's ball is the perfect day to introduce our relationship."
Hermione nodded. "Okay, Harry. I'll go with you to the Annual Ministry Ball."