Authors Note

Oh my goodness, I'm not sure how this is going. Still trying though so let me know what you think, have already wrote the next chapter but want to see how this one goes before posting it.

Chapter 9 – The Ball

Friday arrived and the Valentine's Day ball was the following day, and Harry still hadn't decided if he was going to attend the celebration. He thought about going with a friend but he still didn't know if he could watch the displays of affection that were going to be all around that following evening.

He was sitting listening to Professor Trelawney talking about the 'unseeing eye' whatever that was, as Ron had his head on the table snoring away. His eyes travelled around the circular room looking at his fellow students who were mostly half asleep. Sighing heavily he propped his head up on his hand that was resting on the small haggard table, looking straight ahead sat Luna Lovegood listening to the lesson intently.

Harry always considered Luna rather strange, but she was such a loyal friend and was fantastic in the DA which really surprised him. He wondered if she was going to the ball and considered seeing if she wanted to go together as friends, taking Ginny's advice from earlier in the week he decided he would at least ask.

At the end of the lesson after he had packed up his belongings and walked down the gruelling circular staircase, he managed to catch up to Luna's retreating figure that was gliding through the corridors.

"Luna." Harry said as he began to walk beside her.

She stopped and looked Harry up and down, "Hey." She replied dreamily.

"Yeah hi, I was wondering are you going to the ball tomorrow night?" He asked giving her a small smile.

"Yes I was thinking I would, why?" She responded tilting her head to the side.

"Well I'm not going with anyone and didn't know if I wanted to go, but I was wanting some friendly company and thought we could go together if you want? He said casually.

She looked Harry up and down again "Sure but I'm not attracted to you...however you have very talkative eyes."

"Ok...so...that's a yes?" He asked again looking confused.

"Yeah sure at least I have a dance partner now." She smiled again.

"Glad to be of service." Harry said holding out his hand for Luna to shake, and she did.

They both turned around and started to leave when Luna turned back around.

"Harry! I know if things were different you wouldn't be going with me." She began.

"How do you get that?" He asked.

Luna looked up into his face and studied it for a moment and said, "Well your eyes told me a different story and asked me a different question." Giving him one last brief look before turning her back to Harry and began skipping down the remaining corridor.

Harry stood for a few minutes with an extremely puzzled look on his face trying to process the latest information, before heading to the great hall for lunch.

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Ginny was sitting in the great hall enjoying the Valentines Ball, she was eating her meal of roast beef, roast potatoes and vegetables with Michael, happily chatting and commenting on couple and friends around them.

The hall looked spectacular with all the stain glass windows cover in hearts, with little cupids flying around the ceiling holding little lanterns and throwing rose petals over happy couples. It had been set out with an array of couple's tables under mood lighting, and some larger round ones to accommodate others who had come with friends.

Harry sat with Luna and fellow friends eating as the rest of them talked about the current band that was due to play later that night. However Harry wasn't paying much attention like usual, he kept glancing over to Ginny's table looking at her elegant figure mildly covered in black fabric that showed off every curve. Her hair tumbled across her face and down her back along with delicately placed jewellery.

Luna had seen his eyes move towards Ginny's destination as soon as he had entered the great hall, but it didn't surprise her in the least. After the meal was over the band appeared and slow music started to play as all the couples including Ron and Hermione moved to the dance floor. They all held each other and started swaying to the music, Michael hands were on Ginny's sides while hers were around his neck.

For the next couple of hours this continued although the music picked up tempo, and Harry was at boiling point, he couldn't sit still and just wanted to go and throw Michael's wandering hands from Ginny's petite figure. But he couldn't really blame him for his hands being all over her because she was so beautiful and enthralling.

Luna had left the table about an hour ago knowing Harry was in no mood for dancing and enjoying himself, and choose to dance with Neville Longbottom.

Suddenly Ginny and Michael parted and Ginny left for the bathrooms, while Michael made his way over to the bar to collect drinks when he bumped into a fifth year girl from Hufflepuff. He got hold of her hand and led her to a quiet corner right out the way from anyone else and did one last sweep around with his eyes before he leant forward and placed his hand on the girls thigh while whispering into her ear, which made her giggle and blush at him.

He then placed a hand on either thigh and started caressing them as he leaned forward, and started kissing her neck which she was clearly enjoying.

Harry's blood pressure was rising uncontrollably as he clenched his fists turning his knuckles white. How dare he, he thought. What's he playing at doing that to Ginny? With that thought he got to his feet and started marching towards the secluded table, when Ginny suddenly invaded his shocked face.

"Hey, you came." She spoke smiling up at him that slowly disappeared into concern when she looked at him properly, and saw the anger coming off him in waves.

"What's wrong?" she said quickly and followed Harry's eyes to the corner of the room.

"Nothing...just!" As he went to stop her from turning around to see Michael's betrayal, but it was too late as she threw her wrist out of Harry's grasp and turned around.

The anger erupted from the embarrassment she felt for her boyfriend making her look so stupid, she looked back at Harry and understood what he was about to do. She then starting walking over to the dark corner, where Michael was still currently engaged snogging the face off the fifth year totally unaware he had been caught. Harry was right behind her as Michael looked up to see the fiery red head with eyes of thunder staring at him along with Harry eyes of murder to accompany them.

"Ginny...wait I can explain!" Michael jumped up holding his hands up.

"Go on then explain?" Ginny replied putting her hands on her hips.

"Well...you...see!" Michael started as Ginny swung her fist straight into his pleading face, it collided with his nose and it completely burst, spraying blood over his face.

She then turned on her heal and stormed off as Harry moved closer to Michael where he was holding his face in pain, when Harry grabbed him by the front of his robes.

"Go near her again and I'll do alot worse, you arsehole!" Harry yelled in his face as he turned to follow Ginny out of the hall and into the school grounds.