I apologize profoundly for my lack of updating. I mean its been over a YEAR! No amount of apologizing is every going to make it up to you ;_;

So hopefully you all haven't given up on me...and hopefully those that haven't still remember what has happened prior to this chapter...because I know I had trouble remembering...which is sad.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of the original plot. I only own OCs

Chapter 10

"Bloody hell!" Ron explodes.

He's clutching his helmet so tightly that his knuckles have turned white. He swings it back and forth furiously, marching up and down the garden. His hair is flattened to his head with perspiration, so dark that it looks a brownish colour.

"That slippery snake...thinks he can get away with it..." Ron grumbles. He stomps over to a stone bench set beside a beautiful fountain and flops down, his lips twisted into a snarl.

Harry takes a cautious step away from the doors and into the gardens. He closes his eyes, lets out a shaky breath, then walks calmly over to Ron. He slows to a stop a few steps away from Ron, and clears his throat.

"Ron?" Harry whispers.

Ron's shoulders stiffen, but he refuses to look up at Harry. He wipes his tears from his cheek with the back of his fingers.

"Ron." Harry says softly. He takes a step closer to Ron, and squeezes his shoulder. "She doesn't like him Ron. She likes you."

Ron shrugs angrily away from Harry's touch. "She has a funny way of showing it." He says through clenched teeth. "I don't want to talk about it."

Harry drops his arm to his side. He takes in a deep breath and looks up at the stars, as if asking them for guidance. He slowly releases his breath, and looks back down at Ron who now has his back to him. Harry steps over the bench and sits down beside Ron, his hands resting on his knees.

"It's sure a beautiful night." Harry smiles.

Ron snorts, and looks over at Harry out of the corner of his eye. "Whatever, Harry."

"Hogwarts is just the same as I remember it too." Harry smiles sadly, looking up at the grand school.

Ron rolls his eyes, restraining himself from snapping at Harry.

"You know what this reminds me of?" Harry doesn't wait for Ron to respond. "This reminds me of our fourth year. With the Yule ball, and how you were mad at Hermione for going with Krum."

"Good for you. Your memory is awesome. Have a gold star." Ron rolls his eyes, flicks his wand, and a golden star hovers in front of Harry.

"Come off it Ron." Harry sighs. "You know Hermione loves you."

Ron drops his head, his bangs shielding his eyes. "The two-faced git just gets me so..."

"I know Ron. He's an ass. He'll always be one."

Ron half smiles, and looks at Harry. "Thanks mate."

"Now come on. You've got a date to dance with." Harry lightly pushes Ron, just enough for him to loose his balance. Ron stumbles off the bench.

"Harry!" Ron roars. "I'll get you for that."

Harry laughs and sprints towards the doors, with Ron on his heels. They burst into the Great Hall, the song now an upbeat tempo.

"Where's Hermione?" Ron asks, looking over people's heads.

"How should I know? You're the tall one." Harry laughs, jumping up and down to see over the sea of people. "Wait! There's Ginny!" Harry exclaims, spotting a flash of flaming red hair.

Harry drags Ron behind him, squeezing past wild dancers.

"Ginny!" Harry exclaims.

"Harry?" Ginny turns around. "There you are!"

"Where's Hermione?" Ron asks intently.

"She went to grab some punch. She'll be back shortly."

Ron loosely crosses his arms, his helmet dangling from his fingertips. He taps his foot absentmindedly, listening to the music.

"Hello." Draco strolls over, walking with his usual swagger. His green cape shifts from side to side and his rapier hangs loosely by his side.

Ron's lip curls into an ugly sneer, closely resembling that of Draco's. Noticing this, Harry quickly steps in.

"Hello Mal...Draco. Enjoying the dance?" Harry asks politely.

"Immensely."

Harry and Ginny shift awkwardly, eying Ron's reddening face.

"That Granger really can dance." Draco muses, staring at a point behind Harry and Ginny. Ron's face is now almost the same shade as his hair. "She cleans up nice."

Ron snaps. With a roar he charges Draco, his right hand raised in a fist. He grasps the front of Draco's tunic and gives him a smart blow to the head. Together, they tumble to the ground. Ron's spindly legs have Draco trapped on the floor as he delivers hit after hit to Draco's head. Harry and Ginny, who had sprung towards Ron a second to late, are making a vain attempt to pull Ron off of Draco as the dancers around them back off and encircle them.

"That is enough!" Prof. McGonagall exclaims, using her wand to separate the two boys. Her eyes flaring, she drags the two boys magically behind her and out of the ball room.

Again, I am EXTREMELY sorry for this long pause in updating. If you liked anything about it, please review. Even if you didn't...please review. I would like to improve. Oh and I kept some minor grammatical mistakes just to make Soul-sis uncomfortable :3