A/N: Alright guys, it's the moment you've all been waiting for...

Tallyho!

Chapter 11

May 1999

The young woman stood in front of the mirror admiring her appearance. The dark blue dress she was wearing complimented her hair and brought out silver speckles in her colorful eyes; the necklace Ron had given her over Christmas rested on her neck and she smiled at the simple piece, revelling in the meaning behind it.

She looked up when she heard a light knock on the door. "Come in," she replied.

Ron opened the door, his hand covering his eyes, and she giggled. "Are you decent?" he asked.

"Would it stop you if I said 'no?'"

"Probably not," he said and she laughed.

"Then why are you covering your eyes?"

"I'm waiting for the big reveal or whatever," he said, smirking.

She rolled her eyes and looked over her appearance one last time before nodding in approval. She turned back to her boyfriend and smiled. "Okay, you can look."

He removed his hand and immediately his jaw dropped. "Wow, you look beautiful."

She blushed. "You don't look so bad yourself."

He looked down at himself and smiled. "Well, it's certainly much better than my Yule Ball robes." She laughed at the memory of that but Ron kissed her before she could make fun of him for it. What was supposed to be a sweet and quick peck turned into a passionate kiss that left both of them breathless afterwards.

"You think they'll notice if we're late?" he asked, pulling her close to him.

She chuckled and nodded. "They'll notice, Ron. Your sister would probably kill you if we were."

He nodded in agreement. "That's true; she's been dying to figure out who you are for months."

She laughed. "Well, she's certainly in for a surprise. They all are." Her smile fell as she thought about something. "What if they don't like me? I mean, think about who I am and all that."

"They'll love you," he said with confidence. "It's not like you were the worst of the bunch, anyway. And besides, you and Hermione have so much in common, you'll be best friends before the end of the night."

She smiled. "I hope you're right."

"I am; being friends with Hermione for years has rubbed off on me."

She laughed again but it was cut short as Ron captured her lips in another kiss.

"I still think this is a bad idea," Hermione said as her mother pinned her hair back.

"So you've said, dear." Liz said, adding another bobby pin to Hermione's mass of curls (she had managed to calm them down some with a spell and some hair products but there was still a lot of hair that had to be dealt with). "Look at it this way," Liz said, "you can use tonight as a form of closure."

"How so?" Hermione asked.

"Take a moment to say goodbye to everyone you lost. And while you're doing that, remember that, no matter where they are, they're at peace. I think it's the best way to handle something like this. It's either that or don't go."

"And sadly, that is not an option," Hermione said smiling.

Liz chuckled and finished pinning the last curl to Hermione's head. "All done! Harry won't know what hit him!"

"Muuuummm!" Hermione said, rolling her eyes and blushing.

"What? All I'm saying is he's going to think you're beautiful, which you are, no matter what. I'm not suggesting anything; but if it so happens that something does, I would not object to it."

"Mother!" Hermione said, burying her face into her hands. "It's not like that between us and you know it!"

"Mhm, sure it's not," Liz said, smirking. "Nevermind that you've brought him over for dinner several times for the last few months, you're spending an awful lot of time with him, and anytime I mention his name, you blush."

Hermione looked at her mother horrified. "I do not!"

"Sure, you don't." She held up Hermione's dress. "Time to get dressed."

The conversation dropped temporarily as Liz helped Hermione into her dress. "I still think this dress is too much," Hermione said.

Liz rolled her eyes. "Hermione, it's a gala, not a cocktail party. It's a rule that you look absolutely fabulous. And no daughter of mine is going to a gala in a cocktail dress."

Hermione frowned and looked at the dress hanging outside her closet that she had originally planned to wear. "I like that dress though."

"I like it too; but it's not appropriate for an event like this. Turn around, I need to zip you up."

Once she was zipped up and got her shoes on, she gave herself one last look over in the mirror. Her mother had picked out a gorgeous deep red gown with sequins on the bodice then fanned out at the waist into a flowing skirt. She looked like a princess in those old fairy tale novels she read as a kid. "Wow," she said.

"You look beautiful, love," Liz said, squeezing her daughter's arms. Hermione smiled at her as she kissed the top of her head. "I know this is the last thing you'd want to do tonight but this'll be good for you, I think. You'll have more fun that you're willing to admit and it gets you out for the night. You spend far too much time at home."

"I thought you liked having me home?"

"I do! We do! But, Hermione, you're nearly a twenty year old woman and your idea of a good night out is staying in. You're young, you're beautiful, and you're wickedly smart! Go out and go meet some cute guy at a pub somewhere and, if he's good enough, bring him home for your father to intimidate him!" Hermione laughed at that. "Or just date Harry, whichever comes first."

"MUM!"

"Hermione!" Josh's voice called from downstairs. "Harry's here!"

"Saved by the devil, himself," Hermione muttered as Liz laughed and followed her daughter out of her room and downstairs. Hermione entered the drawing room to find her father staring at Harry intently while the latter just looked anywhere but the Granger patriarch. "Josh!" Liz exclaimed. "Don't terrorize the poor boy!"

"I'm just trying to get a good look at his teeth!" Josh explained to his wife. "Have you had your wisdom teeth removed?" he asked Harry.

"Er, no sir," Harry replied.

"Daaad! Leave him alone!" Hermione said, walking towards her best friend. "His teeth are fine."

"And how would you know that?" he asked, suspiciously.

"Magic," she replied, enjoying the shock that appeared on her father's face. "You- what- magic?!" he stuttered.

"I'm sure it does just as good a job as you and me, Josh," Liz said smiling. "Have her home no later than three am, okay Harry?"

"Three?!" Both Hermione and Josh exclaimed.

"Yes, ma'am," Harry replied and before either Josh or Hermione could argue, Liz ushered her daughter and Harry out the door and on their way. "Have fun tonight!" she said, closing the front door.

Hermione rolled her eyes and began to laugh. "Sorry about that; she's a bit colorful at times."

"I like her," Harry said, smiling. "You look beautiful, by the way."

She blushed. "Thank you; you're looking quite handsome yourself, Harry."

"Thank you!" Harry said, beaming. She laughed at his excited expression.

"You ready?" he asked.

She sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."

He took her hand and squeezed it before apparating them out of her neighborhood and back to Harry's flat to access a working floo.

Neville and Ginny were waiting in Kingsley's office (he allowed them special access to get to the gala without battling the press) for Harry and Hermione and Ron and his date. While waiting, they kept themselves entertained with talking about their future.

"McGonagall's already offered me a position to shadow Professor Sprout for the year as she prepares for retirement," Neville said.

"And you'd take over after she left?" Ginny asked.

He nodded. "I'd be able to live either in the castle or in Hogsmeade. If I chose Hogsmeade, however, I'd be able to get a house."

Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

"I mean, I'm just thinking ahead and- we don't have to- you don't-" Ginny cut him off with a chaste kiss to his lips. "Wanna try that in English, Neville?" she asked.

He gave a nervous chuckle and ran his hands through his hair. "Would- would maybe want to move in together after graduation? If we got a place in Hogsmeade, it'd be close to the school but not so far away that we're separated from the rest of civilization. And everything would be a floo away and-" Ginny cut him off with another kiss.

"I was rambling again, wasn't I?" he asked and she laughed.

"Not really; I just really wanted to kiss you."

He smiled. "So is that a yes?"

She rolled her eyes and smirked. "What do you think, Longbottom?"

His smile grew and he leaned in to kiss her again but the floo roared to life, causing the couple to pull apart. Harry stepped through first, smiling at the two of them. "Hi guys," he said.

"Hi Harry," Neville replied, beaming from his conversation with Ginny.

"Where's- woah!" Ginny exclaimed as Hermione flooed into the room. Ginny gave her friend a whistle. "Hermione, if I played for the other team, I'd be killing myself trying to get your attention tonight."

Hermione blushed and laughed while Harry and Neville looked a mix between baffled and amused. "Thanks Gin, I suppose. You look great too."

"I know," she smiled and Hermione laughed again.

"Have either of you seen my brother?" Ginny asked a moment later. "He's going to make us late."

"Gin, when have you ever known Ron to run on time?" Hermione said.

"Hey! I resent that!" a new voice said, flooing into the room. The four turned and saw Ron dusting off his trousers. "I don't always run late."

"Mm, the ratio between you running late and running on time begs to differ," Ginny said.

Ron's jaw dropped but before he could retort, a beautiful blonde appeared in the fireplace and stepped out. She dusted some floo powder off her shoulder then turned to look at the group standing in front of her.

Ron smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Guys, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend: Daphne Greengrass. Daph, this is… well, you know who they are."

Harry and Neville raised their eyebrows, surprised at Ron's girlfriend, while Ginny had to control her jaw from dropping. Hermione seemed to be the only one who wasn't surprised by the reveal- or if she was, she was doing a brilliant job of hiding it. She smiled at Daphne and shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Daphne."

Daphne released a breath she had been holding and smiled at Hermione. "I suppose it's less of a meeting and more of a reunion since we all know each other, already."

"True," Hermione nodded, "but we've never formally been introduced."

The blonde shrugged. "You got me, there."

At Hermione's laugh, the rest of the group seemed to come back to life and greeted Daphne with equal warmness. Ron smiled as his sister pulled Daphne into a tight hug, surprising the blonde but causing her to laugh all the same. Once the introductions had been made and the shock had worn off, Neville spoke. "Are we ready?"

"Do we still have time to run home and hide until this is over?" Hermione asked.

Neville laughed and shook his head. "Sorry, Hermione, you're going to have to suffer through this with the rest of us."

"Damn it," she said.

Ginny laughed and linked her arm with Hermione's and her other arm with Daphne's. "Shall we?"

"'Lead on, McDuff," Harry said.

"Lay on," both Hermione and Daphne corrected.

"What?" Ginny asked.

"It's from a muggle play," Hermione explained. "You know Shakespeare?" she asked, looking to Daphne.

She shrugged. "I like to read."

"Oh yeah, they're going to get along just fine," Ron said to Harry, smirking.

So far, the gala had been exactly what Hermione had been dreading: speeches, average food, politicians schmoozing each other, and a cash bar (which was just cruel in Hermione's mind). The only plus was that the music was actually good and didn't involve just waltzing around the dance floor. She might have died if she had had to waltz with one more person who wanted to get up close and personal with Hermione Granger, war heroine and Brightest Witch of Her Age.

Currently, she was sitting at their table, sipping on a glass of champagne (she bit the bullet and paid for a bottle so she wouldn't have to keep returning to the bar for refills) while watching Ron and Daphne dance in small circles on the dance floor.

He was clearly smitten with her; he never left her side and while they were dancing, his eyes stayed on her the whole time. She was happy to see that Daphne seemed as taken with Ron as he was with her. Despite the fact that nearly everyone stared at them when they entered the room and that multiple suitors tried to pull her away from Ron, she consistently turned them down, choosing to repeatedly dance in small circles with the much less agile Ron rather than be spun around the room like she was the belle of the ball. Hermione knew they seemed like a strange couple, but after seeing them interact, she knew they were good for each other. He made her laugh when she got too serious and she kept him grounded when he got too excited; where he was impulsive and loud, she was calm and quiet. They balanced each other.

She wondered how both sets of parents would react once the news of their relationship broke in the morning. She could see the headline now: War Hero Attends Gala with Daughter of Voldemort Sympathizers. She frowned as she thought about that; the Greengrass' led a very private life, doing their duty by attending balls held by their fellow pureblood elites but stayed out of the spotlight when it came to Voldemort and the war. She didn't doubt they (or at least Daphne's parents) believed in his cause but chose to stay away from the action when the time came in order to protect themselves. That didn't save them from public speculation of course but, Hermione assumed, they didn't lose much sleep over that considering they were still held on a high pedestal in society.

She sighed, thinking about how long they still had to go. Despite everything they fought for in the war, there was still quite a bit prejudice happening in the world; only this time, it came from the light side. People who fought for the side of good (or simply hid until it was all over) still accused people- Slytherins, to be exact- of being murderers and Voldemort sympathizers, even if they had nothing to do with Voldemort's cause; guilty by association. She hoped with Ron and Daphne's relationship going public, some of the prejudice would diminish as people saw that not all Slytherins were bad; however, she wasn't naïve. She knew there'd be a long way to go before it ever got to the point where prejudice was no longer an issue in their world.

One battle at a time, she thought.

She was pulled from her thoughts when she felt someone sit next to her. She looked over to find Harry pouring some champagne from the bottle she bought into an empty glass. She snatched the bottle from him and held it close to herself. "Get your own!"

He laughed and shook his head. "Sorry; it just didn't seem worth paying for another bottle when you already had one."

"Well this one is mine so if you want more, you have to buy your own bottle."

He laughed again. "You're greedy when you're drunk."

"I'm not drunk! I'm far more sober than I'd like to be, actually."

"Well, let's remedy that, shall we?" he said, lifting his glass to hers.

"Yes, please," she said, toasting his glass and throwing back her glass.

Between the two of them, they managed to finish the rest of the bottle within a couple more glasses. By their third glasses, he was barely feeling a buzz while she was far more tipsy than she cared to admit. "I'm fine, Harry! You worry too much."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Whatever you say, Hermione. You ready to get out of here?"

She nodded and grabbed her bag. "Wait! What time is it?"

He looked at his watch. "Quarter to midnight."

"I can't go home yet!" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes widening. "Mum said I can't be home 'til three!"

He smiled at her concern and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll get you home by your designated time. We'll just go back to my place and watch movies or something." She looked at him suspiciously. "What?"

"Scary movies?" she said.

He shook his head. "No scary movies; I promise."

Satisfied, she let him lead her out of the Ministry and back to Kingsley's office. "Should we have said goodbye?" she asked.

"Nah; we'll see them later in the week." She looked down to take her shoes off, missing Harry slip something out of his jacket pocket and placing it on Kingsley's desk. When she looked back at him, he took her hand in his and led her into the fireplace. "You ready?" She nodded and he flooed them out of the Ministry and back to his flat.

P.S. Bravo to everyone who guess Ron's mystery girl correct. I loved seeing all your guesses.

All the dresses the girls wear in this chapter (as well as a facecast for Daphne) will be posted on the Pinterest page for this story.

Also, sorry I ended this chapter so abruptly. This chapter and chapter 12 were too long as one combined chapter so I split them up. It just makes more sense that way, I feel.

Please review!