Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Harry Potter; it all belongs to the greatness that is J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 12: The Masque Ball
Ginny stood surveying herself in the mirror. Her hair was placed elegantly in a bun with her fringe straightened and falling over her forehead. She had decided to go for the natural look with her makeup, the only colour being the strawberry flavored lip gloss she was wearing.
She was over the moon she was going to the ball with Harry but part of her wished Hermione was there. They would have helped out with each others hair and make up and probably predicated together how they thought the ball was going to be. Ginny sighed and then thought of the other reason she wished Hermione were there…Ron.
After the match that morning they had all gone back to the common room and celebrated their victory. Harry had been given a weeks worth of detentions along with Sawyer, but not even that had put a damper on his celebrations. Ron wasn't 100 back to normal with them but he was getting there, he even mentioned he might drop in on the ball later on after the feast had finished. Although he hadn't shown it as much, Ginny could tell her brother was missing Hermione like crazy today. She was certain Ron would have liked nothing better than to have shared their victory with Hermione too.
After one last look at her self Ginny walked over to her wardrobe and took her ball dress out. She removed her dressing gown, then stepped into her dress and awkwardly zipped it up. She would have asked someone else in her dormitory to do it but they were all down in the common room meeting their dates for the evening.
Her dress was strapless with pearls and sequins across the top of the bustier. It fitted all the way down to her waist then gradually splayed out until it reached the bottom just below her ankles. The dress was quite simple but that's why Ginny loved it so much. Her shoes were an Emerald colour matching the colour of the dress.
Once in the dress and ready she took the one last item she was to wear that night; her mask. She placed it on her head and went back to study herself in the mirror. The mask covered her eyes and stopped just above her nose, it was also Emerald with some sequins down the left side.
"Right here goes Ginny." She said to herself before crossing the room and heading out the door.
"God these masks are a pain." Harry grumbled as he fidgeted with his for what felt like the hundredth time. He was just getting ready to leave the dormitory; Ron was sat up in bed reading his Chudley Cannons book.
"It looks fine Harry, stop fidgeting." Ron said not bothering to look up from his book.
"So you're going to come and join us after the feast." Harry said to his best friend hopefully. Ron looked up from his book and nodded slowly.
"Yeah maybe. I'm going to write to Hermione first though." Ron replied.
"Okay well say hi from me and your sure there's nothing I can say to persuade you to come to the feast as well?" Harry asked.
"No Harry, actually while it's just us two I wanted to say something." Ron said tossing his book aside and standing. Harry nodded in reply.
"I'm still not over joyed about you taking my sister to the ball but I suppose who else better than my best friend. I know you going to treat her right…aren't you?" Harry couldn't tell if that was a threat or question from Ron.
"Of course I am Ron. And once again I'm sorry for not talking to you about how I feel for Ginny." Harry smiled.
"Right well you better get your sorry arse downstairs and wait for my sister hadn't you." Ron said as he walked back over to his bed and slouched back down.
"Okay well make sure you do come and join us later Ron." Harry said before heading down to the common room. He joined the excited common room and sat waiting on the arm of the sofa. He was wearing new dress robes which were identical to the ones he had worn to the Yule ball nearly 3 years previously. He was also wearing a black mask to match his robes. He suddenly realised that all the men were wearing black dress robe suits and began to panic, how would Ginny recognise him?
"Harry is that you?" Neville asked causing Harry to break from his thoughts.
"Yeah, is that you Neville?" Harry replied.
"Yeah, I'm just on my way down to meet Luna." Neville said. This was very strange talking to Neville with them both wearing masks.
"Yeah, what time have you got to meet her?" Harry enquired. Neville looked at his watch.
"5 minutes, well I better be going now. Have a nice time with Ginny." He said smiling.
"Thanks Neville and you too with Luna, maybe we can sit together during the feast." Harry said sincerely.
"Yes Luna would love that, see you down there." Neville said then disappeared through the portrait hole. Harry looked around the common room watching his fellow Gryffindors. Lavender Brown had just walked down the stairs and joined Seamus in a light pink dress. Harry wondered who Dean would be going with. He had never thought to ask. He didn't have much time to ponder over this however; someone had just walked downstairs who he couldn't take his eyes of.
"Ginny." He whispered. He watched her scan the room nervously before walking over to her.
"Hey Gin, it's me." He said cursing himself that he hadn't commented on how beautiful she looked first.
"Harry?" She asked.
"You look beautiful Ginny. I…just…wow." He said nervously, thanking God he was wearing a mask over his cheeks so she couldn't see him blush.
"Thank you Harry. You look very handsome yourself." She replied. She then leaned forward and kissed him quickly on his lips.
"Well shall we?" He asked. Ginny nodded and draped her arm through his. They set off towards the Great Hall, still talking about the mornings match.
"How's your lip now? And you eye for that matter?" She enquired.
"Okay thanks, was worth it to be honest. Sawyer looked like someone had told him he would never be returning to France didn't he." Harry laughed.
"I know, I wonder if he's going tonight." Ginny said.
"I'm not sure?" Harry said stopping them both suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Ginny asked. Harry didn't answer but instead brushed his lips softly against hers.
"I just wanted to do that before we joined the rest of the school." Harry whispered against her lips. Ginny couldn't help but return the kiss, although this time it was longer.
"POTTER. WEASLEY. Shouldn't you be down at the ball?" Snape said as he stalked past them.
"Great mood killer isn't he." Harry moaned as they set of towards the Great Hall again causing Ginny to giggle.
"RON…RON." Harry shouted as he ran back into the dormitory.
"What?" Ron said falling off his bed from having nearly jumped a mile.
"You have to come and see this." Harry said out of breath.
"What?" Ron asked disgruntled as he stood.
"It's Malfoy, come on. You do not want to miss this." Harry laughed. Obviously not wanting to miss out Ron half walked, half ran across the room and out of the door. Harry ran before him and was at the bottom of the staircase leading to the common room before Ron had even reached the top.
"COME ON RON." Harry shouted as he settled himself next to Ginny who was grinning. Ron came thundering down the stairs and nearly fell over from the abrupt stop he had to make.
"Hello Ron. Why aren't you dressed?" Hermione asked, she was stood in the middle of the common room wearing an Ivory ball gown very similar to Ginny's cut and style. She was also wearing an Ivory mask with her hair down, curled loosely. Ron's jaw was nearly hit the floor.
"Ron?" Hermione asked moving closer.
"Hermione, what…what are you doing her?" He asked still gaping slightly.
"Professor Dumbledore told the 4 of us last Sunday that you were having a ball this evening and that we were free to attend if we wished. Well of course naturally we all said yes and we flooed here about 15 minutes ago. You should have seen these two when I walked up to them; they were just like you now." She giggled.
"I...I can't believe you're here." Ron said before kissing her hard on the lips.
"Well I am, and you had better go and get ready, the feast begins in 10 minutes." Hermione said. Ron didn't need telling twice, he bolted up the stairs shouting on the way.
"TELL HER ABOUT THE MATCH THIS MORNING HARRY." Hermione tuned to look at Ginny and Harry.
"We'll talk about that later, Ginny I received your letter this morning. What exactly happened?" Hermione asked, Harry and Ginny explained as fast they could about the whole Sawyer situation.
"But now Ron's talking to us, well kind of." Ginny finished.
"Hmmmm, well you should have spoken to Ron…"
"Hang on Hermione, you were one saying to me don't bother telling Ron, he'll go mad." Harry said half annoyed half, half amused.
"Oh did I?" Hermione said airily. "Anyway I asked around about this Sawyer and the feedback wasn't too good. He apparently bribed…"
"Okay I'm ready." Ron said causing Hermione to stop mid sentence. He was also wearing black dress robes and a black mask.
"Oh Ron you look so handsome." Hermione crooned as she walked over and joined him.
"Well shall we all go?" Harry said standing and offering a hand to help Ginny up.
"Yeah I'm starving all of a sudden." Ron commented.
"Funny that." Both Harry and Ginny said at the same time grinning.
They entered the Great Hall 5 minutes later, it was set out very similar to the Yule Ball with round tables scattered everywhere. The decorations were crystals and icicles. Candles were floating in midair casting a purple glow along with Purple Fairies buzzing around.
"Wow." Ginny said. "It's beautiful."
"HEY HARRY OVER HERE." Neville shouted, or at least Harry hoped was Neville. They walked over and joined the table.
"We saved you four seats. Wow Hermione, Ginny you both look lovely." Luna said dreamily.
"So do you Luna." Hermione replied, Luna was wearing a mid night blue ball gown and for once it was quite simple and elegant. Her mask was also midnight blue but however, had white feathers sticking out the top of it on the right side. Harry looked around and spotted Lavender and Seamus on their table too.
"Hiya Harry." Harry looked to his left to be greeted with non other than Cho.
"Oh Hi Cho." He replied, then spotting Dean sitting on the other side of her.
"Hey mate." Dean grinned. Harry turned and caught Ron, Hermione and Ginny all looking shocked as to why Cho was here with Dean.
"Dean and I have been going out for a couple weeks now." Cho explained.
"I thought you only split up with Michael not long back?" Ginny said waspishly. The whole table was watching.
"Oh yes it was hard but then Dean and I just sort of clicked." Cho replied.
"Well that didn't take long." Hermione snorted.
"Gin, are you okay?" Harry asked.
"Fine." Ginny said in a voice a lot higher then usual.
'Great' Harry thought. 'This is all I need Cho sat next to me and Ginny annoyed because of this.' He moved his left hand and causally slipped it under the table so that no one could see and rested it just above Ginny's right knee. She turned and smiled at him.
"So what are you having for first course Harry?" She asked.
"I'm not sure but I know what I'm having for dessert." He replied.
"TREACLE TART." The whole table replied laughing.
"Hey I'm not that predicable I am?" He asked.
"I'm afraid you are Harry." Hermione laughed. They managed to get through the feast with out anymore choice words between Ginny and Cho. Hermione took it upon herself to talk all about Beauxbaton and how they were all getting on.
"I think it's nice you were allowed to come back for the ball. Are Beauxbaton not having a ball then?" Luna enquired.
"No, there just having a feast next Saturday." Hermione explained.
"Well were all missing you Hermione." Ginny said as finished her last piece of apple pie and custard. Hermione's eyes looked very bright eyed all of a sudden and seemed relieved when Dumbledore stood to make a speech.
"Good evening to you all. I hope you enjoyed the wonderful feast we have just been treated too. To our 4 Exchange students from France; I do hope you have had an enjoyable first week and look forward to the next. To our own 4 Exchange students who have ever so kindly re-joined us for the Masque ball, the rest of the staff and I hope you are enjoying your time over at Beauxbaton. Madam Maxime tells me you are all doing extremely well and how wonderfully bright you all are." Harry looked to Dumbledore's left and noticed for the first time that evening Madam Maxime sat next to Hagrid.
'That's worrying,' he thought. 'How didn't I notice Madam Maxime at the size she is'.
"Now that the feast is over we have 3 hours of time to kill, have a wonderful night and here for your entertainment…The Weird Sisters." Dumbledore announced The Great Hall went crazy; everybody stood to let the tables clear to the sides to make room for a huge sized dance floor. The Weird Sisters started to play causing most of the girls to scream again.
Seamus, Lavender, Dean and Cho went to dance, leaving Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny to sit back down.
"Luna and I are going to get some drinks, would you like some?" Neville asked.
"Were fine thank you Neville." Ron smiled.
"Okay see you in a while." Neville said before turning to leave with Luna. Harry noticed Ginny tapping her feet to the music, he hadn't thought about the prospect of having to dance with her.
"Erm Ginny, would you like to dance?" Harry asked.
"Oh no it's okay Harry; I know you don't like dancing much." She replied.
"But you do and if I remember rightly the Weird Sisters are your favourite band." Harry said.
"Well only if you're sure?" Ginny said. Harry stood and held his hand out for her.
"You don't mind if we have a dance do you?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione as Ginny stood.
"Er…Ow." Ron said as Hermione stamped on his foot.
"Of course not." Ron said through gritted teeth. Harry and Ginny left them and walked over to the dance floor.
"What was that for?" Ron asked Hermione.
"We need to have a chat Ronald. What's this I hear about you flying of the rails when finding out Harry and Ginny were going to the ball together?" Hermione asked. Ron looked sheepish all of a sudden.
Harry and Ginny weaved into the crowd of dancers and stood to face one another. Ginny began dancing straight away but Harry felt a little uncomfortable.
"Come on Harry, move those hips of yours." Ginny said loudly grabbing hold of them and swaying him. Harry blushed madly although no one could see, Ginny moved closer and he realised she still had her hands on his hips. They soon got into some sort of rhythm together and danced as close as they dared.
They danced to a couple of more fast songs then it slowed down for one. Ginny placed her arms around Harry's neck, whilst Harry placed his hands on her lower back.
"I'm having a really nice time tonight Harry." Ginny said whilst smiling.
"Me too although I wish I could see all of your face. These masks are a little irritating aren't they?" He commented.
"Oh I don't know I quite like that look on you." She whispered dangerously close to his lips.
"Really?" He played along.
"Um-hum." Her eyes were already half closed as they both moved in to close the little distance left between them. Harry decided he didn't care who was watching, Ginny was his date and hopefully soon to be girlfriend. He kissed her tenderly on the dance floor for all to see.
"Excuse me." Someone bumped into them causing them to break apart. Harry looked to see the back of what looked like Sawyer stalking away.
"Git." Ginny mumbled. They didn't kiss again for the rest of the song and things sped up again for the next number.
"Gin I just have to use the toilet, I'll be back in a minute." Harry said.
"Okay I'll be by the drinks table." She replied. Harry kissed her quickly on the lips before leaving her. She got out of the crowd and spotted Ron and Hermione locked in a kissing marathon. She walked over to the drinks table and poured herself and Harry some punch. She didn't have to wait long for Harry to return.
"Thanks Gin." He said taking a glass of punch of her and downing it.
"So how about we go for a walk? Get some air?" Harry asked.
"Okay." She smiled looping her arm through his again.
They walked out in to the cold air and spotted many couples also taking a walk in the Fairy light grounds.
"You look so beautiful tonight Gin, that dress really shows of your curves." Harry said as they strolled along.
"Harry." Ginny said shocked, hitting his arm playfully. "I can't believe you just said that."
"What? Well it does." Harry shrugged.
"Well thanks, I guess." She laughed. They turned left and walked by a cluster of trees.
"How about we go in there and get better acquainted?" Harry asked.
"What? Harry what's gotten into you?" Ginny asked frowning.
"Well come on Ginny it's not you haven't thought of it. I know I have." He replied pushing her against a tree.
"You know what Harry I think we should get inside." Ginny said trying to move from his tight grip.
"Oh I don't think so ginny." Harry said kissing her roughly.
"Harry get off me, your hurting me." She pleaded.
"Why so you can go running back to him." Harry asked.
"What?" Ginny asked.
"Him. Potter."
"Who are you? Sawyer?" She asked quietly.
"Oh now she gets it." Sawyer said rolling his eyes. "Now where were we?" He continued before trying to kiss her again.
"Get. Of. Me." Ginny snarled before kneeing him in the groin. Sawyer bent over in two crying out in pain. She stepped to one side, tears silently falling down her face.
"GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER." Ron bellowed as he came running up to them followed by Hermione, Dumbledore, Madam Maxime and the real Harry. Ron caught Sawyer by the neck and pinned him against the tree, his right fist in a ball ready to strike.
"Ron no, get back." Hermione said a little hysterically. Her hand on his arm seemed to calm him a little.
"Here you go Professor Dumbledore." Ron said as he pushed Sawyer in to the middle of them all.
"Ginerva, are you okay?" Dumbledore asked. Ginny nodded quickly.
"Olympe would you kindly take Sawyer up to my office, I will be there in a few minutes." Dumbledore told her, she nodded once then grabbed Sawyer by the back of the neck and marched him back towards the castle.
"What happened?" Ginny asked Harry who was clutching his ribs.
"Well when I went to the bathroom Sawyer jumped out on me and hexed me. When I hit the floor he kicked me in the ribs and put a full body bind curse on me. He put me in a cubicle and if it wasn't for Colin coming in and spotting one of my feet sticking out then…well I could have been there all night." Harry explained. "Are you okay?" He asked concerned.
"Yeah fine, just a little strange. I never thought I would ever have to knee you in the groin." She laughed lightly.
"Harry you need to go and see Madam Pomfrey and you too Ginny." Hermione said.
"We'll come with you." Ron insisted.
"That's very good of you both." Dumbledore said, "Now Ginny I want you to come and see me tomorrow afternoon so we can have a proper chat about what happened just now. For now you must go and have yourself checked over."
"That git." Seamus roared as Ron and Hermione explained to a small group of people what had happened.
"I know, we've just left them both in the Hospital wing. Ginny insisted we came back and had some fun but all I want to do is murder Sawyer." Ron growled.
"Is Ginny okay?" Luna asked.
"Yeah she's surprisingly okay. She was more concerned about Harry." Hermione replied.
"Well Sawyer will get punished badly over this." Neville said. "I hope they send him back to France. It's not fair he's giving the other 3 Exchange students a bad name too when in fact there really nice people."
"Well what ever they do, they better hope I don't find him first." Ron threatened.
"You okay?" Ginny said as she supported Harry along the 7th floor corridor, they had decided to go back and freshen up before returning to the ball.
"Yeah, it's only a couple of bruised ribs. Gin I'm more worried about you. What if you couldn't have fought him off?" Harry said worried, they had both removed their masks.
"Trust me Harry I would have shouted, there were plenty of people about. Sugar Quill." Ginny said to the fat lady, the portrait hole swung open and they stepped in.
"No more dancing for you Mr." She smiled.
"You're amazing do you know that." Harry blurted out.
"I'm not Harry." She blushed; they stopped to face one another.
"You are, you're so strong. I really admire you Ginny." Harry said sincerely.
"It was only a knee in the groin." She smiled.
"There's more to you then meets the eye. Ginny I was going to ask you later on but now seems as good a time as ever." Harry began. "Will…will you be my girlfriend? As in officially." He asked. Ginny nodded.
"Yes Harry, of course I will. I thought you were never going to ask." She laughed as he pulled her closer. He looked at her seriously before kissing her slow and gentle.
'Pure bliss.' He thought.
"Now that's better." Ginny said moving in to kiss him again. Harry pulled back a little before she could.
"I'll never hurt you Gin." He breathed; she searched his eyes and smiled.
"I know you won't Harry. As I would never hurt you." She replied before sealing the deal as boyfriend and girlfriend and kissing him again.
Okay so there's the 12th chapter, my longest yet. Hope you like? Thank you again for all your lovely reviews, the next chapter we see Sawyer being punished and if Ron has finally come round to the idea of Harry and Ginny being together xxxx
