(Fri 31 Jan)
Ginny knocked on Harry's door at a little before six. Though she had not liked getting up this early four weeks ago, she was now used to it, and if forced to be honest, would say that she liked it. Or more accurately, that she liked the results. She smiled to herself as she thought of Harry's comment yesterday on how she looked in her exercise clothes; apparently he liked the results, too.
Harry walked to his door. He knew who it would be, but he looked out the little peephole to make sure. All it had taken was a trip to a Muggle hardware store and a Drilling spell to install it one night when no one was in the common room to hear him. His latest modification to the door had been completed last night with a little help from Moony, whom he had Portkeyed in.
"Morning, Ginny," he told her when he opened his door. "Hey, before you come in, I want you to try to open the door yourself."
"You know that doesn't work," she reminded him.
"Humor me and try again." He shut the door.
Shrugging, she grabbed the doorknob, turned it, and pushed. To her surprise, the door opened. "How did that happen?" she asked, amazed.
Harry pulled her in and shut the door. "It took me a long time, but I finally figured out the wards that control the door. Once I understood, I just added your name to the access list. So you're now there along with me, McGonagall, and Dumbledore. Don't let anyone see you do that if you can help it, but in the morning like this, or if there is an emergency, then you can get in if you need to."
"That's brilliant work, Harry!"
"Thanks!" He gave her a big smile. "Oh, if you want to store your dragon hide coat down here, so if you need it fast, you can hang it here next to mine. It would save you a trip up the stairs."
"Yeah, good thinking. Well, shall we go?" Ginny had stopped just grabbing onto his arm and instead put her arms around his neck instead. She thought it was a lot more fun this way, especially since she always got a kiss out of it.
Harry did not answer. Instead, he pulled her lithe body to him and into a tight hug, where he gave her her expected traveling kiss. He grinned at her little traveling ritual as he touched his wand to the Manor Portkey.
Harry went to the Headmaster's office for lunch, as he was expected. When lunch was done, Harry was not in as bad a mood as last time, but he felt it had been a waste of time. The only thing useful at all was that he found there were only two doubters and they would both be there.
At one o'clock, Ginny showed up and the three of them walked to the Room of Requirement. There, they found Professors McGonagall, Sprout, and Trelawney. Harry was very surprised.
Dumbledore paced to open the room while Harry looked at McGonagall. At his questioning expression, she very slightly shook her head and gave him a smile. "I'm only here to observe, Mr. Potter."
After they had all entered the room, which again had light blue walls, Harry turned to the Divination teacher. "Professor Trelawney? Why do you believe we need to do this test?"
"Because my dear boy, I have foreseen her death and it is because she has done nothing to prepare. You need to be convinced too; this test will show you that." She continued to stare at Harry through her large glasses without blinking.
Harry just shook his head and turn to the Herbology teacher, whom he normally had respect for. Now he was wondering if it was misplaced. "Professor Sprout? Why do you believe we need to do this test?"
"In one sense, I really doubt we do, because I think you are quite sincere about your desire to train Miss Weasley. However, as Professor Dumbledore described your training and how different it was from what we normally do, I felt this was a good safety measure to make sure she is still learning all she needs to, and won't be embarrassed when she takes her OWLs."
"I see." Harry actually did understand that reasoning. He also considered that much of the objection was probably because he was so young and his methods were so far from the norm. "And even with my telling you we normally train at least seven hours a day, at least five and usually six days a week, you still feel we need to do this?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, but I do." Sprout really did look apologetic.
That did not deter him from what he was about to do, or rather what he was about to have Ginny do. "Very well, let's prove this is a waste of time so we can all get on with our day. Professors Sprout and Trelawney? If you both will please stand over there on that side of the room and draw your wands, we will begin the test."
Professor Sprout looked surprised. "What do you mean by that?"
"It's quite simple. Since you are the ones who doubt my teaching method and my student's ability to learn, it's seems quite fitting for you to test her yourself. That way you will know exactly how good or bad she is. Go ahead and get ready, I'll take Ginny to the other side of the room. If you wish to confer to form a strategy together, feel free to do so," Harry told them. Harry also noted that Dumbledore did not countermand his request as he arranged the test; in fact, both the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall stood there and said nothing.
Ginny had kept a very neutral expression on her face the entire time, but when they turned around to walk to the other side of the room, she grinned like she'd just been handed the key to Honeydukes. "You sure I should do this Harry?" she whispered.
Harry whispered back. "They are questioning both your honor and mine. While I would prefer to be the one to do this, I'm going to have to ask you to do the dirty work. Are you OK with that?"
Her grin became more mischievous. "No problem, Harry."
"Good. Now, your strongest Expelliarmus for Trelawney should be enough, but for Sprout, have as much fun as you want as long as you don't get hurt. If she even comes close, just end it. You won't have any problem with this. Make us both proud and you can have some extra free time later." He winked at her and her grin now filled her face at that thought. Ginny schooled her expression back to the neutral one and turned to faced her opponents.
As Harry walked back to the middle with the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall, he noticed that Sprout looked very nervous, while Trelawney had not even drawn her wand. "Professor Trelawney? It is customary to draw your wand when in a duel."
She smiled and pulled hers out from inside her robes, though it was very casually held.
Harry wondered how the Divination teacher had ever passed enough NEWTs to become a fully qualified witch. "Ready?" He looked and no one said anything. "Begin!"
Ginny wasted no time and a single Expelliarmus sent Trelawney flying backward nearly four feet to land on her arse, as her wand was sailing through the air. Before the wand got to Ginny, she was already firing a Tripping Hex at Sprout. Sprout barely got a shield up in time. Ginny caught the wand that was coming to her and started firing Bludgeoning hexes at Sprout. Sprout had to start dancing as the first hex took out her shield and she seemed to be incapable of putting up another while on the move. The next hex hit her right shoulder, which controlled her wand arm. Sprout's wand went flying as she twisted and the woman fell screaming from a dislocated shoulder.
"Hold!" Dumbledore yelled and hurried over to Sprout, who was rolling on the ground in agony. Trelawney sat where she had been knocked down, shaking, and looking horrified at what had happened. Dumbledore stunned Sprout to temporarily put her out of her misery. "I think the test has been successfully completed. You two may go continue with your training as usual." Ginny had only fired four spells.
As they turned to go, McGonagall touched Harry's shoulder to stop him for a moment. "Was that really necessary, Harry?"
"As Mad-Eye says, if it's not realistic, it's not much of a test. I personally hope this is the last one of these we have to waste our time on. We have far more important things to be doing. If you'll excuse us, Ginny has some seventh year spells to learn today." He politely nodded and smiled at her before he left. Harry would have almost sworn he saw a smile trying to get to the stern professor's face, but he did not wait to find out.
Just as Harry made it to the door, the Headmaster arrived levitating Professor Sprout, still mercifully unconscious. "You'll want to be at dinner this evening. There will be a couple of important announcements made at that time. Oh, and Harry, I believe you have proved your point and I don't think we will need any more of these tests."
Harry smiled, "Thank you for the warning and the consideration." He and Ginny went to his defense classroom and Portkeyed to the Manor for their normal work.
On their way to the library, Harry told Ginny, "Excellent job!" They both laughed. "So, I think that we'll quit at six tonight for dinner at the castle. Afterwards, you may have the rest of the night off to do anything you want."
"Anything?" she asked coyly.
"Anything. I'm also available if you need me," he told her with a smile.
"I think another rogue lesson in the Defense classroom sounds good, assuming you can help me find a rogue," she said teasingly.
"You mean the lessons where the rogue shows his woman how he really feels about her?"
"Uh-huh, I want my rogue," she told him with a wink as they entered the library. Not only would the reward be good, but the task had been a pleasure to perform, not to mention easy. But then, she had a good teacher, she thought.
"Well, look who the cat dragged in," Ron said as Harry and Ginny sat down for dinner in the Great Hall for the first time since last Sunday night.
"Oh, shut it, Ron," his sister told him. "We are allowed to take a night off from training occasionally."
"Such as when the Headmaster tells us there are going to be some announcements," Harry added.
"What?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"Don't know, he just said we should be here," Harry told her as he helped himself to a pork chop.
As Ginny finished dinner, she realized she had made a mistake by not stopping off at the loo before dinner. She did not want to miss the announcements, but decided she just could not wait. "Back in a minute, Harry," she told him quietly. "I gotta go..."
He smirked at her and she smacked him playfully on the arm and left for a few minutes.
As most everyone was starting dessert, the Headmaster stood up and clinked his goblet with his knife. "May I have your attention please? Thank you. Right before the end of last term, I suggested everyone bring some nice robes or garments back with you just in case they were needed. I hope everyone did that, or can send off for some, as we will have a school dance for those in fourth year and above for Valentines Day. For those in third year and below who are not invited by an older student, we will have alternative activities." About half the students brightened at hearing that, the other half seemed to panic slightly; the reactions were generally divided by gender.
"We are doing this because there have been enough Death Eater attacks that we feel it is best to cancel Hogsmeade weekends for the foreseeable future," the Headmaster announced. There were plenty of groans for that announcement.
"Please make your plans accordingly. For you older students, you do not have to have a date to go to the dance. For you young men who want to bring a date, I encourage you to ask sooner rather than later," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye before he sat down.
"This should be fun," Hermione said.
"Yeah." Ron looked like he was about to start hyperventilating, but managed to speak anyway. "Hermione? Would you come to the dance with me?"
She smiled. "Are you ready to make us official?"
Harry found it interesting that Ron was the one who would not announce their dating.
Ron stared at her for a moment before he finally said, "Yes."
"Then I'll go with you, Ron," his girlfriend told him. "Oh look, here comes Ginny. She missed the announcements. Well, Harry, I guess you'll have to fill her in when you ask her."
Harry turned to see Ginny coming down the length of the table. About six seats before she returned, Colin Creevey put out his hand to grab her arm. "Hey Ginny!"
Ginny almost fell over as she was jerked backward. "What is it, Colin?" she asked with some exasperation in her voice, but he did not seem to notice or care.
"Will you go to the dance with me? I'm sure I must be the first one to ask you," he said excitedly.
"There's going to be a dance? I can't believe I missed the announcements," she said in frustration.
Colin was still excited. "Yeah, it's going to be on Valentine's Day. So, shall I wait for you in the common room?"
"Let's go out in the foyer to talk about this Colin, that way we can discuss it in detail." Ginny finally looked up at Harry, who looked like he was about to hex someone. She smiled and winked at him before she turned back to Colin to walk him to the foyer.
"What's she up to?" Ron asked. "Why would she abandon Harry?"
"She's not, Ron," Hermione told him. "Didn't you see the smile and wink? She's up to something, and I can guess what."
Harry felt better after Ginny's wink, but he still was not sure what was going on. When Ginny and Colin left the Great Hall, he turned to Hermione to ask her what she thought was going on, when he heard a scream come from the foyer. A few seconds later, a very pleased looking Ginny came back into the Great Hall. Everyone watched her walk over and sit back down next to Harry.
"What happened?" Harry asked her.
"Oh, well, Colin didn't seem to understand my other noes, so I thought that maybe my Bat Bogey hex would get the point across," she stated quite calmly. "So Harry, I understand there's to be a dance on Valentine's Day."
Harry raised an eyebrow and teased her. "Yes there is. I was going to ask you, but since the last person who did received your Bat Bogey hex, I'm not sure I should now."
"Well, if you don't ask me, I guess I'll have to go apologize to the twit and then go with him," she teased back.
He was about to laugh when he saw Professor McGonagall walk up. "Miss Weasley. Is there a problem? I heard a scream just before you walked back in, and Mr. Creevey has not returned."
"Actually, there is a problem. May I talk to you about it after dinner?" Ginny looked quite serious.
McGonagall had not expected that answer, but she told the girl, "Very well. Please come find me in my quarters after dinner. You may use my door near the Gryffindor Tower entrance." She returned to the head table.
As their teacher left, Harry looked at Ginny. "There's to be a dance because the Hogsmeade trips are cancelled. He also said that he announced last term to bring something nicer to wear back with us. Obviously, I didn't know about that."
"Oh, I didn't do that either; I forgot, not that I have that much that's nice anyway," she said sadly.
Harry looked at her and wished he could get something really nice for her. Then it hit him, he could and it would solve his problem too. "If you'll come with me to the dance, I have an idea on robes for you."
"Harry, I don't want you to go buy something for me just for a school dance." She had said that with some disdain, but Harry could tell she still really wanted to go.
"Ginny, trust me, and at least let me show you my idea tomorrow. If you don't like it, we'll figure out something else, OK?"
She looked at him and could see how much he wanted this, or maybe wanted her. She could not turn him down. "All right. I'll look at your idea tomorrow. And Harry? Even if I don't like it, I'll still spend the evening with you."
"Thanks Ginny." That little episode with Colin gave him new insight into himself. Now he just had to act on it.
After dinner, Harry escorted Ginny to see Professor McGonagall. "Yes, Miss Weasley, what seems to be the problem?" her Head-of-House asked her after they all were seated.
"Professor, the problem is Colin. I've lost count of the number of times he's tried to ask me out, and I've told him 'no' every time, and I've asked him to stop asking. Still, he persists. If my little hex tonight does not convince him to stop, my next alternative is to let Harry go have a talk with him, and knowing Harry like I do, I think Colin will wind up in the hospital wing."
McGonagall looked shocked at hearing that, and at seeing the smile on Harry's face.
"So, I'd like to minimize my contact with Colin by resigning as prefect. Colin seems to like to ask me during our prefect patrols. Please pick another fifth year girl as soon as possible," Ginny requested.
"Miss Weasley? Why did you not come tell me sooner?" her Head-of-House asked.
"Because for the longest time, I thought it wasn't any big deal and that I could handle it," Ginny explained. "I also thought that after a few times of hearing 'no', he would quit. There have been several other boys who have tried to ask me out. None of them have asked me more than two or three times before they quit. How was I to know Colin would be so persistent, and, well, obsessed?"
McGonagall looked thoughtful for a moment. "I see. Could I talk you into staying on a prefect and finding someone to replace Mr. Creevey?"
"Only if you really can't find anyone else, Professor," Ginny answered with weariness. "Personally, I'd prefer to drop the duties to have more free time. I know the duties aren't much, but every extra free hour I can get is useful. I need the time to do homework or train."
"I'm sure, Miss Weasley, but please be careful not to overdo it. You need to have a balanced life, too," McGonagall encouraged her.
"As soon as I'm trained, I will cut back. But I've finally come to understand what Harry has been trying to tell me. The stuff we learn here in school is nice, but most of it won't do anything to help me stay alive when Death Eaters attack. Until I get to the point where I can't get much better defending myself, my schoolwork and everything else with it will have to take second priority. If that means I lose the status of being a prefect, so be it."
"That's a pretty severe way to look at it, Miss Weasley."
"Professor, as Harry said to one of his classes: Defense Against the Dark Arts is about being alive or dead; no other class is based on that premise. When I heard that, I finally understood my priorities," Ginny stated and looked at her teacher.
Her teacher looked back at her, and then over to Harry, who had a very serene look on his face. Minerva wasn't sure what to make of these two. "Very well, Miss Weasley; I'll accept your resignation as prefect. That means I'll have to find two fifth year prefects."
Ginny nodded her acknowledgement and handed her prefect badge over. "Thank you, Professor. Now if you don't mind, I have an appointment with my boyfriend. I believe he said something about some free time for a reward for doing well on a test today."
As they left, Minerva still did not know what to think about those two. It was obvious they were about to go find some broom closet or an alcove somewhere; yet, less than a minute ago they were discussing life and death.
Knowing her students as she did, Minerva already knew who she needed to talk to. In Gryffindor Tower, Colin was not pleased to hear he was no longer a prefect, but he understood why, and promised he would leave Ginny alone. Jack and Amanda were very surprised to get prefect badges.
(Sat 1 Feb)
After their usual Saturday morning workout, shower, and breakfast; Harry led Ginny up to the master bedroom.
"And what lesson have you planned for in here, Harry?" she teased him.
"I thought I'd show you how happy I could make you," he shot back.
She blushed and tried to determine exactly what he meant by that as he opened a door she had not seen behind before. Harry pulled out some boxes from just inside so they could walk in. Turning on the light, he gave her a small bow and waved her in. "Have a look Ginny. I'm sure there must be a dress robe in there that you'll like."
"Really?"
"Yep; I'll need to find one too, but I believe there's a pretty wide variety considering how full the closet is," he told her.
Ginny slowly walked in and stared. Even Madam Malkin did not have robes this nice. "Harry? I can't; these are too good."
"Nonsense, Ginny; nothing is too good for you. And just think, you won't even have to buy it; consider it a loan."
She pulled out a lavender one and held it up to her. It was exquisite, though not what she was looking for. Almost every one she pulled out was a color that would look good on her. She didn't understand it. Finally, she found an ivory colored dress with gold and maroon highlights. The colors seemed so Gryffindor'ish. She turned to Harry who was looking through the men's robes hanging further down. "I think I like this one."
"Well, go try it on, the bathroom is over there," he pointed out.
When she returned, Harry had some robes he thought might work for him. Looking up, he almost dropped what he was holding. It was beautiful on her, very elegant with a hint of cleavage showing, yet not too much. "You're going to be the best looking girl there, Ginny."
"Thanks, Harry, but it needs a little altering. Whoever wore it last was a couple of inches taller than I am, and maybe one size larger than I am." She paused while looking at the dress again. "You know what's really amazing? Almost everything in there is a color that looks good on me."
Harry looked at her, then he started to chuckle. "And I think I know why."
"OK, why?"
He put his robes down and walked over to the dresser and picked up a photo there Ginny had not noticed before. When he handed it to her, she was about to say she did not remember this photo of him and her being taken. Suddenly, she understood. "It's your dad and mum, isn't it?"
"Yes. It was shortly before they were married, or so Moony tells me. Her hair is a little darker than yours, and assuming I'm about my dad's height, you can tell that my mum was a little taller than you are. So I believe that would make those robes hers; and being a redhead too, yeah, they should look good on you."
Ginny gasped. "Harry? I can't wear these then. There's no way, I'll mess these up."
"Nonsense!" he told her again. "I want you to wear whatever you like in there. Winky?" The elf popped in. "Winky, can you sew?"
"Oh yes, Master Harry."
"Excellent. Please help Ginny, then. I believe she said those robes need to be altered. I'll be back in a minute." Harry left for the bathroom.
A few minutes later, he came out. "So, what do you think?" He had black robes with maroon edging and highlights.
"Oh, Harry, those will look great with my robes. They look very nice on you too," Ginny told him as Winky was pinning up the hem.
"Excellent, we'll match then. Mine already fit, so I'm good. Winky can fix those while we have our lessons today, then we can take them back with us. One more thing for you." Harry walked back over to the dresser and opened a box. Digging through it, he grabbed something. "Here, I found this when I first moved in." He handed her a large ruby pendent on a golden chain.
Ginny started to protest, but his look stopped her. She put it on and turned slightly to look in the mirror. It went well with the dress. When she smiled, he held out his hand again. Rolling her eyes at him as he grinned at her, she saw he had handed her a pair ruby earrings. "Harry, you're much too good for me."
"Just taking care of the one who means the most to me," he told her. For the rest of the day, she was so happy that she seemed to be able to do everything right.
(Mon 3 Feb)
Over the weekend, Harry had come to a realization and a decision. The realization was that if he was going to take Ginny to a dance, he was going to have to dance. He cared for her enough that he did not want to make this as bad for her as he had for Parvati at the Yule Ball in his fourth year. The decision was what to do about it, and he had a plan.
After he took Ginny to the Manor for her Monday lessons, he pulled Moony aside and told him he had to go back to the castle for an hour or so to take care of a small problem with his classes, then he would be back. Moony told him to go on. But once Harry was alone at the Floo in the foyer, he changed his destination to "The Burrow".
When he came out of the fireplace, he called out, "Mrs. Weasley? Are you here?"
"Harry?" Mrs. Weasley called back as she came into the room drying her hands with a dish towel. "What are you doing here? You should be in school."
"One of the advantages of being a professor is that I can leave for short amounts of time to take care of personal things." He put on his best sad puppy dog face, the one that would get him almost anything with Ginny. "I really need your help with something, Mrs. Weasley."
She smiled at him, "What do you need, Harry?"
He found this a bit embarrassing, but his need motivated him to ask anyway. "I need you to teach me to dance. I've never had anyone to teach me, and I have this big social thing coming up where I might have to."
"Ah, the Valentine's dance," she said wistfully as if having a fond memory.
"You know?"
"I just got Ginny's letter this morning. It's very sweet of you to take her Harry. She is looking forward to it," Mrs. Weasley told him.
"Right. Well, I don't want to disappoint her by not being able to dance, but could you not tell her I'm doing this?"
Molly laughed. "I understand, Harry. Come to the other room with me. I'll put on some music and show you the basics. How long do you have?"
"Uh, an hour or so today, and for the next few days," he told her.
"That should be enough to make sure you both have an enjoyable time. If only Ron would let me teach him." Molly led the way to the living room with the wireless.
"Harry?" Molly put a gentle hand on his shoulder before they started. "I wanted you to know that I appreciate you helping Ginny to be able to defend herself. I'm afraid that I reacted a tad more severely than I should have when we had so much trouble over Christmas. I've had trouble letting go of each of our children as they grow up. As strange as it may seem, it doesn't get any easier. It's time I started letting go with Ron and Ginny, and well, with you too."
He smiled and gave her a hug, which she returned. "Thank you for telling me that. I really do have your family's best interest at heart."
"I know you do," she agreed. "It's just hard on me to let you act like an adult. I'll get better, though I'll warn it may be a while before I completely let go; and in some sense, once a mum always a mum."
Harry grinned. "I understand and appreciate it."
She let go of him and walked over to put on some music. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be a mum for you a little while longer. I think all boys should have a mum somewhere to teach them to dance." The next hour was somewhat frustrating for Harry, but he appreciated Mrs. Weasley greatly.
(Fri 14 Feb)
They had called a halt to their lessons at five today so they could have an early dinner at the Manor, and then Ginny could come back and start getting ready for the dance. She appreciated Harry doing that, as the rest of the girls had to wait for dinner at six, then start getting ready afterwards. This plan gave her an extra hour, and time in the bathroom while the others were eating.
Harry quickly got ready and then sat in the common room with his Herbology book. The tutoring with Neville was going well, but he was still working to catch up. It wasn't long until all their friends came back from dinner, the girls rushing to get ready since they had a little less than two hours; the boys taking their time knowing they would be ready long before the girls. Neville was the first to join him waiting.
"Hey Harry, looking sharp, there," Neville told him.
"Thanks, you too. You can't go wrong in basic black," Harry replied pointing at his friend's robes.
"Nope, don't think so; but I hope that Susan Bones likes it. By the way, I wanted to tell you thanks for the extra Defense lessons, I feel like I'm doing a lot better."
"That's because you are, Neville," Harry told him with a smile. "As I told you the other day, how well you do a lot of the spells is determined by how confident you are. That's especially true with the harder spells like the Patronus. You've changed a lot over the last year, and your confidence has grown too."
"Thanks, Harry. You know, you've changed a lot since last year too. You're calmer, and a lot more powerful. Some of the stuff you've been showing me in the lessons is just amazing. I can't believe you're starting to do wandless magic."
"Well, learning enough to pass your NEWTs will do that to you." They both laughed and enjoyed the time.
Ron came down and joined them. He had some basic black robes, older, but presentable. Harry was glad his friend had outgrown the lacy ones that had embarrassed him so much two years ago.
"You look nice, Harry," his best mate told him.
"Thanks, Ron, you too; but you should see Ginny. I know I'm a bit biased, but I think she'll be the best looking girl there." Harry looked up and saw his date starting to come down. His awestruck look clued his friends into looking at the girls' staircase. They sat silently and stared, too.
"I know I'm a little early, but I'm done," she told him.
Harry rose and slowly went over to her and gave her the gentlest of kisses. "I knew you'd look good, but I think you're absolutely gorgeous tonight. You look like a queen."
Ginny gave him a light laugh. "Well, thank you, Mr. Potter. You're pretty spiffing too. I do like those robes on you."
"Hey Ginny? Where did you get those robes and jewelry?" Ron asked. "I've never seen anything like them before."
"A good friend lent them to me for the evening. Don't worry about it, Ron," she told him in a voice that indicated he should drop the subject.
"But Ginny, you know..."
Before Harry or Ginny could say anything, Neville did. "Ron, for once, why don't you shut it and leave them alone to have a good time? Forget she's your sister for the evening and make everyone happy, including yourself." He shook his head at Ron's thickness. To Neville, it seemed that Ron kept alternating between being all right with Harry and Ginny being together, and hating them being together. "If you all will excuse me, I need to go find my date." He left a speechless Ron behind as he headed for the corridor that lead to the Hufflepuff area.
"I think we should slowly walk to the dance," Harry suggested so they could get away. He led his date to his room, where he threw his text book in, before they left Ron to think about what had happened.
Harry and Ginny slowly walked to the Great Hall, stopping at an alcove on the way for a few minutes, though Ginny was insistent that Harry not mess up her hair. While there, Harry conjured up a golden rose and pinned it on her. Ginny liked the look and the thought. They arrived at the same time the Great Hall was opened.
After a few minutes, the Headmaster introduced a four person band named "The Wizs". They played a mixture of styles. Their second song was a bit slower and Harry thought that a waltz might work. Harry got Ginny's attention away from Susan Bones and Neville as he asked her, "Ginny, would you dance with me?"
She looked shocked. "Really? I thought you didn't dance?"
"I'm not a big dancer, but I don't want you to be bored all night."
Ginny smiled at him and let herself be led out onto the dance floor. There were only a few other couples dancing, so it was easy to avoid colliding with anyone.
Harry did his best to remember what Mrs. Weasley had taught him. After five one-hour lessons, he was able to handle himself -- barely. Doing his best to pay attention both to his feet and her, he led her around the floor. Ginny talked with him as they danced, and he answered her in short answers.
"Not bad, Harry. I was afraid we would be visiting with people all night. That would not have been bad, but I like that you're willing to do this. And you're dancing well too."
"For you Ginny, I'll try a lot I would not normally try." Harry thought this was getting a little easier as the song continued and he was becoming more confident.
Albus Dumbledore looked out over the sea of students. Many were standing around the edges and talking, though a few were starting to dance. He noticed that Harry and Ginny were on the dance floor. He smiled to himself at Harry's willingness to do that, as compared to two years ago during the Tri-Wizard Tournament's Ball. They were both dressed splendidly, better than anyone else here. Harry must have been spending some of the Potter money.
As he continued to look at them, a memory suddenly came to him. It was from another dance around nineteen years ago. Another couple was wearing those same robes and dancing, a black-haired and red-haired couple too. Suddenly, it all clicked. He knew where Harry was staying, how Harry traveled home, and where the robes had come from. Albus also suspected that were he to try and get there, he would not be able to. Still, it was nice to have that particular mystery solved.
As the song came to an end, Dumbledore watched another young man approach Harry.
Harry felt a hand tapping him on the shoulder as the song ended and the next began. He did not know who it could be, but the look on Ginny's face should have clued him in. Turning, he saw Colin standing there.
"May I cut in?" the blond boy asked.
"I don't think so, Colin," Harry politely told him. "You were requested to keep your distance."
"You can't have her all to yourself; you're not the best choice for her," Colin retorted.
Harry could not believe this was happening and tried using his teacher voice. "Mr. Creevey, I think you need to leave the dance floor."
"I don't think so." Though Colin had taken a step backward, he had also pulled out his wand.
Not understanding what was happening, but not wanting to take any chances, Harry immediately stepped forward and knocked the boy's wand to the side with his left hand while he drew his wand with his right hand. Unfortunately, Colin did not drop the wand, so Harry started casting "Reflectere!" A shimmering column came up around Colin as the boy cast "Stupefy!" The red light came out of Colin's wand and bounced inside the shimmering column around him a few times before it hit him and he collapsed.
The Headmaster came rushing up, wand in hand. "Nice containment and reaction time Harry." Dumbledore removed the shimmering containment field to check on the boy. "I'll take him to the hospital wing. Please do not worry yourself about him any longer. He will not be returning soon."
It was only then that both Harry and Ginny realized that the music had stopped and everyone was looking at them. "Come on, let's leave for awhile," Harry told his date. He led her out towards the rose garden outside, his wand still in his hand until they found a nice place in the garden.
"I'm sorry, Ginny," Harry told her as he wrapped her in his arms, which she gratefully let encircle her and drew comfort from.
"No, it's not your fault, Harry. He's been sort of like that all year. It's just gotten bad since Christmas. Good job on the Containment spell; I see why you were trying to teach it to me."
"It's easy to take down, but if the person isn't expecting it, it is very handy." Harry squeezed her in his hug again. "You know what I'm most sorry for?" She shook her head. "I'm sorry this night is ruined like this. I wanted to make it really special for you."
"Oh Harry, it is special. I got to come here with you, dance with you, and wear these wonderful robes. I don't know what more I could ask for," she sincerely told him.
Harry took a deep breath, this was his moment; he just had to do it. He had been planning this for almost two weeks since he had figured it out. "I can think of one more thing that you deserve, Ginny. Something I should have given you long ago, but I was just too thick to understand."
"What, Harry?"
"Ginny, I -- I love you. Maybe you already knew how I felt, but I thought you should hear it for..." Harry felt her lips against his cutting off his words. It had taken him quite some time, but he finally had figured out why he felt so possessive about her, why he wanted to be near her, and why she made everything right. It was love.
As they broke apart, Ginny nuzzled her face into the base of his neck and into his hair. "I love you too, Harry. I'm so glad you figured that out."
"I get the feeling you've been waiting on me."
She giggled into his ear, which sent shivers down his spine. "Yes, Harry. I could have told you how I felt for a long time, but I didn't tell you because I wanted you to figure it out without feeling pressured. But now that you have figured this out, know that I love you very much, Harry Potter."
Harry did not care if they returned to the dance or not, and now, Ginny did not care either. With the occasional warming spell for comfort, between snogging and talking, they barely made it back to Gryffindor Tower by curfew.