Chapter Fourteen

The Ball

I smoothed my dress and tried desparately not to fidget. I had chosen a brilliant green dress with a low back and delicate scoop neckline. A simple emerald pendant winked from the hollow of my throat.

"You look beautiful."

I turned, my curled hair bouncing around my head, to see Draco approach in a tuxedo.

"You don't look so bad yourself." I replied with a quiet smile.

He returned it and held out his arm. "Shall we make some heads turn?"

I linked my arm with his. "Let's."

You can be quite sure we did. The moment the doors opened on us, every eye was on us. Daphne, who stood with Colin Creevey, smiled encouraginly at me. Hermione and Ron, who had been invited along with most of last year's class, also smiled. Well Hermione did. Ron... well he clearly wanted to glare, but he knew Hermione would kill him.

My gaze traveled around until it pulled to a screeching halt. I was staring at Harry Potter.

And he did not look happy.

(A/N: You have no idea how tempting it was to flush this chapter out and end it here. But alas, I think I would face at least five different death threats. So, the show must go on!)

I froze for half a second, feeling guilty. Then I shoved it away. Why should I feel bad? He was the one who ran away from me. was it my fault? I don't think so.

I straightened my back and strode gracefully in with Draco. He had noticed my gaze. He leaned in, knowing how it would look to Harry. "Do you want to handle it? Or should I?"

I smiled gratefully at him. "I can deal with him."

Draco nodded and left under the pretense of getting us punch.

Harry stormed over. I resisted the urge to place my hands on my hips.

"What are you doing?" He demanded.

I regarded him with what I hoped was coolness. "Waiting for my date."

"Ginny!"

"What?" I demanded right back. "You take off like the spoiled little brat that you are and you expect me to wait for you? Indefinitely?"

He flushed. "I certainly did!"

I sneered at him. "In case you forget, we're not dating any more. And unless you want trouble, I suggest you leave now."

He reached out and gripped my arm. "You harlot!"

I felt the blood drain from my face. I pulled my arm from his grasp and hissed violently, "Don't ever touch me again!"

I spun, intent on separating myself from him when he grabbed me again. I started to turn when a silver and black flash beat me to it. Draco's knuckles cracked against Harry's jaw.

He shook his hand as Harry crumpled. The music had stopped to watch our drama. Draco turned to me.

"Are you alright?" He asked me softly.

I smiled and took his hand, leading him to the dance floor. "I am now."

888

Hermione smiled at the couple from behind her hands. She had done it.

Epilogue

Ron and Hermione married with in five years of graduating Hogwarts. They argued frequently and had five children, all boys.

Charlie settled down with Asuna. Though he never fully forgot his feelings for Hermione, Asuna managed to provide a suitable distraction when he needed it. Asuna and Charlie worked at Hogwarts until thier deaths. They had two children, a girl and a boy.

Daphne had a sordid affair with Colin Creevey before she fell in love with and married Fred Weasley. They too had two children, both twin boys.

Colin got over Daphne and ended up turning gay with Calvin Stant, a wizard from France.

George Weasley was eventually hooked by Angelina Johnson.

Harry returned to Australia where he met and fell in love with a stripper named Sara Stickly.

Ginny and Draco married three years after she graduated. She took Pomphrey's position as Nurse while Draco kept his role. They lived happily together for the rest of their lives, ending up with eight children. One was a girl. Her name was Hermione Hope Weasley.

The end!

(A/N: Ta da! Whew. That's another fic finished! GO me!