Harry and Ron stepped into the Ballroom an hour after dinner, and gazed around in amazement. They appeared to be in a slowly rotating starry globe, as if standing in space, only there was a solid floor tiled in checked blue and silver beneath their feet. This was the dance floor, and the sparkling silvery lights cast speckled beams onto it, occasionally changing colour to an electric blue or gold. Across the room along the edges of the globe were curved long, cushioned benches for people to occupy when tired of dancing, and a house elf was serving drinks at a levitating bar on the far side of the room.
Many couples were already dancing. Harry spotted Bill and Fleur dancing together looking very happy, and Neville being whirled around by Luna, her red dress flashing in the now golden lights. All the other couples were only barely recognisable from where he stood by the doorway.
'Shall we go get a drink and sit on that seat over there?' Ron asked into Harry's ear over the loud tone of the music, and pointed towards a free bench.
'Ok!' agreed Harry, shouting back. They started across the dance floor, but didn't get very far before a young French girl in a purple dress approached Ron and grabbed his hand.
'Will you dance avec moi?' she asked in a soft husky French accent, batting her curled dark eyelashes at him.
Ron's eyes goggled helplessly back and he replied, 'uh, yeah!' in a breathless voice, temporarily transfixed by her charms.
Before Harry could blink, she had steered him away out of sight. Shaking his head at Ron's reaction, he carried on towards the bar, but something, or rather someone caught his eye and he paused. Ginny's glittering gold dress moved up ahead, her red hair shining in the lights, and he strained to see her, thinking of possibly asking her to dance. This idea was soon lost as he heard his name being called, and he looked around to see Fleur's little sister Gabrielle standing beside him, beaming.
'Harree!' she trilled, 'dance wiv me pliz, Harree?'
He hesitated, Ginny still on his mind. 'Well, I uh-' he began, but at that moment saw a young wizard he didn't know approach Ginny and bend to kiss her hand before leading her into a dance amongst the starry lights. With a surge of sadness and jealousy he looked away, then into Gabrielle's eager, flirty eyes and couldn't help but smile at her. 'Alright,' he agreed, and took her hand.
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Hermione danced half-heartedly with the Weasley twins' best friend, Lee Jordan. He danced enthusiastically with vigour and energy, so she should have been enjoying herself. Actually she had been having fun until she spotted Ron dancing with some French girl, way too close for comfort.
'You alright Hermione?' asked Lee in friendly concern, slowing their dancing to a gently sway.
'Yes! Fine!' she answered in a high-pitched voice. 'Just a little tired, that's all.'
'Maybe you should go get a cool drink and sit down for a while then,' he suggested kindly.
She accepted the offer gratefully and allowed him to lead her to a seat. They passed Harry and Gabrielle dancing, he looked like he was having a good time. 'What is it with these French relatives of Fleur's?' thought Hermione, sitting down. 'They have way too much charms and smiles, Harry can't actually like her can he? She's a mini phlegm for God's sake!'
Just then Neville approached with two drinks, and handed one to Hermione. 'From Lee,' he explained, sitting down beside her. 'Some hot girl asked him to dance so I offered to take it to you.'
'Thanks Neville,' Hermione said gratefully, taking a cool sip of Rosmerta's Apple-mint Fruit Whisky.
'No problem,' he replied.
'So where's Luna got to?'
'Oh she's dancing with one of those Romanian dudes. I fancied a rest though, all this dancing's tiring me out! Where are Ron and Harry?'
'Dancing.'
'Oh, right.' He looked sideways at Hermione. She seemed sad, and looked so beautiful today, even more so than usual. 'Say, you want to dance with me after you've finished your drink?' he asked.
Hermione was surprised, she thought he was attached strongly to Luna these days. But she also felt grateful, it would be a nice change to dance with Neville, and might take her mind off of Ron for a bit.
She smiled. 'Ok.'
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Ginny's heart sank as she accepted the French boy's offer to dance. Harry had seemed to be heading towards her, and she couldn't let that happen yet, part of the plan was to cause him to be jealous, and she and Hermione had agreed on a certain song for which they would dance with Ron and Harry. Anyway, he was probably only coming to chat as friends, if she wanted him to change his mind about braking up with her, she would have to make him jealous. Sighing she allowed the boy to put his arm around her waist, and took his hand in return.
The next time she looked for Harry he was dancing with Gabrielle, laughing with her as he twirled her around. 'Stupid Phlegm's sister!' she thought bitterly. 'Who does she think she is to suck up to Harry like that?' The music changed to a hearty jig, and she danced faster, forgetting her sadness for a moment and losing herself in the catchy beat.
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Ron began to be annoyed with Laurette, his French dance partner. She barely left him alone, and was always touching him somewhere, hanging right onto him tight and flashing a wide white-toothed smile whenever he caught her eyes.
He looked around distractedly and saw Hermione dancing with Neville, who had his arm around her waist. 'How dare he touch her in that way!' he thought with a pang of jealousy. 'I thought he was going out with Loony Lovegood! And I wish this stupid Laundrette would leave me alone!'
The song finished and he let go of Laurette's hand. She started to protest and reached out to pull him back, but he stepped smartly out of the way and she grabbed Charlie instead. Immediately she turned her charms towards him, and he led her off, grinning goofily.
'Thank Merlin for that!' sighed Ron in relief, heading for the bar. A soft hand grabbed his.
'Dance avec moi?' a girls voice asked, and before he could refuse he found himself dancing with another French girl, this time with sleek brunette hair and thick lips. 'My name eez Silvia,' she beamed.
Ron groaned; this was going to be a long afternoon!
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Half an hour later Harry escaped the madness of the starry dance floor and managed to get a drink from the bar. He spotted an empty seat and sat down, glad for the rest and peace, happy to be watching the couples and groups of friends dancing while he sipped his drink. He looked around for Ginny, hoping she wouldn't be dancing with yet another French cousin of Fleur's. He had seen her with at least three since the start of the ball. The place was overrun with Phlegmy cousins!
He looked again, but couldn't see her anywhere on the dance floor and wandered where she was. She wasn't that hard to spot with her golden dress and red hair. Half-heartedly he scanned the couches around the globe, then blinked and glanced back round to the left. Sitting elegantly on a couch, all by herself, was Ginny.
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Ron took a deep breath and ran his hand nervously through his hair as he gazed at Hermione, who was sitting on a couch by herself. 'Come on Ronald, pull yourself together, summon up that Gryffindor courage' he told himself firmly. All he had to do was move his legs and approach Hermione, then ask her to dance. Easy! Only it wasn't easy, it was the hardest thing in the world at this moment in time.
A voice sounded in his ear, and he looked round to see Neville standing beside him.
'Just do it Ron!' his friend advised with a smile. 'You'll really regret it if you don't, this could be your only chance.'
'How d'you know-'
'I know, just trust me. Anyway, if you don't go now the blonde French girl that's eying you up right this minute may very well whisk you off for a dance and ruin everything!'
Ron started at his words, yelped, 'not another one!' and quickly hurried towards Hermione.
Neville grinned, turned around and winked at the 'French girl' who was actually Luna, before taking her arm and rejoining the dance floor, her babbling excitedly about seeing a Wimble Gump somewhere in the room.
'Uh, Hermione?'
Hermione looked up to see Ron standing beside her, smiling nervously. She had to smile back; he looked so adorable when shy.
'Yes Ron?' she asked sweetly.
'Will you…'
She looked expectantly at him. 'Just ask me!' she thought.
He took a deep breath. 'Will you dance with me?'
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Harry approached Ginny nervously, and touched her gently on the shoulder.
'Hey Gin.'
She looked around and smiled when she saw Harry, the sound of his voice melting her heart.
'Hey,' she replied softly back, but with a touch of sadness. 'Having fun?'
'Sort of…listen, Ginny-'
'Yes?' Her heart beat fast, 'don't get your hopes up Ginerva, it might not be what you think…'
Harry grinned. 'Care for a dance, Miss Weasley?' he joked.
Ginny's eyes sparkled with joy.
'With pleasure, Mr Potter,' she replied, matching his mood. He took her hand and they moved onto the slowly rotating globe amidst the starry flashing silver lights.
The music changed, and a tenor voice started singing a slow romantic song. For a moment neither moved, Ginny staring into Harry's deep green eyes and Harry staring into Ginny's chocolate brown eyes, each lost in each other's gaze. Then Harry put an arm around her waist, pulling her close. He smelt her flowery perfume and felt her warm body against his as she wrapped her arm around his middle. She trembled slightly, then rested her chin on his shoulder. They began to sway together with the beat, moving as one. Ginny felt as if she were in a dream, her heart swelling with love. She smiled into the crook of his neck, feeling the softness of his skin on hers and burning at the touch.
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Across the other end of the room Hermione and Ron danced intently in each other's arms. Ron couldn't believe his luck. He had his arm around Hermione's slender waist and she was leaning on his shoulder, he could feel her warm breath on his neck. His body tingled at the warm touch of her's and his heart ached with love for her.
'Don't kid yourself Ronald, she's probably only dancing as a friend…' His negative side argued with his happiness. And yet there had been something in her eyes right after he asked her to dance, something that led him to hope she may feel the same way as he did for her.
Hermione sighed, contented. She was in Ron's arms; he was holding her lovingly, just as she'd dreamed for many years now. But did he feel the same way that she did for him? Ginny's voice echoed through her thoughts telling her how Ron does love her. 'Make the first move', she'd told her back in the bedroom after her disagreement with Ron. Well their plan seemed to be working so far; he had asked her to dance after all!
For the rest of the song she lost herself to him entirely, enjoying the closeness she had always dreamed of, making the most of the special moment. All too soon the song drew to a close, fading out into another, slightly faster song.
They drew apart slowly. Hermione looked into Ron's eyes, which were sparkling in the gold lights, and for the first time saw love reflected in them.
'Ron,' she whispered.
He seemed about to say something, then dropped his gaze looking sad. He muttered something, but with the loud music she couldn't hear what he said, only catching one word, 'Krum.'
Suddenly it all clicked inside her head. Ron thought she was in love with Victor Krum! He was jealous of him! For some reason this made her want to laugh and caused Ron to start to back away, dropping her hand.
'Ron!' She pulled him back, drew him close, and leaned towards him, heart beating fast. Hope shone in his eyes, then turned to absolute bliss as she touched her lips to his, and kissed him. He stood in shock for a moment, eyes wide, then smiled and held her close, returning the kiss. He was kissing the love of his life, Hermione Granger- the smartest, prettiest, bravest and most loyal witch he knew, and she didn't mind!
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The song ended and Harry drew apart from Ginny, smiling at her. 'We need to talk, Gin.' He said into her ear.
'I know…why don't we go to the court garden?'
'This place has a garden?' he asked, forgetting Charlie's brief description of the palace.
'Of course! It's through the double glass doors at the far end, or from the hall, the second on the left. It should be quiet there.' She took his hand and led the way around the outside of the dance floor to avoid keen French dancers.
They stepped out of the ballroom into a beautiful marble walled garden. Silvery paths ran around neat flowerbeds with trimmed shaped bushes and trees growing amongst colourful large flowers. There were benches situated beneath the trees or beside bubbling fountains, and marble statues stood in corners or flowerbeds throughout the garden. Ginny was right, nobody was there apart from them, and it was silent except for the noise of frothing water, and birds singing in the trees.
She led him to a bench beside a fountain.
There was an awkward silence.
'Ginny, I…'
'Harry, I…' They both said at the same time, then laughed.
'You first,' said Ginny.
Harry looked her in the eye. 'I just wanted to say sorry for how I treated you. For breaking up with you when we both belong together. I know I hurt you, Gin, and I hurt myself too. I really missed being with you all the time, its just that I love you so much and I didn't want you to get hurt through being close to me.'
Ginny opened her mouth to speak but Harry silenced her.
'Please, let me finish, Gin, I need to say this. You were right about us all the time, and I was wrong. Hermione was right, Remus was right, and…' he hesitated. 'And my parents were right. It just took me a while to realise myself. I'm sorry.'
Ginny smiled, her expression soft. 'Harry, there's no need to say sorry. I overreacted as well. I understood why you broke up with me, why you wanted me safe, but I just wouldn't accept it. You've lost a lot of people in your life and I understand why you acted like you did. But really, as long as I'm with you I feel safe, and I'm in no more danger than anyone else in my family, or Hermione, they're all close to you.'
Harry nodded. ' I know. I just feel guilty for treating you so bad.'
'Harry, I was upset. But I forgive you now, so there's no way you should go feeling guilty, alright?'
Harry smiled at the stubborn young Weasley. 'Alright,' he replied, then pulled her close and brushed his lips to hers. She returned the kiss, moving into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his waist.
For a while they just sat in silence again, enjoying the peace. Then Ginny spoke.
'You said something about your parents. How they were right about staying close to me, or something. What did you mean?'
Harry grinned at the question, then took out the photo of himself with his Mum and Dad at Godrics Hollow. Ginny gasped when she saw it.
'How-' she asked in bewilderment.
So he explained everything to her about Remus and the Standard Book of Spells for Rule Breakers, the Erised Emit spell, and meeting his parents. It felt good to share the experience with someone; he had told nobody about what happened, except Remus of course, as he felt that what happened was too special to share for a while.
'It was amazing seeing them,' he said finally, smiling at the memory.
Ginny smiled sadly back and squeezed his hand in support. 'I'm glad you got the chance to meet them,' she said.
'Me too,' finished Harry.
They sat in the garden for a while longer, enjoying the peace, then made their way back inside to the ballroom.
'Isn't that Ron and Hermione?' asked Ginny, pointing to a couple kissing in the corner beside the door.
Harry gazed in amazement. 'Yup, it is as well!'
Ginny beamed. 'Yay, they finally got together!' she squealed.
Harry laughed. 'And about time, too! Always knew they would. Took them a while to realise it though!'
They were now back in the starry globe and flashing blue lights.
'Shall we dance?' He asked her.
She took his hand in response and whirled him around to join Neville and Luna on the dance floor. They danced as a group for the next few songs, Harry keeping hold of Ginny's warm hand. He laughed out loud, happiness flowing through his heart, and for a moment thought he heard his mother's tinkling laugh, and a deep hearty chuckle, from somewhere far away.
!THE END!
A/N: Thank you for reading! I know this story is complete, but I still love to get reviews!!! even if it's only one quick one! Let me know if you enjoyed reading it or not!
Rose :)