A/n: One more to go! (Can anyone tell I'm excited? These are the quickest updates ever!)

The ball has arrived!

Thank you to the Guest Reviewer that left no name! I'm glad you like the story. :D

Enjoy!

Chapter 37

Storm had been walking on clouds ever since her birthday. Hermione had presented her with her birthday gifts, and a cake once everything had died down and the celebration had been cleared off. The brunette seemed just as happy, her smile never faltering as they wandered the halls together. Falling into some sort of normalcy as the second week of the Easter holidays commenced. The ball still looming right around the corner, and everybody's excitement seemed to live on.

Storm found herself sat on Hermione's bed one evening, watching the older witch read in an armchair not far away. "You're alright with me leaving aren't you? Not staying for my newts?" She asked after a while of watching the brunette flick through pages.

The shorter witch paused for a moment, glancing up at her girlfriend who was still staring at her quite happily. She seemed to decide on something then, and set the book down; only to get up and cross the room.

"I didn't think I would be" She started after a moment, settling herself cross legged in front of the American still watching her. "But I like the idea, I don't think you'd be happy doing anything you'd need Newts for." She spoke, a small smile tugging at her lips as she watched the shifter watch her.

"I think, I like the idea of you being closer to me too, of being able to see you whenever I want." She admitted with a coy smirk, leaning forward to brush a few strands of dark hair out of Storm's face.

"We could maybe move in together for half the week" The American said a little suddenly, "I don't think full time would be good with trying to settle into jobs and such, but part time. You can stay with me until we find you a place, then I could stay with you until the season starts, if you want me.." She spoke, clearly having gone over the idea on her own a few times.

"I always want you" Hermione grinned, shuffling to settle herself in Storm's lap. A place she'd found herself more than comfortable in, feeling Storm's warmth and safety surrounding her in every way.

"I can save up whatever I earn for the year, and then we can see where we're at." The American grinned, leaning forwards to brush the tip of her nose across the brunettes.

"We'll see" Hermione spoke, fiddling with the buttons that ran down the front of Storm's shirt.

"You need to keep Boris safe though, he's there to keep you company when I can't be." Storm spoke quietly, a little sheepish. "I thought I'd be here, and thought you might like having something living in the flat with you. It would make me feel better." She admitted, avoiding the brunette's gaze.

"You think of everything, don't you?" Hermione asked, once again taken aback by how quirky her girlfriend actually was. Taken aback by how thoughtful, and caring.

"I try" The shifter stated, leaning to bury her nose in the crook of Hermione's neck as the brunette drug her fingers up and down her back.

"I don't know how long goldfish live though" She added, thought her voice was muffled.

"I'm sure it'll have something on it in the library" Hermione replied, unsure of whether she wanted to laugh or hug the younger girl tighter.

The next few days passed quickly, filled with quite a bit of discussing. Hermione had supported the shifter one hundred percent in the end, and Storm couldn't complain. Her mother was proving to be a bit of a hard case, but the contract had already been signed and sent off. She'd gotten the rough schedule a few days later, and was beyond surprised to see she'd need to attend what had been described as an introduction to the team, which Ginny had explained would be opportunity to have her fitted for robes and pose for posters.

"But I don't want to be on a poster…" Storm said with an eyebrow raised, her voice hushed as she still hadn't told anybody else about the news.

"All the team members have posters, and you'll have one together. Have you not seen some of the team's merchandise? There's way too much of it. I've got to do the same thing" The redhead grumbled, shaking her head slightly. Her room had been plastered in all things Harpies since she could remember, but never did she realise how difficult it would be to be the person in one of the posters.

"We're do to play each other in a few months you know" Storm stated, her rough timetable laid out infront of her on the small round table in the corner of the common room.

"I know, and you're going down Griffin!" Ginny replied with a laugh, running her hand through her long red hair as she nodded to someone behind the American.

"You wish" Storm replied, a lopsided grin pulling at her lips. A set of arms wrapping themselves around her neck before Hermione had flopped into her lap.

"Hey, where have you been?" Ginny quizzed from across the table.

"The Library, I've had to reply to a letter from the Minister. He's agreed to let me try to work on laws regarding houselves once we finish School. It'll take a while, and I'll have to go in to make it formal but then I'll be all set" The brunette grinned, planting a kiss on Storm's cheek as the younger girl pulled a liqourice wand from her pocket to suck on.

"That's brilliant, so all you really need to do is find a flat and you'll be all set" Ginny replied, "have you got any idea as to what it is you'll want to do first?" Storm added on, and as expected Hermione began regalling them with her plans. They were clever, there was no denying that, and Ginny was pleased to see they were toned way down in comparisson to Hermione's S.P.E.W goals.

Storm nodded along happily paying attention to everything the older witch had to say. Replying where it was needed, but overall staying quiet as Hermione ranted on about what it is she wanted to achieve.

"Is this international?" Storm asked seriously, an eyebrow raised.

"It will be once we get the English population under our belts" The brunette replied, looking up from the bit of parchment she'd been showing the pair. Storm almost laughed at how eager her girlfriend was, totally ready for the next few months.

-x-x-x-x-

The night of the ball was finally upon them, and everybody was beyond excited for what was to come. Harry was expected to be joining them as Ginny's date, which wasn't entirely surprising in itself. Storm's dorm was filled with girls flitting around in dresses, squealing as they all got ready together. The American couldn't help but roll her eyes and scoff, really not able to see why the sound effects were needed.

She herself had opted for something far simpler. Her mother had tried desperately to get her into a dress, but failed quite terribly in the end. Once Storm had expressed the fact that she would, 'never be caught dead in something so drafty' Lori had given up and left her and Joe to it.

She was ready in no time, her hair having taken the most time to tame but finally fell into place. She'd gone for a waistcoat rather than a jacket, buttoned up by three buttons at the front and its tails falling to about mid thigh at the back, and stopped just below the waist of her trousers in the front. A pair of trousers that hugged her legs nicely all the way down disappeared into her usual boots that had been shined and polished to look brand new. Both waistcoat and trousers black in colour, and all the wrinkles ironed out to leave them almost uncomfortably stiff.

A crisp white shirt was tucked into her trousers, and buttoned all the way up. Though her sleeves had been rolled up at the elbow and left her forearms bare. A black bowtie tucked nicely under her collar set off the entire look, and with a quick check in the mirror she grabbed a small box from on top of her bed and headed off.

Her boot clad feet thudding heavily on the stairs as she made her way down them. She'd promised to meet Hermione in the common room, and luckily was a few minutes early herself. There was no sign of the brunette wtich as of yet, so she'd decided to wait it out rather than go and fetch her. Still unsure of what she'd chosen to wear herself.

The clock on one of the walls chimed eight, and when Storm looked up at it; her attention was firmly pulled elsewhere. The brunette had just emerged from the small hallway that lead to her personal quarters. Clad in a rather form fitting light blue dress that's pleated skirt fell mid-thigh. The entire picture had Storm quite literally lost for words, her jaw dropping. "Merlin" She muttered to herself as she jumped up to meet the approaching witch.

"Sharp" Hermione spoke first, a coy smile tugging at her lips as she took in the American's appearance. "Though the drooling really doesn't go with the look" she quipped. Using her pointer finger to push Storm's bottom jaw up.

"Bloody hell Hermione" The younger girl stated before mentally slapping herself for the outburts.

"I did well then?" The brunette asked, though the raised brow made it seem almost as if she already knew the answer.

"You look... Um..." Storm stumbled, trying to find the right words before continuing. "Beautiful" she finally spoke again, nodding slightly as if to confirm her words.

"Thank you. I must say, I like the bowtie" Hermione laughed, her features lighting up brilliantly as she did. Moving closer to reach up to straighten the black bow that was situated around Storm's neck.

"I really think we should go, before I change my mind" The American stated quite simply, leaning down to steal a quick kiss before taking Hermione's hand and leading her out of the Common room towards the entrance hall.

The brunette just laughed, smoothing down her baby blue dress with her free hand as Storm pulled her along.

"Oh!" The American stopped suddenly, pulling Hermione to a stop with her as she rummaged in her pockets.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, watching curiously as the younger girl stuffed her hands into her pockets, clearly looking for something.

"Nothing, I just got you this and forgot to give it to you" She stated, pulling the rectangular box out of her trouser pocket.

"You didn't have to get me anything" Hermione spoke, but took the box from Storm. Curiosity written all over her features as she looked from the box to the American and back again.

"It's kind of tradition to get your date something before a dance. It's usually a crosage, but I didn't know what colour you'd be wearing, so I got you this instead. Same concept" She explained as Hermione opened the box to reveal a silver charm bracelet. Her eyes finding the little charm linked onto it, on closer inspection she realised it was a little flower.

"I figured it's like the flowers you get for the crosages. But this one doesn't die" Storm smirked as she reached over to pull the silver bracelet from the box to fasten it around Hermione's wrist for her.

"That's quite clever, it's lovely" The brunette admitted, a dark blush spreading across her cheeks as she watched her girlfriend finish fastening it. "You really think about things you know. You act like you don't, but you do" She pointed out as Storm pushed the box back into her clearly enlarged pocket.

"I do when it matters" The American stated plainly, a simple statement in itself that held a lot of meaning.

Hermione linked her arm with the younger girl's, her free hand going to hold the shifter's forearm. "Do you think they'll have snacks?" Storm asked as they wandered towards the Great Hall.

"I think they might. McGonagall might have gotten the Weird Sisters to play again as well." The brunette stated, her fingers playing with Storm's rolled up sleeve. Her stomach full of butterflies as she walked tucked up beside the younger girl. The feeling of nervous excitement totally overshadowing anything she'd felt before.

Harry and Ginny were both stood waiting for them in the entrance hall when they arrived. Ginny looking incredibly smart in her own dress, and Harry in his dress robes.

"Ah damn" the redhead laughed, "Looks like you owe me a galleon" She stated, and Harry himself looked slightly sheepish.

"A galleon for what?" Hermione asked suspiciously, an eyebrow raised.

"We bet on whether or not Storm would wear a dress, Harry seemed to think so. I said there was no chance" Ginny admitted, a smug grin tugging at her lips as she took in Storm's attire.

"Dresses make me feel exposed and they're way too drafty" the American stated seriously, "and they don't have pockets" she added as an afterthought. Pulling a bag of Jellyslugs out of one of her trouser pockets to prove her point.

Hermione just shook her head, a laugh she'd tried to surpress finally escaping at the appearance of the sweets. "You were worried about snacks, and you'd brought your own?" She asked, though really wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer.

"What if I run out of snacks?" Storm asked, as if it proved her point entirely. "Shall we go in?" She asked before anyone else could answer her first question.

"I think we should" Harry stated, a look of amusement tugged across his features.

"We definitely should" Hermione stated before pulling the American into the Great Hall.

"I've never been to one of these before" Storm admitted quietly, leaning down so only Hermione could hear.

"Really?" The older witch asked raising her voice over the music, as Storm watched the people dancing already a little nervously.

"At Unity they had one, but I'd gotten detention and wasn't allowed to go" she stated, a sheepish smile pulling at her lips as she looked around.

The hall was decked out completely, floating candles illuminating the area just enough. Different tables set up around the room with punch bowls and the like. Where the staff table usually sat was turned into a stage, and even some teachers could be seen out on the dance floor in front of it.

"I don't even want to know" Hermione laughed, shaking her head as she pulled the American off and into the crowd of students already dancing to the blaring music.

It didn't take long for the younger witch to get into it, though admittedly she'd followed Hermione's lead. She'd done alright for herself when it came to the slower songs, as they hadn't required as much movement and had resulted in the brunette pressed right up against her as they swayed together.

Harry had cut in at one point, and had taken the older girl away for a few songs. Leaving Storm and Ginny to dance themselves, "So we meet again!" Storm had laughed as Ginny wrapped her arms around the American's neck, completely comfortable with it.

"Oh stuff it Griffin, you've been waiting for this all night!" The redhead smirked, swatting at Storm's shoulder playfully as they danced; a respectful distance apart.

"And you weren't? I'm disappointed Red, you wound me" She tried to feign hurt, but ended up laughing instead.

"Just keeping up appearances, after all; we're doomed to be enemies once the Quidditch season starts" Ginny stated, shaking her head as she did.

"Bit dramatic, as long as you know I'm always going to win, we'll be fine!" Storm winked, her grin cheeky as she tried to duck away from the light smack Ginny had aimed her way. Quite literally ducking away from the dance floor and towards the drinks. The redhead following hot on her tail.

With a smirk Storm handed her a cup she'd already filled and sat on one of the benches beside the wall. "Do you think Hermione's really alright with me leaving a year early?" The American asked once Ginny had sat next to her. Her dark eyes fixed on her girlfriend dancing and laughing with her best friend.

"I think she's surprised herself. She was dreading the next year with you staying to finish your seventh year. She kept saying it herself. I think she's happy and has finally realised you wouldn't be happy doing anything else" The redhead spoke after a moments consideration.

"I think she surprised everyone. I was definitely expecting to have to convince her. Had an entire speach ready and everything" Storm admitted, before draining her cup of all its contents.

"She's definitely a lot less serious than I've ever known her to be. I think you're good for her, and I think she's good for you too" Ginny smiled a warm smile before leaning over to nudge the shifter.

"Speak of the devil!" Storm laughed as Hermione and Harry made their way over. The brunette in question raising an eyebrow as she approached.

"Ginny was getting a little handsy, so we decided to sit down" the American spoke, answering Hermione's question before she'd even asked it.

"Oi!" Ginny admonished, "If you weren't such a git I'd not have gotten 'Handsy'" she scolded, ignoring Harry's surprised look for a moment.

"Really she was just trying to take out the competition, can't handle the fact I'm no longer going to be on her team!" Storm replied, "And I'm not a git!" She stated indignantly, a coy smirk pulling at her lips as she looked up to meet Hermione's amused gaze.

"Really, you two." She scolded playfully, taking Storm's seat as she got up to go and get more drinks. Watching carefully as she wandered the short distance.

"Scrubs up well doesn't she?" Harry pointed out as he took Ginny's other side, nodding towards Storm's back.

"Very well" Hermione agreed with a light blush, "I was honestly half expecting her to try and wear jeans" She admitted quietly, smoothing down her dress' skirt.

"She did ask if I thought you'd have her head if she did..." Ginny piped up, adding to the convesation.

"Of course she did" The brunette laughed, her dark eyes sparkling in the dim light that saturated the room.

"Do you think she owns any other shoes? Or does she have some sort of attachment to those boots?" Ginny asked rather seriously, an eyebrow raised in question.

"She's got other shoes" Hermione smirked, shifting over slightly to make room for the shifter as she returned.

"I really do just like these boots." Storm spoke as she handed out the refreshed drinks. "Did you want to go back? Or did you want grab some air? It's really hot in here?" The American asked, her cheeks tinted red and her bowtie and top button undone.

"We can get some air. I think they've set the fountain up with lights and all sorts. I'd like to see that. I didn't spend much time outside during the last ball" Hermione replied before finishing off her drink and saying a quick see you to both Ginny and the green eyed boy.

Storm herself was glad when they stepped out onto the flagstone path, the night was warm but it was still a lot cooler than the Great hall had been. The fountain that sat in the middle of the flagstone courtyard was decorated with hovering lights of different colours. The fairy's fluttering and moving along the bushes to the side and all along the path. It was shrouded with with a canopy suspended high above them, and their footsteps could be heard over the music radiating out from the walls of the castle.

"It's much cooler out here" Storm spoke, tugging at her collar as she went to sit on the edge of the fountain.

"It is, and a lot quieter, my ears are ringing." Hermione laughed, sitting beside the dark haired witch, leaning into her side. "I didn't realise it was so loud" She added as a second thought.

"I don't mind the loudness" Storm stated, taking Hermione's hand to give it a light squeeze. "I think everyone's still on a high from the end of the celebrations."

"Well aren't you?" Hermione asked, leaning over to brush a few strands of hair out of Storm's face.

"Of course, who gets signed on their birthday during one of the biggest wizarding celebrations in History? I'm really rather lucky" Storm grinned, leaning over to steal a kiss from the brunette.

"Well, I suppose so" Hermione laughed before pulling the younger girl back for more.

They'd stayed outside for a while, long enough for Storm's cheeks to return to their usual color. Hermione insisting on the younger girl doing her bowtie back up correctly, and by insisting, she'd actually done it herself. "You should wear these more often" she spoke as she folded Storm's collar back over the straps, hiding them from view.

"Do you really like it that much? Honestly?" Storm asked a little suspiciously, pulling away slightly to study Hermione's features.

"I like it all that much" she admitted with a sly smile, her fingers tucking into the pockets of the waistcoat.

"I'm glad, I was a little nervous." The shifter admitted a little shyly, the red tint returning to her cheeks for a completely different reason.

"There was no need. I think you're rather nice looking actually, even when your hair sticks up all over the place after you've been sleeping" Hermione stated as a matter of factly, watching with amusement as Storm's cheeks turned a deeper red.

"Do you really?" The American asked, an eyebrow raised as a smug smile took her lips.

"Well obviously. You're rather handsome" she stated, "Now let's get back to this before you're head gets too big and you're unable to fit through the door" Hermione laughed, taking Storm's hand to drag her off once again.

"Ah, you're a joker now are you? I'll have you know , my ego is quite reasonably sized, and thanks you for your kind words" Storm replied flippantly, making a show of successfully making it through the double doors.

They'd stayed for a while longer, dancing close together. Joking and generally enjoying themselves for the final time that Easter holiday. The ball the last event as part of the celebration. The following few weeks set to be jammed full of preperation for the seventh years NEWT's, and the fifth year's OWL's. The end of the school year not long after that.

Storm found herself being kissed softly as Hermione leant up to pull her out of her own head with a kiss and a quietly spoken "what're you thinking about?" As they danced slowly, the hall having cleared of more than half the students.

"Just what's going to happen over the next few weeks, I really don't feel like I need to be here anymore" Storm admitted with a quiet sigh, pressing her cheek to Hermione's as she leaned down. One of the brunette's hands firmly clasped behind her neck, the other resting firmly against her chest. Her own arms wrapped quite securely around the smaller girl's waist.

"It's not long now" The older witch spoke quietly, twirling the longer strands of hair at the back of Storm's neck around her fingers.

They stayed like that until they were the last two around, the music coming to an abrubt stop dragging them out of their little bubble.

"I guess it's time for bed" Storm stated as she looked around them into the empty dimly lit hall.

"Much better ending than last time" The older witch amitted, "Much better than last time" She corrected, pulling Storm down by the chin to plant a tender kiss to her lips.

"Glad to be of service!" The American beamed brightly before catching sight of Filch heading their way. "Filch is coming, so we really best get going"

And with that, the final night of their celebrations ended. Leaving nothing but their last few weeks at Hogwarts left to be played out.