Disclaimer: We don't own anything, not even Ron's dress sock.
Authors' Note: Here's the next part, like we promised. This one is a cliffhanger, though, so be warned. But it does have the Yule Ball and lots of H/G and R/H. We hope you'll find it amusing. And thanks to everyone who reviewed and encouraged us to post this so quickly. :)
Chapter 6: Mistletoe and Monsters
The rest of the day passed quickly in snowball fights and mock Quidditch games, until late in the afternoon when the girls excused themselves to get ready for the Ball. Ron shook his head at their giddy exit, rolling his eyes.
"I don't know why they're making such a fuss over getting dressed," he told Harry. "It doesn't take that long to put on your robes."
That evening was a different story, though. Neville paced back and forth across the dorm adjusting his robes for the billionth time while Harry tried desperately to smooth his hair. Dean and Seamus fidgeted anxiously nearby, waiting with ill-concealed impatience for the hour of the Ball.
"Harry, have you seen my other dress sock?" came a muffled voice from the next bed. Harry could just see a flailing pair of tweed-clad legs and one bare foot sticking out from under Ron's four-poster.
He shrugged and shook his head apologetically as his best friend's panicked face popped into view. A second later it had disappeared again behind Ron's trunk, from which assorted articles of clothing began to fly in all directions.
"Ron, it's almost time to go," Harry warned. "You can borrow one of mine."
A large hand reappeared just then over the lid of the trunk, clutching a wadded-up brown sock. The rest of Ron quickly followed, looking flustered but triumphant.
"You go on ahead," he told Harry. "I just have to get my robes on. I'll be down in a minute."
Harry nodded, eager to flee the ransacked dorm. He filed down the stairs with the other three boys in nervous silence. Padma and Lavender were already waiting in the common room for Dean and Seamus. On their way out the two couples bumped into an excited Parvati, who looked stunning in robes of rich purple, as she came down from the girls' dorm. Neville managed to squeak out a compliment before she led him through the painting, leaving Harry alone.
As the silence stretched intolerably Harry began to feel sick. He was about to go get a drink of water when Ron's date appeared at the bottom of the stairs on the other side of the room. Harry remembered his manners and stood up quickly.
Hermione was wearing dress robes of deep blue velvet embroidered with silver. Her hair had been pulled back from her face and tamed into smooth curls that spilled over her shoulders, and tiny silver stars glittered amongst the glossy tresses. Her eyes were bright with excitement, though she seemed a little nervous.
"You look really nice, Hermione," Harry told her with a smile.
"Thanks." Hermione blushed. "So do you." She grinned at him suddenly. "But wait till you see Ginny. Her new dress robes are perfect."
Harry wasn't sure what to say to this. Was it his imagination, or had Hermione just winked at him? She didn't know that he had sent the robes, did she? He began to feel unaccountably nervous. "Is she ready then?"
Hermione nodded. "She's coming in a minute." She looked around, trying to seem casual. "Where's Ron?"
"He'll be right down," Harry answered. "He had a slight problem with his footwear." He moved to lean against the wall near the girls' staircase. A moment later he heard Hermione draw in her breath suddenly, and he turned to see what had happened.
"There's Ginny now," Hermione gestured to the top of the stairs. Her face was practically glowing.
Harry looked up the staircase. "Where?" Then, "*Oh*."
The girl on the landing smiled shyly at him and started down the stairs, and Harry forgot to breathe. The forest green robes he had ordered from the magazine looked nothing like they had in the picture. The way the silky material hung on Ginny's slender form made her seem taller somehow, and the soft, ruddy coils of hair piled high on her head and adorned with sprigs of holly complimented the color perfectly. When had she become so grown up? And why in the name of Godric Gryffindor hadn't he noticed?
"Ginny, you look beautiful," Harry finally stammered out when she stood before him.
Ginny blushed with pleasure, making his insides turn. "Thank you," she smiled. "You look really nice, too." Harry hardly heard what she said. He was too busy gaping at Ginny to notice when Ron appeared on the other side of the room, until her voice brought him back to reality.
"Ron! You look so handsome!" Harry blinked as Hermione turned around.
Ron *did* look handsome. His new dress robes fit perfectly, especially compared with last year's, or perhaps he simply filled them out better. Indeed, he did look taller than ever, and more confident. At least he did until he caught a glimpse of Hermione. She was staring at him with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, her mouth forming a perfect red O.
"Are we all ready then?" Harry thought he detected the slightest tremor in his best friend's voice as Ron approached them and offered Hermione his arm. She took it wordlessly with a slight nod, and the four of them stepped through the portrait together.
The Great Hall's transformation made it almost unrecognizable as the seat of their daily meals. Towering Christmas trees dripping with ornaments and candles lined the walls and fairy lights sparkled on every available surface. The enchanted ceiling appeared as a deep black vault of stars, and tiny snowflakes swirled magically through the air to vanish into the floor. It was breathtaking.
"This is even better than last year!" exclaimed Hermione in awe.
"Yeah," agreed Ron, but Harry noticed he was looking at Hermione rather than the Hall.
Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny wasted no time in joining their friends at the Gryffindor table, where the girls were greeted with appreciative whistles and the boys with much jostling of elbows. They managed to settle down just as Professor Dumbledore rose to make the opening address. No one really listened until the Weird Sisters began to play and everyone hurried to show off their new dance moves.
As Harry stood to offer Ginny his arm he glimpsed Draco Malfoy on the other side of the floor. The tall blonde was scowling directly back at him over Ginny's shoulder with a look of pure hatred on his face. It occurred to Harry then that the distraction of the Ball provided the perfect opportunity for the Slytherin to seek revenge, and he looked to see if Ron had noticed Malfoy, too. But his best friend appeared quite involved in other matters, and when Ginny smiled and took Harry's arm all thoughts of danger flew from his head.
Most of the Gryffindors had been dancing for quite some time when a slight diversion, in the form of a rather unusual piece of foliage, drew everyone's attention.
"Oy! Ron! Heads up!"
Harry looked over at his friends as Ron and Hermione opened their eyes with a start and glanced up. Floating in the air above them was a large bunch of mistletoe tied with gold ribbon. They both blushed and stopped dancing. By now other couples around them had noticed the situation as well, and people were beginning to stare, whispering expectantly.
"What the--?" Ron had pulled Hermione out from beneath the mistletoe, but the festive bundle swooped after them to alight once more a foot above his head. Ron's blush darkened as he scanned the crowd with a suspicious gaze, undoubtedly seeking his older brothers.
"What are you waiting for?" someone called out. "Kiss her!"
Hermione's face was now the color of Ron's hair. They both whirled to see who had made the comment, only to find themselves surrounded by a crowd of over-enthusiastic Gryffindors. Harry cringed in sympathy for his two friends. There seemed only one thing they could do.
Ron and Hermione's faces wore identical expressions of extreme embarrassment as they slowly moved closer, avoiding eye contact. Apparently they had reached the same conclusion as Harry. Hermione closed her eyes and tilted one cheek upwards toward Ron, who squeezed his own eyes shut and bent swiftly to give it a quick peck. But just before he reached her Fred "accidentally" gave his brother a slight nudge, and Ron's lips landed squarely on Hermione's mouth.
Both their eyes flew open. For a moment Hermione and Ron stood frozen beneath the mistletoe, then someone whistled and they sprang apart abruptly. Harry stared.
"Way to go, Ron!" George was giving him a double thumbs-up.
"Wow, Hermione!" Several of the younger girls were regarding the stunned brunette with obvious surprise, some even a bit enviously. Other couples had begun hooting and clapping, oblivious to Ron and Hermione's rather noticeable discomfort.
Ron seemed to have difficulty meeting Hermione's gaze. "Let's get some air," Harry heard him mumble to the floor, and a minute later they were retreating to the gardens.
Harry turned back to Ginny with eyes that were still a bit too wide. To his surprise, she looked perfectly calm, and was even wearing an odd little smile. "Ginny!" he exclaimed as the truth dawned, "You enchanted that mistletoe, didn't you?"
Ginny didn't seem at all perturbed by Harry's accusatory tone. "Of course," she admitted with no trace of shame. Seeing Harry's shocked expression, Ginny sighed and started to explain. "It's so obvious how much those two care about each other," she said matter-of-factly. "But they're both too stubborn to admit it, so I thought I'd help them out." She smiled in the direction Ron and Hermione had fled. "I think it was rather a successful plan, don't you?"
"Was Fred in on it, too, then?" Harry recovered enough to ask.
Ginny nodded. "I'm not the only one who noticed my brother's feelings for Hermione. You suspected them too, didn't you?"
Harry had to concede that she was right. "Yes," he nodded slowly, "but it's still a bit...weird...seeing them like that." He blushed, remembering the looks on their faces after the kiss.
The corners of Ginny's mouth twitched. "It was bound to happen sooner or later," she pointed out. "I'm just glad I could help it be sooner."
"I don't know," Harry chewed his lip. "Ron looked ready to kill someone when he saw that mistletoe. Maybe you better go tell him it was you so he doesn't attack the wrong person."
"He should be thanking me!" Ginny protested, but she followed Harry as he made his way across the crowded dance floor to the side door.
Apparently Ron and Hermione weren't the only students who preferred the more...secluded atmosphere of the gardens. Harry pulled Ginny behind him on the path, trying unsuccessfully to ignore the muffled giggles and rustlings of branches that quieted suddenly as they passed the more isolated groups of bushes. They reached the far corner of the yard with no sign of their friends, and Harry was about to go back inside when a small movement caught his eye.
But it was only another pair of students, half-hidden in the shadows of a large hedge, and Harry turned away with crimson cheeks. Then suddenly his brain registered the glimpse of an unmistakably familiar shock of hair. Harry looked cautiously again at the hedge, where he was shocked to find--
"Ron! Hermione!"
Hermione jumped backwards, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Harry. Ginny." Ron straightened and faced them coolly, one eyebrow raised slightly.
Harry had never felt so uncomfortable. He couldn't decide which was more embarrassing, Hermione's guilty blush or Ron's apparent nonchalance. He struggled to think of something to say. But as it turned out, he didn't have to.
"See! I told you!" Ginny rounded on him with a triumphant smile. She pointed at Ron and Hermione. "You really do like each other, admit it!"
Hermione coughed. "Yes," she said softly, smiling sideways at Ron. He winked at her, looking for a moment exactly like Fred.
"I guess we owe you a thank you," Ron grinned at his sister. "It was you, wasn't it?"
Ginny nodded eagerly. "I got tired of waiting around for you to see what was right in front of you." She punched Ron playfully in the shoulder. "Honestly, you two are so blind!"
"Okay, okay," Hermione smiled and took Ron's hand, "so you were right. But did you have to point it out to us in front of the whole school?" Even in the darkness Harry could see her blush returning.
"Well it was certainly one of the more effective ways of opening your eyes," he said with an evil grin, finally enough over the initial shock to appreciate the humour of the situation.
Ginny laughed as Hermione groaned and buried her face in Ron's robes. "I'll never live it down!" she whined.
"It's not that bad, Hermione," Harry told her comfortingly. "I'm sure Colin only got one or two pictures. Maybe three," he added wickedly as Hermione shot him a dirty look.
"Nah," said Ginny. She patted Hermione's arm reassuringly. "Colin wasn't even inside when the mistletoe appeared. So it's safe to go back now."
Ron gestured up the path toward the Great Hall. "Yeah," he agreed. "It's getting late. We should probably go inside."
Hermione took a deep breath, but finally nodded in agreement. "Alright." Ron took her hand and started up the path, Harry and Ginny walking behind them.
Suddenly Hermione stopped and glanced around. "Did you hear something?"
"No," Harry replied. "Like what?"
"I thought I heard something rustling in the bushes."
Ginny looked around as Ron's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Fred and George Weasley!" he began in a threatening tone. "If you're spying on us I swear I'll--"
"Calm down, Ron," giggled Hermione. "It was probably just the wind." They resumed their leisurely stroll.
"AAAARRGH!"
"What the--!" Ron spun around, pushing Hermione behind him.
What looked like a knight in armor had just sprung out from behind a hedge and was sprinting toward them, brandishing a heavy sword and slashing through the bushes in its way. But there was no face visible behind the visor flapping up and down on the helmet. The suit was empty! Stunned, the four of them just stared at the charging knight.
Hermione recovered first. "It's the suit of arms from the North corridor!" she cried. "It's been bewitched!"
"Not for long!" said Ron, raising his wand. "*Stupefy!*"
The suit faltered and lurched to a halt, legs frozen in mid-stride.
Ron turned back to Hermione with a shaky smile. "See? That wasn't so--"
He was cut off by a horrible clanking sound as the knight creaked back to life, shaking its head as if to clear it of the spell.
"It's breaking the spell!" cried Hermione in disbelief.
Harry pointed his wand resolutely. "*Locomotor Mortis!*" he shouted.
They all held their breath. The knight had started toward them again, but now it crashed to the ground as its legs suddenly locked together. Harry took a cautious step closer, then--
"Look out!" screamed Ginny.
Harry had to jump backwards as the knight, already clambering heavily to its feet, slashed at him with its sword.
"*Impedimentia!*" A flash of light from Hermione's wand sent the knight tumbling backwards, giving Harry enough time to scramble out of the way. But they all knew that wouldn't stop the attack.
"Why aren't these bloody spells working?" burst Ron in frustration.
They backed down the path, watching the knight staggering to its feet once again. Harry turned to Ginny desperately. "Go get help! We'll try and hold him off from the castle until you get back."
"I'm not leaving you!" cried Ginny fiercely. Before he could stop her she stepped past him and raised her wand.
"*Expelliarmus!*"
The knight's heavy sword sailed out of its hand and crashed into a hedge several yards away. For a moment the suit stood motionless as if in shock. Then without warning it lunged forward again and made a violent swipe with its left arm. There was a sickening crack as the gauntleted fist swung right into Ginny, doubling her body like a rag doll and flinging her to one side.
Something snapped in Harry's chest. He felt Ron and Hermione still standing beside him brandishing their wands, and he could tell their lips were moving, but he heard nothing. All he could see was Ginny's crumpled form on the side of the path, looking almost exactly as she had three years before when he found her half-dead on the floor of the Chamber of Secrets.
Authors' Note: Okay, so we killed Ginny. Maybe. You'll just have to wait and find out. wicked grin And of course, lots of reviews makes the wait a lot shorter.
Authors' Note: Here's the next part, like we promised. This one is a cliffhanger, though, so be warned. But it does have the Yule Ball and lots of H/G and R/H. We hope you'll find it amusing. And thanks to everyone who reviewed and encouraged us to post this so quickly. :)
Chapter 6: Mistletoe and Monsters
The rest of the day passed quickly in snowball fights and mock Quidditch games, until late in the afternoon when the girls excused themselves to get ready for the Ball. Ron shook his head at their giddy exit, rolling his eyes.
"I don't know why they're making such a fuss over getting dressed," he told Harry. "It doesn't take that long to put on your robes."
That evening was a different story, though. Neville paced back and forth across the dorm adjusting his robes for the billionth time while Harry tried desperately to smooth his hair. Dean and Seamus fidgeted anxiously nearby, waiting with ill-concealed impatience for the hour of the Ball.
"Harry, have you seen my other dress sock?" came a muffled voice from the next bed. Harry could just see a flailing pair of tweed-clad legs and one bare foot sticking out from under Ron's four-poster.
He shrugged and shook his head apologetically as his best friend's panicked face popped into view. A second later it had disappeared again behind Ron's trunk, from which assorted articles of clothing began to fly in all directions.
"Ron, it's almost time to go," Harry warned. "You can borrow one of mine."
A large hand reappeared just then over the lid of the trunk, clutching a wadded-up brown sock. The rest of Ron quickly followed, looking flustered but triumphant.
"You go on ahead," he told Harry. "I just have to get my robes on. I'll be down in a minute."
Harry nodded, eager to flee the ransacked dorm. He filed down the stairs with the other three boys in nervous silence. Padma and Lavender were already waiting in the common room for Dean and Seamus. On their way out the two couples bumped into an excited Parvati, who looked stunning in robes of rich purple, as she came down from the girls' dorm. Neville managed to squeak out a compliment before she led him through the painting, leaving Harry alone.
As the silence stretched intolerably Harry began to feel sick. He was about to go get a drink of water when Ron's date appeared at the bottom of the stairs on the other side of the room. Harry remembered his manners and stood up quickly.
Hermione was wearing dress robes of deep blue velvet embroidered with silver. Her hair had been pulled back from her face and tamed into smooth curls that spilled over her shoulders, and tiny silver stars glittered amongst the glossy tresses. Her eyes were bright with excitement, though she seemed a little nervous.
"You look really nice, Hermione," Harry told her with a smile.
"Thanks." Hermione blushed. "So do you." She grinned at him suddenly. "But wait till you see Ginny. Her new dress robes are perfect."
Harry wasn't sure what to say to this. Was it his imagination, or had Hermione just winked at him? She didn't know that he had sent the robes, did she? He began to feel unaccountably nervous. "Is she ready then?"
Hermione nodded. "She's coming in a minute." She looked around, trying to seem casual. "Where's Ron?"
"He'll be right down," Harry answered. "He had a slight problem with his footwear." He moved to lean against the wall near the girls' staircase. A moment later he heard Hermione draw in her breath suddenly, and he turned to see what had happened.
"There's Ginny now," Hermione gestured to the top of the stairs. Her face was practically glowing.
Harry looked up the staircase. "Where?" Then, "*Oh*."
The girl on the landing smiled shyly at him and started down the stairs, and Harry forgot to breathe. The forest green robes he had ordered from the magazine looked nothing like they had in the picture. The way the silky material hung on Ginny's slender form made her seem taller somehow, and the soft, ruddy coils of hair piled high on her head and adorned with sprigs of holly complimented the color perfectly. When had she become so grown up? And why in the name of Godric Gryffindor hadn't he noticed?
"Ginny, you look beautiful," Harry finally stammered out when she stood before him.
Ginny blushed with pleasure, making his insides turn. "Thank you," she smiled. "You look really nice, too." Harry hardly heard what she said. He was too busy gaping at Ginny to notice when Ron appeared on the other side of the room, until her voice brought him back to reality.
"Ron! You look so handsome!" Harry blinked as Hermione turned around.
Ron *did* look handsome. His new dress robes fit perfectly, especially compared with last year's, or perhaps he simply filled them out better. Indeed, he did look taller than ever, and more confident. At least he did until he caught a glimpse of Hermione. She was staring at him with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, her mouth forming a perfect red O.
"Are we all ready then?" Harry thought he detected the slightest tremor in his best friend's voice as Ron approached them and offered Hermione his arm. She took it wordlessly with a slight nod, and the four of them stepped through the portrait together.
The Great Hall's transformation made it almost unrecognizable as the seat of their daily meals. Towering Christmas trees dripping with ornaments and candles lined the walls and fairy lights sparkled on every available surface. The enchanted ceiling appeared as a deep black vault of stars, and tiny snowflakes swirled magically through the air to vanish into the floor. It was breathtaking.
"This is even better than last year!" exclaimed Hermione in awe.
"Yeah," agreed Ron, but Harry noticed he was looking at Hermione rather than the Hall.
Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny wasted no time in joining their friends at the Gryffindor table, where the girls were greeted with appreciative whistles and the boys with much jostling of elbows. They managed to settle down just as Professor Dumbledore rose to make the opening address. No one really listened until the Weird Sisters began to play and everyone hurried to show off their new dance moves.
As Harry stood to offer Ginny his arm he glimpsed Draco Malfoy on the other side of the floor. The tall blonde was scowling directly back at him over Ginny's shoulder with a look of pure hatred on his face. It occurred to Harry then that the distraction of the Ball provided the perfect opportunity for the Slytherin to seek revenge, and he looked to see if Ron had noticed Malfoy, too. But his best friend appeared quite involved in other matters, and when Ginny smiled and took Harry's arm all thoughts of danger flew from his head.
Most of the Gryffindors had been dancing for quite some time when a slight diversion, in the form of a rather unusual piece of foliage, drew everyone's attention.
"Oy! Ron! Heads up!"
Harry looked over at his friends as Ron and Hermione opened their eyes with a start and glanced up. Floating in the air above them was a large bunch of mistletoe tied with gold ribbon. They both blushed and stopped dancing. By now other couples around them had noticed the situation as well, and people were beginning to stare, whispering expectantly.
"What the--?" Ron had pulled Hermione out from beneath the mistletoe, but the festive bundle swooped after them to alight once more a foot above his head. Ron's blush darkened as he scanned the crowd with a suspicious gaze, undoubtedly seeking his older brothers.
"What are you waiting for?" someone called out. "Kiss her!"
Hermione's face was now the color of Ron's hair. They both whirled to see who had made the comment, only to find themselves surrounded by a crowd of over-enthusiastic Gryffindors. Harry cringed in sympathy for his two friends. There seemed only one thing they could do.
Ron and Hermione's faces wore identical expressions of extreme embarrassment as they slowly moved closer, avoiding eye contact. Apparently they had reached the same conclusion as Harry. Hermione closed her eyes and tilted one cheek upwards toward Ron, who squeezed his own eyes shut and bent swiftly to give it a quick peck. But just before he reached her Fred "accidentally" gave his brother a slight nudge, and Ron's lips landed squarely on Hermione's mouth.
Both their eyes flew open. For a moment Hermione and Ron stood frozen beneath the mistletoe, then someone whistled and they sprang apart abruptly. Harry stared.
"Way to go, Ron!" George was giving him a double thumbs-up.
"Wow, Hermione!" Several of the younger girls were regarding the stunned brunette with obvious surprise, some even a bit enviously. Other couples had begun hooting and clapping, oblivious to Ron and Hermione's rather noticeable discomfort.
Ron seemed to have difficulty meeting Hermione's gaze. "Let's get some air," Harry heard him mumble to the floor, and a minute later they were retreating to the gardens.
Harry turned back to Ginny with eyes that were still a bit too wide. To his surprise, she looked perfectly calm, and was even wearing an odd little smile. "Ginny!" he exclaimed as the truth dawned, "You enchanted that mistletoe, didn't you?"
Ginny didn't seem at all perturbed by Harry's accusatory tone. "Of course," she admitted with no trace of shame. Seeing Harry's shocked expression, Ginny sighed and started to explain. "It's so obvious how much those two care about each other," she said matter-of-factly. "But they're both too stubborn to admit it, so I thought I'd help them out." She smiled in the direction Ron and Hermione had fled. "I think it was rather a successful plan, don't you?"
"Was Fred in on it, too, then?" Harry recovered enough to ask.
Ginny nodded. "I'm not the only one who noticed my brother's feelings for Hermione. You suspected them too, didn't you?"
Harry had to concede that she was right. "Yes," he nodded slowly, "but it's still a bit...weird...seeing them like that." He blushed, remembering the looks on their faces after the kiss.
The corners of Ginny's mouth twitched. "It was bound to happen sooner or later," she pointed out. "I'm just glad I could help it be sooner."
"I don't know," Harry chewed his lip. "Ron looked ready to kill someone when he saw that mistletoe. Maybe you better go tell him it was you so he doesn't attack the wrong person."
"He should be thanking me!" Ginny protested, but she followed Harry as he made his way across the crowded dance floor to the side door.
Apparently Ron and Hermione weren't the only students who preferred the more...secluded atmosphere of the gardens. Harry pulled Ginny behind him on the path, trying unsuccessfully to ignore the muffled giggles and rustlings of branches that quieted suddenly as they passed the more isolated groups of bushes. They reached the far corner of the yard with no sign of their friends, and Harry was about to go back inside when a small movement caught his eye.
But it was only another pair of students, half-hidden in the shadows of a large hedge, and Harry turned away with crimson cheeks. Then suddenly his brain registered the glimpse of an unmistakably familiar shock of hair. Harry looked cautiously again at the hedge, where he was shocked to find--
"Ron! Hermione!"
Hermione jumped backwards, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Harry. Ginny." Ron straightened and faced them coolly, one eyebrow raised slightly.
Harry had never felt so uncomfortable. He couldn't decide which was more embarrassing, Hermione's guilty blush or Ron's apparent nonchalance. He struggled to think of something to say. But as it turned out, he didn't have to.
"See! I told you!" Ginny rounded on him with a triumphant smile. She pointed at Ron and Hermione. "You really do like each other, admit it!"
Hermione coughed. "Yes," she said softly, smiling sideways at Ron. He winked at her, looking for a moment exactly like Fred.
"I guess we owe you a thank you," Ron grinned at his sister. "It was you, wasn't it?"
Ginny nodded eagerly. "I got tired of waiting around for you to see what was right in front of you." She punched Ron playfully in the shoulder. "Honestly, you two are so blind!"
"Okay, okay," Hermione smiled and took Ron's hand, "so you were right. But did you have to point it out to us in front of the whole school?" Even in the darkness Harry could see her blush returning.
"Well it was certainly one of the more effective ways of opening your eyes," he said with an evil grin, finally enough over the initial shock to appreciate the humour of the situation.
Ginny laughed as Hermione groaned and buried her face in Ron's robes. "I'll never live it down!" she whined.
"It's not that bad, Hermione," Harry told her comfortingly. "I'm sure Colin only got one or two pictures. Maybe three," he added wickedly as Hermione shot him a dirty look.
"Nah," said Ginny. She patted Hermione's arm reassuringly. "Colin wasn't even inside when the mistletoe appeared. So it's safe to go back now."
Ron gestured up the path toward the Great Hall. "Yeah," he agreed. "It's getting late. We should probably go inside."
Hermione took a deep breath, but finally nodded in agreement. "Alright." Ron took her hand and started up the path, Harry and Ginny walking behind them.
Suddenly Hermione stopped and glanced around. "Did you hear something?"
"No," Harry replied. "Like what?"
"I thought I heard something rustling in the bushes."
Ginny looked around as Ron's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Fred and George Weasley!" he began in a threatening tone. "If you're spying on us I swear I'll--"
"Calm down, Ron," giggled Hermione. "It was probably just the wind." They resumed their leisurely stroll.
"AAAARRGH!"
"What the--!" Ron spun around, pushing Hermione behind him.
What looked like a knight in armor had just sprung out from behind a hedge and was sprinting toward them, brandishing a heavy sword and slashing through the bushes in its way. But there was no face visible behind the visor flapping up and down on the helmet. The suit was empty! Stunned, the four of them just stared at the charging knight.
Hermione recovered first. "It's the suit of arms from the North corridor!" she cried. "It's been bewitched!"
"Not for long!" said Ron, raising his wand. "*Stupefy!*"
The suit faltered and lurched to a halt, legs frozen in mid-stride.
Ron turned back to Hermione with a shaky smile. "See? That wasn't so--"
He was cut off by a horrible clanking sound as the knight creaked back to life, shaking its head as if to clear it of the spell.
"It's breaking the spell!" cried Hermione in disbelief.
Harry pointed his wand resolutely. "*Locomotor Mortis!*" he shouted.
They all held their breath. The knight had started toward them again, but now it crashed to the ground as its legs suddenly locked together. Harry took a cautious step closer, then--
"Look out!" screamed Ginny.
Harry had to jump backwards as the knight, already clambering heavily to its feet, slashed at him with its sword.
"*Impedimentia!*" A flash of light from Hermione's wand sent the knight tumbling backwards, giving Harry enough time to scramble out of the way. But they all knew that wouldn't stop the attack.
"Why aren't these bloody spells working?" burst Ron in frustration.
They backed down the path, watching the knight staggering to its feet once again. Harry turned to Ginny desperately. "Go get help! We'll try and hold him off from the castle until you get back."
"I'm not leaving you!" cried Ginny fiercely. Before he could stop her she stepped past him and raised her wand.
"*Expelliarmus!*"
The knight's heavy sword sailed out of its hand and crashed into a hedge several yards away. For a moment the suit stood motionless as if in shock. Then without warning it lunged forward again and made a violent swipe with its left arm. There was a sickening crack as the gauntleted fist swung right into Ginny, doubling her body like a rag doll and flinging her to one side.
Something snapped in Harry's chest. He felt Ron and Hermione still standing beside him brandishing their wands, and he could tell their lips were moving, but he heard nothing. All he could see was Ginny's crumpled form on the side of the path, looking almost exactly as she had three years before when he found her half-dead on the floor of the Chamber of Secrets.
Authors' Note: Okay, so we killed Ginny. Maybe. You'll just have to wait and find out. wicked grin And of course, lots of reviews makes the wait a lot shorter.