Disclaimer: All characters in this story belong to JK
Rowling.
Summary: If you read the first chapter, this is the
second chapter. A continuation to the first, and this is where the party takes
place.
A little note: All italicized words are the thought of Harry.
Chapter 2, Dance the Night Away
Harry and Ron sat in the common room chairs waiting for Hermione and Ginny. They were each wearing their dress robes and simple, but nice clothes under it, because they knew they would be taking the robes off after dancing. They had both promised each other that this time they would dance more than they did at the Yule Ball last year, and be gentlemen to their dates. Harry was feeling a bit nervous about going to the party/dance with Ginny, because it was their first "date", if that's what you wanted to call it. Of course, Ron was feeling much more relaxed, after going out with Hermione since the end of July. It wasn't exactly Harry's idea of a great birthday present, but he had a hint that they both had liked each other for many years.
"Finally, here they come," said Ron, jerking Harry out of his thoughts. The girls walked down the staircase looking marvelous and beautiful. Wow, Ginny looks great! I hope she thinks the same about me. Ron and Harry met their dates at the end of the staircase and took their arms.
"You guys look really nice," complimented Harry. Ginny blushed once again and thanked him. They hooked arms and started walking to the portrait.
"Shall we go?" asked Hermione.
"Let's go!" said Ron.
The walk to the Three Broomsticks was enjoyable. They joked around and Harry and Ron told the girls the promise they had made to each other. "Just for you, ladies, we have made a promise, that we shall dance with you all night long and be gentlemen to you," explained Ron.
"Well that is very nice of you, we appreciate it."
They entered the Three Broomsticks to hear great music
and see a lot of people arriving and dancing. This place looks great…okay, I
have to say something to Ginny, but what?
"Ginny, I am going to go check our coats in and I will meet you at the food table, okay?" he said.
"Sounds good," she said with a smile.
Harry walked with Ron to the coat checks. "Harry, I have to tell you something." Oh no, I knew this was coming. "Okay, I understand that you don't really have those feelings for Ginny, but, could you just please make her feel comfortable, but please don't lead her on?" Woah, I didn't expect that…"Yeah, of course, I know what I'm doing, but it's cool that you are protective of your sister. Don't worry, I won't lead her on," Harry said.
"Okay, cool, thanks. Now, let's go find those beautiful ladies!" said Ron excitedly.
They walked over to the food table and both asked their dates to dance. Both nervous, Harry and Ginny walked to the dance floor and started dancing. After about three fast dances, they decided to take a break and sit at one of the tables.
"Wow, Harry! I didn't know you were such a great dancer! I'm having a lot of fun with you," said Ginny.
"Oh…yeah, I didn't think I could dance either, but thanks. I'm glad you are having fun." Harry's eyes sparkled when she told him this and she smiled at him. Suddenly, the lights got dim and a slow song started. Oh man, I knew this was going to happen…well, here I go! "Ginny, would you like to dance?"
"Of course."
So they started dancing. After a few seconds, Ginny's head lay on Harry's shoulder with his arms around her back. Harry searched the room for Ron and Hermione, but couldn't find them. He went back to concentrating that he wouldn't step on Ginny's feet.
Finally, the slow music ended and they let go of each other. The fast music started and they danced to the song. After it ended, Ginny excused herself to go to the ladies room, so Harry went down to sit at their table. He drank a bit of butterbeer and warmth filled his body. After a couple of minutes, Ginny sat down next to him. He asked her, "Say, have you seen Hermione and Ron?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, no, I haven't, isn't that weird?"
"Yeah, they're probably liplocked outside or something," Harry said.
The both laughed heartily and but stopped and it ended in an awkward pause. So they decided to go dancing again.
Finally, around 12, the dance ended. They still hadn't seen Ron or Hermione and both were very worried. People were starting to leave and cleanup. "Harry, I'm really worried, what do you think happened to them?" asked Ginny.
"Yeah, so am I. I don't know what happened…let's do this. You check the girl's bathroom, and I'll check the boys. If we don't find them, we'll go outside and look for them, okay?"
"Good plan."
And with that, they set off in their separate directions.
Well, there's a cliff hanger. What happened
to Hermione and Ron? Find out in the
next chapter of Only the Lonely.