Here's the second one!!! Hehe, hope you all liked that one! Okay, no need for a note, you all know the deal. I don't own him, although that doesn't prevent me from obsessing over Ron…

Chapter twenty-four

Settling Scores

Three songs had played, but Ron and Hermione hadn't separated an inch's worth of space from each other. Lavender felt sick to her stomach. But she was still going to do everything she could. As soon as she saw their faces move toward each other, she stood up and walked over to them.

"Ron, I need to speak with you-"

Ron took on a look of disgust, but his eyes told Hermione it would be all right. He reluctantly let go of Hermione's waist and turned to face the ice queen.

"What is it Lave-"

But before he could finish asking, Lavender had taken his head in her hands and pressed her lips to his. He pulled back in shock and stared at her disbelievingly.

Hermione looked at Lavender with the same look as Ron. She was about to give her a bit of her mind when Ron put up his hand to quiet her. Without a word, he grabbed Lavender's hand and lead her outside. Hermione was even more shocked at this. What is he doing? Is he--oh god, maybe he does like her, but he didn't think she returned his feelings, and then when she kissed him, he realized that she did, and I was just a back up...oh god, oh god...this is horrible, I actually believed him! oh god...she felt her heart drop into her stomach. Harry looked surprised as well. Hadn't he just been about to confess his love to Hermione this evening? That was the plan at least, but now he was perplexed, this wasn't right...What was Ron doing?

Ginny was sitting outside on a bench by the side of the castle. She had gone outside to look for Hermione, but as soon as she saw Ron chase after her, she knew everything would be okay. She was heading back to the castle when she saw the reflection of the stars in the lake, and for some reason she was captivated. She had sat down on the bench to look up and admire them. It was so romantic; they reminded her of her and Harry's first kiss. She smiled at the memory. Suddenly, her thoughts were disrupted by a rustling on grass beneath feet. She looked down from the sky and across the grounds to see what was happening. She saw Ron leading Lavender by the hand, and Ginny's face turned pale. What?!? But he was just out here with Hermione, what does he think he's doing? She quietly snuck off the bench and crept along the wall of the castle to eavesdrop. But what she heard was definitely not what she expected.

"What in the--first, you convince Hermione that I don't love her, that I'm using her, and then, as if that weren't enough for you, you have to kiss me in front of everyone? What is wrong with you? Why would you do that? What were you thinking? I absolutely love this girl, and there is nothing anyone can do, especially you, to change that! I don't know who told you it was okay to do that to someone, because it's not!"

Ron's face was livid. Neither Lavender or Ginny had ever seen anything like it. But Ginny smiled all the same, she was proud and happy for him. Standing up for his love...

It was Lavender's turn to go pale now. She really didn't know what to do. For the first time she could ever remember, she was at a loss. She hadn't gotten what she wanted, and on top of that she had made a fool of herself! She really felt like crying now, and it was partly because she was searching for pity (that Lavender, she never gives up, does she?)

But Ron saw right through her, and made it clear.

"Lavender, I don't care. I don't pity you at all. You've made a damned fool out of your own self, and I had nothing to do with it. Now, before I turn around and walk away, I'd like your word that you'll apologize to Hermione before the night's over and you find it pleasingly dramatic to run away to your dorm."

Lavender looked shocked, and slightly angered. Lavender, apologize?!? Hmm, Ron seemed to be pushing it, Ginny thought. But she was still impressed at how well and sternly he was handling the whole thing, it seemed so unlike him.

Lavender was still (STILL!) searching for that little loophole in Ron's eyes that would tell her that it was all okay, that she was off the hook, but she was unsuccessful, there was none to be found. She finally realized that there really wasn't anything left she could do, and she was forced to give in to his deal. As soon as she said yes, he turned on his heel and headed back to the great hall.

Ron returned to Hermione, who was still standing in the middle of the dance floor, looking hurt and upset. She suddenly felt compelled to look up, and when she did, she saw Ron walking toward her. She was about to scowl until she noticed him grin at her slyly. Everything was going to be okay. He really did love her. He made it to her and, without a word, placed her arms around his neck.

Harry was about to seriously panic until he finally saw Ginny walk through the doorway into the great hall. She seemed to have had her conscience cleared, which was fortunate, Harry thought. He didn't ask her where she had been; he trusted that, wherever she had gone, she knew what she was doing. She sat at the table next to Harry and smiled. She had spent the whole time thinking about him, and this night, and how much she cared about him. Just then, she realized that they hadn't danced all evening. She took his hand in her's, and without asking, lead him to the floor and began to dance with him. He was a bit nervous, as he wasn't really the dancing type, but if it made her happy...

Ron and Hermione looked deeply into each other's eyes. Sure, the night didn't go exactly as planned, but it still was one amazing evening... thought Ron as he held on to Hermione tightly. Now that he had found her, he wasn't about to let her go so easily.

The ball was ending soon, but no one was ready to leave yet. Harry and Ginny were having such a good time. Ginny somehow kept Harry on the dance floor, which was quite a feat in itself, but on top of that, she kept him dancing, which was downright miraculous. Harry felt happy with Ginny, no matter what he was doing or where he was. Even if he did mortally despise dancing.

Ron and Hermione were dancing only an inch away from each other. She leaned her head on his chest and breathed deeply, smelling that warm and comforting 'distinctly Ron' smell.(A/N-not a bad smell!! A good one, really. Carry on--) As though she couldn't help herself, she lifted her head a couple of inches and pressed her lips against the side of his neck. This startled Ron, but in a good way. He returned the kiss to her forehead. She looked up at him, but he saw something in them he had never seen before. He wouldn't have any way of knowing, but it was the same look she had as she locked them in the broom closet. But even though he had never seen it before, he knew exactly what she was thinking. He grabbed her hand and slowly led her off the dance floor and up the staircase.

Harry saw the two of them leave and couldn't help but chuckle. Ha, Ron sure moves quickly, doesn't he?

Now, I'm sure you're all worried about what's going to happen here, but rest assured, they are only 6th years!!! And they've only been dating one night! Trust me on this one, I won't make them do anything you wouldn't do…hey, that doesn't really work, cause I don't know what you've all done…ha! Anyway, okay, how about this, I won't make them do anything I wouldn't do. And trust me, I'm as pristine as a saint! Okay, well, not really. Sort of, I mean…OY! Okay, you get the point! They did NOT have sex!!! Phew.