Yes, I am actually writing chapter 6. I've had it written for many many many months, but I never got around to typing it. So finally, here it is.

It was the night of Halloween, and energy was running high. Everybody was up in their dorm rooms, changing into their costumes for the Ball. Hardly anyone knew what anyone else was wearing. Only Amy and Laura knew what Star was wearing. Ron never brought up the ball, so Star decided to go alone, not really wanting to ask anyone else. She ahted the idea of going without Ron, but she didn't think she had much choice, since she didn't have the nerve to ask him. She wanted to find him at the Ball, but had know clue what his costume was.

"Hey Laura, you dressed yet? I want to see your costume already!" yelled Star, pulling on her shoes. Laura finally shuffled out of the bathroom, mumbling something about lipstick.

"Wow! Great costume! Where'd ya get the mask?" asked Star, grabbing the mask in Laura's hand, scrutinizing it closely.

"Professor Flitwick indulged us the other day in Charms and helped us with some things. You like it?" Laura twirled around, her billowing scarlet dress swishing loudly. Laura was going as Christine from Phantom of the Opera. Harry was going dressed as the Phantom. Her dress was quite puffy, with long sleeves and a low-cut back. Her mask was attached to a long stick, and matched Laura's dress-it covered most of her face, and was elaboratly decorated with gold brocade and small twinkling lights.

"Hey, wait a minute. . ." said Star, and hastily pulled the mask off the stick. "Laura! Isn't this your wand?!" Laura snatched the mask and wand, and glared at her giggling companion.

"I hate not having my wand with me, ok? That's all."

"Well, my dear, Harry is going to be doing flips when he sees you!" exclaimed Star.

"Me? Ron is going to sweep you away forever when he finds you!" replied Laura, gesturing to Star's costume. Star was going as an angel. She was wearing a semi-loose fitting, flowing white dress with a small train. On her head was a diamond halo, that sparkled brightly when it caught the light. Her blonde hair was down, with a few soft curls embedded. Some glitter was in her hair, and it shimmered gently.

Star laughed at Laura's comment, and smoothed out her dress. She plucked her halo off her haid, and spun it around a few times before tossing it back into the air. But instead of dropping onto her hair, it floated in the air aout 3 inches above her hair.

"Wow. . . Wingardium Leviosa?" asked Laura.

"Sort of, it's an adaption that Flitwick helped me with. Said we might as well have a some fun before getting back to classes."

"Have your mask?"

"Got it right here," said Star, pulling out a irridecent mask.

"Well, I think I'm ready. You?" said Laura.

Star gave herself a quick glance over in the mirror, then said, "Yes."

The two headed downstairs, where Harry was waiting for Laura. In his arms, he held a 6 red roses. When Star and Laura came near, he pulled out 3 of the roses, handing two to Laura and one to Star.

"Thanks!" they both said, giving him hugs. Laura gave him a kiss, and took ahold of his hand.

"You both look great!" he said. Laura blushed, and said the same to him. Harry did look good, with his tux and white Phantom mask, and long black cloak.

"We're waiting for Ginny and Herm," said Harry.

"What about Ron?" Star asked.

"He told us to go on ahead, that he would be awhile and that he would meet us down there."

"Oh. . . ok. . ."

Suddenly Ginny and Hermione showed up, giggling at a joke Ginny had just told. Ginny was wearing a multicolored peasant dress, her hair pulled into a bun, and large hoop earrings dangled from her ears. She was going as a gypsy. Hermione was a ballerina. She wore a shimmering black wrap-around skirt, with a matching leotard. Her hair was straightened, and pulled back a little with two small butterfly clips. On her feet were black ballet slippers, with ribbons running along her legs.

Harry handed them both a rose, and then they all took off for the Great Hall.

Star looked around the hall, and caught a glimpse of Oliver Wood, the Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. She ran down the stairs, tripping and sliding down the last few steps as the staircase decided to move. He looked great, dressed in all black.

"Hi...Oliver!" she puffed, as she smoothed her dress and straightened her halo, which had overbalanced over one ear. "Haven't seen you since the season started--how's it going?"

"Not bad, Star," replied Oliver in his thick Scottish accent, smiling at his friend. "I'm just getting ready for this masquerade--apparently it's going to be a big party. Oh, forgive me, I forgot to introduce my date for the evening. This is...Oh, wait a minute, I'm not supposed to tell, am I?"

"No need to worry, Wood, I know who she is," said Laura from behind Star. "My, my, Amy, that's a good job you've done on that mask--I see that Mother kept up with you long after she gave up on me."

"Yes, she did," replied the girl, lowering her mask. Star gasped.

"Your...Your eyes! They're different!" Amy smiled.

"Yes. A simple charm, really--my eyes are normally violet, but I put a spell on my mask to make my eyes look green. After all, before all of the variations in the population, all 'proper' elven maidens had green eyes."

Amy's eyes went perfectly with her costume. She wore a dark blue gown with light blue and white flowers. Her wavy blonde hair was gown, and a halo of flowers were tucked into her hair.

"But your eyes are beautiful enough, Melia," said Oliver, taking her hand. Laura rolled her behind her mask and snorted.

"Snort all you want, dear sister," retorted Amy, "But I'm not the one with the cheap plastic mask." She held out her own face covering, and Star gazed at it.

"Whoa...did Flitwick teach you that?" Amy handed the mask to her, and Star touched it with the tip of her finger. Amazingly, it went right through, and felt a bit damp when she pulled it back out.

"No, Professor Flitwick did not teach me that particular trick--he couldn't, even if he wanted to. It's a type of elven magic, called Water- Sculpting. You can take a bowl of water and shape it into anything you want."

"It's amazing, what she can make," interjected Oliver, smiling at Amy.

"Laura, can you do this type of thing?" asked Star, handing the mask back to Amy. She couldn't help but notice that it shimmered and reflected, much like sunlight on a pool.

"Yes, although not as well as Amy--I don't have the patience for such boring things. I, however, can play the piano much better."

"Very funny," said Amy. "Now, I suggest we go on in before that terrible Peeves decides to show up--there's no telling what may happen."

"Oh, Amy, I've been asked a few times, and I was just wondering, did anyone ever find out what exactly is on the Bloody Baron's robes? You know, the silver blood?" Amy paled a bit, and lifted her mask to her eyes.

"Don't ask...I made that mistake. Shall we?"

Harry laughed, and handed her the remaining rose, and together they all walked into the Great Hall. It was dark, but dim lights shown through, slightly illuminating the people. Music was being played by a band of witches called the Smack Pack, notorious for their crashing concerts. A thin layer of smoke filled the floor, and bats and other creatures lined the walls. Occasionally one would jump out, scaring at least a few people. Huge pumpkins were scattered.

Harry and Laura, and Amy and Oliver immediatly went out to the dance floor, while Star, Ginny, and Hermione found seats. They sat around and talked for awhile. Ginny later left to dance with Neville, and Hermione went off with Steven, a Ravenclaw prefect. Star was left alone, and felt it. She wondered where Ron was. She tried hard to fight back her tears, but a few escaped and ran down her face. She saw Laura waving, and tried to smile, but had trouble.

Inside her mind, she kept asking, "Where is Ron? Probably dancing with someone else." Star scanned the dance floor for any sign of him, but found none. The song that had been playing faded out, and new one started. It was one of Star's favorites, and when she heard the opening notes, she felt a lump form in her throat.

"Every now and then, we find a special friend, who never lets us down. Who understands it all, reaches out each time I fall, You're the best friend that I've found."

Star knew then, listening to the lyrics she knew so well, especially in her heart, that there was only one thing she wanted. Only one thing that really mattered. . . was Ron.

"I love him," she whispered softly to herself, realzing it fully for the first time.

She suddenly heard loud footsteps enter the Great Hall. They kept going until they reached Laura and Harry. Laura turned and pointed in Star's direction. The person sprinted towards Star, footsteps echoing.

It was a boy, looking like a knight. He wore a large white long-sleeved shirt, a light green tunic, and tan pants. Attached to his belt loop was a sword, and a silver helmet was on his head.

He fell to his knees next to star, out of breath. He gasped for air and said, "Sorry I'm late. I got this for you and I couldn't find it." He held out a small black velvet box. Star took it, wondering who this person was. His voice was horribly distorted by the helmet and lack of air.

Star opened the box to find a silver ID bracelet with three stars engraved on the front, a small diamong placed inside the middle star.

"Turn it over," the boy whispered.

Star lifted the bracelet from the box, and turned it over.

Engraved on it were the words:

I LOVE YOU - RON

Star whispered, choking slightly, "Ron?" The boy lifted his helmet, and it was Ron, a serious but wonderful smile on his face.

Star smiled, and leaned in and kissed him. It was a first kiss for both of them, and she couldn't have picked a better time. When they pulled apart, Ron was blushing, but a smile was on his face. He helped her put the bracelet on, then got to his feet.

"Do you want to dance?" he asked, extending his hand to her. She took it, and together they walked to the middle of the dance floor. Star wrapped her arms around his neck, and he draped his around her waist.

"I'll make a wish for you, and hope it will come true, that life you just be kind, to such a gentle mind. If you lose your way, think back on yesterday, Remember me this way, remember me this way. . ."

Star layed her head on Ron's shoulder and closed her eyes and listened to his steady breathing as they swayed to the music. She could feel the bracelet dangling lightly on her wrist. She lifted her head, and kissed Ron.

"I love you, too."