3/8/03
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter charas but I do own any names unrecognized. I do not own Devil Went Down to Georgia, Looking Through Your Eyes, This I Promise You, well any of the songs to sum it up! Don't sue me, I have jack crap
****Dedicated to Buggie (Brittany Young) and Cameron (Robinson)****
Hogwarts Christmas Of Love*~~
Part IV*~~
Falling and Finding*~~
Ginny glanced at Harry as they proceeded. He seemed deep in thought. She hoped he was thinking about her. "Ginny," Harry said softly.
"What?" she responded, just as quiet.
"W-what happened. you know- before quidditch practice," Harry said.
"I. don't know," Ginny said, eyes on the ground. "All I know is. I think I liked what was going to happen." They said nothing as they continued to walk through the corridors.
Soon they were at the fruit bowl painting. Ginny reached up and tickled the peach (or whatever). In an instant a door handle appeared. Harry pulled it open. "Hello, Harry Potter, Virginia Weasley."
"Hey Dobby," Harry said, waving. Ginny smiled as he bounded over. The rest of the elves were to used to this to care. They continued bustling about, getting ready for the food to be sent up in a few moments.
"I best head to my station," Dobby said. Ginny and Harry followed silently.
A small ball of purple fire appeared over the head table and that food went up, drifting up to the ceiling and straight through. Suddenly a ball of red, blue, yellow, and green fire appeared over the respective tables.
Food flew up all around them. Then the house elves quickly got the deserts set out. "What may wes (wheeze) be doing for yous?" asked Dobby.
"Everyone in the ballet needs dinner, we're the fetchers tonight," Ginny said.
"Here," said Winky's voice. Ginny turned to find Winky handing her an apple. "To tides you over."
"Thank you, Winky," Ginny said happily. Soon they had a mound of food before them.
"Wingardium Leviosa," Harry chanted. The food levitated off of the ground and he guided it to the door. Ginny set the pumpkin juice barrels in front of her.
"Shinkoduracia," Ginny recited. They shrank so she could carry them all, but her hands were still full.
As the two walked back Harry paused half way there. He turned abruptly. "In case I don't get another chance," he said.
In one swift movement he swooped down and kissed Ginny's lips. He held her lips for a moment then pulled away and continued walking.
Ginny stood still. Her eyes were wide and her lips tingling. It took her a while to catch her breath. She followed Harry at a very slow pace, arriving back a good twenty-five minutes later.
Harry was gone.
Ginny flopped onto her bed and stared aimlessly at the floor. She set her hand on her lips and licked them. She remembered the sweet taste of Harry's on her own. She grabbed some parchment and a quill from her bedside table and shut the curtains on her bed. She scribbled a note and sent it through her pillow to Harry's.
Then she waited. Ten minutes later she got a response,
'I'll be there.'
She squealed and jumped up. She carefully selected an outfit.
Half an hour later she was ready. At least none of the girls were back yet. They were sure to question her outfit.
She wore a short strapless red dress that fell half way between her knees and top-of-legs. Then she had put on a white silk wrap and high heels. Her firey hair was in a neatly twisted bun and she wore glitter on her eyes.
She slipped unnoticed out of the common room and through the corridors, stopping at the one where Harry had almost kissed her. This time she leaned against the wall and waited for Harry.
Suddenly he came around the corner in blue jeans and a red and gold striped shirt. "Hey, Gin. What's up?" he asked nervously.
"Why did you kiss me?" asked Ginny.
"I. I had to. I've wanted to for ages now. The truth is Ginny; I can't get you out of my head. I think about you every moment. When I see the sun rise I'm reminded of your beauty, when I see the clear water of the lake I think of your elegance, I see you everywhere I look!"
Ginny moved next to him and hugged him tight. Harry pulled her off and captured her lips again. Ginny felt his hands around her waist and was aware of hers around his neck. She felt Harry's tongue lightly tap her closed lips. She opened her lips obligingly and felt his tongue explore her mouth.
Soon her own was wrestling his. They stood there kissing for a while. Eventually they pulled away, gasping for air. "Wow," Harry said, grinning. "You sure can kiss."
"You're not too bad either, Boy-Who-Lived," Ginny teased.
"Yeah, well I didn't really live until tonight," Harry said sincerely.
"I don't need the flattery," Ginny stated. "Though, I do deserve it!" She locked his lips tightly again before pulling away with a sly grin and strolling away.
Harry avoided Ron that night in the common room and before Ron went to sleep Harry got his invisibility cloak and left, coming back late when Ron was asleep.
The next morning Harry awoke to Ron's yelling, "Harry's been out all night!" to Seamus, Neville, and Dean.
"Slick one, Potter," Seamus congratulated.
"Who's the lucky lady?" asked Den, eyes glittering mischievously.
"There isn't one," snapped Harry. He grabbed Ron's collar and dragged him into the bathroom. "I was out last night with the cloak. I had to send Sirius something!"
"He's free, why bother?" asked Ron. Harry let go.
"Hey, that's right! Reflex, hard to break!" Ron rolled his eyes and left, falling for Harry's idiot act. Harry sighed and leaned on the wall.
"That was really fucking close," Harry said softly. He walked out and got into his school robes.
Walking down the spiral stairs Harry glanced towards the girls'. Ginny had just looked over too. They blushed deep red and looked away. Ron was to preoccupied snogging Hermione to notice. The two shared a roll of the eyes as they approached.
Harry hit the back of Ron's head and they pulled apart. "And what was that for?" snapped Ron.
"Snogging in the middle of the common room," Harry supplied. He glared. "She's my sister!"
"Oh, nock it off," Hermione scolded. "Gin, let's go eat. I'm starved. PMS."
"Agh, too much info there Mione," Ron said disgustedly. The girls rolled their eye and led the two down to breakfast.
The talked and talked until they reached the Great Hall. Then they shut their yappas. Hermione and Ron took the two seats next to Dean and Lavender, leaving only the end two across from them available.
Harry sat down across from Ron as Ginny slid slowly into the seat next to him. They shifted uncomfortable. Suddenly Harry had an idea. He slipped his hand over Ginny's under the table. She glanced quickly at him but carefully intertwined her fingers wit his.
"Almost time for the formal!" Hermione said happily.
"I can't wait!" Ginny agreed as she used her free hand to grab some pancakes and put peanut butter and syrup on them. She began to eat as Harry bit into his sausage. Their hands were still locked tightly under the table.
"Shoot!" Hermione said looking at her won't-go-haywire-around-magic silver and red watch. "We've got to get to Transfiguration!" They all hopped up.
Luckily no one noticed that Harry and Ginny's hands were still together for a full three minutes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Only a few minutes!!" Hermione squealed.
"Too bad we had to turn the guys down," Padma said falsely.
"And I was actual looking forward to kissing Zachary," Tammy said amusedly. She and Zach had gotten together last week and were constantly together. "But this is all girls!!! We rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Go girls!!!" chimed in Ginny.
"You people know how to speak my language!" Hermione complimented.
"Sorry but the look on the guys' faces was priceless!" Cho added spiritedly.
"Tel me about it. I mean Harry knew that I wasn't going to go with him since I'm only going to the masquerade with him but I saw Hermione telling Ron! Oh my god, I will never forget that look on his face. I'm just sorry that I didn't have a camera with me!"
"Ginny! You shouldn't blackmail people! Especially your brothers!" Hermione said, mock scolding Ginny.
"That goes for you too, Mione!" Lavender said.
"Yeah, we all know you'd love some dirt on Harry!" Padma said.
"Excuse me I already have some dirt! I know about him and Ginny," Hermione said smugly.
"Yes, but you would be getting Gin too," Parvati said, in a smart-ass (courtesy of my mother) tone.
"Oh, snuff it!" Hermione said, pouting.
"Hold still while I fix your frizz, Mione," Ginny said. She quickly used some of her personal 'Maria's Maximum Glitter Down- Wild Lilies' hair spray on Hermione.
"ME NEXT!" Lavender shrieked.
"Geeze, she's more freakish than me at times," Kayla said with amazement, eyes huge and glossy.
"Sorry to be the barer of bad news, but that's impossible Kay," Tammy said as she applied some glitter over her eye shadow.
"HEY!" shrieked Cho. "Gin! Careful, that was almost my eyes!"
"Oops, sorry, Cho," Ginny said giggling. She checked her watch.
"Shoot, we have to go girls," Ginny proclaimed.
` *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* `
Laughter was heard down the corridor. A pack of glum guys sat in the hall near the doors to the Great Hall. They wore nice, new tuxes, but no smiles on the their faces.
"I cannot believe the girls said no!" whined Dean.
"We're taking them to the bloody masquerade in the winter," grumbled Ron.
" 'We're going together!' "Seamus said imitating Lavender.
"They probably are only doing it to keep Gin company," Ron said glumly.
"Why do you say that?" asked Harry, forgetting Ron didn't know.
"Because she doesn't have a date," Ron said rolling his eyes.
"If anyone asks we're here for Harry- as he doesn't have a date either," Dean stated firmly.
"I do so have a date!" Harry snapped.
"Right," Seamus said sarcastically.
"Oh, honestly," Harry muttered.
"Bloody hell," Ron said, staring at the stairs. Harry turned and felt his jaw drop. The girls were walking down the stairs
Okay, not WALKING. They each paraded lightly down the steps, skirts flowing out. They were smiling and laughing. They were also conversing.
"Blimely," Harry said to himself. Ginny was wearing a sea green dress. It had a flowing skirt of silk covered in tight netting. The top had thin straps and sequence scattered around it. She turned back for a moment to grin at Hermione and he saw that there were criss crossed laces in the back.
Ron's eyes were bulging as Hermione walked down. Her dress was the same as Ginny's except red and had gold embroidery on the top instead of beads and sequences.
The other girls' skirts were all silk and were all strapless. The tops had Chinese buttons and the skirts had different designs embroidered on them.
Cho's was pale blue with silver stars. Tammy's was deep midnight blue with gold moons. Kayla's was pale purple with blue roses. Pavarti's was green with red flames. Padma's was red with green flames. Lavender's was a deep royal purple with silver stars and a white sash.
As Ginny reached the bottom of the stairs with the rest of the girls she glanced over to the guys. Her eyes met Harry's and she smiled fondly. She held his eyes there for a little while. Finally Hermione broke it up.
"Gin!" she hissed, tugging Ginny's arm. Ginny shook her head and they continued on their way.
It was a while later that the doors to the Great Hall were opened. The girls quickly got a large circular table in the corner so they wouldn't have to move in an hour for the dancing.
The boys took a table very close. Well, as close as they could get with a table big enough to fit them all at.
Ron was so wrapped up in staring at Hermione that he didn't note where Harry's eyes were lingering.
Ginny on the other hand did notice. She smiled quickly to the handsome boy before turning to her conversation with the girls.
About ten minutes later they got their food and then fifty minutes later they saw people from the tables in the middle standing, as they were taken away. The girls began to whisper among themselves.
Finally Dumbledore had gotten a muggle music set and a muggle trained DJ set up. Some muggle tunes blasted out.
"I don't wanna be your girlfriend. I'm just looking for a real good time alright. Can you guarantee me satisfaction? Need some action, gonna get it tonight. So I'm telling you boyfriend, bet you never met a girl like me before! Not gonna wait a long time, better make up your mind!" Hermione began singing along with the songs she was quite familiar with.
The girls were dancing wildly and Lavender and Dean had started grinding when a new song came on.
After 8 songs a slow one came on. "Hey! This is 'This I Promise You'!" Hermione said in unison with Kayla, who was also muggle born.
"Hello, like we understand" Ginny said, rolling her eyes.
"It's a song by the band N'Sync," Hermione explained quickly. "When Ron took me out that day after Harry's family left, we danced to this song."
(this is the part dedicated to Buggie and Cam. It's the first song they danced to together. It was at a Valentine's Day dance. See Cam agreed to go out with Brittany Burrow. He liked Buggie too so. five minutes later he had decided that he liked Buggie more than Burrow and dumped Burrow- but very gently. So Buggie- being the great person she is- said he should dance one more time with Burrow. Sweet huh? It's their three week anniversary and she's gonna kill me for putting this up here! Oh well!!)
Ron came over and bowed deeply to Hermione. "May I have this dance, my lady?" he asked sweetly. Hermione giggled but nodded. Each girl wrangled her guy in a few seconds and led them to the dance floor.
Harry and Ginny stood off o the side by each other. "Next slow song, you belong to me," Harry whispered into her ear. She giggled and glanced up at Ron.
He was too indulged in Hermione to notice so. Harry and Ginny slipped into a dark corner and held a long-awaited kiss. As soon as the song ended they sprang apart and dashed back to the dance floor.
"That was fun!" Kayla squealed. They all rolled their eyes as the hyper-active girl continued on with her babbling.
"Moving on." Lavender stated.
"Right, anyways, Gin come dance!" Parvati said as she grabbed Ginny's hand.
Amazingly Ginny knew this song. Actually while Hermione had been staying with them over the summer she had brought all of her sound tracks. Including her CDs that were normal.
You see, it happened that Hermione had owned the Shrek sound track. "I Don't Give A Damn Bout My Reputation" was playing right now and Ginny and Hermione were singing loudly.
They kept bumping hips. Suddenly everyone started cracking up and it only took a minute to find out why.
A second year named Callie Faye Barons was flashing everyone as she went around dancing. (HA! Fuck you Mione!!! Hehhehehehehe, vengeance is SWEET!!) Harry and Ron shielded their eyes. (sorry, inside joke and payback. all in one!!)
Ten minutes later another slow song started playing. It took not even a second for all the "couples" to be out on the dance floor. Harry approached Ginny and she smiled widely. The two made their way to the dance floor.
"Look at the sky. Tell me what do you see? Just close your eyes and describe it to me. The heavens are sparkling with starlight tonight. That's what I see through your eyes. I see the heavens each time that you smile. I hear your heartbeat just go on for miles. (you wanna know the rest- find it- Quest For Camelot Soundtrack)"
Hermione carefully let Ron see them. He stopped dancing but Hermione captured his lips and he started up again. He watched them closely.
"He's watching us. He'll probably kill me for just dancing with. What happens when he finds out we meet secretly to snog?" Ginny threw her head back and laughed, which cast all those thought from Harry's mind.
"Who knows?" she said softly. She let her head fall back onto his chest. He quickly smelled her hair and smiled. Then the song ended. Now a fast song came on. Harry and Ginny started dancing to that and were soon joined by the rest.
After a while Ron glanced at Harry. "Thanks for dancing with Gin," he whispered. Harry looked at him oddly, then smiled and nodded. Ginny caught Harry's eye and then walked out to the gardens set up outside. Harry followed moments later.
They met near the entrance and then went into the deepest part of the maze. There they caught each other with their lips. They sat there for twenty minutes, snogging. Then they knew they had to get back. Ginny went first followed by Harry.
"Where have you been?" demanded Ron as Ginny entered.
"Peeing," she snapped.
"Way too vulgar," Ron said, disgusted at the vision.
"Then don't ask," she shot back.
"Pistachio Pudding!" Kayla yelled, hopping around.
"What did I miss?" asked Harry, looking oddly at Kayla as he walked over.
"Nothing," Hermione said, off-handedly.
"And where were you?" asked Ron.
"In the Lou," Harry replied, normally as though he really hadn't been snogging Ginny.
"See, Gin, a lot less disgusting than you!" Ron said. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!" the girls squealed as a new song came on. They started jumping.
"Right. please tell me Hermione's skirt did NOT just fly up and show off her knickers," Harry pleaded with his eyes closed and fingers crossed.
"Sorry, mate. It did," Ron said, grinning stupidly. Harry whacked the back of his head. "OWW!!"
"No dirty thoughts right now please. I'm already having problems," Harry snapped, though grinning.
"Come on, let's dance. You handle Gin. Just no grinding," Ron said as he walked over to Hermione and OMG!!! GRINDED!!!! GRIMM REEPER!! (sorry, totally inside joke)
"Hey," Harry purred sexily into Ginny's ear. She giggled and turned to face him. They started dancing and laughing with their friends.
Five dances later they were all sitting down at the now combined tables. Ginny's and Harry's hands were intertwined under the table.
"The next song is dedicated to Prongs Jr. from Lils!" the DJ Cam (oh bless Buggie's BF!) shouted out over and enchanted mike.
"Harry?" Hermione questioned softly, brows furrowed.
In answer to her silently asked question he nodded and stood up, offering Ginny a hand. He led her to the middle of the dance floor just as the music started. It was a song Ginny knew well from Grease. It was "Better Shape Up".
Soon people were watching the two doing their skilled dancing, almost a replica of the Grease moves, but better. When the song ended, Ginny was suspended in the air by Harry's arms. He let her drop into his arms.
He had an overwhelming urge to kiss her but it was t hen they noticed their clapping crowd. They blushed deeply and walked quickly back to their seats.
"Now! That was quite interesting. How would out dancers from the Nutcracker like to give us a small show?" asked Dumbledore.
"Hello, earth to unSlytherins!" Draco said, rolling his eyes at them. "Let's show them that excellent production of The Devil Went Down To Georgia!"
"Oh great," Hermione muttered.
"Here we go." Ron said exasperatedly. Harry stood up and the dancers (all of them, not just our main peeps that happen to be dancers) went to the space cleared for them in the center.
Parvati went to tell the DJ the song they needed. Then she took her place with the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors behind Ron and Hermione, who were on the sides, slightly back, of Harry and Ginny.
The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins were facing them, behind Zachary Wasco and Pansy Parkinson, who were behind Draco and Arwen (fuck Pansy, Draco will end up with Arwen!).
The music started. And Draco's side started and in a moment were joined by Harry's. It was a fast dance that sounded like deep western. A fiddle played with what sounded like a deep sax and a piano.
That went on for a while until a deep voice sang, "The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal. He was in a bind cause he was way behind and he was wiling to make a deal."
Draco was acting like the devil with Arwen right beside him. The only problem was their smiling faces. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins behind them did fast moves in their place.
"When he can upon this young man with a fiddle and playing it hot. And the devil jumped up on a hickory stump and said boy let me tell you what." Now Ginny and Harry were dancing as the people behind them did the same as the people behind Draco and Arwen.
"I guess you didn't know it but I'm a fiddle player too. " Now Draco and Arwen were dancing at Harry and Ginny. They were doing impatient moves and rolling their eyes, though grinning as well.
"And if you'd care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you. Now you play pretty god fiddle boy but give the devil his due, I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul just to think I'm better than you."
"The boy said my name's Johnny and it may be a sin, but I'll take your bet you're gonna regret cause I'm the bets there's ever been." Now Ginny and Harry were doing fast paced moves around the same spot and ended with shaking Draco and Arwen's hands.
"Johnny risen up your bow and play your fiddle hard. Cause hell's broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals the cards. Now if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold, but if you loose the devil gets your soul."
The big clump behind the four leaders were dancing across a space in perfect samarium. They stopped instantly at he last word.
"The devil opened up his case and he said I'll start this show. And fire flew from his finger tips as he rolled up his bow. And he pulled the bow across the strings and it made an evil hiss. Then a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this."
As Draco's side did amazing moves low music with a deep sounding fiddle (like a gutair) sounded the main beats. Harry's side tapped their feet with impatience, in time with the music of course.
"When the devil finished Johnny said well you're pretty good old son. But sit down in that chair right their and let me show you how it's done." Harry and Ginny pushed Draco and Arwen.
"Fire on the mountain Run boys run! Devil's in the house at the rising sun! Chicken in the bread pan picking out dough! Ready by the dog house, no chow no. (not sure if that part is right. can't really understand their words)'
As the man sang a fiddle played burningly fast in the background. Ginny and Harry flew everywhere in perfect form and synchronized perfectly. Behind them their friends did challenging moves as well as them.
They stopped, panting, after about two minutes of fiddle playing. Then the man started singing again.
"The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat. And he laid that golden fiddle on the floor at Johnny's feet."
"Johnny said just come on back if you ever wanna try again. But I told you once you son of a bitch, I'm the best there's ever been."
And then one count afterwards All of the dancers flew together, Harry, Ginny, Malfoy, and Arwen in the front.
"And he played. Fire on the mountain Run boys run! Devil's in the house at the rising sun! Chicken in the bread pan picking out dough! Ready by the dog house, no chow no."
As the music played they flew like birds once again. As the final cord struck Ginny was lifted by Harry.
Clapping sounded through the hall. The sweaty dancers went and sat down.
"Good job," Malfoy said. Arwen gave Ginny a hug and then they went to sit by their friends.
"Okay, I think the world has gone officially crazy," Ginny said.
"Say that again," Harry said in agreement.
"Okay, I think the world has gone officially crazy," Ginny repeated. Harry hit her arm lightly.
"You're lucky I'm pooped!" he said, trying to be menacing.
"Whatever you say, Harry, whatever you say," Ginny said sarcastically.
"I know, I know."
"Sorry to interrupt your dull conversation but I would like to dance with Ginny and Hermione want to dance with Harry so. MOVE!!!" Ron yelled.
They hadn't noticed a slow song had come on. Harry and Ginny laughed and grabbed their "sibling".
"So, you fancy Ginny," Hermione said. Harry looked startled and avoided eye contact for a while.
"Fine!" Harry said at last. "God, how do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"THAT!!"
"I just do," Hermione replied smugly.
"Whatever. Just don't let anything spill to your boyfriend," Harry warned. "Or else!"
"Or else what?"
"Just or else!"
"Oh, gee, I'm shaking in my shoes," Hermione said sarcastically. Harry hit her arm lightly.
"So, Gin, who do you want to ask you to the masquerade?" asked Ron.
"I'm not telling" Ginny said mysteriously.
"Come on," Ron whined.
"I don't think that Virginia Weasley will be going at all," Ginny said thoughtfully.
"Why not?" asked Ron.
"Just because," Ginny replied.
"I give up."
"God! Now how's everything with your and Mione? Anything past snogging?" Ron glared at Ginny, going bright red. Ginny laughed and pecked her brother on his cheek as the song ended.
"Hermione knows," Harry whispered to Ginny.
"I sort of told her," Ginny said, blushing.
"Gee, thanks. Now I've got Hermione grilling me!" Harry said, shaking his head.
"Oh, come off it. Let's dance with the rest," Ginny pulled her secret love off of his butt and led him to their friends. They started dancing.
Hermione slipped Ron away from the dance and into the gardens. Quickly they started making out. Inside Ginny and Harry noticed they were gone.
So in result- they grinded. Afterwards Harry quickly gave her a kiss before going to sit with his male friends. (I just did LEAP homework so.. there may be some stuff with US states and capitals.) Luckily none of them were paying attention.
About forty minutes later Hermione and Ron came back in holding hands. "Oh, great, here come the love birds," Lavender muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Guess that's our cue to leave," Dean said and pulled her up. She laughed as they left the hall.
"Don't watch Gin,' Ron said strictly.
Ginny rolled her eyes and stared hard as the two left. Then she turned and stuck her tongue out at Ron. She shrieked as he came at her. She jumped up and he started chasing hr around the hall. Soon the siblings were a source of great entertainment for the rest of the hall.
That was when a thousand light bombs went off. Everyone yelled and whipped around. The four friends cracked up as they saw three names appear. Padfoot, Moony, and Prongs.
Snape turned a red when "You ugly, greasy haired, abnormally large nosed git!" appeared in front of him. The quartet rolled on the ground with laughter.
"THANK YOU! THE MARAUDERS BID YOU FAIRWELL!" came in bright red and gold sparks in the center. Then under it
"We'll have that talk son boys!" The girls laughed as Ron and Harry went slightly red.
"Let's kill 'em," Harry muttered. Ron nodded. But the two Marauders nor their wives were around. So they shrugged and went back to dancing.
"When I find those bloody Marauders," they heard Snape mutter as he went searching through the students. They started giggling and then burst out laughing. Al their friends gave them quizzical looks and they regained their composure.
"What? My godfather is an oddball!" Harry said defensively.
"Odd is an understatement when he and Moony are together," Hermione said. Ginny nodded in agreement, with a perfectly straight face. Then as Harry glared at them they broke down in giggles.
The hall fell silent as Dumbledore arose. "We have been asked to give you a slight test on this occasion. All of you who were in Professor Remus Lupin's second- and third-year classes please come to the front. Remus has asked you get tested on your defense against boggarts." A groan went through the students.
"He's doing this to make me miserable," Harry muttered.
"You're right!" came Lupin's voice.
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU DAMNED MARAUDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Snape yelled as he lunged wildly at Remus.
"CRAP! See ya guys! Good luck! AIMEE!!! HELP!!" Remus screamed as Snape neared him. Aimee rolled her eyes.
"Come on," she flew over on a broomstick and grabbed Remus's arm. He swung up and they took off.
"Right." Ron said. Hermione and Harry shook their heads.
"Do they leave normally?" asked Ginny.
"Nope."
"First up, Ronald Weasley," Dumbledore called. Ron scowled bit walked up.
With a snap a giant Aaragog stood over him. He yelled the spell and rolled away. Soon almost the whole sixth year class was done. "Hermione Granger!"
She took a deep breath and walked dup. What happened, happened very fast. Above Hermione stood a woman with her hair in a tight black bun and a knife in hand. In a low shaky voice Hermione managed to say the spell.
Now the woman's hair was down and she wore a jogging suit. Hermione almost fainted but was rescued by Ron.
"Harry Potter!" Harry rushed up as the dementor appeared. As it was about to take its breath Harry yelled the Patronus charm. It a flash of silver the boggart changed. It seemed to be a small green blob. (like Flubber!!)
Ginny went next. Ron appeared with flashing eyes and hissed something. Ginny's eyes were wide but she shook her head and whispered her spell. Hermione was suddenly there and they started snogging. "GINNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"How can I be your greatest fear?" asked Ron incredulously.
"You aren't... exactly. What you... said is."
"And what did I say?"
"I'll tell you later. Let's watch." So a baffled Ron turned to watch the rest of Ginny's class battle the boggart. Harry whispered into Ginny's ear.
"What's he say?"
"Never mind Harry," Ginny hissed back softly. Harry looked at her oddly as the last student finished.
"That was mighty interesting. Now, Mr. Longbottom, please finish off this boggart," Dumbledore said. Neville nodded and quickly destroyed it. "Now, dance again!" With a wave of his wand the music started.
When the dance had ended at five in the morning all the exhausted students headed back to their dorms. Only two remained for a long kiss and a heated good-bye.
Then, Harry Potter slipped silently into his dorm, careful to tip toe past Ron, and Ginny Weasley went up and giggled with her female friends.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We have to tell him," Ginny said. She felt safe in Harry's warm embrace as the wnd blew across her face and through her hair. They were sitting on top of Gryffindor tower, watching the sunset.
"I know, but who, how, and when?" Harry said, staring out at the sky.
"Well, how, quickly but gently, when, soon, and who. I'll do it," Ginny offered. Harry was quiet for a moment. Then,
"No, I have to do this. I'll talk to Ron tomorrow," Harry said decidedly.
"Just promise me you'll do it with Mione there," Ginny pleaded. Harry grinned and nodded. Then he kissed the top of her head and they stood up.
"Ready to dance?" asked Harry. Ginny nodded and they walked down to the dungeons.
"Sorry we're late," Ginny said as they arrived.
"Come, come. We're doing the first act again!" Madame said. They nodded their heads and Harry stood still as Ginny shrunk him.
"Then she rushed out dancing. "You and Ginny are close," Harry heard Malfoy hiss. He- small as he was- spun around.
"What do you mean?"
"Calm down Potter. I won't tell anyone," Malfoy said. "Just hurry and tell Weasley."
"And why should I believe that you won't tell anyone?"
"One, because you don't really have a choice, and two, you won't tell my dad about Arwen. She's a Hufflepuff.
"Not that I'm not happy about this change but loves makes you weird Malfoy."
"Maybe it's not just love, Potter, maybe it's something else," Malfoy said. He stood and walked away. Harry stared after him.
Hermione watched as Harry fiddled annoyingly at the red chair down in the empty common room. It was midnight and they were waiting for Ron. They were planning on working on their devious plan to become unregistered Animagi.
Ginny was getting the books form the Restricted Section with Harry's invisibility cloak. "I'm here!" Ron called "quietly".
"Congratulations, Ron," Hermione said sarcastically.
"What are you so worried about Harry?" asked Ginny, pulling off Harry's cloak.
"This. If we get caught Padfoot, Moony, Ara, and Aimee'll kill me!"
"After all the crap the Marauders pulled?" Ron asked.
"They warned me not to try to be an Animagi. "You shouldn't do naughty things just because we did". Remus said that," Harry reported.
"And how would they find out?" asked Mione.
"They're them! They just would!"
"He's a little paranoid," Ron said. After convincing Harry that they wouldn't find out, they spent three hours reading up on Aminagi.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The common room was pretty full the next morning. Harry was sitting twisting his hands in his lap, waiting for Ron. Hermione sat next to him muttering comforting words.
"Ready for DADA?" asked Ron. Harry took a deep breath and stood up. Hermione baited her own breath.
"Ron, I have to tell you something."
"Shoot mate!"
"Ginny and I. well, we're going out," Harry said quickly and gently.
Ron was still for a moment before. WHAM! "You bloody bastard! That's my sister!"
Harry's hands was catching the blood trickling from his nose as he lay on the ground. "RON!" Hermione shrieked. Ron approached Harry, eyes flashing. IN a swift move Seamus and Dean had his arms.
"Harry, get to the hospital wing. NOW!" Seamus yelled.
Harry scrambled to his feet and swiftly went to the portrait, but just before he went out Ron muttered a curse with his wand and Harry fell to the ground, an invisible fist beating his stomach.
Hermione quickly said the counter and snatched Ron's wand. Lavender and Pavarti helped Harry up and led him off towards the hospital wing.
The common room was silent then, SMACK! "Ron! If you EVER do that to Harry again, I'll hex you to hell! He didn't do ANYTHING! Talk to your sister. Until this is over, consider us on non-speaking terms!" With that Hermione grabbed her book and stormed up the girls' dormitory stairs.
Dean and Seamus released him and watched his movements apprehensively. All he did, however, was sit down on a red chair with his head in his hands, waiting for his sister.
Ginny bounced down the stairs five minutes later, smiling lightly. It twisted into a frown when she reached the bottom of the stairs. The common room had gone silent when she had come in. Harry and Hermione were missing and Ron was sitting alone, head in hands.
"What's up Ron?" Ginny asked, walking over. He looked up, eyes flashing. She gasped. He'd done it!
"Oh, you know. Best friends chasing after little sisters, hoping they'll put out," Ron hissed. Everyone in the common room was watching. Ginny's eyes narrowed.
"Apparently Harry told you we're going out," Ginny said.
"Ginny how could you DO this?!" Ron yelled. "You do NOT want to be that trading bastards girlfriend. He's still wound up in Cho Chang!"
Ginny stared at Ron. 'How stupid IS he? Hasn't he seen the change in Harry since this summer? Hasn't he found NOT to piss me off!'
"He'll use ou for Cho and then leave you cold!" Ron yelled.
"Ron, SHUT UP! You have NO idea what you are talking about! Do NOT insult Harry Potter around me! And if he is so caught up in Cho why didn't he kiss her? Answer me that Ron. Why didn't he stare at HER at the Halloween dance?!"
Silence hung. "Where's Harry and Hermione?" snapped Ginny.
"Hermione's up in your dormitory, she's mad at ma," Ron said simply. He grinned and his eyes were bright. "Harry's in the hospital wing."
"WHY?!"
"I socked his nose and hit him with the invisible fist curse."
"YOU BASTARD! I AM NOT TALKING TO YOU! EVER!!!!" Ginny leapt on her brother and tried to hurt him, badly. Dean and Seamus didn't move but when Fred and George looked at them they sighed and nodded.
The twins grabbed Ginny, holding back the furious red head as Dean and Seamus grabbed Ron. "FRED, GOERGE, LET ME GO!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE TO KICK HIS BLOODY ASS!!!!!!!!" Ginny screamed.
"Gin, calm down!" said Fred.
"Go to the hospital wing and see Harry!" George suggested. Ginny glared and Ron, grabbed her midnight blue, star speckled bag and rushed out of the common room and to the hospital room.
"Aren't the two of you mad at Harry?!" asked Ron, furiously.
"Ron, Harry's a great guy for Gin." Said George.
"Yeah, he's better than most."
"Open your eyes, Harry's long since lost his fancy for Chang."
"You weren't paying attention this summer."
"Or this year here at school!"
"You need to think about this Ron."
"Think about what's at steak." The common room emptied as everyone headed to their lessons.
Lavender and Pavarti were leaving the hospital wing when Ginny came by. "Is Harry okay?" asked Ginny, breathlessly.
"Yeah, Pomfrey is fixing him up," Lavender said.
"We'll see you in Defense Against Darkness," Lavender said. (yes I know the real name, too lazy to type it.)
"Yeah," Ginny said. She walked through the doors and saw Madame Pomfrey leaving. Harry was sitting staring off into space as a few bruises appeared over his showing flesh.
He was still wearing his blue and white T. She saw his blue jeans slung over a chair. "Hey, Harry."
"Ginny!" Harry said brightly. He kissed her softly as she sat down.
"You okay?" she asked quickly.
"I'm fine. Just a little beat up. Madame Pomfrey says I'll be back to normal in two days. I can leave in a little while. She'll get us a pass."
"I'm so mad at Ron!" Ginny said as she tugged her hair. She felt Harry's warm hand over her own.
"It'll work out. Just know, I'm going to be here for you weather Ron wants me to be or not," Harry told her softly. Ginny smiled sadly up at him.
"So stripping for Madam Pomfrey, eh?" Ginny asked, grinning.
"NO! She needed to see how many bruises I had on my legs. I'm still wearing my boxers, thank you very much!"
Ron walked into DADA with the rest of his class. He took a seat near the back. Hermione walked in and without even glancing at him sat down in the third row from the front.
Lavender and Pavarti rushed in out of breath. They shot a perturbed look at Ron before sitting next to Hermione. Dean and Seamus came in next. They glanced back at Ron and nodded to each other. They walked over and sat on either of his sides.
"And why aren't you mad at me?" asked a crabby Ron.
"We just aren't," Seamus said.
"And this way you can't get at Harry when he comes in," Dean added. Ron glowered.
Professor Dumbledore (who had been teaching the class until the new professor (s) was ready) silenced the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. "Today!"
Ginny and Harry took their notes from Madame Pomfrey. Then Harry slipped his pants back on and accepted his robes form Ginny.
"Now, why exactly were you so beat up?" she asked, curiously.
"Ron," Ginny replied, furious again.
"Gin," Harry warned.
"Mr. Weasley?!" Poppy said in shock.
"Yes, after I told him that Ginny and I were going out he punched me in the nose and hit me with the invisible fist curse. We'd looked it up together to use on Malfoy's cronies, if necessary and for the war," Harry explained quickly.
"Alright." said a confused Poppy Pomfrey.
"Bye!" they called. Ginny and Harry headed towards the DADA room at a fast pace. They stood outside for a moment.
"Ready?" asked Ginny.
"One sec," Harry said. He leaned over and kissed her. "Now I am!" Ginny smiled and opened the door.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said stilly.
"Sorry we're late,' Harry said. He was well aware of the gasps and whispers. He knew very well his visible skin was speckled with bruises.
"We were in the hospital wing," at this Ginny shot an evil look towards Ron.
"Here's a note from madam Pomfrey," Harry said, handing it to their headmaster. He read and nodded.
"Please be seated." They turned and sat in the front seats, right next to each other. They noticed Hermione was ignoring the perturbed Ron.
Ron had started hanging around Deana and Seamus a lot. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny were still speaking but it was odd without Ron. Hermione and Ron had been avoiding each other and Ginny made a point of holding Harry's hand around Ron.
Harry would study Ron during class and think of a way to talk to him. Every time Ron saw Cho and Harry even saying hi he'd glare and cluck. Ginny'd hit him every time and go and talk to Cho too.
In one day the whole school knew of Harry and Ginny and the fight the quartet was having.
Later that week at dinner, Hermione and Ginny had come down and were seated just as Harry came in. He sat across from Ginny, next to Seamus who was sitting across from Hermione.
Ron entered last. There was an awkward silence until Seamus and Dean started a conversation on the Gryffindor quidditch team. The once golden trio and their newfound addition making them the golden quartet were quite talkative. Ron was just given the silent treatment from the other three, as he was silent towards Harry and Ginny.
Then they had quidditch practice. Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender talked as they walked down to the quidditch pitch. It was on the guys- obviously- and Ron's stupidity.
Seamus and Dean walked on either side of Ron. He threw his hands in the air. "I'm not doing anything to him!"
"Yes, and that's the way it'll stay," Dean said. "I'm here to keep you in toe.
Harry was walking with David as the twins were out on the pitch already. "What's really up with you and Ron? I heard some wild rumors. Just haven't had a chance to talk to you." he said.
"He's mad at me because me and Gin are going out and he tried to beat me up. He succeeded." Harry lifted his robes above his arm to show him the now livid bruises. "They'll start fading tomorrow with the bruise balm from Pomfrey."
"He's lost it," David confirmed as they reached the pitch.
They took off. The twins were having a lot of fun coaching them. Ginny, Mione, and Harry were avoiding contact with Ron. "Now, we're going to scrimmage. Ginny, Hermione, you two on one team. I'll go with David as chaser," Fed said.
"Dean! Get your ass down here!" called Fred. "You're the reserve keeper so you go with Ginny and play their keeper. Ron, you're keeper for George. I'll be beater with Seamus for George."
"Lavender you're with Gin. Harry you'll play chaser for now," George instructed.
"Let's play some quidditch!" yelled David.
"HEY! I'LL REFEREE!" yelled Pavarti, startling them all. She grabbed her inherited SilverArrow299. It was a pretty fast broom. She set out the balls. Holding the quaffle she threw it up. Then she kicked off.
Harry, clutching a beater stick soared around the pitch, ignoring the glittering snitch that was calling to him.
Ginny raced down the field with the quaffle. Harry saw a bludger heading towards her. In aburst of speed he was there. He whammed it off course. It headed towards Ron.
Ron was concentrating on Ginny and didn't notice. "RON!" Harry yelled. Ron saw it just in time to duck.
Ron stared at Harry, letting Ginny score. Harry turned his broom as he went after the bludger set for Dean.
Half an hour later Fred told Harry and David to leave beater positions and go after he snitch. David groaned but sped off in search, letting his club fall to the ground. Harry followed the suit, but grinning.
Harry saw it by Ron. He sped off. Just as Ron blacked Hermione's shot Harry clasped it, right next to Ron's ear. He fell to the ground and handed it to Ginny, who put it back in its box.
"Harry!" Ron called as they were leaving. Harry stopped and turned around.
"Harry, come on," Ginny hissed, tugging his arm.
"I'll just talk to him. Wait here if you want," Harry said. Ginny looked uncertain, but nodded. Harry walked back towards Ron.
"Yeah?"
"Why'd you warn be about that bludger? I mean I did try to kill you earlier today."
"Oh, and here I thought it was just beat the shit out of me. No, seriously, Ron. I just didn't want you to smell like that horrible bruise balm," Harry said swiftly.
"Truth," Ron snapped.
"Geez, look, I did. Now me and Gin are going to study. Bye!" Harry said, walking away.
"Harry!" He turned back. Ron grinned. "Good choice in girlfriends." Harry grinned and waited for Ron to catch up.
"That was fast," Ginny said as she, Hermione, and the boys walked back up to the castle.
"What was fast?" asked Ron.
"That fight," Hermione replied.
Ron shrugged at Harry. They grinned. "Hey! Who won?" asked Ginny suddenly.
"I think Seamus or Cho did," Hermione said. "What was it, one week?"
"Yup, I was only one day off," Ginny said.
"They bet on our fight?!" Harry asked.
"No we bet on how long Ron would be daft," Cho said. They looked at her. They had reached the stairs. She and the rest of the Ravenclaw team were heading to the pitch.
"HEY!" Ron said. Cho laughed.
"I beat Dean by night. He said one week during the afternoon. I said one week, at night!" Cho said proudly. Hermione and Ginny gave her 3 galleons each. The boys shook their heads and continued to their common room.
The girls laughed and followed. When they reached the portrait they found Malfoy and Arwen arguing near it. "What on earth are you two doing here?" asked Ron.
"Finally made up, Potter, Weasley?" asked Malfoy. They nodded curtly. "We're trying to find the Gryffindor common room. We are supposed to tell everyone that we're to meet in the dungeons for an immediate rehearsal.
"Great!" Harry moaned sarcastically.
"We'll tell Gryffindor," Hermione said.
"See you in a few minutes!" Ginny called as they took off. They rushed into the common room.
"IMMEDIATE BALLET REHEARSAL!!!!!" Ron and Harry screamed. The dancers pounded down the stairs or hopped up from their seats. They all set off.
Ron flinched at first when Harry took Ginny's hand but kept his mouth shut. They arrived five minutes later. "Hello!" Madam said cheerfully.
"What is this about, Madam Viler?" asked Cho politely. "I'm very sorry, but I have quidditch practice."
"Well then, return to that. We'll have a Ravenclaw fill you in," Madam said quickly. Cho smiled gratefully and shot off.
"Now, we have been asked to do a dance performance for the school in two weeks. I believe that since we've learned ¾ of our Nutcracker and we still need to finish the end of the story line, we should do something new. Any ideas?"
There was silence. Then Malfoy raised his hand. "Yes?"
"I was watching this muggle production-" there was a loud gasp. "Ha, ha!" he snapped sarcastically. They started laughing. He stuck out his tongue and continued. "Anyways, I was watching this muggle production. It's called Riverdance. It would be a break from ballet because it's tap."
Madam seemed to be thinking it over. She nodded. "Alright then, we'll do Riverdance," she agreed. A cheer went up.
"That was actually a GOOD suggestion, Malfoy," Ginny said, surprised.
"Gotta go with her," Hermione agreed. Harry and Ron nodded.
"Thanks, I think." Malfoy said. Arwen laughed form behind. She put her arms around his neck and leaned on him.
"Let's go get the tap shoes. Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Madam says you're supposed ot help. We've got a list of sizes right here!" Arwen said. She and the girls went ahead talking. The boys went behind.
"You are not always that bad, Malfoy," Ropn said.
"Yeah, something's been. with you lately," Harry agreed.
"Gee, I'm loved."
"You are by Arwen," Harry said.
"Aren't we a smart ass," Malfpy said.
"Me?" Harry asked innocently. Ron hit the back of his head.
"Honestly, WHAT does my sister see in you?"
"A very cute face," Ginny said from the front. Arwen and Hermione high fived her. Ginny gave Harry a quick kiss.
"This is going to take some getting used to," Ron muttered. Arwen and Malfoy laughed.
A/N for those who read this Ron said "Because of you Potter and I will never be friends again!" Congrats! U rock for reading that. No one else will know until the end. The next chapter will hopefully be the end. There may be one more after it thought. This si 27 pages., so I'm posting it!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter charas but I do own any names unrecognized. I do not own Devil Went Down to Georgia, Looking Through Your Eyes, This I Promise You, well any of the songs to sum it up! Don't sue me, I have jack crap
****Dedicated to Buggie (Brittany Young) and Cameron (Robinson)****
Hogwarts Christmas Of Love*~~
Part IV*~~
Falling and Finding*~~
Ginny glanced at Harry as they proceeded. He seemed deep in thought. She hoped he was thinking about her. "Ginny," Harry said softly.
"What?" she responded, just as quiet.
"W-what happened. you know- before quidditch practice," Harry said.
"I. don't know," Ginny said, eyes on the ground. "All I know is. I think I liked what was going to happen." They said nothing as they continued to walk through the corridors.
Soon they were at the fruit bowl painting. Ginny reached up and tickled the peach (or whatever). In an instant a door handle appeared. Harry pulled it open. "Hello, Harry Potter, Virginia Weasley."
"Hey Dobby," Harry said, waving. Ginny smiled as he bounded over. The rest of the elves were to used to this to care. They continued bustling about, getting ready for the food to be sent up in a few moments.
"I best head to my station," Dobby said. Ginny and Harry followed silently.
A small ball of purple fire appeared over the head table and that food went up, drifting up to the ceiling and straight through. Suddenly a ball of red, blue, yellow, and green fire appeared over the respective tables.
Food flew up all around them. Then the house elves quickly got the deserts set out. "What may wes (wheeze) be doing for yous?" asked Dobby.
"Everyone in the ballet needs dinner, we're the fetchers tonight," Ginny said.
"Here," said Winky's voice. Ginny turned to find Winky handing her an apple. "To tides you over."
"Thank you, Winky," Ginny said happily. Soon they had a mound of food before them.
"Wingardium Leviosa," Harry chanted. The food levitated off of the ground and he guided it to the door. Ginny set the pumpkin juice barrels in front of her.
"Shinkoduracia," Ginny recited. They shrank so she could carry them all, but her hands were still full.
As the two walked back Harry paused half way there. He turned abruptly. "In case I don't get another chance," he said.
In one swift movement he swooped down and kissed Ginny's lips. He held her lips for a moment then pulled away and continued walking.
Ginny stood still. Her eyes were wide and her lips tingling. It took her a while to catch her breath. She followed Harry at a very slow pace, arriving back a good twenty-five minutes later.
Harry was gone.
Ginny flopped onto her bed and stared aimlessly at the floor. She set her hand on her lips and licked them. She remembered the sweet taste of Harry's on her own. She grabbed some parchment and a quill from her bedside table and shut the curtains on her bed. She scribbled a note and sent it through her pillow to Harry's.
Then she waited. Ten minutes later she got a response,
'I'll be there.'
She squealed and jumped up. She carefully selected an outfit.
Half an hour later she was ready. At least none of the girls were back yet. They were sure to question her outfit.
She wore a short strapless red dress that fell half way between her knees and top-of-legs. Then she had put on a white silk wrap and high heels. Her firey hair was in a neatly twisted bun and she wore glitter on her eyes.
She slipped unnoticed out of the common room and through the corridors, stopping at the one where Harry had almost kissed her. This time she leaned against the wall and waited for Harry.
Suddenly he came around the corner in blue jeans and a red and gold striped shirt. "Hey, Gin. What's up?" he asked nervously.
"Why did you kiss me?" asked Ginny.
"I. I had to. I've wanted to for ages now. The truth is Ginny; I can't get you out of my head. I think about you every moment. When I see the sun rise I'm reminded of your beauty, when I see the clear water of the lake I think of your elegance, I see you everywhere I look!"
Ginny moved next to him and hugged him tight. Harry pulled her off and captured her lips again. Ginny felt his hands around her waist and was aware of hers around his neck. She felt Harry's tongue lightly tap her closed lips. She opened her lips obligingly and felt his tongue explore her mouth.
Soon her own was wrestling his. They stood there kissing for a while. Eventually they pulled away, gasping for air. "Wow," Harry said, grinning. "You sure can kiss."
"You're not too bad either, Boy-Who-Lived," Ginny teased.
"Yeah, well I didn't really live until tonight," Harry said sincerely.
"I don't need the flattery," Ginny stated. "Though, I do deserve it!" She locked his lips tightly again before pulling away with a sly grin and strolling away.
Harry avoided Ron that night in the common room and before Ron went to sleep Harry got his invisibility cloak and left, coming back late when Ron was asleep.
The next morning Harry awoke to Ron's yelling, "Harry's been out all night!" to Seamus, Neville, and Dean.
"Slick one, Potter," Seamus congratulated.
"Who's the lucky lady?" asked Den, eyes glittering mischievously.
"There isn't one," snapped Harry. He grabbed Ron's collar and dragged him into the bathroom. "I was out last night with the cloak. I had to send Sirius something!"
"He's free, why bother?" asked Ron. Harry let go.
"Hey, that's right! Reflex, hard to break!" Ron rolled his eyes and left, falling for Harry's idiot act. Harry sighed and leaned on the wall.
"That was really fucking close," Harry said softly. He walked out and got into his school robes.
Walking down the spiral stairs Harry glanced towards the girls'. Ginny had just looked over too. They blushed deep red and looked away. Ron was to preoccupied snogging Hermione to notice. The two shared a roll of the eyes as they approached.
Harry hit the back of Ron's head and they pulled apart. "And what was that for?" snapped Ron.
"Snogging in the middle of the common room," Harry supplied. He glared. "She's my sister!"
"Oh, nock it off," Hermione scolded. "Gin, let's go eat. I'm starved. PMS."
"Agh, too much info there Mione," Ron said disgustedly. The girls rolled their eye and led the two down to breakfast.
The talked and talked until they reached the Great Hall. Then they shut their yappas. Hermione and Ron took the two seats next to Dean and Lavender, leaving only the end two across from them available.
Harry sat down across from Ron as Ginny slid slowly into the seat next to him. They shifted uncomfortable. Suddenly Harry had an idea. He slipped his hand over Ginny's under the table. She glanced quickly at him but carefully intertwined her fingers wit his.
"Almost time for the formal!" Hermione said happily.
"I can't wait!" Ginny agreed as she used her free hand to grab some pancakes and put peanut butter and syrup on them. She began to eat as Harry bit into his sausage. Their hands were still locked tightly under the table.
"Shoot!" Hermione said looking at her won't-go-haywire-around-magic silver and red watch. "We've got to get to Transfiguration!" They all hopped up.
Luckily no one noticed that Harry and Ginny's hands were still together for a full three minutes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Only a few minutes!!" Hermione squealed.
"Too bad we had to turn the guys down," Padma said falsely.
"And I was actual looking forward to kissing Zachary," Tammy said amusedly. She and Zach had gotten together last week and were constantly together. "But this is all girls!!! We rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Go girls!!!" chimed in Ginny.
"You people know how to speak my language!" Hermione complimented.
"Sorry but the look on the guys' faces was priceless!" Cho added spiritedly.
"Tel me about it. I mean Harry knew that I wasn't going to go with him since I'm only going to the masquerade with him but I saw Hermione telling Ron! Oh my god, I will never forget that look on his face. I'm just sorry that I didn't have a camera with me!"
"Ginny! You shouldn't blackmail people! Especially your brothers!" Hermione said, mock scolding Ginny.
"That goes for you too, Mione!" Lavender said.
"Yeah, we all know you'd love some dirt on Harry!" Padma said.
"Excuse me I already have some dirt! I know about him and Ginny," Hermione said smugly.
"Yes, but you would be getting Gin too," Parvati said, in a smart-ass (courtesy of my mother) tone.
"Oh, snuff it!" Hermione said, pouting.
"Hold still while I fix your frizz, Mione," Ginny said. She quickly used some of her personal 'Maria's Maximum Glitter Down- Wild Lilies' hair spray on Hermione.
"ME NEXT!" Lavender shrieked.
"Geeze, she's more freakish than me at times," Kayla said with amazement, eyes huge and glossy.
"Sorry to be the barer of bad news, but that's impossible Kay," Tammy said as she applied some glitter over her eye shadow.
"HEY!" shrieked Cho. "Gin! Careful, that was almost my eyes!"
"Oops, sorry, Cho," Ginny said giggling. She checked her watch.
"Shoot, we have to go girls," Ginny proclaimed.
` *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* `
Laughter was heard down the corridor. A pack of glum guys sat in the hall near the doors to the Great Hall. They wore nice, new tuxes, but no smiles on the their faces.
"I cannot believe the girls said no!" whined Dean.
"We're taking them to the bloody masquerade in the winter," grumbled Ron.
" 'We're going together!' "Seamus said imitating Lavender.
"They probably are only doing it to keep Gin company," Ron said glumly.
"Why do you say that?" asked Harry, forgetting Ron didn't know.
"Because she doesn't have a date," Ron said rolling his eyes.
"If anyone asks we're here for Harry- as he doesn't have a date either," Dean stated firmly.
"I do so have a date!" Harry snapped.
"Right," Seamus said sarcastically.
"Oh, honestly," Harry muttered.
"Bloody hell," Ron said, staring at the stairs. Harry turned and felt his jaw drop. The girls were walking down the stairs
Okay, not WALKING. They each paraded lightly down the steps, skirts flowing out. They were smiling and laughing. They were also conversing.
"Blimely," Harry said to himself. Ginny was wearing a sea green dress. It had a flowing skirt of silk covered in tight netting. The top had thin straps and sequence scattered around it. She turned back for a moment to grin at Hermione and he saw that there were criss crossed laces in the back.
Ron's eyes were bulging as Hermione walked down. Her dress was the same as Ginny's except red and had gold embroidery on the top instead of beads and sequences.
The other girls' skirts were all silk and were all strapless. The tops had Chinese buttons and the skirts had different designs embroidered on them.
Cho's was pale blue with silver stars. Tammy's was deep midnight blue with gold moons. Kayla's was pale purple with blue roses. Pavarti's was green with red flames. Padma's was red with green flames. Lavender's was a deep royal purple with silver stars and a white sash.
As Ginny reached the bottom of the stairs with the rest of the girls she glanced over to the guys. Her eyes met Harry's and she smiled fondly. She held his eyes there for a little while. Finally Hermione broke it up.
"Gin!" she hissed, tugging Ginny's arm. Ginny shook her head and they continued on their way.
It was a while later that the doors to the Great Hall were opened. The girls quickly got a large circular table in the corner so they wouldn't have to move in an hour for the dancing.
The boys took a table very close. Well, as close as they could get with a table big enough to fit them all at.
Ron was so wrapped up in staring at Hermione that he didn't note where Harry's eyes were lingering.
Ginny on the other hand did notice. She smiled quickly to the handsome boy before turning to her conversation with the girls.
About ten minutes later they got their food and then fifty minutes later they saw people from the tables in the middle standing, as they were taken away. The girls began to whisper among themselves.
Finally Dumbledore had gotten a muggle music set and a muggle trained DJ set up. Some muggle tunes blasted out.
"I don't wanna be your girlfriend. I'm just looking for a real good time alright. Can you guarantee me satisfaction? Need some action, gonna get it tonight. So I'm telling you boyfriend, bet you never met a girl like me before! Not gonna wait a long time, better make up your mind!" Hermione began singing along with the songs she was quite familiar with.
The girls were dancing wildly and Lavender and Dean had started grinding when a new song came on.
After 8 songs a slow one came on. "Hey! This is 'This I Promise You'!" Hermione said in unison with Kayla, who was also muggle born.
"Hello, like we understand" Ginny said, rolling her eyes.
"It's a song by the band N'Sync," Hermione explained quickly. "When Ron took me out that day after Harry's family left, we danced to this song."
(this is the part dedicated to Buggie and Cam. It's the first song they danced to together. It was at a Valentine's Day dance. See Cam agreed to go out with Brittany Burrow. He liked Buggie too so. five minutes later he had decided that he liked Buggie more than Burrow and dumped Burrow- but very gently. So Buggie- being the great person she is- said he should dance one more time with Burrow. Sweet huh? It's their three week anniversary and she's gonna kill me for putting this up here! Oh well!!)
Ron came over and bowed deeply to Hermione. "May I have this dance, my lady?" he asked sweetly. Hermione giggled but nodded. Each girl wrangled her guy in a few seconds and led them to the dance floor.
Harry and Ginny stood off o the side by each other. "Next slow song, you belong to me," Harry whispered into her ear. She giggled and glanced up at Ron.
He was too indulged in Hermione to notice so. Harry and Ginny slipped into a dark corner and held a long-awaited kiss. As soon as the song ended they sprang apart and dashed back to the dance floor.
"That was fun!" Kayla squealed. They all rolled their eyes as the hyper-active girl continued on with her babbling.
"Moving on." Lavender stated.
"Right, anyways, Gin come dance!" Parvati said as she grabbed Ginny's hand.
Amazingly Ginny knew this song. Actually while Hermione had been staying with them over the summer she had brought all of her sound tracks. Including her CDs that were normal.
You see, it happened that Hermione had owned the Shrek sound track. "I Don't Give A Damn Bout My Reputation" was playing right now and Ginny and Hermione were singing loudly.
They kept bumping hips. Suddenly everyone started cracking up and it only took a minute to find out why.
A second year named Callie Faye Barons was flashing everyone as she went around dancing. (HA! Fuck you Mione!!! Hehhehehehehe, vengeance is SWEET!!) Harry and Ron shielded their eyes. (sorry, inside joke and payback. all in one!!)
Ten minutes later another slow song started playing. It took not even a second for all the "couples" to be out on the dance floor. Harry approached Ginny and she smiled widely. The two made their way to the dance floor.
"Look at the sky. Tell me what do you see? Just close your eyes and describe it to me. The heavens are sparkling with starlight tonight. That's what I see through your eyes. I see the heavens each time that you smile. I hear your heartbeat just go on for miles. (you wanna know the rest- find it- Quest For Camelot Soundtrack)"
Hermione carefully let Ron see them. He stopped dancing but Hermione captured his lips and he started up again. He watched them closely.
"He's watching us. He'll probably kill me for just dancing with. What happens when he finds out we meet secretly to snog?" Ginny threw her head back and laughed, which cast all those thought from Harry's mind.
"Who knows?" she said softly. She let her head fall back onto his chest. He quickly smelled her hair and smiled. Then the song ended. Now a fast song came on. Harry and Ginny started dancing to that and were soon joined by the rest.
After a while Ron glanced at Harry. "Thanks for dancing with Gin," he whispered. Harry looked at him oddly, then smiled and nodded. Ginny caught Harry's eye and then walked out to the gardens set up outside. Harry followed moments later.
They met near the entrance and then went into the deepest part of the maze. There they caught each other with their lips. They sat there for twenty minutes, snogging. Then they knew they had to get back. Ginny went first followed by Harry.
"Where have you been?" demanded Ron as Ginny entered.
"Peeing," she snapped.
"Way too vulgar," Ron said, disgusted at the vision.
"Then don't ask," she shot back.
"Pistachio Pudding!" Kayla yelled, hopping around.
"What did I miss?" asked Harry, looking oddly at Kayla as he walked over.
"Nothing," Hermione said, off-handedly.
"And where were you?" asked Ron.
"In the Lou," Harry replied, normally as though he really hadn't been snogging Ginny.
"See, Gin, a lot less disgusting than you!" Ron said. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!" the girls squealed as a new song came on. They started jumping.
"Right. please tell me Hermione's skirt did NOT just fly up and show off her knickers," Harry pleaded with his eyes closed and fingers crossed.
"Sorry, mate. It did," Ron said, grinning stupidly. Harry whacked the back of his head. "OWW!!"
"No dirty thoughts right now please. I'm already having problems," Harry snapped, though grinning.
"Come on, let's dance. You handle Gin. Just no grinding," Ron said as he walked over to Hermione and OMG!!! GRINDED!!!! GRIMM REEPER!! (sorry, totally inside joke)
"Hey," Harry purred sexily into Ginny's ear. She giggled and turned to face him. They started dancing and laughing with their friends.
Five dances later they were all sitting down at the now combined tables. Ginny's and Harry's hands were intertwined under the table.
"The next song is dedicated to Prongs Jr. from Lils!" the DJ Cam (oh bless Buggie's BF!) shouted out over and enchanted mike.
"Harry?" Hermione questioned softly, brows furrowed.
In answer to her silently asked question he nodded and stood up, offering Ginny a hand. He led her to the middle of the dance floor just as the music started. It was a song Ginny knew well from Grease. It was "Better Shape Up".
Soon people were watching the two doing their skilled dancing, almost a replica of the Grease moves, but better. When the song ended, Ginny was suspended in the air by Harry's arms. He let her drop into his arms.
He had an overwhelming urge to kiss her but it was t hen they noticed their clapping crowd. They blushed deeply and walked quickly back to their seats.
"Now! That was quite interesting. How would out dancers from the Nutcracker like to give us a small show?" asked Dumbledore.
"Hello, earth to unSlytherins!" Draco said, rolling his eyes at them. "Let's show them that excellent production of The Devil Went Down To Georgia!"
"Oh great," Hermione muttered.
"Here we go." Ron said exasperatedly. Harry stood up and the dancers (all of them, not just our main peeps that happen to be dancers) went to the space cleared for them in the center.
Parvati went to tell the DJ the song they needed. Then she took her place with the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors behind Ron and Hermione, who were on the sides, slightly back, of Harry and Ginny.
The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins were facing them, behind Zachary Wasco and Pansy Parkinson, who were behind Draco and Arwen (fuck Pansy, Draco will end up with Arwen!).
The music started. And Draco's side started and in a moment were joined by Harry's. It was a fast dance that sounded like deep western. A fiddle played with what sounded like a deep sax and a piano.
That went on for a while until a deep voice sang, "The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal. He was in a bind cause he was way behind and he was wiling to make a deal."
Draco was acting like the devil with Arwen right beside him. The only problem was their smiling faces. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins behind them did fast moves in their place.
"When he can upon this young man with a fiddle and playing it hot. And the devil jumped up on a hickory stump and said boy let me tell you what." Now Ginny and Harry were dancing as the people behind them did the same as the people behind Draco and Arwen.
"I guess you didn't know it but I'm a fiddle player too. " Now Draco and Arwen were dancing at Harry and Ginny. They were doing impatient moves and rolling their eyes, though grinning as well.
"And if you'd care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you. Now you play pretty god fiddle boy but give the devil his due, I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul just to think I'm better than you."
"The boy said my name's Johnny and it may be a sin, but I'll take your bet you're gonna regret cause I'm the bets there's ever been." Now Ginny and Harry were doing fast paced moves around the same spot and ended with shaking Draco and Arwen's hands.
"Johnny risen up your bow and play your fiddle hard. Cause hell's broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals the cards. Now if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold, but if you loose the devil gets your soul."
The big clump behind the four leaders were dancing across a space in perfect samarium. They stopped instantly at he last word.
"The devil opened up his case and he said I'll start this show. And fire flew from his finger tips as he rolled up his bow. And he pulled the bow across the strings and it made an evil hiss. Then a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this."
As Draco's side did amazing moves low music with a deep sounding fiddle (like a gutair) sounded the main beats. Harry's side tapped their feet with impatience, in time with the music of course.
"When the devil finished Johnny said well you're pretty good old son. But sit down in that chair right their and let me show you how it's done." Harry and Ginny pushed Draco and Arwen.
"Fire on the mountain Run boys run! Devil's in the house at the rising sun! Chicken in the bread pan picking out dough! Ready by the dog house, no chow no. (not sure if that part is right. can't really understand their words)'
As the man sang a fiddle played burningly fast in the background. Ginny and Harry flew everywhere in perfect form and synchronized perfectly. Behind them their friends did challenging moves as well as them.
They stopped, panting, after about two minutes of fiddle playing. Then the man started singing again.
"The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat. And he laid that golden fiddle on the floor at Johnny's feet."
"Johnny said just come on back if you ever wanna try again. But I told you once you son of a bitch, I'm the best there's ever been."
And then one count afterwards All of the dancers flew together, Harry, Ginny, Malfoy, and Arwen in the front.
"And he played. Fire on the mountain Run boys run! Devil's in the house at the rising sun! Chicken in the bread pan picking out dough! Ready by the dog house, no chow no."
As the music played they flew like birds once again. As the final cord struck Ginny was lifted by Harry.
Clapping sounded through the hall. The sweaty dancers went and sat down.
"Good job," Malfoy said. Arwen gave Ginny a hug and then they went to sit by their friends.
"Okay, I think the world has gone officially crazy," Ginny said.
"Say that again," Harry said in agreement.
"Okay, I think the world has gone officially crazy," Ginny repeated. Harry hit her arm lightly.
"You're lucky I'm pooped!" he said, trying to be menacing.
"Whatever you say, Harry, whatever you say," Ginny said sarcastically.
"I know, I know."
"Sorry to interrupt your dull conversation but I would like to dance with Ginny and Hermione want to dance with Harry so. MOVE!!!" Ron yelled.
They hadn't noticed a slow song had come on. Harry and Ginny laughed and grabbed their "sibling".
"So, you fancy Ginny," Hermione said. Harry looked startled and avoided eye contact for a while.
"Fine!" Harry said at last. "God, how do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"THAT!!"
"I just do," Hermione replied smugly.
"Whatever. Just don't let anything spill to your boyfriend," Harry warned. "Or else!"
"Or else what?"
"Just or else!"
"Oh, gee, I'm shaking in my shoes," Hermione said sarcastically. Harry hit her arm lightly.
"So, Gin, who do you want to ask you to the masquerade?" asked Ron.
"I'm not telling" Ginny said mysteriously.
"Come on," Ron whined.
"I don't think that Virginia Weasley will be going at all," Ginny said thoughtfully.
"Why not?" asked Ron.
"Just because," Ginny replied.
"I give up."
"God! Now how's everything with your and Mione? Anything past snogging?" Ron glared at Ginny, going bright red. Ginny laughed and pecked her brother on his cheek as the song ended.
"Hermione knows," Harry whispered to Ginny.
"I sort of told her," Ginny said, blushing.
"Gee, thanks. Now I've got Hermione grilling me!" Harry said, shaking his head.
"Oh, come off it. Let's dance with the rest," Ginny pulled her secret love off of his butt and led him to their friends. They started dancing.
Hermione slipped Ron away from the dance and into the gardens. Quickly they started making out. Inside Ginny and Harry noticed they were gone.
So in result- they grinded. Afterwards Harry quickly gave her a kiss before going to sit with his male friends. (I just did LEAP homework so.. there may be some stuff with US states and capitals.) Luckily none of them were paying attention.
About forty minutes later Hermione and Ron came back in holding hands. "Oh, great, here come the love birds," Lavender muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Guess that's our cue to leave," Dean said and pulled her up. She laughed as they left the hall.
"Don't watch Gin,' Ron said strictly.
Ginny rolled her eyes and stared hard as the two left. Then she turned and stuck her tongue out at Ron. She shrieked as he came at her. She jumped up and he started chasing hr around the hall. Soon the siblings were a source of great entertainment for the rest of the hall.
That was when a thousand light bombs went off. Everyone yelled and whipped around. The four friends cracked up as they saw three names appear. Padfoot, Moony, and Prongs.
Snape turned a red when "You ugly, greasy haired, abnormally large nosed git!" appeared in front of him. The quartet rolled on the ground with laughter.
"THANK YOU! THE MARAUDERS BID YOU FAIRWELL!" came in bright red and gold sparks in the center. Then under it
"We'll have that talk son boys!" The girls laughed as Ron and Harry went slightly red.
"Let's kill 'em," Harry muttered. Ron nodded. But the two Marauders nor their wives were around. So they shrugged and went back to dancing.
"When I find those bloody Marauders," they heard Snape mutter as he went searching through the students. They started giggling and then burst out laughing. Al their friends gave them quizzical looks and they regained their composure.
"What? My godfather is an oddball!" Harry said defensively.
"Odd is an understatement when he and Moony are together," Hermione said. Ginny nodded in agreement, with a perfectly straight face. Then as Harry glared at them they broke down in giggles.
The hall fell silent as Dumbledore arose. "We have been asked to give you a slight test on this occasion. All of you who were in Professor Remus Lupin's second- and third-year classes please come to the front. Remus has asked you get tested on your defense against boggarts." A groan went through the students.
"He's doing this to make me miserable," Harry muttered.
"You're right!" came Lupin's voice.
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU DAMNED MARAUDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Snape yelled as he lunged wildly at Remus.
"CRAP! See ya guys! Good luck! AIMEE!!! HELP!!" Remus screamed as Snape neared him. Aimee rolled her eyes.
"Come on," she flew over on a broomstick and grabbed Remus's arm. He swung up and they took off.
"Right." Ron said. Hermione and Harry shook their heads.
"Do they leave normally?" asked Ginny.
"Nope."
"First up, Ronald Weasley," Dumbledore called. Ron scowled bit walked up.
With a snap a giant Aaragog stood over him. He yelled the spell and rolled away. Soon almost the whole sixth year class was done. "Hermione Granger!"
She took a deep breath and walked dup. What happened, happened very fast. Above Hermione stood a woman with her hair in a tight black bun and a knife in hand. In a low shaky voice Hermione managed to say the spell.
Now the woman's hair was down and she wore a jogging suit. Hermione almost fainted but was rescued by Ron.
"Harry Potter!" Harry rushed up as the dementor appeared. As it was about to take its breath Harry yelled the Patronus charm. It a flash of silver the boggart changed. It seemed to be a small green blob. (like Flubber!!)
Ginny went next. Ron appeared with flashing eyes and hissed something. Ginny's eyes were wide but she shook her head and whispered her spell. Hermione was suddenly there and they started snogging. "GINNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"How can I be your greatest fear?" asked Ron incredulously.
"You aren't... exactly. What you... said is."
"And what did I say?"
"I'll tell you later. Let's watch." So a baffled Ron turned to watch the rest of Ginny's class battle the boggart. Harry whispered into Ginny's ear.
"What's he say?"
"Never mind Harry," Ginny hissed back softly. Harry looked at her oddly as the last student finished.
"That was mighty interesting. Now, Mr. Longbottom, please finish off this boggart," Dumbledore said. Neville nodded and quickly destroyed it. "Now, dance again!" With a wave of his wand the music started.
When the dance had ended at five in the morning all the exhausted students headed back to their dorms. Only two remained for a long kiss and a heated good-bye.
Then, Harry Potter slipped silently into his dorm, careful to tip toe past Ron, and Ginny Weasley went up and giggled with her female friends.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We have to tell him," Ginny said. She felt safe in Harry's warm embrace as the wnd blew across her face and through her hair. They were sitting on top of Gryffindor tower, watching the sunset.
"I know, but who, how, and when?" Harry said, staring out at the sky.
"Well, how, quickly but gently, when, soon, and who. I'll do it," Ginny offered. Harry was quiet for a moment. Then,
"No, I have to do this. I'll talk to Ron tomorrow," Harry said decidedly.
"Just promise me you'll do it with Mione there," Ginny pleaded. Harry grinned and nodded. Then he kissed the top of her head and they stood up.
"Ready to dance?" asked Harry. Ginny nodded and they walked down to the dungeons.
"Sorry we're late," Ginny said as they arrived.
"Come, come. We're doing the first act again!" Madame said. They nodded their heads and Harry stood still as Ginny shrunk him.
"Then she rushed out dancing. "You and Ginny are close," Harry heard Malfoy hiss. He- small as he was- spun around.
"What do you mean?"
"Calm down Potter. I won't tell anyone," Malfoy said. "Just hurry and tell Weasley."
"And why should I believe that you won't tell anyone?"
"One, because you don't really have a choice, and two, you won't tell my dad about Arwen. She's a Hufflepuff.
"Not that I'm not happy about this change but loves makes you weird Malfoy."
"Maybe it's not just love, Potter, maybe it's something else," Malfoy said. He stood and walked away. Harry stared after him.
Hermione watched as Harry fiddled annoyingly at the red chair down in the empty common room. It was midnight and they were waiting for Ron. They were planning on working on their devious plan to become unregistered Animagi.
Ginny was getting the books form the Restricted Section with Harry's invisibility cloak. "I'm here!" Ron called "quietly".
"Congratulations, Ron," Hermione said sarcastically.
"What are you so worried about Harry?" asked Ginny, pulling off Harry's cloak.
"This. If we get caught Padfoot, Moony, Ara, and Aimee'll kill me!"
"After all the crap the Marauders pulled?" Ron asked.
"They warned me not to try to be an Animagi. "You shouldn't do naughty things just because we did". Remus said that," Harry reported.
"And how would they find out?" asked Mione.
"They're them! They just would!"
"He's a little paranoid," Ron said. After convincing Harry that they wouldn't find out, they spent three hours reading up on Aminagi.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The common room was pretty full the next morning. Harry was sitting twisting his hands in his lap, waiting for Ron. Hermione sat next to him muttering comforting words.
"Ready for DADA?" asked Ron. Harry took a deep breath and stood up. Hermione baited her own breath.
"Ron, I have to tell you something."
"Shoot mate!"
"Ginny and I. well, we're going out," Harry said quickly and gently.
Ron was still for a moment before. WHAM! "You bloody bastard! That's my sister!"
Harry's hands was catching the blood trickling from his nose as he lay on the ground. "RON!" Hermione shrieked. Ron approached Harry, eyes flashing. IN a swift move Seamus and Dean had his arms.
"Harry, get to the hospital wing. NOW!" Seamus yelled.
Harry scrambled to his feet and swiftly went to the portrait, but just before he went out Ron muttered a curse with his wand and Harry fell to the ground, an invisible fist beating his stomach.
Hermione quickly said the counter and snatched Ron's wand. Lavender and Pavarti helped Harry up and led him off towards the hospital wing.
The common room was silent then, SMACK! "Ron! If you EVER do that to Harry again, I'll hex you to hell! He didn't do ANYTHING! Talk to your sister. Until this is over, consider us on non-speaking terms!" With that Hermione grabbed her book and stormed up the girls' dormitory stairs.
Dean and Seamus released him and watched his movements apprehensively. All he did, however, was sit down on a red chair with his head in his hands, waiting for his sister.
Ginny bounced down the stairs five minutes later, smiling lightly. It twisted into a frown when she reached the bottom of the stairs. The common room had gone silent when she had come in. Harry and Hermione were missing and Ron was sitting alone, head in hands.
"What's up Ron?" Ginny asked, walking over. He looked up, eyes flashing. She gasped. He'd done it!
"Oh, you know. Best friends chasing after little sisters, hoping they'll put out," Ron hissed. Everyone in the common room was watching. Ginny's eyes narrowed.
"Apparently Harry told you we're going out," Ginny said.
"Ginny how could you DO this?!" Ron yelled. "You do NOT want to be that trading bastards girlfriend. He's still wound up in Cho Chang!"
Ginny stared at Ron. 'How stupid IS he? Hasn't he seen the change in Harry since this summer? Hasn't he found NOT to piss me off!'
"He'll use ou for Cho and then leave you cold!" Ron yelled.
"Ron, SHUT UP! You have NO idea what you are talking about! Do NOT insult Harry Potter around me! And if he is so caught up in Cho why didn't he kiss her? Answer me that Ron. Why didn't he stare at HER at the Halloween dance?!"
Silence hung. "Where's Harry and Hermione?" snapped Ginny.
"Hermione's up in your dormitory, she's mad at ma," Ron said simply. He grinned and his eyes were bright. "Harry's in the hospital wing."
"WHY?!"
"I socked his nose and hit him with the invisible fist curse."
"YOU BASTARD! I AM NOT TALKING TO YOU! EVER!!!!" Ginny leapt on her brother and tried to hurt him, badly. Dean and Seamus didn't move but when Fred and George looked at them they sighed and nodded.
The twins grabbed Ginny, holding back the furious red head as Dean and Seamus grabbed Ron. "FRED, GOERGE, LET ME GO!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE TO KICK HIS BLOODY ASS!!!!!!!!" Ginny screamed.
"Gin, calm down!" said Fred.
"Go to the hospital wing and see Harry!" George suggested. Ginny glared and Ron, grabbed her midnight blue, star speckled bag and rushed out of the common room and to the hospital room.
"Aren't the two of you mad at Harry?!" asked Ron, furiously.
"Ron, Harry's a great guy for Gin." Said George.
"Yeah, he's better than most."
"Open your eyes, Harry's long since lost his fancy for Chang."
"You weren't paying attention this summer."
"Or this year here at school!"
"You need to think about this Ron."
"Think about what's at steak." The common room emptied as everyone headed to their lessons.
Lavender and Pavarti were leaving the hospital wing when Ginny came by. "Is Harry okay?" asked Ginny, breathlessly.
"Yeah, Pomfrey is fixing him up," Lavender said.
"We'll see you in Defense Against Darkness," Lavender said. (yes I know the real name, too lazy to type it.)
"Yeah," Ginny said. She walked through the doors and saw Madame Pomfrey leaving. Harry was sitting staring off into space as a few bruises appeared over his showing flesh.
He was still wearing his blue and white T. She saw his blue jeans slung over a chair. "Hey, Harry."
"Ginny!" Harry said brightly. He kissed her softly as she sat down.
"You okay?" she asked quickly.
"I'm fine. Just a little beat up. Madame Pomfrey says I'll be back to normal in two days. I can leave in a little while. She'll get us a pass."
"I'm so mad at Ron!" Ginny said as she tugged her hair. She felt Harry's warm hand over her own.
"It'll work out. Just know, I'm going to be here for you weather Ron wants me to be or not," Harry told her softly. Ginny smiled sadly up at him.
"So stripping for Madam Pomfrey, eh?" Ginny asked, grinning.
"NO! She needed to see how many bruises I had on my legs. I'm still wearing my boxers, thank you very much!"
Ron walked into DADA with the rest of his class. He took a seat near the back. Hermione walked in and without even glancing at him sat down in the third row from the front.
Lavender and Pavarti rushed in out of breath. They shot a perturbed look at Ron before sitting next to Hermione. Dean and Seamus came in next. They glanced back at Ron and nodded to each other. They walked over and sat on either of his sides.
"And why aren't you mad at me?" asked a crabby Ron.
"We just aren't," Seamus said.
"And this way you can't get at Harry when he comes in," Dean added. Ron glowered.
Professor Dumbledore (who had been teaching the class until the new professor (s) was ready) silenced the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. "Today!"
Ginny and Harry took their notes from Madame Pomfrey. Then Harry slipped his pants back on and accepted his robes form Ginny.
"Now, why exactly were you so beat up?" she asked, curiously.
"Ron," Ginny replied, furious again.
"Gin," Harry warned.
"Mr. Weasley?!" Poppy said in shock.
"Yes, after I told him that Ginny and I were going out he punched me in the nose and hit me with the invisible fist curse. We'd looked it up together to use on Malfoy's cronies, if necessary and for the war," Harry explained quickly.
"Alright." said a confused Poppy Pomfrey.
"Bye!" they called. Ginny and Harry headed towards the DADA room at a fast pace. They stood outside for a moment.
"Ready?" asked Ginny.
"One sec," Harry said. He leaned over and kissed her. "Now I am!" Ginny smiled and opened the door.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said stilly.
"Sorry we're late,' Harry said. He was well aware of the gasps and whispers. He knew very well his visible skin was speckled with bruises.
"We were in the hospital wing," at this Ginny shot an evil look towards Ron.
"Here's a note from madam Pomfrey," Harry said, handing it to their headmaster. He read and nodded.
"Please be seated." They turned and sat in the front seats, right next to each other. They noticed Hermione was ignoring the perturbed Ron.
Ron had started hanging around Deana and Seamus a lot. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny were still speaking but it was odd without Ron. Hermione and Ron had been avoiding each other and Ginny made a point of holding Harry's hand around Ron.
Harry would study Ron during class and think of a way to talk to him. Every time Ron saw Cho and Harry even saying hi he'd glare and cluck. Ginny'd hit him every time and go and talk to Cho too.
In one day the whole school knew of Harry and Ginny and the fight the quartet was having.
Later that week at dinner, Hermione and Ginny had come down and were seated just as Harry came in. He sat across from Ginny, next to Seamus who was sitting across from Hermione.
Ron entered last. There was an awkward silence until Seamus and Dean started a conversation on the Gryffindor quidditch team. The once golden trio and their newfound addition making them the golden quartet were quite talkative. Ron was just given the silent treatment from the other three, as he was silent towards Harry and Ginny.
Then they had quidditch practice. Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender talked as they walked down to the quidditch pitch. It was on the guys- obviously- and Ron's stupidity.
Seamus and Dean walked on either side of Ron. He threw his hands in the air. "I'm not doing anything to him!"
"Yes, and that's the way it'll stay," Dean said. "I'm here to keep you in toe.
Harry was walking with David as the twins were out on the pitch already. "What's really up with you and Ron? I heard some wild rumors. Just haven't had a chance to talk to you." he said.
"He's mad at me because me and Gin are going out and he tried to beat me up. He succeeded." Harry lifted his robes above his arm to show him the now livid bruises. "They'll start fading tomorrow with the bruise balm from Pomfrey."
"He's lost it," David confirmed as they reached the pitch.
They took off. The twins were having a lot of fun coaching them. Ginny, Mione, and Harry were avoiding contact with Ron. "Now, we're going to scrimmage. Ginny, Hermione, you two on one team. I'll go with David as chaser," Fed said.
"Dean! Get your ass down here!" called Fred. "You're the reserve keeper so you go with Ginny and play their keeper. Ron, you're keeper for George. I'll be beater with Seamus for George."
"Lavender you're with Gin. Harry you'll play chaser for now," George instructed.
"Let's play some quidditch!" yelled David.
"HEY! I'LL REFEREE!" yelled Pavarti, startling them all. She grabbed her inherited SilverArrow299. It was a pretty fast broom. She set out the balls. Holding the quaffle she threw it up. Then she kicked off.
Harry, clutching a beater stick soared around the pitch, ignoring the glittering snitch that was calling to him.
Ginny raced down the field with the quaffle. Harry saw a bludger heading towards her. In aburst of speed he was there. He whammed it off course. It headed towards Ron.
Ron was concentrating on Ginny and didn't notice. "RON!" Harry yelled. Ron saw it just in time to duck.
Ron stared at Harry, letting Ginny score. Harry turned his broom as he went after the bludger set for Dean.
Half an hour later Fred told Harry and David to leave beater positions and go after he snitch. David groaned but sped off in search, letting his club fall to the ground. Harry followed the suit, but grinning.
Harry saw it by Ron. He sped off. Just as Ron blacked Hermione's shot Harry clasped it, right next to Ron's ear. He fell to the ground and handed it to Ginny, who put it back in its box.
"Harry!" Ron called as they were leaving. Harry stopped and turned around.
"Harry, come on," Ginny hissed, tugging his arm.
"I'll just talk to him. Wait here if you want," Harry said. Ginny looked uncertain, but nodded. Harry walked back towards Ron.
"Yeah?"
"Why'd you warn be about that bludger? I mean I did try to kill you earlier today."
"Oh, and here I thought it was just beat the shit out of me. No, seriously, Ron. I just didn't want you to smell like that horrible bruise balm," Harry said swiftly.
"Truth," Ron snapped.
"Geez, look, I did. Now me and Gin are going to study. Bye!" Harry said, walking away.
"Harry!" He turned back. Ron grinned. "Good choice in girlfriends." Harry grinned and waited for Ron to catch up.
"That was fast," Ginny said as she, Hermione, and the boys walked back up to the castle.
"What was fast?" asked Ron.
"That fight," Hermione replied.
Ron shrugged at Harry. They grinned. "Hey! Who won?" asked Ginny suddenly.
"I think Seamus or Cho did," Hermione said. "What was it, one week?"
"Yup, I was only one day off," Ginny said.
"They bet on our fight?!" Harry asked.
"No we bet on how long Ron would be daft," Cho said. They looked at her. They had reached the stairs. She and the rest of the Ravenclaw team were heading to the pitch.
"HEY!" Ron said. Cho laughed.
"I beat Dean by night. He said one week during the afternoon. I said one week, at night!" Cho said proudly. Hermione and Ginny gave her 3 galleons each. The boys shook their heads and continued to their common room.
The girls laughed and followed. When they reached the portrait they found Malfoy and Arwen arguing near it. "What on earth are you two doing here?" asked Ron.
"Finally made up, Potter, Weasley?" asked Malfoy. They nodded curtly. "We're trying to find the Gryffindor common room. We are supposed to tell everyone that we're to meet in the dungeons for an immediate rehearsal.
"Great!" Harry moaned sarcastically.
"We'll tell Gryffindor," Hermione said.
"See you in a few minutes!" Ginny called as they took off. They rushed into the common room.
"IMMEDIATE BALLET REHEARSAL!!!!!" Ron and Harry screamed. The dancers pounded down the stairs or hopped up from their seats. They all set off.
Ron flinched at first when Harry took Ginny's hand but kept his mouth shut. They arrived five minutes later. "Hello!" Madam said cheerfully.
"What is this about, Madam Viler?" asked Cho politely. "I'm very sorry, but I have quidditch practice."
"Well then, return to that. We'll have a Ravenclaw fill you in," Madam said quickly. Cho smiled gratefully and shot off.
"Now, we have been asked to do a dance performance for the school in two weeks. I believe that since we've learned ¾ of our Nutcracker and we still need to finish the end of the story line, we should do something new. Any ideas?"
There was silence. Then Malfoy raised his hand. "Yes?"
"I was watching this muggle production-" there was a loud gasp. "Ha, ha!" he snapped sarcastically. They started laughing. He stuck out his tongue and continued. "Anyways, I was watching this muggle production. It's called Riverdance. It would be a break from ballet because it's tap."
Madam seemed to be thinking it over. She nodded. "Alright then, we'll do Riverdance," she agreed. A cheer went up.
"That was actually a GOOD suggestion, Malfoy," Ginny said, surprised.
"Gotta go with her," Hermione agreed. Harry and Ron nodded.
"Thanks, I think." Malfoy said. Arwen laughed form behind. She put her arms around his neck and leaned on him.
"Let's go get the tap shoes. Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Madam says you're supposed ot help. We've got a list of sizes right here!" Arwen said. She and the girls went ahead talking. The boys went behind.
"You are not always that bad, Malfoy," Ropn said.
"Yeah, something's been. with you lately," Harry agreed.
"Gee, I'm loved."
"You are by Arwen," Harry said.
"Aren't we a smart ass," Malfpy said.
"Me?" Harry asked innocently. Ron hit the back of his head.
"Honestly, WHAT does my sister see in you?"
"A very cute face," Ginny said from the front. Arwen and Hermione high fived her. Ginny gave Harry a quick kiss.
"This is going to take some getting used to," Ron muttered. Arwen and Malfoy laughed.
A/N for those who read this Ron said "Because of you Potter and I will never be friends again!" Congrats! U rock for reading that. No one else will know until the end. The next chapter will hopefully be the end. There may be one more after it thought. This si 27 pages., so I'm posting it!!!!!!!!!
