A/N: BIG R/Hr MOMENT!

This chapter might be the longest so far, I hope you like it, It was so much fun to write!

I'm thinking of changing the name of the story, I really just used 'More Than Just Friends' to get my story up faster, but I don't know what to call it.

I'm sorry this took so long, but my computer wouldn't even turn on, I was going crazy! My computer still doesn't work, but I'm at my mom's work, so here's the next chapter. If my computer doesn't get fixed, I won't have another chapter until next Saturday.

Thank you so much for reviewing! It really means allot to me, you have no idea!

Chapter 12 The New Years Ball

The next morning Harry got up to see an empty dormitory. He got up, got dressed, and went downstairs. A few people were still there, but Ron and Hermione weren't anywhere.

"Pavarti," Harry said to Pavarti as she and Lavender came down the girl's staircase, giggling as usual. "Is Hermione in your room?"

"Oh, no she got up early, she was in such a good mood" she said through more giggling.

"Thanks" said Harry, looking curiously at Pavarti and Lavender, as he left to go down to the Great Hall. He really wanted to find out what happened last night that changed his friend's recent moods so drastically.

When Harry reached the Great Hall, the sun shone bright in his eyes and he squinted. He had been up late the night before, and now he wasn't fully awake. The sky outside was completely clear, and a beautiful baby blue. Harry immediately spotted Ron and Hermione sitting right across from each other, not talking, but wearing incredibly smug looks on their faces.

Harry walked over to them, and sat next to Ron, and began to eat. After a few minutes, Harry was done with his eggs, and looked between Ron and Hermione, who hadn't seemed to even notice him.

"Good Morning" Harry said.

"Good Morning, Harry" said Hermione, with her smug smile, like she knew something no one else did.

"Morning" said Ron, perfectly cheerful.

'This is weird, what happened?' Harry though.

"Ok, who's going to tell me?" Harry asked, putting his fork down and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Tell you what exactly?" Hermione said.

"Tell me," Harry said, "What happened last night that that changed those horrible moods you two have been in since Halloween. Last night you both were sitting in the common room, by yourselves, pretending to study," Ron and Hermione both looked guilty. "Then suddenly Ron leaves, and then Hermione leaves, and then you come back and Hermione comes back, and you both have the exact same looks on your faces, like you've just found out something nobody knows, now please tell me what happened!"

Ron and Hermione looked shocked at Harry's outburst, he was usually so quiet.

"Well, I went out to get away from all that noise, it was driving me mad" Hermione said quickly. "And while I was out I met someone, and he.um.asked me to the ball."

"WHAT?" said Ron a bit too loud? Both Harry and Hermione looked at him, and he avoided their eyes.

"Well, that explains that, Ron" Harry prompted.

"Well, I went out because of the noise too" Ron lied, "And I was walking through the entrance hall, and I met someone too, and she asked me to the ball."

Harry was surprised that both his friends had gotten dates, the same night, at almost the same time. Ron was defiantly surprised that Hermione had a date, but the way he acted. But Hermione, Harry noticed, did not seem surprised that Ron had a date, in fact she immediately started to stare at her plate when Ron began to talk.

"Really, so whom are you going with?" Harry asked both of them.

"Well, her name is Kate Taylor, and she's in Hufflepuff and in out Herbology class." Said Ron slowly.

"I'm going with David Marrow, he's a Ravenclaw prefect, and in our Charms class."

The next few days went by very uneventful. Christmas came and went as it always did, and everyone was enjoying himself or herself. Soon it was December 31st, and the energy level in and around the castle was elevated, as people were getting ready for that evening, with high hopes and anticipation.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were all nervous about the upcoming event and tried to take their minds off of the coming evening by playing chess, and exploding snap, and Harry and Ron even joined Hermione in doing some homework for Charms.

At 6:00, Hermione put down her quill, got her books and parchment and announced that she was going to get ready. Ron was happy to notice that she didn't take as much time as last year. The boys continued to do their homework, as they were almost finished, and when they were done they too went upstairs to get ready.

Ron and Harry were the last one's to start getting ready and the first one's done. They went and sat in the common room, waiting for Hermione, who they would be walking down to the entrance hall with. They sat in silence, and slowly the common room filled with people, mostly boys, and all wearing different colored robes for the occasion.

Ron didn't seem too nervous, but Harry was terrified. He was finally going with Cho, after he'd had a crush on her for 2 years, he didn't know what to do, so he passed. He didn't know if he could stand this night, just the thought of Cho made him think of Cedric Diggory, and that made him feel guilty. He knew he shouldn't blame himself, but he couldn't help it, he even had nightmares occasionally, just remembering the night of the third task the year before.

Hermione went up to her room, where Lavender and Pavarti were already getting ready. They had done their hair, and now they were laying out their robes on their beds, and giggling. Hermione walked past them, rolled her eyes and went to take a shower.

An hour later, Hermione had done her hair, and walked back in to her dormitory, Pavarti and Lavender were putting on their make-up, and still giggling. Hermione went over, pulled out her dress robes, and laid them on the bed, then she went to put her make-up on. Hermione didn't wear much make-up, just some blush, eye shadow, and lipstick, it wasn't anything compared to her roommates who were plastering thick layers of eye make-up on each other.

When Hermione was done Pavarti and Lavender were already wearing their robes and giggling at each other in front of a tall stand up mirror in the corner. Pavarti was wearing pure white robes that looked almost glowed next to her dark skin, and her hair was down, strait, and very shinny. Lavender wore dress robes that were pale blue, and her blond hair was in curls that went down her back. Hermione, too, got into her dress robes at half past seven. When Lavender and Pavarti saw Hermione they giggled, for a change, louder than ever.

Hermione's dress robes were pale pink, her hair was half way up, and she had diamond earrings, and a single diamond pendant necklace. She surveyed herself in the long mirror, she didn't think she looked bad at all, and judging by the uncontrollably grins on Lavender and Pavarti's faces reflected in the mirror, they agreed.

"Oh, Hermione you look wonderful!" Pavarti and Lavender exclaimed.

"Ron will pass out" Pavarti whispered to Lavender, which made them both giggle uncontrollably again.

Five minutes later Hermione was walking down the stairs, she was the first girl ready, and every head turned in her direction. She blushed furiously, and walked over to Harry and Ron. Harry was smiling at her, but Ron was staring at her in amazement.

"You look great, Hermione" said Harry, he turned to Ron, who was still speechless, hoping to get a response from him, but when he realized he was temporarily speechless he spoke again. "Ready to go?"

"Ok," she said and the three of them walked to the Great Hall together.

Harry walked in between Ron and Hermione. It took allot of effort for Harry to keep a strait face, because Ron was staring at Hermione and Hermione was staring at Ron, when they weren't looking and they didn't notice each other.

They reached the Great Hall, and Kate Taylor, Ron's date, came over to him, and took his arm. She looked very pretty in robes that were turquoise and her hair was strait and shinny. Hermione spotted three girls giggling as they watched Kate approach Ron, and Harry saw Hermione scowl.

Ron said 'bye' to Harry and Hermione and walked into the Great Hall with Kate. Next, David came over and he too took Hermione's arm, she said 'bye' to Harry and entered the hall. Harry waited a few minutes longer when Cho finally arrived. She looked stunning in silky, navy blue robes, and her dark hair was up and she had several silver bracelets on her wrists.

"You look wonderful!" said Harry as she approached, a little too enthusiastically.

"Thanks, you look good too." Said Cho blushing. He held out his arm for her, she took it and they entered the Great Hall.

Upon entering, Harry was astounded by the decorations. The teachers went all out the Hall was bedecked with gold decorations, shinning fairy lights glittered above their heads in place of the usual candles. Even the sky seemed to be celebrating the evening, there seemed to be thousand of stars in the sky and there was a full moon that seemed to be brighter than ever. Seeing the moon, Harry couldn't help but think of his Professor from his third year, Remus Lupin, who was a werewolf.

He and Cho took a seat at one of the round tables in the Hall, with Ron, Hermione, Kate, and David. The evening was just as it had been the night of the Yule Ball, there was a dance floor and the schedule went the same.

After they were done eating, the dancing begun. David immediately asked Hermione to dance and they were one of the first one's on the dance floor. Ron glared at her and turned to Kate who looked very hopeful, and asked her to dance. She jumped up and they joined Hermione and David. Harry was a little nervous, but a minute later all three friends were dancing.

Harry was extremely nervous while he and Cho danced slowly. He didn't think he could trust himself to look at her for too long, he was afraid his face would turn into a tomato. He looked around at the rest of the people dancing. Fred and a Ravenclaw seventh year were dancing extremely fast considering it was a slow song. Ginny and her date, Colin Creevy were dancing and Professors Sinistra and Snape were dancing together.

The song ended, and Harry and Cho decided to sit down. Meanwhile, Ron was dancing with Kate, who was completely wrapped up in talking about Ron and his perfect Quidditch skills. And Hermione and David were talking about classes.

A few hours passed and the news that there would be muggle fireworks at midnight electrified the moods of all of the students.

Harry and Cho danced a few more songs, but the same thing kept interrupting their thoughts, and that was Cedric. They didn't talk for a long time, but finally Cho touched on the subject that had been avoiding.

"Harry." She started cautiously. "I know were both thinking the same thing, and I don't think we can do this anymore."

Harry didn't want to admit it, but she was right, they wouldn't work out, too much had happened. "Your right."

"Will you walk me to my common room?" she asked.

"Sure" he answered and they walked out of the hall silently.

They reached the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room and Cho turned to Harry. "I really did have a good time tonight, Harry," she said.

"I had a good time too" said Harry feeling as though he had ruined her evening. "Well, goodnight" he said, and he turned to leave. He had turned around and was about to walk away, when Cho called him.

"Harry, wait" she said, he turned to face her, and she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you"

It was almost midnight as Harry walked back to the Great Hall, he was in a daze, Cho Chang had just kissed him.

He entered the common room, not caring about anything else, but what had just happened. He walked past the people dancing and spotted Ron sitting alone, glaring at Hermione. This time Harry actually laughed out loud at the sight of him, and tried, but failed to stop as he approached the table Ron was sitting at.

"What on earth could possibly be so funny?" Ron asked listlessly.

"Just that, that look your giving Hermione looks awfully familiar." Said Harry.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"It's just like last year, let me ask you something, where's Kate?" Harry said smiling.

"Oh, I dunno, she left, and what does that have to do with anything?"

"Well last year your date left because you were staring at Hermione then too."

"Shut up, Harry"

Harry sat for a while, he noticed Hermoine glance at Ron at least as much as he was looking at her, and then she and David disappeared. Ron noticed too, and this put him in a worst mood so he decided he needed some fresh air.

It was less than 5 minutes till midnight and Harry decided to go and find Ron. He walked out onto the grounds as the students began to gather to watch the fireworks show over the lake, he walked around the castle and stopped dead a little ways away from everyone else, who were all counting down to midnight. He stopped because he saw something that made him nearly faint.

Hermione and David had been talking and dancing all night. Hermione saw Harry and Cho leave. She saw Kate get a little upset and go join the three girls she saw in the entrance hall. She saw Harry and Ron talking a little bit later. She wasn't paying too much attention to David who was caring the conversation; she wanted to know what was happening with her two best friends, especially Ron. David seemed to notice her lack of interest and said. "Well you know I'm getting pretty tired, why don't we sit down?"

"Ok" said Hermione, and she followed him to a table just off the dance floor. They sat in silence for a few minutes as Hermione scanned the crowd for any signs of Ron. Just then a girl came over to their table and asked David to dance.

"Do you mind?" he asked Hermione.

"No, of course not" she replied.

He turned to leave, but before he did he leaned in close to Hermione and said, "He went outside" and grinning he walked away with the girl.

Hermione got up and she too went out onto the grounds. She wanted to talk to Ron, and ask him about Kate, but she couldn't find him. She sat down on a bench a little ways away from where the rest of the school was gathering to watch the fireworks.

'What happened?' she thought to herself, 'What did David mean?' She was afraid of the answer, and tried not to comprehend his meaning. She was so deep in thought; she didn't even notice someone walking toward her until they spoke, which made her jump.

"What are you doing out here?" It was Ron.

"Oh, I was just thinking, you want to sit down?" she asked.

"Ok" He sat down. "What happened to David?"

"Oh, I don't know, he was dancing with some girl when I left. Where's Kate?"

"Oh, she left to go talk to her friends." He said, he didn't want to tell her the real reason she'd left and about the fight they'd had.

"Sorry" said Hermione

"It's ok, she wasn't very fun, I mean she was so nice, but all she talked about was Quidditch."

"You love Quidditch" Hermione said surprised.

"I know, I didn't think I could get sick of it!"

They sat for a few minutes in silence, and then they heard the whole crowd speaking.

"It's almost midnight." Hermione said flatly.

"Yeah," said Ron.

".10."

".9."

".8."

Hermione stood up. "Where are you going?" Ron asked her.

".7."

"I'm freezing." She said simply.

".6."

"Here," said Ron, and he held out his cloak for her to put on, "Don't go."

".5."

"Ok, thanks" she put it on, but neither one of them sat back down, they just stood there looking at each other.

".4."

".3."

".2."

".1."

"Happy Ne - " the crowd was shouting, but neither Ron nor Hermione heard much else. At the exact same time, both have them stepped forward and as and they kissed.

They kissed for longer than seemed to be necessary, and finally Ron pulled away first. They were both shocked; they didn't know what to, so they ran. Hermione ran one way and Ron the other. She ran right up to Gryffindor tower, and luckily ran into no one.

Ron went back through the Great Hall, not looking where he was going, and ran into a stunned Harry, who was staring, not moving, not blinking at the spot Ron and Hermione had just been. Ron knew what he was thinking, and not wanting to explain, he tried to get away from Harry, but that didn't work out.

"What.What.What.was that?!?" said Harry running to catch up with Ron and standing in front of him.

"I dunno" said Ron, side stepping Harry and continuing on down the corridor, Harry followed him all the way up to their dormitory, still shocked and asking questions.

"I don't know. I don't know what happened, Harry" Ron yelled at Harry.

He walked over to his bed, where his cloak was folded neatly, and there was a note on it.

'Thanks, Ron'

So did you like it? Did you hate it? I liked it, but if you didn't, I want to know. Well, maybe not, only if you liked it, LOL.

Anyway, you think things are finally going with them, maybe! You think they are finally going to get together, you'll have to wait and see! You think that was a good thing, I don't know!

Next chapter, Awkwardness!