Okay, I am beginning to get sick of everyone being upset and sad, there's not much you can do with them like that. This is the chapter you've been waiting for! Make sure to read and review!
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Harry awoke on the day of the ball, a Saturday, all excited. Today was the day that everything would change. Today was the day when he would tell Ginny how he really felt. He didn't stop to think about what would happen if she didn't feel the same way, because everything just had to work out. He sat up, feeling as if he had eaten twenty-something Sugar Quills, and glanced at the clock to realize that it was 5:37. He tried for about two minutes to fall back asleep, gave up, and got dressed. To pass the time, he tried pacing the room, running his plan through his mind over and over again. Next time he looked at the clock, it was 5:51.
he groaned quietly, and moved over to the window, gazing out at the lake. Squinting, he could vaguely make out the giant squid splashing around, a rare sight, but he was too anxious to appreciate it. It was now 5:54. He snatched his Firebolt and headed outside, thinking that flying might calm him down. Circling lazily above the Quidditch field, he could make out someone sitting at the very top of the stands. Pretending not to see them, he flew closer, trying to make out who it was. A flash of sunlight on auburn hair gave the small figure away as Ginny.
Do I really want to go over and see her now? he wondered. What if I don't know what to say to her? What if I accidentally tell her about my plans? He decided against going over, as much as he would have loved to simply look into her eyes, and instead began a sort of roller coaster ride around the field.
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Ginny sighed, watching Harry zip past on his broom. She looked down at her sketchbook and up at him again, checking to make sure that she had gotten the proportions right. She smudged a few charcoal lines with her pinky, and satisfied, set the pencil down. Sketching was a hobby she had that no one else knew about. She loved the freedom it gave her, as if she were the one deciding what was worthy enough for her to draw. She flipped through her sketchbook, looking over the pages which she had been filling since she was twelve. Most of her drawings were of Harry, which was another reason why no one had ever seen them. She came to a close-up of his face with an intense, focused sort of look on it. She peered down at the date she had marked in the corner of the page: December 23, 1997. From last year. Harry had still had glasses then, and she smiled fondly at how different he looked. She closed the book and looked up again, wondering if he had noticed her.
He was an expert flier; even someone who knew nothing about Quidditch could tell that. It looked like he was performing tricks, and she wondered if he was doing that for her benefit. Don't be stupid, she scolded herself. Why would he want to show off for you? Her content mood vanished, and she huddled up under her cloak, her vision becoming slightly blurred by her tears.
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The day flew by for Harry, and it seemed like it was 7:00 before he knew it. He waited nervously for Kelly in the common room, and when she finally came down, she was all giggly and blushing.
You look nice, Harry said absently, trying to ignore the fit of giggles she burst into at his comment.
You do too, she said finally.
Er, thanks, Harry stammered, for lack of anything better to say. They made their way down to Great Hall, and sat down with Ron and Hermione. Colin and Ginny weren't there yet, and Harry eagerly anticipated Ginny's arrival.
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Ginny sighed, surveying herself in the mirror. Her hair was pulled up into a fancy updo that Hermione had helped her with, and tendrils had escaped to curl against her neck. Her ice blue dress robes matched the hint of eyeshadow she had brushed on, and her cheeks glowed a faint, natural pink. She turned to the side, pulling her robes tight against her body, and sighed again.
she said, attempting to get a glimpse of her back. This is as good as it's going to get. She fastened a silver necklace around her neck, put on matching silver earrings, and headed down the stairs to find Colin.
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Harry almost gasped when Ginny entered the Hall on Colin's arm. She looked even prettier than usual, if that was possible. Her auburn hair was pulled up, and tiny curls rested against her graceful neck. Her robes were fitted to the contours of her slim figure, and moved enticingly with her as she walked. Her face was glowing, and Harry couldn't take his eyes off of her. He found himself comparing her to Kelly. He loved Ginny's hair, all different colors and one at the same time, and Kelly's seemed so plain and blonde compared to it. She had nice blue eyes, but Ginny's brown ones were so warm and sparkly, Harry would willingly get lost in Ginny's eyes if it was possible. Kelly was tall and thin, but Ginny was slightly shorter and a better height for Harry. He suspected that her forehead would fit right against him, if he ever got the chance to hold her, that was. This isn't fair of me, he told himself, trying to look away from Ginny, but it was like he was thirsty and she was his glass of water.
Hi, everyone, she smiled as she and Colin sat down. Everyone greeted them warmly except for Ron, who shot a warning look at Colin. Harry noticed Kelly straightening up a little, and he could practically see sparks fly between her and Colin. Hermione caught his eye and mouthed yes! He nodded, grinning.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, standing up. Welcome to the Fall Ball! All I have to say is, have a good time. He sat down, and food appeared on the tables. The long house tables had been removed, and small tables that seated six each were in their place. A dance floor had been cleared, and the Weird Sisters were setting up their instruments on a small platform.
In between bites of steak and baked potato, Harry kept glancing over at Ginny. She was talking to Hermione, and she kept laughing. Harry wondered what she could be laughing about. He desperately wanted to have her hanging on to his every word, laughing at his jokes. I'm going crazy, he told himself, and took a long swig of butterbeer. As the Weird Sisters began playing, Kelly began tapping her foot to the rhythm. People began to get up and dance, but Harry was hesitant about dancing with Kelly. His dancing had improved over the years, but he wasn't sure about fast songs and dancing like that with her. He wouldn't mind with Ginny, but he didn't want to ignore Kelly completely.
He was relieved when a slow song started. Want to dance? he muttered to Kelly, who promptly giggled. They moved onto the dance floor, followed by Ron, Hermione, Colin and Ginny. Kelly headed back to the table when the dance was over, Harry trailing behind her and wondering if anything was wrong. He arrived to see Kelly now sitting next to Colin, hanging on to every word that came out of his mouth. He grinned inwardly. He was now sitting next to Ginny.
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Ginny started back to the table, only to stop dead in the middle of the dance floor. Colin had sat down next to Kelly, which would mean that she was now sitting next to Harry. She took a deep breath, smoothed her robes, and moved towards her new seat.
Hi, Harry, she smiled, sitting down and attempting to act like her life was perfect.
he smiled back. You look really nice, Ginny.
She could feel her cheeks turning pink. You do, too. His grin got even bigger, and he self-conciously took a sip of butterbeer. Ron and Hermione came back a couple of songs later, flushed and laughing.
Hermione said, plunking down in her chair. What happened to Colin and Kelly?
Ginny said, looking around. I hadn't even noticed that they left. . . She trailed off as she spotted them dancing very close together. she said in a different tone of voice. A smile began to creep to the corners of her mouth, and she began to giggle. Harry looked around to see what she was laughing at, and began to grin again.
Well, then, Ron said, taking a huge swig of butterbeer. Care for another dance, Mione?
Love to! she said, taking his hand with a giggle. A slow song was beginning, and Ginny dug her fingernails into her skin under the tablecloth. Please, Harry, she thought desperately. Come on, come on.
Would you like to dance, Ginny?
Yes! They stepped to the edge of the dance floor, and Ginny tentatively clasped her hands behind his neck. A shiver went through her as Harry's hands touched her waist, and they began swaying to the music. Ginny couldn't believe that simply having Harry's hands on her waist could make her feel like this, like she was in a dream that was too good to be true. She began to wonder if maybe her crush for Harry had developed into something more. . .
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Harry asked cautiously. The touch of her hands on his neck was driving him crazy. Not to mention the way it felt to hold her slim waist. . . Can I talk to you for a second?
she asked. Sorry, it's sort of hard to hear. With the music, and all. . . She trailed off as Harry took her hand and led her out into the gardens.
he asked, smiling a little. Okay. This is important, and it's hard for me to say. He began pacing back and forth nervously. Just don't say anything until I'm through, all right? She nodded, wondering what on earth he was going to tell her. he said again. Ginny, this is going to seem sort of sudden, but I've been feeling like this ever since. . .well, I suppose ever since the Chamber of Secrets. I just didn't notice until the first day this year.
Ginny, you're beautiful, and you're amazing, and you're so kind and sweet and funny, and I think I'm in love with you, Ginny. She stood, frozen, and he rushed to explain himself. When I saw you lying there in the Chamber, I was only twelve, but I was filled with such grief at the thought that you might be dead. . .I didn't recognize it as love, then. And in fifth year, the way you always listened to my problems and helped me to figure them out, and just listened. . .I needed that so badly, and it was something that Ron and Hermione just couldn't do. And last year, you were just always there, and it meant so much to me. . .with Voldemort and everything, I think I would have gone crazy if it weren't for you. But then I've felt like I was going crazy since September first. You sat down at the table, and you looked so beautiful. Something inside me fell over, and I didn't know what it was that was making me feel so happy and miserable at the same time. But now I know. I. . .I love you, Ginny. He steeled himself for what she was going to say. She looked frozen, as if she couldn't say anything. Are you okay? he asked quickly. Do you want to go back inside? It's kind of cold out. . .
Why didn't you realize earlier? she asked in a quiet voice, and it wasn't until Harry saw a playful smile began to curl her lips that he realized she was kidding. I've had a crush on you for so long, Harry, and I've just realized that it isn't just a crush. I think that I'm in love with you, too, Harry. His eyes widened, and a huge smile lit up his face. He took her in his arms, and gently, so gently, touched his lips to hers.
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She couldn't believe it. Just couldn't. Harry Potter was in love with her. The man of her dreams. And he was kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself in to his kisses, wondering how she could feel so happy and dizzy at the same time.
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Phew! Long chapter, huh! Okay, my fingers are too tired to type anything else, so review please!
