Twenty-Three

The night of the spring formal was fast approaching; the remaining days had gone by in a flurry. It appeared the professors decided to pile on as much homework to distract the students from the upcoming event. It was announced that the dance would be held in the spacious courtyard in the center of the castle. The idea of an outdoor dance only added to the excitement already in the air.

The evening before the dance found the four sitting at a table in the Gryffindor common room working on their homework. Harry and Ron weren't taking their studying as seriously as Hermione and Ginny. The men decided to entertain themselves by taking bits of parchment and rolling them into small balls lining them up on the table before they would send flying with their wands. After being pinged in the forehead one too many times Ginny slapped her book closed and stood in a huff. "That's it!" she said storming off to the nearby couch that Colin and Ginger were sitting on. Harry, Ron and Hermione watched as Ginny plopped down on Colin's lap, stretching her slender legs out across Ginger's lap. Ginger laid her arms across Ginny's legs laughing. "I've had it, you take him to the dance Ginger, I'll take Colin," Ginny said nodding her head towards Harry. Colin reached up patting Ginny's back in a mock sympathetic manner. "Nothing doing, he's yours and you're stuck with him," said Ginger. Ron, Hermione and Harry sat at the table with amused smiles on their faces.

"Is that so?" Ginny asked a mischievous glint sparked in her eye. Squirming off Colin's lap she settled down onto Gingers, her skirt hitching up higher to expose more of her milk white thighs, Ginny wrapped her arm around her friend's shoulders. "I have an idea, what do you say we ditch the men and go together?" Ginny said. She leaned forward slowly running the tip of her pink tongue lightly over Ginger's cheek before curling it at her cheekbone and planting a kiss where her tongue had just been. Ginger giggled at Ginny's behavior wrapping her arms tightly around Ginny's waist playfully. A majority of the males in the room had bore witness to this little display of affection between the two girls and sat with jaws slack. "Gods Potter," Seamus croaked from a near by chair, "Tell your girlfriend she just can't be doing that around impressionable young men such as ourselves. She'll give wicked us ideas." Dean and Neville as well as Colin nodded in agreement. Seamus received a sound smack on the arm by Lavender before rolling her eyes; she knew full well Ginny was joking. "Men," Hermione snorted before turning back to her book.

A smirk appeared across Harry's features; Ron shook his head in half irritation half disgust. "Get back over here you little tease," Harry growled. Ginny put on her most innocent expression getting up off of Ginger's lap. "I have no idea what you're talking about," said Ginny. She then yelped as Ginger gave her a firm smack on the rump as she made to walk away. Rubbing her now sore bum she turned sticking her tongue out at her friend before making her way back to the table. "Really Ginny, if Mum only knew," Ron said. Ginny sat down again gathering up her books, "Yes Ron, we'd hate Mum to know about some of your activities wouldn't we?" Ginny said pointedly looking at Hermione, and winked. This made Ron snap his jaw shut and fight a blush rising over his cheeks. Harry sat back in his chair and put his hands up in a defeated manner when Ron shot him a look for help. "You're on your own with this one mate," Harry said smiling. Hermione stood up gathering her supplies, "All right you two. Are you ready Gin?" she said, Ginny nodded standing up as well placing the remaining of her books in her bag. "Where are you two going?" Ron asked watching his girlfriend preparing to leave. "Ginny and I are going to enjoy a night of pampering and then she's going to sleep over," Hermione said looking down at Ron with a smile. "But. . . but 'Mione," Ron trailed off giving her an imploring look. Ginny leaned down close to Ron's ear, "Yes dear brother what would Mum say?" Ron visible shuddered giving a sour look. "Never mind," he said dejectedly.

Hermione smiled looking at her now disappointed boyfriend. Leaning down she began to whisper in his ear. What ever she had said made Ron break out in a huge smile. Ron turned his head after she finished giving her a light kiss on the lips looking rather happy with himself. Ginny rolled her eyes looking at Harry, "Whipped" she mouthed. Harry tried to control a snort of laughter. Ginny bent over kissing Harry on the cheek, "Night," she said. "Night love," Harry said reaching up brushing the back of his fingers against her cheek. Ginny gave Harry one last smile before hefting her bag up and following Hermione. Climbing the stairs the girls headed to the seventh year girls section of dorms. "So what did you say to change Ron's mood," Ginny asked as Hermione was reaching for her door. Hermione turned raising an eyebrow at Ginny, her lips forming into a smirk, "Wouldn't you like to know," she said. Ginny paused for a moment before she made a look of mock disgust, Yeeackk! That's my brother, never mind I do NOT want to know." Hermione laughed opening the door.

The rest of the night was spent exfoliating, waxing, deep pore cleaning, manicure, pedicure, nail painting along with every other necessary step that is taken before such a big event. And of course the girls enjoyed a healthy night full of gossiping. Ginny thought the entire experience of pampering the muggle way so much more satisfying than to just do a simple charm or potion, 'Looks like wizards could learn a few things from muggles', she thought to herself. Well past one in the morning both girls were snuggled down in Hermione's large bed slowly drifting off to sleep. "Hermione?" Ginny muttered in a sleepy tone. "Hmm?" Hermione answered, her eyes still closed. Ginny rolled onto her side to face her best friend, "I'm glad you and Ron are finally together. I couldn't think of anyone better for him." Hermione opened her eyes looking at the pretty red head lying next to her, "I'm glad too." "Who knows," said Ginny, "Perhaps in a couple of years I will be able to add sister in law to your list of titles, goes quiet lovely with the title of best friend." Hermione smiled hugging Ginny before lying back against her pillow, "I hope so, good night Gin." "Night 'Mione." Both girls slowly drifted into slumber each envisioning a certain dashing red head and a lovely brunette standing beneath arches vowing with all their heart and soul to be together for eternity.

Ginny rose early the morning of the dance being careful to not wake Hermione. She dressed quickly into her jogging shorts and tank. She left her cloths from the night before to be picked up later by the house elves. After lacing her shoes Ginny wrote a quick note of where she was going to Hermione before quietly opening the door to slip out. Ginny was facing the door as she gently shut it so she was rather startled when she turned around to find Harry leaning against the wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest. Ginny let out a small yelp and clamped her hand automatically over her mouth stifling any more noise to prevent waking up the entire seventh year girls dorms. Harry simply smiled at her; Ginny noted that he was wearing a runner's outfit. "What are you doing in the girls' dorm area?" she asked. Harry took Ginny's hand leading her down the stairs to the common room, "I thought I'd join you for a run today," he said looking out the corner of his eye at Ginny. "Will your wonders ever cease to amaze me?" Ginny said in teasing tone. Pushing the portrait open Harry answered, "I certainly hope not."

Ginny couldn't remember enjoying a morning run as much as she was at this moment with Harry beside her. He let her set the pace; it was easy for the two of them to feel completely comfortable jogging in silence, enjoying the waking environment together. They remained this way for over a half hour before Harry finally broke the silence, "I can see why you enjoy this so much, it's really peaceful this early." Ginny flashed him a smile as they continued on. Approaching the castle Ginny's playful side decided to make an appearance, "Race you," she said. "What?" Harry gave her a curious look. "Race you," Ginny said emphasizing each word slowly. "And what if I win?" Harry asked giving her a look that promised mischief. "If you win, and you won't, I will be at your total mercy for a week." Ginny smiled jogging beside Harry. This seemed to appeal to Harry. "And if you win?" he asked. "You have to give me full back massages for a week," said Ginny. Harry gave her a look that could only be described as a pout, "Only a massage?" he said. "Pervert," Ginny said smacking his arm with the back of her hand. "Ready," Harry said, "Set," that was as far as Harry got before Ginny took off running at top speed, "Hey!" Harry yelled taking off after her. Ginny turned her head slightly to see Harry gaining on her quickly; she let out a squeal pushing herself to move faster. She was almost to the steps when Harry caught up with her wrapping his arms around her waist picking her up. She screamed with laughter as he quickly lifted her up into his arms carrying her up the remaining steps before putting her back on her feet.

Ginny's heart gave a sharp thump in her chest watching Harry laugh and enjoy himself so much. Word was now coming in more frequently of various attacks from death eaters and threats of Voldemort on the move gathering more supporters. It was a subject that they chose to avoid knowing full well the day would come when they couldn't avoid it any longer. "I win!" Harry said smiling down at her. "You most certainly did not," Ginny said in a huff. "Ok, we tied, so we both win," Harry said taking her hand leading her back into the castle, "This way you'll be at my mercy while I give you a massage," he said. "I have a feeling I'm looking at more than an innocent massage?" Ginny asked in a teasing manner. Harry made a rude snort, "Nothing about you is innocent my dear." They walked up the stairs heading to the Gryffindor tower hand in hand. "So exactly what are you implying Mr. Potter?" Ginny put on her best shocked expression, "Well I never!" she placed her hand on her chest. "Actually, you have," Harry said then had to jump back as she reached out to smack him on the arm.

The day seemed to drift by in a pleasant manner. Harry and Ginny spent the hours outside with Ron and Hermione enjoying the warm spring weather. After lunch found the four lounging by the lake watching the giant squid raise a long tentacle slowly into the air before bringing it back down in a lazy manner. Ginny leaned back on her hands behind her tilting her face up to the sun closing her eyes. "I can't believe this is all coming to an end," Hermione reached out pulling at a blade of grass as she spoke, "It feels like we just arrived and should be ready to be sorted," Ron had been lying on his side propped up on his elbow, "Trying to get our brooms to go up into our hands for the first time," he said reaching over touching Hermione's knee in a reassuring manner. "In your case getting knocked in the face with the handle," Harry said chuckling. "Watch it you," Ron said throwing a handful of grass towards Harry. "Least we forget exploding cauldrons to cover Hermione stealing from Snape's store room," said Harry. The three friends sat laughing and reminiscing on their many adventures in the seven years they had been there.

Ginny silently watched her friends talk feeling a twinge of sadness that she couldn't really partake in most of the memories that they shared. More over her heart twisted with the fact that come next September she would be facing an entire year without the three people who meant the most to her here. She didn't realize that a tear was running down her cheek until she felt Harry reach out cupping the side of her face in his hand tracing his thumb over her cheek to wipe it away. The three of them were watching her each with an expression of understanding. "I'm going to miss you guys so much next year," she said. Harry pulled Ginny over so that she sat in front of him between his knees; he wrapped his arms around her waist pressing her back against his chest. Harry buried his face into the side of her neck inhaling her scent deep, the subtle scent of vanilla and musk something unique and only her filled his lungs imbedding itself into his memory permanently. "Let's not think about that now," he said squeezing her tighter. "Yes, let's think about this evening and how much wonderful fun we will be having," Hermione said trying to brighten the mood. "Too bad Fred and George won't be here to spike the punch," said Ron. Hermione made a rude noise pushing on Ron's shoulder before saying, "Honestly, they'd have exploding dungbombs everywhere." "Yeah, you're right," said Ron. "Excuse me? What was that? Did I hear you just say I was right?" Hermione said in mock surprise. "Don't get used to it," Ron said poking Hermione in her side causing her to jump. Everyone chuckled at the playful bickering going on.

Hermione looked at her wrist watch then stood up from the ground dusting off stray blades of grass, "We should be heading back up to start getting ready," she said. "But 'Mione, we have plenty of time," whined Ron. "But 'Mione, we have plenty of time," mocked Ginny in a high whiney voice. "Hush it you," Ron growled. "Really Ron, it takes time to prepare, and I expect you to take the time to make yourself respectable in appearance tonight as well," Hermione said in a stern voice placing her hands on her hips. "Look out Ron, she's turning the McGonagall look on you," Harry said giving Ginny a hand as she stood up. Hermione rolled her eyes before changing her tactic. "Ron, I'd really love it if you'd take extra care tonight, for me." Something about her tone of voice and the way she said it caused Ron to jump up to his feet. Harry glanced over at Ginny and saw her roll her eyes and mouth the word, 'Whipped'. Harry grinned trying not to break into laughter. "Guess we better go and get ready," Ron said taking Hermione's hand. Harry and Ginny had to bite their lips to suppress laughter. Hermione turned her head back to them as they walked back to the castle giving them a wink and a smile before turning back to speak to Ron as they walked on towards the entrance.