A/n: Ahhh! Finally I get to write this chapter! I've been itching to write it and so here it is! Don't forget to review! Another long chapter here!

Disclaimer: I own nothing! Song belongs to 98 degrees – I do (Cherish you) it's really sweet!

Chapter sixteen

Hermione never really looked at Dean in any 'special' way. He wasn't ugly, but he wasn't the hottest creature on two legs. He had curly black hair and dark brown eyes. I guess he's ok, Hermione thought. It was hard for her to find a gown to wear. She didn't want to wear anything too tight, because her belly would show. Then, she decided upon wearing a plain scarlet dress with a matching shoal and a small ruby necklace. She looked at the mirror and sighed.

Her hair looked fine, but she was debating on whether to put on make up or not. If Ginny can do it, then I bet I can do it too, she thought. She reached into her drawer and found some powder, blush, eyeliner, eye shadow and lipstick that Ginny left her for the last ball. She took a brush and applied a light shade of blush on her cheeks. Then, she put on some lipstick on her full lips and a shade of eye shadow. It wasn't much, but it would do.

She put on her high-heeled sandals and proceeded to the stairway, where Dean was supposed to wait for her. When she got there, Dean was busily chatting with Hannah Abbot.

"Hi Dean." She greeted.

"Oh, hey there Hermione." Dean smiled. He whispered something to Hannah and Hannah quickly took off.

"Are you ready?" Hermione asked as she watched Hannah run off.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Dean nodded. She linked her arm around his and they walked to the Great Hall. The cupid fountains were still there, but there were flying fireflies with red lights fluttering around the room. There were candles floating in the air and there were already lots of people.

"So, they booked Celestina again." Hermione commented. She also saw Starlight, and a good-looking male singer named William Spear.

Dean nodded as Celestina sang a fast song. "Can I – ask you something Her -Hermione?"

"Shoot me." Hermione smiled.

"Well, I really hate to disappoint you but…" Dean said unsurely. "I'm really sorry…but…"

"But?"

"I don't really like you." Dean spitted out. He looked ashamed. "I – I asked you because I wanted to make Hannah jealous. And I didn't have a date, and she did and I knew you didn't have a date either. And I really like her a lot and…so…I'm sorry. It was the only plan I can think of." He looked at Hermione guiltily.

Hermione merely nodded, trying to hide her tears. I knew it was all a lie, she thought. "Sure. That's fine. Now go on and join her and have fun. I understand."

"Are you sure?" Dean asked, looking surprised. He had expected Hermione to freak out or something.

"No, it's ok with me." Hermione smiled. "Now go."

"Thanks a lot Hermione." Dean smiled. He quickly ran off and found Hannah, standing somewhere in the crowd.

When will I learn? Hermione thought. She walked blindly, bumping into people along the way.

"Hermione! There you are!" She heard Ginny call. She ignored her and continued to walk.

"Herm! Wait!" Ginny called again. Ginny ran speedily to Hermione. "What's wrong?" Hermione was crying and her cheeks were red.

"D-dean. He only asked me out so he can make Ha-Hannah Abbot je-jealous." Hermione sobbed. "I told you I shouldn't have gone. At least my homework can't treat me like shit."

Ginny hugged her. "Aww, come on. Stop crying. You'll mess up your pretty face."

"I feel like trash, Gin!" Hermione cried. "People only use me to get what they want!"

"It's only stupid prats who do that." Ginny told her. "Now dry your tears. Dean's not worth crying about."

"It's not about Dean anymore! It's about everyone who uses me! I'm tired of it!" Hermione wept.

Just then, Ron and Lavender came after dancing from a fast dance. Ron saw Hermione crying and instantly ran to her side. He put his hands around her shoulders and massaged them gently.

"What's wrong?" Ron whispered to Ginny.

"I'll tell you later." Ginny mouthed.

Lavender was just standing there, with her arms crossed. She suddenly felt a surge of envy as she saw her boyfriend, comforting Hermione. She has no right to steal him from me! He's mine! She thought overprotectively.

"You guys shouldn't waste your time on me. Go on and dance. Have fun." Hermione told them. She wiped her eyes and ended up smudging her eye shadow.

"We'd rather stay here with you." Ginny answered. "I don't know where Harry went so I'll stay right here and make you feel better."

"D'you wanna drink?" Ron asked Hermione. He offered her his drink and she readily accepted it. She quickly drank it in one gulp. Then, a slow song came on.

"Come on Ron! Let's not waste time!" Lavender complained. She grabbed Ron's arms and dragged him away. "I love this song!"

"Not yet. Not when Hermione's hurting." Ron argued.

"No, Ron. Your girlfriend is much more important than me." Hermione said. She smiled and added, "I'll be fine. Besides, Ginny's here to keep me company."

"You heard what she said! Now come on!" Lavender pleaded.

Ron looked at Hermione and reluctantly nodded. "Fine. But…"

"Yes?" Hermione asked.

"Promise to save me one dance." Ron grinned.

"I promise." Hermione smiled.

"LET'S GO!" Lavender yelled. She strongly grabbed Ron and dragged him to the dancing area.

"How can he stand her?" Ginny commented. "Let's go sit down over there." They walked over to the side tables and sat down, watching the couples dance.

"Thanks for staying, Gin." Hermione smiled gratefully.

"No problem." Ginny said, giving her the thumbs up. After the song, they surprisingly saw Harry (who was wearing a nice, formal tux) step into the center with a wand on his hand.

"Sonorus!" He chanted. "Hello? Is this working?"

"Yes!" The crowd screamed.

"Ok." Harry said. "I won't take long, because I know you all wanna dance."

"HELL YEAH!" Somebody yelled.

"But I just wanted to say…" Harry cleared his throat. "I met this girl when I was only 11 years old. She was shy but she was pretty. Besides that, she was my best friend's sister."

"Oh my Lord!" Ginny muttered.

"I, being an idiot, took 6 damn years to notice that I loved her." Harry continued. At this, Ginny received lots of stares heading her way. "I loved her ever since I saw her in King's Cross. And I would just like to dedicate this song to her. It's a muggle song, but it's exactly how I feel about her." Then he whispered to his wand, "Quietus!" Then, he walked over to where Ginny was staring (Ron was giving him a murderous look but he didn't notice) and said, "Would you like to dance?"

Ginny felt like she was going to faint. "Y-yeah." Harry took her hand and kissed it gently. Then, they went to the dance floor as the music began to play.

Hermione felt happy for Ginny. I guess I might as well leave, she thought. But suddenly, someone grabbed her arm before she could get up.

"Don't forget your promise." A voice said.

She turned around and saw Ron, grinning at her. "Do you wanna dance this with me?"

"What about Lavender?" She asked as Ron led her to the dancing floor.

"She'll understand." Ron assured her. Ron was also wearing a nice tux but his bowtie was crooked. Hermione fixed it for him and grinned.

"I do, I do I do,

All I am, all I'll be
Everything in this world
All that I'll ever need
Is in your eyes
Shining at me
When you smile I can feel
All my passion unfolding"

Ron gently put his arms around Hermione's waist and Hermione put her arms around Ron's broad shoulders. Then, they started to sway gently.

"Ron…" Hermione began.

"Yes?" Ron asked.

"I'm sorry for leaving during the Christmas ball." Hermione said. "I know I already apologized, but I can't help feeling guilty."

"Your hand brushes mine
And a thousand sensations
Seduce me 'cause I"

"That was a long time ago, Herm." Ron told her. "Besides, if you didn't leave, I wouldn't have found Lavender."

"I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice"

"I guess." Hermione agreed. She looked deep into Ron's eyes and remembered the good times they had. It felt like it was all flashing back to her.

"I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do"

Hermione glanced over to Harry and Ginny, who were looking at each other dreamily. She chuckled to herself, thinking how far they had gone. They started from being friends, with Ginny being shy around Harry. But now, they were the cutest couple ever.

"In my world, before you
I lived outside my emotions
Didn't know where I was going
'Till that day I found you
How you opened my life
To a new paradise
In a world torn by change
Still with all my heart
'Till my dying day"

"I hope you don't feel too weird about Harry and Ginny anymore." Hermione said.

"Nah. I got used to it now." Ron laughed. "But sometimes I still feel like it's my job to protect Ginny. Like the way I used to protect you."

Hermione blushed. "We always argued, didn't we?"

"But in the end, we're still friends." Ron added. "I'm surprised you actually had the patience with me. Even if I acted like a complete jerk."

"I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do"

"Well, you still are." Hermione joked. Ron smiled at her.

Focus to Ginny and Harry

"I love you, Harry Potter." Ginny told Harry as they danced to the song.

"I love you more." Harry argued.

"No, I love you more." Ginny said stubbornly.

"No, I love you more." Harry replied.

"Oh yeah?" Ginny grinned.

"Yeah." Harry grinned back. And with that, he leaned closer to Ginny and they shared a long, sweet kiss.

Back to Ron and Hermione

Hermione felt Ron tremble when he saw this from a distance.

"Let them be." Hermione whispered to him.

"I know. It's hard though." Ron answered.

"Yes I do

Do I really love you

I do

Do I really love you

If you're asking do I love you this much

Baby I do"

As the song ended, Ron and Hermione remained staring at each other's eyes. Hermione seemed lost in Ron's deep blue eyes. She felt as if she could stay there forever and not care at all. She felt like resting her head on his chest but she knew better. Lavender would have a fit.

"I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do"

And with that, Ron let go of Hermione's waist and Hermione did the same to Ron's shoulders.

"Thanks for saving me a dance." Hermione said.

"It was my pleasure." Ron replied.

Just then, Lavender barged in and said, "Ron, I have something to tell you."

"Wha - " Ron began but Lavender grabbed his head and pulled him to her and kissed him fiercely. They heard a few whistles and hoots but they were too involved into each other that they didn't care.

And as Lavender kissed Ron, she opened her eyes and looked at Hermione triumphantly. And at the same time, a huge realization came to Hermione. I'm in love with Ronald Weasley.

A/n: Well, I hope you guys liked this chapter! Thanks a lot to the reviewers:

What-ever – I don't really know much about Ginny's character. So I kinda made it up…she's not describe as much in the books so yeah…thanks for liking my fic!

Sugar high – hahaha I hope you liked this chapter! And I'm STILL scared of your minions.

Lost Dove – awww! Thanks for loving my fic! It makes me so happy. Dean's with Hermione...er…Hannah…by the way.

Kelpiemonkey – Sorry to say that Hermione's pregnant! But I guess you figured that out on your own hehehehe. Your reviews scare me…it's like you want to attack me or something (LOL). Thanks for the compliments!

RonsInnerVoice – Don't worry…patience my dear. She'll go…eventually…

And don't be shy to review! I know you want to (lol)