AN: This is the last chapter. Sorry it took so long…my only excuse is the release of OotP and the subsequent discussion that followed. Thanks for the reviews and I hope you like the ending!

            Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 14: Resolution

            Ron Weasley examined himself in the mirror for what felt like the twentieth time. In minutes the Valentine's day ball would begin and Ron couldn't feel his legs. He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He was nervous. This in itself amazed him. It was just Hermione. There should have been nothing to worry about. But now their relationship would become public and he would have to face the whole school and dance. He had asked her the same day Harry had informed him he was going with Lisa Turpin. She had seemed quite happy to be going with him.

            He had to admit it was a definite improvement over last year's ball. Even his robes were better. Fred and George had gotten him new dress robes for Christmas. Ron smiled at his reflection.

            "Oh, those robes bring out your eyes," Seamus said behind him. "Royal blue is your color."

            "Shut, up Seamus," Ron said quickly. "Are you ready to go downstairs, Harry?" Ron asked. Harry nodded and walked to the door of the dormitory without a word. Harry and Ginny had continued to avoid each other for the past nine days and it was making them both miserable. Harry didn't seem too excited about going to the ball, either, but Ron hoped that they would make up soon enough. It was too awkward.

            Ron followed Harry down to the common room. Hermione was already waiting for him. He was late. He had already managed to do something wrong. "Er…sorry," Ron said when he had crossed the room. "I was just…"

            "Primping?" Harry supplied.

            Ron scowled. "Run along now, Harry." With a quick grin that did not seem to reach his eyes, Harry walked out of the portrait hole. Ron took the opportunity to soak in Hermione's appearance. She wore robes of shimmering silver, and she had done something to her hair. Ron didn't know what it was, or how to describe the style...but it was…nice. He stared at it for a minute before remembering what he had to say.

            "You look nice," he said.

            She smiled at him. "You do too."

            They stared blankly at one another for a couple seconds. "So…uh…we should go down," Ron muttered. They went through the portrait hole and down to the Great Hall, Ron wondering vaguely if Hermione would get mad at him if he messed something up. Hermione immediately spotted Harry sitting at a table with Lisa. He motioned for them to come over to their table.

            Hermione grabbed Ron's hand, causing the tips of his ears to turn bright red, as he imagined what Fred and George would say if they saw them. They went over and sat at the table with Harry and Lisa.

            "So…er…," Ron began, wondering what he could say to break the awkward silence that was hovering over them, "do you know what band Dumbledore got for today?"

            Lisa responded quickly. "I think he managed to get the Wicked Warlocks."

            "Excellent," Harry muttered, though Ron knew he had never heard of the band.

            Suddenly, menus appeared in front of them, and the four kept themselves busy browsing through it. The ordering system seemed to be the same as last year's ball. "Shepard's pie!" Ron said to his plate.

            Things weren't so bad while they were eating. They had an excuse to be silent. But after the meal, the band came out and began to play, and Ron was beginning to feel anxious. Harry, however, seemed to be feeling rather confident. He got up and offered his hand to Lisa who took it quickly.

            Ron took one look at the dance floor and realized why Harry had been so quick to dance. Ginny and Neville were already out there. Ron rolled his eyes. He wondered if Harry and Ginny realized how obvious they were being with their jealousy games.

            He heard Hermione sigh with what might have been impatience and suddenly remembered why his throat felt so dry. He was supposed to dance with her. He had to dance with her, but he didn't know if he could get himself to ask her.

            Ron tried to remember the time he felt the bravest in his life, and decided on the moment he had told Sirius Black, the supposed killer, that he would have to kill him before Harry.

            That, he now decided, had been quite easier than the task before him.

            He chanced a look at Hermione. She was looking annoyed. Good, he thought. This is the Hermione I know how to handle. He stood up quickly and mumbled, "Wanna dance?"

            Hermione's annoyed look vanished and was replaced with a smile that seemed to light up her whole face. She followed him out to the dance floor. Ron swallowed, and put his arms around her waist as she put hers on his shoulders. They swayed gently to the slow music. This wasn't so bad. If only he knew where to look. He tried to concentrate on anything except Hermione's face. He watched the other couples dancing. He stared at his own feet. He looked at the band.

            But he couldn't keep his eyes off of her all night. Ron glanced at her and their eyes met. He smiled awkwardly. He was sure his face was beet red. But as she smiled back at him, Ron felt the awkwardness melt away.

            This was just Hermione, his best friend…who happened to be very pretty and bloody smart. His smile widened and he began to laugh. He couldn't help it. Why had he been so nervous? This was easy.

            Pretty soon they were both laughing softly. Ron pulled her closer and she laid her head on his shoulder. This, he thought, was certainly the only way to be. He didn't care that Fred and George were laughing at him, nor that Seamus was lifting his eyebrows suggestively. He kissed the top of her head, as if showing to the whole school that he did not care what they thought.

            Hermione lifted her head and smiled at him. She actually seemed just as happy to be with him as he was with her.

            It sent shivers up Ron's spine when he thought about the fact that she had chosen him. She hadn't picked famous Harry Potter or Quidditch star, Viktor Krum. She had chosen plain, boring Ron Weasley.

            The song ended and Ron didn't think he could contain himself. Without a word, he led her outside. He kissed her with more passion then he had ever done before. She seemed taken aback at first, but quickly adjusted to this new quicker, fiercer kiss.

            After a couple minutes, they broke apart, both breathless.

            "What was that for?" Hermione asked.

            Ron thought for a moment. Why had he done that? "I just wanted to thank you."

            Her brow furrowed in surprise. "For what?"

            "For liking me," he replied.

            "For loving you," she corrected him.

~*~*~

            It was now official; Harry hated these stupid events. This one was turning out to be just as horrible as the last. He was dancing with Lisa once again, but, as always, his eyes were on Ginny and Neville. Who did she think she was? Did their time together mean nothing to her?

            Ron and Hermione had disappeared outside a couple minutes earlier, and Harry was finding it hard to concentrate on anything else besides the fact that he was not with Ginny.

            Lisa didn't say much as they danced, and Harry liked it that way. Besides, what would they have to say? He knew nothing about her, nor did he feel they had anything in common. He had gone with her because she had asked…she had said they would do just as friends.

            He didn't want to go with someone as just friends. He wanted to go with someone whom he liked, maybe someone with fiery red hair.

            Harry glanced at Ginny and Neville again. This time, Ginny was not there. Neville was sitting at a table by himself. Harry surveyed the hall and saw her leaving, probably going to the loo.

            "Excuse me for a second," he said quickly to Lisa. "I have to go to the loo."

            She went and sat down at their table as Harry rushed to catch up with Ginny. He met up with her right outside the hall.

            "Hey," he called out to her.

            Ginny hesitated for a moment and then turned around. She looked very pretty indeed, in robes of sky blue. Harry could hardly stand the fact that he was not with her.

            "Hey," she said softly.

            As he stared into her eyes, Harry realized that he didn't care who won their stupid game of who could make who more jealous. He didn't care who was responsible for their fight, and he didn't care who apologized. Just as long as they were back together.

            "Listen I'm-" he began.

            "I'm sorry, Harry," Ginny interrupted.

            They smiled at each other. "You first," she said.

            "I didn't mean to be a prat," he muttered. "I just…it's hard for me to open up to people. I'm not really used to talking about my feelings and discussing things. I'll try to do better," he finished.

            Her expression looked pained. "No, Harry…I'm sorry. I know you're not used to that stuff. I shouldn't have pressed you. And I only said yes to Neville because he asked me when I came back from the library…and he wanted to go as friends…and I was so angry."

            They embraced and Harry let out a breath that he hadn't realized he was holding.

            "I want to stay like this forever," Ginny whispered.

            Harry agreed. It would be so easy to stay forever in her arms, with no Voldemort to worry about. He sighed. Things would never be that easy, but he could enjoy it for now. He tightened his arms around her. If he had it his way, he would never let go.

AN: Thanks to everyone who followed and reviewed this story! I love you!