The day before the first ever St. Valentine's Ball had crept up suddenly on Ron, Harry, and Hermione, who were all single and desperate, jumping when anyone of the opposite sex mentioned their name. Unfortunately, none of them had any date for the upcoming dance, so spirits were low and smiles were scarce among their faces.

"It's a shame. I had a whole outfit planned out, right down to the earrings. It's awful that I have NO one to go with. Just terrible, actually." As Hermione spoke, every syllable was an obvious hint to Ron.

"That is a shame," Ron cluelessly commented, completely unaware of Hermione's painful desire to go to the dance with him. Ron too, wanted to go with Hermione, but, as he wasn't a master of the feminine mind, he had no idea what to do with his flickering passion.

"Yes. It's too bad there's no one who could stand beside me in my red gown," She said, fingering his soft wisps of red hair, " Oh well, I guess I will just have to save it for next year. Unless someone asks me out. Now..."

"I guess. I know how you feel; alone, that is," Ron wondered if his ears were turning red as he spoke.

"I've got an idea," Harry cut in, "How about you two go together. It's better than not going at all, right? Give it a try."

Ron's ears were burning now, he could feel them, "I guess we could do that. I mean, so Hermione can wear her dress. It would work, I suppose."

"All right, Ron. We'll go. Together. Now, what about Harry?"

"What about Harry?" Harry asked, although he knew exactly what Hermione was thinking about. Who would Harry spend his Valentine's Day with?

"Who can we fix Harry up with?" Hermione declared what the three of them were thinking.

"I could see about... well... I don't have too many connections, actually," Ron blushed at his uselessness in any situation that involved dating.

"Well, I know that Ginny's not going with anyone yet," She suggested. Ron rolled his eyes, but didn't object. Harry felt uncertain; would he really want to go with a silly, blushing girl who couldn't even look him in the eye without shattering into a giggling ding-dong? Nonetheless, he was desperate.

" Ginny? Well... Nobody else has asked me, and I suppose it's better than going along, right? Ron, what do you think?"

"It's your decision." Ron said, not completely convinced that it was a good idea, but sympathizing over Harry's single status.

As if in a scripted movie, Ginny strutted down the steps from her dormitory at that minute. She noticed Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and to Harry's suprise, she didn't show she faintest trace of pink in her cheeks. She smiled gently, and waved at them. Hermione nudged Harry in the ribs, hissing, "Go for it!"

Ginny approached them. As her classes were over, she no longer sported her robes, but was now dressed in an orange halter top and a cute cut-off pair of jean shorts. Her long orange hair cascaded over her shoulders and onto her chest, like a golden waterfall. Harry suddenly felt a lump develop in his throat. Is this the same little Ginny who he had failed to notice for so long? She was gorgeous!

"Hey Ginny," Harry said, unusually quieter than usual.

"Oh, hi Harry!" She flung her hair onto her back, "Listen, I've been meaning to talk to you. Do you have plans for the ball?"

"No," He replied, "Would you mind if I took you with me?"

"I'll meet you here at 7!"