A/N: Hey everyone it's me!!! I'm back in school again (boo!) and it's so boring! I've also been so sick! I've had this stupid cold for what seems like forever and I can't get rid of it! Damn communicable diseases! I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa (whichever applies to you), and a very Happy Healthy New Year! OK, back to the story, we're going to skip along time wise in the beginning.
~Chapter 20~
Ginny was released from hospital that afternoon and Hermione the following day. Classes were canceled for that Monday to give Ginny and Hermione an extra day to recover and to give McGonagall and the teachers time to discuss a game plan on what to do in case of any imminent attacks near the school.
McGonagall decided that Hogsmeade trips were to be indefinitely cancelled until the threat could be dealt with. She also didn't believe that anyone would dare actually attack the school since Voldemort hand never actually done so before.
Harry wanted to point out that Voldemort had never attacked Hogwarts before because Dumbledore had been there and there was no one that he feared more than Dumbledore. He kept these thoughts to himself though so as not to add any unnecessary fear to anyone else. Besides, most of them thought that Harry was now the wizard that Voldemort feared most and Harry hoped that they were right.
The staff was tense those first weeks after the initial attack, constantly expecting the next one; both relieved and fearful when it never came. They began taking shifts patrolling the halls and keeping watch from the Astronomy tower. After a month past without incident, most everyone was ready to agree with Fudge and chalk it up to a fluke.
By December McGonagall still hadn't lifted the ban on Hogsmeade and to make up for all the missed outings she agreed to let the students have a winter formal which she also opened up to all the students at the school, not just the third years and above.
"Did you see the notice, Emily?" Franklin asked her excitedly. "The whole school gets to go!"
Emily, Coop, and Tyler had been sitting at a table in the Gryffindor common room working on potions homework when Franklin and the triplets bounded over to tell them the happy news. "Yeah, I saw Franklin. So," she asked giving him a teasing smile, "you gonna ask a girl to go?"
Franklin's ears went pink, "A-a-ask a g-g-g-girl?" He looked ready to faint.
Tyler looked at the nervous boy, "There's nothing to it! Here let me show you how it's done." Tyler stood up from the table and rolled back his shoulders and then twisted his head to crack his neck.
Coop rolled his eyes, "Truly we're watching a master at work."
"Quiet amateur," Tyler retorted, "I need to get loosened up first."
"Are you sure you should be working without a net there cowboy?" Emily asked biting back a smile.
Tyler glared at her, "I honestly expected better from you Em." He turned to Franklin, "Now Franklin, watch how it's done."
Franklin moved to lean against his sister's chair as the group watched him walk up to Jennifer Wellington, a fellow fourth year, who was talking to a group of her friends. She smiled at him when he said hello and nervously tucked her long black hair behind her ear. "Hey Jennifer, how's it going?"
"It's going well," she replied while her friends giggled behind them.
"That's good to hear. Did you see the notice for the winter formal?" he asked her.
Her eyes went wide as she realized where the conversation was headed. She could hardly hide her smile when she answered, "Yeah. I can't wait. It should be a really good time."
"It will be," he agreed. "Actually, I was hoping that you would do me the honor of accompanying me to the dance."
"Really? I mean, yes! I'd love to!"
They chatted for a few more minutes before Jennifer's friends whisked her away insisting that she needed to start deciding how she was going to wear her hair for a dance that was still two weeks away. Tyler walked back to his friends rubbing his knuckles on the front of his robes, "And that my dear Franklin is how it's done!"
"Unbelievable," Emily said. "'Do me the honor of accompanying me?' Honestly, I didn't think your vocabulary was so advanced."
Tyler put his hand on his chest in mock hurt, "Honestly Em, are you trying to draw blood today?"
"Well if he could do it…" Franklin said standing up strait and rolling back his shoulders as Tyler had done before.
Emily worried about how her brother might face rejection tried to reassure him, "OK Franklin, just remember, that if she says no there are other girls who would love to go with you."
He gave her a look that said there was nothing to worry about, "If I do what Tyler did then I'll be OK."
"Finally!" Tyler said, "Someone recognized my natural, raw, untapped talent!"
Franklin finished "loosening up" and looked around the room. He finally found the person he had been looking for sitting by herself sitting in a corner of the common room working on some homework. He took a deep breath and made his way over to Sofia McCoy.
"Good luck," the triplets called out in unison as Franklin made his way over.
"Oh God please don't let him get hurt," Emily said watching him walk over to a first year she didn't know.
"H-hey Sofia," Franklin said sitting next to her. "H-how's it going?"
She turned her green eyes up to him and smiled, "Hi Franklin, things are frustrating. I'm working on my Charms homework and it's very vexing." She gave her head a frustrating shake causing her blonde ringlets to bounce prettily around her face. "If only I had your head for Charms, I watch you all the time, you're awfully good in that class," Sofia's face turned pink as she realized what she said.
"Of course I'll help you," Franklin said instantly. He moved closer to her on the floor to look her notes and in the process caught a glimpse of his friends and sister waiting for him, "Oh, I almost forgot."
"Oh, you have to go," Sofia said sounding very disappointed, her bottom lip jutting out into a pout.
"No, no, nothing like that, I'm talking about the reason I came over here." One of Sofia's eyebrows arched. "Well, there's this dance coming up—"
"YES! I'll go with you Franklin Creevey!"
"Well how about that, my method really does work!" Tyler said as Franklin shot them the thumbs up sign and moved over to help Sofia with her Charms homework. "I am a bloody genius," he finished in awe of himself.
"You're going to be plain old bloody if you don't stop going on like that," Coop promised menacingly.
"Well, we're going to go," Andrew told them, "we're going to use the Tyler Method too!" With that the triplets were off.
"The 'Tyler Method,' I'm a method."
"Snap out of it!" Coop said waving his hand in front of Tyler's face.
"Sorry. So Coop, whom are you going to ask? Maybe you could you the Tyler Method on some lucky young lady too."
Coop and Emily rolled their eyes, "I have someone in mind," he said looking down at his hands.
Emily tensed a little and Tyler leaned toward his friend, "Who?"
"I don't want to say," he replied.
Tyler's brows drew together, "Well, why ever the hell not?"
"I just don't want to tell you that's all," Coop answered still fully absorbed by whatever was on his hands.
Tyler turned to Emily who had gone back to doing her homework; at least he figured that with two people it'd be easier to pry the information out of him. "Did you hear that Em? He doesn't want to tell us!"
Emily replied a little, curtly, "Yes I heard him. What do you want me to do about it?"
Tyler leaned back in his chair. "Well this mystery woman thing sucks. I hate not knowing."
Emily abruptly stood up and picked up her notes and books, "If you're going to keep going with this ridiculous conversation then I'm going to the library. I'll see you both at dinner."
Tyler watched her storm out of the portrait opening, "What's with her?"
"I don't know."
~~~
Emily didn't make it to dinner and she wasn't back in the common room by curfew either. "I'll go find her," Coop said heading toward the Fat Lady. Coop hurried through the halls hoping that he didn't have a run in with Filch who would love nothing more than to have a student to turn in for staying out past curfew.
He walked into the deserted library and headed toward the back where he, Emily and Tyler liked to go when they studied here. He wasn't prepared to see Emily hunched over a box of tissues quietly crying.
"Emily," he called out rushing over to her side.
Emily straightened immediately and tried to look away from him. "Go away, Coop. Just leave me alone."
"Now, Em," he said straddling the bench next to her and turning her to look at him, "you know I can't do that. Have you been crying in here since you left Tyler and me this afternoon?"
"No," she said miserably, "the crying didn't start until about an hour ago, before then I was just angry."
Coop looked around the table she was sitting at. There were piles of tissue scattered all over her potions notes, "Wow, that's a lot of tissue for one hour."
Fresh tears started and she tried to turn away again, "Go away, Coop!"
"I'm sorry," he said turning her back again. He smoothed her blonde hair out of her face and wiped her tears from her cheeks. He couldn't help notice how her already beautiful blue eyes looked like sparkling sapphires with her tears and the light of the fire behind them.
"Coop, what are you doing?" Emily asked her voice a shaky whisper.
Coop's face turned red as he realized that he was tracing the curves of her face. He quickly brought his hands to his side, "I'm sorry, Em." He cleared his throat, "So are you going to tell me what this is all about?"
"I can't. Look, I'm really sorry that you had to come out here and all, but I'll be OK, I just needed some time to myself." She started gathering her things together.
Coop stood and grabbed her hands forcing her to stop and look at him, "Oh no you don't. You're going to tell me what's wrong. Does this have anything to do with the conversation Tyler and I were having?"
"What? What conversation?"
"The mystery girl conversation?" Coop answered.
Her eyes darkened slightly before she laughed and said "Don't be silly, of course not."
Coop noticed her reaction, "Don't lie to me, Em. Why does it bother you?" he asked. Emily looked down, to the side, anywhere but at him. "Tell me," he demanded. Her eyes snapped to his in anger prompting him to add, "Please."
"Please don't make me do this, Coop," she beseeched him.
"There's nothing you can't tell me, Emily."
"Alright, I was jealous! Are you happy now? I was jealous that you wanted to go to the dance with some mystery girl that was so special that you couldn't even say her name," she couldn't look at Coop so she sat on the bench again. He let go of her hands and she reached for her tissues as tears started coming again.
Coop sat in front of her again not looking at her either, "The thing about that is—"
"Coop, you don't have to explain anything to me," Emily said sniffling.
"Listen to me Emily," he said bringing his hazel eyes to meet hers, "the reason I didn't want to say anything about this girl before was because…er…well I haven't exactly treated her right lately, but that all changed recently and I realized that she means more to me than I originally thought."
"This isn't exactly helping my situation, Coop," Emily said reaching up to wipe more tears away.
Coop took her hand in his and held her chin with the other forcing her to look at him, "I'm talking about you, you daft girl. Ever since that day in Hogsmeade, I don't know, I've realized that I've been short with you and haven't been a good friend and I apologize. But the thing is, I don't just want to be your friend."
Twice Emily opened her mouth and took a breath to say something and twice no words came out. The third time it happened Coop laughed. "Well isn't this interesting, nothing to say. Better make the most of this situation then." He leaned forward and kissed her lightly. When he leaned back her eyes were cloudy and her cheeks were flushed.
"Now only one thing left to do," he said standing and rolling back his shoulders then twisting his head to crack his neck. "Hey Emily."
"Wh-what?" she asked wondering what in the world was going on.
"How's it going?" Coop continued.
"Have you gone mad?" Emily asked him.
Coop went on as if he hadn't heard her, "That's good to hear. Did you see the notice for the winter formal?" he asked her.
Emily started giggling as she realized what Coop was doing. He stood there expectantly waiting for some sort of reply from her. She was barely able to nod her head in between the laughter. "I…hear…good…time…"
"It will be," he agreed. "Actually, I was hoping that you would do me the honor of accompanying me to the dance."
She lunged at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Yes, Phillip Anthony Cooper, Jr., I would love to go to the dance with you."
"Well what do you know," Coop said slightly bewildered, "the 'Tyler Method' really does work."
~~~
Ginny pulled her head back away from around the corner to give Coop and Emily a couple of moments of privacy. She was glad that Emily was finally able to work out her problems with Coop and made a mental note to tell Hermione. She walked back to Draco. "Nope nobody there," she said in her most innocent voice.
"Don't be ridiculous. This marvelous little map of yours," Draco said holding up the Marauders Map for emphasis, "says that there is an Emily Creevey and a Phillip Cooper just around that wall. Now step aside, I can't wait to get that boy in detention," Draco said trying to get around her.
She put her hands up on his chest, "No, don't!"
"Why not?" Draco asked.
Ginny wrung her hands together nervously, "They're having a bit of a romantic moment and I don't think that we should interrupt."
"Well, isn't it most unfortunate that their romantic moment is on our watch and will now end with him getting so much detention that his grandchildren will still be serving it whenever they make it to this school," Draco informed her with a cruel smirk on his face.
"Now Draco," Ginny said sliding her hands up his chest, "how would you feel if you and I were having a moment," she kissed his neck, "and someone was plotting," more kisses along his jaw, "on how to make you suffer the most," she nibbled on his ear. "That's my job," she whispered.
Draco's breath sang unevenly in her ear, "You're evil," he said causing her to giggle, "Let's just remember I'm the Slytherin around here."
"I'll try," she agreed solemnly before kissing him lightly and pulling him away. She sighed, "Now let's just get these two to bed so I can make you suffer more in the Astronomy tower."
"I can get them out of here in two seconds," Draco promised.
Ginny bit back a smile; "I don't want to scare them to death. This won't take long." She walked toward where Emily and Coop were and called out, "Emily? Coop? You guys still in here?" She heard the surprised teenagers in the other room gasp at being caught out past curfew and if she knew the male species at all, knew that Coop was trying to talk her into trying to sneak out some other way.
She smiled and looked to Draco who just shook his head she could have sworn she heard him say 'Imbecile.' She went around the corner, "Oh there you are, you guys gave Tyler a scare. He said you went looking for Emily almost half an hour ago."
"What's been going on here?" Draco demanded through narrowed eyes.
Coop swallowed hard, "Nothing Professor, we just, er — lost track of the time. We'll head straight back to the dormitory though. We're sorry."
If it was possible Draco's eyes narrowed even more, "See that you do because if I see you once more tonight, you'll be sorry."
"Yes sir." They finished gathering the rest of Emily's stuff then Coop took Emily's hand and they left the library.
"Is it because he's knocked you down…twice…that you dislike him so?" Ginny asked laughing.
"I do have a certain reputation to uphold," Draco remarked regally grabbing the front of his robes. "If the students stop fearing me then what do I have?"
Ginny nearly chocked, "Stopped fearing you? I don't think there's any imminent danger of that."
"Good. Like I said, I have a reputation." Ginny rolled her eyes. "Now, I believe there was something said about an Astronomy tower."
~~~
"I can't believe we have to chaperone this blasted dance," Ron grumbled as he, Harry, Draco, and Neville waited in the staff lounge for the girls to join them on the evening of the dance.
Neville and Harry looked at each other as if Ron had lost his mind before Harry replied, "Well, you are a teacher. It kinda goes with the job."
"I know that, I'm not stupid," Ron answered in his own defense. "What I mean is that there are…better things…to do with a night off," he finished ears pink.
"I couldn't agree with you more, Weasley," Draco agreed, "there are better things to do on a night than to make sure that these little buggers are keeping their hands north of the equator and that no one is spiking the punch with Fire Whiskey."
Harry chuckled and Neville just rolled his eyes. They both had a pretty good idea of how Ron and Draco would rather spend their free time. "I'm glad someone agrees with me," Ron said leaning back against the wall. The girls finally arrived and they made their way to the great hall.
It had been decorated to suit the occasion. Christmas wreaths, garland, and holly hung throughout the hall and the ceiling was enchanted to have a light snowfall above them. Candles were twinkling throughout the hall and at the no less than twelve Christmas trees were beautifully decorated around the hall.
"All right," McGonagall said walking in behind them, the students will be arriving shortly. I trust that you will all keep a close watch on them. Any students engaging in any funny business will spend the rest of the evening with me in the teacher's lounge."
Ron and Draco glanced at each other and shuddered at the thought of having to spend the night with no other company but McGonagall. He hated to admit it, but it turned out that he and Draco had more things in common than he'd first expected. He still didn't entirely trust the guy, but his opinion of him had improved greatly. Besides, he couldn't deny that his sister was happy.
"Wow, this place looks beautiful," Emily said as she, Coop, Tyler, and Jennifer arrived at the hall.
"Yeah," Jennifer agreed, "tonight is going to be so much fun!"
Music was playing in the background and Emily grabbed Coops hand, "Come on, let's go dance!"
"OK," he answered as she dragged him out.
Ron sighed for what seemed the tenth time in the past half hour. He leaned close to Hermione so no one could over hear, "Are you sure I can't convince you to sneak away? I can be very persuasive," he added pressing a quick kiss to her neck.
Hermione laughed, "I already told you no. Besides, the students leave in just a few days for winter holiday. You'll have more than enough opportunities to have me to yourself. Not like you don't have plenty now."
"There's no such thing as enough time with you."
Hermione smiled at him, "That's so sweet Ron, but we're still not sneaking off."
Ron smiled back at her, "You know me to well, love."
On the other side of the hall Draco was having similar thoughts. "I'd give half of everything I own to be anywhere else with you right now."
"Really?" Ginny asked, feigning a devastated look. "I'm only worth half of everything you own? I mean if it was me, I would have said three fourths at least."
"Three fourths?" Draco asked rubbing his chin in consideration of what she said. "No I'm sorry, half is as high as I'll go."
Ginny laughed, "You insolent, no good, impertinent…"
"Now Ginny," Draco said pinching her lips together with his thumb and pointer finger, "You're going to give people the impression that you don't like me."
"Good!" she said turning her back on him, "After what you just said I don't think I can love you anymore!"
His arms came around her waist and he pulled her to him. "Love?" he whispered in her ear. "Who said anything about love?"
Ginny covered her mouth with her hand not having noticed what she had said. "What I had meant to say…" she started.
"Nope, you can't take it back," Draco told her. "I heard you say it." He turned her around to look at him, "Do you love me, Ginny?"
She thought about lying, about playing it off, but somehow she found herself telling him the truth. "Yes."
He smiled at her the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen him smile, "I love you too, Ginny Weasley." Then he started kissing her not caring that they were in a crowded hall not caring that anyone could be watching. Not even the sound of someone clearing their throat was enough to get them to stop.
It wasn't until Harry actually tapped Draco on the arm that he and Ginny pulled away from each other. Cho stood just behind him trying her hardest not to laugh, and Harry just cleared his throat again. "Ah, that is—well, this generally is the behavior that we're supposed to be watching against."
"Er—right. Sorry about that, Potter," Draco said straightening up and smoothing out his robes. Ginny was bright red and was practically hiding behind Draco.
"No problem, Malfoy. Er—see you guys around." He took Cho's hand again and they left the couple to compose themselves.
As soon as Harry and Cho were out of earshot Draco turned to Ginny, "Everything I own. Right now."
"Don't tempt me."
~~~
The rest of the dance went on without any major incident. The only student to be sent to spend the night with McGonagall was Bryce Davis who thought that he'd actually be able to spike the punch. Unfortunately he didn't know that the punch was charmed to spit up on anyone who tried to add anything extra to the mix.
It wasn't until the last students were finally sent off to their common rooms that Hermione noticed something off. "Hey, where are Neville and Parvati?"
Everyone looked around realizing for the first time that they weren't there. "How long have they been gone?" Cho asked.
"I don't know," Ginny said.
"I really can't remember the last time I saw them here tonight," Harry added.
"That lucky guy," Ron muttered jealously.
"Tell me about it," Draco agreed.
~~~
"Hey Ron, I thought you were going to Hogsmeade with the others today." Hermione said as she led Ron into her bedroom.
It was Christmas and since there were only a few students left on campus McGonagall agreed to let the teachers take a trip to Hogsmeade so that they could visit the Weasley twins. To ensure everyone's safety they would be taking the trip via the secret passage under the Whomping Willow. Neville and Parvati had graciously agreed to stay behind and chaperone due to their unarranged disappearance from the winter formal.
Hermione had stayed behind because she had a lot of work that she needed to catch up on and she figured that she should take every opportunity. She was actually rather surprised that Ron didn't try to talk her into going anyway, but decided that he was respecting her wishes to do her best.
She walked back to her desk where she had parchment spread all over the place. Sitting down she offered him some tea. He nervously declined and she picked up her cup again waiting for him to tell her why he was still there.
"Well, I didn't want to go without you," he said.
She shook her head at him, "Ron I told you, I had a lot of work to do, I wasn't going to be lonely or anything."
"I also wanted to give you this," he said pulling his hand from behind his back.
She hadn't realized that he'd been carrying anything, but her face lit up when he offered her the package. She put her tea down and took the package from his hands. "Ron, I thought we all exchanged gifts this morning." They had all met in the teachers lounge that morning to give their gifts to make it easier than waiting until they saw one another throughout the day.
"I had—er—left this one in my room."
Hermione gave him a curious look before opening her gift. She smiled at him when she saw that he'd gotten her a book, she always appreciated a good book. "Dream Weddings: A Day of Magic and Beauty," she read aloud. "OK," she began slowly, not really understanding why he chose this one for her, but she loved it because it came from him, "I don't know anyone who's getting married, but at least I'll be prepared for when I do. Thank you, Ron."
"Well," he said standing up and reaching into his pocket, "you don't know anyone because I haven't asked you yet," he said pulling out a small ring box.
"Oh my God," Hermione said. Ron got down on one knee. "Oh my God," Hermione said lurching forward in her seat. Ron opened the box and pulled out a beautiful princess cut diamond ring in a white gold setting. "Oh my God," Hermione was still saying.
"Hermione, I love you. I've loved you since we were students here. Then we went our separate ways and lost touch. Fate gave us another chance to be together and I don't want to ruin it. Will you marry me?"
Tears were in Hermione's eyes as she knelt down in front of Ron. "Yes Ron, I will." The grin on Ron's face caused even more tears to come to Hermione's eyes as Ron slid the ring onto Hermione's fingers. "It's beautiful." She looked back up at Ron, "I love you so much, Ron."
"I love you too, Hermione." They knelt there just staring at each other. "You know, this may be the first time I've ever done this, but I'm pretty sure that there's supposed to be some kissing involved with a proposal!"
Hermione laughed as she began kissing him. At first they were soft teasing kisses but it wasn't long before Ron's lips were urging hers to open and his tongue was sliding inside her mouth. She leaned into him causing him to lie back on the floor. She followed him down, not breaking the contact with his lips. Her hair fell like a curtain around his face. Ron's hands went to her waist pulling her down on top of him. A small moan escaped her as her body pressed against his.
Ron rolled them over so he was lying on top of her. He'd never seen her look more beautiful. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were swollen from his attention. Her brown eyes were dark with pleasure and begging him not to stop. He gently brushed her hair of her face he leaned down and kissed her again. She brought her hands up in his hair and kissed him with all the love she felt for him. She brought her small hands down the front of his chest and he felt her trying to unbutton the front of his shirt. He knew it wouldn't be much longer before they crossed the point of no return.
She'd gotten about two buttons undone before Ron clasped her hands in his and pinned them gently above her head. "Hermione, we have to think for a minute."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because, you sassy little vixen, right now, we can still stop," he told her, laughing at her yearning.
"Ron, I don't want to stop, I want to be with you."
"Hermione, you're not thinking rationally right now, we're on the floor in the middle of your room. I don't think this is exactly the place you want to do this," he pointed out.
"Then let's move to the bed," she said pulling her head up to kiss him again.
Ron released her hands and cupped her face. Her hands immediately went for his shirt again. He broke their kiss and looked into her eyes, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
In answer Hermione pushed against him rolling on top of him again she made quick work of the last two buttons on Ron's shirt before tearing off her jumper. Now this time it was Ron's eyes that were darkening with desire and when she said yes again he didn't argue the point.
A/N: My that was a lot of fluff at the end!!! I know you all agree! OK, so here's the deal with the fluff kiddies, I know that there was talk about Ginny making Draco "suffer" in the Astronomy tower and well all that stuff that just happened with Ron and Hermione, but I'm don't think I'm really ready to write exactly what happens in these little encounters. Maybe one day, but not today. For now what ever happens in their bedrooms (or towers) stays between them. But let's be real, they're all what 20 and 21 years old? They have a sex drive! Now as for Coop and Emily, they're only 14, they don't! There's no ifs ands or buts about it! Kissing is one thing, but my characters do not have sex at 14!
So I know that a dance is campy, but hey, what can I say, it's all about the romance. I mean could I hide it with all the freaking I love you's I had flying left and right??? Let's just all be happy that I didn't freaking call it the Yule Ball. Apparently, some people didn't read the fourth book so well. Anyway, thanks for reading and review if you have time!!!