Disclaimer: Full disclaimer on Chapter 1. Thanks JKR for giving us a world to dream in…

Chapter 6 – Celebration Ball

Ginny's heart stopped.  She looked at Harry.  Did he just say what she thought he said?

"Ginny, will you marry me?"…

"Harry…are you serious?" she asked.

"I have never been more serious in my life," he replied.

"Harry, I'm too young…"

"Gin, I didn't mean tonight!" he laughed.  "I mean after you graduate.  But I don't want to lose you.  I've already spoken to your mum and dad and they are okay with it.  And I have something for you."  He opened his hand and inside was the ring.

Ginny started crying.  "Yes, Harry, yes!"  She melted into his arms, kissing him.  Harry slipped the ring on her finger as he explained its significance.

"Does Ron know?" asked Ginny.

"No one knows…" replied Harry.  "Shall we go tell them?"

"Yes, let's!"  smiled Ginny.

Arm in arm, the young couple headed to the Ball.

***

Ron and Hermione stood near the entrance to the Great Hall.

"You okay, 'Mione?" he asked.

"Yeah, just remembering.  Remember when we met during the train ride our first year?" asked Hermione.

"Don't remind me!" said Ron.

"We were all so innocent then.  We didn't know what lay ahead.  What if we hadn't met Harry?"  she wondered.

"Well, you and I wouldn't have gotten to be friends most likely…Hey, look at them!"  Ron pointed toward the door.  Harry and Ginny had entered holding hands.  "Bloody hell…is Harry actually smiling??"

"Ron, look…so is Ginny…and they are holding hands!" squealed Hermione.

***

Just before they entered the Great Hall, Harry stopped.  "Gin, are you ready for this?"

"Of course, Harry.  I've been ready for years," she laughed.

"This will start some stories in the Daily Prophet…"

"Good.  Then all the girls will know that you, Mr. Potter, are taken!" Ginny smiled as she kissed him.  Harry smiled back.

He grabbed her hand as they entered the Great Hall.  All the tables were gone, replaced by round tables on the sides of the hall and at one end.  The Weird Sisters had set up where the staff table usually was.  Harry could see teachers mixed with guests and students among the tables.  The ceiling was charmed to resemble a summer's night sky complete with the occasional shooting star.

Ron was being pulled along by Hermione.  "Come on, Ron.  We have to get to Harry.  After all, we're his best friends.  We have a right to know what's going on."

He pulled her back.  "Hermione?"  She turned to face him.  "Before you run up to him, remember.  Harry will come to us when he's ready to talk.  He always does, doesn't he?"  Hermione shook her head.  "Look, there's Dumbledore!"

Professor Dumbledore had appeared on the stage.  As the crowd quieted down, he smiled.

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen.  First of all, I would like to thank Professor Flitwick's sixth year Charms class for the lovely decorations.  Also, I want to thank the Weird Sisters.  But finally, I want to thank this year's graduating class for giving me joy these seven years and for reminding an old man that no matter your age, it's not too late to learn.

"To begin the Ball, it's time for the Head Boy and Girl's dance.  Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, front and center please."

Harry and Hermione walked out to the center of the floor.  Professor Flitwick walked up to the center of the room close to them.  He raised his wand.  "Accio screens!"  The screens came into the room and he levitated them into place on the stage behind the Weird Sisters; one directly behind and one on either side.  As the Weird Sisters band began playing, Professor Flitwick made a circle with his wand and said "Momento Lumos!" and pictures like a slide show began appearing on the screens.

Harry and Hermione began to dance.  While they watched the pictures…a picture of Hermione and Seamus in a boat crossing the lake their first year…Harry with the Sorting Hat on…

"Do you know this song?" asked Harry.

"Oh, it's one of my favorites!"

Memories…light the corners of my mind.

Misty water colored memories…of the way we were...

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind…

Other couples joined in the dance…Ron and Ginny started dancing.  Ron saw the tears on her cheek.

"What's the matter, Gin-Gin?" Ron asked.

"I am going to miss you being here…oh, look at that picture!" Ron turned and saw a picture of himself, Hermione and Harry with Ginny in front of them.  "Remember when Colin took that?"

"Yeah…glad he finally quit being annoying!" Ron laughed.  He squeezed Ginny's hand.  "Hey, what's this?"

"What do you think it is?" asked Harry, coming up behind Ron.

Harry stepped beside Ginny.  Ginny held out her hand and showed Ron and Hermione the ring.

Harry was watching Ron for a reaction.  Ron's face was getting redder.

"Ron, you okay with this?" asked Harry.

"Harry, mate, I only have one thing to say about this."  Harry looked nervously at Ron.  "About bloody time!!"  They all laughed.

"Oh, hey Hermione?" Ron asked.

"Yes?"

"The water looks fine.  Fancy a swim?"

"Ron, what are you talking about?"

Hermione turned around.  Ron was on one knee.  Hermione gasped.

"'Mione, why don't we make it a double wedding?"  He took her hand and slipped a ring on her finger.

Harry started laughing.  Ginny chided him.

"Harry, that's not very nice!  Why are you laughing?"

"The Great Hermione speechless?!"

They all started laughing again.

Ron looked upset.  Harry asked what was wrong.  "She hasn't answered me yet."

"Hermione, Ickle Ronniekins is pouting because you didn't answer…" laughed Ginny.

Hermione looked at Ron.  "Of course I will, you silly git!"

As the next song neared its end, Professor Dumbledore got up once again.  "Well everyone, it seems today is a day of miracles!  Those we thought lost were returned to us!"  He looked at Harry, then at Sirius.  "And the Fab Four have finally come to their senses!" Everyone laughed.

As Professor Dumbledore sat down, everyone came by to congratulate them, including parents, grandparents, and friends.

Throughout the evening the couples managed a dance here and there.  Between saying goodbye to friends and being congratulated, it was no time at all before the Ball was almost over.

Harry excused himself for a moment and walked over to Dumbledore.  Ginny watched as they talked for a few minutes, then Harry came back toward them.

"Ron, Hermione…as Head Boy, it is required of me to notify you that the headmaster wants to see you immediately!" Harry said.

Ron and Hermione headed toward Dumbledore and started to talk to him.  Occasionally one or the other would turn and look their way.  Harry pretended not to notice.

"What's all that about?"  asked Ginny.

"Not sure," said Harry.  "I suspect we'll find out soon enough.  Here they come!"

As Ron and Hermione made their way back where Harry and Ginny were, Dumbledore climbed once more to the stage.

"I have some sad news and some happy news.  Madam Hooch has announced that she is leaving us.  She has been chosen to manage the Puddlemere United Quidditch team."  A short burst of applause was heard.  "Also, Professor Vector will be going on a year long sabbatical.  Now to the good news.  I have just offered Ron Weasley the position of Flying Instructor and Quidditch Referee and he has agreed to assume the post.  Also, Miss Granger has accepted an assignment as Professor of Arithmancy for next year.  Congratulations!"

The lead singer for the Weird Sisters got up and announced the last dance.  "And this dance is dedicated to a certain redhead by her fiancée."

Harry led Ginny to the dance floor.  They started dancing; soon Ron and Hermione joined them.

"Ooh, you take my breath away,

And I don't know what to say…"

Harry and Ginny looked into each other's eyes.  Harry knew he had done the right thing.  He loved Ginny so much.  And she loved him.

Even after the music ended, they kept dancing, looking into each others eyes.

A/N: I know that there is a lot of fluff so far…but you know our hero…trouble follows…thanks to my beta reader, longearmage…and to all the reviewers! Stay tuned…