Chapter 8- Preparing for the Ball

It was a great day in Hogsmeade. The sun was out and there were no chilly winds speeding through the air. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked up the road to the two shops were (where they could buy their outfits for the ball). They had waited till later in the day to do so because both shops had been packed with seventh and sixth grade students just after they arrived.

'Modern Mugglish for Men?' Ron asked, stifling a laugh. 'What kind of a name is that?'

'It definitely doesn't sound very professional,' Harry agreed.

'And Wishes for Witch-Women?' Hermione asked, squinting at the shop next door, with the muggle clothes for women. 'Oh well, at least the merchandise doesn't look too bad.'

Together, they walked into 'Modern Mugglish for Men' and as tall, thin man, holding himself very upright came to greet them. He has a thin moustache and was wearing a tuxedo.

'Good evening,' he greeted them pompously. Although he was British he was speaking in a French accent.

'Ah, hi,' Hermione piped up. 'We're here to buy a tuxedo for these two,' she said, indicating Harry and Ron with a wave of her hand 'for the Seventh Grade Ball at Hogwarts.'

'Mais oui,' the man replied, who had been previously eyeing them suspiciously. 'Would you like me to 'elp you pick somesing out?' he inquired.

'No, that's alright,' Ron cut in.

'We'll be fine on our own thanks,' Harry added.

'Oui, of course,' the man said, rolling his 'r' sound.

They walked past the man into the main section of the shop. Harry looked at the tuxedos. They definitely weren't the style of tuxedo he had imagined. This was because they weren't modern. They had black, white and navy blue jackets, some with tail-coats. They had peculiar ties, which weren't the 'regular' shape but which were similar to a scarf (yet thicker material) and there were circular gold broaches on each of them. There were polished black shoes on the floor with thin laces and socks to match and there were pants to match the jackets, which were folded up neatly on a large, square table in the centre.

'Wow,' Hermione whispered. 'I've never seen tuxedos like these. They are from many centuries ago, at least their design is,' Hermione quickly added for the benefit of the shop assistant who had been looking at her through squinted eyes. 'Of course, you and Harry will be getting black,' she continued with more confidence in her voice. 'The white ones always look way too daggy.' At this, the shop assistant snorted. Hermione looked at him and this time it was she who gave him a dirty look. 'Oh Ron! You'll be wearing this one!' Hermione exclaimed, rushing over to one of the racks. She pulled out a black tuxedo without a tail. The shirt which came with it was white and the collar was very simple. She picked out a black tie which was patterned with swirling leaves (the leaves being a darker shade of black). 'Come on, try it on!' she said, holding up the clothes impatiently. Ron looked at Harry. He rolled his eyes and sighed, but took the clothes from Hermione and headed for the change rooms.

'And this would look great on you, Harry' Hermione said. Harry had to admit, he liked what she had picked out. It was a black tuxedo with no tail. The shirt was white with a plain collar (the same as Ron's). The tie was a thick, white material, which had a light silverfish sheen to it. It was patterned with thick swirly tendrils as if it were some kind of vine.

Hermione picked up two pairs of shiny, black shoes and handed them to Harry. 'Here,' she said. 'Take that one in for Ron.'

'How do you know our shoe sizes?' Hermione raised her eyebrows.

'You think that I could be your friend for more than six years and not know your shoe sizes?'

'Well.'

'Just try it on. Tell Ron he's buying that tuxedo and that's the end of it and I really think that you should get that one, Harry,' she said, finishing with a point of her finger.

'Ok, I'll go and try it on.'

'Great!' She began to walk out of the shop.

'Where are you going?' Harry called after her.

'To buy my dress of course!' she replied.

Harry sighed and went into the large change room. It had little stalls lining the grand, circular wall and there were mirrors lining the entire front section of the wall. As he entered, Harry saw Ron emerging from one of the stalls. He grinned at his friend.

'You know, for a girl, Hermione doesn't have bad taste in men's clothing,' Harry said. And it was the truth. Ron looked pretty good.

'Yeah, not too bad hey? Better than those dam dress robe things we had to wear in year four, they were horrible!' Ron said.

'Think fast,' Harry said as he threw two, shiny black shoes to Ron (who caught them).

'Is Hermione still out there?' Ron asked.

'No, she went next door to buy her dress.'

'Doesn't waste a second does she? I'll go and see if that pompous windbag outside will sell this thing to me,' and Ron walked out of the room, leaving Harry alone to try on his tux.

Harry went into one of the stall and took off his day-clothes. He buttoned- up the shirt and attached the tie on with the gold, circular brooch. He put on the black pants and the jacket and finally, the shoes and socks. He went out of the stall into the centre of the room where he examined his appearance carefully. It looked pretty good. Harry was quite happy with it and he couldn't have been bothered to go searching through the shop to see if there was anything better. He was about to walk out of the change room when the shop assistant entered.

'Ah, c'est magnifique! Tres joli!' he said with a small clap of his hands. 'You will be buying zis?'

'Er.yeah,' Harry said. He undressed in one of the stalls and then emerged, handing his tux to the shop assistant.

He had to admit that he was quite lucky, the price was exactly the amount Hogwarts had allowed him to take from the school fees.

Harry and Ron walked out of the shop. 'Can you believe that that guy used to work at Fleur Delacour's school?'

'What? How did you find that out?'

'Oh mate, you'd be amazed at how much that guy talked while you were in the change room. I actually felt quite sorry for him really.'

At that moment, Hermione came rushing out to meet them. She was carrying her dress in a black zip up bag (one which hangs over the top of your dress on the coat hanger) and a black bag with a box; for her shoes, and other accessories.

'Hey, let me help you with that,' Ron said, trying to wrestle the bag and dress of Hermione.

'NO! I'm carrying it,' Hermione said.

'Can I at least see the dress?'

'No,' she said sharply and then added in a softer tone, 'It's a surprise.' Ron grinned at her.

'Alright then. If it's that important to you,' he said.

They walked slowly down the road; on their way to 'The Three Broomsticks'. Ron kept trying to catch Hermione off guard to ask her what colour her dress was, but she simply shook her head and wouldn't budge on the subject.

'C'mon. At LEAST tell me the colour,' he said exasperated.

'Nope.'

'Well, what if it doesn't match my tux?' he asked, looking for some excuse.

'Oh, I made sure that what I picked did go with the tux, don't worry,' she patted his cheek sympathetically. As they continued to blabber on about the subject Harry looked ahead of them and saw Collin Creevy with Ginny. He hid his bared teeth and strained his ears to hear their conversation.

'...But why can't you come with me. I thought that we were good friends,' Collin was saying, slightly pouting.'

'We are Collin. It's just that.well......someone's sort of already asked me.'

'What do you mean sort of? Either they have or they haven't Ginny, and I certainly haven't seen anyone asking you.' Harry felt extremely sorry for her, but he didn't want to give himself away. So, resisting the temptation to step in for her, he let her be.

They entered the 'Three Broomstick's and each ordered a butterbeer. They were about to sit down and get comfortable when Miss M practically ran in.

'May I have your attention all Hogwarts students!' she practically shouted. Even the dwarfs in the back corner of the tavern stopped throwing their dice and listened. 'Anyone who volunteered to help me with the preparation for the ball, could you please come with me. We have to go back to Hogwarts early to get everything early.' Ron only just finished skulling down his drink as she said the last few words.

'Somehow I knew this would happen,' he muttered. 'The things I do for you Hermione.'

'Oh stop being such a grump,' she said, getting up briskly. 'C'mon. It'll be fun.'

'Yeh, sure it will,' Ron said under his breath.

'What was that?' Hermione asked sharply.

'Nothing, nothing,' he said quickly.

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Back at Hogwarts, the younger students were bustling about, going to there classes. Miss M smiled sweetly at all of them as she walked by.

'Now, we're not going to actually decorate the hall today. As you know, the dance isn't going to be held for at least a month. I just want you to come up with some ideas, maybe design some things and think about what decorations we are going to need,' Miss M said brightly.

Pavarti and Lavender were giggling as they walked. Harry rolled his eyes, he never understood why girls giggled so much when it came to matters such as these. What was funny about it? He looked around him to see who else had come to help with the decorating. To his surprise, his gaze met Ginny's. He stopped and waited for her to catch up to him.

'Harry?!' she said in surprise.

'Yeh, Hermione signed me up for it,' Harry smiled. Ginny laughed.

'Yes, I heard about Ron and how Hermione was very persuasive.'

'So...er, you going to the dance with anyone?'

'Well,' Ginny began somewhat hesitantly.

'It's ok. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to,' Harry cut in. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to pry.'

'No, no. Sorry, didn't mean to give you that impression. I'm just...well, I'm sort of waiting for someone to ask me, that's all.'

'Oh,' Harry said, not meaning to squeak as he said it. He cleared his throat and glance sideways at Ginny. She laughed at him with mirth.

The company pushed open the doors of the Great Hall and the plans soon began. Some of the students cleared away the tables and chairs to get an idea of the size of the room, Miss M began talking to Pavarti and Lavender about curtains and other decorations.

'I think we should do something about the lighting,' Hermione said, looking up at the ceiling. Harry head Ron mutter something under his breath and suddenly, Hermione began to levitate in the air, rising up closer and closer to the roof of the Great Hall.

'Ron, put me down,' she squealed.

'What? I thought you might get a better view up there,' he raised his voice. Hermione laughed.

'I can see it just fine from the ground, now c'mon, put me down!'

'Alright, alright,' Ron smiled. He spoke the incantation and caught her in his arms after her slow descent.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other, hiding their smiles. 'The chandeliers would look great if we decorated them a little,' Ginny said, trying to change the subject; blushing under Harry's gaze.

'How do you mean?' he asked with raised eye brows.

'Maybe we could fess them up a bit. Or....or- maybe we could just leave them unlit so that, if we get some flashing disco kind of lights they'd catch the crystals.'

'That's actually a really good idea,' Hermione said. 'Where would we put the disco lights though?'

'Just lining the walls I suppose.'

'It's good, but we need more. Something different, unique. Wait, I know the perfect thing. Tell miss M that I've gone to the library,' and Hermione raced out of the hall without another word.

'Why does she always do that?' Ron asked. 'I wish she would tell us these brilliant ideas BEFORE she rushes off to the library so we know what we're in for.'

'She probably just wants to surprise us,' Ginny said.

'You'd think the ceiling being bewitched to look like the night sky would be enough,' Ron muttered.

The remaining time spent in the Great Hall was quite productive. The lighting was decided (excluding Hermione's idea at the time), the music was selected as well as the food and beverages and the other decorations for the hall.

Harry didn't really take much part in the discussions. Most of the time, his eyes were feasting on the sight of Ginny. Harry couldn't help but look at her and every time her eyes met his and she gave him a smile, his face flushed uncontrollably.

'I think that we should put up some flashy posters for the ball as well. You know, advertise a little and make sure that no one turns up in jeans and a daggy top,' Pavarti said.

'Yes, that's a very good suggestion Miss Patil,' Miss M approved. Pavarti fluttered her eyelashes and smiled graciously.

Two weeks later, posters advertising the seventh grade ball lined the walls of Hogwarts and students chattered and gossiped with excitement.

'So what's this perfect idea of yours Hermione?' Ron asked.

'No, no. I'm not going to tell you, you should know me well enough by now to realise that, Ron.'

Ron took Hermione in his arms and kissed her. 'So you're not going to budge on the subject?' he asked with a grin.

'N-no,' she said a little breathlessly.

'Oh well, it was worth a try,' Ron said, turning to Harry but still keeping one arm around Hermione's waist. Harry liked to see them expressing their love for one another every now and then-not that he wanted to perve or anything. And yet, he was slightly envious of their intimacy and hoped that he and Ginny would have the same relationship. He felt that he hardly saw her lately and felt that she was spending too much time with Collin Creevy, which he was extremely unhappy about.

Back in the Griffindor common room, Harry decided that he would leave Ron and Hermione alone downstairs. He raced upstairs glad for the chance to be isolated from everyone so that he could think. He sat down at his desk with a fresh piece of parchment with a quill and ink-bottle and pressed the feather between his lips thinking of what to write in his last 'secret- admirer-note' for Ginny.

#It has to tell her where to meet me.that' s a start..hmmm......# And so he wrote:

'At last the night has come my dear, And I tell you, you may meet me here, In the Entrance Hall beside the stair, I shall be waiting to greet you there.'

It wasn't as romantic as he hoped it would sound, but it was the best he could come up with. He neatly folded it and placed it in his top draw. In the morning, before going down to breakfast, he showed it to Hermione. He was glad to hear the note of approval in her voice when she commented on it.

The final week leading up to the Seventh Grade Ball past quickly and soon the day arrived. A school owl delivered his final message to Ginny and he tried to hide his smile when she practically squealed with excitement after reading it.

Harry could barely contain his excitement whilst sitting through all his classes that day. All the teacher's words and teachings literally went in one ear and out the other and he was almost given detention for day- dreaming so much in his potions class.

When classes were over, he raced upstairs to his dormitory to get ready. He wanted to be downstairs before Ginny got there. He buttoned up his shirt, his hands shaking during the process so that it took him twice as long as it usually would have. He fastened the old-style tie onto his collar with the plain gold brooch and slipped on his jacket and pants. After slipping on his socks and polished shoes he got out his hair gel and began running his fingers frantically through his hair. Finally, he ran downstairs (almost falling on several occasions) and was pleased to hear a couple of wolf whistles from girls in younger grades.

He stood impatiently beside the staircase in the Entrance Hall waiting to see Ginny. Eventually, other seventh graders made their way down. Harry watched as Ron and Hermione made their way grandly down the stairs. They really did look good together. Ron's hair gelled and wearing his tux and Hermione with her wine red Spanish-looking dress with he hair cascading around her head in a mass of dark curls with a tiny tiara crowning the elaborate display. They descended the staircase, arms linked with great smiles on their faces.

'Wow, Harry, you should spike your hair like that more often,' Hermione said.

'Hey, don't get any ideas,' Ron said playfully.

'Oh don't worry Ron. I'm not going anywhere. And neither are you for that matter,' she patted his arms and smirked while Ron gulped dramatically.

'Any sign of Ginny?' Harry asked, his voice faltering.

'Last I saw her, she was in the girl's bathroom up in the Griffindor common room. You should have seen how frantically she was doing her hair, I must have picked up all the hairpins she kept dropping at least a hundred times!' Hermione said.

Harry was reminded of himself when he was getting ready.

'Anyway, we'll see you in there. I can't wait to see all our hard work paid off and these lights that Hermione won't tell me about,' Ron said and with that, he and Hermione walked into the Great Hall, leaving Harry alone once more.

Harry felt like he was waiting for hours and he began to feel a terrible pain in his stomach when the thought that perhaps she decided not to go crossed his mind-still he waited.

He looked to the top of the staircase and his heart stopped. There was Ginny, descending the stairs and looking like some kind of fairy goddess. Her dress was a light green and it draped about her slight figure elegantly with thin trimmings of gold here and there. Two thin curls came down on either side of her forehead and at the back, more curls flowed down from a small bun. She had gold hairpins in her hair with a pearl at the end of each.

She had nearly reached the bottom of the stairs, but she hadn't seen Harry yet.

#Oh please, oh please..Let her be happy when she finds out it's me. Please!#

-----------------------------There you are. Chapter 8 finished....phew. Sorry about the extremely long wait, I've been on holidays and have only got back recently. Well I hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter will be the last. Thank you for the lovely reviews especially from you Jose. Also, problems in my story with chapter one and chapter six, I apologise, I'm currently trying to fix it. Til next chapter..Cheers------------------------ ----