Chapter 27: A Christmas Ball

~*~

Something happens and I'm head over heels

I never find out until I'm head over heels

Something happens and I'm head over heels

Ah don't take my heart

Don't break my heart

Don't throw it away.

[Tears for Fears]

~*~

 By late November rumors were flying all around the school. It was enough to cause a headache. All of them, of course, were about the Ball to be held in December. To Harry this seemed absurd because the event was still a month away. Hermione and Ron were already going together and Harry was still firm about not going or at least not taking a date.

 On Tuesday Harry felt a sense of relief as new rumors began to circulate. Sadly Mrs. Weasley's teaching career would be ending today and she was to introduce the new professor. The plan was for her to stay a few days to help the new teacher adjust and then return permanently to the Burrow. The last time Harry had spoken to her she had told him she loved teaching but that she would be glad to be home again.

 When they reached the classroom everyone was taken aback to see Mrs. Weasley scolding a Mr. Remus Lupin as he propped his feet up on the desk.

"Professor Lupin!" Harry exclaimed as he and his companions ran towards the desk. "You're back."

"And glad of it," said Remus.

 Surprisingly few people protested Remus teaching the class. Except for a few Slytherins of course. They were shut up quickly though and eventually settled into the new routine, grumbling as they went. Harry wondered what had changed the minds of some of the students, and the board members. Either way the classes were still some of the best. The first one was also humorous with Molly Weasley trying to fill Remus in as he taught, oh and to scold him for putting his feet on the desk of course.

~*~

 November flew by and true to his promise Harry still had not asked anyone to the ball. All around him though people were pairing up. Ron of course was going with Hermione and Neville had asked a Hufflepuff girl in their year. What surprised them the most was that Ginny had a date. When Harry heard he felt a weird numbness inside him but shook it away thinking it was no surprise. He couldn't have expected her to hold onto a crush for him forever. He hadn't even wanted to go to the ball! He tried not to begrudge her date, especially since they shared a dorm. Of course some of the fifth year girls did. Lavender and Parvati were both miffed by this. Harry just tried not to think about it. He managed to keep it off his mind most of the time and thought for sure he'd have no problem.

 On the very night of the dance he realized just how wrong he'd been. He sat in the common room for awhile as people began to meet their dates. Happy couples linked arms and walked out of the portrait hole. He felt a pang in his chest and soon decided he'd had enough watching. He met Ron coming down the boys stairs and reassured his friend that yes, he'd be fine alone. He wished him luck and continued walking. It was when he stopped and looked over the railing that he had the problem.

 Ginny Weasley appeared at the bottom of the girls stairs and his heart lept into his throat. This is Ginny, he had to keep reminding himself, Your best friend's sister! He had to turn away and walk quickly into his dorm after Dean appeared. Never before had he believed he was jealous. Now he had to face it. Until now though he hadn't even been sure he liked her in that way. He sighed and laid down on his bed for awhile until he got tired of lying there moping. He got up and went to the common room where he could stare at the fire and feel sorry for himself at the same time.

 After an hour and a half of staring, Harry was jolted into reality by none other than the girl who had been haunting his thoughts all evening.

"Ginny," he frowned. "What are you doing back so early?"

"I got bored," she said.

"What about Seamus?"

"Well," she said with a wry grin, "We only went as friends anyway so I finally gave him up to Lavender."

Harry went wide-eyed. "Well I had to," proclaimed Ginny, "It was better than watching them ogle each other the whole time we sat there. They really like each other."

"But what about you," asked Harry.

"Oh," she said lightly, surprised, "I'm fine, really. Probably better than you are sitting up here all alone. I'm only miffed that I didn't get to dance more."

"Oh," said Harry, feeling nervous now, "Do you want to now?"

"But you aren't even dressed for the ball," said Ginny, eyeing him strangely.

"Who said we had to go down there," questioned Harry before using his wand to switch on a Wizarding Wireless someone had left on the table. He bowed to her. "May I have this dance?"

"Well thank you milord," said Ginny taking his hand and trying not to blush, or at least not to blush too furiously.

  Ginny smiled up at Harry realizing that this wasn't just a dream. It was real. They were dancing together. He had his arms around her. She could barely believe it. Even if this was a dream though she might as well enjoy it. She surprised them both by brushing a strand of hair out of his face.

 Then their eyes connected and they were stunned. And right there in the Gryffindor Common Room, as the Wizarding Wireless played an old muggle song, Harry and Ginny shared a first kiss.

 The moment they had there couldn't be described by either of them as anything but  perfect. Unfortunately that didn't last long.

"Ginny," Harry said quickly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't, I mean- I can't."

"What do you mean," she asked, looking worried now.

"Ginny, I'm really sorry," he said.

And then he bolted.

Ginny watched him go and then, following suit ran to her dormitory. Her makeup smudged as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Ginny Weasley cried herself to sleep.

What she didn't know was that in his dorm Harry did the same.