Thank you to those of you who reviewed. And as for you potterloverno1, if you haven't read my other message then I suggest you READ IT!!!!! Like I said, I am new at this and I am not exactly the best writer in the world. So don't tell me that crap and no, I am NOT going to stop writing this. THIS IS MY STORY AND I WRITE IT HOW IT IS, GET IT???!!!! falls back into chair sorry people, I just had to write that. Anyway, back to the story.

Chapter 24: Disaster in the name of Cho

Harrty watched numerous pebbles of rain drool down the window. Tonight the final ball

took place and the girl he loved was going to go with him.

Harry smacked his head. Loved? Who said anything about loved?? Perhaps cared for,

but not loved. No, love was like a tool. It bonded people together. But bonds could

break, as could love.

Flinching as a firm hand clapped onto his shoulder, Harry turned around.

"Ready mate?" Ron's eyes glittered with excitement. Harry knew that what was a

simple crush was now a totally different matter for Ron.

"Yea, hang on a sec." Harry turned his back to his best friend and pulled an item out of a

lavender bag.

"What the hell –" Ron gazed at the object Harry contained in his hand.

"It's a Melodious Scented Rose." Harry colored scarlet. "When you peel open the petals,

it makes a fantastic scent and it causes you to smell really good. I got it at Madam Link's

Splendor and Ecstasy Boutique."

Ron gawked at the rose before hooting with laughter.

"May I ask what is so funny?!" Harry inquired irritably, forcing the rose back into his

robe pocket.

"Nothing." Ron sniggered as they left the dormitory. "Forget it you woul-"

"I wouldn't leave the common room just yet you guys."

Ron and Harry joined Neville and Ginny as they entered the common room.

"Why not?" Harry asked, as Ron was too busy looking for Lavender.

Ginny giggled. Neville looked rather amused, though he did bear some horror on his face

as well.

"Because," Ginny held down a giggle, her face pink with glee. "Hermione and Draco are right outside making out."

Ron stopped looking for Lavender.

"Hermione and WHO?" he asked feverishly

"Hermione and Draco!" Ginny repeated.

"Draco? As in Draco Malfoy?" Harry stood in astonishment. He knew Hermione could

get herself in weird positions sometimes, but this.......this was ridiculous!!

"Well who else?" Ginny asked, starting to get rather aggravated.

Ron scowled at his sister.

"Not him," he muttered. "Not that asshole."

"Now Ron." Ginny put her hands on her hips. Harry was taken aback to see that she

looked an awful lot like their mother that way.

Ron opened his mouth to argue, but Neville saved the day.

"It's um....almost seven." He said swiftly, grabbing his date's arm. "We better get

going."

"Right." Harry agreed. "Look, there's Lavender."

Lavender joined the set and they were off to the final ball of the year.

=============================

"That must have been the oddest feeling I have ever felt, I swear."

Poppy, Kindel, and Liz stared at Cho/Luna in disgust. Watching Cho transform into

Luna had not been an attractive sight, but they didn't bother telling Cho that.

Cho turned to the mirror.

"You know," she admitted sadly, "I have to confess that Looney is kinda nice when she

isn't so grubby. Let's go over the plan one more time. Kindel you will –"

"stay right behind Harry so we can show Looney what happened in that Pensieve."

"Correct. Poppy?"

"I will be close by so at the hour you will be able to drink the Polyjuice potion."

"Yep. And Liz?"

"I will be keeping a eye on anybody seeing you drink the potion."

"That's right." Cho stared at her Luna reflection once again. "Ok. Let's go."

============================

Harry grinned cheerfully at Luna. Luna copied his actions as they rested in their seats.

"Good evening," Dumbledore smiled before continuing. "Welcome to the three

hundredth and seventy eighth Tremendous Summer Ball. Now that you are all parked,

please do remember the rules. Please, go ahead and feast until you are content!"

Harry rushed through his lamp chops and cranberry sauce. Lingering for everyone to eat,

Harry felt a sense of relief as the last of the cakes and pies disappeared.

Cho noted Poppy's arm wave.

"Wait here Harry," she said getting up, "I will be right back."

Harry sensed disappointment run through him, but he agreed to Luna's request all the

same. Watching the red spaghetti strapped dress scurry away, Harry settled into his seat.

This was going to be a long night.

=================================

"Harry? Harry, where's Luna?"

Harry awoke. Hermione loomed over him, a worried look pressed into her face.

"What time is it?" he mumbled, struggling to arise out of his comfortable position.

"Almost ten after eleven." Hermione glanced all around. Luna could not be spotted

anywhere.

Harry staggered as he stood up. He had been in his chair for such a long period that it

took him awhile for the needle-prickling feeling to depart.

"Cmon, we better start searching." Harry tore off in the direction Luna had gone in only

hours before, Hermione pursuing him from behind.

"What about Draco, won't you miss him?" Harry asked sarcastically.

Harry heard Hermione speed up.

"Well pardon me, but if you really knew Draco, then you wouldn't be such a git towards

him."

"Hermione!" Harry stopped to look intently at his friend.

"Sorry, but......well it's a long story. I'll tell you later." Hermione glanced around.

"Cmon, we need to find Luna!"

"Right." Harry started on his way again, but he still wasn't convinced.

For almost fourty five minutes they searched. Girl bathrooms, broom closets, even the

kitchen, but Luna was still not located.

"Where the bloody hell could she be?" Harry's heart thudded worryingly. No girl had

ever had such a perplexing effect on him before and, trust me, Harry had dated several

young ladies during his sixth year.

"There goes Cho's friend Poppy." Hermione watched a brunette hurried by, an empty

bottle clutched in her hand. "Speaking of Cho, I haven't seen her all evening. Where

could she be?"

Harry shrugged, but an unpleasant sentiment came to life inside him. Where was Cho??

Why hadn't she come to the ball? Harry would have questioned her absence some more

if Hermione hadn't shrieked.

"What? What is it?" Harry's gaze followed Hermione's. Harry felt the bottom of his

stomach drop along with his mouth. His heart cracked, his eyes edging with tears, mixed

with wrath and sorrow.

Luna Lovegood, the girl he sincerely cared for, was making out with another man.