Chapter 14

Hermione was slowly getting ready for the Ball. It was almost four o'clock and she had her robes on. Neither her hair nor her makeup were done and she and Ginny were both anxious to be ready on time. Ginny had come to her room so they could do each other's hair and makeup.

"Hold still, Hermione! You don't want to get burned now do you?" Ginny cried as she was putting Hermione's hair in an extremely complicated up-do. Hermione had once again put in liberal amounts of Sleek Easy's Hair Potion so it was easier to work with. Over the summer, Hermione had taught Ginny about curling irons, blow dryers and other Muggle hair apparatuses. Ginny had taken to the curling iron and was now using it to curl Hermione's hair in glossy ringlets. Soon it was all over and now it was Hermione's turn to do Ginny's hair. Hermione wasn't very good at styling other people's hair but luckily, Ginny just wanted something simple that Hermione was able to do without difficulty. By 4:45, both girls were ready as they studied themselves in the mirror.

Hermione's robes were light purple and there were silver scalloping along the trim, just as she had described to Harry in the letter. Ginny's robes were a French green with small dark green leaves embroidered along the sleeves. They both smiled at their appearance.

"Hermione, make sure Harry doesn't see you until it's time. He'll recognize your robes from the letter," Ginny warned.

"I've already got it covered, Gin," reassured Hermione. She took out her wand and said, "Vicissitudo color, rutilus!" Before their eyes, Hermione's once purple robes changed colour. They were now red with gold scalloping around the edge.

"Mione, you're too smart for your own good," Ginny said as Hermione admired her wand work in the mirror.

"I'll just change them again when it's time for Harry and me to meet. I'm prepared, but I'm still nervous. I'm worried about what he's going to say. Tonight has the potential to ruin our friendship right there and then,"

Ginny consoled her friend, "Well, he knows all about how you feel. All you have to do is tell him that it was you who sent those letters. The worst thing he can say is that he doesn't like you back. At least you'll know how he feels and can move on,"

"You're right, Gin. Thanks for everything. I couldn't have done it without you and Ron supporting me all the way," Hermione said, smiling.

"No problem, Hermione, really. You've thanked us both enough. Both Ron and I owe you for all those times you've helped us out with schoolwork and all. I wouldn't have gotten through all those exams and tests without you and I know Ron would say the same thing. As philosophical as he is getting nowadays, he's still the prat who procrastinates on everything that we all know and, well, as much as I hate to say this," Ginny hesitated, "love,"

Hermione snickered and Ginny glanced at her watch. "Oh! It's getting late; I promised a few girls up at the dormitory that I'd do their hair as well. Can I borrow your curling iron? I really like that Muggle hair contraption,"

Hermione smiled, "Don't forget to give it back later and be careful. That 'Muggle hair contraption' can hurt,"

Ginny rolled her eyes and nodded, "You sound like my mother. Anyway, are you going to the library to cram in some last minute studying before the Ball?" Ginny joked.

"You know me all to well, Ginevra Weasley," Hermione said seriously as Ginny laughed.

"Well, I'll see you later then. Have fun studying and don't be late. If your spot at the table is taken because you're late, don't blame me if you have to sit with Malfoy," Ginny said as she exited Hermione's Head Girl quarters.

Hermione had fifteen minutes to kill until she had to meet Viktor in the library. She saw the clutter on her dresser and cleaned it up. When she was done, she looked at her watch. It was 5:20 and she left to meet Viktor, putting her wand in her sleeve.

Hermione reached the library and Viktor was there, waiting patiently with his back turned to her. "Hey, Viktor. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long,"

Viktor turned to face her and pulled her into a bone crushing embrace and kissed both of her cheeks.

"Herm-oh-ninny!" He drawled in his heavy Bulgarian accent, "So vonderful! Nice to see you again!" Viktor said, a large smile on his face.

Hermione looked at Viktor. He was even more muscular now. He still had his nice features, but his nose was quite crooked. Too many Bludgers to the face, Hermione assumed.

"So, how are things going for you, Viktor?" Hermione asked politely. "Well, Quidditch is going quite well," he said. "I train hard, I play hard, and the team wins!" he continued in his heavy Bulgarian accent.

"That's wonderful! Nice to see you're still in top form," Hermione said.

"Well, I have to remain strong for the game. How are you doing now? Are you doing well in all your classes? You're going to train to become an Auror, am I right?"

"Everything is fine for me. I've pestered every one of my teachers to give me a hint as to how well they think I'll do on the NEWTs. They all just tell me not to worry, which I decided to take as a good sign," Hermione said, "I do want to become an Auror, although everyone thinks that I should become a Mediwitch or a Healer,"

They both continued to catch up on each other's lives until 6:30 and they walked to the Great Hall, arm in arm.

"Oh, I must ask you. Since I am a guest here, Dumbledore has asked me to sit up at the Head Table. There's a spot up there for you if you would like to take it,"

Hermione considered eating up there with him and decided against it. She didn't want everyone ogling her as she ate, it was most disturbing. She politely declined his offer.

"I'll meet you on the dance floor, then?" Viktor asked.

"Of course," Hermione said.

They entered the Great Hall, Viktor going in one direction, Hermione going in another towards where Harry, Ron, Ginny, Lavender and Seamus were waiting. They all head over to a round table for eight people. Ron waved over Neville, who was going with Luna.

In a few minutes, the Great Hall was packed. They all laughed at Pansy Parkinson and Malfoy when they entered. They had decided to come in matching robes, by the looks of it. Draco entered wearing form fitting white robes with flower decals. He was clearly disgruntled. Pansy wore the same robes, just in a soft yellow. Ron laughed so hard he had to excuse himself, but not before calling out, "Nice robes, Malfoy. I see you've been rooting through your mother's closet," The entire hall who hadn't seen right away all looked at Draco and sniggered at his choice in clothing.

"They got the orders mixed up!" Malfoy claimed, "Argh! I'm going to get Father to sue Madam Malkin..."

Soon, Dumbledore walked up to the podium set up at the front.

"Welcome all to the highly anticipated Ball! Tonight, we have Viktor Krum and Celestina Warbeck joining us! Please give them a hearty round of applause!"

The students erupted in cat calls and cheering. Through all the noise, Harry, who was sitting beside Hermione, whispered in her ear, "Where's your date?"

Hermione stiffened a little and hesitated before she gestured to where Viktor was standing, waving and smiling to the students. She looked down at her lap as Harry's face fell and he muttered, "Oh." She did not hear the sadness in his voice and they didn't speak to anyone or to each other all through dinner.

Dinner was an hour long and then it was dance time. The tables were magically pushed to the sides to make room for a dance floor. Viktor came down from the Head Table to where Hermione sat. Everyone else, including Harry, had already left for the dance floor. Celestina's voice was carried around the room magically.

"Will you like to dance?" Viktor asked, holding out his hand towards Hermione. Hermione nodded to him and took his hand. He led her to the dance floor and they swayed to the rhythm of the music along with the other dancing couples.

One hour passed, then another. It was nine o'clock. Hermione was still in Viktor's arms dancing to the music. She saw Harry leave the dance and go to the balcony outside.

"Herm-oh-ninny, I have to tell you something," Viktor said, "Can we go sit for a minute?"

Hermione groaned inwardly. It was time to see Harry and he wanted to talk to her now? "Can you tell me later? I really have to see Harry, he just head out, and he looked upset about something," she lied.

"Herm-oh-ninny, if I don't do this now, I don't think I'll be able to gather the courage to say it later. Please stay for just a minute,"

"Okay, Viktor. If it's that important," Hermione said. Viktor lead her to an empty table. "Herm-oh-ninny, I know we broke up ages ago. After that, I began to date other women," Viktor paused and looked at Hermione, who was staring at him, not understanding.

"After my sixth date with yet another woman, I realized that no other woman could compare to you. They were all beautiful, talented women, but all of them added together were still no match to you,"

Hermione's eyes grew wide as Viktor continued, "Well, what I want to say is, Herm-oh-ninny, I still have feelings for you,"

Viktor stopped and concentrated on what he was going to say next, "Hermione, I'm in love with you,"

He was shocked with himself as that was the first time he had ever said her name correctly.

Hermione was too shocked to speak, but it wasn't because he had said her name properly. She glanced at her watch, it read 9:15. She finally did speak and said, "Viktor, I'm really flattered. Really, I am. But I don't have the same feelings for you as you do for me," Hermione paused and glanced up at the exit to the balcony. Harry walked in, looking crushed. He had given up waiting for her. She turned her attention back to Viktor as Harry sat at another table across the dance floor.

"I would like to continue being your date tonight though, if you want that," Hermione said as calmly as she could; although she was beating herself up inside for not meeting Harry. Viktor agreed and they went back to the dance floor.

Meanwhile, Harry was sitting at a table by himself. He watched Hermione and Viktor dancing. Seeing them was ripping his heart into shreds and he finally decided to stop watching. The mystery girl hadn't showed up and there was Hermione having a good time with her precious Vicky. I should have asked her...

Harry buried his head in his arms. Ron was dancing with Lavender when he saw Harry. He told Lavender that he would be back in a minute. She agreed and walked to where Seamus and Ginny were standing, by the punch bowl.

Ron sat beside Harry and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey Harry, what's the matter? Shouldn't you be with the mystery girl right now?"

"She didn't show up." Harry said flatly, not looking up.

"WHAT?!" Ron exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know," Harry said, "I could've asked Hermione to the dance but I didn't want to hurt the mystery girl's feelings but here she goes not even showing up!"

Harry angrily looked in Hermione and Viktor's direction. She and Viktor were dancing and talking to each other.

Ron followed his gaze. "What's Hermione doing with Viktor?" he spat.

"She's his date," Harry said simply.

"Blimey, I thought they broke up ages ago,"

"I thought so too. I think I should just give up on her, mate. She's obviously very smitten with Viktor, you know. She'll have a much better life with him anyway," Harry said, "He's impeccably rich, he's famous, and she doesn't have to worry about him dying because of Voldemort. In short, he's not 'The-Boy-Who-Lived'. What more could a girl ask for?" Harry said dryly, laughing in spite of himself.

Ron opened his mouth to protest; Harry cut him off and said, "She doesn't want someone like me with a bloody Dark Lord and Death Eaters on their tail every second of every day,"

"Argh! No! You can't give up on her, Harry. If they get married, just imagine their children! Bushy hair and a bushy unibrow to boot! They'll be hairy little smart kids who can play Quidditch!" Ron bellowed, "What I'm saying is, you can't let her go. She's your true love and you know it. Don't go for second best. Don't deny what you feel." Ron finished.

"It's okay, Ron. If she's happy with Viktor, that's all that counts. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Harry said.

"Fine Harry," Ron said, although he didn't believe a word of it. "Good luck with the dance lessons, sorry I'll miss it," Harry then got up and left the Ball. Ron stood up to leave as well and he went to get Lavender.

When Ron walked away to where Lavender was waiting, he muttered to himself.

"Don't worry my arse! Ginny and I worked too long on this plan to let it all fall apart like this! We'll make it work, even if it means that we have to push these guys into hall closets!"

A/N- Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter. Eep! There's only one chapter left of the story although I'm probably going to do an epilogue of some sort... but that might just be an empty promise.

Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter... I'm sure you all know what to do by now... REVIEW!!!

Later doodz... azias.