Title: Christmas Surprises
Chapter: Nine – The Yule Ball
Author: SnakeEyesHannah
Spoilers: OotP
Disclaimer: I do not own anything involving Harry Potter. This does all our favorite author, JK Rowling, bless her soul.
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Harry rolled his eyes at Ron. His freckled friend kept pacing in the common room, constantly reminding himself, and Harry in the progress, not to mess up tonight.
Harry was sitting in his favorite plush chair by the fire, a half smile playing at his lips as he watched Ron. The boy was probably so wrapped up in his own thoughts, most likely about Hermione, that he wouldn't react if Harry started jumping up and down, screaming 'Chudley Cannons won the World Cup!'.
At least Ron's robes were fancier than they had been three years ago. Plain black, without the ruff and cuff that had adorned his previous robes. He even had a slight collar that made him look older, longer and even broader over the shoulders.
"Ron!" Harry said loudly. Ron stopped in his tracks, but he didn't seem to have heard Harry at all. His gaze was fixed on the empty stairs. Only, the stairs wasn't empty. Harry smiled at Hermione; she looked amazing. Ron obviously thought the same. He looked in awe at his date, a shy smile playing in the corners of his mouth. Hermione blushed slightly, smiling. She refused to look Ron in the eye.
"Hi", she said, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"Hi 'Mione", Harry said, feeling like a proud big brother seeing his sister go out on her first date. Ron seemed to have lost his ability to speak totally, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Harry grinned and kicked Ron on the shin with his foot.
"Ow!" Ron snapped, glaring back at Harry who put on a mask of complete innocence. When he turned to Hermione again he seemed to relax. "You look…" he stopped, at loss for words to describe his date, "… absolutely gorgeous", he finished in a soft voice. Harry breathed out in relief. For a short, terrifying second he had thought Ron would insult her. Hermione seemed to have thought something along those lines as well and smiled warmly at Ron.
"I'd say the same about you, Mr. Weasley", she said, finally working up her courage to walk over to him. They stood facing each other, smiling, Ron's cheeks slightly pink. Harry put his fist in his mouth to choke the laughter. It came out a cough and the couple snapped out of their 'trance'.
"Where's Gin?" Ron asked Hermione. Harry could feel his heart speed up and he patted his pocket to reassure himself that the box with Ginny's necklace still was in there.
"Right here", Ginny's clear voice came from the stairs.
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Ginny smiled nervously at her three best friends gathered by the fire. It felt nice, but odd, to stand there. There they were, the glorious three. She felt slightly like an intruder even acknowledging her presence. They all looked so grown up. They were grown up. Her eyes lingered at Harry. Her smile grew into a genuine, loving smile. He looked so utterly gorgeous it was bound to be illegal. But for once he didn't look like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, he looked like the seventeen-year-old boy he was.
Harry stood up, looking at Ginny with wide eyes. She was an angel. A gorgeous, brave, funny, witty, humble and loving Gryffindor angel. He had trouble breathing properly. How could he ever fail to notice she looked this good? He saw her smile fade away and he wished desperately she'd smile again.
Ginny touched her cheek with her fingertips as she noticed Harry stare so at her. "Is there something on my face?" she asked, praying it wasn't. His piercing gaze was making her slightly dizzy.
Harry shook his head, looking down at the floor for a short second. When he looked up again he had on his cutest smile that completely melted Ginny's heart. "No", he said simply. "You look absolutely gorgeous." Ginny blushed slightly. She hoped beyond anything that Parvati and Lavender, and Hermione, were right, that Harry indeed liked her. She didn't think she could live with the humiliation if he didn't.
"Why thank-you", she smiled back at him, with what she hoped was a confident smile. Harry offered his arm to her, like the gentleman he was, when Hermione coughed discreetly. As gracefully as she could, Ginny lifted the front of her robe so she wouldn't trip and took his arm. She almost fainted when he guided her in front of him out the common room. Feeling his warm hand against the small of her back sent shivers up her spine.
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The tunes from the Great Hall could be heard a floor up and Ginny smiled. "Seems like Dumbledore hired the Weird Sisters again, eh?" Harry laughed and nodded.
The impressive front doors were open, most likely to allow the oxygen to flow into the Great Hall, and the four could see something white, lit up by ice torches, outside. Ginny wondered what it could be, but decided to look later. She allowed Harry to lead her to the entrance. Ron and Hermione walked in first, Ron's face a bit red to say the least. Harry paused in the doorway for effect and Ginny smiled when she heard gasps and whispers around her. Harry didn't seem to mind the attention now either.
"Looking good, Weasley", Terry Boot shouted. The boy gave Harry a thumbs up with a grin and Ginny could feel her cheeks heat up. Harry laughed and, his arm still around her waist, poked Ginny in the side. Despite herself, Ginny giggled and looked up at Harry. He winked at her and led her around a cleared space in the middle of the Great Hall, serving as dance floor, to the table where Hermione and Ron had settled.
"My lady", Harry said knightly and pulled out the chair for Ginny. She smiled and sat down opposite Hermione. The older girl gave her a wink and looked up at the enchanted ceiling. It was a clear, star filled sky above them. Ginny took the opportunity to look around the Hall. It was decorated with ice sculptures that were lit up from inside, garlands of tinsel and hovering candles.
"Look fantastic, doesn't it?" a dreamy voice said behind them. Ginny spun around in her seat and smiled as she saw Luna Lovegood stand behind her chair, looking around. Her eyes weren't as foggy as they normally were and she looked better than any of the boys had been her. In a deep blue robe with silver embroidery she looked like a true Ravenclaw.
"Hi Luna", Ginny greeted her friend and heard the others mumble something similar. "Who are you here with?" Ginny couldn't stop the question before it blurted out. But Luna didn't seem to mind it. She waved over someone, a smile spreading across her face. Ginny's jaw almost dropped when Neville casually snaked his arm around Luna's waist. He looked content and happy. Ginny couldn't be happier for the two.
"I love this song, let's dance!" Luna exclaimed before any of the four had the chance to comment on her date and quickly directed Neville to the dance floor. Ginny turned to her company, the surprise written all over their faces.
"Neville and Luna, huh?" Harry said lamely. Ron looked like he'd burst out laughing any minute and Hermione quickly elbowed him in the side.
"What did I do now?" Ron complained. "I'm glad it's Neville and not me!" Hermione giggled and rolled her eyes, sipping on the cup of water in front of her.
"Is it dance, dinner, dance or…?" Ginny asked. She was a bit confused by the fact that people were dancing already. They hadn't been late for the feast. She didn't remember it was like that previous Ball.
"I think so", Hermione replied with a shrug. "I didn't organize it so I wouldn't know." Both Harry and Ginny had to hide their laugh as Ron stared dumbly at her.
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Author's note: Well, I got started on the Yule Ball, eh? I still have a lot of inspiration on this and next chapter will be up soon. I only cut this here so it wouldn't be too long! Get me going and I'll never stop! -giggles-
Still ahead:
- Malfoy makes an appearance
- Ginny teaches Harry to dance
- Confession moment…