A/N: I changed this chapter a bit. I like it more than I did initially but it still isn't what I wanted. I don't know if I can get it how I would like because I didn't really plan it out. That isn't important though because it has no real bearing on the rest of the story.

Chapter 9-The Easter Formal

After talking to Ginny and Viktor, Harry decided to reply to Gabrielle. He went up to his room and pulled out a quill and parchment.

Gabrielle,

Before I give you my reply I need to tell you something. When I first saw you at Beauxbatons I was amazed at your beauty. However, I was trying to reconcile my feelings for two other girls at the time. By the time Christmas Holiday was over, I had made my decision. That is why I was hesitant to talk to you when you came to Hogwarts.

When we met at the lake I was startled at first to realize it was you. Then I lied to you. You are a beautiful young women and I was attracted to you. However I was involved with someone. I should have told you as what happened at the match has caused me much grief. When we kissed I made the biggest mistake of my life.

Before that kiss I was the happiest I had ever been. Yet, when I kissed you, it was unlike anything I had felt before. The kiss was truly amazing. However, after the kiss I was the saddest I have ever been. I lost someone very important to me. My girlfriend witnessed the whole thing. I can't blame you for kissing me because you didn't know I had a girlfriend. Nobody knew.

Without her, I have felt lower than I believed possible. I betrayed the one person who made me happy. The connection I have with her is something that I share with only one other person, my best friend. The three of us have experienced many things together. Those experiences have bonded us. That bond is how I know she is my one love.

Though I have not reconciled with her I cannot attend the dance with you. Doing so would only make my feelings of guilt weigh heavier on my heart. I greatly appreciate your feelings for me. However, I cannot reciprocate those feelings.

Your Friend,

Harry

Harry quickly addressed an envelope and stuffed the letter inside. He hurried downstairs and ran into Hermione as she entered the common room through the portrait hole. She had a big smile on her face.

"Oh, sorry Hermione." Harry uttered.

"No problem. Where are you off to?" Hermione responded. Seemingly forgetting what had happened between them.

"Off to send a letter."

"Really, who to?"

This wasn't good. If she knew the true recipient of the letter he would never get Hermione back. So he lied. He blurted the first name that came to mind. "Snuffles."

"Well, tell him hi for me." And Hermione ran off.

Harry finally got to the owlery and sent Hedwig off with the letter. On his way back he ran into Viktor. He had just asked Hermione to the dance and she accepted. That explained her cheery behavior. However, this meant Harry had to explain to Dumbledore and the team sooner than he expected.

The two weeks leading to the Easter Formal passed quickly. Draco and Mary Dursley decided to attend together because neither could get a date. None of the Slytherin girls accepted him because he betrayed the Dark Lord. While none of the other girls would even talk to him because of his past behavior. Mary couldn't get a date because of her height. She was taller than every boy in the school except her brother and Ron.

Ron and Luna were still together and were very excited about the dance. They were planning a very special surprise for their attire.

Harry and Ginny coordinated their attire. They wanted to be the best dressed pair at the dance. Because they weren't a couple it would be unnecessary to impress each other so they decided to wow everyone else.

Neville even managed to find a date, Belle Black. She was a sixth year Ravenclaw with long shiny black hair framing a round face with soft blue eyes and a snow white complexion. Apparently she had a crush on Neville and told Luna who relayed the information to Ron and Ron told Neville.

The dance was being held at Durmstrang. This meant that attendance was limited to seventh years and the students on each schools Quidditch team along with their dates. To maintain the secrecy of the school, students arrived by portkeys escorted by a member of the Durmstrang staff.

There was a light warm rain when the Hogwarts students arrived. The rain drops reflected and magnified the soft purples and dull yellows of the flowers planted outside the Durmstrang castle. For a place so often associated with the dark arts, Harry thought the environment exceptionally beautiful. Harry didn't stare at the decorations for too long as he glanced Hermione out of the corner of his eye.

Hermione was dressed in a baby blue floor length dress with a plunging neckline that was marked with a golden pendant. Her dress robe hanging from her shoulders was dark blue and trimmed with golden accents. Her hair was straighter than normal, flowing down to the middle of her back yet retaining enough curl to bounce as she walked. Harry was in awe.

Viktor however was dressed much more sedately. He had on a simple green dress shirt with a black tie and slacks underneath his Bulgarian National Team Quidditch robe which was pinned only around the neck. Ron was wearing a green duct tape suit while Luna wore a blue duct tape dress. The green clashed brilliantly with Ron's red hair.

Draco was in his traditional black trimmed with silver. Mary however wore a silver dress trimmed with black. Neville wore a blue suit while Belle wore a black dress with a green hem. Harry wore a scarlet suit with a golden yellow tie and dress robe. He had a yellow carnation with veins of red pinned to his chest. Ginny wore a matching yellow dress with a dark red rose at the breast bone and a scarlet dress robe. Harry thought all in all they were the best dressed group there, even with Ron and Luna wearing duct tape.

Shortly after Harry and Ginny entered the dance hall, Karkaroff stood up. "Let the festivities begin." He announced.

Music now filling the air, Harry turned to Ginny. "May I have this dance, Miss Weasley?" Harry asked.

"Of course you may, Mister Potter." She answered holding out her hand.

They danced for several songs until a slow one came on. When the slow song came on Harry decided he needed to sit down.

"Ginny, would like something to drink now?" Harry asked coyly.

"A bit of pumpkin juice would be nice."

They found a small table in the corner and Harry went to get the drinks. At the drink table he ran into Krum.

"How is your night going Viktor?" Harry asked.

"Ve are having a good time. Though I think Herm-own-ninny vould rather be here vith you. She looks at you often." Krum replied.

"It is nothing; she probably wants to talk to Ginny. You know how girls can be. Talk to you later."

When Harry returned with the drinks Ginny was antsy.

"What's the problem Gin?"

"A guy from Durmstrang asked me to dance. But I told him not right now. I didn't want you to be alone."

"Go on. I will be fine. Here is your pumpkin juice."

"Thank you, are you sure?"

"Of course, go have fun."

Ginny got up and gave Harry a hug before walking over to a boy dressed in black and yellow. He had strong resemblance to Viktor Krum. Harry started to look around the room. He noticed someone walking towards his table.

It was Gabrielle. Her flowing hair danced as she approached. Her light blue dress sparkled with silver stars. She was stunning. But Harry couldn't be seen with her. He hoped she was going to sit at another table. He had no such luck.

"'ello 'arry." Gabrielle said as she sat down across from him.

"I don't think this is a good idea." Harry said almost interrupting her.

"Oh, I won't be long. I just need to say sorry. I would 'ave wrote you but I zot zis would be better."

"You don't have any reason to be sorry."

"Yes I do. I should 'ave listened to you when you said you weren't intairested. Instead I still tried and you were 'urt. I never meant to 'urt you. I 'ope you find your girl 'arry. I'm sorry."

"Thank you."

Gabrielle got up turned and walked away. Harry's eyes followed her through the room until he saw Hermione. She was sitting alone on the other side of the room. Harry thought about going over to her but decided that it still wasn't a good time.

Harry again began looking around the room. Neville and Belle were on the dance floor. Belle's head was resting against Neville's chest. Both seemed to be oblivious to the presence of anyone else on the dance floor. Harry then spotted the duct tape duo. They were dancing fast to a slow song. Sometimes he wondered if those two hadn't been dropped on their head one too many times when they were infants.

Next he started looking for Mary and Draco. He saw them dancing close together in the middle of the floor. It was an awkward sight as she stood nearly a foot taller than him. Mary stooped down and kissed Draco. If this wasn't surprise enough, Draco quickly pushed her off of him. Harry had never seen Draco refuse a girl. Not even when Dean Thomas' younger sister kissed Draco last year, and she was a muggle born.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Harry realized that he was happy too. He got lost in the atmosphere of the night. Something about dancing and listening to music made him feel whole. Sure he wasn't there with Hermione but he knew that she cared for him still. That was good enough for now.