Chapter 11: The Costume Ball

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After his conversation with Dumbledore, Harry made his way up to the Gryffindor Tower. After giving the password to the portrait of the Fat Lady, he entered the common room. Several people were there, working on homework or just relaxing. He spotted the rest of the Marauders off to the corner.

"Hey guys." He said, walking over to them.

"What did Dumbledore want?" Hermonie asked in a hushed voice so the rest of the common room wouldn't here. Harry explained to them about his scar not hurting since after the Third Task, as well as his absence of nightmares and the decline in Deatheater activity. Hermione and Ginny exchanged worried glances.

"What do you think he's up to?" Ron asked, referring to Voldemort. Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"Knowing Tom, it won't be good, whatever it is." Harry replied. They sat talking for a few more hours. Suddenly Hermonie shot out of her seat.

"Oh, my God. The ball starts in two hours. Ginny, we have to get ready." She said, as Ginny jumped out of her seat. They both rushed upstairs.

"They need two hours to get ready for a costume ball?" Harry asked, incredulously. Ron, Fred, George, and Neville all laughed.

"Women." Neville said, grinning.

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An hour later Harry, Ron, and Neville were in their dormitory putting on their costumes. They had debated for weeks what they were going to wear, until Neville suggested something. He was a fan of muggle cinema, and had once seen a western about a group of seven gun fighters who were hired to protect a town against an army of bandits. Comparing the incident in Diagon Alley with several of the scenes in the movie, Neville couldn't help but draw parallels between the movie and their lives of the last few months. So he suggested they all dress up as cowboys. More accurately, Harry would dress a sheriff and the rest would dress like his deputies.

Though they all liked the idea, they all agreed that it would draw too much attention to them. So Harry would dress like a sheriff, Ron and Neville would dress like his deputies, Fred and George would dress like Indians, and Hermonie and Ginny would dress as saloon girls. Several other muggle-born Gryffindors heard about the western theme and also decided to participate.

Harry finished putting on his boots and stood up. He picked up the belt with the gun holster and secured it around his waist. Next he took a muggle toy revolver and placed it in the holster. Finally, he grabbed his hat. Next to him Ron and Neville had finished with their costumes as well.

"Shall we mosy on down to the common room?" Harry said, using a cowboy word he'd heard somewhere before. Ron and Neville chuckled. With that the three boys exited their dormitory.

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Harry, Ron, and Neville were sitting at a table in the common room, waiting for their dates. The first to arrive was Susan Miller, a pretty fourth year who was Neville's date. Neville stood as she descended the staircase and walked over. They then walked arm and arm out through the portrait hole. Ron glanced nervously at his watch.

"What's taking them so long?" he asked. "The dance starts in fifteen minutes." Harry was about to respond when a noise attracted his attention to the stairs to the girl's dormitory. His breath caught in his throat. Standing at the top of the landing were the two most attractive women he had ever seen. Ron looked over and gasped. As they descended down the stairs, both rushed over to greet their dates. As expected, both were wearing saloon girl outfits which only served accentuated their physical beauty.

"You look beautiful." Ron said, putting his arms around Hermonie's waist and pulling her to him for a kiss. Next to them, Harry and Ginny were in an embrace of their own.

"Do I really look ok?" Ginny asked.

"Ginny, you look absolutely perfect. I just hope I can fight off all the other guys who will be drooling over you." Harry said. Ginny blushed.

"Have I told you how much I love you?" Ginny replied.

"Yeah, but I can always stand to hear it again." Harry said grinning.

"I love you." Ginny replied. They kissed again and then the two couples headed for the door.

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Once again the house elves had out done themselves with the decorations. The Great Hall looked magnificent. The glow of hundreds of Jack o Lanterns lit the hall. The house tables were gone, replaced by several dozen smaller circular tables, all arranged around a dance area in the middle of the hall. The tables were decorated with orange and black linens.

"Oi, Harry, Ron, over here!" Fred Weasley called. The foursome headed over to the table where Fred and George, along with their dates Katie and Angelina, as well as Neville and Susan, were seated. A few minutes later Professor Dumbledore, who looke ridiculous as a muggle businessman, stood and the hall fell silent.

"Welcome to the Hogwart's Costume Ball. Let the feast begin." He said. Food then appeared on the tables. Ron imeediately dived in, as usual.

After everyone had eaten and the table cleared away, the band appeared and began to play a love song. Harry stood and turned to Ginny.

"May I have this dance, my love?" he asked. Ginny stood and the two walked onto the dance floor. Soon Ron and Hermonie, as well as several other couples joined them. Harry looked down at Ginny and smiled.

As they danced, Harry found himself reflecting on the current state of his life. Despite the growing shadow of war on the wizarding world, Harry was happy and content for the first time in his life. He held in his arms an amazing woman whom he loved deeply and who returned his affections. He had five best friends on whom he could count on and have fun with. In Mr. & Mrs. Weasley he had found the parents he always wished he had. He also knew that there were dozens of others, from Professor Dumbeldore, to the Hogwarts staff, to the members of the Order, who respected and cared for him. They were willing to risk their lives to help him, protect him and fight beside him in the upcoming battles. They would die for him. And that was where the true strength of the side of light resided. It was something that Voldemort in his twisted mind would never be able to understand or grasp.

That's why we'll win. Harry thought.

As the evening wore on, Harry and Ginny danced almost every dance, taking only a handful of breaks for refreshments. Finally the last dance of the evening was being played.

"I wish this night wouldn't end." Ginny said as she and Harry danced.

"I know. I could stay like this forever." Harry replied as he pulled her closer to him. Their eyes locked. Harry brought his hand up to Ginny's chin and tilted her head up to meet his. He leaned in and gently brushed his lips against hers. Suddenly he reared back, gasping in pain, his hand grasping his forehead. He then collapsed to the floor, his body limp and Ginny let out a scream.