A/N: I am SO INCREDIBLY SORRY for the long wait, I promise I will be updating more regularly...failed Geometry exam but nothing to worry about...thanks to everyone who has forgiven me for keeping you waiting! Nothing else to say really, except I hope no one gets in a tiff after reading this chapter...Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers because I love you all to death! 145 reviews! Woot!

Review replies at end of chapter!



Chapter 12-

It was as though a giant crystal ball lay, balanced dangerously, on the cold cobblestone that is the foundation of London. The huge, translucent silver sphere rose up to forty stories, surrounded by circular white marble steps.

On these steps there were crowded an array of elegant, haughty, well- dressed people conversing in low tones as they waited for the delicate glass doors to open. Witches and wizards passing the most famous wizarding hotel in the world pointed and stared.

"The Minister of Magic!"

"Ooohh, look, there's Gwenog Jones!"

"You mean the Captain of the Holyhead Harpies?"

"Is that the man who owns the Nebulous Castle?"

"I think I see Harry Potter!"

It was, indeed, Harry Potter, stepping out of his Mustang and extending his hand towards the woman in the car. Two long legs swung out and immediately Harry and Lex were surrounded by at least twenty reporters.

Harry, instead of brushing them aside, pulled Lex to his side and smiled one of his trademark smiles for the camera. The reporters were amazed. Harry Potter usually ended up Stunning a few of them or Disapparating immediately, yet here he was posing, actually posing, for the photos. Afraid to miss the chance, the reporters quickly circled the couple, taking pictures from every angle.

Amid the flashes of the cameras, Lex was no less surprised than the reporters. When she had gone with Harry to a previous ball, they had ended up having to Stun half of the photographers, Harry refusing to let them get any pictures. Why had he suddenly changed his mind?

After a few minutes Harry pulled Lex through the crowd and through the glass doors that had just opened. The satiated cameramen breathed sighs of relief and Apparated home.

"What was that all about?" Lex hissed at him as they slid gracefully through the doors with the others.

"What was what all about?" Harry asked, grinning innocently. Lex rolled her eyes but her words were stopped by the man announcing their names.

"Harry Potter and Alexis Kwikwill!" The man said in his magnified voice. Harry ducked his head a little as he noticed all of the eyes in the room turn on him and vague whispering start. He had never gotten used to the attention, and it still made him embarrassed.

It was one of the things Lex liked best about him.

Harry and Lex made their way over to Minister Bones.

"Hello, Minister," Harry said, shaking her hand.

"Hello Harry, hello Lex," She smiled at them, "Here together, are you? This is the first time Harry's gone with the same girl twice, I believe," She gave him a questioning look.

Lex blushed, "Well, I'm sure I'm only here because other...er...plans fell through."

"Nonsense," the Minister turned her eyes on Harry, "I hope you aren't planning anything...special...for tonight?" She asked, a frown creasing her forehead, "I'm sure you are, especially with Mr. Weasley coming as well."

Harry grinned, "Yes, but Hermione's coming with him. She's forbidden us to do anything. Luckily, you're safe tonight."

"Lord and Lady Rupert and Margot Silkenswoop!" The man's voice boomed.

Harry and Lex left the Minister to talk to Gwenog Jones about the future of the Holyhead Harpies, the only all-female team in England.

"Mr. and Mrs. Raj and Sonia Pondicherry!" Came another announcement.

"Sir Everett Damoiseau!"

"The Honourable Edmund Prinkle and Miss Abigail Wagtail!"

"Ronald and Ginevra Weasley!"

A vague buzzing began in his ears as Harry turned around slowly to face the doors.

It was as if time stopped and the world moved in slow motion as he looked up at the Ginevra Weasley descending the stairs.

To Harry it was as if a vision was descending from the heavens, a silken- haired spirit covered in shining, molten gold with soft brown eyes that got deeper and deeper...

Harry snapped back as Lex tapped him on the shoulder.

"What's wrong, Harry?" She asked, concerned. She hadn't realized yet who had just entered. Harry mentally shook himself and turned to her, trying to smile.

"Nothing," He said, resuming his conversation with Gwenog. Lex turned around and spotted Ginny across the room with her brother. Her lips started to play into a smile as she realized what was going on.

"I'll be in the powder room," She said to Harry, who nodded absentmindedly and answered,

"Get me one too, will you?"

Harry tried to watch Ginny surreptitiously while talking as she moved through the crowd with Ron, idly conversing with a few people who stopped to talk. He found himself unreasonably jealous of whomever she spoke to, men and women, old and young, tall and short, handsome or ugly.

Harry craned his neck and saw Ron coming over. Hastily he excused himself and turned to his best friend.

"Why is she here with you?" Harry hissed asked under his breath.

Ron shrugged and looked over at his sister, "I dunno, but can you believe Hermione ditched me tonight? For work, of all things! And I was looking forward to bringing her..."

Harry listened to Ron's rantings as he watched Ginny move through the crowd, seeing men's heads turn as she walked by. The tables were definitely turned, he thought wryly.

Lex returned out of the blue, holding three glasses filled with a bubbly liquid.

"Here Harry, Ron," She said, handing him a flute of champagne. Harry turned to her and focused on her face. Ron thanked Lex and moved away to go to Ginny.

"Listen Lex," Harry began, "I know you know about me and Ginny. Why'd you come anyway?"

Lex looked up at him, an indefinable shadow hidden behind the shaded blue of her eyes. "Because I'm your friend," She answered simply, "And because I doubt I'll ever have the opportunity to come to one of these balls again," She added, laughing in his face. Harry joined her, whispering, "I'm sorry" before he pulled her into the center of the room as the music began playing, wrapping his strong arms around her waist as they navigated through the couples dancing and sipping champagne.

Harry, determined not to let Ginny see him watching her, focused all of his attention on Lex. This didn't keep him from noticing Ron and Ginny slide onto the dance floor as well, Ron looking positively miserable. Or from noticing the jealous stares directed at Ron.

"You really are a wonderful dancer," Lex laughed as the twirled to the music.

Harry grinned, "You should have seen me two years ago. I couldn't do it for my life."

Suddenly, the two of the, collided with another couple on the dance floor. Harry turned around to apologize.

"Hey mate, watch where you're going, will you?" Ron complained. Harry nopticed Ginny's blush and was sure his own face mirrored hers. Lex stepped next to Harry and grabbed Ron's arm.

"Come on Ron. Why have you been dancing with your sister for so long and completely ignored me? Where's Hermione? Is she feeling well?"

Their conversation faded as they began to dance, wafts of Ron's complaints about Hermione drifting to Harry's ears. Harry and Ginny stood at the side of the dance floor awkwardly, avoiding each others eyes. As soon as Ginny raised her eyes to Harry's he looked away, as soon as Harry managed to look at her she turned her face away. Eventually a tall, dark Italian man approached Ginny.

"May I have this dance?" He asked, bowing slightly. Harry, unreasonably angry, said in a cool voice, just as Ginny was about to accept,

"Sorry, sir, we were just about to dance." Harry extended a hand to a smirking Ginny and they began to waltz.

"Sorry about that Ginny," Harry said, a little embarrassed.

"Its ok Harry. I didn't really feel like dancing with that handsome, tall, sophisticated bloke. Why would any girl want to?" She smirked at him.

Harry pretended to look affronted, "Are you saying that I'm not a handsome, tall, sophisticated bloke?"

Ginny looked him up and down and raised one eyebrow suggestively. Amid their laughter Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and Harry unconsciously drew her closer, his arms encircling her protectively. As they danced, Ron and Lex both stood leaning against a silvery banister, watching.

"When will those two figure it out?" Ron sighed, watching his sister's beatified expression and Harry's adoring gazes. Lex sighed too.

"Harry's a brilliant fellow, but honestly he can be thick about some things...especially your sister, Ron." She said, a faraway look in her eyes.

'Listen Lex, I happen to know you're pretty smitten with Harry yourself. I can't blame you, but you're taking this really well...my sister coming back and all."

"I am not smitten with Harry!" Lex cried, annoyed, "Why does everyone assume that? We are just very good friends. He helped put my sister through her Healing courses, I helped him out when he needed it, we are close, but we aren't involved! Can't a man and a woman have a perfectly platonic relationship without it being considered a love interest? I mean, you never thought that about Harry and Hermione, have you? It's exactly the same thing-"She ranted.

"All right, all right, come off it! I just thought...you know..." Ron said, a little intimidated. Lex waved a hand and brightened as an Italian wizard approached her.

"Would you do me the honor, miss?" He bowed. A delighted Lex sailed away on his arm.

Ron grumbled to himself, getting a plate and helping himself to the buffet, ignoring the single women who gave him beseeching looks.


Meanwhile, Harry and Ginny had drifted in a slow waltz to the gardens behind the hotel. The moon shone as the couple danced dreamily among the trees on the sloping lawn.

The two were roused from their dance by the music fading in the distance, so that there was no real reason to continue dancing.

The two separated, standing across from each other as if both were too afraid to go any closer. Ginny crossed her arms protectively around her middle, Harry nervously running a hand through his hair. God, how was it that the only woman in the world who could make him nervous wouldn't have him?

"Sorry," Ginny said, looking away, "I suppose I forgot myself."

Harry was searching her face desperately. How could he tell her how much he needed her, how much he loved her?

"Ginny, please," He said soflty, almost begging her to look at him, looking into her eyes, "Couldn't we...I dunno, couldn't we just sort of start over? I don't mean start over, more like...lets just let the past be the past and start over. I trust you...and I love you. I'm in love with you. Ginny I've been so horribly incomplete without you..." His voice broke.

"Oh, Harry," She sighed, finally looking into his eyes.

Ginny felt her heart flutter at him words, the feeling one gets when falling quickly...she was falling quickly, something was lifted off her when she heard him. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. All she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms...

So she did.

As her lips crushed his Harry felt a tug in his heart, almost an ache, and suddenly he felt as if everything in the world was right. He pulled her closer roughly, holding her against him, his arms on her waist, her arms tangling around his neck. He deepened the kiss and as he did, he felt his world explode in stars and Fred's Filibuster Fireworks.

Neither noticed the flowers that sprang up around them, the bangs, or the shot of orange color that glowed on them for a minute.

As the two pulled back minutes later, gasping for breath, eyes locked, deep brown immersed in sparkling green, Ginny managed to say, in a breathless voice,

"There were really fireworks."


Another A/N:

For Everyone Who Noticed:

I am not very good at writing kisses and such! Please forgive, I'm trying ot learn but its hard to exspress what I think they feel. If you didn't think it was grea,t I'm sorry but I can't really so much about it. Much Love. Keep reading. But more importantly, Keep Reviewing!

Also, I know this chapter read kind of fast but it was ten pages on Microsft Word. Sorry if it's a little short!

WildMustang: Glad you liked it! Keep up the R&R.

Lourdes: Isn't it true. I'm glad you picked up on that. Keep reading. By the way, are you the same Lourdes as the Lourdes1 who used to review? Just wondering.

Jamie Bell: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like Lex, but...I have to tell you, she is not in love with Harry. I know it seems like it, but honestly- my heart would thump if I saw the Harry I've made, believe me!

Nightwing509: Here's more, so sorry for the wait! Keep reading and reviewing.

Kirjava2: Honestly, I'm glad anyone is reading this story. I forgive you. Thanks for the praise! blushes Oh dear, you must be in pain, its been nearly two weeks! Sorry about that. Thanks for the review.

Eric2: The tables will be turned! And Ron and Hermione, as we all know, are some very confused people! I guess you'll have to remain in suspense! Thanks for the review.

Luckyloo16: Sorry for the wait...exams are no fun, let me tell you. I've been itching to write more, but I had to study. Thanks for the review, hope you enjoyed the new chapter.

Silver Warrior: Well? Do you think it worked? LoL Hope you liked the chapter. Thanks so much for the review and your patience.

Tupz: I'm glad you liked it! Hope I'm not confusing you! Thanks so much for the review.

Lurid-eyes: Exactly. Thanks for the review, keep reading!

Harrysmom: Aww I'm sorry I actually forgot about the robe thing ( hope you can forgive that lapse. Thanks for the review! Keep up the reviews please!

Katmeister: Thanks! I'm glad we think of Hermione the same way, I always get kinda mad when she is portrayed as overly bossy or not bossy enough haha. Thanks for the review, keep it up.

Carmel March: Have I told you I love the name Carmel March? Is it really your name? Anyway, thanks for the heaps of praise, I love it! Sorry about the wait...(

Fuzzylumpkins82: Thanks! Keep reviewing.

CrazyboutRon: Thanks for the review! Hope my email was helpful. Did you post it yet?

Ilovesmilies: Thanks for the review! I didn't update soon...sorry about that. Keep up the R&R!

Kate: Thanks so much! So much praise ( I'm afraid I'm getting a tad bigheaded.

Armed: Thanks for the review! Is it pronounced armed or arm-ed? I'm glad you like the story.

Miss Ray317: Yay! I'm glad I hooked you. You're exactly right! Thanks for the review, keep it up.

Lily-Girl-Marauder: Thanks! I know the only thing I read is H/G I can't stand any other except for R/Hr! Glad you like it, please review again!

Silvercrystal77: Thanks so much, hope you liked the ball.

Josephine Sawyer:

Oh wow, from China...lets just say I'm incredibly grateful. Were you in an Internet café? I love those places. And I really didn't mean for Lex to seem like she loved Harry...actually they are just very very good friends. I love the R/HR parts too, there will be more of course! Of course, what you said about the line and also written transitions is true- I actually took it out and put it back in because I wrote it in such a rush. I had some serious issues with the last chapter but I decided not to rewrite cause I wanted to write chapter 12. Thanks so much for all of the advice!

I would love it if you would beta for me it would make my story so much better. Shall I email you the next chapter when I write it? Thanks so much for the offer I desperately need one. I hope you're enjoying China!

PostScriptum: I'm happy so long as you like the story! I will try to add more favs, keep reading!

Callie: Thanks! Hope you liked the chapter, keep reviewing!

Eat Paper: Hope you liked this too, keep reading and reviewing. Thanks!

H/G Forever: Of course they will! Everything will end happily ever after, no worries. Keep reading! Thanks for the review.