The Ball

The next day, Ginny was leaning against a tree watching Crabbe and Goyle who were surrounded by giggling Slytherin girls. She had looked forward to this moment for weeks, the moment she would finally approach them. Now her heart was racing in her chest with excitement. She was confident it would work. After all, Dean and Seamus had actually whimpered with need when they laid eyes on her at breakfast. Ron hated it. He had scowled and if he had been in a bad mood before (which he had been since Mione's engagement was announced), he had been furious when he saw the Gryffindor boys drooling all over her today.

She grinned. She was only wearing her school uniform after all. True it was last year's uniform. That was far too small for her new curvy body. The skirt stopped mid-thigh, and she had actually had trouble buttoning the blouse because it was so tight. The result was compelling; a sexy goddess had stared back at her from the mirror once she was dressed. To complete the look, she had put her hair up in a sloppy knot that made her neck look longer and even more gracious than usual.

So far everything had gone her way. It was a very hot day for November, so she didn't need robes or cloak to warm her even as she stood like this outside. The entire school was taking advantage of the warm weather, and so far most of the boys either groaned, moaned or drooled when she walked by.

The only one who seemed unaffected was Neville, who was making out with Lavender and the Patil twins just a short distance away. She listened mindlessly as Lavender seductively purred as Neville kissed her neck, and how Partvati giggled assheasked him, "how on earth did you manage to get such a well-toned body without my noticing?"

He broke away from Lavender's neck just long enough to answer. "All those years of watching Quidditch has done wonders for this fine physique," as he puffed out his well-developed chest and flexed the bicep in his free arm.

Ginny made her move towards Crabbe and Goyle.

She made sure to walk as sexily as she could, careful not tomove too fast. She didn't want them to think she was desperate, after all. Half-way there she caught their eyes and smiled seductively as she raised her hands and in one smooth motion let her hair fall freely across her shoulders.

She did not have to wait long for their reactions. Crabbe and Goyle fixed her with their sexy eyes while her former boyfriend, Michael Corner, got a very hard knee in the groin from his new girlfriend,Cho, because he was staring at Ginny with his mouth gaping. A few steps more and Ginny was standing in front of her two beefcake dream-guys, looking at them while they ravished her with their eyes.

"I've decided that one of you two will have the great honor of accompanying me to the ball," she started. "I have not been able to pick who that is going to be, though," she continued ,eyeing the muscular gods in front of her, "so that decision is up to you. Now, which one of you is it going to be?" she then asked with more confidence than she felt, standing so close to the two men she desperatelywanted. She was sure everyone could hear how loud her heart was pounding in her chest.

The boys looked at each other and then at her.They eachtook one step closer to her, standing so close to her that she could hardly breathe out of want for their rock-hard bodies.

"And what if we don't want to choose?" Crabbe said in a darkly seductive voice, as he looked at Ginny so intently, she felt that he was undressing her with his eyes. He licked his lips with anticipation making them glisten in the sun. Oh, Ginny could hardly contain her desire to taste them.

"What if we say we both will take you?" Goyle continued, with a dangerous glint in his eyes.Ginny tore her eyes from Crabbe's sexy, sculpted mouth to see Goyle run his hand through his hair sexily and give her a wicked wink. He reached up to stroke her cheek with a finger and she trembled.

She was so filled with lust at the thought of arriving at the ball between the two of them, that her knees nearly buckled under her. But,she still managed to shoot them both a sexy smile as she quickly made a decision.

"Sure, if that is your wish - so be it." she answered coolly, her voice calmer than her heart. "But if you think that is going to be something permanent, you are both wrong. I'll go with you both to the ball, but before New-Year's Eve you will decide on which one of you will continue to..., have me." she said plainly, before turning and striding off, trying her best tolook very cool and collected. Oh, what a fun decision this will turn out to be, she thought. As she reached up to put her hair back into its sexy bun, she looked back at Crabbe and Goyle and sent them her most seductive wink before entering the castle doors.

Ron ,who had been sulking just a short distance away, was furious, and Hermione couldn't help but look impressed. With a smile playing in the corners of her mouth, Ginny realized that, once again, Neville was the only one that hadn't seemed to pay attention to her.

The School had been in such a buzz since Dumbledore announced the Thanksgiving Ball. The excitement only grew in intensity when the band was announced: a group called The Backstreet Boys.

"Who are they? I never heard of them." Ron said, puzzlement dancing across his face.

"Well, they were a muggle boy-band, but the muggles got bored witht them after awhile, and now many wizards and witches--well, mostly witches--love them," Hermione said from behind a rather large book. But, behind that big book was a magazine she brought from home that contained a huge article about the Backstreet Boys. Her favorite was Brian, with that good-boy personality that just made her swoon.

"And just how would you know that, Mya?" Ron asked bofore he stuffed his mouth with a piece of chocolate-covered raisin cake.

"Mya? Where do you get off calling me Mya?"

"Sorry Hermione, but Isis (the author of this chapter) is tired of typing, whatever that means, your whole name out."

I'll get you for this, Isis, whoever you are. (Isis: Now, now Hermione! I see all...) How lazy are you that you can't type a few extra letters?

(Isis: Get on with it) You're the one stalling. Honestly.

"Hey, 'Mione, who's Alex?" Ron asked looking over Hermione's notes.

"Give me that, Ronald! And I'm asking you nicely: quit calling by those dumb pet names!" She cried, grabbing back her precious notes.

Just then Lavender came over.

"So Hermione, what designer are you going with for the ball?" she asked.

"Alexander McQueen, why?"

"When did you get the dress?"

"The day after Dumbledore annouced it. Again, why are you asking?"

"Which dress?" she asked, tossing a magazine in front of Hermione.

"Look 35, if you must know." Hermione couldn't really care less these days, what with her best friend missing, having to marry Nott, and..., there was something else bugging her... oh yeah,the War with Voldemort. It was just all too much right now.

Just then, the Great Hall doors swung open and Harry, Draco and am albino moose all walked in.

"HARRY! Oh, My!" Hermione screamed, nearly tackling Harry.

"Ow! Hermione...nice to see you too." Harry gasped, patting her on the back.

"What happened? Why is your shirt ripped? Why do you smell of Curious(tm) perfume?"

"Please,if we could just sitdown,I'll explain." Harry pleaded, ready for a rest.

Harry then began to tell them about Dewy and showed them the book, told them about the dancing cows and then being kidnapped by a group of girls whose names were all variations on 'Mary Sue' and how they made the boys strut for two weeks straight. Harry hesitantly explained about Frank the Flying Albino Moose who had saved them. After Harry finished, Hermione and Ron simply responded with gaping jaws for five whole minutes.

"What, nothing?" Harry asked looking to both his friends, anxious to break the painful silence.

Ron was beyond stunned. Hermione just looked from Harry, to Draco, to the Moose and then her eyes landed on the book.

"...Harry, by any chance...,er, have you looked in the book?" she cautiously asked.

"Did you not hear what I just said? I was too busy being kidnapped by crazed, dancing cows and some Mary Sue freaks who want nothing more in life than to strand me and Draco on an island and make us show off our sweet bums for two weeks!"

"I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione replied, chewing her lip in her worry for Harry's sanity.

"Its OK, Hermione, I know you were worried." Harry said, taking a heavy breath. He had to admit it, his story really did sound crazy. Just then, he heard a shriek from the Teacher's Table.

"PPOTTTERRRR!" It was Professor McGonagall, tripping over all the extra letters she put in Harry's surname. "Albus, Its Potter!"

"Harry, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore called across the Hall, "follow me." The two followed the Headmaster to his office. Dumbledore had sent word to Hargid to take the Albino Moose to the grounds before he turned to the boys. "Animal cracker? Although, I'm not entirely sure why they are called crackers, they seem morelike biscuits to me." Harry took a few, but Draco passed. Just then, Dumbledore pulled a three goblets out of his pockets, and some Orange Pop, then poured some for Harry, Draco and himself. He sat himself then turned to Harry and asked to them to retell their story. While Harry told the whole story for the second time in a day, the most Draco did was nod in agreement, something he never thought he would do. But listening to Potter tell the story made Draco look at Potter in a way that he never did before, though he couldn't place his finger on the difference.

"Well, that is a most intruging story, but the most important thing is that you are both safe, Now, I will ask you to return to your houses to get ready for the Thanksgiving Ball with the The American Mary-Sue School of Fangirls of America."

"Thanksgiving?" Isn't that an American Holiday?" Harry asked.

"Yes, we needed a reason to distract the students from your disappearance." (A/N: We thought it would be funny)

Harry's mind began to race as he walked back to the Gryffindor dorms. Who would he ask? Ginny? No, Hermione? No, then like a brick it hit him- Tonks! But would she say yes? He raced to the Gryffindor common room and flooed his head to Order Headquarters.

"Hello?" Harry saw Lupin pass the fireplace."Remus? Remus, is Tonks here?"

"Oh, hello Harry," He said as he kelt in front of the fire, "Um, yeah she here, hold on, TONKS!" Remus yelled. A few moment later Tonks, whose hair today was bleach blondeand in a single braid that reached down to her hips, walked over.

"Wotcher, Harry"

"Do you need me here?" Remus asked.

Even though the fire, Harry began to turn a bright shade of red. "Um, no thanks." Harry and Tonks watched as Remus walked out of the room.

"So what did ya need, Harry?"

Well...see, I guess, er,there's this ball tonight, and I, er,need a date. So wouldyou beinterested," Harry rushed, trying to spit out the words he was so nervous to say.

"You mean the Thanksgiving Ball?"

"Yeah."

"Well I'll be there, but as a chaperone. I can save you a dance, though," she looked at Harry, flashing that trademark Tonks smile (tm).

"I understand. Well, thanks anyway." Harry pulled his head out of the fireplace. Harry went back to the Great Hall, greatly depressed. Who could he take? He plopped down next to Hermione, who was looking at a magazine, quietly squeeing over something that Harry didn't care about at all.

"Potter." Out of nowhere came a familiarsly voice, and Harry didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"What, Malfoy?" He questioned.

"Not that I really want this to happen, but since every girl is taken, and by that nitwit Longbottom of all the morons, and all the forced marriges must go together anyway, well,I'm telling you that you must be MY date." His eyes flashed in hatred saying my date, and Harry wasn't all too happy about it either.

Hermione stopped, and began to cry. She jumped up and pushed by Malfoy.

"Nott's not happy about it either!" Draco yelled after her pleased that at least he wasn't the only one miserable around here.

"Look, Malfoy, tonight can happen one of two ways. One, we let this bull the Ministry is pulling get to us, or Two, at least make it look like it doesn't bother us." (A/N: Haha! Bother Bother! Oh no, hopefully Dumbledore won't want any naked time... Ack!)

"Normally, I would have opted for One, but I go with Two, just for tonight. Just so you know, I still hate you. So, what are you wearing?" Draco perked up a bit at the thought of a stylish new outfit.

Harry picked up Lavender's Alexander McQueen catalogueand flipped to the Men's section. "This one." Harry said, pointing to a black number with leather and mesh on the chest.

"Why, Potter coming to the dark side are we?" Malfoy mocked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Well, what are you wearing?" Harry thrust the catalogue into Draco's hands.

Draco flipped though the magazine, and Harry was shocked to see that Draco Malfoy was going to wear a Muggle designer.

"This one." Draco pointed to a white three piece, with anoff-white turtleneck and the white pants and a long white overcoat covered in silver designs.A silver chain belt brought it all together. Harry was stunned. "So, now we have that out of the way, I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall."

"Fine."

Just before they dismissed lunch, Professor Flickwick anncouned that The American Mary-Sue School of Fangirls of America would be arriving in two hours time, and the Ball would start at 8:00. This gave Harry 6 hours to relax and not think about tonight. (A/N: Just in case your wondering, it's Saturday, because I say.)

Around 3:00, Harry began to get ready. He went down to the locker rooms, where he know he would get some privacy. Harry so wanted to look oh-so-sexy for Tonks. He tried to put himself in a sexy frame of mind. Think bad, Harry, think wicked, he chanted to himself.He practiced flexing his biceps--they were going to show wearing a sleeveless top. He picked up a long,leather whip that Oliver had left in the locker room with an even Bigger Staff,and imagined adding it to his ensemble. Now, what could I do with this?

After spending hours thinking sexy thoughts, he headed back to the castle. When he got back up to the common room, all the guys were sitting around waiting for their dates, and Harry went up to the 7th year boys dorm to change. He stared in the mirror for a few minutes to make sure everything was perfect, then he hurried to the Entrance Hall to meet Draco. When Harry got there he saw a number of people waiting for their dates from other houses or the Mary Sues. Harry could pick Draco out of a crowd, like a rose out of sunflowers.

At 8:00, the doors swung open to reveal the outstanding colours of fall that adorned the Hall. The walls were covered in turkeys and the ceiling was raining falling leaves. On stage, the band stuck up a mid tempo song and a group of the girls fainted in response. Many of the couples made their way to the floor, but Harry moved toward the refreshments. As The Backstreet Boys ended their first song, Harry felt a hand on his shoulder.

"May I?" Harry turned to see Tonks in a creme coloured dress with tan strips criss-crossing over her body.Her hair was pulled into a single ponytail that had beads that accentedthe lookperfectly.

"Alexander McQueen?" Harry asked smiling.

"Last season, but I like. Wanna dance?"

"Sure, but I'm horrid."

"So am I." She said, laughing and taking his hand. Tonks hadlied.In Harry's mind, the two of themseemed to glide effortlessly over the floor and many couples moved off the floor to watch their dance. Harry could barely hear the song, he was so entranced with feeling Tonks in his arms, but it faintly sounded like a song that Harry had heard Dudley listen to it was called "I'll Never Break Your Heart". The song, however,ended much too soon for Harry's liking. Just as if she was reading his mind, like she always could, Tonks whispered in his ear, "I'll want another dance with you soon, but I need to make the rounds right now." Harry stiffened at feeling her hot breath on his ear.Dancing with Tonks was like a dream he didn't want to wake up from. Harry was in such a daze that it took Draco a few times to get him to snap out of it.

"Potter, Potter, POTTER! Come on, we have to dance. Stupid Ministry," Draco grumbled as he dragged Harry to the center of the floor. "Might as well give them the best view, right?" He said arching his eyebrow. Many of the girls stopped dancing again and watched the two boys in the center of the floor. The May Sues fainted at the sight of two hotties together like that. Draco began to pull all his best dance moves, butit took a while for Harry to find his step. Soon , however, he was upstaging Draco.

Draco wouldn't stand for this, of course, so he ripped off his coat and danced even harder. The last Mary Sue standing crawled across the floor to nab the coat. Even the professors began to watch as Draco busted a groove. Harry tried to think of how to outshine Draco, but all he could think of was shaking his tush a bit more. McGonagall gasped at the sight. Harry continued, and realized he felt something bump against his leg as he danced. Oliver's whip! Harry pulled it out and unfurled it. Draco locked his silver eyes on it and panted even harder. Harry cracked the whip towards him. Everyone in the room cried out.

"Isn't that Oliver's old whip?" Madame Hooch called out, blushing as she realized she probably shouldn't admit she knew to whom it had belonged.

The dance-off had lasted for twosongs. Harry and Draco, both red-faced and sweating, were met with ear-bursting applause. Harry stumbled over to sit down, hoping to restfor a little while. He watched Dumbledore and McGonagall dance like they were in a muggle nightclub, somehow sickly fascinated by the strange sight. Oh my--did Professor Dumbledore just grab Professor McGonagall's-- Oh Merlin, I think I'm gonna be sick-- To save his dinner, Harry looked away.

He turned to watch various other couples dancing, Ginny was sandwiched between Crabbe and Goyle, at which Ron looked absolutely furious. Hermione, on the other hand, couldn't have looked happier than she did right now in Blaise's arms. Harry sighed at the strangeness of all that had changed while he'd been gone.

Soon after, Tonks came back to Harry for the last dance. The last song was from the BackStreet Boys' new album. Everything else--the dance with Draco, the antics of Dumbledore, the sudden confidence of Crabbe and Goyle-- left his mind while he had Tonks to himself.Unfortunately, though, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Draco. Harry made a vow that he would lighten up on Draco, only if he could just stay in this moment forever. He sqeezed Tonks ever closer. Gods, she smelled so nice.But of course, all dreams come to an end. As the song closed, he found the courage to kiss Tonks on the cheek, and she flushed. They said their goodbyes once the ball was over, Tonks promising she's catch up with Harry at Grimmauld Place next time he was there. Harry couldn't wait.

As he began to leave, Hermione ran over.

"Harry! I got invited to the after-party!" She squealed. Hermione raced off to the common room to slip into something more comfortable.

A/N: Yes I am obessed with Alexander McQueen. He is who I design a lot of my clothes after. To see everyone's looks, go to his site(on our author's page).hermione's is look 35 in the spring/summer, collection in the archive.Harry & Draco's are in the men's spring/summer, 2(harry) & 7(draco).Tonks is in the Autumn/Winter 04-05 collection look 14. and yes I am a harry/tonks shipper. HMS Messy Pink all the way!