Chapter 26

The week passed much to quickly for Ron's liking. Before he knew it it was Saturday morning, the day of the ball. He woke up and found that the other guys had already gotten up. He went over and took a shower, agonizing over whether or not he should show up in the common room at the time that Hermione had stated.

Hermione on the other hand was so overly excited about what was going to happen that she had gotten up early, had showered, ate, and was now sitting in the common room trying to read, but it was impossible. Ginny was sitting in the arm chair, with a knowing smile on her face.

"Gin could you stop staring at me. I'm trying to read."

"You've read the same line eighteen times."

"I know," Hermione answered as she set down the book.

"Are you nervous?"

"A little. More excited then anything. I don't know. I have these weird butterflies in my stomach."

"Oh! I'm so happy for you!"

"What if he decides not to come."

"Then he'll have to deal with me." Hermione laughed brightly, her voice rang through the room.

After what seemed like an eternity the girls started getting ready for the ball. At 6:20, Hermione and Ginny headed downstairs to the common room.

Harry had been sitting on the couch, waiting for them. As they came down, his heart stopped. Ginny had done her hair in such a different way. Half of it was curled and pinned up and the other half hung down around her in soft red ringlets. She was wearing a little make up. Her dress robe was the softest blue he had seen, bringing out her blue eyes really well.

Hermione had straightened her hair and had curled it so it framed her face. She was wearing a little make up as well. Her dress robe was a soft lavender color.

"You two look beautiful," Harry said, causing both girls to blush. Ginny walked to him and he took her hand immediately.

"Is he coming?" Hermione asked softly.

"Yeah. He's coming."

Hermione started to pace, but Ginny stopped her. She made her sit down next to them until it was time for Ron to come down. At precisely 6:30 Ron left his room and headed down the stairs. His hair was gelled into a messy kind of look and he was wearing a nice deep blue robe. He walked in front of Hermione and took a deep breath.

"He said that he was afraid that you would think he was stupid and he was really too scared to come down on his own, so he asked me to fill in for him because he wanted to be able to still have his chance," Ron blurted out. Ginny rolled her eyes at him.

"Oh I see. I understand. Please do let him know that I do not think he's stupid," she replied softly.

"So, do you accept me as his replacement?" Ron asked her nervously.

"Yes. I accept you as his replacement," she replied.

"Come on! Let's go!" Ginny exclaimed.

They went down to the Great Hall. They entered it to find that the sky above them was snowing. Soft candles were lit at every table. Christmas trees and mistletoe had been placed all around the hall. The group grabbed a table and waited. Soft music played through the hall. After some time dinner was served. The Weird Sisters got up in the front of the hall and started to play, causing several couples to clamber out on to the dance floor.

"Let's dance, Harry," Ginny said. Harry smiled and laughed lightly at her enthusiasm.

"Sure," he said as he got up and waved good bye to the rest of them.

"They got the idea!" Neville said as he pulled Ariel out onto the dance floor.

"Would you, um, dance with me?" Ron asked her. Hermione smiled and nodded. They went out and joined their group. Laughter echoed through out the hall. After a couple of wild songs, the Weird Sister started up a slow song.

"Can we dance to this one?" Hermione asked him. Ron nodded as he swallowed hard. He placed his one hand on her waist and the other took her hand in his.

"This is nice," Ron said stupidly.

"Yes it is."

"Do you wish he was here?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"Can I guess who it is?"

"Huh?"

"You said that he was going to play a guessing game with me."

"Oh, right. Well he said that we could do that here, yeah."

"Okay."

"So you just guess and I'll tell you yes or no."

"Seamus."

"No."

"Dean."

"No."

"Krum?"

"NO!"

"I was kidding."

"Oh."

"Colin?"

"No."

"Well, I have a guess."

"Then say it."

"But I don't think I should say it."

"Why?"

"Because his sister told me."

"What?"

"His sister told me. So did his best friend."

"Well, he doesn't have a sister."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Are you sure."

"Um. . ."

"Is it you Ron?" He looked away as his face flushed in embarrassment.

"Yeah, but you probably think I'm stupid. I'm sorry."

"I like you too, Ron."

"I knew you would hate me. Wait, what?"

"I said I like you too, Ron. A lot."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Since when?"

"Since the first time I met you, but I just didn't want to admit it."

"Why?"

"Because I didn't want to lose you as a friend."

"Oh."

"When did you like me?"

"Since the first time I met you too."

"Guess it was love at first sight huh?"

"Yeah. Hey, um. . . Would you, um. . . er. . . be my girlfriend?" Hermione beamed.

"Of course!"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I've been waiting for you to ask me that for the last six years."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

She nestled herself closer to him, sending both their hearts racing.

"Finally!" Ginny and Harry said at the same time. They looked over at them, smiling and blushing.

"They've been trying pretty hard to get us together," Hermione said.

"Yeah, I know."

The dance went on from there. Ron and Hermione kept smiling like mad and blushing. They held hands and laughed and danced. The rest of the group was ecstatic.

The dance finally ended, much to everyone's dismay. As everyone started going up to bed, Ron pulled Hermione to the side.

"What?" She asked him softly. He glanced around, making sure that there was no one there. When he saw that it was clear he pulled her to him and kissed her softly upon the lips. It was quick, but it send shivers up both their spines.

"That," he answered. She smiled.

"Oh." She stood on her tip toes in order to give him a kiss back. It was simple just the first.

"This is the best day of my life," Ron told her.

"Me too."