CHAPTER FIVE
KNOCK HIM DEAD
"So that's this Saturday at 7:30?'' Neville repeated. "Ok sure Harry We'll be there.'' He said smiling at Luna, waving as Harry rushed off.
"Should be fun, shouldn't it dear?'' Neville asked his girlfriend of over four years. "Getting to see everybody from school again.''
"Yes." Luna replied dreamily. "It should be interesting.''
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Harry collapsed on to the small sofa in the living room of the apartment he had spent all morning writing letters to be delivered by owl, and rushing around inviting people to the housewarming party, well more like an apartment warming. He had received permission from the minister himself to magically modify the apartment which was in a highly sought after area. He had successfully soundproofed the whole apartment so that they wouldn't disturb any of the neighbours, and he had enlarged the living room and kitchen quite sufficiently.
The party was all set for Saturday night, and from what he had heard from people there was going to be quite a crowd, obviously Ron's Quidditch team would come, Hermione's friends from her old job as a Muggle Liaison officer. None of Harry's colleagues would attend, top security was needed even at a harmless event like this, and none of them could risk their identities being exposed. However Sirius would attend along with Destiny, as would Remus and Tonks, along with all of the Weasley clan.
Well, all but one. Ginny still hadn't told Ron whether she would be attending yet. Ron said when he mentioned it to her she sort of went a bit funny and tried to change the subject, telling him that she'd try to make it. Harry scrunched up his face in concentration, he knew he had acted like a prat when he had bumped into her at the supermarket, but surely that was no reason to start avoiding him. He desperately needed to make it up to her, especially now that he knew that she had never loved Colin.
A loud crack penetrated Harry's thoughtful silence; he looked up and saw Hermione standing in front of him. He hadn't panicked, usually when someone apparated into a room, Harry's wand would be trained on them before they could even adjust to their surroundings, but Harry had performed a complex spell around the whole apartment only allowing a select few people to enter. Hermione was one of these select few.
"Heya Harry." Hermione said cheerfully. "Is Ron around?''
"Nope." Harry answered. "He's not back from training yet.''
"What's up with you? You looked like you were straining yourself when I apparated in.''
"I was just thinking…"
"Oh that must be why you looked strained then.'' Hermione said smiling.
"Ha ha." Harry said sarcastically. "No, seriously, has Ginny said anything to you about the party, I know you two are still pretty close friends.''
"No she hasn't really mentioned it.'' Hermione said thoughtfully. "Why?''
"Well its just that she hasn't told Ron whether she'll come or not and I don't think she will. Will you try and persuade her?'' Harry asked hopefully.
"All right, I suppose." Hermione said rolling her eyes. "I'll pop down to the clinic and have a word with her tomorrow.'' Hermione said making up her mind.
"Why would you need to go to the clinic?'' Harry asked curiously.
"Because she works there, well not for much longer, she's moving to St Mungo's in a few weeks.'' Hermione said. "I thought you would've heard about that, what do you do, block your ears whenever someone mentions her name?''
"Well sort of yeah.'' Harry answered sheepishly. "Just hearing her name, makes me picture her pretty smile and her beautiful hair. It's too painful I couldn't bear to think about her when I knew I had lost her forever. So I just did my best to block her out. I was doing all right until I bumped into her the other day. But now, I can't get her out of my head, she's all I think about. I want her back Hermione.''
"You'll get her back Harry, I'm sure of it. You were meant to be together.''
"That's why I need her to come to this party.'' Harry pleaded.
"I'll do my best.'' Hermione smiled.
The loud crack filled the air and Harry glared at Hermione, silently warning her not to mention any of this to Ron. He had gone absolutely mental when he found out that Harry had broken up with his little sister, and Harry knew that Ron would definitely not be happy that Harry was trying to get her back. He wouldn't let that happen, not if there was even the remotest chance that Ginny would get hurt again.
Hermione nodded her understanding and smiled as Ron pulled her into a hug, she pushed his hair back from eyes, it was dripping wet, he had obviously just got out of the shower.
"Hey gorgeous, what are you doing here?'' Ron asked.
"I live here you idiot.'' Harry answered grinning.
"Oh yeah, sorry beautiful I forgot.'' Ron replied rolling his eyes at his best friend, who was pulling on a thick black cloak "Are you off to work already?'' Ron asked, looking at the clock on the wall.''
"Yeah I got asked to start my shift early tonight. But don't worry sugar, I'll be home later.'' Harry said grinning at the confused look on Hermione face, as he apparated out of the room.
"You know what, after lord knows how many years of knowing you two. I still don't understand you.'' Hermione sighed, letting herself be pulled in by Ron for another hug and a kiss.
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Ginny, ran her slender finger over the sheet of paper in front of her, the sheet of paper filled with the names of all the patients that she had to see to during the day, she sighed a sigh of relief as she saw that she only had one more patient left, a Miss Granger. Ginny's brows furrowed in confusion, she had never heard of a Miss Granger belonging to the practice before, she had seen all of her patients regularly and not once had she seen a Miss Granger, the only Granger she knew was Hermione, and the was no way that…
"May I come in?'' A voice called from the other side of the door.
"Uh yes." Ginny called hesitantly, this had caught her off guard. "Come in." She called, confused as to who this could be, she hadn't yet called Miss Granger through.
The handle of the door turned, and the door was slowly pushed open, revealing a pretty young witch, her brown unruly hair had been scraped back into a messy bun.
"Hermione!" Ginny squealed. "Oh my God! I haven't seen you in ages.'' She said as she rushed forward to hug her friend. "What are you doing here?''
"I'm your last appointment.'' Hermione said smiling as she returned Ginny's embrace.
"What's the matter?'' Ginny asked, surveying her friend with concerned eyes. "You aren't sick are you?''
"No, I just thought it would be nice if we could have a chat and catch up on some gossip.'' Hermione said smiling, Ginny narrowed her eyes.
"This hasn't got anything to do with the housewarming party has it?''
"I don't know what you're talking about.'' Hermione said taking a seat at Ginny's desk.
"You've always been a rubbish liar Hermione.'' Ginny said grinning. "Well seeing as you're my last appointment how about we both go back to mine, and have a nice cup of tea, I'm gasping for one.'' Ginny said, pulling on her coat, before flicking her wand and gathering up all the papers on her desk and sending them into her large briefcase.
"That sounds great.'' Hermione said, preparing to apparate, along with her friend.
They arrived in the small living room of Ginny's house; both women tossed off their coats, and dropped their bags onto the floor, before collapsing onto the small squashy sofa. Ginny kicked of her high heels, and sighed as she started to rub her aching feet.
"That feels good, I've been on my feet all day.'' Ginny explained. "I wouldn't change my job for the world, but it's nice to just come home and relax."
Hermione smiled at her friend. She tried to hide the fact that she was deeply disappointed that she still hadn't received any word back on whether she had got the job in the Department of Mysteries. She hated not having anything to do, she hated the waiting, but most of all she hated the not knowing. She looked over at her friend, who was busy conjuring two steaming mugs of tea, she looked at her long shiny red hair, her porcelain skin and her slender frame, and knew exactly why Harry had fallen in love with her. She was beautiful, but Hermione knew there was more to Ginny than just looks; she was clever, witty, determined and incredibly funny. It surprised her that in all the years since finishing Hogwarts that Ginny had never had a boyfriend. There had been offers, lots of offers but she had politely declined them all, preferring to concentrate on her career.
"So how are things with you and Ron?" Ginny asked, handing Hermione a mug of tea, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"They're amazing, I'm so proud of him, it's been his dream to play for the Cannons, and now he's doing it. I'm so happy for him. It's really given him a confidence boost, before he always thought he was in Harry's shadow, of course he's never been second best to me. But now, you can tell, you can see how much more outgoing and confident he's become.'' Hermione gushed.
"Yeah, he has come out of himself a lot." Ginny agreed, sipping her tea.
"I'm just dreading this housewarming party, him and all his mates, showing off trying to impress each other, I don't know how I'll cope. And then there'll be all the people from Hogwarts arriving, so there's an even bigger excuse to show off in front of people he hasn't seen for ages."
Ginny smiled, she knew it wouldn't take Hermione long to broach the subject of the party, she just had to wait for the next part to come.
"I just wish you were coming Gin, you know so I'd have at least one sane person to talk to." Hermione looked at her friend hopefully.
"I don't know Hermione.'' Ginny sighed, she knew that deep down she wanted to go, but he was going to be there, she was going to have to see him, possibly even talk to him. She didn't know if she could deal with that, after he'd run off in the supermarket, she'd known that he didn't love, her he must've felt so awkward around her, he probably thought she was some desperate romantic who'd throw herself at his feet and beg him to take her back.
"Please Gin, it'll be a good night, everyone from school will be there. Neville and Luna, Dean and Parvati, Seamus and Lavender, Remus and Tonks are coming, so are Sirius and Destiny.'' Hermione pleaded, she had to persuade Ginny to come.
"I don't know.'' Ginny said quietly, she wanted to, she didn't want to let Hermione down, but the thought of Harry avoiding her all night made her feel ill. He thinks I'm sad and desperate, he doesn't want to see me, she told herself.
"Please!"
"All right, I'll come." Ginny said quickly making up her mind before she had a chance top change it. She decided to show Harry that she wasn't sad, and wasn't pathetic, she'd show up at the party looking like a million dollars, and she'd show them all.
"Oh thank you Gin, you don't know how much this'll mean to…" Hermione stopped herself. "To Ron, he wanted all his family there see.'' Hermione said, hoping that she sounded convincing, she'd almost slipped up, almost given away Harry's secret.
"Right.'' Ginny said wearily. "So that's settled then, what time does the party start?''
"It starts at 7 o'clock but all Ron's team are coming over at about 6 to help 'get things ready' or in other words, start getting drunk earlier.'' Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"Ok that's great, will it be ok if I bring Colin and Dan?'' Ginny asked, knowing that she would need some moral support from her best friends.''
"That shouldn't be a problem, the more the merrier.'' Hermione said happily. "Well I'd best be off now then." She said quickly. "I have to go and visit my mum tonight, he hasn't been feeling well recently.''
"Send her my regards.'' Ginny said as she hugged her friend goodbye.
"Will do.'' Hermione said smiling. "I'll see you at the party then. You do know where the apartment is don't you?''
"Of course I do, Dad showed me a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't been inside yet.'' Ginny replied.
"Ok then great.'' Hermione said.
"See you soon.'' Ginny called as Hermione apparated, leaving her standing the in silence contemplating what she had just let herself in for.
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"So are you sure you both can make it?'' Ginny asked Colin, she had rung almost as soon as Hermione had left her house.
"Yeah definitely, I haven't been to a good party in ages." Colin said excitedly. "So its this Saturday at 7?'' Colin asked just to make sure.
"Yeah."
"I think we should show up at around 8ish and make an entrance. You'll have all eyes on you, your going to look amazing Gin.''
"I don't know Col, I'm not so sure about this anymore.''
"Nonsense, he's not going to know what's hit him when you walk through that door. He's going to be kicking himself for letting you go.''
"Oh shut up! He's not! I bet he had completely forgotten about me until the other day, I know I was trying my best to forget about him. But now that I've seen him again, I can't get him out of my head. I think I'm still in love with him Col.'' Ginny said softly.
"That's why we have to get this right on Saturday, so he can see exactly what he's been missing out on.''
"Ok deal.'' Ginny said smiling. "So I'll see you tomorrow then for a quick run through of the plan before the big night.''
"Definitely.'' Colin said smiling. "See you then Gin.''
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Ginny spent every free minute she had the next day, think of what she could wear to the party, she had never really been one to obsess over how she looked, sure she liked to watch her figure, and her hair had always been her pride and joy, but she had never worried much more about her appearance. But this night was special, she had to look amazing, she needed to knock Harry of his feet. The only problem was she couldn't think of a single item of clothing that she owned that would look good enough. She sighed audibly; she just knew that she wasn't going to pull this off. But she didn't have long to dwell on this as her next patient entered the room. But she was going to have to sort something out soon; the party was the next night.
After a long hard day at work, Ginny once again apparated into her living room and collapsed on the sofa, and it was only after a couple of seconds that she realised that she wasn't the only one on the sofa.
"Colin? What are you doing here?'' Ginny asked surprised.
"Remember? We have to go over the game plan for tomorrow night.''
"Oh yeah, there's a slight problem, I have nothing to wear.'' Ginny said despondently.
"Well just call me fairy godmother because I have the answer to all your problems Cinderella.'' Colin said happily.
"What's Cinderella?'' Ginny asked curiously.
"Never mind." Colin said "It's a Muggle thing.''
"Oh right.'' Ginny said as she took of her shoes. "So how have you got the answer to all my problems?" Ginny asked inquisitively.
"Well today, I was photographing the Madam Zelda, for a sort of a promotional shoot for her new shop open in Paris, and she had a huge boil on the end of her nose, well I promised her that I would edit it out of the photo for her, and she said that she'd do anything for me if I did, so well I sort of asked if she had a dress that would make heads turn and men drool." Colin said, as he looked at Ginny sitting wide-eyed before him.
"Really! You said that!''
"Yeah, first of all she asked if it was for me.'' Colin laughed. "But I explained our situation and I described you to her and showed her a photograph of you that was in my camera and she said she had just the thing and she gave me that.'' Colin said pointing to a large cover hanging from a coat hanger.
"She gave you a dress!'' Ginny squealed.
"No Gin, she just gave me the cover.'' Colin said sarcastically, "Of course she gave me the dress.''
"But I don't understand, why did she need you to edit out the boil, why didn't she magically remove it.'' Ginny asked, thinking that it was strange for one of the most famous designers to give away one of her dresses for nothing.
"She tried to remove it." Colin said. "She just couldn't, it was huge Gin, very big and red. That's why she was so grateful when I told her I could edit it out.''
Ginny laughed, she had never been so relived in her life.
"Well go and look at it then.'' Colin said eagerly. "She even gave me a pair of shoes to match and wished you good luck.'' Colin said smiling at the look of joy on Ginny's face. "She really is a nice lady.'' Colin said thinking back.
Ginny unzipped the black velvet covering from the dress and watched it fall delicately to the floor, she gasped in shock as she saw the dress. It was beautiful. The party certainly was going to be one to remember after all.
The light satin flowed delicately, it was white and laced with thousands of tiny pearls, it shone like silver and felt heavenly to touch. She picked it up carefully and rushed to try it on along with the pearl coloured high heels that she had also been given.
When she walked back into the room Colin gasped as he saw her, the dress came to just over her knees and it fitted her perfectly, the pearls shone and as Ginny twirled around Colin saw that hundreds of tiny crystal had been laced through the back, making the dress look as if it was glowing. The delicate fabric swayed across Ginny's toned legs as she twirled around. The dress was made for her.
"Thank you so much Colin, this dress is perfect, and so are the shoes. You really are the best." Ginny said rushing over to him and kissing him on both cheeks.
"Its no problem Gin, this dress is perfect for you, it looks as though it were made specifically for you.'' Colin said smiling, admiring his best friend. "It almost makes me wish that I weren't gay.'' Colin said laughing.
"Don't tell Dan that.'' Ginny said, unable to contain her happiness, she felt amazing in the dress, she felt truly beautiful for the first time in her life, and Colin was right. She was going to knock Harry Potter off his feet.
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(A.N Thanks guys, for all your review and again I'm sorry for the time it take to post this but I promise that the posts will be more regularly now that I'm off school. I think that this chapter is longer than the others, I tried my best to make it longer. Next chapter will be the party. What will happen? There's only one-way to find out Read and Review. Xxxxxxx)
KNOCK HIM DEAD
"So that's this Saturday at 7:30?'' Neville repeated. "Ok sure Harry We'll be there.'' He said smiling at Luna, waving as Harry rushed off.
"Should be fun, shouldn't it dear?'' Neville asked his girlfriend of over four years. "Getting to see everybody from school again.''
"Yes." Luna replied dreamily. "It should be interesting.''
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Harry collapsed on to the small sofa in the living room of the apartment he had spent all morning writing letters to be delivered by owl, and rushing around inviting people to the housewarming party, well more like an apartment warming. He had received permission from the minister himself to magically modify the apartment which was in a highly sought after area. He had successfully soundproofed the whole apartment so that they wouldn't disturb any of the neighbours, and he had enlarged the living room and kitchen quite sufficiently.
The party was all set for Saturday night, and from what he had heard from people there was going to be quite a crowd, obviously Ron's Quidditch team would come, Hermione's friends from her old job as a Muggle Liaison officer. None of Harry's colleagues would attend, top security was needed even at a harmless event like this, and none of them could risk their identities being exposed. However Sirius would attend along with Destiny, as would Remus and Tonks, along with all of the Weasley clan.
Well, all but one. Ginny still hadn't told Ron whether she would be attending yet. Ron said when he mentioned it to her she sort of went a bit funny and tried to change the subject, telling him that she'd try to make it. Harry scrunched up his face in concentration, he knew he had acted like a prat when he had bumped into her at the supermarket, but surely that was no reason to start avoiding him. He desperately needed to make it up to her, especially now that he knew that she had never loved Colin.
A loud crack penetrated Harry's thoughtful silence; he looked up and saw Hermione standing in front of him. He hadn't panicked, usually when someone apparated into a room, Harry's wand would be trained on them before they could even adjust to their surroundings, but Harry had performed a complex spell around the whole apartment only allowing a select few people to enter. Hermione was one of these select few.
"Heya Harry." Hermione said cheerfully. "Is Ron around?''
"Nope." Harry answered. "He's not back from training yet.''
"What's up with you? You looked like you were straining yourself when I apparated in.''
"I was just thinking…"
"Oh that must be why you looked strained then.'' Hermione said smiling.
"Ha ha." Harry said sarcastically. "No, seriously, has Ginny said anything to you about the party, I know you two are still pretty close friends.''
"No she hasn't really mentioned it.'' Hermione said thoughtfully. "Why?''
"Well its just that she hasn't told Ron whether she'll come or not and I don't think she will. Will you try and persuade her?'' Harry asked hopefully.
"All right, I suppose." Hermione said rolling her eyes. "I'll pop down to the clinic and have a word with her tomorrow.'' Hermione said making up her mind.
"Why would you need to go to the clinic?'' Harry asked curiously.
"Because she works there, well not for much longer, she's moving to St Mungo's in a few weeks.'' Hermione said. "I thought you would've heard about that, what do you do, block your ears whenever someone mentions her name?''
"Well sort of yeah.'' Harry answered sheepishly. "Just hearing her name, makes me picture her pretty smile and her beautiful hair. It's too painful I couldn't bear to think about her when I knew I had lost her forever. So I just did my best to block her out. I was doing all right until I bumped into her the other day. But now, I can't get her out of my head, she's all I think about. I want her back Hermione.''
"You'll get her back Harry, I'm sure of it. You were meant to be together.''
"That's why I need her to come to this party.'' Harry pleaded.
"I'll do my best.'' Hermione smiled.
The loud crack filled the air and Harry glared at Hermione, silently warning her not to mention any of this to Ron. He had gone absolutely mental when he found out that Harry had broken up with his little sister, and Harry knew that Ron would definitely not be happy that Harry was trying to get her back. He wouldn't let that happen, not if there was even the remotest chance that Ginny would get hurt again.
Hermione nodded her understanding and smiled as Ron pulled her into a hug, she pushed his hair back from eyes, it was dripping wet, he had obviously just got out of the shower.
"Hey gorgeous, what are you doing here?'' Ron asked.
"I live here you idiot.'' Harry answered grinning.
"Oh yeah, sorry beautiful I forgot.'' Ron replied rolling his eyes at his best friend, who was pulling on a thick black cloak "Are you off to work already?'' Ron asked, looking at the clock on the wall.''
"Yeah I got asked to start my shift early tonight. But don't worry sugar, I'll be home later.'' Harry said grinning at the confused look on Hermione face, as he apparated out of the room.
"You know what, after lord knows how many years of knowing you two. I still don't understand you.'' Hermione sighed, letting herself be pulled in by Ron for another hug and a kiss.
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Ginny, ran her slender finger over the sheet of paper in front of her, the sheet of paper filled with the names of all the patients that she had to see to during the day, she sighed a sigh of relief as she saw that she only had one more patient left, a Miss Granger. Ginny's brows furrowed in confusion, she had never heard of a Miss Granger belonging to the practice before, she had seen all of her patients regularly and not once had she seen a Miss Granger, the only Granger she knew was Hermione, and the was no way that…
"May I come in?'' A voice called from the other side of the door.
"Uh yes." Ginny called hesitantly, this had caught her off guard. "Come in." She called, confused as to who this could be, she hadn't yet called Miss Granger through.
The handle of the door turned, and the door was slowly pushed open, revealing a pretty young witch, her brown unruly hair had been scraped back into a messy bun.
"Hermione!" Ginny squealed. "Oh my God! I haven't seen you in ages.'' She said as she rushed forward to hug her friend. "What are you doing here?''
"I'm your last appointment.'' Hermione said smiling as she returned Ginny's embrace.
"What's the matter?'' Ginny asked, surveying her friend with concerned eyes. "You aren't sick are you?''
"No, I just thought it would be nice if we could have a chat and catch up on some gossip.'' Hermione said smiling, Ginny narrowed her eyes.
"This hasn't got anything to do with the housewarming party has it?''
"I don't know what you're talking about.'' Hermione said taking a seat at Ginny's desk.
"You've always been a rubbish liar Hermione.'' Ginny said grinning. "Well seeing as you're my last appointment how about we both go back to mine, and have a nice cup of tea, I'm gasping for one.'' Ginny said, pulling on her coat, before flicking her wand and gathering up all the papers on her desk and sending them into her large briefcase.
"That sounds great.'' Hermione said, preparing to apparate, along with her friend.
They arrived in the small living room of Ginny's house; both women tossed off their coats, and dropped their bags onto the floor, before collapsing onto the small squashy sofa. Ginny kicked of her high heels, and sighed as she started to rub her aching feet.
"That feels good, I've been on my feet all day.'' Ginny explained. "I wouldn't change my job for the world, but it's nice to just come home and relax."
Hermione smiled at her friend. She tried to hide the fact that she was deeply disappointed that she still hadn't received any word back on whether she had got the job in the Department of Mysteries. She hated not having anything to do, she hated the waiting, but most of all she hated the not knowing. She looked over at her friend, who was busy conjuring two steaming mugs of tea, she looked at her long shiny red hair, her porcelain skin and her slender frame, and knew exactly why Harry had fallen in love with her. She was beautiful, but Hermione knew there was more to Ginny than just looks; she was clever, witty, determined and incredibly funny. It surprised her that in all the years since finishing Hogwarts that Ginny had never had a boyfriend. There had been offers, lots of offers but she had politely declined them all, preferring to concentrate on her career.
"So how are things with you and Ron?" Ginny asked, handing Hermione a mug of tea, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"They're amazing, I'm so proud of him, it's been his dream to play for the Cannons, and now he's doing it. I'm so happy for him. It's really given him a confidence boost, before he always thought he was in Harry's shadow, of course he's never been second best to me. But now, you can tell, you can see how much more outgoing and confident he's become.'' Hermione gushed.
"Yeah, he has come out of himself a lot." Ginny agreed, sipping her tea.
"I'm just dreading this housewarming party, him and all his mates, showing off trying to impress each other, I don't know how I'll cope. And then there'll be all the people from Hogwarts arriving, so there's an even bigger excuse to show off in front of people he hasn't seen for ages."
Ginny smiled, she knew it wouldn't take Hermione long to broach the subject of the party, she just had to wait for the next part to come.
"I just wish you were coming Gin, you know so I'd have at least one sane person to talk to." Hermione looked at her friend hopefully.
"I don't know Hermione.'' Ginny sighed, she knew that deep down she wanted to go, but he was going to be there, she was going to have to see him, possibly even talk to him. She didn't know if she could deal with that, after he'd run off in the supermarket, she'd known that he didn't love, her he must've felt so awkward around her, he probably thought she was some desperate romantic who'd throw herself at his feet and beg him to take her back.
"Please Gin, it'll be a good night, everyone from school will be there. Neville and Luna, Dean and Parvati, Seamus and Lavender, Remus and Tonks are coming, so are Sirius and Destiny.'' Hermione pleaded, she had to persuade Ginny to come.
"I don't know.'' Ginny said quietly, she wanted to, she didn't want to let Hermione down, but the thought of Harry avoiding her all night made her feel ill. He thinks I'm sad and desperate, he doesn't want to see me, she told herself.
"Please!"
"All right, I'll come." Ginny said quickly making up her mind before she had a chance top change it. She decided to show Harry that she wasn't sad, and wasn't pathetic, she'd show up at the party looking like a million dollars, and she'd show them all.
"Oh thank you Gin, you don't know how much this'll mean to…" Hermione stopped herself. "To Ron, he wanted all his family there see.'' Hermione said, hoping that she sounded convincing, she'd almost slipped up, almost given away Harry's secret.
"Right.'' Ginny said wearily. "So that's settled then, what time does the party start?''
"It starts at 7 o'clock but all Ron's team are coming over at about 6 to help 'get things ready' or in other words, start getting drunk earlier.'' Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"Ok that's great, will it be ok if I bring Colin and Dan?'' Ginny asked, knowing that she would need some moral support from her best friends.''
"That shouldn't be a problem, the more the merrier.'' Hermione said happily. "Well I'd best be off now then." She said quickly. "I have to go and visit my mum tonight, he hasn't been feeling well recently.''
"Send her my regards.'' Ginny said as she hugged her friend goodbye.
"Will do.'' Hermione said smiling. "I'll see you at the party then. You do know where the apartment is don't you?''
"Of course I do, Dad showed me a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't been inside yet.'' Ginny replied.
"Ok then great.'' Hermione said.
"See you soon.'' Ginny called as Hermione apparated, leaving her standing the in silence contemplating what she had just let herself in for.
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"So are you sure you both can make it?'' Ginny asked Colin, she had rung almost as soon as Hermione had left her house.
"Yeah definitely, I haven't been to a good party in ages." Colin said excitedly. "So its this Saturday at 7?'' Colin asked just to make sure.
"Yeah."
"I think we should show up at around 8ish and make an entrance. You'll have all eyes on you, your going to look amazing Gin.''
"I don't know Col, I'm not so sure about this anymore.''
"Nonsense, he's not going to know what's hit him when you walk through that door. He's going to be kicking himself for letting you go.''
"Oh shut up! He's not! I bet he had completely forgotten about me until the other day, I know I was trying my best to forget about him. But now that I've seen him again, I can't get him out of my head. I think I'm still in love with him Col.'' Ginny said softly.
"That's why we have to get this right on Saturday, so he can see exactly what he's been missing out on.''
"Ok deal.'' Ginny said smiling. "So I'll see you tomorrow then for a quick run through of the plan before the big night.''
"Definitely.'' Colin said smiling. "See you then Gin.''
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Ginny spent every free minute she had the next day, think of what she could wear to the party, she had never really been one to obsess over how she looked, sure she liked to watch her figure, and her hair had always been her pride and joy, but she had never worried much more about her appearance. But this night was special, she had to look amazing, she needed to knock Harry of his feet. The only problem was she couldn't think of a single item of clothing that she owned that would look good enough. She sighed audibly; she just knew that she wasn't going to pull this off. But she didn't have long to dwell on this as her next patient entered the room. But she was going to have to sort something out soon; the party was the next night.
After a long hard day at work, Ginny once again apparated into her living room and collapsed on the sofa, and it was only after a couple of seconds that she realised that she wasn't the only one on the sofa.
"Colin? What are you doing here?'' Ginny asked surprised.
"Remember? We have to go over the game plan for tomorrow night.''
"Oh yeah, there's a slight problem, I have nothing to wear.'' Ginny said despondently.
"Well just call me fairy godmother because I have the answer to all your problems Cinderella.'' Colin said happily.
"What's Cinderella?'' Ginny asked curiously.
"Never mind." Colin said "It's a Muggle thing.''
"Oh right.'' Ginny said as she took of her shoes. "So how have you got the answer to all my problems?" Ginny asked inquisitively.
"Well today, I was photographing the Madam Zelda, for a sort of a promotional shoot for her new shop open in Paris, and she had a huge boil on the end of her nose, well I promised her that I would edit it out of the photo for her, and she said that she'd do anything for me if I did, so well I sort of asked if she had a dress that would make heads turn and men drool." Colin said, as he looked at Ginny sitting wide-eyed before him.
"Really! You said that!''
"Yeah, first of all she asked if it was for me.'' Colin laughed. "But I explained our situation and I described you to her and showed her a photograph of you that was in my camera and she said she had just the thing and she gave me that.'' Colin said pointing to a large cover hanging from a coat hanger.
"She gave you a dress!'' Ginny squealed.
"No Gin, she just gave me the cover.'' Colin said sarcastically, "Of course she gave me the dress.''
"But I don't understand, why did she need you to edit out the boil, why didn't she magically remove it.'' Ginny asked, thinking that it was strange for one of the most famous designers to give away one of her dresses for nothing.
"She tried to remove it." Colin said. "She just couldn't, it was huge Gin, very big and red. That's why she was so grateful when I told her I could edit it out.''
Ginny laughed, she had never been so relived in her life.
"Well go and look at it then.'' Colin said eagerly. "She even gave me a pair of shoes to match and wished you good luck.'' Colin said smiling at the look of joy on Ginny's face. "She really is a nice lady.'' Colin said thinking back.
Ginny unzipped the black velvet covering from the dress and watched it fall delicately to the floor, she gasped in shock as she saw the dress. It was beautiful. The party certainly was going to be one to remember after all.
The light satin flowed delicately, it was white and laced with thousands of tiny pearls, it shone like silver and felt heavenly to touch. She picked it up carefully and rushed to try it on along with the pearl coloured high heels that she had also been given.
When she walked back into the room Colin gasped as he saw her, the dress came to just over her knees and it fitted her perfectly, the pearls shone and as Ginny twirled around Colin saw that hundreds of tiny crystal had been laced through the back, making the dress look as if it was glowing. The delicate fabric swayed across Ginny's toned legs as she twirled around. The dress was made for her.
"Thank you so much Colin, this dress is perfect, and so are the shoes. You really are the best." Ginny said rushing over to him and kissing him on both cheeks.
"Its no problem Gin, this dress is perfect for you, it looks as though it were made specifically for you.'' Colin said smiling, admiring his best friend. "It almost makes me wish that I weren't gay.'' Colin said laughing.
"Don't tell Dan that.'' Ginny said, unable to contain her happiness, she felt amazing in the dress, she felt truly beautiful for the first time in her life, and Colin was right. She was going to knock Harry Potter off his feet.
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(A.N Thanks guys, for all your review and again I'm sorry for the time it take to post this but I promise that the posts will be more regularly now that I'm off school. I think that this chapter is longer than the others, I tried my best to make it longer. Next chapter will be the party. What will happen? There's only one-way to find out Read and Review. Xxxxxxx)