A Love Worth Fighting For
Chapter Seventeen
The Yule Ball and How They Reacted
Disclaimer: Harry: Star, the wonderful, amazing Star doesn't own Harry Potter, but she should... but only if Hermione says yes... if she doesn't then I think I should kill Star, but I can't because she'll kill me off in the story so... -Harry walks off muttering to himself-
Star in a Daze: Well, now that THAT unpleasantness is over let's get on with the Chappie! But first I would like to say that I haven't forgotten about the elections. They take place a few days after Christmas!
Harry and Hermione were looking forward to the Yule Ball. They knew that it was going to be amazing. Harry had talked to Professor Dumbledore, and told him everything. He wanted to make sure the night was perfect, so he convinced Dumbledore to have blue roses at the tables, live fairies dancing in the air and ice sculptures all around the room. Harry even offered to pay for it all, but Dumbledore refused and said that he would do everything to get ready for Harry and Hermione's big night.
Hermione could tell that something was distracting Harry, but he wouldn't tell her. She was a little upset, but got over it once Harry said that it was a surprise.
On the twentieth there was a trip to Hogsmeade. Hermione and Ginny were excited and told Harry and Draco that they were going to go to Hogsmead together. Harry and Draco agreed because... well they didn't have a choice first of all and they wanted to talk about the Yule Ball.
Hermione and Ginny left for Hogsmeade early in the morning. They wanted to go look at the dresses for the ball. They wanted to get a dress before Parvati and Lavender started to bug them about all of the different kinds of dresses.
They walked into a shop that had a lot of ball gowns. As they walked through the racks they couldn't find anything they liked. They tried on many dresses, but none of them suited them.
After a while they left that store and wandered down the streets until they found an elegant shop filled with dresses. Hermione and Ginny walked in and looked at all of the dresses. Hermione immediately found the perfect one, and a little while later so did Ginny.
As Hermione and Ginny were wandering through dress shop after dress shop Harry and Draco were sitting in the Three Broomsticks having a butter beer. They were talking about what would conspire later that evening.
"So, Harry, are you going to go through with it. I mean, you're not having second thoughts about this are you?"
"Of course not!" Harry said. "I love her and I want her to know that I do. I mean you are engaged too!"
"I know I am, but I know that I'll always love Ginny".
"And I know that I'll always love Hermione". Draco nodded.
"Good for you mate. I always knew you had it in you". Harry nodded and took a sip of his butter beer.
After they were finished they walked down the street to a nice jewelry store. They were there to pick up the gifts they had ordered for their girlfriends. Harry had gotten Hermione a pair of blue Sapphire earrings, shaped like roses. They matched the necklace he had gotten for her perfectly. Draco had gotten Ginny a white gold choker with a line of rubies, her birthstone, on it.
A little while later they went back to Hogwarts and went to Harry and Hermione's room to find Hermione and Ginny sitting there, with huge grins on their faces.
"What are you so happy about?" Asked Harry. Hermione looked at him.
"Oh no reason, I just found the perfect dress".
"Can I see it?"
"Not until the Yule Ball". Harry looked at her with big puppy dog eyes. And she smiled. "Don't use those eyes on me. Mr. Potter!" Harry smiled.
"Fine Miss. Granger". Hermione started to laugh and soon everyone joined in. They all sat there, talking for a little while, and then went down for dinner.
On Christmas Eve Harry, Hermione, Ron and Erin all had a little party in the Gryffindor Common room. They all hung out there until it was so late that everyone was starting to fall asleep.
Harry and Hermione walked back to their room and they got ready for bed. Just before they fell asleep Harry leaned over to Hermione and kissed her on the lips.
"Goodnight Hermione". She smiled and kissed him back.
"Goodnight Harry". She replied.
The next morning when they woke up the Christmas tree that was sitting in their living room was full of presents. Harry and Hermione went over to them and started unwrapping.
Ron had gotten Harry a new Quidditch book and Hermione a new quill. Erin had sent them each a box of candy. Katrina had gotten Hermione a cute pink shirt and skirt and Harry a new sweater with a dragon on it. Lupin had given Harry a new set of throwing stars, with his initials on them and Hermione a set of silver hoop earrings. Harry and Hermione even got something from Vernon Dursley. He had sent them each fifty pounds! They were stunned by his generosity. Harry and Hermione also received a few gifts from students in their DA classes.
Harry and Hermione quickly got dressed, they wore the new clothes Katrina bought them, and went downstairs to eat breakfast.
They met Ron, Erin, Ginny, Draco and Katrina in the Great Hall. They all gathered around the end of the Gryffindor table. When they noticed Harry and Hermione they all stood up and passed around hugs, well the girls hugged everyone and the boys hugged the girls and shook the hands of the other boys. After a chorus of "Happy Christmas's" they all sat down to eat. During the meal they all thanked each other for the gifts. Harry, Hermione, Draco and Ginny decided that they would exchange gifts after breakfast in Harry and Hermione's room. So when they were all finished they went there for the gift exchange.
Draco gave Harry and Hermione their gifts first. He had given Harry a new watch and Hermione a diary. Then they handed him theirs and Hermione had given him a bracelet and Harry gave him a book titled "How to Live with Them Once you're married: A guide for men on how to live through a marriage". He laughed when he looked at it. Then they gave Ginny her gifts. Hermione got her a cute pair of black leather pants and a leather jacket and Harry gave her a new anklet. She then handed them theirs. Ginny had given Harry a lot of candy and gave Hermione a skimpy, red, silk nightgown. Hermione blushed when she pulled this out.
"I thought you could use that". Ginny said deviously. Hermione blushed harder.
"Thanks Gin". She said. Then Draco gave Ginny the choker and she gave him a dragon pendant. Hermione gave Harry a silver chain with "HP" on it. He then gave her the earrings and she immediately put them on. "Thank you Harry, I love them".
"I love you".
"I love you too".
All four of them spent the morning in that room talking and laughing. At lunch time they all went down to eat, and then went out into the snow for a couple vs. couple snowball fight.
At around three o'clock they headed inside. Ginny went into her room to grab her dress and other necessities and then she ran down to Harry and Hermione's room so her and Hermione could get ready together. Harry quickly got a shower and got into his tux so he could stay out of the way of the girls.
At around six fifteen Draco came to the room. Hermione and Ginny were still in Hermione's old room getting ready. Harry answered the door and brought Draco into his room to show him the ring. It was a beautiful white and yellow gold ring, the white and yellow swirling together to make a beautiful pattern. There was a diamond in the center with three smaller ones on each side.
"It's nice". Draco said with awe.
"It was my mom's". Harry said smiling. "I hope she likes it".
"She will". Harry slipped the ring into his pocket and he and Draco left his room and waited in the living room for Hermione and Ginny.
At twenty after six Hermione and Ginny walked out of the room. Harry gasped at the sight of Hermione. She was wearing a floor length, red, strapless gown that tied up at the back. The tie-ups were so low that you could see Hermione's rose tattoo on the bottom of her back. Her hair was waved down her back and in it were little jewels. Draco was looking at Ginny who was wearing a strapless azure colored dress. It trailed onto the floor and the back had buttons all the way to the top. Her hair was piled onto her head in curls and had little blue flowers in it.
Harry and Draco started spewing out compliments to the girls and they started blushing. The boys offered their arms to the girls and they walked down to the Great Hall together.
As they walked in Hermione gasped. The hall was beautiful. There were blue roses everywhere and there were light blue ice fairies dancing around the ceiling. There were ice sculptures everywhere you looked. Glittering like diamond. Hermione smiled and squeezed Harry's hand.
"It's so beautiful". She said with awe in her voice.
"Yes, you are". Harry replied. Hermione blushed and kissed Harry on the cheek as they walked in.
Once the feast had started Harry and Hermione were told to sit up at the head table. They sat beside Dumbledore and Lupin. They all talked merrily, and Dumbledore's eyes were shining a bit more than usual.
After the feast was over everyone began to dance. Harry took Hermione's hand and they started to dance. They only stopped when they were too tired to continue. Then they found Draco and Ginny and the four of them talked.
At around midnight Harry decided that it was time to propose. He told Hermione that he had to go to the washroom and he quickly went to the DJ and told him that it was time for the song that he had planned.
Harry went back to Hermione just as My Immortal came on. Harry knew it was her favorite song and it seemed good for this moment. He took her hand and they started to dance. They were in the middle of the crowd and the chorus came on.
"When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you screamed I'd fight away all of your fears". Harry reached into his pocket. "I held your hand through all of these years
And you still have...
... all of me". Harry stopped and looked at Hermione. She was beautiful and he knew that he was doing the right thing. He saw Draco, Ginny, Ron, Erin, Lupin and Dumbledore staring at them over the crowd. They all knew what was about to happen and they didn't want to miss it. Harry took Hermione's hand and knelt down on one knee. The music still playing in the background, but a little quieter. Everyone was now looking at what Harry was doing, all of his students watching intently. He slipped the ring on Hermione's left ring finger and looked into her eyes.
"Hermione, you have been my best friend since I came to Hogwarts. You have fought by my side, no matter what. I always knew that I could come to you if I needed advice, help with my homework, or if I just needed a friend to talk to. I knew that I could always trust you in any way. I knew that I could love you. I didn't even know what love was until I met you". Hermione's eyes glistened with tears.
"Oh, Harry". She whispered.
"I know that I can always count on you to be there for me, and I hope you feel the same way about me. I hope you feel that you can come to me for anything.
"Hermione, you were my first true love, and I want you to be my last. I want to wake up every morning and look over at you, the angel beside me. I want to wake up knowing that I am the happiest and luckiest man on earth, because I have you. Hermione Anna Granger, I love you and I would like to know if you will make me the happiest man on earth? Will you be my wife?" There were tears falling down her cheeks now. She looked at Harry's hopeful eyes and she nodded.
"Of course I will Harry. I love you". Harry stood up, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately. Everyone started clapping and Harry and Hermione broke apart and looked at everyone. The whole school, fourth years and up, were watching them and cheering. Harry heard Seamus' and Dean's voices shouting.
"Go Harry!" Harry smiled, and then Draco shouted out:
"Kiss her again!" Harry looked over at him and then kissed Hermione again. Everyone was clapping harder now.
Ron, Erin, Ginny, Draco and Lupin all rushed over to Harry and Hermione, but found it difficult to push through the crowd. Finally when they got to them Ginny and Erin rushed to Hermione and the three girls hugged. Ron, Draco and Lupin all went to Harry. Lupin patted him on the back, Ron was laughing at Harry, muttering about how he couldn't believe he actually did it and Draco held out his hand for a handshake, but Harry pulled Draco into a hug, which he returned.
By then everyone was trying to get to Harry and Hermione. All the girls that were part of the "Harry Potter Fan Club" Were crying and all the guys were congratulating him.
When Harry and Hermione finally were able to get back together it was the last song of the dance. Harry pulled Hermione close to him and they danced.
When the song was over Harry and Hermione walked back up to their room. They got into their pajamas and slid into bed.
"I love you Harry". Hermione said as she cuddled into his arms.
"I love you too Hermione. And I meant everything I said tonight". Hermione smiled.
"Thank you". She looked down at her hand and she fingered the ring. "It's beautiful".
"It was my mom's. My dad proposed to my mom on Christmas so I thought I would follow the tradition, the ring and all". Hermione smiled.
"Thank you so much Harry, can we go and tell my parents tomorrow?" Harry laughed.
"Of course, and then we'll go tell Uncle Vernon and Dudley okay?" Hermione nodded. Harry leaned down and kissed her.
The next morning Harry and Hermione woke up early. They quickly got showered and dressed so they could catch the school train.
When they got to London they hired a taxi and they went to Hermione's parent's house.
Hermione opened the door and walked in.
"Mommy, Daddy? Are you home?" Frank and Elizabeth came running into the entrance way.
"Hermione, Harry Merry Christmas".
"Merry Christmas". They replied together.
"Mommy, Daddy, we need to talk to you. Please don't get mad okay. We know we're young, but I want you to respect our decision". Elizabeth was shocked.
"Oh my god, you're pregnant". Hermione was shocked.
"NO". She said looking at her mom. "Of course not. We just wanted to tell you guys that we we're engaged". Elizabeth relaxed.
"Oh my gosh, congratulations. I'm so happy". Frank looked at Harry and smiled.
"You take care of her, okay son". Harry nodded.
"Of course". Elizabeth took Hermione into another room for a "talk" and Frank sat Harry down at the kitchen table and he sat across from him.
"So, Harry, you want to marry my daughter". Harry nodded. "Why?"
"Because I love Hermione and I am the luckiest person on earth that I know her, the fact that she's going to marry me is beyond belief. All I want is to wake up next to her every morning, knowing that I'm the luckiest person on earth". Frank smiled and nodded. He put his hand out to Harry.
"Welcome to the family Harry". He said kindly. Harry shook his hand and replied.
"Thank you". Hermione then walked into the kitchen with her mom.
"Mom says that we can stay here for the night and she'll drive us to the Dursley's tomorrow.
"Thank you Elizabeth" Harry said kindly. He stood up and hugged Hermione. Frank looked at his watch, surprised.
"It's six o'clock already. How about I take the happy couple and my beautiful wife out for dinner". They all agreed and they went out to a French restaurant called "Le Chateaux".
When they got back it was about ten o'clock. Harry and Hermione decided to go right to bed since they had to get up early the next morning to go to Harry's house. Harry and Hermione got into their pajamas and Harry slid into his bed. Hermione walked through the bedroom door and climbed into his bed.
"What are you doing Hermione?" Harry asked her.
"I always sleep with you". She replied.
"But what about your parents?"
"What about them? They'll have to accept that I'm going to marry you. They'll figure it out eventually". Harry smiled and nodded. He leaned over and kissed Hermione.
"Goodnight honey". He said smiling.
"Goodnight". With that the two of them fell asleep.
The next morning Harry and Hermione woke up to the sound of voices out side of Harry's room.
"Why is she in there Frank? She's too young to be sleeping with her boyfriend".
"Her fiancée, Lizzie. She's old enough to make her own decisions. Besides I trust our daughter to make the right decision. You should trust her too". Hermione climbed out of bed, with Harry right behind her. It was a good thing that Harry decided to wear pajama pants that night, or he would have been in a lot of trouble.
They walked out of the room and Hermione started to talk to her mom.
"Mommy, we live together already. We have the same room at Hogwarts. I can't believe you don't trust me enough to... you know". Elizabeth shook her head.
"It's not that I don't trust you... it's just that".
"You don't trust me". Harry finished. Elizabeth looked at Harry and blushed. Harry shook his head. He walked back into his room and got ready for their trip to the Dursley's.
"Mommy, how could you not trust him? He's been the best boyfriend anyone could ever have! I trust him not to do anything that would be immoral. He even told me that he doesn't want to have sex until he's married. He says that it's the right thing to do. Daddy trusts him, and dads are supposed to be the ones who sit down and drill the boyfriend, grinding them into the ground until the boy thinks that the girl isn't worth the torture, like Daddy did to Viktor". Hermione's eyes were filling with tears. She walked into her room and got ready for the trip.
I'm sorry Harry. Hermione said to Harry through her mind.
It's okay, it isn't your fault.
I know, but I can't believe her.
Well, how about we spend today getting money from my vault and buying a car. I have my driver's license, I'll drive us down.
Okay, well if we hurry we can floo from your Uncle John's house before he leaves for work.
Okay. Harry and Hermione hurried to get ready and they rushed to Harry's Uncle John's house down the street. They quickly explained everything to him and they flooed right to Diagon Ally, where Harry got the gold from the bank, exchanged it for muggle money and they flooed back to John's house within the hour (Before 9:00am). They went downtown and looked through all of the car dealerships. Before long Harry had made his selection. A silver Corvette Convertible with a black removable top. Harry got license plates and he drove Hermione back to her house so they could pick up their stuff. They quickly said goodbye to her parents and soon they were on the road again.
"So, Hermione, are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine now; I just can't believe my mom said that".
"It's okay, besides, I was wondering if you wanted me to buy a house and we could live together this summer". Hermione was shocked, and then smiled.
"Of course I do. That would be awesome". They pulled up to a stop sign and Hermione kissed Harry. The two of them talked about this for about four hours, until they pulled into the Dursley's driveway.
Harry and Hermione walked up, hand in hand to the front door. Harry pulled in open, moved out of the way so Hermione could go in and then he followed.
"UNCLE VERNON, DUDLEY". He yelled. "IS ANYBODY HOME?" Then came an answer from the rec. room.
"I am, but dad isn't". Dudley replied. Harry and Hermione walked into the room.
"Hey Dudley". Harry said. "How are you?"
"Fine, you?"
"Good. You know Hermione right?"
"Yeah, your girlfriend".
"Nope". Dudley looked at them shocked.
"Did you break up?" Harry smiled at the confused look on Dudley's face, it looked like the face he made what trying to do math.
"No, we're Engaged". Hermione showed Dudley the ring.
"Holy shit, where did you get the ring?" Harry smiled.
"It was my moms". Harry said to Dudley. "My Dad and Mom's best friend Remus Lupin gave it to me, along with her and Dad's wedding rings". Dudley nodded.
"Dad will be back in a little while. He said he'd be back by four, that's in fifteen minutes so, pull up some couch". Harry sat down on a chair and Hermione collapsed onto his lap. As promised, fifteen minutes later Vernon walked in.
"Oh, hello Harry, hello Hermione, what brings you here?"
"We wanted to tell you something". Vernon looked surprised, but then smiled.
"Okay, what is it?" Harry looked at Hermione and smiled. They looked at Vernon and at the exact same time said:
"We're engaged". Vernon was shocked. He took Hermione's hand and looked at the ring.
"It's nice". He said with approval.
"Thank you". Hermione said smiling. Harry looked at her with a smile and then turned to Vernon.
"Also Uncle, I'm going to be moving out after the end of this year. All we have to do is find a house, or if Hermione wants, we might move into Sirius' old house". Hermione turned to Harry.
"Really?" She asked, excited.
"Really". He said smiling. He pulled a key out of his pocket. "This is the key to the Manor". He dangled it in front of Hermione's face. "This is your copy of it. Here is mine". He handed her the key and pulled out his keychain. It had the key to the manor, the Dursley's house and his car.
"Oh my god". She said smiling. She hugged him. "Thank you". Vernon looked at the happy couple.
"So, how long are you staying?"
"How long are we welcome?" Harry asked.
"As long as you like". Harry smiled at his Uncle.
"Well, I was wondering if on the 30th you could give us a ride to London so we can catch the train to Hogwarts. Is it also possible to keep my car here over the terms?" Vernon nodded.
"Of course, just park it in the garage. It'll be there for you as soon as you come for it". Harry smiled and thanked him. "Oh, Hermione". Vernon said smiling. "You can have the guest room if you like". Hermione smiled but declined.
"If it is alright, I would like to stay with Harry". She said sweetly.
"Of course, just take your luggage up, Harry will show you where the room is". Hermione nodded and thanked him.
Over the next few days Harry and Hermione spent their time catching up with Vernon and Dudley, and on the last day Vernon drove Harry and Hermione to the train.
Star in a Daze: I hope you like! Please review!