Chapter 34:

They kissed long enough to give Ginny a chance to giggle, before they pulled apart. Ron kept his arms twined round her waist sweetly.

'Will you go with me now?' He asked, grinning cheekily.

'Oh Ron!' Hermione exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug and nearly sending them both flying.

Harry and Ginny laughed loudly, and knocked the couple out of their reverie.

'Oh, you two!' Ron said, blushing yet not moving. 'I forgot-'

'-We were here?' Ginny asked, with sheer delight.

Hermione and Harry passed a grin between them, and Harry gave her a look which quite clearly said that it was about time.

'You know, you two should go.' Hermione said, taking her head from Ron's chest. 'The balls already started, and me and Ron should talk.'

'Oh…' Ron moaned. 'Can't we talk tomorrow? I'm hungry.'

'You're always hungry.' Hermione stated, fidgeting in his grasp.

'No.' Ron affirmed. 'I'm always Ron, I'm always honest, and I'm always in love with you. That's all.'

Hermione tilted her head to one side, perhaps contemplating Ron's words, and Ron leaned forward and kissed her lightly again.

'You know you can't just do that every time you want something?' Hermione insisted, crossing her arms with an unconvincing smirk.

Ron gave Hermione his best puppy dog eyes, and it was obvious Hermione wasn't going to win.

'Fine.' She sighed calmly, and Ron gave her one of his famous lopsided grins. 'What am I going to do with you?'

'I could think of a few things he'd like.' Harry said in an undertone, and Ginny giggled.

'You could come and dance with me.' Ron said, taking both her hands in his.

'I'd have never thought of that.' Ginny sniggered, tapping her dead mockingly.

'Are we keeping you?' Ron said gruffly, and the message was clear.

'Alright alright.' Harry chuckled. 'We're going. Come on, Gin.'

Harry held out his hand, and Ginny clasped it with her own, before strolling perfectly into the Great Hall.

The decorations adorning the walls were astounding. Harry was sure Hogwarts had never made an effort like this in his world. Mind you, they'd never had a Christmas ball before. There was no time for planning balls and clubs when you had to plan armies, training, protection spells, and a way to defeat the Dark Lord.

Hanging from the walls were great tapestries, all colored gold, red or green. Large Christmas trees stood bearing bulbs of light, and twinkles of sheen streamed everywhere. Mistletoe was occupying every wall, and to Harry's surprise, the Marauders merry Christmas poster which had been confiscated had somehow found it's way to a prime spot of wall.

Couples were dancing around the hall, and a color didn't seem to have been missed. If Harry hadn't been so indulged in the parade around him, he may have noticed that half the population of Hogwarts was giving him the most evil looks for having such a beautiful date. She was easily the bell of the ball, but Harry didn't need anyone to tell him that.

'Why don't we find a table.' Harry suggested, blushing as he met Ginny's eyes. He didn't know why he did it. Maybe he was just hot…

'Sure.' She smiled. 'We can dance after dinner. Look! There's Dean and Erin. Come on!'

Ginny dragged Harry towards a table at the far right hand corner, and Harry trailed along quite happily. He didn't mind if they were dancing or sitting, he was already enjoying himself. There was a bright bubble leaping in Harry's stomach and he had no intention of trying to make it go away. It was as if now that Ron and Hermione were together, there was hope for the rest of the world. Anything was possible.

'Heya Prongs, Gin.' Dean grinned, shifting his arm from around Erin's shoulders.

'Hey.' Harry replied, pulling out Ginny's chair for her which made her giggle.

The pair sat down opposite Dean and Erin.

'Having fun?' Ginny asked more Erin then Dean.

'Yes.' Erin replied, twirling one of her curls. 'I actually am.'

'Of course she is, she's here with me.' Dean insisted, confidently. 'Everyone knows that Marauders make the best dates.'

'Well I can't disagree with that.' Harry shrugged, and both girls clicked their tongues disapprovingly.

'Well you'd better watch yourselves, or you might just find you're the best dateless dates.' Erin smirked, and Ginny gave her a hi-5.

'Ok, ok.' Dean said. 'I guess we'll just have to prove that Marauders make the best dates if you two aren't convinced.'

'Be my guest.' Erin said cheekily, and Dean began to lean in.

'Could I have a word with you, Dean?' Harry asked, putting his hand between their two faces. Dean mumbled something inaudible, and allowed Harry to drag him away.

'You upset my sister once, you're not doing it again.' Harry stated, icily.

'Alright, mate.' Dean sighed. 'I'll try and keep my hands off, but I can't guarantee she'll do the same.'

'She will, and you will, and everything will be just peachy.' Harry said harshly, before softening into a smile. 'Just leave her alone.'

'I'll try, but I think that might be difficult.' Dean insisted. 'I am her date after all.'

'And that's fine, Wormy.' Harry smiled, before counting off on his fingers. 'As long as theres no flirting, no contact, no slow dancing, no hugging and definitely no kissing.'

'I hope those rules don't apply to us too.' A voice said from behind Harry, and he turned round to face his date. She had a mischievous glint in her eye, and a naughty grin on her face.

'Nope.' Harry smiled, and Ginny slipped herself under Harry's arm and wrapped hers around his waist. 'That's just the rules the older brother has to give, and since none of your older brothers seem to be around, I'd say we can do what we like.'

'Good.' Ginny smiled deeply up at Harry, and he found himself thinking about what he'd just said.

'If you'd all like to make your way to your tables,' the crisp old voice of Dumbledore sounded. 'We can start our magnificent feast.'

Gradually the patches of color faded away from the dance floor, and found spaces at the tables around the outside. Harry, Dean and Ginny took their places again, before being interrupted.

'Is anyone sitting here?' A soft masculine voice asked. The owner of the said voice was wearing silky black robes, and an unsure expression.

'Sure Draco.' Harry smiled warmly, and turned to Draco's date. 'And you're Brooke, aren't you?'

'Yes.' She grinned broadly, Harry imagined at one of the Marauders knowing her name. She seemed to be in a much better mood, now that she'd found her date. 'And you're Harry, of course. You played brilliantly in our last Quidditch match.'

'Thanks.' Harry chimed. He hadn't had a compliment in some time, and it was nice to be appreciated.

'You played well too, Ginny.' Brooke said, almost shyly. 'You handle the ball brilliantly.'

'Do you like Quidditch?' Ginny asked, giving Brooke a friendly smile.

'Yeah, it's great.' Brooke brightened. 'I tried out, but I never made the team. But you guys are really good, and a close team, so I didn't expect to.'

'Well maybe you could pass by at practice some time, do some flying.' Dean suggested, suddenly interested.

'Yeah. We could do with a reserve.' Harry added.

'Hi.' Hermione said, as her and Ron approached. She was dragging Ron by the hand, much in the same way that Ginny had done with Harry before. Hermione was bright red in the face, and grinning from ear to ear. Ron, on the other hand, was wearing a dazed expression.

'Hey.' He smiled, loftily.

'So what did we miss?' Hermione asked, ordinarily, like they'd been late for class.

'Nothing much.' Harry chuckled. 'So where have you two been?'

'Nowhere.' Ron sighed, leaning his arm on the table and his head in his hand, staring absent mindedly at Hermione.

'We were just making our way inside…slowly.' Hermione lied brilliantly, occupying herself with her knife and fork.

'Hmmm.' Was Ron's reply.

'And are you two…?' Ginny asked, looking girly and excited.

'We didn't get that far. We'll talk about it tomorrow I guess.' Hermione said, and Ron shifted a curl of hair behind her ear. 'Oh, do stop it Ron! You're acting like you've only just noticed I'm alive!'

'No, I knew before.' Ron said warmly. 'But I couldn't do this before.'

Ron cupped Hermione's face and kissed her tenderly again.

'Get a room!' Dean exclaimed. 'Some of us are trying to eat!'

Harry suddenly noticed that food had filled the shiny silver plates, and began to pile dinner in front of him hastily.

'Hungry?' Ginny asked, amusement playing on her freckles.

'Not really.' He mumbled, for lack of a better answer. He shook his head. Since when did he ever run out of things to say to Ginny?

Harry thought about the girl beside him throughout his meal, barely speaking at all. Erin and Dean caught Ginny up in heated discussion about female Quidditch players, which Harry was more then happy to watch. Ginny looked really cute when she was flustered. Her nose scrunched, her skin flushed, her eyes grew wide.

Hermione and Brooke shared a conversation to Harry's left about the importance of caring for unicorn's and other endangered species, Brooke often asking for Ron's opinion while twirling her hair, but Ron didn't seem interested. Ron and Draco contented themselves with small talk, all previous quarrels forgotten.

Ginny slid her hand onto Harry's knee as she laughed at a joke someone had made. This seemed to be shaping up into a pretty good date…

Once dinner was over the table disappeared, and all the chairs were charmed to one side.

'Time for dancing.' Harry stated, taking Ginny's delicate hand.

'Great!' Brooke squeaked, flattening out her purple sash, and her and Draco were off.

'Well here goes nothing.' Ron sighed, and Hermione smiled.

'Don't you like dancing?' Hermione asked sarcastically.

'It's not that I don't like it.' Ron explained. 'It's just that Mum made me take tones of lessons when I was little, and now I can hardly stand it.'

'Well I'm afraid you're going to have too.' Hermione huffed, putting one of Ron's hands on her waist. 'I'm not making out with you all night.'

Harry and Ginny chuckled, before meeting each others eyes and going red.

'Young love.' Erin mused at Harry and Ginny before turning to Dean.

'I can't be bothered to dance.' He stated, looking questioningly at Erin.

'Well how about we dance for a bit, just to take away any suspicion,' Erin suggested. 'Then we can go and dungbomb Snape's office.'

'Brilliant.' Dean said, sounding really chuffed. 'You're the best date ever!'

Dean swept Erin off her feet, and left Harry and Ginny alone in a shifty silence.

'Did you take dancing lessons when you were younger?' Harry asked, staring out into the crowd.

'Yes.' Ginny replied.

'Did you like them?'

'They were ok.' She nodded. 'But I had to learn with Ron, and he always stood on my toes.'

The pair smiled.

'Well I promise I wont stand on your toes.' Harry assured her. 'May I have this dance?'

'You certainly may.' Ginny grinned impishly.

They danced for some time, how long it was impossible to say. It was lighthearted and innocent, and Harry couldn't help but enjoy himself. He almost felt giddy, like a little school girl. Even Ron was having fun.

'I never thought I could like dancing this much!' Ron called, as Hermione pulled herself closer to Ron on a slower number. Harry and Ginny had continued waltzing: It was more fun that way. They just joked and laughed, not caring what anyone said or thought. They swayed and sang, and twirled and turned.

Hours passed in a second, and the load of the dance floor lessened. Dean and Erin had disappeared long ago, taking advantage of Snape's absence. Draco and Brooke had taken a break and now supported drinks. Apparently Hermione had kept up her side of the bargain, and her and Ron where nowhere to be seen. They were probably occupying a cupboard somewhere, Harry mused. It seemed Lavender and Seamus had done the same, as they weren't around either.

'What you thinking about?' Ginny asked cutely. One of her hands rested in Harry's, and the other arm curled round his shoulder and clasped it.

'Nothing.' Harry smiled down at her. He wasn't tall, but Ginny was still a good few inches shorter then him. 'Just wondering where everyone is.'

'It doesn't take a genius to work it out.' Ginny said, raising an eyebrow.

'I know.' Harry replied. 'It's just weird not having them around. I mean, I was expecting to have Ron breathing down my neck all night.'

'Well I think you're free.' Ginny said lightly. 'I doubt they'll be back for a while.'

'Good.' Harry stated with the devil in him, and sharply pulled her small figure closer with a smirk. He could now feel her body next to him. They eyeballed each other as they danced, with defiant looks. It was as if they were challenging each other to move away. Neither did.

'Maybe we should get a drink.' Ginny suggested after some time. Her face was red and her voice choked.

'Sure.' Harry glowed, and led her back towards their table.

Draco and Brooke were still there, and Brooke was rambling animatedly about something, but Draco didn't seem to be listening.

'Butterbeer?' Harry asked, picking up a bottle.

'Ok.' Ginny nodded. 'It's not like we don't have enough up in our common room.'

'I know.' Harry chuckled, thinking back to the many crates he'd seen piled by the fireplace. 'I don't think that Dean and Seamus realize you'd have to drink about 50 gallons to get drunk on that stuff.'

'Maybe they'll spike it with Firewhisky.' Ginny suggested.

'Now that can't be nice.' Harry replied, wincing and sticking his tongue out.

'I'm not too sure they'll care.' Ginny smiled, and Harry suddenly realized in what close proximity they were to each other. He dropped his gaze in defense.

He looked at their hands, which were clasped, and laced their fingers. It felt nice to hold hands with Ginny, not like it had been with Cho. With Cho it had had to mean something, mind you, Harry reminded himself, that was a long time ago. Maybe he was over that.

He raised his eye line a little, and followed the glitter on Ginny's dress, before reaching her creamy white neck, then her face. Her eyes were wide and questioning, her lips parted a little. Each tiny freckle glittered in the light.

Harry carried on his gaze upwards, looking at the halo of a tiara she wore and her shiny golden hair. Then, out the corner of his eye, something caught his attention.

'Mistletoe.' Harry declared, looking unsurely at the frosty snippet.

Ginny looked up too.

'Oh.' She said, appearing nervous for the first time that evening. 'I didn't notice.'

When Ginny lowered her gaze again, she found Harry staring thoughtfully into her deep brown eyes.

He began to lean in, ever so slowly. He felt Ginny's hands tense in his, so he ran his thumbs over the back of them, reassuringly. He tipped his head to the right as he got near enough to feel her breath, and she soundlessly closed her eyes.

'Harry!' The accusing voice of an older brother sounded, and Harry pulled sharply away.

'Hey Ron.' He said automatically, before spotting his friend a few feet away. 'You back?'

'What does it look like?' Ron barked, with his hands on his hips.

'Come on Ron.' Hermione ushered in Ron's ear. 'Lets dance again.'

Hermione whisked Ron away, but the moment was lost.

'Do you want to dance?' Harry asked Ginny, felling strangely shaken.

'Erm, no.' Ginny stuttered. 'I think I'll just have a drink.'

Ginny opened her butterbeer bottle with her teeth, in a most unladylike manor, and took a careful swig.

'Hi.' Brooke said, as she swooped in next to Ginny and picked up a bottle.

'Where's Draco?' Harry asked, searching the dance floor.

'I'm afraid I lost him to a better dancer.' Brooke chuckled, and pointed to Draco swing dancing in the middle of the hall with no other than Luna Lovegood.

'Now there's something you don't see every day.' Harry mused, before turning to Ginny. 'Wouldn't by any chance have a camera, would you?'

'I wish.' Ginny said, her focus fixed. Harry laughed as Draco lifted Luna in her deep red dress, and swung her round, before looking back to Ginny. Her gaze faltered for a second, and Harry realized that she wasn't watching the dancing. Her eyes were lingering on the open door which revealed to all the dark night and cold grounds of Hogwarts.

'Harry.' Ginny said with a gasp, her eyes never moving from their spot. 'Could you excuse me for a moment?'

Before waiting for an answer, Ginny paced her way across the hall and through the crowd. Harry watched her in silence before she was out of sight, and the activity in the center began to thicken.

He twisted his hands nervously, feeling suddenly alone, before his senses kicked in. He needed to follow her. What if there was something dangerous out there? But if she'd spotted something, surely she would have told him?

Giving in to his curiosity, he followed Ginny's example and made his way to the door. Once outside in the cold sharp wind, he felt more like his old self then ever.

'Ginny!' Harry called, as he spotted her shivering form across the grass. She turned her head, and Harry stormed over her way. 'Why are you out here? Is something wrong?'

'No.' She replied, folding her arms and looking distant. 'I just though I saw something.'

'What?' Harry asked, his brows furrowing.

'Now don't laugh at me, I know I must be seeing things.' Ginny began, her eyes trailing through the midnight draft. 'But I'm sure that I just saw a hooded figure walk past here.'

'What?' Harry sharpened. 'Why didn't you-'

'I thought it was Riddle.' She said normally. 'I recognized the way he walked, and I thought he was leaving, but it couldn't have been him. He didn't have his cases.'

'Do you think it was a Death Eater?' Harry asked, his form poised in panic.

'Here?' Ginny questioned, unconvinced.

'Yes.' Harry stressed. 'Where did the hooded figure go?'

'Into the forest.' Ginny replied, and Harry's blood ran cold. He'd been in the forest days ago, maybe weeks ago, and he'd met a hooded figure. It had slipped his mind with all of the teenage problems he'd been provided with. Now it was as clear as ever.

'Ginny.' Harry ordered. 'We need to go inside.'

He led her almost solemnly back to the hall, his enjoyment of the evening gradually draining away.

'Ginny.' Harry stated, holding her shoulders when they were back inside. 'I saw a hooded figure in the Forbidden forest the other day.'

He'd seen the hooded figure when he'd been in his animagus form. Harry turned his head and shifted his gaze to the forest, almost itching to change back into a stag and hunt down the intruder. It seemed Ginny had something on her mind to, as he spotted her picking at the stitching on her dress.

'That doesn't have to mean anything.' Ginny said unconvincingly.

'The last time there was a hooded figure in the forest, it was Voldemort.' Harry stated, almost shaking with adrenalin. 'We can't risk this.'

'Well what do you suggest we do?' Ginny asked, looking suddenly young and innocent.

'We tell Dumbledore.' Harry said, leaning towards the teachers table. The old man's eyes were glittering at him.

'But if we tell Dumbledore now,' Ginny began. 'We'll have to tell him the whole story. Then the chances are that he'll send us all home, maybe even before you get to meet your parents.'

Harry stood paralyzed for a moment.

'Well that's a risk I'm just going to have to take.' Harry insisted.

'I wont let you.' Ginny said, looking tearful. 'You've always wanted to meet them more then anything. I'm not letting you throw this all away because of something I think I saw. I'm always seeing things that aren't there since the war happened. I'm always on guard, suspecting everything, and my imagination goes into overload.'

'But I saw it too.' Harry murmured.

'Please.' Ginny begged, a tear escaping her eye. 'Just let it go. We're here and we're safe. There's no Dark Lord and no worries. Just you and me.'

Harry looked sadly at Ginny and her anxious eyes, and suddenly felt guilty. The crystal drops swimming down her face were genuine, and cold. Her once optimistic bright orbs, had deepened to dark spheres. He was reminded directly of how Ginny was in his world: troubled yet content. Content in his wake.

He lifted his hands and wiped the tears silently from her face. There was no need for words. He left his hand cupping her left cheek, and felt her smooth skin ripple beneath his touch.

Her expression was priceless yet indescribable. It just reflected the many years he'd known her. Somewhere deep in her gaze he could even see the little girl in the Chamber of secrets, just dieing to get out. She wanted a chance to prosper, and not be replaced by maturity and solitude. She wanted a chance to love.

Harry saw his reflection in Ginny's eyes. His watch was one of adoration and admiration, and a familiar look he'd seen her give him so many times. He understood.

Harry lent in with a spontaneous swoop, and kissed her straight on the lips: As simple as that.

It lasted only a second before he pulled away.

'Do you want to dance?' Harry asked, his voice deep. 'This must be one of the last dances.'

'Yeah.' She glowed, and shyly let him lead her into the thicket.

They danced for a few minutes in silence, their eyes barely meeting. Harry could feet his heart pounding faster then ever in his chest. His lips felt like they were on fire. Ginny moved angelically, her eyes lulling in content and her voice humming a soft warbling tune. Harry was entranced.

The pleasant music suddenly melted into a uniform waltz, and Ginny took the lead with a leap. They surrounding pairs twirled and span, and Harry wasn't too sure if he was moving or if they were. It all made him so dizzy…

'Are you alright Harry?' Ginny asked, as she gave his hand a squeeze. He was holding her hand…of course he was…

'Why don't you sit down.' Ginny suggested, and she took Harry effortlessly to the nearest table. Harry felt his knees go weak as he slumped into a chair. 'You don't look too well Harry.'

His head was pounding. Harry assumed that someone had spiked his butterbeer, probably Dean, before Ginny said 7 chilling words:

'I'm going to go to Madame Pomfrey.'

Harry turned sharply to her cinnamon eyes: 'What?'

'I'll be right back with something to help. Just sit there.' Ginny said with concern. 'I'll be right back.'

Harry knew she wouldn't.

'No!' He shouted as she took her first step. The memory came back. 'Don't go.'

'But you look sick.' Ginny said, seeming hurt. 'I'll just be a minute.'

'But you wont.' Harry begged, his vision fogging. 'Don't go Ginny, you have to trust me. I had a-'

'What?' Ginny bleated.

Harry's head suddenly felt to big for his body and his stomach clamped. Every fiber of his body was telling him to keep her here, yet his physical form was weakening. His grasp on her hand unwinding…

'Harry!' Ginny shivered. 'Are you ok? Talk to me Harry.'

'Stay.' He mumbled, tightening his grip on her with all his might.

They stayed there for a moment, Harry trying to pull himself together, before a great force pinched Harry's mind.

A wincing scream filled the bright and bold room of the Great Hall. It was blood curdling, and made the hairs on the back of Harry's back stand on end, yet the voice wasn't Ginny's this time.

Harry flicked his eyes open in an instant, his reactions as perfect as before. He stared through the dim hushed silence of the room, until the door creaked open, and a figure heaved unwelcomingly into the hall.