AN: Ok guys, if you REALLY want me to, I can continue this story from after the dance. The response has been so huge and supportive that I think I'm going to do it! Give me suggestions on what could happen during the final 6 months of the year ok? And thank you so much to my wonderful reviewers (I am still in shock from getting 35 reviews in 2 hours!), without whom I thought this story would go way down! Thank you for being so supportive! Another thing, this chapter is the last that is of reasonable length. The last chapter is quite short and only a sort of epilogue. But don't worry, the sequel's going to come out soon (If I get enough requests for it)!

RECAP: "Hermione, don't worry about Ron ok? He'll come around. He likes you too much to let you go," he said consolingly.

"Yeah, I hope you're right Harry." sighed Hermione.

The Christmas dance was now only a week away and the final Secret Santa presents were to be given on New Years Eve. Harry and Hermione had finalized all the plans for the dance and sighing with relief.

Harry and Ginny had spent a lot of time together, snuggling up by the lake and going for picnics on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest. On the other hand, Hermione was avoiding Ron. Ron had thought hard and long after he and Hermione had had that conversation in the common room, and decided what he was going to do, if only Hermione would talk to him. Annoyingly, Hermione had spent most of her time with Neville, studying Herbology and other subjects that made Ron want to barf. He knew she was doing it just to get back at him and that annoyed him even more,

Ron had even tried asking Harry, but Harry had shortly told him, "Look man, you screwed up. Don't take advice from me, just go make things right."

But how was he supposed to make things right when Hermione wasn't speaking to him? He had tried cornering her in the Library once and asked if he could talk to her but she had pushed him away and told him she was busy.

Poor Ron, he had had such a shock finding out that Hermione liked him; he was finding it very hard to keep it that way!

Harry and Ginny had mainly sneaked around behind Ron's back, because they were still not sure about how Ron would react to them being together. They had decided that they would tell him at the Christmas dance.

And finally, the day of the Christmas dance came at last. Hermione and Ginny had gone to Hermione's bedroom at around 6:30pm to get ready. First they did their hair. Hermione performed a complicated spell on her hair so that it went into natural wavy curls cascading down her back. Ginny piled her up and pinned it so it stayed in place. Then the girls started on their make-up. They applied a thin coat of foundation, and then applied a bit of blush and eye shadow. They finished off with mascara, eyeliner and lip-gloss. As they got into their dress robes Ginny said, "You look gorgeous Hermione, Ron won't know what's hit him!"

They giggled as they came out to the living room, where Ron and Harry were waiting. Ginny went straight to Harry and took his hand. Ron was so busy gazing at Hermione that he didn't notice Harry and Ginny holding hands. Hermione blushed as she saw Ron staring at her. Ginny winked at her and she smiled.

"Come on guys, Harry and I have to open to dance and it's nearly time," she said.

Ron snapped out of his trance and hurriedly followed Hermione out of the door. Harry and Ginny followed. The four of them went down to the Great Hall where a crowd of people dressed in different coloured robes had already gathered. Everyone was looking fabulous, colourful and lively. Harry and Hermione hurried to the doors and tried to get everyone's attention. The noise grew considerable softer and Hermione started speaking.

"Welcome everyone to this years special Christmas dance. I hope you have enjoyed doing Secret Santa and are eager to find out who they are!" said Hermione.

"So let's start the party!" shouted Harry opening the door to the Great hall. Everyone surged in and then came the 'oohing' and 'aahing' as everyone looked around with appreciation. For indeed, the decorations were beautiful. There were great banners of red and green hanging from the walls. There was holly and mistletoe everywhere. There were miniature ice-sculptures in all the corners and the lights had been semi-dimmed. Harry and Hermione looked around proudly at their work and smiled at each other.

Ron and Ginny came up and Hermione indicated the music band to start playing. Favourite Christmas songs and carols could soon be heard.

"Would you care to join me for a dance mademoiselle?" asked Harry, bowing to Ginny and offering her his hand. Ginny giggled and took it, and the two were off dancing madly.

"Erm… Hermione, do you want to dance?" asked Ron, unsure of Hermione's current mood.

"Sure Ron. Come on!'' Hermione took him by the hands and led him into the crowd. Just then a slow number came on and everyone around them started to waltz. Ron awkwardly put his hands on Hermione's waist and she put her arms around his neck.

They moved slowly for a while until Ron broke the silence between them and said, "Hermione, I've been thinking… a lot, and… I… I really like you Hermione… and you were right about me not being mature enough to realize what a big mistake I was making… I really, really like you Hermione…"

Hermione looked at him in surprise, "Wow Ron, I didn't think you'd be able to come out and say that!"

"So you knew?" grinned Ron.

"Yeah… and Ron? I like you a lot too… I've liked you for ages, you know that?" said Hermione.

Ron pointed upwards, and Hermione turned up to look. There was a huge sprig of mistletoe above them. Hermione giggled as Ron leant in and kissed her.

AN: aww… they finally admitted it! Anyways, don't forget to review and tell me what you think. It's not over yet! There's going to some chapters left!