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Checkmate

By: Silver Ice

Harry sat by the lake, sneaking glances over at Ginny, who was laying down and enjoying the sunny day. Hermione had been reading next to her, but she had just returned to the castle. Finding a new wave of strength, Harry rose and plopped himself down again next to Ginny.

Ginny's eyes snapped open and she glanced at Harry. "What are you doing here? I didn't hear you coming." Ginny said, sitting up with a smile.

"Yeah, I've just been thinking." Harry declared with a small smile.

"Oh yeah, about what?" Ginny inquired, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"About the Spring dance next Saturday." Harry replied, suddenly feeling apprehensive.

"I've been thinking about it too. I'm so excited that I'll actually be able to stay at the dance and enjoy it. Mum's even sending me some dress robes." Ginny bubbled in excitement.

"That's great, you don't have any here?" Harry asked, trying to drag the conversation on to calm the butterflies in his stomach.

"No. I didn't think there would actually be a dance. Otherwise I would have thought to buy some." Ginny answered.

"Yeah, I suppose that would make sense." Harry said with a chuckle. Ginny smiled back in response, and Harry didn't waste anymore time, "Listen Ginny, I don't know if you have plans or if someone's already asked you, but would you like to go to the Spring dance with me?"

Before Ginny could reply, Ron had suddenly appeared and was standing angrily next to Ginny, who had risen to her feet. Ginny smiled as Ron frowned and Harry felt himself drifting farther back from the two Weasley's.

Suddenly, Ginny turned and walked away.

Harry awoke with a start, his stomach knotted and his hopes crushed. Things had seemed to be going so well in the dream. Harry attempted to fall back asleep, almost hoping to edit the end of his dream, but the other boys were starting to wake up. With a sigh of defeat, Harry rose from his cozy bed and prepared for the day.

"Hey Harry," Ron said as he pulled on his socks, "I forgot to ask you yesterday, who do you plan on asking to the Spring dance?"

Harry, who had been buttoning his shirt, froze in fear. What was he going to tell Ron, "Hey mate, I'm going to ask your sister to the dance now." Instead, Harry opted to shrug and ask, "I don't actually know yet, how about you?"

"Oh-erm-well. You see, I did have this one person in mind. You know, I'm not really sure if she'd say yes though." Ron explained, tapping his leg and concentrating on the floor.

"You know Ron, you really should just ask Hermione and get it over with. She's going to say yes unless you wait too long." Harry answered, amused to see Ron's shocked face.

"Am I really that obvious?" Ron asked in disbelief.

Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Of course you're that obvious! Everyone in the world except for Hermione knows that you would like nothing more than to be with her!"

At this, Ron's ears turned pink and he grinned widely, "You really think she'd say yes? I mean, we fight an awful lot and I say the most terrible things some time! I don't even know why, it's not like I ever mean any of it. I just can't help it, when I'm around her, I can't seem to control my self."

"Ron, I don't think you have to worry. Hermione likes you whether you're being a perfect gentleman or whether you're being a complete oaf. Ask her!" Harry encouraged, happy that Ron was finally getting over himself and admitting that he really did care for Hermione.

"Thanks Harry, I will ask her! Now who is it that you want to ask? I know that you have someone in mind, you can't hide it from me." Ron said, wondering who Harry would want to ask to the dance.

"I don't know. I'm still thinking. I don't want to rush and just ask anyone." Harry said, not ready to admit to Ron that he'd like to go to the dance with his sister.

"All right," Ron said skeptically, "just tell me who you plan on taking when you're ready to talk about it." Ron said, leading the way out of the boys dormitory.

Hermione was already down in the common room, a different book in her hand.

Harry collided with Ron as he froze to gaze at Hermione. Her bushy hair was clipped back and she had left the first few buttons on her uniform unbuttoned. Ron was absolutely captivated.

"Don't waste any time, ask her already! You don't want to miss your chance!" Harry encouraged, walking briskly past Ron and out of the common room before Hermione could even notice he'd been there.

As the portrait hole swung shut, Hermione's eyes darted from her book to Ron. She smiled and book marked the page she was at before rising. "Good morning Ron, where's Harry?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Oh, he already went down to breakfast. He wanted to get an early start, to think about the dance." Ron answered, grinding his teeth nervously.

"I'm surprised you didn't go with him! It's been hours since you last ate," Hermione joked.

"Yeah, I actually wanted to talk to you," Ron said, walking towards the armchairs Hermione had just risen from. He sat and motioned for Hermione to do the same.

"You wanted to talk to me? About what?" Hermione asked cautiously as she sat down next to Ron.

"Well, you see. I, well. I don't know how to put this," Ron mumbled, nervously.

"Ron, why are you so nervous? What is it?" Hermione asked, still oblivious as to what Ron was trying to ask her.

Ron grew silent as he looked into Hermione's sparkling cinnamon eyes. She was smiling comfortingly at him and suddenly, Ron couldn't understand why he'd ever felt nervous. "Hermione, would you go to the Spring dance with me? I made the mistake of not asking you when I had the first chance, and I'm not letting that happen again." Ron declared with a hopeful smile.

Hermione seemed surprised as she processed what Ron had just said. After a moment of making sure he'd actually asked her out, Hermione found the courage to speak, "Of course I'll go with you to the dance. There isn't anyone else I'd rather go with!"

"Really? I mean, that's great!" Ron exclaimed, trying his hardest to maintain his cool and not jump up and down in excitement.

Both smiled widely as they made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry was already there, and he was just finishing up his first stack of pancakes. He looked from Ron's smile to Hermione's and knew that they would be going to the dance together.

As Ron sat, Harry swiftly patted him on the back and whispered, "Good job!"

Ron nodded smiling before eagerly loading his own plate with pancakes and bacon.

A/N: Heck yes kids! Thank you so much for your reviews. If you double the amount of reviews I have now, I promise you an update on the 22nd! Please keep reading and I'll keep writing!