A/N: Thank you very much for reading and reviewing! I'm happy to know you guys care. By the way, no one's dating…yet. ; )

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Checkmate

By: Silver Ice

"I'm so glad Ron finally asked you! I knew he wouldn't let you go after he messed up so bad at the Yule Ball." Ginny said happily, hugging Hermione in excitement.

"Yeah. I thought he would ask me, but I really was worried for a while that he was going to freeze up and ask Padma or someone else instead!" Hermione declared, unable to stop from smiling.

"Padma? I don't think he'd be asking her anytime soon. Don't worry. He's mad in love with you!" Ginny declared confidently.

"Well, he's just asking me to a dance. It's not that big of a deal really. I mean, he could just be scared of going stag or not having fun. I don't blame him of course. I mean I want to have fun too. Bu-" Hermione's ramble was cut off by Ginny.

"Oh puh-lease Hermione. Don't even start up on that old argument. For being the smartest witch in school, you sure do lack in common sense." Ginny said, shrugging innocently at Hermione's shocked glare.

"Ginny, really. I think that I have a perfectly fair amount of common sense! I'm just trying to look at the situation for what it really is!" Hermione snapped defensively.

"Hermione. Why do you look at things pessimistically?" Ginny asked hopelessly.

"I don't know. I guess I'm just scared." Hermione said slowly, keeping her gaze lowered.

"Scared? You? Of what?" Ginny questioned.

Hermione was silent for a moment before she finally lifted her eyes to meet Ginny's. It looked as though she might cry, but instead she spoke, "I'm scared of everything. I don't know, it's just I don't want to be hurt or rejected."

"Hermione! You wouldn't be hurt or rejected! Trust me on this one, if anyone knows Ron, it's me. Don't be scared to take a chance on him. I don't think he'd let you down." Ginny reassured, giving Hermione a tight hug.

"Oh Ginny! You're such a wonderful friend. What would I do without you? You really think that there might be a chance with Ron and I?" Hermione inquired, holding back her tears and smiling happily.

"Trust me on this one. Don't hold back and you'll be fine." Ginny said with a bright comforting smile.

"Thank you so much Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed before suddenly frowning a bit.

"What is it?" Ginny asked, alarmed to see Hermione's darkened expression.

"Nothing really, it's just that, who are you going to go to the dance with? Has anyone asked you yet?" Hermione questioned, already knowing the answer was no.

"No, but that really doesn't matter. I'm sure I can find someone else that needs a date." Ginny said, her own smile faltering.

"Nonsense Ginny. You deserve to go with someone you really want to go with. Tell me honestly now. Who is it that you want to go with?" Hermione asked.

"Well, promise you won't laugh at me?" Ginny demanded.

"Ginny! Of course I won't laugh at you. Now tell me!" Hermione replied, wondering who Ginny would want to go with.

Ginny paused for a moment before finally saying, "All right! I admit it. I want to go with Harry."

Hermione did not laugh. Somehow Ginny's answer didn't really surprise her at all. "That's great Ginny! You should ask him then." Hermione suggested.

"I don't want to ask him. I'm waiting for him to ask me. I'll give him two more days at it, and maybe then I'll ask him." Ginny said, knowing she didn't have the courage to ask him.

"That's all right. I've seen him eyeing you ever since Dumbledore made the announcement about the dance. I have a funny feeling you won't have to do any answering." Hermione reassured with a grin.

Ginny's mood, which had already been bright, seemed to brighten even more. "Thanks Hermione! Talking with you has been great." Ginny said, giving Hermione a finally hug good night.

"No problem. We'll have to talk more like this, I really think it helps a lot!" Hermione said.

Ginny nodded and moved good night as she headed for her own dormitory. Hermione smiled as she leaned dreamily against her pillows. Ron had asked her to the dance. He had noticed her, and Ginny had made a relationship sound both plausible and probable. With a content sigh, Hermione fell asleep to happy dreams of Ron and her.

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"So, Harry, have you asked anyone to the dance yet?" Ron asked casually as the two got ready for breakfast.

"Erm, no." Harry muttered quickly, brushing his teeth fiercely.

"Well, you best ask someone soon! You only have four days until the dance. Do you have anyone in mind?" Ron asked, putting his own toothbrush away.

"Well-I-er-" Harry had no idea what to say. He couldn't ask Ginny. What would Ron do? Ron would kill him!

"Harry, are you all right? This girl must really be special if she's making you get all tongue tied. Just tell me who it is! It isn't Cho again, is it?" Ron asked, knowing that Harry had someone in mind to ask to the dance.

Harry finished brushing his teeth and looked at Ron. "Ron, actually, I-was-thinking-of-asking-Ginny." Harry exclaimed, blurring all his words together.

Ron grew silent and looked at Harry with a raised eyebrow. "You want to ask my sister?"

"I'm sorry Ron! I didn't want to say anything. If you don't want me to I won't! I-" Harry frantically tried to find the right thing to say to Ron, but Ron interrupted him.

"Settle down! I didn't know you had any interest." Ron said calmly, surprising both Harry and himself.

"I don't know what it is about her. I've just, fallen for her." Harry admitted, shrinking back in fear of Ron pummeling him.

"Don't look so scared of me mate! I know she's my sister, and I would rather she'd stay alone, but if you want to ask her, then ask her. I'd rather see her with you than like that jerk Michael Corner." Ron said supportively.

Harry was thoroughly shocked. "Really? You mean, I can ask her?" Harry inquired, amazed.

"Yes!" Ron said with a laugh as he slapped Harry on the back.

Harry didn't waste anytime, he quickly made his way down from the boy's dormitories and was pleased to see Ginny and Hermione still sitting in the common room. Hermione saw Harry first, and quickly mumbled something to Ginny and walked away.

Ginny looked rather confused until she saw Harry coming towards her. Her heart skipped a beat and suddenly Harry was sitting next to her on the couch, smiling warmly.

"Morning Ginny," Harry said to break the silence.

"Morning." Ginny replied with a sheepish grin.

"Listen, I wasn't sure how to say this. You know. Considering I was never really good at these sort of things. I mean, here I am ranting about nothing already." Harry muttered on randomly for a while longer before stopping to look at Ginny.

She looked confused. Harry couldn't blame her though, he was a bit confused himself. "What's that Harry?" Ginny asked when Harry grew silent.

"Well. I don't know if you're already going with someone, and if you are then that's fine and everything. But-uh-well, would you go to the dance with me?" Harry asked, glad to finally ask the question.

At first Ginny's features stayed the same, but suddenly she grinned and hugged Harry tightly. Harry was a bit surprised but he quickly hugged Ginny back happily. "Of course I'll go the dance with you! I thought you'd never ask." Ginny declared in excitement.

All through breakfast, everyone smiled happily and couldn't help feel excited for the dance that was only four days away.

A/N: You reviewers, you are P.I.M.P.'s. I'm glad to see you guys are liking this! I think I am too. Please review and I'll update again.