A/N: I'm so thrilled you guys are still reading and enjoying this fic! You guys are just the very best!

Disclaimer: Update on the puzzles. I bought a Statue of Liberty one that matches the rest of the puzzles.

Thank You: You guys are awesome! Have a blow pop. dementedGryffindor, Pepstepper16, Dull as a Coat Hanger, RedHott911, Oasis Blackmore, R/Hr Fan, Jess, PhoenixWings13, irishmagic, hogwartsgirl52, Mischief Bebe, aduck8myshoes, emma-watson03, sballLuvr5, and of course, Azkaban Fugitive. Thanks for reading, all of you. Oh, and Dull as a Coat Hanger and Pepstepper 16, thank you for pointing out the error(s). All fixed!

Checkmate

By: Silver Ice

Hermione revaluated herself in the mirror for the umpteenth time that hour. Her hair was straightened and half of it was pulled back. She had only used a small touch of makeup to brighten her face, and her periwinkle robes were as beautiful as ever as they clung to her

hips.

"Hermione, you look fine. Don't worry so much!" Ginny declared with a warm smile.

"Thanks Gin, you look great too." Hermione said, smoothing her robes down one last time before turning away from the mirror to face Ginny.

Ginny looked amazing with her hair curled wildly around her shoulders, a small clip

adding sparkle to her hair. Her emerald green robes were low cut, thanks to a charm

Ginny had found, and she looked much older.

"You nervous?" Ginny asked, watching as Hermione tapped her foot, a nervous habit.

"No. Okay, maybe a little bit. I just really want everything to go well. I don't think I could stand another row like the one after the Yule Ball." Hermione explained with a sigh as she sat down.

"Hermione, everything is going to be fine. Just relax, have fun, and let fate do the work.

Now let's go, we don't want to keep them waiting too long," Ginny stated, pulling

Hermione back up to her feet.

Hermione inhaled sharply and didn't exhale until she caught sight of Harry and Ron waiting in the common room. Both looked quite handsome. Harry wore bottle green robes that matched Ginny's emerald dress robes, and Ron wore robes of dark charcoal. They were a big improvement from the frilly dress robes he had received for the Yule Ball.

Harry and Ron, who had been talking about Quidditch, stopped mid-sentence when they saw the girls.

Harry was the first to speak as he grabbed Ginny's hand. "You look beautiful." He declared, taking hold of her hand.

Ron offered his own hand to Hermione but only managed to mumble, "Yeah, amazing," before turning a bright scarlet. Hermione began to flush as the four made their way to the Great Hall.

Dinner was served first and people ate quickly, eager to dance. As people finished eating, Dumbledore stood and silence fell. "Thank you for coming to bid your Professor good bye. Professor Sprout would like to speak, and when she is through, you are free to enjoy the night." Dumbledore exclaimed as he sat and Professor Sprout rose.

"I just want to say thank you for being such great kids. It doesn't matter if I've taught you for one year or seven. Each and every one of you are wonderful! Never give up on Herbology!" Professor Sprout declared before sitting down in a burst of tears.

The hall was silent for a moment, expecting more, but nothing came. After a minute the students cheered wildly for her, and suddenly, Dumbledore waved his wand, causing the tables to zoom against the walls. The students that had been to the Yule Ball did not react, but the younger students whispered in excitement. Music rapidly filled the room and students began to rise and dance.

"May I have this dance?" Harry asked, extending his hand to Ginny.

"Why of course," Ginny replied, taking his hand as he swept her onto the dance floor.

When Harry had danced with Parvati it had been dull and boring. He hadn't even been the one steering, but now, he felt in charge on the dance floor. Ginny fit perfectly in his arms and Harry was sad when the slow tune ended and they had to part.

"You know, you really are a much better dancer than Neville." Ginny said with a smile, moving easily to the music.

"Thanks. I think I'm just better at dancing when I'm with you." Harry said, not even realizing the full meaning of his statement until he had already said it.

Ginny, however, did not flush or look embarrassed, "You're right, we do dance well together. The spark's there." Ginny said, flashing Harry a comforting smile.

Harry grinned back at her and felt a sudden wave of courage. Ginny was so open, she wasn't afraid to say what she wanted when she wanted. Harry felt invincible around her.

The two continued to dance, slowly getting closer with each song.

Across the room Hermione and Ron had also moved to the dance floor. The first slow song began with Ron clumsily attempting to hold Hermione.

"I'm sorry I'm so bad at this." Ron apologized, blushing furiously as he continued to stumble.

"Don't worry. Just relax, breathe," Hermione said, inhaling and exhaling, bravely helping Ron wrap his arms around her waist.

Ron took a breath and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he felt relaxed. The longer they danced, the less nervous he felt and the smoother their movements became.

"See? You're not bad at dancing!" Hermione said as they swept across the dance floor, passing Harry and Ginny, who were dangerously close to one another.

"Yeah, I suppose not. Maybe I'm just dancing good because you're the good dancer." Ron replied, unable to stop from gazing into Hermione's cinnamon eyes.

"I'm not that great of a dancer Ron. I suppose it doesn't really make a difference either way though." Hermione said, trying not to blush at the compliment and trying to avoid anything that might lead to an argument.

Hermione and Ron continued to dance while Harry led Ginny out of the Great Hall to the grounds. The moon was nearly full and it lit the lake brightly. The Giant Squid splashed as Harry and Ginny took a seat.

"It's so hot in there," Ginny said, closing her eyes and enjoying the cool breeze that blew a few stray pieces of hair around her face.

"Yeah it is. Thank goodness it's a cool evening," Harry said, brushing Ginny's hair behind her ear without even realizing what he was doing.

They were close together now, their faces only inches apart. Harry considered considering options, but instead he leaned forward and acted on impulse.

He kissed Ginny.

Ginny did not fight it. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. Harry felt as though hours, days, years were flying by. Everything seemed so right.

Ginny finally pulled back, smiling breathlessly. "Harry!" She exclaimed with a grin.

"Ginny, I have been falling for you for too long. I can't imagine not being with you anymore." Harry declared, still holding Ginny close to him.

"I suppose this means I'm your girlfriend then?" Ginny asked, hoping-knowing the answer was yes.

With the moon shining and the music playing in the distance, Harry smiled and pulled Ginny in for another passionate kiss.

A/N: I know you like it. Just say it. ;) Drop a review, thanks darlings! I love you much. Sorry this one's so short! I think there might just be one last chapter left after this. 6 sounds like a good number.