In the Arms of a Seeker –

Harry stood there stunned, clearly not expecting her as his dance partner. He recovered quickly, stepped forward, wrapped his arm tightly around Ginny's waist, and took up her other hand in his own.

Ginny's nerves practically came unraveled when his large warm hand came in contact with her back. She noticed how he pulled her far closer than Neville had just moments ago. Jolts of nervous energy coursed through her as the music continued to play.

For a few seconds, Harry said nothing, choosing instead to simply move her around the room which the natural skill and grace that made him such a supreme quidditch seeker. Ginny chose to concentrate on staring at his shoulder as they danced for fear of looking up at him. The song began to slow once more, becoming sweet and gentle to the ears. Harry adjusted his pace to the music and raised her hand up to spin her in a stationary circle. He pulled her closer once again and stepped her into a turn while weaving between two couples.

Draco Malfoy danced past them, sneering down in disdain at the young Hufflepuff who was unfortunate enough to have to be his partner. The poor girl looked so frightened of dancing with Malfoy that Ginny was sure she would dart away at any moment.

"You. . . you look really lovely this evening," Harry said softly. Ginny risked a glance up at him as he moved her slowly around the floor and instantly felt weak in the knees all over again. His emerald gaze bore into her, making her feel as if he were reading her most secret of thoughts.

"Thank You, Harry," Ginny said, biting the corner of her bottom lip nervously, "You look really nice too."

She watched Harry's attention go to her lips where he continued to stare for several seconds. His thumb began to lightly stroke her back, as if he didn't realize his hands had a mind of their own. They moved together fluidly on the dance floor each seemingly lost in their own thoughts.

Ginny didn't think she could handle an entire evening if this was just a taste of how the rest of the night was going to be. She closed her eyes and took an unsteady breath as the music continued its slow, romantic pace. Her brain became clouded with Harry's scent, so familiar and right. How many years had she dreamed of a moment like this? Ginny marveled over the fact that her heart was able to continue to beat within her chest after the marathon rate it seemed to have gone through in such a short span of time. She opened her eyes again to find Harry still staring back down at her silently. In the deep recesses of Ginny's turbulent mind, a piece of her was begging and screaming for Harry to say what she'd always wanted to hear.

Harry took a step back, leading her into swirl before raising her hand to spin her in another stationary circle. When he stepped forward again, he wrapped his arm around her waist and instinctively pulled her closer than he had before. Ginny's back felt as if it would burn from the heat of his touch. Still he continued to silently move her around the dance floor, keeping his powerful gaze locked with hers, forcing her to look at none other than him.

As the waltz came to its conclusion, couples began to separate and seek out their original partners. Instantly a new slow song began, this time a more modern and familiar tune. Ginny let her hand slip from Harry's shoulder and tried to step away but was held firm in his strong embrace.

"Another, please," Harry whispered. His voice cut through her sending shivers up her spine. Ginny nodded and gently placed her hand against the front of his chest, allowing him to continue to hold onto her other hand, bringing it a bit closer in a more intimate position. They swayed together, barely moving from the spot in which they stood. The room faded from her view. Gone where the elaborate wall hangings and the inviting tables with the warm flicking glow of candle light. Gone where the other couples dancing to the soulful tune. All that was left was her, Harry, and the bright moonlight that shone down from the enchanted ceiling.

Jack politely bowed to his young dance partner, who was blushing furiously as she hurried away to a group of friends standing a ways off. Hermione approached Jack, glancing around the room then turning back on him. Ron appeared out of nowhere and was at her side within two quick strides, fighting hard to appear cool and aloof.

"It all looks so beautiful," Hermione said, giving a polite smile as she darted looks out of the corner of her eye to Ron.

Jack stood back, giving each of them a long look in turn, "That it be, Love," he said in a low tone.

"Isn't it lovely Ron?" Hermione asked, attempting to put her irritation in check and enjoy the evening. Ron didn't answer, instead watching out over the dancing students. "This is such a pretty song," she continued, this time looking directly at Ron, who was scanning over the crowd of students before looking down at her.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, it's alright," Ron said distractedly before going back to his search.

Hermione's polite smile slipped as she frowned up at Ron, disappointment beginning to show. "If you'll excuse me," she said fighting to put the polite smile back into place.

"Of course, Love," Jack said, a hint of sympathy tinged his gruff voice.

Hermione's eyes flashed as she looked at the pirate, her back stiffening as she turned and walked away.

Ron spotted Ginny dancing with Harry and grinned. He turned his gaze down to Hermione in time to see the disappointment crossing her pretty features turn into a flash of anger as she looked at the pirate. Hermione gave Ron another quick look and turned abruptly and walked away.

Jack shook his head and sighed, clapping Ron onto the shoulder.

"If you were looking for the opportune moment. . . That was it," Jack said, nodding towards Hermione as she walked away. Ron frowned, looking back and forth between Jack and Hermione's back. "Go to her mate, don't let her get away," Jack said, slapping Ron on the back again. Ron seemed to have forgotten his intense loathing for the pirate for a moment, instead looking at Jack in a bemused fashion. "Go," Jack said gruffly, pushing on Ron's back.

A few feet away, Will was trapped, being surrounded by several giggling females, vainly vying for a request to dance. Will searched over their heads and let a sigh of relief escape him when he spotted Jack.

"If you'll excuse me," Will said with a slight bow, watching Ron hurry after Hermione. Will walked away the group of girls and made is way next to his Captain. "Have you seen Ginny?" Will asked, looking around the crowded dance floor. Jack looked out of the corner of his eye, just over Will's shoulder to a couple a short distance off

"That I have," Jack said, crossing his arms in front of himself and shifting his weight back onto one foot. Will looked at him with furrowed brows then turned his head to search dance floor.

"Lad," said Jack warningly when Will finally spotted Harry holding Ginny close. Will's face hardened, clenching his fist to his sides he made to step over to them had it not been for the quick reflexes of Jack, grabbing him by the arm and holding him at bay.

"Let me go, Jack," Will said threateningly.

"That I can't do," Jack said sadly. Will turns sharply to look at his Captain and friend.

"I said let me go," said Will, his knuckles gone white from his tightly clenched fist.

"You'll have your moment, mate," Jack said, looking out as Harry and Ginny gently swayed to the romantic music that filled the hall, "Just not this one." Jack gave Will a level look.

Will looked out onto the dance floor, his soulful brown eyes filled with sadness and longing. He sighed in defeat, allowing Jack to steer him away.

"Let's see if we can't find that Seamus fellow again, I believe I will be havin' me a mug of his special rum," said Jack, looking over at his friend. "Cheer up Lad," Jack threw his arm over Will's shoulder, "The night, she is still young, there may just be hope yet."

Ginny didn't know how long she had been dancing in Harry's arms, it felt like hours but could have easily been have been mere minutes, either way she didn't care. She faintly heard another song begin to play at some point in time, at that moment all she wanted more than anything was for the song to never end.

"Ginny," Harry said as he held her close, his fingers ran a slow circle onto her back causing a delicious tremor to flow through her. "I want to apologize," he said, staring down at her lips again.

Ginny's forehead creased as she frowned, "Apologize for what?" she asked.

"Pig," Harry said causing Ginny to appear even more confused. "If I would have just bucked up and not waited until the last minute then none of this would have happened," he said, leading her to turn in a half circle before slowly swaying again.

"Oh," Ginny said quietly. "So -- so you would have asked me?" said Ginny sounding both disbelieving and hopeful at the same turn. For a moment Ginny was afraid Harry wouldn't answer as he stared down at her looking uncertain before he silently nodded in answer.

"I'm a coward," Harry said irritably.

"Don't say that. You're the bravest man I've ever known," insisted Ginny, her voice cracking with emotion.

Harry grimaced "No I'm not. I'm a bloody coward and now I've lost--" he stopped himself and glanced away from her.

"Lost what, Harry?" Ginny said barely over a whisper. Her heart leap to her throat and no matter how much she tried she couldn't seem to swallow it back down.

Harry looked down again, a sadness taking over his handsome features as he studied her closely.

"You," he whispered.

Ginny was at a loss for words, all she could do was stare into his beautiful green eyes. Like fresh pickled toads, she thought as he slowly leaned towards her, his gaze roaming between her eyes and full pink lips. She felt her lungs begin to burn with the breath she held.

"Harry," she whispered, exhaling slowly as her eyes slid shut.

Instead of the monumental feeling of Harry's lips finally pressed against her own, she received a jarring stab on her shoulder that caused her to stagger backwards and cry out in pain. Harry instinctively tightened his arms around her and pressed her against him as he attempted to gain his footing to avoid falling.

"Watch it Potter," Malfoy snapped, glancing over his shoulder at Harry as he steered his date, Pansy Parkinson, around them. Malfoy's glance traveled to Ginny where his sneer deepened further.

"You did that on purpose," Harry accused, letting go of Ginny to thrust his hand into his robe pocket and jerk out his wand.

"Why don't you prove it," Draco said slowly. Draco openly leered at Ginny as he stepped away from Pansy and pulled out his own wand. "You're looking good tonight Weasley. Your dad have to sell that shack you live in to buy the hand me down you're wearing?" Draco shot, raising his nose up higher in the air to look down on her with an air of superiority.

Pansy began to scream with laughter and crossed her arms in front of a horribly vibrant pink dress with too many ruffles.

There was a rustling from the small crowd that had begun to surround them as someone pushed their way through.

Ginny felt as if she had been slapped, even after all these years she realized she hadn't fully hardened her shell against his vicious remarks.

"Ginny, are you hurt?" asked Will appearing at her side. He took her arm and gently turned her towards him. Harry's jaw clenched but made no other move as he keep his eyes on Malfoy.

"Yes, I think so," Ginny said between looking up at Will and still trying to keep an eye on Harry and Malfoy.

Will placed a hand on either of her shoulders and gave her a quick once over to make sure for himself she wasn't injured before turning his angry eyes onto Malfoy, his face was set in such a fury that Ginny had never seen before. Will gently pushed Ginny behind him as he stepped forward to stand between her and Draco.

"You hurt her," said Will, his voice dangerously low and accusing.

Draco's eye darted from Harry who stood with wand ready and murder in his eyes to Will who stood clenching and unclenching his hand where his sword normally hung, his entire being screamed of barely checked rage.

Pansy's laughter quickly stopped as her smug look slowly diminished, she shyly stepped back behind Draco peering over his shoulder nervously. Ginny turned to look behind her catching sight of Jack just a few feet away. She widened her eyes and jerked her head in a silent plea for him to help.

Jack narrowed his smoldering eyes and watched closely but otherwise did not move to help. Ginny huffed in frustration and turned her attention back to the group.

"Apologize," Harry ordered, tightening his grip on his wand. Draco's face hardened in anger at being told what to do.

"I think I won't," Draco said, his eyes darting between Will and Harry. Will growled, taking a step forward. Ginny clutched his arm and him back.

"Please, Will, no," Ginny pleaded softly. In the dim of the enchanted moonlight, the music continued to play its soulful tune as they went unnoticed by a majority of the party-goers who continued to dance happily in the darkened hall. Crabbe and Goyle, always close at hand to Malfoy, rudely pushed past those nearby couples who had paused in dancing to watch the display, and stood next to their friend. They made an attempt to look as menacing as possible, flexing their muscles and scowling at Harry and Will. Draco's smug grin grew with the addition of his friend behind him.

"You'll be apologizing to Ginny," said Will, his nose curling with anger at he stared Draco down.

"You're out-numbered pirate. I'll not take orders from the likes of you," Draco spat.

"Ah, but I do believe I be evening out that score," Jack's gruff slur came from behind Ginny's shoulder. Ginny felt herself almost sag with relief. "If I recall, Lad, the last encounter you had with my friend here left you in a less than favorable position," Jack said stepping up to stand beside Will. Draco sharply turned his head to look at Jack.

"But this time, you don't have your swords." Draco grinned nastily.

"So you're loathsome and a cheat, sounds like the makings of a right pirate," Jack chuckled, "Pity really that even the lowest of buccaneer would never desire to sail the seas with a coward like yourself," Jack said, grinning evilly at the blond Slytherin.

"And how are we all enjoying the ball thus far?" Professor Dumbledore asked, steering his dance partner, Professor McGonagall, up to the center of the crowd. "All is well I should hope?" Professor Dumbledore smiled pleasantly, his eyes, though, were sharp as he looked each person in turn.

Professor McGonagall stared down at them with a stern expression, taking particular notice to Harry and Draco's wands and the menacing stares provided by Will and Jack.

Draco hastily lowered his wand looking down and out of the corner of his eye; he gave a slight wave of his hand indicating for Crabbe and Goyle to back off.

"It be a right fancy to-do, Headmaster," said Jack, bowing his head slightly, passing a quick glance at the teachers before returning to watch Draco.

"Wonderful, wonderful then," Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes sparkling as he looked over the group. Crabbe and Goyle slowly inched away from Malfoy and keep watch from a short distance. "We will continue on then, shall we Minerva? I do believe tomorrow will be a very full day for everyone," Dumbledore said, smiling directly at Jack and Will. Will continued to stare Draco down, his jaw clenched as Ginny gently held onto his arm from behind him.

"Tomorrow indeed," Jack said, bowing his head once again.

"Come on," Draco barked, grabbing Pansy by the elbow and steering her away. He brushed past Crabbe and Goyle who took up their usual flanking position behind Malfoy as they walked away. Professor Dumbledore gave the rest of the group a shadow of a knowing grin and twirled Professor McGonagall off into the distance.

Harry crammed his wand back into his pocket and turned around, frowning deeply at the sight of Ginny's hand on Will's arm. Will turned to Ginny and placed a large gentle hand on her upper arm.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Will asked, his warm voice full of concern.

"I'm fine, Will." Ginny gave him her best attempt at a reassuring smile, even though inside she was a complete nervous wreck.

"You shouldn't have tried to stop me. That boy needs to be taught a lesson in manners," Will said, gently stroking Ginny's arm with his thumb.

"And I'm sure you thought you were the one to do it?" Harry snapped, frowning opening at Will, "A pirate teaching lessons in manners?"

Will drug his eyes from Ginny to look at the intensely angry wizard standing beside him.

"I didn't see you doing much of anything to defend fair Ginny's honor," said Will, his eyes slowly beginning to blaze with anger again.

"Jack," Ginny said quickly, trying to divert the two quarreling men's attention, "What did Professor Dumbledore mean about tomorrow?" she asked, hopeful for a distraction.

"That I will be happy to explain to you later, darlin'," Jack said gruffly, watching Harry and Will closely as the two men heatedly stared each other down.

Ginny looked anxiously around the hall, the slow song had ended being replaced by a more upbeat tune. Orbs of various colors appeared to hover above the dancing crowd winking and casting the students in a rainbow of light that pulsed to the beat of the music.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?" Ginny shouted over the blaring music, her flaming red hair shaded in hues of blue and purple in the magically enhanced light. Jack cringed, putting a finger to his ear while looking around the hall at the students dancing happily around them.

"I don't be believin' they are here," Jack said, giving the dancing students strange looks as they moved past. "What sort of ritual dance be this?" Jack muttered to himself.

"Perhaps we should go find them?" Ginny said, giving Will's arm a gentle tug. He turned from staring at Harry to look down at her.

"If you wish, Ginny," he said over the music. Ginny nodded as she let her hand slip from his arm. Ginny looked up at Harry as he continued to stare hard at Will.

"Harry," said Ginny, reaching out a tentative hand she touched his forearm. "We should go find Ron and Hermione," she called out over the loud music, feeling the primal pulse of the song deep within her. Will looked down at Ginny's hand on Harry's arm and frowned.

Harry looked down at her for a moment. "I think that's a good idea," he said, watching as Ginny pulled her hand away curling her fingertips as she let her hand drop to her side.

"Lead the way, Love," Jack said, anxious to get out of the noise of the hall.