Sorry this chapter took so long. I was involved in a car accident (Drinking and Driving are BAD, People!), spent two months in and out of hospitals, and almost didn't get to graduate. However, I am very lucky and everything is back to normal. So . . .

Chapter 19: New York, Grapefruits, and Easy-bake Ovens.

The lights were low and music was pulsing. Faye looked around. Sweaty bodies were swaying together to rhymic beat. It was their big reward. The Muggle community. Not any muggle community, it was Faye's home. It was the glamorous New York City.

Ginny made her way over to Faye.

"Is it always this loud?" she asked.

"What?" Faye yelled.

She giggled, "Never mind!" and made her way to Harry. She was almost there, when she was ran into.

"I'm so sorry," The guy said. Ginny looked up and was lost in blue eyes. The music seemed to stop playing. He helped her up. "Hi, I'm Daniel."

"I'm Ginny," She poofed her hair and gave him her best smile.

"Who's Ginny flirting with?" Mia asked.

"Looks like Harry. Surprise, surprise," Draco muttered, sipping his water.

"What looks like me?" Harry popped up.

Draco swallowed his water hard. "Bloody hell, make some noise next time. Anyway, seems Ginny's got her groove back. "

"I'm glad we got you out of the house in time, Draco," Mia giggled, walking away.

"Isn't that the saying? 'She's got her groove back'?" Draco followed.

Mia swung around. "Draco," she gasped.

Draco gave her a blank look. "Look, if it's not, just give me the proper slang for it."

"No! The dance! We have yet to come up with a theme and it's in less than a month!" Mia groan.

"Shit," They sat at a table, discussing it for the remainder of the night.

It was three am when they all staggered in the house. One by one, they all said good night and made their way upstairs.

Ron was half-way asleep when he heard a knock at the door.

"Hey," He said as he opened the door. It was Faye.

"Hey, umm . . . just wanted to give you back your sweater," Faye handed it to him.

"You want to come in?" Ron asked as he moved back into his room. She smiled, went in, and sat on his bed. "I thought you were going to go to sleep like everyone else."

"Nah, couldn't sleep." she replied. "Too big of a week."

"Tell me about it. I felt like I was going insane," He saw Faye turned away and felt like an idiot. "Sorry."

"It's ok," She stared at the aquarium, watching a jellyfish glide by.

He walked over and sat next to her. "No, it's not. What did it feel like?"

"Like I was losing control of everything. Not an altogether great feeling." She sighed.

"You wanna sleep with me?" Ron offered.

"What did you just ask me?" Faye stood up, bewildered.

"No! I mean . . . you on the bed . . . and I sleep on the floor" Ron stood up, his face red. " . . . Not . . . No!"

Faye laughed. "Oh, ok. Nah, I really need to go crash. Thanks, though." Ron walked her to the door. "Oh, your sweater. You never took it back."

"Keep it. You look better in it," Ron smiled.

"Well, good night." Faye looked down at her feet.

"Night." As soon as Faye left, Ron flopped on his bed. What was he thinking? Does she want to sleep with him! What the hell? That came out so wrong. Sulking in self- pity, he heard a knock at the door. Dragging himself to the door, he opened it.

It was Faye. Before he could say anything, Faye hugged him. Putting his arms around her waist, he smiled in her hair.

"Thank you for not giving up." Faye said. She kissed him on the cheek and left. Ron stood there in the doorway, smiling like an idiot.

At Breakfast

Draco didn't care. He didn't care about Daniel's blue eyes. He didn't care that Daniel worked out. He most definitely did not care that Ginny had a date with him that afternoon. Yet, there was Ginny, blabbing away to Faye. Disgusted, he tuned out.

"And he has a friend for you!" Ginny squealed. This Draco cared about. He tuned back in.

"Wait, what?" Faye asked, trying eat her grapefruit.

"He's really cute and nice. You'll like him!" Ginny smiled.

"Did you meet him?" Faye started to stab the fruit.

"Not exactly," Ginny's smile went away.

"You're putting me on a blind date with a guy you don't even know?" Faye stopped stabbing the fruit. "Damn it! How does one eat this?"

Without a word, Ron picked up the fruit. "You peel it like an orange," He started to peel it, "If you do it any other way, you miss the pulp and vitamins." He put the grapefruit slices on her plate.

"Thank you," Faye smiled.

"Anytime," Ron smiled back.

"PLEASE COME!" Ginny begged.

"Woman, calm down. I'll go," Faye rolled her eyes and started to eat her grapefruit.

5 Hours later

Mia was relaxing, trying to find out how to write Krum back. She got a letter from him that afternoon and was still trying to respond. It wasn't going too well. All of a sudden, she heard the front door slam. She went out to investigate.

"Ginny, I think I hate you." Faye threw her coat in the coat closet. Ginny was in tears laughing.

Mia chuckled. "What happened?"

"Well, the guy was really cute and well-dressed," Faye glowered.

"How horrible?" Mia shrugged.

"It was time to order drinks. Everyone orders a soda. My guy orders a Shirley Temple."

"Nothing wrong with that!"

"Oh! I'm not done! So, I'm trying to flirt with him. He responses to nothing. So, I'm wondering what do I have to do to get this guy's attention. Meanwhile, a girl walks by, and he whispers to me 'That Coach is a total fake.' "

"Umm ..."

"He's gay!"

"You don't know that for sure!"

"He slapped a guy's ass on the way out. I think I know. Today was a total waste of make-up" she sighed and ran up stairs.

"So, how was your day?" Ginny sighed.

Mia smiled, "Got a letter from Krum."

Ginny squealed. "Oooooooh, what does he write?"

"Nothing, just wants to visit me." Mia grinned.

"Do it! Do it!" Ginny tugged at her arm.

"You know what, I think I might," Mia nodded.

"Yay! Now, excuse me. I have to break it to Faye that I signed her up for another blind date," Ginny sighed.

Mia laughed, "Yeah, good luck on that one."

Mia was midway writing her letter when she heard Faye scream.

Faye need to take a breather. She missed her home and decided to walk around. She invited the one person she knew who would love NY.

"Thanks for inviting me," Ron smiled.

"Well, I had to show you the real New York. So, come on." Faye said. "Is there a certain reason your sister keeps making me go on blind dates?"

"I guess she doesn't want you to be lonely or she thinks you're picky?" Ron teased.

"I'm not lonely, though and I am not picky!" She punched him. "Ron, what do you look for in a girl?"

"Looks are good. She has to have a sense of humor."

"Okay, Ron? That's 80 of the girls in the world."

"I wasn't done. Mainly, I want a girl who understands me." They stopped in front of a hot dog vendor.

"What do you want? My treat." Faye offered.

"Thanks. Umm . . . a thingy with the stuff and the other stuff." Ron said, awkwardly.

"The stuff-stuff?" Faye asked.

"No, the other stuff-stuff and lots of them both." Ron answered.

"So, a thingy with stuffy-stuff and just extra stuff?"

"Exactly."

"Ok," She turned to the vendor. "Two medium Pepsis and a hot dog with extra mustard and ketchup, please." The vendor looked at Ron and then, Faye. He shrugged and gave them their food.

"Draco?" Harry popped his head in Draco's room. Draco looked up from his book and nodded. "Did you two figure out the theme yet?" He coughed.

"Uh, yeah. It's 'Be who you want'. Are you getting sick?" Draco answered.

"It's just a cold. Mia's thinking of inviting Krum," Harry added with disgust.

"I thought you liked Krum," Draco raised an eyebrow.

"I did. Yet, I really don't think they should see each other. It's just another feeling I get," Harry said.

"Feelings?"

"It's hard to explain but I'll tell you this. I'm keeping a close eye on him," Harry left the room. Draco returned to his book. As he returned to his book, he couldn't seem to concentrate. Slamming the book shut, he decided to also keep an eye on him.

"Checkmate in four," Ron muttered. He was in Central Park, playing chess with a bum. It took him awhile to realize he had to move the pieces himself.

"Four? Fuck you, Man," The bum grumbled as he slammed down his piece.

Ron made his move. "Would've been four. If you were smart enough. Checkmate."

"Does this mean we can go home now?" Faye yawned.

"Maybe someone else wants to play," Ron stood up to look for this next opponent. All the bums averted their eyes.

"No one wants to play you. Come on! I have a date to attend to." Faye pulled him out of the park. Linked arm in arm, they spotted a cat stuck in a tree.

"I can't believe you guilted me up here in order to rescue a cat." Ron glared as he carefully went from one branch to another.

"Mr. Cat and I thank you," She hollered. "So, back to this date!"

"I'm concentrating on not breaking my neck and rescuing a cat, which I hate cats, just for you. And you're going to talk about some date? Lovely."

"Back to my date! I don't ask for much. Just a sweet guy. I mean I know he's not going to fall from the sky" A blur of yellow flew by her. "You got Mr. Cat down! You are my hero! Ron?"

Ron slipped on a branch and fell down. He landed on a bush.

"Oh, my God! Are you ok?"

"I hate cats," he muttered. She helped him up and took him home.

"Ginny! Where did you put my powder?" Faye looked for it in the bathroom. The door opened and Ron walked in. He was wearing dress pants and a dark blue shirt which matched his eyes perfectly. "Wow, you look ..." She caught herself and returned to looking for the powder or at least pretending to. "You look good."

Ron walked to the mirror to do his hair. "Well, you look amazing." Ron blushed a bit while he glanced at her sparkling yellow halter dress. She smiled. "I hope this date goes better than the gay guy one."

She giggled. "You heard about it? So, where are you going?"

"Me and the guys, that is if Harry is feeling better, are going to that club again. See if we can pick up some girls or something."

"I'm sure you'll have no problem and what are you doing to your hair?" Ron managed to get his hair sticking up in one place.

He slowly put down the brush. "I have no idea."

"I can tell. Get over here." She picked up a bottle of gel and squirted some in her hands. "You have to realize gel is your friend."

"Should I be taking notes on this, Professor?" He grinned. She ran her fingers through his hair.

"There ya go! Now, no girl can resist the Ron Charm," She smiled.

"No girl?" He took a step closer. She felt her heart beat a bit faster. They continued to look at each other for what seem forever.

"I have the Holy powder!" Ginny ran in the bathroom. Faye and Ron jumped back.

"G ... great! Let's go then." Faye stuttered. Grabbing her purse, she looked at Ron. "I hope you have a great time."

"I hope he's gay. I mean, I hope he's not gay. I mean ... I hope you have a great time," Ron turned red.

"Thank you," Faye smiled. She walked out of the bathroom and Ginny followed.

"Wesley?" Ron turned around to find Draco glaring at him.

"How long have you been there?"

"Long enough. Piece of advice: she is out of your league. Don't even bother."

"I have no clue what you're talking about."

"Good. Keep it that way," Draco walked out.

Mia bumped into Draco in the hallway.

"Sorry," They said in unison.

"Mia, who are you going to the dance with?" Draco rolled back on his heels.

"I think Krum is going to ask me," She smiled.

"That ass?" Draco let it slipped. "I mean . . . oh?"

"Why does everyone hate him? You're just jealous!" Mia said angrily.

"Jealous of what? Whatever," Draco spat out.

"Whatever!" Mia retorted.

"Ooh, good comeback!" Draco mocked.

"Eat me!" Mia spun around and walked off.

"Krum will be more than happy to do it!" Draco shouted after her.

His name was Rupert. He had blue eyes, red hair, and was very cute. But best of all, he was straight. He was sweet, kind, and perfectly mannered. He was perfect. So, why wasn't Faye interested in him?

She tried. She really did. He would flirt and she would flirt back . . . half-heartedly. Smiling at him from across the table, she had to wonder; what was wrong with her?

"And I said 'That's no Christmas turkey. That's my mom'." Rupert joked. Everyone at the table laughed but Faye. Completely caught up in her thinking, she missed the joke. She noticed a minute too late and started to "laugh". Ginny gave her a inquisitive look. Faye shrugged back.

"You know, I never understood how one is to eat a grapefruit," He struggled with one on his plate.

"Oh," Faye snatched it and started to peel it. "See, you peel it like an orange. Else, you miss the vitamins and pulp."

"In which you create a mess," Rupert smiled. Faye glared at him and tossed . . . or rather threw it at him.

"Excuse me," Faye got up and left for the powder room. Ginny followed.

"The hell is wrong with you?" Ginny hissed.

"If he doesn't appreciate a good grapefruit, I'm not interested in him!" Faye started to put powder on..

"What?" Ginny yelped. "He's a nice, funny, and hott guy who likes you and you don't even care because he didn't peel a grapefruit!"

"Nice, funny, and hott guys peel grapefruit!"

"Like who?"

"Like Ron!" Faye froze. The holy powder fell from her hand onto the floor and shattered. Faye bent over to clean it.

"Like who?" Ginny asked in shock. Faye glared at her while picking up the pieces. "Do you like him?'

"I don't know! I think so. I'm not sure. No . . . maybe?" Faye stood up and dumped the pieces in the trash.

"Go for it!" Ginny said.

"I can't 'go for it'," Faye washed her hands.

"Why not? You're cute together. I see it,".

"Because what if he doesn't like me?"

"Cool Faye worries about what others think?"

"About this one she does," Faye blushed.

"Ohhh, it's serious."

"Shut up and let's go back to our dates."

"Damn them for not peeling grapefruits!"

Ginny was glad to be home. She dragged her heavy feet up the stairs. As she passed Harry's room, she heard coughing. She knocked.

"Harry?"

"Come in!" She opened the door and walked in. Harry was on the bed with blankets wrapped around him.

"Harry! Are you okay?" She rushed to Harry's side.

"I'm so cold." Harry shivered.

She placed her wrist against his sweaty forehead. "You're burning up."

"Actually, I feel a little better." Harry pathetically coughed.

"Okay, I'm going to sleep here. Wake me up if you need anything. Promise me, okay?" Before Harry could respond, Ginny was fast asleep.

Ron was in the kitchen, eating a sandwich. Faye sat next to him.

"Ron, I have something to say."

"Okay, shoot."

Faye took a breath before plunging, "Ron, I think. No, I know . . . I like . . . "

"Oh!" Ron interrupted. "Guess what? I met a girl! Sorry to interrupted."

"Oh?" She was taken back.

"She's so hott! She's blonde and has these brown beautiful eyes." Faye felt like someone stuck a dagger in her. "Huh, kinda the opposite from you." and now, someone twisted it. "We have a date tomorrow!"

"That's . . . great." She slowly rose up.

"Wait, what were you going to say?"

Shit Not sure what to say, she blurted the first thing to mind, "Easy- bake ovens. Always wanted one for Christmas. Never got it."

"Oh." Ron looked confused. "That was what you wanted to tell me?"

"Yup."

"Do me a favor?" He made those cute puppy eyes.

"Yeah?"

"Help me win her over."

"What?" She asked in disbelief.

"The reason she was interested in me was because of Professor Newman's hairdo. So, please?"

"Okay" Faye felt like kicking herself the instant she agreed. She got up and went to her room.

Ron smiled in his tux, "Thank you so much! Me and my girl are going to be so happy." Faye smiled back. "Now, excuse me, the ceremony is going to start any minute. So, just sit down."

Faye sat down. Ron made a quick wink to the Best Man. Harry winked back. He looked around and saw Draco in a Priest's suit. He was glad Draco found his calling and was going to marry him and his bride. This was so wonderful until Ginny walked up to him.

"Ginny, Go sit down!" Ron said nervously.

"It should have been Faye," Ginny shook her head.

"What?" Ron hissed. "She's happy. I am happy. Let it go!"

"Yeah, but when your world crumbles around you again, who would you rather have next to you?Besides, are you truly in your heart of hearts happy?"

Ron hesitated and before he could answer . . .

"Ron, get up!" Mia yelled.

Groggy-eyed, Ron woke up, "It's 4:30 AM. What is so important?"

"It's Harry. He's coughing up blood. We have to go to the hospital."