Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine.

Chapter 23: The Halloween Ball

Halloween arrived, a perfect autumn day, the trees had leaves of every color, and Hagrid's pumpkins were missing from their patch. They were even bigger than any year previous and the students couldn't wait to see them carved into Jack-o'-lanterns.

Harry stood in the Merlin House library looking out over the grounds, not sure what the day would bring. He wasn't sure what the rules of this evening were supposed to be, were he and Ginny on a date, or were they just friends. He still didn't want to do anything to mess up their friendship or to make her uncomfortable around him. He really didn't want her to stop sleeping in his room, he hadn't had any nightmares about Sirius since she first came to his room, and he knew that her presence was the thing driving them away. Sighing he turned back to his potions homework, he needed to have it finished before the ball.

Ginny stood looking in the mirror; all of the girls were gathered in Hermione's room, getting ready for the ball. She couldn't help but be nervous, she wasn't even certain where she and Harry were, friends or was this actually a date. She heard her name being called and turned to see that Hermione was talking to her. "I'm sorry what did you say Hermione?"

"I asked if you knew how you want to do your hair," the older girl said with a curious look.

Ginny smiled and turned back to the group, she would worry later, now it was time to get ready for a ball. The next hours passed pleasantly, as the girls gossiped and fixed there hair and make-up. When they were done they all stood looking in the mirror they made an impressive group, Ginny's smile widened. "Ladies, we are gonna knock 'em dead."

The girls all laughed and stood contemplating their reflection for another minute. Hermione couldn't help but think how right Ginny was; they had all grown-up over the summer. Tuesday left her hair down for once, and it fell in an ebony cascade against robes of such pale blue they were almost white, a perfect contrast to the dark blue robes she had picked out for Draco. Luna stood next to her, looking marvelous in robes of hot pink, she had selected teal for Neville; the blonde's hair was separated into four sections, each French braided, meeting in a high pony-tail. Next, was Ginny wearing a butter yellow that complemented her red hair, which was pulled half up with the rest falling down her back in ringlets, and several wispy tendrils fell around her face. Finally her eyes fell on herself, she was wearing an iridescent purple that was just the right amount of color against Ron's charcoal gray. She had completed her look by pulling her hair into a loose bun, letting a few strands fall down against the base of her neck, not bad for a bushy-haired book worm. "Alright, let's go girls; the ball isn't coming to us." With that they turned and walked out to meet the boys in to common room.

Harry stood in the common room waiting for Ginny to come out, he wasn't sure what to expect, he remember being miserable at the Yule Ball in fourth year, but he had learned to dance since then, which had involve several awkward sessions with Luna, however strange she was the girl could really move, and he actually liked his date which made a difference. The only problem was that he didn't know exactly what they were, was this and actual date or was it two friends going to a ball together. He heard a door opened and looked up, Ginny was the first person to walk out, and everything else left Harry's mind only one thought stood out from the fog in his brain; please Merlin let this be a real date.

Ginny's eyes went straight to Harry as she entered the common room; she couldn't believe how handsome he looked in robes of the exact same shade of emerald as his eyes, Merlin, she hoped this counted as a date. As she reached him he offered her his arm which she gladly took, giving him a shy smile. Why wasn't he speaking?

Harry lead Ginny toward the Great Hall, he knew that he needed to say something but he didn't have the words to tell her how marvelous she looked. "Wow, Gin, you look amazing, I mean you look even more amazing than usual." Okay, a little better, but what was he suppose to say now? He glanced over at Ginny, and was shocked to see that her smile was even wider and pink began to creep up her cheeks, well guess that was enough. As they descend into the Hall Harry couldn't take his eyes off the girl on his arm, their eyes met and the rest of the Hall seemed to melt away.

Hermione could hardly believed her eyes, the entire night was turning out perfectly, the hall looked perfect, with the usual Halloween decorations, and even better Harry and Ginny couldn't take their eyes off of each other, she glance over her shoulder and quickly smiled at Draco, his plan seemed to be working. The rest of Merlin House followed Harry and Ginny to the single octagonal table in the middle of the round tables, and they took their places, with the eyes of the other houses on them. Only two people seemed unhappy to see the two together, Dean and Cho, and Hermione had no intention of letting them spoil the evening. Everything seemed perfect and tonight that was all that mattered.

Ginny was thinking the same thing; this night was going to be perfect. After dinner, she and Harry danced to every so, it was like something out of a dream she had never believed she would spend a night in the arms of her dream guy. As they dance they danced to the final song, she finally realized something, this could be real, he liked her she knew that already but, she also knew that he wouldn't act on his feelings. As the song end she gathered the courage that had put her in Gryffindor, tipped her face up to look at Harry and pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss.

She was floating that was the only way to describe this feeling, this, this was what she had been searching for her entire life, she felt complete in that moment as her soul mated with Harry's making them both complete. Then she could hear his voice in the back of her mind, and she knew that she wasn't imagining it, as he said the four words she had been waiting to hear, I love you, Gin.

Harry could not believe it Ginny Weasley was kissing him, it was as though nothing else existed, he felt years of loneliness slipping away, and one thought kept running through his mind "I love you, Gin." He didn't realize that she could hear his thoughts until he heard her voice in his head, I love you too, Harry. Shocked he pulled back and looked her in the eyes, finally noticing the stunned silence in the Hall.

A/N: If you're reading this let me know! If no one is reading I won't continue writing.