The night of the dance had come, and Ginny and Hermione were busily putting the finishing touches on themselves. Ginny convinced Ron and Harry to stay and wait for the girls and they would go and retrieve Cho and Lavender together. Harry was nervous, his palms were sweating and he had trouble breathing. Ron was nervous as well, he had no idea how to act around Lavender, as the only girl he ever talked to that he wasn't related to was Hermione and lets face it Hermione was totally opposite to Lavender. Minutes later Ginny walked down the stairs looking lovely. Ron was impressed; he smiled at Ginny as she stood in front of him. "Gin, you look great" Ginny smiled and laughed, "Yes I know" Ron laughed with her. But Harry wasn't in a laughing mood, he had asked Cho to the dance but instead he shared a kiss with Hermione and the whole day all he could think about was her and what he would say to her how he should act.

It seemed like years until Hermione finally appeared, her hair done up half straightened but also with little curls floating down at the side, her make-up not overly done just perfect. Harry could barely hold himself up, this made it even worse she was beautiful. Harry and Hermione's eyes locked and she smiled lightly down at him. Harry wiped the sweat off of his hands and went forward to help Hermione down the last step. Her heart leapt when he came for her, her knees shaking with nerves. Harry grasped her hand in his and led her down. "You Look…..err….beautiful" Harry said stuttering. Hermione smiled "Thanks". An awkward silence filled the air; Ginny noticed this and then grabbed Ron's shoulder and walked with Hermione and Harry out of the Common room.

"Alright who shall we pick up first?" She asked the boys. Harry and Ron both looked at each other, "How about you Ron!" Ginny said smiling at her brother. Ron tried to push up a smile. 'Oh great here it goes Weasley, here goes all my chances with Lavender' he thought to himself as they stood outside the portrait. The portrait door open revealing a pretty Lavender, Ron blushed crimson. "Hiya Lavender you look…. Stunning" he said trying to not stutter as much as Harry did. Lavender blushed, "Thanks Ron, shall we" She said grabbing his arm, leaving Ginny to walk behind with Harry and Hermione.

Hermione looked up at Harry, "Well Cho is next" She said trying to put the best smile as possible on her face. Harry nodded wishing he had never invited Cho. They arrived at her portrait and it again opened revealing a stunning Cho. Harry smiled at Cho; she leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek. "You look great" he said, looking from the corner of his eye at Hermione who stood at the back with Ginny. "Thanks Harry, you scrubbed up good yourself" She said happily.

Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Cho, Ron and Lavender all walked into the great hall. It was done up beautifully streamers and balloons all up along the walls and the ceiling was filled with party bowlers and flowers. Hermione looked up at all the decorations and looked down catching Harry's eye as he looked up at them too. They all got their seats at a round table and sat down next to each other. Harry and Hermione were across from each other both glancing at each other at every chance they could get.

Time went on and after the big feast; Cho asked Harry if they could dance. Harry had no choice but to accept the invite and rose from the table with Cho's hand in his. Hermione watched the two dancing, they way her and Harry had down days before. Before he kissed her, before she liked it, before she wanted Harry, before when they were just friends. Harry looked over at Hermione sitting their lonely at the table as he and Cho swayed to the beat, all he wanted to do was dance with her no-one else. Hermione sat their lonely as ever, wishing she was in her bed not having to watch Harry with Cho, it was until she turned round and heard a slow beat, she glanced at Harry who had Cho in the sweet position and was the in Hermione's eyes the love dance. Hermione stared, tears slowly running down her face she was frustrated and angry, why did this hurt so much?

Harry and Cho returned to the table exhausted with dancing, as did Ron and lavender and Ginny and a Ravenclaw boy. Cho disappeared talking with her friends as Harry sat across from Hermione. Ron, Lavender, Ginny and the Ravenclaw boy were all deep in discussion, when Hermione spoke.

"Harry we need to talk" She said, Harry looked up understanding what she meant.

"Yeah you're right we do" was all that he said.

"Why did you kiss me?" She asked just coming out and saying it, Ginny and the others attention fell on the two.

Harry thought, "I don't know, I felt comfortable with you I liked being with you holding and being so close, I can't explain it, it was like someone knocked me out I was falling for you" He said trying to whisper, but it failed as Ron and the others moved closer.

"You was falling for me, what about Cho, or was I your practice before you had her?"

Hermione became a little furious.

"No Hermione, you were nothing like that, you are my best friend and I didn't just want to be that I wanted more" He said.

Hermione stood up, "You wanted it so much that you did that dance that I taught you that slow dance the dance that I called love!" She said her voice rising. Harry looked down at the table and realized. But before he could look up and explain Hermione ran from the table and out the doors of the Great Hall.

Ginny watched Hermione disappear as did Harry and the others, she grabbed Harry

"Go after her Harry" She said, Harry looked at her and ran after Hermione.