(Sniff!) Quite proud of my self after that ending.

Still don't own J.K. Rowling characters. Mild hint of Harry-Hermione.

Meetings

Harry gazed at fleur and Bill dancing. The feelings for each other were obvious. Harry felt something stir inside him. He had never really thought about a serious relationship. Things with Cho and Ginny just seemed to… happen. Maybe it was about time Harry thought about settling down…

The music stopped and the crowd applauded politely. The announcing wizard went up to the microphone again.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, don't get settled. Find a partner and get dancing!"

Wizards and Witches bustled about trying to find someone their age whose nose wasn't off-centre. Gabrielle, who was still standing by Harry, took his arm and led him into the centre of the floor. Struggling to remember his last dance, three years ago, Harry placed his right arm on Gabrielle's side, and took her right hand in his left. As other pairs corrected their positions, the band finished tuning their instruments and prepared for the next song. Ray Ellington stepped down from the microphone and sat next to the bass. He pulled a pair of bongos onto his lap and began beating out a rhythm. The rest of the quartet played along in a jazzy tune. As the other couples began dancing, Harry braced himself and began to lead Gabrielle around the room. Amazingly, Harry's feet did not come into contact with hers, and he began to enjoy the music as he danced. As he looked over Gabrielle's shoulder, he saw Ron (supposedly) dancing with Rosita. They were gazing into each other's eyes almost with as much soppiness as Fleur and Bill. There was something about Ron that Harry found disturbing. Almost as if there was something missing…

"So, 'Arry," Gabrielle drew Harry's attention back. "I 'eard about Dumbledore. I'm sorry. He vas a good man. I'm sure Hogwarts vill find another 'eadmaster." Harry nodded absent-mindedley. Gabrielle didn't seem to be disturbed at all by the fact that someone had died. She must be about 11 now; perhaps starting at the French Wizarding School Fleur went to. The war seemed to be giving everyone a hardened perspective, looking at death as something everyday. Why such sweet, innocent little girls should be part of this, Harry had no idea. Such pretty ones, too…

Harry almost stumbled, and shook his head of the Veela charm. Gabrielle must be trying to use it on him. Even quarter-veelas must have powerful charms. A little voice in the back of Harry's mind seemed to be whispering to him. What would be so bad about her? She's not really a little girl, and besides it would be a good cover for Ginny. Gabrielle smiled at him, and stretched up to him. Harry leaned in to kiss her…

Suddenly, another couple bumped into them. Harry turned to see Bill and Fleur dancing next to them.

"Hi, Harry." Bill said, roughly. Harry was angry for a moment that they had interrupted them, but then remembered the Veela magic. He was disgusted at himself for almost falling into the trap. He turned to Bill again, and saw that he had changed since the last time he had seen him up close. From the seats in the chapel, he had looked so ordinary, but now Harry saw him up close, he saw that Bill indeed looked more wolf-like. His two eyebrows had joined to form one, and Harry could swear he could see some small hairs protruding from the palms of his hands. Harry wondered how he was getting along being a werewolf. Harry noticed Fleur giving Gabrielle a cold look, and Gabrielle returning it with a sulky one. Fleur was probably scolding her for using her Veela powers.

The music stopped, and everyone stopped dancing where they were. Fleur took Gabrielle off with her, and Harry turned to look at Ron and Rosita again. They were nowhere to be seen, but he did see Hermione hurry over to him.

"Oh, Harry, can I dance with you for the next song please? There's a cousin of Ron's who seems to be after something from me."

"Sure." Harry replied. "How's Ginny getting along?"

"I didn't see her dance with anyone. I saw Ron and Rosita again, though." Harry sighed. He wasn't even going to try defending Ron's case right now. Maybe when they were back at the Burrow. Harry's eye went to the stage, where Mr Weasly was talking with Ray. He seemed to be asking if he could use one of the guitars for the next song, and the singer was reluctantly agreeing. Mr Weasly took the guitar, hung the strap around him and went up to the microphone. He coughed to get everyone's attention.

"Hello everyone, I hope you're all having a good time." He coughed again, nervously. "I'm going to play a muggle song for you now, it's a style they call 'rock 'n' roll'." He said something to the band, and waited for everyone to get ready.

"I heard him practising earlier." Hermione said. "He's quite good, actually. He does get a bit over exited, though."

Mr Weasly played a few practice chords on the guitar, and then launched into a song. The quartet followed him and some of the couples began dancing, nervously, but some getting the hang of the style. Harry and Hermione joined them and span around each other. Mr Weasley burst into song;

"Way down in Louisiana

Down in New Orleans

Way back up in the woods

Among the Evergreens

There stood a long cabin made of earth and wood

Where lived a country boy name of Johnny B. Goode

He never ever learned to read or write so well

He could play the guitar just like he's ringin' a bell

Go go

Go Johnny go, go

Go Johnny go, go, go

Go Johnny go, go

Go, Johnny B. Goode"

Harry was starting to have fun; he even picked up Hermione and swung her about. Other couples were getting into the swing; Mrs Weasley didn't even look reproachful that her husband was on stage singing. Mr Weasley was completely into it, rocking as he played, and his singing wasn't all that bad. Harry had never listened to much music when he was at the Dursleys, other than heavy metal thumping through the walls as Dudley played his CDs. However, Harry was getting quite a taste for rock 'n' roll.

As he and Hermione danced, Harry saw Rosita sitting at a table, alone, crying. He turned back to Hermione. "Did you see…?"

Hermione leaned in and kissed Harry. It was such a shock that Harry almost tripped over his own feet. Hermione had never kissed him properly before. Harry had always thought of her like a sister, nothing more. But now, she seemed to be taking things further. As she pulled away, Harry stood there for a second, staring at her. She had a sly smile on her face, and seemed to be looking over his shoulder. He turned to see what she was looking at, and saw Ron standing across the floor, holding another tray of drinks. He had a look on his face similar to that which he had when he saw Harry kiss Ginny for the first time. But this time it did not turn to one of acceptance, but to one of fury and anger. He took one of the drinks (A small glass with a brown coloured substance in it) and gulped it down. He staggered away, barely keeping the tray steady. Harry turned back to Hermione. "What was…?"

"Sssh!" She interrupted him. Mr Weasley had stopped playing, and the crowd was applauding tremendously. Hermione took Harry's arm and led him off the floor and towards the door. She pulled him through it and outside into the brisk evening air. She led Harry behind a nearby bush and pulled him down. She began kissing him again and put her arms around him. Harry pulled away.

"Hermione, what're you doing?"

"Well, I figured that if you're not with Ginny anymore, then maybe you and I could…"

Harry shook his head. He had known Hermione for six years, and in all that time they had been close friends, but no hint of anything else had crossed between them. There was absolutely no reason for Hermione to come onto him now. Unless…

"Oh, I see what's going on here. You're trying to get back at Ron."

"What?" Hermione was uneasy for a moment. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You saw Ron with someone else, so you're trying to get back at him by getting together with me."

Hermione put her hands over her face. "Oh, I'm sorry Harry." She looked back at him. There was a tear sprouting in her eye. "But, last year Ron really seemed like he wanted to get together with me. But now, he's with Rosita. I mean she's his cousin!" She started to sob slightly. "I mean, if he chooses his own cousin over me, then what does that say about… about… Oh, God." She put her arms around Harry and cried into his shoulder. Harry put his arms around her and comforted her. They sat there for a moment, her crying into his shoulder. After a while, she sat up and wiped her eyes, and Harry held her by her arms.

"Look," He said. "I know Ron, and you do as well. There's no way he'd just dump you like that. He came up to me after you saw him, and he really had no idea what was going on. Just listen to what he has to say."

Hermione sniffed and stood up. "You're right." She said. "I was stupid. I'll talk to him." Harry stood up and put his arm around her and they went inside.

Ron was waiting for them by the door.

"Okay, what's going… Hermione have you been crying?" He turned angrily to Harry. "What have you done to her?" Harry let go of Hermione and Ron took her. "You'd better go Harry. I'll explain"

Harry nodded and let them alone. He went and sat at a table and rested his head in his hands. What a night. He had seen a wedding, almost kissed the bride's sister, comforted Hermione and seen Mr Weasley play Johnny B. Goode. And to think in a month he'd be off to Godric's Hollow and searching for Voldemort's final Horcrux.

Harry looked up. The night must have got to him. Everything looked blurry, and everything seemed to be slowing down.

He jumped up. Everything was blurry, and time seemed to have stopped. No one was moving, and everything was silent. Harry looked around. There was no movement anywhere. Suddenly, a tall, thin, hooded figure stepped out of the shadows. The hood hid almost all of the white, gaunt snakelike face beneath it. Harry instinctively drew his wand.

"Don't even try it, Potter." Voldemort sneered in his cold, high-pitched voice. "I'm not really here. I'm only here to talk." He withdrew his hood and dropped his cloak. He sat at the bar and looked at Harry expectantly.

"Sit down, Harry. I don't want to kill you. I need you for something."

Harry slowly lowered his wand and approached Voldemort. He sat at the bar opposite the dark wizard. "There, that's better. Now, let us talk." Harry folded his arms. He believed that Voldemort didn't want to kill him; if he did he would have done so already. Maybe he really was needed for something.

"Now, Harry. As you know, Dumbledore is dead. And he left you with the wish that you would find my final three Horcruxes." Harry raised an eyebrow at this.

"Three? There are four left."

"No, Regulus did indeed destroy the Horcrux he stole from me. That's who R.A.B is, by the way. Regulus Angeles Black. Your beloved godfather's younger brother. He turned traitor and stole my locket. I never knew how he got past my test. The same way you did, I presume."

Harry sat there, listening. Voldemort seemed to know a lot about what had happened on the night of Dumbledore's death. Harry wondered how much else he knew.

"I know everything else, Harry." Harry started. Voldemort could read his mind! Which meant he knew everything Harry knew.

"Yes, I do know everything." Voldemort leant over the bar to him. "I can feel everything you feel. I can see everything you see. There's nowhere for you to hide. Your only choice is to join me, and help me in my quest."

"I'll never join you! You killed my parents!"

"I kill many people, Harry. It was nothing personal. You were a threat to me; I had to dispose of you. Your parents got in the way. Which proved to be my downfall."

"You're a monster!" Harry got up and pointed an accusing finger at Voldemort. "You kill anyone who gets in your way! You don't think about other people's lives! All you care about is making yourself immortal!"

"Harry, my quest is for the benefit of all mankind! If I unlock the secret, then it will help everyone! There will be no more death, pain or suffering! A few people dying is a necessary sacrifice if it means all of humanity becoming immortal!"

"I can't believe you're talking to me about benefiting humanity! You're mad."

"On the contrary, Harry, my sight has never been clearer. Even in the old days, I couldn't see the true meaning of what I was doing. But now, I know what I need to do. Will you help me, Harry? In my quest for perfection?"

"No! I don't believe you're even asking me!"

"You have no other choice, Harry!" Voldemort stood up and moved towards Harry. "I have the power to kill you, and all your friends. Even the one you love."

The hairs went up on the back of Harry's neck. He knew about Ginny.

"Yes, she is in my power. If you don't join me, I'll wipe her out like a bug."

Harry felt fear for Ginny. More than he had ever felt before. If he lost Ginny, then he would collapse. He would fold under Voldemort's control.

But if he gave up, then all hope would be left. The prophecy said that it was up to Harry to kill Voldemort. If he didn't then Voldemort would kill him. That was what the prophecy said.

"No." Harry stepped back. "I won't join you. You'll just have to find another pawn for your games."

Voldemort's expression turned sour, but then he smiled.

"No matter. You'll see my point of view soon enough. If you ever change your mind, just shout."

Voldemort faded away, and everything returned to normal. The crowd was chattering amongst themselves, and Harry could feel a breeze coming from the open door. Voldemort had come to talk to him. What did that mean? Was he in fear of losing? Was he afraid of Harry as an opponent? Only time would tell, Harry thought.