Chapter 2

Harry stood in front of the mirror wishing he hadn't been so aloof about the entire thing. She was right of course; he should have taken a bigger part in the party and gotten a new set of dress robes. Oh well, it was too late for that now; he will just have to make do with what he had. Ron looked especially nice in his new robes and was pacing anxiously holding tightly to the corsage of Lilies that he had gotten for Luna. It was then that it occurred to Harry what a huge problem he actually had and he cursed himself for it.

He had completely forgotten he would need to give Hermione some sort of corsage! What was he going to do? He hadn't planned on going with anyone so he really didn't bother with any of the fine points of getting ready for a dance. "Bloody Hell, I feel completely unprepared!" Harry shouted to himself.

Ron glanced at him suspiciously and raised an eyebrow at the frenzied state Harry seemed to be in. Harry took out his wand and hastily scanned the room for something...anything he might be able to transfigure into flowers. Suddenly he had an idea and he called for Dobby. It wasn't long before Harry heard a familiar pop and there before him was a little house elf dressed from head to toe in pink and red feathers. Harry tried his best not to laugh but Ron guffawed with glee at the funny little house elf.

"Yes Sir? Does the great Harry Potter require something from Dobby?" The strange little being sat on his bed waiting hopefully for instructions. Harry felt wretched for doing this but he had no choice.

"Well yes Dobby actually, umm, I could really use a bouquet of flowers or something for my date tonight. Can you..." Harry hesitated not sure if Dobby was the right person to "help" him.

"Of course I can sir! Dobby knows just what Harry Potter needs," and with that Dobby snapped his fingers producing a small pink box with hearts and flowers adorned daintily across the top. Harry picked it up and peeked inside to find a lovely White Orchid surrounded by miniature pink roses and sprays of heather. It was lovely and somehow Harry knew she would be wearing pink. It was perfect. "Thank you Dobby...err...I guess you can go now."

"Oh thank you sir! Dobby is attending a Valentine party tonight as well! Winky is Dobby's date. Good luck sir! Dobby again snapped his fingers and vanished.

Harry grinned nervously when Ron eyed him with a look of disbelief. "Really Harry its only Hermione, why are you so uptight? You guys will probably just end up talking about your scar or your crazy dreams; I mean it's not like a date or anything." Harry nodded and somehow the thought of he and Hermione chatting about his latest problems didn't comfort him. Somehow he wanted this time to be different.

Harry and Ron made their way down to the common room, but Ron decided to go down and wait for Luna in the entrance hall. Harry wasn't sure if he should wait in the common room or not. They hadn't really specified their plans so he decided to wait there where it was semi private. He didn't have to wait long before Hermione made her appearance and she was so lovely Harry nearly swallowed the breath mint he had just popped into his mouth. She was wearing satin robes in a sort of pink gauzy material that pooled around her feet in soft folds. He stood up to greet her and her eyes sparkled when she opened the little pink box he presented to her.

"Oh Harry! It is beautiful! She cried. Lifting her eyes to him once more she whispered, "When did you have time to get this?"

She looked so alive and happy; Harry was completely floored by how beautiful she was, and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest it was pounding so hard.

"Oh I have my sources," Harry then leaned over so no one else could over hear and whispered, "Might I say how lovely you look tonight Miss Granger?"

"Oh! I...I...well thank you Harry, you look very handsome yourself." She gave him a shy smile and shifted her attention to the beautiful Orchid Harry began placing on her wrist. A bright blush began rising up her lovely neck when she very softly spoke again. "Please tell Dobby that he did a beautiful job, I couldn't have asked for anything that matched my dress robes so wonderfully," she stated breathlessly.

Harry laughed and shook his head, "Well, I'll be sure to let him know how much it pleased you." Suddenly before he knew it they were both gazing into each others eyes and he unconsciously began moving his fingers over the sensitive skin of her wrist making her catch her breath. For an instant he almost regretted having to leave the quiet solitude of the common room but at that moment Ginny came down the stairs. She just seemed to stand there as if frozen with her eyes shifting from Harry to Hermione uncertainly.

Her voice was shrill and harsh when she spoke. "I suppose you two are dating now?" She accused. "I suppose I should have known it wouldn't take her long to snag her claws in you." Her jaw was set and her eyes were blazing as she gave Hermione a nasty little glare. Harry could see that she was fighting to keep her cool. Apparently, Ginny wasn't going to the dance because she was still dressed in a pair of fleece sweat pants and a T-shirt. When Hermione winced from Ginny's supposed question, Harry felt it was best to move on down to the party. He gently guided Hermione out of the portrait hole and he distinctly heard a small sob before it closed behind them.