Disclaimer - Really? I need to go through it again?

Balls and Break-ups

Three days later, Chloe was released from St. Mungo's under strict instructions to get plenty of rest for the next couple of weeks. On hearing this, Mrs. Weasley insisted on her staying at the Burrow where she could keep an eye on her, despite the fact that Chloe lived with an auror and two Healers! When she arrived at the Burrow, she found the entire Weasley family as well as Tonks, Remus, Hermione, Harry and Angelina waiting to greet her.

"Hello dear," Mrs. Weasley said, pulling Chloe into a hug before holding her at arms length and looking at her critically. "George, take Chloe's bags upstairs please!" George grudgingly did as he was told, and levitated Chloe's bags up into Percy's old room, grumbling all the way. After everyone had said their hellos, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Hermione began to bring plates of food out of the kitchen, placing them on tables around the living room.

"I thought we'd have a little party to celebrate," Mrs. Weasley said to Chloe, by way of explanation, "though it's nothing to what the Ministry ball will be."

"There's going to be a ball?" Chloe asked, looking blankly from Mrs. Weasley to Hermione and Ginny. Hermione shrugged, before Ginny replied,

"Yeah, didn't you know? You had a letter; did no one give it to you? It's going to be brilliant, because we know for certain that Voldemort has gone for good now! It's next week, in the ballroom at the Ministry."

"Anyone who's anyone in the wizarding world will be there darling!" Hermione added, in a tone reminiscent of Gilderoy Lockhart's at the height of his fame, though the effect was rather spoiled by her fit of the giggles as she finished speaking.

"I gave it to George to give to you the day before yesterday, I think. He said he was going to visit you." Ginny frowned.

"Yeah, he's been in everyday," Chloe answered, "It doesn't matter though Gin, I know now. I don't think he did it deliberately."

"So, what are you going to wear?" asked Angelina mischievously.

"Who're you going with?" Chloe shot back, "Fred?" Angelina laughed.

"I wish!" Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I do not understand how you three can be so obsessed with my stupid big brothers, and yet be so scared of telling them. It's ridiculous!"

"It's alright for you Gin," Angelina retorted, "they're your brothers, they're not like blokes to you, but we could bring up the insane length of time it took for you and Harry to finally sort it out and get it together."

"Yes, that and him defeating the darkest wizard there's ever been!" Hermione added laughing.

"I can't believe I missed that because I was in the sodding hospital!" Chloe sulked. "It sounded like a wicked night. I love Fridays at the Cauldron. And I've missed so many!"

"Plus Harry is well funny when he's drunk!" Angelina laughed. Hermione nodded, laughing. At that moment George entered the living room, after taking the bags upstairs.

"Oi, George!" Ginny called. "Get over here!" George shot Fred a bemused look, but nevertheless walked over to the four girls.

"What?"

"Why didn't you give Clo her letter about the Ministry ball?" Ginny asked accusingly.

"Merlin Gin, calm down! It must have slipped my mind. Sorry Clo, I've got it here." After fumbling in the pockets of his jacket, George pulled out a cream coloured envelope, sealed with the Ministry seal in crimson wax, and handed it to Chloe. Chloe ripped it open, and began to read it aloud.

"Dear Ms. Thomas, you are cordially invited to a ball, yada yada, formal attire, blah blah, RSVP to Ms. Hannah Abbot, we hope you can make it, load of crap…WHAT?" Chloe shrieked, obviously shocked at what was written in the letter.

"Bloody Hell Clo, I know it says formal attire, but you only have to wear a dress for one night, you can live in your jeans after that!" George said. Chloe held the letter out to him with one shaking hand, and after reading it, he whistled.

"Wow. Congratulations, I guess. You pleased?"

"What is going on?" Hermione asked impatiently.

"I'm getting an Order of Merlin, First Class." Chloe said quietly.

"Well done Chloe!" Ginny smiled. "Harry's getting one too, but I suppose that was kind of a given. The other aurors are only getting second or third classes though aren't they?"

"It depends," Hermione replied, "on what they've done, and all that kind of thing. If it was just a simple desk job, they get nothing, if they were coordinating missions and that sort of thing, third class. The aurors that went on missions but weren't really on the front line, so to speak get second class. Ron's getting a second class, and he was only training for most of it!" Hermione added, the pride evident in her voice.

"Blimey Hermione, you sound just like my mum." George groaned. "You two sorted yourselves out yet?" Hermione looked pointedly at George and said sweetly,

"Have you sorted your relationships out yet George? Asked anyone to the ball?" Chloe looked confused.

"You don't need to ask Rachel, surely? You've been together for years." George looked uncomfortable. Ginny's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You haven't told her?" Angelina asked him, poking him in the chest.

"Um, me and Rachel broke up the day of the battle." Chloe tried her best to look sympathetic, but failed miserably.

"How come?"

"Oh, y'know, loads of stuff. I didn't make enough time for her, things like that. I'm not too bothered though, to be honest." At that moment, Fred called his twin over, and George left the girls hastily. Angelina raised an eyebrow at Chloe.

"He's single Clo."

"Available." Hermione added, smiling slyly.

"Going to the ball alone." Ginny said, emphasising the alone. "Although, he doesn't have to, does he?"

"No," Hermione replied, "you could go with him Clo."

"You could ask him." Angelina said.

"And you could ask Fred and Ron." Chloe retorted, immediately causing the sly grins to slide from Hermione and Angelina's faces. "That shut you up, didn't it!"

"Whatever," Angelina replied, obviously trying to get one up on Chloe. "You know the real reason Rachel dumped George was because he still has feelings for you." Seeing the look of absolute disbelief on Chloe's face, she smiled smugly.

"Did he actually say he has feelings for me?" Chloe asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Well, you know George; he never admits anything to anyone but Fred. He did say she thought he still had feelings for you, but he also never denied that he did. I know my brother Clo, and I'd bet every Knut I have on him being crazy in love with you." Ginny said carefully. "Maybe, just maybe, this ball could end up being everything the Yule Ball was not."