Chapter 8: The Ministry Ball
"Harry, wake up mate!" Ron's voice was heard from the other side of the room. Harry opened his eyes before quickly closing them again and shuffling back into his warm bed. An agitated grunt was heard across the room before footsteps were heard and walking right into the direction of Harry.
Ron walked quickly across the room before trying desperately to wake up Harry with his wild frantic grunts and his hands trying to shake his best mate awake. Ron was getting more agitated by the second before playing his trump card. "Harry, Ginny's outside…"
Harry's eyes burst open and he jumped straight up from his bed, cracking heads with Ron landing both men on the floor.
"Ow Harry! What was th-"
"Ginny! Here? At the Leaky Cauldron?"
The trio after finishing their dinner decided to hang out at the Leaky Cauldron bar nursing warm mugs of butterbeer and talking into the very abyss of night about their futures. Ron had just got a job interview for the Chudley Cannons and he accepted with much happiness.
Hermione had received almost ten times more job applications than Ron earning her the right to travel all over the world as scientologists, Professors at prestigious colleges, and Auror Academy in Ireland. Wanting to stay as close to Ron as possible, she accepted the job as Transfiguration Teacher in Hogwarts.
Being nearly too woozy and sleepy to apparate back home or even attempt to walk, they just crashed in one of the extra rooms at the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione, having the ability to always stay on alert, asked bartender and caretaker Tom to take care of her two boys. Later, she apparated herself back to the Burrow.
The apparent reason for Ron being so frantic in the morning was because of the letter sent from Hermione that arrived six hours ago and it being nearly evening, Ron woke up with a start.
"Where's Ginny Ron! I'm not dressed yet!" Harry was brushing himself around the room trying frantically to search for his clothes while Ron sat on the floor of the two-bed room still rubbing his forehead."
"Bloody Hell Harry!" Ron felt a bump on his head. "That hurt!"
Harry was confused. "Ron, in case you forgot that you told me…a female is waiting for us outside that door!" Harry stopped running around and pointed at the wooden door that was the exit to the room. Ron looked over at Harry. Bloody Hell, he was definitely on high alert. He hasn't seen Harry that anxious since death eaters were reported to be attacking Hogwarts.
In the mix of frustration and anxiety, Harry's eyes seemed to have turned a deeper shade of emerald, his magical aura was cackling around him and his morning hair made his hair seem untamable, not that it was tamable…ever. And all of this just because of Ginny?
Harry stared at Ron. "Ron! It's not polite to keep a lady waiting!" Of course, maybe sometimes…Ron wouldn't know.
Ron chuckled at himself. Ginny had so much power over probably one of the most powerful wizards in the world…Bloody hell.
"Harry…" Harry looked over at Ron, his eyes blazing. "Ginny's not out there…" Harry seemed confused before rushing over to the door and opening it.
Peering outside, Harry looked all around finding no Ginny. A group of young witches suddenly crossed Harry's path and looked at him, some with smiles of lust and appreciation for the view, and others, glad to just have met him face to face, and wearing nothing but boxers…that was a plus.
Wait…nothing but boxers! Harry looked down. Indeed, Harry was nude in all his glory except his boxers. Quickly running back into the room, he slammed the door, apparently red as a tomato in the face. He slumped against the door and blew out a large breathe of air.
Harry looked over at Ron who was now a piling heap of rubble on the ground howling in laughter. Tears were streaking out of his eyes as Ron's face was now the same color as his hair.
"Did you see the looks on their faces Harry! Bloody Hell, you'll never hear the end of this one!" Harry stood up straight before pulling on his clothes silently, still red in the face.
"Okay Ron, you git, if Ginny's not here, then why did you wake me up!"
Ron's howls turned into chuckles as he held his chest, attempting to calm down. "Mate, I'm sorry but waking you up is like waking a boulder. I had to."
Harry scowled at Ron. He crossed his arms over his chest and blew some of his hair out of his eyes. "You're telling me that was all a joke!"
Ron stopped chuckling and was now completely serious. "No, but I wish it was, Bloody Brilliant wouldn't you say!" Harry's face was emotionless.
Ron cleared his throat. "Anyway, Hermione sent us a letter telling us that we are to go to the ministry ball in seven hours!"
Harry snorted, seven hours Ron…in case you couldn't count, seven hours is still a long time away."
Ron shook his head. "There's a slight problem."
Harry's attention span was growing short and he was bored. "What is it now Won-Won."
Ron gave Harry a scowl before replying. "This letter was sent six hours ago! Incase you haven't been counting, and adding up the time you made a bloody fool out of yourself, that adds up to 40 minutes to completely get dressed in our robes and head out to the ministry of magic!"
Harry jumped again. "Nuts…"
Ron snorted before opening the parcel from Hermione. "In here are our dress robes, delivered from Hermione of course."
"Remind me to thank her later Ron."
"Will do mate."
Harry pulled out his dress robes before one more serious situation popped up in his head. "Ron?"
Ron looked up, "Yeah?"
"Just one more thing from you. Promise me."
Ron snorted, about what?" His face registered an evil smirk.
Harry scratched his head embarrassingly before continuing. "Don't tell Fred and George about this morning…"
"Ooooo, where are they!" Hermione whined looking at her watch on her wrist. "It's almost 8! I thought I sent the letter to them at 1!" Hermione stood up to her fullest height tiptoeing around trying to look around the crowd of finely dressed Ministry workers and their dates preparing to enter the ballroom. Mr. Weasley walked towards Hermione.
"Alright there Hermione?" Mr. Weasley walked up to the brunette before putting one f his hands on her shoulders. Mrs. Weasley appeared seconds later.
"Arthur, where are Ron and Harry?" She too looked a bit anxious. Harry was the honored guest to the Ministry tonight and it would look terrible for Harry to miss his own ball in honor of defeating Voldomort. Hermione glanced frantically up at Mr. Weasley. "I sent them a letter at 1 in the afternoon to wake up! I gave them seven hours to get ready!"
Mr. Weasley smiled. Don't worry Hermione, Ron's probably being dragged out of bed by Harry right now...
"Harry! Get your fat arse out of that door right now!" Ron checked his watch impatiently.
"Coming mate! This hair is just ticking me off!" Harry was seen to still be inside the room in front of the enchanted mirror trying to comb his hair.
"It's useless dear…" the mirror replied.
Ron looked at his clock. 10 minutes! "Harry, come here! I'll fix it for you!"
Harry walked out the door and bent his head towards Ron. With one of his large hands, Ron jabbed at Harry's head ruffling his hair before removing his hand, angrily huffing. "There, looks as good as new!"
Harry picked up his glasses that fell on the floor, scowled at Ron, and ran towards the entrance to Diagon Alley, with Ron fast in tow.
Harry and Ron were both dressed with the regular black dress robes with a white dress shirt. Made of fine silk and the lightest of materials, Harry and Ron paid a hefty amount to get them custom made. Ron's had a blue bowtie with royal navy blue lining on the outer edges of his dress robes while Harry had the same design, except his linings were dark forest green.
Their robes fluttering behind them, both men made it to the entrance of the alley before promptly disapparating with a CRACK.
"Well…here we are Ron…" Harry looked at the shop with broken windows. He, along with Ron walked towards the alley trying to find a telephone booth.
"Ron, you find it yet?" Ron shook his head. Harry looked around before noticing the red telephone booth at the end of the alley. Signaling to Ron, they both crammed inside the booth and dialed the latest password, 6-1-1-8. The telephone surged for a second before a clear feminine voice was heard over the receiver.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state you name and your business."
Harry went first. "Harry Potter, Ministry Ball."
"Ronald Weasley, Ministry Ball."
Two badges popped out in the change dispenser. Harry and Ron both stuck it to their robes before the telephone booth closed on all sides and started to travel downwards. After speeding down hundreds of yards, the telephone booth finally stopped. The clear feminine voice was heard again.
"Ballroom Floor, Enjoy your visit at the Ministry of Magic."
Ron and Harry walked out to be greeted by a house elf. Looking back, Harry saw the telephone booth close again to serve back upstairs towards the alleyway.
"Good evening…gentlemen." The house elf bowed low. "Welcome to the Ministry Ball. If I may be allowed to take your cloaks from you, please proceed down the hall to the entrance." The house elf bowed again before gesturing over at the large two-door opening at the end of the hall. Graciously, he took Harry's and Ron's cloaks and scurried off to a nearby counter awaiting to greet the next guests.
Harry and Ron walked slowly towards the doorway, moonlight pouring out from the large cathedral-style windows in the great hall. Their footsteps were heard clearly on the smooth marble as it echoes through the walls. Everything seemed so…empty.
"Harry, are we really that late that everyone's gone inside?" Harry looked at his watch before sighing.
"Maybe Ron, I mean we're half an hour late. It's 9:30 p.m." Reaching the large doorway, Harry flicked his hands and the door immediately sprung slowly apart giving way to the millions of lights inside.
"No Way!" Ron bellowed out. Inside the doorway was like a large garden with hundreds of hedges and fountains. On every hedge, hundreds of light fairies were lounging about giggling at each other. Harry looked up. Millions of stars were twinkling at them.
"Wow." Sighting a garden path through the large garden, Harry gestured to Ron to follow him. Going across countless gardens of fairies and bridges over an artificial river that twirled around the garden, the two men finally reached some life.
"Finally! People!" Harry had heard it too. Loud chattering were followed by peaceful and flowing music could be heard.
"Just beyond that door Ron." Harry and Ron paced themselves to the large doorway.
Approaching the doorway, Harry flicked his hands again and the doorway immediately opened. Once inside, Harry could feel the eyes of hundreds of wizards and witches burning into his scar.
The soft mutterings ceased and everyone turned their attention to the two new guests.
Silence.
"Harry Potter!" A tall man with a balding head and glasses reached Harry, his dark robes billowing out behind him as he practically ran excitedly towards Harry. Reaching out his hand, he introduced himself.
"Minister of Magic William Samson, Mr. Potter. It is a pleasure to finally meet you!" Harry shook the Minister's firm hand before another voice was heard.
"Ron!" That voice Ron cold recognize anywhere.
"Hermione!" Hermione ran full speed through the crowd before she hugged Ron with one of her bone-crushing hugs. Ron was ecstatic. She looked beautiful wearing her hair up with the exception of small tendrils of curls framing her face. Her periwinkle dress dazzled in the twilight and her eyes sparkled like the moon.
The Minister started a small conversation with Harry and suddenly, the ball was started again. Music was heard and mutterings started again. It was clear to Harry and the Minister that everyone in the room wanted to talk to Harry so Minister Samson pulled Harry aside before laying a firm hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Harry, we have important business to talk about. This way please." Harry followed Minister Samson out towards the entrance of the ball and into the large gardens. There, the minister pulled out his wand and fired an incantation at a nearby hedge. Slowly, the hedge opened up creating a small door to walk through. Following the minister into the hedge, Harry found himself in a medium sized room with two couches. Looking back, Harry noticed the hedge had closed itself again, trapping him and the minister in this room.
Ginny's stomach churned terribly. She had seen Harry run into the ballroom, always making his appearances known to everyone. He looked good enough to eat. His breaths could be seen coming out in short puffs as the cool air tinged his slightly red face. His hair was wildly messy that made Ginny urge to run her hands through them Then, there were those eyes. Oh those eyes could reach into the souls of every single person in this ballroom. Those emerald green eyes and the glasses that magnified the color. The moonlight shone on him making him look godly. His body-
"Ginny?" Ginny turned around to her date disgruntled.
"What Dean?" Dean had his arms over his chest and he looked bored. His eyes searching around the room looking for easy witches to seduce.
"You mind if I…use the bathroom for a sec?" Ginny snorted. That meant leaving Ginny and never seeing her again until the end of the evening where he would come back rejected and angry. She herself didn't know why she accepted Dean's dated. It was anger, yes, to make Harry jealous. But there was no other reason. Nothing. Ginny racked her brain. Deciding that this was the perfect time to break off with Dean, she whipped around to find Dean already gone. Angrily huffing herself, she went to find Ron and Hermione.
"You're doing what Minister!" Harry was quite surprised at the Minister's proposal. William Samson just smiled.
"I have appointed you into the order of Merlin Harry, First Class." Harry looked dumbfounded. He quickly ran a hand through his hair and glanced around frantically.
"I can't accept Minister, I didn't defeat him alone. Without the help of-"
"I do not change my mind easily, Harry." The Minister reached into his robes pocket to produce a single golden badge. On it, wrote:
Harry Potter
Order of Merlin, First Class
"Harry, I hope that you understand that you were the one who demolished Voldomort. Take this badge as a reminder for the greatness that you've done to our world. Take it as a thank you from the Ministry of Magic's all around the world." Minister Samson smiled as he gripped Harry's hand and placed the badge in his palm before closing the golden boy's hand.
"Thank you Harry." Harry had something else to say.
"But Ron and Hermione, they-"
"Will also be given Order of Merlin badges. Third Class if I may say so for their help in defeating Voldomort." Harry noticed that the Minister didn't stutter when he said the evil lord's name. That gave Harry a smile.
"Thank you Minister, it's and honor." The minister took out a fancy golden watch from his pocket.
"Merlin's beard! We've been in her for twenty minutes! This way back to the ball!" Minister Samson opened the hedge and walked out towards the ballroom, Harry close in tow.
Harry stared at the golden badge in his hand before closing his hand over the badge and holding it over his heart. He looked up towards the thousand of stars.
"Thank you mum, dad…"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at one of the round tables fit for four, clearly watching the ball and the people dancing. Harry wished that he could dance like that. The Ministry Men danced splendidly with their spouses. Harry thought back to the Yule Ball during fourth year. What an embarrassment.
"Ron, if only you can dance like that." Ron snorted. His face seemed to hold some kind of pride.
"I could if I wanted to…" Hermione giggled.
"Well, Prince Charming, care to dance?" Hermione held out her soft hand towards Ron. Ron looked at her hand for a long moment before Hermione had to practically drag him to the dance floor. Ron looked over Hermione's shoulder in a help me plead but all Harry could do was chuckle and shrug his shoulders.
Once the young couple disappeared onto the dance floor, Harry was sitting alone at the circular table. He was occasionally glancing around until an old friend tapped Harry on the shoulder. Surprised, Harry whirled around to find himself face to face with Remus Lupin's soft caring eyes.
"Mind if I join you Harry?" Harry shook his head before taking a sip of his punch. Once Lupin sat down, Harry noticed a bubbling liquid in his goblet.
"What's the drink?" Harry asked Remus Lupin curious of the sizzling drink.
Lupin looked up at Harry before taking another sip. "Wolfbane Potion." Remus muttered annoyingly gesturing at the moon with a flick of his head. Harry immediately understood. The potion kept Remus's wild side in check during the full moon cycle. Remus took a sip, made a nasty face, and turned his attention back to Harry.
"Harry, what do you plan on doing once you're free. I mean, I'm sure you've got tons of job applications." Harry thought back.
"Yes I have, but none I'm particularly interested in." In Harry's mind, there was one letter that he had interest in. The elegant blue letter addressed from Mr. Lee.
"Harry, Remus!" Remus and Harry both swerved around to come face to face with Tonks. The sudden movement made her wobble a little as she tripped herself on a leg of the chair before Remus caught her just before she hit flat on the floor.
"Thanks Remy." Tonks gazed adoringly at her hero. Harry groaned. Whenever these two were around, they were all lovey dovey. For gods sake! Get a room!
"Wotcher Harry!" Tonks sat down next to Remus. "So, what do you plan on doing for a living?"
This question again… "I haven't decided yet. Maybe travel the world or something. I always itch to go around the world since I was 7 and living with those dreadful Dursley's. I've never been anywhere in my life outside England. Ron's been to Egypt and Hermione's probably been everywhere." Harry took another sip of his punch looking towards the dance floor. Poor Hermione, Ron's big feet were relentless. Harry suppressed a chuckle as Ron stepped on Hermione's foot again.
Tonks and Remus looked at each other before turning their gaze back to Harry. "Harry…"
Harry looked back at Remus.
"We are just telling you now, no matter what you do, we will both be proud of you." Harry's heart fluttered. So many people had helped Harry and he felt lucky to know so many great individuals.
"Thanks Remus. I appreciate that."
"I'm sorry Hermione." Ron and Hermione were walking back from the dance floor. Hermione was wobbling a bit.
"It's alright Ron, only practice makes perfect. " Tenderly, Ron summoned a chair from a nearby table before helping Hermione sit down and sitting down in a chair himself. Now the table had five people.
Harry glanced around and saw Dean eyeing someone. Turning his head in Dean's gaze, Harry saw Ginny eyeing him. She was standing there in the middle of the ballroom. Merlin, her beauty made Harry choke on his breath. She was wearing a midnight black dress that fit her curves torturously for other males in the ballroom. She had a tint of blush on her face, her blue eyes twinkling in the fairy lights. Her hair was down and was in soft waves. Harry's stomach did flip-flops.
The room seemed still. Dancers around the room seemed to move in slow motion as the only one that mattered was Ginny. Harry stood up. Ginny's gaze followed Harry's eyes as he stood up. Harry swallowed. The room started turning. Slowly, the two began to slowly walk towards each other. They were getting nearer. Ginny seemed to become more beautiful the closer Harry walked to her. She was like a magnet, slowly pulling Harry towards her. Harry, without even registering in his mind, found himself on the dance floor before he even realized it.
He was so close to her, yet she seemed so far away. Just a few more steps.
Harry reached out his hand and Ginny reached out hers…
"Ginny!" Dean's voice was heard as he rushed past Harry, pushed him out of the way as he kissed Ginny hungrily. Ginny seemed to want to escape Dean's hold but he held on tight.
Anger flowed through Harry and was just about to pull his wand out before the Weasley twins appeared out of nowhere and assaulted Dean before the whole dance floor ran amok. Shaking his head, Harry sighed and walked back to the table. He had made his decision.
Author's Note: Continuation in next chapter, Review!