Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, people! Although, I wouldn't mind it if I was.

AN: I just wanted to give all of my reviewers a BIG THANK YOU...I really appreciate your kindness and support. Thanks again, Lily

Chapter 16: Preparations Part I

"So, how do you like it?" Hermione asked Ginny, holding up her costume. The Christmas party was in exactly four days, and many of the girls were busy getting ready. Ginny and Hermione had spent the last three hours making their own costume and were both very pleased with the end results.

"Oh, Hermione, I think it's beautiful," Ginny gasped, smiling at the girl's attire. Hermione had decided to go as Jasmine, an animated character in a muggle movie, called Aladdin.

Hermione bit her lip in thought. "Do you think that Ron will like it?" she asked.

"Are you kidding me? I think when you walk down those stairs, he will go bonkers at the sight of you," Ginny said, giggling at the thought.

"Yeah and he'll go nuts when he sees how you're dressed."

"I don't care. He can't tell me to change, because if he did, then he would have to tell you to go change."

"Why's that?"

"Because both of our shirts go over the bellybutton and it wouldn't be fair for you to wear it and not me," Ginny explained. "Besides, if he told me to change, I would tell him to piss off."

Hermione laughed. "You're right about the outfits. I didn't even notice the similarities."

"Yep," Ginny smiled, "and I know for sure when he sees you he'll start to think very wicked thoughts."

Hermione looked at her in shock, "Ginny Weasley, don't you dare say that! Ron knows how to be and act, like a perfect gentleman."

She snorted. "Yeah, maybe. But I can guarantee you that his mind isn't one of a perfect gentleman."

"Well he's a hormonal teenage boy after all," Hermione pointed out.

Ginny smirked. "Yes and you're also a hormonal, teenage girl."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Hermione huffed, putting her hands on her hips.

"It means that during the last few days of Christmas break, you and Ron will be at the Burrow... sometimes alone...and together," Ginny explained slowly.

"Gin, do you think that Ron will want to take it that far?" she asked nervously.

"You mean to tell me that you two haven't talked about it?"

"Well, no. Honestly, I always thought that we wouldn't have to...it would just sort of happen," Hermione said.

"Oh...so you're a virgin then?" Ginny asked her, hesitantly.

"Yes, and its ok to ask me that Gin, we're friends." Ginny smiled at this and Hermione continued, "I guess I always wanted Ron to be my first and now he hopefully will be," she said smiling.

"I understand that, but I think that you and him should talk about it. I mean, girls usually talk to the other guy and help them out, but this is my brother and that would just be..." Ginny shuddered, "that would be very weird and disgusting."

Hermione laughed. "Yes, I imagine it would be for you. I guess that when I come over to the Burrow for Christmas break, I will try to talk to him...but only if things get out of hand."

"Good idea," Ginny replied, picking up her black jacket off Hermione's bed and slipping it back on. "I have to head down to the Willow tree, because Steph asked me to meet her there around six, so we could talk before dinner."

"Alright, Gin. Tell Stephanie I said hello, and that she should get around to asking Harry to the party if she doesn't have a date," Hermione said. Ginny stopped in the doorway.

"Has Harry not asked her yet?" Ginny asked, apparently shocked.

She shrugged, "Obviously not and if he did, you would know. Ron tells me that Harry keeps sulking, because he doesn't have a date for the dance."

"I'm sure that plenty of girls have asked him. He just has his eyes on my best friend," Ginny giggled.

"I know, but I'm sure that Harry will work up the courage soon enough," she said, confident in her best friend.

"Well if he is, he better do it now," Ginny replied. "The dance is in four days."

If only they knew that Harry was doing exactly that.

Stephanie's head shot up from her book at the sound of crinkling leaves. She had come out here for some peace and quiet, because the girl's dormitory was filled with the chatter of giggling voices and it had been enough to make her gag. Plus she had to meet Ginny later on. Shock filled her hazel eyes at the sight of a sexy, disheveled Harry standing in front of her.

"Potter..." she said in surprise. "What are you doing outside, in the cold?"

Harry smiled. "I guess I could ask you the same thing," he replied, nodding at her position. Stephanie returned the smile.

"Oh...well, this is the only place that's peaceful. And besides," she said, picking up her wand,"the cushioning and warming spells work like a charm."

"Of course they do. Pretty brilliant if you think about it. I remember one time, Ron and I had snuck out to.." He trailed off at her blank stare. "What?" he asked curiously.

"Well, I was just wondering what you're doing here...talking to me...like we're friends or something," Stephanie said bluntly.

"Oh," He fidgeted, "well, I was going to...well I...it's just.."

"Ok, stop it now!" Stephanie yelled at him and he jumped.

"What?" he asked her, wide-eyed at the sudden change.

"What?" she replied sarcastically and got up from the ground. "What do you mean, 'what?" she started to yell again. "What is your deal, Potter?"

Harry grimaced at her shrill voice. "My deal?"

"Yes, your fucking deal! You have been acting very weird around me the past month and I want to know why."

"W-we-well," he stuttered.

Stephanie crossed her arms and looked up at him, waiting for an answer. After a few minutes of silence, she sighed and threw up her hands. "Fine, don't tell me." She turned around and picked up her book from the ground. "I think that I'm just going to go back to the dorm. It's less confusing there," she replied and started walking in the direction of the castle.

'You stupid idiot! Go after her now and do something!' Harry's brain chanted. "Stephanie, wait!" He called out, running after her.

She turned around and put her hands on her hips. "What do you want now, Potter?" she asked him as he stood in front of her.

"This," Harry replied as he reached down and planted his lips firmly against hers. Stephanie gasped in shock and pleasure at the warmth of his lips on hers. 'What are you doing?' Her mind screamed at her, 'this is a bloody Gryffindor, and not to mention Harry Potter. It's very very wron... Oh that feels good.' Harry was thinking the exact thing, but all coherent thoughts flew from his head at Stephanie's moan. Harry became bolder and opened his mouth, granting entrance for her tongue. As their tongues touched, it could only be described as the most pleasurable thing they had ever experienced, and that meant alot in Stephanie's case. Pulling back for air, Stephanie kept her eyes closed and smiled. Harry looked at her face, thinking that he had never seen anything more beautiful than her at this very moment.

She opened her eyes and gasped in shock. "I cannot believe I just did that! It was so wrong," Harry frowned at this, "But wonderful at the same time."

"I agree," Harry replied, a small grin gracing his lips. "And I've never done anything like that in my life, but I.."

Stephanie interrupted him, "It's ok. You don't have to explain. But I do want to know why you kissed me." She wrapped her arms around her middle.

Harry gulped nervously. "Well, I...you just looked so beautiful and... Bloody hell, I don't know what came over me."

Warmth filled her at his words and she shivered. "You know, normally that kind of thing would make me gag, but coming from you, it doesn't sound so bad," Stephanie whispered.

Harry grinned. "I guess that's a good thing." He looked down and sighed, "Actually, do you want to know the real reason I'm here?"

"Oh, the real reason? So you didn't come here to kiss me?" Stephanie teased.

He laughed. "No, that's not what I meant, its just that...well...I was wondering if you had a...a date for the dance." She smiled at his nervousness.

"That's what you've been trying to ask me for the past month?" she asked and he nodded. "Well, I wasn't going to go-" He interrupted her.

"Oh," Harry replied quickly, "well, if you don't want to go with me, you don't have to."

She smiled. "I know that, but you didn't let me finish, Potter."

Harry blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry, go ahead."

"What I was going to say, was that I wasn't going to go, because I hate dances and balls, but since you asked me, I don't think it will be all that bad," Stephanie replied and he grinned.

"So, is that a yes?"

She nodded. "I guess so."

"Well thats good," Harry said, relieved. "So, I guess I'll see you later...or do you want me to walk you back to the dungeons?"

"No, that's okay. I was supposed to meet Ginny. She should be down here in a minute or two."

"Okay, I'll see you sometime soon," he replied, heading back.

"Sure," she replied smiling. "Potter, wait!" Stephanie yelled. Stopping in front of him and wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him a slow and sensual kiss.

Harry pulled back in a daze. "Wow...that...was...that was...wow," he stuttered and she smiled at him. "What exactly was that for?" he asked.

"Just a thank you for being so sweet." Stephanie grinned, "I'm glad to know you enjoyed it so much." She started walking back to the tree. "See ya later, Harry," she called over her shoulder.

He smiled. That was the first time she had ever said his name and he definitely liked the way it sounded coming from her.

On her way out of the castle doors, Ginny bumped into Harry. "Sorry, Harry," she apoligized, then raised her eyebrow at his flushed face. "Why are you so red?" she asked, and if possible he blushed some more.

"No reason," he lied.

"Sure. Hmmm," she paused, "You didn't happen to ask Stephanie out, did you?" asked Ginny, a knowing smile on her face.

"As a matter of fact, I did," Harry replied and she squealed.

"Oh my God, oh my God! Where is she? Is she at the Willow?" Ginny babbled.

"Yeah, she's out there waiting for you," Harry said slowly. He would never why girls squealed so much.

"Ok, see you later Harry!" Ginny replied and ran out of the doors.

"Slow down there girl. For a secondl I thought you were going to run straight into the damn tree," said Stephanie, when Ginny reached her.

Pointing her finger and gasping for breath, she replied, "You...you're...going...to the.b.ball with HARRY!"

"How do you know that? He just asked me like ten minutes ago," Stephanie replied.

Sitting down beside her friend, Ginny smiled. "I saw Harry on my way here."

"Oh, well I guess that explains it."

"So," Ginny nudged her, "give me all the juicy details."

"Now Gin, what kind of girl would I be if I told you?"

"The same," Ginny said.

"Good point," Stephanie replied. "Basically I blew up because he kept stuttering around me, and I walked off, he ran after me, kissed me, asked me to the dance, I said yes and I kissed him again, and now here we are talking about it," she said in one breath.

"You kissed!"

"Umm..yes."

"Twice!"

"Yes."

"With tongue?"

"Ginny, you really need to get a boyfriend," Stephanie said.

Ginny scowled. "I was just curious is all. So, does he kiss good?"

"Oh yeah, a definite ten," she said with a smirk.

"Seriously? I didn't think Harry had it in him." Ginny giggled. "Well, your cousin is a pretty good kisser too."

Stephanie groaned in disgust. "Ugh, I did not want to know that," she stopped and looked thoughtful. "You know, Draco has been acting really weird this week."

"Oh really?" Ginny asked curiously. It had been a little more than a week when the incident between her and Draco had occurred, and neither had talked to each other since. At every meal, she could feel his eyes on her, making her shiver like always. She had avoided the library at all costs and did her homework in the common room. Even Hermione and Ron had asked her why she wasn't with Malfoy.

"Yes." Stephanie raised her eyebrow, "You know, if I didn't know any better, I would say that something happened between you two and you just haven't told me," she said accusingly.

"What?" Ginny wavered under her stare. "Okay, so maybe something did happen, but does it really matter?" ahe asked.

"It does when all Draco does is sit around and mope," Stephanie replied, aggravated.

Ginny perked up at this. "He mopes?"

"Wow, don't sound so sad about it, Gin," she said sarcastically and then turned serious. "He isn't really moping, just acting very irritable and snappy. I think that it's because you and him haven't talked in a week."

"How did you know that?"

"He told me."

"Malfoy told you that?" Ginny asked, doubtful.

Stephanie sighed. "No, not really. I heard Blaise say something like, 'so where's the red head been?' And then Draco said, 'I don't fucking know."

Ginny laughed. "Yeah, that sounds like him."

"I really think that you should talk to him, Gin."

She stopped laughing. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"Would I joke about something like this?" Stephanie asked.

"No, I guess not. I don't see why I should talk to him though. Aren't you the one that told me I should stop hanging around him?" Ginny asked, giving her a look.

"Yeah, but that was before he started to change."

"Change?" Ginny asked, confused. "What do you mean, change?"

"After you two started hanging out, he...well he actually started being civil to other people. I think that I even saw him help out a first year Hufflepuff," Stephanie replied, obviously still shocked to see that happen.

"Wow." Ginny shook her head. "I never would have thought."

"Yeah, its weird, isn't it?" Stephanie put her arm around her friend. "I guess you can bring out the best in people after all."

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LilyK