Ginny sat in the small compartment, twirling a strand of red hair with two of her fingers. Hermione was sitting right in front of her, reading a rather large book. Olivia, at the moment, was in another compartment with Neville, Lavender and Harry. Ron, Colin, Dean and Seamus were also in another compartment. They all decided to split up, for there wasn't enough room in any of the compartments. "Hey, Mione?"

Hermione looked up from her book. "Yeah?"

"What happened last night?" Ginny asked coyly. "I heard .. I heard you crying and .. I just wanted to know if you were okay .."

Hermione frowned. "Blaise proposed last night." she said slowly.

Ginny almost fell off her seat. "What?! Oh Merlin! What did you say?!"

"It's not as great as you think, Gin." stated Hermione, snapping her book closed and throwing it on the floor carelessly. "He only did it to get out of his arranged marriage with Chelts."

"But .. He loves you." said Ginny.

Hermione shook her head. "Thank you, Captain Obvious."

"Then .. Why didn't you say yes, knowing that he loved you?"

"He didn't ask for the right reasons." replied Hermione, stretching out her legs in front of her. "I'm not marrying him just to get him out of his betrothal."

"Maybe he wanted to marry you .. Because he loved you .." said Ginny. "I've seen how he takes care of you .. Of Olivia .. I think Blaise proposed for the right reasons. I may be wrong .. But that's still what I think."

Hermione scoffed. "It was bloody typical. He asks me right after we shag and right after I find out about his stupid marriage! I hate him."

"No, you don't." retorted Ginny. "You want to marry him, but you're scared." Picking up Hermione's book, Ginny opened it and scanned through a few pages. "You're scared of being too young .. Scared of his love for you. You're scared because you don't know if he is the one .. Or if he's not. You may think he asked for the wrong reasons, but you know in your heart you wanted to scream the word yes."

"When did you start becoming so smart?" inquired Hermione.

"Since I started hanging out with Hermione's little sister." Ginny responded cheekily.

Ronald Weasely stared out the window of his compartment, not really listening to his friends' conversation. A certain someone was on his mind and he couldn't stop thinking about her. She always made his day. Whenever he would sit in the Great Hall, he would stare at her table, hoping to catch her gaze. It was too bad he didn't have any classes with her. If he did, he was sure he'd take glimpses of her any chance he got.

Her light blonde hair and light blue eyes always made him want to cry out in happiness. The way she would flip her hair back and say the most craziest things. It was no wonder she was friends with his little sister. Seeing her face in his head once more, Ron was determined. "Guys, I'm going to go and find that trolley lady, okay?"

All his friends nodded, not really paying attention to him. Exiting the compartment, Ron made his way down the aisle, peering into every compartment, left and right. Still on his mission, he found Keira sitting by herself, tears down her pale face. For the first time in his life, Ronald Weasely did not laugh at his enemy, or even scowl. He actually pitied her. He knew that the smug look she had on her face after she got that howler was an act. No one would ever look that satisfied.

Sliding the door open, Ron regretted what he was about to ask. "You okay?"

Hastily wiping her tears away, Keira stared at him, expressionless. There was no sneer, no glower, no look of hatred on her face. It was just plain and impassive. "Why would I be okay?" she asked him. "I was almost disowned, the one person who I like hates me, and now I'm betrothed to a guy I hardly even know!" The water works then came pouring in.

Ron, who knew how to deal with crying women, walked over to her and rubbed her forearm. "Hey .. Don't cry. It'll be okay." He still hated her for trying to hit Olivia, still hated her for being a total bitch, but .. You can't help who you hate and who you need to comfort.

Keira sniffled. "Everyone thinks I'm this huge monster .. It's just .. I'm a Slytherin! I can't help it if I want to fit in! The first time I came here, I was shy .. And unbelievably innocent. It took tons of training from the girls to help me become this beautiful .."

Ron shook his head. "You may be beautiful in the outside .. But, have you ever thought how this changed your personality? They turned your shyness and purity into haughtiness and malice. I may hate you, Chelts, but that doesn't mean I'm going to rub it in your face."

"No one likes me anymore. When they first taught me a few of the rules, there were two main ones. Number one, hate every Muggle born. Number two, hate every Weasely." she recited. "I didn't understand why on earth they would have those two rules, but I followed them nonetheless. I had to fit in. That's what my parents would of wanted .."

Ron sighed. "I guess not. I mean, they sent you a howler. You tried to hit a six year old, Chelts. A six year old! What were you thinking?"

"I-I don't know. She was a Muggle born! I thought it was the right thing to do .. But then .. When I saw my fellow housemates' faces .. I knew .. I knew that I had done something wrong. Dumbledore expelled me and now I'm going off to a school in Newfoundland. After I graduate, I have to get married. Nothing's right anymore. I've ruined it all .. All because I wanted to make myself known in Slytherin."

Noticing that she wasn't crying anymore, Ron got up off the seat. "What are you going to do now, Chelts?"

Keira gave him a small smile, silently thanking him for making her realize what she was doing. "I'm going to turn my life around."

"Good .." Ron turned around to leave, but was stopped by the sound of Keira's voice.

"Do me a favor?" Ron raised an eyebrow. "Call me Keira."

Ron smiled. "Sure .. Keira." He slid the door open.

"Goodbye .. Ron." she whispered.

Ron left the compartment, walking in the direction he left off on. Striding down the aisle, he continued to look down at the people occupying the spaces. That's when he saw her. She was sitting alone with a book on her lap. But, she wasn't reading. She was singing some sort of Christmas song.

"... I don't want a lot for Christmas

There's just one thing I need

I don't care about presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true...

All I want for Christmas

Is you..."

Ron stared at her from outside her compartment, mesmerized by her voice. He's never heard anyone sing so beautifully. Ginny has always had a wonderful voice, along with Hermione, but hers was different. It was as if she was only singing to him, as if he was the only one she was thinking about right then and there.

Taking a very deep breath, Ron quietly slid open the door, making sure not to make any noise. She was staring out the window, her mouth open, the words just flowing out. He silently sat down.

".. All the lights are shining

So brightly everywhere

And the sound of children's

Laughter fills the air

And everyone is singing

I hear those sleigh bells ringing

Santa won't you bring me the one I really need -

won't you please bring my baby to me .."

Ron swallowed, watching her lips move up and down, enunciating each and vowel and consonant coming from her mouth. He was entranced by the way her head rocked side to side, as if she was dancing to her own voice. It almost made him fall asleep, or at least lay his head back into the chair.

All thoughts disintegrated in his head as he closed his eyes and listened to her singing. It reminded him of the time he was out in the woods behind the Burrow. He came across a beautiful spring, roses and lilacs surrounding it. He heard a female voice whisper his name, and soon she started singing.

Ron knew she was nearing the end of the song, for now she was singing softer.

"..Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas

This is all I'm asking for

I just want to see baby

Standing right outside my door

Oh I just want him for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

Baby all I want for Christmas is

You .."

Ron opened his eyes.

".. All I want for Christmas is you baby."

She turned her head and gasped. "Ron! You scared me! How long were you here?!"

Ron smiled. "You have the most amazing voice I've ever heard."

"Harry?" asked Olivia, swinging her legs back and forth. "What's love?" she asked, very naïve.

"Well .." Harry started. "Love is when you care about someone a lot. Not only do you care about them, but you would do anything to make them happy. Does that answer your question?"

"Nope. I want to know what romantic love is." Olivia stated, looking and Neville and Lavender, who were snogging lightly at the moment.

Harry sighed. "Well, do you see how Blaise and Mione get along?" Olivia nodded. "It's like that. Romance love is when you want to be with a person every second of every day. It's like you can't breath, eat, sleep, or smile without them. It's almost as if they are an essential part of life."

"If Blaise and Mione get married, will her name be Hermione Zagbeeny?" asked Ginny.

Harry snorted. "Olly, it's not Zagbeeny .. It's Zabini." he corrected.

Olivia giggled. "He has a weird name."

"Don't we all know that!" he exclaimed, laughing along with Olivia. "He and Malfoy have the weirdest names ever. Malfoy means Bad Faith. It's quite eerie."

"What does Zagbeeny mean?" Olivia asked curiously.

Harry shook his head at her attempt to say Blaise's last name. "I don't know, maybe you should ask him."

"Okay." Olivia tried her best to watch Neville and Lavender kiss. "Harry, do you have a girlfriend? And if you do .. Is her name Cho?"

Harry smiled. "Yes, I do have a girlfriend. And yes, her name is Cho."

"Her name is funny. I like it!" stated Olivia.

"Cho and I will come and visit for a while on Christmas day. Her family's invited me to stay over at their house. She'll fall in love with you!" said Harry.

"She sounds very nice. Do you love her, Harry?"

"With every inch and bit of my heart." replied Harry, pushing his glasses closer to his face. "She's the only girl I can see myself grow old with."

Olivia made a disgusted face. "Ewe, I don't want to grow old! I'll be all wrinkly!"

Harry guffawed. "Growing old isn't as bad as you think. But, you're still very young, so you don't really need to think about that."

"Do you think my Mummy and Da will get wrinkly?" asked Olivia.

Harry looked at her, sympathy in his eyes. "Yes, they probably will." he said solemnly.

"Harry, how come whenever I mention my Mum and Da you get all sad?"

Harry stuttered. "Uh .. No reason."

"I wish they were here." she said, her mouth in a pout. "I bought them presents."

Harry grabbed her hand. "Hey .. No need to get all glum now. I'm sure they'll come visit on Christmas."

Olivia sighed. "I hope so. I really want to tell Mummy about my visit in Hoggywarts and I really want to tell Da about the ghosts that live there. He sounded interested about it."

Harry hugged her. "Don't worry. All of this will end soon .. And then you'll be back with your Mummy and your Da."

Draco, Blaise, Andrew, Greg and Vinny were all sitting together in a compartment in the far back of the train. "Hey, Draco .. Why so happy?" asked Greg, both his eyebrows raised.

Andy smirked. "Someone got a little last night!"

"I wonder who .." Blaise teased, batting his eyelashes. "Is it the ever so famous Miss Virginia Weasely?"

Draco smiled. "That's my personal business."

Swallowing down his chocolate frog, Vinny asked, "How serious are you and Ginny?" Even though the guys weren't really close to her, they still respected her and called her by her first name.

"I don't know .." said Draco, running a hand through his hair.

"Do you love her?" asked Greg, stealing a jelly bean from Vinny's box of every flavored beans. Draco stayed silent.

Blaise grinned. "He knows he loves her. That's why he saved her life last Monday. He wants her to have his babies!"

Andy snorted. "I swear to Merlin, Blaise. You and Marcus are so alike. Says the most weirdest and disgusting things .. Quite strange actually."

"Blaise and Marcus should get married." joked Greg. "They would be perfect for each other."

When the word 'married' escaped Greg's lips, Blaise felt himself sink lower. He would soon be getting married to Keira Chelts, Draco's little puppy. None of his friends knew he was betrothed, so he thought right now would be the best time to tell them. Gathering the last of his bravery, Blaise blurted out, "I'm getting married."

Each of his friend's froze, staring at him wide eyed. Vinny then smiled. "I knew you'd propose to Hermione sooner or later." he said thoughtfully. They also had that same kind of respect for Hermione as they did Ginny. Draco, however, did not agree to call Hermione by her first name.

Blaise cringed. "It's not to Hermione."

"What do you mean? I thought you and Granger were together?" asked a very confused Draco.

Greg's eyes widened. "Don't tell me .. You're parents .. They .. Set it up?"

Blaise nodded slowly. Andy looked at Gregory perplexed. "I don't get it. Set up what?"

"Blaise is betrothed." stated Greg, saying it loudly so Andy would understand.

Andy thought for a second. "I still don't get it."

Vinny snorted. "You can be so stupid, Andy."

"That is not true! I just don't get it!" scoffed Andy, crossing his arms over his chest. "Like you should be talking, you didn't even know what a retainer was until I had to show you!"

"It's a Muggle invention, of course I didn't know!" exclaimed Vinny.

"Oh, shut it!" snapped Draco, rubbing his forehead, very aggravated with all the noise.

Greg stared at Andy. "Blaise's parents arranged for him to get married .. And not to Hermione."

Andy's face lit up. "Oh! I get it ..." He frowned. "Blaise, Mate .. I'm sorry .."

"Who's it to?" asked Draco, leaning against the chair. "If it's to Parkinson, you have my condolences."

Blaise sighed. "It's a lot worse than you think."

"Well .. Tell us already!" bellowed Vinny. "We don't have all day, you know!"

"Keira Chelts." mumbled Blaise. No one seemed to hear him, all but Andy.

"What was that?" asked Greg.

Andy's eyes widened. "Oh bloody hell! I feel so bad for you! Keira Chelts! That's crazy!" he yelled, causing Vinny to fall forward in shock.

Vinny looked up at Blaise from the floor. "You're going to marry Chelts?!"

Greg choked on his saliva. "Whoa. Keira Chelts? As in, the chit who loves to follow Draco around and try to molest him?!" Blaise nodded again.

Draco stood up and pointed a finger at Blaise. "You .. You're marrying the Devil's spawn!"

"I know .. I know!" Blaise stuffed his face in his hands and groaned. "Last night .. I proposed to Hermione .. And .. She said no. She thought I just wanted to marry her to get out of my betrothal to Chelts."

Vinny was still on the floor, not really wanting to register what was happening. "But, what if you two have kids? What if she tries and hits them?!"

Greg agreed with him. "You saw how she tried to hit Olly! This is bloody psycho! You can't marry her!" Olivia really touched the guys' hearts. They didn't have little brothers or sisters, so spending time with a six year old was new to them.

"I know! You don't have to repeat it!" screamed Blaise. "I just lost Hermione because of this stupid marriage! My Mum said she was sorry, but does that mend what happened?! Mione thought I was just using her to get rid of Chelts! I asked her to marry me, because I bloody love her! I love Hermione Granger!" Blaise closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "I don't know anymore."

Draco patted his shoulder. "It'll be okay."

Blaise looked up at him. "No, it won't. My Mum sent me another owl this morning, telling me about some stupid engagement party. You guys are all invited. They wanted to have this ball as soon as possible, because of Chelts' transfer to that Newfoundland school."

Vinny sat back in the chair. "An engagement party? That's not good. Maybe you shouldn't go .."

"I think you should. Do a double take and turn yourself into some obnoxious prat who's a womanizer. Maybe that'll break the marriage." suggested Andy.

"Wait." ordered Greg. "Does Chelts want to marry you?"

Blaise shrugged. "I don't know."

"This is going to be a long vacation." muttered Draco, sliding into his seat and staring off into space. "A very long vacation."

(A/N): hey guys! thanks for the reviews .. here's another chapter for you .. :) .. i was writing this chapter last night .. and i wrote ALOT more .. but .. wanted to split it up .. too long .. lol .. the next chapter is REALLY crazy .. stuff about the engagement party .. alot of jealousy .. a visit from george .. tons of gowns and tuxedos .. a little kiss shared by two people .

btw: i'll give props to whoever can guess who Ron's secret crush is! I gave out a lot of clues .. so you guys should really know .. lol .. :)

as always - fawning over cheese,
chalk & gatorade.

my favorite kind of cheese is munster and my favorite gatorade is the citrus one!
(someone asked me that .. lol)

i don't know how many reviews i want for this chapter .. i guess .. twenty? .. thirty? .. i just need alot of reiews to boost up my writing .. :) thanks to all those who reviewed so far though .. you guys .. are pure perfection! thankie chickies!