I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC

Hello guys, Badger here. I hope you are well. I've noticed we have a few new people reading this story, so hi to you if you are reading. This is a chapter that I am sure some have been waiting for. If you have already read the name for this chapter, you can probably guess. That is all I will say. I won't keep you waiting any longer. Read on, I hope you enjoy and I will see you at the end.

Chapter 50

Love is in the air

Excitement and joy was abuzz. Today was the day of the Yule Ball. After dinner, the students began getting ready, with most already in the Great Hall, awaiting the Champions. Harry paced nervously, as he and James waited for Susan and Luna. Sirius had sent Harry some nice black dress robes, with a grey waist coat, smart black trousers and shoes, white button up shirt and tie. He looked well put together. The only thing he hadn't been able to do, was tame his hair. Next to him, James stood looking calm, though the twitch in his fingers shown he was feeling a little nervous himself. Though he did wear a black robe like Harry's, James wore a traditional muggle tuxedo underneath. Harry couldn't help but note that this was the first time he had seen James looking so well kept, usually his clothes were dishevelled and ruffled up.

"Oh look" A voice said "Isn't this a sad sight?"

Harry bit his tongue, as the two turned to see Malfoy and Nott smiling at them. Pansy was on Malfoys arm, whilst a girl neither of them recognised, rested on Notts.

"What's wrong Potter?" Malfoy asked "Have you and Badger been stood up?"

"Wouldn't surprise me" Nott sneered, lifting his nose in the air "Badger could only get a girl if he hired her out beforehand"

"Please, unlike you Nott, I don't need to pay for a woman" James replied

"Why would I need to pay for a woman" Nott scoffed "I happen to be betrothed"

"Thank you for proving my point Nott" James smirked "A Betrothal Contract is often paid for is it not?"

Nott went slightly red, glaring at James, before he and his date headed inside the Great Hall. Malfoy stared, wondering what to do, before he followed. Pansy gave James and Harry a discreet wink as she disappeared through the doors. James and Harry chuckled to themselves, until movement at the top of the nearby stairs caught their attention. Harry's eyes widened, when he saw Susan. She was wearing a v neck, red satin dress, that clung well to her body and flowed down to her ankles. There was a small cutaway which shown off her right leg and wore red heels on her feet. Her hair was done up into a long braid, which went over one shoulder. She also had a touch of light makeup and her nails were painted a light shade of crimson. James' gaze however, was on Luna. She wore a silver, satin spaghetti strap dress, which was covered and sparkly sequins and also flowed down to her ankles. On her feet, she wore silver, heeled pumps and had bracelets on her wrists. Her hair was elegantly curled and going over one shoulder, her radish earrings ever present. She also had a touch of light makeup but, unlike Susan, she wore a floral headband. James struggled to find his voice, but was able to do so, as he offered Luna his arm.

"Luna…you look…beautiful" He said

"Thank you James" Luna smiled, taking his offered arm "You look brilliant as well"

Harry wasn't paying attention to them, as he took Susan in.

"You look incredible Susan" He said "I…I don't know what to say"

"Well I'm glad I can render you speechless" She smiled, stopping him from trying to flatten his hair again and linked his arm with her own "I just hope you were being truthful when you said you could dance"

Harry smiled nervously. He hoped that James' lessons would pay off. He had gotten quite good, he just hadn't danced with Susan yet. It was that moment when the other champions arrived. He gave a smile and a nod to Krum, who returned the favour. He and James had begun talking to the Seeker a lot more, since their friendly Quidditch Game. After a long and stressful match, Harry finally caught the snitch, ending the game on a draw, 400 to 400. Since then they had started to become friends. What was surprising, however, was that Hermione Granger, of all people, was on his arm. True, they hadn't told him about the, admittedly one sided, rivalry between her and James, but it still made him wonder how he asked to the Ball. Cedric stood next to them, with Cho Chang on his arm, with Fleur standing not to far away, with Roger Davis on her arm, staring at her, clearly affected by her allure. They were waiting a short while, until McGonagall arrived.

"Ah, good, you are all here" She smiled "I am also glad to see you all have dates, now, everyone is waiting for you…as you know, you will be part of the opening dance, wait out here until you are called, Mr Krum you will walk in first, then Mr Potter, Mr Badger, Miss Delacour and finally Mr Diggory…anyone have any questions?"

Seeing everyone shake their heads in response, McGonagall nodded and headed back into the Great Hall, as the champions began getting in line. They stood waiting for a moment longer, until they heard their names called out, where the doors opened, allowing them to walk through. Harry felt a little nervous as he walked towards the dance floor. He didn't like the feeling of everyone watching him. Susan must've felt his slight nerve and squeezed in arm gently, in comfort, to which Harry gave her an appreciative smile, as they took their place on the dance floor. Holding onto her waist, they began to dance, when the music began to play.

James couldn't help but look at Luna as they spun across the dancefloor, in time with the slow pace of the music. He didn't notice anyone looking at them, nor did he notice other students and teachers joining the dance, once signalled to do so. His full attention was on Luna, who smiled up at him.

"Thank you James" She said, suddenly

"For what?" James asked

"For asking me to the Ball" Luna replied "I'm glad that you did"

"I should be thanking you Luna" James said "There isn't anyone else I would rather be dancing with"

Luna smiled once more and laid her head on James' chest, as they continued to slowly twirl around, in time with the music, with James ignoring the quickening pace of his beating heart.

It seemed James' lessons were paying off after all. He was able to dance with Susan without messing up or stepping on her toes. The best part of it all, Susan didn't need to know. Harry kept his attention on Susan and the music, as they twirled around the dance floor.

"You really are a good dancer" Susan said "I'm impressed"

"Helps that I have a brilliant, and beautiful date" Harry smiled

"Oh, stop it" Susan smiled, blushing slightly, when something caught her attention "Look at those two"

Harry looked to see James and Luna dancing together. Both of them looked happy. In fact, he had never seen James smile the way he was now.

"Don't they look good together?" Susan asked

"Yeah, they do" Harry nodded, when something else caught his attention "Oh dear, seems someone doesn't look happy"

Susan followed where Harry was looking, to see Padma Patil sitting with Ron who was wearing some of the most horrible robes she had ever seen. They looked like several different robes had been stitched together to create the monstrosity he was wearing.

"Poor girl" Susan said "Not only is her date 'Mr Bottomless Stomach' but his robes are mean to the eyes"

James wasn't sure how long he and Luna had been dancing for, but the two decided to take a break and rest for a moment. James offered to get drinks, whilst Luna went to a small table to sit. As James approached the drinks table, he saw Neville with Ginny standing nearby.

"Hi guys" He said "How are you?"

"Oh we are good" Ginny smiled "Neville is such a gentleman"

"That is one thing my gran always taught me" Neville said "What about you James, how are things going on between you and Luna?"

"There is nothing going on" James sighed, as he poured two drinks "Why does everyone think there is?"

"Well, it seems like there is" Ginny shrugged "Besides, she seems to be enjoying the Ball"

"She isn't the only one" James muttered, not noticing they heard him "Catch you guys later"

He walked away, not noticing the smirks on their faces. He walked towards Luna, who was sitting on a chair, a smile on her face. He sat next to her, handing one of the drinks.

"Thank you" She smiled, taking a sip

James nodded, taking a sip from his own drink, keeping his eyes on her. They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, before Luna spoke up.

"Its been great tonight" She said "Again, thank you, I don't get to have as much fun as this"

"I'm glad you're enjoying it" James said, noticing a few people leaving, where an idea came to him "Would you like to take a small walk around the gardens?"

Luna nodded, the smile never leaving her face. James offered her his arm, which she gladly linked with her own. Harry and Susan watched the two leave, where Susan smiled softly.

"I bet you ten galleons they come back as a couple" She said to Harry

There was a small breeze of air, as James and Luna walked through the gardens, enjoying the peaceful silence, as the stars above them lit up the night sky. The two sat on a nearby bench, where James kept looking at Luna. Something began tugging at his heart. He knew what it was. He just refused to admit it.

"Don't hide it from me James" Luna said, as she looked at him "I know there is something wrong…I've known for a while"

James cursed to himself. Sometimes he forgot that she possessed seer abilities. She could obviously sense something was going on, meaning he couldn't hide it from her. Then again, even if she didn't have seer abilities, he couldn't hide it. She knew him too well by this point.

"Well…I don't know how to say it" He said "I…I like you…I like you a lot…have done for a while, but I can't be sure as to how long…you…you're different…you seem to understand me more then anyone else and that made you more endearing to me"

"I like you too James" Luna smiled

"Really?" James asked

"Yes" Luna nodded "Most look at me and think I'm odd, different, crazy…you don't…true, our other friends don't, but as you said…you're different…though, unlike you, I'm not afraid to admit it…what is troubling you"

"I'm…afraid" James sighed, looking down "I lost my sister nearly seven years ago…the pain I felt then, turned me into who I am now…but, I don't want to lose someone I love…I don't want to feel that kind of pain again"

He didn't realise what he said, until it was too late. Luna, however, smiled and gave him a small, gentle kiss on his lips.

"I don't see what's so surprising" She said, at the shocked look he was giving her "You don't need to be afraid…if you want me to be, I will gladly be with you"

The smile on James' face was the only answer she needed, as she gave him another small kiss. One he happily returned.

Back in the Great Hall, Harry and Susan were still dancing. As they danced, Harry couldn't help but think about how beautiful Susan was. He never noticed before. He wondered what had changed for these feelings to occur.

"Susan, you're not seeing anyone are you?" He asked

'What am I doing?' He thought 'Why did I say that?'

"No, why?" Susan asked

"Well…you look very beautiful" Harry said, thinking of what to say "I just…never really noticed before…and I was…I was wondering if, you wouldn't mind…"

"Are you asking me out?" Susan smirked

"I…um…" Harry stammered "I mean…I don't know much about relationships but…we may not be suited for each other…but, if you want…do you think we could at least, give it a shot?"

Susan looked at Harry with a critical eye. Harry felt more and more nervous, as she continued looking at him, her eyes narrowed. He wondered if he had gone and done something completely stupid, but then, Susan smiled and placed a small kiss on the corner of his mouth.

"You look cute when your nervous" She said "I like you Harry…if you want to give it a shot, then let's try it"

Harry smiled as they continued to twirl around the stage, where Susan lay her head on his chest. Happy smiles were on both of their faces.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR.

After 50 chapters, the pairings have finally happened. What did you guys think? Did it seem a little rushed, or cliché? I have never written any romance in my life, so I am kind of just going with the flow and writing whatever my brain comes up with. Probably would have helped if I had a few draft chapters written up but, I didn't. Guess I am an idiot.

Anyway, what is your opinions on the pairing choices? I'm sure some of you may remember the pairing poll we had a while back? I'm going to be honest, James was always going to end up with Luna in this story. Right from the beginning. I felt like it would work better then some other pairings. Harry though, it was always a difficult choice. I was constantly going back and forth, wondering if it should be Susan or Daphne. Eventually though, I picked Susan. I guess, in the end, I didn't pick Daphne, because I see her as one of those people who would focus on their studies and only get into a relationship, when they have finished school and gotten degrees or whatever, so sorry to any Harry/Daphne shippers, or James/Daphne shippers, that isn't happening. I remember some people wanting a James/Harry ship. I'll gladly do a story if you want to see it.

I know it may seem weird regarding Harry/Susan, as it seems to come out from nowhere. That is kind of the point. I wanted it to be different to James/Luna. For James and Luna, I wanted their relationship to be slowly built up over time, with a few hints or nods to signify they were getting together. [If you noticed any, let me know]. As for Harry and Susan, I wanted it to be a spontaneous thing. I don't know about you, but I have been in a relationship before where me and a friend decided to start a relationship, to see if we were...compatible as a couple. Know what I mean? Whereas James/Luna has been slowly built up and will develop further, Harry/Susan will build up as it goes on, with them seeing if they could work out as a couple. I hope that explains everything.

That is all for now. I hope you enjoyed and I will see you in the next one.

Badger out