Chapter 20

As Violet walked back to the Gryffindor Common Room, angry tears began to run down her face.

Could everything with Draco have been a lie? Violet thought sorrowfully, Well, I'm not going to take any chances...since I ended it with Draco, there's no chance of my feelings being toyed with. And now I've got Ron, who's really wonderful, and who'd never, ever hurt me...

Violet tried very hard to convince herself that she'd done the right thing as she came up to the Common Room. She waited a moment to dry her eyes before saying the password to the Fat Lady portrait and walking in. She found Harry, Hermione, and Ron there waiting for her.

"Did you find out what you wanted to?" asked Hermione.

"Yes. Yes, I did." Violet said.

"Well, Ron has something he wants to ask you. Let's go to bed, Hermione." Harry said.

Then Harry and Hermione got out of the Common Room, leaving Ron and Violet alone.

"What is it, Ron?" Violet asked.

"Well...I just...umm...was wondering...if...uhh..." Ron started asking, very nervously, since he wasn't sure if she would say yes or not.

"Are you asking me to the Ball?" asked Violet, a little smile breaking out on her face.

"Yeah, I'm trying to..." Ron answered, smiling back and blushing slightly.

Suddenly, on impulse, Violet reached up with her hands, grabbed Ron's head, and kissed him.

"Does that answer your question?" asked Violet, now also blushing.

Ron smiled, hugged Violet, and said, "We should go to sleep now..."

They walked up the stairs to the dorms.

When they got to the stairs to the separate dorms, Violet said, "Good night, Ron."

"Good night, Violet." Ron replied.

As Ron walked up the stairs to his dorm, he couldn't help but smile to himself.

Well, even if Violet went to see the other guy, she seems to like me better since she said she would come with me to the Ball! Ron thought happily.

"So what happened?" Harry asked when Ron got to his bed.

"She said she'd go with me." Ron replied, quite pleased with himself.

"That's great! I don't think we have to worry so much about the competition so much now, but I still want to ask Violet who it is just because I'm curious..." said Harry.

"Yeah...I want to find out who the loser was." said Ron, smiling.

They both laughed. Then they got into their beds and went to sleep.

Finally the night of the Ball had arrived, and Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville were hurriedly getting dressed in their dorm.

"No more pink, frilly robes for me!" Ron said, showing off his new deep blue dress robes.

"Yeah, mate. Those other robes did look pretty fruity." said Seamus.

Ron gave Seamus a sarcastic look.

"Wow, did your parents buy you new robes?" asked Neville.

"No, actually Fred and George bought them for me. They told me that they didn't want to have to admit to being related to a loser with pink, frilly robes." said Ron, a smile breaking out on his face.

All the boys cracked up.

"Man, they look expensive!" said Dean, examining the robes more closely.

"Yeah, I know...Fred and George had said this was a birthday present, but they've never gotten me something this expensive, ever. Usually they just give me one of their new joke shop inventions. I really wonder where they got the money..." Ron replied.

"Yeah, I wonder..." Harry said, smiling to himself, glad that his Triwizard winnings were put to good use.

"So, who's everyone going with? I never got a chance to ask any of you guys." said Seamus.

"I'm going with Tara Wellsley...she's a fourth year in our house..." Neville said shyly.

"Well, I scored a date with Parvati Patil this time." Dean said smiling, glancing a moment at Harry.

"Who are you going with, Harry?" asked Seamus.

The question caused a little bit of color to come to Harry's face.

"Oh, well, I..." Harry said hesitatingly, avoiding eye contact with Seamus.

"He's going with Hermione." Ron answered for Harry, smiling.

"Hermione, huh?" Seamus replied, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

Harry shyly smiled, and said, "Yeah...Hermione."

"Not a bad choice at all, Harry. She really did look nice at the Yule Ball." said Dean.

"Yeah, I know..." said Harry.

"And, you're going with Violet, aren't you, Ron?" asked Seamus.

"Yeah." replied Ron.

"That new girl in our house, right? She's pretty..." said Dean.

"I had asked her to the Ball, but she had said that she was already going with you." said Neville.

"You, what?!" Ron exclaimed, getting jealous.

"Wow...jealous, are we?" said Dean, teasing Ron.

"Don't worry...now we all know to stay away from her since she's your girl, mate." said Seamus, also teasing.

"Aww...shut up." Ron said, while all the other guys laughed.

When everyone was done laughing at Ron, he said, "What about you Seamus? You've asked us all who we're going with. Who are you going with?"

"Umm...just someone...why don't we get out to the Common Room to wait for the girls? I think it's getting late." Seamus said, completely avoiding the question.

Seamus hurried out of the dorm and Dean and Neville followed him.

"Hey, wait!" Ron said.

Now only Harry and Ron were left in the dorm.

"Oh well...I guess we'll just find out when the girl comes downstairs." said Harry.

"Hey, I got this for Violet. Do you think she'll like it?" asked Ron, holding up a single red rose.

"Well, yeah. Hermione did say girls like flowers, remember?" Harry said, smiling and remembering when they all had talked about it.

"Yeah, that is true." Ron said, smiling back and also remembering.

"Let's go down and wait for Hermione and Violet." Harry said, who couldn't wait to see Hermione.

"Okay." Ron said, following Harry down the stairs to the Common Room.

Ron and Harry waited with the other boys until all the girls came down. First Neville's date, Tara, came down with Parvati and Lavender. Parvati looked much the same as she did last year in her shocking pink robes as did Lavender in her robes. Tara was a short girl with a fairly nice looking face in bright red robes. She looked just as nervous and out of place as Neville did.

Perfect match. Harry thought to himself.

"Hey, we'll see you guys at the Ball. We'll save a couple of tables for all of us." said Dean.

"Thanks, Dean." said Harry.

Tara, Parvati, and Lavender left with their dates, leaving only Harry, Ron, and Seamus waiting for theirs. Finally, they saw some more people coming down from the stairs from the dorms. Harry saw that it was Hermione, and right behind her, Violet. Hermione was in the same perwinkle-blue robes and had once again straightened her hair with the Sleak-easy and put it up in an elegant knot with some tresses of hair falling on her face.

She looks even more gorgeous than she did last year...Harry thought, a smile coming to his face.

Violet also looked quite stunning. She was wearing robes that were royal purple and had left her hair down, but had made it wavy. When she walked, her hair flowed beautifully behind her. Harry looked over to Ron and saw that he also seemed to appreciate the way Violet looked.

"You look really nice." Harry said to Hermione, smiling.

Hermione smiled back and said, "You do too."

"You look really pretty, Violet." Ron said.

Then Ron noticed the necklace that Violet was wearing.

"Wow, that's a really nice necklace. Where'd you get it?" Ron asked, bending closer to her to get a better look at the necklace.

"Necklace? What necklace?" Violet asked in confusion.

Then she looked down and saw that she was wearing the necklace Draco had given her for Christmas.

Oh no! I wore it so much I even forgot that I left it on! Violet thought.

"Uhh...my friends in the U.S. gave this to me for Christmas..." Violet said not very convincingly.

But Ron did not believe her. He knew it had to have been from the other guy.

Man, this guy is rich too! That thing looked like pure ruby and gold! I can't give Violet things like that...Ron thought, looking spitefully at the single rose in his hand.

"What's that?" Violet asked, pointing to the rose Ron was holding.

"Oh. This is for you." Ron said, halfheartedly, handing it to her.

"Thanks." Violet said, smiling and tucking the rose behind her ear.

Suddenly, Violet remembered the rose Draco had given her, which was charmed to change colors when touched and to never dry out, with a pang. Luckily for her, she did not have time to think about it too long since they all saw yet another girl coming down the stairs. It was Ginny. She also looked nice in the same light green robes she wore last year. Ron's jaw dropped in shock when she walked up to Seamus.

"So this is the 'someone' you're going to the Ball with?!?" Ron said to Seamus, pointing angrily at Ginny.

"Umm...yeah." said Seamus.

"I don't believe you!" Ron said, nearly yelling.

"You didn't act this way when I went to the Yule Ball with Neville." said Ginny.

"Neville is Neville! This is something completely different!" Ron said, pointing at Seamus.

"God, Ron! Just stay out of my business!" Ginny said angrily, "Come on, Seamus! Let's go."

"Uhh...Bye, mate." Seamus said as Ginny dragged him off.

"I wouldn't be calling me mate just yet! If you lay a hand on her, I'll kill you!!" Ron yelled after them.

"Ron, calm down. You know Seamus is a nice guy. There's nothing wrong with him." said Hermione.

"Oh, yes there is. There's the fact that he's a guy!" Ron said, almost yelling again.

"I think Ginny can take care of herself." said Hermione.

"Stay out of this!!" Ron said, getting in Hermione's face.

Hermione raised both of her hands and took a step back to indicate that she was backing down while Harry and Violet laughed.

"Why don't we get down to the Great Hall already?" Violet said.

Ron calmed down enough about Ginny to allow himself to have a good time at the Ball with Violet. Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Violet left the Common Room and made their way to the Great Hall.

Fred and Lee had waited until the very last minute to get ready and were now throwing on their robes as fast as they could.

"Why aren't you getting ready, George?" asked Lee.

"Umm...I'm not going..." said George.

"What?!?" exclaimed Fred and Lee.

"First you don't come to Hogsmede, and now this? What's wrong with you?!?" said Fred in absolute shock.

"Well...I didn't get a date..." George made up.

"Really?" said Lee, surprised.

"Yeah...and I didn't want to go to a Valentines Ball stag..." said George.

"Wow...that sucks." said Lee.

"Well, you guys go on...I bet your dates are waiting for you by now." said George.

"Yeah, I bet Celine and Katie are getting impatient." Lee said.

"I'll be in the Common Room waiting for you guys. Don't stay out too late now!" said George, teasing.

Fred just smiled and said, "I'm not making any promises."

With that Lee and Fred left the dorm. George gave them a few minutes to get down the stairs that led to the Common Room and then dressed faster than he thought he ever could.

I hope Sophia hasn't been waiting for me too long...George thought.

When George was sure Fred, Lee, and their dates had a good head start, he ran as fast as he could to the Great Hall.

When Harry, Hermione, Violet, and Ron finally got to the Great Hall, they looked at it in amazement. There were beautiful floral arrangements made of several different colored roses everywhere and there seemed to be a faint scent of perfume in the air. Everyone looked up and saw that the ceiling was charmed to be a bright starlit night. The only other light in the Hall was provided by the torches that lined the walls and the candles on all the tables. When they looked to the dance floor, they also noticed the Weird Sisters were there to perform once again and were setting up their equipment.

"Hey, Harry! Over here!"

Harry turned his head and found Dean waving at him from across the Hall. Harry led Hermione, Violet, and Ron to the table. When they got closer they saw that they had two tables to themselves and Neville, Seamus, Dean, and their dates were already seated at one of them. Harry caught Parvati glaring at him.

"Uhh...hi, Parvati..." Harry said, trying to be friendly.

"Hi." Parvati replied, trying her very best to be as unfriendly as possible.

Harry took this opportunity to stop talking to Parvati, went over to the other table, and pulled out a seat for Hermione to sit down. Ron then did the same for Violet, following Harry's lead.

I think she's still remembering how I treated her at the Yule Ball...Harry thought a little sadly, now wishing he'd treated her slightly nicer last time.

Though, Harry quickly forgot about Parvati when food began to appear on the table. But even the food wasn't enough to distract Ron from Ginny and Seamus.

"Oh, come on, Ron! Let's eat!" Harry said, digging in.

Sophia waited at the entrance to the Great Hall for George.

I wonder where he is...I really hope he's still coming...Sophia thought worriedly, glancing at her watch again.

When she looked at the corridor, she saw George running towards her as fast as he could.

"Hi...sorry...I was late..." George said, very out of breath.

Sophia smiled and said, "Oh, it's okay. I bet Cho saved a table for all of us. Why don't we find her?"

"Sure." George said.

But after dinner, I have to take her aside to tell her who I really am. he thought.

Soon, the Weird Sisters has set up all of their equipment and started playing a fast, jumpy tune.

"Come on, guys! Let's dance!" said Violet, getting up from her chair.

Hermione also got up, but Harry and Ron stayed rooted to their chairs.

"I don't dance..." Harry said.

"Me, neither." Ron said.

"But it's fun!" said Hermione.

Then Ron looked over to the other table and saw Ginny and Seamus getting up to dance.

"Yes, let's dance!" Ron said, grabbing Violet's hand and dragging her to the dance floor in pursuit of Ginny and Seamus.

This left Harry and Hermione alone.

"Let's go, Harry." said Hermione.

"I'm going to look stupid..." Harry said.

"Don't worry...so will everyone else." said Hermione, smiling and holding out her hand.

Harry smiled back, took her hand, and let himself be led out to the dance floor. When he got there, he saw Ron had seemed to forget about Ginny and Seamus for the time being and really seemed to be having a good time. Harry felt really awkward since he had basically avoided the dance floor, except for the opening dance, at the Yule Ball, but Hermione encouraged him and made him feel more confident.

If Hermione and Ron can do this, so can I. Harry thought.

After several minutes of dancing, Ron wanted to take a break.

"Hey, Violet...let's stop for a while..." Ron said.

"Yeah, let's." Violet said, also slightly tired.

When they got back to their table, Ron said, "Hey, I'm going to go get us some drinks, okay?"

"Okay." Violet replied.

Then Ron left to get them. As Violet was about to take her seat, she felt someone pull her by the arm into a nearby classroom corridor. She turned and saw it was Draco. When they were inside a classroom, did she finally yank her arm back.

"What's wrong with you Draco?! I told you that I didn't want to talk to you anymore. I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I refuse to be a part of it." Violet said angrily.

"If only that were the case...if only things were that easy..." Draco said sadly.

This caused a look of confusion to come to Violet's face.

"I'm going to tell you everything so you can see that I'm not the cheating, scum bag you think I am. Maybe I am scum, but I would never hurt you on purpose..." Draco said.

Violet looked at him in suspicion as Draco continued.

"Not only does my family support Voldemort, my father works for him directly. And...my father wants me to follow in his footsteps.

Violet just stared at Draco in shock as he began to tell her about his family.

Harry and Hermione had been dancing non-stop since they started and now they finally decided to take a break.

"Why don't we go outside? It is rather hot in here." said Hermione.

"Sure." said Harry, following Hermione outside.

They saw that the sky outside was just as starry as the enchanted ceiling.

"Why don't we get away from the Great Hall a little bit...you can still hear the music and everything since we're just right outside." Harry said, leading her farther into the gardens on the Hogwarts grounds.

Finally, Ron got back with the drinks for Violet and himself, and found that she was not there at the table where he had left her. He looked around himself in confusion. He saw Dean was sitting at the other table with his date.

"Hey, Dean! Do you know where Violet went?" Ron asked.

"I don't know, mate. I only got here a minute ago." Dean replied.

With that, Ron put down the drinks he had gotten and started a search for her.

I know she's with that other guy right now! I have to find her! And when I do, I'll finally know who this other guy is! Ron thought, and he began his search around the Hall.

Soon he found that she did not appear to be inside the Hall anywhere.

I bet that guy took her out to the gardens to be alone with her! Ron thought as he stepped out on to the Hogwarts grounds.

He looked everywhere he thought a guy might take a girl to be alone, remembering how it was at the Yule Ball. Soon he came upon the spot that Harry and Hermione were at.

Maybe I can ask them if they saw Violet and the other guy...Ron thought, making his way towards them.

But when he got closer, he stopped. He saw that they seemed to be having some sort of romantic moment.

Geez...I don't think I should interrupt them...I think I'll just watch to see what happens...Ron thought, smiling.

Then he realized that he was in their plain view, and if they just turned slightly to their right, they would see him. He quickly dived behind a bush, making as little noise as possible. Lucky for Ron, Harry and Hermione were too wrapped up in themselves to notice.

"This is a really nice night, isn't it?" Hermione said nervously.

"Yeah...it sure is..." Harry replied, just as nervous.

"You can see a lot of constellations if you look closely. There's Orion, and the Big Dipper, and –" Hermione started giving a lecture of Astronomy in her nervousness.

"Hermione...Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?" Harry said softly, putting a hand on her arm.

Hermione abruptly stopped her lecture, smiled shyly at him and said, "Thanks..."

Then, very slowly, Harry pulled Hermione closer to himself and put his arms around her. Ron could have sworn that Harry was shaking when he did this. Harry and Hermione stayed like that for a few minutes and soon Ron just wanted something to happen.

Come on, guys! Do something!! Ron yelled at them in his head.

Harry and Hermione also wanted something to happen, but were both afraid of doing something the other wouldn't like. Then, finally, Harry pulled slightly away and looked straight into Hermione's eyes. His face was centimeters away from Hermione's.

Should I kiss her? But I don't want to do something wrong...what if I miss? Then I'll just be totally embarrassed...Harry thought, very anxious and nervous, his heart pounding in his ears.

Harry didn't want to mess up his first kiss.

Harry is so close! So close!! I don't think he's ever been this close to me before...I've dreamt about this moment so many times, and now that it's really here, I just have no idea what to do! I don't want to blow this...maybe I should just wait until he makes a move...Hermione thought.

Come on, Harry! Do it!! Ron cheered Harry on in his head.

Harry got a little closer, but was still scared.

I can't take this anymore!! I'm just going to do it! Hermione thought, forgetting about her nervousness and closing the gap between her face and Harry's.

Alright, Hermione!! Ron thought, happy someone made a move.

The kiss was short and sweet. When Harry and Hermione pulled away from each other, they both smiled.

"Wow." Harry said.

"Yeah..." Hermione agreed.

"You want to try that again?" Harry said, grinning.

"Absolutely." Hermione replied, also smiling.

This next kiss was much more confident since both Harry and Hermione were sure the other was okay with it. Ron decided that it really was time for him to leave and to continue his search for Violet and the other guy.

I'm happy for those two and all, but man, is it weird to see both of your best mates snogging! Ron thought, a smile coming to his face.

Ron finished his search of the gardens, and decided to search the classroom corridors indoors that were beside the Great Hall.