A/N: If I get enough reviews, I'll be more more motivated to post the next chapter right away! It's actually almost done. I have about 2,000 more words left to write on it. So leave me your lovely thoughts on what you thought of this chapter and I will post it sooner rather than later! :)

And no, don't think of it as blackmail. Think of it as a contribution to the cause!

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Chapter Thirty-Eight

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Just as last time, at the Yule Ball, they all sat down for dinner and told their plates what they had wanted to eat after looking at the menu. Harry had chosen a mushroom-stuffed chicken platter that had him salivating as soon as it had appeared. And just with every other Hogwarts meal, it had been delicious.

As he ate, all the while making conversation with Hermione, he couldn't stop his eyes from straying over to where Ginny sat at the other side of the round table…

Merlin… She was so gorgeous. She looked breathtaking in the silk, blue ball gown she was currently wearing. The contrasting dark color managed to make her red hair all the more vibrant, something that Harry had previously thought to be impossible. As far as Harry was concerned, the galleons that he had given Ginny to buy the gown were some of the best he had ever spent.

Harry looked down at his hands, flushing at the blatant affection his thoughts had taken when he thought of Ginny. And he wondered, not for the first time, how he had managed to have Ginny return his affections… especially after he had studiply rejected her the first time she had decided to express them to him.

A burst of laughter cut him away from his thoughts, and Harry looked up at the infectious noise. Ginny had her head thrown back, laughing at whatever it was that Collin had said with animated body language. As Harry watched them, he couldn't hold back the spark of jealousy as he saw them together… obviously having a grand old time.

It was ridiculous, really. He had no reason to be jealous of Collin, of all people. Yet, he still found that he couldn't shake the feeling.

He knew, in the deepest part of his heart, that he wished that he was the one sitting next to Ginny at the moment… making her laugh just as she was right then.

Harry shook his head, trying to shake the emotion away. Before he turned his attention back to Hermione.

What he saw caused him to smile, affectionately. She really looked as though she were having a good time, as well. Her eyes looked all around her in wonder at the intricate and magical decorations the Great Hall had adopted for the evening.

There was also a bit of smug pride in the twinkle of her eye, left over from when they had walked down the main staircase together. Ron had been at the bottom of the stairs, within a large group of other students lingering outside of the Great Hall. And when Ron caught sight of them walking down the stairs, it looked as though his eyes were about to pop out of his head.

It was clear to Harry that Ron especially liked how Hermione looked tonight… so much so, that he had completely forgotten about poor Susan Bones at his side, who was his date for the evening.

After dinner, the prefects and their dates were the ones to open up the ball with the first dance. And since Hermione was a prefect, Harry had to be the one to lead her in the first dance. Which made him even more grateful that he had thought to have Hermione give him dance lessons before the ball.

Sure, he still wasn't perfect at dancing, but he was no longer the fumbling buffoon that he had been at the Yule ball.

After the first dance, Harry and Hermione stayed on the dance floor as everyone else joined in. Somehow, Hogwarts had managed to book The Weird Sisters to play for the evening, which excited a lot of the students. They started out with a fast rock number, which had Harry and Hermione jumping up and down as they kept up with the beat.

Harry had to admit… he was having a really good time! Once he gotten past his insecurities of other people watching him dance, he found the activity to be rather fun!

It wasn't long before a breathless Harry and Hermione stumbled over to their seats, sweating and trying to catch their breaths.

"Merlin, my feet are killing me!" Hermione complained, lightly, as she took off her heels and stretched her toes by pointing them outward.

Harry nodded in agreement. His feet were bothering him as well, but he found that he had no room to complain that to a girl who had been bouncing around in heels all evening.

They sat there in companionable silence for a moment - each trying to catch their breaths and slow their heartbeats - as they watched the other students dance and laugh.

When Harry turned slightly to look at her, he smiled, and grabbed her hand. "Hermione… Thanks for coming with me. If I couldn't go to the ball with Ginny, I'm glad that I was able to come with you."

Hermione beamed, and squeezed his hand in return. "Of course, Harry. I feel the same. Since I couldn't come with Ron, I'm glad that I got to come with you instead of someone else."

Harry rolled his eyes at the mention of his best mate. "Ron's an idiot for not asking you. He had to have known that I would want to go with Ginny after we started going out. I honestly don't know what he was thinking asking Susan Bones instead of you."

Hermione's expression became contemplative, before she sighed in resignation. "It is what it is, I guess."

Resolute, Harry firmly shook his head. "No. It shouldn't have-"

But he wasn't able to finish what had been about to be a tirade about Ron and his unwillingness to admit to his feelings for Hermione… Instead, the sudden presence of Professor Slughorn stopped any more words on the matter from leaving his tongue.

"Harry, my dear boy!" The portly man greeted him jovially. "How has your evening been?"

Harry grinned awkwardly at the professor, and replied with a simple, "Fine."

Slughorn nodded enthusiastically. "Right you are, my boy! A very fine evening it is. Now, would you ever so mind if I stole your date from you for a bit of time, Miss. Granger? Mr. Potter must come and meet some of my former students from the Slugclub! Some of them were able to come and join us for the evening."

Not ever one to dare deny a request from a professor, Hermione instantly agreed. "Of course, Professor."

Now, no longer having a choice, Harry stood slowly and started to follow after the Professor, leaving a comment behind for Hermione that he would find her later.

As Harry trailed behind Slughorn, he was led into a den that was behind the where the teachers normally sat and ate in the Great Hall.

The room was full of varying ages of adults… Harry being the only one his own age. And Harry found that he really hoped that his 'Slughorn duties' would be over quick. So that he could go back to spending time with his own friends instead of pretending to be interested in what strangers were saying.

…..

Ron sat at the table. Looking intensely at where Harry and Hermione were dancing on the dance floor, having a good time.

He realised that he was sulking. And that he had no right to be. But he really couldn't help it. He had been all prepared to have a good time tonight… with Susan Bones.

But then…

But then, Hermione had showed up… looking like that!

And-And HOLY BLOODY HELL did she look beautiful!

All that he wanted to do was to go right up to her, pull her into his arms, and never let her go. But he couldn't… because he was here with Susan Bones.

"Are we going to dance?" Susan asked suddenly, looking thoroughly put-out with him. He could hardly blame her.

"No." Ron replied simply, not even wanting to entertain the idea of dancing at the moment.

It was clear that this irked Susan even more but the prominent frown on her lips. "Why did you even agree to go to the ball with me, when you clearly have feelings for Hermione?"

She said it so bluntly that it nearly gave Ron whiplash as he turned to look at her. "Wh-What?"

"Oh, don't play dumb with me! You know, you're a real jerk, you know that?" She stated, heatedly, before getting up and storming off. Ron watched her walk off, a dumbfounded look on his face.

Witches… bloody mad creatures they were. There was no pleasing them, was there?

Ron sulked even more at the thought, dropping his head into his hands and feeling even more sorry for himself now that he was alone.

Tonight was a bust. Even worse than the Yule Ball… at least then, he had Harry as company as they had both brooded together.

But no… Harry had to go ask Hermione to the ball. When he knew perfectly well that Ron fancied her! And, beyond that-

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden presence of a body sitting in the seat next to him. Ron lifted his head and looked to the side, only to start when he noticed that it was Hermione!

She looked over at him, curiously, in that way of hers. With pursed lips… furrowed eyebrows… Ron always thought that the expression made her look as though she were trying to work out a difficult puzzle.

"Why are you sitting alone?" Hermione asked him. "Where's Susan?"

Ron sighed, his shoulders hunching as he was once again reminded that his date had ditched him. "She left. Called me a jerk."

Her head tilted questioningly. Ron thought that it looked adorable.

"Why would she do that?"

Ron knew why. Susan had said so before she had left him. She thought that he had feelings for Hermione. Which was true… but he couldn't tell Hermione that.

So, he merely shrugged one shoulder, a universal sign that he didn't want to discuss much more on the matter.

Hermione was quiet as she studied him for a moment longer, before she finally let the matter go. "Well, Harry was taken away by Slughorn for a bit. And I came over because I was wondering if you wanted to dance… but you don't seem to be in the mood-"

"I would love to!" Ron exclaimed suddenly, perking up at the offer. The idea of wrapping his arms around Hermione, pulling her close, was too good a idea to pass up.

It might very well be the only chance that he had to do so.

She seemed surprised by his eager acceptance by the way her eyes widened and the way that she leaned back from the sheer volume of his exclamation. Before she relaxed and smiled sweetly at him.

Hermione stood, and held her hand out to him, which Ron readily accepted before standing himself. He led her by the hand out to the dance floor. The Weird Sisters were taking a break at playing, and it was back to the orchestral music that played a song they could dance slowly to.

Ron stood awkwardly in front of Hermione, in the middle of the dance floor full of swaying couples. He wasn't sure how to begin.

Hermione smiled at him slightly, before she stepped forward and grabbed his one hand, leading it to her waist.

Ron held in a gasp at the warmth he could feel emanating through her dress where he touched her. She grabbed his other hand in hers, and then they were swaying… Ron instinctively taking the lead.

It took a moment for them to find a rhythm, but once they had, the rest of the world faded around them. Ron stared into Hermione's eyes, so deep and brown, and found himself leaning forward without any thought of his own.

His arms constricted, drawing her closer, and Hermione willingly followed.

He could feel her breath upon his cheek. Her heart beating wildly in her chest as it pressed against his own. And in that moment, Ron stopped thinking. Let go of his instincts of planning his moves three steps ahead, as he always did in chess.

Instead, he lived in the moment. He followed his heart instead of his mind. So, Ron leaned forward - slow enough to give her enough time to pull away - and he kissed her.

And it felt right.

Merlin, did it ever feel right.

…

Ginny watched as Collin spit out the red liquid, choking as laughter shook his entire body. Ginny grinned, triumphant. She had purposely waited for Colling to take a drink from the punch bowl before she did her impersonation of Gilderoy Lockheart.

They were standing by the punch bowl, taking a break from dancing to watch their peers… while simultaneously making up ludacris and dramatic stories of each of the students evenings.

For example, Ginny had pointed out Malfoy who was dancing with Pansey Parkinson, and said, "Did you know that Malfoy and Pansey both lost a bet, so they had to go to the ball with each other?"

While Collin had pointed at Meyetta and Josephine and told Ginny that they hadn't been asked to the ball, so they had to use love potions in order to get dates. Ginny honestly wouldn't have put it past her dormmates.

Either way, Ginny was having a good time. Enough for her to not be too disappointed that she wasn't here with Harry at the moment.

"You did that on purpose!" Collin accused, as he wiped red punch off from the sleeve of his black dress robes.

Ginny snickered. "I will neither confirm, nor deny."

Collin scowled at her and had been about to retort, when another presence stepped forward. He looked to be a fourth-year boy with golden, blonde hair. Ginny honestly didn't know which house he was from. But he looked extremely nervous as he looked back and forth between the two of them.

"Er… H-Hello." The boy stammered. "M-My name is Sterling… Sterling Knight. And, I was wondering if you wanted to dance…"

Ginny, who had been about to reply with a 'No, thank-you', stopped as Sterling turned to Collin and held out his hand in offering.

Collin looked startled at the extended hand, looking as though the fingers would grow fangs and bite him. Before his shock started to leave him, and Collin melted slightly.

"S-Sure." Collin said, before looking sideways at Ginny. "If it's alright with Ginny."

Ginny looked on, and felt a growing smile stretch her lips. "Of course! Have fun!"

Both boys grinned at the blessing, and Collin took the offered hand in his own, and they walked away together towards the dance floor.

Ginny beamed at the sight, happy for her friend, as she watched them walk off together. Before she realized that she was now alone… her grin fell a bit, but she almost immediately brightened once again. It was as good a time as any to find Harry and cash in on her promised dance!

She leaned up on her toes, searching the crowd for her devilishly, handsome boyfriend… with no luck. Ginny frowned, wondering where it was he could have gotten off to… trying not to feel the disappointment of not being able to find him so that they could share the dance she was most looking forward to.

When suddenly, she felt a tug on her arm as she was literally dragged from the spot she stood. Ginny's head snapped sideways, looking to see who the perpetrator was of such a rude display…

It was Dean, and he had his hand wrapped firmly around her wrist, pulling her along to the dance floor.

"Dean!" Ginny hissed, trying with all her might to pull her wrist free as she dug her heels into the floor.

He stopped, feeling the tug on his hold, and turned to look back at her. "Please, Ginny… just one dance. Hear me out… Then I promise not to bother you again."

Ginny glared at him, not able to believe the nerve of this boy! How dare he treat her as though she were nothing but a ragdoll… a plaything for him to enjoy. But Ginny found that her curiosity won out over her annoyance…

"Oh, this ought to be good." She said, sourly, wanting to cross her arms in that moment, but was unable to because of his hold on her wrist. "If you have something to say to me, we do it off of the dance floor."

Dean considered this for a moment, before finally nodding. Ginny took back her hand, rubbing at her wrist, as they both walked up to one of the empty tables. Dean sat down first, and Ginny followed him; making sure to have an empty chair in-between them.

"Next time you want to have a conversation with someone, maybe you should just ask them instead of literally grabbing them." Ginny said, with just enough bite in her tone to make Dean flinch.

"I was afraid that you were going to say no." Dean admitted, suddenly looking very sheepish as he looked down at the table.

"Then that is my decision." Ginny stated, imploringly, as she finally was able to cross her arms. "I don't have to talk to you if I don't want to. I don't owe you anything."

Dean was quiet as he processed this, and Ginny found that her patience was running thin.

"So?" She asked abruptly. "What was so important that you needed to rudely grab my wrist and drag me off for?"

Dean swallowed thickly, and his hand came to rub at his mouth as he bided his time.

"Why are you with him? Harry?" He finally said as he dropped his hand and looked straight into her eyes. "Give me one good reason."

Ginny sat back into her chair, her arms still crossed as she rolled her eyes at him. How many times did she need to prove her relationship with Harry to Dean before he would leave them alone? It really was getting quite old… "Does there need to be a single reason?"

"Yes." Dean said, immediately. "At least one that is more important than all the rest. I can think of one for why you and I should be together, and why you shouldn't be with Potter.'

Ginny was silent, not quite able to believe the audacity of the words coming from his lips. Why didn't he ever factor in her own choice in the matter? He treated her as though she were a prize that he and Harry had to fight amongst themselves over. Nevermind that she had already chosen to be with Harry! It was now, more than ever, did Ginny truly understand why it was that Dean had chosen 'The Claiming Duel'... He didn't even respect that she had won that duel for her own hand! Would he have respected it if Harry had dueled on her behalf and won?

"The difference between me and Potter is that you will always be my number one priority." Dean continued on when she didn't say anything. "That will never be true for him. He will always have his distractions. Like the D.A., quidditch, and especially fighting You-Know-Who."

He sat back, smug. As though he thought that he had cornered her with a point that she hadn't thought of before. Little did he know, she had thought it over many times, already.

"But that's the thing, Dean." Ginny said passionately, as she sat up straight in her chair, laying her hands down flat on the table. "I don't want unwavering attention. In fact, I don't need it. All of the things that you just listed about Harry is part of the reason why I love him."

Saying it, those three little words, out loud… quite literally shocked Ginny. Did-Did she just say that she loved Harry? Out loud? But as she played the words over in her head, she realized that it was true.

She was in love with Harry.

Dean's attention snapped to her, his eyes were fierce and he had a deep look of displeasure on his face.

"Love?" He spat.

But Ginny ignored him and continued on with the point that she wanted to convey. Her feelings for Harry wasn't any of Dean's business, anyways. "Harry is driven, Dean. He has aspirations and goals. Which I find to be both attractive and admirable."

She could tell that he was starting to get angry, and she felt her own frustration rise as he continued to ignore her words of what she wanted - which was Harry. "But can't you see that he is all wrong for you?!"

"No. He is honestly just right for me." Ginny argued with a clear voice. Because every word of it was true. "If anything, I should have seen right away how wrong you were for me when we were together."

"What do you mean?" Dean asked, with a roll of his eyes. "We are perfect for each other!"

"Really?" Ginny snorted. The mere idea of it was so ridiculous, it was funny. "Then why were you going to break up with me on the train at the beginning of the year?"

Dean froze, staring at her with an expression that could only be akin to horror.

"Yes. I know about that." Ginny said with slowed calmness. "I also know about the reason why you asked me out in the first place… What was it again…? Oh, right. You asked me out because of pity."

Her anger had returned, full force, as she glared at him with all of her might. Just the thought of his pity for her still caused her blood to boil.

"Wha- Ginny, no, I-" Dean tried to deny.

But Ginny abruptly stood. "I think that we are done here. You didn't convince me of anything that I didn't already know. Harry and I belong together, and you are a git. End of story."

Ginny turned and walked away, ignoring the pleas from Dean calling out from behind her.

…

Harry was well and truly bored. He had already been mingling with the former Slug Club for far longer than he had intended.

And to make matters worse, he was being paraded around by Slughorn as though he were some sort of token boy. Being introduced to adults who would gape at him, as their eyes roamed up to stare at his scar.

Then they would continue on to ask him all sorts of intrusive questions. Like if what Rita Skeeter had said about a relationship with Hermione Granger was true, and if they were still together. Which Slughorn had intervened and said that they had attended the ball together.

Harry had to correct him more than ten times, stating that he and Hermione were only friends and that he had a girlfriend. Which they would all coo at, stating how adorable young romance was.

One person even had the audacity to ask him what it was like to be an orphan. It was difficult to stay on his good behavior at that question by not cursing the woman who asked, and Slughorn had good enough sense to pull him away after hearing the offensive question.

It continued on like that. Until, finally, Harry felt that enough time had passed for him to feel comfortable enough to tell Slughorn that he was going back to the ball. "Professor?"

He had interrupted the man while he was in the middle of an exuberant laugh. But the portly man still turned to Harry at the inquiry in his voice. "Yes, my dear boy? What is it?"

"I think that I've neglected Hermione for long enough. She might be wondering where I am."

Understanding overcame his features. "Oh, but of course! The poor girl was left without a date for long enough. Go, Mr. Potter. I shall see you in class on Monday."

Harry smiled politely at the man, before turning quickly. Knowing that he had to get away while he had the chance.

But it was as he was making his way over towards the den's exit doors, when someone caught his eye…

He stopped instantly in his tracks, and stared at her… watching as she nodded politely at whatever it was the man next to her was saying.

Harry picked his jaw up from off of the floor, and took a minute to compose himself slightly, before he rushed over to the witch. When he was right next to her, the witch in question turned curious eyes over to the newcomer before she instantly recognized Harry Potter in front of her.

Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened in shock. "You-You're-"

"You're Gwenog Jones!" Harry interrupted, excitement overtaking his sour mood instantly, as he extended his hand and eagerly shook hers.

Still dazed, Gwenog robotically shook back. "You… You know who I am?"

Harry nodded, a wide grin stretching his lips. "Of course! You're an excellent quidditch player! How could I not know you? Merlin, this is bloody brilliant! I'm meeting Gwenog Jones!"

Her shock was slowly starting to melt off of her face, as a hint of a prideful smile graced her lips. "You're sweet… but I still can't believe that I'm talking to the Harry Potter!"

Harry waved her off. "Oh, I'm not that much of a big deal. But you…! Merlin, the way that you single-handedly built the Holyhead Harpies from nothing, is bloody brilliant!"

Gwenog actually blushed at the compliment, bashfully looking down at their still shaking hands, and let go. "Yeah, well. It was nothing, really. Nothing compared to defeating You-Know-Who when you are only a one-year old."

Harry shrugged, choosing the let the compliment slide, instead he changed the subject. "So, listen… I have a girlfriend, and she is your number one fan! Could you possibly come meet her? Please?"

It looked as though Gwenog was about to say yes, but the forgotten man next to her cleared his throat in disapproval. When they both looked over to him, he shook his head. "No can do… As soon as Gwenog steps out there, she will be bombarded by kids wanting her autograph. Besides, we were just about to leave…"

Harry's eyed the man, questioningly, wondering who he was.

Gwenog seemed to notice, as she quickly clarified. "Harry, this is my manager, Flint Flickbeard."

Harry tried not to snicker at the man's name, but a small chortle managed to slip out. Flint rolled his eyes at him, before stating, "Yeah… yeah. I have a funny sounding name. Look, Gwenog, we really need to be going, so say goodbye to Harry Potter, here and-"

"Wait!" Harry cried out desperately. He knew that if he got to meet Gwenog and Ginny didn't, he would feel guilty for quite some time about it. Especially since the only reason he, himself, was a fan was because of Ginny. "My girlfriend, Ginny, is an excellent quidditch player! Can you at least come watch one of our games? To see how good she is? She really wants to play for the Holyhead Harpies, one day."

Gwenog paused and contemplated this, before she responded, "What position does she play?"

"Chaser." Harry said with a prideful smile. "For the Gryffindor team."

Gwenog nodded as she thought this information over. "What did you say her name was?"

"Ginny Weasley."

Flint Flickbeard tugged on Gwenog's arm once again, indicating that they really needed to get going. Gwenog managed to resist for just long enough to say, "I'll come to your next match."

Then, she turned, making their way to the fireplace to use the floo.

Harry stared after them, with wide eyes, until what had just happened caught up to him…

"Yes!" Harry exclaimed, and he shot a triumphant fist into the air. Completely unconcerned by the number of eyes that turned to him and watched him amusedly.

He, Harry Potter, had essentially gotten the Gwenog Jones to scout his girlfriend at their next quidditch match! He couldn't wait to tell Ginny! She would surely snog him and declare him to be 'Boyfriend of the Year'! It was Ginny's dream to play professionally for the Holyhead Harpies, and Harry had just helped to make that possible! He had to go find Ginny to tell her, and…

Harry's excitement waned as common sense found him. Perhaps he shouldn't tell Ginny that Gwenog was coming to their next match… It would only make her nervous while playing, as she would be too worried about performing instead of playing naturally.

A surprise then… Harry mused. He wouldn't introduce her to Gwenog until after the match.

It would be difficult to keep it a secret from Ginny, as he was giddy just at the thought of what her expression would be as soon as he told her, but Harry knew that it was for the best.

With that thought, he turned to leave the den… a now distinct skip in his step.

…..

Ginny was standing alone.

Had been for a while.

It was a while ago that she had left Dean sitting at the table. And just a bit ago, she had noticed Collin sneak off with Sterling while holding hands. A sight that Ginny couldn't help but grin at. It was clear that the two were going off to snog each other, and Ginny couldn't even find herself being remotely upset at the fact that Collin had essentially ditched her.

But she still found herself feeling… disappointed. She couldn't find Harry or any of her other friends anywhere. It made her feel uncomfortable and forgotten as she just stood on the sidelines, back against the wall as she watched the rest of the school having fun.

She wished that Harry was here, right next to her, and couldn't understand why she hadn't seen any sight of him since the first opening dance.

After a long while of not seeing any of her friends, Ginny started to feel a tad bit self-conscious. And she felt her eyes start to prick a bit as the feelings of insecurity overwhelmed her.

Perhaps she should just cut her losses and head back up to Gryffindor tower… at least then she wouldn't feel like everyone was watching her with pity in their eyes... even though they weren't. But her self-conscious mind told her that they were all staring.

But the stubbornness inside of her told her to scan her eyes through the crowd just once more… to look once again for the head of black hair and bespeckled eyes.

She kept telling herself to look once again. Wanting more than anything for this night not to be ruined.

"So, he finally ditched you, huh?" A voice said to her left.

Ginny looked over at the person, surprised by the venom put into so few words.

It was Romilda Vane.

"Wh-What?" Ginny asked, completely flabbergasted at the vindictive look on the younger girl's face as her eyes roved all over Ginny with undisguised disgust.

"Harry. He ditched you. I would say that it was about time, too. He deserves so much better than you."

Quickly, Ginny got over her shock, and stood up straight - feeling her hackles rising, along with her temper. "Who the hell do you think you are?!"

Romilda grinned a sickly, sweet smile. Ginny wanted to slap it off of her face. "Harry's future. So, back off if you know what's good for you."

And before Ginny could say anything else to the girl, or even whip her wand out to curse the girl, Romilda walked off and was gone.

Ginny reflected on the words she said. A large part of her knew that they were absolutely ludicrous. Harry would never ditch her. But…

But, what if he had…?

Ginny tried to shake the stray thought away, firming her belief that Harry would never leave her for a cad like Romilda Vane…! But the thought remained… no matter how small it was.

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A/N: If I get enough reviews, I'll be more more motivated to post the next chapter right away! It's actually almost done. I have about 2,000 more words left to write on it. So leave me your lovely thoughts on what you thought of this chapter and I will post it sooner rather than later! :)

And no, don't think of it as blackmail. Think of it as a contribution to the cause!