Disclaimer: I don't own any of the awesome Harry Potterness
Chapter 9
Ginny's POV
Everybody new about the party and the house was bustling constantly with activity. I wouldn't be surprised if people had heard the occupants of the house from all over the country. We had told every one who had to travel far early. They were arriving two days before the party and the girls were going shopping.
Mum was in crazy organising mode and never stopped. Harry was keeping himself busy and seemed awfully distracted. He barely even talked, not that he had anyone to talk to. He still hadn't explained the bruising to me yet and I didn't tell anyone, but I was worried. It was just natural to be worried for him; it was like I was made that way. I don't think he really knew how much I worried about him.
Hermione was trying to help anywhere she could. She was using her sudden burst of energy to organise everything. Her energy burst came as soon as I told her about the party and how she would be going with Ron. She couldn't stop smiling and didn't even disapprove of the twins' jokes. They were getting a little annoyed because there was no one to argue or disagree with.
Ron was trying to spend his entire time sitting, eating or sleeping. He was the only one who didn't want this party to happen. Fred and George had almost gotten over Harry and me as long as we didn't show affection in front of them. Ron however had different views of the situation. He thought the party was just another way for Harry and me to get together. Even if it was he was still being ridiculous. He really didn't want the party to happen but I was sure deep inside he just didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Hermione with his two left feet.
The twins were doing small jobs when asked but mostly avoided mum's frantic orders. They hid in their room or went outside to practice their beating. To add to the noise in the house we heard regular explosions coming from their room. Sometimes I saw them quietly skip by mum to run outside then carry something inside. I didn't know how they did it because it seemed like mum was everywhere, but they always got away.
I was in on all the organising. Mum said that considering it was my idea I had to help her with all the planning. I spent my time drawing out seating plans and layouts of the area. I had to get the lighting right and the decorations. It was stressful and time consuming. I enjoyed it but it was draining.
Tonks came over and announced herself by knocking over two chairs and stubbing her toe on the kitchen table.
"TONKS!"
I ran into the kitchen, hugged her and she chuckled.
"How did you manage to knock over two chairs in broad daylight?"
"It's me we're talking about Ginny; I can't enter a room without hitting something."
She scratched her head and I laughed.
"So are we going shopping or what?"
"I'll just grab Hermione, mum and Fleur. Fleur arrived a couple of hours ago. I also need to grab my bag."
"I'll be waiting."
She was standing as still as possible trying not to knock anything else over when I left her. I bounded up the stairs and thought about the girls day out I was about to enjoy. Fleur had arrived a few of hours ago with Bill. His hair had grown even longer and shaggier. Fleur loved it but mum still pestered him to get it all chopped off.
The girls all needed dresses because I decided formal maybe semi formal, was the way to go for this party. We would all have to look stunning, especially Hermione. I made sure all the girls were in on my matchmaking plan. We would make Hermione and Ron sat next to each other, dance together and hold hands. I hoped it would give Ron the courage to ask her out on a proper date and that absolutely nothing went wrong.
After grabbing Hermione and my bag I ran back down the stairs, absolutely thrilled about going shopping.
"We have to go to a muggle shop first, I refuse to wear robes."
"Ginny they are traditional."
"Mum, please don't make me."
"I am not making you just merely suggesting you should."
"I too would like muggle clothing; it's much more comfortable for me."
"Hermione I understand that, but Ginny dear you have grown up with robes."
"That doesn't matter mum."
"Ok girls just calm down." Tonks intervened before I threw a tantrum. She knew I had a short temper sometimes and the separation from Harry was making it worse.
"I agree with Tonks."
"Thank you Fleur. Now can we go?"
We headed for the fireplace thinking of flooing to diagon alley then going out to London. I haven't shopped in London for ages and getting dresses was just the thing I needed. As we walked along the crowded streets we were all in deep discussion.
"So Tonks how is Lupin?"
"He's ok Molly."
"Is that all Tonks, ok?"
"Well when you put it that way, he's a little more than ok."
They all giggled. Hermione and I were leading in front and chatting to ourselves.
"Have you kissed yet?"
"Don't even get me started; I'm so angry at my brothers because of it."
"Its ok Gin, you're doing better than Ron and me."
"Hermione everything will be fine after the party. Trust me." hermione frowned at my smirk.
Hermione was the only one who called me Gin apart from Harry.
We started with some nice things we saw in the window, but nothing really caught our eyes. After a while we had nothing until I shrieked.
"That one, that one there."
"Gin I don't know if it will look good."
"Are you crazy it's perfect?"
Mum, Tonks and Fleur had gathered around us and were all looking in the direction I was pointing. There in the shop of a window was the perfect dress for Hermione to entice Ron. She just stood there glaring at me so I grabbed her hand and ran toward the shop.
I took the dress from the window and pushed Hermione into the change rooms.
"Does it fit?"
"I just got in here and haven't moved because I'm trying to think of what just happened. One minute we were out on the street and next second I was standing here holding an amazing dress in my hand."
"That's right so try it on."
"Ok, ok. Go look around in the shop for anything you like."
"Tell me when you're done."
I went to the shop and looked around. I bumped into Tonks and she smiled down at me.
"I don't know what dress to get until I work out what colour my hair will be."
"Maybe blonde, but then you don't want to go against your signature purple."
Tonks laughed so hard and the shop owners looked down at her. They glared daggers in her direction which made her laugh harder. They were about to walk over to us to ask us to leave when Tonks put her hands up in surrender. She hiccupped a couple of times before finally regaining control of her body.
I turned away and looked around the shop for something that would look good. There were summer dresses that were semi-formal and then there were very formal gowns. They all looked adorable and elegant but none where what I wanted. I wanted the right dress that I would love and so would Harry.
"GINNY!"
"Oo, Hermione do you have it on?"
"Yes…but…err."
"What is it Hermione, show us?"
Hermione walked out.
I was speechless and stood wide eyed staring at the woman in front of me. Hermione didn't look like Hermione instead she looked like an elegant woman who was absolutely beautiful.
"I knew it was the wrong thing. I was thinking a bit more cover, it's a bit revealing."
"No…it's perfect."
I managed to choke out my words through my shock. I never thought I would see the day when Hermione would look this wonderful, even though she wasn't wearing makeup nor had her hair done. Mum, Fleur and Tonks came over to where we were standing. Their responses were much like mine. Then when the initial shock passed mum ran over to Hermione and gave her a bone crushing hug.
"Mum careful of the dress."
"Sorry dear."
Harry's POV
Hermione spared me a 'save me' glance as Ginny pulled her out the door. I chuckled to myself and thought that a girls' day out would do some good for Hermione. I knew that as a much as she said she wouldn't enjoy it, she would secretly love every minute of their little excursion.
I entered the lounge room and found Mr. Weasley looking at the long list of chores Ginny had left the boys.
"Oh Harry, thank goodness you're here. We have to get started on these jobs straight away. It seems Ginny has left an extensive list of what she wants done before the big night. Speaking about the night, do you know who you're taking?"
I stopped a second to think about what would happen if I told Mr. Weasley about the situation I was in. if I told him he could sort out Gin's brother's and not tell Mrs. Weasley about it either. If I told him I could be happy with Ginny without going behind Ron's back or getting bashed into a pulp. It was the perfect plan and I didn't have a clue why I hadn't thought of it earlier.
"Well…"
I was about to begin my story when Ron bounded down the stairs looking an awfully lot more cheerful then before.
"I know who Harry's taking to the party. He owes me big time as well because it took me ages to get into contact with her."
I looked puzzled towards Ron and he shot me a smirk. I realised what he had done. The nasty little devil set me up with someone else so I couldn't go with his sister and now he's making it like I asked him to and he did me a huge favour. I scowled at him and fumed.
"Who is it Ron?"
"Harry you know all well who it is. You're just building up to the big moment. It's LUNA!"
My jaw locked. Luna, of all people Luna. When I think about it she's not that bad but still, LUNA!
"I know Harry it's too much, but you're my best mate. I wouldn't want you going to the ball without someone would I?"
Ron smirked again and turned to his dad, collected his list of chores and headed outside to feed the chickens.
"Well anyway Harry I think it's great that you're taking Luna. Here's your list of things and when you go upstairs could you please call Fred and George down."
"Sure Mr. Weasley."
"Oh and Harry, were you going to say something before?"
"That was nothing, see you later Mr. Weasley."
"Bye and Harry?"
"Yes Mr. Weasley."
"Call me Arthur."
"Ok Arthur."
I dragged my feet upstairs taking one stair at a time. It was tedious but it cleared my brain. I didn't care if I went behind Ron's back anymore. I opened the door to his room and in the corner I had a basket stashed. I made sure it was still there and then covered it back up with the blanket. I was going to disregard the plan when I had talked to Mr. Weasley, but then Ron had to set me up. So the plan was back in action.
Ok, I am exceptionally sorry that I haven't updated in forever and I don't really have an excuse. I finally put pen to paper and finished this chapter without the dresses, THANK GOODNESS! Next chapter will come when it comes and I am sorry to those who had to wait because I hate it when stories aren't done and people don't update in ages. Anyway thanks as always for reading and hopefully you can forgive me for my despicable behaviour.