Hey guys! We've passed 500 reviews! That is absolutely amazing - I think my record for a story before now was less than 200, so to get this many is the most awesome thing ever. (Counting back, I think I must have passed 500 last chapter, but I didn't notice - I updated in a hurry. Whoops.) Anyway, belated cookies for everyone! (: :)

-hint hint- If we could make it to 600 by chapter fifty, I would love you all forever ...

Shoutouts go to Sapphire-Rosethorn, SilverLily1, Delia-of-the-Oysters (by the way, there will be fifty chapters altogether), Sugarplumjellygum, yellow 14, kirstycosby, glowyrm, Elise Suzanne, Sparky Dorian, bookworm1256, whispered touches, Kiki Strike.1, werewolfatemyphoenix and ForbiddenLove7.

Some people loved the last chapter, and some people disliked my analysis of Harry. I totally agree that he was more concerned with the big picture, and I was trying to convey that in the last chapter. Harry is, as I think Dumbledore put it, an incredibly selfless person, and shows us time and time again how willing he is to sacrifice himself for others - but he is also somewhat self-centred. I think the most telling thing here is that we never once, in seven years, hear him ask Ron about his feelings for Hermione. He tends to keep things to himself, and he has trouble relating when Ron gets jealous in GoF, because he's never thought about how Ron might be affected by his fame. And I like to think, as I tried to say in the last chapter, that he grew out of it!

Okay, on we go. Not my favourite chapter, but a necessary one - and I promise some Exciting will happen in chapter forty!

39. Diary

Tuesday

Ron and Hermione come over after work, Ginny in tow, and the four of them settle in for a drink. The Weird Sisters are playing on the wireless, there is plenty of wine, and they are laughing at some anecdote of Ron's—to Harry, it seems like things are almost back to normal.

"We should all go out for dinner," says Hermione. "We could dress up and go to a fancy restaurant with too many courses. A Muggle one, so we don't get mobbed."

"Which night?" asks Ginny. "It can't be this week, Harry's on night duty until Monday."

"We're going to the Burrow for dinner on Tuesday," says Ron.

"Ginny and I are both free on Wednesday," says Harry.

"Oh really?" asks Ginny teasingly. "And what makes you so sure I can fit you into my busy schedule, Potter?"

"And Thursday is Victoire's birthday, and the Ball," says Hermione, rolling her eyes at her friend.

"Already? It feels like we just had the last one. Do we have to go?" asks Ron.

"Of course we do," says Hermione, frowning at him. "Honestly Ron, don't you think it's important to commemorate the war?"

"Yeah, I do," says Ron. "And I can think of better ways to do it than a Ball. I hate dancing."

"Poor Ronniekins," says Ginny. "Maybe Hermione should leave you at home while she dances with all the handsome Ministry wizards. Would you like that?"

"Hell no!"

"Thought not," Ginny smirks. "You can thank me later, Hermione."

So yeah, I'm not sure that an English guy, even Ron, would say 'hell no', but it was too perfect not to use ;)

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