Author's note: Okay, I'm using a song that I've used in another story, but I can't help it! I like the song and it fit this chapter, so sue me! It is "Crazy Love", which has been covered by a number of artists, but my favorite is by Brian McKnight. This chapter deals with the lead up to the Yule Ball and will end just as everyone is about to arrive for the Yule Ball. There will be more Ron/Luna in next chapter, I promise!!! Again, the end of this chapter is foreshadowing, not a cliffhanger. Trust me on that. Read and review please!
Chapter 12
Crazy Love
"She's got love love love love crazy love
Yes I need her in the daytime
Yes I need her in the night
I want to throw my arms around her
To kiss her, hug her, kiss her, hug her tight
And when I'm returning from so far away
She gives me such sweet lovin' brightens up my day
And makes me righteuos and makes me whole
And it makes me mellow down to my soul"
(Crazy Love/version by Brian McKnight)
The night before the Yule Ball found Harry in the Gryffindor common room playing a game of chess with Ron. This was their second game of the evening and Harry was again losing to Ron.
"You know, before we leave this school," Harry said as he contemplated his next move. "I'm going to win at least once against you at this bloody game."
Ron guffawed. "You just need to accept the fact that I'm loads better than you at this. Yet, you keep coming back for more. You must be a glutton for punishment. It must be quite embarrassing for you, really."
"You know," Harry said, looking at his friend crossly. "You have quite the ego about this. You realize that, don't you?"
"So says the Boy-who-lived. Also known as Hogwarts Head Boy and also known as Quidditch captain. You could at least let me have this one thing," Ron replied sarcastically.
"Wanker," Harry said, looking across the table at his friend.
"Twat," Ron retorted.
They both laughed and then Harry went back to trying to figure out the best move. He was at a loss.
"So, are you going to make a move before we turn 60?" Ron asked, leaning back in his chair and yawning.
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking," Harry said.
Ron was quiet for a few moments before looking toward the staircase that led to the dormitories.
"So, the wife's been upstairs for awhile, hasn't she? I wonder what they're talking about," he said.
"Clothes, makeup, and hair, no doubt," Harry said, still concentrating on the chessboard. "Hermione was going to see if Lavender would let her borrow a dress."
"Well, let's just hope Lav and Parvati don't convert her into some giggly, boy-crazy female," Ron said.
"I don't think we have to worry about that," Harry replied.
Ron nodded and rested his elbows on the table.
"So, how are things with you and Hermione?"
Harry smiled. "Great."
He looked up to see Ron's nearly unreadable expression. What was with all the sudden talk about Hermione? Harry couldn't help but wonder. Ron looked to Harry as if he wanted to say something, but was either working up the courage to ask it or wondering how he should ask it.
"Have-," Ron muttered, but then stopped himself.
"What?" Harry asked, looking across the table again at his friend.
Ron leaned in over the chessboard and said quietly, "Well, I can't believe I'm actually asking you this. I mean, it's kind of strange. I mean, it's like you know that your parents had to have shagged at least a few times or you wouldn't have been born, but I just don't want to know about it. I mean, you know it had to have happened, but you don't want to know the details."
Harry looked at him, utterly confused.
"What are you on about, Ron?"
Ron squirmed a little in his chair.
"Well, I was just wondering if you and Hermione have," he began weakly. "I mean, if you have she have, well you know…shagged."
Ron said the last word with his face scrunched up.
Harry hadn't really expected this question. He was speechless for a moment.
"Well, I'm just asking out of curiosity, of course," Ron said quickly. "I mean, the two of you are practically living together."
"You know that Hermione would hex us both if she heard us talking about this," Harry said, motioning toward the staircase. His voice was barely above a whisper. The common room was by no means crowded, but Harry didn't feel the need to inform everyone in the room about his sexual activity or lack thereof with Hermione.
"I know she would," Ron said. "That's why I'm asking you and not her. I really was just curious is all."
Harry looked thoughtful and then looked around the room before saying quietly, "Well, to put your curious mind to rest, we haven't."
Ron nodded. "But, you do want to, right?"
"Of course," Harry said. "It's really difficult to be good when we're in such close quarters like we are. And she's started sleeping in my bed with me sometimes."
Ron looked shocked by this news.
"HERMIONE?" he asked, a little louder than he intended.
Harry looked around the room in shock to see the handful of students in the room looking at the two of them curiously.
"Keep it down, Ron," Harry said in a whisper. "I don't think they heard you in Iceland."
"Sorry," Ron said sheepishly. "That just doesn't sound like something Hermione would do."
"Well, she's not all books and studying all the time, you know," Harry said.
"Wow," Ron said.
"So, you mean to tell me with the two of you sleeping in the same bed, the opportunity has never arisen, so to speak?"
Ron laughed at his own pun, but his smile faded when he saw the look of annoyance on Harry's face.
"We've come close," Harry said, a little uncomfortable, awkward feeling coming over him. Perhaps, it wasn't right or even appropriate to be discussing Hermione with Ron. This was really the first time that they'd discussed Hermione alone together. They'd done it loads of times, of course, when all three were just friends, but now with Harry and Hermione dating, it just felt a little strange to Harry to be talking about her like this with Ron.
Truth be told, he welcomed the idea of talking to another bloke about this. With his dad and Sirius both gone now, he really hadn't had anyone to talk to about things like this. He knew he could talk to Lupin about it, but somehow it just didn't seem like something he wanted to discuss with him.
After all, Ron was his best friend. Best friends were supposed to feel free to talk about girls with each other, right? Yet, it still felt a little strange to Harry. Hermione would be none to pleased if she could hear them talking about this.
"So, why haven't you?" Ron asked. "What's stopped you?"
"Well, be both decided to wait," Harry said. "We both want to be together like that, but she wants to wait until after we're married. I respect that."
Ron's eyes grew as big as saucers at this news.
"Hang on a moment," he said, absently picking up a broken pawn. "Do you realize what you just said?"
He didn't give Harry the opportunity to respond before continuing.
"You just said that you and Hermione were going to wait until after you were married."
Harry nodded.
"So, does this mean, you've asked Hermione to marry you?"
Harry shook his head.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief.
"Not yet, I haven't," Harry responded, a little affronted by his friend's reaction. "But by the look on your face, I can tell you'd be less than thrilled by the idea of us getting married?"
"It's not that," Ron said quickly. "But, come on. You guys are only 17. That's too young to be thinking about marriage. You'll want to date loads of girls before you settle down with just one, right?"
"Well, I used to think so, too," Harry said. "But, why do all that? I can't see myself ever with anyone else, but her. I love her, Ron. I could wait two, three, four, even ten bloody years and I'd still feel the same way. She's it for me. I don't think there could ever be anyone else."
Ron silently stared back at his best friend.
"What?" Harry asked, feeling a little embarrassed by his emotional outpouring.
"Nothing," Ron replied, shaking his head. "I couldn't be happier for you, really. It's always been the two of you, hasn't it? I mean, everyone's seen it, even before you two wised up to it."
Harry nodded and smiled back at his friend. "I was planning on asking her graduation night. Don't breathe a word of this or I'll kill you."
"You're secret's safe with me," Ron said, winking at him. "This does present a bit of a problem for me, though."
"What's that?" Harry asked, concerned.
"Well, being as I'm your best friend and her best friend, will I have to make a choice between being Maid of Honor or Best Man?"
"Well, Ron," Harry said, with a laugh. "You have had that experience of being in a dress before."
"I WAS TWO BLASTED YEARS OLD, HARRY!" Ron snapped back at him, loudly.
Harry dissolved into laughter as Ron picked up a chess piece and hurled it across the table at Harry, who managed to duck just in time.
"Temper, temper," Harry chided. "That's very un-lady like behavior for such a charming lady."
"Oh, shut it, Potter," Ron retorted. "Now, make your move while we're both still young."
*********
While the boys were playing chess, Hermione sitting on Lavender's bed as Lavender went through her closet trying to find a suitable dress. Lavender had shrieked with excitement when Hermione had asked if she'd had a dress she could borrow. This was right up Lavender's alley and she was definitely relishing the opportunity.
"So, you should come here to get ready tomorrow evening, Hermione," Lavender was saying. "Parvati and I could help you with your makeup, like we did for the last Yule Ball. You'll have that Mr. Potter of yours absolutely drooling."
Hermione smiled at the mention of Harry's name.
"Yeah, do you remember how she protested and protested with us all those years about not being remotely interested in him as anything but a friend?" Parvati chimed in, from her own bed. She was busily painting her toenails.
"Yeah, we knew all the time you were full of it, Hermione," Lavender said.
Hermione blushed.
"See, that's all the evidence we need," Parvati said, with a smug smile in Hermione's direction. "Red cheeks will get you every time."
"Did you see Neville the other day at breakfast?" Parvati asked. "That boy has got it bad for our little Ms. Weasley."
"He always has," Hermione said. "I wish she'd give him a chance."
"He was trying to work up the courage to ask her to the dance and he chickened out," Lavender said. "It was so cute. I wanted to go up and ask her for him."
"Is she even going to the dance?" Parvati asked, looking at Hermione. "I mean, since she and Dean broke up, she hasn't really been seeing anyone."
"She hasn't mentioned anything to me," Hermione said.
"She hasn't looked too well, lately," Lavender said. "She's been keeping to her self, too."
"Well, that doesn't mean anything out of the ordinary," Hermione said defensively. "She's had a lot on her mind with schoolwork and all."
"Well, hold on to your hat, Miss Granger," Lavender said, looking over her shoulder at Hermione. "Because I've got the dress for you."
Hermione looked up and gasped as she saw the dress. She was definitely not the type of girl to get all googly-eyed over a dress or clothes. Usually, she was the practical, comfortable type. Yet, one look at that dress and she knew it was perfect.
"This dress was made for you, Hermione," Lavender said. "I wore it once to a formal event my father had. I didn't like the color too much on me, but I've always thought it would look smashing on you. I also have shoes and earrings to match."
"Thanks, Lavender," Hermione said sincerely, touching the fabric of the dress. "It's really sweet of you to do this for me."
Lavender waved her hand dismissively. "It's what I do best. Besides, how many times have you helped me out with letting me read over your notes? I owe you more than just a pretty dress."
Parvati nodded.
"We both do," she said, smiling at Hermione. "We miss you. You should come by and visit more."
"I will," Hermione promised.
"She's too busy in her cozy suite with her boyfriend," Lavender teased.
Hermione blushed.
"I don't blame you one bit, Hermione," Lavender said, taking a seat on the bed beside her. "I'd spend all my free time with a great guy like Harry, too."
"He is pretty great, isn't he?" Hermione couldn't help saying.
"I remember the last Yule Ball," Parvati said. "You should have seen the look on Harry's face when she walked in looking very un-Hermione like. You turned a lot of heads that night, Hermione."
Hermione blushed.
"We're happy for you, Hermione," Lavender said. "If anyone deserves happiness and peace and quiet it's you and Harry."
"Thanks," Hermione said, feeling warmth for her former roommates. They really weren't that bad when you came down to it.
"So, we'll leave the dress here so you don't have to chance Harry seeing it before the ball," Lavender said. "You come by tomorrow afternoon and we can all get ready together."
"Sounds good," Hermione said, getting up from the bed. "Thanks again, you guys. I really appreciate it."
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The next evening found Harry, Ron, Dean, and Seamus waiting around in the common room again for the girls to appear. It hadn't taken the boys very long to get ready. Harry had chosen to wear a simple white dress shirt, black trousers and a sports coat. He wore a red tie, which was the only clue he had to Hermione's outfit for the evening.
She hadn't divulged much information to him, except that her dress was red.
Ron, looked impatiently at his watch. "Why do women do this? Make us wait?"
Seamus went up to Ron and put a hand on his shoulder. He gave Ron his most sage expression and said with a smirk, "Because they can."
The boys laughed at this.
"I have to pick up Luna, too, you know?" Ron asked. "My date's in an entirely different dormitory."
"No one's twisting your arm to wait here, Ron," Dean said. "You could go ahead and pick up Luna and we'll meet up with you outside the Great Hall."
"Yeah," Ron nodded. "I suppose I could go ahead and do that. I'll meet you guys downstairs. Don't go in without us."
Harry nodded. "Go get her, loverboy."
Ron's cheeks flushed red and with a derogatory gesture at his friends, climbed through the portrait hole and out the door.
Fifteen minutes later, Parvati and Lavender came down the stairs, to wolf whistles from Seamus and Dean, their respective dates for the evening.
Harry looked past them. "Where's Hermione?"
"She'll be down in a minute," Lavender said. "She looks amazing."
Harry smiled. He waved goodbye to his friends as they promised to wait for he and Hermione downstairs. Harry took a seat by the fire as he waited. He was a little nervous as he sat there.
A few moments later, he heard a nervous giggle behind him. He got to his feet and turned around to see her standing at the foot of the stairs, smiling shyly at him.
She looked…well, he couldn't think of a word that would accurately describe how she looked in that dress. She was wearing a deep red, fully beaded floor-length dress with silk black fabric overlay. As she turned around for him to see the entire dress, he noticed that the back of the dress, which had criss-cross lacing. She wore her hair up in a chignon with tiny, curly tendrils framing her face. She wore simple black dangly earrings and a matching necklace.
"What do you think?" she asked him, when he continued to stare at her. "I wasn't so sure about these shoes."
She lifted up her dress to show matching red and black satin lined shoes that had a high heel.
"But, Lavender did an anti-tripping charm on them," she said with a sly smile. "So, you don't have to worry about me tripping all over the place."
Harry stared at her.
"What?" she asked. "Do I look that bad?"
"You look, um, you look absolutely amazing," he said.
"Well, that's better," Hermione said. "You look quite handsome."
"This old thing?" he asked her.
"Well, that old thing looks very nice on you," she said. "Very nice, indeed."
"I'm not so sure I want to take you downstairs," he said honestly, helping her pull her wrap around her shoulders.
"Why's that?" she asked.
"Because all those guys get one look at you in that dress and they're going to make me jealous," he said.
"Oh, Harry," she said, swatting him on the arm.
"Take the compliment," he said. "You deserve it! You look beautiful in that dress."
"Thanks," she said, her cheeks turning a red that could match her dress.
"So, are you ready to go?" he asked.
"Yes, I think so," she said, taking his hand.
"Do you know of any anti-stepping on toes while dancing charms?" he asked her, as they climbed through the portrait hole.
Neither of them had any way of knowing that this would be the last happy night either of them would have for quite some time.