It was unbelievable, Harry thought as he was getting ready to go to the ball. It was almost the end of his seventh year at Hogwarts. He had been so happy there. It shouldn't have to end. There were butterflies in his stomach for quite a few reasons. This was a special night for him, not just because it would be the last one he attended as a student, but because he'd made up his mind to do something very important. He was walking on clouds because Hermione had accepted to go with him, but tonight he had to tell her how he felt. All these years they had been the best of friends, and some time before - he couldn't quite put his finger on when, he had started to have other feelings for her. She had always been important to him; he needed her very much even though he didn't always express it. But now, for better or for worse, he decided that he had to tell her that he….loved her. He was a little afraid of not knowing how she'd react, but they had been such good friends. The worst that could happen, he decided, was that she might not feel the same way, but he couldn't see her treating him badly because of it. She was much too kind a person to do that to anyone, least of all one of her best friends. All of these thoughts racing through his mind, he made a last attempt to do something with his hair. It was useless.
"Aren't you ready yet, Harry?" called Ron from across the room.
"Yes, I suppose I am," he answered nervously, hands sweaty and heart racing.
Sensing his friend's uneasiness, Ron tried to calm him. He knew what was wrong. Actually, he was the only one that Harry had openly confided in about his feelings. Ginny also had a good idea of what was going on, but more because she had figured it out for herself.
"It'll be alright. We've been over this a hundred times. No matter what happens, Harry…"
"Yeah, yeah. I know. It can't be that bad. You're right," Harry sighed.
Somehow, though, he still didn't appear to be totally convinced of this. Ron clapped him on the shoulder.
"Really, I don't think you've got anything to lose, Harry," he told him reassuringly.
"Right. Let's go downstairs then."
In the common room they plopped down in a couple of chairs and waited. Harry laid his head back and closed his eyes, trying to think of the perfect words to say when the moment came. He was only like that for a few minutes when he heard Ron whisper.
"Harry, look!"
Nothing could have prepared Harry for what he saw next. Like an angel, she floated down the stairs toward him. Her gown was a pale pink satin and lace. It hugged her figure in all the right places, leaving just enough to the imagination. Her hair was tightly done up in an elegant bun with just a tendril hanging down on each side to adorn her face. From head to toe she looked absolutely perfect. The closer she came, the quicker Harry's heart started to beat. He stood from his chair, slowly so as not to have his legs give way.
"Hermione, you look…great," he said, trying to remain calm.
"Thanks," she replied with a smile.
Before his wits escaped him, he took out his wand and conjured a single rose, just the shade of pink that matched her dress.
"Here," he offered.
"How thoughtful of you, Harry!" Hermione said sweetly.
She accepted it and hugged him. Oh why did she have to do that, he thought to himself. It was bad enough looking at her, breathtakingly beautiful as she was. Her touch and light fragrance were almost an overload on his senses. Just then, Ginny came down the stairs to the common room and stood beside her brother. They exchanged hopeful glances at the sight of the embrace.
"Is Harry going to talk to her tonight?" Ginny whispered to Ron.
"So he says. I hope so," he replied.
Hermione and Harry let go of each other and she put the rose in her hair. She looked radiant.
"Shall we make our way down to the Great Hall?" she asked.
A gently blushing Harry responded, "Um, yes, I suppose we can start heading that way."
"We'll see you guys down there in a bit," Ron said, "I'm meeting Padma at the entrance to the Great Hall."
"Sounds good," Harry said.
Ron gave him a small smile of encouragement which Harry appreciated.
Ginny spoke to Hermione, "Save a spot for us!"
"Of course we will," she answered.
With that, Harry and Hermione headed out through the portrait hole.
"They're so cute together," Ginny said with a thoughtful smile, "Why do you look so worried?"
"Let's just hope she accepts him, Gin. Because if she doesn't, he's going to take it hard."
Ginny was also concerned.
"I don't want to think about that, Ron. Harry deserves to be happy. They both do. It just has to work out between them. It has to!"
Amid the excited chatter in the common room, no one had noticed what they were discussing. Other students were coming down and happily talking amongst themselves. Dean came up to Ginny and took her hand. They had been dating for about two years and got along wonderfully.
"Are you ready, Gin? You look fantastic!"
She was quite pretty with her red hair in flowing curls and a deep blue dress. She was glad to get to go with Dean. The ball was really only for those graduating the following week, but since the seventh years could take whomever they chose, Ginny was allowed to accompany him.
"Yes, I'm ready," she answered excitedly, then turned to Ron, "Would you like to walk with us? Don't want to keep Padma waiting do you?"
Ron chuckled, "Ok then. I suppose you're right."
The three of them headed out together.
The Great Hall was decorated beautifully. The large house tables were gone to allow for a large dance space and several smaller round tables were set up along the edges of the room. Each was covered with a white tablecloth and had a flower arrangement in the center. With the candles suspended in midair it made for a delightful setting. Dean, Ginny, Ron, and Padma found their way over to Harry and Hermione's table. Harry was glad to have them there. He was still rather nervous. Hermione motioned for Ginny to sit with her. Over the years the two of them had become very close. Other than Harry and Ron, Ginny was the person that Hermione felt most at ease with. They found that they could talk about things that they just couldn't with the boys. As Ginny took her seat, it was obvious to Hermione that she was very pleased.
"Excited?" asked Hermione.
"Oh yes! Aren't you? You look so beautiful," Ginny said softly so no one else would hear, but with a very big smile nonetheless, like she could barely contain her happiness. In fact, she appeared to be more pleased for Hermione than she was for herself, and Hermione was a little puzzled as to why. Then, still appearing so happy that it looked like she'd burst, she whispered, "Didn't you see Harry's jaw almost hit the floor when he was looking at you?"
Hermione glanced to the side at Harry and then back again, now smiling herself, and chuckled softly, "Oh, you're exaggerating. I wouldn't say that. He'll never think of me as a real girl you know, no matter how great a job you do with my hair. I do like how it turned out, by the way. Thanks for helping me with it. There was no way I could have done it by myself."
As she said this, she lightly touched her sleek bun.
Ginny beamed even more, "You're welcome. Anytime you need to, you know you can come to me."
She looked up to Hermione very much. To her, Hermione was the exact model of what a student should be, and at the same time, very much like the sister that she never had. They depended on one another, and it was a pleasant, warm feeling.
The boys were absorbed in a discussion about what their plans were for after graduation when Malfoy approached their table sneering at Harry. He opened his mouth as if about to say something, then his gaze fell on Hermione, and he closed it again. His date, a pretty dark-haired girl they'd never seen him with before, poked him in the ribs with her elbow and they kept walking. As soon as they were out of earshot, Ginny burst out laughing.
"Hermione, I told you that you looked nice. You left Malfoy speechless!"
Hermione rolled her eyes and giggled herself, "Ok, if you say so, Gin."
Dumbledore stood up to speak from his place at the staff table and everyone got quiet.
"Good evening everybody," he greeted them, "I would like to congratulate you all on your upcoming graduation. Tonight is your night. Enjoy it."
He smiled and took his seat again, and at that moment snacks and refreshments appeared on all of the tables and music began to play that seemed to come out of nowhere. Harry took his time eating; he was a little apprehensive about dancing. It wasn't too bad at his first ball when he danced with Parvati, but this time his partner was Hermione and although he was very excited, the thought made him jittery. She, on the other hand, seemed to be completely at ease. Ron and Padma were the first to get up and dance. She remembered how he'd neglected her at the Yule Ball in fourth year, and had not let it happen again at the other events she'd accompanied him to. She and Ron weren't even really dating, but they were comfortable and enjoyed one another's company at such things. Harry watched them dancing, so seemingly carefree, and decided it was time to put his shyness aside and ask his own date to accompany him to the dance floor.
"Hermione, would you like to dance?" he asked, managing not to look too nervous.
"Yes," she answered, "I would."
They both stood up and she reached for him. Harry swallowed hard as he grasped her soft hand, so warm in his own. It felt odd, but strangely natural at the same time. He wondered what she was thinking as they walked together. They had always been very close, yet there was so much that he wondered about. Her innermost feelings were still hidden to him, but he needed to express his own and by doing so, he was going to find out how she felt after all these years of friendship. It was a scary thought, but he had to confront it. Once they were standing face to face with his hands on her waist and hers around his neck, his thoughts returned to the present moment. It was enjoyable just being there looking into her warm brown eyes and dancing with her. He let go of his nervousness and felt brave enough to hold her a little bit closer as they moved in time with the music. She didn't object, but leaned nearer to him as well. He couldn't have hoped for more. They danced to a few songs in a row, and then rather than go back to the table, he asked, "Would you like to go outside to the garden?"
"Yes, it seems to be very nice out tonight," she answered as she looked up at the enchanted ceiling and saw the clear sky and stars.
So, leaving the Great Hall behind, they headed for the door hand in hand. Outside there were several benches rather spread out from each other. This was his chance, he thought to himself. He needed to talk to her where it was quiet and before he lost his valor. They took a seat and Harry looked at her tenderly.
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