Well it's the moment everyone's been looking forward to and dreading at the same time. Please review and let us know what you think! It only takes a few minutes! Also, there's only one more chapter after this one!
The next day, Hogwarts was alit with feverishly bright excitement from all students who were attending the Ball that evening. Hermione and Ginny had holed themselves up in Hermione's room for much of that afternoon and were now almost ready.
"I'm sorry my hair's such a bother," Hermione said. "It's taken forever to fix it."
Ginny shook her head. "You have such thick hair, Hermione. A lot of girls would kill for that."
Hermione laughed wryly. "That'll be the day."
"I'm just going to pin it up now," Ginny told her.
"Thanks," Hermione said. "I can't wait to see myself."
Ginny shook her head. "Not until we're finished."
"I'm trying to be patient," Hermione teased.
Ginny just smiled as she pinned up her friend's hair. She knew that this was just a small way to make up for everything that Hermione had done for her these past few weeks.
"You know, I never did get to see your robes," Hermione commented. "What do they look like?"
"They're green," Ginny told her. "You'll see them in just a few minutes."
Hermione sat back in the chair, trying to stay patient. "I haven't told Harry I love him yet." she told Ginny. "I was thinking tonight would be perfect for that."
"Very romantic," Ginny agreed. "I haven't told Neville, either."
"Think you might tonight?" Hermione asked as Ginny pushed a pin into her hair.
Ginny smiled. "I think so. He makes me so happy, Hermione."
"Just like Harry does for me," Hermione smiled too.
"You two belong together," Ginny told her friend as she used her wand to form tendrils around Hermione's face.
"Are we done yet?" Hermione asked anxiously.
Ginny surveyed Hermione's hair. "Just about...."
Hermione bounced her leg nervously. "The ball's starting soon..."
"You're supposed to make blokes wait," Ginny said thoughtfully.
"You are?" Hermione asked.
Ginny nodded. "You have so much to learn, Hermione Granger."
"I know more than I did at the beginning of the year," Hermione answered. "That's got to count for something."
"True," Ginny said smiling at her. "Okay...are you ready to see yourself?"
"Yes!" Hermione exclaimed.
Ginny stood back. "Get up then. Take a look."
Hermione moved in front of the mirror and gazed at herself with wide eyes. Ginny had done an amazing job with her hair, which was twisted into a knot behind her head, and subtle makeup brought out the excited gleam in her eyes.
"You look gorgeous," Ginny told her.
"Thanks to you," Hermione answered.
"I helped a little, but the rest is all you," Ginny said smiling at her.
"Is there anything I can do to help you get ready?" Hermione asked. "I know I'm not good with makeup and hair and all that, but--"
"I'm nearly done myself," Ginny replied. "You finish getting dressed."
"Okay," Hermione pulled her robes out of the armoire and headed for the loo to change.
Ginny finished up her own makeup and then dressed in her dark green robes. It really was a great colour on her and she hoped that Neville would like her in them.
"Ginny those are lovely," Hermione came out of the bathroom. "I think Neville's going to flip."
Ginny beamed at her. "Thanks, Hermione. Look at you!"
Hermione smiled and did a little twirl. "I look quite a sight better than I usually do."
"We're going to knock their socks off," Ginny said. "In fact, I think we've made them wait long enough."
"I think so too," Hermione agreed.
They were meeting their dates just outside the Great Hall and Hermione couldn't wait to see Harry. She hadn't seen him since this morning at breakfast and she'd missed him.
She couldn't resist peeking at herself just one more time before they came down the staircase.
Outside the Great Hall, Neville and Harry were chatting while they waited for the girls. Harry felt a little apprehensive about Malfoy.
He hoped the blond would mind his own business and stay busy with Pansy Parkinson or whoever else he was shagging and leave them be.
"Where's Ron?" Neville asked Harry.
"Last time I checked, he was still getting reamed out by Lavender," Harry replied. Ron had finally come clean to his ex-girlfriend about having feelings for Luna.
"But Ron didn't say he and Lavender were going to start dating again, did he?" Neville asked.
"No, but she certainly thought they did," Harry said. "Pity Dean's going to have to deal with her tonight, eh?"
Neville laughed. "Can't say I wish I was him."
"Neville?"
Neville turned to see Ginny at the top of the stairs. All coherent thought left him as he watched her descend the staircase.
Harry also was watching in awe, but not at Ginny- his eyes were drawn to the brunette was just a step behind her.
Ginny beamed at Neville. "You look really handsome, Neville."
"You... you..." Neville stammered.
"Do I look okay?" Ginny asked smoothing down her robes.
Neville tried to talk, but could only nod.
Ginny leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Hermione laughed nervously as she looked at Harry. "Hi."
"Hi..." Harry was still gazing at her as if he couldn't believe his eyes. "You look... absolutely amazing Hermione."
Hermione smiled at him. "Thanks. So do you."
Neville and Ginny had already gone into the Great Hall so Harry took the opportunity to pull her close.
"You might mess up my hair and makeup," Hermione said dramatically.
"I promise to make it up to you," Harry kissed her lightly.
Hermione felt her stomach do flips. "Harry."
He took her hand. "Come on, let's go inside."
Hermione nodded and gave his hand a squeeze.
The Great Hall looked lovely, but Harry couldn't take his eyes off the girl next to him.
"It looks just like a winter wonderland," Hermione observed. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"Yeah," Harry was still gazing at her.
"How about we get something to drink?" Hermione asked motioning toward the refreshment table.
"All right," Harry agreed.
"Why hello there, Granger," Malfoy said coming up behind them. "Scarhead..."
"Just go away now," Hermione put her hand up. "I don't even want to deal with you tonight, Malfoy. Especially not after what you did to me at the last Ball."
"You clean up rather nicely for a---" Malfoy started to say, but he stopped when McGonagall shot him a warning look.
"I suggest you do not finish that sentence, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said crisply. "And as Head Boy, that is not the image we want our students to look up to."
"Of course not, Professor," Malfoy said through clenched teeth.
"Come on," Harry led Hermione away quickly.
"I hope he stays away from us," Hermione told him when they sat down.
"I hope so too," Harry said. "It's too nice a night to have his mug around."
"Let's not let him spoil our night," Hermione said smiling at him before taking a sip of her drink.
"I agree," Harry slid an arm around her.
A few of the students were now moving to the dance floor and Hermione couldn't help but gaze wistfully at them. She was by no means a good dancer, but she thought it might be nice to dance with Harry.
He looked over at her. "We could risk it," he joked. "I may trample your feet though."
"I don't mind," Hermione said smiling at him.
"Okay," he set their drinks down and took her hand.
Hermione beamed at him and together they took to the dance floor.
"You're pretty good at this," Harry commented.
Hermione laughed. "Well, I've had a bit of practise. My parents sometimes have parties."
"And you ballroom dance just like this?" Harry asked.
"Well, a little," Hermione said looking up at him. "But, um....never with someone....never with someone that I loved."
Harry looked at her properly. "What?"
"I-I love you, Harry," Hermione whispered.
He gaped at her for a moment before grinning like a fool. "You do?"
Hermione nodded. "I have for a long time. I just wasn't sure I could say it."
He was sure his grin was growing wider by the second but he didn't care if he looked stupid or not. Hermione loved him, and that was all that mattered.
"I didn't think it was possible to be this happy about something other than top marks," Hermione said grinning up at him.
"Me either," Harry leaned in and kissed her. "I really mean it when I say I love you, Hermione. You're this amazing girl..."
Hermione rested her head on his chest. "I was going to say the same about you. I know I treated you horribly and you didn't deserve it."
"But it all worked out in the end," Harry said. "And that's what really matters. I actually liked that I had to pursue you a bit."
Hermione smiled. "A bit?"
"A lot," Harry corrected, laughing.
"It feels so great to have this out in the open," Hermione said softly.
"Yes it does," Harry pulled her closer.
"This is perfect," Hermione said looking up at him. "Isn't it?"
It would have been, if Harry could stop thinking of Malfoy possibly telling Hermione about the money.
"Harry?" Hermione asked. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he said quickly. "Never been better, actually."
"Me either," Hermione said. "And you know, you're not that bad at this. Dancing, I mean."
"I think it's my partner," Harry said, kissing her again.
Over in the corner, Draco Malfoy watched the couple with disdain. To make matters worse, Ron Weasley was a few feet away from him, pacing back and forth. He also had a black eye. If they were friends, Malfoy might have asked him how he'd gotten that, but at the moment, he couldn't be bothered. Where the hell was Red?
He took another swig from the flask he had concealed in his sleeve and suppressed a groan as Parkinson approached him again.
"There you are," Pansy purred.
"What do you want," Draco muttered.
"To dance with you," Pansy said tugging on his arm. "Come on."
"I told you to go get me something to eat," Draco snapped irritably.
"And I told you that I wasn't your servant," Pansy said trying not to get angry.
"If you want to dance, I want something to eat," Draco's eyes glittered.
"You're a bastard," Pansy retorted before stalking off.
Draco only snorted before taking another swig out of his flask. "Would you sit the fuck down?" he finally called out to Ron. "You're making me sick."
Ron ignored him. Luna should have been here by now. She obviously didn't feel the same way about him. That hurt more than the black eye he was sporting thanks to Lavender Brown.
He looked around one more time before deciding to head back to the Gryffindor Common room. He could dig into Dean Thomas's stash of butterbeer and forget tonight had ever happened.
He had just pushed through the double doors when he saw Luna.
"Ronald?"
"Luna," he said, his eyes gone wide. "Wow..."
"What happened to your eye?" Luna asked, approaching him. "That looks like it hurts!"
"Uh... yeah." he said sheepishly. "It's not too bad."
"You should put some ice on it," Luna said thoughtfully.
"I'm okay," Ron said quickly. "I... I was beginning to think you weren't coming."
"I was running a little late," Luna told him. "I was reading and I lost track of time. I was afraid you would have already gone...."
"I was about to," he confessed. "But um... now that you're here..."
"I wore the earrings," Luna said pulling back her hair so he could see.
He felt a smile spread across his face. "You look beautiful," he said truthfully.
"Thank you," Luna replied. "And you look really handsome even with the black eye."
"Thanks," Ron couldn't stop staring at her. "Um... so..."
Luna decided to take matters into her own hands. She and Ron had already wasted too much time. She pressed her lips to his.
To say he was shocked at her action was the least of it- but he quickly pulled himself together and kissed her back. He'd been waiting for this moment for years and it was everything Ron had wanted it to be.
"I love you, Ronald," Luna whispered when they pulled apart.
"You what?" he asked before he could stop himself.
"I love you," Luna repeated.
"I love you too," Ron said. "I have for a long time now, Luna."
Luna beamed at him. "Really?"
"Yeah," he smiled at her. "There have been so many times all year when I tried to tell you..."
"Really?" Luna asked taking his hand. "I had no idea."
"I didn't do a very good job of telling you," Ron's face was red.
"It's okay," Luna reassured him. "We know now. That's the important thing."
"Right," Ron pulled her close. "And now that I have you--"
"Everything's perfect," Luna said before kissing him again.
Ginny was delighted when she saw her brother and Luna. "This is the best night," she said happily.
Neville couldn't have agreed more. "Yes, it is. You look absolutely gorgeous."
"Thanks," Ginny beamed at him. "And I think you look so handsome, Neville. I'm so glad we're here together."
"Me too," Neville said giving her a kiss.
"Let's get out of this corner," Ginny tugged on his hands.
They'd spent quite a few minutes snogging away from prying eyes. "Do you want to dance?" Neville asked her.
"I'd love to," Ginny answered.
Neville took her hand and started to lead her to the dance floor.
"Not so fast, Longbottom," Malfoy asked grabbing Ginny.
"Hey!" Ginny pulled away from him. "Let me go!"
"You're supposed to be here with me," Malfoy said angrily.
"Says who?" Ginny demanded. "I never said I'd go with you."
"The charity case can go with Eloise Midgen," Draco said practically yanking on Ginny's arm.
"I SAID, let me go!" Ginny pulled her arm out of his grip.
"Malfoy, you lay one more hand on her," Neville warned.
"What are you going to do about it, Longbottom?" Malfoy sneered.
"This," Neville said shoving him.
"You fucking loser," Malfoy spat. "You know she's only here with you out of pity."
"That's not true!" Ginny retorted. "If anyone should be pitied, it's you. You can't stand for anyone else to be happy!"
"I just want you, Red." Draco slurred slightly.
"You're pissed," Ginny said smelling the alcohol on his breath.
"And we're out of here," Neville said taking Ginny's hand.
"What a wanker," Ginny said furiously as he led her away. "Thinking that I was supposed to go with him! And what he said about you! I'd never come with you because I pitied you. I love you, dammit!"
"W-what?" Neville asked stopping in his tracks. "You do?"
Ginny also stopped when she realised what she said. She blushed a bit. "Well... yes." she said shyly.
Neville couldn't stop himself. He picked her up and hugged her to him.
"Neville!" Ginny giggled. "What are you doing!"
"I have no idea," Neville said happily, spinning her around.
Ginny laughed. "You've gone mad!" she teased.
Neville didn't care that some of the other students were watching them. All he cared about was that the girl he loved had just told him she felt the same.
"A little dizzy now..." Ginny leaned against him when he put her down.
Draco Malfoy watched with disdain at the red-haired girl he'd gone to all this trouble for and the fat lump she was now kissing. He was getting nothing out of this? And where the hell had Potter and the Mudblood gotten off too?
Harry was sitting just outside with Hermione. She had taken a chance tonight and told him how she felt. He wanted to tell her about Voldemort.
"You're awfully quiet all of a sudden," Hermione said. "What's on your mind?"
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," he told her. "I just didn't know how to say it. You---you asked me about what it was like to go against Voldemort..."
Hermione nodded. "I do understand if you don't want to talk about it."
"I've only spoken to Dumbledore about it," Harry said quietly. "After that, I'd wanted to put it behind me."
Hermione squeezed his hand but stayed quiet.
"I spent most of my childhood preparing to fight him," Harry began. "Everyone else was worried about school and their friends, but not me. I didn't want any part of it, Hermione. Some hero, right?"
"It's a scary thing," Hermione answered. "Harry, it's natural to not want something like that. And it's admirable, the way you faced it."
"I wanted to kill him, but not to save the world, Hermione," Harry said shaking his head. "I wanted revenge. I wanted to get him back for what he'd taken from me."
Hermione put her head on his shoulder. "You did that, and more."
Harry felt even more guilty at the belief she had in him. The time had come to tell her the truth.
"There you are," Malfoy's voice boomed.
Both Harry and Hermione turned to look at him. "What is your problem?" Hermione demanded. "Don't you know when people don't want to be around you?"
Malfoy shook his head. "Now, Granger. I'm here on business. Potter, we should settle our debt, right? You kept up your end of the bargain." He reached into his pocket for his money bag.
"What debt?" Hermione asked, glaring at him.
"Malfoy, get the hell out of here," Harry snapped.
"You do want your money, right?" Malfoy asked. "I mean, you did all that hard work after all. It's not as if someone would want to spend time with her of all people of their own free will. How much did we say, anyway?"
"What is he talking about?" Hermione looked at Harry.
"Oh," Malfoy said dramatically. "Have I spoken out of turn? You haven't told her yet, have you, Scarhead?"
Harry felt his blood run cold at the look on Malfoy's face.
"Told me what?" Hermione demanded. "Harry--"
"Potter wasn't really interested in you, Granger," Malfoy continued before Harry could open his mouth. "It was all a part of a bet. You see, I knew about that little pact you made with Red when you were kids."
"What?" Hermione asked. "How?"
"Red told me," Draco slurred. "And I knew that if I ever wanted to get into her knickers, I'd have to get someone into yours."
Hermione looked back and forth between the two boys in front of her. "Harry..."
"I was going to tell you before he interrupted," Harry said unable to meet her gaze. "But---"
Hermione felt as if she'd been slammed into a brick wall. "You mean he paid you to go out with me?"
Draco laughed. "I sure did. If it makes you feel better, Granger, he really didn't want to at first."
Harry shoved the blond. "Get your pissed ass out of here," he snapped.
Draco stumbled backwards. He would have retaliated, but seeing the look on Granger's face was better than that. "Night, Mudblood. Night, Scarhead."
Harry turned around as Malfoy walked unsteadily back into the Great Hall. "Hermione-"
Hermione felt as if she was going to pass out. This couldn't be true. Harry couldn't have done this.
"He's a bastard," Harry began. "And I know--"
"Takes one to know one, doesn't it?" Hermione asked in a hushed tone. She didn't trust her voice.
"I know what I did was wrong," Harry tried to explain. "But it's not what you think."
"You didn't take money from Malfoy to ask me out?" Hermione asked, trying to stave off her tears. "Is that what you're trying to tell me?"
"It may have started out that way, but it's not the way it is now," Harry said quickly.
Hermione looked at him as if he were a stranger. "How could you do something like this?"
"Hermione please," Harry reached for her hand. "Let me just tell you--"
"TELL ME WHAT?" Hermione screamed at him. "What, Harry? That you made a complete fool of me? Did you get extra money for that? Well, congratulations! You did it!"
"I didn't do this for money!" Harry said desperately. "I love you, Hermione. I swear I do!"
Hermione slapped him. "I never want to see you again!"
Harry barely felt her palm connect to his cheek. "Hermione, please..." he tried again.
Ginny and Neville came out on the front steps and smiled at her friends. "Hey, you guys. Dinner's about to be served. We were coming to find---Hermione? Are you okay?"
Hermione shook her head. "How did Malfoy find out about our pact?" she glared at Ginny. "Did you tell him?"
"I---I," Ginny stammered looking helplessly at Harry.
"You told," Hermione nodded as she backed away. "None of you are my friends. You were all out to make me look like a fool."
"Hermione, that's not true," Ginny said sincerely. "Please let me explain..."
"No," Hermione said. "Just leave me alone- all of you. I don't want to talk to any of you ever again." she turned and fled.
"What just happened?" Ginny asked Harry.
"Malfoy," Harry said. "He told her... he told her about paying me to ask her out."
Ginny gasped. "Oh no..."
"I have to try and talk to her," Harry began walking in the direction Hermione had disappeared in.
"That might not be such a good idea," Neville said thoughtfully. "Maybe you should just leave her be for now."
Harry wondered if Neville had a point.
Ginny could remember how just an hour ago, she and Hermione had been happily anticipating tonight. And now, Hermione was heartbroken.
Hermione slammed her door shut and locked it. She sagged against the wall for a few moments as sobs wracked her body. How could she have been such a fool all over again?
She'd actually believed Harry when he'd said that he loved her. She'd believed every damn word!
She bit down on her lower lip as she went to her bureau and began pulling out clothes and throwing them into her trunk. She was going to Dumbledore immediately to see what she could do about going home for the rest of the holiday.
She didn't know what she would do about the rest of the term, but she couldn't think about that now. Right now, she just wanted to get as far away from Harry Potter as possible.
She was almost packed when she heard a knocking on her door. "Go away!" she snapped, not caring who it was.
"Hermione, please let me in," someone called out.
"I SAID GO AWAY!" she shouted.
Harry leaned against the door. "I'm not going anywhere until you let me explain."
"Then you'll wait there the rest of your life," Hermione answered coldly.
"That means that you can't get out," Harry retorted. "Come on and stop being so stubborn and let me in!"
"I'd rather risk splinching myself," Hermione slammed her trunk shut.
"I love you," Harry said. "I never lied to you about that, Hermione."
"You lied about everything," Hermione responded icily.
Harry put his head in his hands. He had no idea how in the world he was going to get out of this. "Hermione, please. "
"Just leave me be," Hermione said angrily. "Go have a laugh and spend your new fortune. Buy something nice."
"Look," Harry called out to her. "I never did it for the money. I just agreed to it because I knew Neville fancied Ginny and I thought if I made Malfoy think---"
"It doesn't matter what you say," Hermione stood on the other side of the door. "I can't believe anything that comes out of your mouth. Now leave me be!"
"I'll go," Harry said after a few moments. "But you remember what I said before, right? I told you I wasn't going to give up on you."
"And you should remember what I'm telling you now," Hermione retorted. "Don't' ever talk to me again."
She heard his footsteps going down the stairs and she waited a few moments before opening the door.
Thankfully, the corridor was empty. Hermione shrank her trunk down to fit into her pocket and locked her bedroom door behind her.
In the Great Hall, Ginny Weasley was on a mission. She was going to make that idiot pay for what he'd done. "Oi, Crabbe! Have you seen Malfoy?" she called out to one of his cronies who was stuffing his face with biscuits.
Crabbe shrugged. "Over there?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "That's an ice sculpture!"
"Dunno then," Crabbe returned his attention to his food.
"If you're looking for Draco, he's nearly passed out in the corner," Pansy Parkinson chimed in. "Bastard that he is."
Ginny smirked. "Figures."
Ginny walked over to where the Slytherin was leaned back in his chair. "Winny Geasley!"
"Get up," Ginny snapped.
"Maybe you could help me get it up," Draco said leering at her.
Ginny yanked him to his feet. "Just WHAT the hell is your problem?" she demanded. "How dare you tell Hermione you paid Harry!"
Draco stared glassy-eyed at her. "Red---"
She stared at him in disgust, wondering how she could ever have been attracted to him.
"I knew you'd be back," Draco slurred.
"You make me sick," Ginny spat. "This is all one big game to you!"
Draco leaned in to kiss her and that was apparently the last straw.
"That's for Hermione!" Ginny slugged him right in the nose. "That's for insulting Neville!" she got him again. "And this one..." she brought her knee up right between his legs. "That one was for me, you pathetic jerk."
Draco fell back, whimpering in pain.
"Ginny!" Neville stared in amazement.
Ginny turned around. "I couldn't help it, Neville."
"That was incredible!" Neville's eyes were wide.
"I should have known better," Draco wheezed. "To go after a tramp like you..."
Ginny moved to hit him again, but Neville held her back. "Let me."
"With pleasure," Ginny stepped to the side.
"Longbottom," Draco said wiping at his nose. "What the hell are you going to do?"
Neville stared at the other boy, wondering how he had ever let Malfoy intimidate him. "Nothing," he answered. "You aren't worth the effort."
Ginny linked her arm with Neville's. "And he got the girl."
"Yeah," Neville smiled at her. "Yeah I did."
"Let's dance," Ginny said to her boyfriend.
Draco spat as Ginny and Neville walked away. "Good riddance," he said, nearly falling over.
"Mr. Malfoy!" McGonagall boomed. "What on earth is that?" she pointed to the flask that had fallen from his sleeve.
"I---I found it on my rounds," Draco lied.
McGonagall clearly didn't believe him. "Let's go, Mr. Malfoy. Dumbledore's office."
"But, Professor," Malfoy protested.
"Now!" McGonagall said sternly. "I wouldn't be surprised if you lost your Head Boy position! Drinking at school..."
"You wait until my mother hears about this," Draco warned.
"Mr. Malfoy, I do not care what your mother thinks," McGonagall took him by the arm.
Ginny watched as the deputy headmistress led Malfoy out of the room.
"Talk about good riddance," Ginny muttered. "Neville... he's a bastard."
"He is," Neville agreed. "And you were incredible!"
Ginny nodded, but her face was sober. "I should never have told him about that pact, Neville. That should have stayed between me and Hermione."
"I've never seen Hermione like that before," Neville said.
"Me either," Ginny said quietly. "I wish I could go back and start the year over again. I'd do a lot of things differently."
Neville pulled her to him. "Hey, it's okay. We'll talk to Hermione and explain to her what happened."
"I just hope she'll listen," Ginny said. "She's become a really good friend to me."
"Harry really does love her," Neville said.
"And she really loves him too," Ginny answered. "I hope he can get through to her."
"She just needs time," Neville said. "They'll work it out. They belong together."
"Just like we do," Ginny said. "And my brother and Luna. I think they're completely oblivious over there."
Neville glimpsed over at the couple who were dancing. "Yeah, I'd say so."
Ginny sighed and leaned against him, burying her face in his shoulder. "I wish I'd fallen for you right off the bat. Then we could have avoided all of this."
"Everything happens for a reason," Neville said softly.
"I hope so," Ginny replied.
"And the night wasn't all bad," Neville said looking down at her. "You did kick Malfoy's ass."
Ginny had to smile at that. "It was a long time coming."
"Remind me never to make you angry," Neville said dryly.
"You won't," Ginny answered, looking back over at her brother and Luna.
"How did you get that black eye, Ronald?" Luna asked looking up at him.
"Lavender," he admitted. "When I told her I fancied you, she socked me."
"Well, you did use her to make me jealous," Luna pointed out.
"I know," he said. "And I tried to apologise--"
"You're a hard person to get over," Luna told him. "Believe me. I tried."
"You don't have to get over me," Ron pulled her closer.
Luna gave him a kiss. "Never, ever."
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," Luna said dreamily. "Ronald Weasley."
Ron tried to dip her back, but his fingers got tangled in her hair.
Luna giggled. "Ouch."
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Guess I'm not quite there yet."
"You're absolutely perfect," Luna told him.
He smiled at her. "When you say it like that, I believe you."
"This is going to be a great Christmas," Luna promised. "Our first together."
"Yeah," he grinned. "I have a gift for you. I wasn't sure how I was going to give it to you until now..."
"But you already gave me the earrings," Luna said.
"I have something else for you too," Ron said softly.
"Ronald," Luna said softly. "What?"
"You'll see on Christmas," he teased.
"You're going to make me wait?" Luna asked tickling his side.
He laughed. "Yes I am."
"Okay," Luna said, kissing him again.
"Just so you know," Ron said when they pulled apart. "This has been the best night of my life."
"Ronald?" Luna asked him with a gleam in her eye.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Tonight's not over yet," Luna whispered in his ear.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
She whispered something else in his ear.
"THAT?" Ron asked, much louder than he intended.
Luna nodded and then whispered something else in his ear.
When she pulled away, Ron's face was so red it was nearly purple. "I think... I think we need to get out of here," he gulped.
"I just hope I'm flexible enough for it," Luna commented walking ahead of him.
"Me too," Ron eyed her figure.
"Come along, Ronald," Luna said turning around.
She didn't have to ask him twice, Ron thought as he hurried behind her.
In the headmaster's office, Hermione was pleading her case to Dumbledore.
"Miss Granger, there are no trains available tonight," Dumbledore told her. "If you can wait until tomorrow--"
"Please sir," Hermione begged. "I don't even care if I can just get outside the castle gates. I'll Apparate... I just need to go home tonight."
"Has something happened with your parents?" Dumbledore asked.
It was on the tip of her tongue to lie and say yes, but Hermione knew the Headmaster would see right through her. "No," she answered quietly.
"And you can't wait until tomorrow?" Dumbledore asked her.
Hermione shook her head. "I just want to go home."
Dumbledore levelled his gaze at her. "Well, if you feel this strongly about it, I can accompany you home and make sure that you get there safely."
"Thank you," Hermione sagged against the chair in relief. "Thank you so much, sir."
"We can go now unless you have some loose ends," Dumbledore told her.
"I'm ready," Hermione stood up.
"After you, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said.
Hermione took some Floo Powder and threw it into the fireplace before stepping inside.
Hermione's parents were relaxing in the sitting room when the fireplace suddenly roared to life.
"Hermione Jane?" Elinore Granger asked. "Sweetheart, we weren't expecting you until tomorrow."
"I know," Hermione said softly. "But um... I wanted to come home tonight, and Professor Dumbledore was good enough to allow me."
"I hope that's okay," the headmaster said. "Good evening, Dr. Granger."
"Evening, Professor," Robert Granger stood up to shake hands with the other man.
"I should be going," the headmaster said. "I have to chaperone the ball tonight. I do hope that your family has a Happy Christmas."
"You too," Elinore replied. "Thank you for bringing our Hermione home."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said quietly.
"Good evening," Dumbledore said before grabbing another handful of Floo Powder.
Elinore hugged her daughter. "What brought you home early, love?"
"I just missed you," Hermione said holding tightly to her mother.
"We missed you too," Elinore said. "And where's this Harry you wrote home about?"
"I thought we were picking both of you up at the station tomorrow," Robert said. "I was planning on having a long talk with the young man."
Hermione shook her head. "That won't be necessary. He's not coming with me."
"Robert, dear," Elinore said. "How about you take Hermione's things upstairs?"
Hermione pulled her trunk out of her pocket. "Just put it on my nightstand," she told her father. "I'll enlarge it when I go up later."
"Okay, sweetheart," Robert said giving her a hug. "We're so glad to have you home."
Hermione held onto her father for a moment, glad to have at least two people in the world who loved her as she was. "I missed you too, Dad."
Elinore waited until they were alone. "Okay, Hermione. Why did you really come home early?"
Hermione blinked as tears welled up in her eyes. The story of everything that had happened that night spilled out of her.
Her mother listened and then held her daughter while she cried.
"Hermione, are you sure?" Elinore asked. "Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding."
"No," Hermione shook her head. "He was paid by the person I hate most to go out with me. He couldn't have betrayed me any more than that. He had so many opportunities to tell me what was going on and instead he just sat and filled me up with his lies."
Elinore shook her head. "I'm glad you came home, sweetheart."
"I couldn't stay there any more," Hermione's voice was still quivering. "I just wanted to be back home with you and dad."
"It'll be good for you to sleep in your own bed tonight," Elinore said. "And we'll have a nice breakfast tomorrow. I'm not working this week so I'll be able to spend time with you."
Hermione smiled for the first time in a few hours. "I'm glad." she said, hugging her mother again.
"My sweet girl," Elinore said softly. "You'll get through this. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but you will."
"Thanks Mum," Hermione wiped her eyes.
"Would you like something to drink or eat?" Elinore offered.
"Maybe some hot chocolate," Hermione said. That had always made her feel better as a little girl.
"Coming right up," Elinore said patting her daughter on the shoulder.
Hermione sat back and stared into the fire. The night had started out so hopeful- she had thought it to be the best night of her life. How could things have turned out so wrong?