It was the day of the dance and Ginny was sitting in her favorite chair in the common room, reading a book. Unlike all the other girls, Ginny still didn’t have a date, so she didn’t see any point in getting ready this early. She curled her toes toward the fire. It seemed to be colder than ever this week. Just then Neville walked in.
"Hey Ginny, I’ve been looking all over for you," he said.
"Hey Neville," she replied, "what do you need?"
"Well see, I understand if you don’t want to, but I heard you didn’t have a date, and I don’t either, so I figured we could go together," he said in run-on form, "that is, if you want to."
What the heck, Ginny thought.
"Sure Neville, that’d be great," she said back.
"Great, I’ll see you tonight," he said as he was leaving.
"So should we try and get last minute dates?" Harry said grimly.
"No," said Ron, "I’d really rather just go alone."
"I know the feeling," said Harry, " did you ever hear if Ginny got a date?"
"I know she was asked by tons of guys, but I don’t know that she said yes to any of them," Ron said.
Thank God, Ron thought to himself.
"Oh," Harry muttered, feeling a little encouraged.
"Ginny, I simply don’t know how you do it!" Hermione said as they sat in front of a mirror.
"Do what Hermione?" Ginny asked, perplexed.
"Come in here last minute, and still manage to be the prettiest girl in the room," Hermione said back, smiling.
"How can you say that?" Ginny said, "You’re gorgeous Hermione, and I have a feeling it’s not for Seamus."
"Is it that obvious?" Hermione asked. Ginny nodded, slightly smiling.
"I tried to like Seamus, but well, h- he’s just not Ron," Hermione said.
"I know the feeling," Ginny muttered back.
"Lets just try and get through the night," said Hermione.
"Yeah," Ginny replied, "this is going to be a big night."
"Oh man Harry, there she is," Ron said, "I can’t look. I bet she’s pretty. Is she pretty? You can tell me mate, I can handle it. Harry? Harry?"
Ron turned around to see Harry staring wide-eyed at Ginny coming down the stairs into the common room. She was wearing a deep green robe that highlighted her eyes. Her hair was pulled back in soft, sleek curls, that draped lightly over her shoulders.
"Hey Gin," Ron said casually, "You look nice."
"Thanks Ron," she replied lightly, "not too shabby yourself."
“Are you going with someone?” Ron asked, almost sternly.
“Neville,” Ginny replied quietly.
Just then Hermione walked over. Ron was right. She was pretty. Her robe was a beautiful snowflake blue and her normally frizzy hair and straight and smooth pulled back in a glass clip.
"You look nice too Hermione," Ron said in a much more strangled voice. "And you know I never meant to hurt your feel-"
"Hey Hermione, ready to go?" Seamus said walking over.
"Sure," replied Hermione in a slightly disappointed voice.
"Let’s go Ginny," Neville said excitedly.
The Great Hall was decorated with deep shades of pink and red, while elegant snowflakes covered in pink glitter were suspended in mid-air around the room. Harry and Ron quickly found a table and sat down.
"Funny, this seems familiar," Harry commented jokingly.
"Wonder why we keep ending up here," Ron muttered, looking over at Hermione, who was laughing at something Seamus had said. Harry looked over at Ginny talking with Neville. She could have had any guy she wanted, and she chose Neville Harry thought What a girl. After about an hour Ron and Harry decided to go outside.
"Are you having a good time Hermione?" Seamus asked.
"Yeah," she said softly. "Seamus, we need to talk. You’re a great guy, but I just don’t like you like that. I didn’t mean to lead you on. I’m so sorry." Seamus was quiet for a minute.
"It’s okay Hermione, really," he said. "I’m sorry if I spoiled your evening."
"Oh Seamus no, not at all," Hermione said, "But if you don’t mind, I saw someone go outside that I really need to talk to."
"Ginny, are you okay?" Neville asked.
"Oh yeah, I’m fine," Ginny replied.
"It’s just that, well you’ve seemed a little distracted tonight. Is something bothering you?" Neville asked.
Might as well tell him, Ginny thought.
"Neville you’re wonderful, but I don’t like you that way. But really don’t take is personally, because you really are quite a catch."
"Thanks Ginny. I understand," Neville said.
Hermione walked outside to see Ron and Harry sitting by the lake. She slowly walked up and sat down next to Ron.
"Hey," she said softly to Ron, "can we talk?" Ron looked over at Harry.
"Hey don’t mind me," Harry said smiling. He got up and walked toward the castle. Ron looked at Hermione sitting in her elegant robe. The moonlight was reflecting on the lake, flashing a glowing tint on her face.
"Look Hermione I tried to tell you earlier, but I’m really sorry about the other day. I never meant to hurt your feelings. And I hope you had fun with Seamus," Ron said.
"First off I'm not here with Seamus. And I’m sorry I blew up like that," said Hermione, " I guess I was just a little irritated. And you know there was the whole dance thing. You know I didn’t see you with anyone. Why didn’t you ask someone you like, or whomever you like?" she paused slowly looking up, " Do you like someone?" She gazed at him searching his face for an answer. Suddenly he saw something in her eye. Something that made his stomach flip. Something that made everything he was thinking seem not so crazy. Something that made him want to go for it.
"Yea actually I do," said Ron with a smile.
"Oh," said Hermione sounding a little upset.
"Yea she’s amazing," Ron said. "She’s beautiful, smart, talented, witty."
Why is he putting me through this? Hermione thought.
"She sounds great," said Hermione a little annoyed.
"Yea she is. There are so many little things about her," Ron continued. "Whenever she really gets into deep thought, she has this look in her eye. She’s not really looking at anything, but more looking into her thoughts. I can’t describe it. It’s amazing."
"Sounds like you really like her," Hermione said.
"Believe me, I’m head over heels," Ron said. "But I mean there are all these problems."
"Problems?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Ron replied, " She just seems so preoccupied all the time. With other guys that is."
"Other guys?" Hermione asked.
"Yea," Ron said, " the really annoying type. Foreign, handsome, athletic, but still really annoying. And he keeps sending her all these letters. It drives me crazy."
"That has to be hard," Hermione said looking out at the lake. "Hey Ron?" she asked.
"Yeah?" he said looking over at her.
"Who is she?" she asked cautiously. He looked at her and just laughed.
"You know, Hermione for a smart witch you’re really rather thick," Ron replied.
"Oh well you don’t have to tell me, I was just wondering I mean I know its not my business - " Hermione went on rambling. Ron turned his head away.
"Ahh Hermione!" Ron said while he turned his head back and kissed her. She seemed startled at first, and broke away. Looking into his eyes she suddenly understood and smiled. Ron smiled back, leaning in to kiss her again. They laid back together in their embrace, both happier than they’d ever been.
Harry was walking back toward the castle when he saw a figure sitting on a bench. He looked closer and saw Ginny in her beautiful robe.
"Hey Ginny," Harry said. "Want to take a walk?"
"Sure," said Ginny slowly getting up.
"So why aren’t you in there with Neville?" Harry asked.
"It didn’t work out with me and Neville," Ginny answered.
"Oh, I’m sorry," Harry said.
"I’m not," said Ginny with a half smile. Harry felt his stomach overturning. Ginny shivered in the cold, February air.
"Here, take my coat," said Harry taking off his jacket and draping it over Ginny’s shoulders.
"Thanks" said Ginny appreciatively. "So why are you all alone?"
"Believe me it’s a long story," answered Harry, "Ginny, have you ever loved some one so much but, there’s something in your way. You feel trapped. Too afraid to do anything?"
"More than you know," answered Ginny, feeling her own situation being explained.
"So," said Harry changing the subject, "what was wrong the other night? I never really got to talk to you."
"I was just upset," she replied. He nodded understandingly and they kept on walking. He looked over at her beautiful figure looking around as they walked.
"Ginny I can’t take it anymore!" Harry said loudly.
"Take what Harry?" asked Ginny surprised.
"This Ginny! You and me! Ginny we get so close to only to get out of touch or in an awkward stage. I don’t want that Ginny! You feel so out of reach these days, and tonight was the worst seeing you in there with him looking so beautiful and I love you so much that I - " Harry stopped short realizing what he just said.
"I- I’ve got to go," said Harry, running his hand through his hair as he hurriedly walked away.
"Wait Harry!" Ginny yelled after him.
"What?" said Harry almost angry. Ginny was quiet for a minute, just staring at him. He could feel his face becoming redder, and redder…
"Did you mean it?" Ginny asked. He was silent.
"Did you?"
"Every word," he answered back. She just stared at him. After a moment he waved his hand and turned to walk away.
"I love you!" Ginny called out. Harry stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around slowly and searched her face, not believing what he was hearing. Then all of the sudden he was walking toward her, almost running. He grabbed her face and kissed her. It was magic, warm, and amazing. He took her underneath the arms and spun her around kissing her again.
And as Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny sat out in their bliss, the long awaited snowfall began.