The Yule Ball

Ginny ran up the stairs of the girls' dormitory to her room and grabbed her bath things and headed to take a luxurious shower, eager to try some of the scented bath gel Luna had given her. Ginny and Hermione opted to change in Ginny's room, mostly because Lavender was still trying just as hard as Ron to find out with whom Hermione was going to the Ball. "It'll be quieter and we'll have more room to get ready with only the two of us," Hermione suggested.

Together they rolled up their hair in curlers, using liberal amounts of Sleekeasys' Hair Potion on each strand, and used their wands to set each roller. "Where are you going to meet Viktor?" Ginny asked as she worked.

"Just outside of the double oak front doors. I heard that Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall are going to decorate the space just outside the oak doors into an outside grotto in case people get too hot from dancing and want a bit of fresh air," Hermione stated as she took out her rollers.

Ginny set down her brush, then took several strands of her hair at her temple and made two very loose braids that she pulled together and fastened with her new pin, which Hermione had transfigured into a hairclip. She then slipped into her dress robes. "It will be fun to see what they do. I bet it's lovely. They've really tried to go all out this year with the decorations."

Meanwhile, Hermione had been working her hair into a knot on the back of her head with little curls accenting her temples and neck. "It's probably to impress the students from the visiting schools – make a good impression, and show off a bit." Ginny gave her a hand with her hair by adding several pins with small rhinestones to give a bit of sparkle to the hairstyle. Hermione slipped into her dress robes, which were a soft blue with lots of light floaty layers of periwinkle blue. She looked stunning.

Ginny used a strand of the sparkling crystal beads as a bracelet and put on her star pendant from her great aunt. Under Hermione's instructions Ginny tried on a bit of Hermione's makeup, touching up her eyes, cheeks, and applying some lip-gloss. "Ginny you look wonderful; you'll surprise everyone at the Ball!" Hermione said as she looked at Ginny and finished her own makeup.

"So will you. I can't wait until the guys see you like this," said Ginny, smiling back. She took a step back to admire how Hermione looked. "You look amazing!" she exclaimed as Hermione turned, admiring how she looked in the mirror. "You look different with your hair like that and with makeup. I bet my dolt of a brother doesn't even recognize you!"

"Of course Ron won't even notice!" Hermione smiled as she checked her reflection. "But Viktor is going to be very surprised, isn't he?"

"He's going to love the way you look," Ginny replied. Finally ready to go, both girls were smiling as they headed into the common room. "I promised I'd meet Neville at the foot of the marble staircase, and we are supposed to be inside the Great Hall when the champions come in," Ginny said as they carefully walked down the stairs.

Hermione suddenly stopped on the second landing. "Go ahead, I'm feeling a bit nervous. I don't think I'm ready to go down yet," Hermione said, putting her hand on the wall.

Ginny looked at her, surprised. "Hermione, are you all right? You look beautiful! Why are you nervous?"

"Because... I'm going with Viktor. He's a champion – and he's famous! The champions are supposed to enter into the Great Hall in a formal procession and in front of everyone," Hermione stated nervously. "I just hope I don't trip up or anything."

"You'll be fine, really," Ginny stated encouragingly. Hermione's not used to being the center of attention unless it's answering a question in class, Ginny thought. "Hermione, you'll be fine. I'm sure Viktor has been to lots of these before... After all, he is famous. Just let him lead you through. I'm sure once the procession is over..."

"We open the dancing," Hermione said, slightly blanching. Ginny couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. "It's not funny, Ginny! He said that he doesn't go to many formal things."

"Hermione, many, or none at all? I am willing to guess that he has – he was just being modest. Or he hasn't been to many in England." Ginny watched as her words sank in. "Besides, you know that he probably has a formal 'something' every time his Quidditch team wins a game. Look at how we celebrate when Gryffindor does!" Hermione nodded, looking calmer. "Just let him lead you, both in the procession and the dance, and you'll be fine – really."

"Are you still glad that you are going with Neville? You're not too disappointed that you're not going with Harry?" Hermione asked her, obviously trying to change the subject.

"Nah, Fred and George are right; he's a bit thick. He really doesn't notice me at all. Besides, Neville's so happy that I am going with him, and his enthusiasm is a bit contagious actually. I know that I'll have fun, and we're actually becoming friends." Ginny laughed. "It's going to be an exciting night, isn't it? I'd better get going. Fred and George wanted to see me in my dress robes." She did another a spin, watching the skirt flare. "Do you think they will be surprised?"

"Surprised? They are going to be beside themselves tonight. I bet they'll be watching you all night!" Hermione was smiling at the thought. "Have they ever seen you all dolled up like this?"

"No, never! I've worn dress robes before, sure, but never did much with my hair or ever worn make-up. They even gave me a bit of a time about the 'old' dress robes, saying how it 'won't be all that bad' and all. Wait till they see what we've done to it!" Ginny laughed. "Well, I better not keep the guys waiting any longer. I'll see you in the Great Hall, okay?"

"Thanks for helping with my hair, Ginny. I'll see you at the Ball," Hermione said, giving her a quick hug, and then watched her as she headed down the stairs.

Fred and George were standing around in the common room, waiting for Angelina and Alicia to come down from the girls' dormitory. They both looked handsome, yet comical, as they fussed with their cuffs and collars of their second-hand dress robes. They toned down the color by making them darker, I think... at least darker than I remember they were when Mum bought them. It was obvious though, that they had someone iron and fix up their dress robes, because they looked pretty decent for an older style. They've removed several of the rows of ruffles, all the lace, and... yes, they fixed theirs up, just as I did mine!

As Ginny approached them Fred and George stared at her in surprise. Ginny gave a simple twirl to show off her dress robes and what she and Hermione had accomplished. Fred raised his eyebrows at the change to her appearance and her dress, and George's mouth actually dropped open. They both gave Ginny soft whistles that made her blush. "Wow! You look really good!" George finally said.

"Yeah, you look really pretty!" Fred said. "Hey, you're wearing makeup!"

"Just a bit." Ginny beamed at them, enjoying her brothers' astonished stares. For once they aren't joking about my appearance and seem to really mean it. "Nothing's better for your self-esteem than your brothers being shocked at how nice you look."

George reached down and took her hand, then gently turned her around to look at her. When Ginny finished her spin he asked, "What did you do to your dress robes? They look different... it looks really good on you," he added quickly, so as not to offend her. "But this isn't – how did you..."

"What's wrong with them?" Ginny asked, looking down at her dress.

"Much better than they did coming out of the box, I'd say," Fred said, grinning at her. "Not like I thought they would..."

"Yeah, I ironed them, and fixed them up a little." She turned, making the skirt swish. "Really, do I look okay?"

"Too good! Maybe I should've asked you to go with me?" George teased her.

"You're the ones that matched me up with Neville! Are we having second thoughts?" Ginny teased him right back.

"No, but here come our partners now!" Fred said to George as Alicia came down the stairs, followed closely by Angelina. Both girls looked very pretty in their dress robes. Alicia's were cut in an older style; the soft gold brocade and lace were really stunning on her. Angelina's had lots of deep soft flowing peach ruffles on her skirt and a thinner ruffle along the wide neckline. Both girls complimented Ginny on her dress, as Ginny admired the other girls' dress robes. Fred and George added a few of their own remarks, some they meant – some joking, which pretty much made all three girls laugh.

"Are we ready, ladies?' George asked as he held up his arm to Alicia.

Fred presented Angelina his arm as well. "We're ready to show you off to the whole school now."

"Coming, little sis?" George said, smiling, as he held out his other arm to her. All the way down the corridors and stairs the conversation bounced between Quidditch and the latest articles in the Daily Prophet. Ginny was pleased that once they started talking, Angelina and Alicia included her in the conversation as if they all were good friends.

As they walked down the marble staircase, Ginny could see Neville standing near the bottom waiting for her. Neville looked up at her, stunned, and smiled shyly as they approached. "You look amazing!" he said as Ginny came to a halt right in front of him.

He does seem really impressed. "Thank you, Neville," Ginny said, actually blushing at Neville's stare. He looks nice too, in his dark blue dress robes.

"Now you two be good," Fred said, "and have a good time."

"But not too much of a good time now – we'll be watching you," George continued, trying to look stern but failing. Neville was starting to look nervous.

"Knock it off!" Ginny reprimanded them.

"Okay, okay, we're just looking out for our only sister," Fred teased her, and Neville seemed to relax.

Both Angelina and Alicia laughed and Angelina gave Ginny a little wink. "They'll be too busy dancing with us to be watching you all night," Angelina stated and then turned to Fred. "She's going to be just fine with Neville. He's a really nice guy, after all – you said so yourself."

Alicia gave George a friendly poke in the side. "Besides, I was hoping that you'd spend all of your attention on me!"

From the corner of her eye, Ginny spied Hermione as she stopped at the last step next to her and Neville. She greeted both of them quietly, then quickly added, "See you later," to Ginny, as she slipped passed them and through the crowd to go out the oak doors to wait for Viktor Krum.

Alicia tilted her head and shot George an inquiring lift of her brow. "Of course I will," George promised Alicia, "but I've got to keep and eye out for my little sister too, don't I?"

"It's the brotherly thing to do, after all!" Fred added, with a shrug. Both girls laughed at them and took hold of their partner's arm, turning Fred and George away from Ginny and Neville.

Neither of my brothers even noticed her pass, which knowing them – might be a good thing... Ginny smiled as she watched more couples come down the stairs. The large front doors swung open to let Hermione out, and she caught a glimpse of lawn in front of the castle that had been transformed into a beautiful grotto.

The doors remained open, and Madame Maxime made a grand entrance followed by a few of her students; it seemed that many of the Beauxbatons were already in the hall, mingling with their partners or friends. The grotto outside the doors, complete with wandering paths, rose bushes, and fairy lights, that caught her brothers' attention also. "So... they have provided a place where we can go make out later," Fred suggested to Angelina, who gave him a playful smack.

George turned to Alicia, who cut him off saying, "Don't even suggest it."

George gave her a hurt look. "Would I presume?"

"Okay, okay, shall we go in then?" Fred asked, once again offering Angelina his arm, while George simply held Alicia's hand. Both Fred and George glanced back at Neville with an odd expression before they moved off to mingle with the rest of the students in the Entrance Hall.

Ginny watched Fred and George lead Alicia and Angelina into the Entrance Hall and made room for others to come down the stairs, although the marble staircase was still packed all the way to the top as far as Ginny could tell. By now most of the students and guests were trying to congregate in the Entrance Hall, looking for their friends and partners. She turned her attention back to Neville when he touched her arm. "You really do look pretty," he said with more confidence now that Fred and George were gone, which made Ginny smile even wider and blush slightly.

"Thank you, you look very nice too," Ginny stated happily. Oh, this is promising to be a very good night.

The huge oak doors opened wide again and Karkaroff led in the Durmstrang students with their partners. Although Viktor Krum was walking right behind Karkaroff, his full attention was on Hermione as they entered together, talking to each other. Hermione was smiling and laughing at whatever Viktor was telling her. Kararoff's face was a stern mask, although he kept gazing at Hermione with a barely concealed scowl.

Professor McGonagall stepped through the doors of the Great Hall into the Entrance Hall. She moved to the side of the Entrance Hall and called out loudly, "Champions over here, please!" over the excited buzz in the hall. Ginny thought that she looked very festive in her fancy tartan dress robes and the wreath of thistles she was wearing on her hat.

Just then Ginny felt a hand touch her arm. However, it took Neville several tries before she could hear him ask, "Are you ready to go inside?" due to the level of the noise.

Once inside, Ginny's breath caught. She was completely amazed at just how pretty the Great Hall looked. The walls of the Great Hall were covered in sparkling silver frost as if the entire hall hand been carved from silver ice. At least a hundred garlands of pine, mistletoe, and ivy draped across the ceiling with thousands of tiny lights and icicles. The ceiling showed a clear, dark blue night sky full of shining stars, glittering like millions of diamonds that seemed so close you could stand on the tables and touch them.

Hundreds of small round tables were arranged with white tablecloths that glittered like fresh new snow, each with a single candle lantern sitting in a ring of holly. The berries on the holly sparkled like rubies as they reflected the light of the candles. Every table was set for formal dining; the usual gold plates and goblets were replaced with shiny silver plates, crystal goblets, ornate silver flatware, and napkins edged in fancy silver embroidery that had been folded magically into flowers and placed on each plate.

Each table was set with twelve places. Neville led Ginny across the room to join Seamus and Lavender, who stood next to a table where Dean sat with Aimee Fulton, a pretty girl from Hufflepuff. Ron was leading Padma over to the table also. However, Padma was looking around the room, unsure if she wanted to; until Mandy Brocklehurst and Michael Corner came to sit next to her, bringing with them Michael's friend, Terry Boot, and his partner, Su Li, all friends of Padma's from Ravenclaw.

The boys at her table immediately began to talk about Quidditch, while the girls leaned in to talk about who had come with whom and what everyone was wearing. Ginny would have been happier talking about Quidditch, but had to answer the direct questions asked by the girls to be polite. However, it was funny to be following both conversations at the same time.

Ginny glanced up at the High Table as the girls commented on the attire of their professors. "Madame Maxime is rather lovely in her lavender silk dress robes and all her opal jewelry," she remarked, watching the woman as she sat talking animatedly to Professor Dumbledore. He wore magnificent dress robes of midnight blue with silver embroidery and little stars.

Ginny was surprised to see Percy, who had taken Mr. Crouch's seat and was talking politely to Ludo Bagman. Mr. Bagman, in his bright purple dress robes bespeckled with yellow stars, was bouncing excitedly in his chair and waving animatedly with his hands. "Percy has obviously bought new navy blue dress robes for the occasion," Ginny said, pointing him out to Lavender. "I've never seen those robes before." I wonder if Mr. Couch has finally stopped calling him Weatherby yet? He certainly wouldn't put up with that from anyone in the family. She turned quickly to Seamus as he mentioned something about Troy and Moran, Chasers from the Ireland Quidditch team, but Aimee touched her arm and asked her something about Karkaroff's stuffy demeanor.

She looked over at Karkaroff, sitting next to Hagrid, in his silver trimmed, red dress robe uniform of Durmstrang. "I'm not sure if it is the uniform that makes him look so stiff, or having to sit between Hagrid and Professor Sinistra," she replied back to Aimee, amused.

"Yes, but doesn't Professor Sinistra look stunning in her emerald green robes?" Lavender asked. "Compared to Hagrid's... Wherever does he hunt for his clothes?" Ginny was a bit miffed at her comment. She thought Hagrid looked rather nice in his brown dress robes with the outlines of leaves stitched in purple and green on the collar and cuffs.

Professor Snape was sitting on his other side and had even dressed up too. Well, his black frock coat has the sheen of velvet and his waistcoat is possibly a very dark green... it almost has a hint of green. Snape looked up, and she quickly looked away, hoping that he hadn't noticed that she had been staring at him. She leaned back toward Neville and the conversation about the Falcons' Beaters, Kevin and Karl Broadmoor, and how they had clobbered half the new rookies during the autumn tryouts.

As soon as everyone was settled down inside the Great Hall, the doors opened and the champions paraded into the hall and took their seats at their tables. Fleur and Roger Davies came into the Great Hall first. Fleur reminded Ginny of a peacock as she glided down the isle. "Oh, she looks amazing in her sliver-grey satin dress robes," Lavender exclaimed, standing to get a better look at Fleur. Ginny reluctantly had to admit she was right. Hermione and Viktor were next. Hermione glowed radiantly as she walked next to him, and he held himself proudly as he guided her to their table.

Harry entered, looking really nervous, and Parvati looked like she was pulling him around as if leading him on a leash. Cedric and Cho Chang followed, both talking together and obviously commenting on the decorations as they entered. Ginny thought that they looked very good together. She's a much better match with Cedric than if she'd been with Harry, she thought with a twang of jealously.

During the champions' processional, gilded menus appeared at each place setting. Ginny picked hers up and read the serving selections that had been written in beautiful calligraphy: pork chops, honey-glazed ham, roasted turkey, and prime rib. At first everyone just stared at the menus until Seamus told Lavender he wanted the ham and asked her which she was choosing. Lavender replied that she preferred turkey and immediately their plates filled. Delighted, Neville asked for prime rib, smiling as it magically appeared.

"Oh, I don't know," Ginny said quietly to Neville. "I can't decide between the ham or turkey..." and instantly her plate filled with slices of both.

Following dinner, the plates cleared themselves and a selection of small fancy pastries and creams appeared on each plate. As he wiped the last bit of cream from his lip, Neville whispered to Ginny that this was the best Christmas dinner he'd ever had.

Suddenly, in a puff of smoke and a flash of light, the Weird Sisters appeared on the stage to begin the dance. The Weird Sisters were extremely well known in the wizarding world, and the instant the lead guitarist said, "Hello, Hogwarts..." hundreds of girls immediately jumped to their feet. All around Ginny, girls were screaming, swooning and crying. Many of the boys stood whistling, cheering and clapping. The drummer started a percussion roll and the lead guitarist, a crescendoing riff that escalated the excitement in the room. Finally the lead singer held up his hand and announced that the champions should come out on the dance floor. Ginny had frequently listened to the Weird Sisters on the wireless and knew the lyrics to many of their songs. There were even a few posters of the band in her dormitory. However, she was very surprised when the rock band began to play a measured waltz.

The champions and their partners rose and gracefully walked out onto the dance floor. Well, all except Harry, Ginny thought, the corner of her mouth twitching as she tried to hide a scowl. Parvati is still trying to lead him along like a prize show crup! Even as the partners began to dance, Harry still looked really stiff and awkward.

Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang both glided to the music beautifully, while Viktor Krum and Hermione looked poised and formal as he led her around. Fleur and Roger Davies flowed around the dance floor in sweeping circles. The better for everyone to see her, Ginny thought scornfully.

Neville stood up and held his hand to Ginny to dance. They were almost the first couple to do so, and Ginny looked nervously around before Neville began to lead her. Fred and George were right; Neville was a good dancer. However, Ginny couldn't help looking at Harry every time they got close to him and Parvati, and in her distraction, she stepped on Neville's foot. Ginny winced and kept saying, "Sorry," whenever she did, embarrassed because not only was she losing step, but also because Harry seemed to notice as well.

"Relax... Just follow me and you'll be fine," Neville whispered to her.

"I'm no good at this," Ginny fibbed to cover the real reason, which was that she secretly wished she were dancing with Harry instead.

"You're doing fine, just follow me. Okay?" Neville coaxed her. As the dance floor filled with the teachers and guests, dancing with Neville got much easier and Ginny was able to relax and have fun.

Dumbledore was dancing a lively step with Madame Maxime, who stood quite taller than he did. Mad-Eye Moody was doing a weird two-step with Professor Sinistra, and Fred and Angelina were dancing rather exuberantly between everybody and simply having fun. George and Alicia were doing a strange fox-trot-tango combination, just so he could spin and dip her at random moments.

Every time Hermione and Krum were near them, she looked like she was having the time of her life. Viktor looked so proud and he was smiling as they danced. He looked almost handsome when he smiled. However, Ginny noted that Karkaroff glared at the pair whenever he passed them. Viktor wasn't paying any attention to Karkaroff as he spun Hermione and dipped her, which made her smile and laugh. Even Neville took a clue from Viktor and he twirled Ginny and tried a small dip. Ginny laughed as he did and Neville beamed at her.

Filch passed by doing a bouncy dance step, dancing with Madam Pince, the librarian. He had on very old dress robes in musty brown, and she wore very dark burgundy ones. They both looked absolutely comical: his bouncy trot and her stiff and proper movements; they hardly fit together at all. Mrs. Norris was nowhere to be seen, so Filch looked almost incomplete.

After a few rounds of various classical style pieces, the Weird Sisters' lead guitarist did a wild riff, and the drummer pounded out a solo roll. The lead singer yelled out, "Are you ready, Hogwarts?" and the band began one of their more popular songs. Many of the girls went wild, screaming. The guys were obviously much happier with the change, as it was much more their style of dancing. Krum and Hermione were moving to the music like everyone else, but he kept her hand so that he could turn her in a spin every once in a while to make her laugh. Seamus and Lavender were dancing next to Ginny and Neville, in a square, so to Ginny it was like dancing with Neville, Seamus and Lavender all at the same time.

Ginny saw Dumbledore dancing with Professor Sprout, and smiled at the sight of Lugo Bagman bouncing Professor McGonagall around. Madame Maxime and Hagrid were cutting a wide path through everyone as they waltzed and kept step to the fast-paced music. Hagrid was actually dancing very well, considering his size, although Ginny doubted that she could have kept up with his steps! Mandy and Michael came up to Ginny, Neville, Seamus and Lavender as the next song began, extending their square into a circle. At the end of the song, Michael asked Neville if he would like to dance with Mandy, so that he could dance with Ginny.

Two songs later, Dean asked Neville if he would like to exchange partners too. Ginny was starting to feel very popular, as Neville's dorm mates either exchanged with each other or danced in small groups together. After a while Ginny asked Neville for a break. "Sure. I could use a drink. Do you want one?" Neville offered.

"Yes, please," Ginny said gratefully. Neville nodded at her and waved at Dean as they headed toward the refreshment table. Ginny fanned herself with a menu that had been left on one of the tables.

Hermione and Viktor had left the dance floor, and Ginny spotted her talking to Ron and Harry, but Ron looked sullen and angry. Ginny had to laugh. Well if he had just asked her first instead of as a last resort, he'd be here with her instead of sulking.

She looked at Neville as he waited for the drinks and smiled as Viktor walked over and stood next to Neville. Neville was so stunned when he turned around and saw Viktor he nearly dropped their butterbeers. Neville blushed and nodded to Viktor then moved quickly away, but he looked back over his shoulder at Viktor, then toward Ginny with a look of pure amazement.

Fred and George were right; she was having a great time and she was glad she accepted Neville's invite.

When she turned again to watch Ron, he was talking to Viktor, who had a stunned and befuddled expression on his face. Ron looked surly and Krum walked away shaking his head, confused.

Neville touched Ginny's arm to get her attention, and she smiled at him and accepted her butterbeer. Moments later as they set their empty glasses of butterbeer down, Ginny noticed Hermione standing off to the side with Viktor, her back to Ginny. Krum looked confused and a bit put off, and had an angry scowl on his face momentarily, before Hermione laid her hand on his chest. He shrugged, then tenderly brushed a curl from her cheek, and then led her back to the dance floor. Ginny pointed them out to Neville and indicated for them to move in their direction. "I want to know what my dolt of a brother did to upset Hermione," she suggested.

Neville looked over at the couple dancing and for a brief moment he looked panicked. "You go. I'll catch up to you in a moment," Neville said and nervously walked away.

Ron and Harry were out of sight when Ginny approached Hermione and Viktor. Just as Ginny touched Hermione's arm, Neville walked up with four fresh drinks. "I thought you'd like another," he said as he handed one to Hermione and one to Viktor.

"Thank you," Viktor said with a click of his heels and a nod. "We haff not met. You are a friend of Herm-own-ninny?"

Neville shifted his feet as Viktor accepted the proffered beverage. "We are in the same year and house together... I'm Neville – N-neville Longbottom," he replied nervously to Viktor.

Ginny forced back a giggle at how awed he was of Viktor. Well, he is an international Quidditch star and Neville likes Quidditch. I remember him commenting to Seamus in the Great Hall that his gran hadn't taken him to see the World Cup. And he sounded so disappointed about it too.

Viktor seemed used to this kind of nervousness in people and smiled at him to put him at ease, then offered his hand. "Please, you call me Viktor. I am honor to meet a friend of Herm-own-ninny. Do you haff good time so far dancing?" he asked.

Ginny leaned closer to Hermione and quietly asked her, "Is my brother being his usual prattiness? I could get Fred and George to do something – interesting to him to get even... if you'd like?"

Hermione laughed. "He's jealous that I came with Viktor, I think. He had the talons to claim that I was 'fraternizing with the enemy' and that... He accused me of helping him with the egg clue."

"He didn't! And after all you have done to help Harry?" Ginny asked, shocked. "If you had been helping Viktor at all, you would have just told Harry what you'd found out from Viktor anyway to help him! Ron's so thick it's sickening!" Hermione smiled and Ginny knew that she was very glad for her support.

"Actually Viktor hasn't spoken about the tournament at all except when I complimented him on how he handled his dragon. We've not spoken about the egg at all," she explained. "Frankly, he was very modest about the first task. He's generally far more interested in all things British than pumping me for help on the egg. Although, when we are in the library, he often asks me the meaning of words he comes across in the books. It's annoying really, having to stop every few seconds to explain what words like knobby, cistern, lurgy, fug, tuffet, and draught... He once asked me what poo was!" Both girls had a good laugh at that.

"Vat is so funny?" Viktor asked, turning his attention from Neville when she and Hermione burst out laughing.

"Ginny was just cheering me up... said something funny," Hermione answered. "Do you remember my friend, Ginny?"

Viktor snapped his boots and bowed slightly in her direction. "Yes. I remember your pretty friend. She say hallo to me in the library at time. It is nice to see you again. Do you haff fun tonight?"

"Yes, I am having a very good time," Ginny answered. "Thank you." She saw Neville smile at her admission. I am having a very good night. I will have to remember to thank Neville for asking me – and Fred and George for setting me up, too.

All four of them moved back onto the dance floor and danced in a square. Ginny and Hermione exchanged partners for a few dances so that Hermione could dance with Neville and Ginny could dance with Viktor. However, being in a square it wasn't really all that different, except that Viktor faced her and Neville faced Hermione. In fact it was fun dancing in with Hermione and Viktor, because it was like dancing with Viktor and Neville at the same time. After several songs Hermione told Viktor that her feet hurt and she wanted to sit awhile. They waved good-bye as Viktor escorted Hermione from the hall. Ginny suspected that they were headed to the grotto outside the great doors.

"Do you want to go outside too? Or do you want to dance some more?" Neville asked.

"I'd like to see the grotto," Ginny admitted. "I am curious at what Professor Flitwick and McGonagall did." Neville looked carefully over her shoulder at the dance floor and took Ginny's hand, leading her outside. Ginny supposed he was worried about Fred and George seeing them leave. She was stunned and very impressed with the grotto. The roses filled the air with their fragrance and the fairy lights made the whole scene very romantic. Neville held her hand as they walked. In a turn of the path, he looked at her speculatively. She knew that he wanted to kiss her, but was too shy to ask. "Neville, it's okay," Ginny finally said, softly.

"I – if you, that is... I didn't want to – well..." he stammered. Ginny stood facing him, watching his discomfort. "I would like to... but I said friends – and I... but if you don't want to I understand."

She stepped closer to him and looked him in the eye. "I've had a wonderful time, Neville, really. You've been fun, I've... I don't mind. You have been very sweet to me, and I'm very glad I came with you." Neville stared at her a long time, and then slowly and gently brushed his lips on hers. The kiss was soft and light. He brushed his lips to hers a second time as if savoring the contact, then pulled away, blushing. Ginny smiled at her first kiss, which although pleasant, still felt like she had just kissed one of her cousins. No, a friend. I like him, I do – but not like a boyfriend. It's too bad I didn't – couldn't fall for him. He'd be a really nice guy to any girl he was with.

Reluctantly, Neville led Ginny back to the Great Hall and onto the dance floor. Ginny noticed that he scanned the people dancing, possibly looking for Fred and George. "Neville, don't worry about them. If my brothers give you a hard time – I'll hex them. I'm really good at a rather nasty Bat-Bogey Hex, or the Furnunculus Curse. They will not bother you, I promise."

"I wasn't worried about that," he said all too quickly. "I was hoping to see... um... Hermione and Viktor again." Ginny nodded, smiling inwardly as they began to dance again.

When the Weird Sisters stopped playing at midnight, the room erupted in whistles, cheers, and loud applause of appreciation. Ginny and Neville made their way from the Great Hall into the Entrance Hall. Ginny could see Viktor as he kissed Hermione's hand at the foot of the marble staircase and watched her as she turned to go up. He looked very happy as he turned to go back outside to his ship. He waved to Ginny and Neville as he passed them, saying, "Good night," over the din in the room.

"Viktor Krum waved at us! I spoke to Viktor Krum!" Neville stated happily. "Wait until I tell Uncle Algie I was dancing with Viktor Krum!"

"You might want to say my name in that," Ginny giggled at Neville. "It may sound funny otherwise." Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvati all caught up on the stairs to the seventh floor, chatting about all the gossip from the dance as they headed back to Gryffindor tower.

The Fat Lady was apparently very drunk and her friend Vi was lounging heavily on the frame, laughing and just as snockered. It took several tries for her to acknowledge the password because she fell in fits of laughter every time one of them said, "Pine fresh." It was even harder to get the Fat Lady to open up the portrait hole because she was having a hard time managing her own frame to do so.

The boys finally had to help pry open the painting, making the Fat Lady complain drunkenly that they didn't need to be so rough with her and that they needn't shove her open at all. When the boys finally got the portrait to open wide enough so everyone could crawl in, Ginny had to suppress a laugh as the Fat Lady's friend tumbled out of the frame.

However, as Ginny climbed into the common room and was getting to her feet to say good night to Neville and the guys, Hermione raised her voice to a screech. "How dare you!" she yelled at Ron. "Well if you don't like it, you know what the solution is, don't you?" she shouted, frustration and anger in her voice.

"Oh yeah?" Ron yelled back, his face scarlet. Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvati all made for the opposite side of the common room to avoid Hermione and Ron. "What's that?" Ron snapped at Hermione.

"Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!" Hermione yelled back, fuming mad. Her eyes were beginning to tear.

Ron just stood there, momentarily totally stunned as his mouth moved open and closed soundlessly like a fish. Hermione ran up the girls' staircase to bed. "Well..." Ginny heard Ron utter, gobsmacked. He then rounded on Harry. "Well – that just proves – doesn't it – I mean..." he spluttered, utterly thunderstruck. Harry simply stood there completely mute, staring at Ron with a look of amusement. "Completely missed the point – hasn't she?"

"Thank you, Neville. I had a really good time," Ginny said quickly, giving a stunned Neville a kiss on his cheek. "And I'm really glad you asked me to go with you – but I have to go..." She turned and scooted across the room and up the stairs after Hermione.

~~*~~

Author's Note:

Descriptions and the dialogue at the end between Ron and Hermione is quoted from:

J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, (New York, Scholastic Press, 2000), 403-432

No plagiarism was intended.

I owe a big debt of gratitude to Phoenix and Notsosaintly for all their hard work and time in cleaning this story up and making it presentable. Thank you both. I appreciate it more than either of you can know.