Everything Remains

Chapter 13- Alls Well that Ends Well

The next few days leading up to the masquerade ball were very much a blur. Neville had struck up the courage to ask Luna, by growing her her own mini durigible plum tree that she could have in her dorm room. She gratefully accepted, and returned the favor by giving him his own pair of spectrespec glasses.
There was much excitement and love flowing through the air, which was nauseating at some times. At least, it was to Harry. 

He was struggling with feelings of guilt. For not still being in a relationship with Ginny, wondering if he should ask her to the ball, and feeling guilty for not really wanting to do those things. He knew that he would enjoy himself at the ball, and the party before, but it was hard to not feel like he "had" to be doing what everyone else was. 
'I'm glad that Draco isn't asking anyone either. Not that I would be jealous, but now I have a friend to go with. Wait, why would I be jealous? Why did that even pop into my head??'
Harry found himself thinking these strange things about Draco, like he was into him or something. Chalking it up to just getting closer to him as a friend, he mostly ignored or dashed away those types of thoughts. 'How ridiculous.'

It was finally Saturday, the day of the masquerade ball. The whole castle was abuzz with excitement and nerves. The professors had blocked off access to the Great Hall so they could decorate and set everything up, so meals magically appeared, buffet style, in the common rooms. Ron was taking full advantage of that, wrapping some foods up in napkins and keeping them for later. 
They Gryffindors had just wrapped up dinner and were lounging about in the common room. Harry was petting Sirius and looking out the window towards the Quidditch pitch. Surprisingly, Ron and Hermione were snuggled up on the couch by the fire, laughing about something. Neville was attending to all his plants, per usual. 
Harry was deep in thought, distracted. 

Quickly, it began to grow a little darker outside, covering the great lawn with wisps of mist. 
"Oi, Harry. You ready?" Ron asked, winking.
"Yes, Ron. You realize we're of legal age, right? You act like we're doing something so scandalous." Harry laughed and shook his head, leaving his perch by the window and plopping into the arm chair by the fire. 
"But that takes away the fun, dunnit? Can you send your owl to get Luna and Draco?" 
"Yes. Sirius!"
Sirius flew over to Harry, nibbling him on the ear and letting Harry tie parchment to his leg. 
"Can you get Draco and Luna for us please?" Harry smoothed down his feathers before he flew off. 
"We should probably drink in the dorm room, lest someone see us." 
"Ron! This isn't some secret mission! Why do we need to drink in the dorm?" 
"Because, I don't want younger years to see us in the common room and act as though they can have free reign to our stuff!"
"Fine. I guess you have a point. Is it clean enough in there?" 
Ron's eyes widened with panic and realization. "Um, give me a minute." he scooped down to kiss Hermione on the cheek before bolting upstairs. 

Not long after, Draco and Luna arrived, carrying their robes and dress for the ball. Hermione took Luna into her dorm to set things up for when they got ready, and Draco and the others went up to the boy's dorm. Ron had mostly shoved everyone's dirty clothes underneath his bed and hid it with his blankets. He had brought out the firewhiskey and butterbeers, along with cups and assorted candies from Honeydukes. Harry threw down some pillows on the floor for people to sit on, making a semi-circle. 
Once Hermione and Luna arrived, Hermione scrunched her nose up in disgust. "Just as I figured.." She cast a silent charm, making the room smell like fresh laundry and the ocean. 
"Thank Merlin for you, Mione." Harry laughed, nose-blind to the boy smell. 

Everyone sat down on their pillows as Ron began to pour everyone drinks. They made toasts, played games, and were having a great time. 
"I have one! Harry. Truth or Dare?" Hermione asked, giggling into her cup.
"Hmm.. dare? I have a feeling I will regret this." 
"I dare you to spin this bottle and kiss whoever it lands on. Or, you can opt out and take TWO shots." She laughed harder, leaning onto Luna. 
"Well, considering half of you are dating, I don't think it would be wise to kiss anyone, Mione. I guess I'll drink." Harry took two shots of firewhiskey, the burn eating through him on the way down his throat. 
"Blimey, you keep this up and we will be carrying you to the ball." Ron laughed, taking his own sip of his butterbeer. 
"My turn. Luna, truth or dare?" 
"Truth." 
"Hmm... who do you think is the best looking couple in our year?" 
"You and Draco of course."
Harry and Draco were taken aback, flinching at her answer. 
"Wha... what?? We're not a couple Luna?" Harry stuttered out, blushing. 
"Yeah, what? Tell us who you really think..." Draco said, he voice low and a little unsteady.
"Well, you're both attractive and single. Maybe it's something to think about? But if I have to choose otherwise, I'll say Ron and Hermione."
"Blimey, have you had too much to drink already?" Ron laughed uproariously. 

"Luna, it's your turn."
"Hermione. Truth or dare?"
"... dare?" 
"Quick, before she chickens out!" Ron interrupted, surprised at her choice. 
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I dare you to yell out into the common room, "Ron rocks my world every night!" 
Everyone in the group laughed hysterically, egging on Hermione. "That's.. that.. preposterous! That's no one's business!" 
"That's why it's so funny! Come on, Hermyyyy." Harry slurred, feeling the effects of his whiskey. 
Hermione looked around and bit her lip before taking a shot of firewhiskey. Once it was situated in her stomach, she ran out to the landing before the stairs, "RON ROCKS MY WORLD EVERY NIGHT!!!" before running back into the dorm room, practically falling back down on her pillow. 
Everyone laughed uncontrollably, hearing a chorus of "What?" and "Okay... didn't need to know" from downstairs.