After The War ✔

Chapter 22: The Night of the Ball

Ginny's P.O.V.

I rushed back to my dorm room with Hermione. We had 1 hour till the ball. I rummaged through my wardrobe looking for a dress. I still hadn't found something to wear and I had been stressed for over a week. Hermione was desperate too. Suddenly Luna came barging in. "I have some dresses for you two to wear if you need them."I looked at Hermione. Luna isn't a Gryffindor. Luna doesn't wear the things that we would wear. But in my mind I knew we had no choice but to accept the offer. "Sure, do you have them with you? And how did you get up here?" I asked. Luna showed us 4 dresses before answering "I'll answer that question later. Here, there are two for each of you." Luna said in her casually dreamy voice. Luna's eyes wandered to the ceiling. "Nice ceiling, the paintings are beautiful." I was about to ask 'What?' when my eyes shot upwards. The paintings were of Godric Gryffindor slicing off the heads of enemies with his sword. "Beautiful, aren't they?" I responded calmly, still shivering inside. I looked at the dresses. One was white with black flowers on it. The other one my size was white until the waist where colourful flowers bloomed. They were surprisingly un-Luna like. I had had enough of Blackn' White so I picked out the colourful floral one. "Wow, thanks Luna! Where did you get these?" "For my birthday," Luna responded, "I didn't think I would wear them." 'These fabulous things?' I thought. I hoped Harry would match my beauty tonight.

Harry's P.O.V.

Ron and I were about to leave the boys' dormitories when Neville came running at us panting. "Do you know where Luna is?" he asked "I went to the place we were meant to meet but she wasn't there." "Uhh... no," Ron replied "But we can go look for her after we pick up the girls." I nodded. "Thanks guys" Neville said, looking relieved. We walked to the entrance of the Girls Dormitories and knocked on the door. It opened and revealed 3 glamorously dressed girls. "Luna?" Neville exclaimed "What were you doing up here?" "That's girl business." they all replied. Ginny walked over to me. "You look fabulous." I said into her ear. "Thanks." Ginny replied, blushing. We walked to the Great Hall. It looked different. It was like the Yule Ball. Christmas trees were covered in"snow", supposedly. Tables were set up with people sitting behind the counter handing out food and drinks. I looked up. The ceiling was enchanted to look like it was snowing. The four house tables were still set up. We sat at the Gryffindor Table when Professor McGonagall stood up. "To start off the dance we will choose a couple from each of the 4 houses." Professor McGonagall explained. "If your partner is not in the same house as you that is fine. The rest of you can join in whenever you want." I looked around. Seamus was sitting with Hannah Abott, Neville with Luna, Dean with Parvati and Draco with a girl, surprisingly not Pansy, who I haven't met. I saw Cho with Michael Corner glaring silently at Ginny and me. "The Gryffindors are:" Professor McGonagall started again "Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger." Ron and Hermione stood up red in the face. Both of them made their way to the front. "The Ravenclaws are Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom." Luna was absolutely delighted by this and Neville looked horrified. "The Hufflepuff's are Hannah Abbot and Seamus Finnigan." I watched as the two made their way up to the dance floor. "And finally the Slytherin's are Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass." Draco looked sick and was clutching onto his, well let's say, "date's" arm. The music started and they all started to dance. I heard a clicking noise. My eyes travelled across the room expecting to see Collin but it was Dennis. A pang of guilt hit me as I watched him use his brother's camera to take photos.

Harry it's not your fault you know.

Ginny!!!!

What?!

Do you always listen to my thoughts?

Uhhh... occasionally...

Ginny!

Harry it is NOT your fault that anyone died !

Mmmm...

HARRY! IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT THAT THEY DIED!!!

OK. OK! I surrender but it just hurts me to see Dennis with Collins camera.

I know, but Harry, are we going to spend the rest of the night talking like THIS!?

I was snapped out of my thoughts and saw Ginny staring at me. I grabbed her hand and whispered "Come on!" I led her onto the dance floor. Ginny smiled widely at me. We started dancing. I was surprised that I even knew how to do it. Ginny was excellent. I gazed into her brown eyes and she looked into mine. We stopped after 15 minutes and I went to get drinks. I gave one to Ginny and she smiled at me. Soon Ron and Hermione came over and joined us. "Ron you're a really good dancer." Hermione commented, with a note of surprise. "Thanks.'' Ron replied, turning red. Ron left to get drinks for him and Hermione. Ginny sighed and leant her head onto my shoulder. "This is the best night of my life!" Ginny exclaimed. "I know right!" Hermione answered. We resumed dancing and then we discovered that we were allowed Firewhiskey. Ginny grabbed one straight away. Underage wizards and witches weren't allowed to drink it but,even though Ginny had turned 17, Mrs Wealsey still hadn't allowed her. She was reaching for her third when I stopped her. "First time trying it you'll get an extremely bad headache." I said, concerned "I wouldn't push it." Ginny shrugged and grabbed another. I sighed. The ball went on for a long time. Soon Ginny got drunk and was about to collapse. I realised that it was time to get her to bed. I helped Ginny walk up to our room. As soon as her head hit the pillow she fell asleep.