When Did That Happen?

When Did That Happen?

Harry watched Ron and Hermione dance, looking at them through his glass of pumpkin juice. Hermione's cream dress seemed orange, as did her skin, and Ron's hair looked normal for once. It was an unusual picture, no matter how Harry looked at it. His two best friends were in love. When had that happened?

"They suit each other, don't they?" Harry lowered his glass and looked to his right. Ron's little sister, Ginny, had sat down beside him with her legs crossed at the ankles and her hands folded neatly in her lap. She was wearing deep green dress robes, her Weasley hair was done up in an elegant French twist, and she had even put on some neutral colored makeup. She looked like a woman. When had that happened?

"Yeah."

"I still haven't gotten used to it, though. I never thought Ron would work up the nerve to ask her out," Ginny said. She wasn't the same gangly girl who blushed every time she talked to him. She had changed and Harry had missed it. Harry gave her a smile and set his glass on the table.

"He practiced the lines on me," he admitted. Ginny grinned and readjusted her lace shawl. The lapsed into silence, Ginny watching the dancing couples, Harry watching her.

"Do you... do you want to dance?" he asked uncertainly. Ginny looked at him in surprise before giving him a warm smile and nodding. He stood up and held out his hand; she took it, placing her shawl on the back of her chair with the other hand. Harry looked down at her hand; it was softer than he thought it would have been. Then he noticed the ring on her finger.

"What's that?" he asked, brushing his thumb against the silver band. Ginny's eyes widened and she gave him an embarrassed smile.

"Don't tell Ron but..." she placed her other hand on his shoulder and stood on her tip toes so she could reach his ear, "its from my boyfriend," she whispered. Harry frantically searched her face for any signs that she was kidding. He found none.

"Who?" his voice came out strangled, barely a whisper.

"Well what are we standing here for? I thought we were going to dance," she said, easily side-stepping his question.

He let her lead him out to the dance floor; too confused to pay attention to the pleased look Ron was sending their way. She placed her hands lightly on his shoulder, and he put his on her waist. They swayed with the music, their motions seamless. It would have been a perfect moment if a little voice hadn't kept nagging him in the back of his mind. 'She has a boyfriend? When did that happen?'.

"So, do you plan on attending the Academy with Ron?" Ginny asked, obviously trying to start a polite conversation. Ron was going to start training at the Auror Academy as soon he finished the remedial Potions class over the summer. Harry shook his head.

"I've had more than my share of dark wizards," he explained. Ginny nodded, her eyes straying to look at someone over Harry's shoulder. Harry's curiosity got the best of him and he turned his head to see what she was looking at. There was someone leaning against the wall in the far corner, drinking from a silver flask. His face was hidden by shadows but Harry could practically feel the stranger's eyes burning holes into his back.

"Is that him?" Harry asked, turning back to face Ginny. She nodded, clearly distracted.

"He doesn't seem to want you to dance with me," Harry pointed out. Ginny bit her lip, worry lines appearing on her forehead.

"Well, he told me he didn't care. I don't know what his problem is! I told him I would go with him but he insisted that we go alone. Well, I don't see why I should worry about. If he's too stubborn of a-" Ginny stopped, a blush appearing on her cheeks as she realized what she had been saying. Harry arched his eyebrow.

"You mean he didn't want to come to the dance with you?" he asked.

"Well, it's a bit more complicated than that... Oh Harry, don't worry about it, lets just dance, yeah?" she suggested, looking away from the figure in the shadows.

Harry left the subject alone for the moment, though he couldn't help but notice that Ginny's lips would turn down into a frown whenever she looked over his shoulder.

The song was just coming to an end, when Ginny stiffened in his arms, her eyes a bit wider than usual. Harry was just about to ask what was wrong when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Harry turned around and nearly jumped back from surprise.

Draco Malfoy was giving him a rather lethal look, his hand holding Harry's shoulder in a vice grip.

"Hope you don't mind, Potter," he said, practically shoving Harry out of the way.

"Hold this for me, yeah?" he added, tossing something Harry's way before ushering a shocked Ginny Weasley to the middle of the dance floor. Harry quickly caught what had been thrown at him. A silver drinking flask.

"Bloody hell, when did that happen?"