This was a great chapter. The dance between Repple's was different and well handled. It's nice to see that Harry can diffuse a situation and make it pleasant for both parties.
I really like the way that Marietta and Harry spent the rest of the night together, from dancing vertically to dancing horizontally. It was smooth and didn't feel forced at all.
You were right about it being an interesting twist with Bella realizing what was about to happen and how she was able to help Harry make this a special night. The fact that she was willing to do so is also interesting. So far it sounds like this could end up a threesome story or a story where Harry and Marietta end up raising Bella and Harry's baby. Either one has potential and would be interesting, although you would have some interesting work a head of you to keep Bella from being Kissed or pushed through the Veil once she goes public. Plus Harry will have to survive the Weasley and Granger explosion when they find out. Fun fun fun...
Author's response
Thank you for reading and especially thank you for your detailed and precise review - very helpful indeed. I could pull a JKR and say "who says _____ (fill in the blank) is going to survive this?" But that would just be wrong. Hermione and the Weasleys will figure in; but not until later in the story, we're concentrating on these characters for now.