I have been wanting to post this story every Halloween since OOtP came out, and every Halloween since I've let the opportunity pass me by. Unfortunately, the plot line doesn't fit into the events of HBP. So please bear with me and imagine that HBP has not taken place. If I don't post it this year, I fear it will never be posted.

I do not own anything that rightfully belongs to J.K. Rowling.


Fateful Halloween

By: Ginia Malfoy

Chapter 1 The Masked Ball

She had no wand, no escape. The door was meters away, and Draco was closing in on her. Ginny Weasley jumped involuntarily as she backed into the table in the middle of the room, and the Slytherin seized upon the opportunity with dizzying agility.

Ginny flinched, covering her face with her arms, as Draco pinned her roughly with his body, the heat radiating from his skin burning through the thin material of her nightgown. She was frightened, not knowing what this man was capable of, especially after the stunt she'd just pulled, and wondered for what seemed like the thousandth time how in the world she'd gotten into this mess.


Ginny hummed softly to herself as she made her way down a deserted corridor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. High heeled shoes swung in her hand, and the taffeta of her dress robes rustled along with the sound of her bare feet clapping on the cold stone floor. She pulled the pins out of her flaming red hair causing a cascade of extricated curls to fall down her back, and soon the beautiful mask she was wearing was hanging around her neck by its cord.

At the welcoming feast earlier that year, Dumbledore had announced that there would be a masked ball, and the date had finally arrived. It was Halloween; night of haunts, frights, and a whole lot of fun.

Ginny had been Dean Thomas's date even though they had split early on in the year. The break was mutual and amicable, so they hadn't really seen a reason to hassle with finding new dates when they had already agreed to go together.

She remembered back a few hours when she was standing in front of a full-length mirror in her dorm room. Fred and George had bought their 'favorite baby sister' a beautiful new set of dress robes. Her muggleborn roommate, Devon Ashton, had called it a Cinderella dress, but as the redhead had no clue who this Cinderella woman was (only assured that the story had involved some magic), she settled with just thinking it beautiful.

Simple and strapless with a full skirt, it was made of muted silver taffeta, and had an elaborate rhinestoned mask to go with it. Devon had helped her twist her hair into an elegant upsweep, and Ginny had been ready to descend the stairs right on time.

Dean had complimented her and she had gladly returned it, as she noticed a very beautiful Hermione on the arm of her beaming brother. Harry had stood behind them, ever handsome at seventeen, but completely preoccupied as he stared longingly at his two best friends. Ginny offered him a weak smile while taking Dean's arm, having known what it felt like to admire someone from afar.

They had made it to the Great Hall earlier than most of the other students because the Headboy and girl, and their dates, were to dance the first dance, thus officially opening the ball. It had been to everyone's surprise then, when Draco Malfoy, the Headboy, swiftly descended on Hermione, the Headgirl, and pulled her onto the dance floor as the first notes began to permeate the air.

The hall had silenced in seconds as the students stood open-mouthed at the sight. Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, who had barely been able to speak civilly to Hermione…well, ever…was willingly and gracefully dancing with her in front of the entire school. Ginny noticed Ron snap out of his momentary stupor and begin exhibiting the telltale signs of a Weasley temper tantrum, so she had kept an eye on him as Dean began to lead her in a dance. A murmur had begun among the crowd, and couples had soon joined the oddity.

As the song came to a close, the Slytherin had swirled Hermione over to her boyfriend and deftly spun her into his arms before disappearing into the crowd of dancing couples.

Only two hours later, Ginny had already become exhausted, having stayed up all the night before doing mountains of homework. She had found herself nodding in a chair away from the dancers, and had decided that a bed was probably a better place for her to be.

She had tried to say goodbye to someone, but had found Ron and Hermione dancing together, Devon and a Hufflepuff boy jazzing it up, and Dean dancing with a very nice girl from Ravenclaw. Not wishing to disturb anyone's fun, she had turned to go and saw Harry standing alone by the doors leading out of the hall. He was still watching his two best friends, and Ginny offered him yet another reassuring smile. He had returned it weakly that time, and waved a bit as she'd breezed through the doors and into the entrance hall.

She was now wandering the halls, disassembling her outfit as she went. The dorms were not a place she wanted to sleep tonight, as five gabbing girls would be coming in during the small hours. Crashing in Hermione's room was out of the question as well; she didn't want to be there when the head girl and her brother burst in doing who knows what.

She required a soft bed in a comfy surrounding, and she knew just the place that she would find it.


The door appeared as Ginny passed it for the third time, and she gratefully entered, stopping short inside the doorway to the Room of Requirement.

Though she'd never actually used the space as a private bedroom before, the décor was decidedly different than what she'd expected. Instead of the light yellow walls and crisp cotton sheets she'd been imagining, the room was filled with dark woods and rich fabrics. The only light came from a roaring fire blazing in a grand fireplace, which was casting great flickering shadows on the walls.

Shrugging to herself, Ginny tossed her shoes, mask, and other discarded items into the seat of a nearby chair. Turning back to the door, she imagined a key, which soon appeared, and which she turned until she heard the reassuring click of the lock. She then crossed the room and sat herself in front of the inviting hearth to warm up her frozen toes.

She didn't know how long she sat there, but she suddenly snapped her head up and realized she must have been dozing again. The thought of pajamas entered her mind, and a silky silver nightgown materialized beside her.

Examining the thing queerly, she shrugged again and unzipped the robe bodice before pulling the negligee on over her head. Ginny stood and pushed the dress to the floor, letting the nightie fall, rather shortly, into its proper place. The redhead smiled to herself. She had to admit that she felt sexier than her usual flannel PJs allowed.

"That was a magnificent show you put on," a velvety voice drawled, startling Ginny out of her musings. "But then I remembered that you are a Weasley, and had to fight to keep from vomiting."