Let's have a Toast!

New chapter time! I might be a bit rusty in this chapter, hope you don't mind. This chapter is slightly cliché.

There have been weird network problems in my area, so the internet died for a while. Sorry for not updating soon after the A.N

PS. HAPPY EASTER! *hands out chocolate eggs*

By the time Harry and Ginny had taught to each other some moves for their respective Quidditch roles, the sun was beginning to sink, glowing a beautiful dark orange. Ginny was mesmerized by the rays and didn't notice Harry hovering next to her. She gasped as she felt her hand in his and she whispered to him "Isn't this a beautiful view?"

Harry nodded and looked at her with his twinkling emerald eyes "It was always nice, but it is much more beautiful today because I am here with you."

Aww that's so sweet for a guy, but how am I supposed to respond to that? Ginny thought, blushing a deep red. They sat on their brooms in contented silence watching the sun slowly disappear behind the mountains and the stars beginning to appear in the sky.

A small voice sounded interrupted below, "Um Mr Potter, Miss Weasley? Your limousine is here to take you to your dinner."

"Ok," Harry replied, descending slowly, pulling Ginny with him. As soon as they got out of their Quidditch robes, Ginny and Harry boarded the limousine which drove away from Hogwarts slowly.

"So Harry, where are we going for dinner?" Ginny asked curiously. Harry suddenly looked very nervous "Ok Ginny, so you know I am the chosen one and all, so I get invited to a lot of dinner parties so… we…

"Have to go to one of these right now." Ginny finished for him.
"Yes, that." Harry said looking embarrassed. "You don't mind do you?"

"Of course I don't, but we aren't wearing very clothes suitable for a classy party." Ginny responded. Harry let out a sigh of relief, "We are going to a boutique right now to choose. This host family likes its guests to have brand new outfits for their parties."

That is just… weird. Ginny shifted in her seat. She heard Harry laugh and realised she had said her thoughts out loud, again. "Yes it is weird but it's their tradition. Anyway we're here."

They stepped out the car and went inside the fanciest looking dress shop Ginny had ever been in. "Choose anything you want, Ginny." Harry said "The family always pays for the outfits they require people to buy."

Ok as well as being weird they are super rich. Ginny thought looking at one of the price tags. A saleslady came over and asked her politely "What would you like Miss Weasley?"

"Um… do you have anything that is suitable for a dinner party that will look okay on me?"

"Sure." the saleslady replied in a clipped accent "Follow me."

She lead Ginny to a rack where she pulled out the most fabulous dress Ginny had ever seen, it was a delicious navy coloured one that was tight through the hips then flowed down softly with several layers that fell into a short train at the back.

Ginny tried it on and it fitted perfectly and she knew it was the one. Smiling broadly, she walked out and tapped Harry on the shoulder, who was looking extremely handsome wearing a soft black tuxedo and a red candy cane tie.

He whirled around "Hey Ginny, have you…" His mouth dropped open in amazement as he looked up and down at Ginny. However he quickly recomposed himself, "Wow, you look amazing." he whistled.

Ginny blushed and said "You don't look that bad either."

Harry pouted, "Aren't you supposed to say I'm handsome?"

Ginny raised her eyebrows, "Oh I wouldn't go that far."

Harry laughed and together they both walked back towards the limousine. About 10 minutes later, the driver pulled up smoothly at a huge mansion at the edge of the coast. Harry stepped out and put out his hand "Shall we, my lady?"

Ginny pretended to think "Yes we shall, my lord." She said, taking his hand. "Yuck," she stuck her tongue out. "That made me sound like a Voldemort follower."

"You don't look like a Death Eater." Harry quipped.

Ginny just rolled her eyes at him in reply and together they walked down the red carpet in silence as the paparazzi snapped shots. As soon as they stepped over the threshold, Harry was pulled from her grasp by his co-workers, who did not seem to notice her presence. He shot an anxious glance at Ginny but she just smiled at him and gave a little wave with her hand motioning for him to go mingle with them. Harry gave her brief smile in return before he was dragged away by Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Ginny walked over to a black plush couch and sat down looking at the scene, realising that there was a girl next to her.

"Hello, my name is Ava Sandler. What's yours? I must say I've never seen you before at these parties." Ava stuck out her hand.

"Hi Ava, my name is Ginny Weasley, I'm here with Harry Potter because I was his date today for the TV show True to Your Heart."

"Ah yes that show, some of the girls seem really nasty in the episodes." Ava laughed.

"Some are better than others, I would say." Ginny fingered with her earrings, uncomfortable with discussing the show.

Ava was about to reply when a waitress swepted over with drinks. "Hey Ginny, you must tried this, it really is the best drink ever, everyone drinks them by the dozen in these parties."

Ginny tentatively took a glass and drank it in one gulp. Something is telling me not to drink it, but I don't see anything wrong with it. She thought, puzzled.

"How was it?" Ava grinned drinking another in a gulp and grabbing another one. "Come one let's have a toast."

"Alright." Ginny took another cup and clinked it with Ava's before drowning it down.

After a few more cups, Ginny was feeling woozy and the ballroom seemed to be spinning. "How 'bout another toast Gin?" Ava yelled moving to the music.

Ginny shook her head, "I don't think so."

Ava pouted, "Don't be a party pooper Ginny."

Harry walked over all smiles, "Hey Gin, how about a… Are you okay?"

Ginny stood up and lurched forward, Harry rushed over and before she knew it, she had thrown up on him. The room suddenly grew quiet and waiters rushed up wands drawn to fix the problem.

Harry waved them off and led Ginny to the door, shielding her from the flashes of the paparazzi as they got into the limousine. He rubbed Ginny's back softly, "What happened Ginny?"

"I don't know, Ava said these drinks were good and kept encouraging me to drink more. I didn't want her to think I'm not suited for these parties so I drank them."

"Oh Ginny, Ava is a notorious party girl. The only reason she gets invited is because her dad is the head of a department in the Ministry of Magic." Harry said comfortingly.

Ginny grew red, tears beginning to form "I'm so sorry Harry, but I really didn't know that Ava was offering me alcohol. I was never the one for drinks like that. I'm sorry, I don't know what else I can say." Oh gosh, I bet he thinks I'm stupid now. He's going to kick me out as soon as this incidence makes headlines in the Witch's Weekly.

The car pulled to a gentle stop and Ginny stumbled out of the carriage clumsily, Harry holding her hand as he led her into the castle.

Nearby, hidden inconspicuously in the bushes, Pansy smiled in satisfaction as she dialled a familiar number. "Hello? Ava? Thanks so much for your help today. I totally owe you one."

How was it?

-Swanstar