Chapter 54 – The Yuletide Ball

A week before the Christmas holidays, Dumbledore announced that, due to the success of the Halloween Dance, there would be a Holiday ball on the last day before the break.

That's it, Ginny thought. To Hermione, she said, "You're going."

Hermione gave a weak, fake laugh. "Good one."

"I'm not kidding around," said Ginny. "You need to show Malfoy that you are not intimidated by him anymore, and that you've way moved on."

'But – I haven't."

"He doesn't have to know that. We'll get you all dressed up in something sexy and I'll hook you up with all the hottest guys to dance with." She paused. "Not that you'll need my help. Now that everyone knows you're single, the guys'll be lining up, I bet. Even if you have lost a bit of weight…"

'I don't know…"

"You don't have to know. You're going; you don't have a choice." Ginny grinned, knowing she'd won.

"…okay."

----------------

Hermione had been treated to a mini-spa experience by Ginny – scrubbed, exfoliated, plucked, and mani-pedi-ed to within an inch of her life. She was now rummaging through her dresses without enthusiasm.

'Get out of the way," Ginny demanded from behind her. Hermione turned around and nearly passed out. Ginny wore a strapless satin dress, ruched in the front, in shiny metallic gold. The skirt was ankle length but fitted closely to the leg and slit almost all the way up the thighs. Her wild orange mane tumbled freely about her shoulders, which were dusted liberally with freckles and glitter.

'Don't tell my mum, she'll freak," said Ginny with a wink.

'I will not wear something like that," said Hermione with certainty.

Ginny grinned. "Don't you trust me?"

"When it comes to clothes…no."

"You're starting to sound like yourself again!" Ginny proclaimed. "I knew this would work; it's working already; I'm a genius!" she laughed. "Relax; I've got it under control."

Hermioen found herself in a wine-red gown in a soft, rich material that was almost like velvet, but not. Thin silk straps glided over her shoulders, and the material gently hugged her curves to the waist, where it bloomed into a float-y skirt that, (once she was in heels, that is) just brushed the floor. Her hair had been pinned up into a mass of curls on her head, save for her bangs, which were partially tucked behind her ears, and a small ringlet at each temple. Garnet pendant sparkled at her throat and dangled from her ears. Shimmery powder and mascara coated her eyes, and her cheeks were brushed with a rosy colour to give her tired-looking face a healthy glow. Her full lips were stained to match her dress and nails. As a final touch, a few red roses were pinned in her hair (as well as magical plants, Professor Sprout also grew Muggle plants that blossomed year-round).

"Perfect," Ginny declared, and Hermione had to admit that she better than she had in a while.

--------

He couldn't even remember the name of his date. She was the first one who'd asked, and so she'd said yes. He hadn't wanted them to come lining up, as they had in the past, because then he would have to choose between them when he didn't care about a single one.

She was tall, rail-thin, and very, very blonde. Draco was actually pretty sure the expression "dumb blonde" was based on her personally.

---------------

The usual twelve bedecked trees stood in the Great Hall; the ceiling displayed the gentle snowfall going on outside, and the area shimmered with hundreds of candles and millions of little floating charmed lights. After the feast, the tables vanished, leaving the vast floor space open for dancing.

Ginny had already come up with a guy for Hermione to dance with. "Now, remember," she whispered to Hermione, "while you're dancing, look for Malfoy in the crowd. When you see him, lock eyes, give him your best smile…then flipi him the bird and mouth, 'fuck off'. Got it?"

But Hermione knew she would buckle under his icy gaze, and she tried to stay focused on her own dance.

It was difficult to enjoy herself…just knowing he was there sent her heart into painful palpitations.

-------------------

She looks beautiful tonight, thought Draco. He was, of course, not thinking of his date, but of Hermione, clad in a deep crimson dress that brought out the red highlights in her hair…

At least she's safe from me now. Whatever happens…even if my father puts the Imperius Curse on me…she'll never go with me. Even if I'd just told her about his threat…he could still find a way to trick us. It's better this way.

Well, no, it's not.

But at least she's safe…

-------------------

Having seen Hermione successfully matched up with yet another dance, Ginny op-ed out of a dance with Harry to go touch up her makeup.

As she walked down to the end of the corridor, and made to round the corner, she was startled when Goyle's face loomed out at her, and she stopped in her tracks.

"It's not Granger. It's the Weasley girl," said Goyle. Ginny could now see one of Crabbe's hulking shoulders around the corner, but Goyle seemed to be talking to someone else.

"No matter," said a somewhat nasally voice that most certainly did not belong to Crabbe. "She'll do." The owner of the voice stepped out to face Ginny, who glared suspiciously.

"What do you want?"

The third person who was not Crabbe or Goyle raised a wand. Ginny realized with a jolt that hers was upstairs…

"Imperio," said the wandbearer, and Ginny's thoughts vanished into a haze of oblivion…

-------------------

A/N: Just want to say thanks again to all my wonderful, WONDERFUL, reviewers, subscribers, and fav-ers. Also, thank you to Aleatoire (because I keep forgetting to say this in person), who posted a link to this fic on her deviant art page. She drew a picture from the Halloween dance…it's .com/art/105-Good-Enough-120819049 if you wanna see it.

Peace out, guys, catch ya next time!

~Raye Lynne:)