Ginny sat still, staring at the flames from the Gryffindor common room's fireplace. She was thinking over her day. The whole school was joyful and excited for the ball that was happening this week- it was a celebration to celebrate one year of the Wizarding World's freedom. One year of a world without Lord Voldemort. But Ginny didn't feel as cheerful as everyone else.
She stared at the fireplace and felt a tear trickle down her face. The room was empty and it was almost 1 in the morning. All Ginny could think of was her brother, Fred. She never cried at school, but at that moment, she couldn't hold it in anymore. She was tough, but even so, she missed her brother. Tears rushed through her eyes and she sobbed quietly.
"Fred..." she whispered and shook her head. "It's almost been a year, you idiot. I'm still hoping you would come back to us one day and tell us it was all one of your pranks. Your stupid pranks." she sobbed even harder. "I miss you... George misses you, Mum misses you, we all do... it's weird, Fred. There's going to be a ball next week, called 'The Finita', dedicated to that- that awful day. I don't wanna go, but I know you would want me to have fun. So I'm going, for you. I hope Lily and James are taking care of you, Freddie. Tell Remus, Tonks, Sirius, and the others that they've been so brave..." her voice trailed away.
Ginny shook her head and wiped her tears away with the front of her nightgown.
"Of course, you wouldn't want me crying like this." she said quietly. She was determined to stay silent, but burst into sobs once again. No matter how many letters she'd got from Harry, Ginny still wasn't so cheerful these days. She didn't want to seem weak, but she also didn't want to hold herself back any longer. And so she sobbed into her hands, trying not to make a sound.
Ginny felt a comforting arm wrapping around her shoulder. She looked up and saw Hermione, fully awake, crying tears of her own. Her face gleamed from the flames of the fireplace. Hermione sighed and sat down beside her girl best friend.
"I was just thinking about them, too." she whispered. "When Professor McGonagall announced The Finita, I couldn't help but think of them. It's odd to celebrate a really depressing day, but- you know, it's also to celebrate their bravery and hope for a better future. It's OK to cry, Ginny..." Hermione added softly, when she saw Ginny holding back her tears,
"But I'm a Gryffindor." Ginny said stubbornly. "Aren't I supposed to be tough? Fearless?"
"I think being a Gryffindor isn't about being fearless." Hermione said, letting Ginny rest her head on her shoulder. "It's about being able to face your fears. And you've done that countless times."
"Thanks, Mione." Ginny smiled through her tears. "Are you going, then, next week? The Finita, I mean."
"Of course, I am." Hermione smiled. "Please tell me you're coming. I want you to have fun-"
"I'm coming." Ginny quickly said. "Harry's coming, and I'm coming with him. I'm- I'm going to have fun." she said firmly. Hermione nodded and attempted to brighten up Ginny's mood.
"I'm glad, Ginevra." she smiled playfully as Ginny chuckled.
"You know I hate being called that." Ginny grinned and wiggled out of Hermione's hug. "Who are you going with?"
"What?" Hermione frowned. Ginny gave her a knowing look.
"It's the Yule Ball all over again." she rolled her eyes. "C'mon, Hermione, you have to go with a date! Find someone to go with!"
"I can go alone, thank you very much." Hermione said cooly, turning slightly pink.
"But it would be better if someone went with you." Ginny said to her friend. "Maybe a special blonde?"
"I'm not going with Draco." Hermione crossed her arms. "Yeah, no, I don't want him to ruin this for me. He is a betraying classist git, and I will-"
"Notice how I didn't even mention a single name." Ginny smirked and Hermione blushed. "You miss him, don't you? It's alright to miss someone, just like how you said it's alright to cry. However, It's not OK for you both to end just like that. You have to be the one to leave him, Hermione, because you're worth more than that git. Go to the ball in your beautiful dress and toss your hair at his face. Plus, you get the chance to make a dramatic exit..."
...
Hermione and Luna just finished DADA together and was heading for lunch. They were talking enthusiastically about what they were planning to do after Hogwarts, until a tall 7th year classmate approached them from behind.
"Errr, Hermione Granger?" the boy was blushing slightly and was running his fingers through his blonde hair. Hermione turned and looked at her classmate with a smile. She had only talked to him a few times in class, but they were friendly enough to say hi to each other.
"Hey, Aidan." Hermione greeted casually. Luna smiled.
"Hello," she said softly. Aidan gave them a weak smile and shifted in his spot nervously.
"Erm, Hermione, I was wondering... You know about the ball next week? I mean, of course you do, you're Harry Potter's best friend." (he laughed awkwardly, making Hermione and Luna frown.) "I was wondering, if you wanted to, like, um, go to the ball with me?" he blushed red. Hermione was so taken back by this, she fell silent. Her eyes eyebrows were slightly raised and her lips were slightly parted. Luna smirked and nudged Hermione's arm. Aidan shifted uncomfortably.
"Well..." Hermione started slowly. "I um- I was... I think I'm going to the ball alone, Aidan. I'm so sorry, but it's just-"
"Oh, it's all good, no worries." Although Aidan looked disappointed, he managed a polite smile.
"But I think Luna might want to go with you?" Hermione pushed Luna forwards in panic. Aidan frowned and laughed.
"Don't be silly, of course Lovegood's going with her boyfriend." he said. Hermione raised her eyebrows and Luna nodded.
"Yeah, I am." she said straightforwardly.
"Her what?" Hermione gaped, her mouth hung open. It had hit her how much time Luna has been spending with Rolf. Yes, she knew they kissed at the latest Quidditch match, and yes, Luna looked way more cheerful that ever, but the word 'boyfriend' and 'Luna Lovegood' looked rather odd together. Hermione didn't even notice Aidan's look of disappointment as she smirked at Luna playfully.
"Oh, well, it's alright." Aidan said, looking between the two girls in confusion. "I'll find someone. See you," he walked down the corridor without looking back. Hermione turned to Luna and grinned.
"So..." she started."You and Rolf are- official?"
"You could say that." Luna beamed. "He makes me so happy. It's a really wonderful feeling to be with someone you like." she stared ahead dreamily. Hermione chuckled and shook her head.
"You guys are so pure." she said, smiling. "Can't relate, though." Luna stopped dead and faced Hermione seriously.
"Hermione," she said in an intense tone.
"Luna," Hermione teased back.
"Listen,"
"Listen,"
"Draco really likes you."
"Draco really likes- what?" Hermione frowned and dropped one of her books on the floor. Luna sighed.
"I can tell he's really interested in you," she said. "The way he looks at you, is like how Harry looks at Ginny. You know how Harry looks at Ginny when she talks?"
"Yes... but Luna- no." Hermione shook her head. "He was the one who turned away from me. It wasn't somebody else's choice."
"But I think it was." Luna said truthfully, as they walked trough a busy corridor. Hermione frowned.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Oh, isn't it obvious?" Luna looked into Hermione's brown eyes. When Hermione shook her head, Luna continued. "At the very beginning of the year, I already suspected his likings for you. He called you 'muggle-born' instead of the M word."
"Oh, but that's just-"
"I know it's not a lot, but I noted that in mind. When you started seeing him every day for work, I could see his eager of getting to know you better. Without Ron and Harry around, he was more like himself. I remember you telling me that he kept on saying 'I'm not your friend, Granger.' It wasn't just him being cruel, Hermione, it was him reminding himself to be loyal to his bloodline. But even if so, your relationship did improve. He stopped teasing you, and he talked to you more-"
"It's only because he was tricking me into helping him." Hermione said in pain. "He acted all friendly-"
"Let me finish, Hermione." Luna said with a frown and Hermione fell silent. "Your relationship improved. Then, Christmas happened. He confessed to you about his father controlling him, didn't he? Said it was Lucius forcing him and muggle-borns apart all along."
"Yes, but-"
"And then later on, his father gets released from Azkaban." Luna was determined to finish her analysis. "I think it's obvious. Draco told his father about you, and then his father became the same controlling parent Draco had encountered all those years. You know how threatening Lucius Malfoy can be..." she fell silent and waited for Hermione to agree with her. Hermione merely chuckled.
"I appreciate it, Luna, thanks." she said. "But I doubt it. I think what really happed was that Malfoy unwillingly befriended me just to get me to bail his father out of jail."
"What's bail?" Luna frowned, but Hermione continued,
"He used me, Luna. He admitted it to me few weeks ago." Hermione said, as a kid pushed past them them roughly. "I think we should go, it's getting crowded-"
"But you did have feelings for him." Luna said with her unique smile. "Don't deny that. I know you did...do."
Hermione's face turned red and she pushed past the crowd quickly and muttered,
"Let's just- go get lunch."
...
It was 2 days before The Finita ball and Hermione felt brighter than ever. Her mother had sent Hermione her prom dress from when she was a Senior. It was a rose gold dress made with a stunning silk material, and the straps where tied into a bow at the back. Hermione had rushed up to her dorm as soon as the package arrived, leaving a confused Ginny down in the common room. Hermione nearly cried when she tried the dress on on.
"I look so much like my mum." she said breathlessly to herself. She spun in front of the mirror, a smile splitting her face painfully. It was mind blowing how the littlest things made her so happy. The dress fit her like a glove and the end dragged on the ground beautifully.
Ginny pushed open the dormitory door and looked at her friend, before clapping her mouth with both her hands.
"Hermione, you look beautiful." she said, beaming at her friend. Hermione grinned.
"Thank you," she muttered, blushing slightly.
"And I thought your Yule Ball dress was gorgeous- wow!" Ginny sat on her bed and watched as Hermione turned on her spot.
"It was my mum's prom dress." Hermione said with a smile.
"What's prom?" Ginny asked curiously.
"Oh, it's like a ball. It's every Muggle teenager's hopes and dreams." Hermione explained. "Have you got your dress yet?"
"Yes, but... I don't think I'll try it on." Ginny said grimly. Hermione frowned and sat down beside her.
"Why? Is something wrong?" she asked quietly. Ginny sighed and shook her head.
"It's... Fred gave me the dress... when he was alive, of course." she said with a weak smile. Hermione's face fell and she nodded understandingly. "He bought it for me 3 years ago, at the end of my 3rd year. I was quite surprised when he bought the dress for me, but I found out later that Harry gave him all his Triwizard wizard money." Ginny chuckled a bit to herself. "I hadn't had a chance to where it since. Turns out, I hadn't grown so much and the dress still fits me. I think I'm going to keep it for the real day, if that's fine."
"'if that's fine'? Of course it's fine, Ginny." Hermione said warmly. "That dress must mean a lot to you. You can do whatever you want with it, no pressure."
Ginny smiled and a new feeling spread in her. She wasn't sad no longer. Fred would want her to be happy and move on with life. And that was what she was going to do.
"Have you heard, Luna's making her own dress?" Hermione said, clearly trying to change the topic. Ginny laughed gleefully.
"Of course! What'd you expect? I can bet you all my savings Luna'll build up their own wedding dress!" Ginny and Hermione could both clearly picture Luna walking down the aisle in a puffy wedding dress with dancing trolls painted at the front of the flare, holding her father's arm and walking towards a laughing Rolf. Hermione chuckled at the thought of it.
"You really do look amazing." Ginny said, looking at Hermione's dress jealously. "Spoilt-boy Malfoy is going to regret his decisions."
"Oh, shut up." Hermione grinned and hit Ginny's arm playfully.
"But what if he actually does regret it?" Ginny asked in a more serious tone. Hermione shook her head and scoffed,
"The decision was clearly made. He can regret his arse."
Author's notes: Been really busy with school these days, I'm sorry! Another update coming really soon, so stay tuned for The Finita part 2. Trust me when I say, a LOT will happen. Feel free to leave a review and PM me if you have any questions. Have a great time, all. Thanks for your support and patience! :)