eighteen. ball.

"Dad!" Ginny called out to her father, recognizing the back of his ginger head.

Arthur Weasley turned around and his warm blue eyes lit up. She couldn't help but notice how smart her father looked in his finest dress robes. Though they were undoubtedly old, it was one of the few garments he had taken great care in preserving. Ginny couldn't wait to see her mother, who was likely downstairs in the ballroom, in her own formal dress. Molly Weasley rarely took an evening for herself, so she was sure that it would be a treat for her mother to enjoy the night with her husband.

Ginny maneuvered herself through the other girls, all in their elaborate gowns, to embrace her father. It felt really good to see a familiar face from home, especially after the rough time she had been having lately.

"Ginny, you look beautiful!" Arthur proclaimed, once they finished embracing.

"Thanks, Dad," Ginny replied with a shy smile.

"I met your partner, Maxwell, he seems like a nice fellow," her father said as Ginny placed her hand in the crook of his arm. They were close to the edge of the stairs, ready to make Ginny's entrance as the last person in the procession. "What happened to Malfoy?"

"Oh, uh…" Ginny stuttered, her smile faltering. "W-well… things happened, and…"

"Weasleys!" Kendra hissed. "You're next!"

Ginny silently thanked whatever deities there were for interrupting their conversation. In all of the commotion, she hadn't come up with a good enough excuse about the partner switch if her parents brought it up.

"That's a shame," Arthur replied mildly, though he didn't actually seem that sorry.

From the inside of his jacket, he pulled out a business card sized piece of paper that reflected back both of their names in gold lettering. With a gloved hand, he fed the card into the gramophone's horn sitting at the top of the staircase. Ginny took a shaky, deep breath as she glanced at the steps below her. It suddenly felt like there were too many stairs and her dress was too long.

"You'll do fantastic, Ginbug," her father whispered encouragingly, squeezing her hand for comfort with his.

Draco stood next to Daphne, who was chatting quietly next to Tracey. They were waiting for the last few women to make their entrances before they began to greet all of the Ministry officials and other important figures attending the party. It felt like it took forever, with each woman taking her time walking down the stairs, walking to the center of the ballroom, and curtseying to the head of Mulieres Viginte Octo, which was currently Mrs. Parkinson. Truthfully, Draco was just becoming impatient and wanted the night to be over as quickly as possible.

"Presenting Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley, daughter of Arthur Weasley."

Draco looked up to see Ginny making her way down the stairs at the arm of her father. Draco's eyes widened and his breath hitched. Each step she took down the steps seemed slower than the last, as if she was slowing down time. The music faded away and the voices around him became a low hum.

Ginny looked simply breathtaking.

Ginny carefully made her way down the red carpeted stairs in a champagne gown. His eyes slowly trailed down the length of her body, as if memorizing the sight in front of him. The neckline of her dress dipped in a v, hinting at her cleavage. Her satin gloved hand clutched her father's arm tightly, the only indication that she was nervous. The garment gave way to a full skirt, though not as dramatic as some of the girls' gowns. The wispy material floated down her body, settling at the bottom with a small train. It was decorated with intricate beading, creeping up from the hem of her gown with a series of vines and leaves. The beading sparkled as she moved. It was only when Ginny was halfway down the stairs that he realized that the gown was literally twinkling with dimmed faerie lights.

Her father gave her a reassuring smile before leaving her on the circular platform at the center of the ballroom in front of Mrs. Parkinson. She gave a modest smile, illuminating her delicate face, which was dressed in light, feminine makeup of warm pastels. As she bent down to curtsey, Draco noticed her hair was fashioned in an elegant updo, a series of twists pinned together at the nape of her neck by an iridescent faerie wing pin. She had on a simple string of pearls around her neck and matching pearl earrings.

As she floated past him to be received by Maxwell, Draco sighed. Ginny didn't even as much as glance at him when she walked past him. Slowly it felt like his faculties were returning as he could again hear Daphne and Tracey blabbing away and the music returning to its normal volume.

"Weasley cleans up alright," Daphne said nonchalantly.

Draco blinked, coming back to reality. He looked down to see Daphne in her lacey off-white gown, sipping on a glass of champagne. He idly wondered how she had managed to procure a glass already. He couldn't see any floating drink trays around anywhere.

He simply grunted in response.

"Oh, chin up, Malfoy," Daphne cooed. "You look like someone kicked your puppy."

"I'm sure you've done it before," Draco muttered.

Shifting her weight, she looked at him seriously. "Look, I didn't do it to break your heart or whatever the hell is going on with you," Daphne gestured up and down at him with her hand, "how was I supposed to know Weasley was so damn sensitive?"

Draco glared at her but said nothing.

Kendra motioned for all of the couples to get into their positions to form a procession line in order to receive the guests of the Ball.

"Come along, Draco," Daphne said cheerfully. "We've got to greet the guests."

There was little time to dwell on Ginny as Draco settled a cool, pleasant smile on his face before he had to shake hands and greet each important person at the Ball.

Ginny hadn't realized how hungry she was until they were finally seated for dinner. The evening was speeding by in a blur of nerves. It was only when she took the first bite of her decadent meal that she realized she had barely eaten all day. It had taken forever to greet each and every distinguished guest at the Ball.

Looking around the room, while she carefully cut into her chicken, Ginny marveled at the ballroom. Narcissa and the house elves had truly outdone themselves. This was the best meal she had eaten in a long time, which was saying something after the spectacular food they had had at Malfoy Manor. The ballroom looked absolutely magnificent from the expensive Oriental rug covering the stairs and stage to the gleaming marble floor. The ornate gold ceiling looked like it was borrowed from Buckingham Palace. Elaborate chandeliers hung from the ceilings and matching candelabras were spaced out on the long dinner table. Classical music was quietly buzzing throughout the room, setting the scene.

Sitting alongside Maxwell, Ginny was struck by the fact that she was actually enjoying herself with these stuffy people. Part of her was still trying to make a good impression on all of the esteemed guests, but she didn't find it as much of a struggle as she thought it would be. Begrudgingly, she admitted that some of the lessons they learned were actually helpful. Even dinner wasn't as much of a stressful situation, though that was likely thanks to Draco's etiquette lessons, Ginny thought wistfully before shoving him out of her mind.

Some of the guests were awkward, but some of them were rather lovely, such as the woman sitting across from her, Zinnia Bonham, a direct descendant of Mungo Bonham himself. It seemed too perfect that they were seated near each other, but Ginny jumped at the opportunity to talk to the woman who was at the head of the hospital board. She turned to the right and saw her parents further down the table, chatting it up with some Ministry officials across from them.

While digging into the incredible pudding placed in front of her, Maxwell leaned over.

"It's not so bad is it?"

"What's not so bad?" She asked, turning her head up slightly to meet his eyes, but couldn't quite read his expression. His sandy hair was carefully tamed atop his head. It was strange seeing him in such formal attire, when normally he was much more casual in comparison to his friends. The tuxedo fit his stocky frame well, and he was color coordinated with Ginny's gown.

"This ball," Maxwell answered, his lips twitching upwards. "You seem to be fitting in rather well. I think Zinnia's rather taken with you."

"Nonsense, I was just talking about the hospital," Ginny brushed it off. "I work there after all…. Do you really think she likes me?"

"She seemed pretty interested in hearing what you had to say judging from her expression," he explained. "I would know, my mother is good friends with Zinnia and donates often to the St. Mungo's Foundation."

"Wow, seriously?"

Maxwell nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised if she puts in a good word for you with your instructors."

Ginny tried not to look to happy at Maxwell's words. They had been speaking about what parts of the hospital she would like to work in the most, and she did happen to mention she was interested in either working at the Dai Llewellyn or Janis Thickey Wards.

Before she knew it, it was time to for the next part of their program. As much as Ginny wanted take a nap after eating scrumptious pudding, the Ball participants had to perform a waltz. Thankfully, Maxwell and Ginny were positioned further down the dance floor, so she wouldn't have to dance with Draco when they switched partners.

Placing herself in Maxwell's arms, Ginny stole a glance at Draco over her partner's shoulder. She immediately regretted it as she watched him adjust his tuxedo jacket. She had been doing her best to avoid him throughout the night thus far, despite the couple of times flashes of white blond entered her peripheral vision.

Draco looked like a platinum prince. The black tuxedo complete with tails only accentuated his lean but firm frame. It looked ridiculous on some of the other blokes, but Draco seemed to be made for formal wear. His gloved hands reached up to adjust his neatly coiffed blond hair and off white bowtie. His bowtie and cummerbund matched Daphne's dress. As he settled into place with Daphne, she studied his face. His chiseled features were hardened, looking serious and collected. Draco's eyes caught hers for a moment and she quickly looked away, unsettled by his intense gaze.

The first notes of the waltz started as the music of the flute glided through the air. Maxwell pulled her close to him and Ginny put her hand in his while holding up her skirt. She took this last opportunity to steal another glance at Draco. His gaze was focused on Daphne and they began to move as the rest of the orchestra introduced the waltz.

Draco finally managed to tear himself away from the dance floor after an hour of near constant dancing. After the waltz and a couple of dances with the other girls, several of the older women decided they wanted to be spun around by the Malfoy heir. One of the Wizengamot members was getting particularly handsy with him, and that was when he decided he needed to escape.

He quickly snatched a glass of champagne from the closest floating tray. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead as he stopped to catch his breath. His eyes swept around the scene before him. Draco's eyes fell on Ginny's scarlet hair and her bright smile. She was currently dancing with Gunther Campbell, owner of the Wimbourne Wasps. She had probably been on the dance floor as long as he had, and didn't seem to be tired at all. Her amber eyes were shining as she glided across the floor with the other man. Her moves seemed effortless, and Draco found himself admiring at how much she could truly fit into Pureblood society.

Draco exhaled and turned his attention to something else. He saw Blaise and Lena in deep conversation. That didn't seem unusual, until he continued to study them. Blaise was gesticulating wildly, which he usually did when he had something important to say. Lena's dark eyes flashed angrily in response. She seemed to be angry and upset judging from her glare and stance. Blaise looked sheepish and unsure. As if they knew that Draco was watching him, they began to come towards him. Lena was stubbornly pushing Blaise in his direction, which Draco would have laughed at, if it weren't for Lena's furious expression. It was a sight to behold with Blaise in his tuxedo and Lena in fancy jewels and feathery eggshell gown.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with you two?"

"Go on," Lena commanded, crossing her arms across her chest. Draco had never seen the woman so serious and angry in his life. She was usually so easy-going and approachable. "Tell him. I have to go take care of her."

Before either of the men could get a word in, Lena stalked away, in pursuit of her own mission.

"I've never seen your girl that angry," Draco commented, bringing the champagne glass to his lips.

"Well, she has good reason to," Blaise sighed.

"What the hell did you do?"

"Me?! Why would you think I did anything?" Blaise replied, looking affronted.

"Because it's usually your fault," Draco answered in a matter of fact way.

"That may be true more often than not, but shockingly the world does not revolve around me," Blaise explained. Draco snorted into his glass.

Blaise grabbed a champagne flute as well before launching into his tale. "I had just taken a break from dancing and headed off to the loo. I had to make sure that-" Blaise paused to motion up and down over himself "-this was looking as perfect as ever. So I get in front of the mirror and start admiring my handsome self. I was quite taken with the way my hair looked…"

"Blaise!" Draco shouted impatiently. "Just get on with the story!"

Right… So I was saying, I managed to escape Mrs. Travers and entered the loo. Lena's been dancing with damn near every bloke and I knew I wanted to make my move tonight. So, I took a good, long look in the mirror to make sure that I looked like perfection personified. Not a single hair was out of place. My clothes were still perfectly pressed thanks to a handy spell. Looking closely, I happened to notice that my eyes look quite fetching with this tuxedo…

Blaise! Get to the point or I will hex you!

Put your wand down, Draco. Relax… As I was saying… I freshened up a bit to make sure I smelled bloody fantastic after dancing out there for so long. I patted the pocket of my tuxedo jacket just to make sure it was there. I still haven't given Lena the little box that I've been carrying around for the last few days.

What box?

Really, Draco? I've been going on about this for the last several days, and you honestly didn't even listen to me? Some best mate you are. You even nodded in agreement when I said I was going to get her a princess cut diamond. And to think I was going to ask you to be my best man. But no, you've been too busy brooding around about Weasley like the miserable git you are.

Anyway, I digress. Right when I decided I was going to march right out there and give it to her, I heard a few voices entering and they mentioned your name. So, being the bloody fantastic spy that I am, I quickly entered a stall, locked it with a couple of spells, and casted a Disillusionment spell on myself, you know, just in case.

After they did their business, I hear the faucet opening as they washed their hands. And then I realize who is on the other side of the stall. Max and Theo. Maxwell sounds really eager and smug as he's blabbing away to Theo.

I hear Max say, "Tonight is going to be the night."

"For what?" Theo asks, though he doesn't seem that enthused.

"The final plan in fucking over Malfoy," Max says, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. Personally, I think he's a moron to be admitting this out loud. I mean, what kind of wannabe evil mastermind actually reveals his plan out loud, and to a witness no less? An imbecile, that's who.

"What are you going on about?" Theo asks suspiciously.

From the crack in the stall, I can see Max rolling his eyes, before he reaches into his tuxedo jacket and pulls out a flask. Who the hell actually carries a flask? He offers it to Theo who politely refuses. "I've told you long ago that I'm sick of Draco constantly one-upping me. He gets every damn thing. Money. Fame. Women. Did you know that I liked Bridget first? It all comes so easy to him and his family, and my family had to claw their way back to the top. We've finally rightfully gotten back our fortune, but I know all of your families still look down on mine, especially the Malfoys. It's time Draco pays his dues."

Maxwell has gone off his rocker. Your mother practically treats him like one of his own, and even my mother is nice to him, which is saying something.

"What exactly is your master plan?" Theo questioned cautiously.

Max flashes him an evil grin and takes a swig. "Well, you know how Draco and I had that bet, yeah? I just did that at first to piss him off. I didn't really think he could get along with Weasley, which would mean I could finally win. But then, once I realized Draco was falling for the girl, I realized I could cause more damage. That's why I recruited Daphne. She was getting jealous that Ginny would become Queen Bee or something, so we concocted a plan to get them both together in the same place and that Ginny would hear what a bastard Draco really is. And it totally worked."

"What about Ginny's feelings?" Theo asked, and I could tell that he was a little irritated by Max. I was getting irritated by Max, and we all know what a calm, level-headed fellow I am.

"She'll be fine. After all, she gets to be my partner," Max said smugly. "I conveniently went up to Narcissa a little while after their fallout and recommended that Draco and I switch partners because there was so much drama between him and Ginny. She seemed to understand so I didn't even have to make up some story. We seem to be working rather well together. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets named Belle of the Ball."

"So that's your grand plan? To make Ginny Belle of the Ball?" Theo snorted.

"Oh no," Max shook his head as if Theo was dimwitted. "Once this is all done, we're all going to be going home." Maxwell paused and pulled out an old-fashioned iron key. "I got us a room. Tonight is going to be the night."

"That you're going to be beaten into a bloody pulp?" Theo offered.

"No," Max rolled his eyes. "After I shag the Weasley so thoroughly, she won't even remember Draco Malfoy. I will finally have something that he wanted and can't have. I win." Maxwell sounded a little demented, and I don't blame Theo for backing away when he did.

"Look, I'm all for revenge, Max, but this is twisted," Theo finally uttered, thoroughly skeeved out. "I'm all for getting a pretty girl, a shag, and revenge but this is not the way to go about it, mate."

"It is not," Max said fiercely. "Malfoy deserves this! He acts like I should be lucky that he has blessed me with his presence. I'm just as good as him, if not better. We're both part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. My family has a sizable vault of gold at Gringotts. I'm just as good looking as him, if not better. And I'm a nicer person."

"You aren't sounding very nice right now," Theo pointed out. "You sound completely mental. And I'm going to back away before I somehow become an accomplice to your idiotic plan."

Theo threw the towel he was using to wipe his hand into the basket below the sink. He gave Maxwell a look that both looked like pity and disgust before walking away. Maxwell looked like he had just been disrespected and angry as a result of it. He slammed his clenched fist onto the counter in frustration.

"This is my night!" He shouted to no one in particular. Well, I guess to me, but he didn't know I was there. And then, Maxwell took a long swig of his flask before walking out. I counted to ten before I slowly let myself out of the stall, unsure of what the hell just happened. I mean, I know we aren't always the nicest to Max, but it's all for a good joke.

So then, I went up to Lena and told her about this and here we are. Draco, he's honestly insane. We need to do something about it. That's why Lena shoved me over here. You – and Ginny – deserve to know what an utter arsehole Max really is.

…Draco? Draco? Are you alright? You look like you're about to crush that glass in your hand. I've never seen you look this red before. Or I guess, pink, since you're so damn pale.

A/N: First off, I am SO sorry this took forever to get up! I was busy with job interviews and I finally got a full-time job! Good news for me, but bad news for writing since I'll have less time to myself – meaning updates may be slow(er). Back to the story: I hope that wasn't too much of a cliffhanger! I planned to make this a longer chapter, but wanted to get something up rather than a super long wait, so I cut it in half. I really enjoyed writing Blaise's POV. I'm not sure what fic I got the nickname Ginbug from, but it's stuck with me and I really like it. If anyone remembers, let me know so I can credit them! And the bathroom scene is inspired by "She's All That".

Thank you so much for your lovely reviews and follows – it's almost at 100! I can't believe there are that many people interested in this story. I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave a review on your way out, I love getting those little alerts on my phone. (: Oh, and I did put up a one shot "Primum Natalis" for Ginny's birthday awhile back, if you need something else to read in the meantime, heh.