Hey everyone! So sorry that I'm only just now updating. My semester is in full swing, which means I have plenty of papers to write (including a 20 page research paper, ugh!). Please enjoy this update. I apologize in advance that it may be awhile before I update again. Also thank you SO much for the reviews, please continue doing so. I appreciate them and love reading what you guys think!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Ginny tried desperately to concentrate on her Charms homework. Really, she did. But no one could shut up about the first challenge, or about Harry.
Beside her at one of the tables in the common room sat Tallie, writing furiously onto her parchment about the various antidotes for poison. Ginny had already finished the potions essay earlier. In front of her was a glass of water that she had been attempting to freeze for the past half hour. Normally charms came quite easily for Ginny, but the chatter and noise surrounding her broke her focus more than once.
"I give up." Ginny said, pushing the cup away from her. Tallie looked up, amused.
"It is rather noisy in here. I'm surprised I can even write."
"I'm going for a walk. Maybe I'll practice freezing the lake." Ginny stood up and stretched. Outside the sky was a dark gray, shrouding the castle grounds in a hazy gloom. November would soon be December. She went first up to the dormitory to drop off her books, and to bundle up, before finally heading back down to the common room and through the portrait entrance.
The halls were mostly empty as they usually ended up being on a Sunday. Ginny made her way to the main floor passing by the occasional student and out to the grounds. Already there was a thin layer of snow covering the grass that kicked up when she walked.
She settled on one of the stone benches that overlooked the lake, dusting off the snow before sitting. Not that it mattered; Ginny's cloak was long enough to serve as a blanket of sorts. She stared off in to the distance, enjoying the silence.
Her thoughts drifted to the upcoming Yule Ball. Not everyone knew yet; Dumbledore would be announcing it soon. Of course Ginny had known about it since the term began. Her only way to attend the ball would depend on whether or not she got invited by an older student. The wind rustled slightly, causing lingering snow on the branches to fall. Ginny watched the little flakes swirl around gently before disappearing as they hit the ground.
"Sickle for your thoughts." A deep voice, slightly accented said beside her. Ben Montague stood there with his cloak tied tightly around him. He looked handsome. Ginny's heart nearly skipped a beat.
"Hello," She said, smiling shyly. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same!" Ben cheerfully replied.
Scooting over to make room, Ginny patted the spot next to her. "Come sit?"
He grinned, and did just that. They sat in silence for a few moments, though it wasn't exactly awkward. It felt nice.
"How do you like Hogwarts?" Ginny eventually asked. The Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students lived in unused rooms in the castle, and did independent study together. They joined every meal though, dispersed throughout the house tables to their own choosing.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of the Durmstrang boys sat with Slytherin.
"I like it very well," Ben said. "Hogwarts is prettier than our castle, and bigger." He paused, looking sideways down at the red head next to him. "The scenery is prettier too."
Ginny could feel her cheeks burn at the implied compliment. At a loss for words, she smiled shyly and remained quiet, her heart beating fast.
"Do you have a date yet for the Yule Ball?"
"No," Ginny answered softly. No one could have possibly asked her yet, since no one except those with connections knew about it. Was he going to…?
"Me either," Ben hesitated for a moment before quickly continuing. "Would you like to go with me? As my date?"
"Yes!" Ginny smiled again, embarrassed by how enthusiastic she sounded. Ben didn't seem to mind though, grinning as he did.
"Excellent," he stood up, stretching. "The wind is picking up. Can I walk you back inside?" Ginny took his offered arm, chatting more confidently as they slowly made their way up hill to the castle's main entrance.
After dinner later that night Ginny found herself in the common room again. She wrote two letters to be sent off before breakfast the next morning. The first was to her mother, and read:
Mum,
I have some exciting news! I am going to the Yule Ball. No, no, not with Draco. He is taking Pansy Parkinson. We haven't really spoken since we returned to Hogwarts, but he told me himself he planned to take her. Granted, this is because of some stupid bet between him and his friend Blaise, but still. He is all set for the ball. Besides she of course would agree to go with Draco. Mum, she is absolutely obsessed with him. It's rather sad. You were right when I complained about her last year. She really is nothing to worry about. The fact that she only has a date with Draco because there's gold involved is funny to me, because she'll surely be bragging for the rest of forever that Draco Malfoy picked her to be his date to the first Yule Ball in centuries. I know, I shouldn't laugh. But still Mum!
My own date is a Durmstrang student by the name of Ben Montague. His father is a business associate of Mr. Malfoy. You met him at the Malfoy Estate before the term started; the tall, tanned man who spoke with the Italian accent. You liked the wine he brought, remember?
This means of course that I won't be home for the holidays. I know you probably expected Ron to stay at school for the ball, but now I will be too. Are you okay with this? I miss you and Dad so much.
She added a few more details about classes and her friends before signing it, Love Always, Ginny.
The next letter was addressed to Narcissa. This one took much longer to write. She always took her time when writing to Draco's mother, making sure each curve of her letter looked perfect. If she messed up, which she often did in her haste of getting everything written down, Ginny would start over with a fresh piece of parchment.
She wrote about her classes, telling Narcissa about the good grades she received so far – Narcissa Malfoy expected nothing short of academic excellence; Ginny loved striving for better grades and compliments than Draco – and updated her about Tallie and Cora. Finally she added in about the Yule Ball, and her date for it.
I have been asked to attend the Yule Ball with Ben Montague. He is a Durmstrang student. I met him briefly at the Quidditch World Cup in your box, and we have gotten to be friends since the term started.
This of course was a minor white lie; they hardly ever exchanged more than a greeting, but Ginny knew it would be better to emphasize the friend aspect.
I think it will be worthwhile attending, especially since this is a rather historic event.. Though rumor has it among those of us that know already of the Yule Ball that the Weird Sisters will be performing. A rather interesting choice for such a formal occasion, don't you think? I am debating what kind of gown to wear. I think either my emerald green or the navy one.
Ginny wrapped up the letter with a few more lines about the upcoming holidays, and sent greetings Mr. Malfoy's way.
I look forward to your next letter. I hope all is well and that the planning of your annual Christmas Dinner and New Year's Ball are going without any major headaches. Please let Mitzy know that I received her care package and that the knitted scarf is much appreciated – and useful!
Affectionately,
Ginevra
With that, Ginny sealed each letter into an envelope and placed them into one of her school folders so that she wouldn't forget to stop by the owlery in the morning to send them off.