Silver Storm
By: Rosa Nicole


Chapter 7: My Only Salvation

Draco Malfoy stared at himself in the mirror. He was supposed to meet Ginny in just five minutes time. Tonight was the Winter Ball. Draco had chosen a high collar dark green robe, rather than his characteristic black. His pale blonde hair stuck out rather jaggedly, but that couldn't be helped. His hair was always pointy like that. A silver pendant hung around his neck. It was the letter M, for Malfoy.
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Ginny Weasley slipped on a pale blue headband to match her robe. She slicked her lips with her new strawberry lip gloss and went down the stairs to the commen room, which was filled with eager students, taking pictures and chatting. Ginny smiled at a few people who did not smile back and went out through the portrait hole.

Draco was already waiting outside with a corsage, which he delicatley placed around her wrist. "You look beautiful," he whispered in her ear. "Thank you."
"Ginny?"
"Yes?"
"Let this night be for us. Don't worry about what anyone else says or does. Only we matter," he said, kissing her on the cheek.
"All right Draco."

Draco slipped his hand into hers as they entered the Great Hall. The tables had been pushed up against the wall, and the room was decorated for Christmas. Ginny smiled.

Harry entered clutching Hermione's arm. He stared coldly at Ginny, who grinned evilly. Ron would have hated it if he knew that Harry was taking his crush. But, Ron didn't know. He had gone home for Christmas a few days ago. He would return to school after he recovered. Ginny didn't really enjoy Ron's misfortune. Well, maybe a little.

Crabbe and Goyle were both escourting Millicent, and Draco was glad they were leaving him alone.
Pansy, looking sullen, came in with a 6th year Slytherin, who was looking very happy.
Dean and Seamus walked with Lavender and Parvati, and it seemed as if Neville didn't have a date. Ginny smirked.

Music started to play and Draco held out his hand. "Shall we?" Ginny took it and nodded. People who had already started dancing moved away when Draco and Ginny came onto the dancefloor. So they had a large amount of space between them and the other couples. Ginny could feel Harry's eyes on her, and she stared into them. Harry continued to look at her and she hugged Draco tighter. Harry shook his head, disgusted.

The music stopped, and Dumbledoor stood up from his seat, getting ready to make one of his famous speeches. As he cleared his throat, the hall went quiet. "Welcome students to the Winter Ball. This night is sure to be a pleasurable one. A time to share with our friends, and the people we love. That is what this season is about after all. On a sadder note, I would like to address an issue that has had me forlorn these past few weeks." The students looked around nervously.

"It is hard not to notice the new couple that has been seen walking around the school." Ginny and Draco looked at each other. They wondered where this was going. "I know that most of you don't approve, but I have seen these two together. I've seen them keep it together when it seemed as if life wasn't worth living. There families scorned them, and their friends abandoned them, yet still they held on." Hermione and Harry looked at each other. For the first time, Harry felt ashamed byt Dumbledoor's words.

"They kept up their grades, and their faces. They embraced life, and every new challenge. I am proud to say that they are students of Hogwarts. They deserve to be respected and loved. They could teach every one of you something about life, for they have taught me many things. A round of applause please, for two of the best people I know. Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley. A tear ran don Ginny's cheek as she pulled Draco to Dumbledoor. "Thank you professor," Ginny sobbed quietly. "That was beautiful."
"You deserve it Miss Weasley." Then he shook hands with Draco, and Ginny addressed the students.

"I know that right now, most of you must hate you. I can't say I blame you, what with the tension that's been going on between the two houses for centuries, but things change. Maybe now is the time to focus on Hogwarts as a school. You are all very talented and special. You wouldn't be here if you weren't. I loved feeling like I was a part of something. I thought that when I found my first love my family and friends would totally support me. I just want to be accepted. I have feelings and I think I deserve to be loved. Thank you."

The was a polite aplause and Hermione wiped a tear away. "I wish Ron could have heard that," she whispered.
Now it was Draco's turn for the floor. He cleared his throat. "Yeah, what she said." A few of his fellow Slytherins laughed appreciatively, and Draco saw Goyle wink at him. In that few minutes he was back to Draco Malfoy, everybodys favorite bad boy Slytherin. The king of cool. Ginny smiled at Draco, and they started to dance. Others started dancing too. Harry and Hermione were sitting at a table and Harry started to get up. "I'll be right back Hermione. There's something I have to do."

Harry walked up to the dancing Ginny and Draco and said, "May I cut in?"


A/N: Okay, Lucius will appear in the NEXT chapter and Ginny will use a time turner. Thanks!