Chapter 29

Everyone Likes Food

Hello everyone! There won't be very many more chapters after this, one or two I'm thinking. So I hope that you enjoy this! I'd like to thank everyone for reviewing for the last chapter I really love you guys! I complied with everyone sort of and someone did suggest this, I split it up but I will post them close together, both of them today!

There was a question on what ESP was. I can sort of answer that now but your best bet would be to go to www.msn.com and type in ESP and then click on the link about the paranormal instead of guitars. ESP stands for Extra- sensory perception. It's sort of like a psychic ability or a sixth sense. Supposedly you can read people's thoughts and feelings and be able to know if something bad is going to happen or if something good is going to happen. I do not possess ESP, nor do I know anyone who claims to have it. There is a lot of debate about whether or not it actually exists and I always just assumed that it did, but then I really do not know nor is it a big deal to me. So there you have it! Like I said, for further explanation you can go to the search engine!

Alrighty then! Here goes nothing!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Chapter 28 - Everyone Likes Food ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Christmas break passed by quickly for nearly everyone. Most of the younger students went home to see their families, as they were homesick or whatnot; but almost every older student stayed at Hogwarts to help with the construction of the ball. Older students got to help make the decorations which were to be stored in an empty classroom in the third corridor.

All who stayed decided a theme over break. Dumbledore had called a meeting to discuss possible themes as he thought that the students themselves should be the ones to pick out the theme of the big Ball.

Everyone gathered in the Great Hall for the meeting, Hermione would be in charge of taking notes and organizing everything for the big day. All the students thought that she would be the best person for this job as she was the most organized person they all knew anyway.

"So, does anyone have any ideas?" Hermione asked surveying her fellow students, who at this point were sitting there like bumps on a log.

"Come on you guys!" She urged. "We don't have a single idea for a theme and Professor Dumbledore said that we could not sleep or eat or leave until we've decided on a theme."

"I know!" A sixth year Hufflepuff suddenly exclaimed. "How about 'Famous Couples through the Ages'?"

There was a grumble of disagreement that resounded across the Hall. Mostly by the boys, who did not want to dress like some old guy in tights and things. The girls liked it but some thought it was way too cheesy.

"Just a suggestion." The girl mumbled, sitting back down.

"A bad one." Draco grumbled, receiving a menacing look from Ginny. Hey, he was still a Slytherin.

"Then YOU come up with a theme that you feel everyone would like, Malfoy." Hermione demanded matter-of-factly. She knew that Draco would never come up with a good enough theme so she proceed in going around the room and making everyone give a suggestion, except Draco as he was on his own so to speak.

Along the line she received some really great ideas and some really not so great ideas.

"How about Spring Fling?" Dean suggested.

"Dean, that is possibly the stupidest thing I've heard all day." Ron said bluntly, getting a murmur of agreement.

"And why is that?" Dean shot back defensively.

"Because, Dean, it's the winter now and it'll still be winter when we have the Ball." Harry explained, making Dean blush slightly.

"Okay Ron, so what's your proposition?" Hermione asked.

"I was thinking something with food."

"Why?"

"Because EVERYONE likes food." He said brightly.

The Hall erupted in laughter; everybody liked his suggestion as everyone really did like food.

But Hermione was disbelieving because she did not want the nice big Ball to be named after some food group.

"Alright, Ron, whenever you think of a theme that is specific enough to actually call it a theme, you can tell me." She said before moving on. "Harry?"

"How about Mardi gras?"

"No."

"Why not?" He whined.

"It's not romantic in the least." Hermione said.

"What is not romantic about girls who take their shirts off for those little bead necklaces?" Harry asked her. He was picturing Hermione as one of those girls. He knew that would never happen though because she was Hermione.

"Everything, Harry." She sighed.

"Okay, Derek?" Hermione said, moving on to a seventh year Hufflepuff. "Anything good?"

"Well, I do have something in mind." He said quietly.

"What would that be?" Hermione asked doubtfully.

"Aurora Borealis." Derek answered full of pride.

"Oh, Derek! That's great!" Hermione said enthusiastically. She was so excited about getting an exceedingly good theme that she spaced off all the people that were asking what the heck that could be, until Harry threw a quill at her to get her attention.

"Herms, want to explain that to all of us?" He asked.

"Oh, yeah of course." Hermione said suddenly. "Aurora Borealis is Latin for the Northern Lights. It's a really beautiful phenomenon that occurs in the winter. It's very colorful. This is a brilliant idea for a theme!" She said excitedly.

Ginny, too, was excited. It really did sound beautiful and it definitely topped her brother's thick idea about food.

Hermione continued down the line while people came up with more ideas, among these were: Greek, Starry Night, Masquerade, Jungle, Cruise, Under the Sea, City Lights (Chloe's idea, as she came from a large city in the US), All That Jazz (compliments of Andrew), Taj Mahal (thanks to Payton), Carnival in Paris, Cowboy Take Me Away, Gothic Romance, Wild, Wild West, and Casino Royal (Blaise's idea).

"Okay, so I think that we're almost ready to vote then!" Hermione said as she scribbled down the last idea.

"Wait a minute!" Draco called out to Hermione.

"What?" She barked.

"I've got an idea." Draco announced proudly.

"And what might that be?" Hermione asked with sarcasm lacing her voice.

"Hollywood."

Hermione's mouth fell open, this thought had never occurred to her. It's not only romantic but the students would be able to have fun. Draco actually had a good idea! Now, how to admit this was the problem.

"Draco. That's a very good idea." Hermione said cautiously. "It's better than any other idea mentioned here tonight and I will put it on the ballot."

"Hollywood is a place where Muggle movie stars and singers get together. It's very lavish and elaborate. Scandals take place, as do miracles. If we did this, or theme colors would be gold and perhaps some red." Hermione explained.

Everyone in the Hall loved the idea of being stars for a night and it was decided that Hollywood would be the theme of the Ball. Thanks to Draco.

* * *

Construction began a few days after the large meeting. Dumbledore had agreed that Hollywood would indeed be a very nice theme. It would help in allowing inter-House relationships and Muggle acceptance. The aged Professor had been very shocked to find out that it was Draco Malfoy who had furnished the idea.

"How does he know about such Muggle activity?" He asked Professor McGonagall one day.

"From what I gather, he was in Muggle Studies last year and it sounded like he basically poured himself into the subject. Perhaps he also did some independent study." She had said to him, shrugging it off.

Constructing a Hollywood theme was not going to be half as easy as most people wished to think. Of course they did have pretty much an indefinite amount of time to get it done because the ball was to be on Valentine's Day.

"Valentine's Day?" Draco exclaimed as he was walking down to the Great Hall to begin building the setting with Blaise.

"Yeah - what's the big deal?" She asked him.

"That's like forever away!"

"So? More time to construct; more time to think about dates and songs; more time to get clothes. I see no problem." She said unashamedly.

"Well, it's just that I don't know. I'm just excited I guess." Draco said, blushing slightly.

"Yeah, okay. I don't see that happening. It's something to do with the Weasley girl, isn't it?" She asked, knowledgably.

"It's just that I thought maybe if it was sooner, we could maybe take the next step but I want the timing to be right. I'd like to do it at the dance."

"What happened to taking things slow?"

"It's been a week almost!"

"Oh yeah, Draco. That's real slow!" Blaise said sarcastically. "Obviously you need to brush up on the definition of that word. I guess to you, a normal person's idea of slow would be like super slow. Give it a FEW weeks."

"A few weeks! Are you crazy?" Draco exclaimed.

"No, that would be you." Blaise reminded him.

"Whatever, let's just get this thing put together." Draco grumbled, now he was in bad spirits about it all, having to wait so long.

The two of them entered the Great Hall to find that it was a total and complete disaster area. The students didn't want to use magic for most things so the floor of the Hall was now littered with paintbrushes, paint rollers, sponges, paints, ladders, tape, glue, scissors, card board, wood and anything else imaginable.

Ginny spotted Draco and ran over to greet him, receiving a few odd looks from her fellow classmates but most of them just assumed they had become friends after the whole Colin incident, except for the Slytherins who refused to believe anything other than Draco was using her.

"Hey Draco!" She said brightly, paintbrush in hand.

"Hey Gin, looks like you guys are pretty busy." He told her, grinning slightly as he surveyed the mess.

"And soon you will be, too!" Ginny said, handing him a spare brush.

"Oh, yippee, I cannot wait." Draco said in a monotonous voice.

"Cheer up!" She said. "Well, I'll see you in a little while! I'm painting the 'Hollywood' sign over there!"

"Alright, I may come over there later then." Draco said as she turned to walk back to her spot.

"I don't think she likes me very much." Blaise said quietly.

"Why do you say that?" Draco asked her, picking up a brush for Blaise as well.

"She completely ignored me while she was over here. I mean, I'm certainly not hard to miss in a crowd, so what's with that?" She asked, taking the brush and walking over to the nearest bucket of gold paint and dipping her brush in it.

"Even if she didn't like you, why do you care? You've never cared before." Draco said.

"Well, she likes you. She like rules your world right now, I used to be your best friend and now she is. I just want to be a part of things, I don't like how you live in a whole other world right with her, I just want to be there with you." Blaise said.

Draco knew that Blaise had not said these things because she had any romantic feelings for him, but rather because she didn't have many friends. That was not because people didn't like her because people actually begged her to be their friends. Blaise just didn't want to make friends; she didn't trust people easily.

"Blaise, I know. I'll talk to her, okay?" He asked. Blaise nodded as they returned back to painting their background.

At the end of the day, the students were exhausted. There were six arches painted, five couples fighting (Draco and Ginny not among them), four broken fingers, three buckets of paint left, two sides of the stage built, and one large podium to speak at.

* * *

Work continued on like this for weeks. Finally, by the week of the Ball they were pretty much done. Everyone had pitched in their fair share and even more than that. All that was left to make now was the centerpieces for the tables; but that was not where people's minds were at that point.

"Chloe, go to the Ball with me?"

"Hermione, go to the Ball with me?"

"Lavender, if you didn't already find another date, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Ball with me?"

"Come on, Blaise! You have to go to the Ball with me!"

All over Hogwarts, there was a sudden rush to secure dates. Now that everyone's minds were allowed to stray from the making of the dance, they didn't hesitate in securing their place.

Well, this applied for everyone except Draco, who hadn't asked Ginny as of Wednesday (two days before the dance).

"You haven't asked her yet?!" Blaise exclaimed. "What in heaven's name is wrong with you?"

"Nothing! I just don't know if I should because then you know, the whole school would know!" Draco said defensively.

"Maybe you should ask HER how she feels about letting everyone know. I mean, you are doing this for her right?"

"If I asked her and she said she didn't care either way then what help would that be. And yes, I'm doing this for HER." Draco pouted.

"How do you know she's going to say that she doesn't care? I'll bet you all the galleons I have that she feels strongly one way or another." Blaise said. She was very angered once she heard that Draco had not asked Ginny to the Ball because after Draco had talked to Ginny, the two girls became good friends. Blaise knew for a fact that she would love nothing other than to go with Draco to the Ball.

"What if I'm not sure?" Draco asked quietly before walking off.

'What a baby.' Blaise thought to herself before heading up to her dormitory.

* * *

Ginny sat alone in the dorm the day before the dance was to be held. Chloe and she were to go shopping today for their dresses, but Ginny wasn't feeling up to it. Draco hadn't asked her to the dance.

Ginny was just thinking about this and why Draco hadn't asked her to accompany him when Chloe barged in. Chloe of course knew that Draco was being a huge prat about all of this but she sort of understood Draco's point of view.

"Ginny, get your butt off that stupid bed and get dressed so we can go shopping." She said sternly pointing a finger to the bathroom and tossing some clothes at her.

"But Chloe - " Ginny began to whine.

"No 'buts'! Change. Now!" Chloe demanded, she was not about to let her best friend sit around all day and mope about nothing.

Ginny got up off her bed and went into their bathroom with her clothes. Once she had changed the headed for Hogsmeade, silently.

When the pair got to the Mall they found that it was packed with girls. Mostly the girls that were there were at bigger stores than the ones that they wished to look at because the bigger the stores, the bigger the prices.

Ginny and Chloe went into Gowns and Things to look around for a bit. Instantly, Chloe found her dress. It was pink with white lace at the top. It had an iridescent white cover over the pink fabric and it laced up the sides. It was also a spaghetti strap, which would be great as it was going to be getting hot in the Great Hall. (To see this dress, click here:

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Chloe tried it on in the dressing room to find that it was a perfect fit. It flattered all her good qualities; so she claimed it for good and then moved on to find a dress for Ginny.

Ginny was being so very picky that it was hard to find a dress that they were both happy with. But when they spotted it, they knew it was a keeper.

The dress was an emerald color with a black lace overlay, which would look marvelous against Ginny's red hair. The dress was sort of lacy everywhere and it had a halter back. It came with a matching purse and a lace black shawl thing to go around her shoulders or at her elbows. The dream dress also came with below elbows gloves and beautiful black crystal matching choker (to see this dress, click here: .)

Ginny tried the dress on to find that it was absolutely perfect; she had no complaints. Typically she probably wouldn't have chosen an all black dress for the night but Chloe had pushed her to it, knowing that Draco would feel better knowing that Ginny was not wearing Gryffindor colors at least, it would make his job a lot easier.

The girls walked out with their purchases and headed to the shoe store. Chloe bought some shimmering pink platform sandals and Ginny chose the same shoes only in a dark emerald.

Finally, Ginny was happy. Even without a date she knew she would look absolutely stunning alone. She'd be the bell of the Ball, hopefully.

When Ginny and Chloe got back to the common room, every girl there wanted to see their dresses. Chloe showed off hers with pride, but Ginny wished to be more secret and not let anyone see her before the Ball or they may persuade her to take it back or something. So Ginny scurried off upstairs to hide her beautiful dress from the world, until tomorrow.

That's when Blaise walked in to the room.

"Hey, Gin!" She said brightly.

"Oh! Hi Blaise! What's up?" Ginny asked, making sure that the dress was safely tucked away before getting off the floor and sitting on her bed, motioning to Blaise to take a seat next to her.

Blaise walked over to Ginny's bed and took the seat offered to her before carrying on.

"So did you get your dress today?" Blaise asked.

"Yeah." Ginny said simply.

"What does it look like?" Blaise urged.

"Um, well I'd rather not say. If that's okay." Ginny said.

"Oh, well then I guess I'll just have Draco get you a puke green corsage or something." Blaise said matter-of-factly.

"He's going to get me a corsage?" Ginny asked wide-eyed.

"Well, duh."

"But I thought, he wasn't taking me."

"That's what I'm here for, to clear things up." Blaise explained. "You see, he wants to go with you but he's not sure whether or not the school will be able to handle it. He wouldn't want to ruin the Ball and ruin the night with a huge controversy like that. It's true that most of the school already assumes that you guys are friends since he helped you with Colin, but there's a fine line between friends and lovers." Ginny stared at her blankly, not quite knowing where this was going.

"So, I persuaded him to go alone. Then you can go alone. Then you two can dance with each other and things as if you were just friends; but then at the end of the night you two can announce your relationship, so to speak." Blaise elucidated proudly.

"Really?" Ginny asked Blaise quietly.

"Really. Why? You hadn't given up and thought that he didn't want to be with you anymore had you?"

"Well, yes. I mean one minute we're dating and then next everyone's getting asked to the dance by their boyfriends but me." Ginny said. "It does make you think."

"You have nothing to worry about!" Blaise said smiling at her. "Don't worry I got your back. Draco's just stupid sometimes. Okay, a lot of times. Don't let him get you down, he just needs a woman's perspective on things and that's what I'm here for!" Blaise said beaming.

"Thanks, Blaise." Ginny smiled. Thankfully she did have Blaise or nothing would get accomplished between Draco and Ginny. Well at least not on Draco's part.

"So let's see the dress!" Blaise said clapping her hands together and looking around.

"Fine, fine. But only you! And don't tell anyone else that you saw it or they'd kill me. I just got done telling them that I wasn't showing anyone." Ginny said as she crouched down to pull the bag that contained her dress out from underneath her bed.

As Ginny took her dress out from the sack, Blaise's eyes lit up like her birthday had come early.

"Oh, Gin! That's absolutely marvelous! Go try it on for me!" Blaise demanded. Ginny happily went into the bathroom to change for Blaise.

Blaise had never thought about such things as were going through her mind at that moment in time before. She saw then why Draco loved Ginny. It was apparent that Ginny loved Draco. The way she had been so somber and defeated when she had thought that Draco was not going to invite her to the Ball because he didn't love her back. Then there was the way her smile lit up all of her facial features and made her look so beautiful.

The raven-haired girl knew then and there that Ginny was prefect for Malfoy. She complimented him in every way possible. Her warm brown eyes contrasted his cold gray ones; and her dark soft hair complimented his stiff blonde hair. Even their personalities flattered each other. Draco with his book smarts and Ginny with her common sense, Draco was often cruel and Ginny was nearly always kind-hearted; Ginny was sometimes vulnerable and Draco was often strong. Together, they just fit.

When Ginny came out in her dress, Blaise gasped out loud. The dress seemed to be tailor made especially for her.

"Oh my gosh, Gin! You look breathtaking! You'll knock 'em dead!" Blaise said. The dress was picture perfect, not only did Blaise and Ginny both like it but also Draco would most unquestionably adore it.

"You really think so?" Ginny asked cautiously.

"Of course and Draco will completely love it, if that's what you're worried about!" Blaise assured her.

"Good!" Ginny squealed. For the first time she noticed that Blaise, too, was carrying a bag with her. "What's in the bag?"

"Oh my dress." Blaise told her.

"Go put in on!" Ginny commanded sternly.

Blaise scurried off to the bathroom to change into her own dress and was out in a moment wearing a very beautiful gown.

The dress that Blaise was wearing was all black with a dipping halter neck that fell to the floor and hugged every curve that Blaise possessed. It truly was something that only Blaise could get away with. (To see this dress click here: .)

"Oh Blaise, it's so pretty!" Ginny exclaimed. "Who's your date anyways?"

"No one you'd know." Blaise answered, suddenly blushing.

"Come on, Blaise! I'll find out anyway!"

"Dean Thomas." Blaise told her.

"You're kidding! Dean's so picky! No wonder he kept turning all the girls down! He already has a date! He's a lucky guy, Blaise." Ginny told her.

"Thanks, Gin. Anyways, we'd better be getting out of these dresses in case someone barges in here." Blaise told her, trudging off to the bathroom, followed by Ginny.

After the girls had changed back into their regular clothes, Ginny thought of something.

"Hey Blaise, what are you doing tomorrow?" She asked.

"Nothing, why?"

"Well, Chloe and I are going to the spa and to the salon tomorrow in preparation for the Ball and I was wondering if you'd like to join us maybe?" Ginny suggested.

"I'd love to Gin!" Blaise said.

"Okay, well meet Chloe and I in front of the portrait hole tomorrow at one, okay?" Ginny said. She hadn't talked to Chloe about this but she was sure it'd be okay.

"Great! I'll see you then!" Blaise said, rushing out the door, slipping out of the tower unnoticed by the girls parading around in their new dresses.

* * *

When Chloe got back to the dormitory a few minutes later, she saw Ginny sitting on the bed admiring her new dress.

"Hey, Gin." She said softly upon sitting on her own bed.

"Hey Chloe." Ginny answered her friend, tucking her dress back under her bed.

"You seem a whole lot happier now than you were an hour ago. What happened here?" Chloe asked her.

"Well, I just discovered why Draco didn't ask me to the Ball." Ginny said.

"Oh yeah, that would make you happy wouldn't it?" Chloe asked, relieved that Ginny finally knew.

"You knew all this time?"

"Well, yes I overheard him talking to that Zambini girl yesterday on their way to dinner and he was telling her this master plan and she was arguing that he should have talked to you about it first." Chloe told her.

"Speaking of Blaise." Ginny began, remembering her invite to Blaise just minutes ago. "I invited her to go with us tomorrow to the spa and everything if that's alright with you."

Chloe looked as if her heart had stopped beating.

"Blaise Zambini? She's pure evil! And she's so perfect and popular. Every one wants to be her friend and she just sticks up her nose at them! I refuse to go!" She shrieked.

"First of all, Blaise is not evil, she's a terrific friend. Secondly she does not stick up her nose at people, okay well maybe a little bit, but she doesn't isn't a very trustful person, you have to earn it. And lastly, you are going and so is she." Ginny said.

"Ginny, you cannot make me." Chloe said, crossing her arms and tossing her head back.

"Chloe, don't be a brat. You're going or else I'll tell Payton about that night that you and Andrew snuck off into that corridor." Ginny threatened, seeing Chloe's eyes widen.

"You won't." She said defiantly.

"Yes I will. Even though you're broken up, you know it'll devastate him." Ginny told her. Chloe and Payton were still friends and this secret would tear them apart forever.

"Fine, I'll go; but I can't promise that I'll have any fun." Chloe pouted.

Honestly, Ginny loved her best friend but she could be so stubborn sometimes.

* * *

That night at dinner, the winners of the talent show were going to be announced to the whole school.

When Dumbledore stood up everyone knew that he was going to broadcast the eight lucky teens.

"Everyone has worked very hard at getting to where they are tonight in the talent show. But tomorrow will be a new day and only eight of you may perform and be the guests of honor so to speak. I don't like having to tell the people who didn't make it, but alas it must be done. So if you are ready, I will pronounce the winners now." He said, looking at his sheet of paper before him.

Ginny and Chloe grasped each other's hands, each hoping that they made the final cut. Together, they listened for the exciting results.

"We have: Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, Clarissa Hopkins and Anthony Klein, Chloe Lynch and Payton Jackson (Chloe let out a squeal of delight and tightened her grasp on Ginny's hand in anticipation.), and now finally we have Virginia Weasley and Draco Malfoy. Congratulations to all! There is no need to prepare for a song, as they will be provided for you. Enjoy your meal." He said.

Chloe and Ginny did a little victory dance and broke down in laughter. Ginny took the opportunity to glance over to Draco, who she noticed couldn't help but smile himself.

But Draco was smiling at how happy Ginny was just then. He always had and always would love to see her laugh. She was beautiful when she laughed.

The next question for both of them was, what were they going to have to sing? Neither one of them liked the idea of not being able to pick their own songs.

Oh well, whatever it took to be honored.

For now it was bedtime for them both. In the morning, they would worry about such things.

* * *

So? Was that pretty good? I mean for a sliced part! Anyways! I hope you all liked it and I would love it if you reviewed for this chapter!!