(A/N: Sorry ahead of time. I know that Luna is in Ravenclaw. I forgot about that before I wrote it and never went back and changed it. If you notice anything else that I messed up, please...don't hesitate to tell me. I only want to get better at writing and I could use all your advice. Even if I have to listen to your criticism. But remember to review afterwards...Thanks so much!)The Christmas Ball
Ch.1: Secret AdmirerHogwarts was very busy during winter. Especially around Christmas time. Hagrid could be seen putting up the usual twelve Christmas trees in the Great Hall. Some teachers would be decorating the trees, while others would be off decorating the corridors and rooms. The castle was always beautiful during Christmas. It always put everyone in a good mood. And, now that Voldemort was gone, Christmas could be celebrated without worry. Harry had vanquished the Dark Lord at the first of this term in the final battle. Everyone had been celebrating, even some of the Slytherins. It was a peaceful time for the magical world.
The Gryffindor table was nearly empty. It was early and not many students had made it out of bed and down to breakfast yet. Ginny Weasley sat at the table talking to Luna Lovegood. They were always early risers and would usually be done with their breakfast before their other friends made it down to the Great Hall
Ginny looked toward the entrance to the Great Hall, just in time to see a certain handsome Slytherin walk through the door. His white/blonde hair sleeked back as usual. Draco looked over at Ginny, she expected him to shout something rude at her, but he smiled. It was the first time Ginny had actually seen him smile...at her anyway. It brought butterflies to her stomach and she almost melted.
Ginny felt her face grow hot and she quickly turned back to her breakfast. Luna looked over to where Ginny had been staring and saw Draco sitting down to join his fellow Slytherins. She looked at Ginny with interest.
"Do you like him?" Luna asked.
"Who? What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me, I saw you looking at him." She put her copy of the Quibbler aside and looked at Ginny, trying to read her expression. She was always good at reading people and she could tell Ginny was lying.
"Looking at who?" Ginny asked, trying to pretend she didn't know what Luna was talking about.
"Draco Malfoy, that's who!" Luna said, a little to loud.
"What about Draco?" Ron asked as he sat down next to his girlfriend.
Luna turned and gave him a kiss on the cheek. They had been dating for a few months now. It had taken Ron a long time to realize how much he liked her. Now, they were in love. Not too much later, Harry and Hermione joined them at the table.
"What about Draco?" Ron repeated.
Harry and Hermione looked up at the mention of Draco's name. Ginny's face was a tint of pink. Hermione knew exactly 'What about Draco'.
Before Ginny could answer her brother's question, to her relief, the mail arrived. Hundreds of owls flew in the windows, dropping letters in student's hands. Ginny was surprised when a big barn owl dropped a letter for her. She gave the owl a piece of toast and it flew off and out the window. Ginny opened the note and read quickly.
Ginny,
You have the most amazing blue eyes I've ever seen. I could get lost in them for hours. You're an amazing sight from where I'm usually sitting. I'd stare at you all the time if I could, but then you'd find out who I am. I can't let that happen, not yet anyway. I'm not good with poetry; so don't get worried if I'm a little blunt with my words. I guess that's all I have to say for now. If you would like to write back and find something out about me, take your letter up to the owlery. There should be a black screech owl waiting for you. It will know how to find me. And, don't waste you time looking for it at breakfast tomorrow, it delivers directly to my dormitory!
Your Secret Admirer
Ginny's jaw dropped as she finished the letter. She looked around the Great Hall to see if anyone was looking at her. Her eyes immediately traveled to Draco Malfoy, but he was just talking away with his friends. Then she looked over at her friends and Ron who was staring at her intently. "Well, who's it from?" He asked.
"Oh, no one important." She lied. "Luna, Hermione, could you come with me for a moment?"
Luna and Hermione had to run to keep up with Ginny. She finally stopped in a deserted corridor and turned to face them.
"What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"Ginny, are you ok?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, well...sort of." She answered. She handed the letter to them. While they were reading it, she began to think of who it could be.
It couldn't be, she thought. Draco Malfoy would never think twice about a Weasley, unless of course, he was thinking of a way to make fun of us.
Hermione looked shocked when she and Luna finished reading the letter.
"Looks like someone had a crush on Ginny." Luna said.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Duh! But, who could it be?"
"I don't know..." Ginny trailed off.
"Well, have you noticed anyone around you that suddenly has an interest in you? Anyone stare at you or anything?" Hermione asked.
Ginny thought. She tried to remember everyone she'd talked to over the last few days. Then she remembered Collin Creevy. He started doing little things for her, like helping her with her homework and trying to carry her books to class for her. Then her mind drifted to the smile she had received from Draco earlier. But, she didn't dare tell them about that.
"Collin's been extra nice to me lately, but I don't think he would ever have the guts to write a letter like that." Ginny answered.
"I agree..." Luna said.
"Hmmm...you should write him back then." Hermione suggested.
"I guess it couldn't hurt."
"Oh...Ginny, what was that about Malfoy at breakfast?"
"Ohh...um...nothing really." She lied.
"Ok, well I better go back to the Great Hall, Harry and Ron will be waiting for me." Then she turned on her heal and went back to the Great Hall.
Ginny and Luna then made their way to their first lesson, talking about the letter that Ginny had received. Ginny couldn't help but hope that it was Draco, she wasn't sure why, but she wanted it to be him.After History of magic, Ginny's first lesson, she skipped lunch and went straight to the owlery. She had lots of time to write her secret admirer in Professor Binns class, she never paid attention. She found the black screech owl and tied the letter to its leg.
"Take this to my secret admirer. You're supposed to know who it is." Ginny told the bird. The owl then flew out of the window. Ginny just sat in the window wandering. Then she decided it was probably almost time for her next lesson. She grabbed her bag and books, left the owlery and headed for potions.
Since she had skipped lunch, Ginny went straight to the Great Hall for dinner after Devination that evening. She sat in her usual spot at the Gryffindor table, next to Luna. Harry, Ron and Hermione joined them soon after.
"So," Hermione whispered as she sat down next to Ginny. "Did you write the note?"
"Yeah." Ginny whispered in reply. "Already sent it too!"
"Good, maybe you'll learn something about him." Luna stated blankly.
"I hope..." Ginny trailed off, sending her attention across the Great Hall to the Slytherin table where Draco sat. He was talking to his friends and laughing. She wandered what made him laugh so much. Probably making fun of my family and me, she thought.
She finished her dinner quickly and then she and Luna ran off to the Gryffindor common room.
"What's with my sister?" Ron asked after she had left.
"Nothing." Hermione answered. "She's just stressed from all the extra work the sixth years are getting."
"Oh..."
Ginny was concentrating hard on her potions essay, when she heard a 'tap tap' on the window. She looked up and the black screech owl was sitting in the window seal. She hopped up from her seat at one of the tables and ran to the window and opened it. The owl flew in and landed on the table where she had been sitting. She untied the letter and then the owl flew back out the window. Ginny went and closed the window before going back to her seat and reading the letter.
Ginny,
Just to get one thought out of your pretty red head, this isn't Harry Potter.
I didn't think it was Harry! He has been dating Hermione for over a year. Why would he be my secret admirer? Besides, I've been over him for years.
Anyway, to answer your first question, No, I'm not in the same house as you. But, I'm not going to tell you which one. Yes, I play on my house Quidditch team. Speaking of Quidditch, you are a great chaser! What year am I in? I don't know that I can answer that yet, maybe later on. Ok, so that's all the questions I can answer. Please write again.
Your Secret Admirer
P.S.
You don't think the last letter had anything blunt in it? Neither do I. I didn't want to scare you off right away. So, here goes...you have a very nice ass. I enjoy looking at it when you're walking.
Ginny was very surprised by the last comment. She read the letter over and over, trying to figure out who it was.
He plays on his house Quidditch team...that narrows it down a lot, she thought. I wish I knew what year he was in! For all I know, it could be Crabbe or Goyle!
"Ginny..."
Ginny jumped at the sound of Luna's voice. She had forgotten that her friend was sitting there beside her.
"What?"
"What does it say?"
"Oh, I don't think you should read it." Ginny answered. "It's not really helpful and I want to figure it out on my own." She then grabbed her homework and headed up to her dormitory, where she flopped down on her bed. Her mind was going crazy. Who could this guy be? She was pretty sure it wasn't the guy she wanted it to be. She looked at her watch. It was past nine. She wasn't aloud out of Gryffindor tower this late at night, and she wanted to send this guy another letter before tomorrow. Maybe Harry will let me borrow his invisibility cloak. She wrote the note to her secret admirer fast and then ran from her dormitory.
Ginny ran back down to the common room. She saw Ron and went up to him.
"Ron, have you seen Harry?"
"Yeah, he's in our dormitory. Why?"
"I need to ask him a question." She said and then ran off up to the seventh year boys dormitories.
She knocked on the door lightly.
"Who is it?" She heard Harry ask.
"It's Ginny, I need to ask you something."
Harry opened the door. "Hey, Ginny. What's going on?"
"I was wandering if I could borrow your invisibility cloak." She said smiling sheepishly.
Harry gave her a quizzical look. "What for?"
"I need to go to the owlery and send a letter."
"I suppose..." Harry said. He went over to his trunk and retrieved the cloak from it.
"Who's that for?" Ginny asked motioning to the present on Harry's bed.
"Hermione." Harry answered and handed her the cloak. Christmas was next Friday and they would be on break. It also meant the Christmas ball. "I bought it yesterday. Now, don't go getting caught. Hermione's on her rounds tonight and she's very strict, even though you're Ron's sister."
"I'll try not to." She said smiling. "Thanks Harry."
"No problem. See you later."
"Bye." Ginny said and ran out the door. She put the cloak on before she entered the common room.
She quietly made her way out of the portrait hole and into the corridor. She was walking quietly, but fast. She was almost to the owlery when she came upon Hermione. She stopped when she almost ran into her.
"Is someone there?" Hermione asked. "Harry, is that you?"
Hermione shrugged her shoulders and went on walking along the corridors. Ginny sighed lightly then ran the rest of the way to the owlery. When she got there, she was surprised to find someone already there. Draco Malfoy was on his way out and she ran into him.
"What the hell?" Draco hissed. "Who's there?"
Ginny flattened herself against the wall and froze. Draco was looking straight at her. She didn't think he could see her, but she wasn't going to move and let him have a chance to. He came right in front of her.
"Is that you Potter?" Draco asked. "You do know I'm Head boy. I could give you detention. Show yourself Potter!"
"I'm not Harry." Ginny Growled.
"Weasley..." Draco smiled inwardly, but he had a nasty smirk on his face.
"It's Ginny." She said as she pulled the invisibility cloak off of herself.
"Well, well, well...am I going to have to give you detention...Ginny?"
"I guess so," she said. She then went and found the black owl and tied the letter onto its leg. Then, she let it fly out of the window. She faced Draco again.
"Hmmm..." Draco was thinking what to say. He was lost for words.
"Are you going to give me detention or not?" Ginny asked impatiently.
"I suppose not this time, but don't let me catch you up here after hours again"
"Fine..." Ginny said. She passed him to descend the stairs. Why did he let me go?
Ginny made her way back to the common room. She took Harry his invisibility cloak back to him and then went to her Dormitory.
Ginny was happy when she woke the next morning. It was Friday, the last day of the term before Christmas break. She happily went down to breakfast and sat with Luna, Harry, Hermione and Ron at the Gryffindor table. She reached for a piece of toast and then noticed Ron looking at her.
"What?"
"Why are you so happy?" He asked.
"It's the last day of the term...Christmas break." She answered.
"Right..." Ron mumbled.
Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother and then continued with her breakfast. When the mail arrived, she wasn't surprised when she got a letter.
Ginny,
Ok, fine...I'm a seventh year. There, you got it out of me...happy?
Ginny smiled big...now she had a better chance at figuring out who it was.
So, I was looking at you yesterday and I noticed you are very filled out. Your breasts would probably fit in my hands perfect. Am I scaring you yet? Well, I know it's not much, but I'll let you go for now.
Your Secret Admirer
Ginny blushed beat red. She got her things and ran out of the Great Hall as fast as she could. She went to her dormitory and wrote a letter to her secret admirer.
Ginny,
I suppose you are getting fed up with all these letters from someone with no identity. Am I right? I thought so. Well, now's your chance to figure out who I am...that's if you want to. And I hope you do. Anyway, I have a question to ask you, but I want to ask you in person. Please meet me out by the lake at Midnight tonight. If you don't show up, I'll be very unhappy. Do whatever you have to so you don't get caught. If you can't meet me there, then send an owl and let me know where you can. I really look forward to seeing you tonight.
Your Secret Admirer
Ginny almost exploded with excitement. She had to tell someone.
"Luna! Hermione!" Ginny ran into the common room. They were sitting on a couch in front of the fireplace. "Guess What?"
"What is it Ginny? Another letter from your mystery guy?" Hermione asked.
"Yes...here read it." She handed them the letter so they could read it.
When they finished they were both smiling. "Finally." Said Luna. "Are you going to meet him?"
"Of course!" Ginny answered. "It's about time."
"I'm so happy for you, Ginny." Hermione said. "I bet I know what he's going to ask you!"
"What?" Asked Luna.
"Isn't it obvious?" Asked Hermione. "The Christmas ball is tomorrow night. He's going to ask you to go with him, Ginny."
"Who's going to ask you to go where?" Asked Harry as he sat down next to Hermione.
"You're not still on about this secret admirer are you?" Asked Ron as he sat down in an armchair.
"It's none of you guys' business." Ginny snapped.
"Fine." Said Ron. But she could tell he wasn't satisfied with her answer.
Ginny spent the whole day in her dormitory with Hermione and Luna trying to figure out what she was going to where. She finally decided on a muggle skirt and green top. They went down to join their friends at dinner.
"Where have ya'll been all day?" Harry asked as Hermione sat down beside him.
"In my dormitory." Ginny answered.
"Duh, but what have you been doing?" Ron asked.
"Again Ron, none of your business."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Well, who are you going to the ball with?"
"I don't know, "Ginny answered truthfully.
"Well, you better find someone quick. They'll all be taken." Said Harry.
"Yeah...I suppose your going with Hermione and Ron's going with Luna, so I'll probably be going solo." She wasn't for sure if her secret admirer was going to ask her to the ball or not and she didn't want to get her hopes up.
"Oh don't worry, Ginny." Said Hermione. "You'll find someone."
"I hope so..."
Ginny ran to her Dormitory after dinner to wait. It was only seven-thirty, so she had a long wait. She got dressed and then decided to send an owl to her secret admirer, to make sure he knew she was coming. She took it to the owlery and sent it with the black screech owl.
She went back to the common room and sat on the couch. When Harry entered, she went up to him and asked to speak to him in private. They went to his dormitory.
"What did you want, Ginny?"
"I need to borrow your invisibility cloak again." She answered.
"Hmmm...seems like me and Ron have had a bad influence on you." He smiled softly. "What do you want it for this time?"
Ginny sighed, "Ok...I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell Ron."
Harry looked at her with concern. Then he said, "I promise. What are you up to Ginny Weasley?"
"You know the guy that's been sending me those letters?"
"Yeah..."
"Well...."
"Well...What?" Asked Harry.
"He wants me to meet him by the lake tonight." She said very fast and then turned away.
"Ginny..." Harry said sternly.
"What?"
"Look at me."
She slowly turned to face him. She knew what he was about to do; he was going to lecture her. She could tell by the look on his face.
"What if it's a joke or something? What if he tries to hurt you?"
"He won't."
"You don't know that." Harry said.
"I just want to go see who it is, Harry. I promise, nothings going to happen."
"Your right, cause you're not going."
"Yes I am. You don't have to try and be my big brother, Harry. That's Ron's job. Now, would you rather me get caught by a professor and get detention?" She pleaded.
"Rather than you getting hurt? Yes. I would rather you get expelled than get hurt, Ginny." Harry mover closer to her and put his hands on her arms. "Ginny listen to me...I like acting like your big brother. I'm just trying to protect you."
Ginny felt her eyes swelling up with tears. "I know you're just trying to protect me, Harry. But, just for this one night would you forget about it and let me be happy for a change?" Tears were streaming down her face now.
Harry pulled her into a hug. He sighed and then pulled away. He thought for a long while, studying her, not sure whether he should let her go or not. Finally, he went to his trunk, got the cloak and handed it to her. "Take your wand." Was all he said.
"I will, thank you, Harry." She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "Please don't tell my brother, he'll kill us both."
"I won't, but you're going to come tell me what happened when you get back to the common room tonight. I'll be waiting for you."
"I will." She said and then ran off to her dormitory.
Harry rolled his eyes and went back down to the common room to find Ron.
Ginny waited in her dormitory until eleven-fifty. Everyone that she shared it with was asleep. She made her way down to the common room, expecting it to be empty. Harry was there sitting on the couch by the fireplace. He looked over when he heard her coming. He was barely smiling. Ginny walked over to him and sat down.
"It's time for me to go."
"You have your wand?" He asked.
"Yes."
He looked at her and laughed lightly, "Your such a troublemaker."
"I'm not as bad as you, Ron and Hermione."
"No one is." He said and smiled at her. "Have fun. And, if they try and hurt you, hex them and then tell them me and Ron will kill them."
"Ok." She said laughing. She got up, crossed the common room and was about to go through the portrait hole when Harry stopped her.
He ran over to her with his hand out. He was holding the Marauder's Map. "Just in case."
"Thanks."
She left and Harry went and sat down on the couch again.
Ginny put on the invisibility cloak, opened the map, put her wand to it and whispered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Thank goodness Harry had taught her how to use the map last year. She had been on many of her friend's adventures and knew exactly how the map worked.
The map revealed itself and she could see that Hermione was making her rounds, but she was up on the sixth floor. Ginny quickly made her way downstairs to the first floor, through the Entrance Hall and out the big oak front doors. She walked slower towards the lake, so she wouldn't be out of breath when she got there. The grounds were covered in a thick blanket of snow. Hogwarts always looked beautiful in the winter. She couldn't see anyone near the lake, so she began to think that Harry was right and this was just a big joke. But, she continued on. When she got to the lake, she went over to where there were bushes and took off the cloak and cleared the map. She waited. No one was coming. She looked around to see if anyone was behind the bushes, but no one was there. She looked at her watch. It was five minutes past midnight. She was beginning to grow cold and scared and was about to put the cloak back on when someone spoke.
"You came..."
She didn't really recognize the voice. "Of course I did. Where are you?" She was looking around, but she still didn't see him.
Then, she felt hands on her waist...she froze. They drew her close to a body standing behind her. Finally, able to move, she stepped from their grasp and turned around. No one was there.
"What are you doing? Who is this?"
Then out of thin air, Draco Malfoy appeared. She noticed the cloak he was taking off, it was exactly like Harry's. When she saw him, her stomach did a flip...I can't believe it's him.
"Potter's not the only one with one of these." He said, motioning to the invisibility cloak.
"Draco..."
"Ginny..." He was staring intently into her eyes, like he was searching for something.
"How long have you been here?" She asked.
"I got here a few minutes before you did." He said and then asked, "Who were you expecting?"
"I didn't know who to expect, but ..." she turned away from him to finish. "I was hoping that it would be you.
"Really?"
She could tell he was moving closer and was going to touch her again. She felt like she had owls fluttering around in her stomach. Again, when he put his hands on her waist, she froze.
"Are you scared of me?"
"No...just surprised." Ginny answered. His hands still hadn't moved and he was getting even closer to her.
"Why?"
She could feel his breath on her hair, then her neck. Her heart was pounding faster than ever. "I never thought you would like me."
"Why wouldn't I?"
His lips were now grazing the skin on her neck lightly. She almost melted at his touch. Then, she felt a low groan escape her lips. She couldn't control it, it just came out.
"Because I'm a Weasley." She answered, leaning against his body.
"That doesn't matter to me." He whispered in her ear.
"Since when?"
"Since I fell in love with the youngest Weasley." Draco whispered slowly.
Ginny's eyes widened. She turned to look at Draco, only for her lips to be captured by his in a deep, passionate kiss. The softness of her lips was the first thing that caught his attention. A warm tingling feeling spread throughout his body. Her arms rose around his neck and he was still holding her at the waist. She parted her lips slightly to grant him entrance. He took advantage of it and his tongue darted in her mouth, exploring hungrily. He explored parts of her mouth that had never been explored before. She was the sweetest thing he had ever tasted and he wanted to taste more of her. But that wouldn't happen soon enough. When he finally pulled away, she felt like her legs were going to fail her if he let go of her waist. But, he didn't he held her close to him, his grey eyes pouring into her blue.
"What did you want to ask me?" Ginny finally asked.
Draco smiled softly and then to her misfortune, he let go of her and put his hands in the pockets of his pants. He walked to the edge of the lake. The giant squid was floating at the surface and he watched it, thinking. He didn't know how to ask her. It was a simple question; he just couldn't get it out. He didn't know why, but he got nervous around Ginny. He was never one to get nervous around a girl. What was it about her that did this to him?
"Draco?"
He turned to face her. It was now or never. "I was just wandering...if you wanted to go to the ball with me."
A big smile spread across Ginny's face. Yes! She thought. "Of course I will!" She said, almost laughing with excitement.
She walked up to him and he put his arms around her. Now, it was her turn to ask questions.
"Were all those things you said about me in the letters true?" She asked him.
"Yes. Everything." He replied. "Your perfect Ginny."
Then, he leaned down and kissed her. Softly this time, then it grew more passionate. His tongue slid into her mouth yet again, doing a mating dance with her own. When she drew back she looked into his eyes and she could see love. For the first time in her life, she was happy. She wanted to stay there by the lake, in his arms forever. But, she couldn't. She had to go back into the common room and talk to Harry. Oh no...Harry...how was she going to explain all this to him? He would kill her for going down to the lake at midnight, just to meet Draco. Harry and Ron hated Draco and would kill him if they found out he even looked at her different. Ginny moved away from Draco. "I think I better get back to the Gryffindor tower."
Draco smiled. He knew she would get in big trouble if she was caught out here and he didn't want to be the cause of her missing something like the ball. So, he leaned down and kissed her one more time. Lingering a little longer then necessary, trying to taste as much of her as he could. Then her drew back before he went so far that he couldn't stop.
"I'll walk you back." He said finally.
They both put their invisibility cloaks on, then he took her hand and they headed back up to the castle together. They walked in silence all the way up to Gryffindor tower. When they got there, he stopped her. He turned her to face him, and then he leaned in for one last kiss. He missed her mouth and kissed her eye. They both laughed softly. Then, he found her lips and they engaged in a very passionate kiss. He held her so close, that there was barely room to breathe between them. He devoured her sweet taste. When Ginny finally pulled away, she could since the disappointment on his face. She held on to him, she didn't want to let go yet. She sighed heavily.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow." He asked finally.
"Yes...what time?"
"I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall at seven." He answered her. "What color will you be wearing?"
"Red..."
"Perfect." He whispered. "But, will you do me a favor and not tell anyone who you're going with?"
"Why?"
"Because I want you to be my little secret." He answered.
"Ok."
Ginny then quickly kissed him on the cheek and turned to fat lady. She whispered the password to her and went in.
Draco stood there for the longest time, just wishing that she would come back through the portrait hole. But she didn't. He then turned and headed for his common room.When Ginny came through the portrait door, she tugged off the invisibility cloak. Harry and Hermione were now both sitting on the couch in front of the fire. They were looking at her expectantly. She sighed.
"Well..." Hermione asked impatiently.
"Well what?"
"You know perfectly well what, Virginia Weasley." Harry said sternly.
Ginny had never known Harry to use her whole name; she didn't even know he knew it. She sighed again and plopped down into an armchair near them.
"Fine...what do you want to know?"
"Who was it?" Harry asked.
Keeping her promise to Draco, she didn't know what to tell them, but the truth.
"I can't tell you."
"What do you mean you can't tell us?" Hermione asked.
"I mean I can't tell you." She repeated.
"Ginny..." Harry was giving her that look again and she hated it. He knew it broke her down.
"Listen, both of you...I promised that I wouldn't tell anyone who he was." Ginny began.
"But—"
"Just listen! I'm going to the ball with him tomorrow. You'll see us there. And I know that you might not support my decision, but I don't care." She finished.
"Ginny...just answer me one question." Harry said.
"What?"
"Did he hurt you in any way?"
"No, Harry. I told you nothing was going to happen, so you can put down all your defense guards for tonight. I'm going to bed." With that, Ginny threw the invisibility cloak and map in Harry's lap and trudged up the stairs to her dormitory.
Harry and Hermione were both shocked. They sat back on the couch and didn't speak for a long time.