Chapter 7
"Where's Ginny?"
"Dunno, she left like an hour ago." Zi shrugged her shoulders and started for the portrait hole, but Ron caught her arm.
"What was she wearing?"
Zi sighed heavily, "I don't know! She was wearing a cloak, I didn't see what was under it." She brushed off Ron's hand and left the Common Room.
"Don't worry about it Ron." Harry attempted a re-assuring smile, but failed miserably. The butterflies in his stomach seemed to be reproducing like bunnies.
"Ron! If I hear you say one more thing about your sister in the next five minutes I'm going to ... disown you!" Hermione walked down the Dormitory stairs and glared at him. "She's a big girl, she can take care of herself for one night."
"Wow ... you look amazing." Hermione felt the corners of her mouth creeping up as she blushed. She and Ron were going as Romeo and Juliet; she was wearing a low cut, flowing dress that even she had to admit looked stunning.
"Not to bad for a Montague, yourself." Hermione giggled as Ron gave her a confused look. "Montague Ron, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet ... oh never mind!"
"Are we all ready?" Mattie came down the stairs, smiling. Harry got up from his seat on the couch to kiss her hand lightly.
"You look ..." Mattie smiled; they were going as Laurey and Curly from Oklahoma! Mattie was wearing a long, white, poofy dress.
"Well if we're all done with the formalities let's get downstairs." Ron smiled and held out his arm to Hermione; she took it and the four of them started for the Great Hall.
The Great Hall
"Still no Ginny." Ron scanned the room and with a worried look on his face. Dumbledore had said a few remarks and then the music had started. The Ball had officially started more than a half an hour ago and there was still no sign of Ginny. Getting annoyed on both her own and Ginny's behalf, Hermione pulled Ron's head back to her and snogged him quickly. "What was that for?" Ron asked, grinning.
"That was payment in advance for letting this Ginny thing go ... just for tonight, okay?"
"Yeah, you're right ... let's dance."
On the other side of the Hall, a couple walked in fashionably late. They were dressed as the Phantom and Christine from Phantom of the Opera. The girl was most definitely Ginny, by her red hair, but that was the only definitive factor. She looked so beautiful hardly anyone would recognize the short, shy fourth year Gryffindor. On her arm was the Phantom; dressed in a black suit and cape with a mask covering his face from the nose up. His black hair was falling around his face in an unruly manner. He smiled down at Ginny and they walked in amidst the "ooh's" and "ahh's". I have to admit, she looks like a goddess ... even more so than usual.
"Ginny! Hi!" Zi ran up to her friend and hugged her tightly. "And who's this handsome bloke?" Ginny giggled.
"This is my date, duh!" Before Zi could ask who her date was, Ginny whisked him off onto the dance floor.
"Well played." He whispered in Ginny's ear as they danced. Ginny smiled. "You look amazing." Ginny blushed.
"You look good yourself, but I have to say, I don't like the mask." Ginny smiled mischievously. Ginny and 'her date' danced the entire night.
The Hogwarts Lake
Ginny smiled and sat down on the lakebed, smoothing out her long dress. She felt her date drape his cloak over her shoulders. "Don't want you to catch cold."
"Yeah, yeah. Now you sound like my brother. So what do you say we lose this mask?" Ginny smiled sweetly and pulled off the mask as her date sat down next to her. He smiled and kissed her, when they pulled away Ginny cuddled close, resting her head on his chest. "Draco? I heard some rumors about you and Pansy ... something about you being promised or something ... and you telling her off the other day."
"Yeah," Draco said, hesitantly. "It's hard to explain, but basically our fathers are friends and ..."
"Just please tell me the truth, Draco." Draco sighed and pulled Ginny up to look him in the eyes. Before he could get lost in her chocolate-colored eyes, he started to explain.
"Our dads decided when we were born that it would be good for the families if we got married. It would keep the bloodlines clean, if you know what I mean. But Pansy and I ... don't really see eye to eye ... ever." Draco sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead, he'd never told anyone this before for fear his father would find out. "She thinks we're like soul mates or something. But, I can't stand her! She throws herself at every random guy and won't leave me alone for one bloody minute!" Ginny noticed Draco's clenched fists, and put her own hands on top of his. "She's always all over me and I can't stand it ... especially now that you and I ... I love you Ginny, and I would never do anything to hurt you. Please know that!"
"Hush, I know. I love you, and we'll figure something out about Pansy. But for now just don't let it bother you; every time she annoys you think of ... our song." Ginny smiled sheepishly and looked away. Draco put his finger under her chin and pulled her head back to look at him
He smiled and sang, "This land is mine but I'll let you ruleI'll let you navigate and demand
Just as long as you know, this land is mine
So find your home and settle in
Oh I'm ready to let you in
Just as long as you know, this land is mine""I didn't know you could sing." Ginny smiled at him affectionately.
"I didn't know a lot of things before I met you ... truthfully, I never tried to sing until I heard you ... I thought maybe, I wouldn't be so bad. Maybe, eventually, I'll get good enough so that you wouldn't be embarrassed to sing with me." Draco raised an eyebrow and smiled hopefully.
"Draco, I'd never be embarrassed to sing with you ... bloody hell you might even show me up." Ginny smiled as Draco shook his head; he turned onto his back, resting his head on Ginny's lap.
"What are you doing for the holidays?"
"Not much ... life at home's not really all that exciting. Everyone's back at the Burrow for Christmas, except Bill, Charlie, and Percy." Ginny shrugged, she was looking forward to the holidays, but it also ment time away from Draco.
"Yeah, me too. Are you taking the train?" Ginny ran a hand through Draco's hair, causing a tingle to shoot up his spine. They had since removed the ridiculous black wig; everyone would have recognized Draco's blonde hair.
"Yeah, Fred, George, and Ron are going to see a game with my dad so it's just me on the Train. Harry's staying here along with Hermione and Zi's going with her sister to stay in Hogsmeade for a day or two before heading home." Ginny sighed; she'd definitely get some reading done.
"Hey, that means we can sit together! No one's going home, Pansy's parents along with Crabbe's and Goyle's are on a vacation. Meet me in the last compartment, then." Ginny leaned down and kissed Draco.
"Sure, some time alone before we don't see each other for 3 weeks is definitely welcome." Draco smiled up at Ginny and, taking her hand, kissed it.
"Thank for a wonderful evening, Ginerva." Ginny made face at hearing her real name and leaned down to kiss Draco.
A/N: Hope you all liked this chappie. Short I know, but I've got to get to bed. I'm really looking forward to writing the next chapter, so it should be posted soon! Review please!!
MzSammiz: LOL and thanks! Hope you liked this one!