Unadulterated Bliss

Chapter 12: A Simple Gift

After all the waiting and all the anticipation, the night had finally come. It was only 1 hour away from the FALL BALL!! Ginny was getting ready in her chambers with Cassie beside her. Cassie was wearing a form-fitting light silver dress with delicate beading and tiny straps; and with her fair skin and dark hair, she looked like a moon goddess.

Ginny's dress was a gown of ice-blue. With soft lines and fabric that flowed around her, she was the epitome of understated elegance. Her beauty lay in her face, and the happiness that shone through. Her hair was pulled back in a graceful chignon, and her make-up was natural and romantic.

While other groups of girls rushed to and fro frantically trying to get dressed, apply make-up, and get their hair done (because a natural skill is handy to have, especially when magic is not allowed) as quickly as possible. Having finished getting ready ages ago, Ginny and Cassie were busy whispering about what they imagined the decorations would be, what songs would play, the dances, their dates, and basically everything and anything that had to do with the ball.

As the minutes passed until the level of excitement reached a pulsing tension that throbbed in every girls inner being, it was finally time to go down, and meet their dates. Cassie went out first, since Ginny wanted to check herself once more to make sure no loose threads were out, and after a few calming breaths, went out as well.

She reached the top of the stairs, and looked down. The room was full of people, but her eyes were drawn to a single figure, leaning against a wall playing with a small box in his hands. At that same moment, slowly, his eyes rose upwards. Their eyes met. Electricity seemed to crackle between them, as he pushed himself from the wall to walk towards her, without once ever breaking the connection. He stopped after the first step, and held out his hand to her. Slowly, she descended, as if one in a daze, and placed her hand in his.

He bowed his body, and brought his lips to the back of her hand, in a greeting. "Hello" he murmured.

She found it hard to breathe when his eyes bore into hers, "Hello" she said faintly. He smiled, a quick twist of his lips, and tucked her hand into his arm, as he led her down the hall. "For you, madamoiselle," he said, and brought forth a small box containing fresh lilies of the valley. Touched, by his old-fashioned gesture, she reached out and touched the softness of the petal. "Oh, how sweet" she breathed.

He took them fully out of the box, and walked with her over to a mirror in the hallway, where she carefully pinned them into her hair. She looked questioningly up at him. Hesitating, he lifted his hand, and brushed a tendril of hair back. "Beautiful," he said simply. She blushed and looked away.

He took her hand again, and intertwined their fingers, as he heard music wafting out from the doors in front. "Come on," he said, "let's go in."

A/N: P.S-sorry it took so long!