Author's Note: I last updated this on Valentine's Day of last year, about a year and 2 months ago. I'd like to think my writing has improved considerably since then. Oh, and my characterization. Last year, I think my characterization of both Draco and Ginny, but especially Draco, was deplorable. Thankfully, I've read enough D/G in the year hiatus (yes, shame on me) to have improved vastly on characterization. Luckily, I didn't get far enough into this story to have butchered either character too much. So, with that, I proceed.

By the way, I apologize for my laxness in updating. This past year has been incredibly hectic. Thanks to whoever stuck with me.


"I look like I'm 12!" Ginny shrilled as she glared at her reflection in the mirror. She stared in horror at her frilly pink dress robes. "And they're pink! What redhead wears pink?" Hermione bustled towards her, her arms full of assorted ribbons and baubles.

"Oh, that's not true!" Hermione exclaimed, trying to pacify her currently hysterical friend. "You look adorable."

Ginny's eyes narrowed unpleasantly. "Adorable!"

Hermione tried unsuccessfully to backpedal. "No! See, I meant, you look…very… good! And nice!"

Hermione had gone from bad to worse.

Ginny let out a frustrated roar. "I don't want to look nice! I want to look pretty! I'm 16 years old, and I'm not going to the Yule Ball in this!" She punctuated that statement with a childish stomp of the foot and gestured violently at the dress robes.

She aimed her wand at the robes and mumbled something. A blinding flash illuminated the room.

Hermione gasped. The dress robes were now a horrid combination of yellowish green, and where the ribbons had been were now random shreds of lace.

Ginny cocked her head at the dress. "Well, damn."

"Your dress!" Hermione said, gathering it up sorrowfully. "It's ruined!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Wasn't much better to begin with," she muttered. She had the grace to look abashed when Hermione leveled a deadly glance at her.

Hermione shrugged dramatically. "I guess there's only one thing we can do."


When Ginny knocked boldly on the doors of Parvati and Lavender's room, she wasn't entirely sure what she was getting herself into.

The doors swung open, and the Dynamic Duo themselves stood there in there polished, buffed, scrubbed, lipglossed glory. They gasped in horror at the puce colored dress. "Yes, well," Ginny said sourly. "Care to help?"

On retrospect, she thought, she could have gotten whiplash at the speed at which they yanked her into the room. Then again, things like this couldn't always be helped.

TBC. Please read and review. Thanks!