Chapter 13 Surprises
"I'm so sick of speaking words that no one understands
is it clear enough that you can't live your whole life all alone
I can hear you in a whisper
but you can't even hear me screaming
"I realize you're afraid
but you can't reject the whole world
you can't escape
You don't want to escape"
-Evanescence
It was already late October and Ginny was still avoiding Harry, Ron, and Hermione like the plague. Ron and Harry had given up on talking to her but every now and then Hermione would try to speak to her. Ginny would just shoot her a death glare before stalking out of the room. She had continued to spend time with Draco in the astronomy tower at least four times a week. They would always talk about their day and how they felt about certain things. Ginny would always come back to the common room feeling relieved and stress free.
Ginny was currently sitting at the Gryffindor table trying to eat her breakfast. She never was particularly hungry anymore. As Ginny silently played with her porridge Professor Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement.
"Ahem, Could I have all of your attention please?" He said. Instantly the great hall became quiet and almost ever face was looking in the headmaster's direction.
"I would like to announce that w won't be having our usual Halloween Feast," Dumbledore said with a smile as murmurs erupted through the crowd, "Instead we will be having a Masquerade Ball for the fourth years and up. Younger students will get their feast in the common room. I am sorry that I did not inform you of this event sooner, but I decided it was best to keep it a surprise."
Smiles broke out across student's faces as if the greatest thing to happen at Hogwarts had finally came. Ginny groaned and laughed inwardly. "Just another event to add to my list of Hogwart's Events I won't be attending," she thought to herself.
Ginny got up and left the great hall. She was going to be early for class but she preferred that rather than the usual rush of students trying to leave all at once.
"Ginny wait up!" She heard someone call. She gave another groan; Hermione just couldn't leave her alone, could she?
"Hermione I really-" but Ginny stopped when she saw it wasn't Hermione, "Oh, hey Luna."
"Hey Gin. What's up? I haven't talked to you in a while," Luna said.
"Not much. Is there something you need my help with?" she asked when she saw the hesitant look on Luna's face.
"Actually there is. Ron just asked me to the ball and I just wanted to make sure it was okay with you. Because if it isn't I sware I won't go with him!" Luna added quickly.
Ginny gave a small laugh, "Of course it's okay with me. In fact I couldn't think of anyone better to go with you. My brother can be a good guy. Even if he treats me like the dirt beneath his feet doesn't mean he treats other girls the same way."
"Oh, thank you!" Luna squealed and gave Ginny a tight hug, "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay before I said yes. You know I don't want you to hate me. Even though we're not that close I still consider you an important friend."
"No problem Luna," Ginny said and began to head up the staircase.
"Gin? I was also wondering if you could maybe go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend. That way we can both pick out our dresses together."
"Well I wasn't planning on going to the ball, but I'll help you pick out your dress."
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Ginny sat in the astronomy tower during lunch. Her classes had gone fairly well and her talk with Luna had lifted her spirits, but she didn't want to get her hope up too much. With her luck, Hermione would confront her about some other issue at lunch. It was better she spend her lunch alone so nothing could happen; especially since she hadn't cut since the night before. She hoped it would stay that way for a while. She had had been sitting in the tower for about ten minutes when she heard footsteps. Ginny quickly turned around to find it was Draco.
"How'd you know I was here?" Ginny asked.
"It wasn't that hard, Gin. You'd either be up here or in your room, so I figured I'd try this one first," Draco said, "Why? You don't want to see me?"
Ginny gave a smile, "You know I always want to see you. So what's up?"
"Well you weren't at lunch and you barely ate breakfast so I thought you would be hungry," he said.
"Well, I'm not," Ginny replied, but at that moment her stomach gave a deep growl. Draco gave her a ' I told you so' look and then tossed her an apple and a pear.
"Thanks," was all Ginny mumbled before she started to devour her pear.
"So what's going on with you and Luna? I saw you two talking after breakfast," Draco started.
"Ohh," said Ginny with a small laugh, "she wanted to make sure it was okay with me if she went with my brother to the ball. It really surprised me, I wasn't expecting it at all. It put me in such a good mood I agreed to go shopping with her for her gown."
"See Ginny? I'm not the only one who has noticed you," Draco said with a smile.
"Yea, I guess you right," she replied taking another bite out of her pear, "We've never been that close, but when I agreed to go with her this weekend she seemed really happy. But I know Draco Malfoy didn't walk all the way up here just to bring low life muggle-loving Ginny Weasley some food. I wonder what he's here for?"
Ginny gave another laugh as she saw the expression on Draco's face.
"Well I am here to talk to you about something too," Draco began.
"And..?" said Ginny, urging him to continue.
"Since I don't have anyone to go with to the dance and you don't have anyone to go with I thought maybe we could go as friends," he said with hesitation in his face.
"Hmm, I don't know," Ginny said but a playful smile spread over her lips, "Of course I'll go with you!"
"Good, I knew you couldn't resist," Draco said with a smirk.
Ginny slapped his arm, but then gave him a hug. Her day was turning out to be great, and maybe it would continue through the weekend.
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Ginny made it through the rest of the week somewhat happy. She had only cut twice in the few days she had left to the weekend. It wasn't much but Ginny felt that it was something to be proud of. As Saturday morning rolled around the corner she became nervous about going to Hogsmeade with Luna. But Ginny had made a promise to herself that she wouldn't back out no matter what. When she saw Luna reassurance swept over her; the day was going to be fine.
"Sorry I'm a little late," Ginny said quietly.
"That's okay," Luna replied with a disarming smile, "So where do you want to go first?"
"I'm not really sure what's IN right now, I don't really follow fashion so I guess where ever you go is fine with me," she replied.
Ginny and Luna had visited a few expensive stores but saw nothing to their liking. Ginny had seen a few beautiful gowns but didn't bother to check the prices, she knew they were too far out of her price range. They finally stopped at a small store called The Witches' Rose. That was when Luna had found her dress. It was a powder blue gown and even thought it would have looked terrible with Ginny's red hair, it was almost too perfect on Luna. Her blue eyes matched the gown beautifully and her long, sleek blond hair gave it the perfect touch.
"It's beautiful Luna," Ginny said.
"Thanks. Now we've got to find you a dress."
They spent fifteen minutes searching the shop but found nothing to Ginny's liking. They were about to leave until Ginny noticed a dress in the back corner. She slowly walked over and picked it from the rack. She instantly fell in love with it. It wasn't a gown and it certainly wasn't colorful but she loved it. It was black and more of a dress type.
"You know Gin, this really isn't a gown," Luna said looking at the dress.
"I know, but I love it all the same," Ginny said breathlessly. She checked the price and groaned. It was one- hundred and ten galleons, way too far out of her price range. The other gowns had been far more expensive but she still didn't enough money. At that moment she hated being a Weasley because being a Weasley only gave her sixty-five galleons.
"What's wrong Ginny?" Luna asked gently.
"I can't afford it," she said sadly, "its too much money."
"Hey, now don't go getting all sad on me. I'll help you out."
Ginny's face light up instantly, "Are you sure? I mean I could always find something else if you don't want too or if its too much."
"Don't worry Gin, I got you covered," Luna said flashing her a smile.
"Oh thank you so much Luna!" Ginny squealed and gave her a hug, "I promise to pay you back as soon as I get enough money."
"No Gin, I don't want you to. You can't put a price on friendship," said Luna.
At that moment Ginny knew she was truly lucky. She had Draco and Luna looking out for her and that made her happier than she had been in quite a long time.
A/N: I know, I know. This is about the brightest chapter I've written this entire story. But don't think Ginny's getting better already. She's beginning to, but there is a lot more sad & dark things she still has to face. Well thanks for all your wonderful reviews, its really great to know people enjoy my story!