I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 6

A few days later came an announcement one night at dinner.

"Students...as you know, there is a war going on. A war between good and evil, between right and wrong, crossing the lines between black and white," Dumbledore said.

A general murmur of agreement trickled through the Great Hall.

"This war has, and will, take many lives, lives of those innocent and those at fault." A few seats down from her, Ginny could see Harry blink rapidly several times, as if fighting back tears. We're all victims, she thought. "Yet, we have the good fortune to still be among the living. Let us celebrate in two weeks' time with a Halloween costume ball, open to fourth years and above." Dumbledore sat back down and began talking to Professor McGonagall.

Girls immediately started talking excitedly. Boys continued piling food into their mouths with abandon and unconcern. Ginny's eyes immediately swivelled towards the Slytherin table, and, for a second, she thought she made eye contact with Draco.

"This is our chance," she said to Kara.

"Yeah, to score yourself a hot boyfriend? The one you think you've been mutually attracted to since the day we came back to school? The one you rarely shut up about when you're talking to me?" was the reply.

"Err, well, who else?" Ginny said, blushing.

"I don't know, is there anyone else for you? Personally, I'm hoping that Colin at least asks me to dance. He's gotten a lot less annoying-and better-looking- since first year. Or maybe that black-haired seventh year in Ravenclaw, he's really fit," Kara commented, casting her blue eyes around the Great Hall.

"Oh, yeah, Terry Boot? I used to think he was cute."

"He is cute. What are you talking about?"

"Good thing we have two weeks to prepare."

"Only two weeks? We'll have to go shopping for our costumes in Hogsmeade."

"Yeah, next trip's on Friday. Perfect."

"Perfect."

The atmosphere was similar to that of the time preceding the Yule Ball in fourth year, except that this time there was no Fleur Delacour that all of the boys wanted to ask out. Draco knew who he'd like to ask...but how? Damn nerves. He'd seen more spine on jellyfish. Well, actually he had never seen a jellyfish...had he ever seen a jellyfish? But that was beside the point. Truth be told, to other boys, Ginny Weasley wasn't exactly real estate going for the highest bidder. Maybe he'd go alone, and she'd go alone and...eh. He would figure something out eventually. He always did. Well, he almost always did.

The following Friday, Gladrag's Wizarding Wear was packed with Hogwarts students looking for various costumes and dress robes. Giggles and dull mutters of, "I never know what to wear to fancy dress parties..." rang throughout the store.

With a bottle of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion in hand, Ginny leaned against a wall flipping through books containing cosmetic spells. She was reading about how to tan in various shades when Kara grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the bookshelf.

"I have found the most perfect outfit for you," she gushed excitedly. "Draco will not be able to resist you in this, unless he passes out from amazement." Off the rack she took a shimmering, pale green fairy costume, complete with wings. Kara rushed her off to the changing rooms, shoving the dress in her arms.

Slipping off her school robes, Ginny pulled the costume over her head. She turned towards the mirror, which told her, "You are as beautiful as the first flowers of spring." Well, that was cheesy, she thought, but she did look good in it. The sleeveless, satiny bodice was fitted down to where the skirt began, made up of several layers of light, flowing fabric that brushed just below her knees. The wings were like those of the fairies that she had seen gracing Christmas trees and lighting the forest, and she seemed to almost glow like them.

She opened the door of the chamber so that Kara could see. Her friend's jaw dropped. "Maybe I should think about being a designer and designing dress robes for the rest of my life instead of being a Healer."

-x-

Updateness! I became inspired to start writing more again after getting hyped up for the Half-Blood Prince release, which I pre-ordered today. I'm probably going to be one of those insane people that camp out until the midnight release. But, it'll all be worth it. The "I've seen more spine on jellyfish" quote comes from the Brand New song "Seventy Times Seven." Title from The Fiery Furnaces' "Straight Street."