A/N: This chapter is long, but I have to warn you, that the end letter is basically me ruining Cinderella for all eternity. Either way, I hope you have fun, and the story really won't suffer (quite the contrary) if you skip the CinderGinny story. Honestly.

"Please tell me the story again," Melody said while wiping her eyes from laughing so hard. "Do you really mean that Professor Snape asked you for advice on what to give Professor Sinistra for her birthday?"

Ginny giggled and nodded, all the while peering anxiously into the mirror and straightening her robes.

"It's as true as I'm standing here. I still can't believe it actually happened, though."

"Do you have any idea what he got her? And when is her birthday anyway?"

Ginny shook her head. "I have no idea. Soon, I guess. He just said that it was coming up. I guess I could always ask her."

"No you can't do that!" Melody exclaimed.

"What? Why not?"

Melody looked at her as though she was stupid. "Come on, Gin, what if she gets suspicious."

"Yeah, perhaps you're right. But still!"

"True. Perhaps there is someone else we could ask. Headmaster Dumbledore seems to be the kind of guy to know these things."

"I wouldn't be surprised. Dumbledore knows just about everything there is to know. I'll have Harry ask him the next time he sees him. The two of them have a good connection. If I asked Dumbledore something like that, it would seem too weird. I'll make Harry do it."

Melody nodded. "Good plan. Speaking of Harry, when are you meeting him?"

Ginny looked at the watch on the wall. "In an hour. I'll walk over there soon, I just need to get this bloody dress to cooperate." She tugged at her robes again, cursing lightly.

"Here, let me. You're just going to ruin it," Melody said and took out her wand. With a quick flick and an inchoherent incantation Ginny's robes went poof, and all of a sudden they looked perfect. Ginny gaped.

"If I wasn't really late I would have forced you to teach me that," she said and looked at herself in the mirror. "Very impressive."

Melody shrugged. "It's impossible to go to a school in France for seven years and not pick up on anything. You're welcome."

"Thank you so much! Now how do I look?" Ginny did a little twirl and Melody looked at her scrutinizingly.

"Perfect," she said with a grin. "Harry won't know what hit him."

"Brilliant. Well, I got to run. See you later?"

"Sure. I'm pretty sure my date won't be at all as exciting as yours so I'll probably be back here in time for supper."

Ginny laughed. "I'm sorry. Why don't I just come find you once I get back? Harry has a match tomorrow so he won't be able to stay the night. I'll probably be back around midnight."

"Be sure to leave a glass slipper so he'll find you," Melody grinned.

"A what?"

"Nevermind. It's a muggle thing, I'll explain later. Now go!"

"Ok, I will. Have fun!"

"You too."

Ginny walked into the Three Broomsticks feeling very self conscious. There were students all around and they all looked at her as she went inside. Not seeing Harry anywhere she walked up to the bar to talk to Madame Rosmerta while waiting.

"Hello dear," Rosmerta said with a wide smile when she noticed Ginny. "Having a hot date for Valentine's Day, do you?"

Ginny laughed. "More an excuse to force Harry to come visit. You haven't seen him anywhere have you?"

Rosmerta shook her head. "I haven't. I'm pretty sure I would have known if he had come in, the crowd always gets dead quiet once a celebrity like him comes to visit."

Ginny smiled. "I can imagine. I probably should have thought of that before I told him to meet me here. I just keep forgetting that he's famous and stuff, you know?"

"I know, dear," Rosmerta said with a nod. "I keep forgetting, myself. It seems like just yesterday he came in here with Ron and Hermione for the first time. How are those two, by the way? Last I heard they had gotten married and were off on honeymoon somewhere in the great world."

"India," Ginny corrected. "Hermione always wanted to visit India, and well, you know Ron, he does anything to make Hermione happy. It's actually quite disgusting if you ask me."

Madame Rosmerta laughed at this. "He's in love, Ginny dear. I am pretty sure Harry would do anything to make you happy, as well. Don't you think?"

Ginny couldn't help but smile. "I guess you're right. I don't need India, though, I just hoped he'd show up on time." She sighed and took the offered butterbeer.

"There now," Rosmerta said when the entire place suddenly went deadly quiet. "That should be him."

Ginny turned around and just as Rosmerta had said, there was Harry in the entrance, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Why don't I get the two of you a room on your own, dear?" Rosmerta said and bent down to get a key from under the bar. "Take this. I wouldn't want your date to be spoiled because of crazy fans."

Ginny smiled thankfully and took the key. Harry had managed to make his way over, now, and all around them people were staring in awe.

"Hey you," he said quietly and quickly bent down to kiss her.

Ginny looked up at him with a grin. "Hey yourself. I'm so sorry to take you here, but I totally forgot about the whole famous quidditch star, boy-who-lived-and-then-lived-again thing."

Harry chuckled. "It's ok. I just wanted to see you."

"Well here I am. Now listen, Madame Rosmerta has given us a room to ourselves, so why don't you just tell Rosmerta what you'll have to eat and we can go up there. You might be used to the staring, but frankly it's creeping me out."

"Ok. Good plan." He turned to Madame Rosmerta who was watching everything with great amusement.

"Hello Harry," she said with a grin.

"Hello Rosmerta, good to see you. And thanks for the private room."

"No problem, dear. Now what can I get you to eat?"

"Lamb chops and a butterbeer. And for Ginny…"

"The same," Ginny added and put her empty cup on the desk. "And now we're out of here." She took Harry by the hand, the key in the other, and together they walked up to the private dining room provided for them by Madame Rosmerta.

"I like this place," Harry said once they were inside. "I never knew there were private dining rooms here."

"I guess they use it for all their secret planmaking or something," Ginny said with a laugh. "Or maybe this is where Professor Dumbledore takes all his dates."

Harry made a face. "Or perhaps this is the place in which Snape and Sinistra first swore their undying love to one another."

Ginny sniggered. "That's just gross. Or maybe…" she said and went to where Harry was standing by the fire place. "Maybe this room is a place outside of time and space, designed just for us, just for today." She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

"I like that," Harry said quietly. "That means no one will be able to find us, nor will anyone notice we are gone. We could stay here forever and no one would ever need to know."

"That doesn't sound quite as scary as it probably should have. You do realise this means we could starve to death and no one would be the wiser?"

"Or," Harry said with a grin, "I could do like this," he kissed her, "and no one would ever come in and interrupt."

"Like I said," Ginny muttered and kissed him again, "not as scary as it ought to be."

Twenty minutes later someone knocked on the door. Harry untangled himself from Ginny and went to open.

Madame Rosmerta was standing on the outside holding a tray laden with food.

"Here you go, dears. I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

Harry grinned. "Nothing we can't continue later. The food looks delicious."

"I'll tell the chef," Rosmerta replied with a smile. "Now I hope you enjoy the food, and I'll send up some of that muggle champagne in a little while. And maybe a few strawberries." She winked, and Harry chuckled.

"Thank you, Rosmerta. You're spoiling us."

"I'm just performing my civic duty Harry dear. I do this on behalf of the entire wizarding world who would want nothing more than to spoil you rotten."

"Hear, hear," Ginny said in the background.

"Well now, I'll leave you two to yourselves. Have a good evening."

"Thanks Rosmerta, we will." Then Harry took the tray and Rosmerta closed the door when she left.

"The food looks amazing," Ginny said as Harry put down the tray.

"It sure does. I wonder how she manages to make such tender meat."

Ginny smiled. "It's probably magic," she said and winked.

Harry laughed. "Well I don't care how it's done as long as it tastes like this." He cut out a piece of his meat and put it in his mouth. "I think I could marry Rosmerta just so I could have lamb chops like these every day."

Ginny put on a hurt look. "Are you saying you'll leave me for Madame Rosmerta?"

"Well," Harry said and looked at her, "they really are good lamb chops. But then I guess there is more to a good wife than just making the world's greatest lamb chops."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, you know, cleaning, ironing, all those things. And you're really good at that so I guess I'll marry you anyway."

Ginny snorted. "I'm glad I can be of assistance."

"That's no problem. Any time, really."

Ginny looked at him through half closed eyes. "You are so full of yourself sometimes Harry Potter."

Harry winked and then shrugged. "You think I should have told you about this before I asked you to marry me?"

"If you had been a considerate person, then yes I think you should have told me. But then I never would have married you, so I guess all in all it worked out for the best."

"You haven't married me yet, there's still time to get out if that's what you want."

Ginny looked at him for a long time, then slowly an evil smile started to spread across her face. "Maybe I will, and then I can just keep you as my sex slave. Yes, I like that idea."

Harry put on a face of mock outrage. "Oh no! How will I ever survive? No emotional ties, only sex? It will be too much."

"Well, Mr. Potter," Ginny said, waving her fork at him, "you should have thought about that before you mentioned cleaning and ironing."

"I'm so sorry Your Highness," Harry stammered. "Please take me back, I don't know how I will survive without your love." He got up and fell down on his knees beside her chair. "Please tell me you love me. Please?"

"You are an insolent and petulent child, Mr. Potter, and you are not worthy of my love."

Harry sighed dramatically. "Oh please, please Your Royal Evilness, if I do not have your love I must die." He took out his wand and placed it on his heart. "Do you wish me to die? I will if you don't take me back."

Ginny looked at him with a thoughtful expression. "You would really kill yourself on my behalf?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Just say the word."

"Well, I guess it would be bad to have the death of a servant on my record. A loyal one, at that. Besides, I was getting kind of fond of you. Allright then, I take you back. Now please remove your wand before you hurt yourself."

Harry put his wand back in his robes, then took Ginny's hand and kissed it.

"You are too kind, Your Highness. I do not deserve this."

"You're damn right you don't," Ginny said and pulled him to his feet, "but I give you one last chance. Just don't mess it up this time, ok?"

"Of course."

"Good. Now then, can we please return to our dinner?"

Harry looked at her and smiled.

"Actually," he said and made her stand up, "I have a better idea." He wrapped his arms around her waist and slowly started to lead her towards the wall. "This is Valentine's Day, after all, and I think it would be a shame to waste such a day with eating."

Ginny looked up at him with a smile. "But part of Valentine's Day is to go out to eat. You're messing with tradition here."

"But we have eaten, have we not? And now it is time for the most important part of the day."

"And which part is that?"

"That," Harry said and kissed her cheek, "is the part where I do this," he kissed her cheekbone, "and this," her neck, "and this." He got even closer, before putting his finger under her chin and moved her face so it was right opposite his. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

Ginny nodded. "You have, but I don't mind hearing it again."

"I love you," he whispered. "I love you so much it hurts. There are times when an entire day goes by and all I have thought about that day is you. I can be at practice, and all of a sudden I realise I have missed important parts of the game because I can't focus on what is going on. The other day John yelled at me for half an hour because I had missed seeing the Snitch three times as it passed me. You're driving me crazy, Gin, and I love every moment of it."

She bit her lip and stroked his cheek with her right hand. "If only you knew how many times I have wanted to hear you say those things. I spent nine years of my life dreaming about this. All my life I have hated Valentine's Day because every time I was on a date I knew it was wrong, that it should have been you sitting across the table, not some random guy I hardly knew. And now, now that we're finally here, and I hear you say all those things, I can't believe it's real. I keep thinking that it's just another of my fantasies and that soon I'll wake up crying, because it all seemed so real, and I know I can't have you. Harry I love you, and if you ever leave me then I really will die, because now that I have found out what it really is to have your love, then I can't live without it. And I know that it's a stupid thing to become so dependent on another person, but I can't help it. This is what my life is all about. You, and this moment right here. Bloody hell, Harry, if you leave me I'll die."

Harry peered down into her eyes for the longest time. "You make me speechless sometimes, you know that? And I won't leave you. That ring on your finger, that means forever, allright? Don't you ever forget that. Forever. I wouldn't have given it to you if I didn't mean it."

"Good."

"Besides, you're too addictive."

"Addictive how?"

"Like this." He kissed her, and Ginny reveled in the way his body pinned her against the wall. Harry wouldn't leave her, she was sure of that now. He found her too addictive. She grinned and Harry stopped what he was doing.

"What?"

"Nothing," she said with a laugh, "I just like your handiwork."

Hours later Ginny found herself back in the castle. Harry had walked her to the door and they had spent thirty minutes saying goodbye.

"Come home for Ron's birthday," Harry pleaded.

Ginny sighed. "I don't know. I'll have to talk to McGonagall. Maybe I'll be let off for one day, but I wouldn't bet on it."

"Gin, I can't wait until Easter to see you again. I'll go insane."

She looked at him and sighed again. "I know, me too. Letters just isn't enough any more. Listen, I'll talk to McGonagall, ok?"

"Promise?"

"Promise. Now, I have to go or Melody will go insane. I promised I'd come see her once I got back. When I told her I'd be back around midnight she said something about a glass slipper so I'm already fearing for her sanity."

Harry laughed. "Well, it's midnight, Cinderella, you better go."

"Cinder who?"

"Cinderella. It's a muggle fairy tale. Have Melody explain, then tell her I'd find you even without the glass slipper."

"Crazy muggles," Ginny said and shook her head. "You're out of your minds the lot of you."

"I'm not a muggle, Cinderella. I'm a Prince and a Knight in Shining Armour. And soon you will be mine and we will live happily ever after. Until then you have to go, though, or your evil Stepmother will get angry. You don't want that. Besides, I might become a giant pumpkin soon and I'm guessing that's not a pretty sight."

Ginny looked at him as though he had finally tilted. "Bloody insane. But I'll go. Not because there's such a chance of you becoming a pumpkin, nor because my evil Stepmother will find me. I will go because if I don't Melody will get worried, and you will get even crazier than you already are. Fare well."

"Bye, Princess. I'll come for you one day!"

"Whatever you say. Freak."

Dear Harry,

Once upon a time there was a girl called Ginevra. She had red hair, blue eyes, and she was loved all throughout the land. Then one day Ginevra's mother died, and her father, Count Dumbledore, married another woman, an evil woman, a woman named Minerva McGonagall. This woman had two daughters of her own, one uglier and more more spiteful than the other. They were named Snapeina and Malfoya. Soon after the marriage the evil lady and her daughters moved to the castle where Ginevra and her father lived, and when they saw Ginevra they were filled with a sudden jealousy, because Ginevra's tresses were redder than the sun, and her eyes were bluer than the ocean, and her love among the people was greater than what they could ever hope to achieve for themselves.

And so it came to pass that one fateful day Ginevra's father, Count Dumbledore, had to go away on some urgent business. He was an important man, Dumbledore, and he was very busy. And just as he rode out of the courtyard he was stricken with a sudden heart disease and he died immeditately, leaving Ginevra with no family but her evil stepmother and her two wicked daughters.

The days went by, and Ginevra's stepmother ruled over the household with an iron fist, giving her own daughters everything they wanted, whereas Ginevra was set to sweep the fireplace, thus earning herself the nickname of Cinderella.

Then one day the word came from a nearby town that the Dashing Prince Harry was looking to marry, and that there would be held a ball at his castle Hogwarts in a week. All girls of marriable age were requested to come, and the Prince would find himself a wife at the ball.

Ginevra's evil stepsisters were of course invited, and they spent all week taunting Ginevra, telling her that had she only been prettier, more representable and not such a shame on the family name, she too could have gone. But of course she, who spent all day in the soot was too dirty to even consider getting the attentions of a prince. Besides, Prince Harry, wouldn't even have bothered looking at her if she showed up. Ginevra knew this to be true, but had very much wanted to go to this ball, if for nothing else than to get out of the cursed confinements of her enslavement for just one day.

But alas, the day of the ball came, and Ginevra had to watch her stepmother and stepsisters drive away to the ball without her. She cried bitterly as watched them leave, but then, just as she was about to loose all hope, a fairy appeared before her.

"Why are you weeping, child?" the fairy asked.

Ginevra stared at her in awe. "Who are you?"

"I am your Fairy Godmother, Madame Rosmerta," the fairy replied, "and I have seen your tears. Now tell me why you are crying and I will take care of everything for you."

Ginevra was very dubious and could not make herself believe that what the fairy said was true, yet she told her everything. She told her about her parents who were dead and about the evil stepmother who had made her into a servant in her own home. And then she told her about Prince Harry and his ball, and that she really wished she could have had one night off so that she could go to the ball and partake in the festivities.

The fairy looked at Ginevra for a long time before she suddenly broke into peals of laughter. "Oh child," the fairy exclaimed, "I will get you to the ball if it is the last I do!" And then she waved her tiny little wand about, and before she knew it Ginevra was wearing the prettiest dress she had ever seen, and before her eyes stood a beautiful horse with a carriage.

"Get to the ball, child," the fairy said, "but remember, you must be back before the clock strikes twelve, for then everything will return to its rightful state. Do you understand?"

Ginevra nodded urgently, and before long she found herself outside Hogwarts castle, where Prince Harry lived.

With a beating heart she got out of her carriage and walked up to the castle and into the ballroom, known to most as the Great Hall. She could see Prince Harry sitting on his throne, and his dashing beauty made Ginevra's heart flutter. He was tall, dark and handsome, with hair that pointed everywhere, and if she looked closely she could see the resemblances of a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Ginevra smiled. If she had to go home at this very moment she would have been happy, because Harry's face would follow her until the day she died.

For a long time Ginevra stood outside the crowd and watched all the happy couples. But then the time came for Harry to choose someone to dance with, and Ginevra could hardly believe her luck when she realised that Harry was headed towards none other than herself.

"Good evening, my Lady," he said with a graceful bow. "May I have this dance?"

Ginevra nodded, unable to say a word, because the Prince was even more handsome up close. With a beating heart Ginevra let herself be led across the room, and the two danced all night.

"You are very beautiful, my Lady, may I ask what your name is?" Prince Harry asked after a while.

Ginevra looked at him with despair. "I can't tell you," she stuttered, "I wish I could, but I can't." And just then the clock started to strike twelve. Already Ginevra could feel her transformation begin, and with a last longing glance at the Prince she turned around and ran out of the ballroom. Just as she was heading down the stairs she felt one of her slippers fall off, but there was no time to go back and get it. She ran away, not knowing that Prince Harry had found her slipper, and that already heaven and earth was put into to motion so that he could find this beautiful girl.

Days went by where nothing happened, until suddenly one day word came that Prince Harry was coming to visit, and that he was bringing a glass slipper. He had been visiting every house in the province, hoping to find the girl whose slipper it was he had found on the night of the ball. Every girl in the vicinity came to try on the slipper, but it wouldn't fit anyone. Then at last Prince Harry asked, desperation evident in his voice, "is there no other girl in this village whose slipper this could be?"

Ginevra, who had been standing in the background watching the whole thing finally stepped forward.

"I'm sorry to interrupt Your Highness," she said feebly, "but that slipper belongs to me."

"To you!" the evil stepmother and the wicked stepsisters cried in unison. "But you are only a servant!"

"Yes I am," Ginevra said, "but it is mine nonetheless."

"Then prove it," the stepmother said. And so Ginevra did, and when the slipper fitted everyone knew that she had been telling the truth.

Not long after Ginevra and Prince Harry got married, and they both lived happily ever after. Minerva McGonagall soon after redeemed herself, and Ginevra and Harry made her the Transfiguration Professor at the village school. Snapeina and Malfoya, however, were sent to the Island of Perpetual Tickling, where they are still to be found on this very day. The Fairy Godmother, Madame Rosmerta, opened an inn where anyone could come visit, and she used all the magic she had within her to make the greatest lamb chops in all the world.

The End.

Love,
Ginny
PS: I'm sorry if I messed up the story, but this is how Melody told it, I only took a few liberties. Hope you liked it.

A/N part 2: See, I told you the fairytale was bad, even Ginny thinks so. But I couldn't help it, and I did warn you that it would scar you for life. Also, the Island of Perpetual Tickling is stolen from the VeggieTales movie Esther. By the way, I'm sorry if I offended any Frenchmen/women with my France reference, that was not the intention, I promise. And while I'm at it, I don't really like lamb chops, it's just that it's Easter and there's been so many lamb references lately that I think it subconciously transferred itself into my story. I'll shut up now.