Dislaimer: Harry Potter is not mine.
Another really BIG cliche warning!
------------------- Chapter 15: The Biggest Cliché of All
"Hello Colin," said Ginny as she sat next to him at dinner.
"Hey Ginny," said Colin. "Have you heard that Dumbledore is supposed to be making some important announcement this evening?"
"That is what is rumored."
"I just hope it is something good."
"Yeah, I quite agree."
"Nothing like 'Malfoy is staring at you Ginerva Weasley.'"
"What?"
"Malfoy is staring at you, unless he is staring at me. I doubt that though, I know I am absolutely gorgeous, but I doubt I'm his type," said Colin, giving Draco a wave and throwing him a kiss.
"And I am?" said Ginny, laughing at the look on Draco's face.
"Well, I know there is something up between you two. I am at least that observant."
"Malfoy and I have just come to a mutual understanding."
"Do 'Malfoy' and 'understanding' go in the same sentence?"
"Rarely, but don't tell my brother or Harry; they are a bit touchy on the Malfoy subject."
"I won't. Remember, Harry still thinks I am a stalker."
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Draco sat at the Slytherin table staring at Ginny. He knew he shouldn't, but something about that girl was addicting. He broke his concentration on her though, and looked away disgusted when Ginny's friend, Creevy, waved and blew him a kiss.
"I didn't know Creevy was you type," Blaise joked as Draco made a face.
"Shut up, Zabini."
"Oh, come on, Draco. I know you like the Weasley girl."
"I do not!"
"See, your even in denial!"
"I am not."
"Your even in denial about being in denial. Trust me, you could have picked worse. Despite being a Weasley and a Gryffindor, she is quite a catch."
Draco was about to reply when Dumbledore stood up and tapped his glass.
"As you all know, I have an important announcement to make. As you all know, times are growing darker and more perilous. Lord Voldemort is an ever-growing threat that needs to be dealt with. Yet, this is no reason why we should not let loose our worries and have a little fun. That is why, after much enthusiastic support by two certain Gryffindors and two certain Ravenclaws, we are to hold a ball over winter holiday. It will be for fourth years and above, although you may invite a younger student, and it will be held Christmas night."
"So, Draco, are you going to ask her?" asked Blaise.
"Why would I ask a filthy Weasley?"
"Because you think she is quite fetching, but have the worst case of denial I have ever seen. Plus, it might keep Pansy away from you."
"The way you talk, you should be asking the Weasley girl."
"Alright, if you won't, I will."
"WHAT?"
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Harry was excited. He normally wouldn't be, but this was the prefect chance for him to tell Ginny how he felt about her. He would ask tonight, that way she wouldn't already have a date. He would have asked her right then, but he would rather not ask in front of so many people. She was sitting just down from him laughing with Colin.
Hermoine nudged him. "Are you going to ask her?"
"Who?" asked Harry, taken by surprise.
"Ginny! It is obvious that you like her," said Hermoine, matter-of-factly.
"It is?" asked Harry sheepishly.
"Sure is mate," said Ron. "Better you than some other bloke."
"Alright, if it means that much to you Ron, I will ask her," said Harry jokingly.
"Good, but it is going to be awkward for me to give you the 'one wrong move and I'll kill you' speech."
"I'll bet," laughed Harry, not knowing that what was going on a few seats down at that very minute.
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"That was Dumbledore's important announcement?" said Colin.
"Yeah, it should be fun. With the exception of the whole date finding thing; I hate that part," said Ginny.
"Yeah, me too. Hey I have an idea—"
"Oh no, none of your ideas. Last one I was rising blue ink out of my hair for a week."
"This one is not quite as hazardous as that one."
"Fine, what is it?"
"Why don't we just go together?"
"Are you serious?"
"Well, yeah. Just as friends. It will save the horrendous task of finding dates and we know we will have fun together."
"I don't know. Us dancing together? It sounds pretty hazardous to me."
Colin laughed. "Is that a yes or a no?"
"I guess that is a yes, as long as you wear a top hat."
"Are you serious?"
"Completely."
"Then that is a definite yes. I love my top hat."
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Harry paced the common room waiting for Ginny to come up. He was more nervous than he was when he asked Cho Chang to the Yule Ball. Ron and Hermoine had gone to their dormitories already to give him some privacy. It was awkward enough for him to ask Ginny, but doing it in front of her brother and his best friends would be even worse.
Finally, Ginny walked into the common room with Colin. Fortunately, Colin headed up to his dormitory leaving Harry and Ginny alone. Everyone else was still out and about.
"Um, Ginny, can I talk to you?" said Harry, feeling more dull-witted by the moment.
"Sure, Harry. What is it?" she asked smiling.
"Dwanagtothbalwitme?" said Harry, silently cursing himself for seeming like such an idiot.
"Pardon?"
Harry breathed; it was now or never. "Do you want to go to the ball with me?"
He started blushing, although he profusely wished that he would not. Ginny started blushing slightly, too.
"Harry, I am sorry," she started. "But, I am already going with someone."
Harry was quite devastated. He hoped her date was not who he thought it was.
"I'll save a dance with you though," she said with an encouraging smile.
"Are you sure you date won't mind?" he said almost coldly.
"I am sure Colin won't mind."
Harry was relieved; it wasn't who he dreaded it being.
"Okay, but I am holding you to that," said Harry smiling despite how he was feeling.
"Okay, Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
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Draco paced the Slytherin common room. After everyone had gone to sleep, he had received a letter. It was from his father.
Draco-I have heard about the upcoming ball at Hogwarts. You have hopefully accomplished your last task. If so, and I hope you have for your own sake, your next task should not be too difficult. You are to take Miss Weasley to the ball. At precisely ten o'clock, you are to leave her and go to the girl's restroom on the first floor. You will wait there for further instructions.
-Father
Draco didn't mind this task so much, although he told himself he did. The thing was that he did not want anything to happen to Ginny, but he also knew that if he did not cooperate he could be killed or tortured. Draco made up his mind to ask her to the ball the next day, hoping that Blaise would not before he could.
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A/N: And thar ith Chapter 15. I hope everyone liked it. As always thank you to everyone for reading. Also a special thank you to louey31 (again), SonMina, and Takeru Takaishi's Gurl for reviewing!
----Perplexity