Chapter Seven-Rumors
As Halloween drew closer, so did the first Hogsmeade weekend of the school year. The feast on Halloween each year grew more and more extravagant. There was rumor of a ball for Halloween this year instead of the feast. So far, none of the teachers revealed or denied plans for this which drove the girls of Hogwarts crazy.
"What does McGonagall think she's playing at?" Lucy Jones, Ginny's dorm mate said one day after leaving Transfiguration, "if there is a ball for Halloween, they better tell us soon! This weekend is the first Hogsmeade weekend! It'll be the perfect chance to pick up a cute costume. Perhaps then Seamus Finnegan will finally ask me out."
Lucy sighed as she sat down at the Gryffindor table. She looked down at the table towards the Irish hunk but he was busy doing an impression of Professor Snape.
"Lucy, how many times have we all told you that he's dating Lavender Brown!" Ashley Dennon, another one of Ginny's bunk mates spoke.
"Well, a girl can dream can't she," Lucy responded, "anyway, Ginny, if there is a ball, which boy would you want to go with? Neville again?" Lucy smirked.
Ginny groaned. The Yule ball she attended in her third year ended in disaster. She couldn't walk properly for a week. Neville's continued clumsiness in dancing resulted with Ginny's feet forming humongous blisters and bruises.
"Ha ha funny Lucy," Ginny said. Her mind turned to think about herself being escorted by a certain blonde silver-eyed dragon.
"Oh I think Ginny would fancy going with Dean Thomas, right Ginny?" Luna Lovegood said walking over to the table.
Ginny had a confused expression on her face. "Why would I 'fancy' going with Dean, Luna?"
"Well you're still dating him right? Anyway, that's what I heard." Luna glanced dreamily over at Ron sitting next to Harry. "Does he have a date?"
Ginny looked away from the astonished faces of her friends and said, "Does who have a date, Dean?"
"No, Ron…"
The girls giggled as Luna continued to pursue looking at Ron.
"Um, Luna, do you think that's a good idea?" Ginny asked.
"Oh yes, I must go with him. I have to see to his freckles. Remember Ginny I told you your brothers freckles could really be a furnunculus curse gone wrong," Luna spoke and glided over to the trio.
"Oh no, what is she going to do," Daveigh said to the girls, joining the table.
"Just watch Dava, this is going to be hilarious," giggled Naomi Ellis, another roommate.
As Luna approached Ron, Seamus stopped his Snape impersonation to watch the impending conversation.
Harry was in the middle of laughing at Seamus when Luna's shadow lurked on the table.
"Hello Ron Weasley," Luna spoke ethereally. Hermione peered over her mountain of books, "Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me?"
The entire great hall grew quiet. Even Filch who was berating a student for tracking dirt into the Great Hall stopped to listen. Time ticked around Luna who was unaware of the quiet as she waited patiently for a response.
"Well, erm Luna…" Ron started.
"No," Hermione interrupted.
"W-what?" Ron stammered. Hermione continued.
"Luna, he cannot go with you because he is going with me, as my date." Hermione said.
Ginny beamed proudly at Hermione, 'It's about time.' She thought to herself. Around the Great Hall whispers went around the room. This latest development blew through the hall like a strong wind.
Luna shrugged her shoulders and began to hum 'Weasley is our King' under her breath still staring at Ron.
"Luna, I bet Harry would go with you," Hermione suddenly said.
Harrygulped, gave a stern look to Hermione,and then glanced in the general direction of the Ravenclaw table where Cho Chang was sitting. She was deep in conversation with Terry Boot.
Hermione glared at Harry her eyes saying, 'it's the least you can do.'
Luna's dreamy and silvery depths turned to the-boy-who-lived.
"Um, sure Luna, yeah I will be happy to go to Hogsmeade with you," Harry finally said.
Suddenly Luna did something very much unlike herself; she grinned, leaned over and planted a kiss on Harry's cheek.
Harry's face turned beet red and stared at Luna's back as she walked slowly back to the Ravenclaw table.
Conversation resumed in full swing around the Great Hall.
"That's the first time I've seen anything other than a surprised expression on her face mate. And it looks instead like you have it," Ron suddenly said to Harry. Harry scowled at Ron and looked down at his empty plate.
Ron and Hermione looked everywhere else but at each other. Everyone could see the elation on Hermione's face, and the relief on Ron's.
"Well it looks like a new romance is in bloom," Daveigh spoke after several moments.
"Yeah, all I want to know is how Luna landed one of the most attractive guys in Gryffindor," Naomi said looking jealous.
"Maybe I should take a leaf out of Luna's book and march right up to Seamus and ask him to go with me," Lucy said.
All of the girls turned about to say something but Lucy said, "Yeah I know, I know, he's dating Lavender."
"So what is this about you still dating Dean, Ginny," Ashley said, "I thought you two broke up when term started." Daveigh looked at Ginny with bewilderment and then turned to the doors of the Great Hall.
"Well, erm…" Ginny started but her attention suddenly turned to where Daveigh was looking. The man of the hour walked in….
Draco Malfoy.
Draco walked into the Great Hall and sauntered over to the Slytherin table. Pansy's face brightened considerably at first glance, but at the look on his face, she backed down and said nothing as he took his usual seat next to Geoff.
"What is this rumor going around about Ginny and Thomas," Draco finally said to Geoff.
Geoff's eyebrows rose at this comment. 'I wonder if I should tell him that I asked Luna,' he thought. After several seconds, he sighed and finally spoke.
"I asked Luna if Ginny was dating Dean Thomas, and she said yes."
Malfoy sat in silence. He was stunned to know that everything he heard was the truth. He thought the little muggle lover was lying. He also didn't believe it because he heard about it from Pansy who was notorious for starting rumors, half of them being untrue.
"Wait…. Where did you hear this from? I asked Luna in confidence, no one else was around," Geoff finally said.
"Pansy……One can never know with her, she's got ears like a bat," Malfoy said glaring at Pansy. Pansy shrunk under Draco's expression and tried to avoid his eyes.
"Great, all of Hogwarts probably knows at this hour," Geoff said. He looked at Malfoy who for some reason began his previous perusal of Ginny Weasley.
The back of Ginny's neck prickled after Malfoy sat down at the Slytherin table. 'It's been a while since I had this feeling,' she thought, 'should I turn around to see if he's looking?'
Ginny took a chance and turned slightly. Draco was indeed staring at Ginny except this time, he didn't look away. Ginny swiveled back around quickly to catch Daveigh with a mystified expression on her face. Ginny shook her head her eyes saying, 'I have no idea what's going on!' Daveigh nodded her head and then signaled that they should talk later.
Ginny saw Dean Thomas walking towards her. She groaned suddenly and braced herself for the impending earthquake that was about to resume.
Instead, 'Wait, is that a smile,' Ginny thought, 'Oh no, he's smiling! This can't be good.'
"Um, hi Ginny," Dean said nervously. The girls at the table were all smiling at the handsome 6th year Gryffindor boy.
"Hi Dean," Ginny answered.
"I was wondering if we could talk for a moment," Dean said quietly to Ginny leaning in to whisper in her ear.
"Sure, how about after lunch," Ginny said. Dean nodded and then went over to sit between Seamus and Neville.
Ginny gave her friends dirty looks, and then turned to look at the Slytherin table yet again, and Malfoy. She had never seen him look so angry. Malfoy's face was stoic, the look on his face appeared to be chiseled on. He looked angry.
Ginny shivered from under his look and turned around.
Professor Dumbledore filed into the Great Hall with the other professors. The Hogwarts students looked around at each other with confusion. Usually lunch was an informal affair with everyone just being able to walk in, have a quick lunch, then go off to their afternoon classes or out for a bit of fresh air in the courtyard. Today was different. It began with all of the students filing in, waiting to hear if something important happened. Many of the students worried that the wizarding war outside somehow reached Hogwarts grounds, but Hermione assured the Gryffindor's this wasn't the case.
"It would've been reported in the Daily Prophet," she said earlier to someone.
Dumbledore assumed his usual position at the middle of the head table. The whole hall quieted down with excitement as the headmaster spoke.
"Good afternoon and welcome. Many of you must be wondering why we are all here in such a manner," he began.
"Yes we are," Ashley muttered under her breath. Several Gryffindor's shushed her and Dumbledore continued.
"As you know, this season is one of great importance. Every year at Halloween, we have a grand feast which includes the celebration of our mid-way point through the term. This year, some of the teachers here decided that perhaps it is time for something different. With the impending Hogsmeade weekend, third years and up have the chance of shopping and browsing through the village. I would like to announce that for this Hogsmeade weekend only; first and second years will be also permitted to go."
Excitement spread over the Great Hall as first and second year students clapped.
"Yes, I'm sure many of you are happy about this. Please be aware that you must get signed permission from your parent or guardian. You can get the permission slips from the prefects in your house after lunch. Now, this brings me to our exciting news. This year, instead of having only a feast, we are also having an Autumn Ball." Murmurs of excitement went through the Great Hall.
"I knew it," Lucy screamed.
"Yes Ms. Jones, I'm sure you are very relieved to hear this. You exhausted poor Professor McGonagall to death with your continued ministrations. As you realize, this has been kept a secret. But rumors get started somehow…." Dumbledore glanced over his half-moon glasses to the Slytherin table. Pansy shrank even more under his scrutiny and her face turned red. Dumbledore smiled and continued.
"Oh yes, before we break our fast, there are a couple of more announcements. First and second years are invited to the ball; the ball will not only be a costume ball, but a masquerade costume ball. At midnight, everyone will reveal who is behind their masks. And as a special surprise much to my pleasure and yours, the entertainment for the night is our own, Celestina Warbeck." Dumbledore clapped his hands together at the excited rumbling that began. "Ah yes, dig in." Food appeared instantly on the table.
"Celestina Warbeck!" Naomi said excitedly, "I just love her new song, 'Under the Full Moon'." She began to hum the haunting tune as the others around her filled their plates with food.
"I'm so excited; I just don't know how I am going to make it till Halloween!" Lucy squealed.
Ginny sat quietly and ate her corn. She was nervous about talking to Dean, but was upset at the lie she told to Malfoy. 'Perhaps he may have asked me to the dance,' she thought.
"So Gin, what are you going to wear," Ashley said, "I think I want a costume that is flowing, and glittery."
"I bet all the girls' costumes will fit that description Ashley," Naomi said, "my costume is going to be wicked. I have it already."
"You do," Lucy said disappointed, "so you're not going to Hogsmeade this weekend?"
"Well of course I am, I need a mask," Naomi replied, "it's going to be quite a night of surprises. I mean, who knows who is behind the masks. You could be dancing with the perfect man all night, and then when he takes his mask off at midnight, it could be Snape!"
All of the girls including Ginny erupted into laughter. The thought of Snape being someone's idea of a fantasy man was way out of the ordinary. It was Halloween after all.
Lunch progressed along and the students finally went to their afternoon classes. Ginny had a break and decided to send an owl to her mum and dad to tell them about the Halloween festivities. On her way out of the Great Hall, she told Daveigh they'd talk later and made her way up the marble stairs. Suddenly she felt someone grab her arm.
"Oh Dean, its you," Ginny sighed with relief. For a moment she thought perhaps Malfoy was coming up behind her.
"Its, only me, gee Ginny you sure know how you make a guy feel good," Dean said with a hurt look on his face.
"I'm so sorry Dean--"
"Gin, I'm joking! Where are you headed?" He said as she walked towards the West tower.
"The owlery, I'm going to send a letter to my mum and dad."
"Do you mind if I come along? I wanted to ask you something."
Dread filled Ginny's chest. "Um yeah, sure."
The couple walked quietly up the staircase which led to the owlery. They walked into the sun filled room which smelled of owl dung and hay. Ginny went to find Ron's owl Pigwidgeon and called him down. She took out some parchment she brought with her and wrote a quick letter. Dean walked around the large room looking up at the perches of owls high above their heads.
"I wonder how many owls reside here," Dean thought out loud.
"You should ask Hermione, but of course she'll just tell you it's in Hogwarts, a History," Ginny joked. Both let out awkward laughs. Finally Ginny finished her letter and tied it to Pig's leg. Pig hopped excitedly at the journey and flew on his way. Ginny watched as the owl grew smaller the further he flew away. She turned around and glanced at Dean.
"So what do you have to ask me," she said knowing full well what he was going to ask.
"Gin, I just wanted to know. Well……I've been hearing some things," he began, "and at first, I thought, well everyone here likes to talk, but after a while I just wanted to know myself after several people came up to ask me." Ginny nodded and walked over to a stool and sat upon it.
Dean continued, "Well, I heard from someone that for some reason, without me knowing it, I am dating someone. And that someone happens to be you." Ginny froze and closed her eyes at this.
"Can you tell me how this is possible? Perhaps I am looking at the source this of rumor," he finished. Dean crossed his arms over his chest and waited for a reply. Ginny took a deep breath, opened her eyes and wondered how she could fix this situation she got herself into.
Finally she made a decision. 'I will tell him the truth,' she thought.
"Dean, it's a little complicated. I'm not sure where this originated from, but I may have a suspicion."
"Who then if not you," he asked.
"Malfoy."
Dean's eyebrows rose at this. "Well that certainly wasn't the response I was expecting. Why would Malfoy be interested in your love life Ginny?"
Ginny told Dean about the encounter in the library, but left out some obvious embarrassing facts.
"Well, I've had a crush on him for a while, and I didn't want him to know, especially if something did happen, what would my brother say?" Ginny explained, "So I said the first name that began with a 'D' that popped into my head and you were an obvious choice. I didn't want him knowing the little 'D's on my paper really meant him. I just didn't think it would come to this. I am so sorry Dean, I didn't mean for this to happen."
"Well Gin, this comes at an inopportune time. I kind of like someone."
Ginny's head drew up at this. 'I was worried he still had feelings for me,' she thought and sighed with relief.
"Ok Dean, spill it. Tell me who." Ginny waited for a response.
"I like your friend Naomi, you know with the blond hair. A few weeks ago she helped me out with something, and ever since then I've been thinking about her," he said blushing.
"That's great Dean!" Ginny exclaimed. "But, oh…..you were going to ask her to the dance, weren't you?"
"Yeah, I was," he said disappointed, "But I was worried that you still liked me, that's why I wanted to talk to you."
"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. But, how are we going to squelch the gossip?"
"You know Gin, I think I have an idea…."
Later that evening, Ginny and Daveigh sat in their favorite spots in the common room. They decided to take the evening off from homework since no one could concentrate with talk of the ball and Hogsmeade weekend. Harry had canceled Quidditch practice for the evening since the weather wasn't cooperating; it was raining cats and dogs outside.
"Can you believe that Hermione finally made the first move with Ron," Daveigh marveled, "I thought it was going to be the fifth of never when that romance began."
"Tell me about it," Ginny said.
"So Gin, what is going on? I heard rumors about you and Dean starting up again and I thought you would have told me if you had. But when I saw the look on your face you looked truly surprised. What are you keeping from me? Does this have to do with what happened with Malfoy?"
Ginny grinned at her friend. From across the common room, Dean winked at Ginny and she returned it. Naomi looked up and saw what transpired between the two. She tried to cover the disappointed expression on her face, but it was long enough for Ginny to see.
'It looks like his affections maybe returned,' Ginny thought with glee and turned to her raven haired friend.
"Daveigh, all I can say is that all will reveal itself in due time," Ginny said cryptically. Daveigh looked at her friend with a puzzled look and shrugged.
Yes, the autumn ball was going to be quite the event.