"Who's there?" Draco called, pulling himself and Ginny up to stand.
Blaise Zabini stepped out of the shadows with a very disgusted Pansy Parkinson. Ginny looked up in terror and Blaise sniggered.
"So the rumors flying around the dinner table were true." Blaise stated amusedly.
"Blaise... Parkinson. What are you doing here?" Draco questioned cautiously, feeling Ginny's hand shake in his.
"We should ask you the same thing, Draco. What the ruddy hell are you doing with her?!" Pansy shrieked.
"What's it to you, Parkinson?" Draco spat viciously.
Draco knew it only mattered to Pansy and Blaise because they were Slytherin, born to breed hatred towards all those Gryffindor and muggle- loving. This was bad.
"You've been ignoring us for this piece of blood-traitor filth! Draco... this is some kind of joke, right? Did you make a bet with Crabbe and Goyle?" Blaise laughed.
"Don't speak of her like that!"
Pansy squeaked in fright and Blaise ceased his laughing.
"Draco! This trashy Gryffindor filth isn't worthy of the time of day! She's nothing but a dirty whore!" Pansy cried in outrage.
"Wrong, Parkinson. That's you." Draco growled. Pansy sneered and Blaise stepped toward Ginny.
"She's a pretty little whore, though." He traced a long finger down the center of Ginny's chest. Ginny drew in a sharp breath and stiffened.
Draco pulled her back possessively and grabbed his wand. He shoved it in Blaise's face.
"Where are you going with this, Zabini?"
"Come here, Draco."
Draco replaced his wand to his robes and began walking toward Blaise, hand still holding Ginny's.
"Without her. It'll only take a minute."
Draco turned and looked into Ginny's frightened eyes. He kissed her forehead and let go of her hand, hurrying to catch up to Blaise.
"What do you want?" Draco asked menacingly.
"Don't give me an attitude, Draco. You and your little girlfriend are in danger."
"If you tell anyone, I'll rip you limb from limb, Zabini. I don't care if we've been friends since we were toddlers, I'll kill you if you put us in my father's hands."
"He's going to find out anyway, Draco. And don't assume that just because you didn't tell me, doesn't mean I can't say some things about this. You knew from day one that you'd be jeopardizing her life and yours. Draco, when this gets around to your father, he'll torture and kill you both. And you know that your torture will be watching him make your beloved Gryffindor over there suffer."
"It's not going to happen. I'd kill him before he got through the school doors. He'll never touch her; he'd have to kill me first."
"Draco, don't be an idiot! I don't care about what happens to her. Let him sully her and then shred her to pieces for all I care."
Draco's fists clenched and he stopped dead in his tracks.
"I'm telling you this for your sake. Drop her or she'll be at the mercy of dozens upon dozens of hungry male deatheaters."
Blaise turned and saw Draco fighting the urge to rip him apart. The only thing holding him back was the fact that everything Blaise had said was true. The news of his and Ginny's relationship seemed to be spreading like wildfire. One of the Slytherins was bound to tell their parents some gossip over the holidays and it would get around to his father.
The old, cold-hearted Draco would've dropped Ginny for his own safety, not giving a damn about hers. But he couldn't even think about it without his stomach churning.
While he walked with Blaise, Ginny was left defenseless against Pansy.
"Well well. Someone's gotten themselves into a sticky mess."
"Bugger off, Parkinson. I'm not in the mood."
"You're really not going to be in the mood when Lucius finds out. His son, his only son, his one heir to the Malfoy name... is gallivanting around with a Weasley."
Ginny glared at her.
"Why did you come out here? Just for sick pleasure? How long have you and Zabini known?"
Pansy shrugged and gave Ginny a smug, knowing look.
"We had a feeling. You were no where to be found when Mudblood, Potter, and your whiny brother were looking for you; and incongruously enough, Draco was missing at the same time. At first it seemed like just a coincidence, but then it became obvious. It's all very impressive. But I want to slip in a warning, Weaselette. Let it be known that I will have Draco in the end, whether someone else kills you, or I have to do it myself."
Ginny just stared blankly at Pansy.
"He doesn't want you. If he did, he wouldn't be with me. Give up."
"I'm not backing down, but you damn well better or you're going to learn your lessons the hard way. If Draco cares about you as much as you claim he does, I don't think he'd want you putting yourself in danger. Also based on this information about him, I don't think either of you would enjoy having that pretty little celibate body of yours desecrated."
Ginny went whitish and closed her eyes. Now assault was coming into the futuristic picture.
"Have I struck a nerve? I suggest you leave him. It'll put both of you out of harm's way. I don't doubt it's the best option."
"It's all a mind game. I can't leave Draco. Pansy's just jealous." Ginny inwardly reminded herself.
"Go away, Parkinson."
"No. Not until I hear you say that you're leaving him."
"Well that's too bad. I guess you're stuck with me for one bloody long time because I'd never leave him unless given damn good reason. And seeing how I'd sacrifice myself for him, this isn't one of those reasons!"
Draco heard the increasingly distant sounds of Ginny and Pansy's voices as he and Blaise kept walking slowly along the damp shore. He forced himself not to look back as thoughts battled through his mind.
Something had to be done. If they had been just two years older, they could've run away without consent. Though it was Draco's last year and he was already excelling, Ginny still needed her education; they couldn't leave. He'd have to protect her here. He'd promised Ginny that Blaise was wrong; he had promised that he'd do everything in the world to keep her safe.
"I won't leave her, Blaise. I love her and I will die to keep her safe."
Blaise gave is traitorous friend a small smile.
"Good. You might have to." Was all he spoke.
They both turned at the same time and looked back to where the girls were standing. Draco snarled as he watched as Pansy walked forward threateningly, Ginny mirroring her steps backwardly until she was pressed up against the tree. As he rushed to where they were, Pansy's voice became increasingly audible.
"Look here, you red-headed harlot, keep away from him."
Ginny was trapped, staring into the lethal eyes of Pansy, who had her arms on either side of Ginny's head.
"Get away from her, Parkinson."
Pansy grumbled and pushed off of the tree. Ginny remained perfectly still.
"Just let it be known, Draco, that you've been warned. The both of you have. Just because you're messing around with some cheap tramp doesn't mean you don't deserve warning." Pansy sibilated into Draco's ear alluringly. He pushed her away, overwrought.
"Let's go, Blaise."
Blaise gave one last look at Draco and followed Pansy back up to the castle.
Draco made sure they were gone until he approached Ginny, who was still standing up against the wood. There were distinct tears of trepidation descending down her flushed cheeks. His heart nearly tore in two.
"Ginny..." He spoke softly, as to not startle her. He wasn't sure if she had seen him approaching.
"Ginny, I think we should go back."
She slowly turned her head and looked at him. Her face was full of dread and he felt a pang of guilt. She wearily took his hand but, instead of walking up to the entrance, she led him down by the lake. When they reached the water, she was captivated by the reflection of them standing next to each other.
Draco was tall and lean, but built from quidditch. His platinum blonde hair hung loosely in his face, framing just above his silver eyes. Ginny was so modest compared to him. Her red hair was flowing steadily with the breeze and whipped around her freckled face. She wasn't built muscular in the least, but she was very well filled out.
The flawless reflection of them she saw was the epitome of perfection. He was her guardian and she felt entirely safe around him. But she knew that what Pansy and Blaise had harassed them about was true. It wasn't likely that Draco could protect her as well as he wanted. She let out a shaky sigh and kicked a pebble into the water, letting the reflection distort like the reality version of it eventually would.
"Ginny, talk to me, love." Draco begged, taking both of Ginny's hands in his own.
"I don't even know where to begin, Draco. It's just so much to process."
Her gaze was still focused on the twisted colors of the water.
"Ginny, please. I'm begging you. Start anywhere... beginning, middle, or end. Just talk to me about what you feel. I need to know, Ginny."
Ginny sat down on the wet gravel, letting her feet slither into the water. She motioned for him to join her.
"It's so hard, Draco." She began.
"Eventually this is going to get around to your father. And it's coming sooner than later. I know that we both knew it would happen, but this is so fast. Pansy was enraged and telling me all these things of why I don't seem afraid enough to be with you. She told me what was most likely going to happen to me if your father got his hands on me. That's when I began to fear this, Draco. I trust you, but I'm just scared. I'm scared."
She wasn't crying, but there was ache and sorrow in her tone. Draco wrapped his arms around her and she let her head fall to the crook between his neck and shoulders.
"I don't want you to be afraid, Ginny. I'm going to protect you in every way possible; my father won't touch you. None of those filthy men will."
Draco's tone was soft and playful as he tried to loosen her stress.
"I want you to know how much I love you." He murmured into her ear, tickling her with his warm breath.
"I already do."
"No. I meant a different way."
Ginny pulled back slightly so she could look at him.
"A different way?"
"Now that the Dream Team knows and the Slytherins know... I want to show you off to the whole school. Hell, I want to show the whole world how happy I am."
Ginny twittered sweetly and kissed Draco's cheek.
"How are you going to do that, Mister Malfoy?"
Draco gave her a lopsided smile and stood up. Ginny, perplexed, followed suit.
"I'm going to have the most beautiful date to the Yule Ball, if you accept."
Ginny's eyebrows shot up in shock before she broke out into one of her dazzling smiles. That gorgeous dress Draco had purchased for her entered her mind and she realized she would be wearing it in less than a week. And now she was going to share it with Draco instead of waiting until after the ball to see him.
"Of course I accept!" Her arms flung around Draco's neck and he swung her around happily.
There was time before their relationship reached outside of Hogwarts. Facing the fact that eventually it would, Draco wouldn't have his girlfriend go to the biggest dance of the year with anyone but him. Especially when she was going to be wearing the exquisite gown he had bought her in Madam Malkin's.
Of course, Dumbledore was to thank for the ball. It was being thrown for those students still at school on Christmas. It had been respectably named after the Yule Ball that had come before the Triwizard Tournament. After all, it was being thrown on Christmas evening. Dumbledore had suggested that it "was an appropriate name..." and they would "...just borrow it."
It seemed as though the entire seventh and most of the sixth years were all staying so they could attend. It was their job to organize everything. Ginny and Hermione were a team effort in this and had to start tomorrow because Wednesday was Christmas and the ball.
"So you're gonna be busy helping decorating and organizing, right?"
Draco interrogated as they made their way up to Gryffindor tower.
"Yeah, Hermione and I are starting tomorrow and we've got to finish by Tuesday night."
Draco chuckled.
"Will you have any time for me, Miss Weasley?"
"I think I'll find some for you."
They had reached the portrait and the Fat Lady watched them with sarcastic amusement.
"That's good. I don't do well with neglect." Draco stated in a whiny voice. Ginny snorted.
"That was very unladylike, Ginny."
She quirked an eyebrow at him and he leaned forward to kiss her.
"Goodnight, my love." He whispered against her lips.
"Goodnight." She met them one last time and watched as he turned on his heel and glided back into the darkness. When she turned to the Fat Lady, she noticed that they were being watched the whole time.
"A Slytherin?" The lady remarked.
"Tarantallegra." Ginny forced through gritted teeth.
"No need to get huffy, dear." Ginny stormed through the portrait hole and cast in for the night.
The next few days were endless torture for Draco. Hermione had turned into the committee dictator and was keeping Ginny until eleven or twelve at night. Naturally he told Ginny that she should rest instead of meet with him, but he silently cursed Hermione for taking away their time. Ginny would pass him in the halls and give him a chaste kiss on his soft lips and remind him that it was only a couple of days until he would see her in that gorgeous dress, this time with all the proper things to accentuate it.
During lunch on Christmas day, Ginny was sitting with Colin discussing the activities of the evening when a tawny eagle owl swooped above the Gryffindor table and dropped a single red rose in front of Ginny. There was a minute piece of parchment tied to the stem with black ribbon. She delicately removed it, opening it and seeing Draco's handwriting.
Ginny, my angel-
When you're finished getting ready for the ball, meet me at the bottom of the main stairs, we'll say around 7:15. I'll see you then. Yours,
Draco.
She looked up and locked eyes with him, curious to know why he was changing their plans. He smirked at her curiosity and watched as she blew him a kiss before getting up and leaving. She had to meet Parvati and Hermione in her room at 3:30 and it was already 3:45.
Parvati stroked the shadow brush across Ginny's eyelids as Hermione sat behind her and twisted her hair, pinning it fiercely in every possible spot.
"I think you've killed my hair, Hermione." Ginny joked as Hermione stabbed more pins into her thick red locks.
"Even so, Gin, you're going to look gorgeous. It's even better than what we did to you at the Masquerade ball."
"That was impossible to beat."
"Oh, I assure you it's possible, Ginny." Parvati assured her sweetly as she dabbed a pink gloss on Ginny's lips.
"Done." Hermione and Parvati announced harmoniously.
"All you have to do is slip off your bathrobe and pull on your gown. We have to get ours on, so we'll meet you in the common room?" Parvati said as she hugged Ginny.
"Alright. You guys go on. I'll see you there."
They scurried out of the room and Ginny walked over to her closet. She found her way to the back where a black box was standing against the wall. When she pulled off the lid, she saw her dream gown and smiled. This was going to be perfect. She carefully slipped into the dress and used her wand to tie the corset-like back of the bodice.
"I'm not even going to look in the mirror. I'm too nervous." She muttered to herself as she straightened out the skirt, walking out of her room and descending the stairs to the common room.
"Ginny!" Colin cried as he ran over to her, getting Ginny more attention than she would've liked.
"I knew I looked bad. I haven't looked in the mirror."
Colin shook his head as he took in every part of his best friend's apparel.
"You look amazing." Colin corrected.
"But if I'm not mistaken, you have ten minutes to get downstairs and meet Draco."
Ginny shot past him as quickly as she could in the heels she was wearing.
"Thank you, Colin. You owe me a dance!" She called as she rushed out.
The halls were flooded as she pushed her way through the couples as courteously and quickly as she could. Draco wouldn't be upset if she was a few minutes late... especially if Colin had been right about Ginny's looks.
She spotted him with his back turned to her as she calmed herself and stepped down gracefully. He looked so delectable, even from the back, in his midnight black tuxedo he had obviously rented. He reminded her of the Greek God, Adonis. He was tan, toned, and beautiful.
When she was two steps away from him, she cleared her throat politely and Draco whirled around, his mouth dropping open in awe.
"Hi." She greeted sweetly.
"You look... Ginny you're... you're gorgeous. You look like a goddess."
She smiled and looked down at the box in his hands.
"What's that?" She asked, closing the space between them.
"Oh. I know we said we would wait for later to exchange presents... but I had to give this to you."
He happily took note that she wasn't wearing a necklace, only a pair of diamond earrings and a sterling silver bracelet.
He handed her the box and she hesitantly took it. It wasn't wrapped, it was just a silver velvet box with a green bow on top.
Beneath the lid was the most wonderful gift she had ever received. There was the platinum chain she had been looking at in Madam Malkin's. Dangling in the center was Draco's ring.
Tears filled her eyes as she handled it out of the box.
"Draco... it's so perfect." She breathed. He smiled and kissed her before taking the necklace from her petite hands. He wove his hands behind her and clasped the necklace.
It hung perfectly in the alcove of her chest that was slightly revealed from her tight dress. It was the perfect gift for her.
"Don't get all weepy on me now, Ginny. We have all night and more together." She nudged him playfully and he pulled her into his arms.
Couples began to come down the stairs, so Draco offered Ginny his arm and led her into the elegantly decorated entryway of the Great Hall.
"Shall we?" He asked in a very formal voice.
"I would love to." Ginny replied, kissing his lips once more before the entered the sophisticated room.
Very Important A/N: I tricked you all. You all thought wrong about the voice. Hah. I am very very shneaky. :D I don't personally like this chapter as much as others. And me, being the temporarily-medicated idiot that I am, wrote Yule Ball instead of the name I had come up with in the first place because I had a whole plot for it and everything. I know I screwed that up, so don't go reminding me in every review you write. I'm really sorry about that because it's a ridiculous mistake for me to make because the fourth book is by far my favorite and I'm not some moron who thinks the Yule Ball is every year. So I had to fix and explain that in this chapter because I wasn't about to rewrite the other chapters that acknowledge it. I'm so sorry. Please overlook it. Anyway, I should have the next chapter up in the next couple of days. This one took me a long time to figure out how to word and stuff. I think I'm gonna take tomorrow off to just write at leisure and then post on Friday. Oh, to the reviewer who posted about Harry being OOC, I've explained he is and this is kind of a strong anti-Harry fic and all. And to your notation of Ginny getting away from Harry, his wand wasn't on him and she had hers... so it fits. So, I thank you all again for reading and reviewing. And I'm sorry I screwed up the name of the ball. I caught it too late, but maybe I will get around to fixing all the chapters. Who knows? I love you all.
Blaise Zabini stepped out of the shadows with a very disgusted Pansy Parkinson. Ginny looked up in terror and Blaise sniggered.
"So the rumors flying around the dinner table were true." Blaise stated amusedly.
"Blaise... Parkinson. What are you doing here?" Draco questioned cautiously, feeling Ginny's hand shake in his.
"We should ask you the same thing, Draco. What the ruddy hell are you doing with her?!" Pansy shrieked.
"What's it to you, Parkinson?" Draco spat viciously.
Draco knew it only mattered to Pansy and Blaise because they were Slytherin, born to breed hatred towards all those Gryffindor and muggle- loving. This was bad.
"You've been ignoring us for this piece of blood-traitor filth! Draco... this is some kind of joke, right? Did you make a bet with Crabbe and Goyle?" Blaise laughed.
"Don't speak of her like that!"
Pansy squeaked in fright and Blaise ceased his laughing.
"Draco! This trashy Gryffindor filth isn't worthy of the time of day! She's nothing but a dirty whore!" Pansy cried in outrage.
"Wrong, Parkinson. That's you." Draco growled. Pansy sneered and Blaise stepped toward Ginny.
"She's a pretty little whore, though." He traced a long finger down the center of Ginny's chest. Ginny drew in a sharp breath and stiffened.
Draco pulled her back possessively and grabbed his wand. He shoved it in Blaise's face.
"Where are you going with this, Zabini?"
"Come here, Draco."
Draco replaced his wand to his robes and began walking toward Blaise, hand still holding Ginny's.
"Without her. It'll only take a minute."
Draco turned and looked into Ginny's frightened eyes. He kissed her forehead and let go of her hand, hurrying to catch up to Blaise.
"What do you want?" Draco asked menacingly.
"Don't give me an attitude, Draco. You and your little girlfriend are in danger."
"If you tell anyone, I'll rip you limb from limb, Zabini. I don't care if we've been friends since we were toddlers, I'll kill you if you put us in my father's hands."
"He's going to find out anyway, Draco. And don't assume that just because you didn't tell me, doesn't mean I can't say some things about this. You knew from day one that you'd be jeopardizing her life and yours. Draco, when this gets around to your father, he'll torture and kill you both. And you know that your torture will be watching him make your beloved Gryffindor over there suffer."
"It's not going to happen. I'd kill him before he got through the school doors. He'll never touch her; he'd have to kill me first."
"Draco, don't be an idiot! I don't care about what happens to her. Let him sully her and then shred her to pieces for all I care."
Draco's fists clenched and he stopped dead in his tracks.
"I'm telling you this for your sake. Drop her or she'll be at the mercy of dozens upon dozens of hungry male deatheaters."
Blaise turned and saw Draco fighting the urge to rip him apart. The only thing holding him back was the fact that everything Blaise had said was true. The news of his and Ginny's relationship seemed to be spreading like wildfire. One of the Slytherins was bound to tell their parents some gossip over the holidays and it would get around to his father.
The old, cold-hearted Draco would've dropped Ginny for his own safety, not giving a damn about hers. But he couldn't even think about it without his stomach churning.
While he walked with Blaise, Ginny was left defenseless against Pansy.
"Well well. Someone's gotten themselves into a sticky mess."
"Bugger off, Parkinson. I'm not in the mood."
"You're really not going to be in the mood when Lucius finds out. His son, his only son, his one heir to the Malfoy name... is gallivanting around with a Weasley."
Ginny glared at her.
"Why did you come out here? Just for sick pleasure? How long have you and Zabini known?"
Pansy shrugged and gave Ginny a smug, knowing look.
"We had a feeling. You were no where to be found when Mudblood, Potter, and your whiny brother were looking for you; and incongruously enough, Draco was missing at the same time. At first it seemed like just a coincidence, but then it became obvious. It's all very impressive. But I want to slip in a warning, Weaselette. Let it be known that I will have Draco in the end, whether someone else kills you, or I have to do it myself."
Ginny just stared blankly at Pansy.
"He doesn't want you. If he did, he wouldn't be with me. Give up."
"I'm not backing down, but you damn well better or you're going to learn your lessons the hard way. If Draco cares about you as much as you claim he does, I don't think he'd want you putting yourself in danger. Also based on this information about him, I don't think either of you would enjoy having that pretty little celibate body of yours desecrated."
Ginny went whitish and closed her eyes. Now assault was coming into the futuristic picture.
"Have I struck a nerve? I suggest you leave him. It'll put both of you out of harm's way. I don't doubt it's the best option."
"It's all a mind game. I can't leave Draco. Pansy's just jealous." Ginny inwardly reminded herself.
"Go away, Parkinson."
"No. Not until I hear you say that you're leaving him."
"Well that's too bad. I guess you're stuck with me for one bloody long time because I'd never leave him unless given damn good reason. And seeing how I'd sacrifice myself for him, this isn't one of those reasons!"
Draco heard the increasingly distant sounds of Ginny and Pansy's voices as he and Blaise kept walking slowly along the damp shore. He forced himself not to look back as thoughts battled through his mind.
Something had to be done. If they had been just two years older, they could've run away without consent. Though it was Draco's last year and he was already excelling, Ginny still needed her education; they couldn't leave. He'd have to protect her here. He'd promised Ginny that Blaise was wrong; he had promised that he'd do everything in the world to keep her safe.
"I won't leave her, Blaise. I love her and I will die to keep her safe."
Blaise gave is traitorous friend a small smile.
"Good. You might have to." Was all he spoke.
They both turned at the same time and looked back to where the girls were standing. Draco snarled as he watched as Pansy walked forward threateningly, Ginny mirroring her steps backwardly until she was pressed up against the tree. As he rushed to where they were, Pansy's voice became increasingly audible.
"Look here, you red-headed harlot, keep away from him."
Ginny was trapped, staring into the lethal eyes of Pansy, who had her arms on either side of Ginny's head.
"Get away from her, Parkinson."
Pansy grumbled and pushed off of the tree. Ginny remained perfectly still.
"Just let it be known, Draco, that you've been warned. The both of you have. Just because you're messing around with some cheap tramp doesn't mean you don't deserve warning." Pansy sibilated into Draco's ear alluringly. He pushed her away, overwrought.
"Let's go, Blaise."
Blaise gave one last look at Draco and followed Pansy back up to the castle.
Draco made sure they were gone until he approached Ginny, who was still standing up against the wood. There were distinct tears of trepidation descending down her flushed cheeks. His heart nearly tore in two.
"Ginny..." He spoke softly, as to not startle her. He wasn't sure if she had seen him approaching.
"Ginny, I think we should go back."
She slowly turned her head and looked at him. Her face was full of dread and he felt a pang of guilt. She wearily took his hand but, instead of walking up to the entrance, she led him down by the lake. When they reached the water, she was captivated by the reflection of them standing next to each other.
Draco was tall and lean, but built from quidditch. His platinum blonde hair hung loosely in his face, framing just above his silver eyes. Ginny was so modest compared to him. Her red hair was flowing steadily with the breeze and whipped around her freckled face. She wasn't built muscular in the least, but she was very well filled out.
The flawless reflection of them she saw was the epitome of perfection. He was her guardian and she felt entirely safe around him. But she knew that what Pansy and Blaise had harassed them about was true. It wasn't likely that Draco could protect her as well as he wanted. She let out a shaky sigh and kicked a pebble into the water, letting the reflection distort like the reality version of it eventually would.
"Ginny, talk to me, love." Draco begged, taking both of Ginny's hands in his own.
"I don't even know where to begin, Draco. It's just so much to process."
Her gaze was still focused on the twisted colors of the water.
"Ginny, please. I'm begging you. Start anywhere... beginning, middle, or end. Just talk to me about what you feel. I need to know, Ginny."
Ginny sat down on the wet gravel, letting her feet slither into the water. She motioned for him to join her.
"It's so hard, Draco." She began.
"Eventually this is going to get around to your father. And it's coming sooner than later. I know that we both knew it would happen, but this is so fast. Pansy was enraged and telling me all these things of why I don't seem afraid enough to be with you. She told me what was most likely going to happen to me if your father got his hands on me. That's when I began to fear this, Draco. I trust you, but I'm just scared. I'm scared."
She wasn't crying, but there was ache and sorrow in her tone. Draco wrapped his arms around her and she let her head fall to the crook between his neck and shoulders.
"I don't want you to be afraid, Ginny. I'm going to protect you in every way possible; my father won't touch you. None of those filthy men will."
Draco's tone was soft and playful as he tried to loosen her stress.
"I want you to know how much I love you." He murmured into her ear, tickling her with his warm breath.
"I already do."
"No. I meant a different way."
Ginny pulled back slightly so she could look at him.
"A different way?"
"Now that the Dream Team knows and the Slytherins know... I want to show you off to the whole school. Hell, I want to show the whole world how happy I am."
Ginny twittered sweetly and kissed Draco's cheek.
"How are you going to do that, Mister Malfoy?"
Draco gave her a lopsided smile and stood up. Ginny, perplexed, followed suit.
"I'm going to have the most beautiful date to the Yule Ball, if you accept."
Ginny's eyebrows shot up in shock before she broke out into one of her dazzling smiles. That gorgeous dress Draco had purchased for her entered her mind and she realized she would be wearing it in less than a week. And now she was going to share it with Draco instead of waiting until after the ball to see him.
"Of course I accept!" Her arms flung around Draco's neck and he swung her around happily.
There was time before their relationship reached outside of Hogwarts. Facing the fact that eventually it would, Draco wouldn't have his girlfriend go to the biggest dance of the year with anyone but him. Especially when she was going to be wearing the exquisite gown he had bought her in Madam Malkin's.
Of course, Dumbledore was to thank for the ball. It was being thrown for those students still at school on Christmas. It had been respectably named after the Yule Ball that had come before the Triwizard Tournament. After all, it was being thrown on Christmas evening. Dumbledore had suggested that it "was an appropriate name..." and they would "...just borrow it."
It seemed as though the entire seventh and most of the sixth years were all staying so they could attend. It was their job to organize everything. Ginny and Hermione were a team effort in this and had to start tomorrow because Wednesday was Christmas and the ball.
"So you're gonna be busy helping decorating and organizing, right?"
Draco interrogated as they made their way up to Gryffindor tower.
"Yeah, Hermione and I are starting tomorrow and we've got to finish by Tuesday night."
Draco chuckled.
"Will you have any time for me, Miss Weasley?"
"I think I'll find some for you."
They had reached the portrait and the Fat Lady watched them with sarcastic amusement.
"That's good. I don't do well with neglect." Draco stated in a whiny voice. Ginny snorted.
"That was very unladylike, Ginny."
She quirked an eyebrow at him and he leaned forward to kiss her.
"Goodnight, my love." He whispered against her lips.
"Goodnight." She met them one last time and watched as he turned on his heel and glided back into the darkness. When she turned to the Fat Lady, she noticed that they were being watched the whole time.
"A Slytherin?" The lady remarked.
"Tarantallegra." Ginny forced through gritted teeth.
"No need to get huffy, dear." Ginny stormed through the portrait hole and cast in for the night.
The next few days were endless torture for Draco. Hermione had turned into the committee dictator and was keeping Ginny until eleven or twelve at night. Naturally he told Ginny that she should rest instead of meet with him, but he silently cursed Hermione for taking away their time. Ginny would pass him in the halls and give him a chaste kiss on his soft lips and remind him that it was only a couple of days until he would see her in that gorgeous dress, this time with all the proper things to accentuate it.
During lunch on Christmas day, Ginny was sitting with Colin discussing the activities of the evening when a tawny eagle owl swooped above the Gryffindor table and dropped a single red rose in front of Ginny. There was a minute piece of parchment tied to the stem with black ribbon. She delicately removed it, opening it and seeing Draco's handwriting.
Ginny, my angel-
When you're finished getting ready for the ball, meet me at the bottom of the main stairs, we'll say around 7:15. I'll see you then. Yours,
Draco.
She looked up and locked eyes with him, curious to know why he was changing their plans. He smirked at her curiosity and watched as she blew him a kiss before getting up and leaving. She had to meet Parvati and Hermione in her room at 3:30 and it was already 3:45.
Parvati stroked the shadow brush across Ginny's eyelids as Hermione sat behind her and twisted her hair, pinning it fiercely in every possible spot.
"I think you've killed my hair, Hermione." Ginny joked as Hermione stabbed more pins into her thick red locks.
"Even so, Gin, you're going to look gorgeous. It's even better than what we did to you at the Masquerade ball."
"That was impossible to beat."
"Oh, I assure you it's possible, Ginny." Parvati assured her sweetly as she dabbed a pink gloss on Ginny's lips.
"Done." Hermione and Parvati announced harmoniously.
"All you have to do is slip off your bathrobe and pull on your gown. We have to get ours on, so we'll meet you in the common room?" Parvati said as she hugged Ginny.
"Alright. You guys go on. I'll see you there."
They scurried out of the room and Ginny walked over to her closet. She found her way to the back where a black box was standing against the wall. When she pulled off the lid, she saw her dream gown and smiled. This was going to be perfect. She carefully slipped into the dress and used her wand to tie the corset-like back of the bodice.
"I'm not even going to look in the mirror. I'm too nervous." She muttered to herself as she straightened out the skirt, walking out of her room and descending the stairs to the common room.
"Ginny!" Colin cried as he ran over to her, getting Ginny more attention than she would've liked.
"I knew I looked bad. I haven't looked in the mirror."
Colin shook his head as he took in every part of his best friend's apparel.
"You look amazing." Colin corrected.
"But if I'm not mistaken, you have ten minutes to get downstairs and meet Draco."
Ginny shot past him as quickly as she could in the heels she was wearing.
"Thank you, Colin. You owe me a dance!" She called as she rushed out.
The halls were flooded as she pushed her way through the couples as courteously and quickly as she could. Draco wouldn't be upset if she was a few minutes late... especially if Colin had been right about Ginny's looks.
She spotted him with his back turned to her as she calmed herself and stepped down gracefully. He looked so delectable, even from the back, in his midnight black tuxedo he had obviously rented. He reminded her of the Greek God, Adonis. He was tan, toned, and beautiful.
When she was two steps away from him, she cleared her throat politely and Draco whirled around, his mouth dropping open in awe.
"Hi." She greeted sweetly.
"You look... Ginny you're... you're gorgeous. You look like a goddess."
She smiled and looked down at the box in his hands.
"What's that?" She asked, closing the space between them.
"Oh. I know we said we would wait for later to exchange presents... but I had to give this to you."
He happily took note that she wasn't wearing a necklace, only a pair of diamond earrings and a sterling silver bracelet.
He handed her the box and she hesitantly took it. It wasn't wrapped, it was just a silver velvet box with a green bow on top.
Beneath the lid was the most wonderful gift she had ever received. There was the platinum chain she had been looking at in Madam Malkin's. Dangling in the center was Draco's ring.
Tears filled her eyes as she handled it out of the box.
"Draco... it's so perfect." She breathed. He smiled and kissed her before taking the necklace from her petite hands. He wove his hands behind her and clasped the necklace.
It hung perfectly in the alcove of her chest that was slightly revealed from her tight dress. It was the perfect gift for her.
"Don't get all weepy on me now, Ginny. We have all night and more together." She nudged him playfully and he pulled her into his arms.
Couples began to come down the stairs, so Draco offered Ginny his arm and led her into the elegantly decorated entryway of the Great Hall.
"Shall we?" He asked in a very formal voice.
"I would love to." Ginny replied, kissing his lips once more before the entered the sophisticated room.
Very Important A/N: I tricked you all. You all thought wrong about the voice. Hah. I am very very shneaky. :D I don't personally like this chapter as much as others. And me, being the temporarily-medicated idiot that I am, wrote Yule Ball instead of the name I had come up with in the first place because I had a whole plot for it and everything. I know I screwed that up, so don't go reminding me in every review you write. I'm really sorry about that because it's a ridiculous mistake for me to make because the fourth book is by far my favorite and I'm not some moron who thinks the Yule Ball is every year. So I had to fix and explain that in this chapter because I wasn't about to rewrite the other chapters that acknowledge it. I'm so sorry. Please overlook it. Anyway, I should have the next chapter up in the next couple of days. This one took me a long time to figure out how to word and stuff. I think I'm gonna take tomorrow off to just write at leisure and then post on Friday. Oh, to the reviewer who posted about Harry being OOC, I've explained he is and this is kind of a strong anti-Harry fic and all. And to your notation of Ginny getting away from Harry, his wand wasn't on him and she had hers... so it fits. So, I thank you all again for reading and reviewing. And I'm sorry I screwed up the name of the ball. I caught it too late, but maybe I will get around to fixing all the chapters. Who knows? I love you all.