Chapter Forty: Over the Rainbow
Two weeks later the doors of the Great Hall were closed and nobody except professors were allowed to enter. The reason wasn't clearly stated to the students, but they knew it without any comments – the Hall was redecorated for the Grand Ball.
It was already named the biggest ball of the century: so many people were invited. The Aurors, the Ministry officials, students from Durmstrang and Beauxbaton, even the Minister of Magic himself was supposed to honor Hogwarts with his presence. And considering it was going to be a masquerade, the most romantic ones believed that the night would not only be the beginning of a new era, but also of new relationships.
The work behind the Great Hall doors was going on full speed, but the students weren't motionless either. Dress robes were bought or taken from the chests, cleaned and pressed. Jewelry and make up were chosen. All the girls decided to be beautiful to stun every boy in reach. They are girls, what else was expected from them?
Guys, on the other hand, discussed the options of how to not go with their girlfriends and have fun on the other side. Of course, not everybody was like that. A lot of couples decided to go together. Especially after Hermione's True Love spell, which had bonded them forever and no hesitation was left.
So the Ball, all together, was covered with thick mystery. The date of this longed event was announced by parchments pinned in the Common rooms. With screams, "Ah! It's tomorrow and my shoes haven't arrived yet!" the girls ran up and down the stairs getting ready already.
Fortunately, the big day and evening came at last. At six o'clock the Entrance Hall was crowded with people in masks: students or not. The doors opened but nobody entered. Everybody was stunned by the beauty and magnificence of the decorations. The Hall itself was doubled in size. It was divided in two parts, three actually if you count the mezzanine. It was full of sofas, tables for two to five, puff chairs and other things that could make having dinner comfortable.
The first floor, so to say, consisted of two parts: the dance floor and the dinning place. In the center of the dance floor was a fountain with crystal clean water and gold fish in it. The part with tables and places to sit was a real garden with vines and flowers, even small trees, and some of them formed very secluded booths.
Still, the most remarkable thing was the waterfall in the mezzanine, which parted it in half. It was surrounded by plants and flowers, but was also occupied by sparkling fairies of different colors. But that wasn't all. In the ceiling, high in the sky was a bright rainbow, the symbol of peace.
The red wood furniture pleaded to be sat on and the mirror dance floor tempted to do some dance steps. And the guests didn't wait any more to appreciate the beauty of the Ball Hall, because gasps, aaahs and ooohs started to come from the gathering.
"Welcome to the Victory Ball of Hogwarts!" announced Dumbledore's voice, coming from above. "I am glad you managed to come to Hogwarts to celebrate this happy day that symbolizes the end of the War. Make yourself at home. The orchestra will play for you till dawn and the food was prepared with special refinement. Let the Ball begin!"
Little by little the couples or singles started to fill up the Hall. Some occupied the couches in the garden, some walked up the milky marble stairs to the mezzanine. Still, not everybody was in the Hall. Some girls weren't ready to face their dates because they wanted to be absolutely perfect. "What takes her so long?" Ron exclaimed irritated, pacing around the Common room.
"Calm down, Ron. You know girls, she'll be down in a minute," Harry, voice of reason, suggested.
He didn't have a date for tonight, so he decided to come down with Ron, Hermione and Ginny, who was talked into going to the Ball despite her mourning; to share everybody's happiness, as Hermione said.
"You said that five minutes ago and she isn't here. If she doesn't come down in another minute, I'll…" but the end of the phrase died in his throat, because at that very moment Hermione appeared on the stairs.
She wore a satin dress of soft orange with the waist under her breasts. The cleavage was square shaped and the length of her neck was emphasized by a high collar made from starched lace. The ensemble was finished with a small hat with thin brown-white feathers. "So how do I look?" Hermione asked flirtingly, closing Ron's mouth.
"Peachy," Ron answered with a darkened glance, which was visible even under the mask.
"What a compliment, I thought you can do better than that," Hermione said with a cute pout.
"Beautiful, wonderful, stunning, gorgeous, fabulous, fantastic, marvelous, did I miss anything?" Ron asked with a playful smile.
"No, you fully expressed your opinion, thank you." Hermione did a curtsy like a perfectly mannered lady.
Ron stretched out his hand. "Shall we?"
"My pleasure."
Hermione and Ron, in dark brown classical dress robes with orange kant (?), perfectly complemented each other. They almost walked out of the portrait Hole, when asked, "Herm', where is Ginny?"
"Oh, she is coming down alone. Said that way she had more chances to catch a date for tonight, let's go," Hermione answered with mischief in her brown eyes.
Hermione found a quiet table near the waterfall and watched the doors and the dance floor for any familiar people. "Look, there are Tonks and professor Lupin," Hermione pointed.
Even if everybody wore masks, you could undoubtedly recognize Tonks with pink hair and Lupin in a well-cut out but grey robes. And it was absolutely impossible not to notice the redheaded Weasley family, who entered at that very moment. Molly and Arthur, Fred, George, Bill with his wife Fleur, Charlie and even Percy were present that day. They took place behind one of the largest tables on the first floor. (A/N: I'll call the mezzanine the second floor, if you don't mind.)
Harry, Ron and Hermione went down to greet them. "Hello, Misses Weasley," Hermione said with a smile.
"Oh, hello, dear. You look stunning," Molly replied. Hermione blushed at the comment.
"Yeh, you do," one of the twins remarked, eyeing her from head to toe. "Ron must be lucky." Hermione blushed even deeper.
"I am," Ron snapped. "So don't let your eyes wander," he finished with a glare.
"Ok, ok," the twin said, giving up. "There are plenty of girls here. Right, Fred?"
"Oh, there really is, George," Fred said in return, scanning the crowd. "Oh, there is a worthy candidate," he gestured towards the commotion at the doors.
Unfortunately for them and fortunately for the poor girl, who happened to be Ginny, they couldn't become candidates for her date tonight. Ginny quietly entered, thinking she wouldn't be noticed in such a crowd full of pretty and single females, anxious to find a suitor. But in her outfit, she couldn't stay invisible.
She wore a dress of deep green velvet. It hugged all her curves, not slutty, but elegantly. On the left front side was an appliqué of three orchids made from emerald and diamond crumbs. The sleeves were also decorated with tiny diamonds. Her ginger hair was curled and brought up, tendrils framing her face. The bun was held together by a comb in a form of an orchid and was also inlayed by diamonds and emeralds.
So she was too shiny from the stones and her natural beauty, to be ignored. The mere moment she entered, all glances were on her. Her identity wasn't a mystery due to her hair, but she looked so majestic and so gentle and pure at the same time that it drove the male part of the Hall like a magnet to her.
In a minute, she was surrounded by at least twenty guys who asked her for the dance or to have a drink with him or just walk her to her seat. They were talking all at the same time and Ginny was completely lost.
She put the dress on because it was his present, something to remember him by. She came to the ball because Hermione thought it would cheer her up. But why so much attention? She just wanted to sit and drink some tea. Alone. 'Merlin, how to get rid of them?' Her debates were stopped by a hand, outstretched to her and a firm voice covering everyone else's, "She has chosen the best already."
Ginny looked at the hand and then at a gorgeous blond guy in a black French suit with silver snakes' embroidered on the collar and cuffs. Like in a trance, she took his hand and let him lead her upstairs. It happened that they sat down on the other side of the waterfall. (Quite near the Dream Team, if you still remember.) "What morons they are! How dare they ask my girl to be their date for tonight!"
"It's you. It's really you," Ginny whispered, enveloping him in a tight hug. "You can't even imagine how I missed you, missed your face," she gently touched his chin, as if still not believing that he was sitting beside her; on a comfortable sofa in Hogwarts and not in some cold prison dungeon.
Draco smiled, feeling the touch of her soft fingers. "Your smile, your stormy eyes. I was already mourning and had given up ever seeing you again. Alive." Ginny leaned into him, putting her head on his chest contently.
"I felt so strange there. I was sure for some reason that I wouldn't die. I was ready for it. I finished all my business; Taught Harry to defeat Voldemort, kept my vow of protecting him, the War was over, I finished school, left father happy and satisfied with my accomplishments. I thought they'd sentence me to death as a murderer, but there was a distant but clear hope that I would return, return to you," he finished, kissing her crown.
"You left me in complete disorder though. Left your girl. By the way, I don't have memories of that precious moment when you claimed me as your girlfriend," saying it, she tilted her head up and locked her sparkling eyes with his.
"Well, the Malfoys perform this ritual only one way," Draco began with conspiracy. "Give me your left hand." Ginny looked at him with a puzzled frown. "Don't be afraid, I won't cut it off."
Draco covered her left hand with his right and a light electrical shock went through her arm right into her heart. He took his hand away to reveal a feminine version of Draco's family ring on Ginny's respectful finger. "What is it?" she asked astonished.
"This is the mark by which you will be recognized as my girlfriend," Draco explained as if it was a completely normal thing.
"But it looks like an engagement ring!"
"Hmmm, it does…actually it is…And you don't like it, what to do about it?" Draco debated in mock thoughtfulness.
"Who told you I didn't like it! I love it! As much as I love you," she finished tenderly.
"So be it then," Draco replied huskily, kissing her knuckles, sealing their unspoken agreement.
Only now Ginny looked closely at his hair. The Malfoys trademark. "You hair is blond again. How is it possible?"
"It's magic. The magic is yours."
"Mine? You mean I have some special magical abilities?"
"I've spent the happiest days of my life in a cold, dark cell, knowing that there was a girl miles away who loved such a brat as me, and the most interesting thing is that I love her too. You gave me the ability to love and care. You awakened a heart under the layers of indifference and coldness. One day, two weeks ago, I felt so overwhelmed with love that I almost sensed your presence in my cell. Life started to flow in my veins with new strength, probably at that very moment the hair color returned also. I don't know exactly, there wasn't a mirror around," he finished with a chuckle.
"You mean, when Hermione performed a …" but she blushed deep red and didn't finish the sentence.
"Hermione performed what?" Draco asked, suddenly very interested.
"I won't tell you, it is too embarrassing."
"Ok, if you wish so," Draco said with a shrug. "So what-"
"So how-" they started at the same time.
"Ok, you first," Draco suggested.
"How did you manage to get out of prison? What was it, by the way? Azkaban doesn't exist anymore, as I know."
"Oh. It wasn't exactly a prison, just some place on an Island. I don't want to describe it now to screw up the festive mood," he drawled. "As for opportunity for my release…It was provided by the man who the wizarding world turns around. Harry Potter – the Boy-Who-Won."
"Harry?"
"He owed me. He owed me big. I reunited him with Sirius Black. But most importantly he knew I was innocent. So…"
"So…"
"So he just came to the Wizangamort and replayed the how you watched two weeks ago."
"You mean you knew it all along? That he would come and save the day?"
"You wanted to say, acted like a true gryffindor to thank his friend for making his life worth living and restore justice? No, I didn't. Nobody knew that one question would start an uncontrollable chain of events which would lead to the wanted outcome."
"What question?"
"If he would like the wizarding world to know about his part in destroying Voldemort," came Harry's voice.
He locked his glance with Draco's, curtly nodded, received a nod in return and then moved his look to Ginny. "Ginny, you look absolutely stunning! Where did you get this dress? It looks perfect on you!"
"A perfect dress for a perfect lady," Draco purred, pulling Ginny closer to him by her waist.
"Ron must see it. I'll go to call him and Hermione. I hope I won't be interrupting anything," he finished with a wink.
"And who told you you hadn't interrupted anything right now?" Draco asked with mischievous sparks in his eyes.
"I did?" Harry asked, blushing unconsciously.
"He did?" Ginny said also blushing, even if she had no reason to. Unfortunately.
"He interrupted my speech," Draco said with a smug look.
"Yeh, yeh, whatever," Harry replied, his eyes rolling. "I'll be back in a minute."
After Harry disappeared, Draco whispered into her ear. "You look so cute when you blush."
"So when I am not blushing, I am not cute?" Ginny asked, turning her head to face him.
She was so close, just inches away. But Draco wanted her to be closer. Just a few inches and…but he took his glance away. Ginny felt his hesitation. "Why are you restraining yourself? You have all rights now. Your ring has given you them."
Draco didn't need any further encouragement. The annoying distance was crossed and their lips met in a sweet kiss.
While Draco and Ginny were having fun, Harry found himself in an uncomfortable predicament because there was completely no space between Ron and Hermione, who decided to make out. He coughed to attract their attention, but wasn't heard. So he decided to just wait a bit. They will need oxygen sooner or later. And he waited. One minute. Two minutes. They had already started to attract the attention of others. Harry coughed again, this time much louder. Only now Ron and Hermione parted.
"What?" Ron spat in annoyance.
"Do you do it every time I am not watching?" Harry asked with annoyance of his own.
"No. Only when you are in another room," Ron answered in a Casanova tone.
Hermione blushed and looked herself over, searching for misplaced garments or ruined hair. "Well, I just came to inform you that Ginny and…her date are just next to us and if you can go and say hello. Ginny looks particularly beautiful tonight."
"Her date, you say," Ron remarked instantly on guard. "And who is that?" he asked with a clear death threat.
"Don't worry. You know him," Harry answered conversationally.
"Ron, don't spoil your sister's fun. She has been so miserable since Draco was taken away. Give her a chance to be happy again," Hermione pleaded.
"Ok, but if something happens, I'll," he crossed his throat with his thumb to illustrate.
They covered the small distance and reached Draco and Ginny's table. Lucky for the couple, they didn't interrupt anything. Draco stood up at their appearance. "Hermione, Ronald," he greeted as a perfect gentleman, kissing Hermione's knuckles lightly and stretching out his hand for Ron to shake.
But Ron didn't seem to be so cooperative. He looked, dumbfound, at the hand, and then into the face of his must-be enemy. He didn't have any problems with recognizing Draco. He didn't know how to react, that's why he just stared at him. Draco patiently waited, not taking his hand away and looking intently into Ron's confused eyes. After a half a minute debate, Ron hesitantly shook Draco's hand, but took his hand away quickly.
They sat down and an awkward silence settled. Nobody knew what to say or do. Ginny solved the problem by ordering punch. "So how did you like Harry's performance with Voldemort?" Draco decided to start the conversation. Not a brilliant topic, but it was all he could come up with.
"I didn't like it," Ron snapped. "It wasn't Harry I know. He acted and spoke like a damn slytherin!" Ron exclaimed with despise and everything connected with it.
"Being gryffindor, he couldn't defeat Voldemort."
"Why? Because he must be a coward to do it?" Ron asked mockingly.
"Let me show you. Now calm down and make your mind blank," Draco said in a slightly hypnotizing voice. Ron crossed his arms over his chest in resistance. "Virginia is officially my girlfriend now," Draco said slowly for Ron to understand the meaning of every word clearly.
"What!" Ron blew up, jumping up with clenched fists directed at Draco. But in return, Draco only moved his right palm in front of him and was under a shield, which provided him with complete protection from Ron's attacks.
"I explained it to Virgie already and Harry, probably too mentioned it to you, but you refused to understand. All courage and bravery of the world can't stand against immense power, which Voldemort possessed. Harry could not defend Voldemort. Even if he has potential to become a powerful wizard, he isn't now. The BOY-Who-Lived couldn't destroy the greatest wizard of the world."
"But he still did it," Ron spat, trying to go through the barrier, but his strivings were in vain.
"No." Everyone, even Harry, stared at him in a confused stupor. "We ALL did it." Draco turned to Harry. "Haven't you explained the pyramid?"
Harry shook his head. "I know nothing about it myself."
"Odd. I almost bet you'd run to Dumbledore to ask about it the moment you got up from the Hospital bed."
"I did some research, but haven't found any concrete information either," Hermione cut in.
"Hermione, can you calm Ronald down so you won't ruin your make up crying over his injuries?" Draco suggested, noticing that Ron was still desperate to cut through the shield.
"Ron, don't be childish, stop right this instant! Leave Draco alone!" Hermione ordered.
Ron bumped down onto the sofa, breathing heavily. He was exhausted from fruitless one-sided fighting. He drank his punch in one gulp and ordered another one.
"Well, where was I? Oh, yes. From your prophecy, Hermione, I found out that only love can destroy the Dark Lord. There was only one chance and it was decided to use it at its fullest. That's why seven people gave their love memories that were centered in one artifact and formed a stream of pure love."
"You mean those colorful streams were memories?" Harry asked.
"Yes. Red for you, orange for Ronald, yellow for Virgie, green for me and blue for Hermione."
"But it is only five," Hermione remarked.
"I won't name the other two," Draco turned to face Harry. "And don't even think about the torture devices you can use to get this information out of me, Harry. Nothing will work," he finished with a smirk.
"And how come I don't remember giving permission to extract my most precious memories from my head?" Ron asked.
"Because you didn't give it, Ronald," Draco answered. "They went from your heart. You weren't on the battle field already, if I remember right."
"You mean when I felt a slight ache in my heart just for a few seconds or so?" Ron asked skeptically.
"Probably. The reaction was specific for everyone. It was completely experimental. We didn't know anything for sure."
"We who?" Ginny asked. She also knew nothing about those activities even though she was so close to Draco.
"Dumbledore and I. It was his plan. I was only making sure that everything would go smoothly."
"You mean watching my every move?" Harry inquired.
"No, that was another obligation. I must've guaranteed that every person linked to the spell stayed alive."
"That's why you saved Ginny from the troll?" Ron wanted to bring utter clearness into this question. He thought it over many times, but couldn't find any reason that would've suited the Malfoy character.
"Ah, no." Draco suddenly didn't look so confident. Ginny squeezed his hand under the table, which brought a smile to his face. "I saved her because I can't live without her."
Ron frowned. He didn't like it one bit. That wasn't normal. How can Malfoy be a good guy? It is against all laws of…of, well, his well-being. "So you meant it? Meant that Ginny is your girlfriend now?" Ron asked with his eyes slit.
"Of course," Ginny answered for Draco. She knew her brother wasn't exactly a reasonable type when it came to Draco Malfoy. "Draco is a gentleman. It was the obvious option after everything we were through. It is ridiculous to be separated after so much time spent together." Ginny gave Draco a smile full of love, it was returned at full force.
"Oi, Ginny, tell us all about it! When did all this start? How did you even end up together? Tell me all the details!" Hermione advanced, her face beaming.
"Oh, no, no, no." Harry covered his ears. "Girls' gossip!"
"Oh, Merlin, I hate it," Draco said, rolling his eyes.
"Why don't we go in for more masculine doings then?" Ron proposed. His look at Draco clearly showed that he had a plan. "I'll let you date my sister, if you beat me in a game of Wizarding Chess."
"Holly Gryffindor, Ron! It's unfair. Nobody can beat you at chess," Harry reproached.
"You aren't right, Harry," Draco said with a satisfied look. "Ronald learnt his lesson. He knows that I am more powerful magically, he saw it himself today. So he chooses another way to challenge me. These conditions, he thinks, will guarantee his victory for certain. He'll defend the honor of his sister and kick my ass, hard, because he is very good at chess. His fame will reach every corner of the castle. But," Draco paused to emphasize the moment and moved his glance to Ron. "The only weak point in his slytherin-ish strategy is that I am also good at chess, so our chances are equal," he finished with a smirk.
Ron cursed under his breath, but still conjured a chess set on the table. While Ron and Draco struggled mentally and Harry amused himself with watching the game, Ginny and Hermione had a girls' talk. "Oh, Hermione, if I tell anybody this story, nobody will believe me."
"Common, spit it out," Hermione encouraged her anxiously.
"Why such big interest?"
"I watched attentively the memories Harry showed us. And shown wasn't the Malfoy we all know. There was another changed person. Even Ron admits it somewhere deep in his heart. He blocked the Killing curse with his own body to protect you and saved you again killing the troll. He turned out to be the tiger which saved the school on Halloween. Even if I don't know him, I know you, Ginny. You are a kind and loving person. Only you could bring such a change in him. The process just can be boring."
"We've built a new world."
"What do you mean?"
"After his mother's murder by his father, his whole world was destroyed. So I promised to help him build another world, a better one."
"It must be so horrible to find everything you believed in was a lie," said Hermione with sympathy.
"It was a really hard time for Draco. Strange as it seems, it all began in September when professor Snape invited us to be his assistants."
"You were Snape's assistants? So that's where your sudden knowledge of advanced potions came from!"
"We still are. The Professor hasn't freed us, officially, I mean."
"So all those nights that you were somewhere, you were with Draco?"
"Yes, we worked in a special laboratory. I won't tell you where it is."
"Only worked?" Hermione asked playfully.
"Of course, Hermione," Ginny exclaimed with slight indignation. "The lives of the Order members were in our hands!"
"Oh, Ginny, you are no fun! Speaking of fun; we were supposed to have the time of our lives during this Ball and I haven't danced yet! Ron! What are you doing?"
"I am losing a chess game the first time in six years," Ron responded gravely and brushed sweat from his forehead.
After another three moves, Ron slumped his head on the table. Draco stood up and went toward Ginny. "It was the hardest chess game of my life, but the prize was surely worth it," he said giving her a breathtaking smile. "Care for a dance, my lady?"
"Well, of course, dear sir," Ginny replied, taking his hand.
"Ron, dear, stop it at once or you'll have a huge bum on your forehead," Hermione scowled tenderly.
"I lost, 'Mione. I lost everything. I lost Ginny to Malfoy. Dad will kill me," Ron said, like it was the end of the world.
"You still have me, darling. And I know the way to make it all better," Hermione said, kissing his forehead.
"It isn't all better, but you are on the right way," Ron nudged her flirtingly.
"Common, Ron, I want to dance!"
"Whatever you want, darling. Whatever you want."
Five young people left the mezzanine and faced the dozens of couples swinging around on the dance floor. Evening gowns of every color flashed before their eyes. Slashes of fountain streams were mixing with the rustle of the dresses and clinking of the glasses. The whole picture presented a festive party full of happiness and joy.
"Have I told you that you are the prettiest girl here?" Draco asked Ginny.
"Not in those words, but you can tell me once more."
"I've never thought Dumbledore was such an excellent party organizer. Everything is so - " Harry began, but stopped half-way through, staring somewhere in the distance. Then he turned on his heels and started to walk through the crowd without saying a word to the others.
"What was that?" Ron asked, confused by the unusual behavior of Harry.
Draco looked around and shook his head with an amused smile. "Does he have a weak spot for brunettes?" he asked Ron.
"Harry? Brunettes? What are you talking about?"
"He went to his white lily. Look! A brunette in indigo or something."
"White lily…How romantic," Ginny said dreamily.
"Just a perfume, nothing more," Draco explained. "Well, we can wish him luck with his ideal girl, but I am not wasting any more time." He grabbed Ginny's hand and the next moment they were in the whirlpool of dancers. Ron and Hermione followed soon after.
They past Hagrid and Madame Maxime, Dumbledore and McGonagall, mister and misses Weasley, Flitwik and Sprout, Bill and Fleur, Neville and Luna and many more familiar couples, whom they just couldn't recognize. After a couple of dances, another started. It wasn't an average waltz or even a foxtrot, it was a special dance. It was the tango; the dance of passion and love.
Not more than a dozen couples remained on the floor, all of them grown ups. Such a dance wasn't introduced to the modern generation. It was a really spectacular show, every couple made its own original steps, moving with temperamental music. But one couple stood out the most. Unspoken, they were named "a pair in black" after the color of the dress robes of both man and woman.
She wore a dress with deep décolleté, showing her milky shoulders which had no marks on them. With such cleavage she, probably, wanted to show it to the world also. The décolleté was decorated with a thick layer of black ostrich feathers. The only non-black parts of her outfit were an appliqué of white pearls in a form of a lily on the left part of her corsage and a mesh blanche in her raven black hair. Her partner was dressed strictly, but elegantly. Simple pants and shirt, covered with a fitted waste robe with long tails. The only decorations of his attire were the silver buttons on his robes.
The uniqueness of their tango was that they moved in complete unity with the music and each other. Their swift swings and turns were effectively accompanied by the turning of the large frills on her skirt and his robes' tails. They moved across the dance floor like a tornado, stopping for a heart beat and then proceeding. They were certainly in their own world; Their own world of passion and desire. She was melting in his hands, but at the same time, kept him at bay. He was holding her possessively, but gently, leaving goose bumps on the places he touched (only she felt it, of course). Their glances were locked almost all the time. Indigo to black. Sapphires to onyx.
The music turned faster and faster, the steps – burning; the looks – intense, and then it suddenly stopped, reaching the apogee. The pair in black stopped dead at the same moment nose to nose.
The applause roared through the Hall. The couples bowed and another dance began. "They look good together, don't they?" Ginny whispered to Draco.
"They almost blinded me."
"Huh?"
"Their auras consist only of the while light and nothing more, it's quite unbearable even to the non-existing eyes."
"You mean to say they are madly in love? Then don't check my aura for another ten years. I want you to see how pretty I am."
"Aren't we smug today? I'd better not give you that dress; it makes you understand how beautiful you are. And, by the way, I am glad you don't have Vision eyes."
"So I couldn't see your sinful soul?"
"So you wouldn't lose your eyesight," he said with a smile. Ginny smiled in return. "I think we should pay a visit of politeness."
Ginny agreed with a nod and Draco started to lead the way to one of the secluded garden booths.
Meanwhile at the point of their destination
"And you were afraid? What of?" the man asked.
"I thought we would be recognized."
"It is absolutely impossible. There are hundreds of people there. Or are you ashamed to be seen with me?" angry notes appeared in his voice.
"No, of course not, dear. I am just not ready to be seen in such large gatherings."
"It is ok," his tone softened. "You'll get used to it at school. You are always on view here. You are always the subject of gossip and curses on homework."
"Well, soon it won't be easy to define who they are cursing, me or you," she said with giggles.
"I am sorry to interrupt, father, but we decided to say hello," came Draco's voice.
"Oh, come in, Draco, Miss Weasley, sit down. It is a pleasure to see you again," Snape greeted them with joy even he couldn't hide.
It came as utter shock to him when Draco was taken into custody. He was like a son to him. The most depressing was that he knew that it had been Dumbledore's task to kill those slytherins, the whole staff knew, the Order members knew, and nobody said a word in his defense. Not then anyway. And as for Lucius – he got what he deserved.
For the first time in his life, he was grateful to Potter. He didn't say it to him, of course, but after his demonstration, people started to come to Dumbledore's office asking for him to do something to help Draco.
Snape was also glad that happiness had returned to Ginny too. He somehow learnt to be fond of both his assistants. He protected her from intruders and questioning during her miserable stay at the laboratory, but he couldn't heal her wounded heart. Now they both had smiles on their faces and similar rings on their intertwined hands. 'Hm, interesting.'
"Good evening, professor Halflife. You look especially intriguing today," Draco said with a bow. 'That woman is really a piece of work.'
"Hello, Draco, Ginny. I hope you are having a good time. And call me Macbeth, especially you, Draco. We'll be relatives soon enough," Halflife said mysteriously. But the mystery was quickly solved by her "accidental" left hand gesture.
Draco's eyes turned into sockets. It happened to him very rarely, but the event was far from ordinary. Ginny was less shocked, but still stunned by the view of a big black pearl in silver on Halflife's forth finger.
With eyes still wide, Draco addressed Snape. "I came here to inform you about my future plans. I want to consult with you on some aspects. Can we do it in private?"
Snape smirked to himself. 'Poor Draco. So much in so small amount of time. But he doesn't say he disapproves, he wants to "talk". Well, he has his issues.'
"Of course, Draco," Halflife said, standing up. "Ginny and I also have some matters to discuss." She practically dragged Ginny out.
"Well," Snape began in a tone of somebody who knows exactly what will be said next.
"Marriage?" Draco choked out.
"Yes, marriage. Quite ordinary thing in the world."
"Yes, but are you sure? You've known here less than a year."
"I don't need to wait for anything. I am forty-three already. Life slips through my fingers. Believe me; I am already mentally and emotionally ready for this serious step. Even if you are very young, you are as eager as I am, so don't push the barrel on me," he finished with a smirk.
"What do you mean?" Draco asked with confused innocence.
"I saw your family ring on Miss Weasley and I know exactly what it means."
Draco blushed. "But the word "soon" wasn't mentioned. How soon is it by the way?"
"Not more than three weeks, I presume. We are still making arrangement with the Ministry. Too many people decided to make their relationship official after the War ended."
"Three weeks! That's too less time to get use to the idea that professor Snape is going to get married," Draco said with a playful smile.
"I am sure you understand the importance of keeping everything secret?"
"Of course, father. I can give a hundred galleons to see the faces of your wedding guests when they receive the invitations."
"I don't know how much you can give for such view, but your face was priceless," Snape said with a chuckle.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I wonder what Ginny and pro…and Macbeth are talking about…"
He may wonder, but we can easily penetrate through the crowd and near a small table for two on the second floor.
"I am so happy for you," Ginny said dreamily.
"Well, right now happiness overwhelms me. Even a year ago I was sure I wouldn't find love and having a fiancé was the edge of my dreams. And I have everything and I can't believe my own luck!" Macbeth said with a beaming face.
"And there is so much more ahead," Ginny finished for her with a warm smile.
"I am so nervous. I haven't considered myself a woman for many years." Macbeth started to twiddle a necklace on her neck.
Ginny only now noticed it. She couldn't understand how she didn't see it before. 'Too concentrated on Draco, probably.'
Halflife noticed Ginny's staring. "It is Severus's present. Beautiful, isn't it?"
"They are pearls, right?" Ginny asked, examining the necklace more closely. She didn't have big experience with jewelry because her family couldn't afford even a small ring for her. That's why she was fascinated by the astounding beauty of such a unique necklace made from not less than twenty five black pearls. "They are so rare. How could he get so many in such a short period of time?"
"He said something about growing them in the laboratory.
"Yeh, it is quite possible and it takes a lot of time and a bit of mess, but the result is fascinating. Draco made a few for one concoction back in November. I begged him to give me at least one, but he was unbending," Ginny said with a bit of sadness, recalling the time when Draco wasn't so caring, but smug and ignorant.
"But he did make up for that by giving you this wonderful dress, didn't he? You are shining like the Sun in it."
Ginny blushed. "Oh, Draco gave it to me on my birthday. Just like this. I found it after class in my dormitory, no card, no anything. But I instantly understood that it was from him. Only Draco can give something so explicitly elegant and, well, slytherin-ish. It really suits me," she paused for a second and looked around. "He is looking for me."
"How do you know?" Halflife asked astonished.
"I don't know. I just felt it."
"Can I kidnap my girlfriend from your undeniably pleasant conversation, Macbeth?" came Draco's drawl from behind her.
'Macbeth?' Halflife thought happily. 'Thank Merlin, he accepted me! ' "Of course, Draco, you are a suitable companion for Ginny than me. Go, have your fun."
Ginny took Draco's hand and they maneuvered through the tables to the dance floor. "Can I ask you a question? It was bothering me the whole evening," Draco asked Ginny, while swinging her in a romantic waltz.
"Go ahead."
"Do you remember I suggested to you to make a list of candidates for your date for this Ball?" Ginny slowly nodded. She wasn't afraid to answer him, but still wasn't absolutely sure of his reaction. "So how long was it? Not half of the school, I hope?"
"Quite the opposite, actually." Ginny looked at the floor shyly. "There was only one guy there."
"I desperately wish it wasn't, Potter," Draco said coldly, with jealousy that always struck him when Harry and Ginny's names were mentioned in one sentence.
"Oh, no, of course not, silly," Ginny replied, slapping him lightly on the shoulder.
"So who was the lucky guy? I promise I won't bite his head off."
"You," she barely whispered, but Draco still heard her.
His heart skipped a bit. 'It was me all that time.' "I am the luckiest man on Earth!" Draco exclaimed, grabbing Ginny by the waist and spinning her around to the eternal rapture of Ginny.
Ron and Hermione were sitting in the mezzanine, drinking some cocktails. "What the Hell is he doing?" Ron asked, glaring at Draco and Ginny with suspicion. "That is not Malfoy, and if it is, he has gone completely crazy."
"Ron, darling, let them be. They are just crazy in love," Hermione responded with a broad smile. She was glad that Ginny was happy once again, as for her chosen one…She hadn't, of course, forgotten how he tormented her and her friends during their school years, but she knew Ginny and knew what it was to be in love.
"But, Herm', it's against the rules!"
"There are no rules in love and war, Ron," Hermione said, kissing the tip of Ron's nose. And Ron decided to end her philosophical speech by crashing his lips on hers.
The Victory Ball continued till down. It ended with an enormous, magnificent fireworks show. The rockets, for which, were provided be the infamous Wizard Weasley Wheezers (made them a great add, by the way). The last toast was for the beginning of a new life. A life without darkness, danger hidden behind every corner and fear for what tomorrow would bring.
The Dark Times were over and the Sun was shining brightly for everyone once again.